Core Viewpoint - There is a significant disparity between market perception and the actual fundamental performance of AutoZone as it approaches FY26, with positive trends in commercial momentum, DIY sales, and international performance [1]. Group 1: Market Perception vs. Fundamentals - The market perception of AutoZone does not align with its underlying fundamentals, indicating potential mispricing or misunderstanding by investors [1]. - Commercial momentum is reportedly gaining traction, suggesting a positive outlook for AutoZone's business operations [1]. - DIY sales continue to perform well, contributing to the overall strength of AutoZone's market position [1]. Group 2: International Performance - International operations are showing improvement, which may enhance AutoZone's growth prospects and diversification [1].

Core Insights - There is a significant divergence between market perception and the actual fundamental performance of AutoZone (AZO) as FY26 approaches [1] - Commercial momentum is increasing, DIY segments are performing well, and international operations are showing improvement [1] Company Performance - AutoZone is experiencing positive trends in commercial momentum and DIY sales, indicating strong operational performance [1] - International operations are outperforming expectations, contributing to the overall growth of the company [1] Market Perception - The market's perception of AutoZone does not align with the underlying fundamentals, suggesting potential mispricing or misunderstanding among investors [1]

Core Viewpoint - AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) is experiencing resilient demand and improving long-term earnings power, leading to a bullish outlook from JP Morgan analyst Christopher Horvers, who maintains an Overweight rating with a price target of $4,850 [1]. Demand and Comp Trends - Recent industry checks indicate no structural slowdown in DIY demand, despite some early-quarter volatility, with better weekend spending and supportive weather contributing to restored momentum [3]. - The analyst expects both DIY and "Do It For Me" (DIFM) comparable sales to accelerate, driven by firmer inflation, steady demand, and market share gains [3]. - Management anticipates mid-single-digit inflation in the near term, rising to high-single-digit levels by spring [3]. Margins, Costs, and Earnings Power - The gross margin outlook has been trimmed due to softer merchandising benefits and persistent mix pressure, with last year's LIFO impact creating a significant headwind [4]. - Management expects another large LIFO headwind early in the year, with easing pressure anticipated later, while the underlying gross margin is expected to remain flat to slightly higher, excluding LIFO effects [4]. - The SG&A outlook reflects faster store-level cost growth associated with higher comparable sales and expansion efforts, aligning with management's strategy to defend market share and support new locations [5]. Earnings Outlook - The changes in cost structure and market dynamics are expected to lead to a modestly higher operating margin and a slightly stronger EPS forecast, suggesting a potential positive shift in the earnings revision cycle [5]. - Rolling estimates forward is anticipated to enhance out-year earnings power as sales accelerate and LIFO effects reverse [6].

AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) shares were little changed Wednesday as investors digested a fresh bullish call from JP Morgan.Analyst Christopher Horvers stuck with an Overweight rating and higher estimates, citing resilient demand and improving long-term earnings power.Horvers reiterated the rating, with a price forecast of $4,850.Also Read: AutoZone’s Domestic ‘Do It For Me’ Business Driving Market Share GainsHorvers said he raised near-term estimates after stronger comparable performance, though lower gross m ...

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Past performance is not an indicator of future performance. This post is illustrative and educational ...

Core Viewpoint - The market anticipates AutoZone (AZO) to report a year-over-year decline in earnings despite higher revenues in its upcoming earnings report for the quarter ended November 2025 [1] Earnings Expectations - AutoZone is expected to post quarterly earnings of $32.35 per share, reflecting a year-over-year change of -0.5% [3] - Revenues are projected to reach $4.64 billion, which is an increase of 8.3% from the same quarter last year [3] Estimate Revisions - The consensus EPS estimate has been revised 0.59% higher in the last 30 days, indicating a positive reassessment by analysts [4] - The Most Accurate Estimate for AutoZone is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, resulting in an Earnings ESP of +2.26% [12] Earnings Surprise Prediction - A positive Earnings ESP is a strong indicator of a potential earnings beat, especially when combined with a Zacks Rank of 1, 2, or 3 [10] - AutoZone currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3, suggesting a likelihood of beating the consensus EPS estimate [12] Historical Performance - In the last reported quarter, AutoZone was expected to post earnings of $50.52 per share but delivered $48.71, resulting in a surprise of -3.58% [13] - The company has not beaten consensus EPS estimates in any of the last four quarters [14] Conclusion - While AutoZone is viewed as a compelling earnings-beat candidate, other factors should also be considered when evaluating the stock ahead of its earnings release [17]

Core Points - AutoZone, Inc. will hold its Annual Meeting of Stockholders on December 17, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. (ET) in Memphis, Tennessee, with a webcast available on its website [1] - As of August 30, 2025, AutoZone operates a total of 7,657 stores, including 6,627 in the U.S., 883 in Mexico, and 147 in Brazil [2] - AutoZone is the leading retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the Americas, offering a wide range of products for various vehicle types and providing commercial sales programs [3] Company Overview - AutoZone's stores carry an extensive product line, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products [3] - The company does not generate revenue from automotive repair or installation services, focusing instead on parts and accessories sales [3] - AutoZone also sells products through its websites, including www.autozone.com for retail and www.autozonepro.com for commercial customers, along with diagnostic and management software through www.alldata.com [3]

Core Insights - AutoZone is a leading retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States, competing with major players like Advance Auto Parts and O'Reilly Automotive [1] - The company is set to release its quarterly earnings on December 9, 2025, with analysts estimating earnings per share (EPS) of $32.33 and projected revenue of approximately $4.64 billion [2][6] - Wall Street analysts suggest that AutoZone may represent a good investment opportunity, which can significantly influence stock price movements [3][6] Financial Metrics - AutoZone's price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is approximately 25.78, indicating the market's valuation of its earnings [4][6] - The price-to-sales ratio stands at about 3.41, reflecting the market's valuation of its revenue [4][6] - The enterprise value to sales ratio is around 4.04, and the enterprise value to operating cash flow ratio is approximately 24.55, providing insights into the company's valuation relative to sales and cash flow [5] - AutoZone's earnings yield is about 3.88%, offering a perspective on the return on investment [5]

Core Insights - Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (AAP) is positioned to benefit from supply chain consolidation and an updated operating model, although concerns remain regarding its balance sheet and pressures in the DIY segment [1][7]. Group 1: Strategic Developments - The company completed its store footprint optimization program, with 75% of stores in top market positions, and plans to open over 100 new stores in the next two years to capture a larger share of the $150 billion market [3]. - AAP is consolidating its supply chain into a unified network, planning to close 12 distribution centers (DCs) by 2025 and expand to 12 large DCs by the end of 2026, targeting 60 market hubs by mid-2027 [4][9]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Adjusted operating income for Q3 2025 reached $90 million, a 370-basis-point improvement from the previous year, with an expected adjusted operating margin of 2.4-2.6% for 2025 and approximately 7% for 2027 [5]. - The company anticipates capital expenditures of around $250 million in 2025, up from $180.8 million in 2024, to support growth and supply chain enhancements [10]. Group 3: Market Challenges - AAP's long-term debt increased to $3.4 billion as of October 2025, resulting in a long-term debt to capital ratio of 0.61, which is significantly higher than the auto sector average of 0.18 [7]. - The DIY segment is under pressure due to consumer financial strain, leading to reduced discretionary purchases, although essential maintenance remains a stable demand [8].

Core Insights - AutoZone, Inc. will release its first quarter results for the period ending November 22, 2025, on December 9, 2025, before market open [1] - A conference call to discuss the quarterly results will take place on December 9, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. (ET) [1] Company Overview - AutoZone is the leading retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the Americas, with a total of 7,657 stores as of August 30, 2025, including 6,627 in the U.S., 883 in Mexico, and 147 in Brazil [2][3] - The company offers a wide range of products for various vehicle types, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, and accessories [3] - AutoZone has a commercial sales program that provides prompt delivery and credit to repair garages, dealers, and service stations [3] - The company also sells products through its websites, including www.autozone.com and www.autozonepro.com, and offers automotive diagnostic software through www.alldata.com [3]