MEMPHIS, Tenn., Sep 21, 2010 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) today reported net sales of $2.4 billion for its fourth quarter (16 weeks) ended August 28, 2010, an increase of 9.5% from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 (16 weeks). Domestic same store sales, or sales for stores open at least one year, increased 6.7% for the quarter.
Net income for the quarter increased $32.8 million, or 13.9%, over the same period last year to $268.9 million, while diluted earnings per share increased 27.7% to $5.66 per share from $4.43 per share in the year-ago quarter.
For the quarter, gross profit, as a percentage of sales, was 50.5% (versus 50.3% for last year's quarter). The improvement in gross margin was primarily attributable to leveraging distribution costs due to higher sales and operating efficiencies (26 basis points). Operating expenses, as a percentage of sales, were 31.2% (versus 31.6% last year). The reduction in operating expenses, as a percentage of sales, reflected leverage of store operating expenses due to higher sales, partially offset by increased legal costs (18 basis points), higher pension expense (16 basis points), and our continued investment in our hub store initiative (14 basis points).
For the fiscal year ended August 28, 2010, sales were $7.4 billion, an increase of 8.0% from the prior year, while domestic same store sales were up 5.4%. Operating profit increased 12.2% on an operating margin of 17.9%. For fiscal 2010, net income increased 12.4% to $738 million, while diluted earnings per share for the period increased 27.6% to $14.97 from $11.73.
Under its share repurchase program, AutoZone repurchased 2.8 million shares of its common stock for $565 million during the fourth quarter, at an average price of $199 per share. For the fiscal year, the Company repurchased 6.4 million shares of its common stock for $1.1 billion, at an average price of $176 per share. At the fiscal year end, the Company had $185 million remaining under its current share repurchase authorization.
The Company's inventory increased 4.4% over the same period last year, driven by new store openings. Inventory per store was $498 thousand versus $500 thousand last year. Net inventory, defined as merchandise inventories less accounts payable, improved on a per store basis to a negative $28 thousand from a positive $20 thousand last year. The Company achieved a quarter ending accounts payable to inventory ratio of 106%, up from 96% last year.
"Our performance during the fourth quarter represents a strong conclusion to a very good year for AutoZone. For the year, we set several new all-time records for our company: EBIT margin 17.9%, accounts payable to inventory ratio of 106%, operating cash flow in excess of $1 billion, and ROIC of 27.6%. While the macro environment for our industry was certainly favorable, our team's commitment to our culture, constant refinements to our offerings, and high level of execution led to our second consecutive year of strong financial performance. I would like to thank and congratulate our 60,000+ AutoZoners across North America for their impressive performance," said Bill Rhodes, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.
Jim Shea, Executive Vice President, Merchandising, Marketing, and Supply Chain will be retiring at the end of October 2010. "I would like to thank Jim for his many contributions to our organization over the last six years. While we will certainly miss Jim and his contributions, he has developed strong leaders who are well prepared to lead this organization to continued success well into the future," said Rhodes.
During the quarter ended August 28, 2010, AutoZone opened 80 new stores and replaced one store in the U.S. and opened 26 new stores in Mexico. As of August 28, 2010, the Company had 4,389 stores in 48 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico in the U.S. and 238 stores in Mexico.
AutoZone is the leading retailer and a leading distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States. 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. AutoZone also sells the ALLDATA brand diagnostic and repair software. On the web, AutoZone sells diagnostic and repair information, and auto and light truck parts through www.autozone.com, and as part of our commercial sales program, through www.autozonepro.com. AutoZone does not derive revenue from automotive repair or installation.
AutoZone will host a conference call this morning, Tuesday, September 21, 2010, beginning at 10:00 a.m. (EDT) to discuss its fourth quarter results. Investors may listen to the conference call live and review supporting slides on the AutoZone corporate website, www.autozoneinc.com by clicking "Investor Relations," "Conference Calls." The call will also be available by dialing (210) 839-8923. A replay of the call and slides will be available on AutoZone's website. In addition, a replay of the call will be available by dialing (203) 369-1211 through Tuesday, September 28, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. (EDT).
This release includes certain financial information not derived in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). These non-GAAP measures include return on invested capital, adjusted debt, and adjusted debt/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 and manages cash flows available for share repurchase by monitoring cash flows before share repurchases, as shown on the attached tables. 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 are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements typically use words such as "believe," "anticipate," "should," "intend," "plan," "will," "expect," "estimate," "project," "positioned," "strategy" 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: credit market conditions; the impact of recessionary conditions; competition; product demand; the ability to hire and retain qualified employees; consumer debt levels; inflation; weather; raw material costs of our suppliers; energy prices; war and the prospect of war, including terrorist activity; construction delays; access to available and feasible financing; and changes in laws or regulations. Certain of these risks are discussed in more detail in the "Risk Factors" section contained in Item 1A under Part 1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 29, 2009, 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. 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. Actual results may materially differ from anticipated results.
AutoZone's 4th Quarter Highlights - Fiscal 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements
of Operations
4th Quarter
(in thousands, except
per share data)
GAAP Results
--------------------------
16 Weeks 16 Weeks
Ended Ended
August 28, August 29,
2010 2009
------------ ------------
Net sales $ 2,445,159 $ 2,232,494
Cost of sales 1,210,196 1,109,441
------------ ------------
Gross profit 1,234,963 1,123,053
Operating, SG&A
expenses 762,223 705,457
------------ ------------
Operating profit
(EBIT) 472,740 417,596
Interest expense, net 49,427 47,762
------------ ------------
Income before taxes 423,313 369,834
Income taxes 154,380 133,708
------------ ------------
Net income $ 268,933 $ 236,126
============ ============
Net income per share:
Basic $ 5.77 $ 4.49
Diluted $ 5.66 $ 4.43
Weighted average
shares outstanding:
Basic 46,640 52,546
Diluted 47,543 53,323
Fiscal Year 2010
(in thousands, except
per share data) GAAP Results
--------------------------
52 Weeks 52 Weeks
Ended Ended
August 28, August 29,
2010 2009
------------ ------------
Net sales $ 7,362,618 $ 6,816,824
Cost of sales 3,650,874 3,400,375
------------ ------------
Gross profit 3,711,744 3,416,449
Operating, SG&A
expenses 2,392,330 2,240,387
------------ ------------
Operating profit
(EBIT) 1,319,414 1,176,062
Interest expense, net 158,909 142,316
------------ ------------
Income before taxes 1,160,505 1,033,746
Income taxes 422,194 376,697
------------ ------------
Net income $ 738,311 $ 657,049
============ ============
Net income per share:
Basic $ 15.23 $ 11.89
Diluted $ 14.97 $ 11.73
Weighted Average Shares
outstanding:
Basic 48,488 55,282
Diluted 49,304 55,992
Selected Balance Sheet Information
(in thousands)
August 28, August 29,
2010 2009
------------ ------------
Cash and cash
equivalents $ 98,280 $ 92,706
Merchandise
inventories 2,304,579 2,207,497
Current assets 2,611,821 2,561,730
Property and
equipment, net 2,519,946 2,354,357
Total assets 5,571,594 5,318,405
Accounts payable 2,433,050 2,118,746
Current liabilities* 3,063,960 2,706,752
Total debt* 2,908,486 2,726,900
Stockholders' equity
(deficit) (738,765) (433,074)
Working capital (452,139) (145,022)
* Current liabilities and Total debt both include
short-term borrowings of $26,186.
Adjusted Debt / EBITDAR
(Trailing 4 Qtrs)
-----------------------------
(in thousands, except
adjusted debt to EBITDAR
ratio)
August 28, August 29,
2010 2009
------------ ------------
Net income $ 738,311 $ 657,049
Add: Interest 158,909 142,316
Taxes 422,194 376,697
------------ ------------
EBIT 1,319,414 1,176,062
Add: Depreciation 192,084 180,433
Rent expense 195,632 181,308
Option expense 19,120 19,135
------------ ------------
EBITDAR $ 1,726,250 $ 1,556,938
Debt $ 2,908,486 $ 2,726,900
Capital lease obligations 88,280 54,764
Add: rent x 6 1,173,792 1,087,848
------------ ------------
Adjusted debt $ 4,170,558 $ 3,869,512
============ ============
Adjusted debt to EBITDAR 2.4 2.5
Selected Cash Flow
Information
(in thousands)
16 Weeks 16 Weeks 52 Weeks 52 Weeks
Ended Ended Ended Ended
August 28, August 29, August 28, August 29,
2010 2009 2010 2009
------------ ------------ ---------- ------------
Depreciation $ 62,165 $ 57,160 $ 192,084 $ 180,433
Capital spending $ 135,334 $ 112,160 $ 315,400 $ 272,247
----------------------------- ------------ ------------ ---------- ------------
Cash flow before share
repurchases:
Net increase / (decrease) in
cash and cash equivalents $ 2,518 $ (1,581) $ 5,574 $ (149,755)
Subtract increase in debt 209,986 321,000 181,586 476,900
Add back share repurchases 565,386 587,396 1,123,655 1,300,002
------------ ------------ ---------- ------------
Cash flow before share
repurchases and changes in
debt $ 357,918 $ 264,815 $ 947,643 $ 673,347
============ ============ ========== ============
Other Selected Financial
Information
(in thousands, except ROIC)
August 28, August 29,
2010 2009
------------ ------------
Cumulative share repurchases
($ since fiscal 1998) $ 8,714,572 $ 7,590,917
Remaining share authorization
($) $ 185,428 $ 309,083
Cumulative share repurchases
(shares since fiscal 1998) 121,745 115,370
------------ ------------
Shares outstanding, end of
quarter 45,107 50,801
Trailing 5 Points
August 28, August 29,
2010 2009
------------ ------------
Net income $ 738,311 $ 657,049
Adjustments:
Interest expense 158,909 142,316
Rent expense 195,632 181,308
Tax effect* (128,983) (117,929)
------------ ------------
After-tax return 963,869 862,744
Average debt** 2,769,617 2,468,351
Average equity** (507,885) (75,162)
Add: Rent x 6 1,173,792 1,087,848
Average capital lease
obligations** 62,220 58,901
------------ ------------
Pre-tax invested capital $ 3,497,744 $ 3,539,938
============ ============
Return on Invested Capital
(ROIC) 27.6% 24.4%
----------------------------- ------------ ------------
* Effective tax rate over trailing four quarters ended
August 28, 2010
and August 29, 2009 is 36.4% and 36.4%, respectively.
** All averages are computed based on trailing 5 quarter
balances.
AutoZone's 4th Quarter Fiscal 2010
Selected Operating Highlights
Store Count & Square Footage
-----------------------------
16 Weeks 16 Weeks 52 Weeks 52 Weeks
Ended Ended Ended Ended
August 28, August 29, August 28, August 29,
2010 2009 2010 2009
------------ ------------ ----------- ------------
Domestic stores:
Store count:
Stores opened 80 58 163 140
Stores closed -- 1 3 3
Replacement stores 1 3 3 9
Total domestic stores 4,389 4,229 4,389 4,229
Stores with commercial
programs 2,424 2,303 2,424 2,303
Square footage (in
thousands): 28,294 27,193 28,294 27,193
Mexico stores:
Stores opened 26 20 50 40
Total stores in Mexico 238 188 238 188
Total stores chainwide 4,627 4,417 4,627 4,417
Square footage (in
thousands): 30,027 28,550 30,027 28,550
Square footage per store 6,490 6,464 6,490 6,464
Sales Statistics
-----------------------------
($ in thousands, except sales per average
square foot and percentages)
16 Weeks 16 Weeks 52 Weeks 52 Weeks
Ended Ended Ended Ended
Total Auto Parts (Domestic August 28, August 29, August 28, August 29,
and Mexico) 2010 2009 2010 2009
------------ ------------ ----------- ------------
Total auto parts sales $ 2,397,465 $ 2,186,682 $ 7,213,753 $ 6,671,939
% Increase vs. LY 9.6% 1.0% 8.1% 4.5%
% Increase vs. LY (excl
53rd week) 7.1% 6.6%
Sales per average store $ 524 $ 499 $ 1,595 $ 1,541
Sales per average square
foot $ 81 $ 77 $ 246 $ 239
Domestic Commercial
Total domestic commercial
sales $ 301,814 $ 251,052 $ 879,982 $ 773,047
% Increase vs. LY 20.2% 0.3% 13.8% 2.6%
% Increase vs. LY (excl
53rd week) 5.7% 4.3%
All Other (ALLDATA and
E-Commerce)
All other sales $ 47,693 $ 45,812 $ 148,865 $ 144,884
% Increase vs. LY 4.1% (0.1%) 2.7% 4.2%
% Increase vs. LY (excl
53rd week) 6.1% 6.3%
16 Weeks 16 Weeks 52 Weeks 52 Weeks
Ended Ended Ended Ended
August 28, August 29, August 28, August 29,
2010 2009 2010 2009
------------ ------------ ----------- ------------
Domestic same store sales 6.7% 5.4% 5.4% 4.4%
Inventory Statistics (Total
Stores)
-----------------------------
as of as of
August 28, August 29,
2010 2009
------------ ------------
Accounts payable/inventory 105.6% 96.0%
($ in thousands)
Inventory $ 2,304,579 $ 2,207,497
Inventory per store $ 498 $ 500
Net inventory (net of
payables) $ (128,471) $ 88,751
Net inventory / per store $ (28) $ 20
Trailing 5 Points
August 28, August 29,
2010 2009
------------ ------------
Inventory turns 1.6 x 1.5 x
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SOURCE: AutoZone, Inc.
CONTACT: AutoZone, Inc.
Financial:
Brian Campbell
(901) 495-7005
brian.campbell@autozone.com
Media:
Ray Pohlman
(866) 966-3017
ray.pohlman@autozone.com