Ensign Group Q4 Earnings Beat Estimates on Growing Occupancy

Core Insights - The Ensign Group, Inc. (ENSG) reported a fourth-quarter 2025 adjusted EPS of $1.82, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4%, with a year-over-year improvement of 19.5% [1][8] - Operating revenues increased by 20.2% year over year to $1.36 billion, although this figure fell short of the consensus estimate by 0.5% [1][8] - The strong earnings performance was driven by improved occupancy rates, higher patient days, and enhanced skilled service performance, despite being partially offset by increased expenses [1] Financial Performance - Adjusted net income for the quarter was $107.8 million, reflecting a 23.2% year-over-year increase [2] - Same-facilities occupancy rose by 240 basis points to 83.8%, while transitioning-facilities occupancy increased by 290 basis points year over year to 84.9% [2] - Total expenses grew by 19.9% year over year to $1.24 billion, primarily due to higher costs of services, rent, and general & administrative expenses, but were lower than the estimated $1.25 billion [2] Segment Performance - Skilled Services segment revenues reached $1.3 billion in Q4, a 20.2% year-over-year growth, although it missed estimates by 1.5% [3] - Segment income for Skilled Services increased to $169.3 million from $141 million a year ago [3] - Rental revenues surged by 37.2% year over year to $34.5 million, supported by buyouts, with segment income rising 38.3% year over year to $10.3 million [4] Financial Position - As of December 31, 2025, cash and cash equivalents stood at $503.9 million, up from $464.6 million at the end of 2024 [5] - Total assets increased to $5.5 billion from $4.7 billion at the end of 2024 [5] - Long-term debt, excluding current maturities, decreased to $137.5 million from $141.6 million as of December 31, 2024 [6] 2026 Outlook - Revenues for 2026 are projected to be between $5.77 billion and $5.84 billion, an increase from the 2025 level of $5.06 billion, which grew 18.7% year over year [7] - Adjusted EPS is expected to be in the range of $7.41 to $7.61 for 2026, higher than the 2025 level of $6.57, which grew 19.5% year over year [7] - The estimated weighted average common shares outstanding is around 60 million, with a tax rate expected at 25% [7]