Sonic Automotive (NYSE: SAH) reported Q1 EPS of $1.23, $0.31 better than the analyst estimate of $0.92. Revenue for the quarter came in at $2.8 billion versus the consensus estimate of $2.53 billion.

First Quarter Highlights

• Record first quarter revenues of $2.8 billion, up 20.7%, and record first quarter income from continuing operations before taxes of $72.6 million, compared to a loss before taxes of $243.2 million in the first quarter of 2020, which included a $268.0 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge (excluding the effect of this prior year goodwill impairment charge, pre-tax earnings increased 193.1%)
• Record first quarter reported earnings from continuing operations of $53.7 million ($1.23 per diluted share), compared to a loss of $199.1 million (loss of $4.67 per diluted share) and adjusted earnings from continuing operations* of $17.6 million ($0.40 per diluted share) in the first quarter of 2020
• Record first quarter selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses as a percentage of gross profit of 72.2%, a decrease of 830 basis points from 80.5% in the first quarter of 2020
• All-time record quarterly total Finance & Insurance (“F&I”) gross profit per retail unit of $2,045, up 8.5%
• Reported EchoPark results include:
  • All-time record quarterly EchoPark revenues of $507.1 million, up 52.9%
  • All-time record quarterly EchoPark retail sales volume of 19,670, up 40.6%
  • EchoPark pre-tax earnings of $2.0 million and Adjusted EBITDA* of $6.2 million
• Same store Franchised Dealerships Segment operating results include:
  • Revenues up 16.4%, gross profit up 11.1% (up 13.9% and 12.3%, respectively, compared to the first quarter of 2019)
  • New vehicle unit sales volume up 13.8% (up 7.5% compared to the first quarter of 2019); new vehicle gross profit per unit up 34.3%, to $2,831 (up 25.4% compared to the first quarter of 2019)
  • Retail used vehicle unit sales volume up 6.2% (up 8.6% compared to the first quarter of 2019); retail used vehicle gross profit per unit down 11.3%, to $1,111 (down 13.0% compared to the first quarter of 2019)
  • Parts, service and collision repair gross profit down 1.8% (up 0.1% compared to the first quarter of 2019); customer pay gross profit up 1.6% (up 6.8% compared to the first quarter of 2019); gross margin up 150 basis points, to 50.2% (up 180 basis points compared to the first quarter of 2019)
  • F&I gross profit up 18.7% (up 27.4% compared to the first quarter of 2019); reported Franchised Dealerships Segment F&I gross profit per retail unit of $1,910, up 8.5% (up 24.1% compared to the first quarter of 2019)
• Sonic’s Board of Directors approved a 20% increase to the Company’s quarterly cash dividend, to $0.12 per share, payable on July 15, 2021 to all stockholders of record on June 15, 2021
• Sonic’s Board of Directors increased the Company’s share repurchase authorization by $250.0 million, to a total of $277.3 million of available authorization

Commentary

David Smith, Sonic’s and EchoPark’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Fiscal 2020 was a record-setting year from an adjusted earnings perspective, and this momentum has continued into 2021, where we generated record first quarter revenues and earnings driven by strong performance in both our franchised dealerships and EchoPark segments. EchoPark continues to set new records, achieving better than projected all-time record quarterly revenues and retail sales volume. The first quarter results at both our franchised dealerships and EchoPark stores reflect a strong demand environment which has persisted into the second quarter of 2021 to date. We remain confident in our goal of more than doubling total revenues to $25.0 billion by 2025, while also substantially improving our expected profitability as we continue to apply the efficiencies we have realized over the past year.”

Jeff Dyke, Sonic’s and EchoPark’s President, commented, “We believe EchoPark’s swift growth demonstrates the long-term value proposition of this unique, pre-owned vehicle shopping concept, as a growing number of guests visit us in-store and online at EchoPark.com for the exceptional pricing, diverse inventory selection and guest-centric buying experience we offer. At the same time, we continue to develop our digital retail and delivery model, enabling consumers to purchase their next vehicle in an efficient way best tailored to their needs. With recent store openings in Phoenix, Arizona and Birmingham, Alabama, in addition to opening our latest delivery center in Charleston, South Carolina just last week, we remain committed to reaching a 140-point nationwide distribution network by 2025, which we expect to retail over half a million pre-owned vehicles annually by that time. With our progress to date, we believe we are well on track to reach $14.0 billion in EchoPark revenues by 2025.”

Heath Byrd, Sonic’s and EchoPark’s Chief Financial Officer, commented, “During the first quarter, we continued our commitment to fundamentally improving operating efficiencies and managing expenses throughout our entire organization, reducing SG&A expenses as a percentage of gross profit by 830 basis points compared to the first quarter of 2020. At the same time, we took steps to further strengthen our balance sheet position by replacing our existing revolving and floor plan facilities with a new four-year, $1.8 billion revolving and floor plan credit facility. The credit facility was substantially oversubscribed, with strong support from both new and incumbent financial institutions. We are very pleased with this transaction, which has extended our debt maturities, improved our borrowing costs and increased our total available liquidity and floor plan capacity to facilitate our growth plans.”

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