Global Partners Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2013 Financial Results; Provides 2014 Guidance

Global Partners LP (NYSE:GLP) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and 12 months ended December 31, 2013.

“Global’s financial and operational performance in 2013 benefitted from product diversification that helped generate higher volumes and margins,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Eric Slifka. “Crude oil was a key business driver in our Wholesale segment, as we significantly expanded our rail distribution capabilities with the acquisitions of Basin Transload in North Dakota and the Columbia Pacific Bio-Refinery in Oregon and completed our first full year of operations under our Phillips 66 logistics agreement.

“Our Gasoline Distribution and Station Operations segment contributed 50% of product margin for the year, reflecting a full year of results from our acquisition of Alliance Energy in March 2012,” Slifka continued. “We also continued the rollout of new retail gas stations and convenience stores under our Alltown brand.

“Our Commercial segment, while a comparatively small portion of our overall business, generated a 52% increase in product margin for the year, led by contributions from our bunker fuel and natural gas operations.”

On March 13, 2014, Global announced that it would restate its previously issued unaudited consolidated financial statements for March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2013 primarily to reflect a correction in its accounting for Renewal Identification Numbers (RINs). The Partnership is filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission its amended quarterly reports on Form 10-Q/A, which also reflect corrections identified by management after the March 13th announcement with respect to liabilities related to RIN forward commitments for the respective periods.

Fourth Quarter 2013 Financial Summary

Net income for the fourth quarter of 2013 was $34.0 million, or $1.20 per diluted limited partner unit, compared with net income of $22.7 million, or $0.81 per diluted limited partner unit, for the fourth quarter of 2012.

Combined product margin for the fourth quarter of 2013 was $150.0 million, compared with $115.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2012.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for the fourth quarter of 2013 were $64.9 million, compared with $47.1 million for the same period of 2012.

Distributable cash flow (DCF) for the fourth quarter of 2013 was $52.5 million, compared with $32.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2012.

Financial results for the fourth quarter of 2013 benefitted from a $9.5 million decrease in the mark-to-market liability related to the Partnership’s Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) and a $0.4 million decrease in the liability related to RIN forward commitments.

At the end of each financial reporting period, the Partnership, if it is in a deficit RIN position relative to its RVO, recognizes a mark-to-market valuation of the deficit. Also at the end of each financial reporting period, a liability is recorded for RIN forward commitments, if unfavorable.

Combined product margin, EBITDA, and DCF are non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) financial measures, which are explained in greater detail below under "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures." Please refer to Financial Reconciliations included in this news release for reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures for the three and 12 months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

Sales for the fourth quarter of 2013 were $4.8 billion, compared with $5.1 billion for the same period in 2012. Wholesale segment sales were $3.7 billion, down approximately 9 % from $4.1 billion for the fourth quarter of 2012. Sales from the Gasoline Distribution and Station Operations segment decreased 6% to $819.1 million from $875.9 million for the same period in 2012. Commercial segment sales were $265.4 million, up 79% versus $148.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2012.

Wholesale segment volume declined 3% to 1.38 billion gallons in the fourth quarter of 2013 from 1.42 billion gallons for the same period of 2012. Volume in the Gasoline Distribution and Station Operations segment was 263.4 million gallons for the fourth quarter of 2013, down 2% compared with 267.9 million gallons in the comparable period of 2012. Commercial segment volume improved 12% to 108.9 million gallons, compared with 96.9 million gallons for the fourth quarter of 2012.

Gross profit increased 29% to $134.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2013, compared with $104.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2012. Wholesale product margin increased 93% to $82.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2013, compared with $42.6 million for the same period in 2012. In the Gasoline Distribution and Station Operations segment, product margin was $60.7 million, down 11% from $68.4 million in the comparable period of 2012. Commercial segment product margin increased 56% to $7.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2013, compared with $4.5 million in the same period of 2012.

Full Year 2013 Financial Summary

Net income for the 12 months ended December 31, 2013 was $42.6 million, or $1.42 per diluted limited partner unit, compared with $46.7 million, or $1.71 per diluted limited partner unit, for the same period in 2012.

Combined product margin for 2013 was $461.5 million, compared with $370.2 million for 2012.

EBITDA for the 12 months ended December 31, 2013 increased to $157.4 million from $135.8 million for the same period in 2012.

Distributable cash flow for 2013 was $105.2 million, compared with $80.8 million for the comparable period in 2012.

Financial results for the 12 months ended December 31, 2013 were adversely affected by a $13.1 million increase in the mark-to-market valuation of the Partnership’s deficit RIN position relative to its RVO and a $6.2 million increase in the liability related to RIN forward commitments.

Sales for the 12 months ended December 31, 2013 increased 11% to $19.6 billion, compared with $17.6 billion for the same period in 2012. Wholesale segment sales were up 10% to $15.2 billion, compared with $13.8 billion for 2012. Sales from the Gasoline Distribution and Station Operations segment grew 7% to $3.4 billion for 2013, compared with $3.1 billion for 2012. Commercial segment sales were $1.0 billion for 2013, 40% higher than $716.2 million for 2012.

Combined product volume increased 14% to 7.0 billion gallons in 2013 from 6.1 billion gallons in 2012. Wholesale segment volume grew 15% to 5.5 billion gallons versus 4.8 billion gallons in 2012. Volume in the Gasoline Distribution and Station Operations segment was 1.0 billion gallons in 2013, 10% higher than the 954.3 million gallons in 2012. Commercial segment volume increased to 401.5 million gallons in 2013, up 14% from 352.2 million gallons in 2012.

Gross profit increased 22% to $405.8 million in 2013 from $333.5 million in 2012. Wholesale product margin grew 39% to $202.9 million in 2013, compared with $145.4 million for the same period in 2012. In the Gasoline Distribution and Station Operations segment, product margin increased 12% to $230.3 million from $206.1 million in 2012. Commercial segment product margin was up 52% to $28.4 million in 2013, compared with $18.7 million in 2012.

Recent Highlights

• Global recently completed an expansion that more than doubled the storage capacity of its Basin Transload crude oil terminals in Beulah and Columbus, North Dakota to 550,000 barrels.
• The Board of Directors of Global’s general partner, Global GP LLC, declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.6125 per unit ($2.45 per unit on an annualized basis) on all of its outstanding common units for the period from October 1 through December 31, 2013.

Business Outlook

“Global continues to broaden its geographic footprint and asset base through strategic acquisitions and organic growth projects,” Slifka said. “We continue to expand our mid-continent assets with increased storage capacity and additional pipeline connectivity. This critical infrastructure provides optionality and market efficiencies for our customers by enabling product movements to the highest value markets.

“Looking ahead, we will continue to develop and enhance our system of product terminals, rail distribution facilities and gas station sites,” Slifka continued. “The flexibility of these assets diversifies our cash flows, expands our income streams and provides us opportunities to optimize within our network. We begin the year with strong momentum and are well positioned to meet our growth objectives.”

For full-year 2014, Global expects EBITDA in the range of $175 million to $195 million. This guidance is based on assumptions regarding current market conditions, including demand for petroleum products and renewable fuels, weather, credit markets, the regulatory and permitting environment and the forward product pricing curve, which could influence quarterly financial results.

Financial Results Conference Call

Management will review the Partnership’s fourth-quarter and year-end 2013 financial results in a teleconference call for analysts and investors today.

The call also will be webcast live and archived on Global’s website, www.globalp.com.

Information about Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs)

A RIN is a serial number assigned to a batch of biofuel for the purpose of tracking its production, use, and trading as required by the Environmental Protection Agency's Renewable Fuel Standard that originated with the Energy Policy Act of 2005. To evidence that the required volume of renewable fuel is blended with gasoline, obligated parties must acquire sufficient RINs to cover their Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO). The Partnership’s EPA obligations relative to renewable fuel reporting are largely limited to the foreign gasoline that the Partnership may choose to import. The Partnership separates RINs from renewable fuel through blending with gasoline throughout its terminal system and can use those separated RINs to settle its RVO. While the annual compliance period for RVO is a calendar year, the settlement of the RVO can occur, upon certain deferral elections, more than one year after the close of the compliance period. At the end of each financial reporting period, the Partnership, if it is in a deficit position relative to its RVO, recognizes a mark-to-market valuation of the deficit. Also at the end of each financial reporting period, a liability is recorded for RIN forward commitments, if unfavorable.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Product Margin

Global Partners views product margin as an important performance measure of the core profitability of its operations. The Partnership reviews product margin monthly for consistency and trend analysis. Global Partners defines product margin as sales minus product costs. Sales primarily include sales of unbranded and branded gasoline, distillates, residual oil, renewable fuels, crude oil, natural gas and propane, as well as convenience store sales and gasoline station rental income. Product costs include the cost of acquiring the refined petroleum products, renewable fuels, crude oil, natural gas and propane and all associated costs including shipping and handling costs to bring such products to the point of sale as well as product costs related to convenience store items. The Partnership also looks at product margin on a per unit basis (product margin divided by volume). Product margin is a non-GAAP financial measure used by management and external users of Global Partners’ consolidated financial statements to assess the Partnership’s business. Product margin should not be considered an alternative to net income, operating income, cash flow from operations, or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with GAAP. In addition, Global Partners’ product margin may not be comparable to product margin or a similarly titled measure of other companies.

EBITDA

EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure used as a supplemental financial measure by management and may be used by external users of Global Partners' consolidated financial statements, such as investors, commercial banks and research analysts, to assess the Partnership’s:

• compliance with certain financial covenants included in its debt agreements;
• financial performance without regard to financing methods, capital structure, income taxes or historical cost basis;
• ability to generate cash sufficient to pay interest on its indebtedness and to make distributions to its partners;
• operating performance and return on invested capital as compared to those of other companies in the wholesale, marketing, storing and distribution of refined petroleum products, renewable fuels, crude oil and propane, without regard to financing methods and capital structure; and
• viability of acquisitions and capital expenditure projects and the overall rates of return of alternative investment opportunities.

EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income, operating income, cash flow from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA excludes some, but not all, items that affect net income and these measures may vary among other companies. Therefore, EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

Distributable Cash Flow

Distributable cash flow is an important non-GAAP financial measure for Global Partners’ limited partners since it serves as an indicator of the Partnership's success in providing a cash return on their investment. Distributable cash flow means the Partnership’s net income plus depreciation and amortization minus maintenance capital expenditures, as well as adjustments to eliminate items approved by the audit committee of the Board of Directors of the Partnership's general partner that are extraordinary or non-recurring in nature and that would otherwise increase distributable cash flow. Specifically, this financial measure indicates to investors whether or not the Partnership has generated sufficient earnings on a current or historic level that can sustain or support an increase in its quarterly cash distribution. Distributable cash flow is a quantitative standard used by the investment community with respect to publicly traded partnerships. Distributable cash flow should not be considered as an alternative to net income, operating income, cash flow from operations, or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with GAAP. In addition, Global Partners' distributable cash flow may not be comparable to distributable cash flow or similarly titled measures of other companies.

About Global Partners LP

A publicly traded master limited partnership, Global Partners LP is a midstream logistics and marketing company. Global owns, controls or has access to one of the largest terminal networks of refined petroleum products and renewable fuels in the Northeast, and is one of the largest distributors of gasoline, distillates, residual oil and renewable fuels to wholesalers, retailers and commercial customers in New England and New York. Global is a leader in the purchasing, selling and logistics of transporting domestic and Canadian crude oil and other products by rail across its “virtual pipeline” from the mid-continent region of the U.S. and Canada to the East and West Coasts for distribution to refiners and other customers. With a portfolio of approximately 900 locations primarily in the Northeast, Global also is one of the largest independent owners, suppliers and operators of gasoline stations and convenience stores. In addition, Global is a distributor of natural gas and propane. Global is No. 157 in the Fortune 500 list of America’s largest corporations. For additional information visit www.globalp.com.

Forward-looking Statements

Some of the information contained in this news release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may project, indicate or imply future results, events, performance or achievements, and may contain the words “may,” “believe,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “will likely result,” or other similar expressions. In addition, any statement made by Global Partners LP’s management concerning future financial performance (including future revenues, earnings or growth rates), ongoing business strategies or prospects and possible actions by Global Partners LP or its subsidiaries are also forward-looking statements.

Although Global Partners LP believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there may be events in the future that Global Partners LP is not able to predict accurately or control, and there can be no assurance that future developments affecting Global Partners LP’s business will be those that it anticipates. Estimates for Global Partners LP’s future EBITDA are based on a number of assumptions regarding market conditions, including demand for petroleum products and renewable fuels, weather, credit markets, the regulatory and permitting environment and the forward product pricing curve. Therefore, Global Partners LP can give no assurance that its future EBITDA will be as estimated.

For additional information about risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations Global Partners LP describes in its forward-looking statements, please refer to Global Partners LP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings the Partnership makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. Global Partners LP expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or beliefs or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement is based.