Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (NYSE:AAP) Signals Weak Momentum; Near-Term Price Pressure Expected

Advance Auto Parts shows operational stabilization but mixed technicals and stretched leverage, implying near-term price pressure as the market digests improving margins against heavy debt and negative free cash flow.

Recent News

On February 13, 2026 Advance Auto Parts reported fourth-quarter and full‑year 2025 results, announced 2026 guidance (comparable store sales 1.0%–2.0%, adjusted operating income margin 3.8%–4.5%) and declared a $0.25 quarterly dividend on February 10, 2026.

January 24, 2026 coverage highlighted institutional skepticism and an analyst rotation away from lower‑margin retailers, citing concerns about revenue trends and leverage.

Technical Analysis

Directional Indicators: ADX at 18.09 indicates no established trend, but DI+ shows a dip & reversal while DI- shows a peak & reversal; both signals point toward bullish directional pressure but with weak trend strength, supporting a cautious near-term bias against the WMDST over‑valued assessment.

MACD: MACD sits at 0.27 below the signal line at 0.58 with a decreasing MACD_trend, indicating bearish momentum and a lack of confirmation for upside continuation despite directional indicator signals.

MRO: MRO at 24.41 (positive, decreasing) signals the current price sits above the model target and therefore carries downside potential; the declining MRO reduces that excess-pressure slightly but does not remove it.

RSI and Short-Term Momentum: RSI at 52.16 with a peak & reversal trend signals waning upside momentum and aligns with MACD’s bearish tilt, implying limited immediate upside in the absence of new bullish catalysts.

Price vs Moving Averages and Bands: Closing price $51.92 sits below the 200‑day average $52.74, above the 50‑day average $50.13, and near the lower Bollinger 1× band ($50.92), consistent with a consolidation range and the potential for short-lived downside pressure if momentum deteriorates further.

Volatility & Volume: 42‑day beta 1.23 and 52‑week beta 1.09 indicate above‑market sensitivity; volume (~1.58M) tracks the 10‑day average and remains below the 50/200‑day averages, suggesting moves lack unusually strong participation at present.

 


Fundamental Analysis

Profitability: EBIT $74,000,000 and EBITDA $132,000,000 yield an EBIT margin of 3.75%. That margin sits below the industry peer mean (≈11.72%) and median (≈10.83%) while above the industry peer low (≈‑7.69%), and shows QoQ movement of 101.018% and YoY of ‑109.283% as provided.

Revenue & Earnings: Total revenue $1,973,000,000 with YoY revenue growth reported at ‑3.094% and QoQ at ‑3.39104% (as provided). EPS actual $0.86 versus estimate $0.41 produced a $0.45 beat, an EPS surprise of 109.756% (EPSsurpriseRatio 1.09756), reflecting stronger-than-expected per‑share results for the period.

Cash Flow & Liquidity: Operating cash flow $72,000,000 and free cash flow ‑$21,000,000 produce a free cash flow yield of ‑0.716%. Cash and short‑term investments $3,123,000,000 against total debt $5,224,000,000 result in net debt $289,000,000; current ratio 1.746 and quick ratio 0.873 show adequate near‑term coverage but weak free cash generation.

Leverage & Coverage: Debt to EBITDA 39.58 and interest coverage ratio 1.40 indicate elevated leverage and limited interest buffer; debt to equity 2.3767 and debt to capital 0.70385 quantify a capital structure skewed toward debt, supporting the WMDST valuation of over‑valued given stretched leverage versus cash flow metrics.

Efficiency & Other Metrics: Asset turnover 0.165 (below the industry peer mean ≈0.3156), days inventory outstanding ~290 days and cash conversion cycle ~65 days highlight working capital intensity and inventory carrying requirements that pressure cash flow.

Valuation: WMDST values the stock as over‑valued, consistent with a high PE ratio (56.82), an enterprise multiple of 38.14, negative free cash flow yield, and structural leverage that weaken the near‑term valuation case despite recent margin improvement and an EPS beat.

MOST-RECENT QUARTERLY REPORT
REPORT PERIOD ENDING: 2025-12-31
REPORT DATE: 2026-02-13
NEXT REPORT DATE: 2026-05-15
CASH FLOW  Begin Period Cash Flow 3.2 B
 Operating Cash Flow 72.0 M
 Capital Expenditures -93.00 M
 Change In Working Capital -23.00 M
 Dividends Paid -15.00 M
 Cash Flow Delta -51.00 M
 End Period Cash Flow 3.1 B
 
INCOME STATEMENT REVENUE
 Total Revenue 2.0 B
 Forward Revenue 4.8 B
COSTS
 Cost Of Revenue 1.1 B
 Depreciation 58.0 M
 Depreciation and Amortization 58.0 M
 Research and Development
 Total Operating Expenses 1.9 B
PROFITABILITY
 Gross Profit 869.0 M
 EBITDA 132.0 M
 EBIT 74.0 M
 Operating Income 68.0 M
 Interest Income
 Interest Expense 53.0 M
 Net Interest Income -53.00 M
 Income Before Tax 21.0 M
 Tax Provision -9.00 M
 Tax Rate 40.0 %
 Net Income 6.0 M
 Net Income From Continuing Operations 30.0 M
EARNINGS
 EPS Estimate 0.41
 EPS Actual 0.86
 EPS Difference 0.45
 EPS Surprise 109.756 %
 Forward EPS 0.98
 
BALANCE SHEET ASSETS
 Total Assets 11.8 B
 Intangible Assets 1.0 B
 Net Tangible Assets 1.2 B
 Total Current Assets 7.3 B
 Cash and Short-Term Investments 3.1 B
 Cash 3.1 B
 Net Receivables 370.0 M
 Inventory 3.6 B
 Long-Term Investments 110.0 M
LIABILITIES
 Accounts Payable 3.0 B
 Short-Term Debt
 Total Current Liabilities 4.2 B
 Net Debt 289.0 M
 Total Debt 5.2 B
 Total Liabilities 9.6 B
EQUITY
 Total Equity 2.2 B
 Retained Earnings 4.1 B
VALUATION & PER-SHARE METRICS EQUITY & PER-SHARE METRICS
 Book Value Per-Share 36.62
 Shares Outstanding 60.022 M
 Revenue Per-Share 32.87
VALUATION
 Market Capitalization 2.9 B
 Enterprise Value 5.0 B
 Enterprise Multiple 38.135
Enterprise Multiple QoQ -26.027 %
Enterprise Multiple YoY -717.829 %
Enterprise Multiple IPRWA high: 135.997
median: 79.36
mean: 72.656
AAP: 38.135
low: -9.179
 EV/R 2.551
CAPITAL STRUCTURE
 Asset To Equity 5.38
 Asset To Liability 1.228
 Debt To Capital 0.704
 Debt To Assets 0.442
Debt To Assets QoQ 1.254 %
Debt To Assets YoY 29.395 %
Debt To Assets IPRWA high: 1.07
median: 0.513
mean: 0.486
AAP: 0.442
low: 0.13
 Debt To Equity 2.377
Debt To Equity QoQ -0.839 %
Debt To Equity YoY 39.904 %
Debt To Equity IPRWA high: 4.879
AAP: 2.377
mean: 1.555
median: 1.395
low: -2.088
PRICE-BASED VALUATION
 Price To Book (P/B) 1.334
Price To Book QoQ -13.286 %
Price To Book YoY 7.247 %
Price To Book IPRWA high: 11.1
mean: 5.411
median: 3.522
AAP: 1.334
low: -3.282
 Price To Earnings (P/E) 56.818
Price To Earnings QoQ -102.018 %
Price To Earnings YoY -247.515 %
Price To Earnings IPRWA high: 190.196
median: 123.637
mean: 102.17
AAP: 56.818
low: -123.055
 PE/G Ratio -0.013
 Price To Sales (P/S) 1.486
Price To Sales QoQ -10.396 %
Price To Sales YoY 9.901 %
Price To Sales IPRWA high: 18.42
mean: 9.81
median: 8.143
AAP: 1.486
low: 0.253
FORWARD MULTIPLES
Forward P/E 50.633
Forward PE/G -0.012
Forward P/S 0.613
EFFICIENCY OPERATIONAL
 Operating Leverage -30.617
ASSET & SALES
 Asset Turnover Ratio 0.165
Asset Turnover Ratio QoQ -8.313 %
Asset Turnover Ratio YoY -3.713 %
Asset Turnover Ratio IPRWA high: 0.64
mean: 0.316
median: 0.269
AAP: 0.165
low: 0.079
 Receivables Turnover 4.945
Receivables Turnover Ratio QoQ 18.157 %
Receivables Turnover Ratio YoY 55.79 %
Receivables Turnover Ratio IPRWA high: 111.893
mean: 14.831
median: 10.864
AAP: 4.945
low: 0.298
 Inventory Turnover 0.301
Inventory Turnover Ratio QoQ -3.815 %
Inventory Turnover Ratio YoY -30.18 %
Inventory Turnover Ratio IPRWA high: 2.463
mean: 0.7
median: 0.616
AAP: 0.301
low: 0.294
 Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) 18.453
CASH CYCLE
 Cash Conversion Cycle Days (CCC) 65.303
Cash Conversion Cycle Days QoQ 13.712 %
Cash Conversion Cycle Days YoY 16.061 %
Cash Conversion Cycle Days IPRWA high: 342.592
AAP: 65.303
mean: 24.244
median: 14.212
low: -161.35
CAPITAL DEPLOYMENT
 Cash Conversion Ratio 0.634
 CapEx To Revenue -0.047
 CapEx To Depreciation -1.603
 
CAPITAL, LIQUIDITY & COVERAGE CAPITAL STRUCTURE
 Total Capital 5.6 B
 Net Invested Capital 5.6 B
 Invested Capital 5.6 B
 Net Tangible Assets 1.2 B
 Net Working Capital 3.1 B
LIQUIDITY
 Cash Ratio 0.748
 Current Ratio 1.746
Current Ratio QoQ 0.985 %
Current Ratio YoY 32.567 %
Current Ratio IPRWA high: 3.547
AAP: 1.746
mean: 1.16
median: 1.045
low: 0.323
 Quick Ratio 0.873
Quick Ratio QoQ -0.759 %
Quick Ratio YoY 60.817 %
Quick Ratio IPRWA high: 2.051
AAP: 0.873
mean: 0.306
median: 0.219
low: 0.059
COVERAGE & LEVERAGE
 Debt To EBITDA 39.576
 Cost Of Debt 0.607 %
 Interest Coverage Ratio 1.396
Interest Coverage Ratio QoQ 46.972 %
Interest Coverage Ratio YoY -103.273 %
Interest Coverage Ratio IPRWA high: 75.047
mean: 14.426
median: 8.4
AAP: 1.396
low: -15.692
 Operating Cash Flow Ratio -0.007
TIMING / LIQUIDITY
 Days Payables Outstanding (DPO) 243.096
DIVIDENDS
 Dividend Coverage Ratio 0.4
 Dividend Payout Ratio 2.5
 Dividend Rate 0.25
 Dividend Yield 0.005
PERFORMANCE GROWTH
 Asset Growth Rate -1.932 %
 Revenue Growth -3.094 %
Revenue Growth QoQ -339.104 %
Revenue Growth YoY -56.269 %
Revenue Growth IPRWA high: 39.622 %
AAP: -3.094 %
mean: -4.098 %
median: -4.227 %
low: -25.856 %
 Earnings Growth -4400.0 %
Earnings Growth QoQ 4176.038 %
Earnings Growth YoY -254.386 %
Earnings Growth IPRWA high: 87.591 %
median: -16.471 %
mean: -18.323 %
low: -181.818 %
AAP: -4400.0 %
MARGINS
 Gross Margin 44.045 %
Gross Margin QoQ 1.789 %
Gross Margin YoY 153.278 %
Gross Margin IPRWA high: 71.35 %
median: 44.097 %
AAP: 44.045 %
mean: 41.261 %
low: 10.184 %
 EBIT Margin 3.751 %
EBIT Margin QoQ 101.018 %
EBIT Margin YoY -109.283 %
EBIT Margin IPRWA high: 18.986 %
mean: 11.716 %
median: 10.828 %
AAP: 3.751 %
low: -7.692 %
 Return On Sales (ROS) 3.447 %
Return On Sales QoQ 27.619 %
Return On Sales YoY -108.531 %
Return On Sales IPRWA high: 19.991 %
mean: 11.764 %
median: 11.014 %
AAP: 3.447 %
low: -7.69 %
CASH FLOW
 Free Cash Flow (FCF) -21.00 M
 Free Cash Flow Yield -0.716 %
Free Cash Flow Yield QoQ -68.178 %
Free Cash Flow Yield YoY -84.458 %
Free Cash Flow Yield IPRWA high: 9.132 %
median: 0.448 %
mean: 0.358 %
AAP: -0.716 %
low: -10.237 %
 Free Cash Growth -72.368 %
Free Cash Growth QoQ -102.974 %
Free Cash Growth YoY -84.88 %
Free Cash Growth IPRWA high: 382.415 %
median: 19.716 %
mean: -54.782 %
AAP: -72.368 %
low: -636.544 %
 Free Cash To Net Income -3.5
 Cash Flow Margin -1.521 %
 Cash Flow To Earnings -5.0
VALUE & RETURNS
 Economic Value Added 0.02
 Return On Assets (ROA) 0.05 %
Return On Assets QoQ
Return On Assets YoY -101.403 %
Return On Assets IPRWA high: 4.623 %
median: 2.721 %
mean: 2.437 %
AAP: 0.05 %
low: -2.24 %
 Return On Capital Employed (ROCE) 0.967 %
 Return On Equity (ROE) 0.003
Return On Equity QoQ -693.478 %
Return On Equity YoY -101.428 %
Return On Equity IPRWA high: 0.228
median: 0.041
mean: 0.008
AAP: 0.003
low: -0.186
 DuPont ROE 0.273 %
 Return On Invested Capital (ROIC) 0.791 %
Return On Invested Capital QoQ 47.85 %
Return On Invested Capital YoY -102.413 %
Return On Invested Capital IPRWA high: 12.426 %
mean: 7.466 %
median: 7.379 %
AAP: 0.791 %
low: -3.079 %

Six-Week Outlook

Expect range‑bound price action with a downside bias while MACD momentum remains negative and MRO indicates price above model target. The coexistence of bullish directional signals (DI+ recovering, DI‑ subsiding) and weak ADX implies any rallies will likely require stronger volume or fresh fundamental catalysts to sustain upside. Elevated leverage, negative free cash flow, and the stock’s valuation premium increase sensitivity to headline risk; traders should watch momentum cross‑confirmation and intraday volatility as primary drivers of short‑term moves rather than structural improvement alone.

About Advance Auto Parts, Inc.

Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (NYSE:AAP) is a prominent player in the automotive aftermarket industry, offering a vast selection of replacement parts and accessories. Founded in 1929 and based in Raleigh, North Carolina, the company has established itself as a trusted resource for both professional mechanics and do-it-yourself car enthusiasts. Advance Auto Parts stocks an extensive array of products for a wide range of vehicles, including domestic and imported models. Their offerings encompass essential components such as brakes, batteries, engine parts, and climate control systems, along with maintenance essentials like motor oils and filters. Beyond their comprehensive product catalog, Advance Auto Parts is dedicated to enhancing customer experience through various services. These include battery and wiper blade installation, engine diagnostics, and electrical system testing. The company also supports sustainability with recycling programs for oil and batteries and provides a convenient loaner tool program for customers tackling their own repairs. With a robust presence across the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada, Advance Auto Parts operates under its own name as well as the Carquest brand. They further extend their reach through Worldpac branches and independently owned Carquest stores in Mexico and the Caribbean, solidifying their role as a cornerstone in the automotive repair and maintenance landscape.



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