American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (AEO) vs LKQ Corporation (LKQ)
LKQ leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics, though AEO is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. and LKQ Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 17, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
AEO
American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.
$17.54Consumer Cyclical
LKQ
LKQ Corporation
$26.24Consumer Cyclical
Total return — AEO vs LKQ
growth of $100 · last 23yAEO +270.0%LKQ +1295.7%LKQ compounded faster
AEO LKQ
AEO vs LKQ: by the numbers
- •LKQ is the larger company ($6.68B vs $2.94B market cap).
- •AEO trades at the lower earnings multiple (10.83 vs 13.05 P/E).
- •AEO converts more revenue to profit (5.01% vs 3.71% net margin).
- •AEO grew revenue faster over the past five years (5.72% vs 3.37% CAGR).
- •LKQ pays the higher dividend yield (4.57% vs 2.85%).
Which is better, AEO or LKQ?
Metric tally: AEO 7 · LKQ 9It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueAEO(lower P/E)
GrowthAEO(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeLKQ(higher dividend yield)
QualityAEO(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AEO | LKQ |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 10.83● | 13.05 |
| Forward P/E | 12.71 | 8.84● |
| P/S ratio | 0.54 | 0.48● |
| P/B ratio | 1.84 | 1.04● |
| PEG ratio | — | 5.73 |
| EV / EBITDA | 8.10● | 8.44 |
| FCF yield | 0.49% | 12.03%● |
Profitability
| Metric | AEO | LKQ |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 34.76% | 37.68%● |
| Operating margin | 7.57%● | 7.30% |
| Net margin | 5.01%● | 3.71% |
| ROE | 17.05%● | 8.00% |
| ROIC | 6.98%● | 6.60% |
Dividends
| Metric | AEO | LKQ |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.85% | 4.57%● |
| Payout ratio | 44.64% | 51.06% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AEO | LKQ |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 5.72%● | 3.37% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -0.15% | 2.28%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -44.42% | -12.79%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -10.28% | -9.32%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, AEO or LKQ?
- It depends on your goal. value: AEO (lower P/E); growth: AEO (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: LKQ (higher dividend yield); quality: AEO (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, LKQ leads 9 to 7.
- Is AEO or LKQ cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, AEO is cheaper: AEO trades at a 10.83 P/E and LKQ at 13.05.
- Which has grown faster, AEO or LKQ?
- Over the past five years, AEO grew revenue faster — AEO at a 5.72% CAGR versus LKQ at 3.37%.
- Does AEO or LKQ pay a bigger dividend?
- AEO yields 2.85% and LKQ yields 4.57% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AEO or LKQ more profitable?
- AEO runs the higher net margin — AEO at 5.01% versus LKQ at 3.71%.
- Which has been the better investment, AEO or LKQ?
- Over the past 10-year, AEO delivered the higher annualized total return — AEO at 4.41% versus LKQ at -0.85%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
American Eagle Outfitters P/E ratioLKQ P/E ratioAmerican Eagle Outfitters dividend yieldLKQ dividend yieldAmerican Eagle Outfitters ROELKQ ROEAmerican Eagle Outfitters operating marginLKQ operating marginAmerican Eagle Outfitters revenue growthLKQ revenue growthAmerican Eagle Outfitters free cash flowLKQ free cash flow
American Eagle Outfitters & LKQ appear in these rankings
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 17, 2026.