AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) Shares Sold by Kentucky Retirement Systems

Kentucky Retirement Systems cut its position in AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) by 1.3% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,174 shares of the company’s stock after selling 16 shares during the quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems’ holdings in AutoZone were worth $3,759,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in AutoZone by 1.8% in the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 421,716 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,326,545,000 after buying an additional 7,365 shares in the last quarter. PineStone Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of AutoZone by 6.9% in the fourth quarter. PineStone Asset Management Inc. now owns 213,575 shares of the company’s stock worth $683,867,000 after acquiring an additional 13,771 shares in the last quarter. Marshfield Associates lifted its stake in shares of AutoZone by 0.5% in the third quarter. Marshfield Associates now owns 169,586 shares of the company’s stock worth $534,204,000 after acquiring an additional 796 shares in the last quarter. Baillie Gifford & Co. boosted its holdings in AutoZone by 35.6% in the fourth quarter. Baillie Gifford & Co. now owns 163,089 shares of the company’s stock valued at $522,211,000 after purchasing an additional 42,776 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Strategic Financial Concepts LLC acquired a new stake in AutoZone during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $471,629,000. 92.74% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AutoZone Stock Performance

Shares of AZO stock opened at $3,366.15 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $56.49 billion, a PE ratio of 22.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.88 and a beta of 0.70. AutoZone, Inc. has a 1 year low of $2,708.09 and a 1 year high of $3,484.42. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $3,321.62 and a two-hundred day moving average of $3,206.32.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) last announced 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 net margin of 14.18% and a negative return on equity of 53.89%. The company had revenue of $4.28 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.30 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $32.55 EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 2.1% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts predict that AutoZone, Inc. will post 152.94 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

AZO has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. TD Cowen upped their target price on AutoZone from $3,450.00 to $3,800.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, December 16th. Citigroup increased their price objective on shares of AutoZone from $3,500.00 to $3,900.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Mizuho raised their price objective on shares of AutoZone from $3,350.00 to $3,600.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of AutoZone from $3,450.00 to $3,750.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Finally, Guggenheim increased their target price on AutoZone from $3,350.00 to $3,750.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, sixteen have assigned a buy rating and three have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, AutoZone has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target 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.