Is Valvoline a Better Buy Than AutoZone?
AutoZone fell -16% during the past month. You may be tempted to buy more or may want to reduce your exposure. But there is an entirely different perspective you might be missing. Is there a better alternative? Turns out, its peer Valvoline gives you more. Valvoline (VVV) stock offers superior revenue growth across key periods, better profitability, and relatively lower valuation vs. AutoZone (AZO) stock, suggesting you may be better off investing in VVV
- VVV’s Last 12 Months revenue growth was 5.6%, vs. AZO’s 3.8%.
- In addition, its Last 3-Year Average revenue growth came in at 11.5%, ahead of AZO’s 5.2%.
- VVV leads on profitability over both periods – LTM margin of 22.9% and 3-year average of 21.6%.
These differences become even clearer when you look at the financials side by side. The table highlights how AZO’s fundamentals stack up against those of VVV on growth, margins, momentum, and valuation multiples.
Valuation & Performance Overview
| AZO | VVV | Preferred | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valuation | |||
| P/EBIT Ratio | 15.2 | 9.9 | VVV |
| Revenue Growth | |||
| Last Quarter | 8.2% | 4.2% | AZO |
| Last 12 Months | 3.8% | 5.6% | VVV |
| Last 3 Year Average | 5.2% | 11.5% | VVV |
| Operating Margins | |||
| Last 12 Months | 18.4% | 22.9% | VVV |
| Last 3 Year Average | 19.7% | 21.6% | VVV |
| Momentum | |||
| Last 3 Year Return | 30.5% | -11.7% | AZO |
Note: For “Last 3 Year Return” metric, preferred stock is one with higher returns unless the returns are too high (>300%) which creates risk of sell off.
See more revenue details: AZO Revenue Comparison | VVV Revenue Comparison
See more margin details: AZO Operating Income Comparison | VVV Operating Income Comparison
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See detailed fundamentals on Buy or Sell VVV Stock and Buy or Sell AZO Stock. Below we compare market return and related metrics across years.
Historical Market Performance
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Total [1] | Avg | Best | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||||
| AZO Return | 77% | 18% | 5% | 24% | 6% | -4% | 176% | <=== | |
| VVV Return | 64% | -11% | 15% | -4% | -20% | 3% | 33% | ||
| S&P 500 Return | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 16% | 1% | 84% | ||
| Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||||
| AZO Win Rate | 75% | 50% | 50% | 67% | 58% | 0% | 50% | ||
| VVV Win Rate | 75% | 33% | 42% | 33% | 33% | 100% | 53% | ||
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 67% | 100% | 71% | <=== | |
| Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||||
| AZO Max Drawdown | -6% | -15% | -6% | -2% | -0% | -4% | -6% | <=== | |
| VVV Max Drawdown | -2% | -32% | -10% | -8% | -20% | -1% | -12% | ||
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | 0% | -7% | ||
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2021
[2] 2026 data is for the year up to 1/6/2026 (YTD)
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
No matter how good the numbers, stock investment is never a smooth ride. There is a risk you must factor in. Read VVV Dip Buyer Analyses and AZO Dip Buyer Analyses to see how these stocks have fallen and recovered in the past.
Still not sure about AZO or VVV? Consider a portfolio approach.
Portfolios Over Individual Stock Picks
Individual picks can be volatile, but staying invested is what matters. A diversified portfolio helps you stay the course, capture upside, and reduce downside
The Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio, with a collection of 30 stocks, has a track record of comfortably outperforming its benchmark that includes all 3 – the S&P 500, S&P mid-cap, and Russell 2000 indices. Why is that? As a group, HQ Portfolio stocks provided better returns with less risk versus the benchmark index; less of a roller-coaster ride, as evident in HQ Portfolio performance metrics.