AutoZone 3rd Quarter Total Company Same Store Sales Increase 3.9%; Domestic Same Store Sales Increase 4.1%; EPS of $38.07

Rhea-AI Summary

AutoZone (NYSE: AZO) reported fiscal 2026 Q3 net sales of $4.84 billion, up 8.4% year over year. Total company same store sales rose 3.9%, with domestic same store sales up 4.1%.

Operating profit increased to $923.8 million, net income was $641.5 million, and diluted EPS reached $38.07. Gross margin was 52.2%, down 57 basis points. The company repurchased $586.3 million of stock and ended the quarter with 7,856 stores globally.

Positive

• Net sales up 8.4% year over year to $4.84 billion
• Total company same store sales up 3.9%; domestic up 4.1%
• Operating profit increased 6.6% to $923.8 million
• Diluted EPS rose to $38.07 from $35.36
• Operating expenses leveraged to 33.1% of sales versus 33.3% last year
• Share repurchases of 164,000 shares for $586.3 million

Negative

• Gross margin declined 57 basis points to 52.2%
• International same store sales in constant currency described as challenged
• Inventory increased 10.8% year over year to $7.56 billion
• Year-to-date net income declined to $1.64 billion from $1.66 billion
• Adjusted after-tax ROIC decreased to 36.3% from 43.5%
• Net inventory per store less negative at -$107k vs -$142k last year

News Market Reaction – AZO

-8.99%

46 alerts

-8.99% Session close to close

-6.6% Trough in 4 hr 31 min

$56.13B Market Cap

0.9x Rel. Volume

In the May 26 session, AZO declined 8.99%, reflecting a notable negative market reaction. Argus tracked a trough of -6.6% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 46 alerts that day, indicating elevated trading interest and price volatility.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Context

The stock moved -9.0% in the session following this news. A negative reaction despite revenue growth...

Analysis

The stock moved -9.0% in the session following this news. A negative reaction despite revenue growth and EPS of $38.07 would fit the pattern from the last two earnings releases, which averaged -6.75% one-day moves as investors focused on margin compression and inventory builds. Q3 gross margin of 52.2%, down 57 bps, and ongoing international softness could reinforce those concerns. Monitoring future quarters for margin stabilization and comp durability would be critical.

Key Figures

Q3 Net sales: $4,840,950K Total company same-store sales: 3.9% Domestic same-store sales: 4.1% +5 more

8 metrics

Q3 Net sales $4,840,950K 12 weeks ended May 9, 2026; up 8.4% vs. Q3 FY2025

Total company same-store sales 3.9% Q3 FY2026 reported; 5.5% constant currency

Domestic same-store sales 4.1% Q3 FY2026, 12 weeks

Gross margin 52.2% Q3 FY2026; down 57 bps vs. prior year

Operating profit $923.8M Q3 FY2026; up 6.6% year over year

Net income $641.5M Q3 FY2026 vs. $608.4M in Q3 FY2025

Diluted EPS $38.07 Q3 FY2026 vs. $35.36 in prior-year quarter

Share repurchases $586.3M 164K shares at $3,582 avg; $0.8B authorization remaining

Previous Earnings Reports

2 past events · Latest: Mar 03 (Negative)

Same Type Pattern 2 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	24h Move	Catalyst
Mar 03	Quarterly earnings	Negative	-6.3%	Q2 FY2026 earnings with margin compression despite 8.1% sales growth.
Dec 09	Quarterly earnings	Negative	-7.2%	Q1 FY2026 earnings, strong comps but EPS and margin down year over year.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Pattern Detected

Recent earnings releases have combined solid sales growth with margin pressure and were followed by negative one-day reactions of -6.32% and -7.17%, indicating a pattern of cautious market responses to results.

Recent Company History

Over the last three earnings reports, AutoZone has delivered consistent top-line growth. Q1 FY2026 net sales were $4.63B with Total Company same-store sales up 5.5%, but gross margin fell 203 bps and EPS slipped to $31.04. Q2 FY2026 net sales rose to $4.27B with same-store sales up 3.3% and diluted EPS of $27.63, yet gross margin again contracted. Today’s Q3 release continues the theme of mid‑single‑digit comp growth and LIFO-driven margin pressure, but with EPS improving to $38.07.

Key Terms

lifo, non-gaap, ebitdar, asc 842

4 terms

lifo financial

"The decrease in gross margin was driven by a 77 basis point net non-cash LIFO impact"

An accounting method that assumes the most recently acquired inventory items are sold first, so the newest costs flow into cost of goods sold while older costs stay on the balance sheet. Imagine a stack of boxes where you take from the top; when prices are rising, that top-first approach produces higher reported costs and lower reported profits, which can reduce taxes and change profit margins. Investors watch LIFO because it affects reported earnings, tax liabilities, and how comparable a company’s performance is to peers.

non-gaap financial

"These non-GAAP measures include adjustments to reflect return on invested capital"

Non-GAAP refers to financial measures that companies use to show their earnings or performance without including certain expenses or income that are often added back to give a different picture. It matters because it can make a company's results look better or more favorable, but it may also hide important costs, so investors need to look at both GAAP (official rules) and non-GAAP numbers to get a full understanding.

View in glossary

ebitdar financial

"adjusted debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, rent and share-based expense (“EBITDAR”)."

EBITDAR stands for Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, Amortization, and Rent; it measures a company's operating profit before the cost of financing, taxes, accounting write-downs, and lease or rent payments. For investors, it reveals how much cash a business generates from its core activities without the effects of capital structure or rent commitments — similar to checking how much money a store makes from selling goods before paying for the building, loan interest, or taxes.

asc 842 regulatory

"reconciles rent expense to total lease cost, per ASC 842, the most directly comparable GAAP"

ASC 842 is the U.S. accounting rule that requires most lease agreements to be recorded on a company’s balance sheet as right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities, rather than being hidden as off‑balance-sheet rent. For investors, this brings clearer visibility into a firm’s true obligations and asset base—like converting a long-term apartment rental into a visible mortgage-like entry—helping compare companies, assess leverage, and judge cash flow risks more accurately.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE: AZO) today reported net sales of $4.8 billion for its third quarter (12 weeks) ended May 9, 2026, an increase of 8.4% from the third quarter of fiscal 2025 (12 weeks). Same store sales, or sales for our domestic and international stores open at least one year, are as follows:

					Constant Currency							Constant Currency
	12 Weeks				12 Weeks*			36 Weeks				36 Weeks*
Domestic	4.1	%			4.1	%		4.2	%			4.2		%
International	16.6	%			1.6	%		15.0	%			2.6		%
Total Company	5.5	%			3.9	%		5.4	%			4.0		%
* Excludes impacts from fluctuations of foreign exchange rates.

For the quarter, gross profit, as a percentage of sales, was 52.2%, a decrease of 57 basis points versus the prior year. The decrease in gross margin was driven by a 77 basis point net non-cash LIFO impact partially offset by other gross margin improvements. Operating expenses, as a percentage of sales, were 33.1% versus last year at 33.3% with leverage driven by strong top line sales growth and expense management.

Operating profit increased 6.6% to $923.8 million. Net income for the quarter was $641.5 million compared to $608.4 million in the same period last year, while diluted earnings per share were $38.07 compared to last year at $35.36.

Under its share repurchase program, AutoZone repurchased 164 thousand shares of its common stock at an average price per share of $3,582, for a total investment of $586.3 million. At the end of the third quarter, the Company had $0.8 billion remaining under its current share repurchase authorization.

The Company’s inventory increased 10.8% over the same period last year, driven primarily by growth initiatives and inflation. Net inventory, defined as merchandise inventories less accounts payable, on a per store basis, was negative $107 thousand versus negative $142 thousand last year and negative $105 thousand last quarter.

“I want to thank our AutoZoners across the globe for delivering on our promise of “WOW” customer service and strong financial results this past quarter. Along with strong domestic sales results, we managed our expenses well and returned to an operating margin north of 19% for the quarter. We continue to execute well on our growth strategies behind strong execution. Domestically, both DIY and Commercial sales grew impressively this past quarter, while our international sales, in constant currency, continued to be challenged as both Mexico and Brazil performed similarly to last quarter. While international performance has been below our plan, we believe our market share continues to grow as we outpace our competition in both international marketplaces.  We were also pleased to have opened 82 new stores globally in the quarter, in line with our current expectations to open approximately 355-365 stores for the full fiscal year. As we remain focused on gaining market share in our industry, we will stay committed to a disciplined approach of increasing earnings and cash flows to drive shareholder value,” said Phil Daniele, President and Chief Executive Officer.

During the quarter ended May 9, 2026, AutoZone opened 57 new stores in the U.S., 20 in Mexico and five in Brazil for a total of 82 new stores. As of May 9, 2026, the Company had 6,766 stores in the U.S., 933 in Mexico and 157 in Brazil for a total store count of 7,856.

AutoZone is a 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 26, 2026, beginning at 10:00 a.m. (ET) to discuss its third quarter results. This call is being webcast 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 53849 through June 23, 2026.

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 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 statements are based on assumptions and assessments made by our management in light of experience, historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors that we believe 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 and natural disasters; competition; credit market conditions; cash flows; access to 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; public health issues; inflation, including wage inflation; exchange rates; the ability to hire, train and retain qualified employees, including members of management; 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 sales and profit 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; tariffs, trade policies and other geopolitical factors; new accounting standards; our ability to execute our growth initiatives; and other business interruptions. These and other risks and uncertainties 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 30, 2025. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Events described above and in the “Risk Factors” section could materially and adversely affect our business. However, 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: Jennifer Hughes at (901) 495-6022, jennifer.hughes@autozone.com

AutoZone's 3rd Quarter Highlights - Fiscal 2026
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
3rd Quarter, FY2026
(in thousands, except per share data)
				GAAP Results
				12 Weeks Ended				12 Weeks Ended
				May 9, 2026				May 10, 2025
Net sales				$	4,840,950			$	4,464,339
Cost of sales					2,316,376				2,110,816
Gross profit					2,524,574				2,353,523
Operating, SG&A expenses					1,600,818				1,487,349
Operating profit (EBIT)					923,756				866,174
Interest expense, net					110,490				111,285
Income before taxes					813,266				754,889
Income tax expense					171,775				146,449
Net income				$	641,491			$	608,440
Net income per share:
	Basic			$	38.95			$	36.33
	Diluted			$	38.07			$	35.36
Weighted average shares outstanding:
	Basic				16,468				16,746
	Diluted				16,852				17,207
Year-To-Date 3rd Quarter, FY2026
(in thousands, except per share data)
				GAAP Results
				36 Weeks Ended				36 Weeks Ended
				May 9, 2026				May 10, 2025
Net sales				$	13,743,677			$	12,695,991
Cost of sales					6,616,431				5,946,010
Gross profit					7,127,246				6,749,981
Operating, SG&A expenses					4,720,865				4,335,891
Operating profit (EBIT)					2,406,381				2,414,090
Interest expense, net					323,929				327,736
Income before taxes					2,082,452				2,086,354
Income tax expense					441,278				425,057
Net income				$	1,641,174			$	1,661,297
Net income per share:
	Basic			$	99.08			$	98.80
	Diluted			$	96.69			$	96.17
Weighted average shares outstanding:
	Basic				16,564				16,815
	Diluted				16,974				17,274
Selected Balance Sheet Information
(in thousands)
				May 9, 2026				May 10, 2025				August 30, 2025
Cash and cash equivalents				$	253,729			$	268,625			$	271,803
Merchandise inventories					7,559,056				6,822,881				7,025,688
Current assets					8,934,569				7,985,711				8,341,379
Property and equipment, net					7,796,988				6,727,218				7,062,509
Operating lease right-of-use assets					3,413,970				3,145,590				3,194,666
Total assets					20,916,463				18,621,983				19,355,324
Accounts payable					8,401,277				7,887,417				8,025,590
Current liabilities					10,035,313				9,465,535				9,519,397
Operating lease liabilities, less current portion					3,278,354				3,020,664				3,093,936
Total Debt					9,016,477				8,853,110				8,799,775
Stockholders' deficit					(2,784,552	)			(3,974,405	)			(3,414,313	)
Working capital					(1,100,744	)			(1,479,824	)			(1,178,018	)

AutoZone's 3rd Quarter Highlights - Fiscal 2026
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Adjusted Debt / EBITDAR
(in thousands, except adjusted debt to EBITDAR ratio)
					Trailing 4 Quarters
					May 9, 2026				May 10, 2025
Net income					$	2,478,124			$	2,563,505
Add: Interest expense						472,017				480,888
Income tax expense						652,306				666,378
EBIT						3,602,447				3,710,771
Add: Depreciation and amortization						661,538				591,126
Rent expense(1)						486,779				465,339
Share-based expense						136,774				120,516
EBITDAR					$	4,887,538			$	4,887,752
Debt					$	9,016,477			$	8,853,110
Financing lease liabilities						455,363				407,487
Add: Rent x 6(1)						2,920,674				2,792,034
Adjusted debt					$	12,392,514			$	12,052,631
Adjusted debt to EBITDAR						2.5				2.5
Adjusted Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)
(in thousands, except ROIC)
					Trailing 4 Quarters
					May 9, 2026				May 10, 2025
Net income					$	2,478,124			$	2,563,505
Adjustments:
Interest expense						472,017				480,888
Rent expense(1)						486,779				465,339
Tax effect(2)						(199,430	)			(194,922	)
Adjusted after-tax return					$	3,237,490			$	3,314,810
Average debt(3)					$	8,839,905			$	8,987,683
Average stockholders' deficit(3)						(3,262,129	)			(4,538,590	)
Add: Rent x 6(1)						2,920,674				2,792,034
Average financing lease liabilities(3)						413,733				385,328
Invested capital					$	8,912,183			$	7,626,455
Adjusted After-Tax ROIC						36.3	%			43.5	%
(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 May 9, 2026, and May 10, 2025.
					Trailing 4 Quarters
(in thousands)					May 9, 2026				May 10, 2025
Total lease cost, per ASC 842					$	657,326			$	625,740
Less: Financing lease interest and amortization						(124,052	)			(117,287	)
Less: Variable operating lease components, related to insurance and common area maintenance						(46,495	)			(43,114	)
Rent expense					$	486,779			$	465,339
(2)Effective tax rate over the trailing four quarters ended May 9, 2026, and May 10, 2025, was 20.8% and 20.6%, respectively.
(3)All averages are computed based on trailing five quarter balances.
Other Selected Financial Information
(in thousands)
					May 9, 2026				May 10, 2025
Cumulative share repurchases ($ since fiscal 1998)					$	39,845,837			$	38,070,948
Remaining share repurchase authorization ($)						804,163				1,079,052
Cumulative share repurchases (shares since fiscal 1998)						155,985				155,512
Shares outstanding, end of quarter						16,369				16,724
					12 Weeks Ended				12 Weeks Ended				36 Weeks Ended			36 Weeks Ended
					May 9, 2026				May 10, 2025				May 9, 2026			May 10, 2025
Depreciation and amortization					$	160,292			$	144,696			$	464,126		$	415,787
Cash flow from operations						847,387				769,030				2,164,987			2,164,582
Capital spending						391,681				345,886				1,043,658			885,623

AutoZone's 3rd Quarter Highlights - Fiscal 2026
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Selected Operating Highlights
Store Count & Square Footage
					12 Weeks Ended					12 Weeks Ended					36 Weeks Ended					36 Weeks Ended
					May 9, 2026					May 10, 2025					May 9, 2026					May 10, 2025
Domestic:
Beginning stores						6,709					6,483					6,627					6,432
Stores opened						57					54					139					105
Stores closed						-					-					-					-
Ending domestic stores						6,766					6,537					6,766					6,537
Relocated stores						1					2					8					5
Stores with commercial programs						6,356					6,011					6,356					6,011
Square footage (in thousands)						45,205					43,459					45,205					43,459
Mexico:
Beginning stores						913					813					883					794
Stores opened						20					25					50					44
Ending Mexico stores						933					838					933					838
Brazil:
Beginning stores						152					136					147					127
Stores opened						5					5					10					14
Ending Brazil stores						157					141					157					141
Total						7,856					7,516					7,856					7,516
Total Company stores opened, net						82					84					199					163
Square footage (in thousands)						53,339					50,761					53,339					50,761
Square footage per store						6,790					6,754					6,790					6,754
Sales Statistics
($ in thousands, except sales per average square foot)
Total AutoZone Stores (Domestic, Mexico and Brazil)					12 Weeks Ended					12 Weeks Ended					Trailing 4 Quarters					Trailing 4 Quarters
					May 9, 2026					May 10, 2025					May 9, 2026					May 10, 2025(1)
Sales per average store					$	619				$	586				$	2,600				$	2,514
Sales per average square foot					$	91				$	87				$	384				$	373
Domestic Commercial
Total domestic commercial sales					$	1,402,740				$	1,270,332				$	5,611,393				$	5,112,930
% Increase vs. LY						10.4%					10.7%					9.7%					8.3%
Average sales per program per week					$	18.5				$	17.7				$	17.5				$	16.3
% Increase vs. LY						4.5%					7.9%					7.4%					1.9%
(1)Trailing 4 Quarters ending May 10, 2025 include an additional week of sales of approximately $359.1 million for Total AutoZone Stores with $95.7 million for Domestic Commercial. Sales per average store and sales per square foot benefited from the additional week by $49K, and $7K, respectively.
					12 Weeks Ended					12 Weeks Ended					36 Weeks Ended					36 Weeks Ended
Same store sales(2)					May 9, 2026					May 10, 2025					May 9, 2026					May 10, 2025
Domestic						4.1%					5.0%					4.2%					2.4%
International						16.6%					(9.2%)					15.0%					(5.7%)
Total Company						5.5%					3.2%					5.4%					1.4%
International - Constant Currency						1.6%					8.1%					2.6%					10.4%
Total Company - Constant Currency						3.9%					5.4%					4.0%					3.4%
(2)Same store sales are based on sales for all stores open at least one year. Constant Currency same store sales exclude the impact of fluctuations of foreign currency exchange rates by converting both the current year and prior year international results at the prior year foreign currency exchange rate.
Inventory Statistics (Total Stores)
					as of					as of
					May 9, 2026					May 10, 2025
Accounts payable/inventory						111.1%					115.6%
($ in thousands)
Inventory					$	7,559,056				$	6,822,881
Inventory per store						962					908
Net inventory (net of payables)						(842,221	)				(1,064,536	)
Net inventory/per store						(107	)				(142	)
					Trailing 5 Quarters
					May 9, 2026					May 10, 2025
Inventory turns						1.3		x			1.4		x

FAQ

How did AutoZone (AZO) perform financially in Q3 2026?

AutoZone delivered higher sales and earnings in Q3 2026. According to AutoZone, net sales rose 8.4% to $4.84 billion, net income was $641.5 million, and diluted EPS increased to $38.07 from $35.36 a year earlier.

What were AutoZone (AZO) Q3 2026 same store sales results?

AutoZone reported broader growth in same store sales for Q3 2026. According to AutoZone, total company same store sales increased 3.9%, with domestic same store sales up 4.1% and international same store sales up 1.6% on a reported basis.

What was AutoZone (AZO) Q3 2026 earnings per share?

AutoZone’s diluted EPS increased year over year in Q3 2026. According to AutoZone, diluted earnings per share were $38.07, compared with $35.36 in the prior-year quarter, while basic EPS rose to $38.95 from $36.33.

How much stock did AutoZone (AZO) repurchase in Q3 2026?

AutoZone continued its share repurchase program in Q3 2026. According to AutoZone, the company repurchased 164,000 shares of common stock at an average price of $3,582, for a total investment of $586.3 million, leaving $804.2 million authorized.

How many stores does AutoZone (AZO) operate as of May 9, 2026?

AutoZone expanded its store base during the quarter. According to AutoZone, as of May 9, 2026, the company operated 7,856 stores, including 6,766 in the U.S., 933 in Mexico, and 157 in Brazil.

What happened to AutoZone (AZO) gross margin in Q3 2026?

AutoZone’s gross margin declined slightly in Q3 2026. According to AutoZone, gross profit as a percentage of sales was 52.2%, down 57 basis points year over year, mainly due to a 77 basis point net non-cash LIFO impact.