Sunoco LP : Announces First Quarter 2020 Financial and Operating Results

DALLAS, May 11, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Sunoco LP (NYSE: SUN) ("SUN" or the "Partnership") today reported financial and operating results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020.

"Our employees have been working on the front lines to continue to serve our country, communities and customers," said Joe Kim, CEO of Sunoco LP.  "Our best wishes go out to those affected by COVID-19 and I would like to personally thank our employees and fuel distribution partners for their dedication during this unprecedented time.  We have built a resilient business model to withstand various headwinds.  We started the year on solid footing and delivered strong first quarter results even with the onset of the pandemic in March.  We will continue to take proactive steps to manage through the crisis and ensure a stable, long-term future for Sunoco."

Financial and Operational Highlights

For the three months ended March 31, 2020, net loss was $128 million versus a net income of $109 million in the first quarter of 2019.  The net loss includes approximately $227 million of non-cash inventory adjustments resulting from the decline in the price of RBOB.

Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ for the quarter totaled $209 million compared with $153 million in the first quarter of 2019. This year-over-year increase reflects higher reported fuel margins of 13.1 cents per gallon driven by a decline in the price of RBOB and the receipt of a $13 million annual make-up payment under the fuel supply agreement with 7-Eleven, Inc.  Adjusted EBITDA also included an increase in non motor fuel sales gross profit related to an $18 million favorable legal settlement and an increase in other operating expense related to current expected credit losses of approximately $16 million.

Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted⁽¹⁾, for the quarter was $159 million, compared to $99 million a year ago.

The Partnership sold 1.9 billion gallons in the first quarter, down 2% from the first quarter of 2019.  On a weighted-average basis, fuel margin for all gallons sold was 13.1 cents per gallon for the first quarter compared to 9.9 cents per gallon a year ago.

Distribution and Coverage

On April 2, 2020, the Board of Directors of SUN's general partner declared a distribution for the first 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 May 19, 2020 to common unitholders of record on May 7, 2020.  Current quarter cash coverage was 1.84 times and trailing twelve months coverage was 1.49 times. 

Liquidity and Leverage

At March 31, 2020, SUN had borrowings of $265 million against its revolving credit facility and other long-term debt of $2.9 billion.  The Partnership maintained ample liquidity of $1.2 billion at the end of the quarter under its $1.5 billion revolving credit facility that matures in July 2023 and has no debt maturities prior to 2023.  SUN's leverage ratio of net debt to Adjusted EBITDA, calculated in accordance with its credit facility, was 4.39 times at the end of the first quarter.

Capital Spending

SUN's gross capital expenditures for the first quarter were $41 million, which included $36 million for growth capital and $5 million for maintenance capital. 

2020 Business Outlook

The Partnership revised its 2020 capital guidance by reducing full year growth capital expenditures to approximately $75 million and maintenance capital expenditures to $30 million.  SUN also began efforts in the second quarter to reduce total operating expenses⁽²⁾ by $55 to $70 million over the remainder of the year.  SUN lowered 2020 full year operating expense guidance to a range of $460 to $475 million.  The combination of unprecedented declines in fuel demand and a volatile commodity price environment will affect the Partnership's outlook for full year 2020 fuel volumes and margins.  As a result, SUN is withdrawing its previous guidance on 2020 fuel volume, margin and adjusted EBITDA.

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

(1)

Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, are non-GAAP financial measures of performance that have limitations and should not be considered as a substitute for net income. Please refer to the discussion and tables under "Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Measures" later in this news release for a discussion of our use of Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, and a reconciliation to net income.

(2)

Operating expenses include general and administrative, other operating and lease expenses.

Earnings Conference Call

Sunoco LP management will hold a conference call on Tuesday, May 12, 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 Events 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 sharp 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
[phone], [e-mail]

Derek Rabe, CFA, Manager – Investor Relations, Growth and Strategy
[phone], [e-mail]

Media:
Alexis Daniel, Manager – Communications
[phone], [e-mail]

– Financial Schedules Follow –

 

SUNOCO LP CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Dollars in millions) (unaudited)
		March 31,  2020				December 31,  2019
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	31			$	21
Accounts receivable, net		162				399
Receivables from affiliates		11				12
Inventories, net		182				419
Other current assets		83				73
Total current assets		469				924
Property and equipment		2,170				2,134
Accumulated depreciation		(720)				(692)
Property and equipment, net		1,450				1,442
Other assets:
Finance lease right-of-use assets, net		27				29
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net		537				533
Goodwill		1,555				1,555
Intangible assets		905				906
Accumulated amortization		(274)				(260)
Intangible assets, net		631				646
Other noncurrent assets		173				188
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate		135				121
Total assets		$	4,977			$	5,438
Liabilities and equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	162			$	445
Accounts payable to affiliates		27				49
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		171				219
Operating lease current liabilities		20				20
Current maturities of long-term debt		12				11
Total current liabilities		392				744
Operating lease noncurrent liabilities		535				530
Revolving line of credit		265				162
Long-term debt, net		2,896				2,898
Advances from affiliates		139				140
Deferred tax liability		109				109
Other noncurrent liabilities		95				97
Total liabilities		4,431				4,680
Equity:
Limited partners:
Common unitholders    (83,017,163 units issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2020 and     82,985,941 units issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2019)		546				758
Class C unitholders - held by subsidiaries    (16,410,780 units issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2020 and       December 31, 2019)		—				—
Total equity		546				758
Total liabilities and equity		$	4,977			$	5,438

 

SUNOCO LP CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Dollars in millions, except per unit data) (unaudited)
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2020				2019
Revenues:
Motor fuel sales		$	3,166			$	3,583
Non motor fuel sales		71				74
Lease income		35				35
Total revenues		3,272				3,692
Cost of sales and operating expenses:
Cost of sales		3,164				3,322
General and administrative		34				27
Other operating		95				84
Lease expense		14				14
Loss on disposal of assets and impairment charges		2				48
Depreciation, amortization and accretion		45				45
Total cost of sales and operating expenses		3,354				3,540
Operating income (loss)		(82)				152
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net		(44)				(42)
Other income (expense), net		—				(3)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate		1				—
Income (loss) before income taxes		(125)				107
Income tax expense (benefit)		3				(2)
Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss)		$	(128)			$	109
Net income (loss) per common unit:
Common units - basic		$	(1.78)			$	1.08
Common units - diluted		$	(1.78)			$	1.07
Weighted average common units outstanding:
Common units - basic		83,013,768				82,711,188
Common units - diluted		83,013,768				83,380,167
Cash distributions per unit		$	0.8255			$	0.8255

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 ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 and have been derived from our historical consolidated financial statements.

	Three Months Ended March 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	$	3,039			$	127			$	3,166				$	3,442			$	141			$	3,583
Non motor fuel sales	11				60				71					19				55				74
Lease income	30				5				35					32				3				35
Total revenues	$	3,080			$	192			$	3,272				$	3,493			$	199			$	3,692
Gross profit (1):
Motor fuel sales	$	(6)			$	27			$	21				$	258			$	27			$	285
Non motor fuel sales	11				41				52					17				33				50
Lease	30				5				35					32				3				35
Total gross profit	$	35			$	73			$	108				$	307			$	63			$	370
Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss)	$	(157)			$	29			$	(128)				$	137			$	(28)			$	109
Adjusted EBITDA (2)	$	160			$	49			$	209				$	118			$	35			$	153
Operating Data:
Total motor fuel gallons sold									1,898													1,941
Motor fuel gross profit cents per gallon (3)									13.1		¢											9.9		¢

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

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020				2019
	(in millions)
Adjusted EBITDA:
Fuel distribution and marketing	$	160			$	118
All other	49				35
Total Adjusted EBITDA	209				153
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	(45)				(45)
Interest expense, net	(44)				(42)
Non-cash unit-based compensation expense	(4)				(3)
Loss on disposal of assets and impairment charges	(2)				(48)
Unrealized gain (loss) on commodity derivatives	(6)				6
Inventory adjustments	(227)				93
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate	1				—
Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliate	(2)				—
Other non-cash adjustments	(5)				(7)
Income tax (expense) benefit	(3)				2
Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss)	$	(128)			$	109
Adjusted EBITDA (2)	$	209			$	153
Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliate	2				—
Distributable cash flow from unconsolidated affiliate	(2)				—
Cash interest expense	43				40
Current income tax expense	2				12
Maintenance capital expenditures	5				4
Distributable Cash Flow	159				97
Transaction-related expenses	—				2
Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted (2)	$	159			$	99
Distributions to Partners:
Limited Partners	$	69			$	68
General Partners	18				18
Total distributions to be paid to partners	$	87			$	86
Common Units outstanding - end of period	83.0				82.7
Distribution coverage ratio (4)	1.84x				1.15x

____________________
(1)	Excludes depreciation, amortization and accretion.
(2)	Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and accretion expense, allocated non-cash compensation expense, unrealized gains and losses on commodity derivatives and inventory adjustments, and certain other operating expenses reflected in net income that we do not believe are indicative of ongoing core operations, such as gain or loss on disposal of assets and non-cash impairment charges. We define Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, as Adjusted EBITDA less cash interest expense, including the accrual of interest expense related to our long-term debt which is paid on a semi-annual basis, Series A Preferred distribution, current income tax expense, maintenance capital expenditures and other non-cash adjustments.
	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.
(3)	Includes other non-cash adjustments and excludes the impact of inventory adjustments consistent with the definition of Adjusted EBITDA.
(4)	The distribution coverage ratio for a period is calculated as Distributable Cash Flow attributable to partners, as adjusted, divided by distributions expected to be paid to partners of Sunoco LP in respect of such a period.

 

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SOURCE Sunoco LP