Topic: How To Invest

Best stocks: Automotive recovery helps spur Genuine Parts’ earnings

Genuine Parts Co., symbol GPC on New York, distributes auto parts through more than 5,700 NAPA Auto Parts stores in the U.S. and 690 wholesalers in Canada. The company also distributes industrial parts, office furniture, and electrical equipment.

We analyze Genuine Parts in Wall Street Stock Forecaster, our newsletter that helps you find the best stocks in the U.S. markets.

In the three months ended March 31, 2011, Genuine Parts earned $126.5 million. That’s up 25.7% from $100.6 million a year earlier. Earnings per share rose 27.0% to $0.80 from $0.63, on fewer shares outstanding.

Sales rose 14.3%, to $3.0 billion from $2.6 billion. All four industry segments performed well in the quarter: automotive sales were up 9%, industrial sales gained 24%, electrical sales rose 39% and sales of office products gained 5%.

The improvement in automotive reflected the success of the company’s sales initiatives and higher sales of aftermarket auto parts. Rising manufacturing activity spurred demand for industrial and electrical equipment.

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