UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_____________________

Form 8-K
_____________________

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event Reported): September 18, 2018  

AutoZone, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Nevada1-1071462-1482048
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)(Commission File Number)(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

123 South Front Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38103
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

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


(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 [ ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 [ ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 [ ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 [ ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2). Emerging growth company [   ]

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [   ]

 
 

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On September 18, 2018, AutoZone, Inc. issued a press release announcing its earnings for the fiscal quarter ended August 25, 2018, which is furnished as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

The following exhibits are furnished with this Current Report pursuant to Item 2.02:

(d) Exhibits

          99.1 Press Release dated September 18, 2018


SIGNATURE

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 hereunto duly authorized.

 AutoZone, Inc.
   
  
Date: September 18, 2018By: /s/ William T. Giles        
  William T. Giles
  Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President - Finance, Information Technology
  

EdgarFiling

EXHIBIT 99.1

AutoZone 4th Quarter Same Store Sales Increase 2.2%; 4th Quarter EPS Decreases 1.6% to $15.02; 4th Quarter Adjusted EPS Increases 21.4% to $18.54; Annual Sales Surpass $11 Billion

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Sept. 18, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE: AZO) today reported net sales of $3.6 billion for its fourth quarter (16 weeks) ended August 25, 2018, an increase of 1.3% from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 (16 weeks).  Domestic same store sales, or sales for stores open at least one year, increased 2.2% for the quarter.

Net income for the quarter decreased 7.7% over the same period last year to $400.3 million, while diluted earnings per share decreased 1.6% to $15.02 per share from $15.27 per share in the year-ago quarter.  As previously disclosed, during the quarter we terminated our qualified and non-qualified pension plans that had been frozen since fiscal 2003.  Adjusted for the charges related to the termination of the pension plans of $93.7 million, net of tax benefit, adjusted net income for the quarter increased 13.8% over the same period last year to $494.0 million, while adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 21.4% to $18.54 per share from $15.27 per share in the year-ago quarter.  Net income and diluted earnings per share benefitted from a lower effective income tax rate, primarily due to the recent tax reform.  Adjusted operating profit, which excludes the charges related to the termination of the pension plans of $130.3 million, increased 2.0% to $721.5 million. 

For the quarter, gross profit, as a percentage of sales, was 53.6% (versus 52.8% the same period last year).  The increase in gross margin was attributable to the impact of the sale of two business units completed during the year (+72 bps) and higher merchandise margins, partially offset by higher supply chain costs.  Operating expenses, as a percentage of sales, were 37.0% (versus 32.6% the same period last year).  The increase was primarily due to the charges related to the termination of the pension plans of $130.3 million (-366 bps) and domestic store payroll.

For the fiscal year ended August 25, 2018, sales were $11.2 billion, an increase of 3.1% from the prior year, while domestic same store sales were up 1.8% for the year. Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, was 53.2% (versus 52.7% the same period last year). Operating expenses, as a percentage of sales, were 37.1% (versus 33.6% the same period last year) primarily due to the second quarter impairment charges of $193.2 million, or 1.7% of sales and the fourth quarter charges related to the termination of the pension plans of $130.3 million, or 1.2% of sales, which on a combined basis negatively impacted earnings per share by $8.76.  For fiscal 2018, net income increased 4.4% to $1.338 billion and diluted earnings per share for the year increased 10.7% to $48.77 from $44.07.  Net income and diluted earnings per share benefitted from a lower effective income tax rate, primarily due to the recent tax reform.  Return on invested capital finished the year at 32.1%, while full year cash flow before share repurchases and changes in debt was $1.596 billion.

Under its share repurchase program, AutoZone repurchased 974 thousand shares of its common stock for $665 million during the fourth quarter, at an average price of $683 per share.  For the fiscal year, the Company repurchased 2.4 million shares of its common stock for a record $1.592 billion, at an average price of $664 per share.  At year end, the Company had $232 million remaining under its current share repurchase authorization. 

The Company’s inventory increased 1.6% over the same period last year, driven by new stores and increased product placement, partially offset by the impact of the sale of two business units.

Inventory per location at the end of the year was $636 thousand versus $644 thousand last year and $658 thousand last quarter.  Net inventory, defined as merchandise inventories less accounts payable, on a per location basis, was a negative $75 thousand at the end of the year versus negative $48 thousand last year and last quarter.

“I would like to thank our entire organization for their efforts that delivered solid financial results again in fiscal 2018. Our culture of exceptional customer service continues to guide us every day and is our driving force. We were pleased to deliver positive same store sales for both our Retail and Commercial businesses. We expected our sales, particularly in the Rust Belt, to increase this summer and, for the most part, that materialized.  Additionally, our Commercial sales performance accelerated nicely in the quarter growing 8.8%.  While these were positive developments, we believe we have further opportunities to improve our operations and results.  As we are investing to grow, we will remain committed to our disciplined approach to increasing operating earnings and utilizing our capital effectively,” said Bill Rhodes, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.

During the quarter ended August 25, 2018, AutoZone opened 78 new stores and relocated four stores in the U.S., opened 28 new stores in Mexico and four in Brazil.  As of August 25, 2018, the Company had 5,618 stores in 50 states in the U.S., the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, 564 stores in Mexico and 20 stores in Brazil for a total count of 6,202.

AutoZone is the leading retailer and a leading distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States. Each AutoZone 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 through www.alldata.com. Additionally, we sell automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories and non-automotive products through www.autozone.com and our commercial customers can make purchases through www.autozonepro.com. AutoZone does not derive revenue from automotive repair or installation.

AutoZone will host a conference call this morning, Tuesday, September 18, 2018, 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 25, 2018, 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 adjustments to reflect adjusted EPS, adjusted operating profit, adjusted operating, SG&A expenses, adjusted net income, return on invested capital, adjusted debt and adjusted debt to EBITDAR and cash flow before share repurchases. These adjustments include impairment charges and pension termination charges. 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: product demand; energy prices; weather; competition; credit market conditions; access to available and feasible financing; the impact of recessionary conditions; consumer debt levels; changes in laws or regulations; war and the prospect of war, including terrorist activity; inflation; the ability to hire and retain qualified employees; construction delays; the compromising of the confidentiality, availability, or integrity of information, including cyber attacks; and raw material costs of our suppliers.

Certain of these risks are discussed in more detail in the “Risk Factors” section contained in Item 1A under Part 1 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 26, 2017, 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.

Contact Information:
Financial: Brian Campbell at (901) 495-7005, brian.campbell@autozone.com
Media: Ray Pohlman at (866) 966-3017, ray.pohlman@autozone.com

   
AutoZone's 4th Quarter Highlights - Fiscal 2018
       
       
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations    
4th Quarter, FY2018    
(in thousands, except per share data)    
    GAAP Results
    16 Weeks Ended 16 Weeks Ended
    August 25, 2018 (2) August 26, 2017
       
Net sales $3,558,769  $3,512,605 
Cost of sales  1,650,890   1,658,480 
Gross profit  1,907,879   1,854,125 
Operating, SG&A expenses  1,316,640   1,146,497 
Operating profit  (EBIT)  591,239   707,628 
Interest expense, net  54,340   51,401 
Income before taxes  536,899   656,227 
Income taxes (1)  136,617   222,328 
Net income $400,282  $433,899 
Net income per share:    
 Basic $15.27  $15.52 
 Diluted $15.02  $15.27 
Weighted average shares outstanding:    
 Basic  26,212   27,963 
 Diluted  26,649   28,424 
       
(1) The Company's effective tax rate was 25.4% for the 16 Weeks Ended August 25, 2018 and 33.9% for the comparable prior year period.
(2)  The 16 Weeks Ended August 25, 2018 were negatively impacted by the pension termination charges of $130.3MM (pre-tax).
       
       
Fiscal 2018    
(in thousands, except per share data) GAAP Results
    52 Weeks Ended 52 Weeks Ended
    August 25, 2018 (2) August 26, 2017
       
Net sales $11,221,077  $10,888,676 
Cost of sales  5,247,331   5,149,056 
Gross profit  5,973,746   5,739,620 
Operating, SG&A expenses  4,162,890   3,659,551 
Operating profit  (EBIT)  1,810,856   2,080,069 
Interest expense, net  174,527   154,580 
Income before taxes  1,636,329   1,925,489 
Income taxes (1)  298,793   644,620 
Net income $1,337,536  $1,280,869 
Net income per share:    
 Basic $49.59  $45.05 
 Diluted $48.77  $44.07 
Weighted average shares outstanding:    
 Basic  26,970   28,430 
 Diluted  27,424   29,065 
       
(1) The Company's effective tax rate was 18.3% for the 52 Weeks Ended August 25, 2018 and 33.5% for the comparable prior year period.
(2) The year ended August 25, 2018 was negatively impacted by the pension termination charges of $130.3MM (pre-tax) recognized in the fourth quarter and asset impairments of $193.2MM (pre-tax) recognized in the second quarter of fiscal 2018.
       
       
GAAP Reconciliations    
(in thousands, except per share data)    
       
Adjusted operating, SG&A expenses 16 Weeks Ended 16 Weeks Ended
    August 25, 2018  August 26, 2017
GAAP operating, SG&A expenses $1,316,640  $1,146,497 
 Adjustments:    
  Pension termination charges  (130,263)  - 
       
Adjusted operating, SG&A expenses $1,186,377  $1,146,497 
       
Adjusted operating profit 16 Weeks Ended 16 Weeks Ended
    August 25, 2018  August 26, 2017
GAAP operating profit (EBIT) $591,239  $707,628 
 Adjustments:    
  Pension termination charges  130,263   - 
       
Adjusted operating profit $721,502  $707,628 
       
Adjusted net income 16 Weeks Ended 16 Weeks Ended
    August 25, 2018  August 26, 2017
GAAP net income  $400,282  $433,899 
 Adjustments:    
  Pension termination charges, net of $36.6MM income tax benefit 93,685   - 
       
Adjusted net income $493,967  $433,899 
       
       
Adjusted EPS 16 Weeks Ended 16 Weeks Ended
    August 25, 2018  August 26, 2017
GAAP diluted earnings per share $15.02  $15.27 
 Adjustments:    
  Pension termination charges, net of $36.6MM income tax benefit 3.52   - 
       
Adjusted diluted earnings per share $18.54  $15.27 
       
Selected Balance Sheet Information    
(in thousands)    
    August 25, 2018  August 26, 2017
Cash and cash equivalents $217,824  $293,270 
Merchandise inventories  3,943,670   3,882,086 
Current assets  4,635,869   4,611,255 
Property and equipment, net  4,218,400   4,031,018 
Total assets  9,346,980   9,259,781 
Accounts payable  4,409,372   4,168,940 
Current liabilities  5,028,681   4,766,301 
Total debt  5,005,930   5,081,238 
Stockholders' deficit  (1,520,355)  (1,428,377)
Working capital  (392,812)  (155,046)
       

 

          
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations 
            
Adjusted Debt / EBITDAR (Trailing 4 Qtrs)          
(in thousands, except adjusted debt to EBITDAR ratio)          
   August 25, 2018 August 26, 2017      
Net income $1,337,536  $1,280,869       
Add:Impairment before tax impact  193,162   -       
 Pension termination charges before tax impact  130,263   -       
 Interest  174,527   154,580       
 Taxes  298,793   644,620       
Adjusted EBIT  2,134,281   2,080,069       
            
Add:Depreciation and amortization  345,084   323,051       
 Rent expense  315,580   302,928       
 Share-based expense  43,674   38,244       
EBITDAR $2,838,619  $2,744,292       
            
Debt $5,005,930  $5,081,238       
Capital lease obligations  154,303   150,456       
Add: Rent x 6  1,893,480   1,817,568       
Adjusted debt $7,053,713  $7,049,262       
            
Adjusted debt to EBITDAR  2.5   2.6       
            
Selected Cash Flow Information          
(in thousands)          
   16 Weeks Ended 16 Weeks Ended  52 Weeks Ended  52 Weeks Ended
   August 25, 2018 August 26, 2017  August 25, 2018  August 26, 2017
Depreciation and amortization $107,993  $103,063   $345,084   $323,051
Capital spending  194,640   195,898    521,788    553,832
            
Cash flow before share repurchases:          
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents $(562) $66,129   $(75,446)  $103,536
Less (decrease)/increase in debt
  49,800   (73,100)   (79,800)   157,600
Add back share repurchases  664,858   227,466    1,592,013    1,071,649
Cash flow before share repurchases and changes in debt $614,496  $366,695   $1,596,367   $1,017,585
            
Other Selected Financial Information          
(in thousands, except ROIC)          
   August 25, 2018 August 26, 2017      
Cumulative share repurchases ($ since fiscal 1998) $19,418,311  $17,826,298       
Remaining share repurchase authorization ($)  231,689   823,702       
            
Cumulative share repurchases (shares since fiscal 1998)  144,688   142,290       
            
Shares outstanding, end of quarter  25,742   27,833       
            
   Trailing 4 Quarters
      
   August 25, 2018 August 26, 2017      
Net income $1,337,536  $1,280,869       
Adjustments:          
 Impairment before tax impact  193,162   -       
 Pension termination charges before tax impact  130,263   -       
 Interest expense  174,527   154,580       
 Rent expense  315,580   302,928       
 Tax effect*  (211,806)  (153,265)      
 Deferred tax liabilities, net of repatriation tax  (132,113)  -       
After-tax return $1,807,149  $1,585,112       
            
Average debt**  5,013,678   5,061,502       
Average stockholders' deficit**  (1,433,196)  (1,730,559)      
Add:Rent x 6  1,893,480   1,817,568       
Average capital lease obligations**  156,198   150,066       
Pre-tax invested capital $5,630,160  $5,298,577       
            
Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)  32.1%  29.9%      
            
*Effective tax rate over trailing four quarters ended August 25, 2018 is 24.2% for impairment, 28.1% for pension termination and 26.2% for interest and rent expense.  Effective tax rate over trailing four quarters ended August 26, 2017 was 33.5%.
            
**All averages are computed based on trailing 5 quarter balances.
            

 

          
AutoZone's 4th Quarter Fiscal 2018
Selected Operating Highlights
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
               
Location Count & Square Footage           
               
     16 Weeks Ended  16 Weeks Ended  52 Weeks Ended  52 Weeks Ended
     August 25, 2018  August 26, 2017  August 25, 2018  August 26, 2017
AutoZone Domestic stores (Domestic):           
 Store count:           
 Beginning domestic stores  5,540    5,381    5,465    5,297 
 Stores opened  78    84    155    168 
 Stores closed  -    -    2    - 
 Ending domestic stores  5,618    5,465    5,618    5,465 
               
 Relocated stores  4    1    7    5 
               
 Stores with commercial programs  4,741    4,592    4,741    4,592 
               
 Square footage (in thousands)  36,746    35,713    36,746    35,713 
               
AutoZone Mexico stores:           
 Stores opened  28    25    40    41 
 Total stores in Mexico  564    524    564    524 
               
AutoZone Brazil stores:           
 Stores opened  4    5    6    6 
 Total stores in Brazil  20    14    20    14 
               
Total AutoZone stores  6,202    6,003    6,202    6,003 
 Square footage (in thousands)  41,066    39,684    41,066    39,684 
 Square footage per store  6,621    6,611    6,621    6,611 
               
IMC branches:            
 Branches   -    -    26    - 
 Branches sold  -    -    (26)   - 
 Total IMC branches  -    26    -    26 
               
Total locations chainwide  6,202    6,029    6,202    6,029 
               
Sales Statistics            
($ in thousands, except sales per average square foot)           
     16 Weeks Ended  16 Weeks Ended  Trailing 4 Quarters  Trailing 4 Quarters
Total AutoZone Parts (Domestic, Mexico and Brazil) August 25, 2018  August 26, 2017  August 25, 2018  August 26, 2017
 Sales per average store $569   $562   $1,778   $1,756 
 Sales per average square foot $86   $85   $269   $266 
               
Total Auto Parts (Domestic, Mexico, Brazil and IMC)           
 Total auto parts sales $3,499,313   $3,397,460   $10,951,498 (1)  $10,523,272 
 % Increase vs. LY  3.0%   3.5%   4.1%   2.6%
               
Domestic Commercial            
 Total domestic commercial sales $731,834   $672,479   $2,214,208   $2,062,812 
 % Increase vs. LY  8.8%   5.9%   7.3%   5.7%
               
All Other (ALLDATA, E-Commerce and AutoAnything)          
 All other sales $59,456   $115,145   $269,579 (2)  $365,404 
 % Increase vs. LY  (48.4%)   (0.8%)   (26.2%)   (2.4%)
               
  (1 ) Results include IMC, which was sold during the third quarter of fiscal 2018 (effective April 4, 2018).      
  (2 ) Results include AutoAnything, which was sold during the third quarter of fiscal 2018 (effective February 26, 2018).      
               
     16 Weeks Ended  16 Weeks Ended  52 Weeks Ended  52 Weeks Ended
     August 25, 2018  August 26, 2017  August 25, 2018  August 26, 2017
Domestic same store sales   2.2%   1.0%   1.8%   0.5%
               
Inventory Statistics (Total Locations)           
     as of  as of      
     August 25, 2018  August 26, 2017      
 Accounts payable/inventory  111.8%   107.4%      
               
 ($ in thousands)            
 Inventory  $3,943,670   $3,882,086       
 Inventory per location  636    644       
 Net inventory (net of payables)  (465,702)   (286,854)      
 Net inventory/per location  (75)   (48)      
               
     Trailing 5 Quarters      
     August 25, 2018  August 26, 2017      
 Inventory turns  1.3 x  1.4 x