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): December 9, 2011
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware |
|
001-11331 |
|
43-1698480 |
(State or other jurisdiction |
|
(Commission |
|
(I.R.S. Employer |
of incorporation) |
|
File Number) |
|
Identification No.) |
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7500 College Blvd., Suite 1000, |
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66210 | ||
(Address of principal executive offices) |
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(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 |
|
(Commission |
|
(I.R.S. Employer |
of incorporation) |
|
File Number) |
|
Identification No.) |
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|
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7500 College Blvd., Suite 1000, |
|
66210 | ||
(Address of principal executive offices) |
|
(Zip Code) |
Registrants 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)
Delaware |
|
000-50182 |
|
43-1698481 |
(State or other jurisdiction |
|
(Commission |
|
(I.R.S. Employer |
of incorporation) |
|
File Number) |
|
Identification No.) |
|
|
|
|
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7500 College Blvd., Suite 1000, |
|
66210 | ||
(Address of principal executive offices) |
|
(Zip Code) |
Registrants 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)
Delaware |
|
000-50183 |
|
14-1866671 |
(State or other jurisdiction |
|
(Commission |
|
(I.R.S. Employer |
of incorporation) |
|
File Number) |
|
Identification No.) |
|
|
|
|
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7500 College Blvd., Suite 1000, |
|
66210 | ||
(Address of principal executive offices) |
|
(Zip Code) |
Registrants 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 December 9, 2011, Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. issued a press release regarding its financial results for the first fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2011. 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 December 9, 2011, reporting its financial results for the first fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2011.
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.
Exhibit Index
Exhibit No. |
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Description |
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99.1 |
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Press release of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. dated December 9, 2011, reporting its financial results for the first fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2011. |
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.
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Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. | |
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December 9, 2011 |
By: |
/s/ J. Ryan VanWinkle |
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Name: J. Ryan VanWinkle |
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Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial |
|
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Officer; Treasurer |
|
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(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) of |
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Ferrellgas, Inc., the general partner |
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Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. | |
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December 9, 2011 |
By: |
/s/ J. Ryan VanWinkle |
|
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Name: J. Ryan VanWinkle |
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Title: Chief Financial Officer and Sole Director |
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Ferrellgas, L.P. | |
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|
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December 9, 2011 |
By: |
/s/ J. Ryan VanWinkle |
|
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Name: J. Ryan VanWinkle |
|
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Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial |
|
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Officer; Treasurer |
|
|
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) of |
|
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Ferrellgas, Inc., the general partner |
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Ferrellgas Finance Corp. | |
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December 9, 2011 |
By: |
/s/ J. Ryan VanWinkle |
|
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Name: J. Ryan VanWinkle |
|
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Title: Chief Financial Officer and Sole Director |
Exhibit 99.1
FERRELLGAS PARTNERS REPORTS FIRST-QUARTER RESULTS
OVERLAND PARK, KS., December 9, 2011- Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. (NYSE:FGP), one of the nations largest distributors of propane, today reported operating results for the fiscal first quarter ended October 31, 2011.
Propane sales for the quarter rose 17% to 196.3 million gallons despite temperatures during the period that were 17% warmer than normal and customer conservation resulting from wholesale propane costs that rose more than 33%. Revenues grew 35% to $538.4 million from $400.2 million, reflecting both the increased gallon sales and the sales price to consumers resulting from the higher wholesale cost of propane.
Our first quarter is traditionally slow due to the seasonality of the retail propane business, and that was certainly the case again this year, President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Wambold said. We were extremely pleased, however by our growth efforts which lead the industry helping to offset the continued impact of customer conservation on sales volumes and lesser retail margins resulting from sharply higher propane costs.
Gross profit was $128.7 million, down $2.1 million while operating expenses were $99.4 million, improving $0.06 per gallon delivered. General and administrative expenses were reduced 10% to $9.4 million primarily reflecting prior year reductions in back office expenses. Equipment lease expense was materially unchanged at $3.5 million.
Our focus remains on gaining market share through organic sales and marketing, supplemented by strategic acquisitions in retail propane said Wambold. In the quarter, these efforts along with a continued focus on driving operational efficiencies allowed us to better utilize our fixed overhead while positioning us well for the upcoming winter heating season. Wambold concluded by saying, As our Blue Rhino operations move into their offseason, we have continued to see growth in propane tank exchange as over the last 12 months we have increased our nation-wide footprint by adding 1,400 retail locations, growing sales by more than 4%.
Adjusted EBITDA and the seasonal Net Loss for the quarter were $16.4 million and $32.9 million, respectively compared to $21.9 million and $28.3 million, respectively in the prior years quarter.
-more-
The partnership recently announced the extension of its $400 million secured credit facility to September 2016, in addition to two acquisitions of retail propane operations with customers in California and Texas.
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, 2011, 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
FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except unit data)
(unaudited)
|
|
October 31, 2011 |
|
July 31, 2011 |
| ||
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
| ||
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|
|
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Current Assets: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
13,134 |
|
$ |
7,437 |
|
Accounts and notes receivable, net (including $139,451 and $112,509 of accounts receivable pledged as collateral at October 31, 2011 and July 31, 2011, respectively) |
|
205,608 |
|
159,532 |
| ||
Inventories |
|
184,530 |
|
136,139 |
| ||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
30,488 |
|
23,885 |
| ||
Total Current Assets |
|
433,760 |
|
326,993 |
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
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642,711 |
|
642,205 |
| ||
Goodwill |
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248,944 |
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248,944 |
| ||
Intangible assets, net |
|
202,778 |
|
204,136 |
| ||
Other assets, net |
|
40,043 |
|
38,308 |
| ||
Total Assets |
|
$ |
1,568,236 |
|
$ |
1,460,586 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS CAPITAL |
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|
|
|
| ||
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Current Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Accounts payable |
|
$ |
115,408 |
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$ |
67,541 |
|
Short-term borrowings |
|
126,071 |
|
64,927 |
| ||
Collateralized note payable |
|
81,000 |
|
61,000 |
| ||
Other current liabilities (a) |
|
135,317 |
|
104,813 |
| ||
Total Current Liabilities |
|
457,796 |
|
298,281 |
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Long-term debt (a) |
|
1,069,430 |
|
1,050,920 |
| ||
Other liabilities |
|
23,255 |
|
23,068 |
| ||
Contingencies and commitments |
|
|
|
|
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Partners Capital: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Common unitholders (75,966,353 units outstanding at both October 31, 2011 and July 31, 2011) |
|
74,739 |
|
139,614 |
| ||
General partner unitholder (767,337 units outstanding at both October 31, 2011 and July 31, 2011) |
|
(59,315 |
) |
(58,660 |
) | ||
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
|
273 |
|
4,633 |
| ||
Total Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. Partners Capital |
|
15,697 |
|
85,587 |
| ||
Noncontrolling Interest |
|
2,058 |
|
2,730 |
| ||
Total Partners Capital |
|
17,755 |
|
88,317 |
| ||
Total Liabilities and Partners Capital |
|
$ |
1,568,236 |
|
$ |
1,460,586 |
|
(a) The principal difference between the Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. balance sheet and that of Ferrellgas, L.P., is $182 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 OCTOBER 31, 2011 AND 2010
(in thousands, except per unit data)
(unaudited)
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Three months ended |
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Twelve months ended |
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October 31 |
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October 31 |
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2011 |
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2010 |
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2011 |
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2010 |
| ||||
Revenues: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Propane and other gas liquids sales |
|
$ |
514,219 |
|
$ |
368,623 |
|
$ |
2,357,853 |
|
$ |
1,941,275 |
|
Other |
|
24,207 |
|
31,569 |
|
203,596 |
|
205,907 |
| ||||
Total revenues |
|
538,426 |
|
400,192 |
|
2,561,449 |
|
2,147,182 |
| ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Cost of product sold: |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Propane and other gas liquids sales |
|
403,122 |
|
256,486 |
|
1,755,980 |
|
1,313,100 |
| ||||
Other |
|
6,626 |
|
12,858 |
|
118,238 |
|
115,316 |
| ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Gross profit |
|
128,678 |
|
130,848 |
|
687,231 |
|
718,766 |
| ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Operating expense |
|
99,411 |
|
95,260 |
|
411,432 |
|
405,986 |
| ||||
Depreciation and amortization expense |
|
20,674 |
|
20,375 |
|
82,785 |
|
82,339 |
| ||||
General and administrative expense |
|
9,364 |
|
10,387 |
|
51,137 |
|
44,699 |
| ||||
Equipment lease expense |
|
3,529 |
|
3,649 |
|
14,315 |
|
13,316 |
| ||||
Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge |
|
2,579 |
|
2,444 |
|
10,292 |
|
9,764 |
| ||||
Non-cash stock and unit-based compensation charge (b) |
|
2,917 |
|
1,013 |
|
15,392 |
|
6,093 |
| ||||
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets and other |
|
309 |
|
(232 |
) |
4,174 |
|
6,591 |
| ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Operating income (loss) |
|
(10,105 |
) |
(2,048 |
) |
97,704 |
|
149,978 |
| ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Interest expense |
|
(23,387 |
) |
(26,877 |
) |
(98,395 |
) |
(105,466 |
) | ||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt |
|
|
|
|
|
(46,962 |
) |
(3,408 |
) | ||||
Other income (expense), net |
|
(33 |
) |
178 |
|
356 |
|
(1,237 |
) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Earnings (loss) before income taxes |
|
(33,525 |
) |
(28,747 |
) |
(47,297 |
) |
39,867 |
| ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
|
(630 |
) |
(482 |
) |
1,093 |
|
1,856 |
| ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Net earnings (loss) |
|
(32,895 |
) |
(28,265 |
) |
(48,390 |
) |
38,011 |
| ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest (a) |
|
(291 |
) |
(222 |
) |
(181 |
) |
680 |
| ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. |
|
(32,604 |
) |
(28,043 |
) |
(48,209 |
) |
37,331 |
| ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Less: General partners interest in net earnings (loss) |
|
(326 |
) |
(280 |
) |
(482 |
) |
373 |
| ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Common unitholders interest in net earnings (loss) |
|
$ |
(32,278 |
) |
$ |
(27,763 |
) |
$ |
(47,727 |
) |
$ |
36,958 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Earnings (loss) Per Unit |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Basic and diluted net earnings (loss) per common unitholders interest |
|
$ |
(0.42 |
) |
$ |
(0.40 |
) |
$ |
(0.65 |
) |
$ |
0.53 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Weighted average common units outstanding |
|
75,966.4 |
|
69,559.6 |
|
73,928.5 |
|
69,506.8 |
|
Supplemental Data and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Items:
|
|
Three months ended |
|
Twelve months ended |
| ||||||||
|
|
October 31 |
|
October 31 |
| ||||||||
|
|
2011 |
|
2010 |
|
2011 |
|
2010 |
| ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. |
|
$ |
(32,604 |
) |
$ |
(28,043 |
) |
$ |
(48,209 |
) |
$ |
37,331 |
|
Income tax expense (benefit) |
|
(630 |
) |
(482 |
) |
1,093 |
|
1,856 |
| ||||
Interest expense |
|
23,387 |
|
26,877 |
|
98,395 |
|
105,466 |
| ||||
Depreciation and amortization expense |
|
20,674 |
|
20,375 |
|
82,785 |
|
82,339 |
| ||||
EBITDA |
|
10,827 |
|
18,727 |
|
134,064 |
|
226,992 |
| ||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt |
|
|
|
|
|
46,962 |
|
3,408 |
| ||||
Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge |
|
2,579 |
|
2,444 |
|
10,292 |
|
9,764 |
| ||||
Non-cash stock and unit-based compensation charge (b) |
|
2,917 |
|
1,013 |
|
15,392 |
|
6,093 |
| ||||
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets and other |
|
309 |
|
(232 |
) |
4,174 |
|
6,591 |
| ||||
Other income (expense), net |
|
33 |
|
(178 |
) |
(356 |
) |
1,237 |
| ||||
Litigation reserve and related legal fees |
|
|
|
332 |
|
11,788 |
|
332 |
| ||||
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest |
|
(291 |
) |
(222 |
) |
(181 |
) |
680 |
| ||||
Adjusted EBITDA (c) |
|
16,374 |
|
21,884 |
|
222,135 |
|
255,097 |
| ||||
Net cash interest expense (d) |
|
(22,031 |
) |
(23,722 |
) |
(91,662 |
) |
(97,312 |
) | ||||
Maintenance capital expenditures (e) |
|
(5,327 |
) |
(4,412 |
) |
(16,352 |
) |
(14,267 |
) | ||||
Cash paid for taxes |
|
(3 |
) |
(83 |
) |
(511 |
) |
(1,633 |
) | ||||
Proceeds from asset sales |
|
1,363 |
|
2,078 |
|
5,279 |
|
9,365 |
| ||||
Distributable cash flow to equity investors (f) |
|
$ |
(9,624 |
) |
$ |
(4,255 |
) |
$ |
118,889 |
|
$ |
151,250 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Propane gallons sales |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Retail - Sales to End Users |
|
132,848 |
|
120,561 |
|
667,695 |
|
669,050 |
| ||||
Wholesale - Sales to Resellers |
|
63,421 |
|
47,776 |
|
259,920 |
|
242,263 |
| ||||
Total propane gallons sales |
|
196,269 |
|
168,337 |
|
927,615 |
|
911,313 |
|
(a) Amounts allocated to the general partner for its 1.0101% interest in the operating partnership, Ferrellgas, L.P.
(b) Non-cash stock and unit-based compensation charges consist of the following:
|
|
Three months ended |
|
Twelve months ended |
| ||||||||
|
|
October 31 |
|
October 31 |
| ||||||||
|
|
2011 |
|
2010 |
|
2011 |
|
2010 |
| ||||
Operating expense |
|
$ |
1,167 |
|
$ |
136 |
|
$ |
4,788 |
|
$ |
1,533 |
|
General and administrative expense |
|
1,750 |
|
877 |
|
10,604 |
|
4,560 |
| ||||
Total |
|
$ |
2,917 |
|
$ |
1,013 |
|
$ |
15,392 |
|
$ |
6,093 |
|
(c) Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as earnings (loss) before income tax expense (benefit), interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense, loss on extinguishment of debt, non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge, non-cash stock and unit-based compensation charge, loss (gain) on disposal of assets and other, other income (expense), net, a litigation reserve and related legal fees and net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest. 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 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 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.