Asbury Automotive Group Inc. posted its highest-ever quarterly profit in the third quarter — the fourth public retailer to do so this month — as the largest dealerships benefited from higher gross profits on new- and used-vehicle sales amid short supply.
Asbury on Tuesday reported third-quarter net income of $96.2 million, more than double the $45 million reported last year. After accounting for one-time items, adjusted net income was $79.2 million, a 76 percent increase. The adjustments were a $24.7 million gain on a dealership sale, a $1.3 million acquisition-related cost and a $700,000 real estate charge. There were no adjustments to net income in third-quarter 2019, Asbury said.
Revenue for the Duluth, Ga., retailer was flat at $1.84 billion.
Asbury CEO David Hult said in a statement that closing the Park Place Dealerships acquisition in the quarter— the retailer's largest ever purchase at $735 million — and posting record earnings amid pandemic cond…