AutoZone Inc logo

AutoZone Inc(AZO)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL
1-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$2939.85
10/09/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
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Upturn Stock price based on last close iconStock price based on last close
Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for AZO

10/09/2026: AZO (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

AutoZone Inc is a leading U.S. retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts, serving both DIY enthusiasts and professional service shops. The company’s primary strengths include an extensive physical store footprint, a robust logistics network, and a consistent focus on share repurchases. Its growth story centers on expanding commercial B2B sales and capturing market share in a resilient, aftermarket-focused industry. Key risks include intense competition from O'Reilly and others, potential shifts toward electric vehicles, and macroeconomic sensitivity. AutoZone is generally suited for growth-oriented investors looking for a well-managed business in a stable industry, though the lack of a dividend may deter income-focused participants.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorStrong fitThe company demonstrates a consistent track record of earnings growth through operational scaling and share repurchases.
Momentum investorMixed fitMomentum suitability is conditional on positive technical indicators and broader market trends.
Value investorStrong fit while signal remains positiveThe company's disciplined capital allocation and historical valuation levels often appeal to value-oriented investors.
Dividend investorWeak fitAutoZone does not pay a cash dividend, making it unsuitable for income-focused portfolios.
Low-risk investorMixed fitWhile the business is resilient, equity market volatility and execution risks in a competitive industry present moderate risks.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityMediumLike most equities, AZO shares are subject to broader market fluctuations.
Valuation riskMediumThe stock's premium valuation requires consistent execution to maintain shareholder value.
Competition risk (Retail and Professional)HighIntense competition from O'Reilly and others puts pressure on margins and market share.
Business qualityStrongAutoZone maintains a robust franchise with historically strong operating margins and brand equity.
Dividend incomeLow / noneThe lack of dividend payments makes it irrelevant for income-seeking strategies.
Execution riskMediumSuccess depends on maintaining supply chain efficiency and effectively managing a large, distributed workforce.

Price Behavior

Downtrend
PRICE PATH

Downtrend

The stock has experienced a sustained decline in price over recent periods.

Moderately Choppy
PRICE STABILITY

Moderately Choppy

The stock has experienced noticeable price swings while retaining some directional structure.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit -11.18%
Avg. Invested days 38
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 3.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 1.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 10/09/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
AZO receives a 4-star rating, supported by solid quantitative characteristics, and strong analyst coverage. The rating is constrained by weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
AZO has moderate overall fundamentals (3 stars), with moderate financial health, moderate growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2026 versus FY2025, moderate earnings growth (+3.0%) and solid profitability (net margin 12.6%) are partially offset by soft cash generation (FCF margin 0.0%), moderate revenue growth (+7.4%), very low insider ownership of 0.25%.

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
AZO's financial health is supported by solid cash strength, including free-cash-flow generation (0.0% of revenue). Liquidity is moderate (3 stars), which helps explain the 3-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Revenue growth is AZO's strongest growth driver at +7.4% FY2026 versus FY2025 (moderate, 3 stars). By comparison, while free-cash-flow growth (-100.0%, negative) holds the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 99.0% and approximately 99.7% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership is only 0.25%, which materially reduces the ownership score.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

JPMorgan Chase & Co 7.75%
BlackRock Inc 7.62%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 6.67%
Vanguard Portfolio Management, LLC 4.73%
State Street Corp 4.44%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
AZO generates approximately $523 of gross profit, $183 of operating income, and $0 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2026 results. Moderate margins and weak cash conversion support a 3-star rating, while capital efficiency is strong.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 20.85%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
AZO has a high-quality, large-cap, liquid, relatively low-volatility profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Value-OrientedQuality TiltLow VolatilityLarge / Mega Cap StabilityHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Large-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 47.55B USD
Price to earnings Ratio 19.27
1Y Target Price 3719.96
Price to earnings Ratio 19.27
1Y Target Price 3719.96
Volume (30-day avg) 358.1K shares
Beta 0.4
52 Weeks Range 2730.65 - 4146.42
Updated Date 10/10/2026
52 Weeks Range 2730.65 - 4146.42
Updated Date 10/10/2026
Dividends yield (FY) -
Basic EPS (TTM) 152.55

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Retail Auto PartsDirect-to-consumer sales of automotive parts, fluids, and accessories.This is the core of the business, where the company sells products to everyday drivers who perform their own maintenance.
Commercial SalesB2B parts supply for professional repair shops and service centers.This segment provides a growing revenue stream by serving professional mechanics who require high parts availability and fast delivery.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

Revenue by Geography

Geography revenue - Year on Year

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Earnings Date

Report Date 2026-09-22
When Before Market
Estimate 54.54
Actual 56.05

Profitability

Profit Margin 12.65%
Operating Margin (TTM) 19.97%

Management Effectiveness

Return on Assets (TTM) 11.35%
Return on Equity (TTM) -

Valuation

Trailing PE 19.27
Forward PE 16.5
Enterprise Value 58.36B
Price to Sales(TTM) 2.34
Enterprise Value 58.36B
Price to Sales(TTM) 2.34
Enterprise Value to Revenue 2.96
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 13.85
Shares Outstanding 16.17M
Shares Floating 16.12M
Shares Outstanding 16.17M
Shares Floating 16.12M
Percent Insiders 0.25
Percent Institutions 98.96

Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

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