UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-K

þAnnual Report Pursuant To Section 13 Or 15(d) Of The Securities Exchange Act Of 1934
ýAnnual Report Pursuant To Section 13 Or 15(d) Of The Securities Exchange Act Of 1934

For The Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 20042005

oTransition Report Pursuant To Section 13 Or 15(d) Of The Securities Exchange Act Of 1934
oTransition Report Pursuant To Section 13 Or 15(d) Of The Securities Exchange Act Of 1934


Commission File Number: 1-11961


CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

76-0423828

Delaware

76-0423828
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1900 Saint James Place, 4th Floor,3040 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 300, Houston, TX

77056

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:(713) 332-8400

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:
Common Stock, $.01 Par Value
New York Stock Exchange
Series G Preferred Stock Purchase Rights

New York Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange

(Title Of Class)

(Name of Exchange on which registered)

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:


None

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1933.
Yes Noneo

 No þ

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes o No þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ýþ No o


Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. Yes þ No ýo

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer as defined inRule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. o Large accelerated filer þ Accelerated filer o Non-Accelerated filer
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filera shell company as defined inby Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes o No ýþ

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 20042005 was approximately $74.93$98.1 million based on the closing price of $5.04$6.05 per share on the New York Stock Exchange.


The number of shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, $.01 par value per share outstanding as of March 15, 2005February 28, 2006 was 17,969,000.

18,485,250.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the definitive proxy statement to be delivered in connection with the 20052006 annual meeting of stockholders are incorporated in Part III of this Report.

 




TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE MARKET RISK DISCLOSURE
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTIORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
SIGNATURES
Exhibit Index
Employment Agreement - Joseph Saporito
Calculation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
Subsidiaries of the Company
Consent of KPMG LLP
Certification of Melvin C. Payne Pursuant to Section 302
Certification of Joseph Saporito Pursuant to Section 302
Certifications Pursuant to Section 906


CAUTIONARY NOTE

This annual report contains forward-looking statements of our management regarding factors that we believe may affect our performance in the future. Such statements typically are identified by terms expressing our future expectations or projections of revenues, earnings, earnings per share, cash flow, market share, capital expenditures, effects of operating initiatives, gross profit margin, debt levels, interest costs, tax benefits and other financial items. All forward-looking statements, although made in good faith, are based on assumptions about future events and are therefore inherently uncertain, and actual results may differ materially from those expected or projected. Important factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from expectations or projections include those described under the heading “Forward-Looking Statements” in Item 7. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise such statements to reflect new circumstances or unanticipated events as they occur.

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

GENERAL

We are a leading provider of death care services and merchandise in the United States. We operate two types of businesses: funeral homes, which currently account for approximately 75% of our total revenue, and cemeteries, which currently account for approximately 25% of our total revenue. As of December 31, 2004,2005, we operated 135133 funeral homes in 28 states and 3029 cemeteries in 12 states. For the year ended December 31, 2004, we had revenues of $150.2 million and earnings from continuing operations of $11.0 million. We primarily serve suburban markets and believe we are a market leader (first or second) in most of those markets. We provide funeral and cemetery services and products on both an “at-need” (time of death) and “preneed” (planned prior to death) basis.

Our operations are divided into two business segments:

Funeral Home Operations.  Funeral homes are principally service businesses that provide burial and cremation services and sell related merchandise, such as caskets and urns. Given the high fixed cost structure associated with funeral home operations, we believe the following are key factors affecting our profitability:

                  favorable demographic trends in terms of population growth and average age, which impact death rates and number of deaths;

                  establishing and maintaining leading market share positions supported by strong local heritage and relationships;

                  effectively responding to increasing cremation trends by packaging complementary services and merchandise;

                  controlling salary and merchandise costs; and

                  exercising pricing leverage related to our at-need business to increase average revenues per contract.

Cemetery Operations.  Cemeteries are primarily a sales business that provides interment rights (grave sites and mausoleums) and related merchandise, such as markers and memorials. Our cemetery operating results are impacted by the success of our sales organization because approximately 36% of our cemetery revenues during the year ended December 31, 2004 was generated from preneed sales of interment rights. We believe that changes in the level of consumer confidence (a measure of whether consumers will spend money on discretionary items) also impact the amount of such preneed sales. Cemetery revenues generated from at-need service and merchandise sales generally are subject to many of the same key profitability factors as in our funeral home business. Approximately 8% of our cemetery revenues during the year ended December 31, 2004 was attributable to investment earnings on trust funds and finance charges on installment contracts.

Funeral Home Operations.Funeral homes are principally service businesses that provide burial and cremation services and sell related merchandise, such as caskets and urns. Given the high fixed cost structure associated with funeral home operations, we believe the following are key factors affecting our profitability:
favorable demographic trends in terms of population growth and average age, which impact death rates and number of deaths;
establishing and maintaining leading market share positions supported by strong local heritage and relationships;
effectively responding to increasing cremation trends by packaging complementary services and merchandise;
controlling salary and merchandise costs; and
exercising pricing leverage related to our at-need business to increase average revenues per contract.
Cemetery Operations.Cemeteries are primarily a sales business that provides interment rights (grave sites and mausoleums) and related merchandise, such as markers and memorials. Our cemetery operating results are impacted by the success of our sales organization because approximately 37% of our cemetery revenues during the year ended December 31, 2005 was generated from preneed sales of interment rights. We believe that changes in the level of consumer confidence (a measure of whether consumers will spend money on discretionary items) also impact the amount of such preneed sales. Cemetery revenues generated from at-need service and merchandise sales generally are subject to many of the same key profitability factors as in our funeral home business. Approximately 10% of our cemetery revenues during the year ended December 31, 2005 was attributable to investment earnings on trust funds and finance charges on installment contracts.
Our business strategy is based on strong, local leadership and entrepreneurial principles that we believe drive market share, revenue growth, and profitability in our local markets. We implemented our new funeral operating model, called “Being the Best,” at the beginning of 2004. The standards based model emphasizes growing market share and improving long-term profitability by employing leadership and entrepreneurial principles that fit the nature of our local, personal service, high value business. This new model also requires our local and corporate leaders to change our focus from short-term profitability to the drivers of success that create long-term profitability and value for our shareholders. Our operating model emphasizes:

decentralized management of our local businesses;

                  financial and operational standards based upon drivers of success of our best businesses;

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financial and operational standards based upon drivers of success of our best businesses;
variable compensation that rewards our managers as if they are owners;
finding, developing and retaining the best people in our industry; and
information technology designed to support local business and corporate management decisions, measure performance of our businesses against our financial and operational standards, and ensure adherence to established internal control procedures.
     We believe we were successful in achieving our funeral home managersnear-term goals in 2005 as if they are owners;

                  finding, developing and retaining the best people in our industry; and

                  information technology designed to support local business and corporate management decisions, measure performance of our businesses against our financial and operational standards, and ensure adherence to established internal control procedures.

evidenced by:

increasing revenues and gross profit our funeral home businesses as a result of our new operating model;
improving our credit profile with the $130 million senior debt offering in January 2005; and
acquiring a funeral home business that met our profile.
Our near-term objectives for 20052006 and 20062007 include:

                  continuing to improve our operating and financial performance by executing our “Being the Best” funeral operating model and implementing a similar operating model in our cemetery segment;

                  increasing our profitability and cash flow, and continuing to improve our credit profile;

                  initiating a disciplined acquisition program of funeral businesses that match a profile based on our Being the Best standards.

continuing to improve our operating and financial performance by executing our “Being the Best” funeral and cemetery operating models;
increasing our profitability and cash flow;
executing a disciplined acquisition program of funeral businesses that match a profile based on our Being the Best standards.
Our longer-term objectives over the next five years include:

continuous improvement and portfolio optimization driven by our Being the Best operating model;
increasing market share and profitability;
formalizing and fully implementing a disciplined acquisition program; and
raising equity proceeds to enhance our capital structure and support our growth strategy as appropriate opportunities arise.
                  continuous improvement and portfolio optimization driven by our Being the Best operating model;

                  increasing market share and profitability;

                  formalizing and fully implementing a disciplined acquisition program; and

                  raising equity proceeds to enhance our capital structure and support our growth strategy as appropriate opportunities arise.

DEATH CARE INDUSTRY

Death care companies provide products and services to families in three principal areas: (i) ceremony and tribute, generally in the form of a funeral or memorial service; (ii) disposition of remains, either through burial or cremation; and (iii) memorialization, generally through monuments, markers or inscriptions. The death care industry in the United States is characterized by the following fundamental attributes:

attributes (the statistics included in this report are based on public reports from financial research firms or public websites):

Death Rates

Death rates in the United States have been relatively stable on a long-term historical basis. The number of deaths in the United States increased at an annual rate of approximately 1% for the period from 1980 to 2000. From 2001 to 2003, death rates deviated from this long-term trend by declining year-over-year for a three-year period, which is the first time year-over-year declines occurred since the mid-1970s. TheWe understand that the death rate for 2004 was flat2005 increased 0.2 percent compared to 2003.  Despite this recent trend, the2004 and increased 0.3 percent from 2003 to 2004. The number of deaths per year in the United States is expected to increase from 2.4approximately 2.5 million in 20042005 to 2.6 million in 2010 according to the United States Bureau of the Census. In addition, the segment of the United States population over 65 years of age is expected to increase by over 13% from approximately 34.9 million in 2000 to 39.6 million in 2010.

Cremation

In recent years, there has been a steady, gradual increase in the number of families in the United States that have chosen cremation as an alternative to traditional methods of burial. According to industry studies, cremations represented approximately 10% of the U.S. burial market in 1980 and approximately 28% in 2002.2003. Cremation rates can vary significantly based upon geographic, religious

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and cultural traditions. Historically, direct cremation has been offered as a less costly alternative to a traditional burial. However, cremation is being increasingly accepted as part of a package of funeral services that includes memorials, merchandise and options for the interment of remains.

Highly Fragmented Ownership

We estimate that there are approximately 22,000 funeral homes and 10,000 cemeteries in the United States and that the domestic funeral service industry generatedgenerates approximately $15 billion of revenue in 2003.annually. The four largest public operators of both funeral homes and cemeteries in the United States are Service Corporation International, Alderwoods Group, (formerly known as The Loewen Group), Stewart Enterprises, and Carriage Services. We believe these four companies collectively represent approximately 20% of death care revenues in the United States. Independent businesses represent the remaining amount of industry revenue, accounting for an estimated 80% share. During most of the 1990s, there was a trend toward independent firms consolidating with public operators. However, few acquisitions have occurred since 1999 and there have been a number of independent entrants in local markets. As a

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result, the industry continues to be characterized by a large number of locally-owned, independent businesses.

Heritage and Tradition

Death care businesses have traditionally been family-owned businesses that have built a local heritage and tradition through successive generations, providing a foundation for ongoing business opportunities from established client family relationships and related referrals. Given the sensitive nature of our business, we believe that relationships fostered at the local level build trust in the community and are a key driver of market share. While new entrants may enter any given market, the time and resources required to develop local heritage and tradition serve as important barriers to entry.

Deleveraging

Until 1999, the industry experienced consolidation of independent death care businesses by a few large, primarily publicly owned death care consolidators that sought to benefit from economies of scale, improved managerial control, more effective operating strategies and greater financial resources. From 2000 to 2004,2005, these consolidators have been divesting selected properties and other assets, and using proceeds from such dispositions, together with free cash flow, to accelerate debt reduction.reduction and build cash blances. We expect the level of dispositions to substantially decline in the near-term and anticipate that some of the public consolidators may resume acquisition programs.

decline.

Preneed Marketing

In addition to at-need sales, we and certain other death care providers sell products and services on a preneed basis. Selling products and services on a preneed basis, if properly executed, provides a backlog of future revenue and enhances the heritage and market share of an established funeral home or cemetery. However, most of our preneed sales lock in the revenue from future services at current prices and result in paying certain costs, such as sales commissions, at the time the preneed contract is originated.

BUSINESS STRATEGY

Implement Operating Initiatives

During the last fourfive years, we and the other public consolidators have been restructuring our organizations and improving our financial condition, liquidity and balance sheets by reducing debt. During the second half of 2003, we implemented several significant changes in our funeral organization and operations to improve operating and financial results by growing market share and profitability.cash flow. On January 1, 2004, we introduced our “Being the Best” standards, a more decentralized and entrepreneurial financial operating model for our funeral homes. TheOn January 1, 2006 we implemented a similar model to our cemetery business. We believe the execution of our Being the Best standards-based funeral operating model has resulted in operational improvements in our funeral segment during 2004.segment. Those operational improvements include, among other things, improved showroom presentation and merchandising, achievement of higher prices per service and improved staffing and cost management. Key elements of our overall business strategy include the following:

Decentralized Funeral Operating Model.  We believe that a decentralized operating model is best suited to grow market share and improve financial performance in the funeral industry. This new operating model focuses on key drivers of a successful funeral business, organized around three primary areas — market share, people, and operational and financial metrics. Successful execution of our new operating model is highly dependent on strong local leadership, entrepreneurial empowerment and corporate support. In order to align this model with financial performance across the organization, we developed a set of customized standards for each funeral business based on the financial results and attributes of our best properties, adjusting for size and percentage of cremations. Our managing partners participate in a variable bonus plan in which they earn a fixed percentage of their business’ earnings based upon the actual standards achieved. Under this new program, we believe our managing partners have the opportunity to be compensated at close to the same level as if they owned the business.

Family Service Cemetery Operating Model.  We view our cemetery operations, which traditionally have been more sales-oriented, as a different business from our funeral operations, which are more service-oriented. We are focusing our efforts in our cemetery segment on building heritage among new client families. A principal initiative has been to emphasize property sales, which strengthen the ties between our cemeteries and these clients. We are also in the process of developing a standards-based operating model for our cemeteries. We expect to implement a limited operating model in 2005 and a fully developed standards-based model in 2006.

Presentation and Packaging of Services and Merchandise.  We believe packaging funeral services and merchandise offers both simplicity and convenience for our client families. Well-conceived and thoughtful packages eliminate much of the effort and discomfort experienced by client families concerning matters about which they do not have much knowledge during a

Decentralized Funeral Operating Model.We believe that a decentralized operating model is best suited to grow market share and improve financial performance in the funeral industry. This new operating model focuses on key drivers of a successful funeral business, organized around three primary areas — market share, people, and operational and financial metrics. Successful execution of our new operating model is highly dependent on strong local leadership, entrepreneurial empowerment and corporate support. In order to align this model with financial performance across the organization, we developed a set of customized standards for each funeral business based on the financial results and attributes of our best properties, adjusting for size and percentage of cremations. Our managing partners participate in a variable bonus plan in which they earn a percentage of their business’ earnings based upon the actual standards achieved. Under this new program, we believe our managing partners have the opportunity to be compensated at close to the same level as if they owned the business.

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very stressful and emotional time. We have entered into updated arrangements with four primary casket suppliers to support our strategy and control wholesale costs. We also anticipate that our packaging strategy will result in increased revenue per cremation service over time as more families select packages that provide services and merchandise. The percentages of funeral services conducted by us in which cremation was chosen as the manner in which to dispose of remains was 30% for the year ended December 31, 2003 and 31% for the year ended December 31, 2004. For the year ended December 31, 2004, approximately 63% of the number of our total cremation services were direct cremations (where no viewing, visitation, or merchandise is involved, although a memorial service may be held) and 37% included additional services and merchandise.


Preneed Funeral Sales Program.  We operate under a local, decentralized preneed sales strategy whereby each business location customizes its preneed program to its local needs. We emphasize insurance-funded contracts over trusted contracts in most markets, as insurance products allow us to earn commission income to improve our cash flow and offset a significant amount of the up-front costs associated with preneed sales. In addition, the cash flow and earnings from insurance contracts are more stable than traditional trust fund investments. In markets that depend on preneed sales for market share, we supplement the arrangements written by funeral directors with sales sourced by sales counselors and third party sellers.

Decentralized Cemetery Operating Model.We also believe that a decentralized operating model is best suited to grow market share and improve financial performance in the cemetery industry. This new operating model focuses on key drivers of a successful cemetery business, similarly organized around three primary areas — market share, people, and operational and financial metrics. A principal initiative is to emphasize property sales, which strengthen the ties between our cemeteries and these clients. Successful execution of our new operating model is highly dependent on strong local leadership, entrepreneurial empowerment and corporate support. In order to align this model with financial performance across the organization, we developed a set of standards for all of our cemeteries based on the financial results and attributes of the best of these businesses. Our managing partners participate in a variable bonus plan in which they earn a percentage of their business’ earnings based upon the actual standards achieved. Under this new program, we believe our managing partners have the opportunity to be compensated at close to the same level as if they owned the business.
Presentation and Packaging of Services and Merchandise.We believe packaging funeral services and merchandise offers both simplicity and convenience for our client families. Well-conceived and thoughtful packages eliminate much of the effort and discomfort experienced by client families concerning matters about which they do not have much knowledge during a very stressful and emotional time. We have entered into updated arrangements with four primary casket suppliers to support our strategy and control wholesale costs. We also anticipate that our packaging strategy will result in increased revenue per cremation service over time as more families select packages that provide services and merchandise. The percentages of funeral services conducted by us in which cremation was chosen as the manner in which to dispose of remains was 31% for the year ended December 31, 2004 and 33% for the year ended December 31, 2005. For the year ended December 31, 2005, approximately 63% of the number of our total cremation services were direct cremations (where no viewing, visitation, or merchandise is involved, although a memorial service may be held) and 37% included additional services and merchandise.
Preneed Funeral Sales Program.We operate under a local, decentralized preneed sales strategy whereby each business location customizes its preneed program to its local needs. We emphasize insurance-funded contracts over trusted contracts in most markets, as insurance products allow us to earn commission income to improve our cash flow and offset a significant amount of the up-front costs associated with preneed sales. In addition, the cash flow and earnings from insurance contracts are more stable than traditional trust fund investments. In markets that depend on preneed sales for market share, we supplement the arrangements written by funeral directors with sales sourced by sales counselors and third party sellers.
Systems and Support Enhancements.We periodically perform targeted reviews of our systems and support services with the objective of improving effectiveness and streamlining processes. We recently completed an upgrade of our funeral services system to improve its features and functions and implemented a cemetery system during 2005. We will continue to review and change corporate processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Renewed Corporate Development Efforts.We believe that our improved capital structure, resulting in part from the $130 million offering in January 2005 of senior debt due in 2015 and which bears interest at 7.785% per annum, positions us to pursue a strategy of disciplined growth, affording us the flexibility to redeploy our cash flow toward selective acquisitions that meet our criteria. We expect to continue to improve our credit profile as we invest our cash flow into businesses that will contribute incremental revenues, earnings and cash flow. We will be applying the standards and practices established under our Being the Best operating model to qualify acquisition candidates, ensuring that they are a proper fit and can be readily integrated into our portfolio. Ideal candidates would be those that are demonstrated market leaders, have strong local management, have owners and family members whose objectives are aligned with ours, and have field-level operating margins consistent with our best performing properties. We will look to geographic areas that complement our existing markets, with a primary focus on suburban markets with growing populations of 100,000 or more, preferably in the Northeast and on the West Coast. We expect to give the most serious consideration to firms with at least 300 calls annually (or at least $1.5 million in annual revenue).
Decrease Overhead Costs.  We periodically perform targeted reviews of our systems and support services with the objective of improving effectiveness and decreasing overhead costs. We recently completed an upgrade of our funeral services system to improve its features and functions and expect to implement a cemetery system in mid-2005. We will continue to review and change corporate processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Renewed Corporate Development Efforts.  We believe that our improved capital structure, resulting from the $130 million debt offering in January 2005, position us to pursue a strategy of disciplined growth, affording us the flexibility to redeploy our free cash flow toward selective acquisitions that meet our criteria. We expect to continue to improve our credit profile as we invest our cash flow into businesses that will contribute incremental revenues, earnings and cash flow. We will be applying the standards and practices established under our Being the Best operating model to qualify acquisition candidates, ensuring that they are a proper fit and can be readily integrated into our portfolio. Ideal candidates would be those that are demonstrated market leaders, have strong local management, have owners and family members whose objectives are aligned with ours, and have field-level operating margins consistent with our best performing properties. We will look to geographic areas that complement our existing markets, with a primary focus on suburban markets with growing populations of 100,000 or more, preferably in the Northeast and on the West Coast. We expect to give the most serious consideration to firms with at least 200 to 400 calls annually (or at least $1 million in annual revenue).

Improve Credit Profile Through Cash Flow and Debt Reduction. During 2004 we continued our focus on generating cash from our operations, managing capital expenditures and paying down debt to improve our credit profile.  The goal was to reaccess the markets to refinance the long term debt, $76.9 million of which was scheduled to mature in 2006.  Cash from operating activities totaled $24.2 million and capital expenditure totaled $5.7 million, the net of which ($18.5 million) along with proceeds from sales of assets and other items, allowed us to reduce long-term debt by $25 million in 2004.

Accessing Capital Markets.  In January 2005 we met our goal of reaccesssing the capital markets by completing an offering of $130 million in senior debt due in 2015 and bears interest of 7.785% per annum.  We used the net proceeds to pay off our senior debt.  This transaction extended the maturity of our senior debt and provides us more financial flexibility.

OUR STRENGTHS

Market Leader in Our Suburban and Rural Markets.We are the fourth largest publicly traded death care company in the United States. Our operations are located in suburban and rural markets, where we primarily compete with smaller, independent operators with significantly less financial and managerial resources. Most of our suburban markets have populations of 100,000 or more. In over 70% of our funeral home markets, we believe that we are either first or second in local market share.

Partnership Culture.Our funeral homes and cemeteries are managed by individuals with extensive death care experience, often within their local markets. Our funeral home managing partners have responsibility for day-to-day operations but are required to follow our Being the Best operating and financial standards. This strategy allows each local business to maintain its unique identity within its local market and to capitalize on its reputation and heritage while our senior management maintains supervisory controls and provides support services from our corporate headquarters. We believe our culture will be very attractive to owners of premier

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independent businesses that fit our profile of suitable acquisition candidates.

Flexible Capital Structure.In January 2005, we met our goal of reaccessing the capital markets by completing our $130 million senior debt offering. We used the net proceeds to pay off the existing senior debt that had near term maturities and accrued interest on our TIDES (described below). This transaction eliminated all near-term debt maturity issues. We believe that theour capital structure we have had in place since mid-1999 has providedprovides us with financial flexibility, which allowedallows us to focus our efforts on improving operations and our credit profile. Followinggrowing the successful execution of our debt reduction initiatives using free cash flow primarily to pay down debt, we used the net proceeds from our debt offering in January 2005 to pay off our existing senior debt, which further improves our capital structure and financial flexibility.

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Company. After completion of the offering, we have four primary components in our capital structure:

                  the $130 million senior notes issued in January 2005 which have a 2015 maturity;

                  a revolving credit facility, described under the heading “Liquidity and Capital Resources” in Item 7;

                  our convertible junior subordinated debenture payable to our affiliate trust, which has the ability to defer payments of interest, and a 2029 maturity; and

                  our common stock.

the $130 million senior notes issued in January 2005 which have a 2015 maturity;
a revolving credit facility, described under the heading “Liquidity and Capital Resources” in Item 7;
our convertible junior subordinated debenture payable to our affiliate trust, which has the ability to defer payments of interest, and a 2029 maturity (our TIDES); and
our common stock.
Stable Cash Flow and Debt Reduction.Flow.Since 2000, we have demonstrated the ability to generate stable cash flow. Prior to 2005, our primary use of cash flow andwas to repay debt with cash flow from operations and asset sales.debt. We have also demonstrated an ability to manage capital expenditures to a consistent level. We have reduced senior debt and contingent obligations from previous acquisitions by $86.9 million, or 44%, from $197.2 million at December 31, 2000 to $110.3 million at December 31, 2004. FreeAdjusted cash flow (cash flow from operations less special charges and capital expenditures) for 20042005 totaled $18.5 million, including the $7.0 million benefit from deferring interest payments on the subordinated debenture$9.7 million. We intend to affiliate.  We remain committed to using freeuse cash flow to continue to improve our credit profile and to fund a selective growth strategy.

Our growth strategy is the primary way we expect to increase shareholder value, which means that we need to achieve a much higher return on invested capital during this growth cycle compared to the 90’s cycle. We will reassess our capital allocation strategy annually, but at this point we believe that our financial goals will best be achieved by continuing to improve the operating and financial performance of our existing portfolio while selectively making new acquisitions.

Strong Field-Level Operating Margins.We believe that our field-level operating margins are among the highest reported by the public companies in the death care industry and that this performance is a testament to the success of our business strategies. These strong margins and the ability to control costs are important advantages in a business such as ours that is characterized by a high fixed-cost structure. We will continue to seek ways to improve our financial performance, and we believe that our standards-based operating model implemented at the beginning of 20042005 will continue to yield positive improvement in our financial results.

Effective Management of Funeral Preneed Sales.We believe our local, decentralized strategy allows us to adapt our preneed sales selectively to best address the competitive situation in our markets. In highly competitive markets, we execute a more aggressive preneed sales program. In less competitive markets where we have a strong market position, we deploy a more passive preneed sales program. In certain of our markets, we do not deploy a formal preneed program. This approach allows us to target the investment in preneed sales to markets where we have the opportunity to reinforce our market share. Because approximately 80% of our revenues are generated from at-need sales, we retain significant pricing leverage in our funeral business.

Integrated Funeral Information Systems.We have implemented sophisticated information systems to support local business decisions and to monitor performance of our businesses compared to financial and performance standards. All of our funeral homes and cemeteries are connected to our corporate headquarters, which allows us to monitor and assess critical operating and financial data in order to analyze the performance of individual locations on a timely basis. Furthermore, our information system infrastructure provides senior management with a critical tool for monitoring and adhering to our established internal controls, which is critical given our decentralized model and the sensitive nature of our business operations.

Proven Management Team.Our senior management team, headed by Company founder Mel Payne, for the last 13 years, is characterized by a dynamic culture that reacts quickly and proactively to address changing market conditions and emerging trends. We believe this culture has been critical to our successful recent efforts and will provide an important advantage as the death care industry evolves. We are committed to continue operating an efficient corporate organization and strengthening our corporate and local business leadership. We believe that our Being the Best operating model will ensure this commitment at all levels of the organization.

At year-end 2005 we reorganized our funeral and cemetery divisions into four Regions, each headed by a Regional Partner. This change should engender more cooperation and synergy between our funeral and cemetery operations and support the goal of market-share and volume growth in our most significant markets. The four Regional Partners will report to Mel Payne in the role of Chief Operating Officer.

OPERATIONS

We conduct our funeral and cemetery operations only in the United States. Our operations are divided into two segments: funeral operations and cemetery operations. Information for each of our segments is presented below and in our financial statements set forth herein.

5


Funeral Home Operations

At December 31, 2004,2005, we operated 135133 funeral homes including two funeral homes held for sale, in 28 states. Funeral home revenues currently account for approximately 75% of our total revenues. The funeral home operations are managed by a team of experienced death care industry professionals and selected region-level individuals with substantial management experience in service industries. See Note 1720 to the consolidated financial statementsConsolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2004,2005, for segment data related to funeral home operations.

Our funeral homes offer a complete range of services to meet a family’s funeral needs, including consultation, the removal and preparation of remains, the sale of caskets and related funeral merchandise, the use of funeral home facilities for visitation and

5



worship, and transportation services. Most of our funeral homes have a non-denominational chapel on the premises, which permits family visitation and religious services to take place at one location and thereby reduces our transportation costs and inconvenience to the family.

Funeral homes are principally a service business that provides burial and cremation services and sells related merchandise, such as caskets and urns. Given the high fixed cost structure associated with funeral home operations, we believe the following are key factors affecting our profitability:

             favorable demographic trends in terms of population growth and average age, which impact death rates and number of deaths;

             leading market share positions supported by strong local heritage and relationships;

             effectively responding to increasing cremation trends by packaging complementary services and merchandise;

             controlling salary and merchandise costs; and

             exercising pricing leverage related to our at-need business to increase average revenues per contract.

favorable demographic trends in terms of population growth and average age, which impact death rates and number of deaths;
leading market share positions supported by strong local heritage and relationships;
effectively responding to increasing cremation trends by packaging complementary services and merchandise;
controlling salary and merchandise costs; and
exercising pricing leverage related to our at-need business to increase average revenues per contract.
Cemetery Operations

As of December 31, 2004,2005, we operated 3029 cemeteries including one cemetery held for sale, in 12 states. The cemetery operations are managed by a team of experienced death care industry and sales professionals. Cemetery revenues currently account for approximately 25% of our total revenues. See Note 1720 to the consolidated financial statementsConsolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2004,2005, for segment data related to cemetery operations.

Our cemetery products and services include interment services, the rights to interment in cemetery sites (including grave sites, mausoleum crypts and niches) and related cemetery merchandise such as memorials and vaults. Cemetery operations generate revenues through sales of interment rights and memorials, installation fees, fees for interment and cremation services, finance charges from installment sales contracts and investment income from preneed cemetery merchandise and perpetual care trusts.

Cemeteries are primarily a sales business.

     Our cemetery operating results are impacted by the success of our sales organization because approximately 36%37% of our cemetery revenues was generated from preneed sales of interment rights during the year ended December 31, 2004.2005. An additional 17%19% of our 20042005 cemetery revenues was from deliveries of merchandise and services previously sold on preneed contracts. We believe that changes in the level of consumer confidence (a measure of whether consumers will spend money on discretionary items) also impact the amount of such preneed sales. Cemetery revenues generated from at-need services and merchandise sales generally are subject to many of the same key profitability factors as in our funeral home business. Approximately 8%10% of our cemetery revenues was attributable to investment earnings on trust funds and finance charges on installment contracts during the year ended December 31, 2004.

2005.

Preneed Programs

In addition to sales of funeral merchandise and services, cemetery interment rights and cemetery merchandise and services at the time of need, we also market funeral and cemetery services and products on a preneed basis. Preneed funeral or cemetery contracts enable families to establish, in advance, the type of service to be performed, the products to be used and the cost of such products and services, in accordance with prices prevailing at the time the contract is originated, rather than when the products and services are delivered.services. Preneed contracts permit families to eliminate issues of making death care plans at the time of need and allow input from other family members before the death occurs.

Preneed funeral contracts are usually paid on an installment basis. The performance of preneed funeral contracts is usually secured by placing the funds collected in trust for the benefit of the customer or by the purchase of a life insurance policy, the proceeds of which will pay for such services at the time of need. Insurance policies, intended to fund preneed funeral contracts, cover

6


the original contract price and generally include an element of growth (earnings) designed to offset future inflationary cost increases. Revenue from preneed funeral contracts, along with accumulated earnings, are not recognized until the time the funeral service is performed. The commission income is recognized as revenue when the period of refund expires (generally one year), which helps us defray the costs we incur to originate the preneed contract (primarily commissions we pay to our sales counselors). Additionally, we generally earn a commission from the insurance company from the sale of insurance-funded policies. ThePrior to 2005, the direct marketing commissions and costs incurred from the sale of preneed funeral contracts arewere deferred and amortized on an actuarial method to match the expected maturity of the preneed contracts.

6

Effective January 1, 2005, the Company changed its method for accounting for deferred obtaining costs and began expensing all costs as incurred. See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2005, for more detailed discussion of the Company’s accounting change.


In addition to preneed funeral contracts, we also offer “preplanned” funeral arrangements whereby a client determines in advance substantially all of the details of a funeral service without any financial commitment or other obligation on the part of the client until the actual time of need. Preplanned funeral arrangements permit a family to avoid issues of making death care plans at the time of need and enable a funeral home to establish relationships with a client that may eventually lead to an at-need sale.

Preneed sales of cemetery interment rights are usually financed through interest-bearing installment sales contracts, generally with terms of up to five years. We alwaysIn substantially all cases, we receive an initial downpaymentdown payment at the time the contract is signed in substantially all cases.signed. The interest rates generally range between 12% and 14%. Preneed sales of cemetery interment rights are generally recorded as revenue when 10% of the contract amount related to the interment right has been collected. Merchandise and services preneed contracts are also paidmay similarly be sold on an installment basis, but over a shorter term. Revenuerevenue is recorded when delivery has occurred. Costs related to generating the preneed contracts and delivery of the products and services are recognized concurrently with the related revenue. Allowances for customer cancellations and refunds are accruedrecorded at the date that the salecontract is recognized as revenueexecuted and periodically evaluated thereafter based upon historical experience.

Carriage sold 5,1924,936 and 4,8344,877 preneed funeral contracts during the years ended December 31, 20032004 and 20042005,respectively. At December 31, 2004,2005, we had a backlog of 60,50458,531 preneed funeral contracts to be delivered in the future. Approximately 20% of the funeral revenues recognized during each of the last three years and during the twelve months ended December 31, 20042005 originated through preneed contracts. Cemetery revenues that originated from preneed contracts represented approximately 50% and 55% of Carriage’s net cemetery revenues for both 20032004 and 2004.

2005, respectively.

As of December 31, 2004,2005, we employed a staff of 196220 advance-planning and family service representatives for the sale of preneed products and services.

TRUST FUNDS AND INSURANCE CONTRACTS

We have established a variety of trusts in connection with our funeral home and cemetery operations as required under applicable state law. Such trusts include (i) preneed funeral trusts; (ii) preneed cemetery merchandise and service trusts; and (iii) perpetual care trusts. These trusts are typically administered by independent financial institutions selected by us. We also use independent financial advisors to consult with us onfor investment policiesmanagement and evaluate investment results.

advisory services.

Preneed funeral sales generally require deposits to a trust or purchase of a third-party insurance product. All preneed funeral sales are deferred until the service is performed. The trust fund income earned and any increase in insurance benefits are also deferred until the service is performed, in order to offset possible inflation in cost when providing the service in the future. The related assetstrust funds and deferred revenue are reflected on Carriage’s balance sheet. In most states, we are not permitted to withdraw principal or investment income from such trusts until the funeral service is performed. Some states, however, allow for the retention of a percentage (generally 10%) of the receipts to offset any administrative and selling expenses, which we defer until the service is provided. The aggregate balance of our preneed funeral contracts held in trust, insurance contracts and receivables from customers was approximately $231$272.3 million as of December 31, 2004.

2005.

We are generally required under applicable state laws to deposit a specified amount (which varies from state to state, generally 50% to 100% of selling price) into a merchandise and service trust fund for cemetery merchandise and services preneed sales. The related trust fund income earned is recognized when the related merchandise and services are delivered. We are generally permitted to withdraw the trust principal and the accrued income when the merchandise is purchased, when service is provided by us or when the contract is cancelled. The merchandise and service trust fund balances, in the aggregate, totaled approximately $53.1$54.8 million as of December 31, 2004.

2005.

In most states, regulations require a portion (generally 10%) of the sale amount of cemetery property and memorials to be placed in a perpetual care trust. The income from these perpetual care trusts provides the funds necessary to maintain cemetery property and memorials in perpetuity. The trust fund income is recognized, as earned, in cemetery revenues. While we are entitled to withdraw the income from our perpetual care trust to provide for the maintenance of the cemetery property and memorials, we are not entitled to withdraw any of the principal balance of the trust fund. The perpetual care trust balances totaled approximately $31.2$32.4 million at December 31, 2004.2005.

7


For additional information with respect to our trusts, see Note 46, 7 and 8 to the consolidated financial statementsConsolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2004.

2005.

COMPETITION

The operating environment in the death care industry has been highly competitive. Publicly traded companies operating in the United States are Service Corporation International, Alderwoods Group, (formerly known as The Loewen Group), Stewart Enterprises, Keystone North America and StoneMor Partners. In addition, a number of smaller, non-public companies have been active in

7



acquiring and operating funeral homes and cemeteries.

Our funeral home and cemetery operations usually face competition in the markets that they serve. Our primary competition in most of our markets is from local independent operators. We have observed an increase in new start-up competition in certain areas of the country, which in any one market may have impacted our profitability because of the high fixed cost nature of funeral homes. Market share for funeral homes and cemeteries is largely a function of reputation and heritage, although competitive pricing, professional service and attractive, well-maintained and conveniently located facilities are also important. Because of the importance of reputation and heritage, market share increases are usually gained over a long period of time. The sale of preneed funeral services and cemetery property has increasingly been used by many companies as a marketing tool to build market share.

There has been increasing competition from providers specializing in specific services, such as cremations, who offer minimal service and low-end pricing. We also face competition from companies that market products and related information over the Internet and non-traditional casket stores in certain markets. We have experienced relatively limited impact in our specific markets from these competitors to date.

REGULATION

Our funeral home operations are subject to substantial regulation by the Federal Trade Commission ( the “FTC”), as well as other federal, state and local agencies. Certain regulations contain minimum standards for funeral industry practices, require extensive price and other affirmative disclosures to the customer at the time of sale and impose mandatory itemization requirements for the sale of funeral products and services. The FTC has been reviewing the Trade Rule on Funeral Industry Practices (the “Funeral Rule”), which defines certain acts or practices as unfair or deceptive and contains certain requirements to prevent these acts or practices. At this time, the FTC has not proposed changes to the regulation. We believe we are in substantial compliance with the Funeral Rule.

We are subject to the requirements of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (“OSHA”) and comparable state statutes. The OSHA hazard communication standard, the United States Environmental Protection Agency community right-to-know regulations under Title III of the federal Superfund Amendment and Reauthorization Act and similar state statutes require us to organize information about hazardous materials used or produced in our operations. Certain of this information must be provided to employees, state and local governmental authorities and local citizens.

Our operations, including our preneed sales activities and the management and administration of preneed trust funds, are also subject to regulation, supervision and licensing under state laws and regulations. We believe that we are in substantial compliance with all such laws and regulations.

In accordance with the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, we submitted a Section 12(a) CEO Certification in 2004,2005, which was not qualified in any manner. In addition, in accordance with the rules, attached as Exhibits 31.1 and 31.2 are our CEO and CFO certifications as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

EMPLOYEES

As of December 31, 2004,2005, we and our subsidiaries employed 1,8141,781 employees, of whom 873935 were full-time and 941846 part-time. All of our funeral directors and embalmers possess licenses required by applicable regulatory agencies. We believe that our relationship with our employees is good. NoneApproximately ten of our employees or our subsidiaries’ employees is a member of a collective bargaining unit.

in Nevada have elected to have the local teamsters union represent them in contract negotiations with the Company. To date, the Company has not entered into any contracts with the union.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

Our website address is www.carriageservices.com.www.carriageservices.com. Available on this website under “Investor Relations-Investor Relations Menu – SEC Filings,” free of charge, are Carriage’s annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, insider reports on Forms 3, 4 and 5 filed on behalf of directors and officers and amendments to those reports as soon as

8


reasonably practicable after such materials are electronically filed with or furnished to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Also posted on our website, and available in print upon request, are charters for the Company’s Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Corporate Governance Committee. Copies of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and the Corporate Governance Guidelines are also posted on the Company’s website under the “Corporate Governance” section. Within the time period required by the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the Company will post on its website any modifications to the Codes and any waivers applicable to senior officers as defined in the applicable Code, as required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS
Marketing and sales activities by existing and new competitors could cause us to lose market share and lead to lower revenues and margins.
     We face competition in all of our markets. Most of our competitors are independently owned, and some are relatively recent market entrants. Certain of the recent entrants are individuals who were formerly employed by us or by our competitors and have relationships and name recognition within our markets. As a group, independent competitors tend to be aggressive in distinguishing themselves by their independent ownership, and they promote their independence through advertising, direct mailings and personal contact. Increasing pressures from new market entrants and continued advertising and marketing by competitors in local markets could cause us to lose market share and revenues. In addition, competitors may change the types or mix of products or services offered. These changes may attract customers, causing us to lose market share and revenue as well as to incur costs in response to competition to vary the types or mix of products or services offered by us.
Our ability to generate preneed sales depends on a number of factors, including sales incentives and local and general economic conditions.
     Declines in preneed sales would reduce our backlog and revenue and could reduce our future market share. On the other hand, a significant increase in preneed sales can have a negative impact on cash flow as a result of commissions and other costs incurred without corresponding revenues.
     As we have localized our preneed sales strategies, we are continuing to refine the mix of service and product offerings in both our funeral and cemetery segments, including changes in our sales commission and incentive structure. These changes could cause us to experience declines in preneed sales in the short-run. In addition, economic conditions at the local or national level could cause declines in preneed sales either as a result of less discretionary income or lower consumer confidence. Declines in preneed cemetery property sales would reduce current revenue, and declines in other preneed sales would reduce our backlog and future revenue and could reduce future market share.
     Preneed sales of cemetery property and funeral and cemetery merchandise and services are generally cash flow negative initially, primarily due to the commissions paid on the sale, the portion of the sales proceeds required to be placed into trust or escrow and the terms of the particular contract such as the size of the down payment required and the length of the contract. As a result, preneed sales reduce cash flow available for other activities, and, to the extent preneed activities are increased, cash flow will be further reduced.
Price competition could also reduce our market share or cause us to reduce prices to retain or recapture market share, either of which could reduce revenues and margins.
     We have historically experienced price competition primarily from independent funeral home and cemetery operators, and from monument dealers, casket retailers, low-cost funeral providers and other non-traditional providers of services or products. New market entrants tend to attempt to build market share by offering lower cost alternatives. In the past, this price competition has resulted in our losing market share in some markets. In other markets, we have had to reduce prices thereby reducing profit margins in order to retain or recapture market share. Increased price competition in the future could further reduce revenues, profit margins and our backlog.
Our ability to execute our growth strategy is highly dependent upon our ability to successfully identify suitable acquisition candidates and negotiate transactions on favorable terms.
     There has been little acquisition activity by us or the other public companies in the death care industry over the preceding five years, and there is no assurance that we will be able to identify candidates that meet our criteria or that we will be able to reach terms with identified candidates for transactions that are acceptable to us. We intend to apply standards established under our Being the

9


8

Best operating model in qualifying acquisition candidates, and there is no assurance that we will be successful in doing so or that we will find attractive candidates that satisfy these standards.
Increased or unanticipated costs, such as insurance, taxes, new computer systems implementations and the cost of complying with Sarbanes-Oxley, may have a negative impact on our earnings and cash flows.
     We have experienced material increases in certain costs during the previous two years, such as documenting and testing our internal controls to comply with Sarbanes-Oxley and implementing computer systems. We will incur costs in these two areas and others in 2006, which costs can only be estimated. These types of cost increases may impair our ability to achieve revenue growth that exceeds our cost increases. Our 2006 plan assumes that we will be successful in increasing revenues at a rate that is greater than the growth in the cost of sales. We can give no assurance that we will be successful in achieving such increases.
Improved performance in our funeral segment is highly dependent upon successful execution of our standards-based Being the Best operating model.
     At the beginning of 2004, we implemented our new standards-based Being the Best operating model to improve and better measure performance in our funeral operations. We developed standards according to nine criteria, each with a different weighting, designed around market share, people, and operational and financial metrics. We also incentivise our location managing partners by giving them the opportunity to earn a fixed percentage of the field-level earnings before interest taxes, depreciation and amortization based upon the number and weighting of the standards achieved. Our expectation is that, over time, the Being the Best operating model will result in our maintaining or improving field-level margins, market share, customer satisfaction and overall financial performance, but there is no assurance that these goals will be met.
Earnings from and principal of trust funds and insurance contracts could be reduced by changes in financial markets and the mix of securities owned.
     Earnings and investment gains and losses on trust funds and insurance contracts are affected by financial market conditions and the mix of fixed-income and equity securities that we choose to maintain in the funds. During 2004 and 2005, we revised the mix of investments within the cemetery trusts according to our new asset allocation model in an effort to increase earnings and lower volatility. We expect to make similar changes in the funeral trusts in 2006. We may not choose the optimal mix for any particular market condition. Declines in earnings from perpetual care trust funds would cause a decline in current revenues, while declines in earnings from other trust funds could cause a decline in future cash flows and revenues.
Covenant restrictions under our debt instruments may limit our flexibility in operating our business.
     The terms of our credit facility and the indenture governing the Senior Notes may limit our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to, among other things:
incur additional debt;
pay dividends or make distributions or redeem or repurchase stock;
make investments;
grant liens;
make capital expenditures;
enter into transactions with affiliates;
enter into sale-leaseback transactions;
sell assets; and
acquire the assets of, or merge or consolidate with, other companies.
     Our credit facility also requires us to maintain certain financial ratios. Complying with these restrictive covenants and financial ratios, as well as those that may be contained in any future debt agreements, may impair our ability to finance our future operations or capital needs or to take advantage of other favorable business opportunities. Our ability to comply with these restrictive covenants and financial ratios will depend on our future performance, which may be affected by events beyond our control. Our failure to

10


comply with any of these covenants or restrictions when they apply will result in a default under the particular debt instrument, which could permit acceleration of the debt under that instrument and, in some cases, the acceleration of debt under other instruments that contain cross-default or cross-acceleration provisions. In the event of an event of default, or in the event of a cross-default or cross-acceleration, we may not have sufficient funds available to make the required payments under our debt instruments. If we are unable to repay amounts owed under the terms of our amended senior secured credit facility, the lenders thereunder may be entitled to sell certain of our funeral assets to satisfy our obligations under the agreement.
RISKS RELATED TO THE DEATH CARE INDUSTRY

Declines in the number of deaths in our markets can cause a decrease in revenues. Changes in the number of deaths are not predictable from market to market or over the short term.
     Declines in the number of deaths could cause at-need sales of funeral and cemetery services, property and merchandise to decline, which could decrease revenues. Although the United States Bureau of the Census estimates that the number of deaths in the United States will increase through 2010, longer life spans could reduce the rate of deaths. In addition, changes in the number of deaths can vary among local markets and from quarter to quarter, and variations in the number of deaths in our markets or from quarter to quarter are not predictable. These variations may cause our revenues to fluctuate and our results of operations to lack predictability.
The increasing number of cremations in the United States could cause revenues to decline because we could lose market share to firms specializing in cremations. In addition, direct cremations produce no revenues for cemetery operations and lower funeral revenues.
     Our traditional cemetery and funeral service operations face competition from the increasing number of cremations in the United States. Industry studies indicate that the percentage of cremations has steadily increased and that cremations will represent approximately 35% of the U.S. burial market by the year 2010, compared to approximately 28% in 2003. The trend toward cremation could cause cemeteries and traditional funeral homes to lose market share and revenues to firms specializing in cremations. In addition, direct cremations (with no funeral service, casket, urn, mausoleum niche, columbarium niche or burial) produce no revenues for cemetery operations and lower revenues than traditional funerals and, when delivered at a traditional funeral home, produce lower profit margins as well.
If we are not able to respond effectively to changing consumer preferences, our market share, revenues and profitability could decrease.
     Future market share, revenues and profits will depend in part on our ability to anticipate, identify and respond to changing consumer preferences. During the last five years, we have implemented new product and service strategies based on results of customer surveys that we conduct on a continuous basis. However, we may not correctly anticipate or identify trends in consumer preferences, or we may identify them later than our competitors do. In addition, any strategies we may implement to address these trends may prove incorrect or ineffective.
Because the funeral and cemetery businesses are high fixed-cost businesses, changes in revenue can have a disproportionately large effect on cash flow and profits.
     Companies in the funeral home and cemetery business must incur many of the costs of operating and maintaining facilities, land and equipment regardless of the level of sales in any given period. For example, we must pay salaries, utilities, property taxes and maintenance costs on funeral homes and maintain the grounds of cemeteries regardless of the number of funeral services or interments performed. Because we cannot decrease these costs significantly or rapidly when we experience declines in sales, declines in sales can cause margins, profits and cash flow to decline at a greater rate than the decline in revenues.
Changes or increases in, or failure to comply with, regulations applicable to our business could increase costs or decrease cash flows.
     The death care industry is subject to extensive regulation and licensing requirements under federal, state and local laws. For example, the funeral home industry is regulated by the Federal Trade Commission, which requires funeral homes to take actions designed to protect consumers. State laws impose licensing requirements and regulate preneed sales. Embalming and cremation facilities are subject to stringent environmental and health regulations. Compliance with these regulations is burdensome, and we are always at risk of not complying with the regulations or facing costly and burdensome investigations from regulatory authorities.
     In addition, from time to time, governments and agencies propose to amend or add regulations, which could increase costs or decrease cash flows. For example, federal, state, local and other regulatory agencies have considered and may enact additional

11


legislation or regulations that could affect the death care industry. Several states and regulatory agencies have considered or are considering regulations that could require more liberal refund and cancellation policies for preneed sales of products and services, limit or eliminate our ability to use surety bonding, increase trust requirements and prohibit the common ownership of funeral homes and cemeteries in the same market. If adopted by the regulatory authorities of the jurisdictions in which we operate, these and other possible proposals could have a material adverse effect on us, our financial condition, our results of operations and our future prospects. For additional information regarding the regulation of the death care industry, see “Business — Regulation”.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
     None.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

At December 31, 2004,2005, we operated 135133 funeral homes in 28 states and 3029 cemeteries in 2812 states. Carriage owns the real estate and buildings for 79%80% of our funeral homes and leases facilities for the remaining 21%20%. Carriage owns 2524 cemeteries and operates five cemeteries under long-term contracts with municipalities and non-profit organizations at December 31, 2004. Eleven2005. Ten funeral homes are operated in combination with cemeteries.cemeteries as these locations are physically located on the same property or very close proximity and under same management . The 3029 cemeteries operated by Carriage have an inventory of unsold developed lots totaling approximately 118,000115,000 and 115,000106,000 at December 31, 20032004 and 2004,2005, respectively. In addition, approximately 619609 acres are available for future development. We anticipate having a sufficient inventory of lots to maintain our property sales for the foreseeable future. The specialized nature of our business requires that our facilities be well-maintained. Management believes this standard is met.

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The following table sets forth certain information as of December 31, 2004,2005, regarding Carriage’s properties used by the funeral homes segment and by the cemeteries segment identified by state:

 

 

Number of
Funeral Homes

 

Number of Cemeteries

 

State

 

Owned

 

Leased(1)

 

Owned

 

Managed

 

California

 

16

 

3

 

4

 

0

 

Connecticut

 

6

 

2

 

0

 

0

 

Florida

 

5

 

3

 

6

 

3

 

Georgia

 

3

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

Idaho

 

4

 

1

 

1

 

0

 

Illinois

 

1

 

5

 

1

 

0

 

Indiana

 

2

 

1

 

1

 

0

 

Iowa

 

2

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

Kansas

 

7

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

Kentucky

 

10

 

3

 

1

 

0

 

Maryland

 

1

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

Massachusetts

 

6

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

Michigan

 

4

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

Missouri

 

0

 

1

 

0

 

0

 

Montana

 

1

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

Nevada

 

2

 

0

 

2

 

1

 

New Jersey

 

4

 

1

 

0

 

0

 

New Mexico

 

1

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

New York

 

2

 

1

 

0

 

0

 

North Carolina

 

1

 

2

 

1

 

0

 

Ohio

 

4

 

3

 

0

 

1

 

Oklahoma

 

1

 

0

 

1

 

0

 

Rhode Island

 

4

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

Tennessee

 

3

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

Texas

 

11

 

0

 

6

 

0

 

Virginia

 

3

 

1

 

1

 

0

 

Washington

 

1

 

1

 

0

 

0

 

West Virginia

 

1

 

1

 

0

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

106

 

29

 

25

 

5

 


                 
  Number of  
  Funeral Homes Number of Cemeteries
State Owned Leased(1) Owned Managed
California  16   3   3   0 
Connecticut  6   2   0   0 
Florida  6   3   6   3 
Georgia  3   0   0   0 
Idaho  4   1   1   0 
Illinois  1   4   1   0 
Indiana  2   0   1   0 
Iowa  2   0   0   0 
Kansas  7   0   0   0 
Kentucky  10   3   1   0 
Maryland  1   0   0   0 
Massachusetts  6   0   0   0 
Michigan  4   0   0   0 
Missouri  0   1   0   0 
Montana  1   0   0   0 
Nevada  2   0   2   1 
New Jersey  4   1   0   0 
New Mexico  1   0   0   0 
New York  1   1   0   0 
North Carolina  1   2   1   0 
Ohio  4   3   0   1 
Oklahoma  1   0   1   0 
Rhode Island  4   0   0   0 
Tennessee  3   0   0   0 
Texas  11   0   6   0 
Virginia  3   1   1   0 
Washington  1   1   0   0 
West Virginia  1   1   0   0 
                 
                 
Total  106   27   24   5 
                 

(1)The leases, with respect to these funeral homes, have remaining terms ranging from one to fifteen years, and, generally, we have the right to renew past the initial terms and a right of first refusal on any proposed sale of the property where these funeral homes are located.

(1)The leases, with respect to these funeral homes, have remaining terms ranging from one to fifteen years, and, generally, we have the right to renew past the initial terms and a right of first refusal on any proposed sale of the property where these funeral homes are located.
Carriage’s corporate headquarters occupy approximately 32,50037,000 square feet of leased office space in Houston, Texas. At December 31, 2004,2005, we operated 575560 vehicles, of which 570557 are owned and 53 are leased.

9



ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Carriage and our subsidiaries are parties to a number of legal proceedings that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of business. While the outcome of these proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not expect these matters to have a material adverse effect on the financial statements.

We carry insurance with coveragescoverage and coverage limits consistent with our assessment of risks in our business and of an acceptable level of financial exposure. Although there can be no assurance that such insurance will be sufficient to mitigate all damages, claims or contingencies, we believe that our insurance provides reasonable coverage for known asserted or unasserted claims. In the event the Company sustained a loss from a claim and the insurance carrier disputed coverage or coverage limits, the Company may record a charge in a different period than the recovery, if any, from the insurance carrier.

13


ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None.

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Carriage’s Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CSV”. The following table presents the quarterly high and low sale prices as reported by the New York Stock Exchange:

 

 

High

 

Low

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

$

4.58

 

$

3.20

 

Second Quarter

 

$

4.10

 

$

3.25

 

Third Quarter

 

$

3.64

 

$

2.99

 

Fourth Quarter

 

$

3.75

 

$

3.13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

$

5.25

 

$

3.72

 

Second Quarter

 

$

5.50

 

$

4.75

 

Third Quarter

 

$

5.25

 

$

4.31

 

Fourth Quarter

 

$

5.10

 

$

4.30

 

         
2005 High Low
First Quarter $5.71  $4.77 
Second Quarter $6.30  $5.20 
Third Quarter $6.75  $6.00 
Fourth Quarter $6.41  $4.76 
         
2004        
First Quarter $4.58  $3.20 
Second Quarter $4.10  $3.25 
Third Quarter $3.64  $2.99 
Fourth Quarter $3.75  $3.13 
As of March 15, 2005,February 28, 2006, there were 17,969,00018,485,250 shares of Carriage’s Common Stock outstanding. The Common Stock shares outstanding are held by approximately 290300 stockholders of record. Each share is entitled to one vote on matters requiring the vote of stockholders. We believe there are approximately 5,000 beneficial owners of the Common Stock.

We have never paid a cash dividend on our Common Stock. Carriage currently intends to retain earnings to fund the growth and development of our business. Any future change in our policy will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors in light of the financial condition, capital requirements, earnings prospects of Carriage and any limitations imposed by lenders or investors, as well as other factors the Board of Directors may deem relevant.

Carriage has

     We have a compensation policy for fees paid to its directors under which our nonemployee directors may choose to receive director compensation fees either in the form of cash compensation or equity compensationcommon stock based on the fair market value of our common stock based on the closing price published by the New York Stock Exchange on the date the fees are earned. On January 12, 2005, CarriageWe issued 10,28813,709 shares of its common stock to three of itsthe directors who elected to receive their fourth quarter 20042005 fees in equity compensation.common stock. No underwriter was used in connection with this issuance. CarriageWe relied on the Section 4(2) exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1993, as amended.
     We did not repurchase any of our equity securities in the fourth quarter of the year ended December 31, 2005.

14


10



ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following table sets forth selected consolidated financial information for Carriage that has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statementsConsolidated Financial Statements of Carriage as of and for each of the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2004.2005. These historical results are not necessarilyneither indicative of our future performance.

performance, nor necessarily comparable as a result of a change in accounting methods discussed below.

Our historical financial data included in the table below as of and for the yearsyear ended December 31, 2000 and 2001 is derived from our consolidated financial statementsConsolidated Financial Statements audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, which has ceased operations. The historical financial data included in the table below as of and for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 20042005 is derived from our consolidated financial statementsConsolidated Financial Statements audited by KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm.

We adopted FASB Interpretation No. 46, as revised (“FIN 46R”),Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) No. 51”51,as of March 31, 2004. The adoption of FIN 46R resulted in the consolidation of funeral and cemetery merchandise and service, and perpetual care trusts in our consolidated balance sheet at fair value. We do not consolidate certain funeral trusts for which we do not absorb a majority of their expected losses and, therefore, are not considered a primary beneficiary of these funeral trusts under FIN 46R. The adoption of FIN 46R also resulted in the deconsolidation of Carriage Services Capital Trust, the issuer of TIDES preferred securities. Instead, we now report as a liability the junior subordinated debenture payable to the Trust. Amounts and balances prior to March 31, 2004 have not been restated to reflect the adoption of FIN 46R. The adoption of FIN 46R has not impacted our consolidated statements of operations or cash flows. Certain financial information has been restated from information presented in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. See notes 2 and 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

We adopted Statement of Financial Accounting’s Standards (SFAS) No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (SFAS 144) during 2004. The application of that standard resulted in, among other things, the presentation of the revenues and expenses, as well as gains, losses and impairments, from business units sold, discontinued or held for sale in the discontinued operations section of the consolidated statements of operations for all periods presented.

     The Company changed its method of accounting for deferred obtaining costs, which are preneed selling costs incurred for the origination of prearranged funeral and cemetery service and merchandise sales contracts, effective January 1, 2005. The change affects the comparability of the operating results in the following table. Prior to this change, commissions and other direct selling costs related to originating preneed funeral and cemetery service and merchandise sales contracts were deferred and amortized with the objective of recognizing the selling costs in the same period that the related revenue is recognized. Under the new accounting method, the commissions and other direct selling costs, which are current obligations are paid and use operating cash flow, are expensed as incurred. The Company’s results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2005 is reported on the basis of our changed method, but the periods prior to 2005 are reported using the prior accounting method. See Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2005.
You should read this historical financial data together with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in this report and Carriage’s consolidated financial statementsConsolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this report.

15

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2000

 

2001

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 

(in thousands, except per share and operating data)

 

INCOME STATEMENT DATA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues, net:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funeral

 

$

122,686

 

$

120,039

 

$

115,100

 

$

112,588

 

$

112,816

 

Cemetery

 

34,552

 

37,245

 

34,217

 

34,351

 

37,390

 

Total net revenues

 

157,238

 

157,284

 

149,317

 

146,939

 

150,206

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funeral

 

24,746

 

30,559

 

33,407

 

29,098

 

29,429

 

Cemetery

 

5,630

 

8,435

 

8,221

 

8,521

 

8,874

 

Total gross profit

 

30,376

 

38,994

 

41,628

 

37,619

 

38,303

 

General and administrative expenses

 

10,256

 

8,698

 

10,557

 

10,492

 

10,665

 

Special charges and other

 

102,250

 

 

871

 

432

 

495

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(82,130

)

30,296

 

30,200

 

26,695

 

27,143

 

Interest expense

 

(20,655

)

(20,300

)

(19,715

)

(17,935

)

(17,058

)

Other income

 

 

 

865

 

657

 

940

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

(102,785

)

9,996

 

11,350

 

9,417

 

11,025

 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

(8,382

)

1,999

 

(8,429

)

3,519

 

71

 

Net income (loss) from continuing operations

 

(94,404

)

7,997

 

19,779

 

5,898

 

10,954

 

Cumulative effect of the change in accounting, net

 

(38,993

)

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

 

1,400

 

1,005

 

499

 

727

 

(1,720

)

Net income (loss)

 

(131,996

)

9,002

 

20,278

 

6,625

 

9,234

 

Preferred stock dividends

 

81

 

37

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) available to common stockholders

 

$

(132,077

)

$

8,965

 

$

20,278

 

$

6,625

 

$

9,234

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

(5.88

)

$

0.48

 

$

1.17

 

$

0.34

 

$

0.62

 

Cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle

 

(2.43

)

 

 

 

 

Discontinued operations

 

.08

 

0.06

 

0.03

 

0.04

 

(0.10

)

Basic earnings (loss) per share

 

$

(8.23

)

$

0.54

 

$

1.20

 

$

0.38

 

$

0.52

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

(5.88

)

$

0.46

 

$

1.13

 

$

0.33

 

$

0.60

 

Cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle

 

(2.43

)

 

 

 

 

Discontinued operations

 

.08

 

0.05

 

0.03

 

0.04

 

(0.09

)

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

 

$

(8.23

)

$

0.51

 

$

1.16

 

$

0.37

 

$

0.51

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

16,056

 

16,696

 

16,973

 

17,444

 

17,786

 

Diluted

 

16,056

 

17,492

 

17,433

 

17,808

 

18,260

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL DATA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funeral homes at end of period

 

172

 

148

 

144

 

139

 

135

 

Cemeteries at end of period

 

38

 

30

 

30

 

30

 

30

 

Atneed funeral service contracts performed

 

27,178

 

24,724

 

24,071

 

23,397

 

22,732

 

Preneed funeral contracts sold

 

7,377

 

5,378

 

5,455

 

5,192

 

4,834

 

Backlog of preneed funeral contracts

 

86,710

 

67,320

 

59,594

 

59,872

 

60,504

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

$

18,003

 

$

15,716

 

$

9,565

 

$

9,975

 

$

10,830

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BALANCE SHEET DATA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

541,651

 

$

552,167

 

$

549,948

 

$

538,917

 

$

565,156

 

Working capital (deficit)

 

13,892

 

(1,006

)

(1,598

)

(14,285

)

4,933

 

Long-term debt, net of current maturities

 

176,662

 

148,508

 

141,207

 

105,355

 

102,714

 

Convertible junior subordinated debenture (1)

 

 

 

 

 

93,750

 

Redeemable convertible preferred stock (TIDES)

 

91,100

 

90,058

 

90,193

 

90,327

 

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

$

77,237

 

$

81,578

 

$

98,091

 

$

105,930

 

$

116,438

 


(1)          When the TIDES were issued in 1999, we reported the securities as a component of temporary equity because they have predominantly equity-like characteristics which are not normally found in debt securities (including traditional subordinated debt). In 2004, we changed that classification to report the securities as subordinated debt in order to comply with a new accounting standard. The securities continue to be treated as equity for purposes of the financial covenants under our existing senior notes and our existing credit facility.

11


                         
      Year ended December 31,    
  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005 
  (in thousands, except per share and operating data)         
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:                        
Revenues, net:                        
Funeral $119,543  $114,631  $112,209  $112,504      $116,072 
Cemetery  37,245   34,217   34,351   37,390       38,962 
                    
Total net revenues  156,788   148,848   146,560   149,894       155,034 
                    
                         
Gross profit:                        
Funeral  30,423   33,250   29,084   29,452       30,410 
Cemetery  8,435   8,222   8,521   8,874       6,855 
                    
Total gross profit  38,858   41,472   37,605   38,326       37,265 
General and administrative expenses  8,698   10,557   10,492   10,665       12,383 
Other charges (income)     871   432   495       (822)
                    
Operating income  30,160   30,044   26,681   27,166       25,704 
Interest expense  (20,266)  (19,679)  (17,900)  (17,027)      (18,711)
Additional interest and other costs of senior debt refinancing                  (6,933)
Other income (expense)     865   657   940       (73)
                    
Income (loss) before income taxes  9,894   11,230   9,438   11,079       (13)
(Provision) benefit for income taxes  (1,979)  8,475   (3,539)  (91)      (32)
                    
Net income (loss) from continuing operations  7,915   19,705   5,899   10,988       (45)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations  1,087   573   726   (1,754)      936 
Cumulative effect of the change in accounting, net of taxes                  (22,756)
                    
Net income (loss)  9,002   20,278   6,625   9,234       (21,865)
Preferred stock dividends  37                 
                    
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders $8,965  $20,278  $6,625  $9,234      $(21,865)
                    
Earnings (loss) per share                        
Basic:                        
Continuing operations $0.47  $1.17  $0.34  $0.62      $ 
Discontinued operations  0.07   0.03   0.04   (0.10)      0.05 
Cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle                  (1.24)
                    
Basic earnings (loss) per share $0.54  $1.20  $0.38  $0.52      $(1.19)
                    
Diluted:                        
Continuing operations $0.45  $1.13  $0.33  $0.60      $ 
Discontinued operations  0.06   0.03   0.04   (0.09)      0.05 
Cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle                  (1.24)
                    
Diluted earnings (loss) per share $0.51  $1.16  $0.37  $0.51      $(1.19)
                    
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding:                        
Basic  16,696   16,973   17,444   17,786       18,334 
                    
Diluted  17,492   17,433   17,808   18,260       18,334 
                    
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL DATA:                        
Funeral homes at end of period  148   144   139   135       133 
Cemeteries at end of period  30   30   30   30       29 
Funeral services performed  24,818   23,990   23,323   22,673       22,792 
Preneed funeral contracts sold  3,857   5,456   5,174   4,936       4,877 
Backlog of preneed funeral contracts  67,099   59,412   59,696   60,309       58,531 
Depreciation and amortization $15,679  $9,526  $9,934  $10,790      $9,224 
                         
BALANCE SHEET DATA:                        
Total assets $552,167  $549,948  $538,917  $565,156      $570,640 
Working capital (deficit)  (1,006)  (1,598)  (14,285)  4,933       26,915 
Long-term debt, net of current maturities  148,508   141,207   105,355   102,714       134,572 
Convertible junior subordinated debenture (1)           93,750       93,750 
Redeemable convertible preferred stock (TIDES) (1)  90,058   90,193   90,327           
Stockholders’ equity $81,578  $98,091  $105,930  $116,438      $96,374 

(1)When the TIDES were issued in 1999, we reported the securities as a component of temporary equity because they have predominantly equity-like characteristics which are not normally found in debt securities (including traditional subordinated debt). In 2004, we changed that classification to report the securities as subordinated debt in order to comply with a new accounting standard.

16


ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OVERVIEW

We operate two types of businesses: funeral homes, which account for approximately 75% of our revenues, and cemeteries, which account for approximately 25% of our revenues. Funeral homes are principally a service business that provide funeral services (burial and cremation) and sell related merchandise, such as caskets and urns. Cemeteries are primarily a sales business that sells real estateinterment rights (grave sites and mausoleums) and related merchandise such as markers and memorials. As of December 31, 2005, we operated 133 funeral homes in 28 states and 29 cemeteries in 12 states within the United States. Substantially all administrative activities are conducted in our home office in Houston, Texas.

Factors affecting our funeral operating results include theinclude: demographic trends in terms of population growth and average age, which impact death rates and number of deaths in the markets we serve; whether we gain or losedeaths; establishing and maintaining leading market share relativepositions supported by strong local heritage and relationships; effectively responding to our competitors in the markets we operate; the price that we sell ourincreasing cremation trends by packaging complementary services and merchandise; controlling salary and the cost of providing services, primarily the salariesmerchandise costs; and benefits expenseexercising pricing leverage related to our professional and support staff, and the cost of merchandise.at-need business to increase average revenues per contract. In simple terms, volume and price are the two variables that affect funeral revenues. The average revenue per contract is influenced by the mix of traditional and cremation services because our average cremation service revenue is approximately 37%36% of the average revenue earned from a traditional funeral service during the year ended December 31, 2004.burial service. Funeral homes have a highrelatively fixed cost structure. Thus small changes in revenues, up or down, maynormally cause disproportionatesignificant changes to our profitability.

During the second half of 2003, we

     We implemented several significant changeslong-term initiatives in our funeral operations at the beginning of 2004 designed to improve operating and financial results by growing market share and increasing profitability. We introduced a more decentralized, entrepreneurial and local operating model. At the same time, we introducedmodel that included operating and financial standards developed from our best funeral operations.operations, along with an incentive compensation plan to reward business managers for successfully meeting or exceeding the standards. The new operating model and standards, which we refer to as “Being the Best,” focus on the key drivers of a successful funeral operation, organized around three primary areas market share, people and operating and financial metrics. A portion The model and standards are the measures by which we judge the success of local management’s compensation is variable based on their success as measured against these standards. We first began operating under this model in 2004.  We have experienced benefits from the new model during the last half of 2004.  For example, better merchandising, the implementation of packages in certain locations and updates to our pricing resulted in a strong increase in the average revenue per service.  We also believe that we have made better decisions in hiring new staff, training existing staff and managing the workload which resulted in lower salaries and benefits costs.  We expect that by focusing on the key drivers, we will increase market share and improve profitability over time.

12

each funeral business.


The cemetery operating results are affected by the size and success of our sales organization as currentlybecause approximately 36%55% of our cemetery revenues for the year ended December 31, 2005 relate to preneed sales of interment rights.grave sites and mausoleums and related merchandise and services before the time of need. We believe that changes in the level of consumer confidence (a measure of whether consumers will spend for discretionary items) also affectsaffect the amount of preneed sales.cemetery revenues. Approximately 8%10% of our cemetery revenues for the year ended December 31, 2005 are currently attributable to investment earnings on trust funds and finance charges on installment contracts. Changes in the capital markets and interest rates affect this component of our cemetery revenues.

From 1996 We are implementing operating and financial standards in our cemetery operations in 2006 similar to 2000,the funeral operations discussed above. The standards are organized around market share, people and operational and financial metrics to improve the long-term success of the cemeteries.

     Prior to 2001, we accumulated a large amount of debt and contingent obligations from acquisitions. Our business strategy during the last four years ended December 31, 2004 focused on increasing operating cash flow and improving our financial condition by reducing debt to lower our interest expense and improve our credit profile. We have not been actively seeking businesses to acquire since 1999;acquire; instead we have been focused on selling underperforming businesses and reducing our debt. From September 2000, when we initiated a process to identify underperforming businesses, to December 31, 2004, weWe have sold 3638 funeral homes and 1213 cemeteries along with 2022 parcels of excess real estate. We used the proceeds of approximately $26 million from those sales to reduce our debt. We have reduced our debt and contingent obligations by approximately $87 million during the period January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2004. During January 2005, we refinanced our senior debt by issuing $130 million of Senior Notes due in 2015. This refinancing represented a milestone. The refinancing was the culmination of the effort to reaccess the capital markets and to extend the maturities of our senior debt and to gain the flexibility to reinvest our free cash flow in our core business. We can nowplan to use the net cash proceeds from the offering and our free cash flow to grow our Company through selective acquisitions. We also intendended the year with approximately $25 million in cash and short-term investments, primarily from the proceeds of the Senior Notes and positive cash flow. During September 2005, we acquired a funeral business consisting of two chapels in northern Florida, the first acquisition since 2002.
     We changed our method of accounting for preneed selling costs in 2005 which affects the comparability of the costs and expenses in the results of operations. The cumulative impact of the change was a charge in the amount of $22.8 million, net of tax, equal to amend our existing bank credit facility, which initially will not be drawn on.  We expect$1.24 per diluted share. See the amended credit facilityfollowing section, Accounting Method Change, and Note 3 to be secured and contain more favorable covenants.

the Consolidated Financial Statements.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The preparation of the consolidated financial statementsConsolidated Financial Statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. On an on-going basis, we evaluate estimates and judgments, including those

17


related to revenue recognition, realization of accounts receivable, intangible assets, property and equipment and deferred tax assets. We base our estimates on historical experience, third party data and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these considerations form the basis for making judgments about the amount and timing of revenues and expenses, the carrying value of assets and the recorded amounts of liabilities. Actual results may differ from these estimates and such estimates may change if the underlying conditions or assumptions change. Historical performance should not be viewed as indicative of future performance, because there can be no assurance the margins, operating income and net earnings as a percentage of revenues will be sustained consistently from year to year.

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statementsConsolidated Financial Statements presented herewith, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Our significant accounting policies are summarized in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.Consolidated Financial Statements. We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated Financial Statements.

Funeral and Cemetery Operations

We record the sales of funeral merchandise and services when the funeral service is performed. Sales of cemetery interment rights are recorded as revenue in accordance with the retail land sales provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 66, “Accounting for Sales of Real Estate”. This method generally provides for the recognition of revenue in the period in which the customer’s cumulative payments exceed 10% of the contract price related to the real estate. Costs related to the sales of interment rights, which include property and other costs related to cemetery development activities, are charged to operations using the specific identification method in the period in which the sale of the interment right is recognized as revenue. Revenue from the sales of cemetery merchandise and services are recognized in the period in which the merchandise is delivered or the service is performed. Revenues to be recognized from the delivery of merchandise and performance of services related to contracts that were acquired in acquisitions are typically lower than those originated by the Company and are likely to exceed the cash collected from the contract and received from the trust at maturity.

Allowances for customer cancellations, refunds and bad debts are provided at the date that the salecontract is recognized as revenue based on our historical experience.executed. In addition, we monitor changes in delinquency rates and provide additional bad debt and cancellation reserves when warranted. When preneed funeral services and merchandise are funded through third-party insurance policies, we earn a commission on the sale of the policies. Insurance commissions are recognized as revenues when the commission is no longer subject to refund, which is usually one year after the policy is issued.

13



Deferred Obtaining Costs

Deferred obtaining     Preneed selling costs consist of sales commissions and other direct related costs of originating preneed sales contracts. ThesePrior to 2005, these costs arewere deferred and amortized into funeral and cemetery costs and expenses over the period we expect to perform the services or deliver the merchandise covered by the preneed contracts. The periods over which the costs arewere recognized arewere based on actuarial statistics for the actual contracts we hold, provided by a third-party administrator.

Beginning in 2005, we changed our method of accounting for preneed selling costs. Preneed selling costs are now expensed as incurred.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net identifiable assets acquired, as determined by management in transactions accounted for as purchases, is recorded as goodwill. Many of the acquired funeral homes have provided high quality service to families for generations. The resulting loyalty often represents a substantial portion of the value of a funeral business. Goodwill is typically not associated with or recorded for the cemetery businesses. In accordance with SFAS No. 142, we discontinued amortizing goodwill as of January 1, 2002, and instead we review the carrying value of goodwill at least annually on reporting units (aggregated geographically) to determine if facts and circumstances exist which would suggest that this intangible asset might be carried in excess of fair value. Fair value is determined by discounting the estimated future cash flows of the businesses in each reporting unit at the Company’s weighted average cost of capital less debt allocable to the reporting unit and by reference to recent sales transactions of similar businesses. The calculation of fair value can vary dramatically with changes in estimates of the number of future services performed, inflation in costs, and the Company’s cost of capital, which is impacted by long-term interest rates. If impairment is indicated, then an adjustment will be made to reduce the carrying amount of goodwill to fair value.

Income Taxes

The Company and its subsidiaries file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return and separate income tax returns in the states in which we operate. We record deferred taxes for temporary differences between the tax basis and financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities, in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, (Note 12).Taxes.” The Company records a valuation allowance to reflect the estimated amount of deferred tax assets for which realization is uncertain. Management reviews the valuation allowance at the end of each quarter and makes adjustments if it is determined that it is more likely than not that the tax benefits will be realized.

18


Stock Compensation Plans

The Company has stock-based employee compensationfour stock incentive plans inunder which stock options have been issued. Additionally, the formCompany sponsors an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) under which employees can purchase common stock at a discount. The stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to or greater than the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock. Substantially all of the options granted under the four stock option and employee stock purchase plans which are more fully described in Note 13.have ten-year terms. The options generally vest over a period of two to four years. The Company accounts for stock-based compensationstock options and shares issued under the ESPP under APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” wherebyunder which no compensation expensecost is recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” and SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure.”

Had the Company accounted for stock options and shares pursuant to its employee stock benefit plans under SFAS No. 123 for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2005, net income for those periods would have been lower by approximately $0.01 for each period.

In December 2004, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 123 (revised 2004)2005),Share-Based Payment, which is a revision of FASB Statement No. 123,Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.Statement 123 (R) supersedes APB Opinion No. 25,Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and amends FASB Statement No. 95,Statement of Cash Flows. Statement 123 (R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options and the employee stock purchase plan, to be recognized in the income statement based on their fair values and the pro forma disclosure alternative is no longer allowable under Statement 123 (R). The revised standard is effective for public entities in the first interim or annual reporting period of the first fiscal year beginning after June 15, 2005, which for the Company will be the third quarter of fiscal 2005 ending September 30, 2005. The Company is currently evaluatingwill adopt FAS No. 123R in the impactfirst fiscal quarter of its 2006 fiscal year and expects to use the modified prospective application method, which results in no restatement of the Company’s previously issued annual Consolidated Financial Statements. The adoption of Statement 123(R), which will result in additional pre-taxFAS No. 123R using the modified prospective applications method is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial position and no impact on cash flows of the Company. The future compensation expense beginningwill vary in the third quarterfuture due to changes in the number, value and vesting terms of 2005 for remaining unvested stock options, any future stock option grants and the employee stock purchase plan.stock-based instruments granted to employees. Management believescurrently estimates that the adoption of SFASFAS No. 123R will provide results similarreduce net income in 2006 within a range of $0.1 million to the pro-forma disclosure for SFAS 123 (Note 1).

$0.2 million.

We have also granted restricted stock to certain officers of the Company, which vest over a period of four years. These shares are valued at the dates granted and the value is charged to operations as the shares vest.

ACCOUNTING CHANGES AND RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Impairment of Investments

In March 2004, the FASB reached consensus on the guidance provided by Emerging Issues Task Force Issue 03-1 (EITF 03-1), “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments.”  The guidance is applicable to debt and equity securities that are within the scope of FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.”  EITF 03-1 specifies that an impairment would be considered

14



other-than-temporary unless (a) the investor has the ability and intent to hold an investment for a reasonable period of time sufficient for the recovery of the fair value up to (or beyond) the cost of the investment and (b) evidence indicating the cost of the investment is recoverable within a reasonable period of time outweighs evidence of the contrary.  EITF 03-1 was scheduled to be effective for reporting periods ending after June 15, 2004.  The measurement and recognition provisions relating to debt and equity securities have been delayed until the FASB issues additional guidance.  The disclosure requirements continue to be effective in annual financial statements for fiscal years ending after June 15, 2004.  We adopted the disclosure provisions during the period ended June 30, 2004.  The adoption of the measurement and recognition provisions will not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements, result of operations or liquidity of the Company.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Except as noted for Goodwill, and deferred obtaining costs, the Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment when changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the net asset may not be recoverable in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (SFAS 144).Assets.” Assets to be disposed of and assets not expected to provide any future service potential to the Company are recorded at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less estimated cost to sell. The revenues and expenses, as well as gains, losses and impairments, from those assets are reported in the discontinued operations section of the Consolidated Statement of Operations for all periods presented which represents a change in classification to our previously issued consolidated financial statements in prior filings including our annual reports on Form 10-K for the years reflected in our consolidated financial statements included in this annual report.

presented.

Goodwill

The effect of SFAS No. 142 on the Company, which was adopted as of the beginning of 2002, included eliminating the amortization of goodwill, the identifying reporting units for the purpose of assessing potential future impairments of goodwillPreneed Funeral and the testing for impairments of goodwill on an annual basis.  The Company performs an annual review of goodwill by comparing the fair value of the Company’s reporting units (funeral home businesses by region) to the carrying value of the reporting units.  No impairment was indicated for 2004.

Consolidation of Variable Interest EntitiesCemetery Trust Funds

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Interpretation No. 46, as revised, (“FIN 46R”),“Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) No. 51.”This interpretation clarifies the circumstances in which certain entities that do not have equity investors with a controlling financial interest must be consolidated by its sponsor. The Company implemented FIN 46R as of March 31, 2004, which resulted, for financial reporting purposes, in the consolidation of the Company’s preneed and perpetual care trust funds. The investments of such trust funds have been reported at market value and the Company’s future obligations to deliver merchandise and services have been reported at estimated settlement amounts. The Company has also recognized the non-controlling financial interests of third parties in the trust funds. There was no cumulative effect of an accounting change recognized by the Company as a result of the implementation of FIN 46R. The implementation of FIN 46R affected certain accounts on the Company’s balance sheet beginning March 31, 2004 as described below; however, it diddoes not affect cash flow, net income or the manner in which the Company recognizeswe recognize and reportsreport revenues.

Although FIN 46R requires consolidation of preneed and perpetual care trusts, it does not change the legal relationships among the trusts, the Company and its customers. In the case of preneed trusts, the customers are the legalprincipal beneficiaries. In the case of perpetual care trusts, the Company does not have a right to access the corpus in the perpetual care trusts. For these reasons, the Company has recognized non-controlling interests in our financial statements to reflect third party interests in these consolidated trust funds.

19


Both the preneed trusts and the cemetery perpetual care trusts hold investments in marketable securities which have been classified as available-for-sale. The investments are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses allocated to Non-controlling interests in trust investments investment in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Unrealized gains and losses attributable to the Company, but that have not been earned through the performance of services or delivery of merchandise, isare allocated to deferred revenues.

revenues.

Also beginning March 31, 2004, the Company recognizes realizedbegan recognizing the income, gains and losses of the preneed trusts and the unrealized income, gains and losses of the cemetery perpetual care trusts. The Company recognizes a corresponding expense equal to the realizedrecognized earnings of these trusts attributable to the non-controlling interest holders. When such earnings attributable to the Company have not been earned through the performance of services or delivery of merchandise, the Company will record such earnings as deferred revenue.

For preneed trusts, the Company recognizes as revenues amounts attributed to the non-controlling interest holders and the Company, including accumulated realized earnings, when the contracted services have been performed and merchandise delivered.

15



For cemetery perpetual care trusts, the Company recognizes investment earnings in cemetery revenues when such earnings are realized and distributable. Such earnings are intended to defray cemetery maintenance costs incurred by the Company.

Accounting Changes
     The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections” (“FAS No. 154). This statement is a replacement of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 20 and FAS No. 3. FAS No. 154 changes the requirements for the accounting for and reporting of a change in accounting principle and error corrections. It establishes, unless impracticable and in the absence of explicit transition requirements, retrospective application as the required method of a change in accounting principle to the newly adopted accounting principle. Also, it establishes guidance for reporting corrections of errors as reporting errors involves adjustments to previously issued financial statements similar to those generally applicable to reporting accounting changes retrospectively. FAS No. 154 also provides guidance for determining and reporting a change when retrospective application is impracticable. FAS No. 154 is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. The Company will adopt the requirements beginning January 1, 2006, which is not expected to have an effect on the Company’s 2005 financial statements.
ACCOUNTING METHOD CHANGE
Preneed Selling Costs
     On June 30, 2005, the Company was requiredchanged its method of accounting for deferred obtaining costs, which are preneed selling costs incurred, for the origination of prearranged funeral and cemetery service and merchandise sales contracts. Prior to deconsolidate Carriage Services Capital Trust (the “Trust”)this change, commissions and other direct selling costs related to originating preneed funeral and cemetery service and merchandise sales contracts were deferred and amortized with the objective of recognizing the selling costs in the same period that the related revenue is recognized. Under the prior accounting method, the commissions and other direct selling costs, which are current obligations are paid and use operating cash flow, are not recognized currently in the income statement. The Company believes it is preferable to expense the current obligation for the commissions and other costs rather than defer these costs. The Company also believes the new accounting method improves the comparability of its reported earnings with other public companies in the death care industry. Because the three largest public death care companies now expense selling costs (two of which changed in 2005), a trust established in 1999 to issue redeemable convertible preferred securities. The Company’s obligation to the Trust consists of convertible junior subordinated debentures. The preferred securitiesinvestors and other users of the Trust were previously classified as temporary equityfinancial information will now be able to more easily compare our financial results to those deathcare companies.
     The Company has applied this change in accounting method effective January 1, 2005. As of January 1, 2005, the Company recorded a cumulative effect of change in accounting method of $35.8 million pretax or $22.8 million after tax (net of income tax benefit of $13.0 million), or $1.24 per diluted share, which represents the cumulative balance of deferred preneed selling costs in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. As a resultTherefore, the Company’s results of deconsolidatingoperations for the Trust,year ended December 31, 2005 is reported on the Company now reports its obligationbasis of our changed method. The annual impact on earnings per diluted share is approximately $0.05. The change has no effect on cash flow from operations. Refer to Note 3 to the Trust,Consolidated Financial Statements for the convertible junior subordinated debentures,year ended December 31, 2005, for the change in accounting method for preneed selling costs and comparison of results as a long-term liability.reported in this annual report and under the previous method.

20


SELECTED INCOME AND OPERATIONAL DATA

The following table sets forth certain income statement data for Carriage expressed as a percentage of net revenues for the periods presented:

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

Total revenues, net

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

Total gross profit

 

27.9

 

25.6

 

25.5

 

General and administrative expenses

 

7.1

 

7.1

 

7.1

 

Operating income

 

20.2

 

18.2

 

18.1

 

Interest expense

 

13.2

 

12.2

 

11.4

 

             
  Year Ended December 31,
  2003 2004 2005
Total revenues  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%
Total gross profit  25.7   25.6   24.0 
General and administrative expenses  7.2   7.1   8.0 
Operating income  18.2   18.1   16.6 
Interest expense  12.2   11.4   12.1 
The following table sets forth the number of funeral homes and cemeteries owned and operated by Carriage for the periods presented:

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

Funeral homes at beginning of period

 

148

 

144

 

139

 

Acquisitions

 

2

 

 

 

Divestitures, mergers or closures of existing funeral homes

 

6

 

5

 

4

 

Funeral homes at end of period

 

144

 

139

 

135

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cemeteries at beginning of period

 

30

 

30

 

30

 

Acquisitions

 

 

 

 

Divestitures

 

 

 

 

Cemeteries at end of period

 

30

 

30

 

30

 

             
  Year Ended December 31, 
  2003  2004  2005 
Funeral homes at beginning of period  144   139   135 
Acquisitions        2 
Divestitures, mergers or closures of existing funeral homes  5   4   4 
          
Funeral homes at end of period  139   135   133 
          
             
Cemeteries at beginning of period  30   30   30 
Acquisitions         
Divestitures        1 
          
Cemeteries at end of period  30   30   29 
          
The following is a discussion of Carriage’s results of operations for 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2004.2005. The term “same-store” or “existing operations” refers to funeral homes and cemeteries owned and operated for the entirety of each period being compared.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004
     The following is a discussion of the Company’s results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2005.
     Net income (loss), which includes the effect of discontinued operations, totaled $(1.19) per diluted share compared to $0.51 per share for 2004. The decrease is primarily attributable to additional interest of $6.9 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, specifically related to the senior debt refinancing and the change in accounting method of $22.8 million, net, equal to $1.24 per diluted share in 2005. Additionally, 2004 benefited from a $4.1 million income tax benefit related to the change in the deferred tax valuation allowance. This added $0.22 per diluted share to 2004’s earnings.
Funeral Home Segment.The following table sets forth certain information regarding the net revenues and gross profit of the Company from the funeral home operations for the year ended December 31, 2005 compared to the year ended December 31, 2004.
                 
  Year Ended    
  December 31,  Change 
  2004  2005  Amount  Percent 
  (dollars in thousands) 
Total same-store revenue $110,903  $113,342  $2,439   2.2%
Acquired and closed  282   435   153   54.3%
Preneed insurance commissions revenue  1,319   2,295   976   74.0%
              
Revenues from continuing operations $112,504  $116,072  $3,568   3.2%
              
Revenues from discontinued operations $1,972  $279  $(1,693)  (85.9)%
              
Total same-store gross profit $28,213  $28,190  $(23)  (0.1)%
Acquired and closed  (80)  (75)  5   6.3%
Preneed insurance commissions revenue  1,319   2,295   976   74.0%
              
Gross profit from continuing operations $29,452  $30,410  $958   3.3%
              
Gross profit from discontinued operations $208  $(29) $(237)  (113.9)%
              

21


     Funeral same-store revenues for the year ended December 31, 2005 increased $2.4 million, or 2.2%, when compared to the year ended December 31, 2004, as we experienced an increase of 1.9% to $4,993 in the average revenue per service and an increase of 58 additional contracts, or 0.3%, for those existing operations. Cremation services represented 32.8% of the number of funeral services during 2005 compared to 31.3% for 2004, and our average revenue per cremation service increased 2.2 percent to $2,434.
     Total funeral same-store gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2005 was essentially flat compared to 2004 and gross profit from continuing operations increased $1.0 million, equal to the $1.0 million increase in preneed insurance commission revenue. Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2005 was minimally affected by the change in accounting method for preneed selling costs. See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the change in accounting method. Funeral costs and expenses increased approximately $2.6 million or 3.1% from 2004. The most significant variance year over year was noncash charge of $0.8 million in 2005 to modify the employee vacation plan.
Cemetery Segment.The following table sets forth certain information regarding the net revenues and gross profit of the Company from the cemetery operations for the year ended December 31, 2004 compared to the year ended December 31, 2003:
                 
  Year Ended    
  December 31,  Change 
  2004  2005  Amount  Percent 
  (dollars in thousands) 
Revenues from continuing operations $37,390  $38,962  $1,572   4.2%
              
Revenues from discontinued operations $640  $443  $(197)  (30.8)%
              
Gross profit from continuing operations $8,874  $6,855  $(2,019)  (22.8)%
              
Gross profit from discontinued operations $149  $133  $(16)  (10.7)%
              
     No cemetery businesses were acquired during the two years; one cemetery, which is included in discontinued operations, was sold during 2005.
     Cemetery revenues from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2005 increased $1.6 million, or 4.2%, over the year ended December 31, 2004 as investment income and gains from the perpetual care trust funds contributed $1.1 million to the year over year improvement. Cemetery gross profit from continuing operations decreased $2.0 million, or 22.8%, compared to 2004, substantially due to higher preneed selling costs as a result of the change in accounting method. Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2005 was reduced by approximately $1.5 million for the change in accounting method for preneed selling costs. See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the change in accounting method. Excluding the affect of the change in accounting method for preneed selling costs, gross margin from continuing operations decreased from 18.1% for the year ended December 31, 2004 to 17.6% for the year ended December 31, 2005 due to higher costs of maintaining the facilities and grounds.
Other.General and administrative expenses increased $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2005 primarily because of higher professional and consulting fees related to compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and implementing a new cemetery system.
     Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2005 increased $1.7 million, or 9.9%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2004. Although debt outstanding has increased by approximately $31 million, or 28.2%, during 2005, we are not reporting a proportional increase in interest expense because the 2004 expense was negatively impacted by higher loan fees and compound interest on the deferred interest on the convertible subordinated debentures.
Income Taxes.See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the income taxes for 2004 and 2005.

22


YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003

The following is a discussion of the Company’s results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2004.

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2004 were $0.60. Excluding the reduction in the deferred tax valuation allowance of $4.1 million or $0.22 per diluted share, the 15.2 percent improvement from $0.33 to $0.38 per share was attributable to lower interest expense and improvements in both funeral and cemetery profitability. Net income for 2004, which includes the effect of discontinued operations, totaled $0.51 per diluted share ($0.29 per share excluding the reduction in the deferred tax valuation allowance equal to $0.22 per share) compared to $0.37 per share for 2003. A significant portion of the decrease is attributable to impairment charges before taxes of $ 3.7 million, equal to $ 0.13 per diluted share, net of gains totaling $1.0 million pretax, equal to $0.03 per diluted share, from the sales in 2004 of three funeral home businesses.

16



Funeral Home Segment.The following table sets forth certain information regarding the net revenues and gross profit of the Company from the funeral home operations for the year ended December 31, 2004 compared to the year ended December 31, 2003. For purposes of our discussion, the revenue and gross profit of our businesses identified to be sold are included in the same-store classification up to the quarter prior to their sale.

                
 Year Ended   

 

Year Ended
December 31,

 

Change

 

 December 31, Change 

 

2003

 

2004

 

Amount

 

Percent

 

 2003 2004 Amount Percent 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

 (dollars in thousands) 

Total same-store revenue

 

$

111,737

 

$

112,304

 

$

567

 

0.5

%

 $111,737 $112,304 $567  0.5%

Less businesses held for sale

 

(757

)

(807

)

50

 

 

*

  (757)  (807)  (50) * 

Preneed insurance commissions revenue

 

1,608

 

1,319

 

(289

)

(18.0

)%

 1,608 1,319  (289)  (18.0)%
       

Revenues from continuing operations

 

$

112,588

 

$

112,816

 

$

228

 

0.2

%

 $112,588 $112,816 $228  0.2%
       

Revenues from discontinued operations

 

$

3,148

 

$

1,660

 

$

(1,488

)

(47.3

)%

 $3,148 $1,660 $(1,488)  (47.3)%
       

Total same-store gross profit

 

$

27,602

 

$

28,212

 

$

610

 

2.2

%

 $27,602 $28,212 $610  2.2%

Less businesses held for sale

 

(112

)

(102

)

(10

)

 

*

  (112)  (102) 10 * 

Preneed insurance commissions revenue

 

1,608

 

1,319

 

(289

)

(18.0

)%

 1,608 1,319  (289)  (18.0)%
       

Gross profit from continuing operations

 

$

29,098

 

$

29,429

 

$

331

 

1.1

%

 $29,098 $29,429 $331  1.1%
       

Gross profit from discontinued operations

 

$

412

 

$

263

 

$

(149

)

(36.2

)%

 $412 $263 $(149)  (36.2)%
       


* not meaningful

*not meaningful
Funeral same-store revenues for the year ended December 31, 2004 increased $0.6 million, or 0.5%, when compared to the year ended December 31, 2003, as we experienced an increase of 3.4% to $4,903 in the average revenue per service for those existing operations and the number of services declined by 659, or 2.9%. Cremation services represented 31.9% of the number of funeral services during 2004,2005, compared to 30.7% for 2003.

Total funeral same-store gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2004 increased $0.6 million, or 2.2% from 2003, as a result of the increase in same-store revenues given the predominately fixed cost structure of our businesses. Funeral costs and expenses remained constant from 2003.

Cemetery Segment.The following table sets forth certain information regarding the net revenues and gross profit of the Company from the cemetery operations for the year ended December 31, 2004 compared to the year ended December 31, 2003:

23

 

 

Year Ended
December 31,

 

Change

 

 

 

2003

 

2004

 

Amount

 

Percent

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Total same-store revenue

 

$

35,086

 

$

38,030

 

$

2,944

 

8.4

%

Less businesses held for sale

 

(735

)

(640

)

95

 

 

*

Revenues from continuing operations

 

$

34,351

 

$

37,390

 

$

3,039

 

8.8

%

Revenues from discontinued operations

 

$

735

 

$

640

 

$

(95

)

(12.9

)%

Total same-store gross profit

 

$

8,791

 

$

9,023

 

$

232

 

2.6

%

Less businesses held for sale

 

(270

)

(149

)

121

 

 

*

Gross profit from continuing operations

 

$

8,521

 

$

8,874

 

$

353

 

4.1

%

Gross profit from discontinued operations

 

$

270

 

$

149

 

$

(121

)

(44.8

)%


* not meaningful

                 
  Year Ended    
  December 31,  Change 
  2003  2004  Amount  Percent 
  (dollars in thousands) 
Total same-store revenue $35,086  $38,030  $2,944   8.4%
Less businesses held for sale  (735)  (640)  95   * 
              
Revenues from continuing operations $34,351  $37,390  $3,039   8.8%
              
Revenues from discontinued operations $735  $640  $(95)  (12.9)%
              
Total same-store gross profit $8,791  $9,023  $232   2.6%
Less businesses held for sale  (270)  (149)  121   * 
              
Gross profit from continuing operations $8,521  $8,874  $353   4.1%
              
Gross profit from discontinued operations $270  $149  $(121)  (44.8)%
              
*not meaningful
No cemetery businesses were acquired or sold during the two years; one cemetery iswas held for sale.

sale at the end of 2004.

Cemetery same-store revenues for the year ended December 31, 2004 increased $2.9 million, or 8.4%, over the year ended December 31, 2003, and cemetery same store gross profit increased $0.2 million, or 2.6%, over 2003. Revenues from preneed

17



interment sales increased $2.6 million. Though the number of interments sold on a preneed basis remained the same, the average price per space increased 15.1%. Continuing gross margin decreased from 24.8% for the year ended December 31, 2003 to 23.7% for the year ended December 31, 2004 due to higher sales discounts, bad debts and facilities and grounds costs. Higher sales discounts on property negatively impacted revenues and gross profit by $0.8 million year-over-year. Bad debts were $1.0 million higher than the prior year and facilities and grounds expenses increased $0.3 million, primarily due to higher property taxes, insurance and utilities.

Other.General and administrative expenses increased $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 primarily because 2004 included higher depreciation on computer and software additions during the last 12 months and higher professional fees, a large portion of which related to compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Other charges in 2004 consist primarily of a pretax charge of $0.5 million to write off capitalized costs of a cemetery accounting system development project that the Company terminated.

Included in other income for 2004 are pretax gains totaling $0.9 million from the sales of real estate and other assets.

Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2004 declined $0.9 million, or 4.9%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2003. While the debt outstanding has decreased by approximately $25 million, or 19.2%, during 2004, we aredid not reportingrealize a proportional decrease in interest expense because the current year expense iswas negatively impacted by higher loan fees and compound interest on the deferred interest on the convertible subordinated debentures.

debenture.

Income Taxes.The Company recorded income taxes for continuing operations at the effective rate of 38.5 percent and 37.6 percent (excluding the effect of the change in the valuation allowance) for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2004, respectively. For federal income tax reporting purposes, Carriage has had net operating loss carryforwards to offset Federal taxable income in 2003 and 2004. Carriage also has approximately $67 million of state net operating loss carryforwards. When the Company incurred restructuring costs and write-downs in late 2000 and proceeded to dispose of low performing businesses, it could not be assured that it would generate enough future taxable income to utilize the tax benefits created by the tax losses on asset sales.  To acknowledge this uncertainty, the Company recorded a valuation allowance to offset these tax benefits until such time that it could be determined it would be more likely than not the Company would be able to realize the tax benefits.  The Company recognized tax benefits related to the change in the valuation allowance related to its deferred tax assets of $0.1 million and $4.1 million in 2003 and 2004, respectively. The remaining valuation allowance at December 31, 2004 iswas attributable to the deferred tax asset related to the state operating losses.

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002

Funeral Home Segment.  The following sets forth certain information regarding Carriage’s net revenues and gross profit from our funeral home operations during the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2003:

 

 

Year Ended
December 31,

 

Change

 

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

Amount

 

Percent

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Total same-store revenue

 

$

114,496

 

$

112,593

 

$

(1,903

)

(1.7

)%

Acquired

 

478

 

700

 

222

 

 

*

Less businesses held for sale

 

(1,412

)

(2,313

)

(901

)

 

*

Preneed insurance commissions revenue

 

1,538

 

1,608

 

70

 

4.6

%

Revenues from continuing operations

 

$

115,100

 

$

112,588

 

$

(2,512

)

2.2

%

Revenues from discontinued operations

 

$

4,199

 

$

3,148

 

$

(1,051

)

 

*

Total same-store gross profit

 

$

32,307

 

$

27,727

 

$

(4,580

)

(14.2

)%

Acquired

 

145

 

183

 

38

 

 

*

Less businesses held for sale

 

(583

)

(420

)

163

 

 

*

Preneed insurance commissions revenue

 

1,538

 

1,608

 

70

 

4.6

%

Gross profit from continuing operations

 

$

33,407

 

$

29,098

 

$

(4,309

)

12.9

%

Gross profit from discontinued operations

 

$

932

 

$

412

 

$

(520

)

 

*


* not meaningful

18



Funeral same-store revenues for the year ended December 31, 2003 were 1.7% less when compared to the year ended December 31, 2002, as we experienced a decrease of 2.3% in the number of funeral service contracts from 24,293 to 23,740 and an increase of 0.6% in the average revenue per contract from $4,713 to $4,743 for those existing operations. The decline in the number of funeral service contracts of 2.3% was due in part to the decline in the number of deaths of 1.4% in 2003 compared to 2002 based on statistics published by the CDC, as adjusted for non-reporting cities. We also believe that we lost market share in certain areas based on our analysis of obituary reports for those markets. Approximately 30% of the funeral services were cremation services compared to 28% in 2002. The average revenue per cremation services increased 0.7% compared to 2002. The change in mix from traditional to cremation services resulted in a decline of $1.7 million in revenue for 2003 compared to 2002. Of the funeral services performed during 2002 and 2003, approximately 18.5% and 19.5%, respectively, were prearranged.

Though total funeral revenues including discontinued operations declined by $3.5 million, funeral costs and expenses actually increased by $1.3 million, resulting in a decline in gross profit including discontinued operations of $4.8 million. From an operational perspective, the funeral business is a relatively fixed cost business. If variable costs had remained constant as a percentage of net revenues, the $3.5 million reduction in revenue would have been associated with a reduction in cost of approximately $0.7 million to $1.0 million. The negative cost and expense variance was due primarily to increases in merchandise costs, bad debts and property casualty and general liability insurance. Merchandise costs were approximately $0.8 million higher as vendors increased their prices to Carriage at the beginning of 2003 at a rate higher than the Company was able to increase its prices to the public. Bad debts were $0.8 million higher than 2002 because the Company realized some significant recoveries during 2003 from a centralized collection process installed in 2002. Property casualty and general liability insurance costs increased $0.7 million due to higher premium costs and claims.

Cemetery Segment.  The following sets forth certain information regarding Carriage’s net revenues and gross profit from cemetery operations for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2003:

 

 

Year Ended
December 31,

 

Change

 

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

Amount

 

Percent

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Total same-store revenues

 

$

34,877

 

$

35,086

 

$

209

 

0.6

%

Less businesses held for sale

 

(660

)

(735

)

(75

)

 

*

Revenues from continuing operations

 

$

34,217

 

$

34,351

 

$

134

 

0.4

%

Revenues from discontinued operations

 

$

660

 

$

735

 

$

75

 

11.4

%

Total same-store gross profit

 

$

8,456

 

$

8,791

 

$

335

 

4.0

%

Less businesses held for sale

 

(235

)

(270

)

(35

)

 

*

Gross profit from continuing operations

 

$

8,221

 

$

8,521

 

$

300

 

3.6

%

Gross profit from discontinued operations

 

$

235

 

$

270

 

$

35

 

14.9

%


* not meaningful

No cemetery businesses were acquired or sold during the two years; one cemetery is held for sale.

The higher cemetery net revenues resulted in part from a $0.4 million increase in at need revenues as a result of an increase in the average value per contract of 5.8% from $942 to $997, though the volume of at-need contracts declined 2.5% from 14,681 to 14,311. We also experienced an increase in preneed property sales of $0.7 million, primarily the result of a 10.2% increase in the number of preneed contracts written from 7,729 to 8,521. The average preneed contract value declined 7.6% from $2,196 to $2,029. These increases were offset in part by $0.4 million less trust income and $0.4 million less in deliveries of previously prearranged merchandise and services. Cemetery gross profit increased on a year-over-year basis primarily due to $0.4 million less bad debt expense in 2003.

Other. General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2003 decreased slightly from 2002. Lower ($0.6 million) lease expense from the buyout of a computer lease obligation in early 2003 was mitigated in part by higher ($0.3 million) depreciation expense. Higher overall salaries and wages in 2003 offset the $0.5 million officer termination cost in 2002. Higher legal fees and franchise taxes in 2003 totaling $0.6 million compared to $0.5 million incurred for professional fees related to a change in tax accounting methods.

19



Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2003 declined $1.8 million compared to the year ended 2002 primarily because outstanding debt declined period over period.  Cash flow from operations and proceeds from the sales of business assets have provided the source of funds to reduce the debt outstanding during 2002 and 2003.  During 2003, total outstanding debt was reduced by $13.6 million.  Reductions in interest rates during 2002 and 2003 and the expiration of a floating for fixed interest rate swap in May 2003 also contributed (to a lesser degree) in reducing interest expense.

Income Taxes. The Company recorded income taxes at the effective rate of 38.5% (excluding the affect of the change in valuation allowance) for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2003, respectively.  See Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements.  The slightly lower tax rate in 2003, compared to 2002, is based on the utilization of certain state loss carryforwards.  Because of the ability to use the net operating loss to offset taxable income and the timing of when revenue and expenses are recognized for tax purposes, we did not pay Federal income taxes in 2002 and 2003.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash and cash equivalents totaled $1.9$7.9 million at December 31, 2004,2005, representing a decreasean increase of $0.1$6.0 million from December 31, 2003. It has been Carriage’s practice2004. Additionally, short term investments totaled $16.9 million at year end 2005 compared to apply availablezero at December 31, 2004. The primary source of the increase in cash against its revolving lineand short term investments is due to the refinancing of credit, described below, to minimize interest expense. If the Company needs cash for working capital or investment purposes, it may draw on the line of credit so long as the Company isour senior debt in compliance with the loan covenants and committed funds are available.January 2005. For the year ended December 31, 2004,2005, cash provided by operating activities was $24.2$1.7 million compared to $14.7$24.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2003,2004. Of the $22.5 million decrease in part because pretax incomecash provided from continuing operations increased $1.6 million. The current year period also benefited fromoperating activities, $17.3 million was attributable to the deferral$10.3 million payment of deferred interest payments in the amount of $7.0 million on the convertible junior subordinated debenture in 2005 compared to $3.3the deferral of this interest totaling $7.0 million in the prior year period. Additionally,The Company also paid additional interest totaling $6.0 million in connection with the cost of originating preneed contracts declined $1.3 million comparedsenior note refinancing to pay off the prior year.old notes early. Cash used in investing activities wastotaled $24.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2005 compared to cash used in the amount of $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2004, because we invested

24


net of maturities, $16.9 million,, in short term investments, acquired a funeral business for $1.3 million and spent $2.5 million more for capital expenditures. The additional capital expenditures were related to our new cemetery computer systems and mausoleums. Cash provided from financing activities of $28.4 million in 2005 consisted primarily of the proceeds from the senior note refinancing compared to cash useddebt repayments in the amount of $1.8 million for the year ended December 31,2004 and 2003. Cash used for capital expenditures declined $0.5and short-term investments totaled $24.9 million from $6.2 million in 2003 to $5.7 million in 2004.  The majority of our cashflow in 2004 was used to reduce debt.

The outstanding principal of our senior debt at December 31, 2004 totaled $110.3 million and consisted of $70.5 million in aggregate principal amount under our existing senior notes, $25.6 million outstanding under our existing unsecured credit facility, and $14.2 million in acquisition indebtedness and capital lease obligations. Additionally, $1.1 million in letters of credit have been issued under the existing unsecured credit facility and were outstanding at December 31, 2004.

Our existing unsecured credit facility, as amended, provides for borrowings up to $45 million and matures in March 2006. Interest is payable at either prime rate plus 1.25% or a rate indexed to LIBOR at the Company’s option. Currently, the LIBOR option is set at LIBOR plus 275 basis points.  The Company’s credit facility was amended subsequent to year end to permit the issuance of Senior Notes.  In addition, the Company entered into a letter of commitment with Bank of America, its lead lender, for a $35 million Senior Secured Credit Facility.  The Senior Secured Credit Facility would mature five years from the closing date, would be secured by the Company’s assets (including certain funeral home real property) and would include financial covenants and limitations on stock redemptions, dividends and acquisitions.  The commitment is subject to certain conditions precedent to closing and completion of definitive documentation. 

end.

In January 2005, the Company issued $130 million of 7.875% Senior Notes due in 2015. The proceeds from these notes were used to refinance all of theour outstanding senior debt, including payments for accrued interest and make-whole payment, bring current the deferred distributions on the convertible junior subordinated debentures and the TIDES, and for general corporate purposes. In connection with the early retirement of the senior debt, the Company made a required “make whole” payment of $6.0 million in the form of additional interest and recorded a charge to write off $0.7 million of unamortized loan costs. These charges equal $4.2 million after tax, or $0.23 per diluted share, and will bewas reported in the first quarter of 2005.

20



The following table sets forthrefinancing improved the consolidated capitalization as of December 31, 2004 on an actual basis and on an as adjusted basis to give effect to the $130Company’s liquidity because debt totaling approximately $96 million offering of 7.875% Senior Notes due in 20152006 and the transactions paying off2008 was replaced by debt maturing in ten years.

     The outstanding principal of our senior debt at December 31, 2005 totaled $141.4 million and accrued interest.

 

 

As of
December 31, 2004

 

 

 

Actual

 

As Adjusted

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Senior Debt:

 

 

 

 

 

Existing Unsecured Credit Facility

 

$

25.6

 

$

 

Existing Senior Notes

 

70.5

 

 

New Senior Notes

 

 

130.0

 

Acquisition Debt

 

8.7

 

8.7

 

Capital Leases

 

5.5

 

5.5

 

Total Senior Debt

 

$

110.3

 

$

144.2

 

Subordinated Debt:

 

 

 

 

 

Subordinated Debt to Affiliate

 

$

93.8

 

$

93.8

 

Deferred Interest

 

10.9

 

 

Total Subordinated Debt

 

$

104.7

 

$

93.8

 

Total Debt

 

$

215.0

 

$

238.0

 

Total Stockholders’ Equity

 

116.4

 

112.2

 

Total Capitalization

 

$

331.4

 

$

350.2

 

The net proceedsconsisted of this offering, which$130.0 million in Senior Notes, a $35 million revolving line of credit, and $11.4 million in acquisition indebtedness and capital lease obligations. Additionally, $0.7 million in letters of credit were approximately $125.5issued under the credit facility and were outstanding at December 31, 2005.

     In April 2005, the Company entered into a $35 million after deductingsenior secured revolving credit facility to replace the initial purchasers’ discount and offering expenses, were used to pay in full the principal, accrued but unpaid interest, and “make-whole” payments on the existing senior notes; repay all outstanding borrowings under our existing unsecured credit facility; payfacility. Borrowings under the cumulative deferrednew credit facility bear interest onat prime or LIBOR options with the subordinated debtinitial LIBOR option set at LIBOR plus 300 basis points, matures in five years and is collateralized by all personal property and funeral home real property in certain states. The facility is currently undrawn, except for the letters of credit referred to affiliate current;above, and fund general corporate purposes.

Subsequent to the above-described refinancing transactions, we will enjoy the extended maturity of our debt, a more flexible covenant package and the continuing right to defer distributions payable in respect of the TIDES for up to five years. Notwithstanding our ability to defer payment of distributions in respect of the TIDES, we resumed cash payments of interest on the TIDES on March 1, 2005, which aggregate approximately $6.5no borrowings are anticipated during 2006. $34.3 million on an annual basis. While we will have the abilityis available to borrow additional amounts under our amended senior secured credit facility, our intention is to fund anticipated capital expenditures, acquisitions, if any, and other operating requirements from existing cash balances and cash flow from operations.

at December 31, 2005.

A total of $93.8 million was outstanding on December 31, 20042005 on our convertible junior subordinated debentures.debenture. Amounts outstanding under the debenturesdebenture are payable to the Company’s affiliate trust, Carriage Services Capital Trust, bear interest at 7.0% and mature in 2029. Substantially all the assets of the Trust consist of the convertible junior subordinated debentures of the Company. TheIn 1999, the Trust issued 1.875 million shares of TIDES.term income deferrable equity securities (“TIDES”). The rights of the debentures are functionally equivalent to those of the TIDES.

The convertible junior subordinated debenturesdebenture payable to the affiliated trust and the TIDES each contain a provision for the deferral of interest payments and distributions for up to 20 consecutive quarters.quarters at the Company’s discretion. During the period in which distribution payments are deferred, distributions will continue to accumulate at the 7.0% annual rate. Also, the deferred distributions themselves accumulate distributions at the annual rate of 7.0% and are recorded as a liability. During the deferral period, we are prohibited from paying dividends on the common stock or repurchasing its common stock, subject to limited exceptions. In complying with the conditions of our existing unsecured credit facility, we began deferring interest payments on the subordinated debentures payable to our affiliated trust. As a result, cashThe company deferred distributions on the TIDES from September 2003 through December 2004. In March 2005, the Company paid the $10.3 million for the cumulative deferred distributions on the TIDES and is currently paying the quarterly interest and distributions.
     Management believes we have been deferredenough cash and recorded as a liability, beginning with the September 1, 2003 payment. The condition was imposed by the lendersliquidity to ensure that we had sufficient available borrowings undermeet our existing unsecuredoperating needs and execute our acquisition strategy. We do no expect to borrow on our credit facility to retire the Series A maturities of the existing senior notes in July 2004 and to accommodate the two commitment reductions in 2005.

21

facility.


Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes our balance sheet liabilities to make future payments as of December 31, 2004.2005. Where appropriate we have indicated the footnote to our annual consolidated financial statementsConsolidated Financial Statements where additional information is available.
                                 
                  Payments By Period      
                  (in millions)      
  Note                         After
  Reference Total 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 5 Years
Long-term debt  11  $136.6   2.1   1.5   2.0   0.4   0.1   130.5 
Capital lease obligations  14   15.9   0.6   0.6   0.6   0.7   0.7   12.7 
Convertible junior subordinated debenture (a)
  12   93.8                  93.8 
       
                                 
Total contractual obligations     $246.3   2.7   2.1   2.6   1.1   0.8   237.0 
       
(a)Matures in 2029

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments By Period
(in millions)

 

 

 

Note
Reference

 

Total

 

2005

 

2006

 

2007

 

2008

 

2009

 

After
5 Years

 

Long-term debt

 

8

 

$

110.3

 

2.2

 

76.9

 

1.5

 

23.4

 

0.6

 

5.7

 

Capital lease obligations

 

11

 

11.3

 

0.5

 

0.4

 

0.4

 

0.5

 

0.5

 

9.0

 

Convertible junior subordinated debenture (a)

 

9

 

93.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

93.8

 

Deferred interest on convertible junior subordinated debenture

 

9

 

10.9

 

10.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total contractual obligations

 

 

 

$

226.3

 

13.6

 

77.3

 

1.9

 

23.9

 

1.1

 

108.5

 


(a)          Matures in 2029

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The following table summarizes our off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2004.2005. Where appropriate we have indicated the footnote to our annual consolidated financial statementsConsolidated Financial Statements where additional information is available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments By Period
(in millions)

 

 

 

Note
Reference

 

Total

 

2005

 

2006

 

2007

 

2008

 

2009

 

After
5 Years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating leases

 

11

 

8.0

 

2.3

 

1.7

 

1.4

 

1.2

 

0.7

 

0.7

 

Interest on refinanced long-term debt(a)

 

19

 

107.4

 

5.2

 

10.2

 

10.2

 

10.2

 

10.2

 

61.4

 

Noncompete agreements

 

11

 

5.8

 

1.3

 

1.1

 

0.8

 

0.7

 

0.5

 

1.4

 

Consulting agreements

 

11

 

1.0

 

0.4

 

0.2

 

0.2

 

0.1

 

0.1

 

 

Software agreements

 

11

 

0.5

 

0.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Management agreements

 

11

 

2.6

 

1.0

 

0.9

 

0.2

 

0.2

 

0.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total contractual cash obligations

 

 

 

$

125.3

 

10.7

 

14.1

 

12.8

 

12.4

 

11.8

 

63.5

 


                                 
                  Payments By Period      
                  (in millions)      
  Note                         After
  Reference Total 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 5 Years
Operating leases  14   12.7   2.0   2.1   1.9   1.3   1.0   4.4 
Interest payments on long-term debt  11   246.8   17.8   17.6   17.4   17.4   17.2   159.4 
Noncompete agreements  14   2.6   1.0   0.7   0.5   0.2   0.1   0.1 
Consulting agreements  14   0.9   0.4   0.2   0.2   0.1       
Executive Management agreements  14   3.2   1.3   0.7   0.5   0.5   0.2    
       
                                 
Total contractual cash obligations     $266.2   22.5   21.3   20.5   19.5   18.5   163.9 
       

(a)          Calculated on the $130 million of Senior Notes after January 2005

The obligations related to our off-balance sheet arrangements are significant to our future liquidity; however, although we can provide no assurances, we anticipate that these obligations will be funded from cash provided from our operating activities. If we are not able to meet these obligations with cash provided for by our operating activities, we may be required to access the capital markets or draw down on our credit facilities.

Additionally, we are party to a variety of contractual agreements under which we may be obligated to indemnify the other party for certain matters. These contracts primarily relate to the purchase or sale of business assets, commercial contracts and operating leases and arose through representations and warranties (e.g., ownership of assets or environmental matters). The terms of these indemnifications range in duration and may not be explicitly defined.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONSSEASONALITY

As an incentive, the Company entered into arrangements with two former owners, both of which have served as directors during the past three years, to pay them each 10% of the amount by which the annual field level cash flow exceeds predetermined targets on certain businesses in their respective geographic region through 2007, with a final payment equal to a multiple of six times the average of the last three years payments. The business purpose of the arrangements was to incentivise the individuals to provide Carriage with high quality acquisition targets and to have input in the competitive strategies of those businesses post-acquisition so that cash flows grow over time. The terms were determined by reference to similar arrangements within the death care industry. The incentives earned by the two individuals totaled approximately $120,000, $60,000 and $110,000 for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively.

In connection with the 1997 acquisitions of certain funeral homes, a portion of the purchase price of each of those funeral homes was to be payable to one of the former owners referred to in the preceding paragraph based on a formula related to the annual field level cash flows subsequent to the year of acquisition. The business purpose was to determine the final purchase prices of the acquisitions since they were expected to show strong growth in cash flow. The terms were negotiated with the sellers, one of which later was appointed as a director of Carriage. The contingent purchase price payments paid to the director totaled $572,243 during 2002.

During 2003, the Company was reimbursed for the cost of personnel and office expenses totaling approximately $87,000 from an entity in which the Company owned a minority interest and one of the entity’s directors is our Chief Executive Officer.  The Company sold its interest in the entity and our CEO resigned as director of the entity during 2004.

22



SEASONALITY

The Company’s business can be affected by seasonal fluctuations in the death rate. Generally, the rate is higher during the winter months because the incidences of death from influenza and pneumonia are higher during this period than other periods of the year.

INFLATION

Inflation has not had a significant impact on the results of Carriage’s operations.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

In addition to historical information, this Annual Report contains forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include any projections of earnings, revenues, asset sales, cash flow, debt levels or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operation; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; any statements of belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Forward-looking statements may include the words “may”, “will”, “estimate”, “intend”, “believe”, “expect”, “project”, “forecast”, “plan”, “anticipate” and other similar words.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR COMPANY

Marketing and sales activities by existing and new competitors could cause us to lose market share and lead to lower revenues and margins.

We face competition in all of our markets. Most of our competitors are independently owned, and some are relatively recent market entrants. Certain of the recent entrants are individuals who were formerly employed by us or by our competitors and have relationships and name recognition within our markets. As a group, independent competitors tend to be aggressive in distinguishing themselves by their independent ownership, and they promote their independence through advertising, direct mailings and personal contact. Increasing pressures from new market entrants and continued advertising and marketing by competitors in local markets could cause us to lose market share and revenues. In addition, competitors may change the types or mix of products or services offered. These changes may attract customers, causing us to lose market share and revenue as well as to incur costs in response to competition to vary the types or mix of products or services offered by us.

Price competition could also reduce our market share or cause us to reduce prices to retain or recapture market share, either of which could reduce revenues and margins.

We have historically experienced price competition primarily from independent funeral home and cemetery operators, and from monument dealers, casket retailers, low-cost funeral providers and other non-traditional providers of services or products. New market entrants tend to attempt to build market share by offering lower cost alternatives. In the past, this price competition has resulted in our losing market share in some markets. In other markets, we have had to reduce prices thereby reducing profit margins in order to retain or recapture market share. Increased price competition in the future could further reduce revenues, profit margins and our backlog.

Improved performance in our funeral segment is highly dependent upon successful execution of our standards-based Being the Best operating model.

At the beginning of 2004, we implemented our new standards-based Being the Best operating model to improve and better measure performance in our funeral operations. We developed standards according to nine criteria, each with a different weighting, designed around market share, people, and operational and financial metrics. We also incentivise our location managing partners by giving them the opportunity to earn a fixed percentage of the field-level earnings before interest taxes, depreciation and amortization based upon the number and weighting of the standards achieved. Our expectation is that, over time, the Being the Best operating model will result in our maintaining or improving field-level margins, market share, customer satisfaction and overall financial performance, but there is no assurance that these goals will be met.

Our ability to generate preneed sales depends on a number of factors, including sales incentives and local and general economic conditions.

Declines in preneed sales would reduce our backlog and revenue and could reduce our future market share. On the other hand, a significant increase in preneed sales can have a negative impact on cash flow as a result of commissions and other costs incurred without corresponding revenues.

23



As we have localized our preneed sales strategies, we are continuing to refine the mix of service and product offerings in both our funeral and cemetery segments, including changes in our sales commission and incentive structure. These changes could cause us to experience declines in preneed sales in the short-run. In addition, economic conditions at the local or national level could cause declines in preneed sales either as a result of less discretionary income or lower consumer confidence. Declines in preneed cemetery property sales would reduce current revenue, and declines in other preneed sales would reduce our backlog and future revenue and could reduce future market share.

Preneed sales of cemetery property and funeral and cemetery merchandise and services are generally cash flow negative initially, primarily due to the commissions paid on the sale, the portion of the sales proceeds required to be placed into trust or escrow and the terms of the particular contract such as the size of the down payment required and the length of the contract. As a result, preneed sales reduce cash flow available for other activities, and, to the extent preneed activities are increased, cash flow will be further reduced.

Earnings from and principal of trust funds and insurance contracts could be reduced by changes in financial markets.

Earnings and investment gains and losses on trust funds and insurance contracts are affected by financial market conditions that are largely outside our control. Earnings are also affected by the mix of fixed-income and equity securities that we choose to maintain in the funds, and we may not choose the optimal mix for any particular market condition. Declines in earnings from perpetual care trust funds would cause a decline in current revenues, while declines in earnings from other trust funds and insurance contracts could cause a decline in future cash flows and revenues.

Unrealized gains and losses in the funeral trust funds and cemetery merchandise trust funds have no immediate impact on our revenues, margins, earnings or cash flow, unless the fair market value of the funds were to decline below the estimated costs to deliver the underlying products and services. If that were to occur, we would record a charge to earnings to record the expected loss currently. Over time, gains and losses realized in the funds are allocated to underlying preneed contracts and affect the amount of the trust fund earnings to be recognized when we deliver the underlying product or service. Depending on conditions in the financial markets, the funds may eventually realize losses, and our revenues, margins, earnings and cash flow would be negatively affected by the reduced revenue when we deliver the underlying products and services.

Our ability to execute our growth strategy is highly dependent upon our ability to successfully identify suitable acquisition candidates and negotiate transactions on favorable terms.

There has been little acquisition activity by us or the other public companies in the death care industry over the preceding four years, and there is no assurance that we will be able to identify candidates that meet our criteria or that we will be able to reach terms with identified candidates for transactions that are acceptable to us. We intend to apply standards established under our Being the Best operating model in qualifying acquisition candidates, and there is no assurance that we will be successful in doing so or that we will find attractive candidates that satisfy these standards.

Increased costs may have a negative impact on our earnings and cash flows.

Cost increases may impair our ability to achieve revenue growth that exceeds our cost increases. Our 2005 plan assumes that we will be successful in increasing revenues at a rate that is greater than the growth in the cost of sales. We can give no assurance that we will be successful in achieving such increases.

Increases in interest rates would increase interest costs on our variable-rate indebtedness and could have a material adverse effect on our net income.

As of December 31, 2004, $25.6 million of our indebtedness was subject to variable interest rates, all under our existing credit facility. We intend to amend our credit facility, which will also likely be at variable rates, although initially there is no outstanding balance following the repayment of borrowings from the proceeds of the $130 million Senior Notes offering. Our current Senior Notes are fixed-rate debt instruments, as is the subordinated debt to affiliate debentures. Nevertheless, if we borrow under our proposed amended credit facility, we will become subject to greater exposure to increases in interest rates, and increases in our interest costs could decrease our net income.

Covenant restrictions under our debt instruments may limit our flexibility in operating our business.

The terms of our credit facility, including the amendment we intend to obtain, and the indenture governing the Senior Notes will limit our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to, among other things:

                       incur additional debt;

24



•      pay dividends or make distributions or redeem or repurchase stock;

•      make investments;

•      grant liens;

•      make capital expenditures;

•      enter into transactions with affiliates;

•      enter into sale-leaseback transactions;

•      sell assets; and

acquire the assets of, or merge or consolidate with, other companies.

Our credit facility also requires us to maintain certain financial ratios. Complying with these restrictive covenants and financial ratios, as well as those that may be contained in any future debt agreements, may impair our ability to finance our future operations or capital needs or to take advantage of other favorable business opportunities. They may also limit our ability to pay interest or principal on the notes. Our ability to comply with these restrictive covenants and financial ratios will depend on our future performance, which may be affected by events beyond our control. Our failure to comply with any of these covenants or restrictions when they apply will result in a default under the particular debt instrument, which could permit acceleration of the debt under that instrument and, in some cases, the acceleration of debt under other instruments that contain cross-default or cross-acceleration provisions. In the event of an event of default, or in the event of a cross-default or cross-acceleration, we may not have sufficient funds available to make the required payments under our debt instruments. If we are unable to repay amounts owed under the terms of our amended senior secured credit facility, the lenders thereunder may be entitled to sell most or substantially all of our assets and the assets of many of our subsidiaries to satisfy our obligations under those agreements. In such event, we may not be able to fully repay the notes, if at all.

RISKS RELATED TO THE DEATH CARE INDUSTRY

Declines in the number of deaths in our markets can cause a decrease in revenues. Changes in the number of deaths are not predictable from market to market or over the short term.

Declines in the number of deaths could cause at-need sales of funeral and cemetery services, property and merchandise to decline, which could decrease revenues. Although the United States Bureau of the Census estimates that the number of deaths in the United States will increase through 2010, longer lifespans could reduce the rate of deaths. In addition, changes in the number of deaths can vary among local markets and from quarter to quarter, and variations in the number of deaths in our markets or from quarter to quarter are not predictable. These variations may cause our revenues to fluctuate and our results of operations to lack predictability.

The increasing number of cremations in the United States could cause revenues to decline because we could lose market share to firms specializing in cremations. In addition, direct cremations produce no revenues for cemetery operations and lower funeral revenues.

Our traditional cemetery and funeral service operations face competition from the increasing number of cremations in the United States. Industry studies indicate that the percentage of cremations has steadily increased and that cremations will represent approximately 35% of the U.S. burial market by the year 2010, compared to approximately 28% in 2002. The trend toward cremation could cause cemeteries and traditional funeral homes to lose market share and revenues to firms specializing in cremations. In addition, direct cremations (with no funeral service, casket, urn, mausoleum niche, columbarium niche or burial) produce no revenues for cemetery operations and lower revenues than traditional funerals and, when delivered at a traditional funeral home, produce lower profit margins as well.

If we are not able to respond effectively to changing consumer preferences, our market share, revenues and profitability could decrease.

Future market share, revenues and profits will depend in part on our ability to anticipate, identify and respond to changing consumer preferences. During the last four years, we have implemented new product and service strategies based on results of customer surveys that we conduct on a continuous basis. However, we may not correctly anticipate or identify trends in consumer preferences, or we may identify them later than our competitors do. In addition, any strategies we may implement to address these

25



trends may prove incorrect or ineffective.

Because the funeral and cemetery businesses are high fixed-cost businesses, changes in revenue can have a disproportionately large effect on cash flow and profits.

Companies in the funeral home and cemetery business must incur many of the costs of operating and maintaining facilities, land and equipment regardless of the level of sales in any given period. For example, we must pay salaries, utilities, property taxes and maintenance costs on funeral homes and maintain the grounds of cemeteries regardless of the number of funeral services or interments performed. Because we cannot decrease these costs significantly or rapidly when we experience declines in sales, declines in sales can cause margins, profits and cash flow to decline at a greater rate than the decline in revenues.

Changes or increases in, or failure to comply with, regulations applicable to our business could increase costs or decrease cash flows.

The death care industry is subject to extensive regulation and licensing requirements under federal, state and local laws. For example, the funeral home industry is regulated by the Federal Trade Commission, which requires funeral homes to take actions designed to protect consumers. State laws impose licensing requirements and regulate preneed sales. Embalming and cremation facilities are subject to stringent environmental and health regulations. Compliance with these regulations is burdensome, and we are always at risk of not complying with the regulations or facing costly and burdensome investigations from regulatory authorities.

In addition, from time to time, governments and agencies propose to amend or add regulations, which could increase costs or decrease cash flows. For example, federal, state, local and other regulatory agencies have considered and may enact additional legislation or regulations that could affect the death care industry. Several states and regulatory agencies have considered or are considering regulations that could require more liberal refund and cancellation policies for preneed sales of products and services, limit or eliminate our ability to use surety bonding, increase trust requirements and prohibit the common ownership of funeral homes and cemeteries in the same market. If adopted by the regulatory authorities of the jurisdictions in which we operate, these and other possible proposals could have a material adverse effect on us, our financial condition, our results of operations and our future prospects. For additional information regarding the regulation of the death care industry, see “Business — Regulation”.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE MARKET RISK DISCLOSURE

Carriage is exposed to market risk primarily related to potential increases in interest rates related to the Company’s debt, decreases in interest rates related to the Company’s short-term investments and changes in the values of securities associated with the preneed and perpetual care trusts. Management is actively involved in monitoring exposure to market risk and developing and utilizing appropriate risk management techniques when appropriate and when available for a reasonable price. We are not exposed to any other significant market risks including commodity price risk, nor foreign currency exchange risk.

Carriage monitors current and forecasted interest rate risk incurred in the ordinary course of business and seeks to maintain optimal financial flexibility, quality and solvency. Carriage strives to obtain the optimal cost of capital through a diverse range of funding alternatives and a mix of floating and fixed rate debt. As of December 31, 2004,2005, approximately 88%92% of total debt is fixed rate obligations. Given the current outlook for increasing interest rates, we believe the current bias to fixed rate debt is appropriate.

Our

     We do not currently have any floating rate long-term borrowings consist of the $25.6 million outstanding under our $45$35 million floating rate line of credit. AnyIf we borrow against the line of credit, any change in the floating rate willwould cause a change in interest expense. For example, each increase in

26


     The 7.875% Senior Notes were issued at par and are carried at a cost of $130 million. Current quotes indicate that cost approximates market value. The convertible junior subordinated debenture payable to Carriage Services Capital Trust pay interest at the LIBORfixed rate of 1% would increase interest expense by $260,000 per year based7% and are carried on the outstandingCompany’s balance sheet at a cost of approximately $93.8 million. We estimate a value of $84 million and $79 million at December 31, 2004.2004 and 2005, respectively, based on available broker quotes of the corresponding preferred securities issued by the Trust. Increases in market interest rates may cause the value of these instruments to decrease but such changes will not affect the Company’s interest costs. The remainder of Carriage’s long-term debt and leases consist of non-interest bearing notes and fixed rate instruments that do not trade in a market, or otherwise have a quoted market value. Any increase in market interest rates causes the fair value of those liabilities to decrease.

The convertible junior subordinated debenture payable to Carriage Services Capital Trust pay interest at the fixed rate of 7% and are carried on the Company’s balance sheet at a cost of approximately $93.8 million. We estimate a value of $53 million and $84 million at December 31, 2003 and 2004, respectively, based on available broker quotes of the corresponding preferred securities issued by the Trust. While corresponding preferred securities are very thinly traded, increases in market interest rates may cause the value of these instruments to decrease but such changes will not affect the Company’s interest costs.

Securities subject to market risk consist of investments held by our preneed funeral, cemetery merchandise and services and perpetual care trust funds. See Note 36 and 8 to our consolidated financial statementsConsolidated Financial Statements for the estimate of the fair values of those securities.

27


26



ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.


INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

28

27



/s/ Melvin C. Payne
Melvin C. Payne
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Joseph Saporito
Joseph Saporito
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
March 10, 2006

29


The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Carriage Services, Inc.:

We have audited management’s assessment, included in the 2004accompanyingManagement’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting,that Carriage Service, Inc. maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based on criteria established inInternal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).Carriage Service, Inc. management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and 2003 consolidatedfor its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of Carriage Service, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, management’s assessment that Carriage Services, Inc. maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on criteria established inInternal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).Also, in our opinion, Carriage Services, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based on criteria established inInternal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Carriage Services, Inc. and subsidiaries as listedof December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2005, and our report dated March 10, 2006 expressed an unqualified opinion on those Consolidated Financial Statements.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Houston, Texas
March 10, 2006

30


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Carriage Services, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying index.consolidated balance sheets of Carriage Services, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2005. These consolidated financial statementsConsolidated Financial Statements are the responsibility of the Company’sCarriage Services, Inc.’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidatedConsolidated Financial Statements and financial statementsstatement schedules based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statementsConsolidated Financial Statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Carriage Services, Inc. Inc.and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, and 2003, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2004,2005, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

As discussed

We also have audited, in Notes 1accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of Carriage Services, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based on criteria established inInternal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and 2 toour report dated March 10, 2006 expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment of, and the consolidatedeffective operation of, internal control over financial statements, the Company changed, effective January 1, 2002, its method of accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets as required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.  The Company adopted, effective January 1, 2002, the method of accounting and reporting for asset impairments and discontinued operations as required by SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. Accordingly, as discussed in Notes 2 and 3, the 2003 and 2002 consolidated financial statements have been restated for funeral homes identified for disposal that were reported as discontinued operations in 2004.  reporting.
As discussed in Note 5, in 20043 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for preneed funeral contracts secured by life insurance contracts.  Accordingly, the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2003 has been restated as discussedselling costs in Note 5.2005.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Houston, Texas
March 10, 2006
31


/s/ KPMG LLP

Houston, Texas

February 24, 2005

28



CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


(in thousands, except share data)

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2003

 

2004

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

2,024

 

$

1,948

 

Accounts receivable-

 

 

 

 

 

Trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,807 in 2003 and $940 in 2004

 

15,376

 

12,941

 

Assets held for sale

 

7,272

 

4,021

 

Inventories and other current assets

 

11,434

 

12,815

 

Total current assets

 

36,106

 

31,725

 

Preneed receivables and trust investments;

 

 

 

 

 

Cemetery

 

 

65,855

 

Funeral

 

 

49,494

 

Receivables from preneed funeral contracts

 

73,701

 

18,074

 

Preneed cemetery merchandise and service trust funds

 

46,506

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of  $34,587 in 2003 and $40,531 in 2004

 

107,257

 

104,893

 

Cemetery property

 

63,658

 

62,649

 

Goodwill

 

159,672

 

156,983

 

Deferred obtaining costs

 

32,524

 

35,701

 

Deferred charges and other non-current assets

 

19,493

 

8,581

 

Cemetery perpetual care trust investments

 

 

31,201

 

Total assets

 

$

538,917

 

$

565,156

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

$

22,703

 

$

22,039

 

Liabilities associated with assets held for sale

 

3,288

 

2,598

 

Current portion of long-term debt and obligations under capital leases

 

24,400

 

2,155

 

Total current liabilities

 

50,391

 

26,792

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior long-term debt, net of current portion

 

105,355

 

102,714

 

Convertible junior subordinated debenture due in 2029 to an affiliated trust

 

 

93,750

 

Obligations under capital leases, net of current portion

 

5,504

 

5,424

 

Distributions payable on convertible preferred securities

 

3,876

 

 

Deferred interest on convertible junior subordinated debentures

 

 

10,891

 

Deferred cemetery revenue

 

96,796

 

46,787

 

Deferred preneed funeral contracts revenue

 

80,738

 

30,973

 

Non-controlling interests in funeral and cemetery trust investments

 

 

98,652

 

Total liabilities

 

342,660

 

415,983

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

Non-controlling interests in perpetual care trust investments

 

 

32,212

 

Non-controlling interests in perpetual care trust investments associated with assets held for sale

 

 

523

 

Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable convertible preferred securities of Carriage Services Capital Trust

 

90,327

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock, $.01 par value; 80,000,000 shares authorized; 17,545,000 and 17,910,000 issued and outstanding in 2003 and 2004, respectively

 

175

 

179

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

186,679

 

188,029

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(80,290

)

(71,056

)

Deferred compensation

 

(634

)

(714

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

105,930

 

116,438

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

538,917

 

$

565,156

 

         
  December 31, 
  2004  2005 
ASSETS        
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents $1,948  $7,949 
Short term investments     16,908 
Accounts receivable-        
Trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $940 in 2004 and $937 in 2005  12,941   13,412 
Assets held for sale  4,021    
Inventories and other current assets  12,815   12,883 
       
Total current assets  31,725   51,152 
       
Preneed receivables and trust investments:        
Cemetery  65,855   67,995 
Funeral  49,494   50,420 
Receivables from preneed funeral contracts  18,074   17,411 
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $40,831 in 2004 and $45,694 in 2005  104,893   105,435 
Cemetery property  62,649   62,905 
Goodwill  156,983   157,358 
Deferred obtaining costs  35,701    
Deferred charges and other non-current assets  8,581   25,608 
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments  31,201   32,356 
       
Total assets $565,156  $570,640 
       
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $22,039  $22,163 
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale  2,598    
Current portion of long-term debt and obligations under capital leases  2,155   2,074 
       
Total current liabilities  26,792   24,237 
Senior long-term debt, net of current portion  102,714   134,572 
Convertible junior subordinated debenture due in 2029 to an affiliated trust  93,750   93,750 
Obligations under capital leases, net of current portion  5,424   4,775 
Deferred interest on convertible junior subordinated debentures  10,891    
Deferred cemetery revenue  46,787   51,928 
Deferred preneed funeral contracts revenue  30,973   29,446 
Non-controlling interests in funeral and cemetery trust investments  98,652   102,446 
       
Total liabilities  415,983   441,154 
       
Commitments and contingencies        
Non-controlling interests in perpetual care trust investments  32,212   33,112 
Non-controlling interests in perpetual care trust investments associated with assets held for sale  523    
Stockholders’ equity:        
Common Stock, $.01 par value; 80,000,000 shares authorized; 17,910,000 and 18,458,000 issued and outstanding in 2004 and 2005, respectively  179   185 
Additional paid-in capital  188,029   190,502 
Accumulated deficit  (71,056)  (92,921)
Deferred compensation  (714)  (1,392)
       
Total stockholders’ equity  116,438   96,374 
       
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $565,156  $570,640 
       
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.Consolidated Financial Statements.

32


29



CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS


(in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

Revenues, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funeral

 

$

115,100

 

$

112,588

 

$

112,816

 

Cemetery

 

34,217

 

34,351

 

37,390

 

 

 

149,317

 

146,939

 

150,206

 

Costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funeral

 

81,693

 

83,490

 

83,387

 

Cemetery

 

25,996

 

25,830

 

28,516

 

 

 

107,689

 

109,320

 

111,903

 

Gross profit

 

41,628

 

37,619

 

38,303

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative expenses

 

10,557

 

10,492

 

10,665

 

Other charges

 

871

 

432

 

495

 

Operating income

 

30,200

 

26,695

 

27,143

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(19,715

)

(17,935

)

(17,058

)

Other income

 

865

 

657

 

940

 

Total interest and other income

 

(18,850

)

(17,278

)

(16,118

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

11,350

 

9,417

 

11,025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

(8,429

)

3,519

 

71

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income from continuing operations

 

19,779

 

5,898

 

10,954

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discontinued operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income from discontinued operations

 

1,167

 

682

 

412

 

Gain on sales and (impairments) of discontinued operations

 

(355

)

499

 

(2,630

)

Income tax (provision) benefit

 

(313

)

(454

)

498

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

 

499

 

727

 

(1,720

)

Net income

 

$

20,278

 

$

6,625

 

$

9,234

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

1.17

 

$

0.34

 

$

0.62

 

Discontinued operations

 

$

0.03

 

$

0.04

 

$

(0.10

)

Net income

 

$

1.20

 

$

0.38

 

$

0.52

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

1.13

 

$

0.33

 

$

0.60

 

Discontinued operations

 

$

0.03

 

$

0.04

 

$

(0.09

)

Net income

 

$

1.16

 

$

0.37

 

$

0.51

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

16,973

 

17,444

 

17,786

 

Diluted

 

17,433

 

17,808

 

18,260

 

             
  For the years ended December 31, 
  2003  2004  2005 
Revenues            
Funeral $112,209  $112,504  $116,072 
Cemetery  34,351   37,390   38,962 
          
   146,560   149,894   155,034 
             
Costs and expenses            
Funeral  83,125   83,052   85,662 
Cemetery  25,830   28,516   32,107 
          
   108,955   111,568   117,769 
          
Gross profit  37,605   38,326   37,265 
 
General and administrative expenses  10,492   10,665   12,383 
Other charges (income)  432   495   (822)
          
Operating income  26,681   27,166   25,704 
             
Interest expense  (17,900)  (17,027)  (18,711)
Additional interest and other costs of senior debt refinancing        (6,933)
Other income (loss)  657   940   (73)
          
Total interest expense and other  (17,243)  (16,087)  (25,717)
          
             
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes  9,438   11,079   (13)
             
Provision for income taxes  (3,539)  (91)  (32)
          
             
Net income (loss) from continuing operations  5,899   10,988   (45)
          
             
Discontinued operations            
Operating income from discontinued operations  662   357   104 
Gains on sales and (impairments) of discontinued operations  499   (2,630)  1,301 
Income tax (provision) benefit  (435)  519   (469)
          
Income (loss) from discontinued operations  726   (1,754)  936 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting method, net of tax benefit        (22,756)
          
Net income (loss) $6,625  $9,234  $(21,865)
          
             
Basic earnings (loss) per share:            
Continuing operations $0.34  $0.62  $ 
Discontinued operations $0.04  $(0.10) $0.05 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting method $  $  $(1.24)
          
Net income (loss) $0.38  $0.52  $(1.19)
          
             
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:            
Continuing operations $0.33  $0.60  $ 
Discontinued operations $0.04  $(0.09) $0.05 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting method $  $  $(1.24)
          
Net income (loss) $0.37  $0.51  $(1.19)
          
             
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding:            
Basic  17,444   17,786   18,334 
          
Diluted  17,808   18,260   18,334 
          
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.Consolidated Financial Statements.

33


30



CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME


(in thousands)

 

 

For the years
ended December 31,

 

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

20,278

 

$

6,625

 

$

9,234

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps arising during period

 

394

 

165

 

 

Related income tax provision

 

(145

)

(66

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of accumulated unrealized loss on interest rate swap

 

332

 

166

 

 

Total other comprehensive income

 

581

 

265

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

 

$

20,859

 

$

6,890

 

$

9,234

 

             
  For the years ended December 31, 
  2003  2004  2005 
Net income (loss) $6,625  $9,234  $(21,865)
 
Other comprehensive income:            
 
Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps arising during period  165       
Related income tax provision  (66)      
 
Amortization of accumulated unrealized loss on interest rate swap  166       
          
Total other comprehensive income  265       
          
 
Comprehensive income (loss) $6,890  $9,234  $(21,865)
          
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.Consolidated Financial Statements.

34


31



CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY


(in thousands)

 

 

Shares

 

Common
Stock

 

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

 

Accumulated
Deficit

 

Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

 

Deferred
Compensation

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance – December 31, 2001

 

16,811

 

$

168

 

$

189,449

 

$

(107,193

)

$

(846

)

$

 

$

81,578

 

Net income – 2002

 

 

 

 

20,278

 

 

 

20,278

 

Issuance of common stock

 

97

 

1

 

789

 

 

 

 

790

 

Exercise of stock options

 

167

 

2

 

148

 

 

 

 

150

 

Payment of contingent stock price guarantees

 

 

 

(5,286

)

 

 

 

(5,286

)

Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps, net of tax benefit

 

 

 

 

 

581

 

 

581

 

Balance – December 31, 2002

 

17,075

 

171

 

185,100

 

(86,915

)

(265

)

 

98,091

 

Net income – 2003

 

 

 

 

6,625

 

 

 

6,625

 

Issuance of common stock

 

133

 

1

 

458

 

 

 

 

459

 

Exercise of stock options

 

100

 

1

 

190

 

 

 

 

191

 

Issuance of restricted common stock

 

247

 

2

 

971

 

 

 

(973

)

 

Cancellation and retirement of restricted common stock

 

(10

)

 

(40

)

 

 

40

 

 

Amortization of deferred compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

299

 

299

 

Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps, net of tax benefit

 

 

 

 

 

265

 

 

265

 

Balance – December 31, 2003

 

17,545

 

175

 

186,679

 

(80,290

)

 

(634

)

105,930

 

Net income – 2004

 

 

 

 

9,234

 

 

 

9,234

 

Issuance of common stock

 

130

 

2

 

577

 

 

 

 

579

 

Exercise of stock options

 

135

 

1

 

308

 

 

 

 

309

 

Issuance of restricted common stock

 

100

 

1

 

465

 

 

 

(466

)

 

Amortization of deferred compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

386

 

386

 

Balance – December 31, 2004

 

17,910

 

$

179

 

$

188,029

 

$

(71,056

)

$

 

$

(714

)

$

116,438

 

                             
          Additional             
      Common  Paid-in  Accumulated  Comprehensive  Deferred    
  Shares  Stock  Capital  Deficit  Income (Loss)  Compensation  Total 
                            
Balance – December 31, 2002
  17,075  $171  $185,100  $(86,915) $(265) $  $98,091 
Net income – 2003           6,625         6,625 
Issuance of common stock  133   1   458            459 
Exercise of stock options  100   1   190            191 
Issuance of restricted common stock  247   2   971         (973)   
Cancellation and retirement of restricted common stock  (10)     (40)        40    
Amortization of deferred compensation                 299   299 
Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps, net of tax benefit              265      265 
                      
Balance – December 31, 2003
  17,545   175   186,679   (80,290)     (634)  105,930 
Net income – 2004           9,234         9,234 
Issuance of common stock  130   2   577            579 
Exercise of stock options  135   1   308            309 
Issuance of restricted common stock  100   1   465         (466)   
Amortization of deferred compensation                 386   386 
                      
Balance – December 31, 2004
  17,910   179   188,029   (71,056)     (714)  116,438 
                      
Net income – 2005           (21,865)        (21,865)
Issuance of common stock  118   1   685            686 
Exercise of stock options  177   2   528            530 
Issuance of restricted common stock  268   3   1,335         (1,338)   
Cancellation and retirement of restricted common stock  (15)     (75)        75    
Amortization of deferred compensation                 585   585 
                      
Balance – December 31, 2005
  18,458  $185  $190,502  $(92,921) $  $(1,392) $96,374 
                      
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.Consolidated Financial Statements.

35


32



CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


(in thousands)

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income from continuing operations

 

$

19,779

 

$

5,898

 

$

10,954

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income from continuing operations to net cash provided by continuing operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

9,565

 

9,975

 

10,830

 

Loan cost amortization

 

1,344

 

954

 

924

 

Impairment of assets

 

741

 

 

 

Provision for losses on accounts receivable

 

1,014

 

1,580

 

2,243

 

Net gain on sale of business assets

 

(865

)

(657

)

(940

)

Stock-related compensation

 

 

345

 

464

 

Loss on sale of trust investments

 

 

147

 

235

 

Deferred income taxes (benefit)

 

(7,316

)

3,374

 

(70

)

Other

 

(79

)

(145

)

481

 

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects from dispositions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable

 

1,758

 

(1,672

)

(1,796

)

Decrease (increase) in inventories and other current assets

 

(1,920

)

(115

)

(899

)

Decrease (increase) in deferred charges and other

 

49

 

(521

)

(270

)

(Increase) in deferred obtaining costs

 

(4,479

)

(3,702

)

(2,405

)

(Increase) in preneed trust investments

 

(2,791

)

(5,567

)

(5,063

)

(Decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

(2,147

)

(965

)

(1,184

)

Increase in deferred preneed revenue

 

2,289

 

1,821

 

2,786

 

Increase in deferred interest on convertible junior subordinated debenture

 

 

3,329

 

7,015

 

Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations

 

16,942

 

14,079

 

23,305

 

Net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations

 

2,003

 

601

 

891

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

18,945

 

14,680

 

24,196

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net proceeds from sales of businesses and other assets

 

1,350

 

1,804

 

1,215

 

Cost adjustments related to acquisitions

 

(2,160

)

1,500

 

 

Sale of minority interest in subsidiary

 

200

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(6,031

)

(6,204

)

(5,746

)

Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations

 

(6,641

)

(2,900

)

(4,531

)

Net cash provided by investing activities of discontinued operations

 

634

 

1,114

 

3,237

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(6,007

)

(1,786

)

(1,294

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds (payments) under bank line of credit

 

(3,000

)

(6,400

)

4,500

 

Payments on senior long-term debt and obligations under capital leases

 

(5,127

)

(6,924

)

(27,927

)

Payment of contingent price guarantees

 

(5,286

)

 

 

Payment of debt origination costs

 

 

(618

)

 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

 

381

 

345

 

377

 

Proceeds from the exercise of stock options

 

150

 

191

 

309

 

Net cash used in financing activities of continuing operations

 

(12,882

)

(13,406

)

(22,741

)

Net cash used in financing activities of discontinued operations

 

(98

)

(166

)

(237

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(12,980

)

(13,572

)

(22,978

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(42

)

(678

)

(76

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

2,744

 

2,702

 

2,024

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

2,702

 

$

2,024

 

$

1,948

 

             
  For the years ended December 31, 
  2003  2004  2005 
  (Revised, (Revised,    
  See Note 1) See Note 1)    
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net income (loss) $6,625  $9,234  $(21,865)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:            
Cumulative effect of change in accounting method        22,756 
Depreciation and amortization  9,934   10,790   9,224 
Loan cost amortization  954   924   754 
Provision for losses on accounts receivable  1,571   2,238   2,706 
Net gain on sale of business assets  (657)  (940)  (240)
Stock-related compensation  345   464   675 
(Income) loss from discontinued operations  (726)  1,754   (936)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt        978 
Loss on sale of trust investments  147   235    
Deferred income taxes (benefit)  3,374   (50)  32 
Other  (145)  476   (73)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities that provided (required) cash, net of effects from acquisitions and dispositions            
Accounts receivable  (1,681)  (1,820)  (3,981)
Inventories and other current assets  (14)  (863)  (1,021)
Deferred charges and other  (659)  (379)  (786)
Deferred obtaining costs  (3,623)  (2,178)   
Preneed trust investments  (5,263)  (4,549)  (3,426)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  (1,080)  (1,332)  (1,398)
Deferred preneed revenue  1,697   2,574   8,508 
Deferred interest on convertible junior subordinated debenture  3,329   7,015   (10,345)
          
Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations  14,128   23,593   1,562 
Net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations  552   603   177 
          
Net cash provided by operating activities  14,680   24,196   1,739 
Cash flows of investing activities:            
Acquisitions  1,500      (1,285)
Proceeds from sales of businesses and other assets  1,804   1,215   586 
Purchase of short term investments        (32,724)
Maturities of short term investments        15,816 
Capital expenditures  (6,130)  (5,759)  (8,212)
          
Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations  (2,826)  (4,544)  (25,819)
Net cash provided by investing activities of discontinued operations  1,040   3,250   1,617 
          
Net cash used in investing activities  (1,786)  (1,294)  (24,202)
Cash flows from financing activities:            
Proceeds (payments) under bank line of credit  (6,400)  4,500   (25,600)
Payments on senior long-term debt and obligations under capital leases  (7,099)  (28,149)  (72,697)
Proceeds from the issuance of senior notes        130,000 
Payment of debt origination costs and deferred debt charges  (618)     (4,175)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock  345   377   406 
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options  191   309   530 
          
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities of continuing operations  (13,581)  (22,963)  28,464 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities of discontinued operations  9   (15)   
          
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities  (13,572)  (22,978)  28,464 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  (678)  (76)  6,001 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year  2,702   2,024   1,948 
          
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $2,024  $1,948  $7,949 
          
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.Consolidated Financial Statements.

36


33



1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business

Carriage Services, Inc. (“Carriage” or the “Company”) was founded in 1991 and incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in 1993. The Company owns and operates 135133 funeral homes and 3029 cemeteries in 28 states at December 31, 2004.2005. Carriage provides a complete range of preneed and at need services and products related to funerals, burials and cremations.

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

The financial statements include the consolidated financial statementsConsolidated Financial Statements of Carriage Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries, after eliminating all significant intercompany balances and transactions. Certain prior year amounts in the consolidated financial statementsConsolidated Financial Statements have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.

The accounting policies and procedures reflected herein have been consistently followed during the periods presented, except for the change in accounting principlemethod discussed in Note 23 related to the adoption of an interpretation related to the consolidation of variable interest entities,expensing preneed selling costs, which occurred during 2004.

in 2005.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
     We have revised the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for 2003 and 2004 consistent with 2005 to reconcile net cash provided by operating activities from net income (loss) instead of net income (loss) from continuing operations.
Funeral and Cemetery Operations

We record the sales of funeral merchandise and services when the funeral service is performed. Sales of cemetery interment rights are recorded as revenue in the period in which the customer’s cumulative payments exceed 10% of the contract price related to the real estate. Costs related to the sales of interment rights, which include property and other costs related to cemetery development activities, are charged to operations using the specific identification method in the period in which the sale of the interment right is recognized as revenue. Revenue from the sales of cemetery merchandise and services are recognized in the period in which the merchandise is delivered or the service is performed. Revenues to be recognized from the delivery of merchandise and performance of services related to contracts that were acquired in acquisitions are typically lower than those originated by the Company and are likely to exceed the cash collected from the contract and received from the trust at maturity.

Allowances for customer cancellations, refunds and bad debts are provided at the date that the sale is recognized as revenue based on our historical experience. In addition, we monitor changes in delinquency rates and provide additional bad debt and cancellation reserves when warranted. When preneed funeral services and merchandise are funded through third-party insurance policies, we earn a commission on the sale of the policies. Insurance commissions are recognized as revenues at the point at which the commission is no longer subject to refund, which is typically one year after the policy is issued.

Net trade accounts receivable consists of approximately $8.8$7.9 million and $7.9$8.0 million of funeral receivables and approximately $6.6$5.0 million and $5.0$5.4 million of current cemetery receivables at December 31, 20032004 and 2004,2005, respectively. Non-current cemetery receivables at December 31, 2004 and 2005, those payments expected to be received beyond one year from the balance sheet date, are classified as deferred charges and other non-current assets for 2003. The non-current cemetery accounts receivable balances were approximately $14.0 million at December 31, 2003.  Non-current cemetery receivables at December 31, 2004 are included in Preneed cemetery receivables and trust investments in accordance with the new accounting policy, FIN 46R (Note 2).

investments.

Preneed Funeral Contracts

Funeral merchandise and services are also sold on a preneed basis and in many instances the customer pays the contract over a period of time. The funeral revenue is not recorded until the service is performed. Cash proceeds from preneed funeral sales less amounts that the Company may retain under state regulations are deposited to a trust or used to purchase a third-party insurance policy. The trust income earned and the increases in insurance benefits on the insurance products are also deferred until the service is performed. At December 31, 2003, the value of the receivable from the customer and the trust fund are included in Receivables from preneed funeral contracts.  Beginning in 2004, theThe customer receivables and amounts deposited in trusts that Carriage controls are included in Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments. The preneed contracts secured by third party insurance policy are not recorded as assets or liabilities of the Company (Note 5)7).

In the opinion of management, the proceeds from the funeral trust assets orfunds and the insurance policypolicies at the timetimes the preneed contract maturescontracts mature will exceed the estimated future costcosts to perform services and provide products under such arrangements. The types of instruments in which the trusts may invest are regulated by state agencies.

37


34



NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Preneed Cemetery Merchandise and Service Trust Funds

Carriage is also generally required, by most states, to deposit a specified amount into a merchandise and service trust fund for cemetery merchandise and service contracts sold on a preneed basis. The principal and accumulated earnings of the trust may generally be withdrawn upon maturity (usually the death of the purchaser) or the cancellation of the contracts. Trust fund investment income is deferred as trust earnings accrue in the trusts, and recognized in current revenues in the period the service is performed or merchandise delivered.  See Note 2 for more detailed discussions of the Company’s accounting policies beginning in 2004 as  result of the adoption of FIN 46R.

Perpetual Care Trust Investments

In accordance with respective state laws, the Company is required to deposit a specified amount into perpetual and memorial care trust funds for each interment/entombment right and memorial sold. Income from the trust funds is used to provide care and maintenance for the cemeteries and mausoleums and is periodically distributed to Carriage and recognized as revenue when realized by the trust. The perpetual and memorial care trust assets were approximately $30.7 million at December 31, 2003, which, at the time, was not recorded as an asset of the Company. Beginning in 2004, the Company adopted the provisions of FIN 46R which among other things, resulted in recording the perpetual care trust investments as assets of the Company.  The Company does not have the right to withdraw any of the principal balances of these funds.  See Note 2 for more detailed discussions of the Company’s accounting change as a result of the adoption of FIN 46R.

Deferred Obtaining Costs

Deferred obtaining costs consist of sales commissions and other direct related costs of originating preneed sales contracts. TheseFor periods prior to 2005, these costs arewere deferred and amortized into funeral and cemetery costs and expenses to coincide with the expected timing of the performance of the services or delivery of the merchandise covered by the preneed contracts. The pattern of the periods over which the costs arewere recognized iswas based on actuarial statistics, provided by a third party administrator, based on the actual contracts we hold.

the Company held. On June 30, 2005, the Company changed its method for accounting for deferred obtaining costs, effective January 1, 2005. See Note 3 for more detailed discussion of the Company’s accounting change.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Carriage considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Derivative Financial Securities

Carriage entered into interest rate swap agreements to reduce the impact of changes in interest rates on our floating rate debt. The swap agreements were agreements to exchange floating rates for fixed interest payments periodically over the life of the agreements without the exchange of the underlying notional amounts. The differential paid or received was recognized as an adjustment to interest expense. The Company does not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes.  The swaps terminated in May 2003.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Many of the acquired funeral homes and former owners have provided high quality service to families for generations. The resulting loyalty often represents a substantial portion of the value of a funeral business. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net identifiable assets acquired, as determined by management in transactions accounted for as purchases, is recorded as goodwill.

In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issuedaccordance with SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”. SFAS No. 142 addresses how intangible assets that are acquired individually or with a group of other assets (but not those acquired in a business combination) should be accounted for in financial statements upon their acquisition. This Statement also addresses how goodwill and other intangible assets should be accounted for after they have been initially recognized in the financial statements.

The effect of SFAS No. 142 on the Company which was adopted as of the beginning of 2002, included the elimination ofeliminated the amortization of goodwill at the identificationbeginning of 2002. On an annual basis, the Company assesses and tests the potential impairment of goodwill based on reporting units (aggregated geographically) foridentified within the purposefuneral segment that are aggregated geographically.

38


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Inventory
     Inventory consists primarily of assessing potential future impairments of goodwillcaskets and the testing for impairments of goodwill on an annual basis.

35



Inventory

Inventorycemetery monuments and markers, and is recorded at the lower of its cost basis (determined by the specific identification method) or net realizable value.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. The costs of ordinary maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred, while renewals and betterments are capitalized. Capitalized interest totaled approximately $131,000$24,000 and $24,000$46,000 in 20032004 and 2004,2005, respectively. Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is computed based on the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives of the assets:

Years

Years
Buildings and improvements

15 to 40

Furniture and fixtures

7 to 10

Machinery and equipment

5 to 10

Automobiles

5 to 7

Property, plant and equipment was comprised of the following at December 31, 2004 and 2005:

Property, plant

         
  2004  2005 
  (in thousands) 
Property, plant and equipment, at cost:        
Land $25,783  $26,311 
Buildings and improvements  81,379   82,329 
Furniture, equipment and automobiles  38,955   42,489 
       
   146,117   151,129 
Less: accumulated depreciation  (40,831)  (45,694)
       
  $105,286  $105,435 
Less: Property, plant and equipment included in assets held for sale  393    
       
  $104,893  $105,435 
       
     During 2003, 2004 and equipment was comprised of the following at December 31, 2003 and 2004:

 

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Property, plant and equipment, at cost:

 

 

 

 

 

Land

 

$

26,734

 

$

25,783

 

Buildings and improvements

 

83,397

 

81,379

 

Furniture, equipment and automobiles

 

36,504

 

38,955

 

 

 

146,635

 

146,117

 

Less: accumulated depreciation

 

(35,671

)

(40,831

)

 

 

$

110,964

 

$

105,286

 

Less: Property, plant and equipment included in assets held for sale

 

3,707

 

393

 

 

 

$

107,257

 

$

104,893

 

During 2002, 2003 and 2004,2005, the Company recorded $6,401,000, $6,810,000, $6,973,000 and $6,973,000,$6,922,000, respectively, in depreciation expense in income from continuing operations.

Long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment, and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

Income Taxes

The Company and its subsidiaries file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return and separate income tax returns in the states in which we operate. We record deferred taxes for temporary differences between the tax basis and financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities, in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, (Note 12)15). The Company records a valuation allowance to reflect the estimated amount of deferred tax assets for which realization is uncertain. Management reviews the valuation allowance at the end of each quarter and makes adjustments if it is determined that it is more likely than not that the tax benefits will be realized.

39


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Employee Stock Options and Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Company has stock-based employee compensation plans in the form of stock option and employee stock purchase plans, which are more fully described in Note 13.16. The Company accounts for stock-based compensation under APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” whereby no compensation expense is recognized in the Consolidated Statement of

36



Operations and has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” and SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure.”

In December 2004, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 123 (revised 2004)2005),Share-Based Payment, which is a revision of FASB Statement No. 123,Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.Statement 123 (R) supersedes APB Opinion No. 25,Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and amends FASB Statement No. 95,Statement of Cash Flows. Statement 123 (R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based on their fair values and the pro forma disclosure alternative is no longer allowable under Statement 123 (R). The revised standard is effective for public entities in the first interim or annual reporting period of the first fiscal year beginning after June 15, 2005, which for the Company will be the third quarter of fiscal 2005 ending September 30, 2005. The Company will adopt FAS No. 123R in the first fiscal quarter of its 2006 fiscal year and expects to use the modified prospective application method, which results in no restatement of the Company’s previously issued annual Consolidated Financial Statements. The adoption of FAS No. 123R using the modified prospective applications method is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial position and no impact on cash flows of the Company. The future compensation expense will vary in the future due to changes in the inputs. Management currently evaluating the impact ofestimates that the adoption of Statement 123(R), whichFAS No. 123R will result in additional pre-tax compensation expense beginning in the third quarter of 2005 for remaining unvested stock options, any future stock option grants and the employee stock purchase plan.  Management believes that had compensation cost for these plans been determined consistent with SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”,reduce net income and income per share would have been the following pro forma amounts:

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

Net income available to common stockholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

20,278

 

$

6,625

 

$

9,234

 

Pro forma

 

19,544

 

6,134

 

8,794

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per share available to common stockholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

1.20

 

0.38

 

0.52

 

Pro forma

 

1.15

 

0.35

 

0.49

 

Diluted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

1.16

 

0.37

 

0.51

 

Pro forma

 

1.12

 

0.34

 

0.48

 

in 2006 within a range of $0.1 million to $0.2 million.

                 
      Year ended December 31, 
      2003  2004  2005 
      (in thousands, except per share data)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders:             
As reported     $6,625  $9,234  $(21,865)
Pro forma      6,134   8,794   (22,059)
Net income (loss) per share available to common stockholders:                
Basic                
As reported      0.38   0.52   (1.19)
Pro forma      0.35   0.49   (1.20)
Diluted                
As reported      0.37   0.51   (1.19)
Pro forma      0.34   0.48   (1.20)
Computation of Earnings Per Common Share

Basic earnings per share are computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share are computed using the weighted average number of common and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive common equivalent shares consist of stock options (Note 16).

options.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Carriage believes that the carrying value approximates fair value for cash and cash equivalents and trade receivables and payables. Additionally, our floating rate credit facility, when drawn, approximates its fair value. Management also believes that the carrying value of senior long-term debt approximates fair value. Management estimates that the fair value of the Convertible junior subordinated debenture at December 31, 20042005 was approximately $84$79 million, based on available broker quotes of the corresponding convertible preferred securities at Carriage Services Capital Trust.

40


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
     Except as noted for Goodwill and deferred obtaining costs, the Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment when changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the net asset may not be recoverable in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (SFAS 144). The long-lived assets to be held and used are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value. Assets to be disposed of and assets not expected to provide any future service potential to the Company are recorded at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less estimated cost to sell. The revenues and expenses, as well as gains, losses and impairments, from those assets are reported in the discontinued operations section of the Consolidated Statement of Operations for all periods presented.
Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities
     The Company records preneed and perpetual care trust funds in accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 46, as revised, (FIN 46R),“Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) No. 51.”This interpretation clarifies the circumstances in which certain entities that do not have equity investors with a controlling financial interest must be consolidated by its sponsor. The investments of such trust funds have been reported at market value and the Company’s future obligations to deliver merchandise and services have been reported at estimated settlement amounts. The Company has also recognized the non-controlling financial interests of third parties in the trust funds.
     The Company implemented FIN 46R as of March 31, 2004, which resulted, for financial reporting purposes, in the consolidation of the Company’s preneed and perpetual care trust funds. There was no cumulative effect of an accounting change recognized by the Company as a result of the implementation of FIN 46R. The implementation of FIN 46R affected certain accounts on the Company’s balance sheet beginning March 31, 2004 as described below; however, it did not affect cash flow, net income or the manner in which the Company recognizes and reports revenues.
     Although FIN 46R requires consolidation of preneed and perpetual care trusts, it does not change the legal relationships among the trusts, the Company and its customers. In the case of preneed trusts, the customers are the legal beneficiaries. In the case of perpetual care trusts, the Company does not have a right to access the corpus in the perpetual care trusts. For these reasons, the Company has recognized non-controlling interests in our financial statements to reflect third party interests in these consolidated trust funds.
     Both the preneed trusts and the cemetery perpetual care trusts hold investments in marketable securities which have been classified as available-for-sale. The investments are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses allocated toNon-controlling interests in trust investments in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Unrealized gains and losses attributable to the Company, but that have not been earned through the performance of services or delivery of merchandise is allocated todeferred revenues.
     Also beginning March 31, 2004, the Company recognizes realized the income, gains and losses of the preneed trusts and the unrealized income, gains and losses of the cemetery perpetual care trusts. The Company recognizes a corresponding expense equal to the realized earnings of these trusts attributable to the non-controlling interest holders. When such earnings attributable to the Company have not been earned through the performance of services or delivery of merchandise, the Company will record such earnings as deferred revenue.
     For preneed trusts, the Company recognizes as revenues amounts attributed to the non-controlling interest holders and the Company, including accumulated realized earnings, when the contracted services have been performed and merchandise delivered. For cemetery perpetual care trusts, the Company recognizes investment earnings in cemetery revenues when such earnings are realized and distributable. Such earnings are intended to defray cemetery maintenance costs incurred by the Company.
     Also, the Company was required to deconsolidate Carriage Services Capital Trust (the “Trust”), a trust established in 1999 to issue redeemable convertible preferred securities. The Company’s obligation to the Trust consists of convertible junior subordinated debentures. The preferred securities of the Trust were previously classified as temporary equity in the consolidated balance sheet. As a result of deconsolidating the Trust, the Company now reports its obligation to the Trust, the convertible junior subordinated debentures, as a long-term liability.

41


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statementsConsolidated Financial Statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that effect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. On an on-going basis, we evaluate estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, realization of accounts receivable, intangible assets, property and equipment and deferred tax assets. We base our estimates on historical experience, third party data and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these considerations form the basis for making judgments about the amount and timing of revenues and expenses, the carrying value of assets and the recorded amounts of liabilities. Actual results may differ from these estimates and such estimates may change if the underlying conditions or assumptions change. Historical performance should not be viewed as indicative

37



of future performance, as there can be no assurance the margins, operating income and net earnings as a percentage of revenues will be sustained consistently from year to year.

2. RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE CHANGESSTANDARDS

Accounting Changes and Error Corrections
     The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections” (“FAS No. 154). This statement is a replacement of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 20 and FAS No. 3. FAS No. 154 changes the requirements for the accounting for and reporting of a change in accounting principle and error corrections. It establishes, unless impracticable and absence of explicit transition requirements, retrospective application as the required method of a change in accounting principle to the newly adopted accounting principle. Also, it establishes guidance for reporting corrections of errors as reporting errors involves adjustments to previously issued financial statements similar to those generally applicable to reporting accounting changes retrospectively. FAS No. 154 also provides guidance for determining and reporting a change when retrospective application is impracticable. FAS No. 154 is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. The Company will adopt the requirements beginning January 1, 2006.
Impairment of Investments

In March 2004, the FASB reached consensus on the guidance provided by Emerging Issues Task Force Issue 03-1 (EITF 03-1),“The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments.”The guidance is applicable to debt and equity securities that are within the scope of FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 115,“Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.”EITF 03-1 specifies that an impairment would be considered other-than-temporary unless (a) the investor has the ability and intent to hold an investment for a reasonable period of time sufficient for the recovery of the fair value up to (or beyond) the cost of the investment and (b) evidence indicating the cost of the investment is recoverable within a reasonable period of time outweighs evidence of the contrary. EITF 03-1 was scheduled to beis effective for reporting periods ending after June 15, 2004.  The2004 except for the measurement and recognition provisions relating to debt and equity securities havewhich had been delayed until the FASB issues additional guidance.deferred. The disclosure requirements continue to be effective in annual financial statements for fiscal years ending after June 15, 2004. We adopted the disclosure provisions during the period ended June 30, 2004. The guidance for measurement and recognition provisions has subsequently been replaced by SFAS No. 115-1 and SFAS No. 124-1“The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments”which is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2005. The adoption of the measurement and recognition provisions willis not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements,Consolidated Financial Statements, result of operations or liquidity of the Company.

Impairment

3. CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING METHOD FOR PRENEED SELLING COSTS
     On June 30, 2005, the Company changed its method of Long-Lived Assets

Except as notedaccounting for Goodwill and deferred obtaining costs, the Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment when changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the net asset may not be recoverable in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 144, “Accountingwhich are preneed selling costs, incurred for the Impairment or Disposalorigination of Long-Lived Assets” (SFAS 144). SFAS 144 requires that long-lived assets to be heldprearranged funeral and used be reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value. Assets to be disposed ofcemetery service and assets not expected to provide any future service potential to the Company are recorded at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less estimated cost to sell.  The revenues and expenses, as well as gains, losses and impairments, from those assets are reported in the discontinued operations section of the Consolidated Statement of Operations for all periods presented.

Goodwill

The adoption of SFAS No. 141 by the Company had no effect on its consolidated financial statements.  The effect of SFAS No. 142 on the Company, which was adopted as of the beginning of 2002, included the elimination of the amortization of goodwill, the identification of reporting units for the purpose of assessing potential future impairments of goodwill and the testing for impairments of goodwill on an annual basis.  The Company performed an annual review of goodwill by comparing the fair value of the Company’s reporting units (funeral home businesses by region) to the carrying value of the reporting units and no impairment was indicated.

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Interpretation No. 46, as revised, (FIN 46R), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) No. 51.” This interpretation clarifies the circumstances in which certain entities that do not have equity investors with a controlling financial interest must be consolidated by its sponsor. The Company implemented FIN 46R as of March 31, 2004, which resulted, for financial reporting purposes, in the consolidation of the Company’s preneed and perpetual care trust funds. The investments of such trust funds have been reported at market value and the Company’s future obligations to deliver merchandise and services have been reported at estimated settlement amounts.sales contracts. The Company has also recognizedapplied this change in accounting method effective January 1, 2005. Therefore, the non-controlling financial interestsCompany’s results of third partiesoperations for the year ended December 31, 2005 are reported on the basis of the changed method. Prior to this change, commissions and other costs that were related to the origination of prearranged funeral and cemetery service and merchandise sales were deferred and amortized with the objective of recognizing the selling costs in the trust funds. There was nosame period that the related revenue is recognized. Under the prior accounting method, the commissions and other direct selling costs, which are current obligations that are paid and use operating cash flow, are

42


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
3. CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING METHOD FOR PRENEED SELLING COSTS (continued)
not recognized currently in the income statement. The Company believes it is preferable to expense the current obligation for the commissions and other costs rather than defer these costs.
     As of January 1, 2005, the Company recorded the cumulative effect of anthe change in accounting change recognized by the Company as a result of the implementation of FIN 46R. The implementation of FIN 46R affected certain accounts on the Company’s balance sheet beginning March 31, 2004 as described below; however, it did not affect cash flow, net income or the manner in which the Company recognizes and reports revenues.

38



Although FIN 46R requires consolidation of preneed and perpetual care trusts, it does not change the legal relationships among the trusts, the Company and its customers. In the case of preneed trusts, the customers are the legal beneficiaries. In the case of perpetual care trusts, the Company does not have a right to access the corpusmethod in the perpetual care trusts. For these reasons,amount of $35.8 million pretax or $22.8 million after tax (net of income tax benefit of $13.0 million), or $1.24 per diluted share, which represents the Company has recognized non-controlling interests in our financial statements to reflect third party interests in these consolidated trust funds.

Both the preneed trusts and the cemetery perpetual care trusts hold investments in marketable securities which have been classified as available-for-sale. The investments are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses allocated to Non-controlling interests in trust investments cumulative balance of deferred obtaining costs in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Unrealized gainsThe table below presents the Company’s income from continuing operations before the cumulative effect of the change in accounting method, net income (loss), diluted earnings per share from continuing operations before the cumulative effect of the change in accounting method and losses attributable todiluted net earnings (loss) per share for the year ended December 31, 2005 had the Company but that have not been earned throughmade this accounting change (in thousands, except per share amounts).

             
      Year Ended     
  December 31, 2005 
      Effect of  Results under 
  As Reported  Change  Prior Method 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting method $(45) $952  $907 
Net income (loss)  (21,865)  23,601   1,736 
Diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting method     0.05   0.05 
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share  (1.19)  1.29   0.10 
     The tables below presents the performance of services or delivery of merchandise is allocated to deferred revenues.

Also beginning Marchpro forma amounts for the year ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 as if the Company recognizes realized income, gains and losses of the preneed trusts and cemetery perpetual care trusts. The Company recognizes a corresponding expense equal to the realized earnings of these trusts attributable to the non-controlling interest holders. When such earnings attributable to the Company have notaccounting change had been earned through the performance of services or delivery of merchandise, the Company will record such earnings as deferred revenue.in effect during those periods (in thousands, except per share amounts).

             
  ��   Year Ended     
  December 31, 2004 
  As       
  Previously  Effect of    
  Reported  Change  Proforma 
Gross profit:            
Funeral $29,452  $(985) $28,467 
Cemetery  8,874   (2,090)  6,784 
          
  $38,326  $(3,075) $35,251 
             
Income from continuing operations $10,988  $(1,922) $9,066 
Net income  9,234   (1,686)  7,548 
Diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations  0.60   (0.10)  0.50 
Diluted earnings per common share  0.51   (0.10)  0.41 
             
      Year Ended     
  December 31, 2003 
  As       
  Previously  Effect of    
  Reported  Change  Proforma 
Gross profit:            
Funeral $29,084  $(529) $28,555 
Cemetery  8,521   (1,804)  6,717 
          
  $37,605  $(2,333) $35,272 
             
Income from continuing operations $5,899  $(1,457) $4,442 
Net income  6,625   (1,624)  5,001 
Diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations  0.33   (0.08)  0.25 
Diluted earnings per common share  0.37   (0.09)  0.28 

43


For preneed trusts, the Company recognizes as revenues amounts attributed to the non-controlling interest holders and the Company, including accumulated realized earnings, when the contracted services have been performed and merchandise delivered. For cemetery perpetual care trusts, the Company recognizes investment earnings in cemetery revenues when such earnings are realized and distributable. Such earnings are intended to defray cemetery maintenance costs incurred by the Company.

Also, the Company was required to deconsolidate Carriage Services Capital Trust (the “Trust”), a trust established in 1999 to issue redeemable convertible preferred securities. The Company’s obligation to the Trust consists of convertible junior subordinated debentures. The preferred securities of the Trust were previously classified as temporary equity in the consolidated balance sheet. As a result of deconsolidating the Trust, the Company now reports its obligation to the Trust, the convertible junior subordinated debentures, as a long-term liability.

3.NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
4. ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

During 2004, the Company identified five funeral home businesses and one cemetery business to be sold. Unique circumstances that developed during the year influenced decisions to sell rather than operate these businesses. The carrying value of the assets of the businesses had beenwere analyzed and the carrying value of four funeral home businesses was reduced to management’s estimate of fair value less estimated costs to sell by providing impairment charges totaling $3.7 million, a substantial portion of which is related to specifically identified goodwill. The fair value less estimated costs to sell for the remaining two businesses were determined to be greater than its carrying value. In estimating fair value, management considered, among other things, the range of preliminary prices being discussed with potential buyers.

The company closed on the sale ofsold three funeral home businesses during the year.2004. Those transactions generated net cash proceeds totaling $3.3 million and a gain of approximately $1.1 million.

During 2005, the Company sold one cemetery business and two funeral home businesses. These transactions generated net cash proceeds of $1.6 million and a gain of approximately $1.3 million.

     No businesses were held for sale at December 31, 2005. At December 31, 2004, assets and liabilities associated with the remaining two funeral home businesses and one cemetery business held for sale in the accompanying balance sheet consisted of the following (in thousands).  The December 31, 2003 balance sheet has been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.

39


     
  December 31, 
  2004 
Assets:    
Current assets $200 
Property, plant and equipment, net  393 
Preneed receivables and trust investments  2,378 
Cemetery property, net  462 
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments  455 
Deferred obtaining costs  133 
    
Total $4,021 
    
     
Liabilities:    
Current liabilities  32 
Deferred cemetery revenue  515 
Non-controlling interests in funeral and cemetery trust investments  2,051 
    
Total $2,598 
    
     
Noncontrolling interests in perpetual care trust investments with assets held for sale $523 
    

 

 

December 31,
2003

 

December 31,
2004

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

$

289

 

$

200

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

3,707

 

393

 

Preneed receivables and trust investments

 

 

2,378

 

Preneed funeral contracts

 

5

 

 

Preneed cemetery merchandise and service trust funds

 

1,731

 

 

Cemetery property, net

 

466

 

462

 

Cemetery perpetual care trust investments

 

 

455

 

Deferred obtaining costs

 

615

 

133

 

Deferred charges and other assets

 

459

 

 

Total

 

$

7,272

 

$

4,021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

208

 

32

 

Senior long-term debt, net of current portion

 

220

 

 

Deferred cemetery revenue

 

2,312

 

515

 

Deferred preneed funeral contracts revenue

 

548

 

 

Non-controlling interests in funeral and cemetery trust investments

 

 

2,051

 

Total

 

$

3,288

 

$

2,598

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncontrolling interests in perpetual care trust investments with assets held for sale

 

$

 

$

523

 

The operating results of the five funeral home businesses and one cemetery businesssold, held for sale or closed, as well as the impairment charges and gains on disposal are presented in the discontinued operations section, along with the income tax effect, in the consolidated statements of operations on a comparative basis. Likewise, the operating results and gains or losses from businesses sold or closed in the prior year have been similarly reported for comparability. Revenues and operating income for the businesses presented in the discontinued operations section are as follows (in thousands):

44

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues, net

 

$

4,859

 

$

3,884

 

$

2,300

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

$

1,167

 

$

682

 

$

412

 


In

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
4. ASSETS HELD FOR SALE (continued)
             
  For the years ended December 31, 
  2003  2004  2005 
Revenues, net $4,263  $2,612  $722 
 
Operating income $662  $357  $104 
5. SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS
     Short term investments are investments purchased with an original maturity of greater than three months at the time of purchase. Short term investments at December 31, 2005 consisted of commercial paper with maturity dates that range from January 2005, the Company closed on the sale of the fourth funeral home business which generated net cash proceeds totaling $0.5 million and a gain of approximately $0.4 million.

40

2006 to April 2006 at rates ranging from 3.65 percent to 4.21 percent per anum. Market value approximates cost.


4.6. PRENEED RECEIVABLES AND TRUST INVESTMENTS

Preneed Cemetery Receivables and Trust Investments

Preneed cemetery receivables and trust investments, net of allowance for cancellations, represent trust fund assets and customer receivables (net of unearned finance charges) for contracts sold in advance of when the merchandise or services are needed. The components ofPreneed cemetery receivables and trust investmentsin the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2004 and 2005 are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

December 31,
2004

 

Trust assets

 

$

53,095

 

Receivables from customers, net

 

15,915

 

Unearned finance charges

 

(3,155

)

Preneed cemetery receivables and trust investments

 

$

65,855

 

         
  December 31,  December 31, 
  2004  2005 
Trust assets $53,095  $54,768 
Receivables from customers  16,299   17,304 
Unearned finance charges  (3,155)  (3,143)
Allowance for doubtful accounts  (384)  (934)
       
Preneed cemetery receivables and trust investments $65,855  $67,995 
       
Preneed cemetery receivables and trust investmentsare reduced by the trust investment earnings the Company has been allowed to withdraw prior to performance by the Company and amounts received from customers that are not required to be deposited into trust, pursuant to various state laws. Preneed cemetery sales are usually financed through interest-bearing installment sales contracts, generally with terms of up to five years. The interest rates generally range between 12 percent and 14 percent.

The cost and market values associated with cemetery preneed trust assets at December 31, 20042005 are detailed below (in thousands). The Company believes the unrealized losses related to trust investments are temporary in nature. Net unrealized and realized gains increased $0.6totaled $1.4 million from March 31, 2004,for the date of adoption, throughyear ended December 31, 2004.2005.

45

 

 

Cost

 

Unrealized
Gains

 

Unrealized
Losses

 

Market

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash, money market and other short-term investments

 

$

5,025

 

$

 

$

 

$

5,025

 

Fixed income securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury

 

156

 

 

(4

)

152

 

U.S. Agency obligations

 

3,311

 

17

 

(19

)

3,309

 

State obligations

 

15,695

 

339

 

(39

)

15,995

 

Corporate

 

3,177

 

92

 

(15

)

3,254

 

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

10,580

 

1,980

 

(63

)

12,497

 

Mutual funds:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

8,360

 

646

 

(7

)

8,999

 

Fixed income

 

3,572

 

71

 

(37

)

3,606

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trust investments

 

$

49,876

 

$

3,145

 

$

(184

)

$

52,837

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued investment income

 

$

258

 

 

 

 

 

258

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trust assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

53,095

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Market value as a percentage of cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

106.5

%


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
6. PRENEED RECEIVABLES AND TRUST INVESTMENTS (continued)
                 
      Unrealized  Unrealized    
  Cost  Gains  Losses  Market 
Cash, money market and other short-term investments $6,291  $  $  $6,291 
Fixed income securities:                
U.S. Treasury            
U.S. Agency obligations  5,502   2   (81)  5,423 
State obligations  11,507   177   (223)  11,461 
Corporate  3,745   48   (36)  3,757 
Other  7         7 
                 
Common Stock  12,830   1,413   (230)  14,013 
Mutual funds:                
Equity  5,195   306   (52)  5,449 
Fixed income  6,676   49   (43)  6,682 
Other investments  1,349   90   (4)  1,435 
 
                 
Trust investments $53,102  $2,085  $(669) $54,518 
             
                 
Accrued investment income $250           250 
               
 
Trust assets             $54,768 
                
                 
Market value as a percentage of cost              103.1%
                
The estimated maturities of the fixed income securities included above are as follows:
     
Due in one year or less $1,452 
Due in one to five years  11,758 
Due in five to ten years  7,370 
Thereafter  68 
    
  $20,648 
    

46

Due in one year or less

 

$

1,112

 

Due in one to five years

 

7,474

 

Due in five to ten years

 

14,036

 

Thereafter

 

88

 

 

 

$

22,710

 


41



NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
6. PRENEED RECEIVABLES AND TRUST INVESTMENTS (continued)
     The cost and market values associated with cemetery preneed trust assets at December 31, 2004 are detailed below (in thousands).
                 
      Unrealized  Unrealized    
  Cost  Gains  Losses  Market 
Cash, money market and other short-term investments $5,025  $  $  $5,025 
Fixed income securities:                
U.S. Treasury  156      (4)  152 
U.S. Agency obligations  3,311   17   (19)  3,309 
State obligations  15,695   339   (39)  15,995 
Corporate  3,177   92   (15)  3,254 
 
Common stock  10,580   1,980   (63)  12,497 
Mutual funds:                
Equity  8,360   646   (7)  8,999 
Fixed income  3,572   71   (37)  3,606 
                 
             
Trust investments $49,876  $3,145  $(184) $52,837 
             
                 
Accrued investment income $258           258 
               
                 
Trust assets             $53,095 
                
 
Market value as a percentage of cost              106.5%
                
Preneed Funeral Receivables and Trust Investments

Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments, net of allowance for cancellations, represent trust fund assets and customer receivables related to contracts sold in advance of when the services or merchandise is needed. Such contracts are secured by funds paid by the customer to the Company.Preneed funeral receivables and trust investmentsare reduced by the trust investment earnings the Company has been allowed to withdraw prior to performance by the Company and amounts received from customers that are not required to be deposited into trust, pursuant to various state laws.

The components ofPreneed funeral receivables and trust investmentsin the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2004 and 2005 are as follows (in thousands):
         
  December 31,  December 31, 
  2004  2005 
Trust assets $45,557  $47,678 
Receivables from customers  9,824   8,709 
Allowance for contract cancellations  (5,887)  (5,967)
       
 
Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments $49,494  $50,420 
       

47

 

 

December 31,
2004

 

 

 

 

 

Trust assets

 

$

45,557

 

Receivables from customers

 

9,824

 

Allowance for contract cancellations

 

(5,887

)

 

 

 

 

Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments

 

$

49,494

 


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
6. PRENEED RECEIVABLES AND TRUST INVESTMENTS (continued)
The cost and market values associated with funeral preneed trust assets at December 31, 20042005 are detailed below (in thousands). The Company believes the unrealized losses related to trust investments are temporary in nature. Net unrealized and realized gains increased $0.2 million from March 31, 2004,total zero for the date of adoption, throughyear ended December 31, 2004.

 

 

Cost

 

Unrealized
Gains

 

Unrealized
Losses

 

Market

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash, money market and other short-term investments

 

$

12,885

 

$

 

$

 

$

12,885

 

Fixed income securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury

 

2,463

 

9

 

(19

)

2,453

 

U.S. Agency obligations

 

199

 

 

(3

)

196

 

State obligations

 

1,953

 

105

 

 

2,058

 

Corporate

 

1,601

 

60

 

(8

)

1,653

 

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

2,258

 

635

 

(74

)

2,819

 

Mutual funds:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

6,486

 

648

 

(101

)

7,033

 

Fixed income

 

16,579

 

44

 

(163

)

16,460

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trust investments

 

$

44,424

 

$

1,501

 

$

(368

)

$

45,557

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Market value as a percentage of cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

102.6

%

2005.

                 
      Unrealized  Unrealized    
  Cost  Gains  Losses  Market 
Cash, money market and other short-term investments $19,216  $  $  $19,216 
Fixed income securities:                
U.S. Treasury  434      (12)  422 
U.S. Agency obligations  1,819   63   (1)  1,881 
State obligations  1,289   16   (14)  1,291 
Corporate            
Obligations and guarantees of U.S. government agencies  1,067   2   (25)  1,044 
 
Common Stock  2,592   364   (48)  2,908 
Mutual funds:                
Equity  5,412   758      6,171 
Fixed income  15,032   58   (344)  14,745 
                 
             
Trust investments $46,861  $1,261  $(444) $47,678 
             
                 
Market value as a percentage of cost              101.7%
                
The estimated maturities of the fixed income securities included above are as follows:
     
Due in one year or less $311 
Due in one to five years  2,054 
Due in five to ten years  2,184 
Thereafter  89 
    
  $4,638 
    

48

Due in one year or less

 

$

398

 

Due in one to five years

 

2,921

 

Due in five to ten years

 

2,308

 

Thereafter

 

733

 

 

 

$

6,360

 


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
6. PRENEED RECEIVABLES AND TRUST INVESTMENTS (continued)
     The cost and market values associated with funeral preneed trust assets at December 31, 2004 are detailed below (in thousands).
                 
      Unrealized  Unrealized    
  Cost  Gains  Losses  Market 
Cash, money market and other short-term investments $12,885  $  $  $12,885 
Fixed income securities:                
U.S. Treasury  2,463   9   (19)  2,453 
U.S. Agency obligations  199      (3)  196 
State obligations  1,953   105      2,058 
Corporate  1,601   60   (8)  1,653 
 
Common stock  2,258   635   (74)  2,819 
Mutual funds:                
Equity  6,486   648   (101)  7,033 
Fixed income  16,579   44   (163)  16,460 
                 
             
Trust investments $44,424  $1,501  $(368) $45,557 
             
                 
Market value as a percentage of cost              102.6%
                
Upon cancellation of a preneed funeral or cemetery contract, a customer is generally entitled to receive a refund of the corpus and some or all of the earnings held in trust. In certain jurisdictions, the Company is obligated to fund any shortfall if the amounts deposited by the customer exceed the funds in trust including some or all investment income. As a result, when realized or unrealized losses of a trust result in the trust being under-funded, the Company assesses whether it is responsible for replenishing the corpus of

42



the trust, in which case a loss provision would be recorded. No loss amounts have been required to be recognized for the periods presented in the consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated Financial Statements.

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments

The Company is required by state law to pay a portion of the proceeds from the sale of cemetery property interment rights into perpetual care trust funds. As a result of the implementation of FIN 46R, the Company has consolidated the perpetual care trust funds with a corresponding amount as Non-controlling interests in perpetual care trusts. Realized and distributable earnings from these perpetual care trust investments are recognized in current cemetery revenues and are used to defray cemetery maintenance costs which are expensed as incurred. The cost and market values associated with the trust investments held in perpetual care trust funds at December 31, 2004 are detailed below (in thousands).  The cost basis of the cemetery perpetual care trust investments below reflects an other than temporary decline in the trust assets of $0.1 million at December 31, 2004. The Company believes the unrealized losses related to the trust investments are temporary in nature. Net unrealized gains increased $0.5 million from March 31, 2004, the date of adoption, through December 31, 2004.

 

 

Cost

 

Unrealized
Gains

 

Unrealized
Losses

 

Market

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash, money market and other short-term investments

 

$

4,239

 

$

 

$

 

$

4,239

 

Fixed income securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury

 

1,722

 

21

 

(4

)

1,739

 

U.S. Agency obligation

 

4,511

 

25

 

(6

)

4,530

 

State obligations

 

4,007

 

 

 

4,007

 

Corporate

 

2,940

 

179

 

(12

)

3,107

 

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

7,488

 

983

 

(56

)

8,415

 

Mutual funds:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

1,621

 

140

 

(4

)

1,757

 

Fixed income

 

3,221

 

38

 

(36

)

3,223

 

Other assets

 

167

 

 

(117

)

50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trust investments

 

$

29,916

 

$

1,386

 

$

(235

)

$

31,067

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued investment income

 

$

134

 

 

 

 

 

134

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trust assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

31,201

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Market value as a percentage of cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

104.3

%

The estimated maturities of the fixed income securities included above are as follows:

Due in one year or less

 

$

2,022

 

Due in one to five years

 

6,620

 

Due in five to ten years

 

4,606

 

Thereafter

 

135

 

 

 

$

13,383

 

Receivables from Preneed Funeral Contracts

The receivables from preneed funeral contracts at December 31, 2004 and 2005 represent assets in commingled trusts which are controlled and operated by third parties in which the Company does not have a controlling financial interest (less than fifty percent) in the trust assets. The Company accounts for these investments at cost.

43



The components of the receivables from preneed funeral contracts in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2004 and 2005 are as follows (in thousands):

         
  December 31,  December 31, 
  2004  2005 
Amount due from preneed funeral trust funds $18,430  $18,071 
Receivables from customers  1,695   1,313 
Less: allowance for cancellation  (2,051)  (1,973)
       
  $18,074  $17,411 
       

49

Amount due from preneed funeral trust funds

 

$

18,430

 

Receivables from customers

 

1,695

 

Less: allowance for cancellation

 

(2,051

)

 

 

$

18,074

 


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
6. PRENEED RECEIVABLES AND TRUST INVESTMENTS (continued)
The following summary reflects the composition of the assets held in trust and controlled by third parties to satisfy Carriage’s future obligations under preneed funeral arrangements related to the preceding contracts.contracts at December 31, 2004 and 2005. The cost basis includes reinvested interest and dividends that have been earned on the trust assets. Fair value includes unrealized gains and losses on trust assets.

 

 

Historical
Cost Basis

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

As of December 31, 2004:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

3,172

 

$

3,172

 

Fixed income investments contract

 

11,021

 

10,798

 

Mutual funds and stocks

 

3,973

 

4,278

 

Annuities

��

264

 

264

 

Total

 

$

18,430

 

$

18,512

 

         
  Historical    
  Cost Basis  Fair Value 
  (in thousands) 
As of December 31, 2005:        
Cash and cash equivalents $3,183  $3,183 
Fixed income investments contract  11,897   11,335 
Mutual funds and stocks  210   210 
Annuities  2,781   3,034 
       
Total $18,071  $17,762 
       
         
  Historical    
  Cost Basis  Fair Value 
  (in thousands) 
As of December 31, 2004:        
Cash and cash equivalents $3,172  $3,172 
Fixed income investments contract  11,021   10,798 
Mutual funds and stocks  3,973   4,278 
Annuities  264   264 
       
Total $18,430  $18,512 
       
Receivables From Preneed Funeral Contracts

The components of the receivables from preneed funeral contracts in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2003 were as follows (in thousands):

Amount due from preneed funeral trust funds

 

$

87,580

 

Receivables from customers

 

15,364

 

Less: allowance for cancellation

 

(29,243

)

 

 

$

73,701

 

The following summary reflects the composition of the assets held in trust at December 31, 2003 to satisfy Carriage’s future obligations under preneed funeral arrangements. The cost basis includes reinvested interest and dividends that have been earned on the trust assets. Fair value includes unrealized gains and losses on trust assets.

 

 

Historical
Cost Basis

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Trust fund investments:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

16,169

 

$

16,169

 

Fixed income investments contract

 

31,028

 

31,836

 

Mutual funds and stocks

 

19,925

 

19,777

 

Annuities

 

20,458

 

20,458

 

Total

 

$

87,580

 

$

88,240

 

44



Cemetery Merchandise and Service Trust Funds

The cemetery merchandise and service trust funds were invested in the following at December 31, 2003:

 

 

Historical
Cost Basis

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Trust fund investments:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

6,140

 

$

6,140

 

Fixed income investments contract

 

17,901

 

18,679

 

Mutual funds and stocks

 

24,196

 

24,604

 

Total

 

$

48,237

 

$

49,423

 

Trust Investment Security Transactions

Investment

     Cemetery and funeral trust investment security transactions recorded in Other income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for period beginning with the adoption of FIN 46R throughyear ended December 31, 2004 and 2005 are as follows (in thousands):

Investment income

 

$

3,121

 

Realized gains

 

1,897

 

Realized losses

 

(904

)

Expenses

 

(676

)

Increase in non-controlling interests in trust investments

 

(3,438

)

 

 

$

 

         
  December 31,  December 31, 
  2004  2005 
Investment income $2,002  $4,165 
Realized gains  1,115   3,938 
Realized losses  (539)  (305)
Expenses  (495)  (8)
Increase in non-controlling interests in cemetery and funeral trust investments  (2,083)  (7,790)
       
  $  $ 
       
5.  PRENEED7. CONTRACTS SECURED BY INSURANCE

Certain preneed funeral contracts are secured by life insurance policies. The proceeds of the life insurance policies have been assigned to the Company and will be paid upon the death of the insured. The proceeds will be used to satisfy the beneficiary’s obligations under the preneed contract for services and merchandise. We changed our method of accounting for preneed funeral contracts secured by insurance at March 31, 2004 because we concluded that they are not assets and liabilities as defined by Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts No. 6, “Elements in Financial Statements.” Therefore, we have eliminated amounts relating to such preneed funeral contracts along with the corresponding deferred revenue from our consolidated balance sheets. The elimination of these amounts had no impact on our consolidated stockholders’ equity, results of operations or cash flows.

The preneed funeral contracts secured by insurance totaled $159.9 and $166.9 million at December 31, 2004 and 2005, respectively.

50


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
8. CEMETERY PERPETUAL CARE TRUST INVESTMENTS
     The Company is required by state law to pay a portion of the proceeds from the sale of cemetery property interment rights into perpetual care trust funds. As a result of the implementation of FIN 46R, the Company has consolidated the perpetual care trust funds with a corresponding amount asNon-controlling interests in perpetual care trusts. Realized and distributable earnings from these perpetual care trust investments are recognized in current cemetery revenues and are used to defray cemetery maintenance costs which are expensed as incurred. The cost and market values associated with the trust investments held in perpetual care trust funds at December 31, 2005 are detailed below (in thousands). The Company believes the unrealized losses related to the trust investments are temporary in nature. Net unrealized and realized gains totaled $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2005.
                 
      Unrealized  Unrealized    
  Cost  Gains  Losses  Market 
Cash, money market and other short-term investments $2,767  $  $  $2,767 
Fixed income securities:                
U.S. Treasury  596   7   (8)  595 
U.S. Agency obligation  6,610   8   (85)  6,533 
State obligations  58         58 
Corporate  2,589   63   (23)  2,629 
Other  1,509   3   (13)  1,499 
                 
Common Stock  9,970   1,222   (195)  10,997 
Mutual funds:                
Equity  2,926   140   (32)  3,034 
Fixed income  3,146   99   (21)  3,242 
Other assets  886   63   (98)  851 
                 
             
Trust investments $31,075  $1,605  $(475) $32,205 
             
                 
Accrued investment income $151           151 
               
                 
Trust assets             $32,356 
                
                 
Market value as a percentage of cost              104.1%
                
     The estimated maturities of the fixed income securities included above are as follows:
     
Due in one year or less $1,942 
Due in one to five years  7,469 
Due in five to ten years  1,795 
Thereafter  108 
    
  $11,314 
    

51


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
8. CEMETERY PERPETUAL CARE TRUST INVESTMENTS (continued)
     The cost and market values associated with the trust investments held in perpetual care trust funds at December 31, 2004 are detailed below (in thousands). The cost basis of the cemetery perpetual care trust investments below reflects an other than temporary decline in the trust assets of $0.1 million at December 31, 2004.
                 
      Unrealized  Unrealized    
  Cost  Gains  Losses  Market 
Cash, money market and other short-term investments $4,239  $  $  $4,239 
Fixed income securities:                
U.S. Treasury  1,722   21   (4)  1,739 
U.S. Agency obligation  4,511   25   (6)  4,530 
State obligations  4,007         4,007 
Corporate  2,940   179   (12)  3,107 
                 
Common stock  7,488   983   (56)  8,415 
Mutual funds:                
Equity  1,621   140   (4)  1,757 
Fixed income  3,221   38   (36)  3,223 
Other assets  167      (117)  50 
                 
             
Trust investments $29,916  $1,386  $(235) $31,067 
             
                 
Accrued investment income $134           134 
               
                 
Trust assets             $31,201 
                
                 
Market value as a percentage of cost              104.3%
                

52


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
8. CEMETERY PERPETUAL CARE TRUST INVESTMENTS (continued)
Non-controlling interests in cemetery perpetual care trustsrepresent the corpus of those trusts for which the Company is only entitled to receive the income. The effectcomponents of the eliminationNon-controlling interests in cemetery perpetual care trustsas of these amounts on our previously issued balance sheet at December 31, 2003 is2004 and 2005 are as follows:
         
  December 31,  December 31, 
  2004  2005 
Trust assets, at market value $31,201  $32,356 
Pending withdrawals of income  (436)  (719)
Debt due to a perpetual care trust  1,117   1,092 
Pending deposits  330   383 
       
         
Non-controlling interests $32,212  $33,112 
       
Non-controlling interests in assets held for sale $523  $ 
       
Trust Investment Security Transactions
     Perpetual care trust investment security transactions recorded in Other income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2004 and 2005 are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

December 31,
2003

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets as previously reported

 

$

699,611

 

Elimination of preneed contracts secured by insurance

 

(160,694

)

Total assets as revised

 

$

538,917

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities as previously reported

 

$

503,354

 

Elimination of deferred revenue

 

(160,694

)

Total liabilities as revised

 

$

342,660

 

45


         
  December 31,  December 31, 
  2004  2005 
Investment income $1,118  $2,480 
Realized gains  781   1,688 
Realized losses  (365)  (140)
Expenses  (180)  (591)
Increase in non-controlling interests in perpetual care trust investments  (1,354)  (3,437)
       
  $  $ 
       
9. DEFERRED REVENUE

6.  NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS IN FUNERAL AND CEMETERY TRUSTS AND IN PERPETUAL CARE TRUSTS

The componentsDeferred revenue consists of the following:

         
  December 31,  December 31, 
  2004  2005 
Deferred cemetery revenue $46,787  $51,928 
Deferred preneed funeral contracts revenue  30,973   29,446 
Non-controlling interests in funeral and cemetery trust investments  98,652   102,446 
       
  $176,412  $183,820 
       
Non-controlling interests in funeral and cemetery preneed trustsrepresent deferred revenue related to assets held in the preneed trusts. The Company will recognize the revenue at the time the service is performed and merchandise is delivered. The components ofNon-controlling interests in perpetual carefuneral and cemetery preneed trustsas of December 31, 2004 and 2005 are as follows:
             
  December 31, 2005 
  Preneed  Preneed  Total 
  Funeral  Cemetery  Preneed 
Trust assets, at market value $47,678  $54,768  $102,446 
          
             
Non-controlling interests $47,678  $54,768  $102,446 
          

53

 

 

Non-controlling Interests

 

 

 

Preneed Funeral

 

Preneed Cemetery

 

Total
Preneed

 

Cemetery Perpetual
Care

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trust assets, at market value

 

$

45,557

 

$

53,095

 

$

98,652

 

$

31,201

 

Pending withdrawals of income

 

 

 

 

(436

)

Debt due to a perpetual care trust

 

 

 

 

1,117

 

Pending deposits

 

 

 

 

330

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-controlling interests

 

$

45,557

 

$

53,095

 

$

98,652

 

$

32,212

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-controlling interest in assets held for sale

 

$

 

$

2,051

 

$

2,051

 

$

523

 


7.NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
9. DEFERRED REVENUE (continued)
             
  December 31, 2004 
  Preneed  Preneed  Total 
  Funeral  Cemetery  Preneed 
Trust assets, at market value $45,557  $53,095  $98,652 
          
             
Non-controlling interests $45,557  $53,095  $98,652 
          
             
Non-controlling interests in assets held for sale $  $2,051  $2,051 
          
10. DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS

Deferred charges and other non-current assets at December 31, 20032004 and 20042005 were as follows:

 

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Agreements not to compete, net of accumulated amortization of $3,280 and $3,659, respectively

 

$

1,294

 

$

1,080

 

Non-current cemetery accounts receivable

 

13,983

 

 

Deferred tax asset

 

1,459

 

1,733

 

Other

 

3,216

 

5,768

 

 

 

$

19,952

 

$

8,581

 

Less: Deferred charges on assets held for sale

 

459

 

 

 

 

$

19,493

 

$

8,581

 

         
  2004  2005 
  (in thousands) 
Agreements not to complete, net of accumulated amortization of $3,659 and $3,944, respectively $1,080  $831 
Deferred loan costs, net of accumulated amortization of $2,676 and $3,009, respectively  1,229   4,592 
Deferred tax asset  1,733   15,894 
Other  4,539   4,291 
       
  $8,581  $25,608 
       
The cost of agreements not to compete with former owners of businesses acquired is amortized over the term of the respective agreements, ranging from four to ten years. Deferred debt originationloan costs (included in “other” above) are being amortized over the term of the related debt. Non-current cemetery receivables result from the multi-year payment terms in the underlying contracts.

8.11. LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-Term Debt

The Company’s long-term debt consisted of the following at December 31:

 

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Credit Facility, unsecured floating rate $40 million line at December 31, 2003 and $45 million line at December 31, 2004. Interest is due on a quarterly basis for prime rate indexed borrowings and on the maturity dates for the LIBOR indexed borrowings (weighted average interest rate was 5.36% at December 31, 2004), matures in March, 2006

 

$

21,100

 

$

25,600

 

Senior Notes

 

96,337

 

70,479

 

Acquisition debt

 

8,130

 

6,066

 

Other

 

4,372

 

2,657

 

Less: current portion

 

(24,364

)

(2,088

)

 

 

$

105,575

 

$

102,714

 

46


         
  2004  2005 
  (in thousands) 
Credit Facility, unsecured floating rate $45 million line at December 31, 2004 and secured floating rate $35 million line at December 31, 2005. Interest is due on a quarterly basis and on the maturity date at prime or LIBOR options (weighted average interest rate was 8.25% at December 31, 2005), matures in April, 2010 $25,600  $ 
Senior Notes  70,479   130,000 
Acquisition debt  6,066   4,305 
Other  2,657   2,293 
Less: current portion  (2,088)  (2,026)
       
  $102,714  $134,572 
       

In August 2003, Carriage replaced its $75     At December 31, 2004, Carriage’s senior debt included a $45 million unsecured revolving bank credit facility withthat was scheduled to mature in March 2006 and $70.5 million of Senior Notes to insurance companies due in 2006 and 2008. In January 2005, the Company issued $130 million of 7.875 percent Senior Notes at par, due in 2015. The proceeds from these notes were used to refinance substantially all senior debt, bring current the cumulative deferred distributions on the convertible junior subordinated debenture and the TIDES, and for general corporate purposes. In March 2005, the Company paid the cumulative deferred distributions on the TIDES totaling $10.9 million. During April 2005, the Company entered into a new $40$35 million unsecured senior secured

54


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
11. LONG-TERM DEBT (continued)
revolving credit facility whichthat matures in March 2006. In May 2004, Carriage exercisedfive years to replace the option within its existing bankunsecured credit facility. Borrowings under the new credit facility to increasebear interest at prime or LIBOR options with the available commitment by $5 million to $45 million.  The two existing banks proportionately increased their commitments under the arrangement. Interest is payable at either the prime rate plus 1.25% or a rate indexed tocurrent LIBOR at the option of the Company. Currently, the LIBOR option is set at LIBOR plus 275 basis points. The margin above LIBOR can vary from 200 basis points to 300 basis points and is collateralized by all personal property and funeral home real property in certain states. The facility is currently undrawn and $34.3 million is available to borrow at December 31, 2005.
     Carriage, the parent entity, has no independent assets or operations. All assets and operations are held and conducted by subsidiaries, each of which (except for Carriage Services Capital Trust which is a single purpose entity that holds our debentures issued in connection with our TIDES) have fully and unconditionally guaranteed our obligations under the new Senior Notes. Additionally, we do not currently have any significant restrictions on our ability to receive dividends or loans from any subsidiary guarantor under the new Senior Notes.
     In connection with the senior debt refinancing, the Company made a required “make whole” payment of $6.0 million in the future with changes in Carriage’s debtform of additional interest and recorded a charge to EBITDA ratio, if any, as defined inwrite off $0.7 million of unamortized loan costs (in aggregate $4.2 million after tax, or $0.23 per diluted share) during the credit agreement.  The credit facility contains customary restrictive covenants, including a restriction on the paymentsfirst quarter of dividends on common stock and requires Carriage to maintain certain financial ratios. The credit facility reduces by $8.4375 million in March 2005 and by an additional $8.4375 million in September 2005. In addition, the commitment reduces by up to $5 million for the banks’ pro-rata share of proceeds from dispositions of assets. In order to complyconnection with the conditions of thenew senior secured revolving credit facility, the Company began deferring interest payments on the $93.75 million of convertible junior subordinated debenture payable to its affiliated trust, Carriage Services Capital Trust. As a result, cash distributions on the Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable convertible preferred securities (“TIDES”) of Carriage Services Capital Trust have been deferred beginning with the September 1, 2003 payment. Additionally at December 31, 2004, the Company has used $1.1 million of the credit facility for letters of credit, the majority of which secures arrangements with the Company’s insurance provider. At December 31, 2004, $18.1 million was available under the credit facility.

Carriage recorded a pretax charge to write off $0.2 million or $0.01 per diluted share of unamortized loan costs during the second quarter of 2005. These charges are included in the amountConsolidated Statement of $147,000 in the third quarterOperations as additional interest and other costs of 2003 in connection with replacing the previous credit facility. The change represents the unamortized loan origination costs related to the replaced credit facility.

On July 30, 2004, the Company paid the outstanding principal and interest on its Series A Senior Notes, which had an outstanding principal balance of $22.0 million. The Series B and C Senior Notes mature in tranches of $49.2 million in 2006 and $21.3 million in 2008 and bear interest at the fixed rates of 7.96% and 8.06%, respectively. The Senior Notes contain restrictive covenants similar to the credit facility (described above) and additionally require that a significant portion of any proceeds from the sales of assets be offered to the noteholders as prepayment of the amounts outstanding. During 2003 and 2004, prepayments were made in the amounts of $3.0 million and $2.7 million, respectively, related to proceeds from the sale of assets.

senior debt refinancing for 2005.

The Company was in compliance with the covenants contained in the credit facility and the Senior Notes as of and for the years ended December 31, 20032004 and 2004.

2005.

Acquisition debt consists of deferred purchase prices payable to sellers. The deferred purchase price notes bear interest at 0%, discounted at imputed interest rates ranging from 6% to 8%, with original maturities from three to 15 years.

The aggregate maturities of long-term debt for the next five years as of December 31, 20042005 are approximately $2,155,000, $76,873,000, $1,580,000, $23,420,000$2,026,000, $1,513,000, $2,025,000, $415,000 and $534,000,$132,000, respectively and $5,729,000$130,488,000 thereafter.

In January 2005, the Company issued $130 million of ten-year Senior Notes to refinance all of the senior debt and to bring current the deferred distributions on the convertible junior subordinated debenture and the TIDES securities (Note 19).

9.              CONVERTIBLE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE PAYABLE TO AFFILIATE AND COMPANY OBLIGATED MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SECURITIES OF CARRIAGE SERVICES CAPITAL TRUST

12.CONVERTIBLE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE PAYABLE TO AFFILIATE AND COMPANY OBLIGATED MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SECURITIES OF CARRIAGE SERVICES CAPITAL TRUST
During June 1999, Carriage’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Carriage Services Capital Trust, completed the sale ofissued 1,875,000 units of 7% convertible preferred securities (TIDES), resulting in approximately $90 million in net proceeds, and the Company issued a 7% convertible junior subordinated debenture to the Trust in the amount of $93.75 million. The convertible preferred securities have a liquidation amount of $50 per unit, and are convertible into Carriage’s Common Stock at the equivalent conversion price of $20.4375 per share of Common Stock. The subordinated debentures and the TIDES mature in 2029 and the TIDES are guaranteed on a subordinated basis by the Company. Both the subordinated debentures and the TIDES contain a provision for the deferral of distributions for up to 20 consecutive quarters. During the period in which distribution payments are deferred, distributions will continue to accumulate at the 7 percent annual rate. Also, the deferred distributions will themselves accumulate distributions at the annual rate of 7 percent. During the period in which distributions are deferred, Carriage is prohibited from paying dividends on its common stock or repurchasing its common stock, with limited exceptions. The Company has deferred the distributions during the period, which with interest on the unpaid distributions totals $3.9 million at December 31, 2003 andtotaled $10.9 at December 31, 2004 (Note 19).

47

2004. The Company brought the deferred distributions current during 2005. There are no deferred distributions at December 31, 2005.


10.13. OTHER INCOME (LOSS)

Other income (loss) is comprised of net gains and losses from the disposition of various business assets in the amount of $865,000,and interest income totaling $657,000, $940,000 and $940,000$(73,000) for the years endingended December 31, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2004,2005, respectively.

55


11.NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Leases

Carriage leases certain office facilities, vehicles and equipment under operating leases for terms ranging from one to 15 years. Certain of these leases provide for an annual adjustment and contain options for renewal. Rent expense was approximately $4,587,000,totaled $3,663,000, $3,625,000 and $3,625,477$3,805,000 for 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2004,2005, respectively. Assets acquired under capital leases are included in property, plant and equipment in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets in the amount $2,341,000 in 2002, $2,019,000 in 2003 andof $1,918,000 in 2004 and $1,676,000 in 2005, net of accumulated depreciation. Capital lease obligations are included in current and long-term debt as indicated below.

At December 31, 2004,2005, future minimum lease payments under noncancellable lease agreements were as follows:

 

 

Future Minimum Lease
Payments

 

 

 

Operating
Leases

 

Capital
Leases

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Years ended December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

2005

 

$

2,306

 

$

450

 

2006

 

1,681

 

439

 

2007

 

1,451

 

439

 

2008

 

1,221

 

447

 

2009

 

657

 

459

 

Thereafter

 

710

 

9,090

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total future minimum lease payments

 

$

8,026

 

11,322

 

Less: amount representing interest

 

 

 

(5,830

)

Less: current portion of obligations under capital leases

 

 

 

(67

)

Long-term obligations under capital leases

 

 

 

$

5,424

 

         
  Future Minimum Lease 
  Payments 
  Operating  Capital 
  Leases  Leases 
  (in thousands) 
Years ending December 31,        
2006 $2,001  $599 
2007  2,126   625 
2008  1,858   648 
2009  1,309   674 
2010  958   701 
Thereafter  4,451   12,683 
       
         
Total future minimum lease payments $12,703  $15,930 
        
Less: amount representing interest      (11,107)
Less: current portion of obligations under capital leases      (48)
        
Long-term obligations under capital leases     $4,775 
        
Agreements and Employee Benefits

Carriage obtained various agreements not to compete from former owners of businesses acquired. Payments for such agreements are generally not made in advance. These agreements are generally for one to 10 years and provide for future payments annually, quarterly or monthly. The aggregate payments due under these agreements for the next five years are approximately $1,306,000, $1,076,000, $803,000, $676,000total $986,000, $681,000, $506,000, $188,000 and $478,000,$104,000, respectively and $1,432,000$114,000 thereafter.

The Company has entered into various consulting agreements with former owners of businesses acquired. Payments for such agreements are generally not made in advance. These agreements are generally for one to 10 years and provide for future payments monthly or bi-weekly. The aggregate payments for the next five years are approximately $441,000, $222,000, $156,000, $99,000, $62,000,total $390,000, $217,000, $154,000, $111,000, $39,000, respectively and $38,000$6,000 thereafter.

The Company has entered into employment agreements with the executive officers. These agreements are generally for two to five years and provide for future payments bi-weekly plus discretionary bonus payments. These payments due under these agreements for the next five years are approximately $1,000,000, $850,000, $225,000, $225,000total $1,310,000, $685,000, $495,000, $495,000 and $225,000,$203,000, respectively.

Carriage sponsors a defined contribution plan (401k) for the benefit of its employees. The Company’s matching contributions and plan administrative expenses totaled approximately $336,000, $395,000, $365,000 and $365,000$268,000 for 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2004,2005, respectively. The Company does not offer any post-retirement or post-employment benefits.

48



Other Commitments

The Company has also entered into cancellable consulting agreementsan agreement to modifyoutsource the processing of transactions for the cemetery contracts during 2005. The Company and implement software to be used in our cemetery operations.  This project is estimated to be completed in 2005.  Progress payments are madethe contractor may terminate the contract for various reasons upon written notification and set terms. Payments vary based on the percentagelevel of completion ofresources provided. The Company paid $1.2 million to the project.  The aggregate payments due under these agreements are approximately $500,000 at December 31, 2004.contractor for services in 2005.

56


Litigation

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (continued)
Litigation

Carriage and its subsidiaries are parties to a number of legal proceedings that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of business. While the outcome of these proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, we domanagement does not expect these matters to have a material adverse effect on the financial statements.

We carry

     The Company carries insurance with coveragescoverage and coverage limits consistent with ourmanagement’s assessment of risks in ourthe business and of an acceptable level of financial exposure. Although there can be no assurance that such insurance will be sufficient to mitigate all damages, claims or contingencies, we believemanagement believes that our insurance provides reasonable coverage for known asserted or unasserted claims. In the event the Company sustained a loss from a claim and the insurance carrier disputed coverage or coverage limits, the Company may record a charge in a different period than the recovery, if any, from the insurance carrier.

12.15. INCOME TAXES

The provision (benefit) for income taxes from continuing operations for 2002, 2003, 2004 and 20042005 consisted of:

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U. S. Federal

 

$

(1,410

)

$

 

$

 

State

 

297

 

145

 

141

 

Total current provision (benefit)

 

(1,113

)

145

 

141

 

Deferred:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U. S. Federal

 

(6,987

)

3,174

 

(165

)

State

 

(329

)

200

 

95

 

Total deferred provision (benefit)

 

(7,316

)

3,374

 

(70

)

Total income tax provision (benefit)

 

$

(8,429

)

$

3,519

 

$

71

 

             
  2003(1)  2004(1)  2005(1) 
  (in thousands) 
Current:            
U. S. Federal $  $  $ 
State  145   141   241 
          
Total current provision (benefit)  145   141   241 
          
Deferred:            
U. S. Federal  3,192   (146)  186 
State  202   96   (395)
          
Total deferred provision (benefit)  3,394   (50)  (209)
          
Total income tax provision $3,539  $91  $32 
          
(1) Excludes income tax (provision) benefits from discontinued operations of $(435), $519 and $(469) for 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively.
A reconciliation of taxes to the U.S. federal statutory rate to those reflected in the consolidated statements of operations for 2002, 2003, 2004 and 20042005 is as follows:
                         
  2003  2004  2005 
  Amount  Percent  Amount  Percent  Amount  Percent 
Federal statutory rate $3,302   35.0% $3,767   34.0% $(5)  34.0%
Effect of state income taxes, net of federal benefit  236   2.5   277   2.5      2.5 
Effect of non-deductible expenses and other, net  101   1.0   110   1.1   178   * 
Change in valuation allowance  (100)  (1.1)  (4,063)  (37.0)  (141)  * 
                   
  $3,539   37.4% $91   0.6% $32   (227.4)%
                   
*- not meaningful

57

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

Federal statutory rate

 

35.0

%

35.0

%

34.0

%

Effect of state income taxes, net of federal benefit

 

2.0

 

2.5

 

2.5

 

Effect of non-deductible expenses and other, net

 

1.5

 

1.0

 

1.1

 

Change in valuation allowance

 

(112.8

)

(1.1

)

(37.0

)

 

 

(74.3

)%

37.4

%

0.6

%


49



NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
15. INCOME TAXES (continued)
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 20032004 and 20042005 were as follows:

 

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Deferred tax assets (liabilities):

 

 

 

 

 

Net operating loss carryforwards

 

$

4,852

 

$

5,527

 

Accrued liabilities and other

 

2,264

 

2,681

 

Amortization of non-compete agreements

 

2,027

 

1,923

 

Amortization and depreciation

 

(8,784

)

(11,372

)

Preneed revenue and costs, net

 

8,680

 

6,908

 

 

 

9,039

 

5,667

 

Valuation allowance

 

(5,316

)

(1,253

)

Total net deferred tax assets

 

$

3,723

 

$

4,414

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current deferred tax asset

 

$

2,264

 

$

2,681

 

Non-current deferred tax asset

 

1,459

 

1,733

 

Total net deferred tax assets

 

$

3,723

 

$

4,414

 

         
  2004  2005 
  (in thousands) 
Deferred tax assets (liabilities):        
Net operating loss carryforwards $5,527  $7,501 
Accrued liabilities and other  2,681   1,525 
Amortization of non-compete agreements  1,923   1,579 
Amortization and depreciation  (11,372)  (12,729)
Preneed revenue and costs, net  6,908   20,618 
       
   5,667   18,494 
Valuation allowance  (1,253)  (1,075)
       
Total net deferred tax assets $4,414  $17,419 
       
         
Current deferred tax asset $2,681  $1,525 
Non-current deferred tax asset  1,733   15,894 
     
Total net deferred tax assets $4,414  $17,419 
       
The current deferred tax asset is included in Inventories and other current assets at December 31, 20032004 and 2004.2005. The non-current deferred tax asset is included in Deferred charges and other non-current assets at December 31, 20032004 and 2004.

When the Company incurred restructuring costs and write-downs in late 2000 and implemented a plan to dispose of under performing businesses, there could be no assurance enough future taxable income would be generated to utilize the tax benefits created by the tax losses on asset sales.  To acknowledge this uncertainty, the Company recorded2005.

     Carriage records a valuation allowance. Based on positive operating results subsequentallowance to 2000reflect the estimated amount of deferred tax assets for which realization is uncertain. Management reviews the valuation allowance at the end of each quarter and a forecast of future positive operating results, managementmakes adjustments if it is determined in the first quarter of 2002 that it was more likely than not the Company would be able to utilize a substantial portion of these previously unrecognized tax assets and recorded a tax benefit in the amount of $12.8 million, equal to $0.73 per diluted share.  The Company has continued to reassess the amount of realizable deferred tax asset, updated through the filing of the 2003 tax return. Based on continuing profitable operating results, a stable capital structure and a forecast of future profitable operating results, management concluded it wasis more likely than not that the remaining federaltax benefits will be realized. The Company reduced its valuation allowance and recorded deferred tax asset would be realized.  A tax benefitbenefits in the amountamounts of $4.1 million equal(equal to $0.22 per diluted share, was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2004.

share) and $0.2 million (equal to $0.01 per diluted share) during 2004 and 2005, respectively.

For federal income tax reporting purposes, Carriage has net operating loss carryforwards totaling $10.6$15.7 million available at December 31, 20042005 to offset future Federal taxable income, of which $3.9 million expires in 2021, $5.4 million in 2022, and $1.3 million in 2024.expire between 2021and 2025 if not utilized. Carriage also has approximately $67$81 million of state net operating loss carryforwards that will expire between the years 20052006 and 2024,2025, if not utilized. Based on management’s assessment of the various state net operating losses, it was determined that it is more likely than not that the Company will not be able to realize tax benefits on a substantial amount of the state losses. The valuation allowance at December 31, 20042005 is attributable to the deferred tax asset related to the state operating losses.

13.16. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Stock Option Plans

Carriage has four stock benefit plans currently in effect under which stock option grants may behave been issued: the 1995 Stock Incentive Plan (the “1995 Plan”), the 1996 Stock Option Plan (the “1996 Plan”), the 1996 Directors’ Stock Option Plan (the “Directors’ Plan”) and the 1998 Stock Option Plan for Consultants (the “Consultants’ Plan”). Substantially all of the options granted under the four stock benefit plans have ten-year terms. The options generally vest over periods that range from two to four years. The 1995 Plan expired in 2005 and the 1996 Plan and the Director’s Plan will expire in 2006. The expiration of these plans does not affect the options previously issued and outstanding.

58


50



NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
16. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued)
Options under each of the plans at December 31, 20042005 are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

Reserved

 

Outstanding

 

Available to
Issue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1995 Plan

 

1,450

 

687

 

111

 

1996 Plan

 

1,300

 

760

 

307

 

Directors’ Plan

 

350

 

255

 

45

 

Consultants’ Plan

 

100

 

8

 

92

 

Total

 

3,200

 

1,710

 

555

 

             
  Reserved  Outstanding  Available to Issue 
          
1995 Plan     452    
1996 Plan  1,300   695   335 
Directors’ Plan  425   211   96 
Consultants’ Plan  15   7   8 
          
Total  1,740   1,365   439 
          
Each of the plans is administered by the Compensation Committee appointed by the Board of Directors. The plans allow for options to be granted as non-qualified options, incentive stock options, reload options, alternative appreciation rights and stock bonus options. Additionally, the 1995 and 1996 Plans allow for the issuance of restricted common stock bonus grants. The options are granted with an exercise price equal to or greater than the then fair market value of Carriage’s Common Stock as determined by the Board of Directors based on trading prices on the date of the option grant.

A summary of the status of the plans at December 31, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 20042005 and changes during the years ended is presented in the table and narrative below:

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 

Shares
(000)

 

Wtd. Avg.
Ex Price

 

Shares
(000)

 

Wtd. Avg.
Ex Price

 

Shares
(000)

 

Wtd. Avg.
Ex Price

 

Outstanding at beginning of period

 

1,709

 

$

3.35

 

1,782

 

$

3.65

 

1,772

 

$

3.70

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

375

 

4.68

 

144

 

3.73

 

110

 

4.74

 

Exercised

 

(167

)

1.92

 

(101

)

1.90

 

(134

)

2.46

 

Canceled

 

(135

)

4.97

 

(53

)

5.65

 

(38

)

8.27

 

Outstanding at end of year

 

1,782

 

3.65

 

1,772

 

3.70

 

1,710

 

3.64

 

Exercisable at end of year

 

1,352

 

3.47

 

1,421

 

3.62

 

1,455

 

3.50

 

Weighted average fair value of options granted

 

$

2.40

 

 

 

$

1.67

 

 

 

$

2.21

 

 

 

                         
  Year ended December 31, 
  2003  2004  2005 
  Shares  Wtd. Avg.  Shares  Wtd. Avg.  Shares  Wtd. Avg. 
  (000)  Ex Price  (000)  Ex Price  (000)  Ex Price 
Outstanding at beginning of period  1,787  $3.63   1,679  $3.57   1,616  $3.64 
 
Granted  144   3.73   110   4.74   24   6.02 
Exercised  (101)  1.90   (134)  2.46   (178)  2.99 
Canceled or expired  (151)  5.63   (39)  8.27   (97)  8.93 
                      
Outstanding at end of year  1,679   3.57   1,616   3.64   1,365   3.39 
                      
Exercisable at end of year  1,365   3.47   1,385   3.51   1,253   3.30 
                      
Weighted average fair value of options granted $1.67      $2.21      $3.22     
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions used for grants in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2004,2005, respectively: risk-free interest rates of 4.27%2.89%, 2.89%3.00% and 3.00%4.04%; expected dividend yield of 0% for each year; expected termination rate of 5%; expected lives of five years; expected volatility of 54%47%, 47%50% and 50%58%.

The following table further describes the Company’s outstanding stock options at December 31, 20042005 (shares in thousands):
                     
  Options Outstanding  Options Exercisable 
Actual                
Range of Number  Weighted-Average      Number    
Exercise Prices Outstanding  Remaining  Weighted-Average  Exercisable  Weighted-Average 
150% increment at 12/31/05  Contractual Life  Exercise Price  at 12/31/05  Exercise Price 
$  1.19-   1.56  656   5.0  $1.48   656  $1.48 
$  2.06-   3.09  180   4.5  $2.89   179  $2.88 
$  3.12-   4.66  177   7.4  $4.14   95  $4.04 
$  4.77-   6.19  293   6.4  $5.03   264  $5.04 
$  7.56- 11.00  1   0.5  $10.65   1  $10.65 
$13.25- 19.88  52   2.7  $15.13   52  $15.13 
$21.00- 27.50  6   1.4  $21.18   6  $21.18 
                
$  1.19- 27.50  1,365   5.4  $3.39   1,253  $3.30 

59

 

 

Options Outstanding

 

Options Exercisable

 

Actual
Range of
Exercise Prices
150% increment

 

Number
Outstanding
at 12/31/04

 

Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life

 

Weighted-Average
Exercise Price

 

Number
Exercisable
at 12/31/04

 

Weighted-Average
Exercise Price

 

$

1.19-

1.56

 

 

745

 

6.0

 

$

1.20

 

745

 

$

1.20

 

$

2.06-

3.09

 

 

238

 

5.6

 

$

2.89

 

231

 

$

2.88

 

$

3.12-

4.56

 

 

280

 

8.2

 

$

4.11

 

109

 

$

3.97

 

$

4.77-

6.19

 

 

324

 

7.2

 

$

4.93

 

247

 

$

4.91

 

$

7.56-

11.00

 

 

10

 

2.4

 

$

8.70

 

10

 

$

8.70

 

$

13.25-

19.88

 

 

100

 

3.7

 

$

15.34

 

100

 

$

15.34

 

$

21.00-

27.50

 

 

13

 

2.5

 

$

21.53

 

13

 

$

21.53

 

$

1.19-

27.50

 

 

1,710

 

6.3

 

$

3.64

 

1,455

 

$

3.50

 


51



NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
16. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued)
Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Carriage provides all employees the opportunity to purchase Common Stock through payroll deductions. Purchases are made quarterly; the price being 85% of the lower of the price on the grant date or the purchase date. In 2003, employees purchased a total of 111,638 shares at a weighted average price of $3.01 per share. DuringIn 2004, employees purchased a total of 120,195 shares at a weighted average price of $3.51 per share.

During 2005, employees purchased a total of 86,354 shares at a weighted average price of $4.20 per share.

Deferred Compensation and Stock-Related Compensation

The Company, issued 227,000 and 100,000from time to time, issues shares of restricted common stock to certain officers of the Company from the 1995 Plan in January 2003 and February 2004, respectively.Plan. Twenty-five percent of the shares vest annually on each of the next four anniversary dates of the grant.grants. The value of the stock at the date of grant was $3.97 per share, for a total of $901,000, which is amortized into expense over the vesting period.

The Company issued a total of 227,000, 100,000 and 268,000 shares during 2003, 2004 and 2005 with a value of $901,000, $466,000 and $1,337,000, respectively.

The Company also has a compensation plan for its outside directors under which directors may choose to accept fully vested shares of the Company’s common stock for all or a portion of their annual retainer and meeting fees, and under which new directors receive an award of 20,000 shares of common stock at the time of their initial election to the Board, 50% of which are vested at the grant date and 25% of which vests on the first and second anniversary of the grant. The value of the shares at the grant date is charged to expense as the shares vest. During the three years 2003 and 2004,through 2005, the Company issued shares of common stock to directors totaling 41,422, 19,639 and 13,709, respectively, in lieu of payment in cash for their fees, the value of which was charged to operations. A new director was elected on May 13, 2003, at which time he received an award of 20,000 shares of common stock, the value of which at the grant date is charged to operations as the shares vest.

14.17. PREFERRED STOCK

The Company has 40,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock, none of which is currently issued and outstanding.

15.18. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

As an incentive, the Company entered into arrangements with two former owners, both of which have served as directors during the past three years, to pay them each 10% of the amount by which the annual field level cash flow exceeds predetermined targets on certain businesses in their respective geographic region through 2007,2006, with a final payment payable in 2007 equal to a multiple of six times the average of the last three years payments. The business purpose of the arrangements was to incentivise the individuals to provide Carriage with high quality acquisition targets and to have input in the competitive strategies of those businesses post-acquisition so that cash flows grow over time. The terms were determined by reference to similar arrangements within the death care industry. The incentives earned by the two individuals totaled approximately $120,000, $60,000, $110,000 and $110,000$276,000 for the years 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2004,2005, respectively.

In connection with The final payment will be determined at the 1997 acquisitionconclusion of two funeral homes, a portion of the purchase price of each of those funeral homes was2006 and is currently estimated to be payable to one of the former owners referred to in the preceding paragraph based on a formula related to the annual field level cash flows subsequent to the yearrange of acquisition. The business purpose was to determine the final purchase prices of the acquisitions since they were expected to show strong growth in cash flow. The terms were negotiated with the sellers, one of whom later was appointed as a director of Carriage. The contingent purchase price payment paid to the director totaled $572,243 during 2002.

$1.0 million and $1.3 million.

During 2003, the Company was reimbursed for the cost of personnel and office expenses totaling approximately $87,000 from an entity in which the Company ownsowned a minority (12%) interest and one of the entity’s directors is ourCarriage’s Chief Executive Officer. The Company sold its interest in the entity and ourCarriage’s CEO resigned as director of the entity during 2004.

60


52



16.NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
19. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of the basic and diluted earnings per share for 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2004:

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income from continuing operations available to common stockholders

 

$

19,779

 

$

5,898

 

$

10,954

 

Net income (loss) from discontinued operations

 

499

 

727

 

(1,720

)

Numerator for earnings per share — net income available to common stockholders

 

$

20,278

 

$

6,625

 

$

9,234

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator for basic earnings per share — weighted average shares

 

16,973

 

17,444

 

17,786

 

Effect of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options

 

460

 

364

 

474

 

Denominator for diluted earnings per share — adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions

 

17,433

 

17,808

 

18,260

 

Basic earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

1.17

 

$

0.34

 

$

0.62

 

Discontinued operations

 

0.03

 

0.04

 

(0.10

)

Net income

 

$

1.20

 

$

0.38

 

$

0.52

 

Diluted earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

1.13

 

$

0.33

 

$

0.60

 

Discontinued operations

 

0.03

 

0.04

 

(0.09

)

Net income

 

$

1.16

 

$

0.37

 

$

0.51

 

2005:

             
  2003  2004  2005 
  (in thousands, except per share data) 
Numerator:            
Net income (loss) from continuing operations available to common stockholders $5,899  $10,988  $(45)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations  726   (1,754)  936 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting method        (22,756)
          
 
Numerator for earnings per share — net income available to common stockholders $6,625  $9,234  $(21,865)
          
Denominator:            
Denominator for basic earnings per share — weighted average shares  17,444   17,786   18,334 
Effect of dilutive securities:            
Stock options  364   474    
          
Denominator for diluted earnings per share — adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions  17,808   18,260   18,334 
          
 
Basic earnings per share:            
Continuing operations $0.34  $0.62  $ 
Discontinued operations  0.04   (0.10)  0.05 
Cumulative effect of the change in accounting method        (1.24)
          
Net income $0.38  $0.52  $(1.19)
          
 
Diluted earnings per share:            
Continuing operations $0.33  $0.60  $ 
Discontinued operations  0.04   (0.09)  0.05 
Cumulative effect of the change in accounting method        (1.24)
          
Net income $0.37  $0.51  $(1.19)
          
Options to purchase 0.4 million shares, 0.6 million shares, 0.2 million shares and 0.20.1 million shares were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2004,2005, respectively, because the exercise prices of the options were greater than the average market price of the common shares during those periods.

61


53



17.NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
20. MAJOR SEGMENTS OF BUSINESS

Carriage conducts funeral and cemetery operations only in the United States.
                 
  Funeral  Cemetery  Corporate  Consolidated 
  (in thousands, except number of operating locations) 
External revenues from continuing operations:                
2005 $116,072  $38,962  $  $155,034 
2004  112,504   37,390      149,894 
2003  112,209   34,351      146,560 
Net income (loss) from continuing operations:                
2005 $2,617  $33,314  $(35,976) $(45)
2004  17,719   5,582   (12,313)  10,988 
2003  20,575   5,370   (20,046)  5,899 
Total assets:                
2005 $322,497  $189,684  $58,459  $570,640 
2004  344,940   205,230   14,986   565,156 
2003  361,206   167,747   9,964   538,917 
Depreciation and amortization:                
2005 $5,150  $2,801  $1,273  $9,224 
2004  6,331   3,199   1,260   10,790 
2003  5,968   2,851   1,115   9,934 
Capital expenditures:                
2005 $2,980  $2,846  $2,386  $8,212 
2004  3,477   1,140   1,142   5,759 
2003  3,900   1,075   1,155   6,130 
Number of operating locations at year end:                
2005  133   29      162 
2004  135   30      165 
2003  139   30      169 
Interest expense and financing costs:                
2005 $769  $196  $17,746  $18,711 
2004  909   205   15,913   17,027 
2003  1,071   215   16,614   17,900 
Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations:                
2005 $27,024  $(26,655) $(337) $32 
2004  11,077   3,087   (14,073)  91 
2003  8,095   2,936   (7,492)  3,539 

62

 

 

Funeral

 

Cemetery

 

Corporate

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

(in thousands, except number of operating locations)

 

External revenues from continuing operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2004

 

$

112,816

 

$

37,390

 

$

 

$

150,206

 

2003

 

112,588

 

34,351

 

 

146,939

 

2002

 

115,100

 

34,217

 

 

149,317

 

Net income from continuing operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2004

 

$

17,685

 

$

5,582

 

$

(12,313

)

$

10,954

 

2003

 

20,574

 

5,370

 

(20,046

)

5,898

 

2002

 

23,228

 

5,685

 

(9,134

)

19,779

 

Total assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2004

 

$

344,940

 

$

205,230

 

$

14,986

 

$

565,156

 

2003

 

361,206

 

167,747

 

9,964

 

538,917

 

2002

 

371,839

 

163,750

 

14,359

 

549,948

 

Depreciation and amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2004

 

$

6,372

 

$

3,198

 

$

1,260

 

$

10,830

 

2003

 

6,010

 

2,851

 

1,114

 

9,975

 

2002

 

5,940

 

2,848

 

777

 

9,565

 

Capital expenditures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2004

 

$

3,450

 

$

1,154

 

$

1,142

 

$

5,746

 

2003

 

3,983

 

1,066

 

1,155

 

6,204

 

2002

 

4,446

 

805

 

780

 

6,031

 

Number of operating locations at year end:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2004

 

135

 

30

 

 

165

 

2003

 

139

 

30

 

 

169

 

2002

 

144

 

30

 

 

174

 

Interest expense and financing costs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2004

 

$

940

 

$

205

 

$

15,913

 

$

17,058

 

2003

 

1,106

 

215

 

16,614

 

17,935

 

2002

 

1,239

 

243

 

18,233

 

19,715

 

Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2004

 

$

11,057

 

$

3,087

 

$

(14,073

)

$

71

 

2003

 

8,075

 

2,936

 

(7,492

)

3,519

 

2002

 

9,025

 

2,293

 

(19,747

)

(8,429

)


54



18.NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
21. SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS INFORMATION
             
  For the year ended 
  2003  2004  2005 
Revenues            
Goods:            
Funeral $49,513  $49,393  $50,746 
Cemetery $23,597  $26,916  $27,394 
          
Total goods sold $73,110  $76,309  $78,140 
 
Services:            
Funeral $62,696  $63,111  $65,326 
Cemetery $10,754  $10,474  $11,568 
          
Total services provided $73,450  $73,585  $76,894 
 
Total Revenues $146,560  $149,894  $155,034 
          
 
Cost of revenues            
Goods:            
Funeral $46,375  $46,020  $47,584 
Cemetery $17,571  $20,165  $21,770 
          
Total cost of goods sold $63,946  $66,185  $69,354 
 
Services:       ��    
Funeral $36,750  $37,032  $38,078 
Cemetery $8,259  $8,351  $10,337 
          
Total cost of services provided $45,009  $45,383  $48,415 
 
Total cost of revenues $108,955  $111,568  $117,769 
          

63


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
22. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

The tables below set forth consolidated operating results by fiscal quarter for the years ended December 31, 20032004 and 2004,2005, in thousands, except earnings per share.
                 
  First  Second  Third  Fourth 
  Quarter  Quarter  Quarter  Quarter 
2005
                
Revenue from continuing operations $41,933  $38,024  $36,426  $38,651 
Gross profit from continuing operations  12,230   8,737   7,940   8,358 
Income (loss) from continuing operations $(1,137) $210  $167  $715 
Income from discontinued operations  333   22   503   78 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting method  (22,756)         
             
Net income (loss) $(23,560) $232  $670  $793 
             
Basic earnings per common share:                
Income (loss) from continuing operations $(0.06) $0.01  $0.01  $0.04 
Income from discontinued operations  0.01      0.03    
Cumulative effect of change in accounting method  (1.26)         
             
Net income (loss) per basic share $(1.31) $0.01  $0.04  $0.04 
             
Diluted earnings per common share:                
Income (loss) from continuing operations $(0.06) $0.01  $0.01  $0.04 
Income from discontinued operations  0.02      0.03    
Cumulative effect of change in accounting method  (1.26)         
             
Net income (loss) per diluted share $(1.30) $0.01  $0.04  $0.04 
             
2004
                
Revenue from continuing operations $40,304  $37,336  $35,746  $36,508 
Gross profit from continuing operations  11,793   8,698   8,111   9,724 
Income from continuing operations $2,960  $1,661  $483  $5,884 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations  92   (2,119)  674   (401)
             
Net income (loss) $3,052  $(458) $1,157  $5,483 
             
Basic earnings per common share:                
Income from continuing operations $0.17  $0.09  $0.03  $0.33 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations     (0.12)  0.04   (0.02)
             
Net income (loss) per basic share $0.17  $(0.03) $0.07  $0.31 
             
Diluted earnings per common share:                
Income from continuing operations $0.16  $0.09  $0.03  $0.32 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations  0.01   (0.12)  0.04   (0.02)
             
Net income (loss) per diluted share $0.17  $(0.03) $0.07  $0.30 
             
(a)Earnings per share are computed independently for each of the quarters presented. Therefore, the sum of the quarterly per share amounts does not equal the total computed for the year due to rounding and stock transactions which occurred during the periods presented.

64

 

 

First
Quarter

 

Second
Quarter

 

Third
Quarter

 

Fourth
Quarter

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net revenue from continuing operations

 

$

40,388

 

$

37,434

 

$

35,808

 

$

36,576

 

Gross profit from continuing operations

 

11,791

 

8,711

 

8,100

 

9,701

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

2,954

 

$

1,663

 

$

471

 

$

5,866

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

 

98

 

(2,121

)

686

 

(383

)

Net income (loss)

 

$

3,052

 

$

(458

)

$

1,157

 

$

5,483

 

Basic earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

0.17

 

$

0.09

 

$

0.03

 

$

0.33

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

 

 

(0.12

)

0.04

 

(0.02

)

Net income (loss) per basic share

 

$

0.17

 

$

(0.03

)

$

0.07

 

$

0.31

 

Diluted earnings per common share:

 

 

��

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.09

 

$

0.03

 

$

0.32

 

Income (loss) from discontinued Operations

 

0.01

 

(0.12

)

0.04

 

(0.02

)

Net income (loss) per diluted share

 

$

0.17

 

$

(0.03

)

$

0.07

 

$

0.30

 

2003(a)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net revenue from continuing operations

 

$

37,496

 

$

36,756

 

$

34,941

 

$

37,746

 

Gross profit from continuing operations

 

10,707

 

9,374

 

7,984

 

9,554

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

1,871

 

$

2,009

 

$

665

 

$

1,353

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

185

 

287

 

181

 

74

 

Net income

 

$

2,056

 

$

2,296

 

$

846

 

$

1,427

 

Basic earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

0.11

 

$

0.12

 

$

0.04

 

$

0.08

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

0.01

 

0.01

 

0.01

 

0.01

 

Net income per basic share

 

$

0.12

 

$

0.13

 

$

0.05

 

$

0.09

 

Diluted earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

0.11

 

$

0.11

 

$

0.04

 

$

0.08

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

0.01

 

0.02

 

0.01

 

 

Net income per diluted share

 

$

0.12

 

$

0.13

 

$

0.05

 

$

0.08

 


(a)      Earnings per share are computed independently for each of the quarters presented. Therefore, the sum of the quarterly per share amounts does not equal the total computed for the year due to rounding and stock transactions which occurred during the periods presented.

19.NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
23. SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION

The following information is supplemental disclosure as required for the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (in thousands):
             
  Year Ended December 31, 
  2003  2004  2005 
Cash paid for interest and financing costs $14,145  $9,854  $33,169 
          
Cash paid (refunded) for income taxes $137  $(2) $275 
          
Stock issued to directors or officers $1,018  $466  $1,338 
          
Restricted cash investing and financing activities:            
Proceeds from the sale of available for sale securities of the funeral and cemetery trusts     $20,784  $21,236 
           
Purchase of available for sale securities of the funeral and cemetery trusts     $20,931  $22,510 
           
Net deposits (withdrawals) in trust accounts increasing (decreasing) noncontrolling interests     $(878) $(2,123)
           

65

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest and financing costs

 

$

19,153

 

$

14,145

 

$

9,854

 

Cash paid (refunded) for income taxes

 

$

300

 

$

137

 

$

(2

)

Stock issued to directors or officers

 

$

67

 

$

1,018

 

$

 

Restricted cash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from the sale of available for sale securities of the funeral and cemetery trusts

 

 

 

 

 

$

20,784

 

Purchase of available for sale securities of the funeral and cemetery trusts

 

 

 

 

 

$

20,931

 

Net deposits (withdrawals) in trust accounts increasing (decreasing) noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

$

(878

)


55



20.       SUBSEQUENT EVENT

In January 2005, the Company issued $130 million of Senior Notes due in 2015.  The proceeds from these notes were used to refinance all senior debt, bring current the cumulative deferred distributions on the convertible junior subordinated debentures and the TIDES, and for general corporate purposes.  The Company’s bank credit facility was amended subsequent to year-end to permit the issuance of the Senior Notes.  In addition, the Company entered into a letter of commitment with Bank of America, its lead lender, for a $35 million Senior Secured Credit Facility.  The Senior Secured Credit Facility would mature five years from the closing date, would be secured by the Company’s assets (including certain funeral home real property) and would include financial covenants and limitations on stock redemptions, dividends and acquisitions.  The commitment is subject to certain conditions precedent to closing and completion of definitive documentation.

In connection with the early retirement of the senior debt from the proceeds, the Company made a required “make whole” payment of $6.0 million in the form of additional interest and recorded a charge to write off $0.7 million of unamortized loan costs.  These charges equal $4.2 million after tax, or $0.23 per diluted share, and will be reported in the first quarter of 2005.

The following table sets forth the consolidated capitalization as of December 31, 2004 on an actual basis and on an as adjusted basis to give effect to the $130 million offering of 7.875% of Senior Notes due in 2015 and the transactions paying off our senior debt and accrued interest.

 

 

As of
December 31, 2004

 

 

 

Actual

 

As Adjusted

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Senior Debt:

 

 

 

 

 

Existing Unsecured Credit Facility

 

$

25.6

 

$

 

Existing Senior Notes

 

70.5

 

 

New Senior Notes

 

 

130.0

 

Acquisition Debt

 

8.7

 

8.7

 

Capital Leases

 

5.5

 

5.5

 

Total Senior Debt

 

$

110.3

 

$

144.2

 

Subordinated Debt:

 

 

 

 

 

Subordinated Debt to Affiliate (TIDES)

 

$

93.8

 

$

93.8

 

TIDES Deferred Interest

 

10.9

 

 

Total Subordinated Debt

 

$

104.7

 

$

93.8

 

Total Debt

 

$

215.0

 

$

238.0

 

Total Stockholders’ Equity

 

116.4

 

112.2

 

Total Capitalization

 

$

331.4

 

$

350.2

 

56



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We have audited in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statementsConsolidated Financial Statements of Carriage Services, Inc. and subsidiaries for 20042005 and 20032004 included in this Form 10-K, and have issued our report thereon dated February 24, 2005.March 10, 2006. Our audits for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 2003 and 2002,2003, were made for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The schedule listed in Part IV, Item 15 (a)(2) for Carriage Services, Inc. and subsidiaries is the responsibility of the Company’s management and is presented for purposes of complying with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and is not part of the basic financial statements. This schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, fairly states in all material respects the financial data required to be set forth therein in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.

/s/KPMG LLP

Houston, Texas
March 10, 2006

66

February 24, 2005


57



CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.


SCHEDULE II — VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS


(in thousands)

                 
      Charged to     Balance
  Beginning Costs and     End of
Description of year Expenses Deduction Year
Year ended December 31, 2003:
                
Allowance for bad debts and contract cancellations $2,844  $1,198  $2,235  $1,807 
Litigation reserves $26  $  $26  $ 
Environmental remediation reserves $120  $18  $17  $121 
Employee severance accruals $2,345  $82  $992  $1,435 
Office closing and other accruals $1,404  $  $565  $839 
                 
Year ended December 31, 2004:
                
Allowance for bad debts and contract cancellations $1,807  $1,968  $2,835  $940 
Environmental remediation reserves $121  $  $18  $103 
Employee severance accruals $1,435  $395  $808  $1,022 
Office closing and other accruals $839  $  $507  $332 
                 
Year ended December 31, 2005:
                
Allowance for bad debts and contract cancellations $940  $2,215  $2,218  $937 
Environmental remediation reserves $103  $110  $70  $143 
Employee severance accruals $1,022  $355  $1,220  $157 
Office closing and other accruals $332  $3  $265  $70 

67

Description

 

Beginning
of year

 

Charged to
Costs and
Expenses

 

Deduction

 

Balance
End of
Year

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2002:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for bad debts and contract cancellations

 

$

3,515

 

$

1,018

 

$

1,689

 

$

2,844

 

Litigation reserves

 

$

26

 

$

 

$

 

$

26

 

Environmental remediation reserves

 

$

523

 

$

 

$

403

 

$

120

 

Employee severance accruals

 

$

2,364

 

$

700

 

$

719

 

$

2,345

 

Office closing and other accruals

 

$

1,987

 

$

 

$

583

 

$

1,404

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2003:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for bad debts and contract cancellations

 

$

2,844

 

$

1,198

 

$

2,235

 

$

1,807

 

Litigation reserves

 

$

26

 

$

 

$

26

 

$

 

Environmental remediation reserves

 

$

120

 

$

18

 

$

17

 

$

121

 

Employee severance accruals

 

$

2,345

 

$

82

 

$

992

 

$

1,435

 

Office closing and other accruals

 

$

1,404

 

$

 

$

565

 

$

839

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2004:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for bad debts and contract cancellations

 

$

1,807

 

$

1,968

 

$

2,835

 

$

940

 

Environmental remediation reserves

 

$

121

 

$

 

$

18

 

$

103

 

Employee severance accruals

 

$

1,435

 

$

395

 

$

808

 

$

1,022

 

Office closing and other accruals

 

$

839

 

$

 

$

507

 

$

332

 


58



ITEM 9.                             CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL

DISCLOSURE

ITEM 9.CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Under the supervision

Management’s Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and with the participation of ourProcedures
Our management, including our chiefprincipal executive officer and chief financial officer, we conducted an evaluation ofofficers, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e)to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in our filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive and financial officers, as amended (the “Exchange Act”),appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on such evaluation, our principal executive and financial officers have concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures were effective, as of theDecember 31, 2005 (the end of the period covered by this report.  BasedAnnual Report on their evaluation,Form 10-K).
Assessment of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management’s report on our chief executive officer and chiefinternal control over financial officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective at the endreporting is presented on page 29 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The report of KPMG LLP relating to management’s assessment of the period.  Duringeffectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and the period covered byeffectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, the Consolidated Financial Statements and the financial statement schedule are presented on pages 30, 31 and 66, respectively, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management report there were noon internal control over financial reporting for the year ended December 31, 2005 did not report any material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting or any changes in our internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

68


We currently expect the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 will be effective for the Company for its year ending December 31, 2005.  In order to comply with the Act, we are currently undergoing a comprehensive effort to document, verify and test key internal controls.  During the documentation and verification phases, which are still underway, we have identified certain internal control issues which management concluded should be improved.  However, to date we have not identified any material weaknesses in our internal controls as defined by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.  Nonetheless, we are making improvements to our internal controls by revising or updating policies and procedures; training field personnel on procedures and best practices; improving segregation of duties when possible; enhancing information technology systems controls; and improving preventative controls.  If additional internal control issues are identified by our continuing compliance efforts, management will address the matter in a timely manner.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTIORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The information required by Item 10 is incorporated by reference to the registrant’s definitive proxy statement relating to its 20052006 annual meeting of stockholders, which proxy statement will be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), within 120 days after the end of the last fiscal year.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by Item 11 is incorporated by reference to the registrant’s definitive proxy statement relating to its 20052006 annual meeting of stockholders, which proxy statement will be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act within 120 days after the end of the last fiscal year.

ITEM 12.                      SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED

STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

ITEM 12.SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by Item 12 is incorporated by reference to the registrant’s definitive proxy statement relating to its 20052006 annual meeting of stockholders, which proxy statement will be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act within 120 days after the end of the last fiscal year.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

The information required by Item 13 is incorporated by reference to the registrant’s definitive proxy statement relating to its 20052006 annual meeting of stockholders, which proxy statement will be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act within 120 days after the end of the last fiscal year.

59



ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by Item 14 is incorporated by reference to the registrant’s definitive proxy statement relating to its 20052006 annual meeting of stockholders, which proxy statement will be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act within 120 days after the end of the last fiscal year.

69


60



PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a) 1 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following financial statements and the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm are filed as a part of this report on the pages indicated:

(a) 2 FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

The following Financial Statement Schedule and the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Financial Statement Schedule are included in this report on the pages indicated:

Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Financial Statement Schedule

66

Financial Statement Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

67

All other schedules are omitted as the required information is inapplicable or the information is presented in the consolidated financial statementsConsolidated Financial Statements or related notes.

(a) 3 EXHIBITS

The exhibits to this report have been included only with the copies of this report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of individual exhibits will be furnished to stockholders upon written request to Carriage Services, Inc. and payment of a reasonable fee.

Exhibit No.

Description

Exhibit No.

Description

3.1

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the Company. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 1996.

3.2

Certificate of Amendment dated May 7, 1997. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its fiscal quarter ended September 30, 1997.

3.3

Certificate of Amendment dated May 7, 2002. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2002.

3.4

Certificate of Designation of the Company’s Series G Junior Participating Preferred Stock. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit C to the Rights Agreement with American Stock Transfer & Trust Company dated December 18, 2000, which is attached as Exhibit 1 to the Company’s Form 8-A filed December 29, 2000.

3.5

Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-05545).

3.6

Amendments to the Bylaws of the Company effective December 18, 2000. Incorporated by

70


Exhibit No.Description
reference to Exhibit 3.9 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its year ended December 31, 2001.

61



4.1

Certificate of Trust of Carriage Services Capital Trust. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Company’s Form S-3 Registration Statement No. 333-84141.

4.2

Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Carriage Services Capital Trust, dated June 3, 1999 among the Company, Wilmington Trust Company, Wilmington Trust Company, and Mark W. Duffey, Thomas C. Livengood and Terry E. Sanford. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Company’s Form S-3 Registration Statement No. 333-84141.

4.3

Indenture for the Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2029 dated June 3, 1999 between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Company’s Form S-3 Registration Statement No. 333-84141.

4.4

Form of Carriage Services Capital Trust 7% Convertible Preferred Securities. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to the Company’s Form S-3 Registration Statement No. 333-84141.

4.5

Form of the Company’s Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2029. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to the Company’s Form S-3 Registration Statement No. 333-84141.

4.6

Preferred Securities Guarantee dated June 3, 1999 between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.12 to the Company’s Form S-3 Registration Statement No. 333-84141.

4.7

Common Securities Guarantee, dated June 3, 1999 by Carriage Services, Inc. as Guarantor. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.13 to the Company’s Form S-3 Registration Statement No. 333-84141.

4.8

Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Carriage Services Capital Trust. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.14 to the Company’s Form S-3 Registration Statement No. 333-84141.

4.9

Rights Agreement with American Stock Transfer & Trust Company dated December 18, 2000. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Company’s Form 8-A filed December 29, 2000.

4.10

Indenture dated as of January 27, 2005 between Carriage Services, Inc., the Guarantors named therein, as Guarantors, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K dated January 27, 2005.

4.11Registration Rights Agreement dated as of January 27, 2005 between Carriage Services, Inc., the Guarantors named therein, and the Initial Purchasers named herein. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K dated Janury 27, 2005.
4.12Credit Agreement dated August 4, 2003April 27, 2005 among Carriage Services, Inc., as the Borrower, Bank of America, N.A. as the Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer, Wells Fargo Bank of Texas, National Association, Asas Syndication Agent and Other Lenders. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2005.

71


Exhibit No.Description
4.13Amendment No. 1 to the Credit Agreement dated August 31, 2005 among Carriage Services, Inc., as the Borrower, Bank of America, N.A. as the Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer, Wells Fargo Bank of Texas, National Association, as Syndication Agent and Other Lenders. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K Current Report filed August 6, 2003.

10.1

Note Purchase Agreement dated July 1, 1999, for Senior Notes Issuable in Series. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its fiscal quarter ended September 30, 1999.

2005.

10.2

10.1

Amendment No. 1 to Note Purchase Agreement dated November 6, 2000. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its quarter ended September 30, 2000.

10.3

Amended and Restated 1995 Stock Incentive Plan. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 1996.

10.4

Amendment No. 2 to 1995 Stock Incentive Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 333-85961.

10.5

Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Option Plan. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 1996.

10.6

10.2

Amendment No. 2 to 1996 Stock Option Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 333-85961.

10.7

10.3

Second Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Incentive Plan. Incorporated by reference to Appendix C to the Company’s 20042005 Schedule 14A.

62



10.8

10.4Second Amended and Restated 1996 Director’s Stock Option Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s 2000 Schedule 14A.

10.9

10.5

1998 Stock Option Plan for Consultants. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 333-62593.

10.10

10.6

Amendment No. 1 to the 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Incorporated by reference to Appendix B to the Company’s 20042005 Schedule 14A.

10.11

10.7

Employment Agreement with Melvin C. Payne, dated November 8, 1999. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 1999.

10.12

10.8

Indemnity Agreement with Melvin C. Payne dated December 18, 2000. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2000.

10.13

10.9

Indemnity Agreement with Mark F. Wilson dated December 18, 2000. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2000.

10.14

10.10

Indemnity Agreement with Stuart W. Stedman dated December 18, 2000. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2000.

10.15

Indemnity Agreement with Ronald A. Erickson dated December 18, 2000. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2000.

10.16

10.11

Indemnity Agreement with Vincent D. Foster dated December 18, 2000. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2000.

10.17

10.12

Employment Agreement with George J. Klug dated May 7, 2002. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its quarter ended June 30, 2002.

63



10.18

Employment Agreement with Joseph Saporito, III dated September 16, 2002. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its quarter ended September 30, 2002.

10.19

10.13

Letter to Bank of America reducing capacity of revolving credit facility. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its quarter ended September 30, 2002.

10.20

Indemnity Agreement with Joe R. Davis dated May 13, 2003. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its quarter ended June 30, 2003.

10.21

10.14

Indemnity Agreement with Joseph Saporito dated May 13, 2003. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its quarter ended June 30, 2003.

72


Exhibit No.

Description

10.22

10.15

Indemnity Agreement with James J. Benard dated May 13, 2003. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its quarter ended June 30, 2003.

10.23

10.16

Indemnity Agreement with George J. Klug dated May 13, 2003. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its quarter ended June 30, 2003.

10.24

10.17

Employment agreementAgreement with James J. Benard dated January 1, 2004. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its quarter ended March 31, 2004.

10.25

10.18

Amendment No. 2 to Note PurchaseEmployment Agreement among the Company and each of the holders of the Notes of the Company named thereinwith George J. Klug dated May 28, 2004,March 30, 2005. Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its quarter ended March 31, 2005. †

*10.19Employment Agreement with Joseph Saporito dated November 4, 2005. †
*12Calculation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
14Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. Carriage’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on the websitewww.carriageservices.com.
18.1Preferability letter from registered public accounting firm regarding change in accounting method dated August 1, 2005. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 18.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its quarter ended June 30, 2004.

2005.

*10.26

21.1

Employment agreement with Charles D. Sidun dated December 10, 2004.

*12

Calculation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

14

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.

*21.1

Subsidiaries of the Company.

*23.1

Consent of KPMG LLP.

*31.1

Certification of Periodic Financial Reports by Melvin C. Payne in satisfaction of Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

*31.2

Certification of Periodic Financial Reports by Joseph Saporito in satisfaction of Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

*32.1

32

Certification of Periodic Financial Reports by Melvin C. Payne in satisfaction of Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

*32.2

Certification of Periodic Financial Reports byand Joseph Saporito in satisfaction of Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(*) Filed herewith.
( †) Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit hereto.


(*) Filed herewith.


64



SIGNATURES

PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, THE REGISTRANT HAS DULY CAUSED THIS REPORT ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED ON MARCH 29, 2005.10, 2006.

CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.

By:

By:

/s/ Melvin C. Payne

Melvin C. Payne

Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, and President

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature

Title

Date

Signature

Title

Date

/s/ Melvin C. Payne

Melvin C. Payne

Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive

Melvin C. Payne

Officer,
   President and Director (Principal Executive
Officer)

March 29, 2005

10, 2006

/s/ Joseph Saporito

Joseph Saporito

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial

Joseph Saporito

Officer and
   Secretary (Principal Financial Officer)

March 10, 2006
/s/ Terry E. Sanford
Terry E. Sanford
Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Accounting
and    Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)

March 29, 2005

10, 2006

/s/ Joe R. Davis

Director

March 29, 2005

Joe R. Davis

Director 

March 10, 2006

/s/ Ronald A. Erickson

Director

March 29, 2005

Ronald A. Erickson

Director 

March 10, 2006

/s/ Vincent D. Foster

Director

March 29, 2005

Vincent D. Foster

Director 

March 10, 2006

/s/ Stuart W. Stedman

Director

March 29, 2005

Stuart W. Stedman

/s/ Mark E. Wilson

Director

March 29, 2005

Mark E. Wilson

Director 

March 10, 2006

74

65


Exhibit Index
Exhibit No.Description
3.1Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the Company. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 1996.
3.2Certificate of Amendment dated May 7, 1997. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its fiscal quarter ended September 30, 1997.
3.3Certificate of Amendment dated May 7, 2002. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2002.
3.4Certificate of Designation of the Company’s Series G Junior Participating Preferred Stock. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit C to the Rights Agreement with American Stock Transfer & Trust Company dated December 18, 2000, which is attached as Exhibit 1 to the Company’s Form 8-A filed December 29, 2000.
3.5Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-05545).
3.6Amendments to the Bylaws of the Company effective December 18, 2000. Incorporated by


Exhibit No.Description
reference to Exhibit 3.9 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its year ended December 31, 2001.
4.1Certificate of Trust of Carriage Services Capital Trust. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Company’s Form S-3 Registration Statement No. 333-84141.
4.2Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Carriage Services Capital Trust, dated June 3, 1999 among the Company, Wilmington Trust Company, Wilmington Trust Company, and Mark W. Duffey, Thomas C. Livengood and Terry E. Sanford. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Company’s Form S-3 Registration Statement No. 333-84141.
4.3Indenture for the Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2029 dated June 3, 1999 between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Company’s Form S-3 Registration Statement No. 333-84141.
4.4Form of Carriage Services Capital Trust 7% Convertible Preferred Securities. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to the Company’s Form S-3 Registration Statement No. 333-84141.
4.5Form of the Company’s Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2029. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to the Company’s Form S-3 Registration Statement No. 333-84141.
4.6Preferred Securities Guarantee dated June 3, 1999 between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.12 to the Company’s Form S-3 Registration Statement No. 333-84141.
4.7Common Securities Guarantee, dated June 3, 1999 by Carriage Services, Inc. as Guarantor. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.13 to the Company’s Form S-3 Registration Statement No. 333-84141.
4.8Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Carriage Services Capital Trust. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.14 to the Company’s Form S-3 Registration Statement No. 333-84141.
4.9Rights Agreement with American Stock Transfer & Trust Company dated December 18, 2000. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Company’s Form 8-A filed December 29, 2000.
4.10Indenture dated as of January 27, 2005 between Carriage Services, Inc., the Guarantors named therein, as Guarantors, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K dated January 27, 2005.
4.11Registration Rights Agreement dated as of January 27, 2005 between Carriage Services, Inc., the Guarantors named therein, and the Initial Purchasers named herein. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K dated Janury 27, 2005.
4.12Credit Agreement dated April 27, 2005 among Carriage Services, Inc., as the Borrower, Bank of America, N.A. as the Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer, Wells Fargo Bank of Texas, National Association, as Syndication Agent and Other Lenders. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2005.


Exhibit No.Description
4.13Amendment No. 1 to the Credit Agreement dated August 31, 2005 among Carriage Services, Inc., as the Borrower, Bank of America, N.A. as the Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer, Wells Fargo Bank of Texas, National Association, as Syndication Agent and Other Lenders. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2005.
10.1Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Option Plan. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 1996. †
10.2Amendment No. 2 to 1996 Stock Option Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 333-85961. †
10.3Second Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Incentive Plan. Incorporated by reference to Appendix C to the Company’s 2005 Schedule 14A. †
10.4Second Amended and Restated 1996 Director’s Stock Option Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s 2000 Schedule 14A. †
10.51998 Stock Option Plan for Consultants. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 333-62593. †
10.6Amendment No. 1 to the 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Incorporated by reference to Appendix B to the Company’s 2005 Schedule 14A. †
10.7Employment Agreement with Melvin C. Payne, dated November 8, 1999. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 1999. †
10.8Indemnity Agreement with Melvin C. Payne dated December 18, 2000. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2000. †
10.9Indemnity Agreement with Mark F. Wilson dated December 18, 2000. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2000. †
10.10Indemnity Agreement with Ronald A. Erickson dated December 18, 2000. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2000. †
10.11Indemnity Agreement with Vincent D. Foster dated December 18, 2000. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2000. †
10.12Employment Agreement with George J. Klug dated May 7, 2002. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its quarter ended June 30, 2002. †
10.13Indemnity Agreement with Joe R. Davis dated May 13, 2003. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its quarter ended June 30, 2003. †
10.14Indemnity Agreement with Joseph Saporito dated May 13, 2003. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its quarter ended June 30, 2003. †


Exhibit No.Description
10.15Indemnity Agreement with James J. Benard dated May 13, 2003. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its quarter ended June 30, 2003. †
10.16Indemnity Agreement with George J. Klug dated May 13, 2003. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its quarter ended June 30, 2003. †
10.17Employment Agreement with James J. Benard dated January 1, 2004. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its quarter ended March 31, 2004. †
10.18Employment Agreement with George J. Klug dated March 30, 2005. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its quarter ended March 31, 2005. †
*10.19Employment Agreement with Joseph Saporito dated November 4, 2005. †
*12Calculation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
14Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. Carriage’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on the websitewww.carriageservices.com.
18.1Preferability letter from registered public accounting firm regarding change in accounting method dated August 1, 2005. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 18.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its quarter ended June 30, 2005.
*21.1Subsidiaries of the Company.
*23.1Consent of KPMG LLP.
*31.1Certification of Periodic Financial Reports by Melvin C. Payne in satisfaction of Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
*31.2Certification of Periodic Financial Reports by Joseph Saporito in satisfaction of Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
*32Certification of Periodic Financial Reports by Melvin C. Payne and Joseph Saporito in satisfaction of Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
(*) Filed herewith.
(†) Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit hereto.