StoneMor Partners L.P. Reports

TREVOSE, Pa., April 03, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- StoneMor Partners L.P. (NYSE: STON) (“StoneMor” or the “Partnership”) , a leading owner and operator of cemeteries and funeral homes, today reported operating and financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2018. Investors are encouraged to read the Partnership's annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which contains additional details, and can be found at www.stonemor.com .

FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Revenues for the fourth quarter were $83.4 compared to $85.3 million in the prior year period. Full year revenues were $316.1 million compared to $338.2 million in the prior year. Revenue declines in both periods were due to lower sales of cemetery and funeral home merchandise and services, offset slightly by an increase in cemetery interments. Investment and other income for 2018 was$42.3 million, a decrease of $13.0 million from the prior year primarily due to the impact from the adoption of ASC 606, which reduced revenue associated with document fees by $11.4 million.
Fourth quarter net loss was $20.5 million compared to $45.5 million in the prior year period and a loss of $72.7 million for the full year compared to $75.2 million in the prior year period. Losses in quarter and year ended December 31, 2018 were driven primarily by lower sales of cemetery and funeral home merchandise and services, as well as the continued impact of higher corporate and professional fees associated with delayed SEC filings, work related to our planned conversion to a C-Corp and legal costs. Losses in the fourth quarter of 2017 were primarily driven by the previously disclosed impairment of goodwill related to funeral home operations.
Cemetery segment income for the 2018 fourth quarter was $6.6 million compared to $7.6 million for the prior year period. The decline in segment income was primarily due to an increase in certain costs associated with the rollout of the general manager model across our cemetery network.
Funeral segment income was $1.5 million for the 2018 fourth quarter compared to $1.4 million in the prior year period. The increase in segment income was due primarily to a reduction in year over year costs and expenses.
Cash from operating activities for the full year was $26.5 million compared to $15.0 million in the prior year period.
Merchandise trust value at December 31, 2018 was $488.2 million compared to $515.5 million at December 31, 2017.
Deferred revenue at December 31, 2018 was $914.3 million compared to $912.6 million at December 31, 2017.
As of December 31, 2018, the Partnership had $18.1 million of cash and cash equivalents and $321.1 million of total debt, including $155.7 million outstanding under its revolving credit facility.
The Partnership expects to report financial results for the first quarter of 2019 during the week of May 13, 2019, and anticipates it will host an investor conference call in connection with the announcement of those results.

Joe Redling, StoneMor’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “2018 was a transitional year for StoneMor on many levels. Among the major developments, I joined the company as its new CEO in late July and immediately began developing a turnaround plan. Several months earlier, industry veteran Jim Ford had been appointed the company’s new COO. We welcomed two new independent board members and announced our intent to convert to a C-Corporation. During the fourth quarter, we began to implement a number of strategic, operational and organizational initiatives that we expect will drive better efficiencies and improve profitability. These initiatives include a major cost reduction effort, a reorganization to decentralize operations to drive more accountability at the local level and a thorough asset review to prioritize resources to our top tier properties while evaluating the strategic options of our lower performing locations.”

“Our cost reduction effort is well underway. To date, we have identified approximately $25 million in expense reductions that we believe will be eliminated by the end of 2019. While many of these cost reductions have already been put in place, certain one-time costs specifically related to getting current in our financial filings, finalizing the amendments to our credit facility and the C-Corp conversion process kept overall costs higher than would otherwise be the case. We expect, as these non-recurring costs begin to roll off throughout 2019, that investors will begin to see the impact of these efforts. We also announced that we are working to refinance our existing credit facility and that we have retained an investment banker to assist in the process. While there is nothing to report as of yet, the process is underway and we look forward to disclosing the details when the refinancing is complete.”

“We are committed to enhancing unitholder value, demonstrating compassion and dignity for our customers, and creating a rewarding work environment for our employees. We look forward to providing more details on the progress we have made when we report our 2019 first quarter results next month, at which time we anticipate hosting an investor conference call.”

About StoneMor Partners L.P.

StoneMor Partners L.P., headquartered in Trevose, Pennsylvania, is an owner and operator of cemeteries and funeral homes in the United States, with 322 cemeteries and 90 funeral homes in 27 states and Puerto Rico.

StoneMor is the only publicly traded death care company structured as a partnership. StoneMor’s cemetery products and services, which are sold on both a pre-need (before death) and at-need (at death) basis, include: burial lots, lawn and mausoleum crypts, burial vaults, caskets, memorials, and all services which provide for the installation of this merchandise. For additional information about StoneMor Partners L.P., please visit StoneMor’s website, and the investors section, at http://www.stonemor.com .

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release, including, but not limited to, information regarding the expected timing of filing the Annual Report on Form 10-K Report for the Year Ended December 31, 2018 (the “2018 10-K”), announcement of first quarter 2019 results and operational improvements and expectations regarding the next investor conference call, are forward-looking statements. Generally, the words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “project,” “expect,” “predict” and similar expressions identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and estimates. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are made subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results stated or implied in this press release. StoneMor’s major risks are related to our substantial secured and unsecured indebtedness, our ability to refinance our secured indebtedness in the near term, uncertainties associated with the cash flow from pre-need and at-need sales, trusts and financings, which may impact StoneMor’s ability to meet its financial projections, service its debt and resume paying distributions, as well as with StoneMor’s ability to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures.

StoneMor’s additional risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the consequences if the Partnership is not able to file the 2018 10-K today, including that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission could institute an administrative proceeding seeking the revocation of the registration of the Partnership’s common units under the Exchange Act, that the Partnership would be delinquent in its required filings with the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and could ultimately face the possible delisting of its common units from the NYSE, that the Partnership would be in default under its amended credit facility and, if the Partnership fails to file the 2018 10-K within 120 days after notice from the trustee under the indenture governing its senior notes, under the indenture; the Partnership’s ability to obtain relief from its creditors if it cannot file the 2018 10-K today or within 120 days after notice from the trustee under the indenture governing its senior notes, the terms on which such relief might be granted and any restrictions that might be imposed in connection with any relief that might be obtained; uncertainty associated with the consummation of the Partnership’s reorganization transactions; StoneMor’s ability to successfully implement its strategic plan relating to achieving operating improvements, including improving sales productivity and reducing operating expenses; the effect of economic downturns; the impact of StoneMor’s significant leverage on its operating plans; the decline in the fair value of certain equity and debt securities held in StoneMor’s trusts; StoneMor’s ability to attract, train and retain an adequate number of sales people; uncertainties associated with the volume and timing of pre-need sales of cemetery services and products; increased use of cremation; changes in the death rate; changes in the political or regulatory environments, including potential changes in tax accounting and trusting policies; StoneMor’s ability to successfully compete in the cemetery and funeral home industry; litigation or legal proceedings that could expose StoneMor to significant liabilities and damage StoneMor’s reputation, including but not limited to litigation and governmental investigations or proceedings arising out of or related to accounting and financial reporting matters; the effects of cyber security attacks due to StoneMor’s significant reliance on information technology; uncertainties relating to the financial condition of third-party insurance companies that fund StoneMor’s pre-need funeral contracts; and various other uncertainties associated with the death care industry and StoneMor’s operations in particular.

When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements set forth in StoneMor’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2017 and the other reports that StoneMor files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, from time to time. Except as required under applicable law, StoneMor assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein or any other forward-looking statements made by it, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

STONEMOR PARTNERS L.P. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands)

	December 31,
	2018			2017
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	18,147		$	6,821
Accounts receivable, net of allowance		57,928			79,116
Prepaid expenses		4,475			4,580
Assets held for sale		757			1,016
Other current assets		17,009			21,453
Total current assets		98,316			112,986

Long-term accounts receivable, net of allowance		87,148			105,935
Cemetery property		330,841			333,404
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation		112,716			114,090
Merchandise trusts, restricted, at fair value		488,248			515,456
Perpetual care trusts, restricted, at fair value		330,562			339,928
Deferred selling and obtaining costs		112,660			126,398
Deferred tax assets		86			84
Goodwill		24,862			24,862
Intangible assets		61,421			63,244
Other assets		22,241			19,695
Total assets	$	1,669,101		$	1,756,082

Liabilities and Partners ’ Capital
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	59,035		$	43,023
Accrued interest		1,967			1,781
Current portion, long-term debt		798			1,002
Total current liabilities		61,800			45,806

Long-term debt, net of deferred financing costs		320,248			317,693
Deferred revenues		914,286			912,626
Deferred tax liabilities		6,675			9,638
Perpetual care trust corpus		330,562			339,928
Other long-term liabilities		42,108			38,695
Total liabilities		1,675,679			1,664,386
Commitments and contingencies
Partners’ (deficit) capital:
General partner interest		(4,008	)		(2,959	)
Common limited partners’ interest		(2,570	)		94,655
Total partners’ (deficit) capital		(6,578	)		91,696
Total liabilities and partners’ capital	$	1,669,101		$	1,756,082

STONEMOR PARTNERS L.P. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands, except per unit data)

	Years Ended December 31,
	2018			2017
Revenues:
Cemetery:
Interments	$	76,902		$	75,077
Merchandise		75,412			75,602
Services		67,278			70,704
Investment and other		42,343			55,313
Funeral home:
Merchandise		25,652			27,767
Services		28,539			33,764
Total revenues		316,126			338,227
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of goods sold		54,647			51,899
Cemetery expense		78,708			76,857
Selling expense		62,538			66,083
General and administrative expense		43,081			39,111
Corporate overhead		53,281			51,964
Depreciation and amortization		11,736			13,183
Funeral home expenses:
Merchandise		6,579			7,131
Services		22,159			22,929
Other		15,787			19,743
Total costs and expenses		348,516			348,900

Gain on acquisitions and divestitures		691			858
Loss on goodwill impairment		—			(45,574	)
Other losses, net		(12,195	)		(2,045	)
Operating loss		(43,894	)		(57,434	)
Interest expense		(30,602	)		(27,345	)
Loss from operations before income taxes		(74,496	)		(84,779	)
Income tax benefit		1,797			9,621
Net loss	$	(72,699	)	$	(75,158	)
General partner’s interest	$	(757	)	$	(782	)
Limited partners’ interest	$	(71,942	)	$	(74,376	)
Net loss per limited partner unit (basic and diluted)	$	(1.90	)	$	(1.96	)
Weighted average number of limited partners’ units outstanding (basic and diluted)		37,959			37,948

STONEMOR PARTNERS L.P. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)	Years Ended December 31,
	2018			2017
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net loss	$	(72,699	)	$	(75,158	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Cost of lots sold		7,808			10,525
Depreciation and amortization		11,736			13,183
Provision for cancellations		7,358			6,244
Non-cash compensation expense		2,523			1,045
Non-cash interest expense		5,985			4,479
Gain on acquisitions and divestitures		(691	)		(858	)
Loss on goodwill impairment		—			45,574
Other losses, net		12,195			1,843
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net of allowance		4,498			(17,074	)
Merchandise trust fund		4,295			46,695
Other assets		2,618			1,410
Deferred selling and obtaining costs		(4,819	)		(9,508	)
Deferred revenues		37,405			(9,049	)
Deferred taxes, net		(2,591	)		(10,439	)
Payables and other liabilities		10,836			6,064
Net cash provided by operating activities		26,457			14,976
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Cash paid for capital expenditures		(12,172	)		(10,789	)
Cash paid for acquisitions		(1,667	)		—
Proceeds from divestitures		—			1,241
Proceeds from asset sales		1,276			627
Net cash used in investing activities		(12,563	)		(8,921	)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Cash distributions		—			(24,545	)
Proceeds from borrowings		29,880			103,292
Repayments of debt		(28,493	)		(88,951	)
Cost of financing activities		(3,955	)		(1,600	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(2,568	)		(11,804	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		11,326			(5,749	)
Cash and cash equivalents — Beginning of period		6,821			12,570
Cash and cash equivalents — End of period	$	18,147		$	6,821
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for interest	$	25,606		$	22,901
Cash paid during the period for income taxes	$	1,725		$	2,756
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Acquisition of assets by financing	$	2,673		$	2,705
Classification of assets as held for sale	$	543		$	1,016

SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATING DATA

	Years Ended December 31,
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:	2018		2017
Interments performed		54,773		54,109
Net interment rights sold (1)
Lots		27,044		28,235
Mausoleum crypts (including pre-construction)		1,334		1,926
Niches		1,685		1,857
Total net interment rights sold (1)		30,063		32,018
Number of pre-need cemetery contracts written		39,989		44,894
Number of at-need cemetery contracts written		57,664		59,387
Number of cemetery contracts written		97,653		104,281