Document




UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
___________________________________
FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
___________________________________

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 20, 2019

CVR PARTNERS, LP
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other
jurisdiction of
incorporation)
001-35120
(Commission File Number)
56-2677689
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
 
2277 Plaza Drive, Suite 500
Sugar Land, Texas 77479  
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (281) 207-3200
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o






Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On February 20, 2019, CVR Partners, LP (the "Partnership") issued a press release announcing information regarding its results of operations and financial condition for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2018, the text of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
The information in Item 2.02 and 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K and Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto is being "furnished" and is not deemed "filed" by the Partnership for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section, nor is it deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

The information set forth under Item 2.02 is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

The following exhibit is being "furnished" as part of this Current Report on Form 8-K:

Exhibit
Number

Exhibit Description
 
 







SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Date: February 20, 2019
CVR Partners, LP
By: CVR GP, LLC, its general partner
 
 
By:
/s/ Tracy D. Jackson
 
Tracy D. Jackson
 
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer



Exhibit
Exhibit 99.1
https://cdn.kscope.io/526f0fc1d5424fcc3d259dd8be4bcf35-uanlogoa18.jpg


CVR Partners Reports 2018 Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Results
And Announces Cash Distribution of 12 cents

Achieved significant year-over-year environmental, health and safety improvements at both facilities.
Added unit train capabilities through new Coffeyville rail loading rack, which enhanced our geographic reach and reduced distribution costs.
Maintained high utilization rates during fourth quarter 2018.
Declared a fourth quarter 2018 cash distribution of 12 cents per unit, the first distribution since the first quarter 2017.

SUGAR LAND, Texas (Feb. 20, 2019) - CVR Partners, LP (NYSE: UAN), a manufacturer of ammonia and urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) fertilizer products, today announced a fourth quarter 2018 net loss of $1 million, or 1 cent per common unit, on net sales of $98 million, compared to a net loss of $27 million, or 24 cents per common unit, on net sales of $78 million for the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA was $33 million for the fourth quarter of 2018, compared to $8 million for the fourth quarter of 2017.

For full year 2018, CVR Partners had a net loss of $50 million, or 44 cents per common unit, on net sales of $351 million, compared to a net loss of $73 million, or 64 cents per common unit, on net sales of $331 million for full year 2017. Adjusted EBITDA for full year 2018 was $90 million, compared to $67 million for the previous year.

“Higher netback pricing and increased utilization rates led to improved 2018 fourth quarter and full-year results for CVR Partners,” said Mark Pytosh, Chief Executive Officer of CVR Partners’ general partner. “We also are pleased to report that CVR Partners generated positive distributable cash in the 2018 fourth quarter and declared a 12 cent per unit distribution.”

“While a wet fall created unfavorable application conditions for nitrogen fertilizer, we currently expect the missed tonnage will be applied in the spring,” Pytosh said, “In addition, we anticipate the corn planted this spring should increase by 3 million to 5 million acres, leading to strong nitrogen fertilizer demand.”

Consolidated Operations

For the fourth quarter of 2018, consolidated average realized gate prices for UAN and ammonia were $180 per ton and $324 per ton, respectively. Consolidated average realized gate prices for UAN and ammonia were $132 per ton and $264 per ton, respectively, for the same period in 2017.

CVR Partners’ fertilizer facilities produced a combined 209,000 tons of ammonia during the fourth quarter of 2018, of which 59,000 net tons were available for sale while the rest was upgraded to other fertilizer products, including 357,000 tons of UAN. In the 2017 fourth quarter, the fertilizer facilities produced 200,000 tons of ammonia, of which 64,000 net tons were available for sale while the remainder was upgraded to other fertilizer products, including 306,000 tons of UAN.


1


Distributions

CVR Partners also announced that, on Feb. 20, 2019, the Board of Directors of its general partner declared a fourth quarter 2018 cash distribution of 12 cents per common unit, which will be paid on March 11, 2019 to common unitholders of record on March 4, 2019.

CVR Partners is a variable distribution master limited partnership. As a result, its distributions, if any, will vary from quarter to quarter due to several factors, including, but not limited to, its operating performance, fluctuations in the prices received for its finished products, maintenance capital expenditures, and cash reserves deemed necessary or appropriate by the Board of Directors of its general partner.

Fourth Quarter 2018 Earnings Conference Call

CVR Partners previously announced that it will host its fourth quarter and full-year 2018 Earnings Conference Call on Thursday, Feb. 21, at 11 a.m. Eastern. This Earnings Conference Call may also include discussion of the Partnership’s developments, forward-looking information and other material information about business and financial matters.

The fourth quarter and full-year 2018 Earnings Conference Call will be webcast live and can be accessed on the Investor Relations section of CVR Partners’ website at www.CVRPartners.com. For investors or analysts who want to participate during the call, the dial-in number is (877) 407-8029. The webcast will be archived and available through March 7 at https://edge.media-server.com/m6/p/xbygitmc. A repeat of the call can be accessed through March 7 by dialing (877) 660-6853, conference ID 13687295.

# # #
Qualified Notice
This release serves as a qualified notice to nominees and brokers as provided for under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1446-4(b). Please note that 100 percent of CVR Partners’ distributions to foreign investors are attributable to income that is effectively connected with a United States trade or business. Accordingly, CVR Partners’ distributions to foreign investors are subject to federal income tax withholding at the highest effective tax rate.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements. Statements concerning current estimates, expectations and projections about future results, performance, prospects, opportunities, plans, actions and events and other statements, concerns, or matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements,” as that term is defined under the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future: ammonia and UAN pricing; distributable cash and distributions including the amounts and timing thereof; application of tonnage in the spring; increasing in corn planted this spring by 3 million to 5 million acres or at all; strong nitrogen fertilizer demand; operating performance; reserves; and other matters. You can generally identify forward-looking statements by our use of forward-looking terminology such as “outlook,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “seek,” “should,” or “will,” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Investors are cautioned that various factors may affect these forward-looking statements, including (among others) impacts of planting season on our business, general economic and business conditions and other risks. For additional discussion of risk factors which may affect our results, please see the risk factors and other disclosures included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our other SEC filings. These risks may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made only as of the date hereof. CVR Partners disclaims any intention or obligation to update publicly or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law.



2


About CVR Partners, LP
Headquartered in Sugar Land, Texas, CVR Partners, LP is a Delaware limited partnership focused on the production, marketing and distribution of nitrogen fertilizer products. It primarily produces urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) and ammonia, which are predominantly used by farmers to improve the yield and quality of their crops. CVR Partners’ Coffeyville, Kansas, nitrogen fertilizer manufacturing facility includes a 1,300 ton-per-day ammonia unit, a 3,000 ton-per-day UAN unit and a dual-train gasifier complex having a capacity of 89 million standard cubic feet per day of hydrogen. CVR Partners’ East Dubuque, Illinois, nitrogen fertilizer manufacturing facility includes a 1,075 ton-per-day ammonia unit and a 1,100 ton-per-day UAN unit.


For further information, please contact:

Investor Contact:                 
Jay Finks
CVR Partners, LP                     
(281) 207-3588                     
InvestorRelations@CVRPartners.com
    
Media Relations:
Brandee Stephens
CVR Partners, LP
(281) 207-3516
MediaRelations@CVRPartners.com


3


Non-GAAP Measures

Our management uses certain non-GAAP performance measures to evaluate current and past performance and prospects for the future to supplement our GAAP financial information presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures are important factors in assessing our operating results and profitability and include the performance and liquidity measures defined below.

During the fourth quarter of 2018, management revised its internal and external use of non-GAAP measures to eliminate adjustments to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) for business interruption insurance recoveries. Refer to the revised definition below for further information.

EBITDA - Net income (loss) before (i) interest expense, net, (ii) income tax expense (benefit) and (iii) depreciation and amortization expense.

Adjusted EBITDA - EBITDA adjusted to exclude turnaround expense and other non-recurring items which management believes are material to an investor’s understanding of the Partnership’s underlying operating results.

Available Cash for Distribution - Adjusted EBITDA reduced for cash reserves established by the board of directors of our general partner for (i) debt service, (ii) maintenance capital expenditures, (iii) turnaround expenses and, to the extent applicable, (iv) reserves for future operating or capital needs that the board of directors of our general partner deems necessary or appropriate, if any. Available cash for distribution may be increased by the release of previously established cash reserves, if any, and other excess cash, at the discretion of the board of directors of our general partner.

We present these measures because we believe they may help investors, analysts, lenders and ratings agencies analyze our results of operations and liquidity in conjunction with our U.S. GAAP results, including but not limited to our operating performance as compared to other publicly traded companies in the refining industry, without regard to historical cost basis or financing methods and our ability to incur and service debt and fund capital expenditures. Non-GAAP measures have important limitations as analytical tools, because they exclude some, but not all, items that affect net earnings and operating income. These measures should not be considered substitutes for their most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures. See “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” section included herein for reconciliation of these amounts.

Items or Events Impacting Comparability

During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Partnership recognized a $6.1 million business interruption insurance recovery associated with prior period outages at its Coffeyville, Kansas (the “Coffeyville Facility”). The recovery is recorded in the Other Income (Expense) line item. Prior year amounts, which were not material, were conformed to the current year presentation.

Refer to the “Non-GAAP Measures” section above for discussion of the change made during the fourth quarter of 2018 to the Partnership’s definition of Adjusted EBITDA.

Coffeyville Facility
During 2018, we had a planned, full facility turnaround lasting 15 days and incurred approximately $6.4 million in turnaround expense in the second quarter of 2018.
During 2017, our third-party air separation unit experienced a shut down. Paired with this shut down and subsequent operational challenges, we experienced unplanned UAN downtime of 11 days during the second quarter of 2017.
East Dubuque Facility
During 2017, we had a planned, full facility turnaround lasting 14 days and incurred approximately $2.6 million in turnaround expense in the third quarter of 2017. Additionally, during the fourth quarter of 2017, we experienced unplanned downtime totaling 12 days.

4



CVR Partners, LP
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
Year Ended
 December 31,
(in thousands, except per unit amounts)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net sales (1)
 
$
98,118

 
$
78,192

 
$
351,082

 
$
330,802

Operating costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of materials and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
 
27,263

 
21,501

 
88,461

 
84,874

Direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
 
37,851

 
41,566

 
159,319

 
156,357

Depreciation and amortization
 
18,709

 
19,109

 
71,575

 
73,986

Cost of sales
 
83,823

 
82,176

 
319,355

 
315,217

Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
6,069

 
6,880

 
25,023

 
25,630

Loss on asset disposals
 
230

 
(36
)
 
390

 
233

Operating income (loss)
 
7,996

 
(10,828
)
 
6,314

 
(10,278
)
Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
 
(15,507
)
 
(15,735
)
 
(62,588
)
 
(62,845
)
Other income (expense), net
 
6,100

 
(586
)
 
6,201

 
555

Loss before income tax expense
 
(1,411
)
 
(27,149
)
 
(50,073
)
 
(72,568
)
Income tax expense (benefit)
 
(40
)
 
256

 
(46
)
 
220

Net loss
 
$
(1,371
)
 
$
(27,405
)
 
$
(50,027
)
 
$
(72,788
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Net loss per common unit - basic and diluted
 
$
(0.01
)
 
$
(0.24
)
 
$
(0.44
)
 
$
(0.64
)
Distributions declared per common unit
 

 

 

 
0.02

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EBITDA *
 
$
32,805

 
$
7,695

 
$
84,090

 
$
64,263

Adjusted EBITDA*
 
$
32,805

 
$
7,695

 
$
90,489

 
$
66,848

Available cash for distribution*
 
$
14,119

 
$
(10,231
)
 
$
9,843

 
$
(9,675
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average common units outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Basic and Diluted
 
113,283

 
113,283

 
113,283

 
113,283

________________________________
* See “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” section below reconciliation of these amounts.


(1)        Below are the components of net sales:
 
 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
Year Ended
December 31,
 (in thousands)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to net sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fertilizer sales
 
$
86,182

 
$
67,264

 
$
309,216

 
$
290,401

Freight in revenue
 
9,658

 
9,150

 
33,567

 
32,788

Other
 
2,278

 
1,778

 
8,299

 
7,613

Total net sales
 
$
98,118

 
$
78,192

 
$
351,082

 
$
330,802






5



Selected Balance Sheet Data:
(in thousands)
As of December 31, 2018
 
As of December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
61,776

 
$
49,173

Working capital
71,346

 
61,895

Total assets
1,254,388

 
1,234,276

Total long-term debt
628,989

 
625,904

Total liabilities
754,562

 
684,423

Total partners’ capital
499,826

 
549,853


Selected Cash Flow Data:
 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
Year Ended
December 31,
(in thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash flow provided by (used in):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating activities
$
5,116

 
$
(17,704
)
 
$
32,234

 
$
10,400

Investing activities
(4,781
)
 
(3,100
)
 
(19,631
)
 
(14,556
)
Financing activities

 

 

 
(2,266
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
$
335

 
$
(20,804
)
 
$
12,603

 
$
(6,422
)

Capital Expenditures:
 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
Year Ended
December 31,
(in thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maintenance capital expenditures
$
3,854

 
$
2,960

 
$
15,526

 
$
14,089

Growth capital expenditures
138

 
141

 
4,280

 
467

Total capital expenditures
$
3,992

 
$
3,101

 
$
19,806

 
$
14,556


Key Operating Data:

Ammonia Utilization Rates (1)
 
Two Years Ended December 31,
(percent of capacity utilization)
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
Consolidated
93
%
 
92
%
Coffeyville
92
%
 
94
%
East Dubuque
93
%
 
89
%
______________________________
(1)
Reflects our ammonia utilization rates on a consolidated basis and at each of our facilities. Utilization is an important measure used by management to assess operational output at each of the Partnership’s facilities. Utilization is calculated as actual tons produced divided by capacity. We present our utilization on a two-year rolling average to take into account the impact of our current turnaround cycles on any specific period. The two-year rolling average is a more useful presentation of the long-term utilization performance of our plants. Additionally, we present utilization solely on ammonia production rather than each nitrogen product as it provides a comparative baseline against industry peers and eliminates the disparity of plant configurations for upgrade of ammonia into other nitrogen products. With our efforts being primarily focused on ammonia upgrade capabilities, this measure provides a meaningful view of how well we operate.


6



Sales and Production Data
 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
Year Ended
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Consolidated sales (thousand tons):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ammonia
46

 
84

 
202

 
286

UAN
364

 
303

 
1,289

 
1,255

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated product pricing at gate (dollars per ton) (2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ammonia
$
324

 
$
264

 
$
328

 
$
280

UAN
$
180

 
$
132

 
$
173

 
$
152

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated production volume (thousand tons):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ammonia (gross produced) (3)
209

 
200

 
794

 
815

Ammonia (net available for sale) (3)
59

 
64

 
246

 
268

UAN
357

 
306

 
1,276

 
1,268

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Feedstock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Petroleum coke used in production (thousand tons)
139

 
117

 
463

 
488

Petroleum coke used in production (dollars per ton)
$
41

 
$
13

 
$
28

 
$
17

Natural gas used in production (thousands of MMBtus) (4)
2,000

 
1,839

 
7,933

 
7,620

Natural gas used in production (dollars per MMBtu) (4)
$
4.06

 
$
3.24

 
$
3.28

 
$
3.24

Natural gas in cost of materials and other (thousands of MMBtus) (4)
1,854

 
2,153

 
7,122

 
8,052

Natural gas in cost of materials and other (dollars per MMBtu) (4)
$
3.50

 
$
3.17

 
$
3.15

 
$
3.26

______________________________
(2)
Product pricing at gate represents sales less freight revenue divided by product sales volume in tons and is shown in order to provide a pricing measure that is comparable across the fertilizer industry.
(3)
Gross tons produced for ammonia represent total ammonia produced, including ammonia produced that was upgraded into other fertilizer products. Net tons available for sale represent ammonia available for sale that was not upgraded into other fertilizer products.
(4)
The feedstock natural gas shown above does not include natural gas used for fuel. The cost of fuel natural gas is included in direct operating expense.

Key Market Indicators
 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
Year Ended
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Ammonia - Southern plains (dollars per ton)
$
423

 
$
315

 
$
370

 
$
314

Ammonia - Corn belt (dollars per ton)
479

 
340

 
424

 
358

UAN - Corn belt (dollars per ton)
255

 
190

 
219

 
192

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas NYMEX (dollars per MMBtu)
$
3.75

 
$
2.92

 
$
3.08

 
$
3.02



7



Non-GAAP Reconciliations:

Reconciliation of Net Loss to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
Year Ended
December 31,
(in thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(1,371
)
 
$
(27,405
)
 
$
(50,027
)
 
$
(72,788
)
Add:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
15,507

 
15,735

 
62,588

 
62,845

Income tax expense (benefit)
(40
)
 
256

 
(46
)
 
220

Depreciation and amortization
18,709

 
19,109

 
71,575

 
73,986

EBITDA
$
32,805

 
$
7,695

 
$
84,090

 
$
64,263

Add:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Turnaround expenses

 

 
6,399

 
2,585

Adjusted EBITDA
$
32,805

 
$
7,695

 
$
90,489

 
$
66,848




Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Operating Activities to EBITDA
 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
Year Ended
 December 31,
(in thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
$
5,116

 
$
(17,704
)
 
$
32,234

 
$
10,400

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
15,507

 
15,735

 
62,588

 
62,845

Income tax expense (benefit)
(40
)
 
256

 
(46
)
 
220

Change in working capital
15,317

 
13,908

 
(2,256
)
 
(640
)
Other non-cash adjustments
(3,095
)
 
(4,500
)
 
(8,430
)
 
(8,562
)
EBITDA
$
32,805

 
$
7,695

 
$
84,090

 
$
64,263




Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Available Cash for Distribution
 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
Year Ended
December 31,
(in thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA
$
32,805

 
$
7,695

 
$
90,489

 
$
66,848

Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt service
(14,708
)
 
(14,967
)
 
(59,372
)
 
(59,849
)
Maintenance capital expenditures
(3,978
)
 
(2,959
)
 
(14,870
)
 
(14,089
)
Turnaround expenses

 

 
(6,404
)
 
(2,585
)
Available cash for distribution
$
14,119

 
$
(10,231
)
 
$
9,843

 
$
(9,675
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available cash for distribution, per common unit
$
0.12

 
$
(0.09
)
 
$
0.09

 
$
(0.09
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common units outstanding (in thousands)
113,283

 
113,283

 
113,283

 
113,283



8