SCI-2011.9.30-10Q
Table of Contents

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
R
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011
or
o     
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
 
For the transition period from                      to                       
Commission file number 1-6402-1
SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Texas
 
74-1488375
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I. R. S. employer identification number)
 
 
 
1929 Allen Parkway, Houston, Texas
 
77019
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip code)
 
 
 
 
713-522-5141
 
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
 
 
 
None
 
(Former name, former address, or former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
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 þ NO o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES þ NO o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer þ
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o
Smaller reporting company o
 
 
(Do not check if smaller reporting company)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES o NO þ
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of October 25, 2011 was 227,998,397 (net of treasury shares).

 

Table of Contents

SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL
INDEX
 
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 

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GLOSSARY
The following terms are common to the deathcare industry, are used throughout this report, and have the following meanings:
Atneed — Funeral and cemetery arrangements after a death has occurred.
Burial Vaults — A reinforced container intended to house and protect the casket before it is placed in the ground.
Cemetery Perpetual Care or Endowment Care Fund — A trust fund established for the purpose of maintaining cemetery grounds and property into perpetuity.
Cremation — The reduction of human remains to bone fragments by intense heat.
General Agency (GA) Revenues — Commissions we receive from third-party life insurance companies for life insurance policies or annuities sold to preneed customers for the purpose of funding preneed funeral arrangements. The commission rate paid is determined based on the product type sold, the length of payment terms, and the age of the insured/annuitant.
Interment — The burial or final placement of human remains in the ground.
Lawn Crypt — An underground outer burial receptacle constructed of concrete and reinforced steel, which is usually pre-installed in predetermined designated areas.
Marker — A method of identifying a deceased person in a particular burial space, crypt, or niche. Permanent burial markers are usually made of bronze, granite, or stone.
Maturity — When the underlying contracted service is performed or merchandise is delivered, typically at death. This is the point at which preneed contracts are converted to atneed contracts (note — delivery of certain merchandise and services can occur prior to death).
Mausoleum — An above ground structure that is designed to house caskets and cremation urns.
Preneed — Purchase of products and services prior to a death occurring.
Preneed Backlog — Future revenues from unfulfilled preneed funeral and cemetery contractual arrangements.
Production — Sales of preneed funeral and preneed or atneed cemetery contracts.
As used herein, “SCI”, “Company”, “we”, “our”, and “us” refer to Service Corporation International and companies owned directly or indirectly by Service Corporation International, unless the context requires otherwise.

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
Revenues
$
572,999

 
$
533,165

 
$
1,729,472

 
$
1,619,301

Costs and expenses
(465,949
)
 
(430,518
)
 
(1,380,953
)
 
(1,294,998
)
Gross profits
107,050

 
102,647

 
348,519

 
324,303

General and administrative expenses
(23,863
)
 
(26,860
)
 
(77,381
)
 
(80,086
)
(Losses) gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net
(5,001
)
 
(7,291
)
 
(15,264
)
 
5,831

Operating income
78,186

 
68,496

 
255,874

 
250,048

Interest expense
(33,038
)
 
(31,497
)
 
(100,476
)
 
(96,281
)
Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net
(1,355
)
 
(9,066
)
 
(3,504
)
 
(9,357
)
Other income, net
249

 
688

 
969

 
3,077

Income before income taxes
44,042

 
28,621

 
152,863

 
147,487

Provision for income taxes
(9,027
)
 
(9,941
)
 
(51,181
)
 
(57,255
)
Net income
35,015

 
18,680

 
101,682

 
90,232

Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests
481

 
85

 
(1,329
)
 
(270
)
Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
35,496

 
$
18,765

 
$
100,353

 
$
89,962

Basic earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
0.15

 
$
0.08

 
$
0.42

 
$
0.36

Basic weighted average number of shares
232,917

 
246,214

 
237,037

 
250,762

Diluted earnings per share:

 
 
 

 
 
Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
0.15

 
$
0.08

 
$
0.42

 
$
0.36

Diluted weighted average number of shares
235,513

 
247,523

 
239,528

 
252,486

Dividends declared per share
$
0.05

 
$
0.04

 
$
0.15

 
$
0.12


(See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements)

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SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except share amounts)
 
September 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
127,037

 
$
170,846

Receivables, net
89,899

 
107,185

Deferred tax assets
43,542

 
41,371

Inventories
26,494

 
34,770

Other
21,458

 
27,746

Total current assets
308,430

 
381,918

Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments
1,456,130

 
1,424,557

Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments
1,513,723

 
1,563,893

Cemetery property, at cost
1,499,203

 
1,508,787

Property and equipment, net
1,627,799

 
1,627,698

Goodwill
1,337,587

 
1,307,484

Deferred charges and other assets
454,168

 
389,184

Cemetery perpetual care trust investments
974,266

 
987,019

Total assets
$
9,171,306

 
$
9,190,540

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES & EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
351,235

 
$
342,651

Current maturities of long-term debt
23,685

 
22,502

Income taxes
2,957

 
1,474

Total current liabilities
377,877

 
366,627

Long-term debt
1,863,899

 
1,832,380

Deferred preneed funeral revenues
575,207

 
580,223

Deferred preneed cemetery revenues
835,121

 
813,493

Deferred tax liability
379,930

 
323,304

Other liabilities
410,937

 
399,619

Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust
2,336,160

 
2,408,074

Care trusts’ corpus
971,926

 
986,872

Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)

 

Stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Common stock, $1 per share par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 243,767,641 and 242,019,650 shares issued, respectively, and 227,998,397 and 241,035,250 shares outstanding, respectively
227,998

 
241,035

Capital in excess of par value
1,471,599

 
1,603,112

Accumulated deficit
(398,997
)
 
(477,459
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
99,552

 
112,768

Total common stockholders’ equity
1,400,152

 
1,479,456

Noncontrolling interests
20,097

 
492

Total equity
1,420,249

 
1,479,948

Total liabilities and equity
$
9,171,306

 
$
9,190,540

(See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements)

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SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
2011
 
2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
101,682

 
$
90,232

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net
3,504

 
9,357

Depreciation and amortization
88,363

 
87,676

Amortization of intangible assets
19,497

 
18,816

Amortization of cemetery property
27,889

 
23,438

Amortization of loan costs
3,259

 
3,223

Provision for doubtful accounts
6,431

 
4,137

Provision for deferred income taxes
40,038

 
39,273

Losses (gains) on divestitures and impairment charges, net
15,264

 
(5,831
)
Share-based compensation
6,843

 
6,714

Excess tax benefit from share-based awards

 
(831
)
Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and divestitures:
 
 
 
Decrease in receivables
13,583

 
6,793

Decrease (increase) in other assets
2,560

 
(1,094
)
Increase in payables and other liabilities
7,808

 
7,687

Effect of preneed funeral production and maturities:
 
 
 
Decrease in preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments
47,263

 
30,434

Decrease in deferred preneed funeral revenue
(30,724
)
 
(4,218
)
Decrease in deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust
(33,203
)
 
(27,240
)
Effect of cemetery production and deliveries:
 
 
 
Increase in preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments
(47,977
)
 
(29,849
)
Increase in deferred preneed cemetery revenue
26,502

 
7,369

(Decrease) increase in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust
(6,280
)
 
1,496

Other
(989
)
 
(1,471
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
291,313

 
266,111

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(85,936
)
 
(67,443
)
Acquisitions
(97,473
)
 
(281,800
)
Proceeds from divestitures and sales of property and equipment, net
15,233

 
82,866

Net withdrawals of restricted funds and other
956

 
26,440

Net cash used in investing activities
(167,220
)
 
(239,937
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
65,000

 
245,000

Debt issuance costs

 
(6,203
)
Payments of debt
(2,169
)
 
(32,398
)
Early extinguishment of debt
(43,089
)
 
(118,562
)
Principal payments on capital leases
(17,186
)
 
(40,716
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
7,694

 
1,469

Excess tax benefit from share-based awards

 
831

Purchase of Company common stock
(146,590
)
 
(86,871
)
Payments of dividends
(33,395
)
 
(30,224
)
Bank overdrafts and other
3,573

 
(5,655
)
Net cash used in by financing activities
(166,162
)
 
(73,329
)
Effect of foreign currency on cash and cash equivalents
(1,740
)
 
3,223

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(43,809
)
 
(43,932
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
170,846

 
179,745

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
127,037

 
$
135,813

(See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements)

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SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY
(UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)
 
Common
Stock
 
Treasury Stock
 
Capital in
Excess of
Par Value
 
Accumulated
Deficit
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2009
$
254,027

 
$
(10
)
 
$
1,735,493

 
$
(603,876
)
 
$
97,142

 
$
12

 
$
1,482,788

Net income

 

 

 
89,962

 

 
270

 
90,232

Dividends declared on common stock ($.12 per share)

 

 
(29,830
)
 

 

 

 
(29,830
)
Foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 
4,761

 
2

 
4,763

Employee share-based compensation earned

 

 
6,714

 

 

 

 
6,714

Stock option exercises
389

 

 
1,080

 

 

 

 
1,469

Tax benefits related to share based awards

 

 
868

 

 

 

 
868

Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures
532

 

 
(532
)
 

 

 

 

Purchase of Company common stock

 
(10,358
)
 
(76,513
)
 

 

 

 
(86,871
)
Other
3

 
60

 
548

 

 

 

 
611

Balance at September 30, 2010
$
254,951

 
$
(10,308
)
 
$
1,637,828

 
$
(513,914
)
 
$
101,903

 
$
284

 
$
1,470,744

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2010
242,020

 
(985
)
 
1,603,112

 
(477,459
)
 
112,768

 
492

 
1,479,948

Net income

 

 

 
100,353

 

 
1,329

 
101,682

Dividends declared on common stock ($.15 per share)

 

 
(35,140
)
 

 

 

 
(35,140
)
Foreign currency translation

 

 


 

 
(13,216
)
 
(13
)
 
(13,229
)
Employee share-based compensation earned

 

 
6,843

 

 

 

 
6,843

Stock option exercises
1,137

 

 
6,557

 

 

 

 
7,694

Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures
539

 

 
(539
)
 

 

 

 

Purchase of Company common stock

 
(14,785
)
 
(109,914
)
 
(21,891
)
 

 

 
(146,590
)
Acquisition


 

 


 

 

 
18,857

 
18,857

Noncontrolling interest payment


 

 


 

 

 
(568
)
 
(568
)
Other
72

 

 
680

 

 

 

 
752

Balance at September 30, 2011
$
243,768

 
$
(15,770
)
 
$
1,471,599

 
$
(398,997
)
 
$
99,552

 
$
20,097

 
$
1,420,249


(See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements)


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SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
1. Nature of Operations
We are North America’s largest provider of deathcare products and services, with a network of funeral service locations and cemeteries primarily operating in the United States and Canada. Our operations consist of funeral service locations, cemeteries, funeral service/cemetery combination locations, crematoria, and related businesses.
Funeral service locations provide all professional services relating to funerals and cremations, including the use of funeral facilities and motor vehicles and preparation and embalming services. Funeral-related merchandise, including caskets, casket memorialization products, burial vaults, cremation receptacles, cremation memorial products, flowers, and other ancillary products and services, is sold at funeral service locations. Cemeteries provide cemetery property interment rights, including mausoleum spaces, lots, and lawn crypts, and sell cemetery-related merchandise and services, including stone and bronze memorials, markers, merchandise installations, and burial openings and closings. We also sell preneed funeral and cemetery products and services whereby a customer contractually agrees to the terms of certain products and services to be provided in the future.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Service Corporation International (SCI) and all subsidiaries in which we hold a controlling financial interest. Our financial statements also include the accounts of the funeral merchandise and service trusts, cemetery merchandise and service trusts, and cemetery perpetual care trusts in which we have a variable interest and are the primary beneficiary. Our interim condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited but include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals and any other adjustments, which management considers necessary for a fair statement of our results for these periods. Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in a manner consistent with the accounting policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, unless otherwise disclosed herein, and should be read in conjunction therewith. The accompanying year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year period.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current period financial statement presentation with no effect on our previously reported results of operations, consolidated financial position, or cash flows.
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
The preparation of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions as described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. These estimates and assumptions may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. As a result, actual results could differ from these estimates.
Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receivables
We sell preneed funeral and cemetery contracts whereby the customer enters into arrangements for future merchandise and services prior to the time of need. As these contracts are prior to the delivery of the related goods and services, the preneed funeral and cemetery receivables are offset by a comparable deferred revenue amount. These receivables have an interest component for which interest income is recorded when the interest amount is considered collectible and realizable, which typically coincides with cash payment. We do not accrue interest on financing receivables that are not paid in accordance with the contractual payment date given the nature of our goods and services, the nature of our contracts with customers, and the timing of the delivery of our services. We do not consider receivables to be past due until the service or goods are required to be delivered at which time the preneed receivable is paid or reclassified as a trade receivable with payment terms of less than 30 days. As the preneed funeral and cemetery receivables are offset by comparable deferred revenue amount, we have no risk of loss related to these receivables.
If a preneed contract is cancelled prior to delivery, state or provincial law determines the amount of the refund owed to the customer, if any, including the amount of the attributed investment earnings. Upon cancellation, we receive the amount of principal deposited to the trust and previously undistributed net investment earnings and, where required, issue a refund to the customer.

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We retain excess funds, if any, and recognize the attributed investment earnings (net of any investment earnings payable to the customer) as revenue in the consolidated statement of operations. In certain jurisdictions, we may be obligated to fund any shortfall if the amount deposited by the customers exceed the funds in trust. Based on our historical experience, we have provided an allowance for cancellation of these receivables, which is recorded as a reduction in receivables with a corresponding offset to deferred revenue.
Fair Value Measurements
In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) amended the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure (FVM&D) Topic of the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) to require additional disclosures on (1) transfers between levels, (2) Level 3 activity presented on a gross basis, (3) valuation technique, and (4) inputs into the valuation. We adopted Items 1, 3, and 4 during the three months ended March 31, 2010, and the adoption did not impact our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. We adopted Item 2 during the three months ended March 31, 2011, and the appropriate disclosures are contained in Notes 4, 5, and 6.
Stock-Based Compensation
In April 2010, the FASB issued additional guidance for the Compensation — Stock Compensation Topic of the ASC to clarify classification of an employee stock-based payment award when the exercise price is denominated in the currency of a market in which the underlying equity security trades. This guidance became effective for us on January 1, 2011. The adoption did not impact our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
Multi-Deliverable Arrangements
In October 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that impacts the recognition of revenue in multi-deliverable arrangements. The guidance establishes a selling-price hierarchy for determining the selling price of a deliverable. The goal of this guidance is to clarify disclosures related to multi-deliverable arrangements and to align the accounting with the underlying economics of the multi-deliverable transaction. This guidance became effective for us in the first quarter of 2011, and its adoption did not impact our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

3. Recently Issued Accounting Standards
Fair Value Measurements
In May 2011, the FASB amended the FVM&D Topic of the ASC that expands disclosures about items marked to fair value that are categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy to include qualitative explanations of the valuation methodology used and sensitivity analysis of the inputs into the valuation. The amendment also requires that items that are not measured at fair value but for which the fair value is disclosed also disclose the level in the fair value hierarchy in which those items were categorized. The amended guidance is effective for us in the first quarter of 2012 and we do not believe that this guidance will have any impact on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
Comprehensive Income
In June 2011, the FASB amended the Comprehensive Income Topic of the ASC to require the disclosure of the components of other comprehensive income, which we currently disclose elsewhere in our filings, be shown as either part of one statement of comprehensive income or as a separate statement of other comprehensive income immediately following the income statement. The amended guidance is effective for us in the first quarter of 2012 and will not have any impact on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
Goodwill Testing
In September 2011, the FASB amended the Intangibles - Goodwill and Other Topic of the ASC that allows us to make a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. If, after assessing the relevant information, we determine it is more likely than not that the fair value is more than the carrying amount, no additional work is necessary. If we determine it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than the carrying amount, then we are required to proceed to the quantitative approach. The amended guidance is effective for us in our annual test in the fourth quarter of 2012, adoption will have no impact on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

4. Preneed Funeral Activities
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments represent trust investments, including investment earnings, and customer receivables, net of unearned finance charges, related to unperformed, price-guaranteed preneed funeral contracts. Our funeral

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merchandise and service trusts are variable interest entities as defined in the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. In accordance with this guidance, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. Our cemetery trust investments detailed in Notes 5 and 6 are also accounted for as variable interest entities. When we receive payments from the customer, we deposit the amount required by law into the trust and reclassify the corresponding amount from Deferred preneed funeral revenues into Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. Amounts are withdrawn from the trusts after the contract obligations are performed. Cash flows from preneed funeral contracts are presented as operating cash flows in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.
 Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments are reduced by the trust investment earnings (realized and unrealized) that we have been allowed to withdraw in certain states prior to maturity. These earnings are recorded in Deferred preneed funeral revenues until the service is performed or the merchandise is delivered.
The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our preneed funeral merchandise and service trusts:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
(In thousands)
Deposits
$
18,960

 
$
18,771

 
$
55,189

 
$
61,294

Withdrawals
26,789

 
25,546

 
79,734

 
85,284

Purchases of available-for-sale securities
140,554

 
77,042

 
387,545

 
390,345

Sales of available-for-sale securities
114,476

 
86,754

 
448,988

 
401,253

Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities
11,353

 
5,963

 
49,618

 
26,461

Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities
(6,586
)
 
(8,360
)
 
(18,215
)
 
(42,017
)
The components of Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are as follows:
 
September 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
 
(In thousands)
Trust investments, at market
$
875,770

 
$
875,043

Cash and cash equivalents
100,911

 
121,212

Insurance-backed fixed income securities
267,603

 
220,287

Trust investments
1,244,284

 
1,216,542

Receivables from customers
251,788

 
247,434

Unearned finance charge
(5,461
)
 
(5,620
)
 
1,490,611

 
1,458,356

Allowance for cancellation
(34,481
)
 
(33,799
)
Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments
$
1,456,130

 
$
1,424,557


The cost and market values associated with our funeral merchandise and service trust investments recorded at fair market value at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in common trust funds, mutual funds, and private equity investments. Fair market value represents the value of the underlying securities held by the common trust funds, mutual funds at published values, and the estimated market value of private equity investments (including debt as well as the estimated fair value related to the contract holder’s equity in majority-owned real estate investments).

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Table of Contents

 
September 30, 2011
 
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Market
Value
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
$
76,987

 
$
4,032

 
$
(336
)
 
$
80,683

Canadian government
113,763

 
628

 
(50
)
 
114,341

Corporate
51,128

 
1,353

 
(1,207
)
 
51,274

Residential mortgage-backed
3,388

 
77

 
(32
)
 
3,433

Asset-backed
127

 
6

 

 
133

Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
2,344

 
19

 
(292
)
 
2,071

Common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
267,707

 
28,059

 
(36,268
)
 
259,498

Canada
23,638

 
2,824

 
(1,354
)
 
25,108

Other international
19,481

 
460

 
(3,219
)
 
16,722

Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
132,562

 
1,685

 
(23,543
)
 
110,704

Fixed income
195,093

 
6,298

 
(9,995
)
 
191,396

Private equity
36,800

 
1,408

 
(18,713
)
 
19,495

Other
518

 
394

 

 
912

Trust investments
$
923,536

 
$
47,243

 
$
(95,009
)
 
$
875,770


 
December 31, 2010
 
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Market
Value
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
$
71,948

 
$
2,061

 
$
(334
)
 
$
73,675

Canadian government
121,137

 
1,004

 
(20
)
 
122,121

Corporate
33,627

 
2,751

 
(285
)
 
36,093

Residential mortgage-backed
5,310

 
135

 
(22
)
 
5,423

Asset-backed
2,984

 
97

 
(2
)
 
3,079

Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
2,835

 
296

 
(78
)
 
3,053

Common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
268,650

 
63,301

 
(8,391
)
 
323,560

Canada
22,452

 
4,542

 
(798
)
 
26,196

Other international
21,611

 
2,240

 
(2,330
)
 
21,521

Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
116,260

 
6,123

 
(18,289
)
 
104,094

Fixed income
134,181

 
6,316

 
(5,628
)
 
134,869

Private equity
27,864

 
1,395

 
(16,890
)
 
12,369

Other
8,833

 
615

 
(458
)
 
8,990

Trust investments
$
837,692

 
$
90,876

 
$
(53,525
)
 
$
875,043


Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities held by the common trust funds and mutual funds are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

11

Table of Contents

Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using either quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or an income approach fair value model with observable inputs that include a combination of interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. These funds are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.
The valuation of private equity and other alternative investments requires significant management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of such assets. The fair value of these investments is estimated based on the market value of the underlying real estate and private equity investments. The underlying real estate value is determined using the most recent available appraisals. Private equity investments are valued using market appraisals or a discounted cash flow methodology, which is an income approach for fair value model, depending on the nature of the underlying assets. The appraisals assess value based on a combination of replacement cost, comparative sales analysis, and discounted cash flow analysis. These funds are classified as Level 3 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.
As of September 30, 2011, our unfunded commitment for our private equity and other investments was $12.7 million which, if called, would be funded by the assets of the trusts. Our private equity and other investments include several funds that invest in limited partnerships, distressed debt, real estate, and mezzanine financing. These investments can never be redeemed by the funds. Instead, the nature of the investments in this category is that the distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the funds. We estimate that the underlying assets will be liquidated over the next 2 to 10 years.
Our investments classified as Level 1 securities include common stock and mutual funds. Level 2 securities include U.S. Treasury, Canadian government, corporate, mortgage-backed fixed income securities, and preferred stock equity securities. Our private equity and other alternative investments are classified as Level 3 securities.
The inputs into the fair value of our market-based funeral merchandise and service trust investments are categorized as follows:
 
Quoted Market
Prices in Active
Markets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)
 
Fair Market
Value
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Trust investments at September 30, 2011
$
603,428

 
$
251,935

 
$
20,407

 
$
875,770

Trust investments at December 31, 2010
$
610,240

 
$
243,444

 
$
21,359

 
$
875,043

The change in our market-based funeral merchandise and service trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
Fair market value, beginning balance
$
29,031

 
$
19,707

 
$
21,359

 
$
12,052

Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)
(7,757
)
 
501

 
(1,001
)
 
(569
)
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)
(8
)
 
(43
)
 
(67
)
 
(66
)
Purchases
18

 

 
18

 
7,343

Sales
(7,970
)
 
(10
)
 
(8,156
)
 
(10
)
Contributions
7,615

 
255

 
9,397

 
1,691

Distributions and other
(522
)
 
(364
)
 
(1,143
)
 
(395
)
Fair market value, ending balance
$
20,407

 
$
20,046

 
$
20,407

 
$
20,046

                                                                               
(1)
All unrealized (losses) gains recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.
(2)
All losses recognized in Other income, net for our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income, net to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.

12

Table of Contents

Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2011 to 2041. Maturities of fixed income securities at September 30, 2011 are estimated as follows:
 
Fair Market Value
 
(In thousands)
Due in one year or less
$
136,116

Due in one to five years
51,838

Due in five to ten years
38,398

Thereafter
23,512

 
$
249,864

Earnings from all our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are recognized in funeral revenues when a service is performed or merchandise is delivered. In addition, we are entitled to retain, in certain jurisdictions, a portion of collected customer payments when a customer cancels a preneed contract; these amounts are also recognized in current revenues. Recognized earnings (realized and unrealized) related to these trust investments were $10.2 million and $6.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Recognized earnings (realized and unrealized) related to these trust investments were $28.9 million and $22.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
We assess our trust investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Impairment charges resulting from this assessment are recognized as investment losses in Other income, net and a decrease to Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments. These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other income, net, which reduces Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust. For the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we recorded a $17.5 million and a $1.1 million impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we recorded a $20.8 million and a $7.3 million impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments, respectively.
We have determined that the remaining unrealized losses in our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are considered temporary in nature, as the unrealized losses were due to temporary fluctuations in interest rates and equity prices. The investments are diversified across multiple industry segments using a balanced allocation strategy to minimize long-term risk. We believe that none of the securities are other-than-temporarily impaired based on our analysis of the investments. Our analysis included a review of the portfolio holdings and discussions with the individual money managers as to the sector exposures, credit ratings and the severity and duration of the unrealized losses. Our funeral merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values, and the duration of unrealized losses as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, are shown in the following tables:
 
September 30, 2011
 
In Loss Position
Less Than 12 Months
 
In Loss Position
Greater Than 12 Months
 
Total
 
Fair
Market
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Market
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Market
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
$
8,064

 
$
(80
)
 
$
9,021

 
$
(256
)
 
$
17,085

 
$
(336
)
Canadian government
9,536

 
(48
)
 
105

 
(2
)
 
9,641

 
(50
)
Corporate
20,897

 
(1,171
)
 
979

 
(36
)
 
21,876

 
(1,207
)
Residential mortgage-backed
369

 
(2
)
 
391

 
(30
)
 
760

 
(32
)
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
1,645

 
(292
)
 

 

 
1,645

 
(292
)
Common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
122,765

 
(31,623
)
 
17,031

 
(4,645
)
 
139,796

 
(36,268
)
Canada
8,374

 
(1,005
)
 
620

 
(349
)
 
8,994

 
(1,354
)
Other international
9,966

 
(1,867
)
 
2,897

 
(1,352
)
 
12,863

 
(3,219
)
Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
53,310

 
(10,834
)
 
45,439

 
(12,709
)
 
98,749

 
(23,543
)
Fixed income
26,896

 
(3,029
)
 
8,746

 
(6,966
)
 
35,642

 
(9,995
)
Private equity
1,360

 
(1,502
)
 
12,640

 
(17,211
)
 
14,000

 
(18,713
)
Total temporarily impaired securities
$
263,182

 
$
(51,453
)
 
$
97,869

 
$
(43,556
)
 
$
361,051

 
$
(95,009
)


13

Table of Contents

 
December 31, 2010
 
In Loss Position
Less Than 12 Months
 
In Loss Position
Greater Than 12 Months
 
Total
 
Fair
Market
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Market
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Market
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
$
10,433

 
$
(316
)
 
$
393

 
$
(18
)
 
$
10,826

 
$
(334
)
Canadian government
1,632

 
(2
)
 
668

 
(18
)
 
2,300

 
(20
)
Corporate
5,619

 
(285
)
 

 

 
5,619

 
(285
)
Residential mortgage-backed
836

 
(9
)
 
263

 
(13
)
 
1,099

 
(22
)
Asset-backed
225

 
(1
)
 
53

 
(1
)
 
278

 
(2
)
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
1,045

 
(78
)
 

 

 
1,045

 
(78
)
Common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
41,491

 
(3,019
)
 
24,919

 
(5,372
)
 
66,410

 
(8,391
)
Canada
4,493

 
(324
)
 
1,361

 
(474
)
 
5,854

 
(798
)
Other international
5,251

 
(862
)
 
3,446

 
(1,468
)
 
8,697

 
(2,330
)
Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
3,778

 
(110
)
 
61,844

 
(18,179
)
 
65,622

 
(18,289
)
Fixed income
9,630

 
(156
)
 
8,818

 
(5,472
)
 
18,448

 
(5,628
)
Private equity
214

 
(71
)
 
6,715

 
(16,819
)
 
6,929

 
(16,890
)
Other
8

 
(2
)
 
309

 
(456
)
 
317

 
(458
)
Total temporarily impaired securities
$
84,655

 
$
(5,235
)
 
$
108,789

 
$
(48,290
)
 
$
193,444

 
$
(53,525
)

5. Preneed Cemetery Activities
 Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments represent trust investments, including investment earnings, and customer receivables, net of unearned finance charges, for contracts sold in advance of when the property interment rights, merchandise, or services are needed. Our cemetery merchandise and service trusts are variable interest entities as defined in the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. In accordance with this guidance, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. The trust investments detailed in Notes 4 and 6 are also accounted for as variable interest entities. When we receive payments from the customer, we deposit the amount required by law into the trust and reclassify the corresponding amount from Deferred preneed cemetery revenues into Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. Amounts are withdrawn from the trusts when the contract obligations are performed. Cash flows from preneed cemetery contracts are presented as operating cash flows in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments are reduced by the trust investment earnings (realized and unrealized) that we have been allowed to withdraw in certain states prior to maturity. These earnings are recorded in Deferred preneed cemetery revenues until the service is performed or the merchandise is delivered.
The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our preneed cemetery merchandise and service trusts:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
(In thousands)
Deposits
$
25,946

 
$
30,565

 
$
76,442

 
$
79,984

Withdrawals
25,917

 
26,303

 
84,444

 
79,080

Purchases of available-for-sale securities
88,518

 
77,625

 
411,195

 
542,829

Sales of available-for-sale securities
78,721

 
90,148

 
407,272

 
502,508

Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities
10,134

 
6,838

 
51,225

 
31,899

Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities
(8,758
)
 
(9,828
)
 
(19,994
)
 
(47,093
)
The components of Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are as follows:

14

Table of Contents

 
September 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
 
(In thousands)
Trust investments, at market
$
967,503

 
$
1,062,771

Cash and cash equivalents
127,137

 
122,866

Insurance backed fixed income securities
12

 
9,158

Trust investments
1,094,652

 
1,194,795

Receivables from customers
498,445

 
452,296

Unearned finance charges
(35,525
)
 
(39,205
)
 
1,557,572

 
1,607,886

Allowance for cancellation
(43,849
)
 
(43,993
)
Preneed cemetery receivables and trust investments
$
1,513,723

 
$
1,563,893


The cost and market values associated with our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments recorded at fair market value at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in common trust funds, mutual funds, and private equity investments. Fair market value represents the value of the underlying securities held by the common trust funds, mutual funds at published values, and the estimated market value of private equity investments.
 
September 30, 2011
 
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Market
Value
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
$
51,242

 
$
5,524

 
$
(305
)
 
$
56,461

Canadian government
17,067

 
492

 
(10
)
 
17,549

Corporate
41,828

 
1,441

 
(1,628
)
 
41,641

Residential mortgage-backed
168

 
5

 
(1
)
 
172

Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
3,729

 
24

 
(462
)
 
3,291

Common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
389,521

 
47,683

 
(48,239
)
 
388,965

Canada
17,177

 
2,857

 
(1,527
)
 
18,507

Other international
28,103

 
744

 
(4,028
)
 
24,819

Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
181,246

 
1,883

 
(24,032
)
 
159,097

Fixed income
246,647

 
12,081

 
(15,832
)
 
242,896

Private equity
29,892

 
44

 
(16,258
)
 
13,678

Other
335

 
92

 

 
427

Trust investments
$
1,006,955

 
$
72,870

 
$
(112,322
)
 
$
967,503



15

Table of Contents

 
December 31, 2010
 
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Market
Value
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
$
50,884

 
$
2,493

 
$
(307
)
 
$
53,070

Canadian government
15,669

 
362

 
(4
)
 
16,027

Corporate
39,265

 
3,387

 
(402
)
 
42,250

Residential mortgage-backed
863

 
31

 
(1
)
 
893

Asset-backed
6,336

 
261

 
(5
)
 
6,592

Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
4,577

 
453

 
(124
)
 
4,906

Common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
386,537

 
82,385

 
(10,821
)
 
458,101

Canada
17,279

 
3,869

 
(850
)
 
20,298

Other international
31,466

 
2,485

 
(3,645
)
 
30,306

Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
202,328

 
15,173

 
(18,569
)
 
198,932

Fixed income
226,567

 
8,537

 
(9,959
)
 
225,145

Private equity
19,596

 
13

 
(13,890
)
 
5,719

Other
874

 
43

 
(385
)
 
532

Trust investments
$
1,002,241

 
$
119,492

 
$
(58,962
)
 
$
1,062,771


Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities held by the common trust funds and mutual funds are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.
Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using either quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or an income approach fair value model with observable inputs that include a combination of interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. These funds are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.
The valuation of private equity and other alternative investments requires significant management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of such assets. The fair value of these investments is estimated based on the market value of the underlying real estate and private equity investments. The underlying real estate value is determined using the most recent available appraisals. Private equity investments are valued using market appraisals or a discounted cash flow methodology, which is an income approach fair value model, depending on the nature of the underlying assets. The appraisals assess value based on a combination of replacement cost, comparative sales analysis, and discounted cash flow analysis. These funds are classified as Level 3 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.
As of September 30, 2011, our unfunded commitment for our private equity and other investments was $13.2 million which, if called, would be funded by the assets of the trusts. Our private equity and other investments include several funds that invest in limited partnerships, distressed debt, real estate, and mezzanine financing. These investments can never be redeemed by the funds. Instead, the nature of the investments in this category is that the distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the funds. We estimate that the underlying assets will be liquidated over the next 2 to 10 years.
Our investments classified as Level 1 securities include common stock and mutual funds. Level 2 securities include U.S. Treasury, Canadian government, corporate, mortgage-backed and asset-backed fixed income securities, and preferred stock. Our private equity and other alternative investments are classified as Level 3 securities.
The inputs into the fair value of our market-based cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are categorized as follows:

16

Table of Contents

 
Quoted Market
Prices in Active
Markets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Fair Market Value
 
(In thousands)
Trust investments at September 30, 2011
$
834,284

 
$
119,114

 
$
14,105

 
$
967,503

Trust investments at December 31, 2010
$
932,782

 
$
123,738

 
$
6,251

 
$
1,062,771

The change in our market-based cemetery merchandise and service trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
Fair market value, beginning balance
$
14,674

 
$
4,930

 
$
6,251

 
$
4,341

Net unrealized losses included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)
(8,530
)
 
(81
)
 
(1,545
)
 
(446
)
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)
(8
)
 
(18
)
 
(73
)
 
(41
)
Sales

 
(25
)
 

 
(48
)
Contributions
7,910

 
263

 
9,762

 
1,601

Distributions and other
59

 
(92
)
 
(290
)
 
(430
)
Fair market value, ending balance
$
14,105

 
$
4,977

 
$
14,105

 
$
4,977

                                                                               
(1)
All unrealized losses recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.
(2)
All losses recognized in Other income, net for our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income, net to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.
Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2011 to 2041. Maturities of fixed income securities, excluding mutual funds, at September 30, 2011 are estimated as follows:
 
Fair Market Value
 
(In thousands)
Due in one year or less
$
9,761

Due in one to five years
43,714

Due in five to ten years
31,960

Thereafter
30,388

 
$
115,823


Earnings from all our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are recognized in current cemetery revenues when a service is performed or merchandise is delivered. In addition, we are entitled to retain, in certain jurisdictions, a portion of collected customer payments when a customer cancels a preneed contract; these amounts are also recognized in current revenues. Recognized earnings (realized and unrealized) related to these trust investments were $4.6 million and $2.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Recognized earnings (realized and unrealized) related to these trust investments were $15.7 million and $9.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
We assess our trust investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Impairment charges resulting from this assessment are recognized as investment losses in Other income, net and a decrease to Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments. These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other income, net, which reduces Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust. For the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we recorded a $24.9

17

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million and a $1.5 million impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we recorded a $26.1 million and a $4.9 million impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments, respectively.
We have determined that the remaining unrealized losses in our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are considered temporary in nature, as the unrealized losses were due to temporary fluctuations in interest rates and equity prices. The investments are diversified across multiple industry segments using a balanced allocation strategy to minimize long-term risk. We believe that none of the securities are other-than-temporarily impaired based on our analysis of the investments. Our analysis included a review of the portfolio holdings and discussions with the individual money managers as to the sector exposures, credit ratings, and the severity and duration of the unrealized losses. Our cemetery merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values and the duration of unrealized losses as of September 30, 2011 are shown in the following tables:
 
September 30, 2011
 
In Loss Position
Less Than 12 Months
 
In Loss Position
Greater Than 12 Months
 
Total
 
Fair Market
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Market
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Market
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
$
1,817

 
$
(41
)
 
$
3,042

 
$
(264
)
 
$
4,859

 
$
(305
)
Canadian government
3,307

 
(10
)
 

 

 
3,307

 
(10
)
Corporate
18,660

 
(1,628
)
 

 

 
18,660

 
(1,628
)
Residential mortgage-backed

 

 
15

 
(1
)
 
15

 
(1
)
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
2,428

 
(462
)
 

 

 
2,428

 
(462
)
Common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
172,584

 
(43,555
)
 
19,470

 
(4,684
)
 
192,054

 
(48,239
)
Canada
5,448

 
(966
)
 
457

 
(561
)
 
5,905

 
(1,527
)
Other international
14,670

 
(2,454
)
 
3,426

 
(1,574
)
 
18,096

 
(4,028
)
Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
83,652

 
(13,461
)
 
58,659

 
(10,571
)
 
142,311

 
(24,032
)
Fixed income
49,081

 
(4,293
)
 
10,872

 
(11,539
)
 
59,953

 
(15,832
)
Private equity
426

 
(275
)
 
12,776

 
(15,983
)
 
13,202

 
(16,258
)
Total temporarily impaired securities
$
352,073

 
$
(67,145
)
 
$
108,717

 
$
(45,177
)
 
$
460,790

 
$
(112,322
)



18

Table of Contents

 
December 31, 2010
 
In Loss Position
Less Than 12 Months
 
In Loss Position
Greater Than 12 Months
 
Total
 
Fair Market
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Market
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Market
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
$
6,057

 
$
(295
)
 
$
315

 
$
(12
)
 
$
6,372

 
$
(307
)
Canadian government
2,908

 
(4
)
 

 

 
2,908

 
(4
)
Corporate
8,577

 
(402
)
 

 

 
8,577

 
(402
)
Residential mortgage-backed

 

 
20

 
(1
)
 
20

 
(1
)
Asset-backed
766

 
(4
)
 
56

 
(1
)
 
822

 
(5
)
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
1,749

 
(124
)
 

 

 
1,749

 
(124
)
Common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
63,027

 
(4,450
)
 
31,108

 
(6,371
)
 
94,135

 
(10,821
)
Canada
3,131

 
(181
)
 
1,475

 
(669
)
 
4,606

 
(850
)
Other international
8,542

 
(1,403
)
 
5,259

 
(2,242
)
 
13,801

 
(3,645
)
Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
5,107

 
(112
)
 
92,630

 
(18,457
)
 
97,737

 
(18,569
)
Fixed income
25,887

 
(354
)
 
14,600

 
(9,605
)
 
40,487

 
(9,959
)
Private equity

 

 
5,557

 
(13,890
)
 
5,557

 
(13,890
)
Other
7

 
(1
)
 
303

 
(384
)
 
310

 
(385
)
Total temporarily impaired securities
$
125,758

 
$
(7,330
)
 
$
151,323

 
$
(51,632
)
 
$
277,081

 
$
(58,962
)

6. Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts
We are required by state and provincial law to pay into cemetery perpetual care trusts a portion of the proceeds from the sale of cemetery property interment rights. Our cemetery perpetual care trusts are variable interest entities as defined in the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. In accordance with this guidance, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. The merchandise and service trust investments detailed in Notes 4 and 5 are also accounted for as variable interest entities. We consolidate our cemetery perpetual care trust investments with a corresponding amount recorded as Care trusts’ corpus. Cash flows from cemetery perpetual care trusts are presented as operating cash flows in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.
The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our cemetery perpetual care trusts:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
(In thousands)
Deposits
$
5,503

 
$
5,381

 
$
17,806

 
$
17,282

Withdrawals
10,269

 
7,581

 
28,098

 
26,858

Purchases of available-for-sale securities
87,135

 
135,544

 
413,176

 
315,986

Sales of available-for-sale securities
49,705

 
137,354

 
387,715

 
247,125

Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities
4,101

 
4,244

 
31,221

 
8,937

Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities
(1,764
)
 
(2,068
)
 
(14,506
)
 
(7,524
)

The components of Cemetery perpetual care trust investments in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are as follows:

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Table of Contents

 
September 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
 
(In thousands)
Trust investments, at market
$
913,014

 
$
922,228

Cash and cash equivalents
61,252

 
64,791

Cemetery perpetual care trust investments
$
974,266

 
$
987,019


The cost and market values associated with our cemetery perpetual care trust investments recorded at fair market value at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in common trust funds, mutual funds, and private equity investments. Fair market value represents the value of the underlying securities or cash held by the common trust funds, mutual funds at published values, and the estimated market value of private equity investments.

 
September 30, 2011
 
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Market
Value
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
$
1,637

 
$
815

 
$
(2
)
 
$
2,450

Canadian government
28,751

 
862

 
(18
)
 
29,595

Corporate
20,677

 
609

 
(92
)
 
21,194

Residential mortgage-backed
1,702

 
59

 
(11
)
 
1,750

Asset-backed
52

 

 

 
52

Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
5,961

 

 
(1,216
)
 
4,745

Common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
138,464

 
6,903

 
(16,980
)
 
128,387

Canada
12,581

 
1,457

 
(1,237
)
 
12,801

Other international
18,788

 
843

 
(2,259
)
 
17,372

Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
21,474

 
736

 
(2,336
)
 
19,874

Fixed income
648,407

 
25,030

 
(16,199
)
 
657,238

Private equity
24,835

 
358

 
(14,231
)
 
10,962

Other
8,089

 
829

 
(2,324
)
 
6,594

Cemetery perpetual care trust investments
$
931,418

 
$
38,501

 
$
(56,905
)
 
$
913,014


20

Table of Contents

 
December 31, 2010
 
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Market
Value
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
$
5,651

 
$
863

 
$
(31
)
 
$
6,483

Canadian government
26,702

 
642

 
(7
)
 
27,337

Corporate
48,278

 
5,219

 
(249
)
 
53,248

Residential mortgage-backed
1,764

 
55

 
(6
)
 
1,813

Asset-backed
363

 
5

 

 
368

Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
7,789

 
1,385

 
(112
)
 
9,062

Common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
116,799

 
16,916

 
(6,640
)
 
127,075

Canada
11,510

 
2,510

 
(758
)
 
13,262

Other international
16,004

 
2,175

 
(1,845
)
 
16,334

Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
65,114

 
6,964

 
(7,239
)
 
64,839

Fixed income
562,879

 
24,773

 
(2,334
)
 
585,318

Private equity
23,428

 
351

 
(13,344
)
 
10,435

Other
8,475

 
836

 
(2,657
)
 
6,654

Cemetery perpetual care trust investments
$
894,756

 
$
62,694

 
$
(35,222
)
 
$
922,228


Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities held by the common trust funds and mutual funds are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.
Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using either quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or an income approach fair value model with observable inputs that include a combination of interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. These funds are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.
The valuation of private equity and other alternative investments requires significant management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of such assets. The fair value of these investments is estimated based on the market value of the underlying real estate and private equity investments. The underlying real estate value is determined using the most recent available appraisals. Private equity investments are valued using market appraisals or a discounted cash flow methodology, which is an income approach fair value model, depending on the nature of the underlying assets. The appraisals assess value based on a combination of replacement cost, comparative sales analysis, and discounted cash flow analysis. These funds are classified as Level 3 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.
Our private equity and other investments include several funds that invest in limited partnerships, distressed debt, real estate, and mezzanine financing. These investments can never be redeemed by the funds. Instead, the nature of the investments in this category is that the distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the funds. We estimate that the underlying assets will be liquidated over the next 2 to 10 years.
Our investments classified as Level 1 securities include common stock and mutual funds. Level 2 securities include U.S. Treasury, Canadian government, corporate, mortgage-backed and asset-backed fixed income securities, and preferred stock. Our private equity and other alternative investments are classified as Level 3 securities.
The inputs into the fair value of our market-based cemetery perpetual care trust investments are categorized as follows:

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Table of Contents

 
Quoted Market
Prices in Active
Markets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Fair Market Value
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Trust investments at September 30, 2011
$
835,672

 
$
59,786

 
$
17,556

 
$
913,014

Trust investments at December 31, 2010
$
806,828

 
$
98,311

 
$
17,089

 
$
922,228

The change in our market-based cemetery perpetual care trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
Fair market value, beginning balance
$
19,055

 
$
14,209

 
$
17,089

 
$
14,943

Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)
(2,377
)
 
1,225

 
5,525

 
5,350

Net realized gains (losses) included in Other income, net(2)
4

 
1,313

 
(187
)
 
1,236

Sales

 
(155
)
 
(44
)
 
(155
)
Contributions
18

 
1

 
115

 
1,881

Distributions and other
856

 
(2,590
)
 
(4,942
)
 
(9,252
)
Fair market value, ending balance
$
17,556

 
$
14,003

 
$
17,556

 
$
14,003

                                                                               
(1)
All unrealized (losses) gains recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our cemetery perpetual care trust investments are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Care trusts’ corpus. See Note 7 for further information related to our Care trusts’ corpus.
(2)
All gains (losses) recognized in Other income, net for our cemetery perpetual care trust investments are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income, net to Care trusts’ corpus. See Note 7 for further information related to our Care trusts’ corpus.
Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2011 to 2041. Maturities of fixed income securities at September 30, 2011 are estimated as follows:
 
Fair Market Value
 
(In thousands)
Due in one year or less
$
9,028

Due in one to five years
23,395

Due in five to ten years
19,220

Thereafter
3,398

 
$
55,041


Distributable earnings from these cemetery perpetual care trust investments are recognized in current cemetery revenues to the extent we incur qualifying cemetery maintenance costs. Recognized earnings related to these trust investments were $7.3 million and $10.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Recognized earnings related to these trust investments were $29.3 million and $29.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
We assess our trust investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Impairment charges resulting from this assessment are recognized as investment losses in Other income, net and a decrease to Cemetery perpetual care trust investments. These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other income, net, which reduces Care trusts’ corpus. See Note 7 for further information related to our Care trusts’ corpus. For the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we recorded a $0.0 million and a $0.2 million impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we recorded a $0.3 million and a $1.8 million impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments, respectively.
We have determined that the remaining unrealized losses in our cemetery perpetual care trust investments are considered

22

Table of Contents

temporary in nature, as the unrealized losses were due to temporary fluctuations in interest rates and equity prices. The investments are diversified across multiple industry segments using a balanced allocation strategy to minimize long-term risk. We believe that none of the securities are other-than-temporarily impaired based on our analysis of the investments. Our analysis included a review of the portfolio holdings, and discussions with the individual money managers as to the sector exposures, credit ratings, and the severity and duration of the unrealized losses. Our cemetery perpetual care trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values and the duration of unrealized losses, are shown in the following tables.

 
September 30, 2011
 
In Loss Position
Less Than 12 Months
 
In Loss Position
Greater Than 12 Months
 
Total
 
Fair
Market
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Market
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Market
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
$
564

 
$
(2
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
564

 
$
(2
)
Canadian government
5,590

 
(18
)
 

 

 
5,590

 
(18
)
Corporate
2,876

 
(79
)
 
231

 
(13
)
 
3,107

 
(92
)
Residential mortgage-backed
27

 
(1
)
 
110

 
(10
)
 
137

 
(11
)
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
4,720

 
(1,188
)
 
22

 
(28
)
 
4,742

 
(1,216
)
Common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
64,616

 
(11,145
)
 
9,435

 
(5,835
)
 
74,051

 
(16,980
)
Canada
3,300

 
(663
)
 
618

 
(574
)
 
3,918

 
(1,237
)
Other international
10,925

 
(1,852
)
 
347

 
(407
)
 
11,272

 
(2,259
)
Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
11,439

 
(1,573
)
 
2,814

 
(763
)
 
14,253

 
(2,336
)
Fixed income
180,580

 
(11,196
)
 
39,050

 
(5,003
)
 
219,630

 
(16,199
)
Private equity
258

 
(362
)
 
10,315

 
(13,869
)
 
10,573

 
(14,231
)
Other
134

 
(190
)
 
5,390

 
(2,134
)
 
5,524

 
(2,324
)
Total temporarily impaired securities
$
285,029

 
$
(28,269
)
 
$
68,332

 
$
(28,636
)
 
$
353,361

 
$
(56,905
)



23

Table of Contents

 
December 31, 2010
 
In Loss Position
Less Than 12 Months
 
In Loss Position
Greater Than 12 Months
 
Total
 
Fair
Market
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Market
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Market
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
$
1,669

 
$
(31
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
1,669

 
$
(31
)
Canadian government
4,966

 
(7
)
 

 

 
4,966

 
(7
)
Corporate
9,181

 
(221
)
 
675

 
(28
)
 
9,856

 
(249
)
Residential mortgage-backed
137

 
(2
)
 
92

 
(4
)
 
229

 
(6
)
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
1,561

 
(90
)
 
29

 
(22
)
 
1,590

 
(112
)
Common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
15,419

 
(1,464
)
 
16,419

 
(5,176
)
 
31,838

 
(6,640
)
Canada
1,545

 
(82
)
 
1,454

 
(676
)
 
2,999

 
(758
)
Other international
3,175

 
(242
)
 
2,383

 
(1,603
)
 
5,558

 
(1,845
)
Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
866

 
(10
)
 
29,974

 
(7,229
)
 
30,840

 
(7,239
)
Fixed income
18,166

 
(134
)
 
53,553

 
(2,200
)
 
71,719

 
(2,334
)
Private equity
1

 
(1
)
 
10,060

 
(13,343
)
 
10,061

 
(13,344
)
Other
1

 
(2
)
 
5,568

 
(2,655
)
 
5,569

 
(2,657
)
Total temporarily impaired securities
$
56,687

 
$
(2,286
)
 
$
120,207

 
$
(32,936
)
 
$
176,894

 
$
(35,222
)

7. Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts’ Corpus
Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust
We consolidate the merchandise and service trusts associated with our preneed funeral and cemetery activities in accordance with the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. Although the guidance requires the consolidation of the merchandise and service trusts, it does not change the legal relationships among the trusts, us, or our customers. The customers are the legal beneficiaries of these merchandise and service trusts, and therefore their interests in these trusts represent a liability to us.
The components of Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are detailed below.
 
September 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
 
Preneed
Funeral
 
Preneed
Cemetery
 
Total
 
Preneed
Funeral
 
Preneed
Cemetery
 
Total
 
(In thousands)
 
(In thousands)
Trust investments
$
1,244,284

 
$
1,094,652

 
$
2,338,936

 
$
1,216,542

 
$
1,194,795

 
$
2,411,337

Accrued trust operating payables and other
(1,146
)
 
(1,630
)
 
(2,776
)
 
(975
)
 
(2,288
)
 
(3,263
)
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust
$
1,243,138

 
$
1,093,022

 
$
2,336,160

 
$
1,215,567

 
$
1,192,507

 
$
2,408,074

Care Trusts’ Corpus
The Care trusts’ corpus reflected in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet represents the cemetery perpetual care trusts, including the related accrued expenses.
The components of Care trusts’ corpus in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are detailed below.

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Table of Contents

 
September 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
 
(In thousands)
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments
$
974,266

 
$
987,019

Accrued trust operating payables and other
(2,340
)
 
(147
)
Care trusts’ corpus
$
971,926

 
$
986,872

Other Income, Net
The components of Other income, net in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 are detailed below. See Notes 4, 5, and 6 for further discussion of the amounts related to the funeral, cemetery, and cemetery perpetual care trusts.
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
Funeral
Trusts
 
Cemetery
Trusts
 
Cemetery Perpetual
Care Trusts
 
Other, Net
 
Total
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Realized gains
$
11,353

 
$
10,134

 
$
4,101

 
$

 
$
25,588

Realized losses
(6,586
)
 
(8,758
)
 
(1,764
)
 

 
(17,108
)
Impairment charges
(17,533
)
 
(24,885
)
 
(5
)
 

 
(42,423
)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income
3,911

 
4,217

 
6,185

 

 
14,313

Trust expenses and income taxes
(2,116
)
 
(3,119
)
 
(647
)
 

 
(5,882
)
Net trust investment (loss) income
(10,971
)
 
(22,411
)
 
7,870

 

 
(25,512
)
Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus
10,971

 
22,411

 
(7,870
)
 

 
25,512

Other income, net

 

 

 
249

 
249

Total other income, net
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
249

 
$
249

 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
Funeral
Trusts
 
Cemetery
Trusts
 
Cemetery Perpetual
Care Trusts
 
Other, Net
 
Total
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Realized gains
$
49,618

 
$
51,225

 
$
31,221

 
$

 
$
132,064

Realized losses
(18,215
)
 
(19,994
)
 
(14,506
)
 

 
(52,715
)
Impairment charges
(20,821
)
 
(26,081
)
 
(316
)
 

 
(47,218
)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income
15,085

 
16,545

 
25,775

 

 
57,405

Trust expenses and income taxes
(4,982
)
 
(7,385
)
 
(2,753
)
 

 
(15,120
)
Net trust investment income
20,685

 
14,310

 
39,421

 

 
74,416

Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus
(20,685
)
 
(14,310
)
 
(39,421
)
 

 
(74,416
)
Other income, net

 

 

 
969

 
969

Total other income, net
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
969

 
$
969



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Table of Contents

 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2010
 
Funeral
Trusts
 
Cemetery
Trusts
 
Cemetery Perpetual
Care Trusts
 
Other, Net
 
Total
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Realized gains
$
5,963

 
$
6,838

 
$
4,244

 
$

 
$
17,045

Realized losses
(8,360
)
 
(9,828
)
 
(2,068
)
 

 
(20,256
)
Impairment charges
(1,129
)
 
(1,536
)
 
(251
)
 

 
(2,916
)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income
3,291

 
5,491

 
9,174

 

 
17,956

Trust expenses and income taxes
(1,324
)
 
(2,555
)
 
(114
)
 

 
(3,993
)
Net trust investment (loss) income
(1,559
)
 
(1,590
)
 
10,985

 

 
7,836

Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus
1,559

 
1,590

 
(10,985
)
 

 
(7,836
)
Other income, net

 

 

 
688

 
688

Total other income, net
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
688

 
$
688

 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
 
Funeral
Trusts
 
Cemetery
Trusts
 
Cemetery Perpetual
Care Trusts
 
Other, Net
 
Total
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Realized gains
$
26,461

 
$
31,899

 
$
8,937

 
$

 
$
67,297

Realized losses
(42,017
)
 
(47,093
)
 
(7,524
)
 

 
(96,634
)
Impairment charges
(7,298
)
 
(4,919
)
 
(1,824
)
 

 
(14,041
)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income
13,223

 
14,914

 
25,249

 

 
53,386

Trust expenses and income taxes
(3,150
)
 
(7,024
)
 
(1,661
)
 

 
(11,835
)
Net trust investment (loss) income
(12,781
)
 
(12,223
)
 
23,177

 

 
(1,827
)
Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus
12,781

 
12,223

 
(23,177
)
 

 
1,827

Other income, net

 

 

 
3,077

 
3,077

Total other income, net
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
3,077

 
$
3,077


8. Income Taxes
Income tax expense during interim periods is based on our estimated annual effective income tax rate plus any discrete items which are recorded in the period in which they occur. Discrete items include, among others, such events as changes in estimates due to the finalization of tax returns, tax audit settlements, expiration of statute of limitations, and increases or decreases in valuation allowances on deferred tax assets. Our effective tax rate was 20.5% and 34.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Our effective tax rate was 33.5% and 38.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
We sold our Puerto Rican subsidiary in the third quarter of 2011. Our outside tax basis in the business was higher than our book basis. Consequently, we recognized a tax loss that was higher than the book loss on the sale which is permanent in nature. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 is primarily due to that sale. Additionally, our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was reduced by the release of state valuation allowances due to the legal restructuring of our entities in certain states.
We file numerous federal, state and foreign income tax returns. A number of years may elapse before particular tax matters, for which we have unrecognized tax benefits, are audited and finally settled. In the United States, the tax years 1999 through 2002 remain under examination by the Internal Revenue Service and we are at the IRS Appeals administrative level on certain disputed issues that came out of its examination of tax years 2003 through 2005. Various state and foreign jurisdictions are auditing years through 2009. The outcome of each of these audits cannot be predicted at this time. It is reasonably possible that changes to our global unrecognized tax benefits could be significant; however, due to the uncertainty regarding the timing of completion of audits and possible outcomes, a current estimate of the range of increases or decreases that may occur within the next twelve months cannot be made.

9. Debt

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Debt as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 was as follows:
 
September 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
 
(In thousands)
7.875% Debentures due February 2013
4,857

 
8,557

7.375% Senior Notes due October 2014
180,692

 
180,692

6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015
136,465

 
157,250

6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016
197,377

 
212,927

7.0% Senior Notes due June 2017
295,000

 
295,000

7.625% Senior Notes due October 2018
250,000

 
250,000

7.0% Senior Notes due May 2019
250,000

 
250,000

8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021
150,000

 
150,000

7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027
200,000

 
200,000

Bank credit facility due March 2016
65,000

 

Obligations under capital leases
126,658

 
118,339

Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047
36,565

 
38,223

Unamortized pricing discounts and other
(5,030
)
 
(6,106
)
Total debt
1,887,584

 
1,854,882

Less current maturities
(23,685
)
 
(22,502
)
Total long-term debt
$
1,863,899

 
$
1,832,380


Current maturities of debt at September 30, 2011 were primarily comprised of our capital leases. Our consolidated debt had a weighted average interest rate of 6.67% at September 30, 2011 and 6.80% at December 31, 2010. Approximately 90% and 93% of our total debt had a fixed interest rate at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.
Bank Credit Facility
As of December 31, 2010, we had a $400 million bank credit facility due November 2013 with a syndicate of financial institutions, including a sublimit of $175 million for letters of credit. In the first quarter of 2011, we amended our bank credit facility to increase the availability thereunder from $400 million to $500 million and extended the maturity to March 2016.
As of September 30, 2011, we have $65.0 million outstanding cash advances under our bank credit facility and have used it to support $33.3 million of letters of credit. The bank credit facility provides us with flexibility for working capital, if needed, and is guaranteed by a majority of our domestic subsidiaries. The subsidiary guaranty is a guaranty of payment of the outstanding amount of the total lending commitment, including letters of credit. The bank credit facility contains certain financial covenants, including a minimum interest coverage ratio, a maximum leverage ratio, and certain dividend and share repurchase restrictions. We pay a quarterly fee on the unused commitment, which was 0.35%. As of September 30, 2011, we have $401.7 million in borrowing capacity under the bank credit facility.
Debt Extinguishments and Reductions

During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we paid an aggregate of $43.1 million to retire $22.3 million  aggregate principal amount of our 6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015, $16.9 million aggregate principal amount of our 6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016, and $3.9 million aggregate principal amount of our 7.875% Senior Notes due February 2013,resulting in the recognition of a $3.5 million loss recorded in Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we repaid $30.0 million of amounts drawn on our bank credit facility, $20.2 million aggregate principal amount of our 6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016, $3.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015, $64.3 million aggregate principal amount of our 7.375% Senior Notes due October 2014, and $23.1 million aggregate principal amount of our 7.875% Senior Notes due February 2013. As a result of these transactions, we recognized a $9.4 million loss recorded in Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations.
Capital Leases
During the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we acquired $27.1 million and $17.3 million, respectively, of primarily transportation equipment using capital leases.

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10. Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair Value Estimates
The fair value estimates of the following financial instruments have been determined using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, and trade payables approximate the fair values of those instruments due to the short-term nature of the instruments. The fair values of receivables on preneed funeral and cemetery contracts are impracticable to estimate because of the lack of a trading market and the diverse number of individual contracts with varying terms.
The fair value of our debt instruments at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 was as follows:
 
September 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
 
(In thousands)
7.875% Debentures due February 2013
$
5,159

 
$
9,092

7.375% Senior Notes due October 2014
193,901

 
194,244

6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015
143,629

 
161,968

6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016
202,311

 
216,653

7.0% Senior Notes due June 2017
306,063

 
302,375

7.625% Senior Notes due October 2018
266,095

 
262,500

7.0% Senior Notes due May 2019
254,375

 
251,250

8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021
159,375

 
158,063

7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027
189,000

 
194,920

Bank credit facility due March 2016
65,000

 

Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047
37,100

 
37,991

Total fair value of debt instruments
$
1,822,008

 
$
1,789,056


The fair values of our long-term, fixed rate loans were estimated using market prices for those loans, and therefore they are classified within Level 1 of the Fair Value Measurements hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC. The bank credit agreement and the mortgage and other debt are classified within Level 3 of the Fair Value Measurements hierarchy. The fair values of these instruments have been estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on our incremental borrowing rate for similar borrowing arrangements.

11. Share-Based Compensation
Stock Benefit Plans
We utilize the Black-Scholes option valuation model for estimating the fair value of our stock options. This model allows the use of a range of assumptions related to volatility, the risk-free interest rate, the expected life, and the dividend yield. The fair values of our stock options are calculated using the following weighted average assumptions for the nine months ended September 30, 2011:
 
 
Nine Months Ended
Assumptions
 
September 30, 2011
Dividend yield
 
2.4
%
Expected volatility
 
38.4
%
Risk-free interest rate
 
2.4
%
Expected holding period (in years)
 
5.0

Stock Options
The following table sets forth stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2011:

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Options
 
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
Outstanding at December 31, 2010
12,312,783

 
$
7.53

Granted
2,394,430

 
9.09

Exercised
(1,136,808
)
 
6.77

Canceled
(94,857
)
 
5.32

Outstanding at September 30, 2011
13,475,548

 
$
7.88

Exercisable at September 30, 2011
8,288,301

 
$
8.16

As of September 30, 2011, the unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options of $7.9 million is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.4 years.
Restricted Shares
Restricted share activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was as follows:
 
Restricted
shares
 
Weighted-Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
Nonvested restricted shares at December 31, 2010
1,167,273

 
$
6.35

Granted
538,620

 
9.13

Vested
(540,723
)
 
6.58

Nonvested restricted shares at September 30, 2011
1,165,170

 
$
7.53

As of September 30, 2011, the unrecognized compensation expense related to restricted shares of $6.1 million is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.4 years.

12. Equity
(All shares reported in whole numbers)
Our components of Accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows:
 
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustment
 
Unrealized
Gains and
Losses
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2010
$
112,768

 
$

 
$
112,768

Activity in 2011
(13,216
)
 

 
(13,216
)
Decrease in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes

 
(146,669
)
 
(146,669
)
Reclassification of net unrealized loss activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’, net of taxes

 
146,669

 
146,669

Balance at September 30, 2011
$
99,552

 
$

 
$
99,552

The assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars using the current exchange rate. The U.S. dollar amount that arises from such translation, as well as exchange gains and losses on intercompany balances of a long-term investment nature, are included in the foreign currency translation adjustment in Accumulated other comprehensive income. Income taxes are generally not provided on foreign currency translation adjustments.
The components of comprehensive income are as follows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:

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Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
(In thousands)
 
(In thousands)
Comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts attributable to common stockholders:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
35,496

 
$
18,765

 
$
100,353

 
$
89,962

Other comprehensive (loss) income
(23,132
)
 
7,266

 
(13,216
)
 
4,761

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net (loss) income
(481
)
 
(85
)
 
1,329

 
270

Other comprehensive (loss) income
(17
)
 
3

 
(13
)
 
2

Comprehensive income
$
11,866

 
$
25,949

 
$
88,453

 
$
94,995

Cash Dividends
On August 10, 2011, our Board of Directors approved a cash dividend of $.05 per common share. At September 30, 2011, this dividend totaling $11.4 million was recorded in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and Capital in excess of par value in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet. This dividend will be paid on October 31, 2011.
Share Repurchase Program
Subject to market conditions, normal trading restrictions, and limitations in our debt covenants, we may make purchases in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions under our stock repurchase program. In August 2011, our Board of Directors approved an increase in our share repurchase program authorizing the investment of up to an additional $116.6 million to repurchase our common stock, bringing total authorization up to $200.0 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we repurchased 14,641,168 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $145.0 million, which is an average cost per share of $9.90. After these repurchases, the remaining dollar value of shares authorized to be purchased under our share repurchase program was approximately $150.3 million at September 30, 2011.
Subsequent to September 30, 2011, we repurchased an additional 1,233,800 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $11.7 million, which is an average cost per share of $9.48. After these fourth quarter repurchases, the remaining dollar value of shares authorized to be purchased under our share repurchase program is approximately $138.6 million.

13. Segment Reporting
Our operations are both product based and geographically based, and the reportable operating segments presented below include our funeral and cemetery operations. Our geographic areas include United States, Canada, and Germany. We conduct both funeral and cemetery operations in the United States and Canada and funeral operations in Germany.
Our reportable segment information is as follows:

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Table of Contents

 
Funeral
 
Cemetery
 
Reportable
Segments
 
(In thousands)
Three Months ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues from external customers:
 
 
 
 
 
2011
$
384,003

 
$
188,996

 
$
572,999

2010
$
358,931

 
$
174,234

 
$
533,165

Gross profits:
 
 
 
 
 
2011
$
69,022

 
$
38,028

 
$
107,050

2010
$
69,058

 
$
33,589

 
$
102,647

Nine Months ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues from external customers:
 
 
 
 
 
2011
$
1,178,362

 
$
551,110

 
$
1,729,472

2010
$
1,105,687

 
$
513,614

 
$
1,619,301

Gross profits:
 
 
 
 
 
2011
$
243,827

 
$
104,692

 
$
348,519

2010
$
231,167

 
$
93,136

 
$
324,303

The following table reconciles gross profits from reportable segments to our consolidated income before income taxes:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
(In thousands)
 
(In thousands)
Gross profits from reportable segments
$
107,050

 
$
102,647

 
$
348,519

 
$
324,303

General and administrative expenses
(23,863
)
 
(26,860
)
 
(77,381
)
 
(80,086
)
(Losses) gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net
(5,001
)
 
(7,291
)
 
(15,264
)
 
5,831

Operating income
78,186

 
68,496

 
255,874

 
250,048

Interest expense
(33,038
)
 
(31,497
)
 
(100,476
)
 
(96,281
)
Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net
(1,355
)
 
(9,066
)
 
(3,504
)
 
(9,357
)
Other income, net
249

 
688

 
969

 
3,077

Income before income taxes
$
44,042

 
$
28,621

 
$
152,863

 
$
147,487

Our geographic area information is as follows:
 
United
States
 
Canada
 
Germany
 
Total
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Three Months ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues from external customers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2011
$
518,754

 
$
52,824

 
$
1,421

 
$
572,999

2010
$
479,120

 
$
52,399

 
$
1,646

 
$
533,165

Nine Months ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues from external customers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2011
$
1,569,748

 
$
154,706

 
$
5,018

 
$
1,729,472

2010
$
1,458,883

 
$
155,497

 
$
4,921

 
$
1,619,301


14. Supplementary Information
The detail of certain income statement accounts as presented in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations is as follows:

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Table of Contents

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
(In thousands)
 
(In thousands)
Merchandise revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funeral
$
126,168

 
$
117,674

 
$
383,308

 
$
362,145

Cemetery
132,904

 
121,131

 
381,898

 
352,009

Total merchandise revenues
259,072

 
238,805

 
765,206

 
714,154

Services revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funeral
234,367

 
220,913

 
726,259

 
688,866

Cemetery
45,571

 
45,617

 
145,247

 
138,669

Total services revenues
279,938

 
266,530

 
871,506

 
827,535

Other revenues
33,989

 
27,830

 
92,760

 
77,612

Total revenues
$
572,999

 
$
533,165

 
$
1,729,472

 
$
1,619,301

Merchandise costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funeral
$
64,156

 
$
58,520

 
$
197,539

 
$
185,994

Cemetery
56,703

 
51,551

 
166,936

 
151,358

Total cost of merchandise
120,859

 
110,071

 
364,475

 
337,352

Services costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funeral
127,102

 
114,662

 
370,942

 
335,425

Cemetery
23,853

 
22,882

 
73,793

 
70,990

Total cost of services
150,955

 
137,544

 
444,735

 
406,415

Overhead and other expenses
194,135

 
182,903

 
571,743

 
551,231

Total costs and expenses
$
465,949

 
$
430,518

 
$
1,380,953

 
$
1,294,998


15. Commitments and Contingencies
Insurance Loss Reserves
We purchase comprehensive general liability, morticians’ and cemetery professional liability, automobile liability, and workers’ compensation insurance coverage structured with high deductibles. The high-deductible insurance program means we are primarily self-insured for claims and associated costs and losses covered by these policies. As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, we have self-insurance reserves of $51.9 million and $53.9 million, respectively.
Litigation
We are a party to various litigation matters, investigations, and proceedings. For each of our outstanding legal matters, we evaluate the merits of the case, our exposure to the matter, possible legal or settlement strategies, and the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome. We intend to vigorously defend ourselves in the lawsuits described herein; however, if we determine that an unfavorable outcome is probable and can be reasonably estimated, we establish the necessary accruals. We hold certain insurance policies that may reduce cash outflows with respect to an adverse outcome of certain of these litigation matters. We accrue such insurance recoveries when they become probable of being paid and can be reasonably estimated.
Burial Practices Claims. We are named as a defendant in various lawsuits alleging improper burial practices at certain of our cemetery locations. These lawsuits include but are not limited to the Garcia and Sands lawsuits described in the following paragraphs.
Reyvis Garcia and Alicia Garcia v. Alderwoods Group, Inc., Osiris Holding of Florida, Inc., a Florida corporation, d/b/a Graceland Memorial Park South, f/k/a Paradise Memorial Gardens, Inc., was filed in December 2004, in the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in and for Miami-Dade County, Florida, Case No. 04-25646 CA 32. Plaintiffs are the son and sister of the decedent, Eloisa Garcia, who was buried at Graceland Memorial Park South in March 1986, when the cemetery was owned by Paradise Memorial Gardens, Inc. Initially, the suit sought damages on the individual claims of the plaintiffs relating to the burial of Eloisa Garcia. Plaintiffs claimed that due to poor recordkeeping, spacing issues and maps, and the fact that the family could not afford to purchase a marker for the grave, the burial location of the decedent could not be readily located. Subsequently, the decedent’s grave was located and verified. In July 2006, plaintiffs amended their complaint, seeking to certify a class of all

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persons buried at this cemetery whose burial sites cannot be located, claiming that this was due to poor recordkeeping, maps, and surveys at the cemetery. Plaintiffs subsequently filed a third amended class action complaint and added two additional named plaintiffs. The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified monetary damages, as well as equitable and injunctive relief. On May 4, 2011, the trial court certified a class and we are appealing that ruling. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, for the payment of any damages.
F. Charles Sands, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, v. Eden Memorial Park, et al.; Case No. BC421528; in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles — Central District. This case was filed in September 2009 against SCI and certain subsidiaries regarding our Eden Memorial Park cemetery in Mission Hills, California. The plaintiff seeks to certify a class of cemetery plot owners and their families. The plaintiff also seeks the appointment of a receiver to oversee cemetery operations. The plaintiff claims the cemetery damaged and desecrated burials in order to prepare adjoining graves for subsequent burials. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, for the payment of any damages.
 Antitrust Claims. We are named as a defendant in an antitrust case filed in 2005. The case is Cause No 4:05-CV-03394; Funeral Consumers Alliance, Inc. v. Service Corporation International, et al.; in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas — Houston (“Funeral Consumers Case”). This was a purported class action on behalf of casket consumers throughout the United States alleging that we and several other companies involved in the funeral industry violated federal antitrust laws and state consumer laws by engaging in various anti-competitive conduct associated with the sale of caskets. Based on the case proceeding as a class action, the plaintiffs filed an expert report indicating that the damages sought from all defendants range from approximately $950 million to $1.5 billion, before trebling. However, the trial court denied the plaintiffs’ motion to certify the case as a class action. We deny that we engaged in anticompetitive practices related to our casket sales, and we have filed reports of our experts, which vigorously dispute the validity of the plaintiffs’ damages theories and calculations. The trial court dismissed plaintiffs’ claims on September 24, 2010, and the plaintiffs filed an appeal on October 19, 2010. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, in this lawsuit.
Wage and Hour Claims. We are named a defendant in various lawsuits alleging violations of federal and state laws regulating wage and hour overtime pay, including but not limited to the Prise, Bryant, Bryant, Helm, Stickle, and Southern lawsuits described in the following paragraphs.
Prise, et al., v. Alderwoods Group, Inc., and Service Corporation International; Cause No. 06-164; in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania (the “Wage and Hour Lawsuit”). The Wage and Hour Lawsuit was filed by two former Alderwoods (Pennsylvania), Inc. employees in December 2006 and purports to have been brought under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) on behalf of all Alderwoods and SCI-affiliated employees who performed work for which they were not fully compensated, including work for which overtime pay was owed. Although the court initially conditionally certified a class of claims as to certain job positions for Alderwoods employees, the court granted our motion to decertify the class on September 9, 2011.
Plaintiffs allege causes of action for violations of the FLSA, failure to maintain proper records, breach of contract, violations of state wage and hour laws, unjust enrichment, fraud and deceit, quantum meruit, negligent misrepresentation, and negligence. Plaintiffs seek injunctive relief, unpaid wages, liquidated, compensatory, consequential and punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and costs, and pre- and post-judgment interest. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, in this lawsuit.
 Bryant, et al. v. Alderwoods Group, Inc., Service Corporation International, et al.; Case No. 3:07-CV-5696-SI; in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. This lawsuit was filed on November 8, 2007 against SCI and various subsidiaries and individuals. It is related to the Wage and Hour Lawsuit, raising similar claims and brought by the same attorneys. This lawsuit has been transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania and is now Case No. 08-CV-00891-JFC. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, in this lawsuit.
 Bryant, et al. v. Service Corporation International, et al.; Case No. RG-07359593; and Helm, et al. v. AWGI & SCI; Case No. RG-07359602; in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Alameda. These cases were filed on December 5, 2007 by counsel for plaintiffs in the Wage and Hour Lawsuit. These cases assert state law claims similar to the federal claims asserted in the Wage and Hour Lawsuit. These cases were removed to federal court in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Francisco/Oakland Division. The Bryant case is now Case No. 3:08-CV-01190-SI and the Helm case is now Case No. C 08-01184-SI. On December 29, 2009, the court in the Helm case denied the plaintiffs’ motion to certify the case as a class action. The plaintiffs modified and refiled their motion for certification. On March 9, 2011, the court denied plaintiffs’ renewed motions to certify a class in both of the Bryant and Helm cases. The plaintiffs have also (i) filed additional lawsuits with similar allegations seeking class certification of state law claims in different states, and (ii) made a large number of demands for arbitration. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, in these lawsuits.
Stickle, et al. v. Service Corporation International, et al.; Case No. 08-CV-83; in the U.S. District Court for Arizona, Phoenix Division. Counsel for plaintiffs in the Wage and Hour Lawsuit filed this case on January 17, 2008, against SCI and various related entities and individuals asserting FLSA and other ancillary claims based on the alleged failure to pay for overtime. In September 2009, the Court conditionally certified a class of claims as to certain job positions of SCI affiliated employees. On

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April 20, 2011, the court granted our motion to decertify the class. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, in this lawsuit.
Southern, et al. v. SCI Kentucky Funeral Services, Inc.; Case No. 11CIO6501; in the Jefferson Circuit Court, Division Eight, Kentucky. This lawsuit was filed on October 6, 2011 against an SCI subsidiary and purports to have been brought on behalf of employees who worked in Kentucky as funeral directors. The plaintiffs allege causes of action for various violations of Kentucky wage and hour laws, and breach of contract. Plaintiffs seek unpaid wages, compensatory and exemplary relief, damages, attorneys' fees and costs, and pre- and post judgment interest. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, in this lawsuit.
The ultimate outcome of the matters described above cannot be determined at this time. We intend to vigorously defend all of the above lawsuits; however, an adverse decision in one or more of such matters could have a material effect on us, our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

16. Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per common share (EPS) excludes dilution and is computed by dividing Net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other obligations to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common shares that then shared in our earnings.
A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted EPS computations is presented below:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
(In thousands, except per
share amounts)
 
(In thousands, except per
share amounts)
Amounts attributable to common stockholders:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income — basic
$
35,496

 
$
18,765

 
$
100,353

 
$
89,962

After tax interest on convertible debt
13

 

 
38

 
38

Net income — diluted
$
35,509

 
$
18,765

 
$
100,391

 
$
90,000

Weighted average shares (denominator):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares — basic
232,917

 
246,214

 
237,037

 
250,762

Stock options
2,475

 
1,309

 
2,370

 
1,603

Convertible debt
121

 

 
121

 
121

Weighted average shares — diluted
235,513

 
247,523

 
239,528

 
252,486

Net income per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.15

 
$
0.08

 
$
0.42

 
$
0.36

Diluted
$
0.15

 
$
0.08

 
$
0.42

 
$
0.36

The computation of diluted EPS excludes outstanding stock options and convertible debt in certain periods in which the inclusion of such options and debt would be anti-dilutive in the periods presented. For the three months ended September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010, total options and convertible debentures not currently included in the computation of dilutive EPS were 5.1 million and 6.6 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010, total options and convertible debentures not currently included in the computation of dilutive EPS were 5.5 million and 5.4 million, respectively.

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17. Acquisitions
Keystone
In March 2010, pursuant to a tender offer, we acquired Keystone North America, Inc. (Keystone) for C$8.07 per share in cash, resulting in a purchase price of $288.9 million, which included the refinancing of $80.7 million of Keystone’s debt.
The primary reasons for the merger and the principal factors that contributed to the recognition of goodwill in this acquisition were:

the acquisition of Keystone enhances our network footprint, enabling us to serve a number of new, complementary areas;

combining the two companies’ operations provides synergies and related cost savings through the elimination of duplicate home office functions and economies of scale; and

the acquisition of Keystone’s preneed backlog of deferred revenues enhances our long-term stability.
The following table summarizes the adjusted fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of March 26, 2010, for various purchase price allocation adjustments made subsequent to our first quarter results:
 
(In thousands)
Accounts receivable
$
6,131

Other current assets
20,200

Cemetery property
19,949

Property and equipment, net
105,888

Preneed funeral and cemetery receivables and trust investments
66,395

Finite-lived intangible assets
34,312

Indefinite-lived intangible assets
33,700

Deferred charges and other assets
6,533

Goodwill
108,643

Total assets acquired
401,751

Current liabilities
11,719

Long-term debt
2,548

Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery revenues and deferred receipts held in trusts
69,336

Deferred tax liability
20,939

Other liabilities
8,347

Total liabilities assumed
112,889

Net assets acquired
$
288,862

The gross amount of accounts receivable is $8.2 million, of which $2.1 million is not expected to be collected. Included in preneed funeral and cemetery receivables and trust investments are receivables under preneed contracts with a fair value of $5.2 million. The gross amount due under the contracts is $5.5 million, of which $0.3 million is not expected to be collected.
We have finalized our assessment of the fair values. Goodwill, land, and certain identifiable intangible assets recorded in the acquisition are not subject to amortization; however, the goodwill and intangible assets will be tested periodically for impairment as required by the Intangible Assets Topic of the ASC. Of the $108.6 million in goodwill recognized, $4.3 million was allocated to our cemetery segment and $104.3 million was allocated to our funeral segment. As a result of the carryover of Keystone’s tax basis, $26.0 million of this goodwill is deductible for tax purposes. The identified intangible assets are comprised of the following:

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Useful life
 
 
 
Minimum
 
Maximum
 
Fair Value
 
(Years)
 
(In thousands)
Preneed customer relationships related to insurance claims
 
 
10
 
$
15,200

Preneed deferred revenue
10
-
14
 
1,740

Covenants-not-to-compete
5
-
15
 
13,332

Operating leases
5
-
15
 
440

Tradenames
 
 
5
 
3,600

Tradenames
 
 
Indefinite
 
33,200

Licenses and permits
 
 
Indefinite
 
500

Total intangible assets
 
 
 
 
$
68,012

The unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 includes the results of operations of Keystone. The following unaudited pro forma information presents information as if the merger occurred on January 1, 2010:
 
Nine Months Ended
 
2010
 
(In thousands)
Revenue
$
1,648,953

Net income
$
93,201


Neptune
The Company acquired 70% of the outstanding shares of The Neptune Society, Inc. (Neptune) on June 3, 2011 for $44 million. Neptune is the nation's largest direct cremation organization with a network of 30 locations in nine states. Neptune operates under the brand names Neptune Society, Neptune Cremation Service, and Trident Society. With this acquisition we will be expanding the footprint into a sector of the market that will continue to grow and that we do not currently target through our traditional funeral service and cemetery network. We have not completed our purchase price allocation as we are still reviewing the underlying accounting records.

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The Company
We are North America’s largest provider of deathcare products and services, with a network of funeral homes and cemeteries unequalled in geographic scale and reach. At September 30, 2011, we operated 1,427 funeral service locations and 374 cemeteries (including 214 combination locations) in North America, which are geographically diversified across 43 states, eight Canadian provinces, and the District of Columbia. Our funeral segment also includes the operations of 12 funeral homes in Germany that we intend to exit when economic values and conditions are conducive to a sale. Our funeral service and cemetery operations consist of funeral service locations, cemeteries, funeral service/cemetery combination locations, crematoria, and related businesses. We sell cemetery property and funeral and cemetery products and services at the time of need and on a preneed basis.
Our financial position is enhanced by our $6.8 billion backlog of future revenues from both trust and insurance-funded sales at September 30, 2011, which is the result of preneed funeral and cemetery sales. We believe we have the financial strength and flexibility to reward shareholders through dividends while maintaining a prudent capital structure and pursuing new opportunities for profitable growth. We currently have approximately $138.6 million authorized to repurchase our common stock.


Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources
Trust Investments
In addition to selling our products and services to client families at the time of need, we sell price-guaranteed preneed funeral and cemetery contracts, which provide for future funeral or cemetery services and merchandise. Since preneed funeral and cemetery services or merchandise will not be provided until sometime in the future, most states and provinces require that all or a portion of the funds collected from customers on preneed funeral and cemetery contracts be paid into trusts and/or preneed escrow accounts until the merchandise is delivered or the service is performed. Investment earnings associated with the trust investments are

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expected to mitigate the inflationary costs of providing the preneed funeral and cemetery services and merchandise in the future for the prices that were guaranteed at the time of sale.
Also, we are required by state and provincial law to pay a portion of the proceeds from the sale of cemetery property interment rights into perpetual care trusts. For these investments, the original corpus remains in the trust in perpetuity and the net ordinary earnings are intended to offset the expense to maintain the cemetery property. The majority of states require that net gains or losses are retained and added to the corpus, but certain states allow the net realized gains and losses to be included in the income that is distributed.
Independent trustees manage and invest all of the funds deposited into the funeral and cemetery merchandise and service trusts as well as the cemetery perpetual care trusts. The trustees are selected based on their respective geographic footprint and qualifications per state and provincial regulations. All of the trustees engage the same independent investment advisor. The trustees, with input from the investment advisor, establish an investment policy that serves as an operating document to guide the investment activities of the trusts including asset allocation and manager selection. The investments are also governed by state and provincial guidelines. Asset allocation for the funeral and cemetery merchandise and service trusts is generally based on matching the time period that we expect the funeral or cemetery preneed contract to be outstanding. Since net ordinary earnings are distributed monthly from the cemetery perpetual care trusts to offset cemetery maintenance costs, the cemetery perpetual care trusts contain a higher fixed income allocation than the funeral and cemetery merchandise and service trusts. The investment advisor recommends investment managers to the trustees that are selected on the basis of various criteria set forth in the investment policy. The primary investment objectives for the funeral and cemetery merchandise and service trusts include (1) achieving growth of principal over time sufficient to preserve and increase the purchasing power of the assets, and (2) preserving capital within acceptable levels of volatility. Preneed funeral and cemetery contracts generally take years to mature. Therefore, the funds associated with these contracts are often invested for several market cycles. While cemetery perpetual care trusts share the same investment objectives as listed above, these trusts emphasize providing a steady stream of investment income with some capital appreciation. The trusts seek to control risk and volatility through a combination of asset styles, asset classes, and institutional investment managers.
As of September 30, 2011, 84% of our trusts were under the control and custody of two large financial institutions engaged as preferred trustees. The U.S. trustees primarily use common trust fund structures as the investment vehicle for their trusts. Through the common trust fund structure, each respective trustee manages the allocation of assets through individual managed accounts or institutional mutual funds. In the event a particular state prohibits the use of a common trust fund as a qualified investment, the trustee utilizes institutional mutual funds. The U.S. trusts include a modest allocation to alternative investments, which are comprised primarily of private equity and real estate investments. These investments are structured as limited liability companies (LLCs) and are managed by certain trustees. The trusts that are eligible to allocate a portion of their investments to alternative investments purchase units of the respective LLCs.
Fixed Income Securities
Fixed income investments are intended to preserve principal, provide a source of current income, and reduce overall portfolio volatility. The SCI trusts have direct investments primarily in government fixed income securities.
Canadian government fixed income securities are investments in Canadian federal and provincial government instruments. In many cases, regulatory restrictions mandate that the funds from the sales of preneed funeral and cemetery products sold in certain Canadian jurisdictions must be invested in these instruments.
Equity Securities
Equity investments have historically provided long-term capital appreciation in excess of inflation. The SCI trusts have direct investments primarily in domestic equity portfolios that include large, mid, and small capitalization companies of different investment objectives (i.e., growth and value). The majority of the equity portfolio is managed by multiple institutional investment managers that specialize in an objective-specific area of expertise. Our equity securities are exposed to market risk; however, these securities are well-diversified. As of September 30, 2011, the largest single equity position represented less than 1% of the total equity securities portfolio.
Mutual Funds
The SCI trust funds employ institutional mutual funds where operationally or economically efficient. Institutional mutual funds are utilized to invest in various asset classes including US equities, non-US equities, convertible bonds, corporate bonds, government bonds, Treasury inflation protected securities (TIPS), high yield bonds, real estate investment trusts (REITs), and commodities. The mutual funds are governed by guidelines outlined in their individual prospectuses.
Private Equity
The objective of these investments is to provide high rates of return with controlled volatility. These investments are typically

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long-term in duration. These investments are diversified by strategy, sector, manager, and vintage year. Private equity exposure is accessed through LLCs established by certain preferred trustees. These LLCs invest in numerous limited partnerships, including private equity, fund of funds, distressed debt, and mezzanine financing. The trustees that have oversight of their respective LLCs work closely with the investment advisor in making all current investments.
Trust Performance
The trust fund income recognized from these investment assets continues to be volatile. During the twelve months ended September 30, 2011, the Standard and Poor’s 500 Index increased approximately 1.1% and the Barclay’s Aggregate Index increased approximately 5.3%, while the combined SCI trusts increased approximately 2.1%.
SCI, its trustees, and its investment advisor continue to monitor the capital markets and the trusts on an ongoing basis. The trustees, with input from the investment advisor, will take prudent action as needed to achieve the investment goals and objectives of the trusts.
Capital Allocation Considerations
We rely on cash flow from operations as a significant source of liquidity. Our cash flow from operating activities provided $291.3 million in the first nine months ended September 30, 2011. In addition, we have $401.7 million in excess borrowing capacity under our bank credit facility. We currently have no significant maturities of long-term debt until October 2014.
Our bank credit facility requires us to maintain certain leverage and interest coverage ratios. As of September 30, 2011 we were in compliance with all of our debt covenants. Our financial covenant requirements and actual ratios as of September 30, 2011 are as follows:
 
Per Credit Agreement
 
Actual
Leverage ratio
4.00 (Max)
 
3.16
Interest coverage ratio
3.00 (Min)
 
4.34
We believe our sources of liquidity can be supplemented by our ability to access the capital markets for additional debt or equity securities. We believe that our cash on hand, future operating cash flows, and the available capacity under our credit facility will be adequate to meet our financial obligations over the next 12 months.
We expect to continue to focus on funding growth initiatives that generate increased profitability, revenue, and cash flows. These capital investments include the construction of high-end cemetery property (such as private family estates) and the construction of funeral home facilities. We will also consider the acquisition of additional deathcare operations that fit our long-term customer-focused strategy, if such acquisitions have the proper return on investment.
Since November 2007, we have paid quarterly dividends of $0.04 per common share. On February 9, 2011, our Board of Directors approved the payment of a quarterly dividend of $0.05 per share. While we intend to pay regular quarterly cash dividends for the foreseeable future, all future dividends are subject to limitations in our debt covenants and final determination by our Board of Directors each quarter upon review of our financial performance.
Currently, we have approximately $138.6 million authorized under our share repurchase program. We intend to make purchases from time to time in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions, subject to market conditions, debt covenants, and normal trading restrictions. Our credit agreement contains covenants that limit our ability to repurchase our common stock. There can be no assurance that we will buy our common stock under our share repurchase program in the future.
Cash Flow
We believe our ability to generate strong operating cash flow is one of our fundamental financial strengths and provides us with substantial flexibility in meeting operating and investing needs.
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities increased $25.2 million to $291.3 million in the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 from $266.1 million in the first nine months ended September 30, 2010. This increase was driven by:

an $82.2 million increase in cash receipts from customers resulting from increased revenues primarily from the Keystone acquisition and improved collection rates at existing locations;
a $16.7 million increase in tax refunds and lower cash tax payments;
a $12.3 million increase in General Agency (GA) receipts;

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a $4.7 million increase in net trust fund withdrawals;
a $3.5 million increase in royalty income;
a $3.1 million decrease in cash interest payments; partially offset by,
a $61.7 million increase in vendor payments resulting primarily from increases in variable costs from the Keystone acquisition; and
a $38.4 million increase in employee compensation in the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the first nine months ended September 30, 2010 primarily from acquisitions.
Investing Activities
Cash flows from investing activities used $167.2 million in the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to using $239.9 million in the same period of 2010. This decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease of $184.3 million in cash spent on acquisitions (primarily the Keystone acquisition in 2010), partially offset by a $67.6 million decrease in cash receipts from divestitures and asset sales, a $25.5 million decrease in withdrawals of restricted funds, and an $18.5 million increase in capital expenditures.
Financing Activities
Financing activities used $166.2 million in the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to using $73.3 million in the same period of 2010. This increase was primarily driven by a $173.8 million decrease in proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt (net of debt issuance costs) and a $59.7 million increase in the repurchases of Company common stock, partially offset by a $129.2 million decrease in debt payments, a $9.2 million increase in bank overdrafts and other, and a $6.2 million increase from proceeds from exercise of stock options.
Proceeds from long-term debt (net of debt issuance costs) were $65.0 million in the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 due to a drawdown under our bank credit facility. Proceeds from long-term debt (net of debt issuance costs) were $238.8 million in the first nine months ended September 30, 2010 due to a $150.0 million issuance of the 8.00% Senior Notes due November 2021 and a $95.0 million drawdown under our bank credit facility.
The table below sets forth the payments of debt for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (in millions):
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
2011
 
2010
7.875% Debentures due February 2013
$
3.9

 
$
25.0

7.375% Debentures due October 2014

 
70.5

6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015
22.3

 
3.0

6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016
16.8

 
20.1

Bank credit facility due March 2016

 
30.0

Obligations under capital leases
17.2

 
40.7

Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047
2.2

 
2.4

Total Debt Payments
$
62.4

 
$
191.7

We repurchased 14.8 million shares in the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 for $146.6 million and 10.4 million shares in the same period of 2010 for $86.9 million.
We paid cash dividends of $33.4 million in the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 and $30.2 million in the same period of 2010.
Financial Assurances
In support of our operations, we have entered into arrangements with certain surety companies whereby such companies agree to issue surety bonds on our behalf as financial assurance and/or as required by existing state and local regulations. The surety bonds are used for various business purposes; however, the majority of the surety bonds issued and outstanding have been used to support our preneed funeral and cemetery sales activities. The obligations underlying these surety bonds are recorded on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as Deferred preneed funeral revenues and Deferred preneed cemetery revenues. The breakdown of surety bonds between funeral and cemetery preneed arrangements, as well as surety bonds for other activities, is described below.

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September 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
 
(Dollars in millions)
Preneed funeral
$
116.6

 
$
121.0

Preneed cemetery:

 
 
  Merchandise and services
116.6

 
120.2

  Pre-construction
5.1

 
5.1

Bonds supporting preneed funeral and cemetery obligations
238.3

 
246.3

Bonds supporting preneed business permits
2.2

 
5.1

Other bonds
24.6

 
14.2

Total surety bonds outstanding
$
265.1

 
$
265.6

When selling preneed funeral and cemetery contracts, we may post surety bonds where allowed by state law. We post the surety bonds in lieu of trusting a certain amount of funds received from the customer. The amount of the bond posted is generally determined by the total amount of the preneed contract that would otherwise be required to be trusted, in accordance with applicable state law. For both the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we had $4.8 million of cash receipts attributable to bonded sales. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we had $14.5 million and $14.7 million, respectively, of cash receipts attributable to bonded sales. These amounts do not consider reductions associated with taxes, obtaining costs, or other costs.
Surety bond premiums are paid annually and are automatically renewable until maturity of the underlying preneed contracts, unless we are given prior notice of cancellation. Except for cemetery pre-construction bonds (which are irrevocable), the surety companies generally have the right to cancel the surety bonds at any time with appropriate notice. In the event a surety company were to cancel the surety bond, we are required to obtain replacement surety assurance from another surety company or fund a trust for an amount generally less than the posted bond amount. Management does not expect that we will be required to fund material future amounts related to these surety bonds because of lack of surety capacity or surety company non-performance.
Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Activities and Backlog of Contracts
In addition to selling our products and services to client families at the time of need, we sell price-guaranteed preneed funeral and cemetery contracts, which provide for future funeral or cemetery services and merchandise. Since preneed funeral and cemetery services or merchandise will not be provided until sometime in the future, most states and provinces require that all or a portion of the funds collected from customers on preneed funeral and cemetery contracts be paid into merchandise and service trusts until the merchandise is delivered or the service is performed. These trust funds own investments in equity and debt securities and mutual funds, which are sensitive to current market prices. In certain situations, as described above, where permitted by state or provincial laws, we post a surety bond as financial assurance for a certain amount of the preneed funeral or cemetery contract in lieu of placing funds into trust accounts.
 Trust-Funded Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Contracts: The funds are deposited into trust and invested by independent trustees in accordance with state and provincial laws. We retain any funds above the amounts required to be deposited into trust accounts and use them for working capital purposes, generally to offset the selling and administrative costs of our preneed programs.
The tables below detail our results of preneed funeral and cemetery production and maturities, excluding insurance contracts, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

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North America
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
(Dollars in millions)
Funeral:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preneed trust-funded (including bonded):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales production
$
49.8

 
30.3

 
$
98.6

 
$
93.4

Sales production (number of contracts)
13,963

 
6,978

 
24,926

 
21,632

Maturities
$
60.4

 
42.6

 
$
153.5

 
$
135.8

Maturities (number of contracts)
13,766

 
9,786

 
34,485

 
31,080

Cemetery:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales production:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preneed
$
115.8

 
$
94.5


$
349.6

 
$
301.2

Atneed
57.4

 
56.5


178.3

 
181.5

Total sales production
$
173.2

 
$
151.0

 
$
527.9

 
$
482.7

Sales production deferred to backlog:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preneed
$
46.2

 
$
39.3


$
143.9

 
$
129.1

Atneed
43.1

 
43.1


135.2

 
136.5

Total sales production deferred to backlog
$
89.3

 
$
82.4

 
$
279.1

 
$
265.6

Revenue recognized from backlog:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preneed
$
41.3

 
$
41.1


$
110.8

 
$
109.2

Atneed
44.0

 
43.5


135.4

 
135.5

Total revenue recognized from backlog
$
85.3

 
$
84.6

 
$
246.2

 
$
244.7

Insurance-Funded Preneed Funeral Contracts: Where permitted by state or provincial law, customers may arrange their preneed funeral contract by purchasing a life insurance or annuity policy from third-party insurance companies, for which we earn a commission as general sales agent for the insurance company. The policy amount of the insurance contract between the customer and the third-party insurance company generally equals the amount of the preneed funeral contract. We do not reflect the unfulfilled insurance-funded preneed funeral contract amounts in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet.
The table below details the results of insurance-funded preneed funeral production and maturities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, and the number of contracts associated with those transactions.
 
North America
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
(Dollars in millions)
Preneed funeral insurance-funded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales production (1)
124.8

 
102.0

 
359.8

 
313.8

Sales production (number of contracts) (1)
21,461

 
17,664

 
62,224

 
54,375

General agency revenue
23.0

 
19.7

 
66.7

 
51.0

Maturities
69.9

 
68.3

 
217.8

 
209.9

Maturities (number of contracts)
12,569

 
12,676

 
39,649

 
39,094

                                                     
(1)
Amounts are not included in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet.
North America Backlog of Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Contracts: The following table reflects our North America backlog of trust-funded deferred preneed funeral and cemetery contract revenues, including amounts related to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. Additionally, the table reflects our backlog of unfulfilled insurance-funded contracts (which are not included in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet) at

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September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. The backlog amounts presented are reduced by an amount that we believe will cancel before maturity based on historical experience.
The table also reflects our preneed funeral and cemetery receivables and trust investments (market and cost bases) associated with the backlog of deferred preneed funeral and cemetery contract revenues, net of the estimated cancellation allowance. We believe that the table below is meaningful because it sets forth the aggregate amount of future revenues we expect to recognize as a result of preneed sales, as well as the amount of assets associated with those revenues. Because the future revenues exceed the asset amounts, future revenues will exceed the cash distributions actually received from the associated trusts.
 
September 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
 
Market
 
Cost
 
Market
 
Cost
 
 
 
(Dollars in billions)
 
 
Deferred preneed funeral revenues
$
0.58

 
$
0.58

 
$
0.58

 
$
0.58

Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust
1.24

 
1.29

 
1.22

 
1.18

 
$
1.82

 
$
1.87

 
$
1.80

 
$
1.76

Allowance for cancellation on trust investments
(0.15
)
 
(0.15
)
 
(0.13
)
 
(0.13
)
Backlog of trust-funded preneed funeral revenues
$
1.67

 
$
1.72

 
$
1.67

 
$
1.63

Backlog of insurance-funded preneed funeral revenues
3.34

 
3.34

 
3.28

 
3.28

Total backlog of preneed funeral revenues
$
5.01

 
$
5.06

 
$
4.95

 
$
4.91

Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments
$
1.46

 
$
1.51

 
$
1.42

 
$
1.40

Allowance for cancellation on trust investments
(0.14
)
 
(0.14
)
 
(0.12
)
 
(0.12
)
Assets associated with backlog of trust-funded deferred preneed funeral revenues, net of estimated allowance for cancellation
$
1.32

 
$
1.37

 
$
1.30

 
$
1.28

Insurance policies associated with insurance-funded deferred preneed funeral revenues, net of estimated allowance for cancellation
3.34

 
3.34

 
3.28

 
3.28

Total assets associated with backlog of preneed funeral revenues, net of estimated allowance for cancellation
$
4.66

 
$
4.71

 
$
4.58

 
$
4.56

Deferred preneed cemetery revenues
$
0.84

 
$
0.84

 
$
0.81

 
$
0.81

Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust
1.09

 
1.13

 
1.19

 
1.13

 
$
1.93

 
$
1.97

 
$
2.00

 
$
1.94

Allowance for cancellation on trust investments
(0.16
)
 
(0.16
)
 
(0.15
)
 
(0.15
)
Total backlog of deferred cemetery revenues
$
1.77

 
$
1.81

 
$
1.85

 
$
1.79

Preneed cemetery receivables and trust investments
$
1.51

 
$
1.55

 
$
1.56

 
$
1.50

Allowance for cancellation on trust investments
(0.15
)
 
(0.14
)
 
(0.16
)
 
(0.16
)
Total assets associated with backlog of deferred cemetery revenues, net of estimated allowance for cancellation
$
1.36

 
$
1.41

 
$
1.40

 
$
1.34

The market value of our funeral and cemetery trust investments was based on a combination of quoted market prices, observable inputs such as interest rates or yield curves, and appraisals. The difference between the backlog and asset amounts represents the contracts for which we have posted surety bonds as financial assurance in lieu of trusting, the amounts collected from customers that were not required to be deposited into trust, and allowable cash distributions from trust assets. The table also reflects the amounts expected to be received from insurance companies through the assignment of policy proceeds related to insurance-funded funeral contracts.

Results of Operations — Three Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010
Management Summary
Key highlights in the third quarter of 2011 were as follows:
Funeral gross profits were flat as higher case volume, higher average revenues per case, and higher General Agency Revenues (insurance commissions) related to preneed funeral production were offset by higher advertising and selling related expenses; and
Cemetery gross profits increased $4.4 million, or 13.1%, due to higher cemetery preneed property sales production and other cemetery revenues, partially offset by higher advertising and selling related expenses.

Results of Operations
In the third quarter of 2011, we reported net income attributable to common stockholders of $35.5 million ($.15 per diluted

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share) compared to net income attributable to common stockholders in the third quarter of 2010 of $18.8 million ($.08 per diluted share). These results were impacted by the following items:
 
2011
 
2010
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Net after-tax gains (losses) from the sale of assets
$
3,823

 
$
(8,479
)
After-tax losses from the early extinguishment of debt, net
$
(864
)
 
$
(5,343
)
After-tax expenses related to acquisitions
$
(310
)
 
$
(1,844
)
Change in certain tax reserves and other
$
(934
)
 
$
2,533

Consolidated Versus Comparable Results
The table below reconciles our consolidated GAAP results to our comparable, or “same store,” results for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. We define comparable operations (or same store operations) as those funeral and cemetery locations that were owned for the entire period beginning January 1, 2010 and ending September 30, 2011. The following tables present operating results for funeral and cemetery locations that were owned by us during this period.
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2011
 
Consolidated
 
Less:
Results Associated with Acquisition/New Construction
 
Less:
Results Associated with Divestitures
 
Comparable
 
 
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
 
North America Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funeral revenue
 
$
382.6

 
$
41.7

 
$
0.4

 
$
340.5

Cemetery revenue
 
189.0

 
1.6

 
0.6

 
186.8

 
 
571.6

 
43.3

 
1.0

 
527.3

Germany revenue
 
1.4

 

 

 
1.4

Total revenue
 
$
573.0

 
$
43.3

 
$
1.0

 
$
528.7

North America Gross Profits
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funeral gross profits
 
$
69.0

 
$
4.8

 
$
(0.2
)
 
$
64.4

Cemetery gross profits
 
38.0

 
0.1

 
(0.1
)
 
38.0

 
 
107.0

 
4.9

 
(0.3
)
 
102.4

Germany gross profits
 

 

 

 

Total gross profits
 
$
107.0

 
$
4.9

 
$
(0.3
)
 
$
102.4

Three Months Ended
September 30, 2010
 
Consolidated
 
Less:
Results Associated with Acquisition/New Construction
 
Less:
Results Associated with Divestitures
 
Comparable
 
 
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
 
North America Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funeral revenue
 
$
357.4

 
$
23.8

 
$
2.2

 
$
331.4

Cemetery revenue
 
174.2

 
0.9

 
1.6

 
171.7

 
 
531.6

 
24.7

 
3.8

 
503.1

Germany revenue
 
1.6

 

 

 
1.6

Total revenue
 
$
533.2

 
$
24.7

 
$
3.8

 
$
504.7

North America Gross Profits
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funeral gross profits
 
$
68.8

 
$
5.1

 
$
(0.2
)
 
$
63.9

Cemetery gross profits
 
33.6

 
0.1

 
0.1

 
33.4

 
 
102.4

 
5.2

 
(0.1
)
 
97.3

Germany gross profits
 
0.2

 

 

 
0.2

Total gross profits
 
$
102.6

 
$
5.2

 
$
(0.1
)
 
$
97.5


The following table provides the data necessary to calculate our consolidated average revenue per funeral service for the three

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months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. We calculate average revenue per funeral service by dividing consolidated funeral revenue, excluding General Agency (GA) revenues and certain other revenues to avoid distorting our averages of normal funeral services revenue, by the number of consolidated funeral services performed during the period.
 
Three Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
2011
 
2010
 
(Dollars in millions,
except average
revenue per funeral service)
Consolidated funeral revenue
$
384.0

 
$
359.0

Less: Consolidated GA revenue
23.0

 
19.7

Less: Other revenue
12.3

 
2.3

Adjusted consolidated funeral revenue
$
348.7

 
$
337.0

Consolidated funeral services performed
67,374

 
64,680

Consolidated average revenue per funeral service
$
5,176

 
$
5,210

The following table provides the data necessary to calculate our comparable average revenue per funeral service for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. We calculate average revenue per funeral service by dividing comparable funeral revenue, excluding comparable GA revenues and certain other revenues to avoid distorting our averages of normal funeral services revenue, by the number of comparable funeral services performed during the period.
 
Three Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
2011
 
2010
 
(Dollars in millions,
except average
revenue per funeral service)
Comparable funeral revenue
$
341.9

 
$
333.0

Less: Comparable GA revenue
22.2

 
19.3

Less: Other revenue
1.7

 
2.2

Adjusted comparable funeral revenue
$
318.0

 
$
311.5

Comparable funeral services performed
58,541

 
59,973

Comparable average revenue per funeral service
$
5,432

 
$
5,194

Funeral Results
Funeral Revenue
Consolidated revenues from funeral operations were $384.0 million in the third quarter of 2011 compared to $359.0 million for the same period in 2010. This increase is primarily attributable to the $8.9 million increase in comparable revenues described below and $17.9 million of additional revenues as the result of acquisitions in 2011 and 2010. These increases were partially offset by a decline of $1.8 million in revenues contributed by non-strategic assets that were divested throughout 2011 and 2010.
Comparable revenues from funeral operations were $341.9 million in the third quarter of 2011 compared to $333.0 million for the same period in 2010. This increase was primarily due to the 4.6% increase in average revenue per funeral service described below and a $2.9 million increase in GA revenues (insurance commissions) that resulted from increased preneed funeral arrangements, partially offset by a decrease in the number of funeral services performed described below.
Funeral Services Performed
Our consolidated funeral services performed increased 4.2% during the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010 primarily as the result of acquisitions in 2011 and 2010, offset by a 2.4% decrease in comparable funeral services performed. We believe the comparable decrease is consistent with trends experienced by other funeral service providers and industry vendors. Our consolidated cremation rate of 50.3% in the third quarter of 2011 increased from 41.9% in 2010, while our comparable cremation rate of 44.6% in the third quarter of 2011 increased from 41.9% in 2010. We continue to expand our cremation memorialization products and services, which have resulted in higher average sales for cremation services.
Average Revenue Per Funeral Service

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Our consolidated average revenue per funeral service increased $34, or 0.7% ,in the third quarter of 2011 compared to 2010, primarily as a result of increased comparable average revenue per funeral service described below, more than offset by acquisitions and non-strategic assets divested throughout 2011 and 2010. Our comparable average revenue per funeral service increased $238, or 4.6%, in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010.
Funeral Gross Profits
Consolidated funeral gross profits were flat in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. Comparable funeral gross profits increased $0.3 million, and the comparable gross margin percentage decreased from 19.2% to 18.8% in the third quarter of 2011 when compared to the same period in 2010. The increase in gross profit is primarily the result of the increase in comparable revenue described above and a decrease in the number of funeral services performed, partially offset by the following:
a $4.2 million increase in comparable selling costs resulting from higher advertising and selling expenses related to increased lead generation. Selling costs are recognized in the period incurred; however, the revenue associated with the preneed production is not recognized until the services are performed as described in Critical Accounting Policies, Recent Accounting Pronouncements, and Accounting Changes below;
a $2.0 million increase associated with incentive compensation expense; and
a $1.8 million unfavorable Canadian currency impact on expenses.
Cemetery Results
Cemetery Revenue
Consolidated cemetery revenues increased $14.8 million, or 8.5%, in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. This increase is primarily the result of the increase in comparable revenues. Comparable cemetery revenues increased $15.1 million, or 8.8%, primarily as a result of higher cemetery preneed property sales production. We also recognized $3.5 million in other cemetery revenue that was earned through a property rights easement negotiated at one of our cemeteries.
Cemetery Gross Profits
Consolidated cemetery gross profits increased $4.4 million, or 13.1%, in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. This increase is primarily the result of the increase in comparable gross profits.
Comparable cemetery gross profits increased $4.6 million, or 13.8%, and gross margin percentage increased from 19.5% to 20.3% in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. The increase in revenues was partially offset by higher advertising and selling expenses related to current quarter preneed sales initiatives. Selling costs are recognized in the period incurred; however, the revenue associated with the preneed production is not recognized until the services are performed as described in Critical Accounting Policies, Recent Accounting Pronouncements, and Accounting Changes below.
Other Financial Statement Items
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses decreased $3.0 million to $23.9 million during the third quarter of 2011 compared to $26.9 million in the same period of 2010. This decrease is due to a $1.6 million decrease in acquisition and transition costs and a $1.4 million reduction in net legal costs offset by an increase in incentive compensation expenses.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased $1.5 million to $33.0 million during the third quarter of 2011 compared to $31.5 million in the same period of 2010. The increase in interest expense is due to the November 2010 issuance of our 7.0% Senior Notes due May 2019, partially offset by open market debt repurchases in 2011 and 2010. Certain of these debt repurchases were refinanced through our credit facility, which has a lower interest rate.
(Losses) Gains on Divestitures and Impairment Charges, net
     We recognized a $5.0 million net pre-tax loss on divestitures and impairment charges in the third quarter of 2011, due to the sale of underperforming locations in North America. In the third quarter of 2010, we recognized a $7.3 million net pre-tax loss on divestitures and impairment charges due to the impairment of certain assets and other losses on the dispositions of various businesses in North America.
Losses on Early Extinguishment of Debt
During the third quarter of 2011, we purchased $13.8 million of our senior notes and debentures on the open market. As a

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result of these transactions, we recognized a loss of $1.4 million, which represents the write-off of unamortized deferred loan costs of $0.2 million and $1.2 million cost to early extinguish the debt. For additional information regarding these debt payments, see Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements, Note 9.
Provision for Income Taxes
Income tax expense during interim periods is based on our estimated annual effective income tax rate plus any discrete items which are recorded in the period in which they occur. Discrete items include, among others, such events as changes in estimates due to the finalization of tax returns, tax audit settlements, expiration of statute of limitations, and increases or decreases in valuation allowances. Our effective tax rate was 20.5% and 34.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
We sold our Puerto Rican subsidiary in the third quarter of 2011. Our outside tax basis in the business was higher than our book basis. Consequently, we recognized a tax loss that was higher than the book loss on the sale which is permanent in nature. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 is primarily due to that sale. Additionally, our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was reduced by the release of state valuation allowances due to the restructuring of our legal entities in certain states.
Weighted Average Shares
The diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding was 235.5 million during the third quarter of 2011, compared to 247.5 million in the same period of 2010. The decrease in the number of shares reflects the impact of shares repurchased under our share repurchase program.

Results of Operations — Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010
Management Summary
Key highlights in the first nine months of 2011 were as follows:
Funeral gross profit increased $12.6 million, or 5.4%, due to higher atneed case volume primarily from the Keystone acquisition, higher average revenue per case, and higher General Agency revenues, partially offset by higher advertising and selling expenses related to increased lead generation; and
Cemetery gross profit increased $11.6 million, or 12.5%, due to an increase in cemetery preneed property sales production, trust fund income, and other cemetery revenues, partially offset by higher selling related expenses along with higher maintenance costs.
Results of Operations
In the first nine months of 2011, we reported net income attributable to common stockholders of $100.4 million ($0.42 per diluted share) compared to net income attributable to common stockholders in the first nine months of 2010 of $90.0 million ($0.36 per diluted share). These results were impacted by the following items:

 
2011
 
2010
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Net after-tax losses from the sale of assets
(3,064
)
 
(3,168
)
After-tax losses from the early extinguishment of debt, net
(2,181
)
 
(5,520
)
After-tax expenses related to acquisitions
(1,300
)
 
(6,381
)
Change in certain tax reserves and other
(2,746
)
 
1,048



Consolidated Versus Comparable Results
The table below reconciles our consolidated GAAP results to our comparable, or “same store,” results for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. We define comparable operations (or same store operations) as those funeral and cemetery locations that were owned for the entire period beginning January 1, 2010 and ending September 30, 2011. The following tables present operating results for funeral and cemetery locations that were owned by us during this period.

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Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2011
 
Consolidated
 
Less:
Results Associated with Acquisition/New Construction
 
Less:
Results Associated with Divestitures
 
Comparable
 
 
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
 
North America Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funeral revenue
 
$
1,173.4

 
$
103.0

 
$
2.7

 
$
1,067.7

Cemetery revenue
 
551.1

 
4.5

 
4.3

 
542.3

 
 
1,724.5

 
107.5

 
7.0

 
1,610.0

Germany revenue
 
5.0

 

 

 
5.0

Total revenue
 
$
1,729.5

 
$
107.5

 
$
7.0

 
$
1,615.0

North America Gross Profits
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funeral gross profits
 
$
243.4

 
$
17.9

 
$
(0.3
)
 
$
225.8

Cemetery gross profits
 
104.7

 
0.7

 
0.3

 
103.7

 
 
348.1

 
18.6

 

 
329.5

Germany gross profits
 
0.4

 

 

 
0.4

Total gross profits
 
$
348.5

 
$
18.6

 
$

 
$
329.9

Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2010
 
Consolidated
 
Less:
Results Associated with Acquisition/New Construction
 
Less:
Results Associated with Divestitures
 
Comparable
 
 
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
 
North America Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funeral revenue
 
$
1,100.8

 
$
50.2

 
$
12.8

 
$
1,037.8

Cemetery revenue
 
513.6

 
2.2

 
7.5

 
503.9

 
 
1,614.4

 
52.4

 
20.3

 
1,541.7

Germany revenue
 
4.9

 

 

 
4.9

Total revenue
 
$
1,619.3

 
$
52.4

 
$
20.3

 
$
1,546.6

North America Gross Profits
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funeral gross profits
 
$
230.8

 
$
13.5

 
$
0.2

 
$
217.1

Cemetery gross profits
 
93.1

 
0.2

 
0.3

 
92.6

 
 
323.9

 
13.7

 
0.5

 
309.7

Germany gross profits
 
0.4

 

 

 
0.4

Total gross profits
 
$
324.3

 
$
13.7

 
$
0.5

 
$
310.1


The following table provides the data necessary to calculate our consolidated average revenue per funeral service for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. We calculate average revenue per funeral service by dividing consolidated funeral revenue, excluding General Agency (GA) revenues and certain other revenues to avoid distorting our averages of normal funeral services revenue, by the number of consolidated funeral services performed during the period.
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
2011
 
2010
 
(Dollars in millions,
except average
revenue per funeral service)
Consolidated funeral revenue
$
1,178.4

 
$
1,105.7

Less: Consolidated GA revenue
66.7

 
51.0

Less: Other revenue
22.0

 
8.6

Adjusted consolidated funeral revenue
$
1,089.7

 
$
1,046.1

Consolidated funeral services performed
207,873

 
200,672

Consolidated average revenue per funeral service
$
5,242

 
$
5,213


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The following table provides the data necessary to calculate our comparable average revenue per funeral service for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. We calculate average revenue per funeral service by dividing comparable funeral revenue, excluding comparable GA revenues and certain other revenues to avoid distorting our averages of normal funeral services revenue, by the number of comparable funeral services performed during the period.
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
2011
 
2010
 
(Dollars in millions,
except average
revenue per funeral service)
Comparable funeral revenue
$
1,072.7

 
$
1,042.7

Less: Comparable GA revenue
64.6

 
50.0

Less: Other revenue
6.1

 
6.7

Adjusted comparable funeral revenue
$
1,002.0

 
$
986.0

Comparable funeral services performed
187,051

 
189,601

Comparable average revenue per funeral service
$
5,357

 
$
5,200

Funeral Results
Funeral Revenue
Consolidated revenues from funeral operations were $1,178.4 million in the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to $1,105.7 million for the same period in 2010. This increase is primarily attributable to the $30.0 million increase in comparable revenues described below and $52.8 million of additional revenues as the result of acquisitions in 2011 and 2010. These increases were partially offset by a decline of $10.1 million in revenues contributed by non-strategic assets that were divested throughout 2011 and 2010.
Comparable revenues from funeral operations were $1,072.7 million in the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to $1,042.7 million for the same period in 2010. This increase was primarily due to the 3.0% increase in average revenue per funeral service described below and a $14.6 million increase in GA revenues (insurance commissions) that resulted from increased preneed funeral arrangements.
Funeral Services Performed
Our consolidated funeral services performed increased 3.6% during the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010 primarily as the result of acquisitions in 2011 and 2010, offset by a 1.3% decrease in comparable funeral services performed. We believe the comparable decrease was somewhat impacted by extreme weather throughout North America, and we believe is consistent with trends experienced by other funeral service providers and industry vendors. Our consolidated cremation rate of 46.5% in the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 increased from 41.7% in 2010, while our comparable cremation rate of 44.3% in the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 increased from 41.7% in 2010. We continue to expand our cremation memorialization products and services, which have resulted in higher average sales for cremation services.
Average Revenue Per Funeral Service
Our consolidated average revenue per funeral service increased $29, or 0.6% in the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to 2010, primarily as a result of increased comparable average revenue per funeral service described below, more than offset by non-strategic assets divested throughout 2011 and 2010. Our comparable average revenue per funeral service increased $157, or 3.0% in first nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. Excluding a favorable Canadian currency impact and higher funeral trust fund income, the average revenue per funeral service grew approximately 1.7% despite an increase in cremation rates.
Funeral Gross Profits
Consolidated funeral gross profits increased $12.6 million in the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. This increase is primarily attributable to $4.4 million of additional gross profits related to acquisitions that occurred in 2011 and 2010 and an $8.7 million increase in comparable gross profits described below, partially offset by a decline of $0.5 million of gross profits that were contributed by non-strategic assets divested throughout 2011 and 2010.
Comparable funeral gross profits increased $8.7 million, or 4.0%, and the comparable gross margin percentage increased from 20.9% to 21.1% in the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 when compared to the same period in 2010 primarily as

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a result of the increase in comparable revenue described above, partially offset by the following:
a $12.6 million increase in comparable selling costs resulting from increased advertising and selling expenses related to lead generation. Selling costs are recognized in the period incurred; however, the revenue associated with the preneed production is not recognized until the services are performed as described in Critical Accounting Policies, Recent Accounting Pronouncements, and Accounting Changes below;
a $4.5 million increase in direct costs of services performed as the result of the increase in funeral revenue described above; and
a $3.8 million increase in compensation expense.
Cemetery Results
Cemetery Revenue
Consolidated revenues from our cemetery operations increased $37.5 million, or 7.3%, in the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. This increase is primarily a result of the increase in comparable revenues. Comparable cemetery revenues increased $38.4 million, or 7.6%, primarily as a result of higher cemetery preneed property sales production and trust fund income. We also recognized $3.5 million in other cemetery revenue that was earned through a property rights easement negotiated at one of our cemeteries.
Cemetery Gross Profits
Consolidated cemetery gross profits increased $11.6 million, or 12.5%, in the first nine months of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. This increase is primarily the result of the increase in comparable gross profits.
Comparable cemetery gross profits increased $11.1 million, or 12.0%, and gross margin percentage increased from 18.4% to 19.1% in the first nine months of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. This increase is primarily the result of the increase in comparable revenues described above, partially offset by the following:
a $14.0 million increase in comparable selling costs resulting from increased advertising and selling expenses related to lead generation. Selling costs are recognized in the period incurred; however, the revenue associated with the preneed production is not recognized until the services are performed as described in Critical Accounting Policies, Recent Accounting Pronouncements, and Accounting Changes below;
a $4.6 million increase in property expense; and
a $2.6 million increase in maintenance expense.
Other Financial Statement Items
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses were $77.4 million during the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to $80.1 million for the same period in 2010. This decrease is primarily due to a decrease in acquisition and transition costs.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased $4.2 million to $100.5 million during the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to $96.3 million in the same period of 2010. The increase in interest expense is primarily due to the November 2010 issuance of our 7.0% Senior Notes due May 2019, partially offset by open market debt repurchases in 2011 and 2010. Certain of these debt repurchases were refinanced through our credit facility, which has a lower interest rate.
(Losses) Gains on Divestitures and Impairment Charges, net
     We recognized a $15.3 million net pre-tax loss on divestitures and impairment charges in the first nine months of 2011, due to the sale of underperforming locations in North America and losses on indemnification reserves. In the first nine months of 2010, we recognized a $5.8 million net pre-tax gain on divestitures and impairment charges due to gains incurred on various divestitures, primarily the sale of former SCI properties included in the 22 funeral homes and five cemeteries divested as a result of our agreement with Federal Trade Commission in conjunction with the Keystone acquisition.
Losses on Early Extinguishment of Debt
During the first nine months of 2011, we purchased $40.0 million of our senior notes and debentures on the open market. As a result of these transactions, we recognized a loss of $3.5 million, which represents the write-off of unamortized deferred

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loan costs of $0.4 million and $3.1 million cost to early extinguish the debt. For additional information regarding these debt payments, see Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements, Note 9.
Provision for Income Taxes
Income tax expense during interim periods is based on our estimated annual effective income tax rate plus any discrete items which are recorded in the period in which they occur. Discrete items include, among others, such events as changes in estimates due to the finalization of tax returns, tax audit settlements, expiration of statute of limitations, and increases or decreases in valuation allowances. Our effective tax rate was 33.5% and 38.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
We sold our Puerto Rican subsidiary in the third quarter of 2011. Our outside tax basis in the business was higher than our book basis. Consequently, we recognized a tax loss that was higher than the book loss on the sale which is permanent in nature. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 is primarily due to that sale. Additionally, our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was reduced by the release of state valuation allowances due to the restructuring of our legal entities in certain states.
Weighted Average Shares
The diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding was 239.5 million during the first nine months ended September 30, 2011, compared to 252.5 million in the same period of 2010. The decrease in the number of shares reflects the impact of shares repurchased under our share repurchase program.

Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Our critical accounting policies are disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.
No other significant changes to our accounting policies have occurred subsequent to December 31, 2010, except as described below within Recent Accounting Pronouncements and Accounting Changes.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements and Accounting Changes
For discussion of recent accounting pronouncements and accounting changes, see Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements, Note 3.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements
The statements in this Form 10-Q that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements made in reliance on the “safe harbor” protections provided under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be accompanied by words such as “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” or “predict,” that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. These statements are based on assumptions that we believe are reasonable; however, many important factors could cause our actual results in the future to differ materially from the forward-looking statements made herein and in any other documents or oral presentations made by us, or on our behalf. Important factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:
Changes in general economic conditions, both domestically and internationally, impacting financial markets (e.g., marketable security values, access to capital markets, as well as currency and interest rate fluctuations) that could negatively affect us, particularly, but not limited to, levels of trust fund income, interest expense, and negative currency translation effects.
Changes in operating conditions such as supply disruptions and labor disputes.
Our inability to achieve the level of cost savings, productivity improvements or earnings growth anticipated by management, whether due to significant increases in energy costs (e.g., electricity, natural gas and fuel oil), costs of other materials, employee-related costs or other factors.
Our inability to complete acquisitions, divestitures or strategic alliances as planned or to realize expected synergies and strategic benefits.
The outcomes of pending lawsuits, proceedings, and claims against us and the possibility that insurance coverage is deemed not to apply to these matters or that an insurance carrier is unable to pay any covered amounts to us.
Allegations regarding compliance with laws, regulations, industry standards, and customs regarding burial procedures

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and practices.
The amounts payable by us with respect to our outstanding legal matters exceed our established reserves.
Amounts that we may be required to replenish into our affiliated funeral and cemetery trust funds in order to meet minimum funding requirements.
The outcome of pending Internal Revenue Service audits. We maintain accruals for tax liabilities that relate to uncertain tax matters. If these tax matters are unfavorably resolved, we will make any required payments to tax authorities. While such payments would affect our cash flow, we do not believe it would impair our ability to service debt or our overall liquidity. If these tax matters are favorably resolved, the accruals maintained by us will no longer be required, and these amounts will be reversed through the tax provision at the time of resolution.
Our ability to manage changes in consumer demand and/or pricing for our products and services due to several factors, such as changes in numbers of deaths, cremation rates, competitive pressures, and local economic conditions.
Changes in domestic and international political and/or regulatory environments in which we operate, including potential changes in tax, accounting, and trusting policies.
Changes in credit relationships impacting the availability of credit and the general availability of credit in the marketplace.
Our ability to successfully access surety and insurance markets at a reasonable cost.
Our ability to successfully leverage our substantial purchasing power with certain of our vendors.
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, and our ability to certify the effectiveness of the internal controls and to obtain an unqualified attestation report of our auditors regarding the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.
The possibility that restrictive covenants in our credit agreement and debt securities may prevent us from engaging in certain transactions.
Our ability to buy our common stock under our share repurchase programs, which could be impacted by, among others, restrictive covenants in our bank agreements, unfavorable market conditions, the market price of our common stock, the nature of other investment opportunities presented to us from time to time, and the availability of funds necessary to continue purchasing common stock.
The financial condition of third-party insurance companies that fund our preneed funeral contracts may impact our future revenues.
Declines in overall economic conditions beyond our control could reduce future potential earnings and cash flows and could result in future goodwill impairments.
Our funeral and cemetery trust funds’ investments in equity securities, fixed income securities, and mutual funds are impacted by market conditions that are beyond our control.
For further information on these and other risks and uncertainties, see our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which was filed February 14, 2011. Copies of this document as well as other SEC filings can be obtained from our website at www.sci-corp.com. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein or any other forward-looking statements made by us, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Marketable Equity and Debt Securities — Price Risk
In connection with our preneed funeral operations and preneed cemetery merchandise and service sales, the related funeral and cemetery trust funds own investments in equity and debt securities and mutual funds, which are sensitive to current market prices.
Cost and market values as of September 30, 2011 are presented in Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements and Notes 4, 5, and 6 of this Form 10-Q. Also, see Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Financial Conditions, Liquidity and Capital Resources, for discussion of trust investments.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures

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As of September 30, 2011, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)). Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified by the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The officers have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2011 and that the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q fairly present, in all material respects, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with US GAAP.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Information regarding legal proceedings is set forth in Note 15 in Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10-Q, which information is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes in our Risk Factors as set forth in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
On July 29, 2011, we issued 1,135 deferred common stock equivalents, or units, pursuant to provisions regarding dividends under the Amended and Restated Director Fee Plan to four non-employee directors. We did not receive any monetary consideration for the issuances. These issuances were unregistered because they did not constitute a “sale” within the meaning of Section 2(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
In August 2011, our Board of Directors approved an increase in our share repurchase program authorizing the investment of up to an additional $116.6 million to repurchase our common stock, bringing total authorization up to $200.0 million. As of September 30, 2011, the remaining dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under our currently approved share repurchase program was approximately $150.3 million.
Period
Total number of shares purchased
 
Average price paid per share
 
Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced programs
 
Dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the programs
July 1, 2011 — July 31, 2011
784,524

 
$
11.46

 
784,524

 
$
115,663,369

 
August 1, 2011 — August 31, 2011
6,821,589

 
$
9.53

 
6,821,589

 
$
167,190,203

 
September 1, 2011 — September 30, 2011
1,723,752

 
$
9.82

 
1,723,752

 
$
150,270,212

 
 
9,329,865

 
 
 
9,329,865

 
 
 

Subsequent to September 30, 2011, we repurchased an additional 1,233,800 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $11.7 million, which is an average cost per share of $9.48. After these fourth quarter repurchases, the remaining dollar value of shares authorized to be purchased under our share repurchase program is approximately $138.6 million.

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Item 6. Exhibits
12.1
 
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.
 
 
 
31.1
 
Certification of Thomas L. Ryan as Chief Executive Officer in satisfaction of Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
31.2
 
Certification of Eric D. Tanzberger as Principal Financial Officer in satisfaction of Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
32.1
 
Certification of Periodic Financial Reports by Thomas L. Ryan as Chief Executive Officer in satisfaction of Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
32.2
 
Certification of Periodic Financial Reports by Eric D. Tanzberger as Principal Financial Officer in satisfaction of Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
101
 
The following materials from Service Corporation International’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and (v) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text.
Undertaking
We hereby undertake, pursuant to Regulation S-K, Item 601(b), paragraph (4) (iii), to furnish to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, upon request, all constituent instruments defining the rights of holders of our long-term debt not filed herewith for the reason that the total amount of securities authorized under any of such instruments does not exceed 10 percent of our total consolidated assets.


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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
October 27, 2011
 
SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL
 
By:  
/s/ Tammy Moore
 
 
Tammy Moore
 
 
Vice President and Corporate Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)


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Index to Exhibits
12.1
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.
 
 
31.1
Certification of Thomas L. Ryan as Chief Executive Officer in satisfaction of Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
31.2
Certification of Eric D. Tanzberger as Principal Financial Officer in satisfaction of Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
32.1
Certification of Periodic Financial Reports by Thomas L. Ryan as Chief Executive Officer in satisfaction of Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
32.2
Certification of Periodic Financial Reports by Eric D. Tanzberger as Principal Financial Officer in satisfaction of Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
101
The following materials from Service Corporation International’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and (v) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text.


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