Zacks Research Has Bearish Forecast for AutoZone Q1 Earnings

AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) – Investment analysts at Zacks Research reduced their Q1 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of AutoZone in a report released on Monday, June 9th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now forecasts that the company will post earnings of $36.26 per share for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $37.00. The consensus estimate for AutoZone’s current full-year earnings is $152.94 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for AutoZone’s Q3 2026 earnings at $39.03 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $58.80 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $165.66 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $39.23 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $37.80 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $183.49 EPS.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 27th. The company reported $35.36 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $37.07 by ($1.71). AutoZone had a net margin of 14.18% and a negative return on equity of 53.89%. The firm had revenue of $4.46 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.41 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $36.69 EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 5.4% on a year-over-year basis.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently weighed in on the stock. Roth Capital set a $4,135.00 price target on shares of AutoZone and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, June 2nd. Guggenheim upped their target price on AutoZone from $3,850.00 to $4,100.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 28th. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $4,000.00 target price (up previously from $3,750.00) on shares of AutoZone in a research report on Wednesday, May 28th. Argus lowered AutoZone from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. Finally, Raymond James restated a “strong-buy” rating on shares of AutoZone in a research note on Wednesday, May 28th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nineteen have given a buy rating and three have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $4,072.24.

AutoZone Price Performance

Shares of AutoZone stock opened at $3,675.72 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $61.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.56, a PEG ratio of 1.86 and a beta of 0.40. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $3,693.02 and its two-hundred day moving average is $3,503.61. AutoZone has a 1 year low of $2,792.14 and a 1 year high of $3,916.81.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AutoZone

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. AlphaCore Capital LLC acquired a new stake in AutoZone during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Saudi Central Bank acquired a new stake in shares of AutoZone in the first quarter worth $27,000. Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new position in shares of AutoZone during the fourth quarter worth $29,000. Flagship Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in AutoZone during the fourth quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, Harbour Investments Inc. lifted its position in AutoZone by 42.9% during the fourth quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 10 shares of the company’s stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 3 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.74% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In related news, VP Richard Craig Smith sold 2,850 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $3,610.00, for a total value of $10,288,500.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 2,924 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $10,555,640. This represents a 49.36% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, VP Domingo Hurtado sold 4,800 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $3,660.00, for a total value of $17,568,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 159 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $581,940. This trade represents a 96.79% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 39,762 shares of company stock worth $147,189,762 over the last 90 days. 2.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

AutoZone Company 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.