Genuine Parts Company Reports Results for 2003 and Announces 48Th Consecutive Year Increase in Dividends
ATLANTA--Feb. 1, 20047, 2004--Genuine Parts Company completed its 76th year of operations and reports sales and earnings for the year ended December 31, 2003.Sales in 2003 were $8.4 billion, up 2.3% compared to the previous year. Net income for the year, before the cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles related to cash consideration from vendors and goodwill as discussed below, was $354 million, compared to $368 million, for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of 4%. Diluted earnings per share, excluding the cumulative effect adjustments, were $2.03 versus $2.10 per share in 2002, a decrease of 3%. After accounting changes recorded in the first quarter of 2003 and 2002 as discussed below, net income was $334 million, or $1.91 diluted income per share, compared to a net loss of $27.6 million, or $.16 diluted loss per share in 2002.
Larry Prince, Chairman of the Board of Directors, stated, "Total sales for 2003 reached a new record level for us, exceeding our previous high set in the year 2000. We are disappointed that earnings before the cumulative effect adjustments were not on the plus side, given our sales improvement. While we were able to do a commendable job of expense control, our gross profit margins before the reclassification of vendor consideration were below those of the previous year and negatively impacted our earnings picture."
Mr. Prince added, "As you may recall, in the first quarter of 2003, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board's EITF No. 02-16 related to the accounting treatment for cash consideration received from vendors. Under this new method, vendor allowances are generally considered a reduction in the cost of goods sold. As a result of EITF No. 02-16, a non-cash charge of $20 million was recorded as of January 1, 2003, representing the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle. In addition, in the first quarter of 2002, we completed our impairment testing for goodwill in conjunction with the new provisions introduced in FASB Statement No. 142, resulting in a non-cash charge of $395 million."
Fourth Quarter 2003
Sales increased 5% to $2.09 billion in the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2003, as compared to $1.99 billion for the same period in 2002. Diluted earnings per share in the fourth quarter were $.50 compared to the prior year of $.52 per share, a decrease of 4%.
Mr. Prince commented, "For the quarter, revenues in our Automotive Group were up 6%, a strong finish to the year and we were pleased to see the positive impact of our sales initiatives. Motion Industries, our Industrial Group, increased sales by 2% for the fourth quarter, and S. P. Richards, our Office Products Group, had an increase of 4% for the quarter. Sales for EIS, our Electrical Group, were up slightly for the fourth quarter, their first comparative increase in quite some time."
Mr. Prince concluded, "We are optimistic that the stronger sales trend in the final quarter will carry over into 2004. GPC is in a position of market leadership in all our businesses, but we enter the new year with a determination and explicit plans to reach a higher level of growth."
Dividends Increased 48 Consecutive Years
Genuine Parts Company also announced an increase of 2% in the regular quarterly cash dividend for 2004. On February 16, 2004, the Board of Directors increased the cash dividend payable to an annual rate of $1.20 per share compared with the previous dividend of $1.18 per share. The quarterly cash dividend of $.30 per share is payable April 1, 2004 to shareholders of record March 5, 2004.
Conference Call
Genuine Parts Company will hold a conference call today at 11:00 a.m. EST to discuss the results of the quarter, the year and the future outlook. Interested parties may listen by dialing 877-422-4780, conference ID 5086255. A replay will also be available at 800-642-1687 until 12:00 a.m. EST on March 2, 2004.
Forward Looking Statements
Statements in this release constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company cautions that its forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. The Company undertakes no duty to update its forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company's beliefs, expectations, and plans as of the present. Actual results or events may differ materially from those indicated as a result of various important factors. Such factors include, but are not limited to, changes in general economic conditions, the growth rate of the market for the Company's products and services, the ability to maintain favorable supplier arrangements and relationships, competitive product and pricing pressures, the effectiveness of the Company's promotional, marketing and advertising programs, changes in laws and regulations, including changes in accounting and taxation guidance, the uncertainties of litigation, as well as other risks and uncertainties discussed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
About Genuine Parts Company
Genuine Parts Company is a distributor of automotive replacement parts in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The Company also distributes industrial replacement parts in the U.S. and Canada through its Motion Industries subsidiary. S. P. Richards Company, the Office Products Group, distributes product nationwide in the U.S. and in Canada. The Electrical/Electronic Group, EIS, Inc., distributes electrical and electronic components throughout the U.S. and Mexico.
GENUINE PARTS COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME --------------------------------------- Three Months Ended Dec. 31, Year Ended Dec. 31, ------------------------------------------------------ 2003 2002 2003 2002 ------------------------------------------------------ Net sales $2,085,260 $1,993,501 $8,449,300 $8,258,927 Cost of goods sold 1,404,316 1,337,317 5,826,684 5,704,749 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 680,944 656,184 2,622,616 2,554,178 Selling, administrative & other expenses 547,469 506,222 2,050,873 1,948,442 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Income before income taxes and accounting change 133,475 149,962 571,743 605,736 Income taxes 46,738 59,563 218,101 238,236 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net income before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle 86,737 90,399 353,642 367,500 Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle(1) -- -- -19,541 -395,090 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net income (loss) after cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle $ 86,737 $ 90,399 $ 334,101 $ -27,590 ========== ========== ========== ========== Basic Net Income(Loss) per Common Share: Before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle $0.50 $0.52 $2.03 $2.11 Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle (1) -- -- -0.11 -2.27 ------- ----- ------ ------ Basic net income (loss) $0.50 $0.52 $1.92 ($0.16) ========== ========== ========== ========== Diluted Net Income (Loss) per Common Share: Before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle $0.50 $0.52 $2.03 $2.10 Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle (1) -- -- -0.12 -2.26 ------- ----- ------ ------ Diluted net income (loss) $0.50 $0.52 $1.91 ($0.16) ========== ========= ========== ========== Weighted average common shares outstanding 173,994 174,434 173,995 174,369 Dilutive effect of stock options and non-vested restricted stock awards 473 511 485 735 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Weighted average common shares outstanding - assuming dilution 174,467 174,945 174,480 175,104 ========== ========== ========== ========== (1) On January 1, 2003 the Company recorded a non-cash charge related to the capitalization of certain vendor consideration in connection with the new Financial Accounting Standards Board's EITF No. 02-16, "Accounting by a Customer (Including a Reseller) for Certain Consideration Received from a Vendor". In addition, on January 1, 2002 the Company recorded a non-cash charge related to goodwill impairment in conjunction with the new Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets". GENUINE PARTS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES SEGMENT INFORMATION AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS -------------------------------------------- Three months ended Dec. 31, Year ended Dec. 31, 2003 2002 2003 2002 ----------------------------------------------------- (Unaudited) (In thousands) Net sales: Automotive $1,094,619 $1,032,737 $4,477,508 $4,335,362 Industrial 561,446 551,030 2,253,947 2,246,124 Office Products 362,000 347,529 1,457,149 1,396,453 Electrical/Electronic Materials 74,463 74,117 297,618 315,826 Other (1) -7,268 -11,912 -36,922 -34,838 ----------------------------------------------- Total net sales $2,085,260 $1,993,501 $8,449,300 $8,258,927 =============================================== Operating profit: Automotive $72,753 $81,304 $363,022 $381,771 Industrial 40,489 52,041 151,109 178,027 Office Products 40,035 39,819 143,263 140,912 Electrical/Electronic Materials 1,709 1,708 7,112 2,756 ----------------------------------------------- Total operating profit 154,986 174,872 664,506 703,466 Interest expense -11,512 -11,972 -51,538 -59,640 Other, net -9,999 -12,938 -41,225 -38,090 ----------------------------------------------- Income before income taxes and accounting changes $133,475 $149,962 $571,743 $605,736 =============================================== Capital expenditures $10,291 $18,252 $73,904 $64,758 =============================================== Depreciation and amortization $16,907 $17,154 $69,013 $70,151 =============================================== Current ratio 3.4/1 3.0/1 ====================== Total debt to total capitalization 22.70% 27.10% ====================== (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 --------------------------------------- ASSETS -------------- Dec. 31, Dec. 31, 2003 2002 ------------------------- (in thousands) CURRENT ASSETS --------------- Cash and cash equivalents $ 15,393 $ 19,995 Trade accounts receivable 1,084,874 1,039,843 Inventories 2,140,811 2,144,787 Prepaid and other current accounts 176,548 172,362 ---------- ---------- TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 3,417,626 3,376,987 Goodwill and other intangible assets 58,028 58,705 Other assets 297,851 292,312 Total property, plant and equipment, net 342,992 333,051 --------- ---------- TOTAL ASSETS $4,116,497 $4,061,055 ========== ========== LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY ------------------------------------ CURRENT LIABILITIES ------------------- Accounts payable $ 706,609 $ 735,183 Current portion long-term debt and other borrowings 52,525 116,905 Income taxes 18,575 21,366 Dividends payable 51,331 50,557 Other current liabilities 187,891 186,919 ---------- ---------- TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 1,016,931 1,110,930 Long-term debt 625,108 674,796 Deferred income taxes 114,533 97,912 Minority interests in subsidiaries 47,642 47,408 Common stock 174,045 174,381 Retained earnings and other 2,138,238 1,955,628 ---------- ---------- TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 2,312,283 2,130,009 ---------- ---------- TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $4,116,497 $4,061,055 ========== ========== GENUINE PARTS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES ------------------------------------- CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS ------------------------------------------------ Year Ended Dec. 31, ------------ (in thousands) 2003 2002 ------------------------- OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income(loss) $ 334,101 $ -27,590 Adjustments to reconcile net income(loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle 19,541 395,090 Depreciation and amortization 69,013 70,151 Other 2,565 2,315 Changes in operating assets and liabilities -23,035 -167,558 --------- --------- NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES 402,185 272,408 INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Purchase of property, plant and equipment -73,904 -64,758 Other -1,371 4,095 ------- ------- NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES -75,275 -60,663 FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Net payments on credit facilities -112,976 -101,069 Stock options exercised 4,601 36,009 Dividends paid -204,556 -201,150 Purchase of stock -17,709 -11,615 ------- ------- NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES -330,640 -277,825 EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH -872 305 ------- ------- NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS -4,602 -65,775 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD 19,995 85,770 ------- ------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD $ 15,393 $ 19,995 ======= =======