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Advance Auto Parts Earnings Per Share Increased 57% to $0.77

ROANOKE, Va., Aug. 14 Advance Auto Parts, Inc. today announced it achieved an increase of 57.1% in earnings per diluted share to $0.77 for the second quarter ended July 13, 2002, before integration expenses and the extraordinary item, compared to $0.49 for the same quarter last year. Including integration expenses, earnings per share rose 30.6% to $0.64. After integration expenses and an extraordinary item, earnings per share declined 10.2% to $0.44.

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Year-to-date earnings per share before integration expenses and the extraordinary item, climbed 111.1% to $1.33 compared to $0.63 last year. Including integration expense, earnings per share rose 61.9% to $1.02. After integration expenses and the extraordinary item earnings per share rose 25.4% to $0.79.

During the second quarter, the Company incurred pre-tax integration expenses of $7.6 million and $18.2 million year-to-date. These expenses are related to the integration of Discount Auto Parts, which was acquired on November 29, 2001. As previously announced, the Company believes that total integration expenses for the year will not exceed $40 million.

During the quarter, the Company recorded an after-tax extraordinary loss of $7.6 million from the extinguishment of debt. These charges resulted from the Company negotiating a more favorable $250 million Tranche C loan, pre- paying in full its $305 million Tranche B loan, repurchasing approximately $37 million in face value of bonds and pre-paying $23 million on its Tranche A loan. The extraordinary loss includes un-amortized deferred loan fees and related refinancing fees on the credit facilities; and un-amortized discounts, un-amortized deferred loan fees and premiums paid to repurchase the bonds.

Second quarter sales increased 30.5% to $792.7 million compared with $607.5 million last year. Same store sales for the Advance Auto Parts stores grew 5.0% for the second quarter compared to 6.8% in the comparable period last year. The Discount Auto Parts stores, that are not yet in the reported comparable store base, produced a comparable store sales increase of 3.7% during the second quarter compared to 1.8% last year.

Year-to-date sales rose 34.4% to approximately $1.8 billion from $1.3 billion last year. Same store sales rose 6.5% for the first two quarters compared to 6.2% last year. The majority of same stores sales gains, both in the second quarter and year-to-date, were generated from an increase in customers with the remainder being produced from an increase in transaction size.

Operating income, before integration expenses, increased 78.3% to $64.9 million from $36.4 million in the comparable period last year, generating an operating margin increase of 220 basis points to 8.2% from 6.0% last year. Including integration expenses, the Company reported a 57.4% increase in operating income to $57.2 million, producing a 120 basis points increase in operating margin to 7.2%. Year-to-date operating income, before integration expenses, rose 98.8% to $123.8 million from $62.3 million last year, generating an operating margin increase of 220 basis points to 6.9% compared to 4.7% last year. Including integration expenses, operating income rose 69.6% to $105.6 million, which produced a 120 basis point increase in operating margin to 5.9%.

Net income, before integration expense and the extraordinary item, rose 99.9% in the second quarter to $28.2 million from $14.1 million in the comparable quarter last year. Including integration expense and the extraordinary item the Company reported a 12.9% increase in net income to $15.9 million. Year-to-date net income, before integration expense and the extraordinary item, increased 164.3% to $47.6 million from $18.0 million last year. Including integration expense and the extraordinary item the Company reported a 55.8% increase in net income to $28.0 million.

During the seasonally strong second quarter, the Company generated $75 million in free cash flow. The Company has raised its fiscal year free cash flow guidance to a range of $100 million to $110 million from $90 million to $100 million.

Advance Auto Parts Chief Executive Officer, Lawrence P. Castellani, and President and Chief Financial Officer, Jimmie L. Wade, certified today, in conjunction with the filing of its Form 10-Q, the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to a recent order by the Commission requiring sworn statements from these officers. This filing was 13 days ahead of the due date of August 27, 2002.

Commenting on the second quarter results, Mr. Castellani said, "Our team members produced solid results, including an increase of 220 basis points in operating margin. We will continue to focus on increasing our operating margins, integrating Discount Auto Parts, and using our free cash flow to reduce our debt."

On July 26, 2002, the Company closed its acquisition of approximately 55 Trak Auto Parts stores in the northern Virginia, Washington D.C. and eastern Maryland market. The Company anticipates that it will successfully convert each of the locations to Advance Auto Parts by year-end, including enhanced inventory selection and state-of-the-art store systems.

With respect to the outlook for the remainder of fiscal 2002, the Company raised its earnings per diluted share guidance to a range of $2.53 to $2.60 per share before integration expense and the extraordinary item for 2002. For the fiscal year 2003, the Company believes it can achieve a 25% increase in earnings per share.

The Company will host a conference call tomorrow, August 15, 2002 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its second quarter results. To listen to the live webcast please log on to http://www.advanceautoparts.com. The call will be archived on the Company's website: http://www.advanceautoparts.com/ until September 11, 2002.

Advance Auto Parts, Inc. is based in Roanoke, Va., and is the second largest auto parts chain in the nation. With approximately 2,400 stores in 38 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, the Company serves both the do-it- yourself and professional installer markets. Additional information about the Company, employment opportunities, services, as well as on-line purchase of parts and accessories can be found on the Company's web site at http://www.advanceautoparts.com.

Certain statements contained in this news release are forward-looking statements. These statements discuss, among other things, expected growth, store development and expansion strategy, business strategies, future revenues and future performance. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions including, but not limited to, competitive pressures, demand for the Company's products, the market for auto parts, the economy in general, inflation, consumer debt levels, the weather, and other risk factors listed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may materially differ from anticipated results described in these forward-looking statements.

                  Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                     Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
                                (in thousands)


                                                 July 13,        December 29,
                                                   2002              2001
                   Assets

    Current assets:
       Cash and cash equivalents                   $39,544           $18,117
       Receivables, net                            118,101            93,704
       Inventories                               1,074,653           982,000
       Other current assets                         49,970            42,027
          Total current assets                   1,282,268         1,135,848

       Property and equipment, net                 715,697           711,282
       Assets held for sale                         46,200            60,512
       Other assets, net                            25,933            42,973
                                                $2,070,098        $1,950,615

    Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

    Current liabilities:
       Bank overdrafts                                $-             $34,748
       Current portion of long-term debt            11,549            23,715
       Accounts payable                            585,119           429,041
       Accrued expenses                            209,192           176,218
       Other current liabilities                    39,676            30,027
          Total current liabilities                845,536           693,749

       Long-term debt                              762,270           932,022
       Other long-term liabilities                  35,400            36,273
       Total stockholders' equity                  426,892           288,571
                                                $2,070,098        $1,950,615




NOTE: These balance sheets do not include the footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.

                  Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                     Consolidated Statement of Operations
                           Twelve Week Period Ended
                    (in thousands, except per share data)

                                       July 13, 2002
                                      Adjustment for
                                       Non-recurring
                                           and                    July 14,
                                      Extraordinary  Comparable     2001
                          As Reported     Items        2002     As Reported
                                                                    (d)
    Net sales               $792,717       $-       $792,717     $607,478

    Cost of sales, including
     purchasing and
     warehousing costs       443,703          4      443,707      350,250

      Gross profit           349,014         (4)     349,010      257,228

    Selling, general and
     administrative expenses 291,764     (7,633)(a)  284,131        220,849

      Operating income        57,250      7,629       64,879       36,379

    Other (expense) income:
       Interest expense      (19,120)       -        (19,120)     (13,443)
       Other                     377        -            377          395
      Total other expense,
       net                   (18,743)       -        (18,743)     (13,048)

    Income before provision
     for income taxes and
     extraordinary
       item                   38,507      7,629       46,136       23,331

    Provision for income
     taxes                    14,942      2,960 (b)   17,902        9,207

    Income before
     extraordinary item       23,565      4,669       28,234       14,124

    Extraordinary item, loss
     on debt extinguishment,
       net of $4,834 income
        tax benefit           (7,624)     7,624 (c)      -            -

    Net income               $15,941    $12,293      $28,234      $14,124

    Net income (loss) per
     basic share from:

      Income before
       extraordinary item      $0.67      $0.13        $0.80        $0.50
      Extraordinary item,
       (loss) on debt
       extinguishment          (0.22)      0.22          -            -
                               $0.45      $0.35        $0.80        $0.50

    Net income (loss) per
     diluted share from:

      Income before
       extraordinary item      $0.64      $0.13        $0.77        $0.49
      Extraordinary item,
       (loss) on debt
       extinguishment          (0.20)     $0.20          -            -
                               $0.44      $0.33        $0.77        $0.49

    Average common shares
     outstanding              35,386 (e) 35,386 (e)   35,386 (e)   28,289
    Dilutive effect of stock
     options                   1,156      1,156        1,156          245
    Average common shares
     outstanding - assuming
     dilution                 36,542     36,542       36,542       28,534


    (a)  The $7,633 represent the non-recurring merger and integration
         expenses associated with the integration of the Discount Auto Parts
         operations.
    (b)  This adjustment reflects the tax impact for the non-recurring
         merger and integration expenses discussed above at a 38.8% effect tax
         rate.
    (c)  This adjustment reflects the current and deferred loan costs
         associated with the Company's refinancing of the tranche B term loan
         under its senior credit facility and reflects the ratable portion of
         deferred loan costs and the premium paid upon the repurchase and
         retirement of outstanding bonds.
    (d)  The reported results for the quarter ended July 14, 2001 have
         been restated to reflect the change in accounting principle for
         unrestricted cooperative advertising funds.  See the December 29,
         2001, audited financial statements and related footnotes.
    (e)  Average common shares outstanding is calculated based on the
         weighted average number of shares outstanding for the quarter.  At
         July 13, 2002, we had 35,665 shares outstanding.


NOTE: These preliminary statements of operations have been prepared on a consistent basis with previously presented statements of operations and do not include the footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.

                  Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                     Consolidated Statement of Operations
                        Twenty-Eight Week Period Ended
                    (in thousands, except per share data)

                                   July 13, 2002
                                  Adjustment for
                                   Non-recurring
                                        and                        July 14,
                                   Extraordinary  Comparable         2001
                      As Reported      Items         2002        As Reported
                                                                     (d)
    Net sales          $1,796,804        $-       $1,796,804     $1,336,837

    Cost of sales,
     including
     purchasing and
     warehousing costs  1,011,282         -        1,011,282        768,159

      Gross profit        785,522         -          785,522        568,678

    Selling, general and
     administrative
     expenses             679,918     (18,194) (a)   661,724        506,408

      Operating income    105,604      18,194        123,798         62,270

    Other (expense)
     income:
       Interest expense   (46,718)        -          (46,718)       (33,074)
       Other                  650         -              650            569
      Total other
       expense, net       (46,068)        -          (46,068)       (32,505)

    Income before provision
     for income taxes and
     extraordinary item    59,536      18,194         77,730         29,765

    Provision for
     income taxes          23,100       7,059 (b)     30,159         11,768

    Income before
     extraordinary
     item                  36,436      11,135         47,571         17,997

    Extraordinary item,
     loss on debt
     extinguishment, net
     of $5,325 income tax
     benefit               (8,399)      8,399 (c)        -              -

    Net income            $28,037     $19,534        $47,571        $17,997

    Net income (loss)
     per basic share
     from:

      Income before
       extraordinary item   $1.06       $0.32          $1.38          $0.64
      Extraordinary item,
       (loss) on debt
       extinguishment       (0.25)       0.25            -              -
                            $0.81       $0.57          $1.38          $0.64

    Net income (loss)
     per diluted share
     from:

      Income before
       extraordinary
       item                 $1.02       $0.31          $1.33          $0.63
      Extraordinary
       item, (loss) on
       debt
       extinguishment       (0.23)       0.23            -              -
                            $0.79       $0.54          $1.33          $0.63

    Average common
     shares
     outstanding           34,498 (e)    34,498 (e)    34,498 (e)    28,285
    Dilutive effect of
     stock options          1,212       1,212          1,212            475
    Average common
     shares
     outstanding -
     assuming dilution     35,710      35,710         35,710         28,760


    (a)   The $18,194 represent the non-recurring merger and integration
          expenses associated with the integration of the Discount Auto Parts
          operations.
    (b)   This adjustment reflects the tax impact for the non-recurring
          merger and integration expenses discussed above at a 38.8% effect
          tax rate.
    (c)   This adjustment reflects the current and deferred loan costs
          associated with the Company's refinancing of the tranche B term loan
          under its senior credit facility and reflects the ratable portion of
          deferred loan costs and the premium paid upon the repurchase and
          retirement of outstanding bonds.
    (d)   The reported results for the quarter ended July 14, 2001 have been
          restated to reflect the change in accounting principle for
          unrestricted cooperative advertising funds.  See the December 29,
          2001, audited financial statements and related footnotes.
    (e)   Average common shares outstanding is calculated based on the
          weighted average number of shares outstanding for the quarter.  At
          July 13, 2002, we had 35,665 shares outstanding.


NOTE: These preliminary statements of operations have been prepared on a consistent basis with previously presented statements of operations and do not include the footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.