SCI-2013.3.31-10Q
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 March 31, 2013
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 April 23, 2013 was 211,673,026 (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 sold after a death has occurred.
Burial Vaults — A reinforced container intended to inhibit the subsidence of the earth and house the casket after 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.
Cemetery Property — Developed lots, lawn crypts, and mausoleum spaces and undeveloped land we intend to develop.
Cemetery Merchandise and Services — Stone and bronze memorials, markers, merchandise installations, and burial openings and closings.
Cremation — The reduction of human remains to bone fragments by intense heat.
Funeral Merchandise and Services — Professional services relating to funerals and cremations and funeral-related merchandise, including caskets, casket memorialization products, burial vaults, cremation receptacles, cremation memorial products, and flowers.
Funeral Recognized Preneed Revenue — Funeral merchandise and services sold on a preneed contract and delivered before a death has occurred, including funeral merchandise and travel protection insurance, which primarily represents sales by the Neptune Society.
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, in mausoleums, or in cremation niches.
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)

 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenues
$
652,352

 
$
602,506

Costs and expenses
(492,752
)
 
(474,939
)
Gross profits
159,600

 
127,567

General and administrative expenses
(30,866
)
 
(25,959
)
Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net
(969
)
 
(490
)
Operating income
127,765

 
101,118

Interest expense
(32,769
)
 
(33,588
)
Other (expense) income, net
(984
)
 
3,905

Income before income taxes
94,012

 
71,435

Provision for income taxes
(35,290
)
 
(23,120
)
Net income
58,722

 
48,315

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(1,102
)
 
(290
)
Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
57,620

 
$
48,025

Basic earnings per share:
 
 
 
Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
0.27

 
$
0.22

Basic weighted average number of shares
211,380

 
220,132

Diluted earnings per share:
 
 
 
Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
0.27

 
$
0.22

Diluted weighted average number of shares
215,208

 
223,212

Dividends declared per share
$
0.06

 
$
0.05


(See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements)

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SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(UNAUDITED)

 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
(In thousands)
Net income
$
58,722

 
$
48,315

Other comprehensive income:
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
(5,516
)
 
5,745

Total comprehensive income
53,206

 
54,060

Total comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(1,098
)
 
(275
)
Total comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders
$
52,108

 
$
53,785


(See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements)



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SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(UNAUDITED)
 
March 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(In thousands, except share amounts)
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
188,546

 
$
92,708

Receivables, net
92,955

 
101,817

Deferred tax assets
42,833

 
42,864

Inventories, net
25,556

 
24,560

Other
24,858

 
20,546

Total current assets
374,748

 
282,495

Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments
1,558,994

 
1,535,932

Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments
1,897,314

 
1,826,835

Cemetery property, at cost
1,486,646

 
1,489,948

Property and equipment, net
1,635,118

 
1,641,101

Goodwill, net
1,379,303

 
1,382,410

Deferred charges and other assets
421,646

 
425,267

Cemetery perpetual care trust investments
1,128,284

 
1,099,580

Total assets
$
9,882,053

 
$
9,683,568

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES & EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
378,844

 
$
373,783

Current maturities of long-term debt
37,315

 
31,429

Income taxes
9,373

 
6,892

Total current liabilities
425,532

 
412,104

Long-term debt
1,913,382

 
1,916,621

Deferred preneed funeral revenues
525,933

 
536,647

Deferred preneed cemetery revenues
876,553

 
861,148

Deferred tax liability
507,091

 
471,198

Other liabilities
392,369

 
399,950

Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust
2,714,633

 
2,624,321

Care trusts’ corpus
1,127,479

 
1,098,752

Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)

 

Equity:
 
 
 
Common stock, $1 per share par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 211,785,586 and 211,056,501 shares issued, respectively, and 211,663,639 and 211,046,501 shares outstanding, respectively
211,664

 
211,047

Capital in excess of par value
1,297,949

 
1,307,058

Accumulated deficit
(230,098
)
 
(286,795
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
106,205

 
111,717

Total common stockholders’ equity
1,385,720

 
1,343,027

Noncontrolling interests
13,361

 
19,800

Total equity
1,399,081

 
1,362,827

Total liabilities and equity
$
9,882,053

 
$
9,683,568

(See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements)

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Table of Contents

SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)

 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
58,722

 
$
48,315

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
30,447

 
29,541

Amortization of intangible assets
5,808

 
6,149

Amortization of cemetery property
8,975

 
9,569

Amortization of loan costs
1,235

 
1,194

Provision for doubtful accounts
1,720

 
2,842

Provision for deferred income taxes
26,134

 
18,479

Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net
969

 
490

Share-based compensation
2,830

 
2,574

Excess tax benefits from share based awards
(772
)
 

Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and divestitures:
 
 
 
Decrease in receivables
5,962

 
4,471

Increase in other assets
(5,882
)
 
(5,352
)
Increase (decrease) in payables and other liabilities
12,215

 
(7,888
)
Effect of preneed funeral production and maturities:
 
 
 
Decrease in preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments
13,738

 
16,066

Decrease in deferred preneed funeral revenue
(4,000
)
 
(7,735
)
Decrease in deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust
(14,176
)
 
(10,069
)
Effect of cemetery production and deliveries:
 
 
 
Increase in preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments
(6,359
)
 
(26,238
)
Increase in deferred preneed cemetery revenue
15,912

 
15,948

(Decrease) increase in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust
(3,419
)
 
642

Other
1,065

 
(3,214
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
151,124

 
95,784

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(22,569
)
 
(23,378
)
Acquisitions

 
(804
)
Proceeds from divestitures and sales of property and equipment
1,816

 
264

Other
339

 
1,176

Net cash used in investing activities
(20,414
)
 
(22,742
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

 
907

Payments of debt
(4,948
)
 
(497
)
Principal payments on capital leases
(6,468
)
 
(6,084
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
3,094

 
2,323

Excess tax benefits from share based awards
772

 

Purchase of Company common stock
(1,708
)
 
(75,106
)
Payments of dividends
(12,698
)
 
(11,104
)
Purchase of Neptune Society noncontrolling interest
(8,333
)
 

Bank overdrafts and other
(4,004
)
 
433

Net cash used in financing activities
(34,293
)
 
(89,128
)
Effect of foreign currency on cash and cash equivalents
(579
)
 
1,348

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
95,838

 
(14,738
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
92,708

 
128,569

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
188,546

 
$
113,831

(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, 2011
$
224,666

 
$
(1,710
)
 
$
1,430,330

 
$
(367,044
)
 
$
105,852

 
$
20,101

 
$
1,412,195

Comprehensive income

 

 

 
48,025

 
5,760

 
275

 
54,060

Dividends declared on common stock ($.05 per share)

 

 
(10,960
)
 

 

 

 
(10,960
)
Employee share-based compensation earned

 

 
2,574

 

 

 

 
2,574

Stock option exercises
422

 

 
1,901

 

 

 

 
2,323

Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures
483

 

 
(483
)
 

 

 

 

Purchase of Company common stock

 
(6,765
)
 
(44,781
)
 
(23,560
)
 

 

 
(75,106
)
Other
1

 

 
8

 

 

 

 
9

Balance at March 31, 2012
$
225,572

 
$
(8,475
)
 
$
1,378,589

 
$
(342,579
)
 
$
111,612

 
$
20,376

 
$
1,385,095

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2012
211,057

 
(10
)
 
1,307,058

 
(286,795
)
 
111,717

 
19,800

 
1,362,827

Comprehensive income

 

 

 
57,620

 
(5,512
)
 
1,098

 
53,206

Dividends declared on common stock ($.06 per share)

 

 
(12,698
)
 

 

 

 
(12,698
)
Employee share-based compensation earned

 

 
2,830

 

 

 

 
2,830

Stock option exercises
350

 

 
2,744

 

 

 

 
3,094

Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures
378

 
(3
)
 
(375
)
 

 

 

 

Purchase of Company common stock

 
(109
)
 
(676
)
 
(923
)
 

 

 
(1,708
)
Tax Benefits Related to Share-Based Awards

 

 
772

 

 

 

 
772

Purchase of Neptune Society noncontrolling interest

 

 
(1,696
)
 

 

 
(6,637
)
 
(8,333
)
Noncontrolling interest payment

 

 

 

 

 
(900
)
 
(900
)
Other
1

 

 
(10
)
 

 

 

 
(9
)
Balance at March 31, 2013
$
211,786

 
$
(122
)
 
$
1,297,949

 
$
(230,098
)
 
$
106,205

 
$
13,361

 
$
1,399,081


(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 developed lots, lawn crypts, and mausoleum spaces 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 merchandise and services whereby a customer contractually agrees to the terms of certain merchandise 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, 2012, 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, 2012. 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 entered into 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 generally 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 amounts, we have no risk of loss related to these receivables.

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If a preneed contract is canceled prior to delivery, state or provincial law governs 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. 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.

3. Recently Issued Accounting Standards
Foreign Currency
In March 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) amended the Foreign Currency Matters Topic of the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) to clarify the appropriate accounting when a parent ceases to have a controlling interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a business within a foreign entity. This clarification provides that the cumulative translation adjustment should only be released into net income if the loss of controlling interest represents complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity in which the subsidiary or asset group had resided. This amendment is effective for us starting with our first quarter of 2014 and adoption is not expected to impact our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
Comprehensive Income
In February 2013, the FASB amended the Comprehensive Income Topic of the ASC to require reporting of amounts reclassified out of accumulated comprehensive income by component. We are required to present significant amounts reclassified to net income in their entirety by income statement line item and to cross reference any disclosure elsewhere in the notes for amounts reclassified in less than their entirety. We adopted this amendment effective January 1, 2013 and the appropriate disclosures are contained in Note 12.
Intangible Testing
In July 2012, 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 an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. 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 analysis 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 as of our annual test in the fourth quarter of 2013, and adoption is not expected to impact 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 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:

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Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
(In thousands)
Deposits
$
22,199

 
$
22,178

Withdrawals
32,705

 
30,912

Purchases of available-for-sale securities
60,979

 
188,059

Sales of available-for-sale securities
96,704

 
184,902

Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities
11,371

 
26,011

Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities
(1,721
)
 
(9,748
)
The components of Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are as follows:
 
March 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(In thousands)
Trust investments, at fair value
$
995,437

 
$
977,973

Cash and cash equivalents
93,932

 
85,943

Insurance-backed fixed income securities
274,998

 
273,098

Trust investments
1,364,367

 
1,337,014

Receivables from customers
242,355

 
241,896

Unearned finance charge
(8,996
)
 
(8,645
)
 
1,597,726

 
1,570,265

Allowance for cancellation
(38,732
)
 
(34,333
)
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments
$
1,558,994

 
$
1,535,932

The cost and fair values associated with our funeral merchandise and service trust investments recorded at fair value at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in common trust funds, mutual funds, and private equity investments. Fair value represents the market value of the underlying securities held by the common trust funds, mutual funds at published values, and the estimated fair 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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March 31, 2013
 
Fair Value Hierarchy Level
 
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
2
 
$
105,942

 
$
3,663

 
$
(1,357
)
 
$
108,248

Canadian government
2
 
104,544

 
326

 
(546
)
 
104,324

Corporate
2
 
48,721

 
2,949

 
(605
)
 
51,065

Residential mortgage-backed
2
 
2,908

 
48

 
(12
)
 
2,944

Asset-backed
2
 
128

 
2

 

 
130

Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
2
 
4,935

 
446

 
(81
)
 
5,300

Common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
1
 
226,328

 
52,323

 
(4,808
)
 
273,843

Canada
1
 
22,115

 
3,078

 
(1,147
)
 
24,046

Other international
1
 
20,096

 
2,837

 
(433
)
 
22,500

Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
1
 
143,054

 
15,359

 
(5,249
)
 
153,164

Fixed income
1
 
227,300

 
6,714

 
(11,124
)
 
222,890

Private equity
3
 
32,830

 
2,329

 
(9,428
)
 
25,731

Other
3
 
990

 
262

 

 
1,252

Trust investments
 
 
$
939,891

 
$
90,336

 
$
(34,790
)
 
$
995,437


 
December 31, 2012
 
Fair Value Hierarchy Level
 
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
2
 
$
105,594

 
$
5,072

 
$
(880
)
 
$
109,786

Canadian government
2
 
110,399

 
861

 
(113
)
 
111,147

Corporate
2
 
51,611

 
2,531

 
(623
)
 
53,519

Residential mortgage-backed
2
 
3,123

 
57

 
(8
)
 
3,172

Asset-backed
2
 
129

 
3

 

 
132

Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
2
 
3,603

 
211

 
(103
)
 
3,711

Common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
1
 
230,971

 
38,514

 
(6,903
)
 
262,582

Canada
1
 
23,284

 
2,598

 
(1,271
)
 
24,611

Other international
1
 
18,089

 
1,874

 
(658
)
 
19,305

Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
1
 
145,589

 
10,097

 
(6,728
)
 
148,958

Fixed income
1
 
225,365

 
7,314

 
(10,252
)
 
222,427

Private equity
3
 
36,626

 
221

 
(18,968
)
 
17,879

Other
3
 
542

 
202

 

 
744

Trust investments
 
 
$
954,925

 
$
69,555

 
$
(46,507
)
 
$
977,973


12

Table of Contents

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 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure (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 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. As of March 31, 2013, private equity instruments are valued based on reported net asset values discounted by 0% to 20% for risk and 0% to 10% for liquidity. As of December 31, 2012, private equity instruments were valued based on reported net asset values discounted by 0% to 60% for risk and 0% to 25% for liquidity. A significant increase (decrease) in the discounts results in a directionally opposite change in the fair value of the instruments. Valuation policies and procedures are determined by our Trust Services department, which reports to our Chief Financial Officer.  Additionally, valuations are reviewed by our investment committee quarterly. 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 March 31, 2013, our unfunded commitment for our private equity and other investments was $11.2 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.
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
 
March 31, 2013
 
March 31, 2012
 
Private Equity
 
Other
 
Private Equity
 
Other
Fair value, beginning balance
$
17,879

 
$
744

 
$
15,986

 
$
912

Net unrealized gains (losses) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)
10,850

 
509

 
(1,307
)
 
7

Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)
(5
)
 
(1
)
 
(10
)
 

Sales

 

 
(9
)
 

Contributions
637

 

 
1,278

 

Distributions and other
(3,630
)
 

 
(254
)
 

Fair value, ending balance
$
25,731

 
$
1,252

 
$
15,684

 
$
919

                                                                               
(1)
All unrealized gains (losses) 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.
Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2013 to 2053. Maturities of fixed income securities, excluding mutual funds, at March 31, 2013 are estimated as follows:

13

Table of Contents

 
Fair Value
 
(In thousands)
Due in one year or less
$
132,475

Due in one to five years
53,406

Due in five to ten years
48,265

Thereafter
32,565

 
$
266,711

Earnings from all our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are recognized in funeral revenues when a service is performed or merchandise is delivered. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenues in the period in which they are earned. 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 trust fund income (realized and unrealized) related to these trust investments were $12.3 million and $9.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, 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 March 31, 2013 and 2012, we recorded a $0.2 million and a $0.3 million impairment charge, respectively, for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments.
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 remaining 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 values, and the duration of unrealized losses as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, are shown in the following tables:
 
March 31, 2013
 
In Loss Position
Less Than 12 Months
 
In Loss Position
Greater Than 12 Months
 
Total
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
$
22,192

 
$
(610
)
 
$
18,638

 
$
(746
)
 
$
40,830

 
$
(1,356
)
Canadian government
10,080

 
(264
)
 
9,546

 
(282
)
 
19,626

 
(546
)
Corporate
5,617

 
(254
)
 
4,632

 
(351
)
 
10,249

 
(605
)
Residential mortgage-backed
919

 
(11
)
 
30

 
(1
)
 
949

 
(12
)
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
1,397

 
(74
)
 
22

 
(7
)
 
1,419

 
(81
)
Common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
35,099

 
(3,138
)
 
6,049

 
(1,670
)
 
41,148

 
(4,808
)
Canada
6,486

 
(824
)
 
1,497

 
(323
)
 
7,983

 
(1,147
)
Other international
5,516

 
(288
)
 
759

 
(145
)
 
6,275

 
(433
)
Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
1,183

 
(28
)
 
23,745

 
(5,222
)
 
24,928

 
(5,250
)
Fixed income
59,546

 
(1,402
)
 
52,484

 
(9,722
)
 
112,030

 
(11,124
)
Private equity

 

 
13,498

 
(9,428
)
 
13,498

 
(9,428
)
Total temporarily impaired securities
$
148,035

 
$
(6,893
)
 
$
130,900

 
$
(27,897
)
 
$
278,935

 
$
(34,790
)


14

Table of Contents

 
December 31, 2012
 
In Loss Position
Less Than 12 Months
 
In Loss Position
Greater Than 12 Months
 
Total
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
$
22,357

 
$
(803
)
 
$
6,741

 
$
(77
)
 
$
29,098

 
$
(880
)
Canadian government
7,912

 
(113
)
 

 

 
7,912

 
(113
)
Corporate
7,809

 
(347
)
 
4,283

 
(276
)
 
12,092

 
(623
)
Residential mortgage-backed
956

 
(8
)
 

 

 
956

 
(8
)
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
1,220

 
(93
)
 
52

 
(10
)
 
1,272

 
(103
)
Common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
70,752

 
(4,694
)
 
9,089

 
(2,209
)
 
79,841

 
(6,903
)
Canada
6,592

 
(652
)
 
2,516

 
(619
)
 
9,108

 
(1,271
)
Other international
7,606

 
(521
)
 
608

 
(137
)
 
8,214

 
(658
)
Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
6,779

 
(126
)
 
26,340

 
(6,602
)
 
33,119

 
(6,728
)
Fixed income
38,686

 
(1,021
)
 
24,131

 
(9,231
)
 
62,817

 
(10,252
)
Private equity

 

 
17,389

 
(18,968
)
 
17,389

 
(18,968
)
Total temporarily impaired securities
$
170,669

 
$
(8,378
)
 
$
91,149

 
$
(38,129
)
 
$
261,818

 
$
(46,507
)

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
 
March 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
(In thousands)
Deposits
$
25,268

 
$
25,195

Withdrawals
29,881

 
24,733

Purchases of available-for-sale securities
105,722

 
270,083

Sales of available-for-sale securities
125,743

 
255,417

Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities
16,576

 
39,272

Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities
(2,170
)
 
(13,770
)
The components of Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are as follows:

15

Table of Contents

 
March 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(In thousands)
Trust investments, at fair value
$
1,258,886

 
$
1,204,084

Cash and cash equivalents
94,565

 
86,923

Insurance-backed fixed income securities
12

 
9

Trust investments
1,353,463

 
1,291,016

Receivables from customers
623,371

 
614,599

Unearned finance charges
(28,876
)
 
(29,471
)
 
1,947,958

 
1,876,144

Allowance for cancellation
(50,644
)
 
(49,309
)
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments
$
1,897,314

 
$
1,826,835

The cost and fair values associated with our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments recorded at fair value at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in common trust funds, mutual funds, and private equity investments. Fair value represents the market value of the underlying securities held by the common trust funds, mutual funds at published values, and the estimated fair value of private equity investments.
 
March 31, 2013
 
Fair Value Hierarchy Level
 
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
2
 
$
101,171

 
$
5,384

 
$
(1,345
)
 
$
105,210

Canadian government
2
 
17,150

 
361

 
(116
)
 
17,395

Corporate
2
 
42,021

 
3,343

 
(700
)
 
44,664

Residential mortgage-backed
2
 
143

 
3

 

 
146

Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
2
 
8,182

 
702

 
(137
)
 
8,747

Common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
1
 
359,882

 
96,774

 
(5,512
)
 
451,144

Canada
1
 
15,156

 
3,692

 
(1,006
)
 
17,842

Other international
1
 
33,912

 
5,384

 
(533
)
 
38,763

Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
1
 
277,324

 
31,539

 
(6,859
)
 
302,004

Fixed income
1
 
255,802

 
10,207

 
(20,030
)
 
245,979

Private equity
3
 
28,863

 
2,446

 
(5,352
)
 
25,957

Other
3
 
870

 
165

 

 
1,035

Trust investments
 
 
$
1,140,476

 
$
160,000

 
$
(41,590
)
 
$
1,258,886



16

Table of Contents

 
December 31, 2012
 
Fair Value Hierarchy Level
 
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
2
 
$
99,630

 
$
7,925

 
$
(841
)
 
$
106,714

Canadian government
2
 
17,562

 
402

 
(83
)
 
17,881

Corporate
2
 
43,515

 
2,456

 
(775
)
 
45,196

Residential mortgage-backed
2
 
150

 
4

 

 
154

Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
2
 
5,840

 
334

 
(196
)
 
5,978

Common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
1
 
363,190

 
71,613

 
(7,716
)
 
427,087

Canada
1
 
16,026

 
2,862

 
(846
)
 
18,042

Other international
1
 
29,889

 
3,687

 
(857
)
 
32,719

Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
1
 
279,265

 
19,520

 
(9,921
)
 
288,864

Fixed income
1
 
251,687

 
10,975

 
(19,350
)
 
243,312

Private equity
3
 
32,785

 
77

 
(15,175
)
 
17,687

Other
3
 
407

 
44

 
(1
)
 
450

Trust investments
 
 
$
1,139,946

 
$
119,899

 
$
(55,761
)
 
$
1,204,084

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 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. As of March 31, 2013, private equity instruments are valued based on reported net asset values discounted by 0% to 20% for risk and 0% to 10% for liquidity. As of December 31, 2012, private equity instruments were valued based on reported net asset values discounted by 0% to 60% for risk and 0% to 25% for liquidity. A significant increase (decrease) in the discounts results in a directionally opposite change in the fair value of the instruments. Valuation policies and procedures are determined by our Trust Services department, which reports to our Chief Financial Officer.  Additionally, valuations are reviewed by our investment committee quarterly. 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 March 31, 2013, our unfunded commitment for our private equity and other investments was $11.8 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.
The change in our market-based cemetery merchandise and service trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows (in thousands):

17

Table of Contents

 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31, 2013
 
March 31, 2012
 
Private Equity
 
Other
 
Private Equity
 
Other
Fair value, beginning balance
$
17,687

 
$
450

 
$
15,219

 
$
436

Net unrealized gains (losses) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)
11,400

 
587

 
(1,353
)
 
8

Net realized losses included in Other (expense) income, net(2)
(7
)
 
(2
)
 
(11
)
 
(1
)
Contributions
662

 

 
1,356

 

Distributions and other
(3,785
)
 

 
(276
)
 

Fair value, ending balance
$
25,957

 
$
1,035

 
$
14,935

 
$
443

                                                                               
(1)
All unrealized gains (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 2013 to 2042. Maturities of fixed income securities, excluding mutual funds, at March 31, 2013 are estimated as follows:
 
Fair Value
 
(In thousands)
Due in one year or less
$
19,832

Due in one to five years
56,472

Due in five to ten years
42,361

Thereafter
48,750

 
$
167,415

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. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenues in the period in which they are earned. 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 trust fund income (realized and unrealized) related to these trust investments were $9.2 million and $7.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, 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 March 31, 2013 and 2012, we recorded a $0.4 million and a $0.3 million impairment charge, respectively, for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments.
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 remaining 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 values and the duration of unrealized losses as of March 31, 2013 are shown in the following tables:

18

Table of Contents

 
March 31, 2013
 
In Loss Position
Less Than 12 Months
 
In Loss Position
Greater Than 12 Months
 
Total
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
$
18,714

 
$
(500
)
 
$
19,448

 
$
(845
)
 
$
38,162

 
$
(1,345
)
Canadian government
5,501

 
(96
)
 
987

 
(20
)
 
6,488

 
(116
)
Corporate
9,400

 
(428
)
 
3,323

 
(272
)
 
12,723

 
(700
)
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
2,250

 
(87
)
 
163

 
(50
)
 
2,413

 
(137
)
Common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
44,001

 
(4,114
)
 
7,199

 
(1,398
)
 
51,200

 
(5,512
)
Canada
2,792

 
(545
)
 
1,005

 
(461
)
 
3,797

 
(1,006
)
Other international
6,637

 
(339
)
 
988

 
(194
)
 
7,625

 
(533
)
Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
6,029

 
(79
)
 
40,107

 
(6,780
)
 
46,136

 
(6,859
)
Fixed income
60,403

 
(1,783
)
 
50,259

 
(18,247
)
 
110,662

 
(20,030
)
Private equity

 

 
7,564

 
(5,352
)
 
7,564

 
(5,352
)
Total temporarily impaired securities
$
155,727

 
$
(7,971
)
 
$
131,043

 
$
(33,619
)
 
$
286,770

 
$
(41,590
)


 
December 31, 2012
 
In Loss Position
Less Than 12 Months
 
In Loss Position
Greater Than 12 Months
 
Total
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
$
28,626

 
$
(841
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
28,626

 
$
(841
)
Canadian government
5,319

 
(83
)
 

 

 
5,319

 
(83
)
Corporate
14,060

 
(571
)
 
2,137

 
(204
)
 
16,197

 
(775
)
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
1,497

 
(143
)
 
126

 
(53
)
 
1,623

 
(196
)
Common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
82,989

 
(5,624
)
 
11,131

 
(2,092
)
 
94,120

 
(7,716
)
Canada
3,114

 
(461
)
 
1,115

 
(385
)
 
4,229

 
(846
)
Other international
9,056

 
(655
)
 
741

 
(202
)
 
9,797

 
(857
)
Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
28,132

 
(1,427
)
 
43,172

 
(8,494
)
 
71,304

 
(9,921
)
Fixed income
54,533

 
(2,205
)
 
29,104

 
(17,145
)
 
83,637

 
(19,350
)
Private equity
46

 
(17
)
 
17,136

 
(15,158
)
 
17,182

 
(15,175
)
Other
8

 

 
378

 
(1
)
 
386

 
(1
)
Total temporarily impaired securities
$
227,380

 
$
(12,027
)
 
$
105,040

 
$
(43,734
)
 
$
332,420

 
$
(55,761
)

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

19

Table of Contents

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
 
March 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
(In thousands)
Deposits
$
8,228

 
$
6,544

Withdrawals
9,569

 
8,252

Purchases of available-for-sale securities
35,052

 
70,127

Sales of available-for-sale securities
27,490

 
52,886

Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities
3,782

 
2,162

Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities
(322
)
 
(2,215
)
The components of Cemetery perpetual care trust investments in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are as follows:
 
March 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(In thousands)
Trust investments, at fair value
$
1,074,974

 
$
1,045,568

Cash and cash equivalents
53,310

 
54,012

Cemetery perpetual care trust investments
$
1,128,284

 
$
1,099,580

The cost and fair values associated with our cemetery perpetual care trust investments recorded at fair value at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in common trust funds, mutual funds, and private equity investments. Fair value represents the value of the underlying securities or cash held by the common trust funds, mutual funds at published values, and the estimated fair value of private equity investments.
 
March 31, 2013
 
Fair Value Hierarchy Level
 
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
2
 
$
820

 
$
42

 
$
(1
)
 
$
861

Canadian government
2
 
29,194

 
638

 
(198
)
 
29,634

Corporate
2
 
22,203

 
517

 
(78
)
 
22,642

Residential mortgage-backed
2
 
1,466

 
33

 
(3
)
 
1,496

Asset-backed
2
 
161

 
9

 

 
170

Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
2
 
5,563

 
42

 
(1,033
)
 
4,572

Common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
1
 
166,134

 
34,797

 
(1,547
)
 
199,384

Canada
1
 
8,745

 
2,032

 
(757
)
 
10,020

Other international
1
 
11,696

 
606

 
(457
)
 
11,845

Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
1
 
15,674

 
3,891

 
(70
)
 
19,495

Fixed income
1
 
689,835

 
58,531

 
(307
)
 
748,059

Private equity
3
 
24,689

 
455

 
(8,690
)
 
16,454

Other
3
 
9,173

 
1,169

 

 
10,342

Cemetery perpetual care trust investments
 
 
$
985,353

 
$
102,762

 
$
(13,141
)
 
$
1,074,974



20

Table of Contents

 
December 31, 2012
 
Fair Value Hierarchy Level
 
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
2
 
$
820

 
$
45

 
$
(1
)
 
$
864

Canadian government
2
 
30,159

 
709

 
(140
)
 
30,728

Corporate
2
 
22,877

 
537

 
(51
)
 
23,363

Residential mortgage-backed
2
 
1,498

 
41

 
(2
)
 
1,537

Asset-backed
2
 
161

 
10

 

 
171

Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
2
 
5,637

 
61

 
(938
)
 
4,760

Common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


United States
1
 
163,173

 
19,609

 
(3,389
)
 
179,393

Canada
1
 
8,954

 
1,568

 
(731
)
 
9,791

Other international
1
 
14,693

 
1,392

 
(447
)
 
15,638

Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
1
 
16,999

 
2,102

 
(211
)
 
18,890

Fixed income
1
 
680,921

 
61,172

 
(441
)
 
741,652

Private equity
3
 
24,727

 
338

 
(13,943
)
 
11,122

Other
3
 
9,653

 
1,110

 
(3,104
)
 
7,659

Cemetery perpetual care trust investments
 
 
$
980,272

 
$
88,694

 
$
(23,398
)
 
$
1,045,568

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 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. As of March 31, 2013, private equity instruments are valued based on reported net asset values discounted by 0% to 20% for risk and 0% to 10% for liquidity. As of December 31, 2012, private equity instruments were valued based on reported net asset values discounted by 0% to 60% for risk and 0% to 25% for liquidity. A significant increase (decrease) in the discounts results in a directionally opposite change in the fair value of the instruments.Valuation policies and procedures are determined by our Trust Services department, which reports to our Chief Financial Officer.  Additionally, valuations are reviewed by our investment committee quarterly. 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 March 31, 2013, our unfunded commitment for our private equity and other investments was $5.1 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.
The change in our market-based cemetery perpetual care trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows (in thousands):

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Table of Contents

 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31, 2013
 
March 31, 2012
 
Private Equity
 
Other
 
Private Equity
 
Other
Fair value, beginning balance
$
11,122

 
$
7,659

 
$
10,849

 
$
6,890

Net unrealized gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)
6,069

 
2,729

 
444

 
395

Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)
(82
)
 
(46
)
 
(46
)
 
(11
)
Sales

 

 
(26
)
 

Contributions
1

 

 
1,390

 

Distributions and other
(656
)
 

 
(634
)
 

Fair value, ending balance
$
16,454

 
$
10,342

 
$
11,977

 
$
7,274

                                                                               
(1)
All unrealized 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 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 2013 to 2041. Maturities of fixed income securities at March 31, 2013 are estimated as follows:
 
Fair Value
 
(In thousands)
Due in one year or less
$
9,355

Due in one to five years
23,976

Due in five to ten years
20,297

Thereafter
1,175

 
$
54,803

Distributable earnings from these cemetery perpetual care trust investments are recognized in current cemetery revenues to the extent we incur qualifying cemetery maintenance costs. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenues in the period in which they are earned. Recognized trust fund income related to these trust investments were $10.0 million and $9.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, 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 March 31, 2013 and 2012, we recorded a $0.1 million and a $0.0 million impairment charge, respectively, for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments.
We have determined that the remaining unrealized losses in our cemetery perpetual care 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 remaining 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 values and the duration of unrealized losses, are shown in the following tables.

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Table of Contents

 
March 31, 2013
 
In Loss Position
Less Than 12 Months
 
In Loss Position
Greater Than 12 Months
 
Total
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
$
414

 
$
(1
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
414

 
$
(1
)
Canadian government
9,077

 
(151
)
 
1,986

 
(47
)
 
11,063

 
(198
)
Corporate
5,335

 
(56
)
 
1,858

 
(22
)
 
7,193

 
(78
)
Residential mortgage-backed
244

 
(3
)
 

 

 
244

 
(3
)
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
1,429

 
(244
)
 
2,502

 
(789
)
 
3,931

 
(1,033
)
Common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
14,161

 
(1,004
)
 
4,238

 
(543
)
 
18,399

 
(1,547
)
Canada
1,415

 
(304
)
 
1,010

 
(453
)
 
2,425

 
(757
)
Other international
5,150

 
(344
)
 
570

 
(113
)
 
5,720

 
(457
)
Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
47

 
(1
)
 
269

 
(69
)
 
316

 
(70
)
Fixed income
17,645

 
(93
)
 
30,701

 
(214
)
 
48,346

 
(307
)
Private equity

 

 
15,969

 
(8,690
)
 
15,969

 
(8,690
)
Total temporarily impaired securities
$
54,917

 
$
(2,201
)
 
$
59,103

 
$
(10,940
)
 
$
114,020

 
$
(13,141
)

 
December 31, 2012
 
In Loss Position
Less Than 12 Months
 
In Loss Position
Greater Than 12 Months
 
Total
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
$
373

 
$
(1
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
373

 
$
(1
)
Canadian government
9,145

 
(140
)
 

 

 
9,145

 
(140
)
Corporate
5,439

 
(33
)
 
1,886

 
(18
)
 
7,325

 
(51
)
Residential mortgage-backed
183

 
(2
)
 

 

 
183

 
(2
)
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
3,115

 
(639
)
 
973

 
(299
)
 
4,088

 
(938
)
Common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
38,323

 
(2,403
)
 
7,495

 
(986
)
 
45,818

 
(3,389
)
Canada
1,246

 
(281
)
 
1,055

 
(450
)
 
2,301

 
(731
)
Other international
4,712

 
(389
)
 
696

 
(58
)
 
5,408

 
(447
)
Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
2,654

 
(127
)
 
404

 
(84
)
 
3,058

 
(211
)
Fixed income
10,552

 
(37
)
 
31,837

 
(404
)
 
42,389

 
(441
)
Private equity

 

 
10,752

 
(13,943
)
 
10,752

 
(13,943
)
Other

 

 
6,308

 
(3,104
)
 
6,308

 
(3,104
)
Total temporarily impaired securities
$
75,742

 
$
(4,052
)
 
$
61,406

 
$
(19,346
)
 
$
137,148

 
$
(23,398
)

7. Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts’ Corpus

23

Table of Contents

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 March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are detailed below.
 
March 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
Preneed
Funeral
 
Preneed
Cemetery
 
Total
 
Preneed
Funeral
 
Preneed
Cemetery
 
Total
 
(In thousands)
 
(In thousands)
Trust investments
$
1,364,367

 
$
1,353,463

 
$
2,717,830

 
$
1,337,014

 
$
1,291,016

 
$
2,628,030

Accrued trust operating payables and other
(1,229
)
 
(1,968
)
 
(3,197
)
 
(1,827
)
 
(1,882
)
 
(3,709
)
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust
$
1,363,138

 
$
1,351,495

 
$
2,714,633

 
$
1,335,187

 
$
1,289,134

 
$
2,624,321

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 March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are detailed below.
 
March 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(In thousands)
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments
$
1,128,284

 
$
1,099,580

Accrued trust operating payables and other
(805
)
 
(828
)
Care trusts’ corpus
$
1,127,479

 
$
1,098,752

Other Income, Net
The components of Other income, net in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 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 March 31, 2013
 
Funeral
Trusts
 
Cemetery
Trusts
 
Cemetery Perpetual
Care Trusts
 
Other, Net
 
Total
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Realized gains
$
11,371

 
$
16,576

 
$
3,782

 
$

 
$
31,729

Realized losses
(1,721
)
 
(2,170
)
 
(322
)
 

 
(4,213
)
Impairment charges
(200
)
 
(357
)
 
(63
)
 

 
(620
)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income
1,817

 
1,529

 
6,089

 

 
9,435

Trust expenses and income taxes
(2,381
)
 
(3,669
)
 
(575
)
 

 
(6,625
)
Net trust investment income
8,886

 
11,909

 
8,911

 

 
29,706

Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus
(8,886
)
 
(11,909
)
 
(8,911
)
 

 
(29,706
)
Other income, net

 

 

 
(984
)
 
(984
)
Total other income, net
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(984
)
 
$
(984
)




24

Table of Contents

 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
 
Funeral
Trusts
 
Cemetery
Trusts
 
Cemetery Perpetual
Care Trusts
 
Other, Net
 
Total
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Realized gains
$
26,011

 
$
39,272

 
$
2,162

 
$

 
$
67,445

Realized losses
(9,748
)
 
(13,770
)
 
(2,215
)
 

 
(25,733
)
Impairment charges
(344
)
 
(305
)
 
(1
)
 

 
(650
)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income
2,200

 
2,276

 
5,723

 

 
10,199

Trust expenses and income taxes
(2,569
)
 
(3,185
)
 
(385
)
 

 
(6,139
)
Net trust investment income
15,550

 
24,288

 
5,284

 

 
45,122

Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus
(15,550
)
 
(24,288
)
 
(5,284
)
 

 
(45,122
)
Other income, net

 

 

 
3,905

 
3,905

Total other income, net
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
3,905

 
$
3,905



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 37.5% and 32.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The lower effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2012 was primarily due to the benefits associated with the settlement of a tax audit discussed below. The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2013 is above the 35% federal statutory tax rate due to state tax expense which is partially offset by foreign earnings taxed at lower rates.
Internal Revenue Service Settlement
Our affiliate, SCI Funeral and Cemetery Purchasing Cooperative ("COOP"), is a corporation taxed under subchapter T of the United States Internal Revenue Code, the operation of which has resulted in the deferral of tax payments. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), in connection with its audits of the COOP's 2003 - 2005 federal income tax returns, proposed adjustments that would accelerate amounts that the Company had previously deferred and would result in the payment of interest on those deferred tax payments. We reached a partial settlement with the IRS in the first quarter of 2012 and as a result the Company made a payment of $6.6 million which reduced our tax expense by $3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 for adjustments to our "unrecognized tax benefits" – that is, the aggregate tax effect of differences between tax return positions and the benefits recognized in our financial statements, and other tax matters.
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
As of March 31, 2013, the gross amount of our unrecognized tax benefits was $133.1 million and the gross amount of our accrued interest was $42.0 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, our unrecognized tax benefit decreased by $10.9 million which did not impact the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations since the unrecognized tax benefits relate to temporary items. These adjustments are primarily due to the expiration of statute of limitations and a decrease in liability related to U.S. tax positions taken in prior years. Additional interest expense of $0.4 million was accrued.
A number of years may elapse before particular tax matters, for which we have unrecognized tax benefits, are audited and finally settled. While we have effectively concluded our 2003 - 2005 tax years with respect to our affiliate the COOP, SCI and Subsidiaries' tax years 1999 - 2005 remain under review at the IRS Appeals level. Furthermore, SCI and its affiliates are under audit by various state and foreign jurisdictions for years through 2010. The outcome of each of these audits cannot be predicted at this time. It is reasonably possible that the amount of our unrecognized tax benefits could significantly increase or decrease over the next twelve months either because we prevail on positions or because the tax authorities prevail. 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
Debt as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was as follows:

25

Table of Contents

 
March 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(In thousands)
7.875% Debentures due February 2013
$

 
$
4,757

6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015
136,465

 
136,465

6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016
197,377

 
197,377

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

4.5% Senior Notes due November 2020
200,000

 
200,000

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
86,600

 
86,600

Obligations under capital leases
183,883

 
176,445

Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047
5,507

 
5,698

Unamortized pricing discounts
(4,135
)
 
(4,292
)
Total debt
1,950,697

 
1,948,050

Less current maturities
(37,315
)
 
(31,429
)
Total long-term debt
$
1,913,382

 
$
1,916,621

Current maturities of debt at March 31, 2013 were primarily comprised of our capital leases. Our consolidated debt had a weighted average interest rate of 6.27% and 6.28% at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. Approximately 87% of our total debt had a fixed interest rate at both March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
Bank Credit Facility
The Company has a $500 million bank credit facility due March 2016 with a syndicate of banks, including a sublimit of $175 million for letters of credit.
As of March 31, 2013, we have $86.6 million outstanding under our Bank credit facility and $31.7 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% for the first quarter. As of March 31, 2013, we have $381.7 million in borrowing capacity under the bank credit facility.
Debt Extinguishments and Reductions
During the three months ended March 31, 2013, we paid an aggregate of $11.4 million, to repay our remaining 7.875% Debentures due February 2013 and our capital lease obligations.
During the three months ended March 31, 2012, we paid $6.6 million of our long-term debt and capital lease obligations.
Capital Leases
During the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, we acquired $14.9 million and $38.3 million, respectively, of primarily transportation equipment capital leases.

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 March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was as follows:

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March 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(In thousands)
7.875% Debentures due February 2013
$

 
$
4,786

6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015
148,713

 
150,112

6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016
218,102

 
222,049

7.0% Senior Notes due June 2017
333,017

 
341,094

7.625% Senior Notes due October 2018
293,750

 
298,750

7.0% Senior Notes due May 2019
271,875

 
276,250

4.5% Senior Notes due November 2020
201,500

 
204,500

8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021
180,000

 
186,000

7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027
223,000

 
215,500

Bank credit facility due March 2016
86,600

 
86,600

Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047
5,507

 
5,698

Total fair value of debt instruments
$
1,962,064

 
$
1,991,339

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. A significant increase (decrease) in the inputs results in a directionally opposite change in the fair value of the instruments.

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 uses 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 three months ended March 31, 2013:
 
 
Three Months Ended
Assumptions
 
March 31, 2013
Dividend yield
 
1.9
%
Expected volatility
 
35.2
%
Risk-free interest rate
 
0.7
%
Expected holding period (in years)
 
4.0

Stock Options
The following table sets forth stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2013:
 
Options
 
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
Outstanding at December 31, 2012
12,401,970

 
$
8.84

Granted
2,041,330

 
$
15.26

Exercised
(349,663
)
 
$
8.85

Cancelled
(36,397
)
 
$
10.31

Outstanding at March 31, 2013
14,057,240

 
$
9.77

Exercisable at March 31, 2013
9,939,390

 
$
8.51

As of March 31, 2013, the unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options of $13.1 million is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.6 years.
Restricted Shares
Restricted share activity for the three months ended March 31, 2013 was as follows:

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Restricted
shares
 
Weighted-Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
Nonvested restricted shares at December 31, 2012
1,104,579

 
$
9.78

Granted
378,280

 
$
15.26

Vested
(296,886
)
 
$
8.63

Cancelled
(2,744
)
 
$
10.32

Nonvested restricted shares at March 31, 2013
1,183,229

 
$
11.81

As of March 31, 2013, the unrecognized compensation expense related to restricted shares of $10.2 million is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.6 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, 2012
$
111,717

 
$

 
$
111,717

Activity in 2013
(6,804
)
 

 
(6,804
)
Reclassification of currency translation adjustment to Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net 
1,292

 

 
1,292

Increase in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes

 
69,478

 
69,478

Reclassification of net unrealized gain activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’, net of taxes

 
(69,478
)
 
(69,478
)
Balance at March 31, 2013
$
106,205

 
$

 
$
106,205

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.
Cash Dividends
On February 13, 2013, our Board of Directors approved a cash dividend of $.06 per common share. This dividend, totaling $12.7 million, was paid on March 28, 2013.
Share Repurchases

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. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, there were no share repurchases under our share repurchase program. The remaining dollar value of shares authorized to be purchased under our share repurchase program was approximately $190.1 million at March 31, 2013.

During the three months ended March 31, 2013, we made $1.7 million of share repurchases that were not part of the publicly announced programs. These shares represent restricted stock that was redeemed by certain employees in lieu of tax liability withholdings, which do not affect our share repurchase program.
Noncontrolling Interests
During the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company acquired an additional 10% of the outstanding shares of The Neptune Society, Inc. for $8.3 million, increasing our ownership from 70% to 80%.

13. Segment Reporting

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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:
 
Funeral
 
Cemetery
 
Reportable
Segments
 
(In thousands)
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues from external customers:
 
 
 
 
 
2013
$
462,019

 
$
190,333

 
$
652,352

2012
$
424,281

 
$
178,225

 
$
602,506

Gross profits:
 
 
 
 
 
2013
$
120,147

 
$
39,453

 
$
159,600

2012
$
100,024

 
$
27,543

 
$
127,567

The following table reconciles gross profits from reportable segments to our consolidated income before income taxes:
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
(In thousands)
Gross profits from reportable segments
$
159,600

 
$
127,567

General and administrative expenses
(30,866
)
 
(25,959
)
Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net
(969
)
 
(490
)
Operating income
127,765

 
101,118

Interest expense
(32,769
)
 
(33,588
)
Other (expense) income, net
(984
)
 
3,905

Income before income taxes
$
94,012

 
$
71,435

Our geographic area information is as follows:
 
United
States
 
Canada
 
Germany
 
Total
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues from external customers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2013
$
595,437

 
$
54,981

 
$
1,934

 
$
652,352

2012
$
547,176

 
$
53,541

 
$
1,789

 
$
602,506


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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Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
(In thousands)
Merchandise revenues:
 
 
 
Funeral
$
153,832

 
$
140,153

Cemetery
129,492

 
121,834

Total merchandise revenues
283,324

 
261,987

Services revenues:
 
 
 
Funeral
280,325

 
259,779

Cemetery
54,550

 
49,672

Total services revenues
334,875

 
309,451

Other revenues
34,153

 
31,068

Total revenues
$
652,352

 
$
602,506

Merchandise costs and expenses:
 
 
 
Funeral
$
77,510

 
$
72,125

Cemetery
56,529

 
55,686

Total cost of merchandise
134,039

 
127,811

Services costs and expenses:
 
 
 
Funeral
134,326

 
127,260

Cemetery
26,356

 
25,821

Total cost of services
160,682

 
153,081

Overhead and other expenses
198,031

 
194,047

Total costs and expenses
$
492,752

 
$
474,939


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 March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we have self-insurance reserves of $56.7 million and $57.5 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, Sands, Schwartz and Niven 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 compensatory, consequential and punitive damages as well as the appointment of a receiver to oversee cemetery operations. The plaintiff alleges the cemetery engaged in wrongful burial practices and did not disclose them to customers. After a hearing in February 2012, the court in May 2012 issued an order certifying classes of cemetery plot owners and their families based on alleged Company misrepresentation, concealment or nondisclosure of material facts regarding alleged improper burial practices pertaining to the period from February 1985 to September 2009. Pursuant to a court order, the Company may be precluded from making certain arguments that challenge the sufficiency of plaintiff's physical evidence, although the extent to which that order will apply at trial remains unclear. The case is scheduled for trial in July 2013. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, for the payment of any damages.
Barbara Schwartz & Carol Neitlich, Individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated v. SCI Funeral Services of Florida, Inc., et al.; Case No. 2012CA015954, In the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial District in and for Palm Beach County, Florida. This lawsuit has been removed to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and is now Case No. 9:12-CV-80180-DMM. This case was filed by counsel for plaintiffs in the Sands case regarding our Star of David Memorial Gardens Cemetery and Funeral Chapel and Bailey Memorial Gardens located in North Lauderdale, Florida. Plaintiffs seek to certify a class of cemetery plot owners and their families. Plaintiffs allege the cemetery engaged in wrongful burial practices and did not disclose them to customers. Plaintiffs seek compensatory, consequential and punitive damages as well as the appointment of a receiver to oversee the cemetery operations. On our motion, the court dismissed the plaintiffs' claims in March 2013. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, for the payment of any damages.
Janie Niven & Jennifer Mazzo, Individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated v. SCI Funeral Services of Florida, Inc., et al.; Case No. 2012CA015951, In the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial District in and for Palm Beach County, Florida. This lawsuit was filed by plaintiffs in the preceding Sands and Schwartz cases regarding Beth David Memorial Gardens and Chapel located in Hollywood, Florida. Although we acquired the cemetery in connection with our 2006 acquisition of Alderwoods Group, Inc., we never managed the cemetery and sold it to a third-party shortly after closing on the Alderwoods acquisition. Plaintiffs seek to certify a class of cemetery plot owners and their families. Plaintiffs allege the cemetery engaged in wrongful burial practices and did not disclose them to customers. Plaintiffs seek compensatory, consequential and punitive damages as well as the appointment of a receiver to oversee the cemetery operations. In February 2013, the plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed their claims without prejudice.
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 Bryant and Helm lawsuits described below.
 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. 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 and dismissed the Helm case. The Helm plaintiff is appealing the court's order decertifying her claims. The individual claims in the Bryant case are still pending. 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.
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.

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A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted EPS computations is presented below:
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
(In thousands, except per
share amounts)
Amounts attributable to common stockholders:
 
 
 
Net income:
 
 
 
Net income — basic
$
57,620

 
$
48,025

After tax interest on convertible debt
13

 
13

Net income — diluted
$
57,633

 
$
48,038

Weighted average shares (denominator):
 
 
 
Weighted average shares — basic
211,380

 
220,132

Stock options
3,707

 
2,959

Convertible debt
121

 
121

Weighted average shares — diluted
215,208

 
223,212

Net income per share:
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.27

 
$
0.22

Diluted
$
0.27

 
$
0.22

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 March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012, total options not currently included in the computation of dilutive EPS were 1.1 million and 4.3 million, respectively.

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 March 31, 2013, we operated 1,437 funeral service locations and 374 cemeteries (including 213 combination locations) in North America, which are geographically diversified across 43 states, 8 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 $7.5 billion backlog of future revenues from both trust and insurance-funded sales at March 31, 2013, which is the result of preneed funeral and cemetery sales. Preneed selling provides us with a current opportunity to lock-in future market share while deterring the customer from going to a competitor in the future. We believe it adds to the stability and predictability of our revenue and cash flows. While revenue on the majority of preneed funeral sales is deferred until the time of need, sales of preneed cemetery property provides opportunities for full current revenue recognition (to the extent we collect 10% from the customer and the property is developed).
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 $190.1 million authorized to repurchase our common stock.
Factors affecting our operating results include: demographic trends in terms of population growth and average age, which impact death rates and number of deaths; establishing and maintaining leading market share positions supported by strong local heritage and relationships; effectively responding to increasing cremation trends by selling complementary services and merchandise; controlling salary and merchandise costs; and exercising pricing leverage related to our at-need revenues. The average revenue per funeral contract is influenced by the mix of traditional and cremation services because our average cremation service revenue is approximately half of the average revenue earned from a traditional burial service. To further enhance revenue opportunities we are developing memorialization products and services that specifically appeal to cremation customers. We believe that these additional products and services will help drive increases in the average revenue for a cremation in future periods.

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For further discussion of our key operating metrics, see our Results of Operations and Cash Flow sections below.

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources
Capital Allocation Considerations
We rely on cash flow from operations as a significant source of liquidity. Our cash flow from operating activities provided $151.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2013. In addition, we have $381.7 million in excess borrowing capacity under our bank credit facility which expires in March 2016. We currently have no significant maturities of long-term debt until April 2015.
Our bank credit facility requires us to maintain certain leverage and interest coverage ratios. As of March 31, 2013, we were in compliance with all of our debt covenants. Our financial covenant requirements and actual ratios as of March 31, 2013 are as follows:
 
Per Credit Agreement
 
Actual
Leverage ratio
4.00 (Max)
 
2.82
Interest coverage ratio
3.00 (Min)
 
4.88
We believe the sources of liquidity can be supplemented by our ability to access the capital markets for additional debt or equity securities. We believe that our $188.5 million of cash on hand, future operating cash flows, and the available capacity under our credit facility will give us adequate liquidity to meet our short-term needs as well as our long-term financial obligations.
It is our intention to evaluate the best uses of our cash flow that will yield the highest value and return on capital. Our capital deployment strategy is prioritized as follows:
Reinvest in the core business. We expect to continue to focus on funding growth initiatives that generate increased profitability, revenue, and cash flows. Our primary internal growth initiative is to increase our funeral and cemetery preneed backlog to grow the Company over the long-term. We will also invest in the construction of funeral home facilities and in the construction of cemetery property to promote future cemetery sales growth. Lastly, from time to time we may have other smaller capital projects, primarily related to the improvement of processes and systems.
Invest in acquisitions. We intend to make acquisitions of funeral homes and cemeteries when pricing and terms are favorable. We expect an acquisition investment to earn an after-tax cash return that is in excess of our weighted average cost of capital with room for execution risk. We target businesses with favorable consumer segments and/or where we can achieve additional economies of scale.
Repurchase shares. Absent a strategic acquisition opportunity, we believe share repurchases are attractive at the appropriate price. Currently, we have approximately $190.1 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.
Pay a dividend. Beginning in November 2007, we began to pay 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 common share and on February 13, 2013, approved a quarterly dividend of $0.06 per common share. We intend to continue to grow our cash dividend commensurate with the growth of our free cash flow. 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.
Repurchase debt. While the Company has no significant debt maturities until April 2015, we will seek to make open market debt repurchases when it is opportunistic to do so relative to other capital deployment opportunities in order to manage our near-term debt maturity profile.
Our bank credit facility expires in March 2016 and we believe we will be able to successfully renew this facility at the appropriate time. Our long-term liquidity profile assumes that we will have access to the capital markets to refinance our long term debt if, and when, we choose to do so. The Company has a relatively consistent annual cash flow stream which is generally resistant to down economic cycles. This cash flow stream is available to substantially reduce our long-term debt maturities should we choose to do so. Furthermore, the Company's capital expenditures are generally discretionary in nature and can be managed based on the availability of operating cash flow.
Cash Flow

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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 $55.3 million to $151.1 million in the first quarter of 2013 from $95.8 million in the same period of 2012. This increase was driven by:
a $64.7 million increase in cash receipts from customers as a result of higher atneed and preneed sales;
a $9.6 million increase in net trust fund withdrawals; partially offset by,
a $7.5 million increase in vendor payments;
a $4.6 million increase in payroll;
a $3.9 million increase in cash tax payments; and
a $1.3 million decrease in General Agency (GA) receipts.
Investing Activities
Cash flows from investing activities used $20.4 million in the first quarter of 2013 compared to using $22.7 million in the same period of 2012. This decrease was primarily attributable to an increase of $1.6 million in cash receipts from divestitures and asset sales, a $0.8 million decrease in capital expenditures, and a $0.8 million decrease in cash spent on acquisitions; partially offset by a $0.9 million decrease in net withdrawals of restricted funds.
Financing Activities
Financing activities used $34.3 million in the first quarter of 2013 compared to using $89.1 million in the same period of 2012. This decrease was primarily driven by a $73.4 million decrease in the repurchases of company stock, partially offset by an $8.3 million increase in purchases of Neptune Society noncontrolling interest, a $4.5 million increase in debt payments, a $4.4 million increase in bank overdrafts and other, and a $1.6 million increase in payments of dividends.
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.
 
March 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(Dollars in millions)
Preneed funeral
$
104.5

 
$
110.1

Preneed cemetery:

 
 
 Merchandise and services
110.6

 
114.6

 Pre-construction
4.2

 
7.2

Bonds supporting preneed funeral and cemetery obligations
219.3

 
231.9

Bonds supporting preneed business permits
3.0

 
2.9

Other bonds
18.1

 
17.2

Total surety bonds outstanding
$
240.4

 
$
252.0

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 the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, we had $4.4 million and $4.8 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

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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 table below details our results of preneed funeral and cemetery production and maturities, excluding insurance contracts, for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012.
 
North America
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
(Dollars in millions)
Funeral:
 
 
 
Preneed trust-funded (including bonded):
 
 
 
Sales production
$
46.3

 
$
37.7

Sales production (number of contracts)
17,253

 
14,077

Maturities
$
50.9

 
$
56.1

Maturities (number of contracts)
14,636

 
14,235

Cemetery:
 
 
 
Sales production:
 
 
 
Preneed
$
133.2

 
$
124.5

Atneed
63.3

 
59.4

Total sales production
$
196.5

 
$
183.9

Sales production deferred to backlog:
 
 
 
Preneed
$
49.2

 
$
55.2

Atneed
47.7

 
45.4

Total sales production deferred to backlog
$
96.9

 
$
100.6

Revenue recognized from backlog:
 
 
 
Preneed
$
35.9

 
$
32.3

Atneed
45.5

 
44.0

Total revenue recognized from backlog
$
81.4

 
$
76.3


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. As the insurance contract is between the insurance company and the customer, 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 months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, and the number of contracts associated with those transactions.

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North America
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
(Dollars in millions)
Preneed funeral insurance-funded:
 
 
 
Sales production (1)
$
137.9

 
$
134.4

Sales production (number of contracts) (1)
24,134

 
22,776

General Agency revenue
$
25.2

 
$
23.3

Maturities
$
92.7

 
$
83.1

Maturities (number of contracts)
16,305

 
14,672

(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 March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012. Additionally, the table reflects our backlog of unfulfilled insurance-funded contracts (which are not included in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet) at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012. 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 (fair value and cost basis) 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.
 
March 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
Fair Value
 
Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Cost
 
 
 
(Dollars in billions)
 
 
Deferred preneed funeral revenues
$
0.52

 
$
0.52

 
$
0.53

 
$
0.53

Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust
1.36

 
1.30

 
1.34

 
1.32

 
$
1.88

 
$
1.82

 
$
1.87

 
$
1.85

Allowance for cancellation on trust investments
(0.16
)
 
(0.15
)
 
(0.15
)
 
(0.15
)
Backlog of trust-funded preneed funeral revenues
$
1.72

 
$
1.67

 
$
1.72

 
$
1.70

Backlog of insurance-funded preneed funeral revenues (1)
3.71

 
3.71

 
3.68

 
3.68

Total backlog of preneed funeral revenues
$
5.43

 
$
5.38

 
$
5.40

 
$
5.38

Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments
$
1.56

 
$
1.56

 
$
1.54

 
$
1.52

Allowance for cancellation on trust investments
(0.15
)
 
(0.15
)
 
(0.14
)
 
(0.14
)
Assets associated with backlog of trust-funded deferred preneed funeral revenues, net of estimated allowance for cancellation
$
1.41

 
$
1.41

 
$
1.40

 
$
1.38

Insurance policies associated with insurance-funded deferred preneed funeral revenues, net of estimated allowance for cancellation (1)
3.71

 
3.71

 
3.68

 
3.68

Total assets associated with backlog of preneed funeral revenues, net of estimated allowance for cancellation
$
5.12

 
$
5.12

 
$
5.08

 
$
5.06

Deferred preneed cemetery revenues
$
0.88

 
$
0.88

 
$
0.86

 
$
0.86

Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust
1.35

 
1.23

 
1.29

 
1.23

 
$
2.23

 
$
2.11

 
$
2.15

 
$
2.09

Allowance for cancellation on trust investments
(0.15
)
 
(0.15
)
 
(0.15
)
 
(0.15
)
Total backlog of deferred cemetery revenues
$
2.08

 
$
1.96

 
$
2.00

 
$
1.94

Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments
$
1.89

 
$
1.77

 
$
1.82

 
$
1.76

Allowance for cancellation on trust investments
(0.16
)
 
(0.16
)
 
(0.16
)
 
(0.16
)
Total assets associated with backlog of deferred cemetery revenues, net of estimated allowance for cancellation
$
1.73

 
$
1.61

 
$
1.66

 
$
1.60



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(1)
Amounts are not included in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet.

The fair 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.
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 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 indirectly through SCI's wholly-owned registered 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 is based on the liability structure of each funeral, cemetery, and perpetual care trust. 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 March 31, 2013, 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. Insurance backed fixed income investments preserve the principal, guarantee annual appreciation, and reduce overall portfolio volatility.
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

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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 March 31, 2013, 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 long-term in duration. These investments are diversified by strategy, sector, manager, and vintage year. Private equity exposure is accessed through limited liability companies (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 March 31, 2013, the Standard and Poor’s 500 Index increased approximately 14.0% and the Barclay’s Aggregate Index increased approximately 3.8%, while the combined SCI trusts increased approximately 11.2%.
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.

Results of Operations — Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012
Management Summary
Key highlights in the first quarter of 2013 were as follows:
Funeral gross profit increased $20.1 million, or 20.1%, primarily due to higher funeral services performed and average revenue per funeral service, along with an increase in preneed revenues for items that are delivered at the the time of sale; and
Cemetery gross profit increased $11.9 million, or 43.1%, primarily due to an increase in cemetery preneed sales and an increase in trust fund income.

Results of Operations
In the first quarter of 2013, we reported net income attributable to common stockholders of $57.6 million ($0.27 per diluted share) compared to net income attributable to common stockholders in the first quarter of 2012 of $48.0 million ($0.22 per diluted share). These results were impacted by the following items:
 
2013
 
2012
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Net after-tax losses from the sale of assets
$
(573
)
 
$
(354
)
After-tax expenses related to system and process transition costs
$
(695
)
 
$
(35
)
After-tax expenses related to legal defense fees
$
(804
)
 
$

Change in certain tax reserves and other
$
(890
)
 
$
3,326

Consolidated Versus Comparable Results
The table below reconciles our consolidated GAAP results to our comparable, or “same store,” results for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012. We define comparable operations (or same store operations) as those funeral and cemetery locations that were owned for the entire period beginning January 1, 2012 and ending March 31, 2013. The following tables present operating results for funeral and cemetery locations that were owned by us during this period.

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Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
 
Consolidated
 
Less:
Results Associated with Acquisition/New Construction
 
Less:
Results Associated with Divestitures
 
Comparable
 
 
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
 
North America Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funeral revenue
 
$
460.2

 
$
8.5

 
$
0.2

 
$
451.5

Cemetery revenue
 
190.3

 

 
(0.1
)
 
190.4

 
 
650.5

 
8.5

 
0.1

 
641.9

Germany revenue
 
1.9

 

 

 
1.9

Total revenue
 
$
652.4

 
$
8.5

 
$
0.1

 
$
643.8

North America Gross Profits
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funeral gross profits (losses)
 
$
119.8

 
$
1.5

 
$
(0.3
)
 
$
118.6

Cemetery gross profits (losses)
 
39.5

 

 
(0.4
)
 
39.9

 
 
159.3

 
1.5

 
(0.7
)
 
158.5

Germany gross profits
 
0.3

 

 

 
0.3

Total gross profits (losses)
 
$
159.6

 
$
1.5

 
$
(0.7
)
 
$
158.8

Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
 
Consolidated
 
Less:
Results Associated with Acquisition/New Construction
 
Less:
Results Associated with Divestitures
 
Comparable
 
 
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
 
North America Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funeral revenue
 
$
422.5

 
$
0.1

 
$
1.2

 
$
421.2

Cemetery revenue
 
178.2

 

 
0.3

 
177.9

 
 
600.7

 
0.1

 
1.5

 
599.1

Germany revenue
 
1.8

 

 

 
1.8

Total revenue
 
$
602.5

 
$
0.1

 
$
1.5

 
$
600.9

North America Gross Profits
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funeral gross profits (losses)
 
$
100.2

 
$
(0.1
)
 
$
(0.8
)
 
$
101.1

Cemetery gross profits
 
27.6

 

 
0.2

 
27.4

 
 
127.8

 
(0.1
)
 
(0.6
)
 
128.5

Germany gross losses
 
(0.2
)
 

 

 
(0.2
)
Total gross profits (losses)
 
$
127.6

 
$
(0.1
)
 
$
(0.6
)
 
$
128.3


The following table provides the data necessary to calculate our consolidated average revenue per funeral service for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012. We calculate average revenue per funeral service by dividing consolidated funeral revenue, excluding General Agency (GA) revenues, recognized preneed 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.

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Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
(Dollars in millions,
except average
revenue per funeral service)
Consolidated funeral revenue
$
462.1

 
$
424.3

Less: Funeral consolidated recognized preneed revenue(1)
18.9

 
13.7

Less: Consolidated GA revenue
25.2

 
23.3

Less: Other revenue
4.6

 
2.8

Adjusted consolidated funeral revenue
$
413.4

 
$
384.5

Consolidated funeral services performed
79,788

 
74,706

Consolidated average revenue per funeral service
$
5,181

 
$
5,147

(1)
Recognized preneed revenue represents preneed sales of items that are delivered at the time of sale, including memorial merchandise and travel protection insurance.

The following table provides the data necessary to calculate our comparable average revenue per funeral service for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012. We calculate average revenue per funeral service by dividing comparable funeral revenue, excluding comparable GA revenues, recognized preneed 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
 
March 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
(Dollars in millions,
except average
revenue per funeral service)
Comparable funeral revenue
$
453.4

 
$
423.0

Less: Funeral comparable recognized preneed revenue(1)
17.9

 
13.6

Less: Comparable GA revenue
25.0

 
23.3

Less: Other revenue
4.5

 
3.0

Adjusted comparable funeral revenue
$
406.0

 
$
383.1

Comparable funeral services performed
77,716

 
74,518

Comparable average revenue per funeral service
$
5,224

 
$
5,141

(1)
Recognized preneed revenue represents preneed sales of items that are delivered at the time of sale, including memorial merchandise and travel protection insurance.
Funeral Results
Funeral Revenue
Consolidated revenues from funeral operations were $462.1 million in the first quarter of 2013 compared to $424.3 million for the same period in 2012. This increase is primarily attributable to a $30.4 million increase in comparable revenues described below and $8.4 million of additional revenues as the result of acquisitions in 2012. These increases were partially offset by a decline of $1.0 million in revenues contributed by non-strategic assets that were divested throughout 2013 and 2012. Comparable revenues from funeral operations were $453.4 million in the first quarter of 2013 compared to $423.0 million for the same period in 2012. This increase was primarily due to the 4.3% increase in the number of comparable funeral services described below and the increase in average funeral revenue per funeral service described below, as well as increased recognized preneed revenues for items that are delivered at the time of sale, and higher General Agency revenues.
Funeral Services Performed
Our consolidated funeral services performed increased 6.8% during the first quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012, primarily as the result of acquisitions in 2012 and a 4.3% increase in comparable funeral services performed. We believe this increase is consistent with trends experienced by other funeral service providers and industry vendors. Our comparable

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cremation rate of 48.9% in the first quarter of 2013 increased from 48.3% in 2012. This growth in comparable cremations was generated equally by cremations with service and direct cremations. While the average revenue for cremations of either type is lower than that for traditional burials, we continue to expand our cremation memorialization product and service offerings, which have resulted in higher average sales for cremation services.
Average Revenue Per Funeral Service
Our consolidated average revenue per funeral service increased $34, or 0.7%, in the first quarter of 2013 compared to 2012, primarily due to an increase in comparable average revenue per funeral service described below and partially offset by an increase in the number of cremations. Our comparable average revenue per funeral service increased $83, or 1.6%, in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. This increase in comparable average revenue per funeral service is primarily from initiatives centered around better consumer choice and flexibility, such as enhanced Dignity packaging, increased receptions and events offerings, and expansion of floral offerings through e-commerce solutions. Excluding an unfavorable Canadian currency impact and higher funeral trust fund income, the average revenue per funeral service grew approximately 1.1% despite an increase in cremation rates. The addition of Neptune Society fulfilled contracts to our comparable results (which include only the cremation service component in our comparable analysis) has accelerated our cremation mix change and put slight downward pressure on our total average revenue per service.
Funeral Gross Profits
Consolidated funeral gross profits increased $20.1 million, or 20.1%, in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. This increase is primarily attributable to an $18.0 million increase in comparable gross profits described below, $1.6 million of additional gross profits related to acquisitions that occurred in 2012, and $0.5 million decrease in losses by non-strategic assets that were divested throughout 2013 and 2012.
Comparable funeral gross profits increased $18.0 million, or 17.8%, and the comparable gross margin percentage increased from 23.9% to 26.2% in the first quarter of 2013 when compared to the same period in 2012 primarily as a result of the increase in comparable revenue described above, partially offset by the following:
a $4.8 million increase in direct costs of services performed as a result of the increase in funeral revenue described above;
a $4.1 million increase in selling costs as a result of higher production;
a $1.8 million increase in general and administrative expense; and
a $1.2 million increase in facility expense driven by the increase in funeral services performed described above.
Cemetery Results
Cemetery Revenue
Consolidated revenues from our cemetery operations increased $12.1 million, or 6.8%, in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012, primarily as a result of the increase in comparable revenues described below. This increase was partially offset by a decline of $0.4 million in revenues contributed by non-strategic assets that were divested throughout 2013 and 2012. Comparable cemetery revenues increased $12.5 million, or 7.0%, primarily as a result of higher cemetery preneed property sales and increased trust fund income.
Cemetery Gross Profits
Consolidated cemetery gross profits increased $11.9 million, or 43.1%, in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. This increase is primarily the result of the increase in comparable gross profits described below, partially offset by a decline of $0.6 million in profits contributed by non-strategic assets that were divested throughout 2013 and 2012.
Comparable cemetery gross profits increased $12.5 million, or 45.6%, and gross margin percentage increased from 15.4% to 21.0% in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. This increase is primarily the result of higher cemetery revenues described above and a benefit of $1.9 million for insurance claim settlements, partially offset by a $2.0 million increase in selling costs related to increased sales production.
Other Financial Statement Items
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses increased $4.9 million to $30.9 million during the first quarter of 2013 compared to $26.0 million for the same period in 2012. This increase is primarily due to $2.5 million of incremental long-term incentive compensation costs related to total shareholder return as well as a $2.5 million increase in legal fees.

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Losses on Divestitures and Impairment Charges, net
     We recognized a $1.0 million net pre-tax loss on divestitures and impairment charges in the first quarter of 2013 primarily due to losses on the final settlement of an indemnification liability related to our former operations in Spain. In the first quarter of 2012, we recognized a $0.5 million net pre-tax loss on divestitures and impairment charges due to the sale of non-strategic locations in North America.
Other (Expense) Income, Net
Other (expense) income, net decreased $4.9 million to an expense of $1.0 million during first quarter of 2013, primarily due to a favorable foreign currency impact from liability settlements between the U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries in the first quarter of 2012.
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 37.5% and 32.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The lower effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2012 is primarily due to the benefits associated with the settlement of a tax audit. The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2013 is above the 35% federal statutory tax rate due to state tax expense which is partially offset by foreign earnings taxed at lower rates.
Weighted Average Shares
The diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding was 215.2 million during the first three months ended March 31, 2013, compared to 223.2 million in the same period of 2012. 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, 2012.
No other significant changes to our accounting policies have occurred subsequent to December 31, 2012, 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:
Our affiliated funeral and cemetery trust funds own investments in equity securities, fixed income securities, and mutual funds, which are affected by market conditions that are beyond our control.
We may be required to replenish our affiliated funeral and cemetery trust funds in order to meet minimum funding requirements, which would have a negative effect on our earnings and cash flow.
Our ability to execute our strategic plan depends on many factors, some of which are beyond our control.  
Our credit agreements contain covenants that may prevent us from engaging in certain transactions. 

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If we lost the ability to use surety bonding to support our preneed funeral and preneed cemetery activities, we may be required to make material cash payments to fund certain trust funds.
The funeral home and cemetery industry continues to be increasingly competitive.
Increasing death benefits related to preneed funeral contracts funded through life insurance or annuity contracts may not cover future increases in the cost of providing a price-guaranteed funeral service. 
The financial condition of third-party insurance companies that fund our preneed funeral contracts may impact our future revenues.
Unfavorable results of litigation, including currently pending class action cases concerning cemetery or burial practices, could have a material adverse impact on our financial statements.
Unfavorable publicity could affect our reputation and business.
If the number of deaths in our markets declines, our cash flows and revenues may decrease.
If we are not able to respond effectively to changing consumer preferences, our market share, revenues and profitability could decrease.
The continuing upward trend in the number of cremations performed in North America could result in lower revenues and gross profit. 
Our funeral home and cemetery businesses are high fixed-cost businesses. 
Regulation and compliance could have a material adverse impact on our financial results.
Increased costs, including potential increased health care costs, may have a negative impact on earnings and cash flows.
Cemetery burial practice claims could have a material adverse impact on our financial results. 
A number of years may elapse before particular tax matters, for which we have established accruals, are audited and finally resolved.
Declines in overall economic conditions beyond our control could reduce future potential earnings and cash flows and could result in future goodwill impairments and /or other intangible assets.
For further information on these and other risks and uncertainties, see our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which was filed February 13, 2013. 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 March 31, 2013 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
As of March 31, 2013, 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 March 31, 2013 and that the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

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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, 2012.


Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
On March 28, 2013, we issued 1,000 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.
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
January 1, 2013 - January 31, 2013

 
$

 

 
$
190,132,279

February 1, 2013 - February 28, 2013

 
$

 

 
$
190,132,279

March 1, 2013 - March 31, 2013(1)
109,203

 
$
15.65

 

 
$
190,132,279

 
109,203

 
 
 

 
 
(1)    The 109,203 shares purchased in March 2013 that were not part of the publicly announced programs represent restricted stock that was redeemed by certain employees in lieu of tax liability withholdings, which do not affect our share repurchase program.
As of March 31, 2013, the remaining dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under our currently approved share repurchase program was approximately $190.1 million.


Item 6. Exhibits
12.1
 
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012.
 
 
 
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
 
Interactive data file.


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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.
April 25, 2013
 
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 months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012.
 
 
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
Interactive data file.


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