Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. Announces Improvement in Third Quarter Results Over Prior Year

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WHIPPANY, N.J.,// PRNewswire-FirstCall // -- Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. (the "Partnership") (NYSE: SPH), a nationwide marketer of propane gas, fuel oil and related products and services, today announced improved results for the three months ended June 30, 2007 over the prior year quarter.

Consistent with the seasonal nature of the propane and fuel oil businesses, the Partnership typically experiences a net loss in the third quarter. Net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2007, amounted to $1.1 million, or $0.03 per Common Unit, an improvement of $9.4 million, or 89.5%, compared to a net loss of $10.5 million, or $0.33 per Common Unit, in the prior year quarter. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") increased $8.2 million, or 115.5%, to $15.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007 compared to $7.1 million in the prior year quarter.

These increased results reflect the continued operational efficiencies and cost savings achieved through the Partnership's efforts over the past two years to streamline its operating footprint and reduce its cost structure. As a result of these efforts, combined operating and general and administrative expenses for the fiscal 2007 third quarter were $12.0 million, or 11.8%, lower than the prior year quarter.

Retail propane gallons sold in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 decreased 8.7 million gallons, or 9.8%, to 80.0 million gallons compared to 88.7 million gallons in the prior year quarter. Sales of fuel oil and refined fuels decreased 7.5 million gallons, or 28.2%, to 19.1 million gallons during the third quarter of fiscal 2007 compared to 26.6 million gallons in the prior year quarter. Lower volumes in both segments were attributable to ongoing customer conservation in the high energy price environment, as well as the Partnership's efforts to improve its customer mix by exiting lower margin business. In the commodities markets, compared to the prior year third quarter, average posted prices of propane increased 7.7% and fuel oil posted prices declined 3.4%.

Revenues from the distribution of propane and related activities of $189.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 decreased $8.8 million, or 4.4%, compared to $198.5 million in the prior year quarter. Revenues of $49.0 million from distribution of fuel oil and other refined fuels decreased $17.5 million, or 26.3%, from $66.5 million in the prior year quarter. The decrease in revenues in both segments is primarily due to the aforementioned lower volumes, partially offset by higher average selling prices.

Revenues in the natural gas and electricity marketing segment of $20.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 increased $0.5 million, or 2.5%, compared to $19.7 million in the prior year quarter. Revenues in the Partnership's HVAC segment of $11.7 million decreased $4.8 million, or 29.1%, compared to $16.5 million in the prior year quarter as a result of the Partnership's efforts to reduce the level of HVAC activities and focus on its core operating segments.

Cost of products sold decreased $24.8 million, or 12.9%, to $167.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007, compared to $192.0 million in the prior year quarter, primarily as a result of lower sales volumes described above. In addition, cost of products sold in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 included a $0.2 million unrealized (non-cash) loss attributable to the mark- to-market on derivative instruments ("FAS 133"), compared to a $1.0 million unrealized (non-cash) gain in the prior year quarter.

Combined operating and general and administrative expenses of $90.0 million decreased $12.0 million, or 11.8%, compared to the prior year quarter of $102.0 million. The most significant cost savings were experienced in payroll and benefit related expenses which declined $5.0 million, as well as from a $1.5 million reduction in vehicle expenditures, $0.9 million lower bad debt expense and savings in other costs to operate the Partnership's customer service centers. In addition, professional services costs for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 declined $1.8 million compared to the prior year quarter.

Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $0.4 million, or 5.1%, to $7.4 million. Net interest expense decreased $1.1 million, or 11.3%, to $8.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 compared to $9.7 million in the prior year quarter. During the third quarter of fiscal 2007, and as has been the case since April 2006, there were no borrowings under the Partnership's working capital facility resulting in lower interest expense. Additionally, during the third quarter of fiscal 2007 the Partnership made a voluntary pension contribution of approximately $20.0 million from cash on hand, in order to fully fund the Partnership's estimated accumulated benefit obligation under its defined benefit pension plan. Even after this voluntary contribution, the Partnership ended the third quarter of fiscal 2007 in a strong cash position with approximately $107.0 million in cash on hand, also contributing to the reduction in net interest expense as a result of interest earned on invested cash.

On July 26, 2007, the Partnership announced the fourteenth increase in its quarterly distribution since 1999 from $0.70 to $0.7125 per Common Unit, or $2.85 per Common Unit on an annualized basis, in respect of the third quarter of fiscal 2007. This increased quarterly distribution is payable on August 14, 2007 to Common Unitholders of record on August 7, 2007.

In announcing these results, Chief Executive Officer Mark A. Alexander said, "These excellent results point to the success we've had with streamlining our cost structure and driving efficiencies. With the improvements in our cash flow, we continue to fund our working capital requirements from cash on hand and, at the same time, strengthen our already solid cash position. During the third quarter, we also used available cash to make a voluntary contribution of $20.0 million to fully fund the estimated accumulated benefit obligation under our pension plan." Mr. Alexander added, "With the most recent $0.05 per Common Unit increase in our annualized distribution rate, we have delivered 12% distribution growth since the third quarter of fiscal 2006. In addition, on July 31, 2007 our Board of Supervisors established a goal of continuing to increase distributions for the foreseeable future, in line with our operating performance, with a target distribution coverage ratio of 1.2 times, after considering maintenance capital expenditures. As we head into the fourth quarter we look forward to finishing the year in strong fashion, providing unparalleled service to our customers and increasing value to our unitholders."

Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. is a publicly traded Master Limited Partnership listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Headquartered in Whippany, New Jersey, Suburban has been in the customer service business since 1928. The Partnership serves the energy needs of approximately 1,000,000 residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural customers through more than 300 locations in 30 states.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements relating to future business expectations and financial condition and results of operations of the Partnership, based on management's current good faith expectations and beliefs concerning future developments. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed or implied in such forward-looking statements, including the following:



    -- The impact of weather conditions on the demand for propane, fuel oil

       and other refined fuels, natural gas and electricity;

    -- Fluctuations in the unit cost of propane, fuel oil and other refined

       fuels and natural gas, and the impact of price increases on customer

       conservation;

    -- The ability of the Partnership to compete with other suppliers of

       propane, fuel oil and other energy sources;

    -- The impact on the price and supply of propane, fuel oil and other

       refined fuels from the political, military or economic instability of

       the oil producing nations, global terrorism and other general economic

       conditions;

    -- The ability of the Partnership to acquire and maintain reliable

       transportation for its propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels;

    -- The ability of the Partnership to retain customers;

    -- The impact of energy efficiency and technology advances on the demand

       for propane and fuel oil;

    -- The ability of management to continue to control expenses including the

       results of our field and HVAC realignment initiative;

    -- The impact of changes in applicable statutes and government

       regulations, or their interpretations, including those relating to the

       environment and global warming and other regulatory developments on the

       Partnership's business;

    -- The impact of operating hazards that could adversely affect the

       Partnership's operating results to the extent not covered by insurance;

    -- The impact of legal proceedings on the Partnership's business;  and

    -- The Partnership's ability to integrate acquired businesses

       successfully.

Some of these risks and uncertainties are discussed in more detail in the Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2006 and other periodic reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect management's view only as of the date made. The Partnership undertakes no obligation to update any forward- looking statement.



               Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. and Subsidiaries

                    Consolidated Statements of Operations

     For the Three and Nine Months Ended June 30, 2007 and June 24, 2006

                   (in thousands, except per unit amounts)

                                 (unaudited)



                                     Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended

                                     June 30,  June 24,  June 30,   June 24,

                                       2007      2006      2007       2006



    Revenues

      Propane                        $189,668  $198,505   $868,790   $895,407

      Fuel oil and refined fuels       49,021    66,540    229,106    305,412

      Natural gas and electricity      20,182    19,662     79,382    103,716

      HVAC                             11,662    16,540     44,792     70,183

      All other                         1,817     2,751      5,385      7,686

                                      272,350   303,998  1,227,455  1,382,404



    Costs and expenses

      Cost of products sold           167,224   192,017    725,445    876,716

      Operating                        77,439    88,183    248,862    287,971

      General and administrative       12,587    13,778     42,667     45,108

      Restructuring charges and

       severance costs                      -     2,930      1,485      4,427

      Depreciation and amortization     7,431     7,756     22,137     24,865

                                      264,681   304,664  1,040,596  1,239,087



    Income (loss) before interest

     expense and provision

      for income taxes                  7,669      (666)   186,859    143,317

    Interest expense, net               8,623     9,686     27,161     31,192



    (Loss) income before provision

     for income taxes                    (954)  (10,352)   159,698    112,125

    Provision for income taxes            389       121      1,529        354

    (Loss) income from continuing

     operations                        (1,343)  (10,473)   158,169    111,771

    Discontinued operations:

      Gain on exchange/sale of

       customer service centers           203         -      1,205          -



    Net (loss) income                 $(1,140) $(10,473)  $159,374   $111,771

    General Partner's interest in

     net (loss) income                     $-     $(391)        $-     $3,511

    Limited Partners' interest in

     net (loss) income                $(1,140) $(10,082)  $159,374   $108,260



    (Loss) income from continuing

     operations per Common Unit -

     basic (a)                         $(0.04)   $(0.33)     $4.86      $3.37

    Discontinued operations             $0.01        $-      $0.04         $-

    Net (loss) income per Common

     Unit - basic (a)                  $(0.03)   $(0.33)     $4.90      $3.37

    Weighted average number of

     Common Units outstanding -

     basic                             32,674    30,314     32,514     30,309



    (Loss) income from continuing

     operations per Common Unit -

     diluted (a)                       $(0.04)   $(0.33)     $4.84      $3.35

    Discontinued operations             $0.01        $-      $0.04         $-

    Net (loss) income per Common

     Unit - diluted (a)                $(0.03)   $(0.33)     $4.88      $3.35

    Weighted average number of

     Common Units outstanding -

     diluted                           32,674    30,314     32,675     30,431





    Supplemental Information:

    EBITDA (b)                        $15,303    $7,090   $210,201   $168,182

    Retail gallons sold:

      Propane                          80,042    88,661    368,602    391,319

      Refined fuels                    19,144    26,563     91,639    125,078

    Capital expenditures:

      Maintenance                      $2,799    $2,968     $6,821     $7,039

      Growth                           $3,726    $1,469    $12,903     $8,264

(a) Computations of earnings per Common Unit for the nine months ended June 24, 2006 reflected the application of Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") consensus 03-6 "Participating Securities and the Two-Class Method Under FAS 128" ("EITF 03-6") which requires, among other things, the use of the two-class method of computing earnings per unit when participating securities exist. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that computes earnings per unit for each class of common unit and participating security according to distributions declared and the participating rights in undistributed earnings, as if all of the earnings were distributed to the limited partners and the general partner (inclusive of the incentive distribution rights of the general partner which were considered participating securities for purposes of the two-class method).

As a result of the elimination of the general partner's incentive distribution rights and general partner interests following the general partner exchange transaction consummated on October 19, 2006, the two-class method under EITF 03-06 is no longer applicable. Net (loss) income per Common Unit for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2007 was computed under SFAS No. 128 "Earnings per Share" ("FAS 128") by dividing net (loss) income by the weighted average number of outstanding Common Units. The requirements of EITF 03-6 do not apply to the computation of net income (loss) per Common Unit in periods in which a net loss is reported. For the nine months ended June 24, 2006, the computation of net income per Common Unit under EITF 03-6 resulted in a negative impact of $0.20 per Common Unit compared to the computation under FAS 128.

(b) EBITDA represents net income before deducting interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Our management uses EBITDA as a measure of liquidity and we are including it because we believe that it provides our investors and industry analysts with additional information to evaluate our ability to meet our debt service obligations and to pay our quarterly distributions to holders of our Common Units. In addition, certain of our incentive compensation plans covering executives and other employees utilize EBITDA as the performance target. Moreover, our revolving credit agreement requires us to use EBITDA as a component in calculating our leverage and interest coverage ratios. EBITDA is not a recognized term under generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and should not be considered as an alternative to net income or net cash provided by operating activities determined in accordance with GAAP. Because EBITDA as determined by us excludes some, but not all, items that affect net income, it may not be comparable to EBITDA or similarly titled measures used by other companies.



    The following table sets forth (i) our calculations of EBITDA and (ii) a

reconciliation of EBITDA, as so calculated, to our net cash provided by

operating activities:



                                        Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended

                                        June 30,  June 24,  June 30,  June 24,

                                          2007      2006      2007      2006



    Net (loss) income                   $(1,140) $(10,473) $159,374  $111,771

    Add:

      Provision for income taxes            389       121     1,529       354

      Interest expense, net               8,623     9,686    27,161    31,192

      Depreciation and amortization       7,431     7,756    22,137    24,865

    EBITDA                               15,303     7,090   210,201   168,182

    Add / (subtract):

      Provision for income taxes           (389)     (121)   (1,529)     (354)

      Interest expense, net              (8,623)   (9,686)  (27,161)  (31,192)

      Compensation cost recognized

       under Restricted Unit Plan           949       472     2,109     1,648

      Gain on disposal of property,

       plant and equipment, net            (339)     (568)   (2,401)   (1,189)

      Gain on exchange/sale of

       customer service centers            (203)        -    (1,205)        -

      Changes in working capital and

       other assets and liabilities      40,090    68,861   (51,999)  (16,211)

    Net cash provided by / (used in):

      Operating activities              $46,788   $66,048  $128,015  $120,884

      Investing activities              $(5,981)  $(3,184) $(14,692) $(12,425)

      Financing activities             $(22,872) $(41,671) $(66,973) $(84,994)

The unaudited financial information included in this document is intended only as a summary provided for your convenience, and should be read in conjunction with the complete consolidated financial statements of the Partnership (including the Notes thereto, which set forth important information) contained in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to be filed by the Partnership with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Such report, once filed, will be available on the public EDGAR electronic filing system maintained by the SEC.

SOURCE Suburban Propane Partners, L.P.

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