Zacks Research Brokers Lift Earnings Estimates for AutoZone

Key Points

• Zacks Research has increased its Q1 2026 earnings per share estimate for AutoZone to $31.94, up from a previous estimate of $31.76, although it maintains a "Strong Sell" rating on the stock.
• Several financial institutions have raised their target prices for AutoZone, with Barclays increasing its price target from $3,916 to $4,610, reflecting a general positive outlook despite varying ratings.
• AutoZone's recent earnings report showed $48.71 earnings per share, missing expectations, while the company also announced a stock buyback program, indicating potential undervaluation of shares.

AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO - Free Report) - Stock analysts at Zacks Research increased their Q1 2026 earnings per share estimates for shares of AutoZone in a report issued on Thursday, October 9th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the company will post earnings per share of $31.94 for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of $31.76. Zacks Research currently has a "Strong Sell" rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for AutoZone's current full-year earnings is $152.94 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for AutoZone's Q2 2026 earnings at $27.00 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $35.85 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $54.06 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $148.84 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $35.69 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $34.58 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $39.67 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $58.70 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $168.63 EPS.

AZO has been the subject of a number of other reports. Barclays lifted their target price on AutoZone from $3,916.00 to $4,610.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, September 11th. Raymond James Financial decreased their target price on AutoZone from $4,900.00 to $4,800.00 and set a "strong-buy" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, September 24th. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on AutoZone from $4,000.00 to $4,700.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 24th. TD Cowen lifted their target price on AutoZone from $4,300.00 to $4,900.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, September 18th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on AutoZone from $4,100.00 to $4,600.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, September 25th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-four have given a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, AutoZone has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $4,544.68.

AutoZone Stock Up 2.8%

Shares of NYSE AZO opened at $4,076.62 on Monday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $4,149.74 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $3,857.48. The firm has a market cap of $68.41 billion, a PE ratio of 28.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 0.40. AutoZone has a twelve month low of $2,980.10 and a twelve month high of $4,388.11.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, September 23rd. The company reported $48.71 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $50.52 by ($1.81). The firm had revenue of $6.24 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.26 billion. AutoZone had a net margin of 13.19% and a negative return on equity of 60.49%. The company's revenue for the quarter was up .6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $51.58 earnings per share.

AutoZone declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback program on Wednesday, October 8th that allows the company to buyback $0.00 in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the company to purchase shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are generally an indication that the company's board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, VP John Scott Murphy sold 2,860 shares of AutoZone stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $4,175.70, for a total value of $11,942,502.00. Following the transaction, the vice president directly owned 1,244 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,194,570.80. This trade represents a 69.69% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, VP Richard Craig Smith sold 3,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $3,875.90, for a total value of $11,627,700.00. Following the transaction, the vice president owned 2,925 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,337,007.50. This trade represents a 50.63% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 2.10% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in AZO. AlphaCore Capital LLC purchased a new position in AutoZone during the 1st quarter worth $27,000. Saudi Central Bank purchased a new position in AutoZone during the 1st quarter worth $27,000. Aspect Partners LLC grew its stake in AutoZone by 700.0% during the 2nd quarter. Aspect Partners LLC now owns 8 shares of the company's stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 7 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust purchased a new position in AutoZone during the 2nd quarter worth $33,000. Finally, NewSquare Capital LLC grew its stake in AutoZone by 50.0% during the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 9 shares of the company's stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 3 shares during the last quarter. 92.74% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AutoZone Company Profile

AutoZone, Inc retails and distributes automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. The company provides various products for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products.

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