WHIPPANY, N.J., Aug. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Suburban Propane
Partners, L.P. (the "Partnership") (NYSE: SPH), a nationwide distributor of
propane gas, fuel oil and refined fuels and related products and services,
as well as a marketer of natural gas and electricity, today announced
results for the third quarter ended June 28, 2008.
Consistent with the seasonal nature of the propane and fuel oil
businesses, the Partnership typically experiences a net loss in the third
quarter. Net loss for the three months ended June 28, 2008, amounted to
$13.7 million, or $0.42 per Common Unit, compared to a net loss of $1.1
million, or $0.03 per Common Unit, in the prior year quarter. Earnings
before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") amounted
to $2.8 million, compared to $15.3 million in the prior year quarter. The
majority of the year-over-year variance in EBITDA resulted from $14.5
million of realized losses from risk management activities during the third
quarter of fiscal 2008.
Given the retail nature of its operations, the Partnership maintains a
certain level of priced physical inventory to ensure its field operations
have adequate supply commensurate with the time of year. The Partnership's
strategy has been, and will continue to be, to keep its physical inventory
priced relatively close to market for its field operations. Accordingly,
the Partnership's physical inventory is subject to commodity price
fluctuations. Consistent with past practices, the Partnership utilizes a
range of financial instruments to help mitigate the risk associated with
its priced physical inventory, including futures and/or option contracts
traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Under this risk management
strategy, realized gains or losses on futures or option contracts will
typically offset losses or gains on the physical inventory once the product
is sold. The Partnership does not use futures contracts, or other financial
instruments, for speculative trading purposes.
With the dramatic rise in commodity prices, the Partnership reported
realized losses from its risk management activities which were not fully
offset by sales of the physical product, resulting in a negative effect of
$14.5 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2008. Early in the
quarter, as a result of continued market volatility and unpredictability,
the Partnership made a decision to unwind all of its short futures
positions. Depending on the movement in commodity prices and the volume of
products sold, the Partnership may recover a portion of these realized
losses in future periods.
In announcing these results, Chief Executive Officer Mark A. Alexander
said, "The unprecedented rise in commodity prices has certainly had a
negative effect on our third quarter results due to losses from our risk
management activities. However, these losses aside, our operating results
for the third quarter were strong despite the continuing challenging
environment. With nearly $119 million in cash on hand at quarter's end and
continued strong distribution coverage, we are well positioned to take
advantage of opportunities that may arise."
Retail propane gallons sold in the third quarter of fiscal 2008
decreased 8.6 million gallons, or 10.8%, to 71.4 million gallons compared
to 80.0 million gallons in the prior year quarter. Sales of fuel oil and
refined fuels decreased 6.5 million gallons, or 34.0%, to 12.6 million
gallons during the third quarter of fiscal 2008, compared to 19.1 million
gallons in the prior year quarter. Lower volumes in both segments were
primarily attributable to ongoing customer conservation resulting from
record high commodity prices, and proactive steps taken by the Partnership
to help manage customer credit risk in this high energy price environment.
Average posted prices for propane and heating oil for the quarter increased
50.0% and 85.2%, respectively, compared to the prior year third quarter.
Revenues of $305.5 million increased $34.0 million, or 12.5%, compared
to the prior year third quarter as lower volumes were offset by higher
average selling prices associated with higher product costs. Cost of
products sold increased $45.8 million, or 27.4%, to $213.0 million in the
third quarter of fiscal 2008 compared to $167.2 million in the prior year
third quarter, primarily resulting from the rise in commodity prices,
including the $14.5 million of realized losses from risk management
activities. Cost of products sold in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 also
included a $4.7 million unrealized (non-cash) gain attributable to the
mark-to-market on derivative instruments, compared to a $0.2 million
unrealized (non-cash) loss in the prior year quarter. The unrealized gains
during the third quarter of fiscal 2008 represented the reversal of
previously recognized unrealized losses on derivative instruments as these
losses became realized during the quarter when contracts were settled.
These unrealized gains and losses are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA for
both periods in the table below.
Combined operating and general and administrative expenses of $89.7
million for the third quarter of fiscal 2008 were flat compared to the
prior year quarter. Continued savings in payroll and benefit related
expenses, including variable compensation resulting from lower earnings, as
well as the impact of a lower vehicle count were offset by higher diesel
fuel costs to operate the Partnership's fleet. As has been the case since
April 2006, there were no borrowings under the Partnership's working
capital facility as seasonal working capital needs continue to be funded
from cash on hand, despite the rise in commodity prices. The Partnership
ended the third quarter of fiscal 2008 with approximately $119.0 million of
cash on hand.
On July 24, 2008, the Partnership announced that its Board of
Supervisors declared the eighteenth increase (since the Partnership's
recapitalization in 1999) in the Partnership's quarterly distribution from
$0.775 to $0.80 per Common Unit for the three months ended June 28, 2008.
On an annualized basis, this increased distribution rate equates to $3.20
per Common Unit, an increase of $0.10 per Common Unit since the previous
quarterly distribution and a growth rate of 12.3% compared to the third
quarter of fiscal 2007. The $0.80 per Common Unit distribution will be paid
on August 12, 2008 to Common Unitholders of record as of August 5, 2008.
Mr. Alexander added, "In light of the continued challenges facing the
industry, our internal focus in recent years to streamline our operating
platform and further strengthen our balance sheet has helped us effectively
manage through a difficult operating environment. Our operating personnel
have done an outstanding job managing expenses, while maintaining high
quality service to our customers. We are also extremely pleased to continue
to deliver increasing value to our unitholders with our ninth consecutive
quarterly increase in the annualized distribution rate to $3.20 per Common
Unit -- a growth rate of more than 12% compared to the third quarter of
fiscal 2007."
Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. is a publicly-traded master limited
partnership listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Headquartered in
Whippany, New Jersey, Suburban has been in the customer service business
since 1928. The Partnership serves the energy needs of approximately
1,000,000 residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural customers
through approximately 300 locations in 30 states.
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements relating
to future business expectations of financial condition and results of
operations of the Partnership, based on management's current good faith
expectations and beliefs concerning future developments. These
forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed
or implied in such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited
to, the following:
-- The impact of weather conditions on the demand for propane, fuel oil
and other refined fuels, natural gas and electricity;
-- Volatility in the unit cost of propane, fuel oil and other refined
fuels and natural gas, the impact of the Partnership's hedging and risk
management activities and the adverse impact of price increases on volumes
as a result of customer conservation;
-- The ability of the Partnership to compete with other suppliers of
propane, fuel oil and other energy sources;
-- The impact on the price and supply of propane, fuel oil and other
refined fuels from the political, military or economic instability of the
oil producing nations, global terrorism and other general economic
conditions;
-- The ability of the Partnership to acquire and maintain reliable
transportation for its propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels;
-- The ability of the Partnership to retain customers;
-- The impact of customer conservation, energy efficiency and
technology advances on the demand for propane and fuel oil;
-- The ability of management to continue to control expenses;
-- The impact of changes in applicable statutes and government
regulations, or their interpretations, including those relating to the
environment and global warming and other regulatory developments on the
Partnership's business;
-- The impact of legal proceedings on the Partnership's business;
-- The impact of operating hazards that could adversely affect the
Partnership's operating results to the extent not covered by insurance; and
-- The Partnership's ability to make strategic acquisitions and
successfully integrate them.
Some of these risks and uncertainties are discussed in more detail in
the Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended
September 29, 2007 and other periodic reports filed with the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place
undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect management's
view only as of the date made. The Partnership undertakes no obligation to
update any forward- looking statement.
Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the Three and Nine Months Ended June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007
(in thousands, except per unit amounts)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
June 28, June 30, June 28, June 30,
2008 2007 2008 2007
Revenues
Propane $216,999 $188,772 $946,700 $865,808
Fuel oil and refined fuels 55,262 49,021 247,609 229,106
Natural gas and electricity 22,507 20,182 84,693 79,382
Services 9,184 11,662 34,752 44,792
All other 1,524 1,817 3,928 5,385
305,476 271,454 1,317,682 1,224,473
Costs and expenses
Cost of products sold 212,974 167,224 871,446 725,445
Operating 76,455 77,076 235,495 247,819
General and administrative 13,268 12,587 37,632 42,667
Restructuring charges and
severance costs - - - 1,485
Depreciation and amortization 7,159 7,306 21,325 21,762
309,856 264,193 1,165,898 1,039,178
(Loss) income before interest
expense and (benefit from)
provision for income taxes (4,380) 7,261 151,784 185,295
Interest expense, net 9,524 8,623 27,330 27,161
(Loss) income before (benefit
from) provision for income taxes (13,904) (1,362) 124,454 158,134
(Benefit from) provision for
income taxes (157) 389 1,956 1,529
(Loss) income from continuing
operations (13,747) (1,751) 122,498 156,605
Discontinued operations:
Gain on disposal of
discontinued operations - 203 43,707 1,205
Income from discontinued
operations - 408 - 1,564
Net (loss) income $(13,747) $(1,140) $166,205 $159,374
(Loss) income from continuing
operations per Common
Unit - basic $(0.42) $(0.05) $3.74 $4.81
Discontinued operations - 0.02 1.34 0.09
Net (loss) income per Common
Unit - basic $(0.42) $(0.03) $5.08 $4.90
Weighted average number of
Common Units outstanding - basic 32,725 32,674 32,719 32,514
(Loss) income from continuing
operations per Common
Unit - diluted $(0.42) $(0.05) $3.72 $4.79
Discontinued operations - 0.02 1.33 0.09
Net (loss) income per Common
Unit - diluted $(0.42) $(0.03) $5.05 $4.88
Weighted average number of
Common Units outstanding -
diluted 32,725 32,674 32,941 32,675
Supplemental Information:
EBITDA (a) $2,779 $15,303 $216,816 $210,201
Adjusted EBITDA (a) $(1,916) $15,482 $217,139 $217,952
Retail gallons sold:
Propane 71,420 80,042 329,609 368,602
Refined fuels 12,614 19,144 67,643 91,639
Capital expenditures:
Maintenance $3,463 $2,799 $8,607 $6,821
Growth $2,754 $3,726 $8,694 $12,903
(a) EBITDA represents net income before deducting interest expense,
income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA represents
EBITDA excluding the unrealized net gain or loss on mark-to-market activity
for derivative instruments. Our management uses EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
as measures of liquidity and we are including them because we believe that
they provide our investors and industry analysts with additional
information to evaluate our ability to meet our debt service obligations
and to pay our quarterly distributions to holders of our Common Units.
In addition, certain of our incentive compensation plans covering
executives and other employees utilize Adjusted EBITDA as the performance
target. Moreover, our revolving credit agreement requires us to use
Adjusted EBITDA as a component in calculating our leverage and interest
coverage ratios. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not recognized terms under
generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and should not be
considered as an alternative to net income or net cash provided by
operating activities determined in accordance with GAAP. Because EBITDA and
Adjusted EBITDA as determined by us excludes some, but not all, items that
affect net income, they may not be comparable to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
or similarly titled measures used by other companies.
The following table sets forth (i) our calculations of EBITDA and
Adjusted EBITDA and (ii) a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA, as so
calculated, to our net cash provided by operating activities:
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
June 28, June 30, June 28, June 30,
2008 2007 2008 2007
Net (loss) income $(13,747) $(1,140) $166,205 $159,374
Add:
(Benefit from) provision for
income taxes (157) 389 1,956 1,529
Interest expense, net 9,524 8,623 27,330 27,161
Depreciation and amortization -
continuing operations 7,159 7,306 21,325 21,762
Depreciation and amortization -
discontinued operations - 125 - 375
EBITDA 2,779 15,303 216,816 210,201
Unrealized (non-cash) (gains)
losses on changes in fair
value of derivatives (4,695) 179 323 7,751
Adjusted EBITDA (1,916) 15,482 217,139 217,952
Add / (subtract):
Provision for income taxes -
current (87) (389) (679) (1,529)
Interest expense, net (9,524) (8,623) (27,330) (27,161)
Unrealized (non-cash) gains
(losses) on changes in fair
value of derivatives 4,695 (179) (323) (7,751)
Compensation cost recognized
under Restricted Unit Plan 817 949 1,503 2,109
Gain on disposal of property,
plant and equipment, net (109) (339) (1,821) (2,401)
Gain on disposal of
discontinued operations - (203) (43,707) (1,205)
Changes in working capital and
other assets and liabilities 54,725 40,090 (87,794) (51,999)
Net cash provided by operating
activities $48,601 $46,788 $56,988 $128,015
The unaudited financial information included in this document is
intended only as a summary provided for your convenience, and should be
read in conjunction with the complete consolidated financial statements of
the Partnership (including the Notes thereto, which set forth important
information) contained in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to be filed by
the Partnership with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC"). Such report, once filed, will be available on the public EDGAR
electronic filing system maintained by the SEC.
SOURCE Suburban Propane Partners, L.P.
 back to top
Related links:
http://suburbanpropane.com
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/112074.html/
CONTACT:
Michael Stivala, Chief Financial Officer &
Chief Accounting Officer, +1-973-503-9252
|
