Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company's consolidated revenue increased by over 2% while adjusted EBITDA declined by 9% from $165.8 million to $151.4 million [9] - Earnings per common share from continuing operations increased by 33% to $0.44 compared to $0.33 in the same quarter of the prior year [9] - The company ended the quarter with $1.8 billion of debt outstanding and $53.2 million of cash on the balance sheet [15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The inpatient rehab division saw a revenue increase of 16%, adjusted EBITDA increase of 15%, and a 6% increase in average daily census compared to the first quarter of last year [9] - The outpatient division faced challenges due to severe weather events and a 3% reduction in Medicare reimbursement, but had a strong finish to the quarter [4][11] - The critical illness recovery hospital division experienced a revenue decrease of 3% driven by a 2% decline in rate per patient day and a 1% decline in patient days [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The outpatient division's net revenue per visit increased from $99 to $102, while total visits declined by 1% due to one less workday [11] - The critical illness recovery hospitals' occupancy rate increased from 71% to 73%, but adjusted EBITDA declined by 25% from the prior year [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to open several new rehab hospitals and units, including a 45-bed rehab hospital in Temple, Texas, and a 63-bed rehab hospital in Ozark, Missouri, among others [7][8] - The outpatient division added 10 de novo clinics while strategically closing or consolidating 13 locations to optimize resources [8] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the outpatient division's outlook despite recent challenges, focusing on improving patient access and investing in technology [4] - The company is adjusting its business outlook for 2025, expecting revenue in the range of $5.3 billion to $5.5 billion and adjusted EBITDA between $510 million and $530 million [19] Other Important Information - The company repurchased almost 650,000 shares at an average price of $17.52, totaling $11.4 million [14] - A cash dividend of $6.625 per share was declared, payable on May 29, 2025 [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: How should occupancy be thought about for the rest of the year with new capacity coming online? - Management expects occupancy to stay around 85% plus even with new business coming online [21] Question: Was the miss in LTACH related to internal expectations or consensus? - The impact from high cost outlier was higher than anticipated, with a 100% increase compared to the previous year [22][23] Question: Any updates on mitigation strategies regarding high cost outlier and transmittal rule? - Management is in ongoing conversations with regulatory bodies to address these issues and mitigate impacts [34] Question: What do startup costs look like this year versus last year? - Startup losses are relatively the same from last year to this year [38] Question: Any initiatives in outpatient rehab to improve margins? - The company is implementing technology changes and seeing benefits, with expected increases in commercial rates [42][44] Question: Plans to accelerate growth in rehab to diversify away from LTACH? - There are plans to accelerate growth in rehab, with several projects already signed and under construction [49]

Sony Group Corporation (NYSE:SONY) Q3 2024 Earnings Conference Call February 14, 2024 2:00 AM ET Company Participants Hiroki Totoki - President, COO & CFO Sadahiko Hayakawa - General Manager, Finance Department Conference Call Participants Kenji Yasui - UBS Kentaro Tsutsumi - Nikkei Shimbun Newspaper Yu Okazaki - Nomura Securities Ryosuke Katsura - SMBC Nikko Securities Junya Ayada - JPMorgan Chase & Co. Yasuo Nakane - Mizuho Securities Co. Masahiro Ono - Morgan Stanley Unidentified Company Representative W ...