Summary
AutoZone Inc. reported its third-quarter fiscal year 2017 results, indicating modest top-line growth with net sales increasing by 1.0% to $2.619 billion. This growth was primarily driven by new store openings, as comparable store sales saw a slight decline of 0.8%. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) saw a healthy increase of 6.2% to $11.44, benefiting from effective cost management and a lower effective tax rate due to the adoption of new accounting guidance for share-based payments. The company continued its strategic investments in new locations and supply chain infrastructure, with capital expenditures increasing year-over-year. Despite these investments and some headwinds from delayed tax refunds and rising gas prices impacting consumer spending capacity, AutoZone demonstrated resilience. The company maintained a strong liquidity position with significant availability under its revolving credit facilities and continued its robust share repurchase program, returning substantial capital to shareholders.
Financial Highlights
47 data points| Revenue | $2.62B |
| Cost of Revenue | $1.24B |
| Gross Profit | $1.38B |
| SG&A Expenses | $848.85M |
| Operating Income | $529.57M |
| Net Income | $331.70M |
| EPS (Basic) | $11.70 |
| EPS (Diluted) | $11.44 |
| Shares Outstanding (Basic) | 28.36M |
| Shares Outstanding (Diluted) | 29.00M |
Key Highlights
- 1Net sales increased by 1.0% to $2.619 billion for the twelve weeks ended May 6, 2017.
- 2Comparable store sales decreased by 0.8%, while sales from new domestic AutoZone stores contributed $41.5 million.
- 3Diluted earnings per share (EPS) increased by 6.2% to $11.44 compared to the prior year period.
- 4Gross margin slightly decreased to 52.6% from 52.8% due to higher supply chain costs and inventory shrink.
- 5Operating expenses as a percentage of sales increased to 32.4% from 32.2% due to fixed cost deleverage and higher self-insurance costs.
- 6The company adopted new accounting guidance for share-based payments, which positively impacted EPS by $0.32 for the quarter and lowered the effective tax rate.
- 7Capital expenditures increased to $357.9 million for the thirty-six week period ended May 6, 2017, reflecting investments in new distribution centers and store openings.