Hunter Associates Investment Management LLC Grows Stake in AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO)

Hunter Associates Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) by 3.1% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 837 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 25 shares during the period. Hunter Associates Investment Management LLC’s holdings in AutoZone were worth $2,671,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its stake in AutoZone by 42.7% in the second quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 896 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,657,000 after buying an additional 268 shares during the last quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. increased its holdings in shares of AutoZone by 34.2% during the second quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. now owns 106 shares of the company’s stock valued at $314,000 after acquiring an additional 27 shares in the last quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of AutoZone in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $2,249,000. Anchor Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in AutoZone by 5.8% in the 2nd quarter. Anchor Investment Management LLC now owns 1,042 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,089,000 after purchasing an additional 57 shares in the last quarter. Finally, American National Bank & Trust grew its position in AutoZone by 4.0% during the 3rd quarter. American National Bank & Trust now owns 3,816 shares of the company’s stock worth $12,021,000 after purchasing an additional 147 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.74% of the company’s stock.

AutoZone Stock Up 1.3 %

Shares of NYSE AZO opened at $3,355.54 on Friday. AutoZone, Inc. has a 52-week low of $2,672.31 and a 52-week high of $3,437.63. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $3,252.46 and its 200-day simple moving average is $3,160.68. The firm has a market cap of $56.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 0.71.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, December 10th. The company reported $32.52 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $33.69 by ($1.17). The firm had revenue of $4.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.30 billion. AutoZone had a negative return on equity of 53.89% and a net margin of 14.18%. AutoZone’s quarterly revenue was up 2.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $32.55 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that AutoZone, Inc. will post 152.94 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of AutoZone from $3,024.00 to $3,585.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 9th. Guggenheim lifted their price target on AutoZone from $3,350.00 to $3,750.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on AutoZone from $3,450.00 to $3,750.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. TD Cowen lifted their target price on AutoZone from $3,450.00 to $3,800.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, December 16th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets began coverage on shares of AutoZone in a report on Friday, December 13th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $3,700.00 price target on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, sixteen have assigned a buy rating and three have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $3,429.84.

AutoZone 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.