AZO vs. BALL: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AZO and BALL, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | AZO | BALL |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AutoZone, Inc. | Ball Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Materials |
| GICS Industry | Specialty Retail | Containers & Packaging |
| Market Capitalization | 69.56 billion USD | 14.46 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | April 2, 1991 | February 21, 1973 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AZO and BALL by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | AZO | BALL |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 4.15% | -0.95% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 7.17% | -2.21% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 19.84% | 7.70% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 31.08% | -16.55% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 10.34% | -7.21% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 29.86% | -3.63% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.10M | 2.31M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.13M | 2.55M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 22.44% | 24.95% |
| Beta | 0.38 | 1.12 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
AZO
249.27%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 61.19%
- Q3
- 37.24%
- Median
- 18.81%
- Q1
- 8.92%
- Min
- -13.03%
AZO’s Return on Equity of 249.27% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Specialty Retail industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
BALL
9.56%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 41.66%
- Q3
- 20.76%
- Median
- 14.35%
- Q1
- 6.55%
- Min
- 3.64%
BALL’s Return on Equity of 9.56% is on par with the norm for the Containers & Packaging industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
AZO
13.56%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 21.28%
- Q3
- 10.68%
- Median
- 6.08%
- Q1
- 2.43%
- Min
- -4.54%
A Net Profit Margin of 13.56% places AZO in the upper quartile for the Specialty Retail industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
BALL
4.48%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 11.61%
- Q3
- 8.17%
- Median
- 4.91%
- Q1
- 4.20%
- Min
- 0.08%
BALL’s Net Profit Margin of 4.48% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Containers & Packaging industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
AZO
19.63%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 33.35%
- Q3
- 15.84%
- Median
- 9.34%
- Q1
- 3.83%
- Min
- -8.97%
An Operating Profit Margin of 19.63% places AZO in the upper quartile for the Specialty Retail industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
BALL
7.89%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 22.03%
- Q3
- 13.17%
- Median
- 8.87%
- Q1
- 6.86%
- Min
- 0.07%
BALL’s Operating Profit Margin of 7.89% is around the midpoint for the Containers & Packaging industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AZO | BALL |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 249.27% | 9.56% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 14.37% | 3.04% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.56% | 4.48% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 19.63% | 7.89% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 52.95% | 20.17% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
AZO
0.84
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 2.83
- Q3
- 1.89
- Median
- 1.39
- Q1
- 1.11
- Min
- 0.64
AZO’s Current Ratio of 0.84 falls into the lower quartile for the Specialty Retail industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
BALL
1.00
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 2.13
- Q3
- 1.57
- Median
- 1.27
- Q1
- 1.13
- Min
- 0.58
BALL’s Current Ratio of 1.00 falls into the lower quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
AZO
37.81
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 3.02
- Q3
- 1.57
- Median
- 0.64
- Q1
- 0.20
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 37.81, AZO operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Specialty Retail industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
BALL
1.35
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 4.50
- Q3
- 2.23
- Median
- 1.22
- Q1
- 0.54
- Min
- 0.23
BALL’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.35 is typical for the Containers & Packaging industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
AZO
8.39
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 48.12
- Q3
- 35.95
- Median
- 14.13
- Q1
- 3.61
- Min
- -36.00
AZO’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 8.39 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Specialty Retail industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
BALL
3.38
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 13.16
- Q3
- 8.10
- Median
- 3.61
- Q1
- 2.94
- Min
- 1.06
BALL’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.38 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Containers & Packaging industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AZO | BALL |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.84 | 1.00 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.12 | 0.67 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 37.81 | 1.35 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 8.39 | 3.38 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
AZO
0.00%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 6.53%
- Q3
- 2.69%
- Median
- 1.08%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AZO currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
BALL
1.60%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 7.37%
- Q3
- 4.07%
- Median
- 3.33%
- Q1
- 1.72%
- Min
- 0.00%
BALL’s Dividend Yield of 1.60% is in the lower quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
AZO
0.00%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 165.81%
- Q3
- 80.94%
- Median
- 31.61%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AZO has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
BALL
29.25%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 221.20%
- Q3
- 119.52%
- Median
- 58.05%
- Q1
- 28.91%
- Min
- 0.00%
BALL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 29.25% is within the typical range for the Containers & Packaging industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AZO | BALL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 1.60% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 29.25% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
AZO
27.06
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 48.56
- Q3
- 29.15
- Median
- 22.00
- Q1
- 15.46
- Min
- 7.95
AZO’s P/E Ratio of 27.06 is within the middle range for the Specialty Retail industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
BALL
25.96
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 35.98
- Q3
- 27.87
- Median
- 16.15
- Q1
- 14.38
- Min
- 8.20
BALL’s P/E Ratio of 25.96 is within the middle range for the Containers & Packaging industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
AZO
3.67
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 5.08
- Q3
- 2.69
- Median
- 1.23
- Q1
- 0.48
- Min
- 0.09
AZO’s P/S Ratio of 3.67 is in the upper echelon for the Specialty Retail industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
BALL
1.16
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 2.91
- Q3
- 1.67
- Median
- 0.83
- Q1
- 0.64
- Min
- 0.30
BALL’s P/S Ratio of 1.16 aligns with the market consensus for the Containers & Packaging industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
AZO
94.97
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 16.93
- Q3
- 7.98
- Median
- 3.69
- Q1
- 1.79
- Min
- 0.21
At 94.97, AZO’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Specialty Retail industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
BALL
2.99
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 5.28
- Q3
- 3.30
- Median
- 2.35
- Q1
- 1.57
- Min
- 0.89
BALL’s P/B Ratio of 2.99 is within the conventional range for the Containers & Packaging industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AZO | BALL |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 27.06 | 25.96 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.67 | 1.16 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 94.97 | 2.99 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 34.64 | 12.87 |