Advance Auto Parts, Inc. , a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider in North America that serves both professional installer and do-it-yourself customers, announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended January 2, 2021.

As of January 2, 2021, Advance operated 4,806 stores and 170 Worldpac branches in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Company also serves 1,277 independently owned Carquest branded stores across these locations in addition to Mexico, Grand Cayman, the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos and British Virgin Islands.

All results in USD.

“Since the onset of the pandemic, we have prioritized the health, safety and wellbeing of our team members and customers. We are incredibly grateful to our team members and independent partners for their dedication and perseverance. They were an inspiration to all of us as they cared for each other and our customers while balancing numerous obstacles both at work and at home. This enabled us to do our part to keep America moving,” said Tom Greco, president and chief executive officer.

“As a result, Advance delivered another quarter of growth in comp sales, margin expansion and free cash flow as we crossed $10B in annual net sales for the first time ever. We believe our DIY omnichannel net sales continued to benefit from the impact COVID-19 had on the economy and resulting consumer behaviors. Meanwhile, we leveraged our scale to differentiate Advance and gain market share in the quarter.

“This was highlighted by the successful launch of the DieHard brand, the expansion of our Carquest brand and continued success from our Advance Same Day suite of fulfillment options. We also ramped up execution on our primary initiatives to expand gross margin in the quarter including strategic pricing, owned brand expansion and the streamlining of our supply chain. We believe our actions in the fourth quarter position us well to drive additional top-line growth and further margin expansion in 2021.

“Through the first four weeks of 2021, we are growing comparable store sales low double digits with strength across both DIY omnichannel and Professional. We are also encouraged by improving trends in the Northeast and Mid Atlantic Regions, which are still lagging the country, but closing the gap. In addition, we remain laser focused on the execution of our long term plan to drive growth at or above industry growth rates, deliver meaningful margin expansion, and return excess cash to shareholders.

“We look forward to sharing more details in our March release of our third annual Sustainability and Social Responsibility Report, as well as an update on our strategic business plan, which we will share with investors on April 20^th.”

Fourth Quarter 2020 Highlights ^(a)

• Net sales increased 12.0% to $2.4B; Comparable store sales ^(b) increased 4.7%
• Operating income increased 20.4% to $151.8M; Operating income margin expanded 45 bps to 6.4%
• Including approximately $19 million in COVID-19 related expenses, Adjusted operating income ^(b) increased 14.6% to 171.8M; Adjusted operating income margin ^(b) expanded 17 bps to 7.3%
• Including the impact of approximately $0.22 as a result of COVID-19 expenses, Diluted EPS increased 19.6% to $1.65 and Adjusted diluted EPS ^(b) increased 14.0% to $1.87
• Returned $319.9M to shareholders through the Company’s share repurchase program

Full Year 2020 Highlights ^(a)

• Net sales increased 4.1% to $10.1B; Comparable store sales ^(b) increased 2.4%
• Operating income increased 10.7% to $749.9M; Operating income margin expanded 45 bps to 7.4%
• Including approximately $60M in COVID-19 related expenses, Adjusted operating income ^(b) increased 4.1% to $827.3M; Adjusted operating income margin ^(b) was in-line with prior year at 8.2%
• Including the impact of approximately $0.66 as a result of COVID-19 expenses, Diluted EPS increased 4.4% to $7.14 and Adjusted diluted EPS ^(b) increased 3.9% to $8.51
• Operating cash flow increased 11.9% to $969.7M; Free cash flow ^(b) increased 17.7% to $702.1M
• Returned $514.9M to shareholders through the combination of share repurchases and the Company’s quarterly cash dividends

(a) The fourth quarter and full year 2020 included 13 weeks and 53 weeks, while the fourth quarter and full year 2019 included 12 weeks and 52 weeks.

(b) Comparable store sales exclude sales to independently owned Carquest locations, as well as the impact of the additional week in 2020. For a better understanding of the Company’s adjusted results, refer to the reconciliation of non-GAAP adjustments in the accompanying financial tables included herein.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Operating Results

Fourth quarter 2020 Net sales totaled $2.4 billion, a 12.0% increase compared to the fourth quarter of the prior year. Comparable store sales growth for the fourth quarter 2020 was 4.7%. For the full year 2020, Net sales were $10.1 billion, an increase of 4.1% from full year 2019 results. Full year 2020 Comparable store sales growth was 2.4%. The fourth quarter and full year 2020 included 13 weeks and 53 weeks compared to 12 week and 52 weeks for the fourth quarter and full year 2019. The additional week in 2020 added $158.5 million to fourth quarter and full year Net sales.

Adjusted gross profit margin was 45.9% of Net sales in the fourth quarter of 2020, a 192 basis point increase from the fourth quarter of 2019. This improvement was primarily driven by price improvements, inventory management, including a reduction in inventory shrink, and supply chain leverage. The Company’s GAAP Gross profit margin increased to 45.8% from 44.0% in the fourth quarter of the prior year. Adjusted gross profit margin for the full year 2020 was 44.4%, a 38 basis points improvement from prior year, while full year 2020 GAAP Gross profit margin increased 52 basis points to 44.3%.

Increased costs associated with COVID-19, as well as well as the additional week in the fourth quarter of 2020, resulted in higher SG&A expense compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. Adjusted SG&A as a percent of Net sales increased to 38.6% in the fourth quarter 2020, compared to 36.9% in the prior year. In addition to the COVID-19 related expenses and additional week, the increase in adjusted SG&A as a percent of Net sales was driven by lease termination costs related to the ongoing optimization of our real estate footprint, higher medical claim expenses and investment in marketing in the fourth quarter of 2020. The Company’s GAAP SG&A for the fourth quarter 2020 was 39.4% of Net sales compared to 38.0% in the same quarter of the prior year. For the full year 2020, Adjusted SG&A was 36.2%, a 39-basis point increase compared to the full year 2019. The Company’s full year 2020 GAAP SG&A was 36.9% of Net sales compared to 36.8% for the full year 2019. The additional week in 2020 contributed $53.5 million to fourth quarter and full year SG&A.

Advance Auto Parts generated Adjusted operating income of $171.8 million in the fourth quarter 2020, an increase of 14.6% from prior year results. Fourth quarter 2020 Adjusted operating income margin increased to 7.3% of Net sales, an improvement of 17 basis points from the prior year. On a GAAP basis, the Company’s Operating income was $151.8 million, an increase of 20.4% compared to the fourth quarter of the prior year and Operating income margin was 6.4% of Net sales, which was 45 basis points improved from the prior year. For full year 2020, Adjusted operating income was $827.3 million, an increase of 4.1% from the full year 2019. Full year 2020 Adjusted operating income margin was unchanged from prior year results at 8.2% of Net sales. The Company’s full year 2020 GAAP Operating income totaled $749.9 million, 7.4% of Net sales, an increase of 45 basis points compared to the full year 2019. The additional week in 2020 contributed $20.1 million to fourth quarter and full year Operating income.

Advance Auto Parts effective tax rate in the fourth quarter 2020 was 20.4%. The Company’s Adjusted diluted EPS was $1.87 for the fourth quarter 2020, an increase of 14.0% compared to the same quarter in the prior year. On a GAAP basis, the Company’s Diluted EPS increased 19.6% to $1.65. The effective tax rate for the full year 2020 was 24.3%. Full year 2020 Adjusted diluted EPS was $8.51, an increase of 3.9% from full year 2019 results. The Company’s diluted EPS on a GAAP basis increased 4.4% to $7.14 year over year. The additional week in 2020 contributed $0.23 to the fourth quarter and full year Diluted EPS.

Operating cash flow was $969.7 million for the full year 2020 versus $866.9 million for the full year 2019, an increase of 11.9%. Free cash flow for the full year 2020 was $702.1 million, an increase of 17.7% compared to the full year 2019.

Capital Allocation

During 2020, Advance Auto Parts repurchased a total of 3.0 million shares of its common stock for an aggregate amount of $458.5 million, or an average price of $150.65 per share. At the end of the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company had $432.2 million remaining under the share repurchase program.

On February 10, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per share to be paid on April 2, 2021 to all common shareholders of record as of March 19, 2021.

Full Year 2021 Guidance

“Given our belief that our economy is beginning to see signs of stabilization and progress is underway with COVID-19 vaccinations, we are optimistic regarding a continued recovery in 2021. While uncertainty remains, we are providing financial guidance for the full year 2021 based on the factors we know today. In addition to our 2021 outlook, we are highlighting key assumptions impacting our current financial models,” said Jeff Shepherd, executive vice president and chief financial officer.

Advance Auto Parts provided the following assumptions based on projections for the U.S. and guidance ranges related to its 2021 outlook:

• An increase in total vehicle miles driven in the U.S. from 2020 but to remain below 2019
• Consistent year-over-year federal tax rate
• No material increases in the federal minimum wage
• A reduction in COVID-19 related expenses

Beginning in first quarter 2021, the impact of last in, first out (“LIFO”) on the Company’s results of operations will be a reconciling item to arrive at its non-GAAP financial measures, as applicable. The Company believes this measure will assist in comparing the Company’s operating results with the operational performance of other companies in its industry. For a better understanding of the Company’s adjusted results, refer to the reconciliation of non-GAAP adjustments in the accompanying financial tables included herein.

Investor Conference Call

Advance Auto Parts will detail its results for the fourth quarter and full year 2020 via a webcast scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, February 16, 2021. The webcast will be accessible via the Investor Relations page of the Company’s website (ir.AdvanceAutoParts.com).

To join by phone, please pre-register online for dial-in and passcode information. Upon registering, participants will receive a confirmation with call details and a registrant ID. While registration is open through the live call, the company suggests registering a day in advance or at minimum 10 minutes before the start of the call. A replay of the conference call will be available on the Advance website for one year.

About Advance Auto Parts

Advance Auto Parts, Inc. is a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider that serves both professional installer and do-it-yourself customers. As of January 2, 2021, Advance operated 4,806 stores and 170 Worldpac branches in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Company also serves 1,277 independently owned Carquest branded stores across these locations in addition to Mexico, Grand Cayman, the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos and British Virgin Islands. Additional information about Advance, including employment opportunities, customer services, and online shopping for parts, accessories and other offerings can be found at www.AdvanceAutoParts.com.