Proficio Capital Partners LLC Increases Stock Holdings in AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO)

Proficio Capital Partners LLC raised its stake in AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) by 482,040.2% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 419,462 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 419,375 shares during the period. AutoZone accounts for about 0.8% of Proficio Capital Partners LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 23rd biggest position. Proficio Capital Partners LLC’s holdings in AutoZone were worth $1,343,117,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Franklin Resources Inc. grew its position in shares of AutoZone by 18.1% during the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 44,946 shares of the company’s stock worth $141,717,000 after acquiring an additional 6,898 shares during the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company grew its position in shares of AutoZone by 186.8% during the third quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 92,870 shares of the company’s stock worth $292,544,000 after acquiring an additional 60,483 shares during the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. grew its position in shares of AutoZone by 29.5% during the fourth quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 34,808 shares of the company’s stock worth $111,455,000 after acquiring an additional 7,922 shares during the last quarter. Silverleafe Capital Partners LLC grew its position in shares of AutoZone by 1.0% during the fourth quarter. Silverleafe Capital Partners LLC now owns 2,642 shares of the company’s stock worth $8,460,000 after acquiring an additional 26 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mizuho Securities USA LLC grew its position in shares of AutoZone by 592.0% during the third quarter. Mizuho Securities USA LLC now owns 9,210 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,012,000 after acquiring an additional 7,879 shares during the last quarter. 92.74% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

AZO has been the subject of several recent research reports. Argus increased their price target on AutoZone from $3,560.00 to $3,678.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 2nd. Barclays increased their price target on AutoZone from $3,024.00 to $3,585.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, January 9th. Citigroup increased their price target on AutoZone from $3,500.00 to $3,900.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Guggenheim increased their price target on AutoZone from $3,350.00 to $3,750.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on AutoZone from $3,450.00 to $3,750.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, sixteen have issued a buy rating and three have issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $3,429.84.

AutoZone Stock Down 1.1 %

NYSE:AZO opened at $3,388.21 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $56.85 billion, a PE ratio of 22.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.86 and a beta of 0.70. AutoZone, Inc. has a 52-week low of $2,728.97 and a 52-week high of $3,484.42. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $3,327.45 and a 200-day simple moving average of $3,212.80.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, December 10th. The company reported $32.52 earnings per share (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 analyst estimates of $4.30 billion. AutoZone had a negative return on equity of 53.89% and a net margin of 14.18%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $32.55 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that AutoZone, Inc. will post 152.94 earnings per share for the current year.

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.