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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents
The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement
and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities and are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to Completion
Preliminary Prospectus Supplement dated March 14, 2011
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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated April 13, 2009)
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Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration Number 333-157760
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4,400,000 Common Units
Representing Limited Partner Interests
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.
We are selling 4,400,000 common units representing limited partner interests.
Our
common units trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FGP." On March 11, 2011, the last sale price of the common units as reported on the New York Stock
Exchange was $26.83 per common unit.
Investing in the common units involves risks that are described in the "Risk Factors" section beginning on page S-9 of this
prospectus supplement and "Item 1A. Risk Factors" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2010.
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Per Common
Unit
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Total
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Public offering price
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$
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$
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Underwriting discount
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$
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$
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Proceeds, before expenses, to us
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$
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$
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The
underwriters may also exercise their option to purchase up to an additional 660,000 common units from us, at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount, for
30 days after the date of this prospectus supplement to cover overallotments, if any.
Neither
the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the
accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The
common units will be ready for delivery on or about March , 2011.
Joint Book-Running Managers
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BofA Merrill Lynch
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J.P. Morgan
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Wells Fargo Securities
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The date of this prospectus is , 2011.
YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY READ THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, THE ACCOMPANYING BASE PROSPECTUS AND THE INFORMATION WE HAVE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE AS DESCRIBED UNDER THE
SECTION IN EACH OF
THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING BASE PROSPECTUS ENTITLED "WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION." WE ARE NOT MAKING AN OFFER OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE SUCH OFFER OR SALE IS
NOT PERMITTED.
The information in this prospectus supplement is accurate as of the date hereof. You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement,
the accompanying base prospectus and the information we have incorporated by reference. Neither we have nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with different information. You
should not assume that the information provided by this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus or the information we have incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other
than the date of the respective document or information, as applicable. If information in any of the documents we have incorporated by reference or in the accompanying base prospectus conflicts with
information in this prospectus supplement you should rely on the most recent information. If information in an incorporated document conflicts with information in another incorporated document, you
should rely on the information in the most recent incorporated document.
For
purposes of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, when we refer to "us," "we," "our," or
"ours," we describe Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. together with our subsidiaries, including our operating partnership, Ferrellgas, L.P.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
i
Table of Contents
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and the documents we have incorporated by reference include
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are identified as any statement that does not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often use or are preceded by words such
as "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "plan," "projection," "forecast," "strategy," "position," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "may," "will," or the negative of those terms or other variations of
them or comparable terminology. These statements often discuss plans, strategies, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future and are based upon the beliefs and
assumptions of our management and on the information currently available to them. In particular, statements, express or implied, concerning our future operating results or our ability to generate
sales, income or cash flow are forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking
statements are not guarantees of future performance. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to
risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by these forward-looking statements. Many of the factors that will
affect our future results are beyond our ability to control or predict.
Some
of our forward-looking statements include the following:
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whether we will have sufficient funds to meet our obligations; and
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whether we will continue to meet all of the quarterly financial tests required by the agreements governing our
indebtedness.
For
a more detailed description of these particular forward-looking statements and for other factors that may affect any forward-looking statements, see "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2010 and in our Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended October 31, 2010 and January 31, 2011. See "Where You Can Find More Information."
When
considering any forward-looking statement, you should also keep in mind the risk factors described under the section entitled "Risk Factors" in this prospectus supplement and in
our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2010, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. See "Where You Can Find More
Information." Any of these risks could impair our business, financial condition or results of operation. Any such impairment may affect our ability to make distributions or pay interest on the
principal of any of our debt securities. We do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements after distribution of this prospectus supplement.
S-1
Table of Contents
SUMMARY
This document is in two parts. The first part is the prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms
of this offering of common units and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying base prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and
the accompanying base prospectus. The second part is the accompanying base prospectus, which gives more general information about us and the common units, some of which may not apply to this offering.
Generally, when we refer to the "prospectus," we are referring to both parts combined. If information varies between this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, you should rely on
the information in this prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated, the information included in this prospectus supplement assumes that the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase
additional common units.
This summary may not contain all of the information that may be important to you. You should carefully read this entire
prospectus
supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and the other information incorporated by reference to understand fully the terms of our common units being offered hereunder, as well as the tax and other
considerations that are important to you in making your investment decision. You should pay special attention to the section entitled "Risk Factors" on page S-9 of this prospectus
supplement and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
July 31, 2010 to determine whether an investment in our common units is appropriate for you. See also "Where You Can Find More Information" on page S-22 of this prospectus
supplement.
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.
We are a leading distributor of propane and related equipment and supplies to customers primarily in the United States and conduct our
business as a single reportable operating segment. We believe that we are the second largest retail marketer of propane in the United States as measured by the volume of our retail sales in fiscal
2010, and the largest national provider of propane by portable tank exchange.
We
serve approximately one million residential, industrial/commercial, portable tank exchange, agricultural, wholesale and other customers in all 50 states, the District of
Columbia and Puerto Rico. Our operations primarily include the distribution and sale of propane and related equipment and supplies with concentrations in the Midwest, Southeast, Southwest and
Northwest regions of the United States.
In
the residential and industrial/commercial markets, propane is primarily used for space heating, water heating, cooking and other propane fueled appliances. In the portable tank
exchange market, propane is used primarily for outdoor cooking using gas grills. In the agricultural market, propane is primarily used for crop drying, space heating, irrigation and weed control. In
addition, propane is used for a variety of industrial applications, including as an engine fuel which is burned in internal combustion engines that power vehicles and forklifts, and as a heating or
energy source in manufacturing and drying processes.
Our Operations
Our propane distribution business consists principally of transporting propane purchased from third parties to our propane
distribution locations and then to tanks on customers' premises or to portable propane tanks delivered to nationwide and local retailers. We also distribute bulk propane to wholesale customers. Our
portable tank exchange operations, nationally branded under the name Blue Rhino, are conducted through a network of independent and partnership-owned distribution outlets. Our market areas for our
residential and agricultural customers are generally rural, but also include urban areas for industrial applications. Our market area for our industrial/commercial and portable tank exchange customers
is generally urban; however, our portable tank exchange customer base
S-2
Table of Contents
continues
to grow in both urban and rural areas. We utilize marketing programs targeting both new and existing customers by emphasizing:
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our efficiency in delivering propane to customers;
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our employee training and safety programs;
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our enhanced customer service, facilitated by our technology platform and our 24 hours a day, seven days a week
emergency retail customer call support capabilities; and
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our national distributor network for our commercial and portable tank exchange customers.
The
distribution of propane to residential customers generally involves large numbers of small volume deliveries. Our retail deliveries of propane are typically transported from our
retail propane distribution locations to our customers by our fleet of bulk delivery trucks, which are generally fitted with a 3,000
gallon tank. Propane storage tanks located on our customers' premises are then filled from these bulk delivery trucks. We also deliver propane to our industrial/commercial and portable tank exchange
customers using our fleet of portable tank and portable tank exchange delivery trucks, truck tractors and portable tank exchange delivery trailers.
A
substantial majority of our gross margin from propane and other gas liquids sales is derived from the distribution and sale of propane and related risk management activities, and is
derived primarily from five customer groups:
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residential;
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portable tank exchange;
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industrial/commercial
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agricultural;
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wholesale; and
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other.
Our
gross margin from the distribution of propane is primarily based on the cents-per-gallon difference between the sales price we charge our customers and our
costs to purchase and deliver propane to our propane distribution locations. Our residential and portable tank exchange customers typically provide us a greater
cents-per-gallon margin than our industrial/commercial, agricultural, wholesale and other customers. We track "Propane sales volumes," "RevenuesPropane and other
gas liquids sales" and "Gross MarginPropane and other gas liquids sales" by customer; however, we are not able to specifically allocate operating and other costs in a manner that would
determine their specific profitability with a high degree of accuracy. The wholesale propane price per gallon is subject to various market conditions and may fluctuate based on changes in demand,
supply and other energy commodity prices, primarily crude oil and natural gas as propane prices tend to correlate with the fluctuations of these underlying commodities. We employ risk management
activities that attempt to mitigate risks related to the purchasing, selling, storing and transporting of propane.
Residential
customers typically rent their storage tanks from their distributors. Approximately 64% of our residential customers rent their tanks from us. Our rental terms and the fire
safety regulations in some states require rented bulk tanks to be filled only by the propane supplier owning the tank. The cost and inconvenience of switching bulk tanks helps minimize a customer's
tendency to switch suppliers of propane on the basis of minor variations in price, helping us minimize customer loss.
In
addition, we lease tanks to some of our independent distributors involved with our delivery of propane by portable tank exchange operations. Our owned and independent distributors
provide
S-3
Table of Contents
portable
tank exchange customers with a national delivery presence that is generally not available from most of our competitors.
Some
of our propane distribution locations also conduct the retail sale of propane appliances and related parts and fittings, as well as other retail propane related services and
consumer products. We also sell gas grills, patio heaters, fireplace and garden accessories, mosquito traps and other outdoor products through Blue Rhino Global Sourcing, Inc.
Business Strategy
We expect to continue the expansion of our propane customer base through the acquisition of other propane distributors. We intend to
concentrate on acquisition activities in geographical areas within or adjacent to our existing operating areas, and on a selected basis in areas that broaden our geographic coverage. We also intend to
focus on acquisitions that can be efficiently combined with our existing propane operations to provide an attractive return on investment after
taking into account the economies of scale and cost savings we anticipate will result from those combinations. Our goal is to improve the operations and profitability of the businesses we acquire by
integrating them into our established national organization and leveraging our technology platforms to help reduce costs and enhance customer service.
We
believe that our enhanced operational synergies, improved customer service and ability to better track the financial performance of acquired operations provide us a distinct
competitive advantage and better analysis as we consider future acquisition opportunities. We believe that we are positioned to successfully compete for growth opportunities within and outside of our
existing operating regions. Our efforts will focus on adding density to our existing customer base, providing propane and complementary services to national accounts and providing other product
offerings to existing customer relationships. This continued expansion will give us new growth opportunities by leveraging the capabilities of our operating platforms.
We believe our national presence of 884 propane distribution locations in the United States as of July 31, 2010 gives us
advantages over our smaller competitors. These advantages include economies of scale in areas such as:
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product procurement;
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transportation;
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fleet purchases;
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propane customer administration; and
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general administration.
We
believe that our national presence allows us to be one of the few propane distributors that can competitively serve commercial and portable tank exchange customers on a nationwide
basis, including the ability to serve such propane customers through leading home-improvement centers, mass merchants and hardware, grocery and convenience stores. In addition, we believe
that our national presence provides us opportunities to make acquisitions of other propane distribution companies whose operations overlap with ours, providing economies of scale and significant cost
savings in these markets.
We
also believe that investments in technology similar to ours require both a large scale and a national presence, in order to generate sustainable operational savings to produce a
sufficient return on
S-4
Table of Contents
investment.
For this reason, we believe our technology platforms provide us with an on-going competitive advantage.
We believe our significant investments in technology give us a competitive advantage to operate more efficiently and effectively at a
lower cost compared to most of our competitors. We do not believe that many of our competitors will be able to justify similar investments in the near term. Our technology advantage has resulted from
significant investments made in our retail propane distribution operating platform together with our state-of-the-art tank exchange operating platform.
Our
technology platform allows us to efficiently route and schedule our customer deliveries, customer administration and operational workflow for the retail sale and delivery of bulk
propane. Our service centers are staffed to provide oversight and management to multiple distribution locations, referred to as service units. Currently we operate a retail distribution network using
a structure of 154 service centers and 862 service units. The service unit locations utilize hand-held computers and satellite technology to communicate with management personnel who are
typically located at the associated service center. We believe this structure and our technology platform allow us to more efficiently route and schedule customer deliveries and significantly reduce
the need for daily on-site management.
The
efficiencies gained from operating our technology platform allow us to consolidate our management teams at fewer locations, quickly adjust the sales prices to our customers and
manage our personnel and vehicle costs more effectively to meet customer demand.
The
technology platform has substantially improved the forecasting of our customers' demand and our routing and scheduling. We also utilize a call center to accept emergency customer
calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These combined capabilities provide us cost savings while improving customer service by reducing customer inconvenience associated with multiple,
unnecessary deliveries.
In 1998, we established an employee benefit plan that we believe aligns the interests of our employees with those of our investors.
Through the Ferrell Companies, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Trust, our employees beneficially own approximately 29% of our outstanding common units, allowing them to participate directly in
our overall success. We believe this plan is unique in the propane distribution industry and that the entrepreneurial culture fostered by employee-ownership provides us with another distinct
competitive advantage.
Our Offices, Ownership and Structure
The address of each of our principal offices is 7500 College Boulevard, Suite 1000, Overland Park, Kansas 66210 and our
telephone number is (913) 661-1533. We conduct our operations through, and our assets are owned by, Ferrellgas, L.P. and its subsidiaries. Our general partner,
Ferrellgas, Inc., manages our operations and business.
S-5
Table of Contents
The
following diagram reflects a simplified version of our ownership and our organizational structure as of February 28, 2011 (and does not give effect to this offering of common
units):
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(a)
-
Includes
195,686 units held by FCI Trading Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Ferrell Companies, Inc., and 51,204 units held by Ferrell
Propane, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Ferrellgas, Inc.
S-6
Table of Contents
The Offering
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Common units we are offering
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4,400,000 common units (5,060,000 common units if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional common units in full).
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Common units to be outstanding after this offering
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75,227,760 common units (75,887,760 common units if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase
additional common units in full).
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Use of proceeds
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We will receive approximately $113.3 million ($130.3 million if the underwriters exercise their option
to purchase additional common units in full) from the sale of the common units we are offering, after deducting discounts but before offering expenses.
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We intend to use the net proceeds we receive from this offering and the related capital contribution paid to us
by our general partner to redeem $98 million aggregate principal amount of the 8.625% senior unsecured notes due 2020 issued by Ferrellgas Partners, L.P, and Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. We may temporarily use the net proceeds we receive from
this offering to pay down amounts outstanding under our senior secured credit facility, which amounts will be re-borrowed to fund the redemption of the notes. Any remaining proceeds will be used to pay down amounts on our senior secured credit
facility.
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See "Use of Proceeds" on page S-9 of this prospectus supplement.
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Conflicts of Interest
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Affiliates of certain of the underwriters may receive more than 5% of the net proceeds of this offering by
reason of the repayment of amounts outstanding under our senior secured credit facility. In addition, certain of the underwriters or their affiliates may receive more than 5% of the net proceeds of this offering by reason of the redemption of our
8.625% senior unsecured notes due 2020. Accordingly, such underwriters are deemed to have a "conflict of interest" within the meaning of Rule 5121 of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, and this offering will be conducted in accordance
with that rule. See "UnderwritingConflicts of Interest."
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Over-allotment option
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We have granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to 660,000 additional common units to cover
over-allotments, if any.
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S-7
Table of Contents
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Quarterly distributions
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We pay cash distributions from our available cash on our common units on a quarterly basis. We generally pay cash distributions
before the end of the second month following each January 31, April 30, July 31 and October 31. We expect that the first cash distribution payable to purchasers of the common units we are offering will be paid in June 2011 with
respect to our fiscal quarter ending April 30, 2011.
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Estimated ratio of taxable income to distributions
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We estimate that if you own the common units you purchase in this offering through the record date for
distributions for the quarter ending October 31, 2011, you will be allocated, on a cumulative basis, an amount of federal taxable income for such period that will be 10% or less of the cash distributed to you with respect to such period. For
example, if you receive an annual distribution of $2.00 per common unit, we estimate that your average allocated federal taxable income per year will be no more than $0.20 per common unit. Please read "Summary of Certain Tax Consequences" on
page S-12 of this prospectus supplement for the basis of this estimate.
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Risk factors
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Please read "Risk Factors" on page S-9 of this prospectus supplement for a discussion of factors you should
consider before investing in the common units, as well as the risk factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2010.
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New York Stock Exchange symbol
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FGP
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S-8
Table of Contents
RISK FACTORS
Before you invest in our common units, you should be aware that there are various risks. See the section entitled "Risk Factors" in
our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended July 31, 2010 for a discussion of particular factors you should consider before determining whether an investment in
our common units is appropriate for you. See "Where You Can Find More Information" on page S-22 of this prospectus supplement.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We will receive approximately $113.3 million from the sale of our common units after deducting discounts but before offering
expenses. This amount assumes a public offering price of $26.83 per common unit, the last reported sales price of our common units on the New York Stock Exchange on March 11, 2011. We expect to
receive net proceeds of approximately $130.3 million if the underwriters' option to acquire additional common units is exercised in full.
We
intend to use the net proceeds we receive from this offering and the related capital contribution made to us by our general partner to redeem $98 million aggregate principal amount
of the $280.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.625% senior unsecured notes due June 15, 2020 issued by Ferrellgas Partners, L.P, and Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. at a
redemption price of 108.625% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. We used the net proceeds from the 8.625% senior
notes to repurchase and redeem our then outstanding 8.75% senior notes due 2012. We may temporarily use the net proceeds we receive from this offering to pay down amounts outstanding under our senior
secured credit facility, which amounts will be re-borrowed to fund the redemption of the notes. Any remaining proceeds will be used to pay down amounts on our senior secured credit
facility. As of February 28, 2011, interest on borrowings under our senior secured credit facility had a trailing twelve-month weighted average interest rate of 5.04%. The senior secured credit
facility matures in November 2012. For a more complete description of our outstanding indebtedness, see the section entitled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2010. See "Where You Can Find More Information" on page S-22 of this
prospectus supplement. Affiliates of certain of the underwriters may receive a portion of the net proceeds of this offering. See "UnderwritingConflicts of Interest." Our expectation noted
in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2010, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, that net earnings would be
greater in fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010 primarily due to our expectation that debt prepayment premiums would be lower in fiscal 2011 did not contemplate the approximately $36.4 million
of debt prepayment premiums, charges and other costs related to the purchase and redemption of Ferrellgas, L.P. and Ferrellgas Finance Corp.'s 6.75% senior notes in November and December of 2010,
respectively, and therefore you should not rely on such expectation noted in such Annual Report.
S-9
Table of Contents
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON UNITS AND CASH DISTRIBUTIONS
As of February 28, 2011, we had 70,827,760 common units outstanding, held by approximately 837 holders of record,
including common units held in street name. Our common units are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FGP." The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and
low sales prices for the common units, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Transaction Tape, and quarterly declared cash distributions on our common units. The last reported sale
price of our common units on the New York Stock Exchange on March 11, 2011 was $26.83 per common unit.
The
"Cash Distributions" column represents cash distributions attributable to, and declared for, the applicable quarter and declared and paid within 45 days after the end of such
quarter.
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Price Range per
Common Unit
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Cash
Distributions
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High
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Low
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Fiscal 2009
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First quarter
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$
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20.78
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$
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11.27
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$
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0.50
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Second quarter
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16.95
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11.23
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0.50
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Third quarter
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15.57
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11.30
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0.50
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Fourth quarter
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18.37
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14.61
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0.50
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Fiscal 2010
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First quarter
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$
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20.92
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$
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18.73
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$
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0.50
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Second quarter
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22.80
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20.08
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0.50
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Third quarter
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23.65
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21.25
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0.50
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Fourth quarter
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24.18
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21.17
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0.50
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Fiscal 2011
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First quarter
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$
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26.64
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$
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24.21
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$
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0.50
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Second quarter
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28.51
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25.56
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$
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0.50
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Third quarter (through March 11, 2011)
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28.95
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26.37
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Our
transfer agent and registrar for our common units is Computershare Trust Company, N.A. You may contact our transfer agent and registrar at the following address:
S-10
Table of Contents
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and our capitalization as of January 31,
2011:
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on a consolidated historical basis; and
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as adjusted to reflect the sale of the common units in this offering and the application of the net proceeds of this
offering and the related capital contribution made to us by our general partner in the manner described under "Use of Proceeds" to (x) redeem $98 million aggregate principal amount of the 8.625%
senior unsecured notes due 2020 issued by Ferrellgas Partners, L.P, and Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp., and (y) pay down amounts on our senior secured credit facility, assuming an offering price as
of March 11, 2011 of $26.83 per common unit and no exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option.
This
table should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, our historical financial statements, including the accompanying notes, which are
incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.
At
January 31, 2011, $110.9 million of borrowings and $49.0 million of letters of credit were outstanding under our $400.0 million senior secured credit
facility, which will expire in 2012. Letters of credit are currently used to cover obligations primarily relating to requirements for insurance coverage and, to a lesser extent, risk management
activities. At March 11, 2011 we had $282.5 million available for working capital, acquisition, capital expenditures and general partnership purposes under our senior secured credit
facilities.
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As of January 31, 2011
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Historical
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As Adjusted
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(1)
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(in thousands)
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Cash
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$
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25,489
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$
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25,489
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Debt:
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Short-term debt, including current portion of long-term debt
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57,252
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57,252
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Long-term debt
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1,140,026
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1,033,887
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Total Debt
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1,197,278
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1,091,139
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Partners' Capital:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Unitholders
(2)
|
|
|
115,469
|
|
|
220,431
|
|
|
|
|
|
General Partner Unitholder
|
|
|
(58,905
|
)
|
|
(57,798
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income
|
|
|
8,040
|
|
|
8,040
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Ferrellgas Partners L.P. Partners' Capital
|
|
|
64,604
|
|
|
170,673
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noncontrolling Interest
|
|
|
3,503
|
|
|
3,573
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Partners' Capital
|
|
|
68,107
|
|
|
174,246
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Capitalization
|
|
$
|
1,265,385
|
|
$
|
1,265,385
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
(1)
-
Does
not reflect (x) the payment of expenses related to this offering, (y) the payment of accrued interest on the 8.625% senior unsecured notes due 2020 to
be redeemed with the proceeds of this offering or (z) any temporary use of proceeds to pay down amounts outstanding under our senior secured credit facility, which amounts would be re-borrowed to fund
the redemption of the 8.625% senior unsecured notes due 2020.
-
(2)
-
Excludes
233,150 common units issuable, subject to vesting, upon exercise of common unit options granted by us and outstanding as of January 31,
2011.
S-11
Table of Contents
SUMMARY OF CERTAIN TAX CONSEQUENCES
This section outlines and updates certain information relating to material tax considerations relevant to the purchase, ownership and
dispositions of common units; however, it is not a complete discussion of such consequences. This section should be read in conjunction with the section entitled "Tax Consequences" beginning on
page 8 of the accompanying base prospectus, which provides a more detailed discussion of the principal federal income tax considerations associated with our operations and the purchase,
ownership and disposition of our common units and with the section included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2010 entitled,
"Item 1A. Risk FactorsTax Risks".
This
section is based upon current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"), existing and proposed regulations and current administrative rulings and court decisions. Later
changes in these authorities may cause the tax consequences to vary substantially from the consequences described below, possibly with retroactive effect. The tax consequences to a unitholder of an
investment in our common units will depend in part on the unitholder's own tax circumstances. This section addresses unitholders who are individual citizens or residents of the United States and has
only limited application to corporations, estates, trusts, non-resident aliens or other holders that may be subject to special tax treatment, such as tax-exempt institutions,
individual retirement accounts, real estate investment trusts or mutual funds. Ownership of common units by such persons
raises issues unique to such persons and, as described in the "Tax Consequences" section of the accompanying base prospectus, may substantially increase the tax liability and requirements imposed on
such persons. Each prospective unitholder should consult, and depend on, its own tax advisor in analyzing the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences particular to that unitholder of
the purchase, ownership or disposition of our common units.
All
statements as to matters of law and legal conclusions, but not as to factual matters, contained in this section, and in the "Tax Consequences" section in the accompanying base
prospectus, are, unless otherwise noted, the opinion of McGuireWoods LLP, counsel to us and our general partner, and are, to the extent noted herein or therein, based on the accuracy of various
factual matters. No ruling has been or will be requested from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") regarding any matter affecting us or prospective unitholders, other than a ruling we received
relating to our taxable year. The opinions and statements made herein may not be sustained by a court if contested by the IRS, and in the event that the IRS is successful in such contest, it may
result in tax consequences that differ materially from the tax consequences discussed in this section and in the "Tax Consequences" section in the accompanying base prospectus, or result in a material
reduction in the prices at which our common units trade. The costs of any contest with the IRS will be borne directly or indirectly by the unitholders and our general partner.
Partnership Status
A partnership is not a taxable entity and incurs no federal income tax liability. Instead, each partner of a partnership is required
to take into account that partner's allocable share of items of income, gain, loss and deduction of the partnership in computing that partner's federal income tax liability, regardless of whether cash
distributions are made. In most cases, distributions by a partnership to a partner are not taxable unless the amount of any cash distributed is in excess of the partner's adjusted tax basis in that
partner's partnership interest. This section assumes that we will be treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.
Tax Treatment of Unitholders
A unitholder will have an initial tax basis in the units equal to the amount that it paid plus its share of our nonrecourse
liabilities. A unitholder's adjusted tax basis in the units will be equal to its initial tax basis in the common units, increased by that unitholder's share of our income (including tax
S-12
Table of Contents
exempt
income) and by any increases in that unitholder's share of our nonrecourse liabilities, and decreased, but not below zero, by distributions received from us, by that unitholder's share of our
losses, by any decreases in that unitholder's share of our nonrecourse liabilities and by that unitholder's share of our expenditures that are not deductible in computing our taxable income and are
not required to be capitalized.
Each
unitholder will be required to report on its income tax return (including for purposes of the alternative minimum tax) its allocable share of our income, gains, losses and
deductions without regard to whether corresponding cash distributions are received by that unitholder. Thus, a unitholder may be subject to tax even if the unitholder does not receive a cash
distribution. Except as described in the "Tax Consequences" section of the accompanying base prospectus, our distributions to a unitholder will not be taxable to that unitholder to the extent of the
unitholder's adjusted tax basis in that unitholder's common units immediately before the distribution. Any cash distributions in excess of the adjusted tax basis will be taxable gain from the sale or
exchange of our common units. Certain circumstances described in the "Tax Consequences" section of the accompanying base prospectus may be deemed as cash distributions to the unitholders, the result
of which would be recognition of gain to the unitholder.
We
estimate that a person who acquires common units in this offering and owns those common units through the period ending on the record date for the cash distribution payable for the
fiscal quarter ended October 31, will be allocated, on a cumulative basis, an amount of federal taxable income for that period that will be 10% or less of the cash distributed for that period.
The taxable income allocable to a common unitholder for subsequent periods may constitute an increasing percentage of distributable cash. These estimates are based upon many assumptions regarding our
business and operations, including assumptions as to weather conditions in our areas of operation, capital expenditures, cash flows and anticipated cash distributions. These estimates and our
assumptions are subject to numerous business, economic, regulatory and competitive uncertainties beyond our control. In addition, these estimates are based on current tax law and certain tax reporting
positions with which the Internal Revenue Service could disagree. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that these estimates will be correct. The actual percentage of distributions that will constitute
taxable income could be higher or lower, and any differences could materially affect the amount of the unitholder's taxable income, as well as the value of the common units.
Limitations on Deductibility of Partnership Losses
The deduction by a unitholder of its share of our losses will be limited to the amount of the unitholder's adjusted tax basis in its
common units and, in the case of an individual unitholder (or a corporate unitholder, if more than 50% of the value of the corporate unitholder's stock is owned directly or indirectly by five or fewer
individuals or particular tax-exempt organizations), to the amount for which the unitholder is considered to be "at risk" with respect to our activities, if that is less than the
unitholder's tax basis.
Any
passive losses generated by us will be available to offset our passive income generated in the future. Such passive income, however, may not offset income from other passive
activities or investments (including other publicly-traded partnerships) or salary or active business income. Passive losses which are not deductible because they exceed a unitholder's share of our
income may be deducted in full when that unitholder disposes of its common units in a taxable transaction with an unrelated party.
The
deductibility of a non-corporate taxpayer's "investment interest expense," including indebtedness incurred to purchase or carry common units, is limited to the amount of
such taxpayer's "net investment income," including passive income from the common units, as defined in the "Tax Consequences" section of the accompanying base prospectus.
S-13
Table of Contents
Allocation of Partnership Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction
If we have net gain, items of income, gain, loss and deduction will generally be allocated among our general partner and the
unitholders in accordance with their respective percentage interests unless otherwise specified in the partnership agreement. If we have a net loss, our items of income, gain, loss and deduction will
be allocated first to the general partner and the unitholders in accordance with their respective interests in us to the extent of their positive capital accounts, as maintained under our partnership
agreements, and, second, to our general partner.
Section 754 Election
As described in greater detail in the "Tax Consequences" section of the accompanying base prospectus, we have made the election
permitted by Section 754 of the Code. The election is irrevocable without the consent of the IRS. The election permits us to adjust a common unit purchaser's share of the tax basis in our
assets under Section 743(b) of the Code to reflect that unitholder's purchase price when common units are purchased from a holder thereof. See the "Tax Consequences" section of the base
prospectus for additional information with respect to our compliance with the requirements of this election.
Partnership Taxable Year and Method of Accounting
We use the calendar year as our taxable year and the accrual method of accounting for federal income tax purposes, the consequences of
which to a unitholder are described in the "Tax Consequences" section of the accompanying base prospectus.
Initial Tax Basis, Depreciation and Amortization
If we dispose of depreciable property, all or a portion of any gain, determined by reference to the amount of depreciation previously
deducted and the nature of the property, may be subject to recapture and taxed as ordinary income rather than capital gain. A unitholder who has taken cost recovery or depreciation deductions with
respect to property owned by us may be required to recapture such deductions as ordinary income upon a sale of that unitholder's interest in us.
Valuation and Tax Basis of Our Properties
The federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of common units will depend in part on our estimates of the fair
market values, and determinations of the tax basis of our assets. These estimates are subject to challenge and will not be binding on the IRS or the courts, and if successfully challenged, unitholders
might be required to adjust their tax liability for prior years and incur interest and penalties with respect to those adjustments.
Disposition of Common Units
Gain or loss will be recognized on a sale of common units equal to the difference between the amount realized and the unitholder's
adjusted tax basis for the common units sold. A unitholder's amount realized equals the sum of the cash or the fair market value of other property received plus that unitholder's share of our
nonrecourse liabilities. Except as noted in the "Tax Consequences" section of the accompanying base prospectus, such gain or loss recognized by a unitholder, other than a sale by "dealer" in common
units, will be capital. A portion of this gain or loss might be separately computed and taxed as ordinary income or loss. Net capital loss may offset no more than $3,000 of ordinary income in the case
of individuals and may only be used to offset capital gain in the case of corporations. A unitholder who sells or exchanges common units is required to notify us in writing of that sale or exchange
within a specified period, and we are required to notify the IRS of that transaction and to furnish specific information to the transferor and transferee. Certain exceptions to this requirement are
set forth in the "Tax Consequences" section of the accompanying base prospectus.
S-14
Table of Contents
A
taxpayer may be treated as having sold a common unit at its fair market value, in which gain would be recognized, if the taxpayer or related persons enters into: a short sale; an
offsetting notional principal contract; or a futures or forward contract with respect to the partnership interest or substantially identical property.
We
will be considered to have been terminated for tax purposes if there is a sale or exchange of 50% or more of the total interests in our capital and profits within a
12-month period. The potential consequences are set forth in the "Tax Consequences" section of the accompanying base prospectus.
Information Returns and Audit Procedures
We intend to furnish to each unitholder, within 90 days after the close of each calendar year, specific tax information,
including a Schedule K-1, which sets forth each unitholder's share of our income, gain, loss and deduction for our preceding taxable year.
Our
partnership agreements appoint our general partner as our Tax Matters Partner. The Tax Matters Partner will make various elections on our behalf and on behalf of the unitholders and
will control certain other tax matters of the partnership that affect the unitholders
A
unitholder must file a statement with the IRS identifying the treatment of any item on that unitholder's federal income tax return that is not consistent with the treatment of the
item on our return.
Persons
who hold an interest in us as nominees are required to furnish to us certain information, as described in the "Tax Consequences" section of the accompanying base prospectus.
Brokers and financial institutions are required to furnish additional information, as detailed in the accompanying base prospectus.
State, Local and Other Tax Consequences
Unitholders will be subject to other taxes, such as state and local income taxes, unincorporated business taxes, and estate,
inheritance or intangible taxes that may be imposed by the various jurisdictions in which we do business or own property. We currently conduct business in 50 states and in Puerto Rico. Unitholders may
be required to file tax returns in some or all of the states and localities in which we do business or own property. Each prospective unitholder should consider their potential impact on that
unitholder's investment in us.
Tax Rates
Under current law, the highest marginal federal income tax rate applicable to ordinary income of individuals is 35%, and the highest
marginal federal income tax rate applicable to long-term capital gains of individuals (generally, gains from the sale or exchange of certain investment assets held for more than one year)
is 15%. However, absent new legislation extending the current rates, beginning January 1, 2013, the highest marginal federal income tax rate applicable to ordinary income and
long-term capital gains of individuals will increase to 39.6% and 20%, respectively. Moreover, these rates are subject to change by new legislation at any time.
Recently
enacted legislation will impose a 3.8% Medicare tax on net investment income earned by individuals, estates and trusts for taxable years beginning after December 31,
2012. For these purposes, net investment income generally includes a unitholder's allocable share of our income and gain realized by a unitholder from a sale of common units. In the case of an
individual, the tax will be imposed on the lesser of (1) the unitholder's net investment income or (2) the amount by which the unitholder's modified adjusted gross income exceeds
$250,000 (if the unitholder is married and filing jointly or a surviving spouse), $125,000 (if the unitholder is married and filing separately) or $200,000 (in any other case). In the case of an
estate or trust, the tax will be imposed on the lesser of (i) undistributed net investment income or (ii) the excess adjusted gross income over the dollar amount at which the highest
income tax bracket applicable to an estate or trust begins.
S-15
Table of Contents
UNDERWRITING
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an underwriting agreement among us and the underwriters, we have agreed to sell to
the underwriters, and each of the underwriters has agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase from us, the number of common units set forth opposite its name below.
|
|
|
|
|
Underwriter
|
|
Number of
Common Units
|
|
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated
|
|
|
|
|
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
|
|
|
|
|
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
4,400,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subject
to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, the underwriters have agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase all of the common units sold under the
underwriting agreement if any of these common units are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the nondefaulting underwriters may
be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.
We
have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required
to make in respect of those liabilities.
The
underwriters are offering the common units, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel, including
the validity of the common units, and other conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, such as the receipt by the underwriters of officer's certificates and legal opinions. The underwriters
reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.
Commissions and Discounts
The underwriters have advised us that they propose initially to offer the shares to the public at the public offering price set forth
on the cover page of this prospectus and to dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $ per share. After the initial offering, the public offering price, concession
or
any other term of the offering may be changed.
The
following table shows the public offering price, underwriting discount and proceeds before expenses to us. The information assumes either no exercise or full exercise by the
underwriters of their overallotment option.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per
Common Unit
|
|
Without
Option
|
|
With
Option
|
Public offering price
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
Underwriting discount
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
Proceeds, before expenses, to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
The
expenses of the offering, not including the underwriting discount, are estimated at $ and are payable by us.
S-16
Table of Contents
Overallotment Option
We have granted an option to the underwriters, exercisable for 30 days after the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to
660,000 additional shares at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount. The underwriters may exercise this option solely to cover any overallotments. If the underwriters exercise this
option, each will be obligated, subject to conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, to purchase a number of additional common units proportionate to that underwriter's initial amount
reflected in the above table.
No Sales of Similar Securities
We, our executive officers and directors, our general partner, Ferrell Companies, Inc. and certain affiliates of James E.
Ferrell (JEF Capital Management, Inc. and Ferrell Resources Holdings, Inc.) have agreed not to sell or transfer any common units or securities convertible into, exchangeable for,
exercisable for, or repayable with common units, for 60 days after the date of this prospectus without first obtaining the written consent of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated.
Specifically, we and these other persons have agreed, with certain limited exceptions, not to directly or indirectly
-
-
offer, pledge, sell or contract to sell any common units,
-
-
sell any option or contract to purchase any common units,
-
-
purchase any option or contract to sell any common units,
-
-
grant any option, right or warrant for the sale of any common units,
-
-
otherwise dispose of or transfer any common units,
-
-
request or demand that we file a registration statement related to the common units, or
-
-
enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, the economic consequence of ownership of any
common units whether any such swap or transaction is to be settled by delivery of shares or other securities, in cash or otherwise.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, we may issue common units in connection with the acquisition of assets or businesses. This lock-up provision applies to common units, any of
our securities that are substantially similar to common units and to securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for or repayable with common units. It also applies to common units
owned now or acquired later by the person executing the agreement or for which the person executing the agreement later acquires the power of disposition. In the event that either (x) during
the last 17 days of the lock-up period referred to above, we issue an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs or (y) prior to the
expiration of the lock-up period, we announce that we will release earnings results or become aware that material news or a material event will occur during the 16-day period
beginning on the last day of the lock-up period, the restrictions described above shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of
the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event.
New York Stock Exchange Listing
The common units are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FGP."
Price Stabilization, Short Positions
Until the distribution of the common units is completed, SEC rules may limit underwriters and selling group members from bidding for
and purchasing our common units. However, the underwriters
S-17
Table of Contents
may
engage in transactions that stabilize the price of the common units, such as bids or purchases to peg, fix or maintain that price.
In
connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell our common units in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, purchases on the open market to
cover positions created by short sales and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of shares than they are required to purchase in the offering.
"Covered" short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters' overallotment option described above. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either
exercising their overallotment option or purchasing shares in the open market. In determining the source of common units to close out the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among
other things, the price of common units available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the overallotment option. "Naked" short sales are
sales in excess of the overallotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing common units in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created
if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of our common units in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the
offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of various bids for or purchases of common units made by the underwriters in the open market prior to the completion of the offering.
Similar
to other purchase transactions, the underwriters' purchases to cover the syndicate short sales may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common units
or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common units. As a result, the price of our common units may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. The
underwriters may conduct these transactions on the New York Stock Exchange, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.
Neither
we nor any of the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price
of our common units. In addition, neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation that the underwriters will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once commenced,
will not be discontinued without notice.
Electronic Offer, Sale and Distribution of Shares
In connection with the offering, certain of the underwriters or securities dealers may distribute prospectuses by electronic means,
such as e-mail. In addition, one or more of the underwriters may facilitate Internet distribution for this offering to certain of its Internet subscription customers. Such underwriters may
allocate a limited number of shares for sale to their online brokerage customers. An electronic prospectus is available on the website maintained by such underwriters. Other than the prospectus in
electronic format, the information on such underwriter's website is not part of this prospectus.
Suitability
Our common units are deemed to be direct participation program securities within the meaning of Rule 2310 of the Financial
Industry Regulatory Authority. The underwriters will determine the suitability for investment of the common units by the same standards that they apply to other securities that are listed for trading
on a national securities exchange.
Other Relationships
The underwriters and their affiliates have engaged in, and may in the future engage in, investment banking and other commercial
dealings in the ordinary course of business with us or our
S-18
Table of Contents
affiliates.
They have received, or may in the future receive, customary fees and commissions for these transactions.
In
addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity
securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities
may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment
recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short
positions in such securities and instruments.
Affiliates
of each of the underwriters are lenders under our senior secured credit facility, for which they receive customary fees. Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and Merrill Lynch,
Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated serve as co-lead arrangers under our senior secured credit facility. Bank of America, N.A. serves as administrative agent, and J.P. Morgan
Securities LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated serve as joint book managers under our senior secured credit facility. Wells
Fargo Bank, N.A. and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. serve as co-syndication agents under our senior secured credit facility. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. serve as agents under the accounts
receivable securitization facility.
Conflicts of Interest
Affiliates of certain of the underwriters may receive more than 5% of the net proceeds of this offering by reason of the repayment of
amounts outstanding under our senior secured credit facility. In addition, certain of the underwriters or their affiliates may receive more than 5% of the net proceeds of this offering by reason of
the redemption of our 8.625% senior unsecured notes due 2020. Accordingly, such underwriters are deemed to have a "conflict of interest" within the meaning of Rule 5121 of the Financial
Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., and this offering will be conducted in accordance with that rule. No underwriter with a "conflict of interest" will confirm sales to any account over which
it exercises discretion without the specific written approval of the account holder.
Notice to Investors
In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area that has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a relevant member
state), other than Germany, with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that relevant
member state (the relevant implementation date), an offer of securities described in this prospectus may not be made to the public in that relevant member state other than:
-
-
to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive;
-
-
to fewer than 100 or, if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending
Directive, 150, natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospectus Directive, subject to obtaining the prior consent of
the relevant Dealer or Dealers nominated by the Issuer for any such offer; or
-
-
in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive.
provided
that no such offer of securities shall require us or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.
S-19
Table of Contents
For
purposes of this provision, the expression an "offer of securities to the public" in any relevant member state means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient
information on the terms of the offer and the securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the securities, as the expression may be varied in that member
state by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that member state, and the expression "Prospectus Directive" means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including the
2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member State), and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State, and includes any relevant
implementing measure in each relevant member state. The expression 2010 PD Amending Directive means Directive 2010/73/EU.
We
have not authorized and do not authorize the making of any offer of securities through any financial intermediary on their behalf, other than offers made by the underwriters with a
view to the final placement of the securities as contemplated in this prospectus. Accordingly, no purchaser of the
securities, other than the underwriters, is authorized to make any further offer of the securities on behalf of us or the underwriters.
Our partnership may constitute a "collective investment scheme" as defined by section 235 of the Financial Services and Markets
Act 2000 ("FSMA") that is not a "recognized collective investment scheme" for the purposes of FSMA ("CIS") and that has not been authorized or otherwise approved. As an unregulated scheme, it cannot
be marketed in the United Kingdom to the general public, except in accordance with FSMA. This prospectus is only being distributed in the United Kingdom to, and is only directed at:
(i) if
our partnership is a CIS and is marketed by a person who is an authorized person under FSMA, (a) investment professionals falling within Article 14(5)
of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Promotion of Collective Investment Schemes) Order 2001, as amended (the "CIS Promotion Order") or (b) high net worth companies and other persons
falling with Article 22(2)(a) to (d) of the CIS Promotion Order; or
(ii) otherwise,
if marketed by a person who is not an authorized person under FSMA, (a) persons who fall within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and
Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Financial Promotion Order") or (b) Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Financial Promotion Order; and
(iii) in
both cases (i) and (ii) to any other person to whom it may otherwise lawfully be made, (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant
persons"). Our partnership's common units are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such common units will be engaged in only with,
relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.
An
invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of FSMA) in connection with the issue or sale of any common units which are the
subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus will only be communicated or caused to be communicated in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of FSMA does not apply to our partnership.
This prospectus has not been prepared in accordance with the requirements for a securities or sales prospectus under the German
Securities Prospectus Act (
Wertpapierprospektgesetz
), the German Sales Prospectus Act
(
Verkaufsprospektgesetz
), or the German Investment Act (
Investmentgesetz
). Neither
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the
German Federal Financial Services Supervisory Authority (
Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht-BaFin
) nor any other German
authority has been notified of the intention to distribute our common units in Germany. Consequently, our common units may not be distributed in Germany by way of public offering, public advertisement
or in any similar manner and this prospectus and any other document relating to this offering, as well as information or statements contained therein, may not be supplied to the public in Germany or
used in connection with any offer for subscription of the common units to the public in Germany or any other means of public marketing. Our common units are being offered and sold in Germany only to
qualified investors which are referred to in Section 3, paragraph 2 no. 1, in connection with Section 2 no. 6 of the German Securities Prospectus Act,
Section 8f paragraph 2 no. 4 of the German Sales Prospectus Act, and in Section 2 paragraph 11 sentence 2 no. 1 of the German Investment Act. This
prospectus is strictly for use of the person who has received it. It may not be forwarded to other persons or published in Germany.
This
offering does not constitute an offer to buy or the solicitation or an offer to sell our common units in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful.
Our common units may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in the Netherlands, other than to qualified investors
(
gekwalificeerde beleggers
) within the meaning of Article 1:1 of the Dutch Financial Supervision Act (
Wet op het
financieel toezicht
).
This prospectus is being communicated in Switzerland to a small number of selected investors only. Each copy of this prospectus is
addressed to a specifically named recipient and may not be copied, reproduced, distributed or passed on to third parties. Our common units are not being offered to the public in Switzerland, and
neither this prospectus, nor any other offering materials relating to our common units may be distributed in connection with any such public offering.
We
have not been registered with the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA as a foreign collective investment scheme pursuant to Article 120 of the Collective
Investment Schemes Act of June 23, 2006 ("CISA"). Accordingly, our common units may not be offered to the public in or from Switzerland, and neither this prospectus, nor any other offering
materials relating to our common units may be made available through a public offering in or from Switzerland. Our common units may only be offered and this prospectus may only be distributed in or
from Switzerland by way of private placement exclusively to qualified investors (as this term is defined in the CISA and its implementing ordinance).
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LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the common units being offered hereunder will be passed upon for us by McGuireWoods LLP, Houston, Texas.
Certain legal matters in connection with the common units being offered hereunder will be passed upon for the underwriters by Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, New York, New
York.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements, and the related financial statement schedules, incorporated in this prospectus supplement by
reference from Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2010 and the effectiveness of
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.'s internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in
their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements and financial statement schedules have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon
their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Where Documents are Filed; Copies of Documents
We file annual, quarterly and other reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and download our SEC filings over the
Internet from several commercial document retrieval services as well as at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy our SEC filings at the SEC's Public Reference Room at
100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information concerning the Public Reference Room and any
applicable copy charges. You can also obtain information about us through the New York Stock Exchange, 11 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, on which our common units are listed.
In
addition, you may also access further information about us by visiting our website at http://www.ferrellgas.com. Please note that the information and materials found on our website,
except for our SEC filings expressly described below, are not part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus and are not incorporated by reference herein.
Incorporation of Documents by Reference
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 with respect to the common units offered by this
prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus are a part of that registration statement. As allowed by the SEC, this
prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus do not contain all of the information you can find in the registration statement or the exhibits to the registration statement. Instead, the
SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" information into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus. This
means that we can disclose particular important information to you without actually including such information in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus by simply referring you
to another document that we filed separately with the SEC.
The
information we incorporate by reference is an important part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus and should be carefully read in conjunction with this
prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus. Information that we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus supplement will automatically update and may supersede some of the
information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus as well as information we previously filed with the SEC and that was incorporated by reference into this
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prospectus
supplement or the accompanying base prospectus (other than information in such documents that is deemed not to be filed).
We
are incorporating by reference into this prospectus supplement the documents listed below and any other filings made by us under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus supplement and prior to the termination of this offering (other than current reports or portions thereof furnished under Form 8-K,
unless such current reports or portions thereof specifically reference their contents as being filed):
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the description of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.'s common units in its registration statement on
Form 8-A/A, as filed with the SEC on December 7, 2005, and any amendments or reports filed to update the description;
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the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. for the fiscal year ended
July 31, 2010, as filed with the SEC on September 28, 2010;
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the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. for the fiscal quarter ended
October 31, 2010, as filed with the SEC on December 10, 2010;
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the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. for the fiscal quarter ended
January 31, 2011 as filed with the SEC on March 11, 2011; and
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our Current Reports on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on November 12, 2010 and
November 30, 2010.
If
information in any of these incorporated documents conflicts with information in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus, you should rely on the most recent
information. If information in an incorporated document conflicts with information in another incorporated document, you should rely on the information in the most recent incorporated document.
You
may request from us at no cost a copy of any document we incorporate by reference, excluding all exhibits to such incorporated documents (unless we have specifically incorporated by
reference such exhibits either in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus or in the incorporated document), by making such a request in writing or by telephone to the following
address:
Ferrellgas, Inc.
7500 College Boulevard, Suite 1000
Overland Park, Kansas 66210
Attention: Investor Relations
(913) 661-1533
Except
as provided above, no other information (including information on our website) is incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus.
S-23
Table of Contents
PROSPECTUS
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.
Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp.
Ferrellgas, L.P.
Ferrellgas Finance Corp.
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Common Units
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Debt Securities
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Senior Units
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Warrants
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Deferred Participation Units
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WE WILL PROVIDE THE SPECIFIC TERMS OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED IN SUPPLEMENTS TO THIS PROSPECTUS. YOU SHOULD READ THIS PROSPECTUS AND ANY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT CAREFULLY BEFORE
YOU INVEST.
This
prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer from time to time up to an aggregate offering price of $750,000,000. Ferrellgas
Partners, L.P. may offer common units, senior units, deferred participation units, warrants and debt securities. Ferrellgas, L.P. may offer only nonconvertible investment grade debt
securities. Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. may be the co-obligor on any debt securities issued by Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and Ferrellgas Finance Corp. may be the
co-obligor on any debt securities issued by Ferrellgas, L.P. Each time we sell securities we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the
terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.
We
may offer the securities from time to time through public or private transactions, directly or through underwriters, agents or dealers and in the case of our common units, on or off
the New York Stock Exchange at prevailing market rates or at privately negotiated prices. For additional information on the method of sale, you should refer to the section entitled "Plan of
Distribution" in this prospectus and in the applicable prospectus supplement. If any underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities with respect to which this prospectus is delivered, the
names of such underwriters and any applicable discounts or commissions, and any over-allotment options will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public and the net
proceeds we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in the prospectus supplement.
The
common units are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FGP." On April 10, 2009, the last reported sales price for the common units as reported on the NYSE
Composite Transactions tape was $14.38 per common unit.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the securities or determined if this prospectus
is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
Investing in our securities involves risk. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 6 of this prospectus, on page 10 of our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended July 31, 2008, on
page 44 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for our fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2008 and on page 49 of our Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for our fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2009. See "Where You Can Find More Information" on page 55 of this prospectus.
The
date of this prospectus is April 13, 2009.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with SEC, utilizing a "shelf" registration process. Under this
shelf registration process, Ferrellgas Partners may sell the common units, senior units, deferred participation units, warrants and debt securities described in this prospectus and
Ferrellgas, L.P. may sell the debt securities described in this prospectus:
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from time to time and in one or more offerings;
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in one or more series; and
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in any combination thereof,
up
to a maximum aggregate principal amount of $750,000,000. Ferrellgas, L.P. may offer only nonconvertible investment grade debt securities. Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. may be the
co-obligor on any debt securities issued by Ferrellgas Partners and Ferrellgas Finance Corp. may be the co-obligor on any debt securities issued by Ferrellgas, L.P.
This
prospectus provides you with a general description of our business and the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities under this shelf registration, we will provide a
prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of the applicable offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, change, or update information contained in this
prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.
This
prospectus summarizes documents and other information in a manner we believe to be accurate, but we refer you to the actual documents for a more complete understanding of the
information we discuss in this prospectus. In making an investment decision, you must rely on your own examination of such documents, our business and the terms of the offering and the securities,
including the merits and risks involved.
We
make no representation to you that the securities are a legal investment for you. You should not consider any information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus to
be legal, business or tax advice. You should consult your own attorney, business advisor and tax advisor for legal, business and tax advice regarding an investment in the securities. The delivery of
this prospectus or any sale made hereunder does not imply that there has been no change in our affairs or that the information set forth or incorporated by reference herein is correct as of any date
after the date of this
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prospectus.
We are not making an offer to sell the securities in any jurisdiction except where an offer or sale is permitted.
You
should base your decision to invest in the securities solely on information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should contact us with any questions about
this offering or if you require additional information to verify the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information" on page 55.
Neither
the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the
contrary is a criminal offense.
We
will not use this prospectus to offer and sell securities unless it is accompanied by a supplement that more fully describes the securities being offered and the terms of the
offering.
The information in this prospectus is accurate as of April 13, 2009.
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Table of Contents
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary may not contain all of the information that may be important to you. To fully understand the terms of the securities we
are offering with this prospectus, as well as the other considerations that may be important to you in determining whether an investment in any of the securities being offered is appropriate for you,
you should carefully read this entire prospectus and the documents we have incorporated by reference. You should pay special attention to "Risk Factors" beginning on page 6 of this prospectus,
on page 10 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2008, on page 44 of our Quarterly Report for the quarter ended
October 31, 2008 and on page 49 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended January 31, 2009, to determine whether an investment in the
securities is appropriate for you. See "Where You Can Find More Information" on page 55 of this prospectus. Our fiscal year end is July 31.
In
this prospectus, unless the context indicates otherwise:
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when we refer to "us," "we," "our," or "ours," we generally mean Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. together with its
consolidated subsidiaries, including Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp., Ferrellgas, L.P. and Ferrellgas Finance Corp., except when used in connection with "common units," "senior units," and
"debt securities," in which case these terms refer to the applicable issuer of those securities;
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when we refer to "operating partnership" we mean Ferrellgas, L.P., together with its consolidated subsidiaries,
including Ferrellgas Finance Corp.;
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when we refer to "Ferrellgas Partners" we mean Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., without its consolidated subsidiaries;
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when we refer to our "general partner" we mean Ferrellgas, Inc., as general partner of Ferrellgas Partners and
Ferrellgas, L.P.
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the common units, senior units, deferred participation units, warrants and debt securities described in this prospectus
are sometimes collectively referred to as the "securities;" and
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the term "unitholder" generally refers to holders of common units of Ferrellgas Partners.
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.
We are a leading distributor of propane and related equipment and supplies to customers primarily in the United States and conduct our
business as a single reportable operating segment. We believe that we are the second largest retail marketer of propane in the United States, and the largest national provider of propane by portable
tank exchange, as measured by our propane sales volumes in fiscal 2008.
We
serve approximately one million residential, industrial/commercial, portable tank exchange, agricultural and other customers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto
Rico. Our operations primarily include the distribution and sale of propane and related equipment and supplies with concentrations in the Midwest, Southeast, Southwest and Northwest regions of the
United States. Our propane distribution business consists principally of transporting propane purchased from third parties to propane distribution locations and then to tanks on customers' premises or
to portable propane tanks delivered to nationwide and local retailers. Our portable tank exchange operations, nationally branded under the name Blue Rhino, are conducted through a network of
independent and partnership-owned distribution outlets. Our market areas for our residential and agricultural customers are generally rural, but also include urban areas for industrial applications.
Our market area for our industrial/commercial and portable tank exchange customers is generally urban.
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In
the residential and industrial/commercial markets, propane is primarily used for space heating, water heating, cooking and other propane fueled appliances. In the portable tank
exchange market, propane is used primarily for outdoor cooking using gas grills. In the agricultural market, propane is primarily used for crop drying, space heating, irrigation and weed control. In
addition, propane is used for a variety of industrial applications, including as an engine fuel which is burned in internal combustion engines that power vehicles and forklifts, and as a heating or
energy source in manufacturing and drying processes.
Our Operations
We utilize marketing programs targeting both new and existing customers by emphasizing:
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our efficiency in delivering propane to customers;
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our employee training and safety programs;
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our enhanced customer service, facilitated by our technology platform and our 24 hours a day, seven days a week
retail customer call support capabilities; and
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our national distributor network for our commercial and portable tank exchange customers.
The
distribution of propane to residential customers generally involves large numbers of small volume deliveries. Our retail deliveries of propane are typically transported from our
retail propane distribution locations to our customers by our fleet of bulk delivery trucks, which are generally fitted with a 3,000 gallon tank. Propane storage tanks located on our customers'
premises are then filled from these bulk delivery trucks. We also deliver propane to our industrial/commercial and portable tank exchange customers using our fleet of portable tank and portable tank
exchange delivery trucks, truck tractors and portable tank exchange delivery trailers.
A
substantial majority of our gross margin from propane and other gas liquids sales is derived from the distribution and sale of propane and related risk management activities. Our gross
margin from the distribution of propane and other gas liquids sales is primarily based on the cents-per-gallon difference between the sales price we charge our customers and
our costs to purchase and deliver propane to our propane distribution locations. Our residential and portable tank exchange customers typically provide us a greater
cents-per-gallon margin than our industrial/commercial, agricultural, wholesale and other customers. The wholesale propane price per gallon is subject to various market
conditions and may fluctuate based on changes in demand, supply and prices of other energy commodities, primarily crude oil and natural gas as propane prices tend to correlate with the fluctuations of
these underlying commodities. We employ risk management activities that attempt to mitigate risks related to the purchasing, selling, storing and transporting of propane.
Residential
customers typically rent their storage tanks from their distributors. Approximately 68% of our residential customers rent their tanks from us. Our rental terms and the fire
safety regulations in some states require rented bulk tanks to be filled only by the propane supplier owning the tank. The cost and inconvenience of switching bulk tanks helps minimize a customer's
tendency to switch suppliers of propane on the basis of minor variations in price, helping us minimize customer loss.
In
addition, we generally lease tanks to independent distributors involved with our delivery of propane by portable tank exchange operations. Our owned and independent distributors
provide portable tank exchange customers with a national delivery presence that is generally not available from our competitors.
Some
of our propane distribution locations also conduct the retail sale of propane appliances and related parts and fittings, as well as other retail propane related services and
consumer products. We also sell gas grills, patio heaters, fireplace and garden accessories, mosquito traps and other outdoor products through our subsidiary, Blue Rhino Global Sourcing, Inc.
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Recent Developments
On February 24, 2009, the board of directors of our general partner declared a second quarter cash distribution of $0.50 per
common unit, or $2.00 per common unit on an annualized basis, payable on March 17, 2009 to unitholders of record as of March 10, 2009.
Our Business Strategy
Our technology platform allows us to efficiently route and schedule our customer deliveries, customer administration and operational
workflow for the retail sale and delivery of bulk propane. Currently we operate a retail distribution network using a structure of 157 service centers and 688 service units. Each service center is
staffed to provide oversight and management to multiple distribution locations, referred to as service units. The service unit locations utilize hand-held computers and satellite
technology to communicate with management personnel who are typically located at the associated service center. We believe this structure and our technology platform, allow us to more efficiently
route and schedule customer deliveries and significantly reduce the need for daily on-site management.
The
efficiencies gained from operating our new technology platform allow us to consolidate our management teams at fewer locations, quickly adjust the sales prices to our customers and
manage our personnel and vehicle costs more effectively.
The
technology platform has substantially improved the forecasting of our customers' demand and our routing and scheduling. We also utilize a call center to accept customer calls
24 hours a day seven days a week. These combined capabilities provide us cost savings while improving customer service by reducing customer inconvenience associated with multiple, unnecessary
deliveries.
We believe our national presence of 871 propane distribution locations in the United States as of July 31, 2008 gives us
advantages over our smaller competitors. These advantages include economies of scale in areas such as:
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product procurement;
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transportation;
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fleet purchases;
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propane customer administration; and
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general administration.
We
believe that our national presence allows us to be one of the few propane distributors that can competitively serve commercial and portable tank exchange customers on a nationwide
basis, including
the ability to serve such propane customers through leading home-improvement centers, mass merchants and hardware, grocery and convenience stores. In addition, we believe that our national
presence provides us opportunities to make acquisitions of other propane distribution companies whose operations overlap with ours, providing economies of scale and significant cost savings in these
markets.
We
also believe that investments in technology similar to ours require both a large scale and a national presence, in order to generate sustainable operational savings to produce a
sufficient return on investment. For this reason, we believe our technology platforms provide us with an on-going competitive advantage.
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We expect to continue the expansion of our propane customer base through the acquisition of other propane distributors. We intend to
concentrate on acquisition activities in geographical areas within or adjacent to our existing operating areas, and on a selected basis in areas that broaden our geographic coverage. We also intend to
focus on acquisitions that can be efficiently combined with our existing propane operations to provide an attractive return on investment after taking into account the economies of scale and cost
savings we anticipate will result from those combinations. Our goal is to improve the operations and profitability of the businesses we acquire by integrating them into our established national
organization and leveraging our technology platforms to help reduce costs and enhance customer service. We believe that our enhanced operational synergies, improved customer service and ability to
better track the financial performance of acquired operations provide us a distinct competitive advantage and better analysis as we consider future acquisition opportunities.
We
believe that we are positioned to successfully compete for growth opportunities within our existing operating regions. Our efforts will be focused on adding density to our existing
customer base, providing propane and complementary services to national accounts and other product offerings to existing customer relationships. We also intend to continue expanding our propane
distribution operations into several areas to which we have not historically provided propane service. This continued expansion will give us new growth opportunities by leveraging the capabilities of
our operating platforms.
Align employee interests with our investors through significant employee ownership.
In
1998, we established an employee benefit plan that we believe aligns the interests of our employees with those of our investors. Through the Ferrell Companies, Inc. Employee
Stock Ownership Trust, our employees beneficially own approximately 30% of our outstanding common units, allowing them to participate directly in our overall success. We believe this plan is unique in
the propane distribution industry and that the entrepreneurial culture fostered by employee-ownership provides us with another distinct competitive advantage.
Our History
Ferrellgas Partners and the operating partnership are Delaware limited partnerships that were formed in 1994 in connection with the
initial public offering of Ferrellgas Partners. Our operations began in 1939 as a single location propane retailer in Atchison, Kansas. Since 1986, we have acquired approximately 175 propane
distributors, expanding our operations from coast to coast.
Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. and Ferrellgas Finance Corp.
Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. is a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrellgas Partners. Ferrellgas Finance
Corp. is a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the operating partnership. Both of these entities have nominal assets and do not, and will not in the future, conduct any operations or
have any employees. Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. is expected to act as co-obligor of future issuances of debt securities of Ferrellgas Partners and Ferrellgas Finance Corp. is
expected to act as co-obligor of future issuances of debt securities of the operating partnership, in both cases, so as to allow investment in those debt securities by institutional
investors that may not otherwise be able to make such an investment by reason of our structure and the legal investment laws of their states of organization or their charters. You should not expect
either Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. or Ferrellgas Finance Corp. to have the ability to service obligations on those debt securities we may offer in a prospectus supplement.
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Our Structure
The operating partnership accounts for substantially all of our consolidated assets, sales and operating earnings. Ferrellgas Partners
is the sole limited partner of the operating partnership with an approximate 99% limited partner interest. Our general partner, Ferrellgas, Inc., performs all of the management functions for us
and our subsidiaries, including the operating partnership, Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. and Ferrellgas Finance Corp. Ferrellgas, Inc. holds a 1% general partner interest in Ferrellgas
Partners and also owns an approximate 1% general partner interest in the operating partnership. Our general partner does not receive any management fee in connection with its management of us or our
subsidiaries, and does not receive any remuneration for its services as our general partner other than reimbursement for all direct and indirect expenses it incurs in connection with our operations
and those of our subsidiaries.
Our Offices
The address of each of our principal offices is located at 7500 College Boulevard, Suite 1000, Overland Park, Kansas 66210 and
the telephone number for each is (913) 661-1500.
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RISK FACTORS
You should consider carefully the risk factors discussed within the section entitled "Risk Factors" beginning on page 10 of our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2008, beginning on page 44 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
October 31, 2008 and on page 49 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended January 31, 2009, which are incorporated by reference in this
prospectus supplement, for a discussion of particular factors you should consider before determining whether an investment in any of the securities is appropriate for you. Investing in any of the
securities is speculative and involves significant risk. Any of the risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2008, in our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 31, 2008 or in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended January 31, 2009
could materially and adversely impair our business, financial condition and operating results. In such case, the trading price, if any, of the securities could decline or you could lose all or part of
your investment.
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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
In connection with the registration of debt securities of Ferrellgas Partners, Ferrellgas' Partners' historical ratio of earnings to
fixed charges for each of the periods indicated below is as follows:
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Year ended July 31,
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Six months
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January 31,
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2004
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2005
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2006
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2007
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2008
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2007
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2008
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Historical
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1.2
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0.9
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1.3
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1.4
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1.3
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0.0
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0.4
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In
connection with the registration of senior units of Ferrellgas Partners, Ferrellgas Partners' historical ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preference distributions for
each of the period indicated below is as follows:
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Year ended July 31,
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Six months
ended
January 31,
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2004
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2005
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2006
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2007
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2008
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2007
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2008
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Historical
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1.1
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0.8
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1.3
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1.4
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1.3
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0.0
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0.4
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In
connection with the registration of debt securities of the operating partnership, the operating partnership's historical ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods
indicated below is as follows:
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Year ended July 31,
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Six months
ended
January 31,
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2004
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2005
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2006
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2007
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2008
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2007
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2008
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Historical
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1.4
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1.1
|
|
|
1.7
|
|
|
1.9
|
|
|
1.7
|
|
|
(0.3
|
)
|
|
0.2
|
|
The
computations above for Ferrellgas Partners include the operating partnership on a consolidated basis. For all of the ratios set forth above, "earnings" is the amount resulting from
the sum of:
-
-
pre-tax income from continuing operations; and
-
-
fixed charges;
less:
The
term "fixed charges" means the sum of:
-
-
interest expensed or capitalized;
-
-
amortized discounts and capitalized expenses related to indebtedness; and
-
-
an estimate of the interest within lease expense.
The
term "combined fixed charges and preference distributions" means the sum of fixed charges and the distribution to the holder of our senior units, if any.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
Ferrellgas Partners and the operating partnership expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of our securities for general business
purposes, which, among other things, may include the following:
-
-
the repayment of outstanding indebtedness;
-
-
the redemption of any senior units or other securities (other than common units) previously issued;
-
-
working capital;
-
-
capital expenditures;
-
-
acquisitions. or
-
-
other general business purposes.
The
precise amount and timing of the application of the net proceeds will depend upon our funding requirements and the availability and cost of other funds. We may change the potential
uses of the net proceeds in a prospectus supplement.
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TAX CONSEQUENCES
This section discusses material tax consequences that may be relevant to prospective holders of common units, senior units, deferred
participation units, warrants or debt securities who are individual citizens or residents of the United States. It is based upon current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, existing regulations,
proposed regulations to the extent noted, and current administrative rulings and court decisions, all of which are subject to change. Later changes in these authorities may cause the actual tax
consequences to vary substantially from the consequences described below. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this section to "us" or "we" are references to Ferrellgas
Partners, L.P. and the operating partnership.
No
attempt has been made in the following discussion to comment on all federal income tax matters affecting us or the holders. Moreover, this discussion focuses on holders who are
individual citizens or residents of the United States and it has only limited application to corporations, estates, trusts, non-resident aliens or other holders that may be subject to
specialized tax treatment, such as tax-exempt institutions, foreign persons, individual retirement accounts, real estate investment trusts or mutual funds. Furthermore, this discussion
only applies to initial purchasers of common units, senior units, deferred participation units, warrants or debt securities and not to secondary market purchases. Accordingly, we recommend that each
prospective holder consult, and depend on, that holder's own tax advisor in analyzing the federal, state, local and foreign tax
consequences particular to that holder of the ownership or disposition of our common units, senior units, deferred participation units, warrants or debt securities.
All
statements as to matters of law and legal conclusions, but not as to factual matters, contained in this section are, unless otherwise noted, the opinion of Greenberg
Traurig LLP, counsel to us and our general partner, and are, to the extent noted herein, based on the accuracy of various factual matters.
No
ruling has been or will be requested from the IRS regarding any matter affecting us or prospective holders, other than a ruling we received relating to our taxable year. An opinion of
counsel represents only that counsel's best legal judgment and does not bind the IRS or the courts. Accordingly, the opinions and statements made in this prospectus may not be sustained by a court if
contested by the IRS. Any contest of this sort with the IRS may materially reduce the prices at which our common units, senior units, deferred participation units, warrants or debt securities trade.
In addition, the costs of any contest with the IRS will be borne directly or indirectly by the holders and our general partner. Furthermore, the tax treatment of us, or of an investment in us or our
common units, senior units, deferred participation units, warrants or debt securities, may be significantly modified by future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions. Any
modifications may or may not be retroactively applied.
Partnership Status
A partnership is not a taxable entity and incurs no federal income tax liability. Instead, each partner of a partnership is required to
take into account that partner's allocable share of items of income, gain, loss and deduction of the partnership in computing that partner's federal income tax liability, regardless of whether cash
distributions are made. In most cases, distributions by a partnership to a partner are not taxable unless the amount of any cash distributed is in excess of the partner's adjusted basis in that
partner's partnership interest.
Section 7704
of the Internal Revenue Code provides that publicly-traded partnerships will, as a general rule, be taxed as corporations. However, an exception, referred to as the
"Qualifying Income Exception," exists with respect to publicly-traded partnerships of which 90% or more of the gross income for every taxable year consists of "qualifying income." "Qualifying income"
includes income and gains from the processing, refining, transportation and marketing of crude oil, industrial source
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carbon
dioxide, natural gas and products thereof, including the transportation and retail and wholesale marketing of propane. Other types of "qualifying income" include interest other than from a
financial business, dividends, gains from the sale of real property and gains from the sale or other disposition of assets held for the production of income that otherwise constitutes qualifying
income. We believe that
more than 90% of our income has been, and will be, within one or more categories of income that are "qualifying income." The portion of our income that is "qualifying income" can change from time to
time.
No
ruling has been or will be sought from the IRS and the IRS has made no determination as to our status for federal income tax purposes or whether our operations generate "qualifying
income" under Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code. Instead, we rely on the opinion of Greenberg Traurig LLP that, based upon the Internal Revenue Code, its regulations, published
revenue rulings and court decisions, we and our operating partnership will each be classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes so long as:
-
-
we do not elect to be treated as a corporation; and
-
-
for each taxable year, more than 90% of our gross income has been, and continues to be, "qualifying income" within the
meaning of Section 7704(d) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Although
we expect to conduct our business so as to meet the Qualifying Income Exception, if we fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception, other than a failure that is determined by
the IRS to be inadvertent and that is cured within a reasonable time after discovery, we will be treated as if we had transferred all of our assets, subject to liabilities, to a newly formed
corporation on the first day of the year in which we fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception in return for stock in that corporation, and as if we had then distributed that stock to the
unitholders in liquidation of their interests in us. This contribution and liquidation should be tax-free to us so long as we, at that time, do not have liabilities in excess of the tax
basis of our assets and should be tax-free to a holder so long as that holder does not have liabilities allocated to that holder in excess of the tax basis in that holder's common or
preferred units. Thereafter, we would be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes.
If
we were treated as a corporation in any taxable year, either as a result of a failure to meet the Qualifying Income Exception or otherwise, our items of income, gain, loss and
deduction would be reflected only on our tax return rather than being passed through to the unitholders, and our net income would be taxed to us at corporate rates. In addition, any distribution made
to a holder of our common units, senior units, or deferred participation units would be treated as either taxable dividend income (to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits) or
(in the absence of earnings and profits or any amount in excess of earnings and profits) a nontaxable return of capital to the extent of the tax basis in that holder's common units, senior units, or
deferred participation units or taxable capital gain (after the tax basis in that holder's common units, senior units, or deferred participation units is reduced to zero). Accordingly, treatment of us
as a corporation would result in a material reduction in a holder's cash flow and after-tax return and thus would likely
result in a substantial reduction of the value of our common units, senior units, or deferred participation units.
The
discussion below assumes that we will be treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.
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Tax Treatment of Holders of Common Units, Senior Units and Deferred Participation Units
Holders who have become our limited partners will be treated as our partners for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Also:
-
-
assignees who have executed and delivered transfer applications, and are awaiting admission as limited partners; and
-
-
holders whose common units, senior units, or deferred participation units are held in street name or by a nominee and who
have the right to direct the nominee in the exercise of all substantive rights attendant to the ownership of their common or preferred units;
will
be treated as our partners for federal income tax purposes. Assignees of common units, senior units, or deferred participation units, who are entitled to execute and deliver transfer applications
and
become entitled to direct the exercise of attendant rights, but who fail to execute and deliver transfer applications, may not be treated as one of our partners for federal income tax purposes.
Furthermore, a purchaser or other transferee of common units, senior units, or deferred participation units, who does not execute and deliver a transfer application may not receive particular federal
income tax information or reports furnished to record holders of common units, senior units, or deferred participation units unless our common units, senior units, or deferred participation units are
held in a nominee or street name account and the nominee or broker has executed and delivered a transfer application for those common and preferred units.
A
beneficial owner of common units, senior units, or deferred participation units whose common units, senior units, or deferred participation units have been transferred to a short
seller to complete a short sale would appear to lose its status as one of our partners with respect to those common units, senior units or deferred participation units for federal income tax purposes.
See "Treatment of Short Sales."
No
portion of our income, gains, deductions or losses is reportable by a holder who is not one of our partners for federal income tax purposes, and any cash distributions received by a
holder who is not one of our partners for federal income tax purposes would therefore appear to be fully taxable as ordinary income. These holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors with
respect to the consequences of holding our common units, senior units, or deferred participation units for federal income tax purposes.
The
following discussion assumes that a holder is treated as one of our partners.
A partnership is not subject to federal income tax, but is required to file a partnership information tax return each year. Each
holder will be required to take into account, in computing the holder's income tax liability, the holder's distributive share (as determined by the partnership and reported on
Schedule K-1 to Form 1065) of all items of our net profits, losses, credits and items of tax preference for any of our taxable years ending within or with the taxable year of
the holder without regard to whether the holder has received or will receive any cash distributions from us. Thus, a holder may be subject to tax if we have net income even though no corresponding
cash distribution is made. Our taxable year is the calendar year.
Except as described below, our distributions to a holder will not be taxable to that holder for federal income tax purposes to the
extent of the tax basis in that holder's common units, senior units, or deferred participation units immediately before the distribution. Except as described below, our cash
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distributions
in excess of a holder's tax basis will be considered to be gain from the sale or exchange of our common units, senior units, or deferred participation units, taxable in accordance with
the rules described under "Disposition of Common Units, Senior Units, and Deferred Participation Units "below. Any reduction in a holder's share of our liabilities for which no partner,
including our general partner, bears the economic risk of loss, which are known as "nonrecourse liabilities," will be treated as a distribution of cash to that holder. To the extent that our
distributions cause a holder's "at risk" amount to be less than zero at the end of any taxable year, that holder must recapture any losses deducted in previous years. See "Limitations on
Deductibility of Partnership Losses."
A
decrease in a holder's percentage interest in us because of our issuance of additional common units, senior units, or deferred participation units will decrease that holder's share of
our nonrecourse liabilities and result in a corresponding deemed distribution of cash. A non-pro rata distribution of money or property may result in ordinary income to a holder,
regardless of the tax basis in that holder's common units, senior units, or deferred participation units, if the distribution reduces the holder's share of our "unrealized receivables," including
depreciation recapture, and substantially appreciated "inventory items," both as defined in Section 751 of the Internal Revenue Code and collectively referred to as "Section 751 Assets."
To that extent, the holder will be treated as having been distributed that holder's proportionate share of the Section 751 Assets and having exchanged those assets with us in return for the
non-pro rata portion of the actual distribution made to that holder. This latter deemed exchange will result in the holder's realization of ordinary income which will equal the excess
of:
-
-
the non-pro rata portion of that distribution; over
-
-
the holder's tax basis for the share of Section 751 Assets deemed relinquished in the exchange.
We estimate that a holder who:
-
-
acquires the common units, senior units, or deferred participation units; and
-
-
owns those common units, senior units, or deferred participation units through the period ending on the record date for
the cash distribution payable for the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2011,
will
be allocated, on a cumulative basis, an amount of federal taxable income that will be less than 10% of the cumulative cash distributed to such holder for that period. The taxable income allocable
to a holder for subsequent periods may constitute an increasing percentage of distributable cash. These estimates are based upon many assumptions regarding our business and operations, including
assumptions about weather conditions in our area of operations, capital expenditures, cash flows and anticipated cash distributions. These estimates and our assumptions are subject to numerous
business, economic, regulatory, competitive and political uncertainties beyond our control. Further, these estimates are based on current tax law and tax reporting positions with which the IRS could
disagree. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that these estimates will be correct. The actual percentage of distributions that will constitute taxable income could be higher or lower and any
differences could materially affect the value of our common units, senior units, or deferred participation units.
Basis of Common Units, Senior Units, and Deferred Participation Units
A holder will have an initial tax basis for its common units, senior units, or deferred participation units equal to the amount that
holder paid for our common units, senior units, or deferred participation units plus that holder's share of our nonrecourse liabilities. That basis will be increased by that holder's share of our
income and by any increases in that holder's share of our nonrecourse liabilities. The IRS has ruled that a partner acquiring multiple interests in a partnership in separate
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transactions
at different prices must maintain an aggregate adjusted tax basis in a single partnership interest consisting of the partner's combined interests. That basis will be decreased, but not
below zero, by distributions that that holder receives from us, by that holder's share of our losses, by any decreases in that holder's share of our nonrecourse liabilities and by that holder's share
of our expenditures that are not deductible in computing our taxable income and are not required to be capitalized. A holder will have no share of our debt which is recourse to our general partner,
but will have a share, primarily based on that holder's share of profits, of our nonrecourse liabilities. See "Disposition of Common Units, Senior Units and Deferred Participation
UnitsRecognition of Gain or Loss."
The deduction by a holder of that holder's share of our losses will be limited to the holder's tax basis in its common units, senior
units, or deferred participation units and, in the case of an individual holder or a corporate holder (if more than 50% of the value of the corporate holder's stock is owned directly or indirectly by
five or fewer individuals or particular tax-exempt organizations), to the amount for which the holder is considered to be "at risk" with respect to our activities, if that is less than the
holder's tax basis. A holder must recapture losses deducted in previous years to the extent that our distributions cause that holder's "at risk" amount to be less than zero at the end of any taxable
year. Losses disallowed to a holder or recaptured as a result of these limitations will carry forward and will be allowable to the extent that the holder's tax basis or "at risk" amount, whichever is
the limiting factor, subsequently increases. Upon the taxable disposition of our common units, senior units, or deferred participation units, any gain recognized by a holder can be offset by losses
that were previously suspended by the "at risk" limitation but may not be offset by losses suspended by the basis limitation. Any excess loss, above such gain, previously suspended by the "at risk" or
basis limitations would no longer be utilizable.
Subject
to each holder's specific tax situation, a holder will be "at risk" to the extent of the tax basis in that holder's common units, senior units, or deferred participation units,
excluding any portion of that
basis attributable to that holder's share of our nonrecourse liabilities, reduced by any amount of money the holder borrows to acquire or hold that holder's common units, senior units, or deferred
participation units if the lender of such borrowed funds owns an interest in us, is related to the holder or can look only to the common units, senior units, or deferred participation units for
repayment. A holder's "at risk" amount will increase or decrease as the tax basis of the holder's common units, senior units, or deferred participation units increases or decreases, other than tax
basis increases or decreases attributable to increases or decreases in that holder's share of our nonrecourse liabilities.
The
passive loss limitations provide that individuals, estates, trusts and specific closely held corporations and personal service corporations can deduct losses from passive activities
(which for the most part consist of activities in which the taxpayer does not materially participate) only to the extent of the taxpayer's income from those passive activities. The passive loss
limitations are applied separately with respect to each publicly-traded partnership. Consequently, any passive losses generated by us will only be available to offset our passive income generated in
the future and will not be available to offset income from other passive activities or investments (including other publicly-traded partnerships) or salary or active business income. Passive losses
which are not deductible because they exceed a holder's share of our income may be deducted in full when that holder disposes of its entire investment in us in a fully taxable transaction with an
unrelated party. The passive activity loss rules are applied after other applicable limitations on deductions such as the "at risk" rules and the basis limitation.
A
holder's share of our net income may be offset by any suspended passive losses from us, but it may not be offset by any other current or carryover losses from other passive activities,
including those attributable to other publicly-traded partnerships. The IRS has announced that Treasury Regulations
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will
be issued, which would characterize net passive income from a publicly-traded partnership as investment income for purposes of the limitations on the deductibility of investment interest.
The deductibility of a non-corporate taxpayer's "investment interest expense" is limited to the amount of such taxpayer's
"net investment income." As noted, a holder's net passive income from us will be treated as investment income for this purpose. In addition, the holder's share of our portfolio income will be treated
as investment income. Investment interest expense includes:
-
-
interest on indebtedness properly allocable to property held for investment;
-
-
our interest expense attributed to portfolio income; and
-
-
the portion of interest expense incurred to purchase or carry an interest in a passive activity to the extent attributable
to portfolio income.
The
computation of a holder's investment interest expense will take into account interest on any margin account borrowing or other loan incurred to purchase or carry common units, senior
units, or deferred participation units. Net investment income includes gross income from property held for investment and amounts treated as portfolio income pursuant to the passive loss rules less
deductible expenses, other than interest, directly connected with the production of investment income, but in most cases does not include gains attributable to the disposition of property held for
investment.
Allocation of Partnership Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction
If we have a net profit, our items of income, gain, loss and deduction, after taking into account any special allocations required
under our partnership agreement, will be allocated among our general partner and the holders in accordance with their respective percentage interests in us. At any time that cash distributions are
made to the holders and our incentive distribution rights or a disproportionate distribution is made to a holder of our common units, senior units, or deferred participation units, gross income will
be allocated to the recipients to the extent of such distributions. If we have a net loss, our items of income, gain, loss and deduction, after taking into account any special allocations required
under our partnership agreement, will be allocated first, to the general partner and the holders in accordance with their respective percentage interests in us to the extent of their positive capital
accounts, as maintained under our partnership agreements, and, second, to our general partner.
Various
items of our income, gain, loss and deduction will be allocated to account for the difference between the tax basis and fair market value of property contributed to us by our
general partner or any other person contributing property to us, and to account for the difference between the fair market value of our assets and their carrying value on our books at the time that we
initially issued the common and preferred units offered pursuant to this prospectus. In addition, items of recapture income will be allocated to the extent possible to the partner allocated the
deduction or curative allocation giving rise to the treatment of such gain as recapture income to minimize the recognition of ordinary income by some holders. Finally, although we do not expect that
our operations will result in the creation of negative capital accounts, if negative capital accounts nevertheless result, items of our
income and gain will be allocated in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate the negative balance as quickly as possible.
Greenberg
Traurig LLP is of the opinion that, with the exception of the issues described in "Section 754 Election" and "Disposition of Common
Units, Senior Units and Deferred Participation UnitsAllocations Between Transferors and Transferees," the allocations in the partnership agreement of Ferrellgas Partners will be given
effect for federal income tax purposes in determining how our income, gain, loss or deduction will be allocated among the holders of its outstanding equity.
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Under Treasury Regulations, an allocation will be respected by the IRS only if it meets any one of the following: (i) the
allocation has "substantial economic effect"; (ii) the allocation is in accordance with the partners' interests in the partnership; or, (iii) the allocation is deemed to be in accordance
with the partners' interests in the partnership. Any allocation which fails to satisfy at least one of these three tests will be reallocated in accordance with the partners' interests in the
partnership as defined in the Treasury Regulations.
The
Treasury Regulations set forth a two part analysis to determine whether an allocation has "substantial economic effect." First, the allocation must have "economic effect." In other
words, the allocation must be consistent with the underlying economic arrangement of the partners. If there is an economic benefit or burden that corresponds to the allocation, the partner receiving
such an allocation should benefit from the economic benefit or bear the economic burden. Normally, economic effect will be present only if the partners' capital accounts are determined and maintained
as required by the Treasury Regulations.
Liquidation
proceeds must be distributed in accordance with the partners' positive capital account balances (after certain adjustments). Additionally, if partners are not required to
restore any deficit capital account balance, no loss or deduction may be allocated to a partner if such allocation would create a deficit balance in such partner's capital account in excess of the
amount such partner is obligated to restore to the partnership or is treated as required to restore to the partnership, and the partnership agreement must contain a "qualified income offset,"
requiring that if a partner who unexpectedly receives an adjustment, allocation, or distribution described in subparagraphs (4), (5) or (6) of Section 1.704 1(b)(2)(ii)(d)
of the Treasury Regulations which creates or increases a deficit in such partner's capital account, such partner will be allocated items of net profits and gain (consisting of a pro rata portion of
each item of partnership income, including gross income, and gain for such year) in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate such deficit balance as quickly as possible.
Second,
the economic effect must be "substantial." Substantiality is present if there is a reasonable possibility that the allocation will substantially affect the dollar amounts to be
received by a partner independent of his tax consequences. If a shifting of tax attributes results in little or no change to the partner's capital accounts, or if the shift is merely transitory, they
will not be recognized. Thus, if the allocation causes a shift in tax consequences that is disproportionately large in relation to the shift in economic consequence, there is a presumption that the
economic effect of the allocation is not substantial and such allocation will be disregarded (and the partnership items will therefore be apportioned according to the partners' respective interests).
The
Treasury Regulations contain several exceptions and qualifications. For example, if a partnership allocation fails the above "economic effect" test, it may still be recognized if it
meets the "economic effect equivalence" test. An allocation will be viewed as having economic effect if the agreement among the partners would in all cases produce the same results as the requirements
outlined above. Further, there are also several exceptions, which come into play where the partner does not have an absolute obligation to restore a negative capital account.
If we are required or elect under applicable law to pay any federal, state or local income tax on behalf of any holder or the general
partner or any former holder, we are authorized to pay those taxes from our funds. Such payment, if made, will be treated as a distribution of cash to the holder on whose behalf the payment was made.
If the payment is made on behalf of a person whose identity cannot be determined, we are authorized to treat the payment as a distribution to current holders. We are authorized to amend the
partnership agreement of Ferrellgas Partners in the manner necessary to maintain uniformity of intrinsic tax characteristics of common units, senior units, or deferred
15
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participation
units and to adjust subsequent distributions, so that after giving effect to such distributions, the priority and characterization of distributions otherwise applicable under that
partnership agreement is maintained as nearly as is practicable. Payments by us as described above could give rise to an overpayment of tax on behalf of a holder in which event the holder could
file a claim for credit or refund.
A holder whose common units, senior units, or deferred participation units are loaned to a "short seller" to cover a short sale of
common units, senior units, or deferred participation units may be considered as having disposed of ownership of those common units, senior units, or deferred participation units. If so, that holder
would no longer be a partner with respect to those common units, senior units, or deferred participation units during the period of the loan and may recognize gain or loss from the disposition. As a
result, during this period:
-
-
any of our income, gain, loss or deduction with respect to those common units, senior units, or deferred participation
units would not be reportable by the holder;
-
-
any cash distributions received by the holder with respect to those common units, senior units, or deferred participation
units would be fully taxable; and
-
-
all of such distributions would appear to be treated as ordinary income.
Greenberg
Traurig LLP has not rendered an opinion regarding the treatment of a holder whose common units, senior units, or deferred participation units are loaned to a short
seller; therefore, holders desiring to assure their status as partners and avoid the risk of gain recognition should modify any applicable brokerage account agreements to prohibit their brokers from
borrowing their common units, senior units or deferred participation units. The IRS has announced that it is actively studying issues relating to the tax treatment of short sales of partnership
interests. See "Disposition of Common Units, Senior Units and Deferred Participation UnitsRecognition of Gain or Loss."
If we or an entity related to us re-acquire one of our outstanding debt securities after December 31, 2008 and
before January 1, 2011, whether in an actual exchange or by significantly modifying the debt, for an amount that is less than the adjusted issue price of such debt security, any resulting
cancellation-of-debt (COD) income is deferred for up to five years for re-acquisitions occurring during 2009, and up to four years for re-acquisitions
occurring in 2010. After this period of initial deferral, the COD Income is included in income ratably over the following five-year period. Therefore, in some cases, we may not recognize
all of the COD Income until 10 years after the date on which the reacquisition occurred. If we elect to recognize COD income on such a re-acquisition of our debt securities during
the specified period, and the new or modified debt security has original issue discount as a result of such re-acquisition, we may have to defer deductions for some or all of such original
issue discount for the deferral period. Any income deferred pursuant to this election will be allocated to each holder immediately before the re-acquisition in a manner that such deferred
amounts would have been included in the holder's distributive share under Section 704 of the Code if such income were recognized at such time. Any decrease in a holder's share of our
liabilities as a result of such an event will not be taken into account for purposes of Section 752 of the Internal Revenue Code at the time of cancellation of debt to the extent it would cause
the holder to recognize gain under Section 731 of the Internal Revenue Code. Any decrease in our liabilities that was so deferred will be taken into account by the holders at the end of the
deferral period for the COD income.
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This discussion only addresses the alternative minimum tax as it applies to non-corporate taxpayers (and to shareholders of
an S corporation). Each holder will be required to take into account that holder's distributive share of any of our items of income, gain, loss or deduction for purposes of the alternative minimum
tax. The first step in determining a taxpayer's alternative minimum tax liability, if any, is calculation of the taxpayer's alternative minimum taxable income. Alternative minimum taxable income is
computed by adjusting the taxpayer's taxable income in accordance with the rules set forth in Sections 55, 56 and 58 of the Code, and by increasing the resulting amount by the taxpayer's items
of tax preference described in Section 57 of the Code. Alternative minimum taxable income is then reduced by a specified exemption amount and by the taxpayer's alternative minimum tax foreign
tax credit for the taxable year. For taxable years beginning in 2009, the exemption amounts are $70,950 for married couples filing joint returns, $46,700 for single individuals, and $34,975 for
married persons filing separate returns and estates and trusts. The exemption is phased out above certain alternative minimum taxable income levels: $150,000 for married taxpayers filing joint
returns, $112,500 for single taxpayers, and $75,000 for married taxpayers filing separate returns and estates and trusts.
For
2009, the alternative minimum tax rate is 26% on the amount of the taxpayer's alternative minimum taxable income, which does not exceed $175,000 (after taking into account the
exemption amount) and 28% on the amount exceeding $175,000. A taxpayer is only required to pay an alternative minimum tax liability to the extent that the amount of that liability exceeds the
liability, which the taxpayer would otherwise have for the regular federal income tax.
Prospective
holders should consult with their tax advisors as to the impact of an investment in common units, senior units, or deferred participation units on their liability for the
alternative minimum tax.
The highest marginal United States federal income tax rate for individuals for 2009 is 35% and the maximum United States federal income
tax rate for net capital gains of an individual that are recognized prior to January 1, 2011 is 15%, if the asset disposed of was held for more than 12 months at the time of disposition.
It is possible that these rates will change in the near future.
We have made the election permitted by Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code (a "Section 754 election"). The election
is irrevocable without the consent of the IRS. The election permits us to adjust common units, senior units, or deferred participation units purchaser's tax basis in our assets under
Section 743(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (a "Section 743 adjustment") to reflect that holder's purchase price when common units, senior units, or deferred participation units are
purchased from a holder thereof. The Section 743(b) adjustment applies only to a person who purchases common units, senior units, or deferred participation units from a holder of common units,
senior units, or deferred participation units (including a person who purchases the common units, senior units, or deferred participation units offered pursuant to this registration statement) and not
pursuant to an initial offering by us. The effect of the Section 743(b) adjustment to a person buying the common units, senior units, or deferred participation units offered herein will be
essentially the same as if the tax basis of our assets were equal to their fair market value at the time of purchase.
The
calculations that are required to determine a Section 743(b) adjustment are made additionally complex because common units, senior units, or deferred participation units held
by the public have been issued pursuant to multiple offerings. For example, particular regulations require that the portion of the Section 743(b) adjustment that eliminates the effect of any
unamortized difference in "book" and tax basis of recovery property to the holder of such common units, senior units, or deferred
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participation
units be depreciated over the remaining recovery period of that property, but Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6) may require that any such difference in
"book" and tax basis of other property be depreciated over a different period. In addition, the holder of common units, senior units, or deferred participation units, other than a holder who purchased
such common units, senior units, or deferred participation units pursuant to an initial offering by us, may be entitled by reason of a Section 743(b) adjustment to amortization deductions in
respect of property to which the traditional method of eliminating differences in "book" and tax basis applies but to which the holder of a common unit, senior unit or deferred participation unit that
is sold in an initial offering will not be entitled.
Because
we cannot match transferors and transferees of common units, senior units, or deferred participation units, uniformity of the economic and tax characteristics of our common
units, senior units, or deferred participation units to a purchaser of such common units, senior units, or deferred participation units must be maintained. In the absence of uniformity, compliance
with a number of federal income tax requirements, both statutory and regulatory, could be substantially diminished. Under the partnership agreement of Ferrellgas Partners, our general partner is
authorized to take a position to preserve our ability to determine the tax attributes of common units, senior units, or deferred participation units from the date of purchase and the amount that is
paid therefore even if that position is not consistent with the Treasury Regulations.
We
intend to depreciate the portion of a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to any unamortized difference between the "book" and tax basis of an asset in respect of which we
use the remedial method in a manner that is consistent with the regulations under Section 743 of the Internal Revenue Code as to recovery property in respect of which the remedial allocation
method is adopted. Such method is arguably inconsistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6), which is not expected to directly apply to a material portion of our
assets. If we determine that this position cannot reasonably be taken, we may take a depreciation or amortization position which may result in lower annual depreciation or amortization deductions than
would otherwise be allowable to some holders. In addition, if common units, senior units, or deferred participation units held by the public other than those that are sold in an initial offering by us
are entitled to different treatment in respect of property as to which we are using the traditional method of eliminating differences in "book" and tax basis, we may also take a position that results
in lower annual deductions to some or all of our holders than might otherwise be available. Greenberg Traurig LLP is unable to opine as to the validity of any position that is described in this
paragraph because there is no clear applicable authority.
A
Section 754 election is advantageous if the tax basis in a transferee's common units, senior units, or deferred participation units is higher than such common units, senior
units, or deferred participation units' share of the aggregate tax basis of our assets immediately prior to the transfer. In such a case, as a result of the election, the transferee would have a
higher tax basis in its share of our assets for purposes of calculating, among other items, the transferee's depreciation and amortization deductions and the transferee's share of any gain or loss on
a sale of our assets. Conversely, a Section 754 election is disadvantageous if the transferee's tax basis in such common units, senior units, or deferred participation units is lower than such
common units, senior units, or deferred participation units' share of the aggregate tax basis of our assets immediately prior to the transfer. Thus, the fair market value of our common units, senior
units, or deferred participation units may be affected either favorably or adversely by the election.
The
calculations involved in the Section 754 election are complex and will be made by us on the basis of assumptions as to the value of our assets and other matters. For example,
the allocation of the Section 743(b) adjustment among our assets must be made in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code. The IRS could seek to reallocate some or all of any
Section 743(b) adjustment allocated by us to our tangible assets to goodwill instead. Goodwill, as an intangible asset, is amortizable over a longer period of time or under a less accelerated
method than most of our tangible assets. The determinations we make may be successfully challenged by the IRS and the deductions resulting from them may be
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reduced
or disallowed altogether. Should the IRS require a different basis adjustment to be made, and should, in our opinion, the expense of compliance exceed the benefit of the election, we may seek
permission from the IRS to revoke our Section 754 election. If such permission is granted, a subsequent purchaser of common units, senior units, or deferred participation units may be allocated
more income than that purchaser would have been allocated had the election not been revoked.
Tax Treatment of Our Operations
We use the year ending December 31 as our taxable year and the accrual method of accounting for federal income tax purposes.
Under the accrual method, we will recognize as income items such as rentals and interest as and when earned whether or not they are received. Each holder will be required to include in income that
holder's share of our income, gain, loss and deduction for our taxable year ending within or with that holder's taxable year. In addition, a holder who has a taxable year ending on a date other than
December 31 and who disposes of all of its common units, senior units, or deferred participation units following the close of our taxable year but before the close of its taxable year must
include that holder's share of our income, gain, loss and deduction in income for its taxable year, with the result that that holder will be required to include in income for its taxable year that
holder's share of more than one year of our income, gain, loss and deduction. See "Disposition of Common Units, Senior Units and Deferred Participation UnitsAllocations
Between Transferors and Transferees."
Initial Tax Basis, Depreciation and Amortization
We will use the tax basis of our various assets for purposes of computing depreciation and cost recovery deductions and, ultimately,
gain or loss on the disposition of such assets. Assets that we acquired from our general partner in connection with our formation initially had an aggregate tax basis equal to the tax basis of the
assets in the possession of the general partner immediately prior to our formation. The majority of the assets that we acquired after our formation had an initial tax basis equal to their cost,
however some of our assets were contributed to us and had an initial tax basis equal to the contributor's tax basis in those assets immediately prior to such contribution. The federal income tax
burden associated with the difference between the fair market value of our property and its tax basis immediately prior to an initial offering by us will be borne by holders holding interests in us
prior to that offering. See "Tax Treatment of Holders of Common Units, Senior Units and Deferred Participation UnitsAllocation of Partnership Income, Gain, Loss and
Deduction."
We
may elect to use permitted depreciation and cost recovery methods that will result in the largest deductions being taken in the early years after assets are placed in service.
Property we acquire or construct in the future may be depreciated using accelerated methods permitted by the Internal
Revenue Code. The Code provides for a "bonus" depreciation of 50% (or 30% if the taxpayer so elects) of the adjusted basis of certain qualified property in the taxable year in which it is placed in
service. Property is qualified property for this purpose if, among other things, its original use began with the taxpayer and it is placed in service before January 1, 2010. A taxpayer may,
however, choose to use a straight line method of depreciation for the entire recovery period. In order to elect out of the "bonus" depreciation with respect to property in a class the election must
apply to all property in that class placed in service during the taxable year. Up and until the tax year of 2008, we have not used the "bonus" depreciation method; however, we may decide to use it in
the future.
If
we dispose of depreciable property by sale, foreclosure, or otherwise, all or a portion of any gain, determined by reference to the amount of depreciation previously deducted and the
nature of the property, may be subject to the recapture rules and taxed as ordinary income rather than capital gain. Similarly, a holder who has taken cost recovery or depreciation deductions with
respect to property owned by us may be required to recapture such deductions as ordinary income upon a sale of that
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holder's
interest in us. See "Tax Treatment of Holders of Common Units, Senior Units and Deferred Participation UnitsAllocation of Partnership Income, Gain, Loss and
Deduction" and "Disposition of Common Units, Senior Units and Deferred Participation UnitsRecognition of Gain or Loss."
The
costs that we incurred in our organization have previously been amortized over a period of 60 months. The costs incurred in selling our common units, senior units, or deferred
participation units i.e., syndication expenses, must be capitalized and cannot be deducted currently, ratably or upon our termination. Uncertainties exist regarding the classification of costs
as organization expenses, which have previously been amortized by us over a period of 60 months, and as syndication expenses, which may not be amortized by us. The underwriting discounts and
commissions we incur will be treated as syndication expenses.
The federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of common units, senior units, or deferred participation units
will depend in part on our estimates of the fair market values, and determinations of the tax bases, of our assets. Although we may from time to time consult with professional appraisers regarding
valuation matters, we will make many of the fair market value estimates ourselves. These estimates of value and determinations of basis are subject to challenge and will not be binding on the IRS or
the courts. If the estimates and determinations of fair market value or basis are later found to be incorrect, the character and amount of items of income, gain, loss or deduction previously reported
by holders might change, and holders might be required to adjust their tax liability for prior years and incur interest and penalties with respect to those adjustments.
Disposition of Common Units, Senior Units, and Deferred Participation Units
Gain or loss will be recognized on a sale of common units, senior units, or deferred participation units equal to the difference
between the amount realized and the holder's tax basis for the common units, senior units, or deferred participation units sold. A holder's amount realized will be measured by the sum of the cash or
the fair market value of other property received plus that holder's share of our nonrecourse liabilities. Because the amount realized includes a holder's share of our nonrecourse liabilities, the gain
recognized on the sale of common units, senior units, or deferred participation units could result in a tax liability in excess of any cash received from such sale. Prior distributions from us in
excess of cumulative net taxable income in respect of common units, senior units, or deferred participation units which decreased a holder's tax basis in such common units, senior units, or deferred
participation units will, in effect, become taxable income if our common units, senior units, or deferred participation units are sold at a price greater than the holder's tax basis in such common
units, senior units, or deferred participation units, even if the price is less than that holder's original cost.
Should
the IRS successfully contest our convention to amortize only a portion of the Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to an amortizable intangible asset described in
Section 197 of the Internal Revenue Code after a sale of common units, senior units, or deferred participation units, a holder could realize additional gain from the sale of common units,
senior units, or deferred participation units than had such convention been respected. See "Tax Treatment of Holders of Common Units, Senior Units and Deferred Participation
UnitsSection 754 Election." In that case, the holder may have been entitled to additional deductions against income in prior years but may be unable to claim them, with the result
to that holder of greater overall taxable income than appropriate. Greenberg Traurig, LLP is unable to opine as to the validity of the convention but believe such a contest by the IRS to be
unlikely because a successful contest could result in substantial additional deductions to other holders.
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Except
as noted below, gain or loss recognized by a holder, other than a "dealer" in common units, senior units, or deferred participation units, on the sale or exchange of common units,
senior units, or deferred participation units will be taxable as capital gain or loss. Capital gain recognized on the sale of common units, senior units, or deferred participation units held for more
than 12 months will be taxed at a maximum rate of 15% for sales occurring prior to January 1, 2011. A portion of this gain or loss, which will likely be substantial, however, will be
separately computed and taxed as ordinary income or loss under Section 751 of the Internal Revenue Code to the extent attributable to assets giving rise to depreciation recapture or other
"unrealized receivables" or to "inventory items" owned by us. The term "unrealized receivables" includes potential recapture items, including depreciation recapture. Ordinary income attributable to
unrealized receivables, inventory items and depreciation recapture may exceed net taxable gain realized upon the sale of our common units, senior units, or deferred participation units and may be
recognized even if there is a net taxable loss realized on the sale of our common units, senior units, or deferred participation units. Thus, a holder may recognize both ordinary income and a capital
loss upon a disposition of common units, senior units, or deferred participation units. Net capital loss may offset no more than $3,000 of ordinary income in the case of individuals and may only be
used to offset capital gain in the case of corporations.
The
IRS has ruled that a partner who acquires interests in a partnership in separate transactions must combine those interests and maintain a single adjusted tax basis for all those
interests. Upon a sale or other disposition of less than all of such interests, a portion of that tax basis must be allocated to the interests sold using an "equitable apportionment" method. Treasury
Regulations under Section 1223 of the Internal Revenue Code allow a selling holder who can identify common units, senior units, or deferred participation units transferred with an ascertainable
holding period to elect to use the actual holding period of the common units, senior units, or deferred participation units transferred. Thus, according to the ruling, a holder of common units, senior
units, or deferred participation units will be unable to select high or low basis common units, senior units, or deferred participation units to sell, but, under the regulations, may designate
specific common units, senior units, or deferred participation units sold for purposes of determining the holding period of the common units, senior units, or deferred participation units sold. A
holder electing to use the actual holding period of common units, senior units, or deferred participation units transferred must consistently use that identification method for all subsequent sales or
exchanges of our common units, senior units, or deferred participation units. A holder considering the purchase of additional common units, senior units, or deferred participation units or a sale of
common units, senior units, or deferred participation units purchased in separate transactions should consult that holder's tax advisor as to the possible consequences of this ruling and application
of the regulations.
The
Internal Revenue Code treats a taxpayer as having sold a partnership interest, such as our common units, senior units, or deferred participation units, in which gain would be
recognized if it were actually sold at its fair market value, if the taxpayer or related persons enters into:
-
-
a short sale;
-
-
an offsetting notional principal contract; or
-
-
a futures or forward contract with respect to the partnership interest or substantially identical property.
Moreover,
if a taxpayer has previously entered into a short sale, an offsetting notional principal contract or a futures or forward contract with respect to the partnership interest, the
taxpayer will be treated as having sold that position if the taxpayer or a related person then acquires the partnership interest or substantially identical property.
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In most cases, our taxable income and losses will be determined annually, will be prorated on a monthly basis and will be subsequently
apportioned among the holders in proportion to the number of common units, senior units, or deferred participation units owned by each of them as of the opening of the New York Stock Exchange on the
first business day of the month. However, gain or loss realized on a sale or other disposition of our assets other than in the ordinary course of business will be allocated among the holders as of the
opening of the New York Stock Exchange on the first business day of the month in which that gain or loss is recognized. As a result, a holder transferring common units, senior units, or deferred
participation units in the open market may be allocated income, gain, loss and deduction accrued after the date of transfer.
The
use of this method may not be permitted under existing Treasury Regulations. Accordingly, Greenberg Traurig LLP is unable to opine on the validity of this method of allocating
income and deductions between transferors and transferees of common units, senior units or deferred participation units. If this method is not allowed under the Treasury Regulations, or only applies
to transfers of less than all of the holder's interest, our taxable income or losses might be reallocated among the holders. We are authorized to revise our method of allocation between transferors
and transferees, as well as among holders whose interests otherwise vary during a taxable period, to conform to a method permitted under future Treasury Regulations.
A
holder who owns common units, senior units, or deferred participation units at any time during a quarter and who disposes of such common units, senior units, or deferred participation
units prior to the record date set for a cash distribution with respect to such quarter will be allocated items of our income, gain, loss and deduction attributable to such quarter but will not be
entitled to receive that cash distribution.
A holder who sells or exchanges common units, senior units, or deferred participation units is required to notify us in writing of that
sale or exchange within 30 days after the sale or exchange and in any event by no later than January 15 of the year following the calendar year in which the sale or exchange occurred. We
are required to notify the IRS of that transaction and to furnish specific information to the transferor and transferee. However, these reporting requirements do not apply with respect to a sale by an
individual who is a citizen of the United States and who causes the sale or exchange through a broker. Additionally, a transferor and a transferee of common units, senior units, or deferred
participation units will be required to furnish statements to the IRS, filed with their income tax returns for the taxable year in which the sale or exchange occurred, that sets forth the amount of
the consideration paid for the common units, senior units, or deferred participation units. A holder who fails to inform us of a transfer of the holder's common units, senior units or deferred
participation units in accordance with the rules described above is liable for a penalty of $50 per unreported transfer with an annual maximum penalty of $100,000. Each such statement must contain the
following: (i) the names, addresses and taxpayer identification numbers of the transferee and transferor involved in the exchange and (ii) the date of the sale or exchange.
We will be considered to have been terminated for tax purposes if there is a sale or exchange of 50% or more of the total interests in
our capital and profits within a 12-month period. A termination of us will result in the closing of our taxable year for all holders. In the case of a holder reporting on a taxable year
other than a year ending December 31, the closing of our taxable year may result in more than 12 months of our taxable income or loss being includable in that holder's taxable income for
the year of our termination. New tax elections required to be made by us, including a new election under
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Section 754
of the Internal Revenue Code, must be made subsequent to a termination, and a termination could result in a deferral of our deductions for depreciation. A termination could also
result in penalties if we were unable to determine that the termination had occurred. Moreover, a termination might either accelerate the application of, or subject us to, any tax legislation enacted
prior to the termination.
Tax Treatment of Tax Exempt Holders of Common Units, Senior Units and Deferred Participation Units
Ownership of common units, senior units, or deferred participation units by employee benefit plans, other tax-exempt
organizations, nonresident aliens, foreign corporations, other foreign persons and regulated investment companies raises issues unique to such persons and, as described below, may substantially
increase the tax liability and requirements imposed on such persons.
The
income earned by a tax exempt entity, including a qualified employee pension or profit sharing trust or an individual retirement account, is generally exempt from taxation. However,
gross Unrelated Business Taxable Income, or UBTI, of a tax exempt entity is subject to tax to the extent that, when combined with all other gross UBTI of the tax exempt entity for a taxable year, it
exceeds all deductions attributable to the UBTI plus $1,000 during the taxable year. Such UBTI will be taxable at ordinary income rates and may be subject to the alternative minimum tax. Virtually all
of the taxable income derived by such an organization from the ownership of common units, senior units, or deferred participation units will be unrelated business taxable income and thus will be
taxable to such a holder. If the gross income taken into account in computing UBTI exceeds $1,000, the tax exempt entity is obligated to file a tax return for such year on IRS Form 990
T.
A
regulated investment company or "mutual fund" is required to derive 90% or more of its gross income from interest, dividends, gains from the sale of stocks or securities or foreign
currency or related sources. It is not anticipated that any significant amount of our gross income will include that type of income.
Gift of Common Units, Senior Units, or Deferred Participation Units
In general, no gain or loss should be recognized on a gift of common units, senior units, or deferred participation units, although
there may be federal gift tax imposed on such gift. However, a gift of common units, senior units, or deferred participation units encumbered by debt (including debt incurred by the gifting holder to
acquire the common units, senior units, or deferred participation units and debt incurred by us that is included in the gifting holder's basis in his or her common units, senior units, or deferred
participation units) can result in the recognition of gain, but never loss, and federal income tax (as well as federal gift tax) liability to the donor. A gift of
common units, senior units, or deferred participation units encumbered by debt generally results in a decrease in the gifting holder's allocable share of liabilities if the donee accepts the common
units, senior units, or deferred participation units subject to the debt or assumes the liabilities of the gifting holder. If the amount of the decrease in liabilities exceeds the holder's adjusted
basis in his or her common units, senior units, or deferred participation units, the transaction should be treated as a part gift and part sale transaction, resulting in taxable gain to the extent the
amount of liabilities exceeds adjusted basis in the common units, senior units, or deferred participation units. To the extent some of the gain is attributable to the holder's share of "substantially
appreciated inventory items" and "unrealized receivables," such gain will be taxed as ordinary income. Since the tax consequences of any gift or transfer will depend upon the particular circumstances
and upon the individuals or organizations involved in the transaction, before making any gift of common units, senior units or deferred participation units, a holder should consult his or her tax
advisor as to the consequences of such a gift and as to the basis of the common units, senior units or deferred participation units in the hands of his or her successor.
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If a holder dies, the fair market value of his or her common units, senior units, or deferred participation units at death (or, if
elected, at the alternate valuation date) will be subject to federal estate taxation. Under present law, the death of a holder does not result in a sale or exchange giving rise to a federal income
tax. It is not clear what the tax consequences are if the decedent's proportionate share of our liabilities exceeds the adjusted basis of his or her common units, senior units, or deferred
participation units at death. In this event, some gain may be recognized to the decedent or his estate upon the distribution of the common units, senior units, or deferred participation units to the
extent of such excess. The cost or other basis of the common units, senior units, or deferred participation units inherited from the decedent generally is "stepped up" or "stepped down" to its fair
market value for federal income tax purposes.
A holder of common units, senior units, or deferred participation units is considered a "non-U.S. holder" for purposes of
this discussion if he or she is a beneficial owner of common units, preferred units or deferred participation units and is not a "U.S. holder" or a partnership (including an entity treated as a
partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes).
Non-resident
aliens and foreign corporations, trusts or estates which hold common units, senior units, or deferred participation units will be considered to be engaged in
business in the United States on account of ownership of common units, senior units, or deferred participation units. As a consequence, they will be required to file federal tax returns in respect of
their share of our income, gain, loss or deduction and pay federal income tax at regular rates on any net income or gain. Moreover, under rules applicable to publicly-traded partnerships, we will
withhold at the highest effective tax rate applicable to individuals from cash distributions made quarterly to foreign holders. Each foreign holder must obtain a taxpayer identification number from
the IRS and submit that number to our transfer agent on a Form W-8 BEN or applicable substitute form in order to obtain credit for the taxes withheld. A change in applicable law may
require us to change these procedures.
In
addition, because a foreign corporation which owns common units, senior units, or deferred participation units will be treated as engaged in a United States trade or business, that
corporation may be subject to United States branch profits tax at a rate of 30%, in addition to regular federal income tax, on its allocable share of our income and gain (as adjusted for changes in
the foreign corporation's "U.S. net equity") which are effectively connected with the conduct of a United States trade or business. That tax may be reduced or eliminated by an income tax treaty
between the United States and the country with respect to which the foreign corporate holder is a "qualified resident." In addition, such a holder is subject to special information reporting
requirements under Section 6038C of the Internal Revenue Code.
Under
a ruling of the IRS, a foreign holder who sells or otherwise disposes of common units, senior units, or deferred participation units will be subject to federal income tax on gain
realized on the disposition of such common units, senior units, or deferred participation units to the extent that such gain is effectively connected with a United States trade or business of the
foreign holder. Apart from the ruling, a foreign holder will not be taxed upon the disposition of common units, senior units, or deferred participation units if that foreign holder has held less than
5% in value of our common units, senior units, or deferred participation units during the five-year period ending on the date of the disposition and if our common units, senior units, or
deferred participation units are regularly traded on an established securities market at the time of the disposition.
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Administrative Matters
We intend to furnish to each holder, within 90 days after the close of each calendar year, specific tax information, including a
Schedule K-1, which sets forth each holder's share of our income, gain, loss and deduction for our preceding taxable year. In preparing this information, which in most cases will
not be reviewed by counsel, we will use various accounting and reporting conventions, some of which have been mentioned in the previous discussion, to determine the holder's share of income, gain,
loss and deduction. There is no assurance that any of those conventions will yield a result which conforms to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, regulations or administrative
interpretations of the IRS. We cannot assure prospective holders that the IRS will not successfully contend in court that such accounting and reporting conventions are impermissible. Any such
challenge by the IRS could negatively affect the value of our common units, senior units, or deferred participation units.
The
IRS may audit our federal income tax information returns. Adjustments resulting from any such audit may require each holder to adjust a prior year's tax liability, and possibly may
result in an audit of the holder's own return. Any audit of a holder's return could result in adjustments not related to our returns as well as those related to our returns.
In
most respects, partnerships are treated as separate entities for purposes of federal tax audits, judicial review of administrative adjustments by the IRS and tax settlement
proceedings. The tax treatment of partnership items of income, gain, loss and deduction are determined in a partnership proceeding rather than in separate proceedings with the partners. The Internal
Revenue Code requires that one partner be designated as the "Tax Matters Partner" for these purposes. Our partnership agreements appoint our general partner as our Tax Matters Partner.
The
Tax Matters Partner will file our tax returns using the accrual method of accounting and will adopt the calendar year as our taxable year. Holders will be required to file their
returns consistently with the information provided on our informational return or notify the IRS of any inconsistency. A failure to notify the IRS of an inconsistent position allows the IRS
automatically to assess and collect the tax, if any, attributable to the inconsistent treatment. With certain exceptions, a penalty will be assessed for each month or fraction thereof (up to a maximum
of twelve months) that a partnership return is filed either late or incomplete. The monthly penalty is equal to $89 multiplied by the number of our partners during the year for which the return is
due.
With
certain exceptions, a penalty will be assessed if we fail to furnish to the holders a correct Schedule K 1 to our federal income tax return on or before the prescribed due
date (including any extension thereof). The penalty is equal to $50 multiplied by the number of our partners not furnished a correct Schedule K 1 on or before the prescribed due date (including
any extension thereof), with a maximum penalty of $100,000 per calendar year.
The
Tax Matters Partner will make various elections on our behalf and on behalf of the holders. In addition, the Tax Matters Partner can extend the statute of limitations for assessment
of tax deficiencies against holders for items in our returns. The Tax Matters Partner may bind a holder with less than a 1% profits interest in us to a settlement with the IRS unless that holder
elects, by filing a statement with the IRS, not to give such authority to the Tax Matters Partner. The Tax Matters Partner may seek judicial review (by which all the holders are bound) of a final
partnership administrative adjustment and, if the Tax Matters Partner fails to seek judicial review, such review may be sought by any holder having at least a 1% interest in our profits and by the
holders having in the aggregate at least a 5% profits interest. However, only one action for judicial review will go forward, and each holder with an interest in the outcome may participate.
A
holder must file a statement with the IRS identifying the treatment of any item on that holder's federal income tax return that is not consistent with the treatment of the item
on our return.
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Intentional
or negligent disregard of the consistency requirement may subject a holder to substantial penalties.
Persons who hold an interest in us as a nominee for another person are required to furnish to us:
-
-
the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the beneficial owner and the nominee;
-
-
whether the beneficial owner is:
-
-
a person that is not a United States person;
-
-
a foreign government, an international organization or any wholly-owned agency or instrumentality of either of the
foregoing; or
-
-
a tax-exempt entity;
-
-
the amount and description of common units, senior units, or deferred participation units held, acquired or transferred
for the beneficial owner; and
-
-
particular information including the dates of acquisitions and transfers, means of acquisitions and transfers, and
acquisition cost for purchases, as well as the amount of net proceeds from sales.
Brokers
and financial institutions are required to furnish additional information, including whether they are United States persons and specific information on common units, senior
units, or deferred participation units they acquire, hold or transfer for their own account. A penalty of $50 per failure, up to a maximum of $100,000 per calendar year, is imposed by the Internal
Revenue Code for failure to report this information to us. The nominee is required to supply the beneficial owner of our common units, senior units, or deferred participation units with the
information furnished to us.
Partnership Anti Abuse Rules
Treasury Regulations known as the "Anti-Abuse Rules" purportedly grant authority to the IRS to re-characterize
certain transactions to the extent that it is determined that the utilization of partnerships is inconsistent with the intent of the federal partnership tax rules. Under these Anti Abuse Rules, the
IRS may, under certain circumstances, (i) recast transactions which attempt to use the partnership form of ownership, or (ii) otherwise treat the partnership as an aggregation of its
partners rather than a distinct separate entity, as appropriate in order to carry out the purposes of the partnership tax rules. The Anti Abuse Rules also provide that the authority to
re-characterize transactions is limited to circumstances under which the tax characterization by the taxpayer is not, based on all facts and circumstances, clearly contemplated under the
Code or the applicable Treasury Regulations.
These
Anti Abuse Rules are intended to impact only a small number of transactions, which improperly utilize partnership tax rules. It is therefore not anticipated that we and/or the
transactions contemplated herein will be affected by the promulgation or administration of these Anti Abuse Rules. In light of the broad language incorporated in these Regulations, however, no
assurance can be given that the IRS will not attempt to utilize the Anti Abuse Rules to alter, in whole or part, the tax consequences described herein with regard to an investment in us.
State, Local And Other Tax Consequences
In addition to federal income taxes, holders will be subject to other taxes, such as state and local income taxes, unincorporated
business taxes, and estate, inheritance or intangible taxes that may be imposed by the various jurisdictions in which we do business or own property. Although an analysis of
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those
various taxes is not presented here, each prospective holder should consider their potential impact on that holder's investment in common units, senior units, and deferred participation units.
We currently conduct business in 50 states and Puerto Rico. A holder will be required to file state income tax returns and to pay state income taxes in some or all of the states in which we do
business or own property and may be subject to penalties for failure to comply with those requirements. In some states, tax losses may not produce a tax benefit in the year incurred (if, for example,
we have no income from sources within that state) and also may not be available to offset income in subsequent taxable years. Some of the states may require that we, or we may elect to, withhold a
percentage of income from amounts to be distributed to a holder who is not a resident of the state. Withholding, the amount of which may be greater or less than a particular holder's income tax
liability to the state, does not relieve the non-resident holder from the obligation to file an income tax return. Amounts withheld may be treated as if distributed to holders for purposes
of determining the amounts distributed by us. See "Tax Treatment of Holders of Common Units, Senior Units and Deferred Participation UnitsEntity-Level Collections." Based on
current law and our estimate of future operations, we anticipate that any amounts required to be withheld will not be material.
It
is the responsibility of each holder to investigate the legal and tax consequences under the laws of pertinent states and localities of that holder's investment in us. Accordingly,
each prospective holder should consult, and must depend upon, that holder's own tax counsel or other advisor with regard to those matters. Further, it is the responsibility of each holder to file all
state and local, as well as U.S. federal, tax returns that may be required of such holder. Greenberg Traurig LLP has not rendered an opinion on the state or local tax consequences of an
investment in us.
Tax Treatment of Holders of Warrants
In general, a holder of a warrant is not treated as owning a direct equity interest in the grantor of the warrant unless and until the
warrant is physically exercised. Nevertheless, if a warrant is "deep-in-the-money" at the time of issuance, the holder of the warrant is generally viewed as holding
directly the underlying property. Specifically, in the context of warrants on partnership interests, the IRS issued proposed regulations in 2003, which contain a two-part test to determine
whether a warrant will be re-characterized as a partnership interest. They require that both of the following tests be met: (i) the holder must have rights substantially similar to
the rights afforded to a partner; and (ii) there must be a strong likelihood that failure to treat the warrant holder as a partner would result in a substantial reduction in aggregate tax
liabilities.
It
is unclear whether these proposed regulations would apply to our warrants or whether the warrants will be treated as "deep-in-the-money." In either
case, if the IRS determines that the holders of the warrants should be treated as holding a direct interest in us, the tax consequences discussed above in the section entitled "Tax Treatment of
Holders of Common Units, Senior Units and Deferred Participation Units" may apply to such holders. Holders of warrants should consult their own tax advisers regarding the possible
re-characterization of the warrants as partnership interests.
The
discussion that follows assumes that the warrants are not treated as direct partnership interest in us and are respected as options for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The
following discussion also assumes that the warrants can only be physically exercised (i.e., with delivery of the underlying property).
In general, the issuance of warrants by us would not result in any tax consequences to the holder until the warrants are sold,
exchanged, lapse or otherwise disposed of. Thus, upon issuance of a warrant, a holder of a warrant is not allowed a deduction for the premium paid to purchase the warrant.
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A
holder of a warrant will generally recognize gain or loss upon a sale, exchange, or other disposition of the warrant equal to the amount realized on the warrant minus the premium paid
for the warrant and any related costs. If a warrant lapses without exercise, the holder will simply be allowed a deduction for the premium (and any related costs) at the time of lapse. Gain or loss
from the sale, exchange, or lapse of a warrant is treated as gain or loss from the sale or exchange of property which has the same character as the property to which the option relates in the hands of
the holder. Thus, the character of gains and losses on the warrant is determined in accordance with the character of the underlying property in the hands of the holder. Certain early terminations of a
warrant will give rise to capital gains or losses to the extent that the underlying property is also capital in the hands of the holder.
When
a warrant is physically exercised, the holder generally recognizes no gain or loss and receives no deduction; rather, the holder adds the premium to its basis in the underlying
property acquired upon exercise. Following the physical exercise of a warrant, the tax treatment of the property received by a holder pursuant to the warrant is similar to the tax treatment described
herein concerning equity units or debt securities.
Under the original issue discount regulations, if we issue warrants in conjunction with the issue of debt securities as an "investment
unit" the issue price of the investment unit is allocated between the debt securities and the warrant based on the relative fair market values of each component at the time of issuance. The allocation
of a portion of the issue price to the warrant creates original issue discount on the debt security, generally equal to the value of the warrant at the time of issue. The holder is generally bound by
our allocation, unless the holder explicitly discloses on its return that its allocation differs from ours. Warrants issued in conjunction with our debt securities are generally treated by a holder as
separate from the debt securities and are generally treated similarly for U.S. federal income tax purposes as warrants issued not in conjunction with debt securities.
Tax Treatment of Holders of Debt Securities
The following is a summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of
our debt securities. This summary does not address the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of every type of debt security which may be issued under this registration statement. In
particular, the following summary does not discuss the U.S. federal income tax treatment of purchasing, holding and disposing of: (i) debt securities that are convertible into our units;
(ii) debt securities characterized as variable rate debt instruments or contingent payment debt instruments for U.S. federal income tax purposes; (iii) debt securities with a term of one
year or less ("short-term debt obligations"); or (iv) debt securities that are
denominated in currency other than U.S. Dollar. In the event we issue debt securities the tax treatment of which is not discussed herein, the applicable prospectus or prospectus supplement will
describe the material U.S. federal income tax consequences thereof. This discussion only applies to initial purchasers of our debt securities by a U.S. holder. If you purchase one of our debt
securities in the secondary market, you should consult your own tax adviser regarding the possible U.S. federal income tax consequences of purchasing, holding and disposing of our debt securities.
In
addition, the following discussion does not address the potential U.S. federal income tax consequences for purchasers of our debt securities in the secondary markets. Such purchasers
are encouraged to consult with their own tax advisers regarding the potential U.S. federal income tax consequences of purchasing, holding and disposing of our debt securities.
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A "U.S. holder" is a beneficial owner of debt securities that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
-
-
a citizen or resident of the United States;
-
-
a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any
political subdivision thereof (other than a partnership that is not treated as a U.S. person under any applicable Treasury regulations);
-
-
an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or
-
-
a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust
and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust.
If
a partnership (including an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds debt securities, the tax treatment of a partner of the partnership generally
will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership acquiring the debt securities, you are urged to consult your own tax advisor
about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of acquiring, holding and disposing of the debt securities.
A U.S. holder generally will be required to include in gross income as ordinary interest income the stated interest on debt securities
at the time that the interest accrues or is received, in accordance with the U.S. holder's regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Some
debt securities may be issued with original issue discount ("OID"). OID on debt securities will generally equal the excess of the debt securities' stated redemption price at
maturity over the debt securities' issue price, subject to a statutory
de minimis
exception ((0.25% of the debt security's stated redemption price at
maturity multiplied by the number of complete years to its maturity). The issue price of the debt securities will be the first price at which a substantial amount of the debt securities is sold
(ignoring sales to bond houses, brokers, or similar persons acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents, or wholesalers). The debt securities' stated redemption price at maturity is equal
to the sum of all payments to be made on such debt securities, other than payments of qualified stated interest (i.e., payments of interest at a fixed rate that are payable at least annually
for the entire term of the notes).
For
debt securities that will be issued with OID, U.S. holders will be required to include the OID in ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes as it accrues on a constant
yield basis in advance of receipt of cash payments to which such income is attributable. A U.S. holder must include in income for each taxable year the sum of the daily portions of OID for each day on
which it held the debt securities during the taxable year, regardless of whether the holder is a cash-basis or accrual-method taxpayer. To determine the daily portions of OID, a U.S.
holder must determine the amount of OID allocable to an accrual period and allocate a ratable portion of that OID to each day in the accrual period. Under the constant-yield method, the amount of OID
allocable to an accrual period is equal to the product of the debt securities' adjusted issue price at the beginning of the accrual period and the debt securities' yield (adjusted to reflect the
length of the accrual period), less the amount of any qualified stated interest allocable to the period. The debt securities' adjusted issue price at any time generally is their original issue price,
increased by the amount of OID on such debt securities accrued by any holder in a prior period, and decreased by the amount of any payment (other than a payment of qualified stated interest)
previously made on the debt securities. The yield-to-maturity is
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the
discount rate that, when used in computing the present value of all principal and interest payments to be made on the debt securities, produces an amount equal to the debt securities' original
issue price.
A
U.S. holder may elect an accrual period of any length and may vary the length of the accrual periods over the life of the debt securities, but no accrual period may be longer than one
year, and each scheduled payment of interest or principal on the debt securities must occur on either the first day or the last day of an accrual period. Under the foregoing rules, a U.S. holder
generally will recognize increasingly greater amounts of OID in each successive period that the U.S. holder holds debt securities, regardless of whether the U.S. holder received payments corresponding
to that income.
Subject
to certain limitations, a U.S. holder may elect to use the constant-yield method to include in the U.S. holder's income all interest that accrues on debt securities issued with
OID. For purposes of the election, interest includes, inter alia, all stated interest and OID. In the case of U.S. holders that use the cash method of accounting, this election generally will result
in such U.S. holders including stated interest on the debt securities offered hereby in income earlier than would be the case if no such election were made. This election applies only to the debt
securities with respect to which it is made and may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors as to the desirability, the mechanics and the
collateral consequences of making this election with respect to the debt securities.
In
certain circumstances, we may pay amounts on the debt securities that are in excess of the stated interest or principal of the debt securities. We intend to take the position that the
possibility that any such payments will be made is remote so that the debt securities will not be treated as contingent payment debt instruments solely because of this possibility, and such
possibility will not affect the timing or amount of interest income that a U.S. holder must recognize unless and until any such payments are made. Our determination that these contingencies are remote
is binding on a U.S. holder unless the U.S. holder discloses a contrary position to the IRS in the manner that is required by
applicable Treasury Regulations. Our determination is not, however, binding on the IRS. It is possible that the IRS might take a different position from that described above, in which case the timing,
character and amount of taxable income in respect of the debt securities may be different from that described herein.
A debt security may be issued for an amount that is in excess of the debt security's principal amount. The U.S. holder pays the bond
premium upfront and, therefore, may later deduct it as amortizable bond premium over the term of the debt security. A U.S. holder of a debt security with originally issued bond premium may elect to
amortize the bond premium on a yield-to-maturity basis, as an offset to interest income, over the term of the debt security. The election will apply to all of the U.S. holder's
taxable premium bonds for the current and subsequent years, unless revoked with consent of the IRS Commissioner. The amortization of bond premium is based on the U.S. holder's
yield-to-maturity, applying the same concepts found in the original issue discount rules. The U.S. holder also should reduce his or her basis in the debt security with such
amortization of the premium.
A U.S. holder generally recognizes capital gain or loss on the sale, redemption, exchange, retirement or other taxable disposition of
debt securities. This gain or loss will equal the difference between the U.S. holder's adjusted tax basis in the debt securities and the proceeds received, excluding any proceeds attributable to
accrued interest which will be recognized as ordinary interest income to the extent the U.S. holder has not previously included the accrued interest in income.
A
U.S. holder's adjusted tax basis in the debt securities generally will equal such U.S. holder's initial investment in the debt securities increased by any original issue discount
included in income and
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decreased
by the amount of any payments, other than qualified stated interest payments, received with respect to any of the debt securities.
The
proceeds the U.S. holder receive will include the amount of any cash and the fair market value of any other property received for the debt securities. The U.S. holder's adjusted tax
basis in the debt securities will generally equal the amount paid for the debt securities less any principal payments received. The gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if
the U.S. holder held the debt securities for more than one year. Long-term capital gains of individuals, estates and trusts currently are taxed at a maximum rate of 15% (this rate is
scheduled to increase to 20% beginning January 1, 2011. The deductibility of capital losses may be subject to limitation.
Information reporting will apply to payments of interest and principal on, or the proceeds of the sale or other disposition of, debt
securities held by a U.S. holder, and backup withholding may apply to payments of interest unless the U.S. holder provides the appropriate intermediary with a taxpayer identification number, certified
under penalties of perjury, as well as certain other information or otherwise establish an exemption from backup withholding. Any amount withheld under the backup withholding rules is allowable as a
credit against the U.S. holder's U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, and a refund may be obtained if the amounts withheld exceed your actual U.S. federal income tax liability and you provide
the required information or appropriate claim form to the IRS.
A holder of our debt securities is a "non-U.S. holder" for purposes of this discussion if such holder is a beneficial owner
of debt securities and is not a "U.S. holder" or a partnership (including an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes).
For a non-U.S. holder, payments of interest on the debt securities generally are exempt from withholding of U.S. federal
income tax under the "portfolio interest" exemption if the interest is not effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder's conduct of a U.S. trade or business, the non-U.S.
holder properly certifies as to its foreign status as described below, and:
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-
the non-U.S. holder does not own directly or indirectly, actually or constructively, 10% or more of our
capital or profits interests;
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-
the non-U.S. holder is not a "controlled foreign corporation" that is related to us through stock ownership;
and
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-
the non-U.S. holder is not a bank whose receipt of interest on the debt securities is in connection with an
extension of credit made pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business.
The
portfolio interest exemption and several of the special rules for non-U.S. holders described herein generally apply only if the non-U.S. holder appropriately
certifies as to its foreign status. A non-U.S. holder can generally meet this certification requirement by providing a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN (or successor
form) or appropriate substitute form to us, or our paying agent. If the non-U.S. holder holds the debt securities through a financial institution or other agent acting on its behalf, the
non-U.S. holder may be required to provide appropriate certifications to the agent. The agent will then generally be required to provide appropriate certifications to us or our paying
agent, either directly or through other intermediaries. Special rules apply to foreign partnerships, estates and
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trusts,
and in certain circumstances certifications as to foreign status of partners, trust owners or beneficiaries may have to be provided to us or our paying agent. In addition, special rules apply
to qualified intermediaries that enter into withholding agreements with the IRS.
If
the non-U.S. holder cannot satisfy the requirements described above, payments of interest made to the non-U.S. holder will be subject to a U.S. federal
withholding tax at a 30% rate, unless the non-U.S. holder provides us with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN (or successor form) claiming an exemption from (or a
reduction of) withholding under the benefits of a tax treaty, or the payments of interest are effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder's conduct of a trade or business in the United
States, and the non-U.S. holder meet the certification requirements described below. See "Income or Gain Effectively Connected With a U.S. Trade or Business."
A non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized on the sale, redemption,
exchange, retirement or other taxable disposition of debt securities unless:
The preceding discussion of the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of debt securities by a
non-U.S. holder generally assumes that the non-U.S. holder is not engaged in a U.S. trade or business. If any interest on the
debt securities or gain from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of the debt securities is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by the non-U.S. holder
(and if a tax treaty applies, is attributable to a permanent establishment in the United States), then the income or gain will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular graduated income tax
rates, but will not be subject to withholding tax if certain certification requirements are satisfied. A non-U.S. holder can generally meet the certification requirements by providing a
properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI or appropriate substitute form to us, or our paying agent
If the non-U.S. holder is an individual and is not a resident of the United States (as specially defined for U.S. estate
tax purposes) at the time of the non-U.S. holder's death, the debt securities will not be included in its estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes unless, at the time of death, interest
on the debt securities does not qualify for the "portfolio interest" exemption.
Payments to non-U.S. holders of interest on debt securities, and amounts withheld from such payments, if any, generally
will be required to be reported to the IRS and to the non-U.S. holder. United States backup withholding tax generally will not apply to payments of interest and principal on debt
securities to a non-U.S. holder if the statement described in "Tax consequences to non-U.S. holdersInterest on the debt securities" is duly provided by the
non-U.S. holder or the non-U.S.
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holder
otherwise establishes an exemption, provided that we do not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the non-U.S. holder is a United States person.
Payment
of the proceeds of a disposition of debt securities effected by the U.S. office of a U.S. or foreign broker will be subject to information reporting requirements and backup
withholding unless the non-U.S. holder properly certifies under penalties of perjury as to its foreign status and certain other conditions are met or the non-U.S. holder
otherwise establish an exemption. The backup withholding tax rate is currently 28%. For payments made after 2010, the backup withholding rate will be increased to 31%. Information reporting
requirements and backup
withholding generally will not apply to any payment of the proceeds of the disposition of debt securities outside the United States by a foreign office of a broker. However, unless such a broker has
documentary evidence in its records that the non-U.S. holder is a non-U.S. holder and certain other conditions are met, or the non-U.S. holder otherwise establishes
an exemption, information reporting will apply to a payment of the proceeds of the disposition of debt securities effected outside the United States by such a broker if it:
-
-
is a United States person;
-
-
derives 50% or more of its gross income for certain periods from the conduct of a trade or business in the United States;
-
-
is a controlled foreign corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes; or
-
-
is a foreign partnership that, at any time during its taxable year, has more than 50% of its income or capital interests
owned by United States persons or is engaged in the conduct of a U.S. trade or business.
Any
amount withheld under the backup withholding rules may be credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability and any excess may be refundable if the proper information is provided to the IRS.
Reportable Transactions
Treasury Regulations requires us to complete and file Form 8886 ("Reportable Transaction Disclosure Statement") with our tax
return for any taxable year in which we participate in a "reportable transaction." Additionally, each partner treated as participating in a "reportable transaction" of us is required to file
Form 8886 with its tax return. We and any such partner, respectively, must also submit a copy of the completed form with the IRS's Office of Tax Shelter Analysis. A "reportable transaction" is
one of the following:
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-
a "listed transaction," which is a transaction that is the same as or substantially similar to one of the types of
transactions that the IRS has determined to be a tax avoidance transaction and identified by notice, regulation, or other form of published guidance as a "listed transaction;"
-
-
a "confidential transaction," which is a transaction that is offered to a taxpayer under conditions of confidentiality and
for which the taxpayer has paid an advisor a minimum fee;
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-
a "transaction with contractual protection," which is a transaction for which the taxpayer or a related party has the
right to a full or partial refund of fees if all or part of the intended tax consequences from the transaction are not sustained, or a transaction for which fees are contingent on the taxpayer's
realization of tax benefits from the transaction;
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-
a "loss transaction," which is any transaction resulting in the taxpayer claiming a loss under Section 165 of the
Internal Revenue Code; or
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-
a "transaction of interest," which is a transaction that is the same as or substantially similar to one of the types of
transactions that the IRS has identified by notice, regulation, or other form of published guidance as a transaction of interest;
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We
intend to notify the partners of what we believe (based on information available to us) might be a "reportable transaction," and intend to provide each partners with any available
information needed to complete and submit Form 8886 with respect to such transaction. In certain situations, there may also be a requirement that a list be maintained of persons participating
in such "reportable transactions," which could be made available to the IRS at its request.
Under
the Internal Revenue Code, a significant penalty is imposed on taxpayers who participate in a "reportable transaction" and fail to make the required disclosure. The penalty is
generally $10,000 for natural persons and $50,000 for other persons (increased to $100,000 and $200,000, respectively, if the reportable transaction is a "listed transaction").
Holders
are urged to consult with their own tax advisor concerning any possible disclosure obligation with respect to their investment and should be aware that we and our material
advisors intend to comply with the list and disclosure requirements.
Accuracy-Related Penalties
A penalty equal to 20% of the amount of any portion of an underpayment of tax, which is attributable to one or more of particular
listed causes, including negligence or disregard of rules or regulations, substantial understatements of income tax and substantial valuation misstatements, is imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. No
penalty is imposed, however, with respect to any portion of an underpayment if it is shown that there was a "reasonable cause" for that portion and that the taxpayer acted in good faith with respect
to that portion.
A
substantial understatement of income tax in any taxable year exists if the amount of the understatement exceeds the greater of 10% of the tax required to be shown on the return for the
taxable year or $5,000 ($10,000 for most corporations). The amount of any understatement subject to penalty is reduced if any portion is attributable to a position adopted on the
return:
-
-
with respect to which there is, or was, "substantial authority;" or
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-
as to which there is a reasonable basis and the pertinent facts of such position are disclosed on the return.
If
any item of our income, gain, loss or deduction included in the distributive shares of holders might result in such an "understatement" of income for which no "substantial authority"
exists, we must disclose the pertinent facts on our return. In addition, we will make a reasonable effort to furnish sufficient information for holders to make adequate disclosure on their returns to
avoid liability for this penalty.
A
substantial valuation misstatement exists if the value of any property, or the adjusted basis of any property, claimed on a tax return is 200% or more of the amount determined to be
the correct amount of such valuation or adjusted basis. No penalty is imposed unless the portion of the underpayment attributable to a substantial valuation misstatement exceeds $5,000, $10,000 for
most corporations. If the valuation claimed on a return is 400% or more than the correct valuation, the penalty imposed increases to 40%.
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INVESTMENT IN US BY BENEFIT PLANS
An investment in us by an employee benefit plan is subject to additional considerations because the investments of these plans are
subject to:
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-
the fiduciary responsibility and prohibited transaction provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
often referred to as ERISA; and
-
-
restrictions imposed by Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code.
For
these purposes, the term "employee benefit plan" may include:
-
-
qualified pension, profit-sharing and stock bonus plans;
-
-
simplified employee pension plans; and
-
-
tax deferred annuities or individual retirement accounts established or maintained by an employer or employee
organization.
Prior
to making an investment in us, consideration should be given to, among other things:
-
-
whether the investment is permitted under the terms of the employee benefit plan;
-
-
whether the investment is prudent under Section 404(a)(1)(B) of ERISA;
-
-
whether in making the investment, the employee benefit plan will satisfy the diversification requirements of
Section 404(a)(1)(C) of ERISA;
-
-
whether the investment will result in recognition of unrelated business taxable income by the employee benefit plan and,
if so, the potential after-tax investment return; and
-
-
whether, as a result of the investment, the employee benefit plan will be required to file an exempt organization business
income tax return with the IRS.
See
"Tax ConsequencesTax Treatment of Tax-Exempt Holders of Common Units, Senior Units and Deferred Participation Units."
The
person with investment discretion with respect to the assets of an employee benefit plan, often called a fiduciary, should determine whether an investment in us is authorized by the
appropriate governing instrument and is a proper investment for the employee benefit plan. A fiduciary should also consider whether the employee benefit plan will, by investing in us, be deemed to own
an undivided interest in our assets. If so, our general partner would also be a fiduciary of the employee benefit plan, and we would be subject to the regulatory restrictions of ERISA, including its
prohibited transaction rules, as well as the prohibited transaction rules of the Internal Revenue Code.
Section 406
of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code prohibit employee benefit plans, and also individual retirement accounts that are not considered part of
an employee benefit plan, from engaging in specified transactions involving "plan assets" with parties that are "parties in interest" under ERISA or "disqualified persons" under the Internal Revenue
Code with respect to the employee benefit plan. Section 3(42) of ERISA defines "plan assets" to mean plan assets as defined in Department of Labor regulations. Those Department of Labor
regulations provide guidance with respect to whether the assets of an entity in which employee benefit plans acquire equity interests would be deemed "plan assets" under some circumstances. Under
these regulations, an entity's assets would not be considered to be "plan assets" if, among other things:
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-
the equity interests acquired by employee benefit plans are publicly-offered securities; meaning the equity interests
are:
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-
widely held by 100 or more investors independent of us and each other;
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-
-
freely transferable; and
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-
registered under some provisions of the federal securities laws;
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-
the entity is an "operating company;" meaning that it is primarily engaged in the production or sale of a product or
service, other than the investment of capital, either directly or through a majority owned subsidiary or subsidiaries; or
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-
less than 25% of the value of each class of equity interest, disregarding particular interests held by our general
partner, its affiliates, and particular other persons, is held by benefit plan investors, which are defined in Section 3(42) of ERISA to mean:
-
-
any employee benefit plans subject to the fiduciary requirements of ERISA;
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-
any qualified plans, individual retirement accounts, or other plans subject to the prohibited transaction rules in
Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code; and
-
-
any entity whose underlying assets include plan assets by reason of a plan's investment in such entity.
Our
assets should not be considered "plan assets" under these regulations because it is expected that an investment in us will satisfy the requirements of the first bullet point
immediately above.
Plan
fiduciaries contemplating an investment in us should consult with their own counsel regarding the potential consequences of such an investment under ERISA and the Internal Revenue
Code in light of the serious penalties imposed on persons who engage in prohibited transactions or otherwise violate any applicable statutory provisions.
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the securities from time-to-time pursuant to any one or more of the following
methods:
-
-
underwritten public offerings;
-
-
a block trade, which may involve crosses, in which the broker or dealer so engaged will attempt to sell the securities as
agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;
-
-
purchases by a broker or dealer as principal and resale by such broker or dealer for its account pursuant to this
prospectus;
-
-
exchange distributions and/or secondary distributions in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange;
-
-
ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker solicits purchasers;
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-
through the settlement of short sales;
-
-
directly to purchasers or to a single purchaser; and
-
-
privately negotiated transactions.
The
applicable prospectus supplement with respect to a particular offering of securities will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including:
-
-
the name or names of any underwriters, and if required, dealers of agents;
-
-
the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds we will receive from the sale;
-
-
any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters' compensation;
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-
any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed paid to dealers; and
-
-
any securities exchange or market on which the securities may be listed.
We
may solicit directly offers to purchase the securities being offered by this prospectus. We may also designate agents to solicit offers to purchase the securities from time to time.
We will name in a prospectus supplement any agent involved in the offer or sale of our securities.
If
we utilize a dealer in the sale of the securities being offered by this prospectus, we will sell the securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities
to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale. If we utilize an underwriter in the sale of the securities being offered by this prospectus, we will execute an
underwriting agreement with the underwriter at the time of sale and we will provide the name of any underwriter in the prospectus supplement which the underwriter will use to make resales of the
securities to the public. In connection with the sale of the securities, we, or the purchasers of securities for whom the underwriter may act as agent, may compensate the underwriter in the form of
underwriting discounts or commissions. The underwriter may sell the securities to or through dealers, and the underwriter may compensate those dealers in the form of discounts, concessions or
commissions.
With
respect to underwritten public offerings, negotiated transactions and block trades, we will provide in the applicable prospectus supplement any compensation we pay to underwriters,
dealers or agents in connection with the offering of the securities, and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers. Underwriters, dealers and agents
participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized
by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions. We may enter into
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agreements
to indemnify underwriters, dealers and agents against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments they may be required to make in respect
thereof.
To
facilitate the offering of securities, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the
securities. This may include overallotments or short sales of the securities, which involve the sale by persons participating in the offering of more securities than we sold to them. In
these circumstances, these persons would cover such overallotments or short positions by making purchases in the open market or by exercising their overallotment option. In
addition, these persons may stabilize or maintain the price of the securities by bidding for or purchasing securities in the open market or by imposing penalty bids, whereby selling concessions
allowed to dealers participating in the offering may be reclaimed if securities sold by them are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions. The effect of these transactions may be to
stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. These transactions may be discontinued at any time.
The
underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in other transactions with us, or perform other services for us, in the ordinary course of their business.
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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON UNITS, SENIOR UNITS AND DEFERRED PARTICIPATION UNITS
Common Units
As of April 10, 2009, we had 68,178,103 common units outstanding, representing an aggregate 98% limited partner interest. Of
those common units, 20,327,666, representing an approximate 30% limited partner interest in us, are held by Ferrell Companies, Inc., the owner of our general partner, and its affiliates.
A
copy of the partnership agreement of Ferrellgas Partners is incorporated herein by reference. A summary of the important provisions of the partnership agreement of Ferrellgas Partners
and the rights
and privileges of our common units is included in our registration statement on Form 8-A/A as filed with the SEC on February 18, 2003, including any amendments or reports
filed to update such descriptions. See "Where you Can Find More Information."
Our
common units are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FGP." Any additional common units we issue will also be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Senior Units and Deferred Participation Units
The partnership agreement of Ferrellgas Partners authorizes Ferrellgas Partners to issue an unlimited number of additional limited
partner interests and other equity securities for the consideration and with the rights, preferences and privileges established by our general partner in its sole discretion without the approval of
any of our limited partners. In accordance with Delaware law and the provisions of that partnership agreement, we may also issue additional partnership interests that, in the sole discretion of our
general partner, have special voting rights to which our common units are not entitled.
We
have no senior units or deferred participation units outstanding as of the date of this prospectus. The terms of any deferred participation units we offer under this prospectus may
have distribution, liquidation or other rights ranking junior to, or on a parity with, our senior units or common units and may be subject to limitations and restrictions that are not applicable to
our senior units or common units. Generally, deferred participation units will participate in our distributions at some time after their initial issuance based on targeted distribution levels.
Should
Ferrellgas Partners offer senior units or deferred participation units under this prospectus, a prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of senior units or deferred
participation units offered will include the specific terms of those senior units or deferred participation units, including the following:
-
-
the designation, stated value and liquidation preference of the senior units or deferred participation units and the
number of senior units or deferred participation units offered;
-
-
the initial public offering price at which the senior units or deferred participation units will be issued;
-
-
the conversion or exchange provisions of the senior units or deferred participation units;
-
-
any redemption or sinking fund provisions of the senior units or deferred participation units;
-
-
the distribution rights of the senior units or deferred participation units, if any;
-
-
a discussion of material federal income tax considerations, if any, regarding the senior units or deferred participation
units; and
-
-
any additional rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions of the senior units or deferred participation
units.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The debt securities issued pursuant to this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement by Ferrellgas Partners will
be:
-
-
direct secured or unsecured general obligations of Ferrellgas Partners and Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp., as
co-obligors; and
-
-
either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities.
The
debt securities issued pursuant to this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement by the operating partnership will be:
-
-
direct secured or unsecured obligations of the operating partnership and Ferrellgas Finance Corp., as
co-obligors;
-
-
nonconvertible securities offered for cash; and
-
-
either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities.
The
nature of Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp.'s and Ferrellgas Finance Corp.'s roles as co-obligors with Ferrellgas Partners and the operating partnership, as applicable,
is that each issuer of the applicable debt securities is jointly and severally fully and unconditionally liable on the debt securities. In effect, each issuer could be considered to have fully and
unconditionally guaranteed the other issuer's payment obligations. Because some institutional investors in the debt securities may be unable to hold the debt securities by reason of our structure and
the legal investment laws of their states of organization or their charters, the debt securities are expected to be co-issued by a partnership and a corporation. Neither Ferrellgas
Partners Finance Corp. nor Ferrellgas Finance Corp. will receive any additional consideration for acting as co-issuer or as co-obligor for their payment obligations under the
debt securities.
Senior
debt securities will be issued under one or more senior indentures. Subordinated debt securities will be issued under one or more subordinated indentures. Any senior indenture and
any subordinated indenture are each referred to in this prospectus as an indenture and collectively referred to as the indentures. We will enter into the indentures with a trustee that is qualified to
act under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. Any reference to the trustee in this prospectus shall refer to the trustee under the indentures together with any other trustee(s) chosen by us
and appointed in a
supplemental indenture with respect to a particular series of debt securities. The trustee for each series of debt securities will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The
forms of indenture are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Any supplemental indentures will be filed by us from time to time by means
of an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The indentures and any supplemental indentures will be available for inspection at the corporate trust office of the applicable
trustee, or as described under "Where You Can Find More Information." The indentures will be subject to, and governed by, the Trust Indenture Act. We will execute, unless previously executed, any
indenture and supplemental indenture if and when we issue any debt securities.
We
summarize some of the material provisions of the indentures in the following order:
-
-
those provisions that apply only to a senior indenture;
-
-
those provisions that apply only to a subordinated indenture; and
-
-
those provisions that apply to both types of indentures.
Although
the material terms of any indenture or supplemental indenture will be described in this prospectus and in a prospectus supplement, you should read the applicable indenture and
supplemental
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indenture,
if any, because they, and not this description or the description in the prospectus supplement, control your rights as holders of the debt securities.
For
purposes of this description:
-
-
the "partnership" refers to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.; and
-
-
the words "we," "us," "our" and "ourselves" refer to the co-issuers of the applicable debt securities, either
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. or the operating partnership and Ferrellgas Finance Corp.
Specific Terms of Each Series of Debt Securities in the Prospectus Supplement
A prospectus supplement and an indenture or supplemental indenture relating to any series of debt securities being offered will include
specific terms relating to that series of debt securities. These terms will include some or all of the following:
-
-
the issuers of the debt securities;
-
-
the form and title of the debt securities;
-
-
any limit on the total principal amount of the debt securities;
-
-
the assets, if any, that are pledged as security for the payment of the debt securities;
-
-
the portion of the principal amount that will be payable if the maturity of the debt securities is accelerated in the case
of debt securities issued at a discount from their face amount;
-
-
the currency or currency unit in which the debt securities will be payable, if not U.S. dollars;
-
-
any right we may have to defer payments of interest by extending the dates payments are due and whether interest on those
deferred amounts will be payable as well;
-
-
the date or dates on which the principal of the debt securities will be payable;
-
-
the interest rate, which may be fixed or variable, that the debt securities will bear, if any, the date or dates from
which interest will accrue, the interest payment dates for the debt securities and the regular record dates for interest payable on any interest payment date;
-
-
any conversion or exchange provisions;
-
-
any optional redemption provisions;
-
-
any change of control offer provisions;
-
-
any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to repurchase or otherwise redeem the debt securities;
-
-
any changes to or additional Events of Default or covenants; and
-
-
any other terms of the debt securities.
Debt
securities may be issued as original issue discount debt securities. Original issue discount debt securities bear no interest or bear interest at below-market rates and are sold at
a discount to their stated principal amount. Under applicable tax laws, the holder of an original issue discount debt security would likely be required to include the original issue discount in income
before the receipt of cash attributable to that income. If we issue these securities, the prospectus supplement will describe any special tax, accounting or other considerations relevant to these
securities.
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Provisions Only in a Senior Indenture
The senior debt securities will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other senior and unsubordinated debt and senior in
right of payment to any of our subordinated debt, including the subordinated debt securities. However, any secured senior debt securities will effectively rank senior to any unsecured senior debt to
the extent of the value of the property securing the secured senior debt securities.
A
senior indenture or a supplemental indenture relating to a specific series of senior debt securities will contain restrictive covenants that, unless otherwise specified in a prospectus
supplement, will not be included in a subordinated indenture or supplemental indenture relating to a specific series of subordinated debt securities. We expect that the these covenants will include a
prohibition on our ability to incur liens on our property, other than permitted liens, unless the debt securities are secured equally and ratably with the obligation or liability secured by such
liens. These covenants may also include restrictions on our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to:
-
-
incur indebtedness;
-
-
make restricted payments;
-
-
engage in transactions with our affiliates;
-
-
create restrictions on the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to pay dividends or make particular other payments; and
-
-
sell and lease back our assets.
The
specific terms of any such covenants or other covenants applicable to any specific series of debt securities will be contained in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Provisions Only in a Subordinated Indenture
The subordinated debt securities will be unsecured. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate in right of payment to all
senior indebtedness.
In
addition, claims of our subsidiaries' creditors generally will have priority with respect to the assets and earnings of the subsidiaries over the claims of our creditors, including
holders of the subordinated debt securities, even though those obligations may not constitute senior indebtedness. The subordinated debt securities, therefore, will be effectively subordinated to
creditors, including trade creditors, of our subsidiaries.
A
subordinated indenture relating to a specific series of subordinated debt securities will define "senior indebtedness" to mean the principal of, premium, if any, and interest
on:
-
-
all indebtedness for money borrowed or guaranteed by us other than the subordinated debt securities, unless the
indebtedness expressly states that it has the same ranks as, or ranks junior to, the subordinated debt securities; and
-
-
any deferrals, renewals or extensions of any senior indebtedness.
However,
the term "senior indebtedness" will not include:
-
-
any of our obligations to our subsidiaries;
-
-
any liability for Federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by us;
-
-
any accounts payable or other liability to trade creditors, arising in the ordinary course of business, including
guarantees of, or instruments evidencing, those liabilities;
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-
-
any indebtedness, guarantee or obligation of ours which is expressly subordinate or junior in right of payment in any
respect to any other indebtedness, guarantee or obligation of ours, including any senior subordinated indebtedness and any subordinated obligations;
-
-
any obligations with respect to any capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests or other equity interests
of any kind; or
-
-
any indebtedness incurred in violation of the subordinated indenture.
There
is no limitation on our ability to issue additional senior indebtedness. The senior debt securities constitute senior indebtedness under a subordinated indenture. Any subordinated
debt securities will rank equally with our other subordinated indebtedness.
Under
a subordinated indenture, no payment may be made on the subordinated debt securities and no purchase, redemption or retirement of any subordinated debt securities may be made in
the event:
-
-
any senior indebtedness is not paid when due; or
-
-
the maturity of any senior indebtedness is accelerated as a result of a default, unless the default has been cured or
waived and the acceleration has been rescinded or that senior indebtedness has been paid in full.
We
may, however, pay the subordinated debt securities without regard to the above restriction if the representatives of the holders of the applicable senior indebtedness approve the
payment in writing to us and the trustee.
The
representatives of the holders of senior indebtedness may notify us and the trustee in writing of a default, which can result in the acceleration of that senior indebtedness's
maturity without further notice or the expiration of any grace periods. In this event, we may not pay the subordinated debt securities for 179 days after receipt of that notice of such default
unless the person who gave such notice gives written notice to the trustee and to us terminating the period of non-payment, the senior indebtedness is paid in full or the default that
caused such notice is no longer continuing. If the holders of senior indebtedness or their representatives have not accelerated the maturity of the senior indebtedness at the end of the
179-day period, we may resume payments on the subordinated debt securities. Not more than one such notice may be given in any consecutive 360-day period, irrespective of the
number of defaults with respect to senior indebtedness during that period.
In
the event we pay or distribute our assets to creditors upon a total or partial liquidation or dissolution of us, or in bankruptcy or reorganization relating to us or our property, the
holders of senior indebtedness will be entitled to receive payment in full of the senior indebtedness before the holders of subordinated debt securities are entitled to receive any payment of either
principal or interest. Until the senior indebtedness is paid in full, any payment or distribution to which holders of subordinated debt securities would be entitled but for the subordination
provisions of the subordinated indenture will be made to holders of the senior indebtedness.
If
a distribution is made to holders of subordinated debt securities that, due to the subordination provisions, should not have been made to them, those holders of subordinated debt
securities are required to hold it in trust for the holders of senior indebtedness, and pay it over to them as their interests may appear.
If
payment of the subordinated debt securities is accelerated because of an Event of Default, either we or the trustee will promptly notify the holders of senior indebtedness or their
representatives of the acceleration. We may not pay the subordinated debt securities until five business days after the holders of senior indebtedness or their representatives receive notice of the
acceleration. Thereafter, we
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may
pay the subordinated debt securities only if the subordination provisions of the subordinated indenture otherwise permit payment at that time.
As
a result of the subordination provisions contained in a subordinated indenture, in the event of insolvency, our creditors who are holders of senior indebtedness may recover more,
ratably, than the holders of subordinated debt securities. In addition, our creditors who are not holders of senior indebtedness may recover less, ratably, than holders of senior indebtedness and may
recover more, ratably, than the holders of subordinated indebtedness. It is important to keep this in mind if you decide to hold our subordinated debt securities.
Provisions Applicable to Both Types of Indentures
Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets
Each indenture will provide that the partnership or the operating partnership, as applicable, may not consolidate or merge with or
into, or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions to, another entity
unless:
-
-
the partnership or the operating partnership, as applicable, is the surviving entity or the entity formed by or surviving
the transaction, if other than the partnership or the operating partnership, or the entity to which the sale was made is a corporation or partnership organized or existing under the laws of the United
States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
-
-
the entity formed by or surviving the transaction, if other than the partnership or the operating partnership, or the
entity to which the sale was made assumes all the obligations of the partnership or the operating partnership, as applicable, in accordance with a supplemental indenture in a form reasonably
satisfactory to the trustee, under the debt securities and an indenture;
-
-
immediately after the transaction no Event of Default, or event that is or after notice or the passage of time would be an
Event of Default (a "Default"), exists; and
-
-
with respect to any series of debt securities of the partnership (but not of the operating partnership), at the time of
the transaction and after giving pro forma effect to it as if the transaction had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, the partnership or such other entity or
survivor is permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional indebtedness under any covenant restricting our ability to incur indebtedness applicable to that series of debt securities.
Each
indenture will also provide that Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. or Ferrellgas Finance Corp., as applicable, may not consolidate or merge with or into, whether or not it is the
surviving entity, or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions to, another entity except
under conditions similar to those described in the paragraph above.
In addition to any other covenants restricting our ability to incur indebtedness that may be contained in an indenture or supplemental
indenture, each indenture will provide that Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. or Ferrellgas Finance Corp., as applicable, may not incur any indebtedness, as defined in the applicable indenture,
unless:
-
-
the partnership or the operating partnership, as applicable, is a co-obligor or guarantor of the indebtedness;
or
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the net proceeds of the indebtedness are either:
-
-
lent to the partnership or the operating partnership, as applicable;
-
-
used to acquire outstanding debt securities issued by the partnership or the operating partnership, as applicable, or
-
-
used, directly or indirectly, to refinance or discharge indebtedness permitted under the limitation of this paragraph.
Ferrellgas
Partners Finance Corp. or Ferrellgas Finance Corp., as applicable, may not engage in any business not related, directly or indirectly, to obtaining money or arranging
financing for the partnership or the operating partnership, as applicable.
Each indenture will describe in detail the occurrences that would constitute an "Event of Default." These occurrences include the
following with respect to each series of debt securities:
-
-
default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on any debt security of that series when the same becomes
due and payable, upon stated maturity, acceleration, optional redemption, required purchase, scheduled principal payment or otherwise;
-
-
default in the payment of an installment of interest on any of the debt securities of that series, when the same becomes
due and payable, which default continues for a period of 30 days;
-
-
default in the performance, or breach, of any term, covenant or warranty contained in the debt securities of that series
or the applicable indenture, other than a default specified in either of the two clauses above, and the default continues for a period of 45 days after written notice of the default requiring
us to remedy the same shall have been given to the applicable issuers by the trustee or to the applicable issuers and the trustee by holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the applicable
series of debt securities then outstanding;
-
-
specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with respect to us has occurred; or
-
-
any other Event of Default with respect to that series set forth in the applicable indenture or supplemental indenture and
described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
If
any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% of principal amount of the applicable series of debt securities then outstanding may declare
all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from specified events of bankruptcy or insolvency, with respect to the applicable issuers, all outstanding
applicable debt securities will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. Holders of debt securities may not enforce an indenture or the debt securities except as provided
in the applicable indenture. Subject to limitations, holders of a majority in principal amount of a series of then-outstanding debt securities may direct the trustee of that series of debt
securities in its exercise of any trust or power. The trustee may withhold from holders of debt securities notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default, except a Default or Event of Default
relating to the payment of principal or interest, if the trustee determines in good faith that withholding notice is in their interest. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of a
series of debt securities and then outstanding, by notice to the trustee for those debt securities, may waive any existing Default or Event of Default for all holders of that series and its
consequences under an indenture, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of any principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities or a Default or Event of
Default in respect of a covenant or provision that may not be modified without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of that issuer.
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The
issuers are required to deliver to the trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with an indenture.
An
Event of Default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an Event of Default for any other series of debt securities issued under an indenture or
under any other indenture.
No Personal Liability of Limited Partners, Directors, Officers, Employees and Unitholders
No limited partner of the partnership or the operating partnership or any director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of
our general partner, Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. or Ferrellgas Finance Corp., as such, shall have any liability for any of our obligations under the debt securities or any indenture or any claim
based on, in respect of, or by reason of, these
obligations. Each holder of debt securities, by accepting a debt security, waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the debt
securities. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.
The obligations under any debt securities and any indenture are:
-
-
recourse to our general partner and the applicable issuers;
-
-
non-recourse to any of our other entities; and
-
-
are payable only out of the cash flow and assets of our general partner and the applicable issuers.
The
trustee and each holder of a debt security, by accepting a debt security, will be deemed to have agreed in the applicable indenture that:
-
-
if the debt security is issued by the partnership, the operating partnership and its other affiliates will not be liable
for any of the partnership's obligations under an indenture or the debt securities; or
-
-
if the debt security is issued by the operating partnership, the partnership and its other affiliates will not be liable
for any of the operating partnership's obligations under an indenture or the debt securities.
We may, at the option of the board of directors of our general partner, on our behalf, and the board of directors of Ferrellgas
Partners Finance Corp. or Ferrellgas Finance Corp., as applicable, and at any time, elect to have all of our obligations discharged with respect to any series of outstanding debt securities. This is
known as "legal defeasance." However, under legal defeasance we cannot discharge:
-
-
the rights of holders of outstanding debt securities to receive payments with respect to any principal, premium, and
interest on the debt securities when the payments are due;
-
-
our obligations with respect to the debt securities concerning registration, transfer and/or exchange of debt securities
or mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities;
-
-
our obligation to maintain an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;
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-
-
the rights, obligations, duties and immunities of the trustee, and our obligations in connection therewith;
-
-
the rights, if any, of holders to convert or exchange debt securities; and
-
-
the legal defeasance provisions of an indenture.
In
addition, we may, at our option and at any time, elect to have our obligations released with respect to specified covenants that are described in an indenture or supplemental
indenture. This is called "covenant defeasance." After our obligations have been released in this manner, any failure to comply with these obligations will not constitute a Default or Event of Default
with respect to the debt securities. In the event covenant defeasance occurs, specific events, not including non-payment, bankruptcy, receivership, reorganization and insolvency, will no
longer constitute an Event of Default with respect to the debt securities.
In
order to exercise either legal defeasance or covenant defeasance, we must irrevocably deposit with the trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the holders of debt securities, cash in
U.S. dollars, non-callable U.S. government securities, or a combination thereof, in amounts sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to
pay the principal, any premium and interest on the outstanding debt securities on the stated maturity date or on the applicable redemption date.
In
addition, we will be required to deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that after the 91st day following the deposit the trust funds will not be subject to the
effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally, and that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to legal defeasance or
covenant defeasance have been complied with, and confirming other matters. Furthermore, in the case of a legal defeasance, the opinion must confirm that we have received from, or there shall have been
published by, the IRS a ruling, or since the date of an indenture, there shall have been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case, to the effect that, and based thereon, the
holders of the outstanding debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the legal defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the
same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the legal defeasance had not occurred. In the case of covenant defeasance, the opinion must confirm that the
holders of the outstanding debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the covenant defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on
the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the covenant defeasance had not occurred.
We
may not exercise either legal defeasance or covenant defeasance if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of the deposit or insofar as Events of Default from
bankruptcy or insolvency events are concerned, at any time in the period ending on the 91st day after the date of deposit. In addition, we may not exercise either legal defeasance or covenant
defeasance if such legal defeasance or covenant defeasance will result in a breach, violation or constitute a default under any material agreement or instrument, other than an indenture to which we
are a party or by which we are bound.
Amendment, Supplement and Waiver
In general, each indenture and the debt securities may be amended or supplemented, and any existing default or compliance with any
provision of an indenture or the debt securities may be waived, with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of each affected series of the
applicable issuers then outstanding. This includes consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for debt securities. However, without the consent of each holder
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of
affected debt securities of the applicable issuers, among other matters, an amendment or waiver may not, with respect to any debt securities held by a non-consenting holder of debt
securities:
-
-
reduce the principal amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
-
-
reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any debt security;
-
-
reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any debt securities; or
-
-
waive a Default in the payment of principal or interest on the debt securities (except a rescission of acceleration of the
debt securities by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);
-
-
make any note payable in money other than that stated in the debt securities;
-
-
make any change in the provisions of the indenture relating to waivers of past defaults or the rights of holders of debt
securities to receive payments of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities; or
-
-
make any change in the foregoing amendment and waiver provisions.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, without the consent of any holder of debt securities, we and the trustee may amend or supplement an indenture or the debt securities
to:
-
-
cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;
-
-
provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to certificated debt securities;
-
-
establish a new series of debt securities;
-
-
provide for the assumption of our obligations to holders of debt securities in the case of a merger or consolidation;
-
-
make any change that could provide any additional rights or benefits to the holders of debt securities that does not
adversely affect the legal rights under an indenture of any such holder;
-
-
comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust
Indenture Act;
-
-
provide security for or add guarantees with respect to the debt securities;
-
-
add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of an indenture, provided that any such addition, change or elimination
may become effective only after there are no debt securities of any series entitled to the benefit that provision outstanding;
-
-
evidence the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee with respect to one or more series of debt securities;
-
-
supplement any provisions of an indenture necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of
debt securities, provided that it does not adversely affect the interests of the holders of debt securities of that series or any other series; and
-
-
comply with the rules or regulations of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which any debt securities
may be listed or traded.
If
an Event of Default for any series of debt securities occurs and continues, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the
series may declare the entire principal of all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. If this
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happens,
subject to specific conditions, the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series can void the declaration.
Other
than its duties in case of a Default, a trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under any indenture at the request, order or direction of any holders,
unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable indemnity. If they provide this reasonable indemnification, the holders of a majority in principal amount of any series of debt securities may direct
the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding or any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any power conferred upon the trustee, for any series of debt securities.
The indentures may not contain limits on the amount of debt securities that we may issue under the indentures, subject to compliance
with any covenant in respect of any previously issued series of debt securities under the applicable indenture that limits our ability to incur indebtedness.
We may issue debt securities of a series in registered, bearer, coupon or global form.
The Trustee
The trustee may resign or be removed by us with respect to one or more series of debt securities and a successor trustee may be
appointed to act with respect to any such series. Any resignation will require the appointment of a successor trustee under the applicable indenture in accordance with the terms and conditions of such
indenture. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of any series may remove the trustee with respect to the debt securities of such series. Should the trustee
become our creditor, each indenture will contain specific limitations on the trustee's rights to obtain payment of claims or to realize on specific property received in respect of any claim as
security or otherwise. The trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate the conflict or resign.
The
holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the trustee, subject to specific exceptions. Each indenture will provide that in case
an uncured Event of Default occurs, the trustee will be required, in the exercise of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent man in the conduct of his own affairs. Subject to these
provisions, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under any indenture at the request of any holder of debt securities, unless the holder offers to the trustee
security and indemnity satisfactory to the trustee against any loss, liability or expense.
Book-Entry, Delivery and Form of the Debt Securities
Unless otherwise stated in the prospectus supplement, we will issue the debt securities in denominations of $1,000 and in fully
registered form without coupons. Each debt security will be represented by a global note registered in the name of a nominee of the depositary. Except as set forth in the prospectus supplement, the
debt securities will be issuable only in global form. Upon issuance, all debt securities will be represented by one or more fully registered global notes. Each global note will be deposited with, or
on behalf of, the depositary and registered in the name of the depositary or its nominee or will remain in the custody of the trustee pursuant to the FAST Balance Certificate Agreement between the
depositary and the trustee. Your beneficial interest in a debt security will be shown on, and transfers of beneficial interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the
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depositary
or its participants. Payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities represented by a global note will be made by us or our paying agent to the
depositary or its nominee. The Depository Trust Company, often referred to as DTC, will be the initial depositary.
We
have provided the following descriptions of the operations and procedures of DTC and its participants solely as a matter of convenience. These operations and procedures are solely
within the control of DTC and its participants and are subject to change by them. Neither we, any underwriter, dealer, agent, trustee nor paying agent take any responsibility for these operations or
procedures, and you are urged to contact DTC or its participants directly to discuss these matters.
In
addition, neither we, any trustee nor any paying agent will be liable for any delay by DTC, its nominee or any direct or indirect participant in identifying the beneficial owners of
the debt securities.
We, any trustee and any paying agent may conclusively rely on, and will be protected in relying on, instructions from DTC or its nominee, including instructions about the registration and delivery,
and the respective principal amounts, of any debt securities issued.
DTC has advised us that:
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DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a "banking organization" within the
meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a "clearing agency" registered
under Section 17A of the Exchange Act;
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-
DTC was created to hold securities for its participating organizations and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of
transactions in those securities between the participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of
securities certificates;
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-
direct participants include securities brokers and dealers, including the underwriters of this offering, banks, trust
companies, clearing corporations and other organizations;
-
-
DTC is owned by a number of its direct participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock
Exchange LLC and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.;
-
-
access to the DTC system is also available to indirect participants such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and
trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly;
-
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persons who are not direct participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through direct
participants or indirect participants; and
-
-
the rules applicable to DTC and its direct and indirect participants are on file with the SEC.
We expect that under procedures established by DTC:
-
-
upon deposit of the global notes, DTC will credit the accounts of the participants designated by the underwriters with
portions of the principal amount of the global notes; and
-
-
ownership of these interests in the debt securities will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership of these interests
will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to the participants) or by the participants and the indirect participants.
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Ownership
of beneficial interests in a global note will be limited to participants or persons that hold interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in debt
securities represented by a global note will be limited to participants or persons that hold interests through participants.
So
long as the depositary for a global note, or its nominee, is the registered owner of the global note, the depositary or its nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the
debt securities represented by a global note for all purposes under an indenture. Except as provided below, as the owner of beneficial interests in debt securities represented by a global note or
global notes, you:
-
-
will not be entitled to register the debt securities represented by a global note in your name;
-
-
will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of debt securities in definitive form; and
-
-
will not be considered the owner or holder of any of the debt securities under an indenture.
The
laws of some states require that purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. Therefore, the limits and restrictions listed above may impair your
ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global note. In addition, the lack of a physical certificate evidencing your beneficial interests in the global notes may limit your ability to pledge the
interests to a person or entity that is not a participant in DTC.
We
understand that under existing policy of the depositary and industry practices, if:
-
-
we request any action of holders; or
-
-
you desire to give notice or take action which a holder is entitled to under an indenture or a global note,
the
depositary would authorize the participants holding the beneficial interests to give the notice or take the action. Accordingly, if you are a beneficial owner that is not a participant, you must
rely on the procedures of the depositary or on the procedures of the participant as well as the contractual arrangements you have directly, or indirectly through your financial intermediary, with a
participant to exercise any rights of a holder under an indenture or a global note or to give notice or take action.
To
facilitate subsequent transfers, all global notes deposited by participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTC or its nominee. The deposit of global notes with DTC and their
registration in the name of DTC or its nominee effect no change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the book-entry debt securities. DTC's
records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts the book-entry debt securities are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The participants
will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
Neither
DTC nor its nominee will consent or vote with respect to book-entry debt securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC will mail an "omnibus proxy" to us as soon as
possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns DTC's or its nominee's consenting or voting rights to those direct participants to whose accounts the book-entry debt securities
are credited on the record date, which are identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy.
A
beneficial owner will give notice to elect to have its book-entry debt securities purchased or tendered, through its participant, to the paying agent, and shall effect
delivery of such book-entry debt securities by causing the direct participant to transfer the participant's interest in the book-entry debt securities, on the depositary's
records, to the paying agent. The requirement for physical delivery of book-entry debt securities in connection with a demand for purchase or a mandatory purchase will be deemed satisfied
when the ownership rights in the book-entry debt securities are transferred by a direct participant on the depositary's records.
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We will make payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities represented by a global note
through the trustee to the depositary or its nominee, as the registered owner of a global note. So long as the debt securities are represented by
global notes registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, all payments will be made by us in immediately available funds. We expect that the depositary, upon receipt of any payments, will immediately
credit the accounts of the related participants with payments in amounts proportionate to their beneficial interest in the global note. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of
beneficial interests in a global note will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of the participants. However, these payments will be the
sole responsibility of the participant.
Neither
we, the trustee, any paying agent or any other of our agents will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of
beneficial ownership interests of a global note or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to beneficial ownership interests.
We will issue certificated debt securities in exchange for all the global notes if:
-
-
DTC or any other designated replacement depositary notifies us that it is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as
depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and we fail to appoint a successor depositary within 120 days; or
-
-
we, at our option, notify the trustee in writing that we elect to cause the issuance of the certificated debt securities;
or
-
-
there has occurred and is continuing a default or an event of default with respect to the debt securities and the
depositary has requested the security registrar/trustee to issue certificated debt securities in lieu of the global notes.
In
case of any of the foregoing, you, as an owner of a beneficial interest in a global note, will be entitled to have certificated debt securities equal in principal amount to the
beneficial interest registered in your name and will be entitled to physical delivery of the certificated debt securities. The certificated debt securities will be registered in the name or names as
the depositary shall instruct the
trustee (in accordance with its customary procedures). The certificated debt securities will be issued in denominations of $1,000 and will be issued in registered form only, without coupons. No
service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of certificated debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge.
Unless otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement, initial settlement of the debt securities will be made by us, the
underwriters, dealers, agents, or sales managers, as applicable, in immediately available funds. So long as the debt securities are represented by global notes registered in the name of DTC or its
nominee, secondary market trading between DTC participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC's rules and procedures and will be settled in immediately available funds using DTC's
same-day funds settlement system. No assurance though can be given as to the effect, if any, of settlement in immediately available funds on the trading activity of the debt securities.
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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
Ferrellgas Partners may issue warrants to purchase debt securities, common units or other securities issued by us or another issuer.
Warrants may be issued independently or together with other securities and may be attached to or separate from these securities. The warrants will be issued under warrant agreements to be entered into
between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The specific terms of the warrants as well as the warrant agreement and the identification of the warrant agent shall be set forth in a
prospectus supplement.
Debt Warrants
A prospectus supplement will describe the terms of Ferrellgas Partners' debt warrants, the warrant agreement relating to the debt
warrants and the debt warrant certificates representing our debt warrants. These descriptions will include the following:
-
-
the title of the debt warrants;
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-
the aggregate number of debt warrants being offered;
-
-
the price or prices at which the debt warrants will be issued;
-
-
the designation, aggregate principal amount and terms of the debt securities purchasable upon exercise of the debt
warrants;
-
-
the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of each debt warrant, and the price at which such
principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon such exercise;
-
-
the date, if any, on and after which the debt warrants and the related debt securities will be separately transferable;
-
-
the date on which the right to exercise the debt warrants shall commence, and the date on which such right shall expire;
-
-
the maximum or minimum number of debt warrants that may be exercised at any time;
-
-
a discussion of material federal income tax considerations of the debt warrants and the exercise thereof, if any; and
-
-
any other terms of the debt warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of
such debt warrants.
Unless
otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, debt warrant certificates will be exchangeable for new debt warrant certificates of different denominations and debt
warrants may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement. Prior to the exercise of debt warrants, holders of debt
warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the debt securities that are purchasable upon such exercise and will not be entitled to payments of principal of, or premium, if any, or
interest, if any, on the debt securities purchasable upon such exercise.
Common Unit Warrants And Other Warrants
A prospectus supplement will describe the terms of Ferrellgas Partners' common unit warrants and other warrants, the warrant agreement
relating to our common unit warrants and other warrants and the warrant certificates representing our common unit warrants and other warrants. These descriptions will include the
following:
-
-
the title of the warrants;
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-
the aggregate number of warrants being offered;
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-
-
the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued;
-
-
the securities for which the warrants are exercisable, and the price at which such securities may be purchased upon such
exercise;
-
-
any provisions for adjustment of the exercise price of such warrants or the number of common units or number or amount of
other securities of ours or another issuer that are receivable upon the exercise of such warrants;
-
-
the date, if any, on and after which the warrants and the related common units or other securities of ours or another
issuer will be separately transferable;
-
-
the date on which the right to exercise the warrants shall commence, and the date on which such right shall expire;
-
-
the maximum or minimum number of warrants that may be exercised at any time;
-
-
a discussion of material federal income tax considerations of the debt warrants and the exercise thereof, if any; and
-
-
any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the
warrants.
Unless
otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, warrant certificates will be exchangeable for new warrant certificates of different denominations and warrants may be
exercised at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement. Prior to the exercise of warrants, holders of the warrants will not have any of
the rights of holders of the securities that are purchasable upon such exercise and will not be entitled to any distributions or dividends, if any, on the securities purchasable upon such exercise.
Exercise of Warrants
Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, each warrant will entitle the holder of the warrant to purchase for
cash a particular principal amount of debt securities, number of common units, or number or amount of other securities at an exercise price that shall be described in, or be determinable in, an
applicable prospectus supplement. Warrants will be exercisable at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date of such warrants as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.
Warrants
will be exercisable as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon receipt of payment and the properly completed and duly executed warrant certificate at the
corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the debt securities, common units or other securities
purchasable upon such exercise to the warrant holder. If less than all of the warrants represented by such warrant certificate are exercised, a new warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining
unexercised warrants.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Where Documents are Filed; Copies of Documents
We file annual, quarterly and other reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and download our filings over the Internet
from several commercial document retrieval services, as well as at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy our SEC filings at the SEC's public reference room located at
100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information concerning the public reference room and any
applicable copy charges.
Because
our common units are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, we also provide our SEC filings and particular other information to the New York Stock Exchange. You may obtain copies
of
these filings and this other information at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange located at 11 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005.
In
addition, our SEC filings are available on our website at www.ferrellgas.com at no cost as soon as reasonably practicable after our electronic filing or furnishing thereof with the
SEC. Please note that any internet addresses provided in this prospectus are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be hyperlinks. Accordingly, no information found and/or provided at
such internet addresses is intended or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein.
Incorporation of Documents by Reference
We filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 with respect to the securities offered by this
prospectus. This prospectus is a part of that registration statement. As allowed by the SEC, this prospectus does not contain all of the information you can find in the registration statement or the
exhibits to the registration statement. Instead, the SEC allows us to incorporate by reference information into this prospectus. Incorporation by reference means that we can disclose particular
important information to you without actually including such information in this prospectus by simply referring you to another document that we filed separately with the SEC.
The
information we incorporate by reference is an important part of this prospectus and should be carefully read in conjunction with this prospectus and any prospectus supplement.
Information that we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus will automatically update and may supersede some of the information in this prospectus as well as information we previously
filed with the SEC and that was incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
The
following documents are incorporated by reference into this prospectus:
-
-
the Annual Report on 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, 2008, as filed with the SEC on September 29, 2008;
-
-
the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., Ferrellgas Partners Finance
Corp., Ferrellgas, L.P. and Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. for each of the quarterly periods ended October 31, 2008 and January 31, 2009, as filed with the SEC on
December 09, 2008 and March 10, 2009, respectively.
-
-
the Current Reports on Form 8-K of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp.,
Ferrellgas, L.P. and Ferrellgas Finance Corp., as filed with the SEC on August 5, 2008, September 10, 2008, September 17, 2008, September 29, 2008,
October 16, 2008, November 26, 2008, December 9, 2008, January 9, 2009, January 29, 2009, February 6, 2009, February 25, 2009 and March 10,
2009;
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-
-
the description of Ferrellgas Partners' common units in its registration statement on Form 8-A/A of
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., as filed with the SEC on February 18, 2003, and any amendments or reports filed to update the description; and
-
-
the operating partnership's registration statement on Form 10 as filed with the SEC on February 18, 2003;
-
-
Ferrellgas Finance Corp.'s registration statement on Form 10 as filed with the SEC on February 18, 2003; and
-
-
all documents that we file under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this
prospectus and until the earlier of the termination of the registration statement to which this prospectus relates or until we sell all of the securities offered by this prospectus.
If
information in any of these incorporated documents conflicts with information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement you should rely on the most recent information. If
information in an incorporated document conflicts with information in another incorporated document, you should rely on the information in the most recent incorporated document.
You
may request from us a copy of any document we incorporate by reference at no cost, excluding all exhibits to such incorporated documents unless we have specifically incorporated by
reference such exhibits either in this prospectus or in the incorporated document, by making such a request in writing or by telephone to the following address:
Ferrellgas, Inc.
7500 College Boulevard, Suite 1000
Overland Park, Kansas 66210
Attention: Investor Relations
(913) 661-1500
LEGAL MATTERS
Particular legal matters related to the securities described in this prospectus have been or will be passed upon for us by Greenberg
Traurig LLP, including the validity of the securities described in the prospectus.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements, the related consolidated financial statement schedules, and management's report on the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and Ferrellgas, L.P. and the financial statements of Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. and
Ferrellgas Finance Corp. incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.'s, Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp.'s, Ferrellgas L.P.'s, and Ferrellgas Finance
Corp.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports dated
September 29, 2008, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements and financial statement schedules have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm
given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The
consolidated financial statements of Ferrellgas, Inc. and subsidiaries incorporated in this registration statement by reference from Exhibit 99.15 to Ferrellgas
Partners, L.P.'s, Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp.'s, Ferrellgas L.P.'s, and Ferrellgas Finance Corp.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 9, 2008 have
been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report dated October 22, 2008, which is incorporated herein by
reference. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the documents we have incorporated herein by reference include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements are identified as any statement that does not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often use or are preceded by words such as "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "plan,"
"projection," "forecast," "strategy," "position," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "may," "will," or the negative of those terms or other variations of them or comparable terminology. These
statements often discuss plans, strategies, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future and are based upon the beliefs and assumptions of our management and on
the information currently available to them. In particular, statements, express or implied, concerning our future operating results or our ability to generate sales, income or cash flow are
forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking
statements are not guarantees of future performance. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to
risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by these forward-looking statements. Many of the factors that will
affect our future results are beyond our ability to control or predict.
Some
of our forward-looking statements include the following:
-
-
whether the operating partnership will have sufficient funds to meet its obligations, including its obligations under its
debt securities, and to enable it to distribute to Ferrellgas Partners sufficient funds to permit Ferrellgas Partners to meet its obligations with respect to its existing debt and equity securities;
-
-
whether Ferrellgas Partners and the operating partnership will continue to meet all of the quarterly financial tests
required by the agreements governing their indebtedness; and
-
-
our expectation that "Gross marginpropane and other gas liquids", "Operating income" and "Net earnings"
during the remainder of fiscal 2009 will be higher than the same period during fiscal 2008.
For
a more detailed description of these particular forward-looking statements and for other factors that may affect any forward-looking statements, see "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2008, in our Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended October 31, 2008 and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended January 31, 2009,
each of which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information."
When
considering any forward-looking statement, you should also keep in mind the risk factors described under the section entitled "Risk Factors" in this prospectus, in our Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2008 and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 31, 2008, which are
incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information." Any of these risks could impair our business, financial condition or results of operation. Any such impairment
may affect our ability to make distributions or pay interest on the principal of any of our debt securities. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements after distribution of
this prospectus.
In
addition, the classification of Ferrellgas Partners and the operating partnership as partnerships for federal income tax purposes means that we do not generally pay federal income
taxes. We do, however, pay taxes on the income of our subsidiaries that are corporations. See the section in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended July 31,
2008 entitled "Item 1A. Risk FactorsTax Risks." The IRS could treat us as a corporation for tax purposes or changes in federal or state laws could subject us to entity-level
taxation, which would substantially reduce the cash available for distribution to our unitholders.
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4,400,000 Common Units
Representing Limited Partnership Interests
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
BofA Merrill Lynch
J.P. Morgan
Wells Fargo Securities
, 2011
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