AutoZone Inc (0HJL.L) Q1 2025 Earnings Report

Revenue: $4,279,641,000 (YoY +10.9%; QoQ -31.0%)
Gross Profit: $2,268,057,000; Gross Margin: 0.5300
Operating Income: $841,149,000; Operating Margin: 0.1965
Net Income: $564,933,000; Net Margin: 0.1320
EBITDA: $974,322,000; EBITDARatio: 0.2277
EPS: $32.52; Weighted Avg Shares: 17,370,000
Interest Expense: $107,629,000; Depreciation & Amortization: $133,173,000
Cash Flow from Operations: $811,803,000; Capital Expenditures: $-247,035,000; Free Cash Flow: $564,768,000
Dividends/Share Repurchases: Common Stock Repurchased $-540,086,000; Net Change in Cash: $5,846,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents: $304,018,000; Total Assets: $17,465,762,000; Total Liabilities: $22,138,683,000; Total Stockholders' Equity:
-$4,672,921,000
Short-Term Debt: $270,077,000; Long-Term Debt: $11,995,516,000; Total Debt: $12,265,593,000; Net Debt: $11,961,575,000
Liquidity/Solvency: Current Ratio 0.835; Quick Ratio 0.129; Cash Ratio 0.0342; Interest Coverage 7.82
Working Capital Dynamics: Days Sales Outstanding 11.22; Days Inventory Outstanding 280.71; Days Payables Outstanding 335.50; Cash Conversion Cycle -43.57

Transcript data not provided in the supplied dataset. Unable to extract management themes, quotes, or conference-call nuance. If transcript access is supplied, the Highlights section can be populated with themes such as strategy execution, product/parts mix, store throughput, pricing, inventory discipline, capital allocation (buybacks vs. debt reduction), and market conditions.

AutoZone exhibits strong profitability and robust operating cash flow, reinforcing its position as a premier aftermarket auto-parts retailer. The Q1 2025 results demonstrate resilience in margins and a healthy earnings base, supported by high gross margins and substantial free cash flow. However, the investment thesis is tempered by the precarious balance sheet: negative equity, a large long-term debt burden, and a substantial share repurchase program that concentrates capital allocation risk on leverage. The stock could be viewed as a quality compounder in a defensive consumer cyclical space, but investors should gauge the duration and cost of debt, monitor working capital needs, and assess the sustainability of the current payout/repurchase cadence. Relative to peers and benchmarks, AutoZone’s profitability and cash flow generation appear superior, but its valuation should reflect the elevated leverage and balance-sheet risks. A cautious, neutral-to-long-term positive stance is warranted, contingent on improving debt metrics, deleveraging progress, and evidence of continued demand stability across core motorist segments.