Zacks Research Increases Earnings Estimates for AutoZone

AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) – Equities research analysts at Zacks Research boosted their FY2026 earnings per share estimates for shares of AutoZone in a report issued on Tuesday, March 17th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the company will post earnings of $149.47 per share for the year, up from their prior estimate of $146.77. Zacks Research currently 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.

Several other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on the stock. Evercore increased their target price on shares of AutoZone from $4,100.00 to $4,125.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, February 27th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of AutoZone from $4,700.00 to $4,500.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on shares of AutoZone from $4,000.00 to $4,020.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, March 4th. 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 on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, Mizuho raised their price objective on shares of AutoZone from $3,550.00 to $3,600.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, March 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have assigned a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $4,312.13.

AutoZone Stock Down 2.2%

NYSE AZO opened at $3,363.12 on Thursday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $3,658.76 and a two-hundred day moving average of $3,786.15. The firm has a market capitalization of $55.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.56, a PEG ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 0.41. AutoZone has a 52 week low of $3,210.72 and a 52 week high of $4,388.11.

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

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AutoZone

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Turning Point Benefit Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of AutoZone during the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in AutoZone in the third quarter worth approximately $26,000. Torren Management LLC bought a new position in AutoZone in the fourth quarter worth approximately $27,000. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC increased its holdings in AutoZone by 100.0% during the 4th quarter. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC now owns 8 shares of the company’s stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 4 shares during the period. Finally, Global Trust Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in AutoZone by 600.0% during the 3rd quarter. Global Trust Asset Management LLC now owns 7 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 6 shares during the period. 92.74% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity at AutoZone

In related news, VP Richard Craig Smith sold 5,910 shares of AutoZone stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $3,700.00, for a total transaction of $21,867,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president owned 2,627 shares in the company, valued at $9,719,900. This trade represents a 69.23% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Michael A. George acquired 145 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, December 22nd. The stock was bought at an average cost of $3,398.13 per share, with a total value of $492,728.85. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 566 shares in the company, valued at $1,923,341.58. This trade represents a 34.44% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 9,447 shares of company stock valued at $34,179,923 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 2.60% of the company’s stock.

AutoZone News Roundup

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

About AutoZone

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.