Asbury Automotive Group Announces 2020 First Quarter Financial Results
DULUTH, Ga., May 5, 2020 /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 first quarter 2020 of $19.5 million ($1.01 per diluted share) and adjusted net income (a non-GAAP measure) of $34.7 million ($1.80 per diluted share). This compares to net income of $40.9 million ($2.11 per diluted share) and adjusted net income of $42.7 million ($2.20 per diluted share) in the prior year quarter.
Net income for the first quarter 2020 was adjusted for the following pre-tax items: gain on dealership divestitures of $33.7 million ($1.30 per diluted share), gain on legal settlements of $0.9 million ($0.03 per diluted share), gain on the sale of vacant property $0.3 million or ($0.01 per diluted share), franchise rights impairment of $23.0 million ($0.89 per diluted share), loss on debt extinguishment of $20.7 million ($0.79 per diluted share), and Park Place deal termination costs of $11.6 million ($0.45 per diluted share). Net income for the first quarter 2019 was adjusted for a fixed asset write-off of $2.4 million ($0.09 per diluted share).
"The quarter started off very strong with February year-to-date revenue, gross profit, and adjusted EPS up 10%, 12%, and 31%, respectively; however, our March results were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our team acted decisively to right-size our business, reduced expenses, deferred most capital expenditures, and focus on our omni-channel sales initiatives." said David Hult, Asbury's President and Chief Executive Officer. "In addition, we also drew down our credit facilities to maximize our liquidity. As we manage through this crisis, our top priorities are maintaining the health and safety of our employees and guests and preserving the financial strength of our company."
First Quarter 2020 Operational Summary
Total company:
-- Total revenue decreased 4%; gross profit decreased 2%
-- SG&A as a percentage of gross profit increased 310 basis points to 71.5%
-- Adjusted income from operations decreased 15%
-- Adjusted EPS decreased 18%
Same store:
-- Total revenue decreased 6%; gross profit decreased 5%
-- New vehicle revenue decreased 7%; gross profit decreased 8%
-- Used vehicle retail revenue decreased 5%; gross profit decreased 11%
-- Finance and insurance revenue and gross profit decreased 3%
-- Parts and service revenue decreased 1%; gross profit decreased 3%
Strategic Highlights:
-- Terminated our agreement to acquire 20 Park Place luxury franchises.
-- Acquired a Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram store in the Denver market in late
January 2020. We expect this store to generate approximately $124
million in annual revenues.
-- Divested all five stores in the Mississippi market in March 2020. These
dealerships generated approximately $334 million in annualized revenue.
-- Divested our Nissan Atlanta store in February 2020. This dealership
generated approximately $77 million in annualized revenue.
-- Refinanced our $600 million 6% notes due in 2024, lowered average rate
to 4.63%, and extended the maturities to 2028 and 2030.
Additional commentary regarding the first quarter results will be provided during the earnings conference call on May 05, 2020 at 11:00 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 (800) 347-6311 (domestic), or (323) 994-2131 (international); passcode - 5313580. 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 - 5313580.
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 102 franchises, representing 31 domestic and foreign brands of vehicles. Asbury also operates 24 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 Increase %
Ended March 31,
(Decrease) Change
2020 2019
REVENUE:
New vehicle $
822.1 $
871.8 $
(49.7) (6)
%
Used vehicle:
Retail 446.0 458.2 (12.2) (3)
%
Wholesale 47.2 51.7 (4.5) (9)
%
Total used vehicle 493.2 509.9 (16.7) (3)
%
Parts and service 221.6 217.6 4.0 2
%
Finance and insurance, net 70.4 71.5 (1.1) (2)
%
TOTAL REVENUE 1,607.3 1,670.8 (63.5) (4)
%
GROSS PROFIT:
New vehicle 36.4 37.9 (1.5) (4)
%
Used vehicle:
Retail 31.2 33.6 (2.4) (7)
%
Wholesale (0.5) 0.9 (1.4) (156)
%
Total used vehicle 30.7 34.5 (3.8) (11)
%
Parts and service 134.9 135.3 (0.4)
%
Finance and insurance, net 70.4 71.5 (1.1) (2)
%
TOTAL GROSS PROFIT 272.4 279.2 (6.8) (2)
%
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling, general and administrative 194.7 191.0 3.7 2
%
Depreciation and amortization 9.5 8.6 0.9 10
%
Franchise rights impairment 23.0 23.0
%
Other operating expense, net 10.2 1.8 8.4
NM
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS 35.0 77.8 (42.8) (55)
%
OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME):
Floor plan interest expense 7.0 10.2 (3.2) (31)
%
Other interest expense, net 17.0 13.9 3.1 22
%
Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt, net 20.6 20.6
%
Gain on dealership divestitures, net (33.7) (33.7)
%
Total other expenses, net 10.9 24.1 (13.2) (55)
%
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 24.1 53.7 (29.6) (55)
%
Income tax expense 4.6 12.8 (8.2) (64)
%
NET INCOME $
19.5 $
40.9 $
(21.4) (52)
%
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:
Basic-
Net income $
1.02 $
2.13 $
(1.11) (52)
%
Diluted-
Net income $
1.01 $
2.11 $
(1.10) (52)
%
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:
Basic 19.1 19.2 (0.1) (1)
%
Restricted stock 0.1 0.1
%
Performance share units 0.1 0.1
%
Diluted 19.3 19.4 (0.1) (1)
%
______________________________
NM-Not Meaningful
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
KEY OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (In millions, except per unit data)
(Unaudited)
For the Three Months Increase %
Ended March 31,
(Decrease) Change
2020 2019
Unit sales
---
New vehicle:
Luxury 4,992 5,162 (170) (3)
%
Import 12,458 14,443 (1,985) (14)
%
Domestic 4,527 4,504 23 1
%
Total new vehicle 21,977 24,109 (2,132) (9)
%
Used vehicle retail 20,287 21,083 (796) (4)
%
Used to new ratio 92.3 87.4
% % 490 bps
Average selling price
---
New vehicle $
37,407 $
36,161 $
1,246 3
%
Used vehicle retail 21,985 21,733 252 1
%
Average gross profit per unit
---
New vehicle:
Luxury $
3,385 $
3,700 $
(315) (9)
%
Import 851 810 41 5
%
Domestic 1,966 1,576 390 25
%
Total new vehicle 1,656 1,572 84 5
%
Used vehicle retail 1,538 1,594 (56) (4)
%
Finance and insurance, net 1,666 1,582 84 5
%
Front end yield (1) 3,265 3,164 101 3
%
Gross margin
---
New vehicle:
Luxury 6.1
% 6.6
% (50) bps
Import 3.0
% 2.9
% 10 bps
Domestic 4.7
% 4.0
% 70 bps
Total new vehicle 4.4
% 4.3
% 10 bps
Used vehicle retail 7.0
% 7.3
% (30) bps
Parts and service 60.9 62.2
% % (130) bps
Total gross profit margin 16.9 16.7
% % 20 bps
SG&A metrics
---
Rent expense $
6.8 $
6.8
$ %
Total SG&A as a percentage of gross profit 71.5 68.4
% % 310 bps
SG&A, excluding rent expense as a percentage of gross profit 69.0 66.0
% % 300 bps
Operating metrics
---
Income from operations as a percentage of revenue 2.2 4.7
% (250
% ) bps
Income from operations as a percentage of gross profit 12.8 27.9 (1,510
% % ) bps
Adjusted income from operations as a percentage of revenue 4.3 4.8
% (50
)
% bps
Adjusted income from operations as a percentage of gross profit 25.1 28.7
% % (360) bps
Revenue mix
---
New vehicle 51.1 52.2
% %
Used vehicle retail 27.8 27.4
% %
Used vehicle wholesale 2.9
% 3.1
%
Parts and service 13.8 13.0
% %
Finance and insurance 4.4
% 4.3
%
Total revenue 100.0 100.0
% %
Gross profit mix
---
New vehicle 13.4 13.6
% %
Used vehicle retail 11.5 12.0
% %
Used vehicle wholesale (0.2)
% 0.3
%
Parts and service 49.5 48.5
% %
Finance and insurance 25.8 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 Three Months Increase %
Ended March 31,
(Decrease) Change
2020 2019
Revenue
---
New vehicle:
Luxury $
275.7 $
287.5 $
(11.8) (4)
%
Import 323.3 359.6 (36.3) (10)
%
Domestic 146.4 155.7 (9.3) (6)
%
Total new vehicle 745.4 802.8 (57.4) (7)
%
Used Vehicle:
Retail 404.5 426.6 (22.1) (5)
%
Wholesale 43.4 47.2 (3.8) (8)
%
Total used vehicle 447.9 473.8 (25.9) (5)
%
Parts and service 203.5 204.6 (1.1) (1)
%
Finance and insurance, net 64.4 66.2 (1.8) (3)
%
Total revenue $
1,461.2 $
1,547.4 $
(86.2) (6)
%
Gross profit
---
New vehicle:
Luxury $
17.0 $
19.1 $
(2.1) (11)
%
Import 9.3 10.4 (1.1) (11)
%
Domestic 6.9 6.4 0.5 8
%
Total new vehicle 33.2 35.9 (2.7) (8)
%
Used Vehicle:
Retail 28.3 31.8 (3.5) (11)
%
Wholesale (0.5) 0.8 (1.3) (163)
%
Total used vehicle 27.8 32.6 (4.8) (15)
%
Parts and service:
Customer pay 72.5 73.3 (0.8) (1)
%
Warranty 19.7 20.6 (0.9) (4)
%
Wholesale parts 4.6 5.5 (0.9) (16)
%
Parts and service, excluding reconditioning and preparation 96.8 99.4 (2.6) (3)
%
Reconditioning and preparation 27.3 28.0 (0.7) (3)
%
Total parts and service 124.1 127.4 (3.3) (3)
%
Finance and insurance 64.4 66.2 (1.8) (3)
%
Total gross profit $
249.5 $
262.1 $
(12.6) (5)
%
SG&A expense $
178.5 $
179.1 $
(0.6) %
SG&A expense as a percentage of gross profit 71.5 68.3
% % 320 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 Increase %
Ended March 31,
(Decrease) Change
2020 2019
Unit sales
---
New vehicle:
Luxury 4,977 5,132 (155) (3)
%
Import 11,340 12,842 (1,502) (12)
%
Domestic 3,596 3,952 (356) (9)
%
Total new vehicle 19,913 21,926 (2,013) (9)
%
Used vehicle retail 18,230 19,510 (1,280) (7)
%
Used to new ratio 91.5 89.0
% % 250 bps
Average selling price
---
New vehicle $
37,433 $
36,614 $
819 2
%
Used vehicle retail 22,189 21,866 323 1
%
Average gross profit per unit
---
New vehicle:
Luxury $
3,416 $
3,722 $
(306) (8)
%
Import 820 810 10 1
%
Domestic 1,919 1,619 300 19
%
Total new vehicle 1,667 1,637 30 2
%
Used vehicle retail 1,552 1,630 (78) (5)
%
Finance and insurance, net 1,688 1,598 90 6
%
Front end yield (1) 3,301 3,231 70 2
%
Gross margin
---
New vehicle:
Luxury 6.2
% 6.6
% (40) bps
Import 2.9
% 2.9
% 0 bps
Domestic 4.7
% 4.1
% 60 bps
Total new vehicle 4.5
% 4.5
% 0 bps
Used vehicle retail 7.0
% 7.5
% (50) bps
Parts and service:
Parts and service, excluding reconditioning and preparation 47.6 48.6
% % (100) bps
Parts and service, including reconditioning and preparation 61.0 62.3
% % (130) bps
Total gross profit margin 17.1 16.9
% % 20 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)
March 31, December 31, Increase % Change
2020 2019
(Decrease)
---
SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA
Cash and cash equivalents $
388.6 $
3.5 $
385.1 11,003
%
New vehicle inventory 861.1 802.6 (a) 58.5 7
%
Used vehicle inventory 158.0 140.1 (b) 17.9 13
%
Parts inventory 40.6 42.3 (c) (1.7) (4)
%
Total current assets 1,753.2 1,602.6 150.6 9
%
Floor plan notes payable 848.5 788.0 (d) 60.5 8
%
Total current liabilities 1,186.0 1,247.0 (61.0) (5)
%
CAPITALIZATION:
Long-term debt (including current portion) $
1,164.9 * $
939.4 (e) $
225.5 24
%
Shareholders' equity 660.9 646.3 14.6 2
%
Total $
1,825.8 $
1,585.7 $
240.1 15
%
_______________________________
*Includes $237.0 million drawn on the Revolver as of March 31, 2020
(a)
Excluding $56.3 million of new vehicle inventory classified as Assets held for sale as of December 31, 2019
(b)
Excluding $8.6 million of used vehicle inventory classified as Assets held for sale as of December 31, 2019
(c)
Excluding $2.8 million of parts inventory classified as Assets held for sale as of December 31, 2019
(d)
Excluding $62.8 million of Floor plan notes payable classified as Liabilities associated with assets held for sale as of
December 31, 2019
(e)
Excluding $28.1 million of Long-term debt classified as Liabilities associated with assets held for sale as of December 31,
2019
March 31, December 31,
2020 2019
DAYS SUPPLY
New vehicle inventory 105 66
Used vehicle inventory 42 29
_____________________________
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 Three Months
Ended March 31,
2020 2019
---
Luxury:
Mercedes-Benz 8 7
% %
Lexus 7 6
% %
BMW 6 6
% %
Acura 4 4
% %
Infiniti 2 3
% %
Other luxury 7 7
% %
---
Total luxury 34 33
% %
Imports:
Honda 17 19
% %
Toyota 13 12
% %
Nissan 7 11
% %
Other imports 6 5
% %
---
Total imports 43 47
% %
Domestic:
Ford 10 9
% %
Chevrolet 6 6
% %
Dodge 4 2
% %
Other domestics 3 3
% %
---
Total domestic 23 20
% %
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
March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
(Dollars in millions)
Adjusted leverage ratio:
---
Long-term debt (including current portion and HFS) $
1,164.9 $
967.5
Calculation of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"):
Net Income $
163.0 $
184.4
Add:
Depreciation and amortization 37.1 36.2
Income tax expense 51.5 59.5
Swap and other interest expense 58.5 54.9
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization $
310.1 $
335.0
("EBITDA")
Non-core items - expense (income):
Gain on dealership divestitures $
(45.4) $
(11.7)
Legal settlements (1.5) $
(0.6)
Gain on sale of real estate (0.6) (0.3)
Franchise rights impairment 30.1 7.1
Real estate-related charges 0.6 0.6
Park Place deal termination costs 11.6
Loss on debt extinguishment 20.7
Fixed assets write-off 2.4
Total non-core items 15.5 (2.5)
Adjusted EBITDA $
325.6 $
332.5
Adjusted leverage ratio 3.6 2.9
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
2020 2019
(In millions, except per share data)
Adjusted income from operations:
---
Income from operations $
35.0 $
77.8
Legal settlements (0.9)
Gain on sale of real estate (0.3)
Park Place deal termination costs 11.6
Franchise rights impairment 23.0
Fixed assets write-off 2.4
Adjusted income from operations $
68.4 $
80.2
Adjusted net income:
---
Net income $
19.5 $
40.9
Non-core items - (income) expense:
Gain on dealership divestitures (33.7)
Legal settlements (0.9)
Gain on sale of real estate (0.3)
Park Place deal termination costs 11.6
Loss on extinguishment of debt 20.7
Franchise rights impairment 23.0
Fixed assets write-off 2.4
Income tax effect on non-core items above (5.2) (0.6)
Total non-core items 15.2 1.8
Adjusted net income $
34.7 $
42.7
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS):
---
Diluted EPS $
1.01 $
2.11
Total non-core items 0.79 0.09
Adjusted diluted EPS $
1.80 $
2.20
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted 19.3 19.4
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SOURCE Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.
