AutoZone 3rd Quarter Same Store Sales Increase 1.9%; EPS Increases to $34.12


MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE: AZO) today reported net sales of $4.1 billion for its third quarter (12 weeks) ended May 6, 2023, an increase of 5.8% from the third quarter of fiscal 2022 (12 weeks). Domestic same store sales, or sales for stores open at least one year, increased 1.9% for the quarter.

“I would like to congratulate and thank our entire organization for delivering solid earnings in our third fiscal quarter. The hard work of our AutoZoners and their dedication to providing superior customer service, again drove our quarterly performance. While weaker than expected sales for the month of March meaningfully affected our results this quarter, we are excited about our initiatives and believe we are well positioned for future growth,” said Bill Rhodes, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.

For the quarter, gross profit, as a percentage of sales, was 52.5%, an increase of 56 basis points versus the prior year. The increase in gross margin was impacted by a 42 basis point ($17 million) non-cash LIFO benefit, with the remaining leverage primarily from higher merchandise margins. Operating expenses, as a percentage of sales, were 31.5% versus last year at 31.6%.

Operating profit increased 9.3% to $858.5 million. Net income for the quarter increased 9.3% over the same period last year to $647.7 million, while diluted earnings per share increased 17.5% to $34.12 from $29.03 in the year-ago quarter.

Under its share repurchase program, AutoZone repurchased 356 thousand shares of its common stock for $908.2 million during the third quarter, at an average price of $2,551 per share. At the end of the third quarter, the Company had $843.6 million remaining under its current share repurchase authorization.

The Company’s inventory increased 7.4% over the same period last year, driven by inflation and its growth initiatives. Net inventory, defined as merchandise inventories less accounts payable, on a per store basis, was negative $215 thousand versus negative $216 thousand last year and negative $227 thousand last quarter.

During the quarter ended May 6, 2023, AutoZone opened 22 new stores in the U.S., six in Mexico and two in Brazil. As of May 6, 2023, the Company had 6,248 stores in the U.S., 713 in Mexico and 83 in Brazil for a total store count of 7,044.
        
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 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. We also have commercial programs in the majority of our stores in Mexico and Brazil. AutoZone also sells the ALLDATA brand automotive diagnostic, repair and shop management software through www.alldata.com. Additionally, we sell 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. 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 23, 2023, 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 and 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 48303 through June 6, 2023.

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 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; 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; 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 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 27, 2022, and Part II, Item 1A, of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended November 19, 2022. 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 2023   
          
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations     
3rd Quarter, FY2023       
(in thousands, except per share data)       
    GAAP Results   
    12 Weeks Ended 12 Weeks Ended   
    May 6, 2023 May 7, 2022   
          
Net sales $4,090,541  $3,865,222    
Cost of sales  1,944,415   1,858,808    
Gross profit  2,146,126   2,006,414    
Operating, SG&A expenses  1,287,645   1,220,744    
Operating profit (EBIT)  858,481   785,670    
Interest expense, net  74,313   41,888    
Income before taxes  784,168   743,782    
Income tax expense  136,445   151,211    
Net income $647,723  $592,571    
Net income per share:       
Basic $35.22  $29.93    
Diluted $34.12  $29.03    
Weighted average shares outstanding:       
Basic  18,389   19,798    
Diluted  18,983   20,414    
          
Year-To-Date 3rd Quarter, FY2023       
(in thousands, except per share data)       
    GAAP Results   
    36 Weeks Ended 36 Weeks Ended   
    May 6, 2023 May 7, 2022   
          
Net sales $11,766,591  $10,903,875    
Cost of sales  5,695,840   5,187,075    
Gross profit  6,070,751   5,716,800    
Operating, SG&A expenses  3,819,261   3,549,885    
Operating profit (EBIT)  2,251,490   2,166,915    
Interest expense, net  197,645   127,642    
Income before taxes  2,053,845   2,039,273    
Income tax expense  390,260   419,712    
Net income $1,663,585  $1,619,561    
Net income per share:       
Basic $88.96  $79.26    
Diluted $86.10  $76.90    
Weighted average shares outstanding:       
Basic  18,700   20,433    
Diluted  19,322   21,060    
          
Selected Balance Sheet Information       
(in thousands)       
    May 6, 2023 May 7, 2022 August 27, 2022 
          
Cash and cash equivalents $274,916  $263,044  $264,380  
Merchandise inventories  5,703,688   5,313,114   5,638,004  
Current assets  6,708,872   6,254,721   6,627,984  
Property and equipment, net  5,334,023   4,971,626   5,170,419  
Operating lease right-of-use assets  2,959,488   2,764,631   2,918,817  
Total assets  15,597,922   14,520,565   15,275,043  
Accounts payable  7,215,566   6,793,205   7,301,347  
Current liabilities  8,464,947   8,064,076   8,588,393  
Operating lease liabilities, less current portion  2,862,152   2,659,535   2,837,973  
Total debt  7,340,484   6,057,444   6,122,092  
Stockholders' deficit  (4,301,577)  (3,387,230)  (3,538,913) 
Working capital  (1,756,075)  (1,809,355)  (1,960,409) 
          


AutoZone's 3rd Quarter Highlights - Fiscal 2023              
               
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations           
               
Adjusted Debt / EBITDAR           
(in thousands, except adjusted debt to EBITDAR ratio)           
     Trailing 4 Quarters       
     May 6, 2023 May 7, 2022       
Net income  $2,473,628  $2,405,332        
Add: Interest expense  261,641   185,762        
Income tax expense  620,035   619,851        
EBIT    3,355,304   3,210,945        
               
Add: Depreciation and amortization  479,945   431,004        
Rent expense(1)  403,412   360,076        
Share-based expense  83,943   67,109        
EBITDAR  $4,322,604  $4,069,134        
               
Debt   $7,340,484  $6,057,444        
Financing lease liabilities  284,896   288,483        
Add: Rent x 6(1)  2,420,472   2,160,456        
Adjusted debt $10,045,852  $8,506,383        
               
Adjusted debt to EBITDAR  2.3   2.1        
               
Adjusted Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)           
(in thousands, except ROIC)           
     Trailing 4 Quarters       
     May 6, 2023 May 7, 2022       
Net income  $2,473,628  $2,405,332        
Adjustments:           
Interest expense  261,641   185,762        
Rent expense(1)  403,412   360,076        
Tax effect(2)  (133,010)  (111,896)       
Adjusted after-tax return $3,005,671  $2,839,274        
               
Average debt(3) $6,578,133  $5,541,462        
Average stockholders' deficit(3)  (3,849,963)  (2,442,077)       
Add: Rent x 6(1)  2,420,472   2,160,456        
Average financing lease liabilities(3)  296,772   268,111        
Invested capital $5,445,414  $5,527,952        
               
Adjusted After-Tax ROIC  55.2%  51.4%       
               
(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 6, 2023 and May 7, 2022 
                   
               
     Trailing 4 Quarters       
(in thousands)  May 6, 2023 May 7, 2022       
Total lease cost, per ASC 842 $513,857  $451,601        
Less: Financing lease interest and amortization  (81,871)  (65,128)       
Less: Variable operating lease components, related to insurance and common area maintenance     (28,574)  (26,397)       
Rent expense $403,412  $360,076        
                 
(2)Effective tax rate over trailing four quarters ended May 6, 2023 and May 7, 2022 was 20.0% and 20.5%, respectively       
(3)All averages are computed based on trailing five quarter balances       
               
Other Selected Financial Information           
(in thousands)            
     May 6, 2023 May 7, 2022       
Cumulative share repurchases ($ since fiscal 1998) $32,806,437  $29,092,425        
Remaining share repurchase authorization ($)  843,563   2,057,575        
               
Cumulative share repurchases (shares since fiscal 1998)  153,629   152,035        
               
Shares outstanding, end of quarter  18,225   19,576        
               
     12 Weeks Ended 12 Weeks Ended   36 Weeks Ended 36 Weeks Ended 
     May 6, 2023 May 7, 2022   May 6, 2023 May 7, 2022 
               
Depreciation and amortization $116,123  $102,083    $339,087 $301,365 
               
Cash flow from operations  724,715   843,368     1,872,776  1,983,114 
               
Capital spending  171,207   161,207     430,441  369,350 
               



AutoZone's 3rd Quarter Highlights - Fiscal 2023               
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 6, 2023  May 7, 2022  May 6, 2023  May 7, 2022 
Domestic:
              
 Beginning stores    6,226    6,091    6,168    6,051  
 Stores opened    22    24    80    65  
 Stores closed    -    -    -    (1) 
 Ending domestic stores    6,248    6,115    6,248    6,115  
                
 Relocated stores    1    4    5    8  
                
 Stores with commercial programs    5,526    5,276    5,526    5,276  
                
 Square footage (in thousands)    41,253    40,230    41,253    40,230  
                
Mexico:
              
 Beginning stores    707    669    703    664  
 Stores opened    6    4    10    9  
 Ending Mexico stores    713    673    713    673  
                
Brazil:
              
 Beginning stores    81    55    72    52  
 Stores opened    2    3    11    6  
 Ending Brazil stores    83    58    83    58  
                
Total
    7,044    6,846    7,044    6,846  
                
 Square footage (in thousands)    47,191    45,680    47,191    45,680  
 Square footage per store    6,699    6,673    6,699    6,673  
                
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 6, 2023  May 7, 2022  May 6, 2023  May 7, 2022 
 Sales per average store   $571   $556   $2,421   $2,301  
 Sales per average square foot   $85   $83   $362   $346  
                
Total Auto Parts (Domestic, Mexico and Brazil)
              
 Total auto parts sales   $4,016,692   $3,795,290   $16,811,885   $15,537,156  
 % Increase vs. LY    5.8%   5.7%   8.2%   10.8% 
                
Domestic Commercial
              
 Total domestic commercial sales   $1,110,476   $1,044,293   $4,541,729   $3,970,727  
 % Increase vs. LY    6.3%   26.0%   14.4%   26.5% 
                
 Average sales per program per week   $16.8   $16.6   $16.2   $14.7  
 % Increase vs. LY    1.2%   23.0%   10.2%   22.5% 
                
All Other, including ALLDATA
              
 All other sales   $73,849   $69,932   $303,061   $280,203  
 % Increase vs. LY    5.6%   15.1%   8.2%   18.0% 
                    
     12 Weeks Ended  12 Weeks Ended  36 Weeks Ended  36 Weeks Ended 
     May 6, 2023  May 7, 2022  May 6, 2023  May 7, 2022 
Domestic same store sales
    1.9%   2.6%   4.2%   9.5% 
                
Inventory Statistics (Total Stores)
              
     as of  as of       
     May 6, 2023  May 7, 2022       
 Accounts payable/inventory    126.5%   127.9%       
                
 ($ in thousands)              
 Inventory   $5,703,688   $5,313,114        
 Inventory per store    810    776        
 Net inventory (net of payables)    (1,511,878)   (1,480,091)       
 Net inventory/per store    (215)   (216)       
                
     Trailing 5 Quarters       
     May 6, 2023  May 7, 2022       
 Inventory turns    1.5 x  1.5 x