Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (AAP) vs Carter's Inc. (CRI)

A side-by-side comparison of Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Carter's Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnAAP vs CRI

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
AAP -66.0% (-10.2%/yr)CRI -58.9% (-8.5%/yr)CRI compounded faster over this window
50100150Start $10020182020202220242026$34$41
AAP CRI

AAP vs CRI: by the numbers

  • AAP is the larger company ($2.69B vs $1.12B market cap).
  • CRI trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (5.54 vs 32.57 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • CRI converts more revenue to profit (6.55% vs 0.97% net margin).
  • Both shrank revenue over the past five years; CRI's decline was smaller (-2.54% vs -4.55% CAGR).
  • CRI pays the higher dividend yield (3.31% vs 2.24%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricAAPCRI
P/E ratio32.575.54
Forward P/E14.899.30
P/S ratio0.310.38
P/B ratio1.191.09
EV / EBITDA8.265.00
FCF yield0.85%26.13%

Profitability

MetricAAPCRI
Gross margin44.66%48.60%
Operating margin3.75%9.24%
Net margin0.97%6.55%
ROE3.72%18.99%
ROIC3.49%10.17%

Dividends

MetricAAPCRI
Dividend yield2.24%3.31%
Payout ratio72.89%18.21%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAAPCRI
Revenue CAGR (5Y)-4.55%-2.54%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-36.67%-24.12%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-53.33%-26.11%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-24.10%-18.44%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, AAP or CRI?
CRI has the lower trailing P/E: AAP trades at 32.57 and CRI at 5.54. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, AAP or CRI?
Neither grew: over the past five years both shrank revenue, with CRI's decline the smaller — AAP at a -4.55% CAGR versus CRI at -2.54%.
Does AAP or CRI pay a bigger dividend?
AAP yields 2.24% and CRI yields 3.31% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is AAP or CRI more profitable?
CRI runs the higher net margin — AAP at 0.97% versus CRI at 6.55%.
How have AAP and CRI total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, AAP delivered -10.35% and CRI delivered -8.33% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified September 13, 2026.