Kinsale Capital Group Inc. Grows Stock Holdings in AutoZone, Inc. $AZO

Kinsale Capital Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) by 8.3% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 2,577 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 197 shares during the quarter. AutoZone comprises approximately 2.0% of Kinsale Capital Group Inc.’s portfolio, making the stock its 18th biggest holding. Kinsale Capital Group Inc.’s holdings in AutoZone were worth $11,056,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of AutoZone during the 3rd quarter valued at $26,000. Global Trust Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in AutoZone by 600.0% during the 3rd quarter. Global Trust Asset Management LLC now owns 7 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 6 shares in the last quarter. Aspect Partners LLC increased its position in shares of AutoZone by 700.0% during the second quarter. Aspect Partners LLC now owns 8 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 7 shares during the period. Salomon & Ludwin LLC bought a new stake in shares of AutoZone during the third quarter valued at about $34,000. Finally, Bank of Jackson Hole Trust purchased a new stake in shares of AutoZone in the second quarter worth about $33,000. 92.74% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Robert W. Baird raised shares of AutoZone to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on shares of AutoZone from $4,700.00 to $4,000.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Citigroup lowered their price objective on AutoZone from $4,775.00 to $4,200.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. Erste Group Bank lowered AutoZone from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Finally, DA Davidson decreased their target price on AutoZone from $4,850.00 to $4,500.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have issued a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, AutoZone presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $4,296.25.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other AutoZone news, Director Michael A. George purchased 145 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, December 22nd. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $3,398.13 per share, for a total transaction of $492,728.85. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 566 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,923,341.58. This represents a 34.44% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Brian Hannasch acquired 147 shares of AutoZone stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 18th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $3,393.09 per share, for a total transaction of $498,784.23. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 962 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,264,152.58. The trade was a 18.04% increase in their position. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last three months, insiders purchased 347 shares of company stock valued at $1,179,256 and sold 9,447 shares valued at $34,179,923. Company insiders own 2.60% of the company’s stock.

AutoZone Price Performance

Shares of AZO opened at $3,681.24 on Friday. AutoZone, Inc. has a 1 year low of $3,210.72 and a 1 year high of $4,388.11. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $3,550.74 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $3,848.49. The firm has a market cap of $61.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.67, a P/E/G ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 0.41.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, December 9th. The company reported $31.04 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $32.69 by ($1.65). AutoZone had a negative return on equity of 65.38% and a net margin of 12.78%.The business had revenue of $4.63 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.64 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $32.52 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was up 8.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts anticipate that AutoZone, Inc. will post 152.94 earnings per share for the current year.

AutoZone Profile

AutoZone, Inc (NYSE: AZO) is a retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, the company supplies a wide range of aftermarket components, maintenance items and accessories for passenger cars, light trucks and commercial vehicles. Its product assortment includes engine parts, electrical components, batteries, brakes, filters, fluids and interior and exterior accessories, supported by inventory management and logistics systems to serve retail customers and professional service providers.

AutoZone serves both do‑it‑yourself (DIY) consumers and commercial customers such as independent repair shops and service centers.