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U.S. Physical Therapy Reports Record Results for 2018

March 7, 2019 8:00 AM

Management Provides 2019 Earnings Guidance and Raises Dividend

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc. ("USPH" or the “Company”) (NYSE: USPH), a national operator of outpatient physical therapy clinics, today reported results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2018.

For the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2018, USPH’s Operating Results increased 45.5% to $9.0 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, as compared to $6.2 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2018, USPH’s Operating Results increased 28.1% to $33.5 million, or $2.65 per diluted share, as compared to $26.2 million, or $2.08 per diluted share, for the 2017 year. Operating Results, a non-generally accepted accounting principles (“non-GAAP”) measure, for the 2018 fourth quarter and for the 2018 year, equals net income attributable to USPH shareholders less a gain resulting from a liability no longer deemed payable, net of taxes. For the 2017 fourth quarter and 2017 year, Operating Results is defined as net income attributable to USPH shareholders prior to the benefit due to the revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities due to the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”), and prior to charges for interest expense – mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interests – change in redemption value and charges for costs related to restatement of financials – legal and accounting, both charges net of tax.

For the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2018, USPH’s net income attributable to its shareholders, in accordance with GAAP, was $10.4 million, or $0.43 per share, as compared to $7.3 million, or $0.57 per share for the fourth quarter of 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2018, USPH’s net income attributable to its shareholders, in accordance with GAAP, was $34.9 million, $1.31 per share, as compared to $22.3 million, or $1.76 per share, for the 2017 year. For both periods of 2018, in accordance with current accounting guidance, the revaluation of redeemable non-controlling interest, net of tax, is not included in net income but rather charged directly to retained earnings, but is included in the earnings per basic and diluted share calculation. See the schedule on page 14 for a computation of diluted earnings per share and a reconciliation of net income attributable to USPH shareholders to Operating Results.

Fourth Quarter 2018 Compared to Fourth Quarter 2017

Year 2018 Compared to Year 2017

Other Financial Measures

For the fourth quarter of 2018 the Company's Adjusted EBITDA increased by 3.1% to $15.5 million from $15.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. For 2018, the Company's Adjusted EBITDA increased by 7.1% to $62.1 million from $57.9 million in 2017. See definition and explanation of Adjusted EBITDA in the schedule on pages 13 and 14.

Management Provides 2019 Earnings Guidance

Management currently expects the Company’s Operating Results for 2019 to be in the range of $35.1 million to $36.4 million or $2.76 to $2.85 per share. This earnings range is based on an assumed annual corporate tax rate of approximately 26.5%. Please note that the earnings guidance represents projected Operating Results from existing operations but excludes future acquisitions. The annual guidance figures may not be updated unless there is a material development that causes management to believe that Operating Results will be significantly outside the given range.

Management’s Comments

Chris Reading, Chief Executive Officer, said, “2018 was another very positive year for our Company as well as our shareholders. I continue to be very proud of our entire team for the work that they do every day. We made a number of key investments in 2018 which are bearing great fruit. Our industrial injury prevention business has expanded significantly from our start in early 2017. Our corporate support infrastructure, especially for operations, was also strengthened this past year. We continue to attract amazing people as well as partners which have further enhanced our Company and, I believe, will facilitate our continued growth into the future.”

Larry McAfee, Chief Financial Officer, noted, “Net cash flow from operations ran at a record level in 2018, funding both de novo clinic development and acquisitions while net debt, that is debt less cash, was reduced by $22.4 million or 58%.”

U.S. Physical Therapy Declares Quarterly Dividend

The Company is increasing its dividend by 17.4%. The first quarterly dividend for 2019 of $0.27 per share will be paid on April 19, 2019 to shareholders of record as of March 20, 2019. U.S. Physical Therapy began paying quarterly dividends in 2011 and has increased the dividend amount every year since.

Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests

Effective December 31, 2017, the Company entered into amendments to its acquired limited partnership agreements replacing the mandatory redemption feature. No monetary consideration was paid to the partners to amend the agreements. The amended Partnership Agreements provide that, upon certain events, the Company has a call right (the “Call Right”) and the selling entity has a put right (the “Put Right”) for the purchase and sale of the limited partnership interest held by the partner. Once the terms are triggered, the Put Right and the Call Right do not expire, even upon an individual partner’s death, and contain no mandatory redemption feature. The purchase price of the partner’s limited partnership interest upon the exercise of either the Put Right or the Call Right is calculated per the original terms of the respective agreements. The Company accounted for the amendment of its Partnership Agreements as an extinguishment of the outstanding Seller Entity Interests classified as liabilities through the issuance of new Seller Entity Interests classified in temporary equity. Pursuant to ASC 470-50-40-2, the Company removed the outstanding liability-classified Seller Entity Interests at their carrying amounts and recognized the new temporary-equity-classified Seller Entity Interests at their fair value. In summary, the redemption values of the mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interest (previously classified as liabilities) were reclassified as redeemable non-controlling interest (temporary equity) on the December 31, 2017 consolidated balance sheet. For 2018, in accordance with current accounting guidance, the revaluation of redeemable non-controlling interest, net of tax, is not charged to net income but is charged to retained earnings and is included in the earnings per basic and diluted share calculation.

Fourth Quarter and Year End 2018 Conference Call

U.S. Physical Therapy's Management will host a conference call at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time, 9:30 a.m. Central Time, on March 7, 2019 to discuss the Company's Fourth Quarter and Year Ended December 31, 2018 results. Interested parties may participate in the call by dialing 1-888-335-5539 or 973-582-2857 and entering reservation number 1948767 approximately 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin. To listen to the live call via web-cast, go to the Company's website at www.usph.com at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. The conference call will be archived and can be accessed until June 7, 2019 at U.S. Physical Therapy’s website.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that are considered to be forward-looking within the meaning under Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements contain forward-looking information relating to the financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business of our Company. These statements (often using words such as “believes”, “expects”, “intends”, “plans”, “appear”, “should” and similar words) involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those we expect. Included among such statements may be those relating to new clinics, availability of personnel and the reimbursement environment. The forward-looking statements are based on our current views and assumptions and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of certain risks, uncertainties, and factors, which include, but are not limited to:

Many factors are beyond our control. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Please see our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for more information on these factors. Our forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, we are under no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, regardless of the reason the statement is no longer accurate.

About U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc.

Founded in 1990, U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc. operates 591 outpatient physical therapy clinics in 42 states. The Company's clinics provide preventative and post-operative care for a variety of orthopedic-related disorders and sports-related injuries, treatment for neurologically-related injuries and rehabilitation of injured workers. In addition to owning and operating clinics, the Company manages 28 physical therapy facilities for unaffiliated third parties, including hospitals and physician groups. The Company also has an industrial injury prevention business which provides onsite services for clients’ employees including injury prevention, rehabilitation, ergonomic assessments and performance optimization.

More information about U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc. is available at www.usph.com. The information included on that website is not incorporated into this press release.

U.S. PHYSICAL THERAPY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET INCOME

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

(unaudited)

For the Three Months Ended For the Year Ended

December 31,
2018

December 31,
2017

December 31,
2018

December 31,
2017

Net patient revenues $ 107,808 $ 101,642 $ 417,703 $ 389,226
Other revenues 9,541 7,561 36,208 24,825
Net revenues 117,349 109,203 453,911 414,051
Operating costs:
Salaries and related costs 67,818 62,155 259,228 237,067
Rent, supplies, contract labor and other 22,828 21,376 88,426 82,096
Provision for doubtful accounts 1,501 956 4,603 3,672
Closure costs (17 ) 572 (9 ) 599
Total operating costs 92,130 85,059 352,248 323,434
Gross profit 25,219 24,144 101,663 90,617
Corporate office costs 10,415 10,182 41,349 35,889
Operating income 14,804 13,962 60,314 54,728
Gain on derecognition of debt 1,846 - 1,846 -
Interest and other income, net 23 30 93 88
Interest expense:
Mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interests - change in redemption value - (5,055 ) - (12,894 )
Mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interests - earnings allocable - (1,689 ) - (6,055 )
Debt and other (365 ) (539 ) (2,042 ) (2,111 )
Total interest expense (365 ) (7,283 ) (2,042 ) (21,060 )
Income before taxes 16,308 6,709 60,211 33,756
Provision for income taxes 2,635 (1,997 ) 11,369 6,032
Net income 13,673 8,706 48,842 27,724
Less: net income attributable to non-controlling interests (3,265 ) (1,357 ) (13,969 ) (5,468 )
Net income attributable to USPH shareholders $ 10,408 $ 7,349 $ 34,873 $ 22,256
Basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to USPH shareholders $ 0.43 $ 0.57 $ 1.31 $ 1.76
Shares used in computation - basic and diluted 12,685 12,593 12,666 12,570
Dividends declared per common share $ 0.23 $ 0.20 $ 0.92 $ 0.80

U.S. PHYSICAL THERAPY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

(unaudited)

December 31,
2018

December 31,
2017

ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 23,368 $ 21,933
Patient accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,672 and $2,273, respectively 44,751 44,707
Accounts receivable - other 6,742 5,655
Other current assets 4,353 4,786
Total current assets 79,214 77,081
Fixed assets:
Furniture and equipment 52,611 51,100
Leasehold improvements 31,712 29,760
Fixed assets, gross 84,323 80,860
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 64,154 60,475
Fixed assets, net 20,169 20,385
Goodwill 293,525 271,338
Other identifiable intangible assets, net 48,828 48,954
Other assets 1,430 1,224
Total assets $ 443,166 $ 418,982
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS, USPH SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable - trade $ 2,019 $ 2,165
Accrued expenses 38,493 33,342
Current portion of notes payable 1,434 4,044
Total current liabilities 41,946 39,551
Notes payable, net of current portion 402 2,728
Revolving line of credit 38,000 54,000
Mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interests - 327
Deferred taxes 9,012 10,875
Deferred rent 2,159 2,116
Other long-term liabilities 829 743
Total liabilities 92,348 110,340
Redeemable non-controlling interests 133,943 102,572
Commitments and contingencies
U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc. ("USPH") shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 500,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding - -
Common stock, $.01 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized, 14,899,233 and 14,809,299 shares issued, respectively 149 148
Additional paid-in capital 80,028 73,940
Retained earnings 167,396 162,406
Treasury stock at cost, 2,214,737 shares (31,628 ) (31,628 )
Total USPH shareholders’ equity 215,945 204,866
Non-controlling interests 930 1,204
Total USPH shareholders' equity and non-controlling interests 216,875 206,070
Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interests, USPH shareholders' equity and non-controlling interests $ 443,166 $ 418,982

U.S. PHYSICAL THERAPY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

(unaudited)

Year Ended

December 31,
2018

December 31,
2017

OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income including non-controlling interests $ 48,842 $ 27,724
Adjustments to reconcile net income including non-controlling interests to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 9,755 9,710
Provision for doubtful accounts 4,603 3,672
Equity-based awards compensation expense 5,939 5,032
Deferred income taxes 4,813 (4,864 )
Other 167 621
Gain on derecognition of debt (1,846 ) -
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Increase in patient accounts receivable (3,434 ) (3,447 )
Increase in accounts receivable - other (1,087 ) (3,022 )
Decrease in other assets 345 2,086
Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses 4,876 6,979
Increase in mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interests - 11,579
Increase in other liabilities 32 456
Net cash provided by operating activities 73,005 56,526
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of fixed assets (7,193 ) (7,095 )
Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired (16,367 ) (36,682 )
(Purchase) sale of non-controlling interest (350 ) 121
Proceeds on sale of fixed assets 1 81
Net cash used in investing activities (23,909 ) (43,575 )
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Distributions to non-controlling interests, permanent and temporary equity (15,646 ) (5,572 )
Cash dividends paid to shareholders - funded (11,664 ) (10,066 )
Proceeds from revolving line of credit 103,000 93,000
Payments on revolving line of credit (119,000 ) (85,000 )
Payments to settle mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interests (265 ) (2,361 )
Principal payments on notes payable (4,044 ) (1,227 )
Other (42 ) 161
Net (cash used in) provided by financing activities (47,661 ) (11,065 )
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 1,435 1,886
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period 21,933 20,047
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period $ 23,368 $ 21,933
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid during the period for:
Income taxes $ 9,183 $ 8,543
Interest $ 2,357 $ 2,113
Non-cash investing and financing transactions during the period:
Purchase of business - seller financing portion $ 950 $ 2,150

U.S. PHYSICAL THERAPY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

OPERATING RESULTS AND ADJUSTED EBITDA

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

(unaudited)

The following tables provide detail of the diluted earnings per share computation and reconcile net income attributable to USPH shareholders calculated in accordance with GAAP to Operating Results and Adjusted EBITDA. Management believes providing Operating Results and Adjusted EBITDA to investors is useful information for comparing the Company's period-to-period results.

Operating Results (as defined below), a non-generally accepted accounting principles (“non-GAAP”) measure, for the 2018 fourth quarter and for the 2018 year, equals net income attributable to USPH shareholders less gain on derecognition of debt, net of taxes. For the 2017 fourth quarter and 2017 year, Operating Results is defined as net income attributable to USPH shareholders prior to the benefit due to the revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities due to the TCJA which was passed by Congress on December 20, 2017 and signed into law by the President on December 22, 2017 and prior to charges for interest expense – mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interests – change in redemption value and charges for costs related to restatement of financials – legal and accounting, both charges net of tax.

Operating Results for the two periods are comparable, however, the calculations differ. Management uses Operating Results, which eliminates this current non-cash item that can be subject to volatility and unusual costs, as one of the principal measures to evaluate and monitor financial performance period over period. Management believes that Operating Results is useful information for investors to use in comparing the Company's period-to-period results as well as for comparing with other similar businesses since most do not have mandatorily redeemable instruments and therefore have different liability and equity structures.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before gain on derecognition of debt, interest income, interest expense – mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interests – change in redemption value, interest expense – debt and other, taxes, depreciation, amortization and equity-based awards compensation expense. Management believes reporting Adjusted EBITDA is useful information for investors in comparing the Company’s period-to-period results as well as comparing with similar businesses which report adjusted EBITDA as defined by their company.

Operating Results and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of financial performance under GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA and Operating Results should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to, or substitute for, net income attributable to USPH shareholders presented in the consolidated financial statements.

Three Months Ended
December 31,

Year Ended December 31,
2018 2017 2018 2017
Computation of earnings per share - USPH shareholders
Net income attributable to USPH shareholders $ 10,408 $ 7,349 $ 34,873 $ 22,256
Charges to retained earnings:
Revaluation of redeemable non-controlling interest $ (6,665 ) $ (201 ) (24,770 ) (201 )
Tax effect at statutory rate (federal and state) of 26.25% 1,749 75 6,502 75
$ 5,492 $ 7,223 $ 16,605 $ 22,130
Basic and diluted per share $ 0.43 $ 0.57 $ 1.31 $ 1.76
Adjustments:
Tax benefit - revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities - (4,325 ) - (4,325 )
Gain on derecognition of debt (1,846 ) - (1,846 ) -
Interest expense MRNCI * - change in redemption value - 5,055 - 12,894
Cost related to restatement of financials - legal and accounting - 200 - 670
Revaluation of redeemable non-controlling interest 6,665 201 24,770 201
Tax effect at statutory rate (federal and state) of 26.25% and 39.25%, respectively (1,265 ) (2,143 ) (6,018 ) (5,405 )
Operating results $ 9,046 $ 6,211 $ 33,511 $ 26,165
Basic and diluted operating results per share $ 0.71 $ 0.49 $ 2.65 $ 2.08
Shares used in computation:
Basic and diluted 12,685 12,593 12,666 12,570

Three Months Ended
December 31,

Year Ended December 31,
2018 2017 2018 2017
Net income attributable to USPH shareholders $ 10,408 $ 7,349 $ 34,873 $ 22,256
Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization 2,420 2,441 9,755 9,710
Gain of derecognition of debt (1,846 ) - (1,846 ) -
Interest income (23 ) (30 ) (93 ) (88 )
Interest expense MRNCI * - change in redemption value - 5,055 - 12,894
Interest expense - debt and other 365 539 2,042 2,111
Provision for income taxes 2,635 (1,997 ) 11,369 6,032
Equity-based awards compensation expense 1,486 1,622 5,939 5,032
Adjusted EBITDA $ 15,445 $ 14,979 $ 62,039 $ 57,947

* Mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interest

U.S. PHYSICAL THERAPY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

RECAP OF CLINIC COUNT

Date Number of Clinics
March 31, 2017 558
June 30, 2017 566
September 30, 2017 569
December 31, 2017 578
March 31, 2018 580
June 30, 2018 581
September 30, 2018 588
December 31, 2018 591

U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc.

Larry McAfee, Chief Financial Officer

Chris Reading, Chief Executive Officer

(713) 297-7000

Three Part Advisors

Joe Noyons

(817) 778-8424

Source: U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc.

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