OVERLAND PARK, Kan., June 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. (NYSE: FGP), one of the nation's largest distributors of propane, today reported operating results for its fiscal third quarter ended April 30, 2012.
Propane sales for the quarter outperformed operating conditions declining 11% to 226 million gallons despite temperatures that were 23% warmer than in the prior year's quarter. Revenues and gross profit directionally followed sales volumes declining to $629.6 million and $179.0 million, respectively while gross profit margins in the quarter improved nearly 6% to $0.79 per gallon sold reflecting lower wholesale prices.
Operating expense improved to $95.8 million, compared to $103.8 million in the prior year's quarter on lesser sales volumes and management's focus on long-term cost reductions. General and administrative expense improved to $9.0 million, contrasted with $17.9 million the year prior (which included $10.5 million in litigation reserves and related legal fees, partially offset by incentive accrual reversals). Excluding these prior year adjustments, G&A expense declined approximately $1 million this quarter primarily reflecting management's ongoing cost-reduction efforts. Equipment leasing expense of $3.8 million was materially in line with prior year levels while prior year financings reduced interest expense in the quarter by nearly $1.5 million to $23.5 million.
For the quarter, net earnings improved to $21.1 million, or $0.26 per unit, compared with $3.4 million, or $0.04 per unit, which included a loss on extinguishment of debt of $10.5 million, or $0.14 per unit. And while Adjusted EBITDA declined modestly to $70.8 million from $74.3 million in the prior year quarter, distributable cash flow was practically unchanged at $48.0 million.
"While the past winter proved to be most challenging for the propane industry with temperatures the second warmest in recorded history, several encouraging signs appeared in the third quarter," commented President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Wambold. "Positive momentum is carrying over into the fourth quarter and we expect to report improved operating results in the quarters to follow."
Wambold explained, "Although the warm temperatures adversely affected retail propane sales, they did spark an early start to the grilling season. Our Blue Rhino tank exchange posted strong same-store sales gains with large retailers and across all trades."
Also contributing to the optimistic outlook are the continued progress of the company's cost-reduction program and the recent decline in wholesale propane costs. "We are increasingly confident that we will reach, if not exceed, our goal of more than $20 million in annualized cost savings by the end of fiscal 2013," Wambold pointed out. "And, propane costs are currently 53 % below year-ago levels."
Year-to-date, revenues were practically unchanged at $2 billion. Total propane gallon sales declined 3% to 727 million despite temperatures that were 18% warmer than in the prior year. Gross profit was $511.9 million, compared with $563.1 million. Operating expense decreased to $299.0 million from $306.6 million, general and administrative expense totaled $28.7 million compared with $39.3 million. Equipment lease expense was unchanged at $10.8 million. Interest expense of $70.9 million was $7.3 million less than a year ago. Net earnings were $25.0 million, or $0.32 per unit, contrasted with a net loss of $2.5 million, or $0.04 per unit during the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA was $175.0 million and $217.5 million for the fiscal 2012 and 2011 nine-month periods, respectively.
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., through its operating partnership, Ferrellgas, L.P., serves approximately one million customers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Ferrellgas employees indirectly own nearly 22 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, 2011, and other documents filed from time to time by these entities with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contact:
Tom Colvin, Investor Relations, 913-661-1530
Scott Brockelmeyer, Media Relations, 913-661-1830
|
FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
|
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
|
|
(in thousands, except unit data)
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
April 30, 2012
|
|
July 31, 2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ 11,873
|
|
$ 7,437
|
|
Accounts and notes receivable, net
(including $194,762 and $112,509 of accounts
receivable pledged as collateral at April 30, 2012
and July 31, 2011, respectively)
|
|
193,016
|
|
159,532
|
|
Inventories
|
|
131,854
|
|
136,139
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
|
|
18,285
|
|
23,885
|
|
Total Current Assets
|
|
355,028
|
|
326,993
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment, net
|
|
635,881
|
|
642,205
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
248,944
|
|
248,944
|
|
Intangible assets, net
|
|
194,420
|
|
204,136
|
|
Other assets, net
|
|
39,967
|
|
38,308
|
|
Total Assets
|
|
$ 1,474,240
|
|
$ 1,460,586
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
$ 67,503
|
|
$ 67,541
|
|
Short-term borrowings
|
|
58,291
|
|
64,927
|
|
Collateralized note payable
|
|
134,000
|
|
61,000
|
|
Other current liabilities (a)
|
|
97,871
|
|
104,813
|
|
Total Current Liabilities
|
|
357,665
|
|
298,281
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt (a)
|
|
1,044,187
|
|
1,050,920
|
|
Other liabilities
|
|
23,622
|
|
23,068
|
|
Contingencies and commitments
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Partners' Capital:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common unitholders (78,965,469 and 75,966,353 units outstanding at
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 30, 2012 and July 31, 2011, respectively)
|
|
111,336
|
|
139,614
|
|
General partner unitholder (797,631 and 767,337 units outstanding at
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 30, 2012 and July 31, 2011, respectively)
|
|
(58,947)
|
|
(58,660)
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
|
|
(5,993)
|
|
4,633
|
|
Total Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. Partners' Capital
|
|
46,396
|
|
85,587
|
|
Noncontrolling Interest
|
|
2,370
|
|
2,730
|
|
Total Partners' Capital
|
|
48,766
|
|
88,317
|
|
Total Liabilities and Partners' Capital
|
|
$ 1,474,240
|
|
$ 1,460,586
|
|
(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.
|
|
FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
|
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
|
|
FOR THE THREE, NINE AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2012 AND 2011
|
|
(in thousands, except per unit data)
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended
|
|
Nine months ended
|
|
Twelve months ended
|
|
|
April 30
|
|
April 30
|
|
April 30
|
|
|
2012
|
|
2011
|
|
2012
|
|
2011
|
|
2012
|
|
2011
|
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Propane and other
gas liquids sales
|
|
$ 556,644
|
|
$ 647,709
|
|
$ 1,850,430
|
|
$ 1,790,511
|
|
$ 2,272,176
|
|
$ 2,102,791
|
|
Other
|
|
72,975
|
|
84,664
|
|
146,887
|
|
183,046
|
|
174,799
|
|
224,614
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
629,619
|
|
732,373
|
|
1,997,317
|
|
1,973,557
|
|
2,446,975
|
|
2,327,405
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of product sold:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Propane and other
gas liquids sales
|
|
401,521
|
|
483,101
|
|
1,405,243
|
|
1,299,003
|
|
1,715,584
|
|
1,496,321
|
|
Other
|
|
49,117
|
|
60,074
|
|
80,211
|
|
111,432
|
|
93,249
|
|
137,550
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
178,981
|
|
189,198
|
|
511,863
|
|
563,122
|
|
638,142
|
|
693,534
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expense (including $277, $500 and $500 of non-recurring severance charges for the three, nine and twelve month periods ended April 30, 2012, respectively)
|
|
95,822
|
|
103,813
|
|
298,974
|
|
306,635
|
|
399,620
|
|
406,647
|
|
Depreciation and amortization expense
|
|
21,123
|
|
20,030
|
|
62,839
|
|
60,395
|
|
84,930
|
|
80,864
|
|
General and administrative expense (including $113, $263 and $263 of non-recurring severance charges for the three, nine and twelve month periods ended April 30, 2012, respectively)
|
|
8,963
|
|
17,879
|
|
28,671
|
|
39,271
|
|
41,560
|
|
51,385
|
|
Equipment lease expense
|
|
3,789
|
|
3,650
|
|
10,846
|
|
10,842
|
|
14,439
|
|
14,123
|
|
Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge
|
|
2,203
|
|
2,591
|
|
6,719
|
|
7,967
|
|
8,909
|
|
10,328
|
|
Non-cash stock and unit-based compensation charge (b)
|
|
385
|
|
1,628
|
|
4,867
|
|
13,709
|
|
4,646
|
|
17,352
|
|
Loss on disposal of assets and other
|
|
1,220
|
|
463
|
|
2,052
|
|
834
|
|
4,851
|
|
3,839
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income
|
|
45,476
|
|
39,144
|
|
96,895
|
|
123,469
|
|
79,187
|
|
108,996
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
(23,471)
|
|
(24,933)
|
|
(70,904)
|
|
(78,205)
|
|
(94,584)
|
|
(104,645)
|
|
Loss on extinguishment of debt
|
|
-
|
|
(10,513)
|
|
-
|
|
(46,962)
|
|
-
|
|
(46,962)
|
|
Other income, net
|
|
201
|
|
243
|
|
248
|
|
509
|
|
306
|
|
486
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings (loss) before income taxes
|
|
22,206
|
|
3,941
|
|
26,239
|
|
(1,189)
|
|
(15,091)
|
|
(42,125)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax expense
|
|
1,144
|
|
572
|
|
1,285
|
|
1,288
|
|
1,238
|
|
1,198
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings (loss)
|
|
21,062
|
|
3,369
|
|
24,954
|
|
(2,477)
|
|
(16,329)
|
|
(43,323)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest (a)
|
|
255
|
|
196
|
|
377
|
|
264
|
|
1
|
|
(82)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.
|
|
20,807
|
|
3,173
|
|
24,577
|
|
(2,741)
|
|
(16,330)
|
|
(43,241)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less: General partner's interest in net earnings (loss)
|
|
208
|
|
32
|
|
246
|
|
(27)
|
|
(163)
|
|
(432)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common unitholders' interest in net earnings (loss)
|
|
$ 20,599
|
|
$ 3,141
|
|
$ 24,331
|
|
$ (2,714)
|
|
$ (16,167)
|
|
$ (42,809)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings (loss) Per Unit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted net earnings (loss) per common unitholders' interest
|
|
$ 0.26
|
|
$ 0.04
|
|
$ 0.32
|
|
$ (0.04)
|
|
$ (0.21)
|
|
$ (0.61)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common units outstanding
|
|
78,960.0
|
|
73,145.6
|
|
77,095.8
|
|
71,102.5
|
|
76,797.1
|
|
70,704.0
|
|
Supplemental Data and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Items:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended
|
|
Nine months ended
|
|
Twelve months ended
|
|
|
April 30
|
|
April 30
|
|
April 30
|
|
|
2012
|
|
2011
|
|
2012
|
|
2011
|
|
2012
|
|
2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.
|
|
$ 20,807
|
|
$ 3,173
|
|
$ 24,577
|
|
$ (2,741)
|
|
$ (16,330)
|
|
$ (43,241)
|
|
Income tax expense
|
|
1,144
|
|
572
|
|
1,285
|
|
1,288
|
|
1,238
|
|
1,198
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
23,471
|
|
24,933
|
|
70,904
|
|
78,205
|
|
94,584
|
|
104,645
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
expense
|
|
21,123
|
|
20,030
|
|
62,839
|
|
60,395
|
|
84,930
|
|
80,864
|
|
EBITDA
|
|
66,545
|
|
48,708
|
|
159,605
|
|
137,147
|
|
164,422
|
|
143,466
|
|
Loss on extinguishment of debt
|
|
-
|
|
10,513
|
|
-
|
|
46,962
|
|
-
|
|
46,962
|
|
Non-cash employee stock ownership
plan compensation charge
|
|
2,203
|
|
2,591
|
|
6,719
|
|
7,967
|
|
8,909
|
|
10,328
|
|
Non-cash stock and unit-based
compensation charge (b)
|
|
385
|
|
1,628
|
|
4,867
|
|
13,709
|
|
4,646
|
|
17,352
|
|
Loss on disposal of assets and other
|
|
1,220
|
|
463
|
|
2,052
|
|
834
|
|
4,851
|
|
3,839
|
|
Other income, net
|
|
(201)
|
|
(243)
|
|
(248)
|
|
(509)
|
|
(306)
|
|
(486)
|
|
Nonrecurring severance costs
|
|
390
|
|
-
|
|
763
|
|
-
|
|
763
|
|
-
|
|
Nonrecurring litigation reserve and
related legal fees
|
|
-
|
|
10,466
|
|
892
|
|
11,133
|
|
1,879
|
|
11,133
|
|
Net earnings (loss) attributable to
noncontrolling interest
|
|
255
|
|
196
|
|
377
|
|
264
|
|
1
|
|
(82)
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA (c)
|
|
70,797
|
|
74,322
|
|
175,027
|
|
217,507
|
|
185,165
|
|
232,512
|
|
Net cash interest expense (d)
|
|
(22,018)
|
|
(23,011)
|
|
(66,773)
|
|
(71,393)
|
|
(88,733)
|
|
(93,206)
|
|
Maintenance capital expenditures (e)
|
|
(2,680)
|
|
(4,073)
|
|
(11,518)
|
|
(11,921)
|
|
(15,034)
|
|
(16,306)
|
|
Cash paid for taxes
|
|
(10)
|
|
(119)
|
|
(100)
|
|
(34)
|
|
(657)
|
|
(642)
|
|
Proceeds from asset sales
|
|
1,940
|
|
1,073
|
|
4,314
|
|
4,273
|
|
6,035
|
|
8,896
|
|
Distributable cash flow to equity investors (f)
|
|
$ 48,029
|
|
$ 48,192
|
|
$ 100,950
|
|
$ 138,432
|
|
$ 86,776
|
|
$ 131,254
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Propane gallons sales
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retail - Sales to End Users
|
|
167,462
|
|
190,009
|
|
524,287
|
|
559,797
|
|
619,898
|
|
649,855
|
|
Wholesale - Sales to Resellers
|
|
58,421
|
|
62,441
|
|
202,971
|
|
189,373
|
|
257,873
|
|
241,062
|
|
Total propane gallons sales
|
|
225,883
|
|
252,450
|
|
727,258
|
|
749,170
|
|
877,771
|
|
890,917
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) Amounts allocated to the general partner for its 1.0101% interest in the operating partnership, Ferrellgas, L.P.
|
|
(b) 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
|
|
|
2012
|
|
2011
|
|
2012
|
|
2011
|
|
2012
|
|
2011
|
|
Operating expense
|
|
$ 112
|
|
$ 570
|
|
$ 1,952
|
|
$ 3,832
|
|
$ 1,877
|
|
$ 4,834
|
|
General and administrative expense
|
|
273
|
|
1,058
|
|
2,915
|
|
9,877
|
|
2,769
|
|
12,518
|
|
Total
|
|
$ 385
|
|
$ 1,628
|
|
$ 4,867
|
|
$ 13,709
|
|
$ 4,646
|
|
$ 17,352
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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(c)
|
Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as earnings (loss) 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, nonrecurring severance costs, nonrecurring litigation reserve and related legal fees and net earnings (loss) 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.
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(d)
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Net cash interest expense is the sum of interest expense less non-cash interest expense and other income (expense), net. This amount includes interest expense related to the accounts receivable securitization facility.
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(e)
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Maintenance capital expenditures include capitalized expenditures for betterment and replacement of property, plant and equipment.
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(f)
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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 or similarly titled measures used by other corporations and partnerships.
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SOURCE Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.
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