Document
false0001144980 0001144980 2019-10-22 2019-10-22


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
 
 
FORM 8-K
 
 
 
 
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 22, 2019 
 
 
 
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)  
 
 
 
 
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)  
001-31262
 
01-0609375
 
(Commission File Number)
 
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
2905 Premiere Parkway NW Suite 300
 
 
 
Duluth,
GA
 
30097
 
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
 
(770) 418-8200
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
None
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)  
 
 
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
 
Trading
 
 
Title of each class
 
Symbol(s)
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share
 
ABG
 
New York Stock Exchange






Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.






Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (the “Company”) issued an earnings release on October 22, 2019, announcing its financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019. A copy of the earnings release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report.
The information furnished in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)    Exhibits.
 
The following exhibits are furnished as part of this report.
 
Exhibit No.
  
Description
 
 
 
 
 
  
Press Release dated October 22, 2019.
 





SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
 
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
 
 
 
 
Date: October 22, 2019
By:
 
/s/    Sean D. Goodman
 
Name:
 
Sean D. Goodman
 
Title:
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer




Exhibit


Exhibit 99.1
https://cdn.kscope.io/282a7c7c19c3ccc75e6db25b645a0abc-companylogoa22.jpg

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

 
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP ANNOUNCES
2019 THIRD QUARTER FINANCIAL RESULTS
Record third quarter EPS of $2.33 per diluted share,
up 7% over prior year EPS and up 5% over prior year
adjusted EPS (a non-GAAP measure)


DULUTH, GA, October 22, 2019 - 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 2019 of $45.0 million ($2.33 per diluted share). There were no adjustments in the third quarter. This compares to net income of $44.3 million ($2.18 per diluted share) in the prior year quarter and adjusted net income of $44.9 million ($2.21 per diluted share).
Net income for the third quarter 2018 was adjusted for a 2017 Tax Act adjustment of $0.6 million ($0.03 per diluted share).
“We delivered a very strong quarter. We grew revenue 5%, delivered 9% parts and service gross profit growth, grew F&I gross profit by 10%, and grew adjusted EPS 5%,” said David Hult, Asbury's President and Chief Executive Officer. “During the quarter, we expanded our business by acquiring a Toyota store in Indianapolis and a Subaru store in Denver. We expect these stores to generate approximately $175 million in combined annual revenues.”
Third Quarter 2019 Operational Summary
Total company:
Total revenue increased 5%; gross profit increased 5%
Gross margin increased 10 basis points to 15.9%
SG&A as a percentage of gross profit increased 100 basis points to 68.9%
Adjusted operating margin 4.5%
Adjusted EPS from continuing operations increased 5%
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 12%
Used vehicle retail revenue increased 9%; gross profit decreased 1%
Finance and insurance revenue and gross profit increased 8%
Parts and service revenue increased 8%; gross profit increased 7%

1



Strategic Highlights:
Acquired a Toyota store in the Indianapolis market and a Subaru store in the Colorado market. We expect these stores to generate approximately $175 million in combined annual revenues.
Repurchased $4 million of common stock

Additional commentary regarding the third quarter results will be provided during the earnings conference call on October 22, 2019 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 (323) 994-2093 (domestic), or (866) 575-6539 (international); passcode - 3004343. 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 - 3004343.
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 88 dealerships, consisting of 107 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, 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

2



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 September 30,
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
REVENUE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
$
986.9

 
$
980.5

 
$
6.4

 
1
 %
Used vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Retail
505.0

 
448.7

 
56.3

 
13
 %
Wholesale
41.9

 
48.8

 
(6.9
)
 
(14
)%
     Total used vehicle
546.9

 
497.5

 
49.4

 
10
 %
Parts and service
227.6

 
206.1

 
21.5

 
10
 %
Finance and insurance, net
80.6

 
73.3

 
7.3

 
10
 %
TOTAL REVENUE
1,842.0

 
1,757.4

 
84.6

 
5
 %
GROSS PROFIT:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
38.6

 
42.1

 
(3.5
)
 
(8
)%
Used vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Retail
33.9

 
32.7

 
1.2

 
4
 %
Wholesale
(1.5
)
 
0.1

 
(1.6
)
 
NM

     Total used vehicle
32.4

 
32.8

 
(0.4
)
 
(1
)%
Parts and service
141.5

 
129.8

 
11.7

 
9
 %
Finance and insurance, net
80.6

 
73.3

 
7.3

 
10
 %
TOTAL GROSS PROFIT
293.1

 
278.0

 
15.1

 
5
 %
OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative
202.0

 
188.8

 
13.2

 
7
 %
Depreciation and amortization
9.1

 
8.5

 
0.6

 
7
 %
Other operating (income) expenses, net
(0.2
)
 
(0.1
)
 
(0.1
)
 
(100
)%
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
82.2

 
80.8

 
1.4

 
2
 %
OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Floor plan interest expense
9.0

 
8.4

 
0.6

 
7
 %
Other interest expense, net
13.7

 
13.2

 
0.5

 
4
 %
Swap interest expense

 
0.1

 
(0.1
)
 
 %
Total other expenses, net
22.7

 
21.7

 
1.0

 
5
 %
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
59.5

 
59.1

 
0.4

 
1
 %
Income tax expense
14.5

 
14.8

 
(0.3
)
 
(2
)%
NET INCOME
$
45.0

 
$
44.3

 
$
0.7

 
2
 %
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic—
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
2.36

 
$
2.22

 
$
0.14

 
6
 %
Diluted—
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
2.33

 
$
2.18

 
$
0.15

 
7
 %
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
19.1

 
20.0

 
(0.9
)
 
(5
)%
Restricted stock
0.1

 
0.1

 

 
 %
Performance share units
0.1

 
0.2

 
(0.1
)
 
(50
)%
Diluted
19.3

 
20.3

 
(1.0
)
 
(5
)%
______________________________
NMNot Meaningful



4



ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
KEY OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (In millions, except per unit data)
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
Unit sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
6,025

 
5,685

 
340

 
6
 %
Import
15,998

 
17,046

 
(1,048
)
 
(6
)%
Domestic
5,055

 
5,019

 
36

 
1
 %
     Total new vehicle
27,078

 
27,750

 
(672
)
 
(2
)%
Used vehicle retail
22,988

 
20,824

 
2,164

 
10
 %
Used to new ratio
84.9
 %
 
75.0
%
 
990 bps

 

Average selling price
 
 
 
 
 
 


New vehicle
$
36,447

 
$
35,333

 
$
1,114

 
3
 %
Used vehicle retail
21,968

 
21,547

 
421

 
2
 %
Average gross profit per unit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Luxury
$
3,270

 
$
3,272

 
$
(2
)
 
 %
Import
638

 
903

 
(265
)
 
(29
)%
Domestic
1,721

 
1,614

 
107

 
7
 %
Total new vehicle
1,426

 
1,517

 
(91
)
 
(6
)%
Used vehicle retail
1,475

 
1,570

 
(95
)
 
(6
)%
Finance and insurance, net
1,610

 
1,509

 
101

 
7
 %
Front end yield (1)
3,058

 
3,049

 
9

 
 %
Gross margin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
6.1
 %
 
6.2
%
 
(10) bps

 
 
Import
2.2
 %
 
3.2
%
 
(100) bps

 
 
Domestic
4.2
 %
 
4.1
%
 
10 bps

 
 
Total new vehicle
3.9
 %
 
4.3
%
 
(40) bps

 
 
Used vehicle retail
6.7
 %
 
7.3
%
 
(60) bps

 
 
Parts and service
62.2
 %
 
63.0
%
 
(80) bps

 
 
Total gross profit margin
15.9
 %
 
15.8
%
 
10 bps

 
 
SG&A metrics
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rent expense
$
6.7

 
$
6.4

 
$
0.3

 
5
 %
Total SG&A as a percentage of gross profit
68.9
 %
 
67.9
%
 
100 bps

 
 
SG&A, excluding rent expense as a percentage of gross profit
66.6
 %
 
65.6
%
 
100 bps

 
 
Operating metrics
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from operations as a percentage of revenue
4.5
 %
 
4.6
%
 
(10) bps

 
 
Income from operations as a percentage of gross profit
28.0
 %
 
29.1
%
 
(110) 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
 %
 
29.1
%
 
(110) bps

 
 
Revenue mix
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
53.6
 %
 
55.8
%
 
 
 
 
Used vehicle retail
27.3
 %
 
25.5
%
 
 
 
 
Used vehicle wholesale
2.3
 %
 
2.8
%
 
 
 
 
Parts and service
12.4
 %
 
11.7
%
 
 
 
 
Finance and insurance
4.4
 %
 
4.2
%
 
 
 
 
     Total revenue
100.0
 %
 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
Gross profit mix
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
13.2
 %
 
15.1
%
 
 
 
 
Used vehicle retail
11.5
 %
 
11.8
%
 
 
 
 
Used vehicle wholesale
(0.5
)%
 
%
 
 
 
 
Parts and service
48.3
 %
 
46.7
%
 
 
 
 
Finance and insurance
27.5
 %
 
26.4
%
 
 
 
 
     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 September 30,
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
$
323.1

 
$
297.8

 
$
25.3

 
8
 %
Import
450.8

 
474.0

 
(23.2
)
 
(5
)%
Domestic
169.2

 
197.5

 
(28.3
)
 
(14
)%
     Total new vehicle
943.1

 
969.3

 
(26.2
)
 
(3
)%
Used Vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Retail
481.7

 
442.4

 
39.3

 
9
 %
Wholesale
40.5

 
47.5

 
(7.0
)
 
(15
)%
     Total used vehicle
522.2

 
489.9

 
32.3

 
7
 %
Parts and service
220.8

 
203.8

 
17.0

 
8
 %
Finance and insurance
77.8

 
72.2

 
5.6

 
8
 %
Total revenue
$
1,763.9

 
$
1,735.2

 
$
28.7

 
2
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross profit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
$
19.7

 
$
18.7

 
$
1.0

 
5
 %
Import
10.1

 
14.8

 
(4.7
)
 
(32
)%
Domestic
6.9

 
8.1

 
(1.2
)
 
(15
)%
     Total new vehicle
36.7

 
41.6

 
(4.9
)
 
(12
)%
Used Vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail
32.0

 
32.4

 
(0.4
)
 
(1
)%
Wholesale
(1.5
)
 
0.2

 
(1.7
)
 
NM

     Total used vehicle
30.5

 
32.6

 
(2.1
)
 
(6
)%
Parts and service:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customer pay
77.0

 
72.2

 
4.8

 
7
 %
Warranty
21.6

 
19.1

 
2.5

 
13
 %
Wholesale parts
5.8

 
5.5

 
0.3

 
5
 %
     Parts and service, excluding reconditioning and preparation
104.4

 
96.8

 
7.6

 
8
 %
Reconditioning and preparation
32.6

 
31.5

 
1.1

 
3
 %
Total parts and service
137.0

 
128.3

 
8.7

 
7
 %
Finance and insurance
77.8

 
72.2

 
5.6

 
8
 %
Total gross profit
$
282.0

 
$
274.7

 
$
7.3

 
3
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SG&A expense
$
194.6

 
$
186.2

 
$
8.4

 
5
 %
SG&A expense as a percentage of gross profit
69.0
%
 
67.8
%
 
120 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 September 30,
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
Unit sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
5,993

 
5,685

 
308

 
5
 %
Import
15,828

 
16,619

 
(791
)
 
(5
)%
Domestic
4,165

 
5,019

 
(854
)
 
(17
)%
     Total new vehicle
25,986

 
27,323

 
(1,337
)
 
(5
)%
Used vehicle retail
21,810

 
20,511

 
1,299

 
6
 %
Used to new ratio
83.9
%
 
75.1
%
 
880 bps

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average selling price
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
$
36,293

 
$
35,476

 
$
817

 
2
 %
Used vehicle retail
22,086

 
21,569

 
517

 
2
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average gross profit per unit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Luxury
$
3,287

 
$
3,289

 
$
(2
)
 
 %
Import
638

 
891

 
(253
)
 
(28
)%
Domestic
1,657

 
1,614

 
43

 
3
 %
Total new vehicle
1,412

 
1,523

 
(111
)
 
(7
)%
Used vehicle retail
1,467

 
1,580

 
(113
)
 
(7
)%
Finance and insurance, net
1,628

 
1,509

 
119

 
8
 %
Front end yield (1)
3,065

 
3,056

 
9

 
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross margin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
6.1
%
 
6.3
%
 
(20) bps

 
 
Import
2.2
%
 
3.1
%
 
(90) bps

 
 
Domestic
4.1
%
 
4.1
%
 

 
 
Total new vehicle
3.9
%
 
4.3
%
 
(40) bps

 
 
Used vehicle retail
6.6
%
 
7.3
%
 
(70
) bps
 
 
Parts and service:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Parts and service, excluding reconditioning and preparation
47.3
%
 
47.5
%
 
(20) bps

 
 
Parts and service, including reconditioning and preparation
62.0
%
 
63.0
%
 
(100) 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 Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
REVENUE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
$
2,823.9

 
$
2,766.3

 
$
57.6

 
2
 %
Used vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Retail
1,449.8

 
1,355.4

 
94.4

 
7
 %
Wholesale
140.6

 
143.6

 
(3.0
)
 
(2
)%
     Total used vehicle
1,590.4

 
1,499.0

 
91.4

 
6
 %
Parts and service
669.7

 
609.9

 
59.8

 
10
 %
Finance and insurance, net
232.3

 
215.0

 
17.3

 
8
 %
TOTAL REVENUE
5,316.3

 
5,090.2

 
226.1

 
4
 %
GROSS PROFIT:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
114.8

 
121.3

 
(6.5
)
 
(5
)%
Used vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Retail
102.2

 
98.5

 
3.7

 
4
 %
Wholesale
0.6

 
1.9

 
(1.3
)
 
(68
)%
     Total used vehicle
102.8

 
100.4

 
2.4

 
2
 %
Parts and service
417.4

 
384.5

 
32.9

 
9
 %
Finance and insurance, net
232.3

 
215.0

 
17.3

 
8
 %
TOTAL GROSS PROFIT
867.3

 
821.2

 
46.1

 
6
 %
OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative
593.7

 
563.6

 
30.1

 
5
 %
Depreciation and amortization
26.7

 
25.2

 
1.5

 
6
 %
Other operating expense (income), net
1.0

 
(1.2
)
 
2.2

 
NM

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
245.9

 
233.6

 
12.3

 
5
 %
OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Floor plan interest expense
29.7

 
23.0

 
6.7

 
29
 %
Other interest expense, net
41.2

 
39.4

 
1.8

 
5
 %
Swap interest expense

 
0.5

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

 
(11.7
)
 
 %
Total other expenses, net
59.2

 
62.9

 
(3.7
)
 
(6
)%
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
186.7

 
170.7

 
16.0

 
9
 %
Income tax expense
45.9

 
43.1

 
2.8

 
6
 %
NET INCOME
$
140.8

 
$
127.6

 
$
13.2

 
10
 %
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic—
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
7.37

 
$
6.29

 
$
1.08

 
17
 %
Diluted—
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
7.30

 
$
6.22

 
$
1.08

 
17
 %
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
19.1

 
20.3

 
(1.2
)
 
(6
)%
Restricted stock
0.1

 
0.1

 

 
 %
Performance share units
0.1

 
0.1

 

 
 %
Diluted
19.3

 
20.5

 
(1.2
)
 
(6
)%
______________________________
NMNot Meaningful




8



ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
KEY OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (In millions, except per unit data)
(Unaudited)
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
Unit sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
16,933

 
16,527

 
406

 
2
 %
Import
45,697

 
46,545

 
(848
)
 
(2
)%
Domestic
15,006

 
14,406

 
600

 
4
 %
     Total new vehicle
77,636

 
77,478

 
158

 
 %
Used vehicle retail
66,330

 
63,079

 
3,251

 
5
 %
Used to new ratio
85.4
%
 
81.4
%
 
400 bps

 
 
Average selling price
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
$
36,374

 
$
35,704

 
$
670

 
2
 %
Used vehicle retail
21,857

 
21,487

 
370

 
2
 %
Average gross profit per unit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Luxury
$
3,425

 
$
3,479

 
$
(54
)
 
(2
)%
Import
689

 
840

 
(151
)
 
(18
)%
Domestic
1,686

 
1,715

 
(29
)
 
(2
)%
Total new vehicle
1,479

 
1,566

 
(87
)
 
(6
)%
Used vehicle retail
1,541

 
1,562

 
(21
)
 
(1
)%
Finance and insurance, net
1,614

 
1,530

 
84

 
5
 %
Front end yield (1)
3,121

 
3,093

 
28

 
1
 %
Gross margin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
6.2
%
 
6.5
%
 
(30) bps

 
 
Import
2.4
%
 
3.0
%
 
(60) bps

 
 
Domestic
4.2
%
 
4.4
%
 
(20) bps

 
 
Total new vehicle
4.1
%
 
4.4
%
 
(30) bps

 
 
Used vehicle retail
7.0
%
 
7.3
%
 
(30) bps

 
 
Parts and service
62.3
%
 
63.0
%
 
(70) bps

 
 
Total gross profit margin
16.3
%
 
16.1
%
 
20 bps

 
 
SG&A metrics
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rent expense
$
20.3

 
$
19.0

 
$
1.3

 
7
 %
Total SG&A as a percentage of gross profit
68.5
%
 
68.6
%
 
(10) bps

 
 
SG&A, excluding rent expense as a percentage of gross profit
66.1
%
 
66.3
%
 
(20) bps

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

 
 
Income from operations as a percentage of gross profit
28.4
%
 
28.4
%
 

 
 
Adjusted income from operations as a percentage of revenue
4.7
%
 
4.6
%
 
10
 bps
 
 
Adjusted income from operations as a percentage of gross profit
28.6
%
 
28.4
%
 
20 bps

 
 
Revenue mix
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
53.1
%
 
54.3
%
 
 
 
 
Used vehicle retail
27.3
%
 
26.7
%
 
 
 
 
Used vehicle wholesale
2.6
%
 
2.8
%
 
 
 
 
Parts and service
12.6
%
 
12.0
%
 
 
 
 
Finance and insurance
4.4
%
 
4.2
%
 
 
 
 
     Total revenue
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
Gross profit mix
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
13.2
%
 
14.8
%
 
 
 
 
Used vehicle retail
11.8
%
 
12.0
%
 
 
 
 
Used vehicle wholesale
0.1
%
 
0.2
%
 
 
 
 
Parts and service
48.1
%
 
46.8
%
 
 
 
 
Finance and insurance
26.8
%
 
26.2
%
 
 
 
 
     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 Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
$
926.7

 
$
883.8

 
$
42.9

 
5
 %
Import
1,260.1

 
1,284.0

 
(23.9
)
 
(2
)%
Domestic
512.1

 
563.2

 
(51.1
)
 
(9
)%
     Total new vehicle
2,698.9

 
2,731.0

 
(32.1
)
 
(1
)%
Used Vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail
1,383.4

 
1,333.1

 
50.3

 
4
 %
Wholesale
135.9

 
140.7

 
(4.8
)
 
(3
)%
     Total used vehicle
1,519.3

 
1,473.8

 
45.5

 
3
 %
Parts and service
648.6

 
602.1

 
46.5

 
8
 %
Finance and insurance, net
222.8

 
210.7

 
12.1

 
6
 %
Total revenue
$
5,089.6

 
$
5,017.6

 
$
72.0

 
1
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross profit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
$
58.1

 
$
57.5

 
$
0.6

 
1
 %
Import
30.6

 
37.8

 
(7.2
)
 
(19
)%
Domestic
20.6

 
24.7

 
(4.1
)
 
(17
)%
     Total new vehicle
109.3

 
120.0

 
(10.7
)
 
(9
)%
Used Vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail
96.6

 
97.2

 
(0.6
)
 
(1
)%
Wholesale
0.6

 
2.0

 
(1.4
)
 
(70
)%
     Total used vehicle
97.2

 
99.2

 
(2.0
)
 
(2
)%
Parts and service:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customer pay
229.0

 
215.2

 
13.8

 
6
 %
Warranty
64.2

 
56.0

 
8.2

 
15
 %
Wholesale parts
17.3

 
16.6

 
0.7

 
4
 %
     Parts and service, excluding reconditioning and preparation
310.5

 
287.8

 
22.7

 
8
 %
Reconditioning and preparation
93.1

 
91.6

 
1.5

 
2
 %
Total parts and service
403.6

 
379.4

 
24.2

 
6
 %
Finance and insurance
222.8

 
210.7

 
12.1

 
6
 %
Total gross profit
$
832.9

 
$
809.3

 
$
23.6

 
3
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SG&A expense
$
569.4

 
$
554.4

 
$
15.0

 
3
 %
SG&A expense as a percentage of gross profit
68.4
%
 
68.5
%
 
(10) 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 Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
Unit sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luxury
16,862

 
16,527

 
335

 
2
 %
Import
44,617

 
45,258

 
(641
)
 
(1
)%
Domestic
12,708

 
14,406

 
(1,698
)
 
(12
)%
     Total new vehicle
74,187

 
76,191

 
(2,004
)
 
(3
)%
Used vehicle retail
62,917

 
61,913

 
1,004

 
2
 %
Used to new ratio
84.8
%
 
81.3
%
 
350 bps

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average selling price
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle
$
36,380

 
$
35,844

 
$
536

 
1
 %
Used vehicle retail
21,988

 
21,532

 
456

 
2
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average gross profit per unit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New vehicle:
 
 
 
 


 


Luxury
$
3,446

 
$
3,479

 
$
(33
)
 
(1
)%
Import
686

 
835

 
(149
)
 
(18
)%
Domestic
1,621

 
1,715

 
(94
)
 
(5
)%
Total new vehicle
1,473

 
1,575

 
(102
)
 
(6
)%
Used vehicle retail
1,535

 
1,570

 
(35
)
 
(2
)%
Finance and insurance, net
1,625

 
1,526

 
99

 
6
 %
Front end yield (1)
3,127

 
3,098

 
29

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

 
 
Import
2.4
%
 
2.9
%
 
(50) bps

 
 
Domestic
4.0
%
 
4.4
%
 
(40) bps

 
 
Total new vehicle
4.0
%
 
4.4
%
 
(40) bps

 
 
Used vehicle retail
7.0
%
 
7.3
%
 
(30) bps

 
 
Parts and service:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Parts and service, excluding reconditioning and preparation
47.9
%
 
47.8
%
 
10 bps

 
 
Parts and service, including reconditioning and preparation
62.2
%
 
63.0
%
 
(80) bps

 
 
Total gross profit margin
16.4
%
 
16.1
%
 
30 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)
 
 
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
% Change
SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
1.8

  
$
8.3

  
$
(6.5
)
 
(78
)%
New vehicle inventory
810.3

  
867.2

  
(56.9
)
 
(7
)%
Used vehicle inventory
176.3

  
158.9

  
17.4

 
11
 %
Parts inventory
43.5

  
41.5

  
2.0

 
5
 %
Total current assets
1,448.0

  
1,553.0

  
(105.0
)
 
(7
)%
Floor plan notes payable
861.0

  
966.1

  
(105.1
)
 
(11
)%
Total current liabilities
1,235.1

  
1,303.3

  
(68.2
)
 
(5
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CAPITALIZATION:
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
Long-term debt (including current portion)
$
905.9

  
$
905.3

  
$
0.6

 
 %
Shareholders' equity
600.0

  
473.2

  
126.8

 
27
 %
Total
$
1,505.9

  
$
1,378.5

  
$
127.4

 
9
 %

 
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
DAYS SUPPLY
 
 
 
New vehicle inventory
76

  
67

Used vehicle inventory
36

  
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 Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
Luxury:
 
 
 
Mercedes-Benz
7
%
 
6
%
Lexus
6
%
 
6
%
BMW
6
%
 
5
%
Acura
4
%
 
4
%
Infiniti
3
%
 
3
%
Other luxury
7
%
 
8
%
Total luxury
33
%
 
32
%
Imports:
 
 
 
Honda
19
%
 
20
%
Nissan
9
%
 
11
%
Toyota
13
%
 
12
%
Other imports
5
%
 
5
%
Total imports
46
%
 
48
%
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
 
September 30, 2019
 
June 30, 2019
 
(Dollars in millions)
Adjusted leverage ratio:
 
 
 
Long-term debt (including current portion)
$
905.9

 
$
909.6

 
 
 
 
Calculation of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"):
 
 
 
Net Income
$
181.2

 
$
180.5

 
 
 
 
Add:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
35.2

 
34.7

Income tax expense
59.8

 
59.8

Swap and other interest expense
54.8

 
54.4

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA")
$
331.0

 
$
329.4

 
 
 
 
Non-core items - expense (income):
 
 
 
Gain on divestiture
$
(11.7
)
 
$
(11.7
)
Gain on sale of real estate
(0.3
)
 
$
(0.3
)
Franchise rights impairment
3.7

 
3.7

Fixed assets write-off
2.4

 
2.4

  Total non-core items
(5.9
)
 
(5.9
)
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA
$
325.1

 
$
323.5

 
 
 
 
Adjusted leverage ratio
2.8

 
2.8













15



 
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
(In millions, except per share data)
Adjusted net income:
 
 
 
Net income
$
45.0

 
$
44.3

 
 
 
 
Non-core items - (income) expense:
 
  
 
2017 Tax Act Adjustment

 
0.6

Total non-core items

  
0.6

Adjusted net income
$
45.0

  
$
44.9

 
 
 
 
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS):
 
 
 
Diluted EPS
$
2.33

 
$
2.18

 
 
 
 
Total non-core items

 
0.03

Adjusted diluted EPS
$
2.33

 
$
2.21

 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted
19.3
 
20.3

16



 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
(In millions, except per share data)
Adjusted income from operations:
 
 
 
Income from operations
$
245.9

 
$
233.6

Gain on sale of real estate
(0.3
)
 

Fixed assets write-off
2.4

 

Legal settlements

 
(0.7
)
Adjusted income from operations
$
248.0

 
$
232.9

 
 
 
 
Adjusted net income:
 
 
 
Net income
$
140.8

 
$
127.6

 
 
 
 
Non-core items - (income) expense:
 
  
 
Gain on divestiture
(11.7
)
 

Gain on sale of real estate
(0.3
)
 

Fixed assets write-off
2.4

 

2017 Tax Act Adjustment

 
0.6

Legal settlements

 
(0.7
)
Income tax on non-core items above
2.4

 
0.2

Total non-core items
(7.2
)
  
0.1

Adjusted net income
$
133.6

  
$
127.7

 
 
 
 
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS):
 
 
 
Diluted EPS
$
7.30

 
$
6.22

 
 
 
 
Total non-core items
(0.38
)
 
0.01

Adjusted diluted EPS
$
6.92

 
$
6.23

 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted
19.3
 
20.5



17