Government funding is playing a significant role in Extendicare’s fortunes as the Ontario government in particular is stepping up to ensure quality home healthcare for its residents.
That and the company’s initiative to expand its offerings (and therefore its cash flow) should keep the high yield sustainable and safe.
Meanwhile the stock trades at 20.3 times the company’s 2024 earnings forecast.
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EXTENDICARE INC. (Toronto symbol EXE; www.extendicare.com) is an operator of long-term care (LTC) homes which continues to pay monthly distributions of $0.04 a share; the annual rate of $0.48 yields a very high 7.2%.
The company’s revenue rose 4.4% in the quarter ended September 30, 2023, to $322.5 million from $308.9 million a year earlier. The gain was mainly due to increased government funding, higher long-term-care occupancy rates, and higher home healthcare visits.
Excluding one-time items, cash flow jumped 482.5%, to $12.29 million from $2.11 million. Cash flow per share increased 600.0%, to $0.14 from $0.02 due to fewer outstanding shares.
Dividend Stocks: Improved long-term cash flows should keep the payout going for Extendicare
As part of the Ontario government’s $1 billion investment over the next three years to expand home care services in the province, the government increased home health care rates by 3% for personal support contracts and 5% for nursing and allied health contracts effective April 1, 2022.
This is why the current dividend still appears safe as occupancy rates continue to improve. The company is also proceeding with 20 redevelopment projects, comprising 4,248 new or replacement beds. Those factors should improve its long-term cash flows.
In May 2022, the company sold its Esprit Retirement Communities, a collection of 11 retirement communities and 1,048 retirement living suites in Ontario and Saskatchewan. It received $253.6 million. Extendicare used $117.1 million of the net proceeds to repay all its debt related to the retirement properties. It also realized a $78.8 million gain on the sale.
That lets the company focus on expanding its long-term-care and home health care segments. That’s where it feels it can best use its expertise and scale to drive future revenue and cash flow.
Recommendation in Dividend Advisor: Extendicare Inc. is a buy.