Asbury Automotive Group Announces 2018 Second Quarter Financial Results

DULUTH, Ga., July 24, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: ABG), one of the largest automotive retail and service companies in the U.S., reported net income for the second quarter 2018 of $43.2 million ($2.11 per diluted share) and adjusted net income (a non-GAAP measure) of $42.7 million ($2.08 per diluted share). This compares to net income of $31.9 million ($1.52 per diluted share) and adjusted net income of $33.2 million ($1.58 per diluted share) in the prior year quarter. Net income for the second quarter 2018 was adjusted for a $0.7 million pre-tax gain on legal settlements ($0.03 per diluted share); while net income for the second quarter 2017 was adjusted for $0.8 million pre-tax investment income ($0.02 per diluted share) and $2.9 million pre-tax real estate-related charges ($0.08 per diluted share).

On January 1, 2018, the company adopted ASC 606 for revenue recognition which impacted F&I and parts and service revenue and gross profit. The net impact of adopting ASC 606 in the second quarter was to reduce net income by $0.6 million or $0.03 per diluted share.

As a result of tax legislation passed in December 2017, the tax rate in the second quarter of 2018 was 26% compared to 38% in the second quarter of 2017.

"In a healthy SAAR environment, we grew revenue 6% despite continued margin pressure. We also improved our SG&A as a percentage of gross profit by 90 basis points and maintained our industry leading operating margins while further investing in our omni-channel capabilities," said David Hult, Asbury's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We continued with our balanced approach to capital allocation, repurchasing $20 million of our common stock and acquiring a Chevrolet dealership and a Toyota dealership in the Atlanta market."

Second Quarter 2018 Operational Summary (change from the prior year period)

Total company:

    --  Total revenue increased 6%; gross profit increased 4%
    --  SG&A as a percentage of gross profit decreased 90 basis points to 68.6%
    --  Adjusted income from operations as a percentage of revenue was 4.6% up
        10 basis points
    --  Adjusted EPS from continuing operations increased 32%

Same store:

    --  Total revenue increased 4%; gross profit increased 2%
    --  New vehicle revenue increased 3%; gross profit decreased 3%
    --  Used vehicle retail revenue increased 8%; gross profit increased 2%
    --  Finance and insurance revenue and gross profit increased 5%
    --  Parts and service revenue was flat; gross profit increased 2%

Strategic Highlights:

    --  Completed the acquisition of a Chevrolet dealership and a Toyota
        dealership in the Atlanta market, which should generate approximately
        $120 million in annual revenue
    --  Repurchased $20 million of common stock

The Company's revenue for the six-month period ended June 30, 2018 period totaled $3.33 billion, an increase of 5% compared to $3.18 billion in the prior year period.

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2018, the Company reported net income of $83.3 million, or $4.02 per diluted share, compared to reported net income of $65.9 million, or $3.12 per diluted share in the prior year period. For the six-month period ended June 30, 2018 the Company reported adjusted net income of $82.8 million, or $4.00 per diluted share, compared to $66.6 million, or $3.16 per diluted share, for the prior year period. See attached reconciliation for reported adjustments.

Additional commentary regarding the second quarter results will be provided during the earnings conference call on July 24, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. The conference call will be simulcast live on the internet and can be accessed at www.asburyauto.com or www.ccbn.com. A replay will be available at these sites for 30 days.

In addition, a live audio of the call will be accessible to the public by calling (877) 260-1479 (domestic), or (334) 323-0522 (international); passcode - 3163021. Callers should dial in approximately 5 to 10 minutes before the call begins.

A conference call replay will be available two hours following the call for seven days, and can be accessed by calling (888) 203-1112 (domestic), or (719) 457-0820 (international); passcode - 3163021.

About Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. ("Asbury"), a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA, is one of the largest automotive retailers in the U.S. Asbury currently operates 83 dealerships, consisting of 97 franchises, representing 29 domestic and foreign brands of vehicles. Asbury also operates 25 collision repair centers. 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" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements other than historical fact, and may include statements relating to goals, plans, market conditions and projections regarding Asbury's financial position, liquidity, results of operations, market position and dealership portfolio, and other initiatives and future business strategy. These statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs 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, Asbury's relationships with, and the financial and operational stability of, vehicle manufacturers and other suppliers, acts of God or other incidents which may adversely impact supply from vehicle manufacturers and/or present retail sales challenges, risks associated with Asbury's indebtedness (including available borrowing capacity, compliance with its financial covenants and ability to refinance or repay such indebtedness, on favorable terms), Asbury's relationships with, and the financial stability of, its lenders and lessors, risks related to competition in the automotive retail and service industries, general economic conditions both nationally and locally, governmental regulations, legislation, adverse results in litigation and other proceedings, and Asbury's ability to execute its IT initiatives and other operational strategies, Asbury's ability to leverage gains from its dealership portfolio, Asbury's ability to capitalize on opportunities to repurchase its debt and equity securities or purchase properties that it currently leases, and Asbury's ability to stay within its targeted range for capital expenditures. There can be no guarantees that Asbury's plans for future operations will be successfully implemented or that they will prove to be commercially successful.

These and other risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements are and will be discussed in Asbury's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, including its most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequently filed quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


    ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (In millions, except per share data)

    (Unaudited)


                                                                           For the Three Months Ended              Increase           %
                                                                                    June 30,                      (Decrease)        Change


                                                                              2018                   2017
                                                                              ----                   ----

    REVENUE:

    New vehicle                                                                       $928.7                                 $882.9             $45.8       5%

    Used vehicle:

    Retail                                                                   470.9                          430.2                        40.7       9%

    Wholesale                                                                 46.0                           49.0                       (3.0)    (6)%
                                                                              ----                           ----

         Total used vehicle                                                  516.9                          479.2                        37.7       8%

    Parts and service                                                        204.5                          200.8                         3.7       2%

    Finance and insurance, net                                                73.5                           68.9                         4.6       7%
                                                                              ----                           ----

    TOTAL REVENUE                                                          1,723.6                        1,631.8                        91.8       6%

    GROSS PROFIT:

    New vehicle                                                               40.6                           41.0                       (0.4)    (1)%

    Used vehicle:

    Retail                                                                    33.6                           32.5                         1.1       3%

    Wholesale                                                                  0.5                            0.2                         0.3     150%

         Total used vehicle                                                   34.1                           32.7                         1.4       4%

    Parts and service                                                        129.6                          124.5                         5.1       4%

    Finance and insurance, net                                                73.5                           68.9                         4.6       7%
                                                                              ----                           ----

    TOTAL GROSS PROFIT                                                       277.8                          267.1                        10.7       4%

    OPERATING EXPENSES:

    Selling, general and administrative                                      190.6                          185.6                         5.0       3%

    Depreciation and amortization                                              8.5                            8.0                         0.5       6%

    Other operating (income) expenses, net                                   (0.9)                           1.9                       (2.8)  (147)%
                                                                              ----                            ---

    INCOME FROM OPERATIONS                                                    79.6                           71.6                         8.0      11%

    OTHER EXPENSES:

    Floor plan interest expense                                                8.0                            6.1                         1.9      31%

    Other interest expense, net                                               13.2                           13.4                       (0.2)    (1)%

    Swap interest expense                                                      0.2                            0.6                       (0.4)   (67)%

    Total other expenses, net                                                 21.4                           20.1                         1.3       6%
                                                                              ----                           ----

    INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES                                                58.2                           51.5                         6.7      13%

    Income tax expense                                                        15.0                           19.6                       (4.6)   (23)%
                                                                              ----                           ----

    NET INCOME                                                                         $43.2                                  $31.9             $11.3      35%
                                                                                       =====                                  =====

    EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:

    Basic-

    Net income                                                                         $2.13                                  $1.53             $0.60      39%
                                                                                       =====                                  =====

    Diluted-

    Net income                                                                         $2.11                                  $1.52             $0.59      39%
                                                                                       =====                                  =====

    WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:

    Basic                                                                     20.3                           20.8                       (0.5)    (2)%

    Restricted stock                                                           0.1                            0.1                           -          - %

    Performance share units                                                    0.1                            0.1                           -          - %
                                                                               ---                            ---

    Diluted                                                                   20.5                           21.0                       (0.5)    (2)%
                                                                              ====                           ====


    ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.

    KEY OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (In millions, except per unit data)

    (Unaudited)


                                                                    For the Three Months Ended June 30,            Increase              %
                                                                                                                (Decrease)          Change
                                                                                                                ---------           ------

                                                                          2018                     2017
                                                                          ----                     ----

    Unit sales
    ----------

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                               5,590                            5,504                              86      2%

    Import                                                              15,478                           14,833                             645      4%

    Domestic                                                             5,001                            4,794                             207      4%
                                                                         -----                            -----

         Total new vehicle                                              26,069                           25,131                             938      4%

    Used vehicle retail                                                 21,685                           20,263                           1,422      7%

    Used to new ratio                                                    83.2%                           80.6%                        260 bps

    Average selling price
    ---------------------

    New vehicle                                                                   $35,625                                   $35,132               $493     1%

    Used vehicle retail                                                 21,715                           21,231                             484      2%

    Average gross profit per unit
    -----------------------------

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                                         $3,470                                    $3,307               $163     5%

    Import                                                                 808                              944                           (136)  (14)%

    Domestic                                                             1,740                            1,836                            (96)   (5)%

    Total new vehicle                                                    1,557                            1,631                            (74)   (5)%

    Used vehicle                                                         1,549                            1,604                            (55)   (3)%

    Finance and insurance, net                                           1,539                            1,518                              21      1%

    Front end yield (1)                                                  3,093                            3,137                            (44)   (1)%

    Gross margin
    ------------

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                                6.5%                            6.3%                         20 bps

    Import                                                                2.9%                            3.4%                       (50) bps

    Domestic                                                              4.5%                            4.9%                       (40) bps

    Total new vehicle                                                     4.4%                            4.6%                       (20) bps

    Used vehicle retail                                                   7.1%                            7.6%                       (50) bps

    Parts and service                                                    63.4%                           62.0%                        140 bps

    Total gross profit margin                                            16.1%                           16.4%                       (30) bps

    SG&A metrics
    ------------

    Rent expense                                                                     $6.3                                      $6.8             $(0.5)  (7)%

    Total SG&A as a percentage of gross profit                           68.6%                           69.5%                       (90) bps

    SG&A, excluding rent expense as a percentage of gross profit         66.3%                           66.9%                       (60) bps

    Operating metrics
    -----------------

    Income from operations as a percentage of revenue                     4.6%                            4.4%                         20 bps

    Income from operations as a percentage of gross profit               28.7%                           26.8%                        190 bps

    Adjusted income from operations as a percentage of revenue            4.6%                            4.5%                         10 bps

    Adjusted income from operations as a percentage of gross profit      28.4%                           27.6%                         80 bps

    Revenue mix
    -----------

    New vehicle                                                          53.9%                           54.1%

    Used vehicle retail                                                  27.2%                           26.4%

    Used vehicle wholesale                                                2.7%                            3.0%

    Parts and service                                                    11.9%                           12.3%

    Finance and insurance                                                 4.3%                            4.2%
                                                                           ---                              ---

         Total revenue                                                  100.0%                          100.0%
                                                                         =====                            =====

    Gross profit mix
    ----------------

    New vehicle                                                          14.6%                           15.4%

    Used vehicle retail                                                  12.0%                           12.1%

    Used vehicle wholesale                                                0.2%                            0.1%

    Parts and service                                                    46.7%                           46.6%

    Finance and insurance                                                26.5%                           25.8%
                                                                          ----                             ----

         Total gross profit                                             100.0%                          100.0%
                                                                         =====                            =====

    _____________________________

    (1)              Front end yield is
                     calculated as gross profit
                     from new vehicles, used
                     retail vehicles and
                     finance and insurance
                     (net), divided by combined
                     new and used retail unit
                     sales.


    ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.

    SAME STORE OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (In millions)

    (Unaudited)


                                                                     For the Three Months Ended              Increase              %
                                                                              June 30,                      (Decrease)          Change


                                                                      2018                      2017
                                                                      ----                      ----

    Revenue
    -------

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                                      $299.9                                   $291.1             $8.8    3%

    Import                                                           417.2                            410.9                            6.3     2%

    Domestic                                                         189.4                            180.9                            8.5     5%
                                                                     -----                            -----

         Total new vehicle                                           906.5                            882.9                           23.6     3%

    Used Vehicle:

    Retail                                                           460.2                            425.8                           34.4     8%

    Wholesale                                                         45.3                             48.9                          (3.6)  (7)%
                                                                      ----                             ----

         Total used vehicle                                          505.5                            474.7                           30.8     6%

    Parts and service                                                200.6                            200.7                          (0.1)     -  %

    Finance and insurance                                             71.9                             68.5                            3.4     5%
                                                                      ----                             ----

    Total revenue                                                             $1,684.5                                 $1,626.8            $57.7    4%
                                                                              ========                                 ========


    Gross profit
    ------------

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                                       $19.4                                    $18.2             $1.2    7%

    Import                                                            11.6                             14.0                          (2.4) (17)%

    Domestic                                                           8.6                              8.8                          (0.2)  (2)%
                                                                       ---                              ---

         Total new vehicle                                            39.6                             41.0                          (1.4)  (3)%

    Used Vehicle:

    Retail                                                            33.0                             32.2                            0.8     2%

    Wholesale                                                          0.4                              0.3                            0.1    33%
                                                                       ---                              ---

         Total used vehicle                                           33.4                             32.5                            0.9     3%

    Parts and service:

    Customer pay                                                      72.8                             69.3                            3.5     5%

    Warranty                                                          18.0                             20.8                          (2.8) (13)%

    Wholesale parts                                                    5.4                              5.2                            0.2     4%
                                                                       ---                              ---

         Parts and service, excluding reconditioning and preparation  96.2                             95.3                            0.9     1%

    Reconditioning and preparation                                    30.8                             29.0                            1.8     6%

    Total parts and service                                          127.0                            124.3                            2.7     2%

    Finance and insurance                                             71.9                             68.5                            3.4     5%
                                                                      ----                             ----

    Total gross profit                                                          $271.9                                   $266.3             $5.6    2%
                                                                                ======                                   ======


    SG&A expense                                                                $186.6                                   $184.6             $2.0    1%
                                                                                ======                                   ======

    SG&A expense as a percentage of gross profit                     68.6%                           69.3%                      (70) bps
                                                                      ====                             ====

    _____________________________

    Same store amounts consist of information from
     dealerships for identical months in each comparative
     period, commencing with the first month we owned the
     dealership. Additionally, amounts related to divested
     dealerships are excluded from each comparative period.


    ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.

    SAME STORE OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (Continued)

    (Unaudited)


                                                                For the Three Months Ended June 30,           Increase              %
                                                                                                           (Decrease)          Change
                                                                                                           ---------           ------

                                                                      2018                     2017
                                                                      ----                     ----

    Unit sales
    ----------

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                           5,590                           5,504                              86     2%

    Import                                                          14,813                          14,833                            (20)     -  %

    Domestic                                                         4,892                           4,795                              97     2%
                                                                     -----                           -----

         Total new vehicle                                          25,295                          25,132                             163     1%

    Used vehicle retail                                             21,067                          19,998                           1,069     5%

    Used to new ratio                                                83.3%                          79.6%                        370 bps


    Average selling price
    ---------------------

    New vehicle                                                               $35,837                                  $35,131              $706    2%

    Used vehicle retail                                             21,845                          21,292                             553     3%


    Average gross profit per unit
    -----------------------------

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                                     $3,470                                   $3,307              $163    5%

    Import                                                             783                             944                           (161) (17)%

    Domestic                                                         1,758                           1,835                            (77)  (4)%

    Total new vehicle                                                1,566                           1,631                            (65)  (4)%

    Used vehicle retail                                              1,566                           1,610                            (44)  (3)%

    Finance and insurance, net                                       1,551                           1,518                              33     2%

    Front end yield (1)                                              3,117                           3,140                            (23)  (1)%


    Gross margin
    ------------

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                            6.5%                           6.3%                         20 bps

    Import                                                            2.8%                           3.4%                       (60) bps

    Domestic                                                          4.5%                           4.9%                       (40) bps

    Total new vehicle                                                 4.4%                           4.6%                       (20) bps

    Used vehicle retail                                               7.2%                           7.6%                       (40) bps

    Parts and service:

    Parts and service, excluding reconditioning and preparation      48.0%                          47.5%                         50 bps

    Parts and service, including reconditioning and preparation      63.3%                          61.9%                        140 bps

    Total gross profit margin                                        16.1%                          16.4%                       (30) bps

    _____________________________

    Same store amounts consist of information from dealerships for
     identical months in each comparative period, commencing with the
     first month we owned the dealership. Additionally, amounts
     related to divested dealerships are excluded from each
     comparative period.


    (1)                                                               Front end yield is calculated as gross profit from new vehicles,
                                                                      used retail vehicles and finance and insurance (net), divided by
                                                                      combined new and used retail unit sales.


    ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (In millions, except per share data)

    (Unaudited)


                                                                             For the Six Months Ended               Increase             %
                                                                                     June 30,                      (Decrease)          Change


                                                                              2018                    2017
                                                                              ----                    ----

    REVENUE:

    New vehicle                                                                       $1,785.8                                $1,715.4           $70.4      4%

    Used vehicle:

    Retail                                                                   906.7                           845.6                          61.1     7%

    Wholesale                                                                 94.8                            95.4                         (0.6)  (1)%

         Total used vehicle                                                1,001.5                           941.0                          60.5     6%

    Parts and service                                                        403.8                           392.3                          11.5     3%

    Finance and insurance, net                                               141.7                           134.8                           6.9     5%
                                                                             -----                           -----

    TOTAL REVENUE                                                          3,332.8                         3,183.5                         149.3     5%

    GROSS PROFIT:

    New vehicle                                                               79.2                            81.4                         (2.2)  (3)%

    Used vehicle:

    Retail                                                                    65.8                            65.5                           0.3      -  %

    Wholesale                                                                  1.8                             1.1                           0.7    64%

         Total used vehicle                                                   67.6                            66.6                           1.0     2%

    Parts and service                                                        254.7                           244.4                          10.3     4%

    Finance and insurance, net                                               141.7                           134.8                           6.9     5%
                                                                             -----                           -----

    TOTAL GROSS PROFIT                                                       543.2                           527.2                          16.0     3%

    OPERATING EXPENSES:

    Selling, general and administrative                                      374.8                           366.7                           8.1     2%

    Depreciation and amortization                                             16.7                            15.9                           0.8     5%

    Other operating (income) expenses, net                                   (1.1)                            0.7                         (1.8)    NM
                                                                              ----                             ---

    INCOME FROM OPERATIONS                                                   152.8                           143.9                           8.9     6%

    OTHER EXPENSES:

    Floor plan interest expense                                               14.6                            11.3                           3.3    29%

    Other interest expense, net                                               26.2                            26.8                         (0.6)  (2)%

    Swap interest expense                                                      0.4                             1.2                         (0.8) (67)%

    Total other expenses, net                                                 41.2                            39.3                           1.9     5%
                                                                              ----                            ----

    INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES                                               111.6                           104.6                           7.0     7%

    Income tax expense                                                        28.3                            38.7                        (10.4) (27)%
                                                                              ----                            ----

    NET INCOME                                                                           $83.3                                   $65.9           $17.4     26%
                                                                                         =====                                   =====

    EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:

    Basic-

    Net income                                                                           $4.08                                   $3.15           $0.93     30%
                                                                                         =====                                   =====

    Diluted-

    Net income                                                                           $4.02                                   $3.12           $0.90     29%
                                                                                         =====                                   =====

    WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:

    Basic                                                                     20.4                            20.9                         (0.5)  (2)%

    Restricted stock                                                           0.1                             0.1                             -     -  %

    Performance share units                                                    0.2                             0.1                           0.1   100%
                                                                               ---                             ---

    Diluted                                                                   20.7                            21.1                         (0.4)  (2)%
                                                                              ====                            ====

    _____________________________

    NM- Not Meaningful


    ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.

    KEY OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (In millions, except per unit data)

    (Unaudited)


                                                                     For the Six Months Ended               Increase             %
                                                                             June 30,                      (Decrease)         Change


                                                                      2018                    2017
                                                                      ----                    ----

    Unit sales
    ----------

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                          10,842                          10,618                           224      2%

    Import                                                          29,499                          28,507                           992      3%

    Domestic                                                         9,387                           9,472                          (85)   (1)%
                                                                     -----                           -----

         Total new vehicle                                          49,728                          48,597                         1,131      2%

    Used vehicle retail                                             42,255                          40,330                         1,925      5%

    Used to new ratio                                                85.0%                          83.0%                      200 bps

    Average selling price
    ---------------------

    New vehicle                                                               $35,911                                 $35,298              $613       2%

    Used vehicle retail                                             21,458                          20,967                           491      2%

    Average gross profit per unit
    -----------------------------

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                                     $3,588                                  $3,419              $169       5%

    Import                                                             803                             993                         (190)  (19)%

    Domestic                                                         1,768                           1,774                           (6)      -  %

    Total new vehicle                                                1,593                           1,675                          (82)   (5)%

    Used vehicle                                                     1,557                           1,624                          (67)   (4)%

    Finance and insurance, net                                       1,541                           1,516                            25      2%

    Front end yield (1)                                              3,117                           3,168                          (51)   (2)%

    Gross margin
    ------------

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                            6.6%                           6.4%                       20 bps

    Import                                                            2.8%                           3.6%                     (80) bps

    Domestic                                                          4.5%                           4.7%                     (20) bps

    Total new vehicle                                                 4.4%                           4.7%                     (30) bps

    Used vehicle retail                                               7.3%                           7.7%                     (40) bps

    Parts and service                                                63.1%                          62.3%                       80 bps

    Total gross profit margin                                        16.3%                          16.6%                     (30) bps

    SG&A metrics
    ------------

    Rent expense                                                                $12.6                                   $13.7            $(1.1)    (8)%

    Total SG&A as a percentage of gross profit                       69.0%                          69.6%                     (60) bps

    SG&A, excluding rent expense as a percentage of gross profit     66.7%                          67.0%                     (30) bps

    Operating metrics
    -----------------

    Income from operations as a percentage of revenue                 4.6%                           4.5%                       10 bps

    Income from operations as a percentage of gross profit           28.1%                          27.3%                       80 bps

    Adjusted income from operations as a percentage of revenue        4.6%                           4.6%                        0 bps

    Adjusted income from operations as a percentage of gross profit  28.0%                          27.5%                       50 bps

    Revenue mix
    -----------

    New vehicle                                                      53.6%                          53.9%

    Used vehicle retail                                              27.2%                          26.6%

    Used vehicle wholesale                                            2.8%                           3.0%

    Parts and service                                                12.1%                          12.3%

    Finance and insurance                                             4.3%                           4.2%
                                                                       ---                             ---

         Total revenue                                              100.0%                         100.0%
                                                                     =====                           =====

    Gross profit mix
    ----------------

    New vehicle                                                      14.6%                          15.4%

    Used vehicle retail                                              12.1%                          12.4%

    Used vehicle wholesale                                            0.3%                           0.2%

    Parts and service                                                46.9%                          46.4%

    Finance and insurance                                            26.1%                          25.6%
                                                                      ----                            ----

         Total gross profit                                         100.0%                         100.0%
                                                                     =====                           =====

    _____________________________

    (1)              Front end yield is
                     calculated as gross profit
                     from new vehicles, used
                     retail vehicles and
                     finance and insurance
                     (net), divided by combined
                     new and used retail unit
                     sales.


    ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.

    SAME STORE OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (In millions)

    (Unaudited)


                                                                        For the Six Months Ended               Increase              %
                                                                                June 30,                      (Decrease)          Change


                                                                        2018                     2017
                                                                        ----                     ----

    Revenue
    -------

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                                        $586.0                                   $564.0            $22.0    4%

    Import                                                             800.9                            790.5                           10.4     1%

    Domestic                                                           355.4                            358.5                          (3.1)  (1)%
                                                                       -----                            -----

         Total new vehicle                                           1,742.3                          1,713.0                           29.3     2%

    Used Vehicle:

    Retail                                                             885.4                            836.4                           49.0     6%

    Wholesale                                                           92.9                             94.6                          (1.7)  (2)%
                                                                        ----                             ----

         Total used vehicle                                            978.3                            931.0                           47.3     5%

    Parts and service                                                  396.8                            391.8                            5.0     1%

    Finance and insurance, net                                         138.9                            133.9                            5.0     4%
                                                                       -----                            -----

    Total revenue                                                               $3,256.3                                 $3,169.7            $86.6    3%
                                                                                ========                                 ========


    Gross profit
    ------------

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                                         $38.9                                    $36.3             $2.6    7%

    Import                                                              22.4                             28.2                          (5.8) (21)%

    Domestic                                                            16.1                             16.8                          (0.7)  (4)%
                                                                        ----                             ----

         Total new vehicle                                              77.4                             81.3                          (3.9)  (5)%

    Used Vehicle:

    Retail                                                              64.1                             64.9                          (0.8)  (1)%

    Wholesale                                                            1.8                              1.3                            0.5    38%
                                                                         ---                              ---

         Total used vehicle                                             65.9                             66.2                          (0.3)     -  %

    Parts and service:

    Customer pay                                                       142.4                            135.4                            7.0     5%

    Warranty                                                            36.7                             41.0                          (4.3) (10)%

    Wholesale parts                                                     11.1                             10.5                            0.6     6%
                                                                        ----                             ----

         Parts and service, excluding reconditioning and preparation   190.2                            186.9                            3.3     2%

    Reconditioning and preparation                                      59.7                             56.9                            2.8     5%
                                                                        ----                             ----

    Total parts and service                                            249.9                            243.8                            6.1     3%

    Finance and insurance                                              138.9                            133.9                            5.0     4%
                                                                       -----                            -----

    Total gross profit                                                            $532.1                                   $525.2             $6.9    1%
                                                                                  ======                                   ======

    _____________________________

    SG&A expense                                                                  $367.0                                   $364.1             $2.9    1%
                                                                                  ======                                   ======

    SG&A expense as a percentage of gross profit                       69.0%                           69.3%                      (30) bps
                                                                        ====                             ====

_____________________________


    Same store amounts consist of
     information from dealerships
     for identical months in each
     comparative period, commencing
     with the first month we owned
     the dealership. Additionally,
     amounts related to divested
     dealerships are excluded from
     each comparative period.


    ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.

    SAME STORE OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (Continued)

    (Unaudited)


                                                                For the Six Months Ended June 30,            Increase              %
                                                                                                           (Decrease)          Change
                                                                                                           ---------           ------

                                                                      2018                     2017
                                                                      ----                     ----

    Unit sales
    ----------

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                          10,842                          10,618                             224             2%

    Import                                                          28,324                          28,470                           (146)          (1)%

    Domestic                                                         9,094                           9,434                           (340)          (4)%
                                                                     -----                           -----

         Total new vehicle                                          48,260                          48,522                           (262)          (1)%

    Used vehicle retail                                             41,067                          39,768                           1,299             3%

    Used to new ratio                                                         85.1%                                   82.0%                310 bps


    Average selling price
    ---------------------

    New vehicle                                                               $36,102                                  $35,304                      $798  2%

    Used vehicle retail                                             21,560                          21,032                             528             3%


    Average gross profit per unit
    -----------------------------

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                                     $3,588                                   $3,419                      $169  5%

    Import                                                             791                             991                           (200)         (20)%

    Domestic                                                         1,770                           1,781                            (11)          (1)%

    Total new vehicle                                                1,604                           1,676                            (72)          (4)%

    Used vehicle retail                                              1,561                           1,632                            (71)          (4)%

    Finance and insurance, net                                       1,555                           1,517                              38             3%

    Front end yield (1)                                              3,139                           3,172                            (33)          (1)%


    Gross margin
    ------------

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                            6.6%                           6.4%                         20 bps

    Import                                                            2.8%                           3.6%                       (80) bps

    Domestic                                                          4.5%                           4.7%                       (20) bps

    Total new vehicle                                                 4.4%                           4.7%                       (30) bps

    Used vehicle retail                                               7.2%                           7.8%                       (60) bps

    Parts and service:

    Parts and service, excluding reconditioning and preparation      47.9%                          47.7%                         20 bps

    Parts and service, including reconditioning and preparation      63.0%                          62.2%                         80 bps

    Total gross profit margin                                        16.3%                          16.6%                       (30) bps

____________________________


    Same store amounts consist of
     information from dealerships for
     identical months in each comparative
     period, commencing with the first
     month we owned the dealership.
     Additionally, amounts related to
     divested dealerships are excluded from
     each comparative period.


    (1)              Front end yield is
                     calculated as gross profit
                     from new vehicles, used
                     retail vehicles and
                     finance and insurance
                     (net), divided by combined
                     new and used retail unit
                     sales.


    ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.

    Additional Disclosures (In millions)

    (Unaudited)


                                               June 30,           December 31,          Increase                    % Change
                                                    2018                   2017
                                                                                        (Decrease)
                                                                                                                             ---

    SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA

    Cash and cash equivalents                                $2.5                                      $4.7                                       $(2.2)  (47)%

    New vehicle inventory                          776.1                          646.5                                129.6                          20%

    Used vehicle inventory                         151.3                          135.9                                 15.4                          11%

    Parts inventory                                 40.0                           43.6                                (3.6)                        (8)%

    Total current assets                         1,386.0                        1,302.1                                 83.9                           6%

    Floor plan notes payable                       872.6                          732.1                                140.5                          19%

    Total current liabilities                    1,169.0                        1,058.2                                110.8                          10%


    CAPITALIZATION:

    Long-term debt (including current portion)             $868.7                                    $875.5                                       $(6.8)   (1)%

    Shareholders' equity                           450.5                          394.2                                 56.3                          14%
                                                   -----                          -----

    Total                                                $1,319.2                                  $1,269.7                                        $49.5      4%
                                                         ========                                  ========




                                                                                                           June 30, 2018         December 31, 2017
                                                                                                           -------------         -----------------

    DAYS SUPPLY

         New vehicle inventory                                                                                        72                           53

         Used vehicle inventory                                                                                       31                           31

_____________________________


    Days supply of inventory is
     calculated based on new
     and used inventory levels
     at the end of each
     reporting period and a
     30-day historical cost of
     sales.

Brand Mix - New Vehicle Revenue by Brand-


                              For the Six Months
                                Ended June 30,

                              2018               2017
                              ----               ----

    Luxury:

    Mercedes-Benz               7%                      7%

    Lexus                       6%                      6%

    BMW                         5%                      5%

    Acura                       4%                      4%

    Infiniti                    3%                      3%

    Other luxury                8%                      8%
                               ---                      ---

    Total luxury               33%                     33%

    Imports:

    Honda                      20%                     18%

    Nissan                     11%                     12%

    Toyota                     11%                     11%

    Other imports               5%                      5%
                               ---                      ---

    Total imports              47%                     46%

    Domestic:

    Ford                       10%                     11%

    Chevrolet                   5%                      4%

    Dodge                       2%                      3%

    Other domestics             3%                      3%
                               ---                      ---

    Total domestic             20%                     21%

    Total New Vehicle Revenue 100%                    100%
                               ===                      ===

ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP INC.
Supplemental Disclosures
(Unaudited)

Non-GAAP Financial Disclosure and Reconciliation

In addition to evaluating the financial condition and results of our operations in accordance with GAAP, from time to time management evaluates and analyzes results and any impact on the Company of strategic decisions and actions relating to, among other things, cost reduction, growth, and profitability improvement initiatives, and other events outside of normal, or "core," business and operations, by considering certain alternative financial measures not prepared in accordance with GAAP. These measures include "Adjusted leverage ratio," "Adjusted income from operations," "Adjusted net income," " Adjusted operating margins," and "Adjusted diluted earnings per share ("EPS")." Further, management assesses the organic growth of our revenue and gross profit on a same store basis. We believe that our assessment on a same store basis represents an important indicator of comparative financial performance and provides relevant information to assess our performance at our existing locations. Same store amounts consist of information from dealerships for identical months in each comparative period, commencing with the first month we owned the dealership. Additionally, amounts related to divested dealerships are excluded from each comparative period. Non-GAAP measures do not have definitions under GAAP and may be defined differently by and not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. As a result, any non-GAAP financial measures considered and evaluated by management are reviewed in conjunction with a review of the most directly comparable measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Management cautions investors not to place undue reliance on such non-GAAP measures, but also to consider them with the most directly comparable GAAP measures. In their evaluation of results from time to time, management excludes items that do not arise directly from core operations, or are otherwise of an unusual or non-recurring nature. Because these non-core, unusual or non-recurring charges and gains materially affect Asbury's financial condition or results in the specific period in which they are recognized, management also evaluates, and makes resource allocation and performance evaluation decisions based on, the related non-GAAP measures excluding such items. In addition to using such non-GAAP measures to evaluate results in a specific period, management believes that such measures may provide more complete and consistent comparisons of operational performance on a period-over-period historical basis and a better indication of expected future trends. Management discloses these non-GAAP measures, and the related reconciliations, because it believes investors use these metrics in evaluating longer-term period-over-period performance, and to allow investors to better understand and evaluate the information used by management to assess operating performance.

The following tables provide reconciliations for our non-GAAP metrics:


                                                                                                   For the Twelve Months Ended

                                                                                              June 30, 2018             March 31, 2018
                                                                                              -------------             --------------

                                                                                                      (Dollars in millions)

    Adjusted leverage ratio:
    ------------------------

    Long-term debt (including current portion)                                                                 $868.7                         $872.1


    Calculation of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"):

    Net Income                                                                                                 $156.5                         $145.2


    Add:

    Depreciation and amortization                                                                      32.9                              32.5

    Income tax expense                                                                                 59.5                              64.1

    Swap and other interest expense                                                                    54.7                              55.3
                                                                                                       ----                              ----

    Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization                                             $303.6                         $297.1
    ("EBITDA")



    Non-core items - expense (income):

    Franchise rights impairment                                                                                  $5.1                           $5.1

    Real estate-related charges                                                                           -                              2.9

    Investment income                                                                                     -                            (0.8)

    Legal settlements                                                                                 (0.7)                                -

      Total non-core items                                                                              4.4                               7.2


    Adjusted EBITDA                                                                                            $308.0                         $304.3
                                                                                                               ======                         ======


    Adjusted leverage ratio                                                                             2.8                               2.9
                                                                                                        ===                               ===


                                  For the Three Months Ended
                                           June 30,

                                     2018                  2017
                                     ----                  ----

                                (In millions, except per share
                                             data)

    Adjusted income from
     operations:
    --------------------

    Income from operations                   $79.6                     $71.6

    Real estate-related charges         -                         2.9

    Investment income                   -                       (0.8)

    Legal settlements               (0.7)                           -

    Adjusted income from
     operations                              $78.9                     $73.7
                                             =====                     =====



    Adjusted net income:
    --------------------

    Net income                               $43.2                     $31.9


    Non-core items - (income)
     expense:

    Legal settlements               (0.7)                           -

    Real estate-related charges         -                         2.9

    Investment income                   -                       (0.8)

    Income tax expense
     (benefit) on non-core
     items above                      0.2                        (0.8)

    Total non-core items            (0.5)                         1.3

    Adjusted net income                      $42.7                     $33.2
                                             =====                     =====


    Adjusted diluted earnings
     per share (EPS):
    -------------------------

    Diluted EPS                              $2.11                     $1.52


    Total non-core items           (0.03)                        0.06
                                    -----                         ----

    Adjusted diluted EPS                     $2.08                     $1.58
                                             =====                     =====


    Weighted average common
     shares outstanding -
     diluted                         20.5                         21.0
                                     ====                         ====


                               For the Six Months Ended
                                       June 30,

                                 2018                   2017
                                 ----                   ----

                            (In millions, except per share
                                         data)

    Adjusted income from
     operations:
    --------------------

    Income from operations               $152.8                     $143.9

    Real estate-related
     charges                        -                          2.9

    Investment income               -                        (0.8)

    Legal settlements           (0.7)                        (0.9)

    Adjusted income from
     operations                          $152.1                     $145.1
                                         ======                     ======


    Adjusted net income:
    --------------------

    Net income                            $83.3                      $65.9


    Non-core items -
     (income) expense:

    Real estate-related
     charges                        -                          2.9

    Investment income               -                        (0.8)

    Legal settlements           (0.7)                        (0.9)

    Income tax expense
     (benefit) on non-core
     items above                  0.2                         (0.5)

    Total non-core items        (0.5)                          0.7
                                 ----                           ---

    Adjusted net income                   $82.8                      $66.6
                                          =====                      =====


    Adjusted diluted
     earnings per share
     (EPS):
    -------------------

    Diluted EPS                           $4.02                      $3.12


    Total non-core items       (0.02)                         0.04
                                -----                          ----

    Adjusted diluted EPS                  $4.00                      $3.16
                                          =====                      =====


    Weighted average common
     shares outstanding -
     diluted                     20.7                          21.1
                                 ====                          ====

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SOURCE Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.