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CoreCivic, Inc.: Q3 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 5 November 2025: press release. Guidance figures: 2 raised, 9 lowered, 5 new, 3 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue and EPS rose on populations: Total revenue was $580.4 million, up 18.1%; net income was $26.3 million; diluted EPS was $0.24, up 26.3%. Management attributed the per-share increase to higher federal and state populations and higher per diem rates. Source
  • ICE revenue rose 54.6%: Revenue from ICE, the largest government partner, was $215.9 million against $139.7 million; the increase includes the California City, West Tennessee and Farmville facilities and the Dilley reactivation. Source
  • Four idle facilities contracted in quarter: Four facilities were awarded in the third quarter, expected to generate about $320 million of annual revenue at stabilized occupancy. Five idle facilities with over 7,000 beds remain. Source
  • Three activations reduced facility margin: Three facilities in activation produced $3.4 million of facility net operating losses in the third quarter, which reduced facility operating margin. Source
  • Full-year EPS and FFO guidance lowered: Diluted EPS guidance moved to $0.99 to $1.05 from $1.08 to $1.15, and FFO per diluted share to $1.92 to $1.98 from $1.98 to $2.06. Management cited updated occupancy projections. Source
  • Four activations cut facility NOI: Revised guidance lowers facility net operating income at four activating facilities by $10.0 million to $11.0 million versus prior guidance, reflecting start-up activities. Source
  • Buybacks in Q3 and year to date: The company repurchased 1.9 million shares for $40.0 million in the quarter and 5.9 million shares for $121.0 million year to date. $197.9 million of authorization remained at September 30. Source
  • Populations expected to keep growing: Management expects detainee populations to keep growing as ICE implements its interior enforcement plan, which it said will contribute to 2025 results. Source

“Ongoing demand for the solutions we provide, particularly from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), contributed to a solid third quarter.”

Damon T. Hininger, CoreCivic’s Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net income Sourcefull year 2025$107.0 million to $113.0 millionLowered from $116.4 million to $124.4 million
Adjusted Net Income Sourcefull year 2025$108.0 million to $114.0 millionLowered from $115.5 million to $123.5 million
Diluted EPS Sourcefull year 2025$0.99 to $1.05Lowered from $1.08 to $1.15
Adjusted Diluted EPS Sourcefull year 2025$1.00 to $1.06Lowered from $1.07 to $1.14
FFO per diluted share Sourcefull year 2025$1.92 to $1.98Lowered from $1.98 to $2.06
Normalized FFO per diluted share Sourcefull year 2025$1.94 to $2.00Lowered from $1.99 to $2.07
EBITDA Sourcefull year 2025$353.7 million to $357.7 millionLowered from $366.3 million to $372.3 million
Adjusted EBITDA Sourcefull year 2025$355.0 million to $359.0 millionLowered from $365.0 million to $371.0 million
Facility net operating income at four activating facilities Sourcefull year 2025$10.0 million to $11.0 million reductionLowered
Other capital investments Sourcefull year 2025$14.0 million to $15.0 millionRaised from $9.0 million to $10.0 million
Capital expenditures associated with idled facility activations Sourcefull year 2025$97.5 million to $99.5 millionRaised from $70.0 million to $75.0 million
Maintenance capital expenditures on real estate assets Sourcefull year 2025$29.0 million to $31.0 millionKept
Maintenance capital expenditures on other assets and information technology Sourcefull year 2025$31.0 million to $34.0 millionKept
Farmville incremental annual revenue Sourceannual, following the July 1, 2025 acquisitionapproximately $40.0 millionKept
West Tennessee Detention Facility annual revenue Sourceannual, once fully activated$30 millionNew
California City Immigration Processing Center annual revenue Sourceannual, once fully activatedapproximately $130 millionNew
Midwest Regional Reception Center annual revenue Sourceannual, once fully activatedapproximately $60 millionNew
Diamondback Correctional Facility annual revenue Sourceannual, once stabilized occupancy is reachedapproximately $100 millionNew
Four new contracts combined annual revenue Sourceannual, once stabilized occupancy is reachedapproximately $320 millionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance lowered: Full-year 2025 guidance for net income, EPS, FFO and EBITDA revised lower from the August 6, 2025 ranges, citing updated occupancy projections and start-up activities. Source
  • Guidance raised: Capital expenditures for activations and other capital investments raised from prior guidance, mainly for ICE requests at California City and Diamondback. Source
  • New: New ICE contract award announced at the 600-bed West Tennessee Detention Facility, operated under an IGSA with the City of Mason, Tennessee. Source
  • New: California City moved from a short-term letter contract to a longer-term two-year contract with ICE, effective September 1, 2025. Source
  • New: New contract award announced at the 2,160-bed Diamondback Correctional Facility under an IGSA between the OKDOC and ICE. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue and EPS rose on populations: Total revenue was $580.4 million, up 18.1%; net income was $26.3 million; diluted EPS was $0.24, up 26.3%. Management attributed the per-share increase to higher federal and state populations and higher per diem rates. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose on residential population: Adjusted EBITDA was $88.8 million, up from $83.3 million, which management attributed primarily to higher residential populations in the portfolio. Source
  • Fewer shares lifted per-share results: Weighted average shares outstanding fell 3.1% from the prior year quarter after repurchases, which management cited as a factor in per-share amounts. Source

Government customers and populations

  • ICE revenue rose 54.6%: Revenue from ICE, the largest government partner, was $215.9 million against $139.7 million; the increase includes the California City, West Tennessee and Farmville facilities and the Dilley reactivation. Source
  • State revenue rose 3.6%: Revenue from state customers rose 3.6%, with new Montana contracts and higher Georgia revenue accounting for the largest increases. Source
  • Average residential population increased: Average daily residential population across Safety and Community segments was 55,236 versus 50,757; average occupancy was 76.7% versus 75.2%. Source
  • ICE-contract population up 36.9%: People in care under ICE contracts rose by about 3,700, or 36.9%, from the beginning of the year through September 30, 2025. Source

“The recently announced contract awards at four facilities negatively impact our financial guidance for the fourth quarter for start-up expenses related to these contracts, but these new contracts are expected to drive our 2026 results even stronger”

Damon T. Hininger, CoreCivic’s Chief Executive Officer

Idle facility activations and start-up costs

  • Four idle facilities contracted in quarter: Four facilities were awarded in the third quarter, expected to generate about $320 million of annual revenue at stabilized occupancy. Five idle facilities with over 7,000 beds remain. Source
  • Three activations reduced facility margin: Three facilities in activation produced $3.4 million of facility net operating losses in the third quarter, which reduced facility operating margin. Source
  • Midwest intake held up by lawsuit: Midwest Regional intake is delayed by a City of Leavenworth lawsuit over a Special Use Permit. Management has filed a state appeal and a federal suit, and the Department of Justice filed a Statement of Interest. Source
  • Activation takes four to six months: Activating an idle facility generally takes four to six months to hire, train and prepare, and can add expenses before revenue is realized. Source

New and updated contract terms

  • West Tennessee back in service: West Tennessee's 600-bed facility began receiving detainees on September 8, 2025 under an IGSA running through August 2030, with $30 million annual revenue expected once fully activated. Source
  • California City moved to definitized contract: California City's 2,560-bed facility moved from a letter contract to a two-year contract effective September 1, 2025, with about $130 million annual revenue expected once fully activated. Source
  • Diamondback five-year award: Diamondback's 2,160-bed facility contract, for five years, commenced September 30, 2025; detainees are expected in the first quarter of 2026 and annual revenue of about $100 million at stabilized occupancy. Source
  • Midwest pays fixed plus per diem: The new Midwest Regional agreement pays a fixed monthly amount plus a per diem based on detainee populations, both starting once the temporary injunction ends. Source

“We will continue to deploy capital in ways that we believe create shareholder value, especially in the current environment where our stock price is trading below historical multiples.”

Damon T. Hininger, CoreCivic’s Chief Executive Officer

Full-year 2025 guidance revision

  • Full-year EPS and FFO guidance lowered: Diluted EPS guidance moved to $0.99 to $1.05 from $1.08 to $1.15, and FFO per diluted share to $1.92 to $1.98 from $1.98 to $2.06. Management cited updated occupancy projections. Source
  • Four activations cut facility NOI: Revised guidance lowers facility net operating income at four activating facilities by $10.0 million to $11.0 million versus prior guidance, reflecting start-up activities. Source
  • Guidance excludes unannounced awards: Guidance includes no contract awards beyond those already announced, while management expects activation capital spending for possible future activations. Source
  • Activation capital guidance raised: Other capital investments raised to $14.0 million to $15.0 million; activation capital expenditures raised to $97.5 million to $99.5 million, mainly for ICE requests at California City and Diamondback. Source

Costs, special items and interest

  • Special items in the quarter: Special items were a $1.5 million asset impairment, a $0.8 million acquisition-related charge and a $2.5 million gain on sale. Adjusted diluted EPS was $0.24 versus $0.20. Source
  • Gross interest expense rose slightly: Interest expense, net was $16.6 million versus $16.0 million. Management said a slight rise in gross interest expense, outside Adjusted EBITDA, partly offset the gains in Normalized FFO. Source

Capital deployment and share repurchases

  • Buybacks in Q3 and year to date: The company repurchased 1.9 million shares for $40.0 million in the quarter and 5.9 million shares for $121.0 million year to date. $197.9 million of authorization remained at September 30. Source
  • Farmville acquisition closed July 1: Farmville, a 736-bed Virginia facility, was acquired July 1, 2025. The total purchase price was $71.4 million, excluding $2.0 million of transaction-related expenses. Source

Demand and government funding

  • Populations expected to keep growing: Management expects detainee populations to keep growing as ICE implements its interior enforcement plan, which it said will contribute to 2025 results. Source
  • Shutdown has not affected revenue: Management said the federal government shutdown has not affected detention populations or revenues, because law enforcement is an essential government service. Source

Coming up, as management said on 5 November 2025

  • West Tennessee activation completion: Activation at West Tennessee expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2026, with a normalized run-rate in the second quarter of 2026. Source
  • California City activation completion: Activation at California City is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026, with a normalized run-rate in the second quarter of 2026. Source
  • Diamondback detainee intake: Diamondback expects to begin receiving detainees in the first quarter of 2026, with stabilized occupancy estimated in the second quarter of 2026. Source
  • Midwest intake awaits injunction: Midwest Regional fixed and per diem payments start once the temporary injunction prohibiting intake is no longer enforceable. Source
  • Share repurchase pace to increase: Management expects to increase the pace of share repurchases in future quarters. Source
  • Investor presentation materials posted: Written materials for investor presentations will be available on the company website beginning on or about November 24, 2025. Source

In management's words

“We made substantial progress in contracting to use a significant portion of our idle facility capacity during the quarter.”

Patrick Swindle, CoreCivic’s President and Chief Operating Officer

Figures management reported

FigureReported
FFO per diluted share Source$0.48 (third quarter 2025); $0.42 (third quarter 2024)
Normalized FFO per diluted share Source$0.48
Occupancy (Safety and Community segments) Source76.7% (third quarter 2025); 75.2% (third quarter 2024)
Acquisitions (Farmville Detention Center) Source$71.4 million total purchase price
Dispositions (gain on sale of assets) Source$2.5 million gain (third quarter 2025)

Risks management discussed

  • Regulatory: Midwest Regional intake is delayed by a lawsuit from the City of Leavenworth alleging a Special Use Permit is required to operate the facility. Source
  • Operational: Activation of three facilities produced net operating losses in the quarter, reducing facility operating margin during the activation period. Source
  • Operational: Activating an idle facility generally requires four to six months to hire, train and prepare, which can add expenses before revenue is realized. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Delayed: Midwest Regional intake, under a March 2025 letter contract, is delayed by the Leavenworth lawsuit over the Special Use Permit. Source
  • Not stated: The prior release reported advanced negotiations on a fourth idle facility; this release says contracts have been awarded at five idle facilities in 2025. Source

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.