AutoZone Inc (AZO): Today's Featured Services Winner

Editor's Note: TheStreet ratings do not represent the views of TheStreet's staff or its contributors. Ratings are established by computer based on metrics for performance (which includes growth, stock performance, efficiency and valuation) and risk (volatility and solvency). Companies with poor cash flow or high debt levels tend to earn lower ratings in our model.

AutoZone (AZO) pushed the Services sector higher today making it today's featured services winner. The sector as a whole closed the day up 0.1%. By the end of trading, AutoZone rose $4.79 (1.3%) to $363.07 on average volume. Throughout the day, 414,189 shares of AutoZone exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 425,900 shares. The stock ranged in a price between $358.68-$363.45 after having opened the day at $359.13 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $358.28. Other companies within the Services sector that increased today were: Bon-Ton Stores (BONT), up 24.4%, SinoHub (SIHI), up 23.2%, Office Depot (ODP), up 19.3%, and DS Torm (TRMD), up 18.2%.

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AutoZone, Inc. engages in retailing and distributing automotive replacement parts and accessories. AutoZone has a market cap of $13.54 billion and is part of the retail industry. The company has a P/E ratio of 16.3, equal to the average retail industry P/E ratio and below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are up 11.3% year to date as of the close of trading on Tuesday. Currently there are nine analysts that rate AutoZone a buy, no analysts rate it a sell, and eight rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates AutoZone as a buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, solid stock price performance, impressive record of earnings per share growth, expanding profit margins and good cash flow from operations. Although the company may harbor some minor weaknesses, we feel they are unlikely to have a significant impact on results.

• You can view the full AutoZone Ratings Report.

On the negative front, Digital Domain Media Group (DDMG), down 30.5%, Ambow Education (AMBO), down 26.8%, Lentuo International (LAS), down 19.3%, and China Auto Logistics (CALI), down 18.7%, were all laggards within the services sector with United Parcel Service Inc (UPS) Class B (UPS) being today's services sector laggard.

• Use our services section to find sector-relevant news.
• Or find some new ideas from our top rated stocks lists.

For investors not wanting singular stock exposure, ETFs may be of interest. Investors who are bullish on the services sector could consider iShares Dow Jones US Cons Services (IYC) while those bearish on the services sector could consider ProShares Ultra Short Consumer Sers (SCC).

• Find other investment ideas from our top rated ETFs lists.

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For more information on AutoZone Inc click any of the following:

• AutoZone Inc Stock Price

• AutoZone Inc Analyst Ratings

• AutoZone Inc Key Stats & Profile

• AutoZone Inc Earnings

• AutoZone Inc Ratio Comparison

• AutoZone Inc Growth Rates

• AutoZone Inc Balance Sheet

• AutoZone Inc Cash Flow

• AutoZone Inc Income Statement