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AmeriGas Partners Reports Second Quarter Results; Affirms Fiscal Year 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 net income for the Partnership's second fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2005 of $96.2 million or $1.49 per diluted limited partner unit, compared to $105.7 million, or $1.68 per diluted limited partner unit, in the same period last year. Average diluted units outstanding were 4% higher for the recent quarter.

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 $135.2 million in the second fiscal quarter of 2005 compared to $146.6 million a year ago. For the three months ended March 31, 2005, retail volumes sold declined to 378.8 million gallons from 403.9 million gallons sold in the prior-year period. Weather was approximately 5% warmer than normal during the recent quarter compared to weather that was 1.5% 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 .

Eugene V. N. Bissell, chief executive officer of AmeriGas, said, "The lower retail sales volumes we experienced this quarter reflect warmer than normal winter weather and price-induced customer conservation resulting from higher retail selling prices driven by historically high propane product costs. The average wholesale propane cost per gallon at Mt. Belvieu, Texas, a major supply point, during the quarter rose 17% over the prior year."

Revenues for the quarter were $698.3 million versus $687.7 million a year ago, principally reflecting higher propane selling prices caused by higher propane product costs. Operating and administrative expenses declined by $2.3 million from $139.4 million to $137.1 million during the quarter mainly reflecting the implementation of warm weather action plans that will continue for the remainder of the fiscal year. Lower personnel and vehicle repair expenses were partially offset by the impact of higher vehicle fuel and lease expenses.

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
UGI redirects here. For the radiographic procedure, see Upper GI series
UGI Corporation NYSE: UGI is a public utility holding company with a variety of assets based in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.

Under the UGI Utilities, Inc.
 (NYSE:UGI UGI
abbr.
upper gastrointestinal (as in series)
), through subsidiaries, owns 46% of the Partnership and individual unitholders own the remaining 54%.

AmeriGas expects to report EBITDA for its fiscal year ending September 30, 2005 within the range of $245 million to $255 million for the year, excluding a loss of up to $35 million on the expected 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 resulting from a previously-announced proposed refinancing Refinancing

An extension and/or increase in amount of existing debt.
. The refinancing of a portion of the debt should lower annual interest expense meaningfully and extend the maturity of the debt by several years. The refinancing is expected to be completed by May 3. The forecasted EBITDA includes a $9.1 million pre-tax gain on the sale of Atlantic Energy as previously reported.

AmeriGas Partners, L. P. will host its second quarter FY 2005 earnings conference call on Wednesday, April 27, 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 9551284 (International replay 719-457-0820, passcode 9551284) through May 3, 2005.

The financial tables appended to this news release can be viewed directly at http://www.shareholder.com/ugi/APU/2Q05/FinancialTable.pdf.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements forward-looking statement

A projected financial statement based on management expectations. A forward-looking statement involves risks with regard to the accuracy of assumptions underlying the projections.
 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. Among them are adverse weather conditions, product cost volatility and availability of propane, the capacity to transport propane to our market areas, regional economic conditions and the completion of a refinancing of debt. 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. 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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No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2005, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

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Publication:Business Wire
Date:Apr 26, 2005
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