AutoZone delivered strong fiscal 2026 results: Fourth-quarter sales rose 5.6% to $6.6 billion and diluted EPS increased 15.1% to $56.05. Full-year sales reached a record $20.3 billion, with 374 stores opened. Commercial sales remained the primary growth driver: Domestic commercial sales grew nearly 11% for the year, supported by improved inventory, delivery capabilities and Mega Hub expansion.
AutoZone plans to open more than 40 Mega Hubs in fiscal 2027. The fiscal 2027 outlook calls for continued expansion but modest comparable-sales growth: Domestic same-store sales are expected to range from flat to low-single-digit growth, while the company plans about 400 global store openings and $1.65 billion in capital expenditures. Top Consumer Discretionary Brands Add Buyback Capacity Amid Weakness AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) reported fiscal 2026 fourth-quarter sales growth of 5.6% to $6.6 billion, while diluted earnings per share rose 15.1% to $56.05.
The company said its results included a $96 million benefit from tariff refunds and a $15 million non-cash LIFO charge. For the full fiscal year, sales increased 7.4% to a record $20.3 billion and earnings per share grew 5.3% to $152.55. AutoZone opened 374 stores during the year, its highest annual total, including 175 locations in the fourth quarter. → NVIDIA Just Named AI's Next Bottleneck—And These 3 Stocks Sit Right In It AutoZone's Pullback Sets Up a Long-Term Buying Opportunity "We continued to gain market share in a challenging macro environment," President and Chief Executive Officer Phil Daniele said, pointing to improved customer service, store execution, inventory availability and investments in supply-chain capabilities.
Total company same-store sales increased 1.5% on a constant-currency basis in the fourth quarter. Domestic comparable sales rose 1.6%, as an 8.6% increase in commercial sales offset a 0.6% decline in the do-it-yourself, or DIY, business. International comparable sales increased 1.3% on a constant-currency basis. → These 3 Stocks Under $20 Have Wall Street Looking Past the Share Price These 3 Stocks Just Saw Major Insider Moves—Time to Be Bullish or Bearish?
Daniele said domestic sales strengthened as the quarter progressed. Domestic comparable sales averaged approximately 1.4% growth during the first three months of the 16-week period before accelerating to 2.1% in August. Retail sales were negative over the first three months before becoming essentially flat in August.
The company attributed earlier-quarter weakness partly to milder temperatures in the Southeast and South Central markets, as well as lower customer traffic. Higher oil and gasoline prices also likely pressured traffic and sales, according to management. Hot-weather product categories performed better late in the quarter as temperatures increased. → These 3 Stocks Sit at the Center of NVIDIA's Cybersecurity Push DIY average ticket increased about 5%, supported by mid-single-digit same-SKU inflation, but traffic declines offset that gain.
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