Tenet Q4 2020 Results; To Retire $478M Debt; 2021 Guidance

 Tenet Healthcare Corporation (Tenet) (NYSE: THC) today announced its results for the quarter ended December 31, 2020 (4Q20).

Ronald A. Rittenmeyer, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “In 2020, we along with so many others faced challenges we had never experienced in the history of our company. Our ability to perform under such challenging and constantly evolving circumstances underscores the strength of all of our colleagues within the Tenet enterprise and the positive impact of our multi-year turnaround. We implemented a comprehensive and active response to the pandemic, focused on the safety of our personnel and our patients, and steadily improved performance in each operating segment as we moved through the year. We continued to advance top-tier clinical programs to serve growing acute and chronic care needs in our hospitals, while completing a transformational ambulatory transaction and pivoting our business toward higher-growth, lower cost-of-care settings. And, we continued to post an improved level of margin performance at Conifer, whose support of all of their clients was exceptional."

Rittenmeyer continued, "Our resilience as an organization was tested, and we outperformed, delivered on our commitments and continued building a framework for our future growth and success. We followed our stated strategy ensuring the improvements were sustainable and the changes became part of our permanent fabric. We are very proud of every one of our colleagues across the Tenet enterprise for their selfless commitment to our patients, each other and our communities."

Tenet's results for 4Q20 versus the quarter ended December 31, 2019 (4Q19) as well as the year ended December 31, 2020 (FY 2020) versus the year ended December 31, 2019 (FY 2019) are as follows:

($ in millions, except per share results)	4Q20	4Q19	FY 2020	FY 2019
Net income (loss) from continuing operations available (attributable) to Tenet common shareholders	$414	$(3)	$399	$(226)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations available (attributable) to Tenet common shareholders per diluted share	$3.86	$(0.03)	$3.75	$(2.19)
Adjusted EBITDA excluding grant income	$832	$799	$2,247	$2,730
Adjusted EBITDA	$1,278	$799	$3,146	$2,730
Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations	$4.72	$0.95	$7.92	$2.84
The table above as well as tables and discussions throughout this earnings release include certain financial measures that are not in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Reconciliations of GAAP measures to the Adjusted (non-GAAP) measures used are detailed in Tables #1-3 included at the end of this earnings release. Management’s reasoning for the use of these non-GAAP measures and descriptions of the various non-GAAP measures are included in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this earnings release.

COVID-19 Pandemic (COVID)

As previously disclosed, the Company has been experiencing operational and financial challenges associated with COVID. As Tenet continues to manage COVID and its impact on operations, the Company remains committed to the highest standards of safety, with protocols focused on the protection of its patients and employees, including the distribution of vaccines to its caregivers. Operational teams monitor real-time data to ensure sufficient staffing, intensive care unit bed capacity and personal protective equipment (PPE). Outpatient facilities are also safely performing elective procedures, and the Company's hospitals and ambulatory platform continue to follow all state and local guidelines concerning elective care.

Transformative Acquisition

On December 10, 2020, the Company announced the acquisition of a portfolio of 45 ambulatory surgical centers from SurgCenter Development (SCD) for approximately $1.1 billion. As anticipated, all the related individual transactions were completed in 4Q20.

The SCD transaction:

• Expands USPI ambulatory business in line with Tenet's stated strategy
• Cements Tenet's position as the preeminent national musculoskeletal services leader across the care continuum
• Investment is in lower cost of care, highly efficient, consumer-friendly facilities that improve healthcare affordability and access
• Enhances Tenet's overall business mix and earnings profile

Early Retirement of Debt

The Company also announced today it plans to retire $478 million of 7.000 percent senior unsecured notes due in 2025 using available cash on hand. In conjunction with this transaction, Tenet expects its annual cash interest payments will be lowered by approximately $33 million.

Results from Continuing Operations Available to Tenet Common Shareholders

• Net income from continuing operations available to the Company's common shareholders in 4Q20 was $414 million, or $3.86 per diluted share, versus a net loss from continuing operations of $3 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, in 4Q19. Also, 4Q20 included the benefit of $446 million pre-tax ($339 million after-tax, or $3.16 per diluted share) of grant income, including the impact of updated grant revenue recognition guidance authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 enacted in December 2020.
• For FY 2020, the income from continuing operations available to the Company's common shareholders was $399 million, or $3.75 per diluted share compared to a net loss from continuing operations of $226 million, or $2.19 per diluted share, for FY 2019. FY 2020 included an after-tax loss of $240 million, or $2.26 per diluted share, from early retirement of debt transactions, partially offset by the change in tax accounting method during the third quarter of 2020 of $119 million, or $1.12 per diluted share, and a favorable income tax benefit of $88 million, or $0.83 per diluted share, due to an increase in the deductibility of interest expense for income tax purposes as a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. FY 2019 included losses of $227 million pretax, $224 million after tax, or $2.14 per diluted share, associated with early retirement of debt transactions.

http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/4969270