Genuine Parts Company Reports Sales and Earnings for The Third Quarter Ended September 30, 2017

ATLANTA, Oct. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC) announced today sales and earnings for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Sales for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017 were $4.1 billion, a 4% increase compared to $3.9 billion for the same period in 2016.  Net income for the third quarter was $158.4 million compared to $185.3 million recorded for the same period in the previous year.  Earnings per share on a diluted basis were $1.08 compared to $1.24 in the third quarter last year.  Before the impact of certain transaction costs primarily related to the Company's pending $2.0 billion European acquisition recorded in the third quarter of 2017, adjusted net income was $170 million, or $1.16 per diluted share.

Third quarter sales for the Automotive Group were up 3.6% including an approximate 1% comparable sales increase.  Sales at Motion Industries, the Industrial Group, were up 7.1%, including a 4% comparable sales increase, and sales at EIS, the Electrical/Electronic Group, grew 11.6%, with comparable sales down 1%.  Sales for S.P. Richards, the Office Products Group, were down 4.7% for the quarter in both total and comparable sales.

Paul Donahue, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "The third quarter presented us with both opportunities and challenges.  We were excited to announce our entry into Europe with the pending acquisition of one of the leading automotive distributors in that region, Alliance Automotive Group, which we expect to close in November.  While, domestically, we continued to operate in a challenging sales environment across three of the key industries we serve, U.S. Automotive, Office and Electrical, our Industrial and international Automotive businesses produced stronger year over year growth.  In total, we generated a 4% total sales increase, despite one less billing day in the quarter and the disruption from unprecedented natural disasters, including hurricanes and earthquakes.  This was achieved via organic growth of 1%, 2% from acquisitions and a 1% foreign exchange benefit."

Mr. Donahue added, "Our third quarter profitability was impacted by lower gross margin and higher operating expenses, as our initiatives to drive margin expansion did not meet our expectations.  To that point, our plans and initiatives are underway to expedite corrective action."

Sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 were $12.1 billion, a 4.7% increase compared to $11.6 billion for the same period in 2016.  Net income for the nine months was $509 million compared to $535 million in 2016, and earnings per share on a diluted basis were $3.44 compared to $3.56 in 2016. Before the transaction costs recorded in the third quarter of 2017 noted above, adjusted net income was $520 million and adjusted earnings per diluted share were $3.52.

Mr. Donahue concluded, "We enter the fourth quarter focused on generating stronger organic sales growth as well as maximizing the benefits of our acquisitions.  We are also intensely focused on the plans and initiatives underway to cut costs and improve our profitability.  While we are disappointed with this quarter's results, we are excited about the opportunities ahead and we move forward with a deep sense of urgency as we focus on maximizing shareholder value and positioning the Company for long-term success."

2017 Outlook

For the full year 2017, the Company is increasing its sales guidance from up 3% to 4% to up 4% to 4.5%.  The Company is also updating diluted earnings per share to range from $4.47 to $4.52 and adjusted diluted earnings per share to range from $4.55 to $4.60.  This compares to the prior outlook of $4.70 to $4.75.  Adjusted diluted earnings per share excludes any fourth quarter 2017 revenue, earnings or expenses, including transaction costs, associated with the pending acquisition of Alliance Automotive Group, as well as the transaction costs recorded in the third quarter of 2017 noted above.

Conference Call

Genuine Parts Company will hold a conference call today at 11:00 a.m. EDT to discuss the results of the quarter and the future outlook.  Interested parties may listen to the call on the Company's website, www.genpt.com, by clicking "Investors", or by dialing 877-857-6161, conference ID 8518758.  A replay will also be available on the Company's website or at 844-512-2921, conference ID 8518758, two hours after the completion of the call until 12:00 a.m. Eastern time on November 2, 2017.

Forward Looking Statements

Some statements in this report, as well as in other materials we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or otherwise release to the public and in materials that we make available on our website, constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Senior officers may also make verbal statements to analysts, investors, the media and others that are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements may relate, for example, to the financing, timing and completion of the acquisition of Alliance Automotive Group (AAG) and the anticipated synergies and benefits of the transaction, as well as future operations, prospects, strategies, financial condition, economic performance (including growth and earnings), industry conditions and demand for our products and services. The Company cautions that its forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and while we believe that our 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 inability to complete the acquisition due to failure to satisfy the customary closing conditions and/or the delay of or inability to obtain all regulatory approvals related to the acquisition, the Company's ability to successfully integrate AAG into the Company and to realize the anticipated synergies and benefits, changes in the European aftermarket, the Company's ability to successfully implement its business initiatives in each of its four business segments; slowing demand for the Company's products; changes in legislation or government regulations or policies; changes in general economic conditions, including unemployment, inflation or deflation; changes in tax policies; volatile exchange rates; high energy costs; uncertain credit markets and other macro-economic conditions; competitive product, service and pricing pressures; the ability to maintain favorable vendor arrangements and relationships; disruptions in our vendors' operations; the Company's ability to successfully integrate its acquired businesses; 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 2016 and from time to time in the Company's subsequent filings with the SEC.

Forward-looking statements are only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no duty to update its 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 to the SEC.

About Genuine Parts Company

Genuine Parts Company is a distributor of automotive replacement parts in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Australasia.  The Company also distributes industrial replacement parts in the U.S., Canada and Mexico through its Motion Industries subsidiary.  S. P. Richards Company, the Office Products Group, distributes business products in the U.S. and Canada. The Electrical/Electronic Group, EIS, Inc., distributes electrical and electronic components throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

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SOURCE Genuine Parts Company