ADESA Reports Double-Digit Growth for Both Segments

Indiana-based ADESA Inc., a provider of wholesale vehicle auctions and used vehicle dealer floorplan financing, reported its fourth quarter and annual financial results for the period ended Dec. 31, 2004.

For the fourth quarter 2004, the company reported net income of $21.9 million or $0.24 per share, on revenue of $224.8 million. The company’s fourth quarter results included incremental after-tax interest and corporate expenses of $2.1 million and $2.9 million, or an aggregate $0.05 per share compared to the fourth quarter of 2003.

“The continued strong financial performance generated by both of our operating segments reflects my confidence in ADESA’s ability to deliver solid earnings, expand operations and build long-term value for our shareholders,” said David Gartzke, ADESA chairman, CEO and president. “In addition to our solid operating results we were able to further enhance shareholder value by repurchasing $86.7 million of ADESA stock.”

For the fourth quarter of 2004, the company reported revenue of $224.8 million compared with $217.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2003. Increases in revenue per vehicle sold, the number of loan transactions and revenue per loan transaction contributed to the revenue growth, which more than offset a four-percent decline in vehicles sold at ADESA auctions. Canadian currency translation favorably impacted revenue by $3.0 million.

Net income for the current quarter was $21.9 million or $0.24 per share, compared with net income of $24.9 million, or $0.28 per share in the fourth quarter of 2003. Results for the current quarter included incremental after- tax interest and corporate expenses of $2.1 million and $2.9 million, or an aggregate $0.05 per share. The fourth quarter of 2003 included a non- recurring gain on the sale of real estate of $2.1 million after-tax, or $0.02 per share. The incremental interest and corporate expenses in the current quarter were the result of the company’s 2004 debt refinancing and additional infrastructure required to operate as an independent public company.

For the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2004, the company had approximately 92.4 million shares outstanding on a weighted average diluted basis, compared with 88.6 million shares for the same quarter in 2003. The share increase as compared with the fourth quarter of 2003 is primarily the result of the company’s initial public offering of 6.25 million common shares in the second quarter of 2004, net of the effect of its share repurchases of approximately 4.4 million shares in the fourth quarter of 2004.

Fourth quarter 2004 income from continuing operations for Auction and Related Services increased 10 percent to $16.9 million, compared with $15.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2003. Due primarily to favorable Canadian currency translation and increased ancillary services revenue, as well as the benefits of selective fee increases implemented earlier in 2004, revenue per vehicle sold increased to $433 compared to $410 for the fourth quarter of 2003.

The company’s Dealer Financing segment also experienced strong growth in the fourth quarter of 2004, as income from continuing operations increased 17 percent to $11.2 million for the current quarter, compared with $9.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2003. Loan transaction volume increased 13% to a fourth quarter record of 269,000 while revenue per loan transaction increased from $110 in 2003 to $115 in 2004.

For the year ended Dec. 31, 2004, the company reported revenue of $931.6 million and net income of $105.3 million or $1.15 per share, compared with revenue of $911.9 million and net income of $115.1 million or $1.30 per share for 2003. Income from continuing operations was $109.5 million for 2004 compared with $114.8 million in 2003. Canadian currency translation favorably impacted revenue by $11.5 million in 2004.

The results for 2004 included non-recurring transaction costs of $10.3 million net of tax, or $0.11 per share and a loss from discontinued operations of $4.2 million net of tax, or $0.05 per share. Absent these non-recurring costs and the results of discontinued operations, the company would have reported net income of $119.8 million or $1.31 per share.

Financial results for 2004 also included incremental interest and corporate expenses of approximately $5.3 million and $7.3 million net of tax, or an aggregate $0.14 per share. ADESA’s 2003 financial results included a non-recurring gain on the sale of real estate of $2.1 million after-tax, or $0.03 per share. For 2004, the company had approximately 91.5 million shares outstanding on a weighted average diluted basis, compared with 88.6 million shares in 2003.

ADESA expects 2005 earnings to be approximately $1.37 to $1.43 per share, prior to the impact of the new Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) pronouncement regarding expensing of stock options. This range is based on an estimated weighted average diluted share count of approximately 92 million shares.