Exhibit 99.1
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Contact:
Tom Colvin, Investor Relations, (913) 661-1530
Jim Saladin, Media Relations, (913) 661-1833
Jim Saladin, Media Relations, (913) 661-1833
FERRELLGAS PARTNERS REPORTS
THIRD-QUARTER RESULTS
THIRD-QUARTER RESULTS
OVERLAND PARK, KAN., June 8, 2009/PR Newswire-First Call — Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. (NYSE:FGP), one of the largest distributors of propane, today reported Adjusted EBITDA of $82.2 million for the third fiscal quarter ended April 30, compared with $85.1 million the year before for the same fiscal quarter, with the decrease primarily attributable to warmer weather. The partnership pointed out that despite warmer temperatures in the quarter Adjusted EBITDA approached planned levels.
For the nine months, Adjusted EBITDA increased 13% to $238.9 million from $211.5 million a year ago. “Looking ahead, we anticipate improvement in the fourth fiscal quarter over the year-earlier Adjusted EBITDA of $10.4 million,” noted Chairman and Chief Executive Officer James Ferrell. “Consequently, our Adjusted EBITDA target for the full fiscal year, ending July 31, is in the range of $250 million.” Adjusted EBITDA last fiscal year was $222 million and was a record $237 million in fiscal 2007.
Mr. Ferrell explained, “In light of the third quarter’s weather, which was four percent warmer than normal and five percent warmer than last year, our results were certainly gratifying. Moreover, temperatures in February, the most important month in the quarter, were seven percent warmer than normal and a year ago.”
Third quarter revenues decreased 21 percent to $561.1 million from $712.1 million, reflecting the 35 percent decrease in the cost of propane and other gas liquids to $295.9 million from $455.4 million. As such, margins expanded in the quarter significantly addressing weather impacted propane sales volumes that were off 5 percent to 239.2 million gallons, versus 252.1 million gallons in the prior-year quarter.
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President and Chief Operating Officer Steve Wambold pointed out, “Further offsetting the impact of warm weather was our continued tight rein on costs.” For instance, during the third fiscal quarter, general and administrative expense and equipment lease expense declined 22 percent and 29 percent, respectively. “In fact, operating income for the quarter was up modestly, to $57.3 million from $57.0 million the year before.” Net income for the quarter decreased to $32.9 million or $0.48 per unit, from $35.2 million, or $0.55 per unit.
Commenting on the fourth-quarter outlook, Mr. Wambold emphasized, “Our Blue Rhino brand is expected to be the key driver toward higher earnings. With the grilling season well under way, its initial results have been very encouraging. Blue Rhino’s units increased at a double-digit clip during May and is well positioned for further growth, with more than 43,000 locations.” He added, “We also expect to continue to benefit from our deeply ingrained cost-control initiatives.”
Mr. Wambold concluded, “We are also encouraged by the execution of our commitment to profitable growth, both organically and through acquisitions. Organic growth continues to be fueled by our opening more offices, providing first-class customer service. As far as acquisitions, we are seeing more opportunities, but we will maintain a disciplined approach that demands that those opportunities meet strict criteria.”
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., through its operating partnership, Ferrellgas, L.P., serves approximately one million customers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Ferrellgas employees indirectly own more than 20 million common units of the partnership through an employee stock ownership plan. More information about the partnership can be found online atwww.ferrellgas.com.
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 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, 2008, and other documents filed from time to time by these entities with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except unit data)
(unaudited)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except unit data)
(unaudited)
April 30, 2009 | July 31, 2008 | |||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
Current Assets: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 12,691 | $ | 16,614 | ||||
Accounts and notes receivable, net | 168,934 | 145,081 | ||||||
Inventories | 109,998 | 152,301 | ||||||
Price risk management assets | 57 | 26,086 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 14,626 | 10,924 | ||||||
Total Current Assets | 306,306 | 351,006 | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | 673,353 | 685,328 | ||||||
Goodwill | 248,939 | 248,939 | ||||||
Intangible assets, net | 214,243 | 225,273 | ||||||
Other assets, net | 18,612 | 18,685 | ||||||
Total Assets | $ | 1,461,453 | $ | 1,529,231 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL | ||||||||
Current Liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 81,991 | $ | 71,348 | ||||
Short term borrowings | 41,580 | 125,729 | ||||||
Price risk management liabilities | 33,835 | 7,337 | ||||||
Other current liabilities (a) | 252,086 | 100,517 | ||||||
Total Current Liabilities | 409,492 | 304,931 | ||||||
Long-term debt (a) | 848,295 | 1,034,719 | ||||||
Other liabilities | 19,019 | 23,237 | ||||||
Contingencies and commitments | — | — | ||||||
Minority interest | 5,000 | 4,220 | ||||||
Partners’ Capital: | ||||||||
Common unitholders (68,178,103 and 62,961,674 units outstanding at April 2009 and July 2008, respectively) | 270,972 | 201,618 | ||||||
General partner unitholder (688,668 and 635,977 units outstanding at April 2009 and July 2008, respectively) | (57,335 | ) | (58,036 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | (33,990 | ) | 18,542 | |||||
Total Partners’ Capital | 179,647 | 162,124 | ||||||
Total Liabilities and Partners’ Capital | $ | 1,461,453 | $ | 1,529,231 | ||||
(a) | The principal difference between the Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. balance sheet and that of Ferrellgas, L.P., is $268 million of 8 3/4% notes which are liabilities of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and not of Ferrellgas, L.P. |
FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
FOR THE THREE, NINE AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2009 AND 2008
(in thousands, except per unit data)
(unaudited)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
FOR THE THREE, NINE AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2009 AND 2008
(in thousands, except per unit data)
(unaudited)
Three months ended April 30, | Nine months ended April 30, | Twelve months ended April 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Propane and other gas liquids sales | $ | 461,850 | $ | 621,343 | $ | 1,546,274 | $ | 1,664,734 | $ | 1,936,821 | $ | 1,963,425 | ||||||||||||
Other | 99,283 | 90,747 | 210,558 | 206,240 | 239,726 | 236,641 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues | 561,133 | 712,090 | 1,756,832 | 1,870,974 | 2,176,547 | 2,200,066 | ||||||||||||||||||
Cost of product sold: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Propane and other gas liquids sales | 295,881 | 455,375 | 1,042,153 | 1,212,418 | 1,321,653 | 1,403,299 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other | 75,714 | 61,850 | 136,153 | 121,232 | 151,399 | 136,416 | ||||||||||||||||||
Gross profit | 189,538 | 194,865 | 578,526 | 537,324 | 703,495 | 660,351 | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating expense | 94,993 | 93,349 | 296,920 | 274,828 | 394,170 | 368,442 | ||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense | 20,635 | 21,443 | 62,170 | 63,883 | 83,808 | 85,330 | ||||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expense | 8,520 | 10,947 | 29,367 | 33,855 | 41,124 | 45,848 | ||||||||||||||||||
Equipment lease expense | 4,282 | 5,990 | 14,418 | 18,484 | 20,412 | 24,853 | ||||||||||||||||||
Employee stock ownership plan compensation charge | 1,460 | 3,447 | 4,865 | 9,693 | 7,585 | 12,617 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss on disposal of assets and other | 2,323 | 2,662 | 8,924 | 8,729 | 11,445 | 9,959 | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating income | 57,325 | 57,027 | 161,862 | 127,852 | 144,951 | 113,302 | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | (22,027 | ) | (21,214 | ) | (69,090 | ) | (66,351 | ) | (89,451 | ) | (88,061 | ) | ||||||||||||
Other income (expense), net | (190 | ) | 350 | (1,351 | ) | 1,348 | (1,660 | ) | 1,622 | |||||||||||||||
Earnings before income taxes and minority interest | 35,108 | 36,163 | 91,421 | 62,849 | 53,840 | 26,863 | ||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense — current | 1,572 | 243 | 2,309 | 600 | 3,441 | 575 | ||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) — deferred | 275 | 329 | 404 | (2,052 | ) | 806 | 899 | |||||||||||||||||
Minority interest (a) | 397 | 420 | 1,079 | 832 | 744 | 499 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings | 32,864 | 35,171 | 87,629 | 63,469 | 48,849 | 24,890 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings available to general partner | 329 | 352 | 876 | 635 | 488 | 249 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings available to common unitholders | $ | 32,535 | $ | 34,819 | $ | 86,753 | $ | 62,834 | $ | 48,361 | $ | 24,641 | ||||||||||||
Earnings Per Unit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic and diluted net earnings available per common unit | $ | 0.48 | $ | 0.55 | $ | 1.34 | $ | 1.00 | $ | 0.75 | $ | 0.39 | ||||||||||||
Weighted average common units outstanding | 67,809.3 | 62,958.9 | 64,650.2 | 62,958.7 | 64,224.6 | 62,958.1 |
Supplemental Data and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Items:
Three months ended April 30, | Nine months ended April 30, | Twelve months ended April 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings | $ | 32,864 | $ | 35,171 | $ | 87,629 | $ | 63,469 | $ | 48,849 | $ | 24,890 | ||||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) | 1,847 | 572 | 2,713 | (1,452 | ) | 4,247 | 1,474 | |||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 22,027 | 21,214 | 69,090 | 66,351 | 89,451 | 88,061 | ||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense | 20,635 | 21,443 | 62,170 | 63,883 | 83,808 | 85,330 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other income (expense), net | 190 | (350 | ) | 1,351 | (1,348 | ) | 1,660 | (1,622 | ) | |||||||||||||||
EBITDA | 77,563 | 78,050 | 222,953 | 190,903 | 228,015 | 198,133 | ||||||||||||||||||
Employee stock ownership plan compensation charge | 1,460 | 3,447 | 4,865 | 9,693 | 7,585 | 12,617 | ||||||||||||||||||
Unit and stock-based compensation charge (b) | 452 | 483 | 1,109 | 1,383 | 1,542 | 1,107 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss on disposal of assets and other | 2,323 | 2,662 | 8,924 | 8,729 | 11,445 | 9,959 | ||||||||||||||||||
Minority interest | 397 | 420 | 1,079 | 832 | 744 | 499 | ||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA(c) | 82,195 | 85,062 | 238,930 | 211,540 | 249,331 | 222,315 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net cash interest expense (d) | (21,547 | ) | (22,098 | ) | (68,476 | ) | (68,196 | ) | (90,061 | ) | (90,351 | ) | ||||||||||||
Maintenance capital expenditures (e) | (4,785 | ) | (5,590 | ) | (17,327 | ) | (15,058 | ) | (22,863 | ) | (18,248 | ) | ||||||||||||
Cash paid for taxes | (537 | ) | (48 | ) | (869 | ) | (1,327 | ) | (3,383 | ) | (2,192 | ) | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from asset sales | 1,973 | 2,415 | 6,878 | 8,665 | 9,087 | 11,426 | ||||||||||||||||||
Distributable cash flow to equity investors(f) | $ | 57,299 | $ | 59,741 | $ | 159,136 | $ | 135,624 | $ | 142,111 | $ | 122,950 | ||||||||||||
Propane gallons sales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retail — Sales to End Users | 183,683 | 204,683 | 556,078 | 567,247 | 645,663 | 658,808 | ||||||||||||||||||
Wholesale — Sales to Resellers | 55,523 | 47,427 | 169,293 | 131,412 | 219,896 | 176,350 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total propane gallons sales | 239,206 | 252,110 | 725,371 | 698,659 | 865,559 | 835,158 | ||||||||||||||||||
(a) | Amounts allocated to the general partner for its 1.0101% interest in the operating partnership, Ferrellgas, L.P. | |
(b) | Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123( R), “Share-Based Payment” requires that the cost resulting from all share-based payment transactions be recognized in the financial statements. Share-based payment transactions resulted in a non-cash compensation charge of $0.2 million and $0.1 million to operating expense for the three months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, $0.4 million and $0.4 million for the nine months ending April 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $0.5 million and $0.4 million for the twelve months ending April 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. A non-cash compensation charge of $0.3 million and $0.3 million was recorded to general and administrative expense for the three months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, $0.7 million and $1.0 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $1.0 million and $0.7 million for the twelve months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. | |
(c) | Management considers Adjusted EBITDA to be a chief measurement of the partnership’s overall economic performance and return on invested capital. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, employee stock ownership plan compensation charge, unit and stock-based compensation charge, loss on disposal of assets and other, minority interest, and other non-cash and non-operating charges. 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 are unusual or non-recurring, and makes it easier to compare its results with other companies that have different financing and capital structures. In addition, management believes this measure is consistent with the manner in which the partnership’s lenders and investors measure its overall performance and liquidity, including its ability to pay quarterly equity distributions, service its long- term debt and other fixed obligations and fund its capital expenditures and working capital requirements. 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 income (expense), net. This amount also 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) | Management considers Distributable cash flow to equity investors a meaningful non-GAAP measure of the partnership’s ability to declare and pay quarterly distributions to common unitholders. Distributable cash flow to equity investors, as management defines it, may not be comparable to distributable cash flow or similarly titled measures used by other corporations and partnerships. |