Form 8-K Filing

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 6, 2012


Star Gas Partners, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware
 
001-14129
 
06-1437793
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)


2187 Atlantic Street, Stamford, CT 06902
(Address of principal executive offices, Zip Code)


(203) 328-7310
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)



Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)



Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

  [   ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
  [   ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
  [   ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
  [   ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On August 6, 2012, Star Gas Partners, L.P., a Delaware partnership (the "Partnership"), issued a press release announcing its financial results for its fiscal third quarter and the nine-month period ended June 30, 2012. A copy of the press release is furnished within this report as Exhibit 99.1.

The information in this report is being furnished, and is not deemed as "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, unless specifically stated so therein.

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

Exhibit 99.1 A copy of the Star Gas Partners, L.P. Press Release dated August 6, 2012.


SIGNATURES

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date: August 6, 2012 Star Gas Partners, L.P.
By: Kestrel Heat, LLC (General Partner)

By:   /s/   RICHARD F. AMBURY
Richard F. Ambury
Chief Financial Officer
Principal Financial Officer


Star Gas Partners, L.P. Reports Fiscal 2012 Third Quarter Results

EXHIBIT 99.1

Star Gas Partners, L.P. Reports Fiscal 2012 Third Quarter Results

STAMFORD, Conn., Aug. 6, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Star Gas Partners, L.P. (the "Partnership" or "Star") (NYSE:SGU), a home energy distributor and services provider specializing in heating oil, today announced financial results for its fiscal 2012 third quarter and the nine-month period ended June 30, 2012.

For the fiscal 2012 third quarter, Star reported a six percent decrease in total revenue to $232.5 million, compared to total revenue of $246.8 million in the prior-year period. While selling prices rose in response to an increase in wholesale product cost, home heating oil and propane volume declined by 21 percent versus the fiscal 2011 third quarter as the additional volume provided by acquisitions was more than offset by the impact of warmer temperatures, net customer attrition and other factors. Temperatures in Star's geographic areas of operations were 10 percent warmer than the prior year's comparable period and 25 percent warmer than normal, as reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 

During the three-month period ended June 30, 2012, Star's operating loss decreased $8.2 million to $20.1 million, as a decline in product gross profit of $8.4 million was more than offset by a favorable non-cash change in the fair value of derivative instruments of $5.1 million, lower operating expenses (including depreciation and amortization) of $8.2 million and an improvement in net service and installation profitability of $3.2 million. The Partnership reported a net loss of $11.8 million, $6.4 million less than the net loss reported in the fiscal 2011 third quarter.

The Adjusted EBITDA loss was $4.2 million for the fiscal 2012 third quarter, or 44 percent less than in the third quarter of fiscal 2011.

"This quarter we looked to put the first six months of such an unusual year behind us," said Dan Donovan, Star Gas Partners' Chief Executive Officer. "We completed one important acquisition and focused our attention on controlling operating costs. Net customer attrition came down from last quarter's spike, but customer retention remains a priority. As always, we have continued our emphasis on cost containment as we prepare for next winter and improved operating performance in the quarters to come."

For the nine months ended June 30, 2012, Star reported an eight percent decrease in total revenue to $1.3 billion, as additional revenue from higher selling prices was more than offset by volume declines.

Home heating oil and propane volume for the first nine months of fiscal 2012 decreased by 79.1 million gallons, or 24 percent, to 256.7 million gallons, as the impact of warmer temperatures, net customer attrition and other factors more than offset the additional volume provided by acquisitions. Temperatures in Star's geographic areas of operations were 21 percent warmer than the prior year's comparable period and 22 percent warmer than normal, as reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. As noted in Star's Form 10-Q filed on May 7, 2012, the heating season (October 1 to March 31) of fiscal 2012 was the warmest in 112 years within the New York Metropolitan area, which is an important area of operation.

Operating income for the first nine months of fiscal 2012 decreased by $41.9 million to $61.4 million, as a $64.0 million decline in product gross profit and a $12.2 million unfavorable non-cash change in the fair value of derivatives was somewhat offset by an improvement in service profitability of $5.5 million and lower operating expenses (including depreciation and amortization) of $28.8 million, including $12.5 million in payments recorded under Star's weather hedge contract.

The Partnership reported net income of $31.6 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2012, a decrease of $19.4 million compared to net income of $51.0 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2011.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased $31.4 million to $74.8 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2012, compared to $106.2 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2011, as the decline in volume primarily due to the warm weather more than offset an increase in Adjusted EBITDA provided by fiscal 2012 and 2011 acquisitions, higher home heating oil and propane per-gallon gross profit margins and lower operating expenses.

EBITDA (Earnings from continuing operations before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization) and Adjusted EBITDA (Earnings from continuing operations before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, (increase) decrease in the fair value of derivatives, gain or loss on debt redemption, goodwill impairment, and other non-cash and non-operating charges) are non-GAAP financial measures that are used as supplemental financial measures by management and external users of our financial statements, such as investors, commercial banks and research analysts, to assess:

  • our compliance with certain financial covenants included in our debt agreements;
     
  • our financial performance without regard to financing methods, capital structure, income taxes or historical cost basis;
     
  • our ability to generate cash sufficient to pay interest on our indebtedness and to make distributions to our partners;
     
  • our operating performance and return on invested capital compared to those of other companies in the retail distribution of refined petroleum products business, without regard to financing methods and capital structure; and
     
  • the viability of acquisitions and capital expenditure projects and the overall rates of return of alternative investment opportunities.

The method of calculating Adjusted EBITDA may not be consistent with that of other companies and each of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA has its limitations as an analytical tool, should not be considered in isolation and should be viewed in conjunction with measurements that are computed in accordance with GAAP. Some of the limitations of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are:

  • EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect our cash used for capital expenditures;
     
  • Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated or amortized often will have to be replaced and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the cash requirements for such replacements;
     
  • EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital requirements;
     
  • EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the cash necessary to make payments of interest or principal on our indebtedness; and
     
  • EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the cash required to pay taxes.

Conference Call: Star Gas management will host a webcast and conference call Tuesday, August 7 at 11:00 a.m. (EDT). The webcast is available at www.star-gas.com/events.cfm and at www.vcall.com. The conference call dial-in is 888-335-0893 (or 970-315-0470 for international callers).

Star Gas Partners, L.P., is the nation's largest retail distributor of home heating oil. Additional information is available by obtaining the Partnership's SEC filings at www.sec.gov and by visiting Star's website at www.star-gas.com where unitholders may request a hard copy of Star's complete audited financial statements free of charge. 

Forward Looking Information

This news release includes "forward-looking statements" which represent the Partnership's expectations or beliefs concerning future events that involve risks and uncertainties, including those associated with the effect of weather conditions on our financial performance; the price and supply of the products we sell; the consumption patterns of our customers; our ability to obtain satisfactory gross profit margins; our ability to obtain new customers and retain existing customers; our ability to make strategic acquisitions; the impact of litigation; our ability to contract for our current and future supply needs; natural gas conversions; future union relations and the outcome of current and future union negotiations; the impact of future governmental regulation, including environmental, health and safety regulations; the ability to attract and retain employees; customer creditworthiness; counterparty creditworthiness; marketing plans; general economic conditions; and new technology. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this news release are forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, the words "believe," "anticipate," "plan," "expect," "seek," "estimate" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Partnership believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct and actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Partnership's expectations ("Cautionary Statements") are disclosed in this news release and in the Partnership's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2012 and its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2011, including without limitation and in conjunction with the forward-looking statements included in this news release. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Partnership or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the Cautionary Statements. Unless otherwise required by law, the Partnership undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date of this news release.

 (Financials follow)

STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
     
  June 30, September 30,
(in thousands) 2012 2011
  (unaudited)  
ASSETS    
Current assets    
Cash and cash equivalents $ 91,232 $ 86,789
Receivables, net of allowance of $10,531 and $9,530 respectively 115,019 92,967
Inventories 36,668 80,536
Fair asset value of derivative instruments -- 3,674
Current deferred tax asset, net 7,447 13,155
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 18,367 22,296
Total current assets 268,733 299,417
     
Property and equipment, net 52,089 47,131
Goodwill 201,085 199,296
Intangibles, net 76,093 52,348
Long-term deferred tax asset, net 8,856 17,646
Deferred charges and other assets, net 10,028 10,291
Total assets $ 616,884 $ 626,129
     
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL    
Current liabilities    
Accounts payable $ 17,201 $ 18,569
Fair liability value of derivative instruments 6,595 3,322
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 80,363 76,428
Unearned service contract revenue 41,063 40,903
Customer credit balances 57,870 67,214
Total current liabilities 203,092 206,436
     
Long-term debt 124,333 124,263
Other long-term liabilities 18,275 22,797
     
Partners' capital    
Common unitholders 297,247 299,913
General partner 183 187
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes (26,245) (27,467)
Total partners' capital 271,185 272,633
Total liabilities and partners' capital $ 616,884 $ 626,129
 
 
STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
         
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS 
         
  Three Months Ended June 30, Nine Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands, except per unit data - unaudited) 2012 2011 2012 2011
         
Sales:        
Product   $ 181,751  $ 198,450  $ 1,172,628  $ 1,289,870
Installations and service   50,725  48,322  150,914  148,268
Total sales   232,476  246,772  1,323,542  1,438,138
Cost and expenses:        
Cost of product   146,034  154,379  921,931  975,205
Cost of installations and service   39,892  40,760  136,617  139,457
(Increase) decrease in the fair value of derivative instruments  11,225  16,323  1,362  (10,844)
Delivery and branch expenses   46,760  53,828  176,230  201,764
Depreciation and amortization expenses   4,608  4,420  12,066  13,696
General and administrative expenses   4,008  5,328  13,927  15,516
Operating income (loss)  (20,051)  (28,266)  61,409  103,344
Interest expense   (3,435)  (3,918)  (10,716)  (12,457)
Interest income   1,538  2,018  3,474  3,791
Amortization of debt issuance costs   (486)  (618)  (1,145)  (2,044)
Loss on redemption of debt  --   --   --   (1,700)
Income (loss) before income taxes  (22,434)  (30,784)  53,022  90,934
Income tax expense (benefit)  (10,645)  (12,587)  21,398  39,892
Net income (loss)  $ (11,789)  $ (18,197)  $ 31,624  $ 51,042
 General Partner's interest in net income (loss)  (62)  (88)  166  247
Limited Partners' interest in net income (loss)  $ (11,727)  $ (18,109)  $ 31,458  $ 50,795
         
Per unit data (Basic and Diluted):        
Net income (loss) available to limited partners  $ (0.19)  $ (0.27)  $ 0.51  $ 0.76
Dilutive impact of theoretical distribution of earnings under FASB ASC 260-10-45-60   --   --   0.05  0.10
Limited Partner's interest in net income (loss) under FASB ASC 260-10-45-60  $ (0.19)  $ (0.27)  $ 0.46  $ 0.66
         
         
Weighted average number of Limited Partner units outstanding (Basic and Diluted)  61,024  67,078  62,236  67,078
         
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
     
STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA
(Unaudited)
     
  Three Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands)  2012 2011
     
Net loss  $ (11,789)  $ (18,197)
Plus:    
Income tax benefit  (10,645)  (12,587)
Amortization of debt issuance cost   486  618
Interest expense, net   1,897  1,900
Depreciation and amortization   4,608  4,420
EBITDA from continuing operations   (15,443)  (23,846)
     
(Increase) / decrease in the fair value of derivative instruments  11,225  16,323
Adjusted EBITDA  (4,218)  (7,523)
     
Add / (subtract)    
Income tax benefit  10,645  12,587
Interest expense, net   (1,897)  (1,900)
Provision for losses on accounts receivable  615  2,220
Decrease in accounts receivables  89,323  121,016
(Increase) decrease in inventories  8,952  (20,989)
Increase in customer credit balances  20,605  6,717
Change in deferred taxes  (9,273)  (12,394)
Decrease in weather hedge contract receivable  12,500  -- 
Change in other operating assets and liabilities  (10,393)  (16,116)
Net cash provided by operating activities  $ 116,859  $ 83,618
     
Net cash used in investing activities  $ (12,971)  $ (5,575)
     
Net cash used in financing activities  $ (37,709)  $ (39,326)
     
     
Home heating oil and propane gallons sold  35,100  44,300
 
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
     
STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA
(Unaudited)
     
  Nine Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands)  2012 2011
     
Net income  $ 31,624  $ 51,042
Plus:    
Income tax expense  21,398  39,892
Amortization of debt issuance cost   1,145  2,044
Interest expense, net   7,242  8,666
Depreciation and amortization   12,066  13,696
EBITDA from continuing operations   73,475  115,340
     
(Increase) / decrease in the fair value of derivative instruments  1,362  (10,844)
Loss on redemption of debt  --   1,700
Adjusted EBITDA  74,837  106,196
     
Add / (subtract)    
Income tax expense  (21,398)  (39,892)
Interest expense, net   (7,242)  (8,666)
Provision for losses on accounts receivable  6,864  10,093
Increase in accounts receivables  (21,831)  (92,107)
Decrease in inventories  45,067  6,846
Decrease in customer credit balances  (15,697)  (45,525)
Change in deferred taxes  13,657  25,464
Change in other operating assets and liabilities  6,842  18,517
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities  $ 81,099  $ (19,074)
     
Net cash used in investing activities  $ (41,515)  $ (10,019)
     
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities  $ (35,141)  $ 18,568
     
     
Home heating oil and propane gallons sold  256,700  335,800
CONTACT: Star Gas Partners
         Chris Witty
         646/438-9385 or cwitty@darrowir.com
         Investor Relations
         Darrow Associates
         203/328-7310