Attached files

file filename
8-K - 8-K - FERRELLGAS PARTNERS L Pa17-7742_18k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. REPORTS RESULTS FOR SECOND QUARTER FISCAL 2017

 

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., March 9, 2017 — Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. (NYSE:FGP) (“Ferrellgas” or the “Company”) today announced financial results for its second fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2017. The Company reported net earnings attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. of $38.1 million, compared to net earnings of $57.1 million for the same period in 2016.

 

Adjusted EBITDA was $105.0 million, compared to $138.3 million in the prior year period primarily due to decreased contributions from the midstream crude oil logistics segment.

 

Propane gallons sold were up 7% to 267.7 million gallons, compared to 250.2 million gallons in the prior year period. Operating income generated by the propane and related equipment sales segment was $95.3 million, compared to $97.8 million in the prior year period.

 

“Weather for the second fiscal quarter was 4% colder than last year but a stunning 14% warmer than normal,” said James E. Ferrell, the Company’s interim President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our efforts to increase market share resulted in gallons increasing approximately 7%, but resulted in overall margins lower than the prior year period, due to customer mix and location.”

 

Mr. Ferrell continued, “The leadership changes we announced earlier this year are going to reap significant benefits. Dan Giannini at Bridger and Geoff Berger at Blue Rhino are going to drive growth and improved results. In addition, Randy Schott, a 28-year veteran of Ferrellgas and Sr. Vice President in charge of our large Retail propane business has also instilled a growth mindset in his people. Morale in the company could not be higher.”

 

At the end of the second fiscal quarter, the Company’s leverage ratio was 5.81x, which was lower than the limit allowed under its secured credit facility and accounts receivable securitization facility, as amended in September 2016.

 

Mr. Ferrell added, “We were pleased to be able to upsize the Company’s recent note issuance to $175 million. Our goal is to return to a leverage ratio of 4.5x or a level we deem appropriate for our business.”

 

About Ferrellgas

 

Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., through its operating partnership, Ferrellgas, L.P., and subsidiaries, serves propane customers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, and provides midstream services to major energy companies in the United States. Ferrellgas employees indirectly own 22.8 million common units of the partnership, through an employee stock ownership plan. Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. filed a Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 28, 2016. Investors can request a hard copy of this filing free of charge and obtain more information about the partnership online at www.ferrellgas.com.

 

Forward Looking Statements

 

Statements in this release concerning expectations for the future are forward-looking statements. These statements often use words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “projection,” “forecast,” “strategy,” “position,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” or the negative of those terms or other

 

1



 

variations of them or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements, include, but are not limited to: Ferrellgas’ debt reduction plans, Ferrellgas’ leverage ratio reduction plans, statements regarding future unitholder returns, growth and improved results, plans to increase the utilization of certain assets, the anticipated impact of Ferrellgas’ actions on its balance sheet and liquidity position, and the anticipated impact of Ferrellgas’ leadership changes. While Ferrellgas believes that the assumptions concerning future events are reasonable, it cautions that there are inherent difficulties in predicting certain important factors that could impact the future performance or results of its business. Among the factors that could cause results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are: risks related to Ferrellgas’ ability to generate sufficient cash flow to pay distributions, to make payments on its debt obligations and to execute its business plan; Ferrellgas’ ability to access funds on acceptable terms, if at all, because of the terms and conditions governing its indebtedness or otherwise; local, regional and national economic conditions and the impact they may have on Ferrellgas and its customers; the effect of weather conditions on the demand for propane; the prices of wholesale propane, motor fuel and crude oil; disruptions to the supply of propane; the termination or non-renewal of certain arrangements or agreements; adverse changes in our relationships with our national propane customers; significant delays in the collection of, or uncollectibility of, accounts or notes receivable; the financial condition of Ferrellgas’ customers; and the failure of any customer to perform its contractual obligations. A variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause results, performance and expectations to differ materially from anticipated results, performance and expectations. These risks, uncertainties and other factors are discussed in the Form 10-K of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp., Ferrellgas, L.P., and Ferrellgas Finance Corp. for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2016, the Form 10-Q of these entities for the fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2017, and in other documents filed from time to time by these entities with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. All forward-looking statements in this press release are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Except as required by law, Ferrellgas undertakes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future results or otherwise.

 

Contacts

Jack Herrold, Investor Relations — jackherrold@ferrellgas.com, 913-661-1851

Jim Saladin, Media Relations — jimsaladin@ferrellgas.com, 913-661-1833

 

-#-

 



 

FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P.  AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except unit data)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

January 31, 2017

 

July 31, 2016

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

14,710

 

$

4,965

 

Accounts and notes receivable, net (including $181,851 and $106,464 of accounts receivable pledged as collateral at January 31, 2017 and July 31, 2016, respectively)

 

223,978

 

149,583

 

Inventories

 

114,862

 

90,594

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

37,729

 

39,973

 

Total Current Assets

 

391,279

 

285,115

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

747,045

 

774,680

 

Goodwill, net

 

256,103

 

256,103

 

Intangible assets, net

 

264,165

 

280,185

 

Other assets, net

 

87,028

 

87,223

 

Total Assets

 

$

1,745,620

 

$

1,683,306

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ DEFICIT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

108,271

 

$

67,928

 

Short-term borrowings

 

65,599

 

101,291

 

Collateralized note payable

 

133,000

 

64,000

 

Other current liabilities

 

134,945

 

128,958

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

441,815

 

362,177

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt (a)

 

1,966,909

 

1,941,335

 

Other liabilities

 

33,428

 

31,574

 

Contingencies and commitments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Partners’ Deficit:

 

 

 

 

 

Common unitholders (97,152,665 and 98,002,665 units outstanding at January 31, 2017 and July 31, 2016)

 

(641,239

)

(570,754

)

General partner unitholder (989,926 units outstanding at January 31, 2017 and July 31, 2016)

 

(66,387

)

(65,835

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

14,430

 

(10,468

)

Total Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. Partners’ Deficit

 

(693,196

)

(647,057

)

Noncontrolling Interest

 

(3,336

)

(4,723

)

Total Partners’ Deficit

 

(696,532

)

(651,780

)

Total Liabilities and Partners’ Deficit

 

$

1,745,620

 

$

1,683,306

 

 


(a) The principal difference between the Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. balance sheet and that of Ferrellgas, L.P., is the 8.625% notes due in 2020 which are liabilities of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and not of Ferrellgas, L.P.

 



 

FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

FOR THE THREE, SIX AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2017 AND 2016

(in thousands, except per unit data)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

Six months ended

 

Twelve months ended

 

 

 

January 31

 

January 31

 

January 31

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017

 

2016

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Propane and other gas liquids sales

 

$

437,375

 

$

376,856

 

$

679,774

 

$

622,157

 

$

1,259,985

 

$

1,323,945

 

Midstream operations

 

96,787

 

188,333

 

204,831

 

382,003

 

448,066

 

474,123

 

Other

 

45,088

 

84,049

 

74,187

 

116,224

 

169,724

 

237,378

 

Total revenues

 

579,250

 

649,238

 

958,792

 

1,120,384

 

1,877,775

 

2,035,446

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Propane and other gas liquids sales

 

235,029

 

174,829

 

354,241

 

296,580

 

622,094

 

678,298

 

Midstream operations

 

87,024

 

148,443

 

181,666

 

302,047

 

350,853

 

374,450

 

Other

 

20,657

 

55,774

 

32,403

 

70,222

 

88,418

 

150,956

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

236,540

 

270,192

 

390,482

 

451,535

 

816,410

 

831,742

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expense

 

112,509

 

116,463

 

217,501

 

231,444

 

443,967

 

453,696

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

25,607

 

37,367

 

51,809

 

74,346

 

127,976

 

125,673

 

General and administrative expense

 

11,429

 

12,062

 

23,911

 

24,302

 

48,188

 

59,284

 

Equipment lease expense

 

7,416

 

7,278

 

14,765

 

14,310

 

29,288

 

27,256

 

Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge

 

2,945

 

3,141

 

6,699

 

8,397

 

25,897

 

24,948

 

Non-cash stock-based compensation charge (a)

 

1,417

 

(2,456

)

3,298

 

5,666

 

6,956

 

15,218

 

Asset impairments

 

 

 

 

29,316

 

628,802

 

29,316

 

Loss on asset sales and disposal

 

45

 

2,524

 

6,468

 

17,441

 

19,862

 

22,165

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

75,172

 

93,813

 

66,031

 

46,313

 

(514,526

)

74,186

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(36,819

)

(34,730

)

(72,247

)

(68,518

)

(141,666

)

(120,627

)

Other income (expense), net

 

763

 

(298

)

1,271

 

(420

)

1,801

 

(143

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

 

39,116

 

58,785

 

(4,945

)

(22,625

)

(654,391

)

(46,584

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

588

 

1,030

 

(2

)

186

 

(224

)

(660

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings (loss)

 

38,528

 

57,755

 

(4,943

)

(22,811

)

(654,167

)

(45,924

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest (b)

 

430

 

628

 

32

 

(145

)

(6,443

)

(295

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings (loss) attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.

 

38,098

 

57,127

 

(4,975

)

(22,666

)

(647,724

)

(45,629

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: General partner’s interest in net earnings (loss)

 

381

 

571

 

(50

)

(227

)

(6,477

)

(456

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common unitholders’ interest in net earnings (loss)

 

$

37,717

 

$

56,556

 

$

(4,925

)

$

(22,439

)

$

(641,247

)

$

(45,173

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) Per Unit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net loss per common unitholders’ interest

 

$

0.39

 

$

0.58

 

$

(0.05

)

$

(0.23

)

$

(6.57

)

$

(0.48

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common units outstanding

 

97,152.7

 

98,334.4

 

97,305.1

 

99,355.6

 

97,652.0

 

93,169.4

 

 



 

Supplemental Data and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Items:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

Six months ended

 

Twelve months ended

 

 

 

January 31

 

January 31

 

January 31

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017

 

2016

 

Net earnings (loss) attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.

 

$

38,098

 

$

57,127

 

$

(4,975

)

$

(22,666

)

$

(647,724

)

$

(45,629

)

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

588

 

1,030

 

(2

)

186

 

(224

)

(660

)

Interest expense

 

36,819

 

34,730

 

72,247

 

68,518

 

141,666

 

120,627

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

25,607

 

37,367

 

51,809

 

74,346

 

127,976

 

125,673

 

EBITDA

 

101,112

 

130,254

 

119,079

 

120,384

 

(378,306

)

200,011

 

Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge

 

2,945

 

3,141

 

6,699

 

8,397

 

25,897

 

24,948

 

Non-cash stock based compensation charge (a)

 

1,417

 

(2,456

)

3,298

 

5,666

 

6,956

 

15,218

 

Asset impairments

 

 

 

 

29,316

 

628,802

 

29,316

 

Loss on asset sales and disposal

 

45

 

2,524

 

6,468

 

17,441

 

19,862

 

22,165

 

Other (income) expense, net

 

(763

)

298

 

(1,271

)

420

 

(1,801

)

143

 

Change in fair value of contingent consideration (included in operating expense)

 

 

 

 

(100

)

 

(100

)

Severance costs of $414 and $938 included in operating expense for the six and twelve months ended period January 31, 2017 and $490, $1,545 and $1,618 included in general and administrative expense for the three, six and twelve months ended January 31, 2017. Also includes $805 included in in operating expense for the six and twelve months ended January 31, 2016 and $51 included in in general and administrative expense for the six and twelve months ended January 31, 2016.

 

490

 

 

1,959

 

856

 

2,556

 

856

 

Litigation accrual and related legal fees associated with a class action lawsuit (included in general and administrative expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

83

 

Unrealized (non-cash) losses (gains) on changes in fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments of $(1,134), $(3,011) and $(6,160) included in operating expense for the three, six and twelve months ended January 31, 2017 and $3,696, $4,734 and $7,146 for the three, six and twelve months ended January 31, 2016. Also includes $488, $796 and $174 included in midstream operations cost of sales for the three, six and twelve months ended January 31, 2017, respectively and $174 for each of the three, six and twelve months ended January 31, 2016.

 

(646

)

3,870

 

(2,215

)

4,908

 

(5,986

)

7,320

 

Acquisition and transition expenses (included in general and administrative expense)

 

 

70

 

 

85

 

14

 

16,458

 

Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest (b)

 

430

 

628

 

32

 

(145

)

(6,443

)

(295

)

Adjusted EBITDA (c)

 

105,030

 

138,329

 

134,049

 

187,228

 

291,551

 

316,123

 

Net cash interest expense (d)

 

(34,712

)

(33,905

)

(68,330

)

(66,407

)

(134,783

)

(116,380

)

Maintenance capital expenditures (e)

 

(3,754

)

(3,214

)

(7,076

)

(9,429

)

(14,784

)

(19,329

)

Cash paid for taxes

 

(25

)

(5

)

(26

)

(5

)

(798

)

(451

)

Proceeds from asset sales

 

2,313

 

1,863

 

4,033

 

2,876

 

7,180

 

6,052

 

Distributable cash flow to equity investors (f)

 

68,852

 

103,068

 

62,650

 

114,263

 

148,366

 

186,015

 

Distributable cash flow attributable to general partner and non-controlling interest

 

1,377

 

2,061

 

1,253

 

2,285

 

2,968

 

3,720

 

Distributable cash flow attributable to common unitholders (g)

 

67,475

 

101,007

 

61,397

 

111,978

 

145,398

 

182,295

 

Less: Distributions paid to common unitholders

 

9,715

 

50,223

 

59,506

 

101,666

 

159,959

 

184,384

 

Distributable cash flow excess/(shortage)

 

$

57,760

 

$

50,784

 

$

1,891

 

$

10,312

 

$

(14,561

)

$

(2,089

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Propane gallons sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail - Sales to End Users

 

201,580

 

189,460

 

312,768

 

300,433

 

565,106

 

569,071

 

Wholesale - Sales to Resellers

 

66,152

 

60,781

 

118,142

 

111,347

 

232,916

 

238,167

 

Total propane gallons sales

 

267,732

 

250,241

 

430,910

 

411,780

 

798,022

 

807,238

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Midstream operations barrels

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salt water volume processed

 

4,002

 

4,222

 

7,705

 

8,956

 

15,292

 

17,272

 

Crude oil hauled

 

13,005

 

24,345

 

24,269

 

48,609

 

55,071

 

59,056

 

Crude oil sold

 

1,326

 

1,593

 

3,118

 

3,103

 

6,875

 

3,599

 

 



 


(a)              Non-cash stock-based compensation charges consist of the following:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

Six months ended

 

Twelve months ended

 

 

 

January 31

 

January 31

 

January 31

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017

 

2016

 

Operating expense

 

$

567

 

$

(466

)

$

661

 

$

752

 

$

1,177

 

$

2,315

 

General and administrative expense

 

850

 

(1,990

)

2,637

 

4,914

 

5,779

 

12,903

 

Total

 

$

1,417

 

$

(2,456

)

$

3,298

 

$

5,666

 

$

6,956

 

$

15,218

 

 

(b)              Amounts allocated to the general partner for its 1.0101% interest in the operating partnership, Ferrellgas, L.P.

(c)               Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as net earnings (loss) attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., less the sum of the following: income tax expense (benefit), interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense, non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge, non-cash stock-based compensation charge, asset impairments, loss on asset sales and disposal, other (income) expense, net, change in fair value of contingent consideration, severance costs, litigation accrual and related legal fees associated with a class action lawsuit, unrealized (non-cash) losses (gains) on changes in fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments, acquisition and transition expenses and net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest. Management believes the presentation of this measure is relevant and useful, because it allows investors to view the partnership’s performance in a manner similar to the method management uses, adjusted for items management believes makes it easier to compare its results with other companies that have different financing and capital structures. This method of calculating Adjusted EBITDA may not be consistent with that of other companies and should be viewed in conjunction with measurements that are computed in accordance with GAAP.

(d)              Net cash interest expense is the sum of interest expense less non-cash interest expense and other expense, net. This amount includes interest expense related to the accounts receivable securitization facility.

(e)               Maintenance capital expenditures include capitalized expenditures for betterment and replacement of property, plant and equipment.

(f)                Distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors is calculated as Adjusted EBITDA minus net cash interest expense, maintenance capital expenditures, cash paid for taxes, and proceeds from asset sales. Management considers distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors a meaningful measure of the partnership’s ability to declare and pay quarterly distributions to equity investors. Distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors, as management defines it, may not be comparable to distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors or similarly titled measurements used by other corporations and partnerships. Items added into our calculation of distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors that will not occur on a continuing basis may have associated cash payments. Distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors may not be consistent with that of other companies and should be viewed in conjunction with measurements that are computed in accordance with GAAP.

(g)     Distributable cash flow attributable to common unitholders is calculated as Distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors minus distributable cash flow attributable to general partner and noncontrolling interest. Management considers distributable cash flow attributable to common unitholders a meaningful measure of the partnership’s ability to declare and pay quarterly distributions to common unitholders. Distributable cash flow attributable to common unitholders, as management defines it, may not be comparable to distributable cash flow attributable to common unitholders or similarly titled measurements used by other corporations and partnerships. Items added into our calculation of distributable cash flow attributable to common unitholders that will not occur on a continuing basis may have associated cash payments. Distributable cash flow attributable to common unitholders may not be consistent with that of other companies and should be viewed in conjunction with measurements that are computed in accordance with GAAP.