WHIPPANY, N.J., Feb. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 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 25, 2010. Net income amounted to $43.1 million, or $1.22 per Common Unit, compared to $48.4 million, or $1.37 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 2011 amounted to $60.1 million, compared to $66.2 million in the prior year first quarter. The first quarter of fiscal 2011 was characterized by unseasonably warm weather, particularly during the first six weeks of the quarter, rising commodity prices and customer conservation resulting from continued weakness in the economy.  

In announcing these results, President and Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Dunn, Jr., said, "In light of the warm weather during the first half of the quarter coupled with a rising commodity price environment, we are pleased with our first quarter results. With our efficient operating platform, flexible cost structure and attention to quality customer service, our business and employees are well positioned to handle the many challenges the industry continues to face. Additionally, our balance sheet remains strong as we ended the quarter with more than $115 million of cash while continuing to entirely fund our seasonal working capital needs with cash on hand."

Retail propane gallons sold in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 decreased 3.7 million gallons, or 4.1%, to 86.3 million gallons compared to 90.0 million gallons in the prior year first quarter. Sales of fuel oil and other refined fuels decreased 1.7 million gallons, or 13.0%, to 11.4 million gallons during the first quarter of fiscal 2011 compared to 13.1 million gallons in the prior year first quarter. Sales volumes were negatively impacted by significantly warmer than normal average temperatures during the first six weeks of the fiscal 2011 first quarter and, to a lesser extent, customer conservation.  While average temperatures across the Partnership's service territories for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 were 1% warmer than normal and 1% colder than the prior year first quarter, average temperatures during the first six weeks of fiscal 2011 were 13% warmer than normal and 18% warmer than the comparable prior year period.  

Revenues of $328.3 million increased $26.9 million, or 8.9%, compared to the prior year first quarter, primarily due to higher retail selling prices associated with higher commodity prices, offset, to an extent, by lower volumes sold. Average posted prices for propane and fuel oil were 15.5% and 18.6% higher, respectively, compared to the prior year first quarter as commodity prices rose steadily throughout the first quarter of fiscal 2011.  Cost of products sold for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 of $186.5 million increased $36.1 million, or 24.0%, compared to $150.4 million in the prior year first quarter. As a result of the steady rise in commodity prices throughout the first quarter of fiscal 2011, the Partnership reported realized losses on derivative instruments used for risk management purposes which were not fully offset by sales of the physical product during the quarter, thus negatively impacting overall gross margins. Cost of products sold in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 also included a $1.6 million unrealized (non-cash) loss attributable to the mark-to-market adjustment for derivative instruments used in risk management activities, compared to a $3.4 million unrealized (non-cash) loss in the prior year quarter; these unrealized losses are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA for both periods in the table below.  

Combined operating and general and administrative expenses of $83.3 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 were $4.9 million, or 5.6%, lower than the prior year first quarter, primarily due to lower variable compensation attributable to lower earnings, and continued savings in payroll and field related expenses.  Depreciation and amortization expense of $8.2 million increased $1.1 million, or 15.5%, primarily due to the impact of prior year acquisitions.  

Once again, the Partnership funded all working capital requirements with cash on hand without the need to borrow under its working capital facility and ended the first quarter of fiscal 2011 with $115.6 million of cash.  On January 20, 2011, the Partnership announced that its Board of Supervisors had declared the twenty-eighth increase (since the Partnership's recapitalization in 1999) in the Partnership's quarterly distribution from $0.85 to $0.8525 per Common Unit for the three months ended December 25, 2010. On an annualized basis, this increased distribution rate equates to $3.41 per Common Unit, an increase of $0.01 per Common Unit from the previous distribution rate, and an increase of 2.1% compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2010. The $0.8525 per Common Unit distribution will be paid on February 8, 2011 to Common Unitholders of record as of February 1, 2011.

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 approximately 800,000 residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural customers through more than 300 locations in 30 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 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; 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 25, 2010 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.