Empowered Funds LLC Raises Stake in AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO)

Empowered Funds LLC boosted its holdings in shares of AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO - Free Report) by 20.7% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 1,828 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 314 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC's holdings in AutoZone were worth $5,853,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new position in AutoZone during the third quarter valued at $36,000. Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in AutoZone during the third quarter valued at $47,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in AutoZone during the third quarter valued at $47,000. Crews Bank & Trust acquired a new position in AutoZone during the fourth quarter valued at $61,000. Finally, McIlrath & Eck LLC raised its position in shares of AutoZone by 25.0% in the third quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 20 shares of the company's stock worth $63,000 after acquiring an additional 4 shares during the period. 92.74% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AutoZone Stock Down 0.2 %

Shares of AutoZone stock traded down $7.77 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $3,461.94. The stock had a trading volume of 77,024 shares, compared to its average volume of 103,996. The firm has a market cap of $58.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 0.70. AutoZone, Inc. has a 12-month low of $2,680.96 and a 12-month high of $3,484.42. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $3,315.89 and a two-hundred day moving average of $3,197.01.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, December 10th. The company reported $32.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $33.69 by ($1.17). AutoZone had a negative return on equity of 53.89% and a net margin of 14.18%. The business 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 earnings per share. AutoZone's quarterly revenue was up 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that AutoZone, Inc. will post 152.94 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

AZO has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. TD Cowen upped their price objective on shares of AutoZone from $3,450.00 to $3,800.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, December 16th. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of AutoZone from $3,024.00 to $3,585.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 9th. Argus upped their price objective on shares of AutoZone from $3,560.00 to $3,678.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 2nd. Citigroup upped their price objective on shares of AutoZone from $3,500.00 to $3,900.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. Finally, Evercore ISI upped their price objective on shares of AutoZone from $3,400.00 to $3,450.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, sixteen have given a buy rating and three have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, AutoZone currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $3,429.84.

AutoZone Company Profile

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.