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home / news releases / FELP - Foresight Energy LP Reports Third Quarter 20181 Results


FELP - Foresight Energy LP Reports Third Quarter 20181 Results

Third Quarter 2018 Highlights:

  • Coal sales of nearly $292 million, an increase of 27% compared to the third quarter 2017 and an increase of 8% compared to the second quarter 2018, on higher sales volumes of 6.1 million tons and higher sales realization per ton sold
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $57.6 million, which includes a $25 million charge related to the settlement of litigation related to Hillsboro Energy and Macoupin Energy
  • Cash flows from operations of $51.3 million
  • Net loss attributable to limited partner units of $27.7 million, or ($0.17) per common unit and ($0.22) per subordinated unit.
  • Declared a $0.0565 per unit distribution from retained excess cash flow generated in 2017, to be paid on December 21, 2018 to unitholders of record as of December 11, 2018.

Foresight Energy LP (“Foresight” or the “Partnership”) (NYSE:FELP) today reported financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018. Foresight generated coal sales revenues of nearly $292 million on sales volumes of 6.1 million tons resulting in a net loss attributable to limited partner units of $27.7 million, Adjusted EBITDA of $57.6 million, and cash flows from operations of $51.3 million. Net loss attributable to limited partner units and Adjusted EBITDA include $25 million in charges related to the settlement of litigation with Natural Resource Partners L.P. (“NRP”) related to matters at Hillsboro Energy and Macoupin Energy.

“During the third quarter, we continued to take advantage of a strong export market and an improved domestic spot market to realize significant year-over-year improvements in our sales volumes,” said Mr. Robert D. Moore, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “With our unique access to international and domestic markets, plus our industry-leading cost structure, Foresight remains well-positioned to continue to opportunistically place its thermal coal production and to capture solid margins. Regarding the settlement of litigation with NRP, we are pleased to have reached a mutually beneficial resolution to these lawsuits, which provides us with future operational flexibility at Hillsboro Energy, while significantly reducing the lease holding cost.”

Foresight also announced that due to the Partnership’s operating performance during the third quarter, the Board of Directors of its General Partner approved a quarterly cash distribution of $0.0565 per unit from retained excess cash flow. The distribution is payable on December 21, 2018 for unitholders of record on December 11, 2018.

Third Quarter Consolidated Financial Results

Coal sales totaled nearly $292.0 million for the third quarter 2018 compared to $229.7 million for the third quarter 2017, representing an increase of $62.3 million, or 27%. The increase in coal sales revenues was due to higher coal sales volumes combined with higher coal sales realization per ton sold. Coal sales volumes and coal sales realization per ton sold were higher due to increased export sales, which experienced more favorable API2 pricing during 2018.

Cost of coal produced was $133.7 million, or $22.28 per ton sold, for the third quarter 2018 compared to $122.8 million, or $23.43 per ton sold, for the third quarter 2017. The increase in total cost of production was due to an increase in produced tons sold offset by a lower cash cost per ton sold. The lower cash cost per ton sold resulted from no longwall moves occurring during the third quarter of 2018, compared to one longwall move in the prior year period. Additionally, cost of coal produced (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization) for the third quarter of 2017 included $4.3 million arising from the non-cash adjustment of inventory to fair value related to the application of pushdown accounting.

Transportation costs increased approximately $21.8 million from the third quarter 2017 to the third quarter 2018 due to a higher percentage of sales going to the export market during the current year period and the additional transportation and transloading costs associated therewith.

Other operating (income) expense, net for the third quarter 2018 includes $25.0 million in charges related to the settlement of litigation with NRP related to matters arising from the combustion event at Hillsboro Energy and royalty matters at Macoupin Energy. While the matters with NRP are settled, Foresight remains in discussions with its insurance providers regarding further potential recoveries under its policies related to the Hillsboro Energy combustion event; however, there can be no assurances that Foresight will receive any further insurance recoveries related to the Hillsboro combustion event.

During the third quarter 2018, Foresight generated operating cash flows of $51.3 million and ended the period with $43.1 million in cash and $129.7 million of available borrowing capacity, net of outstanding borrowings and letters of credit, under its revolving credit facility. Capital expenditures for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 totaled $18.6 million compared to $15.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2017.

Guidance for 2018

Based on Foresight’s remaining contracted position, third quarter and year-to-date performance, and its current outlook on pricing and the coal markets in general, the Partnership is affirming and updating the following guidance for 2018:

Sales Volumes — Based on current committed position and expectations for the remainder of 2018, Foresight is projecting sales volumes to be between 22.4 and 23.0 million tons, with approximately 9.0 million tons expected to be sold into the international market.

Adjusted EBITDA — Based on the projected sales volumes and operating cost structure, Foresight currently expects to generate Adjusted EBITDA in a range of $305 to $325 million.

Capital Expenditures — Total 2018 capital expenditures are estimated to be between $70 and $77 million.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements contain words such as “possible,” “intend,” “will,” “if” and “expect” and can be impacted by numerous factors, including risks relating to the securities markets, the impact of adverse market conditions affecting business of the Partnership, adverse changes in laws including with respect to tax and regulatory matters and other risks. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from those expected by management of the Partnership. Known material factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements are described in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 7, 2018. The Partnership undertakes no obligation to update or revise such forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur, or which the Partnership becomes aware of, after the date hereof.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP supplemental financial measure that management and external users of the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements, such as industry analysts, investors, lenders and rating agencies, may use to assess:

-
the Partnership’s operating performance as compared to other publicly traded partnerships, without regard to historical cost basis or, in the case of Adjusted EBITDA, financing methods;
-
the Partnership’s ability to incur and service debt and fund capital expenditures; and
-
the viability of acquisitions and other capital expenditure projects and the returns on investment of various expansion and

growth opportunities.

The Partnership defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) attributable to controlling interests before interest, income taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion. Adjusted EBITDA is also adjusted for equity-based compensation, losses/gains on commodity derivative contracts, settlements of derivative contracts, a change in the fair value of the warrant liability and material nonrecurring or other items, which may not reflect the trend of future results. As it relates to commodity derivative contracts, the Adjusted EBITDA calculation removes the total impact of derivative gains/losses on net income (loss) during the period and then adds/deducts to Adjusted EBITDA the amount of aggregate settlements during the period. Adjusted EBITDA also includes any insurance recoveries received, regardless of whether they relate to the recovery of mitigation costs, the receipt of business interruption proceeds, or the recovery of losses on machinery and equipment.

The Partnership believes the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors in assessing the Partnership’s financial condition and results of operations. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to net (loss) income, operating income, cash flow from operations, or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, nor should Adjusted EBITDA be considered an alternative to operating surplus, adjusted operating surplus or other definitions in the Partnership’s partnership agreement. Adjusted EBITDA has important limitations as an analytical tool because it excludes some, but not all, of the items that affects net (loss) income. Additionally, because Adjusted EBITDA may be defined differently by other companies in the industry, and the Partnership’s definition of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, the utility of such a measure is diminished. For a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss, please see the table below.

This press release references forward-looking estimates of Adjusted EBITDA projected to be generated by the Partnership during the year ending December 31, 2018. A reconciliation of estimated 2018 Adjusted EBITDA to U.S. GAAP net income (loss) is not provided because U.S. GAAP net income (loss) for the projection period is not practical to assess due to unknown variables and uncertainty related to future results. In recent years, the Partnership has recognized significant asset impairment charges, transition and reorganization costs, losses on early extinguishment of debt, and debt restructuring costs. While these items affect U.S. GAAP net income (loss), they are generally excluded from Adjusted EBITDA. Therefore, these items do not materially impact the Partnership’s ability to forecast Adjusted EBITDA.

About Foresight Energy LP

Foresight is a leading producer and marketer of thermal coal controlling over 1.7 billion tons of coal reserves in the Illinois Basin. Foresight currently operates two longwall mining complexes with three longwall mining systems (Williamson (one longwall mining system) and Sugar Camp (two longwall mining systems), one continuous mining operation (Macoupin) and the Sitran river terminal on the Ohio River. Foresight’s operations are strategically located near multiple rail and river transportation access points, providing transportation cost certainty and flexibility to direct shipments to the domestic and international markets. Foresight also owns coal interests and mining assets located in southeastern Ohio.

Foresight Energy LP
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In Thousands)
 
(Successor)
 
 
 
(Successor)
September 30,
December 31,
2018
2017
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
43,070
$
2,179
Accounts receivable
38,583
35,158
Due from affiliates
32,055
37,685
Financing receivables - affiliate
3,327
3,138
Inventories, net
52,924
40,539
Prepaid royalties
4,000
Deferred longwall costs
14,172
9,520
Other prepaid expenses and current assets
8,139
10,844
Contract-based intangibles
 
1,430
 
11,268
Total current assets
193,700
154,331
Property, plant, equipment and development, net
2,168,348
2,378,605
Due from affiliates
947
Financing receivables - affiliate
61,514
64,097
Prepaid royalties, net
2,295
1,250
Other assets
4,640
5,358
Contract-based intangibles
 
1,058
 
2,052
Total assets
$
2,431,555
$
2,606,640
Liabilities and partners’ capital
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations
$
41,498
$
109,532
Current portion of sale-leaseback financing arrangements
5,851
4,148
Accrued interest
26,342
13,410
Accounts payable
96,284
76,658
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
80,662
62,442
Asset retirement obligations
4,416
4,416
Due to affiliates
23,384
13,324
Contract-based intangibles
 
16,844
 
28,688
Total current liabilities
295,281
312,618
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations
1,209,172
1,205,000
Sale-leaseback financing arrangements
192,298
196,496
Asset retirement obligations
51,686
39,655
Other long-term liabilities
29,857
32,330
Contract-based intangibles
 
69,027
 
144,715
Total liabilities
1,847,321
1,930,814
Limited partners' capital:

Common unitholders (80,844 and 77,644 units outstanding as of September 30, 2018

and December 31, 2017, respectively)

370,884
421,161

Subordinated unitholder (64,955 units outstanding as of September 30, 2018 and

December 31, 2017)

 
213,350
 
254,665
Total partners' capital
 
584,234
 
675,826
Total liabilities and partners' capital
$
2,431,555
$
2,606,640
 
Foresight Energy LP
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In Thousands, Except Per Unit Data)
 
 
 
(Successor)
 
(Successor)
 
 
(Successor)
 
(Successor)
 
(Predecessor)

Three Months

Ended

September 30,

2018

Three Months

Ended

September 30,

2017

Nine Months

Ended

September 30,

2018

Period From

April 1, 2017

through

September 30,

2017

Period From

January 1,

2017

through

March 31,

2017

Revenues:
Coal sales
$
291,987
$
229,670
$
800,366
$
434,186
$
227,813
Other revenues
 
1,949
 
2,770
 
5,718
 
5,347
 
2,581
Total revenues
293,936
232,440
806,084
439,533
230,394
 
Costs and expenses:
Cost of coal produced (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization)
133,670
122,839
391,222
228,629
117,762
Cost of coal purchased
6,312
11,969
7,973
Transportation
61,239
39,414
166,716
67,672
37,726
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
52,780
53,754
159,512
103,291
39,298
Contract amortization and write-off
(4,855
)
(15,611
)
(76,699
)
(6,878
)
Accretion on asset retirement obligations
558
726
1,848
1,454
710
Selling, general and administrative
10,465
7,858
28,774
15,135
6,554
Long-lived asset impairments
110,689
Loss on commodity derivative contracts
1,101
2,218
1,492
Other operating (income) expense, net
 
24,849
 
(48
)
 
(18,782
)
 
(13,538
)
 
451
Operating income
8,918
22,407
30,835
41,550
18,428
Other expenses:
Interest expense, net
36,619
35,988
109,327
71,408
43,380
Change in fair value of warrants
(9,278
)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
 
 
 
 
 
95,510
Net loss
$
(27,701
)
$
(13,581
)
$
(78,492
)
$
(29,858
)
$
(111,184
)
 
Net loss available to limited partner units - basic and diluted:
Common unitholders
$
(13,298
)
$
(5,097
)
$
(37,177
)
$
(13,887
)
$
(56,259
)
Subordinated unitholder
$
(14,403
)
$
(8,484
)
$
(41,315
)
$
(15,971
)
$
(54,925
)
 
Net loss per limited partner unit - basic and diluted:
Common unitholders
$
(0.17
)
$
(0.07
)
$
(0.47
)
$
(0.18
)
$
(0.85
)
Subordinated unitholder
$
(0.22
)
$
(0.13
)
$
(0.64
)
$
(0.25
)
$
(0.85
)
 
Weighted average limited partner units outstanding - basic and diluted:
Common units
80,505
77,510
79,737
76,893
66,533
Subordinated units
64,955
64,955
64,955
64,955
64,955
 

Distributions declared per limited partner unit

$
0.0565
$
0.0647
$
0.1695
$
0.0647
$
 
Foresight Energy LP
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In Thousands)
 
 
 
(Successor)
 
(Successor)
 
(Predecessor)

Nine Months

Ended

September 30,

2018

Period From

April 1, 2017

through

September 30,

2017

Period From

January 1, 2017

through

March 31, 2017

Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss
$
(78,492
)
$
(29,858
)
$
(111,184
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
159,512
103,291
39,298
Amortization of debt discount and deferred issuance costs
2,015
1,273
6,365
Contract amortization and write-off
(76,699
)
(6,878
)
Equity-based compensation
530
439
318
Loss on commodity derivative contracts
2,218
1,492
Settlements of commodity derivative contracts
320
3,724
Realized gains on coal derivatives included in investing activities
(3,520
)
Long-lived asset impairments
110,689
Insurance proceeds included in investing activities
(42,947
)
Change in fair value of warrants
(9,278
)
Debt extinguishment expense
95,510
Other
8,915
1,321
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable
(3,425
)
9,450
19,695
Due from/to affiliates, net
16,637
6,923
(13,157
)
Inventories
(10,307
)
(22,159
)
(917
)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
(244
)
(4,759
)
(5,117
)
Prepaid royalties
2,955
6,240
(241
)
Commodity derivative assets and liabilities
266
(532
)
Accounts payable
19,626
(582
)
7,324
Accrued interest
12,932
22,493
(9,803
)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
18,667
1,188
(3,430
)
Other
 
2,155
 
1,300
 
1,782
Net cash provided by operating activities
133,604
100,080
19,650
Cash flows from investing activities
Investment in property, plant, equipment and development
(50,872
)
(36,960
)
(19,908
)
Return of investment on financing arrangements with Murray Energy (affiliate)
2,394
1,452
705
Insurance proceeds
42,947
Settlement of certain coal derivatives
3,520
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
 
 
 
1,898
Net cash used in investing activities
(5,531
)
(35,508
)
(13,785
)
Cash flows from financing activities
Borrowings under revolving credit facility
50,000
Payments on revolving credit facility
(22,000
)
(352,500
)
Net change in borrowings under A/R securitization program
(10,300
)
7,000
Proceeds from long-term debt and capital lease obligations
1,234,438
Payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations
(93,877
)
(23,539
)
(970,721
)
Payments on short-term debt
(5,180
)
Proceeds from issuance of common units to Murray Energy (affiliate)
60,586
Distributions paid
(13,574
)
(5,026
)
Debt extinguishment costs
(57,645
)
Debt issuance costs paid
(27,328
)
Other
 
(2,551
)
 
(3,471
)
 
(1,892
)
Net cash used in financing activities
 
(87,182
)
 
(42,336
)
 
(108,062
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
40,891
22,236
(102,197
)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period
 
2,179
 
14,724
 
116,921
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period
$
43,070
$
36,960
$
14,724
 

Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA (In Thousands)

 
 
 

(Successor)

Three

Months

Ended

September

30, 2018

 

(Successor)

Three

Months

Ended

September

30, 2017

 

(Successor)

Nine Months

Ended

September

30, 2018

 

(Successor)

Period From

April 1, 2017

through

September

30, 2017

 

(Predecessor)

Period From

January 1,

2017

through

March 31,

2017

 

Combined -

Period From

January 1,

2017

through

September

30, 2017

Net loss(1)(2)
$
(27,701
)
$
(13,581
)
$
(78,492
)
$
(29,858
)
$
(111,184
)
$
(141,042
)
Interest expense, net
36,619
35,988
109,327
71,408
43,380
114,788
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
52,780
53,754
159,512
103,291
39,298
142,589
Accretion on asset retirement obligations
558
726
1,848
1,454
710
2,164
Contract amortization and write-off
(4,855
)
(15,611
)
(76,699
)
(6,878
)
(6,878
)

Noncash impact of recording coal inventory

to fair value in pushdown accounting

4,306
8,868
8,868
Equity-based compensation
178
228
530
439
318
757
Long-lived asset impairments
110,689
Loss on commodity derivative contracts
1,101
2,218
1,492
3,710

Settlements of commodity derivative

contracts

(124
)
320
3,724
4,044
Change in fair value of warrants
(9,278
)
(9,278
)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
 
 
 
 
 
95,510
 
95,510
Adjusted EBITDA
$
57,579
$
66,787
$
226,715
$
151,262
$
63,970
$
215,232
 

(1) - Included in net loss during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 was expense of $25.0 million related to the settlement of

litigation related to the Hillsboro and Macoupin matters.

(2) - Included in net loss during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and the three months and combined period ended September 30,

2017 was insurance proceeds of $44.1 million, $1.5 million, and $12.8 million, respectively, from the Hillsboro mine combustion event.

 

Operating Metrics (In Thousands, Except Per Ton Data)

 
 
 

(Successor)

Three

Months

Ended

September

30, 2018

 
 

(Successor)

Three

Months

Ended

September

30, 2017

 
 

(Successor)

Nine Months

Ended

September

30, 2018

 
 

(Successor)

Period From

April 1,2017

through

September

30, 2017

 
 

(Predecessor)

Period From

January 1,

2017

through

March 31,

2017

 
 

Combined -

Period From

January 1,

2017

through

September

30, 2017

Produced tons sold
6,000
5,242
16,978
10,077
5,165
15,242
Purchased tons sold
 
143
 
 
272
 
 
118
 
118
Total tons sold
 
6,143
 
5,242
 
17,250
 
10,077
 
5,283
 
15,360
 
Tons produced
6,167
5,297
17,252
10,957
5,267
16,224
 
Coal sales realization per ton sold(1)
$
47.53
$
43.81
$
46.40
$
43.09
$
43.12
$
43.10
Cash cost per ton sold(2)
$
22.28
$
23.43
$
23.04
$
22.69
$
22.80
$
22.73
Netback to mine realization per ton sold(3)
$
37.56
$
36.29
$
36.73
$
36.37
$
35.98
$
36.24
 
(1) - Coal sales realization per ton sold is defined as coal sales divided by total tons sold.
(2) - Cash cost per ton sold is defined as cost of coal produced (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization) divided by produced tons sold.
(3) - Netback to mine realization per ton sold is defined as coal sales less transportation expense divided by tons sold.

1 Foresight adopted pushdown accounting as of March 31, 2017 as a result of Murray Energy obtaining control of its general partner. As required by pushdown accounting, the Partnership revalued its balance sheet on the change of control date and therefore certain financial statement line items are not comparable to prior periods. As such, operational results prior to March 31, 2017 were recorded on the predecessor financial statements (the “Predecessor”). Operational results subsequent to March 31, 2017 were recorded on the successor financial statements (the “Successor”).

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005257/en/

Foresight Energy LP
Cody E. Nett, 740-338-3100
Corporate Secretary and Director of Media and Investor Relations
Investor.relations@foresight.com
Media@coalsource.com

Copyright Business Wire 2018
Stock Information

Company Name: Foresight Energy LP representing Limited Partner Interests
Stock Symbol: FELP
Market: NYSE

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