Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. Announces First Quarter Results
Rhea-AI Summary
Suburban Propane Partners (NYSE:SPH) reported fiscal Q1 2026 results for the period ended December 27, 2025: net income $45.8M ($0.69/unit) versus $19.4M ($0.30) year-ago and Adjusted EBITDA $83.4M, up 10.8% year-over-year. Retail propane volumes rose 4.2% to 110.2 million gallons.
The quarter included strategic activity: issuance of $350M 6.50% senior notes due 2035, two California acquisitions for $24.0M, RNG facility commissioning and a declared quarterly distribution of $0.325 per unit.
Positive
- Net income increased to $45.8M from $19.4M (Q1 FY25)
- Adjusted EBITDA improved 10.8% to $83.4M
- Propane volumes sold rose 4.2% to 110.2 million gallons
- Refinancing extended debt maturities by ~3 years via $350M notes due 2035
- Acquisitions completed in California for $24.0M to expand retail footprint
Negative
- Average Mont Belvieu propane prices fell 14.0% year-over-year, pressuring per-gallon revenue
- Consolidated leverage remains elevated at 4.57x for the trailing twelve months
- New senior notes coupon increased to 6.50% versus prior 5.875%, raising interest cost risk
- Maintenance capital expenditures rose to $6.1M from $4.6M (≈32% increase)
- Growth capital expenditures declined to $13.7M from $19.2M (≈29% decrease)
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
SPH declined 0.84% while several gas/utility peers also traded lower (e.g., NWN -0.62%, OPAL -2.19%, CTRI -3.21%, MDU -0.57%), with ARIS a notable outlier at +1.72%. This points to a mix of stock-specific and broader sector pressures.
Previous Earnings Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 07 | Q3 2025 earnings | Neutral | -2.5% | Q3 2025 net loss narrowed versus 2024 but Adjusted EBITDA was flat. |
| May 08 | Q2 2025 earnings | Positive | -5.9% | Strong Q2 2025 net income and Adjusted EBITDA growth on colder weather. |
| Feb 06 | Q1 2025 earnings | Negative | -4.2% | Q1 2025 net income and EPS declined year over year despite flat EBITDA. |
| Nov 14 | FY 2024 results | Negative | -8.9% | FY 2024 net income and Adjusted EBITDA declined with softer propane demand. |
| Aug 08 | Q3 2024 earnings | Negative | +0.2% | Q3 2024 net loss grew and Adjusted EBITDA fell on warm weather impacts. |
Over the last five earnings-related releases, SPH has typically seen negative one-day reactions despite a mix of improving and challenging fundamentals.
Recent earnings history shows SPH navigating weather-driven volume swings and ongoing RNG investments. In Q3 2024 and Q3 2025, warm temperatures weighed on volumes and results, while the FY2024 report highlighted lower net income of $74.2M and reduced Adjusted EBITDA of $250.0M. By Q2 2025, SPH delivered stronger earnings with net income of $137.1M and Adjusted EBITDA of $175.0M. The current Q1 2026 release continues the theme of weather sensitivity but shows improved profitability versus prior-year Q1.
Historical Comparison
Across the last five earnings or results releases, SPH’s average one-day move was about -4.26%, suggesting a history of cautious market reactions to financial updates.
Earnings releases show SPH managing weather-driven propane volumes while expanding RNG projects in New York and Ohio, reducing leverage, and maintaining a steady $0.325 quarterly distribution.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights a strong start to fiscal 2026, with Q1 net income of $45.8M and Adjusted EBITDA of $83.4M, driven by colder Eastern weather and higher propane volumes. It also underscores continued RNG expansion in New York and Ohio, a refinancing of $350M in senior notes out to 2035, and an improved leverage ratio of 4.57x. Investors may track future quarters for weather variability, execution on RNG projects, and maintenance of the $0.325 quarterly distribution.
Key Terms
adjusted ebitda financial
renewable natural gas technical
anaerobic digester technical
mark-to-market financial
derivative instruments financial
consolidated leverage ratio financial
at-the-market equity program financial
environmental attributes regulatory
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 was
In announcing these results, President and Chief Executive Officer Michael A. Stivala said, "The fiscal 2026 heating season is off to a solid start, driven by cooler average temperatures in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions of our operating footprint, along with continued positive trends in our customer base growth and retention initiatives, which together enabled us to deliver a
Mr. Stivala continued, "In our renewable natural gas ("RNG") operations, average daily RNG injection for the first quarter improved compared to the prior sequential quarter and prior year first quarter due to an increase in facility uptime and from the operational enhancements implemented at our production facility in
Concluding his remarks, Mr. Stivala stated, "During the quarter, we also advanced our long-term strategic growth plans with the acquisition of two well-run propane businesses in
Retail propane gallons sold in the first quarter of fiscal 2026 of 110.2 million gallons increased
Average propane prices (basis
Combined operating and general and administrative expenses of
In December 2025, the Partnership strategically refinanced its previously outstanding
During the first quarter of fiscal 2026, the Partnership acquired two well-run propane businesses in strategic markets in
As previously announced on January 22, 2026, the Partnership's Board of Supervisors declared a quarterly distribution of
About Suburban Propane Partners, L.P.
Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. ("Suburban Propane") is a publicly traded master limited partnership listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Headquartered in
Suburban Propane is supported by three core pillars: (1) Suburban Commitment to Excellence – showcasing Suburban Propane's almost 100-year legacy, and ongoing commitment to the highest standards for dependability, flexibility, and reliability that underscores Suburban Propane's commitment to excellence in customer service; (2) SuburbanCares – highlighting continued dedication to giving back to local communities across Suburban Propane's national footprint; and (3) Go Green with Suburban Propane – promoting propane and renewable propane as versatile, low-carbon energy solutions and investing in the next generation of innovative, renewable energy alternatives.
For additional information on Suburban Propane, please visit www.suburbanpropane.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements relating to future business expectations and financial condition and results of operations of the Partnership, based on management's current good faith expectations and beliefs concerning future developments. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed or implied in such forward-looking statements, including the following:
- The impact of weather conditions on the demand for propane, renewable propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels, natural gas, renewable natural gas ("RNG") and electricity;
- The impact of climate change and potential climate change legislation on the Partnership and demand for propane, renewable propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels, natural gas, RNG and electricity;
- Volatility in the unit cost of propane, renewable propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels, natural gas, RNG and electricity, the impact of the Partnership's hedging and risk management activities, and the adverse impact of price increases on volumes sold as a result of customer conservation;
- The ability of the Partnership to compete with other suppliers of propane, renewable propane, fuel oil, RNG and other energy sources;
- The impact on the price and supply of propane, renewable propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels from the political, military or economic instability of the oil producing nations, including hostilities in the
Middle East , Russian military action inUkraine , global terrorism and other general economic conditions, including the economic instability resulting from natural disasters; - Economic volatility and downturns, including as a result of tariffs and trade conflict and uncertainty;
- The ability of the Partnership to acquire and maintain sufficient volumes of, and the costs to the Partnership of acquiring, reliably transporting and storing, propane, renewable propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels;
- The ability of the Partnership to attract and retain employees and key personnel to support the growth of our business;
- The ability of the Partnership to retain customers or acquire new customers;
- The impact of customer conservation, energy efficiency, general economic conditions and technology advances on the demand for propane, renewable propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels, natural gas, RNG and electricity;
- The ability of management to continue to control expenses and manage inflationary increases in fuel, labor and other operating costs;
- Risks related to the Partnership's renewable fuel projects and investments, including the willingness of customers to purchase fuels generated by the projects, the permitting, financing, construction, development and operation of supporting facilities, the Partnership's ability to generate a sufficient return on its renewable fuel projects, the Partnership's dependence on third-party partners to help manage and operate renewable fuel investment projects, and increased regulation and dependence on government funding for commercial viability of renewable fuel investment projects;
- The generation and monetization of environmental attributes produced by the Partnership's renewable fuel projects, changes to legislation or regulations concerning the generation and monetization of environmental attributes and pricing volatility in the open markets where environmental attributes are traded;
- The impact of changes in applicable laws and government regulations, or their interpretations, including those relating to the environment and climate change, permitting, human health and safety, derivative instruments, the sale or marketing of propane and renewable propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels, natural gas, RNG and electricity, including the impact of recently adopted and proposed changes to
New York law and changed priorities of theU.S. presidential administration, and other regulatory developments that could impose costs and liabilities on the Partnership's business; - The impact of changes in tax laws that could adversely affect the tax treatment of the Partnership for income tax purposes;
- The impact of legal risks and proceedings on the Partnership's business;
- The impact of operating hazards that could adversely affect the Partnership's reputation and its operating results to the extent not covered by insurance;
- The Partnership's ability to make strategic acquisitions, successfully integrate them and realize the expected benefits of those acquisitions;
- The ability of the Partnership and any third-party service providers on which it may rely for support or services to continue to combat cybersecurity threats to their respective and shared networks and information technology;
- Risks relating to the Partnership's plans to diversify its business;
- Risks related to the Partnership's current and future debt obligations that may limit its ability to make distributions to Unitholders, as well as its financial flexibility;
- The impact of current conditions in the global capital, credit and environmental attribute markets, and general economic pressures; and
- Other risks referenced from time to time in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and those factors listed or incorporated by reference into the Partnership's most recent Annual Report under "Risk Factors."
Some of these risks and uncertainties are discussed in more detail in the Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended September 27, 2025 and other periodic reports filed with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect management's view only as of the date made. The Partnership undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as otherwise required by law.
Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Operations For the Three Months Ended December 27, 2025 and December 28, 2024 (in thousands, except per unit amounts) (unaudited) | |||||||
Three Months Ended | |||||||
December 27, 2025 | December 28, 2024 | ||||||
Revenues | |||||||
Propane | $ | 326,390 | $ | 330,283 | |||
Fuel oil and refined fuels | 18,167 | 17,661 | |||||
Natural gas and electricity | 5,899 | 6,053 | |||||
All other | 19,930 | 19,332 | |||||
370,386 | 373,329 | ||||||
Costs and expenses | |||||||
Cost of products sold | 130,839 | 147,162 | |||||
Operating | 127,159 | 123,153 | |||||
General and administrative | 27,873 | 26,853 | |||||
Depreciation and amortization | 16,864 | 17,099 | |||||
302,735 | 314,267 | ||||||
Operating income | 67,651 | 59,062 | |||||
Loss on debt extinguishment | 1,183 | — | |||||
Interest expense, net | 19,756 | 19,612 | |||||
Other, net | 701 | 19,467 | |||||
Income before provision for income taxes | 46,011 | 19,983 | |||||
Provision for income taxes | 231 | 563 | |||||
Net income | $ | 45,780 | $ | 19,420 | |||
Net income per Common Unit - basic | $ | 0.69 | $ | 0.30 | |||
Weighted average number of Common Units outstanding - basic | 66,259 | 64,497 | |||||
Net income per Common Unit - diluted | $ | 0.69 | $ | 0.30 | |||
Weighted average number of Common Units outstanding - diluted | 66,470 | 64,756 | |||||
Supplemental Information: | |||||||
EBITDA (a) | $ | 82,631 | $ | 56,694 | |||
Adjusted EBITDA (a) | $ | 83,405 | $ | 75,301 | |||
Retail gallons sold: | |||||||
Propane | 110,165 | 105,739 | |||||
Refined fuels | 4,537 | 4,367 | |||||
Capital expenditures: | |||||||
Maintenance | $ | 6,113 | $ | 4,618 | |||
Growth | $ | 13,692 | $ | 19,225 | |||
(a) | EBITDA represents net income before deducting interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA excluding the unrealized net gain or loss on mark-to-market activity for derivative instruments and other items, as applicable, as provided in the table below. Our management uses EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as supplemental measures of operating performance and we are including them because we believe that they provide our investors and industry analysts with additional information that we determined is useful to evaluate our operating results. |
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not recognized terms under accounting principles generally accepted in
The following table sets forth our calculations of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA:
Three Months Ended | |||||||
December 27, 2025 | December 28, 2024 | ||||||
Net income | $ | 45,780 | $ | 19,420 | |||
Add: | |||||||
Provision for income taxes | 231 | 563 | |||||
Interest expense, net | 19,756 | 19,612 | |||||
Depreciation and amortization | 16,864 | 17,099 | |||||
EBITDA | 82,631 | 56,694 | |||||
Loss on debt extinguishment | 1,183 | — | |||||
Equity in losses and impairment charges for investments in unconsolidated affiliates | 521 | 22,241 | |||||
Unrealized non-cash (gains) on changes in fair value of derivatives | (930) | (3,634) | |||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 83,405 | $ | 75,301 | |||
We also reference gross margins, computed as revenues less cost of products sold as those amounts are reported on the consolidated financial statements. Our management uses gross margin as a supplemental measure of operating performance and we are including it as we believe that it provides our investors and industry analysts with additional information that we determined is useful to evaluate our operating results. As cost of products sold does not include depreciation and amortization expense, the gross margin we reference is considered a non-GAAP financial measure.
The unaudited financial information included in this document is intended only as a summary provided for your convenience, and should be read in conjunction with the complete consolidated financial statements of the Partnership (including the Notes thereto, which set forth important information) contained in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to be filed by the Partnership with the SEC. Such report, once filed, will be available on the public EDGAR electronic filing system maintained by the SEC.
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SOURCE Suburban Propane Partners, L.P.