NowAuto Group, Inc. Announces Fiscal Third Quarter Results
May 15 2007 - 11:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
Company continues to improve business model to address challenging
environment and realizes improvement in key financial metrics
TEMPE, Ariz., May 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NowAuto Group, Inc.
(OTC Bulletin Board: NAUG) today announced results for its fiscal
third quarter ended March 31, 2007. The Company reported revenue of
approximately $1.7 million and a net loss of $0.08 per diluted
share versus revenue of approximately $3.6 million and a net profit
of $0.06 per diluted share in the prior year. During the quarter
ended March 31, 2007 gross margin increased from 32.7% to 43.5%
reflecting increased finance income. Revenue declines were in line
with management expectations as emphasis continues on higher margin
finance sales than on cash or auction sales. For the nine months
ended March 31, 2007 the Company reported revenue of $5.6 million
and a net loss of $0.13 per diluted share versus revenue of $8.9
million and a net loss of $0.02 for the nine months ended March 31,
2006. Gross profit for the nine months ended March 31, 2007
increased to 38.6%, up from 29.1%. General and administrative
expenses for the nine months ended March 31, 2007 declined almost
13% from the prior year as a result of labor and other fixed cost
reductions. Before bad debt charges, the Company incurred a slight
loss for the nine months ended March 31, 2007, virtually even with
the nine months ended March 31, 2006. The Company's balance sheet
as of March 31, 2007 reflected improvement due to a 15% increase in
Current Assets and a 10% reduction in Current Liabilities from the
balance sheet dated December 31, 2006. "There is a maturity
developing at the core of this otherwise nascent company. We
continue to face the challenges and find innovative ways to
overcome them," said Faith Forbis CFO. The Company implemented its
stringent underwriting criteria in December 2006 and believes that
while revenue will likely be reduced due to fewer eligible
customers, the contracts that result should be stronger and less
likely to result in charge offs in future quarters. During the
March quarter the Company charged off approximately $622,000 to bad
debt expense. The larger than normal charge off was the primary
reason for the loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2007. The
reasons for the larger than normal charge offs were (i) tighter
collection policies that resulted in early repossession; and (ii)
more stringent underwriting criteria whereby customers that
previously would have been re-contracted were not allowed to redeem
their vehicles. "We are continuing to strengthen our portfolio,
building on the initiative established last December. While we may
continue in the next few months to experience higher than normal
bad debt charges, we believe we have our focus on the proper place,
focusing on selling quality vehicles with more stringent, but not
restrictive, underwriting requirements. Increasing the size of our
finance contract portfolio while maintaining proper underwriting
and maintenance policies is paramount to our stability and growth"
said Scott Miller, CEO. The Company also announced that its
buy-here-pay-here concept to motorcycle customers launched in
January 2007 has continued to grow each month. "Results have been
consistent with our January tests, reflecting better established
and thus lower risk, customers to our portfolio. We intend to
expand this portion of our business, as long as the credit
characteristics remain as they are presently," said Miller. The
Company also announced that while it originally intended to file
its SB2 registration statement in April 2007, the Company, along
with its counsel, determined that a more thorough and diligent
preparation and review of the registration statement was prudent
and while more time consuming than anticipated, is in the best
interest of shareholders. During the third quarter the Company also
launched a credit counseling venture for its customers with a third
party provider. "We strive to balance customer service with
improved portfolio risk. By introducing a qualified credit
counseling service to our customers, we believe we can achieve a
real win-win situation" said Forbis. About NowAuto Group, Inc.
NowAuto Group, Inc. operates four buy-here-pay-here used vehicle
dealerships in Arizona. The Company manages all of its installment
finance contracts and purchases installment finance contracts from
a select number of other independent used vehicle dealerships.
Through its subsidiary, NavicomGPS, Inc. the company markets GPS
tracking devices, primarily to independent used vehicle
dealerships. Note to Investors This press release contains
forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 27A of
the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of
1934, and is subject to the safe harbor created by those sections.
The forward-looking information is based upon current information
and expectations regarding NowAuto Group, Inc. These estimates and
statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, are
not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks,
uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict.
Therefore, actual outcomes and results could materially differ from
what is expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward-looking
statements. NowAuto Group, Inc. assumes no obligation to update the
information contained in this press release. NowAuto Group, Inc.'s
forward-looking statements in this press release and future results
may be materially impacted by any number of factors, any or all of
which could have a negative impact on sales, operating results,
financial and budgetary constraints. NowAuto Group, Inc.'s future
results may also be impacted by other risk factors listed from time
to time in its SEC filings, including, but not limited to, the
Company's Form-QSBs and its Annual Report on Form 10-K. The
statements made herein are independent statements of NowAuto Group,
Inc. The inclusion, if any, of any third parties does not represent
an endorsement of any NowAuto Group, Inc. products or services by
any such third party. For further information contact NowAuto
Group, Inc. or visit the Company's Web site at
http://www.nowauto.com/. DATASOURCE: NowAuto Group, Inc. CONTACT:
Randy Humphrey, NowAuto Group, Inc., +1-480-990-0007 or
+1-480-274-8885 (cell), Web site: http://www.nowauto.com/
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