Chemed Reports Mixed Q4 Results, Issues Strong 2026 EPS Guidance and Announces Significant Share Repurchase
CHE is trading near its 52-week low of $408.42 (14% above the low).
Summary
Chemed reported flat Q4 revenue and declining EPS, but issued strong 2026 EPS guidance, significantly reduced VITAS Medicare Cap limitations, and executed a substantial share repurchase.
Key Events · Earnings and Guidance · CHE
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Mixed Q4 2025 Financial Performance
Consolidated revenue was $639.3 million, essentially flat year-over-year. GAAP Diluted EPS decreased 9.0% to $5.48, and Adjusted Diluted EPS decreased 6.0% to $6.42.
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Strong 2026 EPS Guidance
The company forecasts full-year 2026 Adjusted Diluted EPS in the range of $23.25 to $24.25, a significant increase from $21.55 in 2025. Earnings trajectory is weighted towards the second half of the year.
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Significant Share Repurchase
Chemed repurchased 400,000 shares of its stock for $174.6 million during the fourth quarter of 2025, with approximately $127.3 million remaining under its authorization plan.
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Improved VITAS Outlook with Reduced Medicare Cap
VITAS Healthcare is estimated to see its Medicare Cap billing limitations decrease significantly to $9.5 million in calendar 2026, down from $27.2 million in 2025, with revenue expected to increase 5.5% to 6.5%.
Analysis · CHE · Industrial Applications And Services
Chemed Corporation reported a mixed fourth quarter for 2025, with consolidated revenue remaining flat and both GAAP and Adjusted Diluted EPS declining. However, the company provided robust guidance for 2026, projecting a notable increase in Adjusted Diluted EPS to a range of $23.25-$24.25, up from $21.55 in 2025. This positive outlook is significantly bolstered by an estimated reduction in VITAS's Medicare Cap billing limitations from $27.2 million in 2025 to $9.5 million in 2026, signaling a resolution to a key segment headwind. Additionally, the company demonstrated strong capital allocation by repurchasing $174.6 million in stock during the quarter, indicating management's confidence in future performance. Investors should monitor the execution of the 2026 guidance, particularly the expected second-half weighting of earnings and the recovery in the Roto-Rooter segment.
At the time of this filing, CHE was trading at $466.60 on NYSE in the Industrial Applications And Services sector, with a market capitalization of approximately $6.6B. The 52-week trading range was $408.42 to $623.61. This filing was assessed with positive market sentiment and an importance score of 8 out of 10.