Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. Sells 3,153 Shares of AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO)

Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. decreased its position in AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO - Free Report) by 28.5% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 7,929 shares of the company's stock after selling 3,153 shares during the period. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P.'s holdings in AutoZone were worth $25,389,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Petredis Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in AutoZone by 0.6% in the 3rd quarter. Petredis Investment Advisors LLC now owns 710 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,237,000 after purchasing an additional 4 shares during the last quarter. IVC Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of AutoZone by 4.4% in the third quarter. IVC Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 95 shares of the company's stock valued at $299,000 after buying an additional 4 shares during the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP raised its holdings in AutoZone by 5.0% during the third quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 84 shares of the company's stock worth $265,000 after purchasing an additional 4 shares in the last quarter. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC grew its position in AutoZone by 1.5% during the third quarter. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC now owns 267 shares of the company's stock worth $841,000 after buying an additional 4 shares during the period. Finally, Moors & Cabot Inc. grew its position in shares of AutoZone by 4.2% in the third quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 99 shares of the company's stock valued at $312,000 after purchasing an additional 4 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.74% of the company's stock.

AutoZone Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE AZO traded up $37.58 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $3,470.54. 68,730 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 104,556. AutoZone, Inc. has a 52 week low of $2,680.96 and a 52 week high of $3,484.42. The company has a market cap of $58.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.19, a PEG ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 0.70. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $3,307.21 and a 200-day moving average price of $3,192.41.

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on AZO shares. TD Cowen raised their price target on shares of AutoZone from $3,450.00 to $3,800.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, December 16th. BMO Capital Markets initiated coverage on shares of AutoZone in a research report on Friday, December 13th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $3,700.00 price objective on the stock. Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on shares of AutoZone from $3,400.00 to $3,450.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. Mizuho boosted their price target on shares of AutoZone from $3,350.00 to $3,600.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. Finally, Roth Mkm reaffirmed a "buy" rating and issued a $3,634.00 price objective on shares of AutoZone in a research note on Wednesday, October 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, sixteen have assigned a buy rating and three have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, AutoZone presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $3,429.84.

AutoZone 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.