AutoNation Reports First Quarter 2024 Results
-- Q1 2024 EPS $4.49, compared to $6.07 a year ago
-- Q1 2024 Revenue $6.5 billion, compared to $6.4 billion a year ago
-- Q1 2024 After-Sales gross profit increased 9% from a year ago to a
record $556 million
-- Year-to-date through April 24, 2024, repurchased 1.6 million shares of
common stock
-- Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to an additional
$1.0 billion of common stock
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., April 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE: AN) today reported first quarter 2024 EPS of $4.49, compared to $6.07 a year ago. First quarter 2024 revenue was $6.5 billion, compared to $6.4 billion a year ago, led by 7% growth in New Vehicle unit volume and 8% After-Sales growth.
"Our first quarter performance once again reflected the strength of our business model and the outstanding execution by our associates. We delivered robust growth in New and Used Vehicle sales, maintained a highly attractive position in our Customer Financial Services business, and posted 8% revenue growth in our After-Sales business. Our operating cash generation was exceptional, and we were thoughtful in our capital allocation decisions," said Mike Manley, AutoNation Chief Executive Officer. "We remain focused on maximizing shareholder returns and I am pleased to announce that our Board authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $1.0 billion of common stock," Manley added.
Operational Summary
First quarter 2024 compared to the year-ago period:
Selected Financial Data
($ in millions, except per share data)
Three Months Ended March 31,
2024 2023 YoY
Revenue $6,485.7 $6,398.7 1 %
Gross Profit $1,197.9 $1,286.4 -7 %
Operating Income $340.3 $443.3 -23 %
Adjusted Operating Income* $347.6 $448.5 -22 %
Net Income $190.1 $288.7 -34 %
Diluted EPS $4.49 $6.07 -26 %
New Vehicle Retail Unit Sales 58,863 55,065 7 %
Used Vehicle Retail Unit Sales 69,121 67,539 2 %
*Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures are included in the attached financial tables.
-- Revenue - totaled $6.5 billion, up $87 million compared to the year-ago
period, as continued growth in After-Sales and increased New Vehicle
revenue more than offset lower Used Vehicle revenue.
-- New Vehicle Revenue - increased $47 million or 2% to $3.0 billion.
-- Used Vehicle Revenue - decreased $37 million or 2% to $2.0 billion.
-- After-Sales Revenue -increased $83 million or 8% to $1.2 billion.
-- Customer Financial Services Revenue - increased to $335 million,
compared to $332 million a year ago
-- Gross Profit - totaled $1.2 billion, down $89 million from $1.3 billion
a year ago.
-- New Vehicle Gross Profit - decreased $91 million reflecting gross
profit per vehicle retailed of $3,328 compared to $5,210 a year ago,
partially offset by a 7% increase in unit sales.
-- Used Vehicle Gross Profit - decreased $43 million reflecting gross
profit per vehicle retailed of $1,473 compared to $2,117 a year ago,
partially offset by a 2% increase in unit sales.
-- After-Sales Gross Profit - increased $45 million, or 9% from a year
ago to $556 million.
-- Customer Financial Services Gross Profit - totaled $335 million,
reflecting gross profit per vehicle retailed of $2,615.
-- SG&A as a Percentage of Gross Profit - was 66.2%, or 65.6% on an
adjusted basis, slightly higher than recent periods reflecting
acquisitions and growth investments.
Segment Results
Segment results((1)) for the first quarter of 2024 were as follows:
-- Domestic Segment Income((2)) - was $75 million compared to the year-ago
segment income of $119 million, a decrease of 37%. Revenue of $1.8
billion was down 4%.
-- Import Segment Income((2)) - was $129 million compared to the year-ago
segment income of $160 million, a decrease of 20%. Revenue of $2.0
billion was up 11%.
-- Premium Luxury Segment Income((2)) - was $172 million compared to the
year-ago segment income of $227 million, a decrease of 24%. Revenue of
$2.4 billion was down 3%.
Capital Allocation, Liquidity, and Leverage
During the quarter, AutoNation repurchased 0.2 million shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $39 million. Year-to-date through April 24, 2024, AutoNation had repurchased 1.6 million shares for an aggregate purchase price of $250 million. AutoNation today announced that the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $1.0 billion of common stock under its share repurchase program and has approximately $1.1 billion under the program. During the first quarter of 2024 the Company made capital expenditures of $94 million.
As of March 31, 2024, AutoNation had $1.7 billion of liquidity, including $60 million in cash and $1.6 billion of availability under its revolving credit facility, net of commercial paper borrowings. The Company's covenant leverage ratio was 2.25x at quarter end and the Company had $3.9 billion of non-vehicle debt outstanding.
The first quarter conference call may be accessed by telephone at 833-470-1428 (Conference ID:758921) at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time today or on AutoNation's investor relations website at investors.autonation.com.
The webcast will also be available on AutoNation's website following the call under "Events & Presentations." A playback of the conference call will be available after 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on April 26, 2024, through May 17, 2024, by calling 866-813-9403 (Conference ID: 457858). Additional information regarding AutoNation's results can be found in the Investor Presentation available at investors.autonation.com.
(1) AutoNation has three reportable segments: Domestic, Import, and Premium Luxury. The Domestic segment is comprised of stores that sell vehicles manufactured by Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis; the
Import segment is comprised of stores that sell vehicles manufactured primarily by Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Subaru, and Nissan; and the Premium Luxury segment is comprised of stores that sell vehicles
manufactured primarily by Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Lexus, Audi, and Jaguar Land Rover.
(2)
Segment income represents income for each of AutoNation's reportable segments and is defined as operating income less floorplan interest expense.
About AutoNation, Inc.
AutoNation is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, offering innovative products, exceptional services, and comprehensive solutions, empowering our customers to make the best decisions for their needs. With a network of dealerships nationwide strengthened by a recognized brand, we offer a wide variety of new and used vehicles, customer financing, parts, and provide expert maintenance and repair services. Through our DRV PNK initiative, we have raised over $40 million for cancer-related causes, demonstrating our commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of our Associates, Customers, and the communities we serve.
Please visit www.autonation.com, investors.autonation.com, and www.x.com/autonation, where AutoNation discloses additional information about the Company, its business, and its results of operations. Please also visit www.autonationdrive.com, AutoNation's automotive blog, for information regarding the AutoNation community, the automotive industry, and current automotive news and trends.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "goals," "targets," "projects," "plans," "believes," "continues," "may," "will," "could," and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Statements regarding our strategic initiatives, partnerships, and investments, including AutoNation USA, AutoNation Finance, and AutoNation Mobile Service, statements regarding our investments in digital and online capabilities and mobility solutions, statements regarding our expectations for the future performance of our business and the automotive retail industry, and other statements that describe our objectives, goals, or plans, are forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations concerning future results and events, and they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that are difficult to predict and may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, and achievements expressed or implied by these statements. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors include, among others: our ability to implement successfully our strategic acquisitions, initiatives, partnerships, and investments, including our investments in digital and online capabilities and mobility solutions; our ability to identify, acquire, and build out suitable locations in a timely manner; our ability to maintain and enhance our retail brands and reputation and to attract consumers to our own digital channels; our ability to acquire and integrate successfully new acquisitions; restrictions imposed by vehicle manufacturers and our ability to obtain manufacturer approval for franchise acquisitions; economic conditions, including changes in unemployment, interest, and/or inflation rates, consumer demand, fuel prices, and tariffs; supply chain disruptions and inventory availability; new and used vehicle margins; our ability to attain planned sales volumes within our expected time frames; our ability to successfully implement and maintain expense controls; the successful resolution of labor strikes impacting domestic vehicle manufacturers; the success and financial viability and the incentive and marketing programs of vehicle manufacturers and distributors with which we hold franchises; natural disasters and other adverse weather events; the resolution of legal and administrative proceedings; regulatory factors affecting our business, including fuel economy requirements; the announcement of safety recalls; factors affecting our goodwill and other intangible asset impairment testing; and other factors described in our news releases and filings made under the securities laws, including, among others, our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our Current Reports on Form 8-K. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release speak only as of the date of this news release, and we undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
AUTONATION, INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In millions, except per share data)
Three Months Ended March 31,
2024 2023
Revenue:
New vehicle $2,979.3 $2,931.9
Used vehicle 1,996.1 2,032.6
Parts and service 1,172.4 1,089.8
Finance and insurance, net 334.7 332.4
Other 3.2 12.0
Total revenue 6,485.7 6,398.7
Cost of sales:
New vehicle 2,783.4 2,645.0
Used vehicle 1,884.6 1,878.2
Parts and service 616.6 578.7
Other 3.2 10.4
Total cost of sales 5,287.8 5,112.3
Gross profit 1,197.9 1,286.4
Selling, general, and administrative expenses 793.1 782.7
Depreciation and amortization 58.3 52.8
Other expense, net(1) 6.2 7.6
Operating income 340.3 443.3
Non-operating income (expense) items:
Floorplan interest expense (49.4) (27.1)
Other interest expense (44.6) (41.1)
Other income, net(2) 7.0 5.2
Income from continuing operations before income taxes 253.3 380.3
Income tax provision 63.2 92.5
Net income from continuing operations 190.1 287.8
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes 0.9
Net income $190.1 $288.7
Diluted earnings per share(3):
Continuing operations $4.49 $6.05
Discontinued operations
$ - $0.02
Net income $4.49 $6.07
Weighted average common shares outstanding 42.3 47.6
Common shares outstanding, net of treasury stock, at period end 41.6 45.6
(1) Includes results of our finance company, including expected credit loss expense, as well as asset impairments and gains on property divestitures.
(2) Includes gains related to changes in the cash surrender value of corporate-owned life insurance for deferred compensation plan participants, net
of losses on minority equity investments.
(3) Earnings per share amounts are calculated discretely and therefore may not add up to the total due to rounding.
AUTONATION, INC.
UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
($ in millions, except per vehicle data)
Operating Highlights Three Months Ended March 31,
---
2024 2023
$ Variance % Variance
Revenue:
New vehicle $2,979.3 $2,931.9 $47.4 1.6
Retail used vehicle 1,833.8 1,884.1 (50.3) (2.7)
Wholesale 162.3 148.5 13.8 9.3
Used vehicle 1,996.1 2,032.6 (36.5) (1.8)
Finance and insurance, net 334.7 332.4 2.3 0.7
Total variable operations 5,310.1 5,296.9 13.2 0.2
Parts and service 1,172.4 1,089.8 82.6 7.6
Other 3.2 12.0 (8.8)
Total revenue $6,485.7 $6,398.7 $87.0 1.4
Gross profit:
New vehicle $195.9 $286.9 $(91.0) (31.7)
Retail used vehicle 101.8 143.0 (41.2) (28.8)
Wholesale 9.7 11.4 (1.7)
Used vehicle 111.5 154.4 (42.9) (27.8)
Finance and insurance 334.7 332.4 2.3 0.7
Total variable operations 642.1 773.7 (131.6) (17.0)
Parts and service 555.8 511.1 44.7 8.7
Other 1.6 (1.6)
Total gross profit 1,197.9 1,286.4 (88.5) (6.9)
Selling, general, and administrative expenses 793.1 782.7 (10.4) (1.3)
Depreciation and amortization 58.3 52.8 (5.5)
Other expense, net 6.2 7.6 1.4
Operating income 340.3 443.3 (103.0) (23.2)
Non-operating income (expense) items:
Floorplan interest expense (49.4) (27.1) (22.3)
Other interest expense (44.6) (41.1) (3.5)
Other income, net 7.0 5.2 1.8
Income from continuing operations before income taxes $253.3 $380.3 $(127.0) (33.4)
Retail vehicle unit sales:
New 58,863 55,065 3,798 6.9
Used 69,121 67,539 1,582 2.3
127,984 122,604 5,380 4.4
Revenue per vehicle retailed:
New $50,614 $53,244 $(2,630) (4.9)
Used $26,530 $27,896 $(1,366) (4.9)
Gross profit per vehicle retailed:
New $3,328 $5,210 $(1,882) (36.1)
Used $1,473 $2,117 $(644) (30.4)
Finance and insurance $2,615 $2,711 $(96) (3.5)
Total variable operations(1) $4,941 $6,218 $(1,277) (20.5)
(1) Total variable operations gross profit per vehicle retailed is calculated by dividing the sum of new vehicle, retail used vehicle, and finance and
insurance gross profit by total retail vehicle unit sales.
Operating Percentages Three Months Ended March 31,
---
2024 ( %) 2023 ( %)
Revenue mix percentages:
New vehicle 45.9 45.8
Used vehicle 30.8 31.8
Parts and service 18.1 17.0
Finance and insurance, net 5.2 5.2
Other 0.2
100.0 100.0
Gross profit mix percentages:
New vehicle 16.4 22.3
Used vehicle 9.3 12.0
Parts and service 46.4 39.7
Finance and insurance 27.9 25.8
Other 0.2
100.0 100.0
Operating items as a percentage of revenue:
Gross profit:
New vehicle 6.6 9.8
Used vehicle - retail 5.6 7.6
Parts and service 47.4 46.9
Total 18.5 20.1
Selling, general, and administrative expenses 12.2 12.2
Operating income 5.2 6.9
Operating items as a percentage of total gross profit:
Selling, general, and administrative expenses 66.2 60.8
Operating income 28.4 34.5
AUTONATION, INC.
UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
($ in millions)
Segment Operating Highlights
Three Months Ended March 31,
---
2024 2023
$ Variance % Variance
Revenue:
Domestic $1,756.7 $1,831.1 $(74.4) (4.1)
Import 1,979.5 1,789.3 190.2 10.6
Premium luxury 2,414.9 2,484.9 (70.0) (2.8)
Total 6,151.1 6,105.3 45.8 0.8
Corporate and other 334.6 293.4 41.2 14.0
Total consolidated revenue $6,485.7 $6,398.7 $87.0 1.4
Segment income*:
Domestic $75.2 $118.5 $(43.3) (36.5)
Import 128.8 160.4 (31.6) (19.7)
Premium luxury 171.6 226.8 (55.2) (24.3)
Total 375.6 505.7 (130.1) (25.7)
Corporate and other (84.7) (89.5) 4.8
Add: Floorplan interest expense 49.4 27.1 22.3
Operating income $340.3 $443.3 $(103.0) (23.2)
* Segment income represents income for each of our reportable segments and is defined as operating income less floorplan interest expense.
Retail new vehicle unit sales:
Domestic 15,902 15,849 53 0.3
Import 27,568 23,098 4,470 19.4
Premium luxury 15,393 16,118 (725) (4.5)
58,863 55,065 3,798 6.9
Retail used vehicle unit sales:
Domestic 19,763 21,203 (1,440) (6.8)
Import 23,765 22,063 1,702 7.7
Premium luxury 18,963 18,768 195 1.0
Other 6,630 5,505 1,125
69,121 67,539 1,582 2.3
Brand Mix -Retail New Vehicle Units Sold Three Months Ended
---
March 31,
2024 ( %) 2023 ( %)
Domestic:
Ford, Lincoln 10.7 11.5
Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, GMC 10.4 10.3
Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram 5.9 7.0
Domestic total 27.0 28.8
Import:
Toyota 21.5 17.9
Honda 13.2 12.3
Nissan 2.0 2.2
Hyundai 3.4 3.3
Subaru 3.8 3.2
Other Import 2.9 3.0
Import total 46.8 41.9
Premium Luxury:
Mercedes-Benz 8.5 9.6
BMW 8.4 9.7
Lexus 3.7 3.2
Audi 2.2 2.6
Jaguar Land Rover 2.1 2.1
Other Premium Luxury 1.3 2.1
Premium Luxury total 26.2 29.3
100.0 100.0
AUTONATION, INC.
UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTARY DATA, Continued
($ in millions)
Capital Expenditures / Stock Repurchases Three Months Ended March 31,
---
2024 2023
Capital expenditures $93.7 $95.3
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired
$ - $191.0
Proceeds from exercises of stock options $0.1 $1.3
Stock repurchases:
Aggregate purchase price (1) $38.7 $305.0
Shares repurchased (in millions) 0.2 2.4
Floorplan Assistance and Expense Three Months Ended March 31,
---
2024 2023 Variance
Floorplan assistance earned (included in cost of sales) $31.9 $28.3 $3.6
New vehicle floorplan interest expense (46.6) (24.4) (22.2)
Net new vehicle inventory carrying benefit (expense) $(14.7) $3.9 $(18.6)
Balance Sheet and Other Highlights March 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 March 31, 2023
---
Cash and cash equivalents $60.3 $60.8 $58.3
Inventory $3,002.7 $3,033.4 $2,196.2
Floorplan notes payable $3,270.9 $3,382.4 $2,185.7
Non-recourse debt $345.2 $258.4 $283.4
Non-vehicle debt $3,873.8 $4,030.3 $3,882.4
Equity $2,359.8 $2,211.4 $2,020.3
New days supply (industry standard of selling days) 44 days 36 days 25 days
Used days supply (trailing calendar month days) 31 days 39 days 29 days
Key Credit Agreement Covenant Compliance Calculations (2)
Leverage ratio 2.25x
Covenant less than or equal
to 3.75x
Interest coverage ratio 5.30x
Covenant greater than or
equal to 3.00x
(1)
Excludes excise taxes imposed under Inflation Reduction Act.
(2) Calculated in accordance with our credit agreement as filed with our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended June 30, 2023.
AUTONATION, INC.
UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTARY DATA, Continued
($ in millions, except per share data)
Comparable Basis Reconciliations(1)
---
Three Months Ended March 31,
Operating Income Income from Income Tax Provision(2) Effective Tax
Rate Net Income Diluted Earnings
Continuing Operations
Before Income Taxes Per Share(3)
2024 2023 2024 2023 2024 2023 2024 2023 2024 2023 2024 2023
From continuing operations, as reported $340.3 $443.3 $253.3 $380.3 $63.2 $92.5 25.0 % 24.3 % $190.1 $287.8
Discontinued operations, net of income taxes 0.9
As reported $190.1 $288.7 $4.49 $6.07
Increase (decrease) in compensation expense 7.3 5.2
$ -
$ -
related to market valuation changes in
deferred compensation(4)
Adjusted $347.6 $448.5 $253.3 $380.3 $63.2 $92.5 25.0 % 24.3 % $190.1 $288.7 $4.49 $6.07
Three Months Ended March 31,
SG&A SG&A as a Percentage
of Gross Profit (%)
2024 2023 2024 2023
As reported $793.1 $782.7 66.2 60.8
Excluding increase (decrease) in compensation 7.3 5.2
expense related to market valuation changes
in deferred compensation
Adjusted $785.8 $777.5 65.6 60.4
(1)
Please refer to the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section of the Press Release.
(2)
Tax expense is determined based on the amount of additional taxes or tax benefits associated with each individual item.
(3)
Diluted earnings per share amounts are calculated discretely and therefore may not add up to the total due to rounding.
(4) Increases and decreases in deferred compensation obligations, which are recorded in SG&A, are substantially offset by corresponding gains and losses,
respectively, related to changes in the cash
surrender value of corporate-owned life insurance ("COLI") for deferred compensation plan participants as a result of changes in market performance of the
underlying investments; therefore, net impact
to net income and earnings per share is de minimis. Gains and losses related to the COLI are recorded in non-operating Other Income, Net.
AUTONATION, INC.
UNAUDITED SAME STORE DATA
($ in millions, except per vehicle data)
Operating Highlights Three Months Ended March 31,
---
2024 2023
$ Variance % Variance
Revenue:
New vehicle $2,937.2 $2,927.5 $9.7 0.3
Retail used vehicle 1,768.9 1,877.8 (108.9) (5.8)
Wholesale 156.9 147.8 9.1 6.2
Used vehicle 1,925.8 2,025.6 (99.8) (4.9)
Finance and insurance, net 326.1 331.8 (5.7) (1.7)
Total variable operations 5,189.1 5,284.9 (95.8) (1.8)
Parts and service 1,155.9 1,085.8 70.1 6.5
Other 3.2 12.2 (9.0)
Total revenue $6,348.2 $6,382.9 $(34.7) (0.5)
Gross profit:
New vehicle $194.4 $286.7 $(92.3) (32.2)
Retail used vehicle 99.1 142.8 (43.7) (30.6)
Wholesale 9.6 11.4 (1.8)
Used vehicle 108.7 154.2 (45.5) (29.5)
Finance and insurance 326.1 331.8 (5.7) (1.7)
Total variable operations 629.2 772.7 (143.5) (18.6)
Parts and service 547.3 509.0 38.3 7.5
Other 1.6 (1.6)
Total gross profit $1,176.5 $1,283.3 $(106.8) (8.3)
Retail vehicle unit sales:
New 57,842 54,985 2,857 5.2
Used 66,163 67,318 (1,155) (1.7)
124,005 122,303 1,702 1.4
Revenue per vehicle retailed:
New $50,780 $53,242 $(2,462) (4.6)
Used $26,735 $27,894 $(1,159) (4.2)
Gross profit per vehicle retailed:
New $3,361 $5,214 $(1,853) (35.5)
Used $1,498 $2,121 $(623) (29.4)
Finance and insurance $2,630 $2,713 $(83) (3.1)
Total variable operations(1) $4,997 $6,225 $(1,228) (19.7)
(1) Total variable operations gross profit per vehicle retailed is calculated by dividing the sum of new vehicle, retail used vehicle, and finance and
insurance gross profit by total retail vehicle unit sales.
Operating Percentages Three Months Ended March
31,
---
2024 ( %) 2023 ( %)
Revenue mix percentages:
New vehicle 46.3 45.9
Used vehicle 30.3 31.7
Parts and service 18.2 17.0
Finance and insurance, net 5.1 5.2
Other 0.1 0.2
100.0 100.0
Gross profit mix percentages:
New vehicle 16.5 22.3
Used vehicle 9.2 12.0
Parts and service 46.5 39.7
Finance and insurance 27.7 25.9
Other 0.1 0.1
100.0 100.0
Operating items as a percentage of revenue:
Gross profit:
New vehicle 6.6 9.8
Used vehicle - retail 5.6 7.6
Parts and service 47.3 46.9
Total 18.5 20.1
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SOURCE AutoNation, Inc.
