Sunoco LP Announces 3Q 2015 Financial and Operating Results and 10th Consecutive Distribution Increase


- Strong overall quarter with pro forma adjusted EBITDA attributable to partners of $148.7 million
- Distribution increased 7.5 percent versus 2Q 2015 and an approximate 37 percent increase versus the prior year period
- Acquisition of Susser Holdings Corporation in 3Q contributed to strong earnings and increased SUN's exposure to high-growth retail markets
- Distributable cash flow coverage ratio of 2.0x for 3Q
Conference Call Scheduled for 9 a.m. CT (10:00 a.m. ET) on Thursday, November 5

HOUSTON, Nov. 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Sunoco LP (NYSE: SUN) ("SUN" or the "Partnership") today announced financial and operating results for the three months ended September 30, 2015.

Pro forma Adjusted EBITDA attributable to partners totaled $148.7 million, compared with Adjusted EBITDA attributable to partners of $14.0 million in the third quarter of 2014.  Third quarter pro forma Adjusted EBITDA attributable to partners excludes July pre-acquisition earnings for Susser Holdings Corporation and transaction-related expenses. 

Distributable cash flow attributable to partners, as adjusted, was $112.4 million, compared to $12.2 million a year earlier, and distributable cash flow per common unit was $1.77.  The favorable year-over-year comparisons primarily reflect the contributions from the dropdown acquisitions of Susser Holdings Corporation ("Susser") in July 2015, a 31.58 percent interest in the wholesale fuel distribution business of Sunoco, LLC in April 2015 and the MACS convenience stores in October 2014 from SUN's affiliate, Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (NYSE: ETP), along with the purchase of Aloha Petroleum in December 2014 and the Aziz Quick Stop stores in August.

On November 3, the Board of Directors of SUN's general partner declared a distribution for the third quarter of 2015 of $0.7454 per unit, which corresponds to $2.9816 per unit on an annualized basis.  This represents a 7.5 percent increase compared to the distribution for the second quarter of 2015 and an approximate 37 percent increase compared with the third quarter of 2014. This is the Partnership's 10th consecutive quarterly distribution increase. The distribution will be paid on November 27 to unitholders of record on November 17. SUN achieved a 2.0 times distribution coverage ratio for the third quarter.

Revenue was $4.5 billion, up 243.9 percent compared to $1.3 billion in the third quarter of 2014. The increase was the result of the contribution of merchandise and retail fuel sales from the Susser, MACS and Aloha convenience stores, the wholesale fuel distribution sales from MACS, Aloha Petroleum and SUN's interest in Sunoco, LLC on a consolidated basis and higher rental income.

Total gross profit was $381.1 million, compared to $21.9 million in the third quarter of 2014.  Key drivers of the increase were the contributions from the previously mentioned acquisitions, which resulted in higher-margin retail fuel gallons and merchandise being added to the overall sales mix.

Net income attributable to partners was $27.5 million, or $0.30 per diluted unit, versus $1.0 million, or $0.04 per diluted unit, in the third quarter of last year.

On a weighted average basis, excluding non-controlling interest, fuel margin for all gallons sold increased to 20.6 cents per gallon, compared to 3.8 cents per gallon a year ago.  Sales of higher margin retail gallons by Susser, MACS and Aloha -- along with a change in the wholesale fuel customer mix related to the Sunoco, LLC, MACS and Aloha acquisitions -- drove most of the margin increase.   

Adjusted EBITDA attributable to partners related to the wholesale segment was $76.4 million in the third quarter.  Excluding the non-controlling interest, total wholesale gallons sold in the third quarter were 698.8 million, compared with 468.4 million in the third quarter of last year, an increase of 49.2 percent.  This includes gallons sold to affiliate-operated convenience stores, consignment stores and third-party customers, including independent dealers, fuel distributors and commercial customers.

As a result of the Susser Holdings acquisition which converted legacy Susser wholesale affiliate volumes to retail volumes, motor fuel gallons sold to affiliates decreased to 90.4 million gallons during the third quarter of 2015.  Affiliate customers for the quarter included Sunoco retail fuel and convenience store sites operated by a subsidiary of ETP and that currently remain at ETP. 

Other third-party wholesale gallons increased from a year ago by 267.4 percent to 608.4 million gallons related to the acquisitions of MACS, Aloha and 31.58 percent of Sunoco LLC.  Gross profit on these gallons was 15.2 cents per gallon, compared to 5.3 cents per gallon a year earlier, driven by the change in customer mix related to the acquisitions. 

Adjusted EBITDA attributable to partners related to the retail segment, including both fuel and merchandise, was $95.3 million in the third quarter.  Total retail gallons sold during the third quarter totaled 353.6 million gallons on which the Partnership earned 34.1 cents per gallon.  Merchandise sales totaled $429.9 million and contributed $142.5 million of gross profit at a margin of approximately 33.2%.   

Retail gallons sold by the newly acquired Susser locations during the third quarter totaled 300.6 million gallons.  Gross profit on these gallons was $86.0 million.  Merchandise sales from these locations totaled $368.6 million and contributed $127.3 million of gross profit.  On a same store sales basis, the retail business in the Southwest recorded a 2.7 percent increase in merchandise sales and a 1.9 percent decline in fuel gallons for the quarter.  Excluding markets that are directly impacted by lower oil and gas activity, SUN achieved a 4.7 percent increase in merchandise sales and a 0.1 percent increase in fuel gallons, on a same store basis.  As of September 30, SUN operated 706 retail convenience stores and fuel outlets in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. 

The remaining retail business is comprised of locations from the MACS and Aloha acquisitions.  On a same store sale basis, the MACS and Aloha retail business achieved 2.5 percent growth in fuel gallons and 15 percent on merchandise for the quarter.  As of September 30, SUN operated 157 retail convenience stores and fuel outlets in Virginia, Hawaii, Tennessee, Maryland and Georgia.

SUN's other recent accomplishments include the following:

  • On July 31 SUN completed the acquisition of Susser Holdings Corporation from affiliates of ETP in a transaction valued at approximately $1.93 billion. SUN paid approximately $967 million in cash and issued to ETP's subsidiaries approximately 21.98 million Class B SUN Units valued at $967 million. These units were converted to common units on August 19, 2015. The Susser acquisition was accounted for as a transaction between entities under common control, which requires SUN to retrospectively adjust its financial statements to include the balances and operations of Susser from September 1, 2014, the date of common control.
  • In August, SUN completed the acquisition of 27 Aziz Quick Stop convenience stores in South Texas and is in the process of rebranding most of the stores to the Stripes convenience store brand. The Partnership also expects to complete the previously announced acquisition of a wholesale motor fuel distribution business serving the Northeastern United States for $57 million, plus inventory value, in the fourth quarter. This acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to SUN with respect to distributable cash flow and will be funded using amounts available under SUN's revolving credit facility.
  • On July 20, in connection with the Susser acquisition, SUN issued $600 million of 5.5 percent senior notes due 2020 through an upsized private offering that raised net proceeds of $592.5 million. The Partnership also issued 5.5 million new common units in a public offering at a price of $40.10 per unit. The offering was completed on July 21 and raised net proceeds of $212.9 million.
  • As of September 30, SUN had outstanding borrowings under its $1.5 billion revolving credit facility of $875.0 million (and $11.8 million in standby letters of credit) and its credit ratio, as defined by the credit agreement, was 4.4 times.

SUN's gross capital expenditures for the third quarter excluding acquisitions totaled $94.5 million.

An analysis of SUN's segment results and other supplementary data is provided after the financial tables shown below.

Third Quarter 2015 Earnings Conference Call

Sunoco LP management will hold a conference call on Thursday, November 5, at 9:00 a.m. CT (10:00 a.m. ET) to discuss third quarter results and recent developments.  To participate, dial 412-902-0003 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.  A telephone replay will be available through November 12 by calling 201-612-7415 and using the access code 13622354#.

About Sunoco LP

Sunoco LP (NYSE: SUN) is a master limited partnership that operates more than 850 convenience stores and retail fuel sites and distributes motor fuel to c-stores, independent dealers, commercial customers and distributors located in 30 states at approximately 6,800 sites, both directly and through our 31.6 percent interest in Sunoco, LLC, owned in partnership with Energy Transfer Partners (NYSE: ETP). Our parent -- Energy Transfer Equity (NYSE: ETE) -- owns SUN's general partner and incentive distribution rights.  ETP owns a 50.8% limited partner interest. For more information, visit the Sunoco LP website at www.SunocoLP.com

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

Contacts

Investors:

Scott Grischow, Director of Investor Relations and Treasury
(361) 884-2463, scott.grischow@sunoco.com

Anne Pearson
Dennard-Lascar Associates
(210) 408-6321, apearson@dennardlascar.com

Media:

Jeff Shields, Communications Manager
(215) 977-6056, jpshields@sunocoinc.com

Jessica Davila-Burnett, Public Relations Director
(361) 654-4882, jessica.davila-burnett@susser.com

- Financial Schedules Follow –


Balance Sheets

SUNOCO LP

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except units)

(unaudited)



December 31, 2014


September 30, 2015

Assets






  Current assets:






  Cash and cash equivalents

$

125,426


$

47,773

  Advances to affiliates


396,376



242,639

  Accounts receivable, net


257,065



317,840

  Receivables from affiliates (MACS: $3,484 at December 31, 2014 and $5,549 at September 30, 2015)


4,941



25,222

  Inventories, net


440,294



350,613

  Other current assets


72,557



65,782

Total current assets


1,296,659



1,049,869

Property and equipment, net (MACS: $45,340 at December 31, 2014 and $44,161 at September 30, 2015)


2,081,126



2,298,004

Other assets:






  Goodwill


1,854,436



1,799,044

  Intangible assets, net


893,455



980,591

  Other noncurrent assets (MACS: $3,665 at December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2015)


35,568



52,085

Total assets

$

6,161,244


$

6,179,593

Liabilities and equity






Current liabilities:






Accounts payable (MACS: $6 at December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2015)

$

383,496


$

439,158

Accounts payable to affiliates


56,969



35,449

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (MACS: $484 at December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2015)


291,047



253,777

Current maturities of long-term debt (MACS: $8,422 at December 31, 2014 and $8,393 at September 30, 2015)


13,772



13,762

Total current liabilities


745,284



742,146

Revolving line of credit


683,378



875,000

Long-term debt (MACS: $48,029 at December 31, 2014 and $46,400 at September 30, 2015)


408,826



1,568,447

Deferred income tax liability


391,332



419,303

Other noncurrent liabilities (MACS: $1,190 at December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2015)


89,268



95,552

Total liabilities


2,318,088



3,700,448

Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)






Partners' capital:






  Limited partner interest:






    Common unitholders - public (20,036,329 units issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 25,536,329 at September 30,     2015)


874,688



1,092,954

    Common unitholders - affiliated (4,062,848 units issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 26,837,310 at September     30, 2015)


27,459



1,267,056

    Subordinated unitholders - affiliated (10,939,436 units issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 and  September 30, 2015)




74,991

    Class A unitholders - held by subsidiary (no units issued or outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 11,018,744 at September 30,     2015)




 

Total partners' capital


902,147



2,435,001

Predecessor equity


2,946,653



Noncontrolling interest


(5,644)



44,144

Total equity


3,843,156



2,479,145

Total liabilities and equity

$

6,161,244


$

6,179,593


Parenthetical amounts represent assets and liabilities attributable to consolidated variable interest entities
of Mid-Atlantic Convenience Stores, LLC (MACS) as of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2015.

 

Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

SUNOCO LP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands, except unit and per unit amounts)

(unaudited)



July 1, 2014 through August 31, 2014



September 1, 2014 through September 30, 2014


Three Months Ended September 30, 2015


Predecessor



Successor

Revenues










  Retail motor fuel sales

$



$

350,689


$

854,140

  Wholesale motor fuel sales to third parties


323,281




1,021,267



2,664,186

  Wholesale motor fuel sales to affiliates


571,755




271,726



500,362

  Merchandise sales





115,070



429,891

  Rental income


3,424




2,531



18,411

  Other


1,117




9,300



20,327

Total revenues


899,577




1,770,583



4,487,317

Cost of sales










  Retail motor fuel cost of sales





326,538



740,632

  Wholesale motor fuel cost of sales


882,666




1,300,425



3,076,942

  Merchandise cost of sales





78,091



287,364

  Other


553




426



1,232

Total cost of sales


883,219




1,705,480



4,106,170

Gross profit


16,358




65,103



381,147

Operating expenses










  General and administrative


6,833




10,844



42,752

  Other operating


1,169




55,025



183,623

  Rent


196




5,048



23,586

  Loss (gain) on disposal of assets


(3)




(34)



696

  Depreciation, amortization and accretion


3,798




13,309



45,601

Total operating expenses


11,993




84,192



296,258

Income from operations


4,365




(19,089)



84,889

Interest expense, net


(1,491)




(3,371)



(28,517)

Income before income taxes


2,874




(22,460)



56,372

Income tax expense


(91)




(980)



(28,972)

Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss)


2,783




(23,440)



27,400

Less: Net loss and comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest







(12,142)

Less: Preacquisition income allocated to general partner





(21,684)



11,998

Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) attributable to partners

$

2,783



$

(1,756)


$

27,544

Net income (loss) per limited partner unit:










  Common (basic and diluted)

$

0.13



$

(0.09)


$

0.30

  Subordinated (basic and diluted)

$

0.13



$

(0.09)


$

0.53

Weighted average limited partner units outstanding:










  Common units - public


10,957,974




10,974,491



24,340,677

  Common units - affiliated


79,308




79,308



19,431,349

  Subordinated units - affiliated


10,939,436




10,939,436



10,939,436

Cash distribution per unit

$



$

0.5457


$

0.7454

 


Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

SUNOCO LP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands, except unit and per unit amounts)

(unaudited)



January 1, 2014 through August 31, 2014



September 1, 2014 through September 30, 2014


Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015


Predecessor



Successor

Revenues










  Retail motor fuel sales

$



$

350,689


$

2,538,495

  Wholesale motor fuel sales to third parties


1,275,422




1,021,267



8,021,741

  Wholesale motor fuel sales to affiliates


2,200,394




271,726



1,391,145

  Merchandise sales





115,070



1,195,306

  Rental income


11,690




2,531



54,202

  Other


4,683




9,300



59,834

Total revenues


3,492,189




1,770,583



13,260,723

Cost of sales










  Retail motor fuel cost of sales





326,538



2,281,887

  Wholesale motor fuel cost of sales


3,429,169




1,300,425



9,048,913

  Merchandise cost of sales





78,091



801,231

  Other


2,339




426



3,744

Total cost of sales


3,431,508




1,705,480



12,135,775

Gross profit


60,681




65,103



1,124,948

Operating expenses










  General and administrative


17,075




10,844



131,175

  Other operating


4,964




55,025



504,813

  Rent


729




5,048



70,097

  Loss (gain) on disposal of assets


(39)




(34)



1,531

  Depreciation, amortization and accretion


10,457




13,309



144,128

Total operating expenses


33,186




84,192



851,744

Income from operations


27,495




(19,089)



273,204

Interest expense, net


(4,767)




(3,371)



(57,692)

Income before income taxes


22,728




(22,460)



215,512

Income tax expense


(218)




(980)



(43,657)

Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss)


22,510




(23,440)



171,855

Less: Net income and comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest







49,788

Less: Preacquisition income (loss) allocated to general partner





(21,684)



64,789

Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) attributable to partners

$

22,510



$

(1,756)


$

57,278

Net income (loss) per limited partner unit:










  Common (basic and diluted)

$

1.02



$

(0.09)


$

0.97

  Subordinated (basic and diluted)

$

1.02



$

(0.09)


$

1.22

Weighted average limited partner units outstanding:










  Common units - public


10,944,309




10,974,491



21,486,878

  Common units - affiliated


79,308




79,308



9,507,137

  Subordinated units - affiliated


10,939,436




10,939,436



10,939,436

Cash distribution per unit

$

1.0218



$

0.5457


$

2.0838

 

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.

Beginning with the acquisition of MACS, we began operating our business in two primary operating segments, wholesale and retail, both of which are included as reportable segments. As a result, the three month period ended September 30, 2014 includes retail operations for the month of September 2014, only.

On April 1, 2015 we acquired a 31.58% membership interest in Sunoco LLC. Because we have a controlling financial interest in Sunoco LLC as a result of our 50.1% voting interest, our consolidated financial statements include 100% of Sunoco LLC. The 68.42% membership interest in Sunoco LLC that we do not own is presented as noncontrolling interest in our consolidated financial statements.

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, information concerning key measures we rely on to gauge our operating performance (in thousands, except for gross profit per gallon):


Key Operating Metrics


Three Months ended September 30,



2014



2015



Wholesale (2)


Retail (2)


Total (1)



Wholesale


Retail


Total



(Combined)











Revenues




















Retail motor fuel sales


$


$

350,689


$

350,689



$


$

854,140


$

854,140

Wholesale motor fuel sales to third parties



1,344,548





1,344,548




2,664,186





2,664,186

Wholesale motor fuel sales to affiliates



843,481





843,481




500,362





500,362

Merchandise sales





115,070



115,070






429,891



429,891

Rental income



5,710



245



5,955




11,332



7,079



18,411

Other income



5,025



5,392



10,417




12,054



8,273



20,327

Total revenue



2,198,764



471,396



2,670,160




3,187,934



1,299,383



4,487,317

Gross profit




















Retail motor fuel





24,151



24,151






113,508



113,508

Wholesale motor fuel



4,938





4,938




87,606





87,606

Merchandise





36,979



36,979






142,527



142,527

Rental and other



9,757



5,636



15,393




27,787



9,719



37,506

Total gross profit


$

14,695


$

66,766


$

81,461



$

115,393


$

265,754


$

381,147

Net income and comprehensive income attributable to partners (6)


$

4,030


$

(3,003)


$

1,027



$

21,398


$

6,146


$

27,544

Adjusted EBITDA attributable to partners (6) (7)


$

24,542


$

17,023


$

41,565



$

76,397


$

95,271


$

171,668

Distributable cash flow attributable to partners, as adjusted (6) (7)








$

12,242









$

112,378

Operating Data




















Total motor fuel gallons sold:




















Retail






107,352



107,352







353,641



353,641

Wholesale  (3)



534,502






534,502




1,308,781






1,308,781

Wholesale contract affiliated (4)



290,912






290,912




286,215






286,215

Motor fuel gross profit (cents per gallon) (5):




















Retail






23.3¢










34.1¢




Wholesale (3)



6.7¢










12.5¢







Wholesale contract affiliated (4)



3.3¢










4.0¢







Volume-weighted average for all gallons









7.6¢










15.2¢

Retail merchandise margin






32.1%










33.2%




The following table presents a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2015 (in thousands):

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


Three Months ended September 30,




2014



2015




Wholesale (2)



Retail (2)



Total (1)



Wholesale



Retail



Total




(Combined)














Net income and comprehensive income


$

(25,524)



$

4,867



$

(20,657)



$

12,847



$

14,553



$

27,400


   Depreciation, amortization and accretion



9,056




8,051




17,107




13,571




32,030




45,601


   Interest expense, net



2,465




2,397




4,862




12,338




16,179




28,517


Income tax expense (benefit)



1,062




9




1,071




39




28,933




28,972


EBITDA



(12,941)




15,324




2,383




38,795




91,695




130,490


   Non-cash stock compensation expense



3,537




2,081




5,618




1,398




496




1,894


   Loss on disposal of assets & impairment charge



(92)




55




(37)




920




(224)




696


   Unrealized gains on commodity derivatives



794







794




735







735


   Inventory fair value adjustments (9)



47,535




893




48,428




87,307




7,240




94,547


Adjusted EBITDA


$

38,833



$

18,353



$

57,186



$

129,155



$

99,207



$

228,362


Adjusted EBITDA attributable to noncontrolling interest



14,291




1,330




15,621




52,758




3,936




56,694


Adjusted EBITDA attributable to partners



24,542




17,023




41,565




76,397




95,271




171,668


Cash interest expense (8)











1,878












27,419


Income tax expense (current)(benefit)











99












537


Maintenance capital expenditures











174












8,351


Preacquisition earnings











27,610












23,841


Distributable cash flow attributable to partners










$

11,804











$

111,520


Transaction-related expenses











438












858


Distributable cash flow attributable to partners, as adjusted










$

12,242











$

112,378


Pro Forma Results of Operations

We have provided below certain supplemental pro forma information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. The pro forma information gives effect to the 68.42% noncontrolling interest in Sunoco LLC. Pursuant to our 31.58% membership interest in Sunoco LLC, the Sunoco LP pro forma information reflects only that equity interest in Sunoco LLC.

Management believes the pro forma presentation is useful to investors because it provides investors comparable operating data to support our Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow attributable to partners.

Pro Forma Results of Operations


Three Months Ended

September 30, 2015


Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2015



Pro Forma



(unaudited)



(in thousands except gross profit per gallon)

Gross profit







Retail gross profit


$

113,508


$

256,608

Wholesale gross profit



63,388



203,041

Total pro forma fuel gross profit


$

176,896


$

459,649








Operating data







Motor fuel gallons sold:







Retail



353,641



1,060,297

Wholesale



608,397



1,788,579

Wholesale contract affiliated



90,387



262,367

Total pro forma fuel gallons



1,052,425



3,111,243








Motor fuel gross profit (cents per gallon) (1):







Retail


34.1¢


24.4¢

Wholesale


15.2¢


11.3¢

Wholesale contract affiliated


4.0¢


4.0¢








Pro forma volume-weighted average for all gallons


20.6¢


15.2¢






 

Sunoco LP Supplemental Information on Capital Expenditures

SUNOCO LP

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ON CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

(Tabular amounts in millions)

(unaudited)


We currently expect capital expenditures for the full year 2015, excluding acquisitions but including the additional capital spending related to our 31.58% interest in Sunoco LLC, and ownership interest in Susser effective with respective dates of acquisition to be within the following ranges (in millions):


Capital Expenditure Expectations


Low





High

Maintenance


$                   40





50

Growth


220





240

Total


$                 260





290

 

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sunoco-lp-announces-3q-2015-financial-and-operating-results-and-10th-consecutive-distribution-increase-300172916.html

SOURCE Sunoco LP

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