Healthcare Services Group, Inc. Reports Q2 2021 Results

Healthcare Services Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:HCSG) (the “Company”) reported for the three months ended June 30, 2021 revenue of $398.2 million, net income of $9.6 million, or $0.13 per basic and diluted common share, and cash flow from operations of $25.3 million. The Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20875 per common share, the 72^nd consecutive increase since the initiation of dividend payments in 2003.

Ted Wahl, Chief Executive Officer, stated, “While Q2 reported results were impacted by temporary or non-recurring items, our underlying operational and financial performance was strong and in line with recent quarters as we continue to execute on our strategy and manage the elements of our business that are within our control.”

Mr. Wahl continued, “Also during Q2, we agreed to temporarily modify the terms of our agreements with Genesis, as it continues to work through its restructuring plan. We believe that these temporary adjustments, in conjunction with concessions made by other stakeholders, are in our best interest as Genesis’ facilities provide a broad platform for strategic opportunities in the future.”

Mr. Wahl concluded, “We remain encouraged by the stabilizing industry landscape, while also cognizant that significant uncertainty related to COVID-19 remains. We’ll continue to closely monitor the various interrelated factors that will play a crucial role in industry recovery, including immunization rates, occupancy trends, staffing levels, and government funding. Looking ahead, given the new dining & nutrition agreements, we’re excited about our return to growth in Q3 and are confident the Company is well positioned for long-term growth.”

New Business Update

The Company expects over $50.0 million of annualized revenue growth, or over $12.5 million per quarter, to be reflected in Q3, consisting primarily of new dining & nutrition service agreements with existing housekeeping & laundry customers.

Genesis Healthcare

The Company and Genesis reached an agreement in principle to modify pricing through December 2021 and payment terms through December 2022. The full run-rate impact of these temporary adjustments is reflected in Q2 and accounted for the majority of the Company’s sequential decrease in revenue, increase in DSO, and unfavorably impacted Q2 earnings by $0.03 per share.

Legal Update

The Company recorded a $6.0 million reserve related to the potential settlement of the previously announced Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) matter and will continue to cooperate with the SEC in working toward a final resolution. Additionally, the Company incurred $0.7 million of SEC-related legal and professional fees. The Company also reserved $3.0 million related to the expected mediated settlements of California labor and employment matters. These one-time legal reserves and fees unfavorably impacted Q2 earnings by $0.12 per share.

Second Quarter Results

Revenue for the quarter was $398.2 million, with housekeeping & laundry and dining & nutrition segment revenues of $202.8 million and $195.3 million, respectively. The majority of the sequential decrease in revenue relates to the aforementioned temporary Genesis adjustments. Revenue was also impacted by a $3.1 million sequential decrease of COVID-19 supplemental billings.

Direct cost of services was reported at $336.4 million, or 84.5%, below the Company’s historical target of 86.0%.

Housekeeping & laundry and dining & nutrition segment margins were 11.2% and 7.0%, respectively.

Selling, general, and administrative (“SG&A”) was reported at $50.1 million; after adjusting for the $2.9 million increase in deferred compensation, actual SG&A was $47.1 million. SG&A was also impacted by the aforementioned legal-related charges, including $6.0 million related to the potential settlement of the SEC matter, $0.7 million of SEC-related legal and professional fees, and $3.0 million related to the expected mediated settlements of California labor and employment matters.

The Company reported an effective tax rate of 36.5%. The Q2 tax rate was impacted by the non-deductibility of the $6.0 million charge related to the potential settlement of the SEC matter. The Company expects an effective tax rate of 24-26% in Q3 and Q4.

Cash flow from operations for the quarter was $25.3 million and was impacted by a $20.7 million increase in accrued payroll. DSO for the quarter was 62 days. The majority of the sequential increase in DSO relates to the aforementioned temporary Genesis adjustments, which also decreased Q2 cash flow from operations.

Dividend & Share Repurchase

The Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20875 per common share, payable on September 24, 2021 to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 20, 2021. This represents the 73^rd consecutive quarterly cash dividend payment, as well as the 72^nd consecutive increase since the initiation of quarterly cash dividend payments in 2003. Additionally, the Company repurchased $1.8 million of its common stock, pursuant to its previous authorization, during the quarter. The Company remains authorized to repurchase 1.6 million shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the previous Board of Directors’ authorization.

Conference Call and Upcoming Events

The Company will host a conference call on Wednesday, July 21, 2021, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its results for the three months ended June 30, 2021. The call may be accessed via phone at 877-395-7164. The call will be simultaneously webcast under the “Events & Presentations” section of the Investor Relations page on the Company’s website, www.hcsg.com. A replay of the webcast will also be available on the website for one year following the date of the earnings call.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release and any schedules incorporated by reference into it may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are not historical facts but rather are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our business and industry, and our beliefs and assumptions. Words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “estimates,” “will,” “goal,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by us that any of our plans will be achieved. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Such forward-looking information is also subject to various risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks arising from our providing services to the healthcare industry, primarily providers of long-term care; the impact of and future effects of the COVID-19 pandemic or other potential pandemics; having a significant portion of our consolidated revenues contributed by one customer during the six months ended June 30, 2021; credit and collection risks associated with the healthcare industry; our claims experience related to workers’ compensation and general liability insurance (including any litigation claims, enforcement actions, regulatory actions and investigations arising from personal injury and loss of life related to COVID-19); the effects of changes in, or interpretations of laws and regulations governing the healthcare industry, our workforce and services provided, including state and local regulations pertaining to the taxability of our services and other labor-related matters such as minimum wage increases; the Company's expectations with respect to selling, general, and administrative expense; continued realization of tax benefits arising from our corporate reorganization and self-funded health insurance program; the impact of the Securities and Exchange Commission investigation and related class action lawsuit; risks associated with the reorganization of our corporate structure; and the risk factors described in Part I of our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 under “Government Regulation of Clients,” “Service Agreements and Collections,” and "Competition" and under Item IA. “Risk Factors” in such Form 10-K.

These factors, in addition to delays in payments from customers and/or customers in bankruptcy, have resulted in, and could continue to result in, significant additional bad debts in the near future. Additionally, our operating results would be adversely affected if unexpected increases in the costs of labor and labor-related costs, materials, supplies and equipment used in performing services (including the impact of potential tariffs and COVID-19) could not be passed on to our customers.

In addition, we believe that to improve our financial performance we must continue to obtain service agreements with new customers, retain and provide new services to existing customers, achieve modest price increases on current service agreements with existing customers and/or maintain internal cost reduction strategies at our various operational levels. Furthermore, we believe that our ability to sustain the internal development of managerial personnel is an important factor impacting future operating results and the successful execution of our growth strategies.

Healthcare Services Group, Inc. is the largest national provider of professional housekeeping, laundry and dietary services to long-term care and related health care facilities.

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