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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
þ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2008
OR
o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 1-13692
AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charters)
Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | 23-2787918 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
460 North Gulph Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(610) 337-7000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yesþ Noo
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filerþ | Accelerated filero | Non-accelerated filero | Smaller reporting companyo |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yeso Noþ
At January 31, 2009, there were 57,046,388 Common Units of AmeriGas Partners, L.P. outstanding.
AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
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Part I Financial Information | ||||||||
Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited) | ||||||||
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2 | ||||||||
3 | ||||||||
4 | ||||||||
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15 - 21 | ||||||||
22 - 23 | ||||||||
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Exhibit 31.1 | ||||||||
Exhibit 31.2 | ||||||||
Exhibit 32 |
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AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars)
(Thousands of dollars)
December 31, | September 30, | December 31, | ||||||||||
2008 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||||||
Current assets: | ||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 42,032 | $ | 10,909 | $ | 14,158 | ||||||
Accounts receivable (less allowances for doubtful accounts of $24,610, $20,215 and $15,591, respectively) | 267,057 | 218,411 | 322,419 | |||||||||
Accounts receivable — related parties | 4,888 | 5,130 | 4,237 | |||||||||
Inventories | 105,646 | 144,206 | 155,243 | |||||||||
Derivative financial instruments | 600 | 13 | 36,249 | |||||||||
Collateral deposits | 131,784 | 17,830 | — | |||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 15,856 | 28,597 | 8,570 | |||||||||
Total current assets | 567,863 | 425,096 | 540,876 | |||||||||
Property, plant and equipment (less accumulated depreciation and amortization of $752,464, $743,097 and $695,085, respectively) | 622,639 | 616,834 | 630,269 | |||||||||
Goodwill | 660,597 | 640,843 | 639,350 | |||||||||
Intangible assets (less accumulated amortization of $21,350, $20,033 and $30,417, respectively) | 31,433 | 27,579 | 28,646 | |||||||||
Other assets | 14,476 | 14,721 | 16,496 | |||||||||
Total assets | $ | 1,897,008 | $ | 1,725,073 | $ | 1,855,637 | ||||||
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL | ||||||||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||||||||
Current maturities of long-term debt | $ | 71,249 | $ | 71,466 | $ | 1,660 | ||||||
Bank loans | 146,000 | — | 67,000 | |||||||||
Accounts payable — trade | 179,066 | 172,800 | 259,095 | |||||||||
Accounts payable — related parties | 1,830 | 2,017 | 3,881 | |||||||||
Employee compensation and benefits accrued | 22,987 | 31,408 | 18,893 | |||||||||
Interest accrued | 12,259 | 23,490 | 12,623 | |||||||||
Customer deposits and advances | 83,148 | 106,946 | 82,566 | |||||||||
Derivative financial instruments | 158,369 | 55,792 | — | |||||||||
Other current liabilities | 51,240 | 68,642 | 52,420 | |||||||||
Total current liabilities | 726,148 | 532,561 | 498,138 | |||||||||
Long-term debt | 861,756 | 861,924 | 930,889 | |||||||||
Other noncurrent liabilities | 89,047 | 72,490 | 67,197 | |||||||||
Commitments and contingencies (note 1) | ||||||||||||
Minority interests | 10,225 | 10,723 | 11,642 | |||||||||
Partners’ capital | 209,832 | 247,375 | 347,771 | |||||||||
Total liabilities and partners’ capital | $ | 1,897,008 | $ | 1,725,073 | $ | 1,855,637 | ||||||
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
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AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit amounts)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit amounts)
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
December 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||
Propane | $ | 678,628 | $ | 699,669 | ||||
Other | 48,436 | 48,499 | ||||||
727,064 | 748,168 | |||||||
Costs and expenses: | ||||||||
Cost of sales — propane (excluding depreciation shown below) | 428,469 | 487,865 | ||||||
Cost of sales — other (excluding depreciation shown below) | 17,069 | 18,482 | ||||||
Operating and administrative expenses | 159,985 | 152,884 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 20,743 | 19,824 | ||||||
Gain on sale of California storage facility | (39,887 | ) | — | |||||
Other income, net | (4,081 | ) | (4,845 | ) | ||||
582,298 | 674,210 | |||||||
Operating income | 144,766 | 73,958 | ||||||
Interest expense | (18,725 | ) | (18,230 | ) | ||||
Income before income taxes and minority interests | 126,041 | 55,728 | ||||||
Income taxes | (637 | ) | (693 | ) | ||||
Minority interests | (1,441 | ) | (730 | ) | ||||
Net income | $ | 123,963 | $ | 54,305 | ||||
General partner’s interest in net income | $ | 1,545 | $ | 587 | ||||
Limited partners’ interest in net income | $ | 122,418 | $ | 53,718 | ||||
Income per limited partner unit — basic and diluted (note 1) | $ | 1.50 | $ | 0.87 | ||||
Average limited partner units outstanding (thousands): | ||||||||
Basic | 57,014 | 56,993 | ||||||
Diluted | 57,062 | 57,036 | ||||||
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
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AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars)
(Thousands of dollars)
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
December 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
Net income | $ | 123,963 | $ | 54,305 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities: | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 20,743 | 19,824 | ||||||
Provision for uncollectible accounts | 8,589 | 3,394 | ||||||
Gain on sale of California LPG storage facility | (39,887 | ) | — | |||||
Net change in settled accumulated other comprehensive income | (11,408 | ) | 2,439 | |||||
Other, net | (149 | ) | (1,536 | ) | ||||
Net change in: | ||||||||
Accounts receivable | (56,193 | ) | (142,328 | ) | ||||
Inventories | 39,663 | (30,403 | ) | |||||
Accounts payable | 5,342 | 96,296 | ||||||
Collateral deposits | (113,954 | ) | — | |||||
Other current assets | 12,740 | 1,554 | ||||||
Other current liabilities | (57,449 | ) | (41,801 | ) | ||||
Net cash used by operating activities | (68,000 | ) | (38,256 | ) | ||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment | (19,139 | ) | (18,183 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from disposals of assets | 1,605 | 4,435 | ||||||
Net proceeds from sale of California LPG storage facility | 42,426 | — | ||||||
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired | (33,784 | ) | 1,157 | |||||
Net cash used by investing activities | (8,892 | ) | (12,591 | ) | ||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
Distributions | (37,166 | ) | (35,161 | ) | ||||
Minority interest activity | (667 | ) | (647 | ) | ||||
Increase in bank loans | 146,000 | 67,000 | ||||||
Repayment of long-term debt | (271 | ) | (385 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from issuance of Common Units | 118 | 162 | ||||||
Capital contributions from General Partner | 1 | 2 | ||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 108,015 | 30,971 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents increase (decrease) | $ | 31,123 | $ | (19,876 | ) | |||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS: | ||||||||
End of period | $ | 42,032 | $ | 14,158 | ||||
Beginning of period | 10,909 | 34,034 | ||||||
Increase (decrease) | $ | 31,123 | $ | (19,876 | ) | |||
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
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AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except unit data)
(Thousands of dollars, except unit data)
Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||||||
other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
Number of | Common | General | comprehensive | partners’ | ||||||||||||||||
Common Units | unitholders | partner | income (loss) | capital | ||||||||||||||||
Balance September 30, 2008 | 57,009,951 | $ | 308,186 | $ | 3,094 | $ | (63,905 | ) | $ | 247,375 | ||||||||||
Net income | 122,418 | 1,545 | 123,963 | |||||||||||||||||
Net losses on derivative instruments | (179,913 | ) | (179,913 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Reclassification of net losses on derivative instruments | 55,337 | 55,337 | ||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive loss | 122,418 | 1,545 | (124,576 | ) | (613 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Distributions | (36,489 | ) | (677 | ) | (37,166 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Unit-based compensation expense | 117 | — | 117 | |||||||||||||||||
Common Units issued in connection with incentive compensation plans | 4,000 | 118 | 1 | 119 | ||||||||||||||||
Balance December 31, 2008 | 57,013,951 | $ | 394,350 | $ | 3,963 | $ | (188,481 | ) | $ | 209,832 | ||||||||||
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
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AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
1. | Basis of Presentation |
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AmeriGas Partners, L.P. (“AmeriGas Partners”) and its principal operating subsidiaries AmeriGas Propane, L.P. (“AmeriGas OLP”) and AmeriGas OLP’s subsidiary, AmeriGas Eagle Propane, L.P. (“Eagle OLP”). AmeriGas Partners, AmeriGas OLP and Eagle OLP are Delaware limited partnerships. AmeriGas OLP and Eagle OLP are collectively referred to herein as “the Operating Partnerships,” and AmeriGas Partners, the Operating Partnerships and all of their subsidiaries are collectively referred to herein as “the Partnership” or “we.” We eliminate all significant intercompany accounts and transactions when we consolidate. We account for AmeriGas Propane, Inc.’s (the “General Partner’s”) 1.01% interest in AmeriGas OLP and an unrelated third party’s approximate 0.1% limited partner interest in Eagle OLP as minority interests in the condensed consolidated financial statements. AmeriGas Propane, Inc. is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of UGI Corporation (“UGI”).
AmeriGas Finance Corp., AmeriGas Eagle Finance Corp. and AP Eagle Finance Corp. are wholly owned finance subsidiaries of AmeriGas Partners. Their sole purpose is to serve as co-obligors for debt securities issued by AmeriGas Partners.
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). They include all adjustments which we consider necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. Such adjustments consisted only of normal recurring items unless otherwise disclosed. The September 30, 2008 condensed consolidated balance sheet data were derived from audited financial statements, but do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2008. Weather significantly impacts demand for propane and profitability because many customers use propane for heating purposes. Due to the seasonal nature of the Partnership’s propane business, the results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full year.
Allocation of Net Income.Net income for partners’ capital and statement of operations presentation purposes is allocated to the General Partner and the limited partners in accordance with their respective ownership percentages after giving effect to amounts distributed to the General Partner in excess of its 1% general partner interest in AmeriGas Partners (“incentive distributions”), if any, in accordance with the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of AmeriGas Partners as amended by Amendment No. 1.
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AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
Net Income Per Unit.Income per limited partner unit is computed in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 03-6, “Participating Securities and the Two-Class Method under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement No. 128” (“EITF 03-6”), by dividing the limited partners’ interest in net income by the weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding. The two class method requires that income per limited partner unit be calculated as if all earnings for the period were distributed and requires a separate calculation for each quarter and year-to-date period. Thus, in periods when our net income exceeds our aggregate distributions paid and undistributed earnings are above certain levels, the calculation according to the two-class method results in an increased allocation of undistributed earnings to the General Partner. Due to the seasonality of the propane business, EITF 03-6 will typically impact net income per limited partner unit for our first three fiscal quarters. Theoretical distributions of net income in accordance with EITF 03-6 for the three months ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 resulted in an increased allocation of net income to the General Partner in the computation of income per limited partner unit which had the effect of decreasing earnings per limited partner unit by $0.65 and $0.07, respectively.
Potentially dilutive Common Units included in the diluted limited partner units outstanding computation reflect the effects of restricted Common Unit awards granted under the General Partner’s incentive compensation plans.
Comprehensive Income (Loss).The following table presents the components of comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended December 31, 2008 and 2007:
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
December 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Net income | $ | 123,963 | $ | 54,305 | ||||
Other comprehensive (loss) income | (124,576 | ) | 17,105 | |||||
Comprehensive (loss) income | $ | (613 | ) | $ | 71,410 | |||
Other comprehensive (loss) income is principally the result of changes in the fair value of propane commodity derivative instruments and interest rate protection agreements, net of reclassifications of net gains and losses to net income. The significant increase in other comprehensive loss for the three months ended December 31, 2008 reflects the effect of a significant decrease in wholesale propane prices on the fair values of propane commodity derivative instruments.
Reclassifications.We have reclassified certain prior-year balances to conform to the current-period presentation.
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AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
Use of Estimates.We make estimates and assumptions when preparing financial statements in conformity with GAAP. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, as well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Newly Adopted Accounting Standards.We adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”), effective October 1, 2008. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. In February 2008, the FASB issued two FASB Staff Positions (“FSPs”) amending SFAS 157. FSP SFAS 157-1 amends SFAS 157 to exclude SFAS No. 13, “Accounting for Leases,” and its related interpretive accounting pronouncements that address leasing transactions. FSP SFAS 157-2 delays the effective date of SFAS 157 until fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 for non-financial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a non-recurring basis. The standard, as amended by FSP SFAS 157-1 and FSP SFAS 157-2, applies to new fair value measurements for the Partnership as follows: effective October 1, 2008 (Fiscal 2009) the standard applies to our measurements of fair values of financial instruments and recurring fair value measurement of non-financial assets and liabilities; on October 1, 2009 (Fiscal 2010), the standard will apply to all remaining fair value measurements including nonrecurring measurements of non-financial assets and liabilities such as potential impairments of goodwill, other intangible assets and other long-lived assets. It will also apply to non-financial assets acquired and liabilities assumed that are initially measured at fair value in a business combination but that are not subject to remeasurement at fair value in subsequent periods. In October 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active,” which clarifies the application of SFAS 157 to financial assets in a market that is not active. FSP 157-3 allows for the use of unobservable inputs in determining the fair value of a financial asset when relevant observable inputs do not exist or when observable inputs require significant adjustment based on unobservable data. FSP 157-3 did not have an impact on our results of operations or financial condition. See Note 5 for further information on fair value measurements in accordance with SFAS 157.
Effective October 1, 2008, we adopted FSP No. FIN 39-1, “Amendment of FASB Interpretation No. 39” (“FSP 39-1”). FSP 39-1 permits companies to offset fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral (a receivable) or the obligation to return cash collateral (a payable) against fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments executed with the same counterparty under a master netting agreement. In addition, upon the adoption, companies are permitted to change their accounting policy to offset or not offset fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments under master netting arrangements. FSP 39-1 requires retrospective application for all periods presented. We have elected to continue our policy of reflecting derivative asset or liability positions, as well as cash collateral, on a gross basis in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Accordingly, the adoption of FSP 39-1 did not impact our financial statements.
Also effective October 1, 2008, we adopted SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“SFAS 159”). Under SFAS 159, we may elect to report individual financial instruments and certain items at fair value with changes in fair value reported in earnings. Once made, this election is irrevocable for those items. The adoption of SFAS 159 did not impact our financial statements.
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AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted.In April 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. SFAS 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets” (“FSP SFAS 142-3”). FSP SFAS 142-3 amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“SFAS 142”). The intent of FSP SFAS 142-3 is to improve the consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS 142 and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset under SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141R”) and other applicable accounting literature. FSP SFAS 142-3 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 (Fiscal 2010) and must be applied prospectively to intangible assets acquired after the effective date. We are currently evaluating the provisions of FSP SFAS 142-3.
In March 2008, the FASB ratified the consensus reached in EITF 07-4, “Application of the Two-Class Method under FAS 128 to Master Limited Partnerships” (“EITF 07-4”). EITF 07-4 addresses the application of the two-class method for master limited partnerships when incentive distribution rights are present and entitle the holder of such rights to a portion of the distributions. EITF 07-4 states that when earnings exceed distributions, the computation of earnings per unit should be based on the terms of the partnership agreement. Accordingly, any contractual limitations on the distributions to incentive distribution rights holders would need to be determined for each reporting period. If distributions are contractually limited to the holder of the incentive distribution rights holders’ share of currently designated available cash as defined in the partnership agreement, undistributed earnings in excess of available cash should not be allocated with respect to the incentive distribution rights. EITF 07-4 is effective for fiscal years that begin after December 15, 2008 (Fiscal 2010), and would be accounted for as a change in accounting principle and applied retrospectively. Early adoption of EITF 07-4 is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of EITF 07-4 on our income (loss) per limited partner unit calculation.
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS 161”). SFAS 161 requires enhanced disclosures in the following areas: (1) qualitative disclosures about the overall objectives and strategies for using derivatives; (2) quantitative disclosures of the fair value of the derivative instruments and related gains and losses in a tabular format; and (3) credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative instruments. SFAS 161 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008 (second quarter of Fiscal 2009). We are currently evaluating the impact of the provisions of SFAS 161 on our future disclosures.
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AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141R, “Business Combinations.” SFAS 141R applies to all transactions or other events in which an entity obtains control of one or more businesses. SFAS 141R establishes, among other things, principles and requirements for how the acquirer (1) recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree; (2) recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired in a business combination or gain from a bargain purchase; and (3) determines what information with respect to a business combination should be disclosed. SFAS 141R applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008 (Fiscal 2010). Among the more significant changes in accounting for acquisitions are (1) transaction costs will generally be expensed (rather than being included as costs of the acquisition), (2) contingencies, including contingent consideration, will generally be recorded at fair value with subsequent adjustments recognized in operations (rather than as adjustments to the purchase price) and (3) decreases in valuation allowances on acquired deferred tax assets will be recognized in operations (rather than decreases in goodwill). Generally, the effects of SFAS 141R will depend on future acquisitions.
Also in December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an amendment of ARB No. 51” (“SFAS 160”). SFAS 160 is effective for us on October 1, 2009 (Fiscal 2010). This standard will significantly change the accounting and reporting relating to noncontrolling interests in a consolidated subsidiary. After adoption, noncontrolling interests ($10,225, $10,723 and $11,642 at December 31, 2008, September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively) will be classified as partners’ capital, a change from its current classification as minority interests between liabilities and partners’ capital. Earnings attributable to minority interests ($1,441 and $730 in the three months ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively) will be included in net income although such income, in accordance with EITF 03-06 or EITF 07-04, when adopted, will continue to be deducted to measure income per limited partner unit. In addition, changes in a parent’s ownership interest while retaining control will be accounted for as equity transactions and any retained noncontrolling equity investments in a former subsidiary will be initially measured at fair value.
2. | Related Party Transactions |
Pursuant to the Partnership Agreement and a Management Services Agreement among AmeriGas Eagle Holdings, Inc., the general partner of Eagle OLP, and the General Partner, the General Partner is entitled to reimbursement for all direct and indirect expenses incurred or payments it makes on behalf of the Partnership. These costs, which totaled $90,750 and $89,285 during the three months ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, include employee compensation and benefit expenses of employees of the General Partner and general and administrative expenses.
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AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
UGI provides certain financial and administrative services to the General Partner. UGI bills the General Partner for all direct and indirect corporate expenses incurred in connection with providing these services and the General Partner is reimbursed by the Partnership for these expenses. The allocation of indirect UGI corporate expenses to the Partnership utilizes a weighted, three-component formula comprising revenues, operating expenses and net assets employed and considers the Partnership’s relative percentage of such items to the total of such items for all UGI’s operating subsidiaries for which general and administrative services are provided. Management believes that this allocation method is reasonable and equitable to the Partnership. Such corporate expenses totaled $2,249 and $1,351 during the three months ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. In addition, UGI and certain of its subsidiaries provide office space, medical stop loss coverage and automobile liability insurance to the Partnership. These costs totaled $813 and $511 during the three months ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
AmeriGas OLP purchases propane from UGI Energy Services, Inc. and subsidiaries (“Energy Services”), which is owned by an affiliate of UGI. Purchases of propane by AmeriGas OLP from Energy Services totaled $5,874 and $13,341 during the three months ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Amounts due to Energy Services totaled $1,081, $1,309 and $3,751 at December 31, 2008, September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively, and are reflected in accounts payable – related parties in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
On October 1, 2008, AmeriGas OLP acquired all of the assets of Penn Fuel Propane, LLC (now named UGI Central Penn Propane, LLC, “CPP”) from CPP, a second-tier subsidiary of UGI Utilities, Inc, for $32,000 cash plus estimated working capital of $1,621. UGI Utilities, Inc is a wholly owned subsidiary of UGI. CPP sold propane to customers primarily in eastern Pennsylvania. AmeriGas OLP funded the acquisition of the assets of CPP principally from borrowings under its Credit Agreement.
3. | Commitments and Contingencies |
On August 21, 2001, AmeriGas Partners, through AmeriGas OLP, acquired the propane distribution businesses of Columbia Energy Group (the “2001 Acquisition”) pursuant to the terms of a purchase agreement (the “2001 Acquisition Agreement”) by and among Columbia Energy Group (“CEG”), Columbia Propane Corporation (“Columbia Propane”), Columbia Propane, L.P. (“CPLP”), CP Holdings, Inc. (“CPH,” and together with Columbia Propane and CPLP, the “Company Parties”), AmeriGas Partners, AmeriGas OLP and the General Partner (together with AmeriGas Partners and AmeriGas OLP, the “Buyer Parties”). As a result of the 2001 Acquisition, AmeriGas OLP acquired all of the stock of Columbia Propane and CPH and substantially all of the partnership interests of CPLP. Under the terms of an earlier acquisition agreement (the “1999 Acquisition Agreement”), the Company Parties agreed to indemnify the former general partners of National Propane Partners, L.P. (a predecessor company of the Columbia Propane businesses) and an affiliate (collectively, “National General Partners”) against certain income tax and other losses that they may sustain as a result of the 1999 acquisition by CPLP of National Propane Partners, L.P. (the “1999 Acquisition”) or the operation of the business
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AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
after the 1999 Acquisition (“National Claims”). At December 31, 2008, the potential amount payable under this indemnity by the Company Parties was approximately $58,000. These indemnity obligations will expire on the date that CPH acquires the remaining outstanding partnership interest of CPLP, which is expected to occur on or after July 19, 2009. Under the terms of the 2001 Acquisition Agreement, CEG agreed to indemnify the Buyer Parties and the Company Parties against any losses that they sustain under the 1999 Acquisition Agreement and related agreements (“Losses”), including National Claims, to the extent such claims are based on acts or omissions of CEG or the Company Parties prior to the 2001 Acquisition. The Buyer Parties agreed to indemnify CEG against Losses, including National Claims, to the extent such claims are based on acts or omissions of the Buyer Parties or the Company Parties after the 2001 Acquisition. CEG and the Buyer Parties have agreed to apportion certain losses resulting from National Claims to the extent such losses result from the 2001 Acquisition itself. We believe that liability under such indemnity agreement is remote.
Samuel and Brenda Swiger and their son (the “Swigers”) sustained personal injuries and property damage as a result of a fire that occurred when propane that leaked from an underground line ignited. In July 1998, the Swigers filed a class action lawsuit against AmeriGas Propane, L.P. (named incorrectly as “UGI/AmeriGas, Inc.”), in the Circuit Court of Monongalia County, West Virginia, in which they sought to recover an unspecified amount of compensatory and punitive damages and attorney’s fees, for themselves and on behalf of persons in West Virginia for whom the defendants had installed propane gas lines, resulting from the defendants’ alleged failure to install underground propane lines at depths required by applicable safety standards. In 2003, we settled the individual personal injury and property damage claims of the Swigers. In 2004, the court granted the plaintiffs’ motion to include customers acquired from Columbia Propane in August 2001 as additional potential class members and the plaintiffs amended their complaint to name additional parties pursuant to such ruling. Subsequently, in March 2005, we filed a cross-claim against CEG, former owner of Columbia Propane, seeking indemnification for conduct undertaken by Columbia Propane prior to our acquisition. Class counsel has indicated that the class is seeking compensatory damages in excess of $12,000 plus punitive damages, civil penalties and attorneys’ fees.
In 2005, the Swigers filed what purports to be a class action in the Circuit Court of Harrison County, West Virginia against UGI, an insurance subsidiary of UGI, certain officers of UGI and the General Partner, and their insurance carriers and insurance adjusters. In the Harrison County lawsuit, the Swigers are seeking compensatory and punitive damages on behalf of the putative class for violations of the West Virginia Insurance Unfair Trade Practice Act, negligence, intentional misconduct, and civil conspiracy. The Swigers have also requested that the Court rule that insurance coverage exists under the policies issued by the defendant insurance companies for damages sustained by the members of the class in the Monongalia County lawsuit. The Circuit Court of Harrison County has not certified the class in the Harrison County lawsuit at this time and, in October 2008, stayed that lawsuit pending resolution of the class action lawsuit in Monongalia County. We believe we have good defenses to the claims in both actions.
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AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
By letter dated March 6, 2008, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (“DEC”) notified AmeriGas OLP that DEC had placed property owned by the Partnership in Saranac Lake, New York on its Registry of Inactive Hazardous Waste Disposal Sites. A site characterization study performed by DEC disclosed contamination related to former manufactured gas plant operations on the site. DEC has classified the site as a significant threat to public health or environment with further action required. The Partnership has researched the history of the site and its ownership interest in the site. The Partnership has reviewed the preliminary site characterization study prepared by the DEC and the possible existence of other potentially responsible parties. Because of the preliminary nature of available environmental information, the amount of expected clean up costs cannot be reasonably estimated. When such expected clean up costs can be reasonably estimated, it is possible that the amount could be material to the Partnership’s results of operations.
We also have other contingent liabilities, pending claims and legal actions arising in the normal course of our business. We cannot predict with certainty the final results of these and the aforementioned matters. However, it is reasonably possible that some of them could be resolved unfavorably to us and result in losses in excess of recorded amounts. We are unable to estimate any such possible excess losses. Although management currently believes, after consultation with counsel, that damages or settlements, if any, recovered by the plaintiffs in such claims or actions will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, damages or settlements could be material to our operating results or cash flows in future periods depending on the nature and timing of future developments with respect to these matters and the amounts of future operating results and cash flows.
4. | Partnership Sale of Propane Storage Facility |
On November 13, 2008, AmeriGas OLP sold its 600,000 barrel refrigerated, above-ground storage facility located on leased property in California for net cash of $42,426. During the three months ended December 31, 2008, we recorded a pre-tax gain of $39,887 associated with this transaction, which increased net income by $39,485.
5. | Fair Value Measurement |
As described in Note 1, the Partnership adopted SFAS 157 effective October 1, 2008. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. SFAS 157 clarifies that the fair value should be based upon assumptions that market participants would use when pricing an asset or
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AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
liability, including assumptions about risk and risks inherent in valuation techniques and inputs to valuations. This includes not only the credit standing of counterparties and credit enhancements but also the impact of our own nonperformance risk on our liabilities. SFAS 157 requires fair value measurements to assume that the transaction occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability (the market for which the reporting entity would be able to maximize the amount received or minimize the amount paid). We apply fair value measurements to certain assets and liabilities principally comprising commodity and interest rate derivative instruments. We evaluate the need for credit adjustments to our derivative instrument fair values in accordance with the requirements noted above. Such adjustments were not material to the fair values of our derivative instruments.
In accordance with SFAS 157, we maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Fair value is based upon actively-quoted market prices, if available. In the absence of actively-quoted market prices, we seek price information from external sources, including counterparty quotes and prices for similar instruments in active markets. If pricing information from external sources is not available, or if we believe that observable pricing is not indicative of fair value, judgment is required to develop estimates of fair value.
For derivative contracts where observable pricing information is not available from external sources for the specific commodity or location, we may determine fair value using a different commodity or delivery location and adjust such prices using spread approximation models, or we may use recent market price indicators and adjust such prices using historical price movements.
We also use the following fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels:
• | Level 1 — Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that we have the ability to access at the measurement date. The partnership did not have any derivative financial instruments categorized as Level 1 at December 31, 2008. | ||
• | Level 2 — Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, and inputs that are derived from observable market data by correlation or other means. Instruments categorized in Level 2 include non-exchange traded derivative financial instruments such as over-the-counter commodity price swaps and interest rate protection agreements. | ||
• | Level 3 — Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability including situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. The partnership did not have any derivative financial instruments categorized as Level 3 at December 31, 2008. |
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AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
(unaudited)
(Thousands of dollars, except per unit)
The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable data (Level 3). In some cases, the inputs to measure fair value might fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. The lowest level input that is significant to a fair value measurement in its entirety determines the applicable level in the fair value hierarchy. Assessing the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, considering factors specific to the asset or liability.
SFAS 157 requires fair value measurements to be separately disclosed by level within the fair value hierarchy. The following table presents our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis for each hierarchy level, including both current and non-current portions as of December 31, 2008:
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Derivative financial instruments: | ||||||||||||||||
Assets | $ | — | $ | 623 | $ | — | $ | 623 | ||||||||
Liabilities | — | (174,860 | ) | — | (174,860 | ) |
6. | Supplemental Credit Agreement |
As a result of greater cash needed to fund counterparty collateral requirements resulting from rapid and precipitous declines in propane commodity prices during the three months ended December 31, 2008, on November 14, 2008, AmeriGas OLP entered into a revolving credit agreement with two major banks (“Supplemental Credit Agreement”). The Supplemental Credit Agreement expires on May 14, 2009 and permits AmeriGas OLP to borrow up to $50,000 for working capital and general purposes. Except for more restrictive covenants regarding the incurrence of additional indebtedness by AmeriGas OLP, the Supplemental Credit Agreement has restrictive covenants similar to AmeriGas OLP’s existing credit agreement.
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AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
ITEM 2. | MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Information contained in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations may contain forward-looking statements. Such statements use forward-looking words such as “believe,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” or other similar words. These statements discuss plans, strategies, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future.
A forward-looking statement may include a statement of the assumptions or bases underlying the forward-looking statement. We believe that we have chosen these assumptions or bases in good faith and that they are reasonable. However, we caution you that actual results almost always vary from assumed facts or bases, and the differences between actual results and assumed facts or bases can be material, depending on the circumstances. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the following important factors which could affect our future results and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements: (1) adverse weather conditions resulting in reduced demand; (2) cost volatility and availability of propane, and the capacity to transport propane to our market areas; (3) the availability of, and our ability to consummate, acquisition or combination opportunities; (4) successful integration and future performance of acquired assets or businesses; (5) changes in laws and regulations, including safety, tax and accounting matters; (6) competitive pressures from the same and alternative energy sources; (7) failure to acquire new customers thereby reducing or limiting any increase in revenues; (8) liability for environmental claims; (9) increased customer conservation measures due to high energy prices and improvements in energy efficiency and technology resulting in reduced demand; (10) adverse labor relations; (11) large customer, counter-party or supplier defaults; (12) liability in excess of insurance coverage for personal injury and property damage arising from explosions and other catastrophic events, including acts of terrorism, resulting from operating hazards and risks incidental to transporting, storing and distributing propane, butane and ammonia; (13) political, regulatory and economic conditions in the United States and foreign countries; (14) capital market conditions, including, reduced access to capital markets and interest rate fluctuations; (15) changes in commodity market prices resulting in significantly higher cash collateral requirements; and (16) the impact of pending and future legal proceedings.
These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any of our forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could also have material adverse effects on future results. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information or future events except as required by the federal securities laws.
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AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following analyses compare the Partnership’s results of operations for (1) the three months ended December 31, 2008 (“2008 three-month period”) with the three months ended December 31, 2007 (“2007 three-month period”).
Executive Overview
Our net income for the 2008 three-month period increased to $124.0 million from $54.3 million in the prior-year three-month period. The 2008 three-month period net income includes a $39.5 million gain on the sale of our California storage facility in November 2008. Additionally, our results reflect the beneficial impact of weather that was 6.9% colder than the 2007 three-month period and unusually high retail unit margins resulting from a rapid and sharp decline in propane product costs during the 2008 three-month period. We presently expect unit margins to return to more normal levels over the course of Fiscal 2009. Wholesale propane commodity prices declined more than 50% from the beginning to the end of the 2008 three-month period compared with wholesale propane commodity prices that increased nearly 20% from the beginning to the end of the prior-year period. Retail volumes were about equal to the prior year as the effects of the colder weather and the benefits from the acquisition of the assets of Penn Fuel Propane, LLC (“Penn Fuels Acquisition”) were offset by continued customer conservation and the adverse effects of the significant deterioration in general economic activity which has occurred over the last year. Operating expenses were slightly higher than the prior year reflecting greater bad debt expense, higher general insurance expense and incremental expenses associated with the Penn Fuels Acquisition.
2008 three-month period compared with 2007 three-month period
Increase | ||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended December 31, | 2008 | 2007 | (Decrease) | |||||||||||||
(millions of dollars) | ||||||||||||||||
Gallons sold (millions): | ||||||||||||||||
Retail | 278.2 | 279.1 | (0.9 | ) | (0.3 | )% | ||||||||||
Wholesale | 41.4 | 32.3 | 9.1 | 28.2 | % | |||||||||||
319.6 | 311.4 | 8.2 | 2.6 | % | ||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
Retail propane | $ | 634.9 | $ | 647.7 | $ | (12.8 | ) | (2.0 | )% | |||||||
Wholesale propane | 43.7 | 52.0 | (8.3 | ) | (15.9 | )% | ||||||||||
Other | 48.5 | 48.5 | — | 0.0 | % | |||||||||||
$ | 727.1 | $ | 748.2 | $ | (21.1 | ) | (2.8 | )% | ||||||||
Total margin (a) | $ | 281.5 | $ | 241.8 | $ | 39.7 | 16.4 | % | ||||||||
EBITDA (b) | $ | 164.1 | $ | 93.1 | $ | 71.0 | 76.3 | % | ||||||||
Operating income | $ | 144.8 | $ | 74.0 | $ | 70.8 | 95.7 | % | ||||||||
Net income | $ | 124.0 | $ | 54.3 | $ | 69.7 | 128.4 | % | ||||||||
Heating degree days — % warmer than normal (c) | 0.8 | % | 7.2 | % | — | — |
(a) | Total margin represents total revenues less cost of sales — propane and cost of sales — other. |
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AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
(b) | Earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) should not be considered as an alternative to net income (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 of America (“GAAP”). Management believes EBITDA is a meaningful non-GAAP financial measure used by investors to (1) compare the Partnership’s operating performance with other companies within the propane industry and (2) assess its ability to meet loan covenants. The Partnership’s definition of EBITDA may be different from that used by other companies. 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 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. UGI Corporation discloses the Partnership’s EBITDA as the profitability measure to comply with the requirement in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” to provide profitability information about its domestic propane segment. | |
The following table includes reconciliations of net income to EBITDA for the periods presented: |
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
December 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Net income | $ | 124.0 | $ | 54.3 | ||||
Income tax expense | 0.7 | 0.7 | ||||||
Interest expense | 18.7 | 18.2 | ||||||
Depreciation | 19.4 | 18.7 | ||||||
Amortization | 1.3 | 1.2 | ||||||
EBITDA | $ | 164.1 | $ | 93.1 | ||||
(c) | Deviation from average heating degree days for the 30-year period 1971-2000 based upon national weather statistics provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (“NOAA”) for 335 airports in the United States, excluding Alaska. |
Based upon heating degree-day data, average temperatures in our service territories were 0.8% warmer than normal during the 2008 three-month period compared with temperatures in the prior-year period that were 7.2% warmer than normal. Notwithstanding the colder 2008 three-month period weather and the benefit of the Penn Fuels Acquisition on October 1, 2008, retail gallons sold were about equal to the prior-year period reflecting, among other things, continued customer conservation and the adverse effects of the significant deterioration in general economic activity which has occurred over the last year.
Retail propane revenues declined $12.8 million during the 2008 three-month period reflecting a $10.7 million decrease due to lower average selling prices and a $2.1 million decrease as a result of the lower retail volumes sold. Wholesale propane revenues declined $8.3 million reflecting a $23.0 million decrease from lower wholesale selling prices partially offset by a $14.7 million increase from higher wholesale volumes sold. From the beginning to the end of the 2008 three-month period, wholesale propane commodity prices at Mont Belvieu, Texas declined more than 50% compared with a nearly 20% increase in commodity prices during the 2007 three-month period. Total cost of sales decreased $60.8 million to $445.5 million principally reflecting the effects of the lower propane product costs.
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Total margin was $39.7 million greater in the 2008 three-month period reflecting the beneficial impact of unusually high retail unit margins resulting from a rapid and sharp decline in propane product costs during the 2008 three-month period. We presently expect unit margins to return to more normal levels over the course of Fiscal 2009.
EBITDA during the 2008 three-month period was $164.1 million compared with EBITDA of $93.1 million in the 2007 three-month period. The 2008 three-month period EBITDA includes a $39.9 million pre-tax gain from the sale of the Partnership’s California LPG storage facility. In addition to the gain from the sale of the California storage facility, the 2008 three-month period EBITDA reflects the previously mentioned $39.7 million increase in total margin partially offset by slightly higher operating and administrative expenses. Operating and administrative expenses increased due in large part to higher bad debt expense, greater general insurance expenses and incremental expenses from the Penn Fuels Acquisition partially offset by, among other things, lower vehicle fuel expenses.
Operating income increased $70.8 million reflecting the $71.0 million increase in EBITDA and slightly higher depreciation and amortization expense associated with acquisitions and plant and equipment expenditures made since the prior year. Net income increased $69.7 million during the 2008 three-month period reflecting the increase in operating income partially offset by a slight increase in interest expense from greater average bank loan borrowings.
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY
Financial Condition
The Partnership’s total debt outstanding at December 31, 2008 was $1,079.0 million (including current maturities of long-term debt of $71.2 million). Total debt outstanding at December 31, 2008 includes long-term debt comprising $779.8 million of AmeriGas Partners’ Senior Notes, $150.1 million of AmeriGas OLP First Mortgage Notes and $3.1 million of other long-term debt. The Partnership’s total debt outstanding also includes $146 million outstanding under AmeriGas OLP’s Credit Agreement. AmeriGas OLP expects to repay $70 million of long-term debt maturing in March 2009 with proceeds from the issuance of a term loan or through revolver borrowings.
AmeriGas OLP’s short-term borrowing needs are seasonal and are typically greatest during the fall and winter heating-season months due to the need to fund higher levels of working capital. In addition, a rapid and precipitous decline in commodity propane prices in late Fiscal 2008 which continued into Fiscal 2009 resulted in greater cash needed by the Partnership to fund counterparty collateral requirements. These collateral requirements are associated with derivative financial instruments used by the Partnership to manage market price risk associated with fixed sales price commitments to customers principally during the heating-season months of October through March. At December 31, 2008, the Partnership had made collateral deposits of $131.8 million associated with these derivative financial instruments.
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AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
In order to meet its short-term cash needs, AmeriGas OLP has a $200 million credit agreement (“Credit Agreement”) which expires on October 15, 2011. In addition, on November 14, 2008, AmeriGas OLP entered into a $50 million revolving credit agreement with two major banks (“Supplemental Credit Agreement”) which expires on May 14, 2009. AmeriGas OLP’s Credit Agreement consists of (1) a $125 million Revolving Credit Facility and (2) a $75 million Acquisition Facility. The Revolving Credit Facility may be used for working capital and general purposes of AmeriGas OLP. The Acquisition Facility provides AmeriGas OLP with the ability to borrow up to $75 million to finance the purchase of propane businesses or propane business assets or, to the extent it is not so used, for working capital and general purposes, subject to restrictions in the AmeriGas OLP First Mortgage Notes. The Supplemental Credit Agreement permits AmeriGas OLP to borrow up to $50 million for working capital and general purposes. Except for more restrictive covenants regarding the incurrence of additional indebtedness by AmeriGas OLP, the Supplemental Credit Agreement has restrictive covenants substantially similar to the Credit Agreement.
There were $146 million of borrowings outstanding under the credit agreements at December 31, 2008 which are classified as bank loans on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Issued and outstanding letters of credit under the Revolving Credit Facility, which reduce the amount available for borrowings, totaled $50.0 million at December 31, 2008. The average daily and peak bank loan borrowings outstanding under the credit agreements during the 2008 three-month period were $131.8 million and $184.5 million, respectively. The average daily and peak bank loan borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement during the 2007 three-month period were $26.5 million and $81.0 million, respectively. At December 31, 2008, the Partnership’s available borrowing capacity under the credit agreements was $54.0 million.
In order to reduce cash collateral payment obligations and to provide the Partnership with greater borrowing flexibility and a more cost effective use of its credit agreements, UGI agreed to provide guarantees of up to $50 million to AmeriGas OLP’s propane suppliers through September 30, 2009. At December 31, 2008, the Partnership had $25 million of unused UGI guarantees.
Based on existing cash balances, cash expected to be generated from operations, and borrowings available under AmeriGas OLP’s Credit Agreement and the Supplemental Credit Agreement, the Partnership’s management believes that the Partnership will be able to meet its anticipated contractual commitments, including current maturities of long-term debt, and projected cash needs during Fiscal 2009.
During the three months ended December 31, 2008 the Partnership declared and paid quarterly distributions on all limited partner units at a rate of $0.64 per Common Unit for the quarter ended September 30, 2008. The quarterly distribution of $0.64 per limited partner unit for the quarter ended December 31, 2008 will be paid on February 18, 2009 to holders of record on February 10, 2009. The ability of the Partnership to declare and pay the quarterly distribution on its Common Units in the future depends upon a number of factors. These factors include (1) the level of Partnership earnings; (2) the cash needs of the Partnership’s operations (including cash needed for maintaining and increasing operating capacity); (3) changes in operating working capital; and (4) the Partnership’s ability to borrow under its credit agreements, refinance maturing debt, and increase its long-term debt. Some of these factors are affected by conditions beyond the Partnership’s control including weather, competition in markets we serve, the cost of propane and changes in capital market conditions.
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Cash Flows
Operating activities.Due to the seasonal nature of the Partnership’s business, cash flows from operating activities are generally strongest during the second and third fiscal quarters when customers pay for propane consumed during the heating season months. Conversely, operating cash flows are generally at their lowest levels during the first and fourth fiscal quarters when the Partnership’s investment in working capital is generally greatest. The Partnership may use its Credit Agreement and, in Fiscal 2009, its Supplemental Credit Agreement to satisfy its seasonal operating cash flow needs. Cash flow used by operating activities was $68.0 million in the 2008 three-month period compared to $38.3 million in the 2007 three-month period. Cash flow from operating activities before changes in operating working capital was $101.9 million in the 2008 three-month period compared with $78.4 million in the prior-year period principally reflecting the improved operating results. Cash required to fund changes in operating working capital totaled $169.9 million in the 2008 three-month period compared with $116.7 million in the prior-year period. The greater cash required to fund operating working capital in the current-year period principally reflects $114.0 million of cash required to fund counterparty collateral requirements under product cost management contracts and the impact of the timing of purchases and decrease in current-year period propane product costs on accounts payable. These increases in cash required to fund working capital were partially offset by the amount of cash receipts from customers resulting principally from lower propane prices and the effects of lower wholesale propane product prices on cash used for purchases of propane inventory.
Investing activities.Investing activity cash flow is principally affected by investments in property, plant and equipment, cash paid for acquisitions of businesses and proceeds from sales of assets. Cash flow used in investing activities was $8.9 million in the 2008 three-month period compared with $12.6 million in the prior-year period. We spent $19.1 million for property, plant and equipment (comprising $8.6 million of maintenance capital expenditures and $10.5 million of growth capital expenditures) in the 2008 three-month period compared with $18.2 million (comprising $7.3 million of maintenance capital expenditures and $10.9 million of growth capital expenditures) in the 2007 three-month period. In November 2008, the Partnership sold its California LPG storage facility for net cash proceeds of $42.4 million. Also during the 2008 three-month period, the Partnership paid total net cash of $33.8 million for acquisitions of retail propane businesses, principally the Penn Fuels Acquisition.
Financing activities.Cash provided by financing activities was $108.0 million in the 2008 three-month period compared with $31.0 million in the prior-year period. Distributions in the 2008 three-month period totaled $37.2 million compared with $35.2 million in the prior-year period principally reflecting a higher per-unit distribution rate. Net cash borrowed under credit agreements totaled $146 million in the 2008 three-month period compared to $67 million in the prior-year period. The higher 2008 three-month period borrowings reflect in large part borrowings to fund the previously mentioned counterparty collateral payments and the Penn Fuels Acquisition.
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AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Partnership Sale of Propane Storage Facility
On November 13, 2008, AmeriGas OLP sold its 600,000 barrel refrigerated, above-ground storage facility located on leased property in California for net cash of $42.4 million. During the three months ended December 31, 2008, we recorded a pre-tax gain of $39.9 million associated with this transaction, which increased net income by $39.5 million.
Effect of Recent Market Conditions
The recent unprecedented volatility in credit and capital markets may create additional risks to the Partnership in the future. We are exposed to financial market risk resulting from, among other things, changes in interest rates and conditions in the credit and capital markets. Recent developments in the credit markets increase our possible exposure to the liquidity and credit risks of our suppliers, counterparties associated with derivative financial instruments and our customers.
We believe that we have sufficient liquidity in the form of revolving credit facilities, letters of credit and guarantee arrangements to fund our operations including the collateral requirements of our derivative financial instruments and our maturing long-term debt. Additionally, we do not have significant amounts of long-term debt maturing or revolving credit agreements terminating in the next several fiscal years. Accordingly, we do not believe that recent conditions in the credit and capital markets will have a significant impact on our liquidity. Although we believe that recent financial market conditions will not have a significant impact on our ability to fund our existing operations, such market conditions could restrict our ability to make a significant acquisition or limit the scope of major capital projects, if access to credit and capital markets is limited, and could adversely affect our results of operations.
We are subject to credit risk relating to the ability of counterparties to meet their contractual payment obligations or the potential non-performance of counterparties to deliver contracted commodities or services at contract prices. We monitor our counterparty credit risk exposure in order to minimize credit risk with any one supplier or financial instrument counterparty. We have a diverse customer base that spans broad geographic, economic and demographic constituencies. No single customer represents more than ten percent of our revenues or operating income. Notwithstanding our diverse customer profile, current conditions in the credit markets could affect the ability of some of our customers to pay timely or result in increased customer bankruptcies which may lead to increased bad debts.
As previously mentioned, in order to manage market risk associated with the Partnership’s fixed-price programs which permit customers to lock in the prices they pay for propane, the Partnership has entered into derivative financial instruments that have collateral provisions. These derivative instruments are used to manage market price risk principally during the heating-season months of October through March. The Partnership’s management believes it has sufficient liquidity to meet such obligations and its projected cash needs in Fiscal 2009.
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AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Our primary financial market risks include commodity prices for propane and interest rates on borrowings.
The risk associated with fluctuations in the prices the Partnership pays for propane is principally a result of market forces reflecting changes in supply and demand for propane and other energy commodities. The Partnership’s profitability is sensitive to changes in propane supply costs and the Partnership generally passes on increases in such costs to customers. The Partnership may not, however, always be able to pass through product cost increases fully or on a timely basis, particularly when product costs rise rapidly. In order to reduce the volatility of the Partnership’s propane market price risk, we use contracts for the forward purchase or sale of propane, propane fixed-price supply agreements, and over-the-counter derivative commodity instruments including price swap and option contracts. Over-the-counter derivative commodity instruments utilized by the Partnership to hedge forecasted purchases of propane are generally settled at expiration of the contract. These derivative financial instruments contain collateral provisions. As previously mentioned, precipitous declines in propane commodity prices late in Fiscal 2008 which continued into Fiscal 2009 resulted in greater collateral requirements by our derivative instruments counterparties. In order to minimize our credit risk associated with derivative commodity contracts, we monitor established credit limits with our contract counterparties. Although we use derivative financial and commodity instruments to reduce market price risk associated with forecasted transactions, we do not use derivative financial and commodity instruments for speculative or trading purposes.
The Partnership has both fixed-rate and variable-rate debt. Changes in interest rates impact the cash flows of variable-rate debt but generally do not impact its fair value. Conversely, changes in interest rates impact the fair value of fixed-rate debt but do not impact its cash flows.
Our variable-rate debt includes borrowings under AmeriGas OLP’s Credit Agreement and Supplemental Credit Agreement. These agreements have interest rates that are generally indexed to short-term market interest rates. Our long-term debt is typically issued at fixed rates of interest based upon market rates for debt having similar terms and credit ratings. As these long-term debt issues mature, we may refinance such debt with new debt having interest rates reflecting then-current market conditions. This debt may have an interest rate that is more or less than the refinanced debt. In order to reduce interest rate risk associated with forecasted issuances of fixed-rate debt, from time to time we enter into interest rate protection agreements.
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AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
The following table summarizes the fair values of unsettled market risk sensitive derivative instruments held at December 31, 2008. It also includes the changes in fair value that would result if there were a ten percent adverse change in (1) the market price of propane and (2) the three-month LIBOR:
Asset (Liability) | ||||||||
Change in | ||||||||
(Millions of dollars) | Fair Value | Fair Value | ||||||
December 31, 2008: | ||||||||
Propane swap and option contracts | $ | (149.8 | ) | $ | (12.3 | ) | ||
Interest rate protection agreements | (24.4 | ) | (2.7 | ) |
Because the Partnership’s derivative instruments generally qualify as hedges under SFAS No. 133, we expect that changes in the fair value of derivative instruments used to manage propane price or interest rate risk would be substantially offset by gains or losses on the associated anticipated transactions.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) | Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures | |
The Partnership’s management, with the participation of the Partnership’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report were designed and functioning effectively to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the Partnership in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure. | ||
(b) | Change in Internal Control over Financial Reporting | |
No change in the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the Partnership’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting. |
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AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing the Partnership. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could also have material adverse effects on future results.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
The exhibits filed as part of this report are as follows:
Exhibit | ||||
No. | Exhibit | |||
31.1 | Certification by the Chief Executive Officer relating to the Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2008, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |||
31.2 | Certification by the Chief Financial Officer relating to the Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2008, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |||
32 | Certification by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer relating to the Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2008, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
AmeriGas Partners, L.P. (Registrant) | ||||
By: | AmeriGas Propane, Inc., | |||
as General Partner |
Date: February 6, 2009 | By: | /s/ Jerry E. Sheridan | ||
Jerry E. Sheridan | ||||
Vice President — Finance and Chief Financial Officer | ||||
Date: February 6, 2009 | By: | /s/ William J. Stanczak | ||
William J. Stanczak | ||||
Controller and Chief Accounting Officer |
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AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
EXHIBIT INDEX
31.1 | Certification by the Chief Executive Officer relating to the Registrant’s Report on Form10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2008, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |||
31.2 | Certification by the Chief Financial Officer relating to the Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2008, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |||
32 | Certification by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer relating to the Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2008, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |