HOUSTON, May 8, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Cornell Companies, Inc. (NYSE:CRN) today reported results for the three months ended March 31, 2007.
James E. Hyman, Cornell's chairman and chief executive officer, said, "We have started 2007 by meeting our earnings expectations for the first quarter. At the same time, we have also embarked upon several projects that both improve the company's risk profile and position it for growth in future years. These projects include expansions at our D. Ray James Prison and Big Spring Correctional Center, the recently-announced acquisition of the Correctional Facility at Brush, Colorado, and a new contract with the Arizona Department of Corrections announced last week. We believe that 2007 will be another productive year, building upon the successes we achieved in 2006."
First Quarter Summary (in thousands, except per share data)
--------------------------------------------------------------------- Three Months Ended --------------------------------------------------------------------- As Reported 3/31/2007 3/31/2006 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Revenue from operations $ 89,644 $ 83,847 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from operations 7,835 7,209 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Net loss from discontinued operations -- (526) --------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income 664 684 --------------------------------------------------------------------- EPS - diluted $ 0.05 $ 0.05 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Diluted shares outstanding used in per share computation 14,246 13,953 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
First Quarter Results
For the quarter ended March 31, 2007, the company reported net income of $0.7 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, compared with net income of $0.7 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, in the same period last year. Net income in the 2007 period included approximately $3.1 million in pre-tax costs (or $0.12 per diluted share, after taxes) associated with the merger agreement with Veritas Capital that was terminated during the first quarter. Net income in the prior-year period was affected by pre-opening and start-up costs (net of start-up revenues) for new facilities totaling $1.6 million (or $0.11 per diluted share), as well as $0.5 million (or $0.04 per diluted share) in net losses from discontinued operations. 2006 results also included pre-tax capitalized interest of $1.5 million (or $0.06 per diluted share, after taxes, compared to zero in the current year) and the pre-tax impact (net of receipts tax) of approximately $2.4 million (or $0.10 per diluted share, after taxes) associated with revenue recognized from the true-up calculation required by the guaranteed population contract at the Regional Correctional Center.
Revenues increased 6.9 percent to $89.6 million for the first quarter of 2007 from $83.8 million in the 2006 period. Much of the increase was attributable to programs opened during 2006, including Moshannon Valley Correctional Center and Cornell Abraxas Academy. In addition, strength at core programs, including D. Ray James Prison and the Leadership Development Program, further contributed to the revenue increase. These increases were offset, in part, by lower revenue at Great Plains Correctional Facility, whose population declined during the quarter in anticipation of facility closure in April, and at Alexander Youth Services Center, where our management contract ended in January 2007. 2006 revenues included $2.6 million in revenues associated with the true-up calculation at the Regional Correctional Center. Average contract occupancy levels were 100.3 percent in residential facilities compared with 97.9 percent in last year's first quarter.
The company reported income from operations of $7.8 million for the first quarter of 2007 compared with income of $7.2 million in the same quarter of 2006. The net increase in the 2007 quarter was due primarily to the previously mentioned facilities, partially offset by approximately $3.1 million in pre-tax costs associated with the terminated Veritas merger. 2006 income from operations included $2.7 million in net start-up costs, offset in part by $2.4 million in contract true-up revenues (net of receipts tax) recognized at the Regional Correctional Center.
Earnings Outlook for Second Quarter and Full Year 2007
Management expects second quarter 2007 earnings to range from $0.17 to $0.21 per share. For the full year, management reaffirms its previously announced guidance of $0.80 to $0.86 earnings per share. 2007 earnings estimates do not reflect the company's recent announcement of a contract award from the Arizona Department of Corrections. Management intends to update guidance to incorporate this contract once an activation schedule has been established with the customer. In addition, the guidance assumes a neutral earnings impact from the acquisition of the Correctional Facility at Brush, Colorado during the current year. This guidance reflects an annual effective tax rate of approximately 42.2 percent.
Quarterly Webcast
Cornell's management will host a conference call and simultaneous webcast at 11 a.m. Eastern time today. The webcast may be accessed through Cornell's home page, www.cornellcompanies.com. An audio replay and podcast will be available on the company's web site, or can otherwise be heard by dialing (800) 405-2236 or (303) 590-3000 and providing confirmation code 11088887. The replay will be available through Tuesday, May 15, 2007 by phone and through Thursday, June 7, 2007 on the website. This earnings release can be found on Cornell's website at www.cornellcompanies.com under "Investor Relations - Press Releases."
Statements in this press release regarding the company's expected future earnings, risk profile, growth opportunities, project expansions, impact of the Correctional Facility at Brush, Colorado, the new contract with Arizona Department of Corrections, 2007 productivity, as well as any other statements that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws that involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These include but are not limited to Cornell's ability to perform according to its current expectations, changes in supply and demand, actions by governmental agencies and other third parties, and other factors detailed in the company's most recent Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available free of charge on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated.
Cornell Companies, Inc. (www.cornellcompanies.com) is a leading private provider of corrections, treatment and educational services outsourced by federal, state and local governmental agencies. Cornell provides a diversified portfolio of services for adults and juveniles, including incarceration and detention, transition from incarceration, drug and alcohol treatment programs, behavioral rehabilitation and treatment, and grades 3-12 alternative education in an environment of dignity and respect, emphasizing community safety and rehabilitation in support of public policy. The company has 80 facilities in 16 states and a total service capacity of 18,747.
CORNELL COMPANIES, INC. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (in thousands, except per share data) Three Months Ended March 31, ---------------------- 2007 2006 -------- -------- Revenues $ 89,644 $ 83,847 Operating expenses 69,610 65,143 Pre-opening and start-up expenses (A) -- 2,657 Depreciation and amortization 3,841 3,726 General and administrative expenses 8,358 5,112 -------- -------- Income from operations 7,835 7,209 Interest expense, net 6,635 5,043 -------- -------- Income before provision for income taxes and discontinued operations 1,200 2,166 Provision for income taxes 536 956 -------- -------- Income before discontinued operations 664 1,210 Discontinued operations, net of tax benefit -- (526) -------- -------- Net income $ 664 $ 684 ======== ======== Earnings per share: - Basic $ 0.05 $ 0.05 - Diluted $ 0.05 $ 0.05 Number of shares used in per share computation: - Basic 13,984 13,851 - Diluted 14,246 13,953 Total service capacity (end of period) (B) 18,477 17,800 Contracted beds in operation (end of period) (B) 13,352 12,124 Average contract occupancy (B)(C) 100.3% 97.9% Average contract occupancy excluding start-up operations (B) 100.3% 97.9% (A) There were no revenues associated with reported start-up expenses for each of the quarters ended March 31, 2007 and 2006. (B) Data presented excludes discontinued operating facilities. (C) Average contract occupancy percentages are based on actual occupancy for the period as a percentage of the contracted capacity of residential facilities in operation. Since certain facilities have service capacities that exceed contracted capacities, average contract occupancy percentages can exceed 100% if the average actual occupancy exceeded contracted capacity. Balance Sheet Data: ------------------ (in thousands) March 31, December 31, 2007 2006 ---------- ---------- Cash and cash equivalents 14,981 18,529 Investment securities 10,450 11,925 Working capital 76,225 75,078 Property and equipment, net 321,767 319,064 Total assets 516,200 523,533 Long-term debt 256,085 255,471 Total debt 266,605 265,981 Stockholders' equity 183,924 181,564 Cornell Companies, Inc. Operating Statistics from Continuing Operations For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 Three Months Ended March 31, ------------------------------------ 2007 2006 ---------------- ---------------- % % --------- ---- --------- ---- Contracted beds in operation: ----------------------------- Secure Institutional (A) 9,213 69% 7,913 65% Adult Community-Based Corrections (A) 2,773 21% 2,605 22% Juvenile (A) 1,366 10% 1,606 13% --------- ---- --------- ---- Total 13,352 100% 12,124 100% ========= ==== ========= ==== Number of billed man days: -------------------------- Secure Institutional 845,713 60% 704,153 50% Adult Community-Based Corrections: Residential 247,156 17% 244,680 18% Non-residential (B) 61,856 4% 134,790 10% Juvenile: Residential 116,846 8% 132,075 9% Non-residential (B) 153,233 11% 185,007 13% --------- ---- --------- ---- Total 1,424,804 100% 1,400,705 100% ========= ==== ========= ==== Revenues: --------- Secure Institutional $ 46,509 52% $ 37,882 45% Adult Community-Based Corrections: Residential 15,351 17% 15,445 19% Non-residential 986 1% 1,228 1% Juvenile: Residential 20,039 22% 22,829 27% Non-residential 6,759 8% 6,463 8% --------- ---- --------- ---- Total $ 89,644 100% $ 83,847 100% ========= ==== ========= ==== Average revenue per diem: ------------------------- Secure Institutional $ 54.99 $ 53.80 Adult Community-Based Corrections: Residential $ 62.11 $ 63.12 Non-residential (B) $ 15.94 $ 9.11 Juvenile: Residential $ 171.50 $ 172.85 Non-residential (B) $ 44.11 $ 34.93 --------- --------- Total $ 62.92 $ 59.86 ========= ========= (A) Residential Contract Capacity Only (B) Non-residential "man days" includes a mix of day units and hourly units. Mental health facilities are reported in hours.