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Suburban Propane Partners LP: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 6 August 2026: press release. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Third-quarter net loss widened: Net loss was $17.5 million, or $0.26 per Common Unit, against a net loss of $14.8 million, or $0.23 per unit, in the prior year third quarter. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA down $9.0 million: Adjusted EBITDA was $18.0 million for the quarter, compared with $27.0 million a year earlier. Source
  • Propane retail gallons fell 1.8%: Propane gallons sold were 70.6 million, down 1.8% from the prior year third quarter, which management attributed to warmer spring temperatures. Source
  • Gross margin unchanged year over year: Total gross margin was $160.3 million, unchanged from the prior year third quarter. Source
  • Gross margin excluding mark-to-market fell: Excluding mark-to-market effects, gross margin fell $3.9 million, or 2.4%, mainly on lower propane volumes, while propane unit margins held steady. Source
  • Operating expenses rose $5.2 million: Combined operating and G&A expenses were $141.4 million, an increase of $5.2 million or 3.8% from the prior year third quarter. Source
  • Revolver repaid with cash and ATM units: The company repaid $36.2 million on its revolving credit facility using operating cash flow and $6.6 million of net ATM proceeds from Common Units. Source

“The third quarter was impacted by near-record warm temperatures during the month of April, which reduced heat-related demand, as well as higher residential customer tank levels due to the timing of deliveries during the fiscal second quarter.”

Michael A. Stivala, President and Chief Executive Officer

What changed from last quarter

  • New: The Upstate New York anaerobic digester entered service after quarter end. The prior release had described it as on schedule for completion in the second half. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Third-quarter net loss widened: Net loss was $17.5 million, or $0.26 per Common Unit, against a net loss of $14.8 million, or $0.23 per unit, in the prior year third quarter. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA down $9.0 million: Adjusted EBITDA was $18.0 million for the quarter, compared with $27.0 million a year earlier. Source
  • Seasonal third-quarter loss pattern: Management said the company typically experiences a net loss in the third quarter, consistent with the seasonal nature of its business. Source
  • Nine-month Adjusted EBITDA near flat: Nine-month Adjusted EBITDA was $276.8 million, against $277.4 million in the prior year nine months, per the supplemental table. Source

Segments and revenue lines

  • Propane revenue essentially flat: Propane revenue was $227.0 million, against $226.9 million a year earlier. Total revenues were $261.4 million, compared with $260.2 million. Source
  • Fuel oil revenue rose: Fuel oil and refined fuels revenue was $11.7 million, against $9.7 million in the prior year third quarter. Source
  • Natural gas and other lines lower: Natural gas and electricity revenue was $4.5 million and All other revenue was $18.2 million, each below the prior year third quarter. Source

“However, volumes benefited from continued strength and growth in our counter-seasonal customer base, which substantially offset the impact of warmer weather on volumes.”

Michael A. Stivala, President and Chief Executive Officer

Products, volumes and RNG

  • Propane retail gallons fell 1.8%: Propane gallons sold were 70.6 million, down 1.8% from the prior year third quarter, which management attributed to warmer spring temperatures. Source
  • Refined fuel gallons also fell: Refined fuel gallons sold were 2.3 million, against 2.5 million in the prior year third quarter. Source
  • RNG injection flat, credit prices higher: Average daily RNG injection was flat year over year. RNG injection revenue rose on higher prices for environmental attributes, including California LCFS and D3 RIN credits. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Gross margin unchanged year over year: Total gross margin was $160.3 million, unchanged from the prior year third quarter. Source
  • Gross margin excluding mark-to-market fell: Excluding mark-to-market effects, gross margin fell $3.9 million, or 2.4%, mainly on lower propane volumes, while propane unit margins held steady. Source
  • Operating expenses rose $5.2 million: Combined operating and G&A expenses were $141.4 million, an increase of $5.2 million or 3.8% from the prior year third quarter. Source
  • Expense offsets named: Lower variable compensation and production tax credits from RNG production partly offset higher costs, per management. Source
  • Propane prices rose 3.6%: Average propane prices, basis Mont Belvieu, Texas, were up 3.6% from the prior year third quarter. Source

“managing selling prices in a rising and volatile commodity price environment, while continuing to maintain discipline over operating costs.”

Michael A. Stivala, President and Chief Executive Officer

Demand and weather

  • April ran warmer than normal: April 2026 temperatures were 24% warmer than normal and 11% warmer than the prior year, ranking as the second warmest April on record. Source
  • Quarter temperatures warmer than normal: Heating degree days across service territories were 17% warmer than normal and 3% warmer than the prior year third quarter. Source
  • Higher tank levels from delivery timing: Management said residential customer tank levels were higher because of when deliveries fell in the fiscal second quarter. Source

Capital, cash and returns

  • Revolver repaid with cash and ATM units: The company repaid $36.2 million on its revolving credit facility using operating cash flow and $6.6 million of net ATM proceeds from Common Units. Source
  • Leverage ratio at 4.35x: The Total Consolidated Leverage Ratio for the twelve months ended June 27, 2026 was 4.35x, against 4.33x a year earlier. Source
  • Growth capital spending rose: Growth capital expenditures were $15.1 million, against $9.8 million; maintenance capital expenditures were $6.3 million, against $4.8 million. Source
  • Quarterly distribution declared at $0.325: The Board of Supervisors declared a quarterly distribution of $0.325 per Common Unit, or $1.30 annualized, for the quarter. Source

Coming up, as management said on 6 August 2026

  • Columbus facility expected in service: Management expects the Columbus, Ohio facility to enter service during the fourth quarter. Source
  • Distribution payable August 11: The $0.325 per Common Unit distribution is payable on August 11, 2026 to holders of record as of August 4, 2026. Source
  • All three RNG facilities operating: Management expects all three RNG facilities to be operational when fiscal 2027 begins, with continued organic growth opportunities. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Gross margin Source$160.3 million, unchanged from prior year third quarter

Risks management discussed

  • External: Rising and volatile commodity prices were described as a factor management is managing through selling prices. Source
  • Demand: Warm April weather reduced heat-related demand during the quarter. Source
  • Operational: Higher payroll, benefit, fuel and vehicle maintenance costs drove the increase in operating and G&A expenses. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: The prior release said both projects were on schedule. This release reports the Upstate digester in service and Columbus expected in the fourth quarter.

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.