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CARRIAGE SERVICES INC - Quarter Report: 2012 June (Form 10-Q)

Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2012

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from             to             

Commission File Number: 1-11961

 

 

CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

DELAWARE   76-0423828

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

3040 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 300,

Houston, TX

  77056
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(713) 332-8400

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   x
Non-Accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  ¨    No  x

The number of shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, outstanding as of August 3, 2012 was 18,038,578.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.

INDEX

 

     Page  

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

  

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2012

     3   

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Six Months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012

     4   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012

     5   

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     6   

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     23   

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     32   

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

     33   

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

     34   

Item 1A. Risk Factors

     34   

Item 5. Other Information

     34   

Item 6. Exhibits

     34   

SIGNATURE

  

 

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Table of Contents

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share data)

 

     December 31,     June 30,  
     2011     2012  
           (unaudited)  

ASSETS

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,137      $ 1,012   

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for bad debts of $918 in 2011 and $1,161 in 2012

     16,497        16,199   

Assets held for sale

     1,229        —     

Inventories and other current assets

     13,439        12,342   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     32,302        29,553   

Preneed cemetery trust investments

     65,682        70,515   

Preneed funeral trust investments

     75,812        79,966   

Preneed receivables, net of allowance for bad debts of $1,728 in 2011 and $2,002 in 2012

     22,614        23,250   

Receivables from preneed funeral trusts

     22,487        22,366   

Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $78,081 in 2011 and $81,412 in 2012

     136,467        143,597   

Cemetery property

     71,515        75,139   

Goodwill

     193,962        200,852   

Deferred charges and other non-current assets

     10,451        8,471   

Cemetery perpetual care trust investments

     41,485        44,486   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 672,777      $ 698,195   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Current liabilities:

    

Current portion of senior long-term debt and capital lease obligations

   $ 628      $ 668   

Accounts payable and other liabilities

     13,862        14,905   

Accrued liabilities

     17,873        14,619   

Liabilities associated with assets held for sale

     1,868        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     34,231        30,192   

Long-term debt, net of current portion

     131,900        131,858   

Line of credit

     3,100        17,300   

Convertible junior subordinated debentures due in 2029 to an affiliate

     89,770        89,770   

Obligations under capital leases, net of current portion

     4,155        4,083   

Deferred preneed cemetery revenue

     58,809        59,506   

Deferred preneed funeral revenue

     40,961        40,683   

Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust

     65,682        70,515   

Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust

     75,812        79,966   

Care trusts’ corpus

     41,379        44,281   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     545,799        568,154   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

    

Redeemable preferred stock

     200        200   

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Common stock, $.01 par value; 80,000,000 shares authorized; 21,663,000 and 21,976,000 shares issued at December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2012, respectively

     217        220   

Additional paid-in capital

     201,284        201,760   

Accumulated deficit

     (63,987     (56,872

Treasury stock, at cost; 3,236,000 and 3,922,000 shares at December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2012, respectively

     (10,736     (15,267
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     126,778        129,841   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 672,777      $ 698,195   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited and in thousands, except per share data)

 

     For the three months
ended June 30,
    For the six months
ended June 30,
 
     2011     2012     2011     2012  

Revenues:

        

Funeral

   $ 35,565      $ 37,401      $ 74,673      $ 78,400   

Cemetery

     12,090        12,665        23,651        23,953   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     47,655        50,066        98,324        102,353   

Field costs and expenses:

        

Funeral

     22,366        23,690        46,832        47,359   

Cemetery

     7,475        7,644        14,404        14,826   

Depreciation and amortization

     2,280        2,368        4,424        4,543   

Regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costs

     2,022        2,080        4,102        4,413   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     34,143        35,782        69,762        71,141   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     13,512        14,284        28,562        31,212   

Corporate costs and expenses:

        

General and administrative costs and expenses

     4,781        4,851        9,530        10,093   

Home office depreciation and amortization

     242        254        496        507   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     5,023        5,105        10,026        10,600   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     8,489        9,179        18,536        20,612   

Interest expense

     (4,510     (4,538     (9,064     (9,111

Other income

     358        17        387        34   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total interest and other, net

     (4,152     (4,521     (8,677     (9,077
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     4,337        4,658        9,859        11,535   

Provision for income taxes

     (1,756     (1,995     (3,994     (4,663
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income from continuing operations

     2,581        2,663        5,865        6,872   

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

     20        —          21        250   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     2,601        2,663        5,886        7,122   

Preferred stock dividend

     (3     (3     (7     (7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income available to common stockholders

   $ 2,598      $ 2,660      $ 5,879      $ 7,115   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings per common share:

        

Continuing operations

   $ 0.14      $ 0.15      $ 0.32      $ 0.38   

Discontinued operations

     —          —          —          0.01   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings per common share

   $ 0.14      $ 0.15      $ 0.32      $ 0.39   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per common share:

        

Continuing operations

   $ 0.14      $ 0.15      $ 0.32      $ 0.38   

Discontinued operations

     —          —          —          0.01   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per common share

   $ 0.14      $ 0.15      $ 0.32      $ 0.39   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends declared per share

   $ 0.025      $ 0.025      $ 0.025      $ 0.05   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding:

        

Basic

     18,367        18,077        18,301        18,171   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

     18,407        18,153        18,340        18,237   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited and in thousands)

 

     For the six months
ended June 30,
 
     2011     2012  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 5,886      $ 7,122   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:

    

Income from discontinued operations

     (21     (250

Depreciation and amortization

     4,920        5,050   

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     362        348   

Gain on repurchase of convertible junior subordinated debentures

     (366     —     

Provision for losses on accounts receivable

     2,024        1,102   

Stock-based compensation expense

     1,095        1,183   

Deferred income taxes

     (2,257     2,096   

Other

     (26     (10

Changes in operating assets and liabilities that provided (required) cash:

    

Accounts and preneed receivables

     (60     (1,413

Inventories and other current assets

     54        740   

Deferred charges and other

     (35     (38

Preneed funeral and cemetery trust investments

     3,397        (146

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     3,891        (2,402

Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery revenue

     (44     (176

Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust

     (3,237     168   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by continuing operating activities

     15,583        13,374   

Net cash provided by discontinued operating activities

     178        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     15,761        13,374   

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Acquisitions

     (5,100     (16,399

Capital expenditures

     (4,608     (5,981
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (9,708     (22,380

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Net borrowings from (payments against) the bank credit facility

     (600     14,200   

Payments on senior long-term debt and obligations under capital leases

     (315     (342

Proceeds from the exercise of stock options and employee stock purchase plan

     199        440   

Stock option benefit

     7        24   

Dividends on common stock

     (460     (903

Dividend on redeemable preferred stock

     (7     (7

Repurchase of convertible junior subordinated debentures

     (972     —     

Purchase of treasury stock

     —          (4,531
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (2,148     8,881   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     3,905        (125

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     1,279        1,137   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 5,184      $ 1,012   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Company

Carriage Services, Inc. (“Carriage”, the “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”) is a leading provider of deathcare services and merchandise in the United States. As of June 30, 2012, we owned and operated 164 funeral homes in 26 states and 33 cemeteries in 11 states.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include us and our subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Interim Condensed Disclosures

The information for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2011 and June 30, 2012 is unaudited, but in the opinion of management, reflects all adjustments which are normal, recurring and necessary for a fair presentation of financial position and results of operations as of and for the interim periods presented. Certain information and footnote disclosures, normally included in annual financial statements, have been condensed or omitted. The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared consistent with the accounting policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and should be read in conjunction therewith.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, realization of accounts receivable, goodwill, intangible assets, property and equipment and deferred tax assets. We base our estimates on historical experience, third party data and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these considerations form the basis for making judgments about the amount and timing of revenues and expenses, the carrying value of assets and the recorded amounts of liabilities. Actual results may differ from these estimates and such estimates may change if the underlying conditions or assumptions change. Historical performance should not be viewed as indicative of future performance, as there can be no assurance the margins, operating income and net earnings as a percentage of revenues will be consistent from year to year.

Discontinued Operations

In accordance with our Strategic Acquisition Model, non-strategic businesses are reviewed to determine whether such businesses should be sold and the proceeds redeployed elsewhere. A marketing plan is then developed for those locations which are identified as held for sale. When we receive a letter of intent and financing commitment from a buyer and the sale is expected to occur within one year, the location is no longer reported within our continuing operations. The assets and liabilities associated with the location are reclassified as held for sale on the balance sheet and the operating results, as well as impairments, if any, are presented on a comparative basis in the discontinued operations section of the consolidated statements of operations, along with the income tax effect. There were no discontinued operations during 2011. We ended a management contract with a cemetery in Ohio in January 2012. See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements herein for more information.

Business Combinations

Tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at fair value and goodwill is recognized for any difference between the price of the acquisition and fair value. We customarily estimate related transaction costs known at closing. To the extent that information not available to us at the closing date of an acquisition subsequently becomes available during the allocation period, we may adjust goodwill, assets, or liabilities associated with such acquisition. Acquisition related costs are recognized separately from acquisitions and are expensed as incurred.

 

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During the second quarter of 2011, we completed two funeral home acquisitions. During the second quarter of 2012, we completed one acquisition comprised of two funeral homes and one cemetery. See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements herein for additional information on these acquisitions.

Stock Plans and Stock-Based Compensation

We have stock-based employee and director compensation plans in the form of restricted stock, stock options and employee stock purchase plans, which are described in more detail in Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. We recognize compensation expense in an amount equal to the fair value of the share-based awards issued over the period of vesting. Fair value is determined on the date of the grant. The fair value of options or awards containing options is determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model. See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements herein for additional information on our stock-based compensation plans.

Computation of Earnings Per Common Share

Basic earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive common equivalent shares consist of stock options.

Share-based awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid, are recognized as participating securities and included in the computation of both basic and diluted earnings per share. Our grants of restricted stock awards to our employees and directors are considered participating securities and we have prepared our earnings per share calculations to include outstanding unvested restricted stock awards in both the basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding calculation. See Exhibit 11.1 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Form 10-Q”) for the computations of per share earnings for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2012.

Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Trust Funds

Our preneed and perpetual care trust funds are reported in accordance with the principles of consolidating Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”). In the case of preneed trusts, the customers are the legal beneficiaries. In the case of perpetual care trusts, we do not have a right to access the corpus in the perpetual care trusts. For these reasons, we have recognized financial interests of third parties in the trust funds in our financial statements as Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus. The investments of such trust funds are classified as available-for-sale and are reported at fair market value; therefore, the unrealized gains and losses, as well as accumulated and undistributed income and realized gains and losses are recorded to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our future obligations to deliver merchandise and services are reported at estimated settlement amounts. Preneed funeral and cemetery trust investments are reduced by the trust investment earnings that we have been allowed to withdraw in certain states prior to maturity. These earnings, along with preneed contract collections not required to be placed in trust, are recorded in Deferred preneed funeral revenue and Deferred preneed cemetery revenue until the service is performed or the merchandise is delivered.

In accordance with respective state laws, we are required to deposit a specified amount into perpetual and memorial care trust funds for each interment/entombment right and certain memorials sold. Income from the trust funds is distributed to us and used to provide care and maintenance for the cemeteries and mausoleums. Such trust fund income is recognized as revenue when realized by the trust and distributable to us. We are restricted from withdrawing any of the principal balances of these funds.

An enterprise is required to perform an analysis to determine whether the enterprise’s variable interest(s) give it a controlling financial interest in a VIE. This analysis identifies the primary beneficiary of a VIE as the enterprise that has both the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE, or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Our analysis continues to support its position as the primary beneficiary in certain of our funeral and cemetery trust funds.

Fair Value Measurements

We define fair value as the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). We disclose the extent to which fair value is used to measure financial assets and liabilities, the inputs utilized in calculating valuation measurements, and the effect of the measurement of significant unobservable inputs on earnings, or changes in net assets, as of the measurement date. Additional required disclosures are provided herein in Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The fair value disclosures to disclose transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2 and the gross presentation of purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the Level 3 reconciliation of the three-tier fair value hierarchy are also presented herein in Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. We currently do not have any assets that have fair values determined by Level 3 inputs and no liabilities measured at fair value. We have not elected to measure any additional financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value.

 

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To determine the fair value of assets and liabilities in an environment where the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased, the exit price is used as the fair value measurement. For the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2012, we did not incur significant decreases in the volume or level of activity of any asset or liability. We consider an impairment of debt and equity securities other-than-temporary unless (a) the investor has the ability and intent to hold an investment and (b) evidence indicating the cost of the investment is recoverable before we are more likely than not required to sell the investment. If impairment is indicated, then an adjustment is made to reduce the carrying amount to fair value. As of June 30, 2012, no impairments have been identified.

In the ordinary course of business, we are typically exposed to a variety of market risks. Currently, these are primarily related to changes in fair market values related to outstanding debts and changes in the values of securities associated with the preneed and perpetual care trusts. Management is actively involved in monitoring exposure to market risk and developing and utilizing appropriate risk management techniques when appropriate and when available for a reasonable price. Our 7 7/8% senior notes due 2015 (the “Senior Notes”) were issued to the public at par in January 2005 and are carried at a cost of $130.0 million. At June 30, 2012, these securities were typically trading at a price of approximately $101.25 per share, indicating an aggregate fair market value of approximately $131.6 million. Our convertible junior subordinated debentures, payable to Carriage Services Capital Trust (the “Trust”), pay interest at the fixed rate of 7% and are carried on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at a cost of approximately $89.8 million. The fair value of these securities is estimated to be approximately $76.3 million at June 30, 2012, based on available broker quotes of the corresponding preferred securities issued by the Trust.

Income Taxes

We and our subsidiaries file a consolidated U.S. Federal income tax return, separate income tax returns in 15 states and combined or unitary income tax returns in 11 states in which we operate. We record deferred taxes for temporary differences between the tax basis and financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities. We record a valuation allowance to reflect the estimated amount of deferred tax assets for which realization is uncertain. Management reviews the valuation allowance at the end of each quarter and makes adjustments if it is determined that it is more likely than not that the tax benefits will be realized.

We analyze tax benefits for uncertain tax positions and how they are to be recognized, measured, and derecognized in financial statements; provide certain disclosures of uncertain tax matters; and specify how reserves for uncertain tax positions should be classified on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We have reviewed our income tax positions and identified certain tax deductions, primarily related to business acquisitions that are not certain. Our policy with respect to potential penalties and interest is to record them as “Other” expense and “Interest” expense, respectively. The entire balance of unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate. We do not anticipate a significant increase or decrease in our unrecognized tax benefits during the next twelve months.

2. RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Fair Value Measurements

In May 2011, additional guidance was issued regarding how fair value measurements and disclosures should be applied where already required or permitted under International Financial Reporting Standards or U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. This new guidance clarifies and aligns the existing application of fair value measurement guidance and revises certain language. This guidance is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning after December 15, 2011, thus effective for us for the period beginning January 1, 2012. The adoption of this accounting standard update did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

3. ACQUISITIONS

Our growth strategy includes the execution of our Strategic Acquisition Model. The goal of this model is to build concentrated groups of businesses in ten to fifteen strategic markets. We assess acquisition candidates using six strategic ranking criteria and to differentiate the price we are willing to pay. Those criteria are:

 

   

Size of business;

 

   

Size of market;

 

   

Competitive standing;

 

   

Demographics;

 

   

Strength of brand; and

 

   

Barriers to entry.

 

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During the second quarter of 2012, we completed one acquisition of two funeral homes and one cemetery. We paid $4.8 million in cash as consideration for this acquisition. We acquired substantially all of the assets and assumed certain operating liabilities, including obligations associated with existing preneed contracts. The assets and liabilities were recorded at fair value and included goodwill of $0.5 million. The pro forma impact of the acquisition on the prior periods is not presented as the impact is not material to reported results. Thus, the results of the acquired businesses are included in our results from the date of acquisition.

The effect of the acquisition on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2012 is as follows (in thousands):

 

Current assets

   $ 97   

Preneed funeral trust investments

     986   

Property, plant & equipment

     4,567   

Goodwill

     552   

Cemetery perpetual care trust investments

     478   

Accrued liabilities

     (67

Deferred preneed cemetery revenue

     (339

Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust

     (986

Care trusts’ corpus

     (478
  

 

 

 

Total consideration

   $ 4,810   
  

 

 

 

4. GOODWILL

Many of the former owners and staff of acquired funeral homes have provided high quality service to families for generations. The resulting loyalty often represents a substantial portion of the value of a funeral business. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net identifiable assets acquired, as determined by management in business acquisition transactions accounted for as purchases, is recorded as goodwill.

The following table presents the changes in goodwill in our Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands):

 

     June 30, 2012  

Goodwill as of December 31, 2011

   $ 193,962   

Acquisitions

     6,890   
  

 

 

 

Goodwill at end of period

   $ 200,852   
  

 

 

 

Changes in previous estimates are related to adjustments for inventory values.

5. ASSETS HELD FOR SALE AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

We continually review locations to optimize the sustainable earning power and return on our invested capital. Our strategy, the Strategic Portfolio Optimization Model, also uses strategic ranking criteria to assess potential disposition candidates. The execution of this strategy entails selling generally non-strategic businesses.

There were no discontinued operations during 2011. During the first quarter of 2012, we ended a management agreement with a cemetery in Ohio. No businesses were held for sale at June 30, 2012.

The operating results of the discontinued cemetery business during the periods presented, as well as the gain on the disposal, are presented in the discontinued operations section of the Consolidated Statements of Operations, along with the income tax effect as follows (in thousands):

 

     For the Three Months Ended
June 30,
    For the Six Months  Ended
June 30,
 
     2011     2012     2011     2012  

Revenues

   $ 252      $ —        $ 440      $ 13   

Operating income (loss)

   $ 34      $ —        $ 35      $ (9

Loss on disposition

     —          (1     —          426   

Benefit for income taxes

     (14     1        (14     (167
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from discontinued operations

   $ 20      $ —        $ 21      $ 250   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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6. PRENEED TRUST INVESTMENTS

Preneed Cemetery Trust Investments

Preneed cemetery trust investments represent trust fund assets that we are generally permitted to withdraw when the merchandise or services are provided. The components of Preneed cemetery trust investments in our Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2012 are as follows (in thousands):

 

     December 31, 2011     June 30, 2012  

Preneed cemetery trust investments

   $ 67,713      $ 72,708   

Less: allowance for contract cancellation

     (2,031     (2,193
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 65,682      $ 70,515   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Upon cancellation of a preneed cemetery contract, a customer is generally entitled to receive a refund of the corpus and some or all of the earnings held in trust. In certain jurisdictions, we are obligated to fund any shortfall if the amounts deposited by the customer exceed the funds in trust, including some or all investment income. As a result, when realized or unrealized losses of a trust result in the trust being under-funded, we assess whether we are responsible for replenishing the corpus of the trust, in which case a loss provision is recorded.

We determine whether or not the assets in the preneed cemetery trusts have an other-than-temporary impairment on a security-by-security basis. This assessment is made based upon a number of criteria, including the length of time a security has been in a loss position, changes in market conditions, and concerns related to the specific issuer. If a loss is considered to be other-than-temporary, the cost basis of the security is adjusted downward to its fair market value. Any reduction in the cost basis due to an other-than-temporary impairment is recorded in Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust. There is no impact on earnings unless and until such time that the asset is withdrawn from the trust in accordance with state regulations at an amount that is less than its original basis.

The cost and fair market values associated with preneed cemetery trust investments at June 30, 2012 are detailed below (in thousands).

 

     Cost      Unrealized
Gains
     Unrealized
Losses
    Fair Market
Value
 

Cash and money market accounts

   $ 3,533       $ —         $ —        $ 3,533   

Fixed income securities:

          

Corporate debt

     34,945         1,220         (562     35,603   

Preferred stock

     21,219         327         (360     21,186   

Mortgage Backed Securities

     1         —           —          1   

Common stock

     9,534         9         (2,327     7,216   

Mutual funds:

          

Equity

     3,873         317         (30     4,160   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Trust securities

   $ 73,105       $ 1,873       $ (3,279   $ 71,699   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accrued investment income

   $ 1,009            $ 1,009   
  

 

 

         

 

 

 

Preneed cemetery trust investments

           $ 72,708   
          

 

 

 

Fair market value as a percentage of cost

             98.1
          

 

 

 

The estimated maturities of the fixed income securities included above are as follows (in thousands):

 

Due in one year or less

   $ —     

Due in one to five years

     3,927   

Due in five to ten years

     20,875   

Thereafter

     31,988   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 56,790   
  

 

 

 

 

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Preneed cemetery trust investment security transactions recorded in Interest income and other, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012 are as follows (in thousands):

 

     For the three  months
ended June 30,
    For the six months
ended June 30,
 
     2011     2012     2011     2012  

Investment income

   $ 966      $ 1,290      $ 1,865      $ 2,052   

Realized gains

     6,936        2,681        10,092        5,054   

Realized losses

     (475     (2,195     (546     (2,309

Expenses and taxes

     (671     (1,894     (853     (2,025

(Increase) decrease in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust

     (6,756     118        (10,558     (2,772
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Purchases and sales of investments in the preneed cemetery trusts were as follows (in thousands):

 

     For the three months
ended June 30,
    For the six months
ended June 30,
 
     2011     2012     2011     2012  

Purchases

   $ (32,375   $ (33,060   $ (45,065   $ (57,099

Sales

     32,869        33,404        45,676        57,492   

Preneed Funeral Trust Investments

Preneed funeral trust investments represent trust fund assets that we are permitted to withdraw as services and merchandise are provided to customers. Preneed funeral contracts are secured by funds paid by the customer to us. Preneed funeral trust investments are reduced by the trust earnings we have been allowed to withdraw prior to our performance and amounts received from customers that are not required to be deposited into trust, pursuant to various state laws. The components of Preneed funeral trust investments in our Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2012 are as follows (in thousands):

 

     December 31, 2011     June 30, 2012  

Preneed funeral trust investments

   $ 78,227      $ 82,351   

Less: allowance for contract cancellation

     (2,415     (2,385
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 75,812      $ 79,966   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Upon cancellation of a preneed funeral contract, a customer is generally entitled to receive a refund of the corpus and some or all of the earnings held in trust. In certain jurisdictions, we are obligated to fund any shortfall if the amounts deposited by the customer exceed the funds in trust, including some or all investment income. As a result, when realized or unrealized losses of a trust result in the trust being under-funded, we assess whether we are responsible for replenishing the corpus of the trust, in which case a loss provision is recorded.

We determine whether or not the assets in the preneed funeral trusts have an other-than-temporary impairment on a security-by-security basis. This assessment is made based upon a number of criteria including the length of time a security has been in a loss position, changes in market conditions, and concerns related to the specific issuer. If a loss is considered to be other-than-temporary, the cost basis of the security is adjusted downward to its fair market value. Any reduction in the cost basis due to an other-than-temporary impairment is recorded as a reduction to Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust. There is no impact on earnings unless and until such time that this asset is withdrawn from the trust in accordance with state regulations at an amount that is less than its original basis.

 

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The cost and fair market values associated with preneed funeral trust investments at June 30, 2012 are detailed below (in thousands).

 

     Cost      Unrealized
Gains
     Unrealized
Losses
    Fair
Market

Value
 

Cash and money market accounts

   $ 13,725       $ —         $ —        $ 13,725   

Fixed income securities:

          

U.S. Treasury debt

     4,048         89         —          4,137   

U.S. agency obligations

     337         5         —          342   

Corporate debt

     22,096         1,165         (162     23,099   

Preferred stock

     13,864         1,865         (155     15,574   

Other

     44         —           (16     28   

Common stock

     7,592         241         (917     6,916   

Mutual funds:

          

Equity

     11,234         194         (388     11,040   

Fixed income

     4,438         178         —          4,616   

Other investments

     2,124         —           —          2,124   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Trust securities

   $ 79,502       $ 3,737       $ (1,638   $ 81,601   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accrued investment income

   $ 750            $ 750   
  

 

 

         

 

 

 

Preneed funeral trust investments

           $ 82,351   
          

 

 

 

Fair market value as a percentage of cost

             102.6
          

 

 

 

The estimated maturities of the fixed income securities included above are as follows (in thousands):

 

Due in one year or less

   $ 452   

Due in one to five years

     4,857   

Due in five to ten years Due in five to ten years

     13,016   

Thereafter

     24,855   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 43,180   
  

 

 

 

Preneed funeral trust investment security transactions recorded in Interest income and other, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012 are as follows (in thousands):

 

     For the three  months
ended June 30,
    For the six months
ended June 30,
 
     2011     2012     2011     2012  

Investment income

   $ 771      $ 1,089      $ 1,552      $ 1,951   

Realized gains

     5,046        603        8,370        1,338   

Realized losses

     (375     (1,727     (488     (2,177

Expenses and taxes

     (474     (793     (728     (1,003

(Increase) decrease in deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust

     (4,968     828        (8,706     (109
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Purchases and sales of investments in the preneed funeral trusts are as follows (in thousands):

 

     For the three months
ended June 30,
    For the six months
ended June 30,
 
     2011     2012     2011     2012  

Purchases

   $ (27,452   $ (13,721   $ (44,703   $ (31,594

Sales

     25,226        13,619        42,537        31,793   

 

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7. PRENEED CEMETERY RECEIVABLES

Preneed sales of cemetery interment rights and related products and services are usually financed through interest-bearing installment sales contracts, generally with terms of up to five years with such interest income reflected as Preneed cemetery finance charges. In substantially all cases, we receive an initial down payment at the time the contract is signed. Occasionally, we have offered zero percent interest financing to promote sales as limited-time offers. At June 30, 2012, the balances of preneed receivables for cemetery interment rights and for merchandise and services were $20.9 million and $8.1 million, respectively, of which $9.9 million is presented in Accounts receivable and $19.1 million is presented in Preneed receivables.

We determine an allowance for customer cancellations and refunds on contracts in which revenue has been recognized on sales of cemetery interment rights. We reserve 100% of the receivables on contracts in which the revenue has been recognized and payments are 120 days past due or more, which was approximately 5.9% of the total receivables on recognized sales at June 30, 2012. An allowance is recorded at the date that the contract is executed and periodically adjusted thereafter based upon actual collection experience at the business level. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, changes in the allowance for contract cancellations were as follows (in thousands):

 

     June 30, 2012  

Beginning balance

   $ 1,487   

Write-offs and cancellations

     (98

Provision

     397   
  

 

 

 

Ending balance

   $ 1,786   
  

 

 

 

We have a collections policy where past due notifications are sent to the customer beginning at 15 days past due and periodically thereafter until 90 days past due. Any items on contracts that are past due 120 days are sent to a third-party collector.

The aging of past due financing receivables as of June 30, 2012 is as follows (in thousands):

 

     31-60
Past Due
     61-90
Past Due
     91-120
Past Due
     >120
Past Due
     Total Past
Due
     Current      Total Financing
Receivables
 

Recognized revenue

   $ 636       $ 423       $ 312       $ 1,197       $ 2,568       $ 17,721       $ 20,289   

Deferred revenue

     286         178         134         530         1,128         7,639         8,767   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total contracts

   $ 922       $ 601       $ 446       $ 1,727       $ 3,696       $ 25,360       $ 29,056   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

8. RECEIVABLES FROM PRENEED FUNERAL TRUSTS

The receivables from preneed funeral trusts represent assets in trusts which are controlled and operated by third parties in which we do not have a controlling financial interest (less than 50%) in the trust assets. We account for these investments at cost. As of June 30, 2012, receivables from preneed funeral trusts are as follows (in thousands):

 

     December 31, 2011     June 30, 2012  

Preneed funeral trust funds

   $ 23,182      $ 23,059   

Less: allowance for contract cancellation

     (695     (693
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 22,487      $ 22,366   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

9. CONTRACTS SECURED BY INSURANCE

Certain preneed funeral contracts are secured by life insurance contracts. Generally, the proceeds of the life insurance policies have been assigned to us and will be paid upon the death of the insured. The proceeds will be used to satisfy the beneficiary’s obligations under the preneed contract for services and merchandise. Preneed funeral contracts secured by insurance totaled $216.0 million and $216.3 million at December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2012, respectively, and are not included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

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10. CEMETERY PERPETUAL CARE TRUST INVESTMENTS

Care trusts’ corpus on our Consolidated Balance Sheets represent the corpus of those trusts plus undistributed income. The components of Care trusts’ corpus as of December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2012 are as follows (in thousands):

 

     December 31, 2011     June 30, 2012  

Trust assets, at fair value

   $ 41,485      $ 44,486   

Obligations due from (to) trust

     (106     (205
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Care trusts’ corpus

   $ 41,379      $ 44,281   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

We are required by various state laws to deposit a portion of the proceeds from the sale of cemetery property interment rights into perpetual care trust funds. We determine whether or not the assets in the perpetual care trusts have an other-than-temporary impairment on a security-by-security basis. This assessment is made based upon a number of criteria, including the length of time a security has been in a loss position, changes in market conditions and concerns related to the specific issuer. If a loss is considered to be other-than-temporary, the cost basis of the security is adjusted downward to its fair market value. Any reduction in the cost basis due to an other-than-temporary impairment is recorded as a reduction to Care trusts’ corpus.

The following table reflects the cost and fair market values associated with the trust investments held in perpetual care trust funds at June 30, 2012 (in thousands).

 

     Cost      Unrealized
Gains
     Unrealized
Losses
    Fair
Market

Value
 

Cash and money market accounts

   $ 1,748       $ —         $ —        $ 1,748   

Fixed income securities:

          

Corporate debt

     23,143         799         (378     23,564   

Preferred stock

     13,907         173         (237     13,843   

Mortgage Backed Securities

     1         —           —          1   

Common stock

     6,198         3         (1,535     4,666   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Trust securities

   $ 44,997       $ 975       $ (2,150   $ 43,822   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accrued investment income

   $ 664            $ 664   
  

 

 

         

 

 

 

Cemetery perpetual care trust investments

           $ 44,486   
          

 

 

 

Fair market value as a percentage of cost

             97.4
          

 

 

 

The estimated maturities of the fixed income securities included above are as follows (in thousands):

 

Due in one year or less

   $ —     

Due in one to five years

     2,606   

Due in five to ten years

     13,820   

Thereafter

     20,982   
  

 

 

 
   $ 37,408   
  

 

 

 

Perpetual care trust investment security transactions recorded in Interest income and other, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012 are as follows (in thousands):

 

     For the three  months
ended June 30,
    For the six months
ended June 30,
 
     2011     2012     2011     2012  

Undistributable realized gains

   $ 3,432      $ 1,269      $ 5,681      $ 2,400   

Undistributable realized losses

     (218     (1,027     (315     (1,079

Increase in Care trusts’ corpus

     (3,214     (242     (5,366     (1,321
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Perpetual care trust investment security transactions recorded in Cemetery revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012 are as follows (in thousands):

 

     For the three  months
ended June 30,
     For the six months
ended June 30,
 
     2011      2012      2011      2012  

Investment income

   $ 1,178       $ 1,152       $ 1,757       $ 2,303   

Realized gains

     1,121         300         1,942         300   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 2,299       $ 1,452       $ 3,699       $ 2,603   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Purchases and sales of investments in the perpetual care trusts were as follows (in thousands):

 

     For the three months
ended June 30,
    For the six months
ended June 30,
 
     2011     2012     2011     2012  

Purchases

   $ (14,823   $ (21,520   $ (23,930   $ (37,737

Sales

     14,697        21,644        22,658        38,265   

11. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date applicable for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. We disclose the extent to which fair value is used to measure financial assets and liabilities, the inputs utilized in calculating valuation measurements, and the effect of the measurement of significant unobservable inputs on earnings, or changes in net assets, as of the measurement date.

We evaluated our assets and liabilities for those financial assets and liabilities that met the criteria of the disclosure requirements and fair value framework. We identified investments in fixed income securities, common stock and mutual funds presented within the preneed and perpetual trust investments categories on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as having met such criteria. The following three-level valuation hierarchy based upon the transparency of inputs is utilized in the measurement and valuation of financial assets or liabilities as of the measurement date:

 

   

Level 1—Fair value of securities based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. Our investments classified as Level 1 securities include common stock, certain fixed income securities, and equity mutual funds.

 

   

Level 2—Fair value of securities estimated based on quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable or that can be corroborated by observable market data by correlation. These inputs include interest rates, yield curves, credit risk, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. Our investments classified as Level 2 securities include certain fixed income securities and fixed income mutual funds.

 

   

Level 3—Unobservable inputs based upon the reporting entity’s internally developed assumptions which market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As of June 30, 2012, we did not have any assets that had fair values determined by Level 3 inputs and no liabilities measured at fair value.

We account for our investments as available-for-sale and measure them at fair value under standards of financial accounting and reporting for investments in equity instruments that have readily determinable fair values and for all investments in debt securities.

Certain fixed income and other securities are reported at fair value using Level 2 inputs. For these securities, we use pricing services and dealer quotes. As of June 30, 2012, we did not have any liabilities measured at fair value.

 

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The following table summarizes the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by us to determine the fair values as of June 30, 2012 (in thousands).

 

     Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
(Level 1)
     Significant Other
Observable  Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
     June 30, 2012  

Assets:

           

Fixed income securities:

           

U.S. Treasury debt

   $ 4,137       $ —         $ —         $ 4,137   

U.S. agency obligations

     342         —           —           342   

Preferred stock

     —           50,603         —           50,603   

Mortgage Backed Securities

     —           2         —           2   

Corporate debt

     —           82,266         —           82,266   

Other

     —           28            28   

Common stock

     18,798         —           —           18,798   

Mutual funds:

           

Equity

           

U.S. Large Cap

     5,996         —           —           5,996   

U.S. Mid Cap

     960         —           —           960   

U.S. Small Cap

     1,040         —           —           1,040   

International

     2,239         —           —           2,239   

U.S. REIT

     806         —           —           806   

Other

     4,159         —           —           4,159   

Fixed income

           

U.S. Investment Grade

     —           2,238         —           2,238   

U.S. High Yield

     —           2,378         —           2,378   

Other

           

Insurance

     —           2,124         —           2,124   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 38,477       $ 139,639       $ —         $ 178,116   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

There were no significant transfers between Levels 1 and 2 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012.

12. LONG-TERM DEBT

We have outstanding a principal amount of $130.0 million of the Senior Notes with interest payable semi-annually. Effective August 11, 2011, we entered into a new secured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. which contains commitments for an aggregate of $60.0 million with an accordion provision for up to an additional $15.0 million. The Credit Facility matures in October 2014 and, under certain conditions, may be extended to October 2016. The Credit Facility is collateralized by the accounts receivable and all of our personal property. Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at either the prime rate or LIBOR options. At June 30, 2012, the outstanding debt under this facility was $17.3 million, the prime rate option was equivalent to 4.125% and the LIBOR margin was 1.875%. No letters of credit were issued and outstanding under the Credit Facility as of June 30, 2012. Interest is payable quarterly.

We have no material assets or operations independent of our subsidiaries. All assets and operations are held and conducted by subsidiaries, each of which (except for Carriage Services Capital Trust, which is a single purpose entity that holds our 7% debentures issued in connection with the issuance of the Trust’s term income deferrable equity securities (TIDES) 7% convertible preferred securities) have fully and unconditionally guaranteed our obligations under the Senior Notes. Additionally, we do not currently have any significant restrictions on our ability to receive dividends or loans from any subsidiary guarantor under the Senior Notes.

We were in compliance with the covenants contained in the Credit Facility and the Senior Notes as of June 30, 2011 and 2012. Key ratios that we must comply with include a leverage ratio that as of the last day of each quarter must not be greater than 4.25 to 1.00 and a fixed charge coverage ratio that must not be less than 1.25 to 1.00. As of June 30, 2012, the leverage ratio was 3.32 to 1.00 and the fixed charge coverage ratio was 1.97 to 1.00.

Acquisition debt consists of deferred purchase price notes payable to sellers. The deferred purchase price notes bear interest at 0%, discounted at imputed interest rates ranging from 6% to 8%, with original maturities from three to fifteen years.

 

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13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Litigation

We are a party to various litigation matters and proceedings. For each of our outstanding legal matters, we evaluate the merits of the case, our exposure to the matter, possible legal or settlement strategies, and the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome. We intend to defend ourselves in the lawsuits described herein. If we determine that an unfavorable outcome is probable and can be reasonably estimated, we establish the necessary accruals. We hold certain insurance policies that may reduce cash outflows with respect to an adverse outcome of certain of these litigation matters.

Leathermon, et al. v. Grandview Memorial Gardens, Inc., et al., United States District Court, Southern District of Indiana, Case No. 4:07-cv-137. On August 17, 2007, five plaintiffs filed a putative class action against the current and past owners of Grandview Cemetery in Madison, Indiana, including our subsidiaries that owned the cemetery from January 1997 until February 2001, on behalf of all individuals who purchased cemetery and burial goods and services at Grandview Cemetery. Plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages and claim that the cemetery owners performed burials negligently, breached Plaintiffs’ contracts, and made misrepresentations regarding the cemetery. The Plaintiffs also allege that the claims occurred prior, during and after we owned the cemetery. On October 15, 2007, the case was removed from Jefferson County Circuit Court, Indiana to the Southern District of Indiana. On April 24, 2009, shortly before Defendants had been scheduled to file their briefs, in opposition to Plaintiffs’ motion for class certification, Plaintiffs moved to amend their complaint to add new class representatives and claims, while also seeking to abandon other claims. We, as well as several other Defendants, opposed Plaintiffs’ motion to amend their complaint and add parties. In April 2009, two Defendants moved to disqualify Plaintiffs’ counsel from further representing Plaintiffs in this action. On June 30, 2010, the Court granted the Defendants’ motion to disqualify Plaintiffs’ counsel. In that order, the Court gave Plaintiffs 60 days within which to retain new counsel. On May 6, 2010, Plaintiffs filed a petition for writ of mandamus with the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals seeking relief from the trial court’s order of disqualification of counsel. On May 19, 2010, the Defendants responded to the petition of mandamus. On July 8, 2010, the Seventh Circuit denied Plaintiffs’ petition for writ of mandamus. Thus, pursuant to the trial court’s order, Plaintiffs were given 60 days from July 8, 2010 in which to retain new counsel to prosecute this action on their behalf. Plaintiffs retained new counsel and the trial court granted the newly retained Plaintiffs’ counsel 90 days to review the case and advise the Court whether or not Plaintiffs would seek leave to amend their complaint to add and/or change the allegations as are currently stated therein and whether or not they would seek leave to amend the proposed class representatives for class certification. Plaintiffs moved for leave to amend both the class representatives and the allegations stated within the complaint. Defendants filed oppositions to such amendments. The Court issued an order permitting the Plaintiffs to proceed with amending the class representatives and a portion of their claims; however, certain of Plaintiffs’ claims have been dismissed. Discovery in this matter will now proceed. We intend to defend this action vigorously. Because the lawsuit is in its preliminary stages, we are unable to evaluate the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome to us or to estimate the amount or range of any potential loss, if any, at this time.

14. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Stock Options and Employee Stock Purchase Plan

No stock options were awarded during the second quarter of 2012. As of June 30, 2012, there were 372,028 stock options outstanding and 227,793 stock options which remain unvested.

During the second quarter of 2012, employees purchased a total of 23,809 shares of common stock through the employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”) at a weighted average price of $4.80 per share. We recorded pre-tax stock-based compensation expense for the ESPP and for stock options totaling $95,000 and $101,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012, respectively and $172,000 and $198,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012, respectively.

The fair value of the right (option) to purchase shares under the ESPP is estimated on the date of grant (January 1, 2012) associated with the four quarterly purchase dates using the following assumptions:

 

     2011      2012  

Dividend yield

     0%         1.7%   

Expected volatility

     29%         32%   

Risk-free interest rate

     0.15%, 0.19%, 0.24%, 0.29%        0.02%, 0.06%, 0.09%, 0.12%   

Expected life (years)

     0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00         0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00   

Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility during the previous twelve months of the underlying common stock. The risk-free rate for the quarterly purchase periods is based on the U.S. Treasury yields in effect at the time of grant (January 1). The expected life of the ESPP grants represents the calendar quarters from the grant date (January 1) to the purchase date (end of each quarter).

 

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Common Stock Grants to Officers and Key Employees

We, from time to time, issue shares of restricted common stock to certain officers and key employees from our stock benefit plans. The restricted stock shares issued to officers and key employees vest in either 25% or 33 1/3% increments over four or three year periods, respectively. Related to the vesting of restricted stock awards previously awarded to our officers and employees, we recorded $379,000 and $363,000 in pre-tax compensation expense, included in general, administrative and other expenses, for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012, respectively, and $761,000 and $604,000 in pre-tax compensation expense for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012, respectively. During the second quarter of 2012, we awarded a grant of 14,000 shares of restricted common stock to two new employees, which will vest over a three year period and have an aggregate grant date market value of $0.1 million.

Director Compensation Policy

On March 5, 2012, our Board of Directors (our “Board”) approved a new Director Compensation Policy, which provides for the following: (a) the chairman of our Audit Committee receives an annual cash retainer of $17,500, the chairman of our Compensation and our Corporate Governance Committees receives an annual cash retainer of $15,000; and the Lead Director of our Board receives an annual cash retainer of $115,000, payable in quarterly installments; (b) each independent director of our Board receives an annual cash retainer of $40,000 paid on a quarterly basis and an annual equity retainer of $75,000 in shares of our common stock issued at our annual meeting of stockholders. Additionally, each independent director receives $2,000 for each regular or special meeting of the full Board of Directors, our Audit Committee and our Executive Committee attended in person or by phone. Members of the other committees and their chairmen receive $1,600 for each committee meeting held in person or by phone that such director attends. Under our Director Compensation Policy, the annual cash retainers for each committee chairman and the annual equity retainer are paid on the date of our annual meeting of stockholders, which for this year was held on May 23, 2012. Prior to the approval of the new Director Compensation Policy, there were two meetings for which directors were paid under the previous policy.

We recorded $354,000 and $455,000 in pre-tax compensation expense, included in general, administrative and other expenses, for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012, respectively, and $407,000 and $616,000 in pretax compensation expense for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012, respectively, related to the director fees, annual retainers and deferred compensation amortization.

As of June 30, 2012, we had $3.3 million of unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested restricted stock awards, which are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 2.0 years.

Cash Dividends

The Board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.025 per share, totaling $449,000, which was paid on June 1, 2012 to record holders of our common stock as of May 15, 2012. For the six months ending June 30, 2012, we had paid approximately $903,000 in dividends. We have a dividend reinvestment program so that stockholders may elect to reinvest their dividends into additional shares of our common stock.

15. SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM

During May 2012, our Board approved an increase to the share repurchase program authorizing us to purchase an additional $3 million of our common stock up to a total of $8 million. The repurchases are executed in the open market and through privately negotiated transactions subject to market conditions, normal trading restrictions and other relevant factors. For the six months ending June 30, 2012, we repurchased 686,208 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $4.5 million and an average cost per share of $6.60. The repurchased shares are held as treasury stock.

16. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Mr. Richard W. Scott, a member of our Board, is the Chief Investment Officer of an otherwise unrelated company that holds for investment purposes $7.3 million of our Senior Notes. As of June 30, 2012, we had $130.0 million of Senior Notes outstanding.

 

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17. MAJOR SEGMENTS OF BUSINESS

We conduct funeral and cemetery operations only in the United States. The following table presents revenue, pre-tax income and total assets by segment (in thousands):

 

     Funeral      Cemetery      Corporate     Consolidated  

Revenues from continuing operations:

          

Six months ended June 30, 2012

   $ 78,400       $ 23,953       $ —        $ 102,353   

Six months ended June 30, 2011

   $ 74,673       $ 23,651       $ —        $ 98,324   

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes:

          

Six months ended June 30, 2012

   $ 24,638       $ 5,961       $ (19,064   $ 11,535   

Six months ended June 30, 2011

   $ 22,067       $ 6,292       $ (18,500   $ 9,859   

Total assets:

          

June 30, 2012

   $ 451,189       $ 230,055       $ 16,951      $ 698,195   

December 31, 2011

   $ 423,714       $ 226,177       $ 22,886      $ 672,777   

 

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18. SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS INFORMATION

The following information is supplemental disclosure for the Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands):

 

     For the three months
ended June 30,
     For the six months
ended June 30,
 
     2011      2012      2011      2012  

Revenues

           

Goods

           

Funeral

   $ 13,986       $ 14,945       $ 29,590       $ 31,122   

Cemetery

     8,069         7,947         15,131         14,951   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total goods

   $ 22,055       $ 22,892       $ 44,721       $ 46,073   

Services

           

Funeral

   $ 19,309       $ 20,624       $ 40,867       $ 43,276   

Cemetery

     2,469         2,445         4,963         4,845   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total services

   $ 21,778       $ 23,069       $ 45,830       $ 48,121   

Financial revenue

           

Preneed funeral commission income

   $ 414       $ 450       $ 887       $ 901   

Preneed funeral trust earnings

     1,856         1,382         3,329         3,101   

Cemetery trust earnings

     1,221         1,795         2,878         3,311   

Cemetery finance charges

     331         478         679         846   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total financial revenue

   $ 3,822       $ 4,105       $ 7,773       $ 8,159   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenues

   $ 47,655       $ 50,066       $ 98,324       $ 102,353   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cost of revenues

           

Goods

           

Funeral

   $ 11,685       $ 12,570       $ 24,553       $ 25,150   

Cemetery

     5,910         6,017         11,258         11,536   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total goods

   $ 17,595       $ 18,587       $ 35,811       $ 36,686   

Services

           

Funeral

   $ 10,290       $ 10,771       $ 21,545       $ 21,509   

Cemetery

     1,565         1,627         3,146         3,290   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total services

   $ 11,855       $ 12,398       $ 24,691       $ 24,799   

Financial expenses

           

Preneed funeral commissions

   $ 391       $ 349       $ 734       $ 700   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total financial expenses

   $ 391       $ 349       $ 734       $ 700   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total cost of revenues

   $ 29,841       $ 31,334       $ 61,236       $ 62,185   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The costs of revenues, for purposes of this supplemental disclosure, include only field costs and expenses that are directly allocable between the goods, services and financial categories in the funeral and cemetery segments. Depreciation and amortization and regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costs are not included in this disclosure.

 

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19. SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION

The following information is supplemental disclosure for the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands):

 

     For the six months
ended June 30,
 
     2011     2012  

Cash paid for interest and financing costs

   $ 8,810      $ 8,968   

Cash paid for income taxes

     670        818   

Fair value of stock and stock options issued to directors, officers and certain employees

     1,991        2,650   

Restricted common stock withheld for payroll taxes

     301        303   

Net (deposits)/withdrawals into/from preneed funeral trusts

     2,290        (285

Net (deposits)/withdrawals into/from preneed cemetery trusts

     581        (856

Net withdrawals from perpetual care trusts

     310        874   

Net decrease in preneed funeral receivables

     375        218   

Net (increase)/decrease in preneed cemetery receivables

     210        (668

Net (deposits)/withdrawals of receivables from preneed funeral trusts

     (369     121   

Net change in preneed funeral receivables increasing/(decreasing) deferred revenue

     105        (278

Net change in preneed cemetery receivables increasing/(decreasing) deferred revenue

     (149     102   

Net deposits/(withdrawals) from preneed funeral trust accounts increasing/(decreasing) deferred preneed funeral receipts

     (2,290     285   

Net deposits/(withdrawals) in cemetery trust accounts increasing/(decreasing) deferred cemetery receipts

     (581     856   

Net withdrawals in perpetual care trust accounts decreasing perpetual care trusts’ corpus

     (366     (973

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

In addition to historical information, this Form 10-Q contains certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include any projections of earnings, revenues, asset sales, cash flow, debt levels or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; any statements of belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing and are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect on us. The words “may”, “will”, “estimate”, “intend”, “believe”, “expect”, “project”, “forecast”, “foresee”, “should”, “would”, “could”, “plan”, “anticipate” and other similar words or expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which are generally not historical in nature. While management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we anticipate. All comments concerning our expectations for future revenues and operating results are based on our forecasts for our existing operations and do not include the potential impact of any future acquisitions. Our forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those summarized below:

 

   

the execution of our Standards Operating Model;

 

   

changes in the number of deaths in our markets;

 

   

changes in consumer preferences;

 

   

ability to find and retain skilled personnel;

 

   

the effects of competition;

 

   

the investment performance of our funeral and cemetery trust funds;

 

   

fluctuations in interest rates;

 

   

our ability to obtain debt or equity financing on satisfactory terms to fund additional acquisitions, expansion projects, working capital requirements and the repayment or refinancing of indebtedness;

 

   

death benefits related to preneed funeral contracts funded through life insurance contracts;

 

   

our ability to generate preneed sales;

 

   

the financial condition of third-party insurance companies that fund our preneed funeral contracts;

 

   

increased or unanticipated costs, such as insurance or taxes;

 

   

effects of the application of applicable laws and regulations, including changes in such regulations or the interpretation thereof; and

 

   

other factors and uncertainties inherent in the deathcare industry.

For additional information regarding known material factors that could cause our actual results to differ from our projected results, please see (i) Part II, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in this Form 10-Q and (ii) Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

OVERVIEW

General

We operate two types of businesses: funeral homes, which account for approximately 75% of our revenues, and cemeteries, which account for approximately 25% of our revenues. Funeral homes are principally service businesses that provide funeral services (traditional burial and cremation) and sell related merchandise, such as caskets and urns. Cemeteries are primarily a sales business that sells interment rights (grave sites and mausoleum spaces) and related merchandise, such as markers and outer burial containers. As of June 30, 2012, we operated 164 funeral homes in 26 states and 33 cemeteries in 11 states within the United States. Substantially all administrative activities are conducted in our home office in Houston, Texas.

We have implemented long-term initiatives in our operations designed to improve operating and financial results by growing market share and increasing profitability. We have a decentralized, entrepreneurial, and local operating model that includes operating and financial standards developed from our best operations, along with incentive compensation plans to reward business managers for successfully meeting or exceeding the standards. The model essentially eliminates the use of line-item financial budgets in favor of the standards. The operating model and standards, to which we refer as the “Standards Operating Model,” focus on the key drivers of a successful operation, organized around three primary areas – market share, people and operating and financial metrics. The model and standards are the measures by which we judge the success of each business. To date, the Standards Operating Model has driven significant changes in our organization, leadership, and operating practices. Most importantly, the Standards Operating Model allows us to measure the sustainable revenue growth and earning power of our portfolio of deathcare businesses, which then led to the development of our Strategic Acquisition Model, described below under “Acquisitions,” that guides our acquisition and disposition strategy. We expect both models to drive long-term, sustainable increases in market share, revenue, earnings and cash flow. The standards are not designed to produce maximum short-term earnings because we do not believe such performance is sustainable without ultimately stressing the business, which often leads to declining market share, revenues and earnings. Important elements of the Standards Operating Model include:

Balanced Operating Model – We believe a decentralized structure works best in the deathcare industry. Successful execution of the Standards Operating Model is highly dependent on strong local leadership, intelligent risk taking, entrepreneurial drive, and corporate support aligned with what we believe are the key drivers of a successful operation, organized around three primary areas – market share, people and operating and financial metrics.

Incentives Aligned with Standards – Empowering Managing Partners to do the right things in their operations and local communities and providing appropriate support with operating and financial practices, will enable long-term growth and sustainable profitability. Each Managing Partner participates in variable bonus plans whereby he or she earns a percentage of his or her business’ earnings based upon the actual standards achieved as long as its performance exceeds our minimum standards.

The Right Local Leadership – Successful execution of our operating model is highly dependent on strong local leadership (as defined by our 4E Leadership Model), intelligent risk taking, and entrepreneurial empowerment. Over time, a Managing Partner’s performance is judged according to his or her achievement of the Standards for that business.

Funeral and Cemetery Operations

Factors affecting our funeral operating results include: demographic trends in terms of population growth and average age, which impact death rates and number of deaths; establishing and maintaining leading market share positions supported by strong local heritage and relationships; effectively responding to increasing cremation trends by packaging complementary services and merchandise; controlling salary and variable costs; and exercising pricing leverage related to our at-need business by increasing average revenues per funeral. In simple terms, volume and price are the two variables that affect funeral revenues. The average revenue per contract is influenced by the mix of traditional burial and cremation services because our average cremation service revenue is approximately one-third of the average revenue earned from a traditional burial service. Funeral homes have a relatively fixed cost structure. Thus, small changes in revenues, up or down, normally cause significant changes to our profitability.

Our funeral volumes have increased gradually from 23,366 in 2007 to 27,663 in 2011 (compounded annual increase of 4.3%). Our funeral operating revenue has increased from $119.2 million in 2007 to $137.0 million in 2011 (compounded annual increase of 3.5%). The increases are primarily because of businesses we acquired in 2007 through 2011 and our ability to increase the average revenue per funeral through expanded service offerings and packages. We experienced an increase of 2.7% in volumes and 5.6% in funeral operating revenues in the first six months of 2012 compared to the first six months of 2011, primarily as a result of the acquisitions completed during the trailing twelve months.

 

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The percentage of funeral services involving cremations has increased from 35.8% for the year ended 2007 to 46.4% for the year ended 2011, and was 46.6% for the first six months of 2012. A significant portion of that trend is the result of acquiring businesses in high cremation areas. On a same store basis, the cremation rate has risen to 45.0% for the first six months of 2012, up from 42.1% for the year ended December 31, 2011, and 44.1% for the comparable six month period in 2011.

Cemetery operating results are affected by the size and success of our sales organization. Approximately 50% of our cemetery revenues for the year ended December 31, 2011 related to preneed sales of interment rights and the delivery of related merchandise and services. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, those preneed sales were approximately 48% of cemetery revenues. We believe that changes in the level of consumer confidence (a measure of whether consumers will spend for discretionary items) also affect the amount of cemetery revenues. Currently, approximately 17% of our cemetery revenues are attributable to investment earnings on trust funds and finance charges on preneed installment contracts. Changes in the capital markets and interest rates affect this component of our cemetery revenues.

Our cemetery financial performance from 2007 through 2011 was characterized by fluctuating operating revenues and field level profit margins. Cemetery operating revenue increased from $37.4 million in 2007 to $38.1 million in 2011. Our goal is to build stronger teams of sales leaders and counselors in our larger and more strategically located cemeteries in order to focus on growth of our preneed property sales. Additionally, a portion of our capital expenditures in 2012 is designated to expand our cemetery product offerings.

Financial Revenue

We market funeral and cemetery services and products on a preneed basis. Preneed funeral or cemetery contracts enable families to establish, in advance, the type of service to be performed, the products to be used, and the cost of such products and services. Preneed contracts permit families to eliminate issues of making deathcare decisions at the time of need and allow input from other family members before the death occurs. We guarantee the price and performance of the preneed contracts to the customer.

Preneed funeral contracts are usually paid on an installment basis. The performance of preneed funeral contracts is usually secured by placing the funds collected in trust for the benefit of the customer or by the purchase of a life insurance policy, the proceeds of which will pay for such services at the time of need. Insurance policies, intended to fund preneed funeral contracts, cover the original contract price and generally include an element of growth (earnings) designed to offset future inflationary cost increases. Revenue from preneed funeral contracts, along with accumulated earnings, is not recognized until the time the funeral service is performed. The accumulated earnings from the trust investments and insurance policies is intended to offset the inflation in funeral prices. Additionally, we generally earn a commission from the insurance company from the sale of insurance-funded policies reflected as Preneed Insurance Commission. The commission income is recognized as revenue when the period of refund expires (generally one year), which helps us defray the costs we incur to originate the preneed contract (primarily commissions we pay to our sales counselors).

Preneed sales of cemetery interment rights are usually financed through interest-bearing installment sales contracts, generally with terms of up to five years, with such interest income reflected as Preneed Cemetery Finance Charges. In substantially all cases, we receive an initial down payment at the time the contract is signed. Occasionally, we have offered zero percent or low interest financing to promote sales as limited-time offers, and in those cases we impute interest at market rates and discount the sales value.

We have established a variety of trusts in connection with funeral home and cemetery operations as required under applicable state laws. Such trusts include (i) preneed funeral trusts; (ii) preneed cemetery merchandise and service trusts; and (iii) perpetual care trusts. These trusts are typically administered by independent financial institutions selected by the Company. Independent financial advisors are also used for investment management and advisory services.

Preneed funeral trust fund income earned and the receipt and recognition of any insurance benefits are deferred until the service is performed. Applicable state laws generally require us to deposit a specified amount (which varies from state to state, generally 50% to 100% of the selling price) into a merchandise and service trust fund for preneed cemetery merchandise and service sales. The related trust fund income earned is recognized when the related merchandise and services are delivered. In most states, regulations require a portion (generally 10%) of the sale amount of cemetery property and memorials to be placed in a perpetual care trust. The income from perpetual care trusts provides a portion of the funds necessary to maintain the cemetery property and memorials in perpetuity. Perpetual care trust fund income is recognized as earned, in Cemetery revenues.

Acquisitions

Our growth strategy includes the execution of our Strategic Acquisition Model. The goal of this model is to ensure value addition to the company through acquisitions by assessing the sustainable earning power of an acquisition candidate and investing in that business at an appropriate price. The prequalification of an acquisition candidate is determined by a ranking which includes territory demographics, customer preferences, market size, market share, barriers to entry, and volume and price trends (which reflects the business mix). The candidate is also assessed using our Standards Operating Model. The valuation of

 

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the acquisition candidate is then determined through a discounted cash flow model. During 2011, we acquired six funeral home businesses and no cemetery businesses. The consideration paid for the 2011 acquisitions was $18.6 million. During the first six months of 2012, we acquired four funeral homes and one cemetery for $16.4 million.

Financial Highlights

Net income for the three months ended June 30, 2012 totaled $2.7 million, equal to $0.15 per diluted share, compared to net income for the three months ended June 30, 2011, which totaled $2.6 million, equal to $0.14 per diluted share. Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2012 totaled $7.1 million, equal to $0.39 per diluted share, compared to $5.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011, or $0.32 per diluted share. Total revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 was $50.1 million and $102.4 million, respectively, an increase of 5.1% and 4.1%, respectively, compared to $47.7 million and $98.3 million, respectively, for the comparable periods in 2011. Our funeral segment experienced increases in revenue and gross profit primarily as a result of our acquisitions. The cemetery segment experienced increases in revenue during the three and six month periods due to higher trust fund earnings. Cemetery gross profit was higher for the three months ended June 30, 2012, yet slightly lower for the six months ended June 30, 2012. We experienced increases in general and administrative expenses in the three months ended June 30, 2012 due to increases in severance, legal and acquisition expenses.

In certain states, we are allowed to withdraw realized trust earnings prior to delivery from cemetery merchandise and services trusts, which management describes as “Withdrawable trust income.” The Withdrawable trust income totaled $2.2 million and $3.6 million, respectively, for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2011, and $0.1 million and $0.8 million, respectively, for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2012; the year over year decline was attributable to substantial gains realized in the trust funds during the second quarter of 2011. While the Withdrawable trust income is not recognized as revenue in our consolidated statements of operations, it increases cash flow from operations.

We are providing below a reconciliation of Non-GAAP net income (a non-GAAP measure) to net income from continuing operations (a GAAP measure). Non-GAAP net income is defined as net income from continuing operations, then adjusting for special items, including Withdrawable trust income and acquisition expenses. Non-GAAP net income is used as a supplemental financial measurement by management and investors to compare our current financial performance with our previous results and with the performance of other deathcare companies. The adjustment of special items in Non-GAAP income allows management to focus on the evaluation of operating performance as it primarily relates to our operating expenses. We do not intend for this information to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for other measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

     Three Months Ended June 30,  
(In millions, except diluted EPS)    2011     2012  
     Net
Income
    Diluted
EPS
    Net
Income
     Diluted
EPS
 

Net income from continuing operations, as reported

   $ 2.6      $ 0.14      $ 2.7       $ 0.15   

After-tax special items:

         

Withdrawable trust income

     1.3        0.07        —           —     

Acquisition expenses

     0.1        0.01        0.1         0.01   

Gain on repurchase of subordinated debentures

     (0.2     (0.01     —           —     

Other expenses

     0.2        0.01        0.1         —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-GAAP net income

   $ 4.0      $ 0.22      $ 2.9       $ 0.16   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands)

       18,407           18,153   

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,  
(In millions, except diluted EPS)    2011     2012  
     Net
Income
    Diluted
EPS
    Net
Income
     Diluted
EPS
 

Net income from continuing operations, as reported

   $ 5.9      $ 0.32      $ 6.9       $ 0.38   

After-tax special items:

         

Withdrawable trust income

     2.1        0.12        0.5         0.02   

Securities transaction expenses

     0.3        0.01        —           —     

Acquisition expenses

     0.1        0.01        0.4         0.02   

Severance costs

     0.1        —          0.3         0.02   

Gain on repurchase of subordinated debentures

     (0.2     (0.01     —           —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-GAAP net income

   $ 8.3      $ 0.45      $ 8.1       $ 0.44   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands)

       18,340           18,237   

 

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OVERVIEW OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. On an on-going basis, we evaluate estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, realization of accounts receivable, inventories, goodwill, other intangible assets, property and equipment, and deferred tax assets. We base our estimates on historical experience, third party data, and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these considerations form the basis for making judgments about the amount and timing of revenues and expenses, the carrying value of assets, and the recorded amounts of liabilities. Actual results may differ from these estimates and such estimates may change if the underlying conditions or assumptions change. Historical performance should not be viewed as indicative of future performance, because there can be no assurance the margins, operating income, and net earnings as a percentage of revenues will be consistent from year to year.

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations (“MD&A”) is based upon our Consolidated Financial Statements presented herewith, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-Q. Our critical accounting policies are those that are both important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require management’s most difficult, subjective, and complex judgment. These critical accounting policies are discussed in MD&A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting policies since the filing of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following is a discussion of our results of continuing operations for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2012. The term “same store” or “existing operations” refers to funeral homes and cemeteries acquired prior to January 1, 2008 and owned and operated for the entirety of each period being presented. Funeral homes and cemeteries purchased after December 31, 2007 are referred to as “acquired.” This classification of acquisitions has been important to management and investors in monitoring the results of these businesses and to gauge the leveraging performance contribution that a selective acquisition program can have on the total company performance. Depreciation and amortization and regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costs are not included in operating profit.

Funeral Home Segment. The following tables set forth certain information regarding the revenues and operating profit from the funeral home operations for the three months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2012 and the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2012.

Three months ended June 30, 2011 compared to three months ended June 30, 2012 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
     Change  
     2011      2012      Amount     %  

Revenues:

          

Same store operating revenue

   $ 30,122       $ 29,621       $ (501     (1.7 )% 

Acquired operating revenue

     3,173         5,948         2,775        87.5

Preneed funeral insurance commissions

     414         450         36        8.7

Preneed funeral trust earnings

     1,856         1,382         (474     (25.5 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $ 35,565       $ 37,401       $ 1,836        5.2
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Operating profit:

          

Same store operating profit

   $ 10,616       $ 10,437       $ (179     (1.7 )% 

Acquired operating profit

     704         1,791         1,087        154.4

Preneed funeral insurance commissions

     23         101         78        339.1

Preneed funeral trust earnings

     1,856         1,382         (474     (25.5 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $ 13,199       $ 13,711       $ 512        3.9
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Funeral home same store operating revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2012 decreased $0.5 million, or 1.7%, when compared to the three months ended June 30, 2011, as we experienced a 4.7% decrease in the number of contracts, and the average revenue per contract increased 1.7%, or $91 per contract, to $5,489 for those existing operations. The average revenue per contract includes the impact of the funeral trust fund earnings recognized at the time that we provide the services pursuant to the preneed contract. Excluding funeral trust earnings, the average revenue per contract increased 3.2% to $5,258. The number of traditional burial contracts declined 6.6% while the average revenue per burial contract increased 2.1% to $8,311. The cremation rate for the same store businesses declined slightly from 44.6% to 44.3%. The average revenue per same store cremation contract increased 4.6% to $3,049 while the number of cremation contracts decreased 5.4%. Cremations with services declined from 36.7% of total cremation contracts in the second quarter of 2011 to 34.3% in the second quarter of 2012. The average revenue for “other” contracts, which make up approximately 7.9% of the total number of contracts, increased 8.0% from $1,967 to $2,124. Other contracts consist of charges for merchandise or services for which we do not perform a funeral service for the deceased during the period.

Same store operating profit for the three months ended June 30, 2012 decreased $0.2 million, or 1.7%, from the comparable three months of 2011, and as a percentage of funeral same store operating revenue, remained consistent at 35.2%. The decline in profit is primarily the result of the decline in revenue offset by lower health care costs in the current quarter.

Funeral home acquired revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2012 increased $2.8 million, or 87.5%, when compared to the three months ended June 30, 2011, as we experienced a 58.7% increase in the number of contracts, and an increase of 17.6%, to $4,499, in the average revenue per contract for those acquired operations. Excluding funeral trust earnings, the average revenue per contract increased 18.1% to $4,435. The cremation rate for the acquired businesses was 52.5% for the second quarter of 2012, down from 61.2% in the prior year period. The average revenue per cremation contract increased 5.1% to $2,842 for the second quarter of 2012 and the number of cremation contracts increased 36.2% compared to the same period of 2011. The reason for the large increase in the average revenue per contract and the significant decline in the cremation rate is because the businesses acquired during the fourth quarter of 2011 and in the first six months of 2012 serve primarily traditional burial families.

 

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Acquired operating profit for the three months ended June 30, 2012 increased $1.1 million from the comparable three months of 2011 and, as a percentage of revenue from acquired businesses, was 22.2% for the second quarter of 2011 compared to 30.1% for the second quarter of 2012. The improvement in operating profit margin is largely attributable to the businesses acquired in the fourth quarter of 2011 and the first six months of 2012.

The two categories of financial revenue (insurance commissions and trust earnings on matured preneed contracts) on a combined basis decreased 19.3% in revenue and 21.1% in operating profit, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2011 as a result of lower earnings on insurance contracts.

Six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to six months ended June 30, 2012 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
     Change  
     2011      2012      Amount     %  

Revenues:

          

Same store operating revenue

   $ 64,208       $ 62,046       $ (2,162     (3.4 )% 

Acquired operating revenue

     6,249         12,352         6,103        97.7

Preneed funeral insurance commissions

     887         901         14        1.6

Preneed funeral trust earnings

     3,329         3,101         (228     (6.8 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $ 74,673       $ 78,400       $ 3,727        5.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Operating profit:

          

Same store operating profit

   $ 22,843       $ 23,457       $ 614        2.7

Acquired operating profit

     1,516         4,282         2,766        182.4

Preneed funeral insurance commissions

     153         201         48        31.4

Preneed funeral trust earnings

     3,329         3,101         (228     (6.8 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $ 27,841       $ 31,041       $ 3,200        11.5
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Funeral home same store operating revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2012 decreased $2.2 million, or 3.4%, when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2011, as we experienced a 5.5% decrease in the number of contracts, and the average revenue per contract increased 1.9%, or $105 per contract, to $5,495 for those existing operations. The average revenue per contract includes the impact of the funeral trust fund earnings recognized at the time that we provide the services pursuant to the preneed contract. Excluding funeral trust earnings, the average revenue per contract increased 2.2% to $5,248. The number of traditional burial contracts declined 8.4% while the average revenue per burial contract increased 3.4% to $8,349. The cremation rate for the same store businesses rose from 44.1% to 45.0%. The average revenue per same store cremation contract increased 4.1% to $3,052 and the number of cremation contracts decreased 3.6%. Cremations with services declined from 37.2% of total cremation contracts in the six months ended June 30, 2011 to 34.9% in the second quarter of 2012. The average revenue for “other” contracts, which make up approximately 7.5% of the total number of contracts, decreased 1.7% from $2,107 to $2,071.

Same store operating profit for the six months ended June 30, 2012 increased $0.6 million, or 2.7%, from the comparable six months of 2011, and as a percentage of funeral same store operating revenue, increased from 35.6% to 37.8%. Substantially all of the expense categories were lower compared to the six months ended June 30, 2011, and the biggest areas of improvement included a $0.9 million decline in discounts given on contracts, a $1.3 million decline in health care costs and a $1.1 million decline in salaries and wages.

Funeral home acquired revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2012 increased $6.1 million, or 97.7%, when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2011, as we experienced a 62.9% increase in the number of contracts, and an increase of 21.0%, to $4,526, in the average revenue per contract for those acquired operations. Excluding funeral trust earnings, the average revenue per contract increased 21.3% to $4,461. The cremation rate for the acquired businesses was 53.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2012, down from 62.2% in the prior year period. The average revenue per cremation contract increased 8.4% to $2,952 for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and the number of cremation contracts increased 39.3%.

Acquired operating profit for the six months ended June 30, 2012 increased $2.8 million from the comparable six months of 2011 and, as a percentage of revenue from acquired businesses, was 24.3% for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to 34.7% for six months ended June 30, 2012. The improvement in operating profit margin is largely attributable to higher margins in those acquired businesses that have been in our Company for less than one year.

 

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The two categories of financial revenue, insurance commissions and trust earnings on matured preneed contracts, on a combined basis, decreased 5.1% in revenue and 5.2% in operating profit, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2011.

Cemetery Segment. The following tables set forth certain information regarding our revenues and operating profit from the cemetery operations for the three months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2012 and for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2012.

Three months ended June 30, 2011 compared to three months ended June 30, 2012 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
     Change  
     2011      2012      Amount     %  

Revenues:

          

Same store operating revenue

   $ 10,538       $ 10,392       $ (146     (1.4 )% 

Cemetery trust earnings

     1,221         1,795         574        47.0

Preneed cemetery finance charges

     331         478         147        44.4
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $ 12,090       $ 12,665       $ 575        4.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Operating profit:

          

Same store operating profit

   $ 3,063       $ 2,748       $ (315     (10.3 )% 

Cemetery trust earnings

     1,221         1,795         574        47.0

Preneed cemetery finance charges

     331         478         147        44.4
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $ 4,615       $ 5,021       $ 406        8.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Cemetery same store operating revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2012 decreased $0.1 million, or 1.4%, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease in operating revenue was primarily attributable to preneed property sales which decreased $0.2 million, or 3.7%. We experienced a 6.7% decrease in the number of interment rights (property) sold, yet a 10.3% increase in the average price per interment compared to the second quarter of 2011. The percentage of those interment rights sold that we were able to recognize as revenue, because we received at least 10% of the sales price from the customer, decreased from 90.4% to 83.2%.

Cemetery same store operating profit for the three months ended June 30, 2012 decreased $0.3 million, or 10.3%. As a percentage of revenues, cemetery same store operating profit decreased from 29.1% to 26.4%. The decrease in operating profit is primarily a result of the decline in revenue and an increase of $0.3 million in promotional expenses.

We acquired one cemetery in late June 2012 and there was no business transacted in the second quarter of 2012.

The two categories of financial revenue consist of trust earnings and finance charges on preneed receivables. Total trust earnings increased 47.0%, when compared to the three months ended June 30, 2011. Earnings from perpetual care trust funds totaled $1.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $0.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011, an increase of $0.6 million, or 61.5%. Trust earnings recognized upon the delivery of merchandise and service contracts was flat compared to the same period in 2011. Finance charges on the preneed contracts increased 44.4% because of the increase in the total receivables outstanding and higher rates used.

 

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Six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to six months ended June 30, 2012 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
     Change  
     2011      2012      Amount     %  

Revenues:

          

Same store operating revenue

   $ 20,094       $ 19,796       $ (298     (1.5 )% 

Cemetery trust earnings

     2,878         3,311         433        15.0

Preneed cemetery finance charges

     679         846         167        24.6
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $ 23,651       $ 23,953       $ 302        1.3
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Operating profit:

          

Same store operating profit

   $ 5,690       $ 4,970       $ (719     (12.6 )% 

Cemetery trust earnings

     2,878         3,311         433        15.0

Preneed cemetery finance charges

     679         846         167        24.6
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $ 9,247       $ 9,127       $ (119     (1.3 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Cemetery same store operating revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2012 decreased $0.3 million, or 1.5%, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2011. Same store revenue from preneed property sales and deliveries of preneed merchandise and services deliveries increased $0.1 million, or 0.9%, and at-need revenues decreased $0.4 million, or 4.9%. We experienced a 3.3% increase in the number of interment rights (property) sold and a 2.6% increase in the average price per interment compared to the six months ended June 30, 2011. The percentage of those interment rights sold that we were able to recognize as revenue, because we received at least 10% of the sales price from the customer, decreased from 89.4% to 85.5%.

Cemetery same store operating profit for the six months ended June 30, 2012 decreased $0.7 million, or 12.6%. As a percentage of revenues, cemetery same store operating profit decreased from 28.3% to 25.1%. The decrease in operating profit is primarily a result of the decline in revenue and higher promotional expenses and bad debts.

The two categories of financial revenue consist of trust earnings and finance charges on preneed receivables. Total trust earnings increased 15.0%, when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2011. Earnings from perpetual care trust funds totaled $2.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $2.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011, an increase of $0.3 million, or 13.3%. Trust earnings recognized upon the delivery of merchandise and service contracts increased $0.1 million to $0.7 million compared to the same period in 2011. Finance charges on the preneed contracts increased 24.7%.

Other. General and administrative expenses totaled $10.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, an increase of $0.6 million, or 5.9%, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2011, primarily due to increases in costs of approximately $0.5 million for incentive compensation and $0.4 million of acquisition expenses related to the acquisition activity during 2012 offset by $0.5 million in expenses in 2011 related to a proposed securities transaction that did not occur in the current year. General and administrative expenses totaled $4.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012, an increase of $0.1 million, or 1.5%, compared to the same comparable period in prior year primarily due to increases for incentive compensation.

Income Taxes. We recorded income taxes at the estimated effective rate of 42.5% for the year ended December 31, 2011 and 40.4% for the first six months of 2012. We became a federal cash taxpayer in the fourth quarter of 2011. The decrease in the tax rate is primarily due to the utilization of state net operating losses that had not previously been recognized. We have approximately $44.3 million of state net operating loss carryforwards that will expire between 2013 and 2030, if not utilized. Based on management’s assessment of the various state net operating losses, it has been determined that it is more likely than not that we will not be able to realize the tax benefits of certain portions of the state losses. Accordingly, a valuation allowance has been established and is reviewed every quarter related to the deferred tax asset for the state operating losses. At June 30, 2012, the valuation allowance totaled $1.2 million.

 

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Overview

Our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources are (i) internally generated cash flows from operating activities and (ii) availability under our Credit Facility. We generate cash in our operations primarily from at-need sales and delivery of preneed sales. We also generate cash from earnings on our cemetery perpetual care trusts. We believe that existing cash balances, future cash flows from operations and borrowing under our Credit Facility will be sufficient to meet our anticipated working capital requirements, capital expenditures, scheduled debt payments, commitments and dividend payments. Based on our recent operating results, current cash position, anticipated future cash flows and sources of financing that we expect to have available, we do not anticipate any significant liquidity constraints in the foreseeable future. However, if our capital expenditures or acquisition plans for 2012 change, we may need to access the capital markets to obtain additional funding. Further, to the extent operating cash flow or access to and cost of financing sources are materially different than expected, future liquidity may be adversely affected. Please read Part I, Item IA “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Cash Flows

We began 2012 with $1.1 million in cash and other liquid investments and ended the second quarter with $1.0 million in cash and $17.3 million drawn on our Credit Facility.

The following table sets forth the elements of cash flow for the six months ended June 30, 2012 (in millions):

 

Cash and liquid investments at January 1, 2012

   $ 1.1   

Cash flow from operating activities

     13.4   

Acquisitions

     (16.4

Borrowings on our Credit Facility

     14.2   

Maintenance capital expenditures

     (2.3

Dividends on common stock

     (0.9

Repurchase of common stock

     (4.5

Growth capital expenditures—funeral homes

     (2.2

Growth capital expenditures—cemeteries

     (1.5

Other investing and financing activities

     0.1   
  

 

 

 

Cash at June 30, 2012

   $ 1.0   
  

 

 

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2012 cash provided by operating activities was $13.4 million as compared to $15.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease was due primarily to larger payments of income taxes and accrued liabilities as well as increases in cemetery preneed receivables.

Our investing activities resulted in a net cash outflow of $22.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to a net cash outflow of $9.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The increase in cash outflows from investing activities was primarily due to increased acquisition activity in 2012 which totaled $16.4 million compared to $5.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The cash outflows from investing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2012 for capital expenditures exceeded the comparable quarter of 2011, which totaled $6.0 million in the current year compared to $4.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012. Capital expenditures during 2012 included $3.7 million for cemetery inventory development projects and funeral home expansion projects.

Our financing activities resulted in net cash inflow of $8.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to a net cash outflow of $2.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The increase in cash flows from financing activities is due to increased borrowings under our Credit Facility during the first half of 2012 primarily to finance our acquisitions. The cash flows from financing activities during the first six months of 2012 was also effected by the purchase of $4.5 million in treasury stock, which did not occur during the first six months of 2011, and dividend payments of $0.9 million, compared to $0.4 million during the same period in 2011.

 

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Dividends

Our Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.025 per share, totaling $0.4 million, which was paid on June 1, 2012 to record holders of our common stock as of May 15, 2012. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, we have paid $0.9 million in cash dividends.

Debt Obligations

The outstanding principal of long-term debt at June 30, 2012 totaled $153.9 million and consisted of $130.0 million in Senior Notes, $17.3 million outstanding on the Credit Facility and $6.6 million in acquisition indebtedness and capital lease obligations.

Effective August 11, 2011, we entered into the Credit Facility, a new secured revolving credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., which contains commitments for an aggregate of $60.0 million with an accordion provision for up to an additional $15.0 million. The Credit Facility matures in October 2014 and under certain conditions may be extended to October 2016. The Credit Facility is collateralized by our accounts receivable and all of our personal property. Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at either prime or LIBOR options. At June 30, 2012, the prime rate option was equivalent to 4.125% and the LIBOR margin was 1.875%. At June 30, 2012, the maximum drawdown allowed on the Credit Facility was $42.7 million.

A total of $89.8 million was outstanding at June 30, 2012 under the convertible junior subordinated debenture. Amounts outstanding under the debenture are payable to our affiliate Carriage Services Capital Trust, bears interest at 7.0% and matures in 2029. Substantially all the assets of the Trust consist of the convertible junior subordinated debentures. In 1999, the Trust issued 1.875 million shares of 7% convertible preferred securities, termed “TIDES”. The rights under the debentures are functionally equivalent to those of the TIDES. During the six month period ending June 30, 2011, we repurchased 26,742 shares of these TIDES for approximately $1.0 million and recorded a gain of $0.4 million. No repurchases have been made in 2012.

The convertible junior subordinated debenture payable to the affiliated Trust, and the TIDES, each contain a provision for the deferral of interest payments and distributions for up to 20 consecutive quarters. During any period in which distribution payments are deferred, distributions will continue to accumulate at the 7% annual rate. Also, the deferred distributions themselves accumulate distributions at the annual rate of 7%. During any deferral period, we are prohibited from paying dividends on the common stock or repurchasing common stock, subject to limited exceptions. We currently expect to continue paying the distributions as due.

We were in compliance with the covenants contained in the previous and new credit facilities, as applicable, and the Senior Notes as of June 30, 2011 and 2012. Key ratios that we must comply with include a leverage ratio that as of the last day of each quarter must not be greater than 4.25 to 1.00 and a fixed charge coverage ratio that must not be less than 1.25 to 1.00. As of June 30, 2012, the leverage ratio was 3.32 to 1.00 and the fixed charge coverage ratio was 1.97 to 1.00.

SEASONALITY

Our business can be affected by seasonal fluctuations in the death rate. Generally, the death rate is higher during the winter months because the incidences of death from influenza and pneumonia are higher during this period than other periods of the year.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

In the ordinary course of business, we are typically exposed to a variety of market risks. Currently, these are primarily related to interest rate risk and changes in the values of securities associated with the preneed and perpetual care trusts. Management is actively involved in monitoring exposure to market risk and developing and utilizing appropriate risk management techniques when appropriate and when available for a reasonable price. We are not exposed to any other significant market risks including any commodity price risk or foreign exchange risk.

The following quantitative and qualitative information is provided about financial instruments to which we are a party at June 30, 2012, and from which we may incur future gains or losses from changes in market conditions. We do not enter into derivative or other financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes.

In connection with our preneed funeral operations and preneed cemetery merchandise and service sales, the related funeral and cemetery trust funds own investments in equity and debt securities and mutual funds, which are sensitive to current market prices. Cost and market values of such investments as of June 30, 2012 are presented in Notes 6, 8 and 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q. See also Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in this Form 10-Q. The sensitivity of the fixed income securities is such that a 0.25% change in interest rates causes an approximate 1.91% change in the value of the fixed income securities.

 

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We monitor current and forecasted interest rate risk in the ordinary course of business and seek to maintain optimal financial flexibility, quality and solvency. As of June 30, 2012, we had $17.3 million outstanding under our Credit Facility. Any further borrowings against the Credit Facility or any change in the floating rate would cause a change in interest expense. The Credit Facility contains an interest rate at either the prime rate or LIBOR options which the prime rate was 4.125% and the LIBOR margin was 1.875% at June 30, 2012. Assuming the outstanding balance remains unchanged, a change of 100 basis points in the prime rate or LIBOR options would result in an increase in annual interest expense of less than $0.2 million. We have not entered into interest rate hedging arrangements in the recent past, and currently have no plans to do so. Due to fluctuating balances in the amount outstanding under this agreement and current interest rates, we do not believe such arrangements to be cost effective.

We have previously issued both Senior Notes and convertible junior subordinated debentures. The Senior Notes were issued to the public at par and are carried at a cost of $130 million. At June 30, 2012, the Senior Notes were typically trading at a price of approximately $101.25, indicating a market value of approximately $131.6 million. The convertible junior subordinated debentures, payable to the Trust, are carried on our Consolidated Balance Sheet at a cost of approximately $90 million. The estimated fair value of these securities is estimated to be approximately $76.3 million at June 30, 2012, based on available broker quotes of the corresponding preferred securities issued by the Trust. The Senior Notes and the convertible junior subordinated debentures have fixed interest rates of 7.875% and 7% respectively, and therefore we do not have economic interest rate exposure on the Senior Notes or debentures. However, the value of these debt instruments is exposed to interest rate risk. Generally, the fair market value of these debt instruments will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. In addition, the fair value of these debt instruments may be affected by changes in our stock price.

The remainder of our long-term debt and leases consist of non-interest bearing notes and fixed rate instruments that do not trade in a market, nor otherwise have a quoted market value. Any increase in market interest rates causes the fair value of those liabilities to decrease.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Management’s Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, including our principal executive and financial officers, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-Q. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive and financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on such evaluation, our principal executive and financial officers have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2012 (the end of the period covered by this Form 10-Q).

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, there was no change in our system of internal control over financial reporting (defined in Rules 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

In addition to the matters in Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, we and our subsidiaries are parties to a number of legal proceedings that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of our business. While the outcome of these proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not expect these matters to have a material adverse effect on our financial statements. We self-insure against certain risks and carry insurance with coverage and coverage limits for risk in excess of the coverage amounts consistent with our assessment of risks in our business and of an acceptable level of financial exposure. Although there can be no assurance that self-insurance reserves and insurance will be sufficient to mitigate all damages, claims, or contingencies, we believe that the reserves and our insurance provides reasonable coverage for known asserted and unasserted claims. In the event we sustain a loss from a claim, and the insurance carrier disputes coverage or coverage limits, we may record a charge in a different period than the recovery, if any, from the insurance carrier.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There has been no material changes in our risk factors as previously disclosed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. Readers should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part 1, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or future results.

Item 5. Other Information

On May 23, 2012, our stockholders approved the Carriage Services, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (as amended and restated, the “Restated LTIP”). The Restated LTIP was previously approved by our Board, subject to stockholder approval. The Restated LTIP was summarized under the caption “Proposal 2—Approval of the Carriage Services, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan” in our Proxy Statement for our 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on May 23, 2012 filed with the SEC on April 16, 2012.

Item 6. Exhibits

 

*4.1   First Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 2, 2007 among Cloverdale Park, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.
*4.2   Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 13, 2007 among Cataudella Funeral Home, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.
*4.3   Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 7, 2012 among Carriage Merger V, Inc., Carriage Merger VI, Inc., Carriage Merger VII, Inc., Carriage Merger VIII, Inc., Carriage Merger IX, Inc., and Carriage Merger X, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.
*10.1   Carriage Services, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
10.2   Form of Employee Performance-Based Stock Award Agreement. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on August 7, 2012.
*10.3   Form of Director Performance-Based Stock Award Agreement.
*11.1   Computation of Per Share Earnings.
*31.1   Certification of Periodic Financial Reports by Melvin C. Payne in satisfaction of Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
*31.2   Certification of Periodic Financial Reports by Terry E. Sanford in satisfaction of Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
*32   Certification of Periodic Financial Reports by Melvin C. Payne and Terry E. Sanford in satisfaction of Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
**101   Interactive Data Files.

 

* Filed herewith
** Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability.

 

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Form 10-Q to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

      CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
Date : August 7, 2012       /s/ Terry E. Sanford
      Terry E. Sanford
      Senior Vice President and
      Chief Accounting Officer


Table of Contents

CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.

INDEX OF EXHIBITS

 

*4.1   First Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 2, 2007 among Cloverdale Park, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.
*4.2   Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 13, 2007 among Cataudella Funeral Home, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.
*4.3   Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 7, 2012 among Carriage Merger V, Inc., Carriage Merger VI, Inc., Carriage Merger VII, Inc., Carriage Merger VIII, Inc., Carriage Merger IX, Inc., and Carriage Merger X, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.
*10.1   Carriage Services, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
10.2   Form of Employee Performance-Based Stock Award Agreement. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on August 7, 2012.
*10.3   Form of Director Performance-Based Stock Award Agreement.
*11.1   Computation of Per Share Earnings.
*31.1   Certification of Periodic Financial Reports by Melvin C. Payne in satisfaction of Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
*31.2   Certification of Periodic Financial Reports by Terry E. Sanford in satisfaction of Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
*32   Certification of Periodic Financial Reports by Melvin C. Payne and Terry E. Sanford in satisfaction of Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
**101   Interactive Data Files.

 

* Filed herewith
** Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability.