ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Information contained in this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations may contain forward-looking statements. Such
statements use forward-looking words such as "believe," "plan," "anticipate,"
"continue," "estimate," "expect," "may," "will," or other similar words. These
statements discuss plans, strategies, events or developments that we expect or
anticipate will or may occur in the future.
A forward-looking statement may include a statement of the assumptions or bases
underlying the forward-looking statement. We believe that we have chosen these
assumptions or bases in good faith and that they are reasonable. However, we
caution you that actual results almost always vary from assumed facts or bases,
and the differences between actual results and assumed facts or bases can be
material, depending on the circumstances. When considering forward-looking
statements, you should keep in mind the following important factors which could
affect our future results and could cause those results to differ materially
from those expressed in our forward-looking statements: (1) adverse weather
conditions resulting in reduced demand; (2) cost volatility and availability of
propane, and the capacity to transport propane to our market areas; (3) the
availability of, and our ability to consummate, acquisition or combination
opportunities; (4) successful integration and future performance of acquired
assets or businesses; (5) changes in laws and regulations, including safety, tax
and accounting matters; (6) competitive pressures from the same and alternative
energy sources; (7) failure to acquire new customers thereby reducing or
limiting any increase in revenues; (8) liability for environmental claims;
(9) increased customer conservation measures due to high energy prices and
improvements in energy efficiency and technology resulting in reduced demand;
(10) adverse labor relations; (11) large customer, counter-party or supplier
defaults; (12) liability in excess of insurance coverage for personal injury and
property damage arising from explosions and other catastrophic events, including
acts of terrorism, resulting from operating hazards and risks incidental to
transporting, storing and distributing propane, butane and ammonia;
(13) political, regulatory and economic conditions in the United States and
foreign countries; (14) capital market conditions, including, reduced access to
capital markets and interest rate fluctuations; (15) changes in commodity market
prices resulting in significantly higher cash collateral requirements; and
(16) the impact of pending and future legal proceedings.
These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any of our
forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could also
have material adverse effects on future results. We undertake no obligation to
update publicly any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new
information or future events except as required by the federal securities laws.
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Table of Contents
AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following analyses compare the Partnership's results of operations for
(1) the three months ended June 30, 2009 ("2009 three-month period") with the
three months ended June 30, 2008 ("2008 three-month period") and (2) the nine
months ended June 30, 2009 ("2009 nine-month period") with the nine months ended
June 30, 2008 ("2008 nine-month period").
Executive Overview
Our net loss for the 2009 three-month period increased to $13.5 million from a
loss of $8.8 million in the prior-year three-month period primarily as a result
of lower total margin on lower retail volumes sold partially offset by slightly
lower total operating expenses. Temperatures based upon heating degree days were
approximately 3.1% warmer than normal in the 2009 three-month period compared
with temperatures that were 8.1% colder than normal in the prior-year
three-month period. Average wholesale propane commodity prices were
approximately 57% lower for the three months ended June 30, 2009 compared with
the prior year period. Retail volumes sold in the 2009 three-month period were
lower than in the prior-year three-month period reflecting the effects of the
significant deterioration in general economic activity, customer conservation
and the effects of the warmer weather. Total margin declined due in large part
to the lower retail volumes sold. However average retail propane unit margins
were higher in the 2009 three-month period reflecting the significantly lower
and less volatile propane product costs.
Our net income for the 2009 nine-month period increased to $258.3 million from
$178.5 million in the prior-year nine-month period. The 2009 nine-month period
net income includes a $39.5 million gain on the sale of our California storage
facility in November 2008. As previously mentioned, wholesale propane commodity
prices declined more than 50% during the first three months of Fiscal 2009 and
have generally remained at lower and less volatile levels since January 2009.
Average wholesale propane prices in the nine-months ended June 30, 2009 were
approximately 50% lower than such prices during the prior-year nine-month
period. Notwithstanding the benefits from the acquisition of the assets of Penn
Fuel Propane, LLC ("Penn Fuel Acquisition") and 2009 nine-month period
temperatures that were slightly colder than last year, our retail volumes were
lower reflecting the effects of the significant deterioration in general
economic activity and customer conservation. Although retail volumes were lower,
total margin was greater in the 2009 nine-month period reflecting higher than
normal retail unit margins resulting from a rapid decline in propane product
costs that occurred early in the year.
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AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
2009 three-month period compared with 2008 three-month period
Three Months Ended June 30, 2009 2008 Decrease
(millions of dollars)
Gallons sold (millions):
Retail 160.0 180.7 (20.7 ) (11.5 )%
Wholesale 17.3 18.0 (0.7 ) (3.9 )%
177.3 198.7 (21.4 ) (10.8 )%
Revenues:
Retail propane $ 318.7 $ 456.8 $ (138.1 ) (30.2 )%
Wholesale propane 14.5 31.7 (17.2 ) (54.3 )%
Other 39.5 46.6 (7.1 ) (15.2 )%
$ 372.7 $ 535.1 $ (162.4 ) (30.3 )%
Total margin (a) $ 162.3 $ 172.2 $ (9.9 ) (5.7 )%
EBITDA (b) $ 25.4 $ 29.7 $ (4.3 ) (14.5 )%
Operating income $ 4.3 $ 9.6 $ (5.3 ) (55.2 )%
Net loss $ (13.5 ) $ (8.8 ) $ (4.7 ) 53.4 %
Heating degree days - % (warmer) colder
than normal (c) (3.1 )% 8.1 % - -
|
(a) Total margin
represents
total revenues
less cost of
sales -
propane and
cost of sales
- other.
(b) Earnings
before
interest
expense,
income taxes,
depreciation
and
amortization
("EBITDA")
should not be
considered as
an alternative
to net income
(as an
indicator of
operating
performance)
and is not a
measure of
performance or
financial
condition
under
accounting
principles
generally
accepted in
the United
States of
America
("GAAP").
Management
believes
EBITDA is a
meaningful
non-GAAP
financial
measure used
by investors
to (1) compare
the
Partnership's
operating
performance
with other
companies
within the
propane
industry and
(2) assess its
ability to
meet loan
covenants. The
Partnership's
definition of
EBITDA may be
different from
that used by
other
companies.
Management
uses EBITDA to
compare
year-over-year
profitability
of the
business
without regard
to capital
structure as
well as to
compare the
relative
performance of
the
Partnership to
that of other
master limited
partnerships
without regard
to their
financing
methods,
capital
structure,
income taxes
or historical
cost basis. In
view of the
omission of
interest,
income taxes,
depreciation
and
amortization
from EBITDA,
management
also assesses
the
profitability
of the
business by
comparing net
income for the
relevant
years.
Management
also uses
EBITDA to
assess the
Partnership's
profitability
because its
parent, UGI
Corporation,
uses the
Partnership's
EBITDA to
assess the
profitability
of the
Partnership.
UGI
Corporation
discloses the
Partnership's
EBITDA as the
profitability
measure to
comply with
the
requirement in
Statement of
Financial
Accounting
Standards
No. 131,
"Disclosures
about Segments
of an
Enterprise and
Related
Information,"
to provide
profitability
information
about its
domestic
propane
segment.
The following table includes reconciliations of net income to EBITDA for the
periods presented:
Three Months Ended
June 30,
2009 2008
Net loss $ (13.5 ) $ (8.8 )
Income tax expense 0.7 0.2
Interest expense 17.2 18.1
Depreciation 19.7 19.0
Amortization 1.3 1.2
EBITDA $ 25.4 $ 29.7
|
(c) Deviation from
average
heating degree
days for the
30-year period
1971-2000
based upon
national
weather
statistics
provided by
the National
Oceanic and
Atmospheric
Administration
("NOAA") for
335 airports
in the United
States,
excluding
Alaska. Prior
year data has
been adjusted
to correct a
NOAA error.
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Table of Contents
AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Based upon heating degree-day data, average temperatures in our service
territories were 3.1% warmer than normal during the 2009 three-month period
compared with temperatures in the prior-year period that were 8.1% colder than
normal. Notwithstanding the benefit of the October 1, 2008 Penn Fuel
Acquisition, retail gallons sold were lower than the prior-year period
reflecting, among other things, the adverse effects of the significant
deterioration in general economic activity which has occurred over the last
year, continued customer conservation and the warmer spring weather.
Retail propane revenues declined $138.1 million during the 2009 three-month
period reflecting a $85.8 million decrease due to lower average selling prices
and a $52.3 million decrease as a result of the lower retail volumes sold.
Wholesale propane revenues declined $17.2 million principally reflecting the
decrease in year-over-year wholesale selling prices. Average wholesale propane
commodity prices at Mont Belvieu, Texas, one of the major supply points in the
U.S., were approximately 57% lower in the 2009 three-month period than such
prices in the 2008 three-month period reflecting a precipitous decline in such
prices during the first quarter of Fiscal 2009 following a substantial increase
in prices during most of the second half of Fiscal 2008. Total cost of sales
decreased $152.6 million to $210.3 million principally reflecting the effects of
the lower propane product costs and lower sales.
Total margin was $9.9 million lower in the 2009 three-month period as the
effects on total margin from the lower retail sales were partially offset by
higher than normal retail unit margins resulting from the previously mentioned
significantly lower and less volatile propane product costs.
EBITDA during the 2009 three-month period was $25.4 million compared with EBITDA
of $29.7 million in the 2008 three-month period. The lower 2009 three-month
period EBITDA reflects the previously mentioned $9.9 million decrease in total
margin partially offset by lower operating and administrative expenses. The
lower operating and administrative expenses reflect in large part lower vehicle
fuel expense and lower required allowances for uncollectible accounts partially
offset by greater compensation and benefits expenses including incremental
expenses resulting from the Penn Fuel Acquisition.
Operating income decreased $5.3 million reflecting the $4.3 million decrease in
EBITDA and slightly higher depreciation and amortization expense associated with
acquisitions and plant and equipment expenditures made since the prior year. Net
loss increased $4.7 million during the 2009 three-month period largely
reflecting the decrease in operating income and higher income tax expense
partially offset by lower interest expense on bank loan borrowings.
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Table of Contents
AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
2009 nine-month period compared with 2008 nine-month period
Increase
Nine Months Ended June 30, 2009 2008 (Decrease)
(millions of dollars)
Gallons sold (millions):
Retail 781.1 828.2 (47.1 ) (5.7 )%
Wholesale 99.4 90.4 9.0 10.0 %
880.5 918.6 (38.1 ) (4.1 )%
Revenues:
Retail propane $ 1,694.3 $ 2,000.0 $ (305.7 ) (15.3 )%
Wholesale propane 97.7 148.5 (50.8 ) (34.2 )%
Other 131.1 141.5 (10.4 ) (7.3 )%
$ 1,923.1 $ 2,290.0 $ (366.9 ) (16.0 )%
Total margin (a) $ 793.3 $ 744.7 $ 48.6 6.5 %
EBITDA (b) $ 376.7 $ 294.5 $ 82.2 27.9 %
Operating income $ 317.2 $ 236.8 $ 80.4 34.0 %
Net income $ 258.3 $ 178.5 $ 79.8 44.7 %
Heating degree days - %
(warmer) than normal (c) (1.9 )% (2.2 )% - -
|
(a) Total margin
represents
total revenues
less cost of
sales -
propane and
cost of sales
- other.
(b) Earnings
before
interest
expense,
income taxes,
depreciation
and
amortization
("EBITDA")
should not be
considered as
an alternative
to net income
(as an
indicator of
operating
performance)
and is not a
measure of
performance or
financial
condition
under
accounting
principles
generally
accepted in
the United
States of
America
("GAAP").
Management
believes
EBITDA is a
meaningful
non-GAAP
financial
measure used
by investors
to (1) compare
the
Partnership's
operating
performance
with other
companies
within the
propane
industry and
(2) assess its
ability to
meet loan
covenants. The
Partnership's
definition of
EBITDA may be
different from
that used by
other
companies.
Management
uses EBITDA to
compare
year-over-year
profitability
of the
business
without regard
to capital
structure as
well as to
compare the
relative
performance of
the
Partnership to
that of other
master limited
partnerships
without regard
to their
financing
methods,
capital
structure,
income taxes
or historical
cost basis. In
view of the
omission of
interest,
income taxes,
depreciation
and
amortization
from EBITDA,
management
also assesses
the
profitability
of the
business by
comparing net
income for the
relevant
years.
Management
also uses
EBITDA to
assess the
Partnership's
profitability
because its
parent, UGI
Corporation,
uses the
Partnership's
EBITDA to
assess the
profitability
of the
Partnership.
UGI
Corporation
discloses the
Partnership's
EBITDA as the
profitability
measure to
comply with
the
requirement in
Statement of
Financial
Accounting
Standards
No. 131,
"Disclosures
about Segments
of an
Enterprise and
Related
Information,"
to provide
profitability
information
about its
domestic
propane
segment.
The following table includes reconciliations of net income to EBITDA for the
periods presented:
Nine Months Ended
June 30,
2009 2008
Net income $ 258.3 $ 178.5
Income tax expense 2.1 0.9
Interest expense 53.7 55.1
Depreciation 58.7 56.5
Amortization 3.9 3.5
EBITDA $ 376.7 $ 294.5
|
(c) Deviation from
average
heating degree
days for the
30-year period
1971-2000
based upon
national
weather
statistics
provided by
the National
Oceanic and
Atmospheric
Administration
("NOAA") for
335 airports
in the United
States,
excluding
Alaska. Prior
year data has
been adjusted
to correct a
NOAA error.
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Table of Contents
AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Based upon heating degree-day data, average temperatures in our service
territories were 1.9% warmer than normal during the 2009 nine-month period
compared with temperatures in the prior-year period that were 2.2% warmer than
normal. Notwithstanding the slightly colder 2009 nine-month period weather and
the benefit of the Penn Fuel Acquisition on October 1, 2008, retail gallons sold
were 5.7% lower than the prior-year period reflecting, among other things, the
adverse effects of the significant deterioration in general economic activity
which has occurred over the last year and continued customer conservation.
Retail propane revenues declined $305.7 million during the 2009 nine-month
period reflecting a $192.0 million decrease due to lower average selling prices
and a $113.7 million decrease as a result of the lower retail volumes sold.
Wholesale propane revenues declined $50.8 million reflecting a $65.6 million
decrease from lower wholesale selling prices partially offset by a $14.8 million
increase from higher wholesale volumes sold. Wholesale propane commodity prices
at Mont Belvieu, Texas were more than 50% lower in the 2009 nine-month period
compared with such prices in the 2008 nine-month period reflecting the effects
of a precipitous decline in wholesale propane prices during the first fiscal
quarter of Fiscal 2009 following a substantial increase in prices during most of
the second half of Fiscal 2008. Total cost of sales decreased $415.5 million to
$1,129.8 million principally reflecting the effects of the lower propane product
costs.
Total margin was $48.6 million greater in the 2009 nine-month period reflecting
the beneficial impact of higher than normal retail unit margins resulting from
the previously mentioned rapid decline in propane product costs that occurred
primarily during the first quarter of the 2009 nine-month period.
EBITDA during the 2009 nine-month period was $376.7 million compared with EBITDA
of $294.5 million in the 2008 nine-month period. The 2009 nine-month period
EBITDA includes a $39.9 million pre-tax gain from the sale of the Partnership's
California LPG storage facility. In addition to the gain from the sale of the
California LPG storage facility, the 2009 nine-month period EBITDA reflects the
previously mentioned $48.6 million increase in total margin partially offset by
slightly higher operating and administrative expenses and slightly lower other
income. The slightly higher operating and administrative expenses reflect in
large part higher compensation and benefit expenses including incremental
expenses associated with the Penn Fuel Acquisition and slightly higher general
insurance expenses substantially offset by lower vehicle fuel expenses.
Operating income increased $80.4 million reflecting the $82.2 million increase
in EBITDA partially offset by slightly higher depreciation and amortization
expense associated with acquisitions and plant and equipment expenditures made
since the prior year. Net income increased $79.8 million during the 2009
nine-month period principally reflecting the increase in operating income.
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Table of Contents
AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY
Financial Condition
The Partnership's debt outstanding at June 30, 2009 totaled $863.4 million
(including current maturities of long-term debt of $1.6 million) compared with
total debt outstanding of $933.4 million (including current maturities of
long-term debt of $71.5 million) at September 30, 2008. Total debt outstanding
at June 30, 2009 includes long-term debt comprising $779.7 million of AmeriGas
Partners' Senior Notes, $80.0 million of AmeriGas OLP First Mortgage Notes and
$3.7 million of other long-term debt. At June 30, 2009, there were no amounts
borrowed under AmeriGas OLP's credit agreements (as further described below). In
March 2009, AmeriGas OLP repaid $70 million of its First Mortgage Notes with
cash generated from operations.
AmeriGas OLP's short-term borrowing needs are seasonal and are typically
greatest during the fall and winter heating-season months due to the need to
fund higher levels of working capital. In addition, a rapid and precipitous
decline in commodity propane prices in late Fiscal 2008 which continued into
Fiscal 2009 resulted in greater cash needed by the Partnership to fund
counterparty collateral requirements primarily during the first quarter of
Fiscal 2009. These collateral requirements were associated with derivative
financial instruments used by the Partnership to manage market price risk
associated with fixed sales price commitments to customers principally during
the heating-season months of October through March. At June 30, 2009, the
Partnership had no outstanding collateral deposits associated with these
derivative financial instruments.
In order to meet its short-term cash needs, AmeriGas OLP has a $200 million
credit agreement ("Credit Agreement") which expires on October 15, 2011. In
addition, on November 14, 2008, AmeriGas OLP entered into a $50 million
revolving credit agreement with two major banks ("Supplemental Credit
Agreement") which was terminated on April 17, 2009 in conjunction with the
signing of a new $75 million revolving credit facility described below. AmeriGas
OLP's Credit Agreement consists of (1) a $125 million Revolving Credit Facility
and (2) a $75 million Acquisition Facility. The Revolving Credit Facility may be
used for working capital and general purposes of AmeriGas OLP. The Acquisition
Facility provides AmeriGas OLP with the ability to borrow up to $75 million to
finance the purchase of propane businesses or propane business assets or, to the
extent it is not so used, for working capital and general purposes, subject to
restrictions in the AmeriGas OLP First Mortgage Notes. The Supplemental Credit
Agreement permitted AmeriGas OLP to borrow up to $50 million for working capital
and general purposes.
In order to maintain increased liquidity, on April 17, 2009, AmeriGas OLP
voluntarily terminated its Supplemental Credit Agreement and entered into a new
$75 million unsecured revolving credit facility ("2009 Supplemental Credit
Agreement") with three major banks. The 2009 Supplemental Credit Agreement
expires on July 1, 2010 and permits AmeriGas OLP to borrow up to $75 million for
working capital and general purposes. Except for more restrictive covenants
regarding the incurrence of additional indebtedness by AmeriGas OLP, the 2009
Supplemental Credit Agreement has restrictive covenants substantially similar to
AmeriGas OLP's Credit Agreement.
There were no borrowings outstanding under the credit agreements at June 30,
2009. Issued and outstanding letters of credit under the Revolving Credit
Facility, which reduce the amount available for borrowings, totaled
$37.0 million at June 30, 2009. The average daily and peak bank loan borrowings
outstanding under the credit agreements during the 2009 nine-month period were
$58.3 million and $184.5 million, respectively. The average daily and peak bank
loan borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement during the 2008
nine-month period were $47.4 million and $101 million, respectively. At June 30,
2009, the Partnership's available borrowing capacity under the credit agreements
was $238.0 million.
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Table of Contents
AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
Based on existing cash balances, cash expected to be generated from operations,
and borrowings available under AmeriGas OLP's Credit Agreement and the 2009
Supplemental Credit Agreement, the Partnership's management believes that the
Partnership will be able to meet its anticipated contractual commitments and
projected cash needs during Fiscal 2009.
During the nine months ended June 30, 2009, the Partnership declared and paid
quarterly distributions on all limited partner units at a rate of $0.64 per
Common Unit for each of the quarters ended December 31, 2008 and September 30,
2008 and at a rate of $0.67 per Common Unit for the quarter ended March 31,
2009. On July 27, 2009, the General Partners' Board of Directors approved a
distribution of $0.84 per Common Unit payable on August 18, 2009 to unitholders
of record on August 10, 2009. This distribution includes the regular quarterly
distribution of $0.67 per Common Unit and $0.17 per Common Unit reflecting a
one-time distribution of a portion of the proceeds from the Partnership's sale
of its California storage facility in November 2008. The ability of the
Partnership to declare and pay the quarterly distribution on its Common Units in
the future depends upon a number of factors. These factors include (1) the level
. . .