AutoNation Announces Pricing of $850 Million Aggregate Principal Amount of Senior Notes

Rhea-AI Summary

AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE: AN) announced the pricing of $400 million senior unsecured notes due 2028 at 1.950% and $450 million senior unsecured notes due 2031 at 2.400%. The notes are expected to close on July 29, 2021. Proceeds will be utilized for general corporate purposes, including debt reduction and share repurchases. BofA Securities, J.P. Morgan, and others are managing the debt offering. AutoNation operates over 300 locations and has sold over 13 million vehicles.

Positive

• Successfully pricing $850 million in senior unsecured notes.
• Attractive yields of 1.950% and 2.400% for 2028 and 2031 notes, indicating strong demand.
• Net proceeds intended for debt reduction and strategic initiatives, positively impacting financial flexibility.

Negative

• Dependence on market conditions for the successful execution of the bond offering.
• Potential risks associated with economic conditions affecting operational performance.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., July 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE: AN) (the "Company") announced today the pricing of $400 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes due 2028 at 1.950% (the "2028 notes") and $450 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes due 2031 at 2.400% (the "2031 notes," and together with the 2028 notes, the "notes"). The 2028 notes will be issued at 99.805% of the aggregate principal amount, representing a yield to maturity of 1.980%, and the 2031 notes will be issued at 99.735% of the aggregate principal amount, representing a yield to maturity of 2.430%. The offering is expected to close on July 29, 2021, subject to customary closing conditions.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering of the notes for general corporate purposes, which may include reducing borrowings under its commercial paper program and/or the revolving credit facility under its credit agreement, share repurchases, strategic initiatives, and acquisitions.

BofA Securities, Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Truist Securities, Inc., Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Mizuho Securities USA LLC and U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. are acting as joint book-running managers of the debt offering.

The offering is being made solely by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").  Copies of these documents may be obtained on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. Alternatively, you may request these documents by contacting BofA Securities, Inc., 200 North College Street, 3rd Floor, Charlotte, NC 28255, Attention: Prospectus Department (tel: 800-294-1322, email: dg.prospectus_requests@bofa.com), J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, 383 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10179, Attention: Investment Grade Syndicate Desk, 3rd Floor (tel: collect at 212-834-4533), Truist Securities, Inc., 303 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30308, Attention: Prospectus Department (tel: 800-685-4786, email: TSIdocs@Truist.com), or Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, 608 2nd Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55402, Attention: WFS Customer Service (tel: 800-645-3751, email: wfscustomerservice@wellsfargo.com).

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of the Company, and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any state or other jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About AutoNation, Inc.

AutoNation is America's largest automotive retailer. As of June 30, 2021, AutoNation owned and operated over 300 locations from coast to coast. AutoNation has sold over 13 million vehicles, the first automotive retailer to reach this milestone. Since 2013, AutoNation has raised over $27 million to drive out cancer, create awareness, and support critical research through its DRIVE PINK initiative, which was officially branded in 2015.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "goals," "targets," "plans," "believes," "continues," "may," "will," "could," and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations concerning future results and events, and they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that are difficult to predict and may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance and achievements expressed or implied by these statements. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors include, among others: the current market demand for these types of securities and the securities of the Company; our ability to consummate the offering; economic conditions including changes in consumer demand, unemployment rates, interest rates, fuel prices, and tariffs; our ability to implement successfully our strategic initiatives, partnerships, and investments, including the planned expansion of our AutoNation USA stores; our ability to identify, acquire, and build out suitable locations in a timely manner; our ability to acquire and integrate successfully new franchises; restrictions imposed by vehicle manufacturers and our ability to obtain manufacturer approval for acquisitions; our ability to develop successfully our digital and online capabilities and other brand extension strategies; supply chain disruptions and inventory availability; our ability to maintain and enhance our retail brands and reputation and to attract consumers to our own digital channels; our ability to attain planned sales volumes within our expected time frames; new and used vehicle margins; our ability to successfully implement and maintain expense controls; the success and financial viability and the incentive and marketing programs of vehicle manufacturers and distributors with which we hold franchises; the response by federal, state, and local governments and other third parties to, and the economic impacts of, the COVID-19 pandemic; natural disasters and other adverse weather events; the resolution of legal and administrative proceedings; regulatory factors affecting our business, including fuel economy requirements; the announcement of safety recalls; factors affecting our goodwill and other intangible asset impairment testing; and other factors described in our news releases and filings made under the securities laws, including, among others, our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our Current Reports on Form 8-K. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release speak only as of the date of this news release, and we undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

 

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SOURCE AutoNation, Inc.

FAQ

What is the total amount of senior unsecured notes AutoNation has priced?

AutoNation has priced a total of $850 million in senior unsecured notes.

What are the interest rates for AutoNation's senior unsecured notes due 2028 and 2031?

The interest rates are 1.950% for the 2028 notes and 2.400% for the 2031 notes.

When is the closing date for AutoNation's notes offering?

The closing date for AutoNation's notes offering is expected to be on July 29, 2021.

What will the proceeds from the notes be used for?

The proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, including debt reduction and share repurchases.

Who are the joint book-running managers for the notes offering?

The joint book-running managers include BofA Securities, J.P. Morgan, Truist Securities, and others.