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On Wednesday, DA Davidson revealed an increased price target for AutoZone (NYSE: NYSE:AZO) shares, raising it to $4,850 from the previous $4,192. Currently trading at $3,695, the stock has delivered an impressive 32% return over the past year. The firm maintained its Buy rating on the stock. Analyst Michael Baker highlighted the company’s investments in its commercial business, which were evident in the recent quarter’s performance, leading to continued market share gains. With a robust gross margin of 53% and return on assets of 15%, InvestingPro data shows AutoZone as a prominent player in the Specialty Retail industry. Additionally, Baker noted that the do-it-yourself (DIY) segment is beginning to show positive trends.
Despite AutoZone’s margins coming in weaker than anticipated, Baker attributed the majority of this to one-time issues such as shrink and distribution center costs. These factors are expected to continue exerting pressure in the fourth quarter. However, the analyst projected that in the long term, merchandise margins should counterbalance the increased mix of commercial sales and that selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) should leverage later in the investment cycle.
Baker also mentioned that tariffs had no impact on AutoZone’s performance this quarter. Moreover, he suggested that any potential cost increases could ultimately contribute to top-line growth as the company passes pricing on to consumers. This strategy is seen as a way for AutoZone to maintain its competitive edge. According to InvestingPro, which offers 8 additional key insights about AutoZone, the company has demonstrated strong returns over both the last five and ten years, though it currently trades at a relatively high P/E ratio of 24x relative to its near-term earnings growth.
DA Davidson’s positive outlook for AutoZone is based on the company’s high-quality standing and strong defensive position in the market. The firm believes that AutoZone is well-positioned to benefit from the current tariff environment and has the potential for sustainable market share gains moving forward.
The new price target of $4,850 is derived from a 28 times multiple applied to DA Davidson’s 2026 earnings per share (EPS) forecast for AutoZone. This valuation is also supported by the results of a discounted cash flow model used by the firm. Baker’s endorsement and the revised price target underscore DA Davidson’s confidence in AutoZone’s continued success and growth prospects.
In other recent news, AutoZone has released its third-quarter earnings, reporting earnings per share (EPS) of $35.36, which fell short of analysts’ consensus estimate of $37.18. The company’s revenue saw a 5.4% increase to $4.46 billion, with domestic comparable store sales rising by 5.0%. Jefferies, BMO Capital Markets, Barclays (LON:BARC), Truist Securities, and CFRA have all adjusted their price targets for AutoZone, reflecting varied perspectives on the company’s future prospects. Jefferies raised its target to $4,255, maintaining a Buy rating, while BMO Capital increased its target to $4,100, reaffirming an Outperform rating. Barclays set a new price target of $3,916 with an Overweight rating, and Truist Securities lifted its target to $4,038, maintaining a Buy rating. CFRA slightly reduced its target to $4,200 but kept a Buy rating, citing weaker-than-expected margins despite revenue growth. Analysts from these firms have highlighted challenges such as foreign exchange impacts and margin pressures but remain optimistic about AutoZone’s strategic initiatives and market share gains. The company’s ongoing investments and efforts to enhance parts availability and distribution are seen as positive factors for future growth.
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