•
Jan 01, 2022

Advance Auto Parts Q4 2021 Earnings Report

Advance Auto Parts reported a strong fourth quarter and a record full year in 2021.

Key Takeaways

Advance Auto Parts reported a 1.3% increase in net sales to $2.4 billion for the fourth quarter of 2021. Comparable store sales growth was 8.2%. The company's adjusted diluted EPS was $2.07, an increase of 35.4% compared to the prior year. The company is introducing full year 2022 guidance.

Net sales totaled $2.4 billion, a 1.3% increase compared with the fourth quarter of the prior year.

Comparable store sales growth for the fourth quarter 2021 was 8.2%.

Adjusted gross profit increased 12.1% from the comparative 12 weeks in the fourth quarter of 2020 to $1.1 billion in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Adjusted diluted EPS was $2.07 in the fourth quarter of 2021, an increase of 35.4% compared with the comparative 12 weeks in the same quarter of the prior year.

Total Revenue
$2.4B
Previous year: $2.37B
+1.5%
EPS
$2.07
Previous year: $1.87
+10.7%
Comp store sales
8.2%
Previous year: 4.7%
+74.5%
Gross Profit
$1.07B
Previous year: $1.08B
-1.1%
Cash and Equivalents
$601M
Previous year: $835M
-28.0%
Free Cash Flow
$702M
Previous year: $702M
+0.0%
Total Assets
$12.2B
Previous year: $11.8B
+3.0%

Advance Auto Parts

Advance Auto Parts

Forward Guidance

Full Year 2022 Guidance: Net sales between $11.2 billion and $11.5 billion, comparable store sales growth between 1.0% and 3.0%, adjusted operating income margin between 10.0% and 10.2%, adjusted diluted EPS between $13.20 and $13.75, capital expenditures between $300 million and $350 million, minimum free cash flow of $775 million, and share repurchases between $500 million and $700 million.

Positive Outlook

  • Net sales between $11,200 million and $11,500 million
  • Comparable store sales between 1.0% and 3.0%
  • Adjusted operating income margin between 10.0% and 10.2%
  • Income tax rate between 24.0% and 26.0%
  • Adjusted diluted EPS between $13.20 and $13.75

Challenges Ahead

  • Capital expenditures between $300 million and $350 million
  • Minimum free cash flow of $775 million
  • Share repurchases between $500 million and $700 million
  • New store and branch openings between 125 and 150
  • Macroeconomic uncertainty related to the acceleration of inflation across the economy and the impact it could have on our core customer