These 10-Q’s are a fountain of information. A look at
AutoNation’s (AN) today.
NEW AUTO:
Same store new vehicle revenue decreased $418.6 million or 16.2% for the three months ended June 30, 2008, and $654.1 million or 13.1% for the six months ended June 30, 2008, as compared to the same periods in 2007, primarily as a result of a continued challenging automotive retail environment, which resulted in decreased same store unit volume. Same store revenue per new vehicle retailed decreased 3.9% during the three months ended June 30, 2008, and 2.6% during the six months ended June 30, 2008, as compared to the same periods in 2007. We believe these results were driven by the current unfavorable economic conditions in the United States, including continued weakness in the housing market and tightening in the automotive retail credit market. Additionally, the increase in fuel prices has caused a shift in consumer demand toward more fuel-efficient vehicles. The average revenue per vehicle retailed has declined due to the relatively lower selling prices of these vehicles. To the extent that we continue to see unfavorable economic conditions, we anticipate that the automotive retail market will remain challenging in 2008. Accordingly, we expect the decline in our sales to continue in 2008.
Same store gross profit per new vehicle retailed decreased 8.3% during the three months ended June 30, 2008, and 9.2% during the six months ended June 30, 2008, as compared to the same periods in 2007, due to increased pricing pressure as a result of a competitive retail environment, tightening in the automotive retail credit market, and increasing margin pressure on less fuel-efficient trucks and sport utility vehicles due to rising fuel costs. We expect continued margin pressure in 2008.
Our new vehicle inventories were $1.9 billion or 62 days supply at June 30, 2008, as compared to new vehicle inventories of $1.8 billion or 52 days supply at December 31, 2007, and $1.8 billion or 55 days at June 30, 2007. The increase in our new vehicle inventory days supply is primarily due to lower than expected sales during the three months ended June 30, 2008.
The net new vehicle inventory carrying cost (new vehicle floorplan interest expense net of floorplan assistance from manufacturers) decreased $6.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008, and $10.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008, as compared to the same periods in 2007, primarily as a result of a decrease in new vehicle floorplan interest expense due to lower floorplan interest rates, partially offset by a decrease in floorplan assistance due to lower new vehicle sales.
USED AUTO:
Same store retail used vehicle revenue decreased $75.5 million or 8.8% for the three months ended June 30, 2008, and $126.8 million or 7.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2008, as compared to the same periods in 2007, primarily as a result of a reduction in revenue per vehicle retailed and a decrease in same store unit volume. Same store unit volume decreased as a result of a challenging retail environment driven by the current unfavorable economic conditions in the United States, including continued weakness in the housing market, the increase in fuel prices, and tightening in the automotive retail credit market. The decrease in used vehicle sales volumes was also driven in part by a decrease in trade-in volume associated with new vehicle sales. To the extent that we continue to see unfavorable economic conditions, we anticipate that the automotive retail market will remain challenging in 2008.
Same store gross profit per used vehicle retailed decreased 8.3% during the three months ended June 30, 2008, and 10.4% during the six months ended June 30, 2008, as compared to the same periods in 2007, due to increased pricing pressure as a result of a competitive retail environment, tightening in the automotive retail credit market, and increasing margin pressure on less fuel-efficient trucks and sport utility vehicles due to rising fuel costs.
Used vehicle inventories were $288.0 million or 42 days supply at June 30, 2008, compared to $308.6 million or 44 days supply at December 31, 2007, and $361.6 million or 44 days at June 30, 2007.
Interest Rate Risk:
We had $2.2 billion of variable rate vehicle floorplan payable at June 30, 2008, and $2.1 billion at December 31, 2007. Based on these amounts, a 100 basis point change in interest rates would result in an approximate change of $22.5 million at June 30, 2008, and $21.4 million at December 31, 2007, to our annual floorplan interest expense. Our exposure to changes in interest rates with respect to total vehicle floorplan payable is partially mitigated by manufacturers’ floorplan assistance, which in some cases is based on variable interest rates.
We had $0.9 billion of other variable rate debt outstanding at June 30, 2008, and $1.2 billion at December 31, 2007. Based on the amounts outstanding, a 100 basis point change in interest rates would result in an approximate change to interest expense of $9.0 million at June 30, 2008, and $11.8 million at December 31, 2007.
All in all not much that is not discussed and disclosed in earnings calls and press releases. That is good as an investor because it does reduce the risk for negative surprises from “hidden items”.
Disclosure (“none” means no position):Long AN
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