MEMPHIS, Tenn., March 3, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) today reported net sales of $1.4 billion for its second quarter (12 weeks) ended February 14, 2009, an increase of 8.1% from fiscal second quarter 2008 (12 weeks). Domestic same store sales, or sales for stores open at least one year, increased 6.0% for the quarter.
Net income for the quarter increased $9.2 million, or 8.6%, over the same period last year to $115.9 million, while diluted earnings per share increased 21.1% to $2.03 per share from $1.67 per share in the year-ago quarter.
For the quarter, gross profit, as a percentage of sales, was 49.7% (versus 49.9% last year). Gross margin was negatively impacted by higher than prior year shrink expense of approximately 30 basis points offset in part by lower distribution costs as a percentage of sales due to improved efficiencies and lower fuel costs. Operating expenses, as a percentage of sales, were 34.9% (versus 35.2% last year). The lower operating expense ratio primarily reflected positive leverage of store operating expenses of approximately 80 basis points due to higher sales volumes and lower promotion costs, offset in part by higher investments in hub store enhancements of approximately 20 basis points, higher medical costs, and an increase in legal costs associated with estimates for minor settlements.
Under its share repurchase program, AutoZone repurchased 2.8 million shares of its common stock for $375 million during the second quarter, at an average price of $133 per share. Year-to-date the Company has purchased $647.2 million of stock, at an average price of $128 per share. The Company has $462 million remaining under its current share repurchase authorization.
The Company's GAAP inventory increased 5.9% over the same period last year. Adjusted inventory per store, which includes supplier owned pay-on-scan inventory, was $511 thousand versus $504 thousand last year, an increase of 1.4%. Net inventory, defined as merchandise inventories less accounts payable, decreased on a per store basis to $50 thousand from $55 thousand last year.
"We are pleased to report our tenth consecutive quarter of double digit earnings per share growth. During these challenging economic times, we believe our merchandise and service offerings provide a compelling shopping experience for both our do-it-yourself and professional customers. We remain committed to growing our business through a relentless focus on customer service, continual refinement of our product offerings and ongoing improvements to grow our commercial sales, all while managing our expenses appropriately. At the end of the second quarter, our balance sheet was in excellent condition, and we remain committed to our disciplined approach of growing operating earnings while utilizing our capital effectively," said Bill Rhodes, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.
During the quarter ended February 14, 2009, AutoZone opened 20 new stores and closed one store in the U.S. and opened eight stores in Mexico. As of February 14, 2009, the Company had 4,141 stores in 48 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico in the U.S. and 158 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, March 3, 2009, beginning at 10:00 a.m. (EST) to discuss its second 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, March 10, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. (EST).
This release includes certain financial information not derived in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). These non-GAAP measures include return on invested capital, 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 additional 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 30, 2008, for more information related to those risks.
AutoZone's 2nd Quarter Highlights - Fiscal 2009
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
2nd Quarter
(in thousands, except per share data)
GAAP Results
-----------------------------
12 Weeks Ended 12 Weeks Ended
Feb 14, 2009 Feb 9, 2008
-------------- -------------
Net sales $ 1,447,877 $ 1,339,244
Cost of sales 728,579 671,449
-------------- -------------
Gross profit 719,298 667,795
Operating, SG&A expenses 504,602 470,909
-------------- -------------
Operating profit (EBIT) 214,696 196,886
Interest expense, net 31,907 28,588
-------------- -------------
Income before taxes 182,789 168,298
Income taxes 66,925 61,593
-------------- -------------
Net income $ 115,864 $ 106,705
============== =============
Net income per share:
Basic $ 2.05 $ 1.69
Diluted $ 2.03 $ 1.67
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic 56,517 63,201
Diluted 57,165 63,740
Year-to-date 2nd Quarter, FY 2009
(in thousands, except per share data)
GAAP Results
-----------------------------
24 Weeks Ended 24 Weeks Ended
Feb 14, 2009 Feb 9, 2008
-------------- -------------
Net sales $ 2,926,169 $ 2,794,899
Cost of sales 1,465,681 1,400,656
-------------- -------------
Gross profit 1,460,488 1,394,243
Operating, SG&A expenses 1,007,254 959,982
-------------- -------------
Operating profit (EBIT) 453,234 434,261
Interest expense, net 63,072 56,650
-------------- -------------
Income before taxes 390,162 377,611
Income taxes 142,927 138,390
-------------- -------------
Net income $ 247,235 $ 239,221
============== =============
Net income per share:
Basic $ 4.31 $ 3.74
Diluted $ 4.26 $ 3.70
Weighted Average Shares outstanding:
Basic 57,421 64,028
Diluted 58,040 64,592
Selected Balance Sheet Information
(in thousands)
Feb 14, Feb 9, August 30,
2009 2008 2008
---------- ---------- ----------
Cash and cash equivalents $ 107,973 $ 93,465 $ 242,461
Merchandise inventories 2,190,198 2,068,483 2,150,109
Current assets 2,580,867 2,356,644 2,586,301
Property and equipment,
net 2,267,404 2,204,102 2,289,656
Total assets 5,235,085 4,938,397 5,257,112
Accounts payable 1,974,747 1,842,951 2,043,271
Current liabilities 2,468,682 2,325,222 2,519,320
Debt 2,690,755 2,095,000 2,250,000
Stockholders' equity (187,302) 282,233 229,687
Working capital 112,185 31,422 66,981
Adjusted Debt / EBITDAR (Trailing 4 Qtrs) Feb 14, 2009 Feb 9, 2008
----------------------------------------- ------------ -----------
Net income $ 649,620 $ 607,988
Add: Interest 123,167 121,855
Taxes 370,321 347,765
------------ -----------
EBIT 1,143,108 1,077,608
Add: Depreciation 172,916 166,309
Rent expense 173,897 160,626
Option expense 19,269 18,130
------------ -----------
EBITDAR $ 1,509,190 $ 1,422,673
Debt $ 2,690,755 $ 2,095,000
Capital lease obligations 58,812 55,742
Add: rent x 6 1,043,382 963,756
------------ -----------
Adjusted debt $ 3,792,949 $ 3,114,498
============ ===========
Adjusted debt to EBITDAR 2.5 2.2
Selected Cash Flow Information
(in thousands)
12 Weeks 12 Weeks 24 Weeks 24 Weeks
Ended Ended Ended Ended
Feb 14, 2009 Feb 9, 2008 Feb 14, 2009 Feb 9, 2008
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Depreciation $ 41,811 $ 38,865 $ 81,964 $ 78,557
Capital
spending $ 47,047 $ 50,258 $ 98,146 $ 95,145
Cash flow
before share
repurchases:
Net increase
(decrease) in
cash and cash
equivalents $ 22,217 $ 13,652 $ (134,488) $ 6,811
Subtract
increase
(decrease) in
debt 422,555 (66,070) 440,755 159,382
Subtract share
repurchases (375,042) -- (647,166) (349,990)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Cash flow
before share
repurchases
and changes in
debt $ (25,296)$ 79,722 $ 71,923 $ 197,419
============ ============ ============ ============
Other Selected Financial Information
(in thousands)
Feb 14, 2009 Feb 9, 2008
-------------- -------------
Cumulative share repurchases ($) $ 6,938,080 $ 5,791,708
Remaining share authorization ($) $ 461,920 $ 108,292
Cumulative share repurchases (shares) 111,108 102,152
Shares outstanding, end of quarter 54,861 63,215
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Trailing 4 Quarters
Feb 14, 2009 Feb 9, 2008
-------------- -------------
Net income $ 649,620 $ 607,988
Add: After-tax interest 78,334 77,516
After-tax rent 110,598 102,180
-------------- -------------
After-tax return 838,552 787,684
Average debt* 2,151,577 2,028,599
Average capital lease obligations* 62,417 45,322
Average equity* 231,865 363,928
Add: rent x 6 1,043,382 963,756
-------------- -------------
Pre-tax invested capital $ 3,489,241 $ 3,401,605
============== =============
Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) 24.0% 23.2%
---------------------------------------------------------------------
* All averages are computed by taking trailing 14 periods balances.
AutoZone's 2nd Quarter Fiscal 2009
Selected Operating Highlights
Store Count & Square
Footage
--------------------
12 Weeks 12 Weeks 24 Weeks 24 Weeks
Ended Ended Ended Ended
Feb 14, Feb 9, Feb 14, Feb 9,
2009 2008 2009 2008
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Domestic stores:
Store count:
Stores opened 20 28 50 68
Stores closed 1 -- 1 1
Replacement stores -- 2 2 5
Total domestic stores 4,141 4,000 4,141 4,000
Stores with
commercial programs 2,252 2,223 2,252 2,223
Square footage (in
thousands): 26,573 25,590
Square footage per
store 6,417 6,398
Mexico stores:
Stores opened 8 4 10 5
Total stores in
Mexico 158 128 158 128
Total stores
chainwide 4,299 4,128 4,299 4,128
Sales Statistics
(Domestic Stores
Only)
-----------------
12 Weeks 12 Weeks Trailing 4 Trailing 4
Ended Ended quarters quarters
Feb 14, Feb 9, Feb 14, Feb 9,
2009 2008 2009 2008
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total retail sales
($ in thousands) $1,197,447 $1,099,099 $5,500,915 $5,223,000
% Increase vs. LY
retail sales 8.9% 1.9% 5.3% 3.0%
Total commercial sales
($ in thousands) $ 162,732 $ 156,084 $ 763,434 $ 717,645
% Increase vs. LY
commercial sales 4.3% 3.4% 6.4% 1.8%
Sales per average
store ($ in
thousands) $ 329 $ 315 $ 1,539 $ 1,514
Sales per average
square foot $ 51 $ 49 $ 240 $ 237
12 Weeks 12 Weeks 24 Weeks 24 Weeks
Ended Ended Ended Ended
Feb 14, Feb 9, Feb 14, Feb 9,
2009 2008 2009 2008
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Same store sales 6.0% (0.3%) 2.1% 0.5%
Inventory Statistics
(Total Stores)
--------------------
as of as of
Feb 14, Feb 9,
2009 2008
---------- ----------
Accounts payable/
inventory 90.2% 89.1%
($ in thousands)
Inventory* $2,190,198 $2,068,483
Pay-on-scan inventory 4,954 10,805
---------- ----------
Adjusted inventory $2,195,152 $2,079,288
Adjusted inventory
per store $ 511 $ 504
Net inventory (net of
payables) $ 215,451 $ 225,532
Net inventory / store $ 50 $ 55
Trailing 4 quarters
Feb 14, Feb 9,
2009 2008
---------- ---------
Inventory turns** 1.6x 1.6x
* This is reported balance sheet inventory
** Inventory turns is calculated as cost of sales divided by the
average merchandise inventory balance over the previous year. The
calculation includes cost of sales related to pay-on-scan sales,
which were $9.7MM for the trailing 53 weeks ended February 14,
2009 and $44.0MM for the trailing 52 weeks ended February 9,
2008.