Advance Auto Parts Reports First Quarter 2026 Results; Reaffirms Full Year 2026 Guidance
Advance Auto Parts Inc. (NYSE: AAP) returned to operating profitability in the first quarter, posting comparable store sales growth of 3.5%—its strongest in five years—and reaffirmed its full-year 2026 guidance.
For the quarter ended April 25, 2026, net sales were essentially flat at $2.6 billion. Comparable store sales rose 3.5%, led by mid-single-digit growth among professional installers and low-single-digit growth among do-it-yourself customers.
Operating income was $69 million, or 2.6% of net sales, compared with an operating loss of $131 million a year earlier. Adjusted operating income reached $99 million, with margin expanding 410 basis points to 3.8%. Gross margin rose to 45.1% from 42.9%. Diluted earnings per share were $0.39, while adjusted diluted earnings per share were $0.77, up from an adjusted loss of $0.22 a year ago.
“2026 is off to a solid start and we remain on track to execute our strategic priorities for the year,” said Shane O’Kelly, president and chief executive officer. “These results were driven by a sequential improvement in transactions reflecting the unwavering focus of our team to deliver strong customer service.”
The company reaffirmed full-year guidance of $8.49 billion to $8.58 billion in net sales and adjusted diluted earnings per share of $2.40 to $3.10. It also declared a quarterly cash dividend of 25 cents per share, payable July 24 to shareholders of record as of July 10.
As of April 25, 2026, Advance operated 4,308 stores, primarily in the United States, and served 797 independently owned Carquest-branded stores.