Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. Reports Fiscal First Quarter 2019 Results
Total Retail propane sales volume for the quarter increased approximately nine percent leading to a 15 percent increase in gross margin dollars over the prior year
Retail customer growth of approximately 24,500, or four percent over prior year
Tank Exchange sale locations now exceed 53,800, up 12 percent compared to prior year.
Three accretive acquisitions of Blue Rhino independent distributors completed to date this fiscal year.
LIBERTY, Mo., Dec. 06, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. (NYSE:FGP) (“Ferrellgas” or the “Company”) today reported financial results for its fiscal first quarter ended October 31, 2018.
For the quarter, the Company reported a net loss attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. of $57.0 million, or $.58 per common unit, compared to prior year period net loss of $47.9 million, or $.49 per common unit.
Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, was $17.8 million compared to $26.2 million in the prior year. The following table represents the contribution to adjusted EBITDA from ongoing propane operations as well as from assets that were sold during 2018.
(in millions)
Q1 2019
Q1 2018
Propane Operations and Corporate Support
$17.8
$19.0
Results from Assets Sold in 2018
-
$7.2
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA
$17.8
$26.2
On a trailing twelve month basis, adjusted EBITDA from on going propane operations and corporate support as of October 31, 2018 is $226.5 million compared to $227.7 million as of July 31, 2018.
The Company’s propane operations reported that total gallons sold increased 5.9 million gallons, or three percent, over prior year. Margins were over two percent higher than the prior year despite increased competitive pressure in the tank exchange business. The Company continues its aggressive approach to gaining market share. This strategic focus resulted in approximately 24,500 new customers, or approximately four percent more than prior year. Additionally, the Company’s current Blue Rhino tank exchange sales locations have increased over 12 percent from prior year to over 53,800 locations. Overall, the increase in sales volume growth and margins per gallon resulted in an increase in gross margin dollars of $4.4 million. The Company’s ongoing commitment to investing in the business led to higher operating expenses during the quarter which were largely the result of new locations established to be in closer proximity to current and potential customers as the company looks to continue increasing market share and customer density. As a result of this investment and the growth in sales volumes, operating, general and administractive expenses in our Propane segment were $6.1 million higher than the prior year.
Liquidity of $250.1 million at October 31, 2018 resulted from $186.9 million of available borrowing capacity on the Company’s secured credit facility and $63.2 million of cash.
“We are extremely pleased with the quarterly results as our strategy to invest in the growth of the business is paying dividends even faster than anticipated,” said James E. Ferrell, Interim Chief Executive Officer and President of Ferrellgas. “We are committed to growing market share organically and through acquisition. As expected, operating expenses would exceed growth in gross margin dollars leading into the quarter, however, we were able recover those investments almost completely with an extremely strong month of October. We have momentum leading into the winter heating season with a stronger customer base, larger footprint and committed employee owners.”
As previously announced, the Company indefinitely suspended its quarterly cash distribution resulting from a failure to meet the required fixed charge coverage ratio within the senior unsecured notes due 2020.
In addition to solidifying the Company’s liquidity with the fourth quarter 2018 closing of the $575 million secured credit facility and extension of its accounts receivable securitization facility and cash from 2018 announced asset sales, the Company is in the process of engaging a financial advisor to assist in evaluating all available options to address its leverage.
“Our Company is focused on growth.” said Ferrell. “We have the liquidity to continue executing on this strategy and I expect that we will resolve our leverage situation in the near future to position our Company for continued success.”
About Ferrellgas 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. Ferrellgas employees indirectly own 22.8 million common units of the partnership, through an employee stock ownership plan. Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. filed a Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 27, 2018. Investors can request a hard copy of this filing free of charge and obtain more information about the partnership online at www.ferrellgas.com.
Forward Looking Statements 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 include those 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, 2018, and in other documents filed from time to time by these entities with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Accounts and notes receivable, net (including $137,560 and $120,079 of accounts
receivable pledged as collateral at October 31, 2018 and July 31, 2018, respectively)
136,189
126,054
Inventories
106,560
83,694
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
34,003
34,862
Total Current Assets
339,940
363,921
Property, plant and equipment, net
566,078
557,723
Goodwill, net
247,478
246,098
Intangible assets, net
117,452
120,951
Other assets, net
72,842
74,588
Total Assets
$
1,343,790
$
1,363,281
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' DEFICIT
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable
$
59,664
$
46,820
Short-term borrowings
-
32,800
Collateralized note payable
90,000
58,000
Other current liabilities
185,968
142,025
Total Current Liabilities
335,632
279,645
Long-term debt (a)
2,081,243
2,078,637
Other liabilities
38,654
39,476
Contingencies and commitments
Partners' Deficit:
Common unitholders (97,152,665 units outstanding at October 31, 2018 and July 31, 2018)
(1,041,971
)
(978,503
)
General partner unitholder (989,926 units outstanding at October 31, 2018 and July 31, 2018)
(70,433
)
(69,792
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
8,050
20,510
Total Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. Partners' Deficit
(1,104,354
)
(1,027,785
)
Noncontrolling interest
(7,385
)
(6,692
)
Total Partners' Deficit
(1,111,739
)
(1,034,477
)
Total Liabilities and Partners' Deficit
$
1,343,790
$
1,363,281
(a) The principal difference between the Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. balance sheet and that of Ferrellgas, L.P., is $357 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
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per unit data)
(unaudited)
Three months ended
Twelve months ended
October 31
October 31
2018
2017
2018
2017
Revenues:
Propane and other gas liquids sales
$
334,966
$
302,758
$
1,675,184
$
1,378,771
Midstream operations
-
120,760
161,559
479,419
Other
17,343
31,137
134,053
147,200
Total revenues
352,309
454,655
1,970,796
2,005,390
Cost of sales:
Propane and other gas liquids sales
204,136
179,515
998,035
754,458
Midstream operations
-
108,125
147,434
442,922
Other
3,047
13,702
57,999
69,223
Gross profit
145,126
153,313
767,328
738,787
Operating expense
110,331
110,462
471,617
437,221
Depreciation and amortization expense
18,992
25,732
95,055
102,881
General and administrative expense
14,179
13,164
55,416
47,662
Equipment lease expense
7,863
6,741
29,394
28,516
Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge
2,748
3,962
12,645
15,296
Non-cash stock-based compensation charge (a)
-
-
-
1,417
Asset impairments
-
-
10,005
-
Loss on asset sales and disposals
4,504
895
191,008
8,929
Operating income (loss)
(13,491
)
(7,643
)
(97,812
)
96,865
Interest expense
(43,878
)
(40,807
)
(171,538
)
(157,864
)
Other income, net
19
511
436
1,477
Loss before income tax benefit
(57,350
)
(47,939
)
(268,914
)
(59,522
)
Income tax expense (benefit)
158
377
(2,897
)
(176
)
Net loss
(57,508
)
(48,316
)
(266,017
)
(59,346
)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest (b)
(493
)
(401
)
(2,336
)
(297
)
Net loss attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.
(57,015
)
(47,915
)
(263,681
)
(59,049
)
Less: General partner's interest in net loss
(570
)
(479
)
(2,637
)
(590
)
Common unitholders' interest in net loss
$
(56,445
)
$
(47,436
)
$
(261,044
)
$
(58,459
)
Loss Per Common Unit
Basic and diluted net loss per common unitholders' interest
$
(0.58
)
$
(0.49
)
$
(2.69
)
$
(0.60
)
Weighted average common units outstanding - basic
97,152.7
97,152.7
97,152.7
97,443.7
Supplemental Data and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Items:
Three months ended
Twelve months ended
October 31
October 31
2018
2017
2018
2017
Net loss attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.
$
(57,015
)
$
(47,915
)
$
(263,681
)
$
(59,049
)
Income tax expense (benefit)
158
377
(2,897
)
(176
)
Interest expense
43,878
40,807
171,538
157,864
Depreciation and amortization expense
18,992
25,732
95,055
102,881
EBITDA
6,013
19,001
15
201,520
Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge
2,748
3,962
12,645
15,296
Non-cash stock based compensation charge (a)
-
-
-
1,417
Asset impairments
-
-
10,005
-
Loss on asset sales and disposals
4,504
895
191,008
8,929
Other income, net
(19
)
(511
)
(436
)
(1,477
)
Severance expense $358 included in operating expense for both the three and twelve months ended periods ending October 31, 2017. Also includes $1,305 and $1,795 included in general and administrative expense for the three and twelve months ended October 31, 2017, respectively.
-
1,663
-
2,153
Legal fees and settlements
3,564
-
9,629
-
Multi-employer pension plan withdrawal settlement
1,524
-
1,524
-
Exit costs associated with contracts - Midstream dispositions
-
11,804
Unrealized (non-cash) loss (gain) on changes in fair value of derivatives $(314) and $1,839 included in cost of sales for the twelve months ended October 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Also includes in cost of sales $1,607 for the three months ended October 31, 2017. Also includes $(2,120) included in operating expense for the twelve months ended October 31, 2017.
-
1,607
(314
)
(281
)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest (b)
(493
)
(401
)
(2,336
)
(297
)
Adjusted EBITDA (c)
17,841
26,216
233,544
227,260
Net cash interest expense (d)
(40,899
)
(38,057
)
(163,734
)
(148,027
)
Maintenance capital expenditures (e)
(5,385
)
(8,704
)
(24,298
)
(22,317
)
Cash refund from (paid for) taxes
(2
)
(6
)
295
(315
)
Proceeds from certain asset sales
1,061
1,208
9,056
7,440
Distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors (f)
(27,384
)
(19,343
)
54,863
64,041
Distributable cash flow attributable to general partner and non-controlling interest
(548
)
(387
)
1,097
1,281
Distributable cash flow attributable to common unitholders (g)
(26,836
)
(18,956
)
53,766
62,760
Less: Distributions paid to common unitholders
9,715
9,715
38,861
38,860
Distributable cash flow excess/(shortage)
$
(36,551
)
$
(28,671
)
$
14,905
$
23,900
Propane gallons sales
Retail - Sales to End Users
129,667
119,294
647,341
572,978
Wholesale - Sales to Resellers
48,960
53,429
235,741
227,690
Total propane gallons sales
178,627
172,723
883,082
800,668
(a) Non-cash stock-based compensation charges consist of the following:
Three months ended
Twelve months ended
October 31
October 31
2018
2017
2018
2017
Operating expense
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
567
General and administrative expense
-
-
-
850
Total
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
1,417
(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 net loss attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., less the sum of the following: income tax expense (benefit), interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense, non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge, non-cash stock-based compensation charge, asset impairments, loss on asset sales and disposals, other income, net, severance expense, legal fees and settlements, multi-employer pension plan withdrawal settlement, exit costs associated with contracts - Midstream dispositions, unrealized (non-cash) loss (gain) on changes in fair value of derivatives, and net 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.
(d)
Net cash interest expense is the sum of interest expense less non-cash interest expense and other expense, 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)
Distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors is calculated as Adjusted EBITDA minus net cash interest expense, maintenance capital expenditures and cash refund from (paid for) for taxes plus proceeds from certain asset sales. Management considers distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors a meaningful measure of the partnership’s ability to declare and pay quarterly distributions to equity investors. Distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors, as management defines it, may not be comparable to distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors or similarly titled measurements used by other corporations and partnerships. Items added into our calculation of distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors that will not occur on a continuing basis may have associated cash payments. Distributable cash flow attributable 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.
(g)
Distributable cash flow attributable to common unitholders is calculated as Distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors minus distributable cash flow attributable to general partner and noncontrolling interest. Management considers distributable cash flow attributable to common unitholders a meaningful measure of the partnership’s ability to declare and pay quarterly distributions to common unitholders. Distributable cash flow attributable to common unitholders, as management defines it, may not be comparable to distributable cash flow attributable to common unitholders or similarly titled measurements used by other corporations and partnerships. Items added to our calculation of distributable cash flow attributable to common unit holders that will not occur on a continuing basis may have associated cash payments. Distributable cash flow attributable to common unitholders may not be consistent with that of other companies and should be viewed in conjunction with measurements that are computed in accordance with GAAP .
Source: GlobeNewswire
(December 6, 2018 - 7:00 AM EST)
