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AZO vs ORLY
Which Stock Would AI Choose? AutoZone (AZO) vs. O'Reilly Automotive (ORLY) Stock Comparison
1) Key Takeaways
- Both AZO and ORLY are leading automotive aftermarket parts retailers whose shares have retreated over the past year despite resilient fundamentals.
- AutoZone reported a 15% jump in earnings per share (EPS, or profit allocated to each share) in its latest quarter, aided by tariff refunds and aggressive buybacks.
- O'Reilly delivered 6% comparable-store sales growth and raised its full-year guidance, with professional-channel sales growing roughly 12.5%.
- AutoZone operates a larger footprint of about 8,031 stores with meaningful international exposure, while O'Reilly runs roughly 6,695 mostly U.S. locations.
- O'Reilly trades at a premium valuation relative to AutoZone, reflecting its long track record of consistent comparable-sales growth.
2) Introduction
AutoZone and O'Reilly Automotive are two of the most closely watched names in the automotive aftermarket, a sector that tends to benefit as consumers hold onto aging vehicles longer and prioritize maintenance over new-car purchases. Because the two businesses compete directly yet differ in scale, geographic mix, and valuation, investors frequently use them as a paired comparison. This article examines their recent performance, growth drivers, risk profiles, and market positioning to help traders and long-term investors assess the relative strength of each stock in the current environment.
3) AZO Overview and Recent Performance
AZO, or AutoZone, is a retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories serving both do-it-yourself (DIY) customers and professional repair shops. The company has expanded aggressively, ending its latest fiscal year with 8,031 stores across the U.S., Mexico, and Brazil.
In its most recent quarter, AutoZone reported net sales of roughly $6.6 billion, up 5.6% year over year, while EPS rose 15% to $56.05, helped by tariff refunds and a lower share count from buybacks. Comparable-store sales grew 1.5% on a constant-currency basis, with domestic growth of 1.6% and stronger international momentum. The commercial (professional) business rose 8.6%. Despite these results, AutoZone shares have declined more than 30% over the past year and traded near a 52-week low in recent weeks, as softer DIY demand and a modest revenue miss weighed on sentiment.
4) ORLY Overview and Recent Performance
ORLY, or O'Reilly Automotive, is one of the largest specialty retailers of aftermarket parts, tools, and accessories, serving both DIY and professional service providers through roughly 6,695 stores in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
O'Reilly posted second-quarter sales of $4.89 billion, up 8% year over year, with diluted EPS up 10% to $0.86. Comparable-store sales rose 6%, and sales to professional service providers grew 12.5%, marking a fourth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth in that channel. Management raised its full-year guidance for comparable-store sales to 4% to 6% and EPS to a range of $3.20 to $3.30. Even so, O'Reilly shares have fallen roughly 19% over the past year and about 5% in 2026, as investors weigh fading price inflation, softer DIY traffic, and a premium valuation against the company's steady execution.
5) Trending AI Robots
Tickeron's Trending AI Robots page curates the platform's most relevant artificial intelligence (AI) trading bots for current market conditions. Tickeron offers hundreds of AI trading bots that monitor thousands of different tickers, but only a select group earns placement in this featured section. These bots differ in trading style, strategy, timeframe, performance statistics, and the sets of tickers they trade, so no single approach fits every trader. Because the curated list is refreshed to reflect shifting market conditions, it offers a practical starting point for traders evaluating algorithmic strategies across names such as AZO and ORLY. Explore the Trending AI Robots page to review current bot performance and select the approach that aligns with your objectives.
6) Head-to-Head Comparison
While both companies operate in the same industry, their profiles diverge in several important ways. AutoZone has the larger store network and deeper international reach in Mexico and Brazil, giving it greater geographic diversification but also exposure to foreign-exchange swings. O'Reilly remains predominantly U.S.-focused, with a smaller but rapidly growing Mexican presence, and management has outlined plans for record store openings this year.
On growth, O'Reilly has demonstrated stronger recent momentum: its 6% comparable-store sales growth and double-digit professional-channel gains outpace AutoZone's more modest 1.5% constant-currency comp. AutoZone, however, has shown sharper margin expansion, supported by tariff refunds and a favorable inventory accounting benefit.
Risk factors also differ. Both face softer DIY demand as consumers feel economic pressure, and both confront the long-term challenge of electric-vehicle adoption, which requires fewer replacement parts. O'Reilly carries a richer valuation at roughly 26 times forward earnings, leaving less room for error, whereas AutoZone trades near a lower multiple that some analysts view as a value opportunity. AutoZone's shares have also fallen further, while O'Reilly's premium reflects its longer streak of consistent comparable-sales growth.
7) Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as trend consistency, comparable-sales momentum, and relative positioning, Tickeron's AI would likely lean toward ORLY in the current environment. O'Reilly's stronger comparable-store sales growth, sustained double-digit professional-channel gains, and upwardly revised guidance point to more consistent near-term operating momentum. That said, the assessment is probabilistic rather than definitive: AZO presents a more attractive valuation, a larger international footprint, and improving margin performance that could appeal to a value-oriented or mean-reversion strategy. A diversified AI approach might reasonably track both tickers while weighting exposure toward the name with the more stable trend profile.
8) Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is AZO is a Hold and ORLY is a Hold.
AZO's MACD Histogram just turned positive
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for AZO turned positive on October 06, 2026. Looking at past instances where AZO's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 30 of 46 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 65%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 13, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on AZO as a result. In 45 of 79 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 57%.
AZO moved above its 50-day moving average on October 15, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
Following a +7.18% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where AZO advanced for three days, in 191 of 339 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 56%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The RSI Oscillator demonstrated that the stock has entered the overbought zone. This may point to a price pull-back soon.
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 6 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where AZO declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 50%.
AZO broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 15, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
The Aroon Indicator for AZO entered a downward trend on October 07, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 47 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating well-balanced risk and returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 88, placing this stock slightly better than average.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 50 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 56 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. AZO’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 79 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 96 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: AZO's P/B Ratio (36.101) is slightly higher than the industry average of (6.969). P/E Ratio (20.038) is within average values for comparable stocks, (71.549). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.318) is also within normal values, averaging (1.471). Dividend Yield (0.000) settles around the average of (0.011) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (2.426) is also within normal values, averaging (49.084).
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 100 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating weak sales and an unprofitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
Momentum Indicator for ORLY turns positive, indicating new upward trend
ORLY saw its Momentum Indicator move above the 0 level on October 14, 2026. This is an indication that the stock could be shifting in to a new upward move. Traders may want to consider buying the stock or buying call options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 80 similar instances where the indicator turned positive. In 51 of the 80 cases, the stock moved higher in the following days. The odds of a move higher are at 64%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for ORLY just turned positive on September 24, 2026. Looking at past instances where ORLY's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 24 of 46 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 52%.
ORLY moved above its 50-day moving average on October 15, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
Following a +2.98% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where ORLY advanced for three days, in 207 of 384 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 54%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 4 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where ORLY declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 46%.
ORLY broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 15, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
The Aroon Indicator for ORLY entered a downward trend on September 30, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 3 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating very strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 21 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating low risk on high returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 88, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 53 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. ORLY’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 75 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 75 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly overvalued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 98 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: ORLY's P/B Ratio (204.082) is very high in comparison to the industry average of (6.969). P/E Ratio (27.463) is within average values for comparable stocks, (71.549). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.620) is also within normal values, averaging (1.471). Dividend Yield (0.000) settles around the average of (0.011) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (3.798) is also within normal values, averaging (49.084).
AZO | ORLY | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 31 | 29 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 96 Overvalued | 98 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 47 | 21 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 100 | 3 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 56 | 53 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 79 | 75 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 75 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
AZO's Valuation (96) in the Specialty Stores industry is in the same range as ORLY (98). This means that AZO’s stock grew similarly to ORLY’s over the last 12 months.
ORLY's Profit vs Risk Rating (21) in the Specialty Stores industry is in the same range as AZO (47). This means that ORLY’s stock grew similarly to AZO’s over the last 12 months.
ORLY's SMR Rating (3) in the Specialty Stores industry is significantly better than the same rating for AZO (100). This means that ORLY’s stock grew significantly faster than AZO’s over the last 12 months.
ORLY's Price Growth Rating (53) in the Specialty Stores industry is in the same range as AZO (56). This means that ORLY’s stock grew similarly to AZO’s over the last 12 months.
ORLY's P/E Growth Rating (75) in the Specialty Stores industry is in the same range as AZO (79). This means that ORLY’s stock grew similarly to AZO’s over the last 12 months.
| AZO | ORLY | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 65% | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 54% | 1 day ago 47% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 57% | 1 day ago 64% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 65% | 1 day ago 52% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 57% | 1 day ago 56% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 55% | 1 day ago 54% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 56% | 1 day ago 54% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 50% | 13 days ago 46% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 59% | 1 day ago 50% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 48% | 1 day ago 42% |
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is overvalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
AZO’s FA Score shows that 0 FA rating(s) are green while ORLY’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- AZO’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
- ORLY’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
AZO’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while ORLY’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- AZO’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
- ORLY’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
AZO (@Auto Parts: OEM) experienced а +6.15% price change this week, while ORLY (@Auto Parts: OEM) price change was +3.26% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Auto Parts: OEM industry was -3.63%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -8.66%, and the average quarterly price growth was -17.64%.
Reported Earning Dates
AZO is expected to report earnings on Dec 08, 2026.
ORLY is expected to report earnings on Oct 28, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Auto Parts: OEM (-3.63% weekly)OEM or Original Equipment Manufacturer of auto parts refers to the original producer of a vehicles components, and so OEM car parts are usually identical to the parts used in producing the vehicle in the first place. OEM parts tend to fit the specifications of a particular model, and their compatibility is often guaranteed by the automaker itself. OEM parts could be more expensive to buy (compared to other vendors’ products) when a consumer goes for replacement. However, increased competition from aftermarket parts/third-party vendors could, in some cases, keep EOM prices in check. The industry might progress further in adopting newer technologies like 3D printing to boost supply chain performance and quality. Aptiv PLC, Magna International Inc. and BorgWarner Inc. are major OEMs for autos.
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AZO and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, AZO has been closely correlated with ORLY. These tickers have moved in lockstep 79% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if AZO jumps, then ORLY could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To AZO | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AZO | 100% | +1.99% | ||
| ORLY - AZO | 79% Closely correlated | +0.87% | ||
| AAP - AZO | 49% Loosely correlated | +1.21% | ||
| GPC - AZO | 38% Loosely correlated | +0.34% | ||
| TSCO - AZO | 34% Loosely correlated | -0.63% | ||
| MUSA - AZO | 34% Loosely correlated | +0.54% | ||
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ORLY and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, ORLY has been closely correlated with AZO. These tickers have moved in lockstep 79% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if ORLY jumps, then AZO could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To ORLY | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORLY | 100% | +0.87% | ||
| AZO - ORLY | 79% Closely correlated | +1.99% | ||
| AAP - ORLY | 49% Loosely correlated | +1.21% | ||
| CPRT - ORLY | 45% Loosely correlated | +0.43% | ||
| GPC - ORLY | 41% Loosely correlated | +0.34% | ||
| LKQ - ORLY | 39% Loosely correlated | -0.58% | ||
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