ORLY - O'Reilly Automotive Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter And Full-Year 2023 Results

• Fourth quarter comparable store sales growth of 3.4%, full-year increase of 7.9%
• 11% increase in fourth quarter diluted earnings per share to $9.26, full-year increase of 15% to $38.47
• Completed previously announced Leadership Succession Plan
  

SPRINGFIELD, Mo., Feb. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. (the “Company” or “O’Reilly”) ( Nasdaq: ORLY), a leading retailer in the automotive aftermarket industry, today announced record revenue and earnings for its fourth quarter and full-year ended December 31, 2023. The results represent 31 consecutive years of comparable store sales growth and record revenue and operating income for O’Reilly since becoming a public company in April of 1993.

4 ^th Quarter Financial Results

Brad Beckham, O’Reilly’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), commented, “We are pleased to report another solid quarter, highlighted by a comparable store sales increase of 3.4%, on top of the very strong 9.0% comparable store sales increase Team O’Reilly delivered in the fourth quarter last year. Our Team once again generated double-digit professional comparable store sales growth, while also successfully navigating the anticipated year-over-year pressure we experienced on the DIY side of our business, resulting from the extremely strong, weather-driven sales we produced in the fourth quarter of 2022. In total, our comparable store sales performance exceeded our expectations for the quarter, driven by Team O’Reilly’s relentless focus on providing the highest levels of service in the industry. We would like to express our appreciation to each of our over 90,000 Team Members for their unwavering commitment to going above and beyond for our customers each and every day.”

Sales for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2023, increased $188 million, or 5%, to $3.83 billion from $3.64 billion for the same period one year ago. Gross profit for the fourth quarter increased 6% to $1.97 billion (or 51.3% of sales) from $1.85 billion (or 50.9% of sales) for the same period one year ago. Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) for the fourth quarter increased 7% to $1.25 billion (or 32.6% of sales) from $1.17 billion (or 32.2% of sales) for the same period one year ago. Operating income for the fourth quarter increased 5% to $719 million (or 18.8% of sales) from $682 million (or 18.7% of sales) for the same period one year ago.

Net income for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2023, increased $24 million, or 5%, to $553 million (or 14.4% of sales) from $529 million (or 14.5% of sales) for the same period one year ago. Diluted earnings per common share for the fourth quarter increased 11% to $9.26 on 60 million shares versus $8.37 on 63 million shares for the same period one year ago.

Full-Year Financial Results

Mr. Beckham continued, “We delivered another year of exceptional, profitable growth, highlighted by a 7.9% increase in comparable store sales and a full-year diluted earnings per share increase of 15% to $38.47. I would like to congratulate our entire Team for their 31st consecutive year of annual comparable store sales growth and record earnings. 2023 was also a very successful expansion year for our Company, with the successful opening of 186 new stores, the growth of our store and distribution footprint into Puerto Rico, and the opening of a large, modern distribution center in Guadalajara, Mexico.”

Sales for the year ended December 31, 2023, increased $1.40 billion, or 10%, to $15.81 billion from $14.41 billion for the same period one year ago. Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2023, increased 10% to $8.10 billion (or 51.3% of sales) from $7.38 billion (or 51.2% of sales) for the same period one year ago. SG&A for the year ended December 31, 2023, increased 11% to $4.92 billion (or 31.1% of sales) from $4.43 billion (or 30.7% of sales) for the same period one year ago. Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2023, increased 8% to $3.19 billion (or 20.2% of sales) from $2.95 billion (or 20.5% of sales) for the same period one year ago.

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2023, increased $174 million, or 8%, to $2.35 billion (or 14.8% of sales) from $2.17 billion (or 15.1% of sales) for the same period one year ago. Diluted earnings per common share for the year ended December 31, 2023, increased 15% to $38.47 on 61 million shares versus $33.44 on 65 million shares for the same period one year ago.

Mr. Beckham concluded, “Our success in 2023 is a testament to our Team’s hard work, and as we look forward to 2024, we remain absolutely confident in our Team’s ability to consistently execute our dual market strategy and provide the best customer service in the industry. Our Team has repeatedly proven their ability to aggressively gain market share and profitably grow our business, and we are extremely excited to welcome our new Canadian Team Members to the O’Reilly family, with the closing of the Groupe Del Vasto acquisition in January. O’Reilly’s experienced leadership is already working closely with our seasoned management team in Canada, and we look forward to capitalizing on the long-term profitable growth opportunities in our new markets as we extend our track record of profitable growth throughout North America.”

4 ^th Quarter and Full-Year Comparable Store Sales Results

Comparable store sales are calculated based on the change in sales for U.S. stores open at least one year and exclude sales of specialty machinery, sales to independent parts stores, and sales to Team Members. Online sales for ship-to-home orders and pick-up-in-store orders for U.S. stores open at least one year are included in the comparable store sales calculation. Comparable store sales increased 3.4% for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2023, on top of 9.0% for the same period one year ago.   Comparable store sales increased 7.9% for the year ended December 31, 2023, on top of 6.4% for the same period one year ago.

Share Repurchase Program

During the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2023, the Company repurchased 0.6 million shares of its common stock, at an average price per share of $922.86, for a total investment of $560 million. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company repurchased 3.6 million shares of its common stock, at an average price per share of $883.13, for a total investment of $3.15 billion. Excise tax on shares repurchased, assessed at one percent of the fair market value of net shares repurchased, was $28.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Subsequent to the end of the fourth quarter and through the date of this release, the Company repurchased an additional 0.1 million shares of its common stock, at an average price per share of $967.63, for a total investment of $102 million. The Company has repurchased a total of 94.2 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 $247.16, for a total aggregate investment of $23.28 billion.   As of the date of this release, the Company had approximately $2.47 billion remaining under its current share repurchase authorizations.

Full-Year 2024 Guidance

The table below outlines the Company’s guidance for selected full-year 2024 financial data:

The Company closed on its previously announced Canadian acquisition of Groupe Del Vasto in January of 2024. The above consolidated guidance for selected full-year 2024 financial data includes preliminary estimates from the impact of the operations of our newly acquired Canadian business, which incorporates an estimated 25 basis point dilution to gross profit as a percentage of sales and an estimated 15 basis point dilution to operating income as a percentage of sales for the full year 2024.

⁽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⁾ Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. The table below reconciles Free cash flow guidance to Net cash provided by operating activities guidance, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure:

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 table above and the selected financial information below.

Completion of Leadership Succession Plan

O’Reilly completed its previously announced Leadership Succession Plan on January 31, 2024, with the retirement of O’Reilly’s CEO Greg Johnson, and the simultaneous promotions of Brad Beckham to the role of CEO and Brent Kirby to the role of President. In addition, on February 1, 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) nominated Greg Johnson to serve on O’Reilly’s Board, to be voted upon by the Company’s shareholders at O’Reilly’s Annual Shareholders’ Meeting, which will be held in May of 2024. Mr. Johnson is being nominated to replace the Board seat currently held by Jay Burchfield, who is expected to retire from the Board at the end of his current director term in May, consistent with the Board’s mandatory retirement age policy.

Greg Henslee, O’Reilly’s Chairman of the Board, commented, “On behalf of the Board, I would once again like to express our sincere appreciation to Greg for his 41 years of dedicated service to O’Reilly, as well as reiterate our confidence in the Company’s future under the leadership of Brad and Brent, who are both very well respected and proven leaders with O’Reilly. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Jay Burchfield for his guidance as the Company’s Lead Director and congratulate him on his upcoming Board retirement. Finally, I would like to relay our excitement with Greg Johnson’s acceptance to be a nominee to our Board; his vast experience and industry knowledge will be a tremendous asset to our Board in the future.”

Earnings Conference Call Information

The Company will host a conference call on Thursday, February 8, 2024, 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 (888) 506-0062 and the conference call identification number is 116638. A replay of the conference call will be available on the Company’s website through Friday, February 7, 2025.

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 December 31, 2023, the Company operated 6,157 stores across 48 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, and Mexico.

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; consumer debt levels; product demand; a public health crisis; the market for auto parts; competition; weather; tariffs; availability of key products and supply chain disruptions; business interruptions, including terrorist activities, war and the threat of war; failure to protect our brand and reputation; challenges in international markets; volatility of the market price of our common stock; our increased debt levels; credit ratings on public debt; historical growth rate sustainability; our ability to hire and retain qualified employees; risks associated with the performance of acquired businesses; damage, failure or interruption of information technology systems, including information security and cyber-attacks; and governmental regulations. 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, 2022, and subsequent Securities and Exchange Commission filings, 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.

Note: The balance sheet at December 31, 2022, 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.

Note: The income statement for the year ended December 31, 2022, has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by the United States generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.

Note: The cash flow statement for the year ended December 31, 2022, 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.

⁽ⁱ⁾ The table below outlines the calculation of Rent expense and reconciles Rent expense to Total lease cost, per ASC 842, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):

⁽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⁾ Represents O’Reilly’s U.S. and Puerto Rico operations only.

⁽⁵⁾ 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.

⁽⁶⁾ 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.