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8-K - FORM 8-K - ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP INCa2016q48-k.htm


Exhibit 99.1
companylogoa08.jpg

Investors & Reporters May Contact:
Matt Pettoni
VP & Treasurer
(770) 418-8219
ir@asburyauto.com


 
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP ANNOUNCES RECORD
2016 FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL-YEAR FINANCIAL RESULTS

Fourth quarter EPS from continuing operations of $3.08 per diluted share and
full year EPS from continuing operations of $7.40 per diluted share
Record fourth quarter adjusted EPS from continuing operations of $1.56 per diluted share (a non-GAAP measure), up 19% over adjusted prior year quarter
Record full year 2016 adjusted EPS from continuing operations of $6.08 per diluted share (a non-GAAP measure), up 9% over adjusted prior year

Duluth, GA, February 7, 2017 - Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: ABG), one of the largest automotive retail and service companies in the U.S., today reported net income for the fourth quarter 2016 of $67.1 million, or $3.08 per diluted share, compared to $41.1 million, or $1.64 per diluted share in the prior year quarter. It also reported adjusted income from continuing operations (a non-GAAP measure) for the fourth quarter 2016 of $34.0 million, or $1.56 per diluted share, compared to $32.8 million, or $1.31 per diluted share, in the prior year quarter, a 19% increase in adjusted earnings per share.
Income from continuing operations for the fourth quarter 2016 was adjusted for a $45.5 million pre-tax gain on divestitures, $6.6 million pre-tax legal settlements benefit, $0.5 million pre-tax real estate related impairment charges, and $0.9 million benefit from discrete tax items. In total, these adjustments increased our earnings per share by $1.52 for the fourth quarter of 2016. Income from continuing operations for the fourth quarter 2015 was adjusted for a $13.5 million pre-tax gain on divestitures, or $0.34 per diluted share. See attached reconciliation for reported adjustments related to both of these periods.
Total revenue for the fourth quarter was $1.7 billion, up 2% from the prior year period; total revenue on a same-store basis (a non-GAAP measure) was up 5% from the prior year period.






1



Fourth Quarter 2016 Operational Summary
Same store:
Total revenues increased 5%; gross profit increased 5%
New vehicle revenue increased 3%; gross profit down 5%
Used vehicle retail revenue up 7%; gross profit up 1%
Finance and insurance revenue up 8%
Parts and service revenue up 8%; gross profit up 9%

All store:
SG&A as a percentage of gross profit improved 120 basis points to 69.3%
Total company adjusted income from operations (a non-GAAP measure) as a percentage of revenue was 4.4%, up 20 basis points
Adjusted EPS from continuing operations up 19%

Strategic Highlights:
Repurchased $50 million of common stock during Q4 and $212 million for the full year 2016
Exited the Arkansas market; sold four stores representing five franchises in Q4 2016
Acquired a Chevy franchise and an Isuzu truck franchise in Indianapolis, Indiana in Q1 2017

“We closed 2016 with a strong performance, delivering 19% adjusted EPS growth in the fourth quarter,” said Craig Monaghan, Asbury's President and Chief Executive Officer. “We continue to execute our two-part strategy: driving operational excellence and deploying capital to its highest returns.  In 2016, in a flat SAAR environment, we strengthened our dealership portfolio, repatriated over $200 million of capital to our shareholders, and grew adjusted EPS 9%."
“We continue to grow our parts and service business, delivering same store parts and service gross profit growth of 9% for the quarter,” said Asbury's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, David Hult. “In addition, we were able to grow our F&I per vehicle to approximately $1,500 and deliver 120 basis points improvement in SG&A as a percentage of gross profit. This was a direct result of our team’s hard work and commitment to continuous improvement.”
For the full year 2016, the Company reported net income of $167.2 million, or $7.40 per diluted share, compared to net income of $169.2 million, or $6.41 per diluted share in the prior year period.  Adjusted income from continuing operations (a non-GAAP measure) for 2016 was $137.3 million, or $6.08 per diluted share, compared to $147.0 million, or $5.57 per diluted share in the prior year, a 9% increase in adjusted earnings per share.
Total revenue for the full year 2016 was $6.5 billion, down 1% from the prior year period principally attributable to strategic divestitures over the past year; total revenue on a same-store basis (a non-GAAP measure) was up 2% from the prior year period.
The conference call will be simulcast live on the Internet and can be accessed by logging onto www.asburyauto.com or www.ccbn.com. A replay will be available at these sites for 30 days.

2



In addition, a live audio of the call will be accessible to the public by calling (719) 325-4812 (domestic), or (877) 857-6176 (international); passcode - 2230163. 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 - 2230163.
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 79 dealerships, consisting of 95 franchises, representing 29 domestic and foreign brands of vehicles. Asbury also operates 24 collision repair centers and 2 stand-alone used vehicle stores. 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.

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
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
REVENUE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
$
935.6

 
$
931.8

 
$
3.8

 
 %
Used vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Retail
420.3

 
407.7

 
12.6

 
3
 %
Wholesale
48.6

 
50.0

 
(1.4
)
 
(3
)%
     Total used vehicle
468.9

 
457.7

 
11.2

 
2
 %
Parts and service
193.6

 
185.2

 
8.4

 
5
 %
Finance and insurance, net
68.4

 
65.8

 
2.6

 
4
 %
TOTAL REVENUE
1,666.5

 
1,640.5

 
26.0

 
2
 %
GROSS PROFIT:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
47.4

 
50.5

 
(3.1
)
 
(6
)%
Used vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Retail
29.6

 
30.5

 
(0.9
)
 
(3
)%
Wholesale
(2.1
)
 
(1.1
)
 
(1.0
)
 
(91
)%
     Total used vehicle
27.5

 
29.4

 
(1.9
)
 
(6
)%
Parts and service
121.3

 
114.7

 
6.6

 
6
 %
Finance and insurance, net
68.4

 
65.8

 
2.6

 
4
 %
TOTAL GROSS PROFIT
264.6

 
260.4

 
4.2

 
2
 %
OPERATING EXPENSES (INCOME):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative
183.3

 
183.5

 
(0.2
)
 
 %
Depreciation and amortization
7.7

 
7.5

 
0.2

 
3
 %
Other operating income, net
(6.5
)
 
(0.3
)
 
(6.2
)
 
NM

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
80.1

 
69.7

 
10.4

 
15
 %
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Floor plan interest expense
4.9

 
4.1

 
0.8

 
20
 %
Other interest expense, net
13.1

 
12.5

 
0.6

 
5
 %
Swap interest expense
0.7

 
1.0

 
(0.3
)
 
(30
)%
Gain on divestitures
(45.5
)
 
(13.5
)
 
(32.0
)
 
NM

Total other (income) expenses, net
(26.8
)
 
4.1

 
(30.9
)
 
NM

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
106.9

 
65.6

 
41.3

 
63
 %
Income tax expense
39.8

 
24.4

 
15.4

 
63
 %
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
67.1

 
41.2

 
25.9

 
63
 %
Discontinued operations, net of tax

 
(0.1
)
 
0.1

 
(100
)%
NET INCOME
$
67.1

 
$
41.1

 
$
26.0

 
63
 %
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic—
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
3.11

 
$
1.65

 
$
1.46

 
88
 %
Discontinued operations

 

 

 
 %
Net income
$
3.11

 
$
1.65

 
$
1.46

 
88
 %
Diluted—
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
3.08

 
$
1.65

 
$
1.43

 
87
 %
Discontinued operations

 
(0.01
)
 
0.01

 
 %
Net income
$
3.08

 
$
1.64

 
$
1.44

 
88
 %
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
21.6

 
24.9

 
(3.3
)
 
(13
)%
Restricted stock
0.1

 

 
0.1

 
 %
Performance share units
0.1

 
0.1

 

 
 %
Diluted
21.8

 
25.0

 
(3.2
)
 
(13
)%
______________________________
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
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
Unit sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
6,406

 
6,809

 
(403
)
 
(6
)%
Import
14,652

 
14,581

 
71

 
 %
Domestic
4,693

 
4,770

 
(77
)
 
(2
)%
     Total new vehicle
25,751

 
26,160

 
(409
)
 
(2
)%
Used vehicle retail
19,881

 
19,425

 
456

 
2
 %
Used to new ratio
77.2
 %
 
74.3
 %
 
290 bps

 

Average selling price
 
 
 
 
 
 


New vehicle
$
36,333

 
$
35,619

 
$
714

 
2
 %
Used vehicle retail
21,141

 
20,988

 
153

 
1
 %
Average gross profit per unit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Luxury
$
3,590

 
$
3,466

 
$
124

 
4
 %
Import
1,099

 
1,228

 
(129
)
 
(11
)%
Domestic
1,769

 
1,887

 
(118
)
 
(6
)%
Total new vehicle
1,841

 
1,930

 
(89
)
 
(5
)%
Used vehicle
1,489

 
1,570

 
(81
)
 
(5
)%
Finance and insurance, net
1,499

 
1,443

 
56

 
4
 %
Front end yield (1)
3,186

 
3,220

 
(34
)
 
(1
)%
Gross margin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
6.7
 %
 
6.7
 %
 

 
 
Import
3.9
 %
 
4.5
 %
 
(60) bps

 
 
Domestic
4.6
 %
 
5.1
 %
 
(50) bps

 
 
Total new vehicle
5.1
 %
 
5.4
 %
 
(30) bps

 
 
Used vehicle retail
7.0
 %
 
7.5
 %
 
(50) bps

 
 
Parts and service
62.7
 %
 
61.9
 %
 
80 bps

 
 
Total gross profit margin
15.9
 %
 
15.9
 %
 

 
 
SG&A metrics
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rent expense
$
7.0

 
$
7.8

 
$
(0.8
)
 
(10
)%
Total SG&A as a percentage of gross profit
69.3
 %
 
70.5
 %
 
(120) bps

 
 
SG&A, excluding rent expense as a percentage of gross profit
66.6
 %
 
67.5
 %
 
(90) bps

 
 
Operating metrics
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from operations as a percentage of revenue
4.8
 %
 
4.2
 %
 
60 bps

 
 
Income from operations as a percentage of gross profit
30.3
 %
 
26.8
 %
 
350 bps

 
 
Adjusted income from operations as a percentage of revenue
4.4
 %
 
4.2
 %
 
20 bps

 
 
Adjusted income from operations as a percentage of gross profit
28.0
 %
 
26.8
 %
 
120 bps

 
 
Revenue mix
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
56.1
 %
 
56.8
 %
 
 
 
 
Used vehicle retail
25.3
 %
 
24.9
 %
 
 
 
 
Used vehicle wholesale
2.9
 %
 
3.0
 %
 
 
 
 
Parts and service
11.6
 %
 
11.3
 %
 
 
 
 
Finance and insurance
4.1
 %
 
4.0
 %
 
 
 
 
     Total revenue
100.0
 %
 
100.0
 %
 
 
 
 
Gross profit mix
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
17.9
 %
 
19.4
 %
 
 
 
 
Used vehicle retail
11.2
 %
 
11.7
 %
 
 
 
 
Used vehicle wholesale
(0.8
)%
 
(0.4
)%
 
 
 
 
Parts and service
45.8
 %
 
44.0
 %
 
 
 
 
Finance and insurance
25.9
 %
 
25.3
 %
 
 
 
 
     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
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
$
336.6

 
$
345.6

 
$
(9.0
)
 
(3
)%
Import
403.0

 
375.0

 
28.0

 
7
 %
Domestic
174.3

 
165.6

 
8.7

 
5
 %
     Total new vehicle
913.9

 
886.2

 
27.7

 
3
 %
Used Vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Retail
405.3

 
379.4

 
25.9

 
7
 %
Wholesale
47.1

 
47.2

 
(0.1
)
 
 %
     Total used vehicle
452.4

 
426.6

 
25.8

 
6
 %
Parts and service
187.8

 
174.0

 
13.8

 
8
 %
Finance and insurance
66.9

 
61.9

 
5.0

 
8
 %
Total revenue
$
1,621.0

 
$
1,548.7

 
$
72.3

 
5
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross profit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
$
22.5

 
$
22.9

 
$
(0.4
)
 
(2
)%
Import
15.6

 
17.0

 
(1.4
)
 
(8
)%
Domestic
8.0

 
8.4

 
(0.4
)
 
(5
)%
     Total new vehicle
46.1

 
48.3

 
(2.2
)
 
(5
)%
Used Vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail
28.7

 
28.5

 
0.2

 
1
 %
Wholesale
(1.7
)
 
(0.8
)
 
(0.9
)
 
NM

     Total used vehicle
27.0

 
27.7

 
(0.7
)
 
(3
)%
Parts and service:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customer pay
64.8

 
59.3

 
5.5

 
9
 %
Warranty
19.0

 
16.9

 
2.1

 
12
 %
Wholesale parts
4.9

 
4.8

 
0.1

 
2
 %
     Parts and service, excluding reconditioning and preparation
88.7

 
81.0

 
7.7

 
10
 %
Reconditioning and preparation
29.3

 
27.0

 
2.3

 
9
 %
Total parts and service
118.0

 
108.0

 
10.0

 
9
 %
Finance and insurance
66.9

 
61.9

 
5.0

 
8
 %
Total gross profit
$
258.0

 
$
245.9

 
$
12.1

 
5
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SG&A expense
$
176.6

 
$
171.8

 
$
4.8

 
3
 %
SG&A expense as a percentage of gross profit
68.4
%
 
69.9
%
 
(150) bps

 
 
_____________________________
NMNot Meaningful

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
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
Unit sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
6,322

 
6,664

 
(342
)
 
(5
)%
Import
14,381

 
13,641

 
740

 
5
 %
Domestic
4,460

 
4,476

 
(16
)
 
 %
     Total new vehicle
25,163

 
24,781

 
382

 
2
 %
Used vehicle retail
19,084

 
17,857

 
1,227

 
7
 %
Used to new ratio
75.8
%
 
72.1
%
 
370 bps

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average selling price
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
$
36,319

 
$
35,761

 
$
558

 
2
 %
Used vehicle retail
21,238

 
21,247

 
(9
)
 
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average gross profit per unit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Luxury
$
3,559

 
$
3,436

 
$
123

 
4
 %
Import
1,085

 
1,246

 
(161
)
 
(13
)%
Domestic
1,794

 
1,877

 
(83
)
 
(4
)%
Total new vehicle
1,832

 
1,949

 
(117
)
 
(6
)%
Used vehicle retail
1,504

 
1,596

 
(92
)
 
(6
)%
Finance and insurance, net
1,512

 
1,452

 
60

 
4
 %
Front end yield (1)
3,202

 
3,253

 
(51
)
 
(2
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross margin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
6.7
%
 
6.6
%
 
10 bps

 
 
Import
3.9
%
 
4.5
%
 
(60) bps

 
 
Domestic
4.6
%
 
5.1
%
 
(50) bps

 
 
Total new vehicle
5.0
%
 
5.5
%
 
(50) bps

 
 
Used vehicle retail
7.1
%
 
7.5
%
 
(40) bps

 
 
Parts and service:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Parts and service, excluding reconditioning and preparation
47.2
%
 
46.6
%
 
60 bps

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

 
 
Total gross profit margin
15.9
%
 
15.9
%
 

 
 
_____________________________
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
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
REVENUE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
$
3,611.9

 
$
3,652.5

 
$
(40.6
)
 
(1
)%
Used vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Retail
1,675.0

 
1,717.5

 
(42.5
)
 
(2
)%
Wholesale
201.4

 
214.2

 
(12.8
)
 
(6
)%
     Total used vehicle
1,876.4

 
1,931.7

 
(55.3
)
 
(3
)%
Parts and service
778.5

 
740.7

 
37.8

 
5
 %
Finance and insurance, net
261.0

 
263.4

 
(2.4
)
 
(1
)%
TOTAL REVENUE
6,527.8

 
6,588.3

 
(60.5
)
 
(1
)%
GROSS PROFIT:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
187.1

 
203.0

 
(15.9
)
 
(8
)%
Used vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Retail
131.0

 
136.1

 
(5.1
)
 
(4
)%
Wholesale
(3.7
)
 
(4.3
)
 
0.6

 
14
 %
     Total used vehicle
127.3

 
131.8

 
(4.5
)
 
(3
)%
Parts and service
483.3

 
462.6

 
20.7

 
4
 %
Finance and insurance, net
261.0

 
263.4

 
(2.4
)
 
(1
)%
TOTAL GROSS PROFIT
1,058.7

 
1,060.8

 
(2.1
)
 
 %
OPERATING EXPENSES (INCOME):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative
732.5

 
729.9

 
2.6

 
 %
Depreciation and amortization
30.7

 
29.5

 
1.2

 
4
 %
Other operating income, net
(2.3
)
 
(0.2
)
 
(2.1
)
 
NM

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
297.8

 
301.6

 
(3.8
)
 
(1
)%
OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Floor plan interest expense
19.3

 
16.1

 
3.2

 
20
 %
Other interest expense, net
53.1

 
44.0

 
9.1

 
21
 %
Swap interest expense
3.1

 
3.0

 
0.1

 
3
 %
Gain on divestitures
(45.5
)
 
(34.9
)
 
(10.6
)
 
(30
)%
Total other expenses (income), net
30.0

 
28.2

 
1.8

 
6
 %
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
267.8

 
273.4

 
(5.6
)
 
(2
)%
Income tax expense
100.6

 
104.0

 
(3.4
)
 
(3
)%
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
167.2

 
169.4

 
(2.2
)
 
(1
)%
Discontinued operations, net of tax

 
(0.2
)
 
0.2

 
100
 %
NET INCOME
$
167.2

 
$
169.2

 
$
(2.0
)
 
(1
)%
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic—
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
7.43

 
$
6.44

 
$
0.99

 
15
 %
Discontinued operations

 
(0.01
)
 
0.01

 
 %
Net income
$
7.43

 
$
6.43

 
$
1.00

 
16
 %
Diluted—
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
7.40

 
$
6.42

 
$
0.98

 
15
 %
Discontinued operations

 
(0.01
)
 
0.01

 
100
 %
Net income
$
7.40

 
$
6.41

 
$
0.99

 
15
 %
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
22.5

 
26.3

 
(3.8
)
 
(14
)%
Restricted stock

 

 

 
 %
Performance share units
0.1

 
0.1

 

 
 %
Diluted
22.6

 
26.4

 
(3.8
)
 
(14
)%
______________________________
NMNot Meaningful

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
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
Unit sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
23,875

 
25,441

 
(1,566
)
 
(6
)%
Import
58,466

 
61,633

 
(3,167
)
 
(5
)%
Domestic
20,019

 
18,907

 
1,112

 
6
 %
     Total new vehicle
102,360

 
105,981

 
(3,621
)
 
(3
)%
Used vehicle retail
79,259

 
82,589

 
(3,330
)
 
(4
)%
Used to new ratio
77.4
 %
 
77.9
 %
 
(50) bps

 
 
Average selling price
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
$
35,286

 
$
34,464

 
$
822

 
2
 %
Used vehicle retail
21,133

 
20,796

 
337

 
2
 %
Average gross profit per unit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Luxury
$
3,535

 
$
3,428

 
$
107

 
3
 %
Import
1,178

 
1,254

 
(76
)
 
(6
)%
Domestic
1,688

 
2,036

 
(348
)
 
(17
)%
Total new vehicle
1,828

 
1,915

 
(87
)
 
(5
)%
Used vehicle
1,653

 
1,648

 
5

 
 %
Finance and insurance, net
1,437

 
1,397

 
40

 
3
 %
Front end yield (1)
3,189

 
3,195

 
(6
)
 
 %
Gross margin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
6.7
 %
 
6.7
 %
 

 
 
Import
4.3
 %
 
4.6
 %
 
(30) bps

 
 
Domestic
4.6
 %
 
5.6
 %
 
(100) bps

 
 
Total new vehicle
5.2
 %
 
5.6
 %
 
(40) bps

 
 
Used vehicle retail
7.8
 %
 
7.9
 %
 
(10) bps

 
 
Parts and service
62.1
 %
 
62.5
 %
 
(40) bps

 
 
Total gross profit margin
16.2
 %
 
16.1
 %
 
10 bps

 
 
SG&A metrics
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rent expense
$
29.9

 
$
31.3

 
$
(1.4
)
 
(4
)%
Total SG&A as a percentage of gross profit
69.2
 %
 
68.8
 %
 
40 bps

 
 
SG&A, excluding rent expense as a percentage of gross profit
66.4
 %
 
65.9
 %
 
50 bps

 
 
Operating metrics
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from operations as a percentage of revenue
4.6
 %
 
4.6
 %
 

 
 
Income from operations as a percentage of gross profit
28.1
 %
 
28.4
 %
 
(30) bps

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

 
 
Adjusted income from operations as a percentage of gross profit
28.0
 %
 
28.4
 %
 
(40) bps

 
 
Revenue mix
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
55.3
 %
 
55.4
 %
 
 
 
 
Used vehicle retail
25.7
 %
 
26.1
 %
 
 
 
 
Used vehicle wholesale
3.1
 %
 
3.3
 %
 
 
 
 
Parts and service
11.9
 %
 
11.2
 %
 
 
 
 
Finance and insurance
4.0
 %
 
4.0
 %
 
 
 
 
     Total revenue
100.0
 %
 
100.0
 %
 
 
 
 
Gross profit mix
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
17.7
 %
 
19.1
 %
 
 
 
 
Used vehicle retail
12.3
 %
 
12.9
 %
 
 
 
 
Used vehicle wholesale
(0.3
)%
 
(0.4
)%
 
 
 
 
Parts and service
45.6
 %
 
43.6
 %
 
 
 
 
Finance and insurance
24.7
 %
 
24.8
 %
 
 
 
 
     Total gross profit
100.0
 %
 
100.0
 %
 
 
 
 
_____________________________
(1)
Front end yield is calculated as gross profit from new vehicles, used retail vehicles and finance and insurance (net), divided by combined new and used retail unit sales.

9



ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
SAME STORE OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (In millions)
(Unaudited)
 
For the Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
$
1,226.5

 
$
1,253.5

 
$
(27.0
)
 
(2
)%
Import
1,544.6

 
1,514.4

 
30.2

 
2
 %
Domestic
667.8

 
639.7

 
28.1

 
4
 %
     Total new vehicle
3,438.9

 
3,407.6

 
31.3

 
1
 %
Used Vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail
1,578.0

 
1,561.3

 
16.7

 
1
 %
Wholesale
191.9

 
198.2

 
(6.3
)
 
(3
)%
     Total used vehicle
1,769.9

 
1,759.5

 
10.4

 
1
 %
Parts and service
736.1

 
683.4

 
52.7

 
8
 %
Finance and insurance
247.6

 
243.3

 
4.3

 
2
 %
Total revenue
$
6,192.5

 
$
6,093.8

 
$
98.7

 
2
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross profit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
$
82.4

 
$
83.7

 
$
(1.3
)
 
(2
)%
Import
66.4

 
71.2

 
(4.8
)
 
(7
)%
Domestic
29.8

 
36.0

 
(6.2
)
 
(17
)%
     Total new vehicle
178.6

 
190.9

 
(12.3
)
 
(6
)%
Used Vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail
123.6

 
125.1

 
(1.5
)
 
(1
)%
Wholesale
(3.2
)
 
(3.1
)
 
(0.1
)
 
(3
)%
     Total used vehicle
120.4

 
122.0

 
(1.6
)
 
(1
)%
Parts and service:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customer pay
255.1

 
234.6

 
20.5

 
9
 %
Warranty
70.3

 
65.4

 
4.9

 
7
 %
Wholesale parts
19.2

 
18.9

 
0.3

 
2
 %
     Parts and service, excluding reconditioning and preparation
344.6

 
318.9

 
25.7

 
8
 %
Reconditioning and preparation
114.3

 
109.4

 
4.9

 
4
 %
Total parts and service
458.9

 
428.3

 
30.6

 
7
 %
Finance and insurance
247.6

 
243.3

 
4.3

 
2
 %
Total gross profit
$
1,005.5

 
$
984.5

 
$
21.0

 
2
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SG&A expense
$
693.4

 
$
672.9

 
$
20.5

 
3
 %
SG&A expense as a percentage of gross profit
69.0
%
 
68.3
%
 
70 bps

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











10



ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
SAME STORE OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
For the Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
Unit sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
23,424

 
24,539

 
(1,115
)
 
(5
)%
Import
55,960

 
56,224

 
(264
)
 
 %
Domestic
17,804

 
17,669

 
135

 
1
 %
     Total new vehicle
97,188

 
98,432

 
(1,244
)
 
(1
)%
Used vehicle retail
74,027

 
74,312

 
(285
)
 
 %
Used to new ratio
76.2
%
 
75.5
%
 
70 bps

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average selling price
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
$
35,384

 
$
34,619

 
$
765

 
2
 %
Used vehicle retail
21,317

 
21,010

 
307

 
1
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average gross profit per unit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Luxury
$
3,518

 
$
3,411

 
$
107

 
3
 %
Import
1,187

 
1,266

 
(79
)
 
(6
)%
Domestic
1,674

 
2,037

 
(363
)
 
(18
)%
Total new vehicle
1,838

 
1,939

 
(101
)
 
(5
)%
Used vehicle retail
1,670

 
1,683

 
(13
)
 
(1
)%
Finance and insurance, net
1,446

 
1,408

 
38

 
3
 %
Front end yield (1)
3,211

 
3,238

 
(27
)
 
(1
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross margin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
6.7
%
 
6.7
%
 

 
 
Import
4.3
%
 
4.7
%
 
(40) bps

 
 
Domestic
4.5
%
 
5.6
%
 
(110) bps

 
 
Total new vehicle
5.2
%
 
5.6
%
 
(40) bps

 
 
Used vehicle retail
7.8
%
 
8.0
%
 
(20) bps

 
 
Parts and service:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Parts and service, excluding reconditioning and preparation
46.8
%
 
46.7
%
 
10 bps

 
 
Parts and service, including reconditioning and preparation
62.3
%
 
62.7
%
 
(40) bps

 
 
Total gross profit margin
16.2
%
 
16.2
%
 

 
 
_____________________________
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, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
% Change
SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
3.4

  
$
2.8

  
$
0.6

 
21
 %
New vehicle inventory
720.6

  
739.2

  
(18.6
)
 
(3
)%
Used vehicle inventory
132.7

  
134.1

  
(1.4
)
 
(1
)%
Parts inventory
41.6

  
43.9

  
(2.3
)
 
(5
)%
Total current assets
1,332.4

  
1,331.2

  
1.2

 
 %
Floor plan notes payable
781.8

  
712.2

  
69.6

 
10
 %
Total current liabilities
1,104.3

  
1,007.8

  
96.5

 
10
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CAPITALIZATION:
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
Long-term debt (including current portion)
$
926.7

  
$
954.3

  
$
(27.6
)
 
(3
)%
Shareholders' equity
279.7

  
314.5

  
(34.8
)
 
(11
)%
Total
$
1,206.4

  
$
1,268.8

  
$
(62.4
)
 
(5
)%

 
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
DAYS SUPPLY
 
 
 
New vehicle inventory
61

  
62

Used vehicle inventory
30

  
30

_____________________________
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 Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Luxury:
 
 
 
Mercedes-Benz
7
%
 
7
%
Lexus
7
%
 
7
%
BMW
6
%
 
8
%
Acura
4
%
 
5
%
Infiniti
3
%
 
3
%
Other luxury
7
%
 
6
%
Total luxury
34
%
 
36
%
Imports:
 
 
 
Honda
17
%
 
16
%
Toyota
12
%
 
12
%
Nissan
11
%
 
12
%
Other imports
5
%
 
6
%
Total imports
45
%
 
46
%
Domestic:
 
 
 
Ford
13
%
 
11
%
Dodge
3
%
 
2
%
Chevrolet
3
%
 
3
%
Other domestics
2
%
 
2
%
Total domestic
21
%
 
18
%
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 income from continuing operations," and "Adjusted diluted earnings per share ("EPS") from continuing operations." 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, 2016
 
September 30, 2016
 
(Dollars in millions)
Adjusted leverage ratio:
 
 
 
Long-term debt (including current portion)
$
926.7

 
$
930.2

 
 
 
 
Calculation of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"):
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations
$
167.2

 
$
141.3

 
 
 
 
Add:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
30.7

 
30.5

Income tax expense
100.6

 
85.1

Swap and other interest expense
56.2

 
56.0

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA")
$
354.7

 
$
312.9

 
 
 
 
Non-core items - (income) expense:
 
 
 
Real estate-related charges
$
5.7

 
$
5.2

Legal settlements
(6.6
)
 

Gain on divestitures
(45.5
)
 
(13.5
)
  Total non-core items
(46.4
)
 
(8.3
)
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA
$
308.3

 
$
304.6

 
 
 
 
Adjusted leverage ratio
3.0

 
3.1














15






 
For the Three Months Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(In millions, except per share data)
Adjusted income from operations:
 
 
 
Income from operations
$
80.1

 
$
69.7

Real estate-related charges
0.5

 

Legal settlements
(6.6
)
 

Adjusted income from operations
$
74.0

 
$
69.7

 
 
 
 
Adjusted income from continuing operations:
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations
$
67.1

 
$
41.2

 
 
 
 
Non-core items - (income) expense:
 
  
 
Real estate-related charges
0.5

 

Legal settlements
(6.6
)
 

Gain on divestitures
(45.5
)
 
(13.5
)
Income tax expense on non-core items above
19.4

 
5.1

Income tax benefit
(0.9
)
 

Total non-core items
(33.1
)
  
(8.4
)
Adjusted income from continuing operations
$
34.0

  
$
32.8

 
 
 
 
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations:
 
 
 
Net income
$
3.08

 
$
1.64

Discontinued operations, net of tax

 
0.01

Income from continuing operations
$
3.08

 
$
1.65

 
 
 
 
Total non-core items
(1.52
)
 
(0.34
)
Adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations
$
1.56

 
$
1.31

 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted
21.8
 
25.0



16



 
For the Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(In millions, except per share data)
Adjusted income from operations:
 
 
 
Income from operations
$
297.8

 
$
301.6

Real estate-related charges
5.7

 

Legal settlements
(6.6
)
 

Adjusted income from operations
$
296.9

 
$
301.6

 
 
 
 
Adjusted income from continuing operations:
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations
$
167.2

 
$
169.4

 
 
 
 
Non-core items - (income) expense:
 
  
 
Real estate-related charges
5.7

 

Legal settlements
(6.6
)
 

Gain on divestitures
(45.5
)
 
(34.9
)
Income tax expense on non-core items above
17.4

 
13.3

Income tax benefit
(0.9
)
 
(0.8
)
Total non-core items
(29.9
)
  
(22.4
)
Adjusted income from continuing operations
$
137.3

  
$
147.0

 
 
 
 
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations:
 
 
 
Net income
$
7.40

 
$
6.41

Discontinued operations, net of tax

 
0.01

Income from continuing operations
$
7.40

 
$
6.42

 
 
 
 
Total non-core items
(1.32
)
 
(0.85
)
Adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations
$
6.08

 
$
5.57

 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted
22.6
 
26.4



17