AZO 8-K — Smart Summary

AutoZone reported Q3 fiscal 2026 results (12 weeks ended May 9, 2026), with net sales of $4.8 billion, up 8.4% year-over-year, and diluted EPS of $38.07 versus $35.36 in the prior year period. The company opened 82 new stores globally during the quarter and repurchased 164 thousand shares for a total investment of $586.3 million. Total store count reached 7,856 as of May 9, 2026.

• Net sales: $4,840,950 thousand for Q3 FY2026 vs. $4,464,339 thousand in Q3 FY2025, an increase of 8.4% YoY
• Gross profit: $2,524,574 thousand vs. $2,353,523 thousand in the prior year; gross margin of 52.2%, a decrease of 57 basis points YoY
• Operating profit (EBIT): $923,756 thousand, up 6.6% from $866,174 thousand in Q3 FY2025
• Operating expenses as a % of sales: 33.1% vs. 33.3% in the prior year, reflecting leverage from top-line growth and expense management
• Net income: $641,491 thousand vs. $608,440 thousand in Q3 FY2025
• Diluted EPS: $38.07 vs. $35.36 in the prior year quarter
• Cash flow from operations: $847,387 thousand for the 12 weeks ended May 9, 2026, vs. $769,030 thousand in the prior year period; YTD (36 weeks) cash flow from operations: $2,164,987 thousand vs. $2,164,582 thousand
• Depreciation and amortization: $160,292 thousand for the quarter vs. $144,696 thousand in Q3 FY2025
• Capital spending: $391,681 thousand for the quarter vs. $345,886 thousand in Q3 FY2025

• Domestic same store sales: +4.1% for the 12-week quarter (constant currency: 4.1%); +4.2% YTD (constant currency: 4.2%)
• International same store sales: +16.6% for the 12-week quarter; +1.6% on a constant currency basis; YTD +15.0% (constant currency: 2.6%)
• Total Company same store sales: +5.5% for the quarter; +3.9% on a constant currency basis
• Total domestic commercial sales: $1,402,740 thousand for the quarter, up 10.4% vs. prior year; YTD $5,611,393 thousand, up 9.7%
• Average domestic commercial sales per program per week: $18.5 thousand, up 4.5% vs. prior year
• Ending store count: 6,766 domestic, 933 in Mexico, 157 in Brazil; total of 7,856
• Sales per average store (12 weeks): $619 thousand vs. $586 thousand in Q3 FY2025; sales per average square foot: $91 vs. $87

• Share repurchases: 164 thousand shares repurchased during the quarter at an average price of $3,582 per share, for a total investment of $586.3 million
• Remaining share repurchase authorization: $804,163 thousand ($0.8 billion) at end of Q3
• Cumulative share repurchases since fiscal 1998: $39,845,837 thousand; cumulative shares repurchased: 155,985 thousand
• Total debt: $9,016,477 thousand as of May 9, 2026, vs. $8,853,110 thousand as of May 10, 2025
• Cash and cash equivalents: $253,729 thousand as of May 9, 2026, vs. $268,625 thousand as of May 10, 2025
• Adjusted debt to EBITDAR ratio: 2.5x (trailing 4 quarters ended May 9, 2026, unchanged from May 10, 2025)
• Adjusted After-Tax ROIC: 36.3% (trailing 4 quarters ended May 9, 2026) vs. 43.5% (trailing 4 quarters ended May 10, 2025)
• No dividends mentioned in the press release

• "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." — Phil Daniele, President and Chief Executive Officer
• "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." — Phil Daniele, President and Chief Executive Officer

• The company expects to open approximately 355–365 stores for the full fiscal year
• 82 new stores were opened globally in Q3 FY2026, described as in line with current full-year expectations
• No specific financial guidance (revenue, EPS, or margin targets) for Q4 or full fiscal year was provided in the press release