OVERLAND PARK, Kan.,
March 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. (NYSE: FGP), one of the largest
distributors of propane, today reported earnings for the fiscal
second quarter ended January 31.
Revenues grew 8% in the quarter to $841.0
million from $777.9 million
the year before on propane sales volumes that trailed prior year
results by approximately 7%. Propane sales volumes for the
quarter were 328.4 million gallons, impacted in part by an 8%
increase in the wholesale cost of propane from a year-ago
levels.
President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Wambold explained, "The rise in wholesale
propane costs combined with a slow start to the winter heating
season impacted sales in the quarter. Year to date nationwide
temperatures were materially consistent with that of a year ago,
but October's exceptional warmth along with warmer than normal
temperatures in November and early-December significantly delayed
the start of the winter heating season. That delay could not
be offset by the colder temperatures experienced in late-December
and throughout January."
Wambold further commented, "Weakness in our first quarter's
demand for agricultural sales continued this quarter resulting from
this year's abnormally dry harvest season in comparison to last
year's abnormally wet harvest season."
Gross profit in the quarter was $243.1
million, a modest decline of 2%, while operating expense
savings was offset by a non-recurring general liability settlement
in the quarter. Net income totaled $22.4 million and excluding the $36.4 million loss on the extinguishment of debt,
net earnings per unit were $0.82,
compared to $1.10 the year
before.
In November, the partnership refinanced its $450 million, 6.75% debt due 2014 through the
issuance of $500 million, 6.5% debt
due 2021. Following this transaction, the partnership has no
material debt maturities prior to November
2012 and no public debt maturities until 2017.
Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $121.0 million compared to $130.1 million in the second quarter of last
year.
Wambold pointed out, "Not to be overlooked is the continued,
strong performance of our Blue Rhino brand, which not only posted a
6% gain in transactions this quarter, but also positioned itself
for significant growth in the next grilling season. Blue
Rhino signed two major contracts, Walgreens and Safeway, which will
increase locations by more than 2,800 locations nationwide."
Wambold also cited the progress of the partnership's acquisition
program. "We continue to focus on accretive acquisitions to
supplement our organic growth efforts," he said. "During the
second quarter we acquired Kings River Propane and Bennett Gas
Company and earlier this week we announced the acquisition of Ram
Propane in Dubois, WY."
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 more than 20 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, 2010, 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
|
January 31,
2011
|
|
July 31,
2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash
equivalents
|
$
25,489
|
|
$
11,401
|
|
Accounts and notes
receivable, net (including $233,120 and $0 of
|
|
|
|
|
accounts
receivable pledged as collateral at January 31, 2011
|
|
|
|
|
and July 31, 2010,
respectively)
|
326,432
|
|
89,234
|
|
Inventories
|
155,413
|
|
166,911
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other
current assets
|
31,503
|
|
13,842
|
|
Total Current
Assets
|
538,837
|
|
281,388
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment,
net
|
641,452
|
|
652,768
|
|
Goodwill
|
248,939
|
|
248,939
|
|
Intangible assets,
net
|
213,792
|
|
221,057
|
|
Other assets, net
|
41,431
|
|
38,199
|
|
Total
Assets
|
$
1,684,451
|
|
$1,442,351
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS'
CAPITAL
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
payable
|
$
142,612
|
|
$
48,658
|
|
Short term
borrowings
|
54,482
|
|
67,203
|
|
Collateralized note
payable
|
145,000
|
|
-
|
|
Other current liabilities
(a)
|
112,454
|
|
108,054
|
|
Total Current
Liabilities
|
454,548
|
|
223,915
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt (a)
|
1,140,026
|
|
1,111,088
|
|
Other liabilities
|
21,770
|
|
21,446
|
|
Contingencies and
commitments
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Partners'
Capital:
|
|
|
|
|
Common unitholders (70,827,760
and 69,521,818 units
|
|
|
|
|
outstanding at January
31, 2011 and July 31, 2010, respectively)
|
115,469
|
|
141,281
|
|
General partner unitholder
(715,432 and 702,241 units
|
|
|
|
|
outstanding at January
31, 2011 and July 31, 2010, respectively)
|
(58,905)
|
|
(58,644)
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive
income (loss)
|
8,040
|
|
(415)
|
|
Total Ferrellgas
Partners, L.P. Partners' Capital
|
64,604
|
|
82,222
|
|
Noncontrolling
Interest
|
3,503
|
|
3,680
|
|
Total Partners'
Capital
|
68,107
|
|
85,902
|
|
Total Liabilities
and Partners' Capital
|
$
1,684,451
|
|
$1,442,351
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
The principal difference between
the Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. balance sheet and that of Ferrellgas,
L.P., is $280 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, SIX AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2011 AND
2010
|
|
(in
thousands, except per unit data)
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
Three months
ended
|
|
Six months
ended
|
|
Twelve
months ended
|
|
|
January
31
|
|
January
31
|
|
January
31
|
|
|
2011
|
|
2010
|
|
2011
|
|
2010
|
|
2011
|
|
2010
|
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Propane and other gas
liquids sales
|
$ 774,179
|
|
$ 724,348
|
|
$ 1,142,802
|
|
$ 1,052,014
|
|
$ 1,991,106
|
|
$ 1,797,243
|
|
Other
|
66,813
|
|
53,504
|
|
98,382
|
|
77,908
|
|
219,216
|
|
206,502
|
|
Total
revenues
|
840,992
|
|
777,852
|
|
1,241,184
|
|
1,129,922
|
|
2,210,322
|
|
2,003,745
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of product
sold:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Propane and other gas
liquids sales
|
559,416
|
|
503,980
|
|
815,902
|
|
704,900
|
|
1,368,536
|
|
1,165,996
|
|
Other
|
38,500
|
|
25,208
|
|
51,358
|
|
31,388
|
|
128,608
|
|
123,802
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit
|
243,076
|
|
248,664
|
|
373,924
|
|
393,634
|
|
713,178
|
|
713,947
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expense
|
107,562
|
|
104,436
|
|
202,822
|
|
200,570
|
|
409,112
|
|
398,741
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
expense
|
19,990
|
|
20,647
|
|
40,365
|
|
41,174
|
|
81,682
|
|
82,133
|
|
General and administrative
expense
|
11,005
|
|
11,047
|
|
21,392
|
|
22,830
|
|
44,657
|
|
42,347
|
|
Equipment lease
expense
|
3,543
|
|
3,127
|
|
7,192
|
|
6,901
|
|
13,732
|
|
15,171
|
|
Non-cash employee stock
ownership plan compensation charge
|
2,932
|
|
2,261
|
|
5,376
|
|
4,263
|
|
10,435
|
|
7,613
|
|
Non-cash stock and unit-based
compensation charge (c)
|
11,068
|
|
413
|
|
12,081
|
|
3,164
|
|
16,748
|
|
4,819
|
|
Loss on disposal of assets and
other
|
603
|
|
1,122
|
|
371
|
|
2,784
|
|
6,072
|
|
9,225
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income
|
86,373
|
|
105,611
|
|
84,325
|
|
111,948
|
|
130,740
|
|
153,898
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense
|
(26,395)
|
|
(26,216)
|
|
(53,272)
|
|
(48,911)
|
|
(105,645)
|
|
(91,367)
|
|
Loss on extinguishment of
debt
|
(36,449)
|
|
0
|
|
(36,449)
|
|
(17,308)
|
|
(39,857)
|
|
(17,308)
|
|
Other income (expense),
net
|
88
|
|
(863)
|
|
266
|
|
(556)
|
|
(286)
|
|
(716)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings (loss) before income
taxes
|
23,617
|
|
78,532
|
|
(5,130)
|
|
45,173
|
|
(15,048)
|
|
44,507
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax expense
|
1,198
|
|
674
|
|
716
|
|
252
|
|
2,380
|
|
1,678
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings
(loss)
|
22,419
|
|
77,858
|
|
(5,846)
|
|
44,921
|
|
(17,428)
|
|
42,829
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings attributable to
noncontrolling interest (a)
|
290
|
|
847
|
|
68
|
|
575
|
|
123
|
|
676
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings (loss) attributable
to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.
|
22,129
|
|
77,011
|
|
(5,914)
|
|
44,346
|
|
(17,551)
|
|
42,153
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less: General partner's interest
in net earnings (loss)
|
221
|
|
12,614
|
|
(59)
|
|
443
|
|
(176)
|
|
421
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common unitholders' interest in
net earnings (loss)
|
$ 21,908
|
|
$ 64,397
|
|
$
(5,855)
|
|
$
43,903
|
|
$
(17,375)
|
|
$
41,732
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings (loss) Per
Unit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted net earnings
(loss) per common unitholders' interest
|
$
0.31
|
|
$
0.93
|
|
$
(0.08)
|
|
$
0.64
|
|
$
(0.25)
|
|
$
0.61
|
|
Dilutive effect of two-class
method (b)
|
-
|
|
0.17
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
Adjusted net earnings (loss) per
unit available to common unitholders
|
$
0.31
|
|
$
1.10
|
|
$
(0.08)
|
|
$
0.64
|
|
$
(0.25)
|
|
$
0.61
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common units
outstanding
|
70,668.8
|
|
69,450.3
|
|
70,114.2
|
|
68,979.1
|
|
69,813.9
|
|
68,493.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental
Data and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Items:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months
ended
|
|
Six months
ended
|
|
Twelve
months ended
|
|
|
January
31
|
|
January
31
|
|
January
31
|
|
|
2011
|
|
2010
|
|
2011
|
|
2010
|
|
2011
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings (loss) attributable
to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.
|
$ 22,129
|
|
$ 77,011
|
|
$
(5,914)
|
|
$
44,346
|
|
$
(17,551)
|
|
$
42,153
|
|
Income tax
expense
|
1,198
|
|
674
|
|
716
|
|
252
|
|
2,380
|
|
1,678
|
|
Interest
expense
|
26,395
|
|
26,216
|
|
53,272
|
|
48,911
|
|
105,645
|
|
91,367
|
|
Depreciation and
amortization expense
|
19,990
|
|
20,647
|
|
40,365
|
|
41,174
|
|
81,682
|
|
82,133
|
|
EBITDA
|
69,712
|
|
124,548
|
|
88,439
|
|
134,683
|
|
172,156
|
|
217,331
|
|
Loss on extinguishment of
debt
|
36,449
|
|
0
|
|
36,449
|
|
17,308
|
|
39,857
|
|
17,308
|
|
Non-cash employee stock
ownership plan compensation charge
|
2,932
|
|
2,261
|
|
5,376
|
|
4,263
|
|
10,435
|
|
7,613
|
|
Non-cash stock and
unit-based compensation charge (c)
|
11,068
|
|
413
|
|
12,081
|
|
3,164
|
|
16,748
|
|
4,819
|
|
Loss on disposal of assets
and other
|
603
|
|
1,122
|
|
371
|
|
2,784
|
|
6,072
|
|
9,225
|
|
Other income (expense),
net
|
(88)
|
|
863
|
|
(266)
|
|
556
|
|
286
|
|
716
|
|
Net earnings attributable
to noncontrolling interest
|
290
|
|
847
|
|
68
|
|
575
|
|
123
|
|
676
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA
(d)
|
120,966
|
|
130,054
|
|
142,518
|
|
163,333
|
|
245,677
|
|
257,688
|
|
Net cash interest expense
(e)
|
(24,660)
|
|
(25,355)
|
|
(48,382)
|
|
(46,679)
|
|
(96,617)
|
|
(88,665)
|
|
Maintenance
capital expenditures (f)
|
(3,436)
|
|
(1,296)
|
|
(7,848)
|
|
(11,409)
|
|
(16,407)
|
|
(20,633)
|
|
Cash refund
(paid) for taxes
|
168
|
|
(332)
|
|
85
|
|
(332)
|
|
(1,133)
|
|
(1,512)
|
|
Proceeds from asset
sales
|
1,122
|
|
1,228
|
|
3,200
|
|
3,161
|
|
9,259
|
|
6,455
|
|
Distributable cash flow to
equity investors (g)
|
$ 94,160
|
|
$ 104,299
|
|
$
89,573
|
|
$
108,074
|
|
$
140,779
|
|
$
153,333
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Propane gallons
sales
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retail - Sales to End
Users
|
249,227
|
|
269,801
|
|
369,788
|
|
402,275
|
|
648,476
|
|
682,668
|
|
Wholesale - Sales to
Resellers
|
79,156
|
|
83,882
|
|
126,932
|
|
130,956
|
|
237,537
|
|
239,224
|
|
Total propane gallons
sales
|
328,383
|
|
353,683
|
|
496,720
|
|
533,231
|
|
886,013
|
|
921,892
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
Amounts allocated to the general
partner for its 1.0101% interest in the operating partnership,
Ferrellgas, L.P.
|
|
(b)
|
FASB guidance regarding
participating securities and the two-class method requires the
calculation of net earnings (loss) per common unitholders' interest
for each period presented according to distributions declared and
participation rights in undistributed earnings, as if all of the
earnings or loss for the period had been distributed. In
periods with undistributed earnings above certain levels, the
calculation according to the two-class method results in an
increased allocation of undistributed earnings to the general
partner and a dilution of the earnings to the limited partners. Due
to the seasonality of the propane business, the dilution effect of
the guidance on the two-class method typically impacts only the
three months ending January 31. This guidance did not result
in a dilutive effect for the three months ended January 31, 2011 or
for the six and twelve months ended January 31, 2011 and
2010.
|
|
(c)
|
Non-cash stock and unit-based
compensation charges consist of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
Three months
ended
|
|
Six months
ended
|
|
Twelve
months ended
|
|
|
January
31
|
|
January
31
|
|
January
31
|
|
|
2011
|
|
2010
|
|
2011
|
|
2010
|
|
2011
|
|
2010
|
|
Operating
expense
|
$ 3,126
|
|
$
114
|
|
$
3,262
|
|
$
870
|
|
$
4,546
|
|
$
1,507
|
|
General and
administrative expense
|
7,942
|
|
299
|
|
8,819
|
|
2,294
|
|
12,202
|
|
3,312
|
|
Total
|
$ 11,068
|
|
$
413
|
|
$
12,081
|
|
$
3,164
|
|
$
16,748
|
|
$
4,819
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(d)
|
Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as
earnings (loss) before income tax expense, interest expense,
depreciation and amortization expense, loss on extinguishment of
debt, employee stock ownership plan compensation charge, stock and
unit-based compensation charge, loss on disposal of assets and
other, other income (expense), net 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.
|
|
(e)
|
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.
|
|
(f)
|
Maintenance capital expenditures
include capitalized expenditures for betterment and replacement of
property, plant and equipment.
|
|
(g)
|
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.
|
|
|
|
SOURCE Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.