AZO vs WAT Comparison

Founded in 1979, AutoZone is the largest US-based retailer of aftermarket automotive parts and accessories, operating over 7,600 stores and generating over $20 billion in fiscal 2026 sales. Beyond its primary home market (86% of total revenue), the company also maintains a growing presence in Mexico and Brazil. AutoZone caters to two core customer segments: do-it-yourself, which account for roughly two-thirds of its domestic sales, and commercial do-it-for-me customers, which represent the remainder.

Waters sells liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and thermal analysis tools. These analytical instruments provide essential information on various products, such as their molecular structures and physical properties, to help clients enhance the health and well-being of end users. In early 2026, Waters merged with Becton Dickinson's life science and diagnostics business, which increased its concentration in diagnostics and discovery-related life science tools.