UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 10, 2009
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 001-11331 | 43-1698480 | ||
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
7500 College Blvd., Suite 1000, Overland Park, Kansas |
66210 | |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code: 913-661-1500
Not Applicable |
(Former name or former address if changed since last report.) |
Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 333-06693 | 43-1742520 | ||
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
7500 College Blvd., Suite 1000, Overland Park, Kansas |
66210 | |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code: 913-661-1500
Not Applicable |
(Former name or former address if changed since last report.) |
Ferrellgas, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 000-50182 | 43-1698481 | ||
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
7500 College Blvd., Suite 1000, Overland Park, Kansas |
66210 | |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code: 913-661-1500
Not Applicable |
(Former name or former address if changed since last report.) |
Ferrellgas Finance Corp.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 000-50183 | 14-1866671 | ||
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
7500 College Blvd., Suite 1000, Overland Park, Kansas |
66210 | |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code: 913-661-1500
Not Applicable |
(Former name or former address if changed since last report.) |
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
The information included in Item 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K.
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
On March 10, 2009, Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. issued a press release regarding its financial results for its second fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2009. A copy of this press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
Exhibit 99.1 Press release of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. dated March 10, 2009, reporting its financial results for its second fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2009.
Limitation on Materiality and Incorporation by Reference
The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K related to Items 2.02 and 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1 furnished
herewith, is being furnished to the SEC pursuant to Item 2.02 and Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and is not deemed to be filed
with the SEC for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liabilities of Section 18. In
addition, such information is not to be incorporated by reference into any registration statement of Ferrellgas
Partners, L.P., Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp., Ferrellgas, L.P. or Ferrellgas Finance Corp. or other filings of
such entities made pursuant to the Exchange Act or the Securities Act, unless specifically identified as being
incorporated therein by reference.
The furnishing of particular information in this Current Report, including Exhibit 99.1 furnished herewith, pursuant to Item 7.01 of Form 8-K is not intended to, and does not, constitute a determination or admission by Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp., Ferrellgas, L.P. or Ferrellgas Finance Corp. as to the materiality or completeness of any such information that is required to be disclosed solely by Regulation FD of the Exchange Act.
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. By Ferrellgas, Inc. (General Partner) |
||||
Date: March 10, 2009 | By | /s/ J. Ryan VanWinkle | ||
J. Ryan VanWinkle | ||||
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
||||
Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. |
||||
Date: March 10, 2009 | By | /s/ J. Ryan VanWinkle | ||
J. Ryan VanWinkle | ||||
Chief Financial Officer and Sole Director | ||||
Ferrellgas L.P. By Ferrellgas, Inc. (General Partner) |
||||
Date: March 10, 2009 | By | /s/ J. Ryan VanWinkle | ||
J. Ryan VanWinkle | ||||
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
||||
Ferrellgas Finance Corp. |
||||
Date: March 10, 2009 | By | /s/ J. Ryan VanWinkle | ||
J. Ryan VanWinkle | ||||
Chief Financial Officer and Sole Director | ||||
Exhibit Index
Exhibit No.
|
Description | |
99.1
|
Press release of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., dated March 10, 2009, reporting its financial results for its second fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2009 |
Exhibit 99.1
FERRELLGAS PARTNERS REPORTS RECORD SECOND-QUARTER RESULTS;
ADJUSTED EBITDA UP 18 PERCENT; NET INCOME UP 36 PERCENT
OVERLAND PARK, KAN., MARCH 10, 2009/PR Newswire-First Call Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. (NYSE:FGP), one of the largest distributors of propane, today reported continuation of fiscal 2009s favorable first-quarter momentum for the fiscal second quarter ended January 31.
Adjusted EBITDA increased nearly 18 percent to $121.6 million from $103.2 million in the year-ago quarter. The partnerships net income surged 36 percent to $69.7 million, or $1.10 per common unit, versus $51.2 million, or $0.81 per common unit, the year before. The profit gains were primarily attributable to sharply improved gross margins and volume increases.
Revenues declined to $715.6 million from $764.0 million in the year-earlier period, reflecting lower consumer pricing. However, gross profit rose to a record $243.5 million from $211.0 million, as the cost of propane and other gas liquids sales decreased 15 percent. Total propane gallon sales were up nearly 8 percent to 314.0 million compared with 290.7 million the year before.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer James E. Ferrell pointed out, We are pleased to have achieved impressive results in an extremely difficult environment, exceeding analysts mean estimate of $1.06. He noted further, With these results, our 12-month Adjusted EBITDA performance has reached $252 million nearing our prior guidance of $255 million for the fiscal year. The partnership reported Adjusted EBITDA of $222 million for fiscal 2008 and a record $237 million for fiscal 2007.
- more -
President and Chief Operating Officer Steve Wambold explained, We were pleased by the increase in propane gallon sales, just as in the first quarter. Our organic growth initiatives are attracting longer-term, profitable customers. In addition, we are reaping the benefits of tightening up our customer service metrics with ongoing focus on operating efficiencies.
Wambold concluded, Our Blue Rhino brand also had an encouraging quarter, registering positive comparative store sales. More importantly, Blue Rhino is well positioned for the selling season later in the year, with more than 43,000 locations, while mining new account opportunities across all classes of trade.
Commenting on the partnerships recent performance, Chief Financial Officer Ryan VanWinkle observed, Not only have we posted record Adjusted EBITDA for the 12-month period ended January 31, but our distributable cash flow coverage now exceeds 1.1x representing the best coverage since fiscal 2001. VanWinkle also noted, In early February we successfully completed an offering of common units that, along with materially improved earnings, have significantly reduced our financial leverage providing us with desirable financial flexibility.
- more -
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., through its operating partnership, Ferrellgas, L.P., serves approximately one million customers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Ferrellgas employees indirectly own more than 20 million common units of the partnership through an employee stock ownership plan. More information about the partnership can be found online at www.ferrellgas.com.
Statements in this release concerning expectations for the future are forward-looking statements. A variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors could cause results, performance, and expectations to differ materially from anticipated results, performance, and expectations. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors are discussed in the Form 10-K of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp., Ferrellgas, L.P., and Ferrellgas Finance Corp. for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2008, and other documents filed from time to time by these entities with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contact:
Tom Colvin, Investor Relations, (913) 661-1530
Scott Brockelmeyer, Media Relations, (913) 661-1830
# # #
ASSETS | January 31, 2009 | July 31, 2008 | ||||||
Current Assets: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 17,206 | $ | 16,614 | ||||
Accounts and notes receivable, net |
164,329 | 145,081 | ||||||
Inventories |
116,411 | 152,301 | ||||||
Price risk management assets |
| 26,086 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
26,173 | 10,924 | ||||||
Total Current Assets |
324,119 | 351,006 | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
675,281 | 685,328 | ||||||
Goodwill |
248,939 | 248,939 | ||||||
Intangible assets, net |
219,196 | 225,273 | ||||||
Other assets, net |
22,428 | 18,685 | ||||||
Total Assets |
$ | 1,489,963 | $ | 1,529,231 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS CAPITAL |
||||||||
Current Liabilities: |
||||||||
Accounts payable |
$ | 132,866 | $ | 71,348 | ||||
Short term borrowings |
27,444 | 125,729 | ||||||
Price risk management liabilities |
90,157 | 7,337 | ||||||
Other current liabilities (a) |
101,482 | 100,517 | ||||||
Total Current Liabilities |
351,949 | 304,931 | ||||||
Long-term debt (a) |
1,057,642 | 1,034,719 | ||||||
Other liabilities |
23,358 | 23,237 | ||||||
Contingencies and commitments |
| | ||||||
Minority interest |
4,219 | 4,220 | ||||||
Partners Capital: |
||||||||
Common unitholders (63,192,503 and 62,961,674 units
outstanding at January 2009 and July 2008, respectively) |
201,204 | 201,618 | ||||||
General partner unitholder (638,308 and 635,977 units
outstanding at January 2009 and July 2008, respectively) |
(58,040 | ) | (58,036 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
(90,369 | ) | 18,542 | |||||
Total Partners Capital |
52,795 | 162,124 | ||||||
Total Liabilities and Partners Capital |
$ | 1,489,963 | $ | 1,529,231 | ||||
(a) | The principal difference between the Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. balance sheet and that of Ferrellgas, L.P., is $268 million of 8 3/4% notes which are liabilities of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and not of Ferrellgas, L.P. |
Three months ended January 31, | Six months ended January 31, | Twelve months ended January 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Propane and other gas liquids sales |
$ | 647,536 | $ | 684,456 | $ | 1,084,424 | $ | 1,043,391 | $ | 2,096,314 | $ | 1,873,898 | ||||||||||||
Other |
68,089 | 79,512 | 111,275 | 115,493 | 231,190 | 238,240 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues |
715,625 | 763,968 | 1,195,699 | 1,158,884 | 2,327,504 | 2,112,138 | ||||||||||||||||||
Cost of product sold: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Propane and other gas liquids sales |
428,527 | 504,524 | 746,272 | 757,043 | 1,481,147 | 1,289,517 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other |
43,625 | 48,422 | 60,439 | 59,382 | 137,535 | 146,684 | ||||||||||||||||||
Gross profit |
243,473 | 211,022 | 388,988 | 342,459 | 708,822 | 675,937 | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating expense |
105,710 | 91,020 | 201,927 | 181,479 | 392,526 | 372,462 | ||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense |
20,219 | 21,075 | 41,535 | 42,440 | 84,616 | 86,132 | ||||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expense |
11,761 | 11,115 | 20,847 | 22,908 | 43,551 | 46,730 | ||||||||||||||||||
Equipment lease expense |
4,781 | 6,143 | 10,136 | 12,494 | 22,120 | 25,538 | ||||||||||||||||||
Employee stock ownership plan compensation charge |
1,656 | 3,072 | 3,405 | 6,246 | 9,572 | 11,891 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss on disposal of assets and other |
4,019 | 3,680 | 6,601 | 6,067 | 11,784 | 10,394 | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating income |
95,327 | 74,917 | 104,537 | 70,825 | 144,653 | 122,790 | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(23,393 | ) | (22,851 | ) | (47,063 | ) | (45,137 | ) | (88,638 | ) | (88,381 | ) | ||||||||||||
Other income (expense), net |
(343 | ) | 181 | (1,161 | ) | 998 | (1,120 | ) | 2,253 | |||||||||||||||
Earnings before income taxes and minority interest |
71,591 | 52,247 | 56,313 | 26,686 | 54,895 | 36,662 | ||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) current |
1,006 | 670 | 737 | 357 | 2,112 | 2,532 | ||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) deferred |
161 | (206 | ) | 129 | (2,381 | ) | 860 | 122 | ||||||||||||||||
Minority interest (a) |
772 | 585 | 682 | 412 | 767 | 587 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings |
69,652 | 51,198 | 54,765 | 28,298 | 51,156 | 33,421 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings available to general partner |
11,633 | 3,657 | 548 | 283 | 512 | 334 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings available to common unitholders |
$ | 58,019 | $ | 47,541 | $ | 54,217 | $ | 28,015 | $ | 50,644 | $ | 33,087 | ||||||||||||
Earnings Per Unit |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic and diluted net earnings available per common unit |
$ | 0.92 | $ | 0.76 | $ | 0.86 | $ | 0.44 | $ | 0.80 | $ | 0.53 | ||||||||||||
Dilutive effect of EITF 03-6 (b) |
0.18 | 0.05 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted net earnings per unit available to common unitholders |
$ | 1.10 | $ | 0.81 | $ | 0.86 | $ | 0.44 | $ | 0.80 | $ | 0.53 | ||||||||||||
Weighted average common units outstanding |
63,192.5 | 62,958.7 | 63,122.3 | 62,958.7 | 63,041.7 | 62,956.1 |
Three months ended January 31, | Six months ended January 31, | Twelve months ended January 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings |
$ | 69,652 | $ | 51,198 | $ | 54,765 | $ | 28,298 | $ | 51,156 | $ | 33,421 | ||||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
1,167 | 464 | 866 | (2,024 | ) | 2,972 | 2,654 | |||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
23,393 | 22,851 | 47,063 | 45,137 | 88,638 | 88,381 | ||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense |
20,219 | 21,075 | 41,535 | 42,440 | 84,616 | 86,132 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other income (expense), net |
343 | (181 | ) | 1,161 | (998 | ) | 1,120 | (2,253 | ) | |||||||||||||||
EBITDA |
114,774 | 95,407 | 145,390 | 112,853 | 228,502 | 208,335 | ||||||||||||||||||
Employee stock ownership plan compensation charge |
1,656 | 3,072 | 3,405 | 6,246 | 9,572 | 11,891 | ||||||||||||||||||
Unit and stock-based compensation charge (c) |
329 | 450 | 657 | 900 | 1,573 | 1,123 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss on disposal of assets and other |
4,019 | 3,680 | 6,601 | 6,067 | 11,784 | 10,394 | ||||||||||||||||||
Minority interest |
772 | 585 | 682 | 412 | 767 | 587 | ||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted
EBITDA (d) |
121,550 | 103,194 | 156,735 | 126,478 | 252,198 | 232,330 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net cash interest expense (e) |
(23,170 | ) | (24,115 | ) | (46,929 | ) | (46,098 | ) | (90,612 | ) | (90,704 | ) | ||||||||||||
Maintenance capital expenditures (f) |
(7,516 | ) | (6,344 | ) | (12,542 | ) | (9,468 | ) | (23,668 | ) | (16,684 | ) | ||||||||||||
Cash paid for taxes |
(324 | ) | (68 | ) | (332 | ) | (1,279 | ) | (2,894 | ) | (3,256 | ) | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from asset sales |
2,587 | 3,312 | 4,905 | 6,250 | 9,529 | 10,574 | ||||||||||||||||||
Distributable cash flow to equity investors (g) |
$ | 93,127 | $ | 75,979 | $ | 101,837 | $ | 75,883 | $ | 144,553 | $ | 132,260 | ||||||||||||
Propane gallons sales |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retail Sales to End Users |
245,862 | 243,389 | 372,395 | 362,564 | 666,663 | 674,778 | ||||||||||||||||||
Wholesale Sales to Resellers |
68,094 | 47,277 | 113,770 | 83,985 | 211,800 | 179,691 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total propane gallons sales |
313,956 | 290,666 | 486,165 | 446,549 | 878,463 | 854,469 | ||||||||||||||||||
(a) | Amounts allocated to the general partner for its 1.0101% interest in the operating partnership, Ferrellgas, L.P. | |
(b) | Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) 03-6 Participating Securities and the Two-Class Method under FASB Statement No. 128, Earnings per Share, requires the calculation of net earnings per limited partner unit for each period presented according to distributions declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings, as if all of the earnings for the period had to be distributed. In periods with undistributed earnings above certain levels, the calculation according to the two-class method results in an increased allocation of undistributed earnings to the general partner and a dilution of earnings to the limited partners. Due to the seasonality of the propane business, the dilution effect of EITF 03-6 on net earnings per limited partner unit will typically only impact the three months ending January 31. EITF 03-6 did not have a dilutive effect on the six and twelve months ended January 31, 2009 and 2008. | |
(c) | Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123( R), Share-Based Payment requires that the cost resulting from all share-based payment transactions be recognized in the financial statements. Share-based payment transactions resulted in a non-cash compensation charge of $0.1 million and $0.1 million to operating expense for the three months ended January 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, $0.2 million and $0.3 million for the six months ending January 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $0.5 million and $0.4 million for the twelve months ending January 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. A non-cash compensation charge of $0.2 million and $0.3 million was recorded to general and administrative expense for the three months ended January 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, $0.5 million and $0.6 million for the six months ended January 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $1.1 million and $0.7 million for the twelve months ended January 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, | |
(d) | Management considers Adjusted EBITDA to be a chief measurement of the partnerships overall economic performance and return on invested capital. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, employee stock ownership plan compensation charge, unit and stock-based compensation charge, loss on disposal of assets and other, minority interest, and other non-cash and non-operating charges. Management believes the presentation of this measure is relevant and useful because it allows investors to view the partnerships performance in a manner similar to the method management uses, adjusted for items management believes are unusual or non-recurring, and makes it easier to compare its results with other companies that have different financing and capital structures. In addition, management believes this measure is consistent with the manner in which the partnerships lenders and investors measure its overall performance and liquidity, including its ability to pay quarterly equity distributions, service its long- term debt and other fixed obligations and fund its capital expenditures and working capital requirements. This method of calculating Adjusted EBITDA may not be consistent with that of other companies and should be viewed in conjunction with measurements that are computed in accordance with GAAP. | |
(e) | Net cash interest expense is the sum of interest expense less non-cash interest expense and other income (expense), net. This amount also includes interest expense related to the accounts receivable securitization facility. | |
(f) | Maintenance capital expenditures include capitalized expenditures for betterment and replacement of property, plant and equipment. | |
(g) | Management considers Distributable cash flow to equity investors a meaningful non-GAAP measure of the partnerships ability to declare and pay quarterly distributions to common unitholders. Distributable cash flow to equity investors, as management defines it, may not be comparable to distributable cash flow or similarly titled measures used by other corporations and partnerships. |