ATLANTA – Genuine Parts Co. (GPC) has reported its sales and earnings for the third quarter and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2014.
Thomas Gallagher, chairman and CEO, announced today that record sales totaling $4 billion were up 8 percent compared to the third quarter of 2013. Net income for the quarter was $190.5 million compared to $173.7 million recorded in the same period of the previous year. Earnings per share on a diluted basis were $1.24 compared to $1.12 for the third quarter last year, up 11 percent.
For the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2014, sales totaled $11.5 billion, up 9 percent compared to the same period in 2013. Net income for the nine months was $545.7 million compared to $534.5 million recorded in the previous year. Earnings per share on a diluted basis were $3.53 compared to $3.43 for the same period last year.
As previously disclosed, in association with the April 1, 2013, acquisition of GPC Asia Pacific, the company’s initial investment was remeasured and, net of certain one-time purchase accounting costs, amounted to a pre-tax income adjustment of approximately $36 million, or 22 cents diluted earnings per share, in the second quarter of 2013. Additionally, a pre-tax expense adjustment of $3 million, or 1 cent diluted earnings per share, was recorded in the third quarter of 2013.
Before the one-time adjustment in 2013, net income for the nine months of $545.7 million was up 9 percent compared to the previous year. Earnings per share on a diluted basis of $3.53 were up 10 percent compared to the same period in 2013 excluding the adjustment.
In review of the third quarter, Gallagher commented, "We are pleased to report another quarter of record sales as well as a solid 10 percent comparative earnings increase. Our 8 percent total sales increase includes approximately 5.4 percent underlying sales growth and a 3.3 percent contribution from acquisitions offset by a currency headwind of approximately 0.5 percent. Our overall sales growth was also supported by increases in each of our four business segments, with sales for the Automotive Group up 4 percent, which essentially represents our core automotive growth for the quarter. Sales at Motion Industries, our Industrial Group, were up 10 percent including 8 percent underlying growth and 3 percent from acquisitions offset by a currency headwind of approximately 1 percent. Sales at EIS, our Electrical/Electronic Group, increased by 35 percent due to acquisitions. Sales for S. P. Richards, our Office Products Group, were up 15 percent and include 8 percent underlying growth and 7 percent from acquisitions."
Gallagher concluded, "In the third quarter, we achieved sales and earnings growth, produced operating margin improvement, generated solid cash flows and maintained a strong balance sheet. These are important and ongoing core objectives for us and the company is well positioned to show continued improvement in these areas in the periods ahead."
