O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2015 Results

• Second quarter comparable store sales increase of 7.2%
• 20% increase in second quarter diluted earnings per share to $2.29
• Record second quarter operating margin of 19.0%

SPRINGFIELD, Mo., July 29, 2015 (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 second quarter ended June 30, 2015.

2^nd Quarter Financial Results

Sales for the second quarter ended June 30, 2015, increased $188 million, or 10%, to $2.04 billion from $1.85 billion for the same period one year ago. Gross profit for the second quarter increased to $1.06 billion (or 52.0% of sales) from $951 million (or 51.5% of sales) for the same period one year ago, representing an increase of 11%. Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") for the second quarter increased to $673 million (or 33.1% of sales) from $614 million (or 33.3% of sales) for the same period one year ago, representing an increase of 10%. Operating income for the second quarter increased to $386 million (or 19.0% of sales) from $336 million (or 18.2% of sales) for the same period one year ago, representing an increase of 15%.

Net income for the second quarter ended June 30, 2015, increased $28 million, or 14%, to $234 million (or 11.5% of sales) from $206 million (or 11.1% of sales) for the same period one year ago. Diluted earnings per common share for the second quarter increased 20% to $2.29 on 102 million shares versus $1.91 on 108 million shares for the same period one year ago.

Greg Henslee, O'Reilly's President and CEO commented, "We are very pleased to report another record breaking quarter. Our strong results are highlighted by an industry-leading 7.2% increase in comparable store sales, which mirrors the strong 7.2% increase we generated in the first quarter of the year. Our Team's focus on providing consistently high levels of service to our customers continues to drive our strong top-line performance, and I would like to thank each of them for their contributions to our ongoing success."

Mr. Henslee continued, "Team O'Reilly's unwavering commitment to profitable, sustainable growth translated our very strong sales results into a record second quarter operating margin of 19.0% and drove a 20% increase in second quarter diluted earnings per share to $2.29, representing our 26th consecutive quarter of dilutive earnings per share growth greater than 15%. We achieved these record breaking results despite recording a $19 million charge during the quarter as the result of an adverse verdict and associated costs of litigation arising from a dispute with a former service provider. This unusual charge, which is unrelated to our second quarter operations, decreased our second quarter operating margin by 93 basis points."

Year-to-Date Financial Results

Sales for the first six months of 2015 increased $362 million, or 10%, to $3.94 billion from $3.58 billion for the same period one year ago. Gross profit for the first six months of 2015 increased to $2.05 billion (or 52.0% of sales) from $1.83 billion (or 51.1% of sales) for the same period one year ago, representing an increase of 12%. SG&A for the first six months of 2015 increased to $1.31 billion (or 33.3% of sales) from $1.20 billion (or 33.7% of sales) for the same period one year ago, representing an increase of 9%. Operating income for the first six months of 2015 increased to $736 million (or 18.7% of sales) from $624 million (or 17.4% of sales) for the same period one year ago, representing an increase of 18%.

Net income for the first six months of 2015 increased $67 million, or 18%, to $446 million (or 11.3% of sales) from $380 million (or 10.6% of sales) for the same period one year ago. Diluted earnings per common share for the first six months of 2015 increased 24% to $4.35 on 103 million shares versus $3.52 on 108 million shares for the same period one year ago.

Mr. Henslee added, "During the first half of the year, we opened 99 net, new stores across the country and we are on track to meet our goal of 205 net, new store openings for the year. We continue to be pleased with the success of our new store openings as we expand the O'Reilly brand in existing markets and establish ourselves in new markets. As we look ahead into the second half of the year, we believe the long-term drivers for demand in our industry are intact, but more importantly, we are very confident in our ability to consistently execute our proven dual market strategy, supported by our dedicated and hardworking team. The third quarter is off to a good start; however, we anniversary our very strong 6.2% comparable store sales results from the third quarter of 2014, and based on these compares, we are establishing third quarter comparable store sales guidance at a range of 3% to 5%. Driven by our strong first half performance, we are increasing our full year comparable store sales guidance to a range of 4% to 6%. I would once again like to thank our over 71,000 Team Members for their hard work and commitment to providing exceptional service to every customer who depends on O'Reilly for their automotive care needs."

Share Repurchase Program

During the second quarter ended June 30, 2015, the Company repurchased 2.0 million shares of its common stock, at an average price per share of $221.50, for a total investment of $440 million. During the first six months of 2015, the Company repurchased 2.6 million shares of its common stock, at an average price per share of $218.05, for a total investment of $575 million. Subsequent to the end of the second quarter and through the date of this release, the Company repurchased an additional 0.2 million shares of its common stock, at an average price per share of $231.08, for a total investment of $55 million. The Company has repurchased a total of 49.2 million shares of its common stock under its share repurchase program since the inception of the program in January of 2011 and through the date of this release, at an average price of $98.54, for a total aggregate investment of $4.85 billion. As of the date of this release, the Company had approximately $649 million remaining under its current share repurchase authorizations. 

2^nd Quarter Comparable Store Sales Results

Comparable store sales are calculated based on the change in sales for stores open at least one year and exclude sales of specialty machinery, sales to independent parts stores and sales to Team Members. Comparable store sales increased 7.2% for the second quarter ended June 30, 2015, versus 5.1% for the same period one year ago. Comparable store sales increased 7.2% for the first six months of 2015, versus 5.7% for the same period one year ago.

3^rd Quarter and Updated Full-Year 2015 Guidance

The table below outlines the Company's guidance for selected third quarter and updated full-year 2015 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 debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, share-based compensation and rent ("EBITDAR") and free cash flow. The Company does not, nor does it suggest investors should, consider such non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, GAAP financial information. The Company believes that the presentation of adjusted debt to EBITDAR and free cash flow provide meaningful supplemental information to both management and investors that is indicative of the Company's core operations. The Company has included a reconciliation of this additional information to the most comparable GAAP measure in the selected financial information below.

Earnings Conference Call Information

The Company will host a conference call on Thursday, July 30, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. central time to discuss its results as well as future expectations. Investors may listen to the conference call live on the Company's website at www.oreillyauto.com by clicking on "Investor Relations" and then "News Room." Interested analysts are invited to join the call. The dial-in number for the call is (847) 585-4405; the conference call identification number is 40041445. A replay of the conference call will be available on the Company's website through July 29, 2016.

About O'Reilly Automotive, Inc.

O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. was founded in 1957 by the O'Reilly family and is one of the largest specialty retailers of automotive aftermarket parts, tools, supplies, equipment and accessories in the United States, serving both the do-it-yourself and professional service provider markets. Visit the Company's website at www.oreillyauto.com for additional information about O'Reilly, including access to online shopping and current promotions, store locations, hours and services, employment opportunities and other programs. As of June 30, 2015, the Company operated 4,465 stores in 43 states.

Forward-Looking Statements

The Company claims the protection of the safe-harbor for forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "estimate," "may," "could," "will," "believe," "expect," "would," "consider," "should," "anticipate," "project," "plan," "intend" or similar words. In addition, statements contained within this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements, such as statements discussing, among other things, expected growth, store development, integration and expansion strategy, business strategies, future revenues and future performance. These forward-looking statements are based on estimates, projections, beliefs and assumptions and are not guarantees of future events and results. Such statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, but not limited to, the economy in general, inflation, product demand, the market for auto parts, competition, weather, risks associated with the performance of acquired businesses, our ability to hire and retain qualified employees, consumer debt levels, our increased debt levels, credit ratings on public debt, governmental regulations, terrorist activities, war and the threat of war. Actual results may materially differ from anticipated results described or implied in these forward-looking statements. Please refer to the "Risk Factors" section of the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, for additional factors that could materially affect the Company's financial performance. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

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