AutoZone, Inc. $AZO Shares Sold by Firetrail Investments PTY Ltd.

Firetrail Investments PTY Ltd. lowered its holdings in AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) by 4.1% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,873 shares of the company’s stock after selling 164 shares during the quarter. AutoZone accounts for 4.1% of Firetrail Investments PTY Ltd.’s holdings, making the stock its 7th largest holding. Firetrail Investments PTY Ltd.’s holdings in AutoZone were worth $16,489,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in AutoZone during the third quarter worth about $26,000. Aspect Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of AutoZone by 700.0% in the 2nd quarter. Aspect Partners LLC now owns 8 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 7 shares during the last quarter. Global Trust Asset Management LLC boosted its position in shares of AutoZone by 600.0% during the 3rd quarter. Global Trust Asset Management LLC now owns 7 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 6 shares during the period. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust purchased a new position in shares of AutoZone during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, NewSquare Capital LLC increased its holdings in AutoZone by 50.0% in the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 9 shares of the company’s stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 3 shares during the last quarter. 92.74% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have commented on AZO. Robert W. Baird upgraded AutoZone to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. BNP Paribas Exane decreased their target price on AutoZone from $4,811.00 to $4,268.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Zacks Research upgraded AutoZone from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, November 24th. Guggenheim cut their price target on shares of AutoZone from $4,600.00 to $4,400.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, Raymond James Financial reduced their price target on shares of AutoZone from $4,800.00 to $4,600.00 and set a “strong-buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have given a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, AutoZone currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $4,296.25.

Insider Buying and Selling at AutoZone

In other news, Director Brian Hannasch bought 147 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 18th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $3,393.09 per share, for a total transaction of $498,784.23. Following the completion of the purchase, the director owned 962 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,264,152.58. This trade represents a 18.04% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director George R. Mrkonic, Jr. sold 97 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, January 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $3,341.99, for a total value of $324,173.03. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 3,564 shares in the company, valued at $11,910,852.36. This trade represents a 2.65% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last quarter, insiders bought 347 shares of company stock worth $1,179,256 and sold 9,447 shares worth $34,179,923. Company insiders own 2.60% of the company’s stock.

AutoZone Stock Performance

Shares of AutoZone stock opened at $3,681.24 on Friday. AutoZone, Inc. has a one year low of $3,210.72 and a one year high of $4,388.11. The company has a market cap of $61.00 billion, a PE ratio of 25.67, a P/E/G ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 0.41. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $3,550.74 and a 200-day simple moving average of $3,848.49.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, December 9th. The company reported $31.04 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $32.69 by ($1.65). AutoZone had a net margin of 12.78% and a negative return on equity of 65.38%. The firm had revenue of $4.63 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.64 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $32.52 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 8.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts predict that AutoZone, Inc. will post 152.94 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About AutoZone

AutoZone, Inc (NYSE: AZO) is a retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, the company supplies a wide range of aftermarket components, maintenance items and accessories for passenger cars, light trucks and commercial vehicles. Its product assortment includes engine parts, electrical components, batteries, brakes, filters, fluids and interior and exterior accessories, supported by inventory management and logistics systems to serve retail customers and professional service providers.

AutoZone serves both do‑it‑yourself (DIY) consumers and commercial customers such as independent repair shops and service centers.