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8-K - 8-K - FERRELLGAS PARTNERS L Pa18-14833_18k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. Reports Third Quarter Results

 

·                  Net earnings attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. of $10.9 million, or $0.11 per common unit, an increase of 66.2 percent as compared to $6.5 million, or $0.07 per common unit in the prior year period.

 

·                  Net of non-cash charges due in part to asset sales supporting deleveraging efforts net earnings were $17.1 million, or $0.18 per common unit as compared to $8.9 million, or $0.09 in the prior year period.

 

·                  Adjusted EBITDA of $86.9 million, up 13.0 percent over the prior year period.

 

·                  Trailing twelve-month EBITDA of $253.0 million, up from $230.0 million at the end of fiscal 2017.

 

·                  Total propane sales volume for the nine months ended April 30, 2018 increased approximately 16.1 percent over the prior year period.

 

·                  Tank Exchange volume for the nine months ended April 30, 2018 increased approximately 7.0 percent over the comparable prior year period.

 

·                  Tank Exchange sale locations now exceed 52,000, up 9.5 percent compared to the start of the fiscal year.

 

·                  Customer growth of 11,500, or 1.7 percent over the prior year.

 

·                  Announced recent completion of new $575.0 million secured five-year credit facility and upsized $250.0 million accounts receivable securitization facility.

 

·                  Midstream operations stabilized, focused on growth.

 

·                  Full exits from Bridger Energy and Bridger Rail now completed. Sale process of Global Sourcing business progressing.

 

LIBERTY, Mo., June 7, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. (NYSE:FGP) (“Ferrellgas” or the “Company”) today reported financial results for its third fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2018. The Company reported net earnings attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. of $10.9 million, or $0.11 per common unit, compared to prior year period net earnings of $6.5 million, or $0.07 per common unit. Adjusted EBITDA increased to $86.9 million, compared to $76.8 million in the prior year period, a 13.0 percent increase.

 

The Company’s propane operations reported that total gallons sold in the third quarter increased 34.1 million gallons, or 16.1 percent, over prior year. Margins were slightly lower as the Company aggressively competes for and wins new customers. This strategic focus resulted in approximately 11,500 new customers, or approximately 1.7 percent more than prior year. Additionally, the Company’s current Blue Rhino tank exchange sales locations have increased 9.5 percent from the start of the fiscal year. Overall, the increase in gross margin from sales volume growth was partially offset by slightly lower margins per gallon and higher operating expenses which were largely the result of increased sales and marketing activity. However, on a per gallon basis operating expenses were 1.7 cents lower than prior year reflecting in part benefits from higher operating efficiency, sales volumes and customer density.

 

The Company’s midstream business has stabilized and is positioning itself for potential growth opportunities stemming from activity associated with recent increases in the price of oil. Stronger results for the quarter compared to prior year reflect primarily the successful exit earlier this year from low-margin

 



 

barge operations. Results for the quarter also reflect completion of the sale of the Bridger Energy and Bridger Rail businesses for approximately $60.0 million.  These sales also reduced outstanding letters of credit by approximately $80.0 million.

 

The Company has solidified its liquidity and working capital access requirements with the recent announcements of the closing of two credit facilities:

 

·                  A $575.0 million secured credit facility was completed on May 4, 2018. This facility included a $275.0 million term loan and a $300.0 million cash revolver. Proceeds from the term loan were used to pay off the Company’s previous credit facility and resulted in approximately $75.0 million of additional cash on the balance sheet. The revolver has no outstanding balance and supports approximately $100.0 million of letters of credit that were issued to replace those outstanding under the old facility.

 

·                  The Company also amended its accounts receivable securitization facility on May 14, 2018, resulting in a three-year extension of the facility as well as increasing the size of the facility from $225.0 million to $250.0 million.

 

In addition, the Company continues to evaluate various options related to its outstanding unsecured bonds due June 2020. This may include refinancing, or an exchange transaction for some or all of its bonds due June 2020.

 

“Our Company continues to build momentum and this quarter’s results are another example of how our strategy is working,” said James E. Ferrell, Interim Chief Executive Officer and President of Ferrellgas. “We are focused on customer growth and density, and we are seeing results in both. We are committed to winning new business, and as we enter the summer grilling season we’ll benefit from the rapid expansion in the number of Blue Rhino tank exchange sale locations, up nearly 9.5 percent from the start of this fiscal year.”

 

The Company continues its strategic focus on key operating initiatives to reduce costs and grow EBITDA.  Of significance are two new tank exchange production plants expected to come on line in fiscal fourth quarter. “These plants move us closer to our customers, lower our operating expenses per tank, lower costs and mileage on our vehicle fleet, and add capacity to the system to position us to service the growth we are seeing in this business,” added Ferrell. “We have also executed on sales of non-core assets that have streamlined our business, reduced our debt, and positively enhanced our key credit metrics. Our liquidity and access to working capital is significant with recent announcements of our credit facility extensions. We now have a multi-year runway to continue to focus on growing our business and delivering the world class service our customers deserve.”

 



 

“Our management team is strong and experienced. I am excited about the recent announcement of our promotion of Trent Hampton to Chief Operating Officer. He has long tenure with the Company, understands all aspects of our business and is working well with our distribution, supply, and administrative teams throughout the Company,” said Ferrell. “We are working together better than ever to grow the business and serve our customers. We are well positioned for a strong finish to fiscal 2018 and we are building a foundation for the long-term success of our Company.”

 

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, 2017. 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. 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 include those 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, 2017, the Form 10-Q of these entities for the fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2018 and in other documents filed from time to time by these entities with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Contacts

 

Jim Saladin, Media Relations — jimsaladin@ferrellgas.com, 913-661-1833
Bill Ruisinger, Investor Relations — billruisinger@ferrellgas.com, 816-792-7914

 



 

FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P.  AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except unit data)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

April 30, 2018

 

July 31, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

9,499

 

$

5,760

 

Accounts and notes receivable, net (including $182,486 and $109,407 of accounts receivable pledged as collateral at April 30, 2018 and July 31, 2017, respectively)

 

202,727

 

165,084

 

Inventories

 

85,062

 

92,552

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

44,090

 

33,388

 

Total Current Assets

 

341,378

 

296,784

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

637,688

 

731,923

 

Goodwill, net

 

246,098

 

256,103

 

Intangible assets, net

 

235,318

 

251,102

 

Other assets, net

 

72,094

 

74,057

 

Total Assets

 

$

1,532,576

 

$

1,609,969

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ DEFICIT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

52,472

 

$

85,561

 

Short-term borrowings

 

 

59,781

 

Collateralized note payable

 

104,000

 

69,000

 

Other current liabilities

 

158,875

 

126,224

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

315,347

 

340,566

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt (a)

 

1,995,608

 

1,995,795

 

Other liabilities

 

34,225

 

31,118

 

Contingencies and commitments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Partners Deficit:

 

 

 

 

 

Common unitholders (97,152,665 units outstanding at April 30, 2018 and July 31, 2017)

 

(758,325

)

(701,188

)

General partner unitholder (989,926 units outstanding at April 30, 2018 and July 31, 2017)

 

(67,568

)

(66,991

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

17,672

 

14,601

 

Total Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. Partners’ Deficit

 

(808,221

)

(753,578

)

Noncontrolling Interest

 

(4,383

)

(3,932

)

Total Partners’ Deficit

 

(812,604

)

(757,510

)

Total Liabilities and Partners’ Deficit

 

$

1,532,576

 

$

1,609,969

 

 


(a)    The principal difference between the Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. balance sheet and that of Ferrellgas, L.P., is $357 million of 8.625% notes which are liabilities of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and not of Ferrellgas, L.P.

 



 

FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

(in thousands, except per unit data)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

Nine months ended

 

Twelve months ended

 

 

 

April 30

 

April 30

 

April 30

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

2018

 

2017

 

2018

 

2017

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Propane and other gas liquids sales

 

$

451,302

 

$

369,437

 

$

1,346,299

 

$

1,049,211

 

$

1,615,500

 

$

1,290,493

 

Midstream operations

 

22,595

 

126,676

 

260,631

 

331,507

 

395,827

 

469,318

 

Other

 

41,913

 

41,996

 

118,691

 

116,183

 

147,670

 

146,601

 

Total revenues

 

515,810

 

538,109

 

1,725,621

 

1,496,901

 

2,158,997

 

1,906,412

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Propane and other gas liquids sales

 

260,419

 

197,487

 

802,852

 

551,728

 

945,279

 

667,320

 

Midstream operations

 

14,518

 

118,767

 

229,710

 

300,433

 

358,716

 

397,768

 

Other

 

19,850

 

20,810

 

54,339

 

53,213

 

68,393

 

68,025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

221,023

 

201,045

 

638,720

 

591,527

 

786,609

 

773,299

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expense

 

116,579

 

104,773

 

350,757

 

322,274

 

460,234

 

433,600

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

25,348

 

25,737

 

76,565

 

77,546

 

102,370

 

115,361

 

General and administrative expense

 

11,678

 

9,978

 

39,733

 

33,889

 

52,824

 

45,812

 

Equipment lease expense

 

7,133

 

7,270

 

20,828

 

22,035

 

27,917

 

29,314

 

Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge

 

2,738

 

4,697

 

10,731

 

11,396

 

14,423

 

20,616

 

Non-cash stock-based compensation charge (a)

 

 

 

 

3,298

 

 

5,865

 

Asset impairments

 

 

 

10,005

 

 

10,005

 

628,802

 

Loss on asset sales and disposal

 

6,270

 

2,393

 

46,414

 

8,861

 

52,010

 

16,476

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

51,277

 

46,197

 

83,687

 

112,228

 

66,826

 

(522,547

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(40,375

)

(39,860

)

(123,855

)

(112,107

)

(164,233

)

(147,155

)

Other income, net

 

227

 

162

 

1,422

 

1,433

 

1,463

 

1,632

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

 

11,129

 

6,499

 

(38,746

)

1,554

 

(95,944

)

(668,070

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

67

 

(192

)

282

 

(194

)

(667

)

(1,676

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings (loss)

 

11,062

 

6,691

 

(39,028

)

1,748

 

(95,277

)

(666,394

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

201

 

155

 

(131

)

187

 

(612

)

(6,521

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

10,861

 

6,536

 

(38,897

)

1,561

 

(94,665

)

(659,873

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

109

 

66

 

(389

)

16

 

(947

)

(6,599

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common unitholders’ interest in net earnings (loss)

 

$

10,752

 

$

6,470

 

$

(38,508

)

$

1,545

 

$

(93,718

)

$

(653,274

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) Per Common Unit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net earnings (loss) per common unitholders’ interest

 

$

0.11

 

$

0.07

 

$

(0.40

)

$

0.02

 

$

(0.96

)

$

(6.70

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common units outstanding - basic

 

97,152.7

 

97,152.7

 

97,152.7

 

97,255.4

 

97,152.7

 

97,443.7

 

 

Supplemental Data and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Items:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

Nine months ended

 

Twelve months ended

 

 

 

April 30

 

April 30

 

April 30

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

2018

 

2017

 

2018

 

2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

$

10,861

 

$

6,536

 

$

(38,897

)

$

1,561

 

$

(94,665

)

$

(659,873

)

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

67

 

(192

)

282

 

(194

)

(667

)

(1,676

)

Interest expense

 

40,375

 

39,860

 

123,855

 

112,107

 

164,233

 

147,155

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

25,348

 

25,737

 

76,565

 

77,546

 

102,370

 

115,361

 

EBITDA

 

76,651

 

71,941

 

161,805

 

191,020

 

171,271

 

(399,033

)

Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge

 

2,738

 

4,697

 

10,731

 

11,396

 

14,423

 

20,616

 

Non-cash stock based compensation charge (a)

 

 

 

 

3,298

 

 

5,865

 

Asset impairments

 

 

 

10,005

 

 

10,005

 

628,802

 

Loss on asset sales and disposal

 

6,270

 

2,393

 

46,414

 

8,861

 

52,010

 

16,476

 

Other income, net

 

(227

)

(162

)

(1,422

)

(1,433

)

(1,463

)

(1,632

)

Severance costs $358 included in operating costs for the nine and twelve months ended period April 30, 2018 and $1,305 included in general and administrative costs for the nine and twelve months ended April 30, 2018. Also includes $414 and $542 in operating costs for the nine and twelve months ended April 30, 2017 and $1,545 included in general and administrative costs for the nine and twelve months ended April 30, 2017.

 

 

 

1,663

 

1,959

 

1,663

 

2,087

 

Professional fees

 

1,289

 

 

3,407

 

 

3,407

 

 

Unrealized (non-cash) losses (gains) on changes in fair value of derivatives $(759) included in operating expense for the twelve months ended April 30, 2018 and $(227), $(3,238) and $(3,245) for the three, nine and twelve months ended April 30, 2017. Also includes $1,293 and $3,044 included in midstream operations cost of sales for the nine and twelve months ended April 30, 2018, respectively and $(2,007), $(1,211) and $(3,060) for the three, nine and twelve months ended April 30, 2017.

 

 

(2,234

)

1,293

 

(4,449

)

2,285

 

(6,305

)

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

 

201

 

155

 

(131

)

187

 

(612

)

(6,521

)

Adjusted EBITDA (c)

 

86,922

 

76,790

 

233,765

 

210,839

 

252,989

 

260,355

 

Net cash interest expense (d)

 

(37,873

)

(37,140

)

(115,664

)

(105,470

)

(153,782

)

(139,074

)

Maintenance capital expenditures (e)

 

(5,741

)

(3,442

)

(19,085

)

(10,518

)

(25,502

)

(14,067

)

Cash paid for taxes

 

470

 

(2

)

458

 

(28

)

176

 

(373

)

Proceeds from asset sales

 

148

 

130

 

4,355

 

4,163

 

8,144

 

4,214

 

Distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors (f)

 

43,926

 

36,336

 

103,829

 

98,986

 

82,025

 

111,055

 

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

 

879

 

727

 

2,077

 

1,980

 

1,641

 

2,222

 

Distributable cash flow attributable to common unitholders

 

43,047

 

35,609

 

101,752

 

97,006

 

80,384

 

108,833

 

Less: Distributions paid to common unitholders

 

9,715

 

9,715

 

29,146

 

69,221

 

38,861

 

119,407

 

Distributable cash flow excess/(shortage)

 

$

33,332

 

$

25,894

 

$

72,606

 

$

27,785

 

$

41,523

 

$

(10,574

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Propane gallons sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail - Sales to End Users

 

189,183

 

160,326

 

543,548

 

473,094

 

635,326

 

560,719

 

Wholesale - Sales to Resellers

 

57,121

 

51,891

 

185,492

 

170,033

 

241,710

 

226,162

 

Total propane gallons sales

 

246,304

 

212,217

 

729,040

 

643,127

 

877,036

 

786,881

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Midstream operations barrels

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salt water volume processed

 

4,761

 

4,635

 

14,552

 

12,340

 

19,727

 

15,903

 

Crude oil hauled

 

11,640

 

12,280

 

34,855

 

36,549

 

47,555

 

51,136

 

Crude oil sold

 

27

 

2,110

 

3,412

 

5,228

 

5,654

 

7,119

 

 


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

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

Nine months ended

 

Twelve months ended

 

 

 

April 30

 

April 30

 

April 30

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

2018

 

2017

 

2018

 

2017

 

Operating expense

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

661

 

$

 

$

1,046

 

General and administrative expense

 

 

 

 

2,637

 

 

4,819

 

Total

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

3,298

 

$

 

$

5,865

 

 



 

(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 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, net, severance expense, unrealized (non-cash) losses (gains) on changes in fair value of derivatives, and net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest.  Management believes the presentation of this measure is relevant and useful, becauseit 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 and cash paid for taxes plus 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 to our calculation of distributable cash flow attributable to common unit holders 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 .