[MANORCARE LOGO] Exhibit 99.1
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Geoffrey G. Meyers, Chief Financial Officer
419/252-5545
e-mail: gmeyers@hcr-manorcare.com
MANOR CARE ANNOUNCES FOURTH-QUARTER EARNINGS
BOARD INCREASES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND 12 PERCENT
TOLEDO, Ohio, January 30, 2004 -- Manor Care, Inc. (NYSE:HCR) today
announced fourth-quarter net income of $37.9 million, or 42 cents per diluted
share. Revenues in the 2003 fourth quarter were $787 million, an increase of $59
million, or 8.1 percent, from the 2002 fourth quarter. For the year 2003, net
earnings per share were $1.31, including unusual charges, and revenues rose to
$3.03 billion, a $124 million increase over 2002.
This performance led Manor Care's Board of Directors to increase the
quarterly cash dividend on the company's common stock to 14 cents per share from
12.5 cents per share, a 12 percent increase. The dividend is payable on February
27, 2004 to shareholders of record on February 13, 2004.
Paul A. Ormond, Manor Care chairman, president and CEO, said, "The
operational strengths that fueled our performance the first three quarters of
the year continued to drive our successes in the fourth quarter. Occupancy in
our skilled nursing centers reached a five-year high in the fourth quarter,
exceeding 89 percent. This was achieved primarily by our focus on providing care
for those with complex medical conditions and in need of intensive
rehabilitation, which also resulted in an increase in our percentage of Medicare
revenues to a record level. Our hospice and home health
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care business contributed to growth as well, continuing the rapid expansion that
has made us one of the largest providers of hospice services in the United
States."
Manor Care generated vigorous operating cash flow the entire year, fueled
by its operational performance, which allowed the company the following uses of
funds:
- Purchased $145 million, or over 7 percent, of its shares outstanding
at an average price under $21.
- Reduced its net debt by $35 million.
- Declared the first dividend in the company's history and then
increased it, providing additional investment return to shareholders.
The company invested in its growth by:
- Providing over $100 million for facility maintenance, renovation,
upgrades and expansions.
- Completing 10 nursing center expansions, with 16 more currently under
way.
- Starting construction on two nursing centers.
- Signing a definitive agreement to acquire four Ohio nursing centers
now being leased.
- Fine-tuning its skilled nursing center portfolio by divesting three
nursing centers and signing definitive agreements to divest five
others which no longer fit its strategic growth plans.
The company maintained its emphasis on managing costs, especially those
related to labor. Manor Care's wage rate increases decelerated through the year,
declining to a 4 percent rate of increase by year-end. Temporary agency staff
was also reduced during 2003, and over 80 percent of the company's facilities
continue to use no supplemental staffing.
Managing the high general and professional liability costs has been an
ongoing, primary company focus. During 2003, strong tort reform legislation was
passed in Texas and upheld by a state constitutional amendment. Other key states
also made a
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start at meaningful tort reform. Following the fourth-quarter actuarial review,
it was determined that these efforts, in concert with the company's proactive
management initiatives and stable claims activity, would enable Manor Care to
lower its quarterly accrual rate by about $4 million. This is an important step
forward for the company, but the situation will continue to be monitored
closely. There is still significant work to be done on this serious,
industry-wide issue, especially in the state of Florida. It is hoped that
legislators will intensify their focus on implementing effective tort reform
across the country to help insure that access to high-quality care is not
jeopardized for those who are most in need.
The long-term care industry entered 2003 having experienced a 10 percent
reduction in Medicare reimbursement. Manor Care's initiatives on increasing
occupancy; hiring, training and retaining quality professionals; and deploying
specialized programs to care for our more complex patients enabled it to
continue to grow revenues in spite of this reduction. Beginning with the fourth
quarter, about one-third of the money that had been taken away a year earlier
was returned through corrective adjustments to the Medicare reimbursement rates.
The company remains optimistic that favorable Medicare rates will continue as
recognition of the increased complex medical and rehabilitation needs of skilled
nursing center patients becomes more widely understood by legislators.
At the same time, there is caution about increases in Medicaid
reimbursement. States continue to wrestle with fiscal shortfalls, and many
traditional programs, such as Medicaid, are being scrutinized. Although Manor
Care's Medicaid rates in the fourth quarter were about 3 percent higher compared
to the prior year, several states continue to underfund this critical area for
their most needy citizens.
"The successes we achieved in 2003 would not have been possible without
the commitment of our 61,000 employees," Mr. Ormond said. "You do not tackle the
challenges faced by our industry this past year and improve on your performance
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without a lot of hard work and dedication. I commend our employees for their
efforts, and know that they can be counted on to remain committed to a high
level of care, which, in turn, will be the force behind our continuing growth."
At 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time today, Manor Care will hold a conference call to
discuss the company's results and performance for the 2003 fourth quarter and
year. The toll-free number for the call is 1-888-634-8435. Callers to this
number will be able to listen to the company's discussion and have the
opportunity to ask questions. The call will also be webcast live in the Investor
Information section of Manor Care's website www.hcr-manorcare.com. For those
unable to listen to the call live, a taped rebroadcast will be available
beginning two hours after completion of the live call. To access the
rebroadcast, dial 1-800-642-1687. The conference ID number is 4807581.
This rebroadcast will be available until midnight, February 5. A recording of
the call will also be available on Manor Care's website for 90 days.
Manor Care, Inc., through its operating group HCR Manor Care, is the
leading owner and operator of long-term care centers in the United States. The
company's 61,000 employees provide high-quality care for patients, residents and
clients through a network of more than 500 skilled nursing centers, assisted
living facilities, outpatient rehabilitation clinics, and hospice and home
health care offices. Alliances and other ventures supply high-quality
pharmaceutical products and management services for professional organizations.
The company operates primarily under the respected Heartland, ManorCare and
Arden Courts names. Manor Care is committed to being the preeminent care
provider in the industry. Shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under
the ticker symbol HCR.
Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts
may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal law. Such
forward-looking statements reflect management's beliefs and assumptions and are
based on information currently available to management. The forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that
may cause actual
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results, performance or achievements of the company to differ materially from
those expressed or implied in such statements. Such factors are identified in
the public filings made by the company with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and include changes in the health care industry because of political
and economic influences, changes in regulations governing the industry, changes
in reimbursement levels including those under the Medicare and Medicaid
programs, changes in the competitive marketplace, changes in current trends in
the cost and volume of general and professional liability claims, and our
ability to complete the previously announced settlement with the Department of
Justice. There can be no assurance that such factors or other factors will not
affect the accuracy of such forward-looking statements.
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Manor Care Reports Earnings, page 6
Manor Care, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)
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Three months ended Year ended
December 31, December 31,
2003 2002 2003 2002
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(In thousands, except earnings per share)
Revenues $ 787,056 $ 728,106 $ 3,029,441 $ 2,905,448
Expenses
Operating 640,788 604,814 2,523,534 2,401,636
General and administrative 43,571 42,053 157,566 131,628
Depreciation and amortization 33,215 30,713 128,810 124,895
Asset impairment 5,953 33,574
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
717,574 683,533 2,809,910 2,691,733
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Income before other income (expenses) and
income taxes 69,482 44,573 219,531 213,715
Other income (expenses):
Interest expense (10,893) (8,883) (41,927) (37,651)
Gain (loss) on sale of assets (107) 248 3,947 30,651
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies 2,006 1,147 7,236 4,761
Interest income and other 186 98 1,625 1,208
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total other expenses, net (8,808) (7,390) (29,119) (1,031)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Income before income taxes 60,674 37,183 190,412 212,684
Income taxes 22,753 14,129 71,405 80,820
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Income before cumulative effect 37,921 23,054 119,007 131,864
Cumulative effect of change in accounting
for goodwill (1,314)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net income $ 37,921 $ 23,054 $ 119,007 $ 130,550
=========== =========== =========== ===========
Earnings per share - basic:
Income before cumulative effect $ .43 $ .24 $ 1.33 $ 1.34
Cumulative effect (.01)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net income $ .43 $ .24 $ 1.33 $ 1.33
=========== =========== =========== ===========
Earnings per share - diluted:
Income before cumulative effect $ .42 $ .24 $ 1.31 $ 1.33
Cumulative effect (.01)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net income $ .42 $ .24 $ 1.31 $ 1.31(*)
=========== =========== =========== ==========
Weighted average shares:
Basic 88,120 95,290 89,729 98,165
Diluted 89,897 96,250 91,119 99,328
Cash dividends declared per common share $ .125 $ .25
(*) Doesn't add due to rounding
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Manor Care, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
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December 31, December 31,
2003 2002
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(In thousands)
Cash $ 86,251 $ 30,554
Other current assets 499,148 480,263
Property and equipment 1,514,250 1,534,339
Other 297,062 283,916
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Total assets $2,396,711 $2,329,072
========== ==========
Current liabilities $ 387,502 $ 641,864
Long-term debt 659,181 373,112
Other long-term liabilities 374,923 298,049
Shareholders' equity 975,105 1,016,047
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Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $2,396,711 $2,329,072
========== ==========
Shares outstanding 89,014 95,052
YTD shares repurchased $145.1 million 6,941
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Selected Statistics (unaudited)
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Quarter ended December 31,
2003 2002
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Occupancy 89% 87%
Revenue allocation:
Private and other 34% 37%
Medicare 34% 30%
Medicaid 32% 33%
Quality Mix 68% 67%
Per Diems:
Private and other (excluding assisted living) $190.87 $186.01
Private and other (assisted living) $105.56 $101.04
Medicare $333.57 $310.14
Medicaid $131.12 $127.57
Number of Facilities:
Skilled nursing facilities 293 296
Assisted living facilities:
Springhouses 16 16
Arden Courts 54 54
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Total 70 70
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Number of Beds:
Skilled nursing facilities 40,846 41,195
Assisted living facilities 5,459 5,457
Outpatient therapy clinics 92 91
Home health offices 89 88
Skilled nursing facility wage rate increases
fourth quarter 2003 to 2002 4%
Cash flow from operations (in millions):
Fourth Quarter $ 46 $ 65
Year-to-date $ 300 $ 283
Capital Expenditures (in millions):
Maintenance and renovations $ 20 $ 23
New construction $ 8 $ 3
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