Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2024 Results
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. (OTC: FGPR) reported a decrease of $21.6 million, or 17%, in Adjusted EBITDA for Q3 fiscal 2024, totaling $104 million compared to $125.6 million in the prior year. This decline was attributed to a $19.6 million drop in gross profit, primarily due to warmer than normal weather and higher medical claims. Revenue fell by $71.6 million, offset slightly by a $52 million reduction in the cost of product. Gallons sold decreased by 24.6 million, or 11%, though margin per gallon increased by 4%. Net earnings were $52.8 million, down from $72.4 million. The company made a total distribution of $99.9 million in April 2024.
Despite the downturn in some areas, Blue Rhino's EBITDA increased by 19% due to higher consumer demand for grilling and tank usage. The company continues to focus on technological investments and strategic initiatives, including the expansion of self-service kiosks and home delivery services for propane tanks.
- Blue Rhino's EBITDA increased by 19% due to higher consumer demand.
- Margin per gallon increased by 4%.
- The company leveraged its national footprint and supply contacts effectively.
- Technological investments reduced costs by over $1.2 million.
- Expansion of self-service kiosks and home delivery services.
- Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $21.6 million, or 17%.
- Gross profit decreased by $19.6 million, or 7%.
- Gallons sold decreased by 24.6 million, or 11%.
- Net earnings decreased to $52.8 million from $72.4 million.
- Operating income per gallon decreased by 10%.
LIBERTY, Mo., June 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. (OTC: FGPR) (“Ferrellgas” or the “Company”) today reported financial results for its third fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2024.
Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, decreased by
In sharing fiscal third quarter results, Tamria Zertuche, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ferrellgas commented, “Regarding our retail business, we have taken positive steps over the last four years to create balance across the different customers segments in our business. Our focus has been on growing our weather agnostic customer base, by customer type and geographic location. We have made great progress in the areas of Autogas, Tank Exchange, and Industrial Customer segments. However, the extended, unseasonably warm heating season negatively impacted demand volumes attributed to the heating segments of our business. In the areas of the country where we have the most customer density, the weather patterns we experienced were
The
Margin per gallon for the Company increased
Operating income per gallon decreased
As previously announced, on April 9, 2024, the Company made a cash distribution in the aggregate amount of
The warmer than normal temperatures and continued focus on strategic initiatives drove a
As grilling season arrives, consumers now have even more convenient options to get a Blue Rhino tank. To date, we have installed over 500 self-service kiosks which allow consumers to purchase a propane cylinder 24 hours a day. Home delivery service is also available in 19 markets with plans to expand. More than
Investing in technology is one of our key strategic initiatives. We’ve reduced costs over
As an active member of the National Propane Gas Association (“NPGA”), several key recent regulatory actions benefited us and others in the propane industry. The NPGA successfully led a coalition to oppose the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) proposal to sunset Energy Star labels on all gas appliances. As a result, the EPA instead proposed to increase the efficiency level of the Energy Star certification for residential furnaces. On another front, the NPGA worked with Congress to preserve propane’s inclusion and eligibility for several programs in the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act, which provides financing to airports to purchase alternative fuel vehicles and propane-powered generators. Additional efforts continue as the NPGA seeks to promote the use of propane and favorable legislation at both the federal and state levels.
On Wednesday, June 19, 2024, the Company will conduct a live teleconference on the Internet at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/kmjvaheb to discuss the results of operations for the third fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2024. The live webcast of the teleconference will begin at 8:30 a.m. Central Time (9:30 a.m. Eastern Time). Questions may be submitted via the investor relations e-mail box at InvestorRelations@ferrellgas.com or through the webcast portal to be answered during live Q&A.
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. Its Blue Rhino propane exchange brand is sold at over 68,000 locations nationwide. Blue Rhino is proudly celebrating its 30th birthday this year with an exclusive sweepstakes, prizes, and more. Ferrellgas employees indirectly own 1.1 million Class A Units of the partnership, through an employee stock ownership plan. Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. filed an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2023, with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 29, 2023. Investors can request a hard copy of this filing free of charge and obtain more information about the partnership online at www.ferrellgas.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Statements included in this release concerning current estimates, expectations, projections about future results, performance, prospects, opportunities, plans, actions and events and other statements, concerns, or matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined under federal securities laws. These statements often use words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “projection,” “forecast,” “strategy,” “position,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” or the negative of those terms or other variations of them or comparable terminology. 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, including the effect of weather conditions on the demand for propane; the prices of wholesale propane, motor fuel and crude oil; disruptions to the supply of propane; competition from other industry participants and other energy sources; energy efficiency and technology advances; significant delays in the collection of accounts or notes receivable; customer, counterparty, supplier or vendor defaults; changes in demand for, and production of, hydrocarbon products; inherent operating and litigation risks in gathering, transporting, handling and storing propane; costs of complying with, or liabilities imposed under, environmental, health and safety laws; the impact of pending and future legal proceedings; the interruption, disruption, failure or malfunction of our information technology systems including due to cyber-attack; economic and political instability, particularly in areas of the world tied to the energy industry, including the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine; disruptions in the capital and credit markets; and access to available capital to meet our operating and debt-service requirements. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors also include those discussed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., Ferrellgas, L.P., Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp., and Ferrellgas Finance Corp. for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2023, and in other documents filed from time to time by these entities with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Given these risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this release are made only as of the date hereof. Ferrellgas disclaims any intention or obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law.
FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except unit data) | ||||||||
(unaudited) | ||||||||
ASSETS | April 30, 2024 | July 31, 2023 | ||||||
Current assets: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents (including | $ | 73,645 | $ | 137,347 | ||||
Accounts and notes receivable, net | 178,163 | 159,379 | ||||||
Inventories | 91,275 | 98,104 | ||||||
Price risk management asset | 5,398 | 11,966 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 28,270 | 29,135 | ||||||
Total current assets | 376,751 | 435,931 | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | 622,524 | 615,174 | ||||||
Goodwill, net | 257,006 | 257,006 | ||||||
Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of | 114,531 | 106,615 | ||||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets | 56,040 | 57,839 | ||||||
Other assets, net | 60,840 | 58,838 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 1,487,692 | $ | 1,531,403 | ||||
LIABILITIES, MEZZANINE AND EQUITY (DEFICIT) | ||||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 47,742 | $ | 35,115 | ||||
Current portion of long-term debt | 2,620 | 2,597 | ||||||
Current operating lease liabilities | 24,098 | 24,600 | ||||||
Other current liabilities | 153,945 | 197,030 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 228,405 | 259,342 | ||||||
Long-term debt | 1,459,856 | 1,456,184 | ||||||
Operating lease liabilities | 33,387 | 34,235 | ||||||
Other liabilities | 28,741 | 29,084 | ||||||
Contingencies and commitments | ||||||||
Mezzanine equity: | ||||||||
Senior preferred units, net of issue discount and offering costs (700,000 units outstanding at April 30, 2024 and July 31, 2023) | 651,349 | 651,349 | ||||||
Equity (Deficit): | ||||||||
Limited partner unitholders | ||||||||
Class A (4,857,605 Units outstanding at April 30, 2024 and July 31, 2023) | (1,221,021 | ) | (1,205,103 | ) | ||||
Class B (1,300,000 Units outstanding at April 30, 2024 and July 31,2023) | 383,012 | 383,012 | ||||||
General partner Unitholder (49,496 Units outstanding at April 30, 2024 and July 31, 2023) | (69,716 | ) | (70,566 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 1,018 | 1,059 | ||||||
Total Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. deficit | (906,707 | ) | (891,598 | ) | ||||
Noncontrolling interest | (7,339 | ) | (7,193 | ) | ||||
Total deficit | (914,046 | ) | (898,791 | ) | ||||
Total liabilities, mezzanine and deficit | $ | 1,487,692 | $ | 1,531,403 |
FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except per unit data) (unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three months ended | Nine months ended | Twelve months ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||
April 30, | April 30, | April 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Propane and other gas liquids sales | $ | 490,057 | $ | 559,047 | $ | 1,413,200 | $ | 1,596,777 | $ | 1,733,315 | $ | 1,962,237 | ||||||||||||
Other | 25,717 | 28,300 | 83,464 | 87,802 | 105,235 | 109,895 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues | 515,774 | 587,347 | 1,496,664 | 1,684,579 | 1,838,550 | 2,072,132 | ||||||||||||||||||
Cost of sales: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Propane and other gas liquids sales | 240,281 | 291,826 | 690,299 | 852,399 | 841,257 | 1,059,694 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other | 3,195 | 3,673 | 11,366 | 12,692 | 14,587 | 14,858 | ||||||||||||||||||
Gross profit | 272,298 | 291,848 | 794,999 | 819,488 | 982,706 | 997,580 | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating expense - personnel, vehicle, plant & other | 150,629 | 147,477 | 454,913 | 434,572 | 597,861 | 562,757 | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating expense - equipment lease expense | 5,275 | 5,861 | 15,994 | 17,471 | 21,775 | 23,078 | ||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense | 25,340 | 23,753 | 74,179 | 69,453 | 98,096 | 94,044 | ||||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expense | 13,305 | 16,213 | 43,321 | 54,161 | 59,898 | 67,620 | ||||||||||||||||||
Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge | 880 | 767 | 2,500 | 2,212 | 3,223 | 2,946 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss on asset sales and disposals | 130 | 958 | 1,847 | 2,928 | 4,610 | 2,876 | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating income | 76,739 | 96,819 | 202,245 | 238,691 | 197,243 | 244,259 | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | (24,685 | ) | (24,297 | ) | (73,205 | ) | (72,483 | ) | (98,434 | ) | (98,077 | ) | ||||||||||||
Other income, net | 1,324 | 852 | 3,509 | 1,865 | 4,269 | 2,292 | ||||||||||||||||||
Earnings before income tax expense | 53,378 | 73,374 | 132,549 | 168,073 | 103,078 | 148,474 | ||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense | 240 | 367 | 711 | 888 | 804 | 1,044 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings | 53,138 | 73,007 | 131,838 | 167,185 | 102,274 | 147,430 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest (1) | 372 | 580 | 839 | 1,203 | 376 | 840 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. | $ | 52,766 | $ | 72,427 | $ | 130,999 | $ | 165,982 | $ | 101,898 | $ | 146,590 | ||||||||||||
Class A unitholders' interest in net (loss) earnings | $ | (63,802 | ) | $ | 6,115 | $ | (18,853 | ) | $ | 16,608 | $ | (25,290 | ) | $ | (18,830 | ) | ||||||||
Net (loss) earnings per unitholders' interest | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic and diluted net (loss) earnings per Class A Unit | $ | (13.13 | ) | $ | 1.26 | $ | (3.88 | ) | $ | 3.42 | $ | (5.21 | ) | $ | (3.88 | ) | ||||||||
Weighted average Class A Units outstanding - basic and diluted | 4,858 | 4,858 | 4,858 | 4,858 | 4,858 | 4,858 |
(1) Amounts allocated to the general partner for its
Supplemental Data and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Items: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three months ended | Nine months ended | Twelve months ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||
April 30, | April 30, | April 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. | $ | 52,766 | $ | 72,427 | $ | 130,999 | $ | 165,982 | $ | 101,898 | $ | 146,590 | ||||||||||||
Income tax expense | 240 | 367 | 711 | 888 | 804 | 1,044 | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 24,685 | 24,297 | 73,205 | 72,483 | 98,434 | 98,077 | ||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense | 25,340 | 23,753 | 74,179 | 69,453 | 98,096 | 94,044 | ||||||||||||||||||
EBITDA | 103,031 | 120,844 | 279,094 | 308,806 | 299,232 | 339,755 | ||||||||||||||||||
Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge | 880 | 767 | 2,500 | 2,212 | 3,223 | 2,946 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss on asset sales and disposal | 130 | 958 | 1,847 | 2,928 | 4,610 | 2,876 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other income, net | (1,324 | ) | (852 | ) | (3,509 | ) | (1,865 | ) | (4,269 | ) | (2,292 | ) | ||||||||||||
Severance costs | — | — | — | 644 | - | 676 | ||||||||||||||||||
Legal fees and settlements related to non-core businesses | 323 | 3,295 | 1,480 | 17,274 | 5,957 | 20,577 | ||||||||||||||||||
Business transformation costs (1) | 591 | — | 1,556 | — | 3,644 | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest (2) | 372 | 580 | 839 | 1,203 | 376 | 840 | ||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA (3) | 104,003 | 125,592 | 283,807 | 331,202 | 312,773 | 365,378 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net cash interest expense (4) | (21,240 | ) | (21,426 | ) | (63,411 | ) | (64,297 | ) | (85,809 | ) | (91,270 | ) | ||||||||||||
Maintenance capital expenditures (5) | (5,383 | ) | (5,208 | ) | (13,952 | ) | (15,415 | ) | (18,706 | ) | (19,318 | ) | ||||||||||||
Cash paid for income taxes | (136 | ) | (217 | ) | (495 | ) | (713 | ) | (874 | ) | (1,081 | ) | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from certain asset sales | 589 | 591 | 1,969 | 2,079 | 2,042 | 2,824 | ||||||||||||||||||
Distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors (6) | 77,833 | 99,332 | 207,918 | 252,856 | 209,426 | 256,533 | ||||||||||||||||||
Less: Distributions accrued or paid to preferred unitholders | 16,045 | 15,590 | 48,546 | 48,063 | 64,797 | 64,313 | ||||||||||||||||||
Distributable cash flow attributable to general partner and non-controlling interest | (1,557 | ) | (1,986 | ) | (4,159 | ) | (5,056 | ) | (4,190 | ) | (5,130 | ) | ||||||||||||
Distributable cash flow attributable to Class A and B Unitholders (7) | 60,231 | 81,756 | 155,213 | 199,737 | 140,439 | 187,090 | ||||||||||||||||||
Less: Distributions paid to Class A and B Unitholders (8) | 99,996 | 49,998 | 99,996 | 49,998 | 99,996 | 99,996 | ||||||||||||||||||
Distributable cash flow (shortage) excess (9) | $ | (39,765 | ) | $ | 31,758 | $ | 55,217 | $ | 149,739 | $ | 40,443 | $ | 87,094 | |||||||||||
Propane gallons sales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retail - Sales to End Users | 162,282 | 182,937 | 479,776 | 514,995 | 566,924 | 609,427 | ||||||||||||||||||
Wholesale - Sales to Resellers | 47,102 | 51,015 | 152,845 | 155,829 | 202,906 | 203,390 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total propane gallons sales | 209,384 | 233,952 | 632,621 | 670,824 | 769,830 | 812,817 | ||||||||||||||||||
(1) Non-recurring costs included in “Operating, general and administrative expense” primarily related to the implementation of an ERP system as part of our business transformation initiatives.
(2) Amounts allocated to the general partner for its
(3) Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as net earnings attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., plus the sum of the following: income tax expense, interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense, non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge, loss on asset sales and disposals, other income, net, severance costs, legal fees and settlements related to non-core businesses, business transformation costs, and net earnings 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 make it easier to compare its results with other companies that have different financing and capital structures. Adjusted EBITDA, as management defines it, may not be comparable to similarly titled measurements used by other companies. Items added into our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA that will not occur on a continuing basis may have associated cash payments. Adjusted EBITDA should be viewed in conjunction with measurements that are computed in accordance with GAAP.
(4) Net cash interest expense is the sum of interest expense less non-cash interest expense and other income, net.
(5) Maintenance capital expenditures include capitalized expenditures for betterment and replacement of property, plant and equipment, and may from time to time include the purchase of assets that are typically leased.
(6) Distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors is calculated as Adjusted EBITDA minus net cash interest expense, maintenance capital expenditures and cash paid for income taxes plus proceeds from certain asset sales. Management considers distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors a meaningful measure of the partnership’s ability to declare and pay quarterly distributions to equity investors, including holders of the operating partnership’s Preferred Units. Distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors, as management defines it, may not be comparable to similarly titled measurements used by other companies. Items added into our calculation of distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors that will not occur on a continuing basis may have associated cash payments. Distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors should be viewed in conjunction with measurements that are computed in accordance with GAAP.
(7) Distributable cash flow attributable to Class A and B Unitholders is calculated as Distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors minus distributions accrued or paid on the Preferred Units and distributable cash flow attributable to general partner and noncontrolling interest. Management considers distributable cash flow attributable to Class A and B Unitholders a meaningful measure of the partnership’s ability to declare and pay quarterly distributions to Class A and B Unitholders. Distributable cash flow attributable to Class A and B Unitholders, as management defines it, may not be comparable to similarly titled measurements used by other companies. Items added to our calculation of distributable cash flow attributable to Class A and B Unitholders that will not occur on a continuing basis may have associated cash payments. Distributable cash flow attributable to Class A and B Unitholders should be viewed in conjunction with measurements that are computed in accordance with GAAP.
(8) The Company did not pay any distributions to Class A Unitholders during any of the periods in fiscal 2024 or fiscal 2023.
(9) Distributable cash flow (shortage) excess is calculated as Distributable cash flow attributable to Class A and B Unitholders minus Distributions paid to Class A and B Unitholders. Distributable cash flow excess, if any, is retained to establish reserves, to reduce debt, to fund capital expenditures and for other partnership purposes, and any shortage is funded from previously established reserves, cash on hand or borrowings under our Credit Facility. Management considers Distributable cash flow (shortage) excess a meaningful measure of the partnership’s ability to effectuate those purposes. Distributable cash flow (shortage) excess, as management defines it, may not be comparable to similarly titled measurements used by other companies. Items added into our calculation of distributable cash flow excess that will not occur on a continuing basis may have associated cash payments. Distributable cash flow excess should be viewed in conjunction with measurements that are computed in accordance with GAAP.
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