AutoZone Files Form 10-Q for Fiscal Second Quarter 2005

Mar 11, 2005

MEMPHIS, Tenn., March 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE: AZO) today announced the filing of its Form 10-Q for the fiscal second quarter ended February 12, 2005.

As previously announced, based upon recent SEC clarification, these financial statements include an adjustment associated with its accounting for leases and related leasehold improvements. The non-cash adjustment expensed in the quarter was $25.4 million net of tax ($0.31 per share), substantially all of which related to prior years. For the remainder of fiscal 2005, the Company expects this change in accounting to have an immaterial impact on its results of operations.

As of February 12, 2005, AutoZone sells auto and light truck parts, chemicals and accessories through 3,474 AutoZone stores in 48 states plus the District of Columbia in the U.S. and 67 AutoZone stores in Mexico and 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 http://www.autozone.com .

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: competition; product demand; the economy; the ability to hire and retain qualified employees; consumer debt levels; inflation; raw material costs of our suppliers; gasoline prices; war and the prospect of war, including terrorist activity; availability of consumer transportation; construction delays; access to available and feasible financing; and our ability to continue to negotiate pay-on-scan and other arrangements with our vendors. 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 such events 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. Please refer to the Risk Factors section of AutoZone's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 28, 2004, for more information related to those risks.



    AutoZone's 2nd Quarter Highlights - Fiscal 2005

    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
    2nd Quarter
    (in thousands, except per share data)
                                                      GAAP Results
                                            12 Weeks Ended    12 Weeks Ended
                                           February 12, 2005 February 14, 2004

    Net sales                                  $1,204,055        $1,159,236
    Cost of sales                                 621,684           594,925
    Gross profit                                  582,371           564,311
    Operating SG&A expenses                       433,652           395,785
    Operating profit  (EBIT)                      148,719           168,526
    Interest expense, net                          23,645            21,922
    Income before taxes                           125,074           146,604
    Income taxes                                   30,981            54,950
    Net income                                    $94,093           $91,654
    Net income per share:
        Basic                                       $1.18             $1.06
        Diluted                                     $1.16             $1.04
    Weighted average shares outstanding:
        Basic                                      79,692            86,618
        Diluted                                    80,860            88,028



    AutoZone's 2nd Quarter Highlights - Fiscal 2005

    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
    2nd Quarter
    (in thousands, except per share data)
                                        Adjustments           Adjusted
                                    12 Weeks   12 Weeks  12 Weeks    12 Weeks
                                     Ended      Ended     Ended       Ended
                                    Feb. 12,   Feb. 14,  Feb. 12,    Feb. 14,
                                      2005*      2004      2005*       2004


    Net sales                           $-        $-    $1,204,055  $1,159,236
    Cost of sales                        -         -       621,684     594,925
    Gross profit                         -         -       582,371     564,311
    Operating SG&A expenses          (40,321)      -       393,331     395,785
    Operating profit  (EBIT)          40,321       -       189,040     168,526
    Interest expense, net                -         -        23,645      21,922
    Income before taxes               40,321       -       165,395     146,604
    Income taxes                      30,219       -        61,200      54,950
    Net income                       $10,102      $-      $104,195     $91,654
    Net income per share:
       Basic                           $0.13      $-         $1.31       $1.06
       Diluted                         $0.12      $-         $1.29       $1.04
    Weighted average shares
     outstanding:
       Basic                          79,692    86,618      79,692      86,618
       Diluted                        80,860    88,028      80,860      88,028

    * Fiscal year 2005 includes a non-cash adjustment, substantially all of
    which relates to prior years, of $25.4 million (net of tax) associated
    with accounting for leases and leasehold improvements.
    Additionally, fiscal year 2005 income taxes include a $15.3 million
    benefit primarily from the planned one-time repatriation from foreign
    subsidiaries.



    Year-to-date 2nd Quarter, F2005
                                                       GAAP Results
                                             24 Weeks Ended    24 Weeks Ended
                                           February 12, 2005 February 14, 2004

    Net sales                                  $2,490,258        $2,441,276
    Cost of sales                               1,287,086         1,263,875
    Gross profit                                1,203,172         1,177,401
    Operating SG&A expenses                       838,140           793,771
    Operating profit  (EBIT)                      365,032           383,630
    Interest expense, net                          45,435            42,182
    Income before taxes                           319,597           341,448
    Income taxes                                  102,981           128,050
    Net income                                   $216,616          $213,398
    Net income per share:
        Basic                                       $2.72             $2.43
        Diluted                                     $2.68             $2.39
    Weighted average shares outstanding:
        Basic                                      79,702            87,679
        Diluted                                    80,803            89,219



    Year-to-date 2nd Quarter, F2005
                                        Adjustments           Adjusted
                                    24 Weeks  24 Weeks   24 Weeks    24 Weeks
                                     Ended     Ended      Ended       Ended
                                    Feb. 12,  Feb. 14,   Feb. 12,    Feb. 14,
                                     2005*      2004**    2005*        2004**

    Net sales                           $-        $-    $2,490,258  $2,441,276
    Cost of sales                        -      16,000   1,287,086   1,279,875
    Gross profit                         -     (16,000)  1,203,172   1,161,401
    Operating SG&A expenses          (40,321)      -       797,819     793,771
    Operating profit  (EBIT)          40,321   (16,000)    405,353     367,630
    Interest expense, net                -         -        45,435      42,182
    Income before taxes               40,321   (16,000)    359,918     325,448
    Income taxes                      30,219    (6,003)    133,200     122,048
    Net income                       $10,102   $(9,997)   $226,718    $203,400
    Net income per share:
       Basic                           $0.13    $(0.11)      $2.84       $2.32
       Diluted                         $0.13    $(0.11)      $2.81       $2.28
    Weighted average shares
     outstanding:
       Basic                          79,702    87,679      79,702      87,679
       Diluted                        80,803    89,219      80,803      89,219

    * Fiscal year 2005 includes a non-cash adjustment, substantially all of
    which relates to prior years, of $25.4 million (net of tax) associated
    with accounting for leases and leasehold improvements.
    Additionally, fiscal year 2005 income taxes include a $15.3 million
    benefit primarily from the planned one-time repatriation from foreign
    subsidiaries.
    ** Fiscal 2004 cost of sales includes a $16 million pre-tax gain from
    warranty.

SOURCE AutoZone, Inc.
03/11/2005
CONTACT: Financial, Brian Campbell, +1-901-495-7005, or
brian.campbell@autozone.com , or Media, Ray Pohlman, +1-901-495-7962, or
ray.pohlman@autozone.com , both of AutoZone, Inc.
Web site: http://www.autozone.com
(AZO)