Acadia Healthcare(US:ACHC)2025-02-28 19:18Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for Q4 2024 increased by 4.2% year-over-year to $774 million, with full-year revenue exceeding $3.1 billion, marking a 7.7% increase over 2023 [8][21] - Same facility patient days grew by 3.2% in Q4, remaining stable between 3% and 4% throughout the quarter [8][21] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2024 was $153.1 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 19.8%, down from 22.8% in the same quarter last year [22][23] - Adjusted income attributable to Acadia stockholders per diluted share was $0.64 for Q4 2024, compared to $0.85 for the prior year period [25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Same facility revenue grew by 4.7% compared to Q4 2023, driven by patient day growth and a 1.4% increase in revenue per patient day [21] - Startup losses related to new facilities were $11.2 million in Q4 2024, a $6 million increase year-over-year [23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a more stable labor environment in 2024, which supported recruitment and retention initiatives [9] - The company anticipates adding between 800 and 1,000 total beds in 2025, reflecting ongoing demand for behavioral health services [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on transforming the lives of patients and communities by providing specialized behavioral health care [10] - Acadia is committed to expanding access to care, with a strong pipeline of potential partnerships with leading health systems [19] - The company plans to moderate the pace of bed additions to 600 to 800 beds per year starting in 2026, balancing growth and free cash flow generation [42] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's strategy and goals, emphasizing the need to address the mental health and addiction crisis in the U.S. [19] - The company expects to return to free cash flow positive by the end of 2026, driven by new bed contributions and reduced startup costs [50][51] Other Important Information - The Board of Directors authorized a new $300 million share repurchase program, subject to market conditions [44] - The company recorded a $4 million increase in reserves for self-insured professional and general liability claims, reflecting unfavorable industry trends [23][34] Q&A Session Summary Question: Follow-up on capital commitments and cash flow - Management confirmed refinancing existing bank facilities and upsizing to about a billion dollars, with expectations of cash flow returning to positive by the end of 2026 [47][48] Question: Clarification on first-quarter guidance - Management indicated that the first quarter is expected to contribute less to the full year than typical, with startup losses anticipated to be high [55][56] Question: Update on referral activity - Management noted that referral issues are less of a challenge now, focusing on a small number of underperforming facilities [99][102] Question: Long-term growth outlook and margin assumptions - Management reiterated a balanced approach to growth, expecting revenue growth of 7% to 9% and EBITDA growth of 8% to 10% in the coming years [62][66] Question: Update on underperforming facilities - Management is conducting comprehensive reviews of underperforming facilities, focusing on business development, leadership, and technology adoption [118][122]