UNITED STATESSECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2006
OR
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission file number: 001-31262
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
01-0609375
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
622 Third Avenue, 37th Floor
New York, New York
10017
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(212) 885-2500
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
Large Accelerated Filer o Accelerated Filer x Non-Accelerated Filer o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o No x
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuers classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: The number of shares of common stock outstanding as of August 4, 2006, was 33,197,382 (net of 1,586,587 treasury shares).
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.INDEX
PART I Financial Information
Item 1.
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005
3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2006 and 2005
4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2006 and 2005
5
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
6
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
24
Item 2.
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
25
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
49
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
50
PART II Other Information
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
51
Item 5.
Directors and Executive Officers
Item 6.
Exhibits
52
Signatures
53
Index to Exhibits
54
2
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATIONItem 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS(In thousands, except share and per share data)(Unaudited)
June 30,2006
December 31,2005
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
89,097
57,194
Contracts-in-transit
102,696
122,250
Accounts receivable (net of allowance of $811 and $1,216, respectively)
162,468
167,203
Inventories
779,817
709,791
Deferred income taxes
19,825
Prepaid and other current assets
57,390
57,419
Assets held for sale
19,677
51,498
Total current assets
1,230,970
1,185,180
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net
198,825
193,457
GOODWILL
450,362
457,405
OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS
94,130
94,758
Total assets
1,974,287
1,930,800
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Floor plan notes payablemanufacturer affiliated
331,025
204,044
Floor plan notes payablenon-manufacturer affiliated
326,303
410,338
Current maturities of long-term debt
26,257
24,522
Accounts payable
65,620
72,432
Accrued liabilities
86,228
100,043
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale
5,659
26,847
Total current liabilities
841,092
838,226
LONG-TERM DEBT
470,743
472,427
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES
44,403
44,287
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
30,419
28,094
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 14)
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value per share, 10,000,000 shares authorized
Common stock, $.01 par value per share, 90,000,000 shares authorized, 34,709,443 and 34,435,252 shares issued, including shares held in treasury, respectively
347
344
Additional paid-in capital
423,795
417,055
Retained earnings
180,543
148,986
Treasury stock, at cost; 1,586,587 shares held
(15,032
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(2,023
(3,587
Total shareholders equity
587,630
547,766
Total liabilities and shareholders equity
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME(In thousands, except per share data)(Unaudited)
For the Three MonthsEnded June 30,
For the Six MonthsEnded June 30,
2006
2005
REVENUES:
New vehicle
918,116
872,308
1,739,153
1,643,577
Used vehicle
384,561
348,416
742,667
668,872
Parts, service and collision repair
172,036
157,999
341,924
309,672
Finance and insurance, net
43,224
39,064
78,844
74,554
Total revenues
1,517,937
1,417,787
2,902,588
2,696,675
COST OF SALES:
854,390
812,339
1,617,630
1,530,845
349,923
318,479
675,102
610,233
84,842
77,510
169,744
151,641
Total cost of sales
1,289,155
1,208,328
2,462,476
2,292,719
GROSS PROFIT
228,782
209,459
440,112
403,956
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling, general and administrative
171,715
160,185
337,364
318,552
Depreciation and amortization
5,113
4,768
10,088
9,460
Income from operations
51,954
44,506
92,660
75,944
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Floor plan interest expense
(11,239
(7,458
(20,401
(13,988
Other interest expense
(11,139
(10,269
(22,043
(19,869
Interest income
1,021
171
1,748
435
Other income, net
481
332
825
441
Total other expense, net
(20,876
(17,224
(39,871
(32,981
Income before income taxes
31,078
27,282
52,789
42,963
INCOME TAX EXPENSE
11,654
10,231
19,796
16,111
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
19,424
17,051
32,993
26,852
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, net of tax
(420
(1,065
(1,436
(1,225
NET INCOME
19,004
15,986
31,557
25,627
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:
Basic
Continuing operations
0.59
0.52
1.00
0.82
Discontinued operations
(0.02
(0.03
(0.04
Net income
0.57
0.49
0.96
0.79
Diluted
0.58
0.98
0.56
0.94
0.78
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:
Basic
33,077
32,604
33,000
32,596
Diluted
33,709
32,725
33,680
32,753
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS(In thousands)(Unaudited)
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities-
Depreciation and amortization from discontinued operations
175
1,129
Stock-based compensation
2,296
Amortization of deferred financing fees
1,158
1,013
Change in allowance for doubtful accounts
(405
151
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net
(2,617
(10
(860
Other adjustments
4,222
2,993
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and divestitures-
19,554
(7,072
Accounts receivable
(5,221
(10,375
Proceeds from the sale of accounts receivable
9,318
8,126
(65,565
31,705
(9,156
(13,190
126,981
(141,120
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
(19,371
13,097
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements
(519
Other long-term assets and liabilities
4,050
770
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
105,685
(77,696
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expendituresinternally financed
(16,184
(16,942
Capital expendituresexternally financed
(7,115
(18,236
Construction reimbursements associated with sale-leaseback agreements
3,118
2,595
Acquisitions
(11,562
Proceeds from the sale of assets
42,122
7,989
Other investing activities
(746
(878
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
21,195
(37,034
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Floor plan borrowingsnon-manufacturer affiliated
1,273,177
1,753,115
Floor plan repaymentsnon-manufacturer affiliated
(1,371,358
(1,629,643
Proceeds from borrowings
987
20,734
Repayments of debt
(2,226
(41,989
Payments of debt issuance costs
(4,927
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options
3,924
396
519
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(94,977
97,686
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
31,903
(17,044
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period
28,093
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period
11,049
See Note 13 for supplemental cash flow information
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Unaudited)
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. is a national automotive retailer, operating 119 franchises (86 dealership locations) in 21 metropolitan markets within 10 states as of June 30, 2006. We offer an extensive range of automotive products and services, including new and used vehicles, vehicle maintenance, replacement parts, collision repair services, and financing, insurance and service contracts. We offer 33 domestic and foreign brands of new vehicles, including four heavy truck brands. We also operate 24 collision repair centers that serve our markets.
Our retail network is organized into principally four regions and includes ten dealership groups, each marketed under different local brands: (i) Florida (comprising our Coggin dealerships, operating primarily in Jacksonville and Orlando, and our Courtesy dealerships operating in Tampa), (ii) West (comprising our McDavid dealerships operating throughout Texas and our Spirit dealership operating in Los Angeles, California), (iii) Mid-Atlantic (comprising our Crown dealerships operating in North Carolina, South Carolina and Southern Virginia) and (iv) South (comprising our Nalley dealerships operating in Atlanta, Georgia, and our North Point dealerships operating in Little Rock, Arkansas). Our Plaza dealerships operating in St. Louis, Missouri, our Gray Daniels dealerships operating in Jackson, Mississippi and our Northern California Dealerships operating in Sacramento and Fresno, California remain standalone operations.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), and reflect the condensed consolidated accounts of Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. and our wholly owned subsidiaries.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Accordingly, actual results could differ from these estimates. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed quarterly and the effects of revisions are reflected in the condensed consolidated financial statements in the period they are determined to be necessary. Refer to Critical Accounting Estimates in Item 2 Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for more information on our critical estimates. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal, recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2006, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 have been included. The results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. Our interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue from the sale of new and used vehicles is recognized upon delivery, passage of title, signing of the sales contract and approval of financing. Revenue from the sale of parts, service and collision repair is recognized upon delivery of parts to the customer or at the time vehicle service or repair work is completed. Manufacturer incentives and rebates, including manufacturer holdbacks, floor plan interest assistance and certain advertising assistance, are recognized as a reduction of new vehicle cost of sales when earned, generally at the time the related vehicles are sold.
We receive commissions for arranging customer financing and for the sale of vehicle service contracts, credit life insurance and disability insurance to customers (collectively F&I). We may be charged back (chargebacks) for F&I commissions in the event a contract is terminated. F&I commissions are recorded at the time the vehicles are sold and a reserve for future chargebacks is established based on historical operating results and the termination provisions of the applicable contracts. F&I commissions, net of estimated chargebacks, are included in Finance and insurance, net in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the excess cost of the businesses acquired over the fair market value of the identifiable net assets. We have determined that based on how we operate our business, allocate resources, and regularly review our financial data and operating results that we qualify as a single reporting unit for purposes of testing goodwill for impairment. We evaluate our operations and financial results in the aggregate by dealership. The dealership general managers implement the strategy as determined by the corporate office in conjunction with our regional management team, and have the independence and flexibility to respond effectively to local market conditions.
The fair market value of our manufacturer franchise rights is determined at the acquisition date through discounting the projected cash flows specific to each franchise. We have determined that manufacturer franchise rights have an indefinite life as there are no legal, contractual, economic or other factors that limit their useful lives and they are expected to generate cash flows indefinitely due to the historically long lives of the manufacturers brand names. Due to the fact that manufacturer franchise rights are specific to the location in which we acquire a dealership, we have determined that the dealership is the reporting unit for purposes of testing for impairment.
Stock-Based Compensation
Effective January 2006, we adopted SFAS No. 123R Share-Based Payment under the modified prospective transition method and therefore we record stock-based compensation expense under the fair value method on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Accordingly, prior periods have not been restated. Prior to January 2006, including the three and six months ended June 30, 2005, we recorded stock-based compensation expense in accordance with Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. APB Opinion No. 25 required the use of the intrinsic value method, which measures compensation cost as the excess, if any, of the quoted market price of the stock at the measurement date over the amount an employee must pay to acquire the stock.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
We utilize derivative financial instruments to manage our capital structure. The types of risks hedged are those relating to the variability of cash flows and changes in the fair value of our financial instruments caused by movements in interest rates. We document our risk management strategy and assess hedge effectiveness at the inception and during the term of each hedge. Derivatives are reported at fair value on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The changes in fair value of the effective portion of cash flow hedges are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are reclassified to interest expense to the extent the hedge becomes ineffective. The change in fair value of fair value hedges are recorded as a component of interest expense. Changes in the fair value of the associated hedged exposures are also recorded as a component of interest expense.
Measurements of hedge effectiveness are based on comparisons between the gains or losses of the actual interest rate swaps and the gains or losses of hypothetical interest rate swaps which are designed to reflect the critical terms of the defined hedged exposures. Ineffective portions of these interest rate swaps are reported as a component of interest expense in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. We recognized no ineffectiveness during the six months ended June 30, 2006 and minor ineffectiveness during the six months ended June 30, 2005.
Statements of Cash Flows
Borrowings and repayments of floor plan notes payable to a party unaffiliated with the manufacturer of a particular new vehicle, and all floor plan notes payable relating to pre-owned vehicles, are classified as financing activities on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows with borrowings reflected separately from repayments. The net change in floor plan notes payable to a party affiliated with the manufacturer of a particular new vehicle is classified as an operating activity on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
7
The net change in service loaner vehicle obligations is reflected as an operating activity in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, as these borrowings and repayments are with lenders affiliated with the vehicle manufacturer from which we purchase the related vehicles.
Construction reimbursements in connection with sale-leaseback agreements for the construction of new dealership facilities or leasehold improvements to our existing dealership facilities are included in investing activities in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Externally financed capital expenditures include all expenditures that we have financed during the reporting period or intend to finance in future reporting periods through sale-leaseback transactions or mortgage financing. Internally financed capital expenditures include all capital expenditures which were paid using available cash and for which we do not intend to seek external financing.
Tax benefits related to stock-based awards that are fully vested prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123R are included as cash inflows from financing activities and cash outflows from operating activities on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Excess tax benefits related to stock-based awards that are partially vested upon or granted after the adoption of SFAS No. 123R are included as cash inflows from financing activities and cash outflows from operating activities on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Interpretation (FIN) No. 48 Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. FIN No. 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprises financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109 Accounting for Income Taxes. FIN No. 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN No. 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. FIN No. 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. Earlier application is encouraged if the enterprise has not yet issued financial statements, including interim financial statements, in the period of adoption. We are currently evaluating the impact of FIN No. 48 on our condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
In October 2005, the FASB issued Staff Position (FSP) No. FAS 13-1, Accounting for Rental Costs Incurred during a Construction Period, which requires rental costs associated with ground or building operating leases that are incurred during a construction period to be recognized as rental expense. FSP No. FAS 13-1 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2005. Accordingly, we adopted the provisions of FSP No. FAS 13-1 in January 2006 and currently expense all rent obligations incurred during the construction period.
3. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
We have established two stock-based compensation plans (the Plans) under which we may grant non-qualified stock options and restricted stock units to our directors, officers and employees at fair market value on the date of the grant. Stock options generally vest ratably over three years from the date of grant and expire ten years from the date of grant. Restricted stock units generally vest after two to three years from the date of grant and also expire ten years from the date of grant. We have granted a total of 4,310,954 non-qualified stock options and in January 2006, we granted 175,500 restricted stock units to certain of our key employees and officers. As of June 30, 2006, there were 2,636,362 non-qualified stock options and 175,500 restricted stock units outstanding. In addition, there were approximately 2,213,000 stock-based awards available for grant under our stock-based compensation plans as of June 30, 2006. We expect to continue to issue restricted stock units in lieu of non-qualified stock options.
Effective January 2006, we adopted SFAS No. 123R under the modified prospective transition method. As a result we have recorded stock-based compensation expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006, under the fair value method. Prior to January 2006, including the three and six months ended June 30, 2005, we accounted for stock-based awards under the intrinsic value method in accordance with APB Opinion No. 25. During the six months ended June 30, 2006, the adoption of SFAS No. 123R resulted in incremental stock-based compensation expense of $1.5 million (excluding $0.8 million associated with our decision to issue restricted stock units). The incremental stock-based compensation expense decreased income before income taxes by $1.5 million, net income by $0.9 million and basic and diluted earnings per common share by $0.03 per share. Net cash provided by operating activities decreased and net cash used in financing activities decreased by $0.5 million related to excess tax benefits from stock-based payment arrangements.
8
The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black Scholes option valuation model. The fair value of each restricted stock unit is estimated using the market price of our common stock on the date of grant. Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of our common stock. We use historical data to estimate the rate of option exercises and employee turnover within the valuation model. The expected term of options granted represents the period of time that the related options are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.
We recorded $0.9 million in compensation expense and an associated tax benefit of $0.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006; and $2.3 million in compensation expense and an associated tax benefit of $0.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006. We did not recognize any material stock-based compensation expense during the six months ended June 30, 2005. As of June 30, 2006, there was $4.6 million of total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested stock-based awards granted under the Plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.8 years. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and net income per share had our stock-based awards been recorded using the fair value method of SFAS No. 123R for the three and six months ended June 30, 2005:
For the ThreeMonths EndedJune 30,
For the SixMonths EndedJune 30,
(In thousands, except per share data)
Adjustments to net income:
Stock-based compensation expense included in net income, net of tax
1
Pro forma stock-based compensation expense, net of tax
(674
(1,340
Pro forma net income
15,312
24,288
Net income per common sharebasic (as reported)
Net income per common sharediluted (as reported)
Pro forma net income per common sharebasic
0.47
0.75
Pro forma net income per common sharediluted
0.74
A summary of options outstanding and exercisable under the Plans as of June 30, 2006, and changes during the six months then ended is presented below:
StockOptions
Weighted AverageExercise Price
Weighted AverageRemainingContractual Term
Aggregate IntrinsicValue*
Options outstanding - December 31, 2005
2,941,262
15.35
Granted
Exercised
(274,191
14.31
Expired / Forfeited
(30,709
15.09
Options outstandingJune 30, 2006
2,636,362
15.46
5.1
14,447,263
Options exercisableJune 30, 2006
2,219,822
15.57
4.6
11,920,444
* Based on the closing price of our common stock on June 30, 2006
Cash received from option exercises for the six months ended June 30, 2006 was $3.9 million. The actual intrinsic value of options exercised during the six months ended June 30, 2006 was $1.5 million. The actual tax benefit realized for the tax deductions from option exercises totaled $0.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006.
9
A summary of restricted stock units as of June 30, 2006, and changes during the six months then ended is presented below:
Shares
Weighted AverageGrant Date Fair Value
Restricted Stock UnitsDecember 31, 2005
175,500
16.86
Performance estimate
43,875
Vested
Forfeited
Restricted Stock UnitsJune 30, 2006*
219,375
* Includes an estimate of 43,875 out of a maximum of 140,400 issuable upon attaining certain performance metrics
Each restricted stock unit provides an opportunity for the employee to receive a number of shares of our common stock based on our performance during a three year period (the Performance Cycle) as measured against objective performance goals related to (1) new vehicle revenue growth as compared to peer companies, (2) used vehicle revenue growth as compared to peer companies, (3) finance and insurance revenue growth, (4) fixed operations gross profit and (5) earnings per share. Each equity award sets forth a target number of shares to be granted to the employee assuming the performance goals are met at the target level. The actual number of shares earned may range from 0% to 180% of the target number of shares depending upon achievement of the performance goals during the Performance Cycle. We currently estimate that we will achieve 125% of our performance goals.
4. INVENTORIES
Inventories consist of the following:
As of
(In thousands)
New vehicles
613,807
556,141
Used vehicles
124,380
111,000
Parts and accessories
41,630
42,650
Total inventories
The lower of cost or market reserves for inventory totaled $5.3 million and $4.3 million as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively. In addition to the inventories shown above, we have $3.4 million and $18.9 million of inventory as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively, classified as Assets Held for Sale on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as they are associated with franchises held for sale at each balance sheet date.
5. ACQUISITIONS
We did not acquire any franchises during the six months ended June 30, 2006. During the six months ended June 30, 2005, we acquired one franchise (one dealership location) for an aggregate purchase price of $12.0 million, of which $4.7 million was paid in cash through the use of available funds; $6.8 million was borrowed from our floor plan facilities, with the remaining $0.5 million representing the fair value of future payments.
The allocation of purchase price for acquisitions is as follows:
6,878
Fixed assets
278
Goodwill
3,539
Franchise rights
1,352
Total purchase price
12,047
10
The allocation of purchase price to assets acquired and liabilities assumed for certain current and prior year acquisitions was based on preliminary estimates of fair value and may be revised as additional information concerning valuation of such assets and liabilities becomes available.
6. GOODWILL AND MANUFACTURER FRANCHISE RIGHTS
During the six months ended June 30, 2006, we sold six franchises (five dealership locations) resulting in the removal of approximately $7.0 million of Goodwill from our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. There were no manufacturer franchise rights associated with these franchises at the time of sale as these franchises were purchased prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 142 Goodwill and Other Intangibles. Manufacturer franchise rights totaled $41.8 million as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, and are included in Other Long-term Assets on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
7. ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE
Assets and liabilities classified as held for sale include (i) assets and liabilities associated with discontinued operations held for sale at each balance sheet date, (ii) costs of completed construction projects included in pending sale-leaseback transactions where an unaffiliated third party reimburses us during construction or will reimburse us upon completion of the transaction.
Assets and liabilities associated with discontinued operations include one franchise in North Carolina and one ancillary business in Florida as of June 30, 2006. As of December 31, 2005, assets and liabilities associated with discontinued operations included two franchises (two dealership locations) in Oregon and two franchises (two dealership locations) in Southern California. During the six months ended June 30, 2006, we sold the franchises that had been held for sale as of December 31, 2005 as well as two additional franchises (one dealership location) in Florida for proceeds of $42.0 million, resulting in a net gain of $2.6 million. Assets associated with discontinued operations totaled $17.2 million and $39.6 million, and liabilities associated with discontinued operations totaled $3.5 million and $16.8 million as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively.
Included in Assets Held for Sale as of June 30, 2006 was $2.5 million of costs associated with one completed project included in a pending sale-leaseback transaction. Included in Assets Held for Sale as of December 31, 2005, was $11.9 million of costs associated with two completed projects included in pending sale-leaseback transactions. As of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, Liabilities Associated with Assets Held for Sale included $2.2 million and $10.0 million, respectively, of reimbursements associated with completed construction projects. During the six months ended June 30, 2006 we completed one sale-leaseback transaction resulting in (i) the sale of $11.0 million of assets; (ii) the receipt of the remaining $3.1 million of reimbursements and (iii) the commencement of long-term operating leases for the assets sold. We expect to receive the final reimbursement of costs related to the remaining completed construction project and complete the associated sale-leaseback transaction during the second half of 2006.
A summary of assets and liabilities held for sale is as follows:
Assets:
3,369
18,940
Property and equipment, net
15,241
32,558
Other assets
1,067
Liabilities:
Floor plan notes payable
2,629
16,775
Other liabilities
3,030
10,072
Total liabilities
Net assets held for sale
14,018
24,651
Included in Prepaid and Other Current Assets on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are costs associated with construction projects, which we intend to sell through sale-leaseback transactions but have not been completed and therefore are not available for sale. In connection with these construction projects, we have entered into sale-leaseback agreements whereby an unaffiliated third party purchased the land and is reimbursing us, or will reimburse us, for the cost of construction of dealership facilities being constructed on the land. We capitalize the cost of the construction
11
during the construction period and record a corresponding liability equal to the amount of any reimbursed funds. Upon completion of the construction, we will execute the sale-leaseback transaction and remove the cost of construction and the related liability from our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The book value of assets associated with construction projects that have not been completed as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 totaled $7.3 million and $2.9 million, respectively. As of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, there were no liabilities associated with these construction projects.
8. LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt consists of the following:
9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2012
250,000
8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014 ($200.0 million face value, net of hedging activity of $9,188 and $8,028, respectively)
190,812
191,972
Mortgage notes payable
27,321
26,764
Loaner vehicle obligations
24,110
21,676
Capital lease obligations
3,843
4,548
Other notes payable
914
1,989
497,000
496,949
Lesscurrent portion
(26,257
(24,522
Long-term debt
In March 2006, we amended our Committed Credit Facility to include DaimlerChrysler Financial Services (DCFS) as a lender and extended its maturity to March 2009. In addition, DCFS has agreed to provide a maximum of $120.0 million of floor plan financing outside of the Committed Credit Facility to finance inventory purchases at our Mercedes, Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep dealerships (DaimlerChrysler Dealerships). As a result of the execution of this amendment, floor plan borrowings from DCFS are now included in Floor Plan Notes Payable Manufacturer Affiliated on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The DCFS floor plan facility has no stated termination date. Borrowings will accrue interest based on LIBOR. Further, we reduced our working capital borrowing capacity of our Committed Credit Facility from $150.0 million to $125.0 million and reduced the floor plan borrowing capacity of our Committed Credit Facility from $650.0 million to $425.0 million.
9. FLOOR PLAN NOTES PAYABLE
In connection with the amendment to our Committed Credit Facility in March 2006, we refinanced the floor plan notes payable at our DaimlerChrysler Dealerships through the repayment of $85.4 million of floor plan notes payable non-manufacturer affiliated with borrowings from DCFS, a manufacturer affiliated lender. As a result, floor plan notes payable at our DaimlerChrysler Dealerships are included in floor plan notes payable manufacturer affiliated on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2006. Floor plan notes payable at our DaimlerChrysler Dealerships totaled $91.3 million and $95.4 million as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively. In addition, during the six months ended June 30, 2006, our floor plan repayments non-manufacturer affiliated and floor plan notes payable manufacturer affiliated each increased by $85.4 million on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
As of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, we had $660.0 million and $631.2 million of floor plan notes payable outstanding, respectively, including $2.6 million and $16.8 million classified as Liabilities Associated with Assets Held for Sale on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
10. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITY
Three of our interest rate swap agreements expired in March 2006, which resulted in a cash payment of $13.7 million, which equaled the fair market value of the swap agreements. Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2006 was $2.4 million of unrecognized amortization related to our two expired cash flow swaps, which are being amortized over eight years as a component of Floor Plan Interest Expense on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. In addition, included as a reduction to our 8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014 (8 % Notes) as of June 30, 2006 was $9.2 million of unrecognized amortization related to our
12
expired fair value swap, which is being amortized over eight years as a component of Other Interest Expense on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. The expiration of these three swap agreements will increase floor plan and other interest expense by $0.7 million and $1.0 million, respectively, during 2006.
We have an interest rate swap agreement with a notional principal amount of $14.4 million as of June 30, 2006, as a hedge against future changes in the interest rate of our variable rate mortgage notes payable. Under the terms of the swap agreement, we are required to make payments at a fixed rate of 6.08% and receive a variable rate based on LIBOR. This swap agreement was designated and qualifies as a cash flow hedge of changes in the interest rate of our variable rate mortgage notes payable and will contain minor ineffectiveness. As of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, the swap agreement had a fair value of $0.7 million and $0.3 million, respectively, which is included in Other Long-Term Assets on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
11. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
The following table provides a reconciliation of net income to comprehensive income:
Other comprehensive income:
Change in fair value of cash flow swaps
164
(8,368
2,185
(5,279
Amortization of expired cash flow swaps
239
318
Income tax expense (benefit) associated with cash flow swaps
(151
3,138
(939
1,980
Comprehensive income
19,256
10,756
33,121
22,328
12. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
During the six months ended June 30, 2006, we placed three franchises (one dealership location) and one ancillary business into discontinued operations and sold six franchises (five dealership locations) for proceeds of approximately $42.0 million, resulting in a net gain of $2.6 million. As of June 30, 2006, one franchise and one ancillary business were pending disposition. The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2005, have been reclassified to reflect the status of our discontinued operations as of June 30, 2006.
The following table provides further information regarding our discontinued operations as of June 30, 2006, and includes the results of businesses sold between January 1, 2005 and June 30, 2006, and businesses pending disposition as of June 30, 2006:
For the Three MonthsEnded June 30, 2006
For the Three MonthsEnded June 30 2005
(Dollars in thousands)
Sold
PendingDisposition
Total
Sold(a)
PendingDisposition(b)
Franchises:
Mid-line Domestic
Mid-line Import
Value
Luxury
14
15
Ancillary Businesses
Revenues
5,431
4,231
9,662
105,178
3,382
108,560
Cost of sales
5,059
1,990
7,049
90,173
1,084
91,257
Gross profit
372
2,241
2,613
15,005
2,298
17,303
Operating expenses
3,524
1,630
5,154
15,603
1,828
17,431
Income (loss) from operations
(3,152
611
(2,541
(598
470
(128
Other expense, net
(273
(32
(305
(1,183
(17
(1,200
13
Gain (Loss) on disposition of discontinued operations, net
2,564
(376
Income (loss) before income taxes
(861
579
(282
(2,157
453
(1,704
Income tax (expense) benefit
79
(217
(138
809
(170
639
Discontinued operations, net of tax
(782
362
(1,348
283
(a) Businesses were sold between April 1, 2005 and June 30, 2006.
(b) Businesses were pending disposition as of June 30, 2006.
For the Six MonthsEnded June 30, 2006
For the Six MonthsEnded June 30, 2005
16
17
33,415
8,127
41,542
205,282
6,441
211,723
29,329
3,841
33,170
175,044
1,917
176,961
4,086
4,286
8,372
30,238
4,524
34,762
8,937
3,353
12,290
31,049
3,608
34,657
(4,851
933
(3,918
(811
916
105
(542
(65
(607
(2,045
(31
(2,076
Gain on disposition of discontinued operations, net
2,617
(2,776
868
(1,908
(2,846
885
(1,961
797
(325
472
1,068
(332
736
(1,979
543
(1,778
553
(a) Businesses were sold between January 1, 2005 and June 30, 2006.
13. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
During the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, we made interest payments, net of amounts capitalized, totaling $41.4 million and $36.3 million, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, we received $0.5 million and $2.5 million, respectively, of proceeds associated with our interest rate swap agreement that was entered into in connection with the issuance of our 8% Notes.
During the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, we made income tax payments totaling $13.5 million and $8.2 million, respectively.
During the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, we completed sale-leaseback transactions resulting in the sale of $11.0 million and $15.7 million of Assets Held for Sale and the removal of the corresponding liabilities from our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, respectively.
14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
A significant portion of our vehicle business involves the sale of vehicles, parts or vehicles composed of parts that are manufactured outside the United States of America. As a result, our operations are subject to customary risks of importing merchandise, including fluctuations in the relative values of currencies, import duties, exchange controls, trade
restrictions, work stoppages and general political and socio-economic conditions in foreign countries. The United States of America or the countries from which our products are imported may, from time to time, impose new quotas, duties, tariffs or other restrictions, or adjust presently prevailing quotas, duties or tariffs, which may affect our operations and our ability to purchase imported vehicles and/or parts at reasonable prices.
Manufacturers may direct us to implement costly capital improvements to dealerships as a condition upon entering into franchise agreements with them. Manufacturers also typically require that their franchises meet specific standards of appearance. These factors, either alone or in combination, could cause us to divert our financial resources to capital projects from uses that management believes may be of higher long-term value, such as acquisitions.
Substantially all of our facilities are subject to federal, state and local provisions regarding the discharge of materials into the environment. Compliance with these provisions has not had, nor do we expect such compliance to have, any material effect upon our capital expenditures, net earnings, financial condition, liquidity or competitive position. We believe that our current practices and procedures for the control and disposition of such materials comply with applicable federal, state and local requirements.
From time to time, we and our dealerships are named in claims involving the manufacture and sale or lease of motor vehicles, including but not limited to the charging of administrative fees, the operation of dealerships, contractual disputes and other matters arising in the ordinary course of our business. With respect to certain of these claims, the sellers of our acquired dealerships have indemnified us. We do not expect that any potential liability from these claims will materially affect our financial condition, liquidity, results of operations or financial statement disclosures.
Our dealerships hold dealer agreements with a number of vehicle manufacturers. In accordance with the individual dealer agreements, each dealership is subject to certain rights and restrictions typical of the industry. The ability of the manufacturers to influence the operations of the dealerships or the loss of a dealer agreement could have a negative impact on our operating results.
15. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Our 8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014 and our Committed Credit Facility are guaranteed by all of our current subsidiaries, other than our current Toyota and Lexus dealership subsidiaries, and all of our future domestic restricted subsidiaries, other than our future Toyota and Lexus dealership facilities. The following tables set forth, on a condensed consolidating basis, our balance sheets, statements of income and statements of cash flows, for our guarantor and non-guarantor subsidiaries for all financial statement periods presented in our interim Condensed Consolidated financial statements.
Condensed Consolidating Balance SheetAs of June 30, 2006(In thousands)
ParentCompany
GuarantorSubsidiaries
Non-guarantorSubsidiaries
Eliminations
Consolidated
Current assets:
721,105
58,712
Other current assets
309,252
33,127
342,379
1,139,131
91,839
192,348
6,477
397,160
53,202
93,857
273
Investment in subsidiaries
78,021
(665,651
1,900,517
151,791
Current liabilities:
Floor plan notes payable manufacturer affiliated
Floor plan notes payable nonmanufacturer affiliated
281,240
45,063
Other current liabilities
149,453
28,652
178,105
767,377
73,715
470,688
55
74,822
Shareholders equity
Condensed Consolidating Balance SheetAs of December 31, 2005(In thousands)
CondensedConsolidated
658,820
50,971
334,403
32,294
366,697
1,101,915
83,265
187,077
6,380
404,203
94,470
288
71,809
(619,575
1,859,474
143,135
Current Liabilities:
Floor plan notes payable - manufacturer affiliated
Floor plan notes payable - non-manufacturer affiliated
368,213
42,125
167,929
29,068
196,997
767,033
71,193
472,359
68
72,316
65
72,381
Condensed Consolidating Statement of IncomeFor the Three Months Ended June 30, 2006(In thousands)
1,334,558
187,293
(3,914
1,133,790
159,279
200,768
28,014
Operating expenses:
152,492
19,223
4,640
473
43,636
8,318
Other income (expense):
(10,483
(756
(9,584
(1,555
1,367
135
1,502
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
3,839
(22,843
(14,861
(2,176
28,775
6,142
Income tax expense
9,351
2,303
Income from continuing operations
18
Condensed Consolidating Statement of IncomeFor the Three Months Ended June 30, 2005(In thousands)
1,251,003
168,612
(1,828
1,065,858
144,298
185,145
24,314
143,038
17,147
4,413
355
37,694
6,812
(7,029
(429
(8,968
(1,301
498
503
3,065
(19,051
(12,434
(1,725
25,260
5,087
8,322
1,909
16,938
3,178
(952
(113
19
Condensed Consolidating Statement of IncomeFor the Six Months Ended June 30, 2006(In thousands)
2,561,182
347,133
(5,727
2,173,093
295,110
388,089
52,023
300,473
36,891
9,173
915
78,443
14,217
(18,990
(1,411
(19,014
(3,029
2,353
220
2,573
6,248
(37,805
(29,403
(4,220
49,040
9,997
16,047
3,749
20
Condensed Consolidating Statement of IncomeFor the Six Months Ended June 30, 2005(In thousands)
2,383,543
316,840
(3,708
2,026,099
270,328
357,444
46,512
285,006
33,546
8,770
690
63,668
12,276
(13,208
(780
(17,400
(2,469
861
876
5,493
(31,120
(24,254
(3,234
39,414
9,042
12,719
3,392
26,695
5,650
(1,068
(157
21
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash FlowsFor the Six Months Ended June 30, 2006(In thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities
103,598
2,087
Cash flow from investing activities:
Capital expenditures
(22,103
(1,196
(23,299
44,475
44,494
22,372
(1,177
Cash flow from financing activities:
Floor plan borrowings non-manufacturer affiliated
1,047,401
225,776
Floor plan repayments non-manufacturer affiliated
(1,148,521
(222,837
(2,214
(12
Intercompany financing
3,837
(3,837
Other financing activities
4,443
Net cash used in financing activities
(94,067
(910
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
22
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash FlowsFor the Six Months Ended June 30, 2005(In thousands)
Net cash used in operating activities
(68,431
(9,265
(34,707
(471
(35,178
9,705
9,706
Net cash used in investing activities
(36,564
(470
1,474,852
278,263
(1,356,316
(273,327
(41,983
(6
(4,805
4,805
(4,531
Net cash provided by financing activities
87,951
9,735
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On July 31, 2006, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per common share payable on August 24, 2006 to shareholders of record as of August 11, 2006.
23
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.:
We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of June 30, 2006, and the related condensed consolidated statements of income for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, and statements of cash flows for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2006 and 2005. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management.
We conducted our reviews in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to such condensed consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have previously audited, in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2005, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated March 15, 2006, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2005 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
August 7, 2006
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
We are one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, operating 119 franchises (86 dealership locations) in 21 metropolitan markets within 10 states as of June 30, 2006. We offer 33 different brands of new vehicles, including four heavy truck brands. We also operate 24 collision repair centers that serve our markets.
Our revenues are derived primarily from four offerings: (i) the sale of new vehicles to individual retail customers (new retail) and the sale of new vehicles to commercial customers (fleet) (the terms new retail and fleet being collectively referred to as new); (ii) the sale of used vehicles to individual retail customers (used retail) and the sale of used vehicles to other dealers at auction (wholesale) (the terms used retail and wholesale being collectively referred to as used); (iii) maintenance and collision repair services and the sale of automotive parts (collectively referred to as fixed operations); and (iv) the arrangement of vehicle financing and the sale of various insurance and warranty products (collectively referred to as F&I). We evaluate the results of our new and used vehicle sales based on unit volumes and gross profit per vehicle retailed (PVR), our fixed operations based on aggregate gross profit, and F&I based on gross profit PVR. We assess the organic growth of our revenue and gross profit by comparing the year-to-year results of stores that we have operated for at least twelve months (same store).
We have grown our business through the acquisition of large dealership groups and numerous tuck-in acquisitions. Tuck-in acquisitions refer to the purchase of dealerships in the market areas in which we have existing dealerships. We use tuck-in acquisitions to increase the number of vehicle brands we offer in a particular market area to create a larger gross profit base over which to spread overhead costs.
Our retail network is currently organized into principally four regions and includes ten dealership groups, each marketed under different local brands: (i) Florida (comprising our Coggin dealerships, operating primarily in Jacksonville and Orlando, and our Courtesy dealerships operating in Tampa), (ii) West (comprising our McDavid dealerships operating throughout Texas and our Spirit dealership operating in Los Angeles, California), (iii) Mid-Atlantic (comprising our Crown dealerships operating in North Carolina, South Carolina and Southern Virginia) and (iv) South (comprising our Nalley dealerships operating in Atlanta, Georgia and our North Point dealerships operating in Little Rock, Arkansas). Our Plaza dealerships operating in St. Louis, Missouri, our Gray Daniels dealerships operating in Jackson, Mississippi and our Northern California Dealerships operating in Sacramento and Fresno, California remain standalone operations.
Our gross profit margin varies with our revenue mix. The sale of vehicles generally results in lower gross profit percentages than our fixed operations. As a result, when fixed operations revenue increases as a percentage of total revenue, we expect our overall gross profit margin to increase.
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses consist primarily of fixed and incentive-based compensation, advertising, rent, insurance, utilities and other customary operating expenses. A significant portion of our selling expenses is variable (such as sales commissions), or controllable expenses (such as advertising), generally allowing our cost structure to adapt in response to trends in our business. We evaluate commissions paid to salespeople as a percentage of retail vehicle gross profit and all other SG&A expenses in the aggregate as a percentage of total gross profit. In January 2006, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123R Share-Based Payment under the modified prospective transition method and decided to issue restricted stock units to our employees in lieu of stock options. As a result, we have recorded stock-based compensation expense under the fair value method for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006. Prior to January 2006, including the three and six months ended June 30, 2005, we accounted for stock-based compensation expense under the intrinsic value method.
Sales of vehicles (particularly new vehicles) have historically fluctuated with general macroeconomic conditions, including consumer confidence, availability of consumer credit and fuel prices. Although these factors may impact our business, we believe that any future negative trends will be mitigated by (i) our advantageous brand mix, which is weighted towards luxury and mid-line import brands, (ii) increased used vehicle sales, (iii) stability of our fixed operations, (iv) our variable cost structure and (v) our regional diversity. We believe that, historically, we have been less affected by market volatility than the U.S. automobile industry as a whole as a result of our brand mix. We expect the recent industry-wide gain in market share of the luxury and mid-line import brands to continue in the near future.
Our operations are generally subject to seasonal variations as we tend to generate more revenue and operating income in the second and third quarters than in the first and fourth quarters. Generally, the seasonal variations in our operations are caused by many factors, including weather conditions, changes in manufacturer incentive programs, model changeovers and consumer buying patterns. Over the past several years, certain automobile manufacturers have used a
combination of vehicle pricing and financing incentive programs to generate increased customer demand for new vehicles. We anticipate that the manufacturers will continue to use these incentive programs in the future. In addition, we will continue to expand our service capacity in order to meet anticipated future demand, as we expect the recent increases in market share of the mid-line import and luxury import brands and our focused effort on creating and maintaining customer relationships will drive future service demand at our dealership locations.
Interest rates have continued to increase through the first half of 2006. We do not believe that changes in interest rates significantly impact customer overall buying patterns, as changes in interest rates do not dramatically increase the monthly payment of a financed vehicle. For example, the monthly payment for a typical vehicle financing transaction in which a customer finances $25,000 at 8.5% over 60 months increases by approximately $6.05 with each 50 basis-point increase in short-term interest rates.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended June 30, 2006, Compared to the Three Months Ended June 30, 2005
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
% ofGrossProfit
Increase(Decrease)
%Change
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
New Vehicle
45,808
%
Used Vehicle
36,145
14,037
4,160
100,150
COST OF SALES
80,827
100
19,323
75
76
11,530
345
7,448
(5
)%
(4
3,781
870
Interest and other income, net
999
199
Total other expense
(9
3,652
3,796
1,423
2,373
(1
645
61
3,018
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (DILUTED):
Continuing Operations
0.06
Discontinued Operations
0.07
Net income increased 19%, or $0.07 per diluted share, to $19.0 million, or $0.56 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2006, from $16.0 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2005.
Income from continuing operations increased 14%, or $0.06 per diluted share, to $19.4 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2006, from $17.1 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2005. Income from continuing operations for the three months ended June 30, 2006, includes (i) a $2.1 million (net of tax) gain related to the sale of our remaining interest in a pool of extended service contracts (corporate generated F&I gain), (ii) $0.9 million (net of tax) of costs associated with our decision to abandon certain strategic projects, and (iii) $0.6 million (net of tax) of stock-based compensation expense. Excluding these items, adjusted income from continuing
26
operations increased 10% to $18.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006, from $17.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005. We believe that excluding these items provides a more accurate representation of our year over year financial performance.
The increase in adjusted income from continuing operations resulted from several factors, including: (i) a 20% increase in used retail gross profit and an 8% increase in fixed operations gross profit as a result of our focused investments in our high margin businesses; (ii) a 6% increase in new retail gross profit despite a challenging new vehicle sales environment and a highly incentivized environment in the prior period; (iii) several expense control initiatives, including our regional reorganization in 2005 and new vehicle advertising, both of which contributed to a 140 basis point improvement in our adjusted SG&A expenses as a percentage of adjusted gross profit. These factors were partially offset by a 51% increase in floor plan interest expense resulting primarily from a 200 basis point increase in short-term interest rates.
Total revenues increased 7% to $1.5 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2006, from $1.4 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2005. The increase in total revenues was a result of a 5% increase in new vehicle revenue and a 10% ncrease in used vehicle revenue. We expect total revenue to increase as we (i) continue to benefit from our brand mix as mid-line import and luxury brands continue to increase their market share, (ii) continue to expand our service capacity, (iii) benefit from improved performance of our high margin businesses as a result of our focused investments in these areas and (iv) acquire dealerships.
Total gross profit increased 9% to $228.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006, from $209.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005. Total gross profit, excluding the corporate generated F&I gain, increased 8% to $225.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006, from $209.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005. The increase in gross profit was driven by solid performances in new retail, used retail and fixed operations, led by a 20% increase in used retail gross profit.
Increase
New Vehicle
(Decrease)
Change
(Dollars in thousands, except PVR data)
Revenues:
New retail revenuessame store(1)
262,800
30
272,594
32
(9,794
Mid-line import
366,909
42
328,809
39
38,100
Mid-line domestic
124,224
148,769
(24,545
(16
19,759
22,290
(2,531
(11
Heavy trucks
103,262
66,523
36,739
Total new retail revenuessame store(1)
876,954
838,985
37,969
New retail revenuesacquisitions
10,114
Total new retail revenues
887,068
48,083
Fleet revenuessame store(1)
30,639
33,323
(2,684
(8
Fleet revenuesacquisitions
409
Total fleet revenues
31,048
(2,275)
(7
New vehicle revenues, as reported
New retail units:
New retail unitssame store(1)
5,803
6,155
(352
15,107
13,700
1,407
4,403
5,233
(830
975
1,142
(167
(15
1,698
1,219
479
Total new retail unitssame store(1)
27,986
27,449
537
New retail unitsacquisitions
343
Retail unitsactual
28,329
880
New revenue PVRsame store(1)
31,335
30,565
New revenue PVRactual
31,313
748
(1) Same store amounts include the results of dealerships for the identical months for each period presented in the comparison, commencing with the first full month in which the dealership was owned by us.
27
Gross Profit:
New retail gross profitsame store(1)
19,938
20,647
35
(709
(3
25,224
21,694
37
3,530
8,928
10,159
(1,231
1,210
2,035
(825
(41
6,462
4,605
1,857
40
Total new retail gross profitsame store(1)
61,762
59,140
2,622
New retail gross profitacquisitions
704
Total retail gross profit
62,466
3,326
Fleet gross profitsame store(1)
1,240
829
411
Fleet gross profitacquisitions
Total fleet gross profit
1,260
431
New vehicle gross profit, as reported
63,726
59,969
3,757
New gross profit PVRsame store(1)
2,207
2,155
New gross profit PVRactual
2,205
New retail gross marginsame store(1)
7.0
New retail gross marginactual
New vehicle revenues increased 5% to $918.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006, from $872.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005. The increase in new vehicle revenues is a result of a 3% increase in new retail unit sales driven by our mid-line import brands, which increased 10%. In addition, new revenue PVR increased 2%, driven by an 11% increase from our heavy trucks business in Atlanta, Georgia. Our brand mix, heavily weighted toward luxury and mid-line import, continues to help us outperform the industry in new vehicle unit sales as these brands continue to take market share. As a result, we experienced flat passenger vehicle unit sales (excluding heavy trucks) despite a 5% decline in U.S. passenger vehicle unit sales. In addition, we have seen a significant increase in our heavy truck business as we believe future changes in emission laws on heavy trucks has created a significant current period demand.
New vehicle gross profit increased 6% to $63.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006, from $60.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005. The increase in new vehicle gross profit was driven by a $3.5 million, or 16% increase in mid-line import retail gross profit as these brands continue their strong performance, and a $1.9 million, or 40% increase, from our heavy trucks business. These increases were offset by the performance of our mid-line domestic brands, which were down $1.2 million, or 12%. During the second quarter 2005 the employee pricing sales campaign was introduced by the domestic manufacturers, which created a significant demand for domestic vehicles, particularly General Motors.
28
Used Vehicle
Retail revenuessame store(1)
295,268
265,220
30,048
Retail revenuesacquisitions
Total used retail revenues
Wholesale revenuessame store(1)
89,293
83,196
6,097
Wholesale revenuesacquisitions
Total wholesale revenues
Used vehicle revenues, as reported
Retail gross profitsame store(1)
35,897
29,818
6,079
Retail gross profitacquisitions
Total used retail gross profit
Wholesale gross profitsame store(1)
(1,259
119
(1,378
NM
Wholesale gross profitacquisitions
Total wholesale gross profit
Used vehicle gross profit, as reported
34,638
29,937
4,701
Used retail unitssame store(1)
16,414
15,425
989
Used retail unitsacquisitions
Used retail unitsactual
Used revenue PVRsame store(1)
17,989
17,194
795
Used revenue PVRactual
Used gross profit PVRsame store(1)
2,187
1,933
254
Used gross profit PVRactual
Used retail gross marginsame store(1)
12.2
11.2
1.0
Used retail gross marginactual
Used vehicle revenues increased 10% to $384.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006, from $348.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005. The increase in used vehicle revenues was a result of a 5% and 6% increase in used revenue PVR and used retail unit sales, respectively. The strength of the used vehicle market during the second quarter, our sharing of internal best practices, including centralized used car teams, and our used vehicle merchandising initiatives have continued to result in increased used vehicle unit sales and improved used revenue PVR.
Used vehicle gross profit increased 16% to $34.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006, from $29.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005. Used retail gross profit increased 20% to $35.9 million as a result of our investment in new software to better value trade-ins, improved inventory management and the execution by our regional management teams dedicated to the used vehicle business.
29
Fixed Operations
Revenuessame store(1)
Parts and service
153,942
142,040
11,902
Collision repair
16,811
15,959
852
Total revenuessame store(1)
170,753
12,754
Revenuesacquisitions
1,283
Parts, service and collision repair revenues, as reported
Gross profitsame store(1)
77,148
71,628
5,520
9,379
8,861
518
Total gross profitsame store(1)
86,527
80,489
6,038
Gross profitacquisitions
667
Parts, service and collision repair gross profit, as reported
87,194
6,705
Parts and service gross marginsame store(1)
50.1
50.4
(0.3
Collision repair gross marginsame store(1)
55.8
55.5
0.3
Fixed operations revenues increased 9% to $172.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006, from $158.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005. Fixed operations revenues increased primarily due to an 11% increase in our customer pay parts and service businesses. The growth in our customer pay business is a result of facility expansion, increased capacity utilization, equipment upgrades and continued focus on customer retention initiatives. Our warranty business continued its positive performance driven by the increase in retail unit sales and increased work on imported vehicles, which typically generate higher revenue than domestic brands. We will continue to add service stalls and service technicians during 2006 in order to meet anticipated future demand, as we expect the recent increases in market share of the mid-line import and luxury import brands to continue to provide increased service work.
Fixed operations gross profit increased 8% to $87.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006, from $80.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005. The increase in fixed operations gross profit is primarily a result of increased gross profit from our customer pay parts and service businesses.
Finance and Insurance, net
Dealership generated F&I, netsame store(1)
38,840
37,697
1,143
Dealership generated F&I, netacquisitions
292
Dealership generated F&I, net
39,132
1,435
Corporate generated F&I
692
(675
(49
Corporate generated F&I gain
3,400
Finance and insurance, net as reported
Dealership generated F&I PVRsame store (1) (2)
875
879
Dealership generated F&I PVRactual (2)
F&I PVRactual
966
911
(2) Refer to Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Information for further discussion regarding dealership generated F&I PVR.
F&I increased 11% to $43.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006, from $39.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005. Included in F&I was a $3.4 million gain related to the sale of our remaining interest in a pool of extended service contracts. This pool of contracts had been the source of our corporate generated F&I. Excluding this item F&I increased 2% to $39.8 million. The increase in F&I was primarily a result of the 4% increase in retail units sales as dealership generated F&I PVR was relatively flat at $875. We anticipate F&I will increase in the near future as a result of (i) our expectation of growth of new and used retail vehicle sales (ii) the implementation of new corporate-sponsored programs and (iii) improvement of the F&I operations at our under-performing franchises. Dealership generated F&I excludes retrospective commissions from contracts negotiated by our corporate office, which are attributable to retail units sold during prior periods and the corporate generated F&I gain. Corporate generated F&I was $0.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006 and $1.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005. As a result of the aforementioned sale of our remaining interest in a pool of extended service contracts, we do not anticipate recognizing any significant corporate generated F&I in the future.
31
Selling, General and Administrative
For the Three Months EndedJune 30,
% of GrossProfit
Personnel costs
78,561
34.3
73,372
35.0
5,189
Sales compensation
26,712
11.7
24,091
11.5
2,621
927
0.4
Outside services
14,561
6.4
13,831
6.6
730
Advertising
12,913
5.6
13,780
(867
Rent
13,434
5.9
11,814
1,620
Utilities
4,380
1.9
4,014
366
Insurance
3,845
1.7
3,675
1.8
170
Other
16,382
7.2
15,608
7.5
774
75.1
76.5
Abandoned strategic project expenses
(1,417
(927
Adjusted selling, general and administrative
169,371
9,186
Gross Profit
(3,400
Adjusted gross profit
225,382
15,923
SG&A expenses increased 7% to $171.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006, from $160.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005. SG&A expenses include $0.9 million of stock-based compensation expense and $1.4 million of abandoned strategic project expenses during the three months ended June 30, 2006. Excluding these items, adjusted SG&A expense increased 6% to $169.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006, from $160.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005. Adjusted SG&A expense as a percentage of adjusted gross profit (excluding the $3.4 million corporate generated F&I gain) for the three months ended June 30, 2006 improved 140 basis points to 75.1%, from 76.5% for the three months ended June 30, 2005. The improvement in adjusted SG&A as a percentage of adjusted gross profit is a result of several strategic expense control initiatives including our regional reorganization in 2005 and our advertising expense initiatives, which focus on the most effective use of our resources. These improvements were offset by increased rent resulting from our strategy to reduce our ownership of real estate through the use of sale-leaseback transactions. During 2005, we sold approximately $33.1 million of real estate in connection with seven sale-leaseback transactions. We estimate the incremental annualized rent expense from these seven sale-leaseback transactions will be approximately $3.0 million.
In January 2006, we adopted SFAS No. 123R under the modified prospective transition method and decided to issue restricted stock units to our employees in lieu of stock options. As a result, we have recorded stock-based compensation expense of $0.9 million under the fair value method for the three months ended June 30, 2006. Prior to January 2006, including the three month period ended June 30, 2005, we accounted for stock-based compensation awards under the intrinsic value method. We expect stock-based compensation expense to total approximately $5.1 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, for the year ending December 31, 2006. Certain of our stock-based awards have conditions based on our performance that may affect the number of awards ultimately issued. Therefore, the amount of stock-based compensation expense recorded may differ from our current estimate.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense increased 7% to $5.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006, from $4.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005. This increase is primarily related to property and equipment acquired between July 1, 2005 and June 30, 2006. We expect to continue to incur capital expenditures to remodel and upgrade our facilities and expand our service capacity and therefore expect depreciation expense to increase in the future.
Other Income (Expense)
Floor plan interest expense increased 51% to $11.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006 from $7.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005. This increase was the result of a 200 basis point increase in short-term
interest rates.
During the first quarter of 2006, two of our cash flow swaps on our floor plan notes payable expired. As a result, we will recognize additional floor plan interest expense of approximately $0.7 million during 2006. We expect further increases in floor plan interest in 2006 due to increases in short-term interest rates.
Other interest expense increased 8% to $11.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006, from $10.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005. The increase in other interest expense is a result of a higher effective interest rate on our 8% Senior Subordinated Notes (8% Notes) due to the expiration of a fair value swap on the 8% Notes. As a result, our 8% Notes, which had a variable rate while the fair value swap was in place, are now fixed at 8% until maturity in 2014. We anticipate that the expiration of the swap will increase our other interest expense by approximately $5.4 million in 2006.
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense increased 14% to $11.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006, from $10.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005. Our effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 was 37.5%. As we operate nationally, our effective tax rate is dependent upon our geographic revenue mix. We evaluate our effective tax rate periodically based on our revenue sources. We will continue to evaluate our effective tax rate in the future, and expect that our future annual effective tax rate will fluctuate between 37% and 38%.
33
Discontinued Operations
For the Three Months EndedJune 30, 2006
For the Three Months EndedJune 30, 2005
Sold(b)
PendingDisposition(a)
Franchises
Ancillary businesses
Gain (loss) on disposition of discontinued operations
Income tax benefit (expense)
(a) Businesses were pending disposition as of June 30, 2006
(b) Businesses were sold between April 1, 2005 and June 30, 2006
During the three months ended June 30, 2006, we sold three franchises (three dealership locations), and as of June 30, 2006, we were actively pursuing the sale of one franchise and one ancillary business. The $0.4 million loss from discontinued operations is primarily attributable to operating losses of the four franchises mentioned above offset by the $2.6 million gain ($1.6 million, net of tax) on the sale of three franchises during the three months ended June 30, 2006. The $1.1 million loss from discontinued operations for the three months ended June 30, 2005 is a result of operating losses of the franchises mentioned above and franchises and an ancillary business sold between April 2005 and March 2006 and a $0.4 million ($0.2 million, net of tax) net loss on the sale of two franchises (one dealership location) sold during the second quarter of 2005.
We continuously evaluate the financial and operating results of our franchises, specifically the 10% contributing the least amount of operating income, and we will look to divest dealerships that do not meet our expectations. Based on the performance of our current brand mix, we do not anticipate a significant amount of divestitures in the near future.
34
Six Months Ended June 30, 2006, Compared to the Six Months Ended June 30, 2005
For the Six Months EndedJune 30,
95,576
73,795
32,252
4,290
205,913
169,757
36,156
77
18,812
628
16,716
6,413
46
2,174
1,697
194
6,890
9,826
3,685
6,141
(211
5,930
0.16
Net income increased 23%, or $0.16 per diluted share, to $31.6 million, or $0.94 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2006, from $25.6 million, or $0.78 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2005.
Income from continuing operations increased 23%, or $0.16 per diluted share, to $33.0 million, or $0.98 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2006, from $26.9 million, or $0.82 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2005. Income from continuing operations for the six months ended June 30, 2006 includes (i) a $2.1 million (net of tax) gain related to the sale of our remaining interest in a pool of extended service contracts (corporate generated F&I gain), (ii) $1.0 million (net of tax) of costs associated with our decision to abandon certain strategic projects, and (iii) $1.4 million (net of tax) of stock-based compensation expense. Income from continuing operations for the six months ended June 30, 2005 includes $2.2 million (net of tax) of costs associated with our regional reorganization. Excluding these items, adjusted income from continuing operations increased 15% to $33.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006, from $29.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005.
The increase in adjusted income from continuing operations resulted from several factors, including: (i) a 15% increase in used vehicle gross profit and a 9% increase in fixed operations gross profit as a result of a strategic focus on our high margin businesses; (ii) the very solid performance of our new retail business, which delivered a 7% increase in gross profit; and (iii) several expense control initiatives, including our regional reorganization and new vehicle advertising, both of which contributed to a 170 basis point improvement in adjusted SG&A expenses as a percentage of adjusted gross profit (excluding the $3.4 million corporate generated F&I gain). These factors were partially offset by a 46% increase in floor plan interest expense as a result of a 200 basis point increase in short-term interest rates.
Total revenues increased 8% to $2.9 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2006, from $2.7 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2005. The increase in total revenues was a result of a 6% increase in new vehicle revenue and an
11% increase in used vehicle revenue.
Total gross profit increased 9% to $440.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006, from $404.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. Total gross profit, excluding the corporate generated F&I gain, increased 8% to $436.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006 from $404.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. The increase in total gross profit was driven by a $14.1 million, or 9% increase in fixed operations gross profit as well as almost $9.0 million increases in both used vehicle and new vehicle gross profit, representing a 15% and 8% increase, respectively.
510,935
507,112
3,823
675,851
617,299
58,552
240,142
273,430
(33,288
37,442
39,580
(2,138
166,603
126,095
40,508
1,630,973
1,563,516
67,457
27,076
1,658,049
94,533
80,285
80,061
224
819
81,104
1,043
11,310
11,435
(125
27,536
25,530
2,006
8,493
9,599
(1,106
1,798
(208
2,774
2,364
410
51,911
50,934
977
976
52,887
1,953
31,419
30,697
722
31,351
654
36
38,249
39,054
(805
(2
46,991
40,098
6,893
17,906
19,818
(1,912
2,634
3,542
(908
(26
11,824
8,832
2,992
117,604
111,344
6,260
1,837
119,441
8,097
2,069
1,388
681
2,082
694
121,523
112,732
8,791
2,265
2,186
2,258
72
7.1
0.1
New vehicle revenues increased 6% to $1.7 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2006, from $1.6 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2005. The increase in new vehicle revenues was a result of a 2% increase in new revenue PVR, led by a 13% increase from our heavy trucks business in Atlanta, Georgia. New retail unit sales increased 4% driven by our mid-line import brands, which increased 8%, as well as a 2% from franchises we acquired within the last nine months.
New vehicle gross profit increased 8% to $121.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006, from $112.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. New retail gross profit increased 7%, driven by a 17% increase in mid-line import gross profit as these brands continued their strong performance, and a 34% increase from our heavy trucks business. These increases were offset by the performance of our mid-line domestic brands, which were down 10%, with the majority of the decrease as a result of the new vehicle incentive environment in the second quarter of 2005.
For the Six Months Ended
June 30,
561,891
503,825
58,066
3,523
565,414
61,589
176,373
165,047
11,326
177,253
12,206
67,922
57,429
10,493
493
68,415
10,986
(883
(2,903
(173
(850
(2,060
67,565
58,639
8,926
31,675
29,926
1,749
229
31,904
1,978
17,739
16,836
903
17,722
886
2,144
1,919
225
12.1
11.4
0.7
Used vehicle revenues increased 11% to $742.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006, from $668.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. Used retail revenues increased 12% to $565.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006, as a result of a 7% and 5% increase in used retail unit sales and used revenue PVR, respectively. The strength of the used vehicle market and our used vehicle merchandising initiatives have resulted in increased used vehicle sales and improved used revenue PVR.
Used vehicle gross profit increased 15% to $67.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006, from $58.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. Used retail gross profit increased 19% to $68.4 million primarily as a result of our investment in new software to better value trade-ins, improve inventory management and the execution by our regional management teams dedicated to the used vehicle business.
38
304,490
277,468
27,022
34,076
32,204
1,872
338,566
28,894
3,358
151,470
140,071
11,399
18,986
17,960
1,026
170,456
158,031
12,425
1,724
172,180
14,149
49.7
50.5
(0.8
55.7
(0.1
Fixed operations revenues increased 10% to $341.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006, from $309.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. Fixed operations gross profit increased 9% to $172.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006, from $158.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. Fixed operations revenues and gross profit increased primarily due to a 14% and 13% increase in our customer pay parts and service businesses, respectively.
Dealership generated F&Isame store(1)
72,700
71,984
716
Dealership generated F&Iacquisitions
1,059
73,759
1,775
1,685
2,570
(885
(34
Dealership generated F&I PVRsame store (1)(2)
890
(20
Dealership generated F&I PVRactual(2)
F&I PVRactual
930
922
(2) Refer to Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Information for further discussion regarding dealership generated F&I profit PVR.
F&I increased 6% to $78.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006, from $74.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. Included in F&I was a $3.4 million gain related to sale of our remaining interest in a pool of extended service contracts. Excluding this item, F&I increased 1% to $75.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006, from $74.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. The increase in F&I was primarily a result of the 5% increase in retail
units sales as dealership F&I PVR decreased $20. The decrease in dealership generated F&I PVR was primarily a result of the decrease of our captive finance company loan portfolio. As of June 30, 2006, we had approximately $23.8 million of notes receivable outstanding compared to $35.0 million as of June 30, 2005. We expect to maintain between $20.0 and $25.0 million of notes receivable. Corporate generated F&I was $1.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006, and $2.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. As a result of the aforementioned sale of our remaining interest in a pool of extended service contracts, we do not anticipate to recognize any further corporate generated F&I in the future.
% of Gross
Profit
156,914
35.7
149,419
37.0
7,495
50,177
45,654
11.3
4,523
0.5
27,983
27,425
6.8
558
24,826
26,265
6.5
(1,439
26,628
6.1
23,765
2,863
9,336
2.1
8,501
835
7,798
7,205
593
31,406
30,318
1,088
76.7
78.9
(1,658
(2,296
Reorganization expenses
(3,566
333,410
76.3
314,986
78.0
18,424
436,712
32,756
SG&A expenses increased 6% to $337.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006, from $318.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. SG&A expenses includes $2.3 million of stock-based compensation expense and $1.7 million of abandoned strategic project expenses during the six months ended June 30, 2006, and $3.6 million of reorganization costs during the six months ended June 30, 2005. Excluding these items, adjusted SG&A expense increased 6% to $333.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006, from $315.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. Adjusted SG&A expense as a percentage of adjusted gross profit (excluding the $3.4 million corporate generated F&I gain) for the six months ended June 30, 2006 improved 170 basis points to 76.3%, from 78.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2005. The improvement in adjusted SG&A as a percentage of adjusted gross profit is a result of several strategic expense control initiatives including our regional reorganization and our advertising expense initiatives, which focus on the most effective use of our resources. These improvements were offset by increased rent resulting from our strategy to reduce our ownership of real estate through the use of sale-leaseback transactions.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased 7% to $10.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006, from $9.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. This increase is primarily related to property and equipment acquired between July 1, 2005 and June 30, 2006.
Floor plan interest expense increased 46% to $20.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006 from $14.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. This increase was primarily a result of a 200 basis point increase in short-term interest rates.
Other interest expense increased 11% to $22.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006, from $19.9 million
for the six months ended June 30, 2005. The increase in other interest expense is a result of a higher effective interest rate on our 8% Notes due to the expiration of a fair value swap. As a result, our 8% Notes, which had a variable rate while the fair value swap was in place, are now fixed at 8% until maturity in 2014.
Income tax expense increased 23% to $19.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006, from $16.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. Our effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 was 37.5%.
June 30, 2006
June 30, 2005
Pending
Disposition
Disposition(a)
(b) Businesses were sold between January 1, 2005 and June 30, 2006
During the six months ended June 30, 2006, we sold six franchises (five dealership locations), and as of June 30, 2006, we were actively pursuing the sale of one franchise and one ancillary business. The $1.4 million loss from discontinued operations is primarily attributable to operating losses of the seven franchises mentioned above, offset by the $2.6 million gain ($1.6 million, net of tax) on the sale of six franchises during 2006. The $1.2 million loss from discontinued operations for the six months ended June 30, 2005, was primarily a result of the operating losses of the franchises mentioned above and franchises sold in 2005.
41
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
We require cash to fund working capital needs, finance acquisitions of new dealerships and fund capital expenditures. We believe that our cash and cash equivalents on hand as of June 30, 2006, our funds generated through future operations and the funds available for borrowings under our committed credit facility, floor plan financing agreements, mortgage notes payable and proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions will be sufficient to fund our debt service and working capital requirements, commitments and contingencies, acquisitions, current dividend commitments and any seasonal operating requirements for the foreseeable future.
As of June 30, 2006, we had cash and cash equivalents of $89.1 million and working capital of $389.9 million. In addition, we had $125.0 million available for borrowings under our committed credit facility for working capital, general corporate purposes and acquisitions.
Committed Credit Facility
In March 2005, we entered into a committed credit facility (the Committed Credit Facility) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and 17 other financial institutions (the Syndicate), which provided us with $150.0 million of working capital borrowing capacity and $650.0 million of new and used vehicle inventory financing at all of our dealerships except our Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Mazda, Volvo and Rover dealerships (Ford Trustmark) and General Motors dealerships. In addition, Ford Motor Credit Corporation (FMCC) and General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC) provide us with $150.0 million and $100.0 million, respectively, of floor plan financing outside of the Syndicate to finance inventory at our Ford Trustmark and General Motors dealerships.
In March 2006, we amended our Committed Credit Facility to include DaimlerChrysler Financial Services (DCFS) in the Syndicate and extend the maturity of the Committed Credit Facility from March 2008 to March 2009. In addition, DCFS agreed to provide a maximum of $120.0 million of floor plan financing outside of the Syndicate to finance inventory purchases at our Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep dealerships (DaimlerChrysler Dealerships). Pursuant to the signing of this amendment, floor plan borrowings from DCFS are now included in Floor plan notes payable manufacturer affiliated on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The DCFS facility has no stated termination date and borrowings will accrue interest based on LIBOR. Further, we reduced our working capital borrowing capacity from $150.0 million to $125.0 million and reduced the commitment of the Syndicate to finance our inventory purchases from $650.0 million to $425.0 million. In total, these commitments give us $125.0 million of working capital borrowing capacity and $795.0 million of floor plan borrowing capacity.
Floor Plan Financing-
We finance substantially all of our new vehicle inventory and, at our option, have the ability to finance a portion of our used vehicle inventory. We consider floor plan notes payable to a party that is affiliated with vehicle manufacturers from which we purchase new vehicle inventory floor plan notes payable manufacturer affiliated and all other floor plan notes payable floor plan notes payable non-manufacturer affiliated. As of June 30, 2006, total borrowing capacity under the floor plan financing agreements with our vehicle floor plan providers totaled $795.0 million. In addition, as of June 30, 2006, we had total borrowing capacity of $56.0 million under ancillary floor plan financing agreements with Comerica Bank and Navistar Financial for our heavy trucks business in Atlanta, Georgia. As of June 30, 2006, we had $660.0 million, including $2.6 million classified as Liabilities Associated with Assets Held for Sale, outstanding to lenders affiliated and non-affiliated with the vehicle manufacturers from which we purchase our vehicle inventory.
During the first quarter of 2006, we refinanced the floor plan notes payable at our DaimlerChrysler Dealerships through the repayment of $85.4 million of floor plan notes payable non-manufacturer affiliated with borrowings from DCFS, a manufacturer affiliated lender. As a result, floor plan notes payable at our DaimlerChrysler Dealerships are included in floor plan notes payable manufacturer affiliated on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2006. Floor plan notes payable at our DaimlerChrysler Dealerships totaled $91.3 million and $95.4 million as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively. In addition, during the six months ended June 30, 2006, our Floor plan repayments non-manufacturer affiliated and Floor plan notes payable manufacturer affiliated each increased by $85.4 million on our accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Acquisitions and Acquisition Financing-
We did not acquire any franchises during the six months ended June 30, 2006. During the six months ended June 30, 2005, we acquired one franchise (one dealership location) for an aggregate purchase price of $12.0 million, of which $4.7
million was paid in cash through the use of available funds; $6.8 million was borrowed from our floor plan facilities, with the remaining $0.5 million representing the fair value of future payments. We plan to use our available cash, borrowings under our Committed Credit Facility or proceeds from future sale-leaseback transactions to finance future acquisitions. Each year we expect to acquire dealerships that would add approximately $200.0 million of annualized revenues; however, we do not expect to achieve this target in 2006.
Sale-Leaseback Transactions
During the six months ended June 30, 2006, we completed one sale-leaseback transaction resulting in the sale of $11.0 million of real estate and construction improvements and the commencement of long-term operating leases for the assets sold. During the six months ended June 30, 2005, we completed two sale-leaseback transactions, which resulted in the sale of approximately $15.7 million of real estate and construction improvements and the commencement of long-term operating leases for the assets sold.
Debt Covenants-
We are subject to certain financial covenants in connection with our debt and lease agreements, including the financial covenants described below. Our Committed Credit Facility includes certain financial ratios with the following requirements: (i) an adjusted current ratio of at least 1.2 to 1, of which our ratio was approximately 1.6 to 1 as of June 30, 2006; (ii) a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.2 to 1, of which our ratio was approximately 1.5 to 1 as of June 30, 2006; (iii) an adjusted leverage ratio of not more than 4.5 to 1, of which our ratio was approximately 3.1 to 1 as of June 30, 2006 and (iv) a minimum adjusted net worth of not less than $350.0 million, of which our adjusted net worth was approximately $506.9 million as of June 30, 2006. A breach of these covenants could cause an acceleration of repayment of our Committed Credit Facility if not otherwise waived or cured. Certain of our lease agreements include financial ratios with the following requirements: (i) a liquidity ratio of at least 1.2 to 1, of which our ratio was approximately 1.5 to 1 as of June 30, 2006 and (ii) an EBITDA based coverage ratio of at least 1.5 to 1, of which our ratio was approximately 3.3 to 1 as of June 30, 2006. A breach of these covenants would give rise to certain lessor remedies under our various lease agreements, the most severe of which include the following: (a) termination of the applicable lease, (b) termination of certain of the tenants lease rights, such as renewal rights and rights of first offer or negotiation relating to the purchase of the premises, and/or (c) a liquidated damages claim equal to the extent to which the accelerated rents under the applicable lease for the remainder of the lease term exceed the fair market rent over the same periods. As of June 30, 2006, we were in compliance with all our debt and lease agreement covenants.
Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2006 Compared to the Six Months Ended June 30, 2005
Floor plan borrowings are required by all vehicle manufacturers for the purchase of new vehicles, and our agreements with our floor plan providers require us to repay amounts borrowed for the purchase of a vehicle immediately after the vehicle is sold. As a result, changes in floor plan notes payable are directly linked to changes in new vehicle inventory and therefore are an integral part of understanding changes in our working capital and operating cash flow. Consequently, we have provided a reconciliation of cash flow from operating activities and financing activities, as if all changes in floor plan notes payable were classified as an operating activity.
Reconciliation of cash provided by (used in) operating activities to adjusted cash provided by operating activities
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities
Floor plan notes payable non-manufacturer affiliated, net
(98,181
123,472
Cash provided by operating activities as adjusted
7,504
45,776
Reconciliation of cash (used in) provided by financing activities to adjusted cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(1,273,177
(1,753,115
1,371,358
1,629,643
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities as adjusted
3,204
(25,786
43
Operating Activities-
Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $105.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006. Net cash used in operating activities totaled $77.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. Net cash provided by operating activities, as adjusted, totaled $7.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006, and $45.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. Cash provided by operating activities, as adjusted, includes net income adjusted for non-cash items and changes in working capital, including changes in floor plan notes payable related to vehicle inventory. The $38.3 million decrease in our cash provided by operating activities, as adjusted, for the six months ended June 30, 2006, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2005, was primarily attributable to (i) $50.8 million related to the timing of inventory purchases and repayments of floor plan notes payable (including $21.0 million of repayments associated with six franchise divestitures discussed below); and (ii) $28.4 million related to the timing of payments of accounts payable and accrued liabilities and prepaid assets, including a $13.7 million payment associated with the expiration of three interest rate swaps, offset by $33.0 million related to the timing of collection of accounts receivable and contracts-in-transit.
We borrowed $6.8 million from our floor plan facilities for the purchase of inventory in connection with one franchise acquisition during the six months ended June 30, 2005. We did not complete any acquisitions during the six months ended June 30, 2006. In connection with six and four franchise divestitures, we repaid $21.0 million and $4.7 million of floor plan notes payable during the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Acquisition and divestiture activity decreased our cash provided by operating activities, as adjusted, by $21.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006. Acquisition and divestiture activity increased our cash provided by operating activities, as adjusted, by $2.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005.
Investing Activities
Net cash provided by investing activities totaled $21.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006. Net cash used in investing activities totaled $37.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. Cash flows from investing activities relate primarily to capital expenditures, acquisition and divestiture activity, sale of property and equipment and construction reimbursements from lessors in connection with our sale-leaseback agreements.
Capital expenditures were $23.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006, and $35.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. During the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, $7.1 million and $18.2 million, respectively, of capital expenditures were financed or were pending financing through sale-leaseback agreements or mortgage notes payable. Our capital expenditures consisted of upgrades to our existing facilities and construction of new facilities. Future capital expenditures will relate primarily to upgrading existing dealership facilities and operational improvements that we expect will provide us with acceptable rates of return on our investments. During the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, we received $3.1 million and $2.6 million, respectively, of construction reimbursements from lessors in connection with our sale-leaseback agreements. We expect that capital expenditures during 2006 will total between $60.0 million and $70.0 million, of which we intend to finance approximately 40% to 50% principally through sale-leaseback agreements.
Cash used for acquisitions totaled $11.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. We did not complete any acquisitions during the six months ended June 30, 2006.
Proceeds from the sale of assets totaled $42.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006, and $8.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. Included in proceeds from the sale of assets is the sale of six franchises (five dealership locations) during the six months ended June 30, 2006 and four franchises (two dealership locations) during the six months ended June 30, 2005. We completed the sale of the two remaining Thomason dealerships in Portland, Oregon in April 2006, for which we received approximately $14.6 million of net proceeds (approximately $22.2 million of gross proceeds less approximately $7.6 million of floor plan repayments). We continuously monitor the profitability and market value of our dealerships, specifically the 10% contributing the least amount of operating income, and may strategically divest non-profitable dealerships.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities totaled $95.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006. Net cash provided by financing activities totaled $97.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. Net cash provided by financing activities, as adjusted, totaled $3.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006. Net cash used in financing activities, as adjusted, totaled $25.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005.
During the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, we repaid debt of $2.2 million and $42.0 million, respectively. The majority of repayments during the six months end June 30, 2005, resulted from our decision to repay approximately $29.0 million of our variable rate mortgage notes payable.
44
During the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, we received proceeds from the exercise of stock options of $3.9 million and $0.4 million, respectively.
During the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, proceeds from borrowings amounted to $1.0 million and $20.7 million, respectively, which related primarily to mortgage financing associated with the construction of dealership facilities.
Off-Balance Sheet Transactions
We had no material off-balance sheet transactions during the periods presented other than those disclosed in Note 14 of our Condensed Consolidated financial statements.
Stock Repurchase and Dividend Restrictions
Pursuant to the indentures governing our 9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2012, our 8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014 and our Committed Credit Facility, our ability to repurchase shares of our common stock or pay cash dividends is limited. As of June 30, 2006, our ability to repurchase shares or pay cash dividends was limited to an aggregate purchase price of $76.1 million due to these restrictions. We did not repurchase any shares of our common stock during 2006 or 2005. On July 31, 2006, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per common share payable on August 24, 2006 to shareholders of record as of August 11, 2006.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
Preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Actual amounts could differ from those estimates. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates and assumptions and the effects of revisions are reflected in the financial statements in the period in which they are determined to be necessary. The accounting policies described below are those that most frequently require management to make estimates and judgments, and therefore are critical to understanding our results of operations. Senior management has discussed the development and selection of these accounting estimates and the related disclosures with the audit committee of our board of directors.
Inventories
Our inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. We use the specific identification method to value our vehicle inventories and the first-in, first-out method (FIFO) to account for our parts inventories. We maintain a reserve for specific inventory units where cost basis exceeds fair value. In assessing lower of cost or market for new and used vehicles, we consider (i) the aging of new and used vehicles, (ii) loss histories of new and used vehicles, (iii) the timing of annual and model changeovers of new vehicles and (iv) current market conditions. We very rarely sell new vehicles that have been in inventory for less than 300 days at a loss. Our new vehicle loss histories have indicated that our losses range between 1 to 4% of our new vehicle inventory that exceeded 300 days old. As of June 30, 2006, our new vehicle loss reserve was $0.3 million or 2.7% of new vehicle inventory over 300 days old. Each 1% change in our estimate would change our new vehicle reserve approximately $0.1 million. Our used vehicle loss histories have indicated that our losses range between 2 to 4% of our used vehicle inventory. As of June 30, 2006, our used vehicle loss reserve was $4.1 million or 3.3% of used vehicle inventory. A 1% change in our estimate of used vehicle losses would change Used Vehicle Cost of Sales by approximately $1.2 million.
Notes ReceivableFinance Contracts
As of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, we had outstanding notes receivable from finance contracts of $23.8 million and $27.2 million, respectively. These notes have initial terms ranging from 12 to 60 months, and are collateralized by the related vehicles. The assessment of our allowance for credit losses considers historical loss ratios and the performance of the current portfolio with respect to past due accounts. We continually analyze our current portfolio against our historical performance. In addition, we attribute minimal value to the underlying collateral in our assessment of the reserve. Our loss histories indicate our future credit losses will be approximately 14% of notes receivable. Our allowance for credit losses was $3.3 million and $3.5 million as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively. A 1% change in our estimate of notes
45
receivable losses during the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 would change our Finance and Insurance, net by approximately $0.2 million.
F&I Chargeback Reserve
We receive commissions from the sale of vehicle service contracts, credit life insurance and disability insurance to customers. In addition, we receive commissions from financing institutions for arranging customer financing. We may be charged back (chargebacks) for finance, insurance or vehicle service contract commissions in the event a contract is terminated. F&I commissions are recorded at the time the vehicles are sold and a reserve for future chargebacks is established based on historical operating results and the termination provisions of the applicable contracts. This data is evaluated on a product-by-product basis. Our loss histories vary depending on the product but generally range between 7% and 18%. Our chargeback reserves were $14.0 million and $12.6 million as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively. A 1% change in chargebacks of all our products during the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 would change Finance and Insurance, net by approximately $0.8 million.
Self Insurance Reserves
We are self insured for certain employee medical, workers compensation and general liability claims. We maintain stop loss insurance for individual and aggregate claims. We maintain and frequently review claim and loss histories to help us assess our future liability for these claims. In addition, we use professional service providers such as account administrators and actuaries to help us accumulate and assess this information. As of June 30, 2006, we had $5.7 million of insurance reserves for both known and unknown employee medical, workers compensation and general liability claims.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the excess cost of the businesses acquired over the fair market value of the identifiable net assets. We have determined that based on how we operate our business, allocate resources, and regularly review our financial data and operating results that we qualify as a single reporting unit for purposes of testing goodwill for impairment. We evaluate our operations and financial results in the aggregate by dealership. The dealership general managers implement the strategy as determined by the corporate office in conjunction with our regional management teams, and have the independence and flexibility to respond effectively to local market conditions.
The fair market value of our manufacturer franchise rights is determined at the acquisition date through discounting the projected cash flows attributable to each franchise. We have determined that manufacturer franchise rights have an indefinite life as there are no legal, contractual, economic or other factors that limit their useful lives and they are expected to generate cash flows indefinitely due to the historically long lives of the manufacturers brand names. Due to the fact that manufacturer franchise rights are specific to the location in which we acquire a dealership, we have determined that the dealership is the reporting unit for purposes of testing for impairment.
In accordance with SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, we do not amortize goodwill and other intangible assets that are deemed to have indefinite lives. We review goodwill and indefinite lived manufacturer franchise rights for impairment annually on October 1st of each year, or more often if events or circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. We are subject to financial statement risk to the extent that intangible assets become impaired due to decreases in the related fair market value of our underlying businesses.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In October 2005, the FASB issued Staff Position (FSP) No. FAS 13-1, Accounting for Rental Costs Incurred during a Construction Period, which requires rental costs associated with ground or building operating leases that are incurred during a construction period to be recognized as rental expense. This Staff Position is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2005. Accordingly, we adopted the provisions of FSP No. FAS 13-1 in January 2006 and currently expense all rent obligations incurred during the construction period.
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Adjusted cash provided by (used in) operating and financing activities
Dealership generated F&I -
We evaluate our F&I performance on a Per Vehicle Retailed (PVR) basis by dividing our total F&I commissions by the number of retail vehicles sold. During 2003, we renegotiated a contract with a third party F&I product provider, which resulted in the recognition of income in 2006 and 2005 that was not attributable to retail vehicles sold during 2006 and 2005 (referred to as corporate generated F&I). During the second quarter of 2006, we decided to sell our remaining interest in the pool of extended service contracts that had been the source of our corporate generated F&I, which resulted in the recognition of a $3.4 million gain on the sale (corporate generated F&I gain). We believe that dealership generated F&I, which excludes the additional revenue derived from this contract, provides a more accurate measure of our F&I operating performance.
47
The following table reconciles Finance and insurance, net to dealership generated F&I, and provides the necessary components to calculate dealership generated F&I PVR:
(Dollars in thousands, except per vehicle data)
Reconciliation of Finance and insurance, net to dealership generated F&I:
Less: corporate generated F&I
(692
(1,367
Less: corporate generated F&I gain
Dealership generated F&I
Dealership generated F&I PVR
Retail units sold:
New retail units
Used retail units
Total retail units
44,743
42,874
(1,685
(2,570
84,791
80,860
Adjusted SG&A Expenses as a percentage of adjusted gross profit
Adjusted SG&A expenses as a percentage of adjusted gross profit:
SG&A expenses
Stock-based compensation expense
Adjusted SG&A expenses
Adjusted SG&A expenses as a percentage of adjusted gross profit
48
Adjusted income from continuing operations
Adjusted income from continuing operations:
420
1,065
Corporate generated F&I gain, net of tax
(2,125
Abandoned strategic project expenses, net of tax
Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax
18,764
1,436
1,225
Reorganization expenses, net of tax
2,229
1,036
33,339
29,081
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk
We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates on a significant portion of our outstanding indebtedness. Based on $697.0 million of total variable rate debt (including floor plan notes payable) outstanding as of June 30, 2006, a 1% change in interest rates would result in a change of approximately $7.0 million to our annual interest expense. Conversely, based on fixed-rate debt of $469.2 million (excluding $9.2 million of our fair value hedge which reduces the book value of our 8% Subordinated Notes due 2014) a 1% change in interest would mean we would not experience the impact of a $4.7 million change in our annual interest expense.
We received $14.3 million of interest credit assistance from certain automobile manufacturers during the six months ended June 30, 2006. Interest credit assistance reduced new vehicle cost of sales from continuing operations for the six months ended June 30, 2006 by $13.5 million and reduced new vehicle inventory by $4.2 million and $3.6 million as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively. Although we can provide no assurance as to the amount of future interest credit assistance, based on historical data, it is our expectation that an increase in prevailing interest rates would result in some increase in interest credit assistance from certain (mainly domestic) automobile manufacturers.
Interest Rate Hedges
Three of our interest rate swap agreements expired in March 2006, which resulted in a cash payment of $13.7 million, which equaled the fair market value of the swap agreements. Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2006 was $2.4 million of unrecognized amortization related to our two expired cash flow swaps, which are being amortized over eight years as a component of Floor Plan Interest Expense on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. In addition, included as a reduction to our 8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014 (8 % Notes) as of June 30, 2006 was $9.2 million of unrecognized amortization related to our expired fair value swap, which is being amortized over eight years as a component of Other Interest Expense on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. The expiration of these three swap agreements will increase floor plan and other interest expense by $0.7 million and $1.0 million, respectively, during 2006.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Companys chief executive officer and chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Companys disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). Based on this evaluation, the Companys chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that as of the end of such period such disclosure controls and procedures (i) were reasonably designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission and (ii) were effective.
There have not been any changes in the Companys internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
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Forward-Looking Statements
This report 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 and projections regarding our financial position, results of operations, market position, product development and business strategy. These statements are based on managements 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;
· our relationships with vehicle manufacturers and other suppliers;
· the amount of our indebtedness;
· risks related to pending and potential future acquisitions;
· general economic conditions both nationally and locally;
· governmental regulations and legislation; and
· automotive retail industry trends.
There can be no guarantees that our plans for future operations will be successfully implemented or that they will prove to be commercially successful. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
The results of the votes cast at the Companys Annual Meeting on May 5, 2006 were as follows:
Election of Class I Directors:
For
Withheld
Janet M. Clarke
29,952,728
1,074,709
Michael J. Durham
29,880,285
1,147,152
Charles B. Tomm
29,961,727
1,065,710
Ratification of appointment of Deloitte & Touche L.L.P. as independent public accountants for 2006:
30,952,191
Against
72,646
Abstain
2,600
Item 5. Directors and Executive Officers
In connection with certain strategic projects that have subsequently been abandoned, on May 5, 2006, the Companys Board of Directors formed a special committee comprised of the following independent directors:
Michael Durham, the special committees chairman, Janet M. Clarke, Philip F. Maritz and Vernon E. Jordan, Jr. The members of the special committee each received the following compensation, as applicable: a one-time payment of $45,000 for Mr. Durham as the chairman of such committee and $30,000 for the other committee members. In addition, each was entitled to payment of $1,500 per meeting of the special committee; and payment of $1,500 for each day during which a special committee member focused significant attention on the business of the special committee, plus, in all cases, his or her reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibits required to be filed by Item 601 of Regulation S-K:
15.1
Awareness letter from Deloitte & Touche LLP.
31.1
Certificate of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated August 7, 2006.
31.2
Certificate of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated August 7, 2006.
32.1
Certificate of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b)/15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated August 7, 2006.
32.2
Certificate of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b)/15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated August 7, 2006.
* Incorporated by reference
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, thereunto duly authorized.
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.(Registrant)
Date: August 7, 2006
By:
/s/ KENNETH B. GILMAN
Name: Kenneth B. Gilman
Title: Chief Executive Officer and President
/s/ J. GORDON SMITH
Name:
J. Gordon Smith
Title:
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
Exhibit Number
Description of Documents