Summary of The Pennant Group FY Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: The Pennant Group (NasdaqGS:PNTG) - **Industry**: Home health and hospice services, senior living facilities Key Points and Arguments 1. Growth and Acquisitions - The Pennant Group had a productive year in 2025, starting with the second tranche of the Signature acquisition and culminating in the purchase of a large portfolio from UnitedHealth and Amedisys [25][26] - The company emphasizes investment in leadership, which has led to organic growth in operations, surpassing previous performance levels [27][28] 2. Integration Process - The integration of new acquisitions involves a structured approach focusing on leadership readiness, operational health, and the opportunity presented by the acquisition [31][32] - A typical optimization process post-acquisition spans about nine quarters, involving technology integration and rebranding efforts [33][34] 3. Financial Management - The company expects G&A costs to normalize from approximately 6.7% to 6.5% by the end of 2026, despite initial increases due to acquisitions [36][37] - Current leverage is around two times net debt to adjusted EBITDA, with a comfortable range of two to two and a half times for future acquisitions [39][40] 4. Referral Dynamics and Partnerships - The partnership with Ensign has provided operational benefits, including shared expertise and clinical collaboration, although referrals from Ensign's skilled nursing operations remain low [46][47] - The company is exploring joint venture opportunities with health systems to enhance care delivery and improve clinical outcomes [66][67] 5. Reimbursement and Quality Measures - The Pennant Group has achieved a 4.1 CMS Star Rating, which has helped reduce the differential between Medicare Advantage (MA) rates and fee-for-service rates to 20-25% [58][59] - The company is focused on driving down costs while maintaining quality, which is crucial for negotiations with payers [61][62] 6. Hospice Operations - The company sees potential for growth in hospice length of stay, currently just under 100 days, with a target to improve without exceeding caps [76][77] - The hospice segment is expected to grow in the mid to high single digits, with a focus on maintaining quality care [78][79] 7. Senior Living Performance - The senior living segment has seen high occupancy rates and successful rate increases, attributed to capital investments and improved service offerings [88][89] - The company aims to increase the proportion of healthcare services provided, currently at 20-25%, with a long-term goal of 25-33% [91][92] 8. Labor and Staffing - The company has made significant improvements in caregiver onboarding and retention, leading to decreased turnover and enhanced employee experience [94] - Current staffing levels are sufficient to support increased occupancy, with ongoing efforts to scale as demand grows [94] 9. Future Outlook - The Pennant Group is targeting a 15% margin in senior living, with expectations that increased occupancy and operational efficiencies will contribute to this goal [96][97] Additional Important Insights - The company is actively involved in discussions with CMS regarding reimbursement methodologies, emphasizing the importance of home health services in the continuum of care [71][72] - The focus on leadership development and creating opportunities for local leaders is a core part of the company's strategy, differentiating it in a fragmented market [50][54]

Core Viewpoint - The Pennant Group, Inc. (PNTG) shows potential for significant upside, with a mean price target of $33 indicating a 30.7% increase from the current price of $25.25 [1] Price Targets and Analyst Estimates - The mean estimate consists of six short-term price targets with a standard deviation of $4.82, suggesting variability among analysts [2] - The lowest estimate is $28.00, indicating a 10.9% increase, while the highest estimate is $40.00, suggesting a 58.4% increase [2] - A low standard deviation indicates a high degree of agreement among analysts regarding the stock's price movement [9] Earnings Estimates and Analyst Sentiment - Analysts are optimistic about PNTG's earnings prospects, as indicated by a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions [4][11] - Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has increased by 1.6%, with two estimates moving higher and no negative revisions [12] - PNTG holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), placing it in the top 20% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimates [13] Caution on Price Targets - While price targets are a common tool for investors, they can often mislead and should not be the sole basis for investment decisions [3][10] - Analysts may set overly optimistic price targets due to business incentives, which can inflate expectations [8]

Core Insights - The Pennant Group reported Q3 CY2025 revenue of $229 million, a 26.8% year-on-year increase, exceeding analyst estimates of $222.3 million by 3% [1][6] - The company raised its full-year revenue guidance to $930 million at the midpoint, which is 3.5% above analysts' expectations [1][6] - Non-GAAP profit for the quarter was $0.30 per share, surpassing the consensus estimate of $0.29 by 4.6% [1][6] Financial Performance - Adjusted EBITDA was reported at $17.35 million, slightly below analyst estimates of $18.17 million, resulting in a 7.6% margin [6] - Operating margin decreased to 4.5% from 6% in the same quarter last year [6] - Sales volumes increased by 36.2% year-on-year, compared to a 38.5% increase in the same quarter last year [6] Management Commentary - Management highlighted strong operational execution in home health, hospice, and senior living as key growth drivers, achieving "new highs in revenue, census, occupancy and earnings" [3][4] - The company is focusing on scaling its Southeast operations and improving margins through occupancy gains, with COO John Gochnour noting significant latent upside in the senior living segment [4][5] - Management acknowledged margin pressures due to higher costs and transition-related expenses but emphasized robust organic growth and effective acquisition integration [5]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported revenues of $229 million for Q3 2025, an increase of $48.4 million, or 26.8% year-over-year [5] - Adjusted EBITDA was $17.3 million, up $2.2 million, or 14.5% compared to the prior year quarter [5] - Adjusted EPS increased to $0.30, reflecting a $0.04 increase, or 15.4% year-over-year [5] - Full-year revenue guidance was raised to between $911.4 million and $948.6 million, with adjusted EBITDA expected between $70.9 million and $73.8 million [10][25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Home Health and Hospice segment revenue reached $173.6 million, a 27.9% increase, with adjusted EBITDA of $26.8 million, up 22.7% [12] - Senior Living segment revenue was $55.5 million, up 23.2% year-over-year, with adjusted EBITDA increasing 26.2% [15] - Same-store occupancy in senior living reached 81.8%, with all-store occupancy at 80.9% [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The average CMS reported star rating for home health was 4.1, compared to the industry average of three stars [12] - Potentially preventable hospitalizations decreased to 8.4%, below the national average of 9.9% [12] - Hospice quality composite score improved to 97%, exceeding the national average of 92% [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on integrating the recently acquired UnitedHealth Amedisys operations and enhancing local leadership [5][33] - There is a strong emphasis on empowering local clinical leaders to drive operational success and improve clinical outcomes [9][12] - The company plans to continue pursuing acquisition opportunities in senior living and home health, maintaining a disciplined approach [23][60] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the long-term value of home health services despite current regulatory uncertainties [19] - The company anticipates some lumpiness in results due to integration efforts but expects significant long-term potential from recent acquisitions [6][10] - Management highlighted the importance of local leadership and community engagement in driving operational success [9][48] Other Important Information - The company closed on a $100 million term loan to enhance balance sheet capacity [24] - The acquisition of UnitedHealth Amedisys included 54 locations with trailing 12-month revenues of $189.3 million [21] - The company is actively advocating against proposed regulatory changes that could negatively impact the industry [9][18] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the top priorities for integration after the Amedisys transaction? - The focus is on identifying and elevating leaders, ensuring exceptional support for agencies, and developing a joint venture with the University of Tennessee [33][34] Question: How should we think about margins in senior living going forward? - As occupancy increases, there is an expectation for improved margins, with a focus on operational efficiency and revenue quality [38] Question: What dynamics are affecting margin guidance? - NCI growth and elevated G&A expenses are impacting EBITDA margins, with adjustments made for these factors [40][41] Question: What is driving the increase in hospice length of stay? - The increase reflects a return to pre-pandemic levels and improved identification of appropriate patients for hospice services [42][43] Question: How is the internal reception of the Amedisys assets? - Employees have shown excitement and commitment, with minimal turnover and strong performance during the transition [46][49] Question: What is the competitive landscape for senior living acquisitions? - There is increased activity in the senior living space, with a mix of opportunities within the company's target range [60][62]

Core Insights - The Pennant Group's shares fell 7.8% following mixed third-quarter results, with revenue growth overshadowed by weaknesses in profitability metrics [1] - Revenue increased by 26.8% year-over-year to $229 million, and adjusted earnings per share were $0.30, both exceeding analyst expectations [1] - Adjusted EBITDA missed analyst expectations, and operating margin decreased to 4.5% from 6% in the same quarter last year [1] - Despite raising the full-year revenue outlook, the decline in key profitability metrics negatively impacted investor sentiment [1] Financial Performance - The Pennant Group's revenue grew to $229 million, a 26.8% increase from the previous year [1] - Adjusted earnings per share were reported at $0.30, surpassing analyst estimates [1] - Adjusted EBITDA did not meet analyst expectations, indicating potential concerns about profitability [1] - Operating margin fell to 4.5%, down from 6% in the same quarter of the prior year [1] Market Reaction - The stock is considered to have low volatility, with only six moves greater than 5% in the past year, indicating that the market views the recent news as significant [3] - The stock has decreased by 11.6% since the beginning of the year and is currently trading at $23.38, which is 30.9% below its 52-week high of $33.83 [5] - A previous notable stock movement occurred when Jefferies initiated coverage with a 'Buy' rating and a $30 price target, reflecting optimism about the home health sector [4]

Group 1 - The Pennant Group, Inc. will participate in the 2025 Stephens Annual Investment Conference on November 19, 2025 [1] - Key executives including the CFO, COO, and President of the Senior Living segment will engage in a fireside chat during the conference [2] - A live webcast of the event will be available for interested parties [2] Group 2 - The Pennant Group operates 141 home health and hospice agencies and 61 senior living communities across multiple states in the U.S. [3] - Each operating subsidiary within the Pennant Group functions independently with its own management and assets [3] - The company emphasizes that it does not directly operate the individual businesses under its umbrella [3]

Core Insights - The Pennant Group, Inc. reported quarterly earnings of $0.3 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.29 per share, and showing an increase from $0.26 per share a year ago, resulting in an earnings surprise of +3.45% [1] - The company achieved revenues of $229.04 million for the quarter ended September 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.71% and up from $180.69 million year-over-year [2] - The stock has underperformed the market, losing about 4.7% since the beginning of the year compared to the S&P 500's gain of 15.1% [3] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.31 on revenues of $273.5 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $1.14 on revenues of $925.9 million [7] - The estimate revisions trend for The Pennant Group was mixed ahead of the earnings release, resulting in a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) for the stock, indicating expected performance in line with the market [6] Industry Context - The Medical - Outpatient and Home Healthcare industry, to which The Pennant Group belongs, is currently in the top 18% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable outlook [8] - Empirical research indicates a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, which can be tracked by investors [5]

Operations and Growth - As of September 30, 2025, the company operates 141 home health and hospice agencies and 61 senior living communities across 13 states[137] - The company added nine home health agencies, four hospice agencies, and four senior living communities during the nine months ended September 30, 2025[139] - The number of home health and hospice agencies increased to 141, up from 122, representing a 15.6% growth[194] - The number of home health and hospice agencies increased by 19, reaching a total of 141 agencies by September 30, 2025, representing a 15.6% growth[207] Revenue Growth - Total revenue for Q3 2025 was $229,039,000, an increase from $180,688,000 in Q3 2024, representing a growth of 26.8%[163] - Home Health and Hospice Services generated $173,545,000 in revenue for Q3 2025, up from $135,672,000 in Q3 2024, reflecting a growth of 28%[165] - Senior Living Services reported revenue of $53,880,000 for Q3 2025, compared to $45,016,000 in Q3 2024, marking an increase of 19.5%[165] - For the nine months ended September 30, 2025, total revenue reached $658,382,000, up from $506,348,000 in the same period of 2024, a growth of 30%[165] - Total revenue increased by $48.4 million, or 26.8%, to $229.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2025, compared to $180.7 million in the same period of 2024[192] - Home health and hospice revenue grew by $37.9 million, or 27.9%, driven by a 36.2% increase in total home health admissions and a 16.6% increase in total hospice admissions[194] - Senior living revenue increased by $10.5 million, or 23.2%, attributed to a 7.4% rise in average monthly revenue per occupied unit and improved occupancy rates[195] - Total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, increased by $152.0 million, or 30.0%, compared to the same period in 2024, reaching $658,382,000[205] - Home health and hospice services revenue grew by $122.0 million, or 32.3%, to $499,455,000, driven by a 30.5% increase in total home health admissions and a 25.6% increase in Medicare home health admissions[208] - Senior living services revenue increased by $30.0 million, or 23.3%, to $158,927,000, primarily due to an 8.9% rise in average monthly revenue per occupied unit[209] Expenses and Costs - Total expenses for Q3 2025 were $218,801,000, compared to $169,894,000 in Q3 2024, resulting in an increase of 28.7%[163] - The cost of services as a percentage of total revenue increased to 81.0% in Q3 2025 from 80.0% in Q3 2024[163] - Total cost of services rose by $41.0 million, or 28.4%, with costs as a percentage of revenue increasing from 80.0% to 81.0%[196] - Total cost of services rose by $125.7 million, or 31.0%, to $531,450,000, with costs as a percentage of revenue increasing to 80.8% from 80.1%[210] - General and administrative expenses increased by $6.3 million, or 48.2%, from $13.0 million to $19.3 million, with the percentage of revenue rising from 7.2% to 8.4%[200][201] - General and administrative expenses increased by $15.4 million, or 42.4%, totaling $51.7 million, attributed to higher payroll and professional services related to acquisitions[214] - Rent—cost of services for Q3 2025 was $12,063,000, compared to $10,906,000 in Q3 2024, reflecting a 10.6% increase[171] - Rent expense increased by 10.6% to $12.1 million, while rent as a percentage of total revenue decreased from 6.0% to 5.3%[199] - Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $0.6 million, or 38.2%, due to higher property and equipment balances from acquisition activities[202] Income and Profitability - Income from operations decreased to $10,238,000 in Q3 2025 from $10,794,000 in Q3 2024, a decline of 5.2%[163] - Net income attributable to the company for Q3 2025 was $6,200,000, down from $6,100,000 in Q3 2024, reflecting a slight decrease of 1.6%[163] - Consolidated net income for Q3 2025 was $6,886,000, compared to $6,657,000 in Q3 2024, indicating a 3.4% increase[171] - The company reported an adjusted EBITDAR from operations of $44,378,000 for Q3 2025, compared to $37,135,000 in Q3 2024, indicating a growth of 19.5%[165] - Segment Adjusted EBITDAR from Operations for Q3 2025 was $44,378,000, up from $37,135,000 in Q3 2024, representing a 35.5% increase[166] - Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, was $50,095,000, compared to $39,523,000 for the same period in 2024, reflecting a 27% growth[170] - Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, was $85,600,000, compared to $77,423,000 in 2024, a rise of 10.5%[171] Medicare and Reimbursement - Average Medicare revenue per 60-day completed episode for home health services rose to $3,793 in 2025 from $3,687 in 2024, an increase of 2.9%[149] - The proposed Medicare reimbursement reduction of -6.4% in the 2026 Home Health Prospective Payment System could lead to a decrease of $1.135 billion across all home health providers[144] - The Hospice Payment Final Rule for 2026 includes a payment update percentage of 2.6%, resulting in an estimated increase of $750 million in payments across all hospice providers[145] - The company monitors Medicare reimbursement closely due to adjustments related to billing documentation and payment caps, impacting revenue recognition[156] - The average Medicare revenue per 60-day completed episode increased by 5.1% to $3,782[207] Cash Flow and Financing - Net cash provided by operating activities increased by $8.6 million to $27,336,000, driven by a $5.6 million increase in net income[225] - Cash at the end of the period decreased to $2,336,000 from $4,464,000, reflecting a net decrease in cash of $21,910,000[224] - Net cash provided by financing activities decreased by approximately $20.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to the same period in 2024[227] - The company had $219.8 million of available borrowing capacity on its Amended Revolving Credit Facility as of September 30, 2025[221] - The company has a borrowing capacity of $250.0 million under the Amended Credit Agreement with a syndicate of banks[230] - A 1.0% interest rate change would result in an annual change of approximately $0.3 million in interest expense based on outstanding long-term debt as of September 30, 2025[230] - The company continues to make draws and payments on its Amended Revolving Credit Facility[228] - There have been no material changes to total obligations outside of normal business operations during the reporting period[229] - The company has right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease obligations[228] Acquisition and Integration - The company anticipates lower and fluctuating consolidated and segment margins during years of acquisition growth due to the integration of newly acquired operations[141] - Acquisition-related costs for Q3 2025 amounted to $3,047,000, significantly higher than $494,000 in Q3 2024[171] Non-GAAP Financial Measures - The company emphasizes the use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures to provide a clearer view of operational performance, excluding interest, taxes, and depreciation[177]

Core Points - The Pennant Group, Inc. has increased its credit facility by $100 million, bringing the total to $350 million, supported by a lending consortium led by Truist Securities [1][2] - The CEO emphasized that the expansion strengthens the balance sheet and provides capacity for future growth, while maintaining disciplined use of the credit facility [2] - The CFO confirmed that the proceeds from the new term loan will be used to refinance a portion of the outstanding revolving loans [2] Company Overview - The Pennant Group, Inc. operates through 141 home health and hospice agencies and 61 senior living communities across multiple states including Arizona, California, and Texas [3] - Each agency and community operates as an independent subsidiary with its own management and assets, indicating a decentralized operational structure [3]

Revenue Performance - Total revenue for Q3 2025 was $229.0 million, an increase of $48.4 million or 26.8% year-over-year[2]. - Total revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2025, was $229,039 thousand, a 26.7% increase from $180,688 thousand in the same period of 2024[20]. - Home health and hospice revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, reached $499,455 thousand, up 32.3% from $377,463 thousand in 2024[25]. - Total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, was $658,382,000, a 30.0% increase from $506,348,000 in the same period of 2024[31]. Segment Performance - Home Health and Hospice Services segment revenue for Q3 2025 was $173.6 million, an increase of $37.9 million or 27.9% year-over-year[2]. - Senior Living Services segment revenue for Q3 2025 was $55.5 million, an increase of $10.5 million or 23.2% year-over-year[2]. - Senior living revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2025, was $55,474 thousand, reflecting a 23.2% increase from $45,016 thousand in 2024[27]. - Home Health and Hospice segment revenue for Q3 2025 was $173,545, an increase of 28% from $135,672 in Q3 2024[41]. - Senior Living segment revenue for Q3 2025 was $53,880, up 20% from $45,016 in Q3 2024[41]. Admissions and Census - Total home health admissions for Q3 2025 were 20,426, an increase of 5,433 or 36.2% year-over-year[2]. - Hospice average daily census for Q3 2025 was 4,044, an increase of 600 or 17.4% year-over-year[2]. - Total home health admissions increased by 36.2% to 20,426 for the three months ended September 30, 2025, compared to 14,993 in 2024[24]. - The average daily census for hospice services increased by 17.4% to 4,044 for the three months ended September 30, 2025, compared to 3,444 in 2024[24]. Financial Guidance and Projections - Updated 2025 annual revenue guidance is anticipated to be between $911.4 million and $948.6 million[4]. - Full year 2025 adjusted earnings per diluted share is anticipated to be between $1.14 and $1.18, representing a growth of 23.4% from 2024[5]. - Full year 2025 adjusted EBITDA is anticipated to be between $70.9 million and $73.8 million[4]. Income and Earnings - Adjusted net income for Q3 2025 was $10.4 million, an increase of $2.3 million or 27.6% year-over-year[2]. - Non-GAAP net income for Q3 2025 was $10,421,000, compared to $8,167,000 in Q3 2024, representing a 27.5% increase[32]. - Adjusted diluted earnings per share for Q3 2025 was $0.30, up from $0.26 in Q3 2024[32]. - Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for Q3 2025 was $17,347,000, compared to $15,149,000 in Q3 2024, indicating a 14.5% increase[36]. Assets and Liabilities - Total assets as of September 30, 2025, were $753,641 thousand, an increase from $679,521 thousand at December 31, 2024[16]. - Total current liabilities increased to $109,352 thousand as of September 30, 2025, from $101,700 thousand at December 31, 2024[16]. - Total equity as of September 30, 2025, was $343,043 thousand, up from $311,965 thousand at December 31, 2024[16]. Operational Metrics - Average Medicare revenue per 60-day completed episode for home health services was $3,793 for the three months ended September 30, 2025, a 2.9% increase from $3,687 in 2024[24]. - Occupancy rate improved to 81.8% in Q3 2025, up from 80.2% in Q3 2024, reflecting a 1.6% increase[28]. - Average monthly revenue per occupied unit rose to $5,136 in Q3 2025, a 7.2% increase from $4,790 in Q3 2024[28]. - Average monthly revenue per occupied unit for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, was $5,180, an 8.9% increase from $4,758 in the same period of 2024[28]. Acquisitions and Corporate Strategy - The company completed the acquisition of 54 home health, hospice, and home care operations from UnitedHealth Group and Amedisys on October 1, 2025[3]. - The company is focusing on transitioning operations and has incurred costs related to acquisitions and unusual charges, impacting overall financial performance[43].