O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2016 Results and Announces Purchase Agreement With Bond Auto Parts

• Third quarter comparable store sales increase of 4.2%
• Record third quarter operating margin of 20.2%
• Entered into definitive agreement to purchase Bond Auto Parts

SPRINGFIELD, Mo., Oct. 26, 2016 (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 third quarter ended September 30, 2016, and announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Bond Auto Parts (“Bond”).  The purchase is expected to be completed before the end of this year. 

3^rd Quarter Financial Results
Sales for the third quarter ended September 30, 2016, increased $141 million, or 7%, to $2.22 billion from $2.08 billion for the same period one year ago.  Gross profit for the third quarter increased to $1.17 billion (or 52.7% of sales) from $1.09 billion (or 52.4% of sales) for the same period one year ago, representing an increase of 7%.  Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) for the third quarter increased to $722 million (or 32.5% of sales) from $674 million (or 32.4% of sales) for the same period one year ago, representing an increase of 7%.  Operating income for the third quarter increased to $448 million (or 20.2% of sales) from $415 million (or 20.0% of sales) for the same period one year ago, representing an increase of 8%.

Net income for the third quarter ended September 30, 2016, increased $12 million, or 5%, to $278 million (or 12.5% of sales) from $266 million (or 12.8% of sales) for the same period one year ago.  Diluted earnings per common share for the third quarter increased 10% to $2.90 on 96 million shares versus $2.64 on 101 million shares for the same period one year ago.

O’Reilly’s President and CEO, Greg Henslee commented, “We are proud to report another very profitable quarter, highlighted by a record 20.2% operating margin and a comparable store sales increase of 4.2%, which was on top of our very strong 7.9% comparable store sales results from our third quarter last year.  Team O’Reilly’s relentless focus on providing consistent, excellent customer service drove our top-line performance, and our unwavering commitment to profitable growth translated this growth into third quarter diluted earnings per share of $2.90, which exceeded the top end of our guidance for the quarter.  As a reminder, our third quarter 2015 diluted earnings per share results of $2.64 included a larger than typical tax benefit of approximately $0.11 from the resolution of certain historical tax positions.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank each of our over 74,000 Team Members for their continued hard work and dedication to providing unsurpassed levels of service to our customers and for their many contributions to our ongoing success.”

Mr. Henslee continued, “We are also very excited to announce we have entered into a definitive agreement to purchase substantially all of the assets of Bond Auto Parts, a privately held automotive parts supplier, which operates 48 stores in Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and New York.  Over the past 60 years, the Bond family has built a very successful business based on a culture of providing excellent customer service, which makes their company a perfect fit with O’Reilly.  I would like to welcome the Bond team members to O’Reilly, and we look forward to the opportunities ahead of us as we continue our growth in the Northeast.”

Year-to-Date Financial Results
Sales for the first nine months of 2016 increased $476 million, or 8%, to $6.49 billion from $6.02 billion for the same period one year ago.  Gross profit for the first nine months of 2016 increased to $3.39 billion (or 52.3% of sales) from $3.14 billion (or 52.1% of sales) for the same period one year ago, representing an increase of 8%.  SG&A for the first nine months of 2016 increased to $2.10 billion (or 32.4% of sales) from $1.98 billion (or 33.0% of sales) for the same period one year ago, representing an increase of 6%.  Operating income for the first nine months of 2016 increased to $1.29 billion (or 19.9% of sales) from $1.15 billion (or 19.1% of sales) for the same period one year ago, representing an increase of 12%.

Net income for the first nine months of 2016 increased $79 million, or 11%, to $792 million (or 12.2% of sales) from $713 million (or 11.8% of sales) for the same period one year ago.  Diluted earnings per common share for the first nine months of 2016 increased 17% to $8.14 on 97 million shares versus $6.98 on 102 million shares for the same period one year ago.

Mr. Henslee added, “During the third quarter, we opened 52 new stores, which brings our year-to-date store openings to 141 net, new stores across 35 different states, with a focus on our strong growth markets of Texas, Florida and the Northeast, and we are on pace to achieve our target of 210 net, new store openings in 2016.  Additionally, I am pleased to announce that during the third quarter, we opened two stores in Rhode Island, which represents expansion into our 45th state.  We plan to continue our profitable store growth in 2017, and we are establishing a target of 190 net, new store openings for next year, which is slightly below our typical new store target in light of the resources we will devote to converting the 48 Bond stores.”

Share Repurchase Program
During the third quarter ended September 30, 2016, the Company repurchased 0.4 million shares of its common stock, at an average price per share of $281.04, for a total investment of $103 million.  During the first nine months of 2016, the Company repurchased 3.7 million shares of its common stock, at an average price per share of $261.32, for a total investment of $960 million.  Subsequent to the end of the third 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 $276.58, for a total investment of $71 million.  The Company has repurchased a total of 55.2 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 $115.76, for a total aggregate investment of $6.39 billion.  As of the date of this release, the Company had approximately $613 million remaining under its current share repurchase authorization. 

3^rd 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 nine months ended September 30, 2016.  Comparable store sales increased 4.2% for the third quarter ended September 30, 2016, on top of 7.9% for the same period one year ago.  Comparable store sales increased 4.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, on top of 7.4% for the same period one year ago.

4^th Quarter and Updated Full-Year 2016 Guidance
The table below outlines the Company’s guidance for selected fourth quarter and updated full-year 2016 financial data and excludes potential impact from the definitive agreement to purchase Bond Auto Parts:

⁽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 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, October 27, 2016, 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) 585-4405; the conference call identification number is 43335016.  A replay of the conference call will be available on the Company’s website through Thursday, October 26, 2017.

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 September 30, 2016, the Company operated 4,712 stores in 45 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, 2015, 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, 2015, 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.

⁽¹⁾  Certain amounts as of September 30, 2015, have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation, due to the Company’s adoption of new accounting standards during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2015.  See Note 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

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