The Ensign Group Reports First Quarter 2009 Earnings of $0.38 per Share; Reaffirms 200...( Conference Call and Webcast Scheduled...),Health

Conference Call and Webcast Scheduled for May 7, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. PT

MISSION VIEJO, Calif., May 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Ensign Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ENSG), the parent company of the Ensign(TM) group of skilled nursing, rehabilitative care services and assisted living companies, today reported record results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2009.

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Quarter-over-Quarter Highlights Include:

• Total revenue was a record $130.3 million, up 14.5% compared to $113.8 million for the first quarter of 2008;
• Same-store skilled mix by revenue increased 105 basis points to 48.0%;
• The same-store average daily rate per skilled resident increased by 6.6% to $452 per day, an increase of $28 per patient day, as the company's overall patient base continued shifting to a higher acuity mix;
• Consolidated EBITDAR improved 22.4% to $21.1 million in the quarter, and EBITDAR margins improved by 105 basis points to 16.2%; and
• Consolidated net income climbed 25.1% to $7.9 million, compared to $6.3 million the year before.

Operating Results

Commenting on the results, Ensign President and Chief Executive Officer Christopher Christensen said, "We're pleased to be able to post record results while simultaneously continuing to grow through difficult economic times." He credited Ensign's facility-level owner-leaders, whose efforts and expertise drive not only operating results but also sound acquisition decisions, for the company's continued success. "This kind of competent and empowered lo
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