Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation – The accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the second quarter and six-month periods ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. These Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect, in the opinion of management, all material normal recurring adjustments necessary to fairly state the financial position and the results of operations for the periods presented. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire fiscal year. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements of Sonic Automotive, Inc. (“Sonic” or the “Company”) for the year ended December 31, 2011, which were included in Sonic’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and updated in Sonic’s Current Report on Form 8-K furnished to the SEC pursuant to Items 2.02 and 9.01 on June 25, 2012.

Reclassifications – The Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the second quarter and six-month periods ended June 30, 2011 reflect the reclassification of balances from continuing operations to discontinued operations from the prior year presentation for additional dealerships sold or terminated subsequent to June 30, 2011.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements – In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued an accounting standard update that amends the accounting standard on fair value measurements. The accounting standard update provides for a consistent definition and measurement of fair value, as well as similar disclosure requirements between U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and International Financial Reporting Standards. The accounting standard update changes certain fair value measurement principles, clarifies the application of existing fair value measurement, and expands the fair value measurement disclosure requirements, particularly for Level 3 fair value measurements. The amendments in this accounting standard update are to be applied prospectively and are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this accounting standard did not have a material effect on Sonic’s consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

Lease Exit Accruals

Lease Exit Accruals – Lease exit accruals relate to facilities Sonic has ceased using in its operations. The accruals represent the present value of the lease payments, net of estimated or actual sublease proceeds, for the remaining life of the operating leases and other accruals necessary to satisfy the lease commitment to the landlord.

A summary of the activity of these lease exit accruals consists of the following:

 

         
    (In thousands)  
   

Balance, December 31, 2011

   $ 39,118  

Lease exit expense (1)

     1,450  

Payments (2)

     (4,331 ) 

Lease buyout (3)

     (1,657 ) 
   

 

 

  

Balance, June 30, 2012

   $ 34,580  
   

 

 

  

 

(1) Approximately $0.2 million is recorded in interest expense, other, net, approximately $0.1 million is recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses and approximately $1.2 million is recorded to income (loss) from operations and the sale of dealerships in the accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
(2) Amount is recorded as reduction of rent expense in selling, general and administrative expenses, with approximately $0.8 million in continuing operations and $3.5 million as a reduction to income (loss) from operations and the sale of dealerships in the accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
(3) Amount represents write-off of accrual related to an early lease buyout agreement which was completed and paid, relieving Sonic of any future lease obligation.
Income Tax Expense

Income Tax Expense – The overall effective tax rate from continuing operations was 27.9% and 33.2% for the second quarter and six-month periods ended June 30, 2012, respectively, and 37.3% and 38.4% for the second quarter and six-month periods ended June 30, 2011, respectively. The effective rates for the second quarter and six-month periods ended June 30, 2012 were lower than the same prior year periods primarily due to a $3.6 million tax benefit for the second quarter ended June 30, 2012 related to the settlement of a state tax examination.