AutoZone Stock Gets Reduced EPS Forecast from Zacks Research

AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) – Stock analysts at Zacks Research decreased their Q1 2027 EPS estimates for shares of AutoZone in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday, October 6th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the company will post earnings of $34.65 per share for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $37.78. The consensus estimate for AutoZone’s current full-year earnings is $172.12 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for AutoZone’s Q4 2027 earnings at $58.15 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $166.16 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $41.39 EPS and Q4 2028 earnings at $63.01 EPS.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, September 22nd. The company reported $56.05 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.54 by $55.51. AutoZone had a negative return on equity of 90.08% and a net margin of 12.65%.The firm had revenue of $6.59 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.70 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $48.71 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 5.6% on a year-over-year basis.

Several other research analysts have also commented on the stock. Piper Sandler set a $3,500.00 price objective on shares of AutoZone in a research note on Monday, August 31st. Raymond James Financial reduced their price target on AutoZone from $4,000.00 to $3,700.00 and set a “strong-buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, September 23rd. TD Cowen decreased their price objective on AutoZone from $3,500.00 to $3,400.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, September 23rd. Sanford C. Bernstein assumed coverage on AutoZone in a research note on Tuesday, September 29th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $3,698.00 target price on the stock. Finally, UBS Group set a $3,850.00 target price on AutoZone in a research report on Wednesday, September 23rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have issued a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $3,669.12.

AutoZone Stock Down 1.6%

Shares of AZO stock opened at $2,851.56 on Thursday. AutoZone has a 52-week low of $2,730.65 and a 52-week high of $4,146.42. The company’s 50 day moving average is $2,949.26 and its 200 day moving average is $3,149.16. The firm has a market cap of $46.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.66, a PEG ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 0.40.

Institutional Trading of AutoZone

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of AutoZone by 24,060.0% during the third quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 1,208 shares of the company’s stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 1,203 shares during the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Trust Services Inc. grew its position in AutoZone by 4,267.9% during the 3rd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Trust Services Inc. now owns 2,446 shares of the company’s stock worth $6,922,000 after purchasing an additional 2,390 shares during the period. North Point Portfolio Managers Corp OH acquired a new stake in AutoZone during the 3rd quarter worth about $37,000. Strong Retirement Solutions LLC raised its stake in shares of AutoZone by 44.9% during the 3rd quarter. Strong Retirement Solutions LLC now owns 287 shares of the company’s stock valued at $812,000 after buying an additional 89 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bangor Savings Bank lifted its holdings in shares of AutoZone by 639.1% in the 3rd quarter. Bangor Savings Bank now owns 340 shares of the company’s stock valued at $962,000 after buying an additional 294 shares during the period. 92.74% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, VP Dennis LeRiche sold 1,455 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $3,100.00, for a total value of $4,510,500.00. Following the sale, the vice president owned 441 shares in the company, valued at $1,367,100. This represents a 76.74% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 2.60% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

AutoZone announced that its board has approved a stock repurchase program on Tuesday, June 16th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.50 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the company to purchase up to 3% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are usually an indication that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Trending Headlines about AutoZone

Here are the key news stories impacting AutoZone this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Bernstein upgraded AutoZone to “Strong Buy,” signaling increased confidence in the company’s outlook. Bernstein upgrades AutoZone stock to Strong Buy
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised its Q3 2028 EPS estimate to $46.56 from $45.66 and forecasts FY2029 EPS of $220.60, suggesting meaningful long-term earnings growth. Zacks Research Comments on AutoZone’s Q2 Earnings
• Neutral Sentiment: AutoZone’s average analyst price target is reported at $3,669.12, well above the recent $2,851.56 share price. However, the stock remains below its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, indicating continued technical pressure. AutoZone Stock Has Average Price Target of $3,669.12
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks Research lowered EPS estimates for Q2 2027 to $31.45, Q3 2027 to $41.91, Q2 2028 to $39.11, and FY2028 to $190.08 from $197.32. These revisions may be weighing on the stock because they suggest softer earnings expectations across multiple future periods. Zacks Research Comments on AutoZone’s Q2 Earnings

About AutoZone

AutoZone, Inc is a specialty retailer of automotive replacement parts, accessories and maintenance products. The company serves do-it-yourself customers as well as professional automotive repair shops, offering products such as batteries, brakes, filters, engine components, tools, fluids and other vehicle parts.

In addition to its retail stores, AutoZone provides commercial sales and delivery services for professional repair businesses. The company also operates ALLDATA, which offers automotive diagnostic, repair and shop-management software and information services to repair professionals.

Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, AutoZone operates primarily in the United States, with additional stores and operations in Mexico and Brazil.