AutoZone (AZO) Q4 2004 earnings summary
Event summary combining transcript, slides, and related documents.
Q4 2004 earnings summary
9 Nov, 2026Executive summary
Specialty automotive-parts retailer focused primarily on DIY customers; operated 3,420 U.S. stores and 63 Mexico stores at Aug. 28, 2004, and did not provide vehicle repair or installation.
Product offering included hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, commercial parts sales, ALLDATA diagnostic software, and online parts and repair information.
Financial highlights
FY2004 revenue was $5.6B versus $4.1B in FY1999, representing average annual growth of 7% over the five-year period.
Same-store sales were flat in FY2004.
Outlook and guidance
Growth depended on new-store openings and improved same-store sales; continued store expansion or sales growth at historical rates was not assured.
Expansion opportunities included new markets and greater density in existing markets; site selection prioritized projected profitability and required investment hurdle rates.
Latest events from AutoZone
- Sales climbed 20%, while 305 net new stores expanded the footprint.AZO
Q4 1997 - FY98 expansion lifted the store base to 2,657, with integration and competitive risks ahead.AZOQ4 1998
- FY1999 sales reached $4.116 billion as expansion and competitive risks shaped growth.AZOQ4 1999
- FY2000 sales reached $4.5B as expansion continued amid heightened operating and legal risks.AZOQ4 2000
- A 3,040-store retailer paired expansion plans with a $600M credit facility and significant risks.AZOQ4 2001
- FY02 delivered stronger margins and earnings alongside $699M in share repurchases.AZOQ4 2002
- FY2003 profit and EPS advanced as commercial comps surged and store expansion continued.AZOQ4 2003
- Store growth lifted sales, but weaker comps and transactions constrained FY05 performance.AZOQ4 2005
- Store-led sales growth lifted FY06 gross margin, but net income edged lower.AZOQ4 2006