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8-K - FORM 8-K - NuStar GP Holdings, LLCd290632d8k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

NuStar GP Holdings, LLC Increases Fourth Quarter 2011 Distribution

2011 Total Distributions 5.9% Higher than 2010

2012 Results Should Benefit from NuStar Energy Internal Growth Projects

SAN ANTONIO, January 27, 2012—NuStar GP Holdings, LLC (NYSE: NSH) today announced that distributable cash flow available to unitholders for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $21.5 million, or $0.51 per unit, compared to $19.6 million, or $0.46 per unit, for the fourth quarter of 2010. For the year ended December 31, 2011, distributable cash flow available to unitholders was $84.3 million, or $1.98 per unit, compared to $79.6 million, or $1.87 per unit in 2010.

Fourth quarter 2011 net income was $19.0 million, or $0.45 per unit, compared to $15.3 million, or $0.35 per unit, for the fourth quarter of 2010. For the year ended December 31, 2011, net income was $69.6 million, or $1.64 per unit, compared to $72.5 million, or $1.70 per unit in 2010.

With respect to the quarterly distribution to unitholders for the fourth quarter of 2011, NuStar GP Holdings, LLC announced that its board of directors has declared a distribution of $0.51 per unit. This quarterly distribution represents an increase of $0.015 per unit, or 3%, over the $0.495 distribution for the third quarter of 2011. The fourth quarter 2011 distribution will be paid on February 14, 2012, to holders of record as of February 7, 2012.

“Due primarily to the approximate 2% increase in NuStar Energy L.P’s 2011 distribution and the cash flow benefits realized as a result of NuStar Energy L.P. issuing equity during the fourth quarter of 2011, NuStar GP Holdings, LLC was able to increase its 2011 total distributions by 5.9%. Total 2011 declared distributions of $1.98 per unit were $0.11 per unit higher than the $1.87 per unit distribution declared in 2010,” said Curt Anastasio, President and Chief Executive Officer of NuStar Energy L.P. and NuStar GP Holdings, LLC.

Anastasio added, “In 2012, NuStar GP Holdings, LLC should benefit from increased EBITDA at NuStar Energy L.P. Internal growth projects completed in 2011 and 2012 by NuStar Energy L.P. should be the major contributors to the increase in EBITDA.”

 

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A conference call with management is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. ET (9:00 a.m. CT) today, January 27, 2012, to discuss the financial results for the fourth quarter of 2011. Investors interested in listening to the presentation may call 800/622-7620, passcode 39023181. International callers may access the presentation by dialing 706/645-0327, passcode 39023181. The company intends to have a playback available following the presentation, which may be accessed by calling 800/642-1687, passcode 39023181. A live broadcast of the conference call will also be available on the company’s Web site at www.nustargpholdings.com.

NuStar GP Holdings, LLC is a publicly traded limited liability company that owns the two percent general partner interest, a 14.3 percent limited partner interest and the incentive distribution rights in NuStar Energy L.P., one of the largest asphalt refiners and marketers in the U.S. and the second largest independent liquids terminal operator in the nation with operations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, including St. Eustatius in the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and Turkey. For more information, visit NuStar GP Holdings, LLC’s Web site at www.nustargpholdings.com.

This release serves as qualified notice to nominees under Treasury Regulation Sections 1.1446-4(b)(4) and (d). Please note that 100% of NuStar’s distributions to foreign investors are attributable to income that is effectively connected with a United States trade or business. Accordingly, all of NuStar’s distributions to foreign investors are subject to federal income tax withholding at the highest effective tax rate for individuals and corporations, as applicable. Nominees, and not NuStar, are treated as the withholding agents responsible for withholding on the distributions received by them on behalf of foreign investors.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding future events. All forward-looking statements are based on the company’s beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the company. These statements reflect the company’s current views with respect to future events and are subject to various risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions are discussed in NuStar Energy L.P. and NuStar GP Holdings, LLC’s 2010 annual reports on Form 10-K and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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NuStar GP Holdings, LLC

Consolidated Financial Information

(Unaudited, Thousands of Dollars, Except Unit and Per Unit Data)

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,
    Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2011     2010     2011     2010  

Statement of Income Data:

        

Equity in earnings of NuStar Energy L.P.

   $ 12,526      $ 15,416      $ 65,783      $ 66,859   

General and administrative expenses

     (1,063     (1,063     (3,298     (3,184

Other income, net

     7,877        1,440        7,320        9,475   

Interest expense, net

     (111     (204     (570     (1,106
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income tax (expense) benefit

     19,229        15,589        69,235        72,044   

Income tax (expense) benefit

     (199     (282     401        419   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 19,030      $ 15,307      $ 69,636      $ 72,463   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net income per unit

   $ 0.45      $ 0.35      $ 1.64      $ 1.70   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity in Earnings of NuStar Energy L.P.:

        

General partner interest

   $ 409      $ 859      $ 3,703      $ 4,113   

General partner incentive distribution

     9,816        8,568        36,319        33,304   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

General partner’s interest in earnings and incentive distributions of NuStar Energy L.P.

     10,225        9,427        40,022        37,417   

Limited partner interest in earnings of NuStar Energy L.P.

     3,022        6,710        28,645        32,326   

Amortization of step-up in basis related to NuStar

        

Energy L.P.’s assets and liabilities

     (721     (721     (2,884     (2,884
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity in earnings of NuStar Energy L.P.

   $ 12,526      $ 15,416      $ 65,783      $ 66,859   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributable Cash Flow (Note 1):

        

Cash distributions from NuStar Energy L.P. associated with:

        

General partner interest

   $ 1,782      $ 1,592      $ 6,630      $ 6,227   

General partner incentive distribution

     9,816        8,568        36,326        33,304   

Limited partner interest—common units

     11,292        11,038        44,842        43,924   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions from NuStar Energy L.P.

     22,890        21,198        87,798        83,455   

Deduct expenses of NuStar GP Holdings, LLC:

        

General and administrative expenses

     (1,063     (1,063     (3,298     (3,184

Income tax (expense) benefit

     (199     (282     401        419   

Interest expense, net

     (111     (204     (570     (1,106
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributable cash flow

   $ 21,517      $ 19,649      $ 84,331      $ 79,584   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common units outstanding

     42,550,358        42,526,518        42,546,096        42,517,525   

Distributable cash flow per unit

   $ 0.51      $ 0.46      $ 1.98      $ 1.87   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash distributions to be paid to the unitholders of NuStar GP Holdings, LLC:

        

Distribution per unit

   $ 0.51      $ 0.48      $ 1.98      $ 1.87   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distribution

   $ 21,708      $ 20,422      $ 84,252      $ 79,517   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 


NuStar GP Holdings, LLC

Consolidated Financial Information—Continued

(Unaudited, Thousands of Dollars)

Notes:

 

1. NuStar GP Holdings, LLC utilizes distributable cash flow as a financial measure, which is not defined in United States generally accepted accounting principles. Management uses this financial measure because it is a widely accepted financial indicator used by investors to compare general partner performance. In addition, management believes that this measure provides investors an enhanced perspective of the ability to make a minimum quarterly distribution. Distributable cash flow is not intended to represent cash flows for the period, nor is it presented as an alternative to net income. It should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for a measure of performance prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles.

The following is a reconciliation of net income to distributable cash flow and net cash provided by operating activities:

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,
    Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2011     2010     2011     2010  

Net Income

   $ 19,030      $ 15,307      $ 69,636      $ 72,463   

Less equity in earnings of NuStar Energy L.P.

     (12,526     (15,416     (65,783     (66,859

Plus cash distributions from NuStar Energy L.P.

     22,890        21,198        87,798        83,455   

Other income, net

     (7,877     (1,440     (7,320     (9,475
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributable cash flow

     21,517        19,649        84,331        79,584   

Less cash distributions from NuStar Energy L.P.

     (22,890     (21,198     (87,798     (83,455

Plus distributions of equity in earnings of NuStar Energy L.P.

     12,526        15,416        65,783        66,859   

Net effect of changes in operating accounts

     215        6        2,014        8,837   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 11,368      $ 13,873      $ 64,330      $ 71,825