On CNBC's “Mad Money Lightning Round,” Jim Cramer said no to O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. ORLY. “You want to buy the one that's not going to stock split, which is AutoZone AZO,” he added.Adding support to his view, O’Reilly Automotive posted first-quarter earnings of $9.35 per share on April 23, missing market estimates of $9.94 per share. The company's quarterly sales came in at $4.14 billion versus expectations of $4.17 billion.AutoZone has outperformed the market over the past 15 years by 10.81% on an annua ...

The stocks on this list are not high-flying tech names, shoot-for-the-moon startups, or even high-growth names, but they are quietly crushing it for investors. Kroger NYSE: KR, Casey’s General Stores NASDAQ: CASY, and Autozone NYSE: AZO are all well-established businesses growing at steady and sustainable paces, driving reliable cash flow in good times and bad. The quality of their operations is clearly seen in their share prices, which are trending upward and outperforming the broad market in 2025. The out ...

Group 1: Berkshire Hathaway and Warren Buffett - Warren Buffett, after 60 years of leadership, announced that Greg Abel will become CEO of Berkshire Hathaway by the end of the year [1] - Buffett has significantly outperformed the S&P 500, essentially doubling its annual return over his career [2] - Berkshire Hathaway is known for its stability and has outperformed the S&P 500 during recent market volatility [5] Group 2: Altria - Altria has a strong historical performance, particularly in down markets, and is currently the domestic seller of Marlboro and other cigarette brands [8] - The company benefits from a recession-resistant business model, with a high-yield dividend and a record of raising dividends 59 times in the last 55 years [9] - Altria's stock is up 16.6% this year, outperforming both Berkshire and the S&P 500, and has shown resilience during past bear markets [10][12] Group 3: AutoZone - AutoZone operates in the aftermarket auto parts sector, which tends to perform well during recessions as consumers prioritize repairs over new vehicle purchases [17] - The stock is up 17.8% year to date and has historically thrived during bear markets, gaining 22% during the financial crisis [18][19] - AutoZone has a pattern of accelerating sales towards the end of recessions, indicating strong potential for future performance [21][23] Group 4: Investment Considerations - Despite a recent 5% decline in Berkshire stock following Buffett's retirement announcement, the company remains a strong long-term investment due to its cash reserves of nearly $350 billion [24] - Investors looking to capitalize on potential bear markets may find Altria and AutoZone to be more attractive options based on their historical performance and business models [25]

MEMPHIS, Tenn., April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE: AZO), the leading retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the Americas, will release results for its third quarter ended Saturday, May 10, 2025, before market open on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Additionally, the Company will host a one-hour conference call on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, beginning at 10:00 a.m. (ET), to discuss the results of the quarter. This call is being webcast and can be accessed, along w ...

Group 1 - AutoZone appointed Claire Rauh McDonough to its Board of Directors, expanding the board to 10 members [1][3] - Claire Rauh McDonough is currently the Chief Financial Officer of Rivian and has a background in investment banking, previously serving as a Managing Director at J.P. Morgan [2] - The addition of McDonough is expected to enhance the board's perspectives and deliberations, according to Bill Rhodes, Executive Chairman of AutoZone [3] Group 2 - As of February 15, 2025, AutoZone operates a total of 7,432 stores, with 6,483 in the U.S., 813 in Mexico, and 136 in Brazil [4] - AutoZone is a leading retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the Americas, offering a wide range of products for various vehicle types [5] - The company provides commercial sales programs and online purchasing options for both retail and commercial customers, without deriving revenue from automotive repair or installation services [5]

Group 1: Economic Context - Current odds of a U.S. recession are estimated between 45% to 60%, influenced by trade policy uncertainty and potential global growth slowdown due to U.S. tariffs [1] - The auto industry is highlighted as having recession-resilient stocks [1] Group 2: Ferrari - Ferrari is recognized for its racing heritage and ultra-luxury vehicles, with stock gains that outperform industry peers and the S&P 500 [2][4] - The consumer base for Ferrari consists of high earners who can afford to purchase vehicles even during economic downturns, leading to long waiting lists and strict resale policies [5] - Ferrari maintains limited sales volume to ensure demand exceeds supply, which supports pricing power and provides flexibility during economic downturns [6] - The company has high profit margins akin to ultra-luxury brands, with new models like the F80 generating significant interest and sales [7][8] Group 3: AutoZone - AutoZone operates in a countercyclical industry, where demand for auto parts increases as consumers opt to repair rather than replace vehicles during economic downturns [9] - The company has a robust distribution model with over 7,000 stores across the U.S., Mexico, and Brazil, carrying a wide range of SKUs [11] - AutoZone has significantly reduced its shares outstanding through buybacks over the past decade, enhancing shareholder value [12] - The company is expected to remain resilient amid tariff issues, as consumers prioritize vehicle maintenance [12] Group 4: Investment Implications - Owning stocks like AutoZone and Ferrari, which have durable business models and competitive advantages, could provide resilience during economic downturns [14] - Investors are encouraged to keep AutoZone and Ferrari on their watch list regardless of economic conditions or tariff developments [14]

Core Viewpoint - Share buybacks serve as an effective alternative to dividends for returning value to shareholders, with AutoZone and General Motors exemplifying successful implementation of this strategy [1][11]. Group 1: AutoZone - AutoZone is perceived as a recession-proof stock, benefiting from consumers needing to maintain their vehicles, which drives demand for its products [2][4]. - The company has significantly reduced its share count, decreasing it by over 3% year-over-year and cutting the number of shares outstanding by approximately 50% over the past decade [4]. - AutoZone's high margins and robust supply chain position it well against potential tariff impacts, further enhancing its resilience [4]. Group 2: General Motors - General Motors has announced around $16 billion in share buybacks from 2023 to 2025, alongside a recent $6 billion authorization, which is substantial given its market capitalization of about $45 billion [8]. - Despite its share buyback strategy, General Motors is less resilient to recession compared to AutoZone and faces challenges from automotive tariffs due to its reliance on imported vehicles and foreign parts [9]. - In 2024, General Motors reported a 9% growth in full-year revenue and led the U.S. automotive market in various delivery categories, while also doubling its electric vehicle market share [10]. Group 3: Investment Implications - The effectiveness of share repurchases, as demonstrated by AutoZone and General Motors, highlights their potential to enhance shareholder value when executed at favorable prices [11]. - Both companies have shown a commitment to returning value to shareholders through share buybacks, suggesting a positive outlook for investors [11].

Core Viewpoint - The current market environment is highly uncertain due to President Trump's tariff policies, making it difficult for investors to predict short-term market movements [1][2]. Company Overview: AutoZone - AutoZone is identified as a strong investment option due to its historical outperformance in various market conditions, particularly during bear markets [3][4]. - The company operates over 7,000 stores, primarily in the U.S., with a significant portion of sales (80%) coming from walk-in customers [6]. Business Model and Advantages - AutoZone benefits from a countercyclical business model, as demand for aftermarket auto parts typically increases during economic downturns when consumers delay purchasing new vehicles [5]. - The company has a wide product range, with most stores carrying 20,000 to 25,000 SKUs, and larger hub stores carrying up to 110,000 SKUs, enhancing its operational efficiency [7]. Financial Performance and Strategy - AutoZone has reduced its shares outstanding by about 50% over the last decade through consistent share buybacks, contributing to its stock outperformance [8]. - The company is confident in maintaining its margin profile despite potential tariff impacts, as most of its products are necessary and not discretionary [10]. Tariff Exposure and Management - While AutoZone is exposed to tariffs, management believes it can pass on costs to consumers due to the inelastic nature of its product offerings [9][10]. - The company's operational success and countercyclical nature position it well for growth, regardless of tariff developments [10].

Group 1 - AutoZone's stock closed at $3,813.27, with a slight increase of +0.01%, underperforming the S&P 500's gain of 0.38% [1] - Over the past month, AutoZone's stock has increased by 9.63%, contrasting with the Retail-Wholesale sector's decline of 7.71% and the S&P 500's decline of 5.59% [1] Group 2 - AutoZone's upcoming earnings per share (EPS) are projected to be $37.07, reflecting a 1.04% increase year-over-year, with net sales estimated at $4.41 billion, up 4.17% from the previous year [2] - For the annual period, the Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $150.14 per share and revenue of $18.82 billion, indicating increases of +2.74% and +1.78% respectively from last year [3] Group 3 - Recent modifications to analyst estimates for AutoZone are crucial, as positive revisions indicate optimism about the company's business outlook [4] - Adjustments in estimates are directly linked to stock price performance, and the Zacks Rank system is designed to leverage these changes for investment insights [5] Group 4 - AutoZone currently has a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell), with the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate having decreased by 1.86% in the past month [6] - The company is trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 25.39, which is higher than the industry's Forward P/E of 20.52, and has a PEG ratio of 2.16 compared to the industry average of 1.73 [7] Group 5 - The Automotive - Retail and Wholesale - Parts industry is ranked 187 in the Zacks Industry Rank, placing it in the bottom 25% of over 250 industries [8]

Core Viewpoint - AutoZone has demonstrated resilience and growth in various economic cycles, making it a strong investment choice amid current market volatility and economic uncertainty. Company Performance - AutoZone has consistently outperformed the market during economic downturns, including the dot-com bust, the financial crisis, and the 2022 inflationary bear market [3][5] - The stock has gained 18% year-to-date through March 28, while the S&P 500 has declined by 4.3% [5] - Comparable sales for AutoZone increased by 13.6% in 2021 and 8.4% in 2022, driven by high used car prices [7] Industry Dynamics - The auto parts industry is countercyclical, with increased demand for aftermarket parts during economic downturns as consumers delay purchasing new vehicles [6] - AutoZone's same-store sales have historically accelerated during recessions, indicating strong performance in challenging economic conditions [7] Competitive Advantage - AutoZone has a significant market presence with extensive store coverage, providing convenient access to inventory for both consumers and professional repair shops [9] - The company has effectively managed costs and passed on tariff-related price increases to consumers without losing market share, reflecting its competitive strength [11] Future Outlook - AutoZone is expanding its footprint with 241 new stores opened in the last year, positioning itself for continued growth [12] - The stock is currently valued at a price-to-earnings ratio of 25, suggesting reasonable valuation amid economic uncertainty [12]