AutoZone 1st Quarter Same Store Sales Increase 13.6%; EPS Increases to $25.69

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Dec. 07, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE: AZO) today reported net sales of $3.7 billion for its first quarter (12 weeks) ended November 20, 2021, an increase of 16.3% from the first quarter of fiscal 2021 (12 weeks). Domestic same store sales, or sales for stores open at least one year, increased 13.6% for the quarter.

“Our strong sales and earnings this first quarter are a continuing testament to our AutoZoners’ commitment to going the extra mile for our customers. Our retail and commercial sales performance were consistently strong all quarter. Our commercial business growth continues to be exceptionally strong at 29.4% as the investments we are making are positioning us well in the marketplace. We are optimistic about our growth prospects for the balance of the fiscal year,” said Bill Rhodes, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.

For the quarter, gross profit, as a percentage of sales, was 52.5%, a decrease of 65 basis points versus the prior year. The decrease in gross margin was primarily driven by initiatives to accelerate Commercial business growth. Operating expenses, as a percentage of sales, was 31.9% versus 33.6% last year. The decrease in operating expenses, as a percentage of sales, was driven by strong sales growth.

Operating profit increased 22.6% to $754.5 million. Net income for the quarter increased 25.5% over the same period last year to $555.2 million, while diluted earnings per share increased 38.1% to $25.69 from $18.61 in the year-ago quarter. The increase in net income was driven by strong topline growth and operating expense leverage.

Under its share repurchase program, AutoZone repurchased 515 thousand shares of its common stock for $900 million during the first quarter, at an average price of $1,749 per share. At the end of the first quarter, the Company had $1.018 billion remaining under its current share repurchase authorization.

The Company’s inventory increased 3.0% over the same period last year, driven by new stores. Net inventory, defined as merchandise inventories less accounts payable, on a per store basis, was negative $207 thousand versus negative $99 thousand last year and negative $203 thousand last quarter.

“While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our customers’ and AutoZoners’ lives, our primary focus remains the well-being and safety of our customers and AutoZoners. We will continue to invest to make our stores the best and safest place to shop for everyone’s automotive needs. During these unique and challenging times, we will strive to deliver the best customer service possible. As we continue to prudently invest capital in our business, we remain committed to our long-term, disciplined, approach of increasing operating earnings and cash flow while utilizing our balance sheet effectively,” said Rhodes.

During the quarter ended November 20, 2021, AutoZone opened 15 new stores in the U.S., two stores in Mexico and one store in Brazil. As of November 20, 2021, the Company had 6,066 stores in the U.S., 666 in Mexico and 53 in Brazil for a total store count of 6,785.

AutoZone is the leading retailer, and a leading distributor, of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the Americas. Each store carries an extensive product line for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products. Many stores also have a commercial sales program that provides commercial credit and prompt delivery of parts and other products to local, regional and national repair garages, dealers, service stations and public sector accounts. We also have commercial programs in all stores in Mexico and Brazil. AutoZone also sells the ALLDATA brand automotive diagnostic, repair and shop management 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. We also provide product information on our Duralast branded products through www.duralastparts.com. AutoZone does not derive revenue from automotive repair or installation.

AutoZone will host a conference call this morning, Tuesday, December 7, 2021, beginning at 10:00 a.m. (EST) to discuss its first quarter results. This call is being web cast and can be accessed, along with supporting slides, at AutoZone’s website at www.autozone.com and clicking on Investor Relations. Investors may also listen to the call by dialing (888) 506-0062. In addition, a telephone replay will be available by dialing (877) 481-4010, replay passcode 43768 through December 21, 2021.

This release includes certain financial information not derived in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). These non-GAAP measures include adjustments to reflect return on invested capital, adjusted debt and adjusted debt to EBITDAR. The Company believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP measures provides information that is useful to investors as it indicates more clearly the Company’s comparative year-to-year operating results, but this information should not be considered a substitute for any measures derived in accordance with GAAP. Management targets the Company’s capital structure in order to maintain its investment grade credit ratings. 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 constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements typically use words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “should,” “intend,” “plan,” “will,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “positioned,” “strategy,” “seek,” “may,” “could” 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; cash flows; access to available and feasible financing; future stock repurchases; the impact of recessionary conditions; consumer debt levels; changes in laws or regulations; risks associated with self-insurance; war and the prospect of war, including terrorist activity; the impact of public health issues, such as the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic; inflation; the ability to hire, train and retain qualified employees; construction delays; the compromising of confidentiality, availability or integrity of information, including due to cyber-attacks; historic growth rate sustainability; downgrade of our credit ratings; damage to our reputation; challenges in international markets; failure or interruption of our information technology systems; origin and raw material costs of suppliers; inventory availability; disruption in our supply chain; impact of tariffs; anticipated impact of new accounting standards; and business interruptions. Certain of these risks and uncertainties are discussed in more detail in the “Risk Factors” section contained in Item 1A under Part 1 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 28, 2021, 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. However, it should be understood that it is not possible to identify or predict all such risks and other factors that could affect these forward-looking statements. 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.

Contact Information:
Financial: Brian Campbell at (901) 495-7005, brian.campbell@autozone.com 
Media: David McKinney at (901) 495-7951, david.mckinney@autozone.com

AutoZone's 1st Quarter Highlights - Fiscal 2022
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
1st Quarter, FY2022
(in thousands, except per share data)
				GAAP Results
				12 Weeks Ended				12 Weeks Ended
				November 20, 2021				November 21, 2020
Net sales				$	3,668,904			$	3,154,261
Cost of sales					1,743,744				1,478,644
Gross profit					1,925,160				1,675,617
Operating, SG&A expenses					1,170,675				1,060,392
Operating profit (EBIT)					754,485				615,225
Interest expense, net					43,284				46,179
Income before taxes					711,201				569,046
Income tax expense(1)					155,966				126,613
Net income				$	555,235			$	442,433
Net income per share:
	Basic			$	26.45			$	19.05
	Diluted			$	25.69			$	18.61
Weighted average shares outstanding:
	Basic				20,988				23,223
	Diluted				21,609				23,778
(1)The twelve weeks ended November 20, 2021 and the comparable prior year period include $11.3M and $7.6M in tax benefits from stock option exercises, respectively
Selected Balance Sheet Information
(in thousands)
				November 20, 2021				November 21, 2020				August 28, 2021
Cash and cash equivalents				$	961,125			$	1,664,005			$	1,171,335
Merchandise inventories					4,768,258				4,628,334				4,639,813
Current assets					6,349,146				6,836,795				6,415,303
Property and equipment, net					4,857,928				4,586,002				4,856,891
Operating lease right-of-use assets					2,717,566				2,607,019				2,718,712
Total assets					14,460,949				14,568,574				14,516,199
Accounts payable					6,171,344				5,282,313				6,013,924
Current liabilities					8,087,893				6,456,703				7,369,754
Operating lease liabilities, less current portion					2,624,676				2,524,008				2,632,842
Total debt					5,271,266				5,514,874				5,269,820
Stockholders' deficit					(2,124,750	)			(1,026,980	)			(1,797,536	)
Working capital					(1,738,747	)			380,092				(954,451	)

AutoZone's 1st Quarter Highlights - Fiscal 2022
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Adjusted Debt / EBITDAR
(in thousands, except adjusted debt to EBITDAR ratio)					Trailing 4 Quarters
					November 20, 2021				November 21, 2020
Net income					$	2,283,116			$	1,825,067
Add: Interest expense						192,442				203,601
Income tax expense						608,229				504,213
EBIT						3,083,787				2,532,881
Add: Depreciation and amortization						417,722				397,267
Rent expense(1)						349,680				332,218
Share-based expense						59,899				45,347
EBITDAR					$	3,911,088			$	3,307,713
Debt					$	5,271,266			$	5,514,874
Financing lease liabilities						274,703				232,921
Add: Rent x 6(1)						2,098,080				1,993,308
Adjusted debt					$	7,644,049			$	7,741,103
Adjusted debt to EBITDAR						2.0				2.3
Adjusted Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)
(in thousands, except ROIC)
					Trailing 4 Quarters
					November 20, 2021				November 21, 2020
Net income					$	2,283,116			$	1,825,067
Adjustments:
Interest expense						192,442				203,601
Rent expense(1)						349,680				332,218
Tax effect(2)						(113,846	)			(115,737	)
Adjusted after-tax return					$	2,711,392			$	2,245,149
Average debt(3)					$	5,368,050			$	5,437,062
Average stockholders' deficit(3)						(1,647,246	)			(1,404,980	)
Add: Rent x 6(1)						2,098,080				1,993,308
Average financing lease liabilities(3)						247,537				214,601
Invested capital					$	6,066,421			$	6,239,991
Adjusted After-Tax ROIC						44.7	%			36.0	%
(1) The table below outlines the calculation of rent expense and reconciles rent expense to total lease cost, per ASC 842, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, for the trailing four quarters ended November 20, 2021 and November 21, 2020
(in thousands)					Trailing 4 Quarters
					November 20, 2021				November 21, 2020
Total lease cost, per ASC 842, for the trailing four quarters					$	436,488			$	413,790
Less: Financing lease interest and amortization						(61,102	)			(56,256	)
Less: Variable operating lease components, related to insurance and common area maintenance						(25,706	)			(25,316	)
Rent expense for the trailing four quarters					$	349,680			$	332,218
(2) Effective tax rate over trailing four quarters ended November 20, 2021 and November 21, 2020 is 21.0% and 21.6%, respectively
(3)All averages are computed based on trailing 5 quarter balances
Other Selected Financial Information
(in thousands)
					November 20, 2021				November 21, 2020
Cumulative share repurchases ($ since fiscal 1998)					$	26,632,428			$	23,032,434
Remaining share repurchase authorization ($)						1,017,572				117,566
Cumulative share repurchases (shares since fiscal 1998)						150,803				148,281
Shares outstanding, end of quarter						20,674				22,855
Depreciation and amortization						99,590				89,551
Capital spending						102,269				113,036

AutoZone's 1st Quarter Highlights - Fiscal 2022
Selected Operating Highlights
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Store Count & Square Footage
					12 Weeks Ended					12 Weeks Ended
					November 20, 2021					November 21, 2020
Domestic:
	Beginning stores					6,051					5,885
	Stores opened					15					39
	Ending domestic stores					6,066					5,924
	Relocated stores					3					4
	Stores with commercial programs					5,211					5,043
	Square footage (in thousands)					39,865					38,823
Mexico:
	Beginning stores					664					621
	Stores opened					2					-
	Ending Mexico stores					666					621
Brazil:
	Beginning stores					52					43
	Stores opened					1					2
	Ending Brazil stores					53					45
Total						6,785					6,590
	Square footage (in thousands)					45,214					43,781
	Square footage per store					6,664					6,644
Sales Statistics
($ in thousands, except sales per average square foot)
					12 Weeks Ended					12 Weeks Ended					Trailing 4 Quarters					Trailing 4 Quarters
Total AutoZone Stores (Domestic, Mexico and Brazil)					November 20, 2021					November 21, 2020					November 20, 2021					November 21, 2020
	Sales per average store				$	532				$	472				$	2,226				$	1,960
	Sales per average square foot				$	80				$	71				$	335				$	295
Total Auto Parts (Domestic, Mexico and Brazil)
	Total auto parts sales				$	3,605,508				$	3,101,597				$	14,885,624				$	12,764,287
	% Increase vs. LY					16.2	%				13.1	%				16.6	%				8.2	%
Domestic Commercial
	Total domestic commercial sales				$	899,919				$	695,343				$	3,550,026				$	2,801,626
	% Increase vs. LY					29.4	%				11.9	%				26.7	%				6.2	%
	Average sales per program per week				$	14.4				$	11.5				$	13.3				$	10.8
	% Increase vs. LY					25.2	%				9.2	%				23.1	%				5.3	%
All Other, including ALLDATA
	All other sales				$	63,396				$	52,664				$	258,605				$	228,902
	% Increase vs. LY					20.4	%				5.8	%				13.0	%				4.0	%
					12 Weeks Ended					12 Weeks Ended
					November 20, 2021					November 21, 2020
Domestic same store sales						13.6	%				12.3	%
Inventory Statistics (Total Stores)
					as of					as of
					November 20, 2021					November 21, 2020
	Accounts payable/inventory					129.4	%				114.1	%
	($ in thousands)
	Inventory				$	4,768,258				$	4,628,334
	Inventory per store					703					702
	Net inventory (net of payables)					(1,403,086	)				(653,979	)
	Net inventory / per store					(207	)				(99	)
					Trailing 5 Quarters
					November 20, 2021					November 21, 2020
	Inventory turns					1.5		x			1.3		x