Dec 31, 2019

Rush Enterprises Q4 2019 Earnings Report

Reported strong financial results despite declines in new Class 8 truck sales and aftermarket products and services sales in Q4.

Key Takeaways

Rush Enterprises reported Q4 2019 revenues of $1.3 billion and net income of $23.8 million, or $0.64 per diluted share. While aftermarket product and services revenues remained relatively flat compared to the previous year, the company experienced declines in new Class 8 truck sales. The company's absorption ratio was 116.6% in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Q4 revenues totaled $1.3 billion.

Q4 net income was $23.8 million, or $0.64 per diluted share.

Aftermarket product and services revenues were $421.2 million.

The company’s absorption ratio was 116.6%.

Total Revenue
$1.32B
Previous year: $1.54B
-14.4%
EPS
$0.29
Previous year: $0.53
-45.3%
Dealership Absorption Ratio
116.6%
Previous year: 124.3%
-6.2%
Gross Profit
$234M
Previous year: $259M
-9.4%
Cash and Equivalents
$182M
Previous year: $132M
+37.9%
Free Cash Flow
$137M
Previous year: -$49.7M
-375.2%
Total Assets
$3.41B
Previous year: $3.2B
+6.4%

Rush Enterprises

Rush Enterprises

Forward Guidance

Rush Enterprises anticipates relatively flat parts and service activity throughout the industry in 2020 compared to 2019 and expects medium-duty performance to be on pace with the market.

Positive Outlook

  • Freight rates are expected to improve in the second half of the year.
  • The housing sector is growing.
  • The economy is healthy.
  • Believes aftermarket demand from our energy sector customers has bottomed.
  • Focused on gaining market share and believe we are positioned for modest aftermarket products and services revenues growth in 2020.

Challenges Ahead

  • 2020 will be a challenging year for the new Class 8 truck market.
  • Excess truck capacity in the market resulting from exceptionally high unit sales volumes over the past two years.
  • Excess truck capacity has negatively impacted freight rates for our customers.
  • Declining freight rates, coupled with the fact that this is an election year, generally results in our customers being more cautious with their purchase decisions.
  • Employee benefits and payroll taxes will negatively impact expenses in the first quarter of 2020 compared to the fourth quarter of 2019