SEC Filing | AutoZone, Inc

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

	Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
	For the quarterly period ended February 12, 2005, or

	Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
	For the transition period from _______ to ________.

Commission file number 1-10714

AUTOZONE, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Nevada		62-1482048
(State or other jurisdiction of		(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)		Identification No.)

123 South Front Street
Memphis, Tennessee 38103
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(901) 495-6500
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter periods that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes No

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practical date.

Common Stock, $.01 Par Value – 79,620,658 shares outstanding as of March 9, 2005.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

Item 5. Other Information

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

SIGNATURES

EXHIBIT INDEX

EX.12.1 RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

EX.15.1 LETTER FROM ERNST & YOUNG LLP

EX.31.1 SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF CEO

EX.31.2 SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF CFO

EX.32.1 SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF CEO

EX.32.2 SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF CFO

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

AUTOZONE, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)


	February 12, 2005		August 28, 2004

ASSETS

Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	80,139	$	76,852
Accounts receivable		104,578		68,372
Merchandise inventories		1,591,996		1,561,479
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		70,341		49,054

Total current assets		1,847,054		1,755,757


Property and equipment
Property and equipment		2,821,081		2,709,137
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization		983,821		919,048

		1,837,260		1,790,089
Other assets
Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization		302,769		301,015
Deferred income taxes		24,580		—
Other long-term assets		47,774		65,704

		375,123		366,719

	$	4,059,437	$	3,912,565


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY


Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	1,286,780	$	1,429,128
Accrued expenses		273,189		243,816
Income taxes payable		75,783		72,096
Deferred income taxes		9,668		6,011

Total current liabilities		1,645,420		1,751,051

Long-term debt		1,901,500		1,869,250
Other liabilities		127,786		115,143
Deferred income taxes		—		5,728
Stockholders’ equity		384,731		171,393


	$	4,059,437	$	3,912,565

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

AUTOZONE, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

	Twelve Weeks Ended				Twenty-four Weeks Ended

	February 12, 2005		February 14, 2004		February 12, 2005		February 14, 2004


Net sales	$	1,204,055	$	1,159,236	$	2,490,258	$	2,441,276
Cost of sales, including warehouse
and delivery expenses		621,684		594,925		1,287,086		1,263,875
Operating, selling, general and
administrative expenses		433,652		395,785		838,140		793,771

Operating profit		148,719		168,526		365,032		383,630
Interest expense, net		23,645		21,922		45,435		42,182

Income before income taxes		125,074		146,604		319,597		341,448
Income taxes		30,981		54,950		102,981		128,050


Net income	$	94,093	$	91,654	$	216,616	$	213,398


Weighted average shares
for basic earnings per share		79,692		86,618		79,702		87,679
Effect of dilutive stock equivalents		1,168		1,410		1,101		1,540

Adjusted weighted average shares
for diluted earnings per share		80,860		88,028		80,803		89,219


Basic earnings per share	$	1.18	$	1.06	$	2.72	$	2.43

Diluted earnings per share	$	1.16	$	1.04	$	2.68	$	2.39

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

AUTOZONE, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)

	Twenty-four Weeks Ended

	February 12, 2005			February 14, 2004


Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$	216,616		$	213,398
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment		71,324			48,342
Deferred rent liability adjustment		21,527			—
Amortization of debt origination fees		1,211			2,987
Income tax benefit from exercise of options		9,718			17,330
Income from warranty negotiations		(1,736	)		(16,000	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable		(31,717	)		(33,536	)
Merchandise inventories		(39,450	)		23,838
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		(118,772	)		(130,004	)
Income taxes payable		3,687			55,739
Deferred income taxes		(24,561	)		(6,646	)
Other, net		(6,681	)		(17,966	)

Net cash provided by operating activities		101,166			157,482



Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures		(118,778	)		(69,478	)
Acquisition		(3,160	)		—
Proceeds from disposal of capital assets		2,042			1,019


Net cash used in investing activities		(119,896	)		(68,459	)



Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of debt		300,000			500,000
Repayment of debt		—			(430,645	)
Net proceeds from (repayments of) commercial paper		(266,400	)		170,745
Net proceeds from sale of common stock		18,417			22,450
Purchase of treasury stock		(30,000	)		(397,663	)
Settlement of interest rate hedge instruments		—			32,166
Other		—			1,357

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		22,017			(101,590	)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		3,287			(12,567	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		76,852			93,102

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	80,139		$	80,535

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Note A-Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, including normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included (see Note K- Lease Accounting for discussion on other adjustments recorded). For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in the 2004 Annual Report to Shareholders for AutoZone, Inc. (the “Company”), which is incorporated by reference in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 28, 2004.

Operating results for the twelve and twenty-four weeks ended February 12, 2005, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending August 27, 2005. Each of the first three quarters of our fiscal year consists of 12 weeks, and the fourth quarter consists of 16 or 17 weeks. Each of the fourth quarters of fiscal 2004 and 2005 has 16 weeks. Additionally, the Company’s business is somewhat seasonal in nature, with the highest sales generally occurring in the summer months of June through August and the lowest sales generally occurring in the winter months of December through February.

Note B-Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has granted options to purchase common stock to some of its employees and directors under various plans, as described more fully in the Company’s Annual Report to Shareholders, which is incorporated by reference in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 28, 2004. The Company accounts for those plans using the intrinsic-value-based recognition method prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion (“APB”) No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations. Accordingly, no stock-based employee compensation cost is reflected in net income, as options are granted under those plans at an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” and SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure,” established accounting and disclosure requirements using a fair-value-based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation plans. As allowed under SFAS 123, the Company has elected to continue to apply the intrinsic-value-based method of accounting and has adopted only the disclosure requirements of SFAS 123 until the Company adopts SFAS 123(R), “Share-Based Payment” (See “Note C–New Accounting Standards”). The following table illustrates the pro forma effect on net income and earnings per share had the Company applied the fair-value recognition provisions of SFAS 123 to stock-based employee compensation:

	Twelve Weeks Ended						Twenty-four Weeks Ended

*(in thousands, except per share amounts)*	February 12, 2005			February 14, 2004			February 12, 2005			February 14, 2004


Net income, as reported	$	94,093		$	91,654		$	216,616		$	213,398
Pro forma compensation expense,
net of related tax effects		(3,595	)		(3,863	)		(7,005	)		(8,111	)

Pro forma net income	$	90,498		$	87,791		$	209,611		$	205,287


Earnings per share
Basic – as reported	$	1.18		$	1.06		$	2.72		$	2.43

Basic – pro forma	$	1.14		$	1.01		$	2.63		$	2.34


Diluted – as reported	$	1.16		$	1.04		$	2.68		$	2.39

Diluted – pro forma	$	1.12		$	1.00		$	2.59		$	2.30

Note C-New Accounting Standards

During December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment,” which requires companies to measure and recognize compensation expense for all stock-based payments at fair value. Stock-based payments include stock option grants and certain transactions under other Company stock plans. AutoZone grants options to purchase common stock to some of its employees and directors under various plans at prices equal to the market value of the stock on the dates the options were granted. Non-employee directors receive at least a portion of their fees in common stock or deferred in units with values equivalent to the value of shares of common stock as of the grant date. The Company also sells its stock at a discount to employees under various plans. SFAS 123(R) is effective for all interim or annual periods beginning after June 15, 2005. Early adoption is encouraged and retroactive application of the provisions of SFAS 123(R) to the beginning of the fiscal year that includes the effective date is permitted, but not required. The Company plans to adopt this pronouncement on August 28, 2005, which is the beginning of its next fiscal year. As permitted by SFAS 123, the Company currently accounts for share-based payments to employees using APB 25’s intrinsic value method and, as such, generally recognizes no compensation cost for employee stock options. Accordingly, the adoption of SFAS 123(R)’s fair value method will have an impact on our results of operations, but will not have an impact on our overall financial position. The impact of adoption of SFAS 123(R) cannot be predicted at this time because it will depend on, among other things, levels of share-based payments granted in the future. However, had we adopted SFAS 123(R) in prior periods, the impact of that standard would have approximated the impact of SFAS 123 as described in the disclosure of pro forma net income and earnings per share in Note B-Stock-Based Compensation. SFAS 123(R) also requires the benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost to be reported as a financing cash flow, rather than as an operating cash flow as required under current literature. This requirement will reduce net operating cash flows and increase net financing cash flows in periods after adoption. While the Company cannot estimate what those amounts will be in the future (because they depend on, among other things, when employees exercise stock options), the amount of operating cash flows recognized in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for such excess tax deductions were $9.7 million in the current year and $17.3 million in the comparable prior year period.

During October 2004, the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the “Act”) went into effect. The Act introduces a special one-time dividends received deduction on the repatriation of certain foreign earnings to a U.S. taxpayer (“repatriation provision”), provided certain criteria are met. The FASB directed its staff to issue FASB Staff Position FAS 109-b, “Accounting and Disclosure Guidance for the Foreign Earnings Repatriation Provision within the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004” (“FSP FAS 109-b”). Under existing accounting rules a company is required to recognize the benefits from the repatriation provision during the reporting period that the Act was signed into law. FSP FAS 109-b allows a company time beyond the financial reporting period of enactment to evaluate the effect of the Act on its plan for reinvestment or repatriation of foreign earnings. The Company completed its evaluation of the impact of the repatriation provision during the quarter ended February 12, 2005. Based on this evaluation, the Company has determined that approximately $36 million of its foreign earnings from its multiple entities in Mexico meet the criteria of the Act. As the Company has previously recorded deferred income taxes on these amounts, the planned repatriation resulted in a $12 million one-time reduction to income tax expense for the quarter ended February 12, 2005. Primarily due to this one-time reduction, the Company’s effective income tax rate was reduced to 25% for the quarter ended February 12, 2005 and to 32% for the twenty-four week period ended February 12, 2005, from our previously estimated annual effective income tax rate of 37%.

Note D-Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method. Included in inventory are related purchasing, storage and handling costs. Due to price deflation on the Company’s merchandise purchases, the Company’s inventory balances are effectively maintained under the first-in, first-out method as the Company’s policy is not to write up inventory for favorable LIFO adjustments, resulting in cost of sales being reflected at the higher amount. The cumulative balance of this unrecorded adjustment, which would be reduced upon experiencing price inflation on our merchandise purchases, was $171 million at February 12, 2005, and $158 million at August 28, 2004.

AutoZone has entered into pay-on-scan (“POS”) arrangements with certain vendors, whereby AutoZone will not purchase merchandise supplied by a vendor until just before that merchandise is ultimately sold to AutoZone’s customers. Title and certain risks of ownership remain with the vendor until the merchandise is sold to AutoZone’s customers. Since the Company does not own merchandise under POS arrangements until just before it is sold to a customer, such merchandise is not recorded on the Company’s balance sheet. Upon the sale of the merchandise to AutoZone’s customers, AutoZone recognizes the liability for the goods and pays the vendor in accordance with the agreed-upon terms. Although AutoZone does not hold title to the goods, AutoZone controls pricing and has credit collection risk and therefore, gross revenues under POS arrangements are included in net sales in the income statement. AutoZone has financed the repurchase of existing merchandise inventory by certain vendors in order to convert such vendors to POS arrangements. These receivables have durations up to 24 months and approximated $54.5 million at February 12, 2005, and $58.3 million at August 28, 2004. The current portion of these receivables is reflected in accounts receivable and was $34.9 million at February 12, 2005, and $27.8 million at August 28, 2004. The long-

term portion of $19.6 million at February 12, 2005, and $30.5 million at August 28, 2004, is reflected as a component of other long-term assets. Merchandise under POS arrangements was $121.1 million at February 12, 2005, and $146.6 million at August 28, 2004.

Note E-Product Warranties

The Company or its vendors supplying the products provide customers limited warranties on certain products that range from 30-day to lifetime warranties. In many cases, the Company’s vendors are responsible for warranty claims. Warranty costs relating to merchandise sold under warranty not covered by vendors are estimated and recorded as warranty obligations at the time of sale based on each product’s historical return rate. These obligations, which are often funded by vendor allowances, are recorded as a component of accrued expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company periodically assesses the adequacy of its recorded warranty liability and adjusts the liability as necessary resulting in income or expense recognition. The Company has successfully renegotiated with certain vendors to transfer warranty obligations to such vendors in order to minimize the Company’s warranty exposure, resulting in credits to earnings and ongoing reductions in allowances received and claim settlements. Changes in the Company’s warranty liability since year-end and for the prior year comparative period are as follows:

	Twenty-four Weeks Ended

(in thousands)	February 12, 2005			February 14, 2004


Balance at beginning of period	$	11,493		$	78,482

Allowances received from vendors		22,357			18,107

Income		(1,736	)		(16,000	)
Claim settlements		(24,274	)		(32,163	)


Balance at end of period	$	7,840		$	48,426

Note F-Legal Proceedings

AutoZone, Inc. is a defendant in a lawsuit entitled “Coalition for a Level Playing Field, L.L.C., et al., v. AutoZone, Inc. et al.,” filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in October 2004. The case was filed by approximately 159 plaintiffs, which are principally automotive aftermarket warehouse distributors and jobbers, against 18 defendants, five of which are principally automotive aftermarket retailers and 13 of which are principally aftermarket manufacturers. The plaintiffs allege, inter alia, that the automotive aftermarket retailer defendants have conspired with the aftermarket manufacturer defendants to receive benefits such as volume discounts, rebates, early buy allowances and other allowances, fees, inventory without payment, sham advertising and promotional payments, a share in the manufacturers’ profits and excessive payments for services purportedly performed for the manufacturers in violation of the Robinson-Patman Act and the Sherman Act (collectively, the “Acts”). Additionally, a subset of plaintiffs alleges a claim of fraud against the automotive aftermarket retailer defendants based on discovery issues in a prior litigation involving similar Robinson-Patman Act claims. In the prior litigation, the discovery dispute, as well as the underlying claims, was decided in favor of AutoZone and the other automotive aftermarket retailer defendants who proceeded to trial, pursuant to a unanimous jury verdict which was affirmed by the Second Circuit. In the current litigation, plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages (including statutory trebling), attorneys’ fees, and a permanent injunction prohibiting the aftermarket retailer defendants from inducing and/or knowingly receiving discriminatory prices from any of the aftermarket manufacturer defendants and from opening up any further stores to compete with plaintiffs as long as defendants allegedly continue to violate the Acts. The Company believes this suit to be without merit and will vigorously defend against it.

Currently, and from time to time, the Company is involved in various other legal proceedings incidental to the conduct of its business. Although the amount of liability that may result from these proceedings cannot be ascertained, the Company does not currently believe that, in the aggregate, these other matters will result in liabilities material to the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Note G-Pension Plans

Prior to January 1, 2003, substantially all full-time employees were covered by a defined benefit pension plan. The benefits under the plan were based on years of service and the employee’s highest consecutive five-year average compensation. On January 1, 2003, the plan was frozen. Accordingly, pension plan participants will earn no new benefits under the plan formula and no new participants will join the pension plan.

On January 1, 2003, the Company’s supplemental defined benefit pension plan for certain highly compensated employees was also frozen. Accordingly, plan participants will earn no new benefits under the plan formula and no new participants will join the supplemental pension plan.

The components of the Company’s net periodic benefit cost related to all of its pension plans for all periods presented are as follows:

	Twelve Weeks Ended						Twenty-four Weeks Ended

*(in thousands)*	February 12, 2005			February 14, 2004			February 12, 2005			February 14, 2004


Service cost	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Interest cost		1,913			1,872			3,826			3,744
Expected return on plan assets		(1,871	)		(1,586	)		(3,742	)		(3,172	)
Amortization of prior service cost		(149	)		(149	)		(298	)		(298	)
Amortization of net loss		231			1,009			462			2,018

Net periodic benefit cost	$	124		$	1,146		$	248		$	2,292

The Company makes contributions in amounts at least equal to the minimum funding requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. As of February 12, 2005, the Company has not made any contributions to the plan during this fiscal year and does not expect that any funding will be required to be made during the remainder of this fiscal year.

Note H-Financing Arrangements

The Company’s long-term debt consisted of the following:

*(in thousands)*	February 12, 2005		August 28, 2004


Bank Term Loan due December 2009, effective interest rate of 4.55%	$	300,000	$	—
5.875% Senior Notes due October 2012, effective interest rate of 6.33%		300,000		300,000

5.5% Senior Notes due November 2015, effective interest rate of 4.86%		300,000		300,000
4.75% Senior Notes due November 2010, effective interest rate of 4.17%		200,000		200,000
4.375% Senior Notes due June 2013, effective interest rate of 5.65%		200,000		200,000
6.5% Senior Notes due July 2008		190,000		190,000
7.99% Senior Notes due April 2006		150,000		150,000
Commercial paper, weighted average interest rate of 2.6% at
February 12, 2005, and 1.6% at August 28, 2004		256,000		522,400
Other		5,500		6,850

	$	1,901,500	$	1,869,250

The Company maintains $1.0 billion of revolving credit facilities with a group of banks. Of the $1.0 billion, $300 million expires in May 2005 and $700 million expires in May 2009. It is expected that the portion expiring in May 2005 will be renewed, replaced or the option to extend the maturity date of the then-outstanding debt by one year will be exercised. The credit facilities exist primarily to support commercial paper borrowings, letters of credit and other short-term unsecured bank loans. As the available balance is reduced by commercial paper borrowings and certain outstanding letters of credit, the Company had $614.1 million in available capacity under these facilities at February 12, 2005. The rate of interest payable under the credit facilities is a function of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), the lending bank’s base rate (as defined in the facility agreements) or a competitive bid rate at the option of the Company.

Commercial paper and other short-term borrowings are classified as long-term, as the Company has the ability and intent to refinance them on a long-term basis.

On August 17, 2004, the Company filed a shelf registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission that allows the Company to sell up to $300 million in debt securities to fund general corporate purposes, including repaying, redeeming or repurchasing outstanding debt, and for working capital, capital expenditures, new store openings, stock repurchases and acquisitions. Based on changing market conditions, the Company chose to delay its issuance of debt securities and settled an outstanding forward-starting interest rate swap during November 2004.

On December 23, 2004, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement for a $300 million, 5-year term loan with a group of banks. The term loan may consist of, at the Company’s election, base rate loans, Eurodollar loans or a combination thereof. Interest accrues on base rate loans at a base rate per annum equal to the higher of prime rate or the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1%. Interest accrues on Eurodollar loans at a defined Eurodollar rate plus the applicable percentage, which can range from 40 basis points to 112.5 basis points, depending upon the Company’s senior unsecured (non-credit enhanced) long term debt rating, as published by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services and/or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. At AutoZone’s current ratings, the applicable percentage on Eurodollar loans is 50 basis points. On December 30, 2004, the full principal amount of $300 million was funded as a Eurodollar loan. AutoZone may select interest periods of one, two, three or six months for Eurodollar loans, subject to availability. Interest is payable at the end of the selected interest period, but no less frequently than quarterly. AutoZone entered into an interest rate swap agreement to effectively fix the interest rate of the term loan at 4.55%. AutoZone has the option to extend loans into subsequent interest period(s) or convert them into loans of another interest rate type. The entire unpaid principal amount of the term loan will be due and payable in full on December 23, 2009, when the facility terminates. The Company may prepay the term loan in whole or in part at any time without penalty, subject to reimbursement of the lenders’ breakage and redeployment costs in the case of prepayment of Eurodollar borrowings.

The Company agreed to observe certain covenants under the terms of its borrowing agreements, including limitations on total indebtedness, restrictions on liens and minimum fixed charge coverage. All of the repayment obligations under the Company’s borrowing agreements may be accelerated and come due prior to the scheduled payment date if covenants are breached or an event of default occurs. Additionally, the repayment obligations may be accelerated if AutoZone experiences a change in control (as defined in the agreements) of AutoZone or its Board of Directors. As of February 12, 2005, the Company was in compliance with all covenants and expects to remain in compliance with all covenants.

Note I-Stock Repurchase Program

As of February 12, 2005, the Board of Directors had authorized the Company to repurchase up to $3.9 billion of common stock in the open market. From January 1, 1998 to February 12, 2005, the Company has repurchased a total of 82.6 million shares at an aggregate cost of $3.7 billion, including 356,138 shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $30.0 million during the twenty-four week period ended February 12, 2005.

Note J-Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income includes foreign currency translation adjustments and changes in the fair value of certain derivative financial instruments that qualify for cash flow hedge accounting. Comprehensive income for all periods presented is as follows:

	Twelve Weeks Ended					Twenty-four Weeks Ended

*(in thousands)*	February 12, 2005			February 14, 2004		February 12, 2005			February 14, 2004


Net income, as reported	$	94,093		$	91,654	$	216,616		$	213,398
Foreign currency translation adjustment		2,055			287		2,367			(773	)
Net impact from derivative instruments		(739	)		288		(3,780	)		5,377

Comprehensive income	$	95,409		$	92,229	$	215,203		$	218,002

Note K-Lease Accounting

The Company recently completed a detailed review of its accounting for rent expense and expected useful lives of leasehold improvements. The Company noted inconsistencies in the periods used to amortize leasehold improvements and the periods used to straight-line rent expense. Based on recent clarifications from the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company has revised its policy to record rent for all operating leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term, including any reasonably assured renewal periods and the period of time prior to the lease term that the Company is in possession of the leased space for the purpose of installing leasehold improvements. Additionally, all leasehold improvements are to be amortized over the lesser of their useful life or the remainder of the lease term, including any reasonably assured renewal periods, in effect when the leasehold improvements are placed in service. During the quarter ended February 12, 2005, the Company recorded an adjustment in the amount of $40.3 million pre-tax ($25.4 million after-tax), which included the impact on prior years, to reflect additional amortization of leasehold improvements and additional rent expense as if this new policy had always been followed by the Company. The impact of the adjustment on any prior year is immaterial.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
AutoZone, Inc.

We have reviewed the condensed consolidated balance sheet of AutoZone, Inc. as of February 12, 2005, and the related condensed consolidated statements of income for the twelve and twenty-four week periods ended February 12, 2005 and February 14, 2004, and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the twenty-four week periods ended February 12, 2005 and February 14, 2004. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures to financial data and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the condensed consolidated financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of AutoZone, Inc. as of August 28, 2004, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended, not presented herein, and, in our report dated September 21, 2004, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of August 28, 2004 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.


	/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Memphis, Tennessee
March 9, 2005

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Overview

We are the nation’s leading retailer of automotive parts and accessories, with most of our sales to do-it-yourself (“DIY”) customers. As of February 12, 2005, we operated 3,474 domestic stores and 67 stores in Mexico, compared with 3,299 domestic stores and 55 stores in Mexico at February 14, 2004. Each of our stores 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. In many of our stores we 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 and service stations. We also sell the ALLDATA brand diagnostic and repair software. On the web, we sell diagnostic and repair information and automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories and non-automotive products through www.autozone.com. We do not derive revenue from automotive repair or installation.

Operating results for the twelve and twenty-four weeks ended February 12, 2005, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending August 27, 2005. Each of the first three quarters of our fiscal year consists of 12 weeks, and the fourth quarter consists of 16 or 17 weeks. Each of the fourth quarters of fiscal 2004 and 2005 has 16 weeks. Additionally, our business is somewhat seasonal in nature, with the highest sales generally occurring in the summer months of June through August and the lowest sales generally occurring in the winter months of December through February.

Twelve Weeks Ended February 12, 2005, Compared with Twelve Weeks Ended February 14, 2004

Net sales for the twelve weeks ended February 12, 2005, increased $44.8 million, or 3.9%, over net sales of $1.16 billion for the comparable prior year period. This increase in sales was primarily driven by sales from new stores as comparable store sales (sales for domestic stores opened at least one year) were flat. DIY sales increased 4%, commercial sales were flat and combined sales from our ALLDATA and Mexico operations increased 14%. While our average ticket has increased over the prior year, the number of customer transactions is below levels from the comparable prior year period. Higher gas prices continue to show a high correlation to reduced same store sales as do fewer miles driven, a key macro driver of our industry. As gas prices declined late in the quarter, sales improved.

Gross profit for the twelve weeks ended February 12, 2005, was $582.4 million, or 48.4% of net sales, compared with $564.3 million, or 48.7% of net sales, during the comparable prior year period. Contributing to this decline in gross profit as a percentage of sales were one-time costs associated with the opening of our new distribution center near Dallas, Texas and the closing of our oldest distribution facility in San Antonio, Texas.

Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses for the twelve weeks ended February 12, 2005, increased by $37.9 million over such expenses for the comparable prior year period, and increased as a percentage of net sales from 34.1% to 36.0%. This increase is related to the $40.3 million adjustment related to accounting for leases (see “Note K-Lease Accounting” in the accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements), which was partially offset by a decline in other expenses primarily due to lower bad debt from improved collections on receivables and initiatives that have reduced operating expenses.

Interest expense, net for the twelve weeks ended February 12, 2005, was $23.6 million compared with $21.9 million during the comparable prior year period. This increase was primarily due to higher average borrowing levels over the comparable prior year period. Average borrowings for the twelve weeks ended February 12, 2005, were $1.98 billion, compared with $1.72 billion for the comparable prior year period. Weighted average borrowing rates were 4.9% at February 12, 2005, and 4.6% at February 14, 2004.

Our effective income tax rate was 24.8% of pretax income for the twelve weeks ended February 12, 2005, and 37.5% for the comparable prior year period. The current quarter effective rate reflects $15.3 million in one-time tax benefits primarily related to the repatriation of Mexican earnings as a result of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.

Net income for the twelve-week period ended February 12, 2005, increased $2.4 million, or 2.7%, to $94.1 million, and diluted earnings per share increased by 11.8% to $1.16 from $1.04 in the comparable prior year period. The impact on current quarter diluted earnings per share from the stock repurchases since the end of the comparable prior year period was an increase of $0.02.

Twenty-four Weeks Ended February 12, 2005, Compared with Twenty-four Weeks Ended February 14, 2004

Net sales for the twenty-four weeks ended February 12, 2005, increased $49.0 million, or 2.0%, over net sales of $2.4 billion for the comparable prior year period. This increase in sales was primarily driven by sales from new stores as comparable store sales (sales for domestic stores opened at least one year) decreased 1%. DIY sales increased 2%, commercial sales decreased 1% and combined sales from our ALLDATA and Mexico operations increased 14%. While our average ticket has increased over prior year, the number of customer transactions is below levels from the comparable prior year period. Higher gas prices continue to show a high correlation to reduced same store sales as do fewer miles driven, a key macro driver of our industry. As gas prices declined late in the quarter, sales improved.

Gross profit for the twenty-four weeks ended February 12, 2005, was $1.20 billion, or 48.3% of net sales, compared with $1.18 billion, or 48.2% of net sales, during the comparable prior year period. During the comparable prior year period, warranty negotiations with our vendors resulted in a $16.0 million, or 0.7%, of net sales, favorable impact to operating profit. The improvement in gross profit margin was primarily attributable to category management initiatives, which more than offset the prior year warranty impact and the current year one-time costs associated with the opening of our new distribution center near Dallas, Texas and the closing of our oldest distribution facility in San Antonio, Texas.

Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses for the twenty-four weeks ended February 12, 2005, increased by $44.4 million over such expenses for the comparable prior year period, and increased as a percentage of net sales from 32.5% to 33.7%. This increase is primarily related to the $40.3 million adjustment related to accounting for leases (see “Note K-Lease Accounting” in the accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).

Interest expense, net for the twenty-four weeks ended February 12, 2005, was $45.4 million compared with $42.2 million during the comparable prior year period. This increase was primarily due to higher average borrowing levels over the comparable prior year period. Average borrowings for the twenty-four weeks ended February 12, 2005, were $1.95 billion, compared with $1.67 billion for the comparable prior year period. Weighted average borrowing rates were 4.9% at February 12, 2005, and 4.6% at February 14, 2004.

Our effective income tax rate was 32.2% of pretax income for the twenty-four weeks ended February 12, 2005, and 37.5% for the comparable prior year period. The current year effective rate reflects $15.3 million in one-time tax benefits primarily related to the repatriation of Mexican earnings as a result of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.

Net income for the twenty-four week period ended February 12, 2005, increased $3.2 million, or 1.5%, to $216.6 million, and diluted earnings per share increased by 12.1% to $2.68 from $2.39 in the comparable prior year period. The impact on current quarter diluted earnings per share from the stock repurchases since the end of the comparable prior year period was an increase of $0.10.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The primary source of our liquidity is generated from our cash flows realized through the sale of automotive parts and accessories. For the twenty-four weeks ended February 12, 2005, our net cash flows from operating activities provided $101.2 million as compared with $157.5 million during the comparable prior year period. The year-over-year decline in cash flows from operating activities is primarily due to changes in the timing and amounts of income tax payments and changes in inventory levels. Prior to May 8, 2004, we had entered into arrangements with certain vendors and banks that, through our issuance of negotiable instruments to our vendors, the vendors could negotiate the instruments at attractive discount rates due to our credit rating. At May 8, 2004, we ceased the issuance of negotiable instruments under these arrangements. As of February 12, 2005, approximately $12.3 million was payable by us under these arrangements and is included in accounts payable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The increase in merchandise inventories, required to support new-store development and sales growth, has largely been financed by our vendors, as evidenced by an 81% accounts payable to inventory ratio. Contributing to the favorable year-over-year change in accounts payable and accrued expenses is the use of pay-on-scan (“POS”) arrangements with certain vendors, whereby we will not purchase merchandise supplied by a vendor until just before that merchandise is ultimately sold to our customers. Title and certain risks of ownership remain with the vendor until the merchandise is sold to our customers. Since we do not own merchandise under POS arrangements until just before it is sold to a customer, such merchandise is not recorded on our balance sheet. Upon the sale of the merchandise to our customer, we recognize the liability for the goods and pay the vendor in accordance with the agreed upon terms. Although we do not hold title to the goods, we control pricing and have credit collection risk and therefore, revenues under POS arrangements are included gross in net sales in the income statement. We have financed the repurchase of existing merchandise inventory by certain vendors in order to convert such vendors to POS arrangements. These receivables have durations up to 24 months and approximated $54.5 million at February 12, 2005. The $34.9 million current portion of these receivables is reflected in accounts receivable and the $19.6 million long-term portion is reflected as a component of other long-term assets at February 12, 2005.

Merchandise under POS arrangements was $121.1 million at February 12, 2005, and we continue to actively negotiate with our vendors to increase the use of POS arrangements.

Our net cash flows from investing activities for the twenty-four weeks ended February 12, 2005, used $120.0 million as compared with $68.5 million used in the comparable prior year period. Included in the current year amount was $3.2 million related to our acquisition of certain assets from a regional auto parts retailer. Four stores related to this transaction have been converted to AutoZone stores and are reflected in our store counts. Capital expenditures for the twenty-four weeks ended February 12, 2005, were $118.8 million compared to $69.5 million for the comparable prior year period. The increase in capital expenditures was driven by the investment in our new distribution facility in Texas, an increase in stores under development and other current year initiatives. During this twenty-four week period, we opened 54 net new domestic stores and four new stores in Mexico. In the comparable prior year period, we opened 80 net new domestic stores and six new stores in Mexico. Capital expenditures for this fiscal year are estimated at $250 million, primarily related to the planned opening of approximately 200 new stores during this year, our new distribution facility and other initiatives.

Our net cash flows from financing activities for the twenty-four weeks ended February 12, 2005, provided $22.0 million compared to $101.6 million used for the comparable prior year period. The current period reflects $300.0 million in proceeds from the issuance of a bank term loan, and $266.4 million in net repayments of commercial paper borrowings. The comparable prior year period reflects $500.0 million in proceeds from the issuance of senior notes, $170.7 million in net proceeds from commercial paper and debt repayments of $430.6 million. Stock repurchases were $30.0 million in the current period as compared with $397.7 million in stock repurchases in the comparable prior year period. The settlement of interest rate hedge instruments provided $32.2 million in the comparable prior year period. For the twenty-four weeks ended February 12, 2005, exercises of stock options provided $28.1 million, including $9.7 million in related tax benefits that are reflected in cash flows from operating activities. In the comparable prior year period, exercises of stock options provided $39.8 million, including $17.3 million in related tax benefits. At February 12, 2005, options to purchase 2.3 million shares were exercisable at a weighted average exercise price of $47.

Depending on the timing and magnitude of our future investments (either in the form of leased or purchased properties or acquisitions), we anticipate that we will rely primarily on internally generated funds and available borrowing capacity to support a majority of our capital expenditures, working capital requirements and stock repurchases. The balance may be funded through new borrowings. We anticipate that we will be able to obtain such financing in view of our credit rating and favorable experiences in the debt market in the past.

At February 12, 2005, AutoZone had a senior unsecured debt credit rating from Standard & Poor’s of BBB+ and a commercial paper rating of A-2. Moody’s Investors Service had assigned us a senior unsecured debt credit rating of Baa2 and a commercial paper rating of P-2. As of February 12, 2005, Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s had AutoZone listed as having a “negative” and “stable” outlook, respectively. If our credit ratings drop, our interest expense may increase; similarly, we anticipate that our interest expense may decrease if our investment ratings are raised. If our commercial paper ratings drop below current levels, we may have difficulty continuing to utilize the commercial paper market and our interest expense will increase, as we will then be required to access more expensive bank lines of credit. If our senior unsecured debt ratings drop below investment grade, our access to financing may become more limited.

We maintain $1.0 billion of revolving credit facilities with a group of banks. Of the $1.0 billion, $300 million expires in May 2005 and $700 million expires in May 2009. We expect that the portion expiring in May 2005 will be renewed, replaced, or the option to extend the maturity date of the then-outstanding debt by one year will be exercised. The credit facilities exist primarily to support commercial paper borrowings, letters of credit and other short-term unsecured bank loans. As the available balance is reduced by commercial paper borrowings and certain outstanding letters of credit, we had $614.1 million in available capacity under these facilities at February 12, 2005. The rate of interest payable under the credit facilities is a function of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), the lending bank’s base rate (as defined in the facility agreements) or a competitive bid rate at our option.

On August 17, 2004, we filed a shelf registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission that allows us to sell up to $300 million in debt securities to fund general corporate purposes, including repaying, redeeming or repurchasing outstanding debt, and for working capital, capital expenditures, new store openings, stock repurchases and acquisitions. Based on changing market conditions, we chose to delay the issuance of debt securities and settled an outstanding forward-starting interest rate swap during November 2004.

On December 23, 2004, we entered into a Credit Agreement for a $300 million, 5-year term loan with a group of banks. The term loan may consist of, at our election, base rate loans, Eurodollar loans or a combination thereof. Interest accrues on base rate loans at a base rate per annum equal to the higher of prime rate or the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1%. Interest accrues on Eurodollar loans at a defined Eurodollar rate plus the applicable percentage, which can range from 40 basis points to 112.5 basis points, depending upon our senior unsecured (non-credit enhanced) long term debt rating, as published by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services and/or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. At our current ratings, the applicable percentage on Eurodollar loans is

50 basis points. On December 30, 2004, the full principal amount of $300 million was funded as a Eurodollar loan. We may select interest periods of one, two, three or six months for Eurodollar loans, subject to availability. Interest is payable at the end of the selected interest period, but no less frequently than quarterly. We entered into an interest rate swap agreement on December 29, 2004, to effectively fix the interest rate of the term loan at 4.55%. We have the option to extend loans into subsequent interest period(s) or convert them into loans of another interest rate type. The entire unpaid principal amount of the term loan will be due and payable in full on December 23, 2009, when the facility terminates. We may prepay the term loan in whole or in part at any time without penalty, subject to reimbursement of the lenders’ breakage and redeployment costs in the case of prepayment of Eurodollar borrowings.

We have agreed to observe certain covenants under the terms of our borrowing agreements, including limitations on total indebtedness, restrictions on liens and minimum fixed charge coverage. All of the repayment obligations under our borrowing agreements may be accelerated and come due prior to the scheduled payment date if covenants are breached or an event of default occurs. Additionally, the repayment obligations may be accelerated if we experience a change in control (as defined in the agreements) of AutoZone or its Board of Directors. As of February 12, 2005, we were in compliance with all covenants and expect to remain in compliance with all covenants.

As of February 12, 2005, the Board of Directors had authorized the Company to repurchase up to $3.9 billion of common stock in the open market. This includes the additional $600 million that was approved by the Board of Directors on March 17, 2004. From January 1, 1998 to February 12, 2005, the Company has repurchased a total of 82.6 million shares at an aggregate cost of $3.7 billion, including 356,138 shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $30.0 million during the twenty-four week period ended February 12, 2005.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

In conjunction with our commercial sales program, we offer credit to some of our commercial customers. Certain of the receivables related to the credit program are sold to a third party at a discount for cash with limited recourse. We have established a reserve for this recourse. At February 12, 2005, the receivables facility had an outstanding balance of $45.1 million and the balance of the recourse reserve was approximately $800,000.

Since fiscal year end, we have issued additional and increased existing stand-by letters of credit that are primarily renewed on an annual basis to cover premium and deductible payments to our workers’ compensation carrier, and we cancelled some surety bonds. Our total standby letters of credit commitment at February 12, 2005 was $120.0 million compared with $97.2 million at August 28, 2004, and our total surety bonds commitment at February 12, 2005, was $10.0 million compared with $10.8 million at August 28, 2004.

AutoZone has entered into pay-on-scan (“POS”) arrangements with certain vendors, whereby AutoZone will not purchase merchandise supplied by a vendor until just before that merchandise is ultimately sold to AutoZone’s customers. Title and certain risks of ownership remain with the vendor until the merchandise is sold to AutoZone’s customers. Since the Company does not own merchandise under POS arrangements until just before it is sold to a customer, such merchandise is not recorded on the Company’s balance sheet. Upon the sale of the merchandise to AutoZone’s customers, AutoZone recognizes the liability for the goods and pays the vendor in accordance with the agreed-upon terms. Although AutoZone does not hold title to the goods, AutoZone controls pricing and has credit collection risk and therefore, gross revenues under POS arrangements are included in net sales in the income statement. Merchandise under POS arrangements was $121.1 million at February 12, 2005, and $146.6 million at August 28, 2004.

Critical Accounting Policies

As there have been no changes to our critical accounting policies during fiscal 2005, refer to our Annual Report to Shareholders, which is incorporated by reference in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 28, 2004, for a summary of our policies.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q 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 our 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 they 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; gasoline prices; war and the prospect of war, including terrorist activity; availability of commercial transportation; construction delays; access to available and feasible financing; changes in laws or regulations; and our ability to continue to negotiate POS arrangements and other terms 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 contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 28, 2004, for more details.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

At February 12, 2005, the only material changes to our instruments and positions that are sensitive to market risk since the disclosures in our 2004 Annual Report to Shareholders, which is incorporated by reference in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, were the proceeds from the $300.0 million term loan, a $266.4 million reduction in commercial paper, the settlement of the outstanding forward-starting interest rate swap and the execution of a new interest rate swap to fix the interest rate on the December 2004 $300.0 million term loan.

We had $561.5 million of variable rate debt outstanding at February 12, 2005, and $529.3 million outstanding at August 28, 2004, both of which exclude the effect of any interest rate swaps designated and effective as cash flow hedges of such variable rate debt. At these borrowing levels for variable rate debt, a one percentage point increase in interest rates would have had an unfavorable impact on AutoZone’s pretax earnings and cash flows of $5.6 million in fiscal 2005 and $5.3 million in fiscal 2004, which excludes the effects of any interest rate swaps. The primary interest rate exposure on variable rate debt is based on LIBOR. We had fixed rate debt outstanding of $1.3 billion at February 12, 2005, and at August 28, 2004, respectively. A one percentage point increase in interest rates would reduce the fair value of our fixed rate debt by $70.7 million at February 12, 2005, and by $81.1 million at August 28, 2004.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

As of February 12, 2005, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of February 12, 2005. No significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors have occurred that could significantly affect controls subsequent to February 12, 2005.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

AutoZone, Inc. is a defendant in a lawsuit entitled “Coalition for a Level Playing Field, L.L.C., et al., v. AutoZone, Inc. et al.,” filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in October 2004. The case was filed by approximately 159 plaintiffs, which are principally automotive aftermarket warehouse distributors and jobbers, against 18 defendants, five of which are principally automotive aftermarket retailers and 13 of which are principally aftermarket manufacturers. The plaintiffs allege, inter alia, that the automotive aftermarket retailer defendants have conspired with the aftermarket manufacturer defendants to receive benefits such as volume discounts, rebates, early buy allowances and other allowances, fees, inventory without payment, sham advertising and promotional payments, a share in the manufacturers’ profits and excessive payments for services purportedly performed for the manufacturers in violation of the Robinson-Patman Act and the Sherman Act (collectively, the “Acts”). Additionally, a subset of plaintiffs alleges a claim of fraud against the automotive aftermarket retailer defendants based on discovery issues in a prior litigation involving similar Robinson-Patman Act claims. In the prior litigation, the discovery dispute, as well as the underlying claims, was decided in favor of AutoZone and the other automotive aftermarket retailer defendants who proceeded to trial, pursuant to a unanimous jury verdict which was affirmed by the Second Circuit. In the current litigation, plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages (including statutory trebling), attorneys’ fees, and a permanent injunction prohibiting the aftermarket retailer defendants from inducing and/or knowingly receiving discriminatory prices from any of the aftermarket manufacturer defendants and from opening up any further stores to compete with plaintiffs as long as defendants allegedly continue to violate the Acts. We believe this suit to be without merit and will vigorously defend against it.

Currently, and from time to time, we are involved in various other legal proceedings incidental to the conduct of our business. Although the amount of liability that may result from these proceedings cannot be ascertained, we do not currently believe that, in the aggregate, these other matters will result in liabilities material to our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds.

The Company periodically repurchases shares of its common stock under publicly announced plans that have been authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors for a maximum of $3.9 billion in common shares. The program was initially announced in January 1998, and was most recently amended in March 2004, to increase the repurchase authorization to $3.9 billion from $3.3 billion. The program does not have an expiration date. The Company did not repurchase any of its common stock during the fiscal quarter ended February 12, 2005.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

Not applicable.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.


	(a)	The Annual Meeting of Stockholders was held on December 16, 2004

	(b)	Not applicable.

	(c)	1. All nominees for director were elected pursuant to the following vote:


Nominee	Votes For	Votes Withheld
Charles M. Elson	72,152,146	618,826
Earl G. Graves, Jr.	71,548,424	1,222,548
N. Gerry House	72,318,476	452,496
J.R. Hyde, III	72,320,319	450,653
Edward S. Lampert	71,525,115	1,245,857
W. Andrew McKenna	72,108,411	662,561
Steve Odland	72,001,552	769,420
James J. Postl	72,088,299	682,673


	2.	The AutoZone, Inc. 2005 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan was approved pursuant to the following vote:

	For:	70,773,497
	Against:	1,564,138
	Abstain:	447,762

	3.	Ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to the following vote:

	For:	71,376,708
	Against:	1,024,012
	Abstain:	384,677

(d).

Not applicable


Item 5. Other Information.

Not applicable.

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

(a)	The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:

	3.1	Restated Articles of Incorporation of AutoZone, Inc. incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 13, 1999.

	3.2	Third Amended and Restated By-laws of AutoZone, Inc. incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 8-K dated October 1, 2002.

	10.1	Credit Agreement dated as of December 23, 2004, among AutoZone, Inc., as Borrower, the Several Lenders from time to time party thereto, Fleet National Bank, as Administrative Agent, Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Syndication Agent, Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, as Joint Lead Arranger and Sole Book Manager, Banc of America Securities LLC as Joint Lead Arranger, and Calyon New York Branch, BNP Paribas and Regions Bank as Co-Documentation Agents. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated December 23, 2004 (filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 29, 2004).

	12.1	Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

	15.1	Letter Regarding Unaudited Interim Financial Statements.

	31.1	Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

	31.2	Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

	32.1	Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

	32.2	Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(b)	During the quarter ended February 12, 2005, the Company filed the following reports on Form 8-K:

	i.	Dated December 8, 2004, furnishing a press release regarding the financial results for the fiscal quarter ended November 20, 2004.

	ii.	Dated December 20, 2004, containing the AutoZone, Inc. 2005 Executive Compensation Plan that was approved by the Stockholders on December 16, 2004.

iii.

Dated December 29, 2004, containing a five-year Credit Agreement dated as of December 23, 2004, among AutoZone, Inc., as borrower, the several lenders from time to time party thereto, and Fleet National Bank, as Administrative Agent and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Syndication Agent.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	AUTOZONE, INC.

	By: /s/ MICHAEL G. ARCHBOLD

	Michael G. Archbold
	Executive Vice President and
	Chief Financial Officer
	(Principal Financial Officer)

	By: /s/ CHARLIE PLEAS III

	Charlie Pleas III
	Vice President, Controller
	(Principal Accounting Officer)

Dated: March 11, 2005

EXHIBIT INDEX

The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:

	3.1		Restated Articles of Incorporation of AutoZone, Inc. incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 13, 1999.

	3.2		Third Amended and Restated By-laws of AutoZone, Inc. incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 8-K dated October 1, 2002.

	10.1		Credit Agreement dated as of December 23, 2004, among AutoZone, Inc., as Borrower, the Several Lenders from time to time party thereto, Fleet National Bank, as Administrative Agent, Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Syndication Agent, Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, as Joint Lead Arranger and Sole Book Manager, Banc of America Securities LLC as Joint Lead Arranger, and Calyon New York Branch, BNP Paribas and Regions Bank as Co-Documentation Agents. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated December 23, 2004 (filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 29, 2004).

	12.1		Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

	15.1		Letter Regarding Unaudited Interim Financial Statements.

	31.1		Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

	31.2		Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

	32.1		Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

	32.2		Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Exhibit 12.1

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

(in thousands, except ratios)

	Twenty-four Weeks Ended

	February 12, 2005			February 14, 2004

Earnings
Income before income taxes	$	319,597		$	341,448
Fixed charges		64,209			59,349
Less: Capitalized interest		(374	)		(284	)

Adjusted earnings	$	383,432		$	400,513


Fixed charges
Gross interest expense	$	45,136		$	39,558
Amortization of debt expense		1,211			2,987
Interest portion of rent expense		17,862			16,804

Total fixed charges	$	64,209		$	59,349

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges		6.0			6.7


	Fiscal Year Ended August

	2004 (52 weeks)			2003 (52 weeks)			2002 (53 weeks)			2001* (52 weeks)			2000 (52 weeks)

Earnings
Income before income taxes	$	905,902		$	833,007		$	691,148		$	287,026		$	435,190
Fixed charges		130,278			121,129			98,688			121,141			97,520
Less: Capitalized interest		(813	)		(791	)		(437	)		(1,380	)		(2,773	)

Adjusted earnings	$	1,035,367		$	953,345		$	789,399		$	406,787		$	529,937

Fixed charges
Gross interest expense	$	89,600		$	79,301		$	78,183		$	100,291		$	77,699
Amortization of debt expense		4,230			7,334			2,283			2,377			2,209
Interest portion of rent expense		36,448			34,494			18,222			18,473			17,612

Total fixed charges	$	130,278		$	121,129		$	98,688		$	121,141		$	97,520

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges		7.9			7.9			8.0			3.4			5.4

*Fiscal 2001 includes the impact of the pre-tax restructuring and impairment charges of $156.8 million.

Exhibit 15.1

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
AutoZone, Inc.

We are aware of the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements of AutoZone, Inc. and in the related Prospectuses of our report dated March 9, 2005, related to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of AutoZone, Inc. that are included in its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 12, 2005:

	Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-19561) pertaining to the AutoZone, Inc. 1996 Stock Option Plan

	Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-42797) pertaining to the AutoZone, Inc. Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan

	Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-48981) pertaining to the AutoZone, Inc. 1998 Director Stock Option Plan

	Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-48979) pertaining to the AutoZone, Inc. 1998 Director Compensation Plan

	Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-58565) pertaining to the registration to sell $200 million of debt securities

	Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-88245) pertaining to the AutoZone, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Option Plan

	Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-88243) pertaining to the AutoZone, Inc. Amended and Restated 1998 Director Stock Option Plan

	Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-88241) pertaining to the AutoZone, Inc. Amended and Restated Director Compensation Plan

	Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-75142) pertaining to the AutoZone, Inc. Third Amended and Restated 1998 Director Stock Option Plan

	Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-75140) pertaining to the AutoZone, Inc. Executive Stock Purchase Plan

	Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-83436) pertaining to a shelf registration to sell 15,000,000 shares of common stock owned by certain selling stockholders

	Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-100205) pertaining to a registration to sell $500 million of debt securities

	Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-103665) pertaining to the AutoZone, Inc. 2003 Director Compensation Plan

	Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-103666) pertaining to the AutoZone, Inc. 2003 Director Stock Option Plan

	Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-107828) pertaining to a registration to sell $500 million of debt securities

	Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-118308) pertaining to the shelf registration to sell $300 million of debt securities

	/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Memphis, Tennessee March 11, 2005

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
RULES 13a-14(a) AND 15d-14(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

	I, Steve Odland, certify that:

	1.	I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of AutoZone, Inc. (“registrant”);

	2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

	3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

	4.	The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

		a)	Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

		b)	Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

		c)	Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

	5.	The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

		a)	All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

		b)	Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting.

March 11, 2005

	/s/ STEVE ODLAND

	Steve Odland
	Chairman, President and
	Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
RULES 13a-14(a) AND 15d-14(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

	I, Michael G. Archbold, certify that:

	1.	I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of AutoZone, Inc. (“registrant”);

	2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

	3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

	4.	The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

	a)	Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

	b)	Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

	c)	Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

	5.	The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

		a)	All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

		b)	Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting.

March 11, 2005

	/s/ MICHAEL G. ARCHBOLD

	Michael G. Archbold
	Executive Vice President and
	Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of AutoZone, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended February 12, 2005, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Steve Odland, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(i)	the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(ii)	the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

March 11, 2005

	/s/ STEVE ODLAND

	Steve Odland
	Chairman, President and
	Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of AutoZone, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended February 12, 2005, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Michael G. Archbold, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(i)	the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(ii)	the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

March 11, 2005

	/s/ MICHAEL G. ARCHBOLD

	Michael G. Archbold
	Executive Vice President and
	Chief Financial Officer