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8-K - SOUTHERN UNION FORM 8-K, AUGUST 9, 2011 - SOUTHERN UNION COsuform8k_080911.htm
SU LETTERHEAD
 

11-13
For further information:
John P. Barnett
Director of External Affairs
Southern Union Company
713-989-7556


SOUTHERN UNION ANNOUNCES 2Q RESULTS;
REAFFIRMS 2011 GUIDANCE

 
 
·  Second Quarter 2011 Reported EPS of $0.47; Adjusted EPS of $0.41
 
 
·  2011 Guidance: GAAP EPS of $1.87 to $2.07; Adjusted EPS of $1.75 to $1.95

HOUSTON, August 9, 2011 –Southern Union Company (NYSE: SUG) today reported second quarter net earnings available for common stockholders of $59.8 million ($0.47 per share), compared with $69.4 million ($0.55 per share) in the prior year. Adjusted net earnings for the same period were $52.1 million ($0.41 per share), compared with $53.0 million ($0.42 per share) in the prior year. The following table provides a reconciliation of net earnings to adjusted net earnings:

Select Non-GAAP Financial Information
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
($000s, except per share amounts)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Net earnings available for common stockholders
  $ 59,773     $ 69,424  
After-tax adjustments:
               
MTM gain on open economic hedges
  $ (194 )   $ (14,009 )
MTM loss recorded in prior accounting period
  $ (4,572 )   $ (5,697 )
Merger-related expenses
  $ 2,965     $ -  
Litigation settlements
  $ (5,910 )   $ -  
Loss on extinguishment of preferred stock
  $ -     $ 3,295  
Adjusted net earnings available for common stockholders
  $ 52,062     $ 53,013  
Reported net earnings per share available for common stockholders
  $ 0.47     $ 0.55  
Adjusted net earnings per share available for common stockholders
  $ 0.41     $ 0.42  


George L. Lindemann, chairman and CEO, said, “I am very pleased with our results for the second quarter. Our business units produced solid earnings and we are reaffirming our 2011 adjusted earnings guidance at this time. We also continue to be excited about the high level of producer activity in the Bone Spring and Avalon Shale plays, which are adjacent to our Southern Union Gas Services’ assets. We expect significant growth opportunities on our system to arise from these plays over the next several years.”

 
 

 
 
Eric D. Herschmann, Vice Chairman, President and COO, added, “The Company is also pleased with the US Department of Energy’s recent order authorizing Lake Charles Exports, a jointly-owned subsidiary of the Company and BG Group plc, to export up to 2 Bcf/day of domestically produced LNG from Trunkline LNG’s Lake Charles terminal to countries that have or will enter into a free trade agreement with the United States.  Receipt of this important regulatory approval is a significant milestone for our liquefaction plans at the terminal.  We also hope to receive approval to export LNG to non-free trade agreement countries in the near future.  We look forward to participating in this project which will help stimulate the economy through job creation and enhanced support for domestic production of natural gas.”

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2011, the Company reported net earnings available for common stockholders of $120.4 million ($0.96 per share), compared with $123.7 million ($0.99 per share) in the prior year. Adjusted net earnings for the same period were $116 million ($0.92 per share), compared with $108.2 million ($0.86 per share) in the prior year. The following table provides a reconciliation of net earnings to adjusted net earnings:

Select Non-GAAP Financial Information
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
($000s, except per share amounts)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Net earnings available for common stockholders
  $ 120,435     $ 123,713  
After-tax adjustments:
               
MTM (gain) loss on open economic hedges
  $ 9,059     $ (10,447 )
MTM loss recorded in prior accounting period
  $ (10,523 )   $ (12,581 )
Merger-related expenses
  $ 2,965     $ -  
Litigation settlements
  $ (5,910 )   $ -  
Change in tax treatment for Medicare Part D subsidies
  $ -     $ 4,216  
Loss on extinguishment of preferred stock
  $ -     $ 3,295  
Adjusted net earnings available for common stockholders
  $ 116,026     $ 108,196  
Reported net earnings per share available for common stockholders
  $ 0.96     $ 0.99  
Adjusted net earnings per share available for common stockholders
  $ 0.92     $ 0.86  

2Q 2011 Highlights
·  
Southern Union’s transportation and storage segment posted adjusted EBIT of $ 109.1 million, compared with EBIT of $111.2 million in the prior year. The decrease was primarily attributable to the impact of a $3.5 million reduction in the 2010 period in the repair and abandonment cost provision for Hurricanes Ike and Gustav resulting from favorable weather conditions experienced and higher depreciation expenses of $1.1 million due to increased plant, property and equipment placed into service after June 30, 2010, partially offset by higher operating revenue of $2.7 million primarily due to an increase in sales of short-term capacity.

 
 

 
 
·  
 
The gathering and processing segment reported adjusted EBIT of $14.2 million, compared with adjusted EBIT of $9.1 million in the prior year, primarily due to higher market-driven realized average natural gas and NGL prices in the 2011 period.  Total processed volumes were 431,453 MMBtu/d in the 2011 period compared with 436,178 MMBtu/d in 2010.

·  
The Company’s distribution segment posted adjusted EBIT of $3.6 million compared to EBIT of $6.9 million in the prior year.  This decrease was primarily due to higher operating, maintenance and general expenses, including the impact of higher costs related to the tornadoes in Joplin, Missouri, during the current quarter and the impact of a $1.5 million settlement in the prior year for a previous environmental claim.

·  
Income taxes were $25.6 million in the current quarter compared with $28.6 million in the prior year. The decrease was primarily due to lower pre-tax earnings in the current quarter compared to the prior year.

·  
Preferred stock dividends were down $2.2 million in the current quarter versus the prior year due to the Company’s redemption of its remaining outstanding preferred stock in July 2010.

Merger Update

On July 19, 2011, the Company entered into a Second Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger (“Second Amended Merger Agreement”) with Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (“ETE”) and Sigma Acquisition Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ETE (“Merger Sub”).  The Seconded Amended Merger Agreement modifies certain terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger entered into by the Company, ETE and Merger Sub on June 15, 2011 as amended on July 4, 2011.  The Second Amended Merger Agreement provides for the merger of Merger Sub with and into the Company (“Merger”), with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation in the Merger, and the contribution of the Company’s interests in Citrus Corp. through merger to Energy Transfer Partners, L.P.  Under the terms of the Second Amended Merger Agreement, Company shareholders can elect to exchange their common shares for $44.25 of cash or 1.000x ETE common unit.  The maximum cash component is 60% of the aggregate consideration and the common unit component can fluctuate between 40% and 50%.  Elections in excess of either the cash or common unit limits will be subject to proration.  As a result of the Merger, the Company will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of ETE.  The Merger is expected to close in the first quarter of 2012, subject to stockholder approval and certain other regulatory approvals.

 
 

 
 
2011 Earnings Guidance

Southern Union reaffirms its expected 2011 net earnings of $1.87 to $2.07 per share (GAAP basis) and adjusted net earnings of $1.75 to $1.95 per share.  Adjusted net earnings exclude the mark-to-market impact of open economic hedges of processing spreads.

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

Southern Union will provide additional information about its second quarter 2011 results in its quarterly report on Form 10-Q expected to be filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Once made, this filing may be accessed through the Investors’ section of the Company’s web site at www.sug.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company uses adjusted net earnings (per share) and earnings before interest and taxes (“EBIT”), or adjusted EBIT, as appropriate, as its primary measures of evaluating financial performance. The Company also believes these measures present its financial performance in a manner that is more consistent with the presentation used by the investment community in its evaluation of the Company’s financial performance. Adjusted net earnings (per share), EBIT and adjusted EBIT are non-GAAP measures and should be used in conjunction with net earnings and other financial measures such as operating income or net cash flows provided by operating activities.

About Southern Union Company

Southern Union Company, headquartered in Houston, is one of the nation’s leading diversified natural gas companies, engaged primarily in the transportation, storage, gathering, processing and distribution of natural gas. The Company owns and operates one of the nation’s largest natural gas pipeline systems with more than 20,000 miles of gathering and transportation pipelines and one of North America’s largest liquefied natural gas import terminals, along with serving more than half a million natural gas end-user customers in Missouri and Massachusetts. For further information, visit www.sug.com.

 
 

 
 
Cautionary Statements

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions.  These forward-looking statements, which address the Company’s expected business and financial performance, among other matters, are identified by terms and phrases such as:  anticipate, believe, intend, estimate, expect, continue, should, could, may, plan, project, predict, will, potential, forecast and similar expressions.  Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may or could cause actual results to be materially different from the results predicted.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in any forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to: changes in demand for natural gas or NGL and related services by customers, in the composition of the Company’s customer base and in the sources of natural gas or NGL accessible to the Company’s system; the effects of inflation and the timing and extent of changes in the prices and overall demand for and availability of natural gas or NGL as well as electricity, oil, coal and other bulk materials and chemicals; adverse weather conditions, such as warmer or colder than normal weather in the Company’s service territories, as applicable, and the operational impact of natural disasters; changes in laws or regulations, third-party relations and approvals, and decisions of courts, regulators and/or governmental bodies affecting or involving the Company, including deregulation initiatives and the impact of rate and tariff proceedings before FERC and various state regulatory commissions; the speed and degree to which additional competition, including competition from alternative forms of energy, is introduced to the Company’s business and the resulting effect on revenues; the impact and outcome of pending and future litigation and/or regulatory investigations, proceedings or inquiries; the ability to comply with or to successfully challenge existing and/or  new environmental, safety and other laws and regulations; unanticipated environmental liabilities; the uncertainty of estimates, including accruals and costs of environmental remediation; the impact of potential impairment charges; exposure to highly competitive commodity businesses and the effectiveness of the Company's hedging program; the ability to acquire new businesses and assets and to integrate those operations into its existing operations, as well as its ability to expand its existing businesses and facilities; the timely receipt of required approvals by applicable governmental entities for the construction and operation of the pipelines and other projects; the ability to complete expansion projects on time and on budget; the ability to control costs successfully and achieve operating efficiencies, including the purchase and implementation of new technologies for achieving such efficiencies; the impact of factors affecting operations such as maintenance or repairs, environmental incidents, natural gas pipeline system constraints and relations with labor unions representing bargaining-unit employees; the performance of contractual obligations by customers, service providers and contractors; exposure to customer concentrations with a significant portion of revenues realized from a relatively small number of customers and any credit risks associated with the financial position of those customers; changes in the ratings of the Company’s debt securities; the risk of a prolonged slow-down in growth or decline in the United States economy or the risk of delay in growth or decline in the United States economy, including liquidity risks in United States credit markets; the impact of unsold pipeline capacity being greater than expected; changes in interest rates and other general market and economic conditions, and in the Company’s ability to continue to access its revolving credit facility and to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms, whether in the capital markets or otherwise; declines in the market prices of equity and debt securities and resulting funding requirements for defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans; acts of nature, sabotage, terrorism or other similar acts that cause damage to the facilities or  the Company’s  suppliers' or customers' facilities; market risks beyond the Company’s control affecting its risk management activities including market liquidity, commodity price volatility and counterparty creditworthiness; the availability/cost of insurance coverage and the ability to collect under existing insurance policies; the risk that material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in internal controls over financial reporting could emerge or that minor problems could become significant; changes in accounting rules, regulations and pronouncements that impact the measurement of  results of operations, the timing of when such measurements are to be made and recorded and the disclosures surrounding these activities; the effects of changes in governmental policies and regulatory actions, including changes with respect to income and other taxes, environmental compliance, climate change initiative, authorized rates of recovery of costs (including pipeline relocation costs) and permitting for new natural gas production accessible to the Company’s systems; market risks affecting the Company’s pricing of its services provided and renewal of significant customer contracts; other risks and unforeseen events, including other financial, operational and legal risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission; actions taken to protect species under the Endangered Species Act and the effect of those actions on the Company’s operations; and the likelihood and timing of the proposed merger with ETE, the terms and conditions of any required regulatory approvals of the proposed merger, the impact of the proposed merger on Southern Union’s employees and potential diversion of management’s time and attention from ongoing business during this time period.
 
These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any of the Company’s forward-looking statements.  Other factors could also have material adverse effects on the Company’s future results.  These and other risks are described in greater detail in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and its other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the events described in forward-looking statements might not occur or might occur to a different extent or at a different time than the Company has described.  The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.
 
Additional Information
 
In connection with the proposed Merger, ETE and the Company have filed a proxy statement / prospectus and other documents with the SEC. Investors and security holders are urged to carefully read the definitive proxy statement/prospectus when it becomes available because it will contain important information regarding ETE, the Company and the transaction.

A definitive proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to stockholders of the Company seeking their approval of the transaction. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the definitive proxy statement/prospectus (when available) and other documents filed by ETE and the Company with the SEC at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. The definitive proxy statement/prospectus (when available) and such other documents relating to ETE may also be obtained free of charge by directing a request to Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., Attn: Investor Relations, 3738 Oak Lawn Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75219, or from ETE’s website, www.energytransfer.com. The definitive proxy statement/prospectus (when available) and such other documents relating to the Company may also be obtained free of charge by directing a request to Southern Union Company, Attn: Investor Relations, 5444 Westheimer Road, Houston, Texas 77056, or from the Company’s website, www.sug.com.

ETE, the Company and their respective directors and executive officers may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed to be “participants” in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transaction. Information concerning the interests of the persons who may be “participants” in the solicitation will be set forth in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus when it becomes available.


 
 

 


Select Financial Information
 
The following table sets forth financial information for the Company for the periods presented.
 

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
 
                         
Operating revenues
  $ 631,607     $ 573,096     $ 1,378,429     $ 1,332,090  
                                 
Operating expenses:
                               
Cost of natural gas and other energy
    315,575       246,626       741,207       685,635  
Operating, maintenance and general
    123,858       118,723       244,852       232,608  
Depreciation and amortization
    59,295       57,559       118,622       112,753  
Revenue-related taxes
    5,200       4,806       22,567       21,848  
Taxes, other than on income and revenues
    12,657       13,638       28,127       28,224  
Total operating expenses
    516,585       441,352       1,155,375       1,081,068  
                                 
Operating income
    115,022       131,744       223,054       251,022  
                                 
Other income (expenses):
                               
Interest expense
    (54,933 )     (55,436 )     (110,504 )     (106,312 )
Earnings from unconsolidated investments
    25,048       27,542       51,749       46,120  
Other, net
    224       (352 )     366       (63 )
Total other expenses, net
    (29,661 )     (28,246 )     (58,389 )     (60,255 )
                                 
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes
    85,361       103,498       164,665       190,767  
                                 
Federal and state income tax expense
    25,588       28,609       44,230       59,418  
                                 
Net earnings
    59,773       74,889       120,435       131,349  
                                 
Preferred stock dividends
    -       (2,170 )     -       (4,341 )
Loss on extinguishment of preferred stock
    -       (3,295 )     -       (3,295 )
                                 
Net earnings available for common stockholders
  $ 59,773     $ 69,424     $ 120,435     $ 123,713  
                                 
Net earnings available for common stockholders per share:
                 
Basic
  $ 0.48     $ 0.56     $ 0.97     $ 0.99  
Diluted
  $ 0.47     $ 0.55     $ 0.96     $ 0.99  
Cash dividends declared on common stock per share:
  $ 0.15     $ 0.15     $ 0.30     $ 0.30  
                                 
Weighted average shares outstanding
                               
Basic
    124,712       124,474       124,685       124,445  
Diluted
    125,875       125,244       125,737       125,202  

 
 

 


Select Financial Information Continued
 
The following table sets forth certain selected financial information for the Company for the periods presented.

     
June 30,
 
December 31,
     
2011 
 
2010 
     
(In thousands of dollars)
               
Total assets
 
$
 8,190,069 
 
$
 8,238,543 
               
Long term debt
 
$
 2,705,534 
 
$
 3,520,906 
Short term debt and notes payable
   
 1,011,751 
   
 298,134 
Common equity
   
 2,605,251 
   
 2,526,982 
Total capitalization
 
$
 6,322,536 
 
$
 6,346,022 
               
               
     
Three Months Ended June 30,
     
2011 
 
2010 
     
(In thousands of dollars)
Cash flow information:
   
Cash flow provided by operating activities
 
$
 350,911 
 
$
 242,492 
Changes in working capital
   
 81,384 
   
 (16,663)
Net cash flow provided by operating activities
           
 
before changes in working capital
   
 269,527 
   
 259,155 
Net cash flow used in investing activities
   
 (216,390)
   
 (129,020)
Net cash flow used in financing activities
   
 (134,807)
   
 (121,429)
Change in cash and cash equivalents
 
$
 (286)
 
$
 (7,957)

 
 

 


Select Non-GAAP Financial Information
 
The following table sets forth certain selected financial information for the Company’s segments for the periods presented.

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
(In thousands of dollars)
 
                         
Revenues from external customers:
                       
Transportation and Storage
  $ 189,760     $ 187,090     $ 392,054     $ 373,765  
Gathering and Processing
    328,515       282,707       552,167       543,567  
Distribution
    109,076       99,711       425,649       407,972  
Total segment operating revenues
    627,351       569,508       1,369,870       1,325,304  
Corporate and other
    4,256       3,588       8,559       6,786  
Total consolidated revenues from external customers
  $ 631,607     $ 573,096     $ 1,378,429     $ 1,332,090  
                                 
Depreciation and amortization:
                               
Transportation and Storage
  $ 31,963     $ 30,896     $ 64,237     $ 60,073  
Gathering and Processing
    18,065       17,971       35,852       35,291  
Distribution
    8,407       7,967       16,814       15,923  
Total segment depreciation and amortization
    58,435       56,834       116,903       111,287  
Corporate and other
    860       725       1,719       1,466  
Total depreciation and amortization expense
  $ 59,295     $ 57,559     $ 118,622     $ 112,753  
                                 
                                 
EBIT:
                               
Transportation and Storage segment
  $ 117,495     $ 111,246     $ 239,593     $ 213,671  
Gathering and Processing segment
    21,333       40,526       9,104       47,081  
Distribution segment
    3,374       6,865       26,941       35,710  
Corporate and other
    (1,908 )     297       (469 )     617  
Total EBIT
    140,294       158,934       275,169       297,079  
Interest expense
    54,933       55,436       110,504       106,312  
Earnings before income taxes
    85,361       103,498       164,665       190,767  
Federal and state income tax expense
    25,588       28,609       44,230       59,418  
Net earnings
    59,773       74,889       120,435       131,349  
Preferred stock dividends
    -       2,170       -       4,341  
Loss on extinguishment of preferred stock
    -       3,295       -       3,295  
Net earnings available for common stockholders
  $ 59,773     $ 69,424     $ 120,435     $ 123,713  
                                 
                                 

The Company evaluates segment performance based on several factors, of which the primary financial measure is earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT).  EBIT allows management and investors to more effectively evaluate the performance of all of the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries and unconsolidated investments.  The Company defines EBIT as net earnings available for common shareholders, adjusted for: (i) items that do not impact earnings, such as extraordinary items, discontinued operations and the impact of changes in accounting principles; (ii) income taxes; (iii) interest; (iv) dividends on preferred stock; and (v) loss on extinguishment of preferred stock.
 

 
 

 
 
Select Non-GAAP Financial Information
 
The following tables set forth a reconciliation of EBIT to adjusted EBIT (a non-GAAP measure) for the Company and certain business segments for the periods presented.
 

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
(In thousands of dollars)
 
Southern Union Company:
           
Reported EBIT
  $ 140,294     $ 158,934  
Adjustments:
               
Mark-to-market loss on open economic hedges
    (321 )     (22,319 )
Mark-to-market loss recognized in prior periods
    (7,284 )     (9,076 )
Merger-related expenses
    4,720       -  
Litigation settlements
    (9,409 )     -  
Adjusted EBIT
  $ 128,000     $ 127,539  
                 
                 
Transportation & Storage segment:
               
Reported EBIT
  $ 117,495     $ 111,246  
Adjustments:
               
Merger-related expenses
    969       -  
Litigation settlements
    (9,409 )     -  
Adjusted EBIT
  $ 109,055     $ 111,246  
                 
                 
Gathering & Processing segment:
               
Reported EBIT
  $ 21,333     $ 40,526  
Adjustments:
               
Mark-to-market loss on open economic hedges
    (321 )     (22,319 )
Mark-to-market loss recognized in prior periods
    (7,284 )     (9,076 )
Merger-related expenses
    428       -  
Adjusted EBIT
  $ 14,156     $ 9,131  
                 
Distribution segment:
               
Reported EBIT
  $ 3,374     $ 6,865  
Adjustments:
               
Merger-related expenses
    189       -  
Adjusted EBIT
  $ 3,563     $ 6,865  
                 
Corporate & Other
               
Reported EBIT
  $ (1,908 )   $ 297  
Adjustments:
               
Merger-related expenses
    3,134       -  
Adjusted EBIT
  $ 1,226     $ 297