TREVOSE, Pa., Aug. 15, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- StoneMor Partners L.P. (NYSE:STON) (“StoneMor” or the “Partnership”) today announced an agreement to effectively acquire up to 16 Wisconsin-based cemeteries and a granite importing and finishing business for a total purchase price of approximately $12 million. StoneMor initially acquired 10 cemeteries, and will either acquire or manage an additional 6 cemeteries subject to the receipt of certain consents. The properties, located mostly in southeastern Wisconsin, include more than 500 acres of land, of which approximately 150 acres are undeveloped. The cemeteries perform approximately 2,100 interments per year and provide advanced funeral planning merchandise and services.
With regard to the transaction, Larry Miller, StoneMor’s President and CEO said, “These are terrific properties which expand our presence in the Upper Midwest, and represent our first entry into the well populated Wisconsin market. Consistent with our acquisition strategy, this transaction is expected to generate an internal rate of return (“IRR”) in excess of 30% and we expect it to be approximately $0.05 accretive to distributable free cash per unit in its first twelve months. Our growth acquisition effort of late has been focused on operations that are immediately cash flow accretive, and this transaction is an example of the execution of that plan.”
About StoneMor Partners L.P.
StoneMor Partners L.P., headquartered in Trevose, Pennsylvania, is an owner and operator of cemeteries and funeral homes in the United States, with 317 cemeteries and 107 funeral homes in 29 states and Puerto Rico.
StoneMor is the only publicly traded death care 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 investors section, at http://www.stonemor.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this press release, including, but not limited to, information regarding the status and progress of StoneMor’s operating activities, the plans and objectives of StoneMor’s management, assumptions regarding StoneMor’s future performance and plans, and any financial guidance provided or guidance related to StoneMor’s future distributions, as well as certain information in StoneMor’s other filings with the SEC and elsewhere, are forward-looking statements. Generally, the words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend (including, but not limited to StoneMor’s intent to maintain or increase its distributions),” “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 or implied. StoneMor’s major risk is related to uncertainties associated with the cash flow from pre-need and at-need sales, trusts and financings, which may impact StoneMor’s ability to meet its financial projections, its ability to service its debt and pay distributions, and its ability to increase its distributions.
StoneMor’s additional risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: uncertainties associated with future revenue and revenue growth; uncertainties associated with the integration or anticipated benefits of recent acquisitions or any future acquisitions; StoneMor’s ability to complete and fund additional acquisitions; the effect of economic downturns; the impact of StoneMor’s significant leverage on its operating plans; the decline in the fair value of certain equity and debt securities held in StoneMor’s trusts; StoneMor’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; increased use of cremation; changes in the death rate; changes in the political or regulatory environments, including potential changes in tax accounting and trusting policies; StoneMor’s ability to successfully implement a strategic plan relating to achieving operating improvements, strong cash flows and further deleveraging; StoneMor’s ability to successfully compete in the cemetery and funeral home industry; litigation or legal proceedings that could expose StoneMor to significant liabilities and damage StoneMor’s reputation; the effects of cyber security attacks due to StoneMor’s significant reliance on information technology; uncertainties relating to the financial condition of third-party insurance companies that fund StoneMor’s pre-need funeral contracts; and various other uncertainties associated with the death care industry and StoneMor’s operations in particular.
When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements set forth in StoneMor’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 29, 2016 and the other reports that StoneMor files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, from time to time. Except as required under applicable law, StoneMor assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein or any other forward-looking statements made by it, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.