Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. Announces Second Quarter Earnings

WHIPPANY, N.J., May 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. (NYSE: SPH), a nationwide distributor of propane, fuel oil and related products and services, as well as a marketer of natural gas and electricity, today announced earnings for its second quarter ended March 29, 2014.

Net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 was $149.5 million, or $2.47 per Common Unit, compared to net income of $129.5 million, or $2.26 per Common Unit, in the prior year second quarter. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 amounted to $204.3 million, compared to $185.3 million in the prior year second quarter. 

Net income and EBITDA for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 and 2013 included expenses of $2.2 million and $2.7 million, respectively, related to the ongoing integration of Inergy Propane. Excluding the effects of these charges, as well as the unrealized (non-cash) mark-to-market adjustments on derivative instruments in both quarters, Adjusted EBITDA (as defined and reconciled below) amounted to $206.3 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2014, an increase of $15.6 million, or 8.2%, compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $190.7 million in the prior year second quarter.

In announcing these results, President Michael A. Stivala said, "While this year's heating season was one of the most challenging this industry has experienced in decades, resulting from the widely reported, industry-wide supply and logistics issues; rapidly rising wholesale prices; harsh winter storms and, in many parts of the country, sustained colder than normal temperatures, our people met the challenge. We are extremely proud of the efforts of all of our employees, who worked tirelessly, while continuing to stay focused on the comfort and safety of our customer base. This improvement in year-over-year operating performance is a testament to their hard work and dedication."

Retail propane gallons sold in the second quarter of fiscal 2014 increased 3.4 million gallons, or 1.6%, to 213.7 million gallons from 210.3 million gallons in the prior year second quarter. Sales of fuel oil and other refined fuels decreased 0.6 million gallons, to 22.6 million gallons compared to 23.2 million gallons in the prior year second quarter. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, average temperatures (as measured by heating degree days) across all of the Partnership's service territories for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 were 9% colder than normal and 11% colder than the prior year second quarter. However, the weather pattern was characterized by considerably colder than normal temperatures in the Partnership's service territories in the east and midwest regions, whereas the Partnership's service territories in the west experienced unseasonably warm temperatures throughout the quarter.  In fact, average temperatures in the western territories were 16% warmer than normal and 17% warmer than the prior year second quarter which negatively impacted volumes sold in those territories. Additionally, the supply and logistics issues that plagued the entire industry throughout much of the quarter, coupled with rising wholesale product costs, weighed on volumes for the fiscal 2014 second quarter.

Revenues of $873.8 million increased $195.3 million, or 28.8%, compared to the prior year second quarter, primarily due to higher retail selling prices associated with significantly higher wholesale product costs and, to a lesser extent, an increase in retail propane volumes sold. Average posted propane prices for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 were 51.1% higher than the prior year second quarter, basis Mont Belvieu, Texas, and, at other supply points, posted prices increased at an even greater rate.  Average posted prices for fuel oil for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 were 1.0% lower than the prior year second quarter. Cost of products sold for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 of $517.2 million increased $170.2 million, or 49.0%, compared to $347.0 million in the prior year second quarter, primarily due to higher wholesale propane costs and, to a lesser extent, higher propane volumes sold. In addition to the dramatic increase in posted propane prices, cost of products sold increased due to higher transportation costs associated with extraordinary measures taken by the Partnership to ensure that adequate propane supplies were delivered to its customer service centers to meet customer demand. Cost of products sold for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 also included a $0.3 million unrealized (non-cash) gain attributable to the mark-to-market adjustment for derivative instruments used in risk management activities, compared to a $2.6 million unrealized (non-cash) loss in the prior year second quarter. These unrealized gains and losses are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA for both periods in the table below. 

Combined operating and general and administrative expenses of $152.2 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 were $6.1 million, or 4.2%, higher than the prior year second quarter, primarily due to higher overtime and vehicle expenses associated with increased activity, as well as increased variable compensation attributable to higher earnings. Depreciation and amortization expense of $33.3 million increased $2.0 million, or 6.3%, primarily due to the acceleration of depreciation expense on assets taken out of service as a result of integration activities. Net interest expense of $21.2 million decreased $3.1 million, or 12.8%, due to the reduction of $157.3 million in long-term borrowings during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013.

Chief Executive Officer, Michael J. Dunn, Jr., added, "Overall, we are very pleased with these results, particularly in light of the operating challenges faced.  While the increased activity and operating challenges resulted in higher variable operating expenses, we continue to achieve our anticipated synergies from the integration of Inergy Propane.  Now, with the heating season behind us, we have resumed our integration activities, which includes, among other things, finalizing our system conversions, further refinements to our operating model and routing activities and enhanced employee training.  By the end of this fiscal year, we expect to be substantially completed with our systems and physical blending activities, and as we enter the new fiscal year, we will begin to fine-tune our combined operating platform." 

As previously announced on April 24, 2014, the Partnership's Board of Supervisors has declared a quarterly distribution of $0.8750 per Common Unit for the three months ended March 29, 2014. On an annualized basis, this distribution rate equates to $3.50 per Common Unit. The $0.8750 per Common Unit distribution is payable on May 13, 2014 to Common Unitholders of record as of May 6, 2014.

Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. is a publicly traded master limited partnership listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Headquartered in Whippany, New Jersey, Suburban has been in the customer service business since 1928. The Partnership serves the energy needs of more than 1.2 million residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural customers through more than 750 locations in 41 states.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements relating to future business expectations and financial condition and results of operations of the Partnership, based on management's current good faith expectations and beliefs concerning future developments.  These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed or implied in such forward-looking statements, including the following:

• The impact of weather conditions on the demand for propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels, natural gas and electricity;
• Volatility in the unit cost of propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels and natural gas, the impact of the Partnership's hedging and risk management activities, and the adverse impact of price increases on volumes as a result of customer conservation;
• The cost savings expected from the Partnership's acquisition of the retail operations formerly owned by Inergy, L.P. (the "Inergy Propane Acquisition") may not be fully realized or realized within the expected timeframe;
• The revenue gained by the Partnership from the Inergy Propane Acquisition may be lower than expected;
• The costs of integrating the business acquired in the Inergy Propane Acquisition into the Partnership's existing operations may be greater than expected;
• The ability of the Partnership to compete with other suppliers of propane, fuel oil and other energy sources;
• The impact on the price and supply of propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels from the political, military or economic instability of the oil producing nations, global terrorism and other general economic conditions;
• The ability of the Partnership to acquire sufficient volumes of, and the costs to the Partnership of acquiring, transporting and storing, propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels;
• The ability of the Partnership to acquire and maintain reliable transportation for its propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels;
• The ability of the Partnership to retain customers or acquire new customers;
• The impact of customer conservation, energy efficiency and technology advances on the demand for propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels, natural gas and electricity;
• The ability of management to continue to control expenses;
• The impact of changes in applicable statutes and government regulations, or their interpretations, including those relating to the environment and global warming, derivative instruments and other regulatory developments on the Partnership's business;
• The impact of changes in tax laws that could adversely affect the tax treatment of the Partnership for income tax purposes;
• The impact of legal proceedings on the Partnership's business;
• The impact of operating hazards that could adversely affect the Partnership's operating results to the extent not covered by insurance;
• The Partnership's ability to make strategic acquisitions and successfully integrate them, including, but not limited to, Inergy Propane;
• The impact of current conditions in the global capital and credit markets, and general economic pressures;
• The operating, legal and regulatory risks the Partnership may face; and
• Other risks referenced from time to time in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and those factors listed or incorporated by reference into the Partnership's Annual Report under "Risk Factors."

Some of these risks and uncertainties are discussed in more detail in the Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended September 28, 2013 and other periodic reports filed with the SEC.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect management's view only as of the date made. The Partnership undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as otherwise required by law.

SOURCE Suburban Propane Partners, L.P.