Fenimore Asset Management Inc Lowers Position in AutoZone, Inc. $AZO

Fenimore Asset Management Inc reduced its stake in AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) by 0.7% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 32,269 shares of the company’s stock after selling 237 shares during the period. AutoZone makes up about 2.0% of Fenimore Asset Management Inc’s holdings, making the stock its 20th largest holding. Fenimore Asset Management Inc owned 0.20% of AutoZone worth $91,322,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Bard Associates Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of AutoZone in the fourth quarter worth about $31,000. Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. purchased a new position in AutoZone during the second quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Asset Dedication LLC increased its holdings in AutoZone by 150.0% during the 1st quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 10 shares of the company’s stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 6 shares during the period. Tacita Capital Inc purchased a new stake in AutoZone in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $32,000. Finally, Burkett Financial Services LLC bought a new position in AutoZone in the 3rd quarter valued at $31,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.74% of the company’s stock.

AutoZone Stock Performance

Shares of AZO stock traded up $64.35 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $2,910.62. The company had a trading volume of 172,435 shares, compared to its average volume of 264,784. AutoZone, Inc. has a one year low of $2,730.65 and a one year high of $4,146.42. The firm has a market cap of $47.53 billion, a PE ratio of 19.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 0.40. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $2,949.26 and a 200-day moving average price of $3,149.16.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, September 22nd. The company reported $56.05 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.54 by $55.51. The firm had revenue of $6.59 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.70 billion. AutoZone had a net margin of 12.65% and a negative return on equity of 90.08%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 5.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $48.71 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that AutoZone, Inc. will post 172.12 EPS for the current year.

AutoZone declared that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase plan on Tuesday, June 16th that permits the company to buyback $1.50 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the company to purchase up to 3% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are generally a sign that the company’s management believes its stock is undervalued.

Trending Headlines about AutoZone

Here are the key news stories impacting AutoZone this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Bernstein upgraded AutoZone to “Strong Buy.” The firm’s average price target is approximately $3,669, implying meaningful potential upside from recent trading levels and providing the clearest positive catalyst for the shares. Bernstein upgrades AutoZone stock to Strong Buy
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks Research introduced a fiscal 2029 EPS forecast of $220.60. Zacks also raised its Q3 2028 estimate to $46.56, suggesting analysts still expect long-term earnings growth despite weaker near- and medium-term projections.
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks reduced earnings estimates across several periods. Forecasts were cut for Q1 2027 to $34.65 from $37.78, Q2 2027 to $31.45 from $32.61, Q3 2027 to $41.91 from $42.64, and Q4 2027 to $58.15 from $61.70. The FY2027 estimate fell to $166.16 from $174.73.
• Negative Sentiment: Longer-term fiscal 2028 estimates were also lowered. Zacks reduced Q1 2028 EPS to $41.39 from $43.62, Q2 2028 to $39.11 from $40.45, Q4 2028 to $63.01 from $67.59, and FY2028 to $190.08 from $197.32. These revisions point to more cautious expectations for AutoZone’s earnings trajectory.
• Neutral Sentiment: The latest Zacks commentary keeps the focus on upcoming earnings. The current full-year consensus EPS estimate remains $172.12, while investors may weigh the bullish valuation outlook against the downward revisions to future quarterly results. Zacks Research Comments on AutoZone’s Q2 Earnings

Insider Activity

In other AutoZone news, VP Dennis LeRiche sold 1,455 shares of AutoZone stock in a transaction on Friday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $3,100.00, for a total value of $4,510,500.00. Following the sale, the vice president directly owned 441 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,367,100. The trade was a 76.74% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 2.60% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

AZO has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Oppenheimer set a $3,400.00 price objective on AutoZone in a research note on Wednesday, September 23rd. Roth Capital lowered their price target on shares of AutoZone from $4,023.00 to $3,850.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, September 23rd. Evercore reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of AutoZone in a research report on Wednesday, September 23rd. Sanford C. Bernstein initiated coverage on shares of AutoZone in a report on Tuesday, September 29th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $3,698.00 target price for the company. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on shares of AutoZone from $3,850.00 to $3,700.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, September 28th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have issued a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $3,669.12.

AutoZone Company Profile

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.