LKQ Corporation LKQ

The average American car is now 13 years old, and four distributors quietly profit every time one breaks down. Which of these stocks offers the steadiest ride through a high-rate, high-repair economy?

AutoZone (AZO) expects its domestic same-store sales to be flat or up by low single digits in fiscal 2027. It expects higher spending per purchase to drive that outlook. That matters because its Auto Parts Stores segment brings in almost all of the company's $20.0 billion in yearly sales. AutoZone's do-it-yourself (DIY) shoppers are already making fewer trips. It is not settled whether they return once price increases slow.

Copart (CPRT) has lost more than a third of its value over the past twelve months, while the S&P 500 gained about 17%. At $29.66, the stock sits at roughly 64% of its 52-week high, and the easy read is that a durable auction business has gone on sale. But its growth slowed well before the acquisition it just announced, and dealer volume is a different business from the insurance volume that is falling.