Advance Auto Parts Inc. (NYSE:AAP) on Thursday posted stronger-than-expected quarterly results.

Advance Auto Parts Inc. (NYSE: AAP) reported strong Q1 results, beating earnings and sales expectations. Analysts have raised price targets for AAP.

AAP posts a surprise Q1 profit as comparable sales rise 3.5%, gross margin expands and Pro demand fuels the strongest comp growth in five years.

Advance Auto Parts posted a big earnings beat in the first quarter. Stronger-than-expected margins have investors feeling bullish about the rest of the year.

Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (AAP) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

Advance Auto Parts shares jumped after the company posted an earnings and sales beat, driven by stronger Pro and DIY demand, merchandising gains and improving customer engagement despite consumer and geopolitical pressures.

Advance Auto Parts delivered strong Q1 results, with EPS of $0.77 and 3.5% same-store sales growth, signaling tangible turnaround progress. Gross margin improved 130bps to 45.1%, and operating margin expanded 410bps to 3.8%, reflecting successful merchandising and cost control initiatives. AAP maintained conservative full-year guidance despite Q1 outperformance, with EPS expected at $2.40-$3.10 and same-store sales growth of 1%-2%.

New jobless claims stay on the low side, Housing Starts up on multi-family and Walmart beats by a penny.

The headline numbers for Advance Auto Parts (AAP) give insight into how the company performed in the quarter ended March 2026, but it may be worthwhile to compare some of its key metrics to Wall Street estimates and the year-ago actuals.

U.S. stocks were lower on Thursday, with Nasdaq falling over 200 points. Advance Auto Parts Inc (NYSE: AAP) jumped 16.4% after reporting better-than-expected Q1 results.