Investors in U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc. (USPH) need to pay close attention to the stock based on moves in the options market lately. That is because the Jun 20, 2025 $105 Call  had some of the highest implied volatility of all equity options today. What is Implied Volatility?Implied volatility shows how much movement the market is expecting in the future. Options with high levels of implied volatility suggest that investors in the underlying stocks are expecting a big move in one direction or the other. It ...

Company Performance - DaVita HealthCare reported quarterly earnings of $2 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.75 per share, but down from $2.38 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of 14.29% [1] - The company posted revenues of $3.22 billion for the quarter ended March 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.38% and up from $3.07 billion year-over-year [2] - Over the last four quarters, DaVita has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times and topped revenue estimates four times [2] Stock Outlook - DaVita HealthCare shares have declined approximately 3.9% since the beginning of the year, compared to a 3.8% decline in the S&P 500 [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $2.89 on revenues of $3.3 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $10.76 on revenues of $13.46 billion [7] Industry Context - The Medical - Outpatient and Home Healthcare industry, to which DaVita belongs, is currently ranked in the top 18% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating a favorable outlook [8] - Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, suggesting that industry outlook can significantly impact stock performance [5][8]

Core Viewpoint - U.S. Physical Therapy (USPH) reported quarterly earnings of $0.48 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.46 per share, but down from $0.51 per share a year ago, indicating a mixed performance in earnings [1] Financial Performance - The company achieved revenues of $183.79 million for the quarter ended March 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.60% and showing an increase from $155.68 million year-over-year [2] - Over the last four quarters, U.S. Physical Therapy has exceeded consensus EPS estimates two times and topped consensus revenue estimates four times [2] Stock Performance - U.S. Physical Therapy shares have declined approximately 19.3% since the beginning of the year, contrasting with the S&P 500's decline of 4.7% [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating it is expected to perform in line with the market in the near future [6] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.79 on revenues of $189.46 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $2.63 on revenues of $752.89 million [7] - The estimate revisions trend for U.S. Physical Therapy is mixed, which may change following the recent earnings report [6] Industry Context - The Medical - Outpatient and Home Healthcare industry, to which U.S. Physical Therapy belongs, is currently ranked in the top 22% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable outlook compared to lower-ranked industries [8]

DaVita Inc. (DVA) is scheduled to report first-quarter 2025 results on May 12, after the closing bell.In the last reported quarter, the company’s earnings per share (EPS) of $2.24 beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.4%. Over the trailing four quarters, its earnings outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate on three occasions and missed once, delivering an earnings surprise of 5.4%, on average. (See the Zacks Earnings Calendar to stay ahead of market-making news.)Let’s check out the factors that have shap ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q1 2025 was approximately $559 million, representing a 14% increase over the prior year period [5][19] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 was $67.4 million, reflecting a 93.1% increase year-over-year, primarily due to improved pay rates and cost-saving initiatives [5][19] - Consolidated gross margin was $183.6 million, or 32.8% [19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Private Duty Services (PDS) revenue was approximately $460 million, a 16.5% increase, driven by 10.9 million hours of care, a volume increase of 6.1% [19][20] - Home Health and Hospice revenue was approximately $56.7 million, a 3.9% increase, with 77% of admissions being episodic [21][22] - Medical Solutions revenue was $42.5 million, a 3.6% increase, with revenue per unique patient served at approximately $477, up 6.9% [23][24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Preferred payer agreements accounted for approximately 54% of total PDS Managed Care Organization (MCO) volumes, up from 50% in the previous quarter [11] - The episodic mix for home health was 77%, with total episodic volume growth essentially flat compared to the prior year [12][22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on five primary strategic initiatives: enhancing partnerships with government and preferred payers, identifying cost efficiencies, modernizing the medical solutions business, managing capital structure, and engaging employees [15] - The company anticipates 2025 revenue to exceed $2.15 billion and adjusted EBITDA to exceed $207 million, reflecting an improved outlook [16][28] - The acquisition of ThriveSkilled Pediatrics is expected to enhance the company's preferred payer and government affairs strategies [17][56] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the labor environment remains a primary challenge but expressed optimism about the demand for home and community-based care [6][14] - The company is encouraged by recent rate increases and preferred payer agreements, which support recruitment efforts and caregiver wages [14][25] - Management highlighted the importance of aligning clinical capacity with preferred payers to achieve normalized growth rates across all business segments [7][12] Other Important Information - The company achieved five rate enhancements for the PDS segment in Q1 and aims to increase preferred payer agreements from 22 to 30 by the end of 2025 [10][11] - Liquidity at the end of Q1 was approximately $266 million, providing room for operational investments [26] Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on targeted states for rate increases and preferred payers - Management reported five government affairs rate increases and two preferred payer wins in Q1, with expectations to achieve ten GA rate increases by year-end [30][31] Question: Insights on operating cash flow and EBITDA conversion - Management expressed confidence in generating operating cash flow and free cash flow in 2025, with Q1 cash outflow better than anticipated [35] Question: Details on one-time EBITDA benefits - Management identified strong cash collections and retro rate increases as key contributors to the $11 million EBITDA benefit in Q1 [40][41] Question: Contribution of Thrive acquisition to revenue and earnings - Management indicated that the Thrive acquisition aligns well with the company's culture and strategy, but it has not yet been included in guidance due to timing [56][59] Question: Updates on Medicaid policy and advocacy efforts - Management noted positive bipartisan support for Medicaid program integrity and ongoing dialogue with federal counterparts [62][64] Question: Size of rate enhancements and outlook for wage increases - Management clarified that the five rate enhancements were beneficial but expected future GA rate wins to be more modest, with a focus on passing through wage increases to caregivers [67][70]

Core Insights - Aveanna Healthcare Holdings Inc. reported strong financial results for Q1 2025, with revenue growth of 14.0% and adjusted EBITDA growth of 93.1% compared to the same period last year [2][8][10] - The company is optimistic about its strategic transformation and has raised its full-year 2025 revenue guidance to over $2.15 billion and adjusted EBITDA guidance to over $207 million [10][11] Financial Performance - Revenue for the three-month period ended March 29, 2025, was $559.2 million, up from $490.7 million for the same period in 2024, representing an increase of $68.6 million [3][30] - Gross margin increased to $183.6 million, or 32.8% of revenue, compared to $145.9 million, or 29.7% of revenue, for the prior year, marking a 25.9% increase [4][30] - Net income for the quarter was $5.2 million, a significant turnaround from a net loss of $11.2 million in the same quarter of 2024 [5][31] - Adjusted EBITDA reached $67.4 million, or 12.0% of revenue, compared to $34.9 million, or 7.1% of revenue, for the same period last year, reflecting a 93.1% increase [6][30] Segment Performance - The PDS segment saw a revenue increase of $65.0 million, while the HHH and MS segments contributed $2.1 million and $1.5 million increases, respectively [3][30] - The Field contribution margin improved to 16.5% from 11.8% year-over-year, indicating enhanced operational efficiency [30][34] Cash Flow and Liquidity - As of March 29, 2025, the company had cash of $71.5 million and an incremental borrowing capacity of $56.2 million under its securitization facility [9][29] - Free cash flow for the quarter was $(12.9) million, reflecting cash used in operating activities of $(8.6) million [9][24] Strategic Outlook - The company emphasizes the importance of government and payor partnerships in driving core volume growth and clinical outcomes [2][10] - Aveanna's management is confident in the company's trajectory, citing strategic cost reductions and improved reimbursement rates as key drivers of performance [10][11]

Core Viewpoint - U.S. Physical Therapy (USPH) reported quarterly earnings of $0.41 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.46 per share, and showing a decline from $0.51 per share a year ago, indicating a -10.87% earnings surprise [1] Financial Performance - The company posted revenues of $183.79 million for the quarter ended March 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.60%, compared to $155.68 million in the same quarter last year [2] - Over the last four quarters, U.S. Physical Therapy has exceeded consensus revenue estimates four times [2] Stock Performance - U.S. Physical Therapy shares have declined approximately 19.3% since the beginning of the year, while the S&P 500 has decreased by -4.7% [3] - The current Zacks Rank for the stock is 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the market in the near future [6] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.79 on revenues of $189.46 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $2.63 on revenues of $752.89 million [7] - The estimate revisions trend for U.S. Physical Therapy is mixed, which may change following the recent earnings report [6] Industry Context - The Medical - Outpatient and Home Healthcare industry is currently in the top 22% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable outlook compared to lower-ranked industries [8]

The latest trading session saw DaVita HealthCare (DVA) ending at $143.96, denoting a +0.94% adjustment from its last day's close. The stock's performance was ahead of the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.44%. At the same time, the Dow added 0.7%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq gained 0.27%. The the stock of kidney dialysis provider has fallen by 0.9% in the past month, lagging the Medical sector's gain of 1.16% and the S&P 500's gain of 10.62%. The upcoming earnings release of DaVita HealthCare will be of great interes ...

Elanco Animal Health Incorporated (ELAN) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.37 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.31 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.34 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of 19.35%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this company would post earnings of $0.15 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.14, delivering a surprise of -6.67%.Over the last four quar ...

Core Viewpoint - The Pennant Group, Inc. reported quarterly earnings of $0.27 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.22 per share, and showing an increase from $0.20 per share a year ago, indicating a positive earnings surprise of 22.73% [1] Financial Performance - The company achieved revenues of $209.84 million for the quarter ended March 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.68%, and up from $156.92 million year-over-year [2] - Over the last four quarters, The Pennant Group has exceeded consensus EPS estimates three times and topped consensus revenue estimates four times [2] Stock Performance - The Pennant Group shares have increased by approximately 0.8% since the beginning of the year, contrasting with the S&P 500's decline of -3.9% [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.26 on revenues of $206.89 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $1.08 on revenues of $832.9 million [7] Industry Outlook - The Medical - Outpatient and Home Healthcare industry, to which The Pennant Group belongs, is currently ranked in the top 18% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating a favorable industry outlook [8] - Empirical research suggests a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, which can impact stock performance [5][6]