Automotive retailer AutoNation Inc. (
AN)'s continued recovery in auto retail driven by faster product offerings and strong consumer credit. The company is looking to record new vehicle sales of about 14 million units in 2012. The company's adjusted earnings and revenue for the fourth quarter came in above analysts' expectations.
Q4 Results
The Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based AutoNation reported 4.4 percent rise in adjusted net income from continuing operations to $71 million from $68 million and earnings per share increased 13.3 percent to 51 cents a share from 45 cents a share in the year-ago quarter. On a GAAP basis, net income was $70 million or 50 cents a share for the latest quarter.
Revenues increased 13 percent to $3.7 billion from $3.2 billion fuelled by robust retail new and used vehicle revenue. On a same store sales basis, the company's new vehicle unit sales grew 10 percent and on an overall basis, sales of new and used vehicles advanced 13 percent.
Wall Street analysts' have estimated the company to deliver earnings of 49 cents a share on revenues of $3.55 billion.
Gross margin slipped to 15.76 percent from 16.92 percent in the year-ago quarter, but improved from around 13 percent in the third quarter.
Outlook
AutoNation's chairman and CEO Mike Jackson believe that continued recovery in retail auto sector would provide space for accelerated product offerings. This apart, the current low interest rate and the replacement demand will put the industry on firm footing for the year 2012. The company sees the industry could see 14 million units of new vehicles sales in 2012.
Competitor
Penske Automotive Group (PAG) will report its fourth quarter results on February 15. Street analysts are predicting the company to deliver 40 cents a share on revenues of $2.95 billion.
iStock Punch
The company delivered better than expected results for the fourth quarter. The outlook of the industry is also seems to be on firm footing given the current interest rate, credit availability and the demand for replacement. The margins may remain a concern. Still, the stock seems to offer scope for further appreciation.