AutoZone 3rd Quarter Same Store Sales Increase 4.0%; EPS Increases 16.4% to $8.46

MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 27, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) today reported net sales of $2.3 billion for its third quarter (12 weeks) ended May 10, 2014, an increase of 6.2% from the third quarter of fiscal 2013 (12 weeks). Domestic same store sales, or sales for stores open at least one year, increased 4.0% for the quarter.

Net income for the quarter increased $19.6 million, or 7.4%, over the same period last year to $285.2 million, while diluted earnings per share increased 16.4% to $8.46 per share from $7.27 per share in the year-ago quarter.

For the quarter, gross profit, as a percentage of sales, was 52.0% (versus 51.8% for last year's quarter). The improvement in gross margin was attributable to higher merchandise margins and lower shrink expense, partially offset by higher supply chain costs associated with current year inventory initiatives (25 bps). Operating expenses, as a percentage of sales, were 31.5% (versus 31.1% last year). The increase in operating expenses, as a percentage of sales, was primarily due to higher store payroll (14 bps) and annualizing the benefit recorded last year for the net gain on disposal of certain assets (18 bps).

Under its share repurchase program, AutoZone repurchased 795 thousand shares of its common stock for $420 million during the third quarter, at an average price of $529 per share. Year to date, the Company has repurchased 1.877 million shares of its common stock for $912 million, at an average price of $486 per share. At the end of the third quarter, the Company had $307 million remaining under its current share repurchase authorization.

The Company's inventory increased 12.0% over the same period last year, driven by a combination of increased product placement and new store openings. Inventory per store was $594 thousand versus $547 thousand last year and $589 thousand last quarter. Net inventory, defined as merchandise inventories less accounts payable, on a per store basis was a negative $84 thousand versus negative $63 thousand last year.

"We are pleased to report our thirty-first consecutive quarter of double digit earnings per share growth. AutoZoners across the company are dedicated to providing superior service to our customers and that dedication is evidenced in our consistently strong performance.  For the third quarter, overall our sales performance was generally consistent with the second quarter.  While failure related categories were particularly strong in the second quarter, as expected, the deferrable maintenance categories rebounded in the third quarter and we expect that trend to continue through the summer.  Our inventory availability test initiatives continue to show promise although we still have significant testing to complete before we determine our long-term approach.  As we have routinely stated, we will remain committed to 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 May 10, 2014, AutoZone opened 30 new stores in the U.S., and seven new stores in Mexico. As of May 10, 2014, the Company had 4,901 stores in 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico in the U.S., 374 stores in Mexico, and four stores in Brazil for a total count of 5,279.

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, service stations, and public sector accounts.  AutoZone also sells the ALLDATA brand diagnostic and repair software through www.alldata.com. Additionally, we sell automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products through www.autozone.com, and accessories and performance parts through www.autoanything.com, and our commercial customers can make purchases through www.autozonepro.com. AutoZone does not derive revenue from automotive repair or installation.

AutoZone will host a conference call this morning, Tuesday, May 27, 2014, beginning at 10:00 a.m. (EDT) to discuss its third 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, June 3, 2014, 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 adjustments to return on invested capital, adjusted debt, adjusted debt to EBITDAR, and cash flow before share repurchases. 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 capital structure in order to maintain its investment grade credit ratings 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: credit market conditions; the impact of recessionary conditions; competition; product demand; 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; construction delays; access to available and feasible financing; and changes in laws or regulations. Certain of these risks are discussed in more detail in the "Risk Factors" section contained in Item 1A under Part 1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2013, and these Risk Factors should be read carefully. 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 events described above and in the "Risk Factors" 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.