The chart below shows how SCI performed 10 days before and after its earnings report, based on data from the past quarters. Typically, SCI sees a +0.32% change in stock price 10 days leading up to the earnings, and a +2.05% change 10 days following the report. On the earnings day itself, the stock moves by +0.15%. This data can give you a slight idea of what to expect for the next quarter's release.
Positive
Earnings Per Share Increase: 1. Increased Adjusted Earnings Per Share: SCI reported adjusted earnings per share of $0.79 for Q3 2024, a slight increase from $0.78 in the same quarter last year, demonstrating stable financial performance.
Cash Flow Increase: 2. Strong Cash Flow Growth: The company achieved adjusted operating cash flow of $269 million, an increase of over $41 million or 18% compared to the prior year, driven by favorable working capital sources.
Capital Investment Surge: 3. Significant Capital Investments: SCI invested a total of $320 million in Q3 2024, the highest quarterly investment rate for the year, which included $123 million in acquisitions and $31 million in real estate transactions.
Q4 2024 Earnings Forecast: 4. Positive Outlook for Q4 2024: The company anticipates adjusted earnings per share for Q4 2024 to be between $1.00 and $1.10, representing an expected growth of 8% to 18% compared to the previous year.
Strong Liquidity Position: 5. Robust Liquidity Position: At the end of Q3 2024, SCI had liquidity of approximately $1.5 billion, consisting of $185 million in cash and $1.3 billion available on its long-term bank credit facility, ensuring financial flexibility for future growth.
Negative
Pre-Need Sales Decline: 1. Decline in Pre-Need Funeral Sales: Pre-need funeral sales production decreased by $22 million, or about 7%, compared to the third quarter of 2023, primarily due to a transition to a new insurance provider.
Cemetery Revenue Stability: 2. Flat Comparable Cemetery Revenue: Comparable cemetery revenue was flat year-over-year, with a $5 million increase in other revenue offset by a $5 million decrease in core revenue, primarily due to a $4 million decline in at-need revenue.
Funeral Gross Profit Decline: 3. Decrease in Core Funeral Gross Profit: Funeral gross profit declined slightly by about $2 million, with the gross profit percentage decreasing by 50 basis points to just over 19%, attributed to inflationary increases in fixed costs outpacing revenue growth.
Rising G&A Expenses: 4. Increased Corporate G&A Expenses: Corporate general and administrative expenses rose to $44 million in the quarter, exceeding the expected range of $38 million to $40 million, primarily due to higher long-term incentive compensation costs.
Increased Cash Tax Payments: 5. Higher Anticipated Cash Tax Payments: Looking ahead, cash taxes are expected to revert to a more normalized level, resulting in an anticipated increase of about $150 million in annual cash tax payments in 2025 compared to 2024.
Service Corporation International (SCI) Q3 2024 Earnings Call Transcript
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