CHICAGO, May 27 (Reuters) - AutoZone Inc. , the largest U.S. auto parts retailer, on Tuesday said its quarterly earnings rose, driven by higher sales of replacement parts to car repair centers.
AutoZone said net income in the third quarter ended May 10 rose to $126.0 million, or $1.30 a share, from $102.3 million, or 96 cents a share, a year ago.
Analysts expected Memphis, Tennessee-based AutoZone to earn $1.27 a share, with estimates ranging from $1.20 to $1.31 a share, according to Thomson First Call.
Third-quarter sales at its stores open at least one year rose 2.8 percent from a year ago. Total sales increased 5.2 percent to $1.29 billion.