Sign in
UC

UGI CORP /PA/ (UGI)·Q4 2024 Earnings Summary

Executive Summary

  • Fiscal Q4 2024 was seasonally weak with GAAP diluted EPS of -$1.27 vs $0.61 in Q4 2023 and total revenues of $1.242B vs $1.404B; total EBIT swung to -$256M from +$255M on higher Corporate & Other charges and AmeriGas softness .
  • Full-year FY2024 improved: adjusted diluted EPS rose to $3.06 from $2.84; GAAP EPS rebounded to $1.25 from -$7.16; reportable segment EBIT reached $1.178B, up from $1.158B .
  • FY2025 guidance: adjusted diluted EPS $2.75–$3.05, capex $800–$900M, and rate base growth 9%+; subsequent financing addressed $630M 2025 maturities and expanded AmeriGas’ revolver to $300M, bolstering liquidity .
  • Management emphasized permanent cost reductions ($75M in FY2024), AmeriGas stabilization without parent equity, and portfolio optimization; narrative catalysts include balance sheet actions, LPG turnaround, RNG/LNG growth, and weather normalization impacts .

What Went Well and What Went Wrong

What Went Well

  • Record performance at Utilities, Midstream & Marketing, and UGI International; reportable segment EBIT increased YoY to $1.178B and adjusted EPS to $3.06 despite LPG headwinds .
  • Structural cost actions delivered $75M Opex reduction across segments and improved liquidity to ~$1.5B at FY-end; subsequent financing cleared near-term maturities (new $475M revolver, $400M term loan) .
  • Management tone on reset and execution: “Fiscal 2024 was a pivotal year… Strong execution… record EBIT… sustainable reductions…” and new CEO focus “to create a culture that embodies high performance… operational excellence” .

What Went Wrong

  • AmeriGas volumes fell 10% YoY; AmeriGas EBIT declined to $142M from $268M; Q4 AmeriGas EBIT -$40M vs +$28M prior year; total margin down $119M on lower volumes .
  • Goodwill impairment (~$195M) and other Corporate & Other items drove a Q4 company EBIT of -$256M (vs +$255M prior year) and net loss of -$273M (vs income $131M) .
  • Warmer-than-normal weather weighed across businesses: Utilities -16% vs normal; Midstream -13%; UGI International -12%; AmeriGas -8%, dampening volumes and quarterly earnings cadence .

Financial Results

Consolidated quarterly summary

MetricQ4 2023Q3 2024Q4 2024
Total Revenues ($USD Billions)$1.404 $1.380 $1.242
Diluted EPS ($USD)$0.61 -$0.23 -$1.27
Reportable Segments EBIT ($USD Millions)82 112 -7
Total (Loss) Earnings Before Interest & Taxes ($USD Millions)255 41 -256

Segment revenues – quarterly

Segment Revenues ($USD Millions)Q4 2023Q3 2024Q4 2024
Utilities210 257 202
Midstream & Marketing261 253 239
UGI International529 455 426
AmeriGas Propane434 445 402
Corporate & Other-30 -30 -27
Total1,404 1,380 1,242

Segment EBIT – quarterly

Segment EBIT ($USD Millions)Q4 2023Q3 2024Q4 2024
Utilities-2 39 0
Midstream & Marketing38 43 15
UGI International18 57 18
AmeriGas Propane28 -27 -40
Total Reportable Segments82 112 -7
Corporate & Other173 -71 -249
Company EBIT255 41 -256

Annual summary

MetricFY 2023FY 2024
Total Revenues ($USD Billions)$8.928 $7.210
GAAP Diluted EPS ($USD)-$7.16 $1.25
Adjusted Diluted EPS ($USD)$2.84 $3.06
Reportable Segment EBIT ($USD Billions)$1.158 $1.178
Adjusted EBITDA ($USD Billions)$1.689 $1.727

KPIs (FY2024, YoY where available)

KPIFY 2023FY 2024
Utilities: Gas Utility Core Market Throughput (bcf)96 93
Utilities: Total Throughput (bcf)375 378
Utilities: Heating Degree Days (% vs normal)-11.7% -16.0%
Utilities: Capex ($USD Millions)563 482
Midstream & Marketing: Heating Degree Days (% vs normal)-11.0% -13.3%
Midstream & Marketing: Capex ($USD Millions)130 150
UGI International: LPG Retail Gallons (mm)729 725
UGI International: Heating Degree Days (% vs normal)-10.5% -11.8%
UGI International: Capex ($USD Millions)129 87
AmeriGas: Retail Gallons (mm)823 737
AmeriGas: Heating Degree Days (% vs normal)+0.5% -8.0%
AmeriGas: Capex ($USD Millions)134 86

Note: Estimates vs consensus for Q4 were unavailable to retrieve at the time of this analysis; comparisons to Wall Street expectations could not be performed.

Guidance Changes

MetricPeriodPrevious GuidanceCurrent GuidanceChange
Adjusted Diluted EPSFY2025N/A$2.75 – $3.05 New
Capital ExpenditureFY2025N/A$800 – $900M New
Rate Base GrowthFY2024–FY20279%+ Target 9%+ Target reaffirmed Maintained
Leverage Ratio Target (Net Debt/Adj. EBITDA)Through FY20273.5–4.0x 3.5–4.0xMaintained
Dividend PolicyFY2024–FY2026Flat near-term; return to 4% growth in FY2027 Flat near-term; 4% LT growth in FY2027 Maintained
Liquidity/RefinancingPost FY2024N/ANew $475M revolver + $400M term loan; repaid $630M 2025 debt New
AmeriGas RevolverPost FY2024$200M $300M commitments Raised

Earnings Call Themes & Trends

TopicPrevious Mentions (Q2 2024)Previous Mentions (Q3 2024)Current Period (Q4 2024)Trend
AmeriGas turnaround & capital disciplineOperational plan to stabilize; avoid equity issuance; cost cuts; balance sheet repair Revolver replacement to remove covenant pressure; continued debt reduction No parent equity to AmeriGas; stabilize business; self-funded operations Continued focus; stricter discipline
Cost reductions$27M YoY Opex reduction in Q2; target $70–$100M by FY2025 $38M YoY Opex reduction Q3; $54M YTD reduction $75M FY reduction achieved; accelerated timeline Strengthening execution
Balance sheet & liquidityPlan: reduce AmeriGas debt $350–$450M H2; avoid equity; portfolio optimization $1.9B liquidity; convertible notes; AmeriGas revolver replacement ~$1.5B liquidity at FY-end; new corp facilities; AmeriGas revolver expanded Liquidity improved; maturities addressed
RNG/LNG growthRNG portfolio committed ~$380M (of $500M) Commentary on capacity management & cold-weather optimization Moody RNG in service; Carlyle LNG under 15-year take-or-pay; Manning liquefaction expansion Project execution progressing
Supply logistics (France jetty)N/AJetty repair impact: FY2025 cost headwind $0.05–$0.08 EPS; insured capex Guidance embeds $0.05–$0.08 distribution cost impact; supply plan modified Managed but near-term cost drag
Weather impactsOngoing headwind; warmer periods Warmer-than-normal across segments FY detail: Utilities -16%, Midstream -13%, International -12%, AmeriGas -8% vs normal Persistent headwind

Management Commentary

  • “Fiscal 2024 was a pivotal year… Strong execution against our strategy led to record EBIT… sustainable reductions in operating and administrative expenses, disciplined capital deployment, improved liquidity, and greater financial flexibility” — Mario Longhi, Board Chair .
  • “Looking ahead, fiscal 2025 will be an important year as we continue to reset the business… build on operational capabilities… culture that embodies high performance, operational excellence…” — Robert Flexon, President & CEO .
  • “UGI had a strong fiscal 2024, delivering record adjusted EPS of $3.06… segments delivered strongest EBIT on record… achieved a $75M reduction in operating and administrative expenses” — Sean O’Brien, CFO .
  • “No equity going down to AmeriGas… it has to support itself… fix our business processes… stabilize the business” — Robert Flexon .

Q&A Highlights

  • AmeriGas trajectory: Management reiterated no parent equity injections and a focus on stabilization; FY2025 assumes continued AmeriGas volume declines while pulling cost/capex levers to buffer financials .
  • Midstream marketing normalization: Exceptional Q2 capacity/basis optimization not embedded in FY2025 baseline; LNG projects (Manning expansion, Carlyle start) and RNG plants staged through FY2025, with broader demand tailwinds (PJM, data centers) longer term .
  • Valuation/portfolio stance: CEO highlighted top-decile utility attributes and synergy with Energy Services; sees stock multiple as undervalued vs utility peers, aiming to maximize value while prioritizing LPG performance improvements .
  • Jetty damage (France): Repairs covered by insurance, with incremental distribution costs weighed in FY2025 guidance ($0.05–$0.08) .

Estimates Context

  • Wall Street consensus (S&P Global) for Q4 2024 EPS and revenue was unavailable to retrieve at the time of this analysis due to access limits; as a result, explicit beat/miss vs estimates cannot be assessed. Guidance comparisons are presented based on company disclosures .

Key Takeaways for Investors

  • FY2024 validates the reset: adjusted EPS +8% YoY to $3.06 with record segment EBIT and $75M permanent cost savings; however, Q4 highlighted LPG volume/weather sensitivity and Corporate & Other charges .
  • FY2025 guide ($2.75–$3.05) embeds normalization in Midstream/Marketing and explicit cost/logistics headwinds; watch pacing of AmeriGas stabilization and the magnitude of LPG volume response to customer service initiatives .
  • Balance sheet/liquidity improved materially; near-term maturities addressed and revolver capacity lifted, reducing covenant pressure and supporting operational execution through FY2025 .
  • Natural gas growth vectors (rate base 9%+, LNG facilities, RNG projects) underpin medium-term earnings quality; portfolio skew further to natural gas should support more defensive cash generation .
  • Weather normalization and capacity spreads remain external swing factors; capacity management upside is opportunistic and not in base plans—useful for potential upside surprise quarters .
  • Strategic optionality persists for LPG assets; management favors operational improvement before reconsidering transactions, which may catalyze repricing if execution stabilizes churn and margins .
  • Dividend remains a key commitment (flat through FY2026; 4% LT growth from FY2027), supporting income investor interest while capital is prioritized to delever and grow rate base .

Citations: Financials and guidance are sourced from UGI’s Q4/FY2024 8-K press release and exhibits, and Q2/Q3 filings and transcripts .