MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) today reported net sales of $4.2 billion for its third quarter (12 weeks) ended May 4, 2024, an increase of 3.5% from the third quarter of fiscal 2023 (12 weeks). Same store sales, or sales for our domestic and international stores open at least one year, are as follows:               Constant Currency   12 Weeks   12 Weeks*         Domestic 0.0 %   0.0 % International 18.1 %   9.3 % Total Company 1.9 %   0.9 % * Excludes impacts from fluctuations of foreign exchange rates.   For the quarter, gross profit, as a percentage of sales, was 53.5%, an increase of 102 basis points versus the prior year. The increase in gross margin was primarily driven by higher merchandise margins and a 15 basis point ($7 million net) non-cash LIFO favorability. Operating expenses, as a percentage of sales, were 32.2% versus last year at 31.5%. Deleverage was driven primarily by higher store payroll as a percentage of sales versus the previous year. Operating profit increased 4.9% to $900.2 million. Net income for the quarter was $651.7 million compared to $647.7 million in the same period last year, while diluted earnings per share increased 7.5% to $36.69. Under its share repurchase program, AutoZone repurchased 242 thousand shares of its common stock at an average price per share of $3,036, for a total investment of $734.7 million. At the end of the third quarter, the Company had $1.4 billion remaining under its current share repurchase authorization. "I want to thank and congratulate all AutoZoners for their efforts in delivering solid results for our third fiscal quarter. Our AutoZoners' ongoing commitment to providing customers with Trustworthy Advice and WOW! Customer Service allowed us to deliver stronger than planned bottom line results. Domestically, our sales performance was negatively impacted at the start of the quarter due to the timing of tax refunds while the cooler than usual weather across several areas of the country negatively impacted our results later in the quarter. Conversely, we were pleased with the strong same store sales results we achieved in our international business. As we begin our all-important summer selling season, we are very excited about the initiatives we have in place to enhance our inventory availability, continue to accelerate our domestic Commercial business, and provide great customer service. As we continue to invest in our business, we remain committed to our disciplined approach of increasing operating earnings and cash flow, and delivering strong shareholder value," said Phil Daniele, President and Chief Executive Officer. During the quarter ended May 4, 2024, AutoZone opened 32 new stores in the U.S., 12 in Mexico and one in Brazil for a total of 45 net new stores. As of May 4, 2024, the Company had 6,364 stores in the U.S., 763 in Mexico and 109 in Brazil for a total store count of 7,236. AutoZone is the leading retailer and 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 duty trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products. The majority of stores have a commercial sales program that provides prompt delivery of parts and other products and commercial credit to local, regional and national repair garages, dealers, service stations, fleet owners and other accounts. AutoZone also sells 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. Additionally, we sell the ALLDATA brand of automotive diagnostic, repair, collision and shop management software through www.alldata.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 services. AutoZone will host a conference call this morning, Tuesday, May 21, 2024, beginning at 10:00 a.m. (ET) to discuss its third quarter results. This call is being web cast and can be accessed, along with supporting slides, at AutoZone's website at www.autozone.com by clicking on Investor Relations. Investors may also listen to the call by dialing (888) 506-0062, passcode AUTOZONE. In addition, a telephone replay will be available by dialing (877) 481-4010, replay passcode 50424 through June 4, 2024. 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 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, rent and share-based expense ("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 herein 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, due to changes in fuel prices, miles driven or otherwise; energy prices; weather, including extreme temperatures, natural disasters and general weather conditions; competition; credit market conditions; cash flows; access to available and feasible financing on favorable terms; 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; inflation, including wage inflation; the ability to hire, train and retain qualified employees including members of management and other key personnel; construction delays; failure or interruption of our information technology systems; issues relating to the confidentiality, integrity or availability of information, including due to cyber-attacks; historic growth rate sustainability; downgrade of our credit ratings; damage to our reputation; challenges associated with doing business in and expanding into international markets; origin and raw material costs of suppliers; inventory availability; disruption in our supply chain; impact of tariffs; impact of new accounting standards; our ability to execute our growth initiatives; and other 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 26, 2023, 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. 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, David McKinney at (901) 495-7951,                             AutoZone's 3rd Quarter Highlights - Fiscal 2024                 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations 3rd Quarter, FY2024 (in thousands, except per share data)       GAAP Results           12 Weeks Ended   12 Weeks Ended           May 4, 2024   May 6, 2023                     Net sales   $ 4,235,485     $ 4,090,541       Cost of sales     1,969,963       1,944,415       Gross profit     2,265,522       2,146,126       Operating, SG&A expenses     1,365,341       1,287,645       Operating profit (EBIT)     900,181       858,481       Interest expense, net     104,422       74,313       Income before taxes     795,759       784,168       Income tax expense     144,033       136,445       Net income   $ 651,726     $ 647,723       Net income per share:               Basic   $ 37.73     $ 35.22         Diluted   $ 36.69     $ 34.12       Weighted average shares outstanding:               Basic     17,273       18,389         Diluted     17,761       18,983                                                       Year-To-Date 3rd Quarter, FY2024 (in thousands, except per share data)       GAAP Results           36 Weeks Ended   36 Weeks Ended           May 4, 2024   May 6, 2023                     Net sales   $ 12,284,888     $ 11,766,591       Cost of sales     5,725,698       5,695,840       Gross profit     6,559,190       6,070,751       Operating, SG&A expenses     4,067,163       3,819,261       Operating profit (EBIT)     2,492,027       2,251,490       Interest expense, net     298,426       197,645       Income before taxes     2,193,601       2,053,845       Income taxes     433,382       390,260       Net income   $ 1,760,219     $ 1,663,585       Net income per share:               Basic   $ 100.96     $ 88.96         Diluted   $ 98.11     $ 86.10       Weighted average shares outstanding:               Basic     17,434       18,700         Diluted     17,941       19,322                                                                                       Selected Balance Sheet Information (in thousands)       May 4, 2024   May 6, 2023   August 26, 2023                 Cash and cash equivalents   $ 275,358     $ 274,916     $ 277,054   Merchandise inventories     6,155,300       5,703,688       5,764,143   Current assets     7,289,452       6,708,872       6,779,426   Property and equipment, net     6,049,059       5,334,023       5,596,548   Operating lease right-of-use assets     3,097,047       2,959,488       2,998,097   Total assets     17,108,432       15,597,922       15,985,878   Accounts payable     7,369,673       7,215,566       7,201,281   Current portion of debt     500,000       -       -   Current liabilities     9,192,587       8,464,947       8,511,856   Operating lease liabilities, less current portion     2,963,026       2,862,152       2,917,046   Debt, less current portion     8,496,288       7,340,484