Printer Friendly
The Free Library
4,491,676 articles and books
Member login
User name  
Password 
 
Join us Forgot password?

Alderwoods Group Reports Fourth Quarter and 2005 Year-End Results.


CINCINNATI -- Delivers Solid Financial Performance, Reports No Material Weaknesses in Internal Controls for 2005

Alderwoods Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:AWGI) today announced its fourth quarter and year-end results, representing the 12 weeks and 52 weeks ended December 31, 2005.

The Company reported total net income of $41.2 million, or $1.02 basic and $0.99 diluted earnings per share, on revenues of $748.9 million, for the 52 weeks ended December 31, 2005, compared with total net income of $9.3 million, or $0.23 basic and diluted earnings per share, on revenues of $717.1 million, for the 52 weeks ended January 1, 2005.

From continuing operations, the Company reported total net income of $42.9 million, or $1.06 basic and $1.03 diluted earnings per share, for fiscal 2005, compared with a net loss of $3.6 million, or $0.09 basic and diluted loss per share, for fiscal 2004.
Highlights of the Fourth Quarter from Continuing Operations

- Revenue increased 3.8% to $173.5 million
- Number of same site funeral services performed increased
  0.6% to 26,378
- Same site average revenue per funeral increased 4.7% to $4,237
- Funeral revenue increased 3.0% to $112.1 million
- Cemetery revenue declined 2.2% to $39.4 million
- Insurance revenue increased 21.9% to $22.0 million
- Net income increased 40.7% to $9.1 million
- Pre-need funeral contracts written decreased 2.8% to $41 million
- Pre-need cemetery contracts written decreased 7.5% to $19.8 million

Highlights of Fiscal 2005 from Continuing Operations

- Revenue increased 4.4% to $748.9 million
- Number of same site funeral services performed decreased 0.7%
  to 113,300
- Same site average revenue per funeral increased 3.1% to $4,160
- Funeral revenue increased 1.5% to $479.8 million
- Cemetery revenue increased 6.1% to $174.1 million
- Insurance revenue increased 18.6% to $95.0 million
- Net income increased to $42.9 million
- Pre-need funeral contracts written increased 6.4% to $191 million
- Pre-need cemetery contracts written increased 8.7% to $94.5 million
- Total debt decreased by $90.1 million



Significant Activities in 2005

In 2005, Alderwoods continued to optimize its core business operations and reduce debt, while focusing on programs to stimulate organic growth and increase the number of funeral services performed, as well as position its operations to support future growth.

Continued market rationalization: In 2005, Alderwoods Group completed its disposition of identified discontinued operations, selling 18 funeral homes, five cemeteries and four combination properties, which did not fit into the Company's market or business strategies. At the same time, Alderwoods focused on developing new combination locations in urban markets with favorable demographics. In 2005, the Company opened two new combination facilities in South Carolina. Alderwoods plans to advance its development program with the opening of six new locations in 2006.

Further reduced long-term debt: In 2005, Alderwoods Group continued to reduce its long-term debt. As of December 31, 2005, long-term debt outstanding stood at $373.5 million, a reduction of $90.1 million in fiscal 2005. At the end of fiscal 2005, cash on hand was $7.5 million. In 2006, the Company intends to continue to focus on paying down debt. However, in 2007 and beyond, Alderwoods Group's strengthened balance sheet provides it with an opportunity to assess other uses for available cash.

Improved pre-need sales: To build a solid foundation for long-term market share and funeral services volume growth, Alderwoods Group expanded its pre-need sales program in 2005. The Company added to its pre-need sales force through targeted recruiting efforts and invested in additional advertising and promotion of its Advance Planning products and services. In 2005, the value of pre-need funeral contracts written increased 6.4% to $191.0 million and the value of pre-need cemetery contracts written increased 8.7% to $94.5 million. Alderwoods Group's pre-need funeral services backlog now exceeds $1.3 billion. The Company is committed to increasing, over time, the percentage of at-need revenues derived from its pre-need business, as it represents a key avenue to drive future organic growth in the business. A strong pre-need program also helps contribute to Alderwoods Group's at-need business by increasing the profile of the Company's locations in the communities in which they operate.

Advanced program of Cultural Transformation: In 2005, Alderwoods Group continued to make progress in developing a performance-based culture supporting leadership, outstanding customer service, strong community relations, excellence in administration and strong financial management. To support its program of Cultural Transformation, Alderwoods introduced additional training programs for its employees. The training programs are designed to enhance the quality of service that Alderwoods provides to families and help funeral home and cemetery employees build relationships in the communities in which they operate. The Company believes that these training programs combined with a commitment to exceptional service to families and strong community outreach will help raise the reputation and profile of its locations and assist in building long-term market share. Alderwoods also launched recruiting programs to attract new talent. The recruiting programs are designed to attract and retain employees that bring the optimal skills and attitudes to the organization.

Implemented additional Alderwoods Rooms: In 2005, Alderwoods Group built 91 standardized merchandise selection rooms, called Alderwoods Rooms, bringing the total number of rooms in its network of funeral homes to 325 as of December 31, 2005. The Company plans to continue to invest in the rollout of Alderwoods Rooms, implementing a further 80 rooms in 2006, as they provide more options to families during the arrangement process and contribute to the average revenue per funeral service.

"2005 was a year of strong performance for Alderwoods, as we delivered revenue growth in our funeral, cemetery and insurance businesses, increased the average revenue per funeral service, and achieved solid cash flow from operations," said Mr. Paul Houston, President and CEO of Alderwoods Group. "We further strengthened our balance sheet through continued debt reduction, while taking the opportunity to invest in a number of programs to help build a foundation for organic growth in the longer term."

Mr. Houston continued, "Some of our initiatives to stimulate funeral services growth in 2005 did not take effect as quickly as we had hoped and the total number of funeral services performed decreased over the prior year, although we did experience increases in the second and fourth quarters. Our investments in these initiatives came during a particularly challenging year, in which we faced a soft funeral services market as well as the impact of a severe hurricane season on our operations in the southern United States. After fully evaluating the results of these programs, we will be reducing our spending in 2006 on those initiatives that did not meet our targets, while continuing to invest in those that have delivered results.

"The year-over-year growth in the average revenue per funeral service helped to offset the decline in funeral services performed and we will also continue to invest in areas that will further improve this metric, such as the implementation of Alderwoods Rooms and employee training programs.

"During the year," Mr. Houston added, "we experienced significant cost inflation pressures in areas such as wages, insurance and utilities, which were partially offset by some unusual items that we do not expect to recur in 2006. We expect that the inflationary cost pressures will continue in 2006, in what appears to be an ongoing soft environment for funeral services. We anticipate that funeral revenues will grow modestly over time, driven primarily by continued improvement in the average revenue per funeral service we perform. Accordingly, we are taking steps to ensure that our cost structure is appropriately aligned with our anticipated revenues."

Financial Summary 12 Weeks Ended December 31, 2005

Overview

For the 12 weeks ended December 31, 2005, total net income was $9.1 million, a decrease of $15.3 million compared to $24.4 million for the 12 weeks ended January 1, 2005. Basic earnings per share were $0.22 for the 12 weeks ended December 31, 2005 compared to $0.61 for the 12 weeks ended January 1, 2005. Diluted earnings per share were $0.22 for the 12 weeks ended December 31, 2005 compared to $0.60 in the year ago period.

Continuing Operations

Total revenue for the 12 weeks ended December 31, 2005, was $173.5 million compared to $167.2 million for the 12 weeks ended January 1, 2005, an increase of $6.3 million, or 3.8%. Increases in the funeral and insurance segments were partially offset by a decrease in cemetery revenue.

Funeral revenue was $112.1 million for the 12 weeks ended December 31, 2005, an increase of $3.2 million compared to $108.9 million for the 12 weeks ended January 1, 2005. Same site funeral revenue was $111.1 million for the 12 weeks ended December 31, 2005, an increase of $5.9 million compared to $105.2 million for the 12 weeks ended January 1, 2005. The increase in same site performance was largely due to an increase in the number of funeral services performed of 0.6% and an increase in the average funeral revenue per service of $191 or 4.7%.

Funeral gross margin increased to 18.8% for the 12 weeks ended December 31, 2005, compared to 17.7% for the 12 weeks ended January 1, 2005. The increase was due to revenue increases which were partially offset by expense increases, primarily wages and benefits.

Cemetery revenue for the 12 weeks ended December 31, 2005, was $39.4 million, a decrease of $0.8 million or 2.2%, compared to $40.2 million for the 12 weeks ended January 1, 2005. The decrease was primarily due to decreased pre-need space sales, increased endowment care income of $0.2 million from its investments, and increased at-need service revenue of $0.8 million from a greater number of cemetery interments at a higher average service revenue per interment.

Cemetery gross margin decreased to 11.4% for the 12 weeks ended December 31, 2005, compared to 18.9% for the corresponding period in 2004, primarily due to decreased revenue of $0.8 million and higher operating expenses, primarily wages and benefits.

Insurance revenue was $22.0 million for the 12 weeks ended December 31, 2005, compared to $18.0 million for the 12 weeks ended January 1, 2005. Insurance revenue increased primarily due to increases in premiums of $4.0 million. Insurance gross margin decreased to 7.3% for the 12 weeks ended December 31, 2005, compared to 9.6% for the corresponding period in 2004, primarily as a result of a decrease in investment gains of $0.7 million.

General and administrative expenses totaled $11.3 million for the 12 weeks ended December 31, 2005 compared to $15.0 million for the 12 weeks ended January 1, 2005. The decrease of $3.7 million is primarily due to a decrease in management incentive bonus expense of $0.5 million, a decrease in audit fee expense of $0.6 million, a decrease in capital tax expense of $0.9 million and interest income of $2.0 million on refunds related to an amended tax return.

For the 12 weeks ended December 31, 2005, interest expense was $6.6 million, a decrease of $4.0 million compared to the 12 weeks ended January 1, 2005, reflecting the effect of principal repayments and lower interest rates compared to the corresponding period in 2004.

Income tax expense was a recovery of $1.0 million for the quarter compared to a recovery of $3.0 million last year. The Company recorded an income tax refund of $3.2 million as a result of the resolution of a tax audit. The effective tax rate for the quarter excluding the above benefit was approximately 28% reflecting the effect of a full year effective tax rate of 42% compared to 45% at the end of the third quarter.

Pre-need funeral and cemetery contracts written during the 12 weeks ended December 31, 2005, totaled $41.0 million and $19.8 million, respectively. For the 12 weeks ended January 1, 2005, pre-need funeral and cemetery contracts written totaled $42.2 million and $21.4 million, respectively. The Company is continuing its program to increase pre-need sales. The Company believes that pre-need sales are an important part of building the foundation for future revenue.

Free cash flow from continuing operations was $14.2 million for the 12 weeks ended December 31, 2005, compared to free cash flow of $13.6 million for the 12 weeks ended January 1, 2005. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the Company's definition of free cash flow and reconciliation of net cash provided by continuing operations to free cash flow in the "Non-GAAP Financial Measure" section of this press release.

Financial Summary 52 Weeks Ended December 31, 2005

Overview

For the 52 weeks ended December 31, 2005, total net income was $41.2 million, an increase of $31.9 million compared to $9.3 million for the 52 weeks ended January 1, 2005. Basic earnings per share were $1.02 for the 52 weeks ended December 31, 2005 compared to $0.23 for the 52 weeks ended January 1, 2005. Diluted earnings per share were $0.99 for the 52 weeks ended December 31, 2005 compared to $0.23 in the year-ago period.

Continuing Operations

Total revenue for the 52 weeks ended December 31, 2005, was $748.9 million compared to $717.1 million for the 52 weeks ended January 1, 2005, an increase of $31.8 million, or 4.4%. Revenue increased in each of the business segments - funeral, cemetery and insurance.

Funeral revenue was $479.8 million for the 52 weeks ended December 31, 2005, up $6.9 million compared to $472.9 million for the 52 weeks ended January 1, 2005. Same site funeral revenue was $468.8 million for the 52 weeks ended December 31, 2005, up $11.4 million compared to $457.4 million for the 52 weeks ended January 1, 2005. The increase in same site performance was largely due to an increase in the average funeral revenue per service of $124, or 3.1%, partially offset by a decrease in the number of funeral services performed of 0.7%.

Funeral gross margin decreased to 18.2% for the 52 weeks ended December 31, 2005, compared to 20.4% for the 52 weeks ended January 1, 2005. The decrease was primarily due to: (i) $4.5 million in increased wages, training and advertising costs related to the Company's expanded field management structure and investment in programs designed to build local brand awareness and generate future growth; (ii) $1.9 million incentive bonus expense previously included in general and administrative expenses; (iii) $2.4 million in increased insurance costs, including expenses not expected to be reimbursed under the Company's insurance policy for damages at locations affected by Hurricane Katrina; and (iv) increased utility costs of $1.1 million.

Cemetery revenue for the 52 weeks ended December 31, 2005, was $174.1 million, an increase of $10.1 million or 6.1%, compared to $164.0 million for the 52 weeks ended January 1, 2005. The increase was due primarily to higher pre-need space sales of $6.1 million at the Company's Rose Hills subsidiary, increased at-need service revenue of $1.7 million, and increased endowment care income of $1.0 million from its investments.

Cemetery gross margin was 12.7% for the 52 weeks ended December 31, 2005, compared to 14.6% for the 52 weeks ended January 1, 2005. The decrease in gross margin was primarily due to: (i) a $2.6 million increase in wages and benefits; (ii) $0.8 million in incentive bonus expense previously included in general and administrative expenses; (iii) $1.2 million in increased insurance costs, including expenses not expected to be reimbursed under the Company's insurance policy for damages at locations affected by Hurricane Katrina; and (iv) $0.4 million in increased utility costs.

Insurance revenue was $95.0 million for the 52 weeks ended December 31, 2005, compared to $80.1 million for the 52 weeks ended January 1, 2005. Insurance revenue increased primarily due to increases in premiums of $14.1 million. Insurance gross margin decreased to 5.3% for the 52 weeks ended December 31, 2005, compared to 5.9% for the 52 weeks ended January 1, 2005 due to a decrease in investment gains of $1.7 million.

General and administrative expenses totaled $42.8 million for the 52 weeks ended December 31, 2005 compared to $51.2 million for the 52 weeks ended January 1, 2005. The decrease is primarily due to: (i) the recovery of a $10.9 million corporate receivable previously fully reserved against; (ii) interest income of $2.0 million on refunds from an amended tax return; (iii) a $0.9 million reduction in accrual on settlement of a legal matter relating to a trustee fee dispute; (iv) decreased capital tax expense of $0.5 million; (v) decreased incentive bonus expense of $0.8 million, offset by (vi) increased wages, consulting and audit expenses of $1.1 million related to Sarbanes-Oxley compliance; (vii) increased retirement allowance expense of $1.2 million; and (viii) a $2.3 million foreign exchange impact from Canadian dollar based support center costs. The general and administrative expenses in the 52 weeks ended January 1, 2005 include a legal claim accrual reversal of $0.9 million and recoveries of corporate receivables that were previously fully reserved against for $1.2 million.

For the 52 weeks ended December 31, 2005, interest expense was $30.1 million, a decrease of $48.0 million compared to the 52 weeks ended January 1, 2005, reflecting the effect of principal repayments and lower interest rates compared to the corresponding period in 2004 which also included $29.3 million of net refinancing costs.

For the 52 weeks ended December 31, 2005, income tax expense was $4.8 million versus a recovery of $1.5 million in 2004. However, during the third quarter of 2005 the Company recorded the non cash resolution of an outstanding tax liability by reducing its tax expense by $12.1 million and in the fourth quarter the Company recorded an income tax refund of $3.2 million as a result of the resolution of an IRS tax audit. The Company's effective tax rate for 2005 before the above benefits was approximately 42%.

Net income from continuing operations was $42.9 million or $1.06 basic and $1.03 diluted earnings per share, for the 52 weeks ended December 31, 2005, compared to a net loss of $3.6 million, or $0.09 for both basic and diluted loss per share, for the 52 weeks ended January 1, 2005.

Pre-need funeral and cemetery contracts written during the 52 weeks ended December 31, 2005, totaled $191.0 million and $94.5 million, respectively. For the 52 weeks ended January 1, 2005, pre-need funeral and cemetery contracts written totaled $179.5 million and $86.9 million, respectively. The Company is continuing its program to increase pre-need sales. The Company believes that pre-need sales are an important part of building the foundation for future revenue.

Free cash flow from continuing operations was $78.0 million for the 52 weeks ended December 31, 2005, compared to free cash flow of $42.3 million for the 52 weeks ended January 1, 2005. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the Company's definition of free cash flow and reconciliation of net cash provided by continuing operations to free cash flow in the "Non-GAAP Financial Measure" section of this press release.

Discontinued Operations

For the 52 weeks ended December 31, 2005, loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, was $1.7 million or $0.04 basic and diluted loss per share compared to net income of $12.9 million or $0.32 basic and diluted earnings per share for the 52 weeks ended January 1, 2005. The Company had no classified discontinued operations in the 12 weeks ended December 31, 2005.

Non-GAAP Financial Measure

Free Cash Flow

Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure and, while utilized by other companies, may be calculated differently by other companies. The Company considers free cash flow a useful measure for management and investors of the Company's financial condition and liquidity as well as the Company's ability to generate cash for use in reducing debt or growing the business.

While the Company considers the measurement of free cash flow useful, it should not be considered in isolation, or as an alternative to net cash provided by continuing operations or any other performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.

The Company defines free cash flow as net cash provided by continuing operations less restricted cash from our continuing insurance operations and less maintenance capital expenditures. Net cash provided by continuing operations includes our continuing insurance operations, which is excluded from free cash flow due to the regulatory restrictions on moving cash out of the insurance operations. Net cash provided by the continuing insurance operations is typically invested in insurance invested assets. Maintenance capital expenditures include those expenditures considered necessary to maintain our existing facilities in a condition consistent with the Company's standards and expected useful lives. Maintenance capital expenditures exclude the construction of new facilities, whether or not on an existing Company cemetery, and the development of cemetery property for sale.

The following table provides a reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities and free cash flow, as defined by the Company:
12 Weeks Ended          52 Weeks Ended
                         December     January    December     January
                         31, 2005     1, 2005    31, 2005     1, 2005
                        (millions of dollars)   (millions of dollars)

Net cash provided by
 continuing operations      $30.6       $28.4   $147.4(1)      $104.3
Restricted cash from
 continuing insurance
 operations                (11.3)       (6.0)      (47.3)      (37.0)
Maintenance capital
 expenditures               (5.1)       (8.8)      (22.1)      (25.0)
                         --------------------------------------------
Free cash flow              $14.2       $13.6       $78.0       $42.3
                         --------------------------------------------
                         --------------------------------------------

(1) Includes $11.5 million received upon collection of notes
receivable, $16.1 million received as collateral for liability lines
of insurance which was replaced with a letter of credit and $9.1
million paid to U.S. Trustee in connection with bankruptcy fees.



Internal Control over Financial Reporting (Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act)

Alderwoods Group has completed its evaluation of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which requires management assessment of the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of the end of its most recent fiscal year. Based on Management's assessment under the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework, Management has concluded that the Company's internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2005.

Company Overview

Alderwoods Group is the second largest operator of funeral homes and cemeteries in North America, based upon total revenue and number of locations. As of December 31, 2005, the Company operated 594 funeral homes, 72 cemeteries and 60 combination funeral home and cemetery locations throughout North America. The Company provides funeral and cemetery services and products on both an at-need and pre-need basis. In support of the pre-need business, the Company operates insurance subsidiaries that provide customers with a funding mechanism for the pre-arrangement of funerals.

For more information about the Company's results, readers are directed to the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, which will be filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 13, 2006, and will be available in PDF format through the Company's website (www.alderwoods.com).

Basis of Presentation

The Company's financial results discussed in this media release are presented in U.S. dollars, and all accounting information is presented on the basis of United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

The Company's fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest to the last day of December in each year (whether before or after such date). During 2005, the Company's first, second and fourth fiscal quarters each consisted of 12 weeks and the third fiscal quarter consisted of 16 weeks. The fourth fiscal quarter of 2005 ended on December 31, 2005.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release, including, but not limited to, information regarding the status and progress of the Company's operating activities, the plans and objectives of the Company's management, assumptions regarding the Company's future performance and plans, and any financial guidance provided, as well as certain information in other filings with the SEC and elsewhere are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A(i) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E(i) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The words "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "continues," "anticipate," "intend," "expect" and similar expressions identify these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated, including the following: uncertainties associated with future revenue and revenue growth; the impact of the Company's significant leverage on its operating plans; the ability of the Company to service its debt; the Company's ability to attract, train and retain an adequate number of sales people; uncertainties associated with the volume and timing of pre-need sales of funeral and cemetery services and products; variances in death rates; variances in the use of cremation; and various other uncertainties associated with the funeral service industry and the Company's operations in particular, which are referred to in the Company's periodic reports filed with the SEC, especially under the heading "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors". The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Conference Call

Alderwoods Group will host a conference call tomorrow morning, March 14, 2006, at 11:00 a.m. eastern time. A question and answer session will follow brief remarks by Paul Houston, President and CEO, and Ken Sloan, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. The toll-free conference dial-in number for U.S. and Canadian listeners is 800.377.5794 and for local or international participants is 416.641.6440. Interested parties may listen to the audio webcast via the Alderwoods Group website at http://www.alderwoods.com. A telephone replay will be accessible until March 28, 2006, by dialing 800.558.5253 or 416.626.4100 and quoting reservation number 21285060. An archived replay of the webcast will also be available through the Alderwoods Group website at http://www.alderwoods.com
ALDERWOODS GROUP, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Expressed in thousands of dollars except per share amounts and number
 of shares


                        12 Weeks Ended                 52 Weeks Ended
           ----------------------------------------------------------
           December 31,     January 1,   December 31,      January 1,
                   2005           2005           2005            2005
           ----------------------------------------------------------
            (unaudited)    (unaudited)

Revenue
 Funeral      $ 112,127      $ 108,891      $ 479,799        $472,935
 Cemetery        39,372         40,245        174,110         164,052
 Insurance       21,969         18,020         95,005          80,124
             --------------------------------------------------------
                173,468        167,156        748,914         717,111
             --------------------------------------------------------
Costs and
 expenses
  Funeral        91,087         89,647        392,544         376,646
  Cemetery       34,888         32,626        151,914         140,145
  Insurance      20,367         16,292         89,937          75,415
             --------------------------------------------------------
                146,342        138,565        634,395         592,206
             --------------------------------------------------------

                 27,126         28,591        114,519         124,905

General and
 administrative
 expenses        11,277         15,052         42,815          51,218
Provision
 for asset
 impairment         (6)          1,375        (1,379)           1,787
             --------------------------------------------------------

Income from
 Operations      15,855         12,164         73,083          71,900

Interest on
 long-term debt
 and refinancing
  costs           6,573         10,585         30,069          78,079
Other expense
 (income), net    1,250        (1,814)        (4,662)         (1,162)
             --------------------------------------------------------

Income (loss)
 before income
 taxes            8,032          3,393         47,676         (5,017)

Income taxes    (1,029)        (3,046)          4,815         (1,453)
             --------------------------------------------------------

Net income
 (loss) from
 continuing
 operations       9,061          6,439         42,861         (3,564)

Discontinued
 operations
  Income (loss)
   from
   discontinued
   operations          -        17,911         1,412)          19,400
  Income taxes         -          (15)            266           6,487
             --------------------------------------------------------

Net income
 (loss) from
 discontinued
 operations             -       17,926        (1,678)          12,913
             --------------------------------------------------------

Net income        $ 9,061     $ 24,365       $ 41,183         $ 9,349
             --------------------------------------------------------
             --------------------------------------------------------

Basic earnings
 per Common share:
Net income (loss)
 from continuing
 operations        $ 0.22       $ 0.16         $ 1.06        $ (0.09)
Net income
 (loss) from
 discontinued
 operations             -         0.45         (0.04)            0.32
             --------------------------------------------------------
Net income         $ 0.22       $ 0.61         $ 1.02          $ 0.23
             --------------------------------------------------------
             --------------------------------------------------------

Diluted
 earnings
 per Common
 share:
Net income
 (loss) from
 continuing
 operations         $ 0.22      $ 0.16         $ 1.03        $ (0.09)
Net income
 (loss) from
 discontinued
  operations             -        0.44         (0.04)            0.32
             --------------------------------------------------------
Net income          $ 0.22      $ 0.60         $ 0.99          $ 0.23
             --------------------------------------------------------
             --------------------------------------------------------

Basic weighted
 average number
 of shares
 outstanding
 (thousands)        40,458      40,015         40,245          40,001
             --------------------------------------------------------
             --------------------------------------------------------

Diluted weighted
  average number
  of shares
  outstanding
 (thousands)        42,058      41,116         41,602          41,132
             --------------------------------------------------------
             --------------------------------------------------------


ALDERWOODS GROUP, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Expressed in thousands of dollars

                                       December 31,        January 1,
                                               2005              2005
                                      -----------------  ------------
ASSETS
Current assets
  Cash and cash equivalents                 $ 7,455           $ 9,379
  Receivables, net of allowances             52,862            66,445
  Inventories                                15,784            16,730
  Other                                       6,885            27,622
  Assets held for sale                            -            82,056
                                      -----------------  ------------
                                             82,986           202,232

Pre-need funeral receivables and
 trust investments                          334,427           336,030
Pre-need cemetery receivables and
 trust investments                          307,322           311,654
Cemetery property                           116,467           119,042
Property and equipment                      542,901           540,255
Insurance invested assets                   294,598           250,785
Deferred income tax assets                   13,057             8,161
Goodwill                                    295,890           321,134
Cemetery perpetual care trust
 investments                                243,805           246,052
Other assets                                 42,850            37,082
                                      -----------------  ------------
                                        $ 2,274,303       $ 2,372,427
                                      -----------------  ------------
                                      -----------------  ------------

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
 EQUITY
Current liabilities
  Accounts payable and accrued
   liabilities                            $ 119,734         $ 140,662
  Current maturities of long-term debt        2,435             9,083
  Liabilities associated with
   assets held for sale                           -            61,428
                                      -----------------  ------------
                                            122,169           211,173

Long-term debt                              371,040           454,557
Deferred pre-need funeral and
 cemetery contract revenue                   91,618            82,971
Non-controlling interest in
 funeral and cemetery trusts                548,497           553,617
Insurance policy liabilities                266,729           214,745
Deferred income tax liabilities              10,552            20,357
Other liabilities                            21,983            21,954
                                      -----------------  ------------
                                          1,432,588         1,559,374
                                      -----------------  ------------

Non-controlling interest in
 perpetual care trusts                      243,962           257,141

Stockholders' equity
  Common stock                                  405               400
  Capital in excess of par value            743,126           740,210
  Accumulated deficit                     (172,405)         (213,588)
  Accumulated other comprehensive income     26,627            28,890
                                      -----------------  ------------
                                            597,753           555,912
                                      -----------------  ------------
                                        $ 2,274,303       $ 2,372,427
                                      -----------------  ------------
                                      -----------------  ------------


ALDERWOODS GROUP, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Expressed in thousands of dollars

                                12 Weeks Ended        52 Weeks Ended
                        ----------------------   -------------------
                             Decem-       Jan-     Decem-       Jan-
                            ber 31,    uary 1,    ber 31,    uary 1,
                               2005       2005       2005       2005
                        ----------- ----------  ---------  ---------
                        (unaudited)(unaudited)

CASH PROVIDED BY
 (APPLIED TO)
Operations
 Net income                 $ 9,061   $ 24,365   $ 41,183    $ 9,349
 Income (loss) from
  discontinued operations,
  net of tax                      -   (17,926)      1,678   (12,913)
 Items not affecting cash
  Depreciation and
   amortization               9,725     11,037     44,598     42,093
  Amortization of debt
   issue costs                  620      3,982      3,186     10,118
  Insurance policy benefit
   reserves                  10,923      8,425     49,532     40,705
  Provision for asset
   impairment                   (6)      1,375    (1,379)      1,787
  Loss (gain) on disposal
   of assets                  1,102    (1,979)    (4,966)    (3,530)
  Deferred income taxes       2,810    (4,356)     13,860    (5,126)
 Premium on long-term debt
  repurchase                      -          -        282     32,450
 Other, including net
  changes in other
  non-cash balances         (3,591)      3,512      (540)   (10,653)
                        ----------- ----------  ---------  ---------
 Net cash provided by
  continuing operations      30,644     28,435    147,434    104,280
 Net cash provided by
  (used in) discontinued
  operations                      -      4,619      (601)     15,309
                        ----------- ----------  ---------  ---------
                             30,644     33,054    146,833    119,589
                        ----------- ----------  ---------  ---------

Investing
 Proceeds on disposition
  of business assets          5,805      6,374     20,721     20,917
 Purchase of property and
  equipment                (10,686)   (13,302)   (42,510)   (37,183)
 Purchase of insurance
  invested assets          (36,786)   (44,382)  (126,811)  (138,346)
 Proceeds on disposition
  and maturities of
  insurance invested assets  25,456     38,366     79,647     86,763
 Net cash used in
  continuing operations    (16,211)   (12,944)   (68,953)   (67,849)
 Net cash provided by
  discontinued operations         -     14,607      7,908    108,975
                        ----------- ----------  ---------  ---------
                           (16,211)      1,663   (61,045)     41,126
                        ----------- ----------  ---------  ---------

Financing
 Increase in long-term
  debt                        5,999        145     11,198    390,044
 Repayment of long-term
  debt                     (19,310)   (35,708)  (101,630)  (582,608)
 Issuance of Common Stock         -          -      2,777         56
                        ----------- ----------  ---------  ---------
 Net cash used in
  continuing operations    (13,311)   (35,563)   (87,655)  (192,508)
 Net cash provided by
  (used in) discontinued
  operations                      -          2       (57)      (440)
                        ----------- ----------  ---------  ---------
                           (13,311)   (35,561)   (87,712)  (192,948)
                        ----------- ----------  ---------  ---------

Increase (decrease) in
 cash and cash equivalents    1,122      (844)    (1,924)   (32,233)
Cash and cash
 equivalents, beginning of
 period                       6,333     10,223      9,379     41,612
                        ----------- ----------  ---------  ---------
Cash and cash
 equivalents, end of
 period                     $ 7,455    $ 9,379    $ 7,455    $ 9,379
                        ----------- ----------  ---------  ---------



Alderwoods Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:AWGI)
COPYRIGHT 2006 Business Wire
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2006, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

 Reader Opinion

Title:

Comment:



 

Article Details
Printer friendly Cite/link Email Feedback
Publication:Business Wire
Date:Mar 13, 2006
Words:5504
Previous Article:HRPT Properties Trust Prices $400 Million of Floating Rate Senior Notes Due 2011.
Next Article:Fitch Affirms Webster Financial Corp. Ratings: Revises Outlook to Stable.



Related Articles
Board members, CEOs differ on executive compensation issues. (Brief Article)
Ledgers sporting mostly black ink.(Scrap Industry News)
The Securities and Exchange Commission amended its rules to allow certain larger companies an additional year to comply with internal control...
Options deadline postponed.(Highlights)
Tenants take it to the max in search for high-end space.
LI's class A office rent poised to pierce $30 ceiling.
1Q office vacancies nudge higher on Long Island.
Industrial vacancies down, rents up on Long Island.
Long Island 1Q vacancies nudge higher as rents edge up.(Annual Review & Forecast)
Economic slowdown is big test for NJ industrial market.(Annual Review & Forecast)

Terms of use | Copyright © 2008 Farlex, Inc. | Feedback | For webmasters | Submit articles