Asbury Automotive Group Reports Second Quarter Financial Results
Income from Continuing Operations Increases 14%
SG&A as a Percent of Gross Profit Improves 140 Basis Points
NEW YORK, July 27 -- Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. , one of the largest automotive retail and service companies in the U.S., today reported financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2006.
Income from continuing operations for the second quarter increased 14% to $19.4 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, from $17.1 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, in last year's second quarter. Results for this year's second quarter include non-operating one-time items that added $0.04 per diluted share. This year's second quarter also includes a stock-based compensation charge of approximately $0.02 per diluted share. Excluding these items, second quarter income from continuing operations improved 10% to $18.8 million, or $0.56 per diluted share.
For the first six months of 2006, income from continuing operations was $33.0 million, or $0.98 per diluted share, up 23% from $26.9 million, or $0.82 per diluted share, in the corresponding period last year. Results for the 2006 period include non-operating one-time items that added $0.03 per diluted share. This year's results also include a stock-based compensation charge of approximately $0.04 per diluted share. Results for the first half of 2005 include after-tax costs of approximately $0.07 per diluted share related to the Company's regional restructuring. Excluding these items from our 2006 and 2005 results, income from continuing operations improved 15% for the first half of 2006 to $33.3 million, or $0.99 per diluted share.
Additional financial highlights for the second quarter of 2006, as compared to last year's second quarter, included:
- Total revenue for the quarter was approximately $1.5 billion, up 7%. Total gross profit was $228.8 million, up 9%. - Same-store retail revenue and gross profit (excluding fleet and wholesale businesses) were up 7% and 9%, respectively. - New vehicle retail revenue increased 6% (5% same-store), and unit sales increased 3% (2% same-store). New vehicle retail gross profit rose 6% (4% same-store). - Used vehicle retail revenue (total and same-store) increased 11% and unit sales (total and same-store) increased 6%. Used vehicle retail gross profit (total and same-store) increased 20%. - Parts, service and collision repair (fixed operations) revenue increased 9% (8% same-store), and gross profit increased 8% (total and same- store). - Net finance and insurance (F&I) revenue was up 11% (10% same-store). Excluding a one-time gain on the sale of the remaining interest in variable profits on a pool of extended service contracts, net F&I revenue rose 2% (1% same-store). F&I per vehicle retailed (PVR) increased 6% to $966, while dealership-generated F&I PVR was flat at $875. - Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses as a percentage of gross profit were 75.1% for the quarter, a 140 basis point improvement compared with 76.5% a year ago.
President and CEO Kenneth B. Gilman said, "I am pleased to report that Asbury delivered solid financial results again in the second quarter, despite the lackluster industry environment for new car sales. Our used vehicle and fixed operations continue to benefit from the focused investments we've made in those businesses over the last few years. We also again outperformed the industry in new vehicle unit sales, thanks to our strong brand mix. In addition, our ongoing cost-reduction efforts are helping to offset some of the impact of higher interest rates."
J. Gordon Smith, Senior Vice President and CFO, said, "Asbury's SG&A expenses for the second quarter improved by 140 basis points as a percentage of gross profit. Asbury's overall results include an after-tax gain of $2.1 million on the sale of Asbury's remaining interest in variable profits on a pool of extended service contracts, and an after-tax charge of $0.9 million related to the Company's recent abandonment of strategic projects. We continue to realize cost savings from our regional reorganization in 2005 and benefited from the further leveraging of our fixed cost structure. Our more strategic approach to advertising is also delivering substantial savings, as advertising expense again declined, approximately 10% on a PVR basis. In addition, we have identified cost reduction opportunities as we continue to standardize our back office systems. For example, we are in the process of consolidating Asbury's three dealer management systems (DMS) to a single technology vendor."
Mr. Gilman continued, "I am particularly pleased to report the standout performance of our West region during the quarter, which delivered growth across all four of their business lines. Of particular note, our investments in two new Honda stores in Texas and Southern California are beginning to pay dividends. In my view, a significant amount of potential remains in our West region, with an expectation of continued improvements over the next two years."
Commenting on earnings guidance for 2006, the Company increased its guidance to a range of $1.82 and $1.87 for diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, including the expected $0.10 per share impact of the new accounting rules governing the expensing of stock-based compensation.
About Asbury Automotive Group
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., headquartered in New York City, is one of the largest automobile retailers in the U.S., with 2005 revenue of approximately $5.5 billion. Built through a combination of organic growth and a series of strategic acquisitions, the Company currently operates 87 retail auto stores, encompassing 120 franchises for the sale and servicing of 33 different brands of American, European and Asian automobiles. Asbury believes that its product mix contains a higher proportion of the more desirable luxury and mid-line import brands than most public automotive retailers. The Company offers customers an extensive range of automotive products and services, including new and used vehicle sales and related financing and insurance, vehicle maintenance and repair services, replacement parts and service contracts.
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Income (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited) For the Three For the Six Months Ended Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2006 2005 2006 2005 REVENUES: New vehicle $ 918,116 $ 872,308 $1,739,153 $1,643,577 Used vehicle 384,561 348,416 742,667 668,872 Parts, service and collision repair 172,036 157,999 341,924 309,672 Finance and insurance, net 43,224 39,064 78,844 74,554 Total revenues 1,517,937 1,417,787 2,902,588 2,696,675 COST OF SALES: New vehicle 854,390 812,339 1,617,630 1,530,845 Used vehicle 349,923 318,479 675,102 610,233 Parts, service and collision repair 84,842 77,510 169,744 151,641 Total cost of sales 1,289,155 1,208,328 2,462,476 2,292,719 GROSS PROFIT 228,782 209,459 440,112 403,956 OPERATING EXPENSES: Selling, general and administrative 171,715 160,185 337,364 318,552 Depreciation and amortization 5,113 4,768 10,088 9,460 Income from operations 51,954 44,506 92,660 75,944 OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE): Floor plan interest expense (11,239) (7,458) (20,401) (13,988) Other interest expense (11,139) (10,269) (22,043) (19,869) Interest income 1,021 171 1,748 435 Other income, net 481 332 825 441 Total other expense, net (20,876) (17,224) (39,871) (32,981) Income before income taxes 31,078 27,282 52,789 42,963 INCOME TAX EXPENSE 11,654 10,231 19,796 16,111 INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS 19,424 17,051 32,993 26,852 DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, net of tax (420) (1,065) (1,436) (1,225) NET INCOME $ 19,004 $ 15,986 $ 31,557 $ 25,627 BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE: Continuing operations $ 0.59 $ 0.52 $ 1.00 $ 0.82 Discontinued operations (0.02) (0.03) (0.04) (0.03) Net income $ 0.57 $ 0.49 $ 0.96 $ 0.79 DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE: Continuing operations $ 0.58 $ 0.52 $ 0.98 $ 0.82 Discontinued operations (0.02) (0.03) (0.04) (0.04) Net income $ 0.56 $ 0.49 $ 0.94 $ 0.78 WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING: Basic 33,077 32,604 33,000 32,596 Diluted 33,709 32,725 33,680 32,753 Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. Selected Data (Dollars in thousands, except per vehicle data) (Unaudited) As Reported for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2006 2005 RETAIL VEHICLES SOLD: New retail units 28,329 63.3% 27,449 64.0% Used retail units 16,414 36.7% 15,425 36.0% Total retail units 44,743 100.0% 42,874 100.0% REVENUE: New retail $ 887,068 58.4% $ 838,985 59.2% Used retail 295,268 19.5% 265,220 18.7% Parts, service and collision repair 172,036 11.3% 157,999 11.1% Finance and insurance, net 43,224 2.8% 39,064 2.8% Total retail revenue 1,397,596 1,301,268 Fleet 31,048 2.0% 33,323 2.4% Wholesale 89,293 6.0% 83,196 5.8% Total revenue $1,517,937 100.0% $1,417,787 100.0% GROSS PROFIT: New retail $ 62,466 27.3% $ 59,140 28.2% Used retail 35,897 15.7% 29,818 14.2% Parts, service and collision repair 87,194 38.1% 80,489 38.4% Finance and insurance, net 43,224 18.9% 39,064 18.6% Total retail gross profit 228,781 208,511 Fleet 1,260 0.6% 829 0.4% Wholesale (1,259) (0.6%) 119 0.2% Total gross profit $ 228,782 100.0% $ 209,459 100.0% Adjusted gross profit $ 225,382 $ 209,459 Adjusted SG&A expenses $ 169,371 $ 160,185 Adjusted SG&A expenses as a percentage of adjusted gross profit 75.1% 76.5% REVENUE PER VEHICLE RETAILED: New retail $ 31,313 $ 30,565 Used retail 17,989 17,194 GROSS PROFIT PER VEHICLE RETAILED: New retail $ 2,205 $ 2,155 Used retail 2,187 1,933 Finance and insurance, net 966 911 Dealership generated finance and insurance, net 875 879 GROSS PROFIT MARGIN: New retail 7.0% 7.0% Used retail 12.2% 11.2% Parts, service and collision repair 50.7% 50.9% Same Store for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2006 2005 RETAIL VEHICLES SOLD: New retail units 27,986 63.0% 27,449 64.0% Used retail units 16,414 37.0% 15,425 36.0% Total retail units 44,400 100.0% 42,874 100.0% REVENUE: New retail $ 876,954 58.2% $ 838,985 59.2% Used retail 295,268 19.6% 265,220 18.7% Parts, service and collision repair 170,753 11.3% 157,999 11.1% Finance and insurance, net 42,932 2.9% 39,064 2.8% Total retail revenue 1,385,907 1,301,268 Fleet 30,639 2.0% 33,323 2.4% Wholesale 89,293 6.0% 83,196 5.8% Total revenue $1,505,839 100.0% $1,417,787 100.0% GROSS PROFIT: New retail $ 61,762 27.2% $ 59,140 28.2% Used retail 35,897 15.8% 29,818 14.2% Parts, service and collision repair 86,527 38.1% 80,489 38.4% Finance and insurance, net 42,932 18.9% 39,064 18.6% Total retail gross profit 227,118 208,511 Fleet 1,240 0.5% 829 0.4% Wholesale (1,259) (0.5%) 119 0.2% Total gross profit $ 227,099 100.0% $ 209,459 100.0% Adjusted gross profit $ 223,699 $ 209,459 Adjusted SG&A expenses $ 168,537 $ 160,185 Adjusted SG&A expenses as a percentage of adjusted gross profit 75.3% 76.5% REVENUE PER VEHICLE RETAILED: New retail $ 31,335 $ 30,565 Used retail 17,989 17,194 GROSS PROFIT PER VEHICLE RETAILED: New retail $ 2,207 $ 2,155 Used retail 2,187 1,933 Finance and insurance, net 967 911 Dealership generated finance and insurance, net 875 879 GROSS PROFIT MARGIN: New retail 7.0% 7.0% Used retail 12.2% 11.2% Parts, service and collision repair 50.7% 50.9% Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. Selected Data (Dollars in thousands, except per vehicle data) (Unaudited) As Reported for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2006 2005 RETAIL VEHICLES SOLD: New retail units 52,887 62.4% 50,934 63.0% Used retail units 31,904 37.6% 29,926 37.0% Total retail units 84,791 100.0% 80,860 100.0% REVENUE: New retail $1,658,049 57.1% $1,563,516 58.0% Used retail 565,414 19.5% 503,825 18.7% Parts, service and collision repair 341,924 11.8% 309,672 11.5% Finance and insurance, net 78,844 2.7% 74,554 2.8% Total retail revenue 2,644,231 2,451,567 Fleet 81,104 2.8% 80,061 3.0% Wholesale 177,253 6.1% 165,047 6.0% Total revenue $2,902,588 100.0% $2,696,675 100.0% GROSS PROFIT: New retail $ 119,441 27.1% $ 111,344 27.6% Used retail 68,415 15.5% 57,429 14.2% Parts, service and collision repair 172,180 39.1% 158,031 39.1% Finance and insurance, net 78,844 17.9% 74,554 18.5% Total retail gross profit 438,880 401,358 Fleet 2,082 0.5% 1,388 0.3% Wholesale (850) (0.1%) 1,210 0.3% Total gross profit $ 440,112 100.0% $ 403,956 100.0% Adjusted gross profit $ 436,712 $ 403,956 Adjusted SG&A expenses $ 333,410 $ 314,986 Adjusted SG&A expenses as a percentage of adjusted gross profit 76.3% 78.0% REVENUE PER VEHICLE RETAILED: New retail $ 31,351 $ 30,697 Used retail 17,722 16,836 GROSS PROFIT PER VEHICLE RETAILED: New retail $ 2,258 $ 2,186 Used retail 2,144 1,919 Finance and insurance, net 930 922 Dealership generated finance and insurance, net 870 890 GROSS PROFIT MARGIN: New retail 7.2% 7.1% Used retail 12.1% 11.4% Parts, service and collision repair 50.4% 51.0% Same Store for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2006 2005 RETAIL VEHICLES SOLD: New retail units 51,911 62.1% 50,934 63.0% Used retail units 31,675 37.9% 29,926 37.0% Total retail units 83,586 100.0% 80,860 100.0% REVENUE: New retail $1,630,973 56.9% $1,563,516 58.0% Used retail 561,891 19.6% 503,825 18.7% Parts, service and collision repair 338,566 11.8% 309,672 11.5% Finance and insurance, net 77,785 2.7% 74,554 2.8% Total retail revenue 2,609,215 2,451,567 Fleet 80,285 2.8% 80,061 3.0% Wholesale 176,373 6.2% 165,047 6.0% Total revenue $2,865,873 100.0% $2,696,675 100.0% GROSS PROFIT: New retail $ 117,604 27.0% $ 111,344 27.6% Used retail 67,922 15.6% 57,429 14.2% Parts, service and collision repair 170,456 39.2% 158,031 39.1% Finance and insurance, net 77,785 17.9% 74,554 18.5% Total retail gross profit 433,767 401,358 Fleet 2,069 0.5% 1,388 0.3% Wholesale (883) (0.2%) 1,210 0.3% Total gross profit $ 434,953 100.0% $ 403,956 100.0% Adjusted gross profit $ 431,553 $ 403,956 Adjusted SG&A expenses $ 330,574 $ 314,986 Adjusted SG&A expenses as a percentage of adjusted gross profit 76.6% 78.0% REVENUE PER VEHICLE RETAILED: New retail $ 31,419 $ 30,697 Used retail 17,739 16,836 GROSS PROFIT PER VEHICLE RETAILED: New retail $ 2,265 $ 2,186 Used retail 2,144 1,919 Finance and insurance, net 931 922 Dealership generated finance and insurance, net 870 890 GROSS PROFIT MARGIN: New retail 7.2% 7.1% Used retail 12.1% 11.4% Parts, service and collision repair 50.3% 51.0% Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. Selected Data (In thousands) As of As of June 30, 2006 December 31, 2005 (Unaudited) BALANCE SHEET HIGHLIGHTS: Cash and cash equivalents $ 89,097 $ 57,194 Inventories 779,817 709,791 Total current assets 1,230,970 1,185,180 Floor plan notes payable 657,328 614,382 Total current liabilities 841,092 838,226 CAPITALIZATION: Long-term debt (including current portion) $ 497,000 $ 496,949 Stockholders' equity 587,630 547,766 Total $1,084,630 $1,044,715 ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC. SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES REGARDING NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION (In thousands, except vehicle and per vehicle data) (Unaudited)
The Company evaluates F&I gross profit performance on a per vehicle retailed ("PVR") basis by dividing total F&I gross profit by the number of retail vehicles sold. During 2003, the Company renegotiated a contract with a third party finance and insurance product provider, which resulted in the recognition of income in 2006 and 2005 that was not attributable to retail vehicles sold during 2006 and 2005 (referred to as "corporate generated F&I gross profit"). During the second quarter of 2006, the Company decided to sell its remaining interest in the pool of extended service contracts which had been the source of its corporate generated F&I gross profit, which resulted in the recognition of a $3.4 million gain on the sale ("corporate generated F&I gain"). The Company believes that dealership generated F&I PVR, which excludes the additional amounts derived from contracts negotiated by the corporate office, provides a more accurate measure of the Company's finance and insurance operating performance. The following table reconciles F&I gross profit to dealership generated F&I gross profit, and provides the necessary components to calculate dealership generated F&I gross profit PVR.
As Reported for Same Store for the Three Months the Three Months Ended June 30, Ended June 30, 2006 2005 2006 2005 RECONCILIATION OF FINANCE AND INSURANCE GROSS PROFIT TO DEALERSHIP GENERATED FINANCE AND INSURANCE GROSS PROFIT: F&I gross profit $43,224 $39,064 $42,932 $39,064 Less: corporate generated F&I gross profit (692) (1,367) (692) (1,367) Less: corporate generated F&I gain (3,400) - (3,400) - Dealership generated F&I gross profit $39,132 $37,697 $38,840 $37,697 RETAIL VEHICLES SOLD: New retail units 28,329 27,449 27,986 27,449 Used retail units 16,414 15,425 16,414 15,425 Total retail units 44,743 42,874 44,400 42,874 F&I gross profit PVR $ 966 $ 911 $ 967 $ 911 Dealership generated F&I gross profit PVR $ 875 $ 879 $ 875 $ 879 As Reported for Same Store for the Six Months the Six Months Ended June 30, Ended June 30, 2006 2005 2006 2005 RECONCILIATION OF FINANCE AND INSURANCE GROSS PROFIT TO DEALERSHIP GENERATED FINANCE AND INSURANCE GROSS PROFIT: F&I gross profit $78,844 $74,554 $77,785 $74,554 Less: corporate generated F&I gross profit (1,685) (2,570) (1,685) (2,570) Less: corporate generated F&I gain (3,400) - (3,400) - Dealership generated F&I gross profit $73,759 $71,984 $72,700 $71,984 RETAIL VEHICLES SOLD: New retail units 52,887 50,934 51,911 50,934 Used retail units 31,904 29,926 31,675 29,926 Total retail units 84,791 80,860 83,586 80,860 F&I gross profit PVR $ 930 $ 922 $ 931 $ 922 Dealership generated F&I gross profit PVR $ 870 $ 890 $ 870 $ 890
The Company's operating income was impacted by (i) the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R ("SFAS 123R"), (ii) its decision to issue restricted stock units instead of stock options, (iii) the sale of its remaining interest in a pool of extended service contracts, and (iv) its decision to abandon certain strategic projects during the three and six months ended June 30, 2006; and expenses related to our regional reorganization during the six months ended June 30, 2005. Effective January 1, 2006, The Company has adopted SFAS 123R under the modified prospective transition method and therefore has recorded stock compensation expense under the fair value method for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006. Prior to January 1, 2006, stock compensation expense was recorded under the intrinsic value method.
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED SG&A EXPENSES AS A PERCENTAGE As Reported for the Increase OF ADJUSTED GROSS PROFIT Three Months Ended (Decrease) % Change June 30, 2006 2005 SG&A expenses $171,715 $160,185 $11,530 7% Abandoned strategic project expenses (1,417) -- Stock compensation expense (927) -- Adjusted SG&A expenses $169,371 $160,185 $ 9,186 6% Gross profit $228,782 $209,459 $19,323 9% Corporate generated F&I gain (3,400) -- Adjusted gross profit $225,382 $209,459 $15,923 8% Adjusted SG&A expenses as a percentage of adjusted gross profit 75.1% 76.5% RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED SG&A EXPENSES AS A PERCENTAGE Same Store for the Increase OF ADJUSTED GROSS PROFIT Three Months Ended (Decrease) % Change June 30, 2006 2005 SG&A expenses $170,881 $160,185 $10,696 7% Abandoned strategic project expenses (1,417) -- Stock compensation expense (927) -- Adjusted SG&A expenses $168,537 $160,185 $ 8,352 5% Gross profit $227,099 $209,459 $17,640 8% Corporate generated F&I gain (3,400) -- Adjusted gross profit $223,699 $209,459 $14,240 7% Adjusted SG&A expenses as a percentage of adjusted gross profit 75.3% 76.5% RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED SG&A EXPENSES AS A PERCENTAGE As Reported for the Increase OF ADJUSTED GROSS PROFIT Six Months Ended (Decrease) % Change June 30, 2006 2005 SG&A expenses $337,364 $318,552 $18,812 6% Reorganization expenses -- (3,566) Abandoned strategic project expenses (1,658) -- Stock compensation expense (2,296) -- Adjusted SG&A expenses $333,410 $314,986 $18,424 6% Gross profit $440,112 $403,956 $36,156 9% Corporate generated F&I gain (3,400) -- Adjusted gross profit $436,712 $403,956 $32,756 8% Adjusted SG&A expenses as a percentage of adjusted gross profit 76.3% 78.0% RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED SG&A EXPENSES AS A PERCENTAGE Same Store for the Increase OF ADJUSTED GROSS PROFIT Six Months Ended (Decrease) % Change June 30, 2006 2005 SG&A expenses $334,528 $318,552 $15,976 5% Reorganization expenses -- (3,566) Abandoned strategic project expenses (1,658) -- Stock compensation expense (2,296) -- Adjusted SG&A expenses $330,574 $314,986 $15,588 5% Gross profit $434,953 $403,956 $30,997 8% Corporate generated F&I gain (3,400) -- Adjusted gross profit $431,553 $403,956 $27,597 7% Adjusted SG&A expenses as a percentage of adjusted gross profit 76.6% 78.0% RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED INCOME FROM CONTINUING As Reported for the Increase OPERATIONS Three Months Ended (Decrease) % Change June 30, 2006 2005 Net income $19,004 $15,986 $3,018 19% Discontinued operations, net of tax 420 1,065 Income from continuing operations 19,424 17,051 2,373 14% Corporate generated F&I gain, net of tax (2,125) -- Abandoned strategic project expenses, net of tax 886 -- Stock compensation expense, net of tax 579 -- Adjusted income from continuing operations $18,764 $17,051 $1,713 10% Net income $ 0.56 $ 0.49 $ 0.07 14% Discontinued operations, net of tax 0.02 0.03 Income from continuing operations 0.58 0.52 0.06 12% Corporate generated F&I gain, net of tax (0.06) -- Abandoned strategic project expenses, net of tax 0.02 -- Stock compensation expense, net of tax 0.02 -- Adjusted income from continuing operations $ 0.56 $ 0.52 $ 0.04 8% Weighted average common shares outstanding (diluted): 33,709 32,725 RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED INCOME FROM CONTINUING As Reported for the Increase OPERATIONS Six Months Ended (Decrease) % Change June 30, 2006 2005 Net income $31,557 $25,627 $5,930 23% Discontinued operations, net of tax 1,436 1,225 Income from continuing operations 32,993 26,852 6,141 23% Reorganization expense, net of tax -- 2,229 Corporate generated F&I gain, net of tax (2,125) -- Abandoned strategic project expenses, net of tax 1,036 -- Stock compensation expense, net of tax 1,435 -- Adjusted income from continuing operations $33,339 $29,081 $4,258 15% Net income $ 0.94 $ 0.78 $ 0.16 21% Discontinued operations, net of tax 0.04 0.04 Income from continuing operations 0.98 0.82 0.16 20% Reorganization expense, net of tax -- 0.07 Corporate generated F&I gain, net of tax (0.06) -- Abandoned strategic project expenses, net of tax 0.03 -- Stock compensation expense, net of tax 0.04 -- Adjusted income from continuing operations $ 0.99 $ 0.89 $ 0.10 11% Weighted average common shares outstanding (diluted): 33,680 32,753