AutoNation Q4 EPS Beats by 17 Cents; Revenue Falls 8.7% to $6.93B
AutoNation reported Q4 adjusted EPS of $5.08, up 2% year-over-year, beating estimates, while revenues fell to $6.93B versus $7.14B expected, 8.7% lower year-over-year. New vehicle sales declined 9.2% to 64,841 units and gross profit dropped 26.7% to $155.5M.
1. Q4 Financial Results
AutoNation delivered Q4 adjusted earnings of $5.08 per share, a 2% increase year-over-year and $0.17 above consensus. Total revenue declined 8.7% to $6.93 billion, missing the $7.14 billion estimate and down from $7.21 billion a year earlier.
2. Vehicle Segment Performance
New vehicle revenues fell 8.8% to $3.44 billion on a 9.2% drop in retail units to 64,841, despite a 0.4% rise in ASP to $53,073. Used-vehicle retail revenue reached $1.76 billion, up slightly against estimates on higher ASP of $27,933, though unit sales were down 2.9%.
3. Financial Position and Share Repurchases
As of Dec. 31, liquidity stood at $1.8 billion, including $59 million in cash and $1.7 billion of available revolver capacity, with non-vehicle debt of $3.98 billion. The company spent $350 million to repurchase 1.7 million shares in the quarter, leaving $968 million available under its buyback program.