• First quarter comparable store sales increase of 0.8%
  • 9% increase in first quarter diluted earnings per share to $2.83

SPRINGFIELD, Mo., April 26, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. (the “Company” or “O’Reilly”) (Nasdaq:ORLY), a leading retailer in the automotive aftermarket industry, today announced record revenues and earnings for its first quarter ended March 31, 2017. 

1st Quarter Financial Results
Sales for the first quarter ended March 31, 2017, increased $60 million, or 3%, to $2.16 billion from $2.10 billion for the same period one year ago.  Gross profit for the first quarter increased to $1.13 billion (or 52.5% of sales) from $1.10 billion (or 52.4% of sales) for the same period one year ago, representing an increase of 3%.  Selling, general and administrative expenses for the first quarter increased to $728 million (or 33.8% of sales) from $679 million (or 32.4% of sales) for the same period one year ago, representing an increase of 7%.  Operating income for the first quarter decreased to $403 million (or 18.7% of sales) from $419 million (or 20.0% of sales) for the same period one year ago, representing a decrease of 4%.  The Company’s results for the prior period ended March 31, 2016, included a benefit from one additional day due to Leap Day in February 2016.

Net income for the first quarter ended March 31, 2017, increased $10 million, or 4%, to $265 million (or 12.3% of sales) from $255 million (or 12.2% of sales) for the same period one year ago.  Diluted earnings per common share for the first quarter increased 9% to $2.83 on 93 million shares versus $2.59 on 99 million shares for the same period one year ago.  The Company adopted a new share-based compensation accounting standard during the first quarter ended March 31, 2017, which requires excess tax benefits from share-based compensation payments to be recorded in the income statement, and the Company’s first quarter diluted earnings per common share of $2.83 includes a $0.23 benefit from the adoption of this new accounting standard.

“On our February 7, 2017 conference call, we discussed the volatility weather brings to our first quarter results.  Based on mild January temperatures and the headwind that created in our business, we reduced our quarterly comparable store sales guidance for the first quarter to 2% to 4%.  The unseasonal weather continued in February, and the absence of typical spring weather in many of our markets in March, combined with the dislocation of tax refunds, continued to create headwinds for the remainder of the quarter.  We believe these headwinds were the primary drivers of our below expectation comparable store sales of 0.8%.” commented Greg Henslee, O’Reilly’s CEO.  “With these transient headwinds behind us and the onset of our spring selling season, we are establishing our second quarter comparable store sales guidance of 3% to 5% and maintaining our full-year comparable store sales guidance of 3% to 5%.  We continue to strongly believe our Team’s strength and ability to consistently execute our business model, along with the positive industry factors of an aging vehicle fleet, increasing number of vehicles on the road, relatively low gas prices and low unemployment rates, will continue to underpin our solid, long-term profitable growth.”

“Excluding the benefit of the change in accounting for stock option gains, our earnings per share fell well short of our guidance range of $2.78 to $2.88, as the shortfall in sales created leverage pressure on all areas of our business.  The unseasonal weather created mix headwinds to our gross margin and the soft sales resulted in deleverage of fixed costs in our gross margin and our SG&A, although our Team did a good job of controlling expenses during this slower than anticipated demand environment.  Despite the specific challenges of the first quarter, our Team was able to generate a very respectable 18.7% operating profit.” Mr. Henslee continued, “Looking forward to the remainder of the year, we continue to expect our business to be solid and are reiterating our full-year operating profit guidance range of 20.1% to 20.5% of sales.”

Share Repurchase Program
During the first quarter ended March 31, 2017, the Company repurchased 1.8 million shares of its common stock, at an average price per share of $268.09, for a total investment of $490 million.  Subsequent to the end of the first quarter and through the date of this release, the Company repurchased an additional 0.3 million shares of its common stock, at an average price per share of $259.18, for a total investment of $76 million.  The Company has repurchased a total of 59.1 million shares of its common stock under its share repurchase program since the inception of the program in January of 2011 and through the date of this release, at an average price of $125.75, for a total aggregate investment of $7.43 billion.  As of the date of this release, the Company had approximately $322 million remaining under its current share repurchase authorization. 

1st Quarter Comparable Store Sales Results
Comparable store sales are calculated based on the change in sales for stores open at least one year and exclude sales of specialty machinery, sales to independent parts stores and sales to Team Members, as well as the sales from Leap Day in the three months ended March 31, 2016.  Comparable store sales increased 0.8% for the first quarter ended March 31, 2017, on top of 6.1% for the same period one year ago.

2nd Quarter and Updated Full-Year 2017 Guidance
The table below outlines the Company’s guidance for selected second quarter and updated full-year 2017 financial data:

  For the Three Months Ending
June 30, 2017
  For the Year Ending
December 31, 2017
Comparable store sales 3% to 5%   3% to 5%
Total revenue     $9.1 billion to $9.3 billion
Gross profit as a percentage of sales     52.8% to 53.2%
Operating income as a percentage of sales     20.1% to 20.5%
Diluted earnings per share (1) $3.10 to $3.20   $12.05 to $12.15
Capital expenditures     $470 million to $500 million
Free cash flow (2)     $930 million to $980 million

(1) Weighted-average shares outstanding, assuming dilution, used in the denominator of this calculation, includes share repurchases made by the Company through the date of this release.

(2) Calculated as net cash provided by operating activities, less capital expenditures and excess tax benefit from share-based compensation payments for the period.

Non-GAAP Information
This release contains certain financial information not derived in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).  These items include adjusted debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, share-based compensation and rent (“EBITDAR”) and free cash flow.  The Company does not, nor does it suggest investors should, consider such non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, GAAP financial information.  The Company believes that the presentation of adjusted debt to EBITDAR and free cash flow provide meaningful supplemental information to both management and investors that is indicative of the Company’s core operations.  The Company has included a reconciliation of this additional information to the most comparable GAAP measure in the selected financial information below.

Earnings Conference Call Information
The Company will host a conference call on Thursday, April 27, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. central time to discuss its results as well as future expectations.  Investors may listen to the conference call live on the Company’s website at www.oreillyauto.com by clicking on “Investor Relations” and then “News Room.”  Interested analysts are invited to join the call.  The dial-in number for the call is (847) 619-6397; the conference call identification number is 44556935.  A replay of the conference call will be available on the Company’s website through Thursday, April 26, 2018.

About O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.
O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. was founded in 1957 by the O’Reilly family and is one of the largest specialty retailers of automotive aftermarket parts, tools, supplies, equipment and accessories in the United States, serving both the do-it-yourself and professional service provider markets.  Visit the Company’s website at www.oreillyauto.com for additional information about O’Reilly, including access to online shopping and current promotions, store locations, hours and services, employment opportunities and other programs.  As of March 31, 2017, the Company operated 4,888 stores in 47 states.

Forward-Looking Statements
The Company claims the protection of the safe-harbor for forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  You can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “estimate,” “may,” “could,” “will,” “believe,” “expect,” “would,” “consider,” “should,” “anticipate,” “project,” “plan,” “intend” or similar words.  In addition, statements contained within this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements, such as statements discussing, among other things, expected growth, store development, integration and expansion strategy, business strategies, future revenues and future performance.  These forward-looking statements are based on estimates, projections, beliefs and assumptions and are not guarantees of future events and results.  Such statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, but not limited to, the economy in general, inflation, product demand, the market for auto parts, competition, weather, risks associated with the performance of acquired businesses, our ability to hire and retain qualified employees, consumer debt levels, our increased debt levels, credit ratings on public debt, governmental regulations, terrorist activities, war and the threat of war.  Actual results may materially differ from anticipated results described or implied in these forward-looking statements.  Please refer to the “Risk Factors” section of the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, for additional factors that could materially affect the Company’s financial performance.  Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

O’REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share data)
           
  March 31, 2017   March 31, 2016   December 31, 2016
  (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Note)
Assets          
Current assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents $ 27,539     $ 716,008     $ 146,598  
Accounts receivable, net 195,651     178,282     197,274  
Amounts receivable from suppliers 71,157     68,486     82,105  
Inventory 2,872,646     2,701,760     2,778,976  
Other current assets 38,540     36,927     53,022  
Total current assets 3,205,533     3,701,463     3,257,975  
           
Property and equipment, at cost 4,935,126     4,473,747     4,832,342  
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization 1,760,476     1,559,820     1,708,911  
Net property and equipment 3,174,650     2,913,927     3,123,431  
           
Notes receivable, less current portion     12,172      
Goodwill 785,568     757,130     785,399  
Other assets, net 37,973     35,081     37,384  
Total assets $ 7,203,724     $ 7,419,773     $ 7,204,189  
           
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity          
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable $ 2,987,996     $ 2,782,609     $ 2,936,656  
Self-insurance reserves 70,479     71,069     67,921  
Accrued payroll 75,762     66,842     71,717  
Accrued benefits and withholdings 49,081     49,175     74,454  
Income taxes payable 89,640     114,321      
Other current liabilities 232,805     231,661     249,901  
Total current liabilities 3,505,763     3,315,677     3,400,649  
           
Long-term debt 1,977,539     1,885,877     1,887,019  
Deferred income taxes 92,610     76,450     90,166  
Other liabilities 205,216     201,928     199,219  
           
Shareholders’ equity:          
Common stock, $0.01 par value:          
Authorized shares – 245,000,000          
Issued and outstanding shares –          
91,320,866 as of March 31, 2017,          
96,726,677 as of March 31, 2016, and          
92,851,815 as of December 31, 2016 913     967     929  
Additional paid-in capital 1,331,416     1,301,057     1,336,707  
Retained earnings 90,267     637,817     289,500  
Total shareholders’ equity 1,422,596     1,939,841     1,627,136  
           
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 7,203,724     $ 7,419,773     $ 7,204,189  

Note: The balance sheet at December 31, 2016, has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by United States generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.

O’REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
  For the Three Months Ended
 March 31,
  2017   2016
Sales $ 2,156,259     $ 2,096,150  
Cost of goods sold, including warehouse and distribution expenses 1,025,112     998,571  
Gross profit 1,131,147     1,097,579  
       
Selling, general and administrative expenses 727,990     678,953  
Operating income 403,157     418,626  
       
Other income (expense):      
Interest expense (19,404 )   (14,821 )
Interest income 706     752  
Other, net 765     1,017  
Total other expense (17,933 )   (13,052 )
       
Income before income taxes 385,224     405,574  
Provision for income taxes (1) 120,290     150,200  
Net income (1) $ 264,934     $ 255,374  
       
Earnings per share-basic:      
Earnings per share $ 2.88     $ 2.63  
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – basic 92,001     97,140  
       
Earnings per share-assuming dilution: (1)      
Earnings per share $ 2.83     $ 2.59  
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – assuming dilution 93,495     98,537  

(1) The Company adopted a new share-based compensation accounting standard during the first quarter ended March 31, 2017.  This new standard requires excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation payments to be recorded through the income statement.  The adoption of this new accounting standard resulted in a $0.23 benefit to diluted earnings per common share for the first quarter ended March 31, 2017, comprised of a $0.25 earnings per share increase from a lower effective tax rate, partially offset by a $0.02 earnings per share decrease from an increase in the number of weighted-average common shares outstanding – assuming dilution.  The Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the prior period ending March 31, 2016, was not restated to conform to the current period’s presentation. 

O’REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
  For the Three Months Ended
 March 31,
  2017   2016
      (As Adjusted, Note)
Operating activities:      
Net income $ 264,934     $ 255,374  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:      
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and intangibles 57,008     52,778  
Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs 642     546  
Deferred income taxes 2,611     (3,322 )
Share-based compensation programs 5,428     5,178  
Other 1,810     1,481  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:      
Accounts receivable 219     (19,206 )
Inventory (93,167 )   (70,745 )
Accounts payable 51,230     174,378  
Income taxes payable 116,009     127,638  
Other (30,024 )   (20,979 )
Net cash provided by operating activities 376,700     503,121  
       
Investing activities:      
Purchases of property and equipment (110,632 )   (103,974 )
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 245     864  
Payments received on notes receivable     1,047  
Other (636 )    
Net cash used in investing activities (111,023 )   (102,063 )
       
Financing activities:      
Proceeds from borrowings on revolving credit facility 482,000      
Payments on revolving credit facility (392,000 )    
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt     499,160  
Payment of debt issuance costs     (3,725 )
Repurchases of common stock (490,330 )   (312,656 )
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock 15,750     16,074  
Other (156 )   (204 )
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (384,736 )   198,649  
       
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (119,059 )   599,707  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period 146,598     116,301  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period $ 27,539     $ 716,008  
       
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:      
Income taxes paid $     $ 23,765  
Interest paid, net of capitalized interest 31,954     23,063  

Note: The Company adopted a new share-based compensation accounting standard during the first quarter ended March 31, 2017.  This new standard requires excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation payments to be presented as operating activities in the statement of cash flows, rather than presented as an inflow from financing activities and an outflow from operating activities under the previous standard.  The retrospective application of this new accounting standard resulted in the reclassification of $14.8 million of Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation from Net cash provided by financing activities to Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

O’REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(Unaudited)
   
  For the Twelve Months Ended
March 31,
Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR: 2017   2016
(In thousands, except adjusted debt to EBITDAR ratio)      
GAAP debt $ 1,977,539     $ 1,885,877  
Add: Letters of credit 41,196     38,936  
  Discount on senior notes 3,002     3,586  
  Debt issuance costs 9,459     10,537  
  Six-times rent expense 1,729,020     1,651,944  
Adjusted debt $ 3,760,216     $ 3,590,880  
         
GAAP net income $ 1,047,251     $ 973,726  
Add: Interest expense 75,514     57,548  
  Provision for income taxes 569,590     554,550  
  Depreciation and amortization 222,096     208,084  
  Share-based compensation expense 19,109     21,187  
  Rent expense 288,170     275,324  
EBITDAR $ 2,221,730     $ 2,090,419  
         
Adjusted debt to EBITDAR   1.69       1.72  

  March 31,
  2017   2016
Selected Balance Sheet Ratios:      
Inventory turnover (1) 1.5     1.5  
Average inventory per store (in thousands) (2) $ 588     $ 584  
Accounts payable to inventory (3) 104.0 %   103.0 %
Return on equity (4) 63.1 %   49.5 %
Return on assets (5) 14.4 %   14.2 %

  For the Three Months Ended
 March 31,
  2017   2016
Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow (in thousands):      
Cash provided by operating activities (6) $ 376,700     $ 503,121  
Less: Capital expenditures 110,632     103,974  
  Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation payments 23,314     14,762  
Free cash flow $ 242,754     $ 384,385  

Store and Team Member Information:        
           
  For the Three Months Ended
 March 31,
  For the Twelve Months Ended
March 31,
  2017   2016   2017   2016
Beginning store count 4,829     4,571     4,623     4,433  
New stores opened 60     52     220     194  
Stores acquired         48      
Stores closed (1 )       (3 )   (4 )
Ending store count 4,888     4,623     4,888     4,623  

  For the Three Months Ended
 March 31,
  For the Twelve Months Ended
March 31,
  2017   2016   2017   2016
Total employment 75,108     73,599          
Square footage (in thousands) 35,573     33,559          
Sales per weighted-average square foot (7) $ 60.53     $ 62.39     $ 249.47     $ 247.28  
Sales per weighted-average store (in thousands) (8) $ 440     $ 452     $ 1,813     $ 1,792  

(1)  Calculated as cost of goods sold for the last 12 months divided by average inventory.  Average inventory is calculated as the average of inventory for the trailing four quarters used in determining the denominator.
(2)  Calculated as inventory divided by store count at the end of the reported period.
(3)  Calculated as accounts payable divided by inventory.
(4)  Calculated as net income for the last 12 months divided by average total shareholders’ equity.  Average total shareholders’ equity is calculated as the average of total shareholders’ equity for the trailing four quarters used in determining the denominator.
(5)  Calculated as net income for the last 12 months divided by average total assets.  Average total assets is calculated as the average of total assets for the trailing four quarters used in determining the denominator.
(6)  Prior period amount has been reclassified to conform to current period presentation, due to the Company’s adoption of a new accounting standard during the first quarter ended March 31, 2017.
(7)  Calculated as sales less jobber sales, divided by weighted-average square footage.  Weighted-average square footage is determined by weighting store square footage based on the approximate dates of store openings, acquisitions, expansions or closures.
(8)  Calculated as sales less jobber sales, divided by weighted-average stores.  Weighted-average stores is determined by weighting stores based on their approximate dates of openings, acquisitions or closures.

 

CONTACT: For further information contact:
Investor & Media Contact
Mark Merz (417) 829-5878