Press Releases

<<  Back
Oct 30, 2006

Credit Acceptance Announces: Third Quarter 2006 Earnings

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Oct 30, 2006 (PrimeZone Media Network via COMTEX News Network) -- Credit Acceptance Corporation (Nasdaq:CACC) (the "Company") announced consolidated net income for the three months ended September 30, 2006 of $15.3 million or $0.44 per diluted share compared to $14.6 million or $0.38 per diluted share for the same period in 2005. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, consolidated net income was $50.1 million or $1.38 per diluted share compared to $47.4 million or $1.21 per diluted share for the same period in 2005.

Income from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2006 was $15.4 million, or $0.44 per diluted share compared to $13.9 million or $0.36 per diluted share for the same period in 2005. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, income from continuing operations was $50.3 million or $1.38 per diluted share compared to $46.1 million or $1.17 per diluted share for the same period in 2005.

Floating Yield income from continuing operations (defined below), a non-GAAP financial measure, was $16.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 or $0.48 per diluted share compared to $15.1 million or $0.39 per diluted share for the same period in 2005. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, Floating Yield income from continuing operations was $49.8 million or $1.37 per diluted share compared to $46.1 million or $1.17 per diluted share for the same period in 2005.

Results for the three months ended September 30, 2006 compared to the same period in 2005 include the following:



 --   Consumer loan unit volume increased 13.0%.
 --   Consumer loan dollar volume increased 27.8%.
 --   The number of active dealer-partners increased 20.6%.
 --   Consumer loan unit volume per active dealer-partner decreased
      6.6%.
 --   Net cash collections on loans increased 16.9%.
 --   Dealer holdback payments increased 28.4%.


 GAAP Financial Results
 ----------------------

                                            For the Three Months
                                             Ended September 30,
                                      --------------------------------
                                        2006        2005      % Change
                                      --------   ---------   ---------
 (Dollars in thousands,
  except per share data)

 Net income                           $ 15,342    $ 14,594         5.1
 Income from continuing
  operations                            15,434      13,949        10.6
 Income from continuing
  operations per
  diluted share                           0.44        0.36        22.2
 Net operating profit
  after-tax (a)                         19,019      16,897        12.6

 Average debt                        $ 260,439   $ 194,571        33.9
 Average shareholders' equity          281,631     342,017       (17.7)
                                     ---------   ---------
 Average capital                      $542,070    $536,588         1.0

 Average debt to average
  shareholders' equity ratio        0.9 to 1.0  0.6 to 1.0

 Return on capital (b)                    14.0%       12.6%       11.1





                                             For the Nine Months
                                             Ended September 30,
                                      --------------------------------
                                        2006        2005     % Change
                                      --------   ---------   ---------

 (Dollars in thousands,
  except per share data)

 Net income                           $ 50,145    $ 47,361         5.9
 Income from continuing
  operations                            50,338      46,082         9.2
 Income from continuing
  operations per
  diluted share                           1.38        1.17        17.9
 Net operating profit
  after-tax (a)                         59,640      54,298         9.8

 Average debt                        $ 223,807   $ 196,904        13.7
 Average shareholders' equity          313,996     324,764        (3.3)

 Average capital                      $537,803   $521,668          3.1

 Average debt to average
  shareholders' equity ratio        0.7 to 1.0  0.6 to 1.0

 Return on capital (b)                    14.8%       13.9%        6.5


 (a) Net operating profit after-tax is equal to net income plus
     interest expense after-tax.

 (b) Return on capital is equal to annualized net operating profit after-
     tax divided by average capital.


 Floating Yield Financial Results
 --------------------------------

The Company's GAAP finance charge revenue is based on estimates of future cash flows and is recognized on a level yield basis. Under the level yield basis, the amount of finance charge revenue recognized in a given period, divided by the loan asset, is a constant percentage. Under GAAP, favorable changes in expected cash flows are treated as increases to the level yield and are recognized over time, while unfavorable changes are recorded as a current period expense. The non-GAAP measure ("Floating Yield") is identical to the Company's GAAP results except that, under the Floating Yield method, all changes in expected cash flows are treated as yield adjustments and therefore impact earnings over time. The GAAP treatment always results in a lower carrying value of the loan receivable asset, but may result in either higher or lower earnings for any given period depending on the timing and amount of expected cash flow changes.

The Company believes Floating Yield earnings are a more accurate reflection of the economics of the business since both favorable and unfavorable changes in estimated cash flows are treated consistently. The Company uses Floating Yield earnings to measure performance internally including financial performance measures utilized in incentive compensation plans.

The following table presents selected non-GAAP Floating Yield financial data.



                                        For the Three Months
                                          Ended September 30,
                                    --------------------------------
                                      2006         2005    % Change
                                   ---------    ---------  --------
 (Dollars in thousands,
  except per share data)

 Net income                       $  16,615    $  15,743       5.5
 Income from continuing
  operations                         16,707       15,098      10.7
 Income from continuing
  operations per diluted share          0.48         0.39      23.1
 Net operating profit after-tax       20,292       18,046      12.4
 Average capital                   $ 547,365    $ 544,112       0.6
 Return on capital                      14.8%        13.3%     11.3



                                            For the Nine Months
                                             Ended September 30,
                                      --------------------------------
                                         2006         2005    % Change
                                      ---------    ---------  --------

 (Dollars in thousands,
  except per share data)

 Net income                           $  49,587    $  47,383       4.7
 Income from continuing
  operations                             49,780       46,104       8.0
 Income from continuing
  operations per diluted share             1.37         1.17      17.1
 Net operating profit after-tax          59,082       54,320       8.8
 Average capital                      $ 542,982    $ 529,426       2.6
 Return on capital                         14.5%        13.7%      5.8

The following table reconciles selected financial data from the Company's GAAP financial results to the Floating Yield financial results.



                            For the Three Months   For the Nine Months
                             Ended September 30,   Ended September 30,
                             -------------------   -------------------
                               2006       2005       2006       2005
                             --------   --------   --------   --------

 (Dollars in thousands)

 GAAP net operating
  profit after-tax           $ 19,019   $ 16,897   $ 59,640   $ 54,298
 Floating Yield
  adjustment                    1,273      1,149       (558)        22
                             --------   --------   --------   --------
 Floating Yield net
  operating profit
  after-tax                  $ 20,292   $ 18,046   $ 59,082   $ 54,320

 GAAP average capital        $542,070   $536,588   $537,803   $521,668
 Floating Yield
  adjustment                    5,295      7,524      5,179      7,758
                             --------   --------   --------   --------
 Floating Yield average
  capital                    $547,365   $544,112   $542,982   $529,426

 Consumer Loan Performance
 -------------------------

The following table compares the Company's forecast of consumer loan collection rates as of September 30, 2006 with the forecast as of December 31, 2005:



    Loan         September 30,       December 31,
 Origination         2006                2005
    Year          Forecasted          Forecasted
                 Collection %         Collection %       Variance
 -----------    ---------------    ---------------    ---------------
    1996            55.1%                55.0%             0.1%
    1997            58.4%                58.3%             0.1%
    1998            67.6%                67.7%            (0.1%)
    1999            72.5%                72.7%            (0.2%)
    2000            73.0%                73.2%            (0.2%)
    2001            67.6%                67.2%             0.4%
    2002            70.6%                70.3%             0.3%
    2003            74.4%                74.0%             0.4%
    2004            73.9%                72.9%             1.0%
    2005            74.3%                73.6%             0.7%

Collection results during the first nine months of 2006 generally exceeded the Company's expectations at December 31, 2005 and had a positive impact on forecasted consumer loan collection rates.

Refer to the Company's Form 10-Q, which has been filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and will appear on the Company's website at creditacceptance.com for a complete discussion of the results of operations and financial data for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006.



 Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
 ----------------------------------------------------------

The Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for all of its forward-looking statements. Certain statements in this release that are not historical facts, such as those using terms like "may," "will," "should," "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "assumes," "forecasts," "estimates," "intends," "plans" and those regarding the Company's future results, plans and objectives, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements represent the Company's outlook only as of the date of this release. While the Company believes that its forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially since the statements are based on our current expectations, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, the factors set forth in Item 1A of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, other risk factors discussed herein or listed from time to time in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the following:



 --   The Company's inability to accurately forecast the amount and
      timing of future collections could have a material adverse effect
      on results of operations.

 --   Due to increased competition from traditional financing sources
      and non-traditional lenders, the Company may not be able to
      compete successfully.

 --   The Company's ability to maintain and grow the business is
      dependent on the ability to continue to access funding sources
      and obtain capital on favorable terms.

 --   The Company may not be able to generate sufficient cash flow to
      service its outstanding debt and fund operations.

 --   The substantial regulation to which the Company is subject limits
      the business, and such regulation or changes in such regulation
      could result in potential liability.

 --   Adverse changes in economic conditions, or in the automobile or
      finance industries or the non-prime consumer finance market,
      could adversely affect the Company's financial position,
      liquidity and results of operations and its ability to enter into
      future financing transactions.

 --   Litigation the Company is involved in from time to time may
      adversely affect its financial condition, results of operations
      and cash flows.

 --   The Company is dependent on its senior management and the loss of
      any of these individuals or an inability to hire additional
      personnel could adversely affect its ability to operate
      profitably.

 --   Natural disasters, acts of war, terrorist attacks and threats or
      the escalation of military activity in response to such attacks
      or otherwise may negatively affect the business, financial
      condition and results of operations.

Other factors not currently anticipated by management may also materially and adversely affect the Company's results of operations. The Company does not undertake, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to update or alter its statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.



 Description of Credit Acceptance Corporation
 --------------------------------------------

Since 1972, Credit Acceptance has provided auto loans to consumers, regardless of their credit history. Our product is offered through a nationwide network of automobile dealers who benefit from sales of vehicles to consumers who otherwise could not obtain financing; from repeat and referral sales generated by these same customers; and from sales to customers responding to advertisements for our product, but who actually end up qualifying for traditional financing.

Without our product, consumers may be unable to purchase a vehicle or they may purchase an unreliable one, or they may not have the opportunity to improve their credit standing. As we report to the three national credit reporting agencies, a significant number of our customers improve their lives by improving their credit score and move on to more traditional sources of financing. Credit Acceptance is publicly traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol CACC. For more information, visit creditacceptance.com.

This news release was distributed by PrimeZone, www.primezone.com

SOURCE: Credit Acceptance Corporation

Credit Acceptance Corporation 
          Investor Relations:
          Douglas W. Busk, Treasurer
          (248) 353-2700 Ext. 4432
          IR@creditacceptance.com

(C) Copyright 2006 PrimeZone Media Network, Inc. All rights reserved.

News Provided by COMTEX