AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) Director George Mrkonic, Jr. Sells 97 Shares

AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) Director George Mrkonic, Jr. sold 97 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $3,341.99, for a total transaction of $324,173.03. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 3,564 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $11,910,852.36. The trade was a 2.65% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink.

AutoZone Price Performance

AZO opened at $3,268.38 on Tuesday. AutoZone, Inc. has a 12 month low of $3,162.00 and a 12 month high of $4,388.11. The stock has a market cap of $54.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.79, a P/E/G ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 0.42. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $3,649.96 and its 200 day moving average price is $3,865.57.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, December 9th. The company reported $31.04 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $32.69 by ($1.65). The business had revenue of $4.63 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.64 billion. AutoZone had a net margin of 12.78% and a negative return on equity of 65.38%. AutoZone’s revenue for the quarter was up 8.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $32.52 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that AutoZone, Inc. will post 152.94 EPS for the current year.

AutoZone announced that its board has authorized a share repurchase program on Wednesday, October 8th that permits the company to repurchase $0.00 in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the company to purchase shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are typically a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AutoZone

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Turning Point Benefit Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of AutoZone in the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of AutoZone during the third quarter worth approximately $26,000. Aspect Partners LLC grew its position in AutoZone by 700.0% during the second quarter. Aspect Partners LLC now owns 8 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 7 shares in the last quarter. Global Trust Asset Management LLC increased its stake in 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 buying an additional 6 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of Jackson Hole Trust acquired a new position in AutoZone in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $33,000. 92.74% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Headlines Impacting AutoZone

Here are the key news stories impacting AutoZone this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Brokerage consensus remains supportive — firms aggregate a “Moderate Buy” rating on AZO, which can limit downside by keeping some institutional demand steady. AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) Given Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysis piece outlines a shifting investment story for AutoZone — touches on valuation, margin pressures and slower comp assumptions; useful context for longer-term thesis but not a single near-term catalyst. What Recent Developments Mean For The Changing AutoZone AZO Investment Story
• Negative Sentiment: Mizuho downgraded AZO from Outperform to Neutral, citing concerns that the current valuation and nearer‑term earnings visibility no longer justify a higher rating — a direct sell-side catalyst weighing on the stock. AutoZone downgraded to neutral from outperform at Mizuho
• Negative Sentiment: Company insiders disclosed director sales: Earl G. Graves, Jr. sold 250 shares and George R. Mrkonic, Jr. sold 97 shares in early January. While modest relative to their holdings, the disclosures can amplify near-term negative sentiment. Earl G. Graves Jr SEC filing George R. Mrkonic Jr SEC filing

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have recently weighed in on AZO. Citigroup reduced their price objective on shares of AutoZone from $4,775.00 to $4,200.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. Raymond James Financial cut their target price on 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. Evercore ISI reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $4,100.00 target price on shares of AutoZone in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their price target on AutoZone from $4,262.00 to $4,234.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on AutoZone from $4,000.00 to $4,700.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 24th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-four have assigned a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, AutoZone has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $4,330.84.

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.