Asbury Automotive Group(ABG) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript

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]