NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 10, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stewart Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq:STEI) reported today its results for the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2009. The Company reported net earnings for the quarter ended July 31, 2009 of $10.8 million, or $.12 per diluted share, compared to net earnings of $9.1 million, or $.10 per diluted share, for the quarter ended July 31, 2008.
The results for the quarter included an $8.5 million net gain on early extinguishment of debt ($5.4 million after tax, or $.06 per diluted share) related to the Company's purchase of $35.7 million aggregate principal amount of its senior convertible notes in the open market during the quarter. After adjusting net earnings for the note purchases and several other unusual items in the third quarter of 2009, the Company reported adjusted earnings of $4.3 million, or $.05 per diluted share, for the quarter ended July 31, 2009, compared to adjusted earnings of $9.3 million, or $.10 per diluted share, for the quarter ended July 31, 2008. See table under "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for further information on adjusted diluted earnings per share, adjusted net earnings and free cash flow.
Thomas J. Crawford, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "While we can't control the economy or the number of deaths in our markets, we can control our costs, continue to prudently invest for the long-term and take strong actions to effectively manage our cash, liquidity and tax planning strategies. We have done that in the third quarter and increased both our earnings and cash flow over the prior year. Some of the highlights for the quarter include:
-- Increased operating cash flow $10.6 million to $34.5
million, compared to the third quarter of 2008, including the
receipt of a $12 million tax refund as a result of effective
tax planning strategies, and increased free cash flow $13.8
million to $32.5 million, compared to the third quarter of
2008, primarily due to the $12 million tax refund and a
decrease in maintenance capital expenditures;
-- Continued strong liquidity position with $71.2 million in
cash on hand;
-- Reduced debt by 8 percent in the third quarter and 13 percent
year-to-date which will generate approximately $2 million of
cash interest savings on an annualized basis. Net debt as of
July 31, 2009 was $320.5 million;
-- Maintained funeral gross profit margin by achieving solid
growth in average revenue per funeral service, despite volume
declines and by effectively managing labor costs;
-- Increased net preneed funeral sales 4.3 percent compared to
the third quarter of 2008; and
-- Experienced improved trust returns with a total return of
13.6 percent in our preneed funeral and cemetery merchandise
and services trusts and a total return of 16.2 percent in our
perpetual care trusts."
Mr. Crawford continued, "While we continue to be impacted by fewer industry wide deaths and a reduction in cemetery property sales due to general economic conditions, we are also continuing to invest in the future of our Company. During the first nine months, we invested $6.6 million in new businesses and approximately $2 million in new systems. In the third quarter, we completed the Company-wide implementation of our new contract processing system, which was a major accomplishment requiring a significant investment of time and resources. Over the past two years, we have invested in upgrading our accounting, payroll and contract processing information systems, all of which will produce future efficiencies. In addition, as pleased as we are with our progress in better serving our cremation-oriented customers, as evidenced by our steady increase in average revenue per cremation event, we believe we can do much better and plan to implement cremation initiatives in the near future designed to improve our cremation sales and profits. Also, we have redesigned our websites to support e-commerce initiatives that will enable new revenue opportunities in the future. The fundamentals of our business remain solid and continue to generate strong cash flow. We are continuing to prudently invest in our people and processes so that as the economy and consumer attitudes strengthen, the Company is well positioned to grow."
Third Quarter Results
FUNERAL
* Funeral revenue decreased $2.5 million, or 3.6 percent, to
$66.0 million.
* The Company's same-store funeral operations achieved a 2.3
percent increase in the same-store average revenue per funeral
service, including trust earnings.
* Same-store funeral services decreased 6.3 percent, or 884
events. The decline is due in part to a 313 event decrease,
or 35 percent of the total decline, in its West Coast
operations, due in part to a decrease in low-end cremation
events. The remaining decrease in funeral services is
primarily due to a decrease in deaths in the Company's markets,
when compared with the comparable prior year period.
* In the third quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company experienced
a $2.6 million, or $.02 per diluted share, decrease in earnings
related to trust activities, of which $1.1 million related to
the funeral segment and $1.5 million related to the cemetery
segment. This decrease is consistent with the Company's
previously announced expectations.
* Funeral gross profit decreased $0.6 million to $14.4 million
for the third quarter of 2009 compared to $15.0 million for
the same period of 2008. The decrease in gross profit is
primarily due to the decrease in revenue, as noted above,
partially offset by a $1.9 million decrease in expenses. The
decrease in expenses is primarily due to a decrease in
merchandise costs resulting from decreased volume and a
reduction in salaries and wages due to effective labor
management.
* The cremation rate for the Company's same-store operations
was 41.8 percent for the third quarter of 2009 compared to
39.9 percent for the third quarter of 2008.
* Net preneed funeral sales increased 4.3 percent during the
third quarter of 2009 compared to the third quarter of 2008,
despite current economic conditions. Preneed funeral sales
are deferred until a future period and have no impact on
current revenue.
CEMETERY
* Cemetery revenue decreased $10.2 million to $51.7 million
for the third quarter of 2009. This decrease is due primarily
to a $3.7 million, or 13.5 percent, decrease in cemetery
property sales, net of discounts, due in part to current
economic conditions. While cemetery property sales have
increased in some of the Company's operations, approximately
75 percent of the decline is occurring in two states where
the current economic environment is having the largest impact.
In addition, the Company experienced a $2.8 million decrease
in cemetery merchandise delivered and services performed, a
$2.4 million decrease in construction on various cemetery
projects and a $1.5 million decrease in earnings related to
trust activities, as noted above.
* Cemetery gross profit decreased $8.1 million to $4.9 million
for the third quarter of 2009 compared to $13.0 million for
the same period of 2008. The decrease in gross profit is
primarily due to the decrease in revenue, as discussed above,
partially offset by a $2.1 million decrease in expenses. The
decrease in expenses is primarily due to a decrease in
property costs and selling costs resulting from the decline
in cemetery property sales.
OTHER
* Interest expense decreased $0.7 million to $5.3 million during
the third quarter of 2009 primarily due to the repurchase of
the Company's senior convertible notes in the open market.
* Investment and other income, net decreased $0.6 million to
less than $0.1 million due primarily to a decrease in the
average rate earned on the Company's cash balances from 1.42
percent in the third quarter of 2008 to 0.08 percent in the
third quarter of 2009.
* The effective tax rate for the quarter ended July 31, 2009 was
26.4 percent compared to 37.0 percent for the same period in
2008. The decreased rate in the current quarter is primarily
due to a tax benefit of $1.0 million attributable to a
decrease in the Company's valuation allowance on its capital
loss carryforward established at October 31, 2008 and a lower
effective state tax rate primarily attributable to the net
gain on early extinguishment of debt.
* In the third quarter of fiscal year 2009, the Company
purchased $11.8 million aggregate principal amount of its
3.125 percent senior convertible notes due 2014 and $23.9
million aggregate principal amount of its 3.375 percent
senior convertible notes due 2016 in the open market. As a
result, the Company recorded an $8.5 million net gain on
early extinguishment of debt.
Year to Date Results
FUNERAL
* Funeral revenue decreased $9.9 million, or 4.5 percent, to
$209.0 million.
* The Company's same-store funeral operations achieved a 3.6
percent increase in the same-store average revenue per
funeral service, including trust earnings.
* Same-store funeral services performed decreased 7.5 percent,
or 3,400 events. The decline is due to several factors. The
Company experienced a 1,384 call decline, or 40.7 percent of
the total decline, in its West Coast operations, due in part
to a decrease in low-end cremation events. In addition, the
Company experienced a 222 call decline, or 6.5 percent of the
total decline, in funeral services due to an additional day
in the second quarter of 2008 due to leap year. Finally, the
remaining decrease in funeral services is primarily due to a
decrease in deaths in the Company's markets, when compared
with the comparable prior year period.
* For the first nine months of fiscal 2009, the Company realized
a $6.9 million, or $.05 per diluted share, decrease in
earnings related to trust activities, of which $2.8 million
related to the funeral segment and $4.1 million related to
the cemetery segment. This decrease is consistent with the
Company's previously announced expectations.
* Funeral gross profit decreased $4.4 million to $51.2 million
for the first nine months of 2009 compared to $55.6 million
for the same period of 2008. The decrease in gross profit is
primarily due to the decrease in revenue, as noted above,
partially offset by a $5.5 million decrease in expenses.
The decrease in expenses is primarily related to a decrease
in merchandise costs resulting from decreased volume and a
reduction in salaries and wages due to effective labor
management.
* The cremation rate for the Company's same-store operations
was 41.2 percent for the first nine months of fiscal 2009
compared to 40.0 percent for the same period of fiscal 2008.
* Net preneed funeral sales decreased 3.6 percent during the
first nine months of fiscal 2009 compared to the first nine
months of fiscal 2008 due in part to current economic
conditions. Preneed funeral sales are deferred until the
underlying contracts are performed and have no impact on
current revenue.
CEMETERY
* Cemetery revenue decreased $24.0 million to $154.7 million
for the first nine months of fiscal 2009. This decrease is
due primarily to a $13.2 million, or 16.8 percent, decrease
in cemetery property sales, net of discounts, due to current
economic conditions, a $5.8 million decrease in cemetery
merchandise delivered and services performed and a $4.1
million decrease in earnings related to trust activities,
as noted above.
* Cemetery gross profit decreased $18.3 million from $35.1
million in the first nine months of 2008 to $16.8 million for
the first nine months of 2009. The decrease in gross profit
is primarily due to the decrease in revenue, as noted above,
partially offset by a $5.7 million decrease in expenses. The
decrease in expenses is primarily related to a decrease in
property costs and selling costs resulting from the decline
in cemetery property sales and a reduction in salaries and
wages due to effective labor management. The decrease in
cemetery expenses is partially offset by a $3.2 million
charge recorded during the nine months ended July 31, 2009
for the Company's estimated probable obligation to restore
the net realized losses in certain of the Company's cemetery
perpetual care trusts primarily related to investments in
General Motors.
OTHER
* Corporate general and administrative expenses decreased $1.6
million to $22.6 million for the first nine months of fiscal
2009 primarily due to a $1.6 million decrease in professional
fees due in part to the resolution of the SEC investigation
in 2008.
* Interest expense decreased $0.9 million to $17.1 million
during the first nine months of fiscal 2009 primarily due to
the repurchase of the Company's senior convertible notes in
the open market.
* Investment and other income, net decreased $1.6 million to
$0.1 million due primarily to a decrease in the average rate
earned on the Company's cash balances from 2.08 percent in
the first nine months of fiscal year 2008 to 0.16 percent
for the first nine months of fiscal year 2009.
* The effective tax rate for the nine months ended July 31,
2009 was 34.6 percent compared to 37.0 percent for the same
period in 2008. The decreased rate is due in part to a lower
effective state tax rate primarily attributable to the net
gain on early extinguishment of debt.
* The Company's weighted average diluted shares outstanding
decreased to 91.9 million shares for the nine months ended
July 31, 2009 compared to 94.7 million shares for the same
period in 2008, yielding a positive impact on earnings per
share.
* In the first nine months of fiscal year 2009, the Company
purchased $15.8 million aggregate principal amount of its
3.125 percent senior convertible notes due 2014 and $42.5
million aggregate principal amount of its 3.375 percent
senior convertible notes due 2016 in the open market. As
a result, the Company recorded a $17.2 million net gain on
early extinguishment of debt during the nine months ended
July 31, 2009.
* As of September 9, 2009, the Company has purchased an
additional $12.2 million aggregate principal amount of its
senior convertible notes, resulting in an additional net
gain on early extinguishment of debt of approximately $1.8
million, or a total of $70.5 million aggregate principal
amount purchased and approximately $19.0 million net gain
for fiscal year 2009.
Depreciation and Amortization
* Depreciation and amortization was $7.3 million for the
third quarter of 2009 compared to $7.2 million for the
third quarter of 2008.
* Depreciation and amortization was $22.1 million for the
first nine months of 2009 compared to $21.2 million for
the first nine months of 2008.
Cash Flow Results and Debt for Total Operations
* Cash flow provided by operating activities for the third
quarter of fiscal year 2009 was $34.5 million compared to
$23.9 million for the same period of last year. The increase
in operating cash flow is primarily due to a $12.0 million
tax refund received in the current quarter due to effective
tax planning strategies. The Company paid $1.1 million in
net tax payments in the third quarter of 2008 compared to
receiving $11.5 million of net tax refunds in the third
quarter of 2009.
* Cash flow provided by operating activities for the first
nine months of 2009 was $63.6 million compared to $52.3
million for the same period of last year. The increase
in operating cash flow is primarily due to a $12.0 million
tax refund received in the third quarter of 2009 due to
effective tax planning strategies. The Company paid $11.8
million in net tax payments in the first nine months of
2008 compared to receiving $8.2 million of net tax refunds
in the first nine months of 2009. In addition, the increase
is partially due to collections of prior period sales
exceeding receivables for new sales. These increases were
partially offset by $1.2 million of cash outflows related
to Hurricane Ike paid in the first nine months of 2009,
coupled with the timing of payments to vendors and the
timing of payroll payments. For additional information
on the Company's taxes, see Note 17 to the condensed
consolidated financial statements in the Company's Form
10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 2009.
* Free cash flow was $32.5 million during the third quarter
of 2009 compared to $18.7 million for the third quarter of
2008, primarily due to the $12.0 million tax refund received
in the third quarter and a decrease in maintenance capital
expenditures.
* Free cash flow was $55.1 million for the first nine months
of fiscal year 2009 compared to $39.9 million for the same
period last year, primarily due to the $12.0 million tax
refund received in the third quarter and a decrease in
maintenance capital expenditures.
* During the third quarter of 2009 and 2008, the Company
paid $2.3 million, or $.025 per share, in dividends.
* During the first nine months of 2009, the Company paid
$7.0 million, or $.075 per share, in dividends compared
to $7.1 million, or $.075 per share, paid in the first
nine months of 2008.
* As of July 31, 2009, the Company had outstanding debt of
$391.7 million and cash on hand of $71.2 million, or net
debt of $320.5 million.
Trust Performance
The following returns include realized and unrealized gains and losses:
* For the quarter ended July 31, 2009, the Company's preneed
funeral and cemetery merchandise and services trusts
experienced a total return of 13.6 percent, and its
perpetual care trusts experienced a total return of 16.2
percent.
* For the last three years ended July 31, 2009, the Company's
preneed funeral and cemetery merchandise and services trusts
experienced an annual total average decline in value of 2.8
percent, and its perpetual care trusts experienced an annual
total average decline in value of 0.8 percent.
* For the last five years ended July 31, 2009, the Company's
preneed funeral and cemetery merchandise and services trusts
experienced an annual total return of 0.8 percent, and its
perpetual care trusts experienced an annual total return of
1.4 percent.
Founded in 1910, Stewart Enterprises is the second largest provider of products and services in the death care industry in the United States. The Company currently owns and operates 220 funeral homes and 140 cemeteries in the United States and Puerto Rico. Through its subsidiaries, the Company provides a complete range of funeral merchandise and services, along with cemetery property, merchandise and services, both at the time of need and on a preneed basis.
Stewart Enterprises, Inc. will host its quarterly conference call for investors to discuss third quarter results on Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 10 a.m. Central Standard Time. The teleconference dial-in number is 888-278-8465. To participate, please call the number at least 15 minutes prior to the call. If you are calling from outside the United States, the dial-in number is 913-312-1232. A replay of the call will be available by dialing 888-203-1112 (from within the continental United States) or 719-457-0820 (from outside the continental United States), and using pass code 8608014 until September 17, 2009, at 10:59 p.m. Central Standard Time. Interested parties will also have the opportunity to listen to the live conference call via the Internet through Stewart Enterprises' website http://www.stewartenterprises.com. To listen to the live call, please go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. A replay will be available at this website shortly following the conference call and will be available at the website until October 10, 2009.
The Stewart Enterprises, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4456
STEWART ENTERPRISES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended July 31,
---------------------------
2009 2008
---------- ----------
Revenues:
Funeral $ 66,017 $ 68,558
Cemetery 51,735 61,870
---------- ----------
117,752 130,428
---------- ----------
Costs and expenses:
Funeral 51,607 53,524
Cemetery 46,812 48,906
---------- ----------
98,419 102,430
---------- ----------
Gross profit 19,333 27,998
Corporate general and administrative
expenses (8,089) (8,188)
Hurricane related charges, net (46) (341)
Gain on dispositions and impairment
(losses), net (117) 25
Other operating income, net 397 407
---------- ----------
Operating earnings 11,478 19,901
Interest expense (5,299) (6,000)
Gain on early extinguishment of debt 8,533 --
Investment and other income, net 12 593
---------- ----------
Earnings before income taxes 14,724 14,494
Income taxes 3,886 5,365
---------- ----------
Net earnings $ 10,838 $ 9,129
========== ==========
Net earnings per common share:
Basic $ .12 $ .10
========== ==========
Diluted $ .12 $ .10
========== ==========
Weighted average common shares
outstanding (in thousands):
Basic 91,936 92,203
========== ==========
Diluted 92,118 92,414
========== ==========
Dividends declared per common share $ .025 $ .025
========== ==========
STEWART ENTERPRISES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Nine Months Ended July 31,
---------------------------
2009 2008
---------- ----------
Revenues:
Funeral $ 209,007 $ 218,862
Cemetery 154,693 178,658
---------- ----------
363,700 397,520
---------- ----------
Costs and expenses:
Funeral 157,817 163,260
Cemetery 137,872 143,558
---------- ----------
295,689 306,818
---------- ----------
Gross profit 68,011 90,702
Corporate general and administrative
expenses (22,601) (24,226)
Hurricane related charges, net (566) (351)
Separation charges (275) --
Gain on dispositions and impairment
(losses), net (215) 153
Other operating income, net 960 753
---------- ----------
Operating earnings 45,314 67,031
Interest expense (17,088) (17,981)
Gain on early extinguishment of debt 17,204 --
Investment and other income, net 85 1,670
---------- ----------
Earnings before income taxes 45,515 50,720
Income taxes 15,759 18,766
---------- ----------
Net earnings $ 29,756 $ 31,954
========== ==========
Net earnings per common share:
Basic $ .32 $ .34
========== ==========
Diluted $ .32 $ .34
========== ==========
Weighted average common shares
outstanding (in thousands):
Basic 91,883 94,504
========== ==========
Diluted 91,936 94,676
========== ==========
Dividends declared per common share $ .075 $ .075
========== ==========
STEWART ENTERPRISES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
ASSETS July 31, October 31,
------ 2009 2008
---------- ----------
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 71,214 $ 72,574
Marketable securities -- 55
Receivables, net of allowances 62,205 59,129
Inventories 36,256 35,870
Prepaid expenses 9,279 7,317
Deferred income taxes, net 18,604 8,798
---------- ----------
Total current assets 197,558 183,743
Receivables due beyond one year, net
of allowances 63,142 70,671
Preneed funeral receivables and trust
investments 378,096 368,412
Preneed cemetery receivables and trust
investments 191,135 182,141
Goodwill 247,236 247,236
Cemetery property, at cost 385,946 377,271
Property and equipment, at cost:
Land 42,244 42,244
Buildings 327,243 319,463
Equipment and other 184,571 178,534
---------- ----------
554,058 540,241
Less accumulated depreciation 254,618 236,066
---------- ----------
Net property and equipment 299,440 304,175
Deferred income taxes, net 134,658 179,515
Cemetery perpetual care trust
investments 197,858 173,090
Non-current assets held for sale 1,663 1,787
Other assets 15,695 16,474
---------- ----------
Total assets $2,112,427 $2,104,515
========== ==========
STEWART ENTERPRISES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY July 31, October 31,
------------------------------------ 2009 2008
----------- ----------
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term
debt $ 5 $ 20
Accounts payable 23,828 27,652
Accrued payroll and other benefits 14,824 14,133
Accrued insurance 20,765 21,287
Accrued interest 6,310 5,864
Estimated obligation to fund
cemetery perpetual care trust 14,134 13,281
Other current liabilities 14,260 16,198
Income taxes payable 2,302 2,061
----------- ----------
Total current liabilities 96,428 100,496
Long-term debt, less current
maturities 391,747 450,095
Deferred preneed funeral revenue 245,411 245,182
Deferred preneed cemetery revenue 272,685 275,835
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery
receipts held in trust 499,362 475,420
Perpetual care trusts' corpus 196,835 171,371
Other long-term liabilities 21,471 20,479
----------- ----------
Total liabilities 1,723,939 1,738,878
----------- ----------
Commitments and contingencies ----------- ----------
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $1.00 par value,
5,000,000 shares authorized; no
shares issued -- --
Common stock, $1.00 stated value:
Class A authorized 200,000,000
shares; issued and outstanding
89,119,832 and 88,693,127 shares
at July 31, 2009 and October 31,
2008, respectively 89,120 88,693
Class B authorized 5,000,000
shares; issued and outstanding
3,555,020 shares at July 31, 2009
and October 31, 2008; 10 votes
per share convertible into an
equal number of Class A shares 3,555 3,555
Additional paid-in capital 529,574 536,902
Accumulated deficit (233,794) (263,550)
Accumulated other comprehensive
income:
Unrealized appreciation of
investments 33 37
----------- ----------
Total accumulated other
comprehensive income 33 37
----------- ----------
Total shareholders' equity 388,488 365,637
----------- ----------
Total liabilities and shareholders'
equity $ 2,112,427 $2,104,515
=========== ==========
STEWART ENTERPRISES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Nine Months Ended July 31,
----------------------------
2009 2008
----------- ----------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings $ 29,756 $ 31,954
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings
to net cash provided by operating
activities:
(Gains) on dispositions and
impairment losses, net 215 (153)
Gain on early extinguishment of debt (17,204) --
Depreciation and amortization 22,060 21,188
Provision for doubtful accounts 6,610 5,742
Share-based compensation 1,732 2,519
Excess tax benefits from share-based
payment arrangements -- (171)
Provision for deferred income taxes 12,994 5,844
Estimated obligation to fund
cemetery perpetual care trust 3,222 --
Other 146 (115)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in receivables 6,736 (3,902)
Increase in prepaid expenses (1,962) (2,574)
Decrease in inventories and
cemetery property (639) (2,072)
Federal income tax refund 12,000 --
Decrease in accounts payable and
accrued expenses (8,068) (477)
Net effect of preneed funeral
production and maturities:
Decrease in preneed funeral
receivables and trust
investments 16,245 7,711
Increase (decrease) in deferred
preneed funeral revenue 229 (5,767)
Decrease in deferred preneed
funeral receipts held in trust (13,288) (5,395)
Net effect of preneed cemetery
production and deliveries:
(Increase) decrease in preneed
cemetery receivables and trust
investments 7,530 (52)
Decrease in deferred preneed
cemetery revenue (10,620) (4,652)
Increase (decrease) in deferred
preneed cemetery receipts held
in trust (5,222) 3,712
Increase (decrease) in other 1,118 (1,087)
----------- ----------
Net cash provided by operating
activities 63,590 52,253
----------- ----------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sales of marketable
securities 250 20,219
Purchases of marketable securities (199) (19,955)
Proceeds from sale of assets 494 358
Purchase of subsidiaries and other
investments, net of cash acquired (1,923) (1,378)
Additions to property and equipment (15,029) (20,370)
Other 37 75
----------- ----------
Net cash used in investing
activities (16,370) (21,051)
----------- ----------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt (39,901) (190)
Issuance of common stock 225 1,659
Retirement of call options 5,111 --
Purchase and retirement of common
stock (52) (48,627)
Retirement of common stock warrants (4,981) --
Debt refinancing costs (2,029) --
Dividends (6,953) (7,067)
Excess tax benefits from share-based
payment arrangements -- 171
----------- ----------
Net cash used in financing
activities (48,580) (54,054)
----------- ----------
Net decrease in cash (1,360) (22,852)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of
period 72,574 71,545
----------- ----------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of
period $ 71,214 $ 48,693
=========== ==========
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid (received) during the period
for:
Income taxes, net $ (8,168) $ 11,767
Interest $ 15,647 $ 15,799
Non-cash investing and financing
activities:
Issuance of common stock to executive
officers and directors $ 305 $ 923
Issuance of restricted stock, net of
forfeitures $ 22 $ 260
STEWART ENTERPRISES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
FOR THE PERIODS ENDED JULY 31, 2009 AND 2008
(Unaudited)
The Company recorded several items during the three and nine months ended
July 31, 2009 and 2008 that impacted earnings including unusual items
such as perpetual care funding obligations and tax valuation charges and
non-recurring items such as gain on the early extinguishment of debt,
hurricane related charges, gain on dispositions and impairment (losses)
and separation pay. The Company is presenting adjusted earnings in the
table below to eliminate the effects of the specified items, which are
not comparable from one period to the next.
Adjusted
Balances are Three Months Ended July 31, Nine Months Ended July 31,
Net of Tax -------------------------- -------------------------
2009 2008 2009 2008
------------ ------------ ------------ -----------
mil- per mil- per mil- per mil- per
lions share lions share lions share lions share
Consolidated
net
earnings $10.8 $.12 $9.1 $.10 $29.8 $.32 $32.0 $.34
Subtract:
Gain on
early
extinguish-
ment of
debt (5.4) (.06) -- -- (11.2) (.12) -- --
Subtract:
Tax
valuation
charge (1.2) (.01) -- -- (0.3) -- -- --
Add:
Hurricane
related
charges,
net -- -- 0.2 -- 0.4 .01 0.2 --
Add:
Perpetual
care
funding
obligation -- -- -- -- 2.1 .02 -- --
Add:
Separation
charges -- -- -- -- 0.2 -- -- --
Add: Gain
on
dispositions
and
impairment
(losses) 0.1 -- -- -- 0.1 -- -- --
---- ---- ---- ---- ----- ---- ----- ----
Adjusted
earnings $4.3 $.05 $9.3 $.10 $21.1 $.23 $32.2 $.34
==== ==== ==== ==== ===== ==== ===== ====
STEWART ENTERPRISES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
FOR THE PERIODS ENDED JULY 31, 2009 AND 2008
(Unaudited)
Free cash flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities
less maintenance capital expenditures. Management believes that free cash
flow is a useful measure of the Company's ability to repay debt, make
strategic investments, repurchase stock or pay dividends (subject to the
restrictions in its debt agreements). The following table provides a
reconciliation between net cash provided by operating activities (the
GAAP financial measure that the Company believes is most directly
comparable to free cash flow) and free cash flow for the three and nine
months ended July 31, 2009 and 2008:
Three Months Nine Months
Ended Ended
Free Cash Flow July 31, July 31,
(Dollars in millions) -------------- --------------
2009 2008 2009 2008
------ ------ ------ ------
Net cash provided by operating
activities (1) $ 34.5 $ 23.9 $ 63.6 $ 52.3
Less: Maintenance capital
expenditures (2.0) (5.2) (8.5) (12.4)
------ ------ ------ ------
Free cash flow $ 32.5 $ 18.7 $ 55.1 $ 39.9
====== ====== ====== ======
(1) Cash flow provided by operating activities for the third quarter of
fiscal year 2009 was $34.5 million compared to $23.9 million for the
same period of last year. The increase in operating cash flow is
primarily due to a $12.0 million tax refund in the current quarter
due to effective tax planning strategies. The Company paid $1.1
million in net tax payments in the third quarter of 2008 compared to
receiving $11.5 million of net tax refunds in the third quarter of
2009. Cash flow provided by operating activities for the first nine
months of 2009 was $63.6 million compared to $52.3 million for the
same period of last year. The increase in operating cash flow is
primarily due to a $12.0 million tax refund in the third quarter of
2009 due to effective tax planning strategies. The Company paid $11.8
million in net tax payments in the first nine months of 2008 compared
to receiving $8.2 million of net tax refunds in the first nine months
of 2009. In addition, the increase is partially due to collections of
prior period sales exceeding receivables for new sales. These
increases were partially offset by $1.2 million of cash outflows
related to Hurricane Ike paid in the first nine months of 2009,
coupled with the timing of payments to vendors and the timing of
payroll payments. For additional information on the Company's taxes,
see Note 17 to the condensed consolidated financial statements in the
Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 2009.
STEWART ENTERPRISES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
This press release includes forward-looking statements that are generally identifiable through the use of words such as "believe," "expect," "intend," "plan," "estimate," "anticipate," "project," "will" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements rely on assumptions, estimates and predictions that could be inaccurate and that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our goals or forecasts. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:
* effects on our trusts and escrow accounts of changes in stock
and bond prices and interest and dividend rates;
* effects of the recent substantial decline in market value of our
trust assets, including:
* decreased future cash flow and earnings as a result of reduced
earnings from our trusts and trust fund management;
* the potential to realize additional losses and additional
cemetery perpetual care funding obligations and tax valuation
allowances;
* effects on at-need and preneed sales of a weakening economy;
* effects on revenue due to the changes in the number of deaths in
our markets and decline in funeral call volume;
* effects on cash flow and earnings as a result of increased costs,
particularly supply costs related to increases in commodity prices;
* effects on our market share, prices, revenues and margins of
intensified price competition or improved advertising and
marketing by competitors, including low-cost casket providers 3
and increased offerings of products or services over the Internet;
* effects on our revenue and earnings of the continuing national
trend toward increased cremation and the increases in the
percentage of cremations performed by us that are inexpensive
direct cremations;
* risk of loss due to hurricanes and other natural disasters;
* effects of the call options the Company purchased and the
warrants the Company sold on our Class A common stock and the
effects of the outstanding warrants on the ownership interest
of our current stockholders;
* our ability to pay future dividends on and repurchase our common
stock;
* our ability to consummate significant acquisitions of or
investments in death care or related businesses successfully;
* the effects on us as a result of our industry's complex
accounting model;
* the effect of the change in accounting method for our senior
convertible notes;
and other risks and uncertainties described in our Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2008, filed with the SEC. We disclaim any obligation or intent to update or revise any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.