Whittier Trust Co. Increases Stake in AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO)

Whittier Trust Co. raised its stake in AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO - Free Report) by 171.1% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 122 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 77 shares during the quarter. Whittier Trust Co.'s holdings in AutoZone were worth $391,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Flagship Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of AutoZone in the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Harbour Investments Inc. lifted its holdings in AutoZone by 42.9% during the fourth quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 10 shares of the company's stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 3 shares during the period. Crews Bank & Trust purchased a new position in AutoZone in the fourth quarter worth $61,000. McIlrath & Eck LLC grew its stake in 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 purchasing an additional 4 shares during the period. Finally, Whipplewood Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AutoZone during the 4th quarter valued at $67,000. Institutional investors own 92.74% of the company's stock.

AutoZone Stock Performance

AZO stock traded up $143.63 during trading on Thursday, hitting $3,825.31. 285,638 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 126,902. The company has a 50-day moving average of $3,460.20 and a 200-day moving average of $3,270.12. AutoZone, Inc. has a 1 year low of $2,728.97 and a 1 year high of $3,860.84. The firm has a market capitalization of $64.20 billion, a PE ratio of 25.56, a P/E/G ratio of 1.86 and a beta of 0.71.

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AutoZone (NYSE:AZO - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, March 4th. The company reported $28.29 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $29.11 by ($0.82). AutoZone had a net margin of 14.18% and a negative return on equity of 53.89%. The firm had revenue of $3.95 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.98 billion. Sell-side analysts expect that AutoZone, Inc. will post 152.94 EPS for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

AZO has been the subject of several research reports. Wedbush restated an "outperform" rating and set a $3,700.00 price target on shares of AutoZone in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. Mizuho increased their target price on shares of AutoZone from $3,600.00 to $3,740.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. Argus cut shares of AutoZone from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, March 5th. Roth Capital set a $3,763.00 price objective on AutoZone in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on AutoZone from $3,700.00 to $3,850.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating, sixteen have assigned a buy rating and four have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $3,683.36.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, SVP Bailey L. Childress sold 160 shares of AutoZone stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $3,550.00, for a total value of $568,000.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 50 shares in the company, valued at $177,500. The trade was a 76.19 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, VP Richard Craig Smith sold 2,850 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $3,610.00, for a total transaction of $10,288,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 2,924 shares of the company's stock, valued at $10,555,640. This trade represents a 49.36 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 4,721 shares of company stock valued at $17,009,311 over the last ninety days. 2.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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.