O’Reilly (ORLY) Q1 2026 EPS climbs 16% as comps rise 8.1%
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
O’Reilly Automotive reported record first quarter 2026 results with strong growth in sales and profitability. Sales rose 10% to $4.56 billion, driven by an 8.1% increase in comparable store sales across both professional and DIY customers.
Gross profit grew 11% to $2.35 billion, and operating income increased 14% to $842 million, lifting operating margin to 18.5% of sales. Net income rose 12% to $604 million, while diluted earnings per share climbed 16% to $0.72 from $0.62, helped by share repurchases.
Free cash flow for the quarter was $785.1 million, as net cash from operating activities reached $1.03 billion. The company repurchased 10.0 million shares for $923 million in the quarter and a further 3.6 million shares for $338 million after quarter-end, with $1.14 billion remaining under its authorization. Updated 2026 guidance calls for total revenue of $18.7–$19.0 billion and diluted EPS of $3.15–$3.25.
Positive
- Strong top-line growth: Q1 2026 sales increased 10% year over year to $4.56 billion, with comparable store sales up 8.1%, showing robust demand across professional and DIY customers.
- Margin expansion and earnings growth: Operating income rose 14% to $842 million and net income grew 12% to $604 million, driving a 16% increase in diluted EPS to $0.72.
- Healthy cash generation and capital returns: Free cash flow reached $785.1 million in Q1 2026, supporting $923 million of share repurchases in the quarter and additional buybacks after quarter-end.
- Constructive 2026 outlook: Updated full-year 2026 guidance calls for total revenue of $18.7–$19.0 billion and diluted EPS of $3.15–$3.25, implying continued growth with solid margins and cash flow.
Negative
- None.
Insights
Q1 2026 delivered double-digit growth, margin expansion, and higher full-year earnings guidance.
O’Reilly Automotive posted first quarter 2026 sales of $4.56 billion, up 10% year over year, with comparable store sales up 8.1%. Growth was broad-based, with double-digit gains in professional customers and mid-single digit growth in DIY, indicating healthy demand across channels.
Profitability also improved. Operating income rose 14% to $842 million, expanding operating margin to 18.5% of sales from 17.9%. Net income increased to $604.2 million, and diluted EPS grew 16% to $0.72, aided by both higher earnings and a lower share count from repurchases.
The company generated strong free cash flow of $785.1 million in the quarter and repurchased 10.0 million shares for $923 million, with additional buybacks after quarter-end and $1.14 billion still authorized. Updated full-year 2026 guidance targets revenue of $18.7–$19.0 billion and EPS of $3.15–$3.25, reinforcing expectations for continued growth and solid cash generation.
Leverage remains stable as strong cash flow funds heavy buybacks and growth capex.
The company reported GAAP debt of $6.20 billion and an adjusted debt to EBITDAR ratio of 2.03x for the twelve months ended March 31, 2026, unchanged from the prior year. This suggests leverage is being managed even as debt has increased.
Net cash from operating activities reached $1.03 billion in the quarter, while capital expenditures were $244.4 million. Free cash flow of $785.1 million comfortably covered share repurchases of $922.9 million. The balance sheet shows total assets of $16.94 billion and a shareholders’ deficit driven by cumulative buybacks, which concentrates equity but is supported by recurring cash generation.
8-K Event Classification
Key Figures
Key Terms
comparable store sales financial
free cash flow financial
adjusted debt to EBITDAR financial
ASC 842 financial
Earnings Snapshot
For full-year 2026, the company guides to total revenue of $18.7–$19.0 billion, comparable store sales growth of 3.0%–5.0%, operating margin of 19.3%–19.8%, diluted EPS of $3.15–$3.25, net cash from operating activities of $3.1–$3.5 billion, and free cash flow of $1.8–$2.1 billion.
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