Group 1 Automotive (NYSE:GPI) Q3 2025 Earnings Call October 28, 2025 09:00 AM ET Speaker5Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to Group 1 Automotive's third quarter 2025 financial results conference call. Please be advised that this call is being recorded. At this time, I'd like to turn the call over to Mr. Pete DeLongchamps, Group 1's Senior Vice President, Manufacturer Relations and Financial Services. Please go ahead, Mr. DeLongchamps.Speaker1Thank you, Jamie. Good morning, everyone, and welcome to ...

Core Insights - AutoNation, Inc. reported a third quarter 2025 revenue of $7.0 billion, marking a 7% increase year-over-year, with diluted EPS rising to $5.65, up 23% from the previous year [1][7][8] - The company experienced strong performance across various segments, particularly in After-Sales and Customer Financial Services, contributing to robust cash flow and capital deployment for share repurchases and acquisitions [2][4] Financial Performance - Revenue for Q3 2025 was $7,037.4 million, compared to $6,586.1 million in Q3 2024, reflecting a 7% increase [3] - Gross profit increased by 5% to $1,238.4 million from $1,182.8 million year-over-year [3] - Operating income rose by 6% to $372.4 million, while net income increased by 16% to $215.1 million [3] - Adjusted diluted EPS for Q3 2025 was $5.01, a 25% increase from $4.02 in Q3 2024 [3] Segment Performance - Same-store revenue reached $6.9 billion, up 6% year-over-year, driven by increased new vehicle unit sales and higher average selling prices [8] - New vehicle revenue was $3.4 billion, a 7% increase, while used vehicle revenue rose to $2.0 billion, up 5% [8] - Customer Financial Services revenue increased by 11% to $368 million, and After-Sales revenue grew by 6% to $1.2 billion [8] Capital Allocation and Liquidity - AutoNation utilized $39 million in cash for operating activities in the first nine months of 2025, with adjusted free cash flow at $786 million, representing 134% of adjusted net income [4][6] - The company repurchased 0.8 million shares for $181 million in Q3 2025, with a total of 2.8 million shares repurchased year-to-date for $523 million [5] - As of September 30, 2025, AutoNation had $1.8 billion in liquidity, including $98 million in cash and $1.7 billion available under its revolving credit facility [6] Operational Highlights - AutoNation Finance's portfolio grew to over $2 billion, enhancing profitability despite higher non-cash credit provisioning [2][8] - The company made strategic acquisitions, including an Audi and a Mercedes-Benz store in Chicago, contributing to over $500 million in annual revenues [4]

Core Insights - Penske Automotive Group reported strong Q2 2025 earnings with GAAP EPS of $3.78, exceeding analyst estimates of $3.57, while net income rose to $250.0 million [1][2] - Revenue remained stable at $7,662.3 million, slightly below the consensus estimate of $7,881.12 million, reflecting challenges in vehicle volumes and the freight market [1][5] Financial Performance - GAAP EPS increased by 4.7% year-over-year from $3.61 in Q2 2024 [2] - Revenue was flat compared to the previous year, with retail automotive revenue declining by 1.5% [2][7] - Operating income rose to $348.2 million, a 3.0% increase from $338.0 million in Q2 2024 [2][6] - Gross profit reached a record $1.3 billion, driven by service and parts, which accounted for over 12.5% of retail automotive revenue [2][6] Business Overview - Penske Automotive Group operates in automotive and commercial truck dealerships, retail commercial vehicle distribution, and has a stake in Penske Transportation Solutions [3] - The company focuses on expanding its premium and luxury brand presence and growing service and parts revenue [4] Operational Highlights - The company experienced a decline in new unit deliveries by 6% and used unit sales by 16.1%, while commercial truck operations saw a revenue increase of 5.7% [7] - The premium brand mix accounted for 72% of retail automotive dealership revenue in 2024, helping to mitigate margin pressures from electric vehicles [7] Strategic Initiatives - Penske Automotive Group increased its quarterly dividend by 4.8% to $1.32 per share, marking the nineteenth consecutive increase [9] - The company repurchased 630,000 shares, with $295.7 million remaining under its buyback authorization [9] - Liquidity stood strong at $2.3 billion with low leverage at 1.2 times total capitalization [9] Future Outlook - Management did not provide formal guidance for EPS or revenue for the remainder of FY2025 but expressed cautious optimism regarding cost discipline and margin management [10] - Ongoing trends to monitor include changes in vehicle demand, impacts from tariffs, and the effects of electric vehicle adoption on margins [11]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for Q2 2025 was $7 billion, an increase of 8% year-over-year on both total and same-store basis [14] - Adjusted net income rose to $209 million, up 29% from $163 million a year ago [18] - Adjusted EPS was $5.46 for the quarter, an increase of $1.47 or 37% from the previous year [18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - New vehicle sales increased by 8% year-over-year, with domestic segment sales up 19% [5][19] - Used vehicle gross profit increased by 13% year-over-year, with unit sales up 6% [6][23] - Customer financial services gross profit also rose by 13%, with finance penetration stable at around 75% [8][24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - New vehicle unit volumes increased by 7% year-over-year, with hybrid sales up over 40% [19] - Used vehicle retail unit sales improved by 6% year-over-year, driven by growth in both lower and higher-priced vehicles [21] - Average FICO scores on originations improved to 698 from 675 year-over-year, with delinquency rates down to 2.4% [27] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on maintaining market share while optimizing tariff efficiency and pricing structures [12] - There is a commitment to explore M&A opportunities to add scale and density in existing markets [35] - The company aims to enhance its mobile service business while ensuring efficient use of technician resources [38][39] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the second half of 2025, expecting stable margins despite potential fluctuations [56][58] - The company is encouraged by recent legislative provisions that could stimulate vehicle purchases [13] - There is a focus on balancing vehicle pricing and affordability to avoid stifling demand [90] Other Important Information - The company completed its inaugural asset-backed securitization, which was oversubscribed, allowing for increased debt funding levels [28][29] - Adjusted free cash flow for the first half totaled $394 million, representing 100% of adjusted net income [32] - The company received $10 million in insurance recoveries related to the previous year's CDK outage [34] Q&A Session Summary Question: Discussion on M&A opportunities and market flexibility - Management indicated a cautious approach post-tariff announcement but noted an improvement in the M&A pipeline and a commitment to both share repurchases and M&A [46][48] Question: Insights on July sales performance and consumer landscape - Management noted a strong first half and expressed optimism for the second half, despite some fluctuations in sales patterns [54][60] Question: Update on AutoNation USA strategy - Management confirmed that additional openings are planned, focusing on markets with existing density to enhance performance [82][86] Question: Aftersales business performance and pricing - Management highlighted a balance between volume and pricing, with a focus on maintaining competitive pricing while managing costs [75][78] Question: Update on AutoNation Finance and its coexistence with legacy business - Management discussed the growth of AutoNation Finance and its impact on profitability, emphasizing the importance of managing the portfolio effectively [104]

Financial Performance - Total company revenues for 2Q25 reached $5704 million, a 21% increase year-over-year[6, 10] - Same store revenues increased by 7% in the U S and 6% in the U K[10] - Total same store parts & service gross profit increased 14% year-over-year[10] - Diluted EPS from continuing operations was $1077, a 6% increase year-over-year, and adjusted diluted EPS was $1152, an 18% increase year-over-year[10] - Adjusted free cash flow was $267 million year-to-date[20] Strategic Initiatives - The company largely completed the U K restructuring plan, with additional cost-saving activities continuing in 2025[10, 11, 12] - During 2025, the company repurchased 04 million shares at an average price of $41662 for $167 million[10, 21] - Acquired revenues since the beginning of 2021 totaled $88 billion[20] Portfolio Optimization - Acquisitions in 2025 YTD amounted to $04 billion involving 9 franchises[21, 22] - Dispositions in 2025 YTD totaled $470 million[21] - Three luxury dealerships were acquired with expected annual revenues of $330 million[22]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - GAAP EPS was $2.04 per share, and adjusted EPS was $1.48 per share, a 9% increase year over year [5] - First quarter consolidated total revenues were a record $3.1 billion, up 8% year over year, while consolidated gross profit grew 6% and adjusted EBITDA increased 7% [6][11] Business Segment Data and Key Metrics Changes - Franchised dealership segment revenues reached $3.1 billion, up 9% year over year, driven by an 11% increase in new retail volume and a 6% increase in fixed operations revenues [6] - EchoPark segment income was a record $10.3 million, with adjusted EBITDA at $15.8 million, up 116% year over year [8] - EchoPark revenues were $560 million, flat year over year, but gross profit increased 21% to $64 million [9] - Power Sports segment generated record revenues of $34.4 million, with a gross profit of $8.5 million, and an adjusted EBITDA loss of $700,000 [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Same store new vehicle gross profit per unit (GPU) was $3,089, down sequentially from the fourth quarter [7] - Same store used vehicle volume decreased 2% year over year, while same store used GPU increased sequentially to $15.55 per unit [7] - Parts and service gross profit increased by 7% in the first quarter [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on maintaining strong relationships with teammates, manufacturers, and customers as key to future success [5] - A data-driven centralized inventory management strategy for EchoPark is seen as a key differentiator to minimize market volatility disruptions [10] - The company plans to adapt to ongoing changes in the automotive retail environment while making strategic decisions to maximize long-term returns [12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in navigating tariff impacts and believes that the automotive industry can handle price adjustments without significant concerns [17][20] - The company is focused on executing its operational playbooks and processes, expecting solid results in the upcoming quarters [18][19] - Management acknowledged the need to balance warranty and customer pay work in service operations to improve revenue mix [50][51] Other Important Information - The company ended the quarter with $947 million in available liquidity, including $430 million in cash and floor plan deposits [11] - A quarterly cash dividend of $0.35 per share was approved, payable on July 15, 2025 [11] Q&A Session Summary Question: Commentary on tariffs and their impact - Management indicated that manufacturers are uncertain about the tariff impacts, but they expect things to stabilize in the next 90 days [17] - The company is not concerned about significant price increases and believes they can navigate through the situation [19] Question: Update on fixed operations hiring - Management reported hiring 345 additional technicians, which has positively impacted fixed operations [23][24] - There is ongoing focus on increasing technician headcount to meet service demand [26] Question: Used vehicle GPU trajectory - Management stated that GPU margins should hold steady if market conditions remain stable, with EchoPark's margins improving due to increased street purchases [38][39] Question: Warranty work versus customer pay - Warranty work grew by 40% in the first quarter, while customer pay grew by only 2-3%, indicating a need to adjust the revenue mix [47][50] Question: EchoPark's full-year guidance - Management explained that guidance was conservative due to potential tariff impacts, but they are prepared to adjust as conditions evolve [77][78] Question: SG&A expenses - Management noted that first-quarter SG&A expenses were influenced by one-time compensation costs, but overall expenses are in line with expectations [82][84]