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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

x Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended April 30, 2005

 

or

 

o Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the transition period from __________ to __________

 

Commission file numbers: 001-11331, 333-06693, 000-50182 and 000-50183

 

Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.

Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp.

Ferrellgas, L.P.

Ferrellgas Finance Corp.

 

(Exact name of registrants as specified in their charters)

 

 

 

 

Delaware

Delaware

Delaware

Delaware

 

43-1698480

43-1742520

43-1698481

14-1866671

 

 

 

(States or other jurisdictions of

(I.R.S. Employer Identification Nos.)

 

 

incorporation or organization)

 

 

7500 College Boulevard, Suite 1000, Overland Park, KS 66210

 

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrants’ telephone number, including area code: (913) 661-1500

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants (1) have filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

Yes

[ X ]

No

[

]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants are accelerated filers (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.

Yes

[ X ]

No

[

]


 

Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp., Ferrellgas, L.P. and

Ferrellgas Finance Corp.

Yes

[

]

No

[ X ]

 

At May 31, 2005, the registrants had common units or shares of common stock outstanding as follows:

 

 

 

Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.

54,114,205

Common Units

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp.

1,000

Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ferrellgas, L.P.

n/a

n/a

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ferrellgas Finance Corp.

1,000

Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

EACH OF FERRELLGAS PARTNERS FINANCE CORP. AND FERRELLGAS FINANCE CORP. MEET THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN GENERAL INSTRUCTION (H)(1) (A) AND (B) OF FORM 10-Q AND ARE THEREFORE, WITH RESPECT TO EACH SUCH REGISTRANT, FILING THIS FORM 10-Q WITH THE REDUCED DISCLOSURE FORMAT.

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P.

FERRELLGAS PARTNERS FINANCE CORP.

FERRELLGAS, L.P.

FERRELLGAS FINANCE CORP.

 

For the quarterly period ended April 30, 2005

FORM 10-Q QUARTERLY REPORT

 

Table of Contents

Page

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets – April 30, 2005 and July 31, 2004

1

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings –

Three and nine months ended April 30, 2005 and 2004

 

2

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Partners’ Capital –

Nine months ended April 30, 2005

 

3

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows –

Nine months ended April 30, 2005 and 2004

 

4

 

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

5

 

 

 

 

Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp.

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Balance Sheets – April 30, 2005 and July 31, 2004

17

 

 

 

 

Condensed Statements of Earnings –

Three and nine months ended April 30, 2005 and 2004

 

17

 

 

 

 

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows –

Nine months ended April 30, 2005 and 2004

 

18

 

 

 

 

Note to Condensed Financial Statements

18

 

 

 

 

Ferrellgas, L.P. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets – April 30, 2005 and July 31, 2004

19

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings –

Three and nine months ended April 30, 2005 and 2004

 

20

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Partners’ Capital –

Nine months ended April 30, 2005

 

21

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows –

Nine months ended April 30, 2005 and 2004

 

22

 

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

23

 

 

 

 

Ferrellgas Finance Corp.

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Balance Sheets – April 30, 2005 and July 31, 2004

32

 

 

 

 

Condensed Statements of Earnings –

Three and nine months ended April 30, 2005 and 2004

 

32

 

 

 

 

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows –

Nine months ended April 30, 2005 and 2004

 

33

 

 

 

 

Note to Condensed Financial Statements

33

 

 

 

ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

34

 

ITEM 3.

 

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

47

 

 

 

ITEM 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

48

 

 

 

 

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

48

 

 

 

ITEM 2.

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

49

 

 

 

ITEM 3.

DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

49

 

 

 

ITEM 4.

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

49

 

 

 

ITEM 5.

OTHER INFORMATION

49

 

 

 

ITEM 6.

EXHIBITS

50

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)

 

FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except unit data)

(unaudited) 

 

 

April 30,

 

July 31,

 

ASSETS

 

 

2005

 

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

19,717

 

$

15,428

 

Accounts and notes receivable, net

 

 

163,252

 

 

114,211

 

Inventories

 

 

88,653

 

 

103,578

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

13,228

 

 

10,022

 

Total current assets

 

 

284,850

 

 

243,239

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

789,442

 

 

792,436

 

Goodwill

 

 

265,786

 

 

261,768

 

Intangible assets, net

 

 

262,458

 

 

265,125

 

Other assets, net

 

 

15,986

 

 

15,607

 

Total assets

 

$

1,618,522

 

$

1,578,175

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

89,597

 

$

104,309

 

Short-term borrowings

 

 

87,281

 

 

-

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

86,199

 

 

92,793

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

263,077

 

 

197,102

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

 

1,059,139

 

 

1,153,652

 

Other liabilities

 

 

23,169

 

 

20,531

 

Contingencies and commitments (Note K)

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

Minority interest

 

 

5,539

 

 

4,791

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Partners’ capital:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior unitholder (1,994,146 units outstanding at April 30, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and July 31, 2004 - liquidation preference $79,766 at

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 30, 2005 and July 31, 2004)

 

 

79,766

 

 

79,766

 

Common unitholders (54,113,205 and 48,772,875 units outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

at April 30, 2005 and July 31, 2004, respectively)

 

 

245,434

 

 

178,994

 

General partner unitholder (566,741 and 512,798 units outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

at April 30, 2005 and July 31, 2004, respectively)

 

 

(56,777

)

 

(57,391

)

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

 

 

(825

)

 

730

 

Total partners’ capital

 

 

267,598

 

 

202,099

 

Total liabilities and partners’ capital

 

$

1,618,522

 

$

1,578,175

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

1

 

 

 

FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(in thousands, except per unit data)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

For the three months

ended April 30,

 

For the nine months

ended April 30,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Propane and other gas liquids sales

 

$

467,664

 

$

368,264

 

$

1,400,519

 

$

1,057,751

 

Other

 

 

52,252

 

 

21,883

 

 

135,393

 

 

69,591

 

Total revenues

 

 

519,916

 

 

390,147

 

 

1,535,912

 

 

1,127,342

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of product sold (exclusive of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

depreciation, shown with amortization below)

 

 

339,351

 

 

234,331

 

 

1,018,385

 

 

680,479

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

 

180,565

 

 

155,816

 

 

517,527

 

 

446,863

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expense

 

 

94,142

 

 

80,858

 

 

281,153

 

 

233,141

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

 

21,300

 

 

13,270

 

 

62,480

 

 

37,130

 

General and administrative expense

 

 

9,839

 

 

7,888

 

 

31,678

 

 

23,761

 

Equipment lease expense

 

 

6,772

 

 

5,029

 

 

18,691

 

 

14,272

 

Employee stock ownership plan compensation charge

 

 

4,007

 

 

2,042

 

 

8,452

 

 

5,990

 

Loss on disposal of assets and other

 

 

1,494

 

 

925

 

 

4,567

 

 

4,477

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

 

43,011

 

 

45,804

 

 

110,506

 

 

128,092

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

(22,611

)

 

(17,998

)

 

(68,670

)

 

(52,083

)

Interest income

 

 

550

 

 

459

 

 

1,526

 

 

1,260

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes and minority interest

 

 

20,950

 

 

28,265

 

 

43,362

 

 

77,269

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

 

635

 

 

17

 

 

568

 

 

17

 

Minority interest

 

 

267

 

 

336

 

 

617

 

 

931

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

 

20,048

 

 

27,912

 

 

42,177

 

 

76,321

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distributions to senior unitholder

 

 

1,994

 

 

1,994

 

 

5,982

 

 

5,982

 

Net earnings available to general partner unitholder

 

 

181

 

 

259

 

 

362

 

 

703

 

Net earnings available to common unitholders

 

$

17,873

 

$

25,659

 

$

35,833

 

$

69,636

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per common unit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings per common unitholder

 

$

0.33

 

$

0.63

 

$

0.67

 

$

1.78

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per common unit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings per common unitholder

 

$

0.33

 

$

0.63

 

$

0.67

 

$

1.77

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

2

 

 


 

 

 

 

FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of units

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

comprehensive (loss) income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General

 

 

 

 

 

General

 

 

 

Currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior

 

Common

 

partner

 

Senior

 

Common

 

partner

 

Risk

 

translation

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

unit-

 

unit-

 

unit-

 

unit-

 

unit-

 

unit-

 

manage-

 

adjust-

 

Pension

 

partners’

 

 

 

holder

 

holders

 

holder

 

holder

 

holders

 

holder

 

ment

 

ments

 

liability

 

capital

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 1, 2004

 

1,994.1

 

48,772.9

 

512.8

 

$ 79,766

 

$ 178,994

 

$ (57,391)

 

$ 1,772

 

$ 16

 

$(1,058)

 

$ 202,099

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contribution in connection with

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ESOP compensation charge

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

8,283

 

84

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

8,367

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common unit cash distributions

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(79,815)

 

(806)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(80,621)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior unit cash and accrued distributions

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(5,922)

 

(120)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(6,042)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common units issued in public offering

-

 

2,875.0

 

29.0

 

-

 

54,893

 

554

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

55,447

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common units issued in private offering

-

 

2,098.6

 

21.2

 

-

 

39,800

 

404

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

40,204

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common units issued in connection

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

with acquistions

 

-

 

341.2

 

3.5

 

-

 

6,994

 

71

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

7,065

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common unit options exercised

-

 

25.5

 

0.2

 

-

 

452

 

5

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

457

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

41,755

 

422

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

42,177

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net gains on risk management

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

derivatives

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

66

 

-

 

-

 

66

 

Reclassification of net losses on

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

risk management derivatives

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(1,652)

 

-

 

-

 

(1,652)

 

Foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

adjustment

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

31

 

-

 

31

 

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

40,622

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 30, 2005

 

1,994.1

 

54,113.2

 

566.7

 

$ 79,766

 

$ 245,434

 

$ (56,777)

 

$ 186

 

$ 47

 

$(1,058)

 

$ 267,598

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3

 

 


 

 

FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

For the nine months ended April 30,

 

 

 

 

 

2005

 

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

 

$

42,177

 

 

$

76,321

 

Reconciliation of net earnings to net cash provided

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

 

 

62,480

 

 

 

37,130

 

Employee stock ownership plan compensation charge

 

 

 

8,452

 

 

 

5,990

 

Loss on disposal of assets

 

 

 

2,251

 

 

 

3,579

 

Minority interest

 

 

 

617

 

 

 

931

 

Other

 

 

 

5,403

 

 

 

4,931

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

effects from business acquisitions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts and notes receivable, net

 

 

 

(90,675

)

 

 

(57,430

)

Inventories

 

 

 

13,371

 

 

 

17,806

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

 

(2,989

)

 

 

(1,606

)

Accounts payable

 

 

 

(14,565

)

 

 

7,245

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

 

(6,641

)

 

 

(8,695

)

Other liabilities

 

 

 

675

 

 

 

486

 

Accounts receivable securitization:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from new accounts receivable securitizations

 

 

 

104,400

 

 

 

30,000

 

Proceeds from collections reinvested in revolving

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

period accounts receivable securitizations

 

 

 

802,134

 

 

 

568,155

 

Remittances of amounts collected as servicer of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

accounts receivable securitizations

 

 

 

(868,234

)

 

 

(610,455

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

 

58,856

 

 

 

74,388

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for assumed merger and related obligations

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(343,414

)

Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

 

 

(22,874

)

 

 

(37,443

)

Cash paid for acquisition transaction fees

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(1,269

)

Capital expenditures - technology initiative

 

 

 

(8,268

)

 

 

(4,782

)

Capital expenditures - other

 

 

 

(32,738

)

 

 

(20,422

)

Proceeds from the sale of assets

 

 

 

11,418

 

 

 

4,520

 

Other

 

 

 

(2,681

)

 

 

(3,982

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

 

(55,143

)

 

 

(406,792

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distributions

 

 

 

(86,663

)

 

 

(65,236

)

Issuance of common units, net of issuance costs of $304

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and $48 during 2005 and 2004, respectively

 

 

 

94,757

 

 

 

236,479

 

Net additions (reductions) to short-term borrowings

 

 

 

87,281

 

 

 

(43,719

)

Proceeds from issuance of debt

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

262,423

 

Repayments of debt

 

 

 

(94,999

)

 

 

(46,400

)

Cash paid for financing costs

 

 

 

(1,345

)

 

 

(5,613

)

Proceeds from exercise of common unit options

 

 

 

452

 

 

 

4,141

 

Cash contribution from general partner

 

 

 

1,034

 

 

 

565

 

Minority interest activity

 

 

 

46

 

 

 

(363

)

Other

 

 

 

44

 

 

 

-

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

 

 

607

 

 

 

342,277

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 

 

(31

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

4,289

 

 

 

9,873

 

Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period

 

 

 

15,428

 

 

 

11,154

 

Cash and cash equivalents - end of period

 

 

$

19,717

 

 

$

21,027

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

 

 

$

67,143

 

 

 

$

55,496

 

 

Income taxes

 

 

$

415

 

 

 

$

-

 

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

4

 

 


 

 

FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 30, 2005

(Dollars in thousands, except per unit data, unless otherwise designated)

(unaudited)

 

A.

Organization

 

Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. (“Ferrellgas Partners”) is a publicly traded limited partnership, owning an approximate 99% limited partner interest in Ferrellgas, L.P. (the “operating partnership”). Ferrellgas Partners and the operating partnership are collectively referred to as “Ferrellgas.” Ferrellgas, Inc. (the “general partner”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrell Companies, Inc. (“Ferrell Companies”), has retained a 1% general partner interest in Ferrellgas Partners and also holds a 1.0101% general partner interest in the operating partnership, representing an effective 2% general partner interest in Ferrellgas on a combined basis. As general partner, it performs all management functions required by Ferrellgas. Ferrell Companies beneficially owns 18.1 million of the outstanding Ferrellgas Partners common units. JEF Capital Management, Inc. (“JEF Capital”) is beneficially owned by James E. Ferrell (“Mr. Ferrell”), Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of the general partner, and thus is an affiliate. JEF Capital directly owns 100% of Ferrellgas’ senior units.

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements of Ferrellgas reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the interim periods presented. All adjustments to the condensed consolidated financial statements were of a normal, recurring nature. The information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with (i) the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and (ii) the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes as set forth in Ferrellgas’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2004.

 

B.

Unit and stock-based compensation

Ferrellgas accounts for the Ferrellgas Unit Option Plan (the “Unit Option Plan”) and the Ferrell Companies, Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan (the “ICP”) using the intrinsic value method under the provisions of Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” for all periods presented and makes the fair value method pro forma disclosures required under the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” as amended by SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure.” Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for the Unit Option Plan or for the ICP in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings. Had compensation cost for these plans been determined based upon the fair value at the grant date for awards under these plans, consistent with the methodology recommended under SFAS No. 123, Ferrellgas’ net earnings and net earnings per unit would have been adjusted as noted in the table below:

 

5

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

For the three months

ended April 30,

 

For the nine months

ended April 30,

 

 

2005

 

 

2004

 

 

2005

 

 

2004

 

Net earnings available to common unitholders, as reported

$17,873

 

$25,659

 

$35,833

 

$69,636

 

Deduct: Total stock based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards

(156)

 

(240)

 

(467)

 

(716)

 

Pro forma net earnings available to common unitholders

$17,717

 

$25,419

 

$35,366

 

$68,920

 

 

Basic earnings per common unit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic net earnings available to common unitholders, as reported

$0.33

 

$0.63

 

$0.67

 

$1.78

 

Basic net earnings available to common unitholders, pro forma

0.33

 

0.63

 

0.67

 

1.76

 

Diluted earnings per common unit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings available to common unitholders, as reported

$0.33

 

$0.63

 

$0.67

 

$1.77

 

Diluted earnings available to common unitholders, pro forma

0.33

 

0.62

 

0.67

 

1.76

 

C.

Accounting estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Significant estimates impacting the condensed consolidated financial statements include accruals that have been established for contingent liabilities, pending claims and legal actions arising in the normal course of business, useful lives of property, plant and equipment assets, residual values of tanks, amortization methods of intangible assets and valuation methods of derivative commodity contracts.

 

 

6

 

 


 

 

D.

Reclassifications

 

Certain reclassifications have been made to the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended April 30, 2004 to conform to the nine months ended April 30, 2005 condensed consolidated statement of cash flows presentation. “Proceeds from the sale of assets” is disclosed separately in net cash used in investing activities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. This amount was previously classified as “Other” in net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended April 30, 2004.

 

E.

Nature of operations

 

Ferrellgas Partners is a holding entity that conducts no operations and has two subsidiaries, Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. and the operating partnership. Ferrellgas Partners owns a 100% equity interest in Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp., whose only purpose is to act as the co-issuer and co-obligor of any debt issued by Ferrellgas Partners. The operating partnership is the only operating subsidiary of Ferrellgas Partners.

 

The operating partnership is engaged primarily in the distribution of propane and related equipment and supplies in the United States. The propane distribution market is seasonal because propane is used primarily for heating in residential and commercial buildings. Therefore, the results of operations for the nine months ended April 30, 2005 and 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full fiscal year. The operating partnership serves more than one million residential, industrial/commercial, portable tank exchange, agricultural and other customers in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada.

 

F.

Business combinations

 

During fiscal 2004, Ferrellgas completed a material business combination. The business combination was accounted for under the purchase method and the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their estimated fair market values as of the acquisition date. We completed our valuation and allocation of the purchase price related to the Blue Rhino contribution in the third quarter of fiscal 2005. In the current fiscal year, the purchase price increased by $3.2 million due to the final valuation of property, plant and equipment received in the acquisition. The results of operations from this business combination are included in Ferrellgas’ condensed consolidated financial statements from the date of the business combination.

 

Allocation of purchase price

 

Business

combinations

 

 

Purchase price

 

 

Working capital

 

 

Property, plant & equipment

 

 

Intangible

Assets

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

 

Other

Blue Rhino

(April  2004)

$418,377

$21,334

$96,160

$163,100

$136,408

$1,375

      Blue Rhino contribution

 

On April 20, 2004, FCI Trading Corp. (“FCI Trading”), an affiliate of the general partner, acquired all of the outstanding common stock of Blue Rhino Corporation in an all-cash merger. Pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated February 8, 2004, a subsidiary of FCI Trading merged with and into Blue Rhino Corporation whereby the then current stockholders of Blue Rhino Corporation were granted the right to receive a payment from FCI Trading of $17.00 in cash for each share of Blue Rhino Corporation common stock outstanding on April 20, 2004. FCI Trading thereafter became the sole stockholder of Blue Rhino Corporation and immediately after the merger, FCI Trading converted Blue Rhino Corporation into a limited liability company, Blue Rhino LLC.

 

In a non-cash contribution, pursuant to a Contribution Agreement dated February 8, 2004, FCI Trading contributed on April 21, 2004 all of the membership interests in Blue Rhino LLC to the operating

7

partnership through a series of transactions and the operating partnership assumed FCI Trading’s obligation under the Agreement and Plan Of Merger to pay the $17.00 per share to the former stockholders of Blue Rhino Corporation together with other specific obligations, as detailed in the following table:

 

 

 

Assumption of obligations under the contribution agreement

 

$343,414

Common units and general partner interest issued

 

11,850

Assumption of Blue Rhino’s bank credit facility outstanding balance

 

43,719

Assumption of other liabilities and acquisition costs

 

19,394

 

 

$418,377

 

 

 

Also on April 21, 2004, subsequent to the contribution described above, Blue Rhino LLC merged with and into the operating partnership. The former operations of Blue Rhino LLC will hereafter be referred to as “Blue Rhino.”

 

Ferrellgas’ valuation of the tangible and intangible assets of the Blue Rhino contribution resulted in the recognition of goodwill of $136.4 million. This valuation of goodwill was based on Ferrellgas’ belief that the contributions of Blue Rhino will be beneficial to Ferrellgas’ and Blue Rhino’s operations as Blue Rhino’s counter-seasonal business activities and anticipated future growth is expected to provide Ferrellgas with the ability to better utilize its seasonal resources to complement Ferrellgas’ retail distribution locations with Blue Rhino’s existing distributor network.

 

The results of operations of Blue Rhino for the period from August 1, 2004 through April 30, 2005 for the three months and nine months ended April 30, 2005 and April 21, 2004 through April 30, 2004 for the three months and nine months ended April 30, 2004 are included in the condensed consolidated statement of earnings of the combined entity.

 

Pro forma results of operations

 

The following summarized unaudited pro forma results of operations for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2005 and 2004, assumes that the Blue Rhino contribution had occurred as of the beginning of the periods presented. These unaudited pro forma financial results have been prepared for comparative purposes only and may not be indicative of (i) the results that would have occurred if Ferrellgas had completed the Blue Rhino contribution as of the beginning of the periods presented or (ii) the results that will be attained in the future.

 

 

For the three months

ended April 30,

 

For the nine months

ended April 30,

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

Propane and other gas liquids sales

$519,916

 

$443,778

 

$1,535,912

 

$1,289,485

 

Net earnings available to common unitholders

17,873

 

21,319

 

35,833

 

59,456

 

Basic and diluted net earnings per common unitholder

$ 0.33

 

$ 0.52

 

$ 0.67

 

$ 1.66

 

 

G.

Cash and cash equivalents and non-cash activities

 

For purposes of the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows, Ferrellgas considers cash equivalents to include all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less. Significant non-cash operating, investing and financing activities are primarily related to business combinations, accounts receivable securitization, and transactions with related parties and are disclosed in Note F – Business combinations, Note H – Accounts receivable securitization, Note L – Partners’ capital and Note P – Transactions with related parties, respectively.

 

8

 

 

 

 

H.

Accounts receivable securitization

 

The operating partnership transfers certain of its trade accounts receivable to Ferrellgas Receivables, LLC (“Ferrellgas Receivables”), a wholly-owned unconsolidated, special purpose entity, and retains an interest in a portion of these transferred receivables. As these transferred receivables are subsequently collected and the funding from the accounts receivable securitization facility is reduced, the operating partnership’s retained interest in these receivables is reduced. As of April 30, 2005, the balance of the retained interest was $14.2 million and was classified as accounts receivable on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. At April 30, 2005, $75.0 million of accounts receivable had been transferred to Ferrellgas Receivables. At April 30, 2005, the operating partnership did not have any remaining capacity to transfer additional trade accounts receivable. The net non-cash activity relating to this retained interest was $0.7 million and $0.2 million during the three months ended April 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, and $1.2 million and $0.6 million during the nine months ended April 30, 2005 and 2004 respectively. These amounts reported in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings approximate the financing cost of issuing commercial paper backed by these accounts receivable plus an allowance for doubtful accounts associated with the outstanding receivables transferred to Ferrellgas Receivables. The weighted average discount rate used to value the retained interest in the transferred receivables was 3.5% and 2.0% during the nine months ended April 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Ferrellgas renewed the facility for an additional 364-day commitment on September 21, 2004. On June 7, 2005, Ferrellgas renewed the facility for an additional 364-day commitment.

 

I.

Supplemental financial statement information

 

Inventories consist of:

 

 

April 30,

 

July 31,

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

Propane gas and related products

$56,007

 

$ 69,570

 

Appliances, parts and supplies

32,646

 

34,008

 

 

$88,653

 

$103,578

 

In addition to inventories on hand, Ferrellgas enters into contracts primarily to buy propane for supply procurement purposes. Nearly all of these contracts have terms of less than one year and most call for payment based on market prices at the date of delivery. All fixed price contracts have terms of less than 18 months. As of April 30, 2005, Ferrellgas had committed, for supply procurement purposes, to take net delivery of approximately 32.6 million gallons of propane at a fixed price.

 

 

 

 

9

 

 


 

 

Intangible assets, net consist of:

 

April 30, 2005

 

July 31, 2004

 

Gross

carrying

amount

 

Accum-ulated

amortization

 

 

 

Net

 

Gross

carrying

amount

 

Accum-ulated

amortization

 

 

 

Net

 

Amortized intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer lists

$338,469

 

$(152,636)

 

$185,833

 

$326,352

 

$(140,766)

 

$185,586

 

Non-compete agreements

34,504

 

(20,617)

 

13,887

 

71,697

 

(56,468)

 

15,229

 

Other

5,467

 

(1,785)

 

3,682

 

6,289

 

(979)

 

5,310

 

 

378,440

 

(175,038)

 

203,402

 

404,338

 

(198,213)

 

206,125

 

Unamortized intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tradenames & trademarks

59,056

 

-

 

59,056

 

59,000

 

-

 

59,000

 

 

$437,496

 

$(175,038)

 

$262,458

 

$463,338

 

$(198,213)

 

$265,125

 

        

 

For the three months ended April 30,

 

For the nine months ended April 30,

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

Aggregate amortization expense

$5,825

 

$3,521

 

$17,126

 

$9,564

 

 

Estimated amortization expense:

 

For the years ended July 31,

 

Amortization remaining in 2005

$ 5,607

2006

21,780

2007

20,279

2008

18,333

2009

17,273

 

 

Loss on disposal of assets and other

consist of:

For the three months ended April 30,

 

For the nine months ended April 30,

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

Loss on disposal of assets

$824

 

$755

 

$2,251

 

$3,579

Loss on transfer of accounts receivable related to the accounts receivable securitization

1,902

 

594

 

4,472

 

2,141

Service income related to the accounts

receivable securitization

(1,232)

 

(424)

 

(2,156)

 

(1,243)

 

$1,494

 

$925

 

$4,567

 

$4,477

 

Shipping and handling expenses are classified in the following condensed consolidated statements of earnings line items:

 

For the three months ended April 30,

 

For the nine months ended April 30,

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

Operating expense

$38,161

 

$34,089

 

$111,753

 

$105,209

Depreciation and amortization expense

1,543

 

1,500

 

4,853

 

5,682

Equipment lease expense

5,151

 

4,966

 

16,593

 

10,590

 

$44,855

 

$40,555

 

$133,199

 

$121,481

10

 

 

Other current liabilities consist of:

 

April 30,

 

July 31,

 

2005

 

2004

Accrued interest

$27,747

 

$28,990

Accrued payroll

16,513

 

16,989

Accrued insurance

8,738

 

6,942

Note payable

-

 

1,546

Other

33,201

 

38,326

 

$86,199

 

$92,793

 

J.

Short-term borrowings

 

On April 22, 2005, the operating partnership entered into a $330.0 million bank credit facility. This new bank credit facility replaces the $307.5 million bank credit facility that was to expire on April 28, 2006. The $330.0 million bank credit facility is available for working capital, acquisitions, capital expenditures, long-term debt repayments, and general partnership purposes and will terminate on April 22, 2010, unless extended or renewed. The new bank credit facility has a letter of credit sub-facility with availability of $90.0 million. As of April 30, 2005, Ferrellgas had borrowings of $87.3 million outstanding on the $330.0 million bank credit facility

 

The borrowings under the $330.0 million bank credit facility bear interest, at Ferrellgas’ option, at a rate equal to either:

 

           a base rate, which is defined as the higher of the federal funds rate plus 0.50% or Bank of America’s prime rate (as of April 30, 2005, the federal funds rate and Bank of America’s prime rate were 2.97% and 5.75%, respectively); or

           the Eurodollar Rate plus a margin varying from 1.50% to 2.50% (as of April 30, 2005, the one-month Eurodollar Rate was 3.02%).

 

In addition, an annual commitment fee is payable on the daily unused portion of our $330.0 million bank credit facility at a per annum rate varying from 0.375% to 0.500% (as of April 30, 2005, the commitment fee per annum rate was 0.375%).

 

K. Contingencies

 

Ferrellgas’ operations are subject to all operating hazards and risks normally incidental to handling, storing, transporting and otherwise providing for use by consumers of combustible liquids such as propane. As a result, at any given time, Ferrellgas is threatened with or named as a defendant in various lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. Currently, Ferrellgas is not a party to any legal proceedings other than various claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. It is not possible to determine the ultimate disposition of these matters; however, management is of the opinion that there are no known claims or contingent claims that are reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the condensed consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of Ferrellgas.

 

L. Partners’ capital

As of April 30, 2005 and July 31, 2004, partners’ capital consisted of the following limited partner units:

 

 

April 30,

 

July 31,

 

2005

 

2004

Senior units

1,994,146

 

1,994,146

Common units

54,113,205

 

48,772,875

11

 

 

As of April 30, 2005, total common units outstanding consisted of (i) 36.0 million held by third parties and listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FGP,” (ii) 17.8 million held by Ferrell Companies, (iii) 0.2 million held by FCI Trading, a subsidiary of Ferrell Companies, and (iv) 0.1 million held by Ferrell Propane, Inc. (“Ferrell Propane”) which is controlled by the general partner. As of July 31, 2004, total common units outstanding consisted of (i) 30.7 million held by third parties, (ii) 17.8 million held by Ferrell Companies, (iii) 0.2 million held by FCI Trading and (iv) 0.1 million held by Ferrell Propane.

 

During August 2004, Ferrellgas Partners issued, in a public offering, 2.9 million of its common units at a price of $20.00 per unit, less commissions and underwriting expenses. After commissions and underwriting expenses, Ferrellgas Partners received net proceeds of $54.9 million for the issuance of these common units. In connection with this transaction, the general partner contributed $1.1 million in cash to maintain its effective 2% general partner interest in Ferrellgas. Ferrellgas Partners contributed the proceeds to the operating partnership to reduce borrowings outstanding under its bank credit facility.

 

On November 12, 2004, Ferrellgas Partners received net proceeds of $39.8 million pursuant to the issuance of 2.1 million common units in a private offering to a single, unaffiliated purchaser. In connection with this transaction, the general partner contributed $0.8 million to maintain its effective 2% general partner interest in Ferrellgas. Ferrellgas Partners contributed the proceeds to the operating partnership to reduce borrowings outstanding under its bank credit facility. In January 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) declared effective a registration statement filed by Ferrellgas registering the resale of these units.

 

Ferrellgas Partners’ partnership agreement generally provides that it must use the cash proceeds of any offering of common units to redeem a portion of its outstanding senior units, otherwise a “Material Event” would be deemed to have occurred and JEF Capital as the holder of the senior units, would thereafter have specified rights, such as the right to convert the senior units into common units or the right to register the senior units. Ferrellgas Partners obtained a waiver from JEF Capital related to the offerings completed in August and November 2004. This waiver allowed Ferrellgas Partners to use the proceeds from the offerings to reduce borrowings outstanding under the bank credit facility of the operating partnership. The number of common units issuable upon conversion of a senior unit is equal to the senior unit liquidation preference, currently $40 plus any accrued and unpaid distributions, divided by the then current market price of a common unit. Other “Material Events” include (i) a change in control, (ii) Ferrellgas’ treatment as an association taxable as a corporation for federal income tax purposes or (iii) the failure to pay the senior unit distribution in full for any fiscal quarter. The conversion of these senior units into common units upon the occurrence of a Material Event may be dilutive to Ferrellgas Partners’ existing common unitholders.

 

On March 7, 2005, Ferrellgas Partners amended its partnership agreement to reflect the extension of the existing agreement with Ferrell Companies involving the priority of quarterly distribution payments on common units held publicly. The existing provision in the partnership agreement, originally scheduled to expire December 31, 2005, was extended to April 30, 2010. This provision allows Ferrellgas Partners to defer distributions on the common units held by Ferrell Companies up to an aggregate outstanding amount of $36.0 million.

 

M. Earnings per common unit

 

Below is a calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per common unit in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings for the periods indicated. For diluted earnings per common unit purposes, the senior units were excluded as they are considered contingently issuable common units for which all necessary conditions for their issuance have not been satisfied as of the end of the reporting period. Distributions to the senior unitholder decrease the net earnings available to common unitholders.

 

 

12

 

 


 

 

Ferrellgas implemented Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) 03-6 “Participating Securities and the Two-Class Method under FASB Statement No. 128, Earnings per Share” in the quarter ended January 31, 2005, which was the first quarter affected by this consensus. EITF 03-6 requires the calculation of net earnings per limited partner unit for each period presented according to distributions declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings, as if all of the earnings for the period had been distributed. In periods with undistributed earnings above certain levels, the calculation according to the two-class method results in an increased allocation of undistributed earnings to the general partner and a dilution of the earnings to the limited partners. Due to the seasonality of the propane business, the dilution effect of EITF 03-6 on net earnings per limited partner unit will typically impact the three months and six months ending January 31. There was not a dilutive effect of EITF 03-6 on basic net earnings per common unit for the three months ended April 30, 2005 and 2004, or for the nine months ended April 30, 2005 and 2004.

In periods with year-to-date net losses the allocation of the net losses to the limited partners and the general partner will be determined based on the same allocation basis specified in the Ferrellgas Partners’ partnership agreement that would apply to periods in which there were no undistributed earnings. Ferrellgas typically incurs net losses in the three month period ended October 31.

 

 

 

For the three months ended April 30,

 

For the nine months ended April 30,

 

 

2005

2004

 

2005

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings available to common

unitholders

 

$17,873

$25,659

 

$35,833

$69,636

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Weighted average common units

outstanding

 

54,110.3

40,664.1

 

53,097.8

39,128.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dilutive securities

 

48.7

118.3

 

45.7

110.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common units

outstanding plus dilutive securities

 

54,159.0

40,782.4

 

53,143.5

39,238.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per common unit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings available to common

unitholders

 

$ 0.33

$ 0.63

 

$ 0.67

$ 1.78

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per common unit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings available to common

unitholders

 

$ 0.33

$ 0.63

 

$ 0.67

$ 1.77

 

 

13

 

 


 

 

N. Distributions

 

On March 15, 2005, December 15, 2004 and September 14, 2004, Ferrellgas paid cash distributions of $1.00 and $0.50 per senior and common unit, respectively, for the three months ended January 31, 2005, October 31, 2004 and July 31, 2004. On May 23, 2005, Ferrellgas declared cash distributions of $1.00 and $0.50 per senior and common unit, respectively, for the three months ended April 30, 2005, that are expected to be paid on June 14, 2005.

O. Adoption of new accounting standards

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) recently issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” SFAS No. 151, “Inventory Costs – an amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4 (issued 11/04)” SFAS No. 153, “Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets, an amendment of APB Opinion No. 29” EITF No. 03-6, “Participating Securities and the Two-Class Method under FASB Statement No. 128, Earnings per Share” EITF No. 04-1, “Accounting for Preexisting Relationships between the Parties to a Business Combination”and FASB Financial Interpretation No. 47, “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations”.

SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004) requires that the compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions be recognized in financial statements. That cost will be measured based on the fair value, as of the grant date, of the equity or liability instruments issued. This statement is effective for interim or annual reporting periods that begin after June 15, 2005. Consequently, Ferrellgas will implement SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004) during the quarter ended October 31, 2005. Currently, Ferrellgas accounts for the Unit Option Plan and the ICP using the intrinsic value method under the provisions of Accounting Principles Board No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” for all periods presented and makes the fair value method pro forma disclosures required under the provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” as amended by SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure.” Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for the Unit Option Plan or for the ICP in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings. See Note B – Unit and stock-based compensation, for current disclosures. Ferrellgas has not yet determined if SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004) will have a material effect on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

SFAS No. 151 amends the guidance in ARB No. 43, Chapter 4, “Inventory Pricing”, to clarify the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage). This Statement requires that those items be recognized as current-period charges. This statement is effective for inventory cost incurred during fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. Consequently, Ferrellgas will implement SFAS No. 151 during the quarter ended October 31, 2005. Ferrellgas has studied SFAS No. 151 and believes it will not have a material effect on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

SFAS No. 153 amends APB Opinion No. 29 which required that exchanges of nonmonetary assets be measured based on the fair value of the assets exchanged. This Statement amends APB Opinion 29 to eliminate the exception for nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it with a general exception for exchanges of nonmonetary assets that do not have commercial substance. This statement is effective for nonmonetary asset exchanges occurring in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2005. Consequently, Ferrellgas will implement SFAS No. 153 during the quarter ended October 31, 2005. Ferrellgas has studied SFAS No. 153 and believes it will not have a material effect on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

 

EITF 03-6 requires the calculation of net earnings per limited partner unit for each period presented according to distributions declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings, as if all of the earnings for the period had been distributed. In periods with undistributed earnings above certain levels, the calculation according to the two-class method results in an increased allocation of undistributed earnings to the general partner and a dilution of the earnings to the limited partners.

 

14

 

 

Due to the seasonality of the propane business, the dilution effect of EITF 03-6 on net earnings per limited partner unit will typically impact the three months and six months ending January 31. This consensus is effective for fiscal periods beginning after March 31, 2004. Ferrellgas implemented EITF 03-6 in the quarter ended January 31, 2005, which was the first quarter affected by this consensus. See Note M – Earnings per common unit - for further discussion about EITF 03-6.

EITF 04-1 requires that pre-existing contractual relationships between two parties involved in a business combination be evaluated to determine if a settlement of the pre-existing contracts is required separately from the accounting for the business combination. This consensus is effective for business combinations consummated and goodwill impairment tests performed in reporting periods beginning after October 13, 2004. Consequently, Ferrellgas implemented EITF 04-1 during the quarter ended January 31, 2005, without a material effect on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

FASB Financial Interpretation No. 47 clarifies the term conditional asset retirement obligation as used in SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations”, implemented by Ferrellgas in fiscal year 2003. A conditional asset obligation is a legal obligation to retire an asset when the timing and (or) method of settlement are conditional on a future event, that may or may not be within the control of the entity. The interpretation also requires an entity to recognize a liability for the fair value of the asset retirement obligation when incurred if fair value can be reasonably estimated. The measurement of the liability may factor in any uncertainty about timing and(or) method. The Interpretation is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2005. Ferrellgas is currently studying this interpretation and whether it will have a material effect on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

P. Transactions with related parties

General and administrative

 

Ferrellgas has no employees and is managed and controlled by its general partner. Pursuant to Ferrellgas’ partnership agreements, the general partner is entitled to reimbursement for all direct and indirect expenses incurred or payments it makes on behalf of Ferrellgas, and all other necessary or appropriate expenses allocable to Ferrellgas or otherwise reasonably incurred by its general partner in connection with operating Ferrellgas’ business. These costs, which include compensation and benefits paid to employees of the general partner who perform services on Ferrellgas’ behalf, as well as related general and administrative costs, are as follows:

 

 

For the three months ended April 30,

 

For the nine months ended April 30,

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

 

Reimbursable costs

$71,496

 

$52,768

 

$178,741

 

$156,812

 

Partnership distributions

 

Ferrellgas Partners paid senior unit distributions of $6.0 million to JEF Capital during each of the nine months ended April 30, 2005 and 2004. On April 30, 2005, Ferrellgas Partners accrued a senior unit distribution of $2.0 million that Ferrellgas Partners expects to pay to JEF Capital on June 14, 2005.

 

 

15

 

 


 

 

Ferrellgas Partners has paid the following common unit distributions to related parties:

 

 

For the three months ended April 30,

 

For the nine months ended April 30,

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

 

Ferrell Companies

$8,902

 

$8,902

 

$26,706

 

$26,706

FCI Trading

98

 

-

 

294

 

-

Ferrell Propane

26

 

26

 

77

 

77

The general partner

293

 

221

 

867

 

652

 

On May 23, 2005, Ferrellgas Partners declared distributions to Ferrell Companies, FCI Trading, Ferrell Propane and the general partner of $8.9 million, $0.1 million, $26 thousand and $0.3 million, respectively, that are expected to be paid on June 14, 2005. See Note L – Partners’ capital – for disclosure of related party transactions between Ferrellgas and the general partner related to the issuance of common units during August and November 2004.

 

Operations

 

Ferrell International Limited (“Ferrell International”) is beneficially owned by Mr. Ferrell and thus is an affiliate. Ferrellgas enters into transactions with Ferrell International in connection with Ferrellgas’ risk management activities and does so at market prices in accordance with Ferrellgas’ affiliate trading policy approved by the general partner’s Board of Directors. These transactions include forward, option and swap contracts and are all reviewed for compliance with the policy. Ferrellgas also provides limited accounting services for Ferrell International. Ferrellgas recognized the following net receipts (disbursements) from purchases, sales and commodity derivative transactions and from providing accounting services for Ferrell International:

 

 

For the three months

ended April 30,

 

For the nine months

ended April 30,

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

Net receipts (disbursements)

Receipts from providing accounting services

$ -

10

 

$328

10

 

$(2,699)

30

 

$328

30

 

These net purchases, sales and commodity derivative transactions with Ferrell International are classified as cost of product sold on the condensed consolidated statements of earnings.

 

 

 

 

16

 

 


 

 

 

FERRELLGAS PARTNERS FINANCE CORP.

 

(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.)

 

 

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

 

(in dollars)

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 30,

 

July 31,

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

 

 

$1,000

 

$1,000

 

Total assets

 

 

 

$1,000

 

$1,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $1.00 par value; 2,000 shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

authorized; 1,000 shares issued and outstanding

 

 

 

$1,000

 

$1,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional paid in capital

 

 

 

2,971

 

2,866

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

 

(2,971)

 

(2,866)

 

Total stockholder’s equity

 

 

 

$1,000

 

$1,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

For the three months ended

April 30,

 

For the nine months ended

April 30,

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative expense

$ 60

 

$ -

 

$ 105

 

$ 45

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

$(60)

 

$ -

 

$(105)

 

$(45)

 

See note to condensed financial statements.

 

 

 

17

 

 


 

 

 

FERRELLGAS PARTNERS FINANCE CORP.

 

(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.)

 

 

 

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

(in dollars)

 

(unaudited)

 

 

For the nine months ended

April 30,

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

Net loss

$(105)

 

$ (45)

 

Cash used in operating activities

(105)

 

(45)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

Capital contribution

105

 

45

 

Cash provided by financing activities

105

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in cash

-

 

-

 

Cash – beginning of period

1,000

 

1,000

 

Cash – end of period

$1,000

 

$1,000

 

 

 

 

 

See note to condensed financial statements.

 

 

NOTE TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

APRIL 30, 2005

(unaudited)

 

A.

Organization

 

Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. (“the Finance Corp.”), a Delaware corporation, was formed on March 28, 1996, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P (“the Partnership”).

 

The condensed financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the interim periods presented. All adjustments to the condensed financial statements were of a normal, recurring nature.

 

The Finance Corp. has nominal assets, does not conduct any operations, has no employees and serves as co-obligor for debt securities of the Partnership.

 

 

 

 

18

 

 


 

 

FERRELLGAS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

       April 30,

 

July 31,

 

ASSETS

 

 

2005

 

 

       2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

18,816

 

$

13,751

 

Accounts and notes receivable, net

 

 

163,252

 

 

114,211

 

Inventories

 

 

88,653

 

 

103,578

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

12,352

 

 

9,285

 

Total current assets

 

 

283,073

 

 

240,825

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

789,442

 

 

792,436

 

Goodwill

 

 

265,786

 

 

261,768

 

Intangible assets, net

 

 

262,458

 

 

265,125

 

Other assets, net

 

 

12,171

 

 

10,836

 

Total assets

 

$

1,612,930

 

$

1,570,990

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

89,597

 

$

104,162

 

Short-term borrowings

 

 

87,281

 

 

-

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

76,308

 

 

88,070

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

253,186

 

 

192,232

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

 

788,434

 

 

882,662

 

Other liabilities

 

 

23,166

 

 

20,529

 

Contingencies and commitments (Note K)

 

 

-_

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Partners’ capital:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Limited partner

 

 

543,430

 

 

470,046

 

General partner

 

 

5,539

 

 

4,791

 

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

 

 

(825

)

 

730

 

Total partners’ capital

 

 

548,144

 

 

475,567

 

Total liabilities and partners’ capital

 

$

1,612,930

 

$

1,570,990

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

 

19

 

 

 

FERRELLGAS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

For the three months ended April 30,

 

For the nine months ended April 30,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Propane and other gas liquids sales

 

$

467,664

 

$

368,264

 

$

1,400,519

 

$

1,057,751

 

Other

 

 

52,252

 

 

21,883

 

 

135,393

 

 

69,591

 

Total revenues

 

 

519,916

 

 

390,147

 

 

1,535,912

 

 

1,127,342

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of product sold (exclusive of depreciation,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

shown with amortization below)

 

 

339,351

 

 

234,331

 

 

1,018,385

 

 

680,479

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

 

180,565

 

 

155,816

 

 

517,527

 

 

446,863

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expense

 

 

94,070

 

 

80,787

 

 

280,890

 

 

232,938

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

 

21,300

 

 

13,270

 

 

62,480

 

 

37,130

 

General and administrative expense

 

 

9,839

 

 

7,888

 

 

31,678

 

 

23,761

 

Equipment lease expense

 

 

6,772

 

 

5,029

 

 

18,691

 

 

14,272

 

Employee stock ownership plan compensation charge

 

 

4,007

 

 

2,042

 

 

8,452

 

 

5,990

 

Loss on disposal of assets and other

 

 

1,494

 

 

925

 

 

4,567

 

 

4,477

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

 

43,083

 

 

45,875

 

 

110,769

 

 

128,295

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

(16,604

)

 

(13,082

)

 

(50,653

)

 

(37,386

)

Interest income

 

 

550

 

 

459

 

 

1,523

 

 

1,260

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

 

27,029

 

 

33,252

 

 

61,639

 

 

92,169

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

 

635

 

 

17

 

 

568

 

 

17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

26,394

 

$

33,235

 

$

61,071

 

$

92,152

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

 

 

20


FERRELLGAS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Limited partner

 

General partner

 

Risk management

 

Currency translation adjustment

 

Pension liability

 

Total partners’ capital

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 1, 2004

$470,046

 

$4,791

 

$1,772

 

$16

 

($1,058)

 

$475,567

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contribution in connection with ESOP compensation charge

8,367

 

85

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,452

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quarterly cash and accrued distributions

(98,388)

 

(1,005)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(99,393)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash contributed by Ferrellgas Partners and the general partner

95,814

 

977

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

96,791

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets contributed by Ferrellgas Partners and cash contributed by the general partner in connection with acquisitions

7,137

 

74

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

7,211

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

60,454

 

617

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

61,071

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net gains on risk management derivatives

-

 

-

 

66

 

-

 

-

 

66

 

Reclassification of net losses on risk 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     management derivatives

-

 

-

 

(1,652)

 

-

 

-

 

(1,652)

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

-

 

-

 

-

 

31

 

-

 

31

 

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

59,516

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 30, 2005

$543,430

 

$5,539

 

$186

 

$47

 

($1,058)

 

$548,144

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

 

 

21

 

 


 

 

 

FERRELLGAS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

 

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the nine months ended

April 30,

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$             61,071

 

          92,152

Reconciliation of net earnings to net cash provided

 

 

 

 

by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

62,480

 

37,130

Employee stock ownership plan compensation charge

8,452

 

5,990

Loss on disposal of assets

 

2,251

 

3,579

Other

 

4,975

 

4,541

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of

 

 

 

 

effects from business acquisitions:

 

 

 

 

Accounts and notes receivable, net

 

(90,675)

 

(57,430)

Inventories

 

13,371

 

17,806

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

(2,989)

 

(1,506)

Accounts payable

 

(14,565)

 

7,245

Other current liabilities

 

(11,681)

 

(13,451)

Other liabilities

 

675

 

486

Accounts receivable securitization:

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from new accounts receivable securitizations

104,400

 

30,000

Proceeds from collections reinvested in revolving

 

 

 

 

period accounts receivable securitizations

 

802,134

 

568,155

Remittances of amounts collected as servicer of

 

 

 

 

accounts receivable securitizations

 

(868,234)

 

(610,455)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

71,665

 

84,242

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for assumed merger and related obligations

 

-

 

(343,414)

Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

(22,874)

 

(37,443)

Cash paid for acquisition transaction fees

 

-

 

(1,269)

Capital expenditures - technology initiative

 

(8,268)

 

(4,782)

Capital expenditures - other

 

(32,738)

 

(20,422)

Proceeds from the sale of assets

 

11,418

 

4,520

Other

 

(2,642)

 

(3,841)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(55,104)

 

(406,651)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

Distributions

 

(99,393)

 

(75,538)

Cash contribution from partners

 

96,865

 

230,789

Proceeds from issuance of debt

 

44

 

262,423

Repayments of debt

 

(94,999)

 

(37,946)

Net additions (reductions) to short-term borrowings

 

87,281

 

(43,719)

Cash paid for financing costs

 

(1,263)

 

(5,569)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

(11,465)

 

330,440

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

(31)

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

5,065

 

8,031

Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period

 

13,751

 

10,816

Cash and cash equivalents - end of period

 

$ 18,816

 

$ 18,847

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

 

 

 

Cash paid for:

 

 

 

 

Interest

 

$ 55,986

 

$ 45,958

Income taxes

 

$ 415

 

-

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

 

 

22

 

 


 

 

FERRELLGAS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 30, 2005

(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise designated)

(unaudited)

 

A.

Organization

 

Ferrellgas, L.P. operates the propane business and assets of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. (“Ferrellgas Partners”). The general partner of Ferrellgas, L.P. and Ferrellgas Partners is Ferrellgas, Inc. (the “general partner”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrell Companies, Inc. (“Ferrell Companies”). The general partner holds an approximate 1% general partner interest in Ferrellgas, L.P. and performs all management functions. Ferrellgas Partners, a publicly traded limited partnership, holds an approximate 99% limited partner interest in and consolidates Ferrellgas, L.P.

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements of Ferrellgas, L.P. and subsidiaries reflect all adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the interim periods presented. All adjustments to the condensed consolidated financial statements were of a normal, recurring nature. The information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with (i) the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and (ii) the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes, as set forth in Ferrellgas, L.P.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2004.

 

B.

Unit and stock-based compensation

Ferrellgas, L.P. accounts for the Ferrellgas Unit Option Plan (the “Unit Option Plan”) and the Ferrell Companies, Inc. Incentive Plan (the “ICP”) using the intrinsic value method under the provisions of Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” for all periods presented and makes the fair value method pro forma disclosures required under the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” as amended by SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure.” Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for the Unit Option Plan or for the ICP in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings. Had compensation cost for these plans been determined based upon the fair value at the grant date for awards under these plans, consistent with the methodology recommended under SFAS No. 123, Ferrellgas, L.P.’s net earnings would have been adjusted as noted in the table below:

 

 

For the three months ended April 30,

 

For the nine months ended

 April 30,

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings, as reported

$26,394

 

$33,235

 

$61,071

 

$92,152

 

 

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expenses determined under the fair value based method for all awards

(157)

 

(245)

 

(472)

 

(730)

 

 

Pro forma net earnings available to common unitholders

$26,237

 

$32,990

 

$60,599

 

$91,422

 

 

23

 

 


 

 

 

C.

Accounting estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Significant estimates impacting the condensed consolidated financial statements include accruals that have been established for contingent liabilities, pending claims and legal actions arising in the normal course of business, useful lives of property, plant and equipment assets, residual values of tanks, amortization methods of intangible assets and valuation methods of derivative commodity contracts.

 

D.

Reclassifications

 

Certain reclassifications have been made to the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended April 30, 2004 to conform to the nine months ended April 30, 2005 condensed consolidated statement of cash flows presentation. “Proceeds from the sale of assets” is disclosed separately in net cash used in investing activities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. This amount was previously classified as “Other” in net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended April 30, 2004.

 

E. Nature of operations

 

Ferrellgas, L.P. is engaged primarily in the distribution of propane and related equipment and supplies in the United States. The propane distribution market is seasonal because propane is used primarily for heating in residential and commercial buildings. Therefore, the results of operations for the nine months ended April 30, 2005 and 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full fiscal year. Ferrellgas, L.P. serves more than one million residential, industrial/commercial, portable tank exchange, agricultural and other customers in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada.

 

F. Business combinations

 

During fiscal 2004, Ferrellgas, L.P. completed a material business combination. The business combination was accounted for under the purchase method and the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their estimated fair market values as of the acquisition date. We completed our valuation and allocation of the purchase price related to the Blue Rhino contribution in the third quarter of fiscal 2005. In the current fiscal year, the purchase price increased by $3.2 million due to the final valuation of property, plant and equipment received in the acquisition.The results of operations from this business combination are included in Ferrellgas, L.P.’s condensed consolidated financial statements from the date of the business combination.

 

 

 

Allocation of purchase price

 

 

Business

combinations

 

 

Purchase price

 

 

Working capital

 

 

Property plant & equipment

 

 

Intangible

assets

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

 

Other

Blue Rhino

(April 2004)

$418,377

$21,334

$96,160

$163,100

$136,408

$1,375

 

 

24

 

 


 

 

Blue Rhino contribution

 

On April 20, 2004, FCI Trading Corp. (“FCI Trading”), an affiliate of the general partner, acquired all of the outstanding common stock of Blue Rhino Corporation in an all-cash merger. Pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated February 8, 2004, a subsidiary of FCI Trading merged with and into Blue Rhino Corporation whereby the then current stockholders of Blue Rhino Corporation were granted the right to receive a payment from FCI Trading of $17.00 in cash for each share of Blue Rhino Corporation common stock outstanding on April 20, 2004. FCI Trading thereafter became the sole stockholder of Blue Rhino Corporation and immediately after the merger, FCI Trading converted Blue Rhino Corporation into a limited liability company, Blue Rhino LLC.

 

In a non-cash contribution, pursuant to a Contribution Agreement dated February 8, 2004, FCI Trading contributed on April 21, 2004 all of the membership interests in Blue Rhino LLC to Ferrellgas, L.P. through a series of transactions and Ferrellgas, L.P. assumed FCI Trading’s obligation under the Agreement and Plan Of Merger to pay the $17.00 per share to the former stockholders of Blue Rhino Corporation together with other specific obligations, as detailed in the following table:

 

 

 

Assumption of obligations under the contribution agreement

 

$343,414

Limited partner and general partner interests issued

 

11,850

Assumption of Blue Rhino’s bank credit facility outstanding balance

 

43,719

Assumption of other liabilities and acquisition costs

 

19,394

 

 

$418,377

 

Also on April 21, 2004, subsequent to the contribution described above, Blue Rhino LLC merged with and into Ferrellgas, L.P. The former operations of Blue Rhino LLC will hereafter be referred to as “Blue Rhino.”

 

Ferrellgas, L.P.’s valuation of the tangible and intangible assets of the Blue Rhino contribution resulted in the recognition of goodwill of $136.4 million. This valuation of goodwill was based on Ferrellgas, L.P.’s belief that the contributions of Blue Rhino will be beneficial to Ferrellgas, L.P.’s and Blue Rhino operations as Blue Rhino counter-seasonal business activities and anticipated future growth is expected to provide Ferrellgas, L.P. with the ability to better utilize its seasonal resources to complement Ferrellgas L.P.’s retail distribution locations with Blue Rhino’s existing distributor network.

 

The results of operations of Blue Rhino for the period from August 1, 2004 through April 30, 2005 for the three months and nine months ended April 30, 2005 and April 21, 2004 through April 30, 2004 for the three months and nine months ended April 30, 2004 are included in the condensed consolidated statement of earnings of the combined entity.

 

Pro forma information

 

The following summarized unaudited pro forma results of operations for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2005 and 2004, assumes that the Blue Rhino contribution completed by the Ferrellgas, L.P. had occurred as of the beginning of the periods presented. These unaudited pro forma financial results have been prepared for comparative purposes only and may not be indicative of (i) the results that would have occurred if Ferrellgas, L.P. had completed the Blue Rhino contribution as of the beginning of the period presented or (ii) the results that will be attained in the future.

 

 

For the three months

ended April 30,

 

For the nine months

ended April 30,

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

Propane and other gas liquids sales

 

$519,916

 

 

$443,778

 

 

$1,535,912

 

 

$1,289,485

Net earnings

26,394

 

26,590

 

61,071

 

75,092

 

 

25

 

 

 

 

G.

Cash and cash equivalents and non-cash activities

 

For purposes of the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows, Ferrellgas, L.P. considers cash equivalents to include all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less. Significant non-cash operating, investing and financing activities are primarily related to business combinations, accounts receivable securitization and transactions with related parties and are disclosed in Note F – Business combinations, Note H – Accounts receivable securitization, Note L – Partners’ capital and Note O – Transactions with related parties, respectively.

 

H.

Accounts receivable securitization

 

Ferrellgas, L.P. transfers certain of its trade accounts receivable to Ferrellgas Receivables, LLC (“Ferrellgas Receivables”), a wholly-owned unconsolidated, special purpose entity, and retains an interest in a portion of these transferred receivables. As these transferred receivables are subsequently collected and the funding from the accounts receivable securitization facility is reduced, Ferrellgas, L.P.’s retained interest in these receivables is reduced. As of April 30, 2005, the balance of the retained interest was $14.2 million, and was classified as accounts receivable on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. At April 30, 2005, $75.0 million of accounts receivable had been transferred to Ferrellgas Receivables. At April 30, 2005, Ferrellgas, L.P. did not have any remaining capacity to transfer additional trade accounts receivable. The net non-cash activity relating to this retained interest was $0.7 million and $0.2 million during the three months ended April 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, and $1.2 million and $0.6 million during the nine months ended April 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. These amounts reported in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings approximate the financing cost of issuing commercial paper backed by these accounts receivable plus an allowance for doubtful accounts associated with the outstanding receivables transferred to Ferrellgas Receivables. The weighted average discount rate used to value the retained interest in the transferred receivables was 3.5% and 2.0% during the nine months ended April 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Ferrellgas, L.P. renewed the facility for an additional 364-day commitment on September 21, 2004. On June 7 2005, Ferrellgas renewed the facility for an additional 364-day commitment.

 

I. Supplemental financial statement information

 

Inventories consist of:

 

 

April 30,

 

July 31,

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

Propane gas and related products

$56,007

 

$ 69,570

 

Appliances, parts and supplies

32,646

 

34,008

 

 

$88,653

 

$103,578

 

In addition to inventories on hand, Ferrellgas, L.P. enters into contracts primarily to buy propane for supply procurement purposes. Nearly all of these contracts have terms of less than one year and most call for payment based on market prices at the date of delivery. All fixed price contracts have terms of less than 18 months. As of April 30, 2005, Ferrellgas, L.P. had committed, for supply procurement purposes, to take net delivery of approximately 32.6 million gallons of propane at a fixed price.

 

 

 

 

26

 

 


 

 

Intangible assets, net consist of:

 

 

April 30, 2005

 

July 31, 2004

 

Gross

carrying

amount

 

Accum-ulated

amortization

 

 

 

Net

 

Gross

carrying

amount

 

Accum-ulated

amortization

 

 

 

Net

 

Amortized intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer lists

$338,469

 

$(152,636)

 

$185,833

 

$326,352

 

$(140,766)

 

$185,586

 

Non-compete agreements

34,504

 

(20,617)

 

13,887

 

71,697

 

(56,468)

 

15,229

 

Other

5,467

 

(1,785)

 

3,682

 

6,289

 

(979)

 

5,310

 

 

378,440

 

(175,038)

 

203,402

 

404,338

 

(198,213)

 

206,125

 

Unamortized intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tradenames & trademarks

59,056

 

-

 

59,056

 

59,000

 

-

 

59,000

 

 

$437,496

 

$(175,038)

 

$262,458

 

$463,338

 

$(198,213)

 

$265,125

 

 

        

 

For the three months ended April 30,

 

For the nine months ended April 30,

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

Aggregate amortization expense

$5,825

 

$3,521

 

$17,126

 

$9,564

 

 

Estimated amortization expense:

 

 

For the years ended July 31,

 

Amortization remaining in 2005

5,607

2006

21,780

2007

20,279

2008

18,333

2009

17,273

 

Loss on disposal of assets and other consists of:

 

For the three months ended April 30,

 

For the nine months ended April 30,

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

Loss on disposal of assets

$824

 

$755

 

$2,251

 

$3,579

Loss on transfer of accounts receivable related to the accounts receivable securitization

1,902

 

594

 

4,472

 

2,141

Service income related to the accounts

receivable securitization

(1,232)

 

(424)

 

(2,156)

 

(1,243)

 

$1,494

 

$925

 

$4,567

 

$4,477

 

 

27

 

 


 

 

Shipping and handling expenses are classified in the following condensed consolidated statements of earnings line items:

 

For the three months ended April 30,

 

For the nine months ended April 30,

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

Operating expense

$38,161

 

$34,089

 

$111,753

 

$105,209

Depreciation and amortization expense

1,543

 

1,500

 

4,853

 

5,682

Equipment lease expense

5,151

 

4,966

 

16,593

 

10,590

 

$44,855

 

$40,555

 

$133,199

 

$121,481

 

Other current liabilities consist of:

 

April 30,

 

July 31,

 

2005

 

2004

Accrued interest

$18,888

 

$25,994

Accrued payroll

16,513

 

16,989

Accrued insurance

8,738

 

6,942

Other

32,169

 

38,145

 

$76,308

 

$88,070

 

J.

Short-term borrowings

 

On April 22, 2005, Ferrellgas, L.P. entered into a $330.0 million bank credit facility. This new bank credit facility replaces the $307.5 million bank credit facility that was to expire on April 28, 2006. The $330.0 million bank credit facility is available for working capital, acquisitions, capital expenditures, long-term debt repayments and general partnership purposes and will terminate on April 22, 2010, unless extended or renewed. The new bank credit facility has a letter of credit sub-facility with availability of $90.0 million. As of April 30, 2005, Ferrellgas, L.P. had borrowings of $87.3 million outstanding on the $330.0 million bank credit facility

 

The borrowings under the bank credit facility bear interest, at the option of Ferrellgas, L.P., at a rate equal to either:

 

      a base rate, which is defined as the higher of the federal funds rate plus 0.50% or Bank of America’s prime rate (as of April 30, 2005, the federal funds rate and Bank of America’s prime rate were 2.97% and 5.75%, respectively); or

      the Eurodollar Rate plus a margin varying from 1.50% to 2.50% (as of April 30, 2005, the one-month Eurodollar Rate was 3.02%).

 

In addition, an annual commitment fee is payable on the daily unused portion of our $330.0 million bank credit facility at a per annum rate varying from 0.375% to 0.500% (as of April 30, 2005, the commitment fee per annum rate was 0.375%).

 

28

 

 


 

 

 

K.

Contingencies

 

Ferrellgas L.P.’s operations are subject to all operating hazards and risks normally incidental to handling, storing, transporting and otherwise providing for use by consumers of combustible liquids such as propane. As a result, at any given time, Ferrellgas, L.P. is threatened with or named as a defendant in various lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. Currently, Ferrellgas L.P. is not a party to any legal proceedings other than various claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. It is not possible to determine the ultimate disposition of these matters; however, management is of the opinion that there are no known claims or contingent claims that are reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the condensed consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of Ferrellgas, L.P.

 

L. Partners’ capital

 

Partner’s capital consists of a 98.9899% limited partner interest held by Ferrellgas Partners and a 1.0101% general partner interest held by the general partner. During the nine months ended April 30, 2005, Ferrellgas, L.P. received cash contributions of $96.9 million and net asset contributions of $7.1 million from Ferrellgas Partners and the general partner, respectively. The cash proceeds were used to reduce borrowings outstanding under its bank credit facility and for general partnership purposes, including the repayment of debt incurred to fund prior acquisitions.

 

M.

Distributions

 

During the nine months ended April 30, 2005, Ferrellgas, L.P. paid cash distributions of $99.4 million. On May 23, 2005, Ferrellgas L.P. declared a cash distribution of $41.7 million that is expected to be paid on June 14, 2005.

 

N. Adoption of new accounting standards

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) recently issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” SFAS No. 151, “Inventory Costs – an amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4 (issued 11/04)” SFAS No. 153, “Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets, an amendment of APB Opinion No. 29” Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) No. 04-1, “Accounting for Preexisting Relationships between the Parties to a Business Combination.” and FASB Financial Interpretation No. 47, “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations”.

SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004) requires that the compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions be recognized in financial statements. That cost will be measured based on the fair value, as of the grant date, of the equity or liability instruments issued. This statement is effective for interim or annual reporting periods that begin after June 15, 2005. Consequently, Ferrellgas, L.P. will implement SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004) during the quarter ended October 31, 2005. Currently, Ferrellgas, L.P. accounts for the Unit Option Plan and the ICP using the intrinsic value method under the provisions of Accounting Principles Board No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” for all periods presented and makes the fair value method pro forma disclosures required under the provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” as amended by SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure.” Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for the unit option plan or for the ICP in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings. See Note B – Unit and stock-based compensation, for current disclosures. Ferrellgas, L.P. has not yet determined if SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004) will have a material effect on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

SFAS No. 151 amends the guidance in ARB No. 43, Chapter 4, “Inventory Pricing”, to clarify the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage). This Statement requires that those items be recognized as current-period charges. This statement is effective for inventory cost incurred during fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005.

 

29

 

 

Consequently, Ferrellgas, L.P. will implement SFAS No. 151 during the quarter ended October 31, 2005. Ferrellgas, L.P. has studied SFAS No. 151 and believes it will not have a material effect on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

SFAS No. 153 amends APB Opinion No. 29 which required that exchanges of nonmonetary assets be measured based on the fair value of the assets exchanged. This Statement amends APB Opinion 29 to eliminate the exception for nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it with a general exception for exchanges of nonmonetary assets that do not have commercial substance. This statement is effective for nonmonetary asset exchanges occurring in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2005. Consequently, Ferrellgas, L.P. will implement SFAS No. 153 during the quarter ended October 31, 2005. Ferrellgas, L.P. has studied SFAS No. 153 and believes it will not have a material effect on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

EITF 04-1 requires that pre-existing contractual relationships between two parties involved in a business combination be evaluated to determine if a settlement of the pre-existing contracts is required separately from the accounting for the business combination. This consensus is effective for business combinations consummated and goodwill impairment tests performed in reporting periods beginning after October 13, 2004. Consequently, Ferrellgas, L.P. implemented EITF 04-1 during the quarter ended January 31, 2005, without a material effect on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

FASB Financial Interpretation No. 47 (“FIN 47”) clarifies the term conditional asset retirement obligation as used in SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligation, implemented by Ferrellgas L.P. in fiscal year 2003. A conditional asset obligation is a legal obligation to retire an asset when the timing and (or) method of settlement are conditional on a future event, that may or may not be within the control of the entity. The interpretation also requires an entity to recognize a liability for the fair value of the asset retirement obligation when incurred if fair value can be reasonably estimated. The measurement of the liability may factor in any uncertainty about timing and(or) method. The interpretation is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2005. Ferrellgas, L.P. is currently studying this interpretation and whether it will have a material effect on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

O. Transactions with related parties

General and administrative

 

Ferrellgas, L.P. has no employees and is managed and controlled by its general partner. Pursuant to Ferrellgas, L.P.’s partnership agreement, the general partner is entitled to reimbursement for all direct and indirect expenses incurred or payments it makes on behalf of Ferrellgas, L.P., and all other necessary or appropriate expenses allocable to Ferrellgas, L.P. or otherwise reasonably incurred by the general partner in connection with operating Ferrellgas L.P.’s business. These costs, which include compensation and benefits paid to employees of the general partner who perform services on Ferrellgas, L.P.’s behalf, as well as related general and administrative costs, are as follows:

 

 

For the three months

ended April 30,

 

For the nine months

ended April 30,

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

Reimbursable costs

$71,496

 

$52,768

 

$178,741

 

$156,812

 

Partnership distributions

 

Ferrellgas, L.P. paid to Ferrellgas Partners and the general partner distributions of $98.4 million and $1.0 million, respectively, during the nine months ended April 30, 2005. On May 23, 2005, Ferrellgas, L.P. declared distributions to Ferrellgas Partners and the general partner of $41.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively, that are expected to be paid on June 14, 2005.

 

30

 

 


 

 

During the first three quarters of fiscal 2005, Ferrellgas, L.P. received $96.8 million in total cash contributions, from Ferrellgas Partners and the general partner, primarily related to equity offerings by Ferrellgas Partners. Ferrellgas, L.P. then used the cash contributions to reduce the borrowings outstanding under its bank credit facility and for general partnership purposes, including the repayment of debt incurred to fund prior acquisitions.

 

During the first three quarters of fiscal 2005, Ferrellgas, L.P. received $7.1 million in net asset contributions from Ferrellgas Partners and $0.1 million in cash contributions from the general partner related to acquisitions of propane related assets.

 

Operations

 

Ferrell International Limited (“Ferrell International”) is beneficially owned by James E. Ferrell, the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the general partner, and thus is an affiliate. Ferrellgas, L.P. enters into transactions with Ferrell International in connection with Ferrellgas L.P.’s risk management activities and does so at market prices in accordance with Ferrellgas L.P.’s affiliate trading policy approved by the general partner’s Board of Directors. These transactions include forward, option and swap contracts and are all reviewed for compliance with the policy. Ferrellgas L.P. also provides limited accounting services for Ferrell International. Ferrellgas, L.P. recognized the following net receipts (disbursements) from purchases, sales and commodity derivative transactions and from providing accounting services for Ferrell International:

 

 

For the three months

ended April 30,

 

For the nine months

ended April 30,

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

Net receipts (disbursements)

 

Receipts from providing accounting services

$ -

 

10

 

$328

 

10

 

$ (2,699)

 

30

 

$328

 

30

 

These net purchases, sales and commodity derivative transactions with Ferrell International are classified as cost of product sold on the condensed consolidated statements of earnings.

 

 

 

 

31

 

 


 

 

 

FERRELLGAS FINANCE CORP.

(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrellgas, L.P.)

 

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(in dollars)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 30,

 

July 31,

ASSETS

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

 

 

$ 1,000

 

$1,000

Total assets

 

 

 

$ 1,000

 

$1,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $1.00 par value; 2,000 shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

Authorized; 1,000 shares issued and outstanding

 

 

 

$ 1,000

 

$1,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional paid in capital

 

 

 

1,034

 

929

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

 

(1,034)

 

(929)

Total stockholder’s equity

 

 

 

$ 1,000

 

$1,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

For the three months ended

April 30,

 

For the nine months ended

April 30,

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative expense

$ 105

 

$-

 

$ 105

 

$ 185

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

$(105)

 

$-

 

$(105)

 

$(185)

 

See note to condensed financial statements.

 

 

32

 

 


 

 

 

FERRELLGAS FINANCE CORP.

 

(A wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrellgas, L.P.)

 

 

 

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

(in dollars)

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the nine months ended

April 30,

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

Net loss

$ (105)

 

$ (185)

 

Cash used in operating activities

(105)

 

(185)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

Capital contribution

105

 

185

 

Cash provided by financing activities

105

 

185

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in cash

-

 

-

 

Cash – beginning of period

1,000

 

1,000

 

Cash – end of period

$1,000

 

$1,000

 

 

 

 

 

See note to condensed financial statements.

 

 

NOTE TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

APRIL 30, 2005

(unaudited)

 

A.

Organization

 

Ferrellgas Finance Corp. (“the Finance Corp.”), a Delaware corporation, was formed on January 16, 2003 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrellgas, L.P (“the Partnership”).

 

The condensed financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the interim periods presented. All adjustments to the condensed financial statements were of a normal, recurring nature.

 

The Finance Corp. has nominal assets, does not conduct any operations, has no employees and serves as co-obligor for debt securities of the Partnership.

 

 

 

 

 

 

33

 

 


 

 

ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

 

Our management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations relates to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and Ferrellgas, L.P.

 

Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. and Ferrellgas Finance Corp. have nominal assets, do not conduct any operations and have no employees. Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. serves as co-obligor for debt securities of Ferrellgas Partners and Ferrellgas Finance Corp. serves as co-obligor for debt securities of Ferrellgas, L.P. Accordingly, and due to the reduced disclosure format, a discussion of the results of operations, liquidity and capital resources of Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. and Ferrellgas Finance Corp. are not presented in this section.     

 

In this Quarterly Report, unless the context indicates otherwise, references to:

 

“us,” “we,” “our,” or “ours,” refer to 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” or “senior units,” in which case these terms refer to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. without its consolidated subsidiaries;

“Ferrellgas Partners” refers to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. itself, without its consolidated subsidiaries;

the “operating partnership” refers to Ferrellgas, L.P., together with its consolidated subsidiaries, including Ferrellgas Finance Corp.;

our “general partner” refers to Ferrellgas, Inc.;

 

“Ferrell Companies” refers to Ferrell Companies, Inc., sole shareholder of our general partner;

“unitholders” refers to holders of common units of Ferrellgas Partners;

 

“customers” refers to customers other than our wholesale customers or our other bulk propane distributors and marketers;

“propane sales volumes” refers to the volume of propane sold to our customers and excludes any volumes of propane sold to our wholesale customers and other bulk propane distributors or marketers; and

“Notes” refer to the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements of Ferrellgas Partners or the operating partnership, as applicable.

 

Ferrellgas Partners is a holding entity that conducts no operations and has two direct subsidiaries, Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. and the operating partnership. Ferrellgas Partners’ only significant assets are its approximate 99% limited partnership interest in the operating partnership and its 100% equity interest in Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. The common units of Ferrellgas Partners are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and our activities are substantially conducted through the operating partnership.

 

The operating partnership was formed on April 22, 1994, and accounts for substantially all of our consolidated assets, sales and operating earnings, except for interest expense related to $268.0 million in the aggregate principal amount of 8.75% senior notes due 2012 co-issued by Ferrellgas Partners and Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp.

 

Our general partner performs all management functions for us and our subsidiaries and holds a 1% general partner interest in Ferrellgas Partners and an approximate 1% general partner interest in the operating partnership. The parent company of our general partner, Ferrell Companies, owns approximately 35% of our outstanding common units. Ferrell Companies is in turn owned 100% by an employee stock ownership trust.

 

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 www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy our SEC filings at the SEC’s public

 

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reference room located at, 450 5th street, N.W., 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 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q 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.

 

The following is a discussion of our historical financial condition and results of operations and should be read in conjunction with our historical condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

The discussions set forth in the “Results of Operations” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” sections generally refer to Ferrellgas Partners and its consolidated subsidiaries. However, there exist three material differences between Ferrellgas Partners and the operating partnership. Those three material differences are:

 

the two partnerships incur different amounts of interest expense on their outstanding indebtedness; see the “Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings” in their respective condensed consolidated financial statements;

Ferrellgas Partners issued common units in several transactions during the nine months ended April 30, 2005; and

during fiscal years 2005 and 2004, Ferrellgas Partners paid $0.9 million and $8.5 million, respectively, in cash to an unrelated third-party pursuant to a short-term, non-interest bearing note related to an acquisition made in fiscal year 2003.

 

Risk factors

 

As a result of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, which was signed into law on October 22, 2004, the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended July 31, 2004 under the heading “Tax Risks” should be updated as follows:

 

the risk factor entitled “There are limits on the deductibility of losses” indicates that the passive loss rules generally apply to individuals and closely held corporations. For tax years beginning after October 22, 2004, the passive loss rules also apply to regulated investment companies (or “mutual funds”) holding an interest in a “qualified publicly-traded partnership;”

the risk factor entitled “Tax-exempt entities, regulated investment companies, and foreign persons face unique tax issues from owning common units that may result in additional tax liability or reporting requirements for them” indicates that very little of our income will be qualifying income to a regulated investment company. For tax years beginning after October 22, 2004, net income derived from an interest in a “qualified publicly-traded partnership” is qualifying income for a regulated investment company. We expect Ferrellgas Partners to be treated as a qualified publicly-traded partnership for this purpose; and

the risk factor entitled “Our tax shelter registration could increase the risk of potential IRS audit” indicates that we have registered with the IRS as a tax shelter pursuant to certain tax shelter registration rules, and provides a tax shelter registration number. The American Jobs Act of 2004 repealed the rules with respect to the registration of tax shelters and replaced them with certain reporting rules.

 

 

 

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For a more detailed description of these and other risk factors please see the section entitled “Item 1. Business – Risk factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended July 31, 2004, as filed with the SEC on October 13, 2004.

 

Forward-looking statements

 

Statements included in this report include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are identified as any statement that does not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements often use 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 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

the expectation that gross profit and operating income will increase and net loss will decrease in the remaining three months of fiscal 2005 compared to the same period during fiscal 2004.

 

 

For a more detailed description of these and other forward-looking statements, see the section entitled “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended July 31, 2004.

 

When considering any forward-looking statement, you should also keep in mind the risk factors set forth in the sections entitled “Item 1. Business - Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended July 31, 2004 and “Risk Factors” of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for our fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2004. Any of these risks could impair our business, financial condition or results of operation. Any such impairment may affect our ability to make distributions to our unitholders or pay interest on the principal of any of our debt securities. In addition, the trading price, if any, of our securities could decline as a result of any such impairment.

 

Except for our ongoing obligations to disclose material information as required by federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or risk factors after the date of this current report.

 

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. We rely on a legal opinion from our counsel, and not a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, as to our proper classification for federal income tax purposes. See the section entitled “Item 1. Business—Risk Factors Risk Factors—Tax Risks—The IRS could treat us as a corporation for tax purposes, which would substantially reduce the

 

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cash available for distribution to our unitholders of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended July 31, 2004.

 

Results of Operations

 

Overview

 

We are a leading distributor of propane and related equipment and supplies to customers primarily in the United States. We believe that we are the second largest retail marketer of propane in the United States including the largest national provider of propane by portable tank exchange as measured by our pro forma propane sales volumes in fiscal 2004. We serve more than one million residential, industrial/commercial, propane tank exchange, agricultural and other customers in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada. 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 country. Weather conditions have a significant impact on demand for propane for heating purposes. Accordingly, the volume of propane sold for this purpose is directly affected by the severity of the winter weather in the regions we serve and can vary substantially from year to year. In any given area, sustained warmer-than-normal temperatures will tend to result in reduced propane use, while sustained colder-than-normal temperatures will tend to result in greater use.

 

The market for propane is seasonal because of increased demand during the winter months primarily for the purpose of providing heating in residential and commercial buildings. Consequently, sales and operating profits are concentrated in our second and third fiscal quarters, which are during the winter heating season of November through March. However, the contributions of Blue Rhino, completed in April 2004, provides increased operating profits during the first and fourth fiscal quarters due to its counter-seasonal business activities and provides the operating partnership the ability to better utilize its seasonal resources at the retail distribution locations. Other factors affecting our results of operations include competitive conditions, energy commodity prices, demand for propane, timing of acquisitions and general economic conditions in the United States.      

 

Our gross profit from the distribution of propane is primarily based on margins; that is the cents-per-gallon difference between our costs to purchase and distribute propane and the sale prices we charge our customers. Our residential customers and portable tank exchange customers typically provide us a greater margin and tend to be more stable customer base and less sensitive to price changes than our industrial/commercial, agricultural 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 other energy commodity prices. We employ risk management activities that attempt to mitigate risks related to the purchasing, storing and transporting of propane.

 

We continue to pursue the following business strategies:

 

use technology to improve operations;

 

capitalize on our national presence and economies of scale;

 

employ a disciplined acquisition strategy and achieving internal growth; and

align employee interests with our investors

 

 

We have developed new technology to improve our routing and scheduling of customer deliveries, customer administration and operational workflow. We expect to deploy this new technology initiative to all of our retail distribution outlets during the first quarter of fiscal 2006.

 

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Three months ended April 30, 2005 compared to April 30, 2004

 

(amounts in thousands)

 

Three months ended April 30,

 

 

2005

 

 

2004

 

Favorable

(unfavorable)

variance

Propane sales volumes (gallons)

251,393

249,424

 

1,969

0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Propane and other gas liquids sales

$467,664

$368,264

 

$99,400

27.0%

Gross profit

180,565

155,816

 

24,749

15.9%

Operating income

43,011

45,804

 

(2,793)

(6.1)%

Interest expense

22,611

17,998

 

(4,613)

(25.6)%

 

Propane sales volumes during the three months ended April 30, 2005 were consistent with the prior period. Increases in volume due to acquisitions completed during the three months ended April 30, 2004 and in subsequent periods were offset by decreased propane sales volumes due to warmer than normal temperatures. Heating degree days as reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (“NOAA”) were 5% warmer than normal during the three months ended April 30, 2005 and were 7% warmer than normal during the three months ended April 30, 2004.

 

The average sales price per gallon increased due to the effect of a significant increase in the wholesale cost of propane during the three months ended April 30, 2005 as compared to the prior year period. The wholesale market price at one of the major supply points, Mt. Belvieu, Texas, averaged $0.83 per gallon during the three months ended April 30, 2005 compared to an average price of $0.70 per gallon in the prior year period. Other major supply points in the United States also experienced comparable increases during the three months ended April 30, 2005.

 

Propane and other gas liquids sales increased $56.1 million compared to the prior fiscal year period due to an increase in the average propane sales price per gallon and $43.3 million due to an increase in propane sales volumes primarily due to acquisitions completed during the three months ended April 30, 2004 and in subsequent periods. This increase in propane sales volumes was partially offset by sales decreases in retail sales volumes primarily caused by the warmer temperatures as discussed above.

 

Gross profit increased $24.7 million primarily due to acquisitions completed during the three months ended April 30, 2004 and in subsequent periods and, to a lesser extent, increased cents per gallon margins. The increase in gross profit was partially offset by a lower contribution from our risk management trading activities.

 

Operating income decreased $2.8 million reflecting the previously mentioned increase in gross profit, offset by increases in operating expense, depreciation and amortization expense and, to a lesser extent, general and administrative expense. Operating expense increased primarily due to the Blue Rhino contribution completed in April 2004. Depreciation and amortization expense increased primarily due to assets related to acquisitions completed during the three months ended April 30, 2004 and in subsequent periods. General and administrative expense increased primarily due to the Blue Rhino contribution and, to a lesser extent, additional expenses related to the continuing roll-out of our technology initiative to our retail distribution outlets.

 

Interest expense increased 25.6% primarily due to increased borrowings used to finance acquisitions completed during the three months ended April 30, 2004 and in subsequent periods and to a lesser extent, rising variable interest rates.

 

Interest expense of the operating partnership

 

Interest expense increased 26.9% primarily due to increased borrowings used to finance acquisitions completed during the three months ended April 30, 2004 and in subsequent periods and to a lesser extent, rising variable interest rates.

 

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Nine months ended April 30, 2005 compared to April 30, 2004

 

(amounts in thousands)

 

Nine months ended April 30,

 

 

2005

 

 

2004

 

Favorable

(unfavorable)

variance

Propane sales volumes (gallons)

767,553

743,763

 

23,790

3.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Propane and other gas liquids sales

$1,400,519

$1,057,751

 

$342,768

32.4%

Gross profit

517,527

446,863

 

70,664

15.8%

Operating income

110,506

128,092

 

(17,586)

(13.7)%

Interest expense

68,670

52,083

 

(16,587)

(31.8)%

 

Propane sales volumes during the nine months ended April 30, 2005 increased primarily due to acquisitions completed during the three months ended April 30, 2004 and in subsequent periods. This increase was partially offset by decreased propane sales volumes due to warmer than normal temperatures. Heating degree days as reported by the NOAA were 7% warmer than normal during the nine months ended April 30, 2005 compared to 5% warmer than normal during the nine months ended April 30, 2004.

 

The average sales price per gallon increased due to the effect of a significant increase in the wholesale cost of propane during the nine months ended April 30, 2005 as compared to the prior year. The wholesale market price at one of the major supply points, Mt. Belvieu, Texas, averaged $0.82 per gallon during the nine months ended April 30, 2005 compared to an average price of $0.60 per gallon in the prior year period. Other major supply points in the United States also experienced comparable increases during the nine months ended April 30, 2005.

 

Propane and other gas liquids sales increased $196.4 million compared to the prior fiscal year period due to an increase in the average propane sales price per gallon and $146.4 million due to an increase in propane sales volumes primarily due to acquisitions completed during the three months ended April 30, 2004 and in subsequent periods. This increase in propane sales volumes was partially offset by decreases in retail sales volumes primarily caused by the warmer temperatures as discussed above.

 

Gross profit increased $70.7 million primarily due to acquisitions completed during the three months ended April 30, 2004 and in subsequent periods and, to a lesser extent, increased cents per gallon margins. The increase in gross profit was partially offset by a lower contribution from risk management trading activities.    

 

Operating income decreased $17.6 million reflecting the previously mentioned increase in gross profit, offset by increases in operating expense, depreciation and amortization expense and, to a lesser extent, general and administrative expense. Operating expense increased primarily due to the Blue Rhino contribution completed in April 2004. Depreciation and amortization expense increased primarily due to assets related to acquisitions completed during the three months ended April 30, 2004 and in subsequent periods and, to a lesser extent, assets related to our technology initiative that were depreciated beginning in October 2003. General and administrative expense increased primarily due to the Blue Rhino contribution and, to a lesser extent, additional expenses related to the continuing roll-out of our technology initiative to our retail distribution outlets.

 

Interest expense increased 31.8% primarily due to increased borrowings used to finance acquisitions completed during the three months ended April 30, 2004 and in subsequent periods and to a lesser extent, rising variable interest rates.

 

Interest expense of the operating partnership

 

Interest expense increased 35.5% primarily due to increased borrowings used to finance acquisitions completed during the three months ended April 30, 2004 and in subsequent periods and to a lesser

 

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extent, rising variable interest rates.

 

Forward-looking statements

 

We expect the following factors to impact our statement of earnings in the last quarter of fiscal 2005 compared to the same period during fiscal 2004:

 

revenues and cost of product sold will increase due to our assumption that propane prices during the remainder of fiscal 2005 will be higher than those during the same period in fiscal 2004; and

our assumption that interest rates will remain relatively stable during the remainder of fiscal 2005.

 

We expect that higher commodity prices experienced during the first nine months of fiscal 2005 will continue to have an unfavorable impact on our results of operations during the remainder of fiscal 2005.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

General

 

Our cash requirements include working capital requirements, debt service payments, the required quarterly senior unit distribution, the minimum quarterly common unit distribution, capital expenditures and acquisitions. The minimum quarterly distribution of $0.50 expected to be paid on June 14, 2005 to all common units that were outstanding on June 3, 2005, represents the forty-third consecutive minimum quarterly distribution paid to our common unitholders dating back to October 1994. Working capital requirements are subject to the price of propane, the weather and other changes in the demand for propane. Relatively colder weather or higher propane prices during the winter heating season increase our working capital requirements.

 

Our ability to satisfy our obligations is dependent upon our future performance, which will be subject to prevailing economic, financial, business and weather conditions and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. Due to the seasonality of the retail propane distribution business, a significant portion of our cash flow from operations is generated during the winter heating season that occurs during our second and third fiscal quarters. Our net cash provided by operating activities primarily reflect earnings from our business activities adjusted for depreciation and amortization and changes in our working capital accounts. Historically, we generate significantly lower net cash from operating activities in our first and fourth fiscal quarters as compared to the second and third fiscal quarters because fixed costs generally exceed gross profit during the non-peak heating season. Subject to meeting the financial tests discussed below, our general partner believes that the operating partnership will have sufficient funds available to meet its obligations, and to distribute to Ferrellgas Partners sufficient funds to permit Ferrellgas Partners to meet its obligations for the remainder of fiscal 2005 and in 2006. In addition, our general partner believes that the operating partnership will have sufficient funds available to distribute to Ferrellgas Partners sufficient cash to pay the required quarterly distribution on the senior units and the minimum quarterly distribution on all of its common units for fiscal 2005 and in fiscal 2006.      

 

Our bank credit facility, public debt, private debt and accounts receivable securitization facility contain several financial tests and covenants restricting our ability to pay distributions, incur debt and engage in certain other business transactions. In general, these tests are based on our debt to cash flow ratio and cash flow to interest expense ratio. Our general partner currently believes that the most restrictive of these tests are debt incurrence limitations under the terms of our bank credit and accounts receivable securitization facilities and limitations on the payment of distributions within our 8.75% senior notes due 2012. The bank credit and accounts receivable securitization facilities generally limit the operating partnership’s ability to incur debt if it exceeds prescribed ratios of either debt to cash flow or cash flow to interest expense. Our 8.75% senior notes restrict payments if a minimum ratio of cash flow to interest expense is not met, assuming certain exceptions to this ratio limit have previously been exhausted. This restriction places limitations on our ability to make restricted payments such as the payment of cash distributions to our unitholders. The cash flow used to determine these financial tests generally is based upon our most recent cash flow performance giving pro forma effect for acquisitions and divestitures

 

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made during the test period. Our bank credit facility, public debt, private debt and accounts receivable securitization facility do not contain early repayment provisions related to a potential decline in our credit rating. As of April 30, 2005, we met all the required quarterly financial tests and covenants. Based upon current estimates of our cash flow, our general partner believes that we will be able to continue to meet all of the required quarterly financial tests and covenants for fiscal 2005 and in fiscal 2006. However, we may not meet the applicable financial tests in future quarters if we were to experience:

 

continued significantly warmer than normal winter temperatures;

continued volatile energy commodity cost environment;

 

an unexpected downturn in business operations; or

 

a general economic downturn in the United States.

 

 

This failure could have a materially adverse effect on our operating capacity and cash flows and could restrict our ability to incur debt or to make cash distributions to our unitholders, even if sufficient funds were available. Depending on the circumstances, we may consider alternatives to permit the incurrence of debt or the continued payment of the quarterly cash distribution to our unitholders. No assurances can be given, however, that such alternatives can or will be implemented with respect to any given quarter.

 

We expect our future capital expenditures and working capital needs to be provided by a combination of cash generated from future operations, existing cash balances, the bank credit facility or the accounts receivable securitization facility. See additional information about the accounts receivable securitization facility in “Operating Activities – Accounts receivable securitization.” In order to reduce existing indebtedness, fund future acquisitions and expansive capital projects, we may obtain funds from our facilities, we may issue additional debt to the extent permitted under existing financing arrangements or we may issue additional equity securities, including, among others, common units.

 

Toward this purpose, in June 2003, a shelf registration statement was declared effective by the SEC for the periodic sale by Ferrellgas Partners, the operating partnership, Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. and Ferrellgas Finance Corp. of up to $500 million of equity and/or debt securities. The securities related to this registration statement are available to us for sale from time to time in the future to fund acquisitions, the reduction of indebtedness, the redemption of senior units and for general partnership purposes subject to acceptable market conditions. As of May 31, 2005, we had $151.4 million available under the shelf registration statement.

 

We also maintain a shelf registration statement with the SEC for the issuance of up to 2.0 million common units. We may issue these common units in connection with our acquisition of other businesses, properties or securities in business combination transactions.

 

Operating Activities

 

Net cash provided by operating activities was $58.9 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2005, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $74.4 million for the prior fiscal year period. This decrease in cash provided by operating activities is primarily due to increased cash used to fund working capital offset by increased utilization of the accounts receivable securitization facility. Cash required to fund working capital during the nine months ended April 30, 2005 increased $100.8 million compared to $42.2 million for the prior year fiscal period. This use of working capital is primarily due to the timing of cash received from our customers’ accounts receivable, cash used to purchase inventory and the effect of increased wholesale propane prices.

 

Accounts receivable securitization

 

Cash flows from the accounts receivable securitization facility increased $50.6 million primarily due to increased working capital needs related to increased propane wholesale prices, the timing of inventory purchases and receipts of customer payments. We received net funding of $38.3 million from this facility during the nine months ended April 30, 2005 as compared to having remitted to the facility $12.3 million in the prior fiscal year period.

 

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Our general strategy for obtaining liquidity at the lowest cost of capital is to initially utilize the accounts receivable securitization facility before borrowing under the operating partnership’s bank credit facility. See additional discussion about the operating partnership’s bank credit facility in “Financing Activities – Bank credit facility.” Our utilization of the accounts receivable securitization facility is limited by the amount of accounts receivable that we are permitted to transfer. We renewed this facility effective September 21, 2004, for a 364-day commitment with Banc One, NA. We increased our use of the accounts receivable securitization facility during the winter heating season when our working capital needs and our accounts receivable balances increased significantly. At April 30, 2005, we did not have any remaining capacity to transfer additional trade accounts receivable to the accounts receivable securitization facility. The renewal of the facility provided us with the ability to transfer increased amounts of accounts receivable during the fiscal 2005 winter heating season. As our trade accounts receivable increased during the winter heating season, the securitization facility permits us to transfer additional trade accounts receivable to the facility, thereby providing additional cash for working capital needs. In accordance with SFAS No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishment of Liabilities,” this transaction is reflected in our condensed consolidated financial statements as a sale of accounts receivable and a retained interest in transferred accounts receivable. On June 7, 2005, we renewed this facility for an additional 364-day commitment with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.

 

The operating partnership

 

Net cash provided by operating activities was $71.7 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2005, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $84.2 million for the prior fiscal year period. This decrease in cash provided by operating activities is primarily due to increased cash used to fund working capital partially offset by increased utilization of the accounts receivable securitization facility to meet increased working capital needs related to the effect of increased wholesale propane prices.

 

Investing Activities

 

During the nine months ended April 30, 2005, net cash used in investing activities was $55.1 million, compared to $406.8 million used in investing activities for the prior fiscal year period. This decrease in cash used in investing activities is primarily due to reduced acquisition activity during fiscal 2005 partially offset by increased capital expenditures during fiscal 2005.

 

Blue Rhino Contribution

 

On April 20, 2004, we paid $343.4 million in cash as payment of obligations that were assumed in connection with the Blue Rhino contribution. See Note F - “Business combinations” - in our condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion about the Blue Rhino contribution.

 

Acquisitions

 

During the nine months ended April 30, 2005, we used $22.9 million in cash and $7.0 million of common unit issuances for the acquisition of propane companies as compared to $37.4 million in cash and $0.7 million of common unit issuances in the prior year period.

 

Capital expenditures

 

We made cash capital expenditures of $41.0 million during the nine months ended April 30, 2005 as compared to $25.2 million in the prior fiscal year period primarily due to increased capital expenditures required for our technology initiative and distribution of propane by portable tank exchange operations acquired in April, 2004. Capital expenditures during the nine months ended April 30, 2005 consisted primarily of expenditures for betterment and replacement of district facilities, distribution of propane by portable tank exchange, our technology initiative, and vehicle and equipment lease buyouts.

 

 

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Financing Activities

 

During the nine months ended April 30, 2005, net cash provided by financing activities was $0.6 million compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $342.3 million for the prior fiscal year period. This decrease in cash provided by financing activities was primarily due to proceeds received during fiscal 2004 related to debt and equity issued primarily to finance the assumed Blue Rhino merger obligation related to the Blue Rhino contribution.

 

Various equity transactions and equity structure modifications

 

Our senior units are owned by an entity beneficially owned by our general partner’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, Mr. Ferrell. We pay the senior units a quarterly cash distribution equivalent to 10 percent per annum of the liquidating value, currently $1 per quarter. We can redeem the senior units at any time, in whole or in part, upon payment in cash of the liquidating value of the senior units, currently $40 per unit, plus the amount of any accrued and unpaid distributions. The holder of the senior units has the right, subject to various events and conditions, to convert any outstanding senior units into common units beginning on the earlier of December 31, 2005 or upon the occurrence of a material event as defined by our partnership agreement. The number of common units issuable upon conversion of a senior unit is equal to the senior unit liquidation value, divided by the then current market price of a common unit. Generally, a material event includes (1) a change of control; (2) the treatment of Ferrellgas Partners as an association taxable as a corporation for federal income tax purposes; Ferrellgas Partners’ failure to use the aggregate cash proceeds from equity issuances, other than issuances of equity pursuant to an exercise of any common unit options, to redeem a portion of its senior units other than up to $20.0 million of cash proceeds from equity issuances used to reduce Ferrellgas Partners’ indebtedness; or (3) Ferrellgas Partners’ failure to pay the senior unit distribution in full for any fiscal quarter. Such conversion rights are contingent upon us not previously redeeming such securities.

 

On March 7, 2005, Ferrellgas Partners amended its partnership agreement to reflect the extension of the existing agreement with Ferrell Companies involving the priority of quarterly distribution payments on common units held publicly. The existing provision in the partnership agreement, originally scheduled to expire December 31, 2005, was extended to April 30, 2010. This provision allows Ferrellgas Partners to defer distributions on the common units held by Ferrell Companies up to an aggregate outstanding amount of $36.0 million.

 

August Common Unit offering

 

During August 2004, we issued, in a public offering, 2.9 million common units at a price of $20.00 per unit, less commissions and underwriting expenses. After commissions and underwriting expenses, we received net proceeds of $54.9 million for the issuance of these common units. We used the net proceeds, together with contributions made by our general partner of $1.1 million to maintain its effective 2% general partnership interest in us, to reduce long-term borrowings outstanding under the bank credit facility of the operating partnership.

 

November Common Unit offering

 

During November 2004, we received net proceeds of $39.8 million pursuant to our issuance of 2.1 million common units in a private offering to a single unaffiliated purchaser. We used the net proceeds, together with contributions made by our general partner of $0.8 million to maintain its effective 2% general partner interest in us, to reduce borrowings outstanding under the bank credit facility of the operating partnership.

 

Distributions

 

Ferrellgas Partners paid the required quarterly distributions on the senior units and the minimum quarterly distribution on all common units, as well as the related general partner distributions, totaling $86.7 million during the nine months ended April 30, 2005 in connection with the distributions declared for

 

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the three months ended July 31, 2004, October 31, 2004, and January 31, 2005. The required quarterly distribution on the senior units, the minimum quarterly distribution on all common units and the related general partner distributions for the three months ended April 30, 2005 of $29.3 million are expected to be paid on June 14, 2005 to holders of record on June 3, 2005. See related disclosure about the distributions of senior units in “Disclosures about Effects of Transactions with Related Parties.”

 

Bank credit facility

 

On April 22, 2005 Ferrellgas refinanced its $307.5 million bank credit facility with a $330.0 million credit facility maturing April 22, 2010, unless extended or renewed. At April 30, 2005, $87.3 million of borrowings and $58.6 million of letters of credit were outstanding under our unsecured $330.0 million bank credit facility. Letters of credit are currently used to cover obligations primarily relating to requirements for insurance coverage and, and to a lesser extent, risk management activities and product purchases. At April 30, 2005, we had $184.1 million available for working capital, acquisition, capital expenditure and general partnership purposes under the $330.0 million bank credit facility.

 

All borrowings under our $330.0 million bank credit facility bear interest, at our option, at a rate equal to either:

 

         a base rate, which is defined as the higher of the federal funds rate plus 0.50% or Bank of America’s prime rate (as of April 30, 2005, the federal funds rate and Bank of America’s prime rate were 2.97% and 5.75%, respectively); or

         the Eurodollar Rate plus a margin varying from 1.50% to 2.50% (as of April 30, 2005, the one-month Eurodollar Rate was 3.02%).

 

In addition, an annual commitment fee is payable on the daily unused portion of our $330.0 million bank credit facility at a per annum rate varying from 0.375% to 0.500% (as of April 30, 2005, the commitment fee per annum rate was 0.375%).

 

We believe that the liquidity available from our $330.0 million bank credit facility and the accounts receivable securitization facility will be sufficient to meet our future working capital needs for the remainder of fiscal 2005 and all of fiscal 2006. See “Operating Activities” for discussion about our accounts receivable securitization facility. However, if we were to experience an unexpected significant increase in working capital requirements, our working capital needs could exceed our immediately available resources. Events that could cause increases in working capital borrowings or letter of credit requirements include, but are not limited to the following:

 

a significant increase in the wholesale cost of propane;

 

a significant delay in the collections of accounts receivable;

 

increased volatility in energy commodity prices related to risk management activities;

increased liquidity requirements imposed by insurance providers;

 

a significant downgrade in our credit rating;

 

decreased trade credit; or

 

a significant acquisition.

 

 

If one or more of these or other events caused a significant use of available funding, we may consider alternatives to provide increased working capital funding. No assurances can be given, however, that such alternatives would be available, or, if available, could be implemented.

 

The operating partnership

 

The financing activities discussed above also apply to the operating partnership except for cash flows related to distributions, as discussed below.

 

 

44

 

 

Distributions

 

The operating partnership paid cash distributions of $99.4 million during the nine months ended April 30, 2005. The operating partnership expects to make cash distributions of $41.7 million on June 14, 2005.

 

Contributions received by the operating partnership

 

In August 2004, the operating partnership received cash contributions of $55.4 million and $0.6 million from its limited partner, Ferrellgas Partners, and its general partner, respectively, in connection with the issuance by Ferrellgas Partners of 2.9 million common units. The operating partnership used aggregate net proceeds from these contributions to reduce borrowings outstanding under its bank credit facility.

 

In November 2004, the operating partnership received cash contributions of $40.4 million and $0.4 million from Ferrellgas Partners and its general partner, respectively, in connection with the issuance by Ferrellgas Partners of 2.1 million common units. The operating partnership used aggregate net proceeds from these contributions to reduce borrowings outstanding under its bank credit facility.

 

Disclosures about Risk Management Activities Accounted for at Fair Value

 

The following table summarizes the change in the unrealized fair value of contracts from our risk management trading activities for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2005:

 

 

 

(in thousands)

For the three

months ended

April 30, 2005

 

For the nine

months ended

April 30, 2005

Unrealized (losses) gains in fair value of contracts

outstanding at beginning of period

$(1,762)

 

$ 424

Other unrealized losses recognized

(1,147)

 

(8,130)

Less: realized losses recognized

(2,917)

 

(7,714)

Unrealized gains in fair value of contracts

outstanding at April 30, 2005

$ 8

 

$ 8

 

The following table summarizes the maturity of contracts from our risk management trading activities for the valuation methodologies we utilized as of April 30, 2005:

 

(in thousands)

 

 

Fair value of contracts at

period-end

 

Source of fair value

 

Maturity less than 1 year

Prices actively quoted

 

$ (614)

Prices provided by other external sources

 

622

Prices based on models and other valuation methods

 

-

Unrealized gains in fair value of contracts

outstanding at April 30, 2005

 

$ 8

 

See additional discussion about market, counterparty credit and liquidity risks related to our risk management trading activities and other risk management activities in “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.”

 

Disclosures about Effects of Transactions with Related Parties

 

We have no employees and are managed and controlled by our general partner. Pursuant to our partnership agreement, our general partner is entitled to reimbursement for all direct and indirect

45

 

expenses incurred or payments it makes on our behalf, and all other necessary or appropriate expenses allocable to us or otherwise reasonably incurred by our general partner in connection with operating our business. These reimbursable costs, which totaled $178.7 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2005, include compensation and benefits paid to employees of our general partner who perform services on our behalf, as well as related general and administrative costs.                                                           

 

Ferrell Companies is the sole shareholder of our general partner and owns 17.8 million of our common units. FCI Trading Corp. is wholly-owned by Ferrell Companies and owns 0.2 million of our common units. Ferrell Propane, Inc. is wholly-owned by our general partner and owns 0.1 million common units. JEF Capital Management, Inc. (“JEF Capital”) is beneficially owned by James E. Ferrell, the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of our general partner, and thus is an affiliate. JEF Capital is the holder of all of Ferrellgas Partners’ issued and outstanding senior units.

 

During the nine months ended April 30, 2005, Ferrellgas Partners paid common unit distributions of $26.7 million, $0.3 million and $0.1 million to Ferrell Companies, FCI Trading Corp. and Ferrell Propane, Inc., respectively, in connection with the distributions declared by Ferrellgas Partners for the three months ended July 31, 2004, October 31, 2004 and January 31, 2005. Also during the nine months ended April 30, 2005, Ferrellgas Partners paid the general partner distributions of $0.9 million for the three months ended July 31, 2004, October 31, 2004 and January 31, 2005. We paid JEF Capital $6.0 million in senior unit distributions during the nine months ended April 30, 2005 in connection with the distributions declared for the three months ended July 31, 2004, October 31, 2004, and January 31, 2005. On April 30, 2005, we accrued a senior unit distribution of $2.0 million for the three months ended April 30, 2005 that we expect to pay to JEF Capital on June 14, 2005.

 

Ferrellgas Partners’ partnership agreement generally provides that it use the cash proceeds of any offering of common units to redeem a portion of the outstanding senior units, otherwise a “Material Event” would be deemed to have occurred and JEF Capital, as the holder of the senior units, would thereafter have specified rights, such as the right to convert the senior units into common units or the right to register the senior units. See “Financing Activities – Various equity transactions and equity structure modifications.”

 

Ferrell International Limited (“Ferrell International”) is beneficially owned by Mr. Ferrell and thus is an affiliate. We enter into transactions with Ferrell International in connection with our risk management activities and do so at market prices in accordance with our affiliate trading policy approved by our general partner’s Board of Directors. These transactions include forward, option and swap contracts and are all reviewed for compliance with the policy. During the nine months ended April 30, 2005, we recognized net purchases from sales, purchases or commodity derivative transactions of $2.7 million. These net purchases, sales and commodity derivatives transactions with Ferrell International are classified as cost of product sold on our condensed consolidated statements of earnings. We provide limited accounting services to Ferrell International. During the nine months ended April 30, 2005, we recognized net receipts from providing limited accounting services of $30 thousand.

 

See “Financing Activities” for additional information regarding transactions with related parties.

 

We believe these related party transactions were under terms that were no less favorable to us than those available with third parties.

 

We have had no material changes in our contractual obligations since our disclosure in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 2004.

 

See Note O – “Adoption of new accounting standards” – in our condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion regarding the adoption of new accounting standards in the current fiscal year.

 

We have had no material changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates since our disclosure in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 2004.

 

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ITEM 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Our risk management activities primarily attempt to mitigate risks related to the purchasing, storing and transporting of propane. We generally purchase propane in the contract and spot markets from major domestic energy companies on a short-term basis. Our costs to purchase and distribute propane fluctuate with the movement of market prices. This fluctuation subjects us to potential price risk, which we attempt to minimize through the use of risk management activities.

 

Our risk management activities include the use of energy commodity forward contracts, swaps and options traded on the over-the-counter financial markets and futures and options traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange. These risk management activities are conducted primarily to offset the effect of market price fluctuations on propane inventory and purchase commitments and to mitigate the price and inventory risk on sale commitments to our customers.

 

Our risk management activities are intended to generate a profit, which we then apply to reduce our cost of product sold. The results of our risk management activities directly related to the delivery of propane to our customers, which include our supply procurement, storage and transportation activities, are presented in our discussion of margins and are accounted for at cost. The results of our other risk management activities are presented separately in our discussion of gross profit found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Results of Operations” as risk management trading activities and are accounted for at fair value.

 

Market risks associated with energy commodities are monitored daily by senior management for compliance with our commodity risk management policy. This policy includes an aggregate dollar loss limit and limits on the term of various contracts. We also utilize volume limits for various energy commodities and review our positions daily where we remain exposed to market risk, so as to manage exposures to changing market prices.

 

Market, Credit and Liquidity Risk. New York Mercantile Exchange traded futures and options are guaranteed by the New York Mercantile Exchange and have nominal credit risk. We are exposed to credit risk associated with over-the-counter traded forwards, swaps and option transactions in the event of nonperformance by counterparties. For each counterparty, we analyze its financial condition prior to entering into an agreement, establish a credit limit and monitor the appropriateness of the limit. The change in market value of Exchange-traded futures contracts requires daily cash settlement in margin accounts with brokers. Over-the-counter instruments are generally settled at the expiration of the contract term. In order to minimize the liquidity risk of cash, margin or collateral requirements of counterparties for over-the-counter instruments, we attempt to balance maturities and positions with individual counterparties. Historically, our risk management activities have not experienced significant credit-related losses in any year or with any individual counterparty. Our risk management contracts do not contain material repayment provisions related to a potential decline in our credit rating.

 

Sensitivity Analysis. We have prepared a sensitivity analysis to estimate the exposure to market risk of our energy commodity positions. Forward contracts, futures, swaps and options outstanding as of April 30, 2005, that were used in our risk management activities were analyzed assuming a hypothetical 10% adverse change in prices for the delivery month for all energy commodities. The potential loss in future earnings regarding these positions from a 10% adverse movement in market prices of the underlying energy commodities were estimated at $0.3 million for other risk management activities as of April 30, 2005. The preceding hypothetical analysis is limited because changes in prices may or may not equal 10%, thus actual results may differ.

 

For other risk management activities, our sensitivity analysis includes designated hedging and the anticipated transactions associated with these hedging transactions. These hedging transactions are anticipated to be 100% effective, therefore, there is no effect on our sensitivity analysis for other risk management activities from these hedging transactions. To the extent option contracts are used as hedging instruments for anticipated transactions, we have included the offsetting effect of the anticipated transactions only to the extent the option contracts are in the money, or would become in the money as a

 

47

 

 

result of the 10% hypothetical movement in prices. All other anticipated transactions for other risk management activities have been excluded from our sensitivity analysis.

 

At April 30, 2005, we had $87.3 million in variable rate bank credit facility borrowings. Thus, assuming a one percent increase in our variable interest rate, our interest rate risk related to the borrowings on our variable rate bank credit facility would result in a loss in future earnings of $0.9 million for the twelve months ending April 30, 2006. The preceding hypothetical analysis is limited because changes in interest rates may or may not equal one percent, thus actual results may differ.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

An evaluation was performed with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such terms are defined in Rule 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act). Based on that evaluation, our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures were designed to be and were effective as of April 30, 2005 to reasonably ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act are recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

It should be noted that any system of disclosure controls and procedures, however well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the system are met. In addition, the design of any system of disclosure controls and procedures is based in part upon assumptions about the likelihood of future events. Because of these and other inherent limitations of any such system, there can be no assurance that any system, no matter how well designed or implemented, will always succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions, regardless of how remote and furthermore, because of potential changes in future conditions, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures may vary over time.

 

Due to the implementation of our new technology initiative during fiscal year 2005, we modified our internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended April 30, 2005. This modification of internal controls over financial reporting was made to align our internal controls with the implementation of our new technology initiative. This implementation is being conducted in phases by geographical areas and is scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of fiscal 2006. This new technology initiative has been designed to improve various aspects of our operations including routing and scheduling of customer deliveries, customer administration and operational workflow related to our retail sale and delivery of bulk propane.

 

 

        PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

Our operations are subject to all operating hazards and risks normally incidental to handling, storing, transporting and otherwise providing for use by consumers of combustible liquids such as propane. As a result, at any given time, we are threatened with or named as a defendant in various lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. Currently, we are not a party to any legal proceedings other than various claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. It is not possible to determine the ultimate disposition of these matters; however, management is of the opinion that there are no known claims or contingent claims that are reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

 

48

 

 


 

 

 

ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

None.

 

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None.

 

 

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

None.

 

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

 

None.

 

 

49

 

 


 

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

The exhibits listed below are furnished as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act, which are not listed, are not applicable.

 

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Description

 

 

 

 

2.1

Contribution Agreement dated February 8, 2004, by and among FCI Trading Corp., Ferrellgas, Inc., Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and Ferrellgas, L.P. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 12, 2004.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.1

Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., dated as of February 18, 2003. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 18, 2003.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.2

First Amendment to the Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., dated as of February 18, 2003. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 8, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.3

Certificate of Incorporation for Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. Incorporated by reference to the same numbered Exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed June 13, 1997.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.4

Bylaws of Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. Incorporated by reference to the same numbered Exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed June 13, 1997.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.5

Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Ferrellgas, L.P., dated as of April 7, 2004. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 22, 2004.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.6

Certificate of Incorporation of Ferrellgas Finance Corp. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. filed February 18, 2003.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.7

Bylaws of Ferrellgas Finance Corp. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. filed February 18, 2003.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.1

Specimen Certificate evidencing Common Units representing Limited Partner Interests (contained in Exhibit 3.1 hereto as Exhibit A thereto).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.2

Indenture, dated as of September 24, 2002, with form of Note attached, among Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp., and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, relating to 8 3/4% Senior Notes due 2012. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 24, 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

50

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

4.3

Indenture, dated as of April 20, 2004, with form of Note attached, among Ferrellgas Escrow LLC and Ferrellgas Finance Escrow Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, relating to 6 ¾% Senior Notes due 2014. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 22, 2004.

 

 

 

 

 

4.4

Ferrellgas, L.P., Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 1, 1998, relating to: $109,000,000 6.99% Senior Notes, Series A, due August 1, 2005, $37,000,000 7.08% Senior Notes, Series B, due August 1, 2006, $52,000,000 7.12% Senior Notes, Series C, due August 1, 2008, $82,000,000 7.24% Senior Notes, Series D, due August 1, 2010, and $70,000,000 7.42% Senior Notes, Series E, due August 1, 2013.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed October 29, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.5

Ferrellgas, L.P., Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 28, 2000, relating to: $21,000,000 8.68% Senior Notes, Series A, due August 1, 2006, $70,000,000 8.78% Senior Notes, Series B, due August 1, 2007, and $93,000,000 8.87% Senior Notes, Series C, due August 1, 2009.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed March 16, 2000.

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.6

Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 17, 1999, by and between Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and Williams Natural Gas Liquids, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 29, 2000.

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.7

First Amendment to the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 14, 2000, by and between Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and Williams Natural Gas Liquids, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed March 16, 2000.

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.8

Second Amendment to the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 6, 2001, by and between Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and The Williams Companies, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 6, 2001.

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.9

Representations Agreement, dated as of December 17, 1999, by and among Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., Ferrellgas, Inc., Ferrellgas, L.P. and Williams Natural Gas Liquids, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 29, 1999.

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.10

First Amendment to Representations Agreement, dated as of April 6, 2001, by and among Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., Ferrellgas, Inc., Ferrellgas, L.P. and The Williams Companies, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 6, 2001.

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.11

Waiver and Acknowledgement of No Material Event dated November 20, 2003, by and among Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., Ferrellgas, L.P., Ferrellgas, Inc. and JEF Capital Management, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 24, 2003.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.12

Extension of Waiver and Acknowledgement of No Material Event dated February 25, 2004, by and among Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., Ferrellgas, L.P., Ferrellgas, Inc. and JEF Capital Management, Inc.

 

 

51

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.1

Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of December 10, 2002, by and among Ferrellgas, L.P., Ferrellgas, Inc., Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association, as agent, and the other financial institutions party. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed December 11, 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.2

First Amendment to the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of March 9, 2004, by and among Ferrellgas, L.P., Ferrellgas, Inc., Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association, as agent, and the other financial institutions party. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed April 2, 2004.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.3

Second Amendment to the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 3, 2004, by and among Ferrellgas, L.P., Ferrellgas, Inc., Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association, as agent, and the lenders party to the original agreement. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to our Annual Report of Form 10-K filed October 13, 2004.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.4

Third Amendment to the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated October 26, 2004, among Ferrellgas, L.P., Ferrellgas, Inc., Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association, as agent, and the lenders party to the original agreement. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 5, 2004.

 

 

 

 

*

 

10.5

Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of April 22, 2005, by and among Ferrellgas, L.P. as the borrower, Ferrellgas, Inc. as the general partner of the borrower, Bank of America N.A., as administrative agent and swing line lender, and the lenders and L/C issuers party hereto.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.6

Receivable Interest Sale Agreement, dated as of September 26, 2000, by and between Ferrellgas, L.P., as originator, and Ferrellgas Receivables, L.L.C., as buyer. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed October 26, 2000.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.7

First Amendment to the Receivable Interest Sale Agreement dated as of

January 17, 2001, by and between Ferrellgas, L.P., as originator, and Ferrellgas Receivables, L.L.C., as buyer. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed March 14, 2001.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.8

Amendment No. 2 to the Receivable Interest Sale Agreement dated November 1, 2004 between Ferrellgas, L.P., as Originator, and Ferrellgas Receivables, L.L.C., as buyer. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 5, 2004.

 

 

 

 

*

 

10.9

Amendment No. 3 to the Receivable Interest Sale Agreement dated June 7, 2005 between Ferrellgas, L.P., as Originator, and Ferrellgas Receivables, L.L.C., as buyer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.10

Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 26, 2000, by and among Ferrellgas Receivables, L.L.C., as seller, Ferrellgas, L.P., as servicer, Jupiter Securitization Corporation, the financial institutions from time to time party hereto, and Bank One, NA, main office Chicago, as agent. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed October 26, 2000.

 

 

52

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.11

First Amendment to the Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 17, 2001, by and among Ferrellgas Receivables, L.L.C., as seller, Ferrellgas, L.P., as servicer, Jupiter Securitization Corporation, the financial institutions from time to time party hereto, and Bank One, N.A., main office Chicago, as agent. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed March 14, 2001.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.12

Second Amendment to the Receivables Purchase Agreement dated as of September 25, 2001, by and among Ferrellgas Receivables, L.L.C., as seller, Ferrellgas, L.P., as servicer, Jupiter Securitization Corporation, the financial institutions from time to time party hereto, and Bank One, N.A., main office Chicago, as agent. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed October 25, 2001.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.13

Third Amendment to the Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 24, 2002, by and among Ferrellgas Receivables, L.L.C., as seller, Ferrellgas, L.P., as servicer, Jupiter Securitization Corporation, the financial institutions from time to time party hereto, and Bank One, NA, main office Chicago, as agent. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed October 23, 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.14

Fourth Amendment to the Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 23, 2003, by and among Ferrellgas Receivables, L.L.C., as seller, Ferrellgas, L.P., as servicer, Jupiter Securitization Corporation, the financial institutions from time to time party hereto, and Bank One, NA, main office Chicago, as agent. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed October 21, 2003.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.15

Fifth Amendment to the Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 21, 2004, by and among Ferrellgas Receivables, L.L.C., as seller, Ferrellgas, L.P., as servicer, Jupiter Securitization Corporation, the financial institutions from time to time party hereto, and Bank One, NA, main office Chicago, as agent. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 24, 2004.

 

 

 

 

*

 

10.16

Sixth Amendment to the Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 7, 2005, by and among Ferrellgas Receivables, L.L.C., as seller, Ferrellgas, L.P., as servicer, Jupiter Securitization Corporation, the financial institutions from time to time party hereto, and Bank One, NA, main office Chicago, as agent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.17

Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 7, 1999, by and among Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., Ferrellgas, L.P and Williams Natural Gas Liquids, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 12, 1999.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.18

First Amendment to Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 17, 1999, by and among Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., Ferrellgas, L.P., and Williams Natural Gas Liquids, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 29, 1999.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.19

Second Amendment to Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 14, 2000, by and among Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., Ferrellgas L.P., and Williams Natural Gas Liquids, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed March 16, 2000.

 

 

53

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.20

Third Amendment to Purchase Agreement dated as of April 6, 2001, by and among Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., Ferrellgas L.P. and The Williams Companies, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 6, 2001.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.21

Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of February 8, 2004, by and among Blue Rhino Corporation, FCI Trading Corp., Diesel Acquisition, LLC and Ferrell Companies, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 12, 2004.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.22

First amendment to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 16, 2004, by and among Blue Rhino Corporation, FCI Trading Corp., Diesel Acquisition, LLC, and Ferrell Companies, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 2, 2004.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.23

Real Property Contribution Agreement, dated February 8, 2004, between Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and Billy D. Prim.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.24

Unit Purchase Agreement, dated February 8, 2004, between Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and Billy D. Prim. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to our Form S-3 filed May 21, 2004.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.25

Unit Purchase Agreement dated February 8, 2004, between Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and James E. Ferrell. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 12, 2004.

 

 

 

 

#

 

10.26

Ferrell Companies, Inc. Supplemental Savings Plan, restated January 1, 2000. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 18, 2003.

 

 

 

 

#

 

10.27

Second Amended and Restated Ferrellgas Unit Option Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 5, 2001.

 

 

 

 

#

 

10.28

Ferrell Companies, Inc. 1998 Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended and restated effective October 11, 2004. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed October 13, 2004.

 

 

 

 

#

 

10.29

Employment agreement between James E. Ferrell and Ferrellgas, Inc., dated July 31, 1998. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed October 29, 1998.

 

 

 

 

#

 

10.30

Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated October 11, 2004, by and among Ferrellgas, Inc., Ferrell Companies, Inc. and Billy D. Prim. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed October 13, 2004.

 

 

 

 

#

 

10.31

Arrangement dated June 4, 2003, between Ron M. Logan, Jr. and Ferrellgas, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed October 13, 2004.

 

 

 

 

#

 

10.32

Arrangement dated February 6, 2004, between Timothy E. Scronce and Ferrellgas, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed October 13, 2004.

 

 

 

 

 

 

54

 

 


 

 

 

*

 

31.1

Certification of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) / Rule 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act.

 

 

 

 

*

 

31.2

Certification of Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) / Rule 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act.

 

 

 

 

*

 

31.3

Certification of Ferrellgas, L.P. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) / Rule 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act.

 

 

 

 

*

 

31.4

Certification of Ferrellgas Finance Corp. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) / Rule 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act.

 

 

 

 

*

 

32.1

Certification of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350.

 

 

 

 

*

 

32.2

Certification of Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350.

 

 

 

 

*

 

32.3

Certification of Ferrellgas, L.P. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350.

 

 

 

 

*

 

32.4

Certification of Ferrellgas Finance Corp. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350.

 

 

 

 

 

*

Filed herewith

 

#

Management contracts or compensatory plans.

 

 

 

 

55

 

 


 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrants have duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P.

 

By Ferrellgas, Inc. (General Partner)

 

 

Date:

June 8, 2005

By

/s/ Kevin T. Kelly

 

 

Kevin T. Kelly

 

 

Senior Vice President and Chief

 

 

Financial Officer (Principal

 

 

Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

FERRELLGAS PARTNERS FINANCE CORP.

 

 

Date:

June 8, 2005

By

/s/ Kevin T. Kelly

 

 

Kevin T. Kelly

 

 

Senior Vice President and Chief

 

 

Financial Officer (Principal

 

 

Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

FERRELLGAS, L.P.

 

By Ferrellgas, Inc. (General Partner)

 

 

Date:

June 8, 2005

By

/s/ Kevin T. Kelly

 

 

Kevin T. Kelly

 

 

Senior Vice President and Chief

 

 

Financial Officer (Principal

 

 

Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

FERRELLGAS FINANCE CORP.

 

 

Date:

June 8, 2005

By

/s/ Kevin T. Kelly

 

 

Kevin T. Kelly

 

 

Senior Vice President and Chief

 

 

Financial Officer (Principal

 

 

Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

56