Is Wall Street Bullish or Bearish on AutoZone Stock?

Core Insights - AutoZone, Inc. operates as a retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories, with a market cap of $62.1 billion [1] - The company has experienced underperformance compared to the broader market, gaining 10% over the past year, while the S&P 500 Index increased nearly 13% [2] - Despite this, AutoZone's stock is up 10.5% year-to-date in 2026, outperforming the S&P 500's marginal rise [2] Performance Comparison - AutoZone's performance is also lagging behind the SPDR S&P Retail ETF, which has gained about 14.1% over the past year [3] - However, AutoZone's low double-digit returns year-to-date surpass the ETF's 4% gains [3] Financial Impact - The company's underperformance is attributed to a $98 million non-cash LIFO charge that affected margins and earnings, along with weather disruptions and a lack of prior-year hurricane-related sales impacting retail trends [6] - For the current fiscal year ending in August, analysts expect AutoZone's EPS to grow 2.9% to $149.02 on a diluted basis [6] - AutoZone has a disappointing earnings surprise history, missing consensus estimates in each of the last four quarters [6] Analyst Ratings - Among 29 analysts covering AutoZone stock, the consensus rating is a "Strong Buy," with 20 "Strong Buy" ratings, two "Moderate Buys," and seven "Holds" [7] - This consensus is less bullish than a month ago when 21 analysts suggested a "Strong Buy" [8] - Citigroup analyst Steven Zaccone reiterated a "Buy" rating with a price target of $4,200, implying a potential upside of 12% from current levels [8] - The mean price target of $4,251 represents a 13.4% premium to AutoZone's current price levels, while the highest price target of $4,800 suggests a notable upside potential of 28.1% [8]