Lithia & Driveway (LAD) Reports Record First Quarter Revenue of $8.6 billion, 23% Increase
Announces Dividend of $0.53 per Share for First Quarter
MEDFORD, Ore., April 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lithia & Driveway (NYSE: LAD) today reported the highest first quarter revenue in company history.
First quarter 2024 revenue increased 23% to $8.6 billion from $7.0 billion in the first quarter of 2023.
First quarter 2024 net income attributable to LAD per diluted share was $5.89, a 29% decrease from $8.30 per diluted share reported in the first quarter of 2023. Adjusted first quarter 2024 net income attributable to LAD per diluted share was $6.11, a 28% decrease compared to $8.44 per diluted share in the same period of 2023. Unrealized foreign currency losses negatively impacted earnings per share by $0.15.
First quarter 2024 net income was $165 million, a 28% decrease compared to net income of $230 million in the same period of 2023. Adjusted first quarter 2024 net income was $171 million, a 27% decrease compared to adjusted net income of $233 million for the same period of 2023.
As shown in the attached non-GAAP reconciliation tables, the 2024 first quarter adjusted results exclude a $0.22 per diluted share impact resulting from non-core items, specifically acquisition expenses. The 2023 first quarter adjusted results exclude a $0.14 per diluted share impact resulting from non-core items, including one-time contract buyouts, acquisition expenses, investment loss, and insurance reserves, partially offset by a net gain on the sale of stores.
First Quarter-Over-Quarter Comparisons and First Quarter 2024 Performance Highlights:
Total revenues increased 23%
New vehicle same store units grew by 3.6 %
Total vehicle gross profit per unit of $4,346, down $1,239
GreenCars monthly unique visitors (MUVs) increased by 71%
Driveway Finance Corporation (DFC) originated approximately $493 million in loans
Service, body, and parts revenues increased 24%
Driveway and GreenCars burn-rate has been cut in half
"In the first quarter, our teams responded as the industry continued to normalize inventories and profitability. We are committed to driving improvements across our business," said Bryan DeBoer, President and CEO. "Our model is diversified with our adjacencies maturing and on a path to profitability, as we continue to deliver the best experience for our customers. Responding to market conditions, we are rebalancing our capital allocation from acquisitions toward returns to our shareholders, with the long-term target of delivering $2 in EPS per billion in revenues."
Corporate Development During the first quarter, LAD completed the acquisition of Pendragon PLC's Fleet Management and UK Motor Divisions in the United Kingdom and grew in the North Central region with the purchase of the Carousel Motor Group. Year-to-date, we have acquired over $5.4 billion in annualized revenues.
Balance Sheet Update LAD ended the first quarter with approximately $1.3 billion in cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, and availability on our revolving lines of credit. In addition, unfinanced real estate could provide additional liquidity of approximately $0.3 billion.
Dividend Payment and Share Repurchases The Board of Directors approved a dividend of $0.53 per share related to first quarter 2024 financial results. The dividend is expected to be paid on May 24, 2024 to shareholders of record on May 10, 2024.
During April 2024, we repurchased approximately 58,000 shares at a weighted average price of $264.42. Under the current share repurchase authorization approximately $451.7 million remains available.
First Quarter Earnings Conference Call and Updated Presentation The first quarter 2024 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 2024 results has been added to our investor relations website. To listen live on our website or for replay, visit investors.lithiadriveway.com and click on quarterly earnings.
About Lithia & Driveway (LAD) Lithia & Driveway (NYSE: LAD) is one of the largest global automotive retailers providing a wide array of products and services throughout the vehicle ownership lifecycle. Simple, convenient, and transparent experiences are offered through our comprehensive network of physical locations, e-commerce platforms, captive finance solutions and other synergistic adjacencies. We deliver consistent, profitable growth in a massive and unconsolidated industry. Our highly diversified and competitively differentiated design provides us the flexibility and scale to pursue our vision to modernize personal transportation solutions wherever, whenever and however consumers desire.
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:
Future market conditions, including anticipated car and other sales levels and the supply of inventory
Our business strategy and plans, including our achieving our long-term EPS target
The growth, expansion, make-up and success of our network, including our finding accretive acquisitions and acquiring additional stores
Annualized revenues from acquired stores
The growth and performance of our Driveway e-commerce home solution and Driveway Finance Corporation (DFC), their synergies and other impacts on our business and our ability to meet Driveway and DFC-related targets
The impact of sustainable vehicles and other market and regulatory changes on our business
Our capital allocations and uses and levels of capital expenditures in the future
Expected operating results, such as improved store performance, continued improvement of selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of gross profit and any projections
Our anticipated financial condition and liquidity, including from our cash and the future availability of our credit facilities, unfinanced real estate and other financing sources
Our continuing to purchase shares under our share repurchase program
Our compliance with financial and restrictive covenants in our credit facilities and other debt agreements
Our programs and initiatives for employee recruitment, training, and retention
Our strategies and targets for customer retention, growth, market position, operations, financial results and risk management
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:
Future national and local economic and financial conditions, including as a result of regional or global public health issues, inflation and governmental programs, and spending
The market for dealerships, including the availability of stores to us for an acceptable price
Changes in customer demand, our relationship with, and the financial and operational stability of, OEMs and other suppliers
Changes in the competitive landscape, including through technology and our ability to deliver new products, services and customer experiences and a portfolio of in-demand and available vehicles
Risks associated with our indebtedness, including available borrowing capacity, interest rates, compliance with financial covenants and ability to refinance or repay indebtedness on favorable terms
The adequacy of our cash flows and other conditions which may affect our ability to fund capital expenditures, obtain favorable financing and pay our quarterly dividend at planned levels
Disruptions to our technology network including computer systems, as well as natural events such as severe weather or man-made or other disruptions of our operating systems, facilities or equipment
Government regulations and legislation
The risks set forth throughout "Part II, Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and in "Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors" of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in "Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors" of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and from time to time in our other filings with the SEC.
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.
LAD Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (In millions except per share data)
Three months ended March 31,
%
Increase
2024
2023
(Decrease)
Revenues:
New vehicle retail
$ 4,014.1
$ 3,278.9
22.4 %
Used vehicle retail
2,800.8
2,227.5
25.7
Used vehicle wholesale
332.2
356.7
(6.9)
Finance and insurance
340.6
318.3
7.0
Service, body and parts
912.8
736.3
24.0
Fleet and other
155.9
56.1
177.9
Total revenues
8,556.4
6,973.8
22.7 %
Cost of sales:
New vehicle retail
3,718.8
2,945.1
26.3
Used vehicle retail
2,598.6
2,061.8
26.0
Used vehicle wholesale
352.8
359.5
(1.9)
Service, body and parts
410.8
341.9
20.2
Fleet and other
140.2
54.0
159.6
Total cost of sales
7,221.2
5,762.3
25.3
Gross profit
1,335.2
1,211.5
10.2 %
Financing operations loss
(1.7)
(20.8)
(91.8) %
SG&A expense
934.3
764.4
22.2
Depreciation and amortization
57.8
47.3
22.2
Income from operations
341.4
379.0
(9.9) %
Floor plan interest expense
(60.7)
(27.7)
119.1
Other interest expense
(63.6)
(39.0)
63.1
Other income (expense), net
3.5
2.0
NM
Income before income taxes
220.6
314.3
(29.8) %
Income tax expense
(55.6)
(84.7)
(34.4)
Income tax rate
25.2 %
26.9 %
Net income
$ 165.0
$ 229.6
(28.1) %
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests
(1.5)
(0.7)
114.3 %
Net income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interest
(0.9)
(0.2)
350.0 %
Net income attributable to LAD
$ 162.6
$ 228.7
(28.9) %
Diluted earnings per share attributable to LAD:
Net income per share
$ 5.89
$ 8.30
(29.0) %
Diluted shares outstanding
27.6
27.5
0.4 %
NM - not meaningful
LAD Key Performance Metrics (Unaudited)
Three months ended March 31,
%
Increase
2024
2023
(Decrease)
Gross margin
New vehicle retail
7.4 %
10.2 %
(280) bps
Used vehicle retail
7.2
7.4
(20)
Finance and insurance
100.0
100.0
-
Service, body and parts
55.0
53.6
140
Gross profit margin
15.6
17.4
(180)
Unit sales
New vehicle retail
85,683
67,796
26.4 %
Used vehicle retail
102,436
78,142
31.1
Average selling price
New vehicle retail
$46,848
$48,364
(3.1) %
Used vehicle retail
27,342
28,506
(4.1)
Average gross profit per unit
New vehicle retail
$ 3,447
$ 4,924
(30.0) %
Used vehicle retail
1,974
2,120
(6.9)
Finance and insurance
1,811
2,181
(17.0)
Total vehicle(1)
4,346
5,585
(22.2)
Revenue mix
New vehicle retail
46.9 %
47.0 %
Used vehicle retail
32.7
31.9
Used vehicle wholesale
3.9
5.1
Finance and insurance, net
4.0
4.6
Service, body and parts
10.7
10.6
Fleet and other
1.8
0.8
Gross Profit Mix
New vehicle retail
22.1 %
27.6 %
Used vehicle retail
15.1
13.7
Used vehicle wholesale
(1.5)
(0.2)
Finance and insurance, net
25.5
26.3
Service, body and parts
37.6
32.4
Fleet and other
1.2
0.2
Adjusted
As reported
Three months ended March 31,
Three months ended March 31,
Other metrics
2024
2023
2024
2023
SG&A as a % of revenue
10.8 %
10.9 %
10.9 %
11.0 %
SG&A as a % of gross profit
69.4
62.7
70.0
63.1
Operating profit as a % of revenue
4.1
5.5
4.0
5.4
Operating profit as a % of gross profit
26.1
31.6
25.6
31.3
Pretax margin
2.7
4.6
2.6
4.5
Net profit margin
2.0
3.3
1.9
3.3
(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
LAD Same Store Operating Highlights (Unaudited)
Three months ended March 31,
%
Increase
2024
2023
(Decrease)
Revenues
New vehicle retail
$ 3,261.0
$ 3,188.7
2.3 %
Used vehicle retail
2,039.6
2,148.0
(5.0)
Finance and insurance
297.7
312.7
(4.8)
Service, body and parts
740.2
717.5
3.2
Total revenues
6,639.8
6,771.1
(1.9)
Gross profit
New vehicle retail
$ 235.7
$ 323.5
(27.1) %
Used vehicle retail
152.6
160.6
(5.0)
Finance and insurance
297.7
312.7
(4.8)
Service, body and parts
409.7
384.4
6.6
Total gross profit
1,094.8
1,180.3
(7.2)
Gross margin
New vehicle retail
7.2 %
10.1 %
(290) bps
Used vehicle retail
7.5
7.5
-
Finance and insurance
100.0
100.0
-
Service, body and parts
55.4
53.6
180
Gross profit margin
16.5
17.4
(90)
Unit sales
New vehicle retail
68,373
65,980
3.6 %
Used vehicle retail
74,710
75,928
(1.6)
Average selling price
New vehicle retail
$ 47,695
$ 48,328
(1.3) %
Used vehicle retail
27,300
28,290
(3.5)
Average gross profit per unit
New vehicle retail
$ 3,448
$ 4,903
(29.7) %
Used vehicle retail
2,043
2,116
(3.4)
Finance and insurance
2,080
2,204
(5.6)
Total vehicle(1)
4,760
5,594
(14.9)
(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
LAD Other Highlights (Unaudited)
Three months ended March 31,
2024
Key Performance by Country
Total Revenue
Total Gross Profit
United States
79.0 %
84.5 %
United Kingdom
18.2 %
13.0 %
Canada
2.8 %
2.5 %
As of
March 31,
December 31,
March 31,
2024
2023
2023
Days Supply(1)
New vehicle inventory
60
65
51
Used vehicle inventory
58
64
53
(1) Days supply calculated based on current inventory levels, including in-transit vehicles, and a 30-day historical cost of sales level.
Selected Financing Operations Financial Information
Three months ended March 31,
($ in millions)
2024
% (1)
2023
% (1)
Interest margin:
Interest and fee income
$ 77.3
9.0
$ 49.3
8.1
Interest expense
(47.8)
(5.6)
(37.5)
(6.2)
Total interest margin
$ 29.5
3.5
$ 11.8
1.9
Lease income
22.4
4.6
Depreciation and amortization
(18.0)
(2.3)
Lease income, net
4.4
2.3
Selling, general and administrative
(10.6)
(8.6)
Provision expense
(25.0)
(2.9)
(26.3)
(4.3)
Financing operations loss
$ (1.7)
$ (20.8)
Total average managed finance receivables
$ 3,436.6
$ 2,461.9
Ending funded managed receivables
$ 3,106.3
$ 2,247.9
% of ending managed receivables
88.1 %
84.3 %
(1) Annualized percentage of total average managed finance receivables
LAD Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (In millions)
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Cash, restricted cash, and cash equivalents
$ 404.6
$ 941.4
Trade receivables, net
1,249.3
1,123.1
Inventories, net
5,861.9
4,753.9
Other current assets
217.4
136.8
Total current assets
$ 7,733.2
$ 6,955.2
Property and equipment, net
4,502.0
3,981.4
Finance receivables, net
3,412.5
3,242.3
Intangibles
4,619.7
4,332.8
Other non-current assets
1,912.6
1,120.8
Total assets
$ 22,180.0
$ 19,632.5
Floor plan notes payable
4,962.0
3,635.5
Other current liabilities
1,629.5
1,296.7
Total current liabilities
$ 6,591.5
$ 4,932.2
Long-term debt, less current maturities
5,662.4
5,483.7
Non-recourse notes payable, less current maturities
1,803.9
1,671.7
Other long-term liabilities and deferred revenue
1,700.6
1,262.0
Total liabilities
$ 15,758.4
$ 13,349.6
Redeemable non-controlling interest and equity
6,421.6
6,282.9
Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interest, and equity
$ 22,180.0
$ 19,632.5
LAD Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (In millions)
Three months ended March 31,
Cash flows from operating activities:
2024
2023
Net income
$ 165.0
$ 229.6
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities
127.0
82.3
Changes in:
Inventories
(183.3)
(56.9)
Finance receivables, net
(173.8)
(397.0)
Floor plan notes payable, net
327.7
38.9
Other operating activities
29.8
54.1
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
292.4
(49.0)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures
(79.6)
(38.9)
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired
(1,074.4)
(387.4)
Proceeds from sales of stores
6.4
22.7
Other investing activities
(118.3)
(10.3)
Net cash used in investing activities
(1,265.9)
(413.9)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net borrowings on floor plan notes payable, non-trade
156.1
187.6
Net borrowings non-recourse notes payable
125.9
403.2
Net borrowings (repayments) of other debt and finance lease liabilities
201.8
(42.1)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
5.7
6.1
Repurchase of common stock
(15.0)
(14.4)
Dividends paid
(13.8)
(11.5)
Other financing activity
(15.7)
(19.0)
Net cash provided by financing activities
445.0
509.9
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and restricted cash
(3.0)
6.2
Change in cash, restricted cash, and cash equivalents
(531.5)
53.2
Cash, restricted cash, and cash equivalents at beginning of period
972.0
271.5
Cash, restricted cash, and cash equivalents at end of period
440.5
324.7
LAD Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Cash Flow from Operations (Unaudited) (In millions)
Three months ended March 31,
Net cash provided by operating activities
2024
2023
As reported
$ 292.4
$ (49.0)
Floor plan notes payable, non-trade, net
156.1
187.6
Adjust: finance receivables activity
173.8
397.0
Less: Borrowings on floor plan notes payable, non-trade associated with acquired new vehicle inventory
(71.7)
(3.7)
Adjusted
$ 550.6
$ 531.9
LAD Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited) (In millions, except for per share data)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
As reported
Acquisition expenses
Adjusted
Selling, general and administrative
$ 934.3
$ (7.7)
$ 926.6
Operating income
341.4
7.7
349.1
Income before income taxes
220.6
7.7
228.3
Income tax provision
(55.6)
(1.6)
(57.2)
Net income
$ 165.0
$ 6.1
$ 171.1
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests
(1.5)
-
(1.5)
Net income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interest
(0.9)
-
(0.9)
Net income attributable to LAD
$ 162.6
$ 6.1
$ 168.7
Diluted earnings per share attributable to LAD
$ 5.89
$ 0.22
$ 6.11
Diluted share count
27.6
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
As reported
Net disposal gain on sale of stores
Investment loss
Insurance reserves
Acquisition expenses
Contract buyouts
Adjusted
Selling, general and administrative
$ 764.4
$ 7.2
$ -
$ (0.1)
$ (1.3)
$ (10.1)
$ 760.1
Operating income
379.0
(7.2)
-
0.1
1.3
10.1
383.3
Other income (expense), net
2.0
-
0.5
-
-
-
2.5
Income before income taxes
314.3
(7.2)
0.5
0.1
1.3
10.1
319.1
Income tax (provision) benefit
(84.7)
1.9
-
-
(0.2)
(2.7)
(85.7)
Net income
$ 229.6
$ (5.3)
$ 0.5
$ 0.1
$ 1.1
$ 7.4
$ 233.4
Net income attributable to non- controlling interests
(0.7)
-
-
-
-
-
(0.7)
Net income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interest
(0.2)
-
-
-
-
-
(0.2)
Net income attributable to LAD
$ 228.7
$ (5.3)
$ 0.5
$ 0.1
$ 1.1
$ 7.4
$ 232.5
Diluted earnings per share attributable to LAD
$ 8.30
$ (0.19)
$ 0.02
$ -
$ 0.04
$ 0.27
$ 8.44
Diluted share count
27.5
LAD Adjusted EBITDA and Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA (Unaudited) (In millions)
Three months ended March 31,
%
Increase
2024
2023
(Decrease)
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
Net income
$ 165.0
$ 229.6
(28.1) %
Flooring interest expense
60.7
27.7
119.1
Other interest expense
63.6
39.0
63.1
Financing operations interest expense
47.8
37.5
27.5
Income tax expense
55.6
84.7
(34.4)
Depreciation and amortization
57.8
47.3
22.2
Financing operations depreciation expense
18.0
2.3
682.6 %
EBITDA
$ 468.5
$ 468.1
0.1 %
Other adjustments:
Less: flooring interest expense
$ (60.7)
$ (27.7)
119.1
Less: financing operations interest expense
(47.8)
(37.5)
27.5
Less: used vehicle line of credit interest
(6.2)
(1.5)
313.3
Add: acquisition expenses
7.7
1.3
492.3
Less: loss (gain) on divestitures
-
(7.2)
NM
Add: investment loss
-
0.5
NM
Add: insurance reserves
-
0.1
NM
Add: contract buyouts
-
10.1
NM
Adjusted EBITDA
$ 361.5
$ 406.2
(11.0) %
NM - not meaningful
As of
%
March 31,
Increase
Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA
2024
2023
(Decrease)
Floor plan notes payable: non-trade
$ 2,428.7
$ 1,664.9
45.9 %
Floor plan notes payable
2,533.3
999.3
153.5
Used and service loaner vehicle inventory financing facility
912.7
843.6
8.2
Revolving lines of credit
1,610.5
1,012.4
59.1
Warehouse facilities
636.0
875.0
(27.3)
Non-recourse notes payable
1,831.5
825.4
121.9
4.625% Senior notes due 2027
400.0
400.0
-
4.375% Senior notes due 2031
550.0
550.0
-
3.875% Senior notes due 2029
800.0
800.0
-
Finance leases and other debt
880.6
651.5
35.2
Unamortized debt issuance costs
(30.2)
(30.6)
(1.3)
Total debt
$ 12,553.1
$ 8,591.5
46.1 %
Less: Floor plan related debt
$ (5,874.7)
$ (3,507.8)
67.5 %
Less: Financing operations related debt
(2,467.5)
(1,700.4)
45.1
Less: Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents
(264.4)
(184.9)
43.0
Less: Marketable securities
(49.9)
-
-
Less: Availability on used vehicle and service loaner financing facilities