Sprague Resources LP Reports Second Quarter 2018 Results
Partnership confirms 2018 Adjusted EBITDA Guidance of $120 to $140 Million
PORTSMOUTH, N.H., Aug. 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sprague Resources LP (“Sprague”) (NYSE: SRLP) today reported its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018.
Second Quarter 2018 Highlights
Net sales were $741.7 million for the second quarter of 2018, compared to net sales of $513.6 million for the second quarter of 2017.
GAAP net loss was $13.2 million for the second quarter of 2018, compared to net loss of $7.8 million for the second quarter of 2017.
Adjusted gross margin(1) was $49.7 million for the second quarter of 2018, compared to adjusted gross margin of $40.7 million for the second quarter of 2017.
Adjusted EBITDA(1) was $9.3 million for the second quarter of 2018, compared to adjusted EBITDA of $4.9 million for the second quarter of 2017.
"Second quarter results were in-line with our expectations as we continue to benefit from our recent acquisitions," said David Glendon, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Reflecting on results for the second quarter, we expect full-year adjusted EBITDA to be in the range of $120 to $140 million," said Mr. Glendon.
Refined Products
Volumes in the Refined Products segment increased 13% to 304.2 million gallons in the second quarter of 2018, compared to 270.3 million gallons in the second quarter of 2017.
Adjusted gross margin in the Refined Products segment increased $4.9 million, or 20%, to $28.7 million in the second quarter of 2018, compared to $23.8 million in the second quarter of 2017.
“Sprague's Refined Products sales volumes increased 13%, supported by recent acquisitions and beneficial weather early in the quarter," said Mr. Glendon. "Adjusted gross margin improved by 20% on higher volumes and improved unit margins," said Mr. Glendon.
Natural Gas
Natural Gas segment volumes decreased 9% to 12.3 million Bcf in the second quarter of 2018, compared to 13.5 million Bcf in the second quarter of 2017.
Natural Gas adjusted gross margin increased $2.5 million, or 97%, to $5.1 million for the second quarter of 2018, compared to $2.6 million for the second quarter of 2017.
"While Natural Gas volumes declined primarily due to the loss of some higher volume, lower unit margin accounts, adjusted gross margin improved by 97% over last year's results primarily due to enhanced optimization opportunities and beneficial fair value and other adjustments to our forward derivative positions," said Mr. Glendon.
Materials Handling
Materials Handling adjusted gross margin increased by $1.5 million, or 11%, to $14.3 million for the second quarter of 2018, compared to $12.8 million for the second quarter of 2017.
"Increased asphalt handling, at our Kildair terminal as well as increased heavy-lift activity were the primary drivers of the 11% increase in Materials Handling adjusted gross margin." reported Mr. Glendon. Timing differences related to dry bulk handling also contributed to the increase," said Mr. Glendon.
Sprague's guidance for the 2018 fiscal year is as follows:
Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of $120 million to $140 million.
Operating expense is expected to be between $86 million and $91 million.
Selling, general and administrative expenses are anticipated to be in the range of $88 million to $93 million.
Cash interest is expected to range from $28 million to $33 million.
Cash taxes are anticipated to be approximately $5 million.
Expansion Capex is expected to range from $8 million to $13 million.
Maintenance capex is expected to be at the low end of the $13 million to $16 million range.
Distribution coverage ratio for full-year 2018 is expected to range from 1.1x to 1.3x.
(1) Please refer to Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Non-GAAP Measures
Quarterly Distribution Increase
On July 26, 2018, the Board of Directors of Sprague’s general partner, Sprague Resources GP LLC, announced its seventeenth consecutive distribution increase and approved a cash distribution of $0.6675 per unit for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, representing a 2% increase over the distribution declared for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. The distribution will be paid on August 10, 2018 to unitholders of record as of the close of business on August 6, 2018.
Financial Results Conference Call
Management will review Sprague’s second quarter 2018 financial results in a teleconference call for analysts and investors today, August 8, 2018.
Date and Time:
August 8, 2018 at 1:00 PM ET
Dial-in numbers:
(866) 516-2130 (U.S. and Canada)
(678) 509-7612 (International)
Participation Code:
4990469
The conference call may also be accessed live by a webcast available on the "Investor Relations" page of Sprague's website at www.spragueenergy.com and will be archived on the website for one year.
About Sprague Resources LP Sprague Resources LP is a master limited partnership engaged in the purchase, storage, distribution and sale of refined petroleum products and natural gas. Sprague also provides storage and handling services for a broad range of materials.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted gross margin, and distribution coverage ratio are measures not defined by GAAP. Sprague defines EBITDA as net income (loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization.
We define adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA increased for unrealized hedging losses and decreased by unrealized hedging gains (in each case with respect to refined products and natural gas inventory, prepaid forward contracts and natural gas transportation contracts), changes in fair value of contingent consideration, the net impact of biofuel excise tax credits in 2017 and 2013, and commencing in the fourth quarter of 2017, adjusted for the impact of acquisition related expenses. Accordingly, adjusted EBITDA for prior periods have been revised to conform to the current presentation.
We define adjusted gross margin as net sales less cost of products sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) decreased by total commodity derivative gains and losses included in net income (loss) and increased by realized commodity derivative gains and losses included in net income (loss), in each case with respect to refined products and natural gas inventory, prepaid forward contracts and natural gas transportation contracts. Adjusted gross margin has no impact on reported volumes or net sales.
To manage Sprague's underlying performance, including its physical and derivative positions, management utilizes adjusted gross margin. Adjusted gross margin is also used by external users of our consolidated financial statements to assess our economic results of operations and its commodity market value reporting to lenders. EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are used as supplemental financial measures by external users of our financial statements, such as investors, trade suppliers, research analysts and commercial banks to assess the financial performance of our assets, operations and return on capital without regard to financing methods, capital structure or historical cost basis; the ability of our assets to generate sufficient revenue, that when rendered to cash, will be available to pay interest on our indebtedness and make distributions to our equity holders; repeatable operating performance that is not distorted by non-recurring items or market volatility; and, the viability of acquisitions and capital expenditure projects.
Sprague defines the distribution coverage ratio as the ratio of distributable cash flow to the quarterly or annual distribution payable on all outstanding common and subordinated units and incentive distributions. Sprague believes that the distribution coverage ratio provides important information relating to the relationship between Sprague's financial operating performance and its cash distribution capability.
Sprague believes that investors benefit from having access to the same financial measures that are used by its management and that these measures are useful to investors because they aid in comparing its operating performance with that of other companies with similar operations. The adjusted EBITDA and adjusted gross margin and other data presented by Sprague may not be comparable to similarly titled measures at other companies because these items may be defined differently by other companies. Please see the attached reconciliations of net income to adjusted EBITDA and operating income to adjusted gross margin.
With regard to guidance, reconciliation of non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA or the distributable coverage ratio to the closest corresponding GAAP measure (expected net income (loss)) is not available without unreasonable efforts on a forward-looking basis due to the inherent difficulty and impracticality of forecasting certain amounts required by GAAP such as unrealized gains and losses on derivative hedges, which can have a significant and potentially unpredictable impact on our future GAAP financial results.
Forward Looking Statements
Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects for Sprague Resources LP or about Sprague Resources LP’s future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans or prospects, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words “believes,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “estimates” and similar expressions) should also be considered forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond management’s control. Although Sprague believes that the assumptions underlying these statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and involve risks that may affect our business prospects and performance causing actual results to differ from those discussed in the foregoing release. Such risks and uncertainties include, by way of example and not of limitation: increased competition for our products or services; adverse weather conditions; changes in supply or demand for our products or services; nonperformance by major customers or suppliers; changes in operating conditions and costs; changes in the level of environmental remediation spending; potential equipment malfunction and unexpected capital expenditures; our ability to complete organic growth and acquisition projects; our ability to integrate acquired assets; potential labor issues; the legislative or regulatory environment; terminal construction/repair delays; political and economic conditions; and, the impact of security risks including terrorism, international hostilities and cyber-risk. These are not all of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in forward looking statements. Other applicable risks and uncertainties have been described more fully in Sprague’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 14, 2018 and in the Partnership's subsequent Form 10-Q, Form 8-K and other documents filed with the SEC. Sprague undertakes no obligation and does not intend to update any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or future events. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.
(Financial Tables Below)
Sprague Resources LP
Summary Financial Data
Three Months Ended June 30,
Six Months Ended June 30,
2018
2017
2018
2017
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
($ in thousands)
Statement of Operations Data:
Net sales
$
741,656
$
513,626
$
2,072,804
$
1,431,433
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of products sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
696,673
469,058
1,880,655
1,264,204
Operating expenses
22,281
16,901
45,490
33,733
Selling, general and administrative
18,562
19,624
46,426
45,913
Depreciation and amortization
8,378
6,950
16,803
12,882
Total operating costs and expenses
745,894
512,533
1,989,374
1,356,732
Operating (loss) income
(4,238
)
1,093
83,430
74,701
Other income
—
119
—
183
Interest income
169
88
281
172
Interest expense
(9,412
)
(8,279
)
(19,296
)
(15,434
)
(Loss) income before income taxes
(13,481
)
(6,979
)
64,415
59,622
Income tax provision
286
(813
)
(2,689
)
(2,915
)
Net (loss) income
(13,195
)
(7,792
)
61,726
56,707
Incentive distributions declared
(2,055
)
(854
)
(3,769
)
(1,596
)
Limited partners’ interest in net (loss) income
$
(15,250
)
$
(8,646
)
$
57,957
$
55,111
Net (loss) income per limited partner unit:
Common - basic
$
(0.67
)
$
(0.39
)
$
2.55
$
2.52
Common - diluted
$
(0.67
)
$
(0.39
)
$
2.54
$
2.48
Units used to compute net (loss) income per limited partner unit:
Common - basic
22,727,284
22,319,704
22,726,320
21,864,875
Common - diluted
22,727,284
22,319,704
22,784,336
22,200,070
Distribution declared per unit
$
0.6675
$
0.6075
$
1.3200
$
1.2000
Sprague Resources LP
Volume, Net Sales and Adjusted Gross Margin by Segment
Three Months Ended June 30,
Six Months Ended June 30,
2018
2017
2018
2017
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
($ and volumes in thousands)
Volumes:
Refined products (gallons)
304,248
270,312
880,488
743,022
Natural gas (MMBtus)
12,325
13,510
32,582
33,714
Materials handling (short tons)
577
695
1,370
1,276
Materials handling (gallons)
127,638
152,418
197,610
227,682
Net Sales:
Refined products
$
664,025
$
430,984
$
1,844,885
$
1,212,574
Natural gas
58,428
65,708
188,355
185,374
Materials handling
14,218
12,798
27,366
22,723
Other operations
4,985
4,136
12,198
10,762
Total net sales
$
741,656
$
513,626
$
2,072,804
$
1,431,433
Reconciliation of Operating (Loss) Income to Adjusted Gross Margin:
Operating (loss) income
$
(4,238
)
$
1,093
$
83,430
$
74,701
Operating costs and expenses not allocated to operating segments:
Operating expenses
22,281
16,901
45,490
33,733
Selling, general and administrative
18,562
19,624
46,426
45,913
Depreciation and amortization
8,378
6,950
16,803
12,882
Add: unrealized loss (gain) on inventory derivatives
971
(4,539
)
(22,590
)
(29,047
)
Add: unrealized (gain) loss on prepaid forward contract derivatives
—
(267
)
—
(240
)
Add: unrealized loss (gain) on natural gas transportation contracts
3,716
949
(10,352
)
(6,865
)
Total adjusted gross margin:
$
49,670
$
40,711
$
159,207
$
131,077
Adjusted Gross Margin:
Refined products
$
28,671
$
23,815
$
85,006
$
63,293
Natural gas
5,055
2,568
43,003
41,158
Materials handling
14,269
12,798
27,417
22,723
Other operations
1,675
1,530
3,781
3,903
Total adjusted gross margin
$
49,670
$
40,711
$
159,207
$
131,077
Sprague Resources LP
Reconciliation of Net Income to Non-GAAP Measures
Three Months Ended June 30,
Six Months Ended June 30,
2018
2017
2018
2017
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
($ in thousands)
Reconciliation of net (loss) income to EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow:
Net (loss) income
$
(13,195
)
$
(7,792
)
$
61,726
$
56,707
Add/(deduct):
Interest expense, net
9,243
8,191
19,015
15,262
Tax provision
(286
)
813
2,689
2,915
Depreciation and amortization
8,378
6,950
16,803
12,882
EBITDA
$
4,140
$
8,162
$
100,233
$
87,766
Add: unrealized loss (gain) on inventory derivatives
971
(4,539
)
(22,590
)
(29,047
)
Add: unrealized (gain) loss on prepaid forward contract derivatives
—
(267
)
—
(240
)
Add: unrealized loss (gain) on natural gas transportation contracts
3,716
949
(10,352
)
(6,865
)
Biofuel tax credit
—
—
(4,022
)
—
Acquisition related expenses (1)
252
636
695
985
Other adjustments
197
—
391
—
Adjusted EBITDA
$
9,276
$
4,941
$
64,355
$
52,599
Add/(deduct):
Cash interest expense, net
(7,908
)
(5,739
)
(16,341
)
(11,795
)
Cash taxes
308
(1,251
)
(2,061
)
(2,091
)
Maintenance capital expenditures
(3,473
)
(2,673
)
(5,735
)
(4,213
)
Elimination of expense relating to incentive compensation and directors fees expected to be paid in common units
(594
)
1,018
244
1,946
Other
—
742
304
738
Distributable cash flow
$
(2,391
)
$
(2,962
)
$
40,766
$
37,184
(1) Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2017, we excluded the impact of acquisition related expenses from our calculation of adjusted EBITDA. We incur expenses in connection with acquisitions and given the nature, variability of amounts, and the fact that these expenses would not have otherwise been incurred as part of our continuing operations, adjusted EBITDA excludes the impact of acquisition related expenses. Adjusted EBITDA for prior periods have been revised to conform to this presentation.
Investor Contact: Susan K. Trahan +1 800.225.1560 strahan@spragueenergy.com
Source: GlobeNewswire
(August 8, 2018 - 6:00 AM EDT)
