Genuine Parts Co. (GPC) has announced its sales and earnings for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2019.

Sales for the second quarter were a record $4.9 billion, a 2.3% increase compared to $4.8 billion for the same period in 2018. Total sales for the second quarter included the contribution of 1.6% comparable growth and 2.7% from acquisitions, offset by the negative impact of 1.5% from foreign currency translation along with 0.5% due to the sale of Grupo Auto Todo in the first quarter of 2019.  

Net income for the second quarter was $224.4 million and earnings per share on a diluted basis were $1.53. Before the impact of certain transaction and other costs primarily related to the acquisition of PartsPoint Group, adjusted net income was $230.3 million, or $1.57 per diluted share.

Second quarter sales for the Automotive Parts Group were up 1.4%, including a 1.3% comparable sales increase, a 3.5% benefit from acquisitions and an unfavorable foreign currency translation of 2.5%. In addition, automotive sales were impacted by 0.9% due to the sale of Grupo Auto Todo.  Sales for the Industrial Parts Group were up 4.9%, including a 3.1% comparable sales increase, 2.1% from acquisitions and a slightly unfavorable foreign currency translation of 0.3%. Sales for the Business Products Group were down 1.1%, consisting primarily of the change in comparable sales growth.

Paul Donahue, chairman and CEO, commented, “Our second quarter results were highlighted by positive total sales growth across each of our automotive businesses and in our industrial segment. In addition, we were pleased to generate significant improvement in our gross margin. In the automotive segment, our U.S., Australasian and Canadian operations delivered another quarter of positive sales comps and steady growth, while our business in Europe remained challenged by transitory factors such as the mild winter weather and a softening economic environment. Our industrial business continues to perform well in North America, and we are excited to move forward with the additional growth opportunities presented by Inenco, our new industrial business in Australasia. Finally, the business products segment operated well to maintain their net margin, despite the slight decline in revenues.”

Sales for the six months ended June 30, 2019, were $9.7 billion, a 2.8% increase compared to $9.4 billion for the same period in 2018. Net income for the six months was $384.7 million and earnings per share on a diluted basis were $2.62. Before the transaction and other costs discussed above, adjusted net income was $417.5 million, or $2.85 per diluted share, for the six months.

Donahue concluded, “While not satisfied with our results in the quarter, we remain confident in our overall strategy and the additional growth opportunities we continue to pursue across our global platform. Our immediate focus is on the execution of our initiatives to control costs and improve our profitability. This is essential in our quest to deliver improved results and create additional shareholder value as we move forward.”

2019 Outlook

GPC noted that in light of its results thus far in 2019, the continued softness expected in Europe for the balance of the year, as well as the impact of the PartsPoint and Inenco acquisitions, the company is updating its full year 2019 sales and earnings guidance. GPC expects sales to increase 4.5% to 5.5%, inclusive of an approximate 2% sales contribution from the PartsPoint and Inenco acquisitions. This updated sales outlook represents a change from the company’s previous guidance for a 3% to 4% sales increase.

The company said it expects diluted earnings per share to range from $5.42 to $5.52 and is updating its outlook for adjusted diluted earnings per share, which excludes any first half and future transaction and other costs, to $5.65 to $5.75. This is a change from the company’s prior guidance of $5.75 to $5.90. This updated earnings outlook accounts for an approximate $0.05 contribution from PartsPoint and the additional 65% investment in Inenco. In addition, the company continues to expect a tax rate of approximately 25% in 2019.