CarMax Inc.
(
KMX
) posted a 3.8% decline in profits to $120.7 million or 52 cents
per share in the first quarter of fiscal 2013 ended on May 31, 2012
compared to $125.5 million or 54 cents per share in the
corresponding quarter last year. However, profits were in line with
the Zacks Consensus Estimate during the quarter.
The company's net sales and operating revenues for the quarter came
in at $2.77 billion, up 4% compared with $2.68 billion in the
year-ago quarter. However, it missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate
of $3.60 billion.
Revenues from used vehicle sales escalated 5.7% to $2.2 billion in
the reported quarter. The boost in used vehicles revenues was
attributable to improvement in unit sales and appreciation in used
vehicle average selling price. Unit sales were up by 3.5% to
112,291 units and average selling price swelled 2% to $19,285.
The company's revenues from new vehicle sales were down 10.4% to
$55.5 million in the reported quarter, driven by a decline in sales
volume offsetting the favorable impact of price rise. Unit sales
decreased 13.5% to 2,107 vehicles in the reported quarter while
average selling price escalated 3.5% to $26,174.
Revenues from wholesale vehicle went down 2.1% to $467.8 million in
the reported quarter, primarily driven by a decline in unit sales.
Unit sales decreased to 83,541 units from 85,062 units a year ago,
resulting from one auction date loss in the reported quarter.
Average selling price was $5,449 during the quarter.
Other sales and revenues slipped 8.7% to $62.3 million due to a mix
shift among finance providers. It benefited by an 11% increase in
extended service plan (ESP) revenues arising from the penetration
and growth of the company in retail vehicle sales.
Total gross profit was $381.9 million in the quarter compared to
$383.1 million in the corresponding quarter of last year. The
marginal decline in profit was attributable to a decline in
wholesale and other gross profit, which offset gross profit from
used vehicles. Total gross profit per retail unit was $3,338, down
3.3% compared to $ 3,453 in the first quarter of fiscal 2012.
Selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) increased
5% to $253.6 million. The increase was attributable to expansion of
the company's store base by five stores and boost in growth-related
costs, including pre-opening and relocation expenses. SG&A per
used unit increased 2% to $2,217 in the quarter.
CarMax Auto Finance
(CAF) income improved 8% to $75.2 million from $69.7 million in the
first quarter of the prior year. The growth in CAF income closely
resembled the increase in average managed receivables, excluding
the loss favorability in both quarters. Average managed receivables
rose 16% to $5.08 billion in the quarter from $4.39 billion in the
prior year quarter due to higher origination volume throughout
fiscal 2012 and in the first quarter of fiscal 2013.
Superstore Opening
CarMax plans to open 10 superstores in fiscal 2013. In the first
quarter of fiscal 2013, the company has opened two used car
superstores; one in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and the other located
in Bakersfield, California. Recently, it has opened superstores in
Nashville, Tennessee, and Fort Myers, Florida.
Financial Position
CarMax had cash and cash equivalents of $456.4 million as of May
31, 2012, up significantly from $156.0 million as of May 31, 2011.
Total debt (including financing and capital lease obligations, and
non-recourse notes) rose to $5.0 billion as of May 31, 2012 from
$4.36 billion as of May 31, 2011.
In the first quarter of fiscal 2013, CarMax had a cash outflow from
operating activities of $115.5 million compared with a cash inflow
of $24.9 million in the prior year. Capital expenditure amounted to
$47.6 million in the reported quarter compared to $31.0 million in
the year-ago quarter.
Our Take
CarMax is one of the largest retailers of used vehicles. The
company pioneered the used car superstore concept with the
inauguration of its first store in 1993. It operated around 112
used car superstores in 56 markets as of May 31, 2012. The
company's superstores offer customers a great deal of satisfaction
with no hassles or haggling on prices. They offer a wide range of
choice of high quality vehicles and a customer-friendly sales
process.
The automotive retailer is among the strongest operators in its
peer group, which includes
AutoNation Inc.
(
AN
) and
Penske Automotive Group
(
PAG
). However, CarMax retains a Zacks #4 Rank, which translates into a
short-term (1 to 3 months) Sell rating due to the sluggish used-car
market.
AUTONATION INC (AN): Free Stock Analysis Report
CARMAX GP (CC) (KMX): Free Stock Analysis
Report
PENSKE AUTO GRP (PAG): Free Stock Analysis
Report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
Zacks Investment
Research