Edgar Filing: AUTOZONE INC

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

Emerging growth company

Form 10-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

☒	Annual Report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended August 25, 2018, or

☐	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

LOGO

AUTOZONE, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Nevada		62-1482048
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer 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)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock

($.01 par value)

New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒

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 period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter was $19,597,989,296.

The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of October 22, 2018, was 25,559,353.

Documents Incorporated By Reference

Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement to be filed within 120 days of August 25, 2018, pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held December 19, 2018, are incorporated by reference into Part III.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


PART I		5
Item 1.	Business	5
	Introduction	5
	Marketing and Merchandising Strategy	6
	Commercial	8
	Store Operations	8
	Store Development	9
	Purchasing and Supply Chain	9
	Competition	10
	Trademarks and Patents	10
	Employees	10
	AutoZone Websites	10
	Executive Officers of the Registrant	11
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	13
Item 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments	19
Item 2.	Properties	19
Item 3.	Legal Proceedings	19
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	20

PART II		21
Item 5.	Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	21
Item 6.	Selected Financial Data	23
Item 7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	24
Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	38
Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	40
Item 9.	Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	75
Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures	75
Item 9B.	Other Information	75

PART III		76
Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	76
Item 11.	Executive Compensation	76
Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	76
Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	76
Item 14.	Principal Accounting Fees and Services	76

PART IV		77
Item 15.	Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules	77
Item 16.	Form 10-K Summary	82

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this annual report constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements typically use words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “should,” “intend,” “plan,” “will,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “positioned,” “strategy,” “seek,” “may,” “could” 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: product demand; energy prices; weather; competition; credit market conditions; access to available and feasible financing; the impact of recessionary conditions; consumer debt levels; changes in laws or regulations; war and the prospect of war, including terrorist activity; inflation; the ability to hire and retain qualified employees; construction delays; the compromising of confidentiality, availability or integrity of information, including cyber attacks; and raw material costs of suppliers. Certain of these risks are discussed in more detail in the “Risk Factors” section contained in Item 1A under Part 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 25, 2018, and these Risk Factors should be read carefully. 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 events described above and in the “Risk Factors” 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.

PART I

Item 1. Business

Introduction

AutoZone, Inc. (“AutoZone,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us”) is the nation’s leading retailer, and a leading distributor, of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States. We began operations in 1979 and at August 25, 2018, operated 5,618 stores in the United States, including Puerto Rico; 564 stores in Mexico; and 20 stores in Brazil. 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. At August 25, 2018, in 4,741 of our domestic stores, we also had 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 have commercial programs in stores in Mexico and Brazil. We also sell the ALLDATA brand automotive diagnostic and repair software through www.alldata.com and www.alldatadiy.com. Additionally, we sell automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories and non-automotive products through www.autozone.com, and our commercial customers can make purchases through www.autozonepro.com. We do not derive revenue from automotive repair or installation services.

At August 25, 2018, our stores were in the following locations:


	Store Count
Alabama		113
Alaska		8
Arizona		142
Arkansas		66
California		602
Colorado		90
Connecticut		49
Delaware		16
Florida		334
Georgia		201
Hawaii		8
Idaho		29
Illinois		238
Indiana		156
Iowa		32
Kansas		53
Kentucky		97
Louisiana		124
Maine		13
Maryland		78
Massachusetts		82
Michigan		194
Minnesota		54
Mississippi		95
Missouri		113
Montana		13
Nebraska		21
Nevada		65
New Hampshire		23
New Jersey		102
New Mexico		62
New York		198
North Carolina		221


North Dakota			5
Ohio			266
Oklahoma			74
Oregon			47
Pennsylvania			189
Puerto Rico			45
Rhode Island			17
South Carolina			88
South Dakota			8
Tennessee			166
Texas			610
Utah			59
Vermont			2
Virginia			131
Washington			92
Washington, DC			5
West Virginia			44
Wisconsin			69
Wyoming			9

Total Domestic stores			5,618
Mexico			564
Brazil			20

Total stores			6,202

Marketing and Merchandising Strategy

We are dedicated to providing customers with superior service and trustworthy advice as well as quality automotive parts and products at a great value in conveniently located, well-designed stores. Key elements of this strategy are:

Customer Service

Customer service is the most important element in our marketing and merchandising strategy, which is based upon consumer marketing research. We emphasize that our AutoZoners (employees) should always put customers first by providing prompt, courteous service and trustworthy advice. Our electronic parts catalog assists in the selection of parts as well as identifying any associated warranties that are offered by us or our vendors. We sell automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories and non-automotive parts through www.autozone.com for pick-up in store or to be shipped directly to a customer’s home or business. Additionally, we offer a smartphone app that provides customers with store locations, driving directions, operating hours, ability to purchase products and product availability.

Our stores generally open at 7:30 or 8 a.m. and close between 8 and 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and typically open at 9 a.m. and close between 6 and 9 p.m. on Sunday. However, some stores are open 24 hours, and some have extended hours of 6 or 7 a.m. until midnight seven days a week.

We also provide specialty tools through our Loan-A-Tool program. Customers can borrow a specialty tool, such as a steering wheel puller, for which a do-it-yourself (“DIY”) customer or a repair shop would have little or no use other than for a single job. AutoZoners also provide other free services, including check engine light readings where allowed by law, battery charging, the collection of used oil for recycling, and the testing of starters, alternators and batteries.

Merchandising

The following tables show some of the types of products that we sell by major category of items:

Failure

Maintenance

Discretionary

A/C Compressors

Batteries & Accessories

Bearings

Belts & Hoses

Calipers

Carburetors

Chassis

Clutches

CV Axles

Engines

Fuel Pumps

Fuses

Ignition

Lighting

Mufflers

Radiators

Starters & Alternators

Thermostats

Tire Repair

Water Pumps

Antifreeze & Windshield Washer Fluid

Brake Drums, Rotors, Shoes & Pads

Chemicals, including Brake & Power Steering Fluid, Oil & Fuel Additives

Oil & Transmission Fluid

Oil, Air, Fuel & Transmission Filters

Oxygen Sensors

Paint & Accessories

Refrigerant & Accessories

Shock Absorbers & Struts

Spark Plugs & Wires

Windshield Wipers

Air Fresheners

Cell Phone Accessories

Drinks & Snacks

Floor Mats & Seat Covers

Interior & Exterior Accessories

Mirrors

Performance Products

Protectants & Cleaners

Sealants & Adhesives

Steering Wheel Covers

Stereos & Radios

Tools

Wash & Wax

We believe that the satisfaction of our customers is often impacted by our ability to provide specific automotive products as requested. Each store carries the same basic products, but we tailor our hard parts inventory to the makes and models of the vehicles in each store’s trade area, and our sales floor products are tailored to the local store’s demographics. Our hub stores (including mega hubs, which carry an even broader assortment) carry a larger assortment of products that are delivered to local satellite stores. We are constantly updating the products we offer to ensure that our inventory matches the products our customers need or desire.

Pricing

We want to be the value leader in our industry, by consistently providing quality merchandise at the right price, backed by a satisfactory warranty and outstanding customer service. For many of our products, we offer multiple value choices in a good/better/best assortment, with appropriate price and quality differences from the “good” products to the “better” and “best” products. A key differentiating component versus our competitors is our exclusive line of in-house brands, which includes the AutoZone, Duralast, Duralast Max, Duralast Gold, Duralast Platinum, Duralast ProPower, Duralast GT, Valucraft, SureBilt and ProElite. We believe that our overall value compares favorably to that of our competitors.

Brand Marketing: Advertising and Promotions

We believe that targeted advertising and promotions play important roles in succeeding in today’s environment. We are constantly working to understand our customers’ wants and needs so that we can build long-lasting, loyal relationships. We utilize promotions, advertising and loyalty programs primarily to highlight our great value and the availability of high quality parts. Broadcast and internet media are our primary advertising methods of driving retail traffic to our stores, while we leverage a dedicated sales force and our ProVantage loyalty program to drive commercial sales. In the stores, we utilize in-store signage, in-store circulars, and creative product placement and promotions to help educate customers about products that they need.

Store Design and Visual Merchandising

We design and build stores for high visual impact. The typical store utilizes colorful exterior and interior signage, exposed beams and ductwork and brightly lit interiors. Maintenance products, accessories and non-automotive items are attractively displayed for easy browsing by customers. In-store signage and special displays promote products on floor displays, end caps and shelves.

Commercial

Our commercial sales program operates in a highly fragmented market, and we are one of the leading distributors of automotive parts and other products to local, regional and national repair garages, dealers, service stations and public sector accounts in the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Brazil. As a part of the domestic store program, we offer credit and delivery to our customers, as well as online ordering through www.autozonepro.com. Through our hub stores, we offer a greater range of parts and products desired by professional technicians. We have dedicated sales teams focused on independent repair shops as well as national, regional and public sector commercial accounts.

Store Operations

Store Formats

Substantially all stores are based on standard store formats, resulting in generally consistent appearance, merchandising and product mix. Approximately 85% to 90% of each store’s square footage is selling space. In our satellite stores, approximately 40% to 45% of our space is dedicated to hard parts inventory, while our hub stores and mega hubs have 75% to 85% of their space utilized for hard parts. The hard parts inventory area is generally fronted by counters or pods that run the depth or length of the store, dividing the hard parts area from the remainder of the store. The remaining selling space contains displays of maintenance, accessories and non-automotive items.

We believe that our stores are “destination stores,” generating their own traffic rather than relying on traffic created by adjacent stores. Therefore, we situate most stores on major thoroughfares with easy access and good parking.

Store Personnel and Training

We provide on-the-job training as well as formal training programs, including an annual national sales meeting with related cascading meetings at our distribution centers, regional offices and stores; store meetings on specific sales and product topics; standardized computer-based training to support culture, safety, salesmanship, compliance and product and job knowledge; and several specialist, vendor and third-party programs to support learning and development in areas requiring technical expertise and specific job knowledge. All domestic AutoZoners are encouraged to complete our in-house product knowledge program and Parts Expert certification, which is developed in partnership with our key suppliers. Training is supplemented with frequent store visits by management. Advanced leadership training is an additional area of investment that is used to deepen bench strength and support succession planning.

Store managers, sales representatives, commercial sales managers, and managers at various levels across the organization receive financial incentives through performance-based bonuses. In addition, our growth has provided opportunities for the promotion of qualified AutoZoners. We believe these opportunities are important to attract, motivate and retain high quality AutoZoners.

All store support functions are centralized in our store support centers located in Memphis, Tennessee; Monterrey, Mexico; Chihuahua, Mexico and Sao Paulo, Brazil. We believe that this centralization enhances consistent execution of our merchandising and marketing strategies at the store level, while reducing expenses and cost of sales.

Store Automation

All of our stores have Z-net, our proprietary electronic catalog that enables our AutoZoners to efficiently look up the parts that our customers need and to provide complete job solutions, advice and information for customer vehicles. Z-net provides parts information based on the year, make, model and engine type of a vehicle and also tracks inventory availability at the store, at other nearby stores and through special order. The Z-net display screens are placed on the hard parts counter or pods, where both the AutoZoner and customer can view the screen.

Our stores utilize our computerized proprietary Store Management System, which includes bar code scanning and point-of-sale data collection terminals. The Store Management System provides administrative assistance and improved personnel scheduling at the store level, as well as enhanced merchandising information and improved inventory control. We believe the Store Management System also enhances customer service through faster processing of transactions and simplified warranty and product return procedures.

Store Development

The following table reflects our location development during the past five fiscal years:


	Fiscal Year
	2018		2017		2016		2015		2014
Locations:
Beginning		6,029		5,814		5,609		5,391		5,201
Acquired⁽¹⁾		—		—		—		17		—
Sold⁽²⁾		26		—		—		—		—
New		201		215		205		202		190
Closed		2		—		—		1		—

Net new		199		215		205		201		190

Relocated		7		5		6		5		8

Ending		6,202		6,029		5,814		5,609		5,391

(1)

17 Interamerican Motor Corporation (“IMC”) branches acquired on September 27, 2014.

(2)

26 IMC branches sold on April 4, 2018. See “Note M – Sale of Assets” for more information.

We believe that expansion opportunities exist in markets that we do not currently serve, as well as in markets where we can achieve a larger presence. We undertake substantial research prior to entering new markets. The most important criteria for opening a new store is the projected future profitability and the ability to achieve our required investment hurdle rate. Key factors in selecting new site and market locations for stores include population, demographics, vehicle profile, customer buying trends, commercial businesses, number and strength of competitors’ stores and the cost of real estate. In reviewing the vehicle profile, we also consider the number of vehicles that are seven years old and older, or “our kind of vehicles”; these vehicles are generally no longer under the original manufacturers’ warranties and require more maintenance and repair than newer vehicles. We seek to open new stores in high visibility sites in high traffic locations within or contiguous to existing market areas and attempt to cluster development in markets in a relatively short period of time. In addition to continuing to lease or develop our own locations, we evaluate and may make strategic acquisitions.

Purchasing and Supply Chain

Merchandise is selected and purchased for all stores through our store support centers located in Memphis, Tennessee; Monterrey, Mexico and Sao Paulo, Brazil. Additionally, we have an office in Shanghai, China to support our sourcing efforts in Asia. In fiscal 2018, one class of similar products accounted for approximately 12 percent of our total sales, and one vendor supplied approximately 12 percent of our purchases. No other class of similar products accounted for 10 percent or more of our total sales, and no other individual vendor provided more than 10 percent of our total purchases. We believe that alternative sources of supply exist, at similar costs, for most types of product sold. Most of our merchandise flows through our distribution centers to our stores by our fleet of tractors and trailers or by third-party trucking firms.

We ended fiscal 2018 with 194 domestic hub stores, which have a larger assortment of products as well as regular replenishment items that can be delivered to a store in its network within 24 hours. Hub stores are generally replenished from distribution centers multiple times per week. Hub stores have increased our ability to distribute products on a timely basis to many of our stores and to expand our product assortment.

In recent years, we closely studied our hub distribution model, store inventory levels and product assortment, which led to strategic tests on increased frequency of delivery to our domestic stores and significantly expanding parts assortment in select domestic stores we call mega hubs. During fiscal 2018, we completed our testing and implemented new frequencies resulting in approximately 25% of our stores, representing 40% of our retail sales volume and nearly 50% of our commercial sales volume, receiving distribution center deliveries three or more times per week.

A mega hub store carries inventory of 80,000 to 100,000 unique SKUs, approximately twice what a hub store carries. Mega hubs provide coverage to both surrounding stores and other hub stores multiple times a day or on an overnight basis. Currently, we have over 4,800 stores with access to mega hub inventory. A majority of these 4,800 stores currently receive their service on an overnight basis, but as we expand our mega hubs, more of them will receive this service same day and many will receive it multiple times per day. We ended fiscal 2018 with 24 mega hubs, an increase of eight since fiscal 2017.

Competition

The sale of automotive parts, accessories and maintenance items is highly competitive in many areas, including name recognition, product availability, customer service, store location and price. AutoZone competes in the aftermarket auto parts industry, which includes both the retail DIY and commercial do-it-for-me (“DIFM”) auto parts and products markets.

Competitors include national, regional and local auto parts chains, independently owned parts stores, online parts stores, wholesale distributors, jobbers, repair shops, car washes and auto dealers, in addition to discount and mass merchandise stores, department stores, hardware stores, supermarkets, drugstores, convenience stores, home stores, and other online retailers that sell aftermarket vehicle parts and supplies, chemicals, accessories, tools and maintenance parts. AutoZone competes on the basis of customer service, including the trustworthy advice of our AutoZoners; merchandise quality, selection and availability; price; product warranty; store layouts, location and convenience; and the strength of our AutoZone brand name, trademarks and service marks.

Trademarks and Patents

We have registered several service marks and trademarks in the United States Patent and Trademark Office as well as in certain other countries, including our service marks, “AutoZone” and “Get in the Zone,” and trademarks, “AutoZone,” “Duralast,” “Duralast Gold,” “Duralast Platinum,” “Duralast ProPower,” “Duralast ProPower Plus,” “Duralast ProPower Ultra,” “Duralast ProPower AGM,” “Duralast Max,” “Valucraft,” “ProElite,” “SureBilt,” “ALLDATA,” “Loan-A-Tool” and “Z-net.” We believe that these service marks and trademarks are important components of our marketing and merchandising strategies.

Employees

As of August 25, 2018, we employed approximately 90,000 persons, approximately 61 percent of whom were employed full-time. About 90 percent of our AutoZoners were employed in stores or in direct field supervision, approximately 6 percent in distribution centers and approximately 4 percent in store support and other functions. Included in the above numbers are approximately 9,000 persons employed in our Mexico and Brazil operations.

We have never experienced any material labor disruption and believe that relations with our AutoZoners are good.

AutoZone Websites

AutoZone’s primary website is at http://www.autozone.com. We make available, free of charge, at our investor relations website, http://www.autozoneinc.com, our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements, registration statements and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably feasible after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our website and the information contained therein or linked thereto are not intended to be incorporated into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Executive Officers of the Registrant

The following list describes our executive officers. The title of each executive officer includes the words “Customer Satisfaction” which reflects our commitment to customer service. Senior officers are elected by and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

William C. Rhodes, III, 53—Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Customer Satisfaction

William C. Rhodes, III, was named Chairman of AutoZone during fiscal 2007 and has been President, Chief Executive Officer and a director since March 2005. Prior to his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Rhodes was Executive Vice President – Store Operations and Commercial. Previously, he held several key management positions with the Company. Prior to 1994, Mr. Rhodes was a manager with Ernst & Young LLP. Mr. Rhodes is a member of the Board of Directors for Dollar General Corporation.

William T. Giles, 59—Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President – Finance and Information Technology, Customer Satisfaction

William T. Giles was named Chief Financial Officer during May 2006. He has also held other responsibilities at various times including Executive Vice President of Finance, Information Technology, ALLDATA and Store Development. From 1991 to May 2006, he held several positions with Linens N’ Things, Inc., most recently as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to 1991, he was with Melville, Inc. and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Mr. Giles is a member of the Board of Directors for Brinker International.

Mark A. Finestone, 57—Executive Vice President – Merchandising, Supply Chain and Marketing, Customer Satisfaction

Mark A. Finestone was named Executive Vice President – Merchandising, Supply Chain and Marketing during October 2015. Previously, he was Senior Vice President – Merchandising and Store Development since 2014, Senior Vice President – Merchandising from 2008 to 2014, and Vice President – Merchandising from 2002 to 2008. Prior to joining AutoZone in 2002, Mr. Finestone worked for May Department Stores for 19 years where he held a variety of leadership roles which included Divisional Vice President, Merchandising. Mr. Finestone also serves as Chairman of the Auto Care Association.

William W. Graves, 58—Executive Vice President – Mexico, Brazil and Store Development, Customer Satisfaction

William W. Graves was named Executive Vice President – Mexico, Brazil and Store Development during October 2015. Previously, he was Senior Vice President – Supply Chain and International since 2012. Prior thereto, he was Senior Vice President – Supply Chain from 2006 to 2012 and Vice President – Supply Chain from 2000 to 2006. From 1992 to 2000, Mr. Graves served in various capacities within the Company. On September 27, 2018, Mr. Graves announced his retirement from the Company, which will be effective early January 2019.

Thomas B. Newbern, 56—Executive Vice President – Store Operations, Commercial, Loss Prevention and ALLDATA, Customer Satisfaction

Thomas B. Newbern was named Executive Vice President – Store Operations, Commercial, Loss Prevention and ALLDATA during February 2017. Prior to that, he was Executive Vice President – Store Operations, Commercial and Loss Prevention since October 2015. Previously, he held the titles Senior Vice President – Store Operations and Loss Prevention from 2014 to 2015, Senior Vice President – Store Operations and Store Development from 2012 to 2014, Senior Vice President – Store Operations from 2007 to 2012 and Vice President – Store Operations from 1998 to 2007. Prior thereto, he served in various capacities within the Company.

Philip B. Daniele, 49—Senior Vice President – Commercial, Customer Satisfaction

Philip B. Daniele was elected Senior Vice President – Commercial during November 2015. Prior to that, he was Vice President – Commercial since 2013 and Vice President – Merchandising from 2008 to 2013. Previously, he was Vice President – Store Operations from 2005 to 2008. From 1993 until 2008, Mr. Daniele served in various capacities within the Company.

Ronald B. Griffin, 64—Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Customer Satisfaction

Ronald B. Griffin was elected Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer during June 2012. Prior to that, he was Senior Vice President, Global Information Technology at Hewlett-Packard Company. During his tenure at Hewlett-Packard Company, he also served as the Chief Information Officer for the Enterprise Business Division. Prior to that, Mr. Griffin was Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Fleming Companies, Inc. He also spent over 12 years with The Home Depot, Inc., with the last eight years in the role of Chief Information Officer. Mr. Griffin also served at Deloitte & Touche LLP and Delta Air Lines, Inc.

William R. Hackney, 53—Senior Vice President – Merchandising, Customer Satisfaction

William R. Hackney was named Senior Vice President, Merchandising in October 2015. His career with AutoZone began in 1983, and he has held several key management roles within the Company, including Vice President – Store Operations Support and Vice President – Merchandising.

Rodney C. Halsell, 50—Senior Vice President – Supply Chain, Customer Satisfaction

Rodney C. Halsell was named Senior Vice President – Supply Chain during October 2015. Prior to that, he was Vice President – Distribution since 2005. From 1985 to 2005, he held several management positions and served in various capacities within the Company. On August 27, 2018, Mr. Halsell announced his retirement from the Company, which will be effective November 10, 2018.

Domingo Hurtado, 57—Senior Vice President – International, Customer Satisfaction

Domingo José Hurtado Rodríguez was named Senior Vice President, International in September 2018. Prior to that, he was President, AutoZone de México. Mr. Hurtado has served in various capacities within the Company since 2001, which included leading the Company’s expansion into Mexico. Prior to 2001, he held different positions with RadioShack including Director General in Mexico and General Manager in Venezuela.

Charlie Pleas, III, 53—Senior Vice President and Controller, Customer Satisfaction

Charlie Pleas, III, was elected Senior Vice President and Controller during 2007. Prior to that, he was Vice President and Controller since 2003. Previously, he was Vice President – Accounting since 2000, and Director of General Accounting since 1996. Prior to joining AutoZone, Mr. Pleas was a Division Controller with Fleming Companies, Inc. where he served in various capacities since 1988. Mr. Pleas is a member of the Board of Directors for Kirkland’s Inc.

Albert Saltiel, 54—Senior Vice President – Marketing and E-Commerce, Customer Satisfaction

Albert Saltiel was named Senior Vice President – Marketing and E-Commerce during October 2014. Previously, he was elected Senior Vice President – Marketing since 2013. Prior to that, he was Chief Marketing Officer and a key member of the leadership team at Navistar International Corporation. Mr. Saltiel has also been with Sony Electronics as General Manager, Marketing, and Ford Motor Company where he held multiple marketing roles.

Richard C. Smith, 54—Senior Vice President – Human Resources, Customer Satisfaction

Richard C. Smith was elected Senior Vice President – Human Resources in December 2015. He has been an AutoZoner since 1985, previously holding the position of Vice President of Stores since 1997. Prior thereto, he served in various capacities within the Company.

Kristen C. Wright, 42—Senior Vice President – General Counsel & Secretary, Customer Satisfaction

Kristen C. Wright was named Senior Vice President – General Counsel & Secretary effective January 2014. She previously held the title of Vice President – Assistant General Counsel & Assistant Secretary since January 2012. Before joining AutoZone, she was a partner with the law firm of Bass, Berry & Sims PLC.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Our business is subject to a variety of risks. The risks and uncertainties described below could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results and stock price. The following information should be read in conjunction with the other information contained in this report and other filings that we make with the SEC. These risks are not the only ones we face. Our business could also be affected by additional factors that are presently unknown to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial to our business.

If demand for our products slows, then our business may be materially adversely affected.

Demand for the products we sell may be affected by a number of factors we cannot control, including:

•

the number of older vehicles in service. Vehicles seven years old or older are generally no longer under the original vehicle manufacturers’ warranties and tend to need more maintenance and repair than newer vehicles.

•

rising energy prices. Increases in energy prices may cause our customers to defer purchases of certain of our products as they use a higher percentage of their income to pay for gasoline and other energy costs and may drive their vehicles less, resulting in less wear and tear and lower demand for repairs and maintenance.

•

the economy. In periods of declining economic conditions, consumers may reduce their discretionary spending by deferring vehicle maintenance or repair. Additionally, such conditions may affect our customers’ ability to obtain credit. During periods of expansionary economic conditions, more of our DIY customers may pay others to repair and maintain their vehicles instead of working on their own vehicles, or they may purchase new vehicles.

•

the weather. Milder weather conditions may lower the failure rates of automotive parts, while extended periods of rain and winter precipitation may cause our customers to defer maintenance and repair on their vehicles. Extremely hot or cold conditions may enhance demand for our products due to increased failure rates of our customers’ automotive parts.

•

technological advances. Advances in automotive technology, such as electric vehicles, and parts design can result in cars needing maintenance less frequently and parts lasting longer.

•

the number of miles vehicles are driven annually. Higher vehicle mileage increases the need for maintenance and repair. Mileage levels may be affected by gas prices and other factors.

•

the quality of the vehicles manufactured by the original vehicle manufacturers and the length of the warranties or maintenance offered on new vehicles.

•

restrictions on access to telematics and diagnostic tools and repair information imposed by the original vehicle manufacturers or by governmental regulation. These restrictions may cause vehicle owners to rely on dealers to perform maintenance and repairs.

All of these factors could result in a decline in the demand for our products, which could adversely affect our business and overall financial condition.

If we are unable to compete successfully against other businesses that sell the products that we sell, we could lose customers and our sales and profits may decline.

The sale of automotive parts, accessories and maintenance items is highly competitive, and sales volumes are dependent on many factors, including name recognition, product availability, customer service, store location and price. Competitors are opening locations near our existing locations. AutoZone competes as a provider in both the DIY and DIFM auto parts and accessories markets.

Our competitors include national, regional and local auto parts chains, independently owned parts stores, online automotive parts stores or marketplaces, wholesale distributors, jobbers, repair shops, car washes and auto dealers, in addition to discount and mass merchandise stores, hardware stores, supermarkets, drugstores, convenience stores, home stores, and other retailers that sell aftermarket vehicle parts and supplies, chemicals, accessories, tools and maintenance parts. Although we believe we compete effectively on the basis of customer service, including the knowledge and expertise of our AutoZoners; merchandise quality, selection and availability; product warranty; store layout, location and convenience; price; and the strength of our AutoZone brand name, trademarks and service marks, some of our competitors may gain competitive advantages, such as greater financial and marketing resources allowing them to sell automotive products at lower prices, larger stores with more merchandise, longer operating histories, more frequent customer visits and more effective advertising. Online and multi-channel retailers often focus on delivery services, offering customers faster, guaranteed delivery times and low-price or free shipping. Some online businesses have lower operating costs than we do. In addition, because our business strategy is based on offering superior levels of customer service to complement the products we offer, our cost structure is higher than some of our competitors, which also puts pressure on our margins.

Consumers are embracing shopping online and through mobile commerce applications. With the increasing use of digital tools and social media, and our competitors’ increased focus on optimizing customers’ online experience, our customers are quickly able to compare prices, product assortment, and feedback from other customers before purchasing our products either online, in the physical stores, or through a combination of both offerings. We believe that we compete effectively on the basis of merchandise availability as a result of investments in inventory available for immediate sale, the development of a robust hub and mega hub distribution network providing efficient access to obtain products required on-demand, options to order products online or by telephone and pick them up in stores and options for special orders directly from our vendors. We also offer hassle-free returns to our customers. In addition, we believe that customers value the personal interaction with a salesperson that is qualified to offer trustworthy advice and provide other free services such as parts testing.

We also utilize promotions, advertising and our loyalty programs to drive customer traffic and compete more effectively, and we must regularly assess and adjust our efforts to address changes in the competitive marketplace. If we are unable to continue to manage readily-available inventory demand and competitive delivery options as well as develop successful competitive strategies, including the maintenance of effective promotions, advertising and loyalty card programs, or if our competitors develop more effective strategies, we could lose customers and our sales and profits may decline.

We may not be able to sustain our historic rate of sales growth.

We have increased our store count in the past five fiscal years, growing from 5,201 locations at August 31, 2013, to 6,202 locations at August 25, 2018, an average store increase per year of 4%. Additionally, we have increased annual revenues in the past five fiscal years from $9.148 billion in fiscal 2013 to $11.221 billion in fiscal 2018, an average increase per year of 5%. Annual revenue growth is driven by the opening of new stores, the development of new commercial programs and increases in same store sales. We open new stores only after evaluating customer buying trends and market demand/needs, all of which could be adversely affected by persistent unemployment, wage cuts, small business failures and microeconomic conditions unique to the automotive industry. Same store sales are impacted both by customer demand levels and by the prices we are able to charge for our products, which can also be negatively impacted by the economic pressures. We cannot provide any assurance that we will continue to open stores at historical rates or continue to achieve increases in same store sales.

Consolidation among our competitors may negatively impact our business.

Historically some of our competitors have merged. Consolidation among our competitors could enhance their market share and financial position, provide them with the ability to achieve better purchasing terms and provide more competitive prices to customers for whom we compete, and allow them to utilize merger synergies and cost savings to increase advertising and marketing budgets to more effectively compete for customers. Consolidation by our competitors could also increase their access to local market parts assortment.

These consolidated competitors could take sales volume away from us in certain markets, could achieve greater market penetration, could cause us to change our pricing with a negative impact on our margins or could cause us to spend more money to maintain customers or seek new customers, all of which could negatively impact our business.

If we cannot profitably increase our market share in the commercial auto parts business, our sales growth may be limited.

Although we are one of the largest sellers of auto parts in the commercial market, we must effectively compete against national and regional auto parts chains, independently owned parts stores, wholesalers and jobbers in order to increase our commercial market share. Although we believe we compete effectively in the commercial market on the basis of customer service, merchandise quality, selection and availability, price, product warranty, distribution locations, and the strength of our AutoZone brand name, trademarks and service marks, some automotive aftermarket participants have been in business for substantially longer periods of time than we have, and as a result have developed long-term customer relationships and have large available inventories. If we are unable to profitably develop new commercial customers, our sales growth may be limited.

A downgrade in our credit ratings or a general disruption in the credit markets could make it more difficult for us to access funds, refinance our debt, obtain new funding or issue securities.

Our short-term and long-term debt is rated investment grade by the major rating agencies. These investment-grade credit ratings have historically allowed us to take advantage of lower interest rates and other favorable terms on our short-term credit lines, in our senior debt offerings and in the commercial paper markets. To maintain our investment-grade ratings, we are required to meet certain financial performance ratios. A change by the rating agencies in these ratios, an increase in our debt, and/or a decline in our earnings could result in downgrades in our credit ratings. A downgrade in our credit ratings could limit our access to public debt markets, limit the institutions willing to provide credit facilities to us, result in more restrictive financial and other covenants in our public and private debt and would likely significantly increase our overall borrowing costs and adversely affect our earnings.

Moreover, significant deterioration in the financial condition of large financial institutions during the Great Recession resulted in a severe loss of liquidity and availability of credit in global credit markets and in more stringent borrowing terms. During brief time intervals, there was limited liquidity in the commercial paper markets, resulting in an absence of commercial paper buyers and extraordinarily high interest rates. We can provide no assurance that such similar events that occurred during the Great Recession will not occur again in the foreseeable future. Conditions and events in the global credit markets could have a material adverse effect on our access to short-term and long-term debt and the terms and cost of that debt.

Significant changes in macroeconomic and geo-political factors could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Macroeconomic conditions impact both our customers and our suppliers. Job growth in the United States was stagnated and unemployment was at historically high levels during the Great Recession; however, in recent years, the unemployment rate has improved to below pre-recession levels. Moreover, the United States government continues to operate under historically large deficits and debt burden. Continued distress in global credit markets, business failures, inflation, foreign exchange rate fluctuations, significant geo-political conflicts, continued volatility in energy prices and other factors continue to affect the global economy. Moreover, rising energy prices could impact our merchandise distribution, commercial delivery, utility and product costs. Over the short-term, such factors could positively impact our business. Over a longer period of time, all of these macroeconomic and geo-political conditions could adversely affect our sales growth, margins and overhead, which could adversely affect our financial condition and operations.

Our business depends upon hiring and retaining qualified employees.

We believe that much of our brand value lies in the quality of the approximately 90,000 AutoZoners employed in our stores, distribution centers, store support centers and ALLDATA. Our workforce costs represent our largest operating expense, and our business is subject to employment laws and regulations, including requirements

related to minimum wage and benefits. In addition, the implementation of potential regulatory changes relating to overtime exemptions and benefits for certain employees under federal and state laws could result in increased labor costs to our business and negatively impact our operating results. We cannot be assured that we can continue to hire and retain qualified employees at current wage rates since we operate in a competitive labor market and there is a risk of market increases in compensation.

If we are unable to hire, properly train and/or retain qualified employees, we could experience higher employment costs, reduced sales, losses of customers and diminution of our brand, which could adversely affect our earnings. If we do not maintain competitive wages, our customer service could suffer due to a declining quality of our workforce or, alternatively, our earnings could decrease if we increase our wage rates. A violation or change in employment laws and/or regulations could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Inability to acquire and provide quality merchandise at competitive prices could adversely affect our sales and results of operations.

We are dependent upon our domestic and international vendors continuing to supply us with quality merchandise at favorable prices and payment terms. If our merchandise offerings do not meet our customers’ expectations regarding quality and safety, we could experience lost sales, increased costs and exposure to legal and reputational risk. All of our vendors must comply with applicable product safety laws, and we are dependent on them to ensure that the products we buy comply with all safety and quality standards. Events that give rise to actual, potential or perceived product safety concerns could expose us to government enforcement action or private litigation and result in costly product recalls and other liabilities. To the extent our suppliers are subject to added government regulation of their product design and/or manufacturing processes, the cost of the merchandise we purchase may rise. In addition, negative customer perceptions regarding the safety or quality of the products we sell could cause our customers to seek alternative sources for their needs, resulting in lost sales. In those circumstances, it may be difficult and costly for us to rebuild our reputation and regain the confidence of our customers. Moreover, our vendors are impacted by global economic conditions. Credit market and other macroeconomic conditions could have a material adverse effect on the ability of our suppliers to finance and operate their businesses, resulting in increased product costs and difficulties in meeting our inventory demands. If we experience transitions or changeover with any of our significant vendors, or if they experience financial difficulties or otherwise are unable to deliver merchandise to us on a timely basis, or at all, we could have product shortages in our stores that could adversely affect customers’ perceptions of us and cause us to lose customers and sales.

We directly imported approximately 13% of our purchases in fiscal 2018, but many of our domestic vendors directly import their products or components of their products. Disruptions in the price or flow of these goods for any reason, such as political unrest or acts of war, currency fluctuations, disruptions in maritime lanes, port labor disputes and economic conditions and instability in the countries in which foreign suppliers are located, the financial instability of suppliers, suppliers’ failure to meet our standards, issues with labor practices of our suppliers or labor problems they may experience (such as strikes, stoppages or slowdowns, which could also increase labor costs during and following the disruption), the availability and cost of raw materials to suppliers, increased import duties or tariffs, merchandise quality or safety issues, transport availability and cost, increases in wage rates and taxes, transport security, inflation and other factors relating to the suppliers and the countries in which they are located or from which they import, are beyond our control and could adversely affect our operations and profitability. In addition, the United States’ foreign trade policies, tariffs and other impositions on imported goods, trade sanctions imposed on certain countries, the limitation on the importation of certain types of goods or of goods containing certain materials from other countries and other factors relating to foreign trade and port labor agreements are beyond our control. These and other factors affecting our suppliers and our access to products could adversely affect our business and financial performance. As we increase our imports of merchandise from foreign vendors, the risks associated with these imports will also increase.

Our ability to grow depends in part on new location openings, existing location remodels and expansions and effective utilization of our existing supply chain and hub network.

Our continued growth and success will depend in part on our ability to open and operate new locations and expand and remodel existing locations to meet customers’ needs on a timely and profitable basis. Accomplishing our new and existing location expansion goals will depend upon a number of factors, including the ability to

partner with developers and landlords to obtain suitable sites for new and expanded locations at acceptable costs, the hiring and training of qualified personnel and the integration of new locations into existing operations. There can be no assurance we will be able to achieve our location expansion goals, manage our growth effectively, successfully integrate the planned new locations into our operations or operate our new, remodeled and expanded locations profitably.

In addition, we extensively utilize our hub network, our supply chain and logistics management techniques to efficiently stock our locations. We have made, and plan to continue to make, significant investments in our supply chain to improve our ability to provide the best parts at the right price and to meet consumer product needs. If we fail to effectively utilize our existing hubs and/or supply chains or if our investments in our supply chain initiatives, including directly sourcing some products from outside the United States, do not provide the anticipated benefits, we could experience sub-optimal inventory levels in our locations or increases in our operating costs, which could adversely affect our sales volume and/or our margins.

Our failure to protect our reputation could have a material adverse effect on our brand name and profitability.

We believe our continued strong sales growth is driven in significant part by our brand name. The value in our brand name and its continued effectiveness in driving our sales growth are dependent to a significant degree on our ability to maintain our reputation for safety, high product quality, friendliness, service, trustworthy advice, integrity and business ethics. Any negative publicity about these areas could damage our reputation and may result in reduced demand for our merchandise. The increasing use of technology also poses a risk as customers are able to quickly compare products and prices and use social media to provide feedback in a manner that is rapidly and broadly dispersed. Our reputation could be impacted if customers have a bad experience and share it over social media.

Failure to comply with ethical, social, product, labor, environmental, and anti-corruption standards could also jeopardize our reputation and potentially lead to various adverse actions by consumer or environmental groups, employees or regulatory bodies. Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations, to maintain an effective system of internal controls or to provide accurate and timely financial statement information could also hurt our reputation. If we fail to comply with existing or future laws or regulations, we may be subject to governmental or judicial fines or sanctions, while incurring substantial legal fees and costs. In addition, our capital and operating expenses could increase due to implementation of and compliance with existing and future laws and regulations or remediation measures that may be required if we are found to be noncompliant with any existing or future laws or regulations. The inability to pass through any increased expenses through higher prices would have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

Damage to our reputation or loss of consumer confidence for any of these or other reasons could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition, as well as require additional resources to rebuild our reputation.

Our success in international operations is dependent on our ability to manage the unique challenges presented by international markets.

The various risks we face in our U.S. operations generally also exist when conducting operations in and sourcing products and materials from outside of the U.S., in addition to the unique costs, risks and difficulties of managing international operations. Our expansion into international markets may be adversely affected by local laws and customs, U.S. laws applicable to foreign operations, and political and socio-economic conditions.

Risks inherent in international operations also include potential adverse tax consequences, potential changes to trade policies and trade agreements, compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and local anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws, greater difficulty in enforcing intellectual property rights, challenges to identify and gain access to local suppliers, and possibly misjudging the response of consumers in foreign countries to our product assortment and marketing strategy.

In addition, our operations in international markets are conducted primarily in the local currency of those countries. Since our Consolidated Financial Statements are denominated in U.S. dollars, amounts of assets, liabilities, net sales, and other revenues and expenses denominated in local currencies must be translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates for the current period. As a result, foreign currency exchange rates and fluctuations in those rates may adversely impact our financial performance.

Failure to protect or effectively respond to a breach of the privacy and security of customers’, suppliers’, AutoZoners’ or Company information could damage our reputation, subject us to litigation, and cause us to incur substantial costs.

Our business, like that of most retailers and distributors, involves the receipt, storage and transmission of personal information about our customers, suppliers and AutoZoners, some of which is entrusted to third-party service providers and vendors. Failure to protect the security of our customers’, suppliers’, employees’ and company information could subject us to costly regulatory enforcement actions, expose us to litigation and impair our reputation, which may have a negative impact on our sales. While we and our third-party service providers and vendors take significant steps to protect customer, supplier, employee and other confidential information, including maintaining compliance with payment card industry standards, these security measures may be breached in the future due to cyber-attack, employee error, system compromises, fraud, trickery, hacking or other intentional or unintentional acts, and unauthorized parties may obtain access to this data. Failure to effectively respond to system compromises may undermine our security measures. The methods used to obtain unauthorized access are constantly evolving, and may be difficult to anticipate or detect for long periods of time. As the regulatory environment related to information security, data collection and use, and privacy becomes increasingly rigorous, compliance with these requirements could also result in significant additional costs.

We accept payments using a variety of methods, including cash, checks, credit, debit, electronic payments and gift cards, and we may offer new payment options over time, which may have information security risk implications. As a retailer accepting debit and credit cards for payment, we are subject to various industry data protection standards and protocols, such as the American National Standards Institute encryption standards and payment network security operating guidelines and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. Even though we comply with these standards and protocols and other information security measures, we cannot be certain that the security measures we maintain to protect all of our information technology systems are able to prevent, contain or detect any cyber-attacks, cyber terrorism, or security breaches from known cyber-attacks or malware that may be developed in the future. To the extent that any cyber-attack or intrusion in our or one of our third-party service provider’s information systems results in the loss, damage or misappropriation of information, we may be materially adversely affected by claims from customers, financial institutions, regulatory authorities, payment card networks and others. In certain circumstances, payment card association rules and obligations to which we are subject under our contracts with payment card processors make us liable to payment card issuers if information in connection with payment cards and payment card transactions that we hold is compromised, which liabilities could be substantial. In addition, the cost of complying with stricter and more complex data privacy, data collection and information security laws and standards could be significant to us.

We rely heavily on our information technology systems for our key business processes. Any failure or interruption in these systems could have a material adverse impact on our business.

We rely extensively on our information technology systems, some of which are managed or provided by third-party service providers, to manage inventory, communicate with customers, process transactions and summarize results. Our systems and the third-party systems we rely on are subject to damage or interruption from power outages, telecommunications failures, computer viruses, security breaches, malicious cyber-attacks, catastrophic events, and design or usage errors by our AutoZoners, contractors or third-party service providers. Although we and our third-party service providers work diligently to maintain our respective systems, we may not be successful in doing so.

If our systems are damaged or fail to function properly, we may incur substantial costs to repair or replace them, and may experience loss of critical data and interruptions or delays in our ability to manage inventories or process transactions, which could result in lost sales, inability to process purchase orders and/or a potential loss of customer loyalty, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

Business interruptions may negatively impact our location hours, operability of our computer and other systems, availability of merchandise and otherwise have a material negative effect on our sales and our business.

War or acts of terrorism, political unrest, unusual weather conditions, hurricanes, tornadoes, windstorms, fires, earthquakes, floods and other natural or other disasters or the threat of any of them, may result in certain of our locations being closed for a period of time or permanently or have a negative impact on our ability to obtain merchandise available for sale in our locations. Some of our merchandise is imported from other countries. If imported goods become difficult or impossible to bring into the United States, and if we cannot obtain such merchandise from other sources at similar costs, our sales and profit margins may be negatively affected.

In the event that commercial transportation is curtailed or substantially delayed, our business may be adversely impacted, as we may have difficulty shipping merchandise to our distribution centers and locations resulting in lost sales and/or a potential loss of customer loyalty. Transportation issues could also cause us to cancel purchase orders if we are unable to receive merchandise in our distribution centers.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2. Properties

The following table reflects the square footage and number of leased and owned properties for our stores as of August 25, 2018:


	No. of Stores		Store Square Footage
Leased		3,251		21,124,799
Owned		2,951		19,941,207

Total		6,202		41,066,006

We have approximately 5.8 million square feet in distribution centers servicing our stores, of which approximately 1.8 million square feet is leased and the remainder is owned. Our 12 distribution centers are located in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and two in Mexico. Our primary store support center is located in Memphis, Tennessee, and consists of approximately 260,000 square feet. We also have three additional store support centers located in Monterrey, Mexico; Chihuahua, Mexico and Sao Paulo, Brazil. The ALLDATA headquarters in Elk Grove, California is leased, and we also own or lease other properties that are not material in the aggregate.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

In 2004, we acquired a store site in Mount Ephraim, New Jersey that had previously been the site of a gasoline service station and contained evidence of groundwater contamination. Upon acquisition, we voluntarily reported the groundwater contamination issue to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (“NJDEP”) and entered into a Voluntary Remediation Agreement providing for the remediation of the contamination associated with the property. We have conducted and paid for (at an immaterial cost to us) remediation of contamination on the property.

We have also voluntarily investigated and addressed potential vapor intrusion impacts in downgradient residences and businesses. The NJDEP has asserted, in a Directive and Notice to Insurers dated February 19, 2013 and again in an Amended Directive and Notice to Insurers dated January 13, 2014 (collectively the “Directives”), that we are liable for the downgradient impacts under a joint and severable liability theory. By letter dated April 23, 2015, NJDEP has demanded payment from us, and other parties, in the amount of approximately $296 thousand for costs incurred by NJDEP in connection with contamination downgradient of the property. By letter dated January 29, 2016, we were informed that NJDEP has filed a lien against the property in connection with approximately $355 thousand in costs incurred by NJDEP in connection with contamination downgradient of the property. We have contested, and will continue to contest, any such assertions due to the existence of other entities/sources of

contamination, some of which are named in the Directives and the April 23, 2015 Demand, in the area of the property. Pursuant to the Voluntary Remediation Agreement, upon completion of all remediation required by the agreement, we believe we should be eligible to be reimbursed up to 75% of qualified remediation costs by the State of New Jersey. We have asked the state for clarification that the agreement applies to off-site work. Although the aggregate amount of additional costs that we may incur pursuant to the remediation cannot currently be ascertained, we do not currently believe that fulfillment of our obligations under the agreement or otherwise will result in costs that are material to our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In July 2014, we received a subpoena from the District Attorney of the County of Alameda, along with other environmental prosecutorial offices in the state of California, seeking documents and information related to the handling, storage and disposal of hazardous waste. We received notice that the District Attorney will seek injunctive and monetary relief. We are cooperating fully with the request and cannot predict the ultimate outcome of these efforts, although we have accrued all amounts we believe to be probable and reasonably estimable. We do not believe the ultimate resolution of this matter will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Arising out of an April 2016 letter from the California Air Resources Board (“CARB”), one of our formerly-owned subsidiaries was sued in March 2018 by CARB seeking penalties, among other relief, for alleged violations of the California Health and Safety Code, Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations and the California Vehicle Code related to the sale and advertisement of certain aftermarket motor vehicle pollution control parts in the State of California. On February 26, 2018, we completed our transaction to sell substantially all of the assets, net of assumed liabilities related to our AutoAnything operations. As part of the sale, we retained the liability related to this lawsuit. We are cooperating fully with the lawsuit and cannot predict the ultimate outcome of these efforts. We do not believe that any resolution of the matter will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

We are involved in various other legal proceedings incidental to the conduct of our business, including, but not limited to, several lawsuits containing class-action allegations in which the plaintiffs are current and former hourly and salaried employees who allege various wage and hour violations and unlawful termination practices. We do not currently believe that, either individually or in the aggregate, these matters will result in liabilities material to our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “AZO.” On October 22, 2018, there were 2,233 stockholders of record, which does not include the number of beneficial owners whose shares were represented by security position listings.

We currently do not pay a dividend on our common stock. Our ability to pay dividends is subject to limitations imposed by Nevada law. Any future payment of dividends would be dependent upon our financial condition, capital requirements, earnings and cash flow.

The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices per share of common stock, as reported by the New York Stock Exchange, for the periods indicated:


	Price Range of Common Stock
	High		Low
Fiscal Year ended August 25, 2018:
Fourth quarter	$	771.37	$	602.00
Third quarter	$	735.90	$	595.84
Second quarter	$	796.95	$	632.40
First quarter	$	629.43	$	522.38
Fiscal Year Ended August 26, 2017:
Fourth quarter	$	709.98	$	493.15
Third quarter	$	741.05	$	682.99
Second quarter	$	809.87	$	714.99
First quarter	$	779.61	$	722.44

During 1998, the Company announced a program permitting the Company to repurchase a portion of its outstanding shares not to exceed a dollar maximum established by the Company’s Board of Directors. The program was most recently amended on September 26, 2018 to increase the repurchase authorization by $1.25 billion, bringing total value of authorized share repurchases to $20.9 billion.

Shares of common stock repurchased by the Company during the quarter ended August 25, 2018, were as follows:


Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased		Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs		Maximum Dollar Value that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
May 6, 2018, to June 2, 2018		228,067	$	646.72		228,067	$	749,051,559
June 3, 2018, to June 30, 2018		264,892		676.58		264,892		569,831,573
July 1, 2018, to July 28, 2018		283,073		691.25		283,073		374,157,362
July 29, 2018, to August 25, 2018		198,036		719.41		198,036		231,688,900

Total		974,068	$	682.56		974,068	$	231,688,900

The Company also repurchased, at market value, an additional 11,816, 12,455 and 12,460 shares in fiscal years 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, from employees electing to sell their stock under the Company’s Sixth Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Employee Plan”), qualified under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code, under which all eligible employees may purchase AutoZone’s common stock at 85% of the lower of the market price of the common stock on the first day or last day of each calendar quarter through payroll deductions. Maximum permitted annual purchases are $15,000 per employee or 10 percent of compensation, whichever is less. Under the Employee Plan, 14,523, 14,205 and 12,662 shares were sold to employees in fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. At August 25, 2018, 163,777 shares of common stock were reserved for future issuance under the Employee Plan.

Once executives have reached the maximum purchases under the Employee Plan, the Fifth Amended and Restated Executive Stock Purchase Plan (the “Executive Plan”) permits all eligible executives to purchase AutoZone’s common stock up to 25 percent of his or her annual salary and bonus. Purchases by executives under the Executive Plan were 1,840, 1,865 and 1,943 shares in fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. At August 25, 2018, 238,048 shares of common stock were reserved for future issuance under the Executive Plan.

Stock Performance Graph

The graph below presents changes in the value of AutoZone’s stock as compared to Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Index (“S&P 500”) and to Standard & Poor’s Retail Index (“S&P Retail Index”) for the five-year period beginning August 31, 2013 and ending August 25, 2018.

LOGO

Item 6. Selected Financial Data


(in thousands, except per share data, same store sales and selected operating data)	Fiscal Year Ended August
	2018			2017			2016			2015			2014
Income Statement Data
Net sales	$	11,221,077		$	10,888,676		$	10,635,676		$	10,187,340		$	9,475,313
Cost of sales, including warehouse and delivery expenses		5,247,331			5,149,056			5,026,940			4,860,309			4,540,406

Gross profit		5,973,746			5,739,620			5,608,736			5,327,031			4,934,907
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses⁽¹⁾		4,162,890			3,659,551			3,548,341			3,373,980			3,104,684

Operating profit⁽¹⁾		1,810,856			2,080,069			2,060,395			1,953,051			1,830,223
Interest expense, net		174,527			154,580			147,681			150,439			167,509

Income before income taxes		1,636,329			1,925,489			1,912,714			1,802,612			1,662,714
Income tax expense⁽²⁾⁽³⁾		298,793			644,620			671,707			642,371			592,970

Net income⁽²⁾⁽³⁾	$	1,337,536		$	1,280,869		$	1,241,007		$	1,160,241		$	1,069,744

Diluted earnings per share⁽²⁾	$	48.77		$	44.07		$	40.70		$	36.03		$	31.57

Weighted average shares for diluted earnings per share⁽²⁾		27,424			29,065			30,488			32,206			33,882

Same Store Sales
Increase in domestic comparable store net sales⁽⁴⁾		1.8	%		0.5	%		2.4	%		3.8	%		2.8	%
Balance Sheet Data
Current assets	$	4,635,869		$	4,611,255		$	4,239,573		$	3,970,294		$	3,580,612
Working capital (deficit)		(392,812	)		(155,046	)		(450,747	)		(742,579	)		(960,482	)
Total assets		9,346,980			9,259,781			8,599,787			8,102,349			7,497,163
Current liabilities		5,028,681			4,766,301			4,690,320			4,712,873			4,541,094
Debt		5,005,930			5,081,238			4,924,119			4,624,876			4,323,106
Long-term capital leases		102,013			102,322			102,451			87,639			83,098
Stockholders’ (deficit)		(1,520,355	)		(1,428,377	)		(1,787,538	)		(1,701,390	)		(1,621,857	)
Selected Operating Data
Number of locations at beginning of year		6,029			5,814			5,609			5,391			5,201
Acquired locations⁽⁵⁾		—			—			—			17			—
Sold locations⁽⁶⁾		26			—			—			—			—
New locations		201			215			205			202			190
Closed locations		2			—			—			1			—

Net new locations		199			215			205			201			190

Relocated locations		7			5			6			5			8

Number of locations at end of year		6,202			6,029			5,814			5,609			5,391

AutoZone domestic commercial programs		4,741			4,592			4,390			4,141			3,845
Inventory per location (in thousands)	$	636		$	644		$	625		$	610		$	582
Total AutoZone store square footage (in thousands)		41,066			39,684			38,198			36,815			35,424
Average square footage per AutoZone store		6,621			6,611			6,600			6,587			6,571
Increase in AutoZone store square footage		3.5	%		3.9	%		3.8	%		3.9	%		4.0	%
Average net sales per AutoZone store (in thousands)	$	1,778		$	1,756		$	1,773		$	1,761		$	1,724
Net sales per AutoZone store square foot	$	269		$	266		$	269		$	268		$	263
Total employees at end of year (in thousands)		89			87			84			81			76
Inventory turnover⁽⁷⁾		1.3x			1.4x			1.4x			1.4x			1.5x
Accounts payable to inventory ratio		111.8	%		107.4	%		112.8	%		112.9	%		114.9	%
After-tax return on invested capital⁽⁸⁾		32.1	%		29.9	%		31.3	%		31.2	%		32.1	%
Adjusted debt to EBITDAR⁽⁹⁾		2.5			2.6			2.5			2.5			2.5
Net cash provided by operating activities (in thousands)⁽²⁾	$	2,080,292		$	1,570,612		$	1,641,060		$	1,573,018		$	1,365,005
Cash flow before share repurchases and changes in debt (in thousands)⁽¹⁰⁾	$	1,596,367		$	1,017,585		$	1,166,987		$	1,018,440		$	924,706
Share repurchases (in thousands)	$	1,592,013		$	1,071,649		$	1,452,462		$	1,271,416		$	1,099,212
Number of shares repurchased (in thousands)		2,398			1,495			1,903			2,010			2,232

(1)

Fiscal 2018 was negatively impacted by the pension termination charges of $130.3 million (pre-tax) recognized in the fourth quarter and asset impairments of $193.2 million (pre-tax) recognized in the second quarter of fiscal 2018. See “Note M – Sale of Assets” and “Note L – Pension and Savings Plans” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

(2)

Fiscal 2018 and 2017 include excess tax benefits from stock option exercises of $31.3 million and $31.2 million, respectively, related to the adoption of ASU 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvement to Employee Share-based Payment Accounting. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 effective August 28, 2016 and applied the recognition of excess tax deficiencies and tax benefits in the income statement on a prospective basis. Income tax expense, net income and diluted earnings per share amounts presented for prior periods were not restated. The Company applied ASU 2016-09 relating to the presentation of the excess tax benefits on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows retrospectively. Prior period amounts for net cash provided by operating activities for all years presented above were restated to conform to the current period presentation.

(3)

Fiscal 2018 includes a benefit to net income related to Tax Reform. See “Note D – Income Taxes” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

(4)

The domestic comparable sales increases are based on sales for all AutoZone domestic stores open at least one year. Relocated stores are included in the same store sales computation based on the year the original store was opened. Closed store sales are included in the same store sales computation up to the week it closes, and excluded from the computation for all periods subsequent to closing. All sales through our www.autozone.com website, including consumer direct ship-to-home sales, are also included in the computation.

(5)

17 IMC branches acquired on September 27, 2014.

(6)

26 IMC branches were sold on April 4, 2018. See “Note M – Sale of Assets” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

(7)

Inventory turnover is calculated as cost of sales divided by the average merchandise inventory balance over the trailing 5 quarters.

(8)

After-tax return on invested capital is defined as after-tax operating profit (excluding rent charges) divided by invested capital (which includes a factor to capitalize operating leases). For fiscal 2018, after-tax operating profit was adjusted for impairment charges, pension termination charges and the impact of the revaluation of deferred tax liabilities, net of repatriation tax. See Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

(9)

Adjusted debt to EBITDAR is defined as the sum of total debt, capital lease obligations and annual rents times six; divided by net income plus interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, rent and share-based compensation expense. For fiscal 2018, net income was adjusted for impairment charges and pension termination charges before tax impact. See Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

(10)

Cash flow before share repurchases and changes in debt is defined as the change in cash and cash equivalents less the change in debt plus treasury stock purchases. See Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

We are the nation’s leading retailer, and a leading distributor, of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States. We began operations in 1979 and at August 25, 2018, operated 5,618 stores in the United States, including Puerto Rico; 564 stores in Mexico; and 20 stores in Brazil. 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. At August 25, 2018, in 4,741 of our domestic stores, we also had 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 have commercial programs in stores in Mexico and Brazil. We also sell the ALLDATA brand automotive diagnostic and repair software through www.alldata.com and www.alldatadiy.com. Additionally, we sell automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories and non-automotive products through www.autozone.com, and our commercial customers can make purchases through www.autozonepro.com. We do not derive revenue from automotive repair or installation services.

Executive Summary

For fiscal 2018, we achieved record net income of $1.338 billion, a 4.4% increase over the prior year, and sales growth of $332.4 million, a 3.1% increase over the prior year. Both our retail sales and commercial sales grew this past year, as we continue to make progress on our initiatives that are aimed at improving our ability to say yes to our customers more frequently, drive traffic to our stores and accelerate our commercial growth.

Our business is impacted by various factors within the economy that affect both our consumer and our industry, including but not limited to fuel costs, wage rates, and other economic conditions. Given the nature of these macroeconomic factors, we cannot predict whether or for how long certain trends will continue, nor can we predict to what degree these trends will impact us in the future.

One macroeconomic factor affecting our customers and our industry during fiscal 2018 was gas prices. During fiscal 2018, the average price per gallon of unleaded gasoline in the United States was $2.67 per gallon, compared to $2.31 per gallon during fiscal 2017. We believe fluctuations in gas prices impact our customers’ level of disposable income. With approximately 12 billion gallons of unleaded gas consumption each month across the U.S., each $1 increase at the pump reduces approximately $12 billion of additional spending capacity to consumers each month. Given the unpredictability of gas prices, we cannot predict whether gas prices will increase or decrease, nor can we predict how any future changes in gas prices will impact our sales in future periods.

We have also experienced accelerated pressure on wages in the United States during fiscal 2018. Some of this is attributed to regulatory changes in certain states and municipalities, while the larger portion is being driven by general market pressures with lower unemployment rates and some specific actions taken in recent years by other retailers. The regulatory changes are going to continue, as evidenced by the areas that have passed legislation to increase their wages substantially over the next few years, but we are still assessing to what degree these changes will impact our earnings growth in future periods.

During fiscal 2018, failure and maintenance related categories represented the largest portion of our sales mix, at approximately 84% of total sales, with failure related categories continuing to comprise our largest set of categories. While we have not experienced any fundamental shifts in our category sales mix as compared to previous years, in our domestic stores we did experience a slight increase in mix of sales of the failure category as compared to last year. We believe the improvement in this sales category was driven by differences in regional weather patterns and improved merchandise assortments due to the products we have added over the last year. Our sales mix can be impacted by severe or unusual weather over a short term period. Over the long term, we believe the impact of the weather on our sales mix is not significant.

Our primary response to fluctuations in the demand for the products we sell is to adjust our advertising message, store staffing and product assortment. In recent years, we closely studied our hub distribution model, store inventory levels and product assortment, which led to strategic tests on increased frequency of delivery to our domestic stores and significantly expanding parts assortment in select domestic stores we call mega hubs. During fiscal 2018, we completed our testing and implemented new frequencies resulting in approximately 25% of our stores, representing 40% of our retail sales volume and nearly 50% of our commercial sales volume, receiving distribution center deliveries three or more times per week.

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

We believe that as the number of miles driven increases, consumers’ vehicles are more likely to need service and maintenance, resulting in an increase in the need for automotive hard parts and maintenance items. While over the long-term we have seen a close correlation between our net sales and the number of miles driven, we have also seen certain time frames of minimal correlation in sales performance and miles driven. During the periods of minimal correlation between net sales and miles driven, we believe net sales have been positively impacted by other factors, including the number of seven year old or older vehicles on the road. Since the beginning of the fiscal year and through July 2018 (latest publicly available information), miles driven in the U.S. increased by 0.5% compared to the same period in the prior year.

Seven Year Old or Older Vehicles

New vehicles sales declined 1.5% during 2018 as compared to the prior year, which is the first year-over-year decrease since 2009. We estimate vehicles are driven an average of approximately 12,500 miles each year. In seven years, the average miles driven equates to approximately 87,500 miles. Our experience is that at this point in a vehicle’s life, most vehicles are not covered by warranties and increased maintenance is needed to keep the vehicle operating.

According to the latest data provided by the Auto Care Association, as of January 1, 2018, the average age of vehicles on the road was 11.7 years. For the seventh consecutive year, the average age of vehicles has exceeded 11 years.

We expect the aging vehicle population to continue to increase as consumers keep their cars longer in an effort to save money. As the number of seven year old or older vehicles on the road increases, we expect an increase in demand for the products we sell.

Results of Operations

Fiscal 2018 Compared with Fiscal 2017

For the fiscal year ended August 25, 2018, we reported net sales of $11.221 billion compared with $10.889 billion for the year ended August 26, 2017, a 3.1% increase from fiscal 2017. This growth was driven primarily by net sales of $196.5 million from new domestic stores and a domestic same store sales increase of 1.8%. Domestic commercial sales increased $151.4 million, or 7.3%, over domestic commercial sales for fiscal 2017.

At August 25, 2018, we operated 5,618 domestic stores, 564 in Mexico and 20 in Brazil, compared with 5,465 domestic stores, 524 in Mexico, 14 in Brazil and 26 IMC branches at August 26, 2017. We reported a total auto parts segment (domestic, Mexico, Brazil and IMC through April 4, 2018) sales increase of 4.1% for fiscal 2018.

Gross profit for fiscal 2018 was $5.974 billion, or 53.2% of net sales, a 53 basis point increase compared with $5.740 billion, or 52.7% of net sales for fiscal 2017. The increase in gross margin was attributable to the favorable impact of the sale of two businesses (+34 basis points) and higher merchandise margins, partially offset by higher supply chain costs.

Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses for fiscal 2018 increased to $4.163 billion, or 37.1% of net sales, from $3.660 billion, or 33.6% of net sales for fiscal 2017. The increase in operating expenses, as a percentage of sales, was primarily due to second quarter impairment charges (-172 basis points), and fourth quarter charges related to the termination of our pension plans (-116 basis points). See “Note M – Sale of Assets” and “Note L – Pension and Savings Plan” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Interest expense, net for fiscal 2018 was $174.5 million compared with $154.6 million during fiscal 2017. This increase was primarily due to higher borrowing rates. Average borrowings for fiscal 2018 were $4.997 billion, compared with $5.070 billion for fiscal 2017, and weighted average borrowing rates were 3.2% for fiscal 2018, compared to 2.8% for fiscal 2017.

Our effective income tax rate was 18.3% of pre-tax income for fiscal 2018 compared to 33.5% for fiscal 2017. The lower tax rate resulted primarily from the enactment of Tax Reform during the second quarter ended February 10, 2018 (see “Note D—Income Taxes” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).

Net income for fiscal 2018 increased by 4.4% to $1.338 billion, and diluted earnings per share increased 10.7% to $48.77 from $44.07 in fiscal 2017. The impact on the fiscal 2018 diluted earnings per share from stock repurchases was an increase of $1.36.

Fiscal 2017 Compared with Fiscal 2016

For the fiscal year ended August 26, 2017, we reported net sales of $10.889 billion compared with $10.636 billion for the year ended August 27, 2016, a 2.4% increase from fiscal 2016. This growth was driven primarily by net sales of $172.5 million from new domestic AutoZone stores and domestic same store sales increase of 0.5%. Domestic commercial sales increased $110.9 million, or 5.7%, over domestic commercial sales for fiscal 2016.

At August 26, 2017, we operated 5,465 domestic AutoZone stores, 524 in Mexico, 14 in Brazil, and 26 IMC branches compared with 5,297 domestic AutoZone stores, 483 in Mexico, eight in Brazil and 26 IMC branches at August 27, 2016. We reported a total auto parts (domestic, Mexico, Brazil and IMC) sales increase of 2.6% for fiscal 2017.

Gross profit for fiscal 2017 was $5.740 billion, or 52.7% of net sales, a 2 basis point decrease compared with $5.609 billion, or 52.7% of net sales for fiscal 2016. The slight decline in gross margin was attributable to higher supply chain costs (-20 basis points) associated with current year inventory initiatives, partially offset by higher merchandise margins.

Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses for fiscal 2017 increased to $3.660 billion, or 33.6% of net sales, from $3.548 billion, or 33.4% of net sales for fiscal 2016. The increase in operating expenses, as a percentage of sales, was primarily due to deleverage on occupancy costs (-23 basis points) and domestic store payroll driven by higher wage pressure.

Interest expense, net for fiscal 2017 was $154.6 million compared with $147.7 million during fiscal 2016. This increase was primarily due to higher borrowing levels and rates. Average borrowings for fiscal 2017 were $5.070 billion, compared with $4.860 billion for fiscal 2016, and weighted average borrowing rates were 2.8% for fiscal 2017, compared to 2.7% for fiscal 2016.

Our effective income tax rate was 33.5% of pre-tax income for fiscal 2017 compared to 35.1% for fiscal 2016. The decrease in the tax rate was primarily due to the Company’s adoption of the new accounting guidance for share-based payments, which lowered the effective tax rate by 162 basis points.

Net income for fiscal 2017 increased by 3.2% to $1.281 billion, and diluted earnings per share increased 8.3% to $44.07 from $40.70 in fiscal 2016. The impact of the fiscal 2017 stock repurchases on diluted earnings per share in fiscal 2017 was an increase of approximately $1.03.

Seasonality and Quarterly Periods

Our business is somewhat seasonal in nature, with the highest sales typically occurring in the spring and summer months of February through September, in which average weekly per-store sales historically have been about 10% to 20% higher than in the slower months of December and January. During short periods of time, a store’s sales can be affected by weather conditions. Extremely hot or extremely cold weather may enhance sales by causing parts to fail; thereby increasing sales of seasonal products. Mild or rainy weather tends to soften sales, as parts failure rates are lower in mild weather and elective maintenance is deferred during periods of rainy weather. Over the longer term, the effects of weather balance out, as we have locations throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Brazil.

Each of the first three quarters of our fiscal year consists of 12 weeks, and the fourth quarter consisted of 16 weeks in 2018, 2017 and 2016. Because the fourth quarter contains seasonally high sales volume and consists of 16 weeks, compared with 12 weeks for each of the first three quarters, our fourth quarter represents a disproportionate share of the annual net sales and net income. The fourth quarter of fiscal year 2018 represented 31.7% of annual sales and 29.9% of net income; the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017 represented 32.3% of annual sales and 33.9% of net income; and the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 represented 32.0% of annual sales and 34.4% of net income.

Income Taxes

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Reform”) into law. Tax Reform contains several key provisions that affected the Company during fiscal 2018. The enacted provisions impacting the current financial statements include a mandatory one-time transition tax on certain earnings of foreign subsidiaries and a permanent reduction of the U.S. corporate income tax rate from 35 to 21%, effective January 1, 2018. As the Company has an August 25th fiscal year-end, the impact of the lower rate will be blended resulting in a U.S. statutory federal tax rate of approximately 25.9% for the fiscal year ending August 25, 2018, and a 21% U.S. statutory federal rate for fiscal years thereafter. Other enacted provisions which may impact the Company beginning in fiscal 2019 include: eliminating U.S. federal taxation of future remitted foreign earnings; other new international provisions requiring current inclusion of certain earnings of controlled foreign corporations; immediate expensing of capital assets; and limitations on other tax deductions such as deductibility of executive compensation, interest expense, lobbying expenses, meals and entertainment expenses, and the domestic production activities deduction.

The Company has withdrawn its assertion regarding the permanent reinvestment of current and accumulated earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries, but maintained its permanent reinvestment assertion on other basis differences related to non-U.S. subsidiaries.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (SAB 118) to address the application of U.S. GAAP in situations where a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of Tax Reform. To the extent that a company’s accounting for certain income tax effects of Tax Reform is incomplete but it is able to determine a reasonable estimate, it must record a provisional estimate in the financial statements. If a company cannot determine a provisional estimate to be included in the financial statements, it should continue to apply ASC 740 on the basis of the provisions of the tax laws that were in effect immediately before the enactment of Tax Reform. The ultimate impact may differ from provisional amounts recorded, possibly materially, due to, among other things, additional analysis, changes in interpretations and assumptions the Company has made, and additional regulatory guidance that may be issued. The accounting is expected to be completed within one year from the enactment date of Tax Reform.

Based on our current analysis, we recorded a provisional income tax benefit of $131.5 million in our Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended August 25, 2018. We were able to determine a reasonable estimate for the mandatory one-time transition tax as an increase tax expense of $25.8 million and for the re-measurement of our net U.S. federal deferred tax liability at the lower rate, a reduction to tax expense of $157.3 million. Our analysis of these items is incomplete at this time. We will complete the accounting for these items during the measurement period, which will not extend beyond one year from the enactment date.

Our effective income tax rate was 18.3% of pre-tax income for fiscal 2018 compared to 33.5% for fiscal 2017. The lower tax rate resulted from the $131.5 million provisional amount discussed above, $31.3 million of excess tax benefits from option exercises, and a $119.2 million benefit from the reduction of the U.S. statutory rate from 35% to approximately 25.9%.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The primary source of our liquidity is our cash flows realized through the sale of automotive parts, products and accessories. Net cash provided by operating activities was $2.080 billion in 2018, $1.571 billion in 2017, and $1.641 billion in fiscal 2016. Cash flows from operations are favorable compared to last year primarily due to the timing of payment of accounts payable and growth in net income due to the benefits of Tax Reform.

Our primary capital requirement has been the funding of our continued new-location development program and the building of new distribution centers. From the beginning of fiscal 2016 to August 25, 2018, we have opened 621 new locations. We opened two distribution centers in fiscal 2017 and one in fiscal 2018. Net cash flows used in investing activities were $521.9 million in fiscal 2018, compared to $553.6 million in fiscal 2017 and $505.8 million in fiscal 2016. We invested $521.8 million in capital assets in fiscal 2018, compared to $553.8 million in fiscal 2017 and $488.8 million in fiscal 2016. The decrease in capital expenditures from fiscal 2017 was primarily attributable to the construction of the one distribution center in fiscal 2018 compared to two distribution centers in fiscal 2017. We had new location openings of 201 for fiscal 2018, 215 for fiscal 2017, and 205 for fiscal 2016. Cash flows were also used in the purchase of other intangibles for $10 million in fiscal 2016. We invest a portion of our assets held by our wholly owned insurance captive in marketable securities. We purchased $104.5 million in marketable securities in fiscal 2018, $85.7 million in fiscal 2017 and $130.2 million in fiscal 2016. We had proceeds from the sale of marketable securities of $69.6 million in fiscal 2018, $83.0 million in fiscal 2017 and $120.5 million in fiscal 2016.

Net cash used in financing activities was $1.632 billion in 2018, $914.3 million in 2017 and $1.117 billion in fiscal 2016. The net cash used in financing activities reflected purchases of treasury stock which totaled $1.592 billion for fiscal 2018, $1.072 billion for fiscal 2017 and $1.452 billion for fiscal 2016. The treasury stock purchases in fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016 were primarily funded by cash flows from operations. The Company did not issue any new debt in fiscal 2018 compared to $600 million for fiscal 2017 and $650 million for fiscal 2016. In fiscal 2018, we used commercial paper borrowings to repay the $250 million Senior Notes due in August 2018. In fiscal 2017, the proceeds from the issuance of debt were used for the repayment of a portion of our outstanding commercial paper borrowings, which were used to repay the $400 million Senior Notes due in January 2017.

In fiscal 2016, the proceeds from the issuance of debt were used for general corporate purposes, including for working capital requirements, capital expenditures, store openings and stock repurchases. In fiscal 2016, we used commercial paper borrowings to repay the $300 million Senior Notes due in November 2015 and the $200 million Senior Notes due in June 2016. Net proceeds from the issuance of commercial paper and short-term borrowings for fiscal 2018 were $170.2 million. In 2017, we made net repayments of commercial paper and short-term borrowings in the amount of $42.4 million. Net proceeds from the issuance of commercial paper and short-term borrowings for fiscal 2016 were $149.9 million.

During fiscal 2019, we expect to increase the investment in our business as compared to fiscal 2018. Our investments are expected to be directed primarily to new locations, supply chain infrastructure, enhancements to existing locations and investments in technology. The amount of investments in our new locations is impacted by different factors, including such factors as whether the building and land are purchased (requiring higher investment) or leased (generally lower investment), located in the United States, Mexico or Brazil, or located in urban or rural areas. During fiscal 2018, our capital expenditures decreased by approximately 6% compared to the prior year period. In 2017 and 2016, our capital expenditures increased by approximately 13% and 2%, respectively, as compared to the prior year.

In addition to the building and land costs, our new locations require working capital, predominantly for inventories. Historically, we have negotiated extended payment terms from suppliers, reducing the working capital required and resulting in a high accounts payable to inventory ratio. We plan to continue leveraging our inventory purchases; however, our ability to do so may be limited by our vendors’ capacity to factor their receivables from us. Certain vendors participate in financing arrangements with financial institutions whereby they factor their receivables from us, allowing them to receive payment on our invoices at a discounted rate. In recent years, we initiated a variety of strategic tests focused on increasing inventory availability, which increased our inventory per location. Many of our vendors have supported our initiative to update our product assortments by providing extended payment terms. These extended payment terms have allowed us to continue our high accounts payable to inventory ratio. We had an accounts payable to inventory ratio of 111.8% at August 25, 2018, 107.4% at August 26, 2017, and 112.8% at August 27, 2016. The increase from fiscal 2017 to fiscal 2018 was primarily due to more favorable vendor terms.

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 credit ratings and favorable experiences in the debt markets in the past.

Our cash balances are held in various locations around the world. As of August 25, 2018, and August 26, 2017, cash and cash equivalents of $98.8 million and $148.4 million, respectively, were held outside of the U.S. and were generally utilized to support liquidity needs in our foreign operations.

For the fiscal year ended August 25, 2018, our after-tax return on invested capital (“ROIC”) was 32.1% as compared to 29.9% for the comparable prior year period. ROIC is calculated as after-tax operating profit (excluding rent charges) divided by invested capital (which includes a factor to capitalize operating leases). For fiscal 2018, after-tax operating profit was adjusted for impairment charges, pension termination charges and Tax Reform’s impact on the revaluation of deferred tax liabilities, net of the repatriation tax. The increase in ROIC is primarily due to the decrease in average debt, along with increased net income due to Tax Reform. We use ROIC to evaluate whether we are effectively using our capital resources and believe it is an important indicator of our overall operating performance. Refer to the “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section for further details of our calculation.

Debt Facilities

We entered into a Master Extension, New Commitment and Amendment Agreement dated as of November 18, 2017 (the “Extension Amendment”) to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 18, 2016, as amended, modified, extended or restated from time to time (the “Revolving Credit Agreement”). Under the Extension Amendment: (i) our borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Agreement was increased from $1.6 billion to $2.0 billion; (ii) our option to increase the borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Agreement was “refreshed” and the amount of such option remained at $400 million;

the maximum borrowing under the Revolving Credit Agreement may, at our option, subject to lenders approval, be increased from $2.0 billion to $2.4 billion; (iii) the termination date of the Revolving Credit Agreement was extended from November 18, 2021 until November 18, 2022; and (iv) we have the option to make one additional written request of the lenders to extend the termination date then in effect for an additional year. Under the Revolving Credit Agreement, we may borrow funds consisting of Eurodollar loans, base rate loans or a combination of both. Interest accrues on Eurodollar loans at a defined Eurodollar rate, defined as LIBOR plus the applicable percentage, as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement, depending upon our senior, unsecured, (non-credit enhanced) long-term debt ratings. Interest accrues on base rate loans as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement. As of August 25, 2018, we had $3.3 million of outstanding letters of credit under the Revolving Credit Agreement.

The Revolving Credit Agreement requires that our consolidated interest coverage ratio as of the last day of each quarter shall be no less than 2.5:1. This ratio is defined as the ratio of (i) consolidated earnings before interest, taxes and rents to (ii) consolidated interest expense plus consolidated rents. Our consolidated interest coverage ratio as of August 25, 2018 was 5.8:1.

As of August 25, 2018, $1.325 billion of commercial paper borrowings and the $250 million 1.625% Senior Notes due April 2019 were classified as long-term in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as we have the ability and intent to refinance on a long-term basis through available capacity in our revolving credit facilities. As of August 25, 2018, we had $1.997 billion of availability under our $2.0 billion revolving credit facility, which would allow us to replace these short-term obligations with long-term financing facilities.

We also maintain a letter of credit facility that allows us to request the participating bank to issue letters of credit on our behalf up to an aggregate amount of $75 million. The letter of credit facility is in addition to the letters of credit that may be issued under the Revolving Credit Agreement. As of August 25, 2018 we had $71.0 million in letters of credit outstanding under the letter of credit facility, which expires June 2019.

In addition to the outstanding letters of credit issued under the committed facilities discussed above, we had $32.5 million in letters of credit outstanding as of August 25, 2018. These letters of credit have various maturity dates and were issued on an uncommitted basis.

On April 18, 2017, we issued $600 million in 3.750% Senior Notes due June 2027 under our shelf registration statement filed with the SEC on April 15, 2015 (the “2015 Shelf Registration”). The 2015 Shelf Registration allowed us to sell an indeterminate amount of debt securities to fund general corporate purposes, including repaying, redeeming or repurchasing outstanding debt and for working capital, capital expenditures, new location openings, stock repurchases and acquisitions. Proceeds from the debt issuance were used for general corporate purposes.

On April 21, 2016, we issued $400 million in 3.125% Senior Notes due April 2026 and $250 million in 1.625% Senior Notes due April 2019 under the 2015 Shelf Registration. Proceeds from the debt issuances were used for general corporate purposes.

All senior notes are subject to an interest rate adjustment if the debt ratings assigned to the senior notes are downgraded (as defined in the agreements). Further, the senior notes contain a provision that repayment of the senior notes may be accelerated if we experience a change in control (as defined in the agreements). Our borrowings under our senior notes contain minimal covenants, primarily restrictions on liens. Under our revolving credit facilities, covenants include restrictions on liens, a maximum debt to earnings ratio, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and a change of control provision that may require acceleration of the repayment obligations under certain circumstances. 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 August 25, 2018, we were in compliance with all covenants related to our borrowing arrangements and expect to remain in compliance with those covenants in the future.

For the fiscal year ended August 25, 2018, our adjusted debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, rent and share-based compensation expense (“EBITDAR”) ratio was 2.5:1 as compared to 2.6:1 as of the comparable prior year end. We calculate adjusted debt as the sum of total debt, capital lease obligations and rent times six; and we calculate EBITDAR by adding interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, rent and share-based compensation expense to net income. For fiscal 2018, net income was adjusted to exclude impairment charges and pension termination charges before tax impact as these charges are not reflective of ongoing operations. We target our debt levels to a specified ratio of adjusted debt to EBITDAR in order to maintain our investment grade credit ratings and believe this is important information for the management of our debt levels.

To the extent EBITDAR continues to grow in future years, we expect our debt levels to increase; conversely, if EBITDAR declines, we would expect our debt levels to decrease. Refer to the “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section for further details of our calculation.

Stock Repurchases

During 1998, we announced a program permitting us to repurchase a portion of our outstanding shares not to exceed a dollar maximum established by our Board of Directors (the “Board”). On March 20, 2018, the Board voted to increase the authorization by $1.0 billion. This raised the total value of shares authorized to be repurchased to $19.65 billion. From January 1998 to August 25, 2018, we have repurchased a total of 144.7 million shares at an aggregate cost of $19.418 billion. We repurchased 2.4 million shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $1.592 billion during fiscal 2018, 1.5 million shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $1.072 billion during fiscal 2017, and 1.9 million shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $1.452 billion during fiscal 2016. Considering cumulative repurchases as of August 25, 2018, we had $231.7 million remaining under the Board’s authorization to repurchase our common stock.

For the fiscal year ended August 25, 2018, cash flow before share repurchases and changes in debt was $1.596 billion as compared to $1.018 billion during the comparable prior year period. Cash flow before share repurchases and changes in debt is calculated as the net increase or decrease in cash and cash equivalents less increases in debt plus share repurchases. We use cash flow before share repurchases and changes in debt to calculate the cash flows remaining and available in an effort to increase shareholder value in the form of share repurchases. We believe this is important information regarding our allocation of available capital where we prioritize investments in the business and utilize the remaining funds to repurchase shares, while maintaining debt levels that support our investment grade credit ratings. If we allowed these funds to accumulate on our balance sheet instead of repurchasing our shares, we believe our earnings per share and stock price would be negatively impacted. Refer to the “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section for further details of our calculation.

On September 26, 2018, the Board voted to increase the authorization by $1.25 billion. This brings the total value of shares authorized to $20.9 billion. Subsequent to August 25, 2018, we have repurchased 346,979 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $263.4 million. Considering the cumulative repurchases and the increase in authorization subsequent to August 25, 2018, we have $1.22 billion remaining under the Board’s authorization to repurchase our common stock.

Financial Commitments

The following table shows our significant contractual obligations as of August 25, 2018:


	Total Contractual Obligations		Payment Due by Period

(in thousands)			Less than 1 year		Between 1-3 years		Between 3-5 years		Over 5 years
Debt⁽¹⁾	$	5,025,300	$	1,575,300	$	750,000	$	1,300,000	$	1,400,000
Interest payments⁽²⁾		657,250		121,063		224,000		158,687		153,500
Operating leases⁽³⁾		2,141,163		300,866		556,305		460,023		823,969
Capital leases⁽⁴⁾		165,686		52,290		89,067		24,329		—
Self-insurance reserves⁽⁵⁾		243,337		88,761		77,557		34,567		42,452
Construction commitments		41,324		41,324		—		—		—

	$	8,274,060	$	2,179,604	$	1,696,929	$	1,977,606	$	2,419,921

(1)

Debt balances represent principal maturities, excluding interest, discounts, and debt issuance costs.

(2)

Represents obligations for interest payments on long-term debt.

(3)

Operating lease obligations are inclusive of amounts accrued within deferred rent and closed store obligations reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(4)

Capital lease obligations include related interest.

(5)

Self-insurance reserves reflect estimates based on actuarial calculations. Although these obligations do not have scheduled maturities, the timing of future payments are predictable based upon historical patterns. Accordingly, we reflect the net present value of these obligations in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Our tax liability for uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties, was $16.5 million at August 25, 2018. Approximately $1.1 million is classified as current liabilities and $15.4 million is classified as long-term liabilities. We did not reflect these obligations in the table above as we are unable to make an estimate of the timing of payments of the long-term liabilities due to uncertainties in the timing and amounts of the settlement of these tax positions.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The following table reflects outstanding letters of credit and surety bonds as of August 25, 2018:


(in thousands)	Total Other Commitments
Standby letters of credit	$	106,773
Surety bonds		23,571

	$	130,344

A substantial portion of the outstanding standby letters of credit (which are primarily renewed on an annual basis) and surety bonds are used to cover reimbursement obligations to our workers’ compensation carriers.

There are no additional contingent liabilities associated with these instruments as the underlying liabilities are already reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The standby letters of credit and surety bond arrangements expire within one year, but have automatic renewal clauses.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

“Selected Financial Data” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” include certain financial measures not derived in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). These non-GAAP financial measures provide additional information for determining our optimum capital structure and are used to assist management in evaluating performance and in making appropriate business decisions to maximize stockholders’ value.

Non-GAAP financial measures should not be used as a substitute for GAAP financial measures, or considered in isolation, for the purpose of analyzing our operating performance, financial position or cash flows. However, we have presented the non-GAAP financial measures, as we believe they provide additional information that is useful to investors as it indicates more clearly our comparative year-to-year operating results. Furthermore, our management and Compensation Committee of the Board use the above-mentioned non-GAAP financial measures to analyze and compare our underlying operating results and use select measurements to determine payments of performance-based compensation. We have included a reconciliation of this information to the most comparable GAAP measures in the following reconciliation tables.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure: Cash Flow Before Share Repurchases and Changes in Debt

The following table reconciles net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents to cash flow before share repurchases and changes in debt, which is presented in “Selected Financial Data” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”:


	Fiscal Year Ended August
(in thousands)	2018			2017			2016			2015			2014
Net cash provided by/(used in):
Operating activities⁽¹⁾	$	2,080,292		$	1,570,612		$	1,641,060		$	1,573,018		$	1,365,005
Investing activities		(521,860	)		(553,599	)		(505,835	)		(567,911	)		(447,968	)
Financing activities⁽¹⁾		(1,632,154	)		(914,329	)		(1,116,528	)		(944,597	)		(935,328	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		(1,724	)		852			(4,272	)		(9,686	)		585

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents	$	(75,446	)	$	103,536		$	14,425		$	50,824		$	(17,706	)
Less: (Decrease)/increase in debt, excluding deferred financing costs		(79,800	)		157,600			299,900			303,800			156,800
Plus: Share repurchases		1,592,013			1,071,649			1,452,462			1,271,416			1,099,212

Cash flow before share repurchases and changes in debt	$	1,596,367		$	1,017,585		$	1,166,987		$	1,018,440		$	924,706

(1)

The Company adopted the provisions of ASU 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvement to Employee Share-based Payment Accounting, as of August 28, 2016. We have applied ASU 2016-09 relating to the presentation of the excess tax benefits on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows retrospectively. Prior period amounts for net cash provided by operating and financing activities for all years presented above were restated to conform to the current period presentation.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure: After-tax ROIC

The following table calculates the percentage of ROIC. ROIC is calculated as after-tax operating profit (excluding rent) divided by invested capital (which includes a factor to capitalize operating leases). For Fiscal 2018, after-tax operating profit was adjusted for impairment charges, pension settlement charges and the impact of the revaluation of deferred tax liabilities, net of repatriation tax. The ROIC percentages are presented in “Selected Financial Data” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”:


	Fiscal Year Ended August
(in thousands, except percentages)	2018			2017			2016			2015			2014
Net income	$	1,337,536		$	1,280,869		$	1,241,007		$	1,160,241		$	1,069,744
Adjustments:
Impairment before tax impact		193,162			—			—			—			—
Pension termination charges before tax impact		130,263			—			—			—			—
Interest expense		174,527			154,580			147,681			150,439			167,509
Rent expense		315,580			302,928			280,490			269,458			253,813
Tax effect⁽¹⁾		(211,806	)		(153,265	)		(150,288	)		(149,483	)		(150,412	)
Deferred tax liabilities, net of repatriation tax		(132,113	)		—			—			—			—

After-tax return	$	1,807,149		$	1,585,112		$	1,518,890		$	1,430,655		$	1,340,654

Average debt⁽²⁾	$	5,013,678		$	5,061,502		$	4,820,402		$	4,458,114		$	4,258,796
Average (deficit)⁽³⁾		(1,433,196	)		(1,730,559	)		(1,774,329	)		(1,619,596	)		(1,709,778	)
Rent x 6⁽⁴⁾		1,893,480			1,817,568			1,682,940			1,616,748			1,522,878
Average capital lease obligations⁽⁵⁾		156,198			150,066			131,008			126,096			108,475

Invested capital	$	5,630,160		$	5,298,577		$	4,860,021		$	4,581,362		$	4,180,371

ROIC		32.1	%		29.9	%		31.3	%		31.2	%		32.1	%

(1)

The effective tax rate during fiscal 2018 was 24.2% for impairment, 28.1% for pension termination and 26.2% for interest and rent expense. For fiscal 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014 the effective tax rate was 33.5%, 35.1%, 35.6% and 35.7%, respectively.

(2)

Average debt is equal to the average of our debt measured as of the previous five quarters.

(3)

Average deficit is equal to the average of our stockholders’ (deficit) measured as of the previous five quarters.

(4)

Rent is multiplied by a factor of six to capitalize operating leases in the determination of pre-tax invested capital.

(5)

Average capital lease obligations is computed as the average of our capital lease obligations over the previous five quarters.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure: Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR

The following table calculates the ratio of adjusted debt to EBITDAR. Adjusted debt to EBITDAR is calculated as the sum of total debt, capital lease obligations and annual rents times six; divided by net income plus interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, rent and share-based compensation expense. For fiscal 2018, net income was adjusted to exclude impairment charges and pension termination charges before tax impact. The adjusted debt to EBITDAR ratios are presented in “Selected Financial Data” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”:


	Fiscal Year Ended August
(in thousands, except ratios)	2018		2017		2016		2015		2014
Net income	$	1,337,536	$	1,280,869	$	1,241,007	$	1,160,241	$	1,069,744
Add: Impairment before tax impact		193,162		—		—		—		—
Pension termination charges before tax impact		130,263		—		—		—		—
Interest expense		174,527		154,580		147,681		150,439		167,509
Income tax expense		298,793		644,620		671,707		642,371		592,970

EBIT		2,134,281		2,080,069		2,060,395		1,953,051		1,830,223
Add: Depreciation and amortization expense		345,084		323,051		297,397		269,919		251,267
Rent expense		315,580		302,928		280,490		269,458		253,813
Share-based expense		43,674		38,244		39,825		40,995		39,390

EBITDAR	$	2,838,619	$	2,744,292	$	2,678,107	$	2,533,423	$	2,374,693

Debt	$	5,005,930	$	5,081,238	$	4,924,119	$	4,624,876	$	4,323,106
Capital lease obligations		154,303		150,456		147,285		128,167		119,603
Rent x 6		1,893,480		1,817,568		1,682,940		1,616,748		1,522,878

Adjusted debt	$	7,053,713	$	7,049,262	$	6,754,344	$	6,369,791	$	5,965,587

Adjusted debt to EBITDAR		2.5		2.6		2.5		2.5		2.5

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note A of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion on recent accounting pronouncements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

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. In the notes to our consolidated financial statements, we describe our significant accounting policies used in preparing the Consolidated Financial Statements. 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 senior management has identified the critical accounting policies for the areas that are materially impacted by estimates and assumptions and have discussed such policies with the Audit Committee of our Board. The following items in our Consolidated Financial Statements represent our critical accounting policies that require significant estimation or judgment by management:

Inventory Reserves and Cost of Sales

LIFO

We state our inventories at the lower of cost or market. Inventory cost has been determined using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method for domestic inventories and the weighted average cost method for Mexico and Brazil inventories. Due to price deflation on our merchandise purchases, we have exhausted our LIFO reserve balance. Our policy is to not write up inventory in excess of replacement cost, which is based on average cost. The difference between LIFO cost and replacement cost, which will be reduced upon experiencing price inflation on our merchandise purchases, was $452.4 million at August 25, 2018.

Inventory Obsolescence and Shrinkage

Our inventory, primarily hard parts, maintenance items, accessories and non-automotive products, is used on vehicles that have rather long lives; and therefore, the risk of obsolescence is minimal and the majority of excess inventory has historically been returned to our vendors for credit. In the isolated instances where less than full credit will be received for such returns and where we anticipate that items will be sold at retail prices that are less than recorded costs, we record a charge (less than $5 million in each of the last three years) through cost of sales for the difference. These charges are based on management’s judgment, including estimates and assumptions regarding marketability of products and the market value of inventory to be sold in future periods.

Historically, we have not encountered material exposure to inventory obsolescence or excess inventory, nor have we experienced material changes to our estimates. However, we may be exposed to material losses should our vendors alter their policy with regard to accepting excess inventory returns.

Additionally, we reduce inventory for projected losses related to shrinkage, which is estimated based on historical losses and current inventory loss trends resulting from previous physical inventories. Shrinkage may occur due to theft, loss or inaccurate records for the receipt of goods, among other things. Throughout the year, we take physical inventory counts of our stores and distribution centers to verify these estimates. We make assumptions regarding upcoming physical inventory counts that may differ from actual results.

Each quarter, we evaluate the accrued shrinkage in light of the actual shrink results from physical inventory counts. To the extent our actual physical inventory count results differ from our estimates, we may experience material adjustments to our financial statements. Historically, we have not experienced material adjustments to our shrinkage estimates and do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates or assumptions we use. Over the last three years, there has been less than a 50 basis point fluctuation in our shrinkage rate (shrink loss as a percent of sales).

A 10% difference in our inventory reserves as of August 25, 2018, would have affected net income by approximately $8.6 million in fiscal 2018.

Vendor Allowances

We receive various payments and allowances from our vendors through a variety of programs and arrangements, including allowances for warranties, advertising and general promotion of vendor products. Vendor allowances are treated as a reduction of inventory, unless they are provided as a reimbursement of specific, incremental, identifiable costs incurred by the Company in selling the vendor’s products. Approximately 83% of the vendor funds received are recorded as a reduction of the cost of inventories and recognized as a reduction to cost of sales as these inventories are sold.

Based on our vendor agreements, a significant portion of vendor funding we receive is earned as we purchase inventory. Therefore, we record receivables for funding earned but not yet received as we purchase inventory. During the year, we regularly review the receivables from vendors to ensure vendors are able to meet their obligations. We generally have not recorded a reserve against these receivables as we have not experienced significant losses and typically have a legal right of offset with our vendors for payments owed them. Historically, we have had write-offs less than $1 million in each of the last three years.

Goodwill and Intangibles

We evaluate goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles for impairment annually in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying values exceed the current fair values. We evaluate the likelihood of impairment by considering qualitative factors, such as macroeconomic, industry, market, or any other factors that could impact the reporting unit’s fair value. If these factors indicate impairment, we perform a quantitative assessment to determine if the carrying value exceeds the fair value. Goodwill is evaluated at the reporting unit level and involves valuation methods including forecasting future financial performance, estimates of discount rates and other factors. If the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the fair value, we recognize an impairment loss.

Indefinite-lived intangibles are evaluated by comparing the carrying amount of the asset to the future discounted cash flows that the asset is expected to generate. If the carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds the fair value based on the future discounted cash flows, we recognize an impairment loss. These impairment analyses require a significant amount of subjective judgment by management, and as a result these estimates are uncertain and our actual results may be different from our estimates.

The carrying value of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles at August 25, 2018 was $302.6 million related to our Domestic Auto Parts reporting unit. The carrying value of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles at August 26, 2017 was $418.8 million with $302.6 million related to our Domestic Auto Parts reporting unit, $89.8 million relating to our AutoAnything reporting unit and $26.4 million relating to our Interamerican Motor Corporation reporting unit. During the second quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company recorded impairment charges related to its IMC and AutoAnything businesses as the Company determined that the approximate fair value less costs to sell the businesses was significantly lower than the carrying value of the net assets. These businesses were subsequently sold. See “Note M – Sale of Assets” for more information.

Self-Insurance Reserves

We retain a significant portion of the risks associated with workers’ compensation, employee health, general and products liability, property and vehicle liability; and we obtain third party insurance to limit the exposure related to certain of these risks. Our self-insurance reserve estimates totaled $223.0 million at August 25, 2018, and $220.5 million at August 26, 2017. This change is primarily reflective of our growing operations, including inflation, increases in healthcare costs, the number of vehicles and the number of hours worked, as well as our historical claims experience.

The assumptions made by management in estimating our self-insurance reserves include consideration of historical cost experience, judgments about the present and expected levels of cost per claim and retention levels. We utilize various methods, including analyses of historical trends and actuarial methods, to estimate the cost to settle reported claims and claims incurred but not yet reported. The actuarial methods develop estimates of the future ultimate claim costs based on the claims incurred as of the balance sheet date. When estimating these liabilities, we consider factors, such as the severity, duration and frequency of claims, legal costs associated with claims, healthcare trends, and projected inflation of related factors. In recent history, our methods for determining our exposure have remained consistent, and our historical trends have been appropriately factored into our reserve estimates. As we obtain additional information and refine our methods regarding the assumptions and estimates we use to recognize liabilities incurred, we will adjust our reserves accordingly.

Management believes that the various assumptions developed and actuarial methods used to determine our self- insurance reserves are reasonable and provide meaningful data and information that management uses to make its best estimate of our exposure to these risks. Arriving at these estimates, however, requires a significant amount of subjective judgment by management, and as a result these estimates are uncertain and our actual exposure may be different from our estimates. For example, changes in our assumptions about healthcare costs, the severity of accidents and the incidence of illness, the average size of claims and other factors could cause actual claim costs to vary materially from our assumptions and estimates, causing our reserves to be overstated or understated. For instance, a 10% change in our self-insurance liability would have affected net income by approximately $16.6 million for fiscal 2018.

Our liabilities for workers’ compensation, general and product liability, property and vehicle claims do not have scheduled maturities; however, the timing of future payments is predictable based on historical patterns and is relied upon in determining the current portion of these liabilities. Accordingly, we reflect the net present value of the obligations we determine to be long-term using the risk-free interest rate as of the balance sheet date. If the discount rate used to calculate the present value of these reserves changed by 50 basis points, net income would have been affected by approximately $2.2 million for fiscal 2018. Our liability for health benefits is classified as current, as the historical average duration of claims is approximately six weeks.

Income Taxes

Our income tax returns are audited by state, federal and foreign tax authorities, and we are typically engaged in various tax examinations at any given time. Tax contingencies often arise due to uncertainty or differing interpretations of the application of tax rules throughout the various jurisdictions in which we operate. The contingencies are influenced by items such as tax audits, changes in tax laws, litigation, appeals and prior experience with similar tax positions.

We regularly review our tax reserves for these items and assess the adequacy of the amount we have recorded. As of August 25, 2018, we had approximately $16.5 million reserved for uncertain tax positions.

We evaluate potential exposures associated with our various tax filings by estimating a liability for uncertain tax positions based on a two-step process. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step requires us to estimate and measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement.

We believe our estimates to be reasonable and have not experienced material adjustments to our reserves in the previous three years; however, actual results could differ from our estimates, and we may be exposed to gains or losses that could be material. Specifically, management has used judgment and made assumptions to estimate the likely outcome of uncertain tax positions. Additionally, to the extent we prevail in matters for which a liability has been established, or must pay in excess of recognized reserves, our effective tax rate in any particular period could be materially affected.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

We are exposed to market risk from, among other things, changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and fuel prices. From time to time, we use various derivative instruments to reduce interest rate and fuel price risks. To date, based upon our current level of foreign operations, no derivative instruments have been utilized to reduce foreign exchange rate risk. All of our hedging activities are governed by guidelines that are authorized by the Board. Further, we do not buy or sell derivative instruments for trading purposes.

Interest Rate Risk

Our financial market risk results primarily from changes in interest rates. At times, we reduce our exposure to changes in interest rates by entering into various interest rate hedge instruments such as interest rate swap contracts, treasury lock agreements and forward-starting interest rate swaps.

We have historically utilized interest rate swaps to convert variable rate debt to fixed rate debt and to lock in fixed rates on future debt issuances. We reflect the current fair value of all interest rate hedge instruments as a component of either other current assets or accrued expenses and other. Our interest rate hedge instruments are designated as cash flow hedges.

Unrealized gains and losses on interest rate hedges are deferred in stockholders’ deficit as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive 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 change in value of an interest rate hedge instrument does not perfectly offset the change in the value of the cash flow being hedged, that ineffective portion is immediately recognized in earnings.

The fair value of our debt was estimated at $4.948 billion as of August 25, 2018, and $5.171 billion as of August 26, 2017, based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar debt issues or on the current rates available to us for debt having the same remaining maturities. Such fair value is less than the carrying value of debt by $57.5 million at August 25, 2018, which reflects its face amount, adjusted for any unamortized debt issuance costs and discounts. At August 26, 2017, the fair value was greater than the carrying value of debt by $90.3 million. We had $1.325 billion of variable rate debt outstanding at August 25, 2018, and $1.155 billion of variable rate debt outstanding at August 26, 2017. In fiscal 2018, at this borrowing level for variable rate debt, a one percentage point increase in interest rates would have had an unfavorable impact on our pre-tax earnings and cash flows of approximately $13.3 million. The primary interest rate exposure on variable rate debt is based on LIBOR.

We had outstanding fixed rate debt of $3.681 billion, net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $19.4 million, at August 25, 2018, and $3.926 billion, net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $23.9 million, at August 26, 2017. A one percentage point increase in interest rates would reduce the fair value of our fixed rate debt by approximately $153.6 million at August 25, 2018.

Foreign Currency Risk

Foreign currency exposures arising from transactions include firm commitments and anticipated transactions denominated in a currency other than our entities’ functional currencies. To minimize our risk, we generally enter into transactions denominated in the respective functional currencies. We are exposed to Brazilian reals, Canadian dollars, euros, Chinese yuan renminbi and British pounds, but our primary foreign currency exposure arises from Mexican peso-denominated revenues and profits and their translation into U.S. dollars. Foreign currency exposures arising from transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are not material.

We view our investments in Mexican subsidiaries as long-term. As a result, we generally do not hedge these net investments. The net asset exposure in the Mexican subsidiaries translated into U.S. dollars using the year-end exchange rates was $590.7 million at August 25, 2018 and $519.3 million at August 26, 2017. The year-end exchange rates with respect to the Mexican peso decreased by approximately 6% with respect to the U.S. dollar during fiscal 2018 and increased by approximately 4% during fiscal 2017. The potential loss in value of our net assets in the Mexican subsidiaries resulting from a hypothetical 10 percent adverse change in quoted foreign currency exchange rates at August 25, 2018 and August 26, 2017, would be approximately $53.7 million and approximately $47.2 million, respectively. Any changes in our net assets in the Mexican subsidiaries relating to foreign currency exchange rates would be reflected in the foreign currency translation component of Accumulated other comprehensive loss, unless the Mexican subsidiaries are sold or otherwise disposed.

A hypothetical 10 percent adverse change in average exchange rates would not have a material impact on our results of operations.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Index


Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting			41
Certifications			41
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm			42
Consolidated Statements of Income			45
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income			45
Consolidated Balance Sheets			46
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows			47
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit			48
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements			49

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Our internal control over financial reporting includes, among other things, defined policies and procedures for conducting and governing our business, sophisticated information systems for processing transactions and properly trained staff. Mechanisms are in place to monitor the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, including regular testing performed by the Company’s internal audit team. Actions are taken to correct deficiencies as they are identified. Our procedures for financial reporting include the active involvement of senior management, our Audit Committee and a staff of highly qualified financial and legal professionals.

Management, with the participation of our principal executive and financial officers, assessed our internal control over financial reporting as of August 25, 2018, the end of our fiscal year. Management based its assessment on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission 2013 framework.

Based on this assessment, management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of August 25, 2018.

Our independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, audited the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Ernst & Young LLP’s attestation report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of August 25, 2018 is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

/s/ WILLIAM C. RHODES, III

William C. Rhodes, III

Chairman, President and

Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ WILLIAM T. GILES

William T. Giles

Chief Financial Officer and Executive

Vice President – Finance and Information

Technology

(Principal Financial Officer)

Certifications

Compliance with NYSE Corporate Governance Listing Standards

On January 3, 2018, the Company submitted to the New York Stock Exchange the Annual CEO Certification required pursuant to Section 303A.12(a) of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual.

Rule 13a-14(a) Certifications of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer

The Company has filed, as exhibits to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 25, 2018, the certifications of its Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer required pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of AutoZone, Inc.

Opinion on the Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We have audited AutoZone Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of August 25, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, AutoZone, Inc. (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of August 25, 2018, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of AutoZone, Inc. as of August 25, 2018 and August 26, 2017, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ deficit, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended August 25, 2018, and the related notes and our report dated October 24, 2018, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Memphis, Tennessee

October 24, 2018

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of AutoZone, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of AutoZone, Inc. (the Company) as of August 25, 2018 and August 26, 2017, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ deficit, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended August 25, 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at August 25, 2018 and August 26, 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended August 25, 2018, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of August 25, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated October 24, 2018, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1988.

Memphis, Tennessee

October 24, 2018

Consolidated Statements of Income


	Year Ended
(in thousands, except per share data)	August 25, 2018 (52 weeks)		August 26, 2017 (52 weeks)		August 27, 2016 (52 weeks)
Net sales	$	11,221,077	$	10,888,676	$	10,635,676
Cost of sales, including warehouse and delivery expenses		5,247,331		5,149,056		5,026,940

Gross profit		5,973,746		5,739,620		5,608,736
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses		4,162,890		3,659,551		3,548,341

Operating profit		1,810,856		2,080,069		2,060,395
Interest expense, net		174,527		154,580		147,681

Income before income taxes		1,636,329		1,925,489		1,912,714
Income tax expense		298,793		644,620		671,707

Net income	$	1,337,536	$	1,280,869	$	1,241,007

Weighted average shares for basic earnings per share		26,970		28,430		29,889
Effect of dilutive stock equivalents		454		635		599

Weighted average shares for diluted earnings per share		27,424		29,065		30,488
Basic earnings per share	$	49.59	$	45.05	$	41.52

Diluted earnings per share	$	48.77	$	44.07	$	40.70

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income


	Year Ended
(in thousands)	August 25, 2018 (52 weeks)			August 26, 2017 (52 weeks)			August 27, 2016 (52 weeks)
Net income	$	1,337,536		$	1,280,869		$	1,241,007
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Pension liability adjustments, net of taxes⁽¹⁾		72,376			16,514			(18,095	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(53,085	)		35,198			(39,524	)
Unrealized (losses) gains on marketable securities, net of taxes⁽²⁾		(862	)		(131	)		146
Net derivative activity, net of taxes⁽³⁾		323			1,391			(538	)

Total other comprehensive income (loss)		18,752			52,972			(58,011	)

Comprehensive income	$	1,356,288		$	1,333,841		$	1,182,996

(1)

Pension liability adjustments are presented net of taxes of $46,523 in 2018, which includes $13,122 related to the adoption of ASU 2018-02, $10,542 in 2017 and $11,394 in 2016.

(2)

Unrealized (losses) gains on marketable securities are presented net of taxes of $234 in 2018, $69 in 2017 and $79 in 2016

(3)

Net derivative activities are presented net of taxes of $1,882 in 2018, which includes $1,367 related to the adoption of ASU 2018-02, $814 in 2017 and $315 in 2016

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Consolidated Balance Sheets


(in thousands)	August 25, 2018			August 26, 2017
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	217,824		$	293,270
Accounts receivable		258,136			280,733
Merchandise inventories		3,943,670			3,882,086
Other current assets		216,239			155,166

Total current assets		4,635,869			4,611,255
Property and equipment:
Land		1,107,092			1,056,187
Buildings and improvements		3,698,010			3,423,056
Equipment		1,841,330			1,704,653
Leasehold improvements		504,656			470,998
Construction in progress		140,535			218,299

		7,291,623			6,873,193
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization		3,073,223			2,842,175

		4,218,400			4,031,018
Goodwill		302,645			391,887
Deferred income taxes		34,620			35,308
Other long-term assets		155,446			190,313

		492,711			617,508

	$	9,346,980		$	9,259,781

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	4,409,372		$	4,168,940
Accrued expenses and other		606,894			563,350
Income taxes payable		12,415			34,011

Total current liabilities		5,028,681			4,766,301
Long-term debt		5,005,930			5,081,238
Deferred income taxes		285,204			371,111
Other long-term liabilities		547,520			469,508
Commitments and contingencies		—			—
Stockholders’ deficit:
Preferred stock, authorized 1,000 shares; no shares issued		—			—
Common stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized 200,000 shares; 27,530 shares issued and 25,742 shares outstanding in 2018 and 28,735 shares issued and 27,833 shares outstanding in 2017		275			287
Additional paid-in capital		1,155,426			1,086,671
Retained deficit		(1,208,824	)		(1,642,387	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(235,805	)		(254,557	)
Treasury stock, at cost		(1,231,427	)		(618,391	)

Total stockholders’ deficit		(1,520,355	)		(1,428,377	)

	$	9,346,980		$	9,259,781

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows


	Year Ended
(in thousands)	August 25, 2018 (52 weeks)			August 26, 2017 (52 weeks)			August 27, 2016 (52 weeks)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	1,337,536		$	1,280,869		$	1,241,007
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment and intangibles		345,084			323,051			297,397
Amortization of debt origination fees		8,393			8,369			7,980
Deferred income taxes		(124,261	)		74,902			45,019
Share-based compensation expense		43,674			38,244			39,825
Pension plan contributions		(11,596	)		(17,761	)		(52,721	)
Pension termination charges		130,263			—			—
Asset impairment		193,162			—			—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		7,534			7,795			(41,447	)
Merchandise inventories		(188,782	)		(236,807	)		(227,518	)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		319,609			82,614			271,198
Income taxes payable		(6,438	)		(3,659	)		50,122
Other, net		26,114			12,995			10,198

Net cash provided by operating activities		2,080,292			1,570,612			1,641,060
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures		(521,788	)		(553,832	)		(488,791	)
Purchase of intangibles		—			—			(10,000	)
Proceeds from sale of assets		35,279			—			—
Purchase of marketable securities		(104,536	)		(85,711	)		(130,170	)
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities		69,644			82,993			120,472
(Payments) proceeds from disposal of capital assets and other, net		(459	)		2,951			2,654

Net cash used in investing activities		(521,860	)		(553,599	)		(505,835	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from (payments of) commercial paper		170,200			(42,400	)		149,900
Proceeds from issuance of debt		—			600,000			650,000
Repayment of debt		(250,000	)		(400,000	)		(500,000	)
Net proceeds from sale of common stock		89,715			54,686			80,289
Purchase of treasury stock		(1,592,013	)		(1,071,649	)		(1,452,462	)
Payments of capital lease obligations		(49,004	)		(47,604	)		(36,320	)
Other, net		(1,052	)		(7,362	)		(7,935	)

Net cash used in financing activities		(1,632,154	)		(914,329	)		(1,116,528	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		(1,724	)		852			(4,272	)

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(75,446	)		103,536			14,425
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		293,270			189,734			175,309

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	217,824		$	293,270		$	189,734

Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid, net of interest cost capitalized	$	163,965		$	135,331		$	136,731

Income taxes paid	$	427,161		$	579,925		$	582,384

Assets acquired through capital lease	$	98,782		$	84,011		$	94,052

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit


(in thousands)	Common Shares Issued			Common Stock			Additional Paid-in Capital			Retained Deficit			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Treasury Stock			Total
Balance at August 29, 2015		32,098		$	321		$	938,355		$	(1,418,738	)	$	(249,518	)	$	(971,810	)	$	(1,701,390	)
Net income											1,241,007									1,241,007
Total other comprehensive loss														(58,011	)					(58,011	)
Purchase of 1,903 shares of treasury stock																	(1,452,462	)		(1,452,462	)
Retirement of treasury shares		(2,132	)		(21	)		(67,023	)		(1,424,455	)					1,491,499			—
Issuance of common stock under stock options and stock purchase plans		363			3			80,286												80,289
Share-based compensation expense								39,298												39,298
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options								63,731												63,731

Balance at August 27, 2016		30,329			303			1,054,647			(1,602,186	)		(307,529	)		(932,773	)		(1,787,538	)
Net income											1,280,869									1,280,869
Total other comprehensive income														52,972						52,972
Purchase of 1,495 shares of treasury stock																	(1,071,649	)		(1,071,649	)
Retirement of treasury shares		(1,804	)		(18	)		(64,943	)		(1,321,070	)					1,386,031			—
Issuance of common stock under stock options and stock purchase plans		210			2			54,684												54,686
Share-based compensation expense								42,283												42,283

Balance at August 26, 2017		28,735			287			1,086,671			(1,642,387	)		(254,557	)		(618,391	)		(1,428,377	)
Net income											1,337,536									1,337,536
Total other comprehensive income														18,752						18,752
Purchase of 2,398 shares of treasury stock																	(1,592,013	)		(1,592,013	)
Retirement of treasury shares		(1,512	)		(15	)		(60,500	)		(918,462	)					978,977			—
Issuance of common stock under stock options and stock purchase plans		307			3			89,712												89,715
Adoption of ASU 2018-02											14,489									14,489
Share-based compensation expense								39,543												39,543

Balance at August 25, 2018		27,530		$	275		$	1,155,426		$	(1,208,824	)	$	(235,805	)	$	(1,231,427	)	$	(1,520,355	)

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note A – Significant Accounting Policies

Business: AutoZone, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (“AutoZone” or the “Company”) are principally a retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories. At the end of fiscal 2018, the Company operated 5,618 stores in the United States, including Puerto Rico; 564 stores in Mexico; and 20 stores in Brazil. 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. At the end of fiscal 2018, 4,741 of the domestic stores had 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. The company also had commercial programs in stores in Mexico and Brazil. The Company also sells the ALLDATA brand automotive diagnostic and repair software through www.alldata.com and www.alldatadiy.com. Additionally, the Company sells automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products through www.autozone.com, and its commercial customers can make purchases through www.autozonepro.com. The Company does not derive revenue from automotive repair or installation services.

Fiscal Year: The Company’s fiscal year consists of 52 or 53 weeks ending on the last Saturday in August. Fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016 represented 52 weeks.

Basis of Presentation: The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of AutoZone, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates: Management of the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent liabilities to prepare these financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash equivalents consist of investments with original maturities of 90 days or less at the date of purchase. Cash equivalents include proceeds due from credit and debit card transactions with settlement terms of less than five days. Credit and debit card receivables included within cash and cash equivalents were $51.0 million at August 25, 2018 and $48.3 million at August 26, 2017.

Cash balances are held in various locations around the world. Cash and cash equivalents of $98.8 million and $148.4 million were held outside of the U.S. as of August 25, 2018, and August 26, 2017, respectively, and were generally utilized to support liquidity needs in foreign operations.

Accounts Receivable: Accounts receivable consists of receivables from commercial customers and vendors, and is presented net of an allowance for uncollectible accounts. AutoZone routinely grants credit to certain of its commercial customers. The risk of credit loss in its trade receivables is substantially mitigated by the Company’s credit evaluation process, short collection terms and sales to a large number of customers, as well as the low dollar value per transaction for most of its sales. Allowances for potential credit losses are determined based on historical experience and current evaluation of the composition of accounts receivable. Historically, credit losses have been within management’s expectations and the balance of the allowance for uncollectible accounts was $6.1 million at August 25, 2018, and $5.9 million at August 26, 2017.

Merchandise Inventories: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Merchandise inventories include related purchasing, storage and handling costs. Inventory cost has been determined using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method for domestic inventories and the weighted average cost method for Mexico and Brazil inventories. Due to price deflation on the Company’s merchandise purchases, the Company has exhausted its LIFO reserve balance. The Company’s policy is to not write up inventory in excess of replacement cost.

The difference between LIFO cost and replacement cost, which will be reduced upon experiencing price inflation on the Company’s merchandise purchases, was $452.4 million at August 25, 2018, and $414.9 million at August 26, 2017.

Marketable Securities: The Company invests a portion of its assets held by the Company’s wholly owned insurance captive in marketable debt securities and classifies them as available-for-sale. The Company includes these securities within the Other current assets and Other long-term assets captions in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets and records the amounts at fair market value, which is determined using quoted market prices at the end of the reporting period. A discussion of marketable securities is included in “Note E – Fair Value Measurements” and “Note F – Marketable Securities.”

Property and Equipment: Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed principally using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives: buildings, 40 to 50 years; building improvements, 5 to 15 years; equipment, including software, 3 to 10 years; and leasehold improvements, over the shorter of the asset’s estimated useful life or the remaining lease term, which includes any reasonably assured renewal periods. Depreciation and amortization include amortization of assets under capital lease.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets: The Company evaluates the recoverability of its long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. When such an event occurs, the Company compares the sum of the undiscounted expected future cash flows of the asset (asset group) with the carrying amounts of the asset. If the undiscounted expected future cash flows are less than the carrying value of the assets, the Company measures the amount of impairment loss as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets.

Goodwill: The cost in excess of fair value of identifiable net assets of businesses acquired is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill has not been amortized since fiscal 2001, but an analysis is performed at least annually to compare the fair value of the reporting unit to the carrying amount to determine if any impairment exists. The Company performs its annual impairment assessment in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, unless circumstances dictate more frequent assessments. Refer to “Note N – Goodwill and Intangibles” for additional disclosures regarding the Company’s goodwill and impairment assessment.

Intangible Assets: Intangible assets consist of customer relationships purchased relating to ALLDATA operations. Amortizing intangible assets are amortized over periods ranging from 3 to 10 years. Refer to “Note N – Goodwill and Intangibles” and “Note M – Sale of Assets” for additional disclosures regarding the Company’s intangible assets and impairment assessment.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities: AutoZone is exposed to market risk from, among other things, changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and fuel prices. From time to time, the Company uses various derivative instruments to reduce such risks. To date, based upon the Company’s current level of foreign operations, no derivative instruments have been utilized to reduce foreign exchange rate risk. All of the Company’s hedging activities are governed by guidelines that are authorized by AutoZone’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). Further, the Company does not buy or sell derivative instruments for trading purposes.

AutoZone’s financial market risk results primarily from changes in interest rates. At times, AutoZone reduces its exposure to changes in interest rates by entering into various interest rate hedge instruments such as interest rate swap contracts, treasury lock agreements and forward-starting interest rate swaps. All of the Company’s interest rate hedge instruments are designated as cash flow hedges. Refer to “Note H – Derivative Financial Instruments” for additional disclosures regarding the Company’s derivative instruments and hedging activities. Cash flows related to these instruments designated as qualifying hedges are reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in the same categories as the cash flows from the items being hedged. Accordingly, cash flows relating to the settlement of interest rate derivatives hedging the forecasted issuance of debt have been reflected upon settlement as a component of financing cash flows. The resulting gain or loss from such settlement is deferred to Accumulated other comprehensive loss and reclassified to interest expense over the term of the underlying debt. This reclassification of the deferred gains and losses impacts the interest expense recognized on the underlying debt that was hedged and is therefore reflected as a component of operating cash flows in periods subsequent to settlement.

Foreign Currency: The Company accounts for its Mexican, Brazilian, Canadian, European, Chinese and British operations using the local market currency and converts its financial statements from these currencies to U.S. dollars. The cumulative loss on currency translation is recorded as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive loss (see “Note G – Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss”).

Self-Insurance Reserves: The Company retains a significant portion of the risks associated with workers’ compensation, employee health, general, products liability, property and vehicle insurance. Through various methods, which include analyses of historical trends and utilization of actuaries, the Company estimates the costs of these risks. The costs are accrued based upon the aggregate of the liability for reported claims and an estimated liability for claims incurred but not reported. Estimates are based on calculations that consider historical lag and claim development factors. The long-term portions of these liabilities are recorded at the Company’s estimate of their net present value.

Deferred Rent: The Company recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis over the course of the lease term, which includes any reasonably assured renewal periods, beginning on the date the Company takes physical possession of the property (see “Note O – Leases”). Differences between this calculated expense and cash payments are recorded as a liability within the Accrued expenses and other and Other long-term liabilities captions in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, based on the terms of the lease. Deferred rent approximated $139.6 million as of August 25, 2018, and $130.2 million as of August 26, 2017.

Financial Instruments: The Company has financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other current assets and accounts payable. The carrying amounts of these financial instruments approximate fair value because of their short maturities. A discussion of the carrying values and fair values of the Company’s debt is included in “Note I – Financing,” marketable securities is included in “Note F – Marketable Securities,” and derivatives is included in “Note H – Derivative Financial Instruments.”

Income Taxes: The Company accounts for income taxes under the liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Our effective tax rate is based on income by tax jurisdiction, statutory rates, and tax saving initiatives available to the Company in the various jurisdictions in which we operate.

The Company recognizes liabilities for uncertain income tax positions based on a two-step process. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step requires the Company to estimate and measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. It is inherently difficult and subjective to estimate such amounts, as the Company must determine the probability of various possible outcomes. The Company reevaluates these uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis or when new information becomes available to management. These reevaluations are based on factors including, but not limited to, changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, successfully settled issues under audit, expirations due to statutes and new audit activity. Such a change in recognition or measurement could result in the recognition of a tax benefit or an increase to the tax accrual.

The Company classifies interest related to income tax liabilities, and if applicable, penalties, as a component of Income tax expense. The income tax liabilities and accrued interest and penalties that are expected to be payable within one year of the balance sheet date are presented within the Accrued expenses and other caption in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The remaining portion of the income tax liabilities and accrued interest and penalties are presented within the Other long-term liabilities caption in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets because payment of cash is not anticipated within one year of the balance sheet date. Refer to “Note D – Income Taxes” for additional disclosures regarding the Company’s income taxes.

Sales and Use Taxes: Governmental authorities assess sales and use taxes on the sale of goods and services. The Company excludes taxes collected from customers in its reported sales results; such amounts are included within the Accrued expenses and other caption until remitted to the taxing authorities.

Dividends: The Company currently does not pay a dividend on its common stock. The ability to pay dividends is subject to limitations imposed by Nevada law. Under Nevada law, any future payment of dividends would be dependent upon the Company’s financial condition, capital requirements, earnings and cash flow.

Revenue Recognition: The Company recognizes sales at the time the sale is made and the product is delivered to the customer. Revenue from sales are presented net of allowances for estimated sales returns, which are based on historical return rates.

A portion of the Company’s transactions include the sale of auto parts that contain a core component. The core component represents the recyclable portion of the auto part. Customers are not charged for the core component of the new part if a used core is returned at the point of sale of the new part; otherwise the Company charges customers a specified amount for the core component. The Company refunds that same amount upon the customer returning a used core to the store at a later date. The Company does not recognize sales or cost of sales for the core component of these transactions when a used part is returned or expected to be returned from the customer.

Vendor Allowances and Advertising Costs: The Company receives various payments and allowances from its vendors through a variety of programs and arrangements. Monies received from vendors include rebates, allowances and promotional funds. The amounts to be received are subject to the terms of the vendor agreements, which generally do not state an expiration date, but are subject to ongoing negotiations that may be impacted in the future based on changes in market conditions, vendor marketing strategies and changes in the profitability or sell-through of the related merchandise.

Rebates and other miscellaneous incentives are earned based on purchases or product sales and are accrued ratably over the purchase or sale of the related product. These monies are generally recorded as a reduction of merchandise inventories and are recognized as a reduction to cost of sales as the related inventories are sold.

For arrangements that provide for reimbursement of specific, incremental, identifiable costs incurred by the Company in selling the vendors’ products, the vendor funds are recorded as a reduction to Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses in the period in which the specific costs were incurred.

The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising expense, net of vendor promotional funds, was $95.2 million in fiscal 2018, $93.1 million in fiscal 2017, and $98.3 million in fiscal 2016. Vendor promotional funds, which reduced advertising expense, amounted to $25.3 million in fiscal 2018, $28.3 million in fiscal 2017, and $21.4 million in fiscal 2016.

Cost of Sales and Operating, Selling, General and Administrative Expenses: The following illustrates the primary costs classified in each major expense category:

Cost of Sales

•

Total cost of merchandise sold, including:

•

Freight expenses associated with moving merchandise inventories from the Company’s vendors to the distribution centers;

•

Vendor allowances that are not reimbursements for specific, incremental and identifiable costs

•

Costs associated with operating the Company’s supply chain, including payroll and benefit costs, warehouse occupancy costs, transportation costs and depreciation; and

•

Inventory shrinkage

Operating, Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

•

Payroll and benefit costs for store, field leadership and store support employees;

•

Occupancy costs of store and store support facilities;

•

Depreciation and amortization related to store and store support assets;

•

Transportation costs associated with field leadership, commercial sales force and hub deliveries;

•

Advertising;

•

Self insurance costs; and

•

Other administrative costs, such as credit card transaction fees, legal costs, supplies, and travel and lodging

Warranty Costs: The Company or the vendors supplying its products provides the Company’s customers limited warranties on certain products that range from 30 days to lifetime. In most cases, the Company’s vendors are primarily responsible for warranty claims. Warranty costs relating to merchandise sold under warranty not covered by vendors are estimated and recorded as warranty obligations at the time of sale based on each product’s historical return rate. These obligations, which are often funded by vendor allowances, are recorded within the Accrued expenses and other caption in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For vendor allowances that are in excess of the related estimated warranty expense for the vendor’s products, the excess is recorded in inventory and recognized as a reduction to cost of sales as the related inventory is sold.

Shipping and Handling Costs: The Company does not generally charge customers separately for shipping and handling. Substantially all the costs the Company incurs to ship products to our stores are included in cost of sales.

Pre-opening Expenses: Pre-opening expenses, which consist primarily of payroll and occupancy costs, are expensed as incurred.

Earnings per Share: Basic earnings per share is based on the weighted average outstanding common shares. Diluted earnings per share is based on the weighted average outstanding common shares adjusted for the effect of common stock equivalents, which are primarily stock options. There were 847,279 stock options excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation because they would have been anti-dilutive as of August 25, 2018. There were 620,025 stock options excluded for the year ended August 26, 2017, and 329,900 stock options excluded for the year ended August 27, 2016, because they would have been anti-dilutive.

Share-Based Payments: Share-based payments include stock option grants and certain other transactions under the Company’s stock plans. The Company recognizes compensation expense for its share-based payments over the requisite service period based on the fair value of the awards. See “Note B – Share-Based Payments” for further discussion.

Risk and Uncertainties: In fiscal 2018, one class of similar products accounted for approximately 12 percent of the Company’s total revenues, and one vendor supplied approximately 12 percent of the Company’s total purchases. No other class of similar products accounted for 10 percent or more of total revenues, and no other individual vendor provided more than 10 percent of total purchases.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements:

In March 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-05, Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118. ASU 2018-05 provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Reform”) pursuant to the Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, which allows companies to complete the accounting under Accounting Standard Codificiation (“ASC”) 740 within a one-year measurement period from Tax Reform enactment date, which occurred for the purposes of the Company’s financial statements during the quarter ended February 10, 2018, when the necessary information is not available, prepared, or analyzed in sufficient detail to complete the accounting. The Company has applied this amendment. Refer to “Note D – Income Taxes” in the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income: Reclassification of Certain Tax effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which allows for the reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) to retained earnings for the tax effects on deferred tax items included within AOCI (referred to in the ASU as “stranded tax effects”) resulting from the reduction of the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate to 21% from 35% that was effected by the 2017 U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “2017 Tax Act”). ASU 2018-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company early adopted ASU 2018-02 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, resulting in a $14.5 million reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained deficit on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and a decrease in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements:

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This ASU, along with subsequent ASU’s issued to clarify certain provisions of ASU 2014-09, is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that expands disclosure requirements and requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. It also requires more detailed disclosures to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. Companies that transition to this new standard may either retrospectively restate each prior reporting period or reflect the cumulative effect of initially applying the updates with an adjustment to retained earnings at the date of adoption. The Company will adopt this standard using the modified retrospective method beginning with our first quarter ending November 17, 2018. Results for annual reporting periods beginning after August 25, 2018, will be presented under ASU 2014-09, while prior period amounts will not be adjusted and will continue to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for the prior periods. The Company’s primary source of revenue is derived from the sale of automotive aftermarket parts to our customers, and generally, these performance obligations are satisfied the same day contracts with customers are initiated. As such, the adoption of the new standard will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, business process, controls or systems.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2016-02 requires an entity to recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability for all leases with terms greater than 12 months. Recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses will depend on classification as a finance or operating lease. The amendments also require certain quantitative and qualitative disclosures about leasing arrangements. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this standard using the required modified retrospective approach at the beginning of fiscal 2020. The Company established a cross-functional implementation team to evaluate and identify the impact of ASU 2016-02 on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Based on the preliminary work completed, the Company has concluded its assessment on its leasing arrangements, evaluated the impact of applying the practical expedients and accounting policy elections and is currently working on implementing software to meet the reporting requirements of this standard. The Company is also in the process of identifying changes to its business processes and controls to support adoption of the new standard. The team is continuing to understand the full analysis of the adoption, but is unable to quantify the impact at this time. The Company anticipates the adoption of this new standard to result in a significant increase in lease-related assets and liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The impact on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income is currently being evaluated. As the impact of this standard is non-cash in nature, the Company does not anticipate its adoption to have an impact on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other than Inventory. ASU 2016-16 requires that an entity recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of assets other than inventory when the transfer occurs. The guidance must be applied using the modified retrospective basis. The Company does not expect the provisions of ASU 2016-16 to have a material impact on its financial statements. This update will be effective for the Company at the beginning of its fiscal 2019 year.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business. ASU 2017-01 provides guidance to assist entities in evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The updated guidance requires a prospective adoption. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the provisions of ASU 2017-01 to have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements. This update will be effective for the Company at the beginning of its fiscal 2019 year.

Note B – Share-Based Payments

Total share-based compensation expense (a component of Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses) was $43.7 million for fiscal 2018, $38.2 million for fiscal 2017, and $39.8 million for fiscal 2016. As of August 25, 2018, share-based compensation expense for unvested awards not yet recognized in earnings is $33.1 million and will be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.82 years. As a result of the adoption of the new accounting guidance for share-based payments in 2017, cash flows related to tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost are classified as operating cash flows for each period presented. Retrospective application of the cash flow presentation resulted in increases to both net cash provided by operations and net cash required for financing activities of $63.7 million for fiscal 2016.

On December 15, 2010, the Company’s stockholders approved the 2011 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “2011 Plan”), allowing the Company to provide equity-based compensation to non-employee directors and employees for their service to AutoZone or its subsidiaries or affiliates. Prior to the Company’s adoption of the 2011 Plan, equity-based compensation was provided to employees under the 2006 Stock Option Plan and to non-employee directors under the 2003 Director Compensation Plan (the “2003 Comp Plan”) and the 2003 Director Stock Option Plan (the “2003 Option Plan”).

During fiscal 2016, the Company’s stockholders approved the Amended and Restated AutoZone, Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “Amended 2011 Equity Plan”). The Amended 2011 Equity Plan imposes a maximum limit on the compensation, measured as the sum of any cash compensation and the aggregate grant date fair value of awards granted under the Amended 2011 Equity Plan, which may be paid to non-employee directors for such service during any calendar year. The Amended 2011 Equity Plan also applies a ten-year term on the Amended 2011 Equity Plan through December 16, 2025 and extends the Company’s ability to grant incentive stock options through October 7, 2025.

The Company grants options to purchase common stock to certain of its employees under its plan at prices equal to the market value of the stock on the date of grant. Options have a term of 10 years or 10 years and one day from grant date. Employee options generally vest in equal annual installments on the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of the grant date and generally have 30 or 90 days after the service relationship ends, or one year after death, to exercise all vested options. The fair value of each option grant is separately estimated for each vesting date. The fair value of each option is amortized into compensation expense on a straight-line basis between the grant date for the award and each vesting date.

In addition to the 2011 Plan, on December 15, 2010, the Company adopted the 2011 Director Compensation Program (the “2011 Program”), which stated that non-employee directors would receive their compensation in awards of restricted stock units under the 2011 Plan. Under the 2011 Program, restricted stock units are granted the first day of each calendar quarter. The number of restricted stock units granted each quarter is determined by dividing one-fourth of the amount of the annual retainer by the fair market value of the shares of common stock as of the grant date. The restricted stock units are fully vested on the date they are issued and are paid in shares of the Company’s common stock subsequent to the non-employee director ceasing to be a member of the Board.

The 2011 Program replaced the 2003 Comp Plan and the 2003 Option Plan. Under the 2003 Comp Plan, non-employee directors could receive no more than one-half of their director fees immediately in cash, and the remainder of the fees was required to be taken in common stock or stock appreciation rights. The director had the option to elect to receive up to 100% of the fees in stock or defer all or part of the fees in units with value equivalent to the value of shares of common stock as of the grant date. At August 25, 2018, the Company had $13.6 million accrued related to 17,710 outstanding units issued under the 2003 Comp Plan and prior plans, and there was $9.5 million accrued related to 17,990 outstanding units issued as of August 26, 2017. No additional shares of stock or units will be issued in future years under the 2003 Comp Plan.

Under the 2003 Option Plan, each non-employee director received an option grant on January 1 of each year, and each new non-employee director received an option to purchase 3,000 shares upon election to the Board, plus a portion of the annual directors’ option grant prorated for the portion of the year actually served. These stock option grants were made at the fair market value as of the grant date and generally vested three years from the grant date. There were 13,000 and 19,000 outstanding options under the 2003 Option Plan as of August 25, 2018 and August 26, 2017, respectively. No additional shares of stock will be issued in future years under the 2003 Option Plan.

During fiscal 2014, the Company adopted the 2014 Director Compensation Program (the “Program”), which states that non-employee directors will receive their compensation in awards of restricted stock units under the 2011 Equity Incentive Award Plan, with an option for a certain portion of a director’s compensation to be paid in cash at the non-employee director’s election. The Program replaced the 2011 Director Compensation Program. Under the Program, restricted stock units are granted January 1 of each year (the “Grant Date”). The number of restricted stock units is determined by dividing the amount of the annual retainer by the fair market value of the shares of common stock as of the Grant Date. The restricted stock units are fully vested on January 1 of each year and are paid in shares of the Company’s common stock on the fifth anniversary of the Grant Date or the date the non-employee director ceases to be a member of the Board (“Separation from Service”), whichever occurs first. Non-employee directors may elect to defer receipt of the restricted stock units until their Separation from Service. The cash portion of the award, if elected, is paid ratably over the remaining calendar quarters.

The Company has estimated the fair value of all stock option awards as of the date of the grant by applying the Black-Scholes-Merton multiple-option pricing valuation model. The application of this valuation model involves assumptions that are judgmental and highly sensitive in the determination of compensation expense. The following table presents the weighted average for key assumptions used in determining the fair value of options granted and the related share-based compensation expense:


	Year Ended
	August 25, 2018			August 26, 2017			August 27, 2016
Expected price volatility		20	%		18	%		18	%
Risk-free interest rates		1.9	%		1.2	%		1.5	%
Weighted average expected lives (in years)		5.1			5.1			5.1
Forfeiture rate		10	%		10	%		10	%
Dividend yield		0	%		0	%		0	%

The following methodologies were applied in developing the assumptions used in determining the fair value of options granted:

Expected price volatility – This is a measure of the amount by which a price has fluctuated or is expected to fluctuate. The Company uses actual historical changes in the market value of its stock to calculate the volatility assumption as it is management’s belief that this is the best indicator of future volatility. The Company calculates daily market value changes from the date of grant over a past period representative of the expected life of the options to determine volatility. An increase in the expected volatility will increase compensation expense.

Risk-free interest rate – This is the U.S. Treasury rate for the week of the grant having a term equal to the expected life of the option. An increase in the risk-free interest rate will increase compensation expense.

Expected lives – This is the period of time over which the options granted are expected to remain outstanding and is based on historical experience. Separate groups of employees that have similar historical exercise behavior are considered separately for valuation purposes. Options granted have a maximum term of ten years or ten years and one day. An increase in the expected life will increase compensation expense.

Forfeiture rate – This is the estimated percentage of options granted that are expected to be forfeited or canceled before becoming fully vested. This estimate is based on historical experience at the time of valuation and reduces expense ratably over the vesting period. An increase in the forfeiture rate will decrease compensation expense. This estimate is evaluated periodically based on the extent to which actual forfeitures differ, or are expected to differ, from the previous estimate.

Dividend yield – The Company has not made any dividend payments nor does it have plans to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. An increase in the dividend yield will decrease compensation expense.

The weighted average grant date fair value per share of options granted was $129.12 during fiscal 2018, $139.80 during fiscal 2017, and $156.20 during fiscal 2016. The intrinsic value of options exercised was $123.1 million in fiscal 2018, $93.9 million in fiscal 2017, and $178.0 million in fiscal 2016. The total fair value of options vested was $35.7 million in fiscal 2018, $34.7 million in fiscal 2017, and $32.2 million in fiscal 2016.

The Company generally issues new shares when options are exercised. The following table summarizes information about stock option activity for the year ended August 25, 2018:


	Number of Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
Outstanding – August 26, 2017		1,798,055		$	493.18
Granted		284,335			587.57
Exercised		(297,616	)		298.02
Cancelled		(77,908	)		672.61

Outstanding – August 25, 2018		1,706,866			534.74		6.06	$	402,631

Exercisable		1,014,819			446.07		4.73		329,352

Expected to vest		622,842			664.77		8.02		38,387

Available for future grants		686,577

The Company recognized $2.1 million in expense related to the discount on the selling of shares to employees and executives under various share purchase plans in fiscal 2018, $1.8 million in fiscal 2017 and $2.0 million in fiscal 2016. The Sixth Amended and Restated AutoZone, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Employee Plan”), which is qualified under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code, permits all eligible employees to purchase AutoZone’s common stock at 85% of the lower of the market price of the common stock on the first day or last

day of each calendar quarter through payroll deductions. Maximum permitted annual purchases are $15,000 per employee or 10 percent of compensation, whichever is less. Under the Employee Plan, 14,523 shares were sold to employees in fiscal 2018, 14,205 shares were sold to employees in fiscal 2017, and 12,662 shares were sold to employees in fiscal 2016. The Company repurchased 11,816 shares at market value in fiscal 2018, 12,455 shares in fiscal 2017 and 12,460 shares in fiscal 2016 from employees electing to sell their stock. Issuances of shares under the Employee Plan are netted against repurchases and such repurchases are not included in share repurchases disclosed in “Note K – Stock Repurchase Program.” At August 25, 2018, 163,777 shares of common stock were reserved for future issuance under the Employee Plan.

Once executives have reached the maximum purchases under the Employee Plan, the Fifth Amended and Restated Executive Stock Purchase Plan (the “Executive Plan”) permits all eligible executives to purchase AutoZone’s common stock up to 25 percent of his or her annual salary and bonus. Purchases under the Executive Plan were 1,840 shares in fiscal 2018, 1,865 shares in fiscal 2017 and 1,943 shares in fiscal 2016. At August 25, 2018, 238,048 shares of common stock were reserved for future issuance under the Executive Plan.

Note C – Accrued Expenses and Other

Accrued expenses and other consisted of the following:


(in thousands)	August 25, 2018		August 26, 2017
Accrued compensation, related payroll taxes and benefits	$	195,004	$	181,591
Property, sales, and other taxes		106,050		98,829
Medical and casualty insurance claims (current portion)		88,761		84,756
Capital lease obligations		52,290		48,134
Accrued interest		36,902		41,047
Accrued gift cards		27,401		24,192
Accrued sales and warranty returns		20,025		19,520
Other		80,461		65,281

	$	606,894	$	563,350

The Company retains a significant portion of the insurance risks associated with workers’ compensation, employee health, general, products liability, property and vehicle insurance. A portion of these self-insured losses is managed through a wholly owned insurance captive. The Company maintains certain levels for stop-loss coverage for each self-insured plan in order to limit its liability for large claims. The retained limits are per claim and are $2.0 million for workers’ compensation, $3.0 million for vehicles, $21.5 million for property, $0.7 million for employee health, and $1.0 million for general and products liability.

Note D – Income Taxes

The components of income from continuing operations before income taxes are as follows:


	Year Ended
(in thousands)	August 25, 2018		August 26, 2017		August 27, 2016
Domestic	$	1,412,963	$	1,737,401	$	1,737,727
International		223,366		188,088		174,987

	$	1,636,329	$	1,925,489	$	1,912,714

The provision for income tax expense consisted of the following:


	Year Ended
(in thousands)	August 25, 2018			August 26, 2017			August 27, 2016
Current:
Federal	$	328,963		$	487,492		$	534,621
State		36,389			31,733			39,223
International		57,702			50,493			52,844

		423,054			569,718			626,688
Deferred:
Federal		(131,926	)		72,208			48,509
State		8,167			7,769			9,453
International		(502	)		(5,075	)		(12,943	)

		(124,261	)		74,902			45,019

Income tax expense	$	298,793		$	644,620		$	671,707

A reconciliation of the provision for income taxes to the amount computed by applying the federal statutory tax rate to income before income taxes is as follows:


	Year Ended
(in thousands)	August 25, 2018			August 26, 2017			August 27, 2016
Federal tax at statutory U.S. income tax rate		25.9	%		35.0	%		35.0	%
State income taxes, net		1.9	%		1.3	%		1.6	%
Transition tax		1.6	%		—			—
Share-based compensation		(1.6	%)		(1.4	%)		—
Impact of tax reform		(9.6	%)		—			—
Other		0.1	%		(1.4	%)		(1.5	%)

Effective tax rate		18.3	%		33.5	%		35.1	%

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Reform”) was enacted into law. Tax Reform significantly revises the U.S. federal corporate income tax by, among other things, lowering the statutory federal corporate rate from 35% to 21%, eliminating certain deductions, imposing a mandatory one-time transition tax on accumulated earnings of foreign subsidiaries, and changing how foreign earnings are subject to U.S. federal tax.

As a result of the decrease in the federal tax rate from 35% to 21%, effective January 1, 2018, the Company has computed its income tax expense for the year ended August 25, 2018 using a blended federal tax rate of 25.9%, which provided a benefit of $119.2 million on fiscal 2018 earnings before taxes. The Company’s federal statutory tax rate will be 21% for the year ending August 31, 2019 and each subsequent year.

For the year ended August 25, 2018 and August 26, 2017, the Company recognized excess tax benefits from stock option exercises of $31.3 million and $31.2 million, respectively.

The SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) to address the application of GAAP in situations where a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of Tax Reform. To the extent that a company’s accounting for certain income tax effects of Tax Reform is incomplete but it is able to determine a reasonable estimate, it must record a provisional estimate in the financial statements. If a company cannot determine a provisional estimate to be included in the financial statements, it should continue to apply ASC 740 on the basis of the provisions of the tax laws that were in effect immediately before the enactment of Tax Reform. The ultimate impact may differ from provisional amounts recorded, possibly materially, due to, among other things, additional analysis, changes in interpretations and assumptions the Company has made, and additional regulatory guidance that may be issued. The accounting must be completed within one year from the enactment date of Tax Reform.

As a result of the statutory rate changes of Tax Reform, the Company must remeasure its deferred tax assets and liabilities using the federal tax rate that will apply when the related temporary differences are expected to reverse. During the year ended August 25, 2018, the Company recorded a provisional tax benefit of $157.3 million related to the remeasurement of deferred taxes as a result of Tax Reform. The Company is continuing to analyze certain aspects of Tax Reform and is refining its calculations which could potentially affect the measurement of these balances or potentially give rise to new deferred tax amounts.

As part of the transition to the new territorial tax system, Tax Reform imposes a one-time transition tax on deemed repatriation of historical earnings of foreign subsidiaries. For the year ended August 25, 2018, the Company recorded a provisional tax expense of $25.8 million related to the transition tax. Our analysis of the transition tax is not completed as of the year ended August 25, 2018, as the Company continues to finalize the calculation of foreign earnings and profits and the amounts held in cash or other specified assets. The provisional amount may also change as new guidance and clarifications are issued by the US federal and state jurisdictions. The Company will complete the accounting for these items during the measurement period. The Company intends to file an election to pay the transition tax liability over the following eight years as prescribed under the enacted law.

The other provisions of Tax Reform are either immaterial or not applicable for the year ended August 25, 2018. The provisions applicable for the year ended August 25, 2018, including the deductibility of certain expenditures, are provisional amounts that may also change as new guidance and clarifications are issued.

Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:


(in thousands)	August 25, 2018			August 26, 2017
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss and credit carryforwards	$	47,190		$	48,062
Accrued benefits		62,867			96,664
Other		46,375			56,052

Total deferred tax assets		156,432			200,778
Less: Valuation allowances		(19,619	)		(13,501	)

Net deferred tax assets		136,813			187,277
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment		(101,049	)		(117,580	)
Inventory		(242,138	)		(333,422	)
Prepaid expenses		(42,019	)		(60,920	)
Other		(2,191	)		(11,158	)

Total deferred tax liabilities		(387,397	)		(523,080	)

Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(250,584	)	$	(335,803	)

The Company has historically asserted its intention to indefinitely reinvest foreign current and accumulated earnings and other basis differences in certain foreign subsidiaries. During the year ended August 25, 2018, the Company has reevaluated its assertion as a result of the enactment of Tax Reform and, with few exceptions, no longer considers the current and accumulated earnings to be indefinitely reinvested in our foreign subsidiaries. Where necessary, withholding tax provisions resulting from foreign distributions of current and accumulated earnings have been considered in the Company’s provision for income taxes.

The Company maintains its assertion related to other basis differences in foreign subsidiaries. It is impracticable for the Company to determine the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability on these indefinitely reinvested basis differences.

At August 25, 2018 and August 26, 2017, the Company had deferred tax assets of $30.9 million and $30.8 million, respectively, from net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards available to reduce future taxable income totaling approximately $219.1 million and $198.2 million, respectively. Certain NOLs have no expiration date and others will expire, if not utilized, in various years from fiscal 2019 through 2038. At August 25, 2018 and August 26, 2017, the Company had deferred tax assets for income tax credit carryforwards of $16.3 million and $17.2 million, respectively. Income tax credit carryforwards will expire, if not utilized, in various years from fiscal 2023 through 2028.

At August 25, 2018 and August 26, 2017, the Company had a valuation allowance of $19.6 million and $13.5 million, respectively, on deferred tax assets associated with NOL and tax credit carryforwards for which management has determined it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Management believes it is more likely than not that the remaining deferred tax assets will be fully realized.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:


(in thousands)	August 25, 2018			August 26, 2017
Beginning balance	$	22,201		$	27,726
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		8,184			7,089
Additions for tax positions of prior years		1,404			278
Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(482	)		(6,954	)
Reductions due to settlements		(1,930	)		(1,964	)
Reductions due to statute of limitations		(3,300	)		(3,974	)

Ending balance	$	26,077		$	22,201

Included in the August 25, 2018 and the August 26, 2017 balances are $13.5 million and $9.9 million, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would reduce the Company’s effective tax rate.

The Company accrues interest on unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. Penalties, if incurred, would be recognized as a component of income tax expense. The Company had $0.7 million and $1.2 million accrued for the payment of interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits at August 25, 2018 and August 26, 2017, respectively.

The Company files U.S. federal, U.S. state and local, and international income tax returns. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, U.S. state and local, or Non-U.S. examinations by tax authorities for fiscal year 2013 and prior. The Company is typically engaged in various tax examinations at any given time by U.S. federal, U.S. state and local, and Non-U.S. taxing jurisdictions. As of August 25, 2018, the Company estimates that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits could be reduced by approximately $1.1 million over the next twelve months as a result of tax audit settlements. While the Company believes that it is adequately accrued for possible audit adjustments, the final resolution of these examinations cannot be determined at this time and could result in final settlements that differ from current estimates.

Note E – Fair Value Measurements

The Company 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. In accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, the Company uses the fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy, as defined below, gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are set forth below:

Level 1 inputs — unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company can access at the measurement date.

Level 2 inputs — inputs other than quoted market prices included within Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for the asset or liability.

Level 3 inputs — unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which are based on the Company’s own assumptions as there is little, if any, observable activity in identical assets or liabilities.

Financial Assets & Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:


	August 25, 2018
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value
Other current assets	$	55,711	$	3,733	$	—	$	59,444
Other long-term assets		58,973		16,259		—		75,232

	$	114,684	$	19,992	$	—	$	134,676


	August 26, 2017
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value
Other current assets	$	18,453	$	120	$	—	$	18,573
Other long-term assets		53,319		28,981		—		82,300

	$	71,772	$	29,101	$	—	$	100,873

At August 25, 2018, the fair value measurement amounts for assets and liabilities recorded in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet consisted of short-term marketable securities of $59.4 million, which are included within Other current assets and long-term marketable securities of $75.2 million, which are included in Other long-term assets. The Company’s marketable securities are typically valued at the closing price in the principal active market as of the last business day of the quarter or through the use of other market inputs relating to the securities, including benchmark yields and reported trades.

A discussion on how the Company’s cash flow hedges are valued is included in “Note H – Derivative Financial Instruments,” while the fair value of the Company’s pension plan assets are disclosed in “Note L – Pension and Savings Plans.”

Non-Financial Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis

Certain non-financial assets and liabilities are required to be measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis in certain circumstances, including the event of impairment. These non-financial assets and liabilities could include assets and liabilities acquired in an acquisition as well as goodwill, intangible assets and property, plant and equipment that are determined to be impaired. At August 25, 2018, the Company did not have any other significant non-financial assets or liabilities that had been measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis subsequent to initial recognition.

Financial Instruments not Recognized at Fair Value

The Company has financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other current assets and accounts payable. The carrying amounts of these financial instruments approximate fair value because of their short maturities. A discussion of the carrying values and fair values of the Company’s debt is included in “Note I – Financing.”

Note F – Marketable Securities

The Company’s basis for determining the cost of a security sold is the “Specific Identification Model.” Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss. The Company’s available-for-sale marketable securities consisted of the following:


	August 25, 2018
(in thousands)	Amortized Cost Basis		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
Corporate securities	$	50,306	$	—	$	(684	)	$	49,622
Government bonds		28,777		—		(173	)		28,604
Mortgage-backed securities		3,248		—		(90	)		3,158
Asset-backed securities and other		53,445		—		(153	)		53,292

	$	135,776	$	—	$	(1,100	)	$	134,676


	August 26, 2017
(in thousands)	Amortized Cost Basis		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
Corporate securities	$	39,917	$	73	$	(13	)	$	39,977
Government bonds		31,076		49		(74	)		31,051
Mortgage-backed securities		4,850		2		(42	)		4,810
Asset-backed securities and other		25,042		28		(35	)		25,035

	$	100,885	$	152	$	(164	)	$	100,873

The debt securities held at August 25, 2018, had effective maturities ranging from less than one year to approximately three years. The Company did not realize any material gains or losses on its marketable securities during fiscal 2018, 2017 or 2016.

The Company holds 121 securities that are in an unrealized loss position of approximately $1.1 million at August 25, 2018. The Company has the intent and ability to hold these investments until recovery of fair value or maturity, and does not deem the investments to be impaired on an other than temporary basis. In evaluating whether the securities are deemed to be impaired on an other than temporary basis, the Company considers factors such as the duration and severity of the loss position, the credit worthiness of the investee, the term to maturity and its intent and ability to hold the investments until maturity or until recovery of fair value.

Included above in total marketable securities are $85.6 million and $85.4 million of marketable securities transferred by the Company’s insurance captive to a trust account to secure its obligations to an insurance company related to future workers’ compensation and casualty losses as of August 25, 2018 and August 26, 2017, respectively.

Note G – Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Accumulated other comprehensive loss includes certain adjustments to pension liabilities, foreign currency translation adjustments, certain activity for interest rate swaps and treasury rate locks that qualify as cash flow hedges and unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities. Changes in Accumulated other comprehensive loss consisted of the following:


(in thousands)	Pension Liability			Foreign Currency⁽⁴⁾			Net Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities			Derivatives			Total
Balance at August 27, 2016	$	(88,890	)	$	(211,012	)	$	120		$	(7,747	)	$	(307,529	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		8,046			35,198			(60	)		—			43,184
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss⁽¹⁾		8,468	⁽³⁾		—			(71	)⁽⁵⁾		1,391	⁽⁶⁾		9,788

Balance at August 26, 2017		(72,376	)		(175,814	)		(11	)		(6,356	)		(254,557	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		77,774			(53,085	)		(800	)		—			23,889
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss⁽¹⁾		7,724	⁽³⁾		—			(62	)⁽⁵⁾		1,690	⁽⁶⁾		9,352
Adoption of ASU 2018- 02⁽²⁾		(13,122	)		—			—			(1,367	)		(14,489	)

Balance at August 25, 2018	$	—		$	(228,899	)	$	(873	)	$	(6,033	)	$	(235,805	)

(1)

Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to Accumulated other comprehensive loss (AOCL).

(2)

Represents the tax effects from deferred tax items reclassified from AOCL to retained earnings related to the adoption of ASU 2018-02.

(3)

The amounts reclassified from AOCL associated with our pension plans have been reclassified to Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income as a result of the termination of the plans. See “Note L – Pension and Savings Plans” for further discussion.

(4)

Foreign currency is shown net of U.S. tax to account for foreign currency impacts of certain undistributed non-U.S. subsidiaries earnings. Other foreign currency is not shown net of additional U.S. tax as other basis differences of non-U.S. subsidiaries are intended to be permanently reinvested.

(5)

Represents realized losses on marketable securities, net of taxes of $234 in fiscal 2018 and $38 in fiscal 2017, which is recorded in Operating, selling, general, and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income. See “Note F – Marketable Securities” for further discussion.

(6)

Represents gains and losses on derivatives, net of taxes of $515 in fiscal 2018 and $814 in fiscal 2017, which is recorded in Interest expense, net, on the Consolidated Statements of Income. See “Note H – Derivative Financial Instruments” for further discussion.

Note H – Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company periodically uses derivatives to hedge exposures to interest rates. The Company does not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes. For transactions that meet the hedge accounting criteria, the Company formally designates and documents the instrument as a hedge at inception and quarterly thereafter assesses the hedges to ensure they are effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the underlying exposures. Derivatives are recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet at fair value, determined using available market information or other appropriate valuation methodologies. In accordance with ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, the effective portion of a financial instrument’s change in fair value is recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss for derivatives that qualify as cash flow hedges and any ineffective portion of an instrument’s change in fair value is recognized in earnings.

At August 25, 2018, the Company had $7.9 million recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss related to net realized losses associated with terminated interest rate swap and treasury rate lock derivatives which were designated as hedging instruments. Net losses are amortized into Interest expense over the remaining life of the associated debt. During the fiscal 2018 and 2017, the Company reclassified $2.2 million of net losses from Accumulated other comprehensive loss to Interest expense and expects the same level of expense in fiscal 2019.

Note I – Financing

The Company’s debt consisted of the following:


(in thousands)	August 25, 2018		August 26, 2017
7.125% Senior Notes due August 2018, effective interest rate of 7.28%	$	—	$	250,000
1.625% Senior Notes due April 2019, effective interest rate of 1.77%		250,000		250,000
4.000% Senior Notes due November 2020, effective interest rate of 4.43%		500,000		500,000
2.500% Senior Notes due April 2021, effective interest rate of 2.62%		250,000		250,000
3.700% Senior Notes due April 2022, effective interest rate of 3.85%		500,000		500,000
2.875% Senior Notes due January 2023, effective interest rate of 3.21%		300,000		300,000
3.125% Senior Notes due July 2023, effective interest rate of 3.26%		500,000		500,000
3.250% Senior Notes due April 2025, effective interest rate 3.36%		400,000		400,000
3.125% Senior Notes due April 2026, effective interest rate of 3.28%		400,000		400,000
3.750% Senior Notes due June 2027, effective interest rate of 3.83%		600,000		600,000
Commercial paper, weighted average interest rate of 2.29% and 1.44% at August 25, 2018 and August 26, 2017, respectively		1,325,300		1,155,100

Total debt before discounts and debt issuance costs		5,025,300		5,105,100
Less: Discounts and debt issuance costs		19,370		23,862

Long-term debt	$	5,005,930	$	5,081,238

As of August 25, 2018, the commercial paper borrowings and the $250 million 1.625% Senior Notes due April 2019 are classified as long-term in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as the Company has the ability and intent to refinance on a long-term basis through available capacity in its revolving credit facilities. As of August 25, 2018, the Company had $1.997 billion of availability under its $2.0 billion revolving credit facilities, which would allow it to replace these short-term obligations with long-term financing facilities.

The Company entered into a Master Extension, New Commitment and Amendment Agreement dated as of November 18, 2017 (the “Extension Amendment”) to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 18, 2016, as amended, modified, extended or restated from time to time (the “Revolving Credit Agreement”). Under the Extension Amendment: (i) the Company’s borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Agreement was increased from $1.6 billion to $2.0 billion; (ii) the Company’s option to increase its borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Agreement was “refreshed” and the amount of such option remained at $400 million; the maximum borrowing under the Revolving Credit Agreement may, at the Company’s option, subject to lenders approval, be increased from $2.0 billion to $2.4 billion; (iii) the termination date of the Revolving Credit Agreement was extended from November 18, 2021 until November 18, 2022; and (iv) the Company has the option to make one additional written request of the lenders to extend the termination date then in effect for an additional year. Under the Revolving Credit Agreement, the Company may borrow funds consisting of Eurodollar loans, base rate loans or a combination of both. Interest accrues on Eurodollar loans at a defined Eurodollar rate, defined as LIBOR plus the applicable percentage, as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement, depending upon the Company’s senior, unsecured, (non-credit enhanced) long-term debt ratings. Interest accrues on base rate loans as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement. As of August 25, 2018, the Company had $3.3 million of outstanding letters of credit under the Revolving Credit Agreement.

The Revolving Credit Agreement requires that the Company’s consolidated interest coverage ratio as of the last day of each quarter shall be no less than 2.5:1. This ratio is defined as the ratio of (i) consolidated earnings before interest, taxes and rents to (ii) consolidated interest expense plus consolidated rents. The Company’s consolidated interest coverage ratio as of August 25, 2018 was 5.8:1.

As of August 25, 2018, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under each of the revolving credit facilities, and $3.3 million of outstanding letters of credit under the Revolving Credit Agreement.

The Company also maintains a letter of credit facility that allows it to request the participating bank to issue letters of credit on its behalf up to an aggregate amount of $75 million. The letter of credit facility is in addition to the letters of credit that may be issued under the Revolving Credit Agreement. As of August 25, 2018, the Company had $71.0 million in letters of credit outstanding under the letter of credit facility.

In addition to the outstanding letters of credit issued under the committed facilities discussed above, the Company had $32.5 million in letters of credit outstanding as of August 25, 2018. These letters of credit have various maturity dates and were issued on an uncommitted basis.

On April 18, 2017, the Company issued $600 million in 3.750% Senior Notes due June 2027 under its shelf registration statement filed with the SEC on April 15, 2015 (the “2015 Shelf Registration”). The 2015 Shelf Registration allowed the Company to sell an indeterminate amount in debt securities to fund general corporate purposes, including repaying, redeeming or repurchasing outstanding debt and for working capital, capital expenditures, new location openings, stock repurchases and acquisitions. Proceeds from the debt issuance were used for general corporate purposes.

On April 21, 2016, the Company issued $400 million in 3.125% Senior Notes due April 2026 and $250 million in 1.625% Senior Notes due April 2019 under its 2015 Shelf Registration. Proceeds from the debt issuances were used for general corporate purposes.

All senior notes are subject to an interest rate adjustment if the debt ratings assigned to the senior notes are downgraded (as defined in the agreements). Further, the senior notes contain a provision that repayment of the senior notes may be accelerated if the Company experiences a change in control (as defined in the agreements). The Company’s borrowings under its senior notes contain minimal covenants, primarily restrictions on liens. Under its revolving credit facilities, covenants include restrictions on liens, a maximum debt to earnings ratio, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and a change of control provision that may require acceleration of the repayment obligations under certain circumstances. All of the repayment obligations under its 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 August 25, 2018, the Company was in compliance with all covenants related to its borrowing arrangements. All of the Company’s debt is unsecured. Scheduled maturities of debt are as follows:


(in thousands)	Scheduled Maturities
2019	$	1,575,300
2020		—
2021		750,000
2022		500,000
2023		800,000
Thereafter		1,400,000

Subtotal		5,025,300
Discount and debt issuance costs		19,370

Total Debt	$	5,005,930

The fair value of the Company’s debt was estimated at $4.948 billion as of August 25, 2018, and $5.171 billion as of August 26, 2017, based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rates available to the Company for debt of the same terms (Level 2). Such fair value is less than the carrying value of debt by $57.5 million at August 25, 2018, which reflects face amount, adjusted for any unamortized debt issuance costs and discounts. At August 26, 2017, the fair value was greater than the carrying value of debt by $90.3 million.

Note J – Interest Expense

Net interest expense consisted of the following:


	Year Ended
(in thousands)	August 25, 2018			August 26, 2017			August 27, 2016
Interest expense	$	181,668		$	159,329		$	150,961
Interest income		(5,636	)		(3,502	)		(2,371	)
Capitalized interest		(1,505	)		(1,247	)		(909	)

	$	174,527		$	154,580		$	147,681

Note K – Stock Repurchase Program

During 1998, the Company announced a program permitting the Company to repurchase a portion of its outstanding shares not to exceed a dollar maximum established by the Board. The program was amended on March 20, 2018 to increase the repurchase authorization to $19.65 billion from $18.65 billion. From January 1998 to August 25, 2018, the Company has repurchased a total of 144.7 million shares at an aggregate cost of $19.418 billion.

The Company’s share repurchase activity consisted of the following:


	Year Ended
(in thousands)	August 25, 2018		August 26, 2017		August 27, 2016
Amount	$	1,592,013	$	1,071,649	$	1,452,462
Shares		2,398		1,495		1,903

During fiscal year 2018, the Company retired 1.5 million shares of treasury stock which had previously been repurchased under the Company’s share repurchase program. The retirement increased Retained deficit by $918.5 million and decreased Additional paid-in capital by $60.5 million. During the comparable prior year period, the Company retired 1.8 million shares of treasury stock, which increased Retained deficit by $1.321 billion and decreased Additional paid-in capital by $64.9 million.

On September 26, 2018, the Board voted to increase the authorization by $1.25 billion. This brings the total value of the shares authorized to $20.9 billion. Subsequent to August 25, 2018, the Company has repurchased 346,979 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $263.4 million. Considering the cumulative repurchases and the increase in authorization subsequent to August 25, 2018, the Company has $1.22 billion remaining under the Board’s authorization to repurchase its common stock.

Note L – Pension and Savings Plans

Prior to January 1, 2003, substantially all full-time employees were covered by a defined benefit pension plan. The benefits under the plan were based on years of service and the employee’s highest consecutive five-year average compensation. On January 1, 2003, the plan was frozen, resulting in pension plan participants earning no new benefits under the plan formula and no new participants joining the pension plan.

On January 1, 2003, the Company’s supplemental defined benefit pension plan for certain highly compensated employees was also frozen, resulting in pension plan participants earning no new benefits under the plan formula and no new participants joining the pension plan.

On December 19, 2017, the Board of Directors approved a resolution to terminate both of the Company’s pension plans, effective March 15, 2018. The Company offered plan participants the option to receive an annuity purchased from an insurance carrier or a lump-sum cash payment based on a number of factors. During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company contributed $11.4 million to the pension plans to ensure that sufficient assets were available for the lump-sum payments and annuity purchases, completed the transfer of all lump sum payments, transferred all remaining benefit obligations related to the pension plans to a highly rated insurance company, and recognized $130.3 million of non-cash pension termination charges in Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company will no longer have any remaining defined pension benefit obligation and thus no periodic pension benefit expense.

The following table sets forth the plans’ funded status and amounts recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets:


(in thousands)	August 25, 2018			August 26, 2017
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation:
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	314,724		$	328,511
Interest cost		10,356			10,335
Actuarial (gains) losses		(676	)		(8,746	)
Annuities purchased		(157,589	)		—
Benefits and settlements paid		(166,815	)		(15,376	)

Benefit obligations at end of year	$	—		$	314,724

Change in Plan Assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	316,267		$	289,386
Actual return on plan assets		(3,428	)		24,496
Employer contributions		11,596			17,761
Annuities purchased		(157,589	)		—
Benefits and settlements paid		(166,815	)		(15,376	)
Asset reversion upon termination		(31	)		—

Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	—		$	316,267

Amount Recognized in the Statement of Financial Position:
Current liabilities	$	—		$	(283	)
Long-term assets		—			8,686
Long-term liabilities		—			(6,860	)

Net amount recognized	$	—		$	1,543

Amount Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss and not yet reflected in Net Periodic Benefit Cost:
Net actuarial loss	$	—		$	(118,889	)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	—		$	(118,889	)

Net periodic benefit expense consisted of the following:


	Year Ended
(in thousands)	August 25, 2018			August 26, 2017			August 27, 2016
Interest cost	$	10,356		$	10,335		$	11,272
Expected return on plan assets		(18,997	)		(20,056	)		(16,512	)
Recognized net actuarial losses		10,736			13,873			10,506
Settlement loss		130,263			—			—

Net periodic benefit expense	$	132,358		$	4,152		$	5,266

The blended actuarial assumptions used in determining the projected benefit obligation include the following:


	Year Ended
	August 25, 2018			August 26, 2017			August 27, 2016
Discount rate to determine benefit obligation		3.86	%		3.86	%		3.72	%
Discount rate to determine net interest cost		3.36	%		3.21	%		3.90	%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets		6.00	%		7.00	%		7.00	%

The Company has a 401(k) plan that covers all domestic employees who meet the plan’s participation requirements. The plan features include Company matching contributions, immediate 100% vesting of Company contributions and a savings option up to 25% of qualified earnings. The Company makes matching contributions, per pay period, up to a specified percentage of employees’ contributions as approved by the Board. The Company made matching contributions to employee accounts in connection with the 401(k) plan of $23.1 million in fiscal 2018, $21.0 million in fiscal 2017, and $19.7 million in fiscal 2016.

Note M – Sale of Assets

During the second quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company determined that the approximate fair value less costs to sell its IMC and AutoAnything businesses was significantly lower than the carrying value of the net assets based on recent offers received and recorded impairment charges totaling $193.2 million within Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses in its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

The Company recorded an impairment charge of $93.6 million for its IMC business, which is reflected as a component of Auto Parts Locations in its segment reporting. Impairment charges for AutoAnything, which is reflected as a component of the Other category in the Company’s segment reporting, totaled $99.6 million.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company completed the IMC and AutoAnything transactions for total consideration that approximated the remaining net book value at the closing date.

Note N – Goodwill and Intangibles

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are as follows:


(in thousands)	Auto Parts Locations			Other			Total
Net balance as of August 27, 2016	$	326,703		$	65,184		$	391,887
Goodwill added through acquisition		—			—			—
Goodwill adjustments		—			—			—

Net balance as of August 26, 2017		326,703			65,184			391,887
Goodwill added through acquisition		—			—			—
Goodwill adjustments		(24,058	)		(65,184	)		(89,242	)

Net balance as of August 25, 2018	$	302,645		$	—		$	302,645

During the second quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company recorded impairment charges related to its IMC and AutoAnything businesses as the Company determined that the approximate fair value less costs to sell the businesses was significantly lower than the carrying value of the net assets. The impairment charge for the IMC business is reflected as a component of Auto Parts Locations, and the impairment charge for AutoAnything is reflected as a component of the Other category in our segment reporting. See “Note M – Sale of Assets” for further discussion.

The Company performs its annual goodwill and intangibles impairment test in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company concluded its remaining goodwill was not impaired. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company concluded that its goodwill was not impaired. Total accumulated goodwill impairment as of August 25, 2018 is $107.5 million compared to $18.3 million as of August 26, 2017.

The carrying amounts of intangible assets are included in Other long-term assets as follows:


	August 25, 2018
(in thousands)	Estimated Useful Life		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
Amortizing intangible assets:
Technology		3-5 years	$	870	$	(870	)	$	—
Customer relationships		3-10 years		29,376		(19,587	)		9,789

			$	30,246	$	(20,457	)		9,789

Total intangible assets other than goodwill								$	9,789


	August 26, 2017
(in thousands)	Estimated Useful Life		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
Amortizing intangible assets:
Technology		3-5 years	$	10,570	$	(9,994	)	$	576
Noncompete agreements		5 years		1,300		(1,223	)		77
Customer relationships		3-10 years		49,676		(24,730	)		24,946

			$	61,546	$	(35,947	)		25,599

Non-amortizing intangible asset:
Trade names									26,900

Total intangible assets other than goodwill								$	52,499

During the second quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company recorded $26.9 million of impairment charges related to AutoAnything’s and IMC’s trade names as the Company determined that the approximate fair value less costs to sell the businesses was significantly lower than the carrying value of the net assets. See “Note M – Sale of Assets” for further discussion. Trade names at August 25, 2018 and August 26, 2017 reflect a total accumulated impairment of $31.0 million and $4.1 million, respectively.

Amortization expense of intangible assets for the years ended August 25, 2018 and August 26, 2017 was $5.1 million and $8.5 million, respectively.

Total future amortization expense for intangible assets that have finite lives, based on the existing intangible assets and their current estimated useful lives as of August 25, 2018, is estimated as follows:


(in thousands)	Total
2019	$	4,173
2020		4,173
2021		1,443
Thereafter		—

	$	9,789

Note O – Leases

The Company leases some of its retail stores, distribution centers, facilities, land and equipment, including vehicles. Other than vehicle leases, most of the leases are operating leases, which include renewal options made at the Company’s election and provisions for percentage rent based on sales. Rental expense was $315.6 million in fiscal 2018, $302.9 million in fiscal 2017, and $280.5 million in fiscal 2016. Percentage rentals were insignificant.

The Company records rent for all operating leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term, including any reasonably assured renewal periods and the period of time prior to the lease term that the Company is in possession of the leased space for the purpose of installing leasehold improvements. Differences between recorded rent expense and cash payments are recorded as a liability in Accrued expenses and other and Other long-term liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, based on the terms of the lease. The deferred rent approximated $139.6 million on August 25, 2018, and $130.2 million on August 26, 2017.

The Company has a fleet of vehicles used for delivery to its commercial customers and stores and travel for members of field management. The majority of these vehicles are held under capital leases. At August 25, 2018, the Company had capital lease assets of $156.8 million, net of accumulated amortization of $79.9 million, and capital lease obligations of $154.3 million, of which $52.3 million is classified as Accrued expenses and other as it represents the current portion of these obligations. At August 26, 2017, the Company had capital lease assets of $152.0 million, net of accumulated amortization of $70.2 million, and capital lease obligations of $150.5 million, of which $48.1 million is classified as Accrued expenses and other as it represents the current portion of these obligations.

Future minimum annual rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases and capital leases were as follows at the end of fiscal 2018:


(in thousands)	Operating Leases		Capital Leases
2019	$	300,866	$	52,290
2020		289,007		50,777
2021		267,298		38,290
2022		244,786		21,211
2023		215,237		3,118
Thereafter		823,969		—

Total minimum payments required	$	2,141,163		165,686

Less: Interest				(11,383	)

Present value of minimum capital lease payments			$	154,303

Note P – Commitments and Contingencies

Construction commitments, primarily for new stores, totaled approximately $41.3 million at August 25, 2018.

The Company had $106.8 million in outstanding standby letters of credit and $23.6 million in surety bonds as of August 25, 2018, which all have expiration periods of less than one year. A substantial portion of the outstanding standby letters of credit (which are primarily renewed on an annual basis) and surety bonds are used to cover reimbursement obligations to our workers’ compensation carriers. There are no additional contingent liabilities associated with these instruments as the underlying liabilities are already reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The standby letters of credit and surety bonds arrangements have automatic renewal clauses.

Note Q – Litigation

In July 2014, the Company received a subpoena from the District Attorney of the County of Alameda, along with other environmental prosecutorial offices in the state of California, seeking documents and information related to the handling, storage and disposal of hazardous waste. The Company received notice that the District Attorney will seek injunctive and monetary relief. The Company is cooperating fully with the request and cannot predict the ultimate outcome of these efforts, although the Company has accrued all amounts it believes to be probable and reasonably estimable. The Company does not believe the ultimate resolution of this matter will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Arising out of an April 2016 letter from the California Air Resources Board (“CARB”), one of the Company’s formerly-owned subsidiaries was sued in March 2018 by CARB seeking penalties, among other relief, for alleged violations of the California Health and Safety Code, Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations and the California Vehicle Code related to the sale and advertisement of certain aftermarket motor vehicle pollution control parts in the State of California. On February 26, 2018, the Company completed its transaction to sell substantially all of the assets, net of assumed liabilities related to its AutoAnything operations. As part of the sale, the Company retained the liability related to this lawsuit. The Company is cooperating fully with the lawsuit and cannot predict the ultimate outcome of these efforts. The Company does not believe that any resolution of the matter will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

The Company is involved in various other legal proceedings incidental to the conduct of its business, including, but not limited to, several lawsuits containing class-action allegations in which the plaintiffs are current and former hourly and salaried employees who allege various wage and hour violations and unlawful termination practices. The Company does not currently believe that, either individually or in the aggregate, these matters will result in liabilities material to the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Note R – Segment Reporting

The Company’s operating segments (Domestic Auto Parts, Mexico and Brazil; and IMC results through April 4, 2018) are aggregated as one reportable segment: Auto Parts Locations. 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 – Significant Accounting Policies.”

The Auto Parts Locations segment is a retailer and distributor of automotive parts and accessories through the Company’s 6,202 locations in the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Brazil. Each location 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.

The Other category reflects business activities of three operating segments that are not separately reportable due to the materiality of these operating segments. The operating segments include ALLDATA, which produces, sells and maintains diagnostic and repair information software used in the automotive repair industry; E-commerce, which includes direct sales to customers through www.autozone.com for sales that are not fulfilled by local stores; and AutoAnything, which includes direct sales to customers through www.autoanything.com, prior to the Company’s sale of substantially all of its assets on February 26, 2018.

The Company evaluates its reportable segment primarily on the basis of net sales and segment profit, which is defined as gross profit. The following table shows segment results for the following fiscal years:


	Year Ended
(in thousands)	August 25, 2018			August 26, 2017			August 27, 2016
Net Sales:
Auto Parts Locations	$	10,951,498		$	10,523,272		$	10,261,112
Other		269,579			365,404			374,564

Total	$	11,221,077		$	10,888,676		$	10,635,676

Segment Profit:
Auto Parts Locations	$	5,805,561		$	5,544,494		$	5,410,477
Other		168,185			195,126			198,259

Gross profit		5,973,746			5,739,620			5,608,736
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses⁽¹⁾		(4,162,890	)		(3,659,551	)		(3,548,341	)
Interest expense, net		(174,527	)		(154,580	)		(147,681	)

Income before income taxes	$	1,636,329		$	1,925,489		$	1,912,714

Segment Assets:
Auto Parts Locations	$	9,231,021		$	8,964,371		$	8,351,883
Other		115,959			295,410			247,904

Total	$	9,346,980		$	9,259,781		$	8,599,787

Capital Expenditures:
Auto Parts Locations	$	499,762		$	533,304		$	470,631
Other		22,026			20,528			18,160

Total	$	521,788		$	553,832		$	488,791

Auto Parts Locations Sales by Product Grouping:
Failure	$	5,338,890		$	5,100,702		$	4,913,423
Maintenance items		3,914,546			3,774,386			3,721,240
Discretionary		1,698,062			1,648,184			1,626,449

Auto Parts Locations net sales	$	10,951,498		$	10,523,272		$	10,261,112

(1)

Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses for fiscal 2018 include $130.3 million related to pension termination charges and $193.2 million related to impairment charges.

Note S – Quarterly Summary⁽¹⁾

(Unaudited)


	Twelve Weeks Ended						Sixteen Weeks Ended
(in thousands, except per share data)	November 18, 2017		February 10, 2018⁽³⁾⁽⁵⁾		May 5, 2018⁽⁵⁾		August 25, 2018^(2)(4)(5)
Net sales	$	2,589,131	$	2,413,026	$	2,660,152	$	3,558,769
Gross profit		1,365,848		1,277,046		1,422,974		1,907,879
Operating profit		468,754		205,098		545,765		591,239
Income before income taxes		429,865		165,758		503,807		536,899
Net income		281,003		289,530		366,721		400,282
Basic earnings per share		10.17		10.58		13.62		15.27
Diluted earnings per share		10.00		10.38		13.42		15.02

	Twelve Weeks Ended						Sixteen Weeks Ended
(in thousands, except per share data)	November 19, 2016		February 11, 2017		May 6, 2017		August 26, 2017⁽²⁾
Net sales	$	2,467,845	$	2,289,219	$	2,619,007	$	3,512,605
Gross profit		1,301,542		1,205,536		1,378,418		1,854,125
Operating profit		458,902		383,969		529,570		707,628
Income before income taxes		425,596		349,771		493,895		656,227
Net income		278,125		237,145		331,700		433,899
Basic earnings per share		9.61		8.28		11.70		15.52
Diluted earnings per share		9.36		8.08		11.44		15.27

(1)

The sum of quarterly amounts may not equal the annual amounts reported due to rounding. In addition, the earnings per share amounts are computed independently for each quarter while the full year is based on the annual weighted average shares outstanding.

(2)

The fourth quarter for fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 are based on a 16-week period. All other quarters presented are based on a 12-week period.

(3)

The second quarter of fiscal 2018 includes impairment charges of $193.2 million. See “Note M – Sale of Assets.”

(4)

The fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 includes pension termination charges of $130.3 million. See “Note L - Pension and Savings Plans.”

(5)

Net income of the second, third and fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 benefitted from changes due to Tax Reform. See “Note D – Income Taxes.”

Item 9. Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Not applicable.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

As of August 25, 2018, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of AutoZone’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as amended. Based on that evaluation, our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of August 25, 2018.

Changes in Internal Controls

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended August 25, 2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B. Other Information

Not applicable.

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The information set forth in Part I of this document in the section entitled “Executive Officers of the Registrant,” is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item. Additionally, the information contained in AutoZone, Inc.’s Proxy Statement dated October 26, 2018, in the sections entitled “Proposal 1 – Election of Directors” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item.

The Company has adopted a Code of Ethical Conduct for Financial Executives that applies to its chief executive officer, chief financial officer, chief accounting officer and other financial executives. The Company has made the Code of Ethical Conduct available on its investor relations website at http://www.autozoneinc.com.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

The information contained in AutoZone, Inc.’s Proxy Statement dated October 26, 2018, in the section entitled “Executive Compensation,” is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The information contained in AutoZone, Inc.’s Proxy Statement dated October 26, 2018, in the sections entitled “Security Ownership of Management and Board of Directors,” “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners” and “Equity Compensation Plans – Summary Table” is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Not applicable.

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

The information contained in AutoZone, Inc.’s Proxy Statement dated October 26, 2018, in the section entitled “Proposal 2 – Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm,” is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item.

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

The following information required under this item is filed as part of this report.

(a) Financial Statements

The following financial statements, related notes and reports of independent registered public accounting firm are filed with this Annual Report on Form 10-K in Part II, Item 8:

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated Statements of Income for the fiscal years ended August 25, 2018, August 26, 2017, and August 27, 2016

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the fiscal years ended August 25, 2018, August 26, 2017, and August 27, 2016

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 25, 2018, and August 26, 2017

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended August 25, 2018, August 26, 2017, and August 27, 2016

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit for the fiscal years ended August 25, 2018, August 26, 2017, and August 27, 2016

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(b) Exhibits

The following exhibits are being filed herewith:



3.1		Restated Articles of Incorporation of AutoZone, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 13, 1999.

3.2		Seventh Amended and Restated By-Laws of AutoZone, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 19, 2018.

4.1		Indenture dated as of August 8, 2003, between AutoZone, Inc. and Bank One Trust Company, N.A. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-107828) filed August 11, 2003.

4.2		Officers’ Certificate dated August 4, 2008, pursuant to Section 3.2 of the Indenture dated August 11, 2003, setting forth the terms of the 7.125% Senior Notes due 2018. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 4, 2008.

4.3		Form of 7.125% Senior Note due 2018. Incorporated by reference from the Form 8-K dated August 4, 2008.

4.4		Officers’ Certificate dated November 15, 2010, pursuant to Section 3.2 of the Indenture dated August 8, 2003, setting forth the terms of the 4.000% Notes due 2020. Incorporated by reference to 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 15, 2010.

4.5		Form of 4.000% Senior Note due 2020. Incorporated by reference from the Form 8-K dated November 15, 2010.

4.6		Officers’ Certificate dated April 24, 2012, pursuant to section 3.2 of the indenture dated August 8, 2003, setting forth the terms of the 3.700% Senior Notes due 2022. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 24, 2012.

4.7		Form of 3.700% Senior Notes due 2022. Incorporated by reference from the Form 8-K dated April 24, 2012



4.8		Officers’ Certificate dated November 13, 2012, pursuant to section 3.2 of the indenture dated August 8, 2003, setting forth the terms of the 2.875% Senior Notes due 2023. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 13, 2012.

4.9		Form of 2.875% Senior Notes due 2023. Incorporated by reference from the Form 8-K dated November 13, 2012.

4.10		Officers’ Certificate dated April 29, 2013, pursuant to section 3.2 of the indenture dated August 8, 2003, setting forth the terms of the 3.125% Senior Notes due 2023. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 29, 2013.

4.11		Form of 3.125% Senior Notes due 2023. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Form 8-K dated April 29, 2013.

4.12		Officers’ Certificate dated April 29, 2015, pursuant to Section 3.2 of the Indenture dated August 8, 2003, setting forth the terms of the 2.500% Senior Notes due 2021. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 29, 2015.

4.13		Form of 2.500% Note dated 2021. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 29, 2015.

4.14		Officers’ Certificate dated April 29, 2015, pursuant to Section 3.2 of the Indenture dated August 8, 2003, setting forth the terms of the 3.250% Senior Notes due 2025. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 29, 2015.

4.15		Form of 3.250% Note due 2025. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 29, 2015.

4.16		Officers’ Certificate dated April 21, 2016, pursuant to Section 3.2 of the Indenture dated August 8, 2003, setting forth the terms of the 1.625% Senior Notes due 2019. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 21, 2016.

4.17		Form of 1.625% Senior Notes due 2019. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 21, 2016.

4.18		Officers’ Certificate dated April 21, 2016, pursuant to Section 3.2 of the Indenture dated August 8, 2003, setting forth the terms of the 3.125% Senior Notes due 2026. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 21, 2016.

4.19		Form of 3.125% Senior Notes due 2026. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 21, 2016.

4.20		Officers’ Certificate dated April 18, 2017, pursuant to Section 3.2 of the Indenture dated August 8, 2003, setting forth the terms of the 3.750% Senior Notes due 2027. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 18, 2017.

4.21		Form of 3.750% Senior Notes due 2027. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 18, 2017.

*10.1		Second Amended and Restated 1998 Director Compensation Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 26, 2000.

*10.2		AutoZone, Inc. 2003 Director Stock Option Plan. Incorporated by reference to Appendix C to the definitive proxy statement dated November 1, 2002, for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held December 12, 2002.



*10.3		AutoZone, Inc. 2003 Director Compensation Plan. Incorporated by reference to Appendix D to the definitive proxy statement dated November 1, 2002, for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held December 12, 2002.

*10.4		Third Amendment to the AutoZone, Inc. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K dated December 12, 2012.

*10.5		AutoZone, Inc. 2006 Stock Option Plan. Incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the definitive proxy statement dated October 25, 2006, for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held December 13, 2006.

*10.6		Form of Stock Option Agreement. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 25, 2007.

*10.7		Amended and Restated AutoZone, Inc. 2003 Director Compensation Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 4, 2008.

*10.8		Amended and Restated AutoZone, Inc. 2003 Director Stock Option Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 4, 2008.

*10.9		AutoZone, Inc. Enhanced Severance Pay Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 15, 2008.

*10.10		Form of non-compete and non-solicitation agreement for Section 16 executive officers and by AutoZone, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 15, 2008.

*10.11		Form of non-compete and non-solicitation agreement approved by AutoZone’s Compensation Committee for execution by non-executive officers. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 15, 2008.

*10.12		Agreement dated February 14, 2008, between AutoZone, Inc. and William C. Rhodes, III. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 15, 2008.

*10.13		Form of non-compete and non-solicitation agreement for Non-Section 16 officers and by AutoZone, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 3, 2008.

*10.14		AutoZone, Inc. 2010 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the definitive proxy statement dated October 26, 2009, for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held December 16, 2009.

*10.15		AutoZone, Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Award Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the definitive proxy statement dated October 25, 2010, for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held December 15, 2010.

*10.16		Form of Stock Option Agreement under the 2006 Stock Option Plan, effective September 2010. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated December 16, 2010.

*10.17		Form of Stock Option Agreement under the 2006 Stock Option Plan for certain executive officers, effective September 2010. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated December 16, 2010.



*10.18		Form of Letter Agreement dated as of December 14, 2010, amending certain Stock Option Agreements of executive officers. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated December 16, 2010.

*10.19		AutoZone, Inc. 2011 Director Compensation Program. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated December 16, 2010.

*10.20		Form of Stock Option Agreement under the 2011 Equity Incentive Award Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated March 17, 2011.

*10.21		Form of Stock Option Agreement under the 2011 Equity Incentive Award Plan for officers effective September 27, 2011. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 27, 2011.

*10.22		First Amended and Restated AutoZone, Inc. Enhanced Severance Pay Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated March 17, 2011.

*10.23		Form of Stock Option Agreement under the 2011 Equity Incentive Award Plan for officers effective September 27, 2011. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 27, 2011.

*10.24		Form of Stock Option Agreement under the 2011 Equity Incentive Award Plan for certain executive officers effective September 27, 2011. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 27, 2011.

*10.25		Sixth Amended and Restated AutoZone, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 27, 2011.

*10.26		Second Amended AutoZone, Inc. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 14, 2011.

*10.27		Offer letter dated April 26, 2012, to Ronald B. Griffin. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.39 of Annual Report on Form 10-K dated October 22, 2012.

*10.28		Offer letter dated February 7, 2013, to Albert Saltiel. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated June 12, 2013.

*10.29		Third Amendment to the AutoZone, Inc. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K dated December 12, 2012.

*10.30		Amended and Restated AutoZone, Inc. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan dated December 17, 2013. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated March 25, 2014.

*10.31		AutoZone, Inc. Director Compensation Program effective January 1, 2014. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated March 25, 2014.

*10.32		Amended and Restated AutoZone, Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Award Plan dated December 16, 2015. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the definitive proxy statement dated October 26, 2015, for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held December 16, 2015.

10.33		Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 18, 2016, among AutoZone, Inc., as Borrower, the lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A. as Administrative Agent, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 21, 2016.



10.34		364-Day Credit Agreement Dated as of November 18, 2016, among AutoZone, Inc. as Borrower, the lenders party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank National Association as Administrative Agent, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 21, 2016.

*10.35		AutoZone, Inc. Sixth Amended and Restated Executive Stock Purchase Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the definitive proxy statement dated October 24, 2016, for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held December 14, 2016.

10.36		Master Extension, New Commitment and Amendment Agreement dated as of November 18, 2017 among AutoZone, Inc. as Borrower; Bank of America, N.A. as Administrative Agent and Swingline Lender; JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Syndication Agent; Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Joint Lead Arrangers; Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., U.S. Bank National Association, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and Barclay’s Capital as Joint Book Runners; SunTrust Bank, U.S. Bank National Association, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and Barclay’s Bank PLC as Documentation Agents; and the several lenders party thereto.

12.1		Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

21.1		Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

23.1		Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

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.

101.INS		XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Document

101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Document

101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Document

101.DEF		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Document

*	Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

(c) Financial Statement Schedules

Schedules are omitted because the information is not required or because the information required is included in the financial statements or notes thereto.

Item 16. Form 10-K Summary

None.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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 C. RHODES, III
		William C. Rhodes, III
		Chairman, President and
		Chief Executive Officer
		(Principal Executive Officer)

Dated: October 24, 2018

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:


SIGNATURE	TITLE	DATE

/s/ WILLIAM C. RHODES, III	Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer	October 24, 2018
William C. Rhodes, III	(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ WILLIAM T. GILES	Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice	October 24, 2018
William T. Giles	President – Finance and Information Technology
	(Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ CHARLIE PLEAS, III	Senior Vice President and Controller	October 24, 2018
Charlie Pleas, III	(Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ DOUGLAS H. BROOKS	Director	October 24, 2018
Douglas H. Brooks

/s/ LINDA A. GOODSPEED	Director	October 24, 2018
Linda A. Goodspeed

/s/ EARL G. GRAVES, JR.	Director	October 24, 2018
Earl G. Graves, Jr.

/s/ ENDERSON GUIMARAES	Director	October 24, 2018
Enderson Guimaraes

/s/ J.R. HYDE, III	Director	October 24, 2018
J.R. Hyde, III

/s/ D. BRYAN JORDAN	Director	October 24, 2018
D. Bryan Jordan

/s/ GALE V. KING	Director	October 24, 2018
Gale V. King

/s/ W. ANDREW MCKENNA	Director	October 24, 2018
W. Andrew McKenna

/s/ GEORGE R. MRKONIC, JR.	Director	October 24, 2018
George R. Mrkonic, Jr.

/s/ LUIS P. NIETO	Director	October 24, 2018
Luis P. Nieto

/s/ JILL A. SOLTAU	Director	October 24, 2018
Jill A. Soltau