![]() | Investors May Contact: | |
Keith R. Style | ||
V.P.-Finance and Investor Relations | ||
(212) 885-2530 | ||
investor@asburyauto.com | ||
Reporters May Contact: | ||
Stephanie Lowenthal | ||
RF|Binder Partners | ||
(212) 994-7619 | ||
Stephanie.Lowenthal@RFBinder.com |
Asbury Automotive Group Reports First Quarter Financial Results
New York, NY, April 24, 2008 – Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: ABG), one of the largest automotive retail and service companies in the U.S., today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2008.
Income from continuing operations for the first quarter was $11.2 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, compared to adjusted income from continuing operations of $15.2 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, in last year’s quarter. Last year’s results have been adjusted for non-core items, as disclosed in the attached tables, including $0.32 per diluted share in charges related to a debt refinancing and $0.05 per share related to the retirement of the Company’s previous CEO. Including these items, income from continuing operations in last year’s first quarter was $2.3 million, or $0.07 per diluted share. Net income for the first quarter totaled $10.5 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, compared with $0.4 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, in last year’s quarter, including the non-core items discussed above.
President and CEO Charles R. Oglesby said, “Our performance for the quarter reflected a soft environment for vehicle sales, especially in Florida and California, as well as weather conditions during March in several of our markets that disrupted our operations, particularly in parts and service. However, our expense reduction initiatives delivered in excess of plan, partially offsetting our lower gross profit and keeping us on target with our previous guidance range for 2008 diluted earnings per share of $1.80 to $2.00.”
J. Gordon Smith, Senior Vice President and CFO, added, “We made further progress during the first quarter in aligning expenses with our reduced gross profit levels. Same-store personnel and advertising costs were down 6% and 15%, respectively, from a year ago. While the near-term outlook for vehicle sales is clearly challenging, we believe that our expense reductions have put Asbury in a good position to weather the storm.”
Mr. Oglesby concluded, “Despite the current weakness in the new vehicle market, the longer term demographic trends continue to be favorable for Asbury. Census data shows that the population in 17 of our 22 local markets, representing 83% of our total revenue, grew faster than the national average in 2007. And, during the first quarter of 2008, U.S. vehicle sales continued to migrate towards mid-line import brands, which now make up 60% of Asbury’s new vehicle retail sales. We remain committed to our long-term strategy, building on our foundation of strong brands and growing markets through selective acquisitions, and continuing to return capital to our shareholders through our dividend.”
Asbury will host a conference call to discuss its first quarter results this afternoon at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The call will be simulcast live on the Internet and can be accessed by logging onto http://www.asburyauto.com or http://www.ccbn.com. In addition, a live audio of the call will be accessible to the public by calling (888) 632-5023 (domestic), or (913) 312-0656 (international); no access code is necessary. Callers should dial in approximately 5-10 minutes before the call begins.
About Asbury Automotive Group
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (“Asbury”), headquartered in New York City, is one of the largest automobile retailers in the U.S. Built through a combination of organic growth and a series of strategic acquisitions, Asbury currently operates 90 retail auto stores, encompassing 122 franchises for the sale and servicing of 36 different brands of American, European and Asian automobiles. Asbury 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.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements include statements relating to goals, plans, earnings guidance, acquisition performance and projections regarding the Company’s financial position, results of operations, market position, potential future acquisitions and business strategy. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and involve significant risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, market factors, the Company’s relationships with vehicle manufacturers and other suppliers, risks associated with the Company’s indebtedness, risks related to future acquisitions, risks related to competition in the automotive retail and service industries, general economic conditions both nationally and locally, governmental regulations, legislation and the Company’s ability to execute certain operational strategies. There can be no guarantees that the Company’s plans for future operations will be successfully implemented or that they will prove to be commercially successful or that the Company will be able to continue paying dividends in the future at the current rate or at all. These and other risk factors are discussed in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K and in its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
[Tables Follow]
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income
(In millions, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
REVENUES: | ||||||||
New vehicle | $ | 737.2 | $ | 815.1 | ||||
Used vehicle | 326.1 | 373.6 | ||||||
Parts and service | 183.5 | 173.2 | ||||||
Finance and insurance, net | 38.6 | 38.2 | ||||||
Total revenues | 1,285.4 | 1,400.1 | ||||||
COST OF SALES: | ||||||||
New vehicle | 688.7 | 756.1 | ||||||
Used vehicle | 297.7 | 337.8 | ||||||
Parts and service | 90.3 | 84.2 | ||||||
Total cost of sales | 1,076.7 | 1,178.1 | ||||||
GROSS PROFIT | 208.7 | 222.0 | ||||||
OPERATING EXPENSES: | ||||||||
Selling, general and administrative | 168.3 | 171.7 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 5.5 | 5.3 | ||||||
Other operating expense (income), net | (0.3 | ) | 2.7 | |||||
Income from operations | 35.2 | 42.3 | ||||||
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE): | ||||||||
Floor plan interest expense | (9.1 | ) | (11.1 | ) | ||||
Other interest expense | (9.1 | ) | (11.8 | ) | ||||
Interest income | 1.0 | 2.0 | ||||||
Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt | — | (17.7 | ) | |||||
Total other expense, net | (17.2 | ) | (38.6 | ) | ||||
Income before income taxes | 18.0 | 3.7 | ||||||
INCOME TAX EXPENSE | 6.8 | 1.4 | ||||||
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS | 11.2 | 2.3 | ||||||
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, net of tax | (0.7 | ) | (1.9 | ) | ||||
NET INCOME | $ | 10.5 | $ | 0.4 | ||||
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE: | ||||||||
Basic- | ||||||||
Continuing operations | $ | 0.35 | $ | 0.07 | ||||
Discontinued operations | (0.02 | ) | (0.06 | ) | ||||
Net Income | $ | 0.33 | $ | 0.01 | ||||
Diluted- | ||||||||
Continuing operations | $ | 0.35 | $ | 0.07 | ||||
Discontinued operations | (0.02 | ) | (0.06 | ) | ||||
Net Income | $ | 0.33 | $ | 0.01 | ||||
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING: | ||||||||
Basic | 31.8 | 33.3 | ||||||
Diluted | 32.3 | 34.2 | ||||||
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.
Selected Data
(Dollars in millions, except per vehicle data)
(Unaudited)
As Reported for the Three Months Ended March 31, | Increase | % | |||||||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | (Decrease) | Change | ||||||||||||||||||
VEHICLES SOLD: | |||||||||||||||||||||
New retail units—light vehicles | 21,910 | 23,020 | (1,110 | ) | (5 | )% | |||||||||||||||
New retail units—heavy trucks | 607 | 1,017 | (410 | ) | (40 | )% | |||||||||||||||
Total new retail units | 22,517 | 24,037 | (1,520 | ) | (6 | )% | |||||||||||||||
Fleet units | 1,631 | 2,575 | (944 | ) | (37 | )% | |||||||||||||||
Total new units | 24,148 | 26,612 | (2,464 | ) | (9 | )% | |||||||||||||||
Used retail units | 13,889 | 16,369 | (2,480 | ) | (15 | )% | |||||||||||||||
REVENUE: | |||||||||||||||||||||
New retail—light vehicles | $ | 666.9 | 51.9 | % | $ | 708.3 | 50.6 | % | $ | (41.4 | ) | (6 | )% | ||||||||
New retail—heavy trucks | 36.6 | 2.8 | % | 58.7 | 4.2 | % | (22.1 | ) | (38 | )% | |||||||||||
Total new retail | 703.5 | 54.7 | % | 767.0 | 54.8 | % | (63.5 | ) | (8 | )% | |||||||||||
Used retail | 251.9 | 19.6 | % | 292.9 | 20.9 | % | (41.0 | ) | (14 | )% | |||||||||||
Parts and service | 183.5 | 14.3 | % | 173.2 | 12.4 | % | 10.3 | 6 | % | ||||||||||||
Finance and insurance, net | 38.6 | 3.0 | % | 38.2 | 2.7 | % | 0.4 | 1 | % | ||||||||||||
Total retail revenue | 1,177.5 | 1,271.3 | (93.8 | ) | (7 | )% | |||||||||||||||
Fleet | 33.7 | 2.6 | % | 48.1 | 3.4 | % | (14.4 | ) | (30 | )% | |||||||||||
Wholesale | 74.2 | 5.8 | % | 80.7 | 5.8 | % | (6.5 | ) | (8 | )% | |||||||||||
Total revenue | $ | 1,285.4 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,400.1 | 100.0 | % | $ | (114.7 | ) | (8 | )% | ||||||||
GROSS PROFIT | |||||||||||||||||||||
New retail—light vehicles | $ | 46.3 | 22.2 | % | $ | 54.7 | 24.6 | % | $ | (8.4 | ) | (15 | )% | ||||||||
New retail—heavy trucks | 1.7 | 0.8 | % | 3.2 | 1.4 | % | (1.5 | ) | (47 | )% | |||||||||||
Total new retail | 48.0 | 23.0 | % | 57.9 | 26.0 | % | (9.9 | ) | (17 | )% | |||||||||||
Used retail | 28.8 | 13.8 | % | 35.3 | 15.9 | % | (6.5 | ) | (18 | )% | |||||||||||
Parts and service | 93.2 | 44.7 | % | 89.0 | 40.2 | % | 4.2 | 5 | % | ||||||||||||
Finance and insurance, net | 38.6 | 18.5 | % | 38.2 | 17.2 | % | 0.4 | 1 | % | ||||||||||||
Total retail gross profit | 208.6 | 220.4 | (11.8 | ) | (5 | )% | |||||||||||||||
Fleet | 0.5 | 0.2 | % | 1.1 | 0.5 | % | (0.6 | ) | (55 | )% | |||||||||||
Wholesale | (0.4 | ) | (0.2 | )% | 0.5 | 0.2 | % | (0.9 | ) | (180 | )% | ||||||||||
Total gross profit | $ | 208.7 | 100.0 | % | $ | 222.0 | 100.0 | % | $ | (13.3 | ) | (6 | )% | ||||||||
SG&A expenses | $ | 168.3 | $ | 171.7 | $ | (3.4 | ) | (2 | )% | ||||||||||||
SG&A expenses as a percentage of gross profit | 80.6 | % | 77.3 | % | 3.3 | 4 | % | ||||||||||||||
REVENUE PER VEHICLE RETAILED: | |||||||||||||||||||||
New retail—light vehicles | $ | 30,438 | $ | 30,769 | $ | (331 | ) | (1 | )% | ||||||||||||
New retail—heavy trucks | 60,297 | 57,719 | 2,578 | 5 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Used retail | 18,137 | 17,894 | 243 | 1 | % | ||||||||||||||||
GROSS PROFIT PER VEHICLE RETAILED: | |||||||||||||||||||||
New retail—light vehicles | $ | 2,113 | $ | 2,376 | $ | (263 | ) | (11 | )% | ||||||||||||
New retail—heavy trucks | 2,801 | 3,147 | (346 | ) | (11 | )% | |||||||||||||||
Used retail | 2,074 | 2,157 | (83 | ) | (4 | )% | |||||||||||||||
Finance and insurance, net | 1,060 | 945 | 115 | 12 | % | ||||||||||||||||
GROSS PROFIT MARGIN: | |||||||||||||||||||||
New retail—light vehicles | 6.9 | % | 7.7 | % | (0.8 | )% | (10 | )% | |||||||||||||
New retail—heavy trucks | 4.6 | % | 5.5 | % | (0.9 | )% | (16 | )% | |||||||||||||
Used retail | 11.4 | % | 12.1 | % | (0.7 | )% | (6 | )% | |||||||||||||
Parts and service | 50.8 | % | 51.4 | % | (0.6 | )% | (1 | )% | |||||||||||||
Total – light vehicles | 16.4 | % | 16.2 | % | 0.2 | % | 1 | % | |||||||||||||
Total | 16.2 | % | 15.9 | % | 0.3 | % | 2 | % |
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.
Selected Data
(Dollars in millions, except per vehicle data)
(Unaudited)
Same Store for the Three Months Ended March 31, | Increase | % | |||||||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | (Decrease) | Change | ||||||||||||||||||
VEHICLES SOLD: | |||||||||||||||||||||
New retail units—light vehicles | 20,700 | 23,020 | (2,320 | ) | (10 | )% | |||||||||||||||
New retail units—heavy trucks | 607 | 1,017 | (410 | ) | (40 | )% | |||||||||||||||
Total new retail units | 21,307 | 24,037 | (2,730 | ) | (11 | )% | |||||||||||||||
Fleet units | 1,619 | 2,575 | (956 | ) | (37 | )% | |||||||||||||||
Total new units | 22,926 | 26,612 | (3,686 | ) | (14 | )% | |||||||||||||||
Used retail units | 13,362 | 16,369 | (3,007 | ) | (18 | )% | |||||||||||||||
REVENUE: | |||||||||||||||||||||
New retail—light vehicles | $ | 628.4 | 51.4 | % | $ | 708.3 | 50.6 | % | $ | (79.9 | ) | (11 | )% | ||||||||
New retail—heavy trucks | 36.6 | 3.0 | % | 58.7 | 4.2 | % | (22.1 | ) | (38 | )% | |||||||||||
Total new retail | 665.0 | 54.4 | % | 767.0 | 54.8 | % | (102.0 | ) | (13 | )% | |||||||||||
Used retail | 241.6 | 19.8 | % | 292.9 | 20.9 | % | (51.3 | ) | (18 | )% | |||||||||||
Parts and service | 175.2 | 14.3 | % | 173.2 | 12.4 | % | 2.0 | 1 | % | ||||||||||||
Finance and insurance, net | 37.3 | 3.0 | % | 38.2 | 2.7 | % | (0.9 | ) | (2 | )% | |||||||||||
Total retail revenue | 1,119.1 | 1,271.3 | (152.2 | ) | (12 | )% | |||||||||||||||
Fleet | 33.4 | 2.7 | % | 48.1 | 3.4 | % | (14.7 | ) | (31 | )% | |||||||||||
Wholesale | 70.7 | 5.8 | % | 80.7 | 5.8 | % | (10.0 | ) | (12 | )% | |||||||||||
Total revenue | $ | 1,223.2 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,400.1 | 100.0 | % | $ | (176.9 | ) | (13 | )% | ||||||||
GROSS PROFIT | |||||||||||||||||||||
New retail—light vehicles | $ | 43.2 | 21.7 | % | $ | 54.7 | 24.6 | % | $ | (11.5 | ) | (21 | )% | ||||||||
New retail—heavy trucks | 1.7 | 0.9 | % | 3.2 | 1.4 | % | (1.5 | ) | (47 | )% | |||||||||||
Total new retail | 44.9 | 22.6 | % | 57.9 | 26.0 | % | (13.0 | ) | (22 | )% | |||||||||||
Used retail | 27.8 | 14.0 | % | 35.3 | 15.9 | % | (7.5 | ) | (21 | )% | |||||||||||
Parts and service | 88.8 | 44.6 | % | 89.0 | 40.2 | % | (0.2 | ) | — | ||||||||||||
Finance and insurance, net | 37.3 | 18.8 | % | 38.2 | 17.2 | % | (0.9 | ) | (2 | )% | |||||||||||
Total retail gross profit | 198.8 | 220.4 | (21.6 | ) | (10 | )% | |||||||||||||||
Fleet | 0.5 | 0.2 | % | 1.1 | 0.5 | % | (0.6 | ) | (55 | )% | |||||||||||
Wholesale | (0.5 | ) | (0.2 | )% | 0.5 | 0.2 | % | (1.0 | ) | (200 | )% | ||||||||||
Total gross profit | $ | 198.8 | 100.0 | % | $ | 222.0 | 100.0 | % | $ | (23.2 | ) | (10 | )% | ||||||||
SG&A expenses | $ | 161.0 | $ | 171.7 | $ | (10.7 | ) | (6 | )% | ||||||||||||
SG&A expenses as a percentage of gross profit | 81.0 | % | 77.3 | % | 3.7 | 5 | % | ||||||||||||||
REVENUE PER VEHICLE RETAILED: | |||||||||||||||||||||
New retail—light vehicles | $ | 30,357 | $ | 30,769 | $ | (412 | ) | (1 | )% | ||||||||||||
New retail—heavy trucks | 60,297 | 57,719 | 2,578 | 4 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Used retail | 18,081 | 17,894 | 187 | 1 | % | ||||||||||||||||
GROSS PROFIT PER VEHICLE RETAILED: | |||||||||||||||||||||
New retail—light vehicles | $ | 2,087 | $ | 2,376 | $ | (289 | ) | (12 | )% | ||||||||||||
New retail—heavy trucks | 2,801 | 3,147 | (346 | ) | (11 | )% | |||||||||||||||
Used retail | 2,081 | 2,157 | (76 | ) | (4 | )% | |||||||||||||||
Finance and insurance, net | 1,076 | 945 | 131 | 14 | % | ||||||||||||||||
GROSS PROFIT MARGIN: | |||||||||||||||||||||
New retail—light vehicles | 6.9 | % | 7.7 | % | (0.8 | )% | (10 | )% | |||||||||||||
New retail—heavy trucks | 4.6 | % | 5.5 | % | (0.9 | )% | (16 | )% | |||||||||||||
Used retail | 11.5 | % | 12.1 | % | (0.6 | )% | (5 | )% | |||||||||||||
Parts and service | 50.7 | % | 51.4 | % | (0.7 | )% | (1 | )% | |||||||||||||
Total – light vehicles | 16.5 | % | 16.2 | % | 0.3 | % | 2 | % | |||||||||||||
Total | 16.3 | % | 15.9 | % | 0.4 | % | 3 | % |
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.
Selected Data
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
March 31, 2008 | December 31, 2007 | Increase (Decrease) | % Change | ||||||||||
BALANCE SHEET HIGHLIGHTS: | |||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 25.7 | $ | 53.4 | $ | (27.7 | ) | (52 | )% | ||||
New vehicle inventory | 653.1 | 622.6 | 30.5 | 5 | % | ||||||||
Used vehicle inventory | 102.1 | 101.1 | 1.0 | 1 | % | ||||||||
Parts inventory | 47.8 | 46.2 | 1.6 | 3 | % | ||||||||
Total current assets | 1,159.5 | 1,192.4 | (32.9 | ) | (3 | )% | |||||||
Floor plan notes payable | 690.0 | 674.0 | 16.0 | 2 | % | ||||||||
Total current liabilities | 867.1 | 871.7 | (4.6 | ) | (1 | )% | |||||||
CAPITALIZATION: | |||||||||||||
Long-term debt (including current portion) | $ | 475.4 | $ | 475.6 | $ | (0.2 | ) | — | |||||
Shareholders’ equity | 587.1 | 584.2 | 2.9 | — | |||||||||
Total | $ | 1,062.5 | $ | 1,059.8 | $ | 2.7 | — | ||||||
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.
Supplemental Disclosures Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Information
(In millions, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
Our income from continuing operations during 2007 was impacted by retirement benefits expenses associated with the retirement of our former CEO and a loss on extinguishment of long-term debt. We believe that an alternative comparison of our income from continuing operations, as used by management to compare actual results to forecasted results, can be made by adjusting for these items based on the fact that we believe these items are not core dealership operating items and should not be considered when forecasting our future results.
The non-GAAP measure “adjusted income from continuing operations” contains material limitations. Although we believe that retirement benefits expense and losses from the extinguishment of long-term debt are infrequent and although we do not expect to recognize these items in the future we cannot assure you that we will not recognize them in the future. In addition, our income from continuing operations may not be comparable with income from continuing operations of other companies to the extent that other companies recognize similar items in income from continuing operations and do not provide disclosure of the amounts. In order to compensate for these limitations we also review the related GAAP measures.
As Reported for the Three Months Ended March 31, | Increase (Decrease) | % Change | |||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||
Adjusted income from continuing operations | |||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 10.5 | $ | 0.4 | $ | 10.1 | NM | ||||||
Discontinued operations, net of tax | 0.7 | 1.9 | |||||||||||
Income from continuing operations | 11.2 | 2.3 | 8.9 | 387 | % | ||||||||
Retirement benefits expenses, net of tax | — | 1.8 | |||||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt, net of tax | — | 11.1 | |||||||||||
Adjusted income from continuing operations | $ | 11.2 | $ | 15.2 | $ | (4.0 | ) | (26 | )% | ||||
Adjusted earnings per common share - Diluted | |||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 0.33 | $ | 0.01 | $ | 0.32 | NM | ||||||
Discontinued operations, net of tax | 0.02 | 0.06 | |||||||||||
Income from continuing operations | 0.35 | 0.07 | $ | 0.28 | 400 | % | |||||||
Adjusting items | — | 0.37 | |||||||||||
Adjusted income from continuing operations | $ | 0.35 | $ | 0.44 | $ | (0.09 | ) | (20 | )% | ||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding (diluted): | 32.3 | 34.2 | |||||||||||
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
Select Data - Brand Mix
Brand Mix as a Percent of Light Vehicle New Retail Unit Sales | For the Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||
Honda/Acura | 35 | % | 33 | % | ||
Nissan/Infiniti | 20 | % | 19 | % | ||
Toyota/Lexus | 15 | % | 14 | % | ||
Ford | 8 | % | 9 | % | ||
BMW/Mini | 6 | % | 4 | % | ||
General Motors | 5 | % | 6 | % | ||
Mercedes | 4 | % | 5 | % | ||
Chrysler | 4 | % | 3 | % | ||
Other | 3 | % | 7 | % | ||
100 | % | 100 | % | |||