Bernstein upgrades AutoZone stock to Strong Buy
Published on 10/07/2026 at 05:45 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
AutoZone (ISIN US0533321024) had a Lang & Schwarz prior close of EUR 2,571.00 for October 5, 2026. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded the stock to Strong Buy in a research note dated October 1, 2026, as reported by MarketBeat.
Bernstein raises the rating
The rating change follows AutoZone's fiscal fourth-quarter results, which combined faster profit growth with softer sales momentum. Yahoo Finance reported that diluted earnings per share reached USD 56.05 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, up 15.10 percent from USD 48.71 a year earlier and 2.80 percent above the USD 54.54 consensus estimate.
Revenue delivered the counterpoint. Fourth-quarter net sales rose 5.60 percent to USD 6.60 billion, but came in 1.40 percent below the USD 6.69 billion consensus estimate, according to Yahoo Finance.
Commercial sales lead growth
AutoZone's professional commercial business supplied the clearest operating contrast. Domestic commercial sales reached USD 1.91 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, an 8.60 percent year-over-year increase, while domestic same-store sales rose 1.60 percent, according to AutoZone.
The full-year figures show the same split at a larger scale. Fiscal 2026 net sales increased 7.40 percent to USD 20.3 billion, while gross margin was 52.30 percent versus 52.60 percent in fiscal 2025, according to AutoZone.
Valuation meets a lower range
AutoZone's USD 47.3 billion market capitalization and USD 2,730.65 to USD 4,170.00 52-week range were reported by the finance quote for October 6, 2026. The range places the prior close materially below the yearly high, while the Bernstein upgrade adds a more constructive analyst signal to a mixed operating picture.
AutoZone operates on the NYSE under ticker AZO. Its business spans automotive replacement parts, professional repair-shop supply and the ALLDATA repair-information platform.
Prior close anchors the quote
Lang & Schwarz lists the prior close at EUR 2,571.00 for October 5, 2026. The further course of trading is shown by the continuously updated real-time quote of AutoZone stock.
AutoZone stock facts
- Company: AutoZone, Inc.
- ISIN: US0533321024
- Ticker: AZO
- Primary exchange: NYSE
- Prior close Lang & Schwarz (October 5, 2026): EUR 2,571.00
- Market capitalization: USD 47.3 billion (as of October 6, 2026)
- 52-week range: USD 2,730.65-4,170.00 (as of October 6, 2026)
- Sector / Industry: Consumer Cyclical / Specialty Retail
