Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC), a leading global service provider of automotive and industrial replacement parts and value-added solutions, announced today its results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026.

"Our third quarter performance demonstrates the strength of our market leading businesses and our teams' continued focus on serving customers and executing our strategic priorities," said Will Stengel, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We also achieved important milestones in our separation process and remain on track to launch GPC and Motion as two independent, leading companies in the first quarter of 2027."

Third Quarter 2026 Results

Sales were $6.5 billion, a 4.2% increase compared to $6.3 billion in the same period of the prior year. The improvement is attributable to a 2.9% increase in comparable sales, a 0.9% benefit from acquisitions and a net 0.4% favorable impact of foreign currency and other.

Net income was $224 million, or $1.62 per diluted earnings per share. This compares to net income of $226 million, or $1.62 per diluted share in the prior year period.

Adjusted net income was $286 million, or $2.07 per diluted earnings per share. Adjusted net income excludes $61 million of after-tax adjustments, or $0.45 per diluted share, which relates to costs associated with the company's global restructuring initiative and the planned separation of the company's Automotive and Industrial businesses. This compares to adjusted net income of $276 million, or $1.98 per diluted share in the prior year period. Refer to the reconciliation of GAAP net income to adjusted net income and GAAP diluted net income per common share to adjusted diluted net income per common share for more information.

Third Quarter 2026 Segment Highlights

North America Automotive Parts Group ("North America Automotive")

North America Automotive sales were $2.5 billion, up 2.2% from the same period in 2025. The improvement is primarily attributable to a 1.7% increase in comparable sales and a 1.1% benefit from acquisitions.  This was partially offset by a 0.6% unfavorable impact of foreign currency and other. Segment EBITDA of $194 million decreased 2.9%, with segment EBITDA margin of 7.6%, down 40 basis points from the same period of the prior year.

International Automotive Parts Group ("International Automotive")

International Automotive sales were $1.6 billion, up 4.5% from the same period in 2025. The improvement is primarily attributable to a 1.7% benefit from acquisitions, a 1.7% favorable impact of foreign currency and a 1.1% increase in comparable sales. Segment EBITDA of $141 million increased 4.7%, with segment EBITDA margin of 9.0%, flat versus the same period of the prior year.

Industrial Parts Group ("Industrial")

Industrial sales were $2.4 billion, up 6.1% from the same period in 2025. The improvement is primarily attributable to a 5.5% increase in comparable sales, a 0.5% favorable impact of foreign currency and a 0.1% benefit from acquisitions. Segment EBITDA of $317 million increased 11.2%, with segment EBITDA margin of 13.2%, up 60 basis points from the same period of the prior year.

Year to Date 2026 Results

Sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 were $19.3 billion, up 5.6% from the same period in 2025. Net income for the nine months was $641 million, or $4.64 per diluted share. This compares to net income of $675 million, or $4.85 per diluted share in the prior year period. Adjusted net income was $827 million in the first nine months of 2026, compared to adjusted net income of $810 million in the prior year period. Adjusted diluted earnings per share were $5.99 compared to $5.82 in the prior year period.

Balance Sheet, Cash Flow and Capital Allocation

The company generated cash flow from operations of $817 million for the first nine months of 2026. Net cash used in investing activities was $361 million, including $314 million for capital expenditures and $69 million for acquisitions. Net cash used in financing activities was $139 million, including net proceeds of debt (including net commercial paper) of $338 million, partially offset by $434 million for quarterly dividends paid to shareholders. Free cash flow was $502 million for the first nine months of 2026. Refer to the reconciliation of GAAP net cash provided by operating activities to free cash flow for more information.

As of September 30, 2026, total liquidity was $2.4 billion, consisting of $763 million in cash, and $1.6 billion of available capacity under the company's $2.0 billion Revolving Credit Agreement. This reflects $389 million outstanding under our commercial paper program.

2026 Outlook

The company is narrowing the range for adjusted diluted earnings per share outlook from its previous full-year 2026 outlook provided in its earnings releases on February 17, 2026, April 21, 2026 and July 21, 2026. The company considered its recent business trends and financial results, current growth plans, strategic initiatives, global economic outlook, geopolitical conflicts and the potential impact on results in updating its outlook, which is outlined in the table below. The updated GAAP earnings-per-share outlook includes expected costs associated with the company's restructuring initiatives, and includes costs related to the planned separation that have been incurred year-to-date.