0001171843-13-003806.txt : 20130925 0001171843-13-003806.hdr.sgml : 20130925 20130925071015 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001171843-13-003806 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20130925 ITEM INFORMATION: Results of Operations and Financial Condition ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20130925 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20130925 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AUTOZONE INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000866787 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: RETAIL-AUTO & HOME SUPPLY STORES [5531] IRS NUMBER: 621482048 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NV FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-10714 FILM NUMBER: 131113370 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 123 SOUTH FRONT ST CITY: MEMPHIS STATE: TN ZIP: 38103 BUSINESS PHONE: 9014956500 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: P O BOX 2198 STREET 2: DEPT 8074 CITY: MEMPHIS STATE: TN ZIP: 38101-2198 8-K 1 document.htm FORM 8-K FILING DOCUMENT Form 8-K Filing

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

September 25, 2013

Date of Report
(Date of earliest event reported)


AutoZone, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Nevada
 
1-10714
 
62-1482048
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer 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


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))

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On September 25, 2013, AutoZone, Inc. issued a press release announcing its earnings for the fiscal quarter ended August 31, 2013, which is furnished as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

The following exhibit is furnished with this Current Report pursuant to Item 2.02:

(d) Exhibits

99.1 Press Release dated September 25, 2013.


SIGNATURES

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

  AutoZone, Inc.

Dated: September 25, 2013 By:   /s/   WILLIAM T. GILES
William T. Giles
Chief Financial Officer and
Executive Vice President -- Finance,
Information Technology and
ALLDATA



EXHIBIT INDEX

99.1 Press Release dated September 25, 2013.

EX-99 2 newsrelease.htm PRESS RELEASE AutoZone Reports 17 Week 4th Quarter Sales of $3.1 Billion; EPS Increases to $10.42; Fiscal 2013 Sales Exceed $9 Billion; EPS Increases to $27.79

EXHIBIT 99.1

AutoZone Reports 17 Week 4th Quarter Sales of $3.1 Billion; EPS Increases to $10.42; Fiscal 2013 Sales Exceed $9 Billion; EPS Increases to $27.79

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Sept. 25, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) today reported net sales of $3.1 billion for its fourth quarter (17 weeks) ended August 31, 2013, an increase of 12.0% from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 (16 weeks). Excluding sales from the additional week included in this year's quarter, sales were up 5.6%. Domestic same store sales, or sales for stores open at least one year, increased 1.0% for the quarter.

Net income for the quarter increased $47.5 million, or 14.7%, over the same period last year to $371.2 million, while diluted earnings per share increased 23.2% to $10.42 per share from $8.46 per share in the year-ago quarter. Excluding the additional week, net income for the quarter increased 7.4% over the previous year's quarter to $347.8 million, while diluted earnings per share increased 15.4% to $9.76 per share.

For the quarter, gross profit, as a percentage of sales, was 51.8% (versus 51.8% for last year's quarter). While flat for the quarter, lower acquisition costs led to gross margin enhancements which were offset in part by the inclusion of the recent acquisition of AutoAnything (40 bps). Operating expenses, as a percentage of sales, were 31.3% (versus 31.6% last year). The decrease in operating expenses, as a percentage of sales, was due to leverage gained on the 17th week of sales. 

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013, sales were $9.1 billion, an increase of 6.3% from the prior year, while domestic same store sales were flat for the year. Operating profit increased 8.9% on an operating margin of 19.4%. For fiscal 2013, net income increased 9.3% to $1.0 billion, while diluted earnings per share for the period increased 18.3% to $27.79 from $23.48. Excluding results from the additional week, sales increased 4.3% from the prior year, and operating profit increased 6.4% on an operating margin of 19.3%. Net income, excluding the extra week, increased 6.7% to $993.1 million, and diluted earnings per share increased 15.6% to $27.15. Return on invested capital was 32.7%, while full year cash flow before share repurchases and changes in debt was $1.0 billion.

Under its share repurchase program, AutoZone repurchased 1.3 million shares of its common stock for $560 million during the fourth quarter, at an average price of $428 per share. For the fiscal year, the Company repurchased 3.5 million shares of its common stock for $1.39 billion, at an average price of $395 per share. At fiscal year end, the Company had $468 million remaining under its current share repurchase authorization.

The Company's inventory increased 8.9% over the same period last year, driven primarily by strategic hard parts additions along with new store openings. Inventory per store was $550 thousand versus $525 thousand last year and $547 thousand last quarter. Net inventory, defined as merchandise inventories less accounts payable, decreased, relative to last year, on a per store basis, to negative $86 thousand per store.

"I would like to thank our entire organization for the solid performance delivered this past quarter. We are pleased to report our twenty-eighth consecutive quarter of double digit growth in earnings per share. Our customer service and trustworthy advice are what differentiate us across our industry, and our AutoZoners' passion to deliver superior service has allowed us to consistently deliver exceptional financial results. For the year, we reached many new milestones which included surpassing $9 billion in total sales, opening 368 additional Commercial programs, acquiring AutoAnything, and opening three stores in Brazil. We also improved our return on invested capital from the third quarter, achieving 32.7% at year end. While our same store sales performance was below our expectations for the quarter, we believe the initiatives we have in place will lead to improved sales in both Retail and Commercial in 2014. We remain committed to delivering exceptional customer service while growing our Retail, Commercial, International, and digital commerce businesses. We will maintain our disciplined approach to growing operating earnings and utilizing our capital effectively," said Bill Rhodes, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.

During the quarter ended August 31, 2013, AutoZone opened 69 stores in the U.S., 21 stores in Mexico, and two stores in Brazil. As of August 31, 2013, the Company had 4,836 stores in 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico in the U.S., 362 stores in Mexico, and three stores in Brazil for a total store count of 5,201.

AutoZone is the leading retailer and a leading distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States. 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.  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 accessories and performance parts through www.autoanything.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, Wednesday, September 25, 2013, 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 Wednesday, October 2, 2013 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 16 and 52 week financial presentations, return on invested capital, adjusted debt, adjusted debt to EBITDAR, and cash flow before share repurchases. 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: credit market conditions; the impact of recessionary conditions; competition; product demand; the ability to hire and retain qualified employees; consumer debt levels; inflation; weather; raw material costs of our suppliers; energy prices; war and the prospect of war, including terrorist activity; construction delays; access to available and feasible financing; and changes in laws or regulations. Certain of these risks are discussed in more detail in the "Risk Factors" section contained in Item 1A under Part 1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 25, 2012, 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.

AutoZone's 4th Quarter Highlights - Fiscal 2013
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
4th Quarter
(in thousands, except per share data)
  GAAP Results Adjustments Adjusted
  17 Weeks Ended
August 31, 2013
16 Weeks Ended
August 25, 2012
4th Quarter 2013
Week 17

4th Quarter 2012
4th Quarter 2013
Excluding Week 17

4th Quarter 2012
             
Net sales  $ 3,095,414  $ 2,763,585  $ (177,722)  $ --   $ 2,917,692  $ 2,763,585
Cost of sales 1,491,038 1,331,191 (85,281)  --  1,405,757 1,331,191
Gross profit  1,604,376  1,432,394  (92,441)  --   1,511,935  1,432,394
Operating, SG&A expenses 968,156 872,338 (52,605)  --  915,551 872,338
Operating profit (EBIT)  636,220  560,056  (39,836)  --   596,384  560,056
Interest expense, net 60,896 58,145 (3,524)  --  57,372 58,145
Income before taxes  575,324  501,911  (36,312)  --   539,012  501,911
Income taxes 204,125 178,178 (12,883)  --  191,242 178,178
Net income  $ 371,199  $ 323,733  $ (23,429)  $ --   $ 347,770  $ 323,733
Earnings per share:            
Basic  $ 10.59  $ 8.65  $ (0.67)  $ --   $ 9.92  $ 8.65
Diluted  $ 10.42  $ 8.46  $ (0.66)  $ --   $ 9.76  $ 8.46
Weighted average shares outstanding:            
Basic 35,047 37,421 35,047 37,421 35,047 37,421
Diluted 35,625 38,262 35,625 38,262 35,625 38,262
             
             
Fiscal Year 2013
(in thousands, except per share data) GAAP Results Adjustments Adjusted
  53 Weeks Ended
August 31, 2013
52 Weeks Ended
August 25, 2012
Fiscal Year 2013
Week 53

Fiscal Year 2012
Fiscal Year 2013
Excluding Week 53

Fiscal Year 2012
             
Net sales  $ 9,147,530  $ 8,603,863  $ (177,722)  $ --   $ 8,969,808  $ 8,603,863
Cost of sales 4,406,595 4,171,827 (85,281)  --  4,321,314 4,171,827
Gross profit  4,740,935  4,432,036  (92,441)  --   4,648,494  4,432,036
Operating, SG&A expenses 2,967,837 2,803,145 (52,605)  --  2,915,232 2,803,145
Operating profit (EBIT)  1,773,098  1,628,891  (39,836)  --   1,733,262  1,628,891
Interest expense, net 185,415 175,905 (3,524)  --  181,891 175,905
Income before taxes  1,587,683  1,452,986  (36,312)  --   1,551,371  1,452,986
Income taxes 571,203 522,613 (12,883)  --  558,320 522,613
Net income  $ 1,016,480  $ 930,373  $ (23,429)  $ --   $ 993,051  $ 930,373
Earnings per share:            
Basic  $ 28.28  $ 24.04  $ (0.65)  $ --   $ 27.63  $ 24.04
Diluted  $ 27.79  $ 23.48  $ (0.64)  $ --   $ 27.15  $ 23.48
Weighted average shares outstanding:            
Basic 35,943 38,696 35,943 38,696 35,943 38,696
Diluted 36,581 39,625 36,581 39,625 36,581 39,625
             
             
Selected Balance Sheet Information
(in thousands)            
  August 31, 2013 August 25, 2012        
         
Cash and cash equivalents  $ 142,191  $ 103,093        
Merchandise inventories  2,861,014  2,627,983        
Current assets  3,278,013  2,978,946        
Property and equipment, net  3,071,361  2,855,928        
Total assets  6,892,089  6,265,639        
Accounts payable  3,307,535  2,926,740        
Current liabilities*  4,169,150  3,655,592        
Total debt*  4,187,000  3,768,183        
Stockholders' (deficit)  (1,687,319)  (1,548,025)        
Working capital  (891,137)  (676,646)        
             
* Current liabilities and total debt both include short-term borrowings of $173,733 at August 31, 2013; $49,881 at August 25, 2012. These amounts represent current debt maturities that are in excess of our revolving credit facility available capacity. 
 
Adjusted Debt / EBITDAR (Trailing 4 Qtrs)
(in thousands, except adjusted debt to EBITDAR ratio)    
  August 31, 2013 August 25, 2012    
Net income  $ 1,016,480  $ 930,373    
Add: Interest  185,415  175,905    
 Taxes  571,203  522,613    
EBIT  1,773,098  1,628,891    
         
Add: Depreciation and amortization  227,251  211,831    
 Rent expense  246,340  229,417    
 Share-based expense  37,307  33,363    
EBITDAR  $ 2,283,996  $ 2,103,502    
         
Debt  $ 4,187,000  $ 3,768,183    
Capital lease obligations  106,171  102,256    
Add: rent x 6  1,478,040  1,376,502    
Adjusted debt  $ 5,771,211  $ 5,246,941    
         
Adjusted debt to EBITDAR  2.5  2.5    
         
         
Selected Cash Flow Information
(in thousands)        
  17 Weeks Ended
August 31, 2013
16 Weeks Ended
August 25, 2012
53 Weeks Ended
August 31, 2013
52 Weeks Ended
August 25, 2012
         
Depreciation and amortization  $ 71,319  $ 66,654  $ 227,251  $ 211,831
Capital spending  $ 155,596  $ 149,777  $ 414,451  $ 378,054
         
Cash flow before share repurchases:        
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  $ 8,506  $ (7)  $ 39,098  $ 5,487
Subtract increase in debt  185,897  162,122  418,652  418,729
Add back share repurchases  559,967  480,144  1,387,315  1,362,869
Cash flow before share repurchases and changes in debt  $ 382,576  $ 318,015  $ 1,007,761  $ 949,627
         
         
Other Selected Financial Information
(in thousands, except ROIC)        
  August 31, 2013 August 25, 2012    
         
         
Cumulative share repurchases ($ since fiscal 1998)  $ 12,931,558  $ 11,544,243    
Remaining share authorization ($)  $ 468,442  $ 355,757    
         
Cumulative share repurchases (shares since fiscal 1998)  134,649  131,138    
         
Shares outstanding, end of quarter  34,293  37,028    
         
  Trailing 4 Quarters
  August 31, 2013 August 25, 2012    
Net income  $ 1,016,480  $ 930,373    
Adjustments:        
Interest expense  185,415  175,905    
Rent expense  246,340  229,417    
Tax effect*  (155,432)  (145,916)    
After-tax return  1,292,803  1,189,779    
         
Average debt**  3,951,360  3,508,970    
Average stockholders' deficit**  (1,581,832)  (1,372,342)    
Add: Rent x 6  1,478,040  1,376,502    
Average capital lease obligations**  102,729  96,027    
Pre-tax invested capital  $ 3,950,297  $ 3,609,157    
         
Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) 32.7% 33.0%    
         
  * Effective tax rate over trailing four quarters ended August 31, 2013 is 36.0% and August 25, 2012 is 36.0%.
** All averages are computed based on trailing 5 quarter balances.
 
 
AutoZone's 4th Quarter Fiscal 2013
Selected Operating Highlights
 
Store Count & Square Footage
         
  17 Weeks Ended
August 31, 2013
16 Weeks Ended
August 25, 2012
53 Weeks Ended
August 31, 2013
52 Weeks Ended
August 25, 2012
Domestic stores:        
Store count:        
Beginning domestic stores  4,767  4,613  4,685  4,534
Stores opened  69  72  153  151
Stores closed  --  --  2  -- 
Ending domestic stores  4,836  4,685  4,836  4,685
         
Relocated stores  5  2  11  10
         
Stores with commercial programs  3,421  3,053  3,421  3,053
         
Square footage (in thousands): 31,411 30,358 31,411 30,358
         
Mexico stores:        
Stores opened  21  24  41  42
Total stores in Mexico  362  321  362  321
         
Brazil stores:        
Stores opened  2  --  3  -- 
Total stores in Brazil  3  --  3  -- 
         
Total stores chainwide  5,201  5,006  5,201  5,006
         
Square footage (in thousands):  34,076  32,706  34,076  32,706
Square footage per store  6,552  6,533  6,552  6,533
         
Sales Statistics
($ in thousands, except sales per average square foot)
Total Auto Parts (Domestic, Mexico, and Brazil) 17 Weeks Ended
August 31, 2013
16 Weeks Ended
August 25, 2012
53 Weeks Ended
August 31, 2013
52 Weeks Ended
August 25, 2012
Total auto parts sales  $ 2,985,611  $ 2,706,876  $ 8,858,723  $ 8,422,559
% Increase vs. LY 10.3% 4.6% 5.2% 6.5%
         
Sales per average store  $ 579  $ 546  $ 1,736  $ 1,716
Sales per average square foot  $ 88  $ 84  $ 265  $ 263
         
Domestic Commercial        
Total domestic commercial sales  $ 506,805  $ 431,877  $ 1,459,045  $ 1,295,819
% Increase vs. LY 17.3% 15.9% 12.6% 20.4%
         
All Other (ALLDATA, E-Commerce, and AutoAnything)        
All other sales  $ 109,803  $ 56,709  $ 288,807  $ 181,304
% Increase vs. LY 93.6% 6.3% 59.3% 9.0%
         
  16 Weeks Ended
August 31, 2013
16 Weeks Ended
August 25, 2012
52 Weeks Ended
August 31, 2013
52 Weeks Ended
August 25, 2012
Domestic same store sales 1.0% 2.1% 0.0% 3.9%
         
         
Inventory Statistics (Total Stores)
  as of
August 31, 2013
as of
August 25, 2012
   
Accounts payable/inventory 115.6% 111.4%    
         
($ in thousands)        
Inventory  $ 2,861,014  $ 2,627,983    
Inventory per store  $ 550  $ 525    
Net inventory (net of payables)  $ (446,521)  $ (298,757)    
Net inventory / per store  $ (86)  $ (60)    
         
  Trailing 5 Quarters    
  August 31, 2013 August 25, 2012    
Inventory turns  1.6 x  1.6 x    
CONTACT: Financial: Brian Campbell at (901) 495-7005
         brian.campbell@autozone.com
         Media: Ray Pohlman at (866) 966-3017
         ray.pohlman@autozone.com