In the United States, an increasing number of consumers are keeping their cars on the road longer. It’s not entirely difficult to understand why. The economy is still struggling to recover from the worst financial crisis in decades. And, let’s face it: it’s not exactly a great feeling to purchase a new car only to see it lose thousands of dollars in value as soon as it’s driven off the lot.
As a result, car owners are turning to auto parts replacements rather than buying new cars as often as they used to.
If you’re a Foolish investor who’s always on the lookout for new opportunities, the boom in auto parts means big profits for these companies.
Two stocks for growth investors
For investors with an eye for above-average growth, then AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) and O’Reilly Automotive Inc (NASDAQ:ORLY) should be in your cross-hairs.
Both stocks are retailers and distributors of replacement parts and accessories, and have seen their market values swell over the past couple years.
AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) has run from $350 per share to begin the year all the way to its current level of $440 per share, representing 25% gains in just seven months.
Furthermore, over the first nine months of the year, the results have been just as impressive. Through the first three quarters, net sales and diluted EPS have grown by nearly 4% and 16%, respectively.
AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) doesn’t pay a dividend, so investors who value income above all else might feel left out in the cold. However, while AutoZone doesn’t return cash to shareholders in the form of dividends, it sure does in another form: share buybacks.
AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) spent $325 million on buying back 833,000 of its own shares in the third quarter. At quarter end, the company had $278 million remaining under its share repurchase authorization. Then, a few weeks later, the company announced a new $750 million share buyback plan.
This is how AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) has decided to return cash to shareholders, and it’s clear the company has done it well. Since the inception of the company’s repurchase program in 1998, AutoZone has authorized more than $13 billion in buybacks.
Meanwhile, O’Reilly Automotive Inc (NASDAQ:ORLY) is up a spectacular 37% just to begin 2013. The market was clearly pleased with the company’s recently released second-quarter results, which showed same-store sales growth of 6.5% and 37% diluted EPS growth, year over year.
This wasn’t a one-off quarter, either. Over the first six months of the year, sales and diluted EPS are up 7% and 28%, respectively, versus the first half of 2012.
The clear choice for income investors
For those investors who prefer the volatility-reducing nature of steady dividend payments, then Genuine Parts Company (NYSE:GPC) should be square in your headlights.
Genuine Parts Company (NYSE:GPC) might be an unknown name for many investors, but its NAPA distribution centers and auto parts stores should be much more familiar.
