Open the filing on EDGARAdvance Auto Parts Reports First Quarter 2026 Results; Reaffirms Full Year 2026 Guidance
- Q1'26 Comparable Sales Growth Of 3.5%; Strongest Performance in Five Years
- Q1'26 Adjusted Operating Income Margin Expands 410 bps Year-over-Year to 3.8%
RALEIGH, N.C., May 21, 2026 - Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (NYSE: AAP), a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider in North America, that serves both professional installer and do-it-yourself customers, announced its financial results for the first quarter ended April 25, 2026.
"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. "During the quarter, comparable sales grew by 3.5% including mid-single-digit growth in Pro and low-single-digit growth in DIY. These results were driven by a sequential improvement in transactions reflecting the unwavering focus of our team to deliver strong customer service. I thank the Advance team for their hard work in the quarter and their commitment to strong operational execution, which is driving stronger asset productivity and margin expansion."
First Quarter 2026 Results
First quarter 2026 net sales totaled $2.6 billion, compared with $2.6 billion in the first quarter of the prior year. First quarter 2025 net sales included approximately $51 million related to sales at stores closed during Q1'25 as a result of our optimization program associated with our 2024 Restructuring Plan. Comparable store sales for the first quarter 2026 increased 3.5%.
The Company's first quarter 2026 gross profit was $1.2 billion, or 45.1% of net sales compared with $1.1 billion, or 42.9% in the first quarter of 2025. Adjusted gross profit was $1.2 billion, or 45.1% of net sales compared with $1.1 billion, or 42.9% in the first quarter of 2025. The increase in gross profit as a percentage of net sales compared to the first quarter of 2025, was primarily driven by expansion in product margin supported by our merchandising initiatives and cycling of approximately 90 basis points of atypical margin headwind related to the store optimization program associated with our 2024 Restructuring Plan, that was completed in the first quarter of 2025.
The Company's first quarter 2026 selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $1.1 billion, or 42.5% of net sales compared with $1.2 billion, or 48.0% of net sales in the first quarter of 2025. Adjusted SG&A expenses were $1.1 billion, or 41.3% of net sales in the first quarter of 2026 compared with $1.1 billion, or 43.2% of net sales in the first quarter of 2025. The reduction in SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales compared to the first quarter of 2025, was driven by cycling of approximately $37 million in expenses related to stores closed during the first quarter of 2025 as a result of our optimization program associated with our 2024 Restructuring Plan; and stronger sales performance compared to the first quarter of 2025.
The Company's first quarter 2026 operating income was $69 million, or 2.6% of net sales, compared with operating loss of $131 million, or (5.1)% of net sales in the first quarter of 2025. Adjusted first quarter 2026 operating income was $99 million or 3.8% of net sales, compared with a loss of $8 million or (0.3)% of net sales in the first quarter of 2025.
The Company's diluted earnings per share was $0.39, compared with $0.40 in the first quarter of 2025. The Company's adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.77, compared with loss of $(0.22) in the first quarter of 2025.
Capital Allocation
On May 19, 2026, the Company declared a regular cash dividend of $0.25 per share to be paid on July 24, 2026 to all common stockholders of record as of July 10, 2026.
The Company calculates comparable store sales based on the change in store sales starting once a location has been open for approximately one year and by including e-commerce sales and excluding sales fulfilled by distribution centers to independently owned Carquest locations. The Company includes sales from relocated stores in comparable store sales from the original date of opening. Closed stores are not included in the comparable store sales calculation. Comparable store sales is intended only as supplemental information and is not a substitute for Net sales presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP").
Full Year 2026 Guidance
| As of May 21, 2026 |
|---|
| ($ in millions, except per share data) | Low | High |
| Net sales | $8,485 | $8,575 |
| Comparable store sales (52 weeks) | 1.00% | 2.00% |
| Adjusted operating income margin | 3.80% | 4.50% |
| Adjusted diluted EPS | $2.40 | $3.10 |
| Capital expenditures | Approx. $300 |
| Free cash flow | Approx. $100 |
| Store growth | |
| Store Openings | 40 - 45 |
| Market hub openings | 10 - 15 |
Adjusted operating income margin, Adjusted diluted EPS and Free cash flow are Non-GAAP measures. For a better understanding of the Company's Non-GAAP adjustments, refer to the reconciliation of Non-GAAP financial measures in the accompanying financial tables. The Company is not able to provide a reconciliation of these forward-looking Non-GAAP measures presented herein because it is unable to predict with reasonable accuracy the value of certain adjustments and as a result, the comparable GAAP measures are unavailable without unreasonable efforts.
Comparable store sales for fiscal 2026 is calculated based on an adjusted fiscal 2025 baseline to account for the 53rd week. The Company calculates comparable store sales based on the change in store sales starting once a location has been open for approximately one year and by including e-commerce sales and excluding sales fulfilled by distribution centers to independently owned Carquest locations. The Company includes sales from relocated stores in comparable store sales from the original date of opening. Comparable store sales is intended only as supplemental information and is not a substitute for Net sales presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).
Includes pre-tax interest expense of approximately $210 million and pre-tax interest income of approximately $80 million.
Investor Conference Call
The Company will detail its results for the first quarter and full year 2026 via a webcast scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, May 21, 2026. The webcast will be accessible via the Investor Relations page of the Company's website (ir.AdvanceAutoParts.com).
To join by phone, please pre-register online for dial-in and passcode information. Upon registering, participants will receive a confirmation with call details and a registrant ID. While registration is open through the live call, the Company suggests registering a minimum 10 minutes before the start of the call. A replay of the conference call will be available on the Company's Investor Relations website for one year.
About Advance Auto Parts
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. is a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider that serves both professional installer and do-it-yourself customers. As of April 25, 2026, Advance operated 4,308 stores primarily within the United States, with additional locations in Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Company also served 797 independently owned Carquest branded stores across these locations in addition to Mexico and various Caribbean islands. Additional information about Advance, including employment opportunities, customer services, and online shopping for parts, accessories and other offerings can be found at www.AdvanceAutoParts.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Forward-looking statements notice
Certain statements herein are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are usually identifiable by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast, “guidance,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “plan,” “position,” “possible,” “potential,” “probable,” “project,” “should,” “strategy,” “target,” “will,” or similar language. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements about the Company’s strategic initiatives, future business and financial performance, revenue, earnings, cash flow, liquidity, restructuring and asset optimization plans, financial objectives, debt capital structure, operational plans and objectives, capital expenditures, organizational changes, cost reductions, expectations for macroeconomic conditions, marketing strategies, inflation, impairments, consumer behavior and preferences, labor costs and availability, supply chain and merchandising strategies and effects, technology investments, effective tax rates, regulatory changes and impacts, anticipated impacts of tariffs and other trade barriers, compliance with debt covenants, statements about the status of, and capacity and utilization under, the Company’s supply chain financing arrangements and statements about the Company’s future credit ratings and outlook as well as statements regarding underlying assumptions related thereto. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s views based on historical results, current information and assumptions related to future developments. Except as may be required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made herein. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied by the forward-looking statements. They include, among others, the Company’s ability to hire, train and retain qualified employees, the timing and implementation of strategic initiatives, risks associated with the Company’s restructuring and asset optimization plans, risks relating to incurrence of indebtedness and increased leverage, risks relating to the Company's credit ratings or perceived creditworthiness, deterioration of general macroeconomic conditions, geopolitical factors, including increased tariffs, petroleum supply and prices, and trade restrictions, the highly competitive nature of the industry, demand for the Company’s products and services, risks relating to the impairment of assets, including intangible assets such as goodwill, access to financing on favorable terms, complexities in the Company’s inventory and supply chain, implementation and operation of information and technology systems and innovative technologies, and challenges with transforming and growing its business. Please refer to “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), as updated by the Company’s subsequent filings with the SEC, for a description of these and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied by the forward-looking statements.
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in millions), (unaudited)
| Assets | April 25, 2026 | January 3, 2026 |
| Current assets: | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | $2,956 | $3,123 |
| Receivables, net | 402 | 380 |
| Inventories, net | 3,815 | 3,646 |
| Other current assets | 128 | 141 |
| Total current assets | 7,301 | 7,290 |
| Property and equipment, net | 1,253 | 1,269 |
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 2,131 | 2,157 |
| Goodwill | 600 | 600 |
| Other intangible assets, net | 399 | 400 |
| Other assets | 115 | 110 |
| Total assets | $11,799 | $11,826 |
| Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | | |
| Current liabilities: | | |
| Accounts payable | $3,054 | $2,977 |
| Accrued expenses | 630 | 756 |
| Other current liabilities | 423 | 443 |
| Total current liabilities | 4,107 | 4,176 |
| Long-term debt | 3,414 | 3,412 |
| Operating lease liabilities | 1,813 | 1,812 |
| Deferred income taxes | 153 | 142 |
| Other long-term liabilities | 99 | 86 |
| Total liabilities | 9,586 | 9,628 |
| Total stockholders' equity | 2,213 | 2,198 |
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $11,799 | $11,826 |
This condensed consolidated balance sheet has been prepared on a basis consistent with the Company's previously prepared balance sheets filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), but does not include the footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in millions, except per share data), (unaudited)
| Sixteen Weeks Ended |
|---|
| April 25, 2026 | April 19, 2025 |
|---|
| Net sales | $2,614 | $2,583 |
| Cost of sales | 1,434 | 1,474 |
| Gross profit | 1,180 | 1,109 |
| Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of restructuring expenses | 1,079 | 1,122 |
| Restructuring and related expenses | 32 | 118 |
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 1,111 | 1,240 |
| Operating income (loss) | 69 | (131) |
| Other, net: | | |
| Interest expense | (65) | (27) |
| Other income, net | 31 | 27 |
| Total other, net | (34) | - |
| Income (loss) before income tax expense | 35 | (131) |
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 11 | (155) |
| Net income | $24 | $24 |
| Basic earnings per common share | $0.40 | $0.40 |
| Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding | 60.1 | 59.8 |
| Diluted earnings per common share | $0.39 | $0.40 |
| Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding | 60.9 | 60.2 |
These condensed consolidated statements of operations have been prepared on a basis consistent with the Company's previously prepared statements of operations filed with the SEC, but does not include the footnotes required by GAAP.
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in millions), (unaudited)
| Sixteen Weeks Ended |
|---|
| April 25, 2026 | April 19, 2025 |
|---|
| Cash flows from operating activities: | | |
| Net income | $24 | $24 |
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities: | | |
| Depreciation and amortization | 74 | 89 |
| Share-based compensation | 12 | 11 |
| Loss on sale and impairment of long-lived assets | 3 | 10 |
| Expected future credit losses, net | 4 | 9 |
| Provision for deferred income taxes | 11 | (22) |
| Other, net | 18 | 3 |
| Net change in: | | |
| Receivables, net | (25) | 42 |
| Inventories, net | (171) | (114) |
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 24 | 50 |
| Other assets | 6 | (69) |
| Accounts payable | 78 | 14 |
| Accrued expenses | (52) | (119) |
| Operating lease liabilities | (36) | (81) |
| Other liabilities | 11 | (3) |
| Net cash used in operating activities | (19) | (156) |
| Cash flows from investing activities: | | |
| Purchases of property and equipment | (56) | (42) |
| Proceeds from sales of property and equipment | 1 | 15 |
| Other, net | (2) | - |
| Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations | (57) | (27) |
| Net cash used in investing activities of discontinued operations | (55) | - |
| Net cash used in investing activities | (112) | (27) |
| Cash flows from financing activities: | | |
| Dividends paid | (30) | (15) |
| Other, net | (7) | (2) |
| Net cash used in financing activities | (37) | (17) |
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | 1 | 3 |
| Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | (167) | (197) |
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 3,123 | 1,869 |
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $2,956 | $1,672 |
This condensed consolidated statement of cash flows has been prepared on a basis consistent with the Company's previously prepared statements of operations filed with the SEC, but does not include the footnotes required by GAAP.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company uses certain Non-GAAP financial measures described below to supplement the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP and to understand and evaluate the Company's core operating performance. These Non-GAAP financial measures, which may be different than similarly titled measures used by other companies, are presented as the Company believes that such Non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information about our financial performance, enhance the overall understanding of our past performance and future prospects, and allow for greater transparency with respect to important metrics used by management for financial and operational decision-making. The Company is presenting these Non-GAAP metrics to provide investors insight to the information used by our management to evaluate our business and financial performance. The Company believes that these measures provide investors increased comparability of our core financial performance over multiple periods with other companies in our industry. The Company's Non-GAAP financial measures include Adjusted Gross Profit, Adjusted Gross Profit Margin, Adjusted Selling, General and Administrative expense (“Adjusted SG&A”), Adjusted SG&A Margin, Adjusted Operating Income (loss), Adjusted Operating Income (loss) Margin, Adjusted Net Income (loss), Adjusted Diluted Earnings (loss) Per Share (“Adjusted Diluted EPS”), Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDAR ("Net Leverage Ratio"), and should not be used as a substitute for GAAP financial measures, or considered in isolation, for the purpose of analyzing operating performance, financial position or cash flows.
The Company has presented these Non-GAAP financial measures as the Company believes that the presentation of the financial results that exclude the categories of expenses and income listed below provide useful and indicative information about the performance of the Company's base operations because the expenses and income vary from period to period in terms of size, nature and significance. The Company also adjusts for the income tax impact of these Non-GAAP adjustments using the estimated tax rate in effect for the respective Non-GAAP adjustments. Included below is a description of the categories of expenses and income that the Company has determined are not normal, recurring cash operating expenses necessary to operate the Company’s business.
Restructuring and other related expenses: Expenses directly incurred relating to announced restructuring initiatives. These expenses include severance expense, retention bonuses, incremental reserves related to the collectibility of receivables (inclusive of notes receivable) and third-party professional services expenses incurred for services provided in assisting in the development and execution of the plan(s). These expenses also include certain costs related to the distribution network optimization plan for the conversion of the stores and distribution centers to market hubs, including realized losses on liquidated inventory, temporary labor, nonrecurring professional service fees and team member severance.
Impairments and write-down of assets: Expenses relating to the impairment of certain assets, including operating lease right-of-use ("ROU") assets, property and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets. These expenses also include incremental depreciation as a result of accelerating long-lived assets over a shorter useful life, ROU asset amortization after store closure, and incremental lease abandonment expenses as a result of accelerating ROU asset amortization for leases the Company expects to exit before the end of the contractual term, net of gains on lease terminations.
Other items: Expenses primarily relating to nonrecurring services rendered by third-party vendors engaged to perform strategic business review and transformational activities, expense incurred related to acquisitions and divestitures including third-party transaction related expenses, transition services agreement expenses and income, and certain other expenses not viewed as normal cash operating expenses. In fiscal 2025, these expenses also included a non-cash charge related to expected future credit losses on vendor receivables due from a vendor that filed voluntary petitions for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Other items also include certain tax items, both expenses and benefits, that are unrelated to the fiscal year in which they are recorded and are excluded in order to provide a clearer understanding of the Company’s ongoing Non-GAAP tax rate and after-tax earnings.
Reconciliation of GAAP Results to Non-GAAP Results:
| Q1 2026 |
|---|
| GAAP Results | GAAP Margin | Restructuring and Other Related Expenses | Impairments and Write-downs of assets | Other Items | Non-GAAP Adjusted Results | Non-GAAP Adjusted Margin |
|---|
| Net sales | $2,614 | | $- | $- | $- | $2,614 | |
| Cost of sales | 1,434 | | (2) | - | - | 1,436 | |
| Gross Profit | 1,180 | 45.1% | (2) | - | - | 1,178 | 45.1% |
| Selling, general and administrative | 1,111 | 42.5% | 19 | 8 | 5 | 1,079 | 41.3% |
| Operating income | 69 | 2.6% | 17 | 8 | 5 | 99 | 3.8% |
| Other income (expense) | (34) | | - | - | 1 | (33) | |
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 11 | | (5) | (2) | (1) | 19 | |
| Net Income | $24 | | $12 | $6 | $5 | $47 | |
| Diluted earnings per share | $0.39 | | | | | $0.77 | |
| Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding | 60.9 | | | | | 60.9 | |
These GAAP and Non-GAAP measures are calculated as a percentage of net sales.
Restructuring and other related expenses includes $13 million for reserves on independent loans and $4 million of other related expenses associated with location closures.
The Company recorded incremental accelerated depreciation and amortization for property and equipment and ROU assets of $5 million and impairment charges for property and equipment and ROU assets of $3 million, net of gains on sale.
Other items includes $5 million of nonrecurring services rendered by third-party vendors.
The income tax impact of Non-GAAP adjustments is calculated using the estimated tax rate in effect for the respective Non-GAAP adjustments.
| Q1 2025 |
|---|
| GAAP Results | GAAP Margin | Restructuring and Other Related Expenses | Impairments and Write-downs of assets | Other Items | Non-GAAP Adjusted Results | Non-GAAP Adjusted Margin |
|---|
| Net sales | $2,583 | | $- | $- | $- | $2,583 | |
| Cost of sales | 1,474 | | - | - | - | 1,474 | |
| Gross Profit | 1,109 | 42.9% | - | - | - | 1,109 | 42.9% |
| Selling, general and administrative | 1,240 | 48.0% | 66 | 45 | 12 | 1,117 | 43.2% |
| Operating income (loss) | (131) | (5.1)% | 66 | 45 | 12 | (8) | (0.3)% |
| Other income (expense) | - | | - | - | (4) | (4) | |
| Income tax expense (benefit) | (155) | | (16) | (11) | (129) | 1 | |
| Net Income (loss) | $24 | | $50 | $34 | $(121) | $(13) | |
| Diluted earnings per share | $0.40 | | | | | $(0.22) | |
| Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding | 60.2 | | | | | 59.8 | |
These GAAP and Non-GAAP measures are calculated as a percentage of net sales.
Non-GAAP diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding excludes 0.4 million of anti-dilutive share-based awards.
Details of Non-GAAP adjustment amounts included in the Non-GAAP reconciliation for the prior period are included in the press release for that period.
Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow:
| Sixteen Weeks Ended |
|---|
| (in millions) | April 25, 2026 | April 19, 2025 |
| Cash flows from continuing operations | $(19) | $(156) |
| Purchases of property and equipment | (56) | (42) |
| Free cash flow | $(75) | $(198) |
(1) The sixteen weeks ended April 25, 2026 and April 19, 2025, included approximately $6 million and $90 million, respectively, of cash charges related to restructuring and other related expenses under our 2024 Restructuring Plan.
Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDAR
| Four Quarters Ended |
|---|
| (in millions, except adjusted debt to EBITDAR ratio) | April 25, 2026 |
| Total Debt (GAAP) | $3,414 |
| Add: Operating lease liabilities | 2,211 |
| Less: Cash & cash equivalents | (2,956) |
| Adjusted Net Debt (Non-GAAP) | $2,669 |
| Net income (GAAP) | $69 |
| Depreciation and amortization | 257 |
| Interest expense | 177 |
| Other income, net | (94) |
| Income tax benefit | 6 |
| Rent expense | 533 |
| Share-based compensation | 37 |
| Transformation and other charges | 144 |
| Adjusted EBITDAR (Non-GAAP) | $1,129 |
| Debt to Net income (GAAP) | 49.5 |
| Adjusted Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDAR (Non-GAAP) | 2.4 |
Management believes its Adjusted Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDAR ratio (“net leverage ratio”) is a key financial metric for debt securities, as reviewed by rating agencies, and believes its debt levels are best analyzed using this measure. The Company’s goal is to re-establish an investment grade rating. The Company's credit rating could impact the Company's ability to obtain additional funding. A negative change in the Company's investment rating, could negatively impact future performance and limit growth opportunities. The net leverage ratio calculated by the Company is a Non-GAAP measure and should not be considered a substitute for debt to net income, as determined in accordance with GAAP. The Company adjusts the calculation to deduct available cash & cash equivalents and to add back the Company’s existing operating lease liabilities related to their right-of-use assets to provide a more meaningful comparison with the Company’s peers and to account for differences in debt structures and leasing arrangements. The Company also adjusts the calculation to remove rent expense and transformational and other non-cash charges. The Company’s calculation of its net leverage ratio may not be calculated in the same manner as other companies, and thus may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
The adjustments to the four quarters ended April 25, 2026 primarily include expenses associated with restructuring and related activities, including non-cash impairments, in addition to other items, including a charge for expected future credit losses related to vendor receivables due from a vendor that filed petitions for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on September 28, 2025, the Company's material weakness remediation efforts, professional fees and executive turnover.
Store Information:
During the sixteen weeks ended April 25, 2026, four stores were opened and one store was closed, resulting in a total of 4,308 stores as of April 25, 2026, compared with a total of 4,305 stores as of January 3, 2026.
The below table summarizes the changes in the number of company-operated stores during the sixteen weeks ended April 25, 2026:
| Sixteen Weeks Ended |
|---|
| AAP | CARQUEST | Total |
|---|
| January 3, 2026 | 4,066 | 239 | 4,305 |
| New | 4 | - | 4 |
| Closed | - | (1) | (1) |
| April 25, 2026 | 4,070 | 238 | 4,308 |
Contacts
Investor Relations Contact: Lavesh Hemnani · T: (919) 227-5466 · E: invrelations@advance-auto.com
Nicole Ducouer · T: (984) 389-7207 · E: AAPcommunications@advance-auto.com