AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) Hits New 52-Week Low on Analyst Downgrade

21 Sep 2026, 20:40 by Mitch Edgeman · The Markets Daily

Shares of AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO – Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Monday after Oppenheimer lowered their price target on the stock from $4,300.00 to $3,500.00. Oppenheimer currently has an outperform rating on the stock. AutoZone traded as low as $2,796.85 and last traded at $2,805.17, with a volume of 599464 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $2,855.31.

Several other brokerages also recently weighed in on AZO. Truist Financial set a $3,700.00 target price on AutoZone in a research note on Wednesday, May 27th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on AutoZone from $4,150.00 to $3,500.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, September 10th. Piper Sandler set a $3,500.00 target price on AutoZone in a research report on Monday, August 31st. UBS Group reissued a “buy” rating on shares of AutoZone in a research note on Tuesday, September 15th. Finally, Weiss Ratings cut AutoZone from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have given a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $3,887.58.

Get Our Latest Analysis on AZO

Insider Activity at AutoZone

In other news, VP Dennis LeRiche sold 1,455 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $3,100.00, for a total value of $4,510,500.00. Following the transaction, the vice president directly owned 441 shares in the company, valued at $1,367,100. This trade represents a 76.74% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 2.60% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Key Headlines Impacting AutoZone

Here are the key news stories impacting AutoZone this week:

Positive Sentiment: Oppenheimer reiterated a Buy view on AutoZone, while separate analysis suggests the shares could be 21%–26% undervalued. These views may support the stock if earnings show improving operating momentum or guidance. AutoZone Gets a Buy from Oppenheimer AutoZone Stock May Be 21% Undervalued
Positive Sentiment: AutoZone’s opening of its 8,000th store provides evidence of continued expansion and could reinforce the long-term growth case, although investors will likely focus more immediately on sales, margins, and earnings guidance. AutoZone Could Be Undervalued Following Its 8,000th Store Opening
Neutral Sentiment: The upcoming earnings release is the dominant short-term event for AZO. Preview coverage is expected to center on comparable-store sales, commercial business growth, profit margins, and management’s outlook for fiscal 2027. AutoZone Earnings Report Preview AutoZone Q4 Earnings Expectations
Negative Sentiment: Analysts have warned that the Q4 report could be a negative catalyst, and Oppenheimer-related forecast coverage includes a pessimistic scenario. Any earnings miss, weaker same-store sales, margin pressure, or cautious guidance could extend the recent decline. Will AutoZone Stock Rise or Fall After Q4 Earnings? Oppenheimer Issues Pessimistic Forecast

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of AZO. Cherry Tree Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of AutoZone by 47,900.0% during the second quarter. Cherry Tree Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,920 shares of the company’s stock worth $6,136,000 after acquiring an additional 1,916 shares during the last quarter. SkyView Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of AutoZone by 11.1% during the second quarter. SkyView Investment Advisors LLC now owns 100 shares of the company’s stock worth $320,000 after purchasing an additional 10 shares during the period. Tidal Investments LLC increased its position in AutoZone by 29.6% in the 2nd quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 7,922 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,318,000 after purchasing an additional 1,809 shares during the last quarter. National Pension Service raised its holdings in shares of AutoZone by 3.6% during the 2nd quarter. National Pension Service now owns 45,649 shares of the company’s stock valued at $145,891,000 after purchasing an additional 1,578 shares in the last quarter. Finally, WINTON GROUP Ltd raised its stake in shares of AutoZone by 48.6% in the 2nd quarter. WINTON GROUP Ltd now owns 110 shares of the company’s stock valued at $352,000 after acquiring an additional 36 shares in the last quarter. 92.74% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AutoZone Stock Performance

The stock has a market cap of $45.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 0.34. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $2,994.83 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $3,216.63.

AutoZone declared that its board has approved a share repurchase program on Tuesday, June 16th that allows the company to buyback $1.50 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the company to repurchase up to 3% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are often a sign that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.

About AutoZone

(Get Free Report)

AutoZone, Inc is a retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts, accessories, and maintenance products. The company serves do-it-yourself customers, professional service technicians, and commercial repair businesses through its stores, distribution network, and online platform.

Its product offerings include replacement parts such as batteries, brakes, engine components, and ignition products, along with tools, fluids, filters, and other automotive accessories. AutoZone also provides services such as parts lookup, diagnostic assistance, battery testing and charging, and loaner tools for eligible repairs.