Core Viewpoint - AutoZone, Inc. is set to release its third-quarter results on May 27, 2025, and will host a conference call to discuss these results [1] Group 1: Company Overview - AutoZone is the leading retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the Americas [3] - 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 [2] - The company offers a wide range of products for various vehicle types, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, and accessories [3] Group 2: Commercial Operations - AutoZone has a commercial sales program that provides credit and prompt delivery of parts to various accounts, including repair garages and service stations [3] - The company also sells products through its websites, including www.autozone.com for retail customers and www.autozonepro.com for commercial customers [3] - AutoZone does not generate revenue from automotive repair or installation services [3]

Industry Overview - The Zacks Automotive - Retail and Wholesale - Parts industry involves retail, distribution, and installation of vehicle components, including various parts and accessories [2] - The industry is characterized by fierce competition and is undergoing transformative shifts due to changing customer preferences and technological advancements [2] Factors Influencing the Industry Outlook - The average age of vehicles on U.S. roads has increased from 11.1 years to 12.6 years over the last decade, leading to higher demand for servicing and replacement parts [3] - Consumers are spending more on essential repairs and part replacements to maintain vehicle functionality, contributing to increased demand for auto parts [3] Expansion Efforts - Auto part dealers are expanding into new markets through strategic acquisitions and the establishment of mega hubs, which enhance market share and offerings [4] - Investment in digital platforms is aligned with consumer preferences for online transactions, allowing dealers to reach a broader audience and drive profitability [4] Capital Expenditure Trends - Auto part retailers are increasing capital expenditure to support growth, improve electronic catalogs, expand stores, and enhance supply chain and merchandising projects [5] - These investments may limit near-term cash flows but are essential for long-term business growth [5] Industry Performance and Rankings - The Zacks Auto Retail & Wholesale Parts industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 95, placing it in the top 39% of around 250 Zacks industries, indicating bright near-term prospects [6] - The industry has outperformed the S&P 500 and the Auto, Tires, and Truck sector over the past year, with a growth of 10.3% compared to the S&P 500's 8.3% [9] Current Valuation - The industry is currently trading at an EV/EBITDA ratio of 30.99X, significantly higher than the S&P 500's 18.31X and the sector's 16.34X [12] - Over the past five years, the industry's EV/EBITDA ratio has ranged from a high of 32.85X to a low of 18.68X, with a median of 24.15X [13] Company Highlights - **AutoZone**: A leading specialty retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts, expecting growth in fiscal 2025 driven by strong DIY and commercial performance, with year-over-year sales and EPS growth estimates of 1.78% and 2.74% respectively for fiscal 2025 [17][18] - **Genuine Parts Company (GPC)**: Strengthened by the acquisition of Motor Parts & Equipment Corporation, with a focus on restructuring to realize $100 million to $125 million in additional savings, and year-over-year sales growth estimates of 2.74% for 2025 [21][24] - **Advance Auto Parts (AAP)**: Improved liquidity from the sale of Worldpac for $1.5 billion, allowing a sharper focus on core business operations, with an impressive EPS growth estimate of 644.83% for 2025 [27][28]

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].

Three major U.S. indexes the Nasdaq Composite, the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed deeply in red by 9.89%, 9.58% and 8.78% respectively, last week. The stocks have taken a beating after the implementation of President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariff policies with major trading partners on April 2, 2025. Uncertainty over the impact of such policies on the U.S. economy has stoked fear of a near-term recession among market participants.Analysts are expecting a slowdown in economic growth a ...

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]

Group 1: AutoZone Performance - AutoZone shares increased by 4% to $3,828.11 in the last trading session, with a notable trading volume and an 8.5% gain over the past four weeks [1] - The stock's surge is attributed to President Trump's 25% tariffs on foreign vehicles, leading consumers to retain their cars longer and increasing demand for auto parts [1] Group 2: Earnings Expectations - AutoZone is expected to report quarterly earnings of $37.07 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 1%, with revenues projected at $4.41 billion, up 4.2% from the previous year [2] - The consensus EPS estimate for AutoZone has been revised down by 3.3% over the last 30 days, indicating a negative trend in earnings estimate revisions, which typically does not lead to price appreciation [3] Group 3: Industry Context - AutoZone is part of the Zacks Automotive - Retail and Wholesale - Parts industry, where Driven Brands Holdings Inc. also operates, having seen a 2.9% increase in its last trading session [3] - Driven Brands Holdings has experienced a significant revision in its EPS estimate, down 34.2% to $0.23, with no change from the previous year's report [4]