-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, KlC/h+6KD1CTs9vATimOlqwPL+wWwJ8AKdoB3wnc2SWE3R9xeosngBMPDgwYERsd RzDut3AlbKFpB0WM95RKzA== 0001193125-10-056364.txt : 20100315 0001193125-10-056364.hdr.sgml : 20100315 20100315090037 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-10-056364 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20100315 ITEM INFORMATION: Results of Operations and Financial Condition ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20100315 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20100315 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: STONEMOR PARTNERS LP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001286131 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-PERSONAL SERVICES [7200] IRS NUMBER: 800103159 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-50910 FILM NUMBER: 10679751 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 311 VETERANS HIGHWAY STREET 2: SUITE B CITY: LEVITTOWN STATE: PA ZIP: 19056 BUSINESS PHONE: 2158262800 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 311 VETERANS HIGHWAY STREET 2: SUITE B CITY: LEVITTOWN STATE: PA ZIP: 19056 8-K 1 d8k.htm FORM 8-K Form 8-K

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT

TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported) March 15, 2010

 

 

StoneMor Partners L.P.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   000-50910   80-0103159

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

311 Veterans Highway, Suite B, Levittown, PA   19056
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (215) 826-2800

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On March 15, 2010, the Registrant issued a press release. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this report.

 

ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

 

  (a) Financial statements of businesses acquired.

None.

 

  (b) Pro forma financial information.

None.

 

  (c) Exhibits.

The following exhibit is furnished herewith:

 

Exhibit

No.

  

Description

99.1

   Press Release dated March 15, 2010.

 

2


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

  STONEMOR PARTNERS L.P.
  By:   StoneMor GP LLC
    its general partner
Date: March 15, 2010   By:  

/S/    WILLIAM R. SHANE        

  Name:   William R. Shane
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

3


Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit

No.

  

Description

99.1

   Press Release dated March 15, 2010.

 

4

EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

StoneMor Partners L.P. Announces 2009 Year-End Results

Levittown, PA, March 15, 2010 – StoneMor Partners L.P. (NASDAQ: STON) announced its results of operations and various critical financial measures (non-GAAP) today for both the three months and year ended December 31, 2009. Measures released include both GAAP measures as provided for in our quarterly and annual financial statements and other financial measures that we believe help to understand our results of operations, financial position and decision making process:

Critical financial measures (non-GAAP):

 

     Three months ended
December 31,
   Year ended
December 31,
     2009    2008    2009    2008
     (In thousands)    (In thousands)

Adjusted operating profit (a)

   $ 5,865    $ 6,310    $ 34,712    $ 32,113

Total value of cemetery contracts written, funeral home revenues and investment and other income (a)

     52,237      50,640      217,261      209,168

Adjusted operating cash generated (a)

     6,289      4,631      34,603      30,771

Distributable free cash flow (a)

   $ 5,493    $ 3,130    $ 34,805    $ 26,880

 

(a) This is a non-GAAP financial measure as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Please see the reconciliation to GAAP measures within this press release.

Financial measures (GAAP):

 

     Three months ended
December 31,
   Year ended
December 31,
     2009     2008    2009     2008
     (In thousands)    (In thousands)

Total revenues

   44,217      46,315    181,203      183,448

Operating profit

   483      4,236    11,431      17,350

Operating cash flows (deficits)

   (1,225   2,048    13,498      21,144

Net income (loss)

   (3,251   1,531    (1,077   4,556

Overview

2009 was an extremely eventful year for our company. As with many other companies, the economic slowdown provided us with many obstacles. Despite this, we were able to accomplish each of the following critical goals:

 

 

We increased production, as evidenced by the increase in the total value of cemetery contracts written, funeral home revenues and investment and other income (“production based revenue”).

 

 

We improved our profit margins for the year, as evidenced by the improvement in adjusted operating profit and the improvement in the ratio of adjusted operating profit to production based revenue from 15% to 16%.

 

 

We strengthened our capital base via a private debt offering, a public offering of our common units and a restructuring of our acquisition and revolving credit lines.

 

 

We repaid all outstanding debt under our acquisition and revolving credit lines, and as of December 31, 2009, have $100 million of available credit including $20 million under an accordion facility.

 

 

We are now well positioned to acquire, grow, and as a potential result, increase future distributions.

 

1


Acquisitions

Certain of our subsidiaries are in the process of negotiating the purchases of 17 cemeteries, 5 funeral homes and various related assets for an aggregate purchase price ranging between $44 million and $47 million, approximately $1-5 million of which is presently proposed to be paid in the form of our common units. The transactions are expected to close on or after March 30, 2010, but prior to May 1, 2010. The completion of both acquisitions is subject to the execution of the definitive agreements, which will include certain material conditions to closing. There is no assurance that our subsidiaries will enter into definitive final agreements related to these acquisitions, that such agreements will contain the provisions referenced above or that the applicable conditions to closing will be satisfied.

Increased Production

We have presented as a critical financial measure the production-based revenue because we believe it is the best measure of revenues generated during a period and is the measure used by our senior management in evaluating periodic results.

Year to Date

The table below details the components of production based revenue for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 and reconciles it to GAAP revenues.

 

     Year ended December 31,     Increase
(Decrease) ($)
    Increase
(Decrease) (%)
 
     2009     2008      
     (In thousands)              

Value of pre-need cemetery contracts written

     99,772        91,051        8,722      9.6

Value of at-need cemetery contracts written

     63,970        63,874        96      0.1

Investment income from trusts

     22,706        23,519        (813   -3.5

Interest income

     5,834        5,384        450      8.4

Funeral home revenues

     23,365        23,963        (598   -2.5

Other cemetery revenues

     1,614        1,376        237      17.2
                              

Total

   $ 217,261      $ 209,168      $ 8,093      3.9
                              

Less:

        

Increase in deferred sales revenue and investment income

     (36,058     (25,720   $ (10,338   40.2
                              

Total GAAP revenues

   $ 181,203      $ 183,448      $ (2,245   -1.2
                              

While GAAP revenues declined by $2.2 million, or 1.2%, to $181.2 million during 2009, production based revenue increased by $8.1 million, or 3.9%, to $217.2 million in 2009. Most of this increase was related to the value of pre-need cemetery contracts written which increased by $8.7 million, or 9.6%, to $99.8 million during 2009 as compared to $91.1 million in 2008.

The value of pre-need cemetery contracts written is the revenue source that has the most potential for organic growth. We believe that our ability to increase this revenue source in a down economy is a testament to both our business plan and the talent of our sales force and bodes well for when the economy improves.

 

2


The value of at-need cemetery contracts written and funeral home revenues are more dependent upon death rates. The value of at-need cemetery contracts written were flat in 2009 ($64.0 million). The value of funeral home revenues declined by $0.6 million, or 2.5%, to $23.3 million in 2009. A portion of this decline relates to the funeral home we disposed of during 2009 with the balance related to the decline in the death rate.

Investment income from trusts declined by $0.8 million, or 3.5%, to $22.7 million in 2009, primarily due to a decline in yield related to the substantial decrease in interest rates.

Quarter to Date

The table below details the components of production based revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 and reconciles it to GAAP revenues.

 

     Three months ended December 31,     Increase
(Decrease) ($)
    Increase
(Decrease) (%)
 
     2009     2008      
     (In thousands)              

Value of pre-need cemetery contracts written

     23,407        21,812        1,595      7.3

Value of at-need cemetery contracts written

     15,762        15,141        621      4.1

Investment income from trusts

     5,793        5,990        (197   -3.3

Interest income

     1,195        1,039        156      15.1

Funeral home revenues

     5,953        6,351        (398   -6.3

Other cemetery revenues

     126        308        (182   -59.2
                              

Total

   $ 52,237      $ 50,640      $ 1,596      3.2
                              

Less:

        

Increase in deferred sales revenue and investment income

     (8,020     (4,326   $ (3,694   85.4
                              

Total GAAP revenues

   $ 44,217      $ 46,315      $ (2,098   -4.5
                              

While GAAP revenues declined by $2.1 million, or 4.5%, to $44.2 million during the fourth quarter of 2009, production based revenue increased by $1.6 million, or 3.2%, to $52.2 million. Most of this increase was related to the value of pre-need cemetery contracts written which increased by $1.6 million, or 7.3%, to $23.4 million. There was also a modest increase in the value of at-need cemetery contracts written ($0.6 million or 4.1%) offset by a slight decline in funeral home revenues ($0.4 million or 6.3%) which was primarily related to the decline in the death rate.

Improving Profit Margins

We define profit margin as the percentage of adjusted operating profit to production based revenues. The purpose is to provide our unitholders with a financial measure that the Company uses to evaluate its performance.

During a period of growth, operating profits as defined by GAAP will tend to lag adjusted operating profits because accounting rules require the deferral of all revenues and a portion of the costs associated with these revenues until such time that merchandise is delivered or services are performed. This creates a non-cash liability on our financial statements and delays the recognition of revenues and profit. Adjusted operating profits ignore these delays and present results based upon economic performance. Over time, operating profits and adjusted operating profits will match.

 

3


The table below presents adjusted operating profits and reconciles this amount to GAAP operating profits for the three months and year ended December 31, 2009:

 

     Three months ended December 31,     Year ended December 31,  
     2009     2008     2009     2008  
     (In thousands)     (In thousands)  

Operating profit

   $ 483      $ 4,236      $ 11,431      $ 17,350   

Acquisition related costs (a)

     —          (256     —          (1,579

Increase (decrease) in applicable deferred revenues

     7,744        4,325        35,781        25,720   

(Increase) decrease in deferred cost of goods sold and selling and obtaining costs

     (2,362     (1,996     (12,500     (9,377
                                

Adjusted operating profit

   $ 5,865      $ 6,310      $ 34,712      $ 32,113   
                                

 

(a) Prior to 2009, acquisition related costs were capitalized. In order to appropriately compare the periods, we have deducted the 2008 capitalized amounts from the 2008 adjusted operating profits.

Year and Quarter to Date

Adjusted operating profits increased by $2.6 million, or 8.1%, to $34.7 million in 2009. This increase was caused by the previously discussed increase in production based revenue ($8.1 million) offset by an increase in costs of $5.5 million. The ratio of adjusted operating profit to production based revenue improved to 16.0% in 2009 from 15.4% in 2008.

Adjusted operating profits decreased by $0.4 million, or 7.0%, to $5.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2009 as compared to $6.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. This decrease was primarily caused by a $2.0 million increase in operating expenses offset by the aforementioned $1.6 million increase in production based revenue.

The table below presents the most significant items of increased operating expenses contributing to the change in adjusted operating profit for the three months and year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to 2008:

 

     Three months ended December 31,    Year ended December 31,
     2009    2008    2009    2008
     (In thousands)    (In thousands)

Adjusted operating profit

   $ 5,865    $ 6,310    $ 34,712    $ 32,113

Summary of significant expense increases:

           

Increase in employee benefits

     1,861         3,238   

Increase in professional fees

     398         598   

Increase in acquisition related costs

     —           713   

Increase in depreciation and amortization

     —           1,361   
                   

Total significant expense increases:

     2,259         5,910   
                   

Total

   $ 8,125    $ 6,310    $ 40,622    $ 32,113
                           

The increase in employee benefits relates primarily to an increase in employee medical benefits. The Company utilizes a self insured medical insurance plan that is administered by an outside third party. The company manages risk via a stop-loss insurance policy that caps our exposure at

 

4


both the individual and aggregate level. Benefits paid out of the plan were substantially higher in 2009 then they were in 2008. This excess cost was caused by both medical inflation and increased utilization. We are currently evaluating our current insurance program to determine cost saving opportunities.

The YTD increase in depreciation and amortization relates primarily to increased amortization of deferred financing fees.

The Company instituted a cost reduction program during 2009. The program consisted of elimination of raises and bonuses and an employee furlough program, among other significant measures. The goal of the cost reductions was to counteract potential revenue losses and be able to continue distributions. These goals were accomplished; however, the cost reductions could not offset the expense increases in the areas of medical benefits, acquisition costs, professional fees, and depreciation and amortization as shown in the chart above. All cost-reduction measures remain in effect for 2010.

Strengthening Our Capital Base

At the end of 2008, we had $80 million in senior debt that was maturing in September 2009, no significant availability on our credit lines and $52.5 million in debt maturing in 2012. We were also faced with a severe contraction in the credit markets that made the availability of capital extremely tight.

We solved our immediate problem of satisfying the debt that was due in September 2009 by modifying the Credit Lines under a new bank syndication which increased the acquisition line of credit to $107.85 million and the revolving line of credit to $35.0 million. It also allowed us to use the acquisition line of credit and revolving credit facility to repay the senior debt due in September. We completed this transaction in the second quarter of 2009 and at the end of June 2009 we had $52.5 million in senior debt due in 2012, $100.5 million drawn on an acquisition line of credit that was expiring in 2012 and $28.2 million drawn on a revolving line of credit that was expiring in 2012. We were also required to pay down annually $10 million beginning in 2010.

During the third quarter of 2009 opportunities opened in the capital markets. This opportunity allowed us to improve our capital base by extending the due date on our overall debt portfolio to 2017, increase amounts available on the Credit Lines to $100 million (including a $20 million accordion feature) and raise additional amounts through a common unit offering to repay $17.5 million in debt coming due in 2012. Although it had only been a short period of time since our prior restructuring, we realized that this window of opportunity might close. Accordingly, we decided it was in the best interest of the company to undergo an additional capital restructuring. The following series of transactions were completed in the fourth quarter of 2009:

 

 

We issued $150 million in private debt due in 2017.

 

 

We issued approximately 1.5 million common units at $17 per unit.

 

 

We restructured the Credit Lines to reopen $100 million in available credit and eliminate the quarterly amortization requirement.

Any remaining proceeds have been used for general corporate purposes.

 

5


These transactions have resulted in a significantly improved capital structure as demonstrated in the table below:

 

     As of  
     12/31/2008    6/30/2009    12/31/2009  
     (in thousands)  

Debt due dates

        

Debt due within one year

   $ 80,000    $ —      $ —     

Debt due within three years

     —        14,000      —     

Debt due between three and five years

     80,422      167,200      35,000 (a) 

Debt due between five and ten years

     —        —        150,000 (a) 

Availability under credit lines

        

Availability under the acquisition line of credit

     22,378      7,300      45,000   

Availability under the revolving line of credit

     14,700      6,800      35,000   

Available accordian feature

         $ 20,000   

 

(a) The total debt per the balance sheet is $183,199. The difference is $3,938 in unamortized debt discount offset by $1,400 in a note payable related to an acquisition and $737 in insurance premium and vehicle financing not included in this schedule.

Operating Cash Flows, Distributable Free Cash Flow and Unit-holder Distributions

Our primary source of cash from which to pay partner distributions and make routine capital expenditures is operating cash flow. Over longer periods of time, operating cash flows must exceed the sum of routine capital expenditures and partner distributions.

Over shorter periods of time, operating cash flows may be negatively effected by cash flow timing lags created by:

 

 

net cash inflows into the merchandise trust (“net trust cash flows”), and;

 

 

increases in accounts receivable and other liquid assets net of liquid liabilities (“float adjustments”).

During periods of growth, we would expect there to be net cash inflows into the trust and increases in accounts receivable.

When determining partner distributions, we determine whether a distribution in excess of operating cash flows less routine capital expenditures has been caused by the aforementioned cash flow timing differences or by a shortfall in funds generated from operations.

 

6


The table below adjusts operating cash flows for the aforementioned timing differences to determine adjusted operating cash flow generated. From this amount, we net out other items to derive distributable free cash flow:

 

     Three months ended
December 31,
    Year ended
December 31,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  
     (In thousands)     (In thousands)  

Operating cash flows (deficits)

   $ (1,225   $ 2,048      $ 13,498      $ 21,144   
                                

Add: net cash inflows into the merchandise trust

     1,579        519        6,133        453   

Add: net increase in accounts receivable

     3,289        1,678        9,452        6,678   

Add: net decrease in merchandise liabilities

     2,339        3,567        4,343        5,366   

Less: acquisition related costs (a)

     —          (256     —          (1,579

Add (deduct): net decrease (increase) in accounts payable and accrued expenses

     (406     (3,416     996        (717

Other float related changes

     713        490        181        (574
                                

Adjusted operating cash generated

     6,289        4,631        34,603        30,771   
                                

Less: maintenance capital expenditures

     (989     (1,096     (2,524     (4,809

Plus: growth capital expenditures reclassified as operating expenses and deducted from adjusted operating cash generated (b)

     193        256        2,292        1,579   

Less (plus): other investing cash flow items (c)

     —          (661     434        (661
                                

Distributable free cash flow generated

     5,493        3,130        34,805        26,880   
                                

Cash on hand - beginning of the period

         7,068        13,800   
                    

Distributable cash available during the year

         41,873        40,680   
                    

Partner distributions made

   $ 6,813      $ 6,762      $ 27,253      $ 25,658   
                                

 

(a) Prior to 2009, acquisition related costs were capitalized and classified as an investing cash flow. We have adjusted the 2008 amounts to retrospectively reflect this change.
(b) We maintain an acquisition line of credit from which to make acquisitions and pay acquisition related costs. We utilize this line for these costs. Accordingly, distributable free cash flow is not negatively impacted by amounts spent on acquisitions that are recorded as expenses.
(c) The 2008 reduction represents a payment made to SCI related to a minimum share price guarantee. The 2009 increase represents funds received from the sale of a funeral home.

As can be seen, for both the years ended and the three months ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, operating cash flows have been negatively impacted by the buildup in merchandise trust assets and accounts receivable. Adjusted operating cash generated is significantly higher than operating cash flows.

In addition, in both 2009 and 2008, the sum of distributable free cash flow plus cash on hand at the beginning of the period exceeded the distributions we made in those years.

Our business decisions have always been to make distributions based upon adjusted operating cash flows generated rather than operating cash flows generated. We believe this to be in the best interest of our unitholders as we do not believe that our unitholders should necessarily wait until we collect all amounts owed to us before they are distributed to them. We recognize that we need to borrow money and that we incur interest on these amounts until we settle these cash flow timing differences. This interest expense, which is ultimately a cost to our unitholders, is offset by getting the cash to our unitholders sooner.

Discussion of GAAP Results

GAAP accounting requires that we defer the value of contracts written and investment income earned from trusts until such time as the underlying merchandise is delivered or service is performed. Accordingly, periodic changes in GAAP revenue are not necessarily indicative of changes in either the volume or pricing on contracts originated during the period, but rather changes in the timing of when merchandise is delivered or services are performed.

Revenues

Revenues declined by $2.2 million, or 1.2%, to $181.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2009 from $183.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2008. The decrease was primarily related to a corresponding decrease in the delivery of pre-need and at-need cemetery merchandise and services.

 

7


Revenues declined by $2.1 million, or 4.5%, to $44.2 million during the three months ended December 31, 2009 from $46.3 million during 2008. The decrease was primarily related to a $1.9 million decline in investment income from trusts, which was in turn related to the timing on earnings of trust assets. The increase in deferred trust income was $1.7 million higher in the 4th quarter of 2009 as compared to 2008. Actual interest, dividends and capital gains were only $0.2 million less in 2009 than in 2008.

Operating Profit

Operating profit declined by $5.9 million, or 34.1%, to $11.4 million in 2009 from $17.3 million in 2008. The decrease was primarily related to the decrease in revenues ($2.2 million), acquisition related costs ($2.3 million) that due to an accounting rule change became immediately expensed in 2009, and a $3.2 million increase in medical benefit costs offset by cost savings in other areas.

Operating profit declined by $3.7 million, or 88.6%, to $0.5 million during the three months ended December 31, 2009 from $4.2 million during 2008. The decrease was primarily related to the decrease in revenues ($2.1 million), acquisition related costs ($0.2 million) that due an accounting rule change became immediately expensed in 2009, and a $1.9 million increase in medical benefit costs offset by cost savings in other areas.

Net Income (Loss)

The table below breaks out significant changes to net income for both the year and three months ended December 31, 2009 compared to these same periods during 2008:

 

     Three months ended December 31,     Year ended December 31,
     2009     2008     2009     2008

Operating Profit

   $ 483      $ 4,236      $ 11,431      $ 17,350
                              

Gain on sale of funeral home

     (41     0        434        0

Gain on acquisitions

     4,435        0        4,435        0

Decrease in the value of interest rate swaps

     (2,681     0        (2,681     0

Expenses related to refinancing

     2,242        0        2,242        0

Interest expense

     4,140        3,193        14,409        12,714
                              

Income (loss) before taxes

     (4,186     1,043        (3,031     4,636
                              

Total income taxes

     (935     (488     (1,954     80
                              

Net income (loss)

   $ (3,251   $ 1,531      $ (1,077   $ 4,556
                              

We had a net loss of $1.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2009 as opposed to net income of $4.6 million in 2008. The total reduction was $5.7 million which was primarily related to:

 

 

The aforementioned $5.9 million decline in operating profits.

 

 

A recorded gain on the acquisition of cemetery properties of $4.4 million as the fair value of net assets acquired was greater than the consideration paid.

 

8


 

A write-down of $2.2 million of previously capitalized debt issuance costs.

 

 

A loss on the value of interest rate swaps of $2.6 million.

 

 

A $1.7 million increase in interest expense.

 

 

A $2.1 million change in income taxes from a $0.1 million expense in 2008 to a $2.0 million benefit in 2009.

We had a net loss of $3.3 million during the three months ended December 31, 2009 as opposed to net income of $1.5 million in 2008. The total reduction was $4.8 million which was primarily related to:

 

 

The aforementioned $3.7 million decline in operating profits.

 

 

A gain on the acquisition of cemetery properties of $4.4 million as the fair value of net assets acquired was greater than the consideration paid.

 

 

A write-down of $2.2 million of previously capitalized debt issuance costs.

 

 

We recorded a loss on the value of interest rate swaps of $2.6 million.

 

 

A $1.0 million increase in interest expense.

 

 

A $0.4 million increase in our income tax benefit.

Backlog

Backlog is a measurement of the future operating profit benefit that will be derived from customer contracts that have been executed for which we have not as of yet met the GAAP-based revenue recognition criteria and is equal to:

 

 

deferred cemetery revenues and investment income;

 

 

less deferred selling and obtaining costs.

Backlog does not include deferred unrealized gains and losses on merchandise trust assets.

We believe there are no material costs or significant uncertainties remaining to be determined or accrued for us to be able to realize the cash benefit of this future operating profit.

At December 31, 2009 our backlog was $236.5 million. This is an increase of $18.7 million from $217.8 million at December 31, 2008. This build up in backlog will be reflected in GAAP revenue as we deliver the underlying merchandise and perform the underlying services

Investor Conference Call

An investors’ conference call to review the 2009 results (which will be released before this call) will be held on Monday, March 15, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The conference call can be accessed by calling (800) 772-4206. An audio replay of the conference call will be available by calling (800) 633-8284 through 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on March 29, 2010. The reservation number for the audio replay is as follows: 21456874. The audio replay of the conference call will also be archived on StoneMor’s website at http://www.stonemor.com.

 

9


About StoneMor Partners L.P.

StoneMor Partners L.P., headquartered in Levittown, Pennsylvania, is an owner and operator of cemeteries and funeral homes in the United States, with 235 cemeteries and 58 funeral homes in 26 states and Puerto Rico. StoneMor is the only publicly traded deathcare company structured as a partnership. StoneMor’s cemetery products and services, which are sold on both a pre-need (before death) and at-need (at death) basis, include: burial lots, lawn and mausoleum crypts, burial vaults, caskets, memorials, and all services which provide for the installation of this merchandise.

For additional information about StoneMor Partners L.P., please visit StoneMor’s website, and the Investor Relations section, at http://stonemor.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release, including, but not limited to, information regarding the status and progress of the company’s operating activities, the plans and objectives of the company’s management, assumptions regarding the company’s future performance and plans, and any financial guidance provided, as well as certain information in other filings with the SEC and elsewhere, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A(i) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E(i) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continues,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “project,” “expect,” “predict,” and similar expressions identify these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated, including, but not limited to, the following: uncertainties associated with future revenue and revenue growth; the effect of the current economic downturn; the impact of the company’s significant leverage on its operating plans; the ability of the company to service its debt; the decline in the fair value of certain equity and debt securities held in the company’s merchandise trust; the company’s ability to attract, train and retain an adequate number of sales people; uncertainties associated with the volume and timing of pre-need sales of cemetery services and products; variances in death rates; variances in the use of cremation; changes in political or regulatory environments, including potential changes in tax accounting and trusting policies; the company’s ability to successfully implement a strategic plan relating to producing operating improvement, strong cash flows and further deleveraging; uncertainties associated with the integration or the anticipated benefits of the acquisition of assets in September 2006; and various other uncertainties associated with the deathcare industry and the company’s operations in particular.

When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein or any other forward-looking statements made by us, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

 

10


Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted Operating Profit

We present Adjusted Operating Profit because management believes it provides for a useful measure of economic value added by presenting an effective matching of the value of current and future revenue sources generated within a given period to the cost of producing such revenue and managing our day to day operations within that same period. It is a significant measure that we believe is an indicator of eventual profit generated within a given period of time.

Adjusted Operating Profit is a non-GAAP financial measure that may not be consistent with other similar non-GAAP financial measures presented by other publicly traded companies.

Distributable Free Cash Flow

We present Distributable Free Cash Flow because management believes this information is a useful adjunct to Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities under GAAP. Distributable Free Cash Flow is a significant liquidity metric that we believe is an indicator of our ability to generate cash flow during any quarter at a level sufficient to pay the minimum quarterly cash distribution to the holders of our common units and subordinated units and for other purposes, such as repaying debt and expanding through strategic investments.

Distributable Free Cash Flow is similar to quantitative standards of free cash flow used throughout the deathcare industry and to quantitative standards of distributable cash flow used throughout the investment community with respect to publicly traded partnerships, but is not intended to be a prediction of the future. However, our calculation of distributable free cash flow may not be consistent with calculations of free cash flow, distributable cash flow or other similarly titled measures of other companies. Distributable Free Cash Flow is not a measure of financial performance and should not be considered as an alternative to cash flows from operating, investing, or financing activities.

Production Based Revenue

We present production based revenue because management believes it provides for a useful measure of both the value of contracts written and investment and other income generated during a given period and is a critical component of adjusted operating profit.

Production based revenue is a non-GAAP financial measure that may not be consistent with other similar non-GAAP financial measures presented by other publicly traded companies.

Adjusted Operating Cash Generated

We present adjusted operating cash generated revenue because management believes it provides for a useful measure of the amount of cash generated that is available to make capital expenditures and partner distribution once all cash flow timing issues have been settled.

Adjusted operating cash generated is a non-GAAP financial measure that may not be consistent with other similar non-GAAP financial measures presented by other publicly traded companies.

 

11


StoneMor Partners L.P.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

 

      December 31,
2009
   December 31,
2008

Assets

     

Current assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 13,479    $ 7,068

Accounts receivable, net of allowance

     37,113      33,090

Prepaid expenses

     3,531      3,422

Other current assets

     4,502      14,477
             

Total current assets

     58,625      58,057

Long-term accounts receivable - net of allowance

     48,015      42,309

Cemetery property

     235,357      228,499

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation

     52,265      49,615

Merchandise trusts, restricted, at fair value

     203,885      161,605

Perpetual care trusts, restricted, at fair value

     196,295      152,797

Deferred financing costs - net of accumulated amortization

     12,020      2,425

Deferred selling and obtaining costs

     49,782      41,795

Deferred tax assets

     451      138

Other assets

     2,194      1,000
             

Total assets

   $ 858,889    $ 738,240
             

Liabilities and partners’ capital

     

Current liabilities

     

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   $ 26,574    $ 25,702

Accrued interest

     1,829      659

Current portion, long-term debt

     378      80,478
             

Total current liabilities

     28,781      106,839

Other long-term liabilities

     2,912      1,837

Fair value of interest rate swap

     2,681      —  

Long-term debt

     182,821      80,456

Deferred cemetery revenues, net

     258,978      193,017

Deferred tax liabilities

     5,290      7,928

Merchandise liability

     65,883      75,977

Perpetual care trust corpus

     196,295      152,797
             

Total liabilities

     743,641      618,851
             

Partners’ capital

     

General partner

     1,904      2,271

Limited partners:

     

Common

     113,344      111,052

Subordinated

     —        6,066
             

Total partners’ capital

     115,248      119,389
             

Total liabilities and partners’ capital

   $ 858,889    $ 738,240
             

See accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements on the Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

12


StoneMor Partners L.P.

Consolidated Statement of Operations

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

     Three months ended December 31,     Year ended December 31,  
     2009     2008     2009     2008  
     (unaudited)              

Revenues:

        

Cemetery

        

Merchandise

   $ 22,376      $ 21,762      $ 87,836      $ 90,968   

Services

     7,988        8,828        36,947        36,894   

Investment and other

     7,899        9,374        33,055        31,623   

Funeral home

        

Merchandise

     2,512        2,483        9,701        9,249   

Services

     3,442        3,868        13,665        14,714   
                                

Total revenues

     44,217        46,315        181,203        183,448   
                                

Costs and Expenses:

        

Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below):

        

Perpetual care

     1,069        1,085        4,727        4,326   

Merchandise

     4,103        4,793        17,120        18,556   

Cemetery expense

     10,796        10,284        41,246        41,651   

Selling expense

     8,946        9,006        34,123        34,806   

General and administrative expense

     5,811        5,359        22,498        21,372   

Corporate overhead (including $438 and $373 and $1,576 and $2,262 in unit based compensation for the three months and year ended December 31, 2009 and 2008

     6,067        4,850        22,370        21,293   

Depreciation and amortization

     1,672        1,635        6,390        5,029   

Funeral home expense

        

Merchandise

     966        979        3,716        3,684   

Services

     2,380        2,277        9,275        9,073   

Other

     1,730        1,811        6,014        6,308   

Acquisition related costs

     193        —          2,292        —     
                                

Total cost and expenses

     43,734        42,079        169,772        166,098   
                                

Operating profit

     483        4,236        11,431        17,350   

Gain on sale of funeral home

     (41     —          434        —     

Gain on acquisitions

     4,435        —          4,435        —     

(Decrease) in fair value of interest rate swap

     (2,681     —          (2,681     —     

Expenses related to refinancing

     2,242        —          2,242        —     

Interest expense

     4,140        3,193        14,409        12,714   
                                

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (4,186     1,043        (3,031     4,636   

Income taxes

        

State

     412        (175     808        304   

Federal

     (1,347     (313     (2,763     (224
                                

Total income taxes

     (935     (488     (1,954     80   
                                

Net income (loss)

   $ (3,251   $ 1,531      $ (1,077   $ 4,556   
                                

General partner’s interest in net income (loss) for the period

   $ (65   $ 30      $ (22   $ 91   

Limited partners’ interest in net income (loss) for the period

        

Common

   $ (2,645   $ 1,161      $ (894   $ 3,325   

Subordinated

   $ (541   $ 340      $ (161   $ 1,140   

Net income (loss) per limited partner unit (basic and diluted)

   $ (.27   $ .13      $ (.09   $ .38   

Weighted average number of limited partners’ units outstanding (basic and diluted)

     12,463        11,849        12,034        11,809   

See accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements on the Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

13


StoneMor Partners L.P.

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

 

     Three months ended December 31,     Year ended December 31,  
     2009     2008     2009     2008  
     (Unaudited)              

Operating activities:

        

Net income (loss)

   $ (3,251   $ 1,531      $ (1,077   $ 4,556   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activity:

        

Cost of lots sold

     1,233        326        5,259        5,306   

Depreciation and amortization

     1,813        1,635        6,390        5,029   

Unit-based compensation

     438        373        1,576        2,262   

Previously capitalized acquisition costs

     —          —          1,365        —     

Write down of deferred financing fees

     2,101        —          2,242        —     

Accretion of debt discount

     34        —          34        —     

Loss on fair value of interest rate swap

     2,681          2,681     

Gain on sale of funeral home

     41        —          (434     —     

Gain on acquisitions of cemetery properties

     (4,350     —          (4,350     —     

Changes in assets and liabilities that provided (used) cash:

        

Accounts receivable

     (3,289     (1,678     (9,452     (6,678

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (213     (1,192     103        513   

Merchandise trust fund

     (1,579     (519     (6,133     (453

Prepaid expenses

     627        421        (109     963   

Other current assets

     (60     (576     (239     (900

Other assets

     263        27        (124     (696

Accounts payable and accrued and other liabilities

     1,277        3,416        (125     717   

Deferred selling and obtaining costs

     (1,673     (1,298     (7,987     (5,959

Deferred cemetery revenue

     7,269        3,714        31,881        22,414   

Deferred taxes (net)

     (2,248     (564     (3,660     (564

Merchandise liability

     (2,339     (3,567     (4,343     (5,366
                                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     (1,225     2,048        13,498        21,144   
                                

Investing activities:

        

Cost associated with potential acquisitions

     —          498        —          (1,579

Additions to cemetery property

     (1,090     (1,108     (4,759     (4,376

Purchase of subsidiaries, net of common units issued

     89        (3,395     (4,100     (5,621

Divestiture of funeral home

     (41     —          434        —     

Acquisition unit-price guarantee

     —          (661     —          (661

Acquisitions of property and equipment

     (989     (1,096     (2,524     (4,809
                                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (2,031     (5,762     (10,949     (17,046
                                

Financing activities:

        

Cash distribution

     (6,813     (6,762     (27,253     (25,658

Additional borrowings on long-term debt

     151,565        12,879        260,647        33,188   

Repayments of long-term debt

     (153,146     (8,709     (239,862     (18,446

Proceeds from public unit offering

     23,680        —          23,680        —     

Proceeds from general partner contribution

     509        18        509        86   

Cost of financing activities

     (8,429     —          (13,859     —     
                                

Net cash used in financing activities

     7,366        (2,574     3,862        (10,830
                                

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     4,110        (6,288     6,411        (6,732

Cash and cash equivalents - Beginning of period

     9,369        13,355        7,068        13,800   
                                

Cash and cash equivalents - End of period

   $ 13,479      $ 7,068      $ 13,479      $ 7,068   
                                

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

        

Cash paid during the period for interest

   $ 3,404      $ 3,372      $ 13,239      $ 12,732   
                                

Cash paid during the period for income taxes

   $ 149      $ 1,510      $ 1,886      $ 4,820   
                                

Non-cash investing and financing activities

        

Acquisition of asset by assumption of directly related liability

   $ —        $ —        $ 2,150      $ —     

Issuance of limited partner units for cemetery acquisition

   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 500   
                                

See accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements on the Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

14

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