AutoZone Reports Q3 Earnings Beat but Stock Plummets
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 4 days ago
0mins
Source: Fool
- Earnings Beat: AutoZone reported Q3 earnings per share of $38.07, exceeding analyst expectations by approximately $1.90, although revenue of $4.84 billion fell short by $20 million, indicating strong profitability but weak sales performance.
- Margin Decline: The company's gross margin stood at 52.2%, down 57 basis points from the previous year, reflecting increased cost pressures that could impact future profitability, prompting a significant sell-off in the stock.
- Expansion Plans: AutoZone is set to open around 160 new stores this quarter, up from 121 last year, projecting a total of approximately 365 new global store openings for the fiscal year, demonstrating confidence in future growth.
- Short-Term Pressures: Despite solid expansion momentum, the company anticipates a $30 million headwind to earnings due to last-in, first-out accounting dynamics, which is expected to reduce earnings per share by about $1.40, raising investor concerns about near-term profitability.
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Analyst Views on AZO
Wall Street analysts forecast AZO stock price to rise
19 Analyst Rating
16 Buy
3 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 3007.080
Low
3550
Averages
4225
High
4800
Current: 3007.080
Low
3550
Averages
4225
High
4800
About AZO
AutoZone, Inc. is a retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the Americas. Its Auto Parts Stores segment is a retailer and distributor of automotive parts and accessories through its approximately 7,353 stores in the United States, Mexico and Brazil. Each store carries an extensive product line for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans and light duty trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories and non-automotive products. The Company also sells automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories and non-automotive products through www.autozone.com, and its commercial customers can make purchases through www.autozonepro.com. In addition, the Company sells the ALLDATA brand of automotive diagnostic, repair, collision and shop management software through www.alldata.com. It also provides product information on its Duralast branded products through www.duralastparts.com.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
AutoZone's Quarterly Earnings Disappoint Investors
- Same-Store Sales Weakness: AutoZone's same-store sales growth in the U.S. was only 4.1%, falling short of Wall Street expectations, which led to a 13% drop in stock price as investor confidence waned.
- International Expansion Challenges: Despite significant potential in Mexico and Brazil, AutoZone's international same-store sales growth was just 1.6%, failing to meet market expectations and indicating brand adaptation issues in new markets.
- Valuation Near Long-Term Average: With a 32% decline in stock price, AutoZone's P/E ratio has fallen back to its long-term average of 20, which may attract value investors but also reflects market concerns about its growth prospects.
- Intensifying Market Competition: In the U.S. market, AutoZone has limited growth potential, and future performance will rely on improving per-store productivity; however, analysts believe its current performance remains underwhelming in the competitive landscape.
See More
Wall Street Rises on Easing Tensions and Strong Earnings
- Investor Sentiment Boosted: Investor sentiment significantly improved as President Trump announced that a framework to end the conflict with Iran and restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz had been largely negotiated with Israel and regional allies, leading to a rally in the stock market.
- Inflation Data Supports Equities: The core Personal Consumption Expenditures price index indicated that underlying price pressures rose less than expected in April, further bolstering market confidence that inflation is on a gradual cooling path, thus providing additional support for equities.
- Micron Technology Soars: Micron Technology's stock jumped 19% on Tuesday, surpassing a $1 trillion market cap, as UBS raised its price target to a new Wall Street high, reflecting continued strong demand in the market and pushing its stock up over 220% this year.
- Zscaler Plummets: Zscaler's stock plunged 32% after the cybersecurity firm issued weaker-than-expected guidance alongside its earnings report, marking the largest single-day decline on record and raising concerns about its future growth prospects.
See More
AutoZone Shares Drop 13% Amid Sales Slowdown
- Significant Stock Decline: AutoZone's shares fell 13% this week, now down 32% from recent highs, with a market cap of $50 billion, reflecting market concerns over future growth prospects.
- Same-Store Sales Slowdown: The company's same-store sales growth of 4.1% in the U.S. fell short of Wall Street expectations, indicating sluggish growth in a mature market that could impact future profitability.
- International Expansion Challenges: AutoZone's expansion into Mexico and Brazil faces hurdles, as international same-store sales growth was only 1.6%, failing to boost investor confidence despite the strong potential of these Latin American economies.
- Valuation Near Long-Term Average: With the P/E ratio returning to 20, AutoZone's stock may appear more attractive after a 32% decline, although growth potential in the U.S. market is limited, international expansion could still provide steady sales growth.
See More
AutoZone's Earnings Miss Expectations, Stock Volatility Follows
- Sales Report: AutoZone reported $4.84 billion in sales for Q3 2026, slightly missing analyst expectations of $4.87 billion, which initially triggered a 9% stock drop, although this reaction may be exaggerated.
- Same-Store Sales Growth: Despite the sales miss, same-store sales increased by 5.5% year-over-year, indicating stability in the core business and bolstering confidence among long-term investors.
- Ongoing Expansion Plans: AutoZone plans to open 355 to 365 new stores this fiscal year, signaling confidence in future growth despite a slowdown in international expansion, which is expected to enhance market share.
- Valuation Appeal: With shares priced over $3,000, a forward P/E ratio of around 17, and a PEG ratio of 1.42, alongside an average analyst price target near $4,100, AutoZone presents an attractive long-term investment opportunity.
See More
AutoZone Reports 8.4% Sales Growth in Q3
- Sales Growth Overview: AutoZone reported net sales of $4.84 billion for Q3, reflecting an 8.4% year-over-year increase, although slightly below analyst expectations of $4.87 billion, which initially caused a 9% drop in stock price, indicating a potential overreaction from the market.
- Same-Store Sales Performance: Same-store sales rose by 5.5% year-over-year, with earnings per share hitting $38.07, showcasing the company's strong cash flow generation capabilities, and despite a slowdown in international growth, it plans to open between 355 to 365 new stores this fiscal year.
- Expansion Plans: AutoZone currently operates 7,856 locations, having added 340 stores in the past year, which demonstrates its competitive strength and growth potential in the market as it continues to expand steadily.
- Investment Value Analysis: While AutoZone's shares are priced over $3,000, its forward P/E ratio is around 17 and PEG ratio is 1.42, indicating reasonable valuation; analysts have set an average price target of nearly $4,100, highlighting the stock's long-term investment appeal.
See More
Active Options Trading for AutoZone and Robinhood
- AutoZone Options Volume: Today, AutoZone's options trading volume reached 1,751 contracts, equivalent to approximately 175,100 shares, representing 57.7% of its average daily trading volume of 303,300 shares over the past month, indicating significant market interest in the stock.
- High Volatility Options: Notably, the $2700 strike put option expiring on July 17, 2026, has seen 534 contracts traded today, representing about 53,400 shares, reflecting investor expectations for future price fluctuations.
- Robinhood Options Activity: Robinhood's options trading volume stood at 122,936 contracts, equivalent to approximately 12.3 million shares, or 48.5% of its average daily trading volume of 25.4 million shares over the past month, showcasing the stock's market activity.
- Key Strike Options: For Robinhood, the $74 strike put option expiring on May 29, 2026, has traded 14,987 contracts today, representing approximately 1.5 million shares, indicating a divergence in investor sentiment regarding the stock's future trajectory.
See More
AutoZone's Quarterly Earnings Disappoint Investors
- Same-Store Sales Weakness: AutoZone's same-store sales growth in the U.S. was only 4.1%, falling short of Wall Street expectations, which led to a 13% drop in stock price as investor confidence waned.
- International Expansion Challenges: Despite significant potential in Mexico and Brazil, AutoZone's international same-store sales growth was just 1.6%, failing to meet market expectations and indicating brand adaptation issues in new markets.
- Valuation Near Long-Term Average: With a 32% decline in stock price, AutoZone's P/E ratio has fallen back to its long-term average of 20, which may attract value investors but also reflects market concerns about its growth prospects.
- Intensifying Market Competition: In the U.S. market, AutoZone has limited growth potential, and future performance will rely on improving per-store productivity; however, analysts believe its current performance remains underwhelming in the competitive landscape.
See More
Wall Street Rises on Easing Tensions and Strong Earnings
- Investor Sentiment Boosted: Investor sentiment significantly improved as President Trump announced that a framework to end the conflict with Iran and restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz had been largely negotiated with Israel and regional allies, leading to a rally in the stock market.
- Inflation Data Supports Equities: The core Personal Consumption Expenditures price index indicated that underlying price pressures rose less than expected in April, further bolstering market confidence that inflation is on a gradual cooling path, thus providing additional support for equities.
- Micron Technology Soars: Micron Technology's stock jumped 19% on Tuesday, surpassing a $1 trillion market cap, as UBS raised its price target to a new Wall Street high, reflecting continued strong demand in the market and pushing its stock up over 220% this year.
- Zscaler Plummets: Zscaler's stock plunged 32% after the cybersecurity firm issued weaker-than-expected guidance alongside its earnings report, marking the largest single-day decline on record and raising concerns about its future growth prospects.
See More
AutoZone Shares Drop 13% Amid Sales Slowdown
- Significant Stock Decline: AutoZone's shares fell 13% this week, now down 32% from recent highs, with a market cap of $50 billion, reflecting market concerns over future growth prospects.
- Same-Store Sales Slowdown: The company's same-store sales growth of 4.1% in the U.S. fell short of Wall Street expectations, indicating sluggish growth in a mature market that could impact future profitability.
- International Expansion Challenges: AutoZone's expansion into Mexico and Brazil faces hurdles, as international same-store sales growth was only 1.6%, failing to boost investor confidence despite the strong potential of these Latin American economies.
- Valuation Near Long-Term Average: With the P/E ratio returning to 20, AutoZone's stock may appear more attractive after a 32% decline, although growth potential in the U.S. market is limited, international expansion could still provide steady sales growth.
See More
AutoZone's Earnings Miss Expectations, Stock Volatility Follows
- Sales Report: AutoZone reported $4.84 billion in sales for Q3 2026, slightly missing analyst expectations of $4.87 billion, which initially triggered a 9% stock drop, although this reaction may be exaggerated.
- Same-Store Sales Growth: Despite the sales miss, same-store sales increased by 5.5% year-over-year, indicating stability in the core business and bolstering confidence among long-term investors.
- Ongoing Expansion Plans: AutoZone plans to open 355 to 365 new stores this fiscal year, signaling confidence in future growth despite a slowdown in international expansion, which is expected to enhance market share.
- Valuation Appeal: With shares priced over $3,000, a forward P/E ratio of around 17, and a PEG ratio of 1.42, alongside an average analyst price target near $4,100, AutoZone presents an attractive long-term investment opportunity.
See More
AutoZone Reports 8.4% Sales Growth in Q3
- Sales Growth Overview: AutoZone reported net sales of $4.84 billion for Q3, reflecting an 8.4% year-over-year increase, although slightly below analyst expectations of $4.87 billion, which initially caused a 9% drop in stock price, indicating a potential overreaction from the market.
- Same-Store Sales Performance: Same-store sales rose by 5.5% year-over-year, with earnings per share hitting $38.07, showcasing the company's strong cash flow generation capabilities, and despite a slowdown in international growth, it plans to open between 355 to 365 new stores this fiscal year.
- Expansion Plans: AutoZone currently operates 7,856 locations, having added 340 stores in the past year, which demonstrates its competitive strength and growth potential in the market as it continues to expand steadily.
- Investment Value Analysis: While AutoZone's shares are priced over $3,000, its forward P/E ratio is around 17 and PEG ratio is 1.42, indicating reasonable valuation; analysts have set an average price target of nearly $4,100, highlighting the stock's long-term investment appeal.
See More
Active Options Trading for AutoZone and Robinhood
- AutoZone Options Volume: Today, AutoZone's options trading volume reached 1,751 contracts, equivalent to approximately 175,100 shares, representing 57.7% of its average daily trading volume of 303,300 shares over the past month, indicating significant market interest in the stock.
- High Volatility Options: Notably, the $2700 strike put option expiring on July 17, 2026, has seen 534 contracts traded today, representing about 53,400 shares, reflecting investor expectations for future price fluctuations.
- Robinhood Options Activity: Robinhood's options trading volume stood at 122,936 contracts, equivalent to approximately 12.3 million shares, or 48.5% of its average daily trading volume of 25.4 million shares over the past month, showcasing the stock's market activity.
- Key Strike Options: For Robinhood, the $74 strike put option expiring on May 29, 2026, has traded 14,987 contracts today, representing approximately 1.5 million shares, indicating a divergence in investor sentiment regarding the stock's future trajectory.
See More
