BENTONVILLE, Ark., Feb. 18, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- America's Car-Mart, Inc. (Nasdaq:CRMT) today announced its operating results for its third fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2013. During the quarter the Company repurchased 62,160 shares of its common stock for $2.58 million. Since February 1, 2010, the Company has invested approximately $88 million to repurchase 24.7% of its outstanding shares under its stock repurchase program.

Highlights of third quarter operating results:

• Net income of $8.0 million - $.84 per diluted share vs. $.73 per diluted share for prior year quarter
• Revenues of $119 million compared to $105 million for the prior year quarter with same store revenue increase of 8.8%
• Retail unit sales increase of 16% to 10,403 from 8,965 for the prior year quarter with productivity increase of 9.2% to 29.4 retail units sold per store per month from 26.9 for prior year quarter
• Average retail sales price decreased $125 or 1.3% from the prior year quarter but increased $282, or 3% sequentially
• Net Charge-offs as a percent of average Finance Receivables of 5.7%, flat with prior year quarter
• Selling, General and Administrative Expenses at 17.7% of sales vs. 18.3% for prior year quarter
• Opened three new dealerships during the quarter  - dealership count now at 120
• Active accounts base now over 57,000
• Debt to equity of 56.6% and debt to finance receivables of 30%
• Allowance for credit losses at 21.5% of finance receivables at January 31, 2013 and at April 30, 2012

Highlights of nine month operating results:

• Net income of $23.4 million or $2.43 per diluted share vs. $2.28 per diluted share for prior year period (6.6% increase in diluted earnings per share)
• Revenue increase of 7.1% to $339 million from $317 million for the prior year period with same store revenue growth of 2.8%
• Retail unit sales increase of 7.3% to 29,970 from 27,933 for the prior year period
• Strong cash flows supporting the significant increase in revenues and the $47 million increase in Finance Receivables, the $8.6 million increase in inventory to support higher sales levels, $3.2 million in net capital expenditures, and $17.2 million in common stock re-purchases with a $31 million increase in total debt
• Provision for credit losses of 23.3% of sales vs. 21.8% for prior year period, net charge-offs as a percent of average Finance Receivables up slightly to 18.1% compared to 17.7% for prior year period

"We are very pleased with our results for the quarter, and especially so with the significant increases in sales. As we mentioned after our second quarter, we had seen some increases in the amount of funding into the sub-prime auto industry which did create some increased competition that put some pressure on our sales earlier in the year. In typical fashion, our General Managers stepped up to the challenge and delivered. Our focus remains solidly fixed on driving the same mission we have for years; Striving to earn the repeat business of our customers by providing quality vehicles, affordable payment terms, and excellent service. Our customers are looking for good, reliable and affordable transportation along with the peace of mind that goes with dealing with America's Car-Mart. Our associates take great care of our customers in an effort to earn their repeat business. This continued focus is allowing us to excel even with increased competition on the sub-prime used vehicle financing side," said William H. ("Hank") Henderson, President and Chief Executive Officer of America's Car-Mart. "We strongly believe that Car-Mart's local presence and face to face relationships give us the ability to work with customers most effectively. We offer the best long-term choice for our customers and we are dedicated to ensuring their success. We have over 57,000 active accounts and many more past customers who know what Car-Mart stands for and the lengths we go to help them. We are excited about our new locations. We just opened our first dealership in the state of Georgia, and are looking forward to continuing to expand into new markets."

"As Hank mentioned, we are very pleased with our top line growth and our increase in per dealership sales volumes. Our lot managers have really focused on our repeat customers and retention efforts in the face of some increased competition. The same store revenue increase of 8.8% was solid and the performance of our older, more mature dealerships improved significantly from the prior quarter. As we discussed, in our efforts to retain our long-term repeat customers, we did have to lengthen overall contract terms. As anticipated, this has led to lower current collections, but the most important measurement is net charge-offs which was flat for the quarter and only up slightly for the nine month period," said Jeff Williams, Chief Financial Officer of America's Car-Mart. "As expected, higher unit sales resulted in significant leveraging at the selling, general and administrative line. When we look to the future we are convinced that the business model will continue to support significant unit volume expansion. The overall gross profit percentage was relatively flat with the prior year quarter and in line with our expectations. All efforts at our dealerships are aimed at ensuring that we earn repeat business from existing customers and at the same time attracting new customers in need of good, basic affordable transportation and the great Car-Mart service that goes with each sale."

"The Company repurchased 62,160 shares of its common stock during the third quarter. Since February 1, 2010, we have repurchased 2,890,851 shares, or 24.7% of our Company. We believe in the long-term value of our company and we plan to invest in the repurchase program when favorable conditions are present. Our first priority for capital allocation will continue to be to support the healthy growth of the business. Our debt to equity ratio was 56.6% and our debt to finance receivables ratio was 30% at the end of the quarter," added Mr. Williams. "Our balance sheet is very healthy and by staying focused on cash returns our future is bright."

Conference Call

Management will be holding a conference call on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss third quarter results. A live audio of the conference call will be accessible to the public by calling (877) 776-4031. International callers dial (631) 291-4132. Callers should dial in approximately 10 minutes before the call begins. A conference call replay will be available one hour following the call for thirty days and can be accessed by calling (855) 859-2056 (domestic) or (404) 537-3406 (international), conference call ID # 97628926.

About America's Car-Mart

America's Car-Mart, Inc. (the "Company") operates 120 automotive dealerships in ten states and is the largest publicly held automotive retailer in the United States focused exclusively on the "Integrated Auto Sales and Finance" segment of the used car market. The Company emphasizes superior customer service and the building of strong personal relationships with its customers. The Company operates its dealerships primarily in small cities throughout the South-Central United States selling quality used vehicles and providing financing for substantially all of its customers. For more information, including investor presentations, on America's Car-Mart, please visit our website at www.car-mart.com.

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements address the Company's future objectives, plans and goals, as well as the Company's intent, beliefs and current expectations regarding future operating performance, and can generally be identified by words such as "may," "will," "should," "could, "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "foresee," and other similar words or phrases. Specific events addressed by these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

• new dealership openings;
• performance of new dealerships;
• same store revenue growth;
• future overall revenue growth;
• the Company's collection results, including but not limited to collections during income tax refund periods;
• repurchases of the Company's common stock;
• the Company's business and growth strategies.

These forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current estimates and assumptions and involve various risks and uncertainties. As a result, you are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and that actual results could differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's projections include, but are not limited to:

• the availability of credit facilities to support the Company's business;
• the Company's ability to underwrite and collect its accounts effectively, including but not limited to collections during income tax refund periods;
• competition;
• dependence on existing management;
• availability of quality vehicles at prices that will be affordable to customers;
• changes in financing laws or regulations; and
• general economic conditions in the markets in which the Company operates, including but not limited to fluctuations in gas prices, grocery prices and employment levels.

Additionally, risks and uncertainties that may affect future results include those described from time to time in the Company's SEC filings. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates on which they are made.

CONTACT: William H. ("Hank") Henderson, CEO
         (479) 464-9944
         Jeffrey A. Williams, CFO
         (479) 418-8021