PR Newswire | Feb 2, 2021 07:01AM EST

02/02 06:00 CST

Asbury Automotive Group Announces Fourth Quarter Financial ResultsRecord fourth quarter EPS of $4.59 per diluted share, up 103% over prior year quarterRecord full year EPS of $13.18, up 38% over prior yearFourth quarter revenue increased 18% and gross profit increased 23% over prior year quarter DULUTH, Ga., Feb. 2, 2021

DULUTH, Ga., Feb. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: ABG), one of the largest automotive retail and service companies in the U.S., reported net income for the fourth quarter 2020 of $89.1 million ($4.59 per diluted share). This compares to net income of $43.6 million ($2.26 per diluted share) in the prior year quarter, a 104% increase.

The financial measures discussed below include both GAAP and adjusted (non-GAAP) financial measures. Please see reconciliations for our non-GAAP metrics included in the accompanying financial tables.

"The fourth quarter of 2020 was a pivotal period for us where we launched our online car buying platform Clicklane and also unveiled our five year strategic plan to reach $20 billion of revenue by 2025," said David Hult, Asbury's President and Chief Executive Officer. "On top of this, we posted the best quarterly results in our company's history with adjusted earnings of $4.44 per share, up 76%."

The Company reported adjusted net income (a non-GAAP measure) for the fourth quarter 2020 of $86.2 million ($4.44 per diluted share) compared to $48.9 million ($2.53 per diluted share) in the prior year quarter, a 76% increase.

Net income for the fourth quarter 2020 was adjusted for a $3.9 million pre-tax gain from a dealership divestiture ($0.15 per diluted share). Net income for the fourth quarter 2019 was adjusted for a $7.1 million pre-tax charge for franchise rights impairments ($0.27 per diluted share), a $0.6 million pre-tax charge for real estate related charges ($0.03 per diluted share), and a $0.6 million pre-tax gain from a legal settlement ($0.03 per diluted share).

The Company reported total revenue for the fourth quarter of $2.2 billion, up 18% from the prior year period; total revenue on a same-store basis was up 1% from the prior year period.

Fourth Quarter 2020 Operational Summary

Total company:

* Total revenue increased 18%; gross profit increased 23% * Gross margin increased 80 basis points to 16.7% * EPS increased 103% * SG&A as a percentage of gross profit decreased 690 basis points to 61.4% * Operating margin increased 180 basis points to 6.0% * Adjusted EPS increased 76%

Same store (non-GAAP measure):

* Total revenue increased 1%; gross profit increased 4% * Gross margin increased 60 basis points to 16.6% * New vehicle revenue was flat; gross profit increased 40% * Used vehicle retail revenue was flat; gross profit increased 10% * Finance and insurance revenue and gross profit was flat * Parts and service revenue decreased 4%; gross profit decreased 4% * New gross profit per vehicle increased 49% to $2,385 * Used retail gross profit per vehicle increased 21% to $1,741 * Finance and insurance gross profit per vehicle increased 7% to $1,817

Strategic Highlights:

* Launched the innovative platform Clicklane, which is an evolution of Asbury's PushStart tool and allows for consumers to complete the entire car-buying transaction online within 15 minutes * Unveiled a five-year strategic plan to reach $20 billion of revenue by 2025 (20% compound annual growth), expand operating margins, and grow EPS in excess of revenue growth * Divested a Ford dealership with approximately $50 million in annual revenues * Ended the quarter with total liquidity of $462 million and a pro forma net leverage ratio of 2.1x

For the full year 2020, the Company reported net income of $254.4 million ($13.18 per diluted share) compared to $184.4 million ($9.55 per diluted share) in the prior year period. Adjusted net income (a non-GAAP measure) for 2020 was $248.8 million ($12.90 per diluted share) compared to $182.5 million ($9.46 per diluted share) in the prior year period, a 36% increase in adjusted EPS.

Total revenue for the full year 2020 was $7.1 billion, down 1% from the prior year period; total revenue on a same-store basis was down 7% from the prior year period.

Additional commentary regarding the fourth quarter results will be provided during the earnings conference call on February 2, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. The conference call will be simulcast live on the internet and can be accessed at www.asburyauto.com. A replay will be available at these sites for 30 days.

In addition, a live audio of the call will be accessible to the public by calling (866) 248-8441 (domestic), or (323) 347-3278 (international); passcode - 1603957. Callers should dial in approximately 5 to 10 minutes before the call begins.

A conference call replay will be available two hours following the call for seven days, and can be accessed by calling (888) 203-1112 (domestic), or (719) 457-0820 (international); passcode - 1603957.

About Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. ("Asbury"), a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA, is one of the largest automotive retailers in the U.S. Asbury currently operates 91 dealerships, consisting of 112 franchises, representing 31 domestic and foreign brands of vehicles. Asbury also operates 25 collision repair centers. Asbury offers customers an extensive range of automotive products and services, including new and used vehicle sales and related financing and insurance, vehicle maintenance and repair services, replacement parts and service contracts.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements other than historical fact, and may include statements relating to goals, plans, expectations, projections regarding the expected benefits of Clicklane, management's plans, projections and objectives for future operations, scale and performance, integration plans and expected synergies from acquisitions, our financial position, results of operations, market position, capital allocation strategy, business strategy and expectations of our management with respect to, among other things: changes in general economic and business conditions, including the impact of COVID-19 on the automotive industry in general, the automotive retail industry in particular and our customers, suppliers, vendors and business partners; our relationships with vehicle manufacturers; our ability to improve our margins; operating cash flows and availability of capital; capital expenditures; the amount of our indebtedness; the completion of any pending and future acquisitions and divestitures; future return targets; future annual savings; general economic trends, including consumer confidence levels, interest rates, and fuel prices; and automotive retail industry trends. The following are some but not all of the factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated, including: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, market factors, Asbury's relationships with, and the financial and operational stability of, vehicle manufacturers and other suppliers, acts of God or other incidents which may adversely impact supply from vehicle manufacturers and/or present retail sales challenges, risks associated with Asbury's indebtedness (including available borrowing capacity, compliance with its financial covenants and ability to refinance or repay such indebtedness, on favorable terms), Asbury's relationships with, and the financial stability of, its lenders and lessors, risks related to competition in the automotive retail and service industries, general economic conditions both nationally and locally, governmental regulations, legislation, adverse results in litigation and other proceedings, and Asbury's ability to execute its technology initiatives and other operational strategies, Asbury's ability to leverage gains from its dealership portfolio, including its ability to realize the expected benefits of the acquisition of the Park Place dealership group, Asbury's ability to capitalize on opportunities to repurchase its debt and equity securities or purchase properties that it currently leases, and Asbury's ability to stay within its targeted range for capital expenditures. There can be no guarantees that Asbury's plans for future operations will be successfully implemented or that they will prove to be commercially successful. These risks, uncertainties and other factors are disclosed in Asbury's Annual Report on Form 10-K, subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic and current reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. These forward-looking statements and such risks, uncertainties and other factors speak only as of the date of this press release. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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

For the Three Months Ended Increase % December 31, (Decrease) Change 2020 2019

REVENUE:

New vehicle $ 1,225.6 $ 1,039.4 $ 186.2 18 %

Used vehicle:

Retail 564.0 491.5 72.5 15 %

Wholesale 95.3 49.7 45.6 92 %

Total used vehicle 659.3 541.2 118.1 22 %

Parts and service 261.8 229.7 32.1 14 %

Finance and insurance, net 87.3 83.7 3.6 4 %

TOTAL REVENUE 2,234.0 1,894.0 340.0 18 %

GROSS PROFIT:

New vehicle 82.9 44.7 38.2 85 %

Used vehicle:

Retail 39.2 30.9 8.3 27 %

Wholesale 0.4 0.4 - - %

Total used vehicle 39.6 31.3 8.3 27 %

Parts and service 162.5 141.9 20.6 15 %

Finance and insurance, net 87.3 83.7 3.6 4 %

TOTAL GROSS PROFIT 372.3 301.6 70.7 23 %

OPERATING EXPENSES:

Selling, general and administrative 228.5 206.1 22.4 11 %

Depreciation and amortization 9.5 9.5 - - %

Franchise rights impairment - 7.1 (7.1) (100) %

Other operating (income) expense, net (0.2) (0.2) - - %

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS 134.5 79.1 55.4 70 %

OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME):

Floor plan interest expense 3.6 8.2 (4.6) (56) %

Other interest expense, net 15.0 13.7 1.3 9 %

Gain on dealership divestitures, net (3.9) - (3.9) - %

Total other expenses, net 14.7 21.9 (7.2) (33) %

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 119.8 57.2 62.6 109 %

Income tax expense 30.7 13.6 17.1 126 %

NET INCOME $ 89.1 $ 43.6 $ 45.5 104 %

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:

Basic-

Net income $ 4.64 $ 2.28 $ 2.36 104 %

Diluted-

Net income $ 4.59 $ 2.26 $ 2.33 103 %

WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:

Basic 19.2 19.1 0.1

Restricted stock 0.1 0.1 -

Performance share units 0.1 0.1 -

Diluted 19.4 19.3 0.1

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NM-Not Meaningful

ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.KEY OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (In millions, except per unit data)(Unaudited)

For the Three Months Ended Increase % December 31, (Decrease) Change 2020 2019

Unit sales

New vehicle:

Luxury 9,751 7,055 2,696 38 %

Import 14,315 15,723 (1,408) (9) %

Domestic 4,507 4,829 (322) (7) %

Total new vehicle 28,573 27,607 966 3 %

Used vehicle retail 21,386 22,272 (886) (4) %

Used to new ratio 74.8 % 80.7 % (590) bps

Average selling price

New vehicle $ 42,894 $ 37,650 $ 5,244 14 %

Used vehicle retail 26,372 22,068 4,304 20 %

Average gross profit per unit

New vehicle:

Luxury $ 5,292 $ 3,586 $ 1,706 48 %

Import 1,202 674 528 78 %

Domestic 3,128 1,822 1,306 72 %

Total new vehicle 2,901 1,619 1,282 79 %

Used vehicle retail 1,833 1,387 446 32 %

Finance and insurance, net 1,747 1,678 69 4 %

Front end yield (1) 4,191 3,194 997 31 %

Gross margin

New vehicle:

Luxury 8.8 % 6.5 % 230 bps

Import 3.9 % 2.3 % 160 bps

Domestic 6.9 % 4.4 % 250 bps

Total new vehicle 6.8 % 4.3 % 250 bps

Used vehicle retail 7.0 % 6.3 % 70 bps

Parts and service 62.1 % 61.8 % 30 bps

Total gross profit margin 16.7 % 15.9 % 80 bps

SG&A metrics

Rent expense $ 11.4 $ 6.8 $ 4.6 68 %

SG&A as a percentage of gross profit 61.4 % 68.3 % (690) bps

SG&A, excluding rent expense as a percentage of gross profit 58.3 % 66.1 % (780) bps

Operating metrics

Income from operations as a percentage of revenue 6.0 % 4.2 % 180 bps

Income from operations as a percentage of gross profit 36.1 % 26.2 % 990 bps

Adjusted income from operations as a percentage of revenue 6.0 % 4.6 % 140 bps

Adjusted income from operations as a percentage of gross profit 36.1 % 28.6 % 750 bps

Revenue mix

New vehicle 54.9 % 54.9 %

Used vehicle retail 25.2 % 26.0 %

Used vehicle wholesale 4.3 % 2.6 %

Parts and service 11.7 % 12.1 %

Finance and insurance 3.9 % 4.4 %

Total revenue 100.0 % 100.0 %

Gross profit mix

New vehicle 22.3 % 14.8 %

Used vehicle retail 10.6 % 10.3 %

Used vehicle wholesale 0.1 % 0.1 %

Parts and service 43.6 % 47.0 %

Finance and insurance 23.4 % 27.8 %

Total gross profit 100.0 % 100.0 %

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(1) Front end yield is calculated as gross profit from new vehicles, usedretail vehicles and finance and insurance (net), divided by combined new andused retail unit sales.

ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.SAME STORE OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (In millions)(Unaudited)

For the Three Months Increase % Ended December 31, (Decrease) Change 2020 2019

Revenue

New vehicle:

Luxury $ 356.3 $ 375.1 $ (18.8) (5) %

Import 435.1 427.1 8.0 2 %

Domestic 182.6 173.4 9.2 5 %

Total new vehicle 974.0 975.6 (1.6) - %

Used Vehicle:

Retail 452.3 450.2 2.1 - %

Wholesale 64.0 46.4 17.6 38 %

Total used vehicle 516.3 496.6 19.7 4 %

Parts and service 207.7 215.5 (7.8) (4) %

Finance and insurance 78.2 78.3 (0.1) - %

Total revenue $ 1,776.2 $ 1,766.0 $ 10.2 1 %

Gross profit

New vehicle:

Luxury $ 28.5 $ 24.4 $ 4.1 17 %

Import 17.4 10.0 7.4 74 %

Domestic 12.5 7.3 5.2 71 %

Total new vehicle 58.4 41.7 16.7 40 %

Used Vehicle:

Retail 32.3 29.3 3.0 10 %

Wholesale (0.8) 0.7 (1.5) NM

Total used vehicle 31.5 30.0 1.5 5 %

Parts and service:

Customer pay 73.5 76.0 (2.5) (3) %

Warranty 20.3 21.3 (1.0) (5) %

Wholesale parts 5.4 5.7 (0.3) (5) %

Parts and service, excluding reconditioning and preparation 99.2 103.0 (3.8) (4) %

Reconditioning and preparation 28.3 30.1 (1.8) (6) %

Total parts and service 127.5 133.1 (5.6) (4) %

Finance and insurance 78.2 78.3 (0.1) - %

Total gross profit $ 295.6 $ 283.1 $ 12.5 4 %

SG&A expense $ 188.2 $ 194.3 $ (6.1) (3) %

SG&A expense as a percentage of gross profit 63.7 % 68.6 % (490) bps

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Same store amounts consist of information from dealerships for identical monthsin each comparative period, commencing with the first month we owned thedealership. Additionally, amounts related to divested dealerships are excludedfrom each comparative period.

ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.SAME STORE OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (Continued)(Unaudited)

For the Three Months Increase % Ended December 31, (Decrease) Change 2020 2019

Unit sales

New vehicle:

Luxury 6,146 6,792 (646) (10) %

Import 14,287 14,932 (645) (4) %

Domestic 4,058 4,247 (189) (4) %

Total new vehicle 24,491 25,971 (1,480) (6) %

Used vehicle retail 18,551 20,346 (1,795) (9) %

Used to new ratio 75.7 % 78.3 % (260) bps

Average selling price

New vehicle $ 39,770 $ 37,565 $ 2,205 6 %

Used vehicle retail 24,381 22,127 2,254 10 %

Average gross profit per unit

New vehicle:

Luxury $ 4,637 $ 3,592 $ 1,045 29 %

Import 1,218 670 548 82 %

Domestic 3,080 1,719 1,361 79 %

Total new vehicle 2,385 1,606 779 49 %

Used vehicle retail 1,741 1,440 301 21 %

Finance and insurance, net 1,817 1,691 126 7 %

Front end yield (1) 3,924 3,223 701 22 %

Gross margin

New vehicle:

Luxury 8.0 % 6.5 % 150 bps

Import 4.0 % 2.3 % 170 bps

Domestic 6.8 % 4.2 % 260 bps

Total new vehicle 6.0 % 4.3 % 170 bps

Used vehicle retail 7.1 % 6.5 % 60 bps

Parts and service:

Parts and service, excluding reconditioning and preparation 47.8 % 47.8 % - bps

Parts and service, including reconditioning and preparation 61.4 % 61.8 % (40) bps

Total gross profit margin 16.6 % 16.0 % 60 bps

_____________________________

Same store amounts consist of information from dealerships for identical monthsin each comparative period, commencing with the first month we owned thedealership. Additionally, amounts related to divested dealerships are excludedfrom each comparative period.

(1) Front end yield is calculated as gross profit from new vehicles, usedretail vehicles and finance and insurance (net), divided by combined new andused retail unit sales.

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

For the Twelve Months Increase % Ended December 31, (Decrease) Change 2020 2019

REVENUE:

New vehicle $ 3,767.4 $ 3,863.3 $ (95.9) (2) %

Used vehicle:

Retail 1,930.0 1,941.3 (11.3) (1) %

Wholesale 239.5 190.3 49.2 26 %

Total used vehicle 2,169.5 2,131.6 37.9 2 %

Parts and service 889.8 899.4 (9.6) (1) %

Finance and insurance, net 305.1 316.0 (10.9) (3) %

TOTAL REVENUE 7,131.8 7,210.3 (78.5) (1) %

GROSS PROFIT:

New vehicle 218.5 159.5 59.0 37 %

Used vehicle:

Retail 145.3 133.1 12.2 9 %

Wholesale 11.3 1.0 10.3 NM

Total used vehicle 156.6 134.1 22.5 17 %

Parts and service 543.2 559.3 (16.1) (3) %

Finance and insurance, net 305.1 316.0 (10.9) (3) %

TOTAL GROSS PROFIT 1,223.4 1,168.9 54.5 5 %

OPERATING EXPENSES:

Selling, general and administrative 781.9 799.8 (17.9) (2) %

Depreciation and amortization 38.5 36.2 2.3 6 %

Franchise rights impairment 23.0 7.1 15.9 NM

Other operating expense, net 9.2 0.8 8.4 NM

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS 370.8 325.0 45.8 14 %

OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME):

Floor plan interest expense 17.7 37.9 (20.2) (53) %

Other interest expense, net 56.7 54.9 1.8 3 %

Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt, net 20.6 - 20.6 - %

Gain on dealership divestitures, net (62.3) (11.7) (50.6) NM

Total other expenses, net 32.7 81.1 (48.4) (60) %

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 338.1 243.9 94.2 39 %

Income tax expense 83.7 59.5 24.2 41 %

NET INCOME $ 254.4 $ 184.4 $ 70.0 38 %

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:

Basic-

Net income $ 13.25 $ 9.65 $ 3.60 37 %

Diluted-

Net income $ 13.18 $ 9.55 $ 3.63 38 %

WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:

Basic 19.2 19.1 0.1

Restricted stock - 0.1 (0.1)

Performance share units 0.1 0.1 -

Diluted 19.3 19.3 -

______________________________

NM-Not Meaningful

ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.KEY OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (In millions, except per unit data)(Unaudited)

For the Twelve Months Increase % Ended December 31, (Decrease) Change 2020 2019

Unit sales

New vehicle:

Luxury 25,259 23,988 1,271 5 %

Import 52,201 61,420 (9,219) (15) %

Domestic 17,705 19,835 (2,130) (11) %

Total new vehicle 95,165 105,243 (10,078) (10) %

Used vehicle retail 80,537 88,602 (8,065) (9) %

Used to new ratio 84.6 % 84.2 % 40 bps

Average selling price

New vehicle $ 39,588 $ 36,708 $ 2,880 8 %

Used vehicle retail 23,964 21,910 2,054 9 %

Average gross profit per unit

New vehicle:

Luxury $ 4,501 $ 3,473 $ 1,028 30 %

Import 1,144 685 459 67 %

Domestic 2,547 1,719 828 48 %

Total new vehicle 2,296 1,516 780 51 %

Used vehicle retail 1,804 1,502 302 20 %

Finance and insurance, net 1,736 1,630 106 7 %

Front end yield (1) 3,807 3,140 667 21 %

Gross margin

New vehicle:

Luxury 7.8 % 6.3 % 150 bps

Import 3.9 % 2.4 % 150 bps

Domestic 5.9 % 4.3 % 160 bps

Total new vehicle 5.8 % 4.1 % 170 bps

Used vehicle retail 7.5 % 6.9 % 60 bps

Parts and service 61.0 % 62.2 % (120) bps

Total gross profit margin 17.2 % 16.2 % 100 bps

SG&A metrics

Rent expense $ 32.2 $ 27.1 $ 5.1 19 %

SG&A as a percentage of gross profit 63.9 % 68.4 % (450) bps

SG&A, excluding rent expense as a percentage of gross profit 61.3 % 66.1 % (480) bps

Adjusted SG&A as a percentage of gross profit 63.8 % 68.4 % (460) bps

Operating metrics

Income from operations as a percentage of revenue 5.2 % 4.5 % 70 bps

Income from operations as a percentage of gross profit 30.3 % 27.8 % 250 bps

Adjusted income from operations as a percentage of revenue 5.7 % 4.6 % 110 bps

Adjusted income from operations as a percentage of gross profit 33.1 % 28.6 % 450 bps

Revenue mix

New vehicle 52.8 % 53.6 %

Used vehicle retail 27.0 % 26.9 %

Used vehicle wholesale 3.4 % 2.6 %

Parts and service 12.5 % 12.5 %

Finance and insurance 4.3 % 4.4 %

Total revenue 100.0 % 100.0 %

Gross profit mix

New vehicle 17.9 % 13.6 %

Used vehicle retail 11.9 % 11.5 %

Used vehicle wholesale 0.9 % 0.1 %

Parts and service 44.4 % 47.8 %

Finance and insurance 24.9 % 27.0 %

Total gross profit 100.0 % 100.0 %

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(1) Front end yield is calculated as gross profit from new vehicles, usedretail vehicles and finance and insurance (net), divided by combined new andused retail unit sales.

ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.SAME STORE OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (In millions)(Unaudited)

For the Twelve Months Increase % Ended December 31, (Decrease) Change 2020 2019

Revenue

New vehicle:

Luxury $ 1,126.3 $ 1,271.2 $ (144.9) (11) %

Import 1,472.7 1,602.5 (129.8) (8) %

Domestic 648.1 690.5 (42.4) (6) %

Total new vehicle 3,247.1 3,564.2 (317.1) (9) %

Used Vehicle:

Retail 1,685.8 1,772.4 (86.6) (5) %

Wholesale 190.7 175.5 15.2 9 %

Total used vehicle 1,876.5 1,947.9 (71.4) (4) %

Parts and service 775.4 840.0 (64.6) (8) %

Finance and insurance, net 279.4 292.3 (12.9) (4) %

Total revenue $ 6,178.4 $ 6,644.4 $ (466.0) (7) %

Gross profit

New vehicle:

Luxury $ 81.8 $ 80.1 $ 1.7 2 %

Import 56.3 39.1 17.2 44 %

Domestic 37.8 28.8 9.0 31 %

Total new vehicle 175.9 148.0 27.9 19 %

Used Vehicle:

Retail 127.4 124.1 3.3 3 %

Wholesale 9.1 1.6 7.5 NM

Total used vehicle 136.5 125.7 10.8 9 %

Parts and service:

Customer pay 269.5 298.7 (29.2) (10) %

Warranty 76.7 83.4 (6.7) (8) %

Wholesale parts 19.7 21.8 (2.1) (10) %

Parts and service, excluding reconditioning and preparation 365.9 403.9 (38.0) (9) %

Reconditioning and preparation 104.9 118.4 (13.5) (11) %

Total parts and service 470.8 522.3 (51.5) (10) %

Finance and insurance 279.4 292.3 (12.9) (4) %

Total gross profit $ 1,062.6 $ 1,088.3 $ (25.7) (2) %

SG&A expense $ 692.3 $ 746.9 $ (54.6) (7) %

SG&A expense as a percentage of gross profit 65.2 % 68.6 % (340) bps

_____________________________

Same store amounts consist of information from dealerships for identical monthsin each comparative period, commencing with the first month we owned thedealership. Additionally, amounts related to divested dealerships are excludedfrom each comparative period.

ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.SAME STORE OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (Continued)(Unaudited)

For the Twelve Months Increase % Ended December 31, (Decrease) Change 2020 2019

Unit sales

New vehicle:

Luxury 20,009 23,085 (3,076) (13) %

Import 49,744 56,707 (6,963) (12) %

Domestic 15,156 17,205 (2,049) (12) %

Total new vehicle 84,909 96,997 (12,088) (12) %

Used vehicle retail 72,468 80,717 (8,249) (10) %

Used to new ratio 85.3 % 83.2 % 210 bps

Average selling price

New vehicle $ 38,242 $ 36,745 $ 1,497 4 %

Used vehicle retail 23,263 21,958 1,305 6 %

Average gross profit per unit

New vehicle:

Luxury $ 4,088 $ 3,470 $ 618 18 %

Import 1,132 690 442 64 %

Domestic 2,494 1,674 820 49 %

Total new vehicle 2,072 1,526 546 36 %

Used vehicle retail 1,758 1,537 221 14 %

Finance and insurance, net 1,775 1,645 130 8 %

Front end yield (1) 3,703 3,176 527 17 %

Gross margin

New vehicle:

Luxury 7.3 % 6.3 % 100 bps

Import 3.8 % 2.4 % 140 bps

Domestic 5.8 % 4.2 % 160 bps

Total new vehicle 5.4 % 4.2 % 120 bps

Used vehicle retail 7.6 % 7.0 % 60 bps

Parts and service:

Parts and service, excluding reconditioning and preparation 47.2 % 48.1 % (90) bps

Parts and service, including reconditioning and preparation 60.7 % 62.2 % (150) bps

Total gross profit margin 17.2 % 16.4 % 80 bps

_____________________________

Same store amounts consist of information from dealerships for identical monthsin each comparative period, commencing with the first month we owned thedealership. Additionally, amounts related to divested dealerships are excludedfrom each comparative period.

(1) Front end yield is calculated as gross profit from new vehicles, usedretail vehicles and finance and insurance (net), divided by combined new andused retail unit sales.

ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.Additional Disclosures (In millions)(Unaudited)

December 31, December 31, Increase 2020 2019 % Change (Decrease)

SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA

Cash and cash equivalents $ 1.4 $ 3.5 $ (2.1) (60) %

New vehicle inventory (a) 640.0 802.6 (162.6) (20) %

Used vehicle inventory (b) 188.5 140.1 48.4 35 %

Parts inventory (c) 46.7 42.3 4.4 10 %

Total current assets 1,405.7 1,602.6 (196.9) (12) %

Floor plan notes payable (d) 702.2 788.0 (85.8) (11) %

Total current liabilities 1,223.4 1,247.0 (23.6) (2) %

CAPITALIZATION:

Long-term debt (including current portion) (e) $ 1,201.8 $ 939.4 $ 262.4 28 %

Shareholders' equity 905.5 646.3 259.2 40 %

Total $ 2,107.3 $ 1,585.7 $ 521.6 33 %

_____________________________

(a) Excluding $56.3 million of new vehicle inventory classified as Assets heldfor sale as of December 31, 2019

(b) Excluding $8.6 million of used vehicle inventory classified as Assets heldfor sale as of December 31, 2019

(c) Excluding $2.8 million of parts inventory classified as Assets held forsale as of December 31, 2019

(d) Excluding $62.8 million of Floor plan notes payable classified asLiabilities associated with assets held for sale as of December 31, 2019

(e) Excluding $8.9 million and $28.1 million of Long-term debt classified asLiabilities associated with assets held for sale as of December 31, 2020 andDecember 31, 2019, respectively

December 31, 2020September 30, 2020December 31, 2019

DAYS SUPPLY

New vehicle inventory 40 47 66

Used vehicle inventory31 35 29

_____________________________

Days supply of inventory is calculated based on new and used inventory levelsat the end of each reporting period and a 30-day historical cost of sales.

Brand Mix - New Vehicle Revenue by Brand-

For the Twelve Months Ended December 31,

2020 2019

Luxury:

Mercedes-Benz 10 % 7 %

Lexus 9 % 7 %

BMW 6 % 6 %

Acura 4 % 4 %

Infiniti 2 % 3 %

Other luxury 8 % 7 %

Total luxury 39 % 34 %

Imports:

Honda 16 % 18 %

Toyota 12 % 13 %

Nissan 5 % 8 %

Other imports 8 % 6 %

Total imports 41 % 45 %

Domestic:

Ford 8 % 9 %

Chevrolet 5 % 6 %

Dodge 4 % 3 %

Other domestics 3 % 3 %

Total domestic 20 % 21 %

Total New Vehicle Revenue 100 % 100 %

ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP INC. Supplemental Disclosures (Unaudited)

Non-GAAP Financial Disclosure and Reconciliation

In addition to evaluating the financial condition and results of our operations in accordance with GAAP, from time to time management evaluates and analyzes results and any impact on the Company of strategic decisions and actions relating to, among other things, cost reduction, growth, and profitability improvement initiatives, and other events outside of normal, or "core," business and operations, by considering certain alternative financial measures not prepared in accordance with GAAP. These measures include "Pro forma adjusted leverage ratio," "Adjusted income from operations," "Adjusted net income," " Adjusted operating margins," and "Adjusted diluted earnings per share ("EPS")." Further, management assesses the organic growth of our revenue and gross profit on a same store basis. We believe that our assessment on a same store basis represents an important indicator of comparative financial performance and provides relevant information to assess our performance at our existing locations. Same store amounts consist of information from dealerships for identical months in each comparative period, commencing with the first month we owned the dealership. Additionally, amounts related to divested dealerships are excluded from each comparative period. Non-GAAP measures do not have definitions under GAAP and may be defined differently by and not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. As a result, any non-GAAP financial measures considered and evaluated by management are reviewed in conjunction with a review of the most directly comparable measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Management cautions investors not to place undue reliance on such non-GAAP measures, but also to consider them with the most directly comparable GAAP measures. In their evaluation of results from time to time, management excludes items that do not arise directly from core operations, or are otherwise of an unusual or non-recurring nature. Because these non-core, unusual or non-recurring charges and gains materially affect Asbury's financial condition or results in the specific period in which they are recognized, management also evaluates, and makes resource allocation and performance evaluation decisions based on, the related non-GAAP measures excluding such items. In addition to using such non-GAAP measures to evaluate results in a specific period, management believes that such measures may provide more complete and consistent comparisons of operational performance on a period-over-period historical basis and a better indication of expected future trends. Management discloses these non-GAAP measures, and the related reconciliations, because it believes investors use these metrics in evaluating longer-term period-over-period performance, and to allow investors to better understand and evaluate the information used by management to assess operating performance.

The following tables provide reconciliations for our non-GAAP metrics:

For the Twelve Months Ended

December 31, 2020September 30, 2020

(Dollars in millions)

Adjusted leverage ratio:

Long-term debt (including current portion) $ 1,201.8 $1,223.8

Debt included in Liabilities held for sale 8.9 16.6

Cash and floor plan offset (86.8) (43.9)

Availability under our used vehicle revolving floor plan facility (137.8) (103.7)

Adjusted long-term net debt $ 986.1 $1,092.8



Calculation of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"):

Net Income $ 254.4 $208.9



Depreciation and amortization 38.5 38.5

Income tax expense 83.7 66.7

Swap and other interest expense 57.6 56.3

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization $ 434.2 $370.4 ("EBITDA")



Non-core items - expense (income):

Gain on dealership divestitures $ (62.3) $(58.4)

Legal settlements (2.1) (2.7)

Gain on sale of real estate (0.3) (0.3)

Franchise rights impairment 23.0 30.1

Real estate-related charges 0.7 1.3

Park Place related costs 12.9 12.9

Loss on debt extinguishment 20.7 20.7

Total non-core items (7.4) 3.6



Adjusted EBITDA $ 426.8 $374.0



Pro forma impact of acquisitions and divestitures on EBITDA $ 53.1 $77.5

Pro forma Adjusted EBITDA $ 479.9 $451.5



Pro forma Adjusted net leverage ratio 2.1 2.4





For the Three Months Ended December 31,

2020 2019

(In millions, except per share data)

Adjusted income from operations:

Income from operations $ 134.5 $79.1

Franchise rights impairment - 7.1

Legal settlements - (0.6)

Real estate-related charges - 0.6

Adjusted income from operations $ 134.5 $86.2





Adjusted net income:

Net income $ 89.1 $43.6



Non-core items - (income) expense:

Franchise rights impairment - 7.1

Gain on dealership divestiture (3.9) -

Legal settlements - (0.6)

Real estate-related charges - 0.6

Income tax effect on non-core items above 1.0 (1.8)

Total non-core items (2.9) 5.3

Adjusted net income $ 86.2 $48.9



Adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS):

Diluted EPS $ 4.59 $2.26



Total non-core items (0.15) 0.27

Adjusted diluted EPS $ 4.44 $2.53



Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted 19.4 19.3





For the Twelve Months Ended December 31,

2020 2019

(In millions, except per share data)

Adjusted income from operations:

Income from operations $ 370.8 $325.0

Legal settlements (2.1) (0.6)

Gain on sale of real estate (0.3) (0.3)

Real estate-related charges 0.7 0.6

Park Place related costs 11.6 -

Park Place acquisition costs 1.3 -

Franchise rights impairment 23.0 7.1

Fixed assets write-off - 2.4

Adjusted income from operations $ 405.0 $334.2



Adjusted net income:

Net income $ 254.4 $184.4



Non-core items - (income) expense:

Gain on dealership divestitures (62.3) (11.7)

Legal settlements (2.1) (0.6)

Gain on sale of real estate (0.3) (0.3)

Real estate-related charges 0.7 0.6

Park Place related costs 11.6 -

Park Place acquisition costs 1.3 -

Loss on extinguishment of debt 20.7 -

Franchise rights impairment 23.0 7.1

Fixed assets write-off - 2.4

Income tax effect on non-core items above 1.9 0.6

Total non-core items (5.5) (1.9)

Adjusted net income $ 248.9 $182.5



Adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS):

Diluted EPS $ 13.18 $9.55



Total non-core items (0.28) (0.09)

Adjusted diluted EPS $ 12.90 $9.46



Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted 19.3 19.3



Adjusted Selling, general, and administrative expense:

Selling, general, and administrative expense $ 781.9 $799.8

Park Place related acquisition costs (1.3) -

Adjusted Selling, general, and administrative expense: $ 780.6 $799.8

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SOURCE Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.