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Suburban Propane Partners LP: Q4 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 12 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Full-year net income and EPS: Net income for fiscal 2026 was $109.0 million, or $1.63 per unit, against $106.6 million, or $1.64, in fiscal 2025. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose 2.2%: Adjusted EBITDA increased $6.0 million, or 2.2%, to $284.0 million for fiscal 2026, from $278.0 million a year earlier. Source
  • Fourth-quarter net loss of $56.8 million: Fourth-quarter net loss was $56.8 million, or $0.85 per unit, against a $35.1 million loss, or $0.53. The company typically reports a net loss in this quarter. Source
  • Gallons up about 1%: Retail propane gallons were 402.9 million in fiscal 2026, up about 1%, as colder eastern heating demand and acquisitions offset warmth in the West and a warm spring. Source
  • Excluding mark-to-market, gross margin up 3.8%: Gross margin excluding mark-to-market effects rose $32.7 million, or 3.8%; including them, total gross margin rose 4.0%. Source
  • RNG injection up 13%: Average daily RNG injection rose 13% in fiscal 2026 compared with the prior year. Source
  • Debt cut and leverage improved: Total debt fell by more than $25.0 million, and the leverage ratio improved to 4.13x at fiscal year-end. Source

“I am proud of how our dedicated employees continued to deliver outstanding service to our customers while effectively managing selling prices and expenses in a volatile commodity and cost environment.”

President and Chief Executive Officer Michael A. Stivala

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Quarterly distribution per Common Unit Sourcethree months ended September 26, 2026$0.35 per Common Unit (annualized $1.40)Raised from $0.325 per Common Unit (annualized $1.30)

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Quarterly distribution increased to $0.35 per Common Unit, annualized $1.40, up 7.7% from $1.30. Source
  • New: Two reportable segments, Propane and Renewable Natural Gas, replace the prior segment structure; prior periods are recast. Source
  • New: $350.0 million of senior notes due March 2027 were refinanced with 6.5% senior notes due December 2035. Source
  • New: Two California propane businesses were acquired for $24.0 million during fiscal 2026. Source
  • New: A Florida propane business was acquired after fiscal year-end for $6.2 million. Source

Full-year and fourth-quarter results

  • Full-year net income and EPS: Net income for fiscal 2026 was $109.0 million, or $1.63 per unit, against $106.6 million, or $1.64, in fiscal 2025. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose 2.2%: Adjusted EBITDA increased $6.0 million, or 2.2%, to $284.0 million for fiscal 2026, from $278.0 million a year earlier. Source
  • Fourth-quarter net loss of $56.8 million: Fourth-quarter net loss was $56.8 million, or $0.85 per unit, against a $35.1 million loss, or $0.53. The company typically reports a net loss in this quarter. Source
  • Fourth-quarter Adjusted EBITDA rose: Fourth-quarter Adjusted EBITDA was $7.3 million, against $0.7 million. Retail gallons were 60.5 million, essentially flat on the prior year. Source

Segments and reporting

  • Two reportable segments replace prior structure: From September 26, 2026, the company reports Propane and Renewable Natural Gas as its two segments, with prior periods recast; consolidated results are unaffected. Source
  • Propane segment Adjusted EBITDA slightly lower: Propane Adjusted EBITDA was $365.9 million for fiscal 2026, against $366.4 million, and $22.0 million in the fourth quarter, against $22.9 million. Source
  • RNG segment Adjusted EBITDA increased: Renewable Natural Gas Adjusted EBITDA was $13.5 million for fiscal 2026, against $0.2 million, and $8.6 million in the fourth quarter, against a $2.6 million loss. Source

“we enter fiscal 2027 with a larger, more reliable RNG platform, opportunities to increase production through capacity optimization and higher feedstock intake”

President and Chief Executive Officer Michael A. Stivala

Weather, volumes and prices

  • Gallons up about 1%: Retail propane gallons were 402.9 million in fiscal 2026, up about 1%, as colder eastern heating demand and acquisitions offset warmth in the West and a warm spring. Source
  • East colder, West warmer than last year: Eastern territories were 6% cooler than the prior year and 4% warmer than normal; western territories were 14% warmer than the prior year and 23% warmer than normal. Source
  • Propane prices fell 7.1%: Average propane prices, basis Mont Belvieu, Texas, decreased 7.1% from the prior year. Source
  • Weather 8% warmer than normal: Heating degree days across all territories were 8% warmer than normal and 1% cooler than the prior year. Source

Gross margin and unit margins

  • Excluding mark-to-market, gross margin up 3.8%: Gross margin excluding mark-to-market effects rose $32.7 million, or 3.8%; including them, total gross margin rose 4.0%. Source
  • Unit margin up $0.05 per gallon: Propane unit margin rose $0.05 per gallon, or 2.5%, and propane volumes sold were higher; management cited both as drivers. Source
  • Mark-to-market gains excluded from Adjusted EBITDA: Unrealized mark-to-market gains on derivatives were $4.5 million in fiscal 2026, against $2.4 million a year earlier, and were reported in cost of products sold. Source

Operating, G&A and other costs

  • Operating and G&A costs up 3.9%: Combined operating and G&A expenses rose $22.8 million; payroll, fuel, vehicle and self-insurance costs drove it, partly offset by an RNG-related insurance recovery. Source
  • Goodwill impairment in gas and electricity: A $7.9 million goodwill impairment for the natural gas and electricity business was recorded in the fourth quarter; the prior year had none. Source
  • Equity-affiliate losses and impairments rose: Equity in losses and impairment charges for unconsolidated affiliates were $23.1 million in the fourth quarter, against $6.5 million a year earlier. Source

RNG operations and tax credits

  • RNG injection up 13%: Average daily RNG injection rose 13% in fiscal 2026 compared with the prior year. Source
  • Stanfield output more stable: Capital and operational work at the Stanfield, Arizona facility gave more stable production and higher uptime. Source
  • Columbus gas upgrading installed: Gas upgrading equipment at the Columbus, Ohio digester is installed; the company awaits final utility commissioning of the injection site. Source
  • Production tax credits recognized: Production tax credits of $12.4 million were recognized for RNG injections from January 2025 through September 2026. Source
  • Investment tax credits generated: The company generated $11.3 million of investment tax credits tied to construction of the Upstate New York facility. Source
  • Fourth-quarter PTC benefit in Adjusted EBITDA: Fourth-quarter Adjusted EBITDA included a $7.8 million benefit from production tax credits. Source

Debt, capital spending and funding

  • Growth capital directed to RNG: Growth capital expenditures of $34.6 million advanced RNG construction and operational enhancements in fiscal 2026. Source
  • Debt cut and leverage improved: Total debt fell by more than $25.0 million, and the leverage ratio improved to 4.13x at fiscal year-end. Source
  • Revolver repaid with equity and cash: The company repaid $25.4 million of revolver borrowings, funded in part by $23.5 million of net at-the-market Common Unit proceeds. Source
  • Maintenance capital spending: Maintenance capital expenditures were $26,221 thousand in fiscal 2026, against $23,585 thousand a year earlier. Source

Distributions and acquisitions

  • Distribution paid November 10: The quarterly distribution was paid on November 10, 2026, to unitholders of record as of November 3, 2026. Source
  • Propane platform investment continued: Management said it continued to invest in the propane platform during fiscal 2026, including the California acquisitions. Source
  • Florida acquisition after year-end: A high-quality Florida propane business was acquired after fiscal year-end for $6.2 million. Source

Coming up, as management said on 12 November 2026

  • Remaining tax credits monetized in fiscal 2027: Management expects to monetize the remaining PTCs and the ITCs during fiscal 2027. Source
  • RNG output growth from capacity and feedstock: Management points to further RNG output from capacity optimization and higher feedstock intake; no figure was given. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Gross margin Source$893.4 million for fiscal 2026, up 4.0%

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Warmer western temperatures and a warm spring reduced heat-related demand, and prior-year hurricane volumes did not recur. Source
  • External: Volatile commodity and cost conditions required management to balance selling prices against expenses. Source
  • Operational: Higher self-insurance claim accruals, payroll, benefit and fuel costs added to operating expenses during the year. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: The Upstate New York digester was placed in service; the year-end release dates this to July.
  • Not stated: The year-end release says Columbus awaits final utility commissioning and does not state status against this plan.
  • Not stated: Columbus gas upgrading is installed and awaits final utility commissioning; the year-end release gives no in-service date.

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.