Bernstein keeps USD 3,698 target for AutoZone stock
Published on 10/20/2026 at 22:06 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSBernstein keeps USD 3,698 target
- On October 13, 2026, Bernstein maintained a Buy rating and a USD 3,698.00 target.
- Fiscal 2026 sales reached USD 20.34 billion, up 7.40 percent year over year.
- AutoZone stock traded at EUR 2,814.00 at Lang & Schwarz on October 20, 2026 at 10:02 p.m. CEST.
- AutoZone had a USD 51.6 billion market capitalization and a 20.74 price-to-earnings ratio.
Bernstein maintained its Buy rating and a USD 3,698.00 price target for AutoZone on October 13, 2026, according to Markets Insider. The target stands 16.90 percent above AutoZone's USD 3,163.33 NYSE price on October 20, 2026. At Lang & Schwarz, the stock was trading at EUR 2,814.00 on October 20, 2026 at 10:02 p.m. CEST.
Sales passed USD 20 billion
AutoZone's latest reported period was fiscal 2026, ended August 29, 2026. AutoZone reported annual sales of USD 20.34 billion, an increase of 7.40 percent from fiscal 2025. Diluted earnings per share rose 5.30 percent to USD 152.55, while net income increased 3.00 percent to USD 2.57 billion.
The fourth quarter showed a stronger operating pattern. Sales rose 5.60 percent to USD 6.59 billion, diluted earnings per share increased 15.10 percent to USD 56.05, and operating profit grew 10.10 percent to USD 1.32 billion. The company said tariff refunds contributed 145 basis points to quarterly gross margin, making the 53.30 percent margin a figure that needs careful reading.
What does the target imply?
The analyst target sits above the current NYSE price, but the latest results also contain a counterweight. Fiscal 2026 gross margin declined to 52.30 percent from 52.60 percent, while operating expenses rose to 34.00 percent of sales from 33.60 percent. AutoZone also repurchased 579,000 shares during fiscal 2026 and had USD 1.61 billion remaining under its authorization.
Valuation at 20.74 times earnings
AutoZone had a market capitalization of USD 51.6 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.74 as of October 20, 2026. The 52-week range was USD 2,730.65 to USD 4,040.00, placing the USD 3,163.33 NYSE price between those two levels. O'Reilly Automotive traded at USD 90.02, up 1.07 percent, with a 28.67 price-to-earnings ratio and a USD 72.8 billion market capitalization. Advance Auto Parts traded at USD 44.17, up 1.08 percent, with a 32.19 price-to-earnings ratio and a USD 2.7 billion market capitalization.
Comparison with peers
AutoZone (NYSE, USD): 2.11 percent, price-to-earnings ratio 20.74, market capitalization USD 51.6 billion
O'Reilly Automotive (NYSE, USD): 1.07 percent, price-to-earnings ratio 28.67, market capitalization USD 72.8 billion
Advance Auto Parts (NYSE, USD): 1.08 percent, price-to-earnings ratio 32.19, market capitalization USD 2.7 billion
Price and investor perspective
Bernstein's USD 3,698.00 target provides the clearest current valuation marker, while the fiscal 2026 figures show both scale and margin pressure. AutoZone's share repurchases reduced the diluted share count to 16.87 million for the fiscal year.
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
- Price Lang & Schwarz (as of October 20, 2026, 10:02 p.m. CEST): EUR 2,814.00
- Market capitalization: USD 51.6 billion (as of October 20, 2026)
- 52-week range: USD 2,730.65-4,040.00 (as of October 20, 2026)
- Sector / Industry: Consumer Cyclical / Specialty Retail
- Index membership: S&P 500
Market context: Market report S&P 500.
