AutoZone 2nd Quarter Same Store Sales Increase 15.2%; EPS Increases to $14.93

MEMPHIS, Tenn., March 02, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE: AZO) today reported net sales of $2.9 billion for its second quarter (12 weeks) ended February 13, 2021, an increase of 15.8% from the second quarter of fiscal 2020 (12 weeks). Domestic same store sales, or sales for stores open at least one year, increased 15.2% for the quarter.
For the quarter, gross profit, as a percentage of sales, was 53.6%, a decrease of 77 basis points versus the prior year. The decrease in gross margin was attributable to increased supply chain costs, pricing initiatives, accelerated loyalty program participation and a shift in mix. Operating expenses, as a percentage of sales, improved to 37.0% versus 38.1% for last year’s quarter, with leverage primarily due to higher sales volumes, offset by additional emergency time-off benefits and other pandemic-related expenses totaling approximately $40 million (137 basis points).Operating profit increased 18.1% to $481.8 million. Net income for the quarter increased 15.6% over the same period last year to $345.9 million, while diluted earnings per share increased 20.5% to $14.93 per share from $12.39 per share in the year-ago quarter. The increase in net income was driven by strong topline growth.AutoZone repurchased 752,004 shares of its common stock for $900 million during the second quarter, at an average price of $1,197 per share. At the end of the second quarter, the Company had $717.6 million remaining under its current share repurchase authorization.The Company’s inventory increased 2.8% over the same period last year, driven by new stores and improved product assortment. Net inventory, defined as merchandise inventories less accounts payable, on a per store basis, was approximately negative $93 thousand versus negative $41 thousand last year and negative $99 thousand last quarter.Our outstanding performance is also driven by the exceptional and heroic efforts of our AutoZoners, particularly those in our stores and distribution centers who have been there every day for our customers during these extraordinary times. We recently announced a financial incentive for our employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and we will continue to invest appropriately in a safe and productive work environment for our people,” said Bill Rhodes, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.During the quarter ended February 13, 2021, AutoZone opened 27 new stores in the U.S., seven in Mexico and one in Brazil. As of February 13, 2021, the Company had 5,951 stores in the U.S., 628 stores in Mexico, and 46 stores in Brazil for a total store count of 6,625.AutoZone is the leading retailer and a leading distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the Americas. Each AutoZone 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 all stores in Mexico and Brazil. AutoZone also sells the ALLDATA brand diagnostic and repair software through www.alldata.com and www.alldatadiy.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.AutoZone will host a conference call this morning, Tuesday, March 2, 2021, beginning at 10:00 a.m. (EST) 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 and clicking on Investor Relations. Investors may also listen to the call by dialing (210) 839-8923 and entering the participant passcode 9697984. In addition, a telephone replay will be available by dialing (203) 369-1211 through April 2, 2021, 11:59 pm (EST).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 debit 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 in this press release 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; energy prices; weather; 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, such as the ongoing global pandemic of a novel strain of the coronavirus (“COVID-19”); inflation; the ability to hire, train and retain qualified employees; construction delays; the compromising of confidentiality, availability or integrity of information, including cyber-attacks; historic growth rate sustainability; downgrade of our credit ratings; damages to our reputation; challenges in international markets; failure or interruption of our information technology systems; origin and raw material costs of suppliers; disruption in our supply chain, due to public health epidemics or otherwise; impact of tariffs; anticipated impact of new accounting standards; and 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 29, 2020, 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. 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