Message #19 From:
Stock News Bot Date: February 21, 2007 04:00:00 AM
GPI News Group 1 Automotive Reports 25 Percent Increase in 2006 Full-Year Earnings Per Share
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:GPI), a Fortune 500 automotive retailer, today reported net income for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, 2006, of $14.8 million, or $0.61 earnings per diluted share. These results include a non-cash, after-tax charge of $1.5 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, related to fixed asset write-offs associated with a domestic disposal as well as franchise rights impairment charges. Excluding this charge, net income was $16.3 million, or $0.67 diluted earnings per share, for the fourth-quarter period. This compares with net income of $16.2 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2005. The 2005 results were positively impacted by adjustments to deferred tax items for certain assets and liabilities of $0.08 per diluted share, offset by asset impairment charges of $0.07 per diluted share.
Fourth-quarter total revenues increased 5.7 percent to $1.5 billion from the previous-year quarter. New vehicle revenues grew 7.6 percent on an 8.2 percent unit sales increase; parts and service revenues were 4.6 percent higher; and finance and insurance revenues increased 9.6 percent. Used vehicle retail revenues increased 2.8 percent on a unit sales increase of 1.4 percent, while used vehicle wholesale revenues declined 4.6 percent on 1 percent higher unit sales.
Gross margin decreased 20 basis points to 15.6 percent with slight declines in all segments except total used vehicle margin that remained steady at 9.1 percent.
Group 1 noted that within its domestic stores, overall Ford sales declined significantly, particularly in December when the company experienced a 36 percent decline in F-Series truck sales. In California, the company experienced a slowing across all brands as market conditions softened in that region. The sudden decrease in sales and gross profit resulting from these market issues increased SG&A as a percent of gross profit to 80.3 percent for the fourth quarter, down 10 basis points from the same period a year ago, but up from the 75.5 percent for the first nine months of 2006.
In connection with its annual assessment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, the company determined that the fair value of two of its domestic franchises no longer supported the carrying value associated with them. As a result, the company recorded a non-cash, pretax charge of $1.4 million, which equates to $0.9 million after tax or $0.04 per diluted share. The company determined the impairment charge in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” In addition, Group 1 previously announced that it determined that the fair market value of one of its Atlanta Ford dealerships no longer supported the carrying value of certain other long-lived assets associated with it. As a result, the company recorded a non-cash, pretax charge of $0.8 million, which equates to $0.5 million after tax, or $0.02 per diluted share in the fourth quarter 2006. The company determined the impairment charge in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” The charge recorded by the company reflects its estimate of the fair value of the store’s fixed assets. These charges were excluded from the 2006 full-year guidance announced Oct. 31, 2006.
Income from operations increased 5.7 percent to $39.2 million in the fourth quarter. Operating margin was equal to the same period last year at 2.6 percent.
On a same-store basis, total gross margin was flat at 15.7 percent year over year. SG&A expenses decreased 2.2 percent, but increased 60 basis points to 80.7 percent as a percent of gross profit, as the decline in gross profit outpaced expense reductions in the quarter.
Total floorplan interest expense expanded 17.4 percent to $11.7 million, reflecting the higher year-over-year weighted average interest rates. Partially offsetting the higher rates was an $18.9 million decrease in weighted average floorplan borrowings. Other interest expense also increased $1.5 million, or 37.5 percent, primarily due to a $255.8 million increase in weighted average borrowings outstanding in the period, reflecting the issuance of the 2.25 percent convertible notes in June.
Full-Year Results
On a full-year basis, net income was up 25.8 percent to $88.4 million, or $3.62 per diluted share, compared with $70.3 million, or $2.90 per diluted share, before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle in 2005. Excluding the fixed asset write-offs associated with a domestic disposal as well as franchise rights impairment charges, net income was $89.8 million, or $3.68 per diluted share, which is within the previously provided guidance range of $3.65 to $3.75.
Group 1 realized a 1.9 percent increase to $6.1 billion in total revenues and a 30 basis-point increase in gross margin to 15.9 percent, primarily driven by the 60 basis-point improvement in total used vehicle margin. SG&A declined 280 basis points as a percent of gross profit to 76.7 percent over the prior year.
Same-store results reflected a 1 percent decline in total revenues year over year, primarily explained by lower used vehicle wholesale revenues. Total gross margin improved 40 basis points to 16 percent, primarily driven by a 70 basis-point increase in total used vehicle margin. Total used vehicle gross profit increased 10.6 percent to $1,246 per unit. SG&A as a percent of gross profit was reduced 110 basis points to 77.3 percent.
“Our full-year results demonstrate the effectiveness of the strategic initiatives we began implementing at the start of 2006,” said Earl J. Hesterberg, Group 1’s president and chief executive officer. “The focus placed on our used vehicle business was rewarded with margin improvements on both a consolidated and same-store basis. Management will continue to focus on the used vehicle business while implementing new initiatives surrounding our parts and service business and purchasing efforts.”
Acquisition and Disposition Recap
Group 1 expanded its import and luxury offerings by acquiring 14 import and luxury franchises in 2006 with total estimated aggregate annual revenues of $728.1 million. The company also acquired one domestic franchise, in association with a divestiture, with estimated annual revenues of $4.0 million.
In 2007, Group 1 previously announced the acquisition of the Baron Automotive Group in Kansas City, Kan. The acquisition of the two dealerships is expected to generate approximately $123.1 million in estimated annual revenues.
Group 1 has targeted acquiring franchises with a total of $600 million in estimated annual revenues in 2007. The company will focus on import and luxury brands outside of Texas and Oklahoma with a goal of having its import and luxury offerings account for at least 75 percent of its new vehicle unit sales by year end.
In conjunction with Group 1’s strategy to dispose of its underperforming dealerships, the company divested of eight domestic and five import franchises with trailing twelve-month revenues of $197.8 million in 2006.
In 2007, the company previously announced that it disposed of one Chrysler and two Ford stores with total revenues of $49.3 million.
Group 1 will continue to evaluate its dealership portfolio and dispose of underperforming stores. The company anticipates incurring approximately $5 million to $10 million in associated disposition charges, which includes costs associated with disposition actions previously announced in 2007.
2007 Full-Year Guidance Reaffirmed
Group 1 reaffirmed its 2007 full-year guidance of $4.00 to $4.25 per diluted share based on its outlook and the following assumptions:
Industry seasonally adjusted annual sales rate (SAAR) of 16.3 million vehicles.
Flat interest rates throughout 2007.
Tax rate of 38 percent.
Estimated average diluted shares outstanding of 24.5 million.
Guidance excludes the impact of future acquisitions, and dispositions with related exit charges estimated at $5 million to $10 million.
Fourth-Quarter Earnings Release and Conference Call
A conference call to discuss fourth-quarter financial results and Group 1’s 2007 outlook and strategy will be held at 10 a.m. EST on Wednesday, Feb. 21.
The conference call will be simulcast live on the Internet at www.group1auto.com through the Investor Relations section. A replay will be available for 30 days.
The conference call will also be available live by dialing in 10 minutes prior to the call at: 800-218-8862 (domestic) or 303-262-2138 (international).
A telephonic replay will be available following the call through Feb. 28, by dialing: 800-405-2236 (domestic) or 303-590-3000 (international), with passcode: 11082288#.
About Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
Group 1 owns 104 automotive dealerships comprised of 143 franchises, 33 brands and 28 collision service centers in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma and Texas. Through its dealerships, the company sells new and used cars and light trucks; arranges related financing, vehicle service and insurance contracts; provides maintenance and repair services; and sells replacement parts.
Group 1 Automotive can be reached on the Internet at www.group1auto.com.
This press release contains "forward-looking statements," which are statements related to future, not past, events. In this context, the forward-looking statements often include statements regarding our goals, plans, projections and guidance regarding our financial position, results of operations, market position, pending and potential future acquisitions and business strategy, and often contain words such as “expects,”“anticipates,”“intends,”“plans,”“believes,”“seeks” or “will.” Any such forward-looking statements are not assurances of future performance and involve 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, (a) general economic conditions, (b) the level of manufacturer incentives, (c) the future regulatory environment, (d) our ability to obtain an inventory of desirable new and used vehicles, (e) our relationship with our automobile manufacturers and the willingness of manufacturers to approve future acquisitions, (f) our cost of financing and the availability of credit for consumers, (g) our ability to complete acquisitions and dispositions and the risks associated therewith, and (h) our ability to retain key personnel. These factors, as well as additional factors that could affect our forward-looking statements, are described in our Form 10-K under the headings “Business—Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” We urge you to carefully consider this information. We undertake no duty to update our forward-looking statements, including our earnings outlook.
FINANCIAL TABLES TO FOLLOW
Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share amounts)
