Group 1 - AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE: AN) has shown strong performance over the past year, with shares gaining over 20% [1] - Despite uncertainties around new car sales due to auto tariffs, enduring service demand and ongoing capital returns have supported AutoNation's results [1] - The company has over fifteen years of experience making contrarian bets based on macro views and stock-specific turnaround stories to achieve outsized returns with a favorable risk/reward profile [1]

Core Viewpoint - AutoNation (NYSE: AN) has shown strong performance over the past year, with shares gaining over 20% despite uncertainties in new car sales due to auto tariffs [1] Group 1: Company Performance - AutoNation's enduring service demand and ongoing capital returns have supported its results amidst the challenges posed by auto tariffs [1] Group 2: Market Context - The auto industry is facing meaningful uncertainty around new car sales due to the impact of auto tariffs, which could affect overall market dynamics [1]

Financial Performance - Q4 FY2025 (GAAP) - Net sales increased by 0.6% to $6.243 billion compared to $6.205 billion in Q4 FY24[9] - Operating profit (EBIT) decreased by 7.8% to $1.196 billion from $1.297 billion[9] - Net income decreased by 7.2% to $837 million compared to $902 million[9] - Diluted EPS decreased by 5.6% to $48.71 from $51.58[9] Financial Performance - Q4 FY2025 (Adjusted) - Net sales increased by 6.9% to $6.243 billion compared to $5.840 billion in adjusted Q4 FY24[13] - Operating profit (EBIT) decreased by 1.1% to $1.196 billion from $1.210 billion[13] - Net income decreased by 0.5% to $837 million compared to $841 million[13] - Diluted EPS increased by 1.3% to $48.71 from $48.11[13] Financial Performance - FY2025 (GAAP) - Net sales increased by 2.4% to $18.939 billion compared to $18.490 billion in FY24[18] - Operating profit (EBIT) decreased by 4.7% to $3.610 billion from $3.789 billion[18] - Net income decreased by 6.2% to $2.498 billion compared to $2.662 billion[18] - Diluted EPS decreased by 3.1% to $144.87 from $149.55[18] Expansion and Stock Repurchase - The company repurchased $447 million of AutoZone stock during Q4 FY25[11] - The company repurchased $1.5 billion of AutoZone stock during FY25[20] - The company opened 304 net new stores in FY25, a 42.7% increase compared to the previous year[29]

Group 1 - Brown Advisory's "Global Leaders Strategy" aims to deliver strong long-term performance by investing in a focused portfolio of companies that solve customer problems and provide good returns for shareholders, outperforming its benchmark in Q2 2025 due to strong investment selection in Information Technology and Industrials [1] - AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) is highlighted as a key stock, with a one-month return of -1.42% and a 52-week gain of 35.38%, closing at $4,121 per share on September 22, 2025, with a market capitalization of $68.939 billion [2] - AutoZone is experiencing strong sales growth across its DIY and DIFM customer segments, benefiting from industry recovery and driving market share growth through investments in inventory expansion and distribution centers [3] Group 2 - AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) is not among the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds, with 65 hedge fund portfolios holding the stock at the end of Q2 2025, a decrease from 67 in the previous quarter [4] - While AutoZone is recognized for its potential, certain AI stocks are suggested to offer greater upside potential and less downside risk [4] - Additional insights on AutoZone can be found in Macquarie Core Equity Fund's views and other hedge fund investor letters [5]

Core Viewpoint - Investors are closely monitoring upcoming earnings reports from AutoZone and Micron Technology to assess the effects of tariffs and a decelerating labor market [1] Company Summaries - AutoZone's earnings report is anticipated to provide insights into how the company is navigating the challenges posed by tariffs and labor market conditions [1] - Micron Technology's earnings will be scrutinized for indications of the semiconductor industry's response to external economic pressures, particularly tariffs [1] Industry Insights - The overall sentiment in the market is cautious as investors seek to understand the broader implications of tariffs and labor market trends on key sectors [1]

Core Insights - AutoZone, Inc. reported net sales of $6.2 billion for Q4 FY2025, a 0.6% increase from Q4 FY2024, with adjusted sales up 6.9% when excluding the additional week from the previous year [1][4] - The company opened 141 net new stores globally in the quarter, contributing to a total of 304 net new stores for the fiscal year [7][8] Financial Performance - Gross profit margin for Q4 FY2025 was 51.5%, down 98 basis points from the previous year, primarily due to a non-cash LIFO charge of $80 million [2][3] - Operating profit decreased by 7.8% to $1.2 billion, while net income fell to $837 million, a decrease of 7.2% from the prior year [3][4] - For the fiscal year, net sales reached $18.9 billion, a 2.4% increase, with net income decreasing by 6.2% to $2.5 billion [4][15] Store Expansion and Sales Growth - Domestic same-store sales increased by 4.8% for the quarter, while international same-store sales grew by 2.1% [1][25] - The company continues to focus on expanding its market share, with plans to aggressively open new stores in the upcoming fiscal year [7][8] Share Repurchase Program - During Q4 FY2025, AutoZone repurchased 117,000 shares at an average price of $3,821, totaling $446.7 million [5] - For the fiscal year, the total share repurchase amounted to 447,000 shares at an average price of $3,425, totaling $1.5 billion [5] Inventory Management - Inventory increased by 14.1% year-over-year, driven by growth initiatives, with net inventory per store improving to negative $131, compared to negative $163 the previous year [6][26] - The company reported an accounts payable to inventory ratio of 114.2%, indicating effective inventory management [26]

Core Viewpoint - Analysts project that CarMax (KMX) will report quarterly earnings of $1.03 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 21.2%, with revenues expected to reach $7.05 billion, a 0.6% increase from the same quarter last year [1]. Earnings Estimates - Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate has been revised upward by 0.1%, indicating a collective reassessment by analysts [2]. - Revisions to earnings estimates are significant indicators for predicting investor actions regarding the stock, with empirical research showing a strong correlation between earnings estimate trends and short-term stock price performance [3]. Key Metrics Projections - Analysts estimate 'Net sales and operating revenues- Used vehicle' at $5.78 billion, a 1.9% increase from the prior-year quarter [5]. - 'Net sales and operating revenues- Wholesale vehicle' is projected at $1.16 billion, reflecting a 0.4% increase from the year-ago quarter [5]. - 'Net sales and operating revenues- Other sales and revenues' is expected to be $186.64 million, indicating a year-over-year change of 2.6% [6]. - 'Other sales and revenues- Extended protection plan revenues' is forecasted to reach $126.26 million, suggesting a 4% year-over-year change [6]. Operational Metrics - The total number of stores is projected to be 252, up from 247 in the same quarter last year [7]. - The average selling price for used vehicles is expected to be $26.29 thousand, slightly up from $26.25 thousand in the same quarter of the previous year [7]. - The consensus estimate for 'Gross Profit per Unit - Used vehicle' stands at $2,294.14, compared to $2,269.00 in the same quarter last year [8]. - 'Unit Sales - Wholesale vehicles' are expected to reach 145,484, up from 141,458 in the same quarter last year [9]. - 'Unit Sales - Combined retail and wholesale used vehicle' is projected at 361,780, compared to 352,478 a year ago [9]. - 'Unit Sales - Used vehicles' is estimated at 216,296, compared to 211,020 in the same quarter last year [10]. Market Performance - Over the past month, CarMax shares have returned -2.7%, while the Zacks S&P 500 composite has changed by +4% [11].

Group 1 - AutoNation, Inc. has announced the grand re-opening of its Porsche Newport Beach retail and service center [1] - The redevelopment was designed to provide an unparalleled luxury automotive experience [1]

Group 1 - AutoZone is set to release its fourth-quarter earnings on September 23, with expected earnings of $50.95 per share, a decrease from $51.58 per share in the same period last year [1] - The company projects quarterly revenue of $6.25 billion, slightly up from $6.21 billion a year earlier [1] - In the third quarter, AutoZone reported earnings per share of $35.36, missing the analyst consensus estimate of $37.17, while quarterly sales reached $4.46 billion, reflecting a 5.4% year-over-year increase [2] Group 2 - AutoZone's same-store sales grew by 3.2%, driven by strength in the domestic segment [2] - Analysts have provided positive ratings for AutoZone, with several raising their price targets significantly [5] - Raymond James analyst raised the price target from $4,200 to $4,900, while JP Morgan increased it from $4,200 to $4,850, indicating strong confidence in the stock [5]

Acquisition Details - AutoNation, Inc. has acquired two luxury stores in Chicago, specifically Fletcher Jones Audi and Mercedes-Benz of Chicago, effective September 15, 2025, representing approximately $325 million in annual revenue and 4,500 retail new and used vehicle annual unit sales [1] - This acquisition increases AutoNation's location count in the greater Chicago area to 10, which includes two Audi stores, three Mercedes-Benz stores, one BMW store, three Import stores, and one collision center [1] Strategic Impact - The CEO of AutoNation, Mike Manley, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating it will enhance the luxury brand portfolio, deepen market presence, and create scale that drives customer experience and shareholder value [1] Company Overview - AutoNation is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, offering a wide variety of new and used vehicles, customer financing, parts, and expert maintenance and repair services [1] - The company has raised over $40 million for cancer-related causes through its initiative DRV PNK, demonstrating its commitment to making a positive impact in the community [1]