By Zacks Equity Research
 

 DaVita Inc. (DVA) reported fourth-quarter income from continuing operations of $1.58 per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.48 and prior-year quarter earnings of $1.13. Operating income amounted to $149.4 million, compared with $111.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Including an after-tax debt refinancing and redemption charge of $42.9 million or 43 cents per share, the prior-year quarter's operating income amounted to $68.9 million or 70 cents per share.

Net income was $148.1 million or $1.56 per share, almost double from $69.0 million or 70 cents per share in the year-ago quarter. The increased income was attributable to better-than-expected​ revenue, which was partly offset by higher expenses and loss from discontinued operations.

Net operating revenues for the quarter climbed to $1.86 billion, surpassing the year-ago revenue of $1.65 billion. Total operating expenses and charges also climbed to $1.53 billion from $1.39 billion in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Segment wise, revenues from the dialysis and related lab services segment for the quarter came in at $1.72 billion, compared with $1.54 billion in the prior-year quarter.

Operating income for the segment increased to $353 million in the reported quarter from $332 million in the year-ago quarter.

Ancillary services and strategic initiatives generated revenues of $148 million, increasing from $137 million in the year-ago quarter. However, the segment recorded an operating loss of $13 million for the quarter, far wider than $3 million in the year-ago quarter.

Loss from discontinued operations in the reported quarter was $0.239 million, declining from an income of $0.093 million in the year-ago quarter. The company also recorded a loss of $1.07 million on disposal of discontinued operations in the fourth quarter of 2011.

DaVita provided administrative services across 1,809 outpatient dialysis centers in the U.S., serving approximately 142,000 patients in 2011. Additionally, the company provided administrative services in 11 outpatient dialysis centers in three non-U.S. countries. However, only 1,784 centers, including eight centers outside the U.S., were consolidated in the financial statements.

DaVita acquired and opened a total of 45 centers during the reported quarter. Additionally, the company divested 2 centers in order to complete the DSI acquisition.

Total U.S. treatments for the reported quarter came in at approximately 5.23 million. This represents a per day increase of 12.4% over the year-ago quarter. The growth of non-acquired treatment in the quarter stood at 4.4%.

The company's effective tax rate was 34.1% in the reported quarter. The third party owners' income attributable to non-tax paying entities impacted the effective tax rate. The effective tax rate attributable to DaVita in the reported quarter was 38.0%.

Full-Year 2011 Highlights

For 2011, DaVita reported operating income per share of $5.14, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.05 and prior-year earnings of $4.37. Operating income amounted to $496.2 million, compared with $450.8 million in 2010.

Operating income excludes an after-tax non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $14.4 million or 15 cents per share in 2011 and an after-tax debt refinancing and redemption charge of $45.4 million or 44 cents per share in 2010. Including the charges, income from continuing operations amounted to $481.8 million or $4.99 per share in 2011 and $405.4 million or $3.93 per share in 2010.

Reported net income came in at $478.0 million versus $405.7 million in 2010. Net operating revenue was $6.98 billion, increasing from $6.44 billion in 2010, while total operating expenses and charges increased to $5.85 billion from $5.44 billion.

In 2011, operating cash flow was $1.18 billion, reflecting a jump from $839.7 million in the prior-year quarter.

Total assets at the end of 2011 were $8.89 billion, up from $ 8.11 billion on Dec. 31, 2010, while long-term debt as of December 31, 2011 increased to $4.42 billion from $4.23 billion as of Dec. 31, 2010.

Shareholders' equity at the end of 2011 amounted to $2.14 billion, up from $1.98 billion at 2010-end.

DaVita affirmed its previously disclosed operating income guidance of $1.2 to 1.3 billion for 2012. Additionally, the company revealed its operating cash flow guidance of $0.95 to $1.05 billion.

The company expects the effective tax rate attributable to DaVita to be in the range of 40% to 41% for fiscal 2012.

DaVita is showing revenue upsides in both its business segments, which is driving the top line. Moreover, the company also has strong cash flows and a sturdy balance sheet. We expect the cash flows to remain strong in the upcoming quarters as well, based on higher-than-expected​ cash flow during all the four quarters of 2011.

The strong financial position of DaVita provides the potential for meaningful mergers and acquisitions, which convinces us that the company will continue its growth story. Moreover, the long-term Epogen purchase deal with Amgen Inc. (AMGN) is expected to reduce the company's expenditure on the drug by a substantial amount. Thus, we are optimistic about the company's growth potential.

The shares of DaVita currently carry a Zacks No. 2 Rank, implying a short-term "buy" rating. We are also maintaining a long-term "outperform" recommendation on the shares.

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