Sunoco LP Announces First Quarter Financial and Operating Results


- Completed the private placement of $300 million in SUN preferred equity to ETE
- Maintained quarterly distribution of 82.55 cents, an increase of 1.0 percent compared to first quarter 2016
- Executed definitive agreement to divest a majority of company-operated convenience stores to 7-Eleven, Inc. for $3.3 billion; transaction includes 15-year take-or-pay fuel supply agreement with 7-Eleven
- Launched sales process for remaining company-operated convenience stores in North and West Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma
Conference Call Scheduled for 9:30 a.m. CT (10:30 a.m. ET) on Thursday, May 4

DALLAS, May 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Sunoco LP (NYSE: SUN) ("SUN" or the "Partnership") today announced financial and operating results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2017.

Sunoco LP logo

Revenue totaled $4.4 billion, an increase of 36.7 percent, compared to $3.2 billion in the first quarter of 2016. The increase was the result of the average selling price of fuel being 56 cents per gallon higher than last year, additional wholesale gallons sold and increased merchandise sales.

Total gross profit was $503 million, compared to $511 million in the first quarter of 2016. 
The key driver of the decrease was lower wholesale motor fuel profits partly offset by increases in retail motor fuel and merchandise profits.

Income from operations was $48 million, versus $92 million in the first quarter of 2016. General and administrative expenses increased $6 million from the first quarter 2016 to $64 million primarily due to increased salary and benefit costs.  Other operating expenses increased $14 million from the first quarter 2016 to $263 million as a result of stores acquired or opened in the last 12 months.

Net income was $1 million, or ($0.22) per diluted unit, versus $62 million, or $0.47 per diluted unit, in the first quarter of 2016.

Adjusted EBITDA (1) for the quarter totaled $155 million, compared with $159 million in the first quarter of 2016.  The unfavorable year-over-year comparison reflects decreased wholesale motor fuel gross profit contribution and increased total operating expenses.

Distributable cash flow (1), as adjusted, was $77 million, compared to $112 million a year ago. This year over year decrease reflects an increase in cash interest expense.

On a weighted-average basis, fuel margin for all gallons sold decreased to 14.5 cents per gallon, compared to 14.7 cents per gallon in the first quarter of 2016.  The decrease was primarily attributable to lower margins in the wholesale segment.

Net income for the wholesale segment was $42 million compared to $87 million a year ago.  Adjusted EBITDA was $95 million, versus $103 million in the first quarter of last year.  Total wholesale gallons sold were 1,313 million, compared to 1,233 million in the first quarter of 2016, an increase of 6.5 percent as a result of growth in both the Southwest geography and unbranded business and contribution from the Emerge acquisition.  This includes gallons sold to consignment stores and third-party customers, including independent dealers, fuel distributors and commercial customers. The Partnership earned 10.6 cents per gallon on these volumes, compared to 11.4 cents per gallon a year earlier.

Net loss for the retail segment was $41 million compared to a net loss of $25 million a year ago.  Adjusted EBITDA was $60 million, versus $56 million in the first quarter of last year.  Total retail gallons sold decreased by 2.1 percent to 595 million gallons as a result of the decreased demand across SUN's operating geography, particularly along the East Coast.  The Partnership earned 23.1 cents per gallon on these volumes, compared to 21.3 cents per gallon a year earlier.

Total merchandise sales increased by 3.1 percent from a year ago to $540 million, reflecting the contribution from third party acquisitions and new-to-industry locations opened during the last 12 months. Merchandise sales contributed $170 million of gross profit with a retail merchandise margin of 31.6 percent, a decrease of 0.1 percentage points from the first quarter of 2016.

Same-store merchandise sales decreased by 1.1 percent during the first quarter, reflecting weakness in convenience store and restaurant operations in Texas, partly offset by growth in SUN's East Coast and Hawaiian operations.  Same-store gallons decreased by 5.7 percent as a result of weakness throughout SUN's retail geography.  In the Texas oil producing regions, same-store merchandise sales increased by 1.6 percent, and same-store gallons increased 1.1 percent.  Both same store merchandise sales and same store fuel sales were impacted from a leap day in the first quarter of last year by approximately 1.1 percent.

As of March 31, 2017, SUN operated 1,355 convenience stores and retail fuel outlets along the East Coast, in the Southwest and in Hawaii. Third party wholesale customers totaled 7,825.

SUN's other recent accomplishments include the following:

  • On January 18, SUN announced it retained NRC Realty & Capital Advisors, LLC ("NRC") to assist with strategic alternatives for approximately 100 real estate assets.
  • On March 30, SUN and Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (NYSE: ETE) ("ETE") announced the completion of a private placement of $300 million in SUN preferred equity to ETE.
  • On April 6, SUN announced the planned divestiture of company-operated convenience stores in the continental United States.
    • SUN entered into a definitive asset purchase agreement for the sale of a majority of its company-operated convenience stores to 7-Eleven, Inc. Total consideration in the transaction is $3.3 billion in cash plus fuel, merchandise and other inventories.  
    • As part of the transaction, SUN will enter into a 15-year take-or-pay fuel supply agreement with a 7-Eleven subsidiary under which SUN will supply approximately 2.2 billion gallons of fuel annually.
    • SUN retained JP Morgan Securities, LLC to manage the marketing process for the remaining approximately 200 company-operated convenience stores in North and West Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma in a separate process.

SUN's segment results and other supplementary data are provided after the financial tables below.

Distribution

On April 27, 2017 the Board of Directors of SUN's general partner declared a distribution for the first quarter of 2017 of $0.8255 per unit, which corresponds to $3.3020 per unit on an annualized basis.  This distribution was unchanged from the fourth quarter 2016 and represented a 1.0 percent increase compared with the first quarter of 2016. The distribution will be paid on May 16 to unitholders of record on May 9.

SUN's distribution coverage ratio for the first quarter was 0.74 times. The distribution coverage ratio on a trailing 12-month basis was 0.88 times.

Liquidity

At March 31, SUN had borrowings against its revolving line of credit of $761 million and other long-term debt of $3.6 billion.  Availability on the revolving credit facility after borrowings and letters of credit commitments was $718 million.  In the first quarter of 2017, SUN issued 1.3 million common units through its at-the-market equity program, generating net proceeds of $33 million.  The leverage ratio of debt to Adjusted EBITDA, calculated in accordance with SUN's credit agreements, including the revolving credit facility and Term Loan A, was 6.31 times at the end of the first quarter.  

Earnings Conference Call

Sunoco LP management will hold a conference call on Thursday, May 4, at 9:30 a.m. CT (10:30 a.m. ET) to discuss first quarter results and recent developments.  To participate, dial 201-389-0877 approximately 10 minutes early and ask for the Sunoco LP conference call. The call will also be accessible live and for later replay via webcast in the Investor Relations section of Sunoco's website at www.SunocoLP.com under Events and Presentations.

Sunoco LP (NYSE: SUN) is a master limited partnership that operates 1,355 convenience stores and retail fuel sites and distributes motor fuel to 7,825 convenience stores, independent dealers, commercial customers and distributors located in 30 states. Our parent -- Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (NYSE: ETE) -- owns SUN's general partner and incentive distribution rights.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include certain statements concerning expectations for the future that are forward-looking statements as defined by federal law. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond management's control. An extensive list of factors that can affect future results are discussed in the Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Partnership undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect new information or events.

The information contained in this press release is available on our website at www.SunocoLP.com

Qualified Notice

This release is intended to be a qualified notice under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1446-4(b). Brokers and nominees should treat 100 percent of Sunoco LP's distributions to non-U.S. investors as being attributable to income that is effectively connected with a United States trade or business. Accordingly, Sunoco LP's distributions to non-U.S. investors are subject to federal income tax withholding at the highest applicable effective tax rate.

Contacts

Investors:

Scott Grischow, Senior Director – Investor Relations and Treasury
(214) 840-5660, scott.grischow@sunoco.com

Patrick Graham, Senior Analyst – Investor Relations and Finance
(214) 840-5678, patrick.graham@sunoco.com

Media:

Alyson Gomez, Director – Communications
(469) 646-1758, alyson.gomez@sunoco.com

Jeff Shields, Communications Manager
(215) 977-6056, jeff.shields@sunoco.com

– Financial Schedules Follow –

 

Balance Sheets

SUNOCO LP

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(unaudited)








March 31,
 2017


December 31,
 2016



(in millions, except units)

Assets





Current assets:





Cash and cash equivalents


$

74



$

119


Accounts receivable, net


442



539


Receivables from affiliates


13



3


Inventories, net


512



573


Other current assets


162



155


Total current assets


1,203



1,389


Property and equipment, net


3,299



3,373


Other assets:





Goodwill


2,612



2,618


Intangible assets, net


1,292



1,255


Other noncurrent assets


48



66


Total assets


$

8,454



$

8,701


Liabilities and equity





Current liabilities:





Accounts payable


$

438



$

616


Accounts payable to affiliates


111



109


Advances from affiliates


1



87


Accrued expenses and other current liabilities


371



372


Current maturities of long-term debt


5



5


Total current liabilities


926



1,189


Revolving line of credit


761



1,000


Long-term debt, net


3,534



3,509


Deferred tax liability


626



643


Other noncurrent liabilities


178



164


Total liabilities


6,025



6,505


Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)





Equity:





Limited partners:





Series A Preferred unitholder - affiliated
   (12,000,000 units issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2017 and
    no units issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2016)


300




Common unitholders - public
   (53,704,891 units issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2017 and
    52,430,220 units issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2016)


1,458



1,467


Common unitholders - affiliated
   (45,750,826 units issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2017 and
     December 31, 2016)


671



729


Class C unitholders - held by subsidiary
   (16,410,780 units issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016)





Total equity


2,429



2,196


Total liabilities and equity


$

8,454



$

8,701


 

Operations and Comprehensive Income Consolidated Statements

SUNOCO LP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(unaudited)




For the Three Months Ended March 31,


2017


2016


(in millions, except unit and per unit amounts)

Revenues:




Retail motor fuel

$

1,516



$

1,116


Wholesale motor fuel sales to third parties

2,243



1,496


Wholesale motor fuel sales to affiliates

21



7


Merchandise

540



524


Rental income

23



22


Other

51



50


Total revenues

4,394



3,215


Cost of sales:




Retail motor fuel cost of sales

1,379



984


Wholesale motor fuel cost of sales

2,138



1,352


Merchandise cost of sales

370



358


Other

4



10


Total cost of sales

3,891



2,704


Gross profit

503



511


Operating expenses:




General and administrative

64



58


Other operating

263



249


Rent

34



33


Loss on disposal of assets

7



1


Depreciation, amortization and accretion

87



78


Total operating expenses

455



419


Income from operations

48



92


Interest expense, net

64



28


Income (loss) before income taxes

(16)



64


Income tax expense (benefit)

(17)



2


Net income and comprehensive income

$

1



$

62


Net income (loss) per limited partner unit:




Common - basic and diluted

$

(0.22)



$

0.47


Weighted average limited partner units outstanding:




Common units - public (basic)

52,858,782



49,588,960


Common units - public (diluted)

52,965,132



49,610,314


Common units - affiliated (basic and diluted)

45,750,826



37,864,373






Cash distribution per unit

$

0.8255



$

0.8173


 

Key Operating Metrics

The following information is intended to provide investors with a reasonable basis for assessing our historical operations but should not serve as the only criteria for predicting our future performance. We operate our business in two primary operating divisions, wholesale and retail, both of which are included as reportable segments.

Key operating metrics set forth below are presented as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 and have been derived from our historical consolidated financial statements.

The accompanying footnotes to the following two key operating metrics tables can be found immediately preceding our capital spending discussion.

Key Operating Metrics

For the Three Months Ended March 31,


2017



2016


Wholesale


Retail


Total



Wholesale


Retail


Total


(dollars and gallons in millions, except motor fuel gross profit per gallon)

Revenues:













Retail motor fuel

$



$

1,516



$

1,516




$



$

1,116



$

1,116


Wholesale motor fuel sales to third parties

2,243





2,243




1,496





1,496


Wholesale motor fuel sale to affiliates

21





21




7





7


Merchandise



540



540






524



524


Rental income

19



4



23




19



3



22


Other

13



38



51




18



32



50


Total revenues

$

2,296



$

2,098



$

4,394




$

1,540



$

1,675



$

3,215


Gross profit:













Retail motor fuel

$



$

137



$

137




$



$

132



$

132


Wholesale motor fuel

126





126




151





151


Merchandise



170



170






166



166


Rental and other

28



42



70




36



26



62


Total gross profit

$

154



$

349



$

503




$

187



$

324



$

511


Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss)

$

42



$

(41)



$

1




$

87



$

(25)



$

62


Adjusted EBITDA (2)





$

155








$

159


Distributable cash flow, as adjusted (2)





$

77








$

112


Operating Data:













Total motor fuel gallons sold:













Retail



595



595






608



608


Wholesale

1,313





1,313




1,233





1,233


Motor fuel gross profit cents per gallon (1):













Retail



23.1

¢


23.1

¢





21.3

¢


21.3

¢

Wholesale

10.6

¢




10.6

¢



11.4

¢




11.4

¢

Volume-weighted average for all gallons





14.5

¢







14.7

¢

Retail merchandise margin



31.6%







31.7%



 

The following table presents a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:

Reconciliation of net income to EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow

For the Three Months Ended March 31,


2017



2016


Wholesale


Retail


Total



Wholesale


Retail


Total


(in millions)

Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss)

$

42



$

(41)



$

1




$

87



$

(25)



$

62


Depreciation, amortization  and accretion

22



65



87




17



61



78


Interest expense, net

20



44



64




12



16



28


Income tax expense (benefit)

1



(18)



(17)




(1)



3



2


EBITDA

$

85



$

50



$

135




$

115



$

55



$

170


Non-cash compensation expense



4



4




2



1



3


Loss on disposal of assets

2



5



7






1



1


Unrealized gain on commodity derivatives

(5)





(5)




(3)





(3)


Inventory adjustments

13



1



14




(11)



(1)



(12)


Adjusted EBITDA

$

95



$

60



$

155




$

103



$

56



$

159


Cash interest expense





60








27


Income tax expense (current)












2


Maintenance capital expenditures





18








19


Distributable cash flow





$

77








$

111


Transaction-related expenses












1


Series A Preferred distribution













Distributable cash flow, as adjusted





$

77








$

112


_______________________________

 

Capital Spending

SUN's gross capital expenditures for the first quarter were $66 million, which included $48 million for growth capital and $18 million for maintenance capital.  Approximately $14.4 million of the growth capital spent was for the construction of new-to-industry sites, of which 10 opened in the first quarter.  The construction of all 10 of these sites started in 2016.

Excluding acquisitions, SUN expects approximately $150 million to be spent on growth capital and approximately $90 million to be spent on maintenance capital for the full year 2017.

Growth capital spending includes the rebuilding of locations SUN is operating on the Indiana Toll Road.

 

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sunoco-lp-announces-first-quarter-financial-and-operating-results-300451056.html

SOURCE Sunoco LP

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