Kindred Healthcare Reports Solid Second Quarter Core EPS of $0.32 Excluding Certain Items

Kindred Healthcare Reports Solid Second Quarter Core EPS of $0.32 Excluding Certain Items

Board Initiates Quarterly Cash Dividend of $0.12 Per Share

Second Quarter GAAP Continuing Operations Diluted EPS Totaled $0.12 Compared to Last Year's $0.29

Company Completes Initial Phase of Repositioning Strategy Through the Disposition of 54 Ventas Nursing Centers

Disposition Lifts Continuing Operations EPS by $0.06 in Second Quarter and $0.11 in First Half of 2013

Company Maintains Fiscal 2013 Core Earnings Guidance of $1.10 to $1.30 and Raises Annual Cash Flow Guidance to Fund New Dividend Payment

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kindred Healthcare, Inc. ("Kindred" or the "Company") (NYS: KND) today announced its operating results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2013. During the second quarter of 2013, the Company successfully completed the disposition of 54 nursing centers leased from Ventas, Inc. ("Ventas") (NYS: VTR) and reflected the related operations as discontinued for all periods presented. All financial and statistical information included in this press release reflects the continuing operations of the Company's businesses for all periods presented unless otherwise indicated.

Second Quarter Highlights:

• Consolidated revenues declined 1% to $1.41 billion

  • Federal sequestration cuts of 2% (effective April 1) reduced consolidated revenues by over $13 million in the quarter

• Despite soft volumes, cost management drove solid core operating performance

  • Core aggregate operating expenses declined 0.8% compared to last year's second quarter

• Hospital division reported another successful quarter

  • Sequestration diminished top line growth, but core operating income declined only 4% from last year

• RehabCare division reported 7% growth in operating income driven by better cost controls

• Home Health and Hospice revenues climbed 84% compared to last year

  • Core operating income of $4.0 million improved 42% from a year ago

• Operating cash flows net of routine capital spending totaled $37 million in the quarter, up 49% from last year's $24 million

Second Quarter Results

Continuing Operations

Consolidated revenues for the second quarter ended June 30, 2013 declined 1% to $1.41 billion compared to $1.42 billion in the second quarter last year. Income from continuing operations for the second quarter of 2013 totaled $6.2 million or $0.12 per diluted share compared to $15.6 million or $0.29 per diluted share in the second quarter last year.

Second quarter 2013 operating results included pretax charges of approximately $18 million related to (1) a fixed asset impairment charge and certain other costs related to the planned sale of non-strategic facilities, (2) charges associated with the modification of certain of the Company's senior debt, and (3) transaction related costs. These items reduced income from continuing operations by $10.9 million or $0.20 per diluted share.

Second quarter 2012 operating results included certain charges that reduced income from continuing operations by $5.4 million or $0.10 per diluted share.

Discontinued Operations

During the past several years, the Company has entered into transactions related to the divestiture of unprofitable businesses. For accounting purposes, the historical operating results of these businesses have been classified as discontinued operations in the Company's condensed consolidated statement of operations for all historical periods.

Other Information

As previously announced, the Company successfully completed an amendment and restatement of its $785.5 million Term Loan Credit Agreement (the "Term Loan") to effectively reduce its annual interest cost by 100 basis points beginning June 1, 2013. The applicable interest rate on the Term Loan, which matures on June 1, 2018, was reduced by 50 basis points to LIBOR + 325 basis points (previously LIBOR + 375 basis points). In addition, the LIBOR floor was reduced to 1.00% from 1.50%. Kindred expects that the amended and restated Term Loan will result in annualized interest savings of approximately $8 million.

Management Commentary

Paul J. Diaz, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, remarked, "Despite significant reimbursement pressures brought on by federal sequestration cuts of 2% beginning April 1, Kindred reported solid second quarter core results. This accomplishment reflects the commitment of our caregivers, and a relentless focus on cost management across the enterprise, all while maintaining our culture of quality service and patient satisfaction. In addition, we are continuing to see the benefits of the Ventas nursing center transition to our continuing operations. The disposition of these 54 nursing centers lifted our earnings from continuing operations by $0.11 per diluted share in the first half of 2013."

Mr. Diaz continued, "The second quarter also provided tangible evidence that our asset repositioning strategy and related capital redeployment activities are accelerating. In addition to the Ventas nursing center disposition, we recently completed the sale of seven nursing centers for $47 million, and we have announced another transaction to sell non-strategic facilities that should provide net sales proceeds of approximately $180 million before the end of the year. Finally, our ongoing review of the 2015 Ventas lease renewals will provide additional opportunities for repositioning Kindred as a stronger, more market-focused and profitable post-acute services provider."

Commenting on the Company's financial strength, Mr. Diaz noted, "Our financial liquidity and available capital resources to invest further in our Integrated Care Markets and acquire additional home health and hospice businesses has never been stronger. Our free operating cash flows, after funding $13 million of planned cash dividends, are expected to remain at $90 million for 2013. These free cash flows, along with over $400 million of unused revolving credit capacity, and $227 million of expected net proceeds from the announced asset sales, provide us with significant financial resources to invest in our strategic growth plan."

Commenting on the Company's development and acquisition activities, Mr. Diaz noted, "We recently completed the acquisition of a 54-bed transitional care ("TC") hospital in St. Louis, and we have plans to build new transitional care centers in Phoenix, Indianapolis, Las Vegas and Louisville as we continue to expand our continuum of services in these Integrated Care Markets. In addition, we also completed two home health acquisitions and one hospice acquisition that will further expand our service offerings in Houston and West Texas. These transactions are expected to be accretive to earnings beginning in 2014."

Quarterly Cash Dividends

The Company also announced that its Board of Directors has approved the initiation of a quarterly cash dividend to its shareholders. An initial quarterly cash dividend of $0.12 per common share will be paid on September 9, 2013 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on August 19, 2013. Future declarations of quarterly dividends will be subject to the approval of Kindred's Board of Directors.

"We are pleased to announce the first cash dividend paid to shareholders in the Company's history," Mr. Diaz noted. "This cash dividend reflects the strength of our operating cash flows, our confidence in our business outlook, and our commitment to growing shareholder value. The quality and strength of our balance sheet, along with a proven track record of generating strong operating cash flows, provides us with the financial flexibility to return capital to shareholders in the form of a dividend while also continuing our strategic development activities in our key Integrated Care Markets."

Earnings Guidance - Continuing Operations

The Company maintained its earnings guidance for 2013. The earnings guidance excludes the effect of (1) a one-time employee bonus distributed in the first quarter of 2013, (2) employee retention costs incurred in connection with the planned divestiture of non-strategic facilities, (3) any transaction-related charges, (4) charges associated with the modification of certain of the Company's senior debt, (5) any other reimbursement changes, (6) any further acquisitions or divestitures (including the previously announced sales of non-strategic hospitals and nursing centers), (7) any impairment charges, and (8) any repurchases of common stock.

The Company expects consolidated revenues for 2013 to approximate $5.8 billion. Operating income, or earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and rent, is expected to range from $797 million to $813 million. Rent expense is expected to approximate $392 million, while depreciation and amortization should approximate $192 million. Net interest expense is expected to approximate $109 million. The Company expects to report income from continuing operations for 2013 between $60 million to $70 million or $1.10 to $1.30 per diluted share (based upon diluted shares of 52.5 million).

The Company raised its operating cash flow guidance for 2013 to a range between $235 million to $255 million (prior range was $230 million to $250 million) and lowered its estimated routine capital expenditures in 2013 to a range of $112 million to $122 million (prior range was $120 million to $130 million). In addition to its routine capital expenditures, the Company re-affirmed that its development of new or replacement TC hospitals, transitional care centers, and inpatient rehabilitation hospitals ("IRFs") will approximate $20 million to $30 million in 2013. The new planned cash dividend will require the use of approximately $13 million in fiscal 2013, and approximately $27 million on an annual basis. Operating cash flows in excess of the Company's routine and development capital spending programs and cash dividend payments, which are expected to approximate $90 million for 2013, will be available to repay debt and fund acquisitions.

The two previously announced transactions to sell 16 hospitals and eight nursing centers are not reflected in the Company's earnings guidance. As previously announced, these facilities generated combined revenues of approximately $352 million and earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization of approximately $27 million (including the allocation of approximately $11 million of overhead cost) for the year ended December 31, 2012. Aggregate rents associated with these facilities approximated $16 million in 2012.

Webcast of Conference Call

As previously announced, investors and the general public can access a live webcast of the second quarter 2013 conference call through a link on the Company's website at www.kindredhealthcare.com. The conference call will be held August 6, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time).

A telephone replay of the conference call will be available at approximately 1:00 p.m. on August 6 by dialing (719) 457-0820, access code: 6192358. The replay will be available through August 15.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes 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. All statements regarding the Company's expected future financial position, results of operations, cash flows, financing plans, business strategy, budgets, capital expenditures, competitive positions, growth opportunities, plans and objectives of management and statements containing the words such as "anticipate," "approximate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "project," "could," "should," "will," "intend," "may" and other similar expressions, are forward-looking statements. Statements in this press release concerning the Company's business outlook or future economic performance, anticipated profitability, revenues, expenses or other financial items, and product or services line growth, together with other statements that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements that are estimates reflecting the best judgment of the Company based upon currently available information.

Such forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and stockholders and other potential investors must recognize that actual results may differ materially from the Company's expectations as a result of a variety of factors, including, without limitation, those discussed below. Such forward-looking statements are based upon management's current expectations and include known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which the Company is unable to predict or control, that may cause the Company's actual results or performance to differ materially from any future results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed below and detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

In addition to the factors set forth above, other factors that may affect the Company's plans, results or stock price include, without limitation, (a) the impact of healthcare reform, which will initiate significant changes to the United States healthcare system, including potential material changes to the delivery of healthcare services and the reimbursement paid for such services by the government or other third party payors, including reforms resulting from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Healthcare Education and Reconciliation Act (collectively, the "ACA") or future deficit reduction measures adopted at the federal or state level. Healthcare reform is affecting each of the Company's businesses in some manner. Potential future efforts in the U.S. Congress to repeal, amend, modify or retract funding for various aspects of the ACA create additional uncertainty about the ultimate impact of the ACA on the Company and the healthcare industry. Due to the substantial regulatory changes that will need to be implemented by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS") and others, and the numerous processes required to implement these reforms, the Company cannot predict which healthcare initiatives will be implemented at the federal or state level, the timing of any such reforms, or the effect such reforms or any other future legislation or regulation will have on the Company's business, financial position, results of operations and liquidity, (b) the impact of final rules issued by CMS on August 1, 2012 which, among other things, will reduce Medicare reimbursement to the Company's TC hospitals in 2013 and beyond by imposing a budget neutrality adjustment and modifying the short-stay outlier rules, (c) the impact of final rules issued by CMS on July 29, 2011 which significantly reduced Medicare reimbursement to the Company's nursing centers and changed payments for the provision of group therapy services effective October 1, 2011, (d) the impact of the Budget Control Act of 2011 (as amended by the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (the "Taxpayer Relief Act")) which will automatically reduce federal spending by approximately $1.2 trillion split evenly between domestic and defense spending. An automatic 2% reduction on each claim submitted to Medicare began on April 1, 2013, (e) the impact of the Taxpayer Relief Act which, among other things, reduces Medicare payments by 50% for subsequent procedures when multiple therapy services are provided on the same day. At this time, the Company believes that the rules related to multiple therapy services will reduce the Company's Medicare revenues by $25 million to $30 million on an annual basis, (f) changes in the reimbursement rates or the methods or timing of payment from third party payors, including commercial payors and the Medicare and Medicaid programs, changes arising from and related to the Medicare prospective payment system for long-term acute care ("LTAC") hospitals, including potential changes in the Medicare payment rules, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, and changes in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement for the Company's TC hospitals, nursing centers, IRFs and home health and hospice operations, and the expiration of the Medicare Part B therapy cap exception process, (g) the effects of additional legislative changes and government regulations, interpretation of regulations and changes in the nature and enforcement of regulations governing the healthcare industry, (h) the ability of the Company's hospitals to adjust to potential LTAC certification and medical necessity reviews, (i) the impact of the Company's significant level of indebtedness on the Company's funding costs, operating flexibility and ability to fund ongoing operations, development capital expenditures or other strategic acquisitions with additional borrowings, (j) the Company's ability to successfully pursue its development activities, including through acquisitions, and successfully integrate new operations, including the realization of anticipated revenues, economies of scale, cost savings and productivity gains associated with such operations, as and when planned, including the potential impact of unanticipated issues, expenses and liabilities associated with those activities, (k) the Company's ability to pay a dividend as, when and if declared by the Board of Directors, in compliance with applicable laws and the Company's debt and other contractual arrangements, (l) the failure of the Company's facilities to meet applicable licensure and certification requirements, (m) the further consolidation and cost containment efforts of managed care organizations and other third party payors, (n) the Company's ability to meet its rental and debt service obligations, (o) the Company's ability to operate pursuant to the terms of its debt obligations, and comply with its covenants thereunder, and its ability to operate pursuant to its master lease agreements with Ventas, (p) the condition of the financial markets, including volatility and weakness in the equity, capital and credit markets, which could limit the availability and terms of debt and equity financing sources to fund the requirements of the Company's businesses, or which could negatively impact the Company's investment portfolio, (q) the Company's ability to control costs, particularly labor and employee benefit costs, (r) the costs of defending and insuring against alleged professional liability and other claims (including those related to pending wage and hour class action lawsuits against the Company) and the Company's ability to predict the estimated costs related to such claims, including the impact of differences in actuarial assumptions and estimates compared to eventual outcomes, (s) the Company's ability to successfully reduce (by divestiture of operations or otherwise) its exposure to professional liability and other claims, (t) the Company's obligations under various laws to self-report suspected violations of law by the Company to various government agencies, including any associated obligation to refund overpayments to government payors, fines and other sanctions, (u) national and regional economic, financial, business and political conditions, including their effect on the availability and cost of labor, credit, materials and other services, (v) increased operating costs due to shortages in qualified nurses, therapists and other healthcare personnel, (w) the Company's ability to attract and retain key executives and other healthcare personnel, (x) the Company's ability to successfully dispose of unprofitable facilities, (y) events or circumstances which could result in the impairment of an asset or other charges, such as the impact of the Medicare reimbursement regulations that resulted in the Company recording significant impairment charges in 2012 and 2011, (z) changes in generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") or practices, and changes in tax accounting or tax laws (or authoritative interpretations relating to any of these matters), and (aa) the Company's ability to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting.

Many of these factors are beyond the Company's control. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements made by the Company are not guarantees of future performance. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to announce publicly the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments.

In addition to the results provided in accordance with GAAP, the Company has provided information in this release to compute certain non-GAAP measurements for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 before certain charges or on a core basis. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP measurements to the GAAP measurements is included in this press release.

As noted above, the Company's earnings release includes a financial measure referred to as operating income, or earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and rent. The Company's management uses operating income as a meaningful measure of operational performance in addition to other measures. The Company uses operating income to assess the relative performance of its operating divisions as well as the employees that operate these businesses. In addition, the Company believes this measurement is important because securities analysts and investors use this measurement to compare the Company's performance to other companies in the healthcare industry. The Company believes that income (loss) from continuing operations is the most comparable GAAP measure. Readers of the Company's financial information should consider income (loss) from continuing operations as an important measure of the Company's financial performance because it provides the most complete measure of its performance. Operating income should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures based upon GAAP as an indicator of operating performance. A reconciliation of operating income to income (loss) from continuing operations provided in the Condensed Business Segment Data is included in this press release.

About Kindred Healthcare

Kindred Healthcare, Inc., a top-125 private employer in the United States, is a FORTUNE 500 healthcare services company based in Louisville, Kentucky with annual revenues of approximately $6 billion and approximately 72,000 employees in 46 states. At June 30, 2013, Kindred through its subsidiaries provided healthcare services in 2,167 locations, including 116 transitional care hospitals, six inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, 169 nursing centers, 24 sub-acute units, 105 Kindred at Home hospice, home health and non-medical home care locations, 103 inpatient rehabilitation units (hospital-based) and a contract rehabilitation services business, RehabCare, which served 1,644 non-affiliated facilities. Ranked as one of Fortune magazine's Most Admired Healthcare Companies for five years in a row, Kindred's mission is to promote healing, provide hope, preserve dignity and produce value for each patient, resident, family member, customer, employee and shareholder we serve. For more information, go to www.kindredhealthcare.com. You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.