AutoZone Q4 profit beats estimates on store expansion

AutoZone

22/09/2026 12:07

Overview
US automotive parts retailer's Q4 sales grew 5.6% yr/yr but missed analyst expectations
Q4 adjusted EPS beat analyst expectations
Company repurchased $697.5 mln in shares during the quarter

Outlook
AutoZone expects sales growth in fiscal 2027
Company expects sales in all three countries to accelerate in the new fiscal year

Result Drivers
GROSS MARGIN BOOST - Co said Q4 gross margin rose due to tariff refunds and net non-cash LIFO impact
STORE EXPANSION - Co opened 175 new stores in Q4, including 16 Mega Hub stores in the U.S.
COMMERCIAL SALES GROWTH - Domestic commercial sales grew 8.6% yr/yr, outpacing overall sales growth

Company press release: ID:nGNX2tJ43G

Key Details
Metric
Beat/Miss
Actual
Consensus Estimate
Q4 Sales
Miss
$6.59 bln
$6.72 bln (20 Analysts)
Q4 EPS
Beat
$56.05
$54.44 (22 Analysts)
Q4 Like-For-Like Sales Growth 
 
1.50%
 

Analyst Coverage
The current average analyst rating on the shares is "buy" and the breakdown of recommendations is 23 "strong buy" or "buy", 5 "hold" and no "sell" or "strong sell"
The average consensus recommendation for the auto vehicles, parts & service retailers peer group is "buy"
Wall Street's median 12-month price target for AutoZone, Inc. is $3,784.56, about 35% above its September 21 closing price of $2,803.25
The stock recently traded at 16 times the next 12-month earnings vs. a P/E of 17 three months ago

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Sept 22 - RV maker Thor Industries misses Q4 profit estimates on weak demand

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(This story was created using Reuters automation and AI based on LSEG and company data. It was checked and edited by a Reuters journalist prior to publication.)