Analysts on Wall Street project that AutoNation (AN) will announce quarterly earnings of $4.85 per share in its forthcoming report, representing an increase of 20.7% year over year. Revenues are projected to reach $6.86 billion, increasing 4.1% from the same quarter last year.Over the last 30 days, there has been a downward revision of 0.1% in the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter, leading to its current level. This signifies the covering analysts' collective reconsideration of their initial forecasts ...

Core Viewpoint - Asbury Automotive Group's recent earnings report showed a mixed performance, with adjusted earnings per share exceeding estimates but revenues falling short, leading to a 15.6% increase in share price over the past month, outperforming the S&P 500 [1][3]. Financial Performance - Asbury reported Q2 2025 adjusted earnings per share of $7.43, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.82 and increasing from $6.40 in the previous year [3]. - Total revenues for the quarter were $4.37 billion, a nearly 3% year-over-year increase, but below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.45 billion [3]. Segment Performance - New vehicle revenues rose 6% year-over-year to $2.30 billion, slightly missing the consensus estimate of $2.31 billion, with retail units sold totaling 44,437, up 4% year-over-year but below the consensus of 45,291 units [4]. - Used vehicle retail revenues declined 3% year-over-year to $1.13 billion, missing the consensus estimate of $1.15 billion, with retail used vehicle units sold totaling 36,233, down 6% year-over-year [5]. - Revenues from the used vehicle wholesale business increased 11% to $156.3 million, exceeding the consensus estimate of $153 million [6]. - Finance and insurance business net revenues amounted to $182 million, down 5% year-over-year and below the consensus estimate of $203 million [7]. - Parts and service business revenues were $601.5 million, up from $580.9 million year-over-year but missing the consensus estimate of $625 million [8]. Cost and Debt Management - Selling, general & administrative expenses as a percentage of gross profit rose to 63.2%, a decrease of 198 basis points year-over-year [9]. - As of June 30, 2025, the company had cash and cash equivalents of $54.8 million, down from $69.4 million at the end of 2024, and long-term debt decreased to $3.05 billion from $3.14 billion [9]. Market Outlook - Estimates for Asbury Automotive have been trending upward, with a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating an expectation of in-line returns in the coming months [12]. - The company has a subpar Growth Score of D and a Momentum Score of D, but a strong Value Score of A, placing it in the top quintile for value investment strategy [11]. Industry Comparison - Asbury Automotive is part of the Zacks Automotive - Retail and Wholesale industry, where Sonic Automotive has gained 17.1% over the past month, reporting revenues of $3.66 billion, a year-over-year increase of 5.9% [13].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue increased by 2% to $553 million in Q3 2025 from $542 million in Q3 2024 [4][13] - Gross profit declined to $129 million in Q3 2025 compared to $133 million in the prior year, primarily due to lower new boat volumes and a promotional environment [14] - Net income for Q3 totaled $11 million or $0.65 per diluted share, down from $17 million or $0.99 per diluted share in the prior year [14] - Adjusted earnings per diluted share decreased to $0.79 from $1.05 in the prior year [14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - New boat sales decreased by 2% to $326 million, while pre-owned boat sales increased by 18% to $126 million [13][10] - Revenue from service parts and other sales decreased by 2% to $83 million, driven by lower production from boat manufacturers [13] - Finance and Insurance revenue remained flat as a percentage of sales, maintaining healthy penetration rates [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Same store sales grew by 2% against an industry backdrop that saw declines in excess of 15% [4][13] - Total inventory decreased by 14% year over year, with a target to end the fiscal year with inventory down by 10% to 15% [6][15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on three key areas: maintaining healthy inventory of high-performing brands, executing disciplined cost management, and leveraging scale and operational expertise [7] - A brand rationalization strategy is in place to exit selected brands by the end of the year, allowing focus on the highest performing brands [7] - The company aims to reduce leverage as part of its capital allocation strategy [16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism regarding July's performance and the potential for a trend to continue, despite persistent macroeconomic uncertainty [18] - The company raised its full-year revenue outlook to a range of $1.8 billion to $1.85 billion, anticipating same store sales to be up in the low single digits [17] - Management noted that the premium customer segment remains resilient despite tariff uncertainties affecting consumer confidence [24] Other Important Information - Total liquidity as of June 30 was in excess of $85 million, including cash on hand and availability under credit facilities [15] - Total long-term debt as of June 30 was $419 million, resulting in a net leverage of 5.8 times trailing twelve months adjusted EBITDA [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Changes in behavior regarding tariff and market correction - Management noted that during the quarter, there was more confusion regarding tariffs, but subsequent clarity has led to less concern among customers [21][22] Question: Growth in pre-owned boat sales - The 18% growth in pre-owned boat sales is attributed to more customers trading in their boats rather than a trade-down effect [25][26] Question: Trade-in and replacement ratios - Management clarified that trade-ins are primarily for upgrading to larger boats, indicating a healthy churn in the market [29][30]

Core Insights - AutoNation, Inc. reported second-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of $5.46 per share, a 37% increase year over year, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.70, driven by strong revenues across various segments [1] - Total revenues for the quarter reached $6.97 billion, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.80 billion and up from $6.48 billion in the same quarter of 2024 [1] Revenue Breakdown - New vehicle revenues increased by 8.8% year over year to $3.40 billion, exceeding the estimate of $3.24 billion, with retail units sold totaling 65,847, a 7.5% increase [2] - Retail used-vehicle revenues rose 5.8% to $1.85 billion, surpassing the projection of $1.76 billion, with used vehicle retail units sold totaling 69,736, a 6.5% increase [3] - Wholesale used vehicle revenues decreased by 16.5% to $140 million, missing the estimate of $164.2 million, although gross profit increased significantly [4] - Finance and insurance business revenues amounted to $367.7 million, a 13.5% increase year over year, beating the projection of $327 million [4] - Parts and service business revenues grew by 9.3% to $1.22 billion, exceeding the estimate of $1.18 billion [5] Segment Performance - Domestic segment revenues rose 10.4% year over year to $1.92 billion, surpassing the projection of $1.75 billion, with income climbing 82.9% to $92 million [6] - Import segment revenues increased 6.4% to $2.15 billion, exceeding the forecast of $2.02 billion, with income rising 23.3% to $133.4 million [6] - Premium Luxury segment sales increased by 6.6% to $2.56 billion, slightly missing the projection of $2.57 billion, but income rose 26.9% to $180.1 million [7] Financial Position - As of June 30, 2025, the company's liquidity stood at $1.8 billion, including $63 million in cash and nearly $1.8 billion available under its revolving credit facility [8] - Inventory was valued at $3.46 billion, with non-vehicle debt at $3.76 billion [9] - Capital expenditure for the quarter was $79 million, and the company repurchased 1.5 million shares for $254 million during the first half of 2025 [9]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company generated $4.4 billion in revenue for Q2 2025, with a gross profit of $752 million and a gross profit margin of 17.2% [11] - Adjusted operating margin was reported at 5.8%, with adjusted earnings per share (EPS) at $7.43 and adjusted EBITDA at $256 million [12][19] - Adjusted net income for the quarter was $146 million, with a non-cash deferral headwind of $0.43 per share due to TCA [19][20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Same store revenue for new vehicles increased by 9% year over year, with units sold up by 7% and average gross profit per vehicle at $3,611 [12][13] - Used vehicle unit volume decreased by 4% year over year, but used retail gross profit per unit increased to $17,290, marking the fourth quarter of sequential growth [13][14] - Parts and service gross profit increased by 7%, with a gross profit margin of 59.2% and a fixed absorption rate over 100% [16][17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The same store new day supply was 59 days at the end of June, while the used day supply of inventory was 37 days [12][14] - The company noted strong performance in the Stellantis brand, with a 15.6% increase in volume compared to a national sales decline of 11.5% [12][13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on integrating the Herb Chambers acquisition and optimizing its portfolio by divesting nine stores, which generated proceeds of $250 million to $270 million [11][25] - The transition to Techeon is a key investment aimed at improving operational efficiency and guest experience, with full conversion expected by 2027 [10][62] - The company aims to reduce leverage over the next 12 to 18 months while remaining opportunistic with share repurchases [11][25] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the future, despite potential headwinds from tariffs and market conditions, emphasizing the resilience of the automotive retail business [81][72] - The company anticipates that the second half of the year will depend heavily on tariff decisions and consumer pricing [8][19] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining productivity per employee to control SG&A expenses amid potential volume declines [34][35] Other Important Information - The average age of passenger cars on the road is 14.5 years, indicating a growing opportunity for service growth [18] - The company ended Q2 with $1.1 billion in liquidity and a transaction-adjusted net leverage ratio of 2.46 times [23][24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you walk through the cadence of GPU and units as the quarter progressed? - Management noted that GPUs started strong but adjusted as the quarter progressed, with expectations of falling into the $2,500 to $3,000 range [27][28] Question: What initiatives are keeping SG&A under control? - The focus is on employee productivity and managing outside services, with some costs related to Techeon conversion impacting the SG&A ratio [34][35] Question: What opportunities exist for improving metrics post-Herb Chambers acquisition? - Management sees opportunities in luxury vehicle sales and operational efficiencies, emphasizing the strategic importance of the New England market [40][42] Question: How does the company plan to maintain parts and service growth amid tougher comparisons? - Management is confident in maintaining mid-single-digit growth, leveraging customer pay work to offset warranty headwinds [43][46] Question: What is the impact of tariffs on inventory and production? - Management indicated that while inventory is lean, it has not been negatively affected beyond normal operating levels, and OEMs have been preparing for tariff impacts [66][67] Question: Is California a potential market for future expansion? - Management stated that California is not currently a focus due to franchise laws and better investment opportunities in other states [69][70]

Core Insights - AutoNation (AN) is expected to report quarterly earnings of $4.70 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 17.8% [1] - Revenues are anticipated to reach $6.8 billion, which is a 4.9% increase from the same quarter last year [1] - The consensus EPS estimate has been revised upward by 1.6% in the past 30 days, indicating analysts' reassessment of their initial estimates [1][2] Revenue Estimates - Analysts predict 'Revenue- Parts and service' will reach $1.19 billion, marking a 6.4% increase from the prior-year quarter [3] - The 'Revenue- Finance and insurance net' is estimated at $337.81 million, reflecting a 4.3% increase from the year-ago quarter [4] - 'Revenue- Used Vehicle' is expected to be $1.92 billion, indicating a 0.7% increase from the prior-year quarter [4] - 'Revenue- New Vehicle' is projected to reach $3.31 billion, which is a 5.9% increase from the year-ago quarter [4] Sales and Profit Metrics - Total 'Retail vehicle unit sales' are expected to be 130,325, compared to 126,772 in the previous year [5] - 'Revenue per vehicle retailed - New' is forecasted to be $51,872.62, up from $50,965.00 in the same quarter last year [5] - 'Revenue per vehicle retailed - Used' is estimated at $27,368.63, compared to $26,617.00 in the same quarter last year [6] - 'Gross profit per vehicle retailed - Finance and insurance' is expected to reach $2,598.93, up from $2,556.00 in the previous year [6] Used and New Vehicle Sales - 'Retail vehicle unit sales - Used' are projected at 66,701, compared to 65,504 in the same quarter last year [7] - 'Retail vehicle unit sales - New' is estimated at 63,624, up from 61,268 in the previous year [7] - 'Gross profit per vehicle retailed - Used' is expected to be $1,612.39, slightly down from $1,638.00 in the previous year [7] - 'Gross profit per vehicle retailed - New' is projected to be $2,892.10, down from $3,108.00 in the same quarter last year [8] Market Performance - AutoNation shares have changed by +0.3% in the past month, while the Zacks S&P 500 composite has moved +5.9% [8]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for the first quarter was $594.3 million, down from $628.7 million in the prior year, reflecting a 5.5% decrease in same-store sales [18] - Gross profit decreased to $90.9 million from $121.8 million, with a gross profit margin of 15.3% [18] - Net loss for the quarter was $13.2 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, compared to a net income of $9.4 million, or $0.41 per diluted share in the previous year [20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Agriculture segment revenue decreased by 14.1% to $384.4 million, with a pretax loss of $12.8 million compared to pretax income of $13 million in the prior year [20] - Construction segment saw a slight increase in same-store sales by 0.9% to $72.1 million, but reported a pretax loss of $4.2 million compared to a pretax income of $0.3 million last year [21] - European segment revenue increased by 44.2% to $93.9 million, with a pretax income of $4.7 million compared to $1.4 million in the prior year [21] - Australia segment same-store sales decreased by 1% to $44 million, with a pretax loss of $0.6 million compared to a loss of $0.5 million last year [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Domestic agriculture market remains subdued, with farmers in a wait-and-see mode influenced by commodity prices and government aid [11][12] - European market, particularly Romania, benefited from EU stimulus funds, leading to increased buying activity [14] - Australian market conditions are similar to the domestic agriculture segment, with lower new order activity due to dry conditions and low commodity prices [15][16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on optimizing inventory and managing through the current market cycle, with a target of reducing equipment inventory by $100 million [24][25] - The customer care initiative is emphasized, with parts and service expected to contribute significantly to revenue and gross profit [10] - The company anticipates a challenging back half of the year but remains committed to disciplined execution and improving inventory health [16][29] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted ongoing headwinds in the agricultural sector, with weak farmer profitability and uncertain government support impacting demand [9][10] - The construction segment shows more stability compared to agriculture, with contractors starting to fill their project backlogs [38][40] - Management expressed cautious optimism regarding the agricultural sector, citing recent government payments and favorable weather conditions as potential stabilizers [34][35] Other Important Information - The company closed on an acquisition of two stores to expand its presence in Eastern South Dakota [13] - The adjusted debt to tangible net worth ratio was 1.8, well below the bank covenant of 3.5 times [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: Is there any positive outlook on the agricultural sector? - Management indicated that some government payments have started to come through, providing stability, but overall conditions remain challenging [34] Question: How is the construction sector performing amid macro uncertainties? - Management noted that while the construction environment is cautious, there is more positivity compared to agriculture, with contractors seeing improved backlogs [38][40] Question: What programs is the USDA looking to implement for additional support? - Management explained that USDA programs are focused on natural disaster relief and specific allocations to support the agricultural industry [46][48] Question: Are inventories expected to remain flattish in Europe? - Management confirmed that inventory levels in Europe are expected to remain stable, with a focus on reducing aged inventory in North America [58][60] Question: What is the outlook for same-store sales in agriculture for Q2? - Management expects same-store sales in agriculture to be down approximately 30% year-over-year for Q2, with a challenging back half of the year anticipated [75][76]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for Q1 fiscal 2026 was $594.3 million, a decrease of 5.5% from $628.7 million in the prior year period [17] - Gross profit decreased to $90.9 million from $121.8 million, with a gross profit margin of 15.3% [17] - Net loss for Q1 was $13.2 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, compared to net income of $9.4 million, or $0.41 per diluted share in the previous year [19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Agriculture segment revenue decreased by 14.1% to $384.4 million, with a pretax loss of $12.8 million compared to pretax income of $13 million in the prior year [19] - Construction segment saw a slight increase in same store sales by 0.9% to $72.1 million, but reported a pretax loss of $4.2 million compared to pretax income of $0.3 million last year [20] - European segment revenue increased by 44.2% to $93.9 million, with a pretax income of $4.7 million compared to $1.4 million in the prior year [20] - Australia segment revenue decreased by 1% to $44 million, with a pretax loss of $0.6 million compared to a loss of $0.5 million last year [21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Domestic agriculture market remains subdued, with farmers in a wait-and-see mode due to commodity prices and government aid uncertainty [10][11] - European market, particularly Romania, benefited from EU stimulus funds, leading to increased buying activity [13] - Australian market conditions are similar to the domestic agriculture segment, with lower new order activity due to dry conditions and low commodity prices [15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on optimizing inventory and managing through the current market cycle, with a target of reducing equipment inventory by $100 million [22][23] - The strategy includes leveraging parts and service revenue, which is expected to contribute significantly to gross profit despite equipment sales pressures [9][27] - The company aims to emerge from the current down market as a stronger entity, emphasizing customer service and operational efficiency [16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management anticipates a subdued retail environment due to weak farmer profitability and undefined government support programs [6][7] - The company expects continued challenges in the agriculture segment, with revenue projected to decline by 20% to 25% for the full year [24] - For the construction segment, revenue is expected to decline by 5% to 10%, while the European segment is projected to grow by 23% to 28% [25][26] Other Important Information - The company has successfully reduced equipment inventory by approximately $13 million sequentially, with a cumulative reduction of $406 million from peak levels [22] - The adjusted debt to tangible net worth ratio was 1.8, well below the bank covenant of 3.5 times [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Is there any positive outlook on the agricultural sector? - Management noted that some government payments have started to come through, providing stability, but the overall outlook remains challenging [32] Question: How is the construction sector performing? - Management indicated that while the construction sector is cautious, there is more optimism compared to agriculture, with contractors starting to fill their project backlogs [36][38] Question: What is the status of government support programs? - The USDA is looking to provide additional funding for natural disaster relief, which could help stabilize the agricultural sector [42][44] Question: Are there specific areas where inventory needs to be reduced? - Management highlighted that the focus is on reducing used inventory levels, particularly in the agriculture segment, while maintaining a healthy inventory mix [56][57] Question: What are the expectations for same store sales in agriculture? - Management expects same store sales in agriculture to be down about 30% year over year for Q2, with a challenging back half of the year anticipated [72]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Fiscal second quarter revenue decreased by 1% to $484 million in 2025 from $488 million in 2024 [14] - New boat sales were down 5% to $310 million, while pre-owned boat sales increased by 14% to $90 million [14] - Gross profit declined to $110 million in 2025 compared to $120 million in 2024, driven by lower gross margins [15] - Net loss for the fiscal second quarter totaled $375,000 or $0.02 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $5 million or $0.27 per diluted share in the prior year [16] - Adjusted income per diluted share was $0.13 compared to $0.67 in the prior year [17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Same store sales declined by 2%, primarily due to a decrease in new boat sales [4] - Revenue from service parts and other sales increased by 2% to $69 million, driven by growth in the dealership segment [14] - Parts and service business revenue was up 2%, partially offset by headwinds in the distribution segment [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total unit sales for the industry were down in excess of 10% for the quarter, while the company continued to outperform the industry and gain market share [4] - The average unit price of new boats increased, driven by continued strength in larger boats [11] - Financing and insurance revenue increased slightly as a percentage of total sales, indicating strong performance in in-store financing programs [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on inventory and brand rationalization strategies, reducing inventory by 12% year over year [5] - The company plans to exit 15 brands to streamline operations and focus on higher-performing brands [46][48] - The company is monitoring the tariff landscape closely and does not expect an immediate impact on pricing for current inventory [8] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism about demand in April, indicating that results were in line with the prior year [22] - The macroeconomic environment remains uncertain, leading to an updated fiscal 2025 guidance with total sales expected to be in the range of $1.7 billion to $1.8 billion [20] - Management emphasized the importance of controlling factors within their operations to navigate current challenges [9] Other Important Information - Total liquidity as of March 31, 2025, was in excess of $74 million [18] - Total inventory decreased to $602 million from $687 million year over year, indicating a healthier mix and aging profile [18] - The company aims to reduce leverage in the latter half of 2025 as part of its capital allocation strategy [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the demand outlook post-tariff announcements? - Management indicated that April results were in line with the previous year, with positive signs for May [22][23] Question: What drove the margin down on used boats? - Management noted that the model mix and aggressive pricing strategies to move inventory contributed to the softer margins [25][26] Question: Where is the company gaining market share? - The majority of market share gains are in the premium segment, with the company performing better than the industry average [32][33] Question: Is the company discounting heavily to gain share? - Management confirmed that while some discounting is occurring, it is strategic and focused on moving dated inventory [36][37] Question: How does the company see the industry evolving post-slowdown? - Management anticipates potential consolidation in the industry due to higher carrying costs and competitive pressures [41][45]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for the fourth quarter was $759.9 million, a 12% decrease from $852.1 million in the prior year period [18] - Gross profit for the fourth quarter was $51 million, down from $141 million in the prior year, resulting in a gross profit margin of 6.7% [18] - Adjusted net loss for the fourth quarter was $44.9 million or $1.98 per diluted share, compared to a net income of $24 million or $1.05 per diluted share in the prior year [20][24] - Total revenue for fiscal year 2025 was $2.7 billion, down from $2.8 billion in fiscal year 2024 [24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Agriculture segment sales decreased by 13.8% to $534.7 million, with same store sales declining by 15.5% [20] - Construction segment same store sales decreased by 5.5% to $94.6 million, maintaining an equipment margin above 10% [21] - European segment sales increased by 6.1% to $65.4 million, with a same store sales increase of 5.7% [23] - Australia segment sales were $65.3 million, down from $69.8 million in the prior year, driven by a same store sales decrease of 6.5% [23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - North American large ag equipment demand is expected to decline by approximately 30% year-over-year [11] - European operations were impacted by lower commodity prices and high interest rates, with expectations for modest revenue growth in FY 2026 [12] - Australian operations faced challenges due to weather conditions, leading to lower profitability and restricted demand in FY 2026 [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on inventory optimization and reducing aged inventory while investing in new equipment categories [9][27] - The strategy includes enhancing operational efficiency and maintaining a strong customer care strategy to drive recurring revenue from parts and service [15][16] - The company anticipates a gradual improvement in equipment margins as it optimizes its product mix throughout fiscal year 2026 [33] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that while market headwinds are expected to persist, improvements made during fiscal year 2025 position the company to navigate the current cycle effectively [16] - The company is monitoring government assistance programs and their potential impact on farmer purchasing decisions amid tariff uncertainties [47][50] - Management expressed cautious optimism regarding the construction segment's long-term outlook, supported by federal infrastructure initiatives [14] Other Important Information - The company achieved a significant inventory reduction of $419 million since peaking in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025 [26] - The adjusted debt to tangible net worth ratio was 1.8 times as of January 31, 2025, well below the bank covenant of 3.5 times [25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Service margin performance - Management expects equipment margin to increase year-over-year, attributing past inefficiencies to the transition to a new ERP system [42] Question: Inventory reduction methods - The company primarily reduced inventory through its dealer network, with some units auctioned as necessary [44] Question: Impact of tariffs on business - Management is closely monitoring tariffs and their potential impact on demand, noting that government payments could help bolster farmer operations [47][50] Question: Government assistance comparison to previous years - Management highlighted differences in the current situation compared to past government assistance periods, noting potential positive impacts depending on how negotiations unfold [56][58] Question: Optimal inventory levels - Management indicated that the targeted inventory reduction is based on current demand expectations, with flexibility to adjust as needed [64][66] Question: SG&A guidance for fiscal year 2026 - The midpoint of guidance for SG&A expenses is approximately $380 million, reflecting a decrease from fiscal year 2025 [76] Question: Floor plan payable interest levels - Interest-bearing debt under the floor plan was approximately $385 million, with expectations to reduce this significantly in the coming year [84][86]