Car-Mart’s Sales Volume Sparks 8.3-Percent Net Income Rise in Q1
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BENTONVILLE, Ark. — A 7.8-percent rise in the number of
retail units turned allowed America's Car-Mart to overcome a $200 drop in the
average retail price of vehicles sold during the first quarter of its 2013 fiscal
year, resulting in an 8.3-percent jump in net income.
The company's network of buy-here, pay-here stores retailed 9,753
vehicles during the first quarter, up from 9,049 in the prior-year quarter.
As a result, Car-Mart's first quarter net income came in at of
$8.1 million or 83 cents per diluted share versus 78 cents per diluted share
for prior-year quarter
Car-Mart also highlighted a 9.4 percent year-over-year increase
in revenue as the company generated $110 million with same store revenue growth
of 5.5 percent. The revenue figure from a year earlier was $101 million.
"We are pleased with our first quarter results, specifically
as related to the significant sequential decrease in our average retail sales
price. The market for good used vehicles remains tight and day in and day out
our 45 purchasing agents are in the local markets out-working the competition
to find the very best vehicles for our customers," Car-Mart president and chief
executive officer William "Hank" Henderson said.
"Our customers need good, basic transportation and all of
our associates are focused on ensuring that our quality vehicles remain
affordable," Henderson continued. "Our average retail sales price decreased by
$200 or 2 percent from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 and only increased by
1.5 percent from the first quarter of fiscal 2012 which is remarkable in light
of the overall shortage of used vehicles in the market.
"We believe that we can push even harder to keep
affordability levels high by looking at more cars and only selecting the very
best at the appropriate prices," Henderson went on to say. "Our ability to
maintain affordability is even more impressive when considering that we have
not extended the relative term of our average contract over the last several
years. By keeping our terms short, our customers are able to pay off their
contracts quicker and have more equity in their vehicles leading to their
ultimate success.
"Quality and affordability together with Car-Mart's
excellent service are the cornerstones of our success and we will continue to
push for improvements in all areas of the business as we move forward," he
added.
Elsewhere on Car-Mart's latest financial statement, the
company reported that its active customer base now stands above 54,800. Its
debt-to-equity ratio settled at 46.3 percent at the end of the first quarter,
which was July 31. Furthermore, the company's debt-to-finance receivables ratio
was 25.8 percent.
Also, Car-Mart noted its allowance for credit losses was
21.5 percent of finance receivables as of July 31.
"Our financial performance for the quarter was solid. We
continue to see healthy growth at the top line as we add new locations and
increase volumes at existing dealerships. The best thing we can do for our
customers' success is to continue to push affordability," Car-Mart chief
financial officer Jeff Williams explained.
"We obviously think long term and by keeping our sales
prices low and our payment terms affordable, our customers and the company will
benefit allowing us to continue to expand and improve our business," Williams
continued.
"The fact that we saw a significant sequential decrease in
our average retail sales price did have somewhat of a negative short term
effect on gross margin dollars, selling, general and administrative expense
leveraging and the overall credit loss percentage, but once again, when we look
to the long term we are convinced that we are moving in the right direction to
maximize customer success and as a result shareholder value," Williams went on
to say. "It is a great time for Car-Mart to be adding new locations and
increasing our customer count at existing dealerships."
Williams also pointed out the company repurchased 215,846
shares of its common stock during the first quarter. Since Feb. 1, 2010,
Car-Mart has repurchased 2,709,383 shares or 23.2 percent of the company.
"We believe in the long-term value of our company, and we
will invest in the repurchase program when favorable conditions are presented
to us," Williams indicated.
"Our board of directors has approved another increase in our
share repurchase program, once again allowing for up to 1 million shares to be
repurchased," he went on to say. Our debt to equity ratio of 46.3 percent and
our debt to finance receivables ratio of 25.8 percent continue to be very
strong and what we consider to be the best in the industry.
"Our balance sheet is very healthy and by staying focused on
cash returns our future is bright," he concluded.