UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q/A

Amendment No. 1

 

ý

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2005

 

OR

 

 

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from           to

 

Commission file number: 001-31262

 


 

ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

01-0609375
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

622 Third Avenue, 37th Floor
New York, New York

 

10017

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(212) 885-2500
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý  No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ý  No o

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: The number of shares of common stock outstanding as of August 3, 2005, was 32,745,053 (net of 1,586,587 treasury shares).

 

 



 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

 

We are filing Amendment No. 1 to the Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three and six months ended June 30, 2005 to change the presentation of certain floor plan notes payable information. We finance substantially all of our new and at times a portion of our used vehicle inventories under revolving floor plan notes payable with various lenders. Consistent with industry practice, the Company previously reported all floor plan notes payable as a single line on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and all cash flow activity relating to floor plan notes payable in the operating activities section of our Consolidated Statement of Cash flows. In addition, we historically considered all borrowings and repayments of floor plan notes payable associated with inventory acquired through a dealership acquisition and inventory sold through a dealership divestiture, non-cash activities. Floor plan notes payable to a party unaffiliated with the manufacturer of a particular new vehicle, and all floor plan notes payable relating to pre-owned vehicles, have been restated as floor plan notes payable — non-manufacturer affiliated on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the related non-manufacturer affiliated cash flows have been restated from operating activities to financing activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows with borrowings reflected separately from repayments. In addition, we have included floor plan notes payable activity associated with dealership acquisitions and divestitures in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

 

The changes in presentation have no effect on net income, earnings per share, stockholder’s equity or our conclusion that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2005.  However, because we are restating the financial statements included in our Form 10-Q, our financial statements include the effects of entities which became discontinued operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2005. In addition, we have made certain other immaterial reclassifications to conform to current presentation. All other information in this amendment is as of the date of the original filing and does not reflect any subsequent information or events occurring after the date of the original filing. Forward looking statements made reflect our expectations as of the date of our original filing and have not been adjusted to reflect subsequent information.

 



 

ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
INDEX

 

 

PART I – Financial Information

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2005 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2004, restated

1

 

Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2005 and 2004 (Unaudited)

2

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2005 and 2004 (Unaudited), restated

3

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

4

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

22

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

23

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

40

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

41

 

 

 

PART II – Other Information

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

43

Item 6.

Exhibits

43

 

Signatures

44

 

Index to Exhibits

45

 



 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements

 

ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Restated)

 

 

 

(Restated)*

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

11,049

 

$

28,093

 

Contracts-in-transit

 

112,432

 

105,360

 

Restricted investments

 

1,813

 

1,645

 

Accounts receivable (net of allowance of $2,224 and $2,073, respectively)

 

150,183

 

148,196

 

Inventories

 

722,160

 

761,557

 

Deferred income taxes

 

15,576

 

15,576

 

Prepaid and other current assets

 

58,512

 

56,831

 

Assets held for sale

 

43,424

 

25,748

 

Total current assets

 

1,115,149

 

1,143,006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net

 

205,982

 

195,788

 

GOODWILL

 

464,947

 

461,650

 

RESTRICTED INVESTMENTS, net of current portion

 

3,282

 

2,478

 

OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS

 

99,139

 

95,037

 

Total assets

 

$

1,888,499

 

$

 1,897,959

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Floor plan notes payable – manufacturer affiliated

 

$

181,414

 

$

336,369

 

Floor plan notes payable – non-manufacturer affiliated

 

431,723

 

314,579

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

32,936

 

33,880

 

Accounts payable

 

66,649

 

53,078

 

Accrued liabilities

 

88,992

 

89,066

 

Liabilities associated with assets held for sale

 

27,619

 

20,538

 

Total current liabilities

 

829,333

 

847,510

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LONG-TERM DEBT

 

476,408

 

492,536

 

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

 

38,375

 

40,360

 

OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

 

39,927

 

35,821

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 13)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $.01 par value per share, 10,000,000 shares authorized

 

 

 

Common stock, $.01 par value per share, 90,000,000 shares authorized 34,195,206 and 34,163,759 shares issued, including shares held in treasury, respectively

 

342

 

342

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

413,490

 

413,094

 

Retained earnings

 

113,532

 

87,905

 

Treasury stock, at cost; 1,586,587 shares held

 

(15,032

)

(15,032

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(7,876

)

(4,577

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

504,456

 

481,732

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

1,888,499

 

$

1,897,959

 

 


* See Note 2 “Restatement”

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

1



 

ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

 

 

 

For the Three Months
Ended June 30,

 

For the Six Months
Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

 

REVENUES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New vehicle

 

$

880,684

 

$

786,669

 

$

1,659,191

 

$

1,450,818

 

Used vehicle

 

350,740

 

300,639

 

673,312

 

583,993

 

Parts, service and collision repair

 

160,635

 

142,237

 

315,012

 

276,501

 

Finance and insurance, net

 

39,386

 

34,917

 

75,134

 

63,329

 

Total revenues

 

1,431,445

 

1,264,462

 

2,722,649

 

2,374,641

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COST OF SALES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New vehicle

 

820,187

 

730,750

 

1,545,450

 

1,346,046

 

Used vehicle

 

320,654

 

275,400

 

614,325

 

533,927

 

Parts, service and collision repair

 

77,588

 

66,666

 

151,868

 

131,234

 

Total cost of sales

 

1,218,429

 

1,072,816

 

2,311,643

 

2,011,207

 

GROSS PROFIT

 

213,016

 

191,646

 

411,006

 

363,434

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

162,706

 

147,801

 

323,600

 

284,721

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

4,782

 

4,753

 

9,489

 

9,325

 

Income from operations

 

45,528

 

39,092

 

77,917

 

69,388

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Floor plan interest expense

 

(7,541

)

(4,724

)

(14,147

)

(8,831

)

Other interest expense

 

(10,270

)

(10,132

)

(19,871

)

(20,396

)

Interest income

 

171

 

106

 

436

 

373

 

Other income, net

 

337

 

84

 

452

 

208

 

Total other expense, net

 

(17,303

)

(14,666

)

(33,130

)

(28,646

)

Income before income taxes

 

28,225

 

24,426

 

44,787

 

40,742

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

 

10,584

 

8,982

 

16,795

 

15,100

 

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

 

17,641

 

15,444

 

27,992

 

25,642

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, net of tax

 

(1,655

)

(696

)

(2,365

)

(530

)

NET INCOME

 

$

15,986

 

$

14,748

 

$

25,627

 

$

25,112

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic—

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

0.54

 

$

0.48

 

$

0.86

 

$

0.79

 

Discontinued operations

 

(0.05

)

(0.03

)

(0.07

)

(0.02

)

Net income

 

$

0.49

 

$

0.45

 

$

0.79

 

$

0.77

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted—

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

0.54

 

$

0.47

 

$

0.85

 

$

0.78

 

Discontinued operations

 

(0.05

)

(0.02

)

(0.07

)

(0.01

)

Net income

 

$

0.49

 

$

0.45

 

$

0.78

 

$

0.77

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

32,604

 

32,470

 

32,596

 

32,452

 

Diluted

 

32,725

 

32,656

 

32,753

 

32,688

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

2



 

ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

For the Six Months
Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

(Restated)*

 

(Restated)*

 

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

25,627

 

$

25,112

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities-

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

9,489

 

9,325

 

Depreciation and amortization from discontinued operations

 

1,100

 

1,341

 

Amortization of deferred financing fees

 

1,013

 

1,170

 

Change in allowance for doubtful accounts

 

151

 

(327

)

(Gain) loss on sale of discontinued operations

 

(10

)

474

 

Other adjustments

 

2,993

 

3,543

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and divestitures-

 

 

 

 

 

Contracts-in-transit

 

(7,072

)

(2,482

)

Accounts receivable

 

(10,375

)

(35,511

)

Proceeds from the sale of accounts receivable

 

8,126

 

9,976

 

Inventories

 

31,705

 

(63,735

)

Prepaid and other current assets

 

(13,190

)

(6,454

)

Floor plan notes payable – manufacturer affiliated

 

(141,120

)

25,078

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

13,097

 

16,578

 

Other long-term assets and liabilities

 

770

 

(7,202

)

Net cash used in operating activities

 

(77,696

)

(23,114

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures – non-financed

 

(16,942

)

(18,391

)

Capital expenditures – financeable

 

(18,236

)

(16,130

)

Construction reimbursements associated with sale-leaseback agreements

 

2,595

 

9,493

 

Acquisitions

 

(11,562

)

(100,403

)

Proceeds from the sale of assets

 

7,989

 

3,522

 

Other investing activities

 

(878

)

913

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(37,034

)

(120,996

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Floor plan borrowings – non-manufacturer affiliated

 

1,753,115

 

1,185,266

 

Floor plan repayments – non-manufacturer affiliated

 

(1,629,643

)

(1,130,882

)

Proceeds from borrowings

 

20,734

 

3,850

 

Repayments of debt

 

(41,989

)

(6,813

)

Payments of debt issuance costs

 

(4,927

)

 

Proceeds from the exercise of stock options

 

396

 

857

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

97,686

 

52,278

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(17,044

(91,832

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period

 

28,093

 

106,711

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period

 

$

11,049

 

$

14,879

 

 

See Note 12 for supplemental cash flow information

 


* See Note 2 “Restatement”

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

3



 

ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

 

1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

 

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. is a national automotive retailer, operating 94 dealership locations (129 franchises) as of June 30, 2005. We offer an extensive range of automotive products and services, including new and used vehicles, financing and insurance, vehicle maintenance and collision repair services, replacement parts and service contracts. We offer 33 domestic and foreign brands of new vehicles, including four heavy truck brands. We also operate 23 collision repair centers that serve our markets. Our retail network is organized into regional dealership groups, formerly called “platforms,” in 23 metropolitan markets, which are marketed under different local brands.

 

During the first quarter of 2005, we reorganized our platforms into principally four regions: (i) Florida (comprising our Coggin dealerships, operating primarily in Jacksonville and Orlando, and our Courtesy dealerships operating in Tampa), (ii) West (comprising our McDavid dealerships operating throughout Texas, our Thomason dealerships operating in Portland, Oregon, our Spirit dealerships operating primarily in Los Angeles, California and our Northern California Dealerships operating in Sacramento and Fresno, California), (iii) Mid-Atlantic (comprising our Crown dealerships operating in North Carolina, South Carolina and Southern Virginia) and (iv) South (comprising our Nalley dealerships operating in Atlanta, Georgia, and our North Point dealerships operating in Little Rock, Arkansas.)  Our Plaza dealerships operating in St. Louis, Missouri and our Gray Daniels dealerships operating in Jackson, Mississippi remain standalone operations.

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements reflect the consolidated accounts of Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. and our wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

 

In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal, recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2005, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004 have been included. The results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. Our interim unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically and the effects of revisions are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period they are determined to be necessary.

 

Restatement

 

Subsequent to the issuance of the Company’s December 31, 2004 financial statements, we determined that certain information in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows should be restated for all periods presented to comply with the guidance under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 95, “Statement of Cash Flows,” and Rule 5-02(19)(a) of Regulation S-X. Historically, we reported all cash flows arising in connection with changes in floor plan notes payable as an operating activity and considered all borrowings and repayments of floor plan notes payable associated with inventory acquired through a dealership acquisition and inventory sold through a dealership divestiture, non-cash activities. Therefore, the changes in floor plan notes payable associated with dealership acquisitions and divestitures were not included in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. As a result, we have (i) restated floor plan notes payable to a party other than the manufacturer of a particular new vehicle, and all floor plan notes payable relating to pre-owned vehicles, as floor plan notes payable non-manufacturer affiliated on our Consolidated Balance Sheets (ii) restated the related non-manufacturer affiliated cash flows as a financing activity on our Consolidated Statements of Cash flows with borrowings reflected separately from repayments and (iii) included floor plan notes payable activity associated with dealership acquisitions and divestitures in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. A summary of the significant effects of the restatement are as follows:

 

4



 



(In thousands)

 

As of
June 30, 2005

 

Floor plan notes payable – previously reported

 

$

613,137

 

 

 

 

 

Floor plan notes payable – manufacturer affiliated - previously reported

 

$

 

Floor plan notes payable – manufacturer affiliated

 

181,414

 

Floor plan notes payable – manufacturer affiliated – restated

 

$

181,414

 

 

 

 

 

Floor plan notes payable – non-manufacturer affiliated - previously reported

 

$

 

Floor plan notes payable – non-manufacturer affiliated

 

431,723

 

Floor plan notes payable – non-manufacturer affiliated – restated

 

$

431,723

 

 

 

 

For the Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

(In thousands)

 

2005

 

2004

 

Cash provided by operating activities – previously reported

 

$

43,394

 

$

4,651

 

Floor plan notes payable – manufacturer affiliated

 

(121,343

)

(27,393

)

Other

 

253

 

(372

)

Cash used in operating activities – restated

 

$

(77,696

)

$

(23,114

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash used in investing activities – previously reported

 

$

(34,652

)

$

(94,377

)

Acquisitions

 

(6,870

)

(28,809

)

Proceeds from the sale of assets

 

4,741

 

1,818

 

Other

 

(253

)

372

 

Cash used in investing activities – restated

 

$

(37,034

)

$

(120,996

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash used in financing activities – previously reported

 

$

(25,786

)

$

(2,106

)

Floor plan borrowings – non-manufacturer affiliated

 

1,753,115

 

1,185,266

 

Floor plan repayments – non-manufacturer affiliated

 

(1,629,643

(1,130,882

)

Cash provided by financing activities – restated

 

$

97,686

 

$

52,278

 

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Revenue from the sale of new and used vehicles is recognized upon delivery, passage of title, signing of the sales contract and approval of financing. Revenue from the sale of parts, service and collision repair is recognized upon delivery of parts to the customer or at the time vehicle service or repair work is completed. Manufacturer vehicle incentives and rebates, including holdbacks, are recognized as a component of new vehicle cost of sales when earned, generally at the time the related vehicles are sold.

 

We receive commissions from the sale of vehicle service contracts, credit life insurance and disability insurance to customers. In addition, we receive commissions from financing institutions for arranging customer financing. We may be charged back (“chargebacks”) for finance, insurance or vehicle service contract commissions in the event a contract is terminated. The revenues from financing fees and commissions are recorded at the time the vehicles are sold and a reserve for future chargebacks is established based on historical operating results and the termination provisions of the applicable contracts. Finance, insurance and vehicle service contract commissions, net of estimated chargebacks, are included in Finance and insurance, net in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

Upon adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” on January 1, 2002, we determined that each of our platforms qualified as a reporting unit since we operate in one segment, our platforms are one level below our corporate level, discrete financial information existed for each platform and the management of each platform directly reviewed the platform’s performance. In late 2004, we began the process of reorganizing our platforms into four regions. Within this more streamlined structure, we will evaluate our operations and financial results by dealership in the aggregate,

 

5



 

rather than by platform. The general managers, with direction from a centralized management team, including corporate and regional management, will continue to have the independence and flexibility to respond effectively to local market conditions. Based on the changes in our management, operational and reporting structure during the first quarter of 2005, we evaluate goodwill at the operating segment level.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

We account for stock-based compensation issued to employees in accordance with Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” APB Opinion No. 25 requires the use of the intrinsic value method, which measures compensation cost as the excess, if any, of the quoted market price of the stock at the measurement date over the amount an employee must pay to acquire the stock. We have adopted the disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation-Transition and Disclosure-An amendment of FASB Statement No. 123.”

 

The following table illustrates the effect on net income and net income per share had stock-based employee compensation been recorded based on the fair value method under SFAS No. 123 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”:

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended June 30,

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30,

 

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

15,986

 

$

14,748

 

$

25,627

 

$

25,112

 

Adjustments to net income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense included in net income, net of tax

 

 

62

 

1

 

83

 

Pro forma stock-based compensation expense, net of tax

 

(674

)

(1,406

)

(1,340

)

(2,595

)

Pro forma net income

 

$

15,312

 

$

13,404

 

$

24,288

 

$

22,600

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per common share—basic (as reported)

 

$

0.49

 

$

0.45

 

$

0.79

 

$

0.77

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per common share—diluted (as reported)

 

$

0.49

 

$

0.45

 

$

0.78

 

$

0.77

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma net income per common share—basic

 

$

0.47

 

$

0.41

 

$

0.75

 

$

0.70

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma net income per common share—diluted

 

$

0.47

 

$

0.41

 

$

0.74

 

$

0.69

 

 

We use the Black-Scholes option valuation model (“Black-Scholes”), which is the measure of fair value most often utilized under SFAS No. 123. Traded options, unlike our stock-based awards, are not subject to vesting restrictions, are fully transferable and may use lower expected stock price volatility measures than those assumed below. We estimated the fair value of stock-based compensation issued to employees during each respective period using Black-Scholes with the following weighted average assumptions:

 

 

 

For the Three Months
Ended June 30,

 

For the Six Months
Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk free interest rate

 

3.7

%

3.6

%

3.8

%

3.3

%

Expected life of options

 

4 years

 

4 years

 

4 years

 

4 years

 

Expected stock price volatility

 

45

%

51

%

45

%

51

%

Expected dividend yield

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

 

We utilize derivative financial instruments to manage our capital structure. The types of risks hedged are those relating to the variability of cash flows and changes in the fair value of our financial instruments caused by movements in interest rates. We document our risk management strategy and assess hedge effectiveness at the inception and during the term of each hedge. Derivatives are reported at fair value on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

The changes in fair value of the effective portion of “cash flow” hedges are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are reclassified to interest expense to the

 

6



 

extent the hedge becomes ineffective. The change in fair value of “fair value” hedges are recorded as a component of interest expense.  Changes in the fair value of the associated hedged exposures (senior subordinated notes) are also recorded as a component of interest expense.

 

Measurements of hedge effectiveness are based on comparisons between the gains or losses of the actual interest rate swaps and the gains or losses of hypothetical interest rate swaps which are designed to reflect the critical terms of the defined hedged exposures. Ineffective portions of these interest rate swaps are reported as a component of interest expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income. We recognized minor ineffectiveness during the three and six months ended June 30, 2005 and no ineffectiveness during the three and six months ended June 30, 2004.

 

Discontinued Operations

 

In accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” certain amounts reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, have been classified as Assets Held for Sale and Liabilities Associated with Assets Held for Sale. In addition, the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, have been reclassified to reflect the status of our discontinued operations as of September 30, 2005.

 

Statements of Cash Flows

 

Borrowings and repayments of floor plan notes payable to a party unaffiliated with the manufacturer of a particular new vehicle, and all floor plan notes payable relating to pre-owned vehicles, are classified as financing activities on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows with borrowings reflected separately from repayments. The net change in floor plan notes payable to a party affiliated with the manufacturer of a particular new vehicle is classified as an operating activity on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

 

The net change in service loaner vehicle financing is reflected as an operating activity in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, as these borrowings and repayments are with lenders affiliated with the vehicle manufacturer from which we purchase the related vehicles.

 

Construction reimbursements from third parties in connection with sale-leaseback agreements for the construction of new dealership facilities or leasehold improvements on our dealership facilities are included in investing activities in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

 

Financeable capital expenditures include all expenditures that we have financed during the reporting period or intend to finance in future reporting periods through sale-leaseback transactions or mortgage financing. In addition, in connection with the sale of one of our dealerships, we purchased the real estate on which the dealership is located for approximately $5.4 million and the buyer of our dealership has agreed to purchase the real estate from us for $5.4 million. We have classified this transaction as a financeable capital expenditure in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Non-financed capital expenditures include all capital expenditures that are not included in financeable capital expenditures.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-based Payment.”  This statement requires compensation costs related to share-based payment transactions to be recognized in the financial statements. With limited exceptions, the amount of compensation cost will be measured based on the grant-date fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued. Compensation cost will be recognized over the period that an employee provides service in exchange for the award. SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004) replaces SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. In April 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted a new rule that amends the compliance dates for SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004). Registrants would have been required to implement the standard as of the beginning of the first interim or annual period that begins after September 15, 2005. The Commission’s new rule allows companies to implement SFAS No. 123 (Revised 2004) at the beginning of their next fiscal year, instead of the next reporting period, that begins after September 15, 2005. We are currently evaluating the effect of this statement on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

7



 

3. INVENTORIES

 

Inventories consist of the following:

 

 

 

As of

 

(In thousands)

 

June 30,
2005

 

December 31,
2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New vehicles

 

$

563,414

 

$

619,098

 

Used vehicles

 

114,429

 

98,071

 

Parts and accessories

 

44,317

 

44,388

 

Total inventories

 

$

722,160

 

$

761,557

 

 

The lower of cost or market reserves for inventory totaled $4.4 million and $4.9 million as of June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively.

 

4. ACQUISITIONS

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2005, we acquired one dealership location (one franchise) for an aggregate purchase price of $12.0 million, of which $4.7 million was paid in cash through the use of available funds, $6.8 million was borrowed from our floor plan facilities, with the remaining $0.5 million representing the fair value of future payments. During the six months ended June 30, 2004, we acquired six dealership locations (six franchises) for an aggregate purchase price of $102.6 million, of which $71.6 million was paid in cash through the use of available funds, $28.8 million was borrowed from our floor plan facilities, with the remaining $2.2 million representing the fair value of future payments associated with one of our acquisitions.

 

The allocation of purchase price for acquisitions is as follows:

 

 

 

For the Six Months
Ended June 30,

 

(In thousands)

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inventories

 

$

6,878

 

$

32,540

 

Fixed assets

 

278

 

3,774

 

Other assets

 

 

1,681

 

Goodwill

 

3,541

 

53,101

 

Franchise rights

 

1,350

 

11,500

 

Total purchase price

 

$

12,047

 

$

102,596

 

 

The allocation of purchase price to assets acquired and liabilities assumed for certain current and prior year acquisitions was based on preliminary estimates of fair value and may be revised as additional information concerning valuation of such assets and liabilities becomes available.

 

5. GOODWILL AND MANUFACTURER FRANCHISE RIGHTS

 

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the six months ended June 30, 2005 are as follows:

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2004

 

$

461,650

 

Current year acquisitions

 

3,541

 

Adjustments associated with prior year acquisitions

 

519

 

Current year divestitures

 

(763

)

Balance, June 30, 2005

 

$

464,947

 

 

8



 

The changes in the carrying amount of manufacturer franchise rights, which are included in Other Long-Term Assets on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, are as follows:

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2004

 

$

42,013

 

Current year acquisitions

 

1,350

 

Current year divestitures

 

(500

)

Other

 

(294

)

Balance, June 30, 2005

 

$

42,569

 

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2005, we sold two dealership locations (four franchises) resulting in the removal of $0.8 million of goodwill from our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Two of the franchises sold had been allocated a total of $0.5 million of manufacturer franchise rights, which were also removed from our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2005, we acquired one dealership location (one franchise) and allocated $1.4 million of the purchase price to manufacturer franchise rights.

 

6. ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE

 

Assets and liabilities classified as held for sale include (i) assets and liabilities associated with discontinued operations held for sale at each balance sheet date, (ii) costs of completed construction projects included in pending sale-leaseback transactions where an unaffiliated third party has reimbursed us or will reimburse us funds for the cost of construction and (iii) costs of completed construction projects included in pending sale-leaseback transactions where an unaffiliated third party has agreed to purchase the assets from us upon completion of the construction.

 

Assets and liabilities associated with discontinued operations include three dealership locations (five franchises) as of June 30, 2005, and two dealership locations (four franchises) as of December 31, 2004. During the three months ended June 30, 2005, we sold real estate associated with one former dealership location with a book value of $0.8 million for $0.9 million. Assets associated with discontinued operations totaled $43.4 million and $11.2 million, and liabilities associated with discontinued operations totaled $27.6 million and $7.4 million as of June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively.

 

Included in Assets Held for Sale as of December 31, 2004 was $14.5 million of costs associated with one completed project included in a pending sale-leaseback transaction. As of December 31, 2004, Liabilities Associated with Assets Held for Sale included $13.1 million of funds reimbursed by an unaffiliated third party associated with the completed construction project. During the six months ended June 30, 2005, we received $1.4 million of funds from the unaffiliated third party and completed this pending sale-leaseback transaction, which resulted in the removal of $14.5 million of Assets Held for Sale and Liabilities Associated with Assets Held for Sale from our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

A summary of assets and liabilities held for sale is as follows:

 

 

 

As of

 

(In thousands)

 

June 30,
2005

 

December 31,
2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Inventories

 

$

30,722

 

$

7,846

 

Property and equipment, net

 

12,702

 

17,902

 

Total assets

 

43,424

 

25,748

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Floor plan notes payable

 

27,619

 

7,456

 

Other liabilities

 

 

13,082

 

Total liabilities

 

27,619

 

20,538

 

Net assets held for sale

 

15,805

 

$

5,210

 

 

Included in Prepaid and Other Current Assets on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets are costs associated with construction projects, which we intend to sell through sale-leaseback transactions but have not been completed and therefore are not available for sale. In connection with these construction projects, we have entered into sale-leaseback agreements whereby an unaffiliated third party purchased the land and is either reimbursing us for the cost of construction of dealership facilities being constructed on the land or has agreed to purchase the assets from us upon completion of the project. We capitalize the cost of the construction and lease payments during the construction period and record a corresponding liability equal to the amount reimbursed.

 

9



 

Upon completion of the construction, we will execute the sale-leaseback transaction, remove the cost of construction and the related liability from our Consolidated Balance Sheets and amortize the capitalized lease payments on a straight-line basis over the lease term. During the six months ended June 30, 2005, we completed one sale-leaseback transaction associated with a construction project that was completed subsequent to December 31, 2004, which resulted in the removal of $1.2 million of Assets Held for Sale and Liabilities Associated with Assets Held for Sale from our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The book value of assets associated with construction projects that have not been completed as of June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004 totaled $10.2 million and $7.1 million, respectively. As of June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, the book value of liabilities associated with these construction projects totaled $1.6 million.

 

7. LONG-TERM DEBT

 

Long-term debt consists of the following:

 

 

 

As of

 

(In thousands)

 

June 30,
2005

 

December 31,
2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2012

 

$

250,000

 

$

250,000

 

8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014 ($200.0 million face value, net of hedging activity of $446 and $2,736, respectively)

 

199,554

 

197,264

 

Mortgage notes payable

 

24,727

 

49,732

 

Notes payable collateralized by loaner vehicles

 

22,810

 

21,627

 

Committed Credit Facility

 

5,000

 

 

Capital lease obligations

 

4,370

 

4,421

 

Other notes payable

 

2,883

 

3,372

 

 

 

509,344

 

526,416

 

Less—current portion

 

(32,936

)

(33,880

)

Long-term debt

 

$

476,408

 

$

492,536

 

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2005, we borrowed $15.0 million from our committed credit facility, of which $8.2 million was used for the purchase of real estate on which two of our dealerships are located. The remainder of the borrowings was used for general corporate purposes. During the three months ended June 30, 2005, we repaid $10.0 million of the amounts borrowed from our committed credit facility and subsequent to the end of the quarter we repaid the remaining $5.0 million.

 

8. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITY

 

We have entered into two forward interest rate swaps with a combined notional principal amount of $170.0 million, to provide a hedge against changes in the interest rates of our variable rate floor plan notes payable for a period of eight years beginning in March 2006. The swap agreements were designated and qualify as cash flow hedges of our variable rate floor plan notes payable and will contain minor ineffectiveness. The swaps are scheduled to expire in March 2006. As of June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, the swaps had a fair value of $12.3 million and $7.1 million and are included in Accrued Liabilities and Other Long-term Liabilities, respectively, on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

We have entered into an interest rate swap agreement with a notional principal amount of $200.0 million as a hedge against changes in the fair value of our 8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014. Under the terms of the swap agreement, we are required to make variable rate payments based on six-month LIBOR and receive a fixed rate of 8.0%. This swap agreement was designated and qualifies as a fair value hedge of our 8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014 and did not contain any ineffectiveness. As a result our 8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014 have been adjusted by the fair market value of the related swap. The swap is scheduled to expire in March 2006. As of June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, the swap agreement had a fair value of $0.4 million and $2.7 million and is included in Accrued Liabilities and Other Long-Term Liabilities, respectively, on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

We have entered into an interest rate swap agreement with a notional principal amount of $15.2 million as a hedge against future changes in the interest rate of our variable rate mortgage notes payable. Under the terms of the swap agreement, we are required to make payments at a fixed rate of 6.08% and receive a variable rate based on LIBOR. This swap agreement was designated and qualifies as a cash flow hedge of changes in the interest rate of our variable rate mortgage notes payable and will contain minor ineffectiveness. As of June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, the swap agreement had a fair value of $0.2 million, which was included in Other Long-Term Liabilities on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

10



 

9. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of net income to comprehensive income:

 

 

 

For the Three Months
Ended June 30,

 

For the Six Months
Ended June 30,

 

(In thousands)

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

15,986

 

$

14,748

 

$

25,627

 

$

25,112

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in fair value of cash flow hedges

 

(8,368

)

8,751

 

(5,279

)

1,001

 

Income tax benefit (expense) associated with cash flow hedges

 

3,138

 

(3,282

)

1,980

 

(404

)

Comprehensive income

 

$

10,756

 

$

20,217

 

$

22,328

 

$

25,709

 

 

10. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2005, we sold two dealership locations (four franchises) and real estate associated with one former dealership location and placed three dealership locations (five franchises) into discontinued operations. As of June 30, 2005, three dealership locations (five franchises) and real estate associated with one former dealership location were pending disposition. In addition, during the period between June 30, 2005 and September 30, 2005 we sold two franchises. As of September 30, 2005, eight dealership locations (eight franchises) were pending disposition. The accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, have been reclassified to reflect the status of our discontinued operations as of September 30, 2005.

 

The following table provides further information regarding our discontinued operations as of September 30, 2005, and includes the results of businesses sold prior to September 30, 2005, and businesses pending disposition as of September 30, 2005:

 

 

 

For the Three Months
Ended June 30, 2005

 

For the Three Months
Ended June 30, 2004

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Sold(a)

 

Pending Disposition(b)

 

Total

 

Sold(c)

 

Pending Disposition(b)

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Franchises

 

4

 

8

 

12

 

19

 

8

 

27

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

9,087

 

$

85,329

 

$

94,416

 

$

57,764

 

$

87,129

 

$

144,893

 

Cost of sales

 

8,036

 

72,635

 

80,671

 

48,954

 

73,778

 

122,732

 

Gross profit

 

1,051

 

12,694

 

13,745

 

8,810

 

13,351

 

22,161

 

Operating expenses

 

1,304

 

13,591

 

14,895

 

8,779

 

13,339

 

22,118

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

(253

)

(897

)

(1,150

)

31

 

12

 

43

 

Other expense, net

 

(407

)

(715

)

(1,122

)

(641

)

(210

)

(851

)

Loss on disposition of discontinued operations

 

(376

)

 

(376

)

(306

)

 

(306

)

Loss before income taxes

 

(1,036

)

(1,612

)

(2,648

)

(916

)

(198

)

(1,114

)

Income tax benefit

 

383

 

610

 

993

 

338

 

80

 

418

 

Discontinued operations, net of tax

 

$

(653

)

$

(1,002

)

$

(1,655

)

$

(578

)

$

(118

)

$

(696

)

 

11



 

 

 

For the Six Months Ended
June 30, 2005

 

For the Six Months Ended
June 30, 2004

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Sold

 

Pending Disposition(b)

 

Total

 

Sold(d)

 

Pending Disposition(b)

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Franchises

 

6

 

8

 

14

 

20

 

8

 

28

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

18,962

 

$

165,965

 

$

184,927

 

$

117,824

 

$

162,856

 

$

280,680

 

Cost of sales

 

16,351

 

140,863

 

157,214

 

99,623

 

137,267

 

236,890

 

Gross profit

 

2,611

 

25,102

 

27,713

 

18,201

 

25,589

 

43,790

 

Operating expenses

 

3,113

 

26,468

 

29,581

 

18,007

 

24,477

 

42,484

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

(502

)

(1,366

)

(1,868

)

194

 

1,112

 

1,306

 

Other expense, net

 

(851

)

(1,076

)

(1,927

)

(1,292

)

(388

)

(1,680

)

Gain (loss) on disposition of discontinued operations

 

10

 

 

10

 

(474

)

 

(474

)

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

(1,343

)

(2,442

)

(3,785

)

(1,572

)

724

 

(848

)

Income tax (expense) benefit

 

496

 

924

 

1,420

 

593

 

(275

)

318

 

Discontinued operations, net of tax

 

$

(847

)

$

(1,518

)

$

(2,365

)

$

(979

)

$

449

 

$

(530

)

 


(a)   Businesses were sold between April 1, 2005 and September 30, 2005

(b)   Businesses pending disposition as of September 30, 2005

(c)   Businesses were sold between April 1, 2004 and September 30, 2005

(d)   Businesses were sold between January 1, 2004 and September 30, 2005

 

11. EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the periods presented. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average common shares and common share equivalents outstanding during the periods presented.

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

For the Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

17,641

 

$

15,444

 

$

27,992

 

$

25,642

 

Discontinued operations

 

(1,655

)

(696

)

(2,365

)

(530

)

Net income

 

$

15,986

 

$

14,748

 

$

25,627

 

$

25,112

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share – basic and diluted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations – basic

 

$

0.54

 

$

0.48

 

$

0.86

 

$

0.79

 

Discontinued operations - basic

 

(0.05

)

(0.03

)

(0.07

)

(0.02

)

Net income

 

$

0.49

 

$

0.45

 

$

0.79

 

$

0.77

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations – diluted

 

$

0.54

 

$

0.47

 

$

0.85

 

$

0.78

 

Discontinued operations - diluted

 

(0.05

)

(0.02

)

(0.07

)

(0.01

)

Net income

 

$

0.49

 

$

0.45

 

$

0.78

 

$

0.77

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common shares and common share equivalents:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic

 

32,604

 

32,470

 

32,596

 

32,452

 

Common share equivalents (stock options)

 

121

 

186

 

157

 

236

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted

 

32,725

 

32,656

 

32,753

 

32,688

 

 

12



 

12. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, we made interest payments, net of amounts capitalized, totaling $36.3 million and $29.8 million, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, we received $2.5 million and $1.5 million, respectively, of proceeds associated with our interest rate swap agreement that was entered into in December 2003 in connection with the issuance of our 8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014.

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, we made income tax payments totaling $8.2 million and $9.3 million, respectively.

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2005, we completed two sale-leaseback transactions, which resulted in the sale of approximately $15.7 million of Assets Held for Sale and the removal of $15.7 million of Liabilities Associated with Assets Held for Sale from our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

A significant portion of our vehicle business involves the sale of vehicles, parts or vehicles composed of parts that are manufactured outside the United States of America. As a result, our operations are subject to customary risks of importing merchandise, including fluctuations in the relative values of currencies, import duties, exchange controls, trade restrictions, work stoppages and general political and socio-economic conditions in foreign countries. The United States of America or the countries from which our products are imported may, from time to time, impose new quotas, duties, tariffs or other restrictions, or adjust presently prevailing quotas, duties or tariffs, which may affect our operations and our ability to purchase imported vehicles and/or parts at reasonable prices.

 

Manufacturers may direct us to implement costly capital improvements to dealerships as a condition upon entering into franchise agreements with them. Manufacturers also typically require that their franchises meet specific standards of appearance. These factors, either alone or in combination, could cause us to divert our financial resources to capital projects from uses that management believes may be of higher long-term value, such as acquisitions.

 

Substantially all of our facilities are subject to federal, state and local provisions regarding the discharge of materials into the environment. Compliance with these provisions has not had, nor do we expect such compliance to have, any material effect upon our capital expenditures, net earnings, financial condition, liquidity or competitive position. We believe that our current practices and procedures for the control and disposition of such materials comply with applicable federal, state and local requirements.

 

From time to time, we and our dealerships are named in claims involving the manufacture and sale or lease of motor vehicles, including but not limited to the charging of administrative fees, the operation of dealerships, contractual disputes and other matters arising in the ordinary course of our business. With respect to certain of these claims, the sellers of our acquired dealerships have indemnified us. We do not expect that any potential liability from these claims will materially affect our financial condition, liquidity, results of operations or financial statement disclosures.

 

Our dealerships hold dealer agreements with a number of vehicle manufacturers. In accordance with the individual dealer agreements, each dealership is subject to certain rights and restrictions typical of the industry. The ability of the manufacturers to influence the operations of the dealerships or the loss of a dealer agreement could have a negative impact on our operating results.

 

We have guaranteed a loan made by a financial institution directly to a non-consolidated entity controlled by a former executive, which totaled approximately $2.1 million as of June 30, 2005. This loan was made by a corporation we acquired in October 1998, and guarantees an industrial revenue bond, which we are legally required to guarantee. The primary obligor of the note is a non-dealership business entity and that entity’s partners as individuals.

 

14. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Our 8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014 are guaranteed by all of our current subsidiaries, other than our current Toyota and Lexus dealership subsidiaries, and all of our future domestic restricted subsidiaries, other than our future Toyota and Lexus dealership facilities. The following tables set forth, on a condensed consolidating basis, our balance sheets, statements of income and statements of cash flows, for our guarantor and non-guarantor subsidiaries for all financial statement periods presented in our interim consolidated financial statements.

 

13



 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of June 30, 2005
(In thousands)

(Restated)

 

 

 

Parent
Company

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-guarantor
Subsidiaries

 


Eliminations

 


Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

 

$

11,049

 

$

 

$

 

$

11,049

 

Inventories

 

 

668,522

 

53,638

 

 

722,160

 

Other current assets

 

 

282,270

 

56,246

 

 

338,516

 

Assets held for sale

 

 

43,424

 

 

 

43,424

 

Total current assets

 

 

1,005,265

 

109,884

 

 

1,115,149

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

200,708

 

5,274

 

 

205,982

 

Goodwill

 

 

403,635

 

61,312

 

 

464,947

 

Other assets

 

 

99,376

 

3,045

 

 

102,421

 

Investment in subsidiaries

 

504,456

 

132,159

 

 

(636,615

)

 

Total assets

 

$

504,456

 

$

1,841,143

 

$

179,515

 

$

(636,615

)

$

1,888,499

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Floor plan notes payable – Manufacturer affiliated

 

$

 

$

181,414

 

$

 

$

 

$

181,414

 

Floor plan notes payable – Non – Manufacturer affiliated

 

 

389,379

 

42,344

 

 

431,723

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

184,539

 

4,038

 

 

188,577

 

Liabilities associated with assets held for sale

 

 

27,619

 

 

 

27,619

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

782,951

 

46,382

 

 

829,333

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

 

476,377

 

31

 

 

476,408

 

Other liabilities

 

 

77,359

 

943

 

 

78,302

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

504,456

 

504,456

 

132,159

 

(636,615

)

504,456

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

504,456

 

$

1,841,143

 

$

179,515

 

$

(636,615

)

$

1,888,499

 

 

14



 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2004
(In thousands)

(Restated)

 

 

 

Parent
Company

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-guarantor
Subsidiaries

 


Eliminations

 


Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

 

$

28,093

 

$

 

$

 

$

28,093

 

Inventories

 

 

713,205

 

48,352

 

 

761,557

 

Other current assets

 

 

286,675

 

40,933

 

 

327,608

 

Assets held for sale

 

 

25,748

 

 

 

25,748

 

Total current assets

 

 

1,053,721

 

89,285

 

 

1,143,006

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

190,706

 

5,082

 

 

195,788

 

Goodwill

 

 

400,338

 

61,312

 

 

461,650

 

Other assets

 

 

79,435

 

18,080

 

 

97,515

 

Investment in subsidiaries

 

481,732

 

130,098

 

 

(611,830

)

 

Total assets

 

$

481,732

 

$

1,854,298

 

$

173,759

 

$

(611,830

)

$

1,897,959

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Floor plan notes payable – Manufacturer affiliated

 

$

 

$

336,369

 

$

 

$

 

$

336,369

 

Floor plan notes payable – Non – Manufacturer affiliated

 

 

277,170

 

37,409

 

 

314,579

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

170,227

 

5,797

 

 

176,024

 

Liabilities associated with assets held for sale

 

 

20,538

 

 

 

20,538

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

804,304

 

43,206

 

 

847,510

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

 

492,499

 

37

 

 

492,536

 

Other liabilities

 

 

75,763

 

418

 

 

76,181

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

481,732

 

481,732

 

130,098

 

(611,830

)

481,732

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

481,732

 

$

1,854,298

 

$

173,759

 

$

(611,830

)

$

1,897,959

 

 

15



 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2005
(In thousands)

 

 

 

Parent
Company

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-guarantor
Subsidiaries

 


Eliminations

 


Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

 

$

1,264,661

 

$

168,612

 

$

(1,828

)

$

1,431,445

 

Cost of sales

 

 

1,075,959

 

144,298

 

(1,828

)

1,218,429

 

Gross profit

 

 

188,702

 

24,314

 

 

213,016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

145,559

 

17,147

 

 

162,706

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

4,427

 

355

 

 

4,782

 

Income from operations

 

 

38,716

 

6,812

 

 

45,528

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Floor plan interest expense

 

 

(7,112

)

(429

)

 

(7,541

)

Other interest expense

 

 

(8,969

)

(1,301

)

 

(10,270

)

Other income, net

 

 

503

 

5

 

 

508

 

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

15,986

 

3,065

 

 

(19,051

)

 

Total other expense, net

 

15,986

 

(12,513

)

(1,725

)

(19,051

)

(17,303

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

15,986

 

26,203

 

5,087

 

(19,051

)

28,225

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

 

8,675

 

1,909

 

 

10,584

 

Income from continuing operations

 

15,986

 

17,528

 

3,178

 

(19,051

)

17,641

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

(1,542

)

(113

)

 

(1,655

)

Net income

 

$

15,986

 

$

15,986

 

$

3,065

 

$

(19,051

)

$

15,986

 

 

16



 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2004
(In thousands)

 

 

 

Parent
Company

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-guarantor
Subsidiaries

 


Eliminations

 


Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

 

$

1,118,991

 

$

148,456

 

$

(2,985

)

$

1,264,462

 

Cost of sales

 

 

947,184

 

128,617

 

(2,985

)

1,072,816

 

Gross profit

 

 

171,807

 

19,839

 

 

191,646

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

132,558

 

15,243

 

 

147,801

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

4,428

 

325

 

 

4,753

 

Income from operations

 

 

34,821

 

4,271

 

 

39,092

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Floor plan interest expense

 

 

(4,399

)

(325

)

 

(4,724

)

Other interest expense

 

 

(9,083

)

(1,049

)

 

(10,132

)

Other income, net

 

 

158

 

32

 

 

190

 

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

14,748

 

1,854

 

 

(16,602

)

 

Total other expense, net

 

14,748

 

(11,470

)

(1,342

)

(16,602

)

(14,666

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

14,748

 

23,351

 

2,929

 

(16,602

)

24,426

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

 

7,883

 

1,099

 

 

8,982

 

Income from continuing operations

 

14,748

 

15,468

 

1,830

 

(16,602

)

15,444

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

(720

)

24

 

 

(696

)

Net income

 

$

14,748

 

$

14,748

 

$

1,854

 

$

(16,602

)

$

14,748

 

 

17



 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2005
(In thousands)

 

 

 

Parent
Company

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-guarantor
Subsidiaries

 


Eliminations

 


Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

 

$

2,409,517

 

$

316,840

 

$

(3,708

)

$

2,722,649

 

Cost of sales

 

 

2,045,023

 

270,328

 

(3,708

)

2,311,643

 

Gross profit

 

 

364,494

 

46,512

 

 

411,006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

290,054

 

33,546

 

 

323,600

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

8,799

 

690

 

 

9,489

 

Income from operations

 

 

65,641

 

12,276

 

 

77,917

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Floor plan interest expense

 

 

(13,367

)

(780

)

 

(14,147

)

Other interest expense

 

 

(17,402

)

(2,469

)

 

(19,871

)

Other income, net

 

 

873

 

15

 

 

888

 

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

25,627

 

5,493

 

 

(31,120

)

 

Total other expense, net

 

25,627

 

(24,403

)

(3,234

)

(31,120

)

(33,130

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

25,627

 

41,238

 

9,042

 

(31,120

)

44,787

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

 

13,403

 

3,392

 

 

16,795

 

Income from continuing operations

 

25,627

 

27,835

 

5,650

 

(31,120

)

27,992

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

(2,208

)

(157

)

 

(2,365

)

Net income

 

$

25,627

 

$

25,627

 

$

5,493

 

$

(31,120

)

$

25,627

 

 

18



 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2004
(In thousands)

 

 

 

Parent
Company

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-guarantor
Subsidiaries

 


Eliminations

 


Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

 

$

2,088,000

 

$

292,147

 

$

(5,506

)

$

2,374,641

 

Cost of sales

 

 

1,764,896

 

251,817

 

(5,506

)

2,011,207

 

Gross profit

 

 

323,104

 

40,330

 

 

363,434

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

255,174

 

29,547

 

 

284,721

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

8,701

 

624

 

 

9,325

 

Income from operations

 

 

59,229

 

10,159

 

 

69,388

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Floor plan interest expense

 

 

(8,228

)

(603

)

 

(8,831

)

Other interest expense

 

 

(18,400

)

(1,996

)

 

(20,396

)

Other income, net

 

 

554

 

27

 

 

581

 

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

25,112

 

4,979

 

 

(30,091

)

 

Total other expense, net

 

25,112

 

(21,095

)

(2,572

)

(30,091

)

(28,646

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

25,112

 

38,134

 

7,587

 

(30,091

)

40,742

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

 

12,255

 

2,845

 

 

15,100

 

Income from continuing operations

 

25,112

 

25,879

 

4,742

 

(30,091

)

25,642

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

(767

)

237

 

 

(530

)

Net income

 

$

25,112

 

$

25,112

 

$

4,979

 

$

(30,091

)

$

25,112

 

 

19



 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2005
(In thousands)

(Restated)

 

 

 

Parent
Company

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-guarantor
Subsidiaries

 


Eliminations

 


Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

$

 

$

(68,431

)

$

(9,265

)

$

 

$

(77,696

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flow from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

(34,707

)

(471

)

 

(35,178

)

Acquisitions

 

 

(11,562

)

 

 

(11,562

)

Other investing activities

 

 

9,705

 

1

 

 

9,706

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(36,564

)

(470

)

 

(37,034

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flow from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Floor Plan Borrowings – non-manufacturer affiliated

 

 

1,474,852

 

278,263

 

 

1,753,115

 

Floor Plan Repayments – non-manufacturer affiliated

 

 

(1,356,316

)

(273,327

)

 

(1,629,643

)

Proceeds from borrowings

 

 

20,734

 

 

 

20,734

 

Repayments of debt

 

 

(41,983

)

(6

)

 

(41,989

)

Intercompany financing

 

 

(4,805

)

4,805

 

 

 

Other financing activities

 

 

(4,531

)

 

 

(4,531

)

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

 

87,951

 

9,735

 

 

97,686

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(17,044

)

 

 

(17,044

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

 

28,093

 

 

 

28,093

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

 

$

11,049

 

$

 

$

 

$

11,049

 

 

20



 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2004
(In thousands)

(Restated)

 

 

 

Parent
Company

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-guarantor
Subsidiaries

 


Eliminations

 


Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

 

$

 

$

(36,505

)

$

13,391

 

$

 

$

(23,114

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flow from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

(32,771

)

(1,750

)

 

(34,521

)

Payments for acquisitions

 

 

(100,403

)

 

 

(100,403

)

Other investing activities

 

 

13,928

 

 

 

13,928

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(119,246

)

(1,750

)

 

(120,996

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flow from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Floor Plan Borrowings – non-manufacturer affiliated

 

 

943,049

 

242,217

 

 

1,185,266

 

Floor Plan Repayments – non-manufacturer affiliated

 

 

(895,677

)

(235,205

)

 

(1,130,882

)

Proceeds from borrowings

 

 

3,850

 

 

 

3,850

 

Repayments of debt

 

 

(6,808

)

(5

)

 

(6,813

)

Intercompany financing

 

 

26,432

 

(26,432

)

 

 

Other financing activities

 

 

857

 

 

 

857

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

 

71,703

 

(19,425

)

 

52,278

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(84,048

)

(7,784

)

 

(91,832

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

 

98,927

 

7,784

 

 

106,711

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

 

$

14,879

 

$

 

$

 

$

14,879

 

 

21



 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.:

 

We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of June 30, 2005, and the related consolidated statements of income for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, and statements of cash flows for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2005 and 2004. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

 

We conducted our reviews in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

 

Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to such consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

As discussed in Note 2 “Restatement,” the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been restated.

 

We have previously audited, in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2004, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated March 14, 2005 (March 14, 2006 as to the effects of the restatement discussed in Note 2 “Restatement” and discontinued operations discussed in Note 16 “Discontinued Operations”), we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2004 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

 

 

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

 

New York, New York

August 4, 2005 (March 14, 2006 as to the effects of the restatement discussed in Note 2 “Restatement” and discontinued operations discussed in Note 10 “Discontinued Operations”)

 

22



 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Subsequent to the issuance of our December 31, 2004 financial statements, we determined that certain information in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows should be restated for all periods presented to comply with the guidance under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 95, “Statement of Cash Flows,” and Rule 5-02(19)(a) of Regulation S-X. Floor plan notes payable to a party unaffiliated with the manufacturer of a particular new vehicle, and all floor plan notes payable relating to pre-owned vehicles, have been restated as floor plan notes payable — non-manufacturer affiliated on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the related non-manufacturer affiliated cash flows have been restated from operating activities to financing activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows with borrowings reflected separately from repayments. In addition, we have restated our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows to include floor plan notes payable activity in connection with our dealership acquisitions and divestitures. Consistent with industry practice, we previously reported all cash flow activity relating to floor plan notes payable as operating cash flows and considered floor plan notes payable activity associated with dealership acquisitions and divestitures, non-cash activities. This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations has been updated for the effects of the restatement and for the effects of entities which became discontinued operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2005. In addition, we have made certain other immaterial reclassifications to conform to current presentation. Forward looking statements made reflected our expectations as of the date of our original filing and have not been adjusted to reflect subsequent information.

 

We are one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, operating 94 dealership locations (129 franchises) in 23 metropolitan markets within 11 states as of June 30, 2005. We offer 33 different brands of new vehicles, including four heavy truck brands. We also operate 23 collision repair centers that serve our markets.

 

We have grown our business through the acquisition of large dealership groups formerly referred to as “platforms” and numerous “tuck-in” acquisitions. “Tuck-in” acquisitions refer to the purchase of dealerships in the market areas in which we have existing dealerships. We use “tuck-in” acquisitions to increase the number of vehicle brands we offer in a particular market area and to create a larger gross profit base over which to spread overhead costs.

 

During the first quarter of 2005, we reorganized our dealerships into principally four regions: (i) Florida (comprising our Coggin dealerships, operating primarily in Jacksonville and Orlando, and our Courtesy dealerships operating in Tampa), (ii) West (comprising our McDavid dealerships operating throughout Texas, our Thomason dealerships operating in Portland, Oregon, our Spirit dealerships operating primarily in Los Angeles, California and our Northern California Dealerships operating in Sacramento and Fresno, California), (iii) Mid-Atlantic (comprising our Crown dealerships operating in North Carolina, South Carolina and Southern Virginia) and (iv) South (comprising our Nalley dealerships operating in Atlanta, Georgia and our North Point dealerships operating in Little Rock, Arkansas). Our Plaza dealerships operating in St. Louis, Missouri and our Gray Daniels dealerships operating in Jackson, Mississippi remain standalone operations. Within this more streamlined structure, we will evaluate our operations and financial results by dealership in the aggregate, rather than by platform. The general managers, with direction from a centralized management team, including corporate and regional management, will continue to have the independence and flexibility to respond effectively to local market conditions. We expect a significant improvement in management effectiveness as a result of this reorganization, as well as added operating and cost efficiencies. During the six months ended June 30, 2005, we incurred $3.6 million in severance and other costs related to our regional reorganization. We expect to complete the final phases of our reorganization during the remainder of 2005. Currently, we estimate that the regional reorganization will have a negative impact on income from continuing operations of $0.03 per diluted share during 2005 and will improve income from continuing operations by approximately $3.0 million or $0.10 per diluted share each year beginning in 2006. During the third quarter of 2005, we entered into agreements to divest of all our Thomason dealerships in Portland, Oregon and our Spirit Nissan store in Rancho Santa Margarita, California. When those sales close, we will exit the Portland, Oregon and Rancho Santa Margarita markets, thereby reducing our number of metropolitan markets to 21.

 

Our revenues are derived primarily from four offerings: (i) the sale of new vehicles to individual retail customers (“new retail”) and the sale of new vehicles to commercial customers (“fleet”) (the terms “new retail” and “fleet” being collectively referred to as “new”); (ii) the sale of used vehicles to individual retail customers (“used retail”) and the sale of used vehicles to other dealers at auction (“wholesale”) (the terms “used retail” and “wholesale” being collectively referred to as “used”); (iii) maintenance and collision repair services and the sale of automotive parts (collectively referred to as “fixed operations”); and (iv) the arrangement of vehicle financing and the sale of various insurance and warranty products (collectively referred to as “F&I”). We evaluate the results of our new and used vehicle sales based on unit volumes and gross profit per vehicle retailed (“PVR”), our fixed operations based on aggregate gross profit, and F&I based on gross profit PVR. We assess the organic growth of our revenue and gross profit by comparing the year-to-year results of stores that we have operated for at least twelve months (“same store”).

 

Our gross profit percentage varies with our revenue mix. The sale of vehicles generally results in lower gross profit percentages than our fixed operations. As a result, when fixed operations revenue increases as a percentage of total revenue, we expect our overall gross profit percentage to increase.

 

23



 

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses consist primarily of fixed and incentive-based compensation, advertising, rent, insurance, utilities and other customary operating expenses. A significant portion of our selling expenses is variable (such as sales commissions), or controllable expenses (such as advertising), generally allowing our cost structure to adapt in response to trends in our business. We evaluate commissions paid to salespeople as a percentage of retail vehicle gross profit and all other SG&A expenses in the aggregate as a percentage of total gross profit.

 

Sales of vehicles (particularly new vehicles) have historically fluctuated with general macroeconomic conditions, including consumer confidence, availability of consumer credit and fuel prices. Although these factors may impact our business, we believe that any future negative trends will be mitigated by increased used vehicle sales, stability in our fixed operations, our variable cost structure, our regional diversity and our advantageous brand mix. Historically, our brand mix, which is weighted towards luxury and mid-line import brands, has been less affected by market volatility than the U.S. automobile retailing industry as a whole. We expect the recent industry-wide gain in market share of the luxury and mid-line import brands to continue in the near future.

 

Our operations are generally subject to modest seasonal variations as we tend to generate more revenue and operating income in the second and third quarters than in the first and fourth quarters of a calendar year. Historically, the seasonal variations in our operations have been caused by factors relating to weather conditions, model changeovers and consumer buying patterns, among other things. Over the past several years, certain automobile manufacturers have used a combination of vehicle pricing and financing incentive programs to generate increased customer demand for new vehicles. In addition to the traditional manufacturer incentive programs, domestic manufacturers have begun to offer customers “employee discount pricing”. The extensive use of manufacturer incentive programs and pricing promotions has impacted the historical cyclicality of new vehicle sales in the United States as customers have been conditioned to postpone the purchase of a vehicle until a manufacturer program or promotion is available.

 

The manufacturer incentive programs on new vehicles have also served to increase competition with late-model used vehicles. We anticipate that the manufacturers will continue to use these incentive programs in the future and, as a result, we will continue to monitor and adjust our used vehicle inventory mix in response to these programs. In addition, we will continue to expand our service capacity in order to meet anticipated future demand as we expect the relatively high volume of new vehicle sales, resulting from the highly “incentivized” new vehicle market, will drive future service demand at our dealership locations.

 

Interest rates over the past several years have been at historic lows. We do not believe that changes in interest rates significantly impact customer overall buying patterns, as changes in interest rates do not dramatically increase the monthly payment of a financed vehicle. For example, the monthly payment for a typical vehicle financing transaction in which a customer finances $25,000 at 7.0% over 60 months increases by approximately $5.90 with each 0.5% increase in interest rates.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2005, Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2004

 

Net income increased $1.3 million to $16.0 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2005, from $14.7 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2004.

 

Income from continuing operations increased $2.2 million to $17.6 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2005, from $15.4 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2004.

 

The 8% increase in net income and 14% increase in income from continuing operations resulted from several factors, including: (i) increases in new and used vehicle sales volumes, (ii) an improvement in the average gross profit of used vehicles, (iii) substantial increases in our fixed operations gross profit, (iv) significant increases in same store F&I revenue resulting from a combination of an increase in platform F&I PVR and an increase in new and used retail vehicle sales and (v) a significant improvement in our wholesale business. These factors were partially offset by the following: (i) margin pressure on new vehicle retail sales and (ii) increased floor plan expense due to rising interest rates.

 

24



 

Revenues-

 

 

 

For the Three Months
Ended June 30,

 

Increase

 

%

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2005

 

2004

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

New vehicle data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail revenues-same store (1)

 

$

815,874

 

$

764,764

 

$

51,110

 

7

%

Retail revenues-acquisitions

 

30,825

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total new retail revenues

 

846,699

 

764,764

 

81,935

 

11

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fleet revenues-same store (1)

 

32,766

 

21,905

 

10,861

 

50

%

Fleet revenues-acquisitions

 

1,219

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fleet revenues

 

33,985

 

21,905

 

12,080

 

55

%

New vehicle revenue, as reported

 

$

880,684

 

$

786,669

 

$

94,015

 

12

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New retail units-same store (1)

 

26,450

 

25,516

 

934

 

4

%

New retail units-actual

 

27,678

 

25,516

 

2,162

 

8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Used vehicle data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail revenues-same store (1)

 

$

259,607

 

$

220,969

 

$

38,638

 

17

%

Retail revenues-acquisitions

 

7,310

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total used retail revenues

 

266,917

 

220,969

 

45,948

 

21

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wholesale revenues-same store (1)

 

80,907

 

79,670

 

1,237

 

2

%

Wholesale revenues-acquisitions

 

2,916

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total wholesale revenues

 

83,823

 

79,670

 

4,153

 

5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Used vehicle revenue, as reported

 

$

350,740

 

$

300,639

 

$

50,101

 

17

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Used retail units-same store (1)

 

15,020

 

14,007

 

1,013

 

7

%

Used retail units-actual

 

15,535

 

14,007

 

1,528

 

11

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parts, service and collision repair:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues-same store (1)

 

$

158,408

 

$

142,237

 

$

16,171

 

11

%

Revenues-acquisitions

 

2,227

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parts, service and collision repair revenue, as reported

 

$

160,635

 

$

142,237

 

$

18,398

 

13

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance and insurance, net:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Platform revenues-same store (1)

 

$

36,455

 

$

33,011

 

$

3,444

 

10

%

Platform revenues-acquisitions

 

1,564

 

 

 

 

 

 

Platform finance and insurance revenue

 

38,019

 

33,011

 

5,008

 

15

%

Corporate revenues

 

1,367

 

1,906

 

 

 

 

 

Finance and insurance revenue, as reported

 

$

39,386

 

$

34,917

 

$

4,469

 

13

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Same store (1)

 

$

1,384,017

 

$

1,262,556

 

$

121,461

 

10

%

Corporate

 

1,367

 

1,906

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisitions

 

46,061

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue, as reported

 

$

1,431,445

 

$

1,264,462

 

$

166,983

 

13

%

 


(1)   Same store amounts include the results of dealerships for the identical months for each period presented in the comparison, commencing with the first full month in which the dealership was owned by us.

 

25



 

Total revenues increased 13% to $1.4 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2005, from $1.3 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2004. Same store revenues increased 10% to $1.4 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2005, from $1.3 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2004.

 

Same store new retail revenue increased 7% for the three months ended June 30, 2005, compared to the prior year period, reflecting a 4% increase in new retail unit sales due to the “employee pricing programs” and an increase in the percentage of luxury and mid-line import sales, which on average have a higher selling price. Same store used vehicle retail revenue increased 17% to $259.6 million, compared to $221.0 million for the prior year period. Our same-store used retail unit sales increased 7% due to the strength of the used vehicle market during the quarter. We anticipate that the manufacturer incentives on new vehicles will continue to drive customers toward new vehicles during 2005, which may create a challenging used vehicle retail market in the near future. However, we do believe that opportunities to increase unit sales exist in the used vehicle retail market, especially with respect to customers interested in lower priced inventory, which we view as a separate market from higher priced used and new vehicle inventory.

 

Fixed operations revenue increased 13%, to $160.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005, from $142.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004. Same store fixed operations revenue increased 11%, for the three months ended June 30, 2005, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2004, where we had substantial growth across each line of our fixed business (10% increase in parts, 16% increase in service and 7% increase in collision repair) driven by “customer pay” and warranty work. The growth in our “customer pay” business is a result of (i) our continued service adviser training, (ii) expansion of our product offerings

 

26



 

and (iii) the implementation of more aggressive advertising campaigns. Our warranty business continued its positive performance driven by continued manufacturer recall programs and increased work on imported vehicles, which typically generates higher revenue due to customer retention. We expect fixed operations to continue to grow as we expand our service capacity in 2005 with the addition of approximately 100 service stalls, the hiring of 200 to 250 technicians and a focused effort on more rigorous and consistent training of our service advisors.

 

Platform F&I revenue increased 10% to $36.5 million on a same store basis for the three months ended June 30, 2005, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2004. The increase in Platform F&I is attributable to (i) increased service contract penetration, (ii) utilization of menus in the F&I sales process and (iii) maturation of our corporate-sponsored programs. Platform F&I excludes revenue resulting from contracts negotiated by our corporate office, which is attributable to retail units sold during prior periods. Corporate F&I revenue was $1.4 million for the three month periods ended June 30, 2005, compared to $1.9 million for the prior year period. We expect this revenue to decrease significantly over the next few years and ultimately be zero by 2008 as the portfolio runs off.

 

We expect total revenue to increase as we continue to acquire dealerships, expand our service capacity and improve our platform F&I PVR. However, future revenue growth will rely heavily on our performance in the vehicle retail business, in particular our ability to maintain or improve upon our sales volumes of new and used vehicles.

 

Gross Profit-

 

 

 

For the Three Months
Ended June 30,

 

Increase

 

%

 

(Dollars in thousands, except for per vehicle data)

 

2005

 

2004

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

New vehicle data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail gross profit-same store (1)

 

$

57,734

 

$

55,279

 

$

2,455

 

4

%

Retail gross profit-acquisitions

 

1,930

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total new retail gross profit

 

59,664

 

55,279

 

4,385

 

8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fleet gross profit-same store (1)

 

841

 

640

 

201

 

31

%

Fleet gross profit-acquisitions

 

(8)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fleet gross profit

 

833

 

640

 

193

 

30

%

New vehicle gross profit, as reported

 

$

60,497

 

$

55,919

 

$

4,578

 

8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New retail units-same store (1)

 

26,450

 

25,516

 

934

 

4

%

New retail units-actual

 

27,678

 

25,516

 

2,162

 

8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Used vehicle data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail gross profit-same store (1)

 

$

29,277

 

$

26,068

 

$

3,209

 

12

%

Retail gross profit-acquisitions

 

724

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total used retail gross profit

 

30,001

 

26,068

 

3,933

 

15

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wholesale gross profit-same store (1)

 

111

 

(829

)

940

 

113

%

Wholesale gross profit-acquisitions

 

(26)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total wholesale gross profit

 

85

 

(829

)

914

 

110

%

Used vehicle gross profit, as reported

 

$

30,086

 

$

25,239

 

$

4,847

 

19

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Used retail units-same store (1)

 

15,020

 

14,007

 

1,013

 

7

%

Used retail units-actual

 

15,535

 

14,007

 

1,528

 

11

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parts, service and collision repair:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit-same store (1)

 

$

81,550

 

$

75,571

 

$

5,979

 

8

%

Gross profit-acquisitions

 

1,497

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parts, service and collision repair gross profit, as reported

 

$

83,047

 

$

75,571

 

$

7,476

 

10

%

 

27



 

 

For the Three Months
Ended June 30,

 

Increase

 

%

 

(Dollars in thousands, except for per vehicle data)

 

2005

 

2004

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

Finance and insurance, net:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Platform gross profit-same store (1)

 

$

36,455

 

$

33,011

 

$

3,444

 

10

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Platform gross profit-acquisitions

 

1,564

 

 

 

 

 

 

Platform finance and insurance gross profit (2)

 

38,019

 

33,011

 

5,008

 

15

%

Gross profit-corporate

 

1,367

 

1,906

 

 

 

 

 

Finance and insurance gross profit, as reported

 

$

39,386

 

$

34,917

 

$

4469

 

13

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Platform gross profit PVR-same store (1)

 

$

879

 

$

835

 

$

44

 

5

%

Platform gross profit PVR-actual (2)

 

$

880

 

$

835

 

$

45

 

5

%

Gross profit PVR-actual

 

$

911

 

$

883

 

$

28

 

3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total gross profit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Same store (1)

 

$

205,968

 

$

189,740

 

$

16,228

 

9

%

Corporate

 

1,367

 

1,906

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisitions

 

5,681

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total gross profit, as reported

 

$

213,016

 

$

191,646

 

$

21,370

 

11

%

 


(1)           Same store amounts include the results of dealerships for the identical months for each period presented in the comparison, commencing with the first full month in which the dealership was owned by us.

(2)           Refer to “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Information” for further discussion regarding platform finance and insurance gross profit PVR.

 

Gross profit increased 11% to $213.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005, from $191.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004. Same store gross profit increased 9% to $206.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2004.

 

Same store gross profit on new retail vehicle sales increased $2.5 million to $57.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2004. The overall increase in same store gross profit on new retail vehicle sales was directly attributable to a 4% increase in unit sales. We expect that margins on new vehicles will continue to be under pressure for the foreseeable future, as the automotive manufacturers continue offer incentive programs and pricing promotions to contend with overcapacity in their factories.

 

Same store gross profit on used vehicle retail sales increased $3.2 million to $29.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2004. Due to a strong market during the first part of the quarter, we were able to increase average same store gross profit dollars earned per vehicle retailed by 5% over the prior year period. In addition, the strength of the used vehicle market enabled us to generate a modest profit in our wholesale business, compared to a wholesale loss of $0.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004.

 

Same store gross profit from fixed operations increased 8% to $81.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005, from $75.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004, resulting primarily from “customer pay” and warranty work.

 

Same-store platform F&I PVR revenue increased 5% to $879 for the three months ended June 30, 2005, from $835 for the three months ended June 30, 2004. The increase in F&I PVR is attributable to (i) increased service contract penetration, (ii) utilization of menus in the F&I sales process and (iii) maturation of our corporate-sponsored programs. We anticipate that the positive trends in platform F&I PVR will continue in the future as we focus on improving F&I PVR levels at our lowest performing stores and continue to add new products.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses-

 

SG&A expenses increased $14.9 million to $162.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005, from $147.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004. SG&A expenses as a percentage of gross profit for the three months ended June 30, 2005, improved slightly to 76.4%, from 77.1% for the prior year period. SG&A expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2005, includes incremental rent of $2.3 million resulting from the refinancing of 20 of our dealerships using a sale-leaseback transaction early in the third quarter of 2004. Excluding rent expense from both periods, SG&A expenses as a percentage of gross profit decreased to 70.8% for the three months ended June 30, 2005, compared to 72.9% for the three months ended June 30, 2004. The improvement in SG&A expense as a percentage of gross profit, after adjusting for the incremental rent expense, was attributable to the reorganization of the company into regions largely completed during the first quarter of 2005, a strategic reduction in new vehicle advertising and lower insurance costs principally in the area of workman’s compensation.

 

28



 

Although there are many variables which impact the ratio of SG&A expenses as a percentage of gross profit, including the seasonality of the automotive retail business, we believe our regional reorganization demonstrates our commitment to reducing our fixed cost structure and, absent other factors, will result in a decrease in SG&A expenses as a percentage of gross profit in future periods. During the first six months of 2005 we incurred approximately $3.6 million in severance and other costs related to our regional reorganization. We expect to incur between $0.8 million and $1.0 million of additional reorganization costs during the remainder of 2005. Currently, we estimate that our regional reorganization will reduce SG&A expenses by approximately $5.0 million annually, beginning in 2006.

 

Depreciation and Amortization-

 

Depreciation and amortization expense totaled $4.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, as depreciation and amortization expense related to property and equipment additions and dealership facilities purchased during 2004, were offset by reductions in property and equipment sold in a sale-leaseback transaction completed in the third quarter of 2004.

 

We expect depreciation and amortization expense to increase in the future as we continue to upgrade our facilities, expand our service centers and acquire additional dealerships.

 

Other Income (Expense)-

 

Floor plan interest expense increased $2.8 million to $7.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005, from $4.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004. The increase in floor plan interest expense over the prior year period is principally attributable to higher interest rates. We expect interest rates to continue to rise in the future.

 

Other interest expense increased $0.2 million to $10.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005, from $10.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004. We expect that our outstanding debt balances will remain relatively consistent for the near future, as we anticipate our next several acquisitions will be funded with our available cash. Fluctuations in other interest expense during the remainder of 2005 will be affected by potential changes in interest rates on our variable rate debt.

 

Income Tax Expense-

 

Income tax expense increased $1.6 million to $10.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005, from $9.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004, due to a $3.8 million increase in income before income taxes for the three months ended June 30, 2005, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2004. In addition, our effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2005, was 37.5% compared to 36.8% for the three months ended June 30, 2004, as we received a state tax benefit of $0.2 million during the second quarter of 2004, which reduced our tax provision. As a result of operating nationally, our effective tax rate is dependent upon our geographic revenue mix, and we evaluate our effective tax rate periodically based on our revenue sources. We expect that our annual effective tax rate will be approximately 37.5% for the year ending December 31, 2005.

 

Discontinued Operations-

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2005, we sold one dealership location (two franchises), and as of June 30, 2005, we were actively pursuing the sale of three dealership locations (five franchises). During the period between June 30, 2005 and September 30, 2005, we sold two franchises and as of September 30, 2005 we were actively pursing the sale of eight dealership locations (eight franchises). The $1.7 million loss from discontinued operations is attributable to the net loss on the sale of dealerships during the quarter and the operating losses of the franchises mentioned above. The loss from discontinued operations for the three months ended June 30, 2004, of $0.7 million includes the results of operations of the dealerships mentioned above; eleven dealership locations (fifteen franchises) that were sold or closed between April 1, 2004 and March 31, 2005; and the net loss on the sale of businesses during the three months ended June 30, 2004.

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2005, Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2004

 

Net income increased $0.5 million to $25.6 million, or $0.78 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2005, from $25.1 million, or $0.77 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2004.

 

Income from continuing operations increased $2.4 million to $28.0 million, or $0.85 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2005, from $25.6 million, or $0.78 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2004.

 

The 2% increase in net income and 9% increase in income from continuing operations resulted from several factors, including: (i) increases in new and used vehicle sales volumes, (ii) an improvement in the average gross profit of used vehicles, (iii) substantial increases in our fixed operations gross profit, (iv) significant increases in same store F&I revenue resulting from a

 

29



 

combination of an increase in platform F&I PVR and an increase in new and used retail vehicle sales and (v) a significant improvement in our wholesale business. These factors were partially offset by the following: (i) margin pressure on new vehicle retail sales and (ii) increased floor plan expense due to rising interest rates.

 

Revenues-

 

 

 

For the Six Months
Ended June 30,

 

Increase

 

%

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2005

 

2004

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

New vehicle data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail revenues-same store (1)

 

$

1,509,167

 

$

1,406,695

 

$

102,472

 

7

%

Retail revenues-acquisitions

 

67,935

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total new retail revenues

 

1,577,102

 

1,406,695

 

170,407

 

12

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fleet revenues-same store (1)

 

80,597

 

44,123

 

36,474

 

83

%

Fleet revenues-acquisitions

 

1,492

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fleet revenues

 

82,089

 

44,123

 

37,966

 

86

%

New vehicle revenue, as reported

 

$

1,659,191

 

$

1,450,818

 

$

208,373

 

14

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New retail units-same store (1)

 

48,714

 

46,773

 

1,941

 

4

%

New retail units-actual

 

51,335

 

46,773

 

4,562

 

10

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Used vehicle data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail revenues-same store (1)

 

$

490,496

 

$

431,110

 

$

59,386

 

14

%

Retail revenues-acquisitions

 

16,623

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total used retail revenues

 

507,119

 

431,110

 

76,009

 

18

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wholesale revenues-same store (1)

 

159,235

 

152,883

 

6,352

 

4

%

Wholesale revenues-acquisitions

 

6,958

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total wholesale revenues

 

166,193

 

152,883

 

13,310

 

9

%

Used vehicle revenue, as reported

 

$

673,312

 

$

583,993

 

$

89,319

 

15

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Used retail units-same store (1)

 

29,085

 

27,635

 

1,450

 

5

%

Used retail units-actual

 

30,137

 

27,635

 

2,502

 

9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parts, service and collision repair:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues-same store (1)

 

$

306,879

 

$

276,501

 

$

30,378

 

11

%

Revenues-acquisitions

 

8,133

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parts, service and collision repair revenue, as reported

 

$

315,012

 

$

276,501

 

$

38,511

 

14

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance and insurance, net:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Platform revenues-same store (1)

 

$

69,452

 

$

60,180

 

$

9,272

 

15

%

Platform revenues-acquisitions

 

3,112

 

 

 

 

 

 

Platform finance and insurance revenue

 

72,564

 

60,180

 

12,384

 

21

%

Corporate revenues

 

2,570

 

3,149

 

 

 

 

 

Finance and insurance revenue, as reported

 

$

75,134

 

$

63,329

 

$

11,805

 

19

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Same store (1)

 

$

2,615,826

 

$

2,371,492

 

$

244,334

 

10

%

Corporate

 

2,570

 

3,149

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisitions

 

104,253

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue, as reported

 

$

2,722,649

 

$

2,374,641

 

$

348,008

 

15

%

 


(1)           Same store amounts include the results of dealerships for the identical months for each period presented in the comparison, commencing with the first full month in which the dealership was owned by us.

 

30



 

 

Total revenues increased 15% to $2.7 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2005, from $2.4 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2004. Same store revenue grew 10% to $2.6 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2005, from $2.4 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2004.

 

Same store new vehicle retail revenue grew $102.5 million, or 7%, during the first six months of 2005, compared to the first six months of 2004, reflecting a 4% increase in new retail unit sales and an increase in our sales mix toward luxury and mid-line import sales. Same store used vehicle retail revenue increased $59.4 million, or 14%, to $490.5 million on a 5% increase in unit sales and 8% increase in average selling price per vehicle retailed in the first six months of 2005, compared to the same period of 2004.

 

Fixed operations revenue increased 14%, 11% on a same store basis, for the six months ended June 30, 2005, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2004. Our warranty business continued its positive performance, driven by continued manufacturer recall programs and increased work on import brands, which typically generate higher revenues than domestic brands.

 

Platform F&I increased $9.3 million to $69.5 million on a same store basis for the six months ended June 30, 2005, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2004. Corporate F&I revenue was $2.6 million for the six month periods ended June 30, 2005, compared to $3.1 million for the prior year period.

 

Gross Profit-

 

 

 

For the Six Months
Ended June 30,

 

Increase

 

%

 

(Dollars in thousands, except for per vehicle data)

 

2005

 

2004

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

New vehicle data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail gross profit-same store (1)

 

$

107,772

 

$

103,792

 

$

3,980

 

4

%

Retail gross profit-acquisitions

 

4,571

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total new retail gross profit

 

112,343

 

103,792

 

8,551

 

8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fleet gross profit-same store (1)

 

1,402

 

980

 

422

 

43

%

Fleet gross profit-acquisitions

 

(4

)

 

 

 

 

 

Total fleet gross profit

 

1,398

 

980

 

418

 

43

%

New vehicle gross profit, as reported

 

$

113,741

 

$

104,772

 

$

8,969

 

9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New retail units-same store (1)

 

48,714

 

46,773

 

1,941

 

4

%

New retail units-actual

 

51,335

 

46,773

 

4,562

 

10

%

 

31



 

 

 

For the Six Months
Ended June 30,

 

Increase

 

%

 

(Dollars in thousands, except for per vehicle data)

 

2005

 

2004

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

Used vehicle data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail gross profit-same store (1)

 

$

56,215

 

$

51,018

 

$

5,197

 

10

%

Retail gross profit-acquisitions

 

1,598

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total used retail gross profit

 

57,813

 

51,018

 

6,795

 

13

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wholesale gross profit-same store (1)

 

1,162

 

(952

)

2,114

 

222

%

Wholesale gross profit-acquisitions

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total wholesale gross profit

 

1,174

 

(952

)

2,126

 

223

%

Used vehicle gross profit, as reported

 

$

58,987

 

$

50,066

 

$

8,921

 

18

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Used retail units-same store (1)

 

29,085

 

27,635

 

1,450

 

5

%

Used retail units-actual

 

30,137

 

27,635

 

2,502

 

9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parts, service and collision repair:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit-same store (1)

 

$

158,636

 

$

145,267

 

$

13,369

 

9

%

Gross profit-acquisitions

 

4,508

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parts, service and collision repair gross profit, as reported

 

$

163,144

 

$

145,267

 

$

17,877

 

12

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance and insurance, net:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Platform gross profit-same store (1)

 

$

69,452

 

$

60,180

 

$

9,272

 

15

%

    Platform gross profit-acquisitions

 

3,112

 

 

 

 

 

 

Platform finance and insurance gross profit (2)

 

72,564

 

60,180

 

12,384

 

21

%

Gross profit-corporate

 

2,570

 

3,149

 

 

 

 

 

Finance and insurance gross profit, as reported

 

$

75,134

 

$

63,329

 

$

11,805

 

19

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Platform gross profit PVR-same store (1)

 

$

893

 

$

809

 

$

84

 

10

%

Platform gross profit PVR-actual (2)

 

$

891

 

$

809

 

$

82

 

10

%

Gross profit PVR-actual

 

$

922

 

$

851

 

$

71

 

8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total gross profit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Same store (1)

 

$

394,639

 

$

360,285

 

$

34,354

 

10

%

Corporate

 

2,570

 

3,149

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisitions

 

13,797

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total gross profit, as reported

 

$

411,006

 

$

363,434

 

$

47,572

 

13

%

 


(1)           Same store amounts include the results of dealerships for the identical months for each period presented in the comparison, commencing with the first full month in which the dealership was owned by us.

(2)            Refer to “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Information” for further discussion regarding platform finance and insurance gross profit PVR.

 

Gross profit increased 13% to $411.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005, from $363.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004. Same store gross profit increased 10% to $394.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005, from $360.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004.

 

Same store gross profit on new retail vehicle sales increased 4% for the six months ended June 30, 2005, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2004 due to a 4% increase in unit sales.

 

Same store gross profit on used vehicle retail sales increased 10% to $56.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005, from $51.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004, due to a strong used vehicle market in the during the first half of 2005.

 

Same store gross profit from fixed operations increased 9% to $158.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005, from $145.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004, resulting primarily from increased “customer pay” and warranty work in both parts and service.

 

32



 

Same-store platform F&I PVR revenue increased 10% to $893 for the six months ended June 30, 2005, from $809 for the six months ended June 30, 2004. The increase in F&I PVR is attributable to (i) increased service contract penetration, (ii) utilization of menus in the F&I sales process and (iii) maturation of our corporate-sponsored programs.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses-

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2005, SG&A expenses increased $38.9 million to $323.6 million, from $284.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004. SG&A expenses as a percentage of gross profit for the six months ended June 30, 2005 increased to 78.7%, from 78.3% for the six months ended June 30, 2004. Excluding the $3.6 million of reorganization costs, SG&A expenses as a percentage of gross profit for the six months ended June 30, 2005, improved to 77.9%, from 78.3% for the prior year period. In addition, SG&A expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2005, includes incremental rent of $4.6 million resulting from the refinancing of 20 of our dealerships using a sale-leaseback transaction in the third quarter of 2004. Excluding rent expense from both periods, as well as the previously discussed reorganization costs, SG&A expenses as a percentage of gross profit decreased to 72.1% for the three months ended June 30, 2005, compared to 74.0% for the prior year period. The improvement in SG&A expense as a percentage of gross profit, after adjusting for reorganization costs and rent expense, was attributable to the reorganization of the company into regions, a reduction in advertising expense PVR and lower insurance costs principally in the area of workman’s compensation.

 

Depreciation and Amortization-

 

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $0.2 million to $9.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005, from $9.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004. The slight increase in depreciation and amortization was primarily related to the addition of property and equipment acquired during 2004 and 2005, offset by a reduction in property and equipment sold in sale-leaseback transactions completed during 2004 and 2005.

 

Other Income (Expense)-

 

Floor plan interest expense increased $5.3 million to $14.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005, from $8.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004. This increase was attributable to higher average interest rates on our floor plan note payable.

 

Other interest expense decreased $0.5 million to $19.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2004, as a result of our decision to repay approximately $29.0 million of our variable rate mortgage notes payable during 2005.

 

Income Tax Provision-

 

Income tax expense increased $1.7 million to $16.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2004, due, in part, to the $4.0 million increase in income from continuing operations before taxes for the six months ended June 30, 2005, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2004. In addition, our effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2005, was 37.5% compared to 37.1% for the six months ended June 30, 2004.

 

Discontinued Operations-

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2005, we sold two dealership locations (four franchises), and as of June 30, 2005, we were actively pursuing the sale of three dealership locations (five franchises). During the period between June 30, 2005 and September 30, 2005 we sold two franchises and as of September 30, 2005 we were actively pursing the sale of eight dealership locations (eight franchises). The $2.4 million loss from discontinued operations is attributable to the net gain on sale of dealerships sold during the six months ended June 30, 2005, and the operating losses of the franchises mentioned above. The loss from discontinued operations for the six months ended June 30, 2004, of $0.5 million includes the net operating losses of the dealerships mentioned above; ten dealership locations (fourteen franchises), that were sold during 2004, and the net loss on the sale of businesses during the six months ended June 30, 2004.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

We require cash to fund working capital needs, finance acquisitions of new dealerships and fund capital expenditures. We believe that our cash and cash equivalents on hand as of June 30, 2005, our funds generated through future operations and the funds available for borrowings under our committed credit facility, floor plan financing agreements, mortgage notes payable and proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions will be sufficient to fund our debt service and working capital requirements, commitments and contingencies, acquisitions and any seasonal operating requirements for the foreseeable future.

 

33



 

As of June 30, 2005, we had cash and cash equivalents of $11.0 million and working capital of $285.8 million. In addition, we had $145.0 million available for borrowings under our committed credit facility for working capital, general corporate purposes and acquisitions.

 

Committed Credit Facility

 

On March 23, 2005, we entered into a committed credit facility (the “Committed Credit Facility”) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 17 other financial institutions (the “Syndicate”) and Ford Motor Credit Corporation (“FMCC”), collectively the Lenders. Concurrently with entering into the Committed Credit Facility we terminated our First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with FMCC, General Motors Acceptance Corporation (“GMAC”) and DaimlerChrysler Financial Services North America LLC. The Committed Credit Facility provides us with $650.0 million of new and used vehicle inventory financing (“Floor Plan Tranche”) and $150.0 million of working capital borrowing capacity (“Working Capital Tranche”). In addition, FMCC and GMAC have committed $150.0 million and $100.0 million of floor plan financing outside of the Syndicate to finance inventory at our “Ford Family” (Ford, Lincoln Mercury, Mazda, Volvo, Jaguar and Land Rover) and General Motors’ dealerships, respectively. In total, these commitments give us $150.0 million of working capital borrowing capacity and $900.0 million of floor plan borrowing capacity. Floor plan notes payable to a party affiliated with the manufacturers from which we purchase new vehicle inventory are classified as Floor Plan Notes Payable – manufacturer affiliated on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. All other floor plan notes payable are classified as Floor Plan Notes Payable – non-manufacturer affiliated.

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2005, we borrowed $15.0 million from our Committed Credit Facility, of which $8.2 million was used for the purchase of real estate on which two of our dealerships are located. The remainder of the borrowings was used for general corporate purposes. During the three months ended June 30, 2005, we repaid $10.0 million of the amounts borrowed from our Committed Credit Facility and subsequent to the end of the quarter we repaid the remaining $5.0 million.

 

Floor Plan Financing-

 

We finance substantially all of our new vehicle inventory and a portion of our used vehicle inventory. We consider floor plan notes payable to a party that is affiliated with vehicle manufacturers from which we purchase new vehicle inventory “floor plan notes payable – manufacturer affiliated” and all other floor plan notes payable “floor plan notes payable – non-manufacturer affiliated.”  As of June 30, 2005, total borrowing capacity under the floor plan financing agreements with our vehicle floor plan providers totaled $900.0 million. In addition, as of June 30, 2005, we had total borrowing capacity of $32.2 million under ancillary floor plan financing agreements with Comerica Bank and Navistar Financial for our heavy trucks business in Atlanta, Georgia. As of June 30, 2005, we had $640.7 million outstanding, including $27.6 million classified as Liabilities Associated with Assets Held for Sale, to lenders affiliated and non-affiliated with the vehicle manufacturers from which we purchase our vehicle inventory.

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2005, we refinanced our floor plan notes payable through the repayment of $334.7 million of floor plan notes payable – non-manufacturer affiliated and $93.4 million of floor plan notes payable – manufacturer affiliated with borrowings from our Committed Credit Facility. As a result, during the six months ended June 30, 2005, Floor plan notes payable – manufacturer affiliated decreased by $93.4 million and Floor plan notes payable – non-manufacturer affiliated increased by $93.4 million. In addition, during the six months ended June 30, 2005 our Floor plan borrowings – non-manufacturer affiliated and Floor plan repayments – non-manufacturer affiliated increased by $334.7 million.

 

Acquisitions and Acquisition Financing-

 

During the second quarter of 2005, we acquired one dealership location (one franchise) in Arkansas for a total purchase price of $12.0 million, of which $4.7 million was paid in cash through the use of our working capital, $6.8 million was borrowed from our floor plan facilities, with the remaining $0.5 million representing the fair value of future payments. We estimate annual revenues of the acquired franchises will total approximately $35.0 million, based on historical performance. We plan to use our available cash, borrowings under our Committed Credit Facility or proceeds from future sale-leaseback transactions to finance future acquisitions.

 

Sale-Leaseback Transactions

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2005, we completed two sale-leaseback transactions, which resulted in the sale of approximately $15.7 million of real estate and construction improvements and the commencement of long-term operating leases for the assets sold.

 

Debt Covenants-

 

We are subject to certain financial covenants in connection with our debt and lease agreements, including the financial covenants described below. Our Committed Credit Facility includes certain financial ratios with the following requirements: (i) an adjusted current ratio of at least 1.2 to 1, of which our ratio was approximately 1.5 to 1 as of June 30, 2005; (ii) a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.2 to 1, of which our ratio was approximately 1.5 to 1 as of June 30, 2005; (iii) an adjusted leverage ratio of not more than 4.5 to 1, of which our ratio was approximately 3.6 to 1 as of June 30, 2005 and (iv) a minimum adjusted net worth of not less than $350.0 million, of which our adjusted net worth was approximately $464.3 million as of June 30, 2005. A breach of these covenants could cause an acceleration of repayment of our Committed Credit Facility if not otherwise waived or cured. Certain of our lease agreements include financial ratios with the following requirements: (i) a liquidity ratio of at least 1.2 to 1, of which our ratio was approximately 1.4 to 1 as of June 30, 2005 and (ii) an EBITDA based coverage ratio of at least 1.5 to 1, of which our ratio was approximately 2.8 to 1 as of June 30, 2005. A breach of these covenants would give rise to certain lessor remedies under our

 

34



 

various lease agreements, the most severe of which include the following: (a) termination of the applicable lease, (b) termination of certain of the tenant’s lease rights, such as renewal rights and rights of first offer or negotiation relating to the purchase of the premises, and/or (c) a liquidated damages claim equal to the extent to which the accelerated rents under the applicable lease for the remainder of the lease term exceed the fair market rent over the same periods. As of June 30, 2005, we were in compliance with all our debt and lease agreement covenants.

 

Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2005 Compared to the Six Months Ended June 30, 2004

 

Historically, we reported all cash flows arising in connection with changes in floor plan notes payable as an operating activity and considered all borrowings and repayments of floor plan notes payable associated with inventory acquired through a dealership acquisition and inventory sold through a dealership divestiture, non-cash activities. Therefore the changes in floor plan notes payable associated with dealership acquisitions and divestitures were not included in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Subsequent to the issuance of the Company’s December 31, 2004 financial statements, we determined that certain information in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows should be restated for all periods presented to comply with the guidance under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 95, “Statement of Cash Flows,” and Rule 5-02(19)(a) of Regulation S-X.

 

As a result we have (i) restated floor plan notes payable to a party unaffiliated with the manufacturer of a particular new vehicle, and all floor plan notes payable relating to pre-owned vehicles, as floor plan notes payable non-manufacturer affiliated on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) restated the related non-manufacturer affiliated cash flows as a financing activity on our Consolidated Statements of Cash flows with borrowings reflected separately from repayments and (iii) included floor plan notes payable activity associated with dealership acquisitions and divestitures in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows have been restated, resulting in a $121.1 million and $27.8 million decrease in cash flows from operating activities; a $2.4 million and a $26.6 million decrease in cash flows from investing activities; and a $123.5 million and $54.4 million increase in cash flows from financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

 

Floor plan borrowings are required by all vehicle manufacturers for the purchase of new vehicles, and our agreements with our floor plan providers require us to repay amounts borrowed for the purchase of a vehicle immediately after that vehicle is sold. As a result, changes in floor plan notes payable are directly linked to changes in new vehicle inventory and therefore are an integral part of understanding changes in our working capital and operating cash flow. Consequently, we have provided a reconciliation of cash flow from operating activities and financing activities, as if all changes in floor plan notes payable were classified as an operating activity.

 

 

 

For the Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

(In thousands)

 

2005

 

2004

 

Reconciliation of Cash used in Operating Activities to Adjusted Cash provided by Operating Activities

 

 

 

 

 

Cash used in operating activities – restated

 

$

(77,696

)

$

(23,114

)

Floor plan notes payable – non-manufacturer affiliated, net

 

123,472

 

54,384

 

Cash provided by operating activities – as adjusted

 

$

45,776

 

$

31,270

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation of Cash provided by Financing Activities to Adjusted Cash used in Financing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

Cash provided by financing activities – restated

 

$

97,686

 

$

52,278

 

Floor plan borrowings – non-manufacturer affiliated

 

(1,753,115

)

(1,185,266

)

Floor plan repayments – non-manufacturer affiliated

 

1,629,643

 

1,130,882

 

Cash used in financing activities – as adjusted

 

$

(25,786

)

$

(2,106

)

 

Operating Activities-

 

Net cash used in operating activities totaled $77.7 million and $23.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Net cash provided by operating activities, as adjusted, totaled $45.8 million and $31.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005, and 2004, respectively. Cash provided by operating activities, as adjusted, includes net income adjusted for non-cash items and changes in working capital, including changes in floor plan notes payable related to vehicle inventory.

 

The increase in our cash provided by operating activities, as adjusted, for the six months ended June 30, 2005, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2004, was primarily attributable to (i) the timing of collection of accounts receivable, (ii) the timing of inventory purchases resulting from changes in the equity of our inventory and increased sales activity in June 2005 compared to June 2004, which caused contracts-in-transit to increase compared to June of last year and (iii) timing of payments of accounts payable and accrued liabilities and timing differences in prepaid assets and other assets and liabilities.

 

35



 

As of June 30, 2005, we had approximately $64.7 million of equity in our vehicle inventory (vehicle inventory in excess of floor plan borrowings), as compared to $66.2 million as of December 31, 2004. Had we maintained the same level of equity in our vehicle inventory as of June 30, 2005 as we had as of December 31, 2004, our cash provided by from operating activities, as adjusted, for the six months ended June 30, 2005, would have increased by approximately $2.1 million. As of June 30, 2004, we had approximately $30.0 million of equity in our vehicle inventory, as compared to $5.7 million as of December 31, 2003. Had we maintained the same level of equity in our vehicle inventory as of June 30, 2004 as we had as of December 31, 2003, our cash flow provided by operating activities, as adjusted, for the six months ended June 30, 2004 would have improved by approximately $23.3 million.

 

We borrowed $6.8 million and $28.8 million from our floor plan facilities for the purchase of inventory in connection with one and six franchise acquisitions during the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. In addition, we repaid $4.7 million and $2.1 million of floor plan notes payable in connection with four franchise divestitures during each of the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Acquisition and divestiture activity increased our cash provided by operating activities, as adjusted, by $2.1 million and $26.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

 

Investing Activities—

 

Net cash used in investing activities totaled $37.0 million and $121.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Cash flows from investing activities relate primarily to capital expenditures, acquisition and divestiture activity, sale of property and equipment and construction reimbursements from lessors in connection with our sale-leaseback agreements.

 

Capital expenditures were $35.2 million and $34.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, of which $18.2 million and $16.1 million, were financed or were pending financing through sale-leaseback agreements or mortgage notes payable for the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Our capital investments consisted of upgrades of our existing facilities and construction of new facilities. Future capital expenditures will relate primarily to upgrading existing dealership facilities and operational improvements that we expect will provide us with acceptable rates of return on our investments. During the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, we received $2.6 million and $9.5 million, respectively, in construction reimbursements from lessors in connection with our sale-leaseback agreements. We expect that capital expenditures during 2005 will total between $80.0 million and $90.0 million, of which we intend to finance between 60% and 70% principally through sale-leaseback agreements.

 

Cash used for acquisitions totaled $11.6 million and $100.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. We anticipate that we will spend between $25.0 million to $50.0 million on acquisitions in 2005.

 

Proceeds from the sale of assets totaled $8.0 million and $3.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The proceeds from the sale of assets include the sale of dealerships, real estate and property and equipment. We continuously monitor the profitability and market value of our dealerships and, under certain conditions, may strategically divest non-profitable dealerships.

 

Financing Activities—

 

Net cash provided by financing activities totaled $97.7 million and $52.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Net cash used in financing activities, as adjusted, totaled $25.8 million and $2.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, proceeds from borrowings amounted to $20.7 million and $3.9 million, which was used to finance construction on our dealership facilities and general corporate purposes. In addition, we incurred $4.9 million of debt issuance costs associated with our Committed Credit Facility.

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, we repaid debt of $42.0 million and $6.8 million, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2005, we repaid $30.7 million of our outstanding mortgage notes payable, the majority of which resulted from our decision to repay approximately $29.0 million of our variable rate mortgage notes payable.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Transactions

 

We had no material off-balance sheet transactions during the periods presented other than those disclosed in Note 13 of our consolidated financial statements.

 

Stock Repurchase Restrictions

 

Pursuant to the indentures governing our 9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2012, our 8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014 and our Committed Credit Facility, our ability to repurchase shares of our common stock is limited. As of June 30, 2005, our ability to repurchase shares was limited to an aggregate purchase price of $29.6 million due to these restrictions. We did not repurchase any shares of our common stock during 2005 or 2004.

 

36



 

APPLICATION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

 

Preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Actual amounts could differ from those estimates. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates and assumptions and the effects of revisions are reflected in the financial statements in the period in which they are determined to be necessary. The accounting policies described below are those that most frequently require management to make estimates and judgments, and therefore are critical to understanding our results of operations. Senior management has discussed the development and selection of these accounting estimates and the related disclosures with the audit committee of our board of directors.

 

Inventories—

 

Our inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. We use the specific identification method to value our vehicle inventories and the “first-in, first-out” method (“FIFO”) to account for our parts inventories. We maintain a reserve for specific inventory vehicles where cost basis exceeds fair value and for parts that we believe are excess or obsolete. In assessing lower of cost or market for new vehicles, we primarily consider the aging of vehicles and loss histories, along with the timing of annual and model changeovers. The assessment of lower of cost or market for used vehicles considers recent data and trends such as loss histories, current aging of the inventory and current market conditions. The assessment of excess and obsolete parts considers the sales activity of specific parts over the last twelve months. These reserves were $4.4 million and $4.9 million as of June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively.

 

Notes Receivable—Finance Contracts—

 

As of June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, we had outstanding notes receivable from finance contracts of $30.4 million and $30.9 million, respectively (net of an allowance for credit losses of $4.6 million and $6.2 million, respectively). These notes have initial terms ranging from 12 to 60 months, and are collateralized by the related vehicles. The assessment of our allowance for credit losses considers historical loss ratios and the performance of the current portfolio with respect to past due accounts. We continually analyze our current portfolio against our historical performance. In addition, we attribute minimal value to the underlying collateral in our assessment of the reserve.

 

F&I Chargeback Reserve—

 

We receive commissions from the sale of vehicle service contracts, credit life insurance and disability insurance to customers. In addition, we receive commissions from financing institutions for arranging customer financing. We may be charged back (“chargebacks”) for finance, insurance or vehicle service contract commissions in the event a contract is terminated. The revenues from financing fees and commissions are recorded at the time the vehicles are sold and a reserve for future chargebacks is established based on historical operating results and the termination provisions of the applicable contracts. This data is evaluated on a product-by-product basis. These reserves were $12.0 million as of June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004.

 

Equity-Based Compensation—

 

We account for stock-based compensation issued to employees in accordance with Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” APB Opinion No. 25 requires the use of the intrinsic value method, which measures compensation cost as the excess, if any, of the quoted market price of the stock at the measurement date over the amount an employee must pay to acquire the stock. We have adopted the disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation-Transition and Disclosure-An amendment of FASB Statement No. 123.”  See also “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” below for a discussion of the impact on our financial statements from the adoption of SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-based Payment.”

 

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets—

 

In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” we do not amortize goodwill and other intangible assets that are deemed to have indefinite lives. We test these assets for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if any event occurs or circumstances change that indicate possible impairment. We have determined that manufacturer franchise rights have an indefinite life as there are no legal, contractual, economic or other factors that limit their useful lives and they are expected to generate cash flows indefinitely due to the historically long lives of the manufacturers’ brand names. Goodwill is allocated at the entity level and manufacturer franchise rights are allocated to each individual dealership franchise, respectively. Goodwill represents the excess cost of the businesses acquired over the fair market value

 

37



 

of the identifiable net assets. The fair market value of our manufacturer franchise rights is determined at the acquisition date through discounting the projected cash flows attributable to each franchise.

 

Upon adoption of SFAS No. 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” on January 1, 2002, we determined that each of our platforms qualified as a reporting unit since we operate in one segment, our platforms are one level below our corporate level, discrete financial information existed for each platform and the management of each platform directly reviewed the platform’s performance. In late 2004, we began the process of reorganizing our platforms into four regions. Within this more streamlined structure, we will evaluate our operations and financial results by dealership in the aggregate, rather than by platform. The general managers, with direction from a centralized management team, including corporate and regional management, will continue to have the independence and flexibility to respond effectively to local market conditions. Based on the changes in our management, operational and reporting structure during the first quarter of 2005, we evaluate goodwill at the operating segment level.

 

We review goodwill and indefinite lived manufacturer franchise rights for impairment annually on October 1st of each year, or more often if events or circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. We are subject to financial statement risk to the extent that intangible assets become impaired due to decreases in the related fair market value of our underlying businesses or entity.

 

All other intangible assets are deemed to have definite lives and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the asset ranging from 3 to 15 years and are tested for impairment when circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset might be impaired.

 

Accrued Expenses—

 

Payments owed to our various service providers are expensed during the month in which the applicable service is performed. The amount of these expenses is dependent upon information provided by our internal systems and processes. Due to the length of time necessary to receive accurate information, estimates of amounts due are necessary in order to record monthly expenses. In subsequent months, expenses are reconciled and adjusted where necessary. We continue to refine the estimation process based on an increased understanding of the time requirements and close working relationships with our service providers.

 

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-based Payment.”  This statement requires compensation costs related to share-based payment transactions to be recognized in the financial statements. With limited exceptions, the amount of compensation cost will be measured based on the grant-date fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued. Compensation cost will be recognized over the period that an employee provides service in exchange for the award. SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004) replaces SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.”  In April 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted a new rule that amends the compliance dates for SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004). Registrants would have been required to implement the standard as of the beginning of the first interim or annual period that begins after September 15, 2005. The Commission’s new rule allows companies to implement SFAS No. 123 (Revised 2004) at the beginning of their next fiscal year, instead of the next reporting period, that begins after September 15, 2005. We are currently evaluating the effect of this statement on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

38



 

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Adjusted cash provided by (used in) operating and financing activities

 

 

 

For the Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

(In thousands)

 

2005

 

2004

 

Reconciliation of Cash used in Operating Activities to Adjusted Cash provided by Operating Activities

 

 

 

 

 

Cash used in operating activities – restated

 

$

(77,696

)

$

(23,114

)

Floor plan notes payable – non-manufacturer affiliated, net

 

123,472

 

54,384

 

Cash provided by operating activities – as adjusted

 

$

45,776

 

$

31,270

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation of Cash provided by Financing Activities to Adjusted Cash used in Financing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

Cash provided by financing activities – restated

 

$

97,686

 

$

52,278

 

Floor plan borrowings – non-manufacturer affiliated

 

(1,753,115

)

(1,185,266

)

Floor plan repayments – non-manufacturer affiliated

 

1,629,643

 

1,130,882

 

Cash used in financing activities – as adjusted

 

$

(25,786

)

$

(2,106

)

 

Platform Finance and Insurance Gross Profit PVR-

 

We evaluate our finance and insurance gross profit performance on a Per Vehicle Retailed (“PVR”) basis by dividing our total finance and insurance gross profit by the number of retail vehicles sold. During 2003, our corporate office renegotiated a contract with one of our third party finance and insurance product providers, which resulted in the recognition of revenue during the three and six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, that was attributable to retail vehicles sold during prior periods. We believe that platform finance and insurance, which excludes the additional revenue derived from this contract, provides a more accurate measure of our finance and insurance operating performance.

 

The following table reconciles finance and insurance gross profit to platform finance and insurance gross profit, and provides the necessary components to calculate platform finance and insurance gross profit PVR:

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

(In thousands, except for unit and per vehicle data)

 

2005

 

2004

 

Reconciliation of Finance and Insurance Gross Profit to Platform Finance and Insurance Gross Profit:

 

 

 

 

 

Finance and insurance gross profit, net (as reported)

 

$

39,386

 

$

34,917

 

Less: Corporate finance and insurance gross profit

 

(1,367

)

(1,906

)

Platform finance and insurance gross profit

 

$

38,019

 

$

33,011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Platform finance and insurance gross profit PVR

 

$

880

 

$

835

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail units sold:

 

 

 

 

 

New retail units

 

27,678

 

25,516

 

Used retail units

 

15,535

 

14,007

 

Total

 

43,213

 

39,523

 

 

 

 

For the Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

(In thousands, except for unit and per vehicle data)

 

2005

 

2004

 

Reconciliation of Finance and Insurance Gross Profit to Platform Finance and Insurance Gross Profit:

 

 

 

 

 

Finance and insurance gross profit, net (as reported)

 

$

75,134

 

$

63,329

 

Less: Corporate finance and insurance gross profit

 

(2,570

)

(3,149

)

Platform finance and insurance gross profit

 

$

72,564

 

$

60,180

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Platform finance and insurance gross profit PVR

 

$

891

 

$

809

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail units sold:

 

 

 

 

 

New retail units

 

51,335

 

46,773

 

Used retail units

 

30,137

 

27,635

 

Total

 

81,472

 

74,408

 

 

39



 

Adjusted SG&A Expense-

 

Our operating income was largely impacted by reorganization costs incurred during the first six months of 2005 and incremental rent expense associated with a sale-leaseback transaction that was entered into in the third quarter of 2004. During the first six months of 2005, we incurred severance costs of $3.6 million associated with the reorganization of our regional structure. We believe that excluding the reorganization costs and rent expense from the selling, general and administrative expense provides a more meaningful basis to measure the results of our operations compared to that of the prior year period. A reconciliation of our adjusted selling, general and administrative expense is presented below.

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

Reconciliation of SG&A Expense to Adjusted SG&A Expense:

 

 

 

 

 

SG&A expense

 

$

162,706

 

$

147,801

 

Less:  Rent expense

 

(11,829

)

(8,173

)

Adjusted SG&A expense

 

$

150,877

 

$

139,628

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross Profit

 

$

213,016

 

$

191,647

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted SG&A expense as a percentage of Gross Profit

 

70.8

%

72.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

Reconciliation of SG&A Expense to Adjusted SG&A Expense:

 

 

 

 

 

SG&A expense

 

$

323,600

 

$

284,721

 

Less:  Reorganization costs

 

(3,566

)

 

SG&A, net of reorganization costs

 

320,034

 

284,721

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less:  Rent expense

 

(23,799

)

(15,760

)

Adjusted SG&A expense

 

$

296,235

 

$

268,961

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross Profit

 

$

411,006

 

$

363,435

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SG&A, net of reorganization costs, as a percentage of Gross Profit

 

77.9

%

78.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted SG&A expense as a percentage of Gross Profit

 

72.1

%

74.0

%

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates on a significant portion of our outstanding indebtedness.  Based on $877.0 million of total variable rate debt (excluding $0.4 million of our fair value hedge which reduces the book value of our 8% Subordinated Notes due 2014 and including floor plan notes payable) outstanding as of June 30, 2005, a 1% change in interest rates would result in a change of approximately $8.8 million to our annual other interest expense. Conversely, based on fixed-rate debt of $273.6 million a 1% change in interest would mean we would not experience the impact of a $2.7 million change in interest expense.

 

We received $14.6 million of interest credit assistance from certain automobile manufacturers during the six months ended June 30, 2005. Interest credit assistance reduced new vehicle cost of sales from continuing operations for the six months ended June 30, 2005 by $13.2 million and reduced new vehicle inventory by $4.2 million and $3.9 million as of June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively. Although we can provide no assurance as to the amount of future interest credit assistance, it is our expectation,

 

40



 

based on historical data that an increase in prevailing interest rates would result in increased interest credit assistance from certain automobile manufacturers.

 

Interest Rate Hedges

 

We have entered into two forward interest rate swaps with a combined notional principal amount of $170.0 million, to provide a hedge against changes in the interest rates of our variable rate floor plan notes payable for a period of eight years beginning in March 2006. The swap agreements were designated and qualify as cash flow hedges of our variable rate floor plan notes payable and will contain minor ineffectiveness. The swaps are scheduled to expire in March 2006. As of June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, the swaps had a fair value of $12.3 million and $7.1 million and are included in Accrued Liabilities and Other Long-term Liabilities, respectively, on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

We have entered into an interest rate swap agreement with a notional principal amount of $200.0 million as a hedge against changes in the fair value of our 8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014. Under the terms of the swap agreement, we are required to make variable rate payments based on six-month LIBOR and receive a fixed rate of 8.0%. This swap agreement was designated and qualifies as a fair value hedge of our 8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014 and did not contain any ineffectiveness. As a result our 8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014 have been adjusted by the fair market value of the related swap. The swap is scheduled to expire in March 2006. As of June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, the swap agreement had a fair value of $0.4 million and $2.7 million and is included in Accrued Liabilities and Other Long-Term Liabilities, respectively, on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

We have entered into an interest rate swap agreement with a notional principal amount of $15.2 million as a hedge against future changes in the interest rate of our variable rate mortgage notes payable. Under the terms of the swap agreement, we are required to make payments at a fixed rate of 6.08% and receive a variable rate based on LIBOR. This swap agreement was designated and qualifies as a cash flow hedge of changes in the interest rate of our variable rate mortgage notes payable and will contain minor ineffectiveness. As of June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, the swap agreement had a fair value of $0.2 million, which was included in Other Long-Term Liabilities on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”). Based on this evaluation, the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that as of the end of such period such disclosure controls and procedures (i) were reasonably designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission and (ii) were effective.

 

There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

In addition, we have considered the restatement of our Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows to comply with the guidance under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 95, “Statement of Cash Flows” and Rule 5-02(19)(a) of Regulation S-X as discussed in Note 2 “Restatement” and have concluded that such restatement does not represent a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This report contains “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements include statements relating to goals, plans and projections regarding our financial position, results of operations, market position, product development and business strategy. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and involve significant risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things:

 

      market factors;

 

41



 

      our relationships with vehicle manufacturers and other suppliers;

 

      risks associated with our substantial indebtedness;

 

      risks related to pending and potential future acquisitions;

 

      general economic conditions both nationally and locally; and

 

      governmental regulations and legislation.

 

There can be no guarantees that our plans for future operations will be successfully implemented or that they will prove to be commercially successful. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

42



 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

The results of the votes cast at the Company’s Annual Meeting on April 28, 2005 were as follows:

 

Election of Class I Directors:

 

 

 

For

 

Withheld

 

Timothy C. Collins

 

27,919,315

 

3,304,680

 

Kenneth B. Gilman

 

30,989,588

 

234,407

 

Vernon E. Jordan, Jr.

 

27,919,115

 

3,304,880

 

Thomas F. McLarty, III

 

30,946,203

 

277,792

 

 

Ratification of appointment of Deloitte & Touche L.L.P. as independent public accountants for 2005:

 

For

 

31,217,012

 

Against

 

1,240

 

Abstain

 

5,743

 

 

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibits required to be filed by Item 601 of Regulation S-K:

 

10.1

1999 Stock Option Plan, as amended (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2005)*

 

 

10.2

Severance Pay Agreement of Charles B. Tomm, dated as of June 10, 2005 (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2005)*

 

 

10.3

Compensation Plan of Charles B. Tomm (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2005)*

 

 

15.1

Awareness letter from Deloitte & Touche LLP.

 

 

31.1

Certificate of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated March 14, 2006.

 

 

31.2

Certificate of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated March 14, 2006.

 

 

32.1

Certificate of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b)/15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated March 14, 2006.

 

 

32.2

Certificate of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b)/15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated March 14, 2006.

 


*  Incorporated by reference

43



 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.
(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

Date: March 14, 2006

By:

/s/ KENNETH B. GILMAN

 

 

Name: Kenneth B. Gilman

 

 

Title: Chief Executive Officer and President

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: March 14, 2006

By:

/s/ J. GORDON SMITH

 

 

Name:

J. Gordon Smith

 

 

Title:

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

44



 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit Number

 


Description of Documents

 

 

 

10.1

 

1999 Stock Option Plan, as amended (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2005)*

 

 

 

10.2

 

Severance Pay Agreement of Charles B. Tomm, dated as of June 10, 2005 (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2005)*

 

 

 

10.3

 

Compensation Plan of Charles B. Tomm (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2005)*

 

 

 

15.1

 

Awareness letter from Deloitte & Touche LLP.

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certificate of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated March 14, 2006.

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certificate of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated March 14, 2006.

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certificate of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b)/15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated March 14, 2006.

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certificate of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b)/15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated March 14, 2006.

 


*  Incorporated by reference

 

45