Avis Net Beats, Revs Short

Avis Budget Group Inc. (CAR - Analyst Report) posted second quarter 2011 net income of $52 million, compared with a net income of $26 million in the year-ago period. Excluding extraordinary items, quarterly net income came in at $79 million or 63 cents a share. Net income per share for the quarter was more than twice the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 31 cents and was a considerable improvement from the prior-year quarter income of 25 cents a share.

The company reported a 9.0% jump in net revenues to $1,412 million from $1,294 million in the year-ago period. Total revenue missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,581 million. The year-over-year increase was mainly attributable to an 8% rise in rental days. Growth in Ancillary revenues of 4% also contributed to the revenue increase.

By segment, domestic car rental revenue rose 8.0% to $1,055 million in the quarter primarily attributable to an 8% volume expansion. This was partially offset by a 2.0% fall in pricing. International car rental revenue, at $254 million, grew sharply 20% while truck rental increased 3.0% to $103 million, both on a year-over-year basis.

The company’s adjusted EBITDA increased more than twofold to $191 million from $95 million reported in the year-ago period. EBITDA margin expanded 600 basis points attributable to lower fleet and financing cost and incremental savings from cost-saving initiatives. Avis Budget’s total expenses rose marginally by 4.6% to $1,323 million from $1,265 million in the year-ago quarter. Consequently, the company reported income before income taxes of $89 million, compared with $29 million in the year-ago quarter.

The company ended the year with cash and cash equivalents of $645 million and total debt of $2,498 million. Net cash provided by operating activities came in at $702 million while free cash flow for the period came in at $167 million.

Avis Budget expects domestic vehicle depreciation costs to fall 18% to 20% on a per unit basis in 2011 compared with 2010. The company is continuing with its efforts to reduce costs and enhance productivity through its Performance Excellence initiative and five-point cost-reduction and efficiency improvement plan.

The company expects its cost-saving initiatives to provide an incremental $55– $65 million of year-over-year savings in 2011. Total annual savings from these initiatives are expected to be $565-575 million in 2011.

Avis Budget Group is the leading general-use vehicle rental company in North America, Australia and New Zealand. Moreover, a formidable network of more than 6,500 rental locations and 350,000 vehicles enables the company to strengthen its well-established position in a highly competitive vehicle rental industry.

The company faces intense competition from other established players, such as Hertz Global Holdings Inc. (HTZ - Snapshot Report), Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc. (DTG - Snapshot Report) and Ryder System Inc. (R - Analyst Report).

Avis Budget shares maintain a Zacks #1 Rank, which translates into a short-term Strong Buy recommendation. Our long recommendation on the stock is Neutral.

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