Exhibit 99.1
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. Reports Results for Third Quarter Fiscal 2016
OVERLAND PARK, Kan., June 8, 2016 — Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. (NYSE:FGP) (“Ferrellgas” or the “Company”) today reported financial results for its third fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2016. The Company reported Net earnings attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. of $18.7 million, compared to $35.8 million for the quarter ended April 30, 2015.
Adjusted EBITDA was $108.0 million, an increase of 12% over the same quarter last year, including $25.2 million of Adjusted EBITDA from the Bridger Logistics acquisition which was completed in June of 2015.
“Like many in our industry, we continue to be impacted by the extremely warm temperatures nationwide, and the downturn in the commodities market, including lower crude oil prices and project delays and cancellations,” said Stephen L. Wambold, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We experienced an average of 18% warmer weather than normal during the quarter, which reduced heating needs across all our geographies and significantly drove down propane segment volumes and revenues. Notwithstanding these operating conditions, we are pleased to have delivered a 12% year-over-year increase in Adjusted EBITDA.”
Mr. Wambold continued, “Bridger continues to perform well, providing gross profits and adjusted EBITDA in our third quarter that more than offset decreases in our water solutions and propane segments. Importantly, we remain focused on reducing expenses and continue to evaluate value-enhancing organic and external growth opportunities to drive growth and mitigate the impact of the challenging operating environment. We expect our distributable cash flow coverage to rebound to more than 1.0x by the end of 2016, with leverage dropping below 5.0x. We continue to execute against our strategic plan and remain confident that we have the initiatives in place to create value for all Ferrellgas unitholders.”
Continued strong expense controls in the Propane and related equipment sales segment and strong results from the Midstream Crude Oil segment helped offset the impact of elevated temperatures, which were 18% warmer than normal and 21% warmer than the prior year period.
Even though there were strong expense controls, due to the Bridger Transaction, Operating expense and General and administrative expense for the third fiscal quarter increased to $115.1 million and $12.4 million respectively.
Interest expense totaled $34.4 million for the third fiscal quarter, compared to $23.5 million in the prior year period, primarily due to $500 million of notes issued in connection with the Bridger acquisition in June 2015.
Net earnings for the quarter were $18.9 million, or $0.19 per common unit, compared to net earnings of $36.2 million, or $0.43 per common unit, in the prior year period. The decrease in net earnings is primarily due to the impact of warm weather on our propane and related equipment sales segment and the increases in Depreciation and amortization expense and interest expense both primarily related to the acquisition of Bridger.
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 29, 2015. 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. 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, 2015, in the Form 10-Q of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp., Ferrellgas, L.P., and Ferrellgas Finance Corp. for the quarters ended October 31, 2015, January 31, 2016 and April 30, 2016 and in other documents filed from time to time by these entities with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contacts
Jack Herrold, Investor Relations
jackherrold@ferrellgas.com or (913) 661-1851
Jim Saladin, Media Relations
jimsaladin@ferrellgas.com or (913) 661-1833
Scott Brockelmeyer, Media Relations
scottbrockelmeyer@ferrellgas.com or (913) 661-1830
FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
FOR THE THREE, NINE AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2016 AND 2015
(in thousands, except per unit data)
(unaudited)
| | Three months ended | | Nine months ended | | Twelve months ended | |
| | April 30 | | April 30 | | April 30 | |
| | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2016 | | 2015 | |
Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Propane and other gas liquids sales | | $ | 338,929 | | $ | 445,667 | | $ | 961,086 | | $ | 1,400,895 | | $ | 1,217,207 | | $ | 1,751,452 | |
Midstream operations | | 105,424 | | 5,293 | | 487,427 | | 20,362 | | 574,254 | | 27,797 | |
Other | | 65,119 | | 81,591 | | 181,343 | | 220,622 | | 220,906 | | 261,660 | |
Total revenues | | 509,472 | | 532,551 | | 1,629,856 | | 1,641,879 | | 2,012,367 | | 2,040,909 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cost of product sold: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Propane and other gas liquids sales | | 152,261 | | 253,684 | | 448,841 | | 849,190 | | 576,875 | | 1,073,062 | |
Midstream operations | | 71,852 | | 1,877 | | 373,899 | | 6,064 | | 444,425 | | 8,034 | |
Other | | 41,203 | | 57,709 | | 111,425 | | 147,672 | | 134,450 | | 172,411 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross profit | | 244,156 | | 219,281 | | 695,691 | | 638,953 | | 856,617 | | 787,402 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating expense | | 115,140 | | 106,883 | | 346,584 | | 316,913 | | 461,953 | | 429,474 | |
Depreciation and amortization expense | | 38,352 | | 23,324 | | 112,698 | | 70,576 | | 140,701 | | 93,007 | |
General and administrative expense | | 12,354 | | 8,252 | | 36,656 | | 29,701 | | 63,386 | | 40,614 | |
Equipment lease expense | | 7,244 | | 6,347 | | 21,554 | | 17,674 | | 28,153 | | 22,441 | |
Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge | | 9,978 | | 8,566 | | 18,375 | | 16,728 | | 26,360 | | 28,128 | |
Non-cash stock-based compensation charge (a) | | 1,091 | | 3,271 | | 6,757 | | 19,701 | | 13,038 | | 28,027 | |
Goodwill impairment charge | | — | | — | | 29,316 | | — | | 29,316 | | — | |
Loss on disposal of assets | | 5,779 | | 2,203 | | 23,220 | | 4,578 | | 25,741 | | 7,638 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating income | | 54,218 | | 60,435 | | 100,531 | | 163,082 | | 67,969 | | 138,073 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest expense | | (34,371 | ) | (23,510 | ) | (102,889 | ) | (71,797 | ) | (131,488 | ) | (93,927 | ) |
Other income (expense), net | | 331 | | 212 | | (89 | ) | (415 | ) | (24 | ) | (1,392 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Earnings (loss) before income taxes | | 20,178 | | 37,137 | | (2,447 | ) | 90,870 | | (63,543 | ) | 42,754 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income tax expense (benefit) | | 1,260 | | 917 | | 1,446 | | 1,448 | | (317 | ) | 1,573 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net earnings (loss) | | 18,918 | | 36,220 | | (3,893 | ) | 89,422 | | (63,226 | ) | 41,181 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest (b) | | 233 | | 408 | | 88 | | 1,027 | | (470 | ) | 581 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. | | 18,685 | | 35,812 | | (3,981 | ) | 88,395 | | (62,756 | ) | 40,600 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: General partner’s interest in net earnings (loss) | | 187 | | 358 | | (40 | ) | 884 | | (628 | ) | 406 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common unitholders’ interest in net earnings (loss) | | $ | 18,498 | | $ | 35,454 | | $ | (3,941 | ) | $ | 87,511 | | $ | (62,128 | ) | $ | 40,194 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Earnings (loss) Per Unit | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic and diluted net earnings (loss) per common unitholders’ interest | | $ | 0.19 | | $ | 0.43 | | $ | (0.04 | ) | $ | 1.06 | | $ | (0.64 | ) | $ | 0.49 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average common units outstanding | | 98,002.7 | | 82,717.6 | | 98,911.2 | | 82,536.1 | | 96,899.5 | | 82,200.8 | |
Supplemental Data and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Items:
| | Three months ended | | Nine months ended | | Twelve months ended | |
| | April 30 | | April 30 | | April 30 | |
| | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2016 | | 2015 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. | | $ | 18,685 | | $ | 35,812 | | $ | (3,981 | ) | $ | 88,395 | | $ | (62,756 | ) | $ | 40,600 | |
Income tax expense (benefit) | | 1,260 | | 917 | | 1,446 | | 1,448 | | (317 | ) | 1,573 | |
Interest expense | | 34,371 | | 23,510 | | 102,889 | | 71,797 | | 131,488 | | 93,927 | |
Depreciation and amortization expense | | 38,352 | | 23,324 | | 112,698 | | 70,576 | | 140,701 | | 93,007 | |
EBITDA | | 92,668 | | 83,563 | | 213,052 | | 232,216 | | 209,116 | | 229,107 | |
Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge | | 9,978 | | 8,566 | | 18,375 | | 16,728 | | 26,360 | | 28,128 | |
Non-cash stock based compensation charge (a) | | 1,091 | | 3,271 | | 6,757 | | 19,701 | | 13,038 | | 28,027 | |
Goodwill impairment charge | | — | | — | | 29,316 | | — | | 29,316 | | — | |
Loss on disposal of assets | | 5,779 | | 2,203 | | 23,220 | | 4,578 | | 25,741 | | 7,638 | |
Other income (expense), net | | (331 | ) | (212 | ) | 89 | | 415 | | 24 | | 1,392 | |
Change in fair value of contingent consideration (included in operating expense) | | — | | — | | (100 | ) | (6,300 | ) | (100 | ) | (1,300 | ) |
Severance costs ($396 and $1,201 included in operating costs for the three and nine months ended period April 30, 2016 and $73 and $124 included in general and administrative costs for the three and nine months ended period April 30, 2016) | | 469 | | — | | 1,325 | | — | | 1,325 | | — | |
Litigation accrual and related legal fees associated with a class action lawsuit (included in general and administrative expense) | | — | | 83 | | — | | 806 | | — | | 1,133 | |
Unrealized (non-cash) losses (gains) on changes in fair value of derivatives | | (1,915 | ) | (1,609 | ) | 2,993 | | (1,609 | ) | 7,014 | | (1,609 | ) |
Acquisition and transition expenses (included in general and administrative expense) | | 14 | | — | | 99 | | — | | 16,472 | | — | |
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest (b) | | 233 | | 408 | | 88 | | 1,027 | | (470 | ) | 581 | |
Adjusted EBITDA (c) | | 107,986 | | 96,273 | | 295,214 | | 267,562 | | 327,836 | | 293,097 | |
Net cash interest expense (d) | | (32,849 | ) | (22,422 | ) | (99,256 | ) | (68,599 | ) | (126,807 | ) | (90,778 | ) |
Maintenance capital expenditures (e) | | (4,159 | ) | (5,151 | ) | (13,588 | ) | (14,863 | ) | (18,337 | ) | (19,191 | ) |
Cash paid for taxes | | (427 | ) | (67 | ) | (432 | ) | (333 | ) | (811 | ) | (746 | ) |
Proceeds from asset sales | | 3,096 | | 1,331 | | 5,972 | | 4,060 | | 7,817 | | 5,317 | |
Distributable cash flow to equity investors (f) | | 73,647 | | 69,964 | | 187,910 | | 187,827 | | 189,698 | | 187,699 | |
Distributable cash flow attributable to general partner and non-controlling interest | | 1,473 | | 1,400 | | 3,758 | | 3,757 | | 3,793 | | 3,754 | |
Distributable cash flow attributable to common unitholders | | 72,174 | | 68,564 | | 184,152 | | 184,070 | | 185,905 | | 183,945 | |
Less: Distributions paid to common unitholders | | 50,267 | | 41,359 | | 151,933 | | 124,074 | | 193,292 | | 164,688 | |
Distributable cash flow excess/(shortage) | | $ | 21,907 | | $ | 27,205 | | $ | 32,219 | | $ | 59,996 | | $ | (7,387 | ) | $ | 19,257 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Propane gallons sales | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Retail - Sales to End Users | | 164,713 | | 178,583 | | 465,146 | | 518,726 | | 555,201 | | 611,942 | |
Wholesale - Sales to Resellers | | 58,645 | | 67,823 | | 169,992 | | 211,068 | | 228,989 | | 272,616 | |
Total propane gallons sales | | 223,358 | | 246,406 | | 635,138 | | 729,794 | | 784,190 | | 884,558 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Salt water volume - Midstream operations (barrels processed) | | 4,024 | | 4,515 | | 12,980 | | 13,234 | | 16,781 | | 15,734 | |
Crude oil hauled - Midstream operations (barrels) | | 16,215 | | | | 64,824 | | | | 75,271 | | | |
Crude oil sold - Midstream operations (barrels) | | 1,866 | | 53 | | 4,969 | | 175 | | 5,290 | | 226 | |
(a) Non-cash stock-based compensation charges consist of the following:
| | Three months ended | | Nine months ended | | Twelve months ended | |
| | April 30 | | April 30 | | April 30 | |
| | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2016 | | 2015 | |
Operating expense | | $ | 131 | | $ | 621 | | $ | 883 | | $ | 4,233 | | $ | 1,825 | | $ | 6,065 | |
General and administrative expense | | 960 | | 2,650 | | 5,874 | | 15,468 | | 11,213 | | 21,962 | |
Total | | $ | 1,091 | | $ | 3,271 | | $ | 6,757 | | $ | 19,701 | | $ | 13,038 | | $ | 28,027 | |
(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., income tax expense (benefit), interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense, non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge, non-cash stock-based compensation charge, goodwill impairment charge, loss on disposal of assets, other income (expense), net, change in fair value of contingent consideration, severance costs, litigation accrual and related legal fees associated with a class action lawsuit, unrealized (non-cash) losses (gains) on changes in fair value of derivatives, 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) 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 equity investors. Distributable cash flow to equity investors, as management defines it, may not be comparable to distributable cash flow to equity investors or similarly titled measurements used by other corporations and partnerships. Items added into our calculation of distributable cash flow to equity investors that will not occur on a continuing basis may have associated cash payments. Distributable cash flow 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.
The following table includes a reconciliation of forecasted net earnings atttributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. to forecasted Adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2016.
| | Forecast Fiscal Year Ending July 31, 2016 | |
| | | |
Net loss attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. (estimate) (g) | | (14,500 | ) |
Interest expense (estimate) | | 136,000 | |
Income tax expense (estimate) | | 300 | |
Depreciation and amortization expense (estimate) | | 150,100 | |
Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge (estimate) | | 27,400 | |
Non-cash stock based compensation charge (estimate) | | 13,000 | |
Loss on disposal of assets (estimate) | | 24,650 | |
Change in fair value of contingent consideration (included in operating expense) | | (100 | ) |
Severance costs | | 1,350 | |
Goodwill impairment charge | | 29,300 | |
Adjusted EBITDA (h) | | 367,500 | |
(g) Represents estimated net loss attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. after adjusting for change in fair value of gains and losses on commodity and interest rate derivative instruments not associated with current-period transactions. It is impracticable to determine actual gains and losses on these instruments not associated with current-period transactions that will be reported in GAAP net income as such gains and losses will depend upon future changes in commodity prices and interest rates which cannot be forecasted.
(h) Represents the midpoint of Adjusted EBITDA guidance range for fiscal 2016.
FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except unit data)
(unaudited)
| | April 30, 2016 | | July 31, 2015 | |
ASSETS | | | | | |
Current Assets: | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 6,266 | | $ | 7,652 | |
Accounts and notes receivable, net (including $134,538 and 123,791 of accounts receivable pledged as collateral at April 30, 2016 and July 31, 2015, respectively) | | 192,704 | | 196,918 | |
Inventories | | 87,739 | | 96,754 | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | 35,857 | | 64,285 | |
Total Current Assets | | 322,566 | | 365,609 | |
| | | | | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | | 981,453 | | 965,217 | |
Goodwill | | 446,333 | | 478,747 | |
Intangible assets, net | | 551,372 | | 580,043 | |
Other assets, net | | 70,280 | | 74,440 | |
Assets held for sale | | 845 | | — | |
Total Assets | | $ | 2,372,849 | | $ | 2,464,056 | |
| | | | | |
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Current Liabilities: | | | | | |
Accounts payable | | $ | 78,063 | | $ | 83,974 | |
Short-term borrowings | | 9,071 | | 75,319 | |
Collateralized note payable | | 77,000 | | 70,000 | |
Other current liabilities | | 161,394 | | 180,687 | |
Total Current Liabilities | | 325,528 | | 409,980 | |
| | | | | |
Long-term debt (a) | | 1,960,331 | | 1,804,392 | |
Other liabilities | | 33,347 | | 41,975 | |
Contingencies and commitments | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Partners’ Capital: | | | | | |
Common unitholders (98,002,665 and 100,376,789 units outstanding at April 30, 2016 and July 31, 2015, respectively) | | 122,740 | | 299,730 | |
General partner unitholder (989,926 and 1,013,907 units outstanding at April 30, 2016 and July 31, 2015, respectively) | | (58,829 | ) | (57,042 | ) |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | (12,709 | ) | (38,934 | ) |
Total Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. Partners’ Capital | | 51,202 | | 203,754 | |
Noncontrolling Interest | | 2,441 | | 3,955 | |
Total Partners’ Capital | | 53,643 | | 207,709 | |
Total Liabilities and Partners’ Capital | | $ | 2,372,849 | | $ | 2,464,056 | |
(a) The principal difference between the Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. balance sheet and that of Ferrellgas, L.P., is $182 million of 8.625% notes which are liabilities of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and not of Ferrellgas, L.P.