Paradigm Asset Management Co. LLC Raises Stock Position in AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO)

Paradigm Asset Management Co. LLC grew its holdings in shares of AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) by 600.0% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 700 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 600 shares during the period. Paradigm Asset Management Co. LLC’s holdings in AutoZone were worth $2,241,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of AZO. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new stake in AutoZone during the third quarter worth about $36,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in AutoZone during the third quarter worth about $47,000. Crews Bank & Trust purchased a new stake in AutoZone during the fourth quarter worth about $61,000. McIlrath & Eck LLC increased its stake in AutoZone by 25.0% during the third quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 20 shares of the company’s stock worth $63,000 after purchasing an additional 4 shares during the period. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in AutoZone during the third quarter worth about $66,000. 92.74% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AutoZone Trading Up 0.4 %

AZO stock opened at $3,408.52 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $57.19 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.77, a PEG ratio of 1.87 and a beta of 0.70. AutoZone, Inc. has a twelve month low of $2,680.96 and a twelve month high of $3,484.42. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $3,321.68 and a 200-day simple moving average of $3,204.55.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, December 10th. The company reported $32.52 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $33.69 by ($1.17). AutoZone had a net margin of 14.18% and a negative return on equity of 53.89%. The firm had revenue of $4.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.30 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $32.55 earnings per share. AutoZone’s revenue was up 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that AutoZone, Inc. will post 152.94 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have issued reports on AZO shares. TD Cowen boosted their price target on shares of AutoZone from $3,450.00 to $3,800.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, December 16th. BMO Capital Markets began coverage on shares of AutoZone in a research note on Friday, December 13th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $3,700.00 target price on the stock. Truist Financial upped their target price on shares of AutoZone from $3,501.00 to $3,753.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Barclays upped their target price on shares of AutoZone from $3,024.00 to $3,585.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 9th. Finally, Mizuho upped their target price on shares of AutoZone from $3,350.00 to $3,600.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, sixteen have given a buy rating and three have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, AutoZone currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $3,429.84.

About AutoZone

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.