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AutoZone (AZO)
NYSE:AZO
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AutoZone (AZO) AI Stock Analysis

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AZO

AutoZone

(NYSE:AZO)

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Neutral 64 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:64Neutral
Price Target:
$4,090.00
▲(6.99% Upside)
AutoZone's overall stock score reflects strong revenue growth and strategic expansion efforts, balanced by financial challenges such as high leverage and negative equity. The company's valuation is moderate, and recent corporate actions like the share repurchase program enhance shareholder value. However, technical indicators suggest caution, and the mixed sentiment from the earnings call highlights both opportunities and risks.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
Strong revenue growth indicates robust demand and effective market penetration, supporting long-term business expansion and stability.
Market Expansion
Record store openings demonstrate strategic market expansion, enhancing distribution capabilities and customer reach, crucial for sustained growth.
Share Repurchase Program
The expanded share repurchase program reflects strong capital allocation and commitment to enhancing shareholder value, indicating financial confidence.
Negative Factors
High Leverage
High leverage poses financial risks, potentially limiting flexibility and increasing vulnerability to economic downturns, impacting long-term stability.
Decline in Free Cash Flow Growth
A decline in free cash flow growth may constrain future investments and operational flexibility, affecting the company's ability to fund growth initiatives.
Profitability Margin Decline
Decreasing profitability margins can pressure earnings and limit reinvestment capacity, challenging the company's ability to sustain competitive advantages.

AutoZone (AZO) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

AutoZone Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionAutoZone, Inc. is a leading retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States. Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, AutoZone operates over 6,000 stores across the country, catering to both do-it-yourself (DIY) customers and professional installers. The company offers a wide array of products, including automotive batteries, brake parts, filters, and engine components, as well as various tools and accessories, supporting customers in maintaining and repairing their vehicles.
How the Company Makes MoneyAutoZone primarily generates revenue through the sale of automotive parts, accessories, and maintenance supplies. The company's revenue model is built on two key segments: retail sales to individual consumers and commercial sales to professional mechanics and repair shops. Retail sales typically contribute the majority of the revenue, driven by the extensive range of products available in-store and online. The commercial segment, although smaller, has been growing steadily as AutoZone focuses on building relationships with local businesses through delivery services and dedicated sales representatives. Additionally, the company's online platform enhances convenience for customers, allowing for increased sales through e-commerce. AutoZone also benefits from a loyalty program that encourages repeat purchases. The company's strong supply chain and distribution network, along with strategic partnerships with suppliers and manufacturers, further contribute to its profitability.

AutoZone Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Store Count by Geography
Store Count by Geography
Shows the distribution of stores across different regions, highlighting market penetration, regional growth opportunities, and potential exposure to local economic conditions.
Chart InsightsAutoZone's aggressive expansion strategy is evident as both domestic and international store counts have steadily increased, with a notable acceleration in recent quarters. The latest earnings call highlights this growth, emphasizing the opening of new Hubs and MegaHubs as key drivers. Despite currency headwinds impacting international sales, the company remains committed to its expansion plans, investing heavily in infrastructure to support future growth. This strategic focus on increasing store presence is crucial for capturing market share and enhancing service capabilities, positioning AutoZone for sustained long-term growth.
Data provided by:The Fly

AutoZone Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Sep 23, 2025
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Mar 03, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presented a mixed view with notable achievements such as strong domestic and international sales growth, record store openings, and market share gains. However, these were tempered by financial challenges including a decrease in EPS, significant currency headwinds, and increased SG&A expenses due to investments. The balance of positive sales momentum with financial pressures and strategic investments results in a neutral sentiment.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Domestic Commercial Sales Growth
Domestic commercial sales increased by 11.5% on a 16-week basis, with initiatives to improve execution, parts availability, and delivery speed driving a 12.5% year-over-year growth.
International Sales Performance
International constant currency comp increased by 7.2% for the quarter, with 51 new international stores opened, indicating strong growth opportunities outside the U.S.
Record Store Openings
A total of 304 net new stores were opened this fiscal year, the most since 1996, including a record 109 international stores.
Positive DIY and Commercial Sales Trends
Domestic DIY same-store sales grew 2.2%, while domestic commercial sales grew 12.5% for the quarter on a 16-week basis.
Increasing Market Share
AutoZone reported gaining market share in both DIY and commercial segments, with improved product offerings and customer service.
Negative Updates
Earnings Per Share Decrease
Earnings per share decreased 5.6% due to an $80 million LIFO charge, which negatively impacted margins and EPS.
Currency Headwinds
A stronger US dollar resulted in a currency headwind, impacting sales, operating profit, and EPS, with a $36 million headwind to sales and a 57¢ drag on EPS.
LIFO Charge Impact
An $80 million LIFO charge negatively affected gross margin and operating profit, with a planned $120 million LIFO charge expected for the next quarter.
SG&A Expense Growth
SG&A expenses increased by 8.7% versus last year on a 16-week basis, leading to a 53 basis points deleverage driven by investments in growth initiatives.
Company Guidance
During the 2025 Q4 earnings call, AutoZone reported several key metrics, highlighting their strong performance and future outlook. Domestic commercial sales saw an impressive increase of 11.5% on a 16-week basis, while domestic retail comp sales rose by 2.2%. International sales also performed well, with a constant currency comp increase of 7.2%. Total sales grew by 0.6%, and on a 16-week adjusted basis, they increased by 6.9%. However, earnings per share (EPS) decreased by 5.6% due to an extra week in the prior year; adjusting for this, EPS grew by 1.3%. Excluding the impact of an $80 million LIFO charge, EPS would have been up 8.7%. The company experienced a positive 5.1% same-store sales growth on a constant currency basis, with domestic DIY sales up 2.2% and commercial sales up 12.5% year-over-year. Inflation on a like-for-like SKU basis was roughly 2.7% for the commercial sector, contributing to a 3.7% average ticket growth. AutoZone opened 90 net domestic stores and 51 international ones during the quarter, totaling 304 new stores for the year, the highest since 1996. Looking ahead, the company plans to open 325 to 350 stores in The Americas in FY '26, with a focus on expanding their hub and mega hub stores to drive growth in both domestic and international markets.

AutoZone Financial Statement Overview

Summary
AutoZone demonstrates strong revenue growth and operational efficiency, but faces challenges with high leverage and negative equity. While cash flow generation is stable, the decline in free cash flow growth is a concern. The company needs to address its balance sheet risks to enhance financial stability.
Income Statement
75
Positive
AutoZone's income statement shows strong revenue growth of 19.8% over the past year, indicating robust demand. However, there is a slight decline in profitability margins, with the net profit margin decreasing from 14.4% to 13.2%. Despite this, the company maintains healthy EBIT and EBITDA margins, reflecting operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
45
Neutral
The balance sheet reveals a high debt-to-equity ratio due to negative stockholders' equity, which poses a significant risk. The return on equity is also negative, indicating challenges in generating returns for shareholders. However, the company has substantial total assets, which could provide some stability.
Cash Flow
60
Neutral
Cash flow analysis shows a decline in free cash flow growth, which is concerning. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is stable, suggesting consistent cash generation relative to earnings. The free cash flow to net income ratio remains healthy, indicating efficient cash conversion.
BreakdownTTMDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue18.94B18.94B18.49B17.46B16.25B14.63B
Gross Profit9.97B9.97B9.82B9.07B8.47B7.72B
EBITDA4.22B4.22B4.35B3.98B3.72B3.36B
Net Income2.50B2.50B2.66B2.53B2.43B2.17B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets19.36B19.36B17.18B15.99B15.28B14.52B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments271.80M271.80M298.17M277.05M264.38M1.17B
Total Debt12.18B12.18B12.37B10.93B9.30B8.23B
Total Liabilities22.77B22.77B21.93B20.34B18.81B16.31B
Stockholders Equity-3.41B-3.41B-4.75B-4.35B-3.54B-1.80B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow1.79B1.79B1.93B2.14B2.54B2.90B
Operating Cash Flow3.12B3.12B3.00B2.94B3.21B3.52B
Investing Cash Flow-1.40B-1.40B-1.29B-876.18M-648.10M-601.78M
Financing Cash Flow-1.75B-1.75B-1.68B-2.06B-3.47B-3.50B

AutoZone Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price3822.66
Price Trends
50DMA
3916.77
Negative
100DMA
3987.89
Negative
200DMA
3824.76
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-2.23
Negative
RSI
45.82
Neutral
STOCH
18.57
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For AZO, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 3822.66 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 3844.43, below the 50-day MA of 3916.77, and below the 200-day MA of 3824.76, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -2.23 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 45.82 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 18.57 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for AZO.

AutoZone Risk Analysis

AutoZone disclosed 22 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. AutoZone reported the most risks in the "Production" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

AutoZone Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
75
Outperform
$3.87B15.7618.19%7.94%34.84%
65
Neutral
$7.54B10.9310.87%4.07%-3.71%-0.27%
65
Neutral
$802.75M11.8810.49%3.40%23.96%11.01%
64
Neutral
$63.58B26.382.43%-3.34%
64
Neutral
$9.26B69.382.24%1.29%0.08%-83.69%
63
Neutral
$83.47B34.266.19%6.98%
61
Neutral
$18.38B12.79-2.54%3.03%1.52%-15.83%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
AZO
AutoZone
3,822.66
498.65
15.00%
BWA
BorgWarner
43.30
9.51
28.14%
DORM
Dorman Products
124.71
-12.71
-9.25%
LKQ
LKQ
29.45
-8.65
-22.70%
ORLY
O'Reilly Auto
98.89
15.23
18.20%
SMP
Standard Motor Products
36.49
3.75
11.45%

AutoZone Corporate Events

Executive/Board ChangesStock Buyback
AutoZone Boosts Share Repurchase Program by $1.5 Billion
Positive
Oct 8, 2025

On October 8, 2025, AutoZone‘s Board of Directors approved the transition of William C. Rhodes, III from Executive Chairman to Chairman, effective January 2026, with compensation adjusted to standard non-employee director policies and an annual $250,000 in restricted stock units. Additionally, the Board authorized an extra $1.5 billion for its share repurchase program, bringing the total authorization since 1998 to $40.7 billion, reflecting the company’s strong capital allocation strategy and commitment to shareholder value.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Dec 07, 2025