EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm ALLIANCE HOLDINGS GP, L.P. PRESS RELEASE DATED AS OF OCTOBER 29, 2007. Alliance Holdings GP, L.P. press release dated as of October 29, 2007.

Exhibit 99.1

PRESS RELEASE

 

LOGO        CONTACT:
       Brian L. Cantrell
       Alliance Holdings GP, L.P.
       1717 South Boulder Avenue, Suite 400
       Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119
       (918) 295-7673

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ALLIANCE HOLDINGS GP, L.P.

Reports Increased Third Quarter 2007 Financial Results; and Declares Quarterly Distribution of $0.265 per Unit

TULSA, OKLAHOMA, October 29, 2007 – Alliance Holdings GP, L.P. (NASDAQ: AHGP) today reported net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 (the “2007 Quarter”) of $20.5 million, or $0.34 per basic and diluted limited partner unit, an increase of 6.0% compared to net income of $19.4 million, or $0.32 per basic and diluted limited partner unit, for the quarter ended September 30, 2006 (the “2006 Quarter”).

AHGP’s net income increased to $67.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 (the “2007 Period”), compared to $62.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 (the “2006 Period”). Basic and diluted net income per limited partner unit for the 2007 Period decreased to $1.13 per unit, compared to $1.16 per basic and diluted limited partner unit for the 2006 Period. This decrease in basic and diluted net income per limited partner unit for the 2007 Period is the result of an increase in the number of common units outstanding due to the issuance of 12,500,000 common units on May 9, 2006 in conjunction with AHGP’s initial public offering.

The Board of Directors of AHGP’s general partner (the “Board”) also declared a quarterly cash distribution for the 2007 Quarter of $0.265 per unit (an annualized rate of $1.06 per unit), payable on November 19, 2007, to AHGP’s unitholders of record as of November 12, 2007. Increases to AHGP’s quarterly cash distribution to unitholders are expected to be considered by the Board at its January and July meetings.

The declared distribution is based on the distribution AHGP will receive from its ownership interests in Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. (NASDAQ: ARLP). On October 29, 2007, ARLP announced a quarterly distribution for the 2007 Quarter of $0.56 per unit, or $2.24 per unit on an annualized basis, which will be paid on November 14, 2007 to all ARLP unitholders of record as of the close of trading on November 7, 2007. (See ARLP Press Release dated October 29, 2007.)

AHGP currently has no other operating activities apart from those conducted by the operating subsidiaries of ARLP and reports its financial results on a consolidated basis with the financial results of ARLP. AHGP’s principal sources of cash flow are its ownership of general partner interests, limited partner interests and incentive distribution rights in ARLP. Based on ARLP’s current declared distribution, AHGP expects to receive quarterly cash distributions from ARLP of $16.7 million, or $66.7 million, on an annualized basis. AHGP’s primary cash requirements are for general and administrative expenses, including for 2007 an estimated $2.4 million in incremental general and administrative expenses associated with being a publicly traded limited partnership, working capital requirements and distributions to its unitholders. At September 30, 2007, AHGP had no borrowings outstanding under its revolving credit facility.

 

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A conference call regarding AHGP’s 2007 Quarter financial results is scheduled for today at 10:00 a.m. Eastern. To participate, dial (866) 825-3308 and provide pass code 11584750. International callers should dial (617) 213-8062. Investors may also listen to the call via the “investor information” section of AHGP’s website at http://www.ahgp.com.”

About Alliance Holdings GP, L.P.

AHGP is a limited partnership formed to own and control Alliance Resource Management GP, LLC, the managing general partner of ARLP, through which it holds a 1.98% general partner interest and the incentive distribution rights in ARLP. In addition, AHGP owns 15,544,169 common units of ARLP.

News, unit prices and additional information about AHGP including filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, are available at http://www.ahgp.com. For more information, contact the investor relations department of AHGP at 918-295-1415 or via e-mail at investorrelations@ahgp.com

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The statements and projections used throughout this release are based on current expectations. These statements and projections are forward-looking, and actual results may differ materially. These projections do not include the potential impact of any mergers, acquisitions or other business combinations that may occur after the date of this release. At the end of this release, we have included more information regarding business risks that could affect our results.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: With the exception of historical matters, any matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projected results. These risks, uncertainties and contingencies include, but are not limited to, the following: initially, our operating cash flow will be derived exclusively from cash distributions from ARLP; the risks to the business of ARLP include: increased competition in coal markets and ARLP’s ability to respond to the competition; fluctuation in coal prices, which could adversely affect ARLP’s operating results and cash flows; risks associated with the expansion of ARLP’s operations and properties; deregulation of the electric utility industry or the effects of any adverse change in the domestic coal industry, electric utility industry, or general economic conditions; dependence on significant customer contracts, including renewing customer contracts upon expiration of existing contracts; customer bankruptcies and/or cancellations or breaches of existing contracts; customer delays or defaults in making payments; fluctuations in coal demand, prices and availability due to labor and transportation costs and disruptions, equipment availability, governmental regulations and other factors; ARLP’s productivity levels and margins that it earns on its coal sales; greater than expected increases in raw material costs; greater than expected shortage of skilled labor; any unanticipated increases in labor costs, adverse changes in work rules, or unexpected cash payments associated with asset retirement obligations and workers’ compensation claims; any unanticipated increases in transportation costs and risk of transportation delays or interruptions; greater than expected environmental regulation, costs and liabilities; a variety of operational, geologic, permitting, labor and weather-related factors; risk associated with major mine-related accidents, such as mine fires or other interruptions; results of litigation, including claims not yet asserted; difficulty maintaining ARLP’s surety bonds for asset retirement obligations as well as workers’ compensation and black lung benefits; coal market’s share of electricity generation; prices of fuel that compete with or impact coal usage, such as oil or natural gas; legislation, regulatory and court decisions; the impact from provisions of The Energy Policy Act of 2005; replacement of coal reserves; a loss or reduction of the direct or indirect benefit from certain state and federal tax credits, including non-conventional source fuel tax credits; difficulty obtaining commercial property insurance, and risks associated with ARLP’s increased participation (excluding any applicable deductible) in the commercial insurance property program.

 

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Additional information concerning these and other factors can be found in AHGP’s public periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including AHGP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, filed on March 15, 2007 with the SEC. Except as required by applicable securities laws, AHGP does not intend to update its forward-looking statements.

 

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ALLIANCE HOLDINGS GP, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND OPERATING DATA

(In thousands, except unit and per unit data)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2007     2006     2007     2006  

SALES AND OPERATING REVENUES:

        

Coal sales

   $ 242,412     $ 228,802     $ 723,646     $ 652,527  

Transportation revenues

     9,138       10,966       28,423       29,956  

Other sales and operating revenues

     8,875       4,847       28,591       21,691  
                                

Total revenues

     260,425       244,615       780,660       704,174  
                                

EXPENSES:

        

Operating expenses

     176,857       162,209       521,814       455,096  

Transportation expenses

     9,138       10,966       28,423       29,956  

Outside purchases

     3,737       6,020       17,610       14,251  

General and administrative

     7,716       7,859       25,063       22,350  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     21,804       17,276       63,022       48,291  

Net gain from insurance settlement

     —         —         (11,491 )     —    
                                

Total operating expenses

     219,252       204,330       644,441       569,944  
                                

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

     41,173       40,285       136,219       134,230  

Interest expense

     (3,039 )     (2,883 )     (8,702 )     (9,475 )

Interest income

     280       716       1,395       2,532  

Other income

     121       216       1,189       678  
                                

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES, CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE, MINORITY INTEREST AND NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST

     38,535       38,334       130,101       127,965  

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

     550       352       1,794       2,228  
                                

INCOME BEFORE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE, MINORITY INTEREST AND NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST

     37,985       37,982       128,307       125,737  

CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE

     —         —         —         112  

MINORITY INTEREST

     63       53       230       96  
                                

INCOME BEFORE NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST

     38,048       38,035       128,537       125,945  

Affiliate non-controlling interest in consolidated partnership’s net income

     (7 )     (7 )     (22 )     (23 )

Non-affiliate non-controlling interest in consolidated partnership’s net income

     (17,534 )     (18,677 )     (61,116 )     (63,300 )
                                

NET INCOME

   $ 20,507     $ 19,351     $ 67,399     $ 62,622  
                                

BASIC AND DILUTED NET INCOME PER LIMITED PARTNER UNIT

   $ 0.34     $ 0.32     $ 1.13     $ 1.16  
                                

DISTRIBUTIONS PAID PER LIMITED PARTNER UNIT

   $ 0.265     $ 0.12285     $ 0.765     $ 0.12285  
                                

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF UNITS OUTSTANDING-BASIC AND DILUTED

     59,863,000       59,863,000       59,863,000       53,956,407  
                                

 

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ALLIANCE HOLDINGS GP, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except unit data)

(Unaudited)

 

     September 30,
2007
    December 31,
2006
 

ASSETS

    

CURRENT ASSETS:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 19,523     $ 37,069  

Trade receivables, net

     89,300       96,558  

Other receivables

     2,256       3,378  

Due from affiliates

     —         25  

Marketable securities

     —         260  

Inventories

     24,998       20,224  

Advance royalties

     3,316       4,629  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     1,276       8,419  
                

Total current assets

     140,669       170,562  

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:

    

Property, plant and equipment, at cost

     922,159       819,991  

Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization

     (406,954 )     (383,284 )
                

Total property, plant and equipment, net

     515,205       436,707  

OTHER ASSETS:

    

Advance royalties

     27,308       22,135  

Other long-term assets

     14,753       6,091  
                

Total other assets

     42,061       28,226  
                

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 697,935     $ 635,495  
                

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

    

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 55,406     $ 58,513  

Due to affiliates

     1,064       1,289  

Accrued taxes other than income taxes

     12,935       14,618  

Accrued payroll and related expenses

     17,405       14,698  

Accrued interest

     1,162       4,264  

Workers’ compensation and pneumoconiosis benefits

     7,715       7,704  

Current capital lease obligation

     375       339  

Other current liabilities

     9,774       13,964  

Current maturities, long-term debt

     18,000       18,000  
                

Total current liabilities

     123,836       133,389  

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:

    

Long-term debt, excluding current maturities

     135,000       126,000  

Pneumoconiosis benefits

     28,691       26,315  

Accrued pension benefit

     4,053       6,191  

Workers’ compensation

     51,752       38,488  

Asset retirement obligations

     49,110       47,825  

Long-term capital lease obligation

     1,232       1,512  

Minority interest

     609       839  

Other liabilities

     7,276       6,610  
                

Total long-term liabilities

     277,723       253,780  
                

Total liabilities

     401,559       387,169  
                

NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST IN CONSOLIDATED PARTNERSHIP:

    

Affiliate

     (303,816 )     (303,823 )

Non-Affiliates

     351,029       324,784  
                

Total non-controlling interest

     47,213       20,961  
                

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

    

PARTNERS’ CAPITAL:

    

Limited Partners – Common Unitholders 59,863,000 units outstanding

     255,925       234,321  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     (6,762 )     (6,956 )
                

Total Partners’ Capital

     249,163       227,365  
                

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

   $ 697,935     $ 635,495  
                

 

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ALLIANCE HOLDINGS GP, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2007     2006  

CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

   $ 209,422     $ 183,158  
                

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Property, plant and equipment:

    

Capital expenditures

     (95,017 )     (141,963 )

Changes in accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     (9,297 )     (1,198 )

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

     5,859       599  

Proceeds from insurance settlement for replacement assets

     2,511       —    

Purchase of marketable securities

     —         (19,188 )

Proceeds from marketable securities

     260       68,343  

Payment for acquisition of business

     —         (2,318 )

Payment for acquisition of coal reserves and other assets

     (53,309 )     —    

Advances on Gibson rail project

     (5,912 )     —    
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (154,905 )     (95,725 )
                

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Payment on long-term debt

     (18,000 )     (18,000 )

Borrowings under revolving credit facilities

     130,525       500  

Payments under revolving credit facilities

     (103,525 )     —    

Payments on capital lease obligation

     (244 )     —    

Payment of debt issuance cost

     (194 )     (690 )

Equity contribution received by Mid-America Carbonates, LLC

     —         1,000  

Contributions to consolidated partnership from affiliate non-controlling interest

     1       —    

Distributions paid by consolidated partnership to affiliate non-controlling interest

     (16 )     (13 )

Distributions paid by consolidated partnership to non-affiliate non-controlling interest

     (34,815 )     (30,201 )

Distributions paid to Partners

     (45,795 )     (326,439 )

Net proceeds from issuance of common units in initial public offering

     —         291,300  
                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (72,063 )     (82,543 )
                

NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     (17,546 )     4,890  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

     37,069       32,072  
                

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

   $ 19,523     $ 36,962  
                

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

    

CASH PAID FOR:

    

Interest

   $ 12,587     $ 13,715  
                

Income taxes

   $ 2,175     $ 2,545  
                

NON-CASH INVESTING ACTIVITY:

    

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

   $ 2,843     $ 8,166  
                

 

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