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Advance Auto Parts Reports Second Quarter 2021 Results Net Sales Increased 5.9 % to $ 2.6 billion , Comparable Store Sales Increased by 5.8 % Diluted EPS of $ 2.74 Flat Compared to Q2 2020 ; Adjusted Diluted EPS Increased 15.3 % to $ 3.40 Year to Date Operating Cash Flow of $ 776.2 million ; Free Cash Flow Improved to $ 646.6 million Increased Full Year 2021 Guidance RALEIGH , N.C. , August 24 , 2021 - Advance Auto Parts , Inc. ( NYSE : AAP ) , a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider in North America , that serves both professional installer and do - it - yourself customers , today announced its financial results for the second quarter ended July 17 , 2021 . " Advance's second quarter results highlight the strength of our team and diversified asset base as we continue to make progress on our long - term strategic objectives , " said Tom Greco , president and chief executive officer . " I'd like to thank all our team members and independent partners for their relentless focus on execution . In the second quarter , we delivered a 5.8 % increase in comparable store sales and 13.3 % on a two - year stack . Our top - line improvement was led by the professional business with a recovery in miles driven fueling demand as we lapped double - digit DIY omnichannel growth in the prior year . Our Adjusted operating income margin expanded 11 basis points to 11.4 % . When compared with the second quarter of 2019 , our Adjusted operating income margin increased 227 basis points demonstrating progress against our margin expansion initiatives . Adjusted diluted EPS increased 15.3 % to $ 3.40 compared with the second quarter of 2020 and increased 56.7 % compared with 2019. Our commitment to improving working capital and protecting our balance sheet throughout the pandemic enabled a more than doubling of our Free cash flow when compared with the same period of 2020. Year to date through the second quarter of 2021 , Free cash flow of $ 646.6 million , increased 70 % versus the same period of 2019 . " We're committed to a balanced approach in returning cash to shareholders as we remain focused on driving total shareholder return . In Q2 , we returned a record $ 457.9 million to our shareholders through a combination of share repurchases and our quarterly cash dividend . As we continue into the second half of 2021 , we continue to prioritize the health , safety and wellbeing of our team members and customers as we have throughout the COVID - 19 pandemic . We're confident our ongoing focus to serve our customers with care and speed will enable us to successfully execute against our long - term strategy . This includes growth at or above the industry , capitalizing on our unique margin expansion opportunity and the return of excess cash to shareholders . " Q2 2021 Highlights ( 1 ) Net sales increased 5.9 % to $ 2.6 billion Comparable store sales ( 2 ) increased 5.8 % ; On a two - year stack , Comparable store sales increased 13.3 % Operating income decreased 6.8 % to $ 244.9 million ; Adjusted operating income ( ³ ) increased 7.0 % to $ 302.0 million Operating income margin decreased by 126 basis points to 9.2 % ; Adjusted operating income margin ( ³ ) expanded 11 basis points to 11.4 % Diluted EPS of $ 2.74 was flat compared with the same period of the prior year ; Adjusted Diluted EPS ( ³ ) increased 15.3 % to $ 3.40 Year to date Operating cash flow increased to $ 776.2 million ; Free cash flow ( 3 ) increased to $ 646.6 million Returned $ 457.9 million to shareholders through a combination of share repurchases and quarterly cash dividends ( 1 ) All comparisons are based on the same time period in the prior year . ( 2 ) Comparable store sales exclude sales to independently owned Carquest locations . ( 3 ) For a better understanding of the company's adjusted results , refer to the reconciliation of non - GAAP adjustments in the accompanying financial tables included herein . AUTOPART WORLDPAC CERQUEST AUTO PARTS Advance Auto Parts