Credit Acceptance Announces: Second Quarter 2006 Earnings and Expansion of Stock Repurchase Program


SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Aug. 2, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Credit Acceptance Corporation (Nasdaq:CACC) (the "Company") announced consolidated net income for the three months ended June 30, 2006 of $17.6 million or $0.50 per diluted share compared to $17.1 million or $0.44 per diluted share for the same period in 2005. For the six months ended June 30, 2006, consolidated net income was $34.8 million or $0.94 per diluted share compared to $32.8 million or $0.83 per diluted share for the same period in 2005.

Income from continuing operations for the three months ended June 30, 2006 was $17.7 million, or $0.50 per diluted share compared to $16.6 million or $0.43 per diluted share for the same period in 2005. For the six months ended June 30, 2006, income from continuing operations was $34.9 million or $0.94 per diluted share compared to $32.1 million or $0.82 per diluted share for the same period in 2005.

Floating Yield income from continuing operations (defined below), a non-GAAP financial measure, was $17.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006 or $0.50 per diluted share, compared to $16.3 million or $0.42 per diluted share for the same period in 2005. For the six months ended June 30, 2006, Floating Yield income from continuing operations was $33.1 million or $0.89 per diluted share compared to $31.0 million or $0.79 per diluted share for the same period in 2005.

Results for the three months ended June 30, 2006 compared to the same period in 2005 include the following:



 --   Consumer loan unit volume increased 6.1%.
 --   Consumer loan dollar volume increased 5.1%.
 --   The number of active dealer-partners increased 23.4%.
 --   Consumer loan unit volume per active dealer-partner decreased
      13.5%.
 --   Net cash collections on loans increased 19.2%.
 --   Dealer holdback payments increased 40.9%.


 GAAP Financial Results
 ----------------------
                                   For the Three Months Ended June 30,
                                   -----------------------------------
                                      2006          2005      % Change
                                   -----------   -----------  --------

 (Dollars in thousands, except
   per share data)

 Net income                           $ 17,606      $ 17,053       3.2
 Income from continuing
  operations                            17,699        16,603       6.6
 Income from continuing
  operations per diluted share            0.50          0.43      16.3
 Net operating profit after
  tax                                   21,172        19,329       9.5

 Average debt                        $ 256,162     $ 203,800      25.7
 Average shareholders' equity          294,023       325,359      (9.6)
                                   -----------   -----------      
 Average capital                     $ 550,185     $ 529,159       4.0

 Average debt to average
  shareholders' equity ratio        0.9 to 1.0    0.6 to 1.0

 Return on capital                        15.4%         14.6%      5.5




                                     For the Six Months Ended June 30,
                                   -----------------------------------
                                       2006          2005     % Change
                                   -----------   -----------  --------

 (Dollars in thousands, except
   per share data)

 Net income                           $ 34,803      $ 32,767       6.2
 Income from continuing
  operations                            34,904        32,133       8.6
 Income from continuing
  operations per diluted share            0.94          0.82      14.6
 Net operating profit after
  tax                                   40,620        37,401       8.6

 Average debt                        $ 205,900     $ 199,434       3.2
 Average shareholders' equity          331,107       316,292       4.7
                                   -----------   -----------  
 Average capital                     $ 537,007     $ 515,726       4.1

 Average debt to average
  shareholders' equity ratio        0.6 to 1.0    0.6 to 1.0

 Return on capital                        15.1%         14.5%      4.1


 Floating Yield Financial Results
 --------------------------------

The Company's GAAP finance charge revenue is based on estimates of future cash flows and is recognized on a level yield basis. Under the level yield basis, the amount of finance charge revenue recognized in a given period, divided by the loan asset, is a constant percentage. Under GAAP, favorable changes in expected cash flows are treated as increases to the level yield and are recognized over time, while unfavorable changes are recorded as a current period expense. The non-GAAP measure ("Floating Yield") is identical to the Company's GAAP results except that, under the Floating Yield method, all changes in expected cash flows are treated as yield adjustments and therefore impact earnings over time. The GAAP treatment always results in a lower carrying value of the loan receivable asset, but may result in either higher or lower earnings for any given period depending on the timing and amount of expected cash flow changes.

The Company believes Floating Yield earnings are a more accurate reflection of the economics of the business since both favorable and unfavorable changes in estimated cash flows are treated consistently. The Company uses Floating Yield earnings to measure performance internally including financial performance measures utilized in incentive compensation plans.

The following table presents selected non-GAAP Floating Yield financial data.



                                   For the Three Months Ended June 30,      
                                   -----------------------------------
                                      2006          2005     % Change       
                                   ---------     --------    ---------  
 (Dollars in thousands, 
  except per share data)

 Net income                         $ 17,725     $ 16,752        5.8        
 Income from continuing                                       
  operations                          17,818       16,302        9.3        
 Income from continuing                                       
  operations per diluted 
  share                                 0.50         0.42       19.0        
 Net operating profit 
  after tax                           21,291       19,028       11.9        
 Average capital                   $ 554,818    $ 536,849        3.3        
 Return on capital                      15.3%        14.2%       7.7        
                                                           



                                     For the Six Months Ended June 30,
                                   -----------------------------------
                                      2006         2005      % Change
                                   ---------     --------    ---------  
 (Dollars in thousands, 
  except per share data)

 Net income                        $  32,972    $  31,641         4.2
 Income from continuing          
  operations                          33,073       31,007         6.7
 Income from continuing          
  operations per diluted share          0.89         0.79        12.7
 Net operating profit after tax       38,789       36,275         6.9
 Average capital                   $ 542,023    $ 523,569         3.5
 Return on capital                     14.3%        13.9%         2.9

The following table reconciles selected financial data that compares the Company's GAAP financial results to the Floating Yield financial results.



                                  For the                For the  
                                Three Months            Six Months
                               Ended June 30,         Ended June 30,
                             -------------------   -------------------
                               2006       2005       2006       2005
                             --------   --------   --------   --------
 (Dollars in thousands)

 GAAP net operating 
  profit after tax           $ 21,172   $ 19,329   $ 40,620   $ 37,401
 Floating Yield 
  adjustment                      119       (301)    (1,831)    (1,126)
                             --------   --------   --------   --------
 Floating Yield net 
  operating profit 
  after tax                  $ 21,291   $ 19,028   $ 38,789   $ 36,275

 GAAP average capital        $550,185   $529,159   $537,007   $515,726
 Floating Yield 
  adjustment                    4,633      7,690      5,016      7,843
                             --------   --------   --------   --------
 Floating Yield average 
  capital                    $554,818   $536,849   $542,023   $523,569

 Consumer Loan Performance
 -------------------------

The following table compares the Company's forecast of consumer loan collection rates as of June 30, 2006 with the forecast as of December 31, 2005:



                                         December 31, 
                        June 30, 2006       2005
 Loan Origination         Forecasted     Forecasted            
      Year               Collection %    Collection %     Variance
 ----------------       -------------    ------------     --------
      1996                  55.0%          55.0%             0.0%  
      1997                  58.4%          58.3%             0.1%
      1998                  67.6%          67.7%            (0.1%)
      1999                  72.5%          72.7%            (0.2%)
      2000                  73.1%          73.2%            (0.1%)
      2001                  67.6%          67.2%             0.4%
      2002                  70.5%          70.3%             0.2%
      2003                  74.4%          74.0%             0.4%
      2004                  73.7%          72.9%             0.8%
      2005                  74.8%          73.6%             1.2%

Collection results during the first and second quarters of 2006 generally exceeded the Company's expectations at December 31, 2005 and had a positive impact on forecasted consumer loan collection rates.



 Stock Repurchase Program
 ------------------------

Additionally, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $25.0 million of the Company's common stock in addition to the Board's prior authorizations. The additional shares may be repurchased through the open market or in privately negotiated transactions from time to time under terms defined by the Board. Unless terminated earlier by resolution of the Board, the share repurchase program will expire when the Company has repurchased all shares authorized for repurchase thereunder. Through August 1, 2006, a total of 6.8 million common shares had been purchased under prior authorizations.

Refer to the Company's Form 10-Q, which has been filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and will appear on the Company's website at creditacceptance.com for a complete discussion of the results of operations and financial data for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006.



 Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
 ----------------------------------------------------------

The Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for all of its forward-looking statements. Certain statements in this release that are not historical facts, such as those using terms like "may," "will," "should," "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "assumes," "forecasts," "estimates," "intends," "plans" and those regarding the Company's future results, plans and objectives, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements represent the Company's outlook only as of the date of this release. While the Company believes that its forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially since the statements are based on our current expectations, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, the factors set forth in Item 1A of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, other risk factors discussed herein or listed from time to time in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the following:



 --   The Company's inability to accurately forecast the amount and
      timing of future collections could have a material adverse effect
      on results of operations.

 --   Due to increased competition from traditional financing sources
      and non-traditional lenders, the Company may not be able to
      compete successfully.

 --   The Company's ability to maintain and grow the business is
      dependent on the ability to continue to access funding sources
      and obtain capital on favorable terms.

 --   The Company may not be able to generate sufficient cash flow to
      service its outstanding debt and fund operations.

 --   The substantial regulation to which the Company is subject limits
      the business, and such regulation or changes in such regulation
      could result in potential liability.

 --   Adverse changes in economic conditions, or in the automobile or
      finance industries or the non-prime consumer finance market,
      could adversely affect the Company's financial position,
      liquidity and results of operations and its ability to enter into
      future financing transactions.

 --   Litigation the Company is involved in from time to time may
      adversely affect its financial condition, results of operations
      and cash flows.

 --   The Company is dependent on its senior management and the loss of
      any of these individuals or an inability to hire additional
      personnel could adversely affect its ability to operate
      profitably.

 --   Natural disasters, acts of war, terrorist attacks and threats or
      the escalation of military activity in response to such attacks
      or otherwise may negatively affect the business, financial
      condition and results of operations.

Other factors not currently anticipated by management may also materially and adversely affect the Company's results of operations. The Company does not undertake, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to update or alter its statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.



 Description of Credit Acceptance Corporation
 --------------------------------------------

Since 1972, Credit Acceptance has provided auto loans to consumers, regardless of their credit history. Our product is offered through a nationwide network of automobile dealers who benefit from sales of vehicles to consumers who otherwise could not obtain financing; from repeat and referral sales generated by these same customers; and from sales to customers responding to advertisements for our product, but who actually end up qualifying for traditional financing.

Without our product, consumers may be unable to purchase a vehicle or they may purchase an unreliable one, or they may not have the opportunity to improve their credit standing. As we report to the three national credit reporting agencies, a significant number of our customers improve their lives by improving their credit score and move on to more traditional sources of financing. Credit Acceptance is publicly traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol CACC. For more information, visit creditacceptance.com.



            

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