In the latest trading session, AutoZone (AZO) closed at $3,671.61, marking a -1.36% move from the previous day. The stock's performance was behind the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.84%. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a drop of 0.34%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw a decrease of 1.43%. Shares of the auto parts retailer have appreciated by 13.89% over the course of the past month, outperforming the Retail-Wholesale sector's gain of 6.19%, and the S&P 500's gain of 1.8%.Analysts and investors alike will b ...

AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer shed light on recently. Answering a caller’s query about the stock during the episode, Cramer said: That has been, you know, a bugaboo. Look, I think this is an incredibly well-run company. It generates a gigantic amount of cash. I think that this is, I’m going to say it again, I think this whole downturn in AutoZone is going to prove out to be a terrific buying opportunity. I am not backing away. AZO, I like very much. Photo by Anna Nekrashevic ...

AutoZone Inc (NYSE:AZO) is one of the best Auto Parts stocks according to Hedge Funds. On December 18, Christopher Horvers from JPMorgan maintained his Overweight rating on AutoZone Inc (NYSE:AZO), cutting down his price target estimate from $4,850 to $4,100 in the process. His revised target now leads to an upside potential of almost 11% at the current level. Copyright: wihtgod / 123RF Stock Photo Horvers kept his bullish outlook on AutoZone Inc (NYSE:AZO), even after the company’s weaker-than-expecte ...

AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer discussed, along with market shortages. A club member inquired whether the stock is a buy, sell, or hold, and here’s what Cramer had to say in response: Alright, this one mystifies me. I have been a believer in this stock for some time. They have the best buyback. Take a look. They’ve shrunk the float by 50% just in the last few years. There’s nothing, I thought, at first, I thought it was tariffed parts that could be a problem, tariffed parts. But ...

Company Overview - AutoZone, Inc. (AZO) has a market capitalization of $60.8 billion and is a leading retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States, Mexico, and Brazil, offering a wide range of products and services for various vehicles [1] Earnings Expectations - Analysts anticipate that AutoZone will report a profit of $27.19 per share for fiscal Q2 2026, representing a decline of 3.9% from $28.29 per share in the same quarter last year [2] - For fiscal 2026, the expected EPS is $148.55, which is an increase of 2.5% from $144.87 in fiscal 2025, with further growth projected to 18.7% year-over-year to $176.25 in fiscal 2027 [3] Stock Performance - Over the past 52 weeks, AutoZone's shares have increased by 11.3%, which is below the S&P 500 Index's gain of 13.7%, but has outperformed the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF's return of 5.2% [4] Recent Financial Results - AutoZone's shares fell by 7.2% on December 9 after reporting Q1 2026 EPS of $31.04 and revenue of $4.63 billion, both of which were below forecasts. Despite an 8.2% increase in net sales and a 4.7% gain in same-store sales, operating profit declined by 6.8% to $784.2 million, and net income decreased to $530.8 million. A significant concern was a 203-basis-point drop in gross margin to 51%, primarily due to a 212-basis-point non-cash LIFO impact and increased operating expenses related to growth investments [5] Analyst Ratings - The consensus among analysts for AutoZone's stock is bullish, with a "Strong Buy" rating overall. Out of 29 analysts, 21 recommend "Strong Buy," 2 suggest "Moderate Buy," and 6 indicate "Hold." The average price target for AutoZone is $4,265.35, indicating a potential upside of 16.2% from current levels [6]

Group 1 - AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) has experienced a decline in its price-to-earnings ratio to around 23, despite maintaining good earnings and growth [1] - The stock's recent performance was impacted by an inconsistent earnings report, leading to a significant sell-off, but the company is expected to recover in the next quarter [1] - AutoZone has reduced its share count by 44.9% since the end of 2015 and approximately 89% since summer 1998, contributing to its status as a long-term outperformer [2] Group 2 - The current high interest rates make financing for new cars expensive, prompting consumers to seek replacement parts for their existing vehicles [2] - AutoZone's stock has pulled back 22% from its recent highs, presenting a potential buying opportunity [2]

Group 1 - The analyst has over a decade of experience researching various industries, including commodities like oil, natural gas, gold, and copper, as well as technology companies such as Google and Nokia [1] - The analyst has transitioned from writing a blog to creating a value investing-focused YouTube channel, where extensive research on hundreds of companies has been conducted [1] - The analyst expresses a particular interest in covering metals and mining stocks, while also being comfortable with sectors like consumer discretionary/staples, REITs, and utilities [1]

Core Insights - Fenimore Asset Management's Q4 2025 investor letter indicates a solid yet volatile stock market, influenced by AI enthusiasm, economic uncertainty, and monetary policy concerns [1] - The firm anticipates mixed market conditions in 2026, with many AI-related stocks appearing expensive while high-quality companies are trading at multi-year lows, presenting potential investment opportunities [1] Performance Summary - The S&P 500 Index rose by 2.66% in Q4 2025, with large-cap technology and communication services sectors leading the market [1] - Fenimore Small Cap Strategy returned -4.12%, underperforming the Russell 2000 Index, which returned 2.19% [1] - Fenimore Dividend Focus Strategy declined -4.41% compared to the Russell Midcap Index's 0.16% return [1] - Fenimore Value Strategy saw a decline of -1.17% in Q4, also underperforming the Russell Midcap Index [1] Company Focus: AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) - AutoZone, Inc. was identified as a key performance detractor in Fenimore Value Strategy during Q4 2025 [2][3] - The stock had a one-month return of 2.16% and a 52-week gain of 7.34%, closing at $3,465.45 per share with a market capitalization of $57.64 billion on January 15, 2026 [2] - Despite revenue growth, AutoZone faced higher operating expenses and a significant non-cash LIFO inventory charge, impacting earnings negatively [3] - The company opened over 140 new stores and invested in supply chain hubs, which contributed to increased costs but are viewed as strategic long-term investments for market share gains, particularly in the commercial segment [3]

Core Insights - Insider buying is a significant trading signal indicating that executives believe their company's stock is undervalued [2] - Repeated insider buying from multiple executives is more indicative of confidence than one-time purchases [3] - Companies like Nike and AutoZone are experiencing insider buying as they navigate operational challenges and market skepticism [7] Company-Specific Insights - **Nike Inc. (NYSE: NKE)**: The company is attempting a turnaround after facing issues such as lack of innovation and competition. Recent insider buying from two directors and the CEO suggests potential upside, with analysts setting a consensus price target of $75.32, approximately 15% above its recent closing price [4][5][6] - **AutoZone Inc. (NYSE: AZO)**: After a significant pullback, the stock is trading nearly 30% below its consensus price target. Insider buying indicates confidence in long-term demand despite recent volatility [6][7] - **SmartRent, Inc.**: This company is also highlighted for its insider buying, indicating a strategic focus on turnaround efforts and market positioning [7]

Core Viewpoint - The Zacks Automotive - Retail and Wholesale - Parts industry is experiencing a positive outlook driven by trends such as an aging vehicle fleet, increasing vehicle technology complexity, and advancements in digitization that enhance customer experience [1][4][6]. Industry Overview - The industry encompasses retailing, distribution, and installation of vehicle parts, with options for consumers to either repair vehicles themselves (DIY) or seek professional assistance (DIFM) [3]. - The competitive landscape is evolving due to changing customer expectations and technological innovations [3]. Factors at Play - **Aging Vehicles Fuel Auto Parts Demand**: The average age of vehicles on U.S. roads has reached 12.8 years, leading to increased demand for repairs and maintenance as consumers prefer to maintain existing vehicles rather than purchase new ones [4]. - **Technology Changing Repair Dynamics**: Advanced vehicle technologies are making repairs more complex, resulting in a shift from DIY repairs to reliance on professional mechanics and service centers [5]. - **Digitization Enhancing Customer Experience**: Companies are investing in digital transformation to improve customer engagement through online platforms and transparent pricing tools, which are becoming essential for competitiveness [6]. - **Softening Auto Sales to Support Aftermarket Reliance**: Economic pressures are expected to soften new vehicle sales, prompting consumers to repair existing vehicles, thereby supporting demand for auto parts and services [7]. Industry Ranking and Performance - The Zacks Auto Retail & Wholesale Parts industry holds a favorable Zacks Industry Rank of 62, placing it in the top 25% of approximately 245 Zacks industries, indicating strong near-term prospects [8][9]. - Despite this, the industry has underperformed compared to the Auto, Tires, and Truck sector and the S&P 500 over the past year, with a growth of 2% compared to 12% and 20% respectively [11]. Current Valuation - The industry is currently trading at an EV/EBITDA ratio of 25.82X, higher than the S&P 500's 18.9X and the sector's 26.87X, reflecting the debt-laden nature of automotive companies [14]. - Over the past five years, the industry has seen an EV/EBITDA range from 22.15X to 32.70X, with a median of 26.23X [15]. Stocks in Focus - **Driven Brands (DRVN)**: The largest automotive services company in North America, focusing on oil changes and maintenance, with a strong growth trajectory through franchising and a solid cash generation model. The company has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) with a projected EPS growth of 16.7% for 2026 [18][19]. - **O'Reilly Automotive (ORLY)**: Known for its disciplined expansion and strong distribution network, O'Reilly has achieved record revenues for 32 consecutive years. The company has a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) with an expected EPS growth of 11% for 2026 [22][23]. - **AutoZone (AZO)**: With 36 years of record sales, AutoZone is expanding its hub and mega-hub stores to improve service speed and parts availability. The company has a Zacks Rank of 3 with projected EPS growth of 3% for 2026 [26][27].