greeksoup/ stock research

Asbury Automotive Group Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 28 April 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net income rose, adjusted net income fell: Net income was $188 million, or $9.87 per diluted share, up 42%. Adjusted net income was $102 million, or $5.37 per diluted share, down 24%. The adjusted figure excludes a $94 million net-of-tax gain on divestitures. Source
  • New vehicle gross profit fell 10%: New vehicle gross profit was $128.5 million, down 10%. New vehicle gross margin fell 57 bps to 6.1%, and gross profit per new unit was $3,271 against $3,448. Source
  • Used retail gross profit per unit rose 16%: Used retail gross profit per unit was $1,847 against $1,587. Used retail gross profit was $61.3 million, up 9%, and used retail gross margin rose to 5.8% from 5.2%. Source
  • Same store revenue fell 9%: Same store total revenue was $3.5 billion, down 9%. Same store gross profit was $616 million, down 8%, and same store gross margin was 17.7%, up 16 bps. Source
  • SG&A rose 12% as ratio climbed: SG&A was $510.4 million, up 12%, equal to 70.2% of gross profit against 63.0%. Adjusted SG&A was $498.6 million, up 8%, or 68.6% of gross profit against 64.0%. Source
  • Ten dealerships divested, seven franchises ended: Ten dealerships were divested and seven franchises terminated in the quarter. Management said the thirteen stores contributed estimated annualized revenue of $625 million. Source
  • Total liquidity of $1.2 billion: Cash, short-term investments and floorplan offset accounts were $257 million, excluding $19 million of cash at Total Care Auto. Availability under the floorplan line and revolver was $917 million. Source
  • Repurchased 678,000 shares for $147 million: About 678,000 shares were repurchased for $147 million in the first quarter, against about 212,000 shares for $50 million in the fourth quarter 2025. Source

“We are making great strides towards meeting our strategic objectives, including the rollout of Tekion across our stores,”

David Hult, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Share repurchase authorization SourceAuthorization from February 25, 2026 board approval$500 millionRaised

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Share repurchase authorization increased to $500 million of availability, announced February 25, 2026. Source
  • Ended: Ten dealerships divested and seven franchises terminated in the first quarter 2026. The prior quarter divested four stores. Source

Results and profit drivers

  • Net income rose, adjusted net income fell: Net income was $188 million, or $9.87 per diluted share, up 42%. Adjusted net income was $102 million, or $5.37 per diluted share, down 24%. The adjusted figure excludes a $94 million net-of-tax gain on divestitures. Source
  • Operating income fell as SG&A rose: Income from operations was $193.9 million, down 17%. Operating margin was 4.7% against 5.6%; adjusted operating margin was 5.0% against 5.8%. SG&A rose faster than gross profit. Source
  • Revenue slightly lower, margin higher: Total revenue was $4.1 billion, down 1%. Gross profit was $727 million against $724 million. Total gross margin rose 22 bps to 17.7%, while new vehicle revenue fell 2% and used wholesale revenue fell 6%. Source

Gross profit by business line

  • New vehicle gross profit fell 10%: New vehicle gross profit was $128.5 million, down 10%. New vehicle gross margin fell 57 bps to 6.1%, and gross profit per new unit was $3,271 against $3,448. Source
  • Used retail gross profit per unit rose 16%: Used retail gross profit per unit was $1,847 against $1,587. Used retail gross profit was $61.3 million, up 9%, and used retail gross margin rose to 5.8% from 5.2%. Source
  • Parts and service gross profit grew 7%: Parts and service revenue was $626.8 million, up 7%. Parts and service gross profit was $365.1 million, up 7%, and made up 50.2% of total gross profit. Source
  • F&I gross profit fell, PVR rose: F&I gross profit was $166.9 million, down 4%. F&I per vehicle retailed was $2,302, up 2% from $2,261. Wholesale gross profit fell 40% to $5.0 million. Source

“We continued to be disciplined within our capital allocation framework during the quarter.”

David Hult, President and Chief Executive Officer

Units, pricing and brand mix

  • New vehicle units fell 5%: New vehicle units were 39,282, down 5%. Domestic units fell 17%, import units fell 5%, and luxury units rose 9% to 9,449. Average new vehicle selling price rose 4% to $53,480. Source
  • Used retail units fell 6%: Used vehicle retail units were 33,202, down 6%. The used to new ratio was 84.5% against 85.3%. Average used retail selling price rose 5% to $31,913. Source
  • Front end yield edged up: Front end yield was $4,921 per unit, up 1%. The metric combines new, used retail and F&I gross profit over combined new and used retail units sold. Source
  • Luxury share rose, domestic share fell: Luxury brands were 35% of new vehicle revenue against 30% a year earlier, with Lexus at 11%. Domestic brands fell to 26% from 30%; imports were 40% against 41%. Source

Same store performance

  • Same store revenue fell 9%: Same store total revenue was $3.5 billion, down 9%. Same store gross profit was $616 million, down 8%, and same store gross margin was 17.7%, up 16 bps. Source
  • Same store unit sales fell: Same store new vehicle units were 34,252, down 11%, and used retail units were 28,583, down 12%. Same store new vehicle gross profit per unit was $3,061 against $3,413. Source
  • Same store parts and service flat: Same store parts and service revenue was $533.6 million against $531.4 million. Same store parts and service gross profit was $309.3 million, down 1%. Source

“utilizing the proceeds to both reduce our debt and return capital to our shareholders.”

David Hult, President and Chief Executive Officer

Costs and SG&A

  • SG&A rose 12% as ratio climbed: SG&A was $510.4 million, up 12%, equal to 70.2% of gross profit against 63.0%. Adjusted SG&A was $498.6 million, up 8%, or 68.6% of gross profit against 64.0%. Source
  • Rent and related costs rose sharply: Rent and related expenses were $42.5 million against $21.2 million. Personnel costs were $318.2 million against $309.1 million, and other SG&A expense was $133.3 million against $112.5 million. Source
  • Same store adjusted SG&A fell 3%: Same store adjusted SG&A was $412.1 million, down 3%, at 66.9% of same store gross profit against 63.4%. Same store SG&A as a percentage of gross profit was 68.7%. Source
  • Depreciation and amortization rose 18%: Depreciation and amortization was $22.6 million, up from $19.2 million a year earlier. Source

Portfolio changes and divestitures

  • Ten dealerships divested, seven franchises ended: Ten dealerships were divested and seven franchises terminated in the quarter. Management said the thirteen stores contributed estimated annualized revenue of $625 million. Source
  • Divestiture proceeds and gain: Net proceeds from the ten divested stores were about $210 million. The gain on dealership divestitures, net, was $125.8 million before tax and $94 million net of tax. Source
  • Franchise and brand count lower: At March 31, 2026 Asbury had 202 franchises and 34 brands, against 223 franchises and 36 brands at December 31, 2025. Collision repair centers numbered 37, against 39. Source

Tekion and DMS transition

  • Over half of stores on Tekion: Over 50% of stores had converted to Tekion as of April 28, 2026. Management described the rollout as a strategic objective. Source
  • Tekion implementation costs excluded: Tekion implementation expenses were $6.1 million in the quarter, excluded from adjusted SG&A and adjusted net income. For the twelve months to March 31, 2026 they were $14.7 million. Source
  • Duplicative DMS costs excluded: Duplicative DMS-related expenses of $1 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, were excluded from adjusted net income. Source

Liquidity, leverage and cash flow

  • Total liquidity of $1.2 billion: Cash, short-term investments and floorplan offset accounts were $257 million, excluding $19 million of cash at Total Care Auto. Availability under the floorplan line and revolver was $917 million. Source
  • Leverage ratio held at 3.2x: Transaction adjusted net leverage ratio was 3.2x at quarter end. Long-term debt, including current portion, was $3,525.7 million against $3,572.0 million at year end. Source
  • Floor plan notes payable fell 18%: Floor plan notes payable were $1,664.0 million against $2,027.0 million at December 31, 2025. Inventory, net, was $2,116.4 million, down 1%; new vehicle days supply rose to 55 from 52. Source
  • Adjusted operating cash flow declined: Adjusted operating cash flow was $166.5 million against $187.4 million. Cash provided by operating activities was $223.2 million against $225.0 million. Source

Share repurchases and capital returns

  • Repurchased 678,000 shares for $147 million: About 678,000 shares were repurchased for $147 million in the first quarter, against about 212,000 shares for $50 million in the fourth quarter 2025. Source
  • About $453 million authorization remaining: Approximately $453 million remained on the repurchase authorization at March 31, 2026, against $176 million at December 31, 2025. Source

Coming up, as management said on 28 April 2026

  • Efficiency gains expected as year progresses: Management said the foundational investments position Asbury to drive efficiency gains and improved performance as the year progresses. Source
  • Portfolio optimization described as ongoing: Management described its divestitures and terminations as part of ongoing capital allocation and portfolio optimization efforts. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Comparable sales SourceSame store total revenue $3,473.7 million, down 9%
Average ticket SourceNew vehicle average selling price $53,480, up 4%
Inventory SourceNet inventory $2,116.4 million; new days supply 55
Store openings and closings Source10 dealerships divested; 158 dealerships at March 31, 2026
Gross margin Source17.7%, up 22 bps

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Weather-related losses of $3 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, occurred in the quarter and were excluded from adjusted net income. Source
  • Operational: Management cited the expected learning curve from adopting and integrating the new dealer management system, which occurred in the quarter. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management said it is making progress toward strategic objectives, including the rollout of Tekion across stores. Source
  • Not stated: Management said it continued to operate within its capital allocation framework during the quarter. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.