Asbury Automotive Group Reports Third Quarter Results

Business Wire 29-Oct-2024 7:00 AM

• Revenue of $4.2 billion, growth of 16%
• Parts & Service gross profit growth of 16%
• Same store SG&A as a percentage of gross profit of 64.5%; same store adjusted SG&A as a percentage of gross profit, a non-GAAP measure, of 63.8%
• Sequential improvement in SG&A as a percentage of gross profit of 25 bps and adjusted SG&A as a percentage of gross profit, a non-GAAP measure, of 39 bps
• EPS of $6.37 per diluted share; adjusted EPS, a non-GAAP measure, of $6.35 per diluted share
• Estimated EPS impact of $0.39 - $0.43 due to stop sale orders for certain vehicle models (estimated lost sales of nearly 1,200 new units) and lost business from Hurricane Helene
• Repurchased approximately 394,000 shares for $89 million

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:ABG) (the "Company"), one of the largest automotive retail and service companies in the U.S., reported third quarter 2024 net income of $126 million ($6.37 per diluted share), a decrease of 25% from $169 million ($8.19 per diluted share) in third quarter 2023. The Company reported third quarter 2024 adjusted net income, a non-GAAP measure, of $126 million ($6.35 per diluted share), a decrease of 25% from $168 million ($8.12 per diluted share) in third quarter 2023.

"Against the backdrop of normalizing inventory levels, certain brand challenges and a hurricane, I am proud of the way our team members rose to the challenge delivering sequential improvements in many of our key operating metrics," said David Hult, Asbury's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We were also pleased with the progress in our Parts & Service operations, and in particular the strength we saw in Customer Pay - the largest and most profitable portion of this business. Our SG&A costs declined sequentially, and we executed against our strategic capital allocation framework, repurchasing nearly 400,000 shares in the quarter."

The financial measures discussed below include both GAAP and adjusted (non-GAAP) financial measures. Please see "Non-GAAP Financial Disclosure and Reconciliation, Same Store Data and Other Data" and the reconciliations for non-GAAP metrics used herein.

Adjusted net income for third quarter 2024 excludes, net of tax, net gain on divestitures of $3 million ($0.14 per diluted share), and losses related to hail damage of $2 million ($0.11 per diluted share).

Adjusted net income for third quarter 2023 excludes, net of tax, a $3 million ($0.13 per diluted share) gain on sale of real estate and $1 million ($0.06 per diluted share) of professional fees related to the acquisition of the Jim Koons Automotive Companies.

Third Quarter 2024 Operational Summary

Total Company vs. 3^rd Quarter 2023:

• Revenue of $4.2 billion, increase of 16%
• Gross profit of $718 million, increase of 7%
• Gross margin decreased 142 bps to 16.9%
• New vehicle unit volume increase of 16%; new vehicle revenue increase of 16%; new vehicle gross profit decrease of 11%
• Used vehicle retail unit volume increase of 16%; used vehicle retail revenue increase of 13%; used vehicle retail gross profit decrease of 6%
• Finance and insurance (F&I) per vehicle retailed (PVR) of $2,141, decrease of 3%
• Parts and service revenue increase of 13%; gross profit increase of 16%
• SG&A as a percentage of gross profit of 65.0%
• Adjusted SG&A as a percentage of gross profit of 64.4%
• Operating margin of 5.5%
• Adjusted operating margin of 5.6%

Same Store vs. 3^rd Quarter 2023:

• Revenue of $3.5 billion, decrease of 2%
• Gross profit of $612 million, decrease of 8%
• Gross margin decreased 111 bps to 17.3%
• New vehicle unit volume decrease of 1%; new vehicle revenue flat to prior year period; new vehicle gross profit decrease of 24%
• Used vehicle retail unit volume decrease of 6%; used vehicle retail revenue decrease of 8%; used vehicle retail gross profit decrease of 21%
• F&I PVR of $2,111, decrease of 5%
• Parts and service revenue increase of 1%; gross profit increase of 4%
• SG&A as a percentage of gross profit of 64.5%
• Adjusted SG&A as a percentage of gross profit of 63.8%
• Operating margin of 5.7%
• Adjusted operating margin of 5.8%

Liquidity and Leverage

As of September 30, 2024, the Company had cash and floorplan offset accounts of $202 million (which excludes $56 million of cash at Total Care Auto, Powered by Landcar) and availability under the used vehicle floorplan line and revolver of $566 million for a total of $768 million in liquidity. The Company's transaction adjusted net leverage ratio, which is calculated as set forth in our credit facility, was 2.9x at quarter end.

Share Repurchases

The Company repurchased approximately 394,000 shares for $89 million during the third quarter 2024. Year-to-date through October 28, 2024, the Company has repurchased approximately 830,000 shares for $183 million. As of October 28, 2024, the Company had approximately $276 million remaining on its share repurchase authorization.

The shares may be purchased from time to time in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or in other manners as permitted by federal securities laws and other legal and contractual requirements. The extent to which the Company repurchases its shares, the number of shares and the timing of any repurchase will depend on such factors as Asbury's stock price, general economic and market conditions, the potential impact on its capital structure, the expected return on competing uses of capital such as strategic dealership acquisitions and capital investments and other considerations. The program does not require the Company to repurchase any specific number of shares, and may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time without further notice.

Earnings Call

Additional commentary regarding the third quarter results will be provided during the earnings conference call on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. ET.

The conference call will be simulcast live on the internet. The webcast, together with supplemental materials, and can be accessed by logging onto https://investors.asburyauto.com. A replay and the accompanying materials will be available on this site for at least 30 days.

In addition, live audio will be accessible to the public. Participants may enter the conference call five to ten minutes prior to the scheduled start of the call by dialing:

About Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:ABG), a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA, is one of the largest automotive retailers in the U.S. In late 2020, Asbury embarked on a multi-year plan to increase revenue and profitability strategically through organic operations, acquisitive growth and innovative technologies, with its guest-centric approach as Asbury's constant North Star. As of September 30, 2024, Asbury operated 153 new vehicle dealerships, consisting of 202 franchises and representing 31 domestic and foreign brands of vehicles. Asbury also operates Total Care Auto, Powered by Landcar, a leading provider of service contracts and other vehicle protection products, and 37 collision repair centers. Asbury offers an extensive range of automotive products and services, including new and used vehicles; parts and service, which includes vehicle repair and maintenance services, replacement parts and collision repair services; and finance and insurance products, including arranging vehicle financing through third parties and aftermarket products, such as extended service contracts, guaranteed asset protection debt cancellation, and prepaid maintenance. Asbury is recognized as one of America's Fastest Growing Companies 2024 by the Financial Times.

For additional information, visit www.asburyauto.com.

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, objectives, beliefs, expectations and assumptions, projections regarding Asbury's financial position, liquidity, results of operations, cash flows, leverage, market position, the timing and amount of any stock repurchases, and dealership portfolio, revenue enhancement strategies, operational improvements, projections regarding the expected benefits of Clicklane, management's plans, projections and objectives for future operations, scale and performance, integration plans and expected synergies from acquisitions, capital allocation strategy, 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, adverse outcomes with respect to current and future litigation and other proceedings; our inability to realize the benefits expected from recently completed transactions; our inability to promptly and effectively integrate completed transactions and the diversion of management's attention from ongoing business and regular business responsibilities; our inability to complete future acquisitions or divestitures and the risks resulting therefrom; any supply chain disruptions impacting our industry and business, market factors, Asbury's relationships with, and the financial and operational stability of, vehicle manufacturers and other suppliers, acts of God, natural disasters including Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, acts of war or other incidents and the shortage of semiconductor chips and other components, which may adversely impact supply from vehicle manufacturers and/or present retail sales challenges; risks associated with Asbury's indebtedness and our ability to comply with applicable covenants in our various financing agreements, or to obtain waivers of these covenants as necessary; risks related to competition in the automotive retail and service industries, general economic conditions both nationally and locally, governmental regulations, legislation, including changes in automotive state franchise laws, and Asbury's ability to execute its strategic and operational strategies and initiatives, including its five-year strategic plan, 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. These forward-looking statements and such risks, uncertainties and other factors speak only as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Non-GAAP Financial Disclosure and Reconciliation, Same Store Data and Other Data

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 income from operations," "Adjusted net income," "Adjusted operating margins," "Adjusted EBITDA," "Adjusted diluted earnings per share ("EPS")," "Adjusted SG&A," "Adjusted operating cash flow," "Transaction adjusted EBITDA" and "Transaction adjusted net leverage ratio." 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.

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.

Due to the significant effects that dealership acquisitions and divestitures have on our results of operations, and in order to provide more meaningful comparisons, we present herein "Transaction adjusted EBITDA" and "Transaction adjusted net leverage ratio" (collectively, the "Transaction Adjusted Metrics"), which reflect the effects of the dealership acquisitions and divestitures, if any, as if they had occurred on the first day of the last twelve-month periods being presented. For acquisitions, the pre-acquisition period amount being included in Transaction adjusted EBITDA is determined by pro-rating the forecasted adjusted EBITDA for the year following the acquisition. For divestitures, including divestitures due to requirements in connection with an acquisition, the adjusted EBITDA associated with the divestiture(s) is excluded from Transaction adjusted EBITDA. We believe that the Transaction Adjusted Metrics provide relevant information to assess our performance at our existing dealership locations for the last twelve-month periods being presented.

The Transaction Adjusted Metrics do not include any adjustments for other events attributable to the dealership acquisitions or divestitures unless otherwise described. We cannot assure you that such financial information would not be materially different if such information were audited or that our actual results would not differ materially from the Transaction Adjusted Metrics if the dealership acquisitions or divestitures had been completed as of the beginning of the last twelve-month periods being presented.

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.

Amounts presented herein have been calculated using non-rounded amounts for all periods presented and therefore certain amounts may not compute or tie to prior presentation due to rounding.