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Lithia Reports First Quarter 2020 Results

April 22, 2020 7:00 AM

Declares Dividend of $0.30 Per Share for First Quarter

MEDFORD, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE: LAD) today reported first quarter 2020 revenue of $2.8 billion. First quarter 2020 net income per diluted share was $1.97, a 19% decrease from $2.42 per diluted share reported in the first quarter of 2019. Adjusted first quarter 2020 net income per diluted share was $2.01, an 18% decrease compared to adjusted net income of $2.44 per diluted share in the same period of 2019.

First quarter 2020 net income was $46 million, an 18% decrease compared to net income of $56 million in the same period of 2019. Adjusted first quarter 2020 net income was $47 million, a 17% decrease compared to adjusted net income of $57 million for the same period of 2019.

As shown in the attached non-GAAP reconciliation tables, the 2020 first quarter adjusted results exclude a $0.04 net non-core charge related to insurance reserves and acquisition expenses partially offset by a net gain on sale of stores. The 2019 first quarter adjusted results exclude a $0.02 net non-core charge due to acquisition expenses and an asset impairment partially offset by a net gain on sale of stores.

First Quarter-over-Quarter Operating Highlights:

"First quarter results were driven by strength in January and February, with same store new, used, F&I and service, body and part sales up 4%, 22%, 18% and 6% respectively," said Bryan DeBoer, President and CEO. "These results continued through early March before being negatively impacted by varying levels of shelter in place policies enacted in most states due to COVID-19. Our decentralized operating structure has allowed our teams to respond independently to these differences with decisive actions aligned with their local market conditions."

Corporate Development

During the quarter, we acquired the two exclusive Lexus stores in Sacramento and Roseville, California, which are anticipated to generate $160 million in expected steady state annual revenues. We are working closely with our future acquisition partners to restructure transactions in order to preserve capital. In addition, we are also deferring closing until the second half of this year to gain greater insights into earnings quality and market conditions.

Balance Sheet Update

We ended the first quarter with over $550 million in cash and availability on our revolving lines of credit. Our unfinanced real estate could provide additional liquidity of approximately $500 million. In the current environment, we are actively managing our capital utilization to preserve cash through deferring approximately $65 million in capital expenditures, suspending share repurchases and restructuring acquisitions. Additionally, our $2.8 billion syndicated credit facility was renewed in December for five years with a maturity date of 2025 and we have no significant debt maturities until that time.

"We have the strongest balance sheet in our history, with the lowest leverage in our industry and liquidity to be strategically acquisitive and weather this period of uncertainty," said DeBoer. "In addition, we are more diversified than ever with a network covering 92% of our country and no single manufacturer making up more than 18% of our revenue."

Dividend Payment and Share Repurchases

Our Board of Directors approved maintaining our dividend of $0.30 per share. We expect to pay the dividend on May 22, 2020 to shareholders of record on May 8, 2020.

Year to date, we have repurchased 563,953 shares at a weighted average price of $81.71 per share under our existing share repurchase authorization. After accounting for these repurchases, approximately $188 million remains available. As previously announced, we have suspended all share repurchases until further notice.

First Quarter Earnings Conference Call and Updated Presentation

The first quarter 2020 conference call may be accessed at 10:00 a.m. ET today by telephone at 877-407-8029. An updated presentation highlighting the first quarter 2020 results has been added to our investor relations website. To listen live on our website or for replay, visit www.lithiainvestorrelations.com and click on webcasts.

About Lithia

Lithia Motors, Inc. is one of the largest providers of personal transportation solutions in the United States and is among the fastest growing companies in the Fortune 500 (#265-2019). Lithia is a growth company powered by people and innovation. By purchasing and building strong businesses that have yet to realize their potential, Lithia generates significant cash flows with low leverage. Operational excellence is achieved by refocusing the business on the consumer experience and by utilizing proprietary performance measurements to increase market share and profitability. Lithia’s unique growth model invests to expand its nationwide network and to fund innovations that create personal transportation solutions wherever, whenever and however consumers desire.

Sites
www.lithia.com
www.lithiainvestorrelations.com
www.lithiacareers.com

Lithia Motors on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/LithiaMotors

Lithia Motors on Twitter
http://twitter.com/lithiamotors

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this presentation, and at times made by our officers and representatives, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "Safe Harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Generally, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "project", "outlook", "target", "may", "will", "would", "should", "seek", "expect", "plan", "intend", "forecast", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict", "potential", "likely", "goal", "strategy", "future", "maintain", and "continue" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terms. Examples of forward-looking statements in this presentation include, among others, statements regarding:

Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and our actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity and development of the industry in which we operate may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements in this presentation. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from estimated or projected results include, without limitation:

Any forward-looking statement made by us in this presentation is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This presentation contains non-GAAP financial measures such as adjusted net income and diluted earnings per share, adjusted SG&A as a percentage of revenue and gross profit, adjusted operating margin, adjusted operating profit as a percentage of revenue and gross profit, adjusted pre-tax margin and net profit margin, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, leveraged EBITDA and adjusted total debt. Non-GAAP measures do not have definitions under GAAP and may be defined differently by and not comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. As a result, we review any non-GAAP financial measures in connection with a review of the most directly comparable measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. We caution you not to place undue reliance on such non-GAAP measures, but also to consider them with the most directly comparable GAAP measures. We present cash flows from operations in the attached tables, adjusted to include the change in non-trade floor plan debt to improve the visibility of cash flows related to vehicle financing. As required by SEC rules, we have reconciled these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures in the attachments to this release. We believe the non-GAAP financial measures we present improve the transparency of our disclosures; provide a meaningful presentation of our results from core business operations, because they exclude items not related to core business operations and other non-cash items; and improve the period-to-period comparability of our results from core business operations. These presentations should not be considered an alternative to GAAP measures.

Lithia Motors, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

(In millions except per share data)

Three months ended
March 31,

%

Increase

2020

2019

(Decrease)

Revenues:

New vehicle retail

$

1,373.5

$

1,461.1

(6.0

)%

Used vehicle retail

874.4

827.9

5.6

Used vehicle wholesale

66.7

77.4

(13.8

)

Finance and insurance

121.9

117.5

3.7

Service, body and parts

329.9

317.4

3.9

Fleet and other

37.4

48.4

(22.7

)

Total revenues

2,803.8

2,849.7

(1.6

)%

Cost of sales:

New vehicle retail

1,295.3

1,375.2

(5.8

)

Used vehicle retail

784.4

743.3

5.5

Used vehicle wholesale

66.1

76.5

(13.6

)

Service, body and parts

161.8

157.9

2.5

Fleet and other

35.3

46.1

(23.4

)

Total cost of sales

2,342.9

2,399.0

(2.3

)

Gross profit

460.9

450.7

2.3

%

Asset impairments

0.5

NM

SG&A expense

346.0

321.8

7.5

Depreciation and amortization

22.0

19.8

11.1

Income from operations

92.9

108.6

(14.5

)%

Floor plan interest expense

(14.0

)

(18.1

)

(22.7

)

Other interest expense

(17.0

)

(15.3

)

11.1

Other income, net

2.3

2.6

NM

Income before income taxes

64.2

77.8

(17.5

)%

Income tax expense

(18.0

)

(21.4

)

(15.9

)

Income tax rate

28.0

%

27.5

%

Net income

$

46.2

$

56.4

(18.1

)%

Diluted net income per share:

Net income per share

$

1.97

$

2.42

(18.6

)%

Diluted shares outstanding

23.5

23.2

1.3

%

NM - not meaningful

Lithia Motors, Inc.

Key Performance Metrics (Unaudited)

Three months ended
March 31,

%

Increase

2020

2019

(Decrease)

Gross margin

New vehicle retail

5.7

%

5.9

%

(20

)bps

Used vehicle retail

10.3

10.2

10

Finance and insurance

100.0

100.0

Service, body and parts

51.0

50.2

80

Gross profit margin

16.4

15.8

60

Unit sales

New vehicle retail

35,907

39,695

(9.5

) %

Used vehicle retail

42,631

40,675

4.8

Total retail units sold

78,538

80,370

(2.3

)

Average selling price

New vehicle retail

$

38,252

$

36,809

3.9

%

Used vehicle retail

20,510

20,353

0.8

Average gross profit per unit

New vehicle retail

$

2,178

$

2,165

0.6

%

Used vehicle retail

2,110

2,079

1.5

Finance and insurance

1,552

1,462

6.2

Total vehicle(1)

3,701

3,594

3.0

Revenue mix

New vehicle retail

49.0

%

51.3

%

Used vehicle retail

31.2

29.1

Used vehicle wholesale

2.4

2.7

Finance and insurance, net

4.3

4.1

Service, body and parts

11.8

11.1

Fleet and other

1.3

1.7

Gross Profit Mix

New vehicle retail

17.0

%

19.1

%

Used vehicle retail

19.5

18.8

Used vehicle wholesale

0.1

0.2

Finance and insurance, net

26.4

26.1

Service, body and parts

36.5

35.3

Fleet and other

0.5

0.5

Adjusted

As reported

Three months
ended March 31,

Three months
ended March 31,

Other metrics

2020

2019

2020

2019

SG&A as a % of revenue

12.3

%

11.3

%

12.3

%

11.3

%

SG&A as a % of gross profit

74.8

71.4

75.1

71.4

Operating profit as a % of revenue

3.4

3.8

3.3

3.8

Operating profit as a % of gross profit

20.4

24.2

20.1

24.1

Pretax margin

2.3

2.8

2.3

2.7

Net profit margin

1.7

2.0

1.6

2.0

(1)

Includes the sales and gross profit related to new, used retail, used wholesale and finance and insurance and unit sales for new and used retail

Lithia Motors, Inc.

Same Store Operating Highlights (Unaudited)

Three months ended
March 31,

%

Increase

2020

2019

(Decrease)

Revenues

New vehicle retail

$

1,281.5

$

1,433.6

(10.6

) %

Used vehicle retail

831.6

809.7

2.7

Finance and insurance

114.5

115.3

(0.7

)

Service, body and parts

311.0

309.3

0.5

Total revenues

2,637.5

2,789.1

(5.4

)

Gross profit

New vehicle retail

$

73.0

$

84.6

(13.7

) %

Used vehicle retail

83.7

83.0

0.8

Finance and insurance

114.5

115.3

(0.7

)

Service, body and parts

158.5

155.9

1.7

Total gross profit

432.6

442.1

(2.1

)

Gross margin

New vehicle retail

5.7

%

5.9

%

(20

)bps

Used vehicle retail

10.1

10.3

(20

)

Finance and insurance

100.0

100.0

Service, body and parts

51.0

50.4

60

Gross profit margin

16.4

15.9

50

Unit sales

New vehicle retail

33,178

38,865

(14.6

) %

Used vehicle retail

40,374

39,708

1.7

Average selling price

New vehicle retail

$

38,625

$

36,886

4.7

%

Used vehicle retail

20,597

20,390

1.0

Average gross profit per unit

New vehicle retail

$

2,200

$

2,177

1.1

%

Used vehicle retail

2,073

2,091

(0.9

)

Finance and insurance

1,557

1,468

6.1

Total vehicle(1)

3,697

3,613

2.3

(1)

Includes the sales and gross profit related to new, used retail, used wholesale and finance and insurance and unit sales for new and used retail

Lithia Motors, Inc.

Other Highlights (Unaudited)

Financial covenants

Requirement

As of March 31, 2020

Current ratio

Not less than 1.10 to 1

1.34 to 1

Fixed charge coverage ratio

Not less than 1.20 to 1

2.68 to 1

Leverage ratio

Not more than 5.75 to 1

2.67 to 1

Lithia Motors, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

(In millions)

March 31, 2020

December 31, 2019

Cash and cash equivalents

$

56.6

$

84.0

Trade receivables, net

298.2

505.0

Inventories, net

2,512.8

2,433.7

Other current assets

58.2

47.8

Total current assets

$

2,925.8

$

3,070.5

Property and equipment, net

1,631.5

1,611.7

Intangibles

763.7

761.3

Other non-current assets

693.1

640.4

Total assets

$

6,014.1

$

6,083.9

Floor plan notes payable

1,985.8

2,067.6

Other current liabilities

445.7

501.5

Total current liabilities

$

2,431.5

$

2,569.1

Long-term debt

1,489.8

1,430.6

Other long-term liabilities and deferred revenue

636.3

616.5

Total liabilities

$

4,557.6

$

4,616.2

Stockholder's Equity

1,456.5

1,467.7

Total liabilities & stockholders' equity

$

6,014.1

$

6,083.9

Lithia Motors, Inc.

Summarized Cash Flow from Operations (Unaudited)

(In millions)

Three months ended March 31,

2020

2019

Net income

$

46.2

$

56.4

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Asset impairments

0.5

Depreciation and amortization

22.0

19.8

Stock-based compensation

5.1

3.5

Gain on disposal of assets

0.1

Gain on sale of franchises

(0.1

)

0.1

Deferred income taxes

8.2

5.2

(Increase) decrease:

Trade receivables, net

202.1

49.9

Inventories

(69.8

)

(81.4

)

Other assets

(6.8

)

9.0

Increase (decrease):

Floor plan notes payable, net

(32.7

)

34.6

Trade payables

(14.6

)

(6.4

)

Accrued liabilities

(49.4

)

(14.5

)

Other long-term liabilities and deferred revenue

11.4

0.5

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

121.7

$

77.2

Lithia Motors, Inc.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Cash Flow from Operations (Unaudited)

(In millions)

Three months ended March 31,

Net cash provided by operating activities

2020

2019

As reported

$

121.7

$

77.2

Floor plan notes payable, non-trade, net

(43.5

)

43.5

Less: Borrowings on floor plan notes payable, non-trade associated with acquired new vehicle inventory

(14.1

)

Adjusted

$

64.1

$

120.7

Lithia Motors, Inc.

Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited)

(In millions, except for per share data)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2020

As reported

Disposal
gain on sale
of stores

Insurance
reserves

Acquisition
expenses

Adjusted

Selling, general and administrative

$

346.0

$

0.1

$

(0.8

)

$

(0.5

)

$

344.8

Operating income

92.9

(0.1

)

0.8

0.5

94.1

Income before income taxes

64.2

(0.1

)

0.8

0.5

65.4

Income tax (provision) benefit

(18.0

)

(0.2

)

(0.1

)

(18.3

)

Net income

$

46.2

$

(0.1

)

$

0.6

$

0.4

$

47.1

Diluted earnings per share

$

1.97

$

$

0.02

$

0.02

$

2.01

Diluted share count

23.5

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019

As reported

Disposal
gain on sale
of stores

Asset
impairment

Acquisition
expenses

Adjusted

Asset impairments

$

0.5

$

$

(0.5

)

$

$

Selling, general and administrative

321.8

0.1

(0.2

)

321.7

Operating income

108.6

(0.1

)

0.5

0.2

109.2

Income before income taxes

77.8

(0.1

)

0.5

0.2

78.4

Income tax (provision) benefit

(21.4

)

(0.1

)

(0.1

)

(21.6

)

Net income

$

56.4

$

(0.1

)

$

0.4

$

0.1

$

56.8

Diluted earnings per share

$

2.42

$

$

0.01

$

0.01

$

2.44

Diluted share count

23.2

Lithia Motors, Inc.

Adjusted EBITDA and Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA (Unaudited)

(In millions)

Three months ended
March 31,

%

Increase

2020

2019

(Decrease)

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

Net income

$

46.2

$

56.4

(18.1

) %

Flooring interest expense

14.0

18.1

(22.7

)

Other interest expense

17.0

15.3

11.1

Income tax expense

18.0

21.4

(15.9

)

Depreciation and amortization

22.0

19.8

11.1

EBITDA

$

117.2

$

131.0

(10.5

) %

Other adjustments:

Less: flooring interest expense

$

(14.0

)

$

(18.1

)

(22.7

)

Less: used vehicle line of credit interest

(0.2

)

(1.6

)

(87.5

)

Add: acquisition expenses

0.5

0.2

150.0

Less: gain on divestitures

(0.1

)

(0.1

)

Add: insurance reserve

0.8

NM

Add: asset impairment

0.5

NM

Adjusted EBITDA

$

104.2

$

111.9

(6.9

)%

NM - not meaningful

As of

%

March 31,

Increase

Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA

2020

2019

(Decrease)

Floor plan notes payable: non-trade

$

1,595.9

$

1,767.2

(9.7

)%

Floor plan notes payable

389.9

359.0

8.6

Used and service loaner vehicle inventory financing facility

204.0

332.0

(38.6

)

Revolving lines of credit

76.6

NM

Real estate mortgages

608.9

583.4

4.4

5.250% Senior notes due 2025

300.0

300.0

4.625% Senior notes due 2027

400.0

NM

Other debt

33.1

34.2

(3.2

)

Unamortized debt issuance costs

(10.4

)

(5.9

)

76.3

Total debt

$

3,521.4

$

3,446.5

2.2

%

Less: Floor plan related debt

$

(2,189.8

)

$

(2,458.2

)

(10.9

)%

Less: Cash and cash equivalents

(56.6

)

(45.0

)

25.8

Less: Availability on used vehicle and service loaner LOCs

(162.9

)

Net Debt

$

1,112.1

$

943.3

17.9

%

TTM Adjusted EBITDA

$

510.3

$

470.6

8.4

%

Net debt to Adjusted EBITDA

2.18

x

2.00

x

9.0

%

Eric Pitt

VP, Investor Relations and Treasurer

[email protected]

(541) 864-1748

Source: Lithia Motors, Inc.

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