Global Partners LP
Q4 2020 Earnings Call Transcript

Published: 5 Mar 2021

[Operator:]

Good day, everyone, and welcome to the Global Partners Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Financial Results Conference Call. Today's call is being recorded. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. A brief question-and-answer session will follow the formal presentation. With us from Global Partners are, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Eric Slifka; Chief Financial Officer, Ms. Daphne Foster; Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Mark Romaine; and Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Mr. Edward Faneuil. At this time, I'd like to turn the call over to Mr. Faneuil for opening remarks. Please, go ahead, sir.

[Edward Faneuil:]

Good morning, everyone. Thank you for joining us today. Before we begin, let me remind everyone that this morning we will be making forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. These statements may include, but are not limited to, projections, beliefs, goals, estimates, concerning the future financial and operational performance of Global Partners. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions regarding market conditions, such as the crude oil market, business cycles, demand for petroleum products, including gasoline and gasoline blendstocks and renewable fuels, utilization of assets and facilities, weather, credit markets, demand for c-store offerings, the regulatory and permitting environment and the forward product pricing curve, which could influence quarterly financial results. These statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond the partnership's control, including without limitation, the impact and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, uncertainty around the timing of an economic recovery in the United States, which will impact the demand for the products we sell and the services we provide, uncertainty around the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to our counterparties and our customers and their corresponding ability to perform their obligations and/or utilize the products we sell and/or the services we provide, uncertainty around the impact and duration of federal, state and municipal regulations and directives related to the COVID-19 pandemic and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from the partnership's historical experience and present expectations or projections. We believe these assumptions are reasonable, given currently available information. Our assumptions and future performance are subject to a wide range of business risks and uncertainties. In addition, such performance is subject to risk factors, including, but not limited to those described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Global Partners undertakes no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to any forward-looking statements that may be made during today's conference call. With Regulation FD in effect, it is our policy that any material comments concerning future results of operations will be communicated through news releases, publicly announced conference calls or other means that will constitute public disclosure for the purposes of Regulation FD.

[Eric Slifka:]

Thank you, Edward, and good morning, everyone. Global delivered extraordinary results in 2020, posting net income of $102.2 million, adjusted EBITDA of $287.7 million and distributable cash flow of $156.4 million; increases in each metric year-over-year. Global has always adapted and innovated to meet the most essential needs of the customers and the economic regions we serve. Our performance in the face of a global pandemic underscores the resilience of our business model and highlights our fundamental role as a critical infrastructure company. In that role, we provide energy products and essential goods and services through a portfolio of fully integrated terminal, supply and real estate assets. I also want to publicly acknowledge the outstanding work of our people from the frontline associates at our gas stations, convenience stores and terminals to our office personnel at locations throughout the country. In a year like no other, they kept our operations running smoothly, ensuring the safety of our guests and customers, while helping us innovate and grow. As an organization, philanthropy is in our DNA, this past year we prioritized causes at the hyperlocal level supporting the residents and communities where we live and work. Throughout the pandemic, we have donated thousands of meals to frontline workers and those in need, providing health care workers and first responders with free gift cards to fuel up at our retail locations and participated in a number of volunteer projects. Turning to our distribution. In January of this year the Board of Directors of our general partner declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.55 per common unit or $2.20 on an annualized basis on all outstanding units for the period from October 1 to December 31, 2020. The distribution which was paid February 12 to unitholders of record as of the close of business on February 8 marked the third consecutive quarter in which the Board has increased the distribution. It's worth noting that in 2020 we returned $64.8 million to common unitholders in the form of distributions. We remain focused on delivering long-term value for our unitholders through cash distributions, as well as through capital investments and strategic acquisitions with the goal of mid-teen returns or higher. Moving to our recent operating highlights. In December, we signed an agreement to purchase the retail fuel and convenience store assets of consumer petroleum of Connecticut Incorporated. The acquisition includes 27 company-operated retail gas stations with wheels branded convenience stores in Connecticut as well as fuel supply agreements for approximately 25 gas stations in Connecticut and New York. We expect the transaction to close in the first quarter of this year subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Separately, we are expanding our presence in the Greater Philadelphia market with the addition of retail assets that complement our existing wholesale unbranded business and position us to grow our retail branded independent dealer business.

[Daphne Foster:]

Thank you, Eric, and good morning everyone. As Eric highlighted, we performed well in 2020 despite an uncertain macroeconomic environment. Our results speak to the resiliency of our integrated business model, the quality of our assets and the versatility of our terminal network. As we go through the results, please keep in mind that net income, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and DCF in the fourth quarter and full year of 2020 include a $7.2 million loss on the early extinguishment of debt related to the October 2020 redemption of the 7% senior notes due 2023.

[Eric Slifka:]

Thanks, Daphne. Our ability to provide liability while adapting to changes in product demand continued to serve us well. I want to close by again thanking our team for their commitment, adaptability, and innovation that allowed us to deliver the year's outstanding results. As we continue to embrace changes in consumer behavior and the demand for greener energy, I am confident that our strategic assets and one Global team will provide the essential goods and services that make life better. Now, Daphne and I, will be happy to take your questions. Operator?

[Operator:]

Thank you. We will now be conducting a question-and-answer session. Thank you. Our first question comes from the line of Selman Akyol with Stifel. Please, proceed with your questions.

[Selman Akyol:]

Thank you. Good morning to all. So in your opening comments you talked about, sort of a bridge to greener future. And you specifically called out electric stations. So I'm just sort of wondering, what your evaluating there? Is it adding anything to your existing footprint, or would it be to an existing station, or would it be something as a separate station? Or is there anything you share on that?

[Eric Slifka:]

Sure, Selman. It's Eric Slifka. First of all, I just want to correct one statement that, I made. I inadvertently said consumers, the company that we bought in Connecticut was going to close in Q1, and I meant Q2. So I just wanted to sort of get that on the record so there was no misunderstanding around that. Now, Selman in regards to your question around sort of greener future electric stations. We have one location where we have a high-speed electric charging site that we partnered with Electrify America on. And that site, I can tell you has not had super high use and the capital that Electrify America spent to do it was not immaterial. So I think the goal for us here is to figure out a path that is profitable for the company to include electric charging sites at locations. Typically, they're off to the side, but there can be as many as five or six charging slots what I'll call. And I think we're considering it in every site where we're tearing up the hard top and replacing tanks or replacing that hard top, it's an opportunity where the ground is opened up to basically put in the line, so that we can essentially, if we decide to go to electric at what time where we think we can make some profit we'll pull the wires through and the conduit and then we'll make sure that we're in a place to deliver that product to the consumer.

[Selman Akyol:]

Understood. You also talked about expanding terminal presence I think for RNG -- for renewables there for biofuels. Can you just maybe talk a little bit more about that? And then also is that more profitable relative to your current terminals?

[Eric Slifka:]

So we think that there's a good return by making that investment on its face. And essentially we're pushing very hard by example and taking a leadership role announcing Project Carbon Freedom. And what that is, is going to essentially state governments and providing an alternative fuel that lowers the carbon footprint and is cleaner than other liquid or even electric alternatives today. And it essentially is heating oil blended with biofuel and it's a partnership with bio producers to try and go to the states and say, hey look we have a fuel that is cleaner and better than the alternatives that are out there by example natural gas and at certain blend levels. And we think this sis a good opportunity to use the existing infrastructure whether that is terminals or tanks in a consumer's home in their existing heating equipment to actually push it as a better alternative to something that will be more costly.

[Selman Akyol:]

Got it. And then the last one you talked about sort of expanding your retail market presence in Philadelphia. Can you maybe share some goalposts there as you think about it?

[Eric Slifka:]

Yes. I mean there was a couple of opportunities there with some companies that were getting out of the business or just had a few sites that we were able to pick up. I think our total amount in Philadelphia and I'm going to sort of look to my team there. Mark Romaine, do you have the total count for that and Philly? For some reason I think it's about 15. Mark Romaine are you listening?

[Mark Romaine:]

I am I was on mute. I think it's a bit higher than that. I think it's like 27 at the moment. We continue to add sites.

[Eric Slifka:]

And so -- and basically how are we thinking about that it's expanding our retail footprint into a different marketplace. And my perspective is once you're on the ground you sort of have a better feel for what deals are taking place and it provides more opportunity growth for the company in multiple ways.

[Selman Akyol:]

Very good. Thank you.

[Operator:]

Our next question comes from the line of Gregg Brody with Bank of America. Please proceed with your question.

[Gregg Brody:]

Good morning, guys.

[Eric Slifka:]

Hey Gregg.

[Gregg Brody:]

So I just you're increasing the dividend points to obviously the year you had which was better than it turned out better-than-expected when you cut it earlier in the year. What's -- how are you thinking about that going forward especially in light of the fact that you're not providing guidance yet?

[Daphne Foster:]

Good morning, Greeg, it's Daphne. We continue to have the same approaches I think we always have which is basically in terms of making the distribution decision. We're looking at our performance, we're looking forward in terms of what our cash needs are for whether it's acquisitions or CapEx and keeping our balance sheet leverage in mind as well. So it's really a bit of a balancing act. Obviously this past year was particularly strong and as we cited the excess cash flow after distributions was very healthy.

[Gregg Brody:]

Got it. And then in your CapEx number guidance and the growth CapEx number you provided how much of that would you say is for green initiatives?

[Daphne Foster:]

How much is for what sorry?

[Gregg Brody:]

For some of your green initiatives?

[Daphne Foster:]

I would say that the lion's share of the expansion CapEx is really toward the retail side of the business the GDSO segment. And I don't think it's a material amount as of yet on the green side of the business.

[Gregg Brody:]

Got it. Do you foresee any of these initiatives you're working on acquiring a growth -- a bump in growth CapEx that's material?

[Daphne Foster:]

I don't have…

[Eric Slifka:]

Are you saying for green initiatives?

[Gregg Brody:]

Yes. I'm using green just to capture cleaner fuels.

[Eric Slifka:]

Yes. I mean, I think its possible right? I mean, there's -- we're having lots of conversations around other initiatives. And there are deals that we have done, but there are conversations. And you won't know until you get there. But certainly we have -- what I would say is, it's very busy. There's a lot of opportunity, okay? The field with the new administration is changing. We're very aware of what those changes are and we're trying to make sure that we're plugged into them and that we're opportunistic, so that we can deliver solutions that the government and the market is looking for. And we're just trying to make sure that we're in position for them. What all of those ultimately end up being, I don't know, but what I can tell you is just as we stepped into the renewable diesel transaction out on the West Coast, we continue to look to grow that business in fundamental ways and it's like anything else. You've got to manage the risk and the expenditure that's around it and you have to have the right contracts set up, so that you're not taking unknown risk, financial risk but that's what we're driving towards.

[Gregg Brody:]

Just -- I've been noticing some announcements in areas that you're not as active where utilities in the south are trying to provide charging stations. Are you in conversations with some of the utilities in the areas that you operate for something to participate in joint ventures things like that? Is that…

[Eric Slifka:]

So I would say more traditional electric charging companies. So I'd say we're canvassing them, because we've -- look at the end of the day what do I believe? I believe, we have great real estate, okay? That is going to be used by somebody to deliver energy, whether that energy is electric or some other form. So I think we're positioned well to take advantage of that opportunity as it plays itself out. The utilities have not reached out to us but the -- what I would say is the more traditional charging companies where we've been in contact with most of them right? But once again, it's about structure because the demand A versus the cost to do high-speed charging at least in these markets, it's a little bit of a tough process to do it on your own. But if you canvas partnerships and subsidies there may be a possibility. But by example we've got stations in Connecticut on the 95 quarter and that's an opportunity for electric as well right? We've got stations that are off highways. Those are all potential opportunities as well. It's just finding the right partnership that provides both of us value. And that's on the retail side. But I do think there's a terminalling opportunity as well. And we talk about the bio grant and that's a small investment and its timing and its permits. But you're going to grind away at it and build your blocks out and hopefully in a couple of years we'll be in a position where we have biofuel at many more of our terminal facilities right?

[Gregg Brody:]

Yes. No it's -- I'm sure it's fastening on right now. That's interesting to hear your perspective on this. The right question…

[Eric Slifka:]

Yes, Gregg, I do -- I think we're really in a good position here because we're a hard asset company, right? And we're in highly travel locations and so at the end of the day whoever decides they're going to -- if they want to really build it out in a big way, we can be a provider of those assets to them, right? And the infrastructure that we have can in fact, help them to deliver that need as it grows, right? Because, there's not a question about is this growing it's going to grow, whether it gets mandated or not, right? And so, the question is around what technology wins, right? What battery technology wins, right? And what percentage of the market does that take over. And how long is it, right? But it's complex, because there's going to have to be a lot of subsidies, and a lot of mandates, to make it happen. We just think that we'll have a role in it.

[Gregg Brody:]

That makes sense. And just my last question, with the rise in crude prices you've seen subsequent to the quarter, is -- are you seeing any pressure on margin? Or are you still able to hold your traditional retail margin that you've been putting up the last couple of quarters?

[Eric Slifka:]

Yes. I basically, I would say, the market has been in an up mode, for I don't know how many months, a lot of months. What I would say broadly, is you can sort of go look at the NYMEX versus GasBuddy. But generally, even though, the margins are squeezed from what they were in the pandemic. They're generally pretty good.

[Gregg Brody:]

That's it for me. Guys thank you so much.

[Operator:]

Our next question comes from the line of Ned Baramov with Wells Fargo. Please proceed with your question.

[Ned Baramov:]

Hi. Good morning. Thanks for taking the questions. Most of my questions have been asked and answered. I had one for Daphne. Could you maybe talk about, some of the drivers behind the increase in SG&A expenses, in the fourth quarter? I did catch the incentive comp piece, but just wondering, what is a good number to use going forward?

[Daphne Foster:]

Yes. Ned, good morning. Yes, the SG&A was heavy in the quarter at $49 million or so -- and $49 million. And that was in part due to incentive comp as you mentioned as well as really the timing of other expenses. I'd say it's a bit heavy on a run-rate basis, not materially. For the full year we had $192 million which is although up year-over-year by more than $21 million in part again, due to professional fee salaries incentive comp. And some COVID-related expenses, we did underspend during the year in certain areas and costs as you know go up. So I'd say, SG&A is heavy in the quarter, but it's not materially up.

[Ned Baramov:]

Got it. And then, one more if I may, just if you could provide your latest thoughts on IDRS?

[Daphne Foster:]

I don't have really any comment on IDRS. And there's nothing really to announce with regards to the existing IDR structure.

[Ned Baramov:]

Thank you. This all, I had.

[Operator:]

Thank you. We have reached the end of our allotted time for questions. Mr. Slifka, I would now like to turn the floor back over to you for closing comments.

[Eric Slifka:]

Thank you for joining us this morning. We look forward to keeping you updated on our progress. Stay safe, everybody. Thank you.

[Operator:]

Ladies and gentlemen, this does conclude today's teleconference. You may disconnect your lines at this time. Thank you for your participation. And have a wonderful day.