Q2 2026 Star Group LP Earnings Call

May 7, 2026

Operator: Good day, welcome to the Star Group Fiscal 2026 Q2 results conference call. All participants will be in a listen-only mode. Should you need assistance, please signal a conference specialist by pressing star then 0. After today's presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask questions. To ask a question, you may press star then 1 on a touch-tone phone. To withdraw your question, please press star then 2. Please note, this event is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference over to Chris Witty, the Investor Relations advisor. Please go ahead.

Operator: Good day, Welcome to the Star Group Fiscal 2026 Q2 results conference call. All participants will be in a listen-only mode. Should you need assistance, please signal a conference specialist by pressing star then zero. After today's presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask questions. To ask a question, you may press star then one on a touch-tone phone. To withdraw your question, please press star then two. Please note, this event is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference over to Chris Witty, the Investor Relations advisor. Please go ahead.

Speaker #2: After today's presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask questions, to ask a question you may press star, then one on a touchstone phone, to withdraw your question, please press star, then two.

Speaker #2: Please note this event is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference over to Chris Witty, the Investor Relations Advisor. Please go ahead.

Speaker #2: Thank you and good morning. With me on the call today are Jeff Woosnam, President and Chief Executive Officer and Rich Ambury, Chief Financial Officer.

Chris Witty: Thank you and good morning. With me on the call today are Jeff Woosnam, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Richard Ambury, Chief Financial Officer. I would now like to provide a brief safe harbor statement. This conference call may include forward-looking statements that represent the company's expectations and beliefs concerning future events that involve risks and uncertainties and may cause the company's actual performance to be materially different from the performance indicated or implied by such statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this conference call are forward-looking statements. Although the company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct.

Speaker #2: I would now like to provide a brief safe harbor statement. This conference call may include forward-looking statements that represent the company's expectations and beliefs concerning future events that involve risks and uncertainties and may cause the company's actual performance to be materially different from the performance indicated or implied by such statements.

Speaker #2: All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this conference call are forward-looking statements. Although the company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct.

Speaker #2: Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the company's expectations are disclosed in this conference call, the company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025, and the company's other filings with the SEC.

Chris Witty: Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the company's expectations are disclosed in this conference call, the company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 30 September 2025, and the company's other filings with the SEC. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements. Unless otherwise required by law, the company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, after the date of this conference call. I'd now like to turn the call over to Jeff Woosnam. Jeff?

Speaker #2: All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements.

Speaker #2: Unless otherwise required by law, the company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, after the date of this conference call.

Speaker #2: I'd now like to turn the call over to Jeff Woosnam. Jeff?

Speaker #3: Thanks, Chris. And good morning, everyone. Thank you for joining us to discuss our second quarter and fiscal year to date results. The second quarter was, in many ways, a continuation of conditions experienced in the first.

Jeff Woosnam: Thanks, Chris, and good morning, everyone. Thank you for joining us to discuss our Q2 and fiscal year-to-date results. The Q2 was in many ways a continuation of conditions experienced in the Q1. Temperatures across our operating footprint were 6.4% colder than last year and 2.8% colder than normal, resulting in slightly higher volumes of products sold. The severe weather, including several very large snow events, at times impacted our field productivity, thereby raising operating expenses. That said, we were still able to post adjusted EBITDA of $139 million, which represents a year-over-year improvement of $10.5 million. At the same time, we kept net customer attrition to 0.6%, both of which are meaningful accomplishments for the company.

Speaker #3: Temperatures across our operating footprint were 6.4% colder than last year and 2.8% colder than normal, resulting in slightly higher volumes of products sold. However, the severe weather, including several very large snow events, at times impacted our field productivity, thereby raising operating expenses.

Speaker #3: That said, we were still able to post adjusted EBITDA of which represents a year-over-year improvement of 10.5 million. At the same time, we kept net customer attrition to 0.6%.

Speaker #3: Both of which are meaningful accomplishments for the company. Lastly, we closed on one small heating oil acquisition during the quarter and have several other opportunities under various stages of review.

Jeff Woosnam: Lastly, we closed on one small heating oil acquisition during the quarter and have several other opportunities under various stages of review. I've often talked on this call about the hard work and dedication of our loyal employees. Never has there been a more appropriate time to reflect on their value to our organization. With the added demand brought on by periods of near record low temperatures combined with significant snowfall, our team worked tirelessly, often through very difficult conditions, to provide our customers with a level of service and responsiveness they have come to expect. I simply could not be more proud and appreciative of their efforts. We are also working to contain the impact from recent increases in wholesale product costs through the use of effective inventory controls, supply chain initiatives, and active margin management.

Speaker #3: I've often talked on this call about the hard work and dedication of our loyal employees. Never has there been a more appropriate time to reflect on their value to our organization.

Speaker #3: With the added demand brought on by periods of near-record low temperatures combined with significant snowfall, our team worked tirelessly, often through very difficult conditions to provide our customers with the level of service, and responsiveness they have come to expect.

Speaker #3: I simply could not be more proud and appreciative of their efforts. We are also working to contain the impact from recent increases in wholesale product costs through the use of effective inventory controls, supply chain initiatives, and active margin management.

Speaker #3: While higher prices can create certain challenges for us, the immediate impact of this current escalation has been somewhat muted by the fact that we are coming out of the heating season.

Jeff Woosnam: While higher prices can create certain challenges for us, the immediate impact of this current escalation has been somewhat muted by the fact that we are coming out of the heating season. Although there is still much work to be done, I'm very pleased with how Star has performed as we cross the midpoint of the year. We believe we are well-positioned for the remainder of fiscal 2026 and look forward to the opportunities that summer brings to further invest in our people and business development initiatives. With that, I'll turn the call over to Rich to provide additional comments on the quarter's results. Rich?

Speaker #3: Although there is still much work to be done, I'm very pleased with how Star has performed as we crossed the midpoint of the year.

Speaker #3: We believe we are well positioned for the remainder of fiscal 2026 and look forward to the opportunities of summer brings to further invest in our people and business development initiatives.

Speaker #3: With that, I'll turn the call over to Rich to provide additional comments on the quarter's results. Rich?

Speaker #4: Thanks, Jeff. And good morning, everyone. In analyzing our results for the three- and six-month periods of fiscal 2026, please keep in mind that service costs and operating expenses were impacted by extreme weather conditions, including, at times, temperatures that were 25% colder than expected for a three-week period, and in some areas, we experienced over 60 inches of snow, which obviously negatively affected our overall operational efficiency.

Richard Ambury: Thanks, Jeff. Good morning, everyone. In analyzing our results for the 3 and 6-month periods of fiscal 2026, please keep in mind that service costs and operating expenses were impacted by extreme weather conditions, including, at times, temperatures that were 25% colder than expected for a 3-week period and in some areas experienced over 60 inches of snow, which obviously negatively affected our overall operational efficiency. For Q2, our home heating oil and propane volume rose by 600,000 gallons or 0.4% to 144.5 million gallons as the additional volume provided from acquisitions and colder weather more than offset the impact of net customer attrition and other factors.

Rich Ambury: Thanks, Jeff. Good morning, everyone. In analyzing our results for the 3 and 6-month periods of fiscal 2026, please keep in mind that service costs and operating expenses were impacted by extreme weather conditions, including, at times, temperatures that were 25% colder than expected for a 3-week period and in some areas experienced over 60 inches of snow, which obviously negatively affected our overall operational efficiency. For Q2, our home heating oil and propane volume rose by 600,000 gallons or 0.4% to 144.5 million gallons as the additional volume provided from acquisitions and colder weather more than offset the impact of net customer attrition and other factors.

Speaker #4: For the second quarter, our home heating oil and propane volume rose by 600,000 gallons of four-tenths of a 1% to 144.5 million gallons, as the additional volume provided from acquisitions and colder weather more than offset the impact of net customer attrition and other factors.

Speaker #4: Temperatures for the fiscal 2026 second quarter were 6.4% colder than last year and 2.8% colder than normal. Our product gross profit increased by 19 million dollars or 7% to 277 million due to a slight increase in home heating oil and propane volume sold, and higher home heating oil and propane per gallon margins.

Richard Ambury: Temperatures for the fiscal 2026 Q2 were 6.4% colder than last year and 2.8% colder than normal. Our product gross profit increased by $19 million, or 7%, to $277 million due to a slight increase in home heating oil and propane volume sold and higher home heating oil and propane per gallon margins. Colder weather conditions and numerous snowstorms increased the demand for service, which led to higher service-related expenses, including greater labor and other costs, which increased our service loss by $3.4 million. Delivery, branch, and G&A expenses increased by $5.4 million year over year. Delivery-related expenses rose by $4 million, largely due to the extreme weather conditions, while insurance expense increased by $4 million, as well as claims rose due to the severe weather.

Rich Ambury: Temperatures for the fiscal 2026 Q2 were 6.4% colder than last year and 2.8% colder than normal. Our product gross profit increased by $19 million, or 7%, to $277 million due to a slight increase in home heating oil and propane volume sold and higher home heating oil and propane per gallon margins. Colder weather conditions and numerous snowstorms increased the demand for service, which led to higher service-related expenses, including greater labor and other costs, which increased our service loss by $3.4 million. Delivery, branch, and G&A expenses increased by $5.4 million year over year. Delivery-related expenses rose by $4 million, largely due to the extreme weather conditions, while insurance expense increased by $4 million, as well as claims rose due to the severe weather.

Speaker #4: Colder weather conditions and numerous snowstorms increased the demand for service, which led to higher service-related expenses including greater labor and other costs, which increased our service loss by 3.4 million dollars.

Speaker #4: Delivery, branch, and G&A expenses increased by 5.4 million year-over-year. Delivery-related expenses rose by 4 million, largely due to the extreme weather conditions, while insurance expense increased by 4 million as well as claims rose due to the severe weather.

Speaker #4: During the second quarter of fiscal 2026, the company did not recognize any benefit or expense under its weather hedge versus a 3.1 million dollar expense recorded for the three months ending March 31st, 2025.

Richard Ambury: During the Q2 of fiscal 2026, the company did not recognize any benefit or expense under its weather hedge versus a $3.1 million expense recorded for the 3 months ending 31 March 2025. We have previously expensed a cap of about $5 million in the Q1 of fiscal 2026 due to the cold weather. We posted net income of $108 million in the Q2 of fiscal 2026, or $22 million more than the prior year period, reflecting a $10.5 million increase in adjusted EBITDA and the impact of a non-cash favorable change in the fair value of derivative instruments of $21 million, more than offsetting higher income tax expense of about $10 million and certain other factors.

Rich Ambury: During the Q2 of fiscal 2026, the company did not recognize any benefit or expense under its weather hedge versus a $3.1 million expense recorded for the 3 months ending 31 March 2025. We have previously expensed a cap of about $5 million in the Q1 of fiscal 2026 due to the cold weather. We posted net income of $108 million in the Q2 of fiscal 2026, or $22 million more than the prior year period, reflecting a $10.5 million increase in adjusted EBITDA and the impact of a non-cash favorable change in the fair value of derivative instruments of $21 million, more than offsetting higher income tax expense of about $10 million and certain other factors.

Speaker #4: We had previously expensed the cap of about 5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2026 due to the cold weather. We posted net income of 108 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, or 22 million dollars more than the prior year period, reflecting a 10.5 million dollar increase in adjusted EBITDA and the impact of a non-cash favorable change in the fair value of derivative instruments of 21 million dollars, more than offsetting higher income tax expense of about 10 million dollars in certain other factors.

Speaker #4: Adjusted EBITDA rose by 10.5 million dollars to 139 million, as an increase in home heating oil and propane per gallon margins more than offset higher operating expenses I just discussed.

Richard Ambury: Adjusted EBITDA rose by $10.5 million to $139 million as an increase in home heating oil and propane per gallon margins more than offset higher operating expenses I just discussed. Now turning to the results for the H1 of fiscal 2026. Our home heating oil and propane volume increased by 12 million gallons or 5.3% to 238 million gallons, again reflecting colder temperatures and the additional volume provided from acquisitions, again more than offsetting net customer attrition and other factors. Temperatures in Star's geographic areas of operations fiscal year to date were 11% colder than the prior year comparable period and 4.1% colder than normal.

Rich Ambury: Adjusted EBITDA rose by $10.5 million to $139 million as an increase in home heating oil and propane per gallon margins more than offset higher operating expenses I just discussed. Now turning to the results for the H1 of fiscal 2026. Our home heating oil and propane volume increased by 12 million gallons or 5.3% to 238 million gallons, again reflecting colder temperatures and the additional volume provided from acquisitions, again more than offsetting net customer attrition and other factors. Temperatures in Star's geographic areas of operations fiscal year to date were 11% colder than the prior year comparable period and 4.1% colder than normal.

Speaker #4: Now turning to the results for the first half of fiscal 2026, our home heating oil and propane volume increased by 12 million gallons or 5.3% to 238 million gallons, again reflecting colder temperatures and the additional volume provided from acquisitions again more than offsetting net customer attrition and other factors.

Speaker #4: Temperatures in Star's geographic areas of operation fiscal year to date were 11% colder than the prior-year comparable period and 4.1% colder than normal.

Speaker #4: Our product gross profit increased by 48 million dollars or 12% to 457 million due to an increase in the volume of home heating oil and propane sold and higher home heating oil and propane per gallon margins.

Richard Ambury: Our product gross profit increased by $48 million or 12% to $457 million due to an increase in the volume of home heating oil and propane sold and higher home heating oil and propane per gallon margins. As previously mentioned, colder weather conditions and numerous snowstorms in Q2 of fiscal 2026 increased the demand for service, which led to higher service-related expenses. While installation gross profit increased by $1.5 million, the service gross loss rose by $6.1 million, again due to higher expenses, an increased demand for service, as well as an increase in propane tank sets. Delivery, branch, and G&A expenses rose by a little over $16 million year-over-year, of which $1.9 million was attributable to our weather hedging program.

Rich Ambury: Our product gross profit increased by $48 million or 12% to $457 million due to an increase in the volume of home heating oil and propane sold and higher home heating oil and propane per gallon margins. As previously mentioned, colder weather conditions and numerous snowstorms in Q2 of fiscal 2026 increased the demand for service, which led to higher service-related expenses. While installation gross profit increased by $1.5 million, the service gross loss rose by $6.1 million, again due to higher expenses, an increased demand for service, as well as an increase in propane tank sets. Delivery, branch, and G&A expenses rose by a little over $16 million year-over-year, of which $1.9 million was attributable to our weather hedging program.

Speaker #4: As previously mentioned, colder weather conditions and numerous snowstorms in the second quarter of fiscal 2026 increased the demand for service, which led to higher service-related expenses.

Speaker #4: While installation gross profit increased by 1.5 million dollars, the service gross loss rose by 6.1, again due to higher expenses and an increased demand for service, as well as an increase in propane tank sets.

Speaker #4: Delivery, branch, and G&A expenses rose by a little over 16 million dollars year-over-year, of which 1.9 million was attributable to our weather hedging program.

Speaker #4: As I previously mentioned, in fiscal 2026, we recorded an expense of 5 million dollars under our weather hedge compared to 3.1 million recorded in fiscal 2025, again reflecting weather conditions in both periods.

Richard Ambury: As I previously mentioned, in fiscal 2026, we recorded an expense of $5 million under our weather hedge compared to $3.1 million recorded in fiscal 2025, again reflecting weather conditions in both periods. Recent acquisitions accounted for an increase of $3 million to delivery, branch, and G&A expenses, while costs associated with the base business rose by $11.3 million, reflecting a 2.7% increase in volume and the impact of the severe weather conditions on operating expenses, including insurance claims. We posted net income of $144 million for H1 of fiscal 2026, or $25 million in the prior year period, as an increase in adjusted EBITDA of $27 million and the impact of a favorable change in the fair value of derivatives of $10 million, more than offset higher income tax expense of $11 million and other factors.

Rich Ambury: As I previously mentioned, in fiscal 2026, we recorded an expense of $5 million under our weather hedge compared to $3.1 million recorded in fiscal 2025, again reflecting weather conditions in both periods. Recent acquisitions accounted for an increase of $3 million to delivery, branch, and G&A expenses, while costs associated with the base business rose by $11.3 million, reflecting a 2.7% increase in volume and the impact of the severe weather conditions on operating expenses, including insurance claims. We posted net income of $144 million for H1 of fiscal 2026, or $25 million in the prior year period, as an increase in adjusted EBITDA of $27 million and the impact of a favorable change in the fair value of derivatives of $10 million, more than offset higher income tax expense of $11 million and other factors.

Speaker #4: Recent acquisitions accounted for an increase of $3 million to delivery, branch, and G&A expenses, while costs associated with the base business rose by $11.3 million, reflecting a 2.7% increase in volume and the impact of the severe weather conditions on operating expenses, including insurance claims.

Speaker #4: We posted net income of $144 million for the first six months of fiscal 2026, up from $25 million in the prior year period, as an increase in adjusted EBITDA of $27 million and the impact of a favorable change in the fair value of derivatives of $10 million more than offset higher income tax expense of $11 million and other factors.

Speaker #4: Adjusted EBITDA rose by 27 million dollars to 207 million, due to an increase in home heating oil and propane volume sold in the base business, an increase in adjusted EBITDA from acquisitions, and higher home heating oil and propane per gallon margins, which more than offset higher operating expenses.

Richard Ambury: Adjusted EBITDA rose by $27 million to $207 million due to an increase in home heating oil and propane volume sold in the base business, an increase in adjusted EBITDA from acquisitions, and higher home heating oil and propane per gallon margins, which more than offset higher operating expenses. Note that for fiscal 2027, we have put in place a twelve and a half million dollar weather hedge. Now I'll turn the call back over to Jeff.

Rich Ambury: Adjusted EBITDA rose by $27 million to $207 million due to an increase in home heating oil and propane volume sold in the base business, an increase in adjusted EBITDA from acquisitions, and higher home heating oil and propane per gallon margins, which more than offset higher operating expenses. Note that for fiscal 2027, we have put in place a twelve and a half million dollar weather hedge. Now I'll turn the call back over to Jeff.

Speaker #4: Note that, for fiscal 2027, we have put in place a $12.5 million weather hedge, and now I'll turn the call back over to Jeff.

Speaker #3: Thanks, Rich. At this time, we're pleased to address any questions you may have, operator. Please open the phone lines for questions.

Jeff Woosnam: Thanks, Rich. At this time, we're pleased to address any questions you may have. Operator, please open the phone lines for questions.

Speaker #4: We will now begin the question and answer session. To ask a question, you may press star, then one on your touch-tone phone. If you're using a speakerphone, please pick up your handset before pressing the keys.

Operator: We will now begin the question-and-answer session. To ask a question, you may press star then one on your touchtone phone. If you're using a speakerphone, please pick up your handset before pressing the keys. If at any time your question has been addressed and you would like to withdraw your question, please press star then two. At this time, we will pause momentarily to assemble our roster. As a reminder, if you have a question, please press star then one to be joined into the queue. At this point, there appears to be no callers in the queue. I'll hand it back to Mr. Woosnam for any closing remarks.

Speaker #4: If at any time your question has been addressed and you would like to withdraw your question, please press star, then two. At this time, we will pause momentarily to assemble our roster.

Speaker #4: As a reminder, if you have a question, please press star, then one to be joined into the queue. At this point, there appears to be no callers in the queue, so I'll hand it back to Mr. Woosnam for any closing remarks.

Speaker #3: Okay. Thank you for taking the time to join us today, and your ongoing interest in Star Group. We look forward to sharing our 2026 fiscal third quarter results in August.

Jeff Woosnam: Okay, thank you for taking the time to join us today and your ongoing interest in Star Group. We look forward to sharing our 2026 fiscal Q3 results in August. Have a great summer.

Speaker #3: Have a great summer.

Operator: The conference has now concluded. Thank you for attending today's presentation. You may all now disconnect.