Candriam S.C.A. Has $5.35 Million Stake in AutoZone, Inc. $AZO

Candriam S.C.A. lowered its stake in shares of AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) by 44.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,246 shares of the company’s stock after selling 1,016 shares during the period. Candriam S.C.A.’s holdings in AutoZone were worth $5,346,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. boosted its stake in AutoZone by 8.3% in the 2nd quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. now owns 2,742 shares of the company’s stock valued at $10,179,000 after purchasing an additional 210 shares during the period. Braun Stacey Associates Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of AutoZone by 7.8% during the third quarter. Braun Stacey Associates Inc. now owns 8,425 shares of the company’s stock worth $36,145,000 after buying an additional 613 shares in the last quarter. Summit Global Investments boosted its position in shares of AutoZone by 132.8% in the third quarter. Summit Global Investments now owns 319 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,369,000 after acquiring an additional 182 shares during the period. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of AutoZone in the third quarter valued at about $678,000. Finally, Exchange Traded Concepts LLC increased its position in AutoZone by 68.2% during the third quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 1,457 shares of the company’s stock worth $6,251,000 after acquiring an additional 591 shares during the period. 92.74% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have issued reports on AZO shares. DA Davidson decreased their target price on shares of AutoZone from $4,850.00 to $4,500.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Roth Mkm reissued a “buy” rating and set a $4,650.00 price target (down previously from $4,750.00) on shares of AutoZone in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Robert W. Baird cut AutoZone from an “outperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $3,900.00 price objective for the company. in a report on Monday. Wolfe Research downgraded AutoZone from an “outperform” rating to a “peer perform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 16th. Finally, Oppenheimer decreased their price target on AutoZone from $4,600.00 to $4,150.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 9th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have given a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $4,271.25.

Insider Buying and Selling at AutoZone

In other news, Director Brian Hannasch bought 147 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 18th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $3,393.09 per share, with a total value of $498,784.23. Following the acquisition, the director directly owned 962 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,264,152.58. This trade represents a 18.04% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Michael A. George purchased 145 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 22nd. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $3,398.13 per share, for a total transaction of $492,728.85. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 566 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,923,341.58. This represents a 34.44% increase in their position. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Over the last three months, insiders have purchased 347 shares of company stock worth $1,179,256 and have sold 9,447 shares worth $34,179,923. 2.60% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

AutoZone Trading Up 2.0%

AZO opened at $3,737.75 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $61.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.07, a PEG ratio of 1.74 and a beta of 0.41. The company’s 50 day moving average is $3,539.34 and its 200-day moving average is $3,845.68. AutoZone, Inc. has a 1-year low of $3,210.72 and a 1-year high of $4,388.11.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, December 9th. The company reported $31.04 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $32.69 by ($1.65). The company had revenue of $4.63 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate 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 in the previous year, the company earned $32.52 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that AutoZone, Inc. will post 152.94 EPS for the current year.

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.