DULUTH, Ga., April 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: ABG), one of the largest automotive retail and service companies in the U.S., today reported adjusted income from continuing operations for the first quarter 2016 of $33.2 million, or $1.36 per diluted share, versus income from continuing operations in the first quarter 2015 of $35.9 million, or $1.30 per diluted share, a 5% increase per diluted share. Income from continuing operations for the first quarter 2016 was adjusted for $3.4 million in pre-tax real estate related charges, or $0.09 per diluted share. There were no adjustments to income from continuing operations for the first quarter 2015. Net income for the first quarter 2016 was $31.0 million, or $1.27 per diluted share, compared to $35.9 million, or $1.30 per diluted share in the prior year period. See attached reconciliation for reported adjustments related to both of these periods.

First Quarter 2016 Operational Summary (compared to the prior year period):


    --  Total revenues increased 1% to $1.6 billion
    --  New vehicle revenue up 1%; gross profit down 10%
    --  Used vehicle retail revenue down 1%; gross profit down 2%
    --  Finance and insurance revenue up 2%
    --  Parts and service revenue up 7%; gross profit up 7%
    --  Same store parts and service customer pay gross profit up 11%
    --  Total gross profit increased 2%
    --  SG&A as a percentage of gross profit was up 100 basis points to 69.5%
    --  Adjusted operating margin as a percentage of revenue was at 4.7%

Strategic Highlights:


    --  Repurchased $102 million of common stock in Q1 2016
    --  Repurchased $60 million of common stock in Q2 2016 through April 22nd
    --  Announced plans to open two new Q auto stores in the greater Tampa, FL
        area in 2016

"Despite continued margin pressure and flat unit sales, our strong parts and service performance and share repurchases enabled us to deliver 5% EPS growth," said Craig Monaghan, Asbury's President and Chief Executive Officer.

"Even with soft March sales, we were able to grow our front end yield, which is up approximately $100 per vehicle from the low in the second quarter of 2015," said Asbury's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, David Hult. "This was a direct result of our team's strong performance increasing used vehicle margins and continuing gains in F&I. Likewise, we were able to deliver strong performance in our parts and service business, led by 11% growth in our customer pay business."

The conference call will be today at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time and will also be simulcast live on the Internet. The simulcast can be accessed by logging onto www.asburyauto.com or www.ccbn.com. A replay will be available at these sites for 30 days. In addition, a live audio of the call will be accessible to the public by calling (800) 533-7619 (domestic), or (785) 830-1923 (international); passcode - 7545687. Callers should dial in approximately 5 to 10 minutes before the call begins. A conference call replay will be available two hours following the call for seven days, and can be accessed by calling (888) 203-1112 (domestic), or (719) 457-0820 (international); passcode - 7545687.

About Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. ("Asbury"), a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta, is one of the largest automotive retailers in the U.S. Built through a combination of organic growth and a series of strategic acquisitions, Asbury operated 82 dealership locations, encompassing 99 franchises for the sale and servicing of 28 domestic and foreign brands of new vehicles as of March 31, 2016. We also operated 25 collision repair centers and 2 stand-alone used vehicle stores as of March 31, 2016. Asbury offers customers an extensive range of automotive products and services, including new and used vehicle sales and related financing and insurance, vehicle maintenance and repair services, replacement parts and service contracts.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements other than historical fact, and may include statements relating to goals, plans, market conditions and projections regarding Asbury's financial position, liquidity, results of operations, market position and dealership portfolio, and other initiatives and future business strategy. These statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and involve significant risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, market factors, Asbury's relationships with, and the financial and operational stability of, vehicle manufacturers and other suppliers, acts of God or other incidents which may adversely impact supply from vehicle manufacturers and/or present retail sales challenges, risks associated with Asbury's indebtedness (including available borrowing capacity, compliance with its financial covenants and ability to refinance or repay such indebtedness, particularly upcoming maturities, on favorable terms), Asbury's relationships with, and the financial stability of, its lenders and lessors, risks related to competition in the automotive retail and service industries, general economic conditions both nationally and locally, governmental regulations, legislation, adverse results in litigation and other proceedings, and Asbury's ability to execute its IT initiatives and other operational strategies, Asbury's ability to leverage gains from its dealership portfolio, Asbury's ability to capitalize on opportunities to repurchase its debt and equity securities or purchase properties that it currently leases, and Asbury's ability to stay within its targeted range for capital expenditures. There can be no guarantees that Asbury's plans for future operations will be successfully implemented or that they will prove to be commercially successful.

These and other risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements are and will be discussed in Asbury's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, including its most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequently filed quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.



    ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
    (In millions, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)


                                                For the Three Months Ended              Increase           %
                                                         March 31,                     (Decrease)        Change
                                                         ---------                     ---------         ------

                                                   2016                   2015
                                                   ----                   ----

    REVENUE:

    New vehicle                                            $838.4                                 $830.5              $7.9              1%

    Used vehicle:

    Retail                                        413.1                          419.2                       (6.1)    (1)%

    Wholesale                                      47.8                           54.2                       (6.4)   (12)%

         Total used vehicle                       460.9                          473.4                      (12.5)    (3)%

    Parts and service                             189.2                          176.7                        12.5       7%

    Finance and insurance, net                     62.3                           61.2                         1.1       2%
                                                   ----                           ----

    TOTAL REVENUE                               1,550.8                        1,541.8                         9.0       1%

    GROSS PROFIT:

    New vehicle                                    44.7                           49.6                       (4.9)   (10)%

    Used vehicle:

    Retail                                         34.7                           35.4                       (0.7)    (2)%

    Wholesale                                       1.1                          (0.1)                        1.2     NM

         Total used vehicle                        35.8                           35.3                         0.5       1%

    Parts and service                             118.0                          110.3                         7.7       7%

    Finance and insurance, net                     62.3                           61.2                         1.1       2%
                                                   ----                           ----

    TOTAL GROSS PROFIT                            260.8                          256.4                         4.4       2%

    OPERATING EXPENSES:

    Selling, general and administrative           181.2                          175.7                         5.5       3%

    Depreciation and amortization                   7.5                            7.3                         0.2       3%

    Other operating expense, net                    3.2                            0.3                         2.9     NM
                                                    ---                            ---

    INCOME FROM OPERATIONS                         68.9                           73.1                       (4.2)    (6)%

    OTHER EXPENSES:

    Floor plan interest expense                     4.4                            3.9                         0.5      13%

    Other interest expense, net                    13.4                           10.3                         3.1      30%

    Swap interest expense                           0.8                            0.5                         0.3      60%

    Total other expenses, net                      18.6                           14.7                         3.9      27%
                                                   ----                           ----

    INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS              50.3                           58.4                       (8.1)   (14)%
    BEFORE INCOME TAXES

    Income tax expense                             19.2                           22.5                       (3.3)   (15)%
                                                   ----                           ----

    INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS              31.1                           35.9                       (4.8)   (13)%

    Discontinued operations, net of tax           (0.1)                             -                      (0.1)            -   %
                                                   ----                            ---

    NET INCOME                                              $31.0                                  $35.9            $(4.9)          (14)%
                                                            =====                                  =====

    EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:

    Basic-

    Continuing operations                                   $1.28                                  $1.31           $(0.03)           (2)%

    Discontinued operations                           -                             -                          -            -   %
                                                    ---                           ---

    Net income                                              $1.28                                  $1.31           $(0.03)           (2)%
                                                            =====                                  =====

    Diluted-

    Continuing operations                                   $1.27                                  $1.30           $(0.03)           (2)%

    Discontinued operations                           -                             -                          -            -   %
                                                    ---                           ---

    Net income                                              $1.27                                  $1.30           $(0.03)           (2)%
                                                            =====                                  =====

    WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:

    Basic                                          24.3                           27.5                       (3.2)   (12)%

    Restricted stock                                  -                           0.1                       (0.1)  (100)%

    Performance share units                         0.1                            0.1                           -            -   %
                                                    ---                            ---

    Diluted                                        24.4                           27.7                       (3.3)   (12)%
                                                   ====                           ====


    ______________________________

    NM-Not Meaningful



    ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
    KEY OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS  (In millions, except per unit data)
    (Unaudited)


                                                                                                                                 For the Three Months Ended               Increase            %
                                                                                                                                         March 31,                       (Decrease)         Change
                                                                                                                                         ---------                       ---------          ------

                                                                                                                                  2016                      2015
                                                                                                                                  ----                      ----

    Unit sales
    ----------

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                                                                                       5,626                             5,885                         (259)        (4)%

    Import                                                                                                                      13,484                            13,977                         (493)        (4)%

    Domestic                                                                                                                     4,919                             4,196                           723          17%
                                                                                                                                 -----                             -----

         Total new vehicle                                                                                                      24,029                            24,058                          (29)           -  %

    Used vehicle retail                                                                                                         19,736                            20,467                         (731)        (4)%

    Used to new ratio                                                                                                            82.1%                            85.1%                        (300)   bps

    Average selling price
    ---------------------

    New vehicle                                                                                                                           $34,891                                   $34,521                   $370       1%

    Used vehicle retail                                                                                                         20,931                            20,482                           449           2%

    Average gross profit per unit
    -----------------------------

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                                                                                                 $3,519                                    $3,721                 $(202)    (5)%

    Import                                                                                                                       1,253                             1,309                          (56)        (4)%

    Domestic                                                                                                                     1,626                             2,240                         (614)       (27)%

         Total new vehicle                                                                                                       1,860                             2,062                         (202)       (10)%

    Used vehicle                                                                                                                 1,758                             1,730                            28           2%

    Finance and insurance, net                                                                                                   1,424                             1,375                            49           4%

    Front end yield (1)                                                                                                          3,238                             3,284                          (46)        (1)%

    Gross margin
    ------------

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                                                                                        6.8%                             7.2%                         (40)   bps

    Import                                                                                                                        4.5%                             4.9%                         (40)   bps

    Domestic                                                                                                                      4.6%                             6.3%                        (170)   bps
                                                                                                                                   ---                               ---

         Total new vehicle                                                                                                        5.3%                             6.0%                         (70)   bps

    Used vehicle retail                                                                                                           8.4%                             8.4%                            -   bps

    Parts and service                                                                                                            62.4%                            62.4%                            -   bps

    Gross profit margin                                                                                                          16.8%                            16.6%                           20    bps
                                                                                                                                  ====                              ====

    SG&A metrics
    ------------

    Rent expense                                                                                                                             $7.8                                      $7.7                   $0.1       1%

    SG&A, excluding rent expense as a percent of gross profit                                                                    66.5%                            65.5%                          100    bps

    Total SG&A as a percentage of gross profit                                                                                   69.5%                            68.5%                          100    bps

    Operating metrics
    -----------------

    Adjusted income from operations as a percentage of revenue                                                                    4.7%                             4.7%                            -   bps

    Adjusted income from operations as a percentage of gross profit                                                              27.7%                            28.5%                         (80)   bps

    Revenue mix
    -----------

    New vehicle                                                                                                                  54.1%                            53.9%

    Used vehicle retail                                                                                                          26.6%                            27.1%

    Used vehicle wholesale                                                                                                        3.1%                             3.5%

    Parts and service                                                                                                            12.2%                            11.5%

    Finance and insurance                                                                                                         4.0%                             4.0%
                                                                                                                                   ---                               ---

         Total revenue                                                                                                          100.0%                           100.0%
                                                                                                                                 =====                             =====

    Gross profit mix
    ----------------

    New vehicle                                                                                                                  17.1%                            19.3%

    Used vehicle retail                                                                                                          13.4%                            13.8%

    Used vehicle wholesale                                                                                                        0.4%                                -  %

    Parts and service                                                                                                            45.2%                            43.0%

    Finance and insurance                                                                                                        23.9%                            23.9%
                                                                                                                                  ----                              ----

         Total gross profit                                                                                                     100.0%                           100.0%
                                                                                                                                 =====                             =====


    _____________________________

    (1)  Front end yield is calculated as gross profit from new vehicles, used retail vehicles and finance and insurance (net),
         divided by combined new and used retail unit sales.



    ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
    SAME STORE OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS  (In millions)
    (Unaudited)


                                                                                               For the Three Months                        Increase                     %
                                                                                                  Ended March 31,                         (Decrease)                  Change
                                                                                                  ---------------                         ---------                   ------

                                                                                             2016                       2015
                                                                                             ----                       ----

    Revenue
    -------

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                                                             $290.6                                              $293.5                                           $(2.9)                                  (1)%

    Import                                                                                  362.6                                  359.4                                     3.2                                 1%

    Domestic                                                                                159.4                                  149.9                                     9.5                                 6%
                                                                                            -----                                  -----

         Total new vehicle                                                                  812.6                                  802.8                                     9.8                                 1%

    Used Vehicle:

    Retail                                                                                  404.1                                  402.8                                     1.3                                  -   %

    Wholesale                                                                                47.0                                   52.4                                   (5.4)                             (10)%
                                                                                             ----                                   ----

         Total used vehicle                                                                 451.1                                  455.2                                   (4.1)                              (1)%

    Parts and service                                                                       184.5                                  169.5                                    15.0                                 9%

    Finance and insurance                                                                    60.4                                   59.2                                     1.2                                 2%
                                                                                             ----                                   ----

    Total revenue                                                                                    $1,508.6                                            $1,486.7                                            $21.9                                     1%
                                                                                                     ========                                            ========


    Gross profit
    ------------

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                                                              $19.8                                               $21.3                                           $(1.5)                                  (7)%

    Import                                                                                   16.5                                   17.7                                   (1.2)                              (7)%

    Domestic                                                                                  6.9                                    9.4                                   (2.5)                             (27)%
                                                                                              ---                                    ---

         Total new vehicle                                                                   43.2                                   48.4                                   (5.2)                             (11)%

    Used Vehicle:

    Retail                                                                                   33.8                                   34.2                                   (0.4)                              (1)%

    Wholesale                                                                                 1.1                                    0.1                                     1.0                               NM
                                                                                              ---                                    ---

         Total used vehicle                                                                  34.9                                   34.3                                     0.6                                 2%

    Parts and service:

    Customer pay                                                                             65.0                                   58.4                                     6.6                                11%

    Warranty                                                                                 16.5                                   15.4                                     1.1                                 7%

    Wholesale parts                                                                           5.2                                    4.9                                     0.3                                 6%
                                                                                              ---                                    ---

         Parts and service, excluding reconditioning and preparation                         86.7                                   78.7                                     8.0                                10%

    Reconditioning and preparation                                                           28.4                                   27.4                                     1.0                                 4%
                                                                                             ----                                   ----

    Total parts and service                                                                 115.1                                  106.1                                     9.0                                 8%

    Finance and insurance                                                                    60.4                                   59.2                                     1.2                                 2%
                                                                                             ----                                   ----

    Total gross profit                                                                                 $253.6                                              $248.0                                             $5.6                                     2%
                                                                                                       ======                                              ======


    SG&A expense                                                                                       $176.9                                              $169.1                                             $7.8                                     5%
                                                                                                       ======                                              ======

    SG&A expense as a percentage of gross profit                                            69.8%                                 68.2%                                    160    bps
                                                                                             ====                                   ====


    _____________________________

    NM-Not Meaningful


    Same store amounts consist of information from dealerships for identical months in each comparative period, commencing with the first month we owned the dealership. Additionally, amounts related to divested dealerships are excluded from each
     comparative period.



    ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
    SAME STORE OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS  (Continued)
    (Unaudited)


                                                                                                                                 For the Three Months Ended              Increase            %
                                                                                                                                         March 31,                      (Decrease)         Change
                                                                                                                                         ---------                      ---------          ------

                                                                                                                                  2016                      2015
                                                                                                                                  ----                      ----

    Unit sales
    ----------

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                                                                                       5,626                            5,704                          (78)        (1)%

    Import                                                                                                                      13,144                           13,315                         (171)        (1)%

    Domestic                                                                                                                     4,419                            4,196                           223           5%
                                                                                                                                 -----                            -----

         Total new vehicle                                                                                                      23,189                           23,215                          (26)           -  %

    Used vehicle retail                                                                                                         19,195                           19,633                         (438)        (2)%

    Used to new ratio                                                                                                            82.8%                           84.6%                        (180)   bps


    Average selling price
    ---------------------

    New vehicle                                                                                                                           $35,042                                  $34,581                   $461       1%

    Used vehicle retail                                                                                                         21,052                           20,516                           536           3%


    Average gross profit per unit
    -----------------------------

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                                                                                                 $3,519                                   $3,734                 $(215)    (6)%

    Import                                                                                                                       1,255                            1,329                          (74)        (6)%

    Domestic                                                                                                                     1,561                            2,240                         (679)       (30)%

         Total new vehicle                                                                                                       1,863                            2,085                         (222)       (11)%

    Used vehicle                                                                                                                 1,761                            1,742                            19           1%

    Finance and insurance, net                                                                                                   1,425                            1,382                            43           3%

    Front end yield (1)                                                                                                          3,242                            3,309                          (67)        (2)%


    Gross margin
    ------------

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                                                                                        6.8%                            7.3%                         (50)   bps

    Import                                                                                                                        4.6%                            4.9%                         (30)   bps

    Domestic                                                                                                                      4.3%                            6.3%                        (200)   bps
                                                                                                                                   ---                              ---

         Total new vehicle                                                                                                        5.3%                            6.0%                         (70)   bps

    Used vehicle retail                                                                                                           8.4%                            8.5%                         (10)   bps

    Parts and service:

    Parts and service, excluding reconditioning and preparation                                                                  47.0%                           46.4%                           60    bps

    Parts and service, including reconditioning and preparation                                                                  62.4%                           62.6%                         (20)   bps

    Gross profit margin                                                                                                          16.8%                           16.7%                           10    bps
                                                                                                                                  ====                             ====


    _____________________________

    Same store amounts consist of information from dealerships for identical months in each comparative period, commencing with
    the first month we owned the dealership. Additionally, amounts related to divested dealerships are excluded from each
    comparative period.


    (1)  Front end yield is calculated as gross profit from new vehicles, used retail vehicles and finance and insurance (net),
         divided by combined new and used retail unit sales.



    ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
    Additional Disclosures (In millions)
    (Unaudited)


                                               March 31,           December 31,           Increase           % Change
                                                     2016                   2015
                                                                                         (Decrease)
                                                                                         ---------

    SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA

    Cash and cash equivalents                                 $4.4                                      $2.8                $1.6    57%

    New vehicle inventory                           808.3                          739.2                            69.1       9%

    Used vehicle inventory                          146.3                          134.1                            12.2       9%

    Parts inventory                                  43.3                           43.9                           (0.6)    (1)%

    Total current assets                          1,369.3                        1,343.0                            26.3       2%

    Floor plan notes payable                        813.7                          712.2                           101.5      14%

    Total current liabilities                     1,114.4                        1,007.8                           106.6      11%


    CAPITALIZATION:

    Long-term debt (including current portion)              $946.2                                    $954.3              $(8.1)  (1)%

    Shareholders' equity                            241.8                          314.5                          (72.7)   (23)%
                                                    -----                          -----

    Total                                                 $1,188.0                                  $1,268.8             $(80.8)  (6)%
                                                          ========                                  ========



                                          March
                                            31,               December 31,
                                           2016                       2015
                                           ----                       ----

    DAYS SUPPLY

    New vehicle
     inventory                               81                            62

    Used
     vehicle
     inventory                               33                            30


    _____________________________

    Days supply of inventory is calculated based on new and used inventory
     levels at the end of each reporting period and a 30-day historical
     cost of sales




    Brand Mix - New Vehicle Revenue by Brand-


                                              For the Three Months
                                                 Ended March 31,
                                                 ---------------

                                               2016                2015
                                               ----                ----

    Luxury:

    BMW                                          7%                       8%

    Mercedes-Benz                                7%                       7%

    Lexus                                        7%                       7%

    Acura                                        4%                       5%

    Infiniti                                     4%                       4%

    Other luxury                                 6%                       6%
                                                ---                       ---

    Total luxury                                35%                      37%

    Imports:

    Honda                                       16%                      16%

    Nissan                                      11%                      12%

    Toyota                                      12%                      12%

    Other imports                                5%                       5%
                                                ---                       ---

    Total imports                               44%                      45%

    Domestic:

    Ford                                        14%                      10%

    Dodge                                        3%                       3%

    Chevrolet                                    2%                       2%

    Other domestics                              2%                       3%
                                                ---                       ---

    Total domestic                              21%                      18%

    Total New Vehicle Revenue                  100%                     100%
                                                ===                       ===

ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP INC.
Supplemental Disclosures
(Unaudited)

Non-GAAP Financial Disclosure and Reconciliation

In addition to evaluating the financial condition and results of our operations in accordance with GAAP, from time to time 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 certain alternative financial measures not prepared in accordance with GAAP. These measures include "Adjusted leverage ratio," "Adjusted income from operations," "Adjusted income from continuing operations," and "Adjusted diluted earnings per share ("EPS") from continuing operations." 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. Management cautions investors not to place undue reliance on such non-GAAP measures, but also to consider them with the most directly comparable GAAP measures. In their evaluation of results from time to time, management excludes items that do not arise directly from core operations, or are otherwise of an unusual or non-recurring nature. Because these non-core, unusual or non-recurring charges and gains materially affect Asbury'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. Management discloses these non-GAAP measures, and the related reconciliations, because it believes 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 following tables provide reconciliations for our non-GAAP metrics:



                                                             For the Twelve Months Ended
                                                             ---------------------------

                                                    March 31, 2016                 December 31, 2015
                                                    --------------                 -----------------

                                                                (Dollars in millions)

    Adjusted leverage ratio:
    ------------------------

    Long-term debt (including current portion)                         $951.5                            $959.7


    Calculation of earnings before interest, taxes,
     depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"):

    Income from continuing operations                                  $164.6                            $169.4


    Add:

    Depreciation and amortization                             29.7                                29.5

    Income tax expense                                       100.6                               104.0

    Swap and other interest expense                           50.5                                47.0
                                                              ----                                ----

    Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation
     and amortization ("EBITDA")                                       $345.4                            $349.9
                                                                       ======                            ======


    Non-core items - (income) expense:

    Real estate-related charges                                          $3.4                          $      -

    Gain on divestitures                                    (34.9)                             (34.9)

      Total non-core items                                  (31.5)                             (34.9)


    Adjusted EBITDA                                                    $313.9                            $315.0
                                                                       ======                            ======


    Adjusted leverage ratio                                    3.0                                 3.0
                                                               ===                                 ===



                                    For the Three Months
                                      Ended March 31,
                                      ---------------

                                              2016             2015
                                              ----             ----

                                (In millions, except per share
                                            data)

    Adjusted income from
     operations:
    --------------------

    Income from operations                            $68.9         $73.1

    Real estate-related charges                3.4                -

    Adjusted income from
     operations                                       $72.3         $73.1
                                                      =====         =====


    Adjusted income from
     continuing operations:
    -----------------------

    Net income                                        $31.0         $35.9

    Discontinued operations,
     net of tax                                0.1                -
                                               ---              ---

    Income from continuing
     operations                               31.1             35.9


    Non-core items - (income)
     expense:

    Real estate-related charges                3.4                -

    Income tax benefit                       (1.3)               -
                                              ----              ---

    Total non-core items                       2.1                -

    Adjusted income from
     continuing operations                            $33.2         $35.9
                                                      =====         =====


    Adjusted diluted earnings
     per share (EPS) from
     continuing operations:
    -------------------------

    Net income                                        $1.27         $1.30

    Discontinued operations,
     net of tax                                  -               -
                                               ---             ---

    Income from continuing
     operations                                       $1.27         $1.30


    Total non-core items                      0.09                -
                                              ----              ---

    Adjusted diluted EPS from
     continuing operations                            $1.36         $1.30
                                                      =====         =====


    Weighted average common
     shares outstanding -
     diluted                                  24.4             27.7
                                              ====             ====

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/asbury-automotive-group-announces-record-2016-first-quarter-financial-results-300257247.html

SOURCE Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.