Morgan Stanley Increases AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) Price Target to $4,020.00

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) had its price target lifted by stock analysts at Morgan Stanley from $4,000.00 to $4,020.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an “overweight” rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley’s price target suggests a potential upside of 7.30% from the company’s current price.

Other equities research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Roth Mkm decreased their price objective on AutoZone from $4,650.00 to $4,526.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on AutoZone from $4,274.00 to $4,345.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Wolfe Research cut AutoZone from an “outperform” rating to a “peer perform” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. DA Davidson reduced their price objective on AutoZone from $4,500.00 to $4,100.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, BMO Capital Markets dropped their target price on shares of AutoZone from $4,600.00 to $4,400.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have issued a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $4,311.57.

AutoZone Price Performance

Shares of NYSE AZO opened at $3,746.41 on Wednesday. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $3,617.95 and its two-hundred day moving average is $3,824.20. The company has a market capitalization of $62.08 billion, a PE ratio of 26.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.91 and a beta of 0.41. AutoZone has a 12-month low of $3,210.72 and a 12-month high of $4,388.11.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 3rd. The company reported $27.63 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $27.59 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $4.27 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.31 billion. AutoZone had a negative return on equity of 72.31% and a net margin of 12.47%.The company’s quarterly revenue was up 8.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $28.29 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that AutoZone will post 152.94 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Michael A. George purchased 145 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 22nd. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $3,398.13 per share, with a total value of $492,728.85. Following the transaction, the director owned 566 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,923,341.58. The trade was a 34.44% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director George R. Mrkonic, Jr. sold 97 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $3,341.99, for a total value 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. This trade represents a 2.65% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In 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. Company insiders own 2.60% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. lifted its position in shares of 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 acquiring an additional 210 shares in the last quarter. Braun Stacey Associates Inc. boosted its position in AutoZone by 7.8% during the 3rd quarter. Braun Stacey Associates Inc. now owns 8,425 shares of the company’s stock worth $36,145,000 after acquiring an additional 613 shares during the period. Summit Global Investments grew its stake in AutoZone by 132.8% during the 3rd quarter. Summit Global Investments now owns 319 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,369,000 after acquiring an additional 182 shares in the last quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of AutoZone in the 3rd quarter valued at about $678,000. Finally, Exchange Traded Concepts LLC boosted its holdings in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 591 shares during the period. 92.74% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

AutoZone News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting AutoZone this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Multiple major brokers raised price targets or reaffirmed buy/overweight ratings (Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, Barclays), which supports upside expectations and likely helped buying interest this morning. Read More. • Read More. • Read More. • Read More.
• Positive Sentiment: Q2 EPS slightly beat consensus (reported EPS vs. estimate) and sales grew ~8% Y/Y; management highlighted commercial growth and store expansion as offsets to the topline shortfall. That beat helps justify current valuations despite headwinds. Read More.
• Positive Sentiment: Management reiterated an aggressive store growth plan (targeting 350–360 new stores for 2026), which supports long‑term revenue expansion and is a constructive growth catalyst. Read More.
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst views are mixed overall — some firms cut PTs modestly but kept buy ratings, while others raised targets; the net effect is a crowded but heterogeneous analyst stance that creates both upside and downside scenarios. Read More.
• Negative Sentiment: Topline missed a few estimates and management said an unusually strong winter season and softer Mexico sales weighed on Q2 revenues — a clear near-term headwind to growth. Read More.
• Negative Sentiment: Margin pressure from higher production costs, LIFO inventory impacts and accelerated SG&A investments was highlighted by several reports and analysts; margin compression could limit near-term EPS upside even with revenue growth. Read More. • Read More.
• Negative Sentiment: Some firms trimmed price targets or moved to neutral (e.g., Mizuho raised its PT but set a neutral rating at a level below the current price), introducing potential selling pressure for investors focused on near‑term downside risk. Read More.

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.