Carriage Services - 10-Q quarterly report FY

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer o      Accelerated filer þ      Non-Accelerated filer o

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ

     The number of shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, outstanding as of November 1, 2007 was 19,208,265.

 

 

The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

     (a) The Company

     Carriage Services, Inc. (“Carriage” or the “Company”) is a leading provider of products and services in the death care industry in the United States. As of September 30, 2007, the Company owned and operated 135 funeral homes in 27 states and 32 cemeteries in 11 states.

     (b) Principles of Consolidation

     The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

     (c) Interim Condensed Disclosures

     The information for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2006 and 2007 is unaudited, but in the opinion of management, reflects all adjustments which are normal, recurring and necessary for a fair presentation of financial position and results of operations for the interim periods. Certain information and footnote disclosures, normally included in annual financial statements, have been condensed or omitted. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared consistent with the accounting policies described in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, and should be read in conjunction therewith.

     (d) Cash Equivalents

     The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

     (e) Use of Estimates

     The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. On an on-going basis, we evaluate estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, realization of accounts receivable, intangible assets, property and equipment and deferred tax assets. We base our estimates on historical experience, third party data and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these considerations form the basis for making judgments about the amount and timing of revenues and expenses, the carrying value of assets and the recorded amounts of liabilities. Actual results may differ from these estimates and such estimates may change if the underlying conditions or assumptions change. Historical performance should not be viewed as indicative of future performance, as there can be no assurance the margins, operating income and net earnings as a percentage of revenues will be consistent from year to year.

     (f) Business Combinations

     We apply the principles provided in Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) 141 when we acquire businesses. Tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at fair value and goodwill is recognized for any difference between the price of the acquisition and our fair value determination. We customarily estimate our purchase costs and other related transactions known at closing of the acquisition. To the extent that information not available to us at the closing date subsequently becomes available during the allocation period, as defined in SFAS 141, we may adjust goodwill, assets, or liabilities associated with the acquisition.

     (g) Discontinued Operations

     In accordance with the Company’s strategic portfolio optimization model, non-strategic businesses are reviewed to determine whether the business should be sold and proceeds redeployed elsewhere. A marketing plan is then developed for those locations which are identified as held for sale. When the Company receives a letter of intent and financing commitment from the buyer and the sale is expected to occur within one year, the location is no longer reported within the Company’s continuing operations. The assets and liabilities associated with the location are reclassified as held for sale on the balance sheet and the operating results, as well as impairments, are presented on a comparative basis in the discontinued operations section of the consolidated statements of operations, along with the income tax effect.

     (h) Stock Plans and Stock-Based Compensation

     The Company has stock-based employee compensation plans in the form of restricted stock, stock option and employee stock purchase plans, which are described in more detail in Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. The Company accounts for stock-based compensation under SFAS No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment” (“FAS No. 123R”). FAS No. 123R requires companies to recognize compensation expense in an amount equal to the fair value of the share-based awards issued to employees over the period of vesting and applies to all transactions involving issuance of equity by a company in exchange for goods and services, including employee services. The fair value of options or awards containing options is determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The Company adopted FAS No. 123R in the first quarter of 2006, using the modified prospective application method.

     (i) Accounting Changes and Error Corrections

     The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections” (“FAS No. 154”). This statement is a replacement of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 20 and FAS No. 3. FAS No. 154 changes the requirements for the accounting for and reporting of a change in accounting principle and error corrections. It establishes, unless impracticable and in the absence of explicit transition requirements, retrospective application as the required method of a change in accounting principle to the newly adopted accounting principle. Also, it establishes guidance for reporting corrections of errors as reporting errors involves adjustments to previously issued financial statements similar to those generally applicable to reporting accounting changes retrospectively. FAS No. 154 also provides guidance for determining and reporting a change when retrospective application is impracticable. FAS No. 154 is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. The Company adopted the requirements beginning January 1, 2006, which had no affect on the Company’s presentation and disclosure.

     (j) Consideration of Misstatements

     In September 2006, the SEC released Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements” (SAB 108), which provides interpretive guidance on how the effects of the carryover or reversal of prior year misstatements should be considered in quantifying a current year misstatement. The SEC staff believes that registrants should quantify errors using both a balance sheet and an income statement approach and evaluate whether either approach results in quantifying a misstatement that, when all relevant quantitative and qualitative factors are considered, is material. The provisions of SAB 108 is effective for financial statements as of the beginning of the first fiscal year ending after November 15, 2006. The Company adopted the requirements at the beginning of the first quarter of 2007, which had no effect on the financial statements.

     In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS No. 157”), which establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This statement is effective as of the beginning of the entity’s first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, the adoption of FAS No. 157 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

     In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“FAS No. 159”). This statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial assets and liabilities and certain other items at fair value. The objective is to improve financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. This statement is effective as of the beginning of the entity’s first fiscal year beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, the adoption of FAS No. 159 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

     In June 2006, FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” FIN 48 prescribes how tax benefits for uncertain tax positions are to be recognized, measured, and derecognized in financial statements; requires certain disclosures of uncertain tax matters; specifies how reserves for uncertain tax position should be classified on the balance sheet; and provides transition and interim period guidance, among other provisions. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and was adopted by the Company at the beginning of the first quarter of 2007. The Company has reviewed its income tax positions and identified certain tax deductions, primarily related to business acquisitions that are not certain. The cumulative effect of adopting FIN 48 has been recorded as a reduction to the 2007 opening balance of Retained Earnings and an increase in noncurrent liabilities in the amount of $241,000, which includes accrued interest and penalties totaling $86,000. The Company’s policy with respect to potential penalties and interest is to record them as “other” expense and interest expense, respectively.

     The Company has unrecognized tax benefits for Federal and state income tax purposes totaling $5.1 million at January 1, 2007, resulting from deductions totaling $13.8 million on Federal returns and $7.9 million on various state returns. The effect of applying FIN 48 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was not material to operations. The Company has net operating loss carryforwards exceeding these deductions, and has accounted for these unrecognized tax benefits by reducing the net operating loss carryforwards by the amount of these unrecognized deductions. In certain states, the Company has previously reduced its taxes payable by deductions that are not considered more likely than not. The cumulative effect of adopting FIN 48 specifically relates to those state income tax returns.

     The Company’s Federal income tax returns for 2001 through 2006 are open tax years that may be examined by the Internal Revenue Service. The Company’s unrecognized state tax benefits are related to state returns open from 2001 through 2006. The Company believes it will recognize the unrecognized tax benefits upon the expiration of statutes of limitations of previously deducted expenses.

     Effective August 3, 2007, the Company acquired six funeral home businesses in Massachusetts for cash in the amount of $3.6 million. Management currently plans to sell one of the locations for use other than a funeral home. The Company acquired substantially all the assets and assumed certain operating liabilities including obligations associated with existing preneed contracts. The assets and liabilities were recorded at fair value and included goodwill in the amount of $0.2 million. The results of the acquired business are included in the Company’s results from the date of acquisition. The proforma impact of the acquisition on the prior period is not presented as the impact is not material to reported results.

     The effect of the acquisitions on the consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2007 was as follows (in thousands):

     The Company continually reviews locations to optimize the sustainable earning power and return on invested capital of the Company. The Company’s strategy, the Strategic Portfolio Optimization Model, uses strategic ranking criteria to identify disposition candidates. The execution of this strategy entails selling non-strategic businesses.

     At December 31, 2006, three funeral home businesses were held for sale. In the first quarter of 2007, the Company sold two funeral home businesses for approximately $2.4 million and recognized a gain of $0.7 million. In the second quarter of 2007, the Company sold a funeral home business for approximately $0.8 million and recognized a gain of $0.1 million.

     At September 30, 2007, one funeral home business was held for sale and subsequently sold in October 2007 (Note 17). Assets and liabilities associated with the respective funeral home businesses held for sale in the accompanying balance sheet consisted of the following (in thousands):

     The operating results of businesses discontinued during the periods presented, as well as impairments and gains or losses on the disposal, are presented on a comparative basis in the discontinued operations section of the consolidated statements of operations, along with the income tax effect. Likewise, the operating results, impairment charges and gains or losses from businesses sold in the prior year have been similarly reported for comparability. Revenues and operating income for the businesses presented in the discontinued operations section are as follows (in thousands):

     Many of the acquired funeral homes, former owners and staff have provided high quality service to families for generations. The resulting loyalty often represents a substantial portion of the value of a funeral business. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net identifiable assets acquired, as determined by management in business acquisition transactions accounted for as purchases, is recorded as goodwill.

     The following table presents the changes in goodwill in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet (in thousands):

     Cemetery preneed trust investments represent trust fund assets that the Company will withdraw when the merchandise or services are provided. The cost and market values associated with cemetery preneed trust investments at September 30, 2007 are detailed below (in thousands). The Company believes the unrealized losses related to trust investments are temporary in nature and not material.

     The estimated maturities of the fixed income securities included above are as follows:

     Preneed funeral trust investments represent trust fund assets that the Company expects to withdraw when the services and merchandise are provided. Such contracts are secured by funds paid by the customer to the Company. Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments are reduced by the trust investment earnings the Company has been allowed to withdraw prior to performance by the Company and amounts received from customers that are not required to be deposited into trust, pursuant to various state laws.

     The cost and market values associated with preneed funeral trust investments at September 30, 2007 are detailed below (in thousands). The Company believes the unrealized losses related to trust investments are temporary in nature and not material.

     The estimated maturities of the fixed income securities included above are as follows:

     Upon cancellation of a preneed funeral or cemetery contract, a customer is generally entitled to receive a refund of the corpus and some or all of the earnings held in trust. In certain jurisdictions, the Company is obligated to fund any shortfall if the amounts deposited by the customer exceeds the funds in trust including some or all investment income. As a result, when realized or unrealized losses of a trust result in the trust being under-funded, the Company assesses whether it is responsible for replenishing the corpus of the trust, in which case a loss provision would be recorded. No loss amounts have been required to be recognized for the periods presented in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

     Cemetery and funeral trust investment security transactions recorded in Other income in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2007 are as follows (in thousands).

     The receivables from preneed funeral trusts represent assets in trusts which are controlled and operated by third parties in which the Company does not have a controlling financial interest (less than 50%) in the trust assets. The Company accounts for these investments at cost.

     Certain preneed funeral contracts are secured by life insurance contracts. Generally, the proceeds of the life insurance policies have been assigned to the Company and will be paid upon the death of the insured. The proceeds will be used to satisfy the beneficiary’s obligations under the preneed contract for services and merchandise. The preneed funeral contracts secured by insurance totaled $184 million at September 30, 2007, and are not included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

     The Company is required by state law to pay a portion of the proceeds from the sale of cemetery property interment rights into perpetual care trust funds. The cost and market values associated with the trust investments held in perpetual care trust funds at September 30, 2007 are detailed below (in thousands). The Company believes the unrealized losses related to the trust investments are temporary in nature and not material.

     The estimated maturities of the fixed income securities included above are as follows:

     Non-controlling interests in cemetery perpetual care trusts represent the corpus of those trusts plus undistributed income. The components of non-controlling interests in cemetery perpetual care trusts as of December 31, 2006 and September 30, 2007 are as follows:

     Perpetual care trust investment security transactions recorded in Other income in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2007 are as follows (in thousands).

     Carriage conducts funeral and cemetery operations only in the United States. The following table presents revenue, pre-tax income from continuing operations and total assets by segment (in thousands):

     The following information is supplemental disclosure for the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (in thousands):

     The Company has outstanding $130 million of 7.875 % Senior Notes, due in 2015, and $93.75 million of 7.00% subordinated debt payable to an unconsolidated affiliate, Carriage Services Capital Trust, due in 2029. The Company also has a $35 million senior secured revolving credit facility for which borrowings bear interest at prime or LIBOR options with the current LIBOR option set at LIBOR plus 275 basis points and is collateralized by all personal property and by funeral home real property in certain states. The facility is currently undrawn except for $0.4 million in letters of credit that were issued and outstanding under the credit facility at September 30, 2007.

     Carriage, the parent entity, has no material assets or operations independent of its subsidiaries. All assets and operations are held and conducted by subsidiaries, each of which (except for Carriage Services Capital Trust which is a single purpose entity that holds the debentures issued in connection with our TIDES) have fully and unconditionally guaranteed our obligations under the Senior Notes. Additionally, the Company does not currently have any significant restrictions on our ability to receive dividends or loans from any subsidiary guarantor under the Senior Notes.

     Stock options and employee stock purchase plan

     No stock options were awarded during the first nine months of 2007. During the third quarter of 2007, employees purchased a total of 21,067 shares of common stock through the employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”) at a weighted average price of $4.97 per share. The Company recorded pre-tax stock-based compensation expense for the stock options and the ESPP totaling $45,000 and $33,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2007 and $198,000 and $104,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2007. As of September 30, 2007, there was $8,000 of total unrecognized compensation costs,

net of estimated forfeitures, related to nonvested stock options that are expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately one year.

     The fair value of the right (option) to purchase shares under the ESPP during 2006 and 2007, respectively, is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Sholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

     Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility for the last twelve months of our stock. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yields in effect at the time of grant.

     Common stock grants

     The Company granted 180,500 shares of restricted stock to certain officers and employees during the first quarter of 2007, with a four-year vesting period. During the second quarter of 2007, the Company granted 20,000 shares of restricted stock to a new director in which 10,000 shares vest immediately and 10,000 shares vest over two years. The other outside directors each received an annual grant of 3,000 shares of stock (total of 9,000) with immediate vesting as of the date of the annual shareholder’s meeting. The Company granted 120,000 shares of restricted stock to two officers during the third quarter of 2007, with a four-year vesting period. The Company recorded $441,000 and $501,000 in pre-tax compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2007, respectively, related to the vesting of restricted stock awards. As of September 30, 2007, there was $2,306,000 of total unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested restricted stock awards, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately two and a half years.

     Directors may elect to receive all or a portion of their fees in stock. During the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2007, the Company issued unrestricted common stock to directors totaling 2,795 and 2,658 shares respectively, in lieu of payment in cash for their fees, the value of which totaled $26,000 and $31,000, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2007, the Company issued unrestricted stock to directors totaling 12,707 and 13,022 shares respectively, in lieu of payment in cash for their fees, the value of which totaled $89,000 and $107,000, respectively.

     The Company uses a law firm in which one of its partners is the spouse of the Company’s General Counsel. The firm is used for various legal matters. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company paid the law firm $300,000 and $368,000, respectively.

     On October 1, 2007, the Company sold a funeral home business that was held for sale as of September 30, 2007 for $0.7 million and recognized a gain of approximately $0.6 million.

     The Company acquired substantially all the assets and liabilities of four funeral homes in Riverside County, California on November 8, 2007 in exchange for a cash payment at closing in the amount of $10.0 million.

     In addition to historical information, this Quarterly Report contains forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include any projections of earnings, revenues, asset sales, acquisitions, cash balances and cash flow, debt levels or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; any statements of belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Forward-looking statements may include the words “may”, “will”, “estimate”, “intend”, “believe”, “expect”, “project”, “forecast”, “plan”, “anticipate” and other similar words.

     We caution readers that the following important factors, among others, in some cases have affected, and in the future could affect, our actual consolidated results and could cause our actual consolidated results in the future to differ materially from the goals and expectations expressed herein and in any other forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of us. For further information regarding risks associated with our business and the death care industry, see Item 1A – Risk Factors in our annual report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

     Risks related to our business

     (1) Marketing and sales activities by existing and new competitors could cause us to lose market share and lead to lower revenues and margins.

     (2) Our ability to generate preneed sales depends on a number of factors, including sales incentives and local and general economic conditions.

     (3) Price competition could also reduce our market share or cause us to reduce prices to retain or recapture market share, either of which could reduce revenues and margins.

     (4) Our ability to execute our growth strategy is highly dependent upon our ability to successfully identify suitable acquisition candidates and negotiate transactions on favorable terms.

     (5) Increased or unanticipated costs, such as insurance, taxes and new computer systems implementations, may have a negative impact on our earnings and cash flows.

     (6) Improved performance in our funeral and cemetery segments is highly dependent upon successful execution of our standards-based Being the Best operating model.

     (7) Our smaller businesses are typically dependent upon one or a few key employees for success.

     (8) Earnings from and principal of trust funds and insurance contracts could be reduced by changes in financial markets and the mix of securities owned.

     (9) Covenant restrictions under our debt instruments may limit our flexibility in operating our business.

     Risks related to the death care industry

     (1) Declines in the number of deaths in our markets can cause a decrease in revenues. Changes in the number of deaths are not predictable from market to market or over the short term.

     (2) The increasing number of cremations in the United States could cause revenues to decline because we could lose market share to firms specializing in cremations. In addition, direct cremations produce minimal revenues for cemetery operations and lower funeral revenues.

     (3) If we are not able to respond effectively to changing consumer preferences, our market share, revenues and profitability could decrease.

     (4) Because the funeral and cemetery businesses are high fixed-cost businesses, changes in revenues can have a disproportionately large effect on cash flow and profits.

     (5) Changes or increases in, or failure to comply with, regulations applicable to our business could increase costs or decrease cash flows.

     General

     We operate two types of businesses: funeral homes, which account for approximately 75% of our revenues, and cemeteries, which account for approximately 25% of our revenues. Funeral homes are principally a service business that provide funeral services (burial and cremation) and sell related merchandise, such as caskets and urns. Cemeteries are primarily a sales business that sells interment rights (grave sites and mausoleums) and related merchandise such as markers and outer burial containers. As of September 30, 2007, we operated 135 funeral homes in 27 states and 32 cemeteries in 11 states within the United States. Substantially all administrative activities are conducted or coordinated through our home office in Houston, Texas.

     We have implemented long-term operating models in our operations which are designed to improve operating and financial results. We introduced a more decentralized, entrepreneurial and local operating model that we refer to as our “Standard Operating Model”. This model includes operating and financial standards developed from our best operations, along with an incentive compensation plan to reward business managers for successfully meeting or exceeding the standards. The model essentially eliminates the use of financial budgets and focuses on key drivers of a successful operation – market share, people and operating and financial metrics. The model requires strong leadership to grow an entrepreneurial, high value, personal service and sales business at sustainable profit margins. We believe a primary driver of higher margins in the future will be the execution of our “Strategic Portfolio Optimization Model” that helps us to assess acquisition and divestiture candidates. Using this model, we believe we will acquire larger, higher margin strategic businesses and sell smaller, lower margin non-strategic businesses. We believe we can do so without incremental investment in our consolidation platform infrastructure or additional fixed regional and corporate overhead.

     Funeral Operations

     Factors affecting our funeral operating results include: demographic trends in terms of population growth and average age, which impact death rates and number of deaths; establishing and maintaining leading market share positions supported by strong local heritage and relationships; effectively responding to increasing cremation trends by packaging complementary services and merchandise; controlling salary and merchandise costs; and exercising pricing leverage related to our at-need business to increase average revenues per contract. In simple terms, volume and price are the two variables that affect funeral revenues. The average revenue per contract is influenced by the mix of traditional and cremation services because our average cremation service revenue is approximately 38% of the average revenue earned from a traditional burial service. Funeral homes have a relatively fixed cost structure. Thus, small changes in revenues, up or down, normally cause significant changes to our profitability.

     Our same store volumes have declined gradually each year from 22,395 in 2003 to 21,467 in 2006 (compound annual decline of 1.4%) consistent with a period of weak death rates nationally and the loss of market share primarily in our Central Region funeral operations. We have continued to experience lower volumes in 2007, primarily in our Eastern and Western Regions, while the Central Region has reversed its previous trend by reporting slightly higher volumes. Our same store funeral operations have increased revenue steadily from $107.1 million in 2003 to $113.0 million in 2006 (compound annual increase of 1.9%). We expect same store portfolio volumes to stabilize and our average revenue per funeral to increase over time as we seek to provide increased services to our client families in order to offset potential weak death rates and higher cremation rates.

     Cemetery Operations

     The cemetery operating results are affected by the size and success of our sales organization. Approximately 55% of our cemetery revenues relate to preneed sales of interment rights and mausoleums and related merchandise and services. We believe that changes in the level of consumer confidence (a measure of whether consumers will spend for discretionary items) also affect the amount of cemetery revenues. Approximately 10% of our cemetery revenues are attributable to investment earnings on trust funds and finance charges on installment contracts. Changes in the capital markets and interest rates affect this component of our cemetery revenues.

     Our same store cemetery financial performance from 2003 through 2006 was characterized by increasing revenues but slightly declining field level profit margins. We have experienced improved performance in 2007. Our goal is to build broader and deeper teams of sales leaders and counselors in our larger and more strategically located cemeteries that can sustain consistent, modest growth in preneed property sales over time and to diversify and substantially increase our cemetery operating and financial results.

     Acquisitions

     Our growth strategy includes the execution of the Strategic Portfolio Optimization Model. The goal of that model is to build concentrated groups of businesses in ten to fifteen strategic markets. We assess acquisition candidates using six strategic ranking criteria and to differentiate the pricing we are willing to pay. Those criteria are:

     In general terms, our price expectations range from four to five times pre-tax earnings before depreciation for “tuck-ins” to six to seven times pre-tax earnings before depreciation for businesses that rank very high in the ranking criteria. Our expectation at the beginning of the year was to acquire two to three large businesses a year. During the first nine months of 2007 we have completed five acquisitions and we completed an additional acquisition in November. All acquisitions were all cash transactions. We have not incurred any debt to buy these businesses. While the number of completed acquisitions was greater than expected, we continue to plan for two to three in future years. Selected information on the acquisitions follows:

     Financial Highlights

     Net income from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2007 totaled $0.7 million, equal to $0.04 per diluted share as compared to net loss from continuing operations of $0.5 million for the third quarter of 2006, or $(0.03) per diluted share. Net income from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 totaled $5.6 million, equal to $0.29 per diluted share as compared to net income from continuing operations of $2.3 million for the first nine months of 2006, or $0.12 per diluted share.

     The year to date improvement in earnings is due in large part to the success of three initiatives in which we have focused our attention to improve operating results for 2007: (1) improvement of our existing Central Region funeral homes, (2) new leadership and sales growth at Rolling Hills Memorial Park, our largest business, and (3) operating results from 2007 acquisitions. The existing Central Region funeral homes generated 7.4% higher revenues and $2.5 million in additional net income, equal to $0.08 per diluted share in the first nine months of 2007 when compared to the same period in 2006. A new Managing Partner was hired at the beginning of 2007 at Rolling Hills Memorial Park, and with the influence of that new leadership and other improvements, revenues at Rolling Hills Memorial Park increased 41.6% which helped generate $2.2 million in additional net income, equal to $0.07 per diluted share. During the three months ended September 30, 2007, we acquired six funeral homes in Massachusetts. These acquired businesses, along with the businesses acquired in the first six months of 2007, generated revenues totaling $8.9 million and net income of $2.6 million, equal to $0.08 per diluted share. We expect a continued positive trend in net income during the balance of 2007 and into 2008 from these three areas.

     Income from discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 totaled $0.4 million, equal to $0.02 per diluted share. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company completed the sale of three funeral home businesses, resulting in a pre-tax gain of $0.7 million. Loss from discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 totaled $3.9 million, equal to $(0.21) per diluted share. During the 2006 period we recorded pre-tax impairment charges of approximately $6.3 million to write down the book value of non-strategic businesses in Indiana to the estimated net sales proceeds.

     The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. On an on-going basis, we evaluate estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, realization of accounts receivable, intangible assets, property and equipment and deferred tax assets. We base our estimates on historical experience, third party data and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these considerations form the basis for making judgments about the amount and timing of revenues and expenses, the carrying value of assets and the recorded amounts of liabilities. Actual results may differ from these estimates and such estimates may change if the underlying conditions or assumptions change. Historical performance should not be viewed as indicative of future performance, as there can be no assurance the margins, operating income and net earnings as a percentage of revenues will be consistent from year to year.

     Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements presented herewith, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States excluding certain year end adjustments because of the interim nature of the consolidated financial statements. Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

     We record the sales of funeral and cemetery merchandise and services when the merchandise is delivered or service is performed. Sales of cemetery interment rights are recorded as revenue in accordance with the retail land sales provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (FAS) No. 66, “Accounting for Sales of Real Estate”. This method generally provides for the recognition of revenue in the period in which the customer’s cumulative payments exceed 10% of the contract price related to the real estate. Multiple element cemetery contract arrangements are allocated based on objective evidence of fair value, and revenue is recorded when the criteria for revenue recognition has been met for each element. Costs related to the sales of interment rights, which include property and other costs related to cemetery development activities, are charged to operations using the specific identification method in the period in which the sale of the interment right is recognized as revenue. Revenues to be recognized from the delivery of merchandise and performance of services related to contracts that were acquired in acquisitions are typically lower than those originated by the Company.

     Allowances for bad debts and customer cancellations are provided at the date that the sale is recognized as revenue. In addition, we monitor changes in delinquency rates and provide additional bad debt and cancellation reserves when warranted.

     When preneed funeral services and merchandise are funded through third-party insurance policies, we earn a commission on the sale of the policies. Insurance commissions earned by the Company are recognized as revenues when the commission is no longer subject to refund, which is usually one year after the policy is issued. Preneed selling costs consist of sales commissions that we pay our sales counselors and other direct related costs of originating preneed sales contracts and are expensed as incurred.

     The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net identifiable assets acquired, as determined by management in transactions accounted for as purchases, is recorded as goodwill. Many of the acquired funeral homes have provided high quality service to families for generations. The resulting loyalty often represents a substantial portion of the value of a funeral business. Goodwill is typically not associated with or recorded for the cemetery businesses. In accordance with SFAS No. 142, we review the carrying value of goodwill at least annually on reporting units (aggregated geographically) to determine if facts and circumstances exist which would suggest that this intangible asset might be carried in excess of fair value. Fair value is determined by discounting the estimated future cash flows of the businesses in each reporting unit at the Company’s weighted average cost of capital less debt allocable to the reporting unit and by reference to recent sales transactions of similar businesses. The calculation of fair value can vary dramatically with changes in estimates of the number of future services performed, inflation in costs, and the Company’s cost of capital, which is impacted by long-term interest rates. If impairment is indicated, then an adjustment will be made to reduce the carrying amount of goodwill to fair value.

     The Company and its subsidiaries file a consolidated U.S. Federal income tax return and separate income tax returns in the states in which we operate. We record deferred taxes for temporary differences between the tax basis and financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities, in accordance with SFAS 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” and account for uncertain tax positions in accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes”. The Company records a valuation allowance to reflect the estimated amount of deferred tax assets for which realization is uncertain. Management reviews the valuation allowance at the end of each quarter and makes adjustments if it is determined that it is more likely than not that the tax benefits will be realized.

     The Company has stock-based employee compensation plans in the form of restricted stock, stock option and employee stock purchase plans. The Company accounts for stock-based compensation under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment” (“FAS No. 123R”). FAS No. 123R requires companies to recognize compensation expense in an amount equal to the fair value of the share-based payment issued to employees over the period of vesting. The fair value of share based payment is determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model. FAS No. 123R applies to all transactions involving issuance of equity by a company in exchange for goods and services, including employee services. The Company adopted FAS No. 123R in the first quarter of 2006, using the modified prospective application method.

     We have granted restricted stock to certain officers and key employees of the Company, which vest over a period of four years. These shares are valued at the dates granted and the value is charged to operations as the shares vest.

     In accordance with the Company’s strategic portfolio policy, non-strategic businesses are reviewed to determine whether the businesses should be sold and the proceeds redeployed elsewhere. A marketing plan is then developed for those locations which are identified as held for sale. When the Company receives a letter of intent and financing commitment from the buyer and the sale is expected to occur within one year, the location is no longer reported within the Company’s continuing operations. The assets and liabilities associated with the held for sale location are reclassified on the balance sheet and the operating results, as well as impairments, are presented on a comparative basis in the discontinued operations section of the Consolidated Statements of Operations, along with the income tax effect.

     The following is a discussion of the Company’s results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2006 and 2007. Funeral homes and cemeteries owned and operated for the entirety of each period being compared are referred to as “same-store” or “existing operations.” Funeral homes and cemeteries purchased after January 2005 (date of refinancing our Senior Debt) are referred to as “acquired”.

     Funeral Home Segment. The following table sets forth certain information regarding the revenues and gross profit of the Company from the funeral home operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007.

     Three months ended September 30, 2006 compared to three months ended September 30, 2007 (dollars in thousands):

     Funeral same-store revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2007 increased $0.2 million, or 0.8%, when compared to the three months ended September 30, 2006 as we experienced a decrease of 3.7% in the number of contracts and an increase of 3.9% to $5,315 in the average revenue per contract for those existing operations. Total funeral same-store gross profit for the three months ended September 30, 2007 increased $0.3 million from the comparable three months of 2006, and as a percentage of funeral same-store revenue, increased from 20.9% to 22.0%. The Central Region generated an increase of $0.5 million in same-store revenues and provided the increase in same-store profits. The improvement in the Central Region was due to the ability to realize a 6.5% increase in the average revenue per contract and aggressive expense management. The West Region suffered a decline of same-store revenues totaling $0.4 million as a result of a 6.9% decline in the number of contracts.

     Funeral same-store revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 increased $1.5 million, or 1.8%, when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2006, as we experienced a decrease of 1.0% in the number of contracts and an increase of 2.8% to $5,266 in the average revenue per contract for those existing operations. Cremation services represented 35.5% of the number of funeral services during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to 34.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. The average revenue for burial contracts increased 5.2% to $7,374, while the average revenue for cremation contracts increased 5.1% to $2,758.

     Total same-store gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 increase $2.3 million from the comparable nine months of 2006, and as a percentage of funeral same-store revenue, increased from 24.6% to 26.9%.

     Acquired revenue and gross profit for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007 increased substantially due to the results of the Seaside Funeral Homes in Corpus Christi, Texas which was acquired in January 2007, Conejo Mountain Funeral Home in Camarillo, California, which was acquired in April 2007, Cloverdale Funeral Home in Boise, Idaho, which was acquired in June 2007, and the six funeral homes acquired in Springfield, Massachusetts in August 2007.

     Cremation services represented 37.1% of the number of funeral services during the third quarter of 2007, an increase from 34.9% in the third quarter of 2006. The average revenue for burial contracts increased 5.5% to $7,483, and the average revenue for cremation contracts increased 7.1% to $2,749. The Company has addressed the growing demand for cremation by training the funeral directors to present multiple merchandise and service options to families, resulting in choices that produce higher revenues. The average revenue for “other” contracts, which make up approximately ten percent of the number of contracts, declined $382 to $1,860. Other contracts consist of charges for merchandise or services for which we do not perform a funeral service for the deceased during the period.

     Cemetery Segment. The following table sets forth certain information regarding the revenues and gross profit of the Company from the cemetery operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007.