O'Reilly Automotive stock gets lift from Q3 growth and outlook

Published on 11/12/2026 at 16:54 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

O'Reilly Automotive stock draws support from strong third-quarter demand and a higher 2026 outlook. Tariff refunds remain a key margin consideration.

O'Reilly's quarterly momentum and outlook

Third-quarter comparable-store sales increased 7.2 percent, with a two-year stack of 12.8 percent.
Tariff refunds supported earnings, making fourth-quarter margin normalization important for investors.
Management raised its 2026 sales, margin, earnings and free-cash-flow outlook.

ORLY, US67103H1077, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

O'Reilly Automotive reported record third-quarter revenue and earnings for the period ended September 30, 2026, in a release published on October 28. The company said comparable-store sales growth remained strong across its professional and do-it-yourself businesses.

O'Reilly's investor release said third-quarter sales rose 9 percent to 5.12 billion US dollars. Comparable-store sales increased 7.2 percent, producing a two-year stack of 12.8 percent. Professional customer sales grew at a double-digit rate, while do-it-yourself sales advanced at a mid-single-digit rate.

Margins and guidance move higher

Gross profit increased 10 percent to 2.68 billion US dollars, lifting the gross margin to 52.4 percent from 51.9 percent a year earlier. Operating income rose 13 percent to 1.10 billion US dollars, or 21.4 percent of sales. Net income increased 8 percent to 786 million US dollars, while diluted earnings per share gained 14 percent to 0.97 US dollars.

Management said a 39 million US dollar tariff-refund benefit contributed to the earnings increase. That one-time contribution makes the fourth-quarter margin path an important test of how much of the latest profitability improvement can persist.

O'Reilly raised its full-year 2026 comparable-store sales outlook to 5.5 percent to 6.5 percent from 4 percent to 6 percent previously. The company now expects revenue of 19.0 billion to 19.3 billion US dollars, a gross margin of 51.6 percent to 52.1 percent, an operating margin of 19.5 percent to 20.0 percent and diluted earnings per share of 3.25 to 3.35 US dollars. Free-cash-flow guidance stands at 1.9 billion to 2.2 billion US dollars.

Expansion remains a central execution test

O'Reilly had opened 173 net new stores through September 30 and remains on track for 225 to 235 additions during 2026. Its store base reached 6,758 locations across the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Canada. For investors, comparable-store sales, margin normalization and the pace of expansion are the next operating checkpoints.

O'Reilly Automotive stock traded at 80.15 euros on Lang & Schwarz at 17:13 CET on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.