AmeriGas Partners Reports Fiscal 2005 Results, Issues 2006 Guidance.VALLEY FORGE Valley Forge, on the Schuylkill River, SE Pa., NW of Philadelphia. There, during the American Revolution, the main camp of the Continental Army was established (Dec., 1777–June, 1778) under the command of Gen. George Washington. , Pa. -- AmeriGas Propane, Inc., general partner of AmeriGas Partners, L.P. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :APU APU Azusa Pacific University APU Auxiliary Power Unit APU Alaska Pacific University APU Asia Pacific University (Japan) APU American Public University APU Anglia Polytechnic University (Chelmsford) ), reported results of $94.4 million, or $1.71 per limited partner unit, for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005, excluding the previously reported $33.6 million loss on the early extinguishment The destruction or cancellation of a right, a power, a contract, or an estate. Extinguishment is sometimes confused with merger, though there is a clear distinction between them. of debt, compared to net income of $91.9 million, or $1.71 per limited partner unit, for the previous fiscal year. Including the loss on the early extinguishment of debt of $33.6 million, or $0.61 per limited partner unit, net income was $60.8 million, or $1.10 per limited partner unit. Net income for the fiscal year also includes a $7.1 million after-tax gain on the sale of its 50% interest in a propane import terminal in Virginia, as previously reported. Excluding the loss on the early extinguishment of debt of $33.6 million, the Partnership's earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) A metric used to show a company's profitability, but not its cash flow. EBITDA became popular in the 1980s to show the potential profitability of leveraged buyouts, but has become ) were $249.5 million for the fiscal 2005 period compared to $255.9 million for the fiscal year 2004. EBITDA including the loss on extinguishment of debt and the $9.1 million pre-tax gain on the sale of the import terminal was $215.9 million. Eugene V. N. Bissell, chief executive officer of AmeriGas, said, "I am very proud of the performance of all of our employees, especially considering the challenges we faced during fiscal 2005 of warmer weather, price-induced conservation and higher energy-related operating expenses Operating expenses The amount paid for asset maintenance or the cost of doing business, excluding depreciation. Earnings are distributed after operating expenses are deducted. . Assuming a return to normal weather in fiscal 2006, we expect EBITDA in the range of $255 million to $265 million." For the twelve months ended September 30, 2005, retail propane volumes sold were 1.035 billion gallons, down slightly from 1.059 billion gallons sold in the prior year principally due to warmer weather and price-induced customer conservation partly offset by increased volumes from acquisitions and internal growth. Nationally, weather was 6.9% warmer than normal in 2005 compared to weather that was 4.9% warmer than normal in the prior-year period, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Noun 1. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - an agency in the Department of Commerce that maps the oceans and conserves their living resources; predicts changes to the earth's environment; provides weather reports and forecasts floods and hurricanes and . Revenues increased to $1.96 billion in fiscal 2005 from $1.78 billion in fiscal 2004 reflecting higher average selling prices The average sales price of goods or commodities. Especially used in the retail sector and technology distribution. partially offset by lower retail volumes sold. Total margin decreased $3.4 million principally as a result of lower retail volumes sold. Operating and administrative expenses increased primarily as a result of higher vehicle fuel and lease expenses as well as increases in expenses for maintenance, uncollectible accounts Uncollectible account An account which cannot be collected by a company because the customer is not able to pay or is unwilling to pay. and general insurance. For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005, the Partnership recorded a seasonal net loss of $28.4 million, or $0.51 per limited partner unit, compared with a loss of $32.8 million, or $0.60 per limited partner unit, for the prior-year period. Retail volumes sold in the quarter were 177.4 million gallons, slightly higher than the 175.5 million gallons sold in the prior year quarter. EBITDA for the period declined to $7.9 million from $8.6 million in last year's quarter. Revenue for the quarter totaled $359.3 million versus $312.9 million in the fiscal 2004 quarter principally due to higher selling prices reflecting significantly higher propane product costs. AmeriGas Partners is the nation's largest retail propane marketer, serving nearly 1.3 million customers from over 650 locations in 46 states. UGI Corporation
Under the UGI Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:UGI UGI abbr. upper gastrointestinal (as in series) ), through subsidiaries, owns 44% of the Partnership and individual unitholders own the remaining 56%. AmeriGas Partners, L.P. will host its fourth quarter FY 2005 earnings conference call on Wednesday, November 16, 2005, at 4:00 PM ET. Interested parties may listen to a live audio broadcast of the conference call at http://www.shareholder.com/ugi/medialist.cfm. A telephonic replay of the call can be accessed approximately one hour after the completion of the call at 1-888-203-1112, passcode 9217488 (International replay 719-457-0820, passcode 9217488) through November 18, 2005. The financial tables appended to this news release can be viewed directly at http://www.shareholder.com/ugi/APU/4Q05FinancialTable.pdf. This press release contains certain forward-looking statements which management believes to be reasonable as of today's date only. Actual results may differ significantly because of risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond management's control. You should read the Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K Form 10-K A report required by the SEC from exchange-listed companies that provides for annual disclosure of certain financial information. Form 10-K See 10-K. for a more extensive list of factors that could affect results. Among them are adverse weather conditions, price volatility and availability of propane, increased customer conservation measures, the capacity to transport propane to our market areas and political, economic and regulatory conditions in the U. S. and abroad. The Partnership undertakes no obligation to release revisions to its forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after today. Comprehensive information about AmeriGas is available on the Internet at www.amerigas.com. |
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