Advance Auto Parts, Inc. vs Quest Diagnostics Inc — how do they compare? Advance Auto Parts, Inc. trades at $53.29 (market cap $3.19B), while Quest Diagnostics Inc trades at $237.53 (market cap $26.21B). The key difference: Quest Diagnostics Inc is far larger — about 8.2× Advance Auto Parts, Inc.'s market cap, and Advance Auto Parts, Inc. pays the higher dividend (1.89%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AAP | DGX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $3.19B | $26.21B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Health |
52-Week High | $64.17 | $238.50 |
52-Week Low | $38.75 | $173.49 |
Enterprise Value | $5.47B | $31.97B |
Dividend Yield | 1.89% | 1.45% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Advance Auto Parts (AAP) trades at $53.59, down 3.84% on the day, with a bearish technical signal. Recent earnings have consistently beaten estimates, but profitability remains thin with a net margin of 0.51%. The company is executing a turnaround focused on professional sales and supply chain restructuring. Cash flow trends show heavy financing activity supporting operations.
The outlook is mixed; analyst consensus is a Buy with a $61.30 price target, but high debt and weak operating cash flow pose risks. Upside depends on successful execution of the restructuring plan to improve margins and stabilize revenue. Near-term support is at $52, with resistance at $55.
Quest Diagnostics (DGX) trades at $237.24, down 0.16% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The company reported strong Q2 2026 earnings, beating estimates with EPS of $3.12 and raising its full-year outlook, driven by robust testing demand. Revenue grew to $11.04B in 2025, with net income of $992M, though margins face pressure from lower-margin deals and rising costs.
The outlook is positive due to raised guidance and AI integration enhancing efficiency, but risks include debt levels and margin compression. Analysts maintain a cautious buy stance with a $249.50 price target, indicating modest upside potential from current levels amid competitive and cost challenges.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Advance Auto Parts is one of the industry's largest retailers of aftermarket automotive parts, tools, and accessories to do-it-yourself customers in North America. Advance operated 4,972 stores as of the end of 2021, in addition to servicing 1,317 independently owned Carquest stores. The company's Worldpac unit is a premier distributor of imported original-equipment parts. Advance derived 58% of its 2021 sales from commercial clients, up from 30%-40% before the General Parts deal.
Read more on AAP →Quest Diagnostics is a leading independent provider of diagnostic testing, information, and services in the U.S. The company generates over 95% of its revenue through clinical testing, anatomic pathology, esoteric testing, and substance abuse testing with specimens collected at its national network of roughly 2,300 patient service centers, as well as multiple doctors offices and hospitals. The firm also runs a much smaller diagnostic solutions segment that provides clinical trials testing, risk assessment services, and information technology solutions.
Read more on DGX →