LifePoint Hospitals Q4 EPS Flat; To Buy Back Shares

(RTTNews) - LifePoint Hospitals Inc.'s (LPNT) fourth-quarter income from continuing operations attributable to LifePoint Hospitals stockholders edged down to $35.9 million or $0.75 a share from last year's $36.5 million or $0.76 a share. However, earnings per share, including discontinued operations, remained flat at $0.75.

On average, 21 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected earnings of $0.80 per share for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

The company said its fourth-quarter revenues from continuing operations grew 6.6 percent to $952.6 million from $893.3 million. Analysts expected revenues of $942.67 million for the quarter.

Looking to the full year 2014, the company expects earnings per share of $2.38 - $2.78, on revenues of $4.0 billion - $4.1 billion.

In addition, the company said its board authorized a new stock repurchase program, allowing repurchases of up to $150.0 million of its common stock during the period commencing on April 1, 2014, through October 1, 2015.