MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE: AZO) today reported net sales of $4.2 billion for its third quarter (12 weeks) ended May 4, 2024, an increase of 3.5% from the third quarter of fiscal 2023 (12 weeks). Same store sales, or sales for our domestic and international stores open at least one year, are as follows:        Constant Currency 12 Weeks 12 Weeks*    Domestic0.0% 0.0%International18.1% 9.3%Total Company1.9% 0.9%* Excludes impacts from fluctuations of foreign exchang ...

Auto parts stocks often fly under the radar, getting little to no investor attention compared to their larger industry peers. While it’s the big-name car manufacturers that consistently grab headlines and investor focus, auto parts stocks have historically outperformed.Unlike automotive manufacturers, whose sales often fluctuate due to the industry’s cyclical nature, auto parts distributors and retailers experience more stable sales. Even during economic downturns, when new car sales decline, there remains ...

U.S. stock markets have resumed momentum with much vigor in May after a brief halt in April. Market participants witnessed an impressive 15-month rally before April. The rebound in May has taken a section of financial experts by surprise as they warned of further downside due to higher stock valuations and the Fed’s decision to keep interest rates higher for longer than expected.Favorable Economic DataWall Street rebounded in early May following a sharp decline in the April job additions, a notable deterior ...

Olivier Le Moal In this monthly article, we try to identify five closed-end funds ("CEFs") that have a solid historical performance, pay high enough distributions, and offer reasonable valuations at the current time. We also present a more diversified list of the top 10 funds. Author's Note: This article is part of our monthly series that tries to discover the five best buys in the CEF arena at that time. Certain parts of the introduction, definitions, and sections describing selection criteria/process ...

Core Viewpoint - The retail industry has faced significant challenges over the past five years, including the pandemic, store closures, and a shift towards online shopping, compounded by high inflation and interest rates, leading to a slowdown in consumer spending. However, certain retail stocks are still considered viable investment opportunities as interest rates may decrease in the near future [1]. Retail Industry Overview - The recent retail sales report for April indicated flat growth, suggesting a slowdown in consumer spending due to persistent inflation and high interest rates. Economists anticipate potential relief if the U.S. Federal Reserve lowers interest rates in September, which could positively impact retail stocks [1]. Walmart (WMT) - Walmart reported first-quarter earnings per share (EPS) of 60 cents, exceeding the forecast of 52 cents, with revenue of $161.51 billion, surpassing the estimated $159.5 billion. The growth was driven by a 22% year-over-year increase in e-commerce sales and a 24% rise in global advertising sales [4]. - The stock has gained 28% over the past year, with a median price target of $66.64, indicating a potential 3% upside from current levels [3][4]. Lululemon Athletica (LULU) - Lululemon's stock has declined 34% this year, but analysts rate it a strong buy, with a median price target of $472.60, representing a 41% upside. Despite recent challenges, including slowing U.S. sales and plans to close a distribution center, the company reported strong international sales growth of 54% year-over-year, with China sales increasing by 78% [5][6]. - Lululemon's stock has increased 94% over the last five years, indicating long-term growth potential despite current setbacks [6]. AutoZone (AZO) - AutoZone is rated a strong buy by 18 analysts, with a median price target of $3,314.72, suggesting a 13% upside. The company has benefited from a growing trend towards DIY automotive repairs, particularly for older vehicles [7][8]. - AutoZone's stock has risen 13% this year and has nearly tripled over the past five years, with a remarkable increase of 95 times since the company began share repurchases in 1999 [8].

MEMPHIS, Tenn., April 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO), the leading retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the Americas, will release results for its third quarter ended Saturday, May 4, 2024, before market open on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Additionally, the Company will host a one-hour conference call on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, beginning at 10:00 a.m. (ET), to discuss the results of the quarter. This call is being webcast and can be accessed, along wit ...

Here's Why AutoZone Will Likely Announce a Stock Split Sundry Photography / iStock Editorial via Getty Images History credits Henry Ford with inventing the automobile assembly line. The notion of having a different workstation be responsible for a specific part in a precisely sequenced assembly protocol is a fundamental principle behind mass production and large product manufacturing. Nevertheless, mechanical auto parts are susceptible to excessive wear, breakdown, damage, and other conditions that can re ...

When you think about magnificent stocks, I'm sure the "Magnificent Seven" tech-focused and innovative enterprises come to mind. Their returns in the past decade have certainly been spectacular.But there are two lesser-known and definitely more boring companies that have also trounced the market. I'm talking about O'Reilly Automotive (ORLY 0.40%) and AutoZone (AZO 0.90%). The former is up 678% in the past 10 years, while the latter has risen 498% during that time.Should you buy these two skyrocketing retail ...

Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors, and Zacks Premium offers many different ways to do both.The research service features daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores.What are the Zacks Style Scores?Developed a ...

Americans increased their spending a bit in February after pulling back in January. But last month’s gain in retail sales was weaker-than-expected, and January’s decline was revised even lower, indicating that many are growing cautious with their spending ability. Retail sales rose 0.6% in February after falling a revised 1.1% in January, hurt partly by inclement weather, according to the Commerce Department’s report on Thursday.Below we highlight a few areas and the related ETFs & stocks that may benefit h ...