Candriam S.C.A. Grows Holdings in AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO)

Candriam S.C.A. raised its holdings in shares of AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) by 0.8% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 12,916 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 105 shares during the quarter. Candriam S.C.A. owned 0.07% of AutoZone worth $29,223,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. boosted its position in AutoZone by 2.7% in the 1st quarter. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. now owns 947 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,328,000 after buying an additional 25 shares during the period. Shelton Capital Management grew its stake in AutoZone by 860.0% in the fourth quarter. Shelton Capital Management now owns 1,200 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,959,000 after purchasing an additional 1,075 shares in the last quarter. Mirova grew its stake in AutoZone by 25.8% in the fourth quarter. Mirova now owns 278 shares of the company’s stock worth $686,000 after purchasing an additional 57 shares in the last quarter. Aviva PLC increased its holdings in AutoZone by 27.3% during the 4th quarter. Aviva PLC now owns 15,314 shares of the company’s stock worth $22,008,000 after purchasing an additional 3,288 shares during the period. Finally, Point72 Asset Management L.P. raised its position in AutoZone by 109.0% during the 4th quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 38,783 shares of the company’s stock valued at $95,646,000 after purchasing an additional 20,230 shares in the last quarter. 90.34% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently commented on AZO. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price target on AutoZone from $2,899.00 to $2,840.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 23rd. Northcoast Research assumed coverage on shares of AutoZone in a report on Wednesday, June 28th. They issued a “neutral” rating for the company. Bank of America upgraded shares of AutoZone from an “underperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and increased their price objective for the company from $2,120.00 to $2,465.00 in a research note on Thursday, June 1st. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of AutoZone in a research note on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a “buy” rating for the company. Finally, UBS Group raised AutoZone from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and increased their target price for the company from $2,800.00 to $2,900.00 in a research report on Friday, June 16th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, AutoZone has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $2,716.00.

Insider Transactions at AutoZone

In other AutoZone news, SVP K. Michelle Borninkhof purchased 217 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 12th. The shares were bought at an average price of $2,406.36 per share, for a total transaction of $522,180.12. Following the acquisition, the senior vice president now owns 501 shares in the company, valued at $1,205,586.36. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other news, VP Albert Saltiel sold 2,245 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $2,500.00, for a total value of $5,612,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 535 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,337,500. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, SVP K. Michelle Borninkhof bought 217 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 12th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $2,406.36 per share, for a total transaction of $522,180.12. Following the completion of the acquisition, the senior vice president now owns 501 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,205,586.36. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 8,445 shares of company stock worth $21,200,970 over the last three months. 2.59% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

AutoZone Stock Performance

Shares of AZO opened at $2,572.21 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $2,496.34 and a two-hundred day moving average of $2,510.07. The stock has a market cap of $46.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.30, a P/E/G ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 0.66. AutoZone, Inc. has a one year low of $2,050.21 and a one year high of $2,750.00.

AutoZone Company Profile

AutoZone, 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.