DaVita Inc. (DVA) reported fourth-quarter
income from continuing operations of $1.58 per share, which
surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.48 and prior-year
quarter earnings of $1.13. Operating income amounted to $149.4
million, compared with $111.9 million in the fourth quarter of
2010.
Including an after-tax debt refinancing and redemption charge of
$42.9 million or 43 cents per share, the prior-year quarter’s
operating income amounted to $68.9 million or 70 cents per
share.
Net income was $148.1 million or $1.56 per share, almost double
from $69.0 million or 70 cents per share in the year-ago quarter.
The increased income was attributable to better-than-expected
revenue, which was partly offset by higher expenses and loss from
discontinued operations.
Net operating revenues for the reported quarter climbed to $1.86
billion, surpassing the year-ago revenue of $1.65 billion. Total
operating expenses and charges also climbed to $1.53 billion from
$1.39 billion in the fourth quarter of 2010.
Segment wise, revenues from the Dialysis and related
Lab Services segment for the quarter came in at $1.72
billion, against $1.54 billion in the prior-year quarter.
Operating income for the segment increased to $353 million in
the reported quarter from $332 million in the year-ago quarter.
Ancillary services and strategic
initiatives generated revenues of $148 million,
increasing from $137 million in the year-ago quarter. However, the
segment recorded operating loss of $13 million in the reported
quarter, far wider than $3 million in the year-ago quarter.
Loss from discontinued operations in the reported quarter was
$0.239 million, declining from an income of $0.093 million in the
year-ago quarter. The company also recorded a loss of $1.07 million
on disposal of discontinued operations in the fourth quarter of
2011.
DaVita provided administrative services across 1,809 outpatient
dialysis centers in the US, serving approximately 142,000 patients
in 2011. Additionally, the company provided administrative services
in 11 outpatient dialysis centers in three non-US countries.
However, only 1,784 centers, including 8 centers outside the US,
were consolidated in the financial statements.
DaVita acquired and opened a total of 45 centers during the
reported quarter. Additionally, the company divested 2 centers in
order to complete the DSI acquisition.
Total US treatments for the reported quarter came in at
approximately 5.23 million. This represents a per day increase of
12.4% over the year-ago quarter. The growth of non-acquired
treatment in the quarter stood at 4.4%.
The company's effective tax rate was 34.1% in the reported
quarter. The third party owners’ income attributable to non-tax
paying entities impacted the effective tax rate. The effective tax
rate attributable to DaVita in the reported quarter was 38.0%.
Full-Year 2011 Highlights
For 2011, DaVita reported operating income per share of $5.14,
which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.05 and
prior-year earnings of $4.37. Operating income amounted to $496.2
million, compared with $450.8 million in 2010.
Operating income excludes an after-tax non-cash goodwill
impairment charge of $14.4 million or 15 cents per share in 2011
and an after-tax debt refinancing and redemption charge of $45.4
million or 44 cents per share in 2010. Including the charges,
income from continuing operations amounted to $481.8 million or
$4.99 per share in 2011 and $405.4 million or $3.93 per share in
2010.
Reported net income came in at $478.0 million against $405.7
million in 2010. Net operating revenue was $6.98 billion,
increasing from $6.44 billion in 2010, while total operating
expenses and charges increased to $5.85 billion from $5.44
billion.
Financial Update
In 2011, operating cash flow was $1.18 billion, reflecting a
jump from $839.7 million in the prior-year quarter.
Total assets at the end of 2011 were $8.89 billion, up from $
8.11 billion on December 31, 2010, while long-term debt as of
December 31, 2011 increased to $4.42 billion from $4.23 billion as
of December 31, 2010.
Shareholders’ equity at the end of 2011 amounted to $2.14
billion, up from $1.98 billion at 2010-end.
Outlook
DaVita affirmed its previously disclosed operating income
guidance of $1.2–1.3 billion for 2012. Additionally, the company
revealed its operating cash flow guidance of $0.95–1.05
billion.
The company expects the effective tax rate attributable to
DaVita to be in the range of 40–41% for fiscal 2012.
Our Take
DaVita is showing revenue upsides in both its business segments,
which is driving the top line. Moreover, the company also has
strong cash flows and a sturdy balance sheet. We expect the cash
flows to remain strong in the upcoming quarters as well, based on
higher-than-expected cash flow during all the four quarters of
2011.
The strong financial position of DaVita provides the potential
for meaningful mergers and acquisitions, which convinces us that
the company will continue its growth story. Moreover, the long-term
Epogen purchase deal with Amgen
Inc. (AMGN) is expected to reduce the company’s
expenditure on the drug by a substantial amount. Thus, we are
optimistic about the company’s growth potential.
The shares of DaVita currently carry a Zacks #2 Rank, implying a
short-term ‘Buy’ rating. We are also maintaining a long-term
‘Outperform’ recommendation on the shares.
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DAVITA INC (DVA): Free Stock Analysis Report
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