Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. Announces First Quarter Earnings

WHIPPANY, N.J., Feb. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/-- Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. (NYSE: SPH), a nationwide distributor of propane, fuel oil and related products and services, as well as a marketer of natural gas and electricity, today announced earnings for its first quarter ended December 29, 2012.

The first quarter of fiscal 2013 was the first full quarter of operations since the Partnership's acquisition of Inergy L.P.'s retail propane business ("Inergy Propane") on August 1, 2012. For comparative purposes, the variances in quarter-over-quarter results were primarily attributable to the inclusion of the Inergy Propane operations. Net income for the three months ended December 29, 2012 amounted to $59.8 million, or $1.05 per Common Unit, compared to $23.2 million, or $0.65 per Common Unit in the prior year first quarter. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA") for the first quarter of fiscal 2013 amounted to $116.4 million, compared to $39.1 million in the prior year first quarter, an increase of $77.3 million. 

In announcing these results, President and Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Dunn, Jr., said, "We are extremely pleased with the results achieved through the first full quarter of operations following our August 2012 acquisition of Inergy Propane. While the first quarter of fiscal 2013 presented challenges as a result of unseasonably warm temperatures throughout much of our service territories, a lower commodity price environment coupled with the initial benefits of bringing the two operations together has helped mitigate the negative effects of the weather. Our combined field operations personnel are working well together; providing superior customer service and managing our cost structure as we integrate the businesses."

Mr. Dunn added, "The Inergy Propane integration is progressing very well. We're executing on our detailed plans and have achieved some significant milestones in preparation for this year's heating season.  Key management positions are in place, we've established regular communications with the entire Inergy Propane customer base and have begun to leverage Suburban's more centralized operating model in certain aspects of the business. Much work still lies ahead, of course, but we're well on our way."

Mr. Dunn concluded, "Finally, despite the increased size of our business and the increased working capital needs, we continued to fund all of our working capital requirements from on hand cash without the need to borrow under our revolving credit facility and ended the quarter with more than $149.0 million of cash. As we head into the second half of the heating season, we remain focused on our customer base, leveraging the size and strength of the combined operations and executing on our integration plans."

Retail propane gallons sold in the first quarter of fiscal 2013 increased 79.6 million gallons, to 153.9 million gallons from 74.3 million gallons in the prior year first quarter. Sales of fuel oil and other refined fuels increased 8.2 million gallons, to 15.9 million gallons compared to 7.7 million gallons in the prior year first quarter. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, average temperatures (as measured by heating degree days) across all of the Partnership's service territories during the first quarter of fiscal 2013 were 9% warmer than normal, compared to the prior year quarter in which average temperatures were 13% warmer than normal. While average temperatures during the first quarter of fiscal 2013 were 4% cooler than the prior year first quarter, volumes sold did not benefit from the slight improvement in weather patterns as temperatures remained unseasonably warm compared to normal, particularly during the month of December 2012.  Therefore, the increase in volumes sold compared to the prior year first quarter was almost entirely attributable to the addition of Inergy Propane.

On January 24, 2013, the Partnership announced that its Board of Supervisors had declared the 29^th increase (since the Partnership's recapitalization in 1999) in the Partnership's quarterly distribution from $0.8525 to $0.8750 per Common Unit for the three months ended December 29, 2012. On an annualized basis, this distribution rate equates to $3.50 per Common Unit, or 2.6% higher than the distribution rate at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2012. The $0.8750 per Common Unit distribution is payable on February 12, 2013 to Common Unitholders of record as of February 5, 2013.

Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. is a publicly traded master limited partnership listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Headquartered in Whippany, New Jersey, Suburban has been in the customer service business since 1928. The Partnership serves the energy needs of more than 1.2 million residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural customers through more than 750 locations in 41 states.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements relating to future business expectations and financial condition and results of operations of the Partnership, based on management's current good faith expectations and beliefs concerning future developments.  These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed or implied in such forward-looking statements, including the following:

• The impact of weather conditions on the demand for propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels, natural gas and electricity;
• Volatility in the unit cost of propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels and natural gas, the impact of the Partnership's hedging and risk management activities, and the adverse impact of price increases on volumes as a result of customer conservation;
• The cost savings expected from the Partnership's most recent acquisition of Inergy Propane may not be fully realized or realized within the expected timeframe;
• The Partnership's revenue from the Inergy Propane acquisition may be lower than expected;
• The costs of integrating the business acquired in the Inergy Propane acquisition into the Partnership's existing operations may be greater than expected;
• The ability of the Partnership to compete with other suppliers of propane, fuel oil and other energy sources;
• The impact on the price and supply of propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels from the political, military or economic instability of the oil producing nations, global terrorism and other general economic conditions;
• The ability of the Partnership to acquire and maintain reliable transportation for its propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels;
• The ability of the Partnership to retain customers or acquire new customers;
• The impact of customer conservation, energy efficiency and technology advances on the demand for propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels, natural gas and electricity;
• The ability of management to continue to control expenses;
• The impact of changes in applicable statutes and government regulations, or their interpretations, including those relating to the environment and global warming, derivative instruments and other regulatory developments on the Partnership's business;
• The impact of changes in tax regulations that could adversely affect the tax treatment of the Partnership for federal income tax purposes;
• The impact of legal proceedings on the Partnership's business;   
• The impact of operating hazards that could adversely affect the Partnership's operating results to the extent not covered by insurance;
• The Partnership's ability to make strategic acquisitions and successfully integrate them;
• The impact of current conditions in the global capital and credit markets, and general economic pressures;
• The operating, legal and regulatory risks the Partnership may face; and
• Other risks referenced from time to time in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and those factors listed or incorporated by reference into the Partnership's Annual Report under "Risk Factors." 

Some of these risks and uncertainties are discussed in more detail in the Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended September 29, 2012 and other periodic reports filed with the SEC.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect management's view only as of the date made. The Partnership undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as otherwise required by law.

SOURCE Suburban Propane Partners, L.P.