Autozone Inc NYSE:AZO Price, Chart, News & Insight

AutoZone Stock Jumps 5.2% After Strong Q4 Earnings and Improving Sales Momentum

AutoZone shares rose 5.2% Tuesday after the auto-parts retailer reported stronger fourth-quarter earnings, higher sales and improving demand trends late in the quarter.

Fourth-quarter net sales increased 5.6% year over year to $6.6 billion. Total company same-store sales rose 2.7%, or 1.5% on a constant-currency basis, while domestic same-store sales increased 1.6%. International same-store sales jumped 10.7%, though the gain was 1.3% excluding currency effects.

Profitability also improved. Gross margin expanded to 53.3% from 51.5% a year earlier, helped by tariff refunds and a favorable LIFO impact. Operating profit rose 10.1% to $1.3 billion, while net income increased to $931.6 million from $837.0 million. Diluted EPS climbed to $56.05 from $48.71.

Management said sales strengthened during the final eight weeks of the quarter after a difficult start and expects sales growth to accelerate across the U.S., Mexico and Brazil in fiscal 2027.

For the full year, AutoZone generated $20.3 billion in sales, up 7.4%, while diluted EPS increased 5.3% to $152.55. The company also continued aggressive capital returns, repurchasing $2.0 billion of stock during the year.

The 5.2% share-price gain suggests investors focused on the stronger earnings growth, margin improvement and management’s more constructive outlook for fiscal 2027.

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WS Investor 09-22-26

AutoZone Drops 10% as LIFO Charges and International Weakness Disappoint Despite Solid Domestic Results

AutoZone fell sharply today despite reporting a third quarter that showed solid domestic execution, with investors focused on gross margin compression, weak international performance in constant currency and earnings that appear to have come in below elevated market expectations.

Net sales for the 12-week quarter ended May 9, 2026 grew 8.4% to $4.8 billion, driven by domestic same store sales growth of 4.1% and international same store sales growth of 16.6% on a reported basis. The international headline, however, is deeply misleading — in constant currency, international comparable sales grew just 1.6%, as both Mexico and Brazil continued to underperform plan. Total company comparable sales of 3.9% in constant currency represent a solid but unremarkable result for a company trading at a premium multiple.

The gross margin story was the primary source of disappointment. Gross profit as a percentage of sales fell 57 basis points to 52.2%, with management attributing the compression primarily to a 77 basis point non-cash LIFO inventory charge — a real cost that reflects the impact of goods price inflation flowing through inventory accounting. The partial offset from other gross margin improvements was not sufficient to prevent the decline, and in an environment where investors have been watching cost pressures closely across retail, any margin contraction draws scrutiny.

Operating profit grew 6.6% to $923.8 million and operating margin returned above 19%, which CEO Phil Daniele specifically highlighted as a positive milestone. Net income grew to $641.5 million and diluted EPS rose 7.7% to $38.07 from $35.36 a year ago. The company repurchased $586.3 million of stock during the quarter at an average price of $3,582 per share, with $0.8 billion remaining under the current authorization.

On the store count front, AutoZone opened 82 new locations globally in the quarter — 57 in the US, 20 in Mexico and five in Brazil — bringing the total to 7,856 stores worldwide. The company remains on track to open approximately 355 to 365 stores for the full fiscal year.

The 10% decline is steep for a business that delivered positive comparable sales, margin above 19% and continued earnings growth. It likely reflects a combination of the LIFO-driven gross margin miss, the persistent international underperformance in constant currency and an EPS figure that, while growing, may have fallen short of what a richly valued stock required to justify its price. For a company where investors pay a significant premium for consistency, any stumble on margins or international execution carries an outsized punishment.

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WS Investor 05-26-26

AutoZone reported first-quarter sales of 4.6 billion dollars, up 8.2 percent from last year, with total company same-store sales rising 5.5 percent and domestic same-store sales up 4.8 percent. International same-store sales increased 11.2 percent, or 3.7 percent in constant currency. Earnings softened as gross margin declined due to a non-cash LIFO impact, leading to net income of 530.8 million dollars and earnings per share of 31.04 dollars, down from 32.52 dollars a year earlier.

The company continued expanding its footprint, opening 53 net new stores during the quarter, bringing its total to 7,710 across the U.S., Mexico, and Brazil. AutoZone also repurchased 108,000 shares for 431.1 million dollars and ended the quarter with 1.7 billion dollars remaining under its buyback authorization.

Management highlighted strong domestic and international performance and reaffirmed plans for aggressive store growth while maintaining a disciplined focus on earnings, cash flow, and shareholder value.

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The Investor 12-09-25

AutoZone reported fourth-quarter net sales of $6.2 billion, with total company same-store sales up 5.1% and domestic same-store sales up 4.8%, while earnings per share fell 5.6% to $48.71; for fiscal 2025, sales rose 2.4% to $18.9 billion, net income declined 6.2% to $2.5 billion, and the company added 304 new stores globally, ending the year with 7,657 locations.

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The Investor 09-23-25

AutoZone Reports Strong Q3 Sales Growth Despite Margin Pressure; EPS at $35.36

AutoZone announced its third-quarter fiscal 2025 results on May 27, reporting a 5.4% increase in total company same store sales and a 5.0% rise in domestic same store sales. Net sales for the quarter reached $4.5 billion, with diluted earnings per share of $35.36, down 3.6% year-over-year. Net income declined 6.6% to $608.4 million, attributed to margin compression and higher operating expenses.

Gross margin fell to 52.7%, impacted by increased inventory shrink, higher commercial sales mix, distribution center startup costs, and a non-cash LIFO adjustment. Operating expenses rose to 33.3% of sales due to self-insurance costs and growth investments. Operating profit dropped 3.8% to $866.2 million.

Internationally, same store sales declined 9.2% but rose 8.1% on a constant currency basis. The company opened 84 new stores globally, bringing the total to 7,516 locations. Domestic commercial sales rose 10.7%, contributing to overall strong performance.
AutoZone repurchased $250 million in shares during the quarter and ended with $1.1 billion remaining under its buyback authorization. CEO Phil Daniele reaffirmed confidence in the company’s strategic investments and readiness for the summer selling season, emphasizing long-term shareholder value.

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Global Finance News 05-27-25

AutoZone Appoints Rivian CFO Claire Rauh McDonough to Board of Directors

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE: AZO) announced the appointment of Claire Rauh McDonough, Chief Financial Officer of electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian, to its Board of Directors.

McDonough joined Rivian in 2021 following her role as a Managing Director at J.P. Morgan, where she co-led the Disruptive Commerce Group. She also serves on the boards of Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technology LLC.

Executive Chairman Bill Rhodes welcomed McDonough, noting her expertise will bring valuable insight to the board’s discussions. Her appointment increases the total number of AutoZone board members to ten.

AutoZone operates 7,432 stores across the U.S., Mexico, and Brazil and remains the leading distributor and retailer of automotive parts in the Americas.

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ME NEWS 04-24-25

AutoZone Prices $500 Million of 5.125% Senior Notes Due 2030

AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE: AZO) has announced the successful pricing and sale of $500 million aggregate principal amount of 5.125% senior notes due 2030. The transaction was executed through an underwriting agreement with BofA Securities, J.P. Morgan Securities, U.S. Bancorp Investments, and Wells Fargo Securities, acting as joint book-running managers.

The offering closed on April 14, with the notes issued under AutoZone’s existing shelf registration. Proceeds are expected to be used for general corporate purposes. Interest will be paid semi-annually beginning December 15, 2025, and the notes will mature on June 15, 2030.

The notes are senior unsecured obligations, ranking equally with AutoZone’s existing senior debt. They are subject to standard covenants and redemption terms, and provide noteholders with repurchase rights upon a change of control triggering event.

Regions Bank serves as trustee under the indenture, which governs the terms of the offering.

Legal counsel for the offering included Bass, Berry & Sims PLC and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP. The underwriting agreement and supporting documents, including the officers’ certificate and note form, are filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

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ME NEWS 04-15-25

AutoZone reported a 2.4% increase in net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2025, reaching $4.0 billion. Domestic same-store sales grew by 1.9%, while total company same-store sales increased by 2.9% when adjusted for currency fluctuations. International same-store sales, however, declined by 8.2% on a reported basis but grew by 9.5% in constant currency.

Gross profit margin remained steady at 53.9%, but operating expenses rose to 36.0% of sales, up from 34.6% last year, due to investments in growth initiatives. Operating profit fell by 4.9% to $706.8 million, and net income decreased by 5.3% to $487.9 million. Earnings per share were $28.29, down 2.1% from the previous year.

During the quarter, AutoZone repurchased 100,000 shares for $329.4 million, with $1.3 billion remaining in its current share repurchase authorization. Inventory levels rose by 10.4% year-over-year.

The company opened 45 new stores, including 28 in the U.S., 13 in Mexico, and 4 in Brazil, bringing its total store count to 7,432. CEO Phil Daniele expressed optimism about the company’s momentum heading into the spring and summer seasons, emphasizing a continued focus on growth in both domestic and international markets.

AutoZone will discuss these results further in a conference call available via its investor relations website.

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WS Investor 03-04-25

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