AutoZone 2nd Quarter Total Company Same Store Sales Increase 2.9%; Domestic Same Store Sales Increase 1.9%; EPS of $28.29

MEMPHIS, Tenn., March 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE: AZO) today reported net sales of $4.0 billion for its second quarter (12 weeks) ended February 15, 2025, an increase of 2.4% from the second quarter of fiscal 2024 (12 weeks). Same store sales, or sales for our domestic and international stores open at least one year, are as follows:

      Constant
Currency
      Constant
Currency
  12 Weeks   12 Weeks*   24 Weeks   24 Weeks*
               
Domestic 1.9%   1.9%   1.0%   1.0%
International (8.2%)   9.5%   (3.9%)   11.5%
Total Company 0.5%   2.9%   0.4%   2.4%
* Excludes impacts from fluctuations of foreign exchange rates.          
           

For the quarter, gross profit, as a percentage of sales, was flat to last year at 53.9%. Current year gross margin benefited from higher merchandise margins offset by last year benefiting 36 basis points from a non-cash LIFO adjustment. Operating expenses, as a percentage of sales, were 36.0% versus last year at 34.6%. Deleverage was primarily driven by investments to support our growth initiatives.

Operating profit decreased 4.9% to $706.8 million. Net income for the quarter decreased 5.3% over the same period last year to $487.9 million, while diluted earnings per share decreased 2.1% to $28.29.

Under its share repurchase program, AutoZone repurchased 100 thousand shares of its common stock at an average price per share of $3,291, for a total investment of $329.4 million. At the end of the second quarter, the Company had $1.3 billion remaining under its current share repurchase authorization.

The Company’s inventory increased 10.4% over the same period last year. Net inventory, defined as merchandise inventories less accounts payable, on a per store basis, was negative $161 thousand versus negative $164 thousand last year and negative $166 thousand last quarter.

“I want to thank our AutoZoners for delivering solid results this quarter. We continue to be pleased with our strategy to grow our domestic DIY and Commercial sales. Domestically, both DIY and Commercial continued to perform well and sales accelerated from the previous quarter. Our international business also continued to deliver strong results and same store sales grew 9.5% on a constant currency basis. While currency rate moves pressured reported sales and earnings, our international performance remains encouraging as we continue to focus on opening more stores in these markets. We are excited about our momentum heading into the back half of the fiscal year and we are well prepared for our spring and summer selling season. As we continue to invest in our business, we remain committed to our disciplined approach of increasing earnings and cash flow, all while delivering strong shareholder value,” said Phil Daniele, President and Chief Executive Officer.

During the quarter ended February 15, 2025, AutoZone opened 28 new stores in the U.S., 13 new stores in Mexico and four in Brazil for a total of 45 net new stores. As of February 15, 2025, the Company had 6,483 stores in the U.S., 813 in Mexico and 136 in Brazil for a total store count of 7,432.

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, March 4, 2025, beginning at 10:00 a.m. (ET) to discuss its second 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 51956 through March 18, 2025.

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 herein constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and typically use words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “should,” “intend,” “plan,” “will,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “positioned,” “strategy,” “seek,” “may,” “could” and similar expressions. These statements are based on assumptions and assessments made by our management in light of experience, historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors that we believe 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 and natural disasters; competition; credit market conditions; cash flows; access to 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; public health issues; inflation, including wage inflation; exchange rates; the ability to hire, train and retain qualified employees, including members of management; 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; tariffs, trade policies and other geopolitical factors; new accounting standards; our ability to execute our growth initiatives; and other business interruptions. These and other risks and uncertainties are discussed in more detail in the “Risk Factors” section in Item 1A under Part 1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2024. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially 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 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, [email protected]
Media: Jennifer Hughes at (901) 495-6022, [email protected]

AutoZone’s 2nd Quarter Highlights – Fiscal 2025      
                   
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations          
2nd Quarter, FY2025              
(in thousands, except per share data)              
        GAAP Results      
        12 Weeks Ended   12 Weeks Ended      
        February 15, 2025   February 10, 2024      
                   
Net sales   $ 3,952,012     $ 3,859,126        
Cost of sales     1,823,611       1,779,474        
Gross profit     2,128,401       2,079,652        
Operating, SG&A expenses     1,421,634       1,336,410        
Operating profit (EBIT)     706,767       743,242        
Interest expense, net     108,822       102,619        
Income before taxes     597,945       640,623        
Income tax expense     110,022       125,593        
Net income   $ 487,923     $ 515,030        
Net income per share:              
Basic   $ 29.06     $ 29.74        
Diluted   $ 28.29     $ 28.89        
Weighted average shares outstanding:              
Basic     16,788       17,319        
Diluted     17,245       17,828        
                   
                   
                   
Year-To-Date 2nd Quarter, FY2025              
(in thousands, except per share data)              
        GAAP Results      
        24 Weeks Ended   24 Weeks Ended      
        February 15, 2025   February 10, 2024      
                   
Net sales   $ 8,231,652     $ 8,049,403        
Cost of sales     3,835,194       3,755,735        
Gross profit     4,396,458       4,293,668        
Operating, SG&A expenses     2,848,542       2,701,822        
Operating profit (EBIT)     1,547,916       1,591,846        
Interest expense, net     216,451       194,004        
Income before taxes     1,331,465       1,397,842        
Income tax expense     278,609       289,349        
Net income   $ 1,052,856     $ 1,108,493        
Net income per share:              
Basic   $ 62.48     $ 63.29        
Diluted   $ 60.83     $ 61.48        
Weighted average shares outstanding:              
Basic     16,850       17,514        
Diluted     17,307       18,031        
                   
                   
                   
Selected Balance Sheet Information              
(in thousands)              
        February 15, 2025   February 10, 2024   August 31, 2024  
                   
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 300,905     $ 304,096     $ 298,172    
Merchandise inventories     6,588,586       5,970,175       6,155,218    
Current assets     7,802,598       7,157,056       7,306,759    
Property and equipment, net     6,449,129       5,907,484       6,183,539    
Operating lease right-of-use assets     3,120,826       2,999,294       3,057,780    
Total assets     18,116,279       16,717,654       17,176,538    
Accounts payable     7,784,717       7,149,882       7,355,701    
Current liabilities     9,267,357       8,772,609       8,714,243    
Operating lease liabilities, less current portion     3,007,455       2,901,636       2,960,174    
Total debt     9,052,099       8,630,553       9,024,381    
Stockholders’ deficit     (4,457,773 )     (4,837,321 )     (4,749,614 )  
Working capital     (1,464,759 )     (1,615,553 )     (1,407,484 )  
                   

AutoZone’s 2nd Quarter Highlights – Fiscal 2025            
                 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations                
                 

Adjusted Debt / EBITDAR
               
(in thousands, except adjusted debt to EBITDAR ratio)                
  Trailing 4 Quarters          
  February 15, 2025   February 10, 2024          
Net income $ 2,606,790     $ 2,621,057            
Add: Interest expense   474,025       377,044            
Income tax expense   663,963       674,721            
EBIT   3,744,778       3,672,822            
                 
Add: Depreciation and amortization   575,654       519,805            
Rent expense(1)   459,840       417,864            
Share-based expense   116,848       96,669            
EBITDAR $ 4,897,120     $ 4,707,160            
                 
Debt $ 9,052,099     $ 8,630,553            
Financing lease liabilities   385,899       328,955            
Add: Rent x 6(1)   2,759,040       2,507,184            
Adjusted debt $ 12,197,038     $ 11,466,692            
                 
Adjusted debt to EBITDAR   2.5       2.4            
                 

Adjusted Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)
               
(in thousands, except ROIC)                
  Trailing 4 Quarters          
  February 15, 2025   February 10, 2024          
Net income $ 2,606,790     $ 2,621,057            
Adjustments:                
Interest expense   474,025       377,044            
Rent expense(1)   459,840       417,864            
Tax effect(2)   (189,575 )     (162,956 )          
Adjusted after-tax return $ 3,351,080     $ 3,253,009            
                 
Average debt(3) $ 8,943,172     $ 7,853,082            
Average stockholders’ deficit(3)   (4,711,173 )     (4,577,327 )          
Add: Rent x 6(1)   2,759,040       2,507,184            
Average financing lease liabilities(3)   369,622       295,494            
Invested capital $ 7,360,661     $ 6,078,433            
                 
Adjusted After-Tax ROIC   45.5 %     53.5 %          
                 

(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 February 15, 2025 and February 10, 2024

.
         
     
                 
  Trailing 4 Quarters          
(in thousands) February 15, 2025   February 10, 2024          
Total lease cost, per ASC 842 $ 614,312     $ 546,195            
Less: Financing lease interest and amortization   (113,698 )     (93,591 )          
Less: Variable operating lease components, related to insurance and common area maintenance   (40,774 )     (34,740 )          
       
Rent expense $ 459,840     $ 417,864            
                 

(2)

Effective tax rate over the trailing four quarters ended February 15, 2025 and February 10, 2024 was 20.3

%

and 20.5%, respectively.
         

(3)

All averages are computed based on trailing five quarter balances.
         
                 
Other Selected Financial Information                
(in thousands)                
  February 15, 2025   February 10, 2024          
Cumulative share repurchases ($ since fiscal 1998) $ 37,820,600     $ 35,540,758            
Remaining share repurchase authorization ($)   1,329,400       2,109,242            
                 
Cumulative share repurchases (shares since fiscal 1998)   155,442       154,696            
                 
Shares outstanding, end of quarter   16,747       17,312            
                 
  12 Weeks Ended   12 Weeks Ended   24 Weeks Ended   24 Weeks Ended  
  February 15, 2025   February 10, 2024   February 15, 2025   February 10, 2024  
                 
Depreciation and amortization $ 137,918     $ 124,968     $ 271,091   $ 245,192  
                 
Cash flow from operations   583,749       434,127       1,395,552     1,264,386  
                 
Capital spending   292,702       255,379       539,737     490,807  
                 

AutoZone’s 2nd Quarter Highlights – Fiscal 2025              
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations                    
Selected Operating Highlights                        
                         

Store Count & Square Footage
                       
                         
    12 Weeks Ended     12 Weeks Ended     24 Weeks Ended     24 Weeks Ended  
    February 15, 2025     February 10, 2024     February 15, 2025     February 10, 2024  
Domestic:                        
Beginning stores     6,455         6,316         6,432         6,300    
Stores opened     28         19         51         36    
Stores closed             (3 )               (4 )  
Ending domestic stores     6,483         6,332         6,483         6,332    
                         
Relocated stores     1         3         3         3    
                         
Stores with commercial programs     5,962         5,823         5,962         5,823    
                         
Square footage (in thousands)     43,049         41,853         43,049         41,853    
                         
Mexico:                        
Beginning stores     800         745         794         740    
Stores opened     13         6         19         11    
Ending Mexico stores     813         751         813         751    
                         
Brazil:                        
Beginning stores     132         104         127         100    
Stores opened     4         4         9         8    
Ending Brazil stores     136         108         136         108    
                         
Total     7,432         7,191         7,432         7,191    
                         
Total Company stores opened, net     45         26         79         51    
                         
Square footage (in thousands)     50,118         48,240         50,118         48,240    
Square footage per store     6,744         6,708         6,744         6,708    
                         

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) February 15, 2025     February 10, 2024     February 15, 2025

(1)
    February 10, 2024  
Sales per average store   $ 523       $ 527       $ 2,506       $ 2,465    
Sales per average square foot   $ 78       $ 79       $ 373       $ 368    
                         
Auto Parts (Domestic, Mexico and Brazil)                        
Total auto parts sales   $ 3,874,366       $ 3,786,339       $ 18,323,341       $ 17,508,154    
% Increase vs. LY     2.3 %       4.5 %       4.7 %       5.5 %  
                         
Domestic Commercial                        
Total domestic commercial sales   $ 1,051,765       $ 980,134       $ 4,989,711       $ 4,682,570    
% Increase vs. LY     7.3 %       2.7 %       6.6 %       4.6 %  
                         
Average sales per program per week   $ 14.7       $ 14.1       $ 16.0       $ 15.9    
% Increase vs. LY     4.3 %       (2.8 %)       0.6 %       (0.6 %)  
                         
All Other, including ALLDATA                        
All other sales   $ 77,646       $ 72,787       $ 349,176       $ 322,408    
% Increase vs. LY     6.7 %       7.2 %       8.3 %       7.8 %  
                 

(1)

Fiscal 2024 results include an additional week of sales of approximately $359.1 million for Total Auto Parts, $95.7 million for Domestic Commercial and $6.7 million for All Other.
Sales per average store and sales per square foot benefited from the additional week by $49K and $7K, respectively.
       
                         
    12 Weeks Ended     12 Weeks Ended     24 Weeks Ended     24 Weeks Ended  

Same store sales



(2)

  February 15, 2025     February 10, 2024     February 15, 2025     February 10, 2024  
Domestic     1.9 %       0.3 %       1.0 %       0.8 %  
International     (8.2 %)       23.9 %       (3.9 %)       24.5 %  
Total Company     0.5 %       3.0 %       0.4 %       3.2 %  
                         
International – Constant Currency     9.5 %       10.6 %       11.5 %       10.7 %  
Total Company – Constant Currency     2.9 %       1.5 %       2.4 %       1.8 %  
                         

(2)

Same store sales are based on sales for all stores open at least one year. Constant Currency same store sales exclude the impact of fluctutations 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              
    February 15, 2025     February 10, 2024              
Accounts payable/inventory     118.2 %       119.8 %              
                         
($ in thousands)                        
Inventory   $ 6,588,586       $ 5,970,175                
Inventory per store     887         830                
Net inventory (net of payables)     (1,196,131 )       (1,179,707 )              
Net inventory/per store     (161 )       (164 )              
                         
    Trailing 5 Quarters              
    February 15, 2025     February 10, 2024              
Inventory turns     1.4         1.4