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8-K - FORM 8-K - ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP INCa2017q38-k.htm


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


 
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP ANNOUNCES
THIRD QUARTER 2017 FINANCIAL RESULTS

Duluth, GA, October 24, 2017 - Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: ABG), one of the largest automotive retail and service companies in the U.S., reported net income for the third quarter 2017 of $30.7 million, or $1.48 per diluted share.
During the quarter, we had two non-recurring events that negatively impacted our results. First, our dealerships in Florida, Georgia, and Houston, Texas had various levels of business interruption due to Hurricanes Irma and Harvey. We believe the net impact of the hurricanes was a reduction in earnings of at least $0.10 per diluted share. Second, the CEO transition announced in August resulted in an accounting charge of $0.05 per diluted share. We did not adjust our earnings for the above events.

“Our team did an outstanding job managing through the tragic storms that we experienced this quarter. Due to their efforts we were able to limit the storms’ impact on our business,” said Craig Monaghan, Asbury's President and Chief Executive Officer.
“Despite the hurricanes, we were able to grow our F&I and parts and service business,” said Asbury's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, David Hult. “This together with strong expense control helped us improve our industry-leading operating margin to 4.4% for the quarter.”
For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017, the Company reported net income of $96.6 million, or $4.60 per diluted share.
Additional commentary regarding the third quarter results will be provided during the earnings conference call on October 24 at 10:00 a.m. The conference call will be simulcast live on the internet and can be accessed at www.asburyauto.com or www.ccbn.com. A replay will be available at these sites for 30 days.
In addition, a live audio of the call will be accessible to the public by calling (800) 239-9838 (domestic), or (323) 794-2551 (international); passcode - 6516255. 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 - 6516255.

1



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 80 dealerships, consisting of 94 franchises, representing 29 domestic and foreign brands of vehicles. Asbury also operates 24 collision repair centers. Asbury offers customers an extensive range of automotive products and services, including new and used vehicle sales and related financing and insurance, vehicle maintenance and repair services, replacement parts and service contracts.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements other than historical fact, and may include statements relating to goals, plans, market conditions and projections regarding Asbury's financial position, liquidity, results of operations, market position and dealership portfolio, and other initiatives and future business strategy. These statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and involve significant risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, market factors, Asbury's relationships with, and the financial and operational stability of, vehicle manufacturers and other suppliers, acts of God or other incidents which may adversely impact supply from vehicle manufacturers and/or present retail sales challenges, risks associated with Asbury's indebtedness (including available borrowing capacity, compliance with its financial covenants and ability to refinance or repay such indebtedness, on favorable terms), Asbury's relationships with, and the financial stability of, its lenders and lessors, risks related to competition in the automotive retail and service industries, general economic conditions both nationally and locally, governmental regulations, legislation, adverse results in litigation and other proceedings, and Asbury's ability to execute its IT initiatives and other operational strategies, Asbury's ability to leverage gains from its dealership portfolio, Asbury's ability to capitalize on opportunities to repurchase its debt and equity securities or purchase properties that it currently leases, and Asbury's ability to stay within its targeted range for capital expenditures. There can be no guarantees that Asbury's plans for future operations will be successfully implemented or that they will prove to be commercially successful.
These and other risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements are and will be discussed in Asbury's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, including its most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequently filed quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.



2



ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (In millions, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
REVENUE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
$
881.6

 
$
940.9

 
$
(59.3
)
 
(6
)%
Used vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Retail
400.1

 
423.3

 
(23.2
)
 
(5
)%
Wholesale
55.5

 
53.1

 
2.4

 
5
 %
     Total used vehicle
455.6

 
476.4

 
(20.8
)
 
(4
)%
Parts and service
197.2

 
200.4

 
(3.2
)
 
(2
)%
Finance and insurance, net
67.7

 
65.4

 
2.3

 
4
 %
TOTAL REVENUE
1,602.1

 
1,683.1

 
(81.0
)
 
(5
)%
GROSS PROFIT:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
41.0

 
47.5

 
(6.5
)
 
(14
)%
Used vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Retail
28.9

 
31.9

 
(3.0
)
 
(9
)%
Wholesale
(0.1
)
 
(2.1
)
 
2.0

 
95
 %
     Total used vehicle
28.8

 
29.8

 
(1.0
)
 
(3
)%
Parts and service
122.8

 
123.0

 
(0.2
)
 
 %
Finance and insurance, net
67.7

 
65.4

 
2.3

 
4
 %
TOTAL GROSS PROFIT
260.3

 
265.7

 
(5.4
)
 
(2
)%
OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative
182.5

 
185.7

 
(3.2
)
 
(2
)%
Depreciation and amortization
8.1

 
7.8

 
0.3

 
4
 %
Other operating expenses, net

 
1.5

 
(1.5
)
 
(100
)%
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
69.7

 
70.7

 
(1.0
)
 
(1
)%
OTHER EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Floor plan interest expense
5.8

 
5.0

 
0.8

 
16
 %
Other interest expense, net
13.4

 
13.2

 
0.2

 
2
 %
Swap interest expense
0.4

 
0.8

 
(0.4
)
 
(50
)%
Total other expenses, net
19.6

 
19.0

 
0.6

 
3
 %
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
50.1

 
51.7

 
(1.6
)
 
(3
)%
Income tax expense
19.4

 
19.3

 
0.1

 
1
 %
NET INCOME
$
30.7

 
$
32.4

 
$
(1.7
)
 
(5
)%
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic—
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
1.49

 
$
1.47

 
$
0.02

 
1
 %
Diluted—
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
1.48

 
$
1.47

 
$
0.01

 
1
 %
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
20.6

 
22.0

 
(1.4
)
 
(6
)%
Restricted stock
0.1

 

 
0.1

 
 %
Performance share units
0.1

 
0.1

 

 
 %
Diluted
20.8

 
22.1

 
(1.3
)
 
(6
)%


3



ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
KEY OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (In millions, except per unit data)
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
Unit sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
5,499

 
6,061

 
(562
)
 
(9
)%
Import
14,997

 
15,522

 
(525
)
 
(3
)%
Domestic
4,691

 
5,232

 
(541
)
 
(10
)%
     Total new vehicle
25,187

 
26,815

 
(1,628
)
 
(6
)%
Used vehicle retail
18,777

 
20,030

 
(1,253
)
 
(6
)%
Used to new ratio
74.6
%
 
74.7
 %
 
(10) bps

 

Average selling price
 
 
 
 
 
 


New vehicle
$
35,002

 
$
35,089

 
$
(87
)
 
 %
Used vehicle retail
21,308

 
21,133

 
175

 
1
 %
Average gross profit per unit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Luxury
$
3,364

 
$
3,432

 
$
(68
)
 
(2
)%
Import
960

 
1,179

 
(219
)
 
(19
)%
Domestic
1,727

 
1,606

 
121

 
8
 %
Total new vehicle
1,628

 
1,771

 
(143
)
 
(8
)%
Used vehicle
1,539

 
1,593

 
(54
)
 
(3
)%
Finance and insurance, net
1,540

 
1,396

 
144

 
10
 %
Front end yield (1)
3,130

 
3,091

 
39

 
1
 %
Gross margin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
6.4
%
 
6.5
 %
 
(10) bps

 
 
Import
3.5
%
 
4.3
 %
 
(80) bps

 
 
Domestic
4.5
%
 
4.3
 %
 
20 bps

 
 
Total new vehicle
4.7
%
 
5.0
 %
 
(30) bps

 
 
Used vehicle retail
7.2
%
 
7.5
 %
 
(30) bps

 
 
Parts and service
62.3
%
 
61.4
 %
 
90 bps

 
 
Total gross profit margin
16.2
%
 
15.8
 %
 
40 bps

 
 
SG&A metrics
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rent expense
$
6.5

 
$
7.6

 
$
(1.1
)
 
(14
)%
Total SG&A as a percentage of gross profit
70.1
%
 
69.9
 %
 
20 bps

 
 
SG&A, excluding rent expense as a percentage of gross profit
67.6
%
 
67.0
 %
 
60 bps

 
 
Operating metrics
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from operations as a percentage of revenue
4.4
%
 
4.2
 %
 
20 bps

 
 
Income from operations as a percentage of gross profit
26.8
%
 
26.6
 %
 
20 bps

 
 
Adjusted income from operations as a percentage of revenue
4.4
%
 
4.3
 %
 
10 bps

 
 
Adjusted income from operations as a percentage of gross profit
26.8
%
 
27.3
 %
 
(50) bps

 
 
Revenue mix
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
55.0
%
 
55.9
 %
 
 
 
 
Used vehicle retail
25.0
%
 
25.1
 %
 
 
 
 
Used vehicle wholesale
3.5
%
 
3.2
 %
 
 
 
 
Parts and service
12.3
%
 
11.9
 %
 
 
 
 
Finance and insurance
4.2
%
 
3.9
 %
 
 
 
 
     Total revenue
100.0
%
 
100.0
 %
 
 
 
 
Gross profit mix
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
15.8
%
 
17.9
 %
 
 
 
 
Used vehicle retail
11.0
%
 
12.0
 %
 
 
 
 
Used vehicle wholesale
%
 
(0.8
)%
 
 
 
 
Parts and service
47.2
%
 
46.3
 %
 
 
 
 
Finance and insurance
26.0
%
 
24.6
 %
 
 
 
 
     Total gross profit
100.0
%
 
100.0
 %
 
 
 
 
_____________________________
(1)
Front end yield is calculated as gross profit from new vehicles, used retail vehicles and finance and insurance (net), divided by combined new and used retail unit sales.

4



ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
SAME STORE OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (In millions)
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
$
288.3

 
$
310.3

 
$
(22.0
)
 
(7
)%
Import
406.7

 
410.8

 
(4.1
)
 
(1
)%
Domestic
159.1

 
183.6

 
(24.5
)
 
(13
)%
     Total new vehicle
854.1

 
904.7

 
(50.6
)
 
(6
)%
Used Vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Retail
386.0

 
396.9

 
(10.9
)
 
(3
)%
Wholesale
52.8

 
50.2

 
2.6

 
5
 %
     Total used vehicle
438.8

 
447.1

 
(8.3
)
 
(2
)%
Parts and service
193.6

 
191.4

 
2.2

 
1
 %
Finance and insurance
65.5

 
62.3

 
3.2

 
5
 %
Total revenue
$
1,552.0

 
$
1,605.5

 
$
(53.5
)
 
(3
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross profit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
$
18.5

 
$
20.2

 
$
(1.7
)
 
(8
)%
Import
14.5

 
17.8

 
(3.3
)
 
(19
)%
Domestic
6.9

 
8.0

 
(1.1
)
 
(14
)%
     Total new vehicle
39.9

 
46.0

 
(6.1
)
 
(13
)%
Used Vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail
27.5

 
30.4

 
(2.9
)
 
(10
)%
Wholesale

 
(2.1
)
 
2.1

 
100
 %
     Total used vehicle
27.5

 
28.3

 
(0.8
)
 
(3
)%
Parts and service:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customer pay
66.8

 
64.2

 
2.6

 
4
 %
Warranty
20.3

 
19.3

 
1.0

 
5
 %
Wholesale parts
5.2

 
4.8

 
0.4

 
8
 %
     Parts and service, excluding reconditioning and preparation
92.3

 
88.3

 
4.0

 
5
 %
Reconditioning and preparation
28.1

 
29.3

 
(1.2
)
 
(4
)%
Total parts and service
120.4

 
117.6

 
2.8

 
2
 %
Finance and insurance
65.5

 
62.3

 
3.2

 
5
 %
Total gross profit
$
253.3

 
$
254.2

 
$
(0.9
)
 
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SG&A expense
$
177.1

 
$
176.6

 
$
0.5

 
 %
SG&A expense as a percentage of gross profit
69.9
%
 
69.5
%
 
40 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.


5



ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
SAME STORE OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
Unit sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
5,499

 
5,913

 
(414
)
 
(7
)%
Import
14,753

 
14,969

 
(216
)
 
(1
)%
Domestic
4,103

 
4,899

 
(796
)
 
(16
)%
     Total new vehicle
24,355

 
25,781

 
(1,426
)
 
(6
)%
Used vehicle retail
17,993

 
18,558

 
(565
)
 
(3
)%
Used to new ratio
73.9
%
 
72.0
%
 
190 bps

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average selling price
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
$
35,069

 
$
35,092

 
$
(23
)
 
 %
Used vehicle retail
21,453

 
21,387

 
66

 
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average gross profit per unit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Luxury
$
3,364

 
$
3,416

 
$
(52
)
 
(2
)%
Import
983

 
1,189

 
(206
)
 
(17
)%
Domestic
1,682

 
1,633

 
49

 
3
 %
Total new vehicle
1,638

 
1,784

 
(146
)
 
(8
)%
Used vehicle retail
1,528

 
1,638

 
(110
)
 
(7
)%
Finance and insurance, net
1,547

 
1,405

 
142

 
10
 %
Front end yield (1)
3,138

 
3,128

 
10

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

 
 
Import
3.6
%
 
4.3
%
 
(70) bps

 
 
Domestic
4.3
%
 
4.4
%
 
(10) bps

 
 
Total new vehicle
4.7
%
 
5.1
%
 
(40) bps

 
 
Used vehicle retail
7.1
%
 
7.7
%
 
(60) bps

 
 
Parts and service:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Parts and service, excluding reconditioning and preparation
47.7
%
 
46.1
%
 
160 bps

 
 
Parts and service, including reconditioning and preparation
62.2
%
 
61.4
%
 
80 bps

 
 
Total gross profit margin
16.3
%
 
15.8
%
 
50 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.

6



ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (In millions, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
REVENUE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
$
2,597.0

 
$
2,676.3

 
$
(79.3
)
 
(3
)%
Used vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Retail
1,245.7

 
1,254.7

 
(9.0
)
 
(1
)%
Wholesale
150.9

 
152.8

 
(1.9
)
 
(1
)%
     Total used vehicle
1,396.6

 
1,407.5

 
(10.9
)
 
(1
)%
Parts and service
589.5

 
584.9

 
4.6

 
1
 %
Finance and insurance, net
202.5

 
192.6

 
9.9

 
5
 %
TOTAL REVENUE
4,785.6

 
4,861.3

 
(75.7
)
 
(2
)%
GROSS PROFIT:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
122.4

 
139.7

 
(17.3
)
 
(12
)%
Used vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Retail
94.4

 
101.4

 
(7.0
)
 
(7
)%
Wholesale
1.0

 
(1.6
)
 
2.6

 
163
 %
     Total used vehicle
95.4

 
99.8

 
(4.4
)
 
(4
)%
Parts and service
367.2

 
362.0

 
5.2

 
1
 %
Finance and insurance, net
202.5

 
192.6

 
9.9

 
5
 %
TOTAL GROSS PROFIT
787.5

 
794.1

 
(6.6
)
 
(1
)%
OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative
549.2

 
549.2

 

 
 %
Depreciation and amortization
24.0

 
23.0

 
1.0

 
4
 %
Other operating expenses, net
0.7

 
4.2

 
(3.5
)
 
(83
)%
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
213.6

 
217.7

 
(4.1
)
 
(2
)%
OTHER EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Floor plan interest expense
17.1

 
14.4

 
2.7

 
19
 %
Other interest expense, net
40.2

 
40.0

 
0.2

 
1
 %
Swap interest expense
1.6

 
2.4

 
(0.8
)
 
(33
)%
Total other expenses, net
58.9

 
56.8

 
2.1

 
4
 %
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
154.7

 
160.9

 
(6.2
)
 
(4
)%
Income tax expense
58.1

 
60.8

 
(2.7
)
 
(4
)%
NET INCOME
$
96.6

 
$
100.1

 
$
(3.5
)
 
(3
)%
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic—
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
4.64

 
$
4.39

 
$
0.25

 
6
 %
Diluted—
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
4.60

 
$
4.37

 
$
0.23

 
5
 %
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
20.8

 
22.8

 
(2.0
)
 
(9
)%
Restricted stock
0.1

 

 
0.1

 
 %
Performance share units
0.1

 
0.1

 

 
 %
Diluted
21.0

 
22.9

 
(1.9
)
 
(8
)%



7



ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
KEY OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (In millions, except per unit data)
(Unaudited)
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
Unit sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
16,117

 
17,469

 
(1,352
)
 
(8
)%
Import
43,504

 
43,814

 
(310
)
 
(1
)%
Domestic
14,163

 
15,326

 
(1,163
)
 
(8
)%
     Total new vehicle
73,784

 
76,609

 
(2,825
)
 
(4
)%
Used vehicle retail
59,107

 
59,378

 
(271
)
 
 %
Used to new ratio
80.1
%
 
77.5
 %
 
260 bps

 
 
Average selling price
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
$
35,197

 
$
34,935

 
$
262

 
1
 %
Used vehicle retail
21,075

 
21,131

 
(56
)
 
 %
Average gross profit per unit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Luxury
$
3,394

 
$
3,515

 
$
(121
)
 
(3
)%
Import
984

 
1,207

 
(223
)
 
(18
)%
Domestic
1,758

 
1,657

 
101

 
6
 %
Total new vehicle
1,659

 
1,824

 
(165
)
 
(9
)%
Used vehicle
1,597

 
1,708

 
(111
)
 
(6
)%
Finance and insurance, net
1,524

 
1,416

 
108

 
8
 %
Front end yield (1)
3,155

 
3,189

 
(34
)
 
(1
)%
Gross margin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
6.4
%
 
6.7
 %
 
(30) bps

 
 
Import
3.5
%
 
4.4
 %
 
(90) bps

 
 
Domestic
4.6
%
 
4.5
 %
 
10 bps

 
 
Total new vehicle
4.7
%
 
5.2
 %
 
(50) bps

 
 
Used vehicle retail
7.6
%
 
8.1
 %
 
(50) bps

 
 
Parts and service
62.3
%
 
61.9
 %
 
40 bps

 
 
Total gross profit margin
16.5
%
 
16.3
 %
 
20 bps

 
 
SG&A metrics
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rent expense
$
20.2

 
$
23.0

 
$
(2.8
)
 
(12
)%
Total SG&A as a percentage of gross profit
69.7
%
 
69.2
 %
 
50 bps

 
 
SG&A, excluding rent expense as a percentage of gross profit
67.2
%
 
66.3
 %
 
90 bps

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

 
 
Income from operations as a percentage of gross profit
27.1
%
 
27.4
 %
 
(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
27.3
%
 
28.1
 %
 
(80) bps

 
 
Revenue mix
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
54.3
%
 
55.1
 %
 
 
 
 
Used vehicle retail
26.0
%
 
25.8
 %
 
 
 
 
Used vehicle wholesale
3.2
%
 
3.1
 %
 
 
 
 
Parts and service
12.3
%
 
12.0
 %
 
 
 
 
Finance and insurance
4.2
%
 
4.0
 %
 
 
 
 
     Total revenue
100.0
%
 
100.0
 %
 
 
 
 
Gross profit mix
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
15.5
%
 
17.6
 %
 
 
 
 
Used vehicle retail
12.1
%
 
12.7
 %
 
 
 
 
Used vehicle wholesale
0.1
%
 
(0.2
)%
 
 
 
 
Parts and service
46.6
%
 
45.6
 %
 
 
 
 
Finance and insurance
25.7
%
 
24.3
 %
 
 
 
 
     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.

8



ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
SAME STORE OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (In millions)
(Unaudited)
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
$
852.3

 
$
889.9

 
$
(37.6
)
 
(4
)%
Import
1,186.8

 
1,154.7

 
32.1

 
3
 %
Domestic
487.2

 
524.1

 
(36.9
)
 
(7
)%
     Total new vehicle
2,526.3

 
2,568.7

 
(42.4
)
 
(2
)%
Used Vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail
1,200.9

 
1,170.5

 
30.4

 
3
 %
Wholesale
144.8

 
145.2

 
(0.4
)
 
 %
     Total used vehicle
1,345.7

 
1,315.7

 
30.0

 
2
 %
Parts and service
579.6

 
556.1

 
23.5

 
4
 %
Finance and insurance
196.2

 
182.5

 
13.7

 
8
 %
Total revenue
$
4,647.8

 
$
4,623.0

 
$
24.8

 
1
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross profit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
$
54.8

 
$
59.9

 
$
(5.1
)
 
(9
)%
Import
42.5

 
51.3

 
(8.8
)
 
(17
)%
Domestic
21.6

 
23.8

 
(2.2
)
 
(9
)%
     Total new vehicle
118.9

 
135.0

 
(16.1
)
 
(12
)%
Used Vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail
90.0

 
94.7

 
(4.7
)
 
(5
)%
Wholesale
1.2

 
(1.4
)
 
2.6

 
NM

     Total used vehicle
91.2

 
93.3

 
(2.1
)
 
(2
)%
Parts and service:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customer pay
199.9

 
192.4

 
7.5

 
4
 %
Warranty
60.8

 
52.5

 
8.3

 
16
 %
Wholesale parts
15.6

 
14.5

 
1.1

 
8
 %
     Parts and service, excluding reconditioning and preparation
276.3

 
259.4

 
16.9

 
7
 %
Reconditioning and preparation
84.1

 
85.6

 
(1.5
)
 
(2
)%
Total parts and service
360.4

 
345.0

 
15.4

 
4
 %
Finance and insurance
196.2

 
182.5

 
13.7

 
8
 %
Total gross profit
$
766.7

 
$
755.8

 
$
10.9

 
1
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SG&A expense
$
533.2

 
$
521.0

 
$
12.2

 
2
 %
SG&A expense as a percentage of gross profit
69.5
%
 
68.9
%
 
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.

NMNot Meaningful











9



ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
SAME STORE OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
Unit sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
16,117

 
17,102

 
(985
)
 
(6
)%
Import
42,891

 
42,049

 
842

 
2
 %
Domestic
12,677

 
14,256

 
(1,579
)
 
(11
)%
     Total new vehicle
71,685

 
73,407

 
(1,722
)
 
(2
)%
Used vehicle retail
56,623

 
54,674

 
1,949

 
4
 %
Used to new ratio
79.0
%
 
74.5
%
 
450 bps

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average selling price
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
$
35,242

 
$
34,993

 
$
249

 
1
 %
Used vehicle retail
21,209

 
21,409

 
(200
)
 
(1
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average gross profit per unit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Luxury
$
3,400

 
$
3,503

 
$
(103
)
 
(3
)%
Import
991

 
1,220

 
(229
)
 
(19
)%
Domestic
1,704

 
1,669

 
35

 
2
 %
Total new vehicle
1,659

 
1,839

 
(180
)
 
(10
)%
Used vehicle retail
1,589

 
1,732

 
(143
)
 
(8
)%
Finance and insurance, net
1,529

 
1,425

 
104

 
7
 %
Front end yield (1)
3,157

 
3,218

 
(61
)
 
(2
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross margin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
6.4
%
 
6.7
%
 
(30) bps

 
 
Import
3.6
%
 
4.4
%
 
(80) bps

 
 
Domestic
4.4
%
 
4.5
%
 
(10) bps

 
 
Total new vehicle
4.7
%
 
5.3
%
 
(60) bps

 
 
Used vehicle retail
7.5
%
 
8.1
%
 
(60) bps

 
 
Parts and service:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Parts and service, excluding reconditioning and preparation
47.7
%
 
46.6
%
 
110 bps

 
 
Parts and service, including reconditioning and preparation
62.2
%
 
62.0
%
 
20 bps

 
 
Total gross profit margin
16.5
%
 
16.3
%
 
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.


10



ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
Additional Disclosures (In millions)
(Unaudited)
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
% Change
SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
2.8

  
$
3.4

  
$
(0.6
)
 
(18
)%
New vehicle inventory
673.7

  
720.6

  
(46.9
)
 
(7
)%
Used vehicle inventory
128.2

  
132.7

  
(4.5
)
 
(3
)%
Parts inventory
41.6

  
41.6

  

 
 %
Total current assets
1,220.7

  
1,332.4

  
(111.7
)
 
(8
)%
Floor plan notes payable
688.3

  
781.8

  
(93.5
)
 
(12
)%
Total current liabilities
980.4

  
1,104.9

  
(124.5
)
 
(11
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CAPITALIZATION:
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
Long-term debt (including current portion)
$
915.7

  
$
926.7

  
$
(11.0
)
 
(1
)%
Shareholders' equity
347.3

  
279.7

  
67.6

 
24
 %
Total
$
1,263.0

  
$
1,206.4

  
$
56.6

 
5
 %

 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
DAYS SUPPLY
 
 
 
New vehicle inventory
72

  
61

Used vehicle inventory
35

  
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.











11



Brand Mix - New Vehicle Revenue by Brand-  
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
Luxury:
 
 
 
Mercedes-Benz
7
%
 
7
%
Lexus
7
%
 
7
%
BMW
5
%
 
6
%
Acura
4
%
 
4
%
Infiniti
3
%
 
3
%
Other luxury
7
%
 
7
%
Total luxury
33
%
 
34
%
Imports:
 
 
 
Honda
18
%
 
17
%
Nissan
12
%
 
11
%
Toyota
12
%
 
12
%
Other imports
4
%
 
5
%
Total imports
46
%
 
45
%
Domestic:
 
 
 
Ford
11
%
 
13
%
Chevrolet
4
%
 
2
%
Dodge
3
%
 
2
%
Other domestics
3
%
 
4
%
Total domestic
21
%
 
21
%
Total New Vehicle Revenue
100
%
 
100
%
 








 

12



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," " Adjusted operating margins," 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.



















13





The following tables provide reconciliations for our non-GAAP metrics:
 
For the Twelve Months Ended
 
September 30, 2017
 
June 30, 2017
 
(Dollars in millions)
Adjusted leverage ratio:
 
 
 
Long-term debt (including current portion)
$
915.7

 
$
919.4

 
 
 
 
Calculation of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"):
 
 
 
Income from operations
$
163.7

 
$
165.4

 
 
 
 
Add:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
31.7

 
31.5

Income tax expense
97.8

 
97.8

Swap and other interest expense
55.8

 
55.9

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA")
$
349.0

 
$
350.6

 
 
 
 
Non-core items - (income) expense:
 
 
 
Legal settlements
$
(7.5
)
 
$
(7.5
)
Real estate-related charges
3.4

 
5.2

Gain on divestitures
(45.5
)
 
(45.5
)
Investment income
(0.8
)
 
(0.8
)
  Total non-core items
(50.4
)
 
(48.6
)
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA
$
298.6

 
$
302.0

 
 
 
 
Adjusted leverage ratio
3.1

 
3.0













14





 
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
(In millions, except per share data)
Adjusted income from operations:
 
 
 
Income from operations
$
69.7

 
$
70.7

Real estate-related charges

 
1.8

Adjusted income from operations
$
69.7

 
$
72.5

 
 
 
 
Adjusted net income:
 
 
 
Net income
$
30.7

 
$
32.4

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

 
1.8

Income tax (benefit) expense on non-core items above

 
(0.7
)
Total non-core items

  
1.1

Adjusted net income
$
30.7

  
$
33.5

 
 
 
 
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) from operations:
 
 
 
Net income
$
1.48

 
$
1.47

 
 
 
 
Total non-core items

 
0.05

Adjusted diluted EPS from operations
$
1.48

 
$
1.52

 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted
20.8
 
22.1




15



 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
(In millions, except per share data)
Adjusted income from operations:
 
 
 
Income from operations
$
213.6

 
$
217.7

Real estate-related charges
2.9

 
5.2

Investment income
(0.8
)
 

Legal settlements
(0.9
)
 

Adjusted income from operations
$
214.8

 
$
222.9

 
 
 
 
Adjusted net income:
 
 
 
Net income
$
96.6

 
$
100.1

 
 
 
 
Non-core items - (income) expense:
 
  
 
Real estate-related charges
2.9

 
5.2

Investment income
(0.8
)
 

Legal settlements
(0.9
)
 

Income tax (benefit) expense on non-core items above
(0.5
)
 
(2.0
)
Total non-core items
0.7

  
3.2

Adjusted net income
$
97.3

  
$
103.3

 
 
 
 
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) from operations:
 
 
 
Net income
$
4.60

 
$
4.37

 
 
 
 
Total non-core items
0.03

 
0.14

Adjusted diluted EPS from operations
$
4.63

 
$
4.51

 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted
21.0
 
22.9



16