KAR’s Q3 Revenue Up 6 Percent; Adjusted EBITDA Ticks 1 Percent Higher

Fueled by revenue jumps within all three of its major divisions, KAR Auction Services said late Tuesday that its third-quarter revenue moved 6 percent higher year-over-year, creating a 1-percent rise in adjusted EBITDA.
The company determined its third-quarter revenue came in at $474.9 million, up from $449.1 million in the year-ago period. As a result, officials tallied their adjusted EBITDA ticked up to $117.3 million from $115.7 million.
But KAR said its third-quarter net income softened 40 percent year-over-year, coming in at to $19.2 million or $0.14 per diluted share. A year ago, the company’s net income was $32.2 million or $0.23 per diluted share.
Looking at the nine-month span that ended Sept. 30, the company reported revenue of $1.469 billion, up from $1.406 billion KAR generated through three quarters of last year. The jump represented a 4-percent rise.
The increase pushed KAR’s adjusted EBITDA to $380.3 million through the first nine months of this year. In the comparable period, it was $375.1 million.
While KAR’s third-quarter net income declined, its total through the first nine months of 2012 is higher by 20 percent year-over-year, climbing to $69.1 million,or $0.50 per diluted share from $57.7 million or $0.42 per diluted share.
Newest 2012 Outlook
KAR also said late Tuesday that it expects its 2012 adjusted EBITDA to come in at $500 million to $510 million. The company also expects net income per share of $0.63 to $0.68 and adjusted net income per share of $1.00 to $1.05, both assuming an effective tax rate of approximately 43 percent.
“Adjusted net income per share represents GAAP net income per diluted share excluding excess depreciation and amortization and stock-based compensation, both resulting from the 2007 merger, net of taxes, as well as other items,” officials said.
Additionally, the company continues to expect 2012 cash taxes of approximately $70 million, cash interest expense on corporate debt of approximately $95 million and capital expenditures of approximately $90 million.
“This would result in free cash flow of approximately $245 million to $255 million,” officials said.
The company is scheduled to have a conference call with investment analysts at 11 a.m. ET this morning to discuss the third-quarter performance in more detail.