Going in to yesterdays investor meeting Penske Automotive Group posted a stronger-than-expected quarterly profit. It is believed this is a result of rising used-car sales and stronger profit margins offset a decline in demand for new vehicles.
Penske, the No. 2 U.S. auto dealership group, is realistic and continues to expect supply challenges with some of its Japanese brands hurt by the March earthquake, but the automakers have been able to increase production earlier than expected. For Penske, sales from Toyota Motor Corp, Honda Motor Co and Nissan Motor Co brands represent about a third of revenue. Parts shortages in the wake of the March 11 earthquake caused all three Japanese automakers to cut production.
Penske said in April it expected the disruption from the shortfall in output by Japanese automakers to be limited. It also said it expected profit margins to rise as discounts on new cars waned over the summer because of the limited supply of vehicles from the Japanese manufacturers. “Although we faced a challenging inventory situation as a result of the Japan earthquake, our business model continued to prove its resiliency and delivered another solid quarter,” said Penske Automotive Group Chairman Roger Penske.
As previously announced, Penske recently completed the acquisition of Crevier BMW-MINI, in Santa Ana, California, and Mercedes-Benz of Greenwich in Connecticut. In total, the company has acquired seven franchises in 2011, which are expected to generate approximately $525 million of annual revenue. These transactions were financed using working capital and availability under the Penske’s U.S. revolving credit facility.
Unit sales of new cars in the three months ended June 30 fell compared with a year earlier while unit sales of used cars rose on the same basis. The company’s total gross profit increased to 16.1 percent from 15.9 percent in the year earlier period. Net income in the second quarter rose to $39.56 million or 43 cents a share compared with $29.44 million or 32 cents a share a year earlier. During the second quarter of 2011, the Penske acquired 618,209 shares of its common stock at an average price of $20.06 per share.
Analysts had expected 38 cents a share. Revenue rose 10.5 percent to $2.9 billion, short of the $2.96 billion analysts had expected. New car unit sales fell 1.1 percent, but the volume of used car sales jumped 16.1 percent.
If you would like to learn more about second quarters highlights and view statement of income visit, http://investors.penskeautomotive.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=82644&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1587545&highlight=.
