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CoreCivic, Inc. (CXW)

Q3 2011 Earnings Call· Thu, Nov 3, 2011

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Transcript

Operator

Operator

Good morning everyone and welcome to CCA’s Third Quarter 2011 Earnings Conference Call. If you need a copy of our press release or supplemental financial data, both documents are available on the Investor page of our website at www.cca.com. Before we begin, let me remind today’s listeners that this call contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Securities and Litigation Reform Act. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from statements made today. Factors that could cause operating and financial results to differ are described in the press release as well as our Form 10-K and other documents filed with the SEC. This call may include discussion of non-GAAP measures. The reconciliation of the most comparable GAAP measurement is provided in our corresponding earnings release and included in the supplemental financial data on our website. We are under no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrences of unanticipated events. Participating on today’s call will be our President and CEO, Damon Hininger; and Chief Financial Officer, Todd Mullenger. I’d now like to turn the call over to Mr. Hininger. Please go ahead, sir. Damon Hininger – President and Chief Executive Officer: Thank you so much, (Gill). Good morning and thank you for joining our call today. With us today is our Chairman, John Ferguson and our CFO Todd Mullenger. Also joining us is our new Chief Corrections Officer, Harley Lappin and our VP of Finance, David Garfinkle. In a few minutes, Todd will take you through the numbers for the quarter, then I’ll discuss market opportunities, after which we look forward to taking your questions. First though, I’d like…

Operator

Operator

(Operator Instructions) And our first question today comes from Kevin Campbell with Avondale Partners. Kevin Campbell – Avondale Partners: Thanks for taking my questions. I was hoping Todd, first you could start with just given us some additional details on the start-up costs, so I think you said it was $1.5 million, can you give us a sense for how much of that is attributable to Lake Erie versus Jenkins?

Damon Hininger

Analyst · Avondale Partners

The majority of that would be Lake Erie. I think we have $1.5 million. Kevin Campbell – Avondale Partners: Okay.

Damon Hininger

Analyst · Avondale Partners

In total for about a little bit for Jenkins. Kevin Campbell – Avondale Partners: Okay, that’s helpful. And G&A for the quarter came in a little bit higher than expected, you guys typically guided sort of 5%, it’s 5.3%, can you give us a sense for a) why that was higher, b) where that should go going forward as 5.3 the new run rate. Should it tick back down to 5%?

Todd Mullenger

Analyst · Avondale Partners

With regards to that was larger in the quarter is largely due to increases in accruals or incentive compensation driven by timing of the accruals and expense increased as we increase our EPS forecast. With regards to guidance for Q4, our forecast assumes G&A expense for the full year at just a little north of 5% of revenues for the full year. Kevin Campbell – Avondale Partners: Okay. And so let me ask you raised your fourth quarter guidance by a penny, but if we do the math on the buyback and the 8 million shares that would add about $0.03. You have some maybe a penny or so from that from the additional start-up costs. And so it sounds like – all things equal it sounds like operationally things are maybe a little bit lower than you would have originally expected. And there are some other costs that we need to be thinking about be it incremental D&A or things like that?

Todd Mullenger

Analyst · Avondale Partners

On the depreciation and amortization expense and you can back into this with the AFFO guidance, depreciation and amortization expense for fourth quarter $28.5 million which is a bit of an increase over Q3. Interest expense, you need it factoring a little more debt about $100 million more in debt. We used to fund those share repurchase. Couple of tweaks there on the forecast, nothing else on the cost side, I will say we have seen some recent volatility in morsels, the nice populations that has caused us to make a slight adjustment for Q4. As a reminder, historically we can experience some seasonal fluctuations in these populations during the holidays. Some years, we see that fluctuations, some years we don’t. We are now assuming we see some of those seasonal fluctuations, but we may not. Kevin Campbell – Avondale Partners: Okay. And so again you said the D&A would go up to $28.5 million, is that right?

Todd Mullenger

Analyst · Avondale Partners

$28.5 million yes. Kevin Campbell – Avondale Partners: And that’s up about 2 million bucks sequentially, is that right? What’s the driver there, is it just Jenkins and some of these coming online?

Todd Mullenger

Analyst · Avondale Partners

It’s primarily increased maintenance CapEx, but it’s heavily weighted towards third and fourth quarters. Kevin Campbell – Avondale Partners: Okay.

Todd Mullenger

Analyst · Avondale Partners

Generally fourth quarter. Kevin Campbell – Avondale Partners: Okay, that’s helpful. The ICE contracts that you are negotiating Chicago and Florida, can you give us a sense on timing when you expect to officially and I know things are fluid and things always take a little bit longer than expected dealing with government customers, but can you give us a sense on potential timing of when you might actually see those inmates start to impact your income statement?

Damon Hininger

Analyst · Avondale Partners

Good morning Kevin. This is Damon and you answered the question pretty well actually without me doing, because it does take a little while and we are kind of working through the different details and discussions with ICE. Having said that, we have progressive conversations here into the fall and I would say sitting here today that probably wouldn’t be an event or probably 2013, because again we are still working through the numbers and the type of facility and also working to kind of their time. If we are going to share everything say by the end of the year based on the size, slowly I think it probably would take about 14 maybe 16 months to build these facilities, again, maybe a little longer and all know maybe less than Florida, but I would say either 2013 events. Kevin Campbell – Avondale Partners: In terms of events, you don’t mean the actual signing of the contract you mean the actual intake of inmates?

Damon Hininger

Analyst · Avondale Partners

Right. So, yeah, they have different ways. So if we finalize agreements by the end of this year and allows say anywhere from say 14 to 16 months to build these new facilities, again as assuming they start at the same time, I don’t have a clear understanding today and that’s going to be case they may want to (indiscernible) just to add, but at a 2013 when it will open. Kevin Campbell – Avondale Partners: Okay. And then last question Harris County, you didn’t give a potential timeframe there, may be you can give us some thoughts around when you think that might happen, I know Harris County before, I did that similar types of procurement is not necessary the size and they haven’t move forward so, maybe that’s why you are reluctant to give a data, but I’m curious what you think at this point on a potential timing of an award.

Damon Hininger

Analyst · Avondale Partners

G&A captures that pretty well, we submitted a bit and initially when it came out with this procurement in early June they had a very quick turnaround, I think they wanted the procurement proposals within 30 days and I think they are looking at award initially like in August or September, but I think the share side of it several facility is 9000 beds, we required a lot of work on the front-end by us and other vendors to our facilities look at the finance understanding kind of the fiscal plan conditions of these existing facilities at all took a lot more time and probably was appreciated on the finance. So, we committed – also we submitted a bit they have not – accounting is not indicated a timetable for award or in terms of making a final decision. There has been some back-and-forth to have that clarification and there has been back-and-forth with the vendors like they haven’t set forth the clear timetable and they expect to reward. Kevin Campbell – Avondale Partners: Okay, thank you very much. Congratulations on a very good quarter.

Damon Hininger

Analyst · Avondale Partners

Thank you, (indiscernible).

Operator

Operator

We will go next to Todd Van Fleet with First Analysis. Todd Van Fleet – First Analysis: Hi, good morning guys. Damon, among the take issue with your comment on things taking longer in Illinois were experts had efficiency here in the state. So, I think.

Damon Hininger

Analyst · Avondale Partners

I apologize, I apologize. Todd Van Fleet – First Analysis: I wanted to touch on California for a second. You said you were the beneficiaries of GEO closing down that facility in Baldwin and that we received those and I guess the beginning of this quarter, is that right?

Damon Hininger

Analyst · Avondale Partners

It was I guess during the month of September and the early October.

Todd Mullenger

Analyst · Avondale Partners

Okay. And then Todd, your comment regarding guidance I just thought it was unusual just kind of called out California is being a variable I guess in the guidance. Is that because, I mean, assume that the additional – the incremental California made so embedded in the guidance since Q4.

Damon Hininger

Analyst · Avondale Partners

Well, my intention was in the Colorado is variable, but just write some direction on our assumption on our population, we’ve obviously see a lot of questions around California whether happening the population to just people know that they are stable. Todd Van Fleet – First Analysis: Okay. And so there is no real I guess with respect to California and then I guess you’re absorbing GOs the capacity GO let go off in the year facilities doesn’t give you an indication that may be you could see more I’m just trying to what is the needle goes, it fall kind of more on the maybe we could see some more in May sort of it we’re kind of still a little bit uncertain about how much we’re going to have or I mean, how it’s a better is a confident as we have in the population.

Damon Hininger

Analyst · Avondale Partners

I’d say in the near-term obviously with the ruling and the blending of our facilities for the full fiscal year gives the comfort here in the near-term. On the longer term and I say longer term say 24 to 36 months a little less certain on at least more demand they actually just started the program in October 1st, I think they are doing every couple of weeks updates to the core on the progress with realignment and so, I don’t think it will be until probably 2012 may be late next year – may be early 2013 as you know they got the key milestone that they’ve got a yet in May 2013, but we get a better kind of feel and how they think about the program little more longer term may be to an increase in it. I think they want to see truly do they get the progress they are opening yet was to realign the program and moving population down to a local facilities. So, I think near-term it’s the base I think we’ll look over let’s say 12, 24 months how they think about potential growing the program and the flip side is that at the program goes very successful how that, how you think about the program more long-term. But I do as certainly my comment I take as the encouraging sign within you would have thinking away fairly easy to take the 27 (indiscernible), you would think that small amount take that back into stay we took it’s the encouraging sign that they didn’t take that population back into say they moved it two facilities within CCA. Todd Van Fleet – First Analysis: Okay. And the – I know we’re not talking about 2012 yet, but I’m just thinking about Ohio and I apologize if I missed this, but can we collaborate the size little bit of that contract there Lake Erie.

Damon Hininger

Analyst · Avondale Partners

No specifics here on guidance for 2012, I will say that we continue to find our RIO hurdle rate of 13% to 15% cash-on-cash, pretax EBITDA returns to all capital investments, but also keep in mind that we will incur some startup cost in 2012 would impact 2012 EBITDA levels for Lake Erie. Todd Van Fleet – First Analysis: All right, would that be a Q1 event with the startup, I mean, how long would startup continue?

Damon Hininger

Analyst · Avondale Partners

That would be a Q1, yes. Todd Van Fleet – First Analysis: Okay. And so, we’re seeing the $1.5 million in Q4 here this year, right.

Damon Hininger

Analyst · Avondale Partners

It can be up to $1.5 million of return refined of the timing obviously we like it from a time value money standpoint purchase much of that in the Q1 is possible. I want to make sure we have a very tight execution on the transition so we might be willing to invest money in the frontend. Todd Van Fleet – First Analysis: I’m sorry, could we see a larger startup expense in Q1 then related to Lake Erie than Q4.

Damon Hininger

Analyst · Avondale Partners

I don’t think so. It’s really a question of I would put a band on the startup cost in total of around $2 million is and the question is how much of that in Q4 versus Q1. Todd Van Fleet – First Analysis: Okay, okay, that’s helpful. And then lastly I guess the pricing increases from the feds is coming in this quarter, is that right and help us understand may be what the aggregate pricing increase would be across that portfolio?

Damon Hininger

Analyst · Avondale Partners

We prefer right that level of detail. Todd Van Fleet – First Analysis: Okay, thanks.

Operator

Operator

(Operator Instructions) And we’ll go next to (Tobey Summer) with SunTrust. Tobey Summer – SunTrust: Thank you. In your discussions with new states is about what’s going on with the Ohio and Florida moved to outsource, how long do you think they need to see the results before that will be able to render judgment of the success of that and then take those examples and move on their own.

Damon Hininger

Analyst · Avondale Partners

Yeah, good question. I would say some states may be just don’t want to be the trail blazer and now that Ohio has done a transaction like this and is going to be executed first the year and is going to be after before I should say they’re sourcing down and finalizing the budget for the coming fiscal year, you could see a couple of phase as early as next spring can take a similar action. So, not as waiting on the results just didn’t want to be the first one out here to do that type of transaction and then again you could have some other states that may be a little more – obviously a little more of a kind of performance after that transaction so, may be they wait a full fiscal year before they take so many steps. So, I think you could have the combination of both. Tobey Summer – SunTrust: Thanks. I know the Florida situation is pretty fluid, right now at least sits in the course, but what other avenues to pursue the goal does covenant in the legislature have a disposal.

Damon Hininger

Analyst · Avondale Partners

Well, they appeal Tuesday and as we kind of thought about their next step, they could have done that as I did a few, they could have potentially go back to let’s say in the spring and maybe we try to get a standalone bill to get it already to do the procurement and then may be some iteration – some type of hybrid between those two things. So, with that what you said earlier it is very fluid, we don’t have a clear sense exactly what the stage of generics then how the state will act on the procurement while they go through this issue with the course. Tobey Summer – SunTrust: One last question from me, you brought back lot of stock in the quarter and in the availability based on the bucket stipulations for repurchase is relatively modest at this point. Given your propensity that kind of buyback stock in recent years should we assume that you probably still dedicate some resources towards that over time.

Damon Hininger

Analyst · Avondale Partners

Well, I have got the authority with – lots have got more authority than we have got through – available through the covenant restriction. So, it will be – continue to be kind of part of the playbook as we kind of look at everything going on within the business and within the market that could be a tool we continue to use. Tobey Summer – SunTrust: Okay. I will get back in the queue. Thank you.

Damon Hininger

Analyst · Avondale Partners

Thanks (indiscernible).

Operator

Operator

And we will go next to Dennis (indiscernible) with Brighton Capital.

Unidentified Analyst

Analyst

Good morning. I want to ask about legal accruals and if you are putting aside any extra reserves, so that there is an ACLU lawsuit and I just don’t know what that kind of thing cost mean? I mean, I have used lawyers myself and I don’t remember them being cheap, so I am just wondering how much I should adjust for that?

Damon Hininger

Analyst · Avondale Partners

I would say our legal accruals are in line with our historical averages.

Unidentified Analyst

Analyst

Is that pretty much unchanged? Where would that go? Does that go under G&A?

Damon Hininger

Analyst · Avondale Partners

That would typically end up winning upon the nature of the lawsuit, more often than that in operations covering expenses.

Unidentified Analyst

Analyst

Gotcha. And just trying to figure out, you guys are very well indexed to inflation, so you per diems change as inflation hits? So, it looks to me like healthcare costs and salaries are the big wildcards for you? What are the other expense wildcards that you say are kind of on the list, because you are very well indexed, I mean, it’s just – it moves your rates move, that’s great. I am just wondering what else I should pay most attention to?

Damon Hininger

Analyst · Avondale Partners

Well, salaries and benefits which include the large component for employee healthcare benefits are the two largest components that accounts for two-thirds of our operating cost and you’ve got inmate healthcare when you see some inflation maybe above average CPI utilities, you can see some variability in utilities based on obviously on energy costs. Food, we have a fixed price contract in place that takes us through the end of 2012. Those are the major components.

Unidentified Analyst

Analyst

Gotcha. Okay. How about the insurance on the idle properties, what is the overhead to keep some of these idle properties? You better have at least somebody walking around the middle of the night in electricity and insurance. What kind of drain is that say per quarter?

Damon Hininger

Analyst · Avondale Partners

The average cash operating carrying costs for vacant beds about $1000 per bed per year, that it carry all the 10,000 empty beds and inventory, $10 million to $12 million in cash operating carrying costs, I guess, are very modest cash operating carrying costs is unlike the hotel industry, for example, that had to keep those beds, the facilities fully staffed.

Unidentified Analyst

Analyst

Right.

Damon Hininger

Analyst · Avondale Partners

To capture the business as they are walking off the street. We can idle our facilities and then reactivate those facilities once we have a contract in hand we know the populations are headed towards the facility, so the cash operating carrying cost is very modest.

Unidentified Analyst

Analyst

Understood. Well, I am right now, I am in Arizona, so good luck on the Arizona procurement. I know you are going to the beauty contest stage right now?

Damon Hininger

Analyst · Avondale Partners

Thank you. Thank you very much.

Operator

Operator

And our next question comes from Martin Ji with Clearbridge Advisors. Martin Ji – Clearbridge Advisors: Question, what’s your excess inventory – debt inventory at the end of the quarter?

Todd Mullenger

Analyst · Clearbridge Advisors

It’s about 10,500 beds. Martin Ji – Clearbridge Advisors: 10,500. Okay, thanks.

Operator

Operator

And our next question comes from Patrick Donnelly with Blackrock. Patrick Donnelly – Blackrock: Hi, good afternoon guys or is the good morning still. I just wanted to ask you about capital deployment, obviously, you are buying in your shares and now you are limited, you have got a business that’s incredibly durable over the last few years? Never had a down year top or bottom line, why not institute a dividend, a common dividend that’s not just the token, but something that’s meaningful 2%, 3%, 4% given the cash flow of characteristics and given that you would broaden out your investor base. I should think it makes a lot of sense. I’d like in you to the REIT sector and if you are looking at the AFFO figures, you are trading – the REITs are trading at 2.5 times in the level. I just think that it makes a lot of sense to institute a dividend and to broaden out your investor base? Please comment.

Todd Mullenger

Analyst · Blackrock

Yeah. We are always – I think we hopefully have shown a pretty good track record over last couple of years on looking at those type of alternatives, it was, I guess late 2008 there was a great feedback from investors about implementing a share repurchase program and we did that. I also feel like we have been successful in the two different programs we have had in place. So that is always something we are taking a close look at. Is there a opportunity to deploy what we call strategic alternative like a dividend to maximize return to shareholders. So that is something that we definitely take a close look at, talk about the management team and discuss extensively with the board. Patrick Donnelly – Blackrock: Okay. Well, I look forward to hearing more. Thank you.

Operator

Operator

And we have no more questions in our queue. Damon Hininger – President and Chief Executive Officer: All right, (Gill). Well, thank you very much and thank you to all that call in today for your questions and for your comments. More importantly to our shareholders, thank you very much for your investment in CCA. Please note that your management team is focused on executed on another good quarter and a strong finish to 2011 and we look forward to talking to you not only this – later this fall, but in early 2012. So, thank you again for calling in.

Operator

Operator

This concludes today’s call. We thank you for your participation.