William Blair Has Negative View of AutoZone FY2025 Earnings

AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) – Equities research analysts at William Blair reduced their FY2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of AutoZone in a report issued on Tuesday, December 10th. William Blair analyst P. Blee now anticipates that the company will earn $152.93 per share for the year, down from their previous forecast of $154.26. The consensus estimate for AutoZone’s current full-year earnings is $154.29 per share.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, December 10th. The company reported $32.52 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $33.69 by ($1.17). The company had revenue of $4.28 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.30 billion. AutoZone had a negative return on equity of 53.89% and a net margin of 14.18%. The firm’s revenue was up 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $32.55 EPS.

A number of other brokerages have also recently commented on AZO. Guggenheim increased their price target on AutoZone from $3,350.00 to $3,750.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Roth Mkm reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $3,634.00 target price on shares of AutoZone in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. Mizuho lifted their price target on AutoZone from $3,350.00 to $3,600.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Redburn Atlantic raised AutoZone to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 1st. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of AutoZone from $3,038.00 to $3,125.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 25th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and three have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $3,360.47.

AutoZone Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:AZO opened at $3,369.01 on Friday. AutoZone has a one year low of $2,510.00 and a one year high of $3,416.71. The company has a market cap of $56.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.52, a PEG ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 0.71. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $3,148.28 and a 200 day simple moving average of $3,061.08.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, VP John Scott Murphy sold 1,580 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $3,107.69, for a total transaction of $4,910,150.20. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 1,218 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,785,166.42. This represents a 56.47 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Chairman William C. Rhodes III sold 13,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $3,107.15, for a total transaction of $40,392,950.00. Following the transaction, the chairman now directly owns 13,857 shares in the company, valued at $43,055,777.55. This trade represents a 48.40 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 14,880 shares of company stock valued at $46,225,660 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 2.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company increased its holdings in shares of AutoZone by 186.8% during the third quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 92,870 shares of the company’s stock valued at $292,544,000 after acquiring an additional 60,483 shares in the last quarter. Verde Capital Management acquired a new stake in AutoZone in the 3rd quarter valued at $1,137,000. Mizuho Securities USA LLC increased its stake in AutoZone by 592.0% during the 3rd quarter. Mizuho Securities USA LLC now owns 9,210 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,012,000 after purchasing an additional 7,879 shares in the last quarter. Swedbank AB raised its holdings in AutoZone by 5.6% during the second quarter. Swedbank AB now owns 16,524 shares of the company’s stock worth $48,979,000 after buying an additional 869 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of AutoZone by 0.4% in the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 104,665 shares of the company’s stock valued at $329,699,000 after buying an additional 466 shares in the last quarter. 92.74% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AutoZone Company Profile

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.