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Sep 25, 2024, 5:38:06 AM
AutoZone Q4 2024 Earnings: Strong Revenue Growth, But Domestic Sales Slow
AutoZone (NYSE: AZO), a leading auto parts retailer, has released its earnings for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, showing impressive financial performance despite some headwinds in the U.S. market. The company posted quarterly revenues of $6.2 billion, a 9% increase compared to the previous year, although slightly below analyst expectations of $6.22 billion.
Earnings Growth Outpaces Revenue
AutoZone's Q4 earnings per share (EPS) surged to $51.58, representing an 11% year-over-year rise. This strong EPS growth was supported by strategic share repurchases worth $710.6 million during the quarter. The company bought back 244,000 shares, reducing outstanding shares and boosting EPS performance.
Mixed Same-Store Sales Performance
Same-store sales for the quarter grew by 1.3%. However, domestic same-store sales rose by only 0.2%, indicating slower growth in the U.S. market, a core region for AutoZone. In contrast, international markets, especially Mexico and Brazil, showed strong momentum, with international same-store sales up by nearly 10%. The company's total store count reached 7,353 locations across the U.S., Mexico, and Brazil after opening 117 new stores in Q4.
Margin Pressure from Rising Costs
Despite revenue growth, AutoZone experienced some margin compression. The gross margin decreased by 21 basis points to 52.5%, largely due to non-cash LIFO adjustments reflecting higher inflation on inventory costs. Operating expenses also climbed to 31.6% of sales, driven by rising payroll costs.
Full-Year Financial Highlights
For fiscal 2024, AutoZone achieved total sales of $18.5 billion, a 5.9% increase from 2023. The company's continued store expansion and stock buybacks reflect its strategy to drive growth and return value to shareholders, even as it navigates operational challenges in its domestic market.