Back to GetFilings.com




 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 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 December 31, 2003

 

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from                      to                     .

 

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 0-32453

 

Inergy, L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   43-1918951
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

Two Brush Creek Blvd., Suite 200
Kansas City, Missouri
  64112
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

 

(816) 842-8181

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year,

if changed since last report)

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has 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) has been subject to such filing requirements for the last 90 days.

 

Yes x No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

Yes x No ¨

 

The following units were outstanding at February 2, 2004:

 

Common Units

   14,544,822

Senior Subordinated Units

   7,135,252

Junior Subordinated Units

   1,145,084

 



INERGY, L.P.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

 

     Page

Part I – Financial Information

    

Item 1 – Financial Statements of Inergy, L.P.:

    

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2003 (unaudited) and September 30, 2003

   3

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002

   5

Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Partners’ Capital for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2003

   6

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002

   7

Unaudited Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   9

Item 2 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation

   21

Item 3 – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   27

Item 4 – Controls and Procedures

   29

Part II – Other Information

    

Item 1 – Legal Proceedings

   30

Item 2 – Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

   30

Item 3 – Defaults Upon Senior Securities

   30

Item 4 – Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

   30

Item 5 – Other Information

   30

Item 6 – Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

   30

Signatures

   32

 

2


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

INERGY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

     December 31,
2003


    September 30,
2003


 
     (Unaudited)        
     (In Thousands)  

Assets

                

Current assets:

                

Cash

   $ 6,567     $ 3,528  

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,047,000 and $997,000 at December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2003, respectively

     62,776       21,841  

Inventories

     42,093       35,722  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     6,050       3,957  

Assets from price risk management activities

     15,002       8,905  
    


 


Total current assets

     132,488       73,953  

Property, plant and equipment, at cost:

                

Land and buildings

     14,898       14,265  

Office furniture and equipment

     8,945       8,614  

Vehicles

     25,514       21,986  

Tanks and plant equipment

     149,679       135,040  
    


 


       199,036       179,905  

Less accumulated depreciation

     (25,955 )     (22,704 )
    


 


Property, plant and equipment, net

     173,081       157,201  

Intangible assets:

                

Covenants not to compete

     9,186       8,752  

Deferred financing costs

     7,995       7,994  

Deferred acquisition costs

     72       849  

Customer accounts

     60,625       59,951  

Goodwill

     65,174       64,546  
    


 


       143,052       142,092  

Less accumulated amortization

     (14,228 )     (12,383 )
    


 


Intangible assets, net

     128,824       129,709  

Other

     977       1,530  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 435,370     $ 362,393  
    


 


 

    3     


INERGY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (continued)

 

     December 31,
2003


    September 30,
2003


 
     (Unaudited)        
     (In Thousands)  

Liabilities and partners’ capital

                

Current liabilities:

                

Accounts payable

   $ 51,806     $ 22,733  

Accrued expenses

     14,791       11,919  

Customer deposits

     8,695       11,830  

Liabilities from price risk management activities

     15,356       5,801  

Current portion of long-term debt

     30,359       12,449  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     121,007       64,732  

Long-term debt, less current portion

     133,759       118,678  

Partners’ capital:

                

Common unitholders (11,044,822 units issued and outstanding)

     130,186       129,168  

Senior subordinated unitholders (7,135,252 units issued and outstanding)

     47,500       46,842  

Junior subordinated unitholders (1,145,084 units issued and outstanding)

     (36 )     (141 )

Non-managing general partner (2% interest)

     2,954       3,114  
    


 


Total partners’ capital

     180,604       178,983  
    


 


Total liabilities and partners’ capital

   $ 435,370     $ 362,393  
    


 


 

See accompanying notes.

 

    4     


INERGY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In Thousands, Except Per Unit Data)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,


 
     2003

    2002

 

Revenue:

                

Propane

   $ 120,824     $ 104,042  

Other

     11,757       5,648  
    


 


       132,581       109,690  

Cost of product sold

     95,464       81,551  
    


 


Gross profit

     37,117       28,139  

Expenses:

                

Operating and administrative

     20,298       14,311  

Depreciation and amortization

     4,718       3,361  
    


 


Operating income

     12,101       10,467  

Other income (expense):

                

Interest expense, net

     (2,896 )     (2,640 )

Gain (loss) on sale of property, plant and equipment

     45       (106 )

Finance charges

     115       16  

Other

     36       29  
    


 


Income before income taxes

     9,401       7,766  

Provision for income taxes

     31       50  
    


 


Net income

   $ 9,370     $ 7,716  
    


 


Partners’ interest information for the three months ended December 31, 2003 and 2002:

                

Non-managing general partners’ interest in net income

   $ 187     $ 155  
    


 


Limited partners’ interest in net income:

                

Common unit interest

   $ 5,248     $ 3,752  

Senior subordinated unit interest

     3,391       3,248  

Junior subordinated unit interest

     544       561  
    


 


Total limited partners’ interest in net income

   $ 9,183     $ 7,561  
    


 


Net income per limited partner unit:

                

Basic

   $ 0.48     $ 0.49  
    


 


Diluted

   $ 0.46     $ 0.48  
    


 


Weighted average limited partners’ units outstanding:

                

Basic

     19,325       15,426  
    


 


Diluted

     19,779       15,610  
    


 


 

See accompanying notes.

 

    5     


INERGY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

(In Thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Common
Unit
Capital


   

Senior
Subordinated
Unit

Capital


   

Junior
Subordinated
Unit

Capital


    Non-Managing
General
Partner and
Affiliate


   

Total
Partners’

Capital


 

Balance at September 30, 2003

   $ 129,168     $ 46,842     $ (141 )   $ 3,114     $ 178,983  

Distributions

     (4,252 )     (2,747 )     (441 )     (348 )     (7,788 )

Comprehensive income:

                                        

Net income

     5,248       3,391       544       187       9,370  

Foreign currency translation

     22       14       2       1       39  
                                    


Comprehensive income

                                     9,409  
    


 


 


 


 


Balance at December 31, 2003

   $ 130,186     $ 47,500     $ (36 )   $ 2,954     $ 180,604  
    


 


 


 


 


 

See accompanying notes.

 

6


INERGY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In Thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,


 
     2003

    2002

 

Operating activities

                

Net income

   $ 9,370     $ 7,716  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

                

Depreciation

     3,374       2,337  

Amortization

     1,344       1,024  

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     502       344  

Provision for doubtful accounts

     82       147  

(Gain) loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

     (45 )     106  

Net asset (liabilities) from price risk management activities

     3,458       (2,102 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:

                

Accounts receivable

     (40,832 )     (25,960 )

Inventories

     (6,099 )     16,180  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (2,093 )     920  

Other assets

     5       (6 )

Accounts payable

     28,730       13,182  

Accrued expenses

     599       987  

Customer deposits

     (3,135 )     (1,854 )
    


 


Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     (4,740 )     13,021  

Investing activities

                

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

     (14,856 )     (13,510 )

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

     (3,353 )     (1,492 )

Deferred financing and acquisition costs incurred

     (26 )     (84 )

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

     612       86  
    


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (17,623 )     (15,000 )

 

7


INERGY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)

(In Thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,


 
     2003

    2002

 

Financing activities

                

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

   $ 81,267     $ 49,652  

Principal payments on long-term debt

     (48,116 )     (39,680 )

Distributions

     (7,788 )     (5,557 )
    


 


Net cash provided by financing activities

     25,363       4,415  
    


 


Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash

     39       —    
    


 


Net increase in cash

     3,039       2,436  

Cash at beginning of period

     3,528       2,088  
    


 


Cash at end of period

   $ 6,567     $ 4,524  
    


 


Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

                

Cash paid during the period for interest

   $ 2,280     $ 2,295  
    


 


Supplemental schedule of noncash investing and financing activities

                

Acquisition of NGL business through the issuance of obligations

   $ 1,970     $ —    
    


 


Additions to covenants not to compete through the issuance of noncompete obligations

   $ 387     $ 1,083  
    


 


Increase (decrease) in the fair value of senior secured notes and the related interest rate swap

   $ (548 )   $ 412  
    


 


 

See accompanying notes.

 

8


INERGY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Note 1 – Organization and Basis of Presentation

 

Organization

 

The consolidated financial statements of Inergy, L.P. (the “Company”) include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiary Inergy Propane, LLC which, collectively, are referred to as “Inergy.” Inergy Partners, LLC (the “Non-Managing General Partner”), an affiliate of Inergy Holdings, LLC (“Holdings”), owns the Non-Managing General Partner interest representing a 2% unsubordinated general partner’s interest in the Company. Inergy GP, LLC, (the “Managing General Partner”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Holdings, has sole responsibility for conducting our business and managing our operations. Holdings is a holding company whose principal business, through its subsidiaries, is its management of and ownership in Inergy, L.P. Holdings also directly owns the incentive distribution rights with respect to Inergy, L.P.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The financial information as of December 31, 2003 and for the three-month periods ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 contained herein is unaudited. The Company believes this information has been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. The Company also believes this information includes all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods then ended. The retail distribution business is largely seasonal due to propane’s primary use as a heating source in residential and commercial buildings. Accordingly, the results of operations for the three-month periods ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 are not indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for the entire year.

 

The accompanying financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of Inergy, L.P. and subsidiaries and the notes thereto included in Form 10-K/A as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended September 30, 2003.

 

9


INERGY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Note 2 – Accounting Policies

 

Financial Instruments and Price Risk Management

 

Inergy, through its wholesale operations, sells propane to various propane users, retailers, and resellers and offers price risk management services to these customers as part of its marketing and distribution operations. Inergy’s wholesale operations also sell propane to energy marketers and dealers. Derivative financial instruments utilized in connection with these activities are accounted for using the mark-to-market method in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” and Emerging Issues Task Force Issue (“EITF”) No. 02-3, “Issues Involved in Accounting for Contracts Held for Trading Purposes and Contracts Involved in Energy Trading and Risk Management Activities,” as discussed below and, prior to its October 2002 rescission effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2002, EITF No. 98-10, “Accounting for Contracts Involved in Energy Trading and Risk Management Activities.” Inergy’s overall objective for entering into such derivative financial instruments, including those designated as fair value hedges of Inergy’s inventory positions, is to manage its exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices and changes in the fair market value of its inventories.

 

SFAS No. 133 requires recognition of all derivative instruments in the balance sheets and measures them at fair value. If a derivative does not qualify for hedge accounting, it must be adjusted to fair value through earnings. Beginning in December 2002, certain of Inergy’s commodity derivative financial instruments have been designated as hedges of selected inventory positions, and qualify as fair value hedges, as defined in SFAS No. 133. For derivative instruments designated as hedges, Inergy uses regression analysis to formally assess, both at the hedge contract’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the hedge contract is highly effective in offsetting changes in fair value of hedged items. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges are reported in the balance sheet as price risk management assets or liabilities. The ineffective portions of hedging derivatives are recognized immediately in cost of product sold. At December 31, 2003, the fair value of approximately 36.8 million gallons of propane inventory was being hedged by various commodity derivatives with a fair value of $3.2 million recorded as a liability from price risk management activities in accordance with Inergy’s hedging strategies. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that are not designated as hedges are recorded in current period earnings in accordance with SFAS No. 133.

 

During the three months ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, Inergy recognized net gains of $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively, related to the ineffective portion of its hedging instruments and net gains of $0.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively, related to the portion of the hedging instruments Inergy excluded from its assessment of hedge effectiveness.

 

The cash flow impact of financial instruments is reflected as cash flows from operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

 

10


INERGY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Note 2 – Accounting Policies (continued)

 

In October 2002, the EITF reached a consensus in EITF No. 02-3 to rescind EITF No. 98-10, the basis for mark-to-market accounting used for recording energy trading activities. The October 2002 EITF consensus requires that all new energy-related contracts entered into subsequent to October 25, 2002 should not be accounted for pursuant to EITF No. 98-10. Instead, those contracts should be accounted for under accrual accounting and would not qualify for mark-to-market accounting unless the contracts meet the requirements stated under SFAS No. 133. The October 2002 EITF consensus also provides that inventory will no longer be accounted for using mark-to-market accounting and must be accounted for at the lower of cost or market. As noted above, Inergy has elected to use the special hedge accounting rules in SFAS No. 133 and hedge the fair value of certain of its inventory positions, whereby the hedged inventory and the related derivative instruments are both marked to market. Inventories purchased under energy contracts subsequent to October 25, 2002, and not otherwise designated as being hedged, as discussed above, are carried at the lower-of-cost or market effective January 1, 2003.

 

The effective date for the full rescission of EITF No. 98-10 was for quarterly periods beginning after December 15, 2002. The effect of the rescission of EITF No. 98-10 did not have a material impact on Inergy’s financial position or results of operations.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Sales of propane are recognized at the time product is shipped or delivered to the customer. Revenue from the sale of propane appliances and equipment is recognized at the time of sale or installation. Revenue from repairs and maintenance is recognized upon completion of the service.

 

Expense Classification

 

Cost of products sold include the actual cost of propane and other fuels, merchandise, production costs associated with our gas processing plant, and compensation and fuel costs associated with our transportation business. Operating and administrative expenses include all corporate and wholesale operating expenses, and all costs incurred to deliver products to our retail customers, including all retail branch operating expenses.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the year. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

11


INERGY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Note 2 – Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Inventories

 

Inventories for retail operations, which mainly consist of liquid propane, are stated at the lower of cost, determined using the average-cost method, or market. Prior to the adoption of EITF 02-3 in fiscal 2003, inventories for wholesale operations, which consist mainly of liquid propane commodities, were stated at market. At September 30, 2003, wholesale propane inventories are stated at the lower of cost, determined using the average-cost method, or market unless designated as being hedged by forward sales contracts, as discussed above, in which case the inventories are marked to market. Wholesale propane inventories being hedged and carried at market at December 31, 2003 amount to $28.9 million.

 

Inventories consist of (in thousands):

         
    

December 31,

2003


  

September 30,

2003


Propane gas and other liquids

   $ 38,568    $ 32,247

Appliances, parts and supplies

     3,525      3,475
    

  

     $ 42,093    $ 35,722
    

  

 

12


INERGY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Note 2 – Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Income Per Unit

 

Basic net income per limited partner unit is computed by dividing net income, after considering the Non-Managing General Partner’s interest, by the weighted average number of Common and Subordinated Units outstanding. Diluted net income per limited partner unit is computed by dividing net income, after considering the Non-Managing General Partner’s interest, by the weighted average number of Common and Subordinated Units outstanding and the dilutive effect of unit options granted under the long-term incentive plan. All limited partnership units and per limited partner unit amounts have been restated to reflect the two-for-one split which was effective January 12, 2004. See Note 4, Two-For-One Unit Split. The following table presents the calculation of basic and dilutive income per limited partner unit (in thousands, except per unit data):

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,


     2003

   2002

Numerator:

             

Net income

   $ 9,370    $ 7,716

Less: Non-Managing General Partner’s interest in net income

     187      155
    

  

Limited partners’ interest in net income – basic and diluted

   $ 9,183    $ 7,561
    

  

Denominator:

             

Weighted average limited partners’ units outstanding – basic

     19,325      15,426

Effect of dilutive unit options outstanding

     454      184
    

  

Weighted average limited partners’ units outstanding – dilutive

     19,779      15,610
    

  

Net income per limited partner unit:

             

Basic

   $ 0.48    $ 0.49
    

  

Diluted

   $ 0.46    $ 0.48
    

  

 

13


INERGY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Note 2 - Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Accounting for Unit-Based Compensation

 

Inergy has a unit-based employee compensation plan, which is accounted for under the recognition and measurement principles of APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” for all periods presented and presents 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.” No unit-based employee compensation cost is reflected in net income, as all options granted under the plan had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying Common Units on the date of grant. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and net income per limited partner unit as if Inergy had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” to unit-based employee compensation. For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of an option is amortized to expense over the option’s vesting period. Inergy’s pro forma information for each of the three month periods ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 is as follows (in thousands, except per unit data):

 

    

Three months ended

December 31,


     2003

   2002

Net income as reported

   $ 9,370    $ 7,716

Deduct: Total unit-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value method for all awards(1)

     59      45
    

  

Pro forma net income

   $ 9,311    $ 7,671
    

  

Pro forma limited partners’ interest in net income for the three month periods ended December 31, 2003 and 2002

   $ 9,124    $ 7,517
    

  

Net income per limited partner unit:

             

Basic – as reported

   $ 0.48    $ 0.49

Basic – pro forma

   $ 0.47    $ 0.49

Pro forma net income per limited partner unit:

             

Diluted – as reported

   $ 0.46    $ 0.48

Diluted – pro forma

   $ 0.46    $ 0.48

1 All awards refer to unit options granted, for which the fair value was required to be measured under SFAS No. 123.

 

14


INERGY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Note 2 – Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain reclassifications have been made to the consolidated financial statements for the three months ended December 31, 2002 to conform to the three months ended December 31, 2003.

 

Note 3 – Long-Term Debt

 

Long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     December 31,
2003


   September 30,
2003


Credit agreement:

             

Working Capital Facility

   $ 33,317    $ 15,500

Acquisition Facility

     41,250      25,524

Senior secured notes (including interest rate swap liability)

     85,717      86,265

Obligations under noncompetition agreements and notes to former owners of businesses acquired

     3,830      3,833

Other

     4      5
    

  

       164,118      131,127

Less current portion

     30,359      12,449
    

  

     $ 133,759    $ 118,678
    

  

 

Effective in July 2003, Inergy executed an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Amended Facility”) with its existing lenders in addition to others. The Amended Facility consists of a $50 million revolving working capital facility and a $150 million revolving acquisition facility. The Amended Facility expires in July 2006 and carries terms, conditions and covenants substantially similar to the previous credit agreement. The Amended Facility is also guaranteed by Inergy, L.P. and its subsidiary.

 

15


INERGY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Note 3 – Long-Term Debt (continued)

 

Inergy is required to reduce the principal outstanding on the revolving working capital line of credit to $4 million or less for a minimum of 30 consecutive days during the period commencing March 1 and ending September 30. As such, $4 million of the outstanding balance at December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2003 has been classified as a long-term liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. At December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2003, the balance outstanding under this amended credit facility was $74.6 million and $41.0 million, respectively, including $33.3 million and $15.5 million, respectively, under the working capital facility. The prime rate and LIBOR plus the applicable spreads were between 3.15% and 4.00% at December 31, 2003, and between 3.11% and 4.00% at September 30, 2003, for all outstanding debt under the credit agreement.

 

In June 2002, Inergy entered into a note purchase agreement with a group of institutional lenders pursuant to which it issued $85.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes with a weighted average interest rate of 9.07% and a weighted average maturity of 5.9 years. The senior secured notes consist of the following: $35 million principal amount of 8.85% senior secured notes with a 5-year maturity, $25.0 million principal amount of 9.10% senior secured notes with a 6-year maturity, and $25.0 million principal amount of 9.34% senior secured notes with a 7-year maturity. The net proceeds from these senior secured notes were used to repay a portion of the amount outstanding under the credit facility. These notes were repaid in full in January 2004. See Note 8, Subsequent Events.

 

The credit agreement and the senior secured notes contain several covenants which, among other things, require the maintenance of various financial performance ratios, restrict the payment of distributions to unitholders, and require financial reports to be submitted periodically to the financial institutions. Unused borrowings under the credit agreement amounted to $120.0 million and $154.9 million at December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2003, respectively.

 

The aggregate amounts of principal to be paid on the outstanding long-term debt during the next five years ending December 31 and thereafter, are as follows, in thousands of dollars:

 

2004

   $ 30,359

2005

     605

2006

     45,690

2007

     36,051

2008

     25,632

Thereafter

     25,781
    

     $ 164,118
    

 

16


INERGY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Note 3 – Long-Term Debt (continued)

 

In August 2002, the Operating Company entered into two interest rate swap agreements scheduled to mature in June 2008 and June 2009, respectively, each designed to hedge $10 million in underlying fixed rate senior secured notes, in order to manage interest rate risk exposure and reduce overall interest expense. In October 2002, the Operating Company entered into three additional interest rate swap agreements scheduled to mature in June 2007, June 2008, and June 2009 each designed to hedge $5 million in underlying fixed rate senior secured notes. These swap agreements, which expire on the same dates as the maturity dates of the related senior secured notes, require the counterparty to pay us an amount based on the stated fixed interest rate on the notes due every three months. In exchange, the Operating Company is required to make quarterly floating interest rate payments on the same dates to the counterparty based on an annual interest rate equal to the 3 month LIBOR interest rate plus spreads between 4.83% and 5.02% applied to the same notional amount of $35 million. The swap agreements have been recognized as fair value hedges. Amounts to be received or paid under the agreements are accrued and recognized over the life of the agreements as an adjustment to interest expense. The Partnership recognized the approximate $0.7 million and $1.3 million increases in the fair market value of the related senior secured notes at December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2003, respectively, with a corresponding increase in the fair value of its interest rate swaps, which are recorded in other non-current assets. In January 2004, all interest rate swap agreements were cancelled in conjunction with the repayment of $85 million of senior secured notes. See Note 8, Subsequent Events.

 

Note 4 – Two-for-One Unit Split

 

On December 10, 2003, the Board of Directors of the Managing General Partner declared a two-for-one split of the outstanding common and subordinated units. The split entitled unitholders of record at the close of business on January 2, 2004 to receive one additional unit for each unit held as of such date. The distribution was made on January 12, 2004. The unit split required retroactive restatement of all historical per unit data in the consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended December 31, 2003. The effect of the split was to double the number of all outstanding units and to reduce by half the minimum quarterly per unit distribution and the targeted distribution levels.

 

17


INERGY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Note 5 – Quarterly Distributions of Available Cash

 

On November 14, 2003, a quarterly distribution of $0.385 per limited partner unit was paid to its unitholders of record on November 7, 2003 with respect to the fourth fiscal quarter of 2003, which totaled $7.8 million. Inergy will distribute $0.395 per limited partner unit on February 13, 2004 to unitholders of record on February 6, 2004, for a total distribution of $9.5 million with respect to its first fiscal quarter of 2004.

 

On November 14, 2002, a quarterly distribution of $0.350 per limited partner unit was paid to its unitholders of record on November 7, 2002 with respect to the fourth fiscal quarter of 2002, which totaled $5.6 million. Inergy distributed $0.3575 per limited partner unit on February 14, 2003 to unitholders of record on February 7, 2003, for a total distribution of $5.7 million with respect to its first fiscal quarter of 2003.

 

Note 6 – Commitments and Contingencies

 

Inergy periodically enters into agreements to purchase fixed quantities of propane at fixed prices with suppliers. At December 31, 2003, the total of these firm purchase commitments was approximately $78.8 million.

 

At December 31, 2003, Inergy was contingently liable for letters of credit outstanding totaling $5.4 million, which guarantees various transactions.

 

Inergy is periodically involved in litigation. The results of litigation cannot be predicted with certainty; however, management believes that Inergy does not have material potential liability in connection with these proceedings that would have a significant financial impact on its consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

 

18


INERGY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Note 7 – Segments

 

Inergy’s financial statements reflect two reportable segments: retail sales operations and wholesale sales operations. Retail sales operations include all retail operations and transportation services. Wholesale sales operations include wholesale supply, marketing and distribution, and the recently acquired natural gas processing and NGL fractionation operations. Revenues, gross profit and identifiable assets for each of our reportable segments are presented below.

 

The identifiable assets associated with each reportable segment include accounts receivable and inventories. The net asset/liability from price risk management, as reported in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, is related to the wholesale segment.

 

The following segment information is presented in thousands of dollars:

 

     Three Months Ended December 31, 2003

    

Retail

Sales

Operations


  

Wholesale

Sales

Operations


  

Intersegment

Eliminations


   

Total


          
          

Revenues

   $ 64,379    $ 95,681    $ (27,479 )   $ 132,581

Gross profit

     31,815      5,912      (610 )     37,117

Identifiable assets

     25,098      79,771              104,869
    

 

Three Months Ended December 31, 2002


    

Retail

Sales

Operations


  

Wholesale

Sales

Operations


  

Intersegment

Eliminations


   

Total


          
          

Revenues

   $ 51,384    $ 76,327    $ (18,021 )   $ 109,690

Gross profit

     25,910      2,499      (270 )     28,139

Identifiable assets

     24,150      40,471      —         64,621

 

19


INERGY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Note 8 – Subsequent Events

 

In January 2004, Inergy completed a two-for-one unit split to unitholders of record on January 2, 2004, effective January 12, 2004. The stock split requires retroactive restatement of all historical unit and per unit data for the first quarter ended December 31, 2003, and is presented accordingly in this Form 10-Q.

 

In January and February 2004, Inergy issued 3,625,000 common units in a follow-on offering, resulting in proceeds of approximately $83.3 million, net of underwriters’ discounts, commissions, and offering expenses. Additionally, Inergy Partners, LLC contributed $1.8 million in cash to Inergy, L.P. in conjunction with the issuance in order to maintain its 2% non-managing general partner interest. These funds were used to repay indebtedness under our revolving credit facility, which was incurred for acquisitions and funding of growth capital expenditures and, together with net new borrowings under the revolving credit facility, to repay in full $85.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes, plus a prepayment premium of approximately $18.0 million. All interest rate swap agreements were cancelled in conjunction with the repayment of $85 million of senior secured notes. The prepayment premium of $18.0 million will be expensed in the quarter ended March 31, 2004 together with the write-off of the $1.2 million deferred financing costs associated with the senior secured notes, partially offset by a $0.9 million gain from the cancellation of the interest rate swaps.

 

20


Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation

 

Our “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of Inergy should be read in conjunction with the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003 of Inergy, L.P.

 

The statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that are not historical facts, including most importantly, those statements preceded by, or that include the words “may”, “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates” or the negation thereof, or similar expressions, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the Reform Act). Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that we believe entering the mid-stream gas processing and NGL business complements our existing operations and the sufficiency of cash received from operations and borrowings to meet our foreseeable liquidity needs. Such forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the following: weather in our area of operations; market price of propane; availability of financing; changes in, or failure to comply with, government regulations; the costs, uncertainties and other effects of legal and administrative proceedings and other risks and uncertainties detailed in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings. For those statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Reform Act. We will not undertake and specifically decline any obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect events or circumstances after anticipated or unanticipated events.

 

Overview

 

We are a rapidly growing retail and wholesale propane marketing and distribution business. We have grown primarily through acquisitions of retail propane companies, and to a lesser extent, through internal growth. In October 2003, we acquired from EOTT Energy, L.P. its West Coast natural gas liquids (NGL) business (Inergy Services), which includes gas processing, fractionation, above-ground NGL storage, truck and rail distribution facilities, and a NGL transportation fleet all located in south central California. In October 2003, we also acquired the assets of two retail propane companies; Smith Propane, with headquarters in La Crosse, Virginia and Peoples Gas and Appliance, with headquarters in Beaufont, South Carolina. In November 2003, we acquired the assets of another retail propane company, Pembroke Propane, with headquarters in Pembroke, Georgia. In December 2003, we acquired certain assets of two retail propane companies in the southeast. These six companies generated revenue during the 12 months ended September 30, 2003, of less than 10% of our consolidated revenue during fiscal 2003, and represents less than 10% of consolidated assets and partners’ capital.

 

The retail distribution business is largely seasonal due to propane’s primary use as a heating source in residential and commercial buildings. As a result, operating income is highest when customers purchase propane during the six-month peak heating season of October through March, and we generally experience net losses from April through September. During the quarter ended December 31, 2003, the

 

21


weather was approximately 14% warmer in our retail areas of operations as compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2002, and approximately 10% warmer than normal.

 

The retail propane business is a “margin-based” business where the level of profitability is largely dependent on the difference between sales prices and product cost. The unit cost of propane is subject to volatile changes as a result of product supply or other market conditions. Propane unit cost changes can occur rapidly over a short period of time and can impact margins as sales prices may not change as rapidly. There is no assurance that we will be able to fully pass on product cost increases, particularly when product costs increase rapidly. We have generally been successful in passing on higher propane costs to our customers and have historically maintained or increased our gross margin per gallon in periods of rising costs. During the quarter ended December 31, 2003, we increased our average retail margin per gallon by 9% over the same period in 2002.

 

We believe our wholesale supply, marketing and distribution business complements our retail distribution business. Through our wholesale operations, we distribute propane and also offer price risk management services. We engage in hedging transactions to reduce the effect of price volatility on our product costs and to help ensure the availability of propane during periods of short supply. In October 2003, we expanded our wholesale and supply operations by acquiring Inergy Services, which includes natural gas processing, NGL fractionation, NGL rail and truck terminals, bulk storage, trucking and marketing operations. We believe Inergy Services complements our existing U.S. and Canadian wholesale and supply operations. Our wholesale profit margin during the quarter ended December 31, 2003 was $5.3 million, an increase from the same period in 2002 of $2.2 million. This increase was primarily attributable to our Inergy Services acquisition, and growth of our existing wholesale operations.

 

Three Months Ended December 31, 2003 Compared to Three Months Ended December 31, 2002

 

Volume. During the three months ended December 31, 2003, we sold 42.5 million retail gallons of propane, an increase of 15% over the 36.9 million retail gallons sold during the same three-month period in 2002. The increase in retail sales volume was principally due to acquisitions, partially offset by lower retail gallon sales at existing locations as a result of weather in the current year’s quarter that was approximately 14% warmer than the prior year’s quarter in our retail areas of operations.

 

Wholesale gallons delivered during the three months ended December 31, 2003 was 110.3 million gallons, as compared to 97.8 million gallons during the same three-month period in 2002. This increase was primarily attributable to expansion of our existing wholesale operations.

 

Revenues. Revenues in the three months ended December 31, 2003 were $132.6 million, an increase from $109.7 million during the same period in 2002.

 

Revenues from retail sales were $62.3 million (after elimination of sales to our wholesale operations) in the three months ended December 31, 2003, an increase from $49.5 million during the same three-month period in 2002. This increase was primarily attributable to acquisition-related volume and higher selling prices of propane, as the result of the higher cost of propane. Revenues from retail sales consist of retail propane sales, transportation revenues, tank rentals, heating oil sales, and appliance sales and service.

 

22


Revenues from wholesale sales were $70.3 million (after elimination of sales to our retail operations) in the three months ended December 31, 2003, compared to $60.2 million during the same three-month period in 2002. This increase was primarily attributable to our Inergy Services acquisition and the volume increase generated in our wholesale operations.

 

Cost of Product Sold. Cost of product sold in the three months ended December 31, 2003 was $95.5 million, compared to $81.6 million in the same period in 2002. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in retail acquisition-related volume, production costs associated with our Inergy Services acquisition, and wholesale volume.

 

Gross Profit. Retail gross profit was $31.8 million (after elimination of gross profit attributable to our wholesale operations) in the three months ended December 31, 2003 compared to $25.9 million during the same three-month period in 2002. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in acquisition-related volume and an increase in margin per gallon. Wholesale gross profit was $5.3 million (after elimination of gross profit attributable to our retail operations) in the three months ended December 31, 2003 compared to $2.2 million in fiscal 2002. This increase was attributable to the Inergy Services acquisition, increased wholesale volumes as described above, and an increase in margin per gallon.

 

Operating and Administrative Expenses. Operating and administrative expenses increased to $20.3 million in the three months ended December 31, 2003 as compared to $14.3 million in the same three-month period in 2002. This increase was primarily attributable to increased personnel and operating expenses as a result of acquisitions.

 

Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased to $4.7 million in the three months ended December 31, 2003 from $3.4 million in the same three-month period in 2002, primarily as a result of acquisition activity.

 

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased to $2.9 million in the three month period ended December 31, 2003 as compared to $2.6 million in the same period of 2002. Interest expense increased primarily due to additional deferred financing costs and an increase in debt outstanding, partially offset by a decrease in interest rates.

 

Net Income. Net income increased to $9.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2003 from $7.7 million in the same three-month period in 2002. Net income increased as a result of the accretive earnings associated with our retail acquisitions and our Inergy Services acquisition, an increase in our wholesale operations, partially offset by a decrease in retail propane gross profit from existing locations as a result of lesser retail gallons associated with the warmer weather.

 

EBITDA. For the three months ended December 31, 2003, income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization was $17.0 million compared to $13.8 million in the same period in 2002. EBITDA is defined as income before taxes, plus net interest expense and depreciation and amortization expense. EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to net income, income before income taxes, cash flows from operating activities, or any other measure of financial performance calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as those items are used to measure operating performance, liquidity or ability to service debt obligations. EBITDA is presented because such information is relevant and is used by management, industry analysts, investors, lenders and rating

 

23


agencies to assess the financial performance and operating results of our fundamental business activities. We believe that the presentation of EBITDA is useful to lenders and investors because of its use in the propane industry and for master limited partnerships as an indicator of the strength and performance of the ongoing business operations, including the ability to fund capital expenditures, service debt and pay distributions. Additionally, we believe that EBITDA provides useful information to our investors for trending, analyzing and benchmarking our operating results as compared to other companies that may have different financing and capital structures. The presentation of EBITDA allows investors to view our performance in a manner similar to the methods used by management and provides additional insight to our operating results.

 

    

Three Months Ended

December 31,


     2003

   2002

     (in thousands)

EBITDA:

      

Net income

   $ 9,370    $ 7,716

Interest expense, net

     2,896      2,640

Provision for income taxes

     31      50

Depreciation and amortization

     4,718      3,361
    

  

EBITDA

   $ 17,015    $ 13,767
    

  

 

Liquidity and Sources of Capital

 

Cash flows used in operating activities of $4.7 million in the three months ended December 31, 2003 consisted primarily of: net income of $9.4 million, net non-cash charges of $5.3 million (principally related to depreciation and amortization of $4.7 million), and a decrease in cash flows of $19.4 million associated with the changes in operating assets and liabilities, including assets and liabilities from price risk management activities. The use of cash associated with the changes in operating assets and liabilities is primarily due to the $40.8 million increase in accounts receivable and $6.1 million increase in propane inventory, partially offset by an increase of $28.7 million in accounts payable. These changes are attributable to the seasonal nature of our business and our retail and wholesale growth. Cash flows provided by operations of $13.0 million in the same three-month period of 2002 consisted primarily of net income of $7.7 million, net non-cash charges of $4.0 million (principally related to depreciation and amortization of $3.4 million) and $1.3 million associated with the changes in operating assets and liabilities, including net liabilities from price risk management activities. The source of cash associated with the changes in operating assets and liabilities in the 2002 period was due primarily to the $16.2 million reduction in inventory and $13.2 million increase in accounts payable, partially offset by the $26.0 million increase in accounts receivable. Net cash used in operating activities during the quarter ended December 31, 2003 exceeded the same period in 2002 by $17.7 million, due primarily to a $6.1 million increase in inventories during the first fiscal quarter of 2003 as compared to $16.2 million reduction in inventories in the same period of 2002. The primary reasons for the inventory differences were the lesser relative gallon sales for the size of the company due to the warmer weather in the quarter ended December 31, 2003 versus the quarter ended December 31, 2002; and we began the prior year’s quarter with a greater volume of propane inventory on hand as compared to the current year’s quarter, resulting in a net build of inventory in the current year quarter versus a net use of inventory in the prior year quarter.

 

24


Cash used in investing activities was $17.6 million in the three months ended December 31, 2003 as compared to $15.0 million in the same period of 2002. Investing activities during the three months ended December 31, 2003 included a use of cash of $14.9 million for the acquisitions of EOTT Energy, L.P.’s West Coast NGL business and five retail propane companies, and $3.4 million of purchases of property, plant and equipment. Investing activities in the 2002 period included a use of cash of $13.5 million, for the acquisitions of three retail companies and $1.5 million of purchases of property, plant and equipment.

 

Cash provided by financing activities was $25.4 million in the three months ended December 31, 2003, compared to $4.4 million in cash provided by financing activities in the same period of 2002. Cash provided by financing activities in 2003 included net borrowings of $33.2 million compared to net borrowings of $10.0 million in 2002, under long-term debt agreements, including borrowings and repayments of our revolving working capital and acquisition credit facility. Cash paid as distributions to unitholders was $7.8 million and $5.6 million in the three months ended 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

The following table summarizes our company’s long-term debt and operating lease obligations as of December 31, 2003 in thousands of dollars:

 

     Total

  

Less than

1 year


   1-3 years

   4-5 years

  

After

5 years


Aggregate amount of principal to be paid on the outstanding long-term debt

   $ 164,118    $ 30,359    $ 46,295    $ 61,683    $ 25,781

Future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases

     10,755      2,926      4,306      3,019      504

Standby letters of credit

     5,401      5,401      –        –        –  

 

In January and February 2004, Inergy issued 3,625,000 common units in a follow-on offering, resulting in proceeds of approximately $83.3 million, net of underwriters’ discounts, commissions, and offering expenses. Additionally, Inergy Partners, LLC contributed $1.8 million in cash to Inergy, L.P. in conjunction with the issuance in order to maintain its 2% non-managing general partner interest. These funds were used to repay indebtedness under our revolving credit facility, which was incurred for acquisitions and funding of growth capital expenditures and, together with net new borrowings under the revolving credit facility, to repay in full $85.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes, plus a prepayment premium of approximately $18.0 million. All interest rate swap agreements were cancelled in conjunction with the repayment of $85 million of senior secured notes.

 

25


The following table summarizes the change in the unrealized fair value of our propane contracts related to our risk management activities for the three months ended December 31, 2003 where settlement has not yet occurred (in thousands of dollars):

 

    

Three Months Ended

December 31, 2003


 

Net unrealized gains in fair value of contracts outstanding at beginning of period

   $ 3,104  

Other unrealized losses recognized

     (4,175 )

Less: realized gains recognized

     717  
    


Net unrealized losses in fair value of contracts outstanding at December 31, 2003

   $ (354 )
    


 

Of the outstanding unrealized loss as of December 31, 2003, contracts with a maturity of less than one year totaled $(0.4) million, and contracts maturing in excess of one year totaled less than $0.1 million.

 

We believe that anticipated cash from operations and borrowings under our amended and restated credit facility described below will be sufficient to meet our liquidity needs for the foreseeable future. If our plans or assumptions change or are inaccurate, or we make any acquisitions, we may need to raise additional capital. We may not be able to raise additional funds or may not be able to raise such funds on favorable terms.

 

Seasonality

 

The retail market for propane is seasonal because it is used primarily for heating in residential and commercial buildings. Approximately three-quarters of our retail propane volume is sold during the peak heating season from October through March. Consequently, sales and operating profits are generated mostly in the first and fourth calendar quarters of each year.

 

Description of Credit Facility

 

Effective July 2003, Inergy executed an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Amended Facility”) with its existing lenders in addition to others. The Amended Facility consists of a $50 million revolving working capital facility and a $150 million revolving acquisition facility. The Amended Facility expires in July 2006 and carries terms, conditions and covenants substantially similar to the previous credit agreement. The Amended Facility is guaranteed by Inergy, L.P. and its subsidiary.

 

This credit agreement accrues interest at either prime rate or LIBOR plus applicable spreads, resulting in interest rates of 3.15% to 4.00% at December 31, 2003. At December 31, 2003, borrowings outstanding under the credit facility were $74.6 million, including $33.3 million under the revolving working capital facility. Of the outstanding credit facility balance of $74.6 million, $45.3 million is classified as long term in the accompanying 2003 consolidated balance sheet. At February 2, 2004, the borrowings outstanding under the credit facility were $79.7 million, including $11.6 million under the revolving working capital facility.

 

26


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

We have long-term debt and a revolving line of credit subject to the risk of loss associated with movements in interest rates. At December 31, 2003, we had floating rate obligations totaling approximately $74.6 million for amounts borrowed under our credit agreement and an additional $35.0 million of floating rate obligations as a result of interest rate swap agreements as discussed below. These floating rate obligations expose us to the risk of increased interest expense in the event of increases in short-term interest rates.

 

Our operating company has five interest rate swap agreements designed to hedge $35.0 million of our fixed rate senior secured notes, in order to manage interest rate risk exposure and attempt to reduce overall interest expense. The swap agreements, which expire on the same dates as the maturity dates of the related senior secured notes, require the counterparties to pay us an amount based on the stated fixed interest rate on the notes due every three months. In exchange, our operating company is required to make quarterly floating interest rate payments on the same dates to the counterparties based on an annual interest rate equal to the 3 month LIBOR interest rate plus an average spread of approximately 5.00% applied to the same notional amount of $35.0 million. The swap agreements have been recognized as fair value hedges. Amounts to be received or paid under the agreements are accrued and recognized over the life of the agreements as an adjustment to interest expense. At December 31, 2003, we have recognized the approximate $0.7 million increase in the fair market value of the related senior secured notes with a corresponding increase in the fair value of its interest rate swaps, which is recorded in other non-current assets. Approximately $0.5 million decrease in value of the amount related to the three months ended December 31, 2003.

 

If the floating rate were to increase by 100 basis points from December 2003 levels, our interest expense would increase by a total of approximately $1.1 million per year.

 

Propane Price, Market and Credit Risk

 

Inherent in our contractual portfolio are certain business risks, including market risk and credit risk. Market risk is the risk that the value of the portfolio will change, either favorably or unfavorably, in response to changing market conditions. Credit risk is the risk of loss from nonperformance by suppliers, customers or financial counterparties to a contract. We take an active role in managing and controlling market and credit risk and have established control procedures, which are reviewed on an ongoing basis. We monitor market risk through a variety of techniques, including daily reporting of the portfolio’s position to senior management. We attempt to minimize credit risk exposure through credit policies and periodic monitoring procedures. The counterparties associated with assets from price risk management activities are propane retailers, resellers and consumers and energy marketers and dealers.

 

The propane industry is a “margin-based” business in which gross profits depend on the excess of sales prices over supply costs. As a result, our profitability will be sensitive to changes in wholesale prices of propane caused by changes in supply or other market conditions. When there are sudden and sharp increases in the wholesale cost of propane, we may not be able to pass on these increases to our customers through retail or wholesale prices. Propane is a commodity and the price we pay for it can

 

27


fluctuate significantly in response to supply or other market conditions. We have no control over supply or market conditions. In addition, the timing of cost pass-throughs can significantly affect margins. Sudden and extended wholesale price increases could reduce our gross profits and could, if continued over an extended period of time, reduce demand by encouraging our retail customers to conserve or convert to alternative energy sources.

 

We engage in hedging transactions, including various types of forward contracts, options, swaps and future contracts, to reduce the effect of price volatility on our product costs, protect the value of our inventory positions, and to help ensure the availability of propane during periods of short supply. We attempt to balance our contractual portfolio by purchasing volumes only when we have a matching purchase commitment from our wholesale customers. However, we may experience net unbalanced positions from time to time which we believe to be immaterial in amount. In addition to our ongoing policy to maintain a balanced position, for accounting purposes we are required, on an ongoing basis, to track and report the market value of our purchase obligations and our sales commitments.

 

Notional Amounts and Terms

 

The notional amounts and terms of these financial instruments as of December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2003 include fixed price payor for 3.5 million and 3.0 million barrels of propane, respectively, and fixed price receiver for 4.4 million and 4.8 million barrels of propane, respectively. Notional amounts reflect the volume of transactions, but do not represent the amounts exchanged by the parties to the financial instruments. Accordingly, notional amounts do not accurately measure our exposure to market or credit risks.

 

Fair Value

 

The fair value of the derivative financial instruments related to price risk management activities as of December 31, 2003, and September 30, 2003 was assets of $15.0 million and $8.9 million related primarily to propane, respectively, and liabilities of $15.4 million and $5.8 million related primarily to propane, respectively. All intercompany transactions have been appropriately eliminated. The market prices used to value these transactions reflect management’s best estimate considering various factors including closing exchange and over-the-counter quotations, recent transactions, time value and volatility factors underlying the commitments.

 

Sensitivity Analysis

 

A theoretical change of 10% in the underlying commodity value would result in an approximate $0.2 million change in the market value of the contracts as there were approximately 3.8 million gallons of net unbalanced positions at December 31, 2003.

 

28


Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

The Company maintains controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the rules and forms of the SEC, and that information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such terms are defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act). Based upon that evaluation, management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were adequate and effective as of December 31, 2003. There have been no change in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13(e)-15 or Rule 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) or in other factors during the Company’s fiscal quarter covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting, and there have been no corrective actions with respect to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in our internal controls.

 

29


PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

None.

 

Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

In January and February 2004, Inergy issued 3,625,000 common units in a follow-on offering, resulting in proceeds of approximately $83.3 million, net of underwriters’ discounts, commissions, and offering expenses. Additionally, Inergy Partners, LLC contributed $1.8 million in cash to Inergy, L.P. in conjunction with the issuance in order to maintain its 2% non-managing general partner interest. These funds were used to repay indebtedness under our revolving credit facility, which was incurred for acquisitions and funding of growth capital expenditures and, together with net new borrowings under the revolving credit facility, to repay in full $85.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes, plus a prepayment premium of approximately $18.0 million.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

None.

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

None.

 

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

(a) Exhibits

3.1    Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Inergy, L.P.
10.1    Amended and Restated Inergy Unit Purchase Plan.
31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Inergy, L.P. pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Inergy, L.P. pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Inergy, L.P. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Inergy, L.P. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

30


(b) Inergy filed three reports on Form 8-K pertaining to the three months ended December 31, 2003:

 

Form 8-K/A dated October 14, 2003, was filed disclosing the acquisition of substantially all of the propane assets of United Propane, Inc. of Millersville, Maryland.

 

Form 8-K dated November 21, 2003, was filed regarding the issuance of a press release reporting its fourth quarter 2003 financial results.

 

Form 8-K dated December 10, 2003, was filed disclosing a two-for-one split of its outstanding partnership units.

 

31


SIGNATURE

 

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

 

       

INERGY, L.P.

        By:  

INERGY GP, LLC

(its managing general partner)

Date: February 13, 2004

      By:   /s/    R. BROOKS SHERMAN, JR.        
           
           

R. Brooks Sherman, Jr.

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer and Principal
Accounting Officer)

 

32