ATLANTA, Nov. 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aveanna Healthcare Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAH), a leading, diversified home care platform focused on providing care to medically complex, high-cost patient populations, today announced financial results for the three and nine-month periods ended October 1, 2022.

Tony Strange, Chief Executive Officer, commented “We continue to manage through a very difficult labor environment, and our results clearly do not meet our expectations. However, I am encouraged by signs of progress within our Private Duty and MS businesses. We are seeing our preferred payer partners embrace the idea of value-based pricing and can demonstrate that similar models will produce growth in caregivers and increased volume, all while producing savings and better outcomes for our payers, and ultimately creating long-term value for our shareholders.

As mentioned on our second quarter call, we completed the system conversion for HHH from four operating systems to one with Homecare Homebase, which will create efficiencies and enhance our analytic capabilities. However, our results in Home Health and Hospice during the quarter were impacted by the conversion and fell below our expectations. We remain confident that this business will return to normal operating levels as we move through the end of 2022 and into 2023.

I’d also like to thank all of our employees who worked tirelessly in preparing for and in response to Hurricane Ian. All patients and employees were accounted for within 24 hours of the storm, and relief efforts were underway immediately. This response is another example of the resiliency of the Aveanna team.

We look forward to discussing our third quarter results, expectations for the fourth quarter, as well as preliminary expectations for 2023 on our upcoming earnings call” Mr. Strange concluded.

Three-Month Periods Ended October 1, 2022 and October 2, 2021

Revenue was $443.0 million for the three-month period ended October 1, 2022, as compared to $411.3 million for the three-month period ended October 2, 2021, an increase of $31.7 million, or 7.7%. The overall increase in revenue was primarily attributable to a $28.5 million increase in Private Duty Services ("PDS") segment revenue and a $2.9 million increase in Home Health & Hospice (“HHH”) segment revenue compared with the prior year period.

Gross margin was $134.6 million, or 30.4% of revenue, for the three months ended October 1, 2022, as compared to $139.7 million, or 34.0% of revenue, for the three months ended October 2, 2021, a decrease of $5.2 million, or 3.7%.

Net income was $24.3 million for the third quarter of 2022, compared to net income of $2.1 million for the third quarter of 2021, primarily due to a $43.5 million increase in valuation gains on interest rate derivatives over the comparable periods. Net income per diluted share was $0.13 for the third quarter of 2022, as compared to net income per diluted share of $0.01 for the third quarter of 2021. Adjusted net loss per diluted share was $0.03 for the third quarter of 2022, as compared to adjusted net income of $0.11 for the third quarter of 2021.

Adjusted EBITDA was $24.7 million, or 5.6% of revenue, for the third quarter of 2022, as compared to $45.8 million, or 11.1% of revenue, for the third quarter of 2021.

Nine-Month Periods Ended October 1, 2022 and October 2, 2021

Revenue was $1,336.5 million for the nine-month period ended October 1, 2022, as compared to $1,264.5 million for the nine-month period ended October 2, 2021, an increase of $72.0 million, or 5.7%. The overall increase in revenue was primarily attributable to a $26.2 million increase in PDS segment revenue and a $49.3 million increase in HHH segment revenue compared with the prior year period.

Gross margin was $424.5 million, or 31.8% of revenue, for the nine months ended October 1, 2022, as compared to $418.0 million, or 33.1% of revenue, for the nine months ended October 2, 2021, an increase of $6.4 million, or 1.5%.

Net loss was $424.3 million for the first nine months of 2022, as compared to net income of $9.1 million for the first nine months of 2021, primarily due to a $470.2 million goodwill impairment recorded in the second quarter of 2022, net of a $83.4 million increase in valuation gains on interest rate derivatives over the comparable periods. Net loss per diluted share was $2.29 for the first nine months of 2022, as compared to net income per diluted share of $0.05 for the first nine months of 2021. Adjusted net income per diluted share was $0.04 for the first nine months of 2022, as compared to $0.31 for the first nine months of 2021.

Adjusted EBITDA was $99.7 million, or 7.5% of revenue, for the first nine months of 2022, as compared to $138.4 million, or 10.9% of revenue, for the first nine months of 2021.

Liquidity, Cash Flow, and Debt

• As of October 1, 2022, we had cash of $63.7 million, plus the following liquidity available under our credit facilities:
  • $182.4 million of available borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility;
  • $32.8 million of availability under our securitization facility; and
  • $140.0 million of availability under our Delayed Draw Term Loan ("DDTL") for future acquisitions.
• Net cash provided by operating, investing and financing activities was $33.2 million for the nine months ended October 1, 2022. Free cash flow, which excludes liquidity related activity under our credit facilities and cash used and provided by acquisitions and divestitures, was a deficit of $44.9 million for the nine months ended October 1, 2022. This included a $11.7 million purchase of an interest rate cap in February 2022 and $3.5 million of repayments of CMS advances received by companies acquired by us. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures - Free cash flow" below.
• As of October 1, 2022 we had bank debt of $1,466.3 million. Our interest rate exposure under our credit facilities is hedged with the following instruments:
  • $520.0 million notional amount of interest rate swaps that convert variable rate debt to a fixed rate, and
  • $880.0 million notional amount of interest rate caps that cap our exposure to LIBOR at 3.0%.

The leverage maintenance covenants in our revolving credit facility do not become operative unless more than one third of the total availability under the revolving credit facility has been utilized, subject to a $15.0 million carve-out for letters of credit. Should the leverage maintenance covenant become operative, maximum allowable first lien leverage would be 7.6x.

David Afshar, Chief Financial Officer, commented “We were pleased with our third quarter cash collections as our operations and revenue cycle teams executed on reducing our accounts receivable balances during the quarter. We continue to have ample liquidity to fund our operations and believe our credit facilities are appropriately hedged against the rising interest rate environment. Our interest rate swaps extend through June, 2026 and our interest rate caps extend through February, 2027.”

Revised Full Year 2022 Guidance

• Revenue of at least $1,782 million updated from prior guidance of revenue of at least $1,785 million.

Consistent with prior practice, we are not providing guidance on net income at this time due to the volatility of certain required inputs that are not available without unreasonable efforts, including future fair value adjustments associated with our interest rate swaps and caps.

• Adjusted EBITDA of at least $128 million updated from prior guidance of Adjusted EBITDA of at least $150 million.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to our results of operations prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), we also evaluate our financial performance using EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Field contribution, Field contribution margin, Adjusted corporate expense, Adjusted net income and Adjusted net income per diluted share. Given our determination of adjustments in arriving at our computations, these non-GAAP measures have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes or alternatives to net income or loss, revenue, operating income or loss, cash flows from operating activities, total indebtedness or any other financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures and are not intended to replace financial performance measures determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, such as net income (loss). Rather, we present EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as supplemental measures of our performance. We define EBITDA as net income (loss) before interest expense, net; income tax (expense) benefit; and depreciation and amortization. We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA, adjusted for the impact of certain other items that are either non-recurring, infrequent, non-cash, unusual, or items deemed by management to not be indicative of the performance of our core operations, including impairments of goodwill, intangible assets, and other long-lived assets; non-cash, share-based compensation; sponsor fees; loss on extinguishment of debt; fees related to debt modifications; the effect of interest rate derivatives; acquisition-related and integration costs; legal costs and settlements associated with acquisition matters; COVID-19 related costs; restructuring costs; and other system transition costs, professional fees and other costs. As non-GAAP financial measures, our computations of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may vary from similarly termed non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies, making comparisons with other companies on the basis of this measure impracticable.

We believe our computations of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are helpful in highlighting trends in our core operating performance. In determining which adjustments are made to arrive at EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, we consider both (1) certain non-recurring, infrequent, non-cash or unusual items, which can vary significantly from year to year, as well as (2) certain other items that may be recurring, frequent, or settled in cash but which we do not believe are indicative of our core operating performance. We use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to assess operating performance and make business decisions.

We have incurred substantial acquisition-related costs and integration costs in fiscal years 2022, 2021 and 2020. The underlying acquisition activities take place over a defined timeframe, have distinct project timelines and are incremental to activities and costs that arise in the ordinary course of our business. Therefore, we believe it is important to exclude these costs from our Adjusted EBITDA because it provides us a normalized view of our core, ongoing operations after integrating our acquired companies, which we believe is an important measure in assessing our performance.

Field contribution and Field contribution margin

Field contribution and Field contribution margin are non-GAAP financial measures and are not intended to replace financial performance measures determined in accordance with GAAP, such as operating income (loss). Rather, we present Field contribution and Field contribution margin as supplemental measures of our performance. We define Field contribution as operating income (loss) prior to corporate expenses and other non-field related costs, including depreciation and amortization, acquisition-related costs, and other operating expenses. Field contribution margin is Field contribution as a percentage of revenue. As non-GAAP financial measures, our computations of Field contribution and Field contribution margin may vary from similarly termed non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies, making comparisons with other companies on the basis of these measures impracticable.

We believe Field contribution and Field contribution margin are helpful in highlighting trends in our core operating performance and evaluating trends in our branch and regional results, which can vary from year to year. We use Field contribution and Field contribution margin to make business decisions and assess the operating performance and results delivered by our core field operations, prior to corporate and other costs not directly related to our field operations. These metrics are also important because they guide us in determining whether our branch and regional administrative expenses are appropriately sized to support our caregivers and direct patient care operations. Additionally, Field contribution and Field contribution margin determine how effective we are in managing our field supervisory and administrative costs associated with supporting our provision of services and sale of products.

Adjusted corporate expenses

Adjusted corporate expenses is a non-GAAP financial measure and is not intended to replace financial performance measures determined in accordance with GAAP, such as corporate expenses. Rather, we present adjusted corporate expenses as a supplemental measure of our performance. We define Adjusted corporate expenses as corporate expenses adjusted for the impact of certain other items that are either non-recurring, infrequent, non-cash, unusual, or items deemed by us to not be indicative of the performance of our core operations, including non-cash, share-based compensation; sponsor fees; acquisition-related and integration costs; legal costs and settlements associated with acquisition matters; COVID related costs, net of reimbursement; and other system transition costs, professional fees and other costs. As non-GAAP financial measures, our computations of adjusted corporate expenses may vary from similarly termed non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies, making comparisons with other companies on the basis of this measure impracticable.

We believe Adjusted corporate expenses is helpful in highlighting trends in our corporate support function, which can vary from year to year. We use Adjusted corporate expenses to make business decisions in determining whether or not our corporate expenses is appropriately sized to support our caregivers and direct patient care operations. Excluding the aforementioned items from corporate expenses that are either non-recurring, infrequent, non-cash, unusual, or items deemed by us to not be indicative of the performance of our core operations allows us to evaluate adjusted corporate expenses in relation to the support necessary for our caregivers and direct patient care operations.

Adjusted net income and Adjusted net income per diluted share

Adjusted net income represents net income (loss) as adjusted for the impact of GAAP income tax, goodwill, intangible and other long-lived asset impairment charges, non-cash share-based compensation expense, sponsor fees, loss on extinguishment of debt, interest rate derivatives, acquisition-related costs, integration costs, legal costs, COVID-related costs net of reimbursement, ABA exited operations, other system transition costs, professional fees and certain other miscellaneous items on a pre-tax basis. Adjusted net income includes a provision for income taxes derived utilizing a combined statutory tax rate. The combined statutory tax rate is our estimate of our long-term tax rate. The most comparable GAAP measure is net income (loss).

Adjusted net income per diluted share represents adjusted net income on a per diluted share basis using the weighted-average number of diluted shares outstanding for the period. The most comparable GAAP measure is net income (loss) per share, diluted.

Adjusted net income and Adjusted net income per diluted share are important to us because they allow us to assess financial results, exclusive of the items mentioned above that are not operational in nature or comparable to those of our competitors.

Free cash flow

Free cash flow is a liquidity measure that represents the net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents, adjusted for the impact of cash used to acquire businesses, cash proceeds from the sale of businesses, and net cash proceeds from increases to debt financing arrangements. The most comparable GAAP measure is net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents.

We believe free cash flow is helpful in highlighting the cash generated or used by the Company, excluding cash related to business acquisition and disposition transactions, and the financing of business acquisition activities, to the extent we use debt financing to complete the transactions. Free cash flow includes mandatory, scheduled principal payments under our credit facilities and excludes any borrowing or repayments under our credit facilities for liquidity purposes.

Conference Call
Aveanna will host a conference call on Thursday, November 10, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss our third quarter 2022 results. The conference call can be accessed live over the phone by dialing 1-877-407-0789, or for international callers, 1-201-689-8563. A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available until November 17, 2022, by dialing 1-844-512-2921, or for international callers, 1-412-317-6671. The passcode for the replay is 13733506. A live webcast of our conference call will also be available under the Investor Relations section of our website: https://ir.aveanna.com/. The online replay will also be available for one week following the call.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain matters discussed in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements (other than statements of historical facts) in this press release regarding our prospects, plans, financial position, business strategy and expected financial and operational results may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of terminology such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “seek,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “continue” or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar expressions. These statements are based on certain assumptions that we have made in light of our experience in the industry as well as our perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe are appropriate in these circumstances. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect on us. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, such as our ability to successfully execute our growth strategy, including through organic growth and the completion of acquisitions, effective integration of the companies we acquire, unexpected costs of acquisitions and dispositions, the possibility that expected cost synergies may not materialize as expected, the failure of Aveanna or the companies we acquire to perform as expected, estimation inaccuracies in revenue recognition, our ability to drive margin leverage through lower costs, unexpected increases in SG&A and other expenses, changes in reimbursement, changes in government regulations, changes in Aveanna’s relationships with referral sources, increased competition for Aveanna’s services or wage inflation, changes in the interpretation of government regulations or discretionary determinations made by government officials, uncertainties regarding the outcome of rate discussions with managed care organizations and our ability to effectively collect our cash from these organizations, our ability to effectively collect and submit data required under Electronic Visit Verification regulations, our ability to comply with the terms and conditions of the CMS Review Choice Demonstration program, our ability to effectively implement and transition to new electronic medical record systems or billing and collection systems, changes in tax rates, the impact of adverse weather, the impact to our business operations, reimbursements and patient population were the COVID-19 environment to worsen, and other risks set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” in Aveanna’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its 2021 fiscal year filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2022, which is available at www.sec.gov. In addition, these forward-looking statements necessarily depend upon assumptions, estimates and dates that may prove to be incorrect or imprecise. Accordingly, forward-looking statements included in this press release do not purport to be predictions of future events or circumstances, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed by forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and Aveanna undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

About Aveanna Healthcare

Aveanna Healthcare is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia and has locations in 33 states providing a broad range of pediatric and adult healthcare services including nursing, rehabilitation services, occupational nursing in schools, therapy services, day treatment centers for medically fragile and chronically ill children and adults, home health and hospice services, as well as delivery of enteral nutrition and other products to patients. The Company also provides case management services in order to assist families and patients by coordinating the provision of services between insurers or other payers, physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare providers. In addition, the Company provides respite healthcare services, which are temporary care provider services provided in relief of the patient’s normal caregiver. The Company’s services are designed to provide a high quality, lower cost alternative to prolonged hospitalization. For more information, please visit www.aveanna.com.

Cash Flow and Information about Indebtedness

The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows from operating, investing, and financing activities for the period presented:

The following table presents our long-term indebtedness as of October 1, 2022:

Results of Operations

Three and Nine-Month Periods Ended October 1, 2022, Compared to the Three and Nine-Month Periods Ended October 2, 2021

The following table summarizes our consolidated results of operations for the periods indicated (amounts in thousands, except per share data):

The following tables summarize our consolidated key performance measures, including Field contribution and Field contribution margin, which are non-GAAP measures, for the periods indicated:

The following tables summarize our key performance measures by segment for the periods indicated:

The following table reconciles operating income (loss) to Field contribution and Field contribution margin:

The following table reconciles net income (loss) to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA:

The following table reconciles Corporate expenses to Adjusted corporate expenses:

The following table reconciles net income (loss) to Adjusted net (loss) income and presents Adjusted net (loss) income per diluted share:

The following footnotes are applicable to tables above that reconcile (i) net income (loss) to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, (ii) Corporate expenses to Adjusted corporate expenses and (iii) net (loss) income to Adjusted net (loss) income. The adjustments to reconcile Corporate expenses to Adjusted corporate expenses only represent the amounts that were recorded within Corporate expenses.

The table below reflects the increase or decrease, and aggregate impact, to the line items included on our consolidated statements of operations based upon the adjustments used in arriving at Adjusted EBITDA from EBITDA for the periods indicated:

The following table reconciles the net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents to free cash flow: