Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sonic Automotive, Inc. Adjusted Diluted EPS Up 11%

Reaffirms Full Year Guidance

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – July 23, 2013Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: SAH), one of the nation’s largest automotive retailers, today reported 2013 second quarter adjusted earnings from continuing operations of $26.4 million. Adjusted earnings from continuing operations per diluted share increased 11.1% to $0.50 compared to an adjusted $0.45 in the prior year quarter. Adjusted results in the second quarter of 2013 exclude a pre-tax charge of approximately $29.0 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, related to costs associated with retiring its outstanding 9.0% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018 (the “9% Notes”). Adjusted results in the second quarter of 2012 exclude a pre-tax charge of approximately $2.6 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, related to a loss recorded on the repurchase of $20.2 million principal amount of Sonic’s 5% Convertible Senior Notes and the favorable effect of approximately $0.06 per fully diluted share related to the settlement of certain tax matters.

Q2 2013 Highlights

 

   

New retail revenue up 5.1% over prior year quarter

 

   

Pre-owned volume per store per month at 89 units, revenue up 0.8%

 

   

Total revenue up 3.8% compared to the prior year quarter

 

   

Fixed operations gross profit up $6.5 million, or 4.5%, compared to the prior year quarter

 

   

Finance and insurance gross profit up 8.6% and profit per retail unit of $1,148

 

   

SG&A to gross profit % was flat at 76.6% compared to prior year quarter

 

   

Completed the retirement of 9% Notes through the issuance of 5%, 10-year notes

B. Scott Smith, the Company’s President, noted, “I’m pleased that we grew our earnings per share by more than 11% in the quarter despite our margin challenges associated with our True Price process execution. Our investment strategy remains the same. We continue to focus on investing in our base business, owning our real estate and strengthening our balance sheet.”

“In May, we announced the acquisition of Murray Mercedes Benz of Denver and Murray BMW of Denver which we expect to close in the third quarter. Both operations are brands that we operate very well and are in one of the best markets in the country.”

“In addition, during June we also executed the most successful bond offering in the Company’s history securing 5% financing on $300.0 million, moving our nearest maturity out to 2022.”


“I’m pleased to reiterate our earnings guidance that was originally given at the beginning of the year. We are targeting fully diluted earnings per share from continuing operations at $1.93-$2.03 for the full year 2013.”

The Company’s EVP of Operations, Jeff Dyke, commented, “Training on True Price and the development of our Customer Experience model and related technologies continued in the second quarter. We are learning a great deal. It’s been an amazing first six months of the year as we continue to evolve. We have stores within brand lines that are showing substantial growth over the prior year as the stores gain the experience needed to execute our True Price process. We are very excited about the progress and potential that we see in our stores and the feedback we are receiving from our customers as we work toward using technology, process and transparency to enhance trust and eliminate the wasteful time and energy it takes to buy a vehicle.”

“We are confident that over the next 18 months the rollout of these processes and the commitment we are making to a seamless, paperless transaction that includes our sales associates handling the entire Customer Experience transaction will provide us with infinite opportunities for growth and a significant competitive advantage. An example of the technologies we are developing for use on Apple’s iPhone and iPad products can be found on Apple’s website at either: http://www.apple.com/iphone/business/profiles/sonic-automotive/ or http://www.apple.com/ipad/business/profiles/sonic-automotive/ .”

Second Quarter Earnings Conference Call

Senior management will host a conference call today at 11:00 A.M. (Eastern) to discuss the quarter’s results. To access the live broadcast of the call over the Internet go to: www.sonicautomotive.com, then click on “Our Company”, then “Investor Relations”, then “Earnings Conference Calls”.

Presentation materials for the conference call can be accessed on the Company’s website at www.sonicautomotive.com by clicking on the “Investor Relations” tab under “Our Company” and choosing “Webcasts & Presentations”.

The conference call will also be available live by dialing in 10 minutes prior to the start of the call at:

Domestic: 1.877.791.3416

International: 1.706.643.0958

Conference ID: 14097096

A conference call replay will be available one hour following the call for seven days and can be accessed by calling:

Domestic: 1.855.859.2056

International: 1.404.537.3406

Conference ID: 14097096

About Sonic Automotive

Sonic Automotive, Inc., a Fortune 500 company based in Charlotte, N.C., is one of the nation’s largest automotive retailers. Sonic can be reached on the web at www.sonicautomotive.com.


Included herein are forward-looking statements, including statements with respect to anticipated growth in used vehicle sales, and future success and impacts from the implementation of our strategic initiatives. There are many factors that affect management’s views about future events and trends of the Company’s business. These factors involve risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results or trends to differ materially from management’s view, including without limitation, economic conditions in the markets in which we operate, new and used vehicle industry sales volume, the success of our operational strategies, the rate and timing of overall economic recovery or decline, and the risk factors described in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2012 and quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2013. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking information.


Sonic Automotive, Inc. Results of Operations (Unaudited)

(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

This release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures (the “Adjusted” columns) as defined under SEC rules, such as, but not limited to, adjusted income from continuing operations and related earnings per share data. The Company has reconciled these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures (the “Reported” columns) in the release. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures improve the transparency of the Company’s disclosure by providing period-to-period comparability of the Company’s results from operations.

 

    Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2013     Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2012  
    Reported     Adjustments     Adjusted     Reported     Adjustments     Adjusted  

Revenues:

           

New retail vehicles

  $ 1,199,709      $ —        $ 1,199,709      $ 1,141,729      $ —        $ 1,141,729   

Fleet vehicles

    47,452        —          47,452        43,925        —          43,925   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total new vehicles

    1,247,161        —          1,247,161        1,185,654        —          1,185,654   

Used vehicles

    538,977        —          538,977        534,637        —          534,637   

Wholesale vehicles

    40,032        —          40,032        42,552        —          42,552   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total vehicles

    1,826,170        —          1,826,170        1,762,843        —          1,762,843   

Parts, service and collision repair

    307,046        —          307,046        295,340        —          295,340   

Finance, insurance and other

    69,220        —          69,220        63,763        —          63,763   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

    2,202,436        —          2,202,436        2,121,946        —          2,121,946   

Gross profit

    323,806        —          323,806        312,852        —          312,852   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    (248,090     —          (248,090     (239,751     —          (239,751

Impairment charges

    (36     —          (36     (33     —          (33

Depreciation and amortization

    (13,144     —          (13,144     (11,210     —          (11,210
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

    62,536        —          62,536        61,858        —          61,858   

Other income (expense):

           

Interest expense, floor plan

    (5,591     —          (5,591     (4,857     —          (4,857

Interest expense, other, net

    (14,390     788   (1)      (13,602     (13,835     —          (13,835

Other income (expense), net

    (28,265     28,235  (2)      (30     (2,553     2,578  (3)      25   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

    (48,246     29,023        (19,223     (21,245     2,578        (18,667
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes

    14,290        29,023        43,313        40,613        2,578        43,191   

Provision for income taxes - benefit (expense)

    (5,573     (11,319     (16,892     (11,615     (4,574 ) (4)      (16,189
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

    8,717        17,704        26,421        28,998        (1,996     27,002   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

    199        —          199        (819       (819
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

  $ 8,916      $ 17,704      $ 26,620      $ 28,179      $ (1,996   $ 26,183   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:

           

Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations

  $ 0.16      $ 0.34      $ 0.50      $ 0.48      $ (0.03   $ 0.45   

Earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations

    0.01        (0.01     —          (0.01     —          (0.01
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per common share

  $ 0.17      $ 0.33      $ 0.50      $ 0.47      $ (0.03   $ 0.44   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

    52,942          52,942        63,506          63,506   

Gross Margin Data (Continuing Operations):

           

New retail vehicles

    5.5       5.5     6.0       6.0

Fleet vehicles

    2.6       2.6     2.8       2.8

Total new vehicles

    5.4       5.4     5.9       5.9

Used vehicles

    7.0       7.0     6.7       6.7

Wholesale vehicles

    (4.9 %)        (4.9 %)      (2.9 %)        (2.9 %) 

Parts, service and collision repair

    49.2       49.2     49.0       49.0

Finance, insurance and other

    100.0       100.0     100.0       100.0

Overall gross margin

    14.7       14.7     14.7       14.7

SG&A Expenses (Continuing Operations):

           

Compensation

  $ 149,528          $ 143,508       

Advertising

    13,718            12,554       

Rent and rent related

    25,927            26,707       

Other

    58,917            56,982       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total SG&A expenses

  $ 248,090      $ —        $ 248,090      $ 239,751      $ —        $ 239,751   

SG&A expenses as % of gross profit

    76.6       76.6     76.6       76.6

Operating Margin %

    2.8       2.8     2.9       2.9

Unit Data (Continuing Operations):

           

New retail units

    33,685            33,115       

Fleet units

    1,717            1,608       
 

 

 

       

 

 

     

Total new units

    35,402            34,723       

Used units

    26,599            26,525       

Wholesale units

    7,257            7,630       

 

(1) Represents double-carry interest on 9.0% Notes.
(2) Represents loss on extinguishment of 9.0% Notes.
(3) Represents loss on repurchase of a portion of the 5.0% Convertible Notes.
(4) Includes tax adjustments related to the settlement of certain tax matters.


Sonic Automotive, Inc. Results of Operations (Unaudited)

(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

    Six Months Ended June 30, 2013     Six Months Ended June 30, 2012  
    Reported     Adjustments     Adjusted     Reported     Adjustments     Adjusted  

Revenues:

           

New retail vehicles

  $ 2,300,818      $ —        $ 2,300,818      $ 2,127,761      $ —        $ 2,127,761   

Fleet vehicles

    89,399        —          89,399        89,283        —          89,283   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total new vehicles

    2,390,217        —          2,390,217        2,217,044        —          2,217,044   

Used vehicles

    1,065,158        —          1,065,158        1,036,501        —          1,036,501   

Wholesale vehicles

    91,825        —          91,825        86,225        —          86,225   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total vehicles

    3,547,200        —          3,547,200        3,339,770        —          3,339,770   

Parts, service and collision repair

    603,689        —          603,689        587,895        —          587,895   

Finance, insurance and other

    134,714        —          134,714        121,347        —          121,347   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

    4,285,603        —          4,285,603        4,049,012        —          4,049,012   

Gross profit

    636,826        —          636,826        616,606        —          616,606   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    (493,914     —          (493,914     (476,900     —          (476,900

Impairment charges

    (51     —          (51     (34     —          (34

Depreciation and amortization

    (25,278     —          (25,278     (22,105     —          (22,105
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

    117,583        —          117,583        117,567        —          117,567   

Other income (expense):

           

Interest expense, floor plan

    (10,804     —          (10,804     (9,120     —          (9,120

Interest expense, other, net

    (28,749     788  (1)      (27,961     (30,244     —          (30,244

Other income (expense), net

    (28,170     28,235  (2)      65        (2,533     2,578  (3)      45   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

    (67,723     29,023        (38,700     (41,897     2,578        (39,319
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes

    49,860        29,023        78,883        75,670        2,578        78,248   

Provision for income taxes - benefit (expense)

    (19,445     (11,319     (30,764     (25,527     (4,574 ) (4)      (30,101
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

    30,415        17,704        48,119        50,143        (1,996     48,147   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

    (208     —          (208     (1,466     —          (1,466
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

  $ 30,207      $ 17,704      $ 47,911      $ 48,677      $ (1,996   $ 46,681   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:

           

Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations

  $ 0.57      $ 0.33      $ 0.90      $ 0.83      $ (0.03   $ 0.80   

Earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations

    —          —          —          (0.02     —          (0.02
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per common share

  $ 0.57      $ 0.33      $ 0.90      $ 0.81      $ (0.03   $ 0.78   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

    52,937          52,937        63,963          63,963   

Gross Margin Data (Continuing Operations):

           

New retail vehicles

    5.7       5.7     6.2       6.2

Fleet vehicles

    2.8       2.8     3.1       3.1

Total new vehicles

    5.6       5.6     6.0       6.0

Used vehicles

    7.1       7.1     7.2       7.2

Wholesale vehicles

    (3.4 %)        (3.4 %)      (1.2 %)        (1.2 %) 

Parts, service and collision repair

    48.9       48.9     48.9       48.9

Finance, insurance and other

    100.0       100.0     100.0       100.0

Overall gross margin

    14.9       14.9     15.2       15.2

SG&A Expenses (Continuing Operations):

           

Compensation

  $ 298,108          $ 285,692       

Advertising

    27,150            24,609       

Rent and rent related

    52,324            53,493       

Other

    116,332            113,106       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total SG&A expenses

  $ 493,914      $ —        $ 493,914      $ 476,900      $ —        $ 476,900   

SG&A expenses as % of gross profit

    77.6       77.6     77.3       77.3

Operating Margin %

    2.7       2.7     2.9       2.9

Unit Data (Continuing Operations):

           

New retail units

    64,275            61,605       

Fleet units

    3,210            3,291       
 

 

 

       

 

 

     

Total new units

    67,485            64,896       

Used units

    53,068            52,003       

Wholesale units

    15,650            14,805       

 

(1) Represents double-carry interest on 9.0% Notes.
(2) Represents loss on extinguishment of 9.0% Notes.
(3) Represents loss on repurchase of a portion of the 5.0% Convertible Notes.
(4) Includes tax adjustments related to the settlement of certain tax matters.

 


Sonic Automotive, Inc. Results of Operations (Unaudited)

(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2013  
            Income (Loss)      Income (Loss)              
            From Continuing      From Discontinued              
            Operations      Operations     Net Income (Loss)  
     Weighted            Per             Per           Per  
     Average            Share             Share           Share  
     Shares      Amount     Amount      Amount      Amount     Amount     Amount  

Reported:

                 

Earnings (loss) and shares

     52,597       $ 8,717         $  199         $ 8,916     

Effect of participating securities:

                 

Non-vested restricted stock and stock units

        (71        —             (71  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) and shares

     52,597       $ 8,646      $ 0.16       $ 199       $ 0.01      $ 8,845      $ 0.17   

Effect of dilutive securities:

                 

Stock compensation plans

     345                  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) and shares

     52,942       $ 8,646      $ 0.16       $ 199       $ 0.01      $ 8,845      $ 0.17   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjustments (net of tax):

                 

Double-carry Interest

      $ 481      $ 0.01       $ —         $ —        $ 481      $ 0.01   

Debt Extinguishment Charges

        17,223        0.33         —           —          17,223        0.33   

Effect of Two-class Method & Rounding

        —          —           —           (0.01     —          (0.01
     

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total adjustments

      $ 17,704      $ 0.34       $ —         $ (0.01   $ 17,704      $ 0.33   

Adjusted:

                 
       

 

 

       

 

 

     

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

        $ 0.50          $ —          $ 0.50   
       

 

 

       

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

     Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2012  
            Income (Loss)     Income (Loss)              
            From Continuing     From Discontinued              
            Operations     Operations     Net Income (Loss)  
     Weighted            Per           Per           Per  
     Average            Share           Share           Share  
     Shares      Amount     Amount     Amount     Amount     Amount     Amount  

Reported:

               

Earnings (loss) and shares

     52,593       $ 28,998        $  (819     $ 28,179     

Effect of participating securities:

               

Non-vested restricted stock and stock units

        (452       —            (452  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) and shares

     52,593       $ 28,546      $ 0.54      $  (819   $ (0.01   $ 27,727      $ 0.53   

Effect of dilutive securities:

               

Contingently convertible debt (5.0% Convertible Notes)

     10,535         1,856          33          1,889     

Stock compensation plans

     378                
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) and shares

     63,506       $ 30,402      $ 0.48      $  (786   $ (0.01   $ 29,616      $ 0.47   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjustments (net of tax):

               

Debt Extinguishment Charges

      $ 1,572      $ 0.03      $ —        $ —        $ 1,572      $ 0.03   

Settlement of Tax Matters

        (3,568     (0.06     —          —          (3,568     (0.06
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total adjustments

      $ (1,996   $ (0.03   $ —        $ —        $ (1,996   $ (0.03

Adjusted:

               
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

        $ 0.45        $ (0.01     $ 0.44   
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

     Six Months Ended June 30, 2013  
            Income (Loss)     Income (Loss)               
            From Continuing     From Discontinued               
            Operations     Operations      Net Income (Loss)  
     Weighted            Per           Per            Per  
     Average            Share           Share            Share  
     Shares      Amount     Amount     Amount     Amount      Amount     Amount  

Reported:

                

Earnings (loss) and shares

     52,591       $ 30,415        $  (208      $ 30,207     

Effect of participating securities:

                

Non-vested restricted stock and stock units

        (237       —             (237  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) and shares

     52,591       $ 30,178      $ 0.57      $  (208   $ —         $ 29,970      $ 0.57   

Effect of dilutive securities:

                

Stock compensation plans

     346                 
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) and shares

     52,937       $ 30,178      $ 0.57      $  (208   $  —         $ 29,970      $ 0.57   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjustments (net of tax):

                

Double-carry Interest

      $ 481      $ 0.01      $ —        $ —         $ 481      $ 0.01   

Debt Extinguishment Charges

        17,223        0.33        —          —           17,223        0.33   

Effect of Two-class Method & Rounding

        —          (0.01     —          —           —          (0.01
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total adjustments

      $ 17,704      $ 0.33      $ —        $ —         $ 17,704      $ 0.33   

Adjusted:

                
       

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

        $ 0.90        $ —           $ 0.90   
       

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

     Six Months Ended June 30, 2012  
            Income (Loss)     Income (Loss)              
            From Continuing     From Discontinued              
            Operations     Operations     Net Income (Loss)  
     Weighted            Per           Per           Per  
     Average            Share           Share           Share  
     Shares      Amount     Amount     Amount     Amount     Amount     Amount  

Reported:

               

Earnings (loss) and shares

     52,409       $ 50,143        $  (1,466     $ 48,677     

Effect of participating securities:

               

Non-vested restricted stock and stock units

        (777       —            (777  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) and shares

     52,409       $ 49,366      $ 0.94      $  (1,466   $ (0.03   $ 47,900      $ 0.91   

Effect of dilutive securities:

               

Contingently convertible debt (5.0% Convertible Notes)

     11,106         3,981          80          4,061     

Stock compensation plans

     448                
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) and shares

     63,963       $ 53,347      $ 0.83      $  (1,386   $ (0.02   $ 51,961      $ 0.81   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjustments (net of tax):

               

Debt Extinguishment Charges

      $ 1,572      $ 0.03      $ —        $ —        $ 1,572      $ 0.03   

Settlement of Tax Matters

        (3,568     (0.06     —          —          (3,568     (0.06
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total adjustments

      $ (1,996   $ (0.03   $ —        $ —        $ (1,996   $ (0.03

Adjusted:

               
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

        $ 0.80        $ (0.02     $ 0.78