Ferrellgas Partners Reports Record Adjusted EBITDA On Increased Sales And Operating Efficiencies; Fiscal 2014 Adjusted EBITDA Guidance Raised

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., March 10, 2014

Adjusted EBITDA rose 17% to a record $136.4 million from $116.1 million in the year-earlier quarter. Distributable cash flow grew 20% to $111.9 million from $93.1 million. Distributable cash flow coverage for the trailing 12-month period ended January 31 was 1.2x, the highest level since fiscal 2003.  

Second-quarter sales volumes grew 15% to 342.9 million gallons reflecting nationwide temperatures that were 18% colder than in the unusually mild prior-year quarter. Correspondingly, gross profit increased 15% to a record $269.5 million reflecting these increased sales volumes, as margins matched the prior-year quarter at $0.79 per gallon sold.

"The return of more seasonal temperatures drove performance slightly greater than our expectation for the quarter," commented President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Wambold.  Temperatures, as reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the more highly concentrated geographic areas the partnership serves, were 6% colder than normal in the quarter.  Wambold further commented "Propane supply challenges dominated the headlines during our fiscal second quarter. I'm proud of the way Ferrellgas employees responded to this challenge, whether it was ensuring our locations had product on hand to meet our many commitments, safely navigating snow- and ice-covered roadways, or patiently answering questions from our customers."

Second-quarter operating expense rose to $116.7 million from $105.6 million resulting from higher sales volumes; however on a cent-per-gallon sold basis improved to $0.34 from $0.35. General and administrative expense increased to $12.1 million from $10.2 million; however, excluding performance-based incentives, was relatively unchanged at $8.5 million. Interest expense declined 2% to $22.1 million from $22.6 million in the prior-year quarter.

Net earnings for the quarter were $61.1 million, or $0.72 per unit, including a loss on the early extinguishment of debt associated with the refinancing of the partnership's senior notes in November 2013. Excluding this nonrecurring expense, net earnings per common unit were $0.87 compared to $0.70 in the prior-year quarter.  

Wambold added, "The third quarter is off to a strong start, with February results behind us and seasonably cool temperatures forecasted for the remainder of the heating season. Therefore, we are increasing our Adjusted EBITDA guidance for fiscal 2014 to $275 million to $285 million from $265 million to $275 million." For the trailing 12 months ended January 31, the partnership's Adjusted EBITDA performance was $287.3 million.