AVIS BUDGET GROUP, INC. (CAR) FY 2022 MD&A

OVERVIEW

OUR COMPANY

We operate three of the most globally recognized brands in mobility solutions, Avis, Budget and Zipcar together with several other brands, well recognized in their respective markets. We are a leading vehicle rental operator in North America, Europe, Australasia and certain other regions we serve, with an average rental fleet of approximately 655,000 vehicles in 2022. We also license the use of our trademarks to licensees in the areas in which we do not operate directly. We and our licensees operate our brands in approximately 180 countries throughout the world.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

A discussion regarding our financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to 2021 is presented below. A discussion regarding our financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to 2020 can be found under Part II, Item 7 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on February 17, 2022, which is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and our Investor Relations website at ir.avisbudgetgroup.com.

In 2022, we saw strong demand and pricing for vehicle rentals, driven by global travel demand, and favorable conditions in the used-vehicle market in the United States. This coupled with disciplined cost management and continued fleet management resulted in revenues of approximately $12.0 billion, net income of $2.8 billion and Adjusted EBITDA of $4.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2022.

We are susceptible to a number of industry-specific and global macroeconomic factors that may cause our actual results of operations to differ from our historical results of operations or current expectations. The factors and trends that we currently believe are or will be most impactful to our results of operations and financial condition include the following: interest rates, inflationary impact on items such as commodity prices and wages, used car values, and an economic downturn that may impact travel demand. We continue to monitor the potential favorable or unfavorable impacts of these and other factors on our business, operations, financial condition, and future results of operations. Our strategy continues to primarily focus on costs and customer experience to strengthen our company, enable resilience, and deliver stakeholder value.

We measure performance principally using the following key metrics: (i) rental days, which represent the total number of days (or portion thereof) a vehicle was rented, (ii) revenue per day, which represents revenues divided by rental days, (iii) vehicle utilization, which represents rental days divided by available rental days, with available rental days being defined as average rental fleet times the number of days in the period, and (iv) per-unit fleet costs, which represent vehicle depreciation, lease charges and gain or loss on vehicle sales, divided by average rental fleet. Our rental days, revenue per day and vehicle utilization metrics are all calculated based on the actual rental of the vehicle during a 24-hour period. We believe that this methodology provides management with the most relevant metrics in order to effectively manage the performance of the business. Our calculation may not be comparable to the calculation of similarly-titled metrics by other companies. We present currency exchange rate effects to provide a method of assessing how our business performed excluding the effects of foreign currency rate fluctuations. Currency exchange rate effects are calculated by translating the current-year results at the prior-period average exchange rate plus any related gains and losses on currency hedges.

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We assess performance and allocate resources based upon the separate financial information of our operating segments. In identifying our reportable segments, we also consider the nature of services provided by our operating segments, the geographical areas in which our segments operate and other relevant factors. Management evaluates the operating results of each of our reportable segments based upon revenues and “Adjusted EBITDA,” which we define as income from continuing operations before non-vehicle related depreciation and amortization; any impairment charges; restructuring and other related charges; early extinguishment of debt costs; non-vehicle related interest; transaction-related costs, net; charges for unprecedented personal-injury and other legal matters, net, which includes amounts recorded in excess of $5 million related to class action lawsuits; non-operational charges related to shareholder activist activity, which include third party advisory, legal and other professional fees; COVID-19 charges, net; other (income) expense, net, and income taxes.

We revised our definition of Adjusted EBITDA to exclude other (income) expense, net. We did not revise prior years' Adjusted EBITDA because there were no other charges similar in nature. We believe Adjusted EBITDA is useful as a supplemental measure in evaluating the performance of our operating businesses and in comparing our results from period to period. We also believe that Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors because it allows them to assess our results of operations and financial condition on the same basis that management uses internally. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income or other income statement data prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures used by other companies.

Year Ended December 31, 2022 vs. Year Ended December 31, 2021

Our consolidated results of operations comprised the following:

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n/m    Not meaningful.

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Revenues increased $2.7 billion, or 29%, for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to 2021, primarily due to a 23% increase in volume and a 8% increase in revenue per day, excluding exchange rate effects, partially offset by a $327 million negative impact from currency exchange rate movements. Total expenses increased 10% for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to 2021, primarily due to increased demand, partially offset by cost discipline as volume returned. Our effective tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 were provisions of approximately 24% and 25% , respectively. As a result of these items, our net income increased by $1.5 billion compared to 2021. For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, we reported earnings per diluted share of $57.16 and $19.44, respectively.

Operating expenses decreased to 44.1% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to 45.7% in 2021, primarily due to increased revenues and cost discipline as volume returned. Vehicle depreciation and lease charges decreased to 6.9% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to 12.9% in 2021, primarily due to 41% lower per unit fleet cost, excluding exchange rate effects, driven by a favorable trend in the used-vehicle market. Selling, general and administrative costs decreased to 11.2% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to 12.3% in 2021, primarily due to increased revenues and cost discipline as volume returned. Vehicle interest costs represented 3.4% of revenue, unchanged for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to 2021.

Following is a more detailed discussion of the results of each of our reportable segments and reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA:

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(a)    Includes unallocated corporate overhead which is not attributable to a particular segment.

(b)    Includes cloud computing costs of $10 million and $7 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively, within operating expenses.

(c)    Other related charges include costs associated with the separation of certain of our officers.

(d)    Primarily comprised of acquisition and integration related expenses.

(e)    Reported within operating expenses in our consolidated results of operations.

(f)    The following table presents the unusual, direct and incremental costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic:

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Americas

Revenues increased 25% for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to 2021, primarily due to a 22% increase in volume and a 3% increase in revenue per day.

Operating expenses are consistent with prior year at 43.8% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to 43.7% in 2021. Vehicle depreciation and lease charges decreased to 4.4% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to 11.3% in 2021, primarily due to increased revenues and a 61% decrease in per-unit fleet costs, excluding exchange rate effects, driven by a favorable trend in the used-vehicle market. Selling, general and administrative costs decreased to 9.5% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to 10.3% in 2021, primarily due to increased revenues and cost discipline as volume returned. Vehicle interest costs increased to 3.7% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to 3.4% in 2021, primarily due to higher interest rates.

Adjusted EBITDA was $1.3 billion higher for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to 2021, primarily due to increased revenues, lower per-unit fleet costs and cost discipline as volume returned.

International

Revenues increased 44% for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to 2021, primarily due to a 31% increase in revenue per day, excluding exchange rate effects, a 23% increase in volume, partially offset by a $310 million negative impact from currency exchange rate movements.

Operating expenses decreased to 44.3% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to 53.5% in 2021, primarily due to increased revenues and cost discipline as volume returned. Vehicle depreciation and lease charges decreased to 16.4% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to 19.7% in 2021, primarily due to increased revenues and improved utilization, partially offset by a 10% increase in per-unit fleet costs, excluding exchange rate effects. Selling, general and administrative costs decreased to 15.0% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to 17.1% in 2021, primarily due to increased revenues and cost discipline as volume returned. Vehicle interest costs decreased to 2.2% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to 3.1% in 2021, primarily due to increased revenue.

Adjusted EBITDA was $442 million higher for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to 2021, primarily due to increased revenues and cost discipline as volume returned, partially offset by an increase in per-unit fleet costs and a $80 million negative impact from currency exchange rate movements.

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Corporate and Other

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n/m    Not meaningful.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased $16 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to 2021, due to higher selling, general and administrative expenses related to current year performance accruals and computer technology transformation costs, which are not attributable to a particular segment.

FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

We present separately the financial data of our vehicle programs. These programs are distinct from our other activities as the assets under vehicle programs are generally funded through the issuance of debt that is collateralized by such assets. The income generated by these assets is used, in part, to repay the principal and interest associated with the debt. Cash inflows and outflows relating to the generation or acquisition of such assets and the principal debt repayment or financing of such assets are classified as activities of our vehicle programs. We believe it is appropriate to segregate the financial data of our vehicle programs because, ultimately, the source of repayment of such debt is the realization of such assets.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

The increase in liabilities exclusive of liabilities under vehicle programs compared to 2021 is principally related to the increase in corporate indebtedness from the issuance of Floating Rate Term Loan due March 2029. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” and Note 13 – Long-term Corporate Debt and Borrowing Arrangements to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

The increases in assets and liabilities under vehicle programs are principally related to the increase in the size of our vehicle rental fleet to meet increased demand. The decrease in stockholders’ equity compared to 2021 is principally related to our share repurchases, partially offset by comprehensive income.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Overview

Our principal sources of liquidity are cash on hand and our ability to generate cash through operations and financing activities, as well as available funding arrangements and committed credit facilities, each of which is discussed below.

In March 2022, we entered into a $750 million Floating Rate Term Loan due March 2029, at a price of 97% of the aggregate principal amount, with interest paid monthly, which is part of our senior credit facilities. The Floating Rate Term Loan due March 2029 bears interest at one-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 350 basis points.

During 2022, our Avis Budget Rental Car Funding (AESOP) LLC subsidiary issued approximately $2.1 billion of asset-backed notes with expected final payment dates ranging from March 2023 to February 2028, and a weighted average interest rate of 4.94%. The proceeds from these borrowings were used to fund the repayment

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of maturing vehicle-backed debt and the acquisition of rental cars in the United States.

Our Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $8.1 billion of our common stock under a plan originally approved in 2013 and subsequently expanded, most recently in February 2023. Our stock repurchases may occur through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or trading plans pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act. The amount and timing of specific repurchases are subject to market conditions, applicable legal requirements, restricted payment capacity under our debt instruments and other factors. The repurchase program may be suspended, modified or discontinued at any time without prior notice. The repurchase program has no set expiration or termination date. For the year ended December 31, 2022, we repurchased approximately 16.7 million shares of common stock at a cost of approximately $3.3 billion under the program. As of February 13, 2023, approximately $1.7 billion of authorization remained available to repurchase common stock under the program.

Cash Flows

Year Ended December 31, 2022 vs. Year Ended December 31, 2021

The following table summarizes our cash flows:

The increase in cash provided by operating activities during 2022 compared with 2021 is primarily due to the increase in our net income.

The decrease in cash used in investing activities during 2022 compared with 2021 is primarily due to the increase in proceeds received on vehicle sales.

The decrease in cash provided by financing activities during 2022 compared with 2021 is primarily due to the increase in repurchases of common stock and net payments on vehicle borrowings, offset by a decrease in net payments on corporate borrowings.

We anticipate that our non-vehicle property and equipment additions will be approximately $325 million in 2023.

Debt and Financing Arrangements

At December 31, 2022, we had approximately $18.5 billion of indebtedness (including corporate indebtedness of approximately $4.7 billion and debt under vehicle programs of approximately $13.8 billion). For information regarding our debt and borrowing arrangements, see Note 1 – Basis of Presentation, Note 13 – Long-term Corporate Debt and Borrowing Arrangements, and Note 14 – Debt Under Vehicle Programs and Borrowing Arrangements to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

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LIQUIDITY RISK

Our primary liquidity needs include the procurement of rental vehicles to be used in our operations, servicing of corporate and vehicle-related debt and the payment of operating expenses. The present intention of management is to reinvest the undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries indefinitely into our foreign operations. Our primary sources of funding are operating revenue, cash received upon the sale of vehicles, borrowings under our vehicle-backed borrowing arrangements and our senior revolving credit facility, and other financing activities.

Our liquidity has in the past been, and could in the future be, negatively affected by any financial market disruptions or the absence of a recovery or worsening of the U.S. and worldwide economies, which may result in unfavorable conditions in the mobility industry, in the asset-backed financing market and in the credit markets generally. We believe these factors have affected and could further affect the debt ratings assigned to us by credit rating agencies and the cost of our borrowings. Additionally, a worsening or prolonged downturn in the worldwide economy or a disruption in the credit markets could further impact our liquidity due to (i) decreased demand and pricing for vehicles in the used-vehicle market, (ii) increased costs associated with, and/or reduced capacity or increased collateral needs under, our financings, (iii) the adverse impact of vehicle manufacturers being unable or unwilling to honor their obligations to repurchase or guarantee the depreciation on the related program vehicles and (iv) disruption in our ability to obtain financing due to negative credit events specific to us or affecting the overall debt market (see Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” for further discussion).

As of December 31, 2022, we had access to $0.6 billion of available cash and cash equivalents and available borrowings under our revolving credit facility of approximately $1.0 billion, providing us with access to an approximate $1.6 billion of total liquidity.

Our liquidity position could also be negatively impacted if we are unable to remain in compliance with the consolidated first lien leverage ratio requirement and other covenants associated with our senior credit facilities and other borrowings. As of December 31, 2022, we were in compliance with the financial covenants governing our indebtedness. For additional information regarding our liquidity risks, see Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors”.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

For contractual obligations for material cash requirements from known contractual and other obligations as part of a liquidity and capital resources discussion, see Note 3 – Leases, Note 13 – Long-term Corporate Debt and Borrowing Arrangements, Note 14 – Debt Under Vehicle Programs and Borrowing Arrangements, and Note 15 – Commitments and Contingencies to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

Accounting Policies

The results of the majority of our recurring operations are recorded in our financial statements using accounting policies that are not particularly subjective, nor complex. However, in presenting our financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principals (GAAP), we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported therein. Several of the estimates and assumptions we are required to make relate to matters that are inherently uncertain as they relate to future events and/or events that are outside of our control. If there is a significant unfavorable change to current conditions, it could result in a material adverse impact to our consolidated results of operations, financial position and liquidity. We believe that the estimates and assumptions we used when preparing our financial statements were the most appropriate at that time. Presented below are those accounting policies that we believe require subjective and complex judgments that could potentially affect reported results.

Goodwill and Other Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets. We have reviewed the carrying value of our goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. In performing this review, we are required to make an assessment of fair value for our goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets. When determining fair value, we utilize various assumptions, including the fair market trading price of our common stock and management’s projections of future cash flows, which include forecast of future revenue and Adjusted EBITDA. When appropriate, comparative market multiples and other factors are used to corroborate the discounted cash flow results. A change in these underlying assumptions will cause a change in the results of the tests and, as such, could cause the fair value to be less than the respective carrying amount. In such event, we would then be

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required to record a charge, which would impact earnings. We review the carrying value of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually or more frequently if circumstances indicate that an impairment may have occurred.

Our goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are allocated among our reporting units. During 2022, 2021 and 2020, there was no impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets. See Note 7 – Intangible Assets to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Vehicles. We present vehicles at cost, net of accumulated depreciation, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We record the initial cost of the vehicle, net of incentives and allowances from manufacturers. We acquire our rental vehicles either through repurchase and guaranteed depreciation programs with certain automobile manufacturers or outside of such programs. For rental vehicles purchased under such programs, we depreciate the vehicles such that the net book value on the date of sale or return to the manufacturers is intended to equal the contractual guaranteed residual values. For risk vehicles acquired outside of manufacturer repurchase and guaranteed depreciation programs, we depreciate based on the vehicles’ estimated residual market values at their expected dates of disposition. The estimation of residual values requires us to make assumptions regarding the age and mileage of the vehicle at the time of disposal, as well as expected used vehicle market conditions. We regularly evaluate estimated residual values and adjusts depreciation rates as appropriate. Differences between actual residual values and those estimated result in a gain or loss on disposal and are recorded as part of vehicle depreciation and lease charges, net, at the time of sale. See Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our Consolidated Financial Statements. For a discussion of risk factors and assumptions relative to our vehicle valuations, refer to Item 1A, “Risk Factors”, included under Part 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Income Taxes. We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been reflected in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

We record net deferred tax assets to the extent we believe these assets will more likely than not be realized. In making such determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent results of operations. In the event we were to determine that we would be able to realize deferred income tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, we would make an adjustment to the valuation allowance which would reduce the provision for income taxes. Currently we do not record valuation allowances on the majority of our tax loss carryforwards as there are adequate deferred tax liabilities that could be realized within the carryforward period.

See Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 9 – Income Taxes to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding income taxes.

Public Liability, Property Damage and Other Insurance Liabilities. Insurance liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets include supplemental liability insurance, personal effects protection insurance, public liability, property damage and personal accident insurance claims for which we are self-insured. We estimate the required liability of such claims on an undiscounted basis utilizing an actuarial method that is based upon various assumptions which include, but are not limited to, our historical loss experience and projected loss development factors. The required liability is also subject to adjustment in the future based upon changes in claims experience, including changes in the number of incidents for which we are ultimately liable and changes in the cost per incident. See Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements

For a description of our adoption of new accounting pronouncements and the impact thereof on our business, see Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

For a description of recently issued accounting pronouncements and the impact thereof on our business, see Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

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