OVERLAND PARK, Kan., June 9, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. (NYSE:FGP) today reported strong financial results for the fiscal 2014 third quarter ended April 30, with Adjusted EBITDA and gross profit reaching record levels.
Adjusted EBITDA improved to $99.8 million from $98.5 million in the year-earlier quarter. Distributable cash flow to equity investors was $75.7 million producing distributable cash flow coverage on the partnership's quarterly distribution of 1.2x. Gross profit increased 3% to $230.5 million on anticipated margin improvement.
Reflecting the third-quarter performance and the establishment of midstream operations in May 2014, the partnership raised its fiscal 2014 Adjusted EBITDA guidance to a record $285 million to $290 million, up from previously provided guidance of $275 million to $285 million. The partnership posted record Adjusted EBITDA of $272 million for fiscal 2013.
President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Wambold pointed out, "I am extremely pleased with the way our propane operations team performed during what proved to be a very challenging quarter. While temperatures in the quarter were 5% colder than a year ago, the partnership contended with significant propane supply and infrastructure challenges that negatively impacted our efficiency metrics. However, these same industry challenges provided the partnership the opportunity to acquire many new customers due to service failures experienced by other providers."
Propane sales volumes for the quarter were 257.9 million gallons, slightly below a year ago, but consistent with planned levels. This year's winter heating season was more evenly spread over the partnership's fiscal second and third quarters contrasted with last year, which was heavily concentrated in the fiscal third quarter.
Operating expense in the quarter was $113.9 million, compared to $107.2 million in the year-earlier quarter, primarily reflecting the increased cost associated with meeting customer demand while contending with seasonably cold temperatures and propane supply shortages. General and administrative expense decreased to $12.2 million from $13.4 million, but excluding the timing of performance-based incentives was materially in line with the prior-year quarter. Interest expense declined 9% to $20.2 million, reflecting the favorable long-term debt refinancing completed last fall.
Wambold further commented, "Blue Rhino posted a strong start to the grilling season this quarter, as sales transactions grew by more than 18% over prior year levels. The partnership continued to experience increased sales transactions in May from its Blue Rhino brand and we believe that this positive momentum will continue throughout the summer grilling season."
For the nine-month period ended April 30, Adjusted EBITDA improved to $262.6 million from $246.2 million a year ago, while distributable cash flow increased to $190.6 million from $180.3 million. Propane sales volumes grew 6%, exceeding planned levels on nationwide temperatures that were 6% colder than normal. Gross profit rose 7% to $642.9 million, driven by higher sales volumes and, to a lesser extent, margins that improved $0.01 per gallon.
On May 1, the partnership announced the acquisition of Sable Environmental, LLC and a related entity ("Sable"), a fast-growing privately held fluid logistics provider in the Eagle Ford Shale region of South Texas. The acquisition, which prompted the establishment of a midstream division, demonstrated the partnership's commitment to strategic diversification and growth of cash flow.
On June 6, the partnership amended its secured credit facility to better facilitate its strategic focus on further business diversification. Immediately following the amendment, the partnership increased the size of this facility from $500 million to $600 million providing increased liquidity for future acquisitions.
Wambold reported, "Sable's management has hit the ground running, performing ahead of plan while capitalizing on growth opportunities. In May, the partnership acquired a sixth salt water disposal site and began construction of a seventh site that will be operational in the fall of 2014 supporting the growth of our customer base. The partnership estimates the Sable operations will contribute $25 million of Adjusted EBITDA in fiscal 2015." He added, "The business development team is assessing numerous opportunities to expand these operations and to further diversify cash flows from other lines of business. We look forward to further progress in this area in fiscal 2015."
On May 5, Ferrellgas acquired Viking Propane, based in Madison, Calif., which enhances the partnership's strong California presence, extending the service territory west of Sacramento. Viking represents the fourth retail propane acquisition in the current fiscal year that began August 1. Wambold observed, "The pipeline for propane acquisitions remains robust, and the partnership is confident it can increase its retail propane footprint not only through acquisitions, but also through organic growth."
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., through its operating partnership, Ferrellgas, L.P., and subsidiaries, serves propane customers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and provides mainstream services to major energy companies in the United States. Ferrellgas employees indirectly own more than 21 million common units of the partnership through an employee stock ownership plan. More information about the partnership can be found online at www.ferrellgas.com.
Statements in this release concerning expectations for the future are forward-looking statements. A variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause results, performance and expectations to differ materially from anticipated results, performance and expectations. These risks, uncertainties and other factors are discussed in the Form 10-K of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp., Ferrellgas, L.P., and Ferrellgas Finance Corp. for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2013, the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 30, 2014 and in other documents filed from time to time by these entities with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
| FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||||||
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS | ||||||
| FOR THE THREE, NINE AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2014 AND 2013 | ||||||
| (in thousands, except per unit data) | ||||||
| (unaudited) | ||||||
| Three months ended | Nine months ended | Twelve months ended | ||||
| April 30 | April 30 | April 30 | ||||
| 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | |
| Revenues: | ||||||
| Propane and other gas liquids sales | $ 625,117 | $ 508,408 | $ 1,796,786 | $ 1,426,763 | $ 2,109,290 | $ 1,737,278 |
| Other | 97,000 | 94,612 | 210,044 | 198,031 | 248,213 | 229,291 |
| Total revenues | 722,117 | 603,020 | 2,006,830 | 1,624,794 | 2,357,503 | 1,966,569 |
| Cost of product sold: | ||||||
| Propane and other gas liquids sales | 422,256 | 313,207 | 1,232,516 | 903,100 | 1,421,677 | 1,099,743 |
| Other | 69,388 | 66,714 | 131,443 | 123,348 | 152,551 | 138,460 |
| Gross profit | 230,473 | 223,099 | 642,871 | 598,346 | 783,275 | 728,366 |
| Operating expense (including $126 of severance charges for the twelve month period ended April 30, 2013) | 113,923 | 107,188 | 333,632 | 309,221 | 434,470 | 409,227 |
| Depreciation and amortization expense | 20,913 | 20,896 | 61,771 | 62,522 | 82,593 | 83,524 |
| General and administrative expense (including $166 of severance charges for the twelve month period ended April 30, 2013) | 12,194 | 13,432 | 35,070 | 32,396 | 44,701 | 40,841 |
| Equipment lease expense | 4,638 | 4,098 | 12,978 | 11,848 | 17,113 | 15,650 |
| Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge | 3,710 | 2,824 | 10,389 | 12,673 | 13,485 | 15,394 |
| Non-cash stock and unit-based compensation charge (a) | 5,832 | 2,222 | 16,182 | 8,434 | 21,293 | 12,410 |
| Loss on disposal of assets and other | 1,732 | 3,337 | 3,426 | 5,728 | 8,119 | 9,711 |
| Operating income | 67,531 | 69,102 | 169,423 | 155,524 | 161,501 | 141,609 |
| Interest expense | (20,189) | (22,084) | (64,372) | (67,138) | (86,379) | (89,488) |
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | -- | -- | (21,202) | -- | (21,202) | -- |
| Other income, net | 225 | 185 | 498 | 517 | 546 | 775 |
| Earnings before income taxes | 47,567 | 47,203 | 84,347 | 88,903 | 54,466 | 52,896 |
| Income tax expense | 1,677 | 2,023 | 2,391 | 2,676 | 1,570 | 2,519 |
| Net earnings | 45,890 | 45,180 | 81,956 | 86,227 | 52,896 | 50,377 |
| Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest (b) | 505 | 499 | 950 | 997 | 694 | 676 |
| Net earnings attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. | 45,385 | 44,681 | 81,006 | 85,230 | 52,202 | 49,701 |
| Less: General partner's interest in net earnings | 454 | 447 | 810 | 852 | 522 | 497 |
| Common unitholders' interest in net earnings | $ 44,931 | $ 44,234 | $ 80,196 | $ 84,378 | $ 51,680 | $ 49,204 |
| Earnings Per Unit | ||||||
| Basic and diluted net earnings per common unitholders' interest | $ 0.57 | $ 0.56 | $ 1.01 | $ 1.07 | $ 0.65 | $ 0.62 |
| Weighted average common units outstanding | 79,177.8 | 79,054.4 | 79,127.1 | 79,027.5 | 79,113.2 | 79,018.5 |
| Supplemental Data and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Items: | ||||||
| Three months ended | Nine months ended | Twelve months ended | ||||
| April 30 | April 30 | April 30 | ||||
| 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | |
| Net earnings attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. | $ 45,385 | $ 44,681 | $ 81,006 | $ 85,230 | $ 52,202 | $ 49,701 |
| Income tax expense | 1,677 | 2,023 | 2,391 | 2,676 | 1,570 | 2,519 |
| Interest expense | 20,189 | 22,084 | 64,372 | 67,138 | 86,379 | 89,488 |
| Depreciation and amortization expense | 20,913 | 20,896 | 61,771 | 62,522 | 82,593 | 83,524 |
| EBITDA | 88,164 | 89,684 | 209,540 | 217,566 | 222,744 | 225,232 |
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | -- | -- | 21,202 | -- | 21,202 | -- |
| Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge | 3,710 | 2,824 | 10,389 | 12,673 | 13,485 | 15,394 |
| Non-cash stock and unit-based compensation charge (a) | 5,832 | 2,222 | 16,182 | 8,434 | 21,293 | 12,410 |
| Loss on disposal of assets and other | 1,732 | 3,337 | 3,426 | 5,728 | 8,119 | 9,711 |
| Other income, net | (225) | (185) | (498) | (517) | (546) | (775) |
| Severance costs | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 292 |
| Litigation accrual and related legal fees associated with a class action lawsuit | 97 | 113 | 1,422 | 1,338 | 1,652 | 1,338 |
| Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest (b) | 505 | 499 | 950 | 997 | 694 | 676 |
| Adjusted EBITDA (c) | 99,815 | 98,494 | 262,613 | 246,219 | 288,643 | 264,278 |
| Net cash interest expense (d) | (19,941) | (20,631) | (61,507) | (62,829) | (82,173) | (83,656) |
| Maintenance capital expenditures (e) | (4,762) | (3,466) | (13,345) | (10,996) | (17,419) | (15,522) |
| Cash paid for taxes | (225) | (43) | (403) | (88) | (865) | (752) |
| Proceeds from asset sales | 785 | 1,850 | 3,267 | 8,013 | 5,234 | 9,441 |
| Distributable cash flow to equity investors (f) | 75,672 | 76,204 | 190,625 | 180,319 | 193,420 | 173,789 |
| Distributable cash flow to general partner and non-controlling interest | 1,513 | 1,524 | 3,813 | 3,606 | 3,868 | 3,476 |
| Distributable cash flow to common unitholder | 74,159 | 74,680 | 186,812 | 176,713 | 189,552 | 170,313 |
| Less: Distributions paid | 39,594 | 39,536 | 118,702 | 118,552 | 158,237 | 158,054 |
| Distributable cash flow excess | $ 34,565 | $ 35,144 | $ 68,110 | $ 58,161 | $ 31,315 | $ 12,259 |
| Propane gallons sales | ||||||
| Retail - Sales to End Users | 185,961 | 196,009 | 558,142 | 542,688 | 653,377 | 637,719 |
| Wholesale - Sales to Resellers | 71,963 | 71,113 | 233,664 | 202,396 | 294,715 | 258,237 |
| Total propane gallons sales | 257,924 | 267,122 | 791,806 | 745,084 | 948,092 | 895,956 |
| (a) Non-cash stock and unit-based compensation charges consist of the following: | ||||||
| Three months ended | Nine months ended | Twelve months ended | ||||
| April 30 | April 30 | April 30 | ||||
| 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | |
| Operating expense | $ 1,166 | $ 422 | $ 3,503 | $ 1,726 | $ 4,168 | 2,521 |
| General and administrative expense | 4,666 | 1,800 | 12,679 | 6,708 | 17,125 | 9,889 |
| Total | $ 5,832 | $ 2,222 | $ 16,182 | $ 8,434 | $ 21,293 | $ 12,410 |
| (b) Amounts allocated to the general partner for its 1.0101% interest in the operating partnership, Ferrellgas, L.P. |
| (c) Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as earnings before income tax expense, interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense, loss on extinguishment of debt, non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge, non-cash stock and unit-based compensation charge, loss on disposal of assets and other, other income, net, severance costs, litigation accrual and related legal fees associated with a class action lawsuit and net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest. Management believes the presentation of this measure is relevant and useful because it allows investors to view the partnership's performance in a manner similar to the method management uses, adjusted for items management believes makes it easier to compare its results with other companies that have different financing and capital structures. This method of calculating Adjusted EBITDA may not be consistent with that of other companies and should be viewed in conjunction with measurements that are computed in accordance with GAAP. |
| (d) Net cash interest expense is the sum of interest expense less non-cash interest expense and other income, net. This amount includes interest expense related to the accounts receivable securitization facility. |
| (e) Maintenance capital expenditures include capitalized expenditures for betterment and replacement of property, plant and equipment. |
| (f) Management considers distributable cash flow to equity investors a meaningful non-GAAP measure of the partnership's ability to declare and pay quarterly distributions to common unitholders. Distributable cash flow to equity investors, as management defines it, may not be comparable to distributable cash flow to equity investors or similarly titled measurements used by other corporations and partnerships. Items added into our calculation of distributable cash flow to equity investors that will not occur on a continuing basis may have associated cash payments Distributable cash flow to equity investors may not be consistent with that of other companies and should be viewed in conjunction with measurements that are computed in accordance with GAAP. |
| FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||
| CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||
| (in thousands, except unit data) | ||
| (unaudited) | ||
| ASSETS | April 30, 2014 | July 31, 2013 |
| Current Assets: | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ 134,397 | $ 6,464 |
| Accounts and notes receivable, net (including $230,798 and $130,025 of accounts receivable pledged as collateral at April 30, 2014 and July 31, 2013, respectively) | 247,576 | 131,791 |
| Inventories | 110,721 | 117,116 |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 37,496 | 25,608 |
| Total Current Assets | 530,190 | 280,979 |
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 584,991 | 589,727 |
| Goodwill | 253,331 | 253,362 |
| Intangible assets, net | 177,817 | 189,516 |
| Other assets, net | 43,540 | 42,444 |
| Total Assets | $ 1,589,869 | $ 1,356,028 |
| LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' DEFICIT | ||
| Current Liabilities: | ||
| Accounts payable | $ 79,105 | $ 49,128 |
| Short-term borrowings | 77,956 | 50,054 |
| Collateralized note payable | 155,000 | 82,000 |
| Other current liabilities | 129,124 | 121,102 |
| Total Current Liabilities | 441,185 | 302,284 |
| Long-term debt (a) | 1,205,370 | 1,106,940 |
| Other liabilities | 32,238 | 33,431 |
| Contingencies and commitments | -- | -- |
| Partners' Deficit: | ||
| Common unitholders (79,187,419 and 79,072,819 units outstanding at April 30, 2014 and July 31, 2013, respectively) | (39,292) | (28,931) |
| General partner unitholder (799,873 and 798,715 units outstanding at April 30, 2014 and July 31, 2013, respectively) | (60,467) | (60,362) |
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | 9,848 | 1,697 |
| Total Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. Partners' Deficit | (89,911) | (87,596) |
| Noncontrolling Interest | 987 | 969 |
| Total Partners' Deficit | (88,924) | (86,627) |
| Total Liabilities and Partners' Deficit | $ 1,589,869 | $ 1,356,028 |
| (a) The principal difference between the Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. balance sheet and that of Ferrellgas, L.P., is $182 million of 8.625% notes which are liabilities of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and not of Ferrellgas, L.P. | ||