Affirms 2006 Earnings Estimates HOUSTON, Aug. 7
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Carriage Services, Inc. (NYSE: CSV) today
reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30,
2006, which were as follows: -- Revenues of $37.8 million compared
to $37.4 million for the second quarter of 2005. -- GAAP EPS from
continuing operations of $0.04 compared to $0.01 in the prior year.
Excluding special charges equal to $0.03 per share, adjusted EPS
from continuing operations was $0.04 in the prior year quarter. --
EBITDA from continuing operations of $7.9 million compared to prior
year of $8.0 million. -- Free cash flow totaled $7.2 million for
the second quarter and year to date. "There were several positive
outcomes during the second quarter, and there are areas of our
operations that we must improve," stated Melvin C. Payne, Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer. "Free cash flow of $7.2 million for
the quarter exceeded expectations. Our Eastern and Western funeral
home regions had a very strong quarter which was offset by the poor
performance in the Central region. Additionally, the cemetery
segment of our business is not performing up to our expectations
with declining sales and poor expense management in a few key
operations. We will focus on these areas in the third quarter with
the objective of improving results before year end, in order to set
up 2007 to be much improved over 2006. "During July we combined our
cemetery operations with our Eastern, Central and Western regions.
This further simplifies our operational structure along only
geographic lines and places all of our businesses under the
leadership of three Regional Partners. Support for funeral
operations, cemetery operations and sales now reside in each of the
regions," continued Mr. Payne. "Recent discussions with the owners
of several large, high quality businesses in each region have
confirmed the value and attractiveness of our operating model and
strategic direction. While it is difficult to predict the pace and
timing of acquisitions, we continue to be confident that our
operational and acquisition strategies will yield high shareholder
returns over the next five years," stated Mr. Payne. Free cash flow
totaled $7.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006
compared to $5.3 million in adjusted free cash flow for the first
six months of 2005. Cash and short-term investments totaled $31.2
million at June 30, 2006, compared to $24.9 million at December 31,
2005 and $24.4 million at March 31, 2006. We also completed the
previously announced sale of two businesses in Indiana in July
2006, realizing net cash proceeds of $7 million and issuing a
long-term note payable to the buyer of approximately $1.0 million.
At July 31, 2006 our cash balances exceeded $35 million (after the
semi-annual interest payment on our Senior Notes of $5.1 million in
early July). Accordingly, the positive outlook for free cash flow
generation over the balance of 2006 is causing us to raise our
estimate of cash and short-term investments to about $42 million at
year end 2006 assuming no acquisitions. Funeral Operations Key
indicators and financial results for Carriage's funeral operations
for the second quarter when compared to the same period in the
previous year are as follows: -- Funeral revenues from continuing
operations increased 2.5 percent from $28.0 million to $28.7
million -- Same store funeral contracts decreased 1.3 percent from
5,439 to 5,370 -- Same store average revenue per contract increased
2.9 percent from $5,029 to $5,174 -- Funeral gross margin decreased
110 basis points from 25.7 percent to 24.6 percent "We experienced
a strong performance in our Western Region, where the number of
contracts increased 4.1 percent and the average revenue per
contract increased 6.1 percent, and in our Eastern Region, where
the number of contracts increased 4.1 percent and the average
revenue per contact increased 4.8 percent," stated Mr. Payne.
"However, our Central Region funeral homes suffered a decline of
14.4 percent in the number of contracts and a slight increase of
0.3 percent in the contract averages. Additionally, costs and
expenses were not reduced in line with the declining revenues,
resulting in year over year declines in the Central Region of $1.1
million in pretax earnings, equal to $0.04 per diluted share, for
the quarter and $1.7 million in pretax earnings, equal to $0.06 per
diluted share, for the six month period. While we recognized the
weaknesses developing in the Central Region before the end of 2005,
the actions taken to date have not been sufficient to stabilize the
Region's financial results. The new Regional Partner for the
Central Region is taking decisive actions in the third quarter to
increase revenue and realign the cost structure, all of which
should be completed during the quarter. These actions will result
in improved profitability in the fourth quarter of the year and
lead to a much higher level of financial performance for all of
2007." The average revenue for cremation contracts for all funeral
operations increased 10.1 percent to $2,684, although the cremation
rate increased 170 basis points to 34.2 percent. In comparison, the
average revenue for burial contracts increased 3.7 percent to
$7,038. We continue to address the growing cremation trend by
training our funeral directors to present multiple merchandise and
service options to families, resulting in choices that produce both
higher revenues per service and greater customer satisfaction. We
experienced an increase in the cremations with services and a
decline in direct cremations during the quarter, which also
positively impacted the cremation revenue average. Cemetery
Operations Key indicators for Carriage's cemetery operations and
financial results for the second quarter when compared to the same
period last year are as follows: -- Cemetery revenues from
continuing operations decreased 2.4 percent from $9.4 million to
$9.2 million and cemetery gross margin decreased 410 basis points
from 15.9 percent to 11.8 percent -- The number of preneed
contracts written declined 16.6 percent to 1,834 and the number of
interments sold declined 6.5 percent to 1,872 -- Average revenue
per preneed contract written increased 14.6 percent to $3,384 and
the average interment site sold for $2,158, which is 8.3 percent
greater than the same period in the prior year -- Revenues from the
sale of interment rights increased 3.7 percent to $4.5 million "Our
operating results in the second quarter were negatively impacted by
a decline in the deliveries of preneed merchandise and services and
higher bad debt expense. During our first quarter conference call
we discussed the operational issues at our largest cemetery in
California. We have been aggressively addressing the specific
issues of this business during the second quarter, but financial
results have not yet improved. Pretax earnings for this cemetery
are down $1.0 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, for the six
months ended June 30, 2006 compared to the same period last year.
We continue to focus on the leadership and operating and sales
issues at this business and expect to see improvement by year-end,"
stated Mr. Payne. Other The Company changed its method of
accounting for stock options and shares issued from its employee
stock purchase plan in the first quarter 2006 in accordance with
SFAS No. 123R, which resulted in additional noncash compensation
expense totaling $101,000 and $153,000 for the three and six month
periods ended June 30, 2006, respectively. Discontinued operations
for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2006 consist of
operating results and impairment charges related to our Indiana
businesses, which were previously disclosed. 2006 Outlook Carriage
affirms its previous 2006 Outlook, which is intended to estimate
results from continuing operations based upon same-store volumes.
Management believes it is appropriate to present a range of
outcomes because of the uncertainties in estimating volumes,
average revenue per service and other key factors. The Outlook
excludes the effect of asset dispositions and acquisitions of
businesses that may or may not occur. The 2006 Outlook is based
upon the following key assumptions: -- The upper end of the Outlook
range assumes funeral same-store volumes are flat compared to 2005
and the lower end assumes a 2 percent decrease. -- The average
revenue per funeral contract is assumed to increase approximately
1.5 percent. This increase assumes the cremation rate for our
businesses will increase by 100 basis points. -- No borrowings on
our $35 million bank credit facility during 2006. -- Approximately
$6.5 million of maintenance capital expenditures. -- Management
expects to use free cash flow (cash flow from operations less
capital expenditures) to acquire businesses if and when available
on acceptable terms. In the Outlook, free cash flow and proceeds
from divestitures is invested in short-term investments which are
expected to increase to approximately $42 million by December 31,
2006, unless used to acquire businesses. Fiscal Year 2006 Outlook
Income Statement Items Revenue $153 - $158 Earnings per share
(diluted) $.26 - $.31 Net earnings $4.9 - $5.9 Add: Depreciation
and amortization 10.6 - 10.8 Add: Interest expense, net of interest
income 17.4 - 17.2 Add: Income taxes 2.9 - 3.5 EBITDA $35.8 - $37.4
Cash Flow Items Cash provided by operating activities $17.5 - $18.7
Less: Maintenance capital expenditures 6.5 - 6.5 Free Cash Flow
$11.0 - $12.2 Note: Not adjusted for the sale of businesses in the
third quarter, but such adjustment would not be material. Second
Quarter Conference Call Information Carriage Services has scheduled
a conference call for today, August 7, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. eastern
time. To participate in the call, dial 303-262- 2137 at least ten
minutes before the conference call begins and ask for the Carriage
Services conference call. A replay of the call will be available
approximately two hours after the live broadcast ends and will be
accessible until August 14, 2006. To access the replay, dial
303-590-3000 and enter pass code 11066673#. Investors, analysts and
the general public will also have the opportunity to listen to the
conference call free over the Internet by visiting
http://www.carriageservices.com/. To listen to the live call on the
web, please visit the website at least fifteen minutes early to
register, download and install any necessary audio software. For
those who cannot listen to the live webcast, an audio archive will
be available shortly after the call and will be accessible for
approximately 90 days. For more information, please contact Karen
Roan at DRG&E at (713) 529-6600 or email . Carriage Services in
the fourth largest publicly traded death care company. As of August
7, 2006, Carriage operates 131 funeral homes in 27 states and 28
cemeteries in 11 states. Contacts: Mel Payne, Chairman & CEO
Joe Saporito, CFO Carriage Services, Inc. 713-332-8400 Ken Dennard
/ Lisa Elliott / DRG&E 713-529-6600 This press release uses the
following Non-GAAP financial measures "free cash flow and EBITDA".
Both free cash flow and EBITDA are used by investors to value
common stock. The Company considers free cash flow to be an
important indicator of its ability to generate cash for
acquisitions and other strategic investments. The Company has
included EBITDA in this press release because it is widely used by
investors to compare the Company's financial performance with the
performance of other deathcare companies. The Company also uses
EBITDA to monitor and compare the financial performance of its
operations. EBITDA does not give effect to the cash the Company
must use to service its debt or pay its income taxes and thus does
not reflect the funds actually available for capital expenditures.
In addition, the Company's presentation of EBITDA may not be
comparable to similarly titled measures other companies report.
Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and
not as an alternative for, the Company's reported operating results
or cash flow from operations or any other measure of performance as
determined in accordance with GAAP. Certain statements made herein
or elsewhere by, or on behalf of, the Company that are not
historical facts are intended to be 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. These statements are based on assumptions that the Company
believes are reasonable; however, many important factors, as
discussed under "Forward- Looking Statements and Cautionary
Statements" in the Company's Annual Report and Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2005, could cause the Company's results in
the future to differ materially from the forward-looking statements
made herein and in any other documents or oral presentations made
by, or on behalf of, the Company. The Company assumes no obligation
to update or publicly release any revisions to forward-looking
statements made herein or any other forward-looking statements made
by, or on behalf of, the Company. A copy of the Company's Form
10-K, and other Carriage Services information and news releases,
are available at http://www.carriageservices.com/. CARRIAGE
SERVICES, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share amounts) For the Three Months Ended
For the Six Months Ended 06/30/05 06/30/06 06/30/05 06/30/06
Funeral revenues $27,967 $28,659 $59,207 $60,323 Funeral costs and
expenses 20,781 21,602 42,402 44,044 Funeral gross profit 7,186
7,057 16,805 16,279 Funeral gross margin 25.7% 24.6% 28.4% 27.0%
Cemetery revenues 9,411 9,182 19,152 19,236 Cemetery costs and
expenses 7,916 8,098 15,454 16,505 Cemetery gross profit 1,495
1,084 3,698 2,731 Cemetery gross margin 15.9% 11.8% 19.3% 14.2%
Total revenues 37,378 37,841 78,359 79,559 Total costs and expenses
28,697 29,700 57,856 60,549 Total gross profit 8,681 8,141 20,503
19,010 Total gross margin 23.2% 21.5% 26.2% 23.9% General and
administrative expenses 3,000 2,749 5,779 5,392 Goodwill impairment
charge - - - 907 Operating income 5,681 5,392 14,724 12,711
Operating margin 15.2% 14.2% 18.8% 16.0% Interest expense 4,683
4,633 9,314 9,273 Additional interest costs on debt refinancing 240
- 6,933 - Other expense (income) 447 (347) 389 (563) Total interest
expense and other 5,370 4,286 16,636 8,710 Income (loss) before
income taxes from continuing operations 311 1,106 (1,912) 4,001
(Provision) benefit for income taxes (122) (415) 723 (1,824) Income
(loss) from continuing operations before cumulative effect of
change in accounting principle 189 691 (1,189) 2,177 Discontinued
operations: Operating income from discontinued operations 63 250
520 291 Gain on sales and (losses and impairments) of discontinued
operations 5 (230) 467 (5,425) Income tax (provision) benefit (25)
(8) (370) 1,925 Income (loss) from discontinued operations 43 12
617 (3,209) Income (loss) before change in accounting method 232
703 (572) (1,032) Cumulative effect of change in accounting
principle, net of tax benefit of $13,078 - - (22,756) - Net income
(loss) $232 $703 $(23,328) $(1,032) Basic earnings (loss) per
share: Continuing operations $0.01 $0.04 $(0.07) $0.12 Discontinued
operations - - 0.03 (0.17) Cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle - - (1.26) - Net income (loss) $0.01 $0.04
$(1.30) $(0.05) Diluted earnings (loss) per share: Continuing
operations $0.01 $0.04 $(0.07) $0.12 Discontinued operations - -
0.03 (0.17) Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle - -
(1.26) - Net income (loss) $0.01 $0.04 $(1.30) $(0.05) CARRIAGE
SERVICES, INC. Selected Financial Data June 30, 2006 (unaudited)
Selected Balance Sheet Data: 12/31/05 06/30/06 Cash and Short Term
Investments $24,857 $31,187 Total Senior Debt (a) 141,421 140,199
Days sales in funeral accounts receivable 24.4 23.2 Net Senior Debt
to total capitalization (b) 38.0 36.5 Net Senior Debt to EBITDA
from continuing operations (rolling twelve months) (b) 3.31 3.29
(a) - Senior debt does not include the convertible junior
subordinated debentures. (b) - Net Senior debt is Senior Debt less
cash and short term investments Reconciliation of Non-GAAP
Financial Measures: This press release includes the use of certain
financial measures that are not GAAP measures. The non-GAAP
financial measures are presented for additional information and are
reconciled to their most comparable GAAP measures below. Three
months Three months ended ended 6/30/05 6/30/06 Net income from
continuing operations before change in accounting principle $189
$691 Interest expense, net of interest income 4,794 4,286
Depreciation and amortization 2,298 2,521 Non-cash losses 576 -
Income taxes 122 415 Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations
$7,979 $7,913 Six months Six months ended ended 6/30/05 6/30/06 Net
income from continuing operations before change in accounting
principle $(1,189) $2,177 Interest expense, net of interest income
16,062 8,710 Depreciation and amortization 4,760 5,080 Non-cash
losses 574 - Impairment charge - 907 Income taxes (benefit) (723)
1,824 Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations $19,484 $18,698
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing
operations $(7,475) $9,554 Additional interest paid on the early
retirement of the old senior notes (c) 5,955 - Deferred
distributions on subordinated debentures (c) 10,345 - Adjusted cash
provided by operating activities 8,825 9,554 Less capital
expenditures from continuing operations (3,536) (2,399) Free cash
flow from continuing operations $5,289 $7,155 (c) - For the period
ended 06/30/05, we added the additional interest paid on the senior
notes and the payment of the cumulative deferred distributions on
the subordinated debentures when we refinanced our senior debt
during the quarter ended 3/31/05. Weighted Average Number of Common
and Common Equivalent Shares Outstanding: For the Three For the Six
Months Ended Months Ended 06/30/05 06/30/06 06/30/05 06/30/06 Basic
18,325 18,545 18,227 18,514 Diluted 18,826 18,902 18,227 18,888
DATASOURCE: Carriage Services, Inc. CONTACT: Mel Payne, Chairman
& CEO, Joe Saporito, CFO, Carriage Services, Inc.,
+1-713-332-8400; Ken Dennard, , or Lisa Elliott, , both of
DRG&E, +1-713-529-6600 Web site:
http://www.carriageservices.com/
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