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EXHIBIT 99.1 AutoZone 1st Quarter Total Company Same Store Sales Increase 4.7%; Domestic Same Store Sales Increase 4.8%; 1st Quarter EPS of $31.04 MEMPHIS, Tenn., Dec. 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE: AZO) today reported net sales of $4.6 billion for its first quarter (12 weeks) ended November 22, 2025, an increase of 8.2% from the first quarter of fiscal 2025 (12 weeks). Same store sales, or sales for our domestic and international stores open at least one year, are as follows: | | | Cons ...

Core Insights - AutoZone, Inc. reported net sales of $4.6 billion for the first quarter of fiscal 2026, marking an 8.2% increase compared to the same period in fiscal 2025 [1] - Same store sales increased by 5.5% overall, with domestic sales up 4.8% and international sales up 11.2% [1][25] - The company opened 53 net new stores globally during the quarter, contributing to a total of 7,710 stores as of November 22, 2025 [6][7] Financial Performance - Gross profit margin decreased to 51.0%, down 203 basis points year-over-year, primarily due to a non-cash LIFO impact [2] - Operating profit fell by 6.8% to $784.2 million, while net income decreased to $530.8 million from $564.9 million in the prior year [3] - Diluted earnings per share were $31.04, down from $32.52 in the same quarter last year [3] Share Repurchase and Capital Allocation - AutoZone repurchased 108 thousand shares at an average price of $3,999, totaling $431.1 million, with $1.7 billion remaining under its share repurchase authorization [4] - The company’s inventory increased by 13.9% year-over-year, driven by growth initiatives and inflation [5] Store Expansion and Operations - The company opened 39 new stores in the U.S., 12 in Mexico, and 2 in Brazil during the quarter [7] - As of the end of the quarter, the company had 6,666 stores in the U.S., 895 in Mexico, and 149 in Brazil [7] Sales and Inventory Metrics - Sales per average store increased to $602, up from $570 in the previous year, while sales per average square foot rose to $89 from $85 [24] - Total inventory as of November 22, 2025, was $7.1 billion, with inventory per store at $927 [26]

Core Insights - AutoZone, Inc. is set to release its first-quarter earnings results on December 9, with expected earnings of $32.51 per share, a slight decrease from $32.52 in the same period last year [1] - The consensus estimate for quarterly revenue is $4.64 billion, up from $4.28 billion reported last year [1] Financial Performance - In the fourth quarter, AutoZone reported a sales growth of 6.9% [2] - Operating profit decreased by 7.8% to $1.2 billion, while earnings per share (EPS) fell to $48.71 from $51.58, marking a 5.6% decline [2] - Shares of AutoZone closed at $3,766.96, reflecting a 1.5% drop [2] Analyst Ratings - Goldman Sachs upgraded AutoZone from Neutral to Buy, adjusting the price target from $4,090 to $4,262 [4] - BMO Capital maintained an Outperform rating and raised the price target from $4,100 to $4,600 [4] - Truist Securities maintained a Buy rating, lowering the price target from $4,504 to $4,499 [4] - Raymond James kept a Strong Buy rating, reducing the price target from $4,900 to $4,800 [4] - Morgan Stanley maintained an Overweight rating, increasing the price target from $4,000 to $4,700 [4]

Core Viewpoint - AutoZone, Inc. is expected to report a slight decrease in quarterly earnings and an increase in revenue compared to the previous year [1][2]. Financial Performance - Analysts anticipate AutoZone's earnings per share (EPS) for the first quarter to be $32.51, a decrease from $32.52 in the same period last year [1]. - The consensus estimate for quarterly revenue is $4.64 billion, up from $4.28 billion reported last year, reflecting a growth of approximately 8.4% [1]. - In the fourth quarter, AutoZone reported a sales growth of 6.9% but experienced a 7.8% decline in operating profit, which was $1.2 billion [2]. - The company's EPS for the fourth quarter decreased to $48.71 from $51.58, marking a 5.6% decline [2]. Stock Performance - AutoZone's shares fell by 1.5%, closing at $3,766.96 on the preceding Monday [2]. Analyst Ratings - Goldman Sachs upgraded AutoZone from Neutral to Buy, adjusting the price target from $4,090 to $4,262 [4]. - BMO Capital maintained an Outperform rating and raised the price target from $4,100 to $4,600 [4]. - Truist Securities maintained a Buy rating, lowering the price target from $4,504 to $4,499 [4]. - Raymond James kept a Strong Buy rating, reducing the price target from $4,900 to $4,800 [4]. - Morgan Stanley maintained an Overweight rating and increased the price target from $4,000 to $4,700 [4].

Core Viewpoint - AutoZone, Inc. is experiencing growth across its commercial, DIY, and international segments, with a positive outlook reflected in the upward trend of its stock price target by analysts [2][3][6] Segment Contributions - The commercial segment, particularly the Do-It-For-Me (DIFM) market, is showing structural and sustainable growth [3][6] - The DIY segment remains stable, while international expansion, especially in Mexico, provides diversified growth opportunities [3][6] Financial Performance and Projections - The consensus price target for AutoZone's stock has increased from $4,090.07 a year ago to $4,655 last quarter, indicating growing analyst confidence [2][6] - Despite short-term margin challenges due to LIFO accounting methods, AutoZone's underlying profitability is strong, with anticipated earnings per share (EPS) growth expected by fiscal year 2027 [4][6] - AutoZone is expected to surpass earnings estimates in its upcoming quarterly report, suggesting favorable conditions for an earnings beat [5]

Company Developments - Paramount Sky Dance has launched a hostile takeover bid for Warner Brothers Discovery with a $30 per share all-cash offer, following Netflix's $72 billion acquisition of Warner Brothers Discovery Studio and streaming assets, which is under antitrust scrutiny [2] - Paramount's shares rose by 9% as investors anticipate a potential takeover that could significantly impact the streaming industry, while Warner Brothers Discovery shares also increased [3] - Whimo has reported over 450,000 paid robo taxi rides per week, indicating rapid growth in the autonomous vehicle sector and highlighting its lead over competitors like Tesla [4] Market Reactions - The stock of Cabbana surged over 12% after its addition to the S&P 500, marking a year-to-date increase of approximately 120% [6] - Tesla's stock experienced a decline of nearly 3.5% following a downgrade from Morgan Stanley [5] Economic Indicators - The benchmark 10-year yield reached 4.18%, influenced by expectations of a hawkish rate cut and global bond market trends, particularly in Japan [8] - Upcoming earnings reports for AutoZone and Casey's General Store are anticipated, with AutoZone projecting EPS of $3.23-$3.35 on revenue of $4.64 billion, reflecting an 8% year-over-year growth [9][10] - Casey's is expected to report revenue of $4.5 billion with EPS of about $5, continuing its trend of quarterly earnings beats [10] Labor Market Insights - The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) data is expected to show 7.227 million job openings, providing insights into the labor market ahead of the Federal Reserve's decision [12]

Core Viewpoint - AutoZone is positioned as a strong player in the automotive replacement parts market, with significant growth potential across various segments, particularly in the commercial and international markets [2][3]. Company Overview - AutoZone, Inc. is a leading retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States, operating through commercial, DIY, and international segments [1]. - Competitors include O'Reilly Automotive and Advance Auto Parts [1]. Earnings Expectations - The company is set to release its quarterly earnings on December 9, 2025, with Wall Street estimating an earnings per share (EPS) of $32.35 and projected revenue of approximately $4.64 billion [2]. - The commercial segment, especially the Do-It-For-Me (DIFM) market, is experiencing structural and sustainable growth [2]. Analyst Ratings and Market Sentiment - JP Morgan analyst Christopher Horvers maintains an Overweight rating on AutoZone, citing resilient demand and potential for improved long-term earnings [3]. - Horvers has increased his estimates and set a price target of $4,850, noting no structural slowdown in DIY demand despite early-quarter fluctuations [3]. Financial Metrics - AutoZone has a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of approximately 25.60, indicating the market's valuation of its earnings [4]. - The price-to-sales ratio stands at about 3.39, reflecting the company's market value relative to its revenue [4]. - The enterprise value to sales ratio is around 4.02, showing the company's total valuation compared to its sales [4]. - The enterprise value to operating cash flow ratio is approximately 24.41, suggesting how the company's valuation compares to its cash flow from operations [4]. - AutoZone's earnings yield is about 3.91%, providing insight into the return on investment for shareholders [4]. - The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of approximately -3.57, indicating a higher level of debt compared to its equity [4]. - The current ratio is around 0.88, suggesting the company's ability to cover its short-term liabilities with its short-term assets [4]. Growth Potential - The upcoming earnings report could significantly impact AutoZone's stock price, with potential upward movement if results exceed expectations [4].

Core Viewpoint - Analysts project that AutoZone (AZO) will report quarterly earnings of $32.22 per share, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 0.9%, while revenues are expected to increase by 8.3% to $4.64 billion [1]. Earnings Projections - The consensus EPS estimate has been adjusted upward by 0.1% over the past 30 days, indicating a reassessment by analysts [1][2]. - Revisions to earnings projections are crucial for predicting investor behavior and stock price performance [2]. Revenue Estimates - Analysts estimate 'Net Sales- Auto Parts' will reach $4.61 billion, a 9.7% increase from the previous year [4]. - 'Net Sales- All Other' is projected at $85.83 million, reflecting a 7.4% year-over-year increase [4]. - 'Net Sales- Domestic Commercial sales' is expected to be $1.27 billion, marking a 12.7% rise from the prior year [4]. Store Metrics - Total square footage is estimated to be 52,372 thousand square feet, up from 49,781 thousand square feet a year ago [5]. - The total number of AutoZone stores is projected to be 7,711, compared to 7,387 in the same quarter last year [5]. - The number of domestic stores is expected to reach 6,659, an increase from 6,455 a year ago [6]. Performance Indicators - Analysts predict 'Square footage per store' will be 6.80 million, up from 6.74 million in the same quarter last year [6]. - The consensus for 'Sales per average square foot' stands at $89.16 thousand, compared to $85.00 thousand a year ago [6]. New Store Openings - The number of stores opened in Brazil is expected to be 6, up from 5 last year [7]. - In Mexico, the number of new stores is projected to reach 7, compared to 6 in the same quarter last year [7]. - Domestic store openings are estimated at 35, an increase from 23 in the same quarter last year [8]. Market Performance - Over the past month, AutoZone shares have returned +4.4%, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.1% change [8].

Economic Data and Market Reaction - The ADP data indicated a loss of 32,000 private-sector jobs in November, marking the largest decline in 2.5 years, which initially caused stocks to fall [2] - Following the weak employment data, stocks rebounded, with the Dow Jones up 0.96% at 47,928, S&P 500 rising 0.38% to 6,855, and NASDAQ gaining 0.26% to 23,468 by the close [2] - The weak ADP report has increased expectations for a 25 basis point rate cut by the Federal Reserve next week [2][6] Treasury Bonds - The weak ADP data led to a decline in Treasury yields across the curve, with the 30-year bond yielding 4.73% and the 10-year note at 4.06% [3] - Some analysts suggest that the Fed may not only cut rates next week but could also follow up with another cut in January [3] Energy Sector - Oil prices increased as reports indicated that a potential peace deal regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict was premature, with Brent Crude rising 0.61% to $62.83 and West Texas Intermediate up 0.84% to $59.13 [4] - Natural gas prices surged, closing at $5.00, a significant increase of 3.45%, with EQT Corp. identified as a favored stock in this sector [4] Precious Metals - Gold prices saw a slight increase, closing at $4,207, driven by dollar weakness and a report of central banks purchasing 53 tonnes of gold in October, the highest amount since 2025 [5] - Silver also continued to rise, last seen at $56.97 [5]