Press Releases

Genuine Parts Company Reports First Quarter 2021 Results
-- Sales of $4.5 billion, Up 9.1%
-- Diluted EPS from Continuing Operations $1.50, Up 79%
-- Strengthened Balance Sheet and Strong Cash Flow
-- Raises 2021 Outlook for Revenue Growth and Diluted EPS

ATLANTA, April 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC) announced today its results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021.

"We are pleased with the strong start to 2021 and the ongoing recovery in our Automotive and Industrial businesses. The GPC team remained focused on execution and demonstrated agility in delivering strong financial results. We also operated through the quarter with continued focus on the physical and mental well-being of our employees, as our 50,000 teammates are the core of our success," said Paul Donahue, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Genuine Parts Company.

First Quarter 2021 Results

Sales from continuing operations were $4.5 billion, a 9.1% increase compared to $4.1 billion in the same period of the prior year. The increase is attributable to a 4.6% increase in comparable sales, a 3.7% net benefit of foreign currency and other, and a 0.8% benefit from acquisitions.

Net income from continuing operations on both a GAAP and adjusted basis was $217.7 million, or a diluted earnings per share of $1.50. This compares to net income from continuing operations of $122.3 million, or $0.84 per diluted share in the prior year period, an increase of 79%, and compares to adjusted net income from continuing operations of $116.8 million last year1, or adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.80, an increase of 88%.

Mr. Donahue stated, "Our positive sales growth was driven by a number of factors, including the overall strengthening economy, stimulus and execution of key initiatives. The Automotive business posted our strongest growth, with positive sales comps in each region of our operations, and Industrial continued its recovery with the third consecutive quarter of improving sales trends. In addition, we executed very well, producing our 14th consecutive quarter of gross margin expansion and managing our expenses through ongoing cost actions and the carryover of expense reductions implemented last year. Our progress in these areas drove a substantial increase in operating profit and net earnings, and we expect to build on this positive momentum as we move forward through the year."

______________________________

1 Adjusted net income from continuing operations, adjusted diluted net income from continuing operations per common share and free cash flow referred in this press release are non-GAAP financial measures. Please refer to the supplemental information presented below for reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures used in this release to the most comparable GAAP financial measure and related disclosures.

First Quarter 2021 Segment Highlights

Automotive Parts Group

Automotive sales were $3.0 billion, up 14.3% from the first quarter of 2020, representing 66% of total Company revenues. The increase consisted of an 8.3% increase in comparable sales, a 5.1% net benefit of foreign currency and other and a 0.9% contribution from acquisitions. Segment profit of $235.7 million increased 65.3%, with a segment profit margin of 8.0%, up 250 basis points from 2020.

Industrial Parts Group

Industrial sales were $1.5 billion, up 0.1% from the first quarter of 2020, representing 34% of total company revenues. The increase includes a 1.3% benefit of foreign currency and a 0.6% contribution from acquisitions, mostly offset by a 1.8% decrease in comparable sales.  Segment profit of $125.3 million increased 10.0%, with profit margin of 8.3%, up 80 basis points from 2020.

Balance Sheet, Cash Flow and Capital Allocation

The Company generated operating cash flow from continuing operations of $300.9 million during the first three months of 2021, an increase from $27.9 million in the prior year, driven primarily by higher net income and the effective management of our working capital. The Company used $40.7 million in cash for investing activities, including $48.4 million for capital expenditures in the quarter. The Company also used $116.0 million in cash for financing activities which includes quarterly dividends of $114.0 million paid to shareholders. Free cash flow was $252.6 million for the first three months of 20211.

The Company ended the quarter with $2.6 billion in total liquidity, consisting of $1.5 billion availability on the revolving credit facility and $1.1 billion in cash and cash equivalents. The Company is in compliance with all covenants connected to its notes and other borrowings.

"We have a strong cash position and ample financial strength to pursue strategic growth opportunities through our disciplined capital allocation strategy. Looking ahead, GPC is well-positioned to benefit from a strong economic recovery, favorable sales trends and clear strategic plan to capture profitable growth, generate strong cash flow and create shareholder value," Mr. Donahue concluded.

2021 Outlook

In consideration of several factors, the Company is updating its full-year 2021 guidance previously provided in its earnings release on February 17, 2021. The Company considered its recent business trends and financial results, current growth plans, strategic initiatives, global economic outlook and the continued uncertainty of COVID-19 and its potential impact on our results in its updated guidance, as outlined in the table below. The Company will continue to update full-year guidance during 2021, as appropriate.



For the Year Ended December 31, 2021



Previous Outlook


Updated Outlook

Total sales growth


4% to 6%


5% to 7%

Automotive sales growth


4% to 6%


5% to 7%

Industrial sales growth


3% to 5%


4% to 6%

Diluted earnings per share


$5.55 to $5.75


$5.85 to $6.05

Effective tax rate


24.5% to 25.5%


24.5% to 25.5%

Net cash provided by operating activities


$1.0 billion to $1.2 billion


$1.0 billion to $1.2 billion

Free cash flow


$700 million to $900 million


$700 million to $900 million

Non-GAAP Information

This release contains certain financial information not derived in accordance with United States ("U.S.") generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). These items include adjusted net income from continuing operations, adjusted diluted net income from continuing operations per common share and free cash flow. The Company believes that the presentation of adjusted net income from continuing operations, adjusted diluted net income from continuing operations per common share and free cash flow, when considered together with the corresponding GAAP financial measures and the reconciliations to those measures, provide meaningful supplemental information to both management and investors that is indicative of the Company's core operations. The Company considers these metrics useful to investors because they provide greater transparency into management's view and assessment of the Company's ongoing operating performance by removing items management believes are not representative of our continuing operations and may distort our longer-term operating trends. We believe these measures are useful and enhance the comparability of our results from period to period and with our competitors, as well as show ongoing results from operations distinct from items that are infrequent or not associated with the Company's core operations. The Company does not, nor does it suggest investors should, consider such non-GAAP financial measures as superior to, in isolation from, or as a substitute for, GAAP financial information. The Company has included a reconciliation of this additional information to the most comparable GAAP measure following the financial statements below.

Comparable Sales

Comparable sales is a key metric that refers to period-over-period comparisons of our sales excluding the impact of acquisitions, foreign currency and other. The Company considers this metric useful to investors because it provides greater transparency into management's view and assessment of the Company's core ongoing operations. This is a metric that is widely used by analysts, investors and competitors in our industry, although our calculation of the metric may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other companies, because not all companies and analysts calculate this metric in the same manner.

Conference Call

Genuine Parts Company will hold a conference call today at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time to discuss the results of the quarter. A supplemental earnings deck will also be available for reference. Interested parties may listen to the call and view the supplemental earnings deck on the Company's website at http://genuineparts.investorroom.com. The call is also available by dialing 877-407-0789, conference ID 13717891. A replay will also be available on the Company's website or at 844-512-2921, conference ID 13717891, two hours after the completion of the call.

About Genuine Parts Company

Founded in 1928, Genuine Parts Company is a global service organization engaged in the distribution of automotive replacement parts and industrial parts. The Company's Automotive Parts Group distributes automotive replacement parts in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australasia, France, the United Kingdom ("U.K."), Germany, Poland, the Netherlands and Belgium. The Company's Industrial Parts Group distributes industrial replacement parts in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Australasia. In total, the Company serves its global customers from an extensive network of more than 10,000 locations in 14 countries. Genuine Parts Company had 2020 revenues of $16.5 billion. Further information is available at www.genpt.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Some statements in this release, as well as in materials the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), release to the public or make available on the Company's website, constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in the future tense and all statements accompanied by words such as "expect," "likely," "outlook," "forecast," "preliminary," "would," "could," "should," "position," "will," "project," "intend," "plan," "on track," "anticipate," "to come," "may," "possible," "assume," or similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include the Company's view of business and economic trends for the remainder of the year, the Company's ability to execute our strategic priorities and capitalize in light of these business and economic trends, and the updated full-year 2021 financial guidance for the Company provided above. Senior officers may also make verbal statements to analysts, investors, the media and others that are forward-looking.

The Company cautions that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and while the Company believes that its expectations for the future are reasonable in view of currently available information, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events may differ materially from those indicated as a result of various important factors. Such factors may include, among other things, the extent and duration of the disruption to the Company's business operations caused by the global health crisis associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, including the effects on the financial health of the Company's business partners and customers, on supply chains and the Company's suppliers, on vehicle miles driven as well as other metrics that affect the Company's business, and on access to capital and liquidity provided by the financial and capital markets; the Company's ability to maintain compliance with its debt covenants; the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses into the Company's operations and to realize the anticipated synergies and benefits; the Company's ability to successfully implement its business initiatives in its two business segments; slowing demand for the Company's products; the ability to maintain favorable supplier arrangements and relationships; disruptions in global supply chains and in the operations of the Company's suppliers, including as a result of the impact of COVID-19 on our suppliers and our supply chain; changes in national and international legislation or government regulations or policies, including changes to import tariffs, environmental and social policy, infrastructure programs and privacy legislation, and their impact to the Company and its suppliers and customers; changes in general economic conditions, including unemployment, inflation (including the impact of tariffs) or deflation and the U.K.'s exit from the European Union, and the unpredictability of the impact following such exit; changes in tax policies; volatile exchange rates; volatility in oil prices; significant cost increases, such as rising fuel and freight expenses; the Company's ability to successfully attract and retain employees in the current labor market; uncertain credit markets and other macroeconomic conditions; competitive product, service and pricing pressures; failure or weakness in the Company's disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting, including as a result of the work from home environment; the uncertainties and costs of litigation; disruptions caused by a failure or breach of the Company's information systems, as well as other risks and uncertainties discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2020 and from time to time in the Company's subsequent filings with the SEC.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements except as required by law. You are advised, however, to review any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our subsequent Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K and other reports filed with the SEC.

 

GENUINE PARTS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(UNAUDITED)




Three Months Ended March 31,

(in thousands, except per share data)


2021


2020

Net sales


$

4,464,714



$

4,092,526


Cost of goods sold


2,923,899



2,704,348


Gross profit


1,540,815



1,388,178


Operating expenses:





Selling, administrative and other expenses


1,195,164



1,142,697


Depreciation and amortization


72,296



67,254


Provision for doubtful accounts


4,909



6,519


Restructuring costs




2,982


Total operating expenses


1,272,369



1,219,452


Non-operating (income) expense:





Interest expense


19,062



20,965


Other


(36,475)



(12,832)


Total non-operating (income) expense


(17,413)



8,133


Income before income taxes


285,859



160,593


Income taxes


68,149



38,247


Net income from continuing operations


217,710



122,346


Net income from discontinued operations




14,189


Net income


$

217,710



$

136,535


Dividends declared per common share


$

0.8150



$

0.7900


Basic earnings per share:





Continuing operations


$

1.51



$

0.84


Discontinued operations




0.10


Basic earnings per share


$

1.51



$

0.94


Diluted earnings per share:





Continuing operations


$

1.50



$

0.84


Discontinued operations




0.10


Diluted earnings per share


$

1.50



$

0.94







Weighted average common shares outstanding


144,413



145,052


Dilutive effect of stock options and non-vested restricted stock awards


887



571


Weighted average common shares outstanding – assuming dilution


145,300



145,623


 

 

GENUINE PARTS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

SEGMENT INFORMATION

(UNAUDITED)




Three Months Ended March 31,

(in thousands)


2021


2020

Net sales:





Automotive


$

2,953,165



$

2,582,685


Industrial


1,511,549



1,509,841


Total net sales


$

4,464,714



$

4,092,526


Segment profit:





Automotive


$

235,678



$

142,578


Industrial


125,292



113,933


Total segment profit


360,970



256,511


Interest expense, net


(18,324)



(19,868)


Intangible asset amortization


(25,544)



(22,740)


Corporate expense


(31,243)



(55,061)


Other unallocated costs (1)




1,751


Income before income taxes from continuing operations


$

285,859



$

160,593



(1)           The following table presents a summary of the other unallocated costs:




Three Months Ended March 31,

(in thousands)


2021


2020

Other unallocated costs:





Restructuring costs (2)


$



$

(2,982)


Gain on insurance proceeds related to SPR Fire (3)




12,282


Transaction and other costs (4)




(7,549)


Total other unallocated costs


$



$

1,751



(2)           Adjustment reflects restructuring costs related to the execution of the 2019 Cost Savings Plan. The costs 
               are primarily associated with severance and other employee costs, including a voluntary retirement 
               program, and facility and closure costs related to the consolidation of operations.


(3)           Adjustment reflects insurance recoveries in excess of losses incurred on inventory, property, plant and 
               equipment and other fire-related costs related to the S.P. Richards Headquarters and Distribution Center. 


(4)           Adjustment reflects $6.0 million of incremental costs associated with COVID-19 for the three months 
               ended March 31, 2020 and costs associated with certain divestitures. COVID-19 related costs include
               incremental costs incurred relating to fees to cancel marketing events and increased cleaning and
               sanitization materials, among other things.

 

 

GENUINE PARTS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)


(in thousands, except share and per share data)


March 31, 2021


March 31, 2020

Assets





Current assets:





Cash and cash equivalents


$

1,117,988



$

354,469


Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts (2021
   – $39,800; 2020 – $34,898)


1,809,637



2,463,415


Merchandise inventories, net


3,600,658



3,386,289


Prepaid expenses and other current assets


1,149,877



1,128,119


Current assets of discontinued operations




660,758


Total current assets


7,678,160



7,993,050


Goodwill


1,885,447



2,206,650


Other intangible assets, less accumulated amortization


1,455,333



1,393,387


Deferred tax assets


51,907



52,313


Property, plant and equipment, less accumulated depreciation (2021 –
   $1,296,920; 2020 – $1,202,059)


1,165,236



1,134,349


Operating lease assets


1,044,127



969,288


Other assets


663,333



449,695


Noncurrent assets of discontinued operations




252,623


Total assets


$

13,943,543



$

14,451,355







Liabilities and equity





Current liabilities:





Trade accounts payable


$

4,479,398



$

3,919,030


Current portion of debt


160,373



908,865


Dividends payable


117,714



114,476


Other current liabilities


1,578,866



1,444,699


Current liabilities of discontinued operations




194,150


Total current liabilities


6,336,351



6,581,220


Long-term debt


2,458,020



2,726,391


Operating lease liabilities


788,907



734,210


Pension and other post–retirement benefit liabilities


254,558



249,887


Deferred tax liabilities


206,630



211,160


Other long-term liabilities


562,968



456,101


Noncurrent liabilities of discontinued operations




69,355


Equity:





Preferred stock, par value – $1 per share; authorized – 10,000,000
   shares; none issued





Common stock, par value – $1 per share; authorized – 450,000,000
   shares; issued and outstanding – 2021 – 144,458,057 shares; 2020 –
   144,249,343 shares


144,458



144,249


Additional paid-in capital


117,867



103,878


Accumulated other comprehensive loss


(1,023,760)



(1,333,329)


Retained earnings


4,085,998



4,487,904


Total parent equity


3,324,563



3,402,702


Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries


11,546



20,329


Total equity


3,336,109



3,423,031


Total liabilities and equity


$

13,943,543



$

14,451,355



 

 

GENUINE PARTS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)




Three Months Ended March 31,

(in thousands)


2021


2020

Operating activities:





Net income


$

217,710



$

136,535


Net income from discontinued operations




14,189


Net income from continuing operations


217,710



122,346


Adjustments to reconcile net income from continuing operations to net cash
provided by operating activities:





Depreciation and amortization


72,296



67,254


Share-based compensation


6,235



4,495


Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation


(1,764)



(221)


Changes in operating assets and liabilities


6,465



(166,014)


Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations


300,942



27,860


Investing activities:





Purchases of property, plant and equipment


(48,391)



(38,914)


Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment


16,863



3,327


Proceeds from divestitures of businesses


10,345



10,442


Acquisitions of businesses and other investing activities


(19,489)



(3,833)


Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations


(40,672)



(28,978)


Financing activities:





Proceeds from debt


31,599



1,318,905


Payments on debt


(26,767)



(1,057,667)


Share-based awards exercised


(5,429)



(341)


Dividends paid


(114,043)



(110,851)


Purchases of stock




(95,719)


Other financing activities


(1,354)



(871)


Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities from continuing operations


(115,994)



53,456


Cash flows from discontinued operations:





Net cash provided by operating activities from discontinued operations




46,200


Net cash used in investing activities from discontinued operations




(6,495)


Net cash provided by financing activities from discontinued operations





Net cash provided by discontinued operations




39,705


Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents


(16,454)



(14,566)


Net increase in cash and cash equivalents


127,822



77,477


Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period


990,166



276,992


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period


$

1,117,988



$

354,469


 

 

GENUINE PARTS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS TO ADJUSTED NET INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS AND GAAP DILUTED NET INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS PER COMMON SHARE TO ADJUSTED DILUTED NET INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS PER COMMON SHARE
(UNAUDITED)




Three Months Ended March 31,

(in thousands)


2021


2020

GAAP net income from continuing operations


$

217,710



$

122,346







Adjustments:





Restructuring costs (1)




2,982


Gain on insurance proceeds related to SPR Fire (2)




(12,282)


Transaction and other costs (3)




7,549


Total adjustments




(1,751)


Tax impact of adjustments




(3,810)


Adjusted net income from continuing operations


$

217,710



$

116,785



The table below represent amounts per common share assuming dilution:




Three Months Ended March 31,

(in thousands, except per share data)


2021


2020

GAAP net income from continuing operations


$

1.50



$

0.84







Adjustments:





Restructuring costs (1)




0.02


Gain on insurance proceeds related to SPR Fire (2)




(0.08)


Transaction and other costs (3)




0.05


Total adjustments




(0.01)


Tax impact of adjustments




(0.03)


Adjusted net income from continuing operations


$

1.50



$

0.80


Weighted average common shares outstanding – assuming dilution


145,300



145,623



The table below clarifies where the items that have been adjusted above to improve comparability of the financial information from period to period are presented in the consolidated statements of income.




Three Months Ended March 31,

(in thousands)


2021


2020

Line item:





Selling, administrative and other expenses


$



$

7,549


Restructuring costs




2,982


Non-operating (income) expense: Other




(12,282)


Total adjustments


$



$

(1,751)



(1)           Adjustment reflects restructuring costs related to the execution of the 2019 Cost Savings Plan. The costs are 
               primarily associated with severance and other employee costs, including a voluntary retirement program,
               and facility and closure costs related to the consolidation of operations.


(2)           Adjustment reflects insurance recoveries in excess of losses incurred on inventory, property, plant and 
               equipment and other fire-related costs related to the S.P. Richards Headquarters and Distribution Center.


(3)           Adjustment includes $6.0 million of incremental costs associated with COVID-19 for the three months ended
               March 31, 2020 and costs associated with certain divestitures. COVID-19 related costs include incremental
               costs incurred relating to fees to cancel marketing events and increased cleaning and sanitization materials,
               among other things.

 

 

GENUINE PARTS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CHANGE IN NET SALES SUMMARY

 (UNAUDITED)




Three Months Ended March 31, 2021



Comparable
Sales


Acquisitions


Foreign
Currency


Other


GAAP Total
Net Sales

Automotive


8.3

%


0.9

%


5.5

%


(0.4)

%


14.3

%

Industrial


(1.8)

%


0.6

%


1.3

%


%


0.1

%

Total Net Sales


4.6

%


0.8

%


4.0

%


(0.3)

%


9.1

%

 

 

GENUINE PARTS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS TO FREE CASH FLOW

 (UNAUDITED)




Three Months Ended March 31,

(in thousands)


2021


2020

Net cash provided by operating activities from
   continuing operations


$

300,942



$

27,860


Purchases of property, plant and equipment


(48,391)



(38,914)


Free Cash Flow


$

252,551



$

(11,054)






For the Year Ended December 31, 2021



Previous Outlook


Updated Outlook

Net cash provided by operating activities from
   continuing operations


$1.0 billion to $1.2 billion


$1.0 billion to $1.2 billion

Purchases of property, plant and equipment


Approximately $300 million


Approximately $300 million

Free Cash Flow


$700 million to $900 million


$700 million to $900 million

 

 

SOURCE Genuine Parts Company

For further information: Sidney G. Jones, Senior Vice President - Investor Relations - (678) 934-5628