Advance Auto Parts (AAP - Get Rating) is one of the industry’s largest retailers of aftermarket automotive parts, tools, and accessories to do-it-yourself customers in North America. AAP operated 4,976 stores as of the end of 2020, in addition to servicing 1,277 independently owned Carquest stores.
The company has been expanding its footprint by opening new stores and increasing its online presence. In addition, AAP has continued to make progress on its Do It Yourself (DIY) e-commerce platform. Plus, its acquisition of the DieHard brand is aiding sales growth.
AAP has a current ratio of 1.3, which indicates it has more than enough liquidity to handle short-term obligations. This has led to a Quality Grade of A in our POWR Ratings system. Its gross margin of 44.9% is also above the industry average.
Over the past year, sales were up 13.1%, while earnings grew 43.4%. However, analysts expect earnings to fall slightly year over year in the current quarter. The stock looks undervalued with a forward P/E of 16.42 and a price-to-book of 3.9.
AAP’s stock had been trending up since mid-February, but has been showing bearish momentum since late July, as shown in the chart below.
Take a look at the 1-year chart of AAP below with my added notations:
AAP seems to have formed a down channel chart pattern over the past two months. A channel is formed through the combination of a trend line support that runs parallel to a trend line resistance.
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A long opportunity could be entered on a break above the channel’s resistance. A short trade could be entered on a break below the channel support.
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AAP shares fell $3.57 (-1.73%) in premarket trading Monday. Year-to-date, AAP has gained 32.15%, versus a 16.88% rise in the benchmark S&P 500 index during the same period.
About the Author: Christian Tharp
I am an expert stock market coach having helped over 4000 beginner and advanced traders & investors from around the world take control of their financial futures. I also write stock market related articles for the Adam Mesh Trading Group and Yolo Publishing. More...
More Resources for the Stocks in this Article
| Ticker | POWR Rating | Industry Rank | Rank in Industry |
| AAP | Get Rating | Get Rating | Get Rating |
