AutoZone Shares Rise After Fiscal 2026 Earnings Beat Estimates

AutoZone posts stronger-than-expected fiscal fourth-quarter results

Shares of AutoZone (NYSE: AZO) climbed Tuesday after the automotive replacement-parts and accessories distributor reported quarterly profit that exceeded Wall Street expectations.

Image source: Getty Images.

Store expansion and comparable sales support growth

AutoZone’s net sales increased 5.6% year over year to $6.6 billion during its fiscal 2026 fourth quarter, which ended Aug. 29.

The company opened 175 stores during the quarter and 374 across the trailing 12 months. It ended the period with 8,031 stores, including 6,863 in the United States, 1,001 in Mexico and 167 in Brazil.

Same-store sales, which measure revenue from locations open for at least a year, rose 2.7% year over year, or 1.5% excluding foreign-currency fluctuations.

CEO Phil Daniele said AutoZone expanded its store base, opened the most locations ever in a single year, improved its assortment and product availability and continued investing in systems to enhance customer service.

Tariff refunds also helped operating profit increase 10% to $1.3 billion. Net income climbed 11% to $931.6 million, while share repurchases lifted earnings per share 15% to $56.05.

The per-share profit surpassed the $53.89 consensus estimate recorded by Yahoo! Finance.

Management expects continued U.S. and international growth

Despite higher fuel prices and a challenging economic environment, AutoZone anticipates further gains in the year ahead.

“Over the last eight weeks of the quarter, our sales results strengthened, and we feel we are well-positioned for sales growth in fiscal 2027,” Daniele said.

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