FY2026 EPS Estimates for AutoZone Boosted by Zacks Research

AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) – Zacks Research raised their FY2026 earnings estimates for shares of AutoZone in a report issued on Tuesday, March 17th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the company will earn $149.47 per share for the year, up from their prior estimate of $146.77. 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 Q2 2027 earnings at $33.21 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $42.50 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $61.73 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $174.79 EPS and Q1 2028 earnings at $43.43 EPS.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) last released 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 business had revenue of $4.27 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.31 billion. AutoZone had a net margin of 12.47% and a negative return on equity of 72.31%. The company’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 $28.29 EPS.

Other analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Mizuho lifted their price target on AutoZone from $3,550.00 to $3,600.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, March 5th. Oppenheimer reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $4,300.00 target price (up from $4,150.00) on shares of AutoZone in a research report on Tuesday, March 10th. DA Davidson set a $4,300.00 target price on AutoZone in a research note on Thursday, March 5th. Roth Mkm lowered their price target on AutoZone from $4,650.00 to $4,526.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, March 4th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets dropped their price target on shares of AutoZone from $4,400.00 to $4,300.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, March 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have given a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, AutoZone currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $4,312.13.

AutoZone Price Performance

NYSE:AZO opened at $3,342.73 on Thursday. AutoZone has a 12 month low of $3,210.72 and a 12 month high of $4,388.11. The firm has a market capitalization of $55.39 billion, a PE ratio of 23.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.72 and a beta of 0.41. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $3,659.45 and its 200 day moving average price is $3,783.07.

Institutional Trading of AutoZone

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in AZO. Turning Point Benefit Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of AutoZone in the third quarter valued at about $25,000. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in AutoZone during the third quarter worth about $26,000. Torren Management LLC acquired a new stake in AutoZone in the fourth quarter valued at about $27,000. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC lifted its position in AutoZone by 100.0% in the fourth quarter. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC now owns 8 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 4 shares during the period. Finally, Global Trust Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings 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 purchasing an additional 6 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.74% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Michael A. George bought 145 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 22nd. The shares were acquired at an average price of $3,398.13 per share, with a total value of $492,728.85. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director owned 566 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,923,341.58. This trade represents a 34.44% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, VP Richard Craig Smith sold 5,910 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $3,700.00, for a total value of $21,867,000.00. Following the sale, the vice president owned 2,627 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $9,719,900. This trade represents a 69.23% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 9,447 shares of company stock valued at $34,179,923. Company insiders own 2.60% of the company’s stock.

AutoZone News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting AutoZone this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks raised its FY2027 earnings view to $174.79 and bumped FY2026 and several quarter estimates (including Q3 and Q4 2026 and Q3/Q4 2027), signaling upside to longer‑term profitability expectations. Zacks still carries a “Hold” rating, so these increases support valuation but aren’t a full bullish re-rating.
• Neutral Sentiment: Macro inflation risks could complicate AutoZone’s cost/revenue dynamics: a wider inflation pickup (e.g., higher oil/fertilizer pushing producer prices) would be a mixed factor — boosting parts demand/prices but squeezing margins if costs rise. Inflation Could Be Coming Back. 2 Stocks To Buy Now
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks cut a few near-term quarter forecasts: modest downgrades to Q1 2028, Q2 2027 and Q2 2028 EPS — these trims suggest some weakening in the nearer-term cadence of earnings that could pressure the stock until visibility improves.
• Negative Sentiment: TD Cowen / market commentary has lowered expectations for AutoZone’s stock price, adding external downward pressure and signaling that at least one broker sees downside to valuation or growth trajectory. TD Cowen Has Lowered Expectations for AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) Stock Price

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.