MEMPHIS, Tenn., Sept. 18, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) today reported net sales of $2.0 billion for its fourth quarter (16 weeks) ended August 25, 2007, an increase of 3.3% from fiscal fourth quarter 2006. Domestic same store sales, or sales for stores open at least one year, decreased 0.2% for the quarter.
Net income for the quarter increased 1.7% over the same period last year to $217.2 million, while diluted earnings per share increased 10.6% to $3.23 per share from $2.92 per share in the year-ago quarter.
For the quarter, gross profit, as a percentage of sales, was 50.1% (versus 49.7% last year). The improvement in gross margin was due to ongoing category management efforts as well as supply chain efficiencies. Additionally, operating expenses, as a percentage of sales, were 31.3% (versus 30.4% last year). The increase in operating expenses, as a percentage of sales, primarily reflected higher occupancy costs versus last year.
For the fiscal year ended August 25, 2007, sales were $6.2 billion, an increase of 3.7% from the prior year, while domestic same store sales were up 0.1%. Operating profit increased 4.5% on an operating margin of 17.1%. For fiscal 2007, net income increased 4.6% to $596 million, while diluted earnings per share for the period increased 13.6% to $8.53 from $7.50.
Under its share repurchase program, AutoZone repurchased 2.3 million shares of its common stock for $297.4 million during the fourth quarter, at an average price of $132 per share. For the fiscal year, the Company repurchased 6.0 million shares of its common stock for $761.9 million, at an average price of $126 per share.
The Company's adjusted inventory per store, which includes supplier owned pay-on-scan inventory, as of August 25, 2007, was $500 thousand versus $501 thousand last year. Net inventory, defined as merchandise inventories less accounts payable, decreased on a per store level to $34 thousand from $38 thousand last year.
"We are pleased to report record sales and earnings for our fourth quarter. While we experienced less sales traction from our ongoing initiatives than we had expected, our marketing research continues to tell us our service levels are improving, and that our customers are more inclined to return to our stores for their next purchase. As we begin our new fiscal year, we believe we are well positioned to generate increased sales growth for both our Retail and Commercial businesses. As our operating model continues to be strong, we will maintain our disciplined approach to growing operating earnings and utilizing our capital effectively," said Bill Rhodes, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.
During the quarter ended August 25, 2007, AutoZone opened 53 new stores, replaced three stores, and closed one store in the U.S. and opened 13 stores in Mexico. As of August 25, 2007, the Company had 3,933 stores in 48 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico in the U.S. and 123 stores in Mexico.
AutoZone is the leading retailer and a leading distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States. Each store carries an extensive product line for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products. Many stores also have a commercial sales program that provides commercial credit and prompt delivery of parts and other products to local, regional and national repair garages, dealers, and service stations. AutoZone also sells the ALLDATA brand diagnostic and repair software. On the web, AutoZone sells diagnostic and repair information, and auto and light truck parts through www.autozone.com. AutoZone does not derive revenue from automotive repair or installation.
AutoZone will host a conference call this morning, Tuesday, September 18, 2007, beginning at 10:00 a.m. (EDT) to discuss the fourth quarter results. Investors may listen to the conference call live and review supporting slides on the AutoZone corporate website, www.autozoneinc.com by clicking "Investor Relations," "Conference Calls." The call will also be available by dialing (210) 839-8923. A replay of the call and slides will be available on AutoZone's website. In addition, a replay of the call will be available by dialing (203) 369-1211 through Tuesday, September 25, 2007 at 11:59 p.m. (EDT).
This release includes certain financial information not derived in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). These non-GAAP measures include adjusted inventory, adjusted inventory per store, adjusted debt, and adjusted debt/EBITDAR. The Company believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP measures provides information that is useful to investors as it indicates more clearly the Company's comparative year-to-year operating results, but this information should not be considered a substitute for any measures derived in accordance with GAAP. Management targets the Company's debt levels to a ratio of adjusted debt to EBITDAR and manages cash flows available for share repurchase by monitoring cash flows before share repurchases, as shown on the attached tables. The Company believes this is important information for the management of its debt levels and share repurchases. We have included a reconciliation of this information to the most comparable GAAP measures in the accompanying reconciliation tables.
Certain statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements typically use words such as "believe," "anticipate," "should," "intend," "plan," "will," "expect," "estimate," "project," "positioned," "strategy," and similar expressions. These are based on assumptions and assessments made by our management in light of experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors that we believe to be appropriate. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including without limitation: competition; product demand; the economy; credit markets; the ability to hire and retain qualified employees; consumer debt levels; inflation; weather; raw material costs of our suppliers; energy prices; war and the prospect of war, including terrorist activity; availability of consumer transportation; construction delays; access to available and feasible financing; and changes in laws or regulations. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results; developments and business decisions may differ from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements, and such events could materially and adversely affect our business. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. Except as required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Actual results may materially differ from anticipated results. Please refer to the Risk Factors section of AutoZone's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 26, 2006, for more information related to those risks.
AutoZone's 4th Quarter Highlights - Fiscal 2007
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
4th Quarter
(in thousands, except per share data)
GAAP Results
-----------------------------------
16 Weeks Ended 16 Weeks Ended
August 25, 2007 August 26, 2006
--------------- ---------------
Net sales $ 2,002,707 $ 1,939,031
Cost of sales 998,363 976,270
--------------- ---------------
Gross profit 1,004,344 962,761
Operating, SG&A expenses 625,975 589,643
--------------- ---------------
Operating profit (EBIT) 378,369 373,118
Interest expense, net 38,090 34,896
--------------- ---------------
Income before taxes 340,279 338,222
Income taxes 123,104 124,771
--------------- ---------------
Net income $ 217,175 $ 213,451
=============== ===============
Net income per share:
Basic $ 3.26 $ 2.94
Diluted $ 3.23 $ 2.92
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic 66,554 72,561
Diluted 67,287 73,133
Fiscal 2007
(in thousands, except per share data)
GAAP Results
-----------------------------------
52 Weeks Ended 52 Weeks Ended
August 25, 2007 August 26, 2006
--------------- ---------------
Net sales $ 6,169,804 $ 5,948,355
Cost of sales 3,105,554 3,009,835
--------------- ---------------
Gross profit 3,064,250 2,938,520
Operating, SG&A expenses 2,008,984 1,928,595
--------------- ---------------
Operating profit (EBIT) 1,055,266 1,009,925
Interest expense, net 119,116 107,889
--------------- ---------------
Income before taxes 936,150 902,036
Income taxes 340,478 332,761
--------------- ---------------
Net income $ 595,672 $ 569,275
=============== ===============
Net income per share:
Basic $ 8.62 $ 7.57
Diluted * $ 8.53 $ 7.50
Weighted Average Shares outstanding:
Basic 69,101 75,237
Diluted 69,844 75,859
Selected Balance Sheet Information
(in thousands)
August 25, 2007 August 26, 2006
--------------- ---------------
Merchandise inventories $ 2,007,430 $ 1,846,650
Current assets 2,270,455 2,118,927
Property and equipment, net 2,177,842 2,051,308
Total assets 4,804,709 4,526,306
Accounts payable 1,870,668 1,699,667
Current liabilities 2,285,894 2,054,568
Debt 1,935,618 1,857,157
Stockholders' equity 403,200 469,528
Working capital (15,439) 64,359
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted Debt / EBITDAR
(Trailing 4 Qtrs) August 25, 2007 August 26, 2006
----------------------- --------------- ---------------
Net income $ 595,672 $ 569,275
Add: Interest 119,116 107,889
Taxes 340,478 332,761
--------------- ---------------
EBIT 1,055,266 1,009,925
Add: Depreciation 159,411 139,465
Rent expense 152,523 143,888
Option expense 18,462 17,370
--------------- ---------------
EBITDAR $ 1,385,662 $ 1,310,648
Debt $ 1,935,618 $ 1,857,157
Capital lease obligations* 55,088 --
Add : rent x 6 915,138 863,328
--------------- ---------------
Adjusted debt $ 2,905,844 $ 2,720,485
=============== ===============
Adjusted debt to EBITDAR 2.1 2.1
* At the beginning of fiscal 2007, the Company converted the majority
of its vehicles accounted for as operating leases to capital leases.
Selected Cash Flow Information
(in thousands)
16 Weeks 16 Weeks 52 Weeks 52 Weeks
Ended Ended Ended Ended
August 25, August 26, August 25, August 26,
2007 2006 2007 2006
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Depreciation $ 50,806 $ 44,865 $ 159,411 $ 139,465
Capital spending $ 66,714 $ 81,412 $ 224,474 $ 263,580
Cash flow before share
repurchases:
Net increase (decrease)
in cash and cash
equivalent $ 4,081 $ 7,590 $ (4,904) $ 16,748
Subtract increase
(decrease) in debt (3,324) 32,032 78,461 (4,693)
Subtract share
repurchases (297,423) (339,955) (761,887) (578,066)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Cash flow before share
repurchases and
changes in debt $ 304,828 $ 315,513 $ 678,522 $ 599,507
========= ========= ========= =========
Other Selected Financial Information
(in thousands)
August 25, 2007 August 26, 2006
--------------- ---------------
Cumulative share repurchases ($) $ 5,441,719 $ 4,679,832
Remaining share authorization ($) $ 458,281 $ 220,168
Cumulative share repurchases
(shares) 99,254 93,222
Shares outstanding, end of
quarter 65,960 71,082
---------------------------------------------------------------------
52 Weeks Ended 52 Weeks Ended
August 25, 2007 August 26, 2006
--------------- ---------------
Net income $ 595,672 $ 569,275
Add: After-tax interest 75,793 68,089
After-tax rent 97,050 90,808
--------------- ---------------
After-tax return 768,515 728,172
Average debt 1,955,652 1,909,011
Average capital lease obligations** 30,538 --
Average equity 478,853 510,657
Add : rent x 6 915,138 863,328
--------------- ---------------
Pre-tax invested capital $ 3,380,181 $ 3,282,996
=============== ===============
Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) 22.7% 22.2%
---------------------------------------------------------------------
**Average of the capital lease obligations relating to vehicle
capital leases entered into at the beginning of fiscal 2007 is
computed as the average over the trailing 13 periods. Rent expense
associated with the vehicles prior to the conversion to capital
leases is included in the rent for purposes of calculating return
on invested capital.
AutoZone's 4th Quarter Fiscal 2007
Selected Operating Highlights
Store Count & Square Footage
----------------------------
16 Weeks Ended 52 Weeks Ended
Aug. 25, Aug. 26, Aug. 25, Aug. 26,
2007 2006 2007 2006
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Domestic stores:
Store count:
Stores opened 53 69 160 185
Stores closed 1 1 1 2
Re-opened
hurricane stores -- 4 3 9
Hurricane-related
store closures -- 4 -- 13
Replacement stores 3 7 18 18
Total domestic
stores 3,933 3,771 3,933 3,771
Stores with
commercial sales 2,182 2,134 2,182 2,134
Square footage
(in thousands): 25,135 24,016 25,135 24,016
Square footage
per store 6,391 6,369 6,391 6,369
Mexico stores:
Stores opened 13 8 23 19
Total stores in
Mexico 123 100 123 100
Total stores chainwide 4,056 3,871 4,056 3,871
Sales Statistics (Domestic Stores Only)
--------------------------------------
16 Weeks Ended 52 Weeks Ended
Aug. 25, Aug. 26, Aug. 25, Aug. 26,
2007 2006 2007 2006
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total retail
sales ($ in
thousands) $1,676,501 $1,632,545 $5,160,511 $4,989,265
% Increase vs. LY
retail sales 2.7% 2.9% 3.4% 4.0%
Total commercial
sales ($ in
thousands) $ 224,794 $ 223,714 $ 705,567 $ 708,714
% Increase vs. LY
commercial sales 0.5% (2.6%) (0.4%) (1.3%)
Sales per average
store ($ in
thousands) $ 487 $ 497 $ 1,523 $ 1,548
Sales per average
square foot $ 76 $ 78 $ 239 $ 243
16 Weeks Ended 52 Weeks Ended
Aug. 25, Aug. 26, Aug. 25, Aug. 26,
2007 2006 2007 2006
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Same store sales (0.2%) (0.9%) 0.1% 0.4%
Inventory Statistics (Total Stores)
----------------------------------
as of as of
Aug. 25, Aug. 26,
2007 2006
---------- ----------
Accounts payable/
inventory 93.2% 92.0%
($ in thousands)
Inventory* $2,007,430 $1,846,650
Pay-on-scan
inventory 22,387 92,142
---------- ----------
Adjusted inventory $2,029,817 $1,938,792
Adjusted inventory
per store $ 500 $ 501
Net inventory (net
of payables) $ 136,762 $ 146,983
Net inventory /
store $ 34 $ 38
52 Weeks Ended
Aug. 25, Aug. 26,
2007 2006
---------- ----------
Inventory turns** 1.6 x 1.7 x
* This is reported balance sheet inventory
** Inventory turns is calculated as cost of sales divided by the
average of the beginning and ending merchandise inventories. The
calculation includes cost of sales related to pay-on-scan sales, which
were $85.4MM for the trailing 52 weeks ended August 25, 2007 and
$198.1MM for the trailing 52 weeks ended August 26, 2006.