AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) Shares Purchased by Principal Securities Inc.

Principal Securities Inc. lifted its position in AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) by 62.7% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 122 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 47 shares during the period. Principal Securities Inc.’s holdings in AutoZone were worth $391,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in AZO. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new position in shares of AutoZone in the 3rd quarter valued at $36,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of AutoZone in the 3rd quarter valued at $47,000. Crews Bank & Trust acquired a new position in shares of AutoZone in the 4th quarter valued at $61,000. McIlrath & Eck LLC increased its position in shares of AutoZone by 25.0% in the 3rd quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 20 shares of the company’s stock valued at $63,000 after acquiring an additional 4 shares during the period. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new position in shares of AutoZone in the 3rd quarter valued at $66,000. 92.74% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AutoZone Stock Down 1.2 %

AZO opened at $3,366.15 on Friday. AutoZone, Inc. has a twelve month low of $2,708.09 and a twelve month high of $3,484.42. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $3,321.62 and a 200 day moving average price of $3,206.92. The company has a market cap of $56.48 billion, a PE ratio of 22.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.88 and a beta of 0.70.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, December 10th. The company reported $32.52 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $33.69 by ($1.17). AutoZone had a negative return on equity of 53.89% and a net margin of 14.18%. The company had revenue of $4.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.30 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $32.55 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that AutoZone, Inc. will post 152.94 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Guggenheim upped their price target on shares of AutoZone from $3,350.00 to $3,750.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Evercore ISI upped their price target on shares of AutoZone from $3,400.00 to $3,450.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. BMO Capital Markets assumed coverage on shares of AutoZone in a report on Friday, December 13th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $3,700.00 price target on the stock. Citigroup upped their price target on shares of AutoZone from $3,500.00 to $3,900.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Finally, Mizuho upped their price target on shares of AutoZone from $3,350.00 to $3,600.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, sixteen have assigned a buy rating and three have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $3,429.84.

About AutoZone

AutoZone, Inc retails and distributes automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. The company provides various products for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products.