Star Group, L.P. Reports Fiscal 2024 First Quarter Results
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Star Group, L.P. Reports Fiscal 2024 First Quarter Results

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Star Group, L.P.
Star Group, L.P.

STAMFORD, Conn., Feb. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Star Group, L.P. (the "Company" or "Star") (NYSE:SGU), a home energy distributor and services provider, today announced financial results for its fiscal 2024 first quarter, the three month period ended December 31, 2023.

Three Months Ended December 31, 2023 Compared to the Three Months Ended December 31, 2022
For the fiscal 2024 first quarter, Star reported an 18.5 percent decrease in total revenue to $528.1 million compared with $648.2 million in the prior-year period, reflecting both a decline in volume sold and lower selling prices for petroleum products. The volume of home heating oil and propane sold during the fiscal 2024 first quarter decreased by 9.1 million gallons, or 10.2 percent, to 80.1 million gallons, as the additional volume provided from acquisitions and other factors was more than offset by the impact of warmer weather and net customer attrition. Temperatures in Star's geographic areas of operation for the three months ended December 31, 2023 were 9.6 percent warmer than the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 13.8 percent warmer than normal, as reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Selling prices decreased largely due to a decline in wholesale product cost of $0.6605 per gallon, or 19.7 percent.

Star’s net income decreased by $0.6 million in the quarter, to $13.0 million, as an unfavorable non-cash change in the fair value of derivative instruments of $1.4 million and higher depreciation and amortization expense of $0.6 million more than offset lower interest expense of $1.1 million and a $0.3 million decrease in income tax expense.

The Company reported first quarter Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure defined below) of $49.0 million, virtually unchanged from the prior year’s period, as an increase in home heating oil and propane per-gallon margins, higher service and installation profitability and lower operating costs almost entirely offset the decline in home heating oil and propane volume of 10.2 percent.

“The beginning of fiscal 2024 has provided both challenges and opportunities, which we believe we have navigated well,” Jeff Woosnam, Star Group’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “While product costs declined, providing relief to customers, warmer temperatures resulted in lower demand and, thus, reduced overall volumes. New customer additions were also down from the extraordinary levels we experienced during the first quarter of fiscal 2023, due in part to the mild weather but also the result of much different market conditions, resulting in lower lead activity. However, by employing strong cost discipline, a weather hedge benefit, and achieving higher per-gallon margins, Adjusted EBITDA was nearly equivalent to the prior-year period. In addition, we closed on two strategic acquisitions after the end of the quarter, in February. Both are located on Long Island and further strengthen our presence in that market.”