Advance Auto Parts, Inc., a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider in North America, serving professional 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.”

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. 

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%.

Figures in USD.

Advance Auto Parts 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.

Advance Auto Parts 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.

Advance Auto Parts Full Year 2026 Guidance⁽¹⁾

		As of May 21, 2026
($ in millions, except per share data)		Low		High
Net sales		$8,485		$8,575
Comparable store sales (52 weeks)(2)		1.00%		2.00%
Adjusted operating income margin		3.80%		4.50%
Adjusted diluted EPS(3)		$2.40		$3.10
Capital expenditures		Approx. $300
Free cash flow		Approx. $100
Store growth
Store Openings		40 – 45
Market hub openings		10 – 15

(1)	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.
(2)	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”).
(3)	Includes pre-tax interest expense of approximately $210 million and pre-tax interest income of approximately $80 million.

Investor Conference Call

The company detailed 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 wias accessible via the Investor Relations page of the Company’s website (ir.AdvanceAutoParts.com). A replay of the conference call will be available on the Company’s Investor Relations website for one year.