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Exhibit 99.1

 

Contact:    610-337-7000    For Immediate Release:
   Hugh J. Gallagher, ext. 1029    August 7, 2012
   Simon Bowman, ext. 3645   
   Shelly Oates, ext. 3202   

AmeriGas Partners Reports Third Quarter Results, Updates Guidance

VALLEY FORGE, Pa., August 7—AmeriGas Propane, Inc., general partner of AmeriGas Partners, L.P. (NYSE: APU), reported a seasonal net loss attributable to AmeriGas Partners, L.P. for the third fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2012 of $89.4 million compared to a seasonal net loss of $9.2 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2011. The net loss attributable to AmeriGas Partners, L.P. for the current-year period reflects an increased seasonal loss associated with the operations of Heritage Propane, which was acquired in January, the impact of $15.0 million in acquisition and transition expenses related to the Heritage Propane acquisition, and the effects of extraordinarily warmer than normal spring weather. The Partnership’s adjusted earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (Adjusted EBITDA) decreased to $16.8 million for the third quarter of 2012 compared to $31.1 million for the same period last year.

For the three months ended June 30, 2012, retail propane volumes sold were 204.0 million gallons compared with retail propane volumes of 155.1 million gallons in the prior-year period. The increase in volumes sold was largely attributable to incremental volumes resulting from the Heritage Propane acquisition (approximately 69 million gallons) partially offset by the impact of the extraordinarily warm spring weather. Weather during the quarter was approximately 24% warmer than normal and 23% warmer than the prior-year period, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Revenues for the quarter increased to $571.9 million, reflecting the impact of the Heritage Propane acquisition partially offset by the volume-related decline in revenues associated with the warm spring weather and lower average selling prices associated with lower propane product costs. Total margin increased $67.9 million in the 2012 three-month period, primarily reflecting incremental total margin from the Heritage Propane acquisition partially offset by the impact of the significantly warmer spring weather.

Operating and administrative expenses increased $95.8 million, primarily reflecting incremental Heritage Propane expenses and acquisition and transition expenses of $15.0 million. Partnership operating loss was $48.3 million, compared to operating income of $6.7 million in the prior-year period, as the increase in total margin was more than offset by the increased operating expenses and a $25.0 million increase in depreciation and amortization expenses principally associated with the Heritage Propane acquisition.

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AmeriGas Partners Reports Third Quarter Results, Updates Guidance   Page 2

Jerry E. Sheridan, chief executive officer of AmeriGas, said, “Our results for the quarter reflect the adverse effects of the very warm spring weather which followed one of the warmest winters on record. Our management team did an excellent job of remaining focused on the day-to-day operations of the business while at the same time making significant progress during the quarter on the Heritage Propane acquisition integration. Our field managers are in place, we have consolidated most of our back office functions, and begun the first phase of field integration efforts to be completed by the end of summer. Given our results thus far, we now expect Adjusted EBITDA for fiscal year 2012 to be in the range of $375 million to $385 million, including the impact of approximately $15 million in net synergies expected to be recognized from the Heritage Propane acquisition during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012. I am pleased to announce that we are increasing our Adjusted EBITDA forecast for fiscal 2013 to be in the range of $620 million to $660 million, assuming essentially normal weather patterns. Our expectations continue to include the impact of at least $50 million in net synergies expected to be recognized from the Heritage Propane acquisition in fiscal 2013. The change to our fiscal 2013 guidance reflects our current assessment of acquisition integration efforts and business conditions for next year, and underscores our confidence in our ability to continue to achieve significant synergies related to the Heritage acquisition.”

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and total margin are non-GAAP financial measures. Adjusted EBITDA is defined herein as earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, losses on extinguishment of debt and Heritage Propane acquisition and transition expenses. Total margin represents total revenues less total cost of sales. Management believes the presentation of these measures provides useful information to investors to more effectively evaluate the year-over-year results of operations of the Partnership. These measures are not comparable to measures used by other entities and should only be considered in conjunction with net income attributable to AmeriGas Partners, L.P. A reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to the most comparable GAAP financial measure is included on the last page of this press release.

AmeriGas is the nation’s largest retail propane marketer, serving over two million customers in all 50 states from over 1,200 locations. UGI Corporation, through subsidiaries, is the sole General Partner and owns 26% of the Partnership. An affiliate of Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. owns 32% of the Partnership and the public owns the remaining 42%.

AmeriGas Partners, L.P. will hold a live Internet Audio Webcast of its conference call to discuss third quarter earnings and other current activities at 4:00 PM ET on Tuesday, August 7, 2012. Interested parties may listen to the audio webcast both live and in replay on the Internet at http://investor.shareholder.com/ugi/apu/events.cfm or at the company website http://www.amerigas.com under Investor Relations. A telephonic replay will be available from 7:00 PM ET on August 7 through midnight Friday, August 10. The replay may be accessed at 1-855-859-2056, passcode 36869525 and International access 1-404-537-3406, passcode 36869525.

Comprehensive information about AmeriGas is available on the Internet at http://www.amerigas.com.

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AmeriGas Partners Reports Third Quarter Results, Updates Guidance    Page 3

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements which management believes to be reasonable as of today’s date only. Actual results may differ significantly because of risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond management’s control. You should read the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for a more extensive list of factors that could affect results. Among them are adverse weather conditions, cost volatility and availability of propane, increased customer conservation measures, the capacity to transport propane to our market areas, the impact of pending and future legal proceedings, political, economic and regulatory conditions in the U.S. and abroad, and our ability to successfully integrate Heritage Propane and achieve anticipated synergies. The Partnership undertakes no obligation to release revisions to its forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after today.

 

AP-18    ###    8/7/12


AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

REPORT OF EARNINGS

(Thousands, except per unit and where otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended     Twelve Months Ended  
     June 30,     June 30,     June 30,  
     2012     2011     2012     2011     2012     2011  

Revenues:

            

Propane

   $ 507,529      $ 428,286      $ 2,227,576      $ 1,941,693      $ 2,646,322      $ 2,284,257   

Other

     64,416        42,544        183,755        136,133        225,142        174,602   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     571,945        470,830        2,411,331        2,077,826        2,871,464        2,458,859   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

            

Cost of sales - propane

     312,487        284,629        1,394,860        1,257,038        1,683,983        1,472,266   

Cost of sales - other

     21,516        16,212        52,962        43,902        68,186        58,589   

Operating and administrative expenses

     242,905        147,139        655,090        474,039        801,627        632,135   

Depreciation

     38,311        21,435        94,593        61,853        115,717        81,879   

Amortization

     11,204        3,063        23,902        8,516        27,119        10,784   

Other (income) expense, net

     (6,190     (8,329     (16,931     (20,404     (22,090     (24,359
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     620,233        464,149        2,204,476        1,824,944        2,674,542        2,231,294   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating (loss) income

     (48,288     6,681        206,855        252,882        196,922        227,565   

Gain (loss) on extinguishments of debt

     30        —          (13,349     (18,801     (32,665     (18,801

Interest expense

     (41,853     (15,643     (103,431     (47,365     (119,584     (62,287
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(loss) income before income taxes

     (90,111     (8,962     90,075        186,716        44,673        146,477   

Income tax benefit (expense)

     208        (139     (1,006     (487     (909     (1,374
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

     (89,903     (9,101     89,069        186,229        43,764        145,103   

Less: net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     521        (51     (2,041     (2,511     (1,931     (2,242
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss) income attributable to AmeriGas Partners, L.P.

   $ (89,382   $ (9,152   $ 87,028      $ 183,718      $ 41,833      $ 142,861   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

General partner's interest in net (loss) income attributable to AmeriGas Partners, L.P.

   $ 3,355      $ 1,474      $ 9,628      $ 5,308      $ 10,742      $ 5,852   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Limited partners' interest in net (loss) income attributable to AmeriGas Partners, L.P.

   $ (92,737   $ (10,626   $ 77,400      $ 178,410      $ 31,091      $ 137,009   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Loss) income per limited partner unit (a)

            

Basic

   $ (1.00   $ (0.19   $ 0.91      $ 2.83      $ 0.33      $ 2.39   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ (1.00   $ (0.19   $ 0.91      $ 2.83      $ 0.33      $ 2.39   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average limited partner units outstanding:

            

Basic

     92,783        57,129        77,615        57,115        72,466        57,108   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

     92,783        57,129        77,668        57,165        72,520        57,158   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

            

Retail gallons sold (millions)

     204.0        155.1        814.3        727.8        960.7        874.5   

EBITDA (b)

   $ 1,778      $ 31,128      $ 309,960      $ 301,939      $ 305,162      $ 299,185   

Expenditures for property, plant and equipment:

            

Maintenance capital expenditures

   $ 14,203      $ 8,441      $ 38,850      $ 28,161      $ 57,303      $ 41,376   

Growth capital expenditures

   $ 10,961      $ 10,145      $ 31,414      $ 31,040      $ 49,575      $ 41,199   

 

(a) Income per limited partner unit is computed in accordance with accounting guidance regarding the application of the two-class method for determining earnings per share as it relates to master limited partnerships. Refer to Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included in the AmeriGas Partners, L.P. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011.
(b) Earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") should not be considered as an alternative to net income attributable to AmeriGas Partners, L.P. (as an indicator of operating performance) and is not a measure of performance or financial condition under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). Management believes EBITDA is a meaningful non-GAAP financial measure used by investors to (1) compare the Partnership's operating performance with that of other companies within the propane industry and (2) assess the Partnership's ability to meet loan covenants. The Partnership's definition of EBITDA may be different from those used by other companies.

(continued)

 

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AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

REPORT OF EARNINGS

(Thousands, except per unit and where otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

(continued)

Management uses EBITDA to compare year-over-year profitability of the business without regard to capital structure as well as to compare the relative performance of the Partnership to that of other master limited partnerships without regard to their financing methods, capital structure, income taxes or historical cost basis. In view of the omission of interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization from EBITDA, management also assesses the profitability of the business by comparing net income attributable to AmeriGas Partners, L.P. for the relevant years.

Management also uses EBITDA to assess the Partnership's profitability because its parent, UGI Corporation, uses the Partnership's EBITDA to assess the profitability of the Partnership which is one of UGI Corporation's industry segments. UGI Corporation discloses the Partnership's EBITDA in its disclosure about industry segments as the profitability measure for its domestic propane segment. EBITDA in the three months ended June 30, 2012 includes acquisition and transition expense of $15,037 associated with the Heritage Propane acquisition. EBITDA in the nine months ended June 30, 2012 includes a net pre-tax loss of $13,349 from extinguishment of debt and acquisition and transition expense of $26,892 associated with the Heritage Propane acquisition. EBITDA for the twelve months ended June 30, 2012 includes a net pre-tax loss of $32,665 from extinguishment of debt and acquisition and transition expense of $26,892 associated with the Heritage Propane acquisition. EBITDA in the nine and twelve months ended June 30, 2011 includes pre-tax losses of $18,801 from extinguishments of debt. EBITDA for the twelve months ended June 30, 2011 also includes a $7,000 pre-tax loss associated with increased litigation reserves.

The following table includes reconciliations of net income attributable to AmeriGas Partners, L.P. to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (1) for all periods presented:

 

     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended      Twelve Months Ended  
     June 30,     June 30,      June 30,  
     2012     2011     2012      2011      2012      2011  

Net (loss) income attributable to AmeriGas Partners, L.P

   $ (89,382   $ (9,152   $ 87,028       $ 183,718       $ 41,833       $ 142,861   

Income tax (benefit) expense

     (208     139        1,006         487         909         1,374   

Interest expense

     41,853        15,643        103,431         47,365         119,584         62,287   

Depreciation

     38,311        21,435        94,593         61,853         115,717         81,879   

Amortization

     11,204        3,063        23,902         8,516         27,119         10,784   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

EBITDA

   $ 1,778      $ 31,128      $ 309,960       $ 301,939       $ 305,162       $ 299,185   

Heritage Propane acquisition and transition expense

     15,037        —          26,892         —           26,892         —     

(Gain) loss on extinguishments of debt

     (30     —          13,349         18,801         32,665         18,801   

Litigation reserve

     —          —          —           —           —           7,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

   $ 16,785      $ 31,128      $ 350,201       $ 320,740       $ 364,719       $ 324,986   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table includes a reconciliation of forecasted net income attributable to AmeriGas Partners, L.P. to forecasted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal years ending September 30, 2012 and 2013:

 

     Forecast      Forecast  
     Fiscal      Fiscal  
     Year      Year  
     Ending      Ending  
     September 30,      September 30,  
     2012      2013  

Net income attributable to AmeriGas Partners, L.P (estimate)

   $ 11,000       $ 254,000   

Interest expense (estimate)

     145,000         167,000   

Income tax expense (estimate)

     1,000         2,000   

Depreciation (estimate)

     133,000         154,000   

Amortization (estimate)

     35,000         43,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

EBITDA

   $ 325,000       $ 620,000   

Transition expenses (estimate)

     42,000         20,000   

Loss on extinguishment of debt (estimate)

     13,000         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

   $ 380,000       $ 640,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. Management believes the presentation of this measure provides useful information to investors to more effectively evaluate the year-over-year results of operations of the Partnership. Management uses Adjusted EBITDA to exclude from AmeriGas Partners’ EBITDA gains and losses that competitors do not necessarily have to provide additional insight into the comparison of year-over-year profitability to that of other master limited partnerships. This measure is not comparable to measures used by other entities and should only be considered in conjunction with net income attributable to AmeriGas Partners, L.P. for the relevant periods.

 

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