CarMax Reports Second Quarter Results; Revises Fiscal 2008 Expectations - Auto News at Automotive.com
»Locate a Dealer»Find a Used Car»Get Financing

CarMax Reports Second Quarter Results; Revises Fiscal 2008 Expectations

Below is an auto news article from September 19, 2007 from Automotive.com and PRNewswire. View the most recent news or browse our full archives using the links below.
Text Size

CarMax Reports Second Quarter Results; Revises Fiscal 2008 Expectations - Auto News from September 19, 2007

RICHMOND, Va., Sept. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CarMax, Inc. today reported results for the second quarter ended August 31, 2007.

    * Total sales increased 10% to $2.12 billion from $1.93 billion in the
      second quarter of last year.

    * Comparable store used unit sales rose 3% for the quarter.

    * Total used unit sales grew 11% in the second quarter.

    * Net earnings increased 20% to $65.0 million, or 29 cents per diluted
      share, compared with $54.3 million, or 25 cents per diluted share,
      earned in the second quarter of fiscal 2007.

    * For the fiscal year ending February 29, 2008, CarMax now expects
      comparable store used unit sales in the range of 1% to 3% and earnings
      per share in the range of $0.92 to $0.98.

    Second Quarter Business Performance Review

Ads by Google

Sales. "Despite missing our sales targets for the first half of the year, we were relatively pleased with our sales performance, given the context of the current macro-economic conditions and the challenging automotive retail environment over the past few months," said Tom Folliard, president and chief executive officer of CarMax. "While our 3% increase in comparable store used unit sales represents a deceleration in our growth rate compared with recent quarters, we believe that we nevertheless continued to gain share in the late- model used vehicle market during the quarter."

Our sales growth was supported by increases in traffic, both in our stores and on our website, and the continued consistent availability of credit from CarMax Auto Finance (CAF) and our third-party finance providers. During the second quarter, we opened one used car superstore in Torrance, California, our seventh store in the Los Angeles market.

Wholesale unit sales increased 15% in the second quarter, somewhat greater than the 11% increase in total retail used unit sales, reflecting the easier relative comparison with the second quarter of last year. Other sales and revenues rose 10%, supported by a 14% increase in extended service plan revenues and an 11% net increase in third-party finance fees.

New vehicle unit sales declined by 15%, reflecting the combination of softer new car industry sales trends and the August divestiture of our Orlando ChryslerJeepDodge franchise. Following this divestiture, we now operate six new car franchises.

Gross Profit. Total gross profit per retail unit climbed to $2,869 in this year's second quarter compared with $2,755 in last year's quarter. The majority of the increase was attributable to an improvement in wholesale gross profit per unit to $796, up $97 compared with last year's second quarter. Wholesale profit was relatively consistent with the $800 per unit reported in this year's first quarter, however. The wholesale operation continued to benefit from our superior car-buying process, as well as continued strong dealer attendance at our auctions.

CarMax Auto Finance. CAF income decreased approximately 8% to $33.4 million compared with $36.5 million in last year's second quarter. In the prior year period, CAF income included approximately $6 million of favorable adjustments, primarily related to lowering loss rate assumptions on loans originated in 2003, 2004, and 2005. Excluding the effect of adjustments, CAF income increased 9%, reflecting our retail sales growth, a slight improvement in the gain on loans originated and sold from 3.9% last year to 4.0% in the current quarter, and an increase in total managed receivables.

SG&A. The SG&A ratio improved to 10.1% in this year's second quarter compared with 10.4% in the corresponding quarter of last year. Last year's second quarter SG&A ratio included the effect of approximately $5 million of share-based compensation expense related to the accelerated vesting of stock options held by our former chief executive officer upon his retirement. Excluding the effect of the accelerated vesting, last year's second quarter SG&A ratio would have been 10.1%.

Income Taxes. The effective tax rate increased to 39.5% in the current quarter compared with 38.2% in the second quarter of last year. The higher effective tax rate, which reduced earnings by approximately $0.01 per share, was primarily the result of the establishment of a valuation allowance against certain deferred tax assets.

Earnings and Earnings Per Share. "Although our comparable store used unit sales growth was slower than in recent quarters, the improvement in our gross profit per unit allowed us to increase earnings at a rate higher than our sales growth," said Folliard.

    Supplemental Financial Information

    Sales Components

                                Three Months Ended       Six Months Ended
    (In millions)                  August 31 (1)           August 31 (1)
                              2007      2006  Change    2007    2006    Change
    Used vehicle sales     $1,687.1 $1,526.7  10.5 % $3,395.5 $2,987.9  13.6 %
    New vehicle sales         104.8    121.2 (13.6)%    217.4    239.6  (9.3)%
    Wholesale vehicle sales   265.3    222.3  19.3 %    526.4    469.6  12.1 %
    Other sales and revenues:
        Extended service plan
         revenues              33.2     29.2  13.7 %     67.1     58.0  15.7 %
        Service department
         sales                 25.2     23.8   5.8 %     49.4     47.0   5.0 %
        Third-party finance
         fees, net              6.9      6.2  10.6 %     13.8     12.6  10.1 %
    Total other sales and
     revenues                  65.3     59.3  10.2 %    130.3    117.6  10.8 %
    Net sales and operating
     revenues              $2,122.5 $1,929.5  10.0 % $4,269.7 $3,814.7  11.9 %

    (1) Percent calculations and amounts shown are based on amounts presented
        on the attached consolidated statements of earnings and may not sum
        due to rounding.

    Retail Vehicle Sales Changes


                                  Three Months Ended        Six Months Ended
                                      August 31                August 31
                                   2007       2006          2007       2006
    Comparable store vehicle
     sales:
        Used vehicle units            3 %        7 %           5 %        6 %
        New vehicle units           (13)%      (19)%          (9)%      (15)%
        Total units                   2 %        5 %           4 %        5 %

        Used vehicle dollars          3 %       15 %           5 %       14 %
        New vehicle dollars         (11)%      (21)%          (8)%      (17)%
        Total dollars                 2 %       11 %           4 %       11 %

    Total vehicle sales:
        Used vehicle units           11 %       15 %          13 %       14 %
        New vehicle units           (15)%      (19)%         (10)%      (15)%
        Total units                   9 %       12 %          11 %       12 %

        Used vehicle dollars         11 %       23 %          14 %       22 %
        New vehicle dollars         (14)%      (20)%(9)%      (16)%
        Total dollars                 9 %       19 %          12 %       18 %



    Retail Vehicle Sales Mix


                                 Three Months Ended        Six Months Ended
                                      August 31                August 31
                                   2007       2006          2007       2006
    Vehicle units:
        Used vehicles                96 %       94 %          96 %       94 %
        New vehicles                  4          6             4          6
        Total                       100 %      100 %         100 %      100 %

    Vehicle dollars:
        Used vehicles                94 %       93 %          94 %       93 %
        New vehicles                  6          7             6          7
        Total                       100 %      100 %         100 %      100 %

    Unit Sales


                                  Three Months Ended        Six Months Ended
                                       August 31                August 31
                                    2007        2006         2007       2006
    Used vehicles                 96,102      86,846      192,868    171,112
    New vehicles                   4,365       5,131        9,085     10,078
    Wholesale vehicles            60,476      52,648      118,190    106,434

    Average Selling Prices


                                  Three Months Ended        Six Months Ended
                                       August 31                August 31
                                    2007        2006         2007       2006
    Used vehicles                $17,388     $17,399      $17,434    $17,285
    New vehicles                 $23,863     $23,476      $23,787    $23,626
    Wholesale vehicles            $4,278      $4,120       $4,344     $4,303


    Selected Operating Ratios


                                            Three Months Ended
    (In millions)                               August 31
                                2007        % (1)      2006            % (1)

    Net sales and
     operating revenues       $2,122.5    100.0 %    $1,929.5        100.0 %
    Gross profit                $288.2     13.6 %      $253.4         13.1 %
    CarMax Auto Finance income   $33.4      1.6 %       $36.5          1.9 %
    Selling, general, and
     administrative expenses    $214.2     10.1 %      $200.0         10.4 %
    Operating profit (EBIT) (2) $108.2      5.1 %       $89.8          4.7 %
    Net earnings                 $65.0      3.1 %       $54.3          2.8 %



                                             Six Months Ended
    (In millions)                               August 31
                                  2007        % (1)      2006           % (1)

    Net sales and
     operating revenues       $4,269.7    100.0 %    $3,814.7       100.0 %
    Gross profit                $572.4     13.4 %      $501.6        13.1 %
    CarMax Auto Finance
     income                      $70.5      1.7 %       $68.9         1.8 %
    Selling, general, and
     administrative expenses    $428.0     10.0 %      $387.0        10.1 %
    Operating profit (EBIT) (2) $215.6      5.1 %      $183.5         4.8 %
    Net earnings                $130.4      3.1 %      $111.0         2.9 %


    (1) Calculated as the ratio of the applicable amount to net sales and
        operating revenues.
    (2) Operating profit equals earnings before interest and income taxes.



    Gross Profit


                                           Three Months Ended
                                                August 31
                                    2007                     2006

                              $/unit (1)     % (2)    $/unit (1)      % (2)
    Used vehicle gross profit $1,982      11.3 %      $1,963       11.2 %
    New vehicle gross profit  $1,072       4.5 %      $1,176        5.0 %
    Wholesale vehicle gross
     profit                     $796      18.1 %        $699       16.5 %
    Other gross profit$447      68.8 %        $436       67.6 %
    Total gross profit        $2,869      13.6 %      $2,755       13.1 %



                                            Six Months Ended
                                                August 31
                                    2007                     2006

                              $/unit (1)     % (2)    $/unit (1)      % (2)
    Used vehicle gross profit $1,958      11.1 %      $1,944       11.1 %
    New vehicle gross profit  $1,039       4.3 %      $1,195        5.0 %
    Wholesale vehicle gross
     profit                     $798      17.9 %        $711       16.1 %
    Other gross profit          $451      69.9 %        $449       69.1 %
    Total gross profit        $2,834      13.4 %      $2,768       13.1 %

    (1) Calculated as category gross profit divided by its respective units
        sold, except the other and total categories, which are divided by
        total retail units sold.
    (2) Calculated as a percentage of its respective sales or revenue.



    Earnings Highlights


                                Three Months Ended        Six Months Ended
    (In millions except per         August 31                August 31
     share data)
                                2007   2006  Change      2007   2006  Change
    Net earnings               $65.0  $54.3   19.8 %   $130.4 $111.0   17.4 %
    Diluted weighted average
     shares outstanding        220.6  215.3    2.5 %    220.4  214.7    2.6 %
    Net earnings per share     $0.29  $0.25   16.0 %    $0.59  $0.52   13.5 %

Fiscal 2008 Expectations

"Our sales and profits for the first half of the fiscal year fell short of our original expectations," said Folliard. "We believe this is largely the result of the current market environment and the industry-wide slowdown in auto sales. While it is difficult to predict how long the current conditions may persist, we believe it is appropriate to revise our expectations for comparable store used unit sales growth and earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Our revisions assume that the current trends will continue for the remainder of the fiscal year."

We now expect annual comparable store used unit sales growth in the range of 1% to 3%, compared with the 9% increase achieved in fiscal 2007. Fiscal 2008 used unit comps were previously expected to be in the range of 3% to 9%.

We now expect fiscal 2008 earnings per share in the range of $0.92 to $0.98, compared with the $0.92 per share reported in fiscal 2007. Fiscal 2008 earnings per share were previously expected to be in the range of $1.03 to $1.14.

    Our new fiscal 2008 expectations reflect:
    * Our missed sales and earnings targets for the first half of the fiscal
      year.
    * The slower anticipated pace of comparable store used unit sales growth
      and its effect on other related revenue and income streams.
    * Continued planned spending related to our strategic, operational, and
      Internet initiatives.
    * The recent credit market turmoil, which drove up the cost of funding in
      the public asset-backed market.  While we were pleased with our ability
      to complete a $500 million transaction in early September despite this
      turmoil, the higher credit spreads associated with the 2007-3
      transaction will cause a negative impact of approximately $4 million in
      funding costs in the third quarter.

"Although we are clearly disappointed with the revised outlook for fiscal 2008, we believe the downward revisions to our earnings outlook are largely related to external factors," said Folliard. "We believe we have a superior business model for automotive retailing, and we plan to continue investing to support our long-term growth initiatives. We plan to continue adding stores at our 15% to 20% stated annual growth rate and fully expect to gain market share regardless of the external environment."

Future Store Opening Plan

In the second half of fiscal 2008, we plan to open an additional nine used car superstores, one of which was opened in early September. This will bring the total fiscal 2008 store openings to 13, representing a 17% increase in our store base. In addition, we plan to expand our car-buying center test with the opening of our third and fourth centers, including one in Dallas and one in Tampa. At the car-buying centers, we conduct appraisals and purchase cars but do not sell vehicles. These test stores are part of our long-term program to increase both appraisal traffic and retail vehicle sourcing self- sufficiency.

In the first half of fiscal 2009, we currently plan to open eight used car superstores, as follows:

                                                    Production  Non-Production
    Location            Television     Market Status Superstores Superstores
                        Market                           (1)          (2)

    San Antonio, Texas  San Antonio    Existing
                                       market            --            1
    Phoenix, Arizona    Phoenix        New market         2           --
    Colorado Springs,   Colorado       New market
     Colorado           Springs                           1           --
    Charleston, South   Charleston     New market
     Carolina                                            --            1
    Tulsa, Oklahoma     Tulsa          New market         1           --
    Huntsville, Alabama Huntsville     New market         1           --
    Costa Mesa,         Los Angeles    Existing
     California                        market            --            1
                                                          5            3

    (1) Previously referred to as standard superstores, these are stores at
        which vehicle reconditioning is performed.
    (2) Previously referred to as satellite superstores, these are stores that
        do not have vehicle reconditioning capabilities.

Normal construction, permitting, or other scheduling delays could shift the opening dates of any of these stores into a later period.

Third Quarter Fiscal 2008 Earnings Release and Conference Call Date

We currently plan to release third quarter sales and earnings results on Wednesday, December 19, 2007, before the opening of the New York Stock Exchange. The company will host a conference call for investors at 9:00 a.m. ET on that date. Information on this conference call will be available on our investor information home page at investor.carmax.com in early December.

Conference Call Information

We will host a conference call for investors at 9:00 a.m. ET today, September 19, 2007. Domestic investors may access the call at 1-888-298-3261 (international callers dial 1-706-679-7457). The conference I.D. for both domestic and international callers is 9751241. A live webcast of the call will be available on our investor information home page at investor.carmax.com and at www.streetevents.com.

A webcast replay of the call will be available at investor.carmax.com beginning at approximately 1:00 p.m. ET on September 19, 2007, through October 19, 2007. A telephone replay also will be available through September 26, 2007, and may be accessed by dialing 1-800-642-1687 (international callers dial 1-706-645-9291). The conference I.D. for both domestic and international callers is 9751241.

About CarMax

CarMax, a Fortune 500 company, and one of the Fortune 2007 "100 Best Companies to Work For," is the nation's largest retailer of used cars. Headquartered in Richmond, Va., CarMax currently operates 82 used car superstores in 38 markets. The CarMax consumer offer is structured around four core equities: low, no-haggle prices; a broad selection; high quality vehicles; and customer-friendly service. During the twelve months ended February 28, 2007, we retailed 337,021 used cars and sold 208,959 wholesale vehicles at our in-store auctions. For more information, access the CarMax website at www.carmax.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

We caution readers that the statements contained in this release about our future business plans, operations, opportunities, or prospects, including without limitation any statements or factors regarding expected sales, margins, or earnings, are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based upon management's current knowledge and assumptions about future events and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results. Among the factors that could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements are the following: changes in the general U.S. or regional U.S. economy; intense competition within our industry; significant changes in retail prices for used and new vehicles; a reduction in the availability or our access to sources of inventory; our ability to acquire suitable real estate; the significant loss of key employees from our store, regional, or corporate management teams; the efficient operation of our information systems; changes in the availability or cost of capital and working capital financing; the occurrence of adverse weather events; seasonal fluctuations in our business; the geographic concentration of our superstores; the regulatory environment in which we operate; the effect of various litigation matters; the effect of new accounting requirements or changes to generally accepted accounting principles; and the occurrence of certain other material events. We disclaim any intent or obligation to update our forward-looking statements.

For more details on factors that could affect expectations, see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2007, and our quarterly or current reports as filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contacts:

Investors and Financial Media:

Katharine Kenny, Assistant Vice President, Investor Relations, (804) 935-4591

Celeste Gunter, Manager, Investor Relations, (804) 935-4597

General Media:

Lisa Van Riper, Assistant Vice President, Public Affairs, (804) 935-4594

       Trina Lee, Public Relations Manager, (804) 747-0422, ext. 4197




                        CARMAX, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
                                 (UNAUDITED)
                     (In thousands except per share data)


                                       Three Months Ended August 31
                                2007          % (1)     2006          % (1)

    Sales and operating
     revenues:

      Used vehicle sales     $1,687,142       79.5   $1,526,738       79.1
      New vehicle sales         104,779        4.9      121,231        6.3
      Wholesale vehicle sales   265,282       12.5      222,299       11.5
      Other sales and revenues   65,327        3.1       59,274        3.1
    Net sales and operating
     revenues                 2,122,530      100.0    1,929,542      100.0
    Cost of sales             1,834,336       86.4    1,676,177       86.9
    Gross profit                288,194       13.6      253,365       13.1
    CarMax Auto Finance
     income                      33,412        1.6       36,512        1.9
    Selling, general, and
     administrative expenses    214,196       10.1      200,049       10.4
    Gain on franchise
     disposition                    740         --           --         --
    Interest expense                950         --        2,335        0.1
    Interest income                 245         --          300         --
    Earnings before income
     taxes                      107,445        5.1       87,793        4.5
    Provision for income
     taxes                       42,450        2.0       33,529        1.7
    Net earnings                $64,995        3.1      $54,264        2.8

    Weighted average common
     shares:
      Basic                     215,891                 211,831
      Diluted                   220,580                 215,301

    Net earnings per share:
      Basic                       $0.30                   $0.26
      Diluted                     $0.29                   $0.25


                                        Six Months Ended August 31
                                 2007         % (1)     2006          % (1)

    Sales and operating
     revenues:

      Used vehicle sales      $3,395,533      79.5   $2,987,858       78.3
      New vehicle sales          217,394       5.1      239,639        6.3
      Wholesale vehiclesales    526,434      12.3      469,595       12.3
      Other sales and revenues   130,303       3.1      117,589        3.1
    Net sales and operating
     revenues                  4,269,664     100.0    3,814,681      100.0
    Cost of sales              3,697,249      86.6    3,313,061       86.9
    Gross profit                 572,415      13.4      501,620       13.1
    CarMax Auto Finance income    70,480       1.7       68,906        1.8
    Selling, general, and
     administrative expenses     428,010      10.0      387,015       10.1
    Gain on franchise
     disposition                     740        --           --         --
    Interest expense               2,966       0.1        4,282        0.1
    Interest income                  623        --          567         --
    Earnings before income
     taxes                       213,282       5.0      179,796        4.7
    Provision for income taxes    82,932       1.9       68,756        1.8
    Net earnings                $130,350       3.1     $111,040        2.9

    Weighted average common
     shares:
      Basic                      215,592                211,181
      Diluted                    220,355                214,706

    Net earnings per share:
      Basic                        $0.60                  $0.53
      Diluted                      $0.59                  $0.52


    (1) Percents are calculated as a percentage of net sales and operating
        revenues and may not equal totals due to rounding.



                        CARMAX, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                         CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                (In thousands)




                                            August 31  August 31  February 28
                                              2007        2006       2007
                                           (Unaudited)(Unaudited)
    ASSETS
    Current assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents                  $7,589     $23,781    $19,455
    Accounts receivable, net                   56,165      66,690     71,413
    Automobile loan receivables held for
     sale                                       4,464       4,019      6,162
    Retained interest in securitized
     receivables                              224,334     189,820    202,302
    Inventory                                 820,171     734,364    836,116
    Prepaid expenses and other current
     assets19,993      12,071     15,068

    Total current assets                    1,132,716   1,030,745  1,150,516

    Property and equipment, net               755,276     533,335    651,850
    Deferred income taxes                      42,467      28,782     40,174
    Other assets                               47,331      43,856     43,033

    TOTAL ASSETS                           $1,977,790  $1,636,718 $1,885,573

    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Current liabilities:
    Accounts payable                         $248,762    $190,168   $254,895
    Accrued expenses and other current
     liabilities                               63,028      71,275     68,885
    Accrued income taxes                        8,207      37,701     23,377
    Deferred income taxes                      14,680       8,831     13,132
    Short-term debt                             2,672       1,915      3,290
    Current portion of long-term debt          86,265     103,402    148,443

    Total current liabilities                 423,614     413,292    512,022

    Long-term debt, excluding current
     portion                                   27,361      34,276     33,744
    Deferred revenue and other liabilities    115,982      57,449     92,432

    TOTAL LIABILITIES                         566,957     505,017    638,198

    SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                    1,410,833   1,131,701  1,247,375

    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS'
     EQUITY                                $1,977,790  $1,636,718 $1,885,573




                        CARMAX, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                  UNAUDITED
                                (In thousands)



                                                         Six Months Ended
                                                              August 31
                                                           2007         2006

    Operating Activities:
    Net earnings                                       $130,350     $111,040
    Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net
        cash provided by operating activities:
        Depreciation and amortization                    22,026       16,727
        Stock-based compensation expense17,744       19,636
        (Gain) loss on disposition of assets                (28)          86
        Deferred income tax benefit                      (1,324)     (18,937)
        Net decrease (increase) in:
            Accounts receivable, net                     15,248        9,931
            Automobile loan receivables held for
             sale, net                                    1,698          120
            Retained interest in securitized
             receivables                                (22,032)     (31,512)
            Inventory                                    15,945      (64,664)
            Prepaid expenses and other current
             assets                                      (4,925)        (860)
            Other assets                                 (4,298)         144
        Net increase (decrease) in:
            Accounts payable, accrued expenses and
             other current liabilities, and
             accrued income taxes                       (26,695)      37,442
            Deferred revenue and other liabilities       24,316        7,598
    Net cash provided by operating activities           168,025       86,751

    Investing Activities:
    Capital expenditures                               (132,092)     (54,317)
    Proceeds from sales of assets                         1,272        3,467
    Net cash used in investing activities              (130,820)     (50,850)

    Financing Activities:
    (Decrease) increase in short-term debt, net            (618)       1,452
    Payments on long-term debt                          (62,007)     (56,871)
    Equity issuances, net                                 9,947       13,928
    Excess tax benefits from stock-based payment
     arrangements                                         3,607        7,612
    Net cash used in financing activities               (49,071)     (33,879)


    (Decrease) increase in cash and cash
     equivalents                                        (11,866)       2,022
    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year       19,455       21,759
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of period           $7,589      $23,781

    

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20011214/CARMAXLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

CarMax, Inc.

FIND A CAR