Sunoco LP (NYSE:SUN) is a leading energy infrastructure and fuel distribution master limited partnership operating in over 40 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, Europe, and Mexico. The Partnership's midstream operations include an extensive network of approximately 14,000 miles of pipeline and over 100 terminals. This critical infrastructure complements the Partnership's fuel distribution operations, which serve approximately 7,400 Sunoco and partner branded locations and additional independent dealers and commercial customers.
Business Overview
Sunoco LP's business model is centered around optimizing gross profit across its fuel distribution and marketing operations. In 2023, the Partnership reported annual net income of $311 million, annual revenue of $23.07 billion, annual operating cash flow of $609 million, and annual free cash flow of $394 million. These strong financial results demonstrate the resilience and stability of Sunoco's operations.
Recent Developments
In the first quarter of 2024, Sunoco delivered a record performance, reporting adjusted EBITDA of $242 million, up 9% from the same period in 2023. This was driven by a 9% increase in motor fuel gallons sold to 2.1 billion, partially offset by a decrease in fuel margin to $0.117 per gallon. The decrease in fuel margin was primarily due to the impact of the West Texas divestiture, which had a higher-than-average margin.
Strategic Acquisitions
Sunoco's strategic initiatives have further strengthened its position in the market. In March 2024, the Partnership completed the acquisition of liquid fuels terminals in Amsterdam, Netherlands and Bantry Bay, Ireland from Zenith Energy for €170 million ($185 million). This acquisition provides Sunoco with additional opportunities to optimize its supply cost, particularly on the East Coast, and deliver increased value to its customers.
Furthermore, on May 3, 2024, Sunoco completed the transformative $7.3 billion acquisition of NuStar Energy LP, a leading independent liquids terminal and pipeline operator. This acquisition significantly enhances Sunoco's operations, enhances its credit profile, and provides substantial growth opportunities. The combined entity now operates an extensive network of approximately 23,500 miles of pipeline and over 160 terminals.
Sunoco's management team expects the NuStar acquisition to be highly accretive, with a greater than 10% increase in distributable cash flow per unit by the third year following the close. The Partnership also anticipates achieving over $150 million in annual synergies, with more than $100 million in expense savings.
Financials
To finance the NuStar acquisition and strengthen its balance sheet, Sunoco recently completed several strategic financing transactions. This includes the issuance of $1.5 billion in senior notes and the establishment of a new $1.5 billion revolving credit facility, which matures in 2029. These actions have resulted in upgrades to Sunoco's long-term credit ratings by both Moody's and S&P, further demonstrating the Partnership's enhanced scale, stability, and improved financial profile.
Sunoco's business model, with a focus on stable, fee-based midstream operations and a growing fuel distribution platform, provides the Partnership with a foundation for future growth. In the first quarter of 2024, the Partnership's fuel distribution and marketing segment accounted for approximately 96% of total revenue, while the all other segment, which includes the Partnership's retail operations and other ancillary businesses, contributed the remaining 4%.
Outlook
Looking ahead, Sunoco has provided updated guidance for 2024, with the Partnership now expecting adjusted EBITDA to be in the range of $1.46 billion to $1.52 billion. This revised guidance reflects the contribution of approximately $480 million to $520 million of adjusted EBITDA from the NuStar acquisition, in addition to the Partnership's reaffirmed adjusted EBITDA guidance of $975 million to $1 billion for the legacy Sunoco business.
Conclusion
Sunoco's strong financial performance, asset base, and strategic initiatives have positioned the Partnership for continued growth. The Partnership's stable and predictable cash flows, combined with its focus on optimizing gross profit and maintaining a disciplined approach to capital allocation, make Sunoco an attractive investment opportunity in the energy infrastructure and fuel distribution space.