Group 1 Automotive Announces Fourth Quarter & Full Year 2019 Financial Results

HOUSTON, Feb. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Group 1 Automotive, Inc. GPI, ("Group 1" or the "Company"), an international, Fortune 500 automotive retailer, today reported 2019 fourth quarter net income of $48.1 million, diluted earnings per common share of $2.57, adjusted net income (a non-GAAP measure) of $56.3 million, and adjusted diluted earnings per common share (a non-GAAP measure) of $3.01.  The Company's 2019 fourth quarter total revenue was a fourth quarter record of $3.1 billion.

For the full year of 2019, net income increased 10.3 percent from the comparable prior-year period, to $174.0 million; and diluted earnings per common share increased 19.3 percent, to $9.34. Full year 2019 adjusted net income (a non-GAAP measure) increased 13.4 percent, to $203.6 million; and adjusted diluted earnings per common share (a non-GAAP measure) increased 22.7 percent, to $10.93. Total revenue grew 3.8 percent to a record $12.0 billion.

Adjusted net income and diluted earnings per share excluded net after-tax adjustments of $8.2 million, or $0.44 per share, in fourth quarter 2019, and $13.1 million, or $0.69 per share, in fourth quarter 2018. The after-tax adjustments in both periods primarily related to non-cash impairments of certain intangible assets. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures are included in the attached financial tables.

"We are delighted to report a record year based on an extremely strong performance by our U.S. operating team," said Earl J. Hesterberg, Group 1's president and chief executive officer.  "Despite a softer U.S. and U.K. market for new vehicles, we drove our company forward with strong focus on used vehicles, service, finance & insurance, and cost control.  Growing our adjusted earnings by 13.4 percent and adjusted EPS by 22.7 percent demonstrates the strength of our business model and our operating team."

Consolidated Results for Fourth Quarter 2019 (year-over-year comparable basis)

For ease of comparison, we have included constant currency metrics (a non-GAAP measure) both below (shown in parenthesis) and in the financial tables that follow:

• Total revenue increased 7.0 percent (7.3 percent), to a fourth quarter record of $3.1 billion.
• Total gross profit increased 7.5 percent (7.7 percent), to $464.6 million.
• New vehicle revenues increased 6.9 percent (7.3 percent) on a 3.0 percent increase in unit sales.  New vehicle gross profit increased 3.8 percent (4.0 percent), to $84.3 million.  U.S. Same Store new unit sales increased 2.5 percent.
• Retail used vehicle revenues increased 8.8 percent (9.0 percent) on 7.1 percent higher unit sales.  Retail used vehicle gross profit increased 11.9 percent (12.2 percent), to $46.0 million.  Total used vehicle gross profit grew 12.4 percent (12.8 percent), to $46.3 million.  U.S. Same Store retail used vehicle revenue increased 9.3 percent, driven by a 7.9 percent increase in unit sales; and retail used gross profit increased 13.1 percent, reflecting the volume growth and a $56 per unit improvement in gross profit, to $1,224 per unit.
• Parts and service gross profit grew 10.1 percent (10.3 percent) on revenue growth of 6.9 percent (7.2 percent).  U.S. Same Store parts and service revenues and gross profit grew 8.1 percent and 11.9 percent, respectively.
• Finance and Insurance (F&I) gross profit per retail unit (PRU) decreased 0.3 percent (decreased 0.2 percent), to $1,578. U.S. Same Store F&I gross profit PRU grew $47, to $1,843.
• Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) expenses as a percent of gross profit decreased 220 basis points, to 72.8 percent.  Adjusted SG&A as a percent of gross profit decreased 190 basis points, to 72.9 percent.

Consolidated Results for Full Year 2019 (year-over-year comparable basis)

• Total revenue increased 3.8 percent (5.1 percent), to a record $12.0 billion.
• Total gross profit grew 5.3 percent (6.2 percent), to a record $1.8 billion.
• New vehicle gross profit decreased 3.2 percent (decreased 2.1 percent).  The Company retailed 169,136 new vehicles in 2019, which represented a 0.8 percent decrease in new vehicle unit sales from 2018, reflecting weaker industry sales in the U.S. and U.K.
• Retail used vehicle gross profit increased 8.3 percent (9.4 percent) on a revenue increase of 6.3 percent (7.7 percent).  The Company retailed 158,549 used vehicles in 2019, a 7.1 percent increase over 2018.
• Parts and service gross profit rose 7.4 percent (8.3 percent) on 6.6 percent (7.6 percent) higher revenues.
• F&I revenues rose 6.5 percent (7.1 percent). U.S. F&I gross profit PRU increased $72, to $1,782.
• SG&A expenses as a percent of gross profit increased 100 basis points, to 74.8 percent.  Adjusted SG&A expenses as a percent of gross profit decreased 60 basis points, to 74.0 percent.  Adjusted U.S. Same Store SG&A expenses as a percent of gross profit decreased 70 basis points, to 70.8 percent.
• Operating margin increased 10 basis points to 3.0 percent.  Adjusted operating margin increased 10 basis points to 3.3 percent.

Segment Results for Fourth Quarter 2019 (year-over-year comparable basis)

• United States:
  
  The Company's U.S. operations accounted for 77.8 percent of total revenues and 82.7 percent of total gross profit.  Total U.S. revenues grew 6.8 percent, to $2.4 billion.  Total gross profit grew 9.0 percent, to $384.3 million.  Same store U.S. total gross profit has now increased by approximately 9.0 percent for three consecutive quarters. 
• New vehicle gross profit increased 3.7 percent on a revenue increase of 5.6 percent.  Same Store new vehicle gross profit grew 2.0 percent, to $62.7 million, reflecting a 2.5 percent growth in unit sales, partially offset by an $8 decrease in gross profit PRU, to $1,963.
• Retail used gross profit grew 13.5 percent, on a revenue increase of 9.2 percent.  Same Store retail used vehicle gross profit grew 13.1 percent, to $35.8 million, reflecting a 7.9 percent growth in units and a $56 increase in gross profit PRU, to $1,224.
• Parts and service revenues increased 7.5 percent and gross profit increased by 11.6 percent. Same Store parts and service gross profit grew 11.9 percent, to $166.5 million, driven by a 13.4 percent increase in customer pay gross profit. These results were enabled by the continued growth of Same Store service advisor and technician headcount, which increased by 11.0 percent.
• F&I revenues increased 7.4 percent, to $113.9 million. F&I gross profit PRU grew $57, to $1,835, reflecting strong product penetration and increased income per contract.  Same Store F&I gross profit PRU increased $47, to $1,843.
• SG&A expenses as a percent of gross profit decreased 250 basis points, to 69.2 percent.  Adjusted SG&A expenses as a percent of gross profit decreased 200 basis points, to 69.4 percent.
  
  
  
  
• United Kingdom:
  
  The Company's U.K. operations accounted for 18.4 percent of total revenues and 14.3 percent of total gross profit.  Total Same Store U.K. revenues increased 3.6 percent (3.6 percent), to $519.9 million.  Same Store total gross profit decreased 3.3 percent (decreased 3.7 percent), to $59.8 million.  Same Store SG&A expenses as a percent of gross profit increased 70 basis points, to 89.5 percent.  
  
  
• Brazil:
  
  The Company's Brazilian operations accounted for 3.8 percent of total revenues and 3.0 percent of total gross profit.  The Company's Same Store new vehicle revenues increased 3.0 percent (11.2 percent), with units up 2.8 percent.  Same Store total revenues increased 4.9 percent (13.3 percent), with the increase driven by constant currency revenue growth of 28.2 percent in total used vehicles, 11.2 percent in new vehicles, and 8.4 percent in parts and service.  Same Store SG&A expenses as a percent of gross profit decreased 380 basis points, to 77.8 percent.

Share Repurchase Authorization

Since October 24, 2019, the Company has repurchased 163,484 shares at an average price per common share of $98.28, for a total of $16.1 million.  During 2019, the Company repurchased 14,200 shares at an average price of $99.98, for a total of $1.4 million.  Year-to-date 2020, the Company repurchased 149,284 shares at an average price of $98.12, for a total of $14.7 million.  As of February 5, 2020, the Company has $58.9 million remaining on its Board authorized common stock share repurchase program.  Future repurchases may be made from time to time, based on market conditions, legal requirements and other corporate considerations, in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, and subject to Board approval and covenant restrictions.

Corporate Development

As previously announced in December 2019, the Company acquired two Lexus dealerships in New Mexico, which are the only Lexus franchises in the state and expected to generate an estimated $90 million in annual revenues.  The addition of these stores increases Group 1's total representation in New Mexico to nine automotive luxury brand franchises, which include BMW/MINI, BMW Motorrad (motorcycles), Lexus, and Jaguar/Land Rover.

During 2019, the Company acquired a total of 15 franchises, which are expected to generate an estimated $430 million in annual revenues; and the Company has disposed of 12 franchises that generated approximately $240 million in trailing-twelve-month revenues.

Fourth Quarter 2019 Earnings Conference Call Details

Group 1's senior management will host a conference call today at 10 a.m. ET to discuss the fourth quarter and full year 2019 financial results and the Company's outlook and strategy.

The conference call will be simulcast live on the Internet at www.group1auto.com, then click on 'Investor Relations' and then 'Events' or through this link: http://www.group1corp.com/events.  A webcast replay will be available for 30 days.

The conference call will also be available live by dialing in 15 minutes prior to the start of the call at:

Domestic:            1-888-317-6003

International:       1-412-317-6061

Conference ID:    6623265

A telephonic replay will be available following the call through February 12, 2020 by dialing:

Domestic:            1-877-344-7529

International:       1-412-317-0088

Replay ID:           10138507

ABOUT GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC.

Group 1 owns and operates 186 automotive dealerships, 242 franchises, and 49 collision centers in the United States, the United Kingdom and Brazil that offer 31 brands of automobiles. Through its dealerships, the Company sells new and used cars and light trucks; arranges related vehicle financing; sells service contracts; provides automotive maintenance and repair services; and sells vehicle parts.

Investors please visit www.group1corp.com, www.group1auto.com, www.group1collision.com, www.facebook.com/group1auto, and www.twitter.com/group1auto, where Group 1 discloses additional information about the Company, its business, and its results of operations.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are statements related to future, not past, events and are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. In this context, the forward-looking statements often include statements regarding our goals, plans, projections and guidance regarding our financial position, results of operations, market position, pending and potential future acquisitions and business strategy, and often contain words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "should," "foresee," "may" or "will" and similar expressions. While management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we anticipate. Any such forward-looking statements are not assurances of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, (a) general economic and business conditions, (b) the level of manufacturer incentives, (c) the future regulatory environment, (d) our ability to obtain an inventory of desirable new and used vehicles, (e) our relationship with our automobile manufacturers and the willingness of manufacturers to approve future acquisitions, (f) our cost of financing and the availability of credit for consumers, (g) our ability to complete acquisitions and dispositions and the risks associated therewith, (h) foreign exchange controls and currency fluctuations, (i) our ability to retain key personnel, and (j) uncertainty of the outcome and potential impact of Brexit. For additional information regarding known material factors that could cause our actual results to differ from our projected results, please see our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES, SAME STORE DATA, AND OTHER DATA

In addition to evaluating the financial condition and results of our operations in accordance with U.S. GAAP, from time to time our management evaluates and analyzes results and any impact on the Company of strategic decisions and actions relating to, among other things, cost reduction, growth, profitability improvement initiatives, and other events outside of normal, or "core," business and operations, by considering alternative financial measures not prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In our evaluation of results from time to time, we exclude items that do not arise directly from core operations, such as non-cash asset impairment charges, legal matters, gains and losses on dealership franchise or real estate transactions, and catastrophic events, such as hailstorms, hurricanes, and snow storms. Because these non-core charges and gains materially affect the Company's financial condition or results in the specific period in which they are recognized, management also evaluates, and makes resource allocation and performance evaluation decisions based on, the related non-GAAP measures excluding such items. This includes evaluating measures such as adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses, adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share, and constant currency. These adjusted measures are not measures of financial performance under U.S. GAAP, but are instead considered non-GAAP financial performance measures. Non-GAAP measures do not have definitions under U.S. GAAP and may be defined differently by, and not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by, other companies. As a result, any non-GAAP financial measures considered and evaluated by management are reviewed in conjunction with a review of the most directly comparable measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We caution investors not to place undue reliance on such non-GAAP measures, but also to consider them with the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures.

In addition to using such non-GAAP measures to evaluate results in a specific period, management believes that such measures may provide more complete and consistent comparisons of operational performance on a period-over-period historical basis and a better indication of expected future trends. Our management also uses these adjusted measures in conjunction with U.S. GAAP financial measures to assess our business, including communication with our Board of Directors, investors, and industry analysts concerning financial performance. We disclose these non-GAAP measures, and the related reconciliations, because we believe investors use these metrics in evaluating longer-term period-over-period performance, and to allow investors to better understand and evaluate the information used by management to assess operating performance. The exclusion of certain expenses in the calculation of non-GAAP financial measures should not be construed as an inference that these costs are unusual or infrequent. We anticipate excluding these expenses in the future presentation of our non-GAAP financial measures.

In addition, we evaluate our results of operations on both an as reported and a constant currency basis. The constant currency presentation, which is a non-GAAP measure, excludes the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. We believe providing constant currency information provides valuable supplemental information regarding our underlying business and results of operations, consistent with how we evaluate our performance. We calculate constant currency percentages by converting our current period reported results for entities reporting in currencies other than U.S. dollars using comparative period exchange rates rather than the actual exchange rates in effect during the respective periods. The constant currency performance measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, the measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The Same Store amounts presented include the results of dealerships for the identical months in each period presented in comparison, commencing with the first full month in which the dealership was owned by us and, in the case of dispositions, ending with the last full month it was owned by us. Same Store results also include the activities of our corporate headquarters.

Certain disclosures are reported as zero balances or may not compute due to rounding.

Investor contacts:

Sheila Roth

Manager, Investor Relations

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

713-647-5741 | sroth@group1auto.com

Media contacts:

Pete DeLongchamps

Senior Vice President, Manufacturer Relations, Financial Services and Public Affairs

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

713-647-5770 | pdelongchamps@group1auto.com

or

Clint Woods

Pierpont Communications, Inc.

713-627-2223 | cwoods@piercom.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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SOURCE Group 1 Automotive, Inc.