Attached files

file filename
8-K - FORM 8-K - Alliance Holdings GP, L.P.a14-17834_18k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

CONTACT:

Brian L. Cantrell

Alliance Holdings GP, L.P.

1717 South Boulder Avenue, Suite 400

Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119

(918) 295-7673

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

ALLIANCE HOLDINGS GP, L.P.

Reports Record Quarterly Financial Results and Increases Quarterly Distribution by 2.7% to $0.87 Per Unit

 

TULSA, OKLAHOMA, July 28, 2014 — Alliance Holdings GP, L.P. (NASDAQ: AHGP) today reported record quarterly financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 (the “2014 Quarter”).  On the strength of record results by its operating subsidiary, Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. (NASDAQ: ARLP), AHGP’s net income rose 26.8% to a record $77.3 million, or net income per basic and diluted limited partner interest of $1.29 per unit, an increase of 26.5% compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2013 (the “2013 Quarter”).  (Operating results for AHGP reflect those of the operating subsidiaries of ARLP and, as a result, AHGP reports its financial results on a consolidated basis with the financial results of ARLP.  For a discussion of net income presentation, please see the end of this release.)

 

AHGP also announced that the Board of Directors of its general partner (the “Board”) increased the cash distribution to unitholders for the 2014 Quarter to $0.87 per unit, or an annualized rate of $3.48 per unit, payable on August 19, 2014 to AHGP’s unitholders of record as of the close of trading on August 12, 2014.  The declared quarterly cash distribution represents a 10.8% increase over the cash distribution of $0.785 per unit for the 2013 Quarter and an increase of 2.7% over the first quarter 2014 distribution of $0.8475 per unit.

 

“AHGP’s performance remained strong during the 2014 Quarter,” said Joseph W. Craft III, President and Chief Executive Officer.  “Record first half results and expectations for continued distribution growth from ARLP over the balance of 2014 led our Board to increase quarterly distributions to AHGP’s unitholders for the twenty-fifth consecutive quarter.”

 

AHGP’s principal sources of cash flow are its ownership of general partner interests, limited partner interests and incentive distribution rights in ARLP.  The declared distribution is based on the distribution AHGP will receive from its ownership interests in ARLP, which today announced a quarterly distribution for the 2014 Quarter of $0.625 per unit, or $2.50 per unit on an annualized basis, payable on August 14, 2014 to all unitholders of record as of the close of trading on August 7, 2014.  (See ARLP Press Release dated July 28, 2014.)

 

Based on ARLP’s current declared distribution, AHGP expects to receive quarterly cash distributions from ARLP of $53.0 million, or $212.0 million on an annualized basis. AHGP’s primary cash requirements are for working capital, distributions to its unitholders and general and administrative expenses, including for 2014 an estimated $4.6 million in general and administrative expenses.

 

-MORE-

 



 

AHGP and ARLP will discuss their 2014 Quarter financial results during a joint conference call scheduled for today at 10:00 a.m. Eastern.  To participate in the conference call, dial (866) 510-0707 and provide pass code 29562831.  International callers should dial (617) 597-5376 and provide the same pass code.  Investors may also listen to the call via the “investor information” section of ARLP’s website at http://www.arlp.com or AHGP’s website at http://www.ahgp.com.

 

An audio replay of the conference call will be available for approximately one week.  To access the audio replay, dial (888) 286-8010 and provide pass code 27955898.  International callers should dial (617) 801-6888 and provide the same pass code.

 

This announcement is intended to be a qualified notice under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1446-4(b), with 100% of the partnership’s distributions to foreign investors attributable to income that is effectively connected with a United States trade or business.  Accordingly, AHGP’s distributions to foreign investors are subject to federal income tax withholding at the highest applicable tax rate.

 

About Alliance Holdings GP, L.P.

 

AHGP is a limited partnership formed to own and control Alliance Resource Management GP, LLC, the managing general partner of Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. (NASDAQ: ARLP), through which it holds a 1.98% general partner interest and the incentive distribution rights in ARLP.  In addition, AHGP owns 31,088,338 ARLP common units.

 

News, unit prices and additional information about AHGP including filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, are available at http://www.ahgp.com.  For more information, contact the investor relations department of AHGP at (918) 295-1415 or via e-mail at investorrelations@ahgp.com.

 

***

 

The statements and projections used throughout this release are based on current expectations.  These statements and projections are forward-looking, and actual results may differ materially.  These projections do not include the potential impact of any mergers, acquisitions or other business combinations that may occur after the date of this release.  At the end of this release, we have included more information regarding business risks that could affect our results.

 

-MORE-

 



 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:  With the exception of historical matters, any matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projected results.  These risks, uncertainties and contingencies include, but are not limited to, the following: changes in competition in coal markets and the ARLP Partnership’s ability to respond to such changes; changes in coal prices, which could affect the ARLP Partnership’s operating results and cash flows; risks associated with the ARLP Partnership’s expansion of its operations and properties; legislation, regulations, and court decisions and interpretations thereof, including those relating to the environment, mining, miner health and safety and health care; deregulation of the electric utility industry or the effects of any adverse change in the coal industry, electric utility industry, or general economic conditions; dependence on significant customer contracts, including renewing customer contracts upon expiration of existing contracts; changing global economic conditions or in industries in which the ARLP Partnership’s customers operate; liquidity constraints, including those resulting from any future unavailability of financing; customer bankruptcies, cancellations or breaches to existing contracts, or other failures to perform; customer delays, failure to take coal under contracts or defaults in making payments; adjustments made in price, volume or terms to existing coal supply agreements; fluctuations in coal demand, prices and availability; the ARLP Partnership’s productivity levels and margins earned on its coal sales; changes in raw material costs; changes in the availability of skilled labor; the ARLP Partnership’s ability to maintain satisfactory relations with its employees; increases in labor costs, adverse changes in work rules, or cash payments or projections associated with post-mine reclamation and workers’ compensation claims; increases in transportation costs and risk of transportation delays or interruptions; operational interruptions due to geologic, permitting, labor, weather-related or other factors; risks associated with major mine-related accidents, such as mine fires, or interruptions; results of litigation, including claims not yet asserted; difficulty maintaining the ARLP Partnership’s surety bonds for mine reclamation as well as workers’ compensation and black lung benefits; difficulty in making accurate assumptions and projections regarding pension, black lung benefits and other post-retirement benefit liabilities; the coal industry’s share of electricity generation, including as a result of environmental concerns related to coal mining and combustion and the cost and perceived benefits of other sources of electricity, such as natural gas, nuclear energy and renewable fuels; uncertainties in estimating and replacing the ARLP Partnership’s coal reserves; a loss or reduction of benefits from certain tax deductions and credits; difficulty obtaining commercial property insurance, and risks associated with the ARLP Partnership’s participation (excluding any applicable deductible) in the commercial insurance property program; and difficulty in making accurate assumptions and projections regarding future revenues and costs associated with equity investments in companies we do not control.

 

Additional information concerning these and other factors can be found in AHGP’s public periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including AHGP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, filed on February 28, 2014 with the SEC.  Except as required by applicable securities laws, AHGP does not intend to update its forward-looking statements.

 

-MORE-

 



 

ALLIANCE HOLDINGS GP, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND OPERATING DATA

(In thousands, except unit and per unit data)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SALES AND OPERATING REVENUES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coal sales

 

$

575,191

 

$

541,574

 

$

1,100,736

 

$

1,076,083

 

Transportation revenues

 

5,810

 

4,971

 

11,815

 

11,905

 

Other sales and operating revenues

 

17,463

 

6,933

 

27,847

 

13,460

 

Total revenues

 

598,464

 

553,478

 

1,140,398

 

1,101,448

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization)

 

352,893

 

347,437

 

675,135

 

696,012

 

Transportation expenses

 

5,810

 

4,971

 

11,815

 

11,905

 

Outside coal purchases

 

2

 

790

 

4

 

1,392

 

General and administrative

 

20,268

 

17,006

 

38,167

 

32,719

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

67,052

 

68,207

 

133,893

 

132,589

 

Total operating expenses

 

446,025

 

438,411

 

859,014

 

874,617

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

 

152,439

 

115,067

 

281,384

 

226,831

 

Interest expense, net

 

(8,748

)

(6,218

)

(16,811

)

(12,836

)

Interest income

 

417

 

178

 

806

 

312

 

Equity in loss of affiliates, net

 

(7,373

)

(5,699

)

(13,614

)

(9,566

)

Other income

 

323

 

353

 

629

 

627

 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

137,058

 

103,681

 

252,394

 

205,368

 

INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)

 

 

108

 

 

(589

)

NET INCOME

 

137,058

 

103,573

 

252,394

 

205,957

 

LESS: NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

 

(59,711

)

(42,596

)

(107,600

)

(84,978

)

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO ALLIANCE HOLDINGS GP, L.P. (NET INCOME OF AHGP)

 

$

77,347

 

$

60,977

 

$

144,794

 

$

120,979

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BASIC AND DILUTED NET INCOME OF AHGP PER LIMITED PARTNER UNIT

 

$

1.29

 

$

1.02

 

$

2.42

 

$

2.02

 

DISTRIBUTIONS PAID PER LIMITED PARTNER UNIT

 

$

0.8475

 

$

0.7625

 

$

1.675

 

$

1.5025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF UNITS OUTSTANDING - BASIC AND DILUTED

 

59,863,000

 

59,863,000

 

59,863,000

 

59,863,000

 

 

-MORE-

 



 

ALLIANCE HOLDINGS GP, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except unit data)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

ASSETS

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

24,620

 

$

98,375

 

Trade receivables

 

174,753

 

153,662

 

Other receivables

 

1,104

 

776

 

Due from affiliates

 

2,681

 

1,889

 

Inventories

 

54,491

 

44,214

 

Advance royalties

 

11,072

 

11,454

 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

5,741

 

16,264

 

Total current assets

 

274,462

 

326,634

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, at cost

 

2,703,121

 

2,645,872

 

Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

(1,067,836

)

(1,031,493

)

Total property, plant and equipment, net

 

1,635,285

 

1,614,379

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

Advance royalties

 

19,021

 

18,813

 

Due from affiliate

 

11,361

 

11,560

 

Equity investments in affiliates

 

176,506

 

130,410

 

Other long-term assets

 

24,344

 

24,883

 

Total other assets

 

231,232

 

185,666

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

2,140,979

 

$

2,126,679

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS CAPITAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

90,274

 

$

79,772

 

Due to affiliates

 

161

 

290

 

Accrued taxes other than income taxes

 

23,334

 

19,086

 

Accrued payroll and related expenses

 

43,307

 

47,105

 

Accrued interest

 

906

 

996

 

Workers’ compensation and pneumoconiosis benefits

 

9,287

 

9,065

 

Current capital lease obligations

 

1,306

 

1,288

 

Other current liabilities

 

13,622

 

18,625

 

Current maturities, long-term debt

 

248,000

 

36,750

 

Total current liabilities

 

430,197

 

212,977

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt, excluding current maturities

 

533,750

 

831,250

 

Pneumoconiosis benefits

 

50,924

 

48,455

 

Accrued pension benefit

 

16,933

 

18,182

 

Workers’ compensation

 

53,334

 

54,949

 

Asset retirement obligations

 

76,404

 

80,807

 

Long-term capital lease obligations

 

16,383

 

17,135

 

Other liabilities

 

6,326

 

7,331

 

Total long-term liabilities

 

754,054

 

1,058,109

 

Total liabilities

 

1,184,251

 

1,271,086

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PARTNERS CAPITAL:

 

 

 

 

 

Alliance Holdings GP, L.P. (“AHGP”) Partners’ Capital:

 

 

 

 

 

Limited Partners — Common Unitholders 59,863,000 units outstanding

 

544,530

 

500,070

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(4,250

)

(4,198

)

Total AHGP Partners’ Capital

 

540,280

 

495,872

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

416,448

 

359,721

 

Total Partners’ Capital

 

956,728

 

855,593

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS CAPITAL

 

$

2,140,979

 

$

2,126,679

 

 

-MORE-

 



 

ALLIANCE HOLDINGS GP, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

$

378,416

 

$

373,087

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment:

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(154,578

)

(163,030

)

Changes in accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

2,608

 

(4,055

)

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

 

19

 

9

 

Proceeds from insurance settlement for property, plant and equipment

 

4,512

 

 

Purchases of equity investments in affiliate

 

(60,000

)

(47,500

)

Payments to affiliate for acquisition and development of coal reserves

 

(1,401

)

(18,860

)

Advances/loans to affiliate

 

 

(2,531

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(208,840

)

(235,967

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Payment on term loan

 

(6,250

)

 

Borrowings under revolving credit facilities

 

142,800

 

77,000

 

Payments under revolving credit facilities

 

(222,800

)

(90,000

)

Payments on capital lease obligations

 

(734

)

(584

)

Net settlement of employee withholding taxes on vesting of ARLP Long-Term Incentive Plan

 

(2,991

)

(3,015

)

Distributions paid by consolidated partnership to noncontrolling interests

 

(53,085

)

(48,748

)

Distributions paid to Partners

 

(100,271

)

(89,944

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(243,331

)

(155,291

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

(73,755

)

(18,171

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

98,375

 

31,111

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

 

$

24,620

 

$

12,940

 

 

Presentation of Net Income

 

Consolidated net income includes earnings attributable to both AHGP and noncontrolling interests.  Unless otherwise noted, any reference to net income in this release represents net income attributable to AHGP.

 

-END-