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O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2026 Results

  • Third quarter comparable store sales growth of 7.2%
  • 14% increase in third quarter diluted earnings per share to $0.97
  • $2.6 billion net cash provided by operating activities year-to-date

SPRINGFIELD, Mo., Oct. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. (the “Company” or “O’Reilly”) (Nasdaq: ORLY), a leading retailer in the automotive aftermarket industry, today announced record revenue and earnings for its third quarter ended September 30, 2026.

3rd Quarter Financial Results

Brad Beckham, O’Reilly’s CEO, commented, “I would like to thank our Team Members for their unwavering commitment to providing industry-leading service to each of our customers. Team O’Reilly’s dedication was evident in our strong third quarter comparable store sales increase of 7.2%. This robust growth came on top of strong sales in the third quarter last year, resulting in a two-year stack of 12.8%, and was driven by share gains on both sides of our business, with double-digit growth in our professional business and mid-single digit growth in DIY. Our impressive top-line growth, coupled with a $39 million benefit from tariff refunds received during the third quarter, drove a 14% increase in our third quarter diluted earnings per share. We are extremely pleased with the continued ability of our Team to deliver industry-leading results through their hard work and unrelenting focus on our customers.”

Sales for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026, increased $416 million, or 9%, to $5.12 billion from $4.71 billion for the same period one year ago. Gross profit for the third quarter increased 10% to $2.68 billion (or 52.4% of sales) from $2.44 billion (or 51.9% of sales) for the same period one year ago. Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) for the third quarter increased 8% to $1.58 billion (or 30.9% of sales) from $1.46 billion (or 31.1% of sales) for the same period one year ago. Operating income for the third quarter increased 13% to $1.10 billion (or 21.4% of sales) from $976 million (or 20.7% of sales) for the same period one year ago.

Net income for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026, increased $60 million, or 8%, to $786 million (or 15.3% of sales) from $726 million (or 15.4% of sales) for the same period one year ago. Diluted earnings per common share for the third quarter increased 14% to $0.97 on 812 million shares versus $0.85 on 853 million shares for the same period one year ago.

Year-to-Date Financial Results

Mr. Beckham concluded, “As a result of our strong year-to-date performance and expectations for the remainder of 2026, we are raising our full-year 2026 comparable store sales guidance to a range of 5.5% to 6.5%. We are also raising our full-year 2026 gross margin guidance to a range of 51.6% to 52.1% and our operating profit guidance to a range of 19.5% to 20.0%. These updates incorporate our strong third quarter performance, including the benefit from tariff refunds, and our margin expectations for the fourth quarter. Year-to-date, we have opened 173 net, new stores across North America and are on track to reach our goal of 225 to 235 net, new store openings in 2026. We remain very pleased with our new store performance and confident in the strength of the fundamental demand drivers in our business.”

Sales for the first nine months of 2026 increased $1.21 billion, or 9%, to $14.57 billion from $13.37 billion for the same period one year ago. Gross profit for the first nine months of 2026 increased 10% to $7.55 billion (or 51.8% of sales) from $6.89 billion (or 51.5% of sales) for the same period one year ago. SG&A expenses for the first nine months of 2026 increased 9% to $4.62 billion (or 31.7% of sales) from $4.26 billion (or 31.8% of sales) for the same period one year ago. Operating income for the first nine months of 2026 increased 11% to $2.93 billion (or 20.1% of sales) from $2.63 billion (or 19.7% of sales) for the same period one year ago.

Net income for the first nine months of 2026 increased $172 million, or 9%, to $2.10 billion (or 14.4% of sales) from $1.93 billion (or 14.5% of sales) for the same period one year ago. Diluted earnings per common share for the first nine months of 2026 increased 13% to $2.54 on 828 million shares versus $2.25 on 858 million shares for the same period one year ago.

3rd Quarter Comparable Store Sales Results

Comparable store sales are calculated based on the change in sales for U.S. stores open at least one year and exclude sales of specialty machinery, sales to independent parts stores, and sales to Team Members. Online sales for ship-to-home orders and pick-up-in-store orders for U.S. stores open at least one year are included in the comparable store sales calculation. Comparable store sales increased 7.2% for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026, on top of 5.6% for the same period one year ago. Comparable store sales increased 7.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, on top of 4.5% for the same period one year ago.

Share Repurchase Program

During the third quarter ended September 30, 2026, the Company repurchased 11.8 million shares of its common stock, at an average price per share of $87.34, for a total investment of $1.03 billion. During the first nine months of 2026, the Company repurchased 38.5 million shares of its common stock, at an average price per share of $89.99, for a total investment of $3.47 billion. Excise tax on shares repurchased, assessed at one percent of the fair market value of shares repurchased, was $34.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2026. Subsequent to the end of the third quarter and through the date of this release, the Company repurchased an additional 2.3 million shares of its common stock, at an average price per share of $87.11, for a total investment of $204 million. The Company has repurchased a total of 1.50 billion 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 $20.63, for a total aggregate investment of $31.02 billion.   As of the date of this release, the Company had approximately $727 million remaining under its current share repurchase authorization.

Updated Full-Year 2026 Guidance

The table below outlines the Company’s updated guidance for selected full-year 2026 financial data:

     
       For the Year Ending
    December 31, 2026
Net, new store openings   225 to 235
Comparable store sales   5.5% to 6.5%
Total revenue   $19.0 billion to $19.3 billion
Gross profit as a percentage of sales   51.6% to 52.1%
Operating income as a percentage of sales   19.5% to 20.0%
Effective income tax rate   22.7 %
Diluted earnings per share (1)   $3.25 to $3.35
Net cash provided by operating activities   $3.2 billion to $3.6 billion
Capital expenditures   $1.3 billion to $1.4 billion
Free cash flow (2)   $1.9 billion to $2.2 billion


(1) Weighted-average shares outstanding, assuming dilution, used in the denominator of this calculation, includes share repurchases made by the Company through the date of this release.
(2) Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. The table below reconciles Free cash flow guidance to Net cash provided by operating activities guidance, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure:


                     
         For the Year Ending
  (in millions)   December 31, 2026
  Net cash provided by operating activities   $ 3,210   to   $ 3,620
  Less: Capital expenditures     1,300   to     1,400
    Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation payments     10   to     20
  Free cash flow   $ 1,900   to   $ 2,200


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 table above and the selected financial information below.

Earnings Conference Call Information

The Company will host a conference call on Thursday, October 29, 2026, 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.” Interested analysts are invited to join the call. The dial-in number for the call is (888) 506-0062 and the conference call identification number is 479629. A replay of the conference call will be available on the Company’s website through Thursday, October 28, 2027.

About O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.

O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. was founded in 1957 by the O’Reilly family and is one of the largest specialty retailers of automotive aftermarket parts, tools, supplies, equipment, and accessories in the United States, serving both the do-it-yourself and professional service provider markets. Visit the Company’s website at www.OReillyAuto.com for additional information about O’Reilly, including access to online shopping and current promotions, store locations, hours and services, employment opportunities, and other programs. As of September 30, 2026, the Company operated 6,758 stores across 48 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Canada.

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,” “guidance,” “target,” 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; consumer debt levels; product demand; a public health crisis; the market for auto parts; competition; weather; trade disputes and changes in trade policies, including the imposition of new or increased tariffs; availability of key products and supply chain disruptions; business interruptions, including terrorist activities, war and the threat of war; failure to protect our brand and reputation; challenges in international markets; volatility of the market price of our common stock; our increased debt levels; credit ratings on public debt; damage, failure, or interruption of information technology systems, including information security and cyber-attacks; historical growth rate sustainability; our ability to hire and retain qualified employees; risks associated with the performance of acquired businesses; and governmental regulations. 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, 2025, and subsequent Securities and Exchange Commission filings, 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.

   
For further information contact: Investor Relations Contacts
  Leslie Skorick (417) 874-7142
  Eric Bird (417) 868-4259
   
  Media Contact
  Sonya Cox (417) 427-8071



O’REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share data)

 
    September 30, 2026   September 30, 2025   December 31, 2025
    (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Note)
Assets                  
Current assets:                  
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 194,445     $ 204,513     $ 193,793  
Accounts receivable, net     462,093       422,849       389,793  
Amounts receivable from suppliers     200,905       178,155       159,900  
Inventory     6,165,052       5,610,118       5,731,385  
Other current assets     200,805       181,340       269,406  
Total current assets     7,223,300       6,596,975       6,744,277  
                   
Property and equipment, at cost     11,035,437       9,982,785       10,222,249  
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization     4,303,799       3,849,021       3,964,824  
Net property and equipment     6,731,638       6,133,764       6,257,425  
                   
Operating lease, right-of-use assets     2,493,533       2,404,612       2,391,150  
Goodwill     952,900       945,587       948,208  
Other assets, net     200,508       198,689       197,193  
Total assets   $ 17,601,879     $ 16,279,627     $ 16,538,253  
                   
Liabilities and shareholders’ deficit                  
Current liabilities:                  
Accounts payable   $ 7,507,497     $ 7,060,609     $ 7,103,684  
Self-insurance reserves     198,760       180,138       297,304  
Accrued payroll     133,882       154,288       119,603  
Accrued benefits and withholdings     293,232       256,835       240,072  
Income taxes payable     8,162       10,696       13,957  
Current portion of operating lease liabilities     458,026       436,672       439,907  
Other current liabilities     744,009       610,521       561,294  
Total current liabilities     9,343,568       8,709,759       8,775,821  
                   
Long-term debt     7,711,498       5,915,530       6,016,904  
Operating lease liabilities, less current portion     2,126,908       2,049,454       2,034,688  
Deferred income taxes     244,095       240,728       211,210  
Other liabilities     268,418       258,832       262,982  
                   
Shareholders’ equity (deficit):                  
Common stock, $0.01 par value:                  
Authorized shares – 1,250,000,000                  
Issued and outstanding shares –                  
804,607,512 as of September 30, 2026,                  
846,832,348 as of September 30, 2025, and                  
841,909,238 as of December 31, 2025     8,046       8,468       8,419  
Additional paid-in capital     1,537,400       1,519,584       1,530,292  
Retained deficit     (3,653,266 )     (2,438,352 )     (2,328,817 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income     15,212       15,624       26,754  
Total shareholders’ deficit     (2,092,608 )     (894,676 )     (763,352 )
                   
Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit   $ 17,601,879     $ 16,279,627     $ 16,538,253  

Note: The balance sheet at December 31, 2025, has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by United States generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.


O’REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
    For the Three Months Ended   For the Nine Months Ended
    September 30,    September 30, 
       2026        2025        2026        2025  
Sales   $ 5,121,290     $ 4,705,696     $ 14,573,842     $ 13,367,678  
Cost of goods sold, including warehouse and distribution expenses     2,438,249       2,265,750       7,026,850       6,479,709  
Gross profit     2,683,041       2,439,946       7,546,992       6,887,969  
                         
Selling, general and administrative expenses     1,584,750       1,463,879       4,621,347       4,255,966  
Operating income     1,098,291       976,067       2,925,645       2,632,003  
                         
Other income (expense):                            
Interest expense     (81,850 )     (59,566 )     (214,466 )     (174,467 )
Interest income     1,987       1,780       5,324       5,329  
Other, net     3,706       5,369       9,795       6,591  
Total other expense     (76,157 )     (52,417 )     (199,347 )     (162,547 )
                         
Income before income taxes     1,022,134       923,650       2,726,298       2,469,456  
Provision for income taxes     236,513       197,754       621,432       536,480  
Net income   $ 785,621     $ 725,896     $ 2,104,866     $ 1,932,976  
                         
Earnings per share-basic:                            
Earnings per share   $ 0.97     $ 0.86     $ 2.55     $ 2.26  
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – basic     808,851       848,292       824,100       853,909  
                         
Earnings per share-assuming dilution:                            
Earnings per share   $ 0.97     $ 0.85     $ 2.54     $ 2.25  
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – assuming dilution     812,201       852,704       827,754       858,452  


O’REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
    For the Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
    2026     2025  
Operating activities:            
Net income   $ 2,104,866     $ 1,932,976  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:            
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and intangibles     413,189       375,825  
Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs     6,086       5,502  
Deferred income taxes     33,460       (7,873 )
Share-based compensation programs     26,289       27,108  
Other     (978 )     7,381  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:            
Accounts receivable     (82,911 )     (66,898 )
Inventory     (437,579 )     (486,368 )
Accounts payable     409,638       532,599  
Income taxes payable     (3,077 )     (1,882 )
Other     129,172       (189,869 )
Net cash provided by operating activities     2,598,155       2,128,501  
             
Investing activities:            
Purchases of property and equipment     (860,273 )     (899,783 )
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment     6,677       16,882  
Return of tax credit equity investments     3,294       —  
Other, including acquisitions, net of cash acquired     (2,718 )     (13,664 )
Net cash used in investing activities     (853,020 )     (896,565 )
             
Financing activities:            
Net (payments) proceeds of commercial paper     (238,843 )     389,796  
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt     2,446,149       —  
Principal payments on long-term debt     (500,000 )     —  
Payment of debt issuance costs     (17,287 )     (3,829 )
Payment of excise tax on share repurchases     (18,718 )     (17,012 )
Repurchases of common stock     (3,467,904 )     (1,596,650 )
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock     52,333       68,280  
Other     (270 )     (433 )
Net cash used in financing activities     (1,744,540 )     (1,159,848 )
             
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash     57       2,180  
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents     652       74,268  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period     193,793       130,245  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period   $ 194,445     $ 204,513  
             
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:            
Income taxes paid   $ 618,464     $ 876,513  
Interest paid, net of capitalized interest     180,675       152,090  


O’REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(Unaudited)
 
    For the Twelve Months Ended
    September 30,
Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR:   2026   2025
(In thousands, except adjusted debt to EBITDAR ratio)            
GAAP debt   $ 7,711,498   $ 5,915,530
Add: Letters of credit     197,596     156,259
  Unamortized discount and debt issuance costs     38,502     24,470
  Six-times rent expense     3,077,952     2,894,580
Adjusted debt   $ 11,025,548   $ 8,990,839
             
GAAP net income   $ 2,710,099   $ 2,484,106
Add: Interest expense     275,063     229,870
  Provision for income taxes     786,914     670,547
  Depreciation and amortization     548,594     498,393
  Share-based compensation expense     34,296     34,439
  Rent expense (i)     512,992     482,430
EBITDAR   $ 4,867,958   $ 4,399,785
             
Adjusted debt to EBITDAR     2.26     2.04


(i) The table below outlines the calculation of Rent expense and reconciles Rent expense to Total lease cost, per ASC 842, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, for the twelve months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025 (in thousands):


                 
      For the Twelve Months Ended
      September 30, 
      2026   2025
  Total lease cost, per ASC 842      $ 614,988   $ 581,898
  Less: Variable non-contract operating lease components, related to property taxes and insurance     101,996     99,468
  Rent expense   $ 512,992   $ 482,430


                 
    September 30, 
       2026   2025
Selected Balance Sheet Ratios:                  
Inventory turnover (1)     1.6     1.6
Average inventory per store (in thousands) (2)   $ 912   $ 858
Accounts payable to inventory (3)     121.8%
    125.9%


                           
      For the Three Months Ended   For the Nine Months Ended
      September 30,    September 30, 
         2026
     2025      2026
     2025
Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow (in thousands):                            
Net cash provided by operating activities   $ 558,743     $ 616,535   $ 2,598,155     $ 2,128,501
Less: Capital expenditures     308,223       312,098     860,273       899,783
  Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation payments     1,961       7,441     11,507       27,714
  Return of tax credit equity investments     (3,294 )     —     (3,294 )     —
Free cash flow   $ 251,853     $ 296,996   $ 1,729,669     $ 1,201,004


                         
    For the Three Months Ended   For the Nine Months Ended
    September 30,    September 30, 
       2026      2025      2026      2025
Revenue Disaggregation (in thousands):                      
Sales to do-it-yourself customers $ 2,448,394   $ 2,304,804   $ 6,975,384   $ 6,585,229
Sales to professional service provider customers     2,600,841     2,307,782     7,361,207     6,502,215
Other sales and sales adjustments     72,055     93,110     237,251     280,234
Total sales   $ 5,121,290   $ 4,705,696   $ 14,573,842   $ 13,367,678


                         
    For the Three Months Ended   For the Nine Months Ended   For the Twelve Months Ended
    September 30,    September 30,    September 30, 
       2026      2025      2026     2025        2026      2025  
Store Count:                        
Beginning domestic store count   6,541   6,360   6,447   6,265     6,406   6,187  
New stores opened   54   46   148   141     189   219  
Stores closed   —   —   —   —     —   —  
Ending domestic store count   6,595   6,406   6,595   6,406     6,595   6,406  
                         
Beginning Mexico store count   126   98   112   87     107   78  
New stores opened   8   9   22   20     27   29  
Stores closed   —   —   —   —     —   —  
Ending Mexico store count   134   107   134   107     134   107  
                         
Beginning Canada store count   28   25   26   26     25   26  
New stores opened   1   —   3   —     4   —  
Stores closed   —   —   —   (1 )   —   (1 )
Ending Canada store count   29   25   29   25     29   25  
                         
Total ending store count   6,758   6,538   6,758   6,538     6,758   6,538  


                         
    For the Three Months Ended   For the Twelve Months Ended
    September 30,    September 30, 
       2026      2025      2026      2025
Store and Team Member Information:                        
Total employment     96,820     93,269             
Square footage (in thousands) (4)     53,382     50,980            
Sales per weighted-average square foot (4)(5)   $ 94.65   $ 90.80   $ 355.84   $ 344.65
Sales per weighted-average store (in thousands) (4)(6)   $ 764   $ 720   $ 2,856   $ 2,701


 (1) Calculated as cost of goods sold for the last 12 months divided by average inventory.
 (2) Calculated as inventory divided by store count at the end of the reported period.
 (3) Calculated as accounts payable divided by inventory.
 (4) Represents O’Reilly’s U.S. and Puerto Rico operations only.
 (5) Calculated as sales less jobber sales, divided by weighted-average square footage. Weighted-average square footage is determined by weighting store square footage based on the approximate dates of store openings, acquisitions, expansions, or closures.
 (6) Calculated as sales less jobber sales, divided by weighted-average stores. Weighted-average stores is determined by weighting stores based on their approximate dates of openings, acquisitions, or closures.

This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified individual.


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