Cibc World Market Inc. Raises Stake in AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO)

Cibc World Market Inc. boosted its holdings in AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) by 3.2% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 3,897 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 121 shares during the period. Cibc World Market Inc.’s holdings in AutoZone were worth $12,478,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new position in shares of AutoZone during the 3rd quarter valued at $36,000. Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of AutoZone during the third quarter worth about $47,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AutoZone in the third quarter worth about $47,000. Crews Bank & Trust acquired a new stake in shares of AutoZone in the fourth quarter valued at about $61,000. Finally, McIlrath & Eck LLC raised its holdings in shares of AutoZone by 25.0% during the 3rd quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 20 shares of the company’s stock valued at $63,000 after buying an additional 4 shares during the period. 92.74% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AutoZone Stock Performance

AZO stock opened at $3,354.35 on Friday. AutoZone, Inc. has a 1 year low of $2,672.31 and a 1 year high of $3,437.63. The stock has a market capitalization of $56.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.41, a PEG ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 0.71. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $3,263.25 and its two-hundred day moving average is $3,164.90.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, December 10th. The company reported $32.52 earnings per share 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 firm 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 business earned $32.55 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts predict that AutoZone, Inc. will post 152.94 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on AZO shares. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on AutoZone from $3,450.00 to $3,750.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Roth Mkm reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $3,634.00 price target on shares of AutoZone in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. Citigroup boosted their price objective on shares of AutoZone from $3,500.00 to $3,900.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. BMO Capital Markets started coverage on AutoZone in a research note on Friday, December 13th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $3,700.00 target price for the company. Finally, Guggenheim boosted their price target on AutoZone from $3,350.00 to $3,750.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, sixteen have issued a buy rating and three have issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock 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.