Attached files

file filename
8-K - 8-K - FERRELLGAS PARTNERS L Pa17-14799_18k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

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

 

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., June 9, 2017 — Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. (NYSE:FGP) (“Ferrellgas” or the “Company”) today announced financial results for its third fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2017. The Company reported net earnings attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. of $6.5 million, compared to net earnings of $18.7 million for the same period in 2016.

 

Adjusted EBITDA was $76.8 million compared to $108.0 million in the prior year period primarily due to decreased contributions from the midstream operations segment.

 

“Weather for the third fiscal quarter was 2.7% warmer than last year, but more importantly 19.5% warmer than normal,” said James E. Ferrell, the Company’s interim President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our retail gallons were consistent with those of the prior year on a weather adjusted basis, but overall margins were lower than the prior year period due to customer mix.”

 

Mr. Ferrell continued, “Further, we continue to move forward with plans to drive growth and improve results at Blue Rhino and are analyzing ways to become more operationally efficient.”

 

Propane gallons sold were 212.2 million gallons, compared to 223.4 million gallons in the prior year quarter. Operating income generated by the propane operations and related equipment sales segment was $67.1 million, compared to $78.7 million in the prior year period.

 

During the third fiscal quarter the Company executed an amendment to its secured credit facility to address leverage and interest coverage ratios and to right size the facility. Mr. Ferrell added, “We were pleased to be able to adjust our leverage ratio to 7.75x and our interest coverage ratio to 1.75x through the quarter ending April 2018 and to right size the facility from $700 million to $575 million. With this amendment behind us we can concentrate our efforts on reducing our debt with the goal of returning to a leverage ratio of 4.5x or lower.” At the end of the third fiscal quarter, the Company’s leverage ratio was 6.45x, which was significantly lower than the 7.75x limit allowed under its secured credit facility and accounts receivable securitization facility, both as amended in April 2017.

 

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,”

 

1



 

“strategy,” “position,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” or the negative of those terms or other 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 April 30, 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

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except unit data)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

April 30, 2017

 

July 31, 2016

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

9,506

 

$

4,965

 

Accounts and notes receivable, net (including $143,337 and $106,464 of accounts receivable pledged as collateral at April 30, 2017 and July 31, 2016, respectively)

 

208,529

 

149,583

 

Inventories

 

92,757

 

90,594

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

30,563

 

39,973

 

Total Current Assets

 

341,355

 

285,115

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

743,508

 

774,680

 

Goodwill, net

 

256,103

 

256,103

 

Intangible assets, net

 

259,286

 

280,185

 

Other assets, net

 

79,017

 

87,223

 

Total Assets

 

$

1,679,269

 

$

1,683,306

 

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ DEFICIT

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

86,646

 

$

67,928

 

Short-term borrowings

 

38,389

 

101,291

 

Collateralized note payable

 

91,000

 

64,000

 

Other current liabilities

 

151,473

 

128,958

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

367,508

 

362,177

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt (a)

 

1,984,218

 

1,941,335

 

Other liabilities

 

31,029

 

31,574

 

Contingencies and commitments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Partners’ Deficit:

 

 

 

 

 

Common unitholders (97,152,665 and 98,002,665 units outstanding at April 30, 2017 and July 31, 2016)

 

(639,881

)

(570,754

)

General partner unitholder (989,926 and 989,926 units outstanding at April 30, 2017 and July 31, 2016)

 

(66,372

)

(65,835

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

6,086

 

(10,468

)

Total Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. Partners’ Deficit

 

(700,167

)

(647,057

)

Noncontrolling Interest

 

(3,319

)

(4,723

)

Total Partners’ Deficit

 

(703,486

)

(651,780

)

Total Liabilities and Partners’ Deficit

 

$

1,679,269

 

$

1,683,306

 

 


(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

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017

 

2016

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Propane and other gas liquids sales

 

$

369,437

 

$

338,929

 

$

1,049,211

 

$

961,086

 

$

1,290,493

 

$

1,217,207

 

Midstream operations

 

126,676

 

105,424

 

331,507

 

487,427

 

469,318

 

574,254

 

Other

 

41,996

 

65,119

 

116,183

 

181,343

 

146,601

 

220,906

 

Total revenues

 

538,109

 

509,472

 

1,496,901

 

1,629,856

 

1,906,412

 

2,012,367

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Propane and other gas liquids sales

 

197,487

 

152,261

 

551,728

 

448,841

 

667,320

 

576,875

 

Midstream operations

 

118,767

 

71,852

 

300,433

 

373,899

 

397,768

 

444,425

 

Other

 

20,810

 

41,203

 

53,213

 

111,425

 

68,025

 

134,450

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

201,045

 

244,156

 

591,527

 

695,691

 

773,299

 

856,617

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expense

 

104,773

 

115,140

 

322,274

 

346,584

 

433,600

 

461,953

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

25,737

 

38,352

 

77,546

 

112,698

 

115,361

 

140,701

 

General and administrative expense

 

9,978

 

12,354

 

33,889

 

36,656

 

45,812

 

63,386

 

Equipment lease expense

 

7,270

 

7,244

 

22,035

 

21,554

 

29,314

 

28,153

 

Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge

 

4,697

 

9,978

 

11,396

 

18,375

 

20,616

 

26,360

 

Non-cash stock-based compensation charge (a)

 

 

1,091

 

3,298

 

6,757

 

5,865

 

13,038

 

Asset impairments

 

 

 

 

29,316

 

628,802

 

29,316

 

Loss on asset sales and disposal

 

2,393

 

5,779

 

8,861

 

23,220

 

16,476

 

25,741

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

46,197

 

54,218

 

112,228

 

100,531

 

(522,547

)

67,969

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(39,860

)

(34,371

)

(112,107

)

(102,889

)

(147,155

)

(131,488

)

Other income (expense), net

 

162

 

331

 

1,433

 

(89

)

1,632

 

(24

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

 

6,499

 

20,178

 

1,554

 

(2,447

)

(668,070

)

(63,543

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

(192

)

1,260

 

(194

)

1,446

 

(1,676

)

(317

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings (loss)

 

6,691

 

18,918

 

1,748

 

(3,893

)

(666,394

)

(63,226

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

155

 

233

 

187

 

88

 

(6,521

)

(470

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

6,536

 

18,685

 

1,561

 

(3,981

)

(659,873

)

(62,756

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

66

 

187

 

16

 

(40

)

(6,599

)

(628

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common unitholders’ interest in net earnings (loss)

 

$

6,470

 

$

18,498

 

$

1,545

 

$

(3,941

)

$

(653,274

)

$

(62,128

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) Per Common Unit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net loss per common unitholders’ interest

 

$

0.07

 

$

0.19

 

$

0.02

 

$

(0.04

)

$

(6.70

)

$

(0.64

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common units outstanding - basic 

 

97,152.7

 

98,002.7

 

97,255.4

 

98,911.2

 

97,443.7

 

96,899.5

 

 



 

Supplemental Data and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Items:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

Nine months ended

 

Twelve months ended

 

 

 

April 30

 

April 30

 

April 30

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017

 

2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

$

6,536

 

$

18,685

 

$

1,561

 

$

(3,981

)

$

(659,873

)

$

(62,756

)

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

(192

)

1,260

 

(194

)

1,446

 

(1,676

)

(317

)

Interest expense

 

39,860

 

34,371

 

112,107

 

102,889

 

147,155

 

131,488

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

25,737

 

38,352

 

77,546

 

112,698

 

115,361

 

140,701

 

EBITDA

 

71,941

 

92,668

 

191,020

 

213,052

 

(399,033

)

209,116

 

Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge

 

4,697

 

9,978

 

11,396

 

18,375

 

20,616

 

26,360

 

Non-cash stock - based compensation charge (a)

 

 

1,091

 

3,298

 

6,757

 

5,865

 

13,038

 

Asset impairments

 

 

 

 

29,316

 

628,802

 

29,316

 

Loss on asset sales and disposal

 

2,393

 

5,779

 

8,861

 

23,220

 

16,476

 

25,741

 

Other (income) expense, net

 

(162

)

(331

)

(1,433

)

89

 

(1,632

)

24

 

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

 

 

 

 

(100

)

 

(100

)

Severance costs $414 and $542 included in operating expense for the nine and twelve months ended period April 30, 2017 and $1,545 included in general and administrative expense for both the nine and twelve months ended April 30, 2017. Also includes $396, $1,201 and $1,201 in operating expense for the three, nine and twelve months ended April 30, 2016 and $73, $124 and $124 in general and administrative expense for the three, nine and twelve months ended April 31, 2016.

 

 

469

 

1,959

 

1,325

 

2,087

 

1,325

 

Unrealized (non-cash) losses (gains) on changes in fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments $(227), $(3,238) and $(3,245) included in operating expense for the three, nine and twelve months ended April 30, 2017 and $(3,142), $1,592 and $5,613 for the three, nine and twelve months ended April 30, 2016. Also includes $(2,007), $(1,211) and $(3,060) included in cost of sales for the three, nine and twelve months ended April 30, 2017, respectively, and $1,227, $1,401 and $1,401 for each of the three, nine and twelve months ended April 30, 2016.

 

(2,234

)

(1,915

)

(4,449

)

2,993

 

(6,305

)

7,014

 

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

 

 

14

 

 

99

 

 

16,472

 

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

 

155

 

233

 

187

 

88

 

(6,521

)

(470

)

Adjusted EBITDA (c)

 

76,790

 

107,986

 

210,839

 

295,214

 

260,355

 

327,836

 

Net cash interest expense (d)

 

(37,140

)

(32,849

)

(105,470

)

(99,256

)

(139,074

)

(126,807

)

Maintenance capital expenditures (e)

 

(3,442

)

(4,159

)

(10,518

)

(13,588

)

(14,067

)

(18,337

)

Cash paid for taxes

 

(2

)

(427

)

(28

)

(432

)

(373

)

(811

)

Proceeds from asset sales

 

130

 

3,096

 

4,163

 

5,972

 

4,214

 

7,817

 

Distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors (f)

 

36,336

 

73,647

 

98,986

 

187,910

 

111,055

 

189,698

 

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

 

727

 

1,473

 

1,980

 

3,758

 

2,222

 

3,793

 

Distributable cash flow attributable to common unitholders (g)

 

35,609

 

72,174

 

97,006

 

184,152

 

108,833

 

185,905

 

Less: Distributions paid to common unitholders

 

9,715

 

50,267

 

69,221

 

151,933

 

119,407

 

193,292

 

Distributable cash flow excess/(shortage)

 

$

25,894

 

$

21,907

 

$

27,785

 

$

32,219

 

$

(10,574

)

$

(7,387

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Propane gallons sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail - Sales to End Users

 

160,326

 

164,713

 

473,094

 

465,146

 

560,719

 

555,201

 

Wholesale - Sales to Resellers

 

51,891

 

58,645

 

170,033

 

169,992

 

226,162

 

228,989

 

Total propane gallons sales

 

212,217

 

223,358

 

643,127

 

635,138

 

786,881

 

784,190

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Midstream operations barrels

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salt water volume processed

 

4,635

 

4,024

 

12,340

 

12,980

 

15,903

 

16,781

 

Crude oil hauled

 

12,280

 

16,215

 

36,549

 

64,824

 

51,136

 

75,271

 

Crude oil sold

 

2,110

 

1,810

 

5,228

 

4,969

 

7,119

 

5,496

 

 



 


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

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

Six months ended

 

Twelve months ended

 

 

 

April 30

 

April 30

 

April 30

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017

 

2016

 

Operating expense

 

$

 

$

131

 

$

661

 

$

883

 

$

1,046

 

$

1,825

 

General and administrative expense

 

 

960

 

2,637

 

5,874

 

4,819

 

11,213

 

Total

 

$

 

$

1,091

 

$

3,298

 

$

6,757

 

$

5,865

 

$

13,038

 

 

(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, 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, 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 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.