---
title: "Slowing Sales and Margin Uncertainty Lead Max Rakhlenko to Maintain Hold on AAP"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/296540280.md"
description: "TD Cowen analyst Max Rakhlenko maintains a Hold rating on AAP, citing slowing comparable sales and margin uncertainty. Factors include decelerating DIY demand among lower-income consumers and lost momentum in the professional segment. Although management pursues strategic initiatives, limited near-term upside due to choppy trends and supply chain issues supports the neutral stance. Roth MKM also holds AAP with a $57 price target."
datetime: "2026-08-20T21:45:17.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/296540280.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/296540280.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/296540280.md)
generator: "portal-rs"
---

# Slowing Sales and Margin Uncertainty Lead Max Rakhlenko to Maintain Hold on AAP

TD Cowen analyst Max Rakhlenko has maintained their neutral stance on AAP stock, giving a Hold rating today.

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Max Rakhlenko has given his Hold rating due to a combination of factors, including slowing comparable sales and a tougher macro backdrop for both do‑it‑yourself and professional customers. While management is pursuing the right operational and strategic initiatives, the recent deceleration in DIY demand, particularly among lower‑income consumers facing weather and economic pressures, has weighed on overall performance and visibility.

At the same time, the professional DIFM segment, though still growing modestly, has lost momentum versus the prior quarter, and core gross margin improvement has been less robust once temporary tariff benefits are excluded. Given choppy trends, uneven progress on the supply chain turnaround, and lingering questions around AAP’s ability to sustain share gains and margin expansion, Rakhlenko sees limited near‑term upside, supporting a Hold rather than a more aggressive rating.

In another report released today, Roth MKM also maintained a Hold rating on the stock with a $57.00 price target.

### Related Stocks

- [AAP.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/AAP.US.md)

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---
> **Disclaimer: This article is for reference only and does not constitute any investment advice.**