O'Reilly Automotive stock: Q3 growth lifts 2026 outlook

Published on 11/12/2026 at 14:41 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

O'Reilly Automotive stock drew investor attention after record third-quarter results. Management raised its full-year sales, margin and earnings outlook.

Quarterly growth supports higher guidance

Comparable-store sales rose 7.2% in the third quarter, extending a two-year stack to 12.8%.
Management cited a USD 39 million tariff-refund benefit alongside stronger professional and do-it-yourself demand.
O'Reilly plans 225 to 235 net new stores in 2026 and operates 6,758 locations across North America.

ORLY, US67103H1077, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

O'Reilly Automotive reported record third-quarter revenue and earnings on October 28 for the period ended September 30, 2026. In its quarterly release, the company said sales rose 9% year over year to USD 5.12 billion, while net income increased 8% to USD 786 million.

Comparable-store sales advanced 7.2%, following 5.6% growth in the year-earlier quarter. O'Reilly said the increase reflected share gains in both customer groups, with professional business sales growing at a double-digit rate and do-it-yourself sales in the mid-single digits. The two-year comparable-sales stack reached 12.8%.

Margins and guidance move higher

Gross profit rose 10% to USD 2.68 billion, lifting gross margin to 52.4% from 51.9% a year earlier. Operating income increased 13% to USD 1.10 billion, while diluted earnings per share climbed 14% to USD 0.97 from USD 0.85.

Chief Executive Brad Beckham said a USD 39 million benefit from tariff refunds contributed to the earnings increase. The release also cited stronger acquisition costs in selected categories and distribution-cost leverage. The tariff-related benefit is a relevant consideration when assessing how much of the margin improvement may recur.

O'Reilly raised its full-year 2026 comparable-store sales outlook to 5.5% to 6.5%, from 4% to 6% previously. The company now expects total revenue of USD 19.0 billion to USD 19.3 billion, gross margin of 51.6% to 52.1%, operating income as a percentage of sales of 19.5% to 20.0%, and diluted earnings per share of USD 3.25 to USD 3.35.

Expansion remains part of the plan

The retailer had opened 173 net new stores through September 30 and expects to reach 225 to 235 openings for the full year. Its store base totaled 6,758 locations across the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Canada at the end of the quarter. Management said it remained confident in new-store performance and underlying demand.

O'Reilly also repurchased 11.8 million shares during the quarter at an average price of USD 87.34, investing USD 1.03 billion. Through the first nine months, repurchases totaled 38.5 million shares and USD 3.47 billion. Buybacks supported per-share growth, but the company reported long-term debt of USD 7.71 billion at September 30, up from USD 5.92 billion a year earlier.

Trading reference for investors

O'Reilly Automotive stock traded at EUR 80.15 on Lang & Schwarz at 17:13 CET on Tuesday, November 10. The quote is an older market reference rather than a current November 12 intraday price.