Green Plains Partners Reports Second Quarter 2019 Financial Results


Results for the Second Quarter of 2019

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

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

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

Second Quarter Highlights and Recent Developments

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

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

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

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

             
GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP
SELECTED OPERATING DATA
(unaudited, in million gallons)
              
 Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
 June 30, June 30,
 2019 2018 % Var. 2019 2018 % Var.
Product volumes             
Storage and throughput services 225.1  314.3  (28.4)%  380.8  612.6  (37.8)%
              
Terminal services:             
Affiliate 29.8  36.5  (18.4)   54.6  66.1  (17.4) 
Non-affiliate 27.2  30.5  (10.8)   52.8  62.6  (15.7) 
  57.0  67.0  (14.9)   107.4  128.7  (16.6) 
              
Railcar capacity billed (daily average) 81.1  98.6  (17.7)   82.3  98.9  (16.8) 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Consolidated Financial Results

      
      
GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
      
 June 30, December 31,
 2019  2018 
ASSETS(unaudited)   
Current assets     
Cash and cash equivalents$ 269  $ 569 
Accounts receivable, including from affiliates  21,108    15,357 
Other current assets  1,201    690 
Total current assets  22,578    16,616 
Property and equipment, net  38,822    40,911 
Operating lease right-of-use assets  38,545    - 
Other assets  23,233    23,617 
Total assets$123,178  $81,144 
      
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' DEFICIT     
Current liabilities     
Accounts payable, including to affiliates$ 6,204  $ 3,177 
Operating lease current liabilities  12,333    - 
Other current liabilities  8,987    5,011 
Total current liabilities  27,524    8,188 
Long-term debt  139,917    142,025 
Operating lease long-term liabilities  26,874    - 
Other liabilities  2,740    3,385 
Total liabilities  197,055    153,598 
      
Partners' deficit  (73,877)   (72,454)
Total liabilities and partners' deficit$123,178  $81,144 



GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited, in thousands except per unit amounts)
                  
 Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
 June 30, June 30,
 2019  2018  % Var. 2019  2018  % Var.
Revenues                 
Affiliate$19,133  $24,220  (21.0)% $37,915  $48,477  (21.8)%
Non-affiliate 1,692   1,620  4.4    3,997   3,248  23.1  
Total revenues 20,825   25,840  (19.4)   41,912   51,725  (19.0) 
Operating expenses                 
Operations and maintenance (excluding depreciation and amortization reflected below) 6,233   7,893  (21.0)   13,098   16,303  (19.7) 
General and administrative 988   1,179  (16.2)   2,105   2,580  (18.4) 
Depreciation and amortization 771   1,105  (30.2)   1,756   2,286  (23.2) 
Total operating expenses 7,992   10,177  (21.5)   16,959   21,169  (19.9) 
Operating income 12,833   15,663  (18.1)   24,953   30,556  (18.3) 
Other income (expense)                 
Interest income 20   20  -    40   40  -  
Interest expense (2,166)  (1,811) 19.6    (4,221)  (3,382) 24.8  
Other (73)  -  *    (73)  75  *  
Total other expense (2,219)  (1,791) 23.9    (4,254)  (3,267) 30.2  
Income before income taxes and income (loss) from equity method investee 10,614   13,872  (23.5)   20,699   27,289  (24.1) 
Income tax expense (47)  (33) 42.4    (99)  (65) 52.3  
Income (loss) from equity method investee 142   (117) *    357   (130) *  
Net income$10,709  $13,722  (22.0)% $20,957  $27,094  (22.7)%
                  
Net income attributable to partners' ownership interests:                 
General partner$213  $275  (22.5)% $418  $542  (22.9)%
Limited partners - common unitholders 10,496   6,730  *    20,539   13,289  *  
Limited partners - subordinated unitholders -   6,717  *    -   13,263  *  
                  
Earnings per limited partner unit (basic and diluted):                 
Common units$0.45  $0.42  7.1 % $0.89  $0.83  7.2 %
Subordinated units $-  $0.42  *   $-  $0.83  *  
                  
Weighted average limited partner units outstanding (basic and diluted):                 
Common units 23,120   15,922      23,119   15,922    
Subordinated units -   15,890      -   15,890    
                  
Supplemental Revenues Data:                 
Storage and throughput services$11,785  $15,575  (24.3)% $23,570  $30,217  (22.0)%
Railcar transportation services 5,505   6,155  (10.6)   11,124   13,624  (18.3) 
Terminal services 2,413   2,890  (16.5)   5,201   5,581  (6.8) 
Trucking and other 1,122   1,220  (8.0)   2,017   2,303  (12.4) 
Total revenues$20,825  $25,840  (19.4)% $41,912  $51,725  (19.0)%
                  
* Percentage variance not considered meaningful.                 




       
GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 
(unaudited, in thousands) 
       
 Six Months Ended 
 June 30, 
 2019  2018  
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net income$ 20,957  $ 27,094  
Noncash operating adjustments:      
Depreciation and amortization  1,756    2,286  
Other  265    691  
Net change in working capital  978    1,188  
Net cash provided by operating activities  23,956    31,259  
       
Cash flows from investing activities:      
Purchases of property and equipment, net  82    (1,220) 
Contributions to equity method investees  -    (1,288) 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities  82    (2,508) 
       
Cash flows from financing activities:      
Payments of distributions  (22,538)   (30,800) 
Net proceeds (payments) - revolving credit facility  (1,800)   2,000  
Payments of loan fees  -    (185) 
Net cash used in financing activities  (24,338)   (28,985) 
       
Net change in cash and cash equivalents  (300)   (234) 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period  569    502  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$ 269  $ 268  
 



               
GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP
RECONCILIATIONS TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(unaudited, in thousands except ratios)
               
 Three Months Ended Six Months Ended LTM Ended
 June 30, June 30, June 30,
 2019  2018  2019  2018  2019 
Net income$ 10,709  $ 13,722  $ 20,957  $ 27,094  $ 49,544 
Interest expense  2,166    1,811    4,221    3,382    8,146 
Income tax expense  47    33    99    65    135 
Depreciation and amortization  771    1,105    1,756    2,286    3,912 
Minimum volume commitment adjustments (1)  -    -    -    747    (747)
Transaction costs  -    147    -    282    523 
Unit-based compensation expense  79    60    158    120    315 
Loss on the disposal of assets  73    -    73    -    73 
Proportional share of EBITDA adjustments of equity method investee (2)  43    -    109    -    189 
Gain on assignment of operating leases (3)  -    -    -    -    (2,721)
Adjusted EBITDA  13,888    16,878    27,373    33,976    59,369 
Interest paid or payable  (2,166)   (1,811)   (4,221)   (3,382)   (8,146)
Income taxes paid or payable  (43)   (32)   (96)   (64)   (133)
Maintenance capital expenditures  -    -    -    (15)   (35)
Distributable cash flow$ 11,679  $ 15,035  $ 23,056  $ 30,515  $ 51,055 
Distributions declared (4)$ 11,280  $ 15,503  $ 22,549  $ 30,996  $ 49,320 
Coverage ratio 1.04x  0.97x  1.02x  0.98x  1.04x
               
(1)  Adjustments related to the storage and throughput quarterly minimum volume commitments.
(2)  Represents the partnership's proportional share of depreciation and amortization of its equity method investee.
(3)  Consideration received related to the assignment of railcar operating leases to Valero Renewable Fuels Company, LLC in the fourth quarter of 2018.
(4)  Represents distributions declared for the applicable period and paid in the subsequent quarter.
               

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