DULUTH, Ga., Feb. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: ABG), one of the largest automotive retail and service companies in the U.S., today reported net income for the fourth quarter 2016 of $67.1 million, or $3.08 per diluted share, compared to $41.1 million, or $1.64 per diluted share in the prior year quarter. It also reported adjusted income from continuing operations (a non-GAAP measure) for the fourth quarter 2016 of $34.0 million, or $1.56 per diluted share, compared to $32.8 million, or $1.31 per diluted share, in the prior year quarter, a 19% increase in adjusted earnings per share.

Income from continuing operations for the fourth quarter 2016 was adjusted for a $45.5 million pre-tax gain on divestitures, $6.6 million pre-tax legal settlements benefit, $0.5 million pre-tax real estate related impairment charges, and $0.9 million benefit from discrete tax items. In total, these adjustments increased our earnings per share by $1.52 for the fourth quarter of 2016. Income from continuing operations for the fourth quarter 2015 was adjusted for a $13.5 million pre-tax gain on divestitures, or $0.34 per diluted share. See attached reconciliation for reported adjustments related to both of these periods.

Total revenue for the fourth quarter was $1.7 billion, up 2% from the prior year period; total revenue on a same-store basis (a non-GAAP measure) was up 5% from the prior year period.

Fourth Quarter 2016 Operational Summary

Same store:


    --  Total revenues increased 5%; gross profit increased 5%
    --  New vehicle revenue increased 3%; gross profit down 5%
    --  Used vehicle retail revenue up 7%; gross profit up 1%
    --  Finance and insurance revenue up 8%
    --  Parts and service revenue up 8%; gross profit up 9%

All store:


    --  SG&A as a percentage of gross profit improved 120 basis points to 69.3%
    --  Total company adjusted income from operations (a non-GAAP measure) as a
        percentage of revenue was 4.4%, up 20 basis points
    --  Adjusted EPS from continuing operations up 19%

Strategic Highlights:


    --  Repurchased $50 million of common stock during Q4 and $212 million for
        the full year 2016
    --  Exited the Arkansas market; sold four stores representing five
        franchises in Q4 2016
    --  Acquired a Chevy franchise and an Isuzu truck franchise in Indianapolis,
        Indiana in Q1 2017

"We closed 2016 with a strong performance, delivering 19% adjusted EPS growth in the fourth quarter," said Craig Monaghan, Asbury's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We continue to execute our two-part strategy: driving operational excellence and deploying capital to its highest returns. In 2016, in a flat SAAR environment, we strengthened our dealership portfolio, repatriated over $200 million of capital to our shareholders, and grew adjusted EPS 9%."

"We continue to grow our parts and service business, delivering same store parts and service gross profit growth of 9% for the quarter," said Asbury's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, David Hult. "In addition, we were able to grow our F&I per vehicle to approximately $1,500 and deliver 120 basis points improvement in SG&A as a percentage of gross profit. This was a direct result of our team's hard work and commitment to continuous improvement."

For the full year 2016, the Company reported net income of $167.2 million, or $7.40 per diluted share, compared to net income of $169.2 million, or $6.41 per diluted share in the prior year period. Adjusted income from continuing operations (a non-GAAP measure) for 2016 was $137.3 million, or $6.08 per diluted share, compared to $147.0 million, or $5.57 per diluted share in the prior year, a 9% increase in adjusted earnings per share.

Total revenue for the full year 2016 was $6.5 billion, down 1% from the prior year period principally attributable to strategic divestitures over the past year; total revenue on a same-store basis (a non-GAAP measure) was up 2% from the prior year period.

The conference call will be simulcast live on the Internet and 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 (719) 325-4812 (domestic), or (877) 857-6176 (international); passcode - 2230163. 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 - 2230163.

About Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. ("Asbury"), a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA, is one of the largest automotive retailers in the U.S. Asbury currently operates 79 dealerships, consisting of 95 franchises, representing 29 domestic and foreign brands of vehicles. Asbury also operates 24 collision repair centers and 2 stand-alone used vehicle stores. 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, 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               Increase           %
                                                                               Ended December 31,               (Decrease)        Change


                                                                              2016                 2015
                                                                              ----                 ----

    REVENUE:

    New vehicle                                                                       $935.6                               $931.8              $3.8             - %

    Used vehicle:

    Retail                                                                   420.3                        407.7                        12.6       3%

    Wholesale                                                                 48.6                         50.0                       (1.4)    (3)%
                                                                              ----                         ----

         Total used vehicle                                                  468.9                        457.7                        11.2       2%

    Parts and service                                                        193.6                        185.2                         8.4       5%

    Finance and insurance, net                                                68.4                         65.8                         2.6       4%
                                                                              ----                         ----

    TOTAL REVENUE                                                          1,666.5                      1,640.5                        26.0       2%

    GROSS PROFIT:

    New vehicle                                                               47.4                         50.5                       (3.1)    (6)%

    Used vehicle:

    Retail                                                                    29.6                         30.5                       (0.9)    (3)%

    Wholesale                                                                (2.1)                       (1.1)                      (1.0)   (91)%

         Total used vehicle                                                   27.5                         29.4                       (1.9)    (6)%

    Parts and service                                                        121.3                        114.7                         6.6       6%

    Finance and insurance, net                                                68.4                         65.8                         2.6       4%
                                                                              ----                         ----

    TOTAL GROSS PROFIT                                                       264.6                        260.4                         4.2       2%

    OPERATING EXPENSES (INCOME):

    Selling, general and administrative                                      183.3                        183.5                       (0.2)             -   %

    Depreciation and amortization                                              7.7                          7.5                         0.2       3%

    Other operating income, net                                              (6.5)                       (0.3)                      (6.2)            NM
                                                                              ----                         ----

    INCOME FROM OPERATIONS                                                    80.1                         69.7                        10.4      15%

    OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSES:

    Floor plan interest expense                                                4.9                          4.1                         0.8      20%

    Other interest expense, net                                               13.1                         12.5                         0.6       5%

    Swap interest expense                                                      0.7                          1.0                       (0.3)   (30)%

    Gain on divestitures                                                    (45.5)                      (13.5)                     (32.0)            NM
                                                                             -----                        -----

    Total other (income) expenses, net                                      (26.8)                         4.1                      (30.9)            NM
                                                                             -----                          ---

    INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS                                        106.9                         65.6                        41.3      63%
    BEFORE INCOME TAXES

    Income tax expense                                                        39.8                         24.4                        15.4      63%
                                                                              ----                         ----

    INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS                                         67.1                         41.2                        25.9      63%

    Discontinued operations, net of tax                                          -                       (0.1)                        0.1   (100)%
                                                                               ---                        ----

    NET INCOME                                                                         $67.1                                $41.1             $26.0           63%
                                                                                       =====                                =====

    EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:

    Basic-

    Continuing operations                                                              $3.11                                $1.65             $1.46           88%

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

    Net income                                                                         $3.11                                $1.65             $1.46           88%
                                                                                       =====                                =====

    Diluted-

    Continuing operations                                                              $3.08                                $1.65             $1.43           87%

    Discontinued operations                                                      -                      (0.01)                       0.01              -   %
                                                                               ---                       -----

    Net income                                                                         $3.08                                $1.64             $1.44           88%
                                                                                       =====                                =====

    WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:

    Basic                                                                     21.6                         24.9                       (3.3)   (13)%

    Restricted stock                                                           0.1                            -                        0.1              -   %

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

    Diluted                                                                   21.8                         25.0                       (3.2)   (13)%
                                                                              ====                         ====




    NM-Not Meaningful




    ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.

    KEY OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (In millions, except per unit data)

    (Unaudited)


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

                                                                      2016                  2015
                                                                      ----                  ----

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

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                           6,406                         6,809                         (403)        (6)%

    Import                                                          14,652                        14,581                            71            - %

    Domestic                                                         4,693                         4,770                          (77)        (2)%
                                                                     -----                         -----

         Total new vehicle                                          25,751                        26,160                         (409)        (2)%

    Used vehicle retail                                             19,881                        19,425                           456           2%

    Used to new ratio                                                77.2%                        74.3%                          290    bps

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

    New vehicle                                                               $36,333                               $35,619                   $714        2%

    Used vehicle retail                                             21,141                        20,988                           153           1%

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

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                                     $3,590                                $3,466                   $124        4%

    Import                                                           1,099                         1,228                         (129)       (11)%

    Domestic                                                         1,769                         1,887                         (118)        (6)%

    Total new vehicle                                                1,841                         1,930                          (89)        (5)%

    Used vehicle                                                     1,489                         1,570                          (81)        (5)%

    Finance and insurance, net                                       1,499                         1,443                            56           4%

    Front end yield (1)                                              3,186                         3,220                          (34)        (1)%

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

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                            6.7%                         6.7%                            -   bps

    Import                                                            3.9%                         4.5%                         (60)    bps

    Domestic                                                          4.6%                         5.1%                         (50)    bps

    Total new vehicle                                                 5.1%                         5.4%                         (30)    bps

    Used vehicle retail                                               7.0%                         7.5%                         (50)    bps

    Parts and service                                                62.7%                        61.9%                           80    bps

    Total gross profit margin                                        15.9%                        15.9%                            -   bps

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

    Rent expense                                                                 $7.0                                  $7.8                 $(0.8)    (10)%

    Total SG&A as a percentage of gross profit                       69.3%                        70.5%                        (120)    bps

    SG&A, excluding rent expense as a percentage of gross profit     66.6%                        67.5%                         (90)    bps

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

    Income from operations as a percentage of revenue                 4.8%                         4.2%                           60    bps

    Income from operations as a percentage of gross profit           30.3%                        26.8%                          350    bps

    Adjusted income from operations as a percentage of revenue        4.4%                         4.2%                           20    bps

    Adjusted income from operations as a percentage of gross profit  28.0%                        26.8%                          120    bps

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

    New vehicle                                                      56.1%                        56.8%

    Used vehicle retail                                              25.3%                        24.9%

    Used vehicle wholesale                                            2.9%                         3.0%

    Parts and service                                                11.6%                        11.3%

    Finance and insurance                                             4.1%                         4.0%
                                                                       ---                           ---

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

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

    New vehicle                                                      17.9%                        19.4%

    Used vehicle retail                                              11.2%                        11.7%

    Used vehicle wholesale                                          (0.8)%                       (0.4)%

    Parts and service                                                45.8%                        44.0%

    Finance and insurance                                            25.9%                        25.3%
                                                                      ----                          ----

         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 Ended                    Increase                     %
                                                                                                                                                                    December 31,                          (Decrease)                 Change


                                                                                                                                                              2016                      2015
                                                                                                                                                              ----                      ----

    Revenue
    -------

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                                                                                                                              $336.6                                             $345.6                                         $(9.0)    (3)%

    Import                                                                                                                                                   403.0                                 375.0                                   28.0                                7%

    Domestic                                                                                                                                                 174.3                                 165.6                                    8.7                                5%
                                                                                                                                                             -----                                 -----

         Total new vehicle                                                                                                                                   913.9                                 886.2                                   27.7                                3%

    Used Vehicle:

    Retail                                                                                                                                                   405.3                                 379.4                                   25.9                                7%

    Wholesale                                                                                                                                                 47.1                                  47.2                                  (0.1)                                -  %
                                                                                                                                                              ----                                  ----

         Total used vehicle                                                                                                                                  452.4                                 426.6                                   25.8                                6%

    Parts and service                                                                                                                                        187.8                                 174.0                                   13.8                                8%

    Finance and insurance                                                                                                                                     66.9                                  61.9                                    5.0                                8%
                                                                                                                                                              ----                                  ----

    Total revenue                                                                                                                                                     $1,621.0                                           $1,548.7                                          $72.3       5%
                                                                                                                                                                      ========                                           ========


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

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                                                                                                                               $22.5                                              $22.9                                         $(0.4)    (2)%

    Import                                                                                                                                                    15.6                                  17.0                                  (1.4)                             (8)%

    Domestic                                                                                                                                                   8.0                                   8.4                                  (0.4)                             (5)%
                                                                                                                                                               ---                                   ---

         Total new vehicle                                                                                                                                    46.1                                  48.3                                  (2.2)                             (5)%

    Used Vehicle:

    Retail                                                                                                                                                    28.7                                  28.5                                    0.2                                1%

    Wholesale                                                                                                                                                (1.7)                                (0.8)                                 (0.9)                               NM
                                                                                                                                                              ----                                  ----

         Total used vehicle                                                                                                                                   27.0                                  27.7                                  (0.7)                             (3)%

    Parts and service:

    Customer pay                                                                                                                                              64.8                                  59.3                                    5.5                                9%

    Warranty                                                                                                                                                  19.0                                  16.9                                    2.1                               12%

    Wholesale parts                                                                                                                                            4.9                                   4.8                                    0.1                                2%
                                                                                                                                                               ---                                   ---

         Parts and service, excluding reconditioning and preparation                                                                                          88.7                                  81.0                                    7.7                               10%

    Reconditioning and preparation                                                                                                                            29.3                                  27.0                                    2.3                                9%

    Total parts and service                                                                                                                                  118.0                                 108.0                                   10.0                                9%

    Finance and insurance                                                                                                                                     66.9                                  61.9                                    5.0                                8%
                                                                                                                                                              ----                                  ----

    Total gross profit                                                                                                                                                  $258.0                                             $245.9                                          $12.1       5%
                                                                                                                                                                        ======                                             ======


    SG&A expense                                                                                                                                                        $176.6                                             $171.8                                           $4.8       3%
                                                                                                                                                                        ======                                             ======

    SG&A expense as a percentage of gross profit                                                                                                             68.4%                                69.9%                                 (150)   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             %
                                                                       December 31,                    (Decrease)         Change


                                                                  2016                     2015
                                                                  ----                     ----

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

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                       6,322                           6,664                         (342)       (5)%

    Import                                                      14,381                          13,641                           740          5%

    Domestic                                                     4,460                           4,476                          (16)          -  %
                                                                 -----                           -----

         Total new vehicle                                      25,163                          24,781                           382          2%

    Used vehicle retail                                         19,084                          17,857                         1,227          7%

    Used to new ratio                                            75.8%                          72.1%                          370    bps


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

    New vehicle                                                           $36,319                                 $35,761                  $558    2%

    Used vehicle retail                                         21,238                          21,247                           (9)          -  %


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

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                                 $3,559                                  $3,436                  $123    4%

    Import                                                       1,085                           1,246                         (161)      (13)%

    Domestic                                                     1,794                           1,877                          (83)       (4)%

    Total new vehicle                                            1,832                           1,949                         (117)       (6)%

    Used vehicle retail                                          1,504                           1,596                          (92)       (6)%

    Finance and insurance, net                                   1,512                           1,452                            60          4%

    Front end yield (1)                                          3,202                           3,253                          (51)       (2)%


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

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                        6.7%                           6.6%                           10    bps

    Import                                                        3.9%                           4.5%                         (60)    bps

    Domestic                                                      4.6%                           5.1%                         (50)    bps

    Total new vehicle                                             5.0%                           5.5%                         (50)    bps

    Used vehicle retail                                           7.1%                           7.5%                         (40)    bps

    Parts and service:

    Parts and service, excluding reconditioning and preparation  47.2%                          46.6%                           60    bps

    Parts and service, including reconditioning and preparation  62.8%                          62.1%                           70    bps

    Total gross profit margin                                    15.9%                          15.9%                            -   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.

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (In millions, except per share data)

    (Unaudited)


                                                                               For the Twelve Months               Increase             %
                                                                                Ended December 31,                (Decrease)          Change


                                                                              2016                   2015
                                                                              ----                   ----

    REVENUE:

    New vehicle                                                                       $3,611.9                               $3,652.5           $(40.6)      (1)%

    Used vehicle:

    Retail                                                                 1,675.0                        1,717.5                        (42.5)    (2)%

    Wholesale                                                                201.4                          214.2                        (12.8)    (6)%

         Total used vehicle                                                1,876.4                        1,931.7                        (55.3)    (3)%

    Parts and service                                                        778.5                          740.7                          37.8       5%

    Finance and insurance, net                                               261.0                          263.4                         (2.4)    (1)%
                                                                             -----                          -----

    TOTAL REVENUE                                                          6,527.8                        6,588.3                        (60.5)    (1)%

    GROSS PROFIT:

    New vehicle                                                              187.1                          203.0                        (15.9)    (8)%

    Used vehicle:

    Retail                                                                   131.0                          136.1                         (5.1)    (4)%

    Wholesale                                                                (3.7)                         (4.3)                          0.6      14%

         Total used vehicle                                                  127.3                          131.8                         (4.5)    (3)%

    Parts and service                                                        483.3                          462.6                          20.7       4%

    Finance and insurance, net                                               261.0                          263.4                         (2.4)    (1)%
                                                                             -----                          -----

    TOTAL GROSS PROFIT                                                     1,058.7                        1,060.8                         (2.1)       -   %

    OPERATING EXPENSES (INCOME):

    Selling, general and administrative                                      732.5                          729.9                           2.6        -   %

    Depreciation and amortization                                             30.7                           29.5                           1.2       4%

    Other operating income, net                                              (2.3)                         (0.2)                        (2.1)    NM
                                                                              ----                           ----

    INCOME FROM OPERATIONS                                                   297.8                          301.6                         (3.8)    (1)%

    OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME):

    Floor plan interest expense                                               19.3                           16.1                           3.2      20%

    Other interest expense, net                                               53.1                           44.0                           9.1      21%

    Swap interest expense                                                      3.1                            3.0                           0.1       3%

    Gain on divestitures                                                    (45.5)                        (34.9)                       (10.6)   (30)%

    Total other expenses (income), net                                        30.0                           28.2                           1.8       6%
                                                                              ----                           ----

    INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES                    267.8                          273.4                         (5.6)    (2)%

    Income tax expense                                                       100.6                          104.0                         (3.4)    (3)%
                                                                             -----                          -----

    INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS                                        167.2                          169.4                         (2.2)    (1)%

    Discontinued operations, net of tax                                          -                         (0.2)                          0.2     100%
                                                                               ---                          ----

    NET INCOME                                                                          $167.2                                 $169.2            $(2.0)      (1)%
                                                                                        ======                                 ======

    EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:

    Basic-

    Continuing operations                                                                $7.43                                  $6.44             $0.99        15%

    Discontinued operations                                                      -                        (0.01)                         0.01        -   %
                                                                               ---                         -----

    Net income                                                                           $7.43                                  $6.43             $1.00        16%
                                                                                         =====                                  =====

    Diluted-

    Continuing operations                                                                $7.40                                  $6.42             $0.98        15%

    Discontinued operations                                                      -                        (0.01)                         0.01     100%
                                                                               ---                         -----

    Net income                                                                           $7.40                                  $6.41             $0.99        15%
                                                                                         =====                                  =====

    WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:

    Basic                                                                     22.5                           26.3                         (3.8)   (14)%

    Restricted stock                                                             -                             -                            -       -   %

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

    Diluted                                                                   22.6                           26.4                         (3.8)   (14)%
                                                                              ====                           ====




    NM-Not Meaningful




    ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.

    KEY OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (In millions, except per unit data)

    (Unaudited)


                                                                     For the Twelve Months Ended              Increase             %
                                                                            December 31,                     (Decrease)         Change


                                                                       2016                     2015
                                                                       ----                     ----

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

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                           23,875                           25,441                       (1,566)        (6)%

    Import                                                           58,466                           61,633                       (3,167)        (5)%

    Domestic                                                         20,019                           18,907                         1,112           6%
                                                                     ------                           ------

         Total new vehicle                                          102,360                          105,981                       (3,621)        (3)%

    Used vehicle retail                                              79,259                           82,589                       (3,330)        (4)%

    Used to new ratio                                                 77.4%                           77.9%                         (50)    bps

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

    New vehicle                                                                $35,286                                  $34,464                   $822        2%

    Used vehicle retail                                              21,133                           20,796                           337           2%

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

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                                      $3,535                                   $3,428                   $107        3%

    Import                                                            1,178                            1,254                          (76)        (6)%

    Domestic                                                          1,688                            2,036                         (348)       (17)%

    Total new vehicle                                                 1,828                            1,915                          (87)        (5)%

    Used vehicle                                                      1,653                            1,648                             5            -  %

    Finance and insurance, net                                        1,437                            1,397                            40           3%

    Front end yield (1)                                               3,189                            3,195                           (6)           -  %

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

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                             6.7%                            6.7%                            -   bps

    Import                                                             4.3%                            4.6%                         (30)   bps

    Domestic                                                           4.6%                            5.6%                        (100)   bps

    Total new vehicle                                                  5.2%                            5.6%                         (40)   bps

    Used vehicle retail                                                7.8%                            7.9%                         (10)   bps

    Parts and service                                                 62.1%                           62.5%                         (40)   bps

    Total gross profit margin                                         16.2%                           16.1%                           10    bps

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

    Rent expense                                                                 $29.9                                    $31.3                 $(1.4)     (4)%

    Total SG&A as a percentage of gross profit                        69.2%                           68.8%                           40    bps

    SG&A, excluding rent expense as a percentage of gross profit      66.4%                           65.9%                           50    bps

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

    Income from operations as a percentage of revenue                  4.6%                            4.6%                            -   bps

    Income from operations as a percentage of gross profit            28.1%                           28.4%                         (30)   bps

    Adjusted income from operations as a percentage of revenue         4.5%                            4.6%                         (10)   bps

    Adjusted income from operations as a percentage of gross profit   28.0%                           28.4%                         (40)   bps

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

    New vehicle                                                       55.3%                           55.4%

    Used vehicle retail                                               25.7%                           26.1%

    Used vehicle wholesale                                             3.1%                            3.3%

    Parts and service                                                 11.9%                           11.2%

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

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

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

    New vehicle                                                       17.7%                           19.1%

    Used vehicle retail                                               12.3%                           12.9%

    Used vehicle wholesale                                           (0.3)%                          (0.4)%

    Parts and service                                                 45.6%                           43.6%

    Finance and insurance                                             24.7%                           24.8%
                                                                       ----                             ----

         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 Twelve Months                       Increase                     %
                                                                                                                                                                 Ended December 31,                       (Decrease)                 Change


                                                                                                                                                              2016                      2015
                                                                                                                                                              ----                      ----

    Revenue
    -------

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                                                                                                                            $1,226.5                                           $1,253.5                                         $(27.0)  (2)%

    Import                                                                                                                                                 1,544.6                               1,514.4                                   30.2                                 2%

    Domestic                                                                                                                                                 667.8                                 639.7                                   28.1                                 4%
                                                                                                                                                             -----                                 -----

         Total new vehicle                                                                                                                                 3,438.9                               3,407.6                                   31.3                                 1%

    Used Vehicle:

    Retail                                                                                                                                                 1,578.0                               1,561.3                                   16.7                                 1%

    Wholesale                                                                                                                                                191.9                                 198.2                                  (6.3)                              (3)%
                                                                                                                                                             -----                                 -----

         Total used vehicle                                                                                                                                1,769.9                               1,759.5                                   10.4                                 1%

    Parts and service                                                                                                                                        736.1                                 683.4                                   52.7                                 8%

    Finance and insurance                                                                                                                                    247.6                                 243.3                                    4.3                                 2%
                                                                                                                                                             -----                                 -----

    Total revenue                                                                                                                                                     $6,192.5                                           $6,093.8                                           $98.7     2%
                                                                                                                                                                      ========                                           ========


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

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                                                                                                                               $82.4                                              $83.7                                          $(1.3)  (2)%

    Import                                                                                                                                                    66.4                                  71.2                                  (4.8)                              (7)%

    Domestic                                                                                                                                                  29.8                                  36.0                                  (6.2)                             (17)%
                                                                                                                                                              ----                                  ----

         Total new vehicle                                                                                                                                   178.6                                 190.9                                 (12.3)                              (6)%

    Used Vehicle:

    Retail                                                                                                                                                   123.6                                 125.1                                  (1.5)                              (1)%

    Wholesale                                                                                                                                                (3.2)                                (3.1)                                 (0.1)                              (3)%
                                                                                                                                                              ----                                  ----

         Total used vehicle                                                                                                                                  120.4                                 122.0                                  (1.6)                              (1)%

    Parts and service:

    Customer pay                                                                                                                                             255.1                                 234.6                                   20.5                                 9%

    Warranty                                                                                                                                                  70.3                                  65.4                                    4.9                                 7%

    Wholesale parts                                                                                                                                           19.2                                  18.9                                    0.3                                 2%
                                                                                                                                                              ----                                  ----

         Parts and service, excluding reconditioning and preparation                                                                                         344.6                                 318.9                                   25.7                                 8%

    Reconditioning and preparation                                                                                                                           114.3                                 109.4                                    4.9                                 4%
                                                                                                                                                             -----                                 -----

    Total parts and service                                                                                                                                  458.9                                 428.3                                   30.6                                 7%

    Finance and insurance                                                                                                                                    247.6                                 243.3                                    4.3                                 2%
                                                                                                                                                             -----                                 -----

    Total gross profit                                                                                                                                                $1,005.5                                             $984.5                                           $21.0     2%
                                                                                                                                                                      ========                                             ======


    SG&A expense                                                                                                                                                        $693.4                                             $672.9                                           $20.5     3%
                                                                                                                                                                        ======                                             ======

    SG&A expense as a percentage of gross profit                                                                                                             69.0%                                68.3%                                    70    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.




    ASBURY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.

    SAME STORE OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS (Continued)

    (Unaudited)


                                                                For the Twelve Months Ended             Increase             %
                                                                       December 31,                    (Decrease)         Change


                                                                  2016                     2015
                                                                  ----                     ----

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

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                      23,424                          24,539                       (1,115)       (5)%

    Import                                                      55,960                          56,224                         (264)          -  %

    Domestic                                                    17,804                          17,669                           135          1%
                                                                ------                          ------

         Total new vehicle                                      97,188                          98,432                       (1,244)       (1)%

    Used vehicle retail                                         74,027                          74,312                         (285)          -  %

    Used to new ratio                                            76.2%                          75.5%                           70    bps


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

    New vehicle                                                           $35,384                                 $34,619                  $765    2%

    Used vehicle retail                                         21,317                          21,010                           307          1%


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

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                                 $3,518                                  $3,411                  $107    3%

    Import                                                       1,187                           1,266                          (79)       (6)%

    Domestic                                                     1,674                           2,037                         (363)      (18)%

    Total new vehicle                                            1,838                           1,939                         (101)       (5)%

    Used vehicle retail                                          1,670                           1,683                          (13)       (1)%

    Finance and insurance, net                                   1,446                           1,408                            38          3%

    Front end yield (1)                                          3,211                           3,238                          (27)       (1)%


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

    New vehicle:

    Luxury                                                        6.7%                           6.7%                            -   bps

    Import                                                        4.3%                           4.7%                         (40)   bps

    Domestic                                                      4.5%                           5.6%                        (110)   bps

    Total new vehicle                                             5.2%                           5.6%                         (40)   bps

    Used vehicle retail                                           7.8%                           8.0%                         (20)   bps

    Parts and service:

    Parts and service, excluding reconditioning and preparation  46.8%                          46.7%                           10    bps

    Parts and service, including reconditioning and preparation  62.3%                          62.7%                         (40)   bps

    Total gross profit margin                                    16.2%                          16.2%                            -   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)


                                                                                     December 31, 2016               December 31, 2015                    Increase                   % Change

                                                                                                                                                       (Decrease)
                                                                                                                                                                                           ---

    SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA

    Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                 $3.4                                                              $2.8                $0.6        21%

    New vehicle inventory                                                                        720.6                                            739.2                                   (18.6)    (3)%

    Used vehicle inventory                                                                       132.7                                            134.1                                    (1.4)    (1)%

    Parts inventory                                                                               41.6                                             43.9                                    (2.3)    (5)%

    Total current assets                                                                       1,332.4                                          1,331.2                                      1.2          - %

    Floor plan notes payable                                                                     781.8                                            712.2                                     69.6      10%

    Total current liabilities                                                                  1,104.3                                          1,007.8                                     96.5      10%


    CAPITALIZATION:

    Long-term debt (including current portion)                                                              $926.7                                                            $954.3             $(27.6)      (3)%

    Shareholders' equity                                                                         279.7                                            314.5                                   (34.8)   (11)%
                                                                                                 -----                                            -----

    Total                                                                                                 $1,206.4                                                          $1,268.8             $(62.4)      (5)%
                                                                                                          ========                                                          ========




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

    DAYS SUPPLY

    New vehicle inventory                                                                                                                                    61                          62

    Used vehicle inventory                                                                                                                                   30                          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 Year Ended
                                  December 31,

                               2016              2015
                               ----              ----

    Luxury:

    Mercedes-Benz                7%                     7%

    Lexus                        7%                     7%

    BMW                          6%                     8%

    Acura                        4%                     5%

    Infiniti                     3%                     3%

    Other luxury                 7%                     6%
                                ---                     ---

    Total luxury                34%                    36%

    Imports:

    Honda                       17%                    16%

    Toyota                      12%                    12%

    Nissan                      11%                    12%

    Other imports                5%                     6%
                                ---                     ---

    Total imports               45%                    46%

    Domestic:

    Ford                        13%                    11%

    Dodge                        3%                     2%

    Chevrolet                    3%                     3%

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

    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." Further, management assesses the organic growth of our revenue and gross profit on a same store basis. We believe that our assessment on a same store basis represents an important indicator of comparative financial performance and provides relevant information to assess our performance at our existing locations. 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. 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

                                                                                  December 31, 2016               September 30, 2016
                                                                                  -----------------               ------------------

                                                                                                    (Dollars in millions)

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

    Long-term debt (including current portion)                                                           $926.7                               $930.2


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

    Income from continuing operations                                                                    $167.2                               $141.3


    Add:

    Depreciation and amortization                                                              30.7                                      30.5

    Income tax expense                                                                        100.6                                      85.1

    Swap and other interest expense                                                            56.2                                      56.0
                                                                                               ----                                      ----

    Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA")                            $354.7                               $312.9
                                                                                                         ======                               ======


    Non-core items - (income) expense:

    Real estate-related charges                                                                            $5.7                                 $5.2

    Legal settlements                                                                         (6.6)                                        -

    Gain on divestitures                                                                     (45.5)                                   (13.5)

      Total non-core items                                                                   (46.4)                                    (8.3)


    Adjusted EBITDA                                                                                      $308.3                               $304.6
                                                                                                         ======                               ======


    Adjusted leverage ratio                                                                     3.0                                       3.1
                                                                                                ===                                       ===




                                                                                                 For the Three Months Ended
                                                                                                        December 31,

                                                                                               2016                              2015
                                                                                               ----                              ----

                                                                                            (In millions, except per share data)

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

    Income from operations                                                                                $80.1                                $69.7

    Real estate-related charges                                                                 0.5                                         -

    Legal settlements                                                                         (6.6)                                        -

    Adjusted income from operations                                                                       $74.0                                $69.7
                                                                                                          =====                                =====


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

    Income from continuing operations                                                                     $67.1                                $41.2


    Non-core items - (income) expense:

    Real estate-related charges                                                                 0.5                                         -

    Legal settlements                                                                         (6.6)                                        -

    Gain on divestitures                                                                     (45.5)                                   (13.5)

    Income tax expense on non-core items above                                                 19.4                                       5.1

    Income tax benefit                                                                        (0.9)                                        -
                                                                                               ----                                       ---

    Total non-core items                                                                     (33.1)                                    (8.4)

    Adjusted income from continuing operations                                                            $34.0                                $32.8
                                                                                                          =====                                =====


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

    Net income                                                                                            $3.08                                $1.64

    Discontinued operations, net of tax                                                           -                                     0.01
                                                                                                ---                                     ----

    Income from continuing operations                                                                     $3.08                                $1.65


    Total non-core items                                                                     (1.52)                                   (0.34)
                                                                                              -----                                     -----

    Adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations                                                       $1.56                                $1.31
                                                                                                          =====                                =====


    Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted                                       21.8                                      25.0
                                                                                               ====                                      ====




                                                                                                    For the Twelve Months
                                                                                                     Ended December 31,

                                                                                               2016                              2015
                                                                                               ----                              ----

                                                                                            (In millions, except per share data)

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

    Income from operations                                                                               $297.8                               $301.6

    Real estate-related charges                                                                 5.7                                         -

    Legal settlements                                                                         (6.6)                                        -

    Adjusted income from operations                                                                      $296.9                               $301.6
                                                                                                         ======                               ======


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

    Income from continuing operations                                                                    $167.2                               $169.4


    Non-core items - (income) expense:

    Real estate-related charges                                                                 5.7                                         -

    Legal settlements                                                                         (6.6)                                        -

    Gain on divestitures                                                                     (45.5)                                   (34.9)

    Income tax expense on non-core items above                                                 17.4                                      13.3

    Income tax benefit                                                                        (0.9)                                    (0.8)
                                                                                               ----                                      ----

    Total non-core items                                                                     (29.9)                                   (22.4)

    Adjusted income from continuing operations                                                           $137.3                               $147.0
                                                                                                         ======                               ======


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

    Net income                                                                                            $7.40                                $6.41

    Discontinued operations, net of tax                                                           -                                     0.01
                                                                                                ---                                     ----

    Income from continuing operations                                                                     $7.40                                $6.42


    Total non-core items                                                                     (1.32)                                   (0.85)
                                                                                              -----                                     -----

    Adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations                                                       $6.08                                $5.57
                                                                                                          =====                                =====


    Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted                                       22.6                                      26.4
                                                                                               ====                                      ====

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/asbury-automotive-group-announces-record-2016-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-financial-results-300403045.html

SOURCE Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.