AmSurg Reiterated at Neutral - Analyst Blog
March 15 2012 - 12:00PM
Zacks
We have reiterated our Neutral recommendation on AmSurg
Corporation (AMSG) with a target price of $28.00.
In the face of headwinds such as reimbursement issues, higher
expenses and economic uncertainty, AmSurg’s adjusted EPS for the
fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 came in at 46 cents, in line with the
Zacks Consensus Estimate but ahead of the year-ago quarter EPS of
43 cents.
The quarterly result includes a negative impact of a penny
related to the revision of the Medicare payment system for
ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs). Operations of the acquired NSC
centers contributed 4 cents to net earnings during the quarter.
However, AmSurg has managed to deliver strong revenue growth
during the reported quarter (up 22% year over year and above the
Zacks Consensus Estimate) primarily driven by the addition of
several new centers through acquisitions and development of
additional ASCs. Demand for lower risk, high volume surgical
procedures performed by ASCs grew steadily during the quarter,
consistent with the demographics of an aging US population. In late
2011, the company acquired National Surgical Care (NSC) for a cash
consideration of $124.5 million. The growth in procedures for the
fourth quarter was primarily driven by the NSC acquisition that
added 14 multi-specialty centers.
For the full year, the company added 11 non-NSC centers,
consisting of 10 acquired centers and 1 de novo. The non-NSC
centers acquired in 2011 generated annualized operating income of
approximately $29 million. Meanwhile, we are encouraged by the
company’s same-center growth of 1% in 2011 (the company reported a
decline of 2% in same-store sales last year) on the back of
positive (though nominal) same-center revenue growth over the last
three quarters.
Moreover, with a strong cash balance and extended revolving
credit facility, AmSurg is well poised to pursue further
acquisitions that will boost its top line going ahead. The company
is even looking for potential large-chain acquisitions.
However, the prevailing economic uncertainty led to lower doctor
visits as well as deferred elective procedures affecting surgical
volume. As a result, the company witnessed significant pressure on
same-center revenues.
Further, ASCs are highly dependent on third-party reimbursement
programs including governmental and private insurance programs to
pay on behalf of patients. We remain concerned regarding AmSurg’s
dependency on Medicare for payments, given that the company derived
29% of its revenues from governmental healthcare programs,
particularly Medicare, during fiscal 2011.
Notwithstanding these headwinds, we expect AmSurg to benefit
over the long term from favorable industry dynamics. For the past
few years, government programs, private insurance companies and
managed care organizations have implemented various cost-cutting
measures to limit healthcare expenditure. Ambulatory surgery is
comparatively less expensive than hospital-based surgery due to
lower facility development costs, more efficient staffing and space
utilization.
Presently, AmSurg has a Zacks #2 Rank (short-term Buy
rating).
AMSURG CORP (AMSG): Free Stock Analysis Report
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