AutoZone 3rd Quarter Total Company Same Store Sales Increase 0.9%; Domestic Same Store Sales were flat; EPS Increases to $36.69


MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE: AZO) today reported net sales of $4.2 billion for its third quarter (12 weeks) ended May 4, 2024, an increase of 3.5% from the third quarter of fiscal 2023 (12 weeks). Same store sales, or sales for our domestic and international stores open at least one year, are as follows:

    
   Constant Currency
 12 Weeks 12 Weeks*
    
Domestic0.0% 0.0%
International18.1% 9.3%
Total Company1.9% 0.9%
* Excludes impacts from fluctuations of foreign exchange rates.
 

For the quarter, gross profit, as a percentage of sales, was 53.5%, an increase of 102 basis points versus the prior year. The increase in gross margin was primarily driven by higher merchandise margins and a 15 basis point ($7 million net) non-cash LIFO favorability. Operating expenses, as a percentage of sales, were 32.2% versus last year at 31.5%. Deleverage was driven primarily by higher store payroll as a percentage of sales versus the previous year.

Operating profit increased 4.9% to $900.2 million. Net income for the quarter was $651.7 million compared to $647.7 million in the same period last year, while diluted earnings per share increased 7.5% to $36.69.

Under its share repurchase program, AutoZone repurchased 242 thousand shares of its common stock at an average price per share of $3,036, for a total investment of $734.7 million. At the end of the third quarter, the Company had $1.4 billion remaining under its current share repurchase authorization.

“I want to thank and congratulate all AutoZoners for their efforts in delivering solid results for our third fiscal quarter. Our AutoZoners’ ongoing commitment to providing customers with Trustworthy Advice and WOW! Customer Service allowed us to deliver stronger than planned bottom line results. Domestically, our sales performance was negatively impacted at the start of the quarter due to the timing of tax refunds while the cooler than usual weather across several areas of the country negatively impacted our results later in the quarter. Conversely, we were pleased with the strong same store sales results we achieved in our international business. As we begin our all-important summer selling season, we are very excited about the initiatives we have in place to enhance our inventory availability, continue to accelerate our domestic Commercial business, and provide great customer service. As we continue to invest in our business, we remain committed to our disciplined approach of increasing operating earnings and cash flow, and delivering strong shareholder value,” said Phil Daniele, President and Chief Executive Officer.

During the quarter ended May 4, 2024, AutoZone opened 32 new stores in the U.S., 12 in Mexico and one in Brazil for a total of 45 net new stores. As of May 4, 2024, the Company had 6,364 stores in the U.S., 763 in Mexico and 109 in Brazil for a total store count of 7,236.

AutoZone is the leading retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the Americas. Each store carries an extensive product line for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans and light duty trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products. The majority of stores have a commercial sales program that provides prompt delivery of parts and other products and commercial credit to local, regional and national repair garages, dealers, service stations, fleet owners and other accounts. AutoZone also sells automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories and non-automotive products through www.autozone.com, and our commercial customers can make purchases through www.autozonepro.com. Additionally, we sell the ALLDATA brand of automotive diagnostic, repair, collision and shop management software through www.alldata.com. We also provide product information on our Duralast branded products through www.duralastparts.com. AutoZone does not derive revenue from automotive repair or installation services.

AutoZone will host a conference call this morning, Tuesday, May 21, 2024, beginning at 10:00 a.m. (ET) to discuss its third quarter results. This call is being web cast and can be accessed, along with supporting slides, at AutoZone’s website at www.autozone.com by clicking on Investor Relations. Investors may also listen to the call by dialing (888) 506-0062, passcode AUTOZONE. In addition, a telephone replay will be available by dialing (877) 481-4010, replay passcode 50424 through June 4, 2024.

This release includes certain financial information not derived in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). These non-GAAP measures include adjustments to reflect return on invested capital, adjusted debt and adjusted debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, rent and share-based expense (“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 capital structure in order to maintain its investment grade credit ratings. 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 herein constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements typically use words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “should,” “intend,” “plan,” “will,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “positioned,” “strategy,” “seek,” “may,” “could” 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: product demand, due to changes in fuel prices, miles driven or otherwise; energy prices; weather, including extreme temperatures, natural disasters and general weather conditions; competition; credit market conditions; cash flows; access to available and feasible financing on favorable terms; future stock repurchases; the impact of recessionary conditions; consumer debt levels; changes in laws or regulations; risks associated with self-insurance; war and the prospect of war, including terrorist activity; the impact of public health issues; inflation, including wage inflation; the ability to hire, train and retain qualified employees including members of management and other key personnel; construction delays; failure or interruption of our information technology systems; issues relating to the confidentiality, integrity or availability of information, including due to cyber-attacks; historic growth rate sustainability; downgrade of our credit ratings; damage to our reputation; challenges associated with doing business in and expanding into international markets; origin and raw material costs of suppliers; inventory availability; disruption in our supply chain; impact of tariffs; impact of new accounting standards; our ability to execute our growth initiatives; and other business interruptions. Certain of these risks and uncertainties are discussed in more detail in the “Risk Factors” section contained in Item 1A under Part 1 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 26, 2023, 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. Events described above and in the “Risk Factors” could materially and adversely affect our business. However, it should be understood that it is not possible to identify or predict all such risks and other factors that could affect these forward-looking statements. 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.

Contact Information:
Financial: Brian Campbell at (901) 495-7005, brian.campbell@autozone.com
Media: David McKinney at (901) 495-7951, david.mckinney@autozone.com

              
AutoZone's 3rd Quarter Highlights - Fiscal 2024
        
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
3rd Quarter, FY2024
(in thousands, except per share data)
   GAAP Results  
   12 Weeks Ended 12 Weeks Ended  
   May 4, 2024 May 6, 2023  
        
Net sales $4,235,485  $4,090,541   
Cost of sales  1,969,963   1,944,415   
Gross profit  2,265,522   2,146,126   
Operating, SG&A expenses  1,365,341   1,287,645   
Operating profit (EBIT)  900,181   858,481   
Interest expense, net  104,422   74,313   
Income before taxes  795,759   784,168   
Income tax expense  144,033   136,445   
Net income $651,726  $647,723   
Net income per share:      
 Basic $37.73  $35.22   
 Diluted $36.69  $34.12   
Weighted average shares outstanding:      
 Basic  17,273   18,389   
 Diluted  17,761   18,983   
        
        
        
Year-To-Date 3rd Quarter, FY2024
(in thousands, except per share data)
   GAAP Results  
   36 Weeks Ended 36 Weeks Ended  
   May 4, 2024 May 6, 2023  
        
Net sales $12,284,888  $11,766,591   
Cost of sales  5,725,698   5,695,840   
Gross profit  6,559,190   6,070,751   
Operating, SG&A expenses  4,067,163   3,819,261   
Operating profit (EBIT)  2,492,027   2,251,490   
Interest expense, net  298,426   197,645   
Income before taxes  2,193,601   2,053,845   
Income taxes  433,382   390,260   
Net income $1,760,219  $1,663,585   
Net income per share:      
 Basic $100.96  $88.96   
 Diluted $98.11  $86.10   
Weighted average shares outstanding:      
 Basic  17,434   18,700   
 Diluted  17,941   19,322   
        
        
        
        
        
Selected Balance Sheet Information
(in thousands)
   May 4, 2024 May 6, 2023 August 26, 2023
        
Cash and cash equivalents $275,358  $274,916  $277,054 
Merchandise inventories  6,155,300   5,703,688   5,764,143 
Current assets  7,289,452   6,708,872   6,779,426 
Property and equipment, net  6,049,059   5,334,023   5,596,548 
Operating lease right-of-use assets  3,097,047   2,959,488   2,998,097 
Total assets  17,108,432   15,597,922   15,985,878 
Accounts payable  7,369,673   7,215,566   7,201,281 
Current portion of debt  500,000   -   - 
Current liabilities  9,192,587   8,464,947   8,511,856 
Operating lease liabilities, less current portion  2,963,026   2,862,152   2,917,046 
Debt, less current portion  8,496,288   7,340,484   7,668,549 
Stockholders' deficit  (4,838,237)  (4,301,577)  (4,349,894)
Working capital  (1,903,135)  (1,756,075)  (1,732,430)
        


                  
AutoZone's 3rd Quarter Highlights - Fiscal 2024
          
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
          
Adjusted Debt / EBITDAR
(in thousands, except adjusted debt to EBITDAR ratio)
   Trailing 4 Quarters    
   May 4, 2024 May 6, 2023    
Net income $2,625,060  $2,473,628     
Add: Interest expense  407,153   261,641     
 Income tax expense  682,310   620,035     
EBIT  3,714,523   3,355,304     
          
Add: Depreciation and amortization  532,906   479,945     
 Rent expense(1)  425,291   403,412     
 Share-based expense  102,012   83,943     
EBITDAR $4,774,732  $4,322,604     
          
Debt $8,996,288  $7,340,484     
Financing lease liabilities  344,966   284,896     
Add: Rent x 6(1)  2,551,746   2,420,472     
Adjusted debt $11,893,000  $10,045,852     
          
Adjusted debt to EBITDAR  2.5   2.3     
          
Adjusted Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)
(in thousands, except ROIC)
   Trailing 4 Quarters    
   May 4, 2024 May 6, 2023    
Net income $2,625,060  $2,473,628     
Adjustments:        
 Interest expense  407,153   261,641     
 Rent expense(1)  425,291   403,412     
 Tax effect(2)  (171,484)  (133,010)    
Adjusted after-tax return $3,286,020  $3,005,671     
          
Average debt(3) $8,243,879  $6,578,133     
Average stockholders' deficit(3)  (4,708,140)  (3,849,963)    
Add: Rent x 6(1)  2,551,746   2,420,472     
Average financing lease liabilities(3)  306,316   296,772     
Invested capital $6,393,801  $5,445,414     
          
Adjusted After-Tax ROIC  51.4%  55.2%    
          
(1)The table below outlines the calculation of rent expense and reconciles rent expense to total lease cost, per ASC 842, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, for the trailing four quarters ended May 4, 2024 and May 6, 2023.
          
   Trailing 4 Quarters    
(in thousands) May 4, 2024 May 6, 2023    
Total lease cost, per ASC 842 $558,627  $513,857     
Less: Financing lease interest and amortization  (97,717)  (81,871)    
Less: Variable operating lease components, related to insurance and common area maintenance  (35,619)  (28,574)    
Rent expense $425,291  $403,412     
          
(2)Effective tax rate over the trailing four quarters ended May 4, 2024 and May 6, 2023 was 20.6% and 20.0%, respectively.
(3)All averages are computed based on trailing five quarter balances.
          
Other Selected Financial Information
(in thousands)
   May 4, 2024 May 6, 2023    
Cumulative share repurchases ($ since fiscal 1998) $36,275,471  $32,806,437     
Remaining share repurchase authorization ($)  1,374,529   843,563     
          
Cumulative share repurchases (shares since fiscal 1998)  154,938   153,629     
          
Shares outstanding, end of quarter  17,144   18,225     
          
   12 Weeks Ended 12 Weeks Ended 36 Weeks Ended 36 Weeks Ended
   May 4, 2024 May 6, 2023 May 4, 2024 May 6, 2023
          
Depreciation and amortization $129,224  $116,123  $374,416  $339,087 
          
Cash flow from operations  669,480   724,715   1,933,866   1,872,776 
          
Capital spending  235,103   171,207   725,910   430,441 
          


                 
AutoZone's 3rd Quarter Highlights - Fiscal 2024
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Selected Operating Highlights
             
Store Count & Square Footage
             
   12 Weeks Ended  12 Weeks Ended  36 Weeks Ended  36 Weeks Ended
   May 4, 2024  May 6, 2023  May 4, 2024  May 6, 2023
Domestic:           
 Beginning stores  6,332    6,226    6,300    6,168 
 Stores opened  32    22    68    80 
 Stores closed  -    -    (4)   - 
 Ending domestic stores  6,364    6,248    6,364    6,248 
             
 Relocated stores  -    1    3    5 
             
 Stores with commercial programs  5,843    5,526    5,843    5,526 
             
 Square footage (in thousands)  42,078    41,253    42,078    41,253 
             
Mexico:           
 Beginning stores  751    707    740    703 
 Stores opened  12    6    23    10 
 Ending Mexico stores  763    713    763    713 
             
Brazil:           
 Beginning stores  108    81    100    72 
 Stores opened  1    2    9    11 
 Ending Brazil stores  109    83    109    83 
             
Total  7,236    7,044    7,236    7,044 
             
Total Company stores opened, net  45    30    96    101 
             
 Square footage (in thousands)  48,567    47,191    48,567    47,191 
 Square footage per store  6,712    6,699    6,712    6,699 
             
Sales Statistics
($ in thousands, except sales per average square foot)
   12 Weeks Ended  12 Weeks Ended  Trailing 4 Quarters  Trailing 4 Quarters
Total AutoZone Stores (Domestic, Mexico and Brazil)May 4, 2024  May 6, 2023  May 4, 2024  May 6, 2023
 Sales per average store $576   $571   $2,472   $2,421 
 Sales per average square foot $86   $85   $369   $362 
             
Auto Parts (Domestic, Mexico and Brazil)           
 Total auto parts sales $4,156,411   $4,016,692   $17,647,873   $16,811,885 
 % Increase vs. LY  3.5%   5.8%   5.0%   8.2%
             
Domestic Commercial           
 Total domestic commercial sales $1,147,113   $1,110,476   $4,719,208   $4,541,729 
 % Increase vs. LY  3.3%   6.3%   3.9%   14.4%
             
 Average sales per program per week $16.4   $16.8   $16.0   $16.2 
 % Increase vs. LY  (2.4%)   1.2%   (1.2%)   10.2%
             
All Other, including ALLDATA           
 All other sales $79,074   $73,849   $327,633   $303,061 
 % Increase vs. LY  7.1%   5.6%   8.1%   8.2%
        
   12 Weeks Ended  12 Weeks Ended  36 Weeks Ended  36 Weeks Ended
Same store sales(4) May 4, 2024  May 6, 2023  May 4, 2024  May 6, 2023
 Domestic  0.0%   1.9%   0.5%   4.2%
 International  18.1%   26.8%   22.2%   26.6%
 Total Company  1.9%   4.0%   2.7%   6.1%
             
 International - Constant Currency  9.3%   14.7%   10.2%   18.5%
 Total Company - Constant Currency  0.9%   3.0%   1.5%   5.4%
             
(4)Same store sales are based on sales for all stores open at least one year. Constant Currency same store sales exclude the impact of fluctuations of foreign currency exchange rates by converting both the current year and prior year international results at the prior year foreign currency exchange rate.
             
Inventory Statistics (Total Stores)
   as of  as of      
   May 4, 2024  May 6, 2023      
 Accounts payable/inventory  119.7%   126.5%      
             
 ($ in thousands)           
 Inventory $6,155,300   $5,703,688       
 Inventory per store  851    810       
 Net inventory (net of payables)  (1,214,373)   (1,511,878)      
 Net inventory/per store  (168)   (215)      
             
   Trailing 5 Quarters      
   May 4, 2024  May 6, 2023      
 Inventory turns  1.4 x  1.5 x