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Is it the Right Time to Offload LifePoint Health (LPNT) Stock?
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LifePoint Health Inc. seems to have fallen on hard times. In 2016, the shares declined 22.6%, while the Zacks categorized Medical Hospital industry lost only 9.7%. We note that the company has been facing multiple headwinds like unprofitable acquisitions, decline in enrollment and rising level of bad debts over the last few years. The underperformance of the stock indicates dwindling shareholders’ confidence on it.
2016 Full Year Price Chart
While the company’s less profitable acquisitions have limited its bottom-line growth, high volumes of uninsured patients have substantially raised the level of its bad debts. Volatility in earnings due to seasonality has also weakened its underwriting results. Furthermore, decrease in short-stay admissions and reduced readmissions have dealt a severe blow to its top line.
LifePoint Health has been witnessing a rise in its expenses since 2006. Over this period, costs have increased at a CAGR of 12%, whereas revenues have grown at a rate of only 9.33%. No doubt, this poses a serious threat to the company’s profitability.
Adding to the company’s woes is the possibility of President Donald Trump repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This has made the prospects of entire U.S. hospital sector uncertain as the hospital industry had significantly benefited under the ACA through the gradual decline in bad debts. Hence, any change in the ACA is likely to leave millions of Americans uninsured and unable to pay for hospitalization. Most companies from this space, such as Universal Health Services Inc. (UHS - Free Report) , Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc. (ACHC - Free Report) and HCA Holdings, Inc. (HCA - Free Report) , are likely to be affected by such a development and LifePoint Health is no exception.
With respect to earnings trend, the company missed estimates in two of the last four quarters with an average negative surprise of 1.7%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate is currently pegged at $1.07, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 3.2%. The company is set to release fourth-quarter 2016 results on Feb 10, 2017.
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Is it the Right Time to Offload LifePoint Health (LPNT) Stock?
LifePoint Health Inc. seems to have fallen on hard times. In 2016, the shares declined 22.6%, while the Zacks categorized Medical Hospital industry lost only 9.7%. We note that the company has been facing multiple headwinds like unprofitable acquisitions, decline in enrollment and rising level of bad debts over the last few years. The underperformance of the stock indicates dwindling shareholders’ confidence on it.
2016 Full Year Price Chart
While the company’s less profitable acquisitions have limited its bottom-line growth, high volumes of uninsured patients have substantially raised the level of its bad debts. Volatility in earnings due to seasonality has also weakened its underwriting results. Furthermore, decrease in short-stay admissions and reduced readmissions have dealt a severe blow to its top line.
LifePoint Health has been witnessing a rise in its expenses since 2006. Over this period, costs have increased at a CAGR of 12%, whereas revenues have grown at a rate of only 9.33%. No doubt, this poses a serious threat to the company’s profitability.
Adding to the company’s woes is the possibility of President Donald Trump repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This has made the prospects of entire U.S. hospital sector uncertain as the hospital industry had significantly benefited under the ACA through the gradual decline in bad debts. Hence, any change in the ACA is likely to leave millions of Americans uninsured and unable to pay for hospitalization. Most companies from this space, such as Universal Health Services Inc. (UHS - Free Report) , Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc. (ACHC - Free Report) and HCA Holdings, Inc. (HCA - Free Report) , are likely to be affected by such a development and LifePoint Health is no exception.
With respect to earnings trend, the company missed estimates in two of the last four quarters with an average negative surprise of 1.7%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate is currently pegged at $1.07, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 3.2%. The company is set to release fourth-quarter 2016 results on Feb 10, 2017.
Zacks’ Best Private Investment Ideas
In addition to the recommendations that are available to the public on our website, how would you like to follow all Zacks' private buys and sells in real time?
Our experts cover all kinds of trades… from value to momentum . . . from stocks under $10 to ETF and option moves . . . from stocks that corporate insiders are buying up to companies that are about to report positive earnings surprises. You can even look inside exclusive portfolios that are normally closed to new investors. Starting today, for the next month, you can have unrestricted access.Click here for Zacks' private trades >>