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

CRI leads on 11 of 13 compared metrics.

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 June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — AAP vs CRI

growth of $100 · last 23y
AAP +144.8%CRI +247.3%CRI compounded faster
2004006008001kStart $10020072011201520192023$245$347
AAP CRI

AAP vs CRI: by the numbers

  • AAP is the larger company ($3.67B vs $1.58B market cap).
  • CRI trades at the lower earnings multiple (16.87 vs 84.21 P/E).
  • CRI converts more revenue to profit (3.07% vs 0.51% net margin).
  • CRI grew revenue faster over the past five years (-1.35% vs -4.27% CAGR).
  • CRI pays the higher dividend yield (2.34% vs 1.64%).

Which is better, AAP or CRI?

Metric tally: AAP 2 · CRI 11

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueCRI(lower P/E)
GrowthCRI(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCRI(higher dividend yield)
QualityCRI(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricAAPCRI
P/E ratio84.2116.87
Forward P/E12.92
P/S ratio0.430.51
P/B ratio1.671.63
PEG ratio26.78
EV / EBITDA11.7410.86
FCF yield8.38%

Profitability

MetricAAPCRI
Gross margin44.04%44.66%
Operating margin3.16%4.80%
Net margin0.51%3.07%
ROE1.99%9.76%
ROIC-1.57%5.29%

Dividends

MetricAAPCRI
Dividend yield1.64%2.34%
Payout ratio136.99%38.61%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAAPCRI
Revenue CAGR (5Y)-4.27%-1.35%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-36.67%0.63%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-16.51%-24.78%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-19.21%-13.10%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AAP or CRI?
It depends on your goal. value: CRI (lower P/E); growth: CRI (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CRI (higher dividend yield); quality: CRI (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CRI leads 11 to 2.
Is AAP or CRI cheaper?
On trailing earnings, CRI is cheaper: AAP trades at a 84.21 P/E and CRI at 16.87.
Which has grown faster, AAP or CRI?
Over the past five years, CRI grew revenue faster — AAP at a -4.27% CAGR versus CRI at -1.35%.
Does AAP or CRI pay a bigger dividend?
AAP yields 1.64% and CRI yields 2.34% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is AAP or CRI more profitable?
CRI runs the higher net margin — AAP at 0.51% versus CRI at 3.07%.
Which has been the better investment, AAP or CRI?
Over the past 10-year, CRI delivered the higher annualized total return — AAP at -7.59% versus CRI at -5.79%. 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 June 14, 2026.