AutoZone on Cruise Control: Fool by Numbers

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On Dec. 5, auto-parts retailer AutoZone (NYSE: AZO) released fiscal first-quarter 2007 earnings for the period ended Nov. 18, 2006. Here are the quick and dirty details for the quarter.

• Sales grew 4.1% to $1.4 billion for the quarter, while same-store sales advanced a meager 0.3%.
• Net income advanced 8.3%, but earnings per share advanced 16.9% as the company maintained its steady repurchase program.
• Inventory grew 12% quarter over quarter.

(Figures in thousands, except per-share data)

Income Statement Highlights

	Q1 2007	Q1 2006	Change
Sales	$1,393,069	$1,338,076	4.1%
Net Profit	$123,889	$114,374	8.3%
EPS	$1.73	$1.48	16.9%
Diluted Shares	71,813	77,152	(6.9%)

*12 weeks ended Nov. 18, 2006 and Nov. 19, 2005.

Get back to basics with a look at the income statement.

Margin Checkup

	Q1 2007	Q1 2006	Change*
Gross Margin	49.2%	49.0%	0.2
Operating Margin	16.0%	15.3%	0.7
Net Margin	8.9%	8.6%	0.3

*Expressed in percentage points.

Margins are the earnings engine. See how they work.

Balance Sheet Highlights

Assets	Q1 2007	Q1 2006	Change
Inventory	$1,883,348	$1,681,015	12.0%

Liabilities	Q1 2007	Q1 2006	Change
Accounts Payable	$1,649,632	$1,514,571	8.9%
Long-Term Debt	$1,858,921	$1,789,775	3.9%

Learn the ways of the balance sheet.

Cash Flow Highlights
AutoZone did not issue a cash flow statement with the press release.

Find out why Fools always follow the money.

Related companies:

• Advance Auto Parts (NYSE: AAP)
• Pep Boys (NYSE: PBY)
• O'Reilly Automotive (Nasdaq: ORLY)

Related Foolishness:

• Foolish Fundamentals: Free Cash Flow
• Foolish Fundamentals: Return on Invested Capital

Fool by Numbers is designed to give you the raw earnings information in a timely fashion, putting all the numbers you need in one easy-to-read place. But at The Motley Fool, we believe numbers tell only part of the story, so check Fool.com for more of our in-depth discussion of what the numbers mean.

AutoZone is an Inside Value pick. You can find out why with a 30-day free trial of the newsletter.

Fool contributor Ryan Fuhrmann has no financial interest in any company mentioned. Feel free to email him with feedback or to discuss any companies mentioned further. The Fool has an ironclad disclosure policy.