Zacks Research Brokers Lift Earnings Estimates for AutoZone

AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) – Equities research analysts at Zacks Research increased their Q3 2026 earnings estimates for AutoZone in a research report issued on Tuesday, March 17th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the company will post earnings of $36.09 per share for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $35.85. Zacks Research currently has a “Hold” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for AutoZone’s current full-year earnings is $152.94 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for AutoZone’s Q4 2026 earnings at $54.71 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $37.35 EPS, Q2 2028 earnings at $40.54 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $196.71 EPS.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 3rd. The company reported $27.63 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $27.59 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $4.27 billion for 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 firm’s revenue was up 8.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $28.29 earnings per share.

Several other research analysts also recently commented on the company. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $4,400.00 price target on shares of AutoZone in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Wolfe Research lowered shares of AutoZone from an “outperform” rating to a “peer perform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of AutoZone from $4,100.00 to $4,300.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, February 26th. Guggenheim decreased their price target on shares of AutoZone from $4,600.00 to $4,400.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their target price on AutoZone from $4,200.00 to $4,300.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 4th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have issued a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $4,312.13.

AutoZone Stock Down 2.2%

Shares of AZO opened at $3,363.12 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $55.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 0.41. The company’s fifty day moving average is $3,658.76 and its 200-day moving average is $3,786.15. AutoZone has a 12 month low of $3,210.72 and a 12 month high of $4,388.11.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AutoZone

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Turning Point Benefit Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of AutoZone during the third quarter worth approximately $25,000. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in AutoZone in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Torren Management LLC bought a new position in AutoZone in the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in AutoZone by 100.0% during the 4th quarter. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC now owns 8 shares of the company’s stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 4 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Global Trust Asset Management LLC boosted its position 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 last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.74% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at AutoZone

In related news, Director Earl G. Graves, Jr. sold 250 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $3,295.00, for a total transaction of $823,750.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 4,887 shares in the company, valued at $16,102,665. This trade represents a 4.87% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director George R. Mrkonic, Jr. sold 97 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction 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 completion of the sale, the director owned 3,564 shares in the company, valued at $11,910,852.36. This trade represents a 2.65% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold 9,447 shares of company stock worth $34,179,923 in the last three months. 2.60% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

About AutoZone

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.