Genuine Parts (GPC) Q2 2025 Earnings Transcript

Core Insights - Genuine Parts Company (GPC) reported mixed Q2 2025 financials, with total sales of $6.2 billion, reflecting a 3.4% growth year-over-year, but faced margin pressures leading to a downward revision of full-year earnings and cash flow outlooks [6][13][39] - The company revised its diluted EPS guidance for FY2025 to a range of $6.55 to $7.05, down from $6.95 to $7.45, primarily due to tariff impacts and persistent cost inflation [5][47] - Management indicated that inflation in Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) expenses outpaced sales inflation by approximately 100 basis points, contributing to a decline in adjusted EBITDA margin to 8.9% [5][44] Financial Performance - Adjusted EPS for Q2 2025 was $2.10, down 14% year-over-year, impacted by lower pension income and higher depreciation and interest expenses [7][38] - Total adjusted SG&A as a percentage of sales increased to 28.7%, up 150 basis points year-over-year, with absolute SG&A rising by $145 million [7][40] - Operating cash flow is projected at $1.1 billion to $1.3 billion for FY2025, with free cash flow expected at $700 million to $900 million, both lower than previous forecasts [5][57] Segment Performance - Automotive segment sales increased by 5% in Q2 2025, with comparable sales up about 0.5%, while the industrial segment saw sales of $1.8 billion, up about 1% [7][24] - E-commerce accounted for 40% of Motion segment sales, reflecting a growth of over 10% since early 2024 [7][23] - The company acquired 32 U.S. stores in Q2 2025, in addition to 44 in Q1 2025, enhancing its market presence [7][31] Market Conditions - Management noted that the cumulative effect of broad-based tariffs on demand remains a risk, with potential negative consequences if tariffs expand or inflation impacts accelerate [5][55] - The company expects full-year sales growth of 1%-3% for FY2025, with automotive segment sales growth guided at 1.5%-3.5% and industrial segment sales seen up 1%-3% [7][57] - Current PMI readings indicate a contractionary environment, which has influenced the revised growth expectations for both automotive and industrial businesses [49][57] Strategic Initiatives - Ongoing global restructuring initiatives aim to offset rising SG&A expenses and address challenges across diverse geographic markets [6][44] - The company is focused on controlling costs and enhancing operational efficiency, with a target of over $200 million in annualized cost savings by 2026 from restructuring efforts [7][56] - Management emphasized the importance of maintaining customer relationships and adapting to market changes through strategic pricing and sourcing initiatives [6][20]