Quarterly guidance

Quarterly guidance
No quarterly guidance was given.

Annual guidance

Comparable store sales
5.5% to 6.5%
EPS
$3.25 to $3.35
Total revenue
$19 billion to $19.3 billion
Gross margin
51.6% to 52.1%
SG&A per store growth
4.5% to 5%
Operating profit margin
19.5% to 20%
Free cash flow
$1.9 billion to $2.2 billion

Outlook

Consumer demand
Consumers continue to prioritize vehicle maintenance and repair, though some pressure is noted on the lower-end DIY segment.
Inflation
Management expects same-SKU inflation to moderate in the fourth quarter but remains cautious about potential volatility in commodity-based categories.
Pricing
The industry remains rational, and the company continues to pass through acquisition cost increases where appropriate.
Fuel costs
Fuel prices continue to exert some pressure on the SG&A structure and supply chain operations.
New store growth
The company plans to accelerate new store openings to 265 to 275 in 2027.
Capital allocation
The company remains committed to share repurchases as a primary method for returning excess capital to shareholders.