PORTSMOUTH, N.H., May 06, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sprague Resources LP (“Sprague”) (NYSE:SRLP) today reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2016.

“Sprague delivered solid operating results, including adjusted EBITDA of $45.4 million, despite the record warmth across our operating footprint this quarter,” said David Glendon, President and Chief Executive Officer. “While residents of the Northeast likely welcomed much warmer temperatures and limited snowfall after last winter’s extremes, the mild conditions resulted in reduced demand for our products and services.  Sprague's full year 2016 adjusted EBITDA guidance remains unchanged between $105 and $120 million due to the underlying strength of our business, and we continue to be well positioned to take advantage of growth opportunities thanks to our low leverage and ample liquidity," said Mr. Glendon.

First Quarter 2016 Highlights

• Adjusted gross margin was $86.5 million for the first quarter of 2016, compared to adjusted gross margin of $114.3 million for the first quarter of 2015.
• Adjusted EBITDA was $45.4 million for the first quarter of 2016, compared to adjusted EBITDA of $63.5 million for the first quarter of 2015.
• Net sales were $722.9 million for the first quarter of 2016, compared to net sales of $1.6 billion for the first quarter of 2015.
• Net income on a GAAP basis was $29.8 million for the first quarter of 2016, compared to net income of $43.9 million for the first quarter of 2015. Net income per fully diluted common unit on a GAAP basis was $1.38 in the first quarter of 2016.

EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted gross margin are not prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), and are discussed in greater detail below under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.” Readers should refer to the financial tables provided in this news release for reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP financial measures for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

Refined Products

• Volumes in the Refined Products segment decreased 34% to 477.4 million gallons in the first quarter of 2016, compared to 726.4 million gallons in the first quarter of 2015.
• Adjusted gross margin in the Refined Products segment decreased $24.7 million, or 37%, to $41.6 million in the first quarter of 2016, compared to $66.3 million in the first quarter of 2015.

“With 25% lower heating degree days than the previous year’s first quarter, Sprague’s Refined Products business segment experienced a 37% quarter-over-quarter decline in adjusted gross margin,” said Mr. Glendon. “We consider the weather impact to be isolated to the quarter, and are forecasting normal operating results in Refined Products for the remainder of this year.”

Natural Gas

• Natural Gas segment volumes decreased 6% to 18.8 Bcf in the first quarter of 2016, compared to 20.0 Bcf in the first quarter of 2015.
• Natural Gas adjusted gross margin decreased to $31.1 million for the first quarter of 2016, compared to $34.8 million for the first quarter of 2015.

“Sprague’s Natural Gas business segment saw lower volumes and adjusted gross margin as a result of the first quarter's warmer than normal conditions.  We saw less demand for incremental gas volumes, and limited opportunities for our team to optimize our supply and logistics capabilities,” reported Mr. Glendon.

Materials Handling

• Materials Handling adjusted gross margin increased by $1.2 million or 12%, to $11.4 million for the first quarter 2016, compared to $10.2 million for the first quarter 2015.

“Strong wind energy component handling activity drove a 12% increase over last year's first quarter results, and the Materials Handling segment continues to expand Sprague's portfolio by leveraging the expertise of our refined product terminal workforce,” concluded Mr. Glendon.

On April 27, 2016, the Board of Directors of Sprague’s general partner, Sprague Resources GP LLC, announced its eighth consecutive distribution increase and approved a cash distribution of $0.5325 per unit for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, representing a 2.9% increase over the distribution declared for the quarter ended December 31, 2015. The distribution will be paid on May 13, 2016 to unitholders of record as of the close of business on May 9, 2016.

Financial Results Conference Call

Management will review Sprague’s first quarter 2016 financial results in a teleconference call for analysts and investors today, May 6, 2016.

The conference call may also be accessed live by a webcast available on the "Investor Relations" page of Sprague's website at www.spragueenergy.com and will be archived on the website for one year.

About Sprague Resources LP

Sprague Resources LP is a master limited partnership engaged in the purchase, storage, distribution and sale of refined petroleum products and natural gas. Sprague also provides storage and handling services for a broad range of materials.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted gross margin are used as supplemental financial measures by management and external users of Sprague’s financial statements, such as investors, commercial banks, trade suppliers and research analysts, to assess:

• The financial performance of Sprague’s assets, operations and return on capital without regard to financing methods, capital structure or historical cost basis;
• The ability of Sprague’s assets to generate cash sufficient to pay interest on its indebtedness and make distributions to its equity holders;
• The viability of acquisitions and capital expenditure projects;
• The market value of its inventory and natural gas transportation contracts for financial reporting to its lenders, as well as for borrowing base purposes; and
• Repeatable operating performance that is not distorted by non-recurring items or market volatility.

Sprague defines EBITDA as net income before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Sprague defines adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA increased by unrealized hedging losses and decreased by unrealized hedging gains, in each case with respect to refined products and natural gas inventory, prepaid forward contracts and natural gas transportation contracts.

Sprague defines adjusted gross margin as net sales less cost of products sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) increased by unrealized hedging losses and decreased by unrealized hedging gains, in each case with respect to refined products and natural gas inventory, prepaid forward contracts and natural gas transportation contracts.

EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted gross margin are not prepared in accordance with GAAP. These measures should not be considered as alternatives to net income, income from operations, cash flows from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release may include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond management’s control. Although Sprague believes that the assumptions underlying these statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and involve risks that may affect our business prospects and performance causing actual results to differ from those discussed in the foregoing release.  Such risks and uncertainties include, by way of example and not of limitation: increased competition for our products or services; changes in supply or demand for our products; changes in operating conditions and costs; changes in the level of environmental remediation spending; potential equipment malfunction; potential labor issues; the legislative or regulatory environment; terminal construction/repair delays; nonperformance by major customers or suppliers; and political and economic conditions, including the impact of potential terrorist acts and international hostilities. These and other applicable risks and uncertainties have been described more fully in Sprague’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 10, 2016, and in our subsequent Form 10-Q filings, as well as Form 8-K and other documents filed with the SEC.  Sprague undertakes no obligation and does not intend to update any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or future events.  You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.

This release is intended to be a qualified notice under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1446-4(b). Brokers and nominees should treat one hundred percent (100.0%) of Sprague’s distributions to non-U.S. investors as being attributable to income that is effectively connected with a United States trade or business. Accordingly, Sprague’s distributions to non-U.S. investors are subject to federal income tax withholding at the highest applicable effective tax rate.

(Financial Tables Below)

Investor Contact:
Taylor Hudson
+1 603.430.5397
thudson@spragueenergy.com

Sprague Resources LP