Company Overview - Chemed is a diversified services company operating in healthcare and essential home services markets, with a dual-segment model that provides stable revenue streams through hospice care and property maintenance [6] - As of February 12, 2026, Chemed's market capitalization is $6.76 billion, with a revenue of $2.53 billion and a net income of $278.81 million [4] Recent Developments - On February 12, 2026, Barington Companies Management disclosed a new position in Chemed, acquiring 13,000 shares valued at approximately $5.56 million [1][2] - This new position represents 3.65% of Barington Companies Management's reportable U.S. equity assets [8] Financial Performance - Chemed reported third-quarter revenue of $624.9 million, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 3.1%, while adjusted diluted EPS decreased by 6.6% to $5.27 [10] - VITAS revenue increased by 4.2% to $407.7 million, with admissions up 5.6% and average daily census up 2.5% [11] - Roto-Rooter revenue grew by 1.1% to $217.2 million, although margins experienced compression [11] - Chemed ended the quarter with $129.8 million in cash and no current or long-term debt, maintaining full-year guidance of $22.00 to $22.30 per share [11] Market Position and Strategy - Chemed operates through two main segments: VITAS for hospice and palliative care services, and Roto-Rooter for plumbing and water restoration services, targeting both healthcare and property maintenance sectors [9] - The company leverages its national network, brand strength, and operational expertise to maintain a competitive position in its core markets [6] - The recent investment by Barington Companies Management adds defensive exposure to Chemed's portfolio, which is primarily focused on consumer and technology sectors [12]

Group 1 - Chemed Corporation's Board of Directors has authorized an additional $300 million for stock repurchase under the existing share repurchase program, funded through operational cash and a revolving credit facility [1] - The company declared a quarterly cash dividend of 60 cents per share, payable on March 13, 2026, to shareholders of record as of February 23, 2026, marking the 219th consecutive quarterly dividend in its 54 years as a public company [2] - Chemed operates two wholly owned subsidiaries: VITAS Healthcare, the largest provider of end-of-life hospice care in the U.S., and Roto-Rooter, the leading provider of plumbing and drain cleaning services [3]

Core Thesis - Chemed Corporation is viewed positively despite recent stock price declines, with a focus on the recovery potential of its hospice business, VITAS, and the overall valuation dislocation in the market [1][5]. Company Overview - Chemed Corporation operates two distinct businesses: VITAS, a hospice and palliative care provider, and Roto-Rooter, a plumbing services company, generating approximately $2.4 billion in revenue and $370 million in operating income [2]. - The company maintains a strong financial position with a return on invested capital (ROIC) above 20%, return on equity (ROE) in the high 20s, and a net-cash balance sheet [2]. Recent Performance and Market Sentiment - The stock has declined by about one-third recently, with the forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio dropping from the mid-20s to around 17x due to a reset in market expectations [3]. - VITAS has faced challenges such as Medicare cap adjustments and management turnover, leading to a significant cut in earnings guidance [3]. Market Outlook - Despite recent setbacks, the hospice market remains attractive due to favorable demographics and Medicare incentives, positioning VITAS for potential revenue growth in the mid- to high-single digits and double-digit operating profit growth in the medium term [3]. - Roto-Rooter is experiencing ongoing challenges from post-COVID normalization and competition, which may limit profitability, but it continues to generate significant cash flow [4]. Valuation Perspective - The current market valuation suggests a pessimistic outlook for VITAS, implying a permanent impairment and minimal future growth potential, which is considered overly negative by analysts [4]. - Chemed's strong free cash flow, disciplined capital returns, and the potential for a valuation rerating as VITAS stabilizes contribute to a favorable risk/reward profile [4].

Core Insights - BDP Plumbing has relocated to a new facility in Maitland, NSW, to enhance operational efficiency and meet the growing plumbing needs of the region [1][2] - The new location allows BDP Plumbing to implement a proactive strategy with increased capacity to manage rising operational demands [2][5] - The company aims to address challenges posed by aging infrastructure in Maitland, particularly in older properties, by providing reliable plumbing solutions [3][5] Company Operations - The move to the new address has improved internal operations, streamlined workflows, and enhanced team collaboration [4] - Investments in advanced scheduling and project management tools will help maintain high service standards while accommodating a growing customer base [4] Market Position - BDP Plumbing is well-positioned to offer comprehensive plumbing solutions, including blocked drain services and pipe replacements, to meet current and future demands [5][6] - The company has built a strong reputation for exceptional workmanship and reliable service over its decade of experience in the plumbing industry [6]

Company Overview - Chemed Corporation operates two primary segments: VITAS, which provides hospice and palliative care services, and Roto-Rooter, offering plumbing, drain cleaning, and water restoration solutions [4][5] - The company generates revenue through direct service delivery to patients and customers via company-owned branches, independent contractors, and franchisees [4][5] - Chemed's primary customers include patients requiring end-of-life care and residential or commercial clients needing plumbing and related services across the United States [5] Financial Performance - For the trailing twelve months (TTM), Chemed reported revenue of $2.53 billion and net income of $278.81 million [3] - The company's dividend yield stands at 0.44% as of October 28, 2025 [3] - As of October 28, 2025, Chemed shares were priced at $438.94, reflecting a 27.91% decline over the past year and underperforming the S&P 500 by 45.55 percentage points [2] Recent Developments - Schwartz Investment Counsel reduced its position in Chemed by 28,771 shares, valued at approximately $13.03 million, bringing its stake down to 1.67% of reportable assets from 2.24% in the previous quarter [1][2] - Chemed's stock was demoted from the 11th-largest holding to the 17th place in Schwartz's portfolio by the end of September 2025 [6] - The hospice segment experienced a decline in adjusted EBITDA by 3.8% to $70.4 million, despite a 2.98% year-over-year increase in average revenue per day [8] - The Roto-Rooter segment's revenue grew by 1.1% year over year, but adjusted EBITDA declined by 12.4% [9]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - VITAS net revenue was $407.7 million in Q3 2025, an increase of 4.2% compared to the prior year period [11] - Adjusted EBITDA for VITAS, excluding Medicare cap, totaled $70.4 million, a decline of 3.8% year-over-year [12] - Roto-Rooter revenue increased by 1.1% in Q3 2025 compared to the same period in 2024 [7] - Adjusted EBITDA at Roto-Rooter totaled $49.4 million, a decrease of 12.4% compared to the prior year quarter [15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - VITAS admissions totaled 17,714, a 5.6% improvement from the same period in 2024 [5] - Average revenue per patient day for VITAS was $205.08, up 2.98% from the prior year [12] - Roto-Rooter branch residential revenue increased by 3.4%, with residential plumbing revenue up 8.2% [13][8] - Revenue from independent contractors declined by 4.7% in Q3 2025 compared to the same period in 2024 [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The percentage of total admissions from hospitals in Florida was 44.5%, above the preferred range of 42% to 45% [6] - The average daily census for VITAS was 22,327 patients, an increase of 2.5% [17] - Hospital-directed admissions increased by 10.4%, while nursing home admissions declined by 8.9% [17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to mitigate potential Florida Medicare cap billing limitations for fiscal 2026 [5] - VITAS is focusing on increasing hospital-based admissions to ensure long-term stability [6] - Roto-Rooter is implementing operational initiatives to stabilize and return to predictable growth [10] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management believes there will be no Medicare cap billing limitation related to the Florida program in 2026 [6] - The company is encouraged by the performance of both businesses in Q3 2025, with VITAS on track to resolve the Medicare cap issue [10] - Management anticipates a seasonal increase in demand and revenue in Q4 2025 [23] Other Important Information - The company has cleared hurdles to open a new location in Pinellas County, expected to open in early November [7] - The Medicare cap billing limitation for Q3 2025 was $6.1 million, slightly better than estimates [11] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on demand and cost trends for Q4 - Management noted that Q4 is typically stronger due to seasonal factors, with VITAS' margins expected to spike from the new rate increase [23][24] Question: Concerns about receivables and cash collections - Management indicated that elevated DSO is primarily a timing issue related to Medicaid payments, not a deterioration in collection efforts [31] Question: Growth rates and margins for 2026 - Management speculated on revenue growth in the 8% range and margins at 17.5%-18% for 2026, pending Q4 performance [37] Question: Sustainable margins in Roto-Rooter - Management indicated that while marketing costs are under pressure, they expect to absorb these costs through operational improvements [53] Question: Clarification on VITAS' Medicare cap liability - Management explained that the focus on hospital admissions and a favorable rate increase gives confidence in managing cap liability [65][69]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - VITAS net revenue was $407.7 million in Q3 2025, an increase of 4.2% compared to the prior year period, driven by a 2.5% increase in days of care and a 4.1% increase in Medicare reimbursement rates [11][12] - Adjusted EBITDA for VITAS, excluding Medicare cap, totaled $70.4 million, a decline of 3.8% year-over-year, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 17.0%, down 157 basis points from the prior year [12][13] - Roto-Rooter revenue increased by 1.1% in Q3 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, with residential plumbing revenue up 8.2% [7][13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - VITAS admissions totaled 17,714 in Q3 2025, a 5.6% improvement from the same period in 2024, with hospital-directed admissions increasing by 10.4% [5][17] - Roto-Rooter branch residential revenue was $150.9 million, an increase of 3.4%, while commercial revenue totaled $55 million, up 2.8% [13][14] - Revenue from independent contractors declined by 4.7% in Q3 2025 compared to the same period in 2024 [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The percentage of total admissions from hospitals in Florida was 44.5% in Q3 2025, indicating a recovery in the mix of referral sources [6] - The average daily census for VITAS was 22,327 patients, an increase of 2.5% [17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on increasing hospital-based admissions to mitigate Medicare cap billing limitations, with a target ratio of 42% to 45% for hospital admissions [6][29] - VITAS is set to open a new location in Pinellas County in early November 2025, which is expected to enhance its service capacity [7][18] - Roto-Rooter is implementing operational initiatives to improve margins and stabilize growth, with a focus on managing lead generation costs [9][15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence that the Florida Medicare cap issue will be resolved, with no expected billing limitations for 2026 [6][16] - The company anticipates a strong fourth quarter for both VITAS and Roto-Rooter, driven by seasonal demand and operational improvements [24][27] - Management indicated that the fourth quarter will be a significant indicator for 2026 growth strategies, with expectations for revenue growth in the 8% range and margins around 27.5% to 28% [36][37] Other Important Information - The company is actively working to address challenges faced by independent contractors to return this segment to a growth trajectory [14][15] - SG&A costs increased by $3.6 million in Q3 2025, primarily due to the shift from unpaid to paid leads [9][15] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you run through demand and cost trends for each segment? - Management noted that seasonality impacts the fourth quarter, with VITAS typically performing better due to rate increases and Roto-Rooter benefiting from weather conditions [23][24] Question: What are the expectations for receivables and cash collections? - Management clarified that elevated DSO is primarily a timing issue related to Medicaid payments, not a deterioration in collection efforts [31] Question: How are margins expected to improve in Roto-Rooter? - Management indicated that while marketing costs are under pressure, they expect to absorb these costs through operational improvements and increased lead generation [52][53] Question: What is the outlook for VITAS in 2026? - Management stated that the fourth quarter will inform 2026 strategies, with expectations for improved revenue growth and margins based on operational adjustments [36][40] Question: How does the company view competitive dynamics in Roto-Rooter? - Management expressed optimism about improved competitive dynamics, noting that increased paid leads are yielding better results without significant competitive pressure [43][44]

Group 1 - LRT Capital Management's "LRT Global Opportunities Strategy" reported a net return of -8.00% in September 2025, with a year-to-date return of -0.17% [1] - The strategy faced challenges as market indexes surged, particularly driven by a few overvalued mega-cap stocks, while the broader market declined [1] - The fund's top five holdings were highlighted as key picks for 2025 [1] Group 2 - Chemed Corporation (NYSE:CHE) is noted for its unique structure, operating in two non-correlated sectors: hospice care through VITAS and plumbing services through Roto-Rooter [3] - Chemed Corporation's one-month return was 5.91%, but it experienced a significant decline of 25.88% over the past 52 weeks [2] - As of October 6, 2025, Chemed Corporation's stock closed at $435.38 per share, with a market capitalization of $6.344 billion [2]

Core Insights - Urban Piping has launched a national initiative to replace polybutylene (Poly B) pipes in over 720,000 Canadian homes, starting in Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver [1][3] - The initiative is a response to a growing infrastructure crisis, with insurance companies preparing to cancel coverage for Poly B damage due to rising claims costs [3][7] - Emergency service calls related to Poly B failures have surged dramatically, indicating a significant increase in pipe failures as they reach the end of their lifespan [4][6] Industry Context - The insurance industry is tightening restrictions on Poly B coverage, leading to higher premiums and reduced coverage limits for affected homes [8][7] - A Supreme Court of Canada ruling in 2005 deemed polybutylene inadmissible for indemnity insurance, prompting insurers to reassess their policies [7] Market Focus - Urban Piping's expansion strategy targets western Canadian markets with the highest concentrations of affected properties, with Calgary having the highest density of Poly B pipes [9][10] - Edmonton and Vancouver are also key markets, with approximately 28,000 and 240,000 affected homes, respectively [10] Service Model - Urban Piping employs a complete in-house replacement model, managing the entire process from plumbing installation to drywall repair, providing homeowners with a single point of contact [11][12] - The company is offering free estimates and home inspections as part of a national awareness campaign to educate homeowners about Poly B systems and their insurance implications [12]

Core Thesis - Chemed Corporation (CHE) is viewed positively due to its strong market position in hospice care and plumbing services, with significant growth potential in the hospice market [1][2][5] Business Overview - Chemed operates two main businesses: VITAS, the largest hospice provider in the U.S., contributing 58% of revenue and growing around 9%, and Roto-Rooter, a plumbing service provider, contributing 42% of revenue and growing approximately 1.7% [2] - The U.S. hospice market is projected to grow from $29.9 billion to $39.1 billion by 2030, indicating a strong growth trajectory for VITAS [2] Financial Performance - Chemed generates annual free cash flow between $250 million and $367 million, has no debt beyond leases, and holds $249 million in cash, allowing for opportunistic share repurchases [4] - The stock is currently trading near multi-year lows on P/E and EV/EBITDA metrics, suggesting potential for re-rating as market focus shifts to 2026 earnings [4] Challenges and Mitigation Strategies - Recent stock price decline was attributed to a Medicare cap issue in Florida, which limited revenue recognition for VITAS due to higher state reimbursement rates [3] - Management has strategies in place to address these challenges, including increasing admissions and optimizing patient mix, which are expected to mitigate cap risks and create a $30 million cushion for 2026 [3][4] Market Outlook - The stock is seen as having a compelling risk/reward profile, with a potential upside of 26% as earnings improve, while downside risk is limited to approximately 12% [4] - The operational resilience and financial strength of Chemed support a bullish outlook despite recent short-term headwinds [5]