Beverly Enterprises earned $40.8 million in the fourth quarter 2003, compared with a net loss of $91 million in the year-earlier quarter. Fourth-quarter revenues were $520 million, excluding discontinued operations, up 6.1% from $490.2 million.
The Fort Smith, AR-based company attributed the increases to growth in higher-margin service businesses such as its AEGIS therapies group.
“We divested 37 facilities and recorded gains on these sales of $32 million,” said Beverly CEO William R. Floyd. “We also refinanced higher-cost debt — achieving a 200 basis-point reduction in our weighted average interest rate — and reduced total debt levels to further strengthen our balance sheet.”
Beverly notched earnings of $80.5 million for 2003, compared with a net loss of $146.1 million the year before.
