Zacks Research Brokers Boost Earnings Estimates for AutoZone

AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) – Zacks Research raised their FY2026 earnings per share estimates for AutoZone in a research report issued on Tuesday, March 17th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the company will post earnings of $149.47 per share for the year, up from their previous estimate of $146.77. Zacks Research has a “Hold” 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 2027 earnings at $33.21 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $42.50 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $61.73 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $174.79 EPS and Q1 2028 earnings at $43.43 EPS.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 3rd. The company reported $27.63 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $27.59 by $0.04. AutoZone had a negative return on equity of 72.31% and a net margin of 12.47%.The firm had revenue of $4.27 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.31 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $28.29 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 8.2% compared to the same quarter last year.

AZO has been the topic of several other research reports. Oppenheimer reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $4,300.00 price target (up from $4,150.00) on shares of AutoZone in a report on Tuesday, March 10th. Raymond James Financial reduced their price objective on shares of AutoZone from $4,800.00 to $4,600.00 and set a “strong-buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. BNP Paribas Exane decreased their price objective on shares of AutoZone from $4,811.00 to $4,268.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of AutoZone from $3,800.00 to $3,900.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 4th. Finally, Roth Mkm dropped their target price on shares of AutoZone from $4,650.00 to $4,526.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, March 4th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have given a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $4,312.13.

AutoZone Trading Down 2.2%

Shares of NYSE:AZO opened at $3,363.12 on Thursday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $3,658.76 and a 200 day moving average of $3,786.15. The company has a market cap of $55.73 billion, a PE ratio of 23.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 0.41. AutoZone has a 12-month low of $3,210.72 and a 12-month high of $4,388.11.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AutoZone

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of AZO. Turning Point Benefit Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of AutoZone in the 3rd quarter worth $25,000. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of AutoZone during the 3rd quarter valued at about $26,000. Torren Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AutoZone during the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of AutoZone by 100.0% in the 4th quarter. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC now owns 8 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 4 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Global Trust Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of AutoZone by 600.0% in the 3rd quarter. Global Trust Asset Management LLC now owns 7 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 6 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 92.74% of the company’s stock.

Insider Transactions at AutoZone

In related news, VP Richard Craig Smith sold 5,910 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, January 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $3,700.00, for a total value of $21,867,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president directly owned 2,627 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $9,719,900. This trade represents a 69.23% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Earl G. Graves, Jr. sold 250 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, January 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $3,295.00, for a total transaction of $823,750.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 4,887 shares in the company, valued at $16,102,665. This represents a 4.87% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last quarter, insiders sold 9,447 shares of company stock worth $34,179,923. 2.60% of the stock is owned by insiders.

More AutoZone News

Here are the key news stories impacting AutoZone this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks raised longer‑term earnings forecasts — analysts bumped FY2027 and FY2028 estimates (FY2027 to $174.79/sh and FY2028 to $196.71/sh) and lifted several quarterly and FY2026 projections, suggesting stronger medium‑term profit expectations that could support the stock. Zacks Research estimate moves
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks kept a “Hold” rating while revising numbers — the firm adjusted multiple quarter and year estimates up and down but did not change its rating, signaling conviction is unchanged even as assumptions shift. Zacks Research rating and coverage
• Neutral Sentiment: Macro inflation risk flagged by market commentary — a Barron’s/Fool style piece highlights rising producer prices and geopolitical risks (oil, fertilizer) that could push inflation higher; inflation has mixed implications for AutoZone (higher repair/replacement spending vs. consumer squeeze). Inflation could be coming back — The Motley Fool
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks trimmed several near‑term quarter estimates (small cuts to Q1 2028, Q2 2027 and Q2 2028), which could pressure the stock if investors focus on near‑term earnings momentum rather than upgraded full‑year targets. Zacks Research estimate cuts
• Negative Sentiment: TD Cowen (covered in press) has lowered expectations for AZO share price — an independent note reducing targets or sentiment can amplify downward pressure when combined with near‑term estimate cuts. TD Cowen has lowered expectations

AutoZone Company Profile

AutoZone, Inc (NYSE: AZO) is a retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, the company supplies a wide range of aftermarket components, maintenance items and accessories for passenger cars, light trucks and commercial vehicles. Its product assortment includes engine parts, electrical components, batteries, brakes, filters, fluids and interior and exterior accessories, supported by inventory management and logistics systems to serve retail customers and professional service providers.

AutoZone serves both do‑it‑yourself (DIY) consumers and commercial customers such as independent repair shops and service centers.