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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended January 31, 2024

or

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission file numbers: 001-11331, 000-50182, 333-06693-02 and 000-50183

Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.

Ferrellgas, L.P.

Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp.

Ferrellgas Finance Corp.

(Exact name of registrants as specified in their charters)

Delaware

43-1698480

Delaware

43-1698481

Delaware

43-1742520

Delaware

14-1866671

(States or other jurisdictions of incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification Nos.)

One Liberty Plaza,
Liberty, Missouri

64068

(Address of principal executive office)

(Zip Code)

Registrants’ telephone number, including area code: (816792-1600

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants (1) have filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrants were required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants have submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrants were required to submit such files). Yes  No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “Large Accelerated Filer,” “Accelerated Filer,” “Smaller Reporting Company,” and “Emerging Growth Company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.:

Large Accelerated Filer

Accelerated Filer

Non-accelerated Filer

Smaller Reporting Company

Emerging Growth Company

Ferrellgas, L.P., Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. and Ferrellgas Finance Corp.:

Large Accelerated Filer

Accelerated Filer

Non-accelerated Filer

Smaller Reporting Company

Emerging Growth Company

If an Emerging Growth Company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and Ferrellgas, L.P.

Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. and Ferrellgas Finance Corp.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants are shell companies (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and Ferrellgas, L.P. Yes  No 

Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. and Ferrellgas Finance Corp. Yes  No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants have filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.

Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. Yes  No 

Ferrellgas, L.P. and Ferrellgas Finance Corp. N/A

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class:

    

Trading Symbol

    

Name of each exchange on which registered:

N/A

N/A

N/A

At February 29, 2024, the registrants had Class A Units, Class B Units or shares of common stock outstanding as follows:

Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.

4,857,605

Class A Units

1,300,000

Class B Units

Ferrellgas, L.P.

n/a

n/a

Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp.

1,000

Common Stock

Ferrellgas Finance Corp.

1,000

Common Stock

Documents Incorporated by Reference: None

EACH OF FERRELLGAS PARTNERS FINANCE CORP. AND FERRELLGAS FINANCE CORP. MEET THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN GENERAL INSTRUCTION H(1)(A) AND (B) OF FORM 10-Q AND ARE THEREFORE, WITH RESPECT TO EACH SUCH REGISTRANT, FILING THIS FORM 10-Q WITH THE REDUCED DISCLOSURE FORMAT.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This report combines the quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended January 31, 2024 of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. together with its consolidated subsidiaries, including Ferrellgas, L.P., Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp., and Ferrellgas Finance Corp. Unless stated otherwise or the context otherwise requires, references to “Ferrellgas Partners” refers to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. itself, with its consolidated subsidiaries. References to the “operating partnership” mean Ferrellgas, L.P., together (except where the context indicates otherwise) with its consolidated subsidiaries, including Ferrellgas Finance Corp. The terms “us,” “we,” “our,” “ours,” “consolidated,” the “Company” or “Ferrellgas” refer to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. together with its consolidated subsidiaries, including Ferrellgas, L.P., Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. and Ferrellgas Finance Corp., except when used in connection with “Class A Units” or “Class B Units,” in which case these terms refer to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. without its consolidated subsidiaries.

Ferrellgas Partners is a publicly traded Delaware limited partnership formed in 1994 and is primarily engaged in the retail distribution of propane and related equipment sales. Our Class A Units are traded on the OTC Pink Market under the symbol “FGPR.” The operating partnership was formed on April 22, 1994, and accounts for substantially all of our consolidated assets, sales and operating earnings.

Ferrellgas Partners is a holding entity that conducts no operations and has two direct subsidiaries, the operating partnership and Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. Our activities are primarily conducted through the operating partnership. Ferrellgas Partners and the Preferred Unitholders are the only limited partners of the operating partnership. Ferrellgas, Inc. is the sole general partner of Ferrellgas Partners and the operating partnership and, excluding the economic interests attributable to the Class B Units and the Preferred Units, owns an approximate 1% general partner economic interest in each, and, therefore, an effective 2% general partner economic interest in the operating partnership. Excluding the economic interests attributable to the Preferred Units, Ferrellgas Partners owns an approximate 99% limited partner interest in the operating partnership.

Our general partner performs all management functions for us. The parent company of our general partner, Ferrell Companies, currently beneficially owns approximately 23.4% of our outstanding Class A Units. Ferrell Companies is owned 100% by an employee stock ownership trust.

We believe that combining the quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for these entities provides the following benefits:

enhances investors’ understanding of Ferrellgas Partners and the operating partnership by enabling investors to view the business as a whole in the same manner that management views and operates the business;
eliminates duplicative disclosure and provides a more streamlined and readable presentation, since a substantial portion of the disclosure applies to both Ferrellgas Partners and the operating partnership; and
creates time and cost efficiencies through the preparation of a combined presentation.

To help investors understand the differences between Ferrellgas Partners and the operating partnership, this report provides separate condensed consolidated financial statements for Ferrellgas Partners and the operating partnership. Noncontrolling interests, Class A Units, Class B Units, shareholders' equity (deficit) and partners' deficit are the main areas of difference between the condensed consolidated financial statements of Ferrellgas Partners and those of the operating partnership. A single set of notes to condensed consolidated financial statements is presented that includes separate discussions for Ferrellgas Partners and the operating partnership, when applicable. A combined Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section is also included that presents combined information and discrete information related to each entity, as applicable.

In order to highlight the differences between Ferrellgas Partners and the operating partnership, this report includes the following sections that provide separate financial information for Ferrellgas Partners and the operating partnership:

condensed consolidated financial statements; and
certain accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements, which denote “Ferrellgas Partners” and “The operating partnership” in sections where applicable.

2

FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P.

FERRELLGAS PARTNERS FINANCE CORP.

FERRELLGAS, L.P.

FERRELLGAS FINANCE CORP.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)

Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets – January 31, 2024 and July 31, 2023

4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations – Three and six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023

5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income – Three and six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023

6

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity (Deficit) – Three and six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023

7

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023

8

Ferrellgas, L.P. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets – January 31, 2024 and July 31, 2023

9

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations – Three and six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023

10

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income – Three and six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023

11

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Partners’ Deficit – Three and six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023

12

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023

13

Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and Subsidiaries and Ferrellgas, L.P. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

14

Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp.

Condensed Balance Sheets – January 31, 2024 and July 31, 2023

34

Condensed Statements of Operations – Three and six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023

35

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows – Six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023

36

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements

37

Ferrellgas Finance Corp.

Condensed Balance Sheets – January 31, 2024 and July 31, 2023

38

Condensed Statements of Operations – Three and six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023

39

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows – Six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023

40

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements

41

ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

42

ITEM 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

60

ITEM 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

61

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

61

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

61

ITEM 2.

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

61

ITEM 3.

DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

62

ITEM 4.

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

62

ITEM 5.

OTHER INFORMATION

62

ITEM 6.

EXHIBITS

63

3

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)

FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except unit data)

(unaudited)

    

January 31, 2024

    

July 31, 2023

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents (including $10,789 and $11,126 of restricted cash at January 31, 2024 and July 31, 2023, respectively)

$

139,154

$

137,347

Accounts and notes receivable, net

 

226,920

 

159,379

Inventories

 

100,253

 

98,104

Price risk management asset

15,276

11,966

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

33,729

 

29,135

Total current assets

 

515,332

 

435,931

 

  

 

  

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

622,935

 

615,174

Goodwill, net

 

257,006

 

257,006

Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $354,139 and $349,614 at January 31, 2024 and July 31, 2023, respectively)

 

116,911

 

106,615

Operating lease right-of-use assets

54,034

57,839

Other assets, net

 

54,735

 

58,838

Total assets

$

1,620,953

$

1,531,403

 

  

 

  

LIABILITIES, MEZZANINE AND EQUITY (DEFICIT)

 

  

 

  

Current liabilities:

 

  

 

  

Accounts payable

$

67,912

$

35,115

Current portion of long-term debt

2,977

2,597

Current operating lease liabilities

24,983

24,600

Other current liabilities

 

203,785

 

197,030

Total current liabilities

299,657

259,342

 

  

 

  

Long-term debt

 

1,458,693

 

1,456,184

Operating lease liabilities

30,345

34,235

Other liabilities

 

25,563

 

29,084

Contingencies and commitments (Note L)

Mezzanine equity:

Senior preferred units, net of issue discount and offering costs (700,000 units outstanding at January 31, 2024 and July 31, 2023)

651,349

651,349

Equity (Deficit):

 

  

 

  

Limited partner unitholders

 

 

Class A (4,857,605 units outstanding at January 31, 2024 and July 31, 2023)

(1,158,241)

(1,205,103)

Class B (1,300,000 units outstanding at January 31, 2024 and July 31, 2023)

383,012

383,012

General partner unitholder (49,496 units outstanding at January 31, 2024 and July 31, 2023)

 

(70,092)

 

(70,566)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

7,313

 

1,059

Total Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. deficit

 

(838,008)

 

(891,598)

Noncontrolling interest

 

(6,646)

 

(7,193)

Total deficit

 

(844,654)

 

(898,791)

Total liabilities, mezzanine and deficit

$

1,620,953

$

1,531,403

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per unit data)

(unaudited)

For the three months ended January 31, 

For the six months ended January 31, 

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

 

Revenues:

Propane and other gas liquids sales

$

584,209

$

651,886

$

923,143

$

1,037,730

Other

 

25,668

32,057

 

57,747

 

59,502

Total revenues

 

609,877

 

683,943

 

980,890

 

1,097,232

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

Costs and expenses:

 

 

  

 

 

  

Cost of sales - propane and other gas liquids sales

 

277,838

 

347,492

 

450,018

 

560,573

Cost of sales - other

 

3,730

 

4,243

 

8,171

 

9,019

Operating expense - personnel, vehicle, plant and other

 

159,638

 

157,355

 

304,284

 

287,095

Operating expense - equipment lease expense

5,343

5,586

10,719

 

11,610

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

24,435

 

23,069

 

48,839

 

45,700

General and administrative expense

 

17,191

 

23,115

 

30,016

 

37,948

Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge

 

900

 

722

 

1,620

 

1,445

Loss on asset sales and disposals

 

382

 

290

 

1,717

 

1,970

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

Operating income

 

120,420

 

122,071

 

125,506

 

141,872

Interest expense

 

(24,359)

 

(23,177)

 

(48,520)

 

(48,186)

Other income, net

 

849

 

544

 

2,185

 

1,013

Earnings before income taxes

 

96,910

 

99,438

 

79,171

 

94,699

Income tax expense

 

309

 

503

 

471

 

521

Net earnings

 

96,601

 

98,935

 

78,700

 

94,178

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

812

 

835

 

467

 

623

Net earnings attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.

$

95,789

$

98,100

$

78,233

$

93,555

Class A unitholders’ interest in net earnings (Note M)

$

11,226

$

11,557

$

6,421

$

8,592

Basic and diluted net earnings per Class A Unit (Note M)

$

2.31

$

2.38

$

1.32

$

1.77

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

For the three months ended January 31, 

For the six months ended January 31, 

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

Net earnings

$

96,601

$

98,935

$

78,700

$

94,178

Other comprehensive income (loss):

Change in value of risk management derivatives

 

14,536

 

(6,238)

 

1,064

 

(42,423)

Reclassification of losses (gains) on derivatives to earnings, net

 

2,070

 

6,716

 

5,254

 

(6,072)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

16,606

 

478

 

6,318

 

(48,495)

Comprehensive income

 

113,207

 

99,413

 

85,018

 

45,683

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

(980)

 

(840)

 

(531)

 

(133)

Comprehensive income attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.

$

112,227

$

98,573

$

84,487

$

45,550

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY (DEFICIT)

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

Number of units

Accumulated

Total Ferrellgas

General

General

other

Partners, L.P.

Class A

Class B

partner

Class A

Class B

partner

comprehensive

partners’

Non-controlling

Total partners’

   

unitholders 

   

unitholders

   

unitholder

   

unitholders

   

unitholders

   

unitholder

   

income (loss)

   

deficit

   

interest

   

deficit

Balance at July 31, 2023

 

4,857.6

 

1,300.0

49.5

$

(1,205,103)

$

383,012

$

(70,566)

$

1,059

$

(891,598)

$

(7,193)

$

(898,791)

Contributions in connection with non-cash ESOP compensation charges

706

7

713

7

720

Net earnings allocated to preferred units

(16,088)

(163)

(16,251)

(16,251)

Net loss

(17,381)

(175)

(17,556)

(345)

(17,901)

Other comprehensive loss

(10,184)

(10,184)

(104)

(10,288)

Balance at October 31, 2023

 

4,857.6

 

1,300.0

49.5

(1,237,866)

383,012

(70,897)

(9,125)

(934,876)

(7,635)

(942,511)

Contributions in connection with non-cash ESOP compensation charges

882

9

891

9

900

Net earnings allocated to preferred units

(16,088)

(162)

(16,250)

(16,250)

Net earnings

94,831

958

95,789

812

96,601

Other comprehensive income

16,438

16,438

168

16,606

Balance at January 31, 2024

 

4,857.6

 

1,300.0

49.5

$

(1,158,241)

$

383,012

$

(70,092)

$

7,313

$

(838,008)

$

(6,646)

$

(844,654)

    

Number of units

    

    

Accumulated

Total Ferrellgas

    

    

General

General

other

Partners, L.P.

Class A

Class B

partner

Class A

Class B

partner

comprehensive

partners’

Non-controlling

Total partners’

   

unitholders 

   

unitholders

   

unitholder

   

unitholders

   

unitholders

   

unitholder

   

income (loss)

   

deficit

   

interest

   

deficit

Balance at July 31, 2022

 

4,857.6

 

1,300.0

49.5

$

(1,229,823)

$

383,012

$

(71,320)

$

37,907

$

(880,224)

$

(7,587)

$

(887,811)

Contributions in connection with non-cash ESOP compensation charges

 

709

7

716

7

723

Net earnings allocated to preferred units

 

 

 

(16,088)

 

(163)

 

 

(16,251)

 

 

(16,251)

Net loss

 

 

 

(4,500)

 

(45)

 

 

(4,545)

 

(212)

 

(4,757)

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

(48,478)

 

(48,478)

 

(495)

 

(48,973)

Balance at October 31, 2022

 

4,857.6

 

1,300.0

49.5

(1,249,702)

383,012

(71,521)

(10,571)

(948,782)

(8,287)

(957,069)

Contributions in connection with non-cash ESOP compensation charges

 

707

7

714

8

722

Net earnings allocated to preferred units

(16,060)

(162)

(16,222)

(16,222)

Net earnings

 

97,119

981

98,100

835

98,935

Other comprehensive income

 

 

473

473

5

478

Balance at January 31, 2023

4,857.6

 

1,300.0

49.5

$

(1,167,936)

$

383,012

$

(70,695)

$

(10,098)

$

(865,717)

$

(7,439)

$

(873,156)

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

7

FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

For the six months ended January 31, 

    

2024

    

2023

Cash flows from operating activities:

  

  

Net earnings

$

78,700

$

94,178

Reconciliation of net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

  

 

  

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

48,839

 

45,700

Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge

 

1,620

 

1,445

Loss on asset sales and disposals

 

1,717

 

1,970

Provision for expected credit losses

 

1,184

 

684

Other

 

3,908

 

4,006

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from business acquisitions:

 

 

  

Accounts and notes receivable

 

(68,725)

 

(83,914)

Inventories

 

(2,149)

 

1,805

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

(4,594)

 

(17,216)

Accounts payable

 

32,022

 

29,456

Accrued interest expense

 

(863)

 

(172)

Other current liabilities

 

6,223

 

(16,276)

Other assets and liabilities

 

2,665

 

(4,495)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

100,547

 

57,171

 

  

 

  

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

  

 

  

Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

(16,499)

 

(19,388)

Capital expenditures

 

(47,374)

 

(41,382)

Proceeds from sale of assets

 

1,380

 

1,488

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(62,493)

 

(59,282)

 

  

 

  

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

  

 

  

Preferred unit distributions

(31,150)

(31,206)

Payments on long-term debt

 

(1,516)

 

(1,179)

Proceeds from short-term borrowings

45,000

Repayments of short-term borrowings

 

 

(45,000)

Cash payments for principal portion of lease liability

 

(3,581)

 

(464)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(36,247)

 

(32,849)

 

  

 

  

Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

1,807

 

(34,960)

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash - beginning of period

 

137,347

 

158,737

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash - end of period

$

139,154

$

123,777

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

8

FERRELLGAS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

    

January 31, 2024

    

July 31, 2023

ASSETS

Current assets:

 

  

 

  

Cash and cash equivalents (including $10,789 and $11,126 of restricted cash at January 31, 2024 and July 31, 2023, respectively)

$

139,049

$

137,245

Accounts and notes receivable, net

 

226,920

 

159,379

Inventories

 

100,253

 

98,104

Price risk management asset

15,276

11,966

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

33,707

 

29,113

Total current assets

 

515,205

 

435,807

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

622,935

 

615,174

Goodwill, net

 

257,006

 

257,006

Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $354,139 and $349,614 at January 31, 2024 and July 31, 2023, respectively)

 

116,911

 

106,615

Operating lease right-of-use assets

54,034

57,839

Other assets, net

 

54,735

 

58,838

Total assets

$

1,620,826

$

1,531,279

LIABILITIES, MEZZANINE AND DEFICIT

 

  

 

  

Current liabilities:

 

  

 

  

Accounts payable

$

67,912

$

35,115

Current portion of long-term debt

2,977

2,597

Current operating lease liabilities

24,983

24,600

Other current liabilities

 

203,702

 

196,966

Total current liabilities

299,574

259,278

Long-term debt

 

1,458,693

 

1,456,184

Operating lease liabilities

30,345

34,235

Other liabilities

 

25,563

 

29,084

Contingencies and commitments (Note L)

 

 

Mezzanine equity:

Senior preferred units, net of issue discount and offering costs (700,000 units outstanding at January 31, 2024 and July 31, 2023)

651,349

651,349

Deficit:

 

  

 

  

Limited partners

 

(845,365)

 

(892,717)

General partner

 

(6,734)

 

(7,217)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

7,401

 

1,083

Total deficit

 

(844,698)

 

(898,851)

Total liabilities, mezzanine and deficit

$

1,620,826

$

1,531,279

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

9

FERRELLGAS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

For the three months ended January 31, 

For the six months ended January 31, 

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

Revenues:

Propane and other gas liquids sales

$

584,209

$

651,886

$

923,143

$

1,037,730

Other

 

25,668

 

32,057

 

57,747

 

59,502

Total revenues

 

609,877

 

683,943

 

980,890

 

1,097,232

Costs and expenses:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Cost of sales - propane and other gas liquids sales

 

277,838

 

347,492

 

450,018

 

560,573

Cost of sales - other

 

3,730

 

4,243

 

8,171

 

9,019

Operating expense - personnel, vehicle, plant and other

 

159,638

 

157,355

 

304,284

 

287,095

Operating expense - equipment lease expense

 

5,343

 

5,586

 

10,719

 

11,610

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

24,435

 

23,069

 

48,839

 

45,700

General and administrative expense

 

17,195

 

23,114

 

30,021

 

37,945

Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge

 

900

 

722

 

1,620

 

1,445

Loss on asset sales and disposals

 

382

 

290

 

1,717

 

1,970

Operating income

 

120,416

 

122,072

 

125,501

141,875

Interest expense

 

(24,359)

 

(23,177)

 

(48,520)

 

(48,186)

Other income, net

 

851

 

541

 

2,188

 

1,009

Earnings before income taxes

 

96,908

 

99,436

 

79,169

94,698

Income tax expense

 

309

 

503

 

453

 

521

Net earnings

$

96,599

$

98,933

$

78,716

$

94,177

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

10

FERRELLGAS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

For the three months ended January 31, 

For the six months ended January 31, 

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

Net earnings

$

96,599

$

98,933

$

78,716

$

94,177

Other comprehensive income (loss):

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

Change in value of risk management derivatives

 

14,536

 

(6,238)

1,064

 

(42,423)

Reclassification of losses (gains) on derivatives to earnings, net

 

2,070

 

6,716

 

5,254

 

(6,072)

Other comprehensive income (loss):

 

16,606

 

478

 

6,318

 

(48,495)

Comprehensive income

$

113,205

$

99,411

$

85,034

$

45,682

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

11

FERRELLGAS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PARTNERS’ DEFICIT

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

Accumulated

other

Total

Limited

General

comprehensive

partners’

    

partner

    

partner

    

income (loss)

    

deficit

Balance at July 31, 2023

$

(892,717)

$

(7,217)

$

1,083

$

(898,851)

Contributions in connection with non-cash ESOP compensation charges

 

713

 

7

 

 

720

Net earnings allocated to preferred units

 

(16,251)

(16,251)

Net loss

 

(17,538)

 

(345)

 

 

(17,883)

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

(10,288)

 

(10,288)

Balance at October 31, 2023

(925,793)

(7,555)

(9,205)

(942,553)

Contributions in connection with non-cash ESOP compensation charges

 

891

 

9

 

 

900

Net earnings allocated to preferred units

 

(16,250)

(16,250)

Net earnings

 

95,787

 

812

 

 

96,599

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

16,606

 

16,606

Balance at January 31, 2024

$

(845,365)

$

(6,734)

$

7,401

$

(844,698)

Accumulated

other

Total

Limited

General

comprehensive

partners’

    

partner

    

partner

    

income (loss)

    

deficit

Balance at July 31, 2022

$

(918,146)

$

(7,987)

$

38,307

$

(887,826)

Contributions in connection with non-cash ESOP compensation charges

 

716

 

7

 

 

723

Net earnings allocated to preferred units

 

(16,251)

 

 

 

(16,251)

Net loss

 

(4,544)

 

(212)

 

 

(4,756)

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

(48,973)

 

(48,973)

Balance at October 31, 2022

(938,225)

(8,192)

(10,666)

(957,083)

Contributions in connection with non-cash ESOP compensation charges

714

8

722

Net earnings allocated to preferred units

(16,222)

(16,222)

Net earnings

98,098

835

98,933

Other comprehensive income

478

478

Balance at January 31, 2023

$

(855,635)

$

(7,349)

$

(10,188)

$

(873,172)

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

12

FERRELLGAS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

For the six months ended January 31, 

    

2024

    

2023

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net earnings

$

78,716

$

94,177

Reconciliation of net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

  

 

  

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

48,839

 

45,700

Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge

 

1,620

 

1,445

Loss on asset sales and disposals

 

1,717

 

1,970

Provision for expected credit losses

 

1,184

 

684

Other

 

3,908

 

4,007

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from business acquisitions:

 

  

 

  

Accounts and notes receivable

 

(68,725)

 

(83,914)

Inventories

 

(2,149)

 

1,805

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

(4,594)

 

(17,216)

Accounts payable

 

32,022

 

29,456

Accrued interest expense

 

(863)

 

(172)

Other current liabilities

 

6,204

 

(16,278)

Other assets and liabilities

 

2,665

 

(4,496)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

100,544

 

57,168

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

  

 

  

Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

(16,499)

 

(19,388)

Capital expenditures

 

(47,374)

 

(41,382)

Proceeds from sale of assets

 

1,380

 

1,488

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(62,493)

 

(59,282)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

  

 

  

Preferred unit distributions

(31,150)

(31,206)

Payments on long-term debt

 

(1,516)

 

(1,179)

Proceeds from short-term borrowings

45,000

Repayments of short-term borrowings

 

 

(45,000)

Cash paid for principal portion of finance lease liability

 

(3,581)

 

(464)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(36,247)

 

(32,849)

Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

1,804

(34,963)

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash - beginning of period

 

137,245

 

158,466

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash - end of period

$

139,049

$

123,503

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

13

FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

FERRELLGAS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except per unit data, unless otherwise designated)

(unaudited)

A.    Partnership organization and formation

Ferrellgas Partners

Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. (“Ferrellgas Partners”) was formed on April 19, 1994, and is a publicly traded limited partnership. Ferrellgas Partners is a holding entity that conducts no operations and has two direct subsidiaries, Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. and Ferrellgas, L.P. (the “operating partnership”). Ferrellgas Partners was formed to acquire and hold a limited partner interest in the operating partnership. Ferrellgas Partners owns a 100% equity interest in Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp., whose only business activity is to act as the co-issuer and co-obligor of any debt securities issued by Ferrellgas Partners. Our activities are primarily conducted through the operating partnership. Ferrellgas Partners and the operating partnership, collectively referred to as “Ferrellgas,” are both Delaware limited partnerships and are governed by their respective partnership agreements. These agreements contain specific provisions for the allocation of net earnings and loss to each of the partners for purposes of maintaining the partner capital accounts.

Ferrellgas, Inc. (the “general partner”), a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrell Companies, is the sole general partner of Ferrellgas Partners and the operating partnership and, excluding the economic interests attributable to Ferrellgas Partners’ Class B Units and the operating partnership’s Preferred Units (as defined in Note F “Preferred units”), owns an approximate 1% general partner economic interest in each, and, therefore, an effective 2% general partner economic interest in the operating partnership. Excluding the economic interests attributable to the Preferred Units, Ferrellgas Partners owns an approximate 99% limited partner interest in the operating partnership. Our general partner performs all management functions for us. Unless contractually provided for, creditors of the operating partnership have no recourse with regards to Ferrellgas Partners. As of January 31, 2024, Ferrell Companies Inc., a Kansas corporation (“Ferrell Companies”), the parent company of our general partner, beneficially owns approximately 23.4% of Ferrellgas Partners’ outstanding Class A Units. Ferrell Companies is owned 100% by an employee stock ownership trust.

The operating partnership

The operating partnership was formed on April 22, 1994, and accounts for substantially all of our consolidated assets, sales and operating earnings. The operating partnership is a limited partnership that owns and operates propane distribution and related assets. Ferrellgas Partners and the holders of the Preferred Units are the only limited partners of the operating partnership.

The operating partnership owns a 100% equity interest in Ferrellgas Finance Corp., whose only business activity is to act as the co-issuer and co-obligor of debt securities issued by the operating partnership.

The operating partnership is primarily engaged in the retail distribution of propane and related equipment sales. The propane distribution market is seasonal because propane is used primarily for heating in residential and commercial buildings. Ferrellgas serves residential, industrial/commercial, portable tank exchange, agricultural, wholesale and other customers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

Basis of presentation

Due to seasonality, the results of operations for the six months ended January 31, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year ending July 31, 2024.

The condensed consolidated financial statements of Ferrellgas reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the interim periods presented. All adjustments to the condensed consolidated financial statements were of a normal recurring nature. The information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with (i) the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and (ii) the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in Ferrellgas’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2023.

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B.    Summary of significant accounting policies

(1) Accounting estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Significant estimates impacting the condensed consolidated financial statements include accruals that have been established for contingent liabilities, pending claims and legal actions arising in the normal course of business, useful lives of property, plant and equipment, residual values of tanks, capitalization of customer tank installation costs, amortization methods of intangible assets, valuation methods used to value sales returns and allowances, allowance for expected credit losses, fair value of reporting unit, recoverability of long-lived assets, assumptions used to value business combinations, determination of incremental borrowing rate used to measure right-of-use asset (“ROU asset”) and lease liability, and fair values of derivative contracts.

(2) Goodwill, net

Goodwill is tested for impairment annually during the second fiscal quarter, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying value. Ferrellgas has determined that it has one reporting unit for goodwill impairment testing purposes. Ferrellgas completed its most recent annual goodwill impairment test on January 31, 2024 and did not incur an impairment loss.

(3) New accounting standards

Recently adopted accounting pronouncements

No new accounting standards were adopted during the six months ended January 31, 2024.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted

In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (“ASU 2023-07”), to improve segment disclosures, primarily through enhanced disclosures for significant segment expenses. ASU 2023-07 does not change how a public entity identifies its operating segments, aggregates those operating segments, or applies quantitative thresholds to determine its reportable segments. The Update is effective on a retrospective basis for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company plans to adopt ASU 2023-07 starting with our Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2025, and our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q starting with our quarterly report for the quarter ended October 31, 2025. The adoption of this guidance will impact our disclosures only and we do not expect it to have a material impact.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (ASU 2023-09). In addition to new disclosures associated with the reconciliation of the effective tax rate to the statutory rate, ASU 2023-09 requires information related to taxes paid to be disaggregated for federal and state taxes and further disaggregated for specific jurisdictions to the extent they exceed a quantitative threshold. ASU 2023-09 is effective prospectively with an option for retrospective application for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company plans to adopt ASU 2023-09 as of August 1, 2025. The adoption of this guidance will only impact our disclosures and we do not expect it to have a material impact.

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C.    Supplemental financial statement information

Inventories

Inventories consist of the following:

    

January 31, 2024

    

July 31, 2023

Propane gas and related products

$

80,411

$

76,996

Appliances, parts and supplies, and other

 

19,842

 

21,108

Inventories

$

100,253

$

98,104

In addition to inventories on hand, Ferrellgas enters into contracts to take delivery of propane for supply procurement purposes with terms that generally do not exceed 36 months. Most of these contracts call for payment based on market prices at the date of delivery. As of January 31, 2024, Ferrellgas had committed, for supply procurement purposes, to deliver approximately 2.2 million gallons of propane at net fixed prices.

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

Ferrellgas Partners

Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following:

    

January 31, 2024

    

July 31, 2023

Broker margin deposit assets

$

10,061

$

11,939

Other

 

23,668

 

17,196

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

$

33,729

$

29,135

The operating partnership

Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following:

    

January 31, 2024

    

July 31, 2023

Broker margin deposit assets

$

10,061

$

11,939

Other

 

23,646

17,174

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

$

33,707

$

29,113

Other current liabilities

Ferrellgas Partners

Other current liabilities consist of the following:

    

January 31, 2024

    

July 31, 2023

Accrued interest

$

28,148

$

29,011

Customer deposits and advances

 

35,322

 

36,226

Accrued payroll

 

34,722

 

35,075

Accrued insurance

 

14,555

 

15,256

Broker margin deposit liability

12,323

6,972

Accrued senior preferred units distributions

18,594

17,452

Other

 

60,121

 

57,038

Other current liabilities

$

203,785

$

197,030

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The operating partnership

Other current liabilities consist of the following:

    

January 31, 2024

    

July 31, 2023

Accrued interest

$

28,148

$

29,011

Customer deposits and advances

 

35,322

 

36,226

Accrued payroll

 

34,722

 

35,075

Accrued insurance

 

14,555

 

15,256

Broker margin deposit liability

12,323

6,972

Accrued senior preferred units distributions

18,594

17,452

Other

 

60,038

 

56,974

Other current liabilities

$

203,702

$

196,966

Shipping and handling expenses

Shipping and handling expenses are classified in the following condensed consolidated statements of operations line items:

For the three months ended January 31, 

For the six months ended January 31, 

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

Operating expense - personnel, vehicle, plant and other

$

71,919

$

75,844

$

145,888

$

140,016

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

3,129

 

5,474

 

6,495

 

9,311

Operating expense - equipment lease expense

 

3,572

 

1,783

 

7,008

 

5,537

Shipping and handling expenses

$

78,620

$

83,101

$

159,391

$

154,864

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

For purposes of the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows, Ferrellgas considers cash equivalents to include all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less. Restricted cash in the tables below as of January 31, 2024 and July 31, 2023 consists of the balance of a cash deposit made with the administrative agent under the operating partnership’s senior secured credit facility that was terminated in April 2020, which may be used by the administrative agent to pay contingent obligations arising under the financing agreement that governed the terminated senior secured credit facility.

Ferrellgas Partners

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash consist of the following:

    

January 31, 2024

    

July 31, 2023

Cash and cash equivalents

$

128,365

$

126,221

Restricted cash

 

10,789

 

11,126

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

$

139,154

$

137,347

The operating partnership

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash consist of the following:

    

January 31, 2024

    

July 31, 2023

Cash and cash equivalents

$

128,260

$

126,119

Restricted cash

 

10,789

 

11,126

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

$

139,049

$

137,245

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Certain cash flow and non-cash activities

Certain cash flow and significant non-cash activities are presented below:

Ferrellgas Partners

For the six months ended January 31, 

    

2024

    

2023

Cash paid for:

 

  

 

  

Interest

$

45,222

$

44,416

Income taxes

$

359

$

496

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

 

  

Liabilities incurred in connection with acquisitions

$

1,585

$

2,638

Change in accruals for property, plant and equipment additions

$

774

$

313

Lease liabilities arising from operating ROU assets

$

8,385

$

3,102

Lease liabilities arising from finance ROU assets

$

1,561

$

Accrued senior preferred units distributions

$

18,594

$

18,574

The operating partnership

For the six months ended January 31, 

    

2024

    

2023

Cash paid for:

Interest

$

45,222

$

44,416

Income taxes

$

341

$

496

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

 

  

 

  

Liabilities incurred in connection with acquisitions

$

1,585

$

2,638

Change in accruals for property, plant and equipment additions

$

774

$

313

Lease liabilities arising from operating ROU assets

$

8,385

$

3,102

Lease liabilities arising from finance ROU assets

$

1,561

$

Accrued senior preferred units distributions

$

18,594

$

18,574

D.    Accounts and notes receivable, net

Accounts and notes receivable, net consist of the following:

    

January 31, 2024

    

July 31, 2023

Accounts receivable

$

230,967

$

163,537

Note receivable

 

2,500

 

2,500

Allowance for expected credit losses

 

(6,547)

 

(6,658)

Accounts and notes receivable, net

$

226,920

$

159,379

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E.    Debt

Short-term borrowing

Ferrellgas classifies borrowings under its Credit Facility (as defined below) as short-term because they are primarily used to fund working capital needs that management intends to pay down within the twelve month period following the balance sheet date. As of January 31, 2024, we did not have any short-term borrowings. For further discussion, see the “Senior secured revolving credit facility” section below.

Long-term debt

Long-term debt consists of the following:

    

January 31, 2024

    

July 31, 2023

Unsecured senior notes

 

  

 

  

Fixed rate, 5.375%, due 2026

$

650,000

$

650,000

Fixed rate, 5.875%, due 2029

825,000

825,000

Notes payable

 

  

 

  

8.3% weighted average interest rate at January 31, 2024 and July 31, 2023, due 2024 to 2029, net of unamortized discount of $1,197 and $1,040 at January 31, 2024 and July 31, 2023, respectively

 

6,943

 

6,615

Total debt, excluding unamortized debt issuance and other costs

 

1,481,943

 

1,481,615

Unamortized debt issuance and other costs

 

(20,273)

 

(22,834)

Less: current portion of long-term debt

 

2,977

 

2,597

Long-term debt

$

1,458,693

$

1,456,184

Senior secured revolving credit facility

The operating partnership, the general partner and certain of the operating partnership’s subsidiaries are parties to a credit agreement dated March 30, 2021, as amended on May 23, 2023 (the “Credit Agreement”), which provides for a four-year revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) in an aggregate principal amount of up to $350.0 million. The Credit Agreement includes a sublimit not to exceed $300.0 million for the issuance of letters of credit. As of January 31, 2024, the operating partnership had no short-term borrowings.

All borrowings under the Credit Facility are guaranteed by the general partner and the direct and indirect subsidiaries of the operating partnership (other than Ferrellgas Finance Corp. and Ferrellgas Receivables, LLC) and a limited-recourse guaranty from Ferrellgas Partners (limited to its equity interests in the operating partnership). Additionally, all borrowings are secured, on a first priority basis, by substantially all of the assets of the operating partnership and its subsidiaries and all of the equity interests in the operating partnership held by the general partner and Ferrellgas Partners.

Availability under the Credit Facility is, at any time, an amount equal to (a) the lesser of the revolving commitment and the Borrowing Base (as defined below) minus (b) the sum of the aggregate outstanding amount of borrowings under the Credit Facility plus the undrawn amount of outstanding letters of credit under the Credit Facility plus unreimbursed drawings in respect of letters of credit (unless otherwise converted into revolving loans). The “Borrowing Base” equals the sum of: (a) $200.0 million, plus (b) 80% of the eligible accounts receivable of the operating partnership and its subsidiaries, plus (c) 70% of the eligible propane inventory of the operating partnership and its subsidiaries, valued at weighted average cost, less (d) certain reserves, as determined and subject to certain modifications by the administrative agent in its permitted discretion.

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Amounts borrowed under the Credit Facility bear interest, at the operating partnership’s option, at either (a) for base rate loans, (i) a base rate determined by reference to the highest of (A) the rate of interest last quoted by The Wall Street Journal in the U.S. as the prime rate in effect, (B) the NYFRB Rate from time to time plus 0.50% per annum and (C) the Adjusted term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) for a one-month interest period plus 1.00% per annum plus (ii) a margin of 1.50% to 2.00% per annum depending on total net leverage or (b) for Eurodollar rate loans, (i) a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted term SOFR plus (ii) a margin of 2.50% to 3.00% per annum depending on total net leverage. The operating partnership will be required to pay an undrawn fee to the lenders on the average daily unused amount of the Credit Facility at a rate of 0.375% to 0.50% per annum depending on total net leverage.

The Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, covenants and events of default and requires the operating partnership to maintain the following financial covenants:

Financial Covenant

Ratio

Minimum interest coverage ratio (1)

2.50x

Maximum secured leverage ratio (2)

2.50x

Maximum total net leverage ratio (3) (4)

4.75x

(1)Defined generally as the ratio of adjusted EBITDA to cash interest expense.
(2)Defined generally as the ratio of total first priority secured indebtedness to adjusted EBITDA.
(3)Defined generally as the ratio of total indebtedness (net of unrestricted cash, subject to certain limits) to adjusted EBITDA.
(4)Was 5.25x immediately prior to the quarter ended October 31, 2022 and 5.00x immediately prior to the quarter ended April 30, 2023.

In addition to the financial covenants, the Credit Agreement includes covenants that if not met will restrict the ability of the operating partnership to take certain actions. In particular, under these covenants, subject to certain exceptions and additional requirements, the operating partnership is permitted to make cash distributions to holders of Preferred Units, Ferrellgas Partners and the general partner, redemptions of Preferred Units and other restricted payments (i) only in limited amounts specified in the Credit Agreement and (ii) only if availability under the Credit Facility exceeds the greater of $50.0 million and 15% of the Borrowing Base and the operating partnership’s total net leverage ratio is not greater than 4.75 to 1.0. As of January 31, 2024, the operating partnership is in compliance with all of its debt covenants.

Senior unsecured notes

The operating partnership has $650.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.375% senior notes due 2026 (the “2026 Notes”) and $825.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.875% senior notes due 2029 (the “2029 Notes”) issued and outstanding pursuant to indentures each dated March 30, 2021. The 2026 Notes and 2029 Notes are the senior unsecured obligations of the operating partnership and Ferrellgas Finance Corp. and are unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured basis by the general partner and all domestic subsidiaries of the operating partnership other than Ferrellgas Finance Corp. and Ferrellgas Receivables, LLC.

The 2026 Notes may be redeemed at the issuers’ option, in whole or in part, at the redemption prices set forth in the indenture governing such notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The 2029 Notes may be redeemed prior to April 1, 2024 at the issuers’ option, in whole or in part, at a redemption price of par plus the applicable make-whole premium and accrued and unpaid interest. On and after April 1, 2024, the 2029 Notes may be redeemed at the issuers’ option, in whole or in part, at the redemption prices set forth in the indenture governing such notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest. Beginning on April 1, 2025 and April 1, 2026, the 2026 Notes and 2029 Notes, respectively, may be redeemed at par plus accrued and unpaid interest.

20

The indentures governing the 2026 Notes and 2029 Notes contain customary affirmative and negative covenants restricting, among other things, the ability of the operating partnership and its restricted subsidiaries to take certain actions. In particular, under these covenants, subject to certain exceptions and additional requirements, the operating partnership is permitted to make cash distributions to holders of Preferred Units, Ferrellgas Partners and the general partner, redemptions of Preferred Units and other restricted payments (i) only in limited amounts specified in the indentures and (ii) only if the operating partnership’s net leverage ratio (defined generally to mean the ratio of consolidated total net debt to trailing four quarters consolidated EBITDA, both as adjusted for certain, specified items) is not greater than 5.0 to 1.0, on a pro forma basis giving effect to the restricted payment and, if applicable, certain other specified events. Further, if the operating partnership’s consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio (defined generally to mean the ratio of trailing four quarters consolidated EBITDA to consolidated fixed charges, both as adjusted for certain, specified items) is equal to or less than 1.75 to 1.00 (on a pro forma basis giving effect to the restricted payment and, if applicable, certain other specified events), the amount of distributions and other restricted payments the operating partnership is permitted to make under the indentures is further limited. As of January 31, 2024, the operating partnership is in compliance with all of its debt covenants.

The scheduled annual principal payments on long-term debt are as follows:

Scheduled

Payment due by fiscal year

    

principal payments

2024

$

1,077

2025

 

2,510

2026

 

652,128

2027

 

1,210

2028

 

825,810

Thereafter

 

405

Total

$

1,483,140

Letters of credit outstanding at January 31, 2024 and July 31, 2023 totaled $71.5 and $74.0 million, respectively, and were used to secure insurance arrangements, product purchases and commodity hedges. As of January 31, 2024, Ferrellgas had available borrowing capacity under its Credit Facility of $278.5 million. Propane assets subject to lien under the Credit Facility were $69.3 million as of January 31, 2024.

F.    Preferred units

On March 30, 2021, pursuant to an Investment Agreement, the operating partnership issued an aggregate of 700,000 Preferred Units (the “Preferred Units”), having an aggregate initial liquidation preference of $700.0 million.

Redemption of the Preferred Units in the near term is not probable because of the high redemption price in the first three to four years. As described in greater detail under “Issuer Redemption Right” below, the Redemption Price for the Preferred Units is based upon the greater of the amount that would result in a 1.47x MOIC (defined below) and the amount that would result in a 12.25% internal rate of return. If the Preferred Units were redeemed during the first three to four years after issuance, the 1.47x MOIC would require a large premium payment and that large premium payment would result in an internal rate of return far in excess of the minimum 12.25%. Consequently, it is unlikely that Ferrellgas would be able to achieve any savings in its cost of capital by redeeming the Preferred Units during the first three to four years after issuance.

“MOIC” means, with respect to a Preferred Unit, a multiple on invested capital equal to the quotient determined by dividing (A) the sum of (x) the aggregate amount of all distributions made in cash with respect to such Preferred Unit prior to the applicable date of determination, with certain exclusions, plus (y) each Redemption Price paid in cash in respect of such Preferred Unit, on or prior to the applicable date of determination, by (B) the Purchase Price (defined below) of such Preferred Unit.

The preferences, rights, privileges and other terms of the Preferred Units are set forth in the First Amendment to the Amended OpCo LPA (the “OpCo LPA Amendment”) entered into by the general partner on March 30, 2021 (along with the Fifth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Ferrellgas, L.P. (the “Amended OpCo LPA”)) and are described below.

21

Issuer Redemption Right

The operating partnership has the right to redeem all or a portion of the Preferred Units for cash, pro rata and at any time and from time to time, including in connection with a Change of Control (as defined in the OpCo LPA Amendment), at an amount per Preferred Unit (the “Redemption Price”) equal to, without duplication, the sum of (a) the greater of (i) the amount necessary to result in a MOIC of 1.47x in respect of the purchase price, before discount, of such Preferred Unit, which is $1,000 per Preferred Unit (the “Purchase Price”), and (ii) the amount necessary to result in the applicable internal rate of return equal to 12.25%, which is increased by 150 basis points if the operating partnership has elected to pay more than four Quarterly Distributions (as defined below) in PIK Units (as defined below) and (b) the accumulated but unpaid Quarterly Distributions to the date of redemption, if any. A partial redemption of the Preferred Units is permitted only in the event the aggregate amount to be paid in respect of all Preferred Units included in such partial redemption is at least $25.0 million.

Investor Redemption Right

In the event that (i) any Class B Units are outstanding, or (ii) (x) no Class B Units are outstanding and (y) no more than 233,300 Preferred Units are outstanding, at any time on and after March 30, 2031, the Required Holders may elect, by delivery of written notice, to have the operating partnership fully redeem each remaining outstanding Preferred Unit for an amount in cash equal to the Redemption Price. “Required Holders” refers to both (i) holders owning at least 33.3% of the total Preferred Units outstanding at any time and (ii) certain initial affiliated purchasers, for so long as such initial affiliated purchasers collectively own at least 25% of the Preferred Units outstanding at such time.

In the event that (i) no Class B Units are outstanding and (ii) more than 233,300 Preferred Units are outstanding, the Required Holders will have the right to trigger a sale of the operating partnership after March 30, 2031. If the operating partnership fails to consummate a sale that would pay the Redemption Price in full within 180 days of written notice requiring such sale, the Required Holders will have the right to appoint a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the general partner and initiate a sale of the operating partnership.

Change of Control

Upon a Change of Control (as defined in the OpCo LPA Amendment), the Required Holders will have the option to require the redemption of all or a portion of the Preferred Units in cash in an amount equal to the Redemption Price; provided, that such Redemption Price shall not be payable unless the operating partnership shall have first made any required change of control offer pursuant to the indentures governing the 2026 Notes and the 2029 Notes and purchased all such 2026 Notes and 2029 Notes tendered pursuant to such offer (unless otherwise waived by such noteholders); provided, further that the Redemption Price shall be paid immediately following the purchase of such tendered Notes (if any).

Fair Value of Embedded Derivatives

Ferrellgas identified the investor redemption right and the change in control option as embedded derivatives that require bifurcation as they are not clearly and closely related to the debt host contract and has concluded that the fair values at issuance and at January 31, 2024 and July 31, 2023, are immaterial to the financial statements.

Distributions

Pursuant to the OpCo LPA Amendment, the operating partnership is required to pay to the holders of each Preferred Unit a cumulative, quarterly distribution (the Quarterly Distribution”) at the Distribution Rate (as defined below) on the Purchase Price.

Distribution Rate” means, for the first five years after March 30, 2021, a rate per annum equal to 8.956%, with certain increases in the Distribution Rate on each of the 5th, 6th and 7th anniversaries of March 30, 2021, subject to a maximum rate of 11.125% and certain other adjustments and exceptions.

The Quarterly Distribution may be paid in cash or, at the election of the operating partnership, in kind” through the issuance of additional Preferred Units (PIK Units”) at the quarterly Distribution Rate plus an applicable premium that escalates each year from 75 bps to 300 bps so long as the Preferred Units remain outstanding. In the event the operating partnership fails to make any Quarterly Distribution in cash, such Quarterly Distribution will automatically be paid in PIK Units.

22

The Distribution Rate on the Preferred Units will increase upon violation of certain protective provisions for the benefit of Preferred Unit holders notwithstanding the cap mentioned above.

On February 15, 2024, $15.4 million of the Quarterly Distribution was paid in cash to holders of Preferred Units. As of January 31, 2024, the Quarterly Distribution accrued was $18.6 million. The remaining Quarterly Distribution accrual of $3.2 million represents Additional Amounts payable to certain holders of Preferred Units pursuant to the side letters outlined in the OpCo LPA Amendment.

On February 15, 2023, $15.4 million of the Quarterly Distribution was paid in cash to holders of Preferred Units. As of January 31, 2023, the Quarterly Distribution accrued was $18.6 million. The remaining Quarterly Distribution accrued of $3.2 million represented Additional Amounts payable to certain holders of Preferred Units pursuant to the side letters.

Tax Distributions

For any quarter in which the operating partnership makes a Quarterly Distribution in PIK Units in lieu of cash, it will be required to make a subsequent cash tax distribution for such quarter in an amount equal to the (i) the lesser of (x) 25% and (y) the highest combined federal, state and local tax rate applicable for corporations organized in New York, multiplied by (ii) the excess (if any) of (A) one-fourth (1/4th) of the estimated taxable income to be allocated to the holders of Preferred Units for the year in which the Quarterly Tax Payment Date (which refers to certain specified dates that next follow a Quarterly Distribution date on which PIK Units were issued) occurs, over (B) any cash paid on the Quarterly Distribution date immediately preceding the Quarterly Tax Payment Date on which a quarterly tax amount would otherwise be paid (such amount, the Tax Distribution”). Tax Distributions are treated as advances against, and reduce, future cash distributions for any reason, including payments in redemption of Preferred Units or PIK Units, or payments to the holders in their capacity as such pursuant to any side letter or other agreement.

Additional Amounts for Certain Purchasers

The operating partnership is required to pay certain additional amounts of cash (the “Additional Amounts”) as necessary to certain holders of Preferred Units that hold their interests through a “blocker,” which is a U.S. entity that is owned and organized by certain original purchasers of Preferred Units who are non-U.S. persons or tax exempt for U.S. tax purposes and is treated as a corporation for U.S. tax purposes. Only certain original purchasers of Preferred Units who hold their Preferred Units through such blockers are, and none of their transferees is, entitled to Additional Amounts. Additional Amounts are capped at the lesser of: (a) the product of 20% multiplied by taxable income allocated to a “blocker” (as defined) divided by 0.8, and (b) the actual taxes payable by the “blocker” as a result of holding Senior Preferred Units.

Board Rights

For so long as at least 140,000 Preferred Units remain outstanding, holders of the Preferred Units have the right to designate one director to the Board of the general partner, subject to approval by the general partner.

Protective Provisions

The OpCo LPA Amendment and the Sixth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. (the “Amended Ferrellgas Partners LPA”) include, among other things, certain covenants for the benefit of holders of Preferred Units applicable to the operating partnership and, in certain instances, Ferrellgas Partners, for so long as at least $35,000,000 of Preferred Units and PIK Units remain outstanding. These covenants include, among other things, limitations on (i) effecting a Change of Control, (ii) amending organizational documents, (iii) issuing certain equity securities, (iv) issuing Preferred Units, (v) filing for bankruptcy, (vi) non-ordinary course investments, and (vii) incurring certain levels of indebtedness.

Ranking and Liquidation Preference

The Preferred Units rank senior to any other class or series of equity interests of the operating partnership (including the partnership interests held by Ferrellgas Partners and the general partner). Upon a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the operating partnership, each holder of Preferred Units will be entitled to receive, prior and in preference to any distribution of any assets of the operating partnership to the holders of any other class or series of equity interests in the operating partnership (including Ferrellgas Partners and the general partner), an amount per Preferred Unit equal to the Redemption Price.

23

Restrictions on Cash Distributions to Ferrellgas Partners and the General Partner

The operating partnership is permitted to make distributions of Available Cash (as defined in the Amended OpCo LPA) to Ferrellgas Partners only if (i) the operating partnership has made all required Quarterly Distributions (in cash or PIK Units), Tax Distributions and payments of Additional Amounts, (ii) the operating partnership has redeemed all PIK Units issued, (iii) the operating partnership’s consolidated net leverage (defined generally to mean the ratio of the operating partnership’s consolidated total net debt (including the total redemption price of all outstanding Preferred Units and PIK Units but excluding certain letters of credit and capital lease obligations) as of each Quarterly Distribution Date to trailing four quarters consolidated EBITDA, both as adjusted for certain, specified items) is below 7.00x, net of cash, immediately before and after giving effect to such distribution, (iv) the operating partnership has at least $100 million of liquidity, consisting of unrestricted cash on hand and available capacity under the Credit Agreement or any replacement thereof, and (v) the operating partnership is in compliance with the other protective provisions in the OpCo LPA Amendment.

G.    Equity (Deficit)

Ferrellgas Partners

Class B Units

On March 30, 2021, Ferrellgas Partners issued 1.3 million Class B Units to the holders of the $357.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 8.625% senior unsecured notes due June 2020 (the “Ferrellgas Partners Notes”) in exchange for such holders’ contribution of the Ferrellgas Partners Notes to Ferrellgas Partners as a capital contribution and in satisfaction of such holders’ claims in respect of the Ferrellgas Partners Notes. The terms of the Class B Units are set forth in the Amended Ferrellgas Partners LPA entered into by the general partner on March 30, 2021.

Ferrellgas Partners may, subject to certain conditions, issue additional Class A Units to such parties as determined at the discretion of Ferrellgas Partners, upon consent by the holders of the requisite percentage of Class B Units as specified in the Amended Ferrellgas Partners LPA (the “Requisite Class B Units”), which refers to: (i) if the initial majority holder of Class B Units holds at least 50% of Class B Units, holders of at least 50% of the outstanding Class B Units, or (ii) if the initial majority holder of Class B Units holds less than 50% of Class B Units, holders of at least one-third of the outstanding Class B Units.

Pursuant to the Amended Ferrellgas Partners LPA, while any Class B Units remain outstanding, any distributions by Ferrellgas Partners to its partners must be made such that the ratio of (i) the amount of distributions made to holders of Class B Units to (ii) the amount of distributions made to holders of Class A Units and the general partner is not less than 6:1.

Once holders of Class B Units receive distributions in the aggregate amount of $357.0 million (which was the outstanding principal amount of the Ferrellgas Partners Notes), the Class B Units will be (i) convertible into Class A Units at the option of Ferrellgas Partners, if that distribution threshold is reached prior to March 30, 2026, the fifth anniversary post-emergence, or (ii) converted automatically into Class A Units, if the distribution threshold is reached on or after March 30, 2026, in each case at the applicable conversion rate set forth in the following table:

Period

Conversion Factor

March 31, 2023 through March 30, 2024

3.50x

March 31, 2024 through March 30, 2025

4.00x

March 31, 2025 through March 30, 2026

5.00x

March 31, 2026 through March 30, 2027

6.00x

March 31, 2027 through March 30, 2028

7.00x

March 31, 2028 through March 30, 2029

10.00x

March 31, 2029 through March 30, 2030

12.00x

March 31, 2030 through March 30, 2031

25.00x

24

Ferrellgas Partners may redeem the Class B Units through March 30, 2026, in full, at a price equal to an amount that will result in an internal rate of return with respect to the Class B Units equal to the sum of (i) 300 basis points and (ii) the internal rate of return for the Preferred Units as specified in the Amended Ferrellgas Partners LPA, subject to the minimum redemption price of $302.08 per unit. The total internal rate of return required to redeem the Class B Units is 15.85%, but that amount increases under certain circumstances, including if the operating partnership paid distributions on the Preferred Units in-kind rather than in cash for a certain number of quarters. There have not been any in-kind distributions through January 31, 2024.

During the period through March 30, 2026, after Ferrellgas Partners has distributed $356 million in distributions to holders of the Class B Units, Ferrellgas Partners will have the option to hold cash for six months at either Ferrellgas Partners or Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. for the sole purpose of redeeming the Class B Units. However, if the funds held are not used to redeem the Class B Units, the funds must either be distributed to holders of the Class B Units and, if applicable, holders of the Class A Units and the general partner or returned to the operating partnership.

Ferrellgas Partners will only be able to redeem the Class B Units to the extent it receives sufficient distributions from the operating partnership, and the operating partnership is limited in its ability to make distributions by the indentures that govern the 2026 Notes and the 2029 Notes, the Credit Agreement and the OpCo LPA Amendment governing the Preferred Units.

The holders of the Class B Units will have the right to acquire the general partner interests in Ferrellgas Partners and the operating partnership, without the approval of the general partner, Ferrellgas Partners, the holders of the Class A Units or the operating partnership, if the Class B Units are still outstanding and have not been converted to Class A Units by the earlier of (i) a material breach of the covenants in favor of the Class B Units under the Amended Ferrellgas Partners LPA or the Amended OpCo LPA that is not cured within the time period specified therein and (ii) March 30, 2031.

Board Rights

The holders of Class B Units will be permitted to designate one independent director to the Board of the general partner in accordance with a voting agreement among the general partner, Ferrell Companies, Inc. (FCI), the sole stockholder of the general partner, and the holders of the Class B Units and the general partner's bylaws.

Class A Units

As of January 31, 2024 and July 31, 2023, Class A Units were beneficially owned by the following:

    

January 31, 2024

    

July 31, 2023

Public Class A Unitholders (1)

 

3,480,621

 

3,480,621

James E. Ferrell (2)

 

238,172

 

238,172

Ferrell Companies (3)

 

1,126,468

 

1,126,468

FCI Trading Corp. (4)

 

9,784

 

9,784

Ferrell Propane, Inc. (5)

 

2,560

 

2,560

Total

4,857,605

4,857,605

(1)These Class A Units are traded on the OTC Pink Market under the symbol “FGPR”.
(2)James E. Ferrell was the Chief Executive Officer and President of our general partner and Chairman of the Board of Directors of our general partner through July 31, 2023. Effective August 1, 2023, he became the Executive Chairman of our general partner and the Board of Directors of our general partner. He is a related party. JEF Capital Management owns 237,942 of these Class A Units and is owned by the James E. Ferrell Revocable Trust Two and other family trusts, all of which James E. Ferrell and/or his family members are the trustees and beneficiaries. James E. Ferrell holds all voting common stock of JEF Capital Management. The remaining 230 Class A Units are held by Ferrell Resources Holdings, Inc., which is wholly-owned by the James E. Ferrell Revocable Trust One, for which James E. Ferrell is the trustee and sole beneficiary.
(3)Ferrell Companies is the owner of the general partner and an approximate 23% direct owner of Ferrellgas Partners’ Class A Units and thus a related party. Ferrell Companies also beneficially owns 9,784 and 2,560 Class A Units of Ferrellgas Partners held by FCI Trading Corp. (“FCI Trading”) and Ferrell Propane, Inc. (Ferrell Propane"), respectively, bringing Ferrell Companies’ total beneficial ownership of Class A Units to 23.4%.
(4)FCI Trading is an affiliate of the general partner and thus a related party.
(5)Ferrell Propane is controlled by the general partner and thus a related party.

25

Together these Class A Units represent (i) a 99% limited partner economic interest in Ferrellgas Partners, excluding the economic interest attributable to the Class B Units, and (ii) an effective 98% economic interest in the operating partnership, excluding the economic interests attributable to the Class B Units and the Preferred Units. In liquidation, allocations and distributions will be made in accordance with each Class A Unitholder’s positive capital account.

The Class A Units of Ferrellgas Partners represent limited partner interests in Ferrellgas Partners, which give the holders thereof the right to participate in distributions made by Ferrellgas Partners, subject to the rights of holders of Class B Units, and to exercise the other rights or privileges available to such holders under the Amended Ferrellgas Partners LPA. Under the terms of the Amended Ferrellgas Partners LPA, holders of Class A Units have limited voting rights on matters affecting the business of Ferrellgas Partners. Generally, persons or groups owning 20% or more of Ferrellgas Partners’ outstanding Class A Units cannot vote any of their Class A Units in excess of the 20% threshold. However, this limitation does not apply under certain circumstances and does not apply to Class A Units owned by Ferrell Companies, our general partner and its affiliates, and this limitation expires on the later of (a) March 30, 2026 and (b) the conversion of the Class B Units to Class A Units.

The Amended Ferrellgas Partners LPA allows the general partner to issue an unlimited number of additional general and limited partner interests of Ferrellgas Partners for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as shall be established by the general partner without the approval of any Class A Unitholders.

Partnership distributions

Ferrellgas Partners did not declare or pay any distributions to its Class A Unitholders, Class B Unitholders or the general partner during the six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023. Ferrellgas Partners made aggregate cash distributions of approximately $49.9 million during the year ended July 31, 2023. We have made aggregate cash distributions of approximately $149.9 million to our Class B Unitholders since inception of our Class B Units. See Note M “Net earnings per unitholders’ interest” for additional information.

Accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”)

See Note J “Derivative instruments and hedging activities” for details regarding changes in fair value on risk management financial derivatives recorded within AOCI for the three and six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023.

Ferrellgas Partners

General partner’s commitment to maintain its capital account

Ferrellgas’ partnership agreements allow the general partner to have an option to maintain its effective 2% general partner interest (excluding the interest attributable to the Class B Units and the Preferred Units) concurrent with the issuance of other additional equity.

During the six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, the general partner made non-cash contributions of $32.0 thousand and $29.0 thousand, respectively, to Ferrellgas to maintain its effective 2% general partner interest.

The operating partnership

Partnership distributions

Ferrellgas Partners did not declare or pay any distributions to its Class A Unitholders, Class B Unitholders or the general partner during the three and six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023.

See additional discussions about transactions with related parties in Note K “Transactions with related parties.”

General partner’s commitment to maintain its capital account

Ferrellgas, L.P.’s partnership agreement allows the general partner to have an option to maintain its 1.0101% general partner interest (excluding the interest attributable to the Preferred Units) concurrent with the issuance of other additional equity.

During the six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, the general partner made non-cash contributions of $16.0 thousand and $15.0 thousand, respectively, to the operating partnership to maintain its 1.0101% general partner interest.

26

H.    Revenue from contracts with customers

Disaggregation of revenue

Ferrellgas disaggregates revenues based upon the type of customer and on the type of revenue. The following table presents retail propane revenues, wholesale propane revenues and other revenues. Retail revenues result from sales to end use customers, wholesale revenues result from sales to or through resellers and all other revenues include sales of appliances and other materials, other fees charged to customers and equipment rental charges.

    

For the three months ended January 31, 

For the six months ended January 31, 

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

Retail - Sales to End Users

$

437,840

$

498,449

$

665,700

$

764,423

Wholesale - Sales to Resellers

 

142,826

 

148,608

 

248,349

 

264,622

Other Gas Sales

 

3,543

 

4,829

 

9,094

 

8,685

Other

 

25,668

 

32,057

 

57,747

 

59,502

Propane and related equipment revenues

$

609,877

$

683,943

$

980,890

$

1,097,232

Contract assets and liabilities

Ferrellgas’ performance obligations are generally limited to the delivery of propane for its retail and wholesale contracts. Ferrellgas’ performance obligations with respect to sales of appliances and other materials and other revenues are limited to the delivery of the agreed upon good or service. Ferrellgas does not have material performance obligations that are delivered over time, thus all of its revenue is recognized at the time the goods, including propane, are delivered or installed. Ferrellgas offers “even pay” and other billing programs that can create customer deposits or advances, depending on whether Ferrellgas has delivered more propane than the customer has paid for or whether the customer has paid for more propane than what has been delivered. Revenue is recognized from these customer deposits or advances to customers at the time product is delivered. The advance or deposit is considered to be a contract asset or liability. Additionally, from time to time, we have customers that pay in advance for goods or services, and such amounts result in contract liabilities.

Ferrellgas incurs incremental commissions directly related to the acquisition or renewal of customer contracts. The commissions are calculated and paid based upon the number of gallons sold to the acquired or renewed customer. The total amount of commissions that we incur is not material, and the commissions are expensed commensurate with the deliveries to which they relate; therefore, we do not capitalize these costs.

The following table presents the opening and closing balances of our contract assets and contract liabilities:

    

January 31, 2024

    

July 31, 2023

Contract assets

$

10,295

$

10,263

Contract liabilities

 

 

  

Deferred revenue (1)

$

51,159

$

51,516

(1)Of the beginning balance of deferred revenue, $30.4 million was recognized as revenue during the six months ended January 31, 2024.

Remaining performance obligations

Ferrellgas’ remaining performance obligations are generally limited to situations where customers have remitted payment but have not yet received deliveries of propane. This most commonly occurs in even pay billing programs and Ferrellgas expects that these balances will be recognized within a year or less as the customer takes delivery of propane.

27

I.    Fair value measurements

Derivative financial instruments

The following table presents Ferrellgas’ financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis for each of the fair value hierarchy levels, including both current and noncurrent portions, as of January 31, 2024 and July 31, 2023:

Asset (Liability)

Quoted Prices in Active

    

    

    

Markets for Identical

Significant Other

Assets and Liabilities

Observable Inputs

Unobservable Inputs

    

(Level 1)

    

(Level 2)

    

(Level 3)

    

Total

January 31, 2024:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Assets:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Derivative financial instruments:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Commodity derivatives

$

$

15,524

$

$

15,524

Liabilities:

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

Derivative financial instruments:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Commodity derivatives

$

$

(8,123)

$

$

(8,123)

July 31, 2023:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Assets:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Derivative financial instruments:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Commodity derivatives

$

$

12,165

$

$

12,165

Liabilities:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Derivative financial instruments:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Commodity derivatives

$

$

(11,082)

$

$

(11,082)

Methodology

The fair values of Ferrellgas’ non-exchange traded commodity derivative contracts are based upon indicative price quotations available through brokers, industry price publications or recent market transactions and related market indicators. There were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 or 3 during the six months ended January 31, 2024 and the fiscal year ended July 31, 2023.

Other financial instruments

The carrying amounts of other financial instruments included in current assets and current liabilities (except for current maturities of long-term debt) approximate their fair values because of their short-term nature. At January 31, 2024 and July 31, 2023, the estimated fair value of Ferrellgas’ long-term debt instruments was $1,441.7 million and $1,318.9 million, respectively. Ferrellgas estimates the fair value of long-term debt based on quoted market prices. The fair value of Ferrellgas’ consolidated debt obligations is a Level 2 valuation based on the observable inputs used for similar liabilities.

Ferrellgas has other financial instruments such as trade accounts receivable which could expose it to concentrations of credit risk. The credit risk from trade accounts receivable is limited because of a large customer base which extends across many different U.S. markets.

J.    Derivative instruments and hedging activities

Ferrellgas is exposed to certain market risks related to its ongoing business operations. These risks include exposure to changing commodity prices as well as fluctuations in interest rates. Ferrellgas utilizes derivative instruments to manage its exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices. Of these, the propane commodity derivative instruments are designated as cash flow hedges.

Derivative instruments and hedging activity

During the six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, Ferrellgas did not recognize any gain or loss in earnings related to hedge ineffectiveness and did not exclude any component of financial derivative contract gains or losses from the assessment of hedge effectiveness related to commodity cash flow hedges.

28

The following tables provide a summary of the fair value of derivatives within Ferrellgas’ condensed consolidated balance sheets as January 31, 2024 and July 31, 2023:

Final

January 31, 2024

Maturity

Asset Derivatives

Liability Derivatives

Derivative Instrument

    

Date

Location

    

Fair value

    

Location

    

Fair value

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

December 2025

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Commodity derivatives-propane

 

Price risk management asset

$

15,276

Other current liabilities

$

8,047

Commodity derivatives-propane

 

Other assets, net

 

248

 

Other liabilities

 

76

 

Total

$

15,524

 

Total

$

8,123

Final

July 31, 2023

Maturity

Asset Derivatives

Liability Derivatives

Derivative Instrument

    

Date

Location

    

Fair value

    

Location

    

Fair value

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

 

December 2024

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Commodity derivatives-propane

 

Price risk management asset

$

11,966

 

Other current liabilities

$

9,554

Commodity derivatives-propane

 

Other assets, net

 

199

 

Other liabilities

 

1,528

 

Total

$

12,165

 

Total

$

11,082

Ferrellgas’ exchange traded commodity derivative contracts require a cash margin deposit as collateral for contracts that are in a negative mark-to-market position. These cash margin deposits will be returned if mark-to-market conditions improve or will be applied against cash settlement when the contracts are settled. Liabilities represent cash margin deposits received by Ferrellgas for contracts that are in a positive mark-to-market position. The following tables provide a summary of cash margin balances as of January 31, 2024 and July 31, 2023:

January 31, 2024

Assets

Liabilities

Description

    

Location

    

Amount

    

Location

    

Amount

Margin Balances

 

Prepaid expense and other current assets

$

10,061

 

Other current liabilities

$

12,323

 

Other assets, net

 

398

 

Other liabilities

 

176

Total

$

10,459

 

Total

$

12,499

July 31, 2023

Assets

Liabilities

Description

    

Location

    

Amount

    

Location

    

Amount

Margin Balances

 

Prepaid expense and other current assets

$

11,939

 

Other current liabilities

$

6,972

 

Other assets, net

 

1,965

 

Other liabilities

 

Total

$

13,904

 

Total

$

6,972

29

The following tables provide a summary of the effect on Ferrellgas’ condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three and six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023 due to derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments:

For the three months ended January 31, 2024

Amount of Loss

Amount of Gain

Location of Loss

Reclassified from

Recognized in

Reclassified from 

AOCI into Income

Derivative Instrument

    

AOCI

    

AOCI into Income

    

Effective portion

    

Ineffective portion

Commodity derivatives

$

14,536

 

Cost of sales - propane and other gas liquids sales

$

(2,070)

$

For the three months ended January 31, 2023

Amount of Loss

Amount of Loss

Location of Loss

Reclassified from

Recognized in

Reclassified from

AOCI into Income

Derivative Instrument

    

AOCI

    

AOCI into Income

    

Effective portion

    

Ineffective portion

Commodity derivatives

$

(6,238)

 

Cost of sales - propane and other gas liquids sales

$

(6,716)

$

For the six months ended January 31, 2024

Amount of Loss

Amount of Gain

Location of Loss

Reclassified from

Recognized in

Reclassified from 

AOCI into Income

Derivative Instrument

    

AOCI

    

AOCI into Income

    

Effective portion

    

Ineffective portion

Commodity derivatives

$

1,064

 

Cost of sales - propane and other gas liquids sales

$

(5,254)

$

For the six months ended January 31, 2023

Amount of Gain

Amount of Loss

Location of Gain

Reclassified from

Recognized in

Reclassified from

AOCI into Income

Derivative Instrument

    

AOCI

    

AOCI into Income

    

Effective portion

    

Ineffective portion

Commodity derivatives

$

(42,423)

 

Cost of sales - propane and other gas liquids sales

$

6,072

$

Accumulated other comprehensive income

Ferrellgas Partners

The changes in derivatives included in AOCI for the six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:

For the six months ended January 31, 

Gains and losses on derivatives included in AOCI

    

2024

    

2023

Beginning balance attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.

$

1,059

$

37,907

Change in value of risk management commodity derivatives

 

1,064

 

(42,423)

Reclassification of losses (gains) on commodity hedges to cost of sales - propane and other gas liquids sales, net

 

5,254

 

(6,072)

Less: amount attributable to noncontrolling interests

64

(490)

Ending balance attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.

$

7,313

$

(10,098)

30

The operating partnership

The changes in derivatives included in AOCI for the six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:

For the six months ended January 31, 

Gains and losses on derivatives included in AOCI

    

2024

    

2023

Beginning balance

$

1,083

$

38,307

Change in value of risk management commodity derivatives

 

1,064

 

(42,423)

Reclassification of losses (gains) on commodity hedges to cost of sales - propane and other gas liquids sales, net

 

5,254

 

(6,072)

Ending balance

$

7,401

$

(10,188)

Ferrellgas expects to reclassify net gains of approximately $7.2 million to earnings during the next 12 months. These net gains are expected to be offset by decreased margins on propane sales commitments Ferrellgas has with its customers that qualify for the normal purchase normal sale exception.

During the six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, Ferrellgas had no reclassifications to operations resulting from the discontinuance of any cash flow hedges arising from the probability of the original forecasted transactions not occurring within the originally specified period of time defined within the hedging relationship.

As of January 31, 2024, Ferrellgas had financial derivative contracts covering 2.0 million barrels of propane that were entered into as cash flow hedges of forward and forecasted purchases of propane.

Derivative financial instruments credit risk

Ferrellgas is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to derivative financial and commodity instruments. Ferrellgas’ counterparties principally consist of major energy companies and major U.S. financial institutions. Ferrellgas maintains credit policies with regard to its counterparties that it believes reduces its overall credit risk. These policies include evaluating and monitoring its counterparties’ financial condition, including their credit ratings, and entering into agreements with counterparties that govern credit limits. Certain of these agreements call for the posting of collateral by the counterparty or by Ferrellgas in the forms of letters of credit, parent guarantees or cash. Ferrellgas has concentrations of credit risk associated with derivative financial instruments held by certain derivative financial instrument counterparties. If these counterparties that make up the concentration failed to perform according to the terms of their contracts at January 31, 2024, the maximum amount of loss due to credit risk that Ferrellgas would incur based upon the gross fair values of the derivative financial instruments is zero.

From time to time Ferrellgas enters into derivative contracts that have credit-risk-related contingent features which dictate credit limits based upon Ferrellgas’ debt rating. There were no open derivative contracts with credit-risk-related contingent features as of January 31, 2024.

K.    Transactions with related parties

Ferrellgas has no employees and is managed and controlled by its general partner. Pursuant to Ferrellgas’ partnership agreements, the general partner is entitled to reimbursement for all direct and indirect expenses incurred or payments it makes on behalf of Ferrellgas and all other necessary or appropriate expenses allocable to Ferrellgas or otherwise reasonably incurred by its general partner in connection with operating Ferrellgas’ business. These costs primarily include compensation and benefits paid to employees of the general partner who perform services on Ferrellgas’ behalf and are reported in the condensed consolidated statements of operations as follows:

For the three months ended January 31, 

For the six months ended January 31, 

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

Operating expense

$

90,364

$

86,727

$

167,223

$

155,709

General and administrative expense

$

8,349

$

7,789

$

17,678

$

15,659

See additional discussions about transactions with the general partner and related parties in Note G “Equity (Deficit).”

31

L.    Contingencies and commitments

Litigation

Ferrellgas’ operations are subject to all operating hazards and risks normally incidental to the handling, storing, transporting and otherwise providing for use by consumers of combustible liquids such as propane. As a result, at any given time, we can be threatened with or named as a defendant in various lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. Other than as discussed below, we are not a party to any legal proceedings other than various claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. It is not possible to determine the ultimate disposition of these matters; however, management is of the opinion that there are no known claims or contingent claims that are reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Ferrellgas and Bridger Logistics, LLC (“Bridger”), were named, along with two former officers (“Rios and Gamboa”), in a lawsuit (the “EDPA Lawsuit”) filed by Eddystone Rail Company (“Eddystone”) on February 2, 2017 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (the “Court”). On December 10, 2021, the Court dismissed Eddystone’s claims against Rios and Gamboa, pursuant to a settlement agreement with Eddystone. Eddystone indicated that it has prevailed in or settled an arbitration against Jamex Transfer Services (“JTS”), previously named Bridger Transfer Services, a former subsidiary of Bridger. The arbitration involved a claim against JTS for money due for deficiency payments under a contract for the use of an Eddystone facility used to offload crude from rail onto barges. Eddystone alleges that Ferrellgas transferred assets out of JTS prior to the sale of the membership interest in JTS to Jamex Transfer Holdings, and that those transfers should be avoided so that the assets can be used to satisfy the amount owed by JTS to Eddystone as a result of the arbitration. Eddystone also alleges that JTS was an “alter ego” of Bridger and Ferrellgas and that Bridger and Ferrellgas breached both an implicit contract as well as fiduciary duties allegedly owed to Eddystone as a creditor of JTS. Ferrellgas believes that Ferrellgas and Bridger have valid defenses to these claims and to Eddystone’s primary claim against JTS for breach of contract. If Eddystone ultimately prevails, however, Ferrellgas believes that the amount of damages awarded could be material to Ferrellgas. Ferrellgas intends to vigorously defend this claim.

The Court decided summary judgment motions in March 2022 and the three segments of the bench trial were completed in September 2022, December 2022 and February 2023, respectively. As set by the Court, briefings were held through May 2023 and closing arguments were held in August 2023. Management does not currently believe a loss is probable or reasonably estimable at this time. However, we may enter into settlement discussions at any time.

Long-term debt related commitments

Ferrellgas has long and short-term payment obligations under agreements such as the indentures governing its senior notes. See Note E “Debt” for a description of these debt obligations and a schedule of future maturities.

M.    Net earnings per unitholders’ interest

Below is a calculation of the basic and diluted net earnings per Class A Unitholders’ interest in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the periods indicated:

For the three months ended January 31, 

For the six months ended January 31, 

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

 

(in thousands, except per unit amounts)

Net earnings attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.

$

95,789

$

98,100

$

78,233

$

93,555

Less: Distributions to preferred unitholders

16,250

16,222

32,501

32,473

Less: Allocation of undistributed net earnings to Class B units

67,355

69,340

38,528

51,554

Less: General partner’s interest in net earnings

958

981

783

936

Undistributed net earnings attributable to Class A unitholders

11,226

11,557

6,421

8,592

Weighted average Class A Units outstanding (in thousands)

 

4,857.6

 

4,857.6

 

4,857.6

 

4,857.6

Basic and diluted net earnings per Class A Unit

$

2.31

$

2.38

$

1.32

$

1.77

32

Class B Units considerations

The Class B Units meet the definition of a participating security and the two-class method is required. For any periods in which earnings are recognized, the earnings will first be allocated 100% to the Class B Units until the allocation equals the cumulative amount of all distributions paid to the Class B Units. Any remaining undistributed net earnings will be allocated between the Class B Units and the Class A Units on a six-to-one basis as if all undistributed earnings had been distributed to each class of units in accordance with their distribution rights. For any periods in which losses are recognized, no effect is given to the Class B Units as they do not contractually participate in the losses of Ferrellgas. In addition, Ferrellgas has the option to redeem all, but not less than all, of the Class B Units outstanding at any time on or prior to March 30, 2026 for cash. This call option does not impact the dilutive effect of net loss per Class A Unit due to the cash-only redemption provision, which is assumed, and therefore there would be no dilutive effect.

N.    Subsequent events

Ferrellgas has evaluated events and transactions occurring after the balance sheet date through the date Ferrellgas’ condensed consolidated financial statements were issued and concluded that there were no events or transactions occurring during this period that required recognition or disclosure in its condensed consolidated financial statements.

33

FERRELLGAS PARTNERS FINANCE CORP.

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.)

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(unaudited)

    

January 31, 2024

    

July 31, 2023

ASSETS

Cash

$

$

Total assets

$

$

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY (DEFICIT)

Current liabilities:

Other current liabilities

$

$

Total current liabilities

$

$

Contingencies and commitments (Note B)

 

  

 

  

STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY (DEFICIT)

 

 

  

Common stock, $1.00 par value; 2,000 shares authorized; 1,000 shares issued and outstanding

$

1,000

$

1,000

Additional paid in capital

 

42,260

 

42,207

Accumulated deficit

 

(43,260)

 

(43,207)

Total stockholder’s equity (deficit)

Total liabilities and equity (deficit)

$

$

See notes to condensed financial statements.

34

FERRELLGAS PARTNERS FINANCE CORP.

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.)

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited)

For the three months ended January 31, 

For the six months ended January 31, 

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

General and administrative expense

$

    

$

94

$

53

$

432

Net loss

$

$

(94)

$

(53)

$

(432)

See notes to condensed financial statements.

35

FERRELLGAS PARTNERS FINANCE CORP.

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.)

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)

For the six months ended January 31, 

    

2024

    

2023

Cash flows from operating activities:

  

  

Net loss

$

(53)

$

(432)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

  

 

  

Other current liabilities

(1,706)

Cash used in operating activities

 

(53)

 

(2,138)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

  

 

  

Capital contribution

 

53

 

2,138

Cash provided by financing activities

 

53

 

2,138

Net change in cash

 

 

Cash - beginning of period

 

 

Cash - end of period

$

$

See notes to condensed financial statements.

36

FERRELLGAS PARTNERS FINANCE CORP.

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.)

(unaudited)

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A.    Formation

Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. (“Partners Finance Corp.”), a Delaware corporation, was formed on March 28, 1996 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. (“Ferrellgas Partners”).

Ferrellgas Partners contributed $1,000 to Partners Finance Corp. on April 8, 1996 in exchange for 1,000 shares of common stock.

Partners Finance Corp. has nominal assets, does not conduct any operations and has no employees.

B.    Contingencies and commitments

Partners Finance Corp. serves as co-issuer and co-obligor for debt securities of Ferrellgas Partners. As of January 31, 2024, Ferrellgas Partners had no debt securities outstanding, and Partners Finance Corp. therefore was not liable as co-issuer for any such debt securities.

C. Subsequent events

Partners Finance Corp. has evaluated events and transactions occurring after the balance sheet date through the date Partners Finance Corp.’s consolidated financial statements were issued and concluded that there were no events or transactions occurring during this period that required recognition or disclosure in its condensed financial statements.

37

FERRELLGAS FINANCE CORP.

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrellgas, L.P.)

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(unaudited)

January 31, 2024

July 31, 2023

ASSETS

 

  

 

  

Cash

$

$

Total assets

$

$

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Other current liabilities

$

$

Total current liabilities

$

$

Contingencies and commitments (Note B)

Equity:

 

  

 

  

Common stock, $1.00 par value; 2,000 shares authorized; 1,000 shares issued and outstanding

$

1,000

$

1,000

Additional paid in capital

 

104,617

 

104,564

Accumulated deficit

 

(105,617)

 

(105,564)

Total stockholder’s equity

$

$

Total liabilities and equity

$

$

See notes to condensed financial statements.

38

FERRELLGAS FINANCE CORP.

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrellgas, L.P.)

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited)

For the three months ended January 31, 

For the six months ended January 31, 

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

General and administrative expense

$

$

53

$

53

$

53

Net loss

$

$

(53)

$

(53)

$

(53)

See notes to condensed financial statements.

39

FERRELLGAS FINANCE CORP.

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrellgas, L.P.)

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)

For the six months ended January 31, 

    

2024

    

2023

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net loss

$

(53)

$

(53)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Cash used in operating activities

 

(53)

 

(53)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Capital contribution

 

53

 

53

Cash provided by financing activities

 

53

 

53

Net change in cash

 

 

Cash - beginning of period

 

 

Cash - end of period

$

$

See notes to condensed financial statements.

40

FERRELLGAS FINANCE CORP.

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrellgas, L.P.)

(unaudited)

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A.    Formation

Ferrellgas Finance Corp. (“Finance Corp.”), a Delaware corporation, was formed on January 16, 2003 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrellgas, L.P. (the “operating partnership”).

The operating partnership contributed $1,000 to Finance Corp. on January 24, 2003 in exchange for 1,000 shares of common stock.

Finance Corp. has nominal assets, does not conduct any operations and has no employees.

B.    Contingencies and commitments

Finance Corp. serves as co-issuer and co-obligor for debt securities of the operating partnership. As of January 31, 2024 and July 31, 2023, Finance Corp. was liable as co-issuer and co-obligor for the operating partnership’s (i) $650 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured senior notes due 2026 and (ii) $825 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured senior notes due 2029, each of which were issued on March 30, 2021.

C. Subsequent events

Finance Corp. has evaluated events and transactions occurring after the balance sheet date through the date Finance Corp.’s condensed financial statements were issued and concluded that there were no events or transactions occurring during this period that required recognition or disclosure in its condensed financial statements.

41

ITEM 2.      MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

References and Defined Terms

In this Item 2 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, unless the context indicates otherwise:

“us,” “we,” “our,” “ours,” “consolidated,” the “Company” or “Ferrellgas” are references to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. together with its consolidated subsidiaries, including Ferrellgas, L.P., Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. and Ferrellgas Finance Corp., except when used in connection with “Class A Units” or “Class B Units,” in which case these terms refer to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. without its consolidated subsidiaries;
“Ferrellgas Partners” refers to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. itself, with its consolidated subsidiaries;
the “operating partnership” refers to Ferrellgas, L.P., together (except where the context indicates otherwise) with its consolidated subsidiaries, including Ferrellgas Finance Corp.;
our “general partner” refers to Ferrellgas, Inc.;
“Ferrell Companies” refers to Ferrell Companies, Inc., the sole shareholder of our general partner;
“Board of Directors” or “Board” refers to the board of directors of our general partner;
“GAAP” refers to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States;
“retail sales” refers to Propane and other gas liquid sales: Retail - Sales to End Users, or the volume of propane sold primarily to our residential, industrial/commercial and agricultural customers;
“wholesale sales” refers to Propane and other gas liquid sales: Wholesale - Sales to Resellers, or the volume of propane sold primarily to our portable tank exchange customers and bulk propane sold to wholesale customers;
“other gas sales” refers to Propane and other gas liquid sales: Other Gas Sales, or the volume of bulk propane sold to other third-party propane distributors or marketers and the volume of refined fuel sold;
“propane sales volume” refers to the volume of propane sold to our retail sales and wholesale sales customers;
“Class A Units” refers to the Class A Units of Ferrellgas Partners, one of which was issued for every twenty of Ferrellgas Partners’ then-outstanding common units in a 1-for-20 reverse unit split effected on March 30, 2021;
“Class B Units” refers to the Class B Units of Ferrellgas Partners;
“Preferred Units” refers to the Senior Preferred Units of the operating partnership;
“Unitholders” or “unitholders” refers to holders of Class A Units, holders of Class B Units or holders of Preferred Units, as indicated or as the context requires for each such reference; and
references to any fiscal year are to the fiscal year ended or ending on July 31 of the applicable year.

Also, the following terms are defined in this Item 2 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:

Amended Ferrellgas Partners LPA
Amended OpCo LPA
Credit Agreement
Credit Facility
Ferrellgas Partners Notes
OpCo LPA Amendment

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements

Statements included in this report include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are identified as any statement that does not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements often use words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “projection,” “forecast,” “strategy,” “position,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” or the negative of those terms or other variations of them or comparable terminology. These statements often discuss plans, strategies, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future and are based upon the beliefs and assumptions of our management and on the information currently available to them. In particular, statements, express or implied, concerning our future operating results or financial position or our ability to generate sales, income or cash flow are forward-looking statements.

42

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by these forward-looking statements. Many of the factors that will affect our future results are beyond our ability to control or predict. Some of the risk factors that may affect our business, financial condition or results of operations include:

the effect of weather conditions on the demand for propane;
the prices of wholesale propane, motor fuel and crude oil;
disruptions to the supply of propane;
competition from other industry participants and other energy sources;
energy efficiency and technology advances;
significant delays in the collection of accounts or notes receivable;
customer, counterparty, supplier or vendor defaults;
changes in demand for, and production of, hydrocarbon products;
increased trucking and rail regulations;
inherent operating and litigation risks in gathering, transporting, handling and storing propane;
our inability to complete acquisitions or to successfully integrate acquired operations;
costs of complying with, or liabilities imposed under, environmental, health and safety laws;
the impact of pending and future legal proceedings;
the interruption, disruption, failure or malfunction of our information technology systems including due to cyber-attack;
the impact of changes in tax law that could adversely affect the tax treatment of Ferrellgas Partners for federal income tax purposes;
economic and political instability, particularly in areas of the world tied to the energy industry, including the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine;
disruptions in the capital and credit markets; and
access to available capital to meet our operating and debt-service requirements.

When considering any forward-looking statement, you should also keep in mind the risk factors set forth in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2023 and in any more recent filings with the SEC. Any of these risks could impair our business, financial condition or results of operations. Any such impairment may affect our ability to make distributions to our unitholders or pay interest on the principal of any of our debt securities. In addition, the trading price of our securities could decline as a result of any such impairment.

Except for our ongoing obligations to disclose material information as required by federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or risk factors after the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Overview

Our management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations relates to Ferrellgas Partners and the operating partnership.

43

Ferrellgas Partners is a holding entity that conducts no operations and has two direct subsidiaries, the operating partnership and Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. Our activities are primarily conducted through the operating partnership. Ferrellgas Partners and the Preferred Unitholders are the only limited partners of the operating partnership. Ferrellgas, Inc. is the sole general partner of Ferrellgas Partners and the operating partnership and, excluding the economic interests attributable to the Class B Units and the Preferred Units, owns an approximate 1% general partner economic interest in each, and, therefore, an effective 2% general partner economic interest in the operating partnership. Excluding the economic interests attributable to the Preferred Units, Ferrellgas Partners owns an approximate 99% limited partner interest in the operating partnership. For information regarding the economic and other terms of the Class B Units and the Preferred Units, see Note G “Equity (Deficit)” and Note F “Preferred units” to our condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein.

Our general partner performs all management functions for us. The parent company of our general partner, Ferrell Companies, currently beneficially owns approximately 23.4% of our outstanding Class A units. Ferrell Companies is owned 100% by an employee stock ownership trust.

The operating partnership was formed on April 22, 1994, and accounts for substantially all of our consolidated assets, sales and operating earnings.

Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. and Ferrellgas Finance Corp. have nominal assets, do not conduct any operations and have no employees other than officers. Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. has served as co-issuer and co-obligor for debt securities of Ferrellgas Partners, while Ferrellgas Finance Corp., a subsidiary of the operating partnership, serves as co-issuer and co-obligor for debt securities of the operating partnership. Accordingly, and due to the reduced disclosure format, a discussion of the results of operations, liquidity and capital resources of Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. and Ferrellgas Finance Corp. is not presented in this section.

The Class A Units of Ferrellgas Partners are traded on the OTC Pink Market under the symbol “FGPR”.

We file annual, quarterly, and current reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You may read and download our SEC filings over the Internet from several commercial document retrieval services as well as at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Our SEC filings are also available on our website at www.ferrellgas.com at no cost as soon as reasonably practicable after our electronic filing or furnishing thereof with the SEC. Please note that any Internet addresses provided in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be hyperlinks. Accordingly, no information found and/or provided at such Internet addresses is intended or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein.

The following is a discussion of our historical financial condition and results of operations and should be read in conjunction with our audited historical consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2023 and in our unaudited historical condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

The discussions set forth in the “Results of Operations” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” sections generally refer to Ferrellgas Partners and its consolidated subsidiaries.

How We Evaluate Our Operations

We evaluate our overall business performance based primarily on a metric we refer to as “Adjusted EBITDA,” which is not defined by GAAP and should not be considered an alternative to earnings measures defined by GAAP. We do not utilize depreciation, depletion and amortization expense in our key measures because we focus our performance management on cash flow generation and our revenue generating assets have long useful lives. For the definition of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net earnings attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., the most directly comparable GAAP measure, see the subheading “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.

44

Propane operations and related equipment sales

Based on our propane sales volumes in fiscal 2023, we believe that we are the second largest retail marketer of propane in the United States and a leading national provider of propane by portable tank exchange. We serve residential, industrial/commercial, portable tank exchange, agricultural, wholesale and other customers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Our operations primarily include the retail distribution and sale of propane and related equipment and supplies.

We use information on temperatures to understand how our results of operations are affected by temperatures that are warmer or colder than normal. Normal temperatures computed by us are the average of the last 10 years of information published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (“NOAA”). Based on this information we calculate a ratio of actual heating degree days to normal heating degree days. Heating degree days are a general indicator of weather impacting propane usage.

Weather conditions have a significant impact on demand for propane for heating purposes primarily during the months of November through March (the “winter heating season”). Accordingly, the volume of propane used by our customers for this purpose is directly affected by the severity of the winter weather in the regions we serve and can vary substantially from year to year. In any given region, sustained warmer-than-normal temperatures will tend to result in reduced propane usage, while sustained colder-than-normal temperatures will tend to result in greater usage. Although there is a strong correlation between weather and customer usage, general economic conditions in the United States and the wholesale price of propane can have a significant impact on this correlation. Additionally, there is a natural time lag between the onset of cold weather and increased sales to customers. If the United States were to experience a cooling trend, we could expect nationwide demand for propane to increase which could lead to greater sales, income and cash flow. Conversely, if the United States were to experience a continued warming trend, we could expect nationwide demand for propane for heating purposes to decrease which could lead to a reduction in our sales, income and cash flow as well as impact our ability to maintain compliance with our debt covenants.

We employ risk management activities that attempt to mitigate price risks related to the purchase, storage, transport and sale of propane generally in the contract and spot markets from major domestic energy companies. We attempt to mitigate these price risks through the use of financial derivative instruments and forward propane purchase and sales contracts. We enter into propane sales commitments with a portion of our customers that provide for a contracted price agreement for a specified period of time. These commitments can expose us to product price risk if not immediately hedged with an offsetting propane purchase commitment.

Our open financial derivative propane purchase commitments are designated as hedges primarily for fiscal 2024 and 2025 sales commitments and, as of January 31, 2024, we have experienced net mark-to-market gains of approximately $7.4 million. Because these financial derivative purchase commitments qualify for hedge accounting treatment, the resulting asset, liability and related mark-to-market gains or losses are recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as “Prepaid expenses and other current assets,” “Other assets, net,” “Other current liabilities,” “Other liabilities” and “Accumulated other comprehensive income,” respectively, until settled. Upon settlement, realized gains or losses on these contracts will be reclassified to “Cost of sales-propane and other gas liquid sales” in the condensed consolidated statements of operations as the underlying inventory is sold. These financial derivative purchase commitment net gains are expected to be offset by decreased margins on propane sales commitments that qualify for the normal purchase normal sale exception. At January 31, 2024, we estimate 97% of currently open financial derivative purchase commitments, the related propane sales commitments and the resulting gross margin will be realized into earnings during the next twelve months.

45

Summary Discussion of Results of Operations:

Executive Overview

For the three months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023

Quarterly results were heavily impacted by a record warm December, as nearly every weather reporting site in the nation experienced above average monthly temperatures. Colder January weather partially offset the impact of warmer temperatures in November and December. Propane sales volumes during the three months ended January 31, 2024 decreased 5%, or 13.6 million gallons, compared to the prior year period.

During the three months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, we recognized net earnings attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. of $95.8 million and $98.1 million, respectively. This $2.3 million decrease was primarily driven by a $3.9 million decrease in gross margin and increases of $2.3 million in “Operating expense – personnel, vehicle, plant and other,” $1.4 million in “Depreciation and amortization expense,” and $1.2 million in “Interest expense,” partially offset by a $5.9 million decrease in “General and administrative expense.”

Distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors decreased to $122.1 million for the three months ended January 31, 2024 compared to $131.5 million for the prior year period, primarily due to a $3.9 million decrease in gross margin and, after adjusting for a $9.0 million decrease in “Legal fees and settlements related to non-core businesses,” a $5.4 million increase in “Operating, general and administrative expense.”  

For the three months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, we had a distributable cash flow excess of $103.4 million and $112.7 million, respectively. This $9.3 million decrease was primarily due to the decrease in distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors noted above.

For the six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023

Calendar year 2023 was ranked by NOAA as the warmest year on record since global records began in 1850. Propane sales volumes during the six months ended January 31, 2024 decreased 3%, or 13.6 million gallons, compared to the prior year period.

During the six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, we recognized net earnings attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. of $78.2 million and $93.6 million, respectively. This $15.4 million decrease was primarily driven by a $17.2 million increase in “Operating expense – personnel, vehicle, plant and other” and $4.9 million decrease in gross margin, which was partially offset by a $7.9 million decrease in “General and administrative expense.”

Distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors decreased to $130.1 million for the six months ended January 31, 2024 compared to $153.5 million for the prior year period, primarily due to a $25.8 million decrease in Adjusted EBITDA which was partially offset by a decrease of $1.6 million in maintenance capital expenditures.

For the six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, we had a distributable cash flow excess of $95.0 million and $118.0 million, respectively. This $23.0 million decrease was primarily due to the decrease in distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors noted above.

46

Consolidated Results of Operations

Three months ended January 31, 

Six months ended January 31, 

(amounts in thousands)

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

 

Total revenues

$

609,877

$

683,943

$

980,890

$

1,097,232

Total cost of sales

 

281,568

 

351,735

 

458,189

 

569,592

Operating expense - personnel, vehicle, plant and other

 

159,638

 

157,355

 

304,284

 

287,095

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

24,435

 

23,069

 

48,839

 

45,700

General and administrative expense

 

17,191

 

23,115

 

30,016

 

37,948

Operating expense - equipment lease expense

 

5,343

 

5,586

 

10,719

 

11,610

Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge

 

900

 

722

 

1,620

 

1,445

Loss on asset sales and disposals

 

382

 

290

 

1,717

 

1,970

Operating income

 

120,420

 

122,071

 

125,506

 

141,872

Interest expense

 

(24,359)

 

(23,177)

 

(48,520)

 

(48,186)

Other income, net

 

849

 

544

 

2,185

 

1,013

Earnings before income taxes

 

96,910

 

99,438

 

79,171

 

94,699

Income tax expense

 

309

 

503

 

471

 

521

Net earnings

 

96,601

 

98,935

 

78,700

 

94,178

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

812

 

835

 

467

 

623

Net earnings attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.

$

95,789

$

98,100

$

78,233

$

93,555

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In this Quarterly Report we present the following Non-GAAP financial measures: Adjusted EBITDA, Distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors, Distributable cash flow attributable to Class A and B Unitholders, and Distributable cash flow excess.

Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA for Ferrellgas Partners is calculated as net earnings attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., plus the sum of the following: income tax expense, interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense, non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge, loss on asset sales and disposals, other income, net, severance costs, legal fees and settlements related to non-core businesses, business transformation costs and net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest. Management believes the presentation of this measure is relevant and useful because it allows investors to view the partnership’s performance in a manner similar to the method management uses, adjusted for items management believes make it easier to compare its results with other companies that have different financing and capital structures. Adjusted EBITDA, as management defines it, may not be comparable to similarly titled measurements used by other companies. Items added into our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA that will not occur on a continuing basis may have associated cash payments. This method of calculating Adjusted EBITDA should be viewed in conjunction with measurements that are computed in accordance with GAAP.

47

Distributable Cash Flow Attributable to Equity Investors. Distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors is calculated as Adjusted EBITDA minus net cash interest expense, maintenance capital expenditures and cash paid for income taxes, plus proceeds from certain asset sales. Management considers distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors a meaningful measure of Ferrellgas’ ability to declare and pay quarterly distributions to equity investors, including holders of the operating partnership’s Preferred Units. Distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors, as management defines it, may not be comparable to similarly titled measurements used by other companies. Items added into our calculation of distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors that will not occur on a continuing basis may have associated cash payments. Distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors should be viewed in conjunction with measurements that are computed in accordance with GAAP.

Distributable Cash Flow Attributable to Class A and B Unitholders. Distributable cash flow attributable to Class A and B Unitholders is calculated as Distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors minus distributions accrued or paid to Preferred Unitholders and distributable cash flow attributable to general partner and noncontrolling interest. Management considers Distributable cash flow attributable to Class A and B Unitholders a meaningful measure of the partnership’s ability to declare and pay quarterly distributions to Class A and B Unitholders. Distributable cash flow attributable to Class A and B Unitholders, as management defines it, may not be comparable to similarly titled measurements used by other companies. Items added into our calculation of distributable cash flow attributable to Class A and B Unitholders that will not occur on a continuing basis may have associated cash payments. Distributable cash flow attributable to Class A and B Unitholders should be viewed in conjunction with measurements that are computed in accordance with GAAP.

Distributable Cash Flow Excess. Distributable cash flow excess is calculated as Distributable cash flow attributable to Class A and B Unitholders minus Distributions paid to Class A and B Unitholders. Distributable cash flow excess, if any, is retained to establish reserves, to reduce debt, to fund capital expenditures and for other partnership purposes, and any shortage is funded from previously established reserves, cash on hand or borrowings under our Credit Facility. Management considers Distributable cash flow excess a meaningful measure of the partnership’s ability to effectuate those purposes. Distributable cash flow excess, as management defines it, may not be comparable to similarly titled measurements used by other companies. Items added into our calculation of distributable cash flow excess that will not occur on a continuing basis may have associated cash payments. Distributable cash flow excess should be viewed in conjunction with measurements that are computed in accordance with GAAP.

48

The following table reconciles Adjusted EBITDA, Distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors, Distributable cash flow attributable to Class A and B Unitholders and Distributable cash flow excess to Net earnings attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., the most directly comparable GAAP measure, for the three and six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023:

Three months ended January 31, 

Six months ended January 31, 

(amounts in thousands)

2024

2023

2024

2023

Net earnings attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.

$

95,789

$

98,100

$

78,233

$

93,555

Income tax expense

 

309

 

503

 

471

 

521

Interest expense

 

24,359

 

23,177

 

48,520

 

48,186

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

24,435

 

23,069

 

48,839

 

45,700

EBITDA

 

144,892

 

144,849

 

176,063

 

187,962

Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge

 

900

 

722

 

1,620

 

1,445

Loss on asset sales and disposals

 

382

 

290

 

1,717

 

1,970

Other income, net

 

(849)

 

(544)

 

(2,185)

 

(1,013)

Severance costs

634

644

Legal fees and settlements related to non-core businesses

103

9,107

1,157

13,979

Business transformation costs (1)

691

965

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

812

 

835

 

467

 

623

Adjusted EBITDA

 

146,931

 

155,893

 

179,804

 

205,610

Net cash interest expense (2)

 

(21,424)

 

(20,265)

 

(42,171)

 

(42,871)

Maintenance capital expenditures (3)

 

(4,039)

 

(4,375)

 

(8,569)

 

(10,207)

Cash paid for income taxes

 

(256)

 

(447)

 

(359)

 

(496)

Proceeds from certain asset sales

 

900

 

736

 

1,380

 

1,488

Distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors

 

122,112

 

131,542

 

130,085

 

153,524

Less: Distributions accrued or paid to preferred unitholders

16,250

16,222

32,501

32,473

Distributable cash flow attributable to general partner and non-controlling interest

 

(2,443)

 

(2,631)

 

(2,602)

 

(3,070)

Distributable cash flow attributable to Class A and B unitholders

 

103,419

 

112,689

 

94,982

 

117,981

Less: Distributions paid to Class A and B unitholders (4)

 

 

 

 

Distributable cash flow excess

$

103,419

$

112,689

$

94,982

$

117,981

(1)Non-recurring costs included in “Operating, general and administrative expense” primarily related to the implementation of an Enterprise Resource Planning (“ERP”) system as part of our business transformation initiatives.
(2)Net cash interest expense is the sum of interest expense less non-cash interest expense and other income, net.
(3)Maintenance capital expenditures include capitalized expenditures for betterment and replacement of property, plant and equipment, and may from time to time include the purchase of assets that are typically leased.
(4)The Company did not pay any distributions to Class A or B unitholders during fiscal 2024 or fiscal 2023.

49

Operating Results for the three months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023

The following table summarizes propane sales volumes and Adjusted EBITDA results for the periods indicated:

2024

2023

Increase (Decrease)

As of January 31, 

Retail customers

652,906

681,409

(28,503)

 

(4)

%

Tank exchange selling locations

67,709

60,335

7,374

 

12

%

(amounts in thousands)

Three months ended January 31, 

    

Propane sales volumes (gallons):

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Retail - Sales to End Users

 

203,054

 

213,662

 

(10,608)

 

(5)

%

Wholesale - Sales to Resellers

 

57,978

 

60,945

 

(2,967)

 

(5)

%

 

261,032

 

274,607

 

(13,575)

 

(5)

%

Revenues -

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Propane and other gas liquids sales:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Retail - Sales to End Users

$

437,840

 

$

498,449

$

(60,609)

 

(12)

%

Wholesale - Sales to Resellers

 

142,826

 

148,608

 

(5,782)

 

(4)

%

Other Gas Sales (1)

 

3,543

 

4,829

 

(1,286)

 

(27)

%

Other (2)

 

25,668

 

32,057

 

(6,389)

 

(20)

%

Propane and related equipment revenues

$

609,877

$

683,943

$

(74,066)

 

(11)

%

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

Gross Margin -

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Propane and other gas liquids sales gross margin: (3)

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Retail - Sales to End Users (1)

$

258,726

$

246,638

$

12,088

 

5

%

Wholesale - Sales to Resellers (1)

 

47,645

 

57,756

 

(10,111)

 

(18)

%

Other (2)

 

21,938

 

27,814

 

(5,876)

 

(21)

%

Propane and related equipment gross profit

$

328,309

$

332,208

$

(3,899)

 

(1)

%

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Operating, general and administrative expense (4)

$

176,829

$

180,470

$

(3,641)

 

(2)

%

Operating expense - equipment lease expense

 

5,343

 

5,586

 

(243)

 

(4)

%

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Operating income

$

120,420

$

122,071

$

(1,651)

 

(1)

%

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

24,435

 

23,069

 

1,366

 

6

%

Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge

 

900

 

722

 

178

 

25

%

Loss on asset sales and disposals

 

382

 

290

 

92

 

32

%

Legal fees and settlements related to non-core businesses

 

103

 

9,107

 

(9,004)

 

(99)

%

Business transformation costs (5)

691

691

100

%

Severance costs

 

 

634

 

(634)

 

(100)

%

Adjusted EBITDA

$

146,931

$

155,893

$

(8,962)

 

(6)

%

(1)Gross margin for “Other Gas Sales” is allocated to Gross margin “Retail - Sales to End Users and “Wholesale - Sales to Resellers based on the volumes in each respective category.
(2)“Other” primarily includes various customer fee income and to a lesser extent appliance and material sales.
(3)Gross margin from “Propane and other gas liquids sales represents “Revenues - Propane and other gas liquids sales less “Cost of sales - Propane and other gas liquids sales and does not include depreciation and amortization.
(4)“Operating, general and administrative expense” above includes both the “Operating expense – personnel, vehicle, plant and other” and the “General and administrative expense” captions in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
(5)Non-recurring costs included in “Operating, general and administrative expense” primarily related to the implementation of an ERP system as part of our business transformation initiatives.

50

Propane sales volumes during the three months ended January 31, 2024 decreased 5%, or 13.6 million gallons, compared to the prior year period. Average temperatures (measured by heating degree days) were 6% warmer than normal (based on NOAA’s ten-year average) and 2% warmer than the prior year period during the three months ended January 31, 2024. As noted above, sales volumes were heavily impacted by a record warm December, although colder weather in January partially offset the impact of warmer temperatures in November and December.

Our wholesale sales price per gallon partially correlates to the change in the wholesale market price of propane. The wholesale market price at major supply points in Mt. Belvieu, Texas during the three months ended January 31, 2024 averaged 10.1% less than the prior year period, while at the Conway, Kansas major supply point prices averaged 15.0% less than the prior year period. The wholesale market price at Mt. Belvieu, Texas averaged $0.71 and $0.79 per gallon during the three months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, while the wholesale market price at Conway, Kansas averaged $0.68 and $0.80 per gallon during the three months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. This decrease in the wholesale cost of propane contributed to our decrease in sales price per gallon.

Revenues

Retail sales decreased $60.6 million, or 12%, compared to the prior year period. Gallons sold decreased 10.6 million gallons, or 5%, compared to the prior year period. The decline corresponded with the decreases in the wholesale sales price per gallon noted above.

Wholesale sales decreased $5.8 million, or 4%, compared to the prior year period corresponding to the decrease in sales price per gallons noted above. Wholesale gallons sold decreased 3.0 million gallons, or 5%, compared to the prior year period.

Other gas sales decreased $1.3 million, or 27%, compared to the prior year period primarily due to a decrease in sales volume.

Other revenues decreased $6.4 million, or 20%, compared to the prior year period.

Gross margin - Propane and other gas liquids sales

Gross margin increased $2.0 million as the $12.1 million increase in retail gross margin was partially offset by a $10.1 million decrease in wholesale gross margin. The overall change was driven by a $67.7 million decrease in revenue, which was partially offset by a $69.7 million decrease in cost of sales as a result of decreases in price per gallon, as discussed above. These decreases impacted both the revenue and cost of product changes for the period. As expected, propane market cost reduction and stabilization impacted our current period gross profit. Margin per gallon for the period increased by $0.06, or 5%, compared to the prior year period.

Gross margin - other

Gross margin decreased $5.9 million compared to the prior year period.

Operating income

Operating income decreased $1.7 million primarily due to a $3.9 million decrease in gross margin and a $1.4 million increase in “Depreciation and amortization expense,” partially offset by a $3.6 million decrease in “Operating, general and administrative expense.” The $3.6 million decrease in “Operating, general and administrative expense” is comprised of a $2.3 million increase in “Operating expense – personnel, vehicle, plant and other” and a $5.9 million decrease in “General and administrative expense.” The $2.3 million increase in “Operating expense – personnel, vehicle, plant and other” was primarily due to an increase of $2.6 million related to vehicle repairs, maintenance and other costs and an increase of $0.6 million for tank installation costs, which were partially offset by a $1.0 million decrease in fuel costs. Lower legal costs compared to the prior year period drove the majority of the $5.9 million decrease in “General and administrative expense,” partially offset by increases related to our ongoing ERP system implementation and benefits expense.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA decreased $9.0 million primarily due to a $3.9 million decrease in gross margin and, after adjusting for a $9.0 million decrease in “Legal fees and settlements related to non-core businesses,” a $5.4 million increase in “Operating, general and administrative expense.”  

51

Operating Results for the six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023

The following table summarizes propane sales volumes and Adjusted EBITDA results for the periods indicated:

    

2024

    

2023

    

Increase (Decrease)

 

As of January 31, 

Retail customers

652,906

681,409

(28,503)

(4)

%

Tank exchange selling locations

67,709

60,335

7,374

12

%

(amounts in thousands)

Six months ended January 31, 

Propane sales volumes (gallons):

 

 

  

 

  

    

  

Retail - Sales to End Users

 

317,494

 

332,058

 

(14,564)

 

(4)

%

Wholesale - Sales to Resellers

 

105,743

 

104,814

 

929

 

1

%

 

423,237

 

436,872

 

(13,635)

 

(3)

%

Revenues -

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Propane and other gas liquids sales:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Retail - Sales to End Users

$

665,700

$

764,423

$

(98,723)

 

(13)

%

Wholesale - Sales to Resellers

 

248,349

 

264,622

 

(16,273)

 

(6)

%

Other Gas Sales (1)

 

9,094

 

8,685

 

409

 

5

%

Other (2)

 

57,747

 

59,502

 

(1,755)

 

(3)

%

Propane and related equipment revenues

$

980,890

$

1,097,232

$

(116,342)

 

(11)

%

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Gross Margin -

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Propane and other gas liquids sales gross margin: (3)

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Retail - Sales to End Users (1)

$

363,611

$

371,029

$

(7,418)

 

(2)

%

Wholesale - Sales to Resellers (1)

 

109,514

 

106,128

 

3,386

 

3

%

Other (2)

 

49,576

 

50,483

 

(907)

 

(2)

%

Propane and related equipment gross profit

$

522,701

$

527,640

$

(4,939)

 

(1)

%

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Operating, general and administrative expense (4)

$

334,300

$

325,043

$

9,257

 

3

%

Operating expense - equipment lease expense

 

10,719

 

11,610

 

(891)

 

(8)

%

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

Operating income

$

125,506

$

141,872

$

(16,366)

 

(12)

%

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

48,839

 

45,700

 

3,139

 

7

%

Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge

1,620

1,445

175

12

%

Loss on asset sales and disposals

 

1,717

 

1,970

 

(253)

 

(13)

%

Legal fees and settlements related to non-core businesses

 

1,157

 

13,979

 

(12,822)

(92)

%

Business transformation costs (5)

 

965

 

 

965

100

%

Severance costs

 

644

 

(644)

(100)

%

Adjusted EBITDA

$

179,804

$

205,610

$

(25,806)

 

(13)

%

(1)Gross margin for “Other Gas Sales” is allocated to Gross margin “Retail - Sales to End Users and “Wholesale - Sales to Resellers based on the volumes in each respective category.
(2)“Other” primarily includes various customer fee income and to a lesser extent appliance and material sales.
(3)Gross margin from “Propane and other gas liquids sales represents “Revenues - Propane and other gas liquids sales less “Cost of sales - Propane and other gas liquids sales and does not include depreciation and amortization.
(4)“Operating, general and administrative expense” above includes both the “Operating expense – personnel, vehicle, plant and other” and the “General and administrative expense” captions in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
(5)Non-recurring costs included in “Operating, general and administrative expense” primarily related to the implementation of an ERP system as part of our business transformation initiatives.

52

Propane sales volumes during the six months ended January 31, 2024 decreased 3.1%, or 13.6 million gallons, compared to the prior year period. Average temperatures (measured by heating degree days) were 6% warmer than normal (based on NOAA’s ten-year average) and 1% warmer than the prior year during the six months ended January 31, 2024.

Our wholesale sales price per gallon partially correlates to the change in the wholesale market price of propane. The wholesale market price at major supply points in Mt. Belvieu, Texas during the six months ended January 31, 2024 averaged 21.3% less than the prior year period, while at the Conway, Kansas major supply point prices averaged 24.4% less than the prior year period. The wholesale market price at Mt. Belvieu, Texas averaged $0.70 and $0.89 per gallon during the six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, while the wholesale market price at Conway, Kansas averaged $0.68 and $0.90 per gallon during the six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. This decrease in the wholesale cost of propane contributed to our decrease in sales price per gallon.

Revenues

Retail sales decreased $98.7 million, or 13%, compared to the prior year period. Gallons sold decreased 14.6 million gallons, or 4%, compared to the prior year period. The decline corresponded with the decreases in the wholesale sales price per gallon noted above as well as customer attrition related to the impact of continued inflationary conditions across the nation.

Wholesale sales decreased $16.3 million, or 6%, compared to the prior year period corresponding to the decrease in sales price per gallons noted above. Wholesale gallons sold increased 0.9 million gallons, or 1%, compared to the prior year period.

Other gas sales increased $0.4 million, or 5%, compared to the prior year period primarily due to an increase in sales volume.

Other revenues decreased $1.8 million, or 3%, compared to the prior year period.

Gross margin - Propane and other gas liquids sales

Gross margin decreased $4.0 million primarily due to a $114.6 million decrease in revenue, which was partially offset by a $110.6 million decrease in cost of sales as a result of decreases in price per gallon, as discussed above. These decreases impacted both the revenue and cost of product changes for the period. As expected, propane market cost reduction and stabilization impacted our current period gross profit. Margin per gallon for the period increased by $0.03, or 3%, compared to the prior year period.

Gross margin - other

Gross margin decreased $0.9 million, or 2%, compared to the prior year period.

Operating income

Operating income decreased $16.4 million, or 12%, primarily due to a $9.3 million increase in “Operating, general and administrative expense,” a $3.1 million increase in “Depreciation and amortization expense” and the $4.9 million decrease in gross margin noted above.

The $9.3 million increase in “Operating, general and administrative expense” was comprised of a $17.2 million increase in “Operating expense – personnel, vehicle, plant and other” partially offset by a $7.9 million decrease in “General and administrative expense.” The $17.2 million increase in “Operating expense – personnel, vehicle, plant and other” was primarily due to increases of $8.0 million in personnel costs, $5.7 million in vehicle costs, and $4.6 million in selling and other costs. These increases were partially offset by a $1.1 million decrease in plant and office costs.

The $8.0 million increase for personnel costs was primarily driven by increases of $5.0 million in payroll expenses related to growth projects (including increased acquisitions and the expansion by Blue Rhino into both self-service vending) and new customer growth, in addition to $3.3 million related to the timing of benefit payments.

Vehicle costs increased $5.7 million primarily due to increases of $4.8 million increase for vehicle repairs and maintenance and $1.6 million for other costs as trucks were refurbished to support new customer growth in Blue Rhino, partially offset by a decrease of $0.7 million in fuel costs.

53

Selling and other costs increased $4.6 million primarily due to increases of  $1.6 million related to the cost of materials for tank installation, and $3.0 million in miscellaneous expenses. Plant and office costs decreased $1.1 million primarily due to a decrease of $1.0 million in parts and fittings.

Lower legal costs compared to the prior year period drove the majority of the $7.9 million decrease in “General and administrative expense,” partially offset by increases related to our ongoing ERP system implementation and benefits expense.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA decreased $25.8 million primarily due to a $4.9 million decrease in gross margin and, after adjusting for a $12.8 million decrease in “Legal fees and settlements related to non-core businesses,” a $22.1 million increase in “Operating, general and administrative expense,” primarily related to the increases in operating expenses, benefits, and ERP system implementation costs noted above.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

General

Our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources are cash flows from operating activities, our Credit Facility and funds received from sales of debt and equity securities. The operating partnership, the general partner and certain of the operating partnership’s subsidiaries are parties to a credit agreement, dated March 30, 2021, as amended on May 23, 2023 (the “Credit Agreement”), which provides for a four-year revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) in an aggregate principal amount of up to $350.0 million. The Credit Agreement includes a sublimit not to exceed $300.0 million for the issuance of letters of credit. For additional discussion, see Note E “Debt” in the notes to our consolidated financial statements.

As of January 31, 2024, our total liquidity was $406.9 million, which was comprised of $128.4 million in unrestricted cash and $278.5 million of availability under our Credit Facility. These sources of liquidity and short-term capital resources are intended to fund our working capital requirements, acquisitions and capital expenditures. As of January 31, 2024, letters of credit outstanding totaled $71.5 million. Our access to long-term capital resources, to the extent needed to refinance debt or for other purposes, may be affected by our ability to access the capital markets, covenants in our debt agreements and other financial obligations, unforeseen demands on cash, or other events beyond our control.

As of January 31, 2024, we had $10.8 million of restricted cash consisting of a cash deposit made with the administrative agent under our prior senior secured credit facility that was terminated in April 2020.

Our working capital requirements are subject to, among other things, the price of propane, delays in the collection of receivables, volatility in energy commodity prices, liquidity imposed by insurance providers, downgrades in our credit ratings, decreased trade credit, significant acquisitions, the weather, customer retention and purchasing patterns and other changes in the demand for propane. Relatively colder weather or higher propane prices during the winter heating season are factors that could significantly increase our working capital requirements.

Our ability to satisfy our obligations is dependent upon our future performance, which will be subject to prevailing weather, economic, financial and business conditions and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. Due to the seasonality of the retail propane distribution business, a significant portion of our propane operations and related products cash flows from operations is generated during the winter heating season. Our net cash provided by operating activities primarily reflects earnings from our business activities adjusted for depreciation and amortization and changes in our working capital accounts. Historically, we generate significantly lower net cash from operating activities in our first and fourth fiscal quarters as compared to the second and third fiscal quarters due to the seasonality of our propane operations and related equipment sales operations.

During periods of high volatility, our risk management activities may expose us to the risk of counterparty margin calls in amounts greater than we have the capacity to fund. Likewise, our counterparties may not be able to fulfill their margin calls from us or may default on the settlement of positions with us.

54

We believe that the liquidity available from cash flows from operating activities, unrestricted cash and the Credit Facility will be sufficient to meet our capital expenditure, working capital and letter of credit requirements for the foreseeable future.

Distributable Cash Flow

Distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors is reconciled to net earnings attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., the most directly comparable GAAP measure, in this Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations under the subheading “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above. A comparison of distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors to cash distributions accrued or paid to equity investors for the twelve months ended January 31, 2024 to the twelve months ended October 31, 2023 is as follows (in thousands):

    

Distributable

    

Cash reserves (deficiency)

    

Cash distributions

    

cash flow attributable

approved by our

accrued or paid to

DCF

to equity investors

 General Partner

equity investors

ratio (1)

Six months ended January 31, 2024

$

130,085

$

97,584

$

32,501

Fiscal 2023

254,364

190,050

64,314

Less: Six months ended January 31, 2023

153,524

121,051

32,473

Twelve months ended January 31, 2024

$

230,925

$

166,583

$

64,342

3.6x

Twelve months ended October 31, 2023

240,355

177,756

62,599

3.8x

Change

$

(9,430)

$

(11,173)

$

1,743

 

(0.2)x

(1)DCF ratio is calculated as Distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors divided by Cash distributions accrued or paid to equity investors.

For the twelve months ended January 31, 2024, distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors decreased $9.4 million compared to the twelve months ended October 31, 2023. As of January 31, 2024, the accrued quarterly distribution to Preferred Unitholders was $18.6 million. We paid $15.4 million of this distribution on February 15, 2024. The remaining $3.2 million represents Additional Amounts payable to certain holders of Preferred Units, pursuant to the side letters outlined in the OpCo LPA Amendment.

We did not pay any cash distributions to our Class A Unitholders during fiscal 2024 or fiscal 2023. Ferrellgas Partners made aggregate cash distributions of approximately $49.9 million and $100.0 million to its Class B Unitholders during fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, respectively. Cash reserves, which we utilize to meet future anticipated expenditures, were $166.6 million and $177.8 million for the twelve months ended January 31, 2024 and October 31, 2023, respectively.

Operating Activities

Ferrellgas Partners

Net cash provided by operating activities was $100.5 million and $57.2 million for the six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The $43.3 million increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to a $22.5 million decrease in requirements for other current liabilities, a $13.7 million decrease in working capital requirements, a $12.6 million decrease in requirements for prepaid expenses, and a $7.2 million inflow associated with other assets and liabilities. These changes were partially offset by a $12.0 million decrease in cash flow from operations and a $0.7 million increase in requirements for accrued interest expense.

The $22.5 million decrease in net cash requirements for other current liabilities was primarily driven by changes in the short-term borrowings liability. The $13.7 million decrease in working capital requirements was primarily due to a $15.2 million decrease in requirements for accounts and notes receivable, net and a $2.5 million decrease in requirements for accounts payable. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $4.0 million in inventory requirements.

55

The $12.0 million decrease in cash flow from operations was primarily due to a $17.2 million increase in “Operating expense – personnel, vehicle, plant and other” and a $4.9 million decrease in gross profit, which was partially offset by a $7.9 million decrease in “General and administrative expense,” a $1.2 million increase in “Other income, net,” and a $0.9 million decrease in “Operating expense – equipment lease expense.”

The operating partnership

Net cash provided by operating activities was $100.5 million and $57.2 million for the six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The $43.3 million increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to a $22.5 million decrease in requirements for other current liabilities, a $13.7 million decrease in working capital requirements, a $12.6 million decrease in requirements for prepaid expenses, and a $7.2 million inflow associated with other assets and liabilities. These changes were partially offset by a $12.0 million decrease in cash flow from operations and a $0.7 million increase in requirements for accrued interest expense.

The $22.5 million decrease in net cash requirements for other current liabilities was primarily driven by changes in the short-term borrowing liability. The $13.7 million decrease in working capital requirements was primarily due to a $15.2 million decrease in requirements for accounts and notes receivable, net and a $2.5 million decrease in requirements for accounts payable. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $4.0 million in inventory requirements.

The $12.0 million decrease in cash flow from operations was primarily due to a $17.2 million increase in “Operating expense – personnel, vehicle, plant and other” and a $4.9 million decrease in gross profit, which was partially offset by a $7.9 million decrease in “General and administrative expense,” a $1.2 million increase in “Other income, net,” and a $0.9 million decrease in “Operating expense – equipment lease expense.”

Investing Activities

Ferrellgas Partners

Capital Requirements

Our business requires continual investments to upgrade or enhance existing operations and to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations. Capital expenditures for our business consist primarily of:

Maintenance capital expenditures - These capital expenditures include expenditures for betterment and replacement of property, plant and equipment, and may from time to time include the purchase of assets that are typically leased, rather than to generate incremental distributable cash flow. Examples of maintenance capital expenditures include a routine replacement of a worn-out asset or replacement of major vehicle components; and
Growth capital expenditures - These expenditures are undertaken primarily to generate incremental distributable cash flow. Examples include expenditures for purchases of both bulk and portable propane tanks and other equipment to facilitate expansion of our customer base and operating capacity.

Net cash used in investing activities was $62.5 million and $59.3 million for the six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The $3.2 million increase in net cash used in investing activities was primarily due to an increase of $6.0 million in “Capital expenditures,” partially offset by a $2.9 million decrease in “Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired.” We had one acquisition during the six months ended January 31, 2024 compared to three acquisitions during the six months ended January 31, 2023.

Due to the mature nature of our operations, we do not anticipate significant fluctuations in maintenance capital expenditures, with the exception of future decisions regarding lease versus buy financing options. However, future fluctuations in growth capital expenditures could occur due to the opportunistic nature of these projects.

The operating partnership

The investing activities discussed above also apply to the operating partnership.

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Financing Activities

Ferrellgas Partners

Net cash used in financing activities was $36.2 million and $32.8 million for the six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The $3.4 million increase in cash used in financing activities was primarily due to increases of $3.1 million in cash payments for principal portion of finance lease liability and $0.3 million in payments on long-term debt.

Letters of credit outstanding at January 31, 2024 and July 31, 2023 totaled $71.5 and $74.0 million, respectively, and were used to secure insurance arrangements, product purchases and commodity hedges. As of January 31, 2024, we had available borrowing capacity under our Credit Facility of $278.5 million. Propane assets subject to lien under the Credit Facility were $69.3 million as of January 31, 2024.  

The operating partnership

The financing activities discussed above also apply to the operating partnership.

Distributions

Partnership distributions

The Sixth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. (the “Amended Ferrellgas Partners LPA”) requires Ferrellgas Partners to make quarterly cash distributions of all of its “available cash.” Available cash is defined in the Amended Ferrellgas Partners LPA as, generally, the sum of Ferrellgas’ Partners cash receipts less consolidated cash disbursements and net changes in reserves established by our general partner for future requirements. In general, the amount of Ferrellgas Partners’ available cash depends primarily on whether and the extent to which Ferrellgas Partners receives cash distributions from the operating partnership, as such distributions generally would be Ferrellgas Partners’ only significant cash receipts.

The Fifth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Ferrellgas, L.P. (the “Amended OpCo LPA”), as amended by the First Amendment to the Amended OpCo LPA (the “OpCo LPA Amendment”), sets forth the preferences, rights, privileges and other terms of the Preferred Units.

Pursuant to the Amended Ferrellgas Partners LPA, while any Class B Units remain outstanding, any distributions by Ferrellgas Partners to its partners must be made such that the ratio of (i) the amount of distributions made to holders of Class B Units to (ii) the amount of distributions made to holders of Class A Units and the general partner is not less than 6:1. The Amended Ferrellgas Partners LPA permits Ferrellgas Partners, in the general partner’s discretion, to make distributions to the Class B Unitholders in a greater proportion than the minimum 6:1 ratio, including paying 100% of any such distribution to Class B Unitholders. The Class B Units will not be convertible into Class A Units until Class B Unitholders receive distributions in the aggregate amount of $357.0 million, which was the $357.0 million aggregate principal amount of Ferrellgas Partners’ unsecured senior notes due June 15, 2020 (the “Ferrellgas Partners Notes”), and the rate at which Class B Units will convert into Class A Units increases annually. Additionally, the price at which Ferrellgas Partners may redeem the Class B Units during the first five years after March 30, 2021 is based on the Class B Unitholders’ receipt of a specified internal rate of return in respect of their Class B Units. This specified internal rate of return in respect of the Class B Units is 15.85%, but that amount increases under certain circumstances, including if the operating partnership paid distributions on the Preferred Units in-kind rather than in cash for a certain number of quarters. Accordingly, distributing cash to the Class B Unitholders in a greater proportion than the minimum 6:1 ratio could result in the Class B Units becoming convertible into Class A Units more quickly or at a lower conversion rate or reduce the redemption price for the Class B Units. For additional discussion of the terms of the Class B Units, see Note G “Equity (Deficit)” in the notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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For these reasons, although the general partner has not made any decisions or adopted any policy with respect to the allocation of future distributions by Ferrellgas Partners to its partners, the general partner may determine that it is advisable to pay more than the minimum amount of any distribution, up to 100% of the amount of such distribution, to Class B Unitholders. For Fiscal 2022 and Fiscal 2023, the aggregate total paid to date to the Class B Unitholders approximates $150.0 million. These distributions to Class B Unitholders were made without making any distribution to Class A Unitholders and the general partner. See “Risk Factors —Risks Inherent in an Investment in our Class A or Class B Units or our Debt Securities and Other Risks Related to Our Capital Structure and Financing Arrangements—If Ferrellgas Partners is permitted to make and makes distributions to its partners, while any Class B Units remain outstanding, Class B Unitholders collectively will receive at least approximately 85.7% of the aggregate amount of each such distribution and may receive up to 100% of any such distribution. Accordingly, while any Class B Units remain outstanding, Class A Unitholders may not receive any distributions and, in any case, will not receive collectively more than approximately 14.1% of any distribution” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2023.

Ferrellgas Partners did not pay any distributions to Class A Unitholders, Class B Unitholders or the general partner during the six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023.

The ability of Ferrellgas Partners to make cash distributions to its Class A Unitholders and Class B Unitholders is dependent on the receipt by Ferrellgas Partners of cash distributions from the operating partnership. For so long as any Preferred Units remain outstanding, the amount of cash that otherwise would be available for distribution by the operating partnership to Ferrellgas Partners will be reduced by the amount of cash distributions and other payments made by the operating partnership in respect of the Preferred Units, including payments to redeem Preferred Units. Further, the indentures governing the 2026 Notes and the 2029 Notes, the Credit Agreement and the OpCo LPA Amendment governing the Preferred Units contain covenants that limit the ability of the operating partnership to make distributions to Ferrellgas Partners and therefore effectively limit the ability of Ferrellgas Partners to make distributions to its Class A Unitholders and Class B Unitholders. See Note E “Debt” and Note F “Preferred units” for a discussion of these limitations. In our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2023, see “Risk Factors—Risks Inherent in an Investment in our Class A or Class B Units or our Debt Securities and Other Risks Related to Our Capital Structure and Financing Arrangements—Restrictive covenants in the Indentures, the Credit Agreement and the agreements governing our other future indebtedness and other financial obligations may reduce our operating flexibility and ability to make cash distributions to holders of Class A Units and Class B Units. The Indentures, the Credit Agreement and the OpCo LPA Amendment contain important exceptions to these covenants.”

Preferred unit distributions

Pursuant to the OpCo LPA Amendment, the operating partnership is required to pay to the holders of each Preferred Unit a cumulative, quarterly distribution (the “Quarterly Distribution”) at the Distribution Rate (as defined below) on the unit purchase price of such Preferred Unit, which is $1,000 per unit.

“Distribution Rate” means, for the first five years after March 30, 2021, a rate per annum equal to 8.956%, with certain increases in the Distribution Rate on each of the 5th, 6th and 7th anniversaries of March 30, 2021, subject to a maximum rate of 11.125% and certain other adjustments and exceptions.

The Quarterly Distribution may be paid in cash or, at the election of the operating partnership, “in kind” through the issuance of additional Preferred Units (“PIK Units”) at the quarterly Distribution Rate plus an applicable premium that escalates each year from 75 bps to 300 bps so long as the Preferred Units remain outstanding. In the event the operating partnership fails to make any Quarterly Distribution in cash, such Quarterly Distribution will automatically be paid in PIK Units.

The Distribution Rate on the Preferred Units will increase upon violation of certain protective provisions for the benefit of Preferred Unitholders notwithstanding the cap mentioned above.

As of January 31, 2024, the Quarterly Distribution accrued was $18.6 million. On February 15, 2024, $15.4 million of the Quarterly Distribution was paid in cash to holders of Preferred Units. The remaining Quarterly Distribution accrual of $3.2 million represents Additional Amounts payable to certain holders of Preferred Units pursuant to the side letters outlined in the OpCo LPA Amendment. As of January 31, 2023, the Quarterly Distribution accrued was $18.6 million. On February 15, 2023, $15.4 million of the Quarterly Distribution was paid in cash to holders of the Preferred Units. The remaining Quarterly Distribution accrued of $3.2 million represented Additional Amounts payable to certain holders of Preferred Units pursuant to the side letters.

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Preferred unit tax distributions

For any quarter in which the operating partnership makes a Quarterly Distribution in PIK Units in lieu of cash, it shall make a subsequent cash tax distribution for such quarter in an amount equal to the (i) the lesser of (x) 25% and (y) the highest combined federal, state and local tax rate applicable for corporations organized in New York, multiplied by (ii) the excess (if any) of (A) one-fourth (1/4th) of the estimated taxable income to be allocated to the holders of Preferred Units for the year in which the Quarterly Tax Payment Date (which refers to certain specified dates that next follow a Quarterly Distribution date on which PIK Units were issued) occurs, over (B) any cash paid on the Quarterly Distribution date immediately preceding the Quarterly Tax Payment Date on which a quarterly tax amount would otherwise be paid (such amount, the “Tax Distribution”). Tax Distributions are treated as advances against, and reduce, future cash distributions for any reason, including payments in redemption of Preferred Units or PIK Units, or payments to the holders in their capacity as such pursuant to any side letter or other agreement.

Cash distributions paid

Ferrellgas Partners did not pay any cash distributions to its Class A Unitholders during the six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023.

Ferrellgas Partners did not pay any cash distributions to its Class B Unitholders during the three months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023.

The operating partnership paid cash distributions for the three months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023 in respect of its Preferred Units as discussed above under “—Preferred unit distributions.”

The operating partnership

The financing activities discussed above also apply to the operating partnership.

Disclosures about Effects of Transactions with Related Parties

We have no employees and are managed and controlled by our general partner. Pursuant to our partnership agreements, our general partner is entitled to reimbursement for all direct and indirect expenses incurred or payments it makes on our behalf, and all other necessary or appropriate expenses allocable to us or otherwise reasonably incurred by our general partner in connection with operating our business. These reimbursable costs, which totaled $184.9 million for the six months ended January 31, 2024, include operating expenses such as compensation and benefits paid to employees of our general partner who perform services on our behalf as well as related general and administrative expenses.

During the six months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, the operating partnership paid distributions to Ferrellgas Partners as described above.

Material Cash Requirements

As of January 31, 2024, there have been no material changes to our material cash requirements from those described under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Material Cash Requirements” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2023. For additional information regarding our debt obligations, see Note E “Debt” to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

The operating partnership

The contractual obligations discussed above also apply to the operating partnership.

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ITEM 3.      QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We did not enter into any risk management trading activities during the six months ended January 31, 2024. Our remaining market risk sensitive instruments and positions have been determined to be “other than trading.”

Commodity price risk management

Our risk management activities primarily attempt to mitigate price risks related to the purchase, storage, transport and sale of propane generally in the contract and spot markets from major domestic energy companies. We attempt to mitigate these price risks through the use of financial derivative instruments and forward propane purchase and sales contracts.

Our risk management strategy involves taking positions in the forward or financial markets that are equal and opposite to our positions in the physical products market in order to minimize the risk of financial loss from an adverse price change. This risk management strategy is successful when our gains or losses in the physical product markets are offset by our losses or gains in the forward or financial markets. Our propane related financial derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges.

Our risk management activities include the use of financial derivative instruments including, but not limited to, futures, swaps, and options to seek protection from adverse price movements and to minimize potential losses. We enter into these financial derivative instruments with brokers who are clearing members with the Intercontinental Exchange or the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and, to a lesser extent, directly with third parties in the over-the-counter market. We also enter into forward propane purchase and sales contracts with counterparties. These forward contracts qualify for the normal purchase normal sales exception within GAAP guidance and are therefore not recorded on our financial statements until settled.

Risk Policy and Sensitivity Analysis

Market risks associated with energy commodities are monitored daily by senior management for compliance with our commodity risk management policy. This policy includes an aggregate dollar loss limit and limits on the term of various contracts. We also utilize volume limits for various energy commodities and review our positions daily where we remain exposed to market risk, so as to manage exposures to changing market prices.

We have prepared a sensitivity analysis to estimate the exposure to market risk of our energy commodity positions. Forward contracts, futures, swaps and options outstanding as of January 31, 2024 and July 31, 2023 that were used in our risk management activities were analyzed assuming a hypothetical 10% adverse change in prices for the delivery month for all energy commodities. The potential loss in future earnings from these positions due to a 10% adverse movement in market prices of the underlying energy commodities was estimated at $6.6 million and $9.5 million as of January 31, 2024 and July 31, 2023, respectively. The preceding hypothetical analysis is limited because changes in prices may or may not equal 10%, thus actual results may differ. Our sensitivity analysis does not include the anticipated transactions associated with these transactions, which we anticipate will be 100% effective.

Credit risk

We maintain credit policies with regard to our counterparties that we believe significantly reduce overall credit risk. These policies include evaluating and monitoring our counterparties’ financial condition (including credit ratings), and entering into agreements with counterparties that govern credit guidelines.

Our other counterparties principally consist of major energy companies that are suppliers, marketers, wholesalers, retailers and end users; and major U.S. financial institutions. The overall impact due to certain changes in economic, regulatory and other events may impact our overall exposure to credit risk, either positively or negatively in that counterparties may be similarly impacted. Based on our policies, exposures, credit and other reserves, management does not anticipate a material adverse effect on financial position or results of operations as a result of counterparty performance.

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Interest rate risk

We had variable rate indebtedness outstanding related to our letters of credit under our Credit Facility of $71.5 million and $74.0 million as of January 31, 2024 and July 31, 2023, respectively. Our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition could be materially adversely affected by significant increases in interest rates to the extent that we have variable rate indebtedness (including any disbursements or payments related to letters of credit) outstanding under our Credit Facility.

Critical accounting estimates

Our critical accounting estimates are disclosed under “Item 7 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Estimates” in our Form 10-K for fiscal 2023. During the six months ended January 31, 2024, no modifications were made to these critical accounting estimates.

ITEM 4.      CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

An evaluation was performed by the management of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., Ferrellgas, L.P., Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp., and Ferrellgas Finance Corp., with the participation of the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of our general partner, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, were effective as of January 31, 2024.

The management of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., Ferrellgas, L.P., Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp., and Ferrellgas Finance Corp. does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures will prevent all errors and all fraud. The design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Based on the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the above mentioned partnerships and corporations have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple errors or mistakes. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events. Therefore, a control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide such reasonable assurances of achieving our desired control objectives, and the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of our general partner have concluded, as of January 31, 2024, that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in achieving that level of reasonable assurance.

During the most recent fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2024, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or Rule 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.      LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

For information regarding legal proceedings, see Note L “Contingencies and commitments” in our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1. “Financial Statements.”

ITEM 1A.   RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes from the risk factors set forth under Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2023 and in our subsequent SEC filings.

ITEM 2.      UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

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ITEM 3.      DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4.      MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5.      OTHER INFORMATION

During the quarter ended January 31, 2024, none of our directors or officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) of the Exchange Act) adopted, terminated or modified a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement (as such terms are defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K).

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ITEM 6.      EXHIBITS

The exhibits listed below are furnished as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act, which are not listed, are not applicable.

Exhibit
Number

    

Description

*  31.1

Certification of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act.

*  31.2

Certification of Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act.

*  31.3

Certification of Ferrellgas, L.P. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act.

*  31.4

Certification of Ferrellgas Finance Corp. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act.

*  32.1

Certification of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

*  32.2

Certification of Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

*  32.3

Certification of Ferrellgas, L.P. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

*  32.4

Certification of Ferrellgas Finance Corp. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

*  101.INS

XBRL Instance Document (the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

*  101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

*  101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

*  101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

*  101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.

*   101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

* 104

The cover page from Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended January 31, 2024, formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101.

*

Filed herewith

The agreements and other documents filed as exhibits to this report are not intended to provide factual information or other disclosure other than with respect to the terms of the agreements or other documents themselves, and you should not rely on them for that purpose. In particular, any representations and warranties made by us in these agreements or other documents were made solely within the specific context of the relevant agreement or document and may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrants have duly caused this report to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P.

By Ferrellgas, Inc., its general partner

Date:

March 8, 2024

By

/s/ Tamria A. Zertuche

Tamria A. Zertuche

Chief Executive Officer and President

By

/s/ Michael E. Cole

Michael E. Cole

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

FERRELLGAS PARTNERS FINANCE CORP.

Date:

March 8, 2024

By

/s/ Tamria A. Zertuche

Tamria A. Zertuche

Chief Executive Officer and President

By

/s/ Michael E. Cole

Michael E. Cole

Chief Financial Officer and Sole Director

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

FERRELLGAS, L.P.

By Ferrellgas, Inc., its general partner

Date:

March 8, 2024

By

/s/ Tamria A. Zertuche

Tamria A. Zertuche

Chief Executive Officer and President

By

/s/ Michael E. Cole

Michael E. Cole

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

FERRELLGAS FINANCE CORP.

Date:

March 8, 2024

By

/s/ Tamria A. Zertuche

Tamria A. Zertuche

Chief Executive Officer and President

By

/s/ Michael E. Cole

Michael E. Cole

Chief Financial Officer and Sole Director

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

64