HOUSTON, July 26, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: GPI), ("Group 1" or the "Company"), an international, Fortune 500 automotive retailer, today reported 2018 second quarter net income of $56.5 million, diluted earnings per common share of $2.72, adjusted net income (a non-GAAP measure) of $50.8 million, and adjusted diluted earnings per common share (a non-GAAP measure) of $2.45.

Second quarter 2018 adjusted net income and diluted earnings per share exclude approximately $5.7 million net after-tax adjustments, or $0.27 per common share. These adjustments consisted of a net gain on real estate and dealership transactions, which was approximately $15.2 million, or $0.73 per common share, partially offset by the impact of catastrophic events of $4.4 million, or $0.21 per common share; non-cash asset impairments of $3.2 million, or $0.15 per common share; and legal settlements of approximately $2.0 million, or $0.10 per common share.

"We delivered a solid quarter, reflecting a relatively strong U.S. vehicle market in June, favorable overall performance in the U.K., a corporate-wide focus on our used vehicle business, and a major cost reduction initiative in both the U.S. and the U.K. early this year that began to pay dividends this quarter," said Earl J. Hesterberg, Group 1's president and chief executive officer. "These results demonstrate our ability to grow earnings in a flat retail sales environment. In addition, during the quarter, the Company has launched a renewed focus on capital deployment, with an emphasis on actions, such as disposal of underperforming assets, more stringent control of capital expenditures, and enhanced share repurchases, targeted at delivering improved shareholder value. Actions taken this quarter include the disposal of a large underperforming dealership and a stepped-up pace of share repurchases."

Consolidated Results for Second Quarter 2018 (year-over-year comparable basis)
For ease of comparison, we have included constant currency metrics (a non-GAAP measure) both below (shown in parenthesis) and in the financial tables that follow:

• Total revenue grew 10.2 percent (9.2 percent) to $2.9 billion.
• Total gross profit grew 8.2 percent (7.5 percent), to $438.2 million.
• New vehicle revenues increased 7.4 percent (6.6 percent) on 6.3 percent higher unit sales. New vehicle gross profit improved 2.2 percent (1.8 percent), to $76.6 million.
• Retail used vehicle revenues increased 19.8 percent (18.4 percent) on 18.8 percent higher unit sales. Retail used vehicle gross profit increased 14.0 percent (12.7 percent), to $51.2 million. Total used vehicle gross profit was up 15.3 percent (14.1 percent), to $51.5 million. In the U.S., the Val-u-Line initiative the Company launched last quarter has continued to build momentum, with Same Store used retail unit sales increasing 11 percent, and Val-u-Line units growing to 10 percent of the mix.
• Parts and service gross profit increased 9.1 percent (8.3 percent) on revenue growth of 8.0 percent (7.4 percent). Same Store parts and service gross profit increased 3.2 percent (2.7 percent) on Same Store parts and service revenue growth of 2.4 percent (2.0 percent).
• Finance and Insurance (F&I) gross profit per retail unit (PRU) decreased 3.4 percent (decreased 3.9 percent), to $1,412 and total F&I gross profit increased $8.6 million, or 8.1 percent (7.5 percent).
• Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) expenses as a percent of gross profit improved 340 basis points, to 70.3 percent. Adjusted Same Store SG&A as a percent of gross profit improved 110 basis points, to 72.3 percent, reflecting strong improvements in all three of our markets.
• Provision for income taxes declined 17.0 percent, to $18.7 million, or to approximately 24.9 percent of income before income taxes, primarily reflecting the impact of the U.S. Tax Reform Bill that reduced the U.S. corporate income tax rate.

Segment Results for Second Quarter 2018 (year-over-year comparable basis)

• United States:
  
  The Company's U.S. operations accounted for 73.7 percent of total revenues and 80.0 percent of total gross profit. Total U.S. revenues were $2.2 billion, an increase of 2.1 percent, driven by increases in used retail (up 10.4 percent), F&I revenue (up 3.1 percent), and parts and service (up 2.2 percent). F&I gross profit PRU decreased $33, or 2.0 percent per unit, to $1,655; and total gross profit grew 3.0 percent, to $350.7 million.
  
  "We were pleased with our used car performance and cost control in the U.S. in the second quarter. Same Store used vehicle retail unit sales were up 11 percent and total used vehicle gross profit increased six percent. Total Same Store gross profit increased one percent, which when coupled with strong cost control, evidenced by adjusted SG&A leverage of 110 basis points, drove improved bottom-line results. Same Store adjusted operating income increased five percent and adjusted operating margin improved 20 basis points to 4.2 percent," said Daryl Kenningham, Group 1's president of U.S. operations.
  
  New vehicle retail gross profit PRU was roughly flat with a slight increase of $4, to $1,855. Total used vehicle gross profit PRU increased $69, to $1,128, reflecting the impact of the used vehicle initiatives we launched last quarter, which drove a shift of over 2,000 units from low-margin wholesale to higher margin retail sales.
  
  SG&A expenses as a percent of gross profit improved 480 basis points, to 66.8 percent; and operating margin increased 60 basis points, to 4.6 percent. Adjusted SG&A expenses as a percent of gross profit improved 110 basis points, to 70.3 percent.

• United Kingdom
  
  The Company's U.K. operations accounted for 22.7 percent of total revenues and 17.1 percent of total gross profit. Total U.K. revenues increased 52.6 percent (43.6 percent), to $666.9 million, driven by double-digit revenue growth across each business segment. Same Store U.K. revenues grew 13.6 percent (6.9 percent), to $493.1 million, and new vehicle units sold increased 7.2 percent, despite the industry growing only 2.4 percent. Total gross profit increased 46.9 percent (38.3 percent), to $74.8 million, with Same Store gross profit increasing 12.6 percent (6.1 percent), to $57.1 million. This growth was driven by strong improvements of 16.8 percent (10 percent) in Same Store parts and service gross profit, as well as double-digit growth in F&I and used retail gross.
  
  SG&A expenses as a percent of gross profit improved 20 basis points, to 83.2 percent; and operating margin decreased 10 basis points, to 1.4 percent. Adjusted Same Store SG&A expenses as a percent of gross profit improved 140 basis points, to 81.1 percent; and Same Store operating margin increased 10 basis points, to 1.7 percent.

• Brazil:
  
  The Company's Brazilian operations were approximately breakeven during the second quarter and accounted for 3.6 percent of total revenues and 2.9 percent of total gross profit as a trucking strike in May negatively impacted results. The Company's Same Store new vehicle revenue grew 1.7 percent on a constant currency basis, with units down 5.4 percent. On a Same Store constant currency basis, total revenues grew 5.0 percent, driven by revenue growth of the aforementioned 1.7 percent in new vehicles, 16.5 percent in total used vehicles, 2.7 percent in parts & service, and 5.1 percent in F&I.
  
  SG&A expenses as a percent of gross profit increased 10 basis points, to 91.1 percent. Adjusted Same Store SG&A expenses as a percent of gross profit decreased 280 basis points, to 86.6 percent.

Share Repurchase Authorization

During the second quarter of 2018, the Company repurchased 610,752 shares at an average price per common share of $68.90, for a total of $42.1 million. In July 2018, the Company repurchased an additional 367,773 shares at an average price per common share of $67.98, for a total of $25.0 million. Year-to-date through July 25, 2018, the Company has repurchased 1,114,130 shares at an average price per common share of $68.46, for a total of $76.3 million. These repurchases represent approximately 5.5 percent of the Company's share float at the beginning of the year. As of July 25, 2018, the Company has $73.4 million remaining on its Board authorized common stock share repurchase program.

Future repurchases may be made from time to time, based on market conditions, legal requirements and other corporate considerations, in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, and subject to Board approval and covenant restrictions.

Corporate Development

As previously announced, the Company acquired Toyota Alpha Trevo Automóveis Ltda in western São Paulo, Brazil in April 2018, which will operate as T-Drive Toyota Alphaville, and is expected to generate approximately $45 million in annualized revenues. This acquisition provides the opportunity to both increase scale in a growing market and further expand the Company's Toyota presence with additional open points to be announced at a future date. Additionally, the Company is pleased to announce the relocation of Honda São Bernardo do Campo to a new facility. The facility is owned by the Company and will enable significant uplift in new, used and aftersales business.

In June 2018, the Company disposed of 3 franchises, which included a BMW franchise in Kentish Town in the U.K., as well as a Mercedes-Benz franchise and Sprinter franchise in Escondido, California. These three stores generated approximately $115 million in trailing-twelve-month revenues.

Year-to-date 2018, the Company has acquired a total of 12 franchises, which are expected to generate an estimated $405 million in annual revenues; and the Company has disposed of three aforementioned franchises.

Second Quarter 2018 Earnings Conference Call Details

Group 1's senior management will host a conference call today at 10 a.m. ET to discuss the second quarter financial results and the Company's outlook and strategy.

The conference call will be simulcast live on the Internet at www.group1auto.com, then click on 'Investor Relations' and then 'Events' or through this link: http://www.group1corp.com/events. A webcast replay will be available for 30 days.

The conference call will also be available live by dialing in 15 minutes prior to the start of the call at:

A telephonic replay will be available following the call through August 2, 2018 by dialing:

ABOUT GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
Group 1 owns and operates 180 automotive dealerships, 236 franchises, and 48 collision centers in the United States, the United Kingdom and Brazil that offer 32 brands of automobiles. Through its dealerships, the Company sells new and used cars and light trucks; arranges related vehicle financing; sells service contracts; provides automotive maintenance and repair services; and sells vehicle parts.

Investors please visit www.group1corp.com, www.group1auto.com, www.group1collision.com, www.facebook.com/group1auto, and www.twitter.com/group1auto, where Group 1 discloses additional information about the Company, its business, and its results of operations.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are statements related to future, not past, events and are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. In this context, the forward-looking statements often include statements regarding our goals, plans, projections and guidance regarding our financial position, results of operations, market position, pending and potential future acquisitions and business strategy, and often contain words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "should," "foresee," "may" or "will" and similar expressions. While management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we anticipate. Any such forward-looking statements are not assurances of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, (a) general economic and business conditions, (b) the level of manufacturer incentives, (c) the future regulatory environment, (d) our ability to obtain an inventory of desirable new and used vehicles, (e) our relationship with our automobile manufacturers and the willingness of manufacturers to approve future acquisitions, (f) our cost of financing and the availability of credit for consumers, (g) our ability to complete acquisitions and dispositions and the risks associated therewith, (h) foreign exchange controls and currency fluctuations, and (i) our ability to retain key personnel. For additional information regarding known material factors that could cause our actual results to differ from our projected results, please see our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
In addition to evaluating the financial condition and results of our operations in accordance with GAAP, from time to time our 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 alternative financial measures not prepared in accordance with GAAP. This includes evaluating measures such as adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share. These adjusted measures are not measures of financial performance under U.S. GAAP, but are instead considered non-GAAP financial performance measures. 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. We caution investors not to place undue reliance on such non-GAAP measures, but also to consider them with the most directly comparable GAAP measures. In our evaluation of results from time to time, we exclude items that do not arise directly from core operations, such as non-cash asset impairment charges, gains and losses on dealership franchise or real estate transactions, and catastrophic weather events such as hail storms, hurricanes, and snow storms. Because these non-core charges and gains materially affect the Company'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. Our management also uses these adjusted measures in conjunction with U.S. GAAP financial measures to assess our business, including communication with our Board of Directors, investors and industry analysts concerning financial performance. We disclose these non-GAAP measures, and the related reconciliations, because we believe 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 exclusion of certain expenses in the calculation of non-GAAP financial measures should not be construed as an inference that these costs are unusual or infrequent. We anticipate excluding these expenses in the future presentation of our non-GAAP financial measures.

In addition, we evaluate our results of operations on both an as reported and a constant currency basis. The constant currency presentation, which is a non-GAAP measure, excludes the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. We believe providing constant currency information provides valuable supplemental information regarding our underlying business and results of operations, consistent with how we evaluate our performance. We calculate constant currency percentages by converting our current period reported results for entities reporting in currencies other than United States dollars using comparative period exchange rates rather than the actual exchange rates in effect during the respective periods. The constant currency performance measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, the measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Investor contacts:
Sheila Roth
Manager, Investor Relations
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
713-647-5741 | sroth@group1auto.com

Media contacts:
Pete DeLongchamps
Senior Vice President, Manufacturer Relations, Financial Services and Public Affairs
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
713-647-5770 | pdelongchamps@group1auto.com
or
Clint Woods
Pierpont Communications, Inc.
713-627-2223 | cwoods@piercom.com