Penske Automotive Group Inc.
(
PAG
) reported adjusted earnings per share of 60 cents for the third
quarter of 2012 (excluding after-tax costs of 14 cents and debt
redemption costs related to the redemption of $375 million of
7.75% senior subordinated notes due 2016), surpassing the Zacks
Consensus Estimate by 3 cents.
The third quarter EPS rose 20% from 50 cents (excluding net
income tax benefits of 12 cents per share, resolution of certain
tax items in the U.K. of 19 cents and deferred tax assets of 7
cents per share) in the prior-year quarter. Net income went up
19.1% to $54.3 million from $45.6 million in the year-ago
quarter.
Revenues in the quarter rose 17.4% to $3.40 billion, beating the
Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.26 billion. The revenue growth was
attributable to a 23.6% increase in retail sales to 88,151 units.
Revenues from new vehicle sales grew 21.5 % to $1.76 billion
driven by a 26.3% increase in retail sales to 48,307 units,
partially offset by a 3.8% decline in average transaction price
to $36,497. Revenues from used vehicle sales climbed 14.7% to
$995.4 million owing to a 20.4% hike in retail sales to 39,844
units, partially offset by a 4.8% decline in average transaction
price to $24,982.
Revenues from fleet and wholesale rose 16.9% to $185.5 million
and revenues from finance and insurance business improved 16.7%
to $85.4 million. Meanwhile, the company's parts and service
business witnessed a 7.1% growth in revenues to $372.0 million.
On a same-store basis, revenues improved 11.7% to $2.9 billion.
Same-store retail sales increased 16.6% to 81,109 units in the
quarter.
Gross profit improved 10.9% to $511.0 million from $460.8 million
in the year-ago quarter. Selling, general and administrative
expenses increased 10.7% to $409.4 million from $369.8 million in
the third quarter of 2011. The company reported an 11.4% increase
in operating income to $87.5 million from $78.6 million in the
year-ago quarter.
Financial Position
Penske had cash and cash equivalents of $25.9 million as of
September 30, 2012, declining from $28.7 million as of December
31, 2011. Long-term debt was almost flat at $830.8 million as of
September 30, 2012 compared with $850.2 million as of December
31, 2011. Debt-to-capitalization ratio improved to 39.6% as of
September 30, 2012 from 42.7% as of December 31, 2011.
In the third quarter of 2012, Penske redeemed the remaining $25.5
million of 3.5% outstanding senior subordinated convertible
notes. The company also redeemed $375 million of 7.75% senior
subordinated notes using the proceeds from the issue of $550
million of 5.75% senior subordinated notes.
Our Take
Penske Automotive Group sells new and previously owned vehicles
along with finance and insurance products. It operates 341 retail
automotive franchises, offering 40 different brands and 30
collision repair centers. Apart from its franchises in the U.S.
and Europe, the company offers repair and maintenance services.
The company's product mix, including a wide range of imported and
luxury brands, helps it maintain a strong foothold in both the
U.S. and international markets. It competes with
Lithia Motors Inc.
(
LAD
),
AutoNation Inc.
(
AN
) and
Sonic Automotive Inc.
(
SAH
).
Currently, the company has a Zacks #3 Rank, which translates into
a Hold rating for the short term (1 to 3 months) and we reiterate
our Neutral recommendation on its shares for the long term (more
than 6 months).
AUTONATION INC (AN): Free Stock Analysis
Report
LITHIA MOTORS (LAD): Free Stock Analysis
Report
PENSKE AUTO GRP (PAG): Free Stock Analysis
Report
SONIC AUTOMOTVE (SAH): Free Stock Analysis
Report
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