WHIPPANY, N.J., Feb. 6, 2014 /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 28, 2013.

Net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 was $58.7 million, or $0.97 per Common Unit, compared to net income of $57.6 million, or $1.01 per Common Unit, in the prior year first quarter. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 amounted to $114.9 million, compared to $112.8 million in the prior year first quarter. 

Net income and EBITDA for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 and 2013 included expenses of $2.5 million and $1.0 million, respectively, related to the ongoing integration of Inergy Propane. Excluding the effects of these charges, as well as the unrealized (non-cash) mark-to-market adjustments on derivative instruments in both quarters, Adjusted EBITDA (as defined and reconciled below) amounted to $117.7 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $117.5 million in the prior year first quarter.

In announcing these results, President and Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Dunn, Jr., said, "The fiscal 2014 heating season got off to a slow start with warmer than normal temperatures through November 2013, followed by colder than normal temperatures during the month of December 2013.  In light of the inconsistent weather, a rising propane price environment and the onset of supply and logistics issues facing the propane industry, we are very pleased with our results for the first quarter.  Our volumes responded when colder weather arrived and our people continued to focus on the areas within our control -- driving efficiencies, managing costs and providing superior service to our customer base."

Retail propane gallons sold in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 increased 4.0 million gallons, or 2.6%, to 157.9 million gallons from 153.9 million gallons in the prior year first quarter. Sales of fuel oil and other refined fuels decreased 1.9 million gallons, to 14.0 million gallons compared to 15.9 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 for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 were reported as normal and 9% colder than the prior year quarter, as a result of colder than normal average temperatures during the month of December 2013.  Average temperatures through the first two months of the fiscal 2014 first quarter were 8% warmer than normal and 5% warmer than the comparable prior year period. 

Revenues of $526.1 million increased $35.4 million, or 7.2%, compared to the prior year first quarter, primarily due to higher retail selling prices associated with higher wholesale product costs, and to a lesser extent, an increase in retail propane volumes sold.  Average posted propane prices increased rapidly throughout the first quarter of fiscal 2014, resulting in an increase of 35.0% in average posted prices compared to the prior year first quarter (basis Mont Belvieu, Texas).  Average posted propane prices at other key supply points increased at an even greater rate.  Average posted prices for fuel oil were 1.9% lower than the prior year first quarter. Cost of products sold for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 of $280.5 million increased $35.4 million, or 14.5%, compared to $245.1 million in the prior year first quarter, primarily due to higher propane product costs stemming from the rise in commodity prices, and to a lesser extent, higher propane volumes sold. Included in cost of products sold for the first quarters of fiscal 2014 and 2013 were unrealized (non-cash) losses attributable to the mark-to-market adjustment for derivative instruments used in risk management activities of $0.3 million and $3.6 million, respectively; these unrealized losses are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA for both periods in the table below. 

Combined operating and general and administrative expenses of $130.6 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 were $2.1 million, or 1.6%, lower than the prior year first quarter, primarily due to lower professional services and general insurance costs, as well as synergies realized during the period associated with the integration of Inergy Propane.  Depreciation and amortization expense of $34.8 million increased $4.3 million, or 14.1%, primarily due to the acceleration of depreciation expense on assets taken out of service as a result of integration activities. Net interest expense of $21.2 million decreased $3.3 million, or 13.6%, due to the reduction of $157.3 million in long-term borrowings during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013.

Addressing the Inergy Propane integration, Mr. Dunn said, "Our integration efforts are right on schedule. As planned, we are taking a break from our integration activities during the heating season to focus all of our efforts on our customer base. We will resume our integration activities late in the second quarter and expect to meet our synergy goals for the year by the end of this fiscal year."

Mr. Dunn concluded, "Despite the increased size of our business and significantly higher working capital requirements as a result of higher wholesale product costs, we once again funded all working capital needs from cash on hand without the need to borrow under our revolving credit facility, and ended the quarter with $55.3 million of cash."

As previously announced on January 23, 2014, the Partnership's Board of Supervisors has declared a quarterly distribution of $0.8750 per Common Unit for the three months ended December 28, 2013. On an annualized basis, this distribution rate equates to $3.50 per Common Unit. The $0.8750 per Common Unit distribution is payable on February 11, 2014 to Common Unitholders of record as of February 4, 2014.

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 acquisition of the retail operations formerly owned by Inergy, L.P. (the "Inergy Propane Acquisition") may not be fully realized or realized within the expected timeframe;
• The revenue gained by the Partnership 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 sufficient volumes of, and the costs to the Partnership of acquiring, transporting and storing, propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels;
• 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 laws that could adversely affect the tax treatment of the Partnership for 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, including, but not limited to, Inergy Propane;
• 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 28, 2013 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.