Fitch Affirms AmeriGas Partners IDR at 'BB+'; Outlook Revised to Positive
Nov 1, 2010 10:17:00 (ET)
NEW YORK, Nov 01, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Fitch Ratings has affirmed the Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) and outstanding debt ratings for AmeriGas Partners, L.P.'s (APU) and Amerigas Finance Corp. and AP Eagle Finance Corp., co-issuers of certain of APU's outstanding notes. The Rating Outlooks have been revised to Positive from Stable. About $868 million of outstanding long-term debt is affected.
Fitch affirms the following ratings:
AmeriGas Partners, L.P./Amerigas Finance Corp.
--IDR at 'BB+';
--Senior unsecured at 'BB+'.
AmeriGas Partners, L.P./AP Eagle Finance Corp.
--IDR at 'BB+';
--Senior unsecured at 'BB+'.
APU's ratings reflect the underlying strength of its retail propane distribution network, broad geographic reach, adequate credit metrics, and proven ability to manage unit margins under various operating conditions. Additionally, the company's growing Amerigas Cylinder Exchange (ACE) propane cylinder exchange business provides modest positive cash flow during the summer months when the traditional space heating related propane distribution business is relatively slow. APU's ratings also consider the structural subordination of its debt obligations to revolver borrowings at AmeriGas Propane, LP (AGP), its operating limited partnership subsidiary.
APU's financial performance remains sensitive to weather conditions and general customer conservation, and the company must continue to manage volatile supply costs and price-induced customer conservation. The recessionary economy and volatile price of propane, which is loosely correlated to the price of oil, has been exacerbating volume sales declines throughout the sector. These factors have the potential to lead to further customer conservation, increased bad debt expense, and could test APU's ability to sustain its current robust profit margins.
Fitch notes sales volumes have declined for APU due in part to warmer than normal weather and continued general economic malaise. APU's retail volumes were down roughly 4.5% year-over-year for the nine month period ended June 30, 2010. APU is seeing volume declines in all of their customer segments, excepting ACE which has seen volume sales growth as the program continues to be rolled out to an increasing number of locations nationally. Management reports that volume declines are being driven by the most economically sensitive customer segments, which Fitch believes should start to see a modest rebound as the economy improves. Volume declines have been particularly pronounced in APU's forklift segment, consistent with reduced shipping volumes and inventory turns at big box retailers. However, management recently noted at APU's analyst day that forklift volumes have seen recent increases, providing some optimism heading into the holiday season when shipping and inventory turns tend to increase.
APU has managed to effectively pass through propane supply cost increases on to customers and has consistently maintained and even grown gross margins during periods of volatile weather conditions and commodity price volatility over the past several years. As a result, APU has maintained fairly solid credit metrics. For the 12 months ended June 30, 2010, consolidated operating EBITDA-to-interest expense and total debt-to-operating EBITDA equaled 4.9 times (x) and 2.7x, respectively. Absent large acquisitions, for fiscal years 2010 and 2011, Fitch estimates consolidated EBITDA-to-interest and debt-to-operating EBITDA equal to approximately 5.7x and 2.7x and 5.7x and 2.6x, respectively.
The revision in Outlook is reflective of the underlying strength of APU's retail distribution network, broad geographic scope, conservative management practices, Fitch's expectations for continued margin stability and metric strength and the retirement of AGP's remaining outstanding first mortgage bonds. Overall, in recent years Fitch has largely viewed the retail propane sector business outlook to be moderately negative, stressing concerns over demand destruction due to fuel switching, price volatility and the impact of conservation. However, Fitch believes that APU management has exhibited its ability and intent to maintain a stable balance sheet and consistent credit metrics even in the face of varying market conditions and growth through acquisitions. APU has proven itself adept at managing its operating costs, distribution policies, and integrating acquisitions. As a result, APU has seen steady EBITDA growth, cash flow consistency and improved credit metrics over the past several years despite elevated sales volume and commodity price volatility. Should these results and practices continue Fitch could take a positive rating action. Any negative credit action would be driven by a variety of factors including margin deterioration, significant demand destruction, or a more aggressive distribution or acquisition policy which leads to increased leverage.
Amerigas Propane, Inc. an indirect subsidiary of UGI Corp. (UGI, Trade )(NR, Trade ) owns an effective 44% interest in APU as the general partner and a limited partner. APU is a master limited partnership that conducts a national propane distribution business through its operating partnership subsidiary AGP and AGP's subsidiaries. The APU debt is co-issued with either of its special purpose financing subsidiaries AP Eagle Finance Corp. and AmeriGas Finance Corp.
APU's liquidity is supported by a $200 million credit facility at AGP that includes a $125 million revolving credit facility and a $75 million acquisition facility (which may also be used for working capital purposes). AGP also has a $75 million supplemental credit facility that matures in June 2011. Fitch notes that the AGP's revolvers currently structurally subordinate APU long-term debt; however, there are currently no plans for issuing any new long-term debt at the operating entity following the recent retirement of AGP's remaining outstanding first mortgage bonds. Revolver borrowings are typically for inventory and seasonal in nature and APU's liquidity position is expected to be more than adequate for seasonal borrowings heading into the winter heating season. The revolving credit facility matures on Oct. 15, 2011.
Additional information is available at '
www.fitchratings.com '.
Applicable Criteria and Related Research:
--'Rating Master Limited Partnerships' (Feb. 12, 2008);
--'Corporate Rating Methodology' (Aug. 16, 2010);
--'Utility Sector Notching and Recovery Ratings' (March 16, 2010);
--'Parent and Subsidiary Rating Linkage' (June 19, 2007);
--'U.S. Power and Gas Comparative Risk (COR) Evaluation and Financial Guidelines' (Aug. 22, 2007).
Applicable Criteria and Related Research:
U.S. Power and Gas Comparative Operating Risk (COR) Evaluation and Financial Guidelines
http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/ ... _id=338030 Parent and Subsidiary Rating Linkage Criteria Report
http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/ ... _id=534826 Corporate Rating Methodology