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Asbury Automotive Group Reports Third Quarter Financial Results
Thursday, October 30, 2008 7:02 AM


NEW YORK, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: ABG), one of the largest automotive retail and service companies in the U.S., today reported financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2008.

Income from continuing operations for the third quarter was $7.1 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, compared to $19.3 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, a year ago. The results for the third quarter of 2008 included charges associated with terminating a prior credit facility, as well as charges incurred and a favorable tax adjustment related to the Company's corporate restructuring. Collectively, these items reduced earnings by $0.03 per diluted share in this year's third quarter. The quarterly results a year ago included a $0.01 per diluted share increase in the Company's reserves for legal claims arising prior to 2003. Net income for the third quarter totaled $6.0 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, compared with $19.0 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, a year ago, including the non-core items discussed above.

For the first nine months of 2008, income from continuing operations was $29.9 million, or $0.93 per diluted share, compared with $42.7 million, or $1.27 per diluted share, in the corresponding period last year. Non-core items, as disclosed in the attached tables, reduced earnings by $0.07 per diluted share in the first nine months of 2008, and by $0.42 per diluted share in the nine-month period a year ago. Net income for the first nine months of 2008 totaled $27.4 million, or $0.85 per diluted share, compared with $40.0 million, or $1.19 per diluted share, a year ago, including the non-core items discussed above.

President and CEO Charles R. Oglesby said, 'The headwinds facing Asbury and the auto retailing industry intensified during the third quarter, as consumer confidence sagged under the weight of further declines in the housing and equity markets. In addition, due to the unprecedented turmoil in the credit markets, many lenders -- both captives and independents -- significantly tightened their standards for automotive financing. Not surprisingly, our retail vehicle sales for the quarter were very soft, especially in our key Florida markets, and we were unable to reduce expenses quickly enough to prevent a significant decline in our bottom line.'

Mr. Oglesby continued, 'We are making the difficult but necessary decisions to preserve capital, improve liquidity and reduce costs during these exceptionally challenging times. The Board of Directors has elected to suspend the dividend, effective immediately. In addition, we are dramatically reducing our capital expenditures, and will not consider any additional acquisitions until the financial and economic environment has improved significantly.'

Mr. Oglesby added, 'We have substantially broadened the scope of our ongoing restructuring and cost-reduction programs. We are making progress with the move of Asbury's headquarters from New York to Atlanta, and now expect our corporate restructuring program to produce annualized savings of approximately $4.5 million, up from our previous estimate of $3.5 million. We are consolidating our four regional organizations into two, which is expected to save $8 million annually. In total, we expect to incur $7 million in restructuring costs over the next six months associated with these programs. Finally, we are expanding our store-level productivity initiatives -- reducing personnel and advertising expenses, improving inventory management, and making selected technology investments to enhance our efficiency. Taken together, these restructuring and store-level programs are targeted to deliver annualized savings of $25 million by March of 2009.'

As announced last month, the Company's new credit facilities have significantly enhanced its financial flexibility and expanded its borrowing capacity. These facilities, which include a $600 million new vehicle floor plan facility and a $200 million revolver, offer competitive borrowing rates and more favorable covenants compared to the Company's prior credit facility. Furthermore, over the past week, the Company has secured over $100 million in additional inventory-based financing -- $29 million in new floor plan financing and $75 million in used vehicle borrowing facilities.

The Company also announced that it was in compliance with all of its debt covenants as of September 30, 2008.

Mr. Oglesby concluded, 'Clearly, there are many uncertainties facing the auto industry in the months ahead and, accordingly, we are not providing guidance for the remainder of 2008. However, we will continue to move aggressively to cut costs, generate cash and use our financial flexibility to manage through the current challenging retail environment.'

In connection with the corporate restructuring, the Company announced the appointment of Keith R. Style as Vice President of Finance, and the appointment of Bryan Hanlon as Controller and Chief Accounting Officer, effective November 1, 2008. In his new role, Mr. Hanlon will report to Mr. Style.

Asbury will host a conference call to discuss its third quarter results this morning at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The call will be simulcast live on the Internet and can be accessed by logging onto http://www.asburyauto.com or http://www.ccbn.com. In addition, a live audio of the call will be accessible to the public by calling (866) 454-4208 (domestic), or (913) 312-0946 (international); passcode - 3769146. Callers should dial in approximately 5 to 10 minutes before the call begins.

About Asbury Automotive Group

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. ('Asbury'), headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta, is one of the largest automobile retailers in the U.S. Built through a combination of organic growth and a series of strategic acquisitions, Asbury currently operates 89 retail auto stores, encompassing 122 franchises for the sale and servicing of 36 different brands of American, European and Asian automobiles. 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' as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements include statements relating to goals, plans, market conditions and projections regarding the Company's financial position, results of operations, market position, estimated expenses and future cost savings resulting from the Company's restructuring program and store-level productivity initiatives, our plans to reduce capital expenditures, future business strategy. These statements are based on management's current expectations 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, the Company's relationships with vehicle manufacturers and other suppliers, risks associated with the Company's indebtedness, risks related to competition in the automotive retail and service industries, general economic conditions both nationally and locally, governmental regulations, legislation and the Company's ability to execute its restructuring programs and other operational strategies. There can be no guarantees that the Company's plans for future operations will be successfully implemented or that they will prove to be commercially successful. These and other risk factors are discussed in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K and in its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Income
    (In millions, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)
                            For the Three Months      For the Nine Months
                             Ended September 30,      Ended September 30,
                            ---------------------    ---------------------
                               2008       2007           2008       2007
                               ----       ----           ----       ----
     REVENUES:
       New vehicle           $726.5     $882.7       $2,248.3   $2,578.2
       Used vehicle           277.9      370.8          916.6    1,130.7
       Parts and service      182.0      174.7          548.1      521.0
       Finance and
        insurance, net         34.2       41.7          111.7      122.8
                               ----       ----          -----      -----
         Total revenues     1,220.6    1,469.9        3,824.7    4,352.7
     COST OF SALES:
       New vehicle            676.9      819.1        2,097.9    2,394.1
       Used vehicle           255.7      341.6          839.4    1,031.9
       Parts and service       89.7       83.4          268.5      250.3
                               ----       ----          -----      -----
         Total cost of
          sales             1,022.3    1,244.1        3,205.8    3,676.3
                            -------    -------        -------    -------
     GROSS PROFIT             198.3      225.8          618.9      676.4
     OPERATING
      EXPENSES:
       Selling, general
        and
        administrative        162.2      173.5          498.5      515.2
       Depreciation and
        amortization            6.5        5.3           17.7       15.9
       Other operating
        (income) expense,
        net                    (0.1)      (0.3)           1.6        2.2
                              -----      -----            ---        ---
         Income from
          operations           29.7       47.3          101.1      143.1
     OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
       Floor plan
        interest expense       (7.5)     (10.4)         (24.6)     (32.5)
       Other interest
        expense               (10.9)      (9.1)         (29.4)     (30.1)
       Interest income          0.1        0.9            1.4        3.9
       Loss on
        extinguishment of
        long-term debt         (1.7)       -             (1.7)     (18.5)
                              -----        -            -----     ------
         Total other
          expense, net        (20.0)     (18.6)         (54.3)     (77.2)
                             ------     ------         ------     ------
         Income before
          income taxes          9.7       28.7           46.8       65.9
     INCOME TAX EXPENSE         2.6        9.4           16.9       23.2
                                ---        ---           ----       ----
     INCOME FROM
      CONTINUING
      OPERATIONS                7.1       19.3           29.9       42.7
     DISCONTINUED
      OPERATIONS, net
      of tax                   (1.1)      (0.3)          (2.5)      (2.7)
                              -----      -----          -----      -----
     NET INCOME                $6.0      $19.0          $27.4      $40.0
                               ====      =====          =====      =====
     EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:
       Basic-
         Continuing
          operations          $0.22      $0.59          $0.94      $1.30
         Discontinued
          operations          (0.03)     (0.01)         (0.08)     (0.08)
                             ------     ------         ------     ------
         Net income           $0.19      $0.58          $0.86      $1.22
                              =====      =====          =====      =====
       Diluted-
         Continuing
          operations          $0.22      $0.58          $0.93      $1.27
         Discontinued
          operations          (0.03)     (0.01)         (0.08)     (0.08)
                             ------     ------         ------     ------
         Net income           $0.19      $0.57          $0.85      $1.19
                              =====      =====          =====      =====
     WEIGHTED AVERAGE
      COMMON SHARES
      OUTSTANDING:
       Basic                   31.7      32.5            31.8       32.8
                               ====      ====            ====       ====
       Diluted                 32.1      33.2            32.3       33.7
                               ====      ====            ====       ====

    Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.
    Selected Data
     (Dollars in millions, except per vehicle data)
    (Unaudited)
                                 As Reported for the Three
                                 Months Ended September 30,
                                 --------------------------
                                                          Increase
                                      2008      2007     (Decrease)   % Change
                                      ----      ----     ----------   --------
    REVENUE:
       New light vehicles           $675.3    $823.8       $(148.5)      (18%)
       New heavy trucks               51.2      58.9          (7.7)      (13%)
                                      ----      ----
          Total new vehicle          726.5     882.7        (156.2)      (18%)
       Used retail                   213.5     278.0         (64.5)      (23%)
       Used wholesale                 64.4      92.8         (28.4)      (31%)
                                      ----      ----
          Total used vehicle         277.9     370.8         (92.9)      (25%)
       Parts and service             182.0     174.7           7.3         4%
       Finance and insurance, net     34.2      41.7          (7.5)      (18%)
                                      ----      ----
          Total revenue           $1,220.6  $1,469.9       $(249.3)      (17%)
                                  ========  ========      ========      =====
     GROSS PROFIT:
       New light vehicles            $47.6     $61.4        $(13.8)      (22%)
       New heavy trucks                2.0       2.2          (0.2)       (9%)
                                       ---       ---
          Total new vehicle           49.6      63.6         (14.0)      (22%)
       Used retail                    23.8      30.5          (6.7)      (22%)
       Used wholesale                 (1.6)     (1.3)         (0.3)      (23%)
                                     -----     -----
          Total used vehicle          22.2      29.2          (7.0)      (24%)
       Parts and service              92.3      91.3           1.0         1%
       Finance and insurance, net     34.2      41.7          (7.5)      (18%)
                                      ----      ----
          Total gross profit        $198.3    $225.8        $(27.5)      (12%)
                                    ======    ======       =======      =====
     VEHICLES SOLD:
       New light retail vehicles    21,749    26,017        (4,268)      (16%)
       New fleet vehicles              920     1,906          (986)      (52%)
                                       ---     -----
          Total light vehicles      22,669    27,923        (5,254)      (19%)
       New heavy trucks                798       964          (166)      (17%)
                                       ---       ---
          Total new vehicle         23,467    28,887        (5,420)      (19%)
                                    ======    ======       =======      =====
       Used retail units            12,196    15,107        (2,911)      (19%)
                                    ======    ======       =======      =====
     REVENUE PER VEHICLE SOLD:
       New light vehicles          $29,790   $29,503          $287         1%
       New heavy trucks             64,160    61,100         3,060         5%
       Used retail                  17,506    18,402          (896)       (5%)
     GROSS PROFIT PER VEHICLE SOLD:
       New light vehicles           $2,100    $2,199          $(99)       (5%)
       New heavy trucks              2,506     2,282           224        10%
       Used retail                   1,951     2,019           (68)       (3%)
       Finance and insurance, net      959       948            11         1%
     GROSS PROFIT MARGIN:
       New light vehicles              7.0%      7.5%         (0.5%)      (7%)
       New heavy trucks                3.9%      3.7%          0.2%        5%
       Used retail                    11.1%     11.0%          0.1%        1%
       Parts and service              50.7%     52.3%         (1.6%)      (3%)
       Total                          16.2%     15.4%          0.8%        5%
    REVENUE MIX PERCENTAGES:
       New light vehicles             55.3%     56.0%
       New heavy trucks                4.2%      4.0%
       Used retail                    17.5%     19.0%
       Used wholesale                  5.3%      6.3%
       Parts and service              14.9%     11.9%
       Finance and insurance, net      2.8%      2.8%
                                       ----     ----
          Total revenue              100.0%    100.0%
                                     ======    ======
     GROSS PROFIT MIX PERCENTAGES:
       New light vehicles             24.0%     27.2%
       New heavy trucks                1.0%      1.0%
       Used retail                    12.1%     13.5%
       Used wholesale                 (0.8%)    (0.6%)
       Parts and service              46.5%     40.4%
       Finance and insurance, net     17.2%     18.5%
                                      -----     -----
          Total gross profit         100.0%    100.0%
                                     ======    ======
       SG&A EXPENSE AS A PERCENTAGE
        OF GROSS PROFIT               81.8%     76.8%          5.0%        7%

    Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.
    Selected Data
    (Dollars in millions, except per vehicle data)
    (Unaudited)
                                 Same Store for the Three
                                Months Ended September 30,
                                --------------------------
                                                          Increase
                                      2008      2007     (Decrease)   % Change
                                      ----      ----     ----------   --------
    REVENUE:
       New light vehicles           $639.3    $823.8       $(184.5)     (22%)
       New heavy trucks               51.2      58.9          (7.7)     (13%)
                                      ----      ----
          Total new vehicle          690.5     882.7        (192.2)     (22%)
       Used retail                   204.6     278.0         (73.4)     (26%)
       Used wholesale                 60.4      92.8         (32.4)     (35%)
                                      ----      ----
          Total used vehicle         265.0     370.8        (105.8)     (29%)
       Parts and service             174.3     174.7          (0.4)       -%
       Finance and insurance, net     33.1      41.7          (8.6)     (21%)
                                      ----      ----
          Total revenue           $1,162.9   1,469.9       $(307.0)     (21%)
                                  ========   ========     ========     =====
     GROSS PROFIT:
       New light vehicles            $44.4     $61.4        $(17.0)     (28%)
       New heavy trucks                2.0       2.2          (0.2)      (9%)
                                       ---       ---
          Total new vehicle           46.4      63.6         (17.2)     (27%)
       Used retail                    23.0      30.5          (7.5)     (25%)
       Used wholesale                 (1.5)     (1.3)         (0.2)      15%
                                     -----     -----
          Total used vehicle          21.5      29.2          (7.7)     (26%)
       Parts and service              88.4      91.3          (2.9)      (3%)
       Finance and insurance, net     33.1      41.7          (8.6)     (21%)
                                      ----      ----
          Total gross profit        $189.4    $225.8        $(36.4)     (16%)
                                    ======    ======       =======     =====
     VEHICLES SOLD:
       New light retail vehicles    20,516    26,017        (5,501)     (21%)
       New fleet vehicles              904     1,906        (1,002)     (53%)
                                       ---     -----
          Total light vehicles      21,420    27,923        (6,503)     (23%)
       New heavy trucks                798       964          (166)     (17%)
                                       ---       ---
          Total new vehicle         22,218    28,887        (6,669)     (23%)
                                    ======    ======       =======     =====
       Used retail units            11,736    15,107        (3,371)     (22%)
                                    ======    ======       =======     =====
     REVENUE PER VEHICLE SOLD:
       New light vehicles          $29,846   $29,503          $343        1%
       New heavy trucks             64,160    61,100         3,060        5%
       Used retail                  17,434    18,402          (968)      (5%)
     GROSS PROFIT PER VEHICLE SOLD:
       New light vehicles           $2,073    $2,199         $(126)      (6%)
       New heavy trucks              2,506     2,282           224       10%
       Used retail                   1,960     2,019           (59)      (3%)
       Finance and insurance, net      975       948            27        3%
     GROSS PROFIT MARGIN:
       New light vehicles              6.9%      7.5%         (0.6%)     (8%)
       New heavy trucks                3.9%      3.7%          0.2%       5%
       Used retail                    11.2%     11.0%          0.2%       2%
       Parts and service              50.7%     52.3%         (1.6%)     (3%)
       Total                          16.3%     15.4%          0.9%       6%
    REVENUE MIX PERCENTAGES:
       New light vehicles             55.0%     56.0%
       New heavy trucks                4.4%      4.0%
       Used retail                    17.6%     19.0%
       Used wholesale                  5.2%      6.3%
       Parts and service              15.0%     11.9%
       Finance and insurance, net      2.8%      2.8%
                                      ----      ----
          Total revenue              100.0%    100.0%
                                     ======    ======
     GROSS PROFIT MIX PERCENTAGES:
       New light vehicles             23.4%     27.2%
       New heavy trucks                1.1%      1.0%
       Used retail                    12.1%     13.5%
       Used wholesale                 (0.8%)    (0.6%)
       Parts and service              46.7%     40.4%
       Finance and insurance, net     17.5%     18.5%
                                     -----      -----
          Total gross profit         100.0%    100.0%
                                     ======    ======
       SG&A EXPENSE AS A PERCENTAGE
        OF GROSS PROFIT               82.0%     76.8%          5.2%        7%

    Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.
    Selected Data
    (Dollars in millions, except per vehicle data)
    (Unaudited)
                                  As Reported for the Nine
                                 Months Ended September 30,
                                 -------------------------
                                                           Increase
                                     2008        2007     (Decrease)  % Change
                                     ----        ----     ----------  --------
     REVENUE:
       New light vehicles        $2,112.9    $2,403.6       $(290.7)     (12%)
       New heavy trucks             135.4       174.6         (39.2)     (22%)
                                    -----       -----
          Total new vehicle       2,248.3     2,578.2        (329.9)     (13%)
       Used retail                  709.0       864.2        (155.2)     (18%)
       Used wholesale               207.6       266.5         (58.9)     (22%)
                                    -----       -----
          Total used vehicle        916.6     1,130.7        (214.1)     (19%)
       Parts and service            548.1       521.0          27.1        5%
       Finance and insurance, net   111.7       122.8         (11.1)      (9%)
                                    -----       -----
          Total revenue          $3,824.7    $4,352.7       $(528.0)     (12%)
                                 ========    ========      ========     =====
     GROSS PROFIT:
       New light vehicles          $144.7      $176.1        $(31.4)     (18%)
       New heavy trucks               5.7         8.0          (2.3)     (29%)
                                      ---         ---
          Total new vehicle         150.4       184.1         (33.7)     (18%)
       Used retail                   79.9        99.8         (19.9)     (20%)
       Used wholesale                (2.7)       (1.0)         (1.7)     170%
                                    -----       -----
          Total used vehicle         77.2        98.8         (21.6)     (22%)
       Parts and service            279.6       270.7           8.9        3%
       Finance and insurance, net   111.7       122.8         (11.1)      (9%)
                                    -----       -----
          Total gross profit       $618.9      $676.4        $(57.5)      (9%)
                                    ======     ======       =======      ====
     VEHICLES SOLD:
       New light retail vehicles   67,996      74,895        (6,899)      (9%)
       New fleet vehicles           3,513       6,318        (2,805)     (44%)
                                    -----       -----
          Total light vehicles     71,509      81,213        (9,704)     (12%)
       New heavy trucks             2,103       2,956          (853)     (29%)
                                    -----       -----
          Total new vehicle        73,612      84,169       (10,557)     (13%)
                                   ======      ======      ========     =====
       Used retail units           39,812      47,423        (7,611)     (16%)
                                   ======      ======       =======     =====
     REVENUE PER VEHICLE SOLD:
       New light vehicles         $29,547     $29,596          $(49)       -%
       New heavy trucks            64,384      59,066         5,318        9%
       Used retail                 17,809      18,223          (414)      (2%)
     GROSS PROFIT PER VEHICLE SOLD:
       New light vehicles          $2,024      $2,168         $(144)      (7%)
       New heavy trucks             2,710       2,706             4        -%
       Used retail                  2,007       2,104           (97)      (5%)
       Finance and insurance, net     985         933            52        6%
     GROSS PROFIT MARGIN:
       New light vehicles             6.8%        7.3%        (0.5%)      (7%)
       New heavy trucks               4.2%        4.6%        (0.4%)      (9%)
       Used retail                   11.3%       11.5%        (0.2%)      (2%)
       Parts and service             51.0%       52.0%        (1.0%)      (2%)
       Total                         16.2%       15.5%         0.7%        5%
    REVENUE MIX PERCENTAGES:
       New light vehicles            55.2%       55.2%
       New heavy trucks               3.5%        4.0%
       Used retail                   18.7%       19.9%
       Used wholesale                 5.4%        6.1%
       Parts and service             14.3%       12.0%
       Finance and insurance, net     2.9%        2.8%
                                      ----        ----
          Total revenue             100.0%      100.0%
                                    ======      ======
     GROSS PROFIT MIX PERCENTAGES:
       New light vehicles            23.4%       26.0%
       New heavy trucks               0.9%        1.2%
       Used retail                   12.9%       14.7%
       Used wholesale                (0.4%)      (0.1%)
       Parts and service             45.2%       40.0%
       Finance and insurance, net    18.0%       18.2%
                                     -----       -----
          Total gross profit        100.0%      100.0%
                                    ======      ======
       SG&A EXPENSE AS A PERCENTAGE
        OF GROSS PROFIT              80.5%       76.2%         4.3%        6%

    Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.
    Selected Data
    (Dollars in millions, except per vehicle data)
    (Unaudited)
                                Same Store for the Nine
                                Months Ended September 30,
                                --------------------------
                                                         Increase
                                      2008       2007   (Decrease)   % Change
                                      ----       ----   ----------   --------
    REVENUE:
       New light vehicles         $1,990.1   $2,403.6     $(413.5)      (17%)
       New heavy trucks              135.4      174.6       (39.2)      (22%)
                                     -----      -----
          Total new vehicle        2,125.5    2,578.2      (452.7)      (18%)
       Used retail                   679.3      864.2      (184.9)      (21%)
       Used wholesale                195.5      266.5       (71.0)      (27%)
                                     -----      -----
          Total used vehicle         874.8    1,130.7      (255.9)      (23%)
       Parts and service             523.4      521.0         2.4         -%
       Finance and insurance, net    107.9      122.8       (14.9)      (12%)
                                     -----      -----
          Total revenue           $3,631.6   $4,352.7     $(721.1)      (17%)
                                  ========   ========    ========      =====
     GROSS PROFIT:
       New light vehicles           $134.8     $176.1      $(41.3)      (23%)
       New heavy trucks                5.7        8.0        (2.3)      (29%)
                                       ---        ---
          Total new vehicle          140.5      184.1       (43.6)      (24%)
       Used retail                    76.9       99.8       (22.9)      (23%)
       Used wholesale                 (2.6)      (1.0)       (1.6)      160%
                                     -----      -----
          Total used vehicle          74.3       98.8       (24.5)      (25%)
       Parts and service             266.8      270.7        (3.9)       (1%)
       Finance and insurance, net    107.9      122.8       (14.9)      (12%)
                                     -----      -----
          Total gross profit        $589.5     $676.4      $(86.9)      (13%)
                                    ======     ======     =======      =====
     VEHICLES SOLD:
       New light retail vehicles    63,993     74,895     (10,902)      (15%)
       New fleet vehicles            3,414      6,318      (2,904)      (46%)
                                     -----      -----
          Total light vehicles      67,407     81,213     (13,806)      (17%)
       New heavy trucks              2,103      2,956        (853)      (29%)
                                     -----      -----
          Total new vehicle         69,510     84,169     (14,659)      (17%)
                                    ======     ======    ========      =====
       Used retail units            38,254     47,423      (9,169)      (19%)
                                    ======     ======     =======      =====
     REVENUE PER VEHICLE SOLD:
       New light vehicles          $29,524    $29,596        $(72)        -%
       New heavy trucks             64,384     59,066       5,318         9%
       Used retail                  17,758     18,223        (465)       (3%)
     GROSS PROFIT PER VEHICLE SOLD:
       New light vehicles           $2,000     $2,168       $(168)       (8%)
       New heavy trucks              2,710      2,706           4         -%
       Used retail                   2,010      2,104         (94)       (4%)
       Finance and insurance, net    1,001        933          68         7%
     GROSS PROFIT MARGIN:
       New light vehicles              6.8%       7.3%       (0.5%)      (7%)
       New heavy trucks                4.2%       4.6%       (0.4%)      (9%)
       Used retail                    11.3%      11.5%       (0.2%)      (2%)
       Parts and service              51.0%      52.0%       (1.0%)      (2%)
       Total                          16.2%      15.5%        0.7%        5%
    REVENUE MIX PERCENTAGES:
       New light vehicles             54.8%      55.2%
       New heavy trucks                3.7%       4.0%
       Used retail                    18.7%      19.9%
       Used wholesale                  5.4%       6.1%
       Parts and service              14.4%      12.0%
       Finance and insurance, net      3.0%       2.8%
                                       ----       ----
          Total revenue              100.0%     100.0%
                                     ======     ======
     GROSS PROFIT MIX PERCENTAGES:
       New light vehicles             22.9%      26.0%
       New heavy trucks                1.0%       1.2%
       Used retail                    12.9%      14.7%
       Used wholesale                 (0.4%)     (0.1%)
       Parts and service              45.3%      40.0%
       Finance and insurance, net     18.3%      18.2%
                                      -----      -----
          Total gross profit          100.0%    100.0%
                                      ======    ======
       SG&A EXPENSE AS A PERCENTAGE
        OF GROSS PROFIT                80.9%     76.2%         4.7%        6%

    Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.
    Selected Data
    (Dollars in millions)
    (Unaudited)
                                      September   December   Increase
                                      30, 2008    31, 2007  (Decrease) % Change
                                      ----------  ---------  --------- -------
    BALANCE SHEET DATA
       Cash and cash equivalents         $21.4      $53.4     $(32.0)  (59.9%)
       New vehicle inventory             564.1      622.6      (58.5)   (9.4%)
       Used vehicle inventory             84.7      101.1      (16.4)  (16.2%)
       Parts inventory                    48.0       46.2        1.8     3.9%
       Total current assets              979.4    1,192.4     (213.0)  (17.9%)
       Floor plan notes payable          563.2      673.9     (110.7)  (16.4%)
            Revolving credit facility     40.0        -         40.0     NM
       Total current liabilities         775.3      871.7      (96.4)  (11.1%)
     CAPITALIZATION
       Long-term debt (including
        current portion)                $657.4     $475.6     $181.8    38.2%
       Shareholders equity               590.9      584.2        6.7     1.1%
                                         -----      -----
          Total                       $1,248.3   $1,059.8      188.5    17.8%
                                      ========   ========

     BRAND MIX - NEW LIGHT VEHICLE UNITS        For the Nine Months Ended
                                                       September 30,
                                             ---------------------------------
                                                        2008         2007
                                                        ----         ----
    Luxury:
       BMW                                                 5%          4%
       Mercedes-Benz                                       4%          4%
       Lexus                                               4%          4%
       Acura                                               4%          4%
       Infinity                                            3%          3%
       Other Luxury                                        3%          3%
                                                          --          --
          Total Luxury                                    23%         22%
     Mid-Line Imports:
       Honda                                              31%         29%
       Toyota                                             11%         10%
       Nissan                                             15%         16%
       Other imports                                       3%          1%
                                                          --          --
         Total Imports                                    60%         56%
     Mid-Line Domestic:
       Ford                                                7%          8%
       Chevrolet                                           5%          8%
       Other domestic                                      4%          3%
                                                          --          --
         Total Domestic                                   16%         19%
     Value                                                 1%          2%
                                                          --          --
     Total Light Vehicles                                100%        100%
                                                         ====        ====

                                      September      December      September
                                      30, 2008       31, 2007      30, 2007
                                      ---------     ---------      ---------
    DSI - NEW LIGHT VEHICLE(1)(2)           82             69            65
    DSI - USED LIGHT VEHICLE(1)             44             45            50
    (1) Calculated using trailing 30 day cost of sales
    (2) Includes fleet

    Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.
    Supplemental Disclosures Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Information
    (Dollars in millions, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)

Our income from continuing operations during 2008 and 2007 included certain non-core items including (i) income related to the reversal of certain deferred tax valuation allowances, (ii) restructuring costs associated with the relocation of our corporate offices and the reorganization of our retail network, (iii) a loss on extinguishment of long-term debt, (iv) costs associated with the implementation of a new dealer management system, (v) executive separation benefits expense associated with our former CEO and CFO, (vi) expenses associated with secondary offerings for which we received no proceeds and (vii) legal settlements expense associated with cases pending prior to 2003.

                                         As Reported for the Three Months
                                                 Ended September 30,
                                      --------------------------------------
                                                 2008           2007
                                                 ----           ----
    Non-core items   - (income) expense
      Reversal of deferred tax
       Valuation allowances                     $(1.1)          $-
      Restructuring costs, net of tax             0.9            -
      Loss on extinguishment of
       long-term debt, net of tax                 1.0            -
      Dealer management system
       implementation costs, net of tax           0.1            -
      Legal settlements expense, net of tax       -              0.2
                                                 ----            ---
          Total                                  $0.9           $0.2
                                                 ====           ====
        Non-core items per dilutive share       $0.03          $0.01
                                                =====          =====
        Weighted average common
         shares outstanding (diluted)            32.1           33.2
                                                 ====           ====


                                            As Reported for the Nine Months
                                                   Ended September 30,
                                            --------------------------------
                                                   2008         2007
                                                   ----         ----
    Non-core items   - (income) expense
      Reversal of deferred tax valuation
       allowances                               $(1.1)          $-
      Executive separation benefits
       expense, net of tax                        1.0            1.9
      Restructuring costs, net of tax             1.0            -
      Loss on extinguishment of long-term
       debt, net of tax                           1.0           11.6
      Dealer management system
       implementation costs, net of tax           0.5            -
      Secondary offering expenses*                -              0.3
         Legal settlements expense, net of tax    -              0.4
                                                 ----            ---
          Total                                  $2.4          $14.2
                                                 ====          =====
        Non-core items per dilutive share       $0.07          $0.42
                                                =====          =====
        Weighted average common shares
         outstanding (diluted)                   32.3           33.7
                                                 ====           ====
    * Secondary offering expenses are not deductible for tax purposes; therefore, no tax benefit has been reflected.

    Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.
    Summary of Debt Covenants
    As of and for the Period Ended September 30, 2008
    (Dollars in millions, except per vehicle data)
    (Unaudited)
                                                 Wachovia      BofA Credit
                                                 Mortgages       Facility
      Senior Leverage Ratio must be < 3.00
      SECURED DEBT (numerator)
     +   Mortgage notes payable (including
          mortgages associated with assets held
          for sale)                                                $183.7
     +   Borrowings under Revolving Credit
          Facility                                                   40.0
     +   Direct reimbursement obligations under
          letters of credit                                           7.3
     +   Capital lease obligations                                    2.8
     +   Interest rate SWAP obligations                               1.3
     +   Other indebtedness                                           1.1
                                                                      ---
     =   TOTAL SECURED DEBT (ex floorplan)                         $236.2
                                                                   ======
      EBITDA (denominator)
     +   Income from continuing operations -
          trailing 12 months ('T12')                                $41.4
     +   Add back Total interest expense
          (ex floorplan interest) - T12                              38.6
     +   Add back Income tax expense - T12                           24.2
     +   Add back Depreciation & amortization - T12                  23.3
     +   Add back Other non-cash charges - T12                        4.8
                                                                      ---
     =   CONSOLIDATED EBITDA                                        132.3
     +   Add back Pro forma acquisitions EBITDA
          (as defined)                                                0.8
     +   Add back Pro forma rent savings (as defined)                10.7
                                                                     ----
     =   CONSOLIDATED PROFORMA EBITDA                              $143.8
                                                                   ======
      SENIOR LEVERAGE RATIO                                          1.64
      Total Leverage Ratio must be < 5.00
      TOTAL DEBT (numerator)
     +   8.0% Sr. Subordinated Notes
          (face value outstanding)                    $179.4       $179.4
     +   7.625% Sr. Subordinated Notes                 150.0        150.0
     +   3.0% Convertible Notes                        115.0        115.0
     +   Mortgage notes payable (including
          mortgages associated with assets held
          for sale)                                    183.7        183.7
     +   Borrowings under Revolving Credit
          Facility                                      40.0         40.0
     +   Direct reimbursement obligations under
          letters of credit                              7.3          7.3
     +   Capital lease obligations                       2.8          2.8
     +   Interest rate SWAP obligations                  1.3          1.3
     +   Other indebtedness (as defined)                 3.2          1.1
                                                         ---          ---
     =   TOTAL DEBT (ex Floorplan)                    $682.7       $680.6
                                                      ======       ======
      EBITDA (denominator)
     +   Income from continuing operations -
          trailing 12 months ('T12')                   $41.4        $41.4
     +   Add back Total interest expense
          (ex floorplan) - T12                          38.6         38.6
     +   Add back Income tax expense - T12              24.2         24.2
     +   Add back Depreciation & amortization - T12     23.3         23.3
     +   Add back Other non-cash charges - T12          13.0          4.8
     +   Add back Non-recurring items - T12              2.9            -
                                                         ---            -
     =   CONSOLIDATED EBITDA                           143.4        132.3
     +   Add back Pro forma acquisitions EBITDA
          (as defined)                                   0.8          0.8
     +   Add back Pro forma rent savings (as defined)      -         10.7
                                                      ------         ----
     =   CONSOLIDATED PROFORMA EBITDA                 $144.2       $143.8
                                                      ======       ======
      TOTAL LEVERAGE RATIO                              4.73         4.73

      Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio must be > 1.2
      EBITDAR (numerator)
     +   Pre-tax Income from continuing
          operations - trailing 12 months ('T12')      $41.4        $41.4
     +   Add back Total interest expense
          (ex floorplan) - T12                          38.6         38.6
     +   Add back Income tax expense - T12              24.2         24.2
     +   Add back Depreciation & amortization - T12     23.3         23.3
     +   Add back Other non-cash charges - T12
          (as defined)                                  13.0          4.8
     +   Add back Non-recurring items - T12
          (as defined)                                   2.9            -
                                                         ---            -
     =   CONSOLIDATED EBITDA                           143.4        132.3
     +   PLUS Required principal payments - T12         54.7         54.7
     -   LESS Capital expenditures (as defined)        (17.8)       (13.4)
                                                      ------       ------
     =   TOTAL EARNINGS AVAILABLE FOR FIXED CHARGES   $180.3       $173.6
                                                      ======       ======
      FIXED CHARGES (denominator)
     +   Total interest expense (ex Floorplan
          Interest) - T12                              $38.6        $38.6
     +   PLUS Required principal payments - T12          3.5          3.5
     +   PLUS Rental expense - T12                      54.7         54.7
     -   LESS Pro forma rent savings (as defined)          -        (10.7)
     +   PLUS Cash paid for taxes - T12                 10.2         10.2
                                                        ----         ----
     =   TOTAL FIXED CHARGES                          $107.0        $96.3
                                                      ======        =====
      FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO                       1.69         1.80
      Current Ratio must be > 1.2
      Total current assets (numerator)
     +   Total current assets                         $979.4       $979.4
     +   PLUS Available unused commitments
          under Revolving Credit Facility              121.3        121.3
                                                       -----        -----
     =   TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS                       $1,100.7     $1,100.7
                                                    ========     ========
      Total current liabilities (denominator)
     +   Total current liabilities                     775.3        775.3
     -   LESS Debt balloon payments due within
          6-12 months                                      -            -
                                                           -            -
     =   TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES                    $775.3       $775.3
                                                      ======       ======
      CURRENT RATIO                                     1.42         1.42
      Adjusted Net Worth must be > $350 million
         Stockholders' equity                         $590.9
     -   LESS 50% of net income subsequent to
          March 31, 2008                                (8.4)
     -   LESS Proceeds from stock option
          exercises subsequent to March 31, 2008        (0.1)
                                                       -----
     =   ADJUSTED NET WORTH                           $582.4
                                                      ======

SOURCE Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.

(Source: PR Newswire )


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