As the Q3 earnings season wraps, let’s dig into this quarter’s best and worst performers in the auto parts retailer industry, including AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) and its peers.

Cars are complex machines that need maintenance and occasional repairs, and auto parts retailers cater to the professional mechanic as well as the do-it-yourself (DIY) fixer. Work on cars may entail replacing fluids, parts, or accessories, and these stores have the parts and accessories or these jobs. While e-commerce competition presents a risk, these stores have a leg up due to the combination of broad and deep selection as well as expertise provided by sales associates. Another change on the horizon could be the increasing penetration of electric vehicles.

The 5 auto parts retailer stocks we track reported a softer Q3. As a group, revenues were in line with analysts’ consensus estimates.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady. On average, they are relatively unchanged since the latest earnings results.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO)

Aiming to be a one-stop shop for the DIY customer, AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) is an auto parts and accessories retailer that sells everything from car batteries to windshield wiper fluid to brake pads.

AutoZone reported revenues of $6.21 billion, up 9% year on year. This print was in line with analysts’ expectations, but overall, it was a slower quarter for the company with a miss of analysts’ EBITDA and EPS estimates.

AutoZone pulled off the fastest revenue growth of the whole group. Unsurprisingly, the stock is up 3.7% since reporting and currently trades at $3,164.

Is now the time to buy AutoZone? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q3: O'Reilly (NASDAQ:ORLY)

Serving both the DIY customer and professional mechanic, O’Reilly Automotive (NASDAQ:ORLY) is an auto parts and accessories retailer that sells everything from fuel pumps to car air fresheners to mufflers.

O'Reilly reported revenues of $4.36 billion, up 3.8% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 1.3%. The business performed better than its peers, but it was unfortunately a mixed quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates but full-year EPS guidance slightly missing analysts’ expectations.

O'Reilly pulled off the highest full-year guidance raise among its peers. However, the results were likely priced into the stock as it’s traded sideways since reporting. Shares currently sit at $1,208.

Is now the time to buy O'Reilly? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Slowest Q3: Monro (NASDAQ:MNRO)

Started as a single location in Rochester, New York, Monro (NASDAQ:MNRO) provides common auto services such as brake repairs, tire replacements, and oil changes.

Monro reported revenues of $301.4 million, down 6.4% year on year, in line with analysts’ expectations. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Monro delivered the biggest analyst estimates beat but had the slowest revenue growth in the group. Interestingly, the stock is up 7.6% since the results and currently trades at $28.82.

Read our full analysis of Monro’s results here.

Genuine Parts (NYSE:GPC)

Largely targeting the professional customer, Genuine Parts (NYSE:GPC) sells auto and industrial parts such as batteries, belts, bearings, and machine fluids.

Genuine Parts reported revenues of $5.97 billion, up 2.5% year on year. This print was in line with analysts’ expectations. Taking a step back, it was a softer quarter as it logged full-year EPS guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly and a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The stock is down 13% since reporting and currently trades at $124.49.

Read our full, actionable report on Genuine Parts here, it’s free.

Advance Auto Parts (NYSE:AAP)

Founded in Virginia in 1932, Advance Auto Parts (NYSE:AAP) is an auto parts and accessories retailer that sells everything from carburetors to motor oil to car floor mats.

Advance Auto Parts reported revenues of $2.15 billion, down 3.2% year on year. This number came in 1.1% below analysts' expectations. Overall, it was a disappointing quarter as it also produced full-year revenue guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly.

Advance Auto Parts had the weakest full-year guidance update among its peers. The stock is down 2% since reporting and currently trades at $40.09.

Read our full, actionable report on Advance Auto Parts here, it’s free.

Market Update

Thanks to the Fed’s rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has been on a steady path downward, easing back toward that 2% sweet spot. Fortunately (miraculously to some), all this tightening didn’t send the economy tumbling into a recession, so here we are, cautiously celebrating a soft landing. The cherry on top? Recent rate cuts (half a point in September, a quarter in November) have kept 2024 stock markets frothy, especially after Trump’s November win lit a fire under major indices and sent them to all-time highs. However, there's still plenty to ponder — tariffs, corporate tax cuts, and what 2025 might hold for the economy.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Top 5 Quality Compounder Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.

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