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):  September 28, 2010

 

Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Registrant’s 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)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  913-661-1500

 

n/a

Former name or former address, if changed since last report

 

Ferrellgas, L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  913-661-1500

 

n/a

Former name or former address, if changed since last report

 

Ferrellgas Finance Corp.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  913-661-1500

 

n/a

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 September 28, 2010, Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. issued a press release regarding its financial results for the fourth fiscal quarter and fiscal year ended July 31, 2010. 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 September 28, 2010, reporting its financial results for the fourth fiscal quarter and fiscal year ended July 31, 2010.

 

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.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrants have duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

		Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.
September 28, 2010		By:	/s/ J. Ryan VanWinkle
			Name: J. Ryan VanWinkle
			Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
			Officer; Treasurer
			(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) of
			Ferrellgas, Inc., the general partner
		Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp.
September 28, 2010		By:	/s/ J. Ryan VanWinkle
			Name: J. Ryan VanWinkle
			Title: Chief Financial Officer and Sole Director
		Ferrellgas, L.P.
September 28, 2010		By:	/s/ J. Ryan VanWinkle
			Name: J. Ryan VanWinkle
			Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
			Officer; Treasurer
			(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) of
			Ferrellgas, Inc., the general partner
		Ferrellgas Finance Corp.
September 28, 2010		By:	/s/ J. Ryan VanWinkle
			Name: J. Ryan VanWinkle
			Title: Chief Financial Officer and Sole Director

 

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Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit No.		Description
99.1		Press release of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. dated September 28, 2010, reporting its financial results for the fourth fiscal quarter and fiscal year ended July 31, 2010.

 

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Exhibit 99.1

 

Contact:

Tom Colvin, Investor Relations, (913) 661-1530

Jim Saladin, Media Relations, (913) 661-1833

 

FERRELLGAS PARTNERS’ FOURTH-QUARTER ADJUSTED EBITDA UP 23%;

FULL-YEAR ADJUSTED EBITDA OF $266.5 MILLION EXCEEDS

PRIOR-YEAR RECORD $251.1 MILLION BY 6%

 

OVERLAND PARK, KAN., September 28, 2010/PR Newswire-First Call — Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. (NYSE:FGP), one of the largest distributors of propane, today reported that Adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal fourth quarter ended July 31 increased 23% to $15.0 million from $12.2 million in the year-earlier quarter.

 

For the full year, the partnership reported record Adjusted EBITDA of $266.5 million, reflecting a 6% increase over the previous high of $251.1 million in fiscal 2009.

 

President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Wambold commented, “We are extremely pleased with the fourth-quarter results, reflecting double-digit improvement in Adjusted EBITDA from a balance of improved margins and reduced operating expenses.”

 

Wambold continued, “The gain in Adjusted EBITDA for the full year was driven by a 5.5% increase in propane gallon sales to 922.5 million from 874.8 million the year before. Retail and wholesale volumes were up 4% and 9%, respectively.”  He also pointed out, “Another highlight of the year was an 8% improvement in distributable cash flow achieving a record $159.3 million, or coverage of 1.13x, the partnership’s highest DCF coverage since fiscal 2003.”

 

Operating results for the year also improved with revenues of $2.1 billion versus $2.07 billion in fiscal 2009.  Gross profit increased to $732.9 million from $709.3 million, and operating income rose to $158.4 million from $146.5 million in fiscal 2009.  Common unitholders’ interest in net income, which included debt prepayment premiums of $20.7 million in fiscal 2010, was $32.4 million, or $0.47 per common unit, compared with $52.0 million, or $0.79 per common unit, the year before.  Excluding the debt prepayment premiums, earnings per common unit in fiscal 2010 were $0.76.

 

Propane gallon sales for the quarter declined slightly to 141.7 million from 149.5 million the year before during the seasonally slow quarter.  Revenues totaled $353.8 million compared with $312.7 million.  Gross profit was practically flat to the prior year’s record performance, but

 

-more-

 

 

the seasonal operating loss declined to $14.5 million from $15.4 million.  Common unitholders’ interest in net loss for the quarter increased to $40.1 million, or $0.58 per common unit, from $34.7 million, or $0.51 per common unit, primarily reflecting higher interest expense.

 

During the quarter, operating expense declined to $101.0 million from $103.8 million, while equipment lease expense continued to decrease, to $3.3 million from $4.0 million.  The increase in general and administrative expense to $14.8 million from $12.0 million reflects performance-based incentives and the non-cash impact of stock option issuances from the parent company of the partnership’s general partner.

 

Looking toward fiscal 2011, Wambold observed, “The year is off to a good start with our Blue Rhino branded propane sales carrying positive fourth quarter momentum into August and September.”

 

Wambold emphasized, “Our fundamentals are strong, and we remain optimistic about our strategic direction as we continue to focus on profitable growth, both organically and through acquisitions.”  Wambold concluded, “At the same time, our management team remains focused on improved efficiencies by keeping a tight rein on expenses.”

 

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, 2010, and other documents filed from time to time by these entities with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

On September 28, 2010 Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. filed its annual report for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2010 on Form 10-K with the SEC. This annual report is available to security holders and other interested parties at no charge on our website at www.ferrellgas.com and is also available in print to any security holder or other interested parties who requests it from our investor relations department free of charge.

 

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FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P.  AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except unit data)

(unaudited)

 

		July 31, 2010			July 31, 2009
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	11,401		$	7,066
Accounts and notes receivable, net		89,234			106,910
Inventories		166,911			129,808
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		13,842			15,031
Total Current Assets		281,388			258,815
Property, plant and equipment, net		652,768			666,535
Goodwill		248,939			248,939
Intangible assets, net		221,057			212,037
Other assets, net		38,199			18,651
Total Assets		$	1,442,351		$	1,404,977
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	48,658		$	49,337
Short term borrowings		67,203			66,159
Other current liabilities (a)		108,054			108,763
Total Current Liabilities		223,915			224,259
Long-term debt (a)		1,111,088			1,010,073
Other liabilities		21,446			19,300
Contingencies and commitments		—			—
Partners’ Capital:
Common unitholders (69,521,818 and 68,236,755 units outstanding at 2010 and 2009, respectively)		141,281			206,255
General partner unitholder (702,241 and 689,260 units outstanding at 2010 and 2009, respectively)		(58,644		)	(57,988		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(415		)	(1,194		)
Total Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. Partners’ Capital		82,222			147,073
Noncontrolling Interest		3,680			4,272
Total Partners’ Capital		85,902			151,345
Total Liabilities and Partners’ Capital		$	1,442,351		$	1,404,977

 

(a)	The principal difference between the Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. balance sheet and that of Ferrellgas, L.P., is $280 million of 8.625% notes which are liabilities of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and not of Ferrellgas, L.P.

 

 

FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

FOR THE THREE AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, 2010 AND 2009

(in thousands, except per unit data)

(unaudited)

 

		Three months ended						Twelve months ended
		July 31						July 31
		2010			2009			2010			2009
Revenues:
Propane and other gas liquids sales		$	312,280		$	283,379		$	1,900,318		$	1,829,653
Other		41,568			29,311			198,742			239,869
Total revenues		353,848			312,690			2,099,060			2,069,522
Cost of product sold:
Propane and other gas liquids sales		197,318			165,215			1,257,534			1,207,368
Other		26,118			16,700			108,638			152,853
Gross profit		130,412			130,775			732,888			709,301
Operating expense		101,014			103,815			409,014			400,735
Depreciation and amortization expense		20,469			20,324			82,491			82,494
General and administrative expense		14,755			12,015			51,772			41,382
Equipment lease expense		3,281			3,988			13,441			18,406
Employee stock ownership plan compensation charge		2,361			1,890			9,322			6,755
Loss on disposal of assets and other		3,005			4,118			8,485			13,042
Operating income (loss)		(14,473		)	(15,375		)	158,363			146,487
Interest expense		(26,440		)	(20,429		)	(101,284		)	(89,519		)
Debt prepayment premiums		—			—			(20,716		)	—
Other income (expense), net		(23		)	30			(1,108		)	(1,321		)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes		(40,936		)	(35,774		)	35,255			55,647
Income tax expense (benefit)		(90		)	(421		)	1,916			2,292
Net earnings (loss)		(40,846		)	(35,353		)	33,339			53,355
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest (a)		(346		)	(296		)	630			783
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.		(40,500		)	(35,057		)	32,709			52,572
Less: General partner’s interest in net earnings (loss)		(405		)	(350		)	327			526
Common unitholders’ interest in net earnings (loss)		$	(40,095	)	$	(34,707	)	$	32,382		$	52,046
Earnings (loss) Per Unit
Basic and diluted net earnings (loss) per common unitholders’ interest		$	(0.58	)	$	(0.51	)	$	0.47		$	0.79
Weighted average common units outstanding		69,521.8			68,183.2			69,241.7			65,540.7

 

 

Supplemental Data and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Items:

 

		Three months ended						Twelve months ended
		July 31						July 31
		2010			2009			2010			2009
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.		$	(40,500	)	$	(35,057	)	$	32,709		$	52,572
Income tax expense (benefit)		(90		)	(421		)	1,916			2,292
Interest expense		26,440			20,429			101,284			89,519
Debt prepayment premiums		—			—			20,716			—
Depreciation and amortization expense		20,469			20,324			82,491			82,494
EBITDA		6,319			5,275			239,116			226,877
Employee stock ownership plan compensation charge		2,361			1,890			9,322			6,755
Unit and stock-based compensation charge (b)		3,643			1,203			7,831			2,312
Loss on disposal of assets and other		3,005			4,118			8,485			13,042
Other income (expense), net		23			(30		)	1,108			1,321
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest		(346		)	(296		)	630			783
Adjusted EBITDA (c)		15,005			12,160			266,492			251,090
Net cash interest expense (d)		(21,813		)	(20,439		)	(94,914		)	(88,915		)
Maintenance capital expenditures (e)		(4,385		)	(4,439		)	(19,968		)	(21,766		)
Cash paid for taxes		(608		)	(643		)	(1,550		)	(1,512		)
Proceeds from asset sales		4,623			1,321			9,220			8,199
Distributable cash flow to equity investors (f)		$	(7,178	)	$	(12,040	)	$	159,280		$	147,096
Propane gallons sales
Retail - Sales to End Users		90,058			96,710			680,963			652,788
Wholesale - Sales to Resellers		51,689			52,745			241,561			222,038
Total propane gallons sales		141,747			149,455			922,524			874,826

 

(a)	Amounts allocated to the general partner for its 1.0101% interest in the operating partnership, Ferrellgas, L.P.
(b)	FASB guidance relating to stock compensation 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 $1.0 million and $0.5 million to operating expense for the three months ended July 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $2.2 million and $0.9 million to operating expense for the twelve months ended July 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. A non-cash compensation charge of $2.6 million and $0.7 million was recorded to general and administrative expense for the three months ended July 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively , and $5.6 million and $1.4 million to general and administrative expense for the twelve months ended July 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
(c)	Management considers Adjusted EBITDA to be a chief measurement of the partnership’s overall economic performance. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as earnings before income tax expense (benefit), interest expense, debt prepayment premiums, depreciation and amortization expense, employee stock ownership plan compensation charge, unit and stock-based compensation charge, loss on disposal of assets and other, other income (expense), net 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 makes it easier to compare its results with other companies that have different financing and capital structures. This method of calculating Adjusted EBITDA may not be consistent with that of other companies and should be viewed in conjunction with measurements that are computed in accordance with GAAP.
(d)	Net cash interest expense is the sum of interest expense less non-cash interest expense and other income (expense), net. This amount includes interest expense related to the accounts receivable securitization facility.
(e)	Maintenance capital expenditures include capitalized expenditures for betterment and replacement of property, plant and equipment.
(f)	Management considers distributable cash flow to equity investors a meaningful non-GAAP measure of the partnership’s ability to declare and pay quarterly distributions to 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 entities.