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

WHIPPANY, N.J., May 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. (NYSE: SPH), a nationwide distributor of propane, fuel oil and related products and services, as well as a marketer of natural gas and electricity, today announced earnings for its second quarter ended March 28, 2015.

Net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 was $136.6 million, or $2.26 per Common Unit, compared to net income of $149.5 million, or $2.47 per Common Unit, in the prior year second quarter. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 amounted to $189.7 million, compared to $204.3 million in the prior year second quarter. 

Net income and EBITDA for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 included a loss on debt extinguishment of $15.1 million and $2.1 million in expenses related to the ongoing integration of Inergy Propane. Net income and EBITDA for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 included expenses of $2.2 million related to the Inergy Propane integration. Excluding the effects of these charges, as well as the unrealized (non-cash) mark-to-market adjustments on derivative instruments in both quarters, Adjusted EBITDA (as defined and reconciled below) amounted to $214.3 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2015, an increase of $8.0 million, or 3.9%, compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $206.3 million in the prior year second quarter.

In announcing these results, President and Chief Executive Officer Michael A. Stivala said, "While the second quarter of fiscal 2015 started slowly following a December that was reported as one of the warmest on record, as colder temperatures arrived in February 2015 our volumes responded. Additionally, sustained lower commodity prices have had a favorable impact on customer behavior and on overall margins.  During the quarter we also continued to execute on our integration plans – fine-tuning our operating footprint, driving efficiencies and realizing cost synergies. As a result, with an increase of $8.0 million in Adjusted EBITDA to $214.3 million, the second quarter of fiscal 2015 represents our highest level of reported quarterly earnings."

Retail propane gallons sold in the second quarter of fiscal 2015 decreased 14.0 million gallons, or 6.6%, to 199.7 million gallons from 213.7 million gallons in the prior year second quarter. Sales of fuel oil and other refined fuels decreased 2.7 million gallons, to 19.9 million gallons compared to 22.6 million gallons in the prior year second quarter. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, average temperatures (as measured by heating degree days) across all of the Partnership's service territories for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 were 7% colder than normal and 2% warmer than the prior year second quarter. The weather pattern during the second quarter was characterized by inconsistent temperatures during January, followed by considerably colder than normal temperatures in the Partnership's eastern service territories, and sustained warmer than normal temperatures in the Partnership's western service territories. Average temperatures in the Partnership's western territories were 21% warmer than normal and 5% warmer than the prior year second quarter.

Revenues of $599.4 million decreased $274.4 million, or 31.4%, compared to the prior year second quarter, primarily due to lower retail selling prices associated with lower wholesale product costs, and to a lesser extent, lower volumes sold. Average posted propane prices (basis Mont Belvieu, Texas) and fuel oil prices were 59.4% and 40.2% lower than the prior year second quarter, respectively. Cost of products sold for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 of $253.7 million decreased $263.5 million, or 51.0%, compared to $517.2 million in the prior year second quarter, primarily due to lower wholesale product costs, and to a lesser extent, lower volumes sold. Cost of products sold for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 included a $7.4 million unrealized (non-cash) loss attributable to the mark-to-market adjustment for derivative instruments used in risk management activities, compared to a $0.3 million unrealized (non-cash) gain in the prior year second quarter. These unrealized gains and losses are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA for both periods in the table below. 

Combined operating and general and administrative expenses of $140.9 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 were $11.3 million, or 7.5%, lower than the prior year second quarter, primarily due to operating efficiencies and synergies realized during the period associated with the integration of Inergy Propane, including lower headcount and lower vehicle count, as well as lower general insurance and bad debt expense. Depreciation and amortization expense of $33.2 million was relatively flat compared to the prior year second quarter.  Net interest expense of $19.7 million decreased $1.5 million, or 7.1%, primarily due to the refinancing of the Partnership's then outstanding senior notes due 2018 completed in May 2014, combined with savings from the refinancing of the Partnership's $250.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 7 3/8% Senior Notes due 2020 with $250.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5 3/4% Senior Notes due 2025 completed in the second quarter of fiscal 2015.

President and Chief Executive Officer Michael A. Stivala added, "During the second quarter of fiscal 2015, we also took steps to further strengthen our balance sheet with the successful refinancing of our 7 3/8% Senior Notes due 2020 with 5 3/4% Senior Notes due 2025, effectively extending maturities on this portion of our debt by five years at a very attractive interest rate, and reducing our cash interest requirement by more than $4.1 million annually.  In addition, we once again funded all working capital needs from cash on hand without the need to borrow under our revolving credit facility, and ended the quarter with $110.1 million of cash."

Concluding his remarks, Mr. Stivala said, "With the confidence in the steps taken over the past two and a half years to integrate the Inergy Propane business and, in recognition of the strength of our balance sheet, we were pleased to announce, on April 23, 2015, an increase in our annualized distribution rate of $0.05 per Common Unit, or 1.4%, to $3.55 per Common Unit.  The distribution at this increased rate is payable on May 12, 2015 to Common unitholders of record on May 5, 2015."

As previously announced, the Partnership's Tri-Annual Meeting of Unitholders is scheduled to be held at 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at the Partnership's headquarters in Whippany, New Jersey. All Unitholders as of the close of business on the record date of March 16, 2015 are eligible to vote at the Tri-Annual Meeting. At the Tri-Annual Meeting, Unitholders will be asked to elect the Partnership's Supervisors for three-year terms, to ratify the appointment of the Partnership's independent registered public accounting firm for its 2015 fiscal year, to approve an amendment to the Partnership's 2009 Restricted Unit Plan and to have a Say-on-Pay.  More information about the Tri-Annual Meeting, including how to obtain proxy materials and how to vote, can be found at http://suburbanpropane.com/triannual.

Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. is a publicly-traded master limited partnership listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Headquartered in Whippany, New Jersey, Suburban has been in the customer service business since 1928. The Partnership serves the energy needs of approximately 1.2 million residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural customers through more than 710 locations in 41 states.

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

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

Some of these risks and uncertainties are discussed in more detail in the Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended September 27, 2014 and other periodic reports filed with the SEC.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect management's view only as of the date made. The Partnership undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as otherwise required by law.

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SOURCE Suburban Propane Partners, L.P.