AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) Shares Acquired by Cetera Investment Advisers

Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its position in AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) by 311.3% during the first quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 5,803 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 4,392 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers’ holdings in AutoZone were worth $18,289,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in AZO. Summit Trail Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of AutoZone by 3.8% during the 4th quarter. Summit Trail Advisors LLC now owns 110 shares of the company’s stock worth $283,000 after acquiring an additional 4 shares during the period. Guardian Capital LP boosted its holdings in AutoZone by 1.3% in the fourth quarter. Guardian Capital LP now owns 301 shares of the company’s stock worth $778,000 after purchasing an additional 4 shares during the period. Quent Capital LLC lifted its stake in AutoZone by 4.8% in the first quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 88 shares of the company’s stock valued at $277,000 after buying an additional 4 shares during the last quarter. Stiles Financial Services Inc lifted its stake in AutoZone by 2.7% in the fourth quarter. Stiles Financial Services Inc now owns 191 shares of the company’s stock valued at $494,000 after buying an additional 5 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hohimer Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of AutoZone by 1.4% during the fourth quarter. Hohimer Wealth Management LLC now owns 366 shares of the company’s stock valued at $946,000 after purchasing an additional 5 shares in the last quarter. 92.74% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AutoZone Trading Up 0.9 %

Shares of AZO traded up $29.31 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $3,177.67. 140,222 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 111,671. AutoZone, Inc. has a 1-year low of $2,375.35 and a 1-year high of $3,256.37. The firm has a market capitalization of $54.27 billion, a PE ratio of 21.98, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 0.71. The business has a fifty day moving average of $2,908.48 and a 200-day moving average of $2,926.53.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 21st. The company reported $36.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $35.67 by $1.02. AutoZone had a negative return on equity of 54.58% and a net margin of 14.60%. The business had revenue of $4.24 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.29 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $34.12 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts expect that AutoZone, Inc. will post 151.37 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the company. UBS Group lowered their target price on AutoZone from $3,465.00 to $3,340.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, May 22nd. Citigroup reduced their target price on AutoZone from $3,420.00 to $3,250.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, May 22nd. Wedbush restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $3,200.00 target price on shares of AutoZone in a report on Wednesday, July 10th. Barclays cut their price target on AutoZone from $3,100.00 to $3,024.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, May 23rd. Finally, Wolfe Research lowered their price objective on AutoZone from $3,150.00 to $3,000.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, May 22nd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fifteen have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $3,112.71.

Insider Buying and Selling at AutoZone

In other AutoZone news, VP Jenna M. Bedsole purchased 36 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 23rd. The stock was bought at an average cost of $2,757.10 per share, for a total transaction of $99,255.60. Following the completion of the acquisition, the vice president now directly owns 36 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $99,255.60. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 2.50% of the company’s stock.

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.