CarMax Q2 comparable store used unit sales rose 3.1%
Staff Writer |
CarMax reported results for the second quarter ended August 31, 2016. Total used vehicle unit sales grew 7% and comparable store used unit sales rose 3.1% versus the prior year’s second quarter.
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The comparable store sales performance reflected a solid increase in conversion that was partially offset by a decrease in store traffic. Our sales performance included a reduction in the Tier 3 sales mix to 9.5% of used unit sales from 13.7% in the prior year’s second quarter.
Tier 3 sales represent those financed by our Tier 3 third-party finance providers (those to whom the company pays a fee) and those in CAF’s Tier 3 loan origination activity. For the non-Tier 3 customer base, comparable store used unit sales rose 8.1%.
Wholesale vehicle unit sales declined 1.3% versus the second quarter of fiscal 2016. Compared with the second quarter of last year,the company had a calendar shift that resulted in one fewer Monday auction date, and the majority of our wholesale auctions are held on Mondays.
Excluding the effect of the calendar shift,the company estimate this year’s wholesale vehicle units would have increased 1.4% versus last year’s quarter.
Other sales and revenues declined 4.8% compared with the second quarter of fiscal 2016, primarily reflecting a decrease in new vehicle sales due to the disposal of two of our four new car franchises during fiscal 2016. Extended protection plan (EPP) revenues increased 17.1%, reflecting the growth in our used unit sales and pricing changes.
In addition, last year’s EPP revenues were reduced by an increase in estimated cancellation reserves. Net third-party finance fees improved by 43.3%, primarily due to the reduced proportion of our sales attributable to Tier 3 finance providers.
Total gross profit increased 4.6% versus last year’s second quarter, to $545.4 million. Used vehicle gross profit rose 6.7%, driven by the 7.0% increase in total used unit sales.
Used vehicle gross profit per unit was consistent at $2,160 versus $2,166 in the prior year period. Wholesale vehicle gross profit declined 9.7% versus the prior year’s quarter, reflecting the 1.3% decline in wholesale unit sales and a decrease in wholesale vehicle gross profit per unit to $870 from $951.
Other gross profit increased 13.6%, primarily reflecting the improvement in EPP revenues and net third-party finance fees, partially offset by the effect of the $10.4 million favorable adjustment to service department gross profits recorded in last year’s second quarter.
This adjustment resulted from a change in timing of our recognition of reconditioning overhead costs. The decrease in new vehicle sales did not significantly affect other gross profit.
Compared with the second quarter of fiscal 2016, SG&A expenses increased 10.7% to $366.1 million.
The growth reflected the 11% increase in our store base since the beginning of last year’s second quarter (representing the addition of 16 stores) and a $17.7 million increase in share-based compensation expense, partially offset by a $9.7 million year-over-year decrease in the accrual for the company’s incentive pay.
This year’s second quarter share-based compensation expense included $10.9 million related to a modification by the board of directors of certain equity awards previously granted to our recently retired chief executive officer.
As a result of the modification, Mr. Folliard was effectively provided retirement treatment under the terms of the awards, notwithstanding the fact that he was not yet 55 years old.
No changes were made to the original vesting schedules, termination dates or strike prices of his awards. SG&A per used unit was $2,187 in the current quarter, up $74 year-over-year. The increase in share-based compensation expense increased SG&A per unit by $102.
Compared with last year’s second quarter, CAF income declined 2.4% to $96.0 million. The decline was due to an increase in the provision for loan losses and a lower total interest margin percentage, partially offset by the effects of the growth in average managed receivables.
The increase in the provision for loan losses reflected the combined effects of some unfavorable loss experience in the current year’s quarter and the growth in managed receivables.
Average managed receivables grew 11.7% to $10.05 billion. The total interest margin, which reflects the spread between interest and fees charged to consumers and our funding costs, declined to 5.9% of average managed receivables from 6.2% in last year’s second quarter.
The total interest margin has now been at 5.9% for three consecutive quarters. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of ending managed receivables was 1.08% as of August 31, 2016, compared with 0.96% as of August 31, 2015, and 1.05% as of May 31, 2016.
During the second quarter of fiscal 2017,the company entered into a new $100 million warehouse facility that will be used to fund CAF’s Tier 3 loan origination activity. This facility has a one year term, expiring August 1, 2017.
Interest expense rose to $13.9 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 from $7.5 million in the prior year’s quarter.
The increase reflected the combination of planned higher average outstanding debt levels in fiscal 2017 as part of our capital structure strategy, as well as growth in our finance and capital lease obligations, which resulted from the extension of select store leases beyond their original term.
During the second quarter of fiscal 2017,the company opened three stores, including two stores in new markets (El Paso, Texas, and Bristol, Tennessee) and one in an existing market (our third store in Boston, Massachusetts).
Subsequent to the end of the quarter,the company entered the Boise, Idaho, market with one store.
During the second quarter of fiscal 2017,the company repurchased 2.4 million shares of common stock for $125.8 million pursuant to our share repurchase program. As of August 31, 2016,the company had $1.89 billion remaining available for repurchase under the program. ■