Is AutoZone Still a Strong Long Play?

03/23/16 10:49:19 AM

by Stella Osoba, CMT

Will a break of resistance negate AutoZone's long term trend line break?

Security: AZO
Position: N/A

Autozone (AZO), the automotive parts and accessories retailer and distributor, has been in a long term uptrend since its low on November 20, 2008 when it closed at $89.09, finding support at its July 2006 lows. On March 11, 2016, the stock closed up $8.66 at $797.02. But a look under the bonnet of this shooting star shows that some caution may be in order when assessing the stock for a new long play.

A long term chart of AZO will show this star performer making a series of higher highs in its long stellar history (See Figure 1). But closer scrutiny will reveal there have been significant periods of time during this uptrend when the stock failed to outperform. For most of 2009, AZO stayed in a downward sloping channel only breaking out of the channel on November 20, 2009. In 2012 it stayed in a trading range for the entire year, only successfully breaking out of the range in April of the following year. Then in 2015, price did not advance beyond April's highs until August.

Figure 1. Daily chart for AZO showing long term trend line break.

Graphic provided by: StockCharts.com.

Now, with AZO breaking its longterm uptrend line, is the stock headed for the kind of periods of underperformance it has seen in the past? With its up close on March 11, 2016, AZO looks set in the coming days to make a second retest of its November 6, 2015 high of 803.25 (See Figure 2). The first test of the high was on December 9, 2015 when the stock reached 800.89, but failed to reach or surpass the previous high. A decisive close above 804 on strong volume would be positive for the stock and could spell a continuation of the uptrend. But breaks of long term trend lines should never be ignored. Vigilance is necessary to see if the price action reveals that AZO is about to go through another period of underperformance.

Figure 2. AZO Daily. With the recent upswing AZO is approaching long term resistance.

Graphic provided by: StockCharts.com.

As always, be extra cautious when a stock begins to show signs of stalling momentum coupled with decisive breaks of longterm trend lines.

Stella Osoba, CMT

Stella Osoba is a trader and financial writer. She is a frequent contributor to "Technical Analysis of Stocks and Commodities" magazine and "Traders.com Advantage" as well as other financial publications.


E-mail address:	stellaosoba@gmail.com

Click here for more information about our publications!

PRINT THIS ARTICLE

Request Information From Our Sponsors

DEPARTMENTS: Advertising | Editorial | Circulation | Contact Us | BY PHONE: (206) 938-0570

Comments or Questions?	Article Usefulness
	5 (most useful) 4 3 2 1 (least useful)

STOCKS

Is AutoZone Still a Strong Long Play?

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE
EMAIL NEWSLETTER!