O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2012 Results

• 25% increase in full year adjusted diluted earnings per share to $4.75
• Full year record operating margin of 15.8%
• Fourth quarter comparable store sales increase of 4.2%

SPRINGFIELD, Mo., Feb. 6, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. (the "Company" or "O'Reilly") (Nasdaq:ORLY), a leading retailer in the automotive aftermarket industry, today announced record revenues and earnings for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2012. The results represent 20 consecutive years of comparable store sales growth and record revenue and operating income for O'Reilly since becoming a public company in April of 1993.

4^th Quarter Financial Results

Sales for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2012, increased $97 million, or 7%, to $1.49 billion from $1.39 billion for the same period one year ago. Gross profit for the fourth quarter increased to $750 million (or 50.4% of sales) from $695 million (or 49.9% of sales) for the same period one year ago, representing an increase of 8%. Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") for the fourth quarter increased to $527 million (or 35.4% of sales) from $491 million (or 35.3% of sales) for the same period one year ago, representing an increase of 8%. Operating income for the fourth quarter increased to $223 million (or 15.0% of sales) from $207 million (or 14.9% of sales) for the same period one year ago, representing an increase of 8%.

Net income for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2012, increased $10 million, or 8%, to $133 million (or 8.9% of sales) from $123 million (or 8.8% of sales) for the same period one year ago. Diluted earnings per common share for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2012, increased 21% to $1.14 on 116 million shares versus $0.94 for the same period one year ago on 130 million shares.

As previously announced, the Company's results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011, included nonrecurring income related to a settlement between the Securities and Exchange Commission and a former CSK Auto Corporation ("CSK") officer that resulted in the reimbursement to CSK of $3 million ($2 million, net of tax) of incentive-based compensation and stock sale profits previously received by the officer.  This "clawback" amount was included in "Operating income" on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011. The results discussed in the paragraph below are adjusted for this nonrecurring item for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011, and are reconciled in the table accompanying this release.

Adjusted operating income for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2012, increased to $223 million (or 15.0% of sales) from $204 million (or 14.7% of sales) for the same period one year ago, representing an increase of 9%. Adjusted net income for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2012, increased $12 million, or 10%, to $133 million (or 8.9% of sales) from $121 million (or 8.7% of sales) for the same period one year ago. Adjusted diluted earnings per common share for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2012, increased 23% to $1.14 on 116 million shares versus $0.93 for the same period one year ago on 130 million shares.

Commenting on O'Reilly's quarterly results, Greg Henslee, President and CEO stated, "We are pleased to report a strong fourth quarter, highlighted by a comparable stores sales increase of 4.2%, which exceeded our guidance range of 2% to 4%. We believe our strong performance is the result of our teams continued efforts to provide the highest levels of service in our industry. Over time, these outstanding service levels, coupled with the strength of our industry leading supply chain, build strong relationships with our customers and allow us to incrementally gain market share. Our focus remains on profitable growth, exemplified by our record fourth quarter operating margin of 15.0%, which represents our 14th consecutive quarter of record quarterly operating margin results. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Team O'Reilly on a strong fourth quarter and to thank each of you for your hard work and continued commitment to providing industry leading customer service."

Full-Year Financial Results

Sales for the year ended December 31, 2012, increased $393 million, or 7%, to $6.18 billion from $5.79 billion for the same period one year ago. Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2012, increased to $3.10 billion (or 50.1% of sales) from $2.84 billion (or 49.0% of sales) for the same period one year ago, representing an increase of 9%. SG&A for the year ended December 31, 2012, increased to $2.12 billion (or 34.3% of sales) from $1.97 billion (or 34.1% of sales) for the same period one year ago, representing an increase of 7%. Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2012, increased to $977 million (or 15.8% of sales) from $867 million (or 15.0% of sales) for the same period one year ago, representing an increase of 13%.

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2012, increased $78 million, or 15%, to $586 million (or 9.5% of sales) from $508 million (or 8.8% of sales) for the same period one year ago. Diluted earnings per common share for the year ended December 31, 2012, increased 28% to $4.75 on 123 million shares versus $3.71 for the same period one year ago on 137 million shares.

As previously announced, the Company's results for the year ended December 31, 2011, included one-time charges associated with the financing transactions the Company completed in January of 2011, as well as nonrecurring income from the former CSK officer clawback discussed above. The one-time charges associated with the financing transactions included a non-cash charge to write off the balance of debt issuance costs related to the Company's previous credit facility in the amount of $22 million ($13 million, net of tax) and a charge related to the termination of the Company's interest rate swap agreements in the amount of $4 million ($3 million, net of tax). The charges related to the Company's financing transactions were included in "Other income (expense)" on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the year ended December 31, 2011. The nonrecurring income from the former CSK officer clawback, discussed above, was included in "Operating income" on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the year ended December 31, 2011. The results discussed in the paragraph below are adjusted for these nonrecurring items for the year ended December 31, 2011, and are reconciled in the table accompanying this release. 

Adjusted operating income for the year ended December 31, 2012, increased to $977 million (or 15.8% of sales) from $864 million (or 14.9% of sales) for the same period one year ago, representing an increase of 13%. Adjusted net income for the year ended December 31, 2012, increased $64 million, or 12%, to $586 million (or 9.5% of sales) from $522 million (or 9.0% of sales) for the same period one year ago. Adjusted diluted earnings per common share for the year ended December 31, 2012, increased 25% to $4.75 on 123 million shares versus $3.81 for the same period one year ago on 137 million shares.

Mr. Henslee commented on O'Reilly's 2012 full year results by stating, "2012 was another very successful and profitable year for O'Reilly. Our continued focus on managing our working capital, coupled with our focus on profitable growth, resulted in $951 million of free cash flow for the year, representing a 20% increase, on top of very strong 2011 free cash flow of $791 million. For the year, our dedication to excellent customer service and relentless expense control generated a record operating margin of 15.8%, surpassing the goal we established in 2008 of 15% operating margin one full year earlier than we had originally anticipated. As a result of our strong free cash flow and prudent leverage growth, we were able to return $1.4 billion to our shareholders during 2012 by repurchasing over 16 million shares. These repurchased shares, along with our very profitable growth, resulted in a 25% increase in adjusted earnings per share to $4.75, representing four consecutive years of 20% or greater earnings per share growth."

Mr. Henslee continued, "We are confident the fundamental drivers for demand in our industry remain intact and based on this continued demand, our guidance for 2013 comparable store sales is an increase in the range of 3% to 5%. We face our most difficult quarterly comparable store sales comparisons in 2013 during our first quarter, which was an increase of 7.4% in 2012 and includes approximately 130 bps from the impact of Leap Day in 2012, and as an additional headwind, Easter will fall in the first quarter this year versus the second quarter in 2012. We have seen continued solid performance through the first several weeks of 2013; however, the comparisons get progressively more difficult as we move through the quarter. Therefore, with consideration to the approximate 150 bp headwind we have due to the Leap Day and Easter, we are guiding comparable stores sales in the range of flat to positive 2% for the first quarter of 2013 with the remainder of the year's comparable store sales expectations anticipated to be much stronger, to arrive at our full-year guidance of 3% to 5%. During 2013, we will continue our unyielding focus on profitable growth and on providing unsurpassed customer service and we look forward to another profitable year. I would again like to thank all of our hard working Team Members for their continued commitment to our success, your efforts continue to drive our strong performance."

Share Repurchase Program

As previously announced, on November 12, 2012, the Company's Board of Directors approved a resolution to increase the authorization under the Company's share repurchase program by an additional $500 million, raising the cumulative authorization under the share repurchase program to $3.0 billion. During the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2012, the Company repurchased 3.6 million shares of its common stock at an average price per share of $87.71 for a total investment of $312 million. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company repurchased 16.2 million shares of its common stock at an average price per share of $89.20 for a total investment of $1.45 billion. Subsequent to the end of the fourth quarter and through the date of this release, the Company repurchased an additional 1.9 million shares of its common stock at an average price per share of $89.84 for a total investment of $170 million. The Company has repurchased a total of 34.0 million shares of its common stock under its share repurchase program since the inception of the program in January of 2011 through the date of this release, at an average price of $76.28, for a total aggregate investment of $2.6 billion. As of the date of this release, the Company had approximately $409 million remaining under its share repurchase program.

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

Comparable store sales are calculated based on the change in sales for stores open at least one year and exclude sales of specialty machinery, sales to independent parts stores and sales to Team Members. Comparable store sales increased 4.2% for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2012, versus 3.3% for the same period one year ago. Comparable store sales increased 3.8% for the year ended December 31, 2012, versus 4.6% for the same period one year ago.

1^stQuarter and Full-Year 2013 Guidance

The table below outlines the Company's guidance for selected first quarter and full-year 2013 financial data:

Non-GAAP Information

This release contains certain financial information not derived in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). These items include adjusted operating income, adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per common share, free cash flow, and rent-adjusted debt to adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, share-based compensation and rent ("EBITDAR"). The Company does not, nor does it suggest investors should, consider such non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, GAAP financial information. The Company believes that the presentation of financial results and estimates excluding the impact of the former CSK officer clawback, the non-cash charge to write off the balance of debt issuance costs, the charge related to the termination of interest rate swap agreements, as well as the presentation of adjusted debt to adjusted EBITDAR and free cash flow, provide meaningful supplemental information to both management and investors that is indicative of the Company's core operations. The Company excludes these items in judging its performance and believes this non-GAAP information is useful to investors as well. The Company has included a reconciliation of this additional information to the most comparable GAAP measure in the tables accompanying this release.

Earnings Conference Call Information

The Company will host a conference call on Thursday, February 7, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. central time to discuss its results as well as future expectations. Investors may listen to the conference call live on the Company's website at www.oreillyauto.com by clicking on "Investor Relations" and then "News Room". Interested analysts are invited to join the call. The dial-in number for the call is (706) 679-5789; the conference call identification number is 84591707. A replay of the call will be available on the Company's website following the conference call.

About O'Reilly Automotive, Inc.

O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. is one of the largest specialty retailers of automotive aftermarket parts, tools, supplies, equipment and accessories in the United States, serving both the do-it-yourself and professional service provider markets. Founded in 1957 by the O'Reilly family, the Company operated 4,000 stores in 42 states as of January 19, 2013.

The O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5430

Forward-Looking Statements

The Company claims the protection of the safe-harbor for forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "should," "plan," "intend," "estimate," "project," "will" or similar words. In addition, statements contained within this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements, such as statements discussing among other things, expected growth, store development, integration and expansion strategy, business strategies, future revenues and future performance. These forward-looking statements are based on estimates, projections, beliefs and assumptions and are not guarantees of future events and results. Such statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, but not limited to, competition, product demand, the market for auto parts, the economy in general, inflation, consumer debt levels, governmental regulations, our increased debt levels, credit ratings on our public debt, our ability to hire and retain qualified employees, risks associated with the performance of acquired businesses, weather, terrorist activities, war and the threat of war. Actual results may materially differ from anticipated results described or implied in these forward-looking statements. Please refer to the "Risk Factors" section of the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, for additional factors that could materially affect our financial performance. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made and we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

CONTACT: Investor & Media Contact
         Mark Merz (417) 829-5878