Healthcare Services Group Q2 2024 Earnings Call Transcript

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Provided by Quartr
July 24, 2024

There are 8 speakers on the call.

Operator

Good morning, and welcome to HCSG Inc. 2nd Quarter 2024 Earnings Call. All participants are now in a listen only mode. After the speakers' remarks, we will have a question and answer session. The matters discussed on today's conference call include forward looking statements about the business prospects of Healthcare Services Group Inc.

Operator

For Healthcare Services Group Inc. Most recent forward looking statement notice, please refer to the press release issued this morning, which can be found on our website, www.h csg.com. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied as a result of various risks, uncertainties and important factors, including those discussed in the Risk Factors MD and A and other sections of the Annual Report on Form 10 ks and Healthcare Services Group Inc. Other SEC filings and as indicated in our most recent forward looking statements notice. Additionally, management will be discussing certain non GAAP financial measures.

Operator

A reconciliation of these items to U. S. GAAP can be found in this morning's press release. At this time, I would like to turn the call over to Ted Wall, President and Chief Executive Officer. Please go ahead.

Speaker 1

Thank you, and good morning, everyone. Matt Nikkie and I appreciate you joining us today. We released our Q2 results this morning and plan on filing our 10 Q by the end of the week. Today, in my opening remarks, I'll first discuss our Q2 financial highlights and key accomplishments. I'll then share our perspective on the latest industry trends and developments.

Speaker 1

And then lastly, I'll provide an update on our second half of the year priorities and outlook for the rest of the year. I'll then turn the call over to Matt to provide a more detailed discussion on the quarter. So with that overview, I'd like to now discuss our Q2 financial highlights and key accomplishments. For the 3 months ended June 30, 2024, we reported revenue of $426,300,000 in line with expectations, net loss and diluted loss per share of 1 $800,000 and $0.02 which includes the $0.22 impact of client restructuring charges and reported cash flow from operations of $16,300,000 and adjusted cash flow used in operations of 2,400,000 dollars Our field based team delivered strong service execution, leading to another successful quarter of managing cost of services, excluding CECL, within our targeted range. Additionally, we achieved over 96% cash collections during the quarter, which fell short of our Q2 target, but showed improvement compared to last quarter and the same period last year, and importantly, keeps us on track to meet our 2024 adjusted cash flow objectives.

Speaker 1

We highlighted this issue last quarter, but the majority of our customers affected by the February Change Healthcare cyber attack applied for CMS's accelerated and advanced payments program and expected that supplemental funding in late April to early May. Unfortunately, many of those affected clients encountered delays in receiving that supplemental funding. As of today, we are confident that all of our affected customers that applied have received their supplemental funding and we expect to make up the $12,000,000 to $15,000,000 change healthcare related delay in cash collection in the back half of the year, which is why we're reaffirming our 2024 adjusted cash flow range of $40,000,000 to 55,000,000 dollars Our Q2 results also include the impact of the previously announced LaVie Care Center's Chapter 11 filing. The recent restructuring activity we've seen, including LaVie's, is the result of conditions and events that occurred over the course of the past few years as opposed to a reflection of the sector's current state. And while this restructuring impacts our 2nd quarter results, longer term, it only further strengthens the financial health of our customer base.

Speaker 1

I'd now like to share our perspective on the latest industry trends and developments. Industry fundamentals continue to trend positively, highlighted by a slow but steady increase in workforce availability, with the industry adding over 100,000 jobs since the beginning of 2023 rising occupancy, which now sits at 79.3%, 12 points higher than the January 2021 low and just 1% under pre pandemic levels and a stable reimbursement environment, which includes CMS's proposed 4.1% increase in Medicare rates for fiscal year 2025 as well as continued positive reimbursement trends at the state level. On the regulatory front, we continue to believe CMS' final minimum staffing rule will either undergo significant revision during the extended phase in period or will not be implemented, especially given the pending litigation and the potential for legislation or administration change. Specifically, as it relates to the pending litigation, the American Healthcare Association, the Texas Healthcare Association and 3 Texas SNFs filed a lawsuit in the Northern District of Texas on May 23. They are represented by a former U.

Speaker 1

S. Solicitor General, Paul Clement, arguably today's top constitutional and Supreme Court lawyer. ACCA and the other Leaf plaintiffs believe the arguments of their case are very strong on the merits and even further bolstered by SCOTUS' recent ruling that overturned the Chevron doctrine. As we head into the second half of the year, our 3 strategic priorities remain unchanged. First is continuing to manage cost of services within our 86% targeted range, building on the operational momentum achieved in the quarter.

Speaker 1

2nd is driving growth. We are raising our Q3 and Q4 revenue estimates to $425,000,000 to $435,000,000 $430,000,000 to $440,000,000 respectively, to reflect our second half of year top line expectations. 3rd is collecting what we bill. We expect cash collection to continue to gain strength over the next 6 months and further still into 2025 and reaffirm our 2024 adjusted cash flow forecast of $40,000,000 to $55,000,000 I'd like to elaborate on our second priority, driving growth. The past 5 years have presented unprecedented challenges to our industry, including a record number of ownership changes, the operational and clinical disruptions of COVID-nineteen, a significant workforce exodus, depressed occupancy levels and rapid wage inflation.

Speaker 1

Clearly, these were not ideal conditions to expand our footprint. However, our dedicated team members have persevered, and the industry is steadily rebounding. Sector occupancy is approaching pre pandemic levels, and we have growing confidence in our ability to assess the financial stability of potential customers. Most importantly, our value proposition for both existing and new clients has never been stronger, which positions us perfectly to capitalize on the multi decade secular tailwind that will benefit the sector for years to come. This is truly an exciting time for our organization as we shift our focus back to growth.

Speaker 1

We are confident that by leveraging our talent, reputation and value proposition, we will deliver on our commitment to our existing customers while capitalizing on the abundant new opportunities we've identified to achieve top line growth. We are eager to share our progress with you in the coming quarters years. So in closing, our strong business fundamentals and strategic priorities position us to boost profitability, growth and cash flow in the second half of the year, till we remain confident in our ability to deliver meaningful long term shareholder value. So with those introductory comments, I'll turn the call over to Matt for a more detailed discussion on the quarter.

Speaker 2

Thank you, Ted, and good morning, everyone. Revenue was reported at $426,300,000 in line with the company's expectations of $420,000,000 to $430,000,000 Housekeeping and Laundry segment revenues and margins were $191,000,000 8.9 percent. Dining and Nutrition segment revenues and margins were $235,300,000 6.4 percent. And we're raising our Q3 revenue estimate to $425,000,000 to $435,000,000 and our Q4 revenue estimate to $430,000,000 to $440,000,000 to reflect our second half of year top line expectations. Cost of services was reported at $384,700,000 or 90.2 percent.

Speaker 2

Cost of services includes $31,700,000 or 7.4 percent of bad debt expense. Of the bad debt expense, dollars 21,900,000 or 5.1% related to client restructuring activity and $9,800,000 or 2.3 percent related to CECL aging related expense. Cost of services also included a $5,200,000 or 1.2 percent benefit related to favorable workers' compensation and general liability loss development trends. Our goal is to continue to manage cost of services in the 86% range. SG and A was reported at $44,400,000 or 10.4%.

Speaker 2

SG and A includes a $1,300,000 or 0.3% increase in deferred compensation. And our goal continues to be achieving SG and A in the 8.5% to 9.5% range. Other income was reported at $900,000 or 0.2 percent and other income includes a $1,300,000 or 0.3 percent increase in deferred compensation. Net loss and diluted loss per share were reported at $1,800,000 and $0.02 per share, which includes the $0.22 per share impact of client restructuring charges that Ted mentioned in his opening remarks. Adjusted EBITDA was $4,000,000 or 0.9 percent and the company is no longer including bad debt adjustments or self insurance actuarial adjustments in adjusted EBITDA.

Speaker 2

Instead, we will be providing disclosure for those items as part of our quarter analytics and supplementary financial information. Accordingly, the calculation of adjusted EBITDA for the 3 6 month periods ended June 30, 2024 will be different from the calculation of adjusted EBITDA used in prior periods. Cash flow from operations and adjusted cash flow used in operations were $16,300,000 $2,400,000 respectively. And DSO for the quarter was 85 days. So with those opening remarks, we'd now like to open up the call for questions.

Operator

Thank you. Our first question comes from Sean Dodge from RBC. Please go ahead. Your line is open.

Speaker 3

Yes. Thanks. Good morning. Ted, you reaffirmed the full year cash collections target, the $40,000,000 to $55,000,000 and talked about the supplemental payments coming through and the improving backdrop. Just as we try to understand kind of the pacing toward this, is there anything you can share more explicitly around what you expect Q3 to look like?

Speaker 1

Yes, Sean, how are you today? I know we noted in the opening remarks the over 96% cash collections during the quarter. And as you highlighted, it did fall short of our $5,000,000 to $15,000,000 targeted range that we had for the quarter. But I do think it's important to note that it showed significant improvement when you compare it to last quarter's 95% and really the same period last year of 92%, which certainly speaks to the trajectory of the industry recovery. I know we've talked about cash collections as being a lagging indicator, especially compared to the recovery and the consistency we've seen in cost of services and now the re ramping of our growth.

Speaker 1

So that we continue to hold that view. I think importantly, it keeps us on track where we've performed in Q1 and Q2 first half of the year to deliver on those 2024 cash flow objectives that we've shared. And we've reaffirmed that this quarter. At the end of the day, what ended up being what ended up happening was that some of our clients who applied for CMS has accelerated and advanced payments in late as an expected payment in late April, early May ended up having delays to those receipts. So for us, there's a cascading effect.

Speaker 1

When they were delayed on their cash receipts, that in turn delayed the repayment plans that we had scheduled. I think on a positive note as of today, we believe all of those affected customers have received their supplemental funding and we expect to make up that shortfall in the back half of the year, which again is why we reaffirm the $40,000,000 to 55,000,000 dollars I think big picture, Sean, heading into the second half of the year and certainly into 2025, we continue our goal continues to be to collect what we bill in the quarters ahead and we're going to focus on increasing that payment frequency from monthly to a higher frequency, weekly ideally, if not weekly, biweekly. And we have over 60% of our customers that are now on a higher frequency payment schedule. We're going to continue to proactively utilize repayment plans like I just referenced, but certainly promissory notes ideally in recovering some of the monies from the first half of the year and prior shortfalls. And then I think especially as we look to this next period of growth, remaining disciplined in our decision making for both new and existing business.

Speaker 1

So again, very excited to be able to reiterate that $40,000,000 to $55,000,000 target. And in terms of the Q2 cash flow delays, it truly was just timing related.

Speaker 3

Okay, great. And then the revenue growth that you're guiding to, is that coming mostly from the dining cross sell or is education contributing any of that? And then where are you from a manager training standpoint? Are you fully staffed at this point with enough managers to fill the facilities you need to drive the growth that you're guiding to in Q3 and Q4? Or do you still need to do some more hiring and training to meet that?

Speaker 2

Yes. This is Matt. Good morning, Sean. I would address the last portion of your question first. And you're exactly right.

Speaker 2

Your intuition is spot on, Sean, in the sense that management development is first and foremost. None of the growth is possible without having the requisite number of managers and specific management capacity in any geography in which we're looking to expand our footprint. As to the complexion of growth in the near term, It will be largely driven by cross sell of dining from a dollars and cents perspective. But we do remain committed to driving new services opportunities within the core market. And then I would say sort of secondary to all of the above would be education opportunities.

Speaker 2

So we're comfortable, obviously, offering the anticipated range for both Q3 and Q4. We've onboarded a modest amount of new business in Q2 and on the or in the midst of prospect discussions that will amount to more meaningful adds, obviously, in the coming quarters, some of which are already signed and started, some are signed but not yet started and then others are simply further along in the contracting stage. So we've talked about previously while having improved visibility into the pipeline of new business, timing is always a bit of a question mark. But back to your question, Sean, as far as the drivers of that top line growth, it would likely be in this order: dining cross sell, environmental services, new business opportunities and then education.

Speaker 3

Okay, great. Thanks for the time.

Operator

Our next question comes from Bill Sutherland from Benchmark. Please go ahead. Your line is open.

Speaker 4

Thank you, Lee. Good morning, guys. I assume the guidance is I guess it's assuming that the Lavee facilities are all continuing with you guys?

Speaker 1

That's correct. I know we obviously, we made the announcement previously regarding the impact that, that restructuring would have on our quarterly results. But I do think it's important to note, as you mentioned, that we absolutely expect or we are continuing services and we expect to continue to provide services and do not expect any impact on go forward revenues, earnings or collections. And I know we mentioned it in that previous release, but really ultimately think that this action that they took makes them stronger and really better positions the partnership moving forward, Bill.

Speaker 4

Got it. And I know that they're pretty heavily weighted in Florida, at least the ones that you're with. And Florida Medicaid has been slow to update rates, and I think something is coming soon. Maybe you could give us some color on that and maybe what's happening with a couple of your other key states, in terms of the Medicaid rate picture?

Speaker 1

Yes. I know we had talked about just overall from an industry perspective, the stabilizing, if not positive reimbursement environment. Certainly at the federal level, I think there's been some recent positive news with CMS's proposed 4.1%. We talked about that a bit last quarter. That will get commented on through the process, the engagement process with the provider community, and they'll come out with a final rule.

Speaker 1

We expect to see that in the coming weeks, if not by the end of the summer. So that's I think been well received by the industry and there's potential upside there. And then beyond that Medicare payment rule, there's been a clear shift in the provider community's focus and really efforts from the federal level to the state level. And you mentioned Florida, they are due for a nearly double digit type of increase in their Medicaid rate. And I'd say another notable state Kentucky is going we're going to see some ongoing and improved reimbursement there.

Speaker 1

That's going to be north of 10% in terms of the impact that's going to have on the provider community. And then we've talked about some of these others before, whether it be North Carolina, Illinois, Pennsylvania continues to work towards stabilization. Texas has had some positive reimbursement news. So we track and trend this information on a consistent basis, Bill. So not that it determines a decision on whether or not we would work with or continue to work with a provider, but it does feed into that holistic picture that we like to paint when we're making our assessments on a given relationship.

Speaker 1

So we continue to monitor that closely, but overall favorable trends at the reimbursement level.

Speaker 4

Right. Okay. Thanks, Ted.

Speaker 1

Thank you, Bill.

Operator

Our next question comes from Andrew Wittmann from Baird. Please go ahead. Your line is open.

Speaker 5

Great. Good morning. Thanks for taking my question guys. I just thought

Speaker 1

I would ask first here on

Speaker 5

a little bit more detail on the $9,800,000 of aged receivables that you guys called out in the quarter. I was just wondering, if that is one customer or a couple of larger customers or if this is just, kind of broad based and lots of little things that added up to that. I think some context on that would be helpful. And also if you could just comment on if those write downs are going to continue as existing customers or if those are reflective of something other than that?

Speaker 1

Yes. I guess specifically, Andy, as it relates to the age portion, we thought that was valuable disclosure and information to be able to provide. As we talked about before, CECL is calculated using a historic loss rate formula that's based on aged accounts and notes receivable and then it's cut off as of the balance sheet date. So essentially what that in plain English is suggesting is it's really timing related. The reason because we were below our cash flow targets and I highlighted the primary reasons why really related to the delays in our customers receiving some of their CMS advanced payment receipts and then in turn our repayment plans getting pushed out further into the second half of the year.

Speaker 1

As that as those accounts aged further, they just they rolled over into a bucket that had a higher loss rate assigned to them. So it's non cash. We believe it's temporary. And the reason we thought aside from providing context for this quarter, moving forward, we will likely see some quarters as our cash collections accelerate, certainly where that CECL aged bucket normalizes, we could see it where it's actually reverses in total and becomes income in a quarter. So we think whether it's regardless of what way it cuts, we think it's important to share.

Speaker 5

Yes. That's super helpful context. I appreciate that, Ted. Excuse me. I guess kind of related but not related to that is just your definitional changes here on adjusted EBITDA, not adjusting for CSL.

Speaker 5

And you guys didn't provide the adjusted EPS guidance this quarter. I was just wondering was that a result of is that just a philosophical change? Did you have a conversation with the SEC? Or what was the impetus, I guess, for the change in approach on these adjusted metrics that we've been using in the last few quarters?

Speaker 1

Yes. And it's a great question, Andy. We're always open to feedback from key stakeholders on how to maximize transparency and disclosure. We have had some engagement even with shareholders about their perspectives on how to best present the information. We did have some recent engagement with the staff as well regarding non GAAP reporting.

Speaker 1

And we concluded ultimately that items like bad debt and even actuarial adjustments to self insurance, whether they're related to prior periods or not, are most appropriately excluded from non GAAP, at least in the context of HCSG and the type of business that we're in and the type of industry that we're in. So all of that said, I did want to reiterate, we're going to continue providing similar, I would argue even more enhanced disclosure for items like bad debt expense and insurance adjustments that may impact comparability and to provide a would be investor or existing stakeholder and shareholder perspective on in making their decisions. So again, we think the more information, the better, and we thought it was valuable to break it out the way we did.

Speaker 5

Okay. That's helpful. And then last question for me. Just on the SG and A comments and the 9.5% target that you guys have talked about for some time. I don't know if you wanted to just talk a little bit about what your outlook could be there.

Speaker 5

Obviously, with the second half growth ramping, I think leverage has always been the key to that SG and A target achievability. I assume that that's unchanged that revenue leverage is still the key thing here. But Ted, Matt, do you have a view as to when you think that range is realistic?

Speaker 2

Yes, harder to sort of specify a date range necessarily, Andy, or even sort of a top line trigger that would see us at that level. But you're exactly right in your logic, that the leverage exists as we grow the top line. Certainly, in advance or in the lead up to onboarding some of this new business, there's been investments that we've made to be ready to onboard new facilities and expand our footprint. We've continued to make investments in employee engagement and experience that we've talked about previously, ongoing investments in marketing and branding and positioning for the company and then technology investments, leveraging technology as appropriate to further enhance and optimize our operations. So all of the above certainly has led us to those elevated levels and the leverage does exist in the top line growth.

Speaker 2

So apologies for not being able to offer any specifics on either timing or sort of a top line threshold at which we'll see that pivot. But I guess the plainest way to say it would be to reiterate our confidence that with growth, we do anticipate getting back to that 8.5% to 9.5% targeted range.

Speaker 1

Andy, I would only add a little color to our stubbornness of committing to 86% in that 8.5% to 9.5% range even though we're over performing on the cost of services side and we're underperforming relative to the financial metric and range on the SG and A side. I would propose and without being able to draw a straight line between the investments we've made in areas like employee engagement and experience, marketing and brand positioning, even some of the tech investments we've made, There's absolutely some efficiencies within the four walls of the communities we service that we're garnering. Again, we're measuring that and we're gathering data. But we do continue, as Matt said, to believe the top line is the shortest distance between Point A and Point B in terms of leveraging SG and A, both as a percentage of, if not in absolute dollars. But those investments, we believe, are wise and are paying off in terms of not just the bottom line, but also areas like customer satisfaction, employee retention and the like.

Speaker 1

So I just wanted to highlight that for you and for the benefit of everyone that's on the call.

Speaker 5

Yes. That's a point taken and I appreciate all the color guys. Hope you have a good day.

Speaker 3

Thanks, Andy.

Operator

Our next question comes from A. J. Rice from UBS. Please go ahead. Your line is open.

Speaker 6

Hi, everybody. Maybe just a couple of questions here. First to go back to the cash flow comment. So the target is $40,000,000 to $55,000,000 which you need to make all that in the back half of the year. I wonder is there a way to quantify how much is still tied up in change related receivables that you expect to get as we move into the Q3?

Speaker 6

How much is where we ended the Q2 to year end due to a favorable payroll or unfavorable payroll swing? And then how much has really got to come from operations, just to give us some perspective?

Speaker 1

Yes. Specifically to the second part of your question, I will say at its base level, 2nd quarter in many respects, A. J, was just seasonality. We from a targeting from a cash collections target perspective, we had baked in a degree of seasonality in the sense that even though our business is not overly seasonal, you could go back many years in many different periods. And Q1 is typically our weakest quarter of cash collections.

Speaker 1

Q4 is typically our strongest. And then you can you gain strength throughout the year. So Q2 just standing on its own was in line. What didn't happen though was that anticipated carryover of a portion of the change health care delays. We estimated $12,000,000 to $15,000,000 as being the total impact of those change health care related delays.

Speaker 1

A portion of those we expected to recapture in Q2. Again, the good news is we're expecting that to carry over into the back half of the year. So I would just add as well, we are off to a very strong start in July and expect to continue those positive trends through the quarter and through the end of the year, which is why as you highlighted, what we're implicitly suggesting is $50,000,000 to $65,000,000 of adjusted cash flow in the back half of the year, which would offset the cash used in operations through the first half of the year. Okay.

Speaker 4

Can you

Speaker 6

just give us an update on where things stand with respect to underlying hourly wage increases that you and your clients are seeing? And are you able to capture that fully from your clients as you are experiencing that? And then is there anything on the food inflation as well worth calling out?

Speaker 2

Yes. A. J, we received the unemployment rate has climbed to 4.1%, which is the highest rate since November of 2021. And job postings continue to decline. We're seeing that in the national data and for Healthcare Services Group.

Speaker 2

Wage growth appears to have more or less returned to its pre pandemic trends. So there's definitely a mixed bag, but directionally, certainly stability. And from a Healthcare Services Group perspective, we do feel like we're pretty darn close to operating at pre pandemic levels as it relates to employee retention, job postings and our ability to hire and retain employees, and again, seeing a stabilization and a slowdown in wage growth. So all of that bodes well. I would note, and Ted mentioned this in his earlier comments, but the industry is still about 116,000 jobs short relative to pre pandemic levels.

Speaker 2

So we're seeing definitely improvement, but from what was about $250,000 loss at its peak. So directional improvement there. More specifically, on the wage inflation, there's a bit of a lag in the availability of those data. So we're looking at Q1 wage inflation, specifically in nursing and residential care facilities was around 1.2%, and that was up from 0.8% that we saw in Q4. Now again, we've recalibrated our contracts to be able to capture that wage inflation.

Speaker 2

And there's something close to real time, but absolutely have bolstered those agreements such that we can capture any and all of that wage inflation. So that certainly is favorable for us going forward. On the food side, you look at CPI for all items in the quarter and it was 0.3%, which compared to 1.1% for Q1. Food at home, which is a more meaningful measure for us, was down sequentially, actually showing 0.1% deflation. That was aided by 0.2% deflation in the month of April, offset by 0.1% inflation in June.

Speaker 2

And then that compares again to the Food at Home, up 0.4% in Q1. So just to remind you, what we would have seen as a pass through in this quarter was 0.5% from the Q4 of 2023. That was ultimately pass through customers in this quarter. And then that modest deflation that we saw in the Q2 of 2024 will ultimately be passed through by way of a modest reduction for clients in the Q4 of this year.

Speaker 6

Okay, that's great. Maybe one last question. Obviously, a lot of focus on the back half of the year. If you are able to achieve your targets, any thoughts, early thoughts on 2025 and even long term? What the sustainable growth might be?

Speaker 6

Do you have something you're sort of planning for thinking about at this point? Or is it just too early to tell?

Speaker 1

I think we'd like to finish the year, A. J, and we'll be in a position, I think, going into 2025 to be able to speak more specifically about that. But I guess at the highest of high levels, when we look out over the next 3 to 5 years, especially on the heels of the continued positive trends we're seeing in the industry. We'd still like to see a more even recovery. Matt talking about even the you have industry occupancy, which is nearly at pre pandemic levels, but yet you have 100,000 employee deficit within the industry, you wonder how does A plus B equal C there because the key to occupancy recovery is really having the available labor.

Speaker 1

The demand is there from a demographics perspective and from a need perspective. And the reason is because of the unevenness or the lack of an even recovery, meaning you still have winners, which are at or above pre pandemic levels from an occupancy perspective, but then you have a group, a subgroup of facilities, namely the rural communities and certain select urban environments that are below pre pandemic levels still. So we'd like to see that even out a bit more to really have conviction more specifically on like a year to year cadence. But again, at the highest level, we really see a mid single digits type top line type expansion, which over the next 3 to 5 years, which we should be able to deliver on. And certainly being able to see some quarters or years where we're in the high mid to high single digit, if not touching something greater than that.

Speaker 1

So but mid single digit range is where we certainly feel confident based off the data and the information we have today.

Speaker 6

All right, great. Thanks a lot.

Operator

Our next question comes from Ryan Daniels from William Blair. Please go ahead. Your line is open.

Speaker 7

Hey, guys. This is Jack Sendh on for Ryan Daniel. Thanks for taking the questions. First, can you give us any insight into what client retention looked like in the quarter? I know there was the client bankruptcy that probably was overshadowing and probably some exits as well.

Speaker 7

So just kind of curious what retention and even new adds looked like?

Speaker 2

Yes. Good morning, Jack. I mentioned earlier that we did onboard a modest amount of new business. And the fortunate thing is that, that was really offset by very modest customer exits. We did see north of our targeted level of retention, which historically had been 90%.

Speaker 2

So, we did have a really strong quarter by way of client retention. Glad you bring that up though because circling back to the conversations that we've had with respect to revenue and top line growth, we'd be remiss if we didn't remind everybody that a component of that top line growth is retaining our existing business. So we don't foresee any significant exits up here in the near term, but always worth reiterating that in the final stages of that ongoing industry recovery that Ted just mentioned and with changes in facility operation or ownership that can alter our view on any piece of business or a portfolio. So we do have to remain nimble. And if we believe it's in our best interests in the near term and or long term to exit a client group about whom we have concerns, then certainly, we need to be able to do that.

Speaker 2

But overall, we do have confidence in our ability to retain that business and net net ultimately deliver on those growth targets that we talked about not only in the back half of this year but beyond that.

Speaker 7

Understood. Thanks. And just as a quick follow-up too. Last quarter you mentioned that you're kind of sort of at the tail end of the selling season in the education space. So can you just talk about the puts and takes here, kind of how the selling season shaped up and maybe even visibility into possible growth opportunities in the space down the road?

Speaker 7

Thanks.

Speaker 2

Yes. We're not in a position to share specifics as yet, but directionally, I would share that our campus services team felt really strongly about how they pulled through that selling season. I wouldn't want to be pinned down to be specifically defining any month or portion of the calendar as explicitly defined as selling season. But generally speaking, the proposals that they presented, the requests that they did receive for proposals yielded fruit and we feel directionally very positive. Would remind you that the total revenue for the Education business is still less than 5% of total company revenue.

Speaker 2

So not meaningful enough yet for us to feel compelled to speak about it with any level of specificity. But directionally, we do feel like we had strong results in pulling through business opportunities. And as we get into the fall and ramping back into kind of the operational execution season for the Education business, we'll be continuing to look at that portfolio and determine at what point it makes sense for us to be more specific in sharing some of those results.

Speaker 7

Understood. Thank you again.

Operator

We have no further questions. I would like to turn the call back over to Ted Wall for closing remarks.

Speaker 1

Okay. Great, Julie Ann. It's an incredibly exciting time for the company. The challenges we navigated the past few years have further solidified our value proposition, the durability of our business model and market leading position. The company's underlying fundamentals are as strong as ever.

Speaker 1

And with the industry at the beginning of a multi decade demographic tailwind, we are very favorably positioned to capitalize on the opportunities ahead and deliver meaningful long term shareholder value. So on behalf of Matt and all of us at HCSG, I wanted to thank Julianne for hosting the call today, and thank you to everyone for joining.

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Healthcare Services Group Q2 2024
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