<PAGE> 1
FORM 10-Q
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended December 31, 1997
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 number 1-11071
UGI CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Pennsylvania 23-2668356
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
UGI CORPORATION
460 North Gulph Road, King of Prussia, PA
(Address of principal executive offices)
19406
(Zip Code)
(610) 337-1000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has 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
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No
--- ---
At January 31, 1998, there were 33,072,443 shares of UGI Corporation
Common Stock, without par value, outstanding.
<PAGE> 2
UGI CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGES
-----
<S> <C>
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1997,
September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996 1
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three
and twelve months ended December 31, 1997 and 1996 2
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the
three and twelve months ended December 31, 1997 and 1996 3
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 4 - 10
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations 11 - 23
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
Item 2. Changes in Securities 23
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 23
Signatures 24
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 3
UGI CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
(Millions of dollars)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31, September 30, December 31,
1997 1997 1996
------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
- ------
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 78.8 $ 64.0 $ 81.5
Short-term investments, at cost which approximates market value 73.7 65.4 32.5
Accounts receivable (less allowances for doubtful accounts of
$11.2, $11.3 and $10.9, respectively) 180.7 110.6 216.9
Accrued utility revenues 23.1 7.7 22.4
Inventories 105.6 95.6 122.2
Deferred income taxes 20.4 20.3 17.3
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 12.7 40.3 24.2
----------- ----------- -----------
Total current assets 495.0 403.9 517.0
Property, plant and equipment, at cost (less accumulated depreciation
and amortization of $422.7, $410.1 and $382.4, respectively) 990.0 987.2 976.4
Intangible assets (less accumulated amortization of $122.9, $116.7 and
$98.4, respectively) 673.6 677.9 686.8
Regulatory income tax asset 44.8 44.4 43.3
Other assets 40.6 38.3 39.6
----------- ----------- -----------
Total assets $ 2,244.0 $ 2,151.7 $ 2,263.1
=========== =========== ===========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
- ------------------------------------
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt - Propane $ 6.8 $ 6.7 $ 7.5
Current maturities of long-term debt - Utilities 17.1 17.1 17.1
Current maturities of long-term debt - other 0.4 0.4 0.4
Current portion of UGI Utilities redeemable preferred stock 3.0 3.0 -
Bank loans - Propane 75.0 28.0 70.0
Bank loans - Utilities 62.7 67.0 69.3
Accounts payable 105.8 103.2 136.9
Other current liabilities 173.7 179.1 170.8
----------- ----------- -----------
Total current liabilities 444.5 404.5 472.0
Long-term debt - Propane 696.3 684.4 691.3
Long-term debt - Utilities 172.2 152.2 149.3
Long-term debt - other 8.1 8.2 8.5
Deferred income taxes 154.9 152.5 150.8
Other noncurrent liabilities 74.3 75.1 72.3
Commitments and contingencies
Minority interest in AmeriGas Partners 267.9 266.5 291.4
UGI Utilities redeemable preferred stock 32.2 32.2 35.2
Common stockholders' equity:
Common Stock, without par value (authorized - 100,000,000 shares;
issued - 33,198,731 shares) 393.7 393.7 391.9
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) 3.1 (9.2) 3.2
----------- ----------- -----------
396.8 384.5 395.1
Less treasury stock, at cost 3.2 8.4 2.8
----------- ----------- -----------
Total common stockholders' equity 393.6 376.1 392.3
----------- ----------- -----------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 2,244.0 $ 2,151.7 $ 2,263.1
=========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
-1-
<PAGE> 4
UGI CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(unaudited)
(Millions, except per share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
December 31, December 31,
------------------------------- --------------------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996
------------- --------------- -------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues:
Propane $ 302.9 $ 360.1 $ 1,020.6 $ 1,087.5
Utilities 135.5 134.2 462.5 472.4
Energy marketing 32.8 35.3 100.5 100.4
------------ -------------- -------------- --------------
471.2 529.6 1,583.6 1,660.3
------------ -------------- -------------- --------------
Costs and expenses:
Propane cost of sales 163.2 204.7 558.9 611.7
Utilities - gas, fuel and purchased power 72.5 69.3 242.2 249.1
Other cost of sales 31.6 34.1 96.9 94.1
Operating and administrative expenses 109.0 113.2 435.6 444.5
Depreciation and amortization 21.6 21.7 86.0 86.3
Miscellaneous income, net (4.3) (3.0) (23.9) (12.0)
------------ -------------- -------------- --------------
393.6 440.0 1,395.7 1,473.7
------------ -------------- -------------- --------------
Operating income 77.6 89.6 187.9 186.6
Interest expense (21.4) (21.1) (83.4) (80.7)
Minority interest in AmeriGas Partners (11.1) (16.7) (12.7) (13.7)
------------ -------------- -------------- --------------
Income before income taxes and
subsidiary preferred stock dividends 45.1 51.8 91.8 92.2
Income taxes (19.6) (23.2) (40.0) (40.2)
Dividends on UGI Utilities Series
Preferred Stock (0.7) (0.7) (2.8) (2.8)
------------ -------------- -------------- --------------
Net income $ 24.8 $ 27.9 $ 49.0 $ 49.2
============ ============== ============== ==============
Earnings per share:
Basic $ 0.75 $ 0.84 $ 1.49 $ 1.48
============ ============== ============== ==============
Diluted $ 0.75 $ 0.84 $ 1.48 $ 1.48
============ ============== ============== ==============
Average common shares outstanding:
Basic 32.927 33.140 32.995 33.091
============ ============== ============== ==============
Diluted 33.081 33.237 33.101 33.188
============ ============== ============== ==============
Dividends declared per share $ 0.36 $ 0.355 $ 1.435 $ 1.415
============ ============== ============== ==============
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
-2-
<PAGE> 5
UGI CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
(Millions of dollars)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
December 31, December 31,
---------------------- -----------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996
-------- --------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income $ 24.8 $ 27.9 $ 49.0 $ 49.2
Reconcile to net cash provided (used) by
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 21.6 21.7 86.0 86.3
Minority interest in AmeriGas Partners 11.1 16.7 12.7 13.7
Deferred income taxes, net 0.9 1.8 (3.1) 9.3
Other, net (0.1) (0.5) 4.5 (5.9)
-------- --------- --------- ---------
58.3 67.6 149.1 152.6
Net change in:
Accounts receivable and accrued utility revenues (87.6) (119.6) 25.2 (46.0)
Inventories and prepaid propane purchases 11.9 (8.8) 17.1 (36.5)
Deferred fuel adjustments 2.2 1.2 5.6 (9.5)
Pipeline transition and producer settlement
recoveries (costs), net 0.2 (0.4) (1.2) 2.0
Accounts payable 2.2 42.2 (31.5) 41.1
Other current assets and liabilities (2.1) 2.0 8.6 10.6
-------- --------- --------- ---------
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities (14.9) (15.8) 172.9 114.3
-------- --------- --------- ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment (15.6) (17.1) (67.3) (62.3)
Net proceeds from disposals of assets 3.1 0.7 16.8 3.8
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired (1.4) (0.9) (12.1) (21.3)
Short-term investments increase (8.4) (9.3) (41.4) (22.5)
Other, net (3.7) 0.5 (6.4) 0.7
-------- --------- --------- ---------
Net cash used by investing activities (26.0) (26.1) (110.4) (101.6)
-------- --------- --------- ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Dividends on Common Stock (11.9) (11.8) (47.3) (46.7)
Distributions on Partnership public Common Units (9.7) (9.7) (38.8) (38.7)
Issuance of long-term debt 33.0 7.7 54.2 44.7
Repayment of long-term debt (1.8) (9.4) (21.8) (18.9)
Propane bank loans increase (decrease) 47.0 55.0 (2.0) 52.0
UGI Utilities bank loans increase (decrease) (4.3) 18.8 (6.6) 24.8
Issuance of Common Stock 4.9 1.3 15.3 9.9
Repurchases of Common Stock (1.5) (2.5) (18.2) (7.9)
-------- --------- --------- ---------
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities 55.7 49.4 (65.2) 19.2
-------- --------- --------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents increase (decrease) $ 14.8 $ 7.5 $ (2.7) $ 31.9
======== ========= ========= =========
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
End of period $ 78.8 $ 81.5 $ 78.8 $ 81.5
Beginning of period 64.0 74.0 81.5 49.6
-------- --------- --------- ---------
Increase (decrease) $ 14.8 $ 7.5 $ (2.7) $ 31.9
======== ========= ========= =========
</TABLE>
During the twelve months ended December 31, 1997 and 1996, UGI Utilities, Inc.
paid cash dividends to UGI of $36.7 and $21.3, respectively. During the twelve
months ended December 31, 1997 and 1996, AmeriGas, Inc. paid cash dividends to
UGI of $56.2 and $49.4, respectively. During those same periods, UGI paid cash
dividends to holders of Common Stock of $47.3 and $46.7, respectively. The
ability of UGI to declare and pay cash dividends on its Common Stock is
dependent upon its cash balances and the receipt of cash dividends from its
wholly owned subsidiaries, principally UGI Utilities, Inc. and AmeriGas, Inc.
AmeriGas's ability to pay dividends is dependent upon distributions paid by the
Partnership.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
-3-
<PAGE> 6
UGI CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
(Millions of dollars, except per share amounts)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
UGI Corporation (UGI) is a holding company with two principal
businesses. UGI's utility business is conducted through a wholly
owned subsidiary, UGI Utilities, Inc. (UGI Utilities), which owns
and operates a natural gas distribution utility (Gas Utility) in
parts of eastern and southeastern Pennsylvania and an electric
utility (Electric Utility) in northeastern Pennsylvania (together
referred to herein as "Utilities"). UGI conducts a national propane
distribution business through AmeriGas Partners, L.P. (AmeriGas
Partners) and its operating subsidiary, AmeriGas Propane, L.P. (the
"Operating Partnership"), both of which are Delaware limited
partnerships. The Operating Partnership is the largest retail
propane distributor in the United States serving residential,
commercial, industrial, motor fuel and agricultural customers from
locations in 45 states, including Alaska and Hawaii. UGI also
conducts an energy marketing business through its wholly owned
subsidiary, UGI Enterprises, Inc. (UGI Enterprises).
At December 31, 1997, UGI, through wholly owned subsidiaries, held
an effective 2% general partner interest and a 56.6% limited
partnership interest in the Operating Partnership. This limited
partner interest is evidenced by common units (Common Units) and
subordinated units (Subordinated Units) representing limited partner
interests in AmeriGas Partners. The remaining 41.4% effective
interest in the Operating Partnership is publicly held. AmeriGas
Partners and the Operating Partnership are collectively referred to
herein as the Partnership. A second-tier subsidiary of UGI serves as
the general partner of AmeriGas Partners and the Operating
Partnership.
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts
of UGI and its majority-owned subsidiaries (collectively, "the
Company"). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions
have been eliminated in consolidation. The public unitholders'
interest in AmeriGas Partners' results of operations and net assets
is reflected as minority interest in the condensed consolidated
statements of income and balance sheets. Certain prior-period
balances have been reclassified to conform with the current period
presentation.
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are
unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with the rules and
regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. They
include all adjustments which the Company considers necessary for a
fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented.
Such adjustments consisted only of normal recurring items unless
otherwise disclosed. These financial statements should be read in
conjunction with the financial statements and the
-4-
<PAGE> 7
UGI CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(unaudited)
(Million of dollars, except per share amounts)
notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended September 30, 1997. Due to the seasonal
nature of the Company's businesses, the results of operations for
interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be
expected for a full year.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at
the date of the financial statements, and revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these
estimates.
-5-
<PAGE> 8
UGI CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(unaudited)
(Millions of dollars, except per share amounts)
2. SEGMENT INFORMATION
Information on revenues, operating income (loss), depreciation and
amortization, identifiable assets and certain operating statistics by
business segment for the periods presented follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
December 31, December 31,
-------------------------- ---------------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
REVENUES
- --------
Propane $ 302.9 $ 360.1 $ 1,020.6 $ 1,087.5
Gas utility 116.9 115.8 390.2 401.6
Electric utility 18.6 18.4 72.3 70.8
Energy marketing 32.8 35.3 100.5 100.4
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total $ 471.2 $ 529.6 $ 1,583.6 $ 1,660.3
=========== =========== =========== ===========
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
- -----------------------
Propane $ 45.5 $ 59.2 $ 103.4 $ 104.4
Gas utility 28.3 28.6 74.5 74.5
Electric utility 3.1 3.0 10.8 9.4
Energy marketing 0.5 0.8 1.4 4.3
Corporate general and other 0.2 (2.0) (2.2) (6.0)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total $ 77.6 $ 89.6 $ 187.9 $ 186.6
=========== =========== =========== ===========
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
- -----------------------------
Propane - depreciation $ 9.6 $ 9.6 $ 38.6 $ 38.5
Propane - amortization 6.5 6.4 25.8 25.6
Gas utility 4.4 4.6 16.9 17.9
Electric utility 0.9 1.0 4.2 4.0
Corporate general and other 0.2 0.1 0.5 0.3
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total $ 21.6 $ 21.7 $ 86.0 $ 86.3
=========== =========== =========== ===========
IDENTIFIABLE ASSETS
- -------------------
(at period end)
Propane $ 1,383.9 $ 1,465.9 $ 1,383.9 $ 1,465.9
Gas utility 620.3 595.4 620.3 595.4
Electric utility 86.6 86.4 86.6 86.4
Energy marketing 22.2 21.6 22.2 21.6
Corporate general and other 131.0 93.8 131.0 93.8
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total $ 2,244.0 $ 2,263.1 $ 2,244.0 $ 2,263.1
=========== =========== =========== ===========
OPERATING STATISTICS
- --------------------
Propane sales - millions of gallons:
Retail 248.6 251.7 804.3 862.8
Wholesale 82.7 68.6 232.7 259.1
Natural gas system throughput -
billions of cubic feet 22.7 24.6 78.3 84.9
Electric sales - millions of kilowatt hours 227.8 223.7 872.5 883.6
</TABLE>
-6-
<PAGE> 9
UGI CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(unaudited)
(Million of dollars, except per share amounts)
3. ELECTRICITY GENERATION CUSTOMER CHOICE AND COMPETITION ACT
On August 7, 1997, Electric Utility filed with the Pennsylvania
Public Utility Commission (PUC) its restructuring plan pursuant to
the Electricity Generation Customer Choice and Competition Act
(Customer Choice Act). The restructuring plan includes a claim for
the recovery of $34.4 million for stranded costs during the period
January 1, 1999 through December 31, 2002. The claim is primarily
for the recovery of: (1) plant investments in excess of estimated
competitive market value and electric generation facility retirement
costs; (2) potential costs associated with existing power purchase
agreements; and (3) regulatory assets (principally income taxes of
approximately $.5 million) recoverable from ratepayers under current
regulatory practice. The claim also seeks to establish a recovery
mechanism that would permit the recovery of up to an additional $28
million of costs associated with the buyout or implementation of a
December 1993 agreement to purchase power from an independent power
producer. The PUC is expected to take action on Electric Utility's
filing in June 1998.
The Customer Choice Act also authorized the PUC to implement pilot
customer choice programs for up to five percent of the peak load of
each customer class. In accordance with PUC directives, Electric
Utility implemented such a pilot program effective November 1, 1997.
The implementation of the pilot program did not have a material
effect on Electric Utility's results of operations.
Given the changing regulatory environment in the electric utility
industry, the Company continues to evaluate its ability to apply the
provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No.
71, "Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation"
(SFAS 71) as it relates to its electric generation operations. SFAS
71 permits the recording of costs (regulatory assets) that have
been, or are expected to be, allowed in the ratesetting process in a
period different from the period in which such costs would be
charged to expense by an unregulated enterprise. The Company
believes its electric generation assets and related regulatory
assets continue to satisfy the criteria of SFAS 71. If such electric
generation assets no longer meet the criteria of SFAS 71, any
related regulatory assets would be written-off unless some form of
transition cost recovery is established by the PUC which would meet
the requirements under generally accepted accounting principles for
continued accounting as regulatory assets during such recovery
period. Any generation-related, long-lived fixed and intangible
assets would be evaluated for impairment under the provisions of
SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of."
-7-
<PAGE> 10
UGI CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(unaudited)
(Million of dollars, except per share amounts)
Based upon an evaluation of the various factors and conditions
affecting future cost recovery, the Company does not expect the
Customer Choice Act to have a material adverse effect on its
financial condition or results of operations.
4. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Partnership has succeeded to certain lease guarantee obligations
of Petrolane Incorporated (Petrolane) relating to Petrolane's
divestiture of nonpropane operations prior to its 1989 acquisition
by QFB Partners. These leases are currently estimated to aggregate
approximately $64.0 million. The leases expire through 2010, and
some of them are currently in default. The Partnership has succeeded
to the indemnity agreement of Petrolane by which Texas Eastern
Corporation (Texas Eastern), a prior owner of Petrolane, agreed to
indemnify Petrolane against any liabilities arising out of the
conduct of businesses that do not relate to, and are not a part of,
the propane business, including lease guarantees. To date, Texas
Eastern has directly satisfied defaulted lease obligations without
the Partnership's having to honor its guarantee. The Partnership
believes the probability that it will be required to directly
satisfy such lease obligations is remote.
In addition, the Partnership has succeeded to Petrolane's agreement
to indemnify Shell Petroleum N.V. (Shell) for various scheduled
claims that were pending against Tropigas de Puerto Rico (Tropigas).
This indemnification agreement had been entered into by Petrolane in
conjunction with Petrolane's sale of the international operations of
Tropigas to Shell in 1989. The Partnership also succeeded to
Petrolane's right to seek indemnity on these claims first from
International Controls Corp., which sold Tropigas to Petrolane, and
then from Texas Eastern. To date, neither the Partnership nor
Petrolane has paid any sums under this indemnity, but several claims
by Shell, including claims related to certain antitrust actions
aggregating at least $68 million, remain pending.
The Company, along with other companies, has been named as a
potentially responsible party (PRP) in several administrative
proceedings and private party recovery actions for the cleanup or
recovery of costs associated with cleanup of various waste sites,
including some Superfund sites. In addition, the Company has
identified environmental contamination at several of its properties
and has voluntarily undertaken investigation and, as appropriate,
remediation of these sites in cooperation with appropriate
environmental agencies or private parties.
At sites in which a former subsidiary of UGI Utilities operated a
manufactured gas plant, UGI Utilities should not have significant
liability because UGI Utilities generally is not legally liable for
the obligations of its subsidiaries. Under certain circumstances,
however, courts have found parent companies liable for environmental
damage caused by subsidiary companies when the parent company
exercised such substantial control over the subsidiary
-8-
<PAGE> 11
UGI CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(unaudited)
(Million of dollars, except per share amounts)
that the court concluded that the parent company either (i) itself
operated the facility causing the environmental damage or (ii)
otherwise so controlled the subsidiary that the subsidiary's
separate corporate form should be disregarded. There could be,
therefore, significant future costs of an uncertain amount
associated with environmental damage caused by manufactured gas
plants that UGI Utilities owned or directly operated, or that were
owned or operated by former subsidiaries of UGI Utilities, if a
court were to conclude that the level of control exercised by UGI
Utilities over the subsidiary satisfies the standard described
above. In many circumstances where UGI Utilities may be liable,
expenditures may not be reasonably quantifiable because of a number
of factors, including various costs associated with potential
remedial alternatives, the unknown number of other potentially
responsible parties involved and their ability to contribute to the
costs of investigation and remediation, and changing environmental
laws and regulations.
The Company's policy is to accrue environmental investigation and
cleanup costs when it is probable that a liability exists and the
amount or range of amounts can be reasonably estimated. The Company
intends to pursue recovery of any incurred costs through all
appropriate means, including regulatory relief, although such
recovery cannot be assured. Gas Utility is currently permitted to
amortize as removal costs site-specific environmental investigation
and remediation costs, net of related third-party payments,
associated with Pennsylvania sites. Gas Utility will be permitted to
include in rates, through future base rate proceedings, a five-year
average of such prudently incurred removal costs.
In addition to these environmental matters, there are various other
pending claims and legal actions arising in of the normal course of
the Company's businesses. The final results of environmental and
other matters cannot be predicted with certainty. However, it is
reasonably possible that some of them could be resolved unfavorably
to the Company. Management believes, after consultation with
counsel, that damages or settlements, if any, recovered by the
plaintiffs in such claims or actions will not have a material
adverse effect on the Company's financial position but could be
material to operating results or cash flows in future periods
depending on the nature and timing of future developments with
respect to these matters and the amounts of future operating results
and cash flows.
-9-
<PAGE> 12
UGI CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(unaudited)
(Millions of dollars, except per share amounts)
5. EARNINGS PER SHARE
The Company adopted SFAS No. 128, "Earnings Per Share" (SFAS 128) during
the quarter ended December 31, 1997. SFAS 128 establishes standards for
computing and presenting earnings per share and simplifies the previous
standards for computing earnings per share found in Accounting
Principles Board Opinion No. 15. SFAS 128 requires restatement of all
prior-period earnings per share data presented. The following table
reflects the reconciliation of the numerators and the denominators of
the basic and diluted earnings per share computations for the periods
presented:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
December 31, December 31,
------------------------- -------------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Numerator:
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net income (applicable to basic
and diluted earnings per share) $ 24.8 $ 27.9 $ 49.0 $ 49.2
=========== =========== =========== ===========
Denominator (millions of shares):
Basic earnings per share 32.927 33.140 32.995 33.091
Incremental shares issuable upon
exercise of stock options 0.154 0.097 0.106 0.097
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Diluted earnings per share 33.081 33.237 33.101 33.188
=========== =========== =========== ===========
Basic earnings per common share $ 0.75 $ 0.84 $ 1.49 $ 1.48
=========== =========== =========== ===========
Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.75 $ 0.84 $ 1.48 $ 1.48
=========== =========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
-10-
<PAGE> 13
UGI CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following analyses compare the Company's results of operations for the
three months ended December 31, 1997 (1997 three-month period) with the three
months ended December 31, 1996 (1996 three-month period) and the twelve months
ended December 31, 1997 (1997 twelve-month period) with the twelve months ended
December 31, 1996 (1996 twelve-month period). The Company's results of
operations should be read in conjunction with the segment information included
in Note 2 to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Due to the
seasonality of the Company's businesses, the results of operations for interim
periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for a full
year.
1997 THREE-MONTH PERIOD COMPARED WITH 1996 THREE-MONTH PERIOD
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended December 31, 1997 1996 Decrease
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Millions of dollars, except per share)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues $471.2 $529.6 $(58.4) (11.0)%
Total margin $198.4 $216.0 $(17.6) (8.1)%
Operating income $ 77.6 $ 89.6 $(12.0) (13.4)%
Net income $ 24.8 $ 27.9 $ (3.1) (11.1)%
Net income per share (diluted) $ .75 $ .84 $ (.09) (10.7)%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The Company's net income in the 1997 three-month period decreased principally
due to the effects of lower retail unit margins experienced by the Partnership.
PROPANE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended December 31, 1997 1996 Decrease
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Millions of dollars)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Retail gallons sold - millions 248.6 251.7 (3.1) (1.2)%
Degree days - % colder (warmer)
than normal 4.3 (1.6) - -
Revenues $302.9 $360.1 $(57.2) (15.9)%
Total margin $139.7 $155.4 $(15.7) (10.1)%
Operating income $ 45.5 $ 59.2 $(13.7) (23.1)%
EBITDA(a) $ 61.6 $ 75.2 $(13.6) (18.1)%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
-11-
<PAGE> 14
UGI CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
(a) EBITDA (earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and
amortization) should not be considered as an alternative to net income
(as an indicator of operating performance) or as an alternative to cash
flow (as a measure of liquidity or ability to service debt obligations)
and is not a measure of performance or financial condition under
generally accepted accounting principles.
Retail volumes of propane sold during the 1997 three-month period were slightly
lower than in the prior-year period. Wholesale volumes of propane sold were
14.1 million gallons higher in the 1997 three-month period due to increased
sales of low margin storage inventories.
Total revenues from retail propane sales decreased $45.7 million to $240.2
million reflecting a $42.2 million decrease as a result of lower average retail
propane selling prices and a $3.5 million decrease resulting from the lower
volumes sold. Unlike the prior-year period when the Partnership's higher
propane prices reflected significantly higher propane product costs, selling
prices in the 1997 three-month period reflected significantly lower propane
product costs. The spot price of propane at Mont Belvieu, Texas, a major U.S.
storage and distribution hub, increased dramatically during the three months
ended December 31, 1996, rising to a quarterly high of 75 cents per gallon on
December 16, 1996. In contrast to spot market conditions existing during the
1996 three-month period, spot prices at Mont Belvieu during the 1997
three-month period declined closing at a price of 32.5 cents a gallon on
December 31, 1997 compared with 40 cents a gallon on September 30, 1997.
Notwithstanding the higher wholesale volumes, wholesale propane revenues
decreased $8.7 million to $37.3 million during the 1997 three-month period
reflecting lower average wholesale propane selling prices. Other revenues
decreased $2.8 million to $25.4 million in the 1997 three-month period due in
part to lower appliance sales revenues.
Total propane margin decreased $15.7 million to $139.7 million in the 1997
three-month period principally reflecting the impact of lower average retail
unit margins and, to a much lesser extent, the reduced retail volumes of
propane sold. Unit margins were lower in the 1997 three-month period than in
the prior-year period which benefitted from fuel supply and pricing strategies
that were especially effective as a result of the unique market conditions
existing at the time. Although the Partnership's propane product costs were
significantly higher in the 1996 three-month period, the Partnership benefitted
from favorable fixed-price supply arrangements and, to a lesser extent,
derivative commodity instruments.
The decrease in operating income and EBITDA during the 1997 three-month period
principally reflects the impact of the lower total margin and a decrease in
miscellaneous income partially offset by lower operating expenses. Total
operating expenses of the Partnership were $80.9 million in the 1997
three-month period compared with the $83.6 million in the 1996 three-month
period. The decrease in operating expenses is primarily a result of a reduction
in workers'
-12-
<PAGE> 15
UGI CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
compensation expense reflecting the benefit of safety improvement programs
initiated in 1996. Miscellaneous income of the Partnership in the three months
ended December 31, 1997 was $.7 million less than in the prior-year period due
principally to lower interest income.
UTILITIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase
Three Months Ended December 31, 1997 1996 (Decrease)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Millions of dollars)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
GAS UTILITY:
Natural gas system throughput - bcf 22.7 24.6 (1.9) (7.7)%
Degree days - % warmer than normal (1.6) (3.2) - -
Revenues $ 116.9 $ 115.8 $ 1.1 .9%
Total margin (a) $ 48.6 $ 50.6 $(2.0) (4.0)%
Operating income $ 28.3 $ 28.6 $ (.3) (1.0)%
ELECTRIC UTILITY:
Electric sales - gwh 227.8 223.7 4.1 1.8%
Revenues $ 18.6 $ 18.4 $ .2 1.1%
Total margin (a) $ 8.9 $ 8.8 $ .1 1.1%
Operating income $ 3.1 $ 3.0 $ .1 3.3%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
bcf - billions of cubic feet. gwh - millions of kilowatt hours.
(a) Gas and Electric utilities' total margin represents total revenues less
cost of sales and revenue-related taxes.
GAS UTILITY. Weather in the Gas Utility service area during the three months
ended December 31, 1997 was 1.6% warmer than normal but 1.6% colder than
weather in the prior-year period. Notwithstanding the colder weather, total
system throughput decreased 7.7% during the 1997 three-month period principally
reflecting a decrease in low-margin interruptible delivery service volumes
resulting from the January 1997 shut-down of a gas-fired cogeneration facility.
Volumes of gas sold to firm-residential, firm-commercial and firm-industrial
(collectively, "core market") customers were comparable with the prior year.
The increase in Gas Utility's total revenues during the 1997 three-month period
is due principally to a $1.4 million increase in revenues from sales to
customers outside Gas Utility's distribution system (off-system sales) and a
$.8 million increase in core market revenues (resulting primarily from higher
purchased gas cost (PGC) rates) partially offset by a decrease in revenues from
-13-
<PAGE> 16
UGI CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
interruptible customers. Cost of gas sold by the Gas Utility was $63.6 million
during the 1997 three-month period, an increase of $3.0 million from the
prior-year period, reflecting the increase in off-system sales and higher PGC
rates.
Gas Utility total margin during the 1997 three-month period was $2.0 million
lower than in the prior-year period principally reflecting a $1.7 million
decrease in total margin from interruptible customers. Total margin from Gas
Utility core market customers during the 1997 three-month period was virtually
unchanged from the prior year.
Although 1997 three-month period total margin decreased $2.0 million from the
prior-year period, Gas Utility operating income decreased only $.3 million
principally as a result of lower operating expenses and slightly higher
miscellaneous income. Operating and administrative expenses decreased $1.3
million during the 1997 three-month period primarily as a result of income from
an expected insurance recovery as well as a decrease in distribution system
maintenance expenses partially offset by higher gas supply expenses.
ELECTRIC UTILITY. Electric Utility sales increased slightly during the 1997
three-month period on weather which was 4.3% colder than last year. Electric
Utility revenues and cost of sales increased $.2 million reflecting the effects
of the higher sales. Pursuant to the provisions of the Customer Choice Act,
Electric Utility's rates were capped at levels in effect on January 1, 1997.
Consequently, the rates Electric Utility could charge customers were the same
in both periods.
Electric Utility total margin and operating income were essentially equal with
the prior-year period. Although Electric Utility's rates, including rates
associated with the recovery of energy costs, have been capped as of January 1,
1997, such rate caps did not materially affect Electric Utility results during
the 1997 three-month period. In addition, the implementation of Electric
Utility's pilot program pursuant to the Customer Choice Act did not have a
material effect on Electric Utility's results of operations.
ENERGY MARKETING
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended December 31, 1997 1996 Decrease
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Millions of dollars)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues $32.8 $35.3 $(2.5) (7.1)%
Total margin $ 1.2 $ 1.2 $ - - %
Operating income $ .5 $ .8 $ (.3) (37.5)%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
-14-
<PAGE> 17
UGI CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
Total revenues from energy marketing in the 1997 three-month period decreased
due to the effects of lower billed volumes partially offset by higher average
natural gas prices. The decrease in billed volumes was due principally to the
loss of volume from the previously mentioned shut-down of a gas-fired
cogeneration facility on the Gas Utility's distribution system. Total margin
for the 1997 three-month period was virtually unchanged from the 1996
three-month period. Operating income from energy marketing was $.5 million in
the 1997 three-month period compared with $.8 million in the prior-year period
principally reflecting slightly higher operating expenses and lower
miscellaneous income.
CORPORATE GENERAL AND OTHER
Operating income (loss) from corporate general and other, net, consisting of
expenses incurred by UGI corporate headquarters net of other miscellaneous
income, was $.2 million in the 1997 three-month period compared with $(2.0)
million in the prior-year period. Operating income in the 1997 three-month
period reflects a $1.2 million pre-tax gain from the sale of UTI Corp. (UTI)
Common Stock received in conjunction with the mid-1980's disposition of the
Company's oilfield service businesses and higher interest income on cash and
short-term investments.
INTEREST EXPENSE AND INCOME TAXES
Interest expense increased to $21.4 million in the 1997 three-month period from
$21.1 million in the prior-year period principally as a result of higher levels
of debt outstanding under the Partnership's Revolving Credit and Acquisition
facilities. The effective income tax rate on pre-tax income for the three
months ended December 31, 1997 was 43.5% compared with a rate of 44.8% for the
three months ended December 31, 1996.
-15-
<PAGE> 18
UGI CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
1997 TWELVE-MONTH PERIOD COMPARED WITH 1996 TWELVE-MONTH PERIOD
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 1997 1996 (Decrease)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Millions of dollars, except per share)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues $1,583.6 $1,660.3 $(76.7) (4.6)%
Total margin $ 667.3 $ 686.9 $(19.6) (2.9)%
Operating income $ 187.9 $ 186.6 $ 1.3 .7 %
Net income $ 49.0 $ 49.2 $ (.2) (.4)%
Net income per share (diluted) $ 1.48 $ 1.48 $ - - %
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The Company's results in the 1997 twelve-month period reflect lower total
margin from the Partnership and Gas Utility due in large part to the effects of
warmer heating-season weather. The decrease in total margin, however, was
substantially offset by reduced operating expenses in the Partnership and Gas
Utility as well as an increase in miscellaneous income.
PROPANE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 1997 1996 Decrease
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Millions of dollars)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Retail gallons sold - millions 804.3 862.8 (58.5) (6.8)%
Degree days - % colder (warmer) than normal (3.1) 1.0 - -
Revenues $1,020.6 $1,087.5 $(66.9) (6.2)%
Total margin $ 461.7 $ 475.8 $(14.1) (3.0)%
Operating income $ 103.4 $ 104.4 $ (1.0) (1.0)%
EBITDA (a) $ 167.8 $ 168.5 $ (.7) (.4)%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(a) EBITDA (earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and
amortization) should not be considered as an alternative to net income
(as an indicator of operating performance) or as an alternative to cash
flow (as a measure of liquidity or ability to service debt obligations)
and is not a measure of performance or financial condition under
generally accepted accounting principles.
-16-
<PAGE> 19
UGI CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
Retail volumes of propane sold decreased in the 1997 twelve-month period
principally reflecting the effects of warmer heating-season weather during the
period January to March 1997 and price-induced customer conservation efforts.
Wholesale volumes of propane sold decreased 26.4 million gallons to 232.7
million gallons in the twelve months ended December 31, 1997 principally due to
reduced low-margin sales of storage inventories.
Total revenues from retail propane sales decreased $40.5 million to $822.5
million reflecting a $58.5 million decrease as a result of the lower volumes
sold partially offset by an $18.0 million increase from higher average retail
propane selling prices. Wholesale propane revenues decreased $19.7 million to
$117.3 million in the 1997 twelve-month period reflecting the lower wholesale
volumes sold. Other revenues decreased $6.7 million to $80.8 million
principally reflecting lower hauling and appliance sales revenues.
Total margin was lower in the 1997 twelve-month period principally reflecting
the impact of the reduced volumes of propane sold partially offset by higher
average retail unit margins. Average unit margins early in the 1996
twelve-month period were lower reflecting, in part, the impact of certain sales
and marketing programs.
Although total propane margin was lower in the 1997 twelve-month period, EBITDA
and operating income were virtually unchanged from the prior year as a result
of lower operating expenses and higher miscellaneous income. Total operating
expenses of the Partnership were $313.7 million in the 1997 twelve-month period
compared with $324.1 million in the 1996 twelve-month period. The 1996
twelve-month period operating expenses are net of $4.4 million from a refund of
insurance premium deposits and $3.3 million from a reduction in accrued
environmental costs recorded in the quarter ended March 31, 1996. The $18.1
million decrease in operating expenses during the twelve months ended December
31, 1997, after adjusting for these items, primarily reflects lower required
accruals for general and automobile liability and workers' compensation costs
and lower customer equipment repairs and maintenance expense as well as reduced
sales and marketing expenses and lower fees for professional services.
Miscellaneous income increased $3.7 million in the 1997 twelve-month period
principally from $4.7 million of income from the sale of the Partnership's 50%
interest in Atlantic Energy, Inc. which owns and operates a liquefied petroleum
gas storage terminal in Chesapeake, Virginia.
-17-
<PAGE> 20
UGI CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
UTILITIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 1997 1996 (Decrease)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Millions of dollars)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
GAS UTILITY:
Natural gas system throughput - bcf 78.3 84.9 (6.6) (7.8)%
Degree days - % colder (warmer) than
normal (4.2) .9 - -
Revenues $390.2 $401.6 $(11.4) (2.8)%
Total margin $166.7 $171.0 $ (4.3) (2.5)%
Operating income $ 74.5 $ 74.5 $ - - %
ELECTRIC UTILITY:
Electric sales - gwh 872.5 883.6 $(11.1) (1.3)%
Revenues $ 72.3 $ 70.8 $ 1.5 2.1 %
Total margin $ 35.3 $ 33.8 $ 1.5 4.4 %
Operating income $ 10.8 $ 9.4 $ 1.4 14.9 %
- ---------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------
</TABLE>
GAS UTILITY. Weather in Gas Utility's service territory in the 1997
twelve-month period was warmer than in the 1996 twelve-month period. Total
system throughput declined principally as a result of the effects of the warmer
weather on core market sales as well as a decrease in low-margin interruptible
delivery service volumes associated with the January 1997 shut-down of a
gas-fired cogeneration facility.
Gas Utility revenues were $11.4 million lower in the 1997 twelve-month period
as a result of a $20.0 million increase in core market revenues principally due
to higher average PGC rates that was more than offset by a $21.4 million
decrease in core market revenues from lower sales, an $8.5 million decrease in
revenues from off-system sales, and lower revenues from interruptible
customers. Cost of gas sold was $208.2 million during the 1997 twelve-month
period, a decrease of $6.9 million from the same period in 1996, principally
reflecting the reduced off-system and core market sales partially offset by the
effects of higher average PGC rates.
Gas Utility total margin decreased in the twelve months ended December 31, 1997
principally reflecting a $5.6 million decrease in total margin from core market
customers and a $1.6 million decrease in total margin from off-system sales
partially offset by a $2.7 million increase in total margin from interruptible
customers.
-18-
<PAGE> 21
UGI CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
Although total margin was $4.3 million lower in the 1997 twelve-month period,
Gas Utility operating income was virtually unchanged principally as a result of
a $2.6 million decrease in operating expenses, a $.7 million decrease in
depreciation and amortization, and higher miscellaneous income. The decrease in
operating expenses includes lower distribution system expenses, lower general
and administrative expenses and income from an expected insurance recovery
partially offset by higher costs associated with environmental matters.
ELECTRIC UTILITY. Electric Utility sales were lower during the twelve months
ended December 31, 1997 than in the prior-year period due in part to warmer
heating-season weather. The increase in Electric Utility revenues is
principally a result of an increase in base rate revenues subsequent to July
19, 1996. Electric Utility cost of sales was $34.0 million, essentially
unchanged from the prior-year period.
Electric Utility total margin during the 1997 twelve-month period increased
principally as a result of the full year effect of higher base rates effective
July 19, 1996. The increase in operating income reflects the increase in total
margin.
ENERGY MARKETING
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 1997 1996 (Decrease)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Millions of dollars)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues $100.5 $100.4 $ .1 .1%
Total margin $ 3.6 $ 6.3 $(2.7) (42.9)%
Operating income $ 1.4 $ 4.3 $(2.9) (67.4)%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Total margin and operating income were lower in the 1997 twelve-month period
compared with the 1996 twelve-month period principally due to lower average
unit margins. The lower unit margins in the 1997 twelve-month period reflect
the warmer winter weather's effect on natural gas prices and the value of
pipeline capacity. Margins in the prior-year period benefitted from favorable
gas supply purchases.
CORPORATE GENERAL AND OTHER
Operating loss from corporate general and other, net, was significantly lower
in the 1997 twelve-month period reflecting $4.7 million in pre-tax gains from
the sale of UTI Common Stock and higher interest income on temporary cash
investments. Corporate general expenses in the prior-year period were lower
reflecting adjustments of incentive accruals recorded in September 1996.
-19-
<PAGE> 22
UGI CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
INTEREST EXPENSE AND INCOME TAXES
Interest expense increased to $83.4 million in the 1997 twelve-month period
from $80.7 million in the 1996 twelve-month period principally as a result of
higher Propane and Utilities' bank loans outstanding and higher levels of debt
outstanding under the Partnership's Acquisition Facility. The Company's
effective income tax rate in both the 1997 twelve-month period and the 1996
twelve-month period was 43.6%.
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY
FINANCIAL CONDITION
The Company's debt outstanding at December 31, 1997 totaled $1,038.6 million,
an increase of $74.6 million from the amounts outstanding at September 30,
1997. The increase principally reflects a $60 million increase in combined
borrowings under the Partnership's Revolving Credit and Acquisition facilities
as well as the issuance of $20 million of notes under UGI Utilities' Series B
Medium-Term Note program.
During the three months ended December 31, 1997, the Partnership declared and
paid distributions on all limited partner units outstanding and the general
partner interests for the quarter ended September 30, 1997. The Partnership's
Minimum Quarterly Distribution (MQD) of 55 cents per limited partner unit for
the quarter ended December 31, 1997 will be paid on February 18, 1998 to holders
of record on February 10, 1998.
On December 29, 1997, the Company announced that it would repurchase up to
400,000 shares of its Common Stock from time to time on the open market. The
Company plans to use the reacquired shares for its dividend reinvestment
program and for other corporate purposes.
CASH FLOWS
The Company's consolidated cash and short-term investments totaled $152.5
million at December 31, 1997 compared with $129.4 million at September 30,
1997. These amounts include $107.5 million and $94.8 million, respectively, of
cash and short-term investments held by UGI. The Company's cash flows are
seasonal and are generally greatest during the second and third fiscal quarters
when customers pay bills incurred during the heating season and are typically
at their lowest levels during the first and fourth fiscal quarters.
Accordingly, cash flows from operations during the three months ended December
31, 1997 are not necessarily indicative of the cash flows to be expected for a
full year.
-20-
<PAGE> 23
UGI CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES. Cash flows from operating activities during the three
months ended December 31, 1997 reflect a net use of $(14.9) million compared
with a net use of $(15.8) million in the comparable prior-year period. Cash
flows from operations before changes in operating working capital were $58.3
million in the three months ended December 31, 1997 compared with $67.6 million
in the prior-year period. The decrease principally reflects a reduction in the
Partnership's operating income. Changes in operating working capital during the
three months ended December 31, 1997 required $73.2 million of operating cash
flow principally from an $87.6 million seasonal increase in accounts receivable
and accrued utility revenues partially offset by an $11.9 million decrease in
inventories and prepaid propane purchases. Changes in operating working capital
during the three months ended December 31, 1996 required $83.4 million of
operating cash flow.
INVESTING ACTIVITIES. Cash expenditures for property, plant and equipment
totaled $15.6 million in the three months ended December 31, 1997 compared with
$17.1 million in the same period in 1996. The decrease principally reflects
lower Gas Utility capital expenditures. During the three months ended December
31, 1997, the Company increased its balance of short-term investments by $8.4
million compared with an increase of $9.3 million in the prior-year period.
Cash used for other investing activities during the three months ended December
31, 1997 includes $3.4 million of loans issued to employees in conjunction with
the Company's stock ownership policy for executives and key employees.
FINANCING ACTIVITIES. During the three months ended December 31, 1997, the
Company paid cash dividends on Common Stock of $11.9 million compared with
$11.8 million of cash dividends in the prior-year period. During the three
months ended December 31, 1997, the Company issued $4.9 million of its Common
Stock compared with $1.3 million during the three months ended December 31,
1996. The increase reflects greater exercises of employee stock options during
the 1997 three-month period. During the three months ended December 31, 1997,
the Company repurchased $1.5 million of its Common Stock compared with $2.5
million in the same period in the prior year. Also during each of the
three-month periods ended December 31, 1997 and 1996, the Partnership paid
distributions of $9.7 million to public unitholders (and $13.7 million to the
General Partner) representing the MQD on all limited partner units and the
general partner interests.
In order to meet seasonal working capital needs, the Partnership borrowed $47
million under its Revolving Credit Facility during the three months ended
December 31, 1997 compared with borrowings of $55 million in the same period in
1996. During the three months ended December 31, 1997, UGI Utilities made net
repayments of $4.3 million under its revolving credit agreements compared with
net borrowings of $18.8 million in the prior-year period.
During the three months ended December 31, 1997, the Company issued $33.0
million of long-term debt including $20 million of 7.25% notes issued under the
UGI Utilities' Series B Medium-Term Note program (the proceeds of which were
used to reduce bank loans) and $13 million under the Partnership's Acquisition
Facility. During the comparable prior-year
-21-
<PAGE> 24
UGI CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
period, the Company issued $7.7 million of long-term debt including $7 million
under the Partnership's Acquisition Facility relating to acquisitions made
prior to fiscal 1997. During the three months ended December 31, 1997, the
Company repaid $1.8 million of long-term debt. In the prior-year three-month
period, the Company made long-term debt repayments of $9.4 million which
included UGI Utilities' repayment of $8.4 million of its Series First Mortgage
Bonds.
ELECTRICITY GENERATION CUSTOMER CHOICE AND COMPETITION ACT
On August 7, 1997, Electric Utility filed with the PUC its restructuring plan
pursuant to the Customer Choice Act. The restructuring plan includes a claim
for the recovery of $34.4 million for stranded costs during the period January
1, 1999 through December 31, 2002. The claim is primarily for the recovery of:
(1) plant investments in excess of estimated competitive market value and
electric generation facility retirement costs; (2) potential costs associated
with existing power purchase agreements; and (3) regulatory assets (principally
income taxes of approximately $.5 million) recoverable from ratepayers under
current regulatory practice. The claim also seeks to establish a recovery
mechanism that would permit the recovery of up to an additional $28 million of
costs associated with the buyout or implementation of a December 1993 agreement
to purchase power from an independent power producer. The PUC is expected to
take action on Electric Utility's filing in June 1998.
Given the changing regulatory environment in the electric utility industry, the
Company continues to evaluate its ability to apply the provisions of SFAS No.
71, "Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation" as it relates
to its electric generation operations. SFAS 71 permits the recording of costs
(regulatory assets) that have been, or are expected to be, allowed in the
ratesetting process in a period different from the period in which such costs
would be charged to expense by an unregulated enterprise. The Company believes
its electric generation assets and related regulatory assets continue to
satisfy the criteria of SFAS 71. If such electric generation assets no longer
meet the criteria of SFAS 71, any related regulatory assets would be
written-off unless some form of transition cost recovery is established by the
PUC which would meet the requirements under generally accepted accounting
principles for continued accounting as regulatory assets during such recovery
period. Any generation-related, long-lived fixed and intangible assets would be
evaluated for impairment under the provisions of SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for
the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed
Of."
Based upon an evaluation of the various factors and conditions affecting future
cost recovery, the Company does not expect the Customer Choice Act to have a
material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.
-22-
<PAGE> 25
UGI CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
On March 27, 1997, proposed customer choice legislation was introduced in the
Pennsylvania General Assembly that would, among other things, extend the
availability of gas transportation service to residential and small commercial
customers of local gas distribution companies. It would permit all customers of
natural gas distribution utilities to transport their natural gas supplies
through the distribution systems of Pennsylvania gas utilities by April 1, 1999
and would also require Pennsylvania gas utilities to exit the merchant function
of selling natural gas. Legislative committees have conducted public hearings
on the proposed legislation and the Company has provided testimony on such
issues as the recovery of costs associated with its existing gas supply assets
and the need for standards to assure reliability of future gas supplies. At the
request of the Governor of Pennsylvania, in December 1997 a collaborative group
of industry stakeholders was convened to attempt to further develop the
proposed legislation. The Company will continue to monitor developments and
participate, as appropriate, in the legislative process.
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES
(c) On October 14, 1997, UGI Corporation contributed 42,078 treasury
shares of Common Stock ("Shares") to its wholly owned subsidiary
AmeriGas, Inc. ("AmeriGas"). On the same date, in connection with
the acquisition by merger of a corporation ("Target") by
AmeriGas, the common stock of Target was exchanged for the 42,078
Shares (valued at $28.06 per share). UGI Corporation and AmeriGas
effected the foregoing transactions in reliance on the exemption
from registration provided under Section 4(2) of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended ("Act"). The Company believes that the
transaction between AmeriGas and Target was exempt from
registration under Section 4(2) of the Act because the subject
securities were sold in a privately negotiated transaction to two
accredited investors who where purchasing for investment without
a view to further distribution.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) List of Exhibits:
27 Financial Data Schedule
(b) The Company did not file any Current Reports on Form 8-K during
the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 1997.
-23-
<PAGE> 26
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
UGI Corporation
----------------------------
(Registrant)
Date: February 13, 1998 By: C.L. Ladner
- ------------------------ ---------------------------------------------
C. L. Ladner, Senior Vice President - Finance
Date: February 13, 1998 By: M. J. Cuzzolina
- ------------------------ ------------------------------------------------
M. J. Cuzzolina, Vice President - Accounting and
Financial Control (Principal Accounting Officer)
-24-
<PAGE> 27
UGI CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
EXHIBIT INDEX
27 Financial Data Schedule
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND INCOME STATEMENT OF UGI CORPORATION AND
SUBSIDIARIES AS OF AND FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN
UGI CORPORATION'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER
31, 1997.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000884614
<NAME> UGI CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1997
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997
<CASH> 78,800
<SECURITIES> 73,700
<RECEIVABLES> 215,000
<ALLOWANCES> 11,200
<INVENTORY> 105,600
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 495,000
<PP&E> 1,412,700
<DEPRECIATION> 422,700
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,244,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 444,500
<BONDS> 876,600
32,200
0
<COMMON> 393,700
<OTHER-SE> (100)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,244,000
<SALES> 471,200
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 471,200
<CGS> 267,300
<TOTAL-COSTS> 267,300
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 21,400
<INCOME-PRETAX> 45,100
<INCOME-TAX> 19,600
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 24,800
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 24,800
<EPS-PRIMARY> .75
<EPS-DILUTED> .75
</TABLE>
