America's Car-Mart Reports First Quarter Fiscal Year 2026 Results

Core Insights - America's Car-Mart, Inc. reported a total revenue of $341.3 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, reflecting a decrease of 1.9% compared to the same period in the previous year, primarily due to a decline in sales volumes [7][13] - The company has implemented strategic investments, including the launch of LOS V2 and an upgraded collections platform, which have positively impacted consumer demand and operational efficiency [3][4] Financial Performance - Total revenue decreased by 1.9% to $341.3 million, driven by a 5.7% decline in sales volumes to 13,568 units [7][13] - Interest income increased by $4.6 million, or 7.5%, contributing to total collections rising by 6.2% to $183.6 million [7][13] - Gross margin percentage improved by 160 basis points to 36.6%, reflecting better vehicle pricing and reduced repair costs [7][15] - The net loss for the quarter was $5.7 million, resulting in a loss per share of $0.69, compared to a loss of $0.15 in the prior year [7][34] Operational Metrics - Customer demand remained strong, with a 10% year-over-year increase in credit applications, although sales volumes declined due to inventory constraints [3][14] - The average retail sales price increased by 1.4% to $19,564, while the total gross profit per retail unit sold rose by 6.6% to $7,456 [23][33] - The allowance for credit losses improved to 23.35% of finance receivables, down from 25.00% a year earlier, indicating better risk management [18][36] Strategic Initiatives - The deployment of LOS V2 has enhanced underwriting capabilities, leading to a 15% increase in credit applications from higher-ranking customers [5][12] - The upgraded Pay Your Way platform has shifted customer payments from in-store to online, improving convenience and payment consistency [3][4] - The company is focused on improving portfolio quality, with nearly 72% of its portfolio now operating under enhanced underwriting standards [5][20] Financing and Leverage - The company completed a term securitization transaction on August 28, 2025, issuing $172 million in asset-backed notes, which helped pay down the revolving line of credit [21] - Debt to finance receivables ratio improved to 51.1%, down from 53.4% a year earlier, indicating better leverage management [19][40]