Stockchase Insights Autozone Inc. AZO-N BUY Feb 12, 2024

It sat out the rally this year, but continues to execute. Has owned this a long time.

Likes it; they keep buying back shares.

Auto supplies are very hit-or-mess, which is why he likes AZO, because they buy back a lot of shares, which gives him the assurance he needs.

International sales are growing nicely, such as Brazil where they just started doing business. The main thing is that equipment costs have fallen, so gross margins have expanded. Also, the average age of a car is 12.5 years which benefits AZO.

They're growing their commercial business in Mexico, people are holding onto their cars longer and they manage their margin expansion well. Still likes it.

He likes it for their commercial business and Latin American operations. People are holding onto their cars longer. He'd buy here.

It's a trade-down necessity thesis in cars. Buying a new car is expensive, so people will stick with their cars longer.

They report Tuesday. Will include results in China; any company reporting about China should be regarded skeptically. It is buying back a ton of shares, though. Can it sidestep tariff worries?

Used cars should do well after all these tariffs, which will make new cars more expensive and used ones (and repairs on existing cars) more attractive. They last reported strong same-store sales growth and an earnings miss. They have hundreds of stores in Mexico and Brazil, so currency fluctuations hurt them. The core American business is solid, though. The CEO is optimistic about this year. Is still up 15% this year. Yes, Trump has slapped 25% tariffs on foreign car parts, but Americans will pay up for those because they must use their cars--a necessary expense. Buys back a lot of shares.