Car-Mart Q4 2021 Earnings Report
Key Takeaways
America's Car-Mart reported a strong fourth quarter with record revenues of $279 million and diluted earnings per share of $6.19. Net income for the quarter was $43.5 million, driven by a 15.9% increase in the average retail sales price and a 24.3% increase in units sold. The company also saw a decrease in net charge-offs and lowered its allowance for credit losses.
Record sales volume productivity of 36.5 sales per lot per month.
Revenue increases were driven by a 15.9% increase in the average retail sales price and a 24.3% increase in units sold.
Net charge-offs for the quarter decreased to 4.8% compared to 5.6% in the prior year quarter.
The company lowered its allowance for credit losses from 26.5% to 24.5% as a percentage of finance receivables, net of deferred revenue.
Car-Mart
Car-Mart
Forward Guidance
America's Car-Mart is optimistic about its ability to continue to grow and serve more customers. The company is focused on investing in its associates, inventory, and customer experience, and is seeing benefits from these investments. They believe that most of their existing dealerships could support 1,000 or more customers over time and that they have significant long-term growth potential from this existing dealership base.
Positive Outlook
- Unique position in the market to serve more customers.
- Investments are foundational and will continue to allow increased productivity.
- Leveraging cost structure while significantly improving the customer experience.
- Prioritizing investments in associate recruiting, training and retention, inventory procurement and management, and customer experience.
- Completing the rollout of new service contracts with positive customer reaction.
Challenges Ahead
- Pandemic and social unrest in the country.
- Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $5.7 million compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.
- Debt, net of cash, to finance receivables is 27.6%, compared to 25.1% at the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.
- Must continue to move certain functions from the field to the corporate office.
- Must continue to open new locations and look for acquisition opportunities into the future.