BENSALEM, PA, Jan 20, 2009 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX News Network) -- Healthcare Services Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: HCSG)
Our Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $ .17 per common share, payable on February 20, 2009 to shareholders of record at the close of business February 6, 2009. This dividend represents a 6% increase over the dividend declared for the 2008 third quarter and a 31% increase over the 2007 same period payment. It is the twenty-third consecutive regular quarterly cash dividend payment, as well as the twenty-second consecutive increase since our initiation of regular quarterly cash dividend payments in 2003.
We intend to release our results for the three months (unaudited) and year ended (audited) December 31, 2008 during the week of February 9, 2009, as well as to hold a conference call to discuss our results after the release.
The Company also announces that it will make a presentation on
February 11, 2009 regarding the Company at the "UBS Warburg Global Healthcare Services Conference" at the Grand Hyatt in New York City. Additionally, this presentation will be audio webcast at www.ibb.ubs.com.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), as amended, are not historical facts but rather based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our business and industry, our beliefs and assumptions. Words such as "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "will," "goal," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The inclusion of forward-looking
statements should not be regarded as a representation by us
that any of our plans will be achieved. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Such forward-looking information is also subject to various risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks arising from our providing services exclusively to the health care industry, primarily providers of long-term care; credit and collection risks associated with this industry; one client accounting for approximately 15% of revenues in the year ended December 31, 2008; risks associated with our acquisition of Summit Services Group, Inc.; our claims experience related to workers' compensation and general liability insurance; the effects of changes in, or interpretations of laws and regulations governing the industry, including state and local
regulations pertaining to the taxability of our services; and the risk factors described in our Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended December 31, 2007, including Part I thereof under ''Government Regulation of Clients'', ''Competition'' and ''Service Agreements/Collections'', and under Part IA "Risk Factors". Many of our clients' revenues are highly contingent on Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement funding rates, which Congress has affected through the enactment of a number of major laws during the past decade. These laws have significantly altered, or threatened to alter, overall government reimbursement funding rates and mechanisms. The overall effect of these laws and trends in the long-term care industry have affected and could adversely affect the liquidity of our clients, resulting in their inability to make payments to us on agreed upon
payment terms. These factors, in addition to delays in payments from clients, have resulted in, and could continue to result in, significant additional bad debts in the near future. Additionally, our operating results would be adversely affected if unexpected increases in the costs of labor and labor related costs, materials, supplies and equipment used in performing services could not be passed on to our clients.
In addition, we believe that to improve our financial performance we must continue to obtain service agreements with new clients, provide new services to existing clients, achieve modest price increases on current service agreements with existing clients and maintain internal cost reduction strategies at our various operational levels. Furthermore, we believe that our ability to sustain the internal development of managerial personnel is an important factor impacting
future operating results and successfully executing projected growth strategies.
Healthcare Services Group, Inc. is the largest national provider of professional housekeeping, laundry and food services to long-term care and related facilities.
Company Contacts:
Daniel P. McCartney
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
215-639-4274
Thomas Cook
President
215-639-4274
SOURCE: Healthcare Services Group, Inc.
Copyright 2009 Market Wire, All rights reserved.
News Provided by COMTEX