Core Insights - Addus HomeCare (ADUS) reported revenue of $337.71 million for the quarter ended March 2025, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 20.3% [1] - The earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter was $1.42, up from $1.21 in the same quarter last year, with an EPS surprise of +6.77% compared to the consensus estimate of $1.33 [1] - The reported revenue was slightly below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $340.01 million, resulting in a revenue surprise of -0.68% [1] Revenue Breakdown - Personal care revenue was $258.29 million, which is a 24.2% increase year-over-year, but below the average estimate of $261.89 million [4] - Home Health revenue reached $17.99 million, exceeding the average estimate of $17.66 million, with a year-over-year growth of 6.6% [4] - Hospice revenue amounted to $61.44 million, surpassing the average estimate of $59.79 million, and showing a year-over-year increase of 10% [4] Stock Performance - Over the past month, Addus HomeCare shares have returned +4.7%, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite, which saw a +0.4% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the broader market in the near term [3]

Core Viewpoint - Extendicare Inc. announced the acquisition of Closing the Gap Healthcare Group Inc. by its subsidiary ParaMed Inc. for approximately $75.5 million, enhancing its home health care services in Ontario and Nova Scotia [1][3][4]. Transaction Details - The acquisition is structured on a debt-free, cash-free basis, with an earnout tied to new business revenue generation expected in the first year post-closing [3][8]. - The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is anticipated to close in the third quarter of 2025 [2]. Company Background - Closing the Gap has been a leader in home and community healthcare for 35 years, providing a range of services including personal support, nursing, physiotherapy, and social work [5][4]. - In 2024, Closing the Gap delivered over 1.1 million service hours through approximately 1,200 caregivers [5]. Financial Impact - The acquisition is projected to add approximately $84.2 million in revenue to Extendicare's home health care segment for 2024, with similar margins to ParaMed [6]. - The combined service volumes for the home health care segment would reach approximately 12.1 million hours with an average daily volume of 33,164 [7]. - The earnout from the transaction is estimated to be between $3.5 million and $5.5 million, contributing an additional $7.0 to $11.0 million in revenue [8]. Synergies and Growth Potential - The integration of back-office functions is expected to generate approximately $1.1 million in annualized cost synergies in the first year following the closing [8]. - The acquisition is seen as a strategic move to enhance Extendicare's capabilities and market presence in the home health care sector [4].

ATLANTA, April 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aveanna Healthcare Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAH), a leading, diversified home care platform focused on providing care to medically complex, high-cost patient populations, today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Thrive Skilled Pediatric Care ("Thrive SPC"). The transaction is expected to close in the second fiscal quarter of 2025, subject to customary regulatory approvals. Thrive SPC is one of the largest independent providers of pediatric h ...

Core Viewpoint - Addus HomeCare (ADUS) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), indicating a positive outlook on its earnings estimates, which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Performance - The Zacks rating system tracks the Zacks Consensus Estimate, which reflects EPS estimates from sell-side analysts for the current and following years, highlighting the importance of earnings revisions in stock price movements [1][4]. - A strong correlation exists between changes in earnings estimates and near-term stock price movements, with institutional investors using these estimates to determine fair value [4][6]. Company Performance Indicators - Addus HomeCare is projected to earn $6.04 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2025, representing a year-over-year increase of 14.8% [8]. - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Addus HomeCare has increased by 5.2%, indicating a positive trend in earnings expectations [8]. Zacks Rating System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with Zacks Rank 1 stocks historically generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7]. - The upgrade of Addus HomeCare to Zacks Rank 1 places it in the top 5% of Zacks-covered stocks, suggesting potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q4 2024 was approximately $520 million, representing an 8.6% increase year-over-year [5][16] - Full year 2024 revenue was approximately $2.024 billion, a 6.8% increase over the prior year [5] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 was $55.2 million, a 42.6% increase year-over-year, primarily due to improved payer rates and cost reduction efforts [5][16] - Full year 2024 adjusted EBITDA was $183.5 million, a 31.8% increase over the prior year [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Private Duty Services (PDS) revenue for Q4 was approximately $422.2 million, a 10.1% increase, driven by a volume increase of 4% [17] - Home Health and Hospice segment revenue for Q4 was approximately $54.4 million, a 0.6% increase, with 76% of admissions being episodic [19][21] - Medical Solutions segment revenue for Q4 was approximately $43.3 million, a 4.8% increase, with revenue per unique patient served at approximately $486, up 5.9% [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Preferred payer agreements accounted for approximately 50% of total PDS Managed Care Organization (MCO) volumes in Q4, up from 47% in Q3 [10] - The episodic payer mix for home health was 76% in Q4, exceeding the goal of 70% [10][11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company continues to focus on enhancing partnerships with government partners and preferred payers to create additional capacity and growth [14] - The strategic plan for 2025 includes identifying cost efficiencies, modernizing the medical solutions business, and managing capital structure while producing positive free cash flow [14] - The company aims to increase the number of preferred payer agreements in PDS from 22 to 30 by the end of 2025 [35][74] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the labor market improving and the demand for home and community-based care remaining strong [6][13] - The initial outlook for 2025 anticipates revenue in the range of $2.1 billion to $2.12 billion and adjusted EBITDA between $190 million and $194 million [14][27] - Management highlighted the importance of aligning clinical capacity with preferred payers to improve clinical outcomes and financial performance [12][52] Other Important Information - The company secured 12 private duty services state rate increases for the full year 2024, with significant improvements in Georgia and Massachusetts [8] - The company had liquidity of approximately $260 million at the end of Q4, providing ample room to operate and invest in growth [25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Guidance on top line growth and EBITDA margins - Management characterized their guidance as prudent, expecting continued momentum in 2025 with solid rate increases and preferred payer execution [31][32] Question: M&A pipeline focus - The company is focused on tuck-in acquisitions in home health and private duty services, planning to stay within its capital structure [34][35] Question: PDS segment rate growth and gross margin progression - Management indicated confidence in PDS growth rates, with expectations for spread per hour to normalize between $10 and $10.5 [40][41] Question: Capital allocation and leverage comfort - The company aims to continue deleveraging while maintaining a strong cash flow position, with a focus on organic growth and potential M&A opportunities [43][48] Question: Medical solutions payer strategy and contract conversions - The company is aligning clinical capacity with preferred payers and expects to see improved clinical outcomes and margin expansion in the Medical Solutions segment [51][52] Question: Medicaid regulatory changes and policy discussions - Management expressed confidence in being a cost saver for government programs and is well-positioned to adapt to potential changes in Medicaid [57][68] Question: Revenue guidance for PDS revenue growth - The guidance implies a total revenue growth of 3% to 5% in the PDS segment, with a focus on increasing preferred payer volumes [72][74]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for Q4 2024 was $297.1 million, an increase of 7.5% compared to $276.4 million in Q4 2023 [20] - Adjusted earnings per share for Q4 2024 was $1.38, up 4.6% from $1.32 in Q4 2023 [20] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2024 was $37.8 million, a 10.3% increase from $34.3 million in Q4 2023 [20] - For the full year 2024, total revenue was $1.2 billion, a 9.1% increase from $1.1 billion in 2023 [21] - Adjusted EBITDA for 2024 was $140.3 million, up 15.9% from $121 million in 2023 [21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Personal care revenues for Q4 2024 were $216.9 million, accounting for 73.8% of total revenue [52] - Hospice care revenues were $59 million, representing 20.1% of total revenue [52] - Home health revenues were $17.8 million, making up 6.1% of total revenue [52] - Same store revenue growth for personal care was 5.8% in Q4 2024 compared to Q4 2023 [35] - Hospice same store revenue increased by 7.8% year-over-year [37] - Home health segment returned to positive growth with a 1.6% increase compared to Q4 2023 [39] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Illinois enacted a 5.5% rate increase for personal care services effective January 1, 2025, expected to contribute approximately $23 million in annualized revenue [34][47] - The company experienced solid caregiver hiring success, with personal care hiring at 76 hires per day, up from 74 hires per day in Q4 2023 [30] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding services related to home care, which is seen as valuable to both states and Congress [18] - The Gentiva acquisition is a significant part of the growth strategy, adding approximately $280 million in annualized revenues [50] - The company aims for a targeted minimum annual revenue growth of 10% despite the larger revenue base [40] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism regarding the potential impact of Medicaid program changes, believing that their services reduce overall costs to state Medicaid programs [16][19] - The company is well-positioned to handle potential changes in Medicaid funding due to its low-cost provider status [99] - Management anticipates continued growth in personal care services, aiming for a revenue increase of 3% to 5% in 2025 [72] Other Important Information - The company had cash on hand of approximately $100 million as of the end of 2024 [22] - A one-time write-off of approximately $4.9 million was taken in Q4 2024 related to excess corporate office space [29] - The company maintains a conservative leverage position at just under one times Adjusted EBITDA, allowing flexibility for strategic acquisitions [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: Average revenue per hour in Q4 and its impact - The average revenue per hour is expected to be slightly down due to the Gentiva deal and the lower reimbursement rate in Texas [67] Question: Organic volume growth in personal care - Organic volume growth in personal care was slightly up, with expectations to reach the higher end of the 3% to 5% growth range in 2025 [72][74] Question: Impact of work requirements on business - The majority of clients served are elderly and disabled, so work requirements would have negligible direct effects, potentially increasing caregiver availability [83] Question: Integration of Gentiva and its impact on cash flow - The integration of Gentiva is progressing smoothly, with no significant impact on cash flow conversion expected [119] Question: Expected margin decline from Q4 to Q1 - A 200 basis point margin decline is anticipated, primarily due to the mix shift from Gentiva and annual resets of payroll taxes [54][109]