Exhibit 99.1

 

 

AT THE COMPANY:

John L. Hendrix

Executive Vice President & CFO

(713) 623-0790

 

Cornell Companies Reports Third Quarter Earnings

 

HOUSTON, TX (November 13, 2003) — Cornell Companies, Inc. (NYSE: CRN)

 

                  As Reported basis:  Cornell’s Q3 2003 earnings per diluted share of $0.11 vs. $0.14 per diluted share in Q3 2002.
     Revenues decreased 1% from Q3 2002, primarily due to the closure of the New Morgan Academy in Q4 2002.

•     Income from operations decreased 16% from Q3 2002, primarily due to the costs associated with New Morgan and start-up costs of new facilities.

                  Pro forma basis:  Cornell’s Q3 2003 EPS of $0.18 vs. $0.21 in Q3 2002.
•     Revenues rose 4% compared with last year, excluding the now-closed New Morgan Academy.
      Income from operations decreased 13% vs. a year ago, excluding costs associated with New Morgan, start-up costs and unusual charges incurred last year.

                  Cornell expects 2003 GAAP diluted EPS between $0.54 and $0.57, and 2003 pro forma diluted EPS between $0.80 and $0.83.  Pro forma amounts exclude costs associated with New Morgan and start-up costs.

                  Cornell announced guidance for 2004 earnings in the Outlook section of this release, indicating 2004 as a ramp-up year for Cornell’s current projects in development, and 2005 as the year when the projects could reach their full potential.

 

Third Quarter Highlights (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

Third Quarter

 

Nine Months Ended

 

As Reported

 

9/30/2003

 

9/30/2002

 

9/30/2003

 

9/30/2002

 

Revenue

 

$

68,642

 

$

69,634

 

$

202,253

 

$

207,186

 

Income from operations

 

6,732

 

7,992

 

22,792

 

22,257

 

Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting

 

2,504

 

3,039

 

9,596

 

7,462

 

Net income

 

1,442

 

1,793

 

5,661

 

3,438

 

EPS diluted before cumulative effect of change in accounting

 

$

0.11

 

$

0.14

 

$

0.43

 

$

0.33

 

EPS – diluted

 

$

0.11

 

$

0.14

 

$

0.43

 

$

0.26

 

Shares outstanding used in diluted per share computation

 

13,542

 

13,197

 

13,218

 

13,337

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro Forma, excluding New Morgan Academy, start-up costs and revenue and unusual charges in 2002:*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

68,075

 

$

66,066

 

$

201,606

 

$

194,240

 

Income from operations

 

8,010

 

9,237

 

25,615

 

25,031

 

Net Income

 

2,412

 

2,756

 

7,988

 

6,204

 

EPS – diluted

 

$

0.18

 

$

0.21

 

$

0.60

 

$

0.47

 

 


*  See reconciliation of historical and forward-looking information attached.

 



 

Cornell Companies Reports Third Quarter Results

 

HOUSTON, TX (November 13) — Cornell Companies, Inc. (NYSE: CRN) today reported earnings for the third quarter ended September 30, 2003 of $1.4 million or $0.11 per diluted share, compared with $1.8 million or $0.14 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2002.  This year’s third quarter results included a total of $1.0 million or $0.07 per diluted share in losses associated with the New Morgan Academy (closed in the fourth quarter of 2002) and start-up costs for new facilities.  Last year’s third quarter included a total of $1.0 million or $0.07 per diluted share in losses associated with the New Morgan Academy and unusual items.  Excluding these costs and unusual items for comparative purposes, third quarter 2003 pro forma earnings were $2.4 million or $0.18 per diluted share versus $2.8 million or $0.21 in the third quarter of 2002.  The decrease in third quarter pro forma results was mainly due to an inability to obtain rate increases at certain facilities to keep pace with increases in insurance and employee costs.  Cornell is making concerted efforts to obtain rate increases for 2004 through a number of initiatives.

 

“While our third quarter earnings were in the lower end of our projected range, our strong growth in new facilities is creating a favorable outlook for the company,” commented Harry J. Phillips, Jr., Cornell’s chairman and chief executive officer.  “After ramping up for the next 12-18 months, we should begin to reach a full run-rate on all of our new operations by late 2005 and the earnings impact could be substantial.  In the meantime, we expect earnings between $0.54 and $0.57 per diluted share on a GAAP reported basis in 2003, with pro forma 2003 earnings expected in the range of $0.80 to $0.83, excluding the costs associated with New Morgan Academy and start-up costs.”

 

Thomas R. Jenkins, Cornell’s president and chief operating officer, emphasized, “Clearly, there is a market need and Cornell is leveraging its operating expertise and competitive advantages to meet that need.  Our established facilities are operating at strong capacity levels and we recently added two new programs to bring our total number of programs in development up to eight.  All told, these eight programs have the potential for approximately $90 million in annualized revenues over the next couple of years, a more than 30% increase from our current level.  We’re hitting a lot of singles and doubles, and it’s adding up to a lot of growth.  With our strong positioning and strategy, we believe a period of sustained growth is just beginning.”

 



 

Third quarter revenues were $68.6 million compared with $69.6 million in the third quarter of 2002.  Last year’s third quarter included $3.6 million in revenues from the New Morgan Academy which was closed during the fourth quarter of 2002.  Excluding the impact of the New Morgan Academy revenues in the third quarter of 2002, third quarter 2003 revenues would have increased $2.6 million or 4%.  Management continues to review a number of proposals regarding the most appropriate use of the New Morgan Academy, including the possible sale or lease of the facility.  Cornell continued to maintain strong levels of average contract occupancy, with an average 100.4% for this year’s third quarter compared with 97.0% in last year’s third quarter.  Excluding start-up operations in this year’s third quarter and New Morgan in last year’s third quarter, average contract occupancy was 101.0% this year compared with 99.2% in last year’s third quarter.

 

Income from operations decreased to $6.7 million in this year’s third quarter compared with $8.0 million in the same quarter of 2002. Comparisons of income from operations were affected by the impact of closing the New Morgan Academy and start-up costs in 2003 and unusual items in 2002.  As previously disclosed, the continuing after-tax cost associated with the closed New Morgan Academy is approximately $200,000 per month.   The New Morgan Academy reduced income from operations in this year’s third quarter by $0.8 million and increased last year’s third quarter income from operations by $0.1 million.  In addition, this year’s third quarter income from operations was reduced by $0.5 million in net start-up expenses while last year’s income from operations was reduced by unusual items of $1.3 million.  Excluding the impact of the New Morgan Academy, start-up and unusual items, pro forma income from operations was $8.0 million in this year’s third quarter compared with $9.2 million in the same quarter of 2002.

 

For the nine-months ended September 30, 2003, revenues decreased to $202.3 million from $207.2 million in the year-ago period due to the closing of the New Morgan Academy in the fourth quarter of 2002.   Excluding the New Morgan Academy, nine-month revenues would have increased 4% from last year’s nine-month revenues of $194.2 million.  Income from operations was $22.8 million compared with $22.3 million in the previous nine-month period.  Excluding the impact of the New Morgan Academy, start-up costs and unusual items, pro forma income from operations was $25.6 million compared with $25.0 million in the year-ago period.  Nine-month net income was $5.7 million or $0.43 per diluted share, up from $3.4 million or $0.26 per diluted share in last year’s nine-month period, which included charges of $1.0 million or $0.07 per diluted share for the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle.  Excluding the impact of the New Morgan Academy, start-up costs and unusual items, pro forma net income was $8.0 million or $0.60 per diluted share in this year’s nine-month period compared with $6.2 million, or $0.47 per diluted share for the previous nine-month period.

 

Recap of Recent Developments

Since the beginning of the third quarter, Cornell has announced developments that management believes will generate a total of approximately $12 million in annualized revenues over the next two years.

 

                  Two new juvenile programs in Plankinton, South Dakota, the company’s first programs in that state.  The annualized revenues from the two programs are expected to total approximately $7 million.

 

                  The development of a charter school for children at the Joz-Arz Residential Treatment Center, a 56-bed facility currently operating in the District of Columbia.  The annualized revenues from the charter school are expected to be approximately $5 million.

 

2



 

Outlook for 2004 Earnings

“Although we have not completed our budgeting process for 2004, we wanted to provide investors with our best guidance possible, which currently suggests a preliminary GAAP earnings estimate of approximately $0.53 per diluted share and $0.90 per diluted share on a pro forma basis for 2004.  Our GAAP estimate is affected by costs associated with New Morgan and start-up expenses,” said Phillips.  “This preliminary estimate is lower than we would like, mainly due to delays in the ramp-up of certain facilities, particularly Bernalillo (as we reported on October 15) and the lack of mid-year rate increases on existing facilities.  We are very pleased to report that due to the expertise and commitment of our people, Bernalillo is back on track to deliver excellent services and a potential $24 million in annualized revenues when it is fully ramped up at the end of 2004.  In addition, 2004 results may be affected by fewer rate increases than we’ve obtained in the past.  Presently, our $0.90 preliminary pro forma estimate for 2004 includes conservative projections for rate increases.”

 

Phillips concluded, “Looking at the big picture, 2004 will be a transition year as we ramp-up our current group of facilities in development, all of which should begin to reach their full revenue potential by 2005.  While our projects can face challenges through the development stages, once the ramp-up is in full gear earnings visibility tends to improve substantially.  Presently, with all eight of our new projects currently in the ramp-up stage, it appears as if Cornell has a very significant opportunity to reap the benefits of their full revenue potential in 2005.  Our long-term earnings visibility is improving and it’s very encouraging.”

 

Quarterly Webcast

Cornell’s management will host a conference call and simultaneous webcast of the call at 11:00 am Eastern today, November 13.  The webcast may be accessed through www.companyboardroom.com as well as Cornell’s home page, www.cornellcompanies.com.  A replay will also be available on the above web sites and by dialing (800) 405-2236 or (303) 590-3000 and providing confirmation code 558994.  The replay will be available through November 20, 2003 by phone and for 30 days on the Internet.  This earnings release can be found on Cornell’s website at www.cornellcompanies.com under “Investor Relations – Press Releases.”

 

Cornell Companies, Inc. 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. Cornell (http://www.cornellcompanies.com) has 70 facilities with a total service capacity of 16,514 Cornell’s facilities are located in 14 states and the District of Columbia

 

3



 

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current plans and actual future activities and results of operations may be materially different from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ include, among others, (i) the outcomes of pending putative class action shareholder and derivative lawsuits, and related insurance coverage, (ii) the outcome of the pending SEC investigation (iii) risks associated with acquisitions and the integration thereof (including the ability to achieve administrative and operating cost savings and anticipated synergies), (iv) the timing and costs of the opening of new programs and facilities or the expansions of existing facilities, (v) changes in governmental policy and/or funding to discontinue or not renew existing arrangements,  to eliminate or discourage the privatization of correctional, detention and pre-release services in the United States, or to eliminate rate increases. (vi) the availability of debt and equity financing on terms that are favorable to the Company, (vii) fluctuations in operating results because of occupancy, competition (including competition from two competitors that are substantially larger than the Company), increases in cost of operations, fluctuations in interest rates and risks of operations, (viii) significant charges to expense of deferred costs associated with financing and other projects in development if management determines that one or more of such projects is unlikely to be successfully concluded, (ix) results from alternative deployment or sale of facilities such as the New Morgan Academy and (x) the Company’s ability to negotiate a contract amendment with the BOP related to the Moshannon Valley Correctional Center.

 

(Financial Tables Follow)

 

4



 

CORNELL COMPANIES, INC.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

($000’s except per share amounts)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

68,642

 

$

69,634

 

$

202,253

 

$

207,186

 

Operating expenses

 

53,495

 

53,138

 

156,860

 

160,454

 

Pre-opening and start-up expenses

 

1,060

 

 

1,453

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

2,535

 

2,672

 

7,708

 

7,252

 

General and administrative expenses

 

4,820

 

5,832

 

13,440

 

17,223

 

Income from operations

 

6,732

 

7,992

 

22,792

 

22,257

 

Interest expense, net

 

4,228

 

4,340

 

13,196

 

14,221

 

Minority interest in losses of consolidated special purpose entities

 

 

613

 

 

574

 

Income before provision for income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

 

2,504

 

3,039

 

9,596

 

7,462

 

Provision for income taxes

 

1,062

 

1,246

 

3,935

 

3,059

 

Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

 

1,442

 

1,793

 

5,661

 

4,403

 

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of related income tax benefit of $671 in 2002

 

 

 

 

(965

)

Net income

 

$

1,442

 

$

1,793

 

$

5,661

 

$

3,438

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

•  Basic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

 

$

.11

 

$

.14

 

$

.44

 

$

.33

 

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

 

 

 

 

(.07

)

Net income

 

$

.11

 

$

.14

 

$

.44

 

$

.26

 

•  Diluted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

 

$

.11

 

$

.14

 

$

.43

 

$

.33

 

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

 

 

 

 

(.07

)

Net income

 

$

.11

 

$

.14

 

$

.43

 

$

.26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of shares used in per share computation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

13,044

 

12,967

 

12,894

 

12,975

 

Diluted

 

13,542

 

13,197

 

13,218

 

13,337

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total service capacity (end of period)

 

16,514

 

15,444

 

16,514

 

15,444

 

Contracted beds in operation (end of period)

 

9,445

 

9,503

 

9,445

 

9,503

 

Average contract occupancy (A)

 

100.4

%

97.0

%

100.1

%

98.0

%

Average contract occupancy excluding start-up operations (A)

 

101.0

%

97.0

%

100.3

%

98.0

%

 


(A)      Occupancy percentages are based on contracted service capacity of residential facilities in operation.  Since certain facilities have service capacities that exceed contracted capacities, occupancy percentages can exceed 100% of contracted capacity.

 

Balance Sheet Data:

 

 

 

September 30,
2003

 

December 31,
2002

 

Working capital

 

$

89,122

 

$

95,988

 

Property and equipment, net

 

264,021

 

255,450

 

Total assets

 

445,664

 

441,291

 

Long-term debt

 

234,594

 

232,258

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

167,351

 

159,952

 

 

5



 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company uses non-GAAP Financial measures, or as referenced herein “pro forma” measures, to assess the operating results and effectiveness of the Company’s operations.  These measures assist both the Company and its investors in understanding operating trends.  These non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measurements used by other companies and should not be used as a substitute for net income, earnings per share or other GAAP operating measurements.  Set forth below are reconciliations to GAAP measures of non-GAAP measures used herein.

 

RECONCILIATION OF HISTORICAL GAAP BASIS
RESULTS TO HISTORICAL NON-GAAP BASIS
INFORMATION: ($000’s except per share amounts)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP Revenues

 

$

68,642

 

$

69,634

 

$

202,253

 

$

207,186

 

Less:  New Morgan Academy revenue

 

 

3,568

 

26

 

12,946

 

Less:  Start-up revenue

 

567

 

 

621

 

 

 

Pro forma revenues

 

$

68,075

 

$

66,066

 

$

201,606

 

$

194,240

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP income from operations

 

$

6,732

 

$

7,992

 

$

22,792

 

$

22,257

 

Plus:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Morgan Academy (income)/loss from operations

 

785

 

(91

)

1,992

 

(1,424

)

Pre-opening and start-up expenses, net of start-up revenue

 

493

 

 

831

 

 

Unusual items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special committee charges

 

 

 

 

1,859

 

Senior management severance costs

 

 

1,336

 

 

1,336

 

Write-off of deferred financing costs

 

 

 

 

1,003

 

Pro forma income from operations

 

$

8,010

 

$

9,237

 

$

25,615

 

$

25,031

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP net income

 

$

1,442

 

$

1,793

 

$

5,661

 

$

3,438

 

Plus:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Morgan Academy net (income)/loss

 

679

 

175

 

1,837

 

(198

)

Pre-opening and start-up expenses, net of start-up revenue

 

291

 

 

490

 

 

Unusual items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special committee charges

 

 

 

 

1,097

 

Senior management severance costs

 

 

788

 

 

788

 

Write-off of deferred financing costs

 

 

 

 

592

 

Debt covenant waivers

 

 

 

 

487

 

Pro forma net income

 

$

2,412

 

$

2,756

 

$

7,988

 

$

6,204

 

 

6



 

RECONCILIATION OF HISTORICAL GAAP BASIS
RESULTS TO HISTORICAL NON-GAAP BASIS
INFORMATION:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP earnings per share - diluted:

 

$

.11

 

$

.14

 

$

.43

 

$

.26

 

Plus:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Morgan Academy

 

.05

 

.01

 

.13

 

(.01

)

Pre-opening and start-up expenses, net of start-up Revenue

 

.02

 

 

.04

 

$

 

Unusual items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special committee charges

 

 

 

 

.08

 

Senior management severance costs

 

 

.06

 

 

.06

 

Write-off of deferred financing costs

 

 

 

 

.04

 

Debt covenant waivers

 

 

 

 

.04

 

Pro forma earnings per share - diluted

 

$

.18

 

$

.21

 

$

.60

 

$

.47

 

 

 

RECONCILIATION OF FORWARD-LOOKING
INFORMATION
:

 

 

 

Twelve Months Ending
December 31, 2003

 

GAAP earnings per share - diluted

 

$

.54

 

$

.57

 

New Morgan Academy

 

.18

 

.18

 

Pre-opening and start-up expenses, net of start-up revenue

 

.08

 

.08

 

Pro forma earnings per share - diluted

 

$

.80

 

$

.83

 

 

###

 

7