GPRE - Green Plains Partners Reports Second Quarter 2019 Financial Results

August, 05 2019 04:37 PM Green Plains Inc.

Results for the Second Quarter of 2019

Net income of $10.7 million, or $0.45 per common unit
Adjusted EBITDA of $13.9 million and distributable cash flow of $11.7 million
Quarterly cash distribution of $0.475 per unit
Distribution coverage ratio of 1.04x, LTM distribution coverage ratio of 1.04x

OMAHA, Neb., Aug. 05, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Green Plains Partners LP (NASDAQ:GPP) today announced financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2019. Net income was $10.7 million, or $0.45 per common unit, for the second quarter of 2019 compared with $13.7 million, or $0.42 per common unit, for the same period in 2018. The partnership reported adjusted EBITDA of $13.9 million and distributable cash flow of $11.7 million for the second quarter of 2019, compared with adjusted EBITDA of $16.9 million and distributable cash flow of $15.0 million for the same period in 2018. Distribution coverage was 1.04x for the three months ended June 30, 2019.

“Our second quarter performance showed solid improvement over the first quarter of this year primarily driven by higher throughput volumes of ethanol,” said Todd Becker, president and chief executive officer of Green Plains Partners. “We continue to meet our stated goal of maintaining the distribution for our partners as Green Plains Inc.’s planned production level remains strong for the remainder of the year.”

Second Quarter Highlights and Recent Developments

On July 18, 2019, the board of directors of the general partner declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.475 per unit, or approximately $11.3 million, for the quarter ended June 30, 2019. The distribution is payable on August 9, 2019, to unitholders of record at the close of business on August 2, 2019.

Results of Operations
Consolidated revenues decreased $5.0 million to $20.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019, compared with the same period for 2018. Storage and throughput revenue decreased $3.8 million primarily due to a decrease in throughput volumes as a result of the sale by our parent of three ethanol plants in the fourth quarter of 2018. Revenues generated from rail transportation services decreased $0.6 million primarily due to the reduction in volumetric capacity provided as a result of the assignment of railcar operating leases in the fourth quarter of 2018. Terminal services revenue decreased $0.5 million as a result of reduced throughput volumes at non-affiliate terminals. Trucking and other revenue decreased $0.1 million primarily due to a reduction in volumes transported for Green Plains Trade.

Operations and maintenance expenses decreased $1.7 million to $6.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019, compared with the same period for 2018, primarily due to lower railcar lease expense as a result of the assignment of railcar leases in the fourth quarter of 2018, as well as a reduction in unloading fees, wages and repair and maintenance expenses. General and administrative expenses decreased $0.2 million to $1.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019, compared with the same period for 2018, primarily due to a reduction in expenses allocated by our parent under the secondment agreement. Interest expense increased by $0.4 million primarily due to higher interest rates.

During the second quarter of 2019, Green Plains Inc. continued to experience a weak margin environment. Green Plains Inc.’s operating strategy, including the operating cost savings initiative, is to increase utilization rates and efficiency while reducing operating expenses to achieve improved margins in the current environment. Capacity utilization increased from an average of 56.0% of capacity in the first quarter to 80.0% of capacity in the second quarter. Ethanol production was 224.0 million gallons for the second quarter of 2019, compared with the contracted minimum volume commitment of 235.7 million gallons per quarter. Consequently, the partnership charged Green Plains Trade a deficiency payment of $0.5 million related to the minimum volume commitment for the three months ended June 30, 2019.














GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP
SELECTED OPERATING DATA
(unaudited, in million gallons)















Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

2019

2018

% Var.

2019

2018

% Var.
Product volumes













Storage and throughput services
225.1

314.3

(28.4
)
%

380.8

612.6

(37.8
)
%














Terminal services:













Affiliate
29.8

36.5

(18.4
)


54.6

66.1

(17.4
)

Non-affiliate
27.2

30.5

(10.8
)


52.8

62.6

(15.7
)


57.0

67.0

(14.9
)


107.4

128.7

(16.6
)















Railcar capacity billed (daily average)
81.1

98.6

(17.7
)


82.3

98.9

(16.8
)

Liquidity and Capital Resources
Total liquidity as of June 30, 2019, was $68.1 million, including $0.3 million in cash and cash equivalents, and $67.8 million available under the partnership’s revolving credit facility. The balance outstanding on the partnership’s revolving credit facility was $132.2 million as of June 30, 2019.

Conference Call Information
On August 6, 2019, Green Plains Partners LP and Green Plains Inc. will host a joint conference call at 11 a.m. Eastern time (10 a.m. Central time) to discuss second quarter 2019 financial and operating results for each company. Domestic and international participants can access the conference call by dialing 877.711.2374 and 281.542.4862, respectively, and referencing conference ID 9954358. The company advises participants to call at least 10 minutes prior to the start time. Alternatively, the conference call, transcript and presentation will be accessible on Green Plains Partners’ website at http://ir.greenplainspartners.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow are supplemental financial measures used to assess the partnership’s financial performance. Management believes adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow provide investors useful information in assessing the partnership’s financial condition and results of operations. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization, plus adjustments for transaction costs related to acquisitions or financings, minimum volume commitment deficiency payments, unit-based compensation expense, net gains or losses on asset sales and the partnership’s proportional share of EBITDA adjustments of equity method investee. Distributable cash flow is defined as adjusted EBITDA less interest paid or payable, income taxes paid or payable, maintenance capital expenditures and the partnership’s proportionate share of distributable cash flow adjustments of equity method investee. References to LTM refer to results from the immediately preceding twelve-month period. Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow are not presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and therefore should not be considered in isolation or as alternatives to net income or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with GAAP to analyze the partnership’s results.

About Green Plains Partners LP
Green Plains Partners LP (NASDAQ:GPP) is a fee-based Delaware limited partnership formed by Green Plains Inc. to provide fuel storage and transportation services by owning, operating, developing and acquiring ethanol and fuel storage tanks, terminals, transportation assets and other related assets and businesses. For more information about Green Plains Partners, visit www.greenplainspartners.com.

About Green Plains Inc.
Green Plains Inc. (NASDAQ:GPRE) is a diversified commodity-processing business with operations related to ethanol production, grain handling and storage, cattle feeding, and commodity marketing and logistics services. The company is one of the leading producers of ethanol in the world and, through its adjacent businesses, is focused on the production of high-protein feed ingredients and export growth opportunities. Green Plains owns a 49.1% limited partner interest and a 2.0% general partner interest in Green Plains Partners. For more information about Green Plains, visit www.gpreinc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements reflect management’s current views, which are subject to risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, anticipated financial and operating results, plans and objectives that are not historical in nature. These statements may be identified by words such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “should,” “will” and similar expressions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied are discussed in Green Plains Partners’ reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release. Green Plains Partners assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Consolidated Financial Results













GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)







June 30,

December 31,

2019

2018
ASSETS
(unaudited)



Current assets





Cash and cash equivalents
$
269


$
569

Accounts receivable, including from affiliates

21,108



15,357

Other current assets

1,201



690

Total current assets

22,578



16,616

Property and equipment, net

38,822



40,911

Operating lease right-of-use assets

38,545



-

Other assets

23,233



23,617

Total assets
$
123,178


$
81,144







LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' DEFICIT





Current liabilities





Accounts payable, including to affiliates
$
6,204


$
3,177

Operating lease current liabilities

12,333



-

Other current liabilities

8,987



5,011

Total current liabilities

27,524



8,188

Long-term debt

139,917



142,025

Operating lease long-term liabilities

26,874



-

Other liabilities

2,740



3,385

Total liabilities

197,055



153,598







Partners' deficit

(73,877
)


(72,454
)
Total liabilities and partners' deficit
$
123,178


$
81,144

GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited, in thousands except per unit amounts)



















Three Months Ended


Six Months Ended


June 30,

June 30,

2019


2018


% Var.

2019


2018


% Var.
Revenues

















Affiliate
$
19,133


$
24,220


(21.0
)
%

$
37,915


$
48,477


(21.8
)
%
Non-affiliate

1,692



1,620


4.4




3,997



3,248


23.1


Total revenues

20,825



25,840


(19.4
)



41,912



51,725


(19.0
)

Operating expenses

















Operations and maintenance (excluding depreciation and amortization reflected below)

6,233



7,893


(21.0
)



13,098



16,303


(19.7
)

General and administrative

988



1,179


(16.2
)



2,105



2,580


(18.4
)

Depreciation and amortization

771



1,105


(30.2
)



1,756



2,286


(23.2
)

Total operating expenses

7,992



10,177


(21.5
)



16,959



21,169


(19.9
)

Operating income

12,833



15,663


(18.1
)



24,953



30,556


(18.3
)

Other income (expense)

















Interest income

20



20


-




40



40


-


Interest expense

(2,166
)


(1,811
)

19.6




(4,221
)


(3,382
)

24.8


Other

(73
)


-


*




(73
)


75


*


Total other expense

(2,219
)


(1,791
)

23.9




(4,254
)


(3,267
)

30.2


Income before income taxes and income (loss) from equity method investee

10,614



13,872


(23.5
)



20,699



27,289


(24.1
)

Income tax expense

(47
)


(33
)

42.4




(99
)


(65
)

52.3


Income (loss) from equity method investee

142



(117
)

*




357



(130
)

*


Net income
$
10,709


$
13,722


(22.0
)
%

$
20,957


$
27,094


(22.7
)
%


















Net income attributable to partners' ownership interests:

















General partner
$
213


$
275


(22.5
)
%

$
418


$
542


(22.9
)
%
Limited partners - common unitholders

10,496



6,730


*




20,539



13,289


*


Limited partners - subordinated unitholders

-



6,717


*




-



13,263


*




















Earnings per limited partner unit (basic and diluted):

















Common units
$
0.45


$
0.42


7.1

%

$
0.89


$
0.83


7.2

%
Subordinated units
$
-


$
0.42


*



$
-


$
0.83


*




















Weighted average limited partner units outstanding (basic and diluted):

















Common units

23,120



15,922






23,119



15,922




Subordinated units

-



15,890






-



15,890






















Supplemental Revenues Data:

















Storage and throughput services
$
11,785


$
15,575


(24.3
)
%

$
23,570


$
30,217


(22.0
)
%
Railcar transportation services

5,505



6,155


(10.6
)



11,124



13,624


(18.3
)

Terminal services

2,413



2,890


(16.5
)



5,201



5,581


(6.8
)

Trucking and other

1,122



1,220


(8.0
)



2,017



2,303


(12.4
)

Total revenues
$
20,825


$
25,840


(19.4
)
%

$
41,912


$
51,725


(19.0
)
%


















* Percentage variance not considered meaningful.








GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited, in thousands)









Six Months Ended


June 30,


2019


2018


Cash flows from operating activities:






Net income
$
20,957


$
27,094


Noncash operating adjustments:






Depreciation and amortization

1,756



2,286


Other

265



691


Net change in working capital

978



1,188


Net cash provided by operating activities

23,956



31,259









Cash flows from investing activities:






Purchases of property and equipment, net

82



(1,220
)

Contributions to equity method investees

-



(1,288
)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

82



(2,508
)








Cash flows from financing activities:






Payments of distributions

(22,538
)


(30,800
)

Net proceeds (payments) - revolving credit facility

(1,800
)


2,000


Payments of loan fees

-



(185
)

Net cash used in financing activities

(24,338
)


(28,985
)








Net change in cash and cash equivalents

(300
)


(234
)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

569



502


Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
269


$
268
















GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP
RECONCILIATIONS TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(unaudited, in thousands except ratios)
















Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

LTM Ended

June 30,

June 30,

June 30,

2019


2018


2019


2018


2019

Net income
$
10,709


$
13,722


$
20,957


$
27,094


$
49,544

Interest expense

2,166



1,811



4,221



3,382



8,146

Income tax expense

47



33



99



65



135

Depreciation and amortization

771



1,105



1,756



2,286



3,912

Minimum volume commitment adjustments ⁽¹⁾

-



-



-



747



(747
)
Transaction costs

-



147



-



282



523

Unit-based compensation expense

79



60



158



120



315

Loss on the disposal of assets

73



-



73



-



73

Proportional share of EBITDA adjustments of equity method investee ⁽²⁾

43



-



109



-



189

Gain on assignment of operating leases ⁽³⁾

-



-



-



-



(2,721
)
Adjusted EBITDA

13,888



16,878



27,373



33,976



59,369

Interest paid or payable

(2,166
)


(1,811
)


(4,221
)


(3,382
)


(8,146
)
Income taxes paid or payable

(43
)


(32
)


(96
)


(64
)


(133
)
Maintenance capital expenditures

-



-



-



(15
)


(35
)
Distributable cash flow
$
11,679


$
15,035


$
23,056


$
30,515


$
51,055

Distributions declared ⁽⁴⁾
$
11,280


$
15,503


$
22,549


$
30,996


$
49,320

Coverage ratio

1.04x


0.97x


1.02x


0.98x


1.04x















(1) Adjustments related to the storage and throughput quarterly minimum volume commitments.
(2) Represents the partnership's proportional share of depreciation and amortization of its equity method investee.
(3) Consideration received related to the assignment of railcar operating leases to Valero Renewable Fuels Company, LLC in the fourth quarter of 2018.
(4) Represents distributions declared for the applicable period and paid in the subsequent quarter.

Contact: Jim Stark | Executive Vice President, Investor & Media Relations | 402.884.8700 | jim.stark@gpreinc.com

Company Name:	Green Plains Inc.
Stock Symbol:	GPRE
Market:	NASDAQ
Website:	gpreinc.com

Twitter