Delek US : Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2014 Results

Delek US Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: DK) (“Delek US”) today announced financial results for its fourth quarter ended December 31, 2014. Delek US reported fourth quarter net income of $37.5 million, or $0.64 per diluted share, versus a net loss of $(4.7) million, or $(0.08) per basic share, in the quarter ended December 31, 2013.

Operating income for the fourth quarter 2014 benefited from $60.9 million of net hedging gains, of which $42.6 million were realized. Those gains partially offset $72.9 million of higher cost related to inventory adjustments resulting from a decline in crude oil and product prices during the quarter. Excluding the impact of inventory adjustments and net unrealized hedging gains, fourth quarter 2014 after-tax earnings would have been higher by $37.7 million.

On a year-over-year basis, fourth quarter 2014 results improved in all three segments led primarily by refining. The refining segment benefited from a combination of a wider discount between Midland WTI and Cushing WTI, more stable local market netbacks relative to Gulf Coast light product price trends, and a lower crude oil price environment that improved margins on residual products, particularly asphalt. These factors more than offset a lower 5-3-2 Gulf Coast crack spread.

For the full year 2014, Delek US reported net income of $198.6 million, or $3.35 per diluted share, compared to net income of $117.7 million, or $1.96 per diluted share in 2013.

Uzi Yemin, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Delek US stated, “We performed well in the fourth quarter across all three operating segments. Our access to local markets for our refined products, a diversified crude slate and lower cost crude that benefited asphalt margins, combined with increased throughput, improved our refining performance year-over-year. This improvement occurred in the face of more challenging market conditions for refining as measured by a decline in the 5-3-2 crack spread. Our logistics segment benefited from a strong west Texas wholesale margin, while a higher fuel margin increased results in our retail segment compared to the fourth quarter 2013.”

Yemin concluded, “In 2014, we invested $257 million in capital expenditures across our operations, which included the turnaround and improvement in crude flexibility at our El Dorado refinery, as well as the ongoing expansion project at our Tyler refinery. Additionally, we returned a significant amount of cash to our shareholders in the form of $59 million in dividends and $75 million of stock repurchases. As we enter 2015, we are on schedule to complete our Tyler refinery turnaround and expansion project by mid-March, which will bring us to the end of a large capital spending program. We anticipate, based on Delek Logistics’ expected growth, it should have the ability to reach the high splits on the incentive distribution rights during the second half of 2015, which should increase the cash flow to the general partner. We remain focused on creating long-term value for our shareholders by growing our business, while returning cash to our shareholders through dividends and our new $125 million 2015 share repurchase program.”

Tyler Turnaround and Expansion Update

In preparation for its scheduled turnaround, the Tyler refinery shut down operating units on January 23, 2015. This turnaround is expected to be completed by mid-March along with the replacement of the fluid catalytic cracking reactor and work related to expansion of the crude nameplate capacity by 15,000 barrels per day to 75,000 barrels per day. This expansion project is expected to cost approximately $70.0 million, of which approximately $49.9 million was spent during 2014. This will increase total crude nameplate capacity in the refining system to 155,000 barrels per day.

Based on current market conditions, and assuming 10,000 to 15,000 barrels per day of incremental crude throughput, this expansion is expected to generate annual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) of approximately $40 million to $65 million. In addition, improved yields from the new fluid catalytic cracking reactor is expected to increase EBITDA by approximately $10 million on an annual basis.

Regular Quarterly Dividend

Delek US announced today that its Board of Directors declared its regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per share. Shareholders of record on March 10, 2015 will receive this cash dividend payable on March 24, 2015.

Liquidity

As of December 31, 2014, Delek US had a cash balance of $444.1 million and total debt of $589.7 million, resulting in net debt of $145.6 million. This compares to $96.5 million of net debt at September 30, 2014. As of December 31, 2014, Delek US’ subsidiary, Delek Logistics Partners, LP (NYSE: DKL) (“Delek Logistics”), had a cash balance of approximately $1.9 million and $251.8 million of debt, which is included in the consolidated amounts on Delek US’ balance sheet. Excluding Delek Logistics, Delek US had approximately $442.2 million in cash and $337.9 million of debt, or a $104.3 million net cash position.

Share Repurchase Program

During the fourth quarter 2014, 1,099,660 shares were repurchased for approximately $33.1 million. These repurchases were completed at an average price of $30.08 per share. The total amount repurchased under this $100 million repurchase authorization for 2014 was 2,365,561 shares for approximately $74.7 million, which equates to an average price of $31.55 per share.

Our Board of Directors has approved a new share repurchase authorization for $125 million that will expire on December 31, 2015. Shares under the program may be repurchased from time to time in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions, subject to market conditions and other factors.

Refining Segment

Refining contribution margin increased to $89.8 million from $49.4 million in the fourth quarter 2013. Improved year-over-year performance in the refining segment can be attributed to several factors. First, the WTI Midland crude discount to WTI Cushing was wider on a year-over-year basis, averaging $5.80 per barrel in fourth quarter 2014 compared to an average of $2.32 per barrel in the prior-year period. Second, higher throughput in the refining system on a year-over-year basis improved contribution margins. Third, local market net backs at Tyler and El Dorado did not decline as quickly as Gulf Coast price points, which improved margins at the refineries relative to industry benchmarks. Fourth, lower crude oil prices improved the profitability of residual products, particularly asphalt, on a year-over-year basis. These factors more than offset a lower benchmark Gulf Coast 5-3-2 crack spread that averaged $6.59 per barrel during the fourth quarter 2014, compared with $13.11 per barrel during fourth quarter 2013.

Effective April 1, 2014, Delek US revised the structure of the internal financial information, which resulted in a change in the composition of our reportable segments. As a result of these changes the results of hedging activity, previously reported in Corporate, Other and Eliminations in the financial segment data tables, are now included in our Refining segment and allocated to each refinery based on total throughput. Prior year period results have also been adjusted to include this change.

Tyler, Texas Refinery

During the fourth quarter 2014, performance improved year-over-year at Tyler primarily due to a wider discount between Midland and Cushing crude oil and higher sales volume. This refinery had access to approximately 52,000 barrels per day of Midland sourced crude during the fourth quarter 2014. Direct operating expense decreased primarily due to lower insurance expense, which was partially offset by higher utility and chemical/catalysts expenses versus the prior-year period.

El Dorado, Arkansas Refinery

Crude throughput increased year-over-year at the El Dorado refinery as it was able to process additional barrels of light crude following work that was completed during its turnaround in the first quarter 2014. While crude throughput was higher on a year-over-year basis, it was lowered during the fourth quarter 2014 by a disruption in crude deliveries resulting from a third-party crude oil pipeline leak in October and unplanned maintenance during the quarter.

Increased sales volume during the period was primarily driven by higher throughput on a year-over-year basis. Another factor that played a role in the year-over-year change was that sales volume in the fourth quarter 2013 was lowered to build light product inventory in preparation for the January 2014 turnaround. Additionally, results benefited from a wider discount between Midland and Cushing crude oil as well as improved margins on residual products, including asphalt, due to a lower crude oil price environment on a year-over-year basis. Direct operating expense decreased year-over-year due to lower chemicals/catalysts and outside services expenses as the refinery operated more efficiently following the turnaround in the first quarter 2014.

Logistics Segment

Delek US and its affiliates beneficially own approximately 62 percent (including the 2 percent general partner interest) of all outstanding Delek Logistics units. The logistics segment’s results include 100 percent of the performance of Delek Logistics and adjustments for the minority interests are made on a consolidated basis.

The logistics segment’s contribution margin in the fourth quarter 2014 was $29.4 million compared to $18.2 million in the fourth quarter 2013. On a year-over-year basis, this increase was primarily due to a higher gross margin per barrel in the west Texas business and Delek Logistics’ acquisition of the product terminal and substantially all of the storage tank assets at the El Dorado refinery in February 2014 from subsidiaries of Delek US. Additionally, increased volumes on the Lion Pipeline System and SALA gathering system also contributed to improved performance compared to the fourth quarter 2013. Expenses associated with the El Dorado, Arkansas tank farm and product terminal were reclassified from the refining segment to the logistics segment in the fourth quarter 2013.

Retail Segment

Retail segment contribution margin increased year-over-year primarily due to higher fuel margins which benefited from a decline in wholesale fuel prices during the fourth quarter 2014. In addition, fuel gallons sold increased to 113.6 million from 101.2 million in the prior-year period and merchandise sales increased to $101.3 million compared to $93.6 million. On a same store sales basis, fuel gallons increased 3.5% and merchandise sales increased 4.3% from fourth quarter 2013. The increase in same store fuel gallons was primarily driven by improved performance from the large-format store category on a year-over-year basis. Merchandise sales increased across most categories on a same store basis from the fourth quarter 2013.

During the fourth quarter 2014, one new large-format store was opened bringing the total to 64 large-format stores in the portfolio.

Fourth Quarter 2014 Results | Conference Call Information

Delek US will hold a conference call to discuss its fourth quarter 2014 results on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at 8:30 a.m. Central Time. Investors will have the opportunity to listen to the conference call live by going to www.DelekUS.com and clicking on the Investor Relations tab. Participants are encouraged to register at least 15 minutes early to download and install any necessary software. For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, a telephonic replay will be available through May 24, 2015 by dialing (855) 859-2056, passcode 70269248. An archived version of the replay will also be available at www.DelekUS.com for 90 days.

Investors may also wish to listen to Delek Logistics’ (NYSE: DKL) fourth quarter earnings conference call that will be held on February 24, 2014 at 7:30 a.m. Central Time and review Delek Logistics’ earnings press release. Market trends and information disclosed by Delek Logistics may be relevant to the logistics segment reported by Delek US. Both a replay of the conference call and press release for Delek Logistics are available online at www.deleklogistics.com.

About Delek US Holdings, Inc.

Delek US Holdings, Inc. is a diversified downstream energy company with assets in petroleum refining, logistics and convenience store retailing. The refining segment consists of refineries operated in Tyler, Texas and El Dorado, Arkansas with a combined nameplate production capacity of 140,000 barrels per day. Delek US Holdings, Inc. and its affiliates also own approximately 62 percent (including the 2 percent general partner interest) of Delek Logistics Partners, LP. Delek Logistics Partners, LP (NYSE: DKL) is a growth-oriented master limited partnership focused on owning and operating midstream energy infrastructure assets. The retail segment markets motor fuel and convenience merchandise through a network of approximately 365 company-operated convenience store locations operated under the MAPCO Express®, MAPCO Mart®, East Coast®, Fast Food and Fuel™, Favorite Markets®, Delta Express® and Discount Food Mart™ brand names.

Safe Harbor Provisions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based upon current expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Statements concerning current estimates, expectations and projections about future results, performance, prospects and opportunities 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.

Investors are cautioned that the following important factors, among others, may affect these forward-looking statements. These factors include but are not limited to: gains and losses from derivative instruments; risks and uncertainties with respect to the quantities and costs of crude oil we are able to obtain and the price of the refined petroleum products we ultimately sell; operating hazards inherent in transporting, storing and processing crude oil and intermediate and finished petroleum products; management’s ability to execute its strategy of growth through acquisitions and the transactional risks associated with acquisitions; our competitive position and the effects of competition; the projected growth of the industries in which we operate; changes in the scope, costs, and/or timing of capital and maintenance projects; general economic and business conditions, particularly levels of spending relating to travel and tourism or conditions affecting the southeastern United States; and other risks contained in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and will not be accurate indications of the times at, or by which such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking information is based on information available at the time and/or management’s good faith belief with respect to future events, and is subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in the statements. Delek US undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements.

Non-GAAP Disclosures:

Our management uses a variety of financial and operating metrics to analyze operating segment performance. To supplement our financial information presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), our management uses additional metrics that are known as “non-GAAP” financial metrics in its evaluation of past performance and prospects for the future. These metrics are significant factors in assessing our operating results and profitability and include earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization expenses (“EBITDA”). We define EBITDA as consolidated earnings, including earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests, before depreciation and amortization expense, net interest and financing costs, income taxes and interest income.

We present EBITDA because we believe some investors and analysts use EBITDA to help analyze our cash flows including our ability to satisfy principal and interest obligations with respect to our indebtedness and use cash for other purposes, including capital expenditures. EBITDA is also used by some investors and analysts to analyze and compare companies on the basis of operating performance and by management for internal analysis. EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to U.S. GAAP net earnings or net cash from operating activities. EBITDA has important limitations as an analytical tool, because it excludes some, but not all, items that affect net earnings and net cash from operating activities.