Community Health Systems second-quarter net operating revenues increase 5.1% to $3.2 billion

Community Health Systems, Inc. (NYSE: CYH) today announced financial and operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010.

“We have continued to selectively acquire new facilities that fit our operating profile”

Net operating revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2010, totaled $3.2 billion, a 5.1 percent increase compared with $3.0 billion for the same period in 2009. Income from continuing operations increased to $86.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010, compared with $74.5 million for the same period in 2009. Income from continuing operations attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders increased to $0.74 per share (diluted), on 94.7 million weighted-average shares outstanding for the three months ended June 30, 2010, compared with $0.66 per share (diluted), on 91.1 million weighted-average shares outstanding for the same period in 2009. Net income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders increased 17.9 percent to $70.1 million, or $0.74 per share (diluted), for the three months ended June 30, 2010, compared with $59.4 million, or $0.65 per share (diluted), for the same period in 2009.

Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended June 30, 2010, was $443.1 million, compared with $415.6 million for the same period in 2009, representing a 6.6 percent increase. Adjusted EBITDA is EBITDA adjusted to exclude discontinued operations, gain/loss from early extinguishment of debt and net income attributable to noncontrolling interests. The Company uses adjusted EBITDA as a measure of liquidity. Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended June 30, 2010, was $242.4 million, compared with $285.0 million for the same period in 2009.

The consolidated financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2010, reflect a 1.4 percent decrease in total admissions and a 0.6 percent increase in total adjusted admissions compared with the same period in 2009. On a same-store basis, admissions decreased 2.5 percent and adjusted admissions decreased 0.9 percent, compared with the same period in 2009. On a same-store basis, net operating revenues increased 3.2 percent, compared with the same period in 2009.

Net operating revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2010, totaled $6.3 billion, a 6.8 percent increase compared with $5.9 billion for the same period in 2009. Income from continuing operations increased to $171.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010, compared with $145.3 million for the same period in 2009. Income from continuing operations attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders increased to $1.49 per share (diluted), on 93.8 million weighted-average shares outstanding for the six months ended June 30, 2010, compared with $1.29 per share (diluted), on 90.7 million weighted-average shares outstanding for the same period in 2009. Net income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders increased 18.4 percent to $140.1 million, or $1.49 per share (diluted), for the six months ended June 30, 2010, compared with $118.4 million, or $1.31 per share (diluted), for the same period in 2009.

Adjusted EBITDA for the six months ended June 30, 2010, was $876.4 million, compared with $819.1 million for the same period in 2009, representing a 7.0 percent increase. Net cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2010, was $541.8 million, compared with $544.4 million for the same period of 2009.

The consolidated financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2010, reflect a 0.8 percent increase in total admissions and a 2.6 percent increase in total adjusted admissions compared with the same period in 2009. This increase was due primarily to acquisitions. On a same-store basis, admissions decreased 1.8 percent and adjusted admissions decreased 0.4 percent, compared with the same period in 2009. On a same-store basis, net operating revenues increased 3.5 percent, compared with the same period in 2009.

Commenting on the results, Wayne T. Smith, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Community Health Systems, Inc., said, "Community Health Systems delivered another solid operating performance for the second quarter of 2010, in spite of the ongoing challenges in the economy. Our ability to continue to drive revenues and achieve solid margins demonstrates consistent execution of our centralized operating strategy and our focus on efficient expense management throughout our hospital network."

On July 7, 2010, the Company announced that one or more of its subsidiaries had acquired substantially all the assets of Marion Regional Healthcare System located in Marion, South Carolina.

"We have continued to selectively acquire new facilities that fit our operating profile," added Smith. "In today's economic environment, there are a growing number of hospitals who want a proven operator to provide the resources and expertise that will enable them to deliver quality healthcare close to home. We have consistently demonstrated our ability to deliver favorable operating results through our efforts to implement best practices in all of our hospitals."

SOURCE Community Health Systems, Inc.