Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
     
þ   Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended May 9, 2009, or
     
o   Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     .
Commission file number 1-10714
AUTOZONE, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Nevada   62-1482048
(State or other jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)
123 South Front Street
Memphis, Tennessee 38103

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(901) 495-6500
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter periods that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
             
Large accelerated filer þ   Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if smaller reporting company)   Smaller reporting company o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Common Stock, $.01 Par Value — 53,733,813 shares outstanding as of June 15, 2009.
 
 

 

 


 

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 Exhibit 12.1
 Exhibit 15.1
 Exhibit 31.1
 Exhibit 31.2
 Exhibit 32.1
 Exhibit 32.2

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.
AUTOZONE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
                 
    May 9,     August 30,  
    2009     2008  
ASSETS
               
Current assets
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 94,287     $ 242,461  
Accounts receivable
    140,754       71,241  
Merchandise inventories
    2,240,511       2,150,109  
Other current assets
    132,432       122,490  
 
           
Total current assets
    2,607,984       2,586,301  
 
               
Property and equipment
               
Property and equipment
    3,750,240       3,639,277  
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization
    1,448,446       1,349,621  
 
           
 
    2,301,794       2,289,656  
Other assets
               
Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization
    302,645       302,645  
Deferred income taxes
    49,906       38,283  
Other long-term assets
    33,847       40,227  
 
           
 
    386,398       381,155  
 
           
 
  $ 5,296,176     $ 5,257,112  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
               
Current liabilities
               
Accounts payable
  $ 2,098,308     $ 2,043,271  
Current portion of long-term debt and short-term borrowings
    456,600        
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
    356,431       327,664  
Income taxes payable
    58,550       11,582  
Deferred income taxes
    166,071       136,803  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    3,135,960       2,519,320  
 
               
Debt, less current maturities
    1,949,300       2,250,000  
Other long-term liabilities
    256,035       258,105  
Stockholders’ equity (deficit)
    (45,119 )     229,687  
 
           
 
  $ 5,296,176     $ 5,257,112  
 
           
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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AUTOZONE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
                                 
    Twelve Weeks Ended     Thirty-Six Weeks Ended  
    May 9,     May 3,     May 9,     May 3,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
 
                               
Net sales
  $ 1,658,160     $ 1,517,293     $ 4,584,330     $ 4,312,192  
Cost of sales, including warehouse and delivery expenses
    825,253       755,287       2,290,934       2,155,943  
 
                       
Gross profit
    832,907       762,006       2,293,396       2,156,249  
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses
    527,675       488,972       1,534,930       1,448,954  
 
                       
Operating profit
    305,232       273,034       758,466       707,295  
Interest expense, net
    31,482       25,331       94,554       81,980  
 
                       
Income before income taxes
    273,750       247,703       663,912       625,315  
Income taxes
    100,061       89,065       242,989       227,455  
 
                       
 
                               
Net income
  $ 173,689     $ 158,638     $ 420,923     $ 397,860  
 
                       
 
                               
Weighted average shares for basic earnings per share
    54,652       63,237       56,498       63,764  
Effect of dilutive stock equivalents
    804       555       681       561  
 
                       
Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted earnings per share
    55,456       63,792       57,179       64,325  
 
                       
 
                               
Basic earnings per share
  $ 3.18     $ 2.51     $ 7.45     $ 6.24  
 
                       
Diluted earnings per share
  $ 3.13     $ 2.49     $ 7.36     $ 6.19  
 
                       
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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AUTOZONE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
                 
    Thirty-Six Weeks Ended  
    May 9,     May 3,  
    2009     2008  
Cash flows from operating activities
               
Net income
  $ 420,923     $ 397,860  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
               
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment
    123,273       116,709  
Amortization of debt origination fees
    1,861       1,223  
Income tax benefit from exercise of options
    (7,514 )     (3,576 )
Deferred income taxes
    20,104       19,506  
Share-based compensation expense
    13,492       12,630  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
               
Accounts receivable
    (70,337 )     (15,089 )
Merchandise inventories
    (108,047 )     (99,043 )
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    84,700       (7,219 )
Income taxes payable
    54,449       70,289  
Other, net
    2,116       8,177  
 
           
Net cash provided by operating activities
    535,020       501,467  
 
           
 
               
Cash flows from investing activities
               
Capital expenditures
    (160,087 )     (153,516 )
Purchase of marketable securities
    (27,730 )     (28,181 )
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities
    23,299       19,405  
Disposal of capital assets and other, net
    8,556       683  
 
           
Net cash used in investing activities
    (155,962 )     (161,609 )
 
           
 
               
Cash flows from financing activities
               
Net proceeds from commercial paper
    156,600       35,300  
Repayment of debt
    (700 )     (38,918 )
Net proceeds from sale of common stock
    36,795       14,822  
Purchase of treasury stock
    (712,606 )     (349,990 )
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options
    7,514       3,576  
Payments of capital lease obligations
    (12,621 )     (11,888 )
Other, net
          2,240  
 
           
Net cash used in financing activities
    (525,018 )     (344,858 )
 
           
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    (2,214 )      
 
           
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (148,174 )     (5,000 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    242,461       86,654  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 94,287     $ 81,654  
 
           
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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AUTOZONE, INC.
(Unaudited)
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note A — General
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, including normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in the 2008 Annual Report to Stockholders for AutoZone, Inc. (“AutoZone” or the “Company”) for the year ended August 30, 2008.
Operating results for the twelve and thirty-six weeks ended May 9, 2009, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending August 29, 2009. Each of the first three quarters of AutoZone’s fiscal year consists of 12 weeks, and the fourth quarter consists of 16 or 17 weeks. The fourth quarter for fiscal 2008 had 17 weeks and for fiscal 2009 will have 16 weeks. Additionally, the Company’s business is somewhat seasonal in nature, with the highest sales generally occurring in the spring and summer months of March through September and the lowest sales generally occurring in the winter months of December through February.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements: On August 25, 2007, the Company adopted the recognition and disclosure provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans” (“SFAS 158”). SFAS 158 requires recognition in the balance sheet of the funded status of defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans, and the recognition in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) of unrecognized gains or losses and prior service costs or credits. The funded status is measured as the difference between the fair value of the plan’s assets and the projected benefit obligation (“PBO”) of the plan.
Additionally, SFAS 158 requires the measurement date for plan assets and liabilities to coincide with the sponsor’s year end. On August 31, 2008, the Company adopted the measurement date provisions of SFAS 158. The adoption of the measurement date provisions of SFAS 158 had no material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the twelve and thirty-six weeks ended May 9, 2009, or for any prior period presented, and it will not materially affect our operating results in future periods.
Effective August 31, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 had no material impact on the consolidated financial statements as of and for the twelve and thirty-six weeks ended May 9, 2009. Refer to “Note C — Fair Value Measurements” for disclosure about fair value measurements. There is a one year deferral of the adoption of the standard as it relates to non-financial assets and liabilities. We are in the process of evaluating the potential impact of the standard as it relates to non-financial assets and liabilities on our consolidated financial statements.
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS 161”). SFAS 161 amends and expands the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”. It requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The Company’s business activities expose it to a variety of market risks, including risks related to changes in commodity prices and interest rates. Occasionally, the Company uses derivative instruments to protect cash flows from fluctuations caused by volatility in these market risks. As of May 9, 2009, the Company had an outstanding interest rate swap to effectively fix the interest rate on the $300.0 million term loan maturing in December, 2009, and a fuel swap contract to economically hedge a portion of our unleaded fuel exposure. The fuel swap contract does not qualify for hedge accounting treatment. Refer to “Note I- Derivative Financial Instruments” for further disclosure.
Note B — Share-Based Payments
Share-based compensation transactions are accounted for in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) “Share-Based Payment.” AutoZone recognizes compensation expense for share-based payments based on the fair value of the awards at the grant date. Share-based payments include stock option grants and the discount on shares sold to employees under share purchase plans. Additionally, directors may defer a portion of their fees in units (“Director Units”) with value equivalent to the value of shares of common stock as of the grant date.
Total share-based expense (a component of operating, selling, general and administrative expenses) was $4.2 million for the twelve week period ended May 9, 2009, and was $4.2 million for the comparable prior year period. Share-based expense was $13.5 million for the thirty-six week period ended May 9, 2009, and was $12.6 million for the comparable prior year period.

 

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During the thirty-six week period ended May 9, 2009, the Company made stock option grants of 593,842 shares. The Company granted options to purchase 656,040 shares during the comparable prior year period. The weighted average fair value of the stock option awards granted during the thirty-six week periods ended May 9, 2009 and May 3, 2008, using the Black-Scholes-Merton multiple-option pricing valuation model, was $34.05 and $30.12 per share, respectively, using the following weighted average key assumptions:
                 
    2009     2008  
Expected price volatility
    28 %     24 %
Risk-free interest rate
    2.4 %     4.5 %
Weighted average expected lives in years
    4.1       4.0  
Forfeiture rate
    10.0 %     10.0 %
Dividend yield
    0.0 %     0.0 %
See AutoZone’s 2008 Annual Report to Stockholders for a discussion of the methodology used in developing AutoZone’s assumptions used in determining the fair value of the option awards.
Note C — Fair Value Measurements
Effective August 31, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) and expands disclosure requirements about fair value measurements. This standard defines fair value as the price received to transfer an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. SFAS 157 establishes a framework for measuring fair value by creating a hierarchy of valuation inputs used to measure fair value, and although it does not require additional fair value measurements, it applies to other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements.
The hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels:
Level 1 inputs—unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. An active market for the asset or liability is one in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide ongoing pricing information.
Level 2 inputs—inputs other than quoted market prices included in Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for the asset or liability. Level 2 inputs include, but are not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active and inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable for the asset or liability, such as interest rate curves and yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals, volatilities, credit risk and default rates.
Level 3 inputs—unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.
The following table provides the fair value measurement amounts for assets and liabilities recorded on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at fair value as of May 9, 2009:
                                 
    Total     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
 
                               
Short-term investments(1)
  $ 71,341     $ 71,341     $     $  
 
                               
Fuel hedge derivative liability(2)
    (1,302 )           (1,302 )      
 
                               
Interest rate swap derivative liabilities(2)
    (6,122 )           (6,122 )      
 
                       
 
                               
Total
  $ 63,917     $ 71,341     $ (7,424 )   $  
 
                       
 
     
(1)   Included within Other current assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
 
(2)   Included within Accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Short-term investments are typically valued at the closing price in the principal active market as of the last business day of the quarter. The fair values of derivative assets and liabilities traded in the over-the-counter market are determined using quantitative models that require the use of multiple inputs including interest rates, prices and indices to generate pricing and volatility factors. The predominance of market inputs are actively quoted and can be validated through external sources, including brokers, market transactions and third-party pricing services. AutoZone’s derivative instruments are valued using Level 2 measurements.

 

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Note D — Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method. Included in inventory are related purchasing, storage, delivery and handling costs. Due to price deflation on the Company’s merchandise purchases, the Company’s inventory balances are effectively maintained under the first-in, first-out method (“FIFO”). The Company’s policy is not to write up inventory in excess of replacement cost, resulting in cost of sales being reflected at the higher amount. The cumulative balance of this unrecorded adjustment, which is reduced upon experiencing price inflation on the Company’s merchandise purchases, was $207.0 million at May 9, 2009, and $225.4 million at August 30, 2008.
Note E — Pension Plans
The (income) cost components of net periodic benefit income related to the Company’s pension plans for all periods presented are as follows:
                                 
    Twelve Weeks Ended     Thirty-Six Weeks Ended  
    May 9,     May 3,     May 9,     May 3,  
(in thousands)   2009     2008     2009     2008  
 
                               
Interest cost
  $ 2,457     $ 2,299     $ 7,371     $ 6,897  
Expected return on plan assets
    (2,927 )     (3,008 )     (8,780 )     (9,024 )
Amortization of prior service cost
    14       23       41       69  
Amortization of net loss
    17       22       51       66  
 
                       
Net periodic benefit income
  $ (439 )   $ (664 )   $ (1,317 )   $ (1,992 )
 
                       
The Company makes contributions in amounts at least equal to the minimum funding requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended by the Pension Protection Act of 2006. During the thirty-six week period ended May 9, 2009, the Company did not make any contributions to its funded plan and does not expect any additional funding for the remainder of this fiscal year.
Note F — Debt
The Company’s debt consisted of the following:
                 
    May 9,     August 30,  
(in thousands)   2009     2008  
 
               
Bank Term Loan due December 2009, effective interest rate of 4.40%
  $ 300,000     $ 300,000  
4.75% Senior Notes due November 2010, effective interest rate of 4.17%
    199,300       200,000  
5.875% Senior Notes due October 2012, effective interest rate of 6.33%
    300,000       300,000  
4.375% Senior Notes due June 2013, effective interest rate of 5.65%
    200,000       200,000  
6.5% Senior Notes due January 2014, effective interest rate of 6.63%
    500,000       500,000  
5.5% Senior Notes due November 2015, effective interest rate of 4.86%
    300,000       300,000  
6.95% Senior Notes due June 2016, effective interest rate of 7.09%
    200,000       200,000  
7.125% Senior Notes due August 2018, effective interest rate of 7.28%
    250,000       250,000  
Commercial paper, weighted average interest rate of 0.95% at May 9, 2009
    156,600        
 
           
Total debt
    2,405,900       2,250,000  
Less current portion
    456,600        
 
           
Long-term debt
  $ 1,949,300     $ 2,250,000  
 
           
The Company is in the process of refinancing its short-term obligations ($300.0 million bank term loan and $156.6 million in commercial paper borrowings, which are classified as short-term borrowings on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at May 9, 2009) on a long-term basis. Previously, the Company classified these short-term debt obligations as long-term as the Company had the ability and intent to replace these short-term obligations with long-term financing under the revolving credit facilities. While no assurances can be given, the Company expects to renegotiate and extend its revolving credit facilities during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, at which time the Company expects to reclassify these obligations as long-term.

 

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Note G — Stock Repurchase Program
From January 1, 1998 to May 9, 2009, the Company has repurchased a total of 111.6 million shares at an aggregate cost of $7.0 billion, including 5,501,927 shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $712.6 million during the thirty-six week period ended May 9, 2009. Considering cumulative repurchases as of May 9, 2009, the Company had $396.5 million remaining under the Board’s authorization to repurchase our common stock. On June 17, 2009, this authorization was increased by $500 million to raise the cumulative share repurchase authorization from $7.4 billion to $7.9 billion.
Note H — Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income includes foreign currency translation adjustments; the impact from certain derivative financial instruments designated and effective as cash flow hedges, including changes in fair value, as applicable; the reclassification of gains and/or losses from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income to offset the earnings impact of the underlying items being hedged; and changes in the fair value of certain investments classified as available for sale. The foreign currency translation adjustment of $40.5 million in the thirty-six week period ended May 9, 2009, was attributable to the weakening of the Mexican Peso against the US Dollar, which as of May 9, 2009, had decreased by approximately 27% when compared to August 30, 2008.
Comprehensive income for all periods presented is as follows:
                                 
    Twelve Weeks Ended     Thirty-Six Weeks Ended  
    May 9,     May 3,     May 9,     May 3,  
(in thousands)   2009     2008     2009     2008  
 
                               
Net income, as reported
  $ 173,689     $ 158,638     $ 420,923     $ 397,860  
Foreign currency translation gains (losses)
    12,310       4,945       (40,473 )     7,433  
Net impact from derivative instruments
    737       1,778       (1,549 )     (7,156 )
Unrealized gains (losses) from marketable securities
    250       (288 )     389       387  
 
                       
Comprehensive income
  $ 186,986     $ 165,073     $ 379,290     $ 398,524  
 
                       
Note I — Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company’s business activities expose it to a variety of market risks, including risks related to changes in commodity prices and interest rates. Occasionally, we use derivative instruments to protect cash flows from fluctuations caused by volatility in these market risks. Derivative financial instruments are reported at fair value on the balance sheets. As of May 9, 2009, the Company had an outstanding interest rate swap to effectively fix the interest rate on the $300.0 million term loan maturing in December 2009, and a fuel swap contract to economically hedge a portion of its unleaded fuel purchases.
Cash Flow Hedges
AutoZone has utilized interest rate swaps to mitigate our interest rate risk. The Company is party to an interest rate swap agreement related to its $300.0 million term floating rate loan, which bears interest based on the three month London InterBank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and matures in December, 2009. Under this agreement, which is accounted for as a cash flow hedge, the interest rate on the term loan is effectively fixed for its entire term at 4.4% and effectiveness is measured each reporting period.
The effective portion of the gain or loss on interest rate hedges is deferred and reported as a component of other comprehensive income or loss. These deferred gains and losses are recognized in income as a decrease or increase to interest expense in the period in which the related cash flows being hedged are recognized in expense. However, to the extent that the changes in value of an interest rate hedge instrument do not perfectly offset the change in the value of the cash flows being hedged, that ineffective portion is immediately recognized in the income statement. The Company’s hedge instruments have been determined to be highly effective as of May 9, 2009.
At May 9, 2009, the Company had $4.1 million recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income related to net gains associated with terminated interest derivatives, which were designated as hedges. Net gains are amortized into earnings over the remaining life of the associated debt. For the twelve and thirty-six weeks ended May 9, 2009, the Company reclassified $141 thousand and $423 thousand of net gains from accumulated other comprehensive income to interest expense.
As of May 9, 2009, the Company estimates a pre-tax loss of approximately $6.1 million will be reclassified from other comprehensive income into earnings during the next 12 months.
Derivatives not designated as Hedging Instruments
The Company is dependent upon diesel fuel to operate its vehicles used in the Company’s distribution network to deliver parts to its stores and unleaded fuel for delivery of parts from its stores to its commercial customers or other stores. Fuel is not a material component of the Company’s operating costs; however, the Company attempts to secure fuel at the lowest possible cost and to reduce volatility in its operating costs. Because unleaded and diesel fuel include transportation costs and taxes, there are limited opportunities to hedge this exposure directly. However, as of May 9, 2009, the Company had used a derivative financial instrument based on the Reformulated Gasoline Blendstock for Oxygen Blending (RBOB) index to economically hedge the commodity cost associated with its unleaded fuel. The Company had no derivative instruments outstanding at May 9, 2009, to limit exposure to changes in diesel fuel prices.

 

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The fuel swap does not qualify for hedge accounting treatment and was executed to economically hedge a portion of unleaded fuel purchases. As of May 9, 2009, the Company had approximately one million gallons of anticipated unleaded fuel purchases hedged through the end of August 2009, representing approximately 45% of unleaded fuel projected to be consumed during the period covered. The notional amount of the contract was 1.5 million gallons and terminates August 31, 2009.
The gains and losses on the Company’s derivative instruments during the twelve week period ended May 9, 2009, were as follows:
                     
    Amount of Gain (Loss)         Amount of Gain  
    Recognized in AOCI     Income Statement   (Loss) Recognized in  
(in thousands)   (Effective Portion)     Classification   Income (1)  
Derivatives designated as hedges:
                   
Cash flow hedges:
                   
Interest rate swap
  $ (764 )   Interest expense   $ (2,155 )
Derivatives not designated as hedges:
                   
Fuel contract
        Selling, general and administrative     (57 )
 
               
Total derivatives
  $ (764 )       $ (2,212 )
 
               
The gains and losses on the Company’s derivative instruments during the thirty-six week period ended May 9, 2009, were as follows:
                     
    Amount of Gain (Loss)         Amount of Gain  
    Recognized in AOCI     Income Statement   (Loss) Recognized in  
(in thousands)   (Effective Portion)     Classification   Income (1) (2)  
Derivatives designated as hedges:
                   
Cash flow hedges:
                   
Interest rate swap
  $ (5,367 )   Interest expense   $ (3,588 )
Derivatives not designated as hedges:
                   
Fuel contract
        Selling, general and administrative     (1,302 )
 
               
Total derivatives
  $ (5,367 )       $ (4,890 )
 
               
     
(1)   For the interest rate swap, this represents the effective portion of the loss reclassified from AOCI into income during the period.
 
(2)   The loss on fuel contract for the thirty-six week period represents the mark to market adjustment attributable to approximately one million gallons of hedged fuel outstanding.
Note J — Accounts Receivable Factoring
In conjunction with the Company’s commercial sales program, the Company offers credit to some of its commercial customers. Historically, certain of the receivables related to this credit program were sold to a third party at a discount for cash with limited recourse. At August 30, 2008, the Company had $55.4 million outstanding under this program. During the fiscal second quarter, the Company terminated its agreement to sell receivables to a third party. There were no amounts outstanding under this program as of May 9, 2009.
Note K — Segment Reporting
The Company’s two operating segments (Domestic Auto Parts and Mexico) have been aggregated as one reportable segment: Auto Parts Stores. The criteria the Company used to identify the reportable segment are primarily the nature of the products the Company sells and the operating results that are regularly reviewed by the Company’s chief operating decision maker to make decisions about the resources to be allocated to the business units and to assess performance. The accounting policies of the Company’s reportable segment are the same as those described in Note A in its 2008 Annual Report.
The Auto Parts Stores segment is a retailer and distributor of automotive parts and accessories through the Company’s 4,340 stores in the United States, including Puerto Rico, and Mexico. Each store carries an extensive product line for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories and non-automotive products.

 

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The “Other” category reflects business activities that are not separately reportable, including ALLDATA which produces, sells and maintains repair information and diagnostic software used in the automotive repair industry and E-commerce which includes direct sales to customers through www.autozone.com.
The Company evaluates its reportable segment primarily on the basis of net sales and segment profit, which is defined as gross profit. During the current quarter, the Company reassessed and revised its reportable segment to exclude ALLDATA and E-commerce from the newly designated Auto Parts Stores reporting segment. Previously, these immaterial business activities had been combined with Auto Parts Stores.
                                 
    Twelve Weeks Ended     Thirty-Six Weeks Ended  
    May 9,     May 3,     May 9,     May 3,  
(In thousands)   2009     2008     2009     2008  
Net sales
                               
Auto Parts Stores
  $ 1,624,806     $ 1,485,506     $ 4,485,258     $ 4,219,062  
Other
    33,354       31,787       99,072       93,130  
 
                       
Total
  $ 1,658,160     $ 1,517,293     $ 4,584,330     $ 4,312,192  
 
                               
Segment profit
                               
Auto Parts Stores
  $ 805,589     $ 736,097     $ 2,211,687     $ 2,079,906  
Other
    27,318       25,909       81,709       76,343  
 
                       
Gross profit
    832,907       762,006       2,293,396       2,156,249  
Operating, selling, general and administrative
    (527,675 )     (488,972 )     (1,534,930 )     (1,448,954 )
Interest expense, net
    (31,482 )     (25,331 )     (94,554 )     (81,980 )
 
                       
Income before income taxes
  $ 273,750     $ 247,703     $ 663,912     $ 625,315  
 
                       

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
AutoZone, Inc.
We have reviewed the condensed consolidated balance sheet of AutoZone, Inc. as of May 9, 2009, the related condensed consolidated statements of income for the twelve and thirty-six week periods ended May 9, 2009 and May 3, 2008, and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the thirty-six week periods ended May 9, 2009 and May 3, 2008. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.
We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the condensed consolidated financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of AutoZone, Inc. as of August 30, 2008, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended, not presented herein, and, in our report dated October 20, 2008, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of August 30, 2008 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.
     
 
  /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Memphis, Tennessee
June 17, 2009

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Overview
We are the nation’s leading retailer and a leading distributor of automotive parts and accessories. As of May 9, 2009, we operated 4,340 stores including 168 stores in Mexico, compared with 4,162 stores including 130 stores in Mexico at May 3, 2008. Each of our stores carries an extensive product line for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories and non-automotive products. In many of our stores, we also have a commercial sales program that provides commercial credit and prompt delivery of parts and other products to local, regional and national repair garages, dealers, service stations and public sector accounts. We also sell the ALLDATA brand automotive diagnostic and repair software through direct sales and www.alldata.com. Additionally, we sell automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories and non-automotive products through www.autozone.com. We do not derive revenue from automotive repair or installation.
Operating results for the twelve and thirty-six weeks ended May 9, 2009, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending August 29, 2009. Each of the first three quarters of our fiscal year consists of 12 weeks, and the fourth quarter consists of 16 or 17 weeks. The fourth quarter for fiscal 2008 had 17 weeks and for fiscal 2009 will have 16 weeks. Our business is somewhat seasonal in nature, with the highest sales generally occurring in the spring and summer months of March through September and the lowest sales generally occurring in the winter months of December through February.
Executive Summary
Net sales were up 9.3% and earnings per share increased 25.9% for the quarter, driven by our domestic auto parts same store sales growth of 7.4%. We experienced solid growth in our retail and commercial businesses.
There are various factors occuring within the current economy that affect both our consumer and our industry, including the credit crisis and higher unemployment, which we believe when combined have aided our sales growth during the quarter. We continue to believe we are well positioned to help our customers save money and meet their needs in a challenging macro environment. The two statistics we believe have the closest correlation to our market growth over the long-term are miles driven and the number of seven year old or older vehicles on the road. Miles driven declined for the sixteenth straight month in March, though at a decelerating rate when compared to 2008. While this presents a challenge to us, we are optimistic that over the long-term that this trend will reverse to low single digit increases as the number of vehicles on the road continues to increase.
New car sales declined significantly during 2008 and the first part of 2009, which we believe is contributing to an increasing number of “seven year old or older” cars on the road. We expect this trend to continue as consumers continue to keep their cars longer. Also, we believe gas prices impact our customers’ behavior when it comes to driving and maintaining their cars. With approximately ten billion gallons of unleaded gas consumed each month across the United States, each $1 dollar decrease at the pump contributes approximately $10 billion of additional spending capacity to consumers each month. Gas prices per gallon were approximately $3.60 at the end of last year’s third quarter, peaked last summer around $4, but decreased to $2 at the beginning of the quarter before climbing to approximately $2.25 at the end of the quarter.
In this challenging environment, we continue to see sales of maintenance and failure categories perform well, while discretionary categories are being negatively impacted. Consequently, we remain focused on refining and expanding our product assortment to ensure we have the “best” merchandise at the “right” price in each of our categories.
Twelve Weeks Ended May 9, 2009,
Compared with Twelve Weeks Ended May 3, 2008
Net sales for the twelve weeks ended May 9, 2009, increased $140.9 million to $1.658 billion, or 9.3%, over net sales of $1.517 billion for the comparable prior year period. The growth was primarily driven by a domestic same store sales (sales for stores opened at least one year) increase of 7.4% and net sales of $62.6 million from new stores. Domestic retail sales increased 10.4% and domestic commercial sales increased 4.9%. The improvement this quarter in same store sales was driven by an improvement in transaction count trends, while increases in average transaction value remained generally consistent with our long-term trends.
Gross profit for the twelve weeks ended May 9, 2009, was $832.9 million, or 50.2% of net sales, compared with $762.0 million, or 50.2% of net sales, during the comparable prior year period. Gross margin benefited by approximately 15 basis points through leverage of distribution costs due to improved efficiencies and lower fuel costs, but was offset by the impact of promotional activities.
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses for the twelve weeks ended May 9, 2009, were $527.7 million, or 31.8% of net sales, compared with $489.0 million, or 32.2% of net sales, during the comparable prior year period. The lower operating expense ratio reflected leverage of store operating expenses due to higher sales volumes, offset in part by approximately 50 basis points from higher incentive compensation and investments to enhance our hub stores.
Net interest expense for the twelve weeks ended May 9, 2009, was $31.5 million compared with $25.3 million during the comparable prior year period. This increase was primarily due to the increase in debt over the comparable prior year period. Average borrowings for the twelve weeks ended May 9, 2009, were $2.516 billion, compared with $2.020 billion for the comparable prior year period. Weighted average borrowing rates were 5.2% for the twelve weeks ended May 9, 2009, and 5.0% for the twelve weeks ended May 3, 2008.

 

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Our effective income tax rate was 36.6% of pretax income for the twelve weeks ended May 9, 2009, and 36.0% for the comparable prior year period. We expect a rate of approximately 37% for the remainder of the year; however the annual rate depends on a number of factors, including the amount and source of operating profit and the timing and nature of discrete income tax events.
Net income for the twelve week period ended May 9, 2009, increased by $15.1 million to $173.7 million, and diluted earnings per share increased by 25.9% to $3.13 from $2.49 in the comparable prior year period. The impact on current quarter diluted earnings per share from stock repurchases since the end of the comparable prior year period was an increase of $0.41.
Thirty-Six Weeks Ended May 9, 2009,
Compared with Thirty-Six Weeks Ended May 3, 2008
Net sales for the thirty-six weeks ended May 9, 2009, increased $272.1 million to $4.584 billion, or 6.3% over net sales of $4.312 billion for the comparable prior year period. This increase in sales was primarily driven by net sales of $154.6 million from new stores and a domestic same store sales increase of 3.9%. Domestic retail sales increased 6.7% and domestic commercial sales increased 3.7%. The same store sales increase was driven by improvements in transaction count trends, while increases in average transaction value are consistent with the prior year.
Gross profit for the thirty-six weeks ended May 9, 2009, was $2.293 billion, or 50.0% of net sales, compared with $2.156 billion, or 50.0% of net sales, during the comparable prior year period. Gross profit as a percentage of sales was flat as a result of lower distribution costs mainly due to improved efficiencies and lower fuel costs, offset by slightly higher shrink expense and a shift in merchandise mix.
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses for the thirty-six weeks ended May 9, 2009, was $1.535 billion, or 33.5% of net sales, compared with $1.449 billion, or 33.6% of net sales, during the comparable prior year period. The lower operating expense ratio reflected leverage of store operating expenses due to higher sales volumes, offset in part by approximately 15 basis points from investments to enhance our hub stores.
Net interest expense for the thirty-six weeks ended May 9, 2009, was $94.6 million compared with $82.0 million during the comparable prior year period. This increase was primarily due to higher average borrowing levels. Average borrowings for the thirty-six weeks ended May 9, 2009, were $2.394 billion, compared with $2.070 billion for the comparable prior year period. Weighted average borrowing rates were 5.5% for the thirty-six weeks ended May 9, 2009, and 5.3% for the thirty-six weeks ended May 3, 2008.
Our effective income tax rate was 36.6% of pretax income for the thirty-six weeks ended May 9, 2009, and 36.4% for the comparable prior year period. The actual annual rate for fiscal 2009 will depend on a number of factors, including the amount and source of operating profit and the timing and nature of discrete income tax events.
Net income for the thirty-six week period ended May 9, 2009, increased by $23.1 million to $420.9 million, and diluted earnings per share increased by 19.0% to $7.36 from $6.19 in the comparable prior year period. The impact on year to date diluted earnings per share from stock repurchases since the end of the comparable prior year period was an increase of $0.65.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The primary source of our liquidity is our cash flows realized through the sale of automotive parts, products and accessories. For the thirty-six weeks ended May 9, 2009, our net cash flows from operating activities provided $535.0 million as compared with $501.5 million during the comparable prior year period. The most significant increase is due to improvements in accounts payable as our cash flows from operating activities continue to benefit from our inventory purchases being largely financed by our vendors. Our accounts payable to inventory ratio was 94% at May 9, 2009, and 89% at May 3, 2008. The increase in operating cash flow was partially offset by the increase in accounts receivable of approximately $70.3 million primarily due to the discontinuance of the factoring of our commercial accounts receivables with a third party bank during the fiscal second quarter.
Our net cash flows from investing activities for the thirty-six weeks ended May 9, 2009, used $156.0 million as compared with $161.6 million used in the comparable prior year period. Capital expenditures for the thirty-six weeks ended May 9, 2009, were $160.1 million compared to $153.5 million for the comparable prior year period. During this thirty-six week period, we opened 100 net new stores, including 20 stores in Mexico. In the comparable prior year period, we opened 106 net new stores, including seven in Mexico. Investing cash flows were also impacted by our wholly-owned insurance captive, which purchased $27.7 million and sold $23.3 million in marketable securities during the thirty-six weeks ended May 9, 2009. During the comparable prior year period, this captive purchased $28.2 million in marketable securities and sold $19.4 million in marketable securities. Capital asset disposals provided $8.6 million during the current period and $0.7 million in the prior year period.

 

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Our net cash flows from financing activities for the thirty-six weeks ended May 9, 2009, used $525.0 million compared to $344.9 million used in the comparable prior year period. Net proceeds from commercial paper borrowings were $156.6 million versus $35.3 million in the comparable prior year period. Repayment of debt was $0.7 million as compared to $38.9 million in the comparable prior year period. Stock repurchases were $712.6 million in the current thirty-six week period as compared with $350.0 million in the comparable prior year period. For the thirty-six weeks ended May 9, 2009, proceeds from the sale of common stock and exercises of stock options provided $44.3 million, including $7.5 million in related tax benefits. In the comparable prior year period, proceeds from the sale of common stock and exercises of stock options provided $18.4 million, including $3.6 million in related tax benefits.
We expect to invest in our business generally consistent with historical rates during fiscal 2009, primarily related to our new store development program and enhancements to existing stores and systems. In addition to the building and land costs, our new store development program requires working capital, predominantly for inventories. Historically, we have negotiated extended payment terms from suppliers, reducing the working capital required. We plan to continue leveraging our inventory purchases; however, our ability to do so may be impacted by a prolonged tightening of the credit markets which may directly limit our vendors’ capacity to factor their receivables from us.
Depending on the timing and magnitude of our future investments (either in the form of leased or purchased properties or acquisitions), we anticipate that we will rely primarily on internally generated funds and available borrowing capacity to support a majority of our capital expenditures, working capital requirements and stock repurchases. The balance may be funded through new borrowings. We anticipate that we will be able to obtain such financing in view of our current credit ratings.
Credit Ratings
At May 9, 2009, AutoZone had a senior unsecured debt credit rating from Standard & Poor’s of BBB and a commercial paper rating of A-2. Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) had assigned us a senior unsecured debt credit rating of Baa2 and a commercial paper rating of P-2. Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”) assigned us a BBB rating for senior unsecured debt and an F-2 rating for commercial paper. As of May 9, 2009, Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch had AutoZone listed as having a “stable” outlook. If our credit ratings drop, our interest expense may increase; similarly, we anticipate that our interest expense may decrease if our investment ratings are raised. If our commercial paper ratings drop below current levels, we may have difficulty continuing to utilize the commercial paper market and our interest expense will likely increase, as we will then be required to access more expensive bank lines of credit. If our senior unsecured debt ratings drop below investment grade, our access to financing may become more limited.
Debt Facilities
We maintain $1.0 billion of revolving credit facilities with a group of banks to primarily support commercial paper borrowings, letters of credit and other short-term unsecured bank loans. The credit facilities may be increased to $1.3 billion at our election and subject to bank credit capacity and approval, may include up to $200 million in letters of credit and up to $100 million in capital leases. As the available balance is reduced by commercial paper borrowings and certain outstanding letters of credit, the Company had $701.8 million in available capacity under these facilities at May 9, 2009. The rate of interest payable under the credit facilities is a function of Bank of America’s base rate or a Eurodollar rate (each as defined in the facility agreements), or a combination thereof. These facilities expire within the next 12 months on May 5, 2010. Accordingly, we reclassified $456.6 million ($300.0 million bank term loan and $156.6 million in commercial paper borrowings) of short-term obligations from long-term to short-term at May 9, 2009. Previously, we classified these short-term debt obligations as long-term as we had the ability and intent to replace these short-term obligations with long-term financing under the revolving credit facilities. While there can be no assurances, we expect to renegotiate and extend our revolving credit facilities during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, at which time we expect to reclassify these obligations as long-term.
The 6.50% and 7.125% notes issued during August 2008, are subject to an interest rate adjustment if the debt ratings assigned to the notes are downgraded and a provision where repayment of the notes may be accelerated if we experience a change in control (as defined in the agreements). Our borrowings under our other Senior Notes arrangements contain minimal covenants, primarily restrictions on liens. Under our other borrowing arrangements, covenants include limitations on total indebtedness, restrictions on liens, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and a provision where repayment obligations may be accelerated if AutoZone experiences a change in control (as defined in the agreements). All of the repayment obligations under our borrowing arrangements may be accelerated and come due prior to the scheduled payment date if covenants are breached or an event of default occurs. As of May 9, 2009, we were in compliance with all covenants and expect to remain in compliance with all covenants.
Stock Repurchases
From January 1, 1998 to May 9, 2009, we have repurchased a total of 111.6 million shares at an aggregate cost of $7.0 billion, including 5,501,927 shares of our common stock at an aggregate cost of $712.6 million during the thirty-six week period ended May 9, 2009. Considering cumulative repurchases as of May 9, 2009, the Company had $396.5 million remaining under the Board’s authorization to repurchase our common stock. On June 17, 2009, this authorization was increased by $500 million to raise the cumulative share repurchase authorization from $7.4 billion to $7.9 billion.

 

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
In conjunction with our commercial sales program, we offer credit to some of our commercial customers. Historically, certain of the receivables related to this credit program were sold to a third party at a discount for cash with limited recourse. As of August 30, 2008, we had $55.4 million outstanding under this program. During the fiscal second quarter, the Company terminated its agreement to sell receivables to a third party. There were no amounts outstanding under this program as of May 9, 2009.
Since fiscal year end, we have cancelled, issued new and modified existing stand-by letters of credit that are primarily renewed on an annual basis to cover premium and deductible payments to our workers’ compensation carrier. Our total stand-by letters of credit commitment at May 9, 2009, was $114.3 million compared with $113.3 million at August 30, 2008, and our total surety bonds commitment at May 9, 2009, was $11.9 million compared with $13.8 million at August 30, 2008.
Financial Commitments
As of May 9, 2009, changes to our contractual obligations as described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 30, 2008 (“Annual Report”), are as follows: A) we now have $156.6 million of commercial paper borrowings outstanding as compared to no outstanding commercial paper borrowings at August 30, 2008. B) As disclosed in Note F — Debt, the $156.6 million of commercial paper and the $300.0 million bank term loan mature in the next twelve months and have been re-classified to short-term in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Previously, we classified these short-term debt obligations as long-term as we had the ability and intent to replace these short-term obligations with long-term financing under our $1.0 billion revolving credit facilities, expiring May 5, 2010. While there can be no assurances, we expect to renegotiate and extend our revolving credit facilities during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, at which time we expect to reclassify these obligations as long-term.
Refer to the Annual Report for additional information regarding our contractual obligations.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
On August 25, 2007, we adopted the recognition and disclosure provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans” (“SFAS 158”). SFAS 158 requires recognition in the balance sheet of the funded status of defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans, and the recognition in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) of unrecognized gains or losses and prior service costs or credits. The funded status is measured as the difference between the fair value of the plan’s assets and the projected benefit obligation (“PBO”) of the plan.
Additionally, SFAS 158 requires the measurement date for plan assets and liabilities to coincide with the sponsor’s year end. On August 31, 2008, we adopted the measurement date provisions of SFAS 158. The adoption of the measurement date provisions of SFAS 158 had no material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the twelve and thirty-six weeks ended May 9, 2009 or for any prior period presented, and it will not materially affect our operating results in future periods.
Effective August 31, 2008, we adopted SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. The adoption of SFAS 157 had no impact on our financial statements.
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” (“SFAS 161”). SFAS 161 amends and expands the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”. It requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. Our business activities expose us to a variety of market risks, including risks related to changes in commodity prices and interest rates. Occasionally, we use derivative instruments to protect cash flows from fluctuations caused by volatility in these market risks. As of May 9, 2009, we have an outstanding interest rate swap to effectively fix the interest rate on the $300.0 million term loan maturing in December, 2009, and a fuel swap contract to economically hedge a portion of our unleaded fuel exposure. The fuel swap contract does not qualify for hedge accounting treatment. Neither the derivative instruments nor related activity is material to the financial statements for the twelve or thirty-six week periods ended May 9, 2009. Refer to “Note I — Derivative Financial Instruments” for further disclosure.
Critical Accounting Policies
Preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions affecting the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period and related disclosures of contingent liabilities. Our policies are evaluated on an ongoing basis and are drawn from historical experience and other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ under different assumptions or conditions.
Our critical accounting policies are described in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the Annual Report. Our critical accounting policies have not changed significantly since the filing of our Annual Report.

 

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Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements typically use words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “should,” “intend,” “plan,” “will,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “positioned,” “strategy” and similar expressions. These are based on assumptions and assessments made by our management in light of experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors that we believe to be appropriate. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including without limitation: competition; product demand; the economy; credit markets; the ability to hire and retain qualified employees; consumer debt levels; inflation; weather; raw material costs of our suppliers; energy prices; war and the prospect of war, including terrorist activity; availability of consumer transportation; construction delays; access to available and feasible financing; and changes in laws or regulations. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results; developments and business decisions may differ from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements, and such events could materially and adversely affect our business. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. Except as required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Actual results may materially differ from anticipated results. Please refer to the Risk Factors section contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 30, 2008, for more information related to those risks.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
At May 9, 2009, the only material changes to our instruments and positions that are sensitive to market risk since the disclosures in our 2008 Annual Report to Stockholders were the $156.6 million net increase in commercial paper and the execution of a fuel swap contract to economically hedge a portion of our anticipated unleaded fuel purchases. The fuel swap contract has not been designated by us as a hedging instrument under the provisions of SFAS 133, and thus does not qualify for hedge accounting treatment. Accordingly, mark-to-market losses of $1.3 million were recorded in operating, selling, general and administrative expenses in the thirty-six weeks ended May 9, 2009.
The fair value of our debt was estimated at $2.401 billion as of May 9, 2009, and $2.235 billion as of August 30, 2008, based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar debt issues or on the current rates available to AutoZone for debt of the same remaining maturities. Such fair value is less than the carrying value of debt by $4.5 million at May 9, 2009 and $15.0 million at August 30, 2008. Considering the effect of any interest rate swaps designated and effective as cash flow hedges, we had $156.6 million of variable rate debt outstanding at May 9, 2009, and no variable rate debt outstanding at August 30, 2008. At these borrowing levels for variable rate debt, a one percentage point increase in interest rates would have had an unfavorable annual impact on our pre-tax earnings and cash flows of $1.6 million in fiscal 2009, which includes the effects of interest rate swaps. The primary interest rate exposure on variable rate debt is based on LIBOR. Considering the effect of any interest rate swaps designated and effective as cash flow hedges, we had outstanding fixed rate debt of $2.249 billion at May 9, 2009, and $2.250 billion at August 30, 2008. A one percentage point increase in interest rates would reduce the fair value of our fixed rate debt by $80.5 million at May 9, 2009, and $90.7 million at August 30, 2008.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of May 9, 2009. Based on that evaluation, our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of May 9, 2009. During or subsequent to the quarter ended May 9, 2009, there were no changes in our internal controls that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect, internal controls over financial reporting.
Item 4T. Controls and Procedures.
Not applicable.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
As of the date of this filing, there have been no additional material legal proceedings or material developments in the legal proceedings disclosed in Part I, Item 3, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 30, 2008.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
As of the date of this filing, there have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in Part I, Item 1A, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 30, 2008.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
Shares of common stock repurchased by the Company during the quarter ended May 9, 2009, were as follows:
Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities
                                 
                    Total Number of     Maximum Dollar  
                    Shares Purchased as     Value that May Yet  
    Total Number of     Average     Part of Publicly     Be Purchased Under  
    Shares     Price Paid     Announced Plans or     the Plans or  
Period   Purchased     per Share     Programs     Programs  
February 15, 2009 to March 14, 2009
    244,109     $ 133.08       244,109     $ 429,432,754  
March 15, 2009 to April 11, 2009
    113,200       158.91       113,200       411,444,604  
April 12, 2009 to May 9, 2009
    93,000       160.92       93,000       396,479,484  
 
                       
 
                               
Total
    450,309     $ 145.32       450,309     $ 396,479,484  
 
                       
All of the above repurchases were part of publicly announced plans that were authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors for the purchase of a maximum of $7.4 billion in common shares as of May 9, 2009. The program was initially announced in January 1998, and was most recently amended in June 2009, to increase the repurchase authorization to $7.9 billion from $7.4 billion. The program does not have an expiration date.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information.
Not applicable.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits.
The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:
         
  3.1    
Restated Articles of Incorporation of AutoZone, Inc. incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 13, 1999.
       
 
  3.2    
Fourth Amended and Restated By-laws of AutoZone, Inc. incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Form 8-K dated September 28, 2007.
       
 
  12.1    
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
       
 
  15.1    
Letter Regarding Unaudited Interim Financial Statements.
       
 
  31.1    
Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
 
  31.2    
Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
 
  32.1    
Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
 
  32.2    
Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
             
    AUTOZONE, INC.    
 
           
 
  By:   /s/ WILLIAM T. GILES
 
William T. Giles
   
 
      Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President,    
 
      Finance, Information Technology and    
 
      Store Development    
 
      (Principal Financial Officer)    
 
           
 
  By:   /s/ CHARLIE PLEAS, III
 
Charlie Pleas, III
   
 
      Senior Vice President, Controller    
 
      (Principal Accounting Officer)    
Dated: June 18, 2009

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX
The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:
         
  3.1    
Restated Articles of Incorporation of AutoZone, Inc. incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 13, 1999.
       
 
  3.2    
Fourth Amended and Restated By-laws of AutoZone, Inc. incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Form 8-K dated September 28, 2007.
       
 
  12.1    
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
       
 
  15.1    
Letter Regarding Unaudited Interim Financial Statements.
       
 
  31.1    
Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
 
  31.2    
Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
 
  32.1    
Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
 
  32.2    
Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

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