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AutoZone Inc (AZO)
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AutoZone (AZO) AI Stock Analysis

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AZO

AutoZone

(NYSE:AZO)

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Neutral 68 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:68Neutral
Price Target:
$4,491.00
▲(6.55% Upside)
AutoZone's overall stock score reflects strong financial performance and sales growth, tempered by high leverage, declining free cash flow, and valuation concerns. The technical indicators suggest mixed momentum, while the earnings call highlights both growth opportunities and financial challenges. The absence of a dividend yield further limits attractiveness for some investors.
Positive Factors
Strong Revenue Growth
Consistent revenue growth indicates strong market demand and effective business strategies, supporting long-term financial stability and expansion.
Record Store Openings
Expanding store count enhances market presence and accessibility, driving future revenue growth and strengthening competitive positioning.
Market Share Gains
Increasing market share reflects competitive advantages and customer loyalty, which are crucial for sustaining long-term growth and profitability.
Negative Factors
High Leverage
High leverage can limit financial flexibility and increase risk, potentially impacting the company's ability to invest in growth opportunities.
Declining Free Cash Flow
Reduced free cash flow may constrain the company's ability to fund operations and investments, affecting long-term growth prospects and resilience.
SG&A Expense Growth
Rising SG&A expenses can pressure margins and profitability, necessitating better cost management to sustain financial health over time.

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

AutoZone Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionAutoZone, Inc. retails and distributes automotive replacement parts and accessories. The company offers 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. Its products include A/C compressors, batteries and accessories, bearings, belts and hoses, calipers, chassis, clutches, CV axles, engines, fuel pumps, fuses, ignition and lighting products, mufflers, radiators, starters and alternators, thermostats, and water pumps, as well as tire repairs. In addition, the company offers maintenance products, such as antifreeze and windshield washer fluids; brake drums, rotors, shoes, and pads; brake and power steering fluids, and oil and fuel additives; oil and transmission fluids; oil, cabin, air, fuel, and transmission filters; oxygen sensors; paints and accessories; refrigerants and accessories; shock absorbers and struts; spark plugs and wires; and windshield wipers. Further, it provides air fresheners, cell phone accessories, drinks and snacks, floor mats and seat covers, interior and exterior accessories, mirrors, performance products, protectants and cleaners, sealants and adhesives, steering wheel covers, stereos and radios, tools, and wash and wax products, as well as towing services. Additionally, the company provides a sales program that offers commercial credit and delivery of parts and other products; sells automotive diagnostic and repair software under the ALLDATA brand through alldata.com and alldatadiy.com; and automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products through autozone.com. As of November 20, 2021, it operated 6,066 stores in the United States; 666 stores in Mexico; and 53 stores in Brazil. The company was founded in 1979 and is based in Memphis, Tennessee.
How the Company Makes MoneyAutoZone generates revenue primarily through the sale of automotive parts and accessories. The company has two main revenue streams: retail and commercial. The retail segment caters to DIY customers, where sales are driven by a wide selection of parts and accessories, coupled with customer service experiences like in-store diagnostics and advice. The commercial segment, on the other hand, focuses on professional mechanics and businesses, providing bulk sales, delivery services, and specialized accounts. AutoZone also benefits from its proprietary private-label products, which typically yield higher margins. Additionally, the company has established strategic partnerships with various suppliers and manufacturers, enhancing its supply chain and product offerings. Seasonal promotions, loyalty programs, and an expanding online presence further contribute to its earnings through increased customer engagement and sales.

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:Main Street Data

AutoZone Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Sep 23, 2025
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Dec 09, 2025
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 exhibits strong revenue growth and profitability, supported by effective cost management. However, the high leverage and declining free cash flow present potential risks. The company should focus on improving liquidity and managing debt levels to ensure sustainable growth.
Income Statement
82
Very Positive
AutoZone shows robust revenue growth with a TTM increase in revenue of 2.22% compared to the previous year. The gross profit margin is strong at 52.94%, and the net profit margin is healthy at 13.56%. However, a slight decrease in EBIT margin from 20.49% to 19.63% indicates a need to control operational costs better. Overall, the company demonstrates consistent profitability and revenue growth.
Balance Sheet
68
Positive
The balance sheet reveals a high debt-to-equity ratio due to negative stockholders' equity, which poses a financial risk. However, the equity ratio is negative, reflecting high leverage. Despite these concerns, the company has been able to maintain profitability, suggesting effective use of leverage to generate returns.
Cash Flow
74
Positive
The cash flow statement indicates a decline in free cash flow by about 62.53% in the TTM, impacting liquidity. However, the operating cash flow to net income ratio of 0.42 reflects adequate cash generation relative to profits. The free cash flow to net income ratio is 0.28, which is below optimal levels, suggesting room for improvement in cash management.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue18.90B18.49B17.46B16.25B14.63B12.63B
Gross Profit10.01B9.82B9.07B8.47B7.72B6.77B
EBITDA4.31B4.35B3.98B3.72B3.36B2.82B
Net Income2.56B2.66B2.53B2.43B2.17B1.73B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets18.62B17.18B15.99B15.28B14.52B14.42B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments268.63M298.17M277.05M264.38M1.17B1.75B
Total Debt12.19B12.37B10.93B9.30B8.23B8.31B
Total Liabilities22.60B21.93B20.34B18.81B16.31B15.30B
Stockholders Equity-3.97B-4.75B-4.35B-3.54B-1.80B-877.98M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow2.00B1.93B2.14B2.54B2.90B2.26B
Operating Cash Flow3.23B3.00B2.94B3.21B3.52B2.72B
Investing Cash Flow-1.29B-1.29B-876.18M-648.10M-601.78M-497.88M
Financing Cash Flow-1.94B-1.68B-2.06B-3.47B-3.50B-643.64M

AutoZone Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price4215.08
Price Trends
50DMA
4118.99
Positive
100DMA
3916.22
Positive
200DMA
3703.99
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
30.02
Positive
RSI
52.95
Neutral
STOCH
74.18
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For AZO, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 4215.08 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 4222.97, above the 50-day MA of 4118.99, and above the 200-day MA of 3703.99, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 30.02 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 52.95 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 74.18 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for AZO.

AutoZone Risk Analysis

AutoZone disclosed 21 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. AutoZone reported the most risks in the "Legal & Regulatory" 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
76
Outperform
$4.76B21.3817.38%6.76%34.97%
71
Outperform
$8.06B11.4411.20%3.83%-3.02%-1.02%
70
Neutral
$89.67B37.54-174.09%5.15%5.33%
68
Neutral
$71.06B29.36-14.95%2.43%-3.34%
67
Neutral
$19.22B23.8017.50%2.93%2.65%-32.91%
61
Neutral
$18.38B12.79-2.54%3.03%1.52%-15.83%
54
Neutral
$3.71B59.62-24.78%1.63%-22.50%-35219.23%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
AZO
AutoZone
4,215.08
1,161.63
38.04%
AAP
Advance Auto Parts
61.34
23.19
60.79%
DORM
Dorman Products
157.15
47.97
43.94%
GPC
Genuine Parts Company
139.73
8.96
6.85%
LKQ
LKQ
31.36
-6.08
-16.24%
ORLY
O'Reilly Auto
104.79
28.03
36.52%

AutoZone Corporate Events

Executive/Board Changes
AutoZone Appoints Constantino Spas Montesinos to Board
Positive
May 28, 2025

On May 28, 2025, AutoZone announced the appointment of Constantino Spas Montesinos to its Board of Directors. Mr. Spas, who is the CEO of Proximity Americas and Mobility Division at FEMSA, brings extensive international and industry experience to AutoZone. His appointment is expected to enhance board discussions and drive exceptional performance for the company, which now has 11 board members.

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: Sep 24, 2025