Enhabit (NYSE: EHAB) 2025 Conference Summary Company Overview - Enhabit operates in the home health and hospice industry, focusing on providing care services to patients in their homes. Key Points Industry Performance - The hospice segment has continued to outperform expectations, reinforcing the effectiveness of strategies implemented over the past few years [2][4] - Home health payer strategies are beginning to yield positive results, particularly in negotiations with various payers [2][4] Financial Performance - The company reported strong performance in 2025, with a focus on reducing leverage and improving free cash flow [2][5] - Hospice revenues increased by 20% in the quarter, driven by admissions and revenue per patient day [29] - The company anticipates low to mid-single-digit growth for home health and mid to high single-digit growth for hospice in the coming years [4] Proposed Rule Impact - The final rule from CMS is expected to be released by the end of November or early December, with expectations that it will be better than the proposed rule [6][8] - The proposed rule includes a potential 6.4% rate cut, which could create a headwind of $35 million to $40 million for the company [9][14] - Clarity on the final rule is critical for the company to strategize effectively and mitigate potential impacts [10][12] Margin and Cost Management - Hospice margins have benefited from increased volume on fixed costs, indicating durable margin profiles [5] - The company is implementing a pilot program to reduce visits per episode from 15 to 13, which could result in significant cost savings without compromising quality [11][39] Payer Relationships - The company has successfully renegotiated contracts with national payers, resulting in low double-digit increases in rates [17] - Most payer agreements are three-year contracts, with a preference for episodic arrangements to manage patient visits effectively [18] Labor Market and Workforce - The clinical workforce situation has improved compared to the pandemic years, with turnover rates returning to pre-pandemic levels [21][55] - Wage trends are stabilizing at a normal increase of 2.5% to 3% [52] Growth Strategy - Enhabit aims to open 10 new locations each year, with a focus on hospice services [37] - The company is prioritizing de novo strategies and expanding its footprint in markets where it already has home health services [34][36] Market Dynamics - The company has not observed significant changes in market dynamics despite the presence of larger competitors like Humana and UnitedHealth [22] - There is ongoing interest in the Medicare Advantage market, with potential stabilization in the transition back to fee-for-service models [23] M&A Opportunities - The company is exploring strategic M&A opportunities, particularly in smaller and medium-sized assets that do not command high multiples [60][61] - Clarity from the final rule is expected to facilitate better alignment between buyer and seller expectations in the market [62][63] Summary Outlook - Enhabit is positioned well for the end of 2025 and the start of 2026, with strong execution in hospice and improving metrics in home health [78][80] - The company is confident in its ability to navigate the proposed rule changes and maintain operational effectiveness [80]

Core Viewpoint - Paramount Skydance (PSKY.US) shares rose over 12% to $17.1 following the announcement of a $1.5 billion investment in content production and distribution over the next year [1] Group 1: Financial Performance and Projections - The report marks the first earnings report since the merger of Paramount Global and Skydance Media in August [1] - The company projects total revenue to reach $30 billion by 2026, driven by strong expansion in direct-to-consumer business and improved global profitability [1] - Paramount plans to increase annual film production to at least 15 films starting in 2026 [1] Group 2: Cost Management and Restructuring - The interim CFO Andrew Warren stated the goal is to achieve an investment-grade rating, focusing on deleveraging and high cash flow conversion rates post-initial investment cycle [1] - The company raised its cost-saving target from $2 billion to at least $3 billion [1] - As part of the restructuring plan, Paramount will redefine its business segments starting from the first quarter earnings report, including direct-to-consumer, television media, and production studio [1] Group 3: Acquisition Attempts - Market reports indicate that the company explored acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD.US) with an offer of $23 to $24 per share, which has been rejected [1]

Group 1 - Paramount Skydance (PSKY.US) stock rose over 12% to $17.1 following the announcement of a $1.5 billion investment in content production and distribution over the next year [1] - The report marks the first earnings report since the merger of Paramount Global and Skydance Media in August, with projected total revenue reaching $30 billion by 2026, driven by strong growth in direct-to-consumer business and global profitability [1] - The company plans to increase annual film production to at least 15 films starting in 2026 [1] Group 2 - Interim CFO Andrew Warren stated the goal is to achieve an investment-grade rating while continuing to deleverage and aiming for high cash flow conversion rates after the initial investment cycle [1] - The company raised its cost-saving target from $2 billion to at least $3 billion as part of its restructuring plan [1] - Paramount-DreamWorks will redefine its business segments starting from the first quarter earnings report to include direct-to-consumer, television media, and production studio for clearer performance reflection [1] Group 3 - The company previously explored acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD.US) with an offer of $23 to $24 per share, which has been rejected [2]

Core Viewpoint - Paramount Skydance (PSKY.US) shares rose over 12% to $17.1 following the announcement of a $1.5 billion investment in content production and distribution over the next year [1] Group 1: Financial Performance and Projections - The report marks the first earnings report since the merger of Paramount Global and Skydance Media in August [1] - The company projects total revenue to reach $30 billion by 2026, driven by strong expansion in direct-to-consumer business and improved global profitability [1] - The annual film production is expected to increase to at least 15 films starting in 2026 [1] Group 2: Cost Management and Restructuring - The interim CFO Andrew Warren stated the goal is to achieve an investment-grade rating while continuing to deleverage and achieve high cash flow conversion rates after the initial investment cycle [1] - The company raised its cost-saving target from $2 billion to at least $3 billion [1] - A restructuring plan will lead to a reclassification of business segments into direct-to-consumer, television media, and production studio starting from the first quarter earnings report [1] Group 3: Acquisition Attempts - Market reports indicate that the company explored acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD.US) with an offer of $23 to $24 per share, which has been rejected [1]

Core Viewpoint - Paramount Skydance (PSKY.US) stock rose over 12% to $17.1 following the announcement of a $1.5 billion investment in content production and distribution over the next year [1] Financial Performance - This is the first earnings report since the merger of Paramount Global and Skydance Media in August [1] - The company projects total revenue to reach $30 billion by 2026, driven by strong expansion in direct-to-consumer business and improved global profitability [1] - The annual film production is expected to increase to at least 15 films starting in 2026 [1] Strategic Goals - The interim CFO Andrew Warren stated the goal is to achieve an investment-grade rating, focusing on deleveraging and high cash flow conversion rates after the initial investment cycle [1] - The company raised its cost-saving target from $2 billion to at least $3 billion [1] Business Restructuring - To align with the restructuring plan, Paramount-Skydance will redefine its business segments starting from the first quarter earnings report, categorizing into direct-to-consumer, television media, and production studio [1] Acquisition Attempts - Market reports indicate that the company explored acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD.US) with an offer of $23 to $24 per share, which has been rejected [1]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total company revenue was $572.8 million in Q3 2025, representing a 17% year-over-year growth compared to $489.6 million in Q3 2024 [3] - Adjusted EBITDA was $118.9 million in Q3 2025, a 17.1% increase from $101.6 million in the same quarter prior year [7] - Adjusted net income attributable to the company was $49.9 million, with adjusted earnings per share of $0.39, compared to $44.3 million and $0.37 in the prior year [8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the Occupational Health operating segment, total revenue was $526 million in Q3 2025, a 13.6% increase from the prior year [9] - Workers' compensation revenue was $343.5 million, up 15% year-over-year, with visits per day increasing 9.8% [9] - Employer services revenue increased by 11.9% to $173.2 million, with visits per day up 8.9% [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total patient visits increased 9.2% in the quarter to more than 55,500 visits per day [3] - Workers' compensation visits per day increased 9.8%, while employer services visit volumes increased 8.9% relative to the prior year [4] - The company noted a strong correlation between workers' compensation volume and employment levels reported by the BLS, although recent data showed a lack of correlation [5] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company finalized the integration and rebranding of the Nova Occupational Health Centers and opened additional centers, with plans for more by year-end [2] - The focus is on organic growth and capturing market share, particularly in the on-site health clinics segment, which reported a 123.8% revenue increase due to the acquisition of Pivot OnSite Innovations [11] - The company is shifting back to its core acquisition strategy after integrating Nova and Pivot, targeting smaller practices with one to five occupational health centers [19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the future, indicating no significant headwinds or obstacles anticipated for 2026 [33] - The company is focused on leveraging technology to improve customer engagement and operational efficiencies, which is seen as a competitive advantage [49][50] - Management expects a strong rate year in California and anticipates similar rate increases for employer services in line with inflation [66] Other Important Information - The company ended the quarter with a total debt balance of $1.61 billion and a cash balance of $50 million, with a net leverage ratio of 3.6x [17] - A cash dividend of $0.0625 per share was declared, payable on December 9, 2025 [21] - The company raised the low end of its 2025 revenue guidance from $2.13 billion to $2.145 billion [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Any major headwinds or tailwinds for 2026? - Management sees no significant headwinds and remains bullish about the upcoming year [33] Question: What is driving the improvement in employer services volume? - The company has implemented various sales and marketing strategies, leveraging technology to enhance customer engagement and retention [37] Question: Can you elaborate on the decoupling of workers' comp visit volume from BLS data? - Management noted a lack of correlation over the past two years, which was previously strong, and is uncertain about the factors driving this change [46] Question: How stable is the labor force and cost environment? - The company reported stability in labor force statistics and turnover rates, with no significant changes in costs [54] Question: What are the rate expectations for 2026? - Management expects a strong rate year for workers' comp, particularly in California, and normal rate increases for employer services in line with inflation [66]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenues for Q3 2025 were $376 million, down from $393.6 million in Q3 2024, primarily due to a decline in residential video revenues, which decreased by $8.7 million or 16.2% [14] - Residential data revenues decreased by $2.8 million or 1.2% year-over-year, driven by a 5.1% decline in subscribers, partially offset by a 3.2% increase in ARPU [14] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q3 2025 was $201.9 million, representing 53.7% of revenues, compared to $213.6 million or 54.3% of revenues in Q3 2024 [16] - Free cash flow was $130.1 million in Q3 2025, equating to a conversion ratio of 64.4% of adjusted EBITDA [17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Residential broadband customers declined by 21,600 in Q3 2025, but there were modest improvements in connects compared to the prior year [6][7] - Business data revenues grew by 0.4% year-over-year, driven primarily by fiber and carrier segments, while SMB segment faced subscriber and pricing softness [15] - The LIFT product, aimed at cost-conscious customers, is showing promise with strong sell-in among premium tiers, with about half of new customers choosing gig or faster speeds [9][41] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced increased churn due to macroeconomic factors, competitive pressures, and promotional rollouts, but churn improved in October [6][8] - Average monthly usage is around 775 gigabits per customer, indicating sustained demand for high-capacity service [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on execution, retaining existing customers, and retooling go-to-market approaches to position for long-term growth [6][12] - Simplified pricing and segmented marketing campaigns are part of the strategy to improve financial performance over time [6][9] - The launch of mobile services is expected to reduce churn and deepen service adoption, with plans to refine the strategy post-pilot [11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged a challenging macro environment but expressed optimism about improved connect trends and churn reduction in October [12][28] - The leadership transition is underway, with a focus on ensuring a smooth transition while continuing to execute the long-term growth strategy [12] Other Important Information - The company paid down nearly $200 million of debt during Q3 2025, with a focus on disciplined debt repayment [18] - The estimated NBI purchase price is projected to be between $475 million and $495 million [20] Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on leverage targets and addressing broadband ARPU issues - Management indicated a focus on maintaining leverage between two and a half to four and a half times, with disciplined debt repayment as a priority [22][24] Question: Impact of competition and promotional rolloffs on churn - Management noted that multiple factors contributed to increased churn, including billing migration and competitive pressures, but improvements were seen in October [32][34] Question: Fiber overlap and competitive impact of AT&T's fixed wireless rollout - Fiber overlap remains consistent in the low to mid-50% range, with AT&T's fixed wireless rollout being a competitive factor [58][60] Question: Clarification on sale proceeds and tax implications - Sale proceeds from divestitures are pre-tax, and the company expects to continue monetizing strategic investments to pay down debt [64][68]

Investment Rating - The report indicates a cautious outlook on the retail sector amidst a choppy de-grossing market environment, suggesting that retail remains a dominant force despite the volatility [1][3]. Core Insights - Retail trading activity has surged, with retail investors accounting for over 16% of the total volume in S&P 500 stocks, marking a five-year high [7][9]. - The market is increasingly narrative-driven, with traders seeking compelling stories and catalysts to guide their investments [8][12]. - The volume of stocks executed by off-exchange venues, such as those serving retail platforms like Robinhood, is projected to reach 50% of total trading volume for the first time this year [9][12]. - Individual amateur investors are gravitating towards lightly regulated markets, with OTC Markets seeing an average monthly trading volume of approximately $59 billion, nearing the peak levels observed during the meme-stock frenzy [12][9]. - The report highlights a divergence in risk appetite, with retail investors remaining risk-seeking while institutional investors have adopted a more cautious stance [13][15]. Summary by Sections Trading Activity - On a recent trading day, 25.2 billion shares were traded across US equity exchanges, significantly above the year-to-date average of 17.2 billion shares [3][4]. - The top 10 stocks by trading volume accounted for approximately 8 billion shares, or 32% of the total market volume, with a majority being penny stocks favored by retail investors [4][7]. Market Sentiment - The current market sentiment is characterized by a high level of gross leverage and constrained net positions, indicating a cautious approach among institutional investors [22][23]. - The report notes that the unprofitable tech sector is experiencing a sharp correction, with some stocks, like Beyond Meat, showing significant reversals [28][29]. Earnings and Economic Indicators - Overall earnings remain supportive, but market reactions to earnings reports are becoming increasingly critical, as investors appear to be taking profits during the earnings season [29][31]. - The bond market has stabilized despite ongoing fiscal excess, with both nominal and real yields compressing at the long end, which is seen as bullish for equity multiples [33][34].

Core Viewpoint - Occidental Petroleum is strategically repositioning its portfolio by selling its OxyChem segment to Berkshire Hathaway for $9.7 billion, aiming to reduce debt and focus on high-return upstream projects [1][8]. Group 1: Transaction Details - The sale of OxyChem is expected to close by year-end and will provide approximately $8 billion in after-tax proceeds [4]. - Occidental plans to allocate $6.5 billion of the proceeds to debt reduction, which is projected to save around $350 million annually in interest [4]. - The remaining $1.5 billion will be used to strengthen the balance sheet and support opportunistic share repurchases [4]. Group 2: Rationale Behind Divestment - Management indicated that chemical margins may remain low due to increased global export capacity, particularly from China, with OxyChem now contributing less than 10% to earnings, down from about 20% in 2015 [3]. - In contrast, Occidental's oil and gas production has more than doubled during the same period [3]. Group 3: Future Investment Focus - Capital freed from the OxyChem sale will be directed towards high-return upstream projects, including water floods in the Gulf of America and enhanced oil recovery initiatives [5]. - Sustaining capital expenditures previously assigned to OxyChem, estimated at $350–$400 million annually, will now be redirected to Permian activity [5]. - Enhanced oil recovery projects are expected to yield internal rates of return of 25–35%, which will help maintain U.S. oil supply plateau rates [5]. Group 4: Operational Efficiencies - Occidental reported a 20% reduction in Delaware Basin drilling times and a 13% decrease in overall well costs year-over-year [6]. - The focus on secondary benches such as the Avalon Shale and Barnett intervals is anticipated to extend inventory and optimize production [6]. Group 5: Financial Outlook - The company acknowledged potential trade-offs from the sale, including $1.7 billion in tax leakage and retained environmental liabilities, but considers these manageable given the improving balance sheet [7]. - Analysts maintain a Neutral rating on Occidental with a price target of $50 by December 2026, reflecting above-average leverage and modest returns compared to peers [7].

Group 1: Export Controls and Market Impact - China has tightened export controls on rare earth magnets, leading to a $7 billion sell-off in cryptocurrencies and escalating tensions with the U.S. [1] - The new measures expand existing restrictions to five additional rare earth elements, requiring export approval for products containing more than 0.1% of Chinese-sourced rare earths [3][4] - China's rare earth exports fell by 31% in September, indicating a slowdown prior to the latest restrictions [5] Group 2: Industry Implications - With China controlling over 90% of global rare earth processing capacity, the new policy raises concerns about supply chain disruptions and increased production costs worldwide [4] - The review process for export licenses has become more stringent, with applications facing longer approval times and additional documentation requests [4][5] - The tightening of controls has already led to magnet shortages and temporary shutdowns at automotive plants earlier this year [5] Group 3: Government Responses - China's Ministry of Commerce defended the export controls as legitimate actions to refine the export management system and safeguard national security [6] - In response, President Trump announced a 100% tariff on all Chinese imports, accusing China of aggressive export tactics [7]