Universal Health Services, Inc. Reports First Quarter Earnings

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., April 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Universal Health Services, Inc. announced today its results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2004. Reported net income was $46.2 million or $.74 per diluted share for the three-month period ended March 31, 2004, as compared to $52.8 million or $.84 per diluted share during the prior year first quarter.

Included in our results for the first quarter of 2004 was $2.8 million of pre-tax ($1.7 million after-tax) Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (“DSH”) revenue, attributable to a prior period as discussed below. Excluding this DSH revenue, our adjusted net income was $44.4 million and our adjusted earnings per diluted share were $.72 (as calculated on the attached schedule of Supplemental Consolidated Income Statement Information), a 14% decrease from the $.84 per diluted share earned during the first quarter of 2003. Net revenues during the three-month period ended March 31, 2004 were $1.03 billion.

At our acute care hospitals owned during both periods located in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, admissions decreased approximately 1%, patient days remained unchanged, revenues increased 3.8% and revenue per adjusted patient day increased 2.7% during the 2004 first quarter, as compared to the prior year quarter (excluding the effect of the South Carolina DSH revenue attributable to a prior period). At our behavioral health hospitals owned in both periods, admissions increased 10%, patient days increased 6%, revenues increased 8.7% and revenue per adjusted patient day increased 2.8% during the first quarter of 2004 as compared to the prior year quarter.

Our operating margin (as calculated on the attached schedule of Supplemental Consolidated Income Statement Information), decreased to 14.1% in the three-month period ended March 31, 2004, as compared to 16.8% in the same period of the prior year. We recently received notification from South Carolina that the DSH program has been renewed for the state’s 2004 fiscal year covering the period from July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2004. Included in our 2004 first quarter results is $4.1 million of revenue from this program attributable to the period of July 1, 2003 through March 31, 2004. Excluding the $2.8 million of pre-tax ($1.7 million after-tax) South Carolina DSH revenue attributable to a prior period, operating margins at our acute care hospitals located in the U.S. and Puerto Rico during both the three-month periods ended March 31, 2004 and March 31, 2003 decreased to 14.5% from 18.8%. Operating margins at our behavioral health hospitals owned during both periods increased to 24.1% during the first quarter of 2004 from 21.9% during the prior year quarter.

We anticipate earnings per diluted share for 2004 of $2.75 to $2.85. This estimate assumes stabilization of the market forces that have adversely impacted our earnings this year, namely softer volumes, increasing bad debt expense and erosion in our competitive position in selected markets.

During the quarter, as previously announced, we signed a definitive agreement with Catholic Healthcare West to sell 112-bed French Medical Center located in San Luis Obispo, California and 65-bed Arroyo Grande Community Hospital located in Arroyo Grande, California. We expect the sale of these two facilities to be completed during the second quarter of 2004. Subsequent to the end of the quarter, we sold the operations of Doctors’ Hospital of Shreveport, a 136-bed leased acute care hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana. Combined proceeds for these sale transactions are expected to total approximately $40 million. The operating results of the two California hospitals and Shreveport are reflected as discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2004 and 2003.

During the first quarter, we signed a letter of intent to purchase the Stonington Institute in Stonington, Connecticut including a 63-bed behavioral health hospital, partial services, a school, group homes and detox services. We also signed a letter of intent to purchase four behavioral health facilities from Keystone Education and Youth Services. The facilities include a 112-bed facility in Savannah, Georgia; a 77-bed hospital in Benton, Arkansas; an 82-bed operation in Las Vegas, Nevada; and a 72-bed hospital in Bowling Green, Kentucky. We expect to close these transactions, which are subject to regulatory approval, by April 30, 2004. The combined purchase price for these five facilities is approximately $100 million.

We believe that operating income, operating margin, EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share (as calculated on the attached schedules of Supplemental Consolidated Income Statement Information), which are non-GAAP financial measures, are helpful to our investors as measures of our operating performance. Since the source of financing for the purchase of property and equipment and other assets at each hospital varies, we believe that measuring operating performance before capital-related costs (such as depreciation and amortization, lease and rental and interest expense) provides a useful comparison of relative operating performance among our facilities. Operating income and operating margin are used by management as analytical indicators for purposes of assessing the relative operating performance of our individual hospitals and operating segments, and the overall Company. Also, our use of operating income, operating margin and EBITDA enables investors to compare our performance with that of others in the industry. In addition, we believe that comparing and discussing our financial results based on adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share, is helpful to our investors since it neutralizes the effect in each period, of items that are nonrecurring or non-operating in nature such as recovery of prior year provisions for judgment/closure costs, gains on sales of assets and businesses and provision for asset impairment.

To obtain a complete understanding of our financial performance, operating income, operating margin, EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted net income per diluted share should be examined in connection with net income determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, as presented in these financial statements as well as information provided elsewhere such as our Reports on Forms 10-Q and 10-K. Since the items excluded from operating income, operating margin, EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share are significant components in understanding and assessing financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles, these measures should not be considered to be alternatives to net income as a measure of our operating performance or profitability. Because these measures are not determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and are thus susceptible to varying calculations, operating income, operating margin, EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share as presented may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. Investors are encouraged to use GAAP measures when evaluating our financial performance.

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on current management expectations. Numerous factors, including those related to healthcare industry trends and those detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (as set forth on pages 22 and 23 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003), may cause results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Many of the factors that will determine our future results are beyond our ability to control or predict. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and therefore actual results may differ materially. Readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements which reflect management’s view only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Universal Health Services, Inc. is one of the nation’s largest hospital companies, operating acute care and behavioral health hospitals and ambulatory centers nationwide, in Puerto Rico and in France. It acts as the advisor to Universal Health Realty Income Trust, a real estate investment trust .

For additional information on the Company, visit our web site: http://www.uhsinc.com/.

Universal Health Services, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Income (in thousands, except per share amounts) Three months ended March 31, 2004 2003 Net revenues $1,035,482 $886,079 Operating charges: Salaries, wages and benefits 421,157 351,357 Other operating expenses 235,871 201,518 Supplies expense 144,937 119,329 Provision for doubtful accounts 87,227 65,247 Depreciation and amortization 39,378 34,189 Lease and rental expense 18,336 15,683 946,906 787,323 Income before interest expense, minority interests, income taxes, and discontinued operations 88,576 98,756 Interest expense, net 10,911 9,849 Minority interests in earnings of consolidated entities 4,919 5,030 Income from continuing operations before income taxes 72,746 83,877 Provision for income taxes 26,946 30,990 Income from continuing operations 45,800 52,887 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax expense of $219 in 2003 and benefit of ($58) in 2002 expense of $219 in 2004 and benefit of ($58) in 2003 383 (97) Net income $46,183 $52,790 Basic earnings per share: From continuing operations $0.80 $0.91 From discontinued operations - - Total basic earnings per share $0.80 $0.91 Diluted earnings per share: From continuing operations $0.74 $0.84 From discontinued operations - - Total diluted earnings per share $0.74 $0.84 EARNINGS PER SHARE CALCULATION Income from continuing operations $45,800 $52,887 Less: Dividends on unvested restricted stock, net of taxes (28) 0 Income from continuing operations - basic 45,772 52,887 Add: Debenture interest, net of taxes 2,268 2,177 Income from continuing operations - diluted 48,040 55,064 Less: Income (loss) from discontinued operations 383 (97) Net income - diluted $48,423 $54,967 Weighted average number of common shares - basic 57,564 58,277 Add: Shares for conversion of convertible debentures 6,577 6,577 Other share equivalents 946 742 Weighted average number of common shares and equiv. - diluted 65,087 65,596 Earnings per common share from continuing operations - basic $0.80 $0.91 Earnings per common share from continuing operations - diluted $0.74 $0.84 Earnings per common share from discontinued operations - basic - - Earnings per common share from discontinued operations - diluted - - Universal Health Services, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands) March 31, December 31, 2004 2003 Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $38,381 $35,068 Accounts receivable, net 602,159 499,074 Other current assets 124,246 106,391 Property, plant and equipment, net 1,418,961 1,302,025 Other assets 735,036 788,772 Assets held for sale 46,438 41,400 Total Assets $2,965,221 $2,772,730 Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity: Current portion of long-term debt $12,528 $10,871 Liabilities held for sale 9,382 2,014 Other current liabilities 475,205 382,868 Other noncurrent liabilities 216,721 216,094 Long-term debt 895,882 868,566 Deferred income taxes 43,755 41,841 Minority interest 178,419 159,554 Stockholders’ equity 1,133,329 1,090,922 Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity $2,965,221 $2,772,730 Universal Health Services, Inc. Supplemental Consolidated Income Statement Information (in thousands) unaudited Three months ended Three months ended March 31, 2004 March 31, 2003 Net revenues $1,035,482 100.0% $886,079 100.0% Operating charges: Salaries, wages and benefits 421,157 40.7% 351,357 39.7% Other operating expenses 235,871 22.8% 201,518 22.7% Supplies expense 144,937 14.0% 119,329 13.5% Provision for doubtful accounts 87,227 8.4% 65,247 7.4% 889,192 85.9% 737,451 83.2% Operating income/margin 146,290 14.1% 148,628 16.8% Lease and rental expense 18,336 15,683 Minority interests in earnings of consolidated entities 4,919 5,030 Earnings before depreciation and amortization, interest expense, income (loss) from discontinued operations, and income taxes (“EBITDA”) 123,035 127,915 Depreciation and amortization 39,378 34,189 Interest expense, net 10,911 9,849 Income from continuing operations before income taxes 72,746 83,877 Provision for income taxes 26,946 30,990 Income from continuing operations 45,800 52,887 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes 383 (97) Net income $46,183 $52,790 Per Per Calculation of Adjusted Net Income Diluted Diluted Amount Share Amount Share Net income $46,183 $0.74 $52,790 $0.84 Less: After-tax DSH revenue attributable to prior period (1,748) ($0.02) - - Adjusted net income $44,435 $0.72 $52,790 $0.84 Universal Health Services, Inc. Supplemental Statistical Information (unaudited) % Change Quarter Ended Same Facility: 3/31/2004 Acute Care Hospitals Revenues 3.8% Adjusted Admissions 0.5% Adjusted Patient Days 1.0% Revenue Per Adjusted Admission 3.3% Revenue Per Adjusted Patient Day 2.7% Behavioral Health Hospitals Revenues 8.7% Adjusted Admissions 10.1% Adjusted Patient Days 5.8% Revenue Per Adjusted Admission -1.2% Revenue Per Adjusted Patient Day 2.8% UHS Consolidated First Quarter Ended 3/31/2004 3/31/2003 Revenues $1,035,482 $886,079 EBITDA (1) $123,035 $127,915 EBITDA Margin (1) 11.9% 14.4% Cash Flow From Operations $94,923 $80,766 Days Sales Outstanding 53 51 Capital Expenditures $70,436 $43,549 Debt (net of cash) 870,029 709,276 Shareholders Equity 1,133,329 949,989 Debt / Total Capitalization 43.4% 42.7% Debt / EBITDA (2) 1.79 1.57 Debt / Cash From Operations (2) 2.24 2.00 Acute Care EBITDAR Margin (3) 14.4% 18.8% Behavioral Health EBITDAR Margin (3) 24.1% 21.9% (1) Net of Minority Interest (2) Latest 4 quarters (3) Before Corporate overhead allocation and minority interest UNIVERSAL HEALTH SERVICES, INC. SELECTED HOSPITAL STATISTICS MARCH 31, 2004 AS REPORTED: For the three months ended Acute (1) 03/31/04 03/31/03 % Hospitals owned and leased 28 24 16.7% Average licensed beds 6,528 5,599 16.6% Patient days 352,064 316,191 11.3% Average daily census 3,868.8 3,513.2 10.1% Occupancy-licensed beds 59.3% 62.7% -5.5% Admissions 73,413 67,505 8.8% Length of stay 4.8 4.7 2.4% Inpatient revenue $1,811,781 $1,497,389 21.0% Outpatient revenue 649,675 502,635 29.3% Total patient revenue 2,461,456 2,000,024 23.1% Other revenue 11,085 11,767 -5.8% Gross hospital revenue 2,472,541 2,011,791 22.9% Total deductions 1,691,175 1,341,690 26.0% Net hospital revenue $781,366 $670,101 16.6% (1) not including assets held for sale AS REPORTED: For the three months ended Behavioral Health 03/31/04 03/31/03 % Hospitals owned and leased 39 39 0.0% Average licensed beds 3,904 3,871 0.9% Patient days 283,898 268,083 5.9% Average daily census 3,154.4 2,978.7 5.9% Occupancy-licensed beds 80.8% 76.9% 5.0% Admissions 24,139 21,954 10.0% Length of stay 11.8 12.2 -3.7% Inpatient revenue $293,729 $273,277 7.5% Outpatient revenue 42,976 38,573 11.4% Total patient revenue 336,705 311,850 8.0% Other revenue 8,436 8,601 -1.9% Gross hospital revenue 345,141 320,451 7.7% Total deductions 179,143 167,704 6.8% Net hospital revenue $165,998 $152,747 8.7% (1) not including assets held for sale SAME FACILITY: For the three months ended Acute (2) Behavioral Health 03/31/04 03/31/03 % 03/31/04 03/31/03 % Hospitals owned and leased 24 24 0.0% 39 39 0.0% Average licensed beds 5,714 5,599 2.1% 3,904 3,871 0.9% Patient days 316,753 316,191 0.2% 283,902 268,083 5.9% Average daily census 3,480.8 3,513.2 -0.9% 3,119.8 2,978.7 4.7% Occupancy-licensed beds 60.9% 62.7% -2.9% 79.9% 76.9% 3.9% Admissions 66,891 67,505 -0.9% 24,139 21,954 10.0% Length of stay 4.7 4.7 1.1% 11.8 12.2 -3.7%

(2) Assets held for sale and Corona Medical, Lakeland, Methodist and Spring Valley are excluded in both current and prior years.

Universal Health Services, Inc.

CONTACT: Steve Filton, Chief Financial Officer, Universal HealthServices, Inc., +1-610-768-3300