greeksoup/ stock research

Chemed Corp.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 23 April 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 4 raised, 2 lowered, 1 new, 3 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue and GAAP EPS reported: Consolidated revenue was $657.5 million, up 1.6%. GAAP diluted EPS was $4.84, down 0.4%. Adjusted diluted EPS was $5.65, up 0.4%, with adjusted net income of $77.4 million against $83.1 million. Source
  • VITAS admissions and census rose: Admissions rose 6.9% to 19,394 and average daily census rose 2.2% to 22,723. Days of care rose 2.2%. Average length of stay fell to 102.7 days from 118.7 days. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA down 9.6%: Roto-Rooter adjusted EBITDA was $53.5 million, down 9.6%. The margin was 22.5%, down 218 basis points from the first quarter of 2025. Source
  • VITAS volume and revenue guidance raised: Full-year ADC growth now 4.5% to 5.5%, from 3.5% to 4.0%. Revenue growth excluding Medicare Cap now 6.5% to 7.5%, from 5.5% to 6.5%. Management said updating guidance was appropriate this quarter. Source
  • Roto-Rooter margin guidance lowered: Roto-Rooter adjusted EBITDA margin now 21.5% to 22.5%, from 22.5% to 23.0%, because marketing costs are expected to stay above original guidance. Revenue growth kept at 3.0% to 3.5%. Source
  • Adjusted EPS guidance raised: Full-year adjusted EPS now $24.00 to $24.75, from $23.25 to $24.25. Midpoint is 13% above 2025 adjusted EPS of $21.55. Tax rate kept at 24.5%; diluted share count now 13.6 million from 13.9 million. Source
  • 500,000 shares repurchased for $197.7M: The company repurchased 500,000 shares at $395.36 per share, for $197.7 million. About $229.6 million of share repurchase authorization remained at March 31, 2026. Source

“Due to the materially improved performance of VITAS, coupled with the level of share repurchases in the first quarter of 2026, we believe updating guidance is appropriate in this instance.”

Chemed Corp., press release

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
VITAS average daily census growth Sourcefull year 20264.5% to 5.5%Raised from 3.5% to 4.0%
VITAS revenue growth excluding Medicare Cap Sourcefull year 20266.5% to 7.5%Raised from 5.5% to 6.5%
VITAS adjusted EBITDA margin excluding Medicare Cap Sourcefull year 202618.0% to 18.5%Raised from 17.5% to 18.5%
Medicare Cap billing limitation Sourcecalendar 2026$9.5 millionKept
Roto-Rooter revenue growth Sourcefull year 20263.0% to 3.5%Kept
Roto-Rooter adjusted EBITDA margin Sourcefull year 202621.5% to 22.5%Lowered from 22.5% to 23.0%
Adjusted diluted EPS Sourcefull year 2026$24.00 to $24.75Raised from $23.25 to $24.25
Effective corporate tax rate on adjusted earnings Sourcefull year 202624.5%Kept
Diluted share count Sourcefull year 202613.6 million sharesLowered from 13.9 million shares
Revenue from two franchise acquisitions Sourceremainder of 2026$5.0 million to $5.5 millionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year VITAS ADC growth and revenue growth excluding Medicare Cap ranges were raised. Management cited faster recovery from the 2025 Medicare Cap issue. Source
  • Guidance raised: VITAS adjusted EBITDA margin excluding Medicare Cap range raised, with the low end moving from 17.5% to 18.0%. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year adjusted diluted EPS range raised to $24.00 to $24.75 from $23.25 to $24.25. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Roto-Rooter adjusted EBITDA margin range lowered to 21.5% to 22.5% from 22.5% to 23.0%, due to elevated marketing costs. Source
  • Guidance kept: Roto-Rooter full-year revenue growth range kept at 3.0% to 3.5%. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Diluted share count assumption in adjusted EPS guidance reduced to 13.6 million from 13.9 million. Source
  • New guidance: New guidance for revenue added by the two franchise acquisitions for the remainder of 2026. Source
  • New: In April 2026 the company entered into a new five-year $450 million Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, after the June 2022 agreement that had a term loan and revolver. Source
  • New: Roto-Rooter bought franchise territories in San Francisco and Fort Worth on March 31, 2026, in two transactions. Source

Consolidated quarter results

  • Revenue and GAAP EPS reported: Consolidated revenue was $657.5 million, up 1.6%. GAAP diluted EPS was $4.84, down 0.4%. Adjusted diluted EPS was $5.65, up 0.4%, with adjusted net income of $77.4 million against $83.1 million. Source
  • Lower diluted share count: Diluted average shares were 13,690 thousand, against 14,764 thousand a year earlier. Net income was $66.3 million, against $71.8 million. Source

VITAS segment results

  • VITAS admissions and census rose: Admissions rose 6.9% to 19,394 and average daily census rose 2.2% to 22,723. Days of care rose 2.2%. Average length of stay fell to 102.7 days from 118.7 days. Source
  • Revenue rose on rate and volume: VITAS net revenue was $420.0 million, up 3.1%. Growth came from days of care and a Medicare rate increase of about 2.6%, with the revenue figure after Medicare Cap and contractual allowances. Source
  • Acuity mix and contra drag: Acuity mix shift cut revenue growth by 120 basis points against the prior-year period. Medicare Cap and other contra revenue changes cut growth by 47 basis points. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA up slightly ex-Cap: Adjusted EBITDA excluding Medicare Cap was $70.8 million, up 0.6%. The margin was 16.8%, down 41 basis points. Net income excluding discrete items was $52.2 million, up 4.4%. Source

“VITAS’ initiatives to return to a normal growth pattern after managing the 2025 Medicare Cap issue were more quickly successful than originally anticipated.”

Chemed Corp., press release

Medicare Cap position

  • Q1 Medicare Cap accrual: VITAS accrued $2.4 million of Medicare Cap billing limitation in the quarter, against $2.3 million in the prior-year quarter per the operating statistics table. Source
  • No Florida combined program limit: No Medicare Cap billing limitation was recorded for the Florida combined program in the quarter, and none is anticipated for the 2026 fiscal period. Source
  • Provider numbers cushion split: Of 33 Medicare provider numbers, 25 are projected to have a full-year cushion of 10% or greater and four a cushion between 0% and 10%. Four have a $9.5 million limitation. Source

Roto-Rooter segment results

  • Roto-Rooter revenue down slightly: Roto-Rooter revenue was $237.5 million, down 0.9%. Revenue from independent contractors was $17.8 million, down 3.3%. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA down 9.6%: Roto-Rooter adjusted EBITDA was $53.5 million, down 9.6%. The margin was 22.5%, down 218 basis points from the first quarter of 2025. Source
  • Commercial and residential mix: Branch commercial revenue was $56.5 million, down 1.9%. Branch residential revenue was $166.3 million, down 1.5%. Plumbing rose 3.9% in commercial and 9.3% in residential. Source
  • Independent contractor revenue down: Revenue from independent contractors was $17.8 million, down 3.3% from the same period of 2025. Source

“Roto-Rooter performed generally within our expectations. In total, there were various headwinds and tailwinds that contributed to the overall results in the first quarter of 2026.”

Chemed Corp., press release

Costs, margins and pricing

  • VITAS gross margin declined: VITAS gross margin excluding Medicare Cap was 22.9%, down 71 basis points. VITAS SG&A was $26.1 million, down from $26.5 million. Revenue per patient per day was $210.62, up 146 basis points. Source
  • Roto-Rooter SG&A up 8.4%: Roto-Rooter SG&A was $67.9 million, up 8.4%. Roto-Rooter gross margin was 51.0%, against 50.9% a year earlier. Marketing costs are the stated driver of the margin guidance cut. Source
  • Deferred compensation adjustment hit SG&A: Market value adjustments on deferred compensation trusts were an expense of $3.9 million, against a benefit of $0.8 million a year earlier. Long-term incentive compensation was $1.5 million, down from $2.7 million. Source
  • High-acuity share of days fell: High-acuity days were 2.3% of total days of care, down 28 basis points. Routine home care averaged $188.59 a day and high-acuity care averaged $1,131.82. Source

Guidance revision

  • VITAS volume and revenue guidance raised: Full-year ADC growth now 4.5% to 5.5%, from 3.5% to 4.0%. Revenue growth excluding Medicare Cap now 6.5% to 7.5%, from 5.5% to 6.5%. Management said updating guidance was appropriate this quarter. Source
  • VITAS margin range raised: EBITDA margin excluding Medicare Cap now 18.0% to 18.5%. This release cites the original range as 17.5% to 18.5%, while the February release gave 17.5% to 18.0%. Source
  • Roto-Rooter margin guidance lowered: Roto-Rooter adjusted EBITDA margin now 21.5% to 22.5%, from 22.5% to 23.0%, because marketing costs are expected to stay above original guidance. Revenue growth kept at 3.0% to 3.5%. Source
  • Adjusted EPS guidance raised: Full-year adjusted EPS now $24.00 to $24.75, from $23.25 to $24.25. Midpoint is 13% above 2025 adjusted EPS of $21.55. Tax rate kept at 24.5%; diluted share count now 13.6 million from 13.9 million. Source
  • Franchise purchases add revenue: The two franchise acquisitions are anticipated to add $5.0 million to $5.5 million of revenue for the remainder of 2026. Source

Capital, cash and shareholder returns

  • 500,000 shares repurchased for $197.7M: The company repurchased 500,000 shares at $395.36 per share, for $197.7 million. About $229.6 million of share repurchase authorization remained at March 31, 2026. Source
  • New $450M credit agreement: The April 2026 five-year agreement has a $450 million revolver and a $250 million expansion feature, floating at SOFR plus 100 basis points. About $313.3 million was undrawn after $45.5 million of letters of credit. Source
  • Debt now $91.2M, cash $16.9M: At March 31, 2026, cash and equivalents were $16.9 million and long-term debt was $91.2 million. At year-end 2025 the company reported no debt. Revolver borrowings were $135.5 million in the quarter. Source
  • Operating cash flow rose: Net cash provided by operating activities was $88.2 million, against $32.7 million. Capital expenditures were $17.1 million, against $13.3 million, and business combinations used $20.6 million. Source
  • Treasury stock and equity: Treasury stock at cost rose to $3,809,245 thousand from $3,182,718 thousand. Total stockholders’ equity was $848.0 million, against $1,181.8 million a year earlier. Dividends paid were $8.2 million. Source

Strategy and franchise purchases

  • Two franchise territories bought: Roto-Rooter purchased the San Francisco and Fort Worth franchise territories and assets on March 31, 2026, in two separate transactions. Combined purchase price was about $20.6 million. Source
  • Locations serve about 3.3 million: The acquired Roto-Rooter locations collectively serve a population of approximately 3.3 million people. Source
  • Franchise buying strategy stated: The company said the purchases are part of an ongoing strategy of acquiring franchises to boost productivity, market share and profitability. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Average daily census (ADC) Source22,723, up 2.2%
Admissions Source19,394, up 6.9%
Average length of stay (days) Source102.7, from 118.7
VITAS net patient revenue Source$420.0 million, up 3.1%
Days of care Sourceup 2.2%

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Roto-Rooter marketing spend ran about $2.0 million above expectations as more leads came from paid internet marketing. Management expects elevated marketing costs to persist for the rest of the year. Source
  • External: Unusual ice and snowstorms disrupted service for five days at 24 Roto-Rooter branches, with estimated net revenue loss of $3 million to $4 million. Source
  • Regulatory: VITAS accrued $2.4 million of Medicare Cap billing limitation in the quarter. Four provider numbers carry a $9.5 million limitation for the full year. Source
  • Demand: Acuity mix shift reduced VITAS revenue growth by 120 basis points, as the patient mix moved away from the prior-year level of care mix. Source
  • Demand: Roto-Rooter residential water restoration revenue fell 11.8% in the quarter, offset in part by plumbing growth of 9.3%. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Management said the VITAS recovery from the 2025 Medicare Cap issue came more quickly than originally anticipated, leading to the raised guidance. Source
  • Not stated: In February management said VITAS had mitigated the Florida Medicare Cap issue. This release reports no Florida combined program limitation in Q1 and none anticipated for 2026.
  • Not stated: In February management said Roto-Rooter expected elevated first-half expenses. This release attributes higher marketing costs to the lowered margin guidance.
  • Not stated: The February release projected about 55% of consolidated adjusted net income and EBITDA in the second half of 2026. This release does not restate that projection.

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.