OPENLANE, Inc. (OPLN) FY 2024 MD&A
This page reproduces the company's own Item 7 MD&A text from the linked SEC filing. It is filer text, not grepcent analysis, scoring, or investment advice.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and which are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties. In particular, statements made in this report that are not historical facts (including, but not limited to, expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections regarding the industry, business, future operating results, potential acquisitions and anticipated cash requirements) may be forward-looking statements. Words such as "should," "may," "will," "would," "could," "can," "of the opinion," "confident," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "predicts," "projects," "believes," "seeks," "estimates" "continues," "contemplates," "outlook," "position," "initiatives," "goals," "targets," "opportunities" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Such statements, including statements regarding market conditions; our future growth and profitability; anticipated cost savings; revenue increases, credit losses and capital expenditures; contractual obligations; common stock repurchases; changes in the value of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar; tax rates and assumptions; the effects of macroeconomic conditions on our business; business strategies; strategic initiatives, acquisitions and dispositions; business and industry trends and challenges; our competitive position and retention of customers; and our continued investment in information technology, among others, are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results projected, expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in Item 1A. "Risk Factors" of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and those described from time to time in our future reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Many of these risk factors are outside of our control, and as such, they involve risks which are not currently known that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed or implied herein. Moreover, we operate in a competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all risks and uncertainties that could have an impact on the forward-looking statements contained in this report. In light of these risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, the future events and trends discussed in this report may not occur, and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. In addition, the global economic climate and general market, political, economic, and business conditions may amplify many of these risks. The forward-looking statements in this report are made as of the date of this report and we do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements.
Automotive Industry and Economic Impacts on our Business
We are dependent on the supply of used vehicles in the wholesale market, and our financial performance depends, in part, on conditions in the automotive industry. In recent years, the automotive industry has experienced unprecedented market conditions, including global automotive production challenges. These conditions have resulted in significant fluctuations in used vehicle values and declines in vehicle volumes in the wholesale market. More recently, new vehicle supply has begun to recover, and this has resulted in wholesale vehicle supply also starting to increase.
However, macroeconomic and geopolitical factors, including inflationary pressures, interest rates, volatility of oil and natural gas prices and declining consumer confidence continue to impact the affordability and demand for new and used vehicles. These factors and related impacts present a risk to our operations and the stability of the automotive industry. Therefore, we cannot predict whether or for how long certain trends will continue, nor to what degree these trends will impact us in the future.
Overview
We are a leading digital marketplace for used vehicles, connecting sellers and buyers across North America and Europe to facilitate fast, easy and transparent transactions. Our business is divided into two reportable business segments, each of which is an integral part of the wholesale used vehicle remarketing industry: Marketplace and Finance.
•The Marketplace segment serves its customer base through digital marketplaces in the U.S., Canada and Europe and vehicle logistics center locations across Canada. Comprehensive private label remarketing solutions are offered to automobile manufacturers, captive finance companies and other commercial customers to offer vehicles digitally. Vehicles sold on our digital platforms are typically sold by commercial fleet operators, financial institutions, rental car companies, new and used vehicle dealers and vehicle manufacturers and their captive finance companies to dealer customers. We also provide value-added ancillary services including inbound and outbound transportation logistics, reconditioning, vehicle inspection and certification, titling, administrative and collateral recovery services.
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•Through AFC, the Finance segment provides short-term, inventory-secured financing, known as floorplan financing, primarily to independent vehicle dealers throughout the United States and Canada. In addition, AFC provides liquidity for customer trade-ins which can encompass settling lien holder payoffs. AFC also provides title services for their customers. These services are provided through AFC's digital servicing network as well as its physical locations throughout North America.
Since the first quarter of 2022, results of the ADESA U.S. physical auctions have been reported as discontinued operations (see Note 4).
Industry Trends
Wholesale Used Vehicle Industry
We believe the U.S. and Canadian wholesale used vehicle industry has a total addressable market of approximately 15 million vehicles, which can fluctuate depending on seasonality and a variety of other macro-economic and industry factors. This wholesale used vehicle industry consists of the commercial market (commercial sellers that sell to franchise and independent dealers) and the dealer-to-dealer market (franchise and independent dealers that both buy and sell vehicles). The Company supports the majority of commercial sellers in North America with our technology and we believe digital applications may provide an opportunity to expand the total addressable market for dealer-to-dealer transactions. The supply chain issues and market conditions facing the automotive industry in recent years, including the disruption of new vehicle production, low new vehicle supply and historically high used vehicle pricing have had a material impact on the wholesale used vehicle industry. More recently, new vehicle supply has begun to recover, and this has resulted in wholesale vehicle supply also starting to increase. New lease originations have increased for the last several quarters. As these leases mature in 2026 and beyond, we expect a higher volume of off-lease vehicles available to the wholesale used vehicle industry, with much of that volume flowing through OPENLANE first as we support the majority of commercial sellers in North America.
Automotive Finance
AFC works with independent vehicle dealers to improve their results by providing a comprehensive set of business and financial solutions that leverage its local presence of branches and in-market representatives, industry experience and scale, as well as OPENLANE affiliations. AFC's North American dealer base was comprised of approximately 14,000 dealers at December 31, 2024.
Key challenges for the independent vehicle dealers include demand for used vehicles, disruptions in pricing of used vehicle inventory, access to consumer financing, increased interest rates and increased used car retail activity of franchise and public dealerships (most of which do not utilize AFC or its competitors for floorplan financing). These same challenges, to the extent they occur, could result in a material negative impact on AFC's results of operations. A significant decline in used vehicle sales would result in a decrease in consumer auto loan originations and an increased number of dealers defaulting on their loans. In addition, volatility in wholesale vehicle pricing impacts the value of recovered collateral on defaulted loans and the resulting severity of credit losses at AFC. A decrease in wholesale used car pricing could lead to increased losses if dealers are unable to satisfy their obligations.
Seasonality
The volume of vehicles sold through our marketplaces generally fluctuates from quarter-to-quarter. This seasonality is caused by several factors including weather, the timing of used vehicles available for sale from selling customers, holidays, and the seasonality of the retail market for used vehicles, which affects the demand side of the auction industry. Wholesale used vehicle volumes tend to decline during prolonged periods of winter weather conditions. As a result, revenues and operating expenses related to volume will fluctuate accordingly on a quarterly basis. In North America, the fourth calendar quarter typically experiences lower used vehicle volume as well as additional costs associated with the holidays and winter weather.
In addition, changes in working capital vary from quarter-to-quarter as a result of the timing of collections and disbursements of funds to consignors from marketplace sales held near period end.
Sources of Revenues and Expenses
The vehicles sold on our marketplaces generate auction fees from buyers and sellers. The Company generally does not take title to these consigned vehicles and records only its auction fees as revenue ("Auction fees" in the consolidated statement of income (loss)) because it has no influence on the vehicle auction selling price agreed to by the seller and the buyer at the auction. The Company does not record the gross selling price of the consigned vehicles sold at auction as revenue. The Company generally enforces its rights to payment for seller transactions through net settlement provisions following the sale of a vehicle. Marketplace services such as inbound and outbound transportation logistics, reconditioning, vehicle inspection and certification, collateral recovery services and technology solutions are generally recognized at the time of service ("Service
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revenue" in the consolidated statement of income (loss)). The Company also sells vehicles that have been purchased, which represent approximately 2% of the total volume of vehicles sold. For these types of sales, the Company does record the gross selling price of purchased vehicles sold at auction as revenue ("Purchased vehicle sales" in the consolidated statement of income (loss)) and the gross purchase price of the vehicles as "Cost of services." AFC's revenue ("Finance revenue" in the consolidated statement of income (loss)) is comprised of interest revenue and fee and other revenue associated with our finance receivables. AFC's interest revenue is generally determined based on the applicable prime rate plus a margin.
Although Marketplace revenues primarily include auction fees and service revenue, our related receivables and payables include the gross value of the vehicles sold. Trade receivables include the unremitted purchase price of vehicles purchased by third parties through our marketplaces, fees to be collected from those buyers and amounts due for services provided by us related to certain consigned vehicles. The amounts due with respect to the services provided by us related to certain consigned vehicles are generally deducted from the sales proceeds upon the eventual auction or other disposition of the related vehicles. Accounts payable include amounts due sellers from the proceeds of the sale of their consigned vehicles less any fees.
Our operating expenses consist of cost of services, finance interest expense, provision for credit losses, selling, general and administrative and depreciation and amortization. Cost of services is composed of payroll and related costs, subcontract services, the cost of vehicles purchased, supplies, insurance, property taxes, utilities, service contract claims, maintenance and lease expense related to the auction sites and loan offices. Cost of services excludes depreciation and amortization. Selling, general and administrative expenses are comprised of payroll and related costs, sales and marketing, information technology services and professional fees.
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Results of Operations
Overview of Results of OPENLANE, Inc. for the Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in millions except per share amounts) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| Revenues | ||||||
| Auction fees | $ | 443.8 | $ | 395.3 | ||
| Service revenue | 586.6 | 619.7 | ||||
| Purchased vehicle sales | 327.0 | 236.7 | ||||
| Finance revenue | 431.1 | 444.0 | ||||
| Total operating revenues | 1,788.5 | 1,695.7 | ||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||
| Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | 956.3 | 867.6 | ||||
| Finance interest expense | 123.5 | 130.6 | ||||
| Provision for credit losses | 54.3 | 59.2 | ||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 408.6 | 421.8 | ||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 95.2 | 101.5 | ||||
| Gain on sale of business | (31.6) | — | ||||
| Goodwill and other intangibles impairment | — | 250.8 | ||||
| Total operating expenses | 1,606.3 | 1,831.5 | ||||
| Operating profit (loss) | 182.2 | (135.8) | ||||
| Interest expense | 21.8 | 25.2 | ||||
| Other expense (income), net | 2.5 | (15.6) | ||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | — | 1.1 | ||||
| Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | 157.9 | (146.5) | ||||
| Income taxes | 48.0 | 8.3 | ||||
| Income (loss) from continuing operations | 109.9 | (154.8) | ||||
| Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes | — | 0.7 | ||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 109.9 | $ | (154.1) | ||
| Income (loss) from continuing operations per share | ||||||
| Basic | $ | 0.46 | $ | (1.83) | ||
| Diluted | $ | 0.45 | $ | (1.83) |
Overview
For the year ended December 31, 2024, we had revenue of $1,788.5 million compared with revenue of $1,695.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of 5%. For a further discussion of our operating results, see the segment results discussions below.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization decreased $6.3 million, or 6%, to $95.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared with $101.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in depreciation and amortization was primarily the result of assets that have become fully amortized.
Gain on Sale of Business
In December 2024, the Company completed the sale of its automotive key business, resulting in a pretax gain on disposal of approximately $31.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024.
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Goodwill and Other Intangibles Impairment
In the second quarter of 2023 the Company recorded non-cash goodwill impairment charges totaling $218.9 million related to our U.S. Dealer-to-Dealer reporting unit and $6.4 million related to our Europe reporting unit (both within the Marketplace segment). The goodwill impairment related to our U.S. Dealer-to-Dealer reporting unit was primarily driven by lower near-term and long-term revenue growth associated with a slower overall recovery in vehicle volumes. The goodwill impairment related to our Europe reporting unit was driven by combining two previously separate reporting units (ADESA U.K. and ADESA Europe) into a single reporting unit. Including ADESA U.K. in the reporting unit resulted in a reduction in the overall fair value of the combined reporting unit, resulting in an impairment charge. The impairment charges were reported as a component of "Goodwill and other intangibles impairment" in the consolidated statements of income (loss).
In addition, the second quarter 2023 announcement of the rebrand to an OPENLANE branded marketplace from the ADESA branded marketplaces resulted in a non-cash impairment charge totaling $25.5 million (within the Marketplace segment). The impairment charge was reported as a component of "Goodwill and other intangibles impairment" in the consolidated statements of income (loss).
The deferred tax benefits of $52.5 million and $6.5 million associated with the goodwill and tradename impairments in the second quarter of 2023, respectively, resulted in the U.S. being in a net deferred tax asset position. Due to the three-year cumulative loss related to U.S. operations, we recorded a $35.8 million and $36.4 million valuation allowance against the U.S. net deferred tax asset at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Interest Expense
Interest expense decreased $3.4 million, or 13%, to $21.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared with $25.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in interest expense was primarily the result of the partial repayment of senior note debt in 2023.
Other Expense (Income), Net
For the year ended December 31, 2024, we had other expense of $2.5 million compared with other income of $15.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in other income was primarily attributable to the receipt of $20.0 million in connection with the early termination of a contractual arrangement that occurred during the second quarter of 2023 and a net decrease in other miscellaneous income aggregating $1.0 million, partially offset by the 2023 impairment of an equity security and note receivable with the same investee aggregating $10.3 million and a $1.3 million contingent consideration valuation adjustment in 2023. In addition, there were $5.8 million in foreign currency losses on intercompany loan balances for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared with $2.9 million in foreign currency gains on intercompany loan balances for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt
In 2023, we replaced the Previous Revolving Credit Facility and also prepaid a portion of the senior notes. As a result of these items, we recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt totaling $1.1 million. The loss was primarily the result of the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs associated with lenders not participating in the Revolving Credit Facility and unamortized debt issuance costs associated with the portion of the senior notes repaid.
Income Taxes
We had an effective tax rate of 30.4% for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared with an effective tax rate of -5.7% resulting in expense on a pre-tax loss for the year ended December 31, 2023. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2023 was impacted by the goodwill and other intangibles impairment charges and resulting $59.0 million deferred tax benefit recorded with respect to the impairment of tax deductible goodwill and the impairment of other intangibles, partially offset by the $36.4 million deferred tax expense associated with the recording of valuation allowance against the U.S. net deferred tax asset.
We recorded a $35.8 million and $36.4 million valuation allowance against the U.S. net deferred tax asset at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The realization of the net deferred tax assets is dependent on our ability to generate sufficient future taxable income to utilize these assets. Depending on our current and anticipated future earnings, we may release a significant portion of our valuation allowance in a future period if there is sufficient positive evidence which would result in a corresponding decrease to income tax expense in such period. The actual timing and amount of the valuation allowance to be released is uncertain.
Additionally, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development has published a proposal to establish a new global minimum corporate tax rate of 15%, commonly referred to as Pillar Two. While the U.S. has not yet adopted the Pillar Two
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framework into law, numerous countries in which we operate have enacted tax legislation based on the Pillar Two framework with certain components of the minimum tax rules effective beginning in 2024 and further rules becoming effective beginning in 2025. These rules are not expected to materially impact the Company's consolidated financial statements. The Company will continue to monitor U.S. and global legislative action related to Pillar Two for potential impacts.
Income from Discontinued Operations
In May 2022, Carvana acquired the ADESA U.S. physical auction business from the Company. As such, the financial results of the ADESA U.S. physical auction business have been accounted for as discontinued operations for all periods presented. The $0.7 million in income from discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2023 was comprised of an adjustment to income taxes.
Impact of Foreign Currency
For the year ended December 31, 2024 compared with the year ended December 31, 2023, the change in the Canadian dollar exchange rate decreased revenue by $5.6 million, operating profit by $1.3 million and net income by $0.5 million.
Marketplace Results
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| Auction fees | $ | 443.8 | $ | 395.3 | ||
| Service revenue | 586.6 | 619.7 | ||||
| Purchased vehicle sales | 327.0 | 236.7 | ||||
| Total Marketplace revenue | 1,357.4 | 1,251.7 | ||||
| Cost of services* | 964.0 | 883.6 | ||||
| Gross profit | 393.4 | 368.1 | ||||
| Provision for credit losses | 6.7 | 8.6 | ||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 359.6 | 372.0 | ||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 8.2 | 10.3 | ||||
| Gain on sale of business | (31.6) | — | ||||
| Goodwill and other intangibles impairment | — | 250.8 | ||||
| Operating profit (loss) | $ | 50.5 | $ | (273.6) | ||
| Commercial vehicles sold | 826,000 | 710,000 | ||||
| Dealer consignment vehicles sold | 620,000 | 621,000 | ||||
| Total vehicles sold | 1,446,000 | 1,331,000 |
* Includes depreciation and amortization
Total Marketplace Revenue
Revenue from the Marketplace segment increased $105.7 million, or 8%, to $1,357.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared with $1,251.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in revenue was primarily attributable to the 9% increase in the number of vehicles sold. For the year ended December 31, 2024, there was an increase in purchased vehicle sales and auction fees, partially offset by the decrease in service revenue (discussed below). The change in revenue included the impact of a decrease in revenue of $4.4 million due to fluctuations in the Canadian dollar exchange rate.
The 9% increase in the number of vehicles sold was primarily comprised of a 16% increase in commercial volumes. The gross merchandise value ("GMV") of vehicles sold for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was approximately $27.1 billion and $24.1 billion, respectively.
Auction Fees
Auction fees increased $48.5 million, or 12%, to $443.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared with $395.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The number of vehicles sold increased 9%. Auction fees per vehicle sold for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased $10, or 3%, to $307, compared with $297 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in auction fees per vehicle sold reflects the mix of vehicles sold in 2024 and the impact of price increases.
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Service Revenue
Service revenue decreased $33.1 million, or 5%, to $586.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared with $619.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily as a result of a decrease in transportation revenue of $44.5 million, of which $59.4 million related to a change in a key customer contract that resulted in the customer's revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024 being recorded on a net commission basis instead of a gross basis, as it was recorded for most of the year ended December 31, 2023. In addition, there was a net decrease in other miscellaneous service revenues aggregating approximately $3.0 million, partially offset by increases in inspection service revenue of $9.5 million and reconditioning revenue of $4.9 million.
Purchased Vehicle Sales
The entire selling and purchase price of the vehicle is recorded as revenue and cost of services for purchased vehicles sold, which represent approximately 2% of total vehicles sold. Purchased vehicle sales increased $90.3 million, or 38%, to $327.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared with $236.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily as a result of an increase in purchased vehicles sold in Europe.
Gross Profit
For the year ended December 31, 2024, gross profit from the Marketplace segment increased $25.3 million, or 7%, to $393.4 million, compared with $368.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Gross profit improvements were driven by a $33.7 million increase from auction and service volumes, $6.8 million decrease from depreciation and amortization and $4.5 million from pricing. These improvements were partially offset by the Canadian Digital Service Tax ("Canadian DST"), which represented a decrease of $10.2 million and a $9.5 million decrease in gross profit resulting from a higher mix of commercial volumes.
Gross profit from the Marketplace segment was 29.0% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared with 29.4% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023. Gross profit as a percentage of revenue decreased for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared with the year ended December 31, 2023, due to an increase in purchased vehicle sales and the Canadian DST, partially offset by a change in a key customer contract (see discussion in "Service revenue" above), increased volumes, increased prices and cost savings initiatives.
On June 28, 2024, Canada enacted a new 3% Canadian DST on certain online revenues, including online marketplace service revenues, of companies with consolidated revenues of at least €750 million. The Company recorded $10.2 million of Canadian DST to cost of services in 2024. The Canadian DST was retroactive to January 1, 2022, resulting in approximately $4.8 million, $3.8 million and $1.6 million of expense related to the years ending December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. During the third quarter of 2024, the Company increased its prices to prospectively mitigate the Canadian DST.
Provision for Credit Losses
Provision for credit losses from the Marketplace segment decreased $1.9 million, or 22%, to $6.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared with $8.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily as a result of initiatives implemented to reduce risk in the marketplace and decrease bad debt expense.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses from the Marketplace segment decreased $12.4 million, or 3%, to $359.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared with $372.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily as a result of decreases in compensation expense of $9.8 million, information technology costs of $4.3 million, professional fees of $3.7 million and other miscellaneous expenses aggregating $1.4 million, partially offset by increases in severance of $4.2 million and marketing costs of $2.6 million.
Gain on Sale of Business
In December 2024, the Company completed the sale of its automotive key business, resulting in a pretax gain on disposal of approximately $31.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Goodwill and Other Intangibles Impairment
See the above discussion of goodwill and other intangibles impairment in the consolidated results of operations for OPENLANE, Inc.
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Finance Results
| As of and for the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| Finance revenue | ||||||
| Interest revenue | $ | 231.1 | $ | 248.4 | ||
| Fee and other revenue | 200.0 | 195.6 | ||||
| Total Finance revenue | 431.1 | 444.0 | ||||
| Finance interest expense | 123.5 | 130.6 | ||||
| Net Finance margin | 307.6 | 313.4 | ||||
| Finance provision for credit losses | 47.6 | 50.6 | ||||
| Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | 67.4 | 65.9 | ||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 49.0 | 49.8 | ||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 11.9 | 9.3 | ||||
| Operating profit | $ | 131.7 | $ | 137.8 | ||
| Portfolio Performance Information | ||||||
| Floorplans originated | 1,026,000 | 997,000 | ||||
| Floorplans curtailed* | 619,000 | 634,000 | ||||
| Total loan transaction units | 1,645,000 | 1,631,000 | ||||
| Total receivables managed | $ | 2,314.0 | $ | 2,274.1 | ||
| Average receivables managed** | $ | 2,239.3 | $ | 2,359.2 | ||
| Allowance for credit losses | $ | 19.8 | $ | 23.0 | ||
| Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total receivables managed | 0.9% | 1.0 | % | |||
| Finance provision for credit losses as a percentage of average receivables managed | 2.1% | 2.1 | % | |||
| Receivables delinquent as a percentage of total receivables managed | 0.8% | 1.0 | % |
* Floorplans curtailed represent existing loans that customers opt to extend beyond the initial term upon the customer making a partial principal payment and payment of accrued interest and fees.
** Average receivables managed is calculated based on the daily ending balance of total receivables managed.
| % of Avg. Receivables ManagedYear EndedDecember 31, | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yields | 2024 | 2023 | |||
| Finance revenue yield | |||||
| Interest revenue | 10.3 | % | 10.5 | % | |
| Fee and other revenue | 9.0 | % | 8.3 | % | |
| Total Finance revenue yield | 19.3 | % | 18.8 | % | |
| Finance interest expense | 5.6 | % | 5.5 | % | |
| Net Finance margin | 13.7 | % | 13.3 | % |
Revenue
For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Finance segment revenue decreased $12.9 million, or 3%, to $431.1 million, compared with $444.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in revenue was primarily the result of decreases in loan values resulting in a decrease in average receivables managed, partially offset by a 1% increase in loan transaction units.
Finance Interest Expense
For the year ended December 31, 2024, finance interest expense decreased $7.1 million, or 5%, to $123.5 million, compared with $130.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in finance interest expense was primarily attributable
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to a decrease in the average balance on the AFC securitization obligations and a reduction in cost of funds with the securitization renewal.
Net Finance Margin
For the year ended December 31, 2024, the net Finance margin percent increased 0.4% to 13.7%, compared with 13.3% for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to a 0.7% increase in fee and other revenue yield. The net interest yield was 4.7% and 5.0% for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Finance Provision for Credit Losses
For the year ended December 31, 2024, finance provision for credit losses decreased $3 million, or 6%, to $47.6 million, compared with $50.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The provision for credit losses remained constant at 2.1% of the average receivables managed for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. The provision for credit losses is expected to be approximately 2% or under, on a long-term basis, of the average receivables managed balance. However, the actual losses in any particular quarter or year could deviate from this range.
Cost of Services
For the year ended December 31, 2024, cost of services for the Finance segment increased $1.5 million, or 2%, to $67.4 million, compared with $65.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in cost of services was primarily the result of increases in professional fees of $0.7 million, compensation expense of $0.4 million, travel expenses of $0.4 million and other miscellaneous expenses aggregating $1.0 million, partially offset by a decrease in lot check expenses of $1.0 million.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the Finance segment decreased $0.8 million, or 2%, to $49.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared with $49.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 primarily as a result of decreases in information technology costs of $2.2 million and stock-based compensation of $1.2 million, partially offset by increases in title handling costs of $1.7 million and compensation expense of $0.9 million.
Select Finance Balance Sheet Items
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| Tangible Assets | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 2,677.7 | $ | 2,660.7 | ||
| Intangible assets | 260.1 | 261.7 | ||||
| Tangible assets | $ | 2,417.6 | $ | 2,399.0 | ||
| Tangible parent equity | ||||||
| Total parent equity*** | $ | 789.0 | $ | 799.4 | ||
| Intangible assets | 260.1 | 261.7 | ||||
| Tangible parent equity*** | $ | 528.9 | $ | 537.7 |
*** Parent equity represents OPENLANE's net investment in AFC. Parent equity was adjusted for an intercompany loan receivable of $726.7 million at December 31, 2023. The intercompany loan receivable represented accumulated cash and earnings of the Finance Segment. As a result of a dividend from AFC to the Company, the intercompany loan receivable was eliminated in the second quarter of 2024. Tangible parent equity is a non-GAAP measure of AFC's capital.
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Overview of Results of OPENLANE, Inc. for the Year Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in millions except per share amounts) | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| Revenues | ||||||
| Auction fees | $ | 395.3 | $ | 370.3 | ||
| Service revenue | 619.7 | 590.3 | ||||
| Purchased vehicle sales | 236.7 | 182.9 | ||||
| Finance revenue | 444.0 | 385.7 | ||||
| Total operating revenues | 1,695.7 | 1,529.2 | ||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||
| Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | 867.6 | 834.3 | ||||
| Finance interest expense | 130.6 | 79.0 | ||||
| Provision for credit losses | 59.2 | 18.6 | ||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 421.8 | 436.3 | ||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 101.5 | 100.2 | ||||
| Gain on sale of property | — | (33.9) | ||||
| Goodwill and other intangibles impairment | 250.8 | — | ||||
| Total operating expenses | 1,831.5 | 1,434.5 | ||||
| Operating (loss) profit | (135.8) | 94.7 | ||||
| Interest expense | 25.2 | 40.2 | ||||
| Other (income) expense, net | (15.6) | (1.3) | ||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | 1.1 | 17.2 | ||||
| (Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes | (146.5) | 38.6 | ||||
| Income taxes | 8.3 | 10.0 | ||||
| (Loss) income from continuing operations | (154.8) | 28.6 | ||||
| Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes | 0.7 | 212.6 | ||||
| Net (loss) income | $ | (154.1) | $ | 241.2 | ||
| (Loss) income from continuing operations per share | ||||||
| Basic | $ | (1.83) | $ | (0.10) | ||
| Diluted | $ | (1.83) | $ | (0.10) |
Overview
For the year ended December 31, 2023, we had revenue of $1,695.7 million compared with revenue of $1,529.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of 11%. For a further discussion of our operating results, see the segment results discussions below.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization increased $1.3 million, or 1%, to $101.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared with $100.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in depreciation and amortization was primarily the result of the amortization of the ADESA tradename, which was previously an indefinite-lived asset, partially offset by assets that have become fully depreciated and a reduction in assets placed in service.
Gain on Sale of Property
In October 2022, the Company closed on the sale of excess land in Montreal which resulted in a gain of $33.9 million.
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Goodwill and Other Intangibles Impairment
Goodwill represents the excess cost over fair value of identifiable net assets of businesses acquired. The Company tests goodwill and indefinite-lived tradenames for impairment at the reporting unit level annually during the second quarter, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may exist. When performing the impairment assessment, the fair value of the Company's reporting units are estimated using the expected present value of future cash flows (Level 3 inputs).
As part of this annual process, in the second quarter of 2023 the Company updated its forecasts for all of its reporting units, including an updated estimate for near-term and long-term revenue growth rates reflecting a slower overall recovery in vehicle volumes. Discount rates and other cash flow assumptions used in the valuations were also adjusted. As a result of this impairment assessment, it was determined that the fair value was lower than the carrying value for our U.S. Dealer-to-Dealer and Europe reporting units (both within the Marketplace segment). Accordingly, the Company recorded non-cash goodwill impairment charges totaling $218.9 million related to our U.S. Dealer-to-Dealer reporting unit and $6.4 million related to our Europe reporting unit. The goodwill impairment charge related to our U.S. Dealer-to-Dealer reporting unit relates to tax deductible goodwill, and as such the impairment resulted in a deferred tax benefit of $52.5 million. The goodwill impairment related to our U.S. Dealer-to-Dealer reporting unit was primarily driven by lower near-term and long-term revenue growth associated with a slower overall recovery in vehicle volumes. The goodwill impairment related to our Europe reporting unit was driven by combining two previously separate reporting units (ADESA U.K. and ADESA Europe) into a single reporting unit. Including ADESA U.K. in the reporting unit resulted in a reduction in the overall fair value of the combined reporting unit, resulting in an impairment charge. The fair value of the remaining reporting units were in excess of their carrying value. The impairment charges were reported as a component of "Goodwill and other intangibles impairment" in the consolidated statements of income (loss).
As a result of the second quarter 2023 impairment charges, the carrying value of the U.S. Dealer-to-Dealer and Europe reporting units approximated fair value. The assumptions used in the discounted cash flow analysis are subject to inherent uncertainties and subjectivity. As such, changes in our future forecasts, operating results, cash flows, discount rates and other factors used to estimate the fair value of our reporting units may result in additional goodwill impairment charges in the future, and could have a material, non-cash, effect on our consolidated operating profit (loss) and net income (loss).
We will continue to monitor events occurring or circumstances changing which may suggest that goodwill should be reevaluated during interim periods. As of December 31, 2023, the remaining carrying value of goodwill related to the U.S. Dealer-to-Dealer and Europe reporting units was $87.3 million and $120.8 million, respectively.
In addition, the second quarter 2023 announcement of the rebrand to an OPENLANE branded marketplace from the ADESA branded marketplaces served as a triggering event requiring a re-evaluation of the useful life and impairment of the ADESA tradename. As such, the Company evaluated the $122.8 million carrying amount of its indefinite-lived ADESA tradename, resulting in a non-cash impairment charge totaling $25.5 million in the second quarter of 2023 and associated deferred tax benefit of $6.5 million (within the Marketplace segment). The impairment charge was reported as a component of "Goodwill and other intangibles impairment" in the consolidated statements of income (loss). The ADESA tradename is expected to continue to generate cash flows pursuant to the purchase and commercial agreements with Carvana and its affiliates for a defined period. The fair value of the ADESA tradename was estimated using the royalty savings method (Level 3 inputs). Furthermore, as a result of the rebrand to OPENLANE, the ADESA tradename is no longer deemed to have an indefinite life and its remaining carrying amount of $97.3 million will be amortized over a remaining useful life of approximately 6 years.
The deferred tax benefits of $52.5 million and $6.5 million associated with the goodwill and tradename impairments, respectively, resulted in the U.S. being in a net deferred tax asset position. Due to the three-year cumulative loss related to U.S. operations, we recorded a $36.4 million valuation allowance against the U.S. net deferred tax asset at December 31, 2023.
Interest Expense
Interest expense decreased $15.0 million, or 37%, to $25.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared with $40.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease in interest expense was primarily the result of repayments of term loan and senior note debt in 2022 and 2023, partially offset by a realized gain in 2022 of $16.7 million related to the discontinuance of hedge accounting and termination of the interest rate swaps.
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Other (Income) Expense, Net
For the year ended December 31, 2023, we had other income of $15.6 million compared with $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in other income was primarily attributable to the receipt of $20.0 million in connection with the early termination of a contractual arrangement and a net decrease in realized and unrealized losses on investment securities of $6.7 million, partially offset by the impairment of an equity security and note receivable with the same investee aggregating $10.3 million, a $1.3 million increase in contingent consideration valuation adjustment and a decrease in other miscellaneous income items aggregating $6.2 million. In addition, there were $2.9 million in foreign currency gains on intercompany balances for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared with $2.5 million in foreign currency losses on intercompany balances for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt
In 2023, we replaced the Previous Revolving Credit Facility and also prepaid a portion of the senior notes. As a result of these items, we recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt totaling $1.1 million. The loss was primarily the result of the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs associated with lenders not participating in the Revolving Credit Facility and unamortized debt issuance costs associated with the portion of the senior notes repaid.
In 2022, we prepaid the outstanding balance on Term Loan B-6, as well as a portion of the senior notes with proceeds from the Transaction. As a result of these repayments, we recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt totaling $17.2 million primarily representative of the early repayment premium on the senior notes and the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs associated with Term Loan B-6 and the portion of the senior notes repaid.
Income Taxes
We had an effective tax rate of -5.7% resulting in expense on a pre-tax loss for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared with an effective tax rate of 25.9% for the year ended December 31, 2022. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2023 was impacted by the goodwill and other intangibles impairment charges and resulting $59.0 million deferred tax benefit recorded with respect to the impairment of tax deductible goodwill and the impairment of other intangibles, partially offset by the $36.4 million deferred tax expense associated with the recording of valuation allowance against the U.S. net deferred tax asset.
Income from Discontinued Operations
In May 2022, Carvana acquired the ADESA U.S. physical auction business from the Company. As such, the financial results of the ADESA U.S. physical auction business have been accounted for as discontinued operations for all periods presented. For the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company's financial statements included income from discontinued operations of $0.7 million and $212.6 million, respectively. The $0.7 million in income from discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2023 was comprised of an adjustment to income taxes.
Impact of Foreign Currency
For the year ended December 31, 2023 compared with the year ended December 31, 2022, the change in the Canadian dollar exchange rate decreased revenue by $13.9 million, operating profit by $3.5 million and net income by $1.5 million. For the year ended December 31, 2023 compared with the year ended December 31, 2022, the change in the euro exchange rate increased revenue by $7.0 million, operating profit by $0.5 million and net income by $0.3 million.
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Marketplace Results
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| Auction fees | $ | 395.3 | $ | 370.3 | ||
| Service revenue | 619.7 | 590.3 | ||||
| Purchased vehicle sales | 236.7 | 182.9 | ||||
| Total Marketplace revenue | 1,251.7 | 1,143.5 | ||||
| Cost of services* | 883.6 | 848.1 | ||||
| Gross profit | 368.1 | 295.4 | ||||
| Provision for credit losses | 8.6 | 8.8 | ||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 372.0 | 389.8 | ||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 10.3 | 15.4 | ||||
| Gain on sale of property | — | (33.9) | ||||
| Goodwill and other intangibles impairment | 250.8 | — | ||||
| Operating loss | $ | (273.6) | $ | (84.7) | ||
| Commercial vehicles sold | 710,000 | 661,000 | ||||
| Dealer consignment vehicles sold | 621,000 | 636,000 | ||||
| Total vehicles sold | 1,331,000 | 1,297,000 |
* Includes depreciation and amortization
Total Marketplace Revenue
Revenue from the Marketplace segment increased $108.2 million, or 9%, to $1,251.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared with $1,143.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The change in revenue included the impact of a decrease in revenue of $11.5 million due to fluctuations in the Canadian dollar exchange rate, partially offset by an increase in revenue of $7.0 million due to fluctuations in the euro exchange rate. The increase in revenue was primarily attributable to the increases in auction fees, service revenue and purchased vehicle sales (discussed below).
The 3% increase in the number of vehicles sold was comprised of a 7% increase in commercial volumes and a 2% decrease in dealer consignment volumes. The gross merchandise value ("GMV") of vehicles sold for the year ended December 31, 2023 was approximately $24.1 billion.
Auction Fees
Auction fees increased $25.0 million, or 7%, to $395.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared with $370.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The number of vehicles sold increased 3%. Auction fees per vehicle sold for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased $11, or 4%, to $297, compared with $286 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in auction fees per vehicle sold reflects the impact of price increases and the introduction of new auction related services.
Service Revenue
Service revenue increased $29.4 million, or 5%, to $619.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared with $590.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily as a result of increases in repossession and remarketing fees of $25.1 million, third-party fees for platform services of $9.0 million, inspection service revenue of $7.1 million and a net increase in other miscellaneous service revenues aggregating approximately $4.3 million, partially offset by decreases in transportation revenue of $13.6 million and reconditioning revenue of $2.5 million.
Purchased Vehicle Sales
Purchased vehicle sales, which include the entire selling price of the vehicle, increased $53.8 million, or 29%, to $236.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared with $182.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily as a result of an increase in the number of purchased vehicles sold and the average selling price of purchased vehicles sold in Europe.
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Gross Profit
For the year ended December 31, 2023, gross profit from the Marketplace segment increased $72.7 million, or 25%, to $368.1 million, compared with $295.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Revenue increased 9% for the year ended December 31, 2023, while cost of services increased 4% during the same period. Gross profit from the Marketplace segment was 29.4% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared with 25.8% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022. Gross profit as a percentage of revenue increased for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared with the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to improved transportation margins, improved profitability in our dealer-to-dealer platforms, cost savings initiatives and an increase in third-party fees for platform services.
Provision for Credit Losses
Provision for credit losses from the Marketplace segment decreased $0.2 million, or 2%, to $8.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared with $8.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses from the Marketplace segment decreased $17.8 million, or 5%, to $372.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared with $389.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily as a result of decreases in professional fees of $9.8 million, severance of $5.9 million, fluctuations in the Canadian exchange rate of $5.5 million, telecom expenses of $3.0 million, information technology costs of $1.6 million and stock-based compensation of $1.0 million, partially offset by increases in incentive-based compensation of $3.4 million, marketing costs of $2.8 million, compensation expense of $1.3 million and other miscellaneous expenses aggregating $1.5 million.
Gain on Sale of Property
In October 2022, the Company closed on the sale of excess land in Montreal which resulted in a gain of $33.9 million.
Goodwill and Other Intangibles Impairment
See the above discussion of goodwill and other intangibles impairment in the consolidated results of operations for OPENLANE, Inc.
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Finance Results
| As of and for the Year Ended December 31, | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | |||
| Finance revenue | |||||
| Interest revenue | $ | 248.4 | $ | 202.8 | |
| Fee and other revenue | 195.6 | 182.9 | |||
| Total Finance revenue | 444.0 | 385.7 | |||
| Finance interest expense | 130.6 | 79.0 | |||
| Net Finance margin | 313.4 | 306.7 | |||
| Finance provision for credit losses | 50.6 | 9.8 | |||
| Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | 65.9 | 63.1 | |||
| Selling, general and administrative | 49.8 | 46.5 | |||
| Depreciation and amortization | 9.3 | 7.9 | |||
| Operating profit | $ | 137.8 | $ | 179.4 | |
| Portfolio Performance Information | |||||
| Floorplans originated | 997,000 | 939,000 | |||
| Floorplans curtailed* | 634,000 | 642,000 | |||
| Total loan transaction units | 1,631,000 | 1,581,000 | |||
| Total receivables managed | $ | 2,274.1 | $ | 2,389.1 | |
| Average receivables managed** | $ | 2,359.2 | $ | 2,599.7 | |
| Allowance for credit losses | $ | 23.0 | $ | 21.5 | |
| Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total receivables managed | 1.0% | 0.9% | |||
| Finance provision for credit losses as a percentage of average receivables managed | 2.1% | 0.4% | |||
| Receivables delinquent as a percentage of total receivables managed | 1.0% | 0.7% |
* Floorplans curtailed represent existing loans that customers opt to extend beyond the initial term upon the customer making a partial principal payment and payment of accrued interest and fees.
** Average receivables managed is calculated based on the daily ending balance of total receivables managed.
| % of Avg. Receivables Managed Year EndedDecember 31, | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yields | 2023 | 2022 | |||
| Finance revenue yield | |||||
| Interest revenue | 10.5 | % | 7.8 | % | |
| Fee and other revenue | 8.3 | % | 7.0 | % | |
| Total Finance revenue yield | 18.8 | % | 14.8 | % | |
| Finance interest expense | 5.5 | % | 3.0 | % | |
| Net finance margin | 13.3 | % | 11.8 | % |
Revenue
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Finance segment revenue increased $58.3 million, or 15%, to $444.0 million, compared with $385.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in revenue was primarily the result of a 3% increase in loan transactions, an increase in interest yields driven by an increase in prime rates (weighted average prime rate increased over 325 basis points compared to 2022), and an increase in other fee revenue, partially offset by a decrease in loan values.
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Finance Interest Expense
For the year ended December 31, 2023, finance interest expense increased $51.6 million, or 65%, to $130.6 million, compared with $79.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in finance interest expense was attributable to an approximately 3.4% increase in the average interest rate on the securitization obligations, which closely correlated with the increase in the weighted average Prime Rates over 2022 and 2023.
Net Finance Margin
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the net Finance margin percent increased 1.5% to 13.3%, compared with 11.8% for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to a 1.3% increase in fee and other revenue yield. The net interest yield was 5.0% and 4.8% for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Finance Provision for Credit Losses
For the year ended December 31, 2023, finance provision for credit losses increased $40.8 million, or 416%, to $50.6 million, compared with $9.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The provision for credit losses increased to 2.1% of the average receivables managed for the year ended December 31, 2023 from 0.4% for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increased loss rate was due to significant used vehicle value declines, interest rate increases and tightening retail credit availability that impacted used retail sales. The provision for credit losses is expected to be approximately 2% or under, on a long-term basis, of the average receivables managed balance. However, the actual losses in any particular quarter or year could deviate from this range.
Cost of Services
For the year ended December 31, 2023, cost of services for the Finance segment increased $2.8 million, or 4%, to $65.9 million, compared with $63.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in cost of services was primarily the result of increases in compensation expense of $2.2 million, lot check expenses of $0.6 million and other miscellaneous expenses aggregating $1.3 million, partially offset by a decrease in incentive-based compensation of $1.3 million.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the Finance segment increased $3.3 million, or 7%, to $49.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared with $46.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 primarily as a result of increases in postage expense of $2.8 million, information technology costs of $0.8 million, stock-based compensation of $0.8 million and other miscellaneous expenses aggregating $0.1 million, partially offset by decreases in professional fees of $0.4 million, incentive-based compensation of $0.4 million and contract labor of $0.4 million.
Select Finance Balance Sheet Items
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| Tangible Assets | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 2,660.7 | $ | 2,822.0 | ||
| Intangible assets | 261.7 | 260.9 | ||||
| Tangible assets | $ | 2,399.0 | $ | 2,561.1 | ||
| Tangible parent equity | ||||||
| Total parent equity*** | $ | 799.4 | $ | 894.6 | ||
| Intangible assets | 261.7 | 260.9 | ||||
| Tangible parent equity*** | $ | 537.7 | $ | 633.7 |
*** Parent equity represents OPENLANE's net investment in AFC. Parent equity is adjusted for an intercompany loan receivable of $726.7 million and $559.9 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The intercompany loan receivable represented accumulated cash and earnings of the Finance Segment. Tangible parent equity is a non-GAAP measure of AFC's capital.
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Overview of Results of OPENLANE, Inc. for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| Three Months Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in millions except per share amounts) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| Revenues | ||||||
| Auction fees | $ | 112.0 | $ | 90.0 | ||
| Service revenue | 141.2 | 144.5 | ||||
| Purchased vehicle sales | 95.6 | 60.2 | ||||
| Finance revenue | 106.2 | 111.4 | ||||
| Total operating revenues | 455.0 | 406.1 | ||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||
| Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | 244.5 | 204.8 | ||||
| Finance interest expense | 28.3 | 34.0 | ||||
| Provision for credit losses | 12.1 | 17.2 | ||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 99.7 | 101.4 | ||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 23.0 | 25.3 | ||||
| Gain on sale of business | (31.6) | — | ||||
| Total operating expenses | 376.0 | 382.7 | ||||
| Operating profit | 79.0 | 23.4 | ||||
| Interest expense | 4.6 | 5.3 | ||||
| Other expense (income), net | 5.4 | (3.1) | ||||
| Income from continuing operations before income taxes | 69.0 | 21.2 | ||||
| Income taxes | 16.7 | 7.6 | ||||
| Income from continuing operations | 52.3 | 13.6 | ||||
| Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes | — | 0.7 | ||||
| Net income | $ | 52.3 | $ | 14.3 | ||
| Income from continuing operations per share | ||||||
| Basic | $ | 0.29 | $ | 0.02 | ||
| Diluted | $ | 0.29 | $ | 0.02 |
Overview
For the three months ended December 31, 2024, we had revenue of $455.0 million compared with revenue of $406.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, an increase of 12%. For a further discussion of our operating results, see the segment results discussions below.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization decreased $2.3 million, or 9%, to $23.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared with $25.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in depreciation and amortization was primarily the result of assets that have become fully amortized.
Gain on Sale of Business
In December 2024, the Company completed the sale of its automotive key business, resulting in a pretax gain on disposal of approximately $31.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024.
Interest Expense
Interest expense decreased $0.7 million, or 13%, to $4.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared with $5.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in interest expense was primarily the result of a decrease in the borrowings on lines of credit.
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Other Expense (Income), Net
For the three months ended December 31, 2024, we had other expense of $5.4 million compared with other income of $3.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in other income was primarily attributable to $6.5 million in foreign currency losses on intercompany loan balances for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared with $2.1 million in foreign currency gains on intercompany loan balances for the three months ended December 31, 2023, partially offset by an increase in other miscellaneous income aggregating $0.1 million.
Income Taxes
We had an effective tax rate of 24.2% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared with an effective tax rate of 35.8% for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The effective tax rate for the three months ended December 31, 2024 was favorably impacted by a decrease in the valuation allowance related to current year movement of the adjusted U.S. net deferred tax asset, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of non-deductible goodwill recognized in the sale of the automotive key business. The effective tax rate for the three months ended December 31, 2023 was unfavorably impacted by an increase in the valuation allowance related to 2023 current year movement of the adjusted U.S. net deferred tax asset and tax expense related to current and planned distribution of foreign earnings.
We recorded a $35.8 million and $36.4 million valuation allowance against the U.S. net deferred tax asset at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The realization of the net deferred tax assets is dependent on our ability to generate sufficient future taxable income to utilize these assets. Depending on our current and anticipated future earnings, we may release a significant portion of our valuation allowance in a future period if there is sufficient positive evidence which would result in a corresponding decrease to income tax expense in such period. The actual timing and amount of the valuation allowance to be released is uncertain.
Additionally, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development has published a proposal to establish a new global minimum corporate tax rate of 15%, commonly referred to as Pillar Two. While the U.S. has not yet adopted the Pillar Two framework into law, numerous countries in which we operate have enacted tax legislation based on the Pillar Two framework with certain components of the minimum tax rules effective beginning in 2024 and further rules becoming effective beginning in 2025. These rules are not expected to materially impact the Company's consolidated financial statements. The Company will continue to monitor U.S. and global legislative action related to Pillar Two for potential impacts.
Income from Discontinued Operations
In May 2022, Carvana acquired the ADESA U.S. physical auction business from the Company. As such, the financial results of the ADESA U.S. physical auction business have been accounted for as discontinued operations for all periods presented. The $0.7 million in income from discontinued operations for the three months ended December 31, 2023 was comprised of an adjustment to income taxes.
Impact of Foreign Currency
For the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared with the three months ended December 31, 2023, the change in the Canadian dollar exchange rate decreased revenue by $2.7 million, operating profit by $0.7 million and net income by $0.4 million. For the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared with the three months ended December 31, 2023, the change in the euro exchange rate decreased revenue by $0.7 million and had no impact on operating profit and net income.
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Marketplace Results
| Three Months Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| Auction fees | $ | 112.0 | $ | 90.0 | ||
| Service revenue | 141.2 | 144.5 | ||||
| Purchased vehicle sales | 95.6 | 60.2 | ||||
| Total Marketplace revenue | 348.8 | 294.7 | ||||
| Cost of services* | 245.6 | 208.8 | ||||
| Gross profit | 103.2 | 85.9 | ||||
| Provision for credit losses | 1.5 | 2.4 | ||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 88.3 | 89.3 | ||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1.9 | 2.4 | ||||
| Gain on sale of business | (31.6) | — | ||||
| Operating profit (loss) | $ | 43.1 | $ | (8.2) | ||
| Commercial vehicles sold | 192,000 | 183,000 | ||||
| Dealer consignment vehicles sold | 155,000 | 135,000 | ||||
| Total vehicles sold | 347,000 | 318,000 |
* Includes depreciation and amortization
Total Marketplace Revenue
Revenue from the Marketplace segment increased $54.1 million, or 18%, to $348.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared with $294.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The increase in revenue was primarily attributable to the 9% increase in the number of vehicles sold. For the three months ended December 31, 2024, there was an increase in purchased vehicle sales and an increase in auction fees, partially offset by a decrease in service revenue (discussed below). The change in revenue included the impact of a decrease in revenue of $2.8 million due to fluctuations in the Canadian dollar and euro exchange rates.
The 9% increase in the number of vehicles sold was comprised of a 5% increase in commercial volumes and a 15% increase in dealer consignment volumes. The GMV of vehicles sold for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was approximately $6.6 billion and $5.7 billion, respectively.
Auction Fees
Auction fees increased $22.0 million, or 24%, to $112.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared with $90.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The number of vehicles sold increased 9%. Auction fees per vehicle sold for the three months ended December 31, 2024 increased $40, or 14%, to $323, compared with $283 for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The increase in auction fees per vehicle sold reflects the mix of vehicles sold in the fourth quarter of 2024 and the impact of price increases.
Service Revenue
Service revenue decreased $3.3 million, or 2%, to $141.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared with $144.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, primarily as a result of a decrease in repossession fees of $6.5 million, partially offset by increases in transportation revenue of $2.7 million and other miscellaneous service revenues aggregating approximately $0.5 million.
Purchased Vehicle Sales
The entire selling and purchase price of the vehicle is recorded as revenue and cost of services for purchased vehicles sold, which represent approximately 2% of total vehicles sold. Purchased vehicle sales increased $35.4 million, or 59%, to $95.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared with $60.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, primarily as a result of an increase in purchased vehicles sold in Europe.
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Gross Profit
For the three months ended December 31, 2024, gross profit for the Marketplace segment increased $17.3 million, or 20%, to $103.2 million, compared with $85.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. Gross profit improvements were driven by a $9.5 million increase in auction and service volumes, a $5.9 million increase resulting from other items and a higher mix of dealer consignment vehicles and $2.2 million decrease from depreciation and amortization. These improvements were partially offset by a $0.3 million decrease from pricing.
Gross profit from the Marketplace segment was 29.6% of revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared with 29.1% of revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2023. Gross profit as a percentage of revenue increased for the three months ended December 31, 2024 as compared with the three months ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to increased volumes and the reversal of a portion of the Canadian DST related to prior years, partially offset by an increase in purchased vehicle sales.
On June 28, 2024, Canada enacted a new 3% Digital Services Tax (“Canadian DST”) on certain online revenues, including online marketplace service revenues, of companies with consolidated revenues of at least €750 million. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company updated its estimate of the Canadian DST related to 2023 and 2022. This resulted in a net $3.0 million benefit to cost of services in the fourth quarter of 2024. In addition, as previously noted, the Canadian DST was partially mitigated by corresponding price increases put in place during the third quarter.
Provision for Credit Losses
Provision for credit losses from the Marketplace segment decreased $0.9 million, or 38%, to $1.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared with $2.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, primarily as a result of initiatives implemented to reduce risk in the marketplace and decrease bad debt expense.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses from the Marketplace segment decreased $1.0 million, or 1%, to $88.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared with $89.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, primarily as a result of decreases in information technology costs of $2.5 million, compensation expense of $2.0 million, stock-based compensation of $1.9 million and other miscellaneous expenses aggregating $0.3 million, partially offset by increases in incentive-based compensation of $4.6 million and marketing costs of $1.1 million.
Gain on Sale of Business
In December 2024, the Company completed the sale of its automotive key business, resulting in a pretax gain on disposal of approximately $31.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024.
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Finance Results
| As of and for theThree Months EndedDecember 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| Finance revenue | ||||||
| Interest revenue | $ | 54.5 | $ | 62.9 | ||
| Fee and other revenue | 51.7 | 48.5 | ||||
| Total Finance revenue | 106.2 | 111.4 | ||||
| Finance interest expense | 28.3 | 34.0 | ||||
| Net Finance margin | 77.9 | 77.4 | ||||
| Finance provision for credit losses | 10.6 | 14.8 | ||||
| Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | 17.0 | 16.3 | ||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 11.4 | 12.1 | ||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 3.0 | 2.6 | ||||
| Operating profit | $ | 35.9 | $ | 31.6 | ||
| Portfolio Performance Information | ||||||
| Floorplans originated | 250,000 | 236,000 | ||||
| Floorplans curtailed* | 155,000 | 166,000 | ||||
| Total loan transaction units | 405,000 | 402,000 | ||||
| Total receivables managed | $ | 2,314.0 | $ | 2,274.1 | ||
| Average receivables managed** | $ | 2,259.6 | $ | 2,319.8 | ||
| Allowance for credit losses | $ | 19.8 | $ | 23.0 | ||
| Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total receivables managed | 0.9% | 1.0% | ||||
| Annualized finance provision for credit losses as a percentage of average receivables managed | 1.9% | 2.6% | ||||
| Receivables delinquent as a percentage of total receivables managed | 0.8% | 1.0% |
* Floorplans curtailed represent existing loans that customers opt to extend beyond the initial term upon the customer making a partial principal payment and payment of accrued interest and fees.
** Average receivables managed is calculated based on the daily ending balance of total receivables managed.
| % of Avg. Receivables Managed Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yields (Annualized) | 2024 | 2023 | |||
| Finance revenue yield | |||||
| Interest revenue | 9.6 | % | 10.8 | % | |
| Fee and other revenue | 9.2 | % | 8.4 | % | |
| Total Finance revenue yield | 18.8 | % | 19.2 | % | |
| Finance interest expense | 5.0 | % | 5.9 | % | |
| Net finance margin | 13.8 | % | 13.3 | % |
Revenue
For the three months ended December 31, 2024, the Finance segment revenue decreased $5.2 million, or 5%, to $106.2 million, compared with $111.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in revenue was primarily the result of decreases in interest yields and loan values resulting in a decrease in average receivables managed, partially offset by a 1% increase in loan transaction units.
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Finance Interest Expense
For the three months ended December 31, 2024, finance interest expense decreased $5.7 million, or 17%, to $28.3 million, compared with $34.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in finance interest expense was attributable to a decrease in the average balance on the AFC securitization obligations and an approximately 1% decrease in the average interest rate on the securitization obligations.
Net Finance Margin (Annualized)
For the three months ended December 31, 2024, the net Finance margin percent increased 0.5% to 13.8%, compared with 13.3% for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to a 0.8% increase in fee and other revenue yield. The net interest yield was 4.6% and 4.9% for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Finance Provision for Credit Losses
For the three months ended December 31, 2024, finance provision for credit losses decreased $4.2 million, or 28%, to $10.6 million, compared with $14.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The provision for credit losses decreased to 1.9% of the average receivables managed for the three months ended December 31, 2024 from 2.6% for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The provision for credit losses is expected to be approximately 2% or under, on a long-term basis, of the average receivables managed balance. However, the actual losses in any particular quarter or year could deviate from this range.
Cost of Services
For the three months ended December 31, 2024, cost of services for the Finance segment increased $0.7 million, or 4%, to $17.0 million, compared with $16.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The increase in cost of services was primarily the result of increases in compensation expense of $0.4 million and other miscellaneous expenses aggregating $0.5 million, partially offset by a decrease in lot check expenses of $0.2 million.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the Finance segment decreased $0.7 million, or 6%, to $11.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared with $12.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023 primarily as a result of decreases in information technology costs of $0.8 million and stock-based compensation of $0.6 million, partially offset by increases in incentive-based compensation of $0.4 million and title handling costs of $0.3 million.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
As of December 31, 2024, our sources of liquidity consisted of cash on hand, working capital and amounts available under our Revolving Credit Facilities. Our principal ongoing sources of liquidity consist of cash generated by operations and borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facilities.
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 143.0 | $ | 93.5 | ||
| Working capital | 286.0 | 363.1 | ||||
| Amounts available under the Revolving Credit Facilities | 397.9 | 133.3 | ||||
| Cash provided by operating activities for the year ended | 292.8 | 237.0 |
We regularly evaluate alternatives for our capital structure and liquidity given our expected cash flows, growth and operating capital requirements as well as capital market conditions.
Working Capital
A substantial amount of our working capital (current assets less current liabilities) associated with our Marketplace segment is generated from the payments received for services provided. The majority of our working capital needs in the Marketplace segment are short-term in nature, usually less than a week in duration. Most financial institutions place a temporary hold on the availability of the funds deposited that generally can range up to two business days, resulting in cash in our accounts and on our balance sheet that is unavailable for use until it is made available. There are outstanding checks (book overdrafts) to sellers and vendors included in current liabilities. Because a portion of these outstanding checks for operations in the U.S. are drawn upon bank accounts at financial institutions other than the financial institutions that hold the cash, we cannot offset all the cash and
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the outstanding checks on our balance sheet. Changes in working capital vary from quarter-to-quarter as a result of the timing of collections and disbursements of funds to consignors from marketplace sales held near period end. The primary reason for the decrease in working capital year-over-year is the result of the senior notes being reclassified to current debt in June 2024, due to their maturity on June 1, 2025.
Approximately $46.8 million of available cash was held by our foreign subsidiaries at December 31, 2024. If funds held by our foreign subsidiaries were to be repatriated, state and local income tax expense and withholding tax expense would need to be recognized, net of any applicable foreign tax credits.
AFC offers short-term inventory-secured financing, also known as floorplan financing, to independent vehicle dealers. Financing is primarily provided for terms of 30 to 90 days. AFC principally generates its funding through the sale of its receivables. The receivables sold pursuant to the securitization agreements are accounted for as secured borrowings. For further discussion of AFC's securitization arrangements, see "Securitization Facilities."
Credit Facilities
On June 23, 2023, we entered into the Credit Agreement, which replaced the Previous Credit Agreement, and provides for, among other things, the $325 million Revolving Credit Facility. As a result of replacing the Previous Credit Agreement, we incurred a non-cash loss on the extinguishment of debt of $0.4 million in the second quarter of 2023. The loss was the result of the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs associated with lenders that are not participating in the Revolving Credit Facility. On January 19, 2024, the Company and ADESA Auctions Canada Corporation, a subsidiary of the Company (the "Canadian Borrower") entered into the First Amendment Agreement (the "First Amendment") to the Credit Agreement. The First Amendment provides for, among other things, (i) a C$175 million revolving credit facility in Canadian dollars (the "Canadian Revolving Credit Facility" and, together with the Revolving Credit Facility, "the Revolving Credit Facilities") and (ii) a C$50 million sub-limit (the "Canadian Sub-limit") under the Company's existing Revolving Credit Facility for borrowings in Canadian dollars. The proceeds from the Canadian Revolving Credit Facility were able to be used to finance a portion of the Manheim Canada acquisition, to pay for expenses related to the First Amendment and for ongoing working capital and general corporate purposes.
The Revolving Credit Facility is available for letters of credit, working capital, permitted acquisitions and general corporate purposes. The Revolving Credit Facility also includes a $65 million sub-limit for the issuance of letters of credit and a $60 million sub-limit for swingline loans.
Loans under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a rate calculated based on the type of borrowing (at the Company's election, either Adjusted Term SOFR Rate or Base Rate (each as defined in the Credit Agreement)) and the Company’s Consolidated Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement), with such rate ranging from 2.75% to 2.25% for Adjusted Term SOFR Rate loans and from 1.75% to 1.25% for Base Rate loans. The Company also pays a commitment fee between 25 to 35 basis points, payable quarterly, on the average daily unused amount of the Revolving Credit Facility based on the Company’s Consolidated Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio.
Loans under the Canadian Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a rate calculated based on the type of borrowing (at the Canadian Borrower's election, either Adjusted Term CORRA Rate or Canadian Prime Rate (each as defined in the Credit Agreement, as amended by the First Amendment)) and the Company’s Consolidated Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio, with such rate ranging from 3.00% to 2.50% for Adjusted Term CORRA loans and from 2.00% to 1.50% for Canadian Prime Rate loans. Loans under the Canadian Sub-limit will bear interest at the Adjusted Term CORRA Rate plus a margin ranging from 2.75% to 2.25% based on the Company’s Consolidated Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio (the same margin as loans under the existing Revolving Credit Facility). The Canadian Borrower will also pay a commitment fee between 25 to 35 basis points, payable quarterly, on the average daily unused amount of the Canadian Revolving Credit Facility based on the Company’s Consolidated Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio.
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, $0.0 million and $137.0 million was drawn on the Revolving Credit Facilities, respectively. We had related outstanding letters of credit in the aggregate amount of $48.8 million and $54.7 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, which reduce the amount available for borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facilities. Our European operations have lines of credit aggregating $31.1 million (€30 million) of which $20.7 million was drawn at December 31, 2024.
The obligations of the Company under the Revolving Credit Facility are guaranteed by certain of our domestic subsidiaries (the "Subsidiary Guarantors") and are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, including but not limited to: (a) pledges of and first priority security interests in 100% of the equity interests of certain of the Company's and the Subsidiary Guarantors' domestic subsidiaries and 65% of the equity interests of certain of the Company's and the Subsidiary Guarantors' first tier foreign subsidiaries and (b) first priority security interests in substantially all other assets of the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor, subject to certain exceptions.
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The obligations of the Canadian Borrower under the Canadian Revolving Credit Facility are guaranteed by certain of the Company’s domestic and Canadian subsidiaries (the "Canadian Revolving Credit Facility Subsidiary Guarantors") and are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company, the Canadian Borrower and the Canadian Revolving Credit Facility Subsidiary Guarantors, subject to certain exceptions; provided, however, the Canadian Borrower and the other Canadian subsidiaries of the Company constituting the Canadian Revolving Credit Facility Subsidiary Guarantors shall guarantee and/or provide security for only the Canadian Secured Obligations (as defined in the Credit Agreement, as amended by the First Amendment).
Certain covenants contained within the Credit Agreement are critical to an investor’s understanding of our financial liquidity, as the failure to maintain compliance with these covenants could result in a default and allow the lenders under the Credit Agreement to declare all amounts borrowed immediately due and payable. The Credit Agreement contains a financial covenant requiring compliance with a maximum Consolidated Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio not to exceed 3.5 as of the last day of each fiscal quarter on which any loans under the Revolving Credit Facilities are outstanding. The Consolidated Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio is calculated as Consolidated Total Debt (as defined in the Credit Agreement) divided by Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the Credit Agreement) for the last four quarters. Consolidated Total Debt includes, among other things, term loan borrowings, revolving loans, finance lease liabilities and other obligations for borrowed money less Unrestricted Cash (as defined in the Credit Agreement). Consolidated EBITDA is EBITDA (earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization) adjusted to exclude, among other things, (a) gains and losses from asset sales; (b) unrealized foreign currency translation gains and losses in respect of indebtedness; (c) certain non-recurring gains and losses; (d) stock-based compensation expense; (e) certain other non-cash amounts included in the determination of net income; (f) charges and revenue reductions resulting from purchase accounting; (g) minority interest; (h) consulting expenses incurred for cost reduction, operating restructuring and business improvement efforts; (i) expenses realized upon the termination of employees and the termination or cancellation of leases, software licenses or other contracts in connection with the operational restructuring and business improvement efforts; (j) expenses incurred in connection with permitted acquisitions; (k) any impairment charges or write-offs of intangibles; and (l) any extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring charges, expenses or losses. Our Consolidated Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio was negative at December 31, 2024.
In addition, the Credit Agreement and the indenture governing our senior notes (see Note 12, "Long-Term Debt" for additional information) contain certain limitations on our ability to pay dividends and other distributions, make certain acquisitions or investments, grant liens and sell assets, and the Credit Agreement contains certain limitations on our ability to incur indebtedness. The applicable covenants in the Credit Agreement affect our operating flexibility by, among other things, restricting our ability to incur expenses and indebtedness that could be used to grow the business, as well as to fund general corporate purposes. We were in compliance with the covenants in the Credit Agreement and the indenture governing our senior notes at December 31, 2024.
Senior Notes
On May 31, 2017, we issued $950 million of 5.125% senior notes due June 1, 2025. The Company pays interest on the senior notes semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year. The senior notes may be redeemed at par. The senior notes are guaranteed by the Subsidiary Guarantors. In June 2023, in connection with a previously announced offer to purchase, we prepaid $140 million of the senior notes at par with proceeds from the Transaction. We incurred a loss on the extinguishment of the senior notes of $0.7 million in the second quarter of 2023 primarily representative of the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs associated with the portion of the senior notes repaid, as well as purchase offer expenses. In August 2022, we conducted a cash tender offer to purchase up to $600 million principal amount of the senior notes. The tender offer was oversubscribed and as such, $600 million of the senior notes were accepted for prepayment and were prepaid in August 2022 with proceeds from the Transaction. We incurred a loss on the extinguishment of the senior notes of $9.5 million in 2022 primarily representative of the early repayment premium and the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs associated with the portion of the senior notes repaid. As of December 31, 2024 there was $210.0 million of senior notes outstanding, which are classified as current debt.
Liquidity
At December 31, 2024, the remaining $210.0 million of senior notes are classified as current debt and there were no borrowings on the Revolving Credit Facilities. At December 31, 2024, cash totaled $143.0 million and there was an additional $397.9 million available for borrowing under the Revolving Credit Facilities (net of $48.8 million in outstanding letters of credit). Funds held by our foreign subsidiaries could be repatriated, at which point state and local income tax expense and withholding tax expense would need to be recognized, net of any applicable foreign tax credits.
The Company’s auction volumes have been adversely impacted by the market conditions experienced in the automotive industry in recent years. We expect to see an improvement in the used vehicle market in the coming years, which is expected to increase the volume of vehicles entering our auction platforms and have a positive impact on our operating results. We believe
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our sources of liquidity from our cash and cash equivalents on hand, working capital, availability under our Revolving Credit Facilities and ongoing sources of liquidity from cash generated by operations and borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facilities are sufficient to meet our operating needs for the foreseeable future. In addition, we believe the previously mentioned sources of liquidity will be sufficient to fund our capital requirements and debt service payments for the foreseeable future, including the repayment of the $210.0 million in senior notes in 2025. A lack of recovery in market conditions, or further deterioration in market conditions, could materially affect the Company's liquidity.
Securitization Facilities
AFC sells the majority of its U.S. dollar denominated finance receivables on a revolving basis and without recourse to AFC Funding Corporation. A securitization agreement allows for the revolving sale by AFC Funding Corporation to a group of bank purchasers of undivided interests in certain finance receivables subject to committed liquidity. The agreement expires on January 31, 2028. AFC Funding Corporation had committed liquidity of $2.0 billion for U.S. finance receivables at December 31, 2024.
In September 2024, AFC and AFC Funding Corporation entered into a First Amendment and Joinder (the "First Amendment and Joinder") to the Tenth Amended and Restated Receivables Purchase Agreement. The First Amendment and Joinder provides for, among other things, an extension of the facility's maturity date from January 31, 2026 to January 31, 2028. We capitalized approximately $10.6 million of costs in connection with the First Amendment and Joinder.
We also have an agreement for the securitization of AFCI's receivables, which expires on January 31, 2028. AFCI's committed facility is provided through a third-party conduit (separate from the U.S. facility) and was C$300 million at December 31, 2024. In September 2024, AFCI entered into an Amendment No. 1 (the "Amendment No. 1") to the Receivables Purchase Agreement. The Amendment No. 1 incorporates and provides for, among other things, an extension of the facility's maturity date from January 31, 2026 to January 31, 2028. We capitalized approximately $1.1 million of costs in connection with the Amendment No. 1. The receivables sold pursuant to both the U.S. and Canadian securitization agreements are accounted for as secured borrowings.
AFC managed total finance receivables of $2,314.0 million and $2,274.1 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. AFC's allowance for losses was $19.8 million and $23.0 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, $2,335.1 million and $2,296.4 million, respectively, of finance receivables (inclusive of accrued interest and fees) and a cash reserve of 1 or 3 percent of the obligations collateralized by finance receivables served as security for the $1,660.3 million and $1,631.9 million of gross obligations collateralized by finance receivables at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The amount of the cash reserve depends on circumstances which are set forth in the securitization agreements. There were unamortized securitization issuance costs of approximately $18.8 million and $13.5 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. After the occurrence of a termination event, as defined in the U.S. securitization agreement, the banks may, and could, cause the stock of AFC Funding Corporation to be transferred to the bank facility, though as a practical matter the bank facility would look to the liquidation of the receivables under the transaction documents as their primary remedy.
Proceeds from the revolving sale of receivables to the bank facilities are used to fund new loans to customers. AFC, AFC Funding Corporation and AFCI must maintain certain financial covenants including, among others, limits on the amount of debt AFC and AFCI can incur, minimum levels of tangible net worth, and other covenants tied to the performance of the finance receivables portfolio. The securitization agreements also incorporate the financial covenants of our Credit Agreement. At December 31, 2024, we were in compliance with the covenants in the securitization agreements.
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, as presented herein, are supplemental measures of our performance that are not required by, or presented in accordance with, generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or GAAP. They are not measurements of our financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered substitutes for net income (loss), operating profit (loss) or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP.
EBITDA is defined as net income (loss), plus interest expense net of interest income, income tax provision (benefit), depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is EBITDA adjusted for the items of income and expense and expected incremental revenue and cost savings, as described above in the discussion of certain restrictive loan covenants under "Credit Facilities."
Management believes that the inclusion of supplementary adjustments to EBITDA applied in presenting Adjusted EBITDA is appropriate to provide additional information to investors about one of the principal measures of performance used by our creditors. In addition, management uses EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate our performance. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA have limitations as analytical tools, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the
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results as reported under GAAP. These measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
The following tables reconcile EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to income (loss) from continuing operations for the periods presented:
| Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in millions) | Marketplace | Finance | Consolidated | |||||||
| Income from continuing operations | $ | 25.9 | $ | 26.4 | $ | 52.3 | ||||
| Add back: | ||||||||||
| Income taxes | 7.3 | 9.4 | 16.7 | |||||||
| Finance interest expense | — | 28.3 | 28.3 | |||||||
| Interest expense, net of interest income | 4.1 | — | 4.1 | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 20.0 | 3.0 | 23.0 | |||||||
| EBITDA | 57.3 | 67.1 | 124.4 | |||||||
| Non-cash stock-based compensation | 0.9 | 0.2 | 1.1 | |||||||
| Acquisition related costs | 0.1 | — | 0.1 | |||||||
| Securitization interest | — | (25.7) | (25.7) | |||||||
| Gain on sale of business | (31.6) | — | (31.6) | |||||||
| Severance | 2.3 | 0.1 | 2.4 | |||||||
| Foreign currency (gains)/losses | 6.4 | 0.1 | 6.5 | |||||||
| (Gain)/loss on investments | (0.4) | — | (0.4) | |||||||
| Impact for newly enacted Canadian DST related to prior years | (4.6) | — | (4.6) | |||||||
| Other | 0.5 | — | 0.5 | |||||||
| Total addbacks/(deductions) | (26.4) | (25.3) | (51.7) | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 30.9 | $ | 41.8 | $ | 72.7 |
| Three Months Ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in millions) | Marketplace | Finance | Consolidated | |||||||
| Income (loss) from continuing operations | $ | (17.7) | $ | 31.3 | $ | 13.6 | ||||
| Add back: | ||||||||||
| Income taxes | (2.5) | 10.1 | 7.6 | |||||||
| Finance interest expense | — | 34.0 | 34.0 | |||||||
| Interest expense, net of interest income | 4.9 | — | 4.9 | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 22.7 | 2.6 | 25.3 | |||||||
| Intercompany interest | 9.8 | (9.8) | — | |||||||
| EBITDA | 17.2 | 68.2 | 85.4 | |||||||
| Non-cash stock-based compensation | 2.7 | 0.9 | 3.6 | |||||||
| Acquisition related costs | 2.0 | — | 2.0 | |||||||
| Securitization interest | — | (31.4) | (31.4) | |||||||
| Severance | 2.0 | 0.1 | 2.1 | |||||||
| Foreign currency (gains)/losses | (2.1) | — | (2.1) | |||||||
| (Gain)/loss on investments | — | (0.4) | (0.4) | |||||||
| Professional fees related to business improvement efforts | 1.7 | 0.4 | 2.1 | |||||||
| Other | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.5 | |||||||
| Total addbacks/(deductions) | 6.5 | (30.1) | (23.6) | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 23.7 | $ | 38.1 | $ | 61.8 |
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| Year Ended December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in millions) | Marketplace | Finance | Consolidated | |||||||
| Income from continuing operations | $ | 1.7 | $ | 108.2 | $ | 109.9 | ||||
| Add back: | ||||||||||
| Income taxes | 11.3 | 36.7 | 48.0 | |||||||
| Finance interest expense | — | 123.5 | 123.5 | |||||||
| Interest expense, net of interest income | 20.2 | — | 20.2 | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 83.3 | 11.9 | 95.2 | |||||||
| Intercompany interest | 13.3 | (13.3) | — | |||||||
| EBITDA | 129.8 | 267.0 | 396.8 | |||||||
| Non-cash stock-based compensation | 12.9 | 3.0 | 15.9 | |||||||
| Acquisition related costs | 0.6 | — | 0.6 | |||||||
| Securitization interest | — | (112.7) | (112.7) | |||||||
| Gain on sale of business | (31.6) | — | (31.6) | |||||||
| Severance | 10.5 | 1.1 | 11.6 | |||||||
| Foreign currency (gains)/losses | 5.8 | — | 5.8 | |||||||
| (Gain)/loss on investments | (0.4) | — | (0.4) | |||||||
| Professional fees related to business improvement efforts | 1.2 | 0.3 | 1.5 | |||||||
| Impact for newly enacted Canadian DST related to prior years | 5.4 | — | 5.4 | |||||||
| Other | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.5 | |||||||
| Total addbacks/(deductions) | 4.7 | (108.1) | (103.4) | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 134.5 | $ | 158.9 | $ | 293.4 |
| Year Ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in millions) | Marketplace | Finance | Consolidated | |||||||
| Income (loss) from continuing operations | $ | (277.5) | $ | 122.7 | $ | (154.8) | ||||
| Add back: | ||||||||||
| Income taxes | (40.4) | 48.7 | 8.3 | |||||||
| Finance interest expense | — | 130.6 | 130.6 | |||||||
| Interest expense, net of interest income | 21.7 | — | 21.7 | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 92.2 | 9.3 | 101.5 | |||||||
| Intercompany interest | 33.9 | (33.9) | — | |||||||
| EBITDA | (170.1) | 277.4 | 107.3 | |||||||
| Non-cash stock-based compensation | 13.2 | 4.2 | 17.4 | |||||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | 1.1 | — | 1.1 | |||||||
| Acquisition related costs | 3.1 | — | 3.1 | |||||||
| Securitization interest | — | (120.4) | (120.4) | |||||||
| Severance | 5.1 | 0.4 | 5.5 | |||||||
| Foreign currency (gains)/losses | (2.9) | — | (2.9) | |||||||
| Goodwill and other intangibles impairment | 250.8 | — | 250.8 | |||||||
| Contingent consideration adjustment | 1.3 | — | 1.3 | |||||||
| Professional fees related to business improvement efforts | 5.4 | 1.2 | 6.6 | |||||||
| Other | 1.3 | 0.9 | 2.2 | |||||||
| Total addbacks/(deductions) | 278.4 | (113.7) | 164.7 | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 108.3 | $ | 163.7 | $ | 272.0 |
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Certain of our loan covenant calculations utilize financial results for the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters. The following table reconciles EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net income for the periods presented:
| Three Months Ended | Twelve Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in millions) | March 31, 2024 | June 30, 2024 | September 30, 2024 | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 18.5 | $ | 10.7 | $ | 28.4 | $ | 52.3 | $ | 109.9 | ||||||||
| Less: Income from discontinued operations | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Income from continuing operations | 18.5 | 10.7 | 28.4 | 52.3 | 109.9 | |||||||||||||
| Add back: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Income taxes | 10.7 | 7.5 | 13.1 | 16.7 | 48.0 | |||||||||||||
| Finance interest expense | 32.6 | 31.9 | 30.7 | 28.3 | 123.5 | |||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net of interest income | 6.7 | 5.2 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 20.2 | |||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 24.3 | 24.1 | 23.8 | 23.0 | 95.2 | |||||||||||||
| EBITDA | 92.8 | 79.4 | 100.2 | 124.4 | 396.8 | |||||||||||||
| Non-cash stock-based compensation | 7.0 | 3.7 | 4.1 | 1.1 | 15.9 | |||||||||||||
| Acquisition related costs | 0.3 | 0.2 | — | 0.1 | 0.6 | |||||||||||||
| Securitization interest | (29.9) | (29.2) | (27.9) | (25.7) | (112.7) | |||||||||||||
| Gain on sale of business | — | — | — | (31.6) | (31.6) | |||||||||||||
| Severance | 1.7 | 6.0 | 1.5 | 2.4 | 11.6 | |||||||||||||
| Foreign currency (gains)/losses | 2.0 | 0.5 | (3.2) | 6.5 | 5.8 | |||||||||||||
| (Gain)/loss on investments | — | — | — | (0.4) | (0.4) | |||||||||||||
| Professional fees related to business improvement efforts | 0.8 | 0.7 | — | — | 1.5 | |||||||||||||
| Impact for newly enacted Canadian DST related to prior years | — | 10.0 | — | (4.6) | 5.4 | |||||||||||||
| Other | 0.1 | 0.1 | (0.2) | 0.5 | 0.5 | |||||||||||||
| Total addbacks/(deductions) | (18.0) | (8.0) | (25.7) | (51.7) | (103.4) | |||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA from continuing ops | $ | 74.8 | $ | 71.4 | $ | 74.5 | $ | 72.7 | $ | 293.4 |
Summary of Cash Flows
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| Net cash provided by (used by): | ||||||
| Operating activities - continuing operations | $ | 292.8 | $ | 237.0 | ||
| Operating activities - discontinued operations | (1.4) | (1.6) | ||||
| Investing activities - continuing operations | (70.9) | (90.5) | ||||
| Investing activities - discontinued operations | — | 7.0 | ||||
| Financing activities - continuing operations | (173.9) | (279.9) | ||||
| Financing activities - discontinued operations | — | — | ||||
| Net change in cash balances of discontinued operations | — | — | ||||
| Effect of exchange rate on cash | (21.8) | 9.2 | ||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | 24.8 | $ | (118.8) |
Cash flow from operating activities (continuing operations) Net cash provided by operating activities (continuing operations) was $292.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared with $237.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Cash provided by continuing operations for 2024 consisted primarily of cash earnings and a decrease in trade receivables
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and other assets, partially offset by a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses. Cash provided by continuing operations for 2023 consisted primarily of cash earnings and an increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses, partially offset by an increase in trade receivables and other assets. The increase in operating cash flow was primarily attributable to changes in operating assets and liabilities as a result of the timing of collections and the disbursement of funds to consignors for marketplace sales held near period-ends.
Changes in AFC’s accounts payable balance are presented in cash flows from operating activities while changes in AFC’s finance receivables are presented in cash flows from investing activities. Changes in these balances can cause variations in operating and investing cash flows.
Cash flow from investing activities (continuing operations) Net cash used by investing activities (continuing operations) was $70.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared with $90.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The cash used by investing activities in 2024 was primarily from an increase in finance receivables held for investment and purchases of property and equipment, partially offset by the proceeds from the sale of a business. The cash used by investing activities in 2023 was primarily from the acquisition of Manheim Canada and purchases of property and equipment, partially offset by a decrease in finance receivables held for investment.
Cash flow from financing activities (continuing operations) Net cash used by financing activities (continuing operations) was $173.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared with $279.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The cash used by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2024 was primarily due to repayments on lines of credit, dividends paid on the Series A Preferred Stock, repurchases and retirement of common stock and payments for debt issuance costs, partially offset by a net increase in obligations collateralized by finance receivables. The cash used by financing activities in 2023 was primarily due to the early repayment of senior notes, a net decrease in obligations collateralized by finance receivables, dividends paid on the Series A Preferred Stock, repurchases and retirement of common stock and payments of contingent consideration.
Cash flow from operating activities (discontinued operations) Net cash used by operating activities (discontinued operations) was $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared with $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The cash used by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2024 was primarily attributable to the payment of an accrued obligation. The cash used by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 was primarily attributable to an adjustment to income taxes.
Cash flow from investing activities (discontinued operations) There were no investing activities (discontinued operations) for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared with net cash provided by investing activities of $7.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The cash provided by investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 was attributable to the final proceeds from the sale of the ADESA U.S. physical auction business.
Cash flow from financing activities (discontinued operations) There were no financing activities (discontinued operations) for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 approximated $53.0 million and $52.0 million, respectively. Capital expenditures were funded from internally generated funds. We continue to invest in our core information technology capabilities and our service locations. Capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $50 million to $55 million for fiscal year 2025. Future capital expenditures could vary substantially based on capital project timing, capital expenditures related to acquired businesses and the initiation of new information systems projects to support our business strategies.
Dividends
The Series A Preferred Stock ranks senior to the shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, with respect to dividend rights and rights on the distribution of assets on any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company. The holders of the Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to a cumulative dividend at the rate of 7% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears. Dividends were payable in kind through the issuance of additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock for the first eight dividend payments (through June 30, 2022), and thereafter, in cash or in kind, or in any combination of both, at the option of the Company. For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock received cash dividends aggregating $44.4 million each year. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock received cash dividends aggregating $22.2 million and dividends in kind with a value in the aggregate of approximately $21.6 million. The holders of the Series A Preferred Stock are also entitled to participate in dividends declared or paid on our common stock on an as-converted basis.
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Contractual Obligations
To provide a clear picture of matters potentially impacting our liquidity position, the table below sets forth a summary of our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2024. Some of the figures included in this table are based on management's estimates and assumptions about these obligations, including their duration, the possibility of renewal and other factors. Because these estimates and assumptions are necessarily subjective, the obligations we may actually pay in future periods could vary from those reflected in the table. This table does not include the obligations related to our securitization facilities, which are not secured by the general assets of OPENLANE. It also does not include the obligations related to our Series A Preferred Stock. Our securitization facilities and Series A Preferred Stock are discussed in Note 8 and Note 15, respectively, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The following table summarizes our contractual cash obligations as of December 31, 2024 (in millions):
| Payments Due by Period | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contractual Obligations | Total | 1 year or Less | More than 1 Year | |||||||
| Long-term debt | ||||||||||
| $325 million Revolving Credit Facility (a) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
| Canadian Revolving Credit Facility (a) | — | — | — | |||||||
| Senior notes (a) | 210.0 | 210.0 | — | |||||||
| European lines of credit | 20.7 | 20.7 | — | |||||||
| Interest payments relating to long-term debt (b) | 9.3 | 6.5 | 2.8 | |||||||
| Operating leases (c) | 90.0 | 15.6 | 74.4 | |||||||
| Total contractual cash obligations | $ | 330.0 | $ | 252.8 | $ | 77.2 |
________________________________________
(a)The Company has historically included the Revolving Credit Facilities in current debt based on its intent to repay the amount outstanding within one year; however, the Company is not contractually obligated to repay the borrowings until the maturity of the Revolving Credit Facilities (June 2028). The senior notes are assumed to be held to maturity (June 1, 2025).
(b)Interest payments on long-term debt are projected based on the contractual rates of the debt securities. Interest rates for the variable rate term debt instruments were held constant at rates as of December 31, 2024.
(c)Operating leases are entered into in the normal course of business. We lease some of our vehicle logistics center facilities, as well as other property and equipment under operating leases. Some lease agreements contain options to renew the lease or purchase the leased property. Future operating lease obligations would change if the renewal options were exercised and/or if we entered into additional operating lease agreements.
Critical Accounting Estimates
In preparing the financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, management must often make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures at the date of the financial statements and during the reporting period. Some of those judgments can be subjective and complex. Consequently, actual results could differ from those estimates. Accounting measurements that management believes are most critical to the reported results of our operations and financial condition include: (1) allowance for credit losses; (2) business combinations; and (3) goodwill and other intangible assets.
In addition to the critical accounting estimates, there are other items used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements that require estimation, but are not deemed critical. Changes in estimates used in these and other items could have a material impact on our financial statements.
We continually evaluate the accounting policies and estimates used to prepare the consolidated financial statements. In cases where management estimates are used, they are based on historical experience, information from third-party professionals, and various other assumptions believed to be reasonable. In addition, our most significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 2 and elsewhere in the notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024, which are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Allowance for Credit Losses
We maintain an allowance for credit losses for estimated losses resulting from the inability of customers to make required payments. Delinquencies and losses are monitored on an ongoing basis and this historical experience provides the primary basis for estimating the allowance. The allowance for credit losses is also based on management's evaluation of the receivables
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portfolio under current economic conditions, the size of the portfolio, overall portfolio credit quality, review of specific collection matters and such other factors which, in management's judgment, deserve recognition in estimating losses. Specific collection matters can be impacted by the outcome of negotiations, remarketing results, litigation and bankruptcy proceedings with individual customers.
AFC controls credit risk through credit approvals, credit limits, underwriting and collateral management monitoring procedures, including over 54,000 lot audits and holding vehicle titles where permitted. The estimates are based on management’s evaluation of many factors, including AFC’s historical credit loss experience, the value of the underlying collateral, delinquency trends and economic conditions. The estimates are based on information available as of each reporting date and reflect the expected credit losses over the entire expected term of the receivables. Actual losses may differ from the original estimates due to actual results varying from those assumed in our estimates.
As a measure of sensitivity, if we had experienced a 10% increase in net charge-offs of finance receivables for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 our provision for credit losses would have increased by approximately $5.1 million and $4.9 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Business Combinations
When we acquire businesses, we estimate and recognize the fair values of tangible assets acquired, liabilities assumed and identifiable intangible assets acquired. The excess of the purchase consideration over the fair values of identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. The purchase accounting process requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions in determining the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, especially with respect to intangible assets and contingent consideration.
Critical estimates are often developed using valuation models that are based on historical experience and information obtained from the management of the acquired companies. These estimates can include, but are not limited to, the cash flows that an asset is expected to generate in the future, growth rates, the appropriate weighted-average cost of capital and the cost savings expected to be derived from acquiring an asset. These estimates are inherently uncertain and unpredictable. In addition, unanticipated events and circumstances may occur which could affect the accuracy or validity of such estimates.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
We assess goodwill for impairment annually during the second quarter or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may exist. Important factors that could trigger an impairment review include significant under-performance relative to historical or projected future operating results; significant negative industry or economic trends; and our market valuation relative to our carrying value. When evaluating goodwill for impairment, we may first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit is impaired. If we do not perform a qualitative assessment, or if we determine that a reporting unit’s fair value is not more likely than not greater than its carrying value, then we calculate the estimated fair value of the reporting unit using discounted cash flows and market approaches.
When assessing goodwill for impairment, our decision to perform a qualitative impairment assessment for a reporting unit in a given year is influenced by a number of factors, including the size of the reporting unit’s goodwill, the significance of the excess of the reporting unit’s estimated fair value over carrying value at the last quantitative assessment date, the amount of time in between quantitative fair value assessments and the date of acquisition. If we perform a quantitative assessment of a reporting unit’s goodwill, our impairment calculations contain uncertainties because they require management to make assumptions and apply judgment when estimating future cash flows and earnings, including projected revenue growth and operating expenses related to existing businesses, as well as utilizing valuation multiples of similar publicly traded companies and selecting an appropriate discount rate based on the estimated cost of capital that reflects the risk profile of the related business. Estimates of revenue growth and operating expenses are based on management estimates considering the reporting unit’s past performance and forecasted growth, strategic initiatives and changes in economic conditions. These estimates, as well as the selection of comparable companies and valuation multiples used in the market approach are highly subjective, and our ability to realize the future cash flows used in our fair value calculations is affected by factors such as the success of strategic initiatives, changes in economic conditions, changes in our operating performance and changes in our business strategies. The Company did not identify any impairment for our reporting units in 2024 or 2022.
In the second quarter of 2023 and as part of our annual goodwill impairment testing, we performed a quantitative assessment. This analysis resulted in goodwill impairment charges totaling $218.9 million ($166.4 million net of $52.5 million deferred tax benefit) in our U.S. Dealer-to-Dealer reporting unit and $6.4 million in our Europe reporting unit (both within the Marketplace segment). The goodwill impairment related to our U.S. Dealer-to-Dealer reporting unit was primarily driven by lower near-term and long-term revenue growth rates associated with a slower overall recovery in vehicle volumes. The goodwill impairment related to our Europe reporting unit was driven by combining two previously separate reporting units (ADESA U.K. and ADESA Europe) into a single reporting unit. Including ADESA U.K. in the reporting unit resulted in a reduction in the overall
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fair value of the combined reporting unit, resulting in an impairment charge. As a result of the impairment charges, the carrying value of the U.S. Dealer-to-Dealer and Europe reporting units approximated fair value. The fair value of each of our other reporting units was substantially in excess of its carrying value, with the exception of our Canada reporting unit within the Marketplace segment, which exceeded its carrying value by approximately 14%. Significant assumptions used in the determination of the estimated fair values of these reporting units were the revenue and earnings growth rates and the discount rate. The revenue and expense growth rates are dependent on wholesale used vehicle supply, the competitive environment, inflation and our ability to pass price increases along to our customers, and business activities that impact market share. As a result, the revenue growth rate could be adversely impacted by market conditions, macroeconomic factors or an increased competitive environment. The discount rate, which is consistent with a weighted average cost of capital that is likely to be expected by a market participant, is based on the Company’s required rates of return, including consideration of both debt and equity components of the capital structure. Our discount rate may be impacted in the future by adverse changes in the macroeconomic environment, volatility in the equity markets and the interest rate environment. While management can and has implemented strategies to address these events, changes in operating plans or adverse changes in the future could reduce the underlying cash flows used to estimate fair values and could result in a decline in fair value that would trigger future impairment charges of the goodwill within the U.S. Dealer-to-Dealer and Europe reporting units described above. As of December 31, 2023, the carrying value of goodwill related to the U.S. Dealer-to-Dealer and Europe reporting units was $87.3 million and $120.8 million, respectively. For additional information, see Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
As with goodwill, we assess indefinite-lived tradenames for impairment annually during the second quarter or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may exist. When assessing indefinite-lived tradenames for impairment using a qualitative assessment, we evaluate if changes in events or circumstances have occurred that indicate that impairment may exist and whether the tradenames continue to have an indefinite life. If we do not perform a qualitative impairment assessment or if changes in events and circumstances indicate that a quantitative assessment should be performed, management is required to calculate the fair value of the tradename asset group. The fair value calculation includes estimates of revenue growth, which are based on past performance and internal projections for the tradename asset group's forecasted growth, and royalty rates, which are adjusted for our particular facts and circumstances. The discount rate is selected based on the estimated cost of capital that reflects the risk profile of the related assets. These estimates are highly subjective, and our ability to achieve the forecasted cash flows used in our fair value calculations is affected by factors such as the success of strategic initiatives, changes in economic conditions, changes in our operating performance and changes in our business strategies.
In the second quarter of 2023, the OPENLANE branded marketplace was announced as a replacement to the ADESA branded marketplaces. As such, the announcement served as a triggering event and we performed a quantitative impairment test on the ADESA tradename, resulting in an impairment charge totaling $25.5 million ($19.0 million net of $6.5 million deferred tax benefit). Furthermore, as a result of the rebranding to OPENLANE, the ADESA tradename was no longer deemed to have an indefinite life and its remaining carrying amount of $97.3 million is being amortized over a remaining useful life of approximately 6 years. For additional information, see Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We review other intangible assets for possible impairment whenever circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. If it is determined that the carrying amount of an other intangible asset exceeds the total amount of the estimated undiscounted future cash flows from that asset, we would recognize a loss to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the asset. Management judgment is involved in both deciding if testing for recovery is necessary and in estimating undiscounted cash flows. Our impairment analysis is based on the current business strategy, expected growth rates and estimated future economic conditions.
New Accounting Standards
For a description of new accounting standards that could affect the Company, reference the "New Accounting Standards" section of Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of December 31, 2024, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements pursuant to Item 303 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), that we believe are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
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