ATLANTA, Oct. 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC) announced today sales and earnings for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015.

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Sales for the third quarter ended September 30, 2015 decreased 2% to $3.92 billion compared to sales of $3.99 billion for the same period in 2014. Net income for the third quarter was $188.0 million compared to $190.5 million recorded for the same period in the previous year. Earnings per share on a diluted basis were $1.24, equal to the earnings per share for the third quarter last year. Currency negatively impacted revenue growth by approximately 4% and earnings per share by $0.05 in the third quarter.

The Company's 2% third quarter sales decline included underlying sales growth of 1% and a 1% contribution from acquisitions, offset by a currency headwind of approximately 4%. Sales for the Automotive Group were down 2% reflecting core automotive growth of 4% offset by a 6% impact of currency. Sales at Motion Industries, our Industrial Group, were down by approximately 4%, which basically represents the underlying decrease for this business, as a 1% contribution from acquisitions was offset by an equal currency headwind. Sales at EIS, our Electrical/Electronic Group, increased by 2% and included approximately 5% growth from acquisitions, offset by a 1.5% decrease in core sales and a 1.5% negative impact of copper pricing. Sales for S. P. Richards, our Office Products Group, were up 3%, which essentially reflects the underlying growth for this business in the quarter.

Tom Gallagher, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "The strength in our underlying Automotive distribution business, as well as positive sales growth in the Office and Electrical distribution businesses, was offset by significant foreign currency headwinds and ongoing challenging global economic conditions, particularly in our Industrial distribution business. These factors pressured our overall sales and earnings growth as we moved through the third quarter, although our focus on streamlining operations and controlling expenses drove positive margin expansion."

Sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were $11.60 billion, up 1% compared to 2014. Net income for the nine months was $544.4 million, basically unchanged from 2014, and earnings per share on a diluted basis were $3.56, up 1% compared to $3.53 in 2014. Currency negatively impacted revenue growth by approximately 3% and earnings per share by $0.11 for the nine months.

Mr. Gallagher added, "We enter the fourth quarter facing market conditions that have softened, most prominently in our Industrial and Electrical businesses. Based on these uncertain conditions, which are likely to persist through the balance of the year, we expect sales and earnings to be further challenged as we work our way through the final quarter of 2015."

Mr. Gallagher concluded, "We have initiatives in place in each of our businesses which are designed to stimulate sales and earnings growth in the coming quarters. While these initiatives will take time to fully materialize in our quarterly results, our teams are committed to generating growth both organically and through selective accretive acquisitions that should enhance the long-term growth profile of our four businesses in the coming years. Our strong cash flow generation, driven by significant working capital improvement and our strong balance sheet provide us with the ability to support these initiatives. Additionally, we expect to continue to maximize shareholder value with our dividend and ongoing share repurchase program."

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 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 844-857-1770, conference ID 46339913. A replay will also be available on the Company's website or at 855-859-2056, conference ID 46339913, two hours after the completion of the call until 12:00 a.m. Eastern time on November 3, 2015.

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 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, slowing demand for the Company's products, changes in general economic conditions, including, unemployment, inflation or deflation, high energy costs, uncertain credit markets and other macro-economic conditions, the ability to maintain favorable vendor arrangements and relationships, disruptions in our vendors' operations, competitive product, service and pricing pressures, the Company's ability to successfully implement its business initiatives in each of its four business segments, the Company's ability to successfully integrate its acquired businesses, the uncertainties and costs of litigation, as well as other risks and uncertainties discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2014 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.



                                                          GENUINE PARTS COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES

                                                       CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                                       -------------------------------------------


                                                                                                    Three Months Ended Sept.
                                                                                                             30,                 Nine Months Ended Sept. 30,

                                                                                                         2015             2014              2015             2014
                                                                                                         ----             ----              ----             ----

                                                                                                                       (Unaudited)

                                                                                                          (in thousands, except per share data)


    Net sales                                                                                      $3,921,802       $3,985,909       $11,598,254      $11,519,193

    Cost of goods sold                                                                              2,752,577        2,802,487         8,137,880        8,071,973
                                                                                                    ---------        ---------         ---------        ---------

    Gross profit                                                                                    1,169,225        1,183,422         3,460,374        3,447,220


    Operating expenses:

    Selling, administrative & other expenses                                                          834,372          850,156         2,492,537        2,486,162

    Depreciation and amortization                                                                      34,278           34,983           105,764          108,623
                                                                                                       ------           ------           -------          -------

                                                                                                      868,650          885,139         2,598,301        2,594,785


    Income before income taxes                                                                        300,575          298,283           862,073          852,435

    Income taxes                                                                                      112,559          107,767           317,674          306,708
                                                                                                      -------          -------           -------          -------


    Net income                                                                                       $188,016         $190,516          $544,399         $545,727
                                                                                                     ========         ========          ========         ========


    Basic net income per common share                                                                   $1.24            $1.25             $3.58            $3.56


    Diluted net income per common share                                                                 $1.24            $1.24             $3.56            $3.53


    Weighted average common shares outstanding                                                        151,354          153,018           152,043          153,401


    Dilutive effect of stock options and

       non-vested restricted stock awards                                                                 789            1,080               847            1,062
                                                                                                          ---            -----               ---            -----


    Weighted average common shares outstanding - assuming dilution                                    152,143          154,098           152,890          154,463
                                                                                                      =======          =======           =======          =======




                                 GENUINE PARTS COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES

                              SEGMENT INFORMATION AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                              --------------------------------------------


                                                                 Three Months Ended           Nine Months Ended Sept.
                                                                      Sept. 30,                        30,

                                                                   2015            2014            2015             2014
                                                                   ----            ----            ----             ----

                                                                                 (Unaudited)

                                                                               (in thousands)


    Net sales:

    Automotive                                               $2,064,099      $2,099,518      $6,065,733       $6,108,429

    Industrial                                                1,170,252       1,220,539       3,540,106        3,573,048

    Office Products                                             510,825         496,572       1,478,878        1,333,455

    Electrical/Electronic Materials                             196,837         193,321         573,584          561,686

    Other (1)                                                  (20,211)       (24,041)       (60,047)        (57,425)
                                                                -------         -------         -------          -------

    Total net sales                                          $3,921,802      $3,985,909     $11,598,254      $11,519,193
                                                             ==========      ==========     ===========      ===========


    Operating profit:

    Automotive                                                 $201,986        $193,258        $560,070         $550,051

    Industrial                                                   90,081          95,262         266,726          273,740

    Office Products                                              36,406          33,318         107,431           98,447

    Electrical/Electronic Materials                              19,988          17,766          54,019           49,758
                                                                 ------          ------          ------           ------

    Total operating profit                                      348,461         339,604         988,246          971,996

    Interest expense, net                                       (5,055)        (6,283)       (16,056)        (18,713)

    Intangible amortization                                     (8,545)        (8,947)       (25,945)        (26,321)

    Other, net                                                 (34,286)       (26,091)       (84,172)        (74,527)
                                                                -------         -------         -------          -------

    Income before income taxes                                 $300,575        $298,283        $862,073         $852,435
                                                               ========        ========        ========         ========


    Capital expenditures                                        $24,531         $33,862         $61,994          $73,785
                                                                =======         =======         =======          =======


    Depreciation and amortization                               $34,278         $34,983        $105,764         $108,623
                                                                =======         =======        ========         ========



    (1) Represents the net effect of discounts, incentives and freight billed reported as a component of net sales.



                                               GENUINE PARTS COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES

                                                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                                -------------------------------------


                                                       Sept. 30,                      Sept. 30,

                                                                      2015                              2014
                                                                      ----                              ----

                                                      (Unaudited)

                                                     (in thousands)

    ASSETS

    CURRENT ASSETS

    Cash and cash
     equivalents                                                  $199,294                          $135,537

    Trade accounts
     receivable, net                                             1,963,158                         1,976,056

    Merchandise
     inventories, net                                            2,967,724                         3,014,102

    Prepaid expenses and
     other current assets                                          493,306                           459,682
                                                                   -------                           -------


    TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS                                         5,623,482                         5,585,377


    Goodwill and other intangible assets, less
     accumulated amortization                                                                   1,444,356

                                                                 1,328,431

    Deferred tax assets                                            136,618                            90,539

    Other assets                                                   486,136                           558,932

    Net property, plant
     and equipment                                                 628,461                           662,253
                                                                   -------                           -------


    TOTAL ASSETS                                                $8,203,128                        $8,341,457
                                                                ==========                        ==========


    LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

    CURRENT LIABILITIES

    Trade accounts payable                                      $2,851,022                        $2,549,193

    Current portion of
     debt                                                          125,000                           335,394

    Income taxes payable                                             6,643                            24,481

    Dividends payable                                               92,905                            87,906

    Other current
     liabilities                                                   688,498                           638,808
                                                                   -------                           -------


    TOTAL CURRENT
     LIABILITIES                                                 3,764,068                         3,635,782



    Long-term debt                                                 500,000                           500,000

    Pension and other
     post-retirement
     benefit liabilities                                           248,709                           135,407

    Deferred tax
     liabilities                                                    62,419                            79,690

    Other long-term
     liabilities                                                   456,908                           482,430


    Common stock                                                   150,763                           152,857

    Retained earnings                                            3,922,609                         3,791,172

    Accumulated other
     comprehensive loss                                          (914,586)                        (446,854)
                                                                  --------                          --------


    TOTAL  PARENT EQUITY                                         3,158,786                         3,497,175


    Noncontrolling
     interests in
     subsidiaries                                                   12,238                            10,973
                                                                    ------                            ------


    TOTAL  EQUITY                                                3,171,024                         3,508,148
                                                                 ---------                         ---------


    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
     EQUITY                                                     $8,203,128                        $8,341,457
                                                                ==========                        ==========




              GENUINE PARTS COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES

         CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
         -----------------------------------------------


                                                    Nine Months Ended Sept.
                                                             30,

                                                         2015           2014
                                                         ----           ----

                                                        (Unaudited)

                                                      (in thousands)


    OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    Net income                                       $544,399       $545,727

    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
     activities:

    Depreciation and amortization                     105,764        108,623

    Share-based compensation                           13,582         12,641

    Excess tax benefits from share-based
     compensation                                     (5,381)       (7,269)

    Changes in operating assets and
     liabilities                                      237,623       (70,399)
                                                      -------        -------



    NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES         895,987        589,323


    INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    Purchases of property, plant and equipment       (61,994)      (73,785)

    Acquisitions and other investing
     activities                                     (115,414)     (275,295)
                                                     --------       --------


    NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES           (177,408)     (349,080)


    FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    Proceeds from debt                              2,537,224      2,032,550

    Payments on debt                              (2,680,191)    (1,974,581)

    Share-based awards exercised, net of
     taxes paid                                       (6,030)       (8,266)

    Excess tax benefits from share-based
     compensation                                       5,381          7,269

    Dividends paid                                  (275,379)     (259,365)

    Purchase of stock                               (225,175)      (95,546)
                                                     --------        -------


    NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES           (644,170)     (297,939)


    EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH          (12,845)       (3,660)
                                                      -------         ------


    NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH
     EQUIVALENTS                                       61,564       (61,356)


    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF
     PERIOD                                           137,730        196,893
                                                      -------        -------


    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD       $199,294       $135,537
                                                     ========       ========


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