Sunoco LP Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Financial and Operating Results


DALLAS, Feb. 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sunoco LP (NYSE: SUN) ("SUN" or the "Partnership") today reported financial and operating results for the three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2020.

For the three months ended December 31, 2020, net income was $83 million versus $83 million in the fourth quarter of 2019. 

Adjusted EBITDA(1) for the quarter totaled $159 million compared with $168 million in the fourth quarter of 2019. This year-over-year decrease reflects lower reported fuel volume and margins partially offset by a decline in operating expenses(2).

Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted(1), for the quarter was $97 million, compared to $120 million a year ago.

The Partnership sold 1.8 billion gallons in the fourth quarter of 2020, down 12% from the fourth quarter of 2019.  Fuel margin for all gallons sold was 9.2 cents per gallon for the quarter compared to 9.9 cents per gallon a year ago.  In the fourth quarter of 2020, fuel margin included approximately $8 million of one-time write-offs associated with prior period fuel tax and inventory related items.  In addition, fourth quarter margin included an unfavorable timing impact of approximately $9 million related to SUN's inventory valuation and associated hedges. For the full year 2020, the impact of this inventory valuation and hedging activity resulted in approximately $2 million of margin favorability. 

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, net income was $212 million versus $313 million in 2019.

Adjusted EBITDA(1) for the full year 2020 totaled $739 million, up 11% from $665 million a year ago.  This year-over-year increase reflects higher reported fuel margins of 11.9 cents per gallon compared to 10.1 cents per gallon a year ago and a 11% decline in operating expenses(2) partially offset by a 13% reduction in gallons sold to 7.1 billion.

Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted(1), for the full year 2020 was $517 million, compared to $453 million a year ago.

Recent Accomplishments and Business Outlook

  • Generated record Adjusted EBITDA of $739 million in 2020, up 11% from full year 2019, and continued to strengthen leverage and coverage metrics with leverage of 4.18 times and trailing twelve months coverage of 1.50 times at the end of 2020.
  • Completed a private offering of $800 million 4.500% Senior Notes due 2029 on November 9, 2020.  SUN used the proceeds from the offering to fund the cash tender offer for its 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023.  SUN redeemed the remaining 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023 on January 15, 2021.
  • Acquired a terminal in New York on December 15, 2020 for approximately $12 million plus working capital adjustments.  The acquisition was funded with cash on hand and amounts available on SUN's revolving credit facility.  The approximately 350,000 barrel refined products waterborne terminal is consistent with SUN's strategy of expanding the midstream portfolio and providing further income diversification and stability.  SUN expects the acquisition to be accretive to unitholders in the first year.
  • The Partnership expects full year 2021 Adjusted EBITDA to be between $725 and $765 million. SUN expects 2021 fuel volumes to be between 7.25 and 7.75 billion gallons, fuel margins to be between 11.0 and 12.0 cents per gallon, operating expenses(2) in a range of $440 to $450 million, growth capital expenditures of at least $120 million, and maintenance capital expenditures of approximately $45 million. 

Distribution and Coverage

On January 28, 2021, the Board of Directors of SUN's general partner declared a distribution for the fourth quarter of 2020 of $0.8255 per unit, which corresponds to $3.3020 per unit on an annualized basis.  The distribution will be paid on February 19, 2021 to common unitholders of record on February 8, 2021.  Current quarter cash coverage was 1.13 times and trailing twelve months coverage was 1.50 times. 

Liquidity and Leverage

At December 31, 2020, SUN had no borrowings against its revolving credit facility and other long-term debt of $3.1 billion.  The Partnership maintained ample liquidity of approximately $1.5 billion at the end of the quarter under its $1.5 billion revolving credit facility that matures in July 2023 and has no Senior Notes maturities prior to 2026.  SUN's leverage ratio of net debt to Adjusted EBITDA, calculated in accordance with its credit facility, was 4.18 times at the end of the fourth quarter compared to 4.61 times at the end of the fourth quarter of 2019.

Capital Spending

SUN's gross capital expenditures for the fourth quarter were $45 million, which included $25 million for growth capital and $20 million for maintenance capital.  For the full year 2020, the Partnership spent $124 million on gross capital expenditures, which included $89 million on growth capital and $35 million on maintenance capital. 

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

Earnings Conference Call

Sunoco LP management will hold a conference call on Thursday, February 18, at 8:00 a.m. CT (9:00 a.m. ET) to discuss results and recent developments.  To participate, dial 877-407-6184 (toll free) or 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 Webcasts and Presentations.

Sunoco LP (NYSE: SUN) is a master limited partnership with core operations that include the distribution of motor fuel to approximately 10,000 convenience stores, independent dealers, commercial customers and distributors located in more than 30 states as well as refined product transportation and terminalling assets. SUN's general partner is owned by Energy Transfer Operating, L.P., a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Transfer LP (NYSE: ET).

Forward-Looking Statements

This news 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.  In addition to the risks and uncertainties previously disclosed, the Partnership has also been, or may in the future be, impacted by new or heightened risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent decline in commodity prices, and we cannot predict the length and ultimate impact of those risks.  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, Vice President – Investor Relations and Treasury
(214) 840-5660, scott.grischow@sunoco.com

Derek Rabe, CFA, Manager – Investor Relations, Strategy and Growth
(214) 840-5553, derek.rabe@sunoco.com

Media:
Alexis Daniel, Manager – Communications
(214) 981-0739, alexis.daniel@sunoco.com

– Financial Schedules Follow –

 

Balance Sheets

SUNOCO LP

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in millions)

(unaudited)



December 31,
2020


December 31,
2019

Assets




Current assets:




Cash and cash equivalents

$

97



$

21


Accounts receivable, net

295



399


Receivables from affiliates

11



12


Inventories, net

382



419


Other current assets

62



73


Total current assets

847



924






Property and equipment

2,231



2,134


Accumulated depreciation

(806)



(692)


Property and equipment, net

1,425



1,442


Other assets:




Finance lease right-of-use assets, net

3



29


Operating lease right-of-use assets, net

536



533


Goodwill

1,564



1,555






Intangible assets, net

588



646


Other noncurrent assets

168



188


Investment in unconsolidated affiliate

136



121


Total assets

$

5,267



$

5,438


Liabilities and equity




Current liabilities:




Accounts payable

$

267



$

445


Accounts payable to affiliates

79



49


Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

282



219


Operating lease current liabilities

19



20


Current maturities of long-term debt

6



11


Total current liabilities

653



744


Operating lease non-current liabilities

538



530


Revolving line of credit



162


Long-term debt, net

3,106



2,898


Advances from affiliates

125



140


Deferred tax liability

104



109


Other noncurrent liabilities

109



97


Total liabilities

4,635



4,680


Commitments and contingencies




Equity:




Limited partners:




Common unitholders
   (83,333,631 units issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and
   82,985,941 units issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2019)

632



758


Class C unitholders - held by subsidiary
   (16,410,780 units issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and
     December 31, 2019)




Total equity

632



758


Total liabilities and equity

$

5,267



$

5,438


 

 

Operations and Income Statements

SUNOCO LP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Dollars in millions, except per unit data)

(unaudited)



Three Months Ended
 December 31,


 Year Ended
December 31,


2020


2019


2020


2019

Revenues:








Motor fuel sales

$

2,463



$

4,002



$

10,332



$

16,176


Non motor fuel sales

55



61



240



278


Lease income

35



35



138



142


Total revenues

2,553



4,098



10,710



16,596


Cost of sales and operating expenses:








Cost of sales

2,271



3,813



9,654



15,380


General and administrative

25



35



112



136


Other operating

56



68



275



304


Lease expense

15



16



61



61


Loss (gain) on disposal of assets and impairment charges

(5)



22



2



68


Depreciation, amortization and accretion

47



46



189



183


Total cost of sales and operating expenses

2,409



4,000



10,293



16,132


Operating income

144



98



417



464


Other income (expense):








Interest expense, net

(44)



(43)



(175)



(173)


Other income (expense), net

2





2



3


Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate

2



2



5



2


Loss on extinguishment of debt

(13)





(13)




Income before income taxes

91



57



236



296


Income tax expense (benefit)

8



(26)



24



(17)


Net income and comprehensive income

$

83



$

83



$

212



$

313










Net income per common unit:








Common units - basic

$

0.78



$

0.76



$

1.63



$

2.84


Common units - diluted

$

0.77



$

0.75



$

1.61



$

2.82










Weighted average limited partner units outstanding:








Common units - basic

83,147,345



82,813,411



83,062,159



82,755,520


Common units - diluted

83,912,647



83,713,959



83,716,464



83,551,962










Cash distribution per unit

$

0.8255



$

0.8255



$

3.30



$

3.30


 

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.

The key operating metrics by segment and accompanying footnotes set forth below are presented for the three months and years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 and have been derived from our historical consolidated financial statements.

Key Operating Metrics

Three Months Ended December 31,


2020



2019


Fuel
Distribution
and
Marketing


All Other


Total



Fuel
Distribution

and
Marketing


All Other


Total


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

Revenues:













Motor fuel sales

$

2,361



$

102



$

2,463




$

3,846



$

156



$

4,002


Non motor fuel sales

8



46



54




13



48



61


Lease income

38



(3)



35




37



(2)



35


Total revenues

$

2,407



$

145



$

2,552




$

3,896



$

202



$

4,098


Gross profit (1):













Motor fuel sales

$

198



$

14



$

212




$

193



$

20



$

213


Non motor fuel sales

13



22



35




13



24



37


Lease

38



(3)



35




37



(2)



35


Total gross profit

$

249



$

33



$

282




$

243



$

42



$

285


Net income and comprehensive income

$

97



$

(14)



$

83




$

57



$

26



$

83


Adjusted EBITDA (2)

$

157



$

2



$

159




$

147



$

21



$

168


Operating Data:













Total motor fuel gallons sold





1,829








2,087


Motor fuel gross profit cents per gallon (3)





9.2

¢







9.9

¢


 

Key Operating Metrics Continued

Year Ended December 31,


2020



2019


Fuel
Distribution
and
Marketing


All Other


Total



Fuel
Distribution
and
Marketing


All Other


Total


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

Revenues:













Motor fuel sales

$

9,930



$

402



$

10,332




$

15,522



$

654



$

16,176


Non motor fuel sales

54



186



240




62



216



278


Lease income

127



11



138




131



11



142


Total revenues

$

10,111



$

599



$

10,710




$

15,715



$

881



$

16,596


Gross profit (1):













Motor fuel sales

$

691



$

73



$

764




$

817



$

89



$

906


Non motor fuel sales

48



106



154




53



115



168


Lease

127



11



138




131



11



142


Total gross profit

$

866



$

190



$

1,056




$

1,001



$

215



$

1,216


Net income and comprehensive income

$

208



$

4



$

212




$

290



$

23



$

313


Adjusted EBITDA (2)

$

654



$

85



$

739




$

545



$

120



$

665


Operating Data:













Total motor fuel gallons sold





7,094








8,193


Motor fuel gross profit cents per gallon (3)





11.9

¢







10.1

¢

 

The following table presents a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income and Adjusted EBITDA to Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, for the three months and years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:

Adjusted EBITDA to net income and distributable cash flow reconciliation

Three Months Ended
December 31,


Year Ended
December 31,


2020


2019


2020


2019


(in millions)


(in millions)

Adjusted EBITDA








Fuel distribution and marketing

$

157



$

147



$

654



$

545


All other

2



21



85



120


Total Adjusted EBITDA

159



168



739



665


Depreciation, amortization and accretion

(47)



(46)



(189)



(183)


Interest expense, net

(44)



(43)



(175)



(173)


Non-cash unit-based compensation expense

(3)



(3)



(14)



(13)


(Loss) gain on disposal of assets and impairment charges

5



(22)



(2)



(68)


Loss on extinguishment of debt

(13)





(13)




Unrealized gain (loss) on commodity derivatives

(6)



1



(6)



5


Inventory adjustments

44



8



(82)



79


Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate

2



2



5



2


Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliate

(3)



(3)



(10)



(4)


Other non-cash adjustments

(3)



(5)



(17)



(14)


Income tax (expense) benefit

(8)



26



(24)



17


Net income and comprehensive income

$

83



$

83



$

212



$

313










Adjusted EBITDA (2)

$

159



$

168



$

739



$

665


Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliate

3



3



10



4


Distributable cash flow from unconsolidated affiliate

(3)



(3)



(10)



(4)


Cash interest expense

42



41



168



166


Current income tax expense (benefit)



(41)



19



(22)


Transaction-related income taxes



31





31


Maintenance capital expenditures

20



17



35



40


Distributable Cash Flow

97



120



517



450


Transaction-related expenses







3


Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted (2)

$

97



$

120



$

517



$

453










Distributions to Partners:








Limited Partners

$

69



$

69



$

274



$

273


General Partners

18



18



71



72


Total distributions to be paid to partners

$

87



$

87



$

345



$

345


Common Units outstanding - end of period

83.3



83.0



83.3



83.0


Distribution coverage ratio (4)

1.13x


1.39x


1.50x


1.32x

___________________________

We believe Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, are useful to investors in evaluating our operating performance because:

  • Adjusted EBITDA is used as a performance measure under our revolving credit facility;
  • securities analysts and other interested parties use such metrics as measures of financial performance, ability to make distributions to our unitholders and debt service capabilities;
  • our management uses them for internal planning purposes, including aspects of our consolidated operating budget, and capital expenditures; and
  • Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, provides useful information to investors as it is a widely accepted financial indicator used by investors to compare partnership performance, and as it provides investors an enhanced perspective of the operating performance of our assets and the cash our business is generating.

Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, are not recognized terms under GAAP and do not purport to be alternatives to net income (loss) as measures of operating performance or to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, have limitations as analytical tools, and one should not consider them in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations include:

  • they do not reflect our total cash expenditures, or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;
  • they do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, working capital;
  • they do not reflect interest expense or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our revolving credit facility or term loan;
  • although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect cash requirements for such replacements; and
  • as not all companies use identical calculations, our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

Adjusted EBITDA reflects amounts for the unconsolidated affiliate based on the same recognition and measurement methods used to record equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate. Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliate excludes the same items with respect to the unconsolidated affiliate as those excluded from the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA, such as interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization and other non-cash items. Although these amounts are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliate, such exclusion should not be understood to imply that we have control over the operations and resulting revenues and expenses of such affiliate. We do not control our unconsolidated affiliate; therefore, we do not control the earnings or cash flows of such affiliate. The use of Adjusted EBITDA or Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliate as an analytical tool should be limited accordingly. Inventory adjustments that are excluded from the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA represent changes in lower of cost or market reserves on the Partnership's inventory. These amounts are unrealized valuation adjustments applied to fuel volumes remaining in inventory at the end of the period.

 

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