ABG

ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP INC

Consumer Cyclical | Mid Cap

$6.45

EPS Forecast

$4,338

Revenue Forecast

The company already released most recent quarter's earnings. We will publish our AI's next quarter's forecast around 2024-12-31
EX-99.1 3 a2019q4ex991.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 Exhibit


Exhibit 99.1
companylogoa26.jpg
Investors & Reporters May Contact:
Matt Pettoni
VP of Finance & Treasurer
(770) 418-8219
ir@asburyauto.com

 

ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP ANNOUNCES
2019 FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL-YEAR FINANCIAL RESULTS
Record fourth quarter EPS of $2.26 per diluted share,
up 10% over prior year EPS

Record fourth quarter adjusted EPS of $2.53 per diluted share
(a non-GAAP measure), up 15% over prior year adjusted EPS
Record full-year EPS of $9.55 per diluted share,
up 15% over prior year EPS

Record full-year adjusted EPS of $9.46 per diluted share
(a non-GAAP measure), up 12% over prior year adjusted EPS

DULUTH, GA, February 3, 2020 - Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: ABG), one of the largest automotive retail and service companies in the U.S., reported net income for the fourth quarter 2019 of $43.6 million ($2.26 per diluted share). This compares to net income of $40.4 million ($2.06 per diluted share) in the prior year quarter.
It also reported adjusted net income (a non-GAAP measure) for the fourth quarter 2019 of $48.9 million ($2.53 per diluted share) compared to $43.2 million ($2.20 per diluted share) in the prior year quarter, a 15% increase in adjusted earnings per share.
Net income for the fourth quarter 2019 was adjusted for a $7.1 million pre-tax charge for franchise rights impairments ($0.27 per diluted share), a $0.6 million pre-tax charge for real estate related charges ($0.03 per diluted share), and a $0.6 million pre-tax gain from a legal settlement ($0.03 per diluted share). Net income for the fourth quarter 2018 was adjusted for a $3.7 million pre-tax charge for franchise rights impairments ($0.14 per diluted share).
“We delivered a very strong quarter. We grew revenue 6%, increased used unit sales 15%, delivered 8% parts and service gross profit growth, grew F&I gross profit by 8%, and grew adjusted EPS 15%,” said David Hult, Asbury's President and Chief Executive Officer. “During the quarter, we signed an agreement to acquire 20 Park Place luxury franchises in the Dallas Fort Worth Market. This acquisition will transform our total portfolio to 50% luxury stores and add approximately $1.9 billion in expected annualized revenues. We believe these acquisitions coupled with our announced divestitures, will strategically make Asbury a stronger company.”

1



Fourth Quarter 2019 Operational Summary
Total company:
Total revenue increased 6%; gross profit increased 7%
Gross margin increased 10 basis points to 15.9%
SG&A as a percentage of gross profit increased 10 basis points to 68.3%
Adjusted operating margin increased 10 basis point to 4.6%
Adjusted EPS increased 15%

Same store:
Total revenue increased 2%; gross profit increased 3%
Gross margin increased 20 basis points to 16.0%
New vehicle revenue decreased 3%; gross profit decreased 4%
Used vehicle retail revenue increased 10%; gross profit increased 1%
Finance and insurance revenue and gross profit increased 4%
Parts and service revenue increased 5%; gross profit increased 4%

Strategic Highlights:
Signed an agreement to acquire 20 Park Place luxury franchises that we expect to close in March 2020, subject to customary closing conditions. We expect these dealerships to generate approximately $1.9 billion in annualized revenue.
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.
Signed an agreement to divest all five stores in the Mississippi market that we expect to close in March 2020, subject to customary closing conditions. These dealerships generated approximately $334 million in annualized revenue.
Signed an agreement to divest our Nissan Atlanta store that we expect to close in February 2020, subject to customary closing conditions. This dealership generated approximately $77 million in annualized revenue.

For the full year 2019, the Company reported net income of $184.4 million ($9.55 per diluted share) compared to $168.0 million ($8.28 per diluted share) in the prior year period. Adjusted net income (a non-GAAP measure) for 2019 was $182.5 million ($9.46 per diluted share) compared to $170.8 million ($8.41 per diluted share) in the prior year period, a 12% increase in adjusted EPS.
Additional commentary regarding the fourth quarter results will be provided during the earnings conference call on February 3, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. The conference call will be simulcast live on the internet and can be accessed at www.asburyauto.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) 353-6461 (domestic), or (334) 323-0501 (international); passcode - 5777116. Callers should dial in approximately 5 to 10 minutes before the call begins.

2



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 - 5777116.
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 89 dealerships, consisting of 110 franchises, representing 31 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, including its ability to complete and realize the expected benefits of the proposed acquisition of the Park Place family of dealerships. 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.


3



ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (In millions, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended December 31,
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
REVENUE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
$
1,039.4

 
$
1,022.4

 
$
17.0

 
2
 %
Used vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Retail
491.5

 
427.9

 
63.6

 
15
 %
Wholesale
49.7

 
45.5

 
4.2

 
9
 %
     Total used vehicle
541.2

 
473.4

 
67.8

 
14
 %
Parts and service
229.7

 
211.1

 
18.6

 
9
 %
Finance and insurance, net
83.7

 
77.3

 
6.4

 
8
 %
TOTAL REVENUE
1,894.0

 
1,784.2

 
109.8

 
6
 %
GROSS PROFIT:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
44.7

 
43.9

 
0.8

 
2
 %
Used vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Retail
30.9

 
29.3

 
1.6

 
5
 %
Wholesale
0.4

 

 
0.4

 
 %
     Total used vehicle
31.3

 
29.3

 
2.0

 
7
 %
Parts and service
141.9

 
131.3

 
10.6

 
8
 %
Finance and insurance, net
83.7

 
77.3

 
6.4

 
8
 %
TOTAL GROSS PROFIT
301.6

 
281.8

 
19.8

 
7
 %
OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative
206.1

 
192.2

 
13.9

 
7
 %
Depreciation and amortization
9.5

 
8.5

 
1.0

 
12
 %
Franchise rights impairment
7.1

 
3.7

 
3.4

 
92
 %
Other operating (income) expenses, net
(0.2
)
 
0.1

 
(0.3
)
 
NM

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
79.1

 
77.3

 
1.8

 
2
 %
OTHER EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Floor plan interest expense
8.2

 
9.5

 
(1.3
)
 
(14
)%
Other interest expense, net
13.7

 
13.7

 

 
 %
Total other expenses, net
21.9

 
23.2

 
(1.3
)
 
(6
)%
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
57.2

 
54.1

 
3.1

 
6
 %
Income tax expense
13.6

 
13.7

 
(0.1
)
 
(1
)%
NET INCOME
$
43.6

 
$
40.4

 
$
3.2

 
8
 %
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic—
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
2.28

 
$
2.09

 
$
0.19

 
9
 %
Diluted—
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
2.26

 
$
2.06

 
$
0.20

 
10
 %
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
19.1

 
19.3

 
(0.2
)
 
(1
)%
Restricted stock
0.1

 
0.1

 

 
 %
Performance share units
0.1

 
0.2

 
(0.1
)
 
(50
)%
Diluted
19.3

 
19.6

 
(0.3
)
 
(2
)%
______________________________
NMNot Meaningful



4



ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
KEY OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (In millions, except per unit data)
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended December 31,
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
Unit sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
7,055

 
6,452

 
603

 
9
 %
Import
15,723

 
16,394

 
(671
)
 
(4
)%
Domestic
4,829

 
4,951

 
(122
)
 
(2
)%
     Total new vehicle
27,607

 
27,797

 
(190
)
 
(1
)%
Used vehicle retail
22,272

 
19,298

 
2,974

 
15
 %
Used to new ratio
80.7
%
 
69.4
%
 
1130 bps

 

Average selling price
 
 
 
 
 
 


New vehicle
$
37,650

 
$
36,781

 
$
869

 
2
 %
Used vehicle retail
22,068

 
22,173

 
(105
)
 
 %
Average gross profit per unit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Luxury
$
3,586

 
$
3,487

 
$
99

 
3
 %
Import
674

 
830

 
(156
)
 
(19
)%
Domestic
1,822

 
1,575

 
247

 
16
 %
Total new vehicle
1,619

 
1,579

 
40

 
3
 %
Used vehicle retail
1,387

 
1,518

 
(131
)
 
(9
)%
Finance and insurance, net
1,678

 
1,641

 
37

 
2
 %
Front end yield (1)
3,194

 
3,196

 
(2
)
 
 %
Gross margin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
6.5
%
 
6.4
%
 
10 bps

 
 
Import
2.3
%
 
2.9
%
 
(60) bps

 
 
Domestic
4.4
%
 
3.9
%
 
50 bps

 
 
Total new vehicle
4.3
%
 
4.3
%
 
0 bps

 
 
Used vehicle retail
6.3
%
 
6.8
%
 
(50) bps

 
 
Parts and service
61.8
%
 
62.2
%
 
(40) bps

 
 
Total gross profit margin
15.9
%
 
15.8
%
 
10 bps

 
 
SG&A metrics
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rent expense
$
6.8

 
$
6.5

 
$
0.3

 
5
 %
Total SG&A as a percentage of gross profit
68.3
%
 
68.2
%
 
10 bps

 
 
SG&A, excluding rent expense as a percentage of gross profit
66.1
%
 
65.9
%
 
20 bps

 
 
Operating metrics
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from operations as a percentage of revenue
4.2
%
 
4.3
%
 
(10) bps

 
 
Income from operations as a percentage of gross profit
26.2
%
 
27.4
%
 
(120) 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
28.6
%
 
28.7
%
 
(10) bps

 
 
Revenue mix
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
54.9
%
 
57.3
%
 
 
 
 
Used vehicle retail
26.0
%
 
24.0
%
 
 
 
 
Used vehicle wholesale
2.6
%
 
2.6
%
 
 
 
 
Parts and service
12.1
%
 
11.8
%
 
 
 
 
Finance and insurance
4.4
%
 
4.3
%
 
 
 
 
     Total revenue
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
Gross profit mix
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
14.8
%
 
15.6
%
 
 
 
 
Used vehicle retail
10.3
%
 
10.4
%
 
 
 
 
Used vehicle wholesale
0.1
%
 
%
 
 
 
 
Parts and service
47.0
%
 
46.6
%
 
 
 
 
Finance and insurance
27.8
%
 
27.4
%
 
 
 
 
     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.

5



ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
SAME STORE OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (In millions)
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended December 31,
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
$
387.7

 
$
351.5

 
$
36.2

 
10
 %
Import
426.9

 
460.8

 
(33.9
)
 
(7
)%
Domestic
169.0

 
200.0

 
(31.0
)
 
(16
)%
     Total new vehicle
983.6

 
1,012.3

 
(28.7
)
 
(3
)%
Used Vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Retail
465.5

 
422.6

 
42.9

 
10
 %
Wholesale
48.0

 
44.7

 
3.3

 
7
 %
     Total used vehicle
513.5

 
467.3

 
46.2

 
10
 %
Parts and service
218.4

 
208.8

 
9.6

 
5
 %
Finance and insurance
79.6

 
76.4

 
3.2

 
4
 %
Total revenue
$
1,795.1

 
$
1,764.8

 
$
30.3

 
2
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross profit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
$
25.3

 
$
22.5

 
$
2.8

 
12
 %
Import
9.3

 
13.3

 
(4.0
)
 
(30
)%
Domestic
7.3

 
7.8

 
(0.5
)
 
(6
)%
     Total new vehicle
41.9

 
43.6

 
(1.7
)
 
(4
)%
Used Vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail
29.3

 
29.0

 
0.3

 
1
 %
Wholesale
0.5

 

 
0.5

 
 %
     Total used vehicle
29.8

 
29.0

 
0.8

 
3
 %
Parts and service:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customer pay
76.5

 
73.4

 
3.1

 
4
 %
Warranty
21.2

 
20.1

 
1.1

 
5
 %
Wholesale parts
6.0

 
5.9

 
0.1

 
2
 %
     Parts and service, excluding reconditioning and preparation
103.7

 
99.4

 
4.3

 
4
 %
Reconditioning and preparation
31.4

 
30.4

 
1.0

 
3
 %
Total parts and service
135.1

 
129.8

 
5.3

 
4
 %
Finance and insurance
79.6

 
76.4

 
3.2

 
4
 %
Total gross profit
$
286.4

 
$
278.8

 
$
7.6

 
3
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SG&A expense
$
196.6

 
$
189.6

 
$
7.0

 
4
 %
SG&A expense as a percentage of gross profit
68.6
%
 
68.0
%
 
60 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.


6



ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
SAME STORE OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended December 31,
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
Unit sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
7,028

 
6,452

 
576

 
9
 %
Import
14,922

 
16,047

 
(1,125
)
 
(7
)%
Domestic
4,109

 
4,951

 
(842
)
 
(17
)%
     Total new vehicle
26,059

 
27,450

 
(1,391
)
 
(5
)%
Used vehicle retail
20,905

 
19,050

 
1,855

 
10
 %
Used to new ratio
80.2
%
 
69.4
%
 
1080 bps

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average selling price
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
$
37,745

 
$
36,878

 
$
867

 
2
 %
Used vehicle retail
22,267

 
22,184

 
83

 
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average gross profit per unit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Luxury
$
3,600

 
$
3,487

 
$
113

 
3
 %
Import
623

 
829

 
(206
)
 
(25
)%
Domestic
1,777

 
1,575

 
202

 
13
 %
Total new vehicle
1,608

 
1,588

 
20

 
1
 %
Used vehicle retail
1,402

 
1,522

 
(120
)
 
(8
)%
Finance and insurance, net
1,695

 
1,643

 
52

 
3
 %
Front end yield (1)
3,211

 
3,204

 
7

 
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross margin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
6.5
%
 
6.4
%
 
10 bps

 
 
Import
2.2
%
 
2.9
%
 
(70) bps

 
 
Domestic
4.3
%
 
3.9
%
 
40
 bps
 
 
Total new vehicle
4.3
%
 
4.3
%
 
0 bps

 
 
Used vehicle retail
6.3
%
 
6.9
%
 
(60
) bps
 
 
Parts and service:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Parts and service, excluding reconditioning and preparation
47.5
%
 
47.6
%
 
(10) bps

 
 
Parts and service, including reconditioning and preparation
61.9
%
 
62.2
%
 
(30) bps

 
 
Total gross profit margin
16.0
%
 
15.8
%
 
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.

7



ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (In millions, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
For the Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
REVENUE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
$
3,863.3

 
$
3,788.7

 
$
74.6

 
2
 %
Used vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Retail
1,941.3

 
1,783.3

 
158.0

 
9
 %
Wholesale
190.3

 
189.1

 
1.2

 
1
 %
     Total used vehicle
2,131.6

 
1,972.4

 
159.2

 
8
 %
Parts and service
899.4

 
821.0

 
78.4

 
10
 %
Finance and insurance, net
316.0

 
292.3

 
23.7

 
8
 %
TOTAL REVENUE
7,210.3

 
6,874.4

 
335.9

 
5
 %
GROSS PROFIT:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
159.5

 
165.2

 
(5.7
)
 
(3
)%
Used vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Retail
133.1

 
127.8

 
5.3

 
4
 %
Wholesale
1.0

 
1.9

 
(0.9
)
 
(47
)%
     Total used vehicle
134.1

 
129.7

 
4.4

 
3
 %
Parts and service
559.3

 
515.8

 
43.5

 
8
 %
Finance and insurance, net
316.0

 
292.3

 
23.7

 
8
 %
TOTAL GROSS PROFIT
1,168.9

 
1,103.0

 
65.9

 
6
 %
OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative
799.8

 
755.8

 
44.0

 
6
 %
Depreciation and amortization
36.2

 
33.7

 
2.5

 
7
 %
Franchise rights impairment
7.1

 
3.7

 
3.4

 
92
 %
Other operating expense (income), net
0.8

 
(1.1
)
 
1.9

 
173
 %
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
325.0

 
310.9

 
14.1

 
5
 %
OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Floor plan interest expense
37.9

 
32.5

 
5.4

 
17
 %
Other interest expense, net
54.9

 
53.1

 
1.8

 
3
 %
Swap interest expense

 
0.5

 
(0.5
)
 
(100
)%
Gain on divestiture
(11.7
)
 

 
(11.7
)
 
 %
Total other expenses, net
81.1

 
86.1

 
(5.0
)
 
(6
)%
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
243.9

 
224.8

 
19.1

 
8
 %
Income tax expense
59.5

 
56.8

 
2.7

 
5
 %
NET INCOME
$
184.4

 
$
168.0

 
$
16.4

 
10
 %
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic—
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
9.65

 
$
8.36

 
$
1.29

 
15
 %
Diluted—
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
9.55

 
$
8.28

 
$
1.27

 
15
 %
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
19.1

 
20.1

 
(1.0
)
 
(5
)%
Restricted stock
0.1

 
0.1

 

 
 %
Performance share units
0.1

 
0.1

 

 
 %
Diluted
19.3

 
20.3

 
(1.0
)
 
(5
)%





8



ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
KEY OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (In millions, except per unit data)
(Unaudited)
 
For the Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
Unit sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
23,988

 
22,979

 
1,009

 
4
 %
Import
61,420

 
62,939

 
(1,519
)
 
(2
)%
Domestic
19,835

 
19,357

 
478

 
2
 %
     Total new vehicle
105,243

 
105,275

 
(32
)
 
 %
Used vehicle retail
88,602

 
82,377

 
6,225

 
8
 %
Used to new ratio
84.2
%
 
78.2
%
 
600 bps

 
 
Average selling price
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
$
36,708

 
$
35,989

 
$
719

 
2
 %
Used vehicle retail
21,910

 
21,648

 
262

 
1
 %
Average gross profit per unit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Luxury
$
3,473

 
$
3,481

 
$
(8
)
 
 %
Import
685

 
836

 
(151
)
 
(18
)%
Domestic
1,719

 
1,684

 
35

 
2
 %
Total new vehicle
1,516

 
1,569

 
(53
)
 
(3
)%
Used vehicle retail
1,502

 
1,551

 
(49
)
 
(3
)%
Finance and insurance, net
1,630

 
1,558

 
72

 
5
 %
Front end yield (1)
3,140

 
3,119

 
21

 
1
 %
Gross margin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
6.3
%
 
6.5
%
 
(20) bps

 
 
Import
2.4
%
 
2.9
%
 
(50) bps

 
 
Domestic
4.3
%
 
4.3
%
 
0 bps

 
 
Total new vehicle
4.1
%
 
4.4
%
 
(30) bps

 
 
Used vehicle retail
6.9
%
 
7.2
%
 
(30) bps

 
 
Parts and service
62.2
%
 
62.8
%
 
(60) bps

 
 
Total gross profit margin
16.2
%
 
16.0
%
 
20 bps

 
 
SG&A metrics
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rent expense
$
27.1

 
$
25.6

 
$
1.5

 
6
 %
Total SG&A as a percentage of gross profit
68.4
%
 
68.5
%
 
(10) bps

 
 
SG&A, excluding rent expense as a percentage of gross profit
66.1
%
 
66.2
%
 
(10) bps

 
 
Operating metrics
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from operations as a percentage of revenue
4.5
%
 
4.5
%
 

 
 
Income from operations as a percentage of gross profit
27.8
%
 
28.2
%
 
(40
) bps
 
 
Adjusted income from operations as a percentage of revenue
4.6
%
 
4.6
%
 

 
 
Adjusted income from operations as a percentage of gross profit
28.6
%
 
28.5
%
 
10 bps

 
 
Revenue mix
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
53.6
%
 
55.1
%
 
 
 
 
Used vehicle retail
26.9
%
 
25.9
%
 
 
 
 
Used vehicle wholesale
2.6
%
 
2.8
%
 
 
 
 
Parts and service
12.5
%
 
11.9
%
 
 
 
 
Finance and insurance
4.4
%
 
4.3
%
 
 
 
 
     Total revenue
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
Gross profit mix
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
13.6
%
 
15.0
%
 
 
 
 
Used vehicle retail
11.5
%
 
11.5
%
 
 
 
 
Used vehicle wholesale
0.1
%
 
0.2
%
 
 
 
 
Parts and service
47.8
%
 
46.8
%
 
 
 
 
Finance and insurance
27.0
%
 
26.5
%
 
 
 
 
     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.

9



ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
SAME STORE OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (In millions)
(Unaudited)
 
For the Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
$
1,314.4

 
$
1,235.3

 
$
79.1

 
6
 %
Import
1,687.1

 
1,744.8

 
(57.7
)
 
(3
)%
Domestic
681.0

 
763.2

 
(82.2
)
 
(11
)%
     Total new vehicle
3,682.5

 
3,743.3

 
(60.8
)
 
(2
)%
Used Vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail
1,848.9

 
1,755.7

 
93.2

 
5
 %
Wholesale
183.9

 
185.4

 
(1.5
)
 
(1
)%
     Total used vehicle
2,032.8

 
1,941.1

 
91.7

 
5
 %
Parts and service
867.0

 
810.9

 
56.1

 
7
 %
Finance and insurance, net
302.4

 
287.1

 
15.3

 
5
 %
Total revenue
$
6,884.7

 
$
6,782.4

 
$
102.3

 
2
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross profit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
$
83.4

 
$
80.0

 
$
3.4

 
4
 %
Import
39.9

 
51.0

 
(11.1
)
 
(22
)%
Domestic
27.9

 
32.6

 
(4.7
)
 
(14
)%
     Total new vehicle
151.2

 
163.6

 
(12.4
)
 
(8
)%
Used Vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail
126.0

 
126.1

 
(0.1
)
 
 %
Wholesale
1.1

 
2.0

 
(0.9
)
 
(45
)%
     Total used vehicle
127.1

 
128.1

 
(1.0
)
 
(1
)%
Parts and service:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customer pay
305.4

 
288.6

 
16.8

 
6
 %
Warranty
85.4

 
76.1

 
9.3

 
12
 %
Wholesale parts
23.4

 
22.5

 
0.9

 
4
 %
     Parts and service, excluding reconditioning and preparation
414.2

 
387.2

 
27.0

 
7
 %
Reconditioning and preparation
124.5

 
122.0

 
2.5

 
2
 %
Total parts and service
538.7

 
509.2

 
29.5

 
6
 %
Finance and insurance
302.4

 
287.1

 
15.3

 
5
 %
Total gross profit
$
1,119.4

 
$
1,088.0

 
$
31.4

 
3
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SG&A expense
$
766.0

 
$
743.9

 
$
22.1

 
3
 %
SG&A expense as a percentage of gross profit
68.4
%
 
68.4
%
 
0 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.












10



ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
SAME STORE OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
For the Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
Unit sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
23,890

 
22,979

 
911

 
4
 %
Import
59,539

 
61,305

 
(1,766
)
 
(3
)%
Domestic
16,817

 
19,357

 
(2,540
)
 
(13
)%
     Total new vehicle
100,246

 
103,641

 
(3,395
)
 
(3
)%
Used vehicle retail
83,822

 
80,963

 
2,859

 
4
 %
Used to new ratio
83.6
%
 
78.1
%
 
550 bps

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average selling price
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
$
36,735

 
$
36,118

 
$
617

 
2
 %
Used vehicle retail
22,057

 
21,685

 
372

 
2
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average gross profit per unit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Luxury
$
3,491

 
$
3,481

 
$
10

 
 %
Import
670

 
832

 
(162
)
 
(19
)%
Domestic
1,659

 
1,684

 
(25
)
 
(1
)%
Total new vehicle
1,508

 
1,579

 
(71
)
 
(4
)%
Used vehicle retail
1,503

 
1,558

 
(55
)
 
(4
)%
Finance and insurance, net
1,643

 
1,555

 
88

 
6
 %
Front end yield (1)
3,149

 
3,125

 
24

 
1
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross margin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
6.3
%
 
6.5
%
 
(20) bps

 
 
Import
2.4
%
 
2.9
%
 
(50) bps

 
 
Domestic
4.1
%
 
4.3
%
 
(20) bps

 
 
Total new vehicle
4.1
%
 
4.4
%
 
(30) bps

 
 
Used vehicle retail
6.8
%
 
7.2
%
 
(40) bps

 
 
Parts and service:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Parts and service, excluding reconditioning and preparation
47.8
%
 
47.7
%
 
10 bps

 
 
Parts and service, including reconditioning and preparation
62.1
%
 
62.8
%
 
(70) bps

 
 
Total gross profit margin
16.2
%
 
16.0
%
 
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.


11



ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
Additional Disclosures (In millions)
(Unaudited)
 
 
December 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
% Change
SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
3.5

  
$
8.3

  
$
(4.8
)
 
(58
)%
New vehicle inventory
802.6

(a)  
867.2

  
(64.6
)
 
(7
)%
Used vehicle inventory
140.1

(b)  
158.9

  
(18.8
)
 
(12
)%
Parts inventory
42.3

(c)  
41.5

  
0.8

 
2
 %
Total current assets
1,602.6

  
1,553.0

  
49.6

 
3
 %
Floor plan notes payable
788.0

(d)  
966.1

  
(178.1
)
 
(18
)%
Total current liabilities
1,247.0

  
1,303.3

  
(56.3
)
 
(4
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CAPITALIZATION:
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
Long-term debt (including current portion)
$
939.4

(e)  
$
905.3

  
$
34.1

 
4
 %
Shareholders' equity
646.3

  
473.2

  
173.1

 
37
 %
Total
$
1,585.7

  
$
1,378.5

  
$
207.2

 
15
 %
_____________________________
(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


 
December 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
DAYS SUPPLY
 
 
 
New vehicle inventory
66

  
67

Used vehicle inventory
29

  
34

_____________________________
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.








12



Brand Mix - New Vehicle Revenue by Brand-  
 
For the Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Luxury:
 
 
 
Mercedes-Benz
7
%
 
6
%
Lexus
7
%
 
7
%
BMW
6
%
 
5
%
Acura
4
%
 
4
%
Infiniti
3
%
 
3
%
Other luxury
7
%
 
8
%
Total luxury
34
%
 
33
%
Imports:
 
 
 
Honda
18
%
 
19
%
Nissan
8
%
 
11
%
Toyota
13
%
 
12
%
Other imports
6
%
 
5
%
Total imports
45
%
 
47
%
Domestic:
 
 
 
Ford
9
%
 
10
%
Chevrolet
6
%
 
5
%
Dodge
3
%
 
3
%
Other domestics
3
%
 
2
%
Total domestic
21
%
 
20
%
Total New Vehicle Revenue
100
%
 
100
%
 








 

13



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.



















14



The following tables provide reconciliations for our non-GAAP metrics:
 
For the Twelve Months Ended
 
December 31, 2019
 
September 30, 2019
 
(Dollars in millions)
Adjusted leverage ratio:
 
 
 
Long-term debt (including current portion and HFS)
$
967.5

 
$
905.9

 
 
 
 
Calculation of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"):
 
 
 
Net Income
$
184.4

 
$
181.2

 
 
 
 
Add:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
36.2

 
35.2

Income tax expense
59.5

 
59.8

Swap and other interest expense
54.9

 
54.8

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA")
$
335.0

 
$
331.0

 
 
 
 
Non-core items - expense (income):
 
 
 
Gain on divestiture
$
(11.7
)
 
$
(11.7
)
Legal settlements
(0.6
)
 
$

Gain on sale of real estate
(0.3
)
 
(0.3
)
Franchise rights impairment
7.1

 
3.7

Real estate-related charges
0.6

 

Fixed assets write-off
2.4

 
2.4

  Total non-core items
(2.5
)
 
(5.9
)
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA
$
332.5

 
$
325.1

 
 
 
 
Adjusted leverage ratio
2.9

 
2.8













15



 
For the Three Months Ended December 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
(In millions, except per share data)
Adjusted income from operations:
 
 
 
Income from operations
$
79.1

 
$
77.3

Franchise rights impairment
7.1

 
3.7

Legal settlements
(0.6
)
 

Real estate-related charges
0.6

 

Adjusted income from operations
$
86.2

 
$
81.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted net income:
 
 
 
Net income
$
43.6

 
$
40.4

 
 
 
 
Non-core items - (income) expense:
 
  
 
Franchise rights impairment
7.1

 
3.7

Legal settlements
(0.6
)
 

Real estate-related charges
0.6

 

Income tax effect on non-core items above
(1.8
)
 
(0.9
)
Total non-core items
5.3

  
2.8

Adjusted net income
$
48.9

  
$
43.2

 
 
 
 
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS):
 
 
 
Diluted EPS
$
2.26

 
$
2.06

 
 
 
 
Total non-core items
0.27

 
0.14

Adjusted diluted EPS
$
2.53

 
$
2.20

 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted
19.3
 
19.6

16



 
For the Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
(In millions, except per share data)
Adjusted income from operations:
 
 
 
Income from operations
$
325.0

 
$
310.9

Franchise rights impairment
7.1

 
3.7

Legal settlements
(0.6
)
 
(0.7
)
Gain on sale of real estate
(0.3
)
 

Real estate-related charges
0.6

 

Fixed assets write-off
2.4

 

Adjusted income from operations
$
334.2

 
$
313.9

 
 
 
 
Adjusted net income:
 
 
 
Net income
$
184.4

 
$
168.0

 
 
 
 
Non-core items - (income) expense:
 
  
 
Franchise rights impairment
7.1

 
3.7

Gain on divestiture
(11.7
)
 

Gain on sale of real estate
(0.3
)
 

Fixed assets write-off
2.4

 

Real estate-related charges
0.6

 

Legal settlements
(0.6
)
 
(0.7
)
Income tax effect on non-core items above
0.6

 
(0.8
)
2017 Tax Act Adjustment

 
0.6

Total non-core items
(1.9
)
  
2.8

Adjusted net income
$
182.5

  
$
170.8

 
 
 
 
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS):
 
 
 
Diluted EPS
$
9.55

 
$
8.28

 
 
 
 
Total non-core items
(0.09
)
 
0.13

Adjusted diluted EPS
$
9.46

 
$
8.41

 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted
19.3
 
20.3



17