EX-99.1 2 fgp-20230614xex99d1.htm EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. REPORTS

THIRD QUARTER FISCAL 2023 RESULTS

Financial Highlights
Gross Profit for the third fiscal quarter increased $10.4 million, or 4%, compared to the prior year period.
Margin per gallon for the third fiscal quarter increased $0.13, or 12%, compared to the prior year period.
Net earnings attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. increased $4.8 million, or 7%, compared to the prior year period.
Adjusted EBITDA increased by $8.5 million, or 7%, compared to the prior year period.
Company Highlights
Ferrellgas was named as one of the “Most Trustworthy Companies in America” by Newsweek magazine.
The Company welcomed Apollo Propane, Inc. located in Moraine, Ohio, as its newest acquisition to the Ferrellgas Family during the third fiscal quarter.
198 employees received Ferrellgas Flame Awards in the areas of Safety, Customer Service, Innovation, and Leadership. Additionally, Blue Rhino recognized three Golden Rhino Award recipients in the third fiscal quarter.  

Liberty, MO., June 14, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. (OTC: FGPR) (“Ferrellgas” or the “Company”) today reported financial results for its third fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2023.

“We were honored that our Company was named by Newsweek as one of the ‘Most Trustworthy Companies in America’ based on the results of an independent survey,” said James E. Ferrell, Chief Executive Officer and President. “As the only national propane company on the list, we take pride in our over 84-year history of serving our customers, who know they can trust that their needs for clean, affordable energy will be taken care of by our 4,000-plus employee-owners.”

Third quarter fiscal results continued this positive trend. Gross profit increased $10.4 million, or 4%, for the third fiscal quarter. Revenues decreased $60.2 million for the third fiscal quarter compared to the prior year period. Gallons sold decreased 7%, or 17.8 million gallons, compared to the prior year third fiscal quarter as near-record warmer weather reduced customer demand. However, cost of sales was favorable with a decrease of $70.6 million, or 19%, for the third fiscal quarter. Margin per gallon increased $0.13, or 12%, compared to the prior year period. Ferrellgas has achieved positive results in contract negotiations with both suppliers and customers as it continues to leverage asset utilization management practices.

Operating income per gallon increased $0.04, or 11%, compared to the prior year period. Operating income for the third fiscal quarter increased $4.6 million, or 5%, compared to the prior year period. A focus on cost containment and strategic initiatives on right-timed delivery contributed to these favorable results, which were partially offset by higher fleet charges related to cost of diesel, maintenance and repairs.

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The Company reported net earnings attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. of $72.4 million and $67.6 million, for the third fiscal quarters of 2023 and 2022, respectively. Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, increased by $8.5 million, or 7%, to $125.6 million in the third fiscal quarter 2023 compared to $117.1 million in the prior year period. The change was primarily due to the $4.6 million increase in operating income, noted above, and a favorable EBITDA adjustment for $3.6 million in legal fees related to non-core businesses.

As previously announced, on April 7, 2023, the Company made a cash distribution in the aggregate amount of approximately $49.9 million to holders of record of the Class B Units as of March 23, 2023. The aggregate distribution of approximately $150.0 milion paid to date was made possible by the Company’s continued strong performance.

Several factors were key in driving the Company’s positive quarterly results. New mobile technology consisting of handheld devices for drivers to capture information and other tank monitoring notifications enable Ferrellgas, as a national logistics company, to deliver propane efficiently and in a timely manner. More importantly, the leadership and experience of the Company’s employee-owners enable it to provide for its customers both on a routine basis and during critical events. Using its nationwide footprint, the Company ships on all major supply avenues – truck, rail, sea – and has relationships with more than 100 carriers.  

We also had almost 200 third quarter nominations for Ferrellgas Flame awards during the quarter. This employee recognition program is yet another way Ferrellgas shows appreciation to its most valuable resource, its employee-owners. In addition to performance recognition, Ferrellgas believes in education and continuous improvement. The Golden Rhino Award program recognizes a Blue Rhino employee or group each quarter from production, operations and corporate for their accomplishments. The International Rhino Foundation (“IRF”) joined a Company call to further its partnership and educate employee-owners on the benefits of rhinoceroses to the world’s ecosystems. Blue Rhino released limited edition propane tank sleeves in support of the IRF’s “Keep the Five Alive” event, which raises awareness about the need to save the five rhinoceros species remaining in the wild.

While the country has seen workers move around for other opportunities, most employee-owners are choosing to stay with Ferrellgas. Company-wide, retention has improved almost 13% through the 2023 fiscal year period. Front-line employee retention, which includes drivers, service technicians, material handlers, and production employees, among others, improved almost 12% through the 2023 fiscal year.  

“I want to thank all our people in the field and corporate who work so hard to support our Blue Rhino tank exchange and Retail operations,” Ferrell added. “These drivers, billing specialists, technicians, customer service workers, and many more, all work together to meet our goals and serve our customers. I could not be prouder of all that they accomplish.”

On Wednesday, June 14, 2023, the Company will conduct a teleconference on the Internet at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/m5rtuq5d to discuss the results of operations for the third fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2023. The webcast of the teleconference will begin at 8:30 a.m. Central Time (9:30 a.m. Eastern Time). Questions may be submitted via the investor relations e-mail box at InvestorRelations@ferrellgas.com.

About Ferrellgas

Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., through its operating partnership, Ferrellgas, L.P., and subsidiaries, serves propane customers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Its Blue Rhino propane exchange brand is sold at more than 60,000 locations nationwide. Ferrellgas was named one of Newsweek’s Most Trustworthy Companies in America in 2023. Ferrellgas employees indirectly own 1.1 million Class A Units of the partnership, through an employee stock ownership plan. Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. filed a Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 30, 2022. Investors can request a hard copy of this filing free of charge and obtain more information about the partnership online at www.ferrellgas.com.

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Forward Looking Statements

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 include those discussed in the Form 10-K of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., Ferrellgas, L.P., Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp., and Ferrellgas Finance Corp. for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2022, and in other documents filed from time to time by these entities with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contacts

Investor Relations – InvestorRelations@ferrellgas.com

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FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except unit data)

(unaudited)

ASSETS

    

April 30, 2023

July 31, 2022

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents (including $11,127 and $11,208 of restricted cash at April 30, 2023 and July 31, 2022, respectively)

$

104,657

$

158,737

Accounts and notes receivable, net

199,042

150,395

Inventories

97,813

115,187

Price risk management asset

8,463

43,015

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

35,324

30,764

Total current assets

445,299

498,098

Property, plant and equipment, net

619,285

603,148

Goodwill, net

257,006

257,099

Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $347,423 and $440,121 at April 30, 2023 and July 31, 2022, respectively)

108,806

97,638

Operating lease right-of-use assets

60,244

72,888

Other assets, net

64,713

79,244

Total assets

$

1,555,353

$

1,608,115

LIABILITIES, MEZZANINE AND EQUITY (DEFICIT)

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$

49,791

$

57,586

Broker margin deposit liability

6,207

32,805

Current portion of long-term debt

2,717

1,792

Current operating lease liabilities

24,150

25,824

Other current liabilities

159,054

185,805

Total current liabilities

241,919

303,812

Long-term debt

1,455,209

1,450,016

Operating lease liabilities

36,941

47,231

Other liabilities

32,076

43,518

Contingencies and commitments

Mezzanine equity:

Senior preferred units, net of issue discount and other offering costs (700,000 units outstanding at April 30, 2023 and July 31, 2022)

651,349

651,349

Equity (Deficit):

Limited partner unitholders

Class A (4,857,605 units outstanding at April 30, 2023 and July 31, 2022)

(1,160,913)

(1,229,823)

Class B (1,300,000 units outstanding at April 30, 2023 and July 31, 2022)

383,012

383,012

General partner unitholder (49,496 units outstanding at April 30, 2023 and July 31, 2022)

(70,119)

(71,320)

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

(7,298)

37,907

Total Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. deficit

(855,318)

(880,224)

Noncontrolling interest

(6,823)

(7,587)

Total deficit

(862,141)

(887,811)

Total liabilities, mezzanine and deficit

$

1,555,353

$

1,608,115

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FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per unit data)

(unaudited)

Three months ended

Nine Months ended

Twelve months ended

April 30, 

April 30, 

April 30, 

  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

Revenues:

Propane and other gas liquids sales

$

559,047

$

622,211

$

1,596,777

$

1,652,419

$

1,962,237

$

1,969,752

Other

28,300

25,332

87,802

74,568

109,895

92,361

Total revenues

587,347

647,543

1,684,579

1,726,987

2,072,132

2,062,113

Cost of sales:

Propane and other gas liquids sales

291,826

362,958

852,399

966,709

1,059,694

1,141,855

Other

3,673

3,176

12,692

10,343

14,858

12,915

Gross profit

291,848

281,409

819,488

749,935

997,580

907,343

Operating expense - personnel, vehicle, plant & other

147,477

147,293

434,572

392,418

562,757

509,336

Operating expense - equipment lease expense

5,861

5,775

17,471

17,487

23,078

24,087

Depreciation and amortization expense

23,753

23,067

69,453

65,306

94,044

86,768

General and administrative expense

16,213

10,962

54,161

39,321

67,620

50,626

Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge

767

776

2,212

2,436

2,946

3,370

Loss (gain) on asset sales and disposals

958

1,299

2,928

(6,566)

2,876

(6,973)

Operating income

96,819

92,237

238,691

239,533

244,259

240,129

Interest expense

(24,297)

(23,965)

(72,483)

(74,499)

(98,077)

(99,105)

Gain on extinguishment of debt

5,088

Other income, net

852

99

1,865

4,406

2,292

4,483

Reorganization expense - professional fees

(236)

Earnings before income tax expense

73,374

68,371

168,073

169,440

148,474

150,359

Income tax expense

367

248

888

825

1,044

960

Net earnings

73,007

68,123

167,185

168,615

147,430

149,399

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest (a)

580

537

1,203

1,230

840

836

Net earnings attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.

$

72,427

$

67,586

$

165,982

$

167,385

$

146,590

$

148,563

Class A unitholders' interest in net earnings (loss)

$

6,115

$

7,336

$

16,608

$

16,668

$

(18,830)

$

(17,989)

Net earnings (loss) per unitholders' interest

Basic and diluted net earnings (loss) per Class A Unit

$

1.26

$

1.51

$

3.42

$

3.43

$

(3.88)

$

(3.70)

Weighted average Class A Units outstanding - basic and diluted

4,858

4,858

4,858

4,858

4,858

4,858

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Supplemental Data and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Items:

Three months ended

Nine Months ended

Twelve months ended

April 30, 

April 30, 

April 30, 

  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

Net earnings attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.

$

72,427

$

67,586

$

165,982

$

167,385

$

146,590

$

148,563

Income tax expense

367

248

888

825

1,044

960

Interest expense

24,297

23,965

72,483

74,499

98,077

99,105

Depreciation and amortization expense

23,753

23,067

69,453

65,306

94,044

86,768

EBITDA

120,844

114,866

308,806

308,015

339,755

335,396

Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge

767

776

2,212

2,436

2,946

3,370

Loss (gain) loss on asset sales and disposal

958

1,299

2,928

(6,566)

2,876

(6,973)

Gain on extinguishment of debt

(5,088)

Other income, net

(852)

(99)

(1,865)

(4,406)

(2,292)

(4,483)

Reorganization expense - professional fees

236

Severance costs include $0, $51 and $82 in operating expense for the three, nine and twelve months ended April 30, 2023, respectively. Also includes $0, $593 and $594 in general and administrative expense for the three, nine and twelve months ended April 30, 2023, respectively.

49

644

546

676

546

Legal fees and settlements related to non-core businesses

3,295

(303)

17,274

4,635

20,577

6,192

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest (a)

580

537

1,203

1,230

840

836

Adjusted EBITDA (b)

125,592

117,125

331,202

305,890

365,378

330,032

Net cash interest expense (c)

(21,426)

(25,654)

(64,297)

(72,393)

(91,270)

(94,830)

Maintenance capital expenditures (d)

(5,208)

(5,477)

(15,415)

(13,116)

(19,318)

(24,767)

Cash paid for income taxes

(217)

(243)

(713)

(650)

(1,081)

(918)

Proceeds from certain asset sales

591

642

2,079

3,368

2,824

4,249

Distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors (e)

99,332

86,393

252,856

223,099

256,533

213,766

Less: Distributions accrued or paid to preferred unitholders

15,590

15,715

48,063

49,037

64,313

65,050

Distributable cash flow attributable to general partner and non-controlling interest

(1,986)

(1,720)

(5,056)

(4,462)

(5,130)

(4,275)

Distributable cash flow attributable to Class A and B Unitholders (f)

81,756

68,958

199,737

169,600

187,090

144,441

Less: Distributions paid to Class A and B Unitholders (g)

49,998

49,998

49,998

99,996

49,998

Distributable cash flow excess (h)

$

31,758

$

68,958

$

149,739

$

119,602

$

87,094

$

94,443

Propane gallons sales

Retail - Sales to End Users

182,937

198,783

514,995

529,884

609,427

625,817

Wholesale - Sales to Resellers

51,015

52,943

155,829

158,955

203,390

210,010

Total propane gallons sales

233,952

251,726

670,824

688,839

812,817

835,827

(a)Amounts allocated to the general partner for its 1.0101% interest (excluding the economic interest attributable to the preferred unitholders) in the operating partnership, Ferrellgas, L.P.
(b)Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as net earnings attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., plus the sum of the following: income tax expense, interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense, non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge, loss (gain) on asset sales and disposals, gain on extinguishment of debt, other income, net, reorganization expense – professional fees, severance costs, legal fees and settlements related to non-core businesses, 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 make it easier to compare its results with other companies that have different financing and capital structures.

Adjusted EBITDA, as management defines it, may not be comparable to similarly titled measurements used by other companies. Items added into our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA that will not occur on a continuing basis may have associated cash payments. Adjusted EBITDA should be viewed in conjunction with measurements that are computed in accordance with GAAP.

(c)Net cash interest expense is the sum of interest expense less non-cash interest expense and other income, net. This amount includes interest expense related to the terminated accounts receivable securitization facility.
(d)Maintenance capital expenditures include capitalized expenditures for betterment and replacement of property, plant and equipment, and may from time to time include the purchase of assets that are typically leased.
(e)Distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors is calculated as Adjusted EBITDA minus net cash interest expense, maintenance capital expenditures and cash paid for income taxes plus proceeds from certain asset sales. Management considers distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors a meaningful measure of the partnership’s ability to declare and pay quarterly distributions to equity investors, including holders of the operating partnership’s Preferred Units. Distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors, as management defines it, may not be comparable to similarly titled measurements used by other companies. Items added into our calculation of distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors that will not occur on a continuing basis may have associated cash payments. Distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors should be viewed in conjunction with measurements that are computed in accordance with GAAP.

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(f)Distributable cash flow attributable to Class A and B Unitholders is calculated as Distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors minus distributions accrued or paid on the Preferred Units and distributable cash flow attributable to general partner and noncontrolling interest. Management considers distributable cash flow attributable to Class A and B Unitholders a meaningful measure of the partnership’s ability to declare and pay quarterly distributions to Class A and B Unitholders. Distributable cash flow attributable to Class A and B Unitholders, as management defines it, may not be comparable to similarly titled measurements used by other companies. Items added to our calculation of distributable cash flow attributable to Class A and B Unitholders that will not occur on a continuing basis may have associated cash payments. Distributable cash flow attributable to Class A and B Unitholders should be viewed in conjunction with measurements that are computed in accordance with GAAP.
(g)The Company did not pay any distributions to Class A Unitholders during any of the periods in fiscal 2023 or fiscal 2022.
(h)Distributable cash flow excess is calculated as Distributable cash flow attributable to Class A and B Unitholders minus Distributions paid to Class A and B Unitholders. Distributable cash flow excess, if any, is retained to establish reserves, to reduce debt, to fund capital expenditures and for other partnership purposes, and any shortage is funded from previously established reserves, cash on hand or borrowings under our Credit Facility or, previously, under our terminated accounts receivable securitization facility. Management considers Distributable cash flow excess a meaningful measure of the partnership’s ability to effectuate those purposes. Distributable cash flow excess, as management defines it, may not be comparable to similarly titled measurements used by other companies. Items added into our calculation of distributable cash flow excess that will not occur on a continuing basis may have associated cash payments. Distributable cash flow excess should be viewed in conjunction with measurements that are computed in accordance with GAAP.

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