1005210--11/25/2009--SUBURBAN_PROPANE_PARTNERS

related topics

{tax, income, asset}

{gas, price, oil}

{debt, indebtedness, cash}

{operation, natural, condition}

{control, financial, internal}

{cost, regulation, environmental}

{condition, economic, financial}

{provision, law, control}

{acquisition, growth, future}

{loss, insurance, financial}

{stock, price, operating}

Because of the highly competitive nature of the retail propane and fuel oil businesses, we may not be able to retain existing customers or acquire new customers, which could have an adverse impact on our operating results and financial condition. Energy efficiency, general economic conditions and technological advances have affected and may continue to affect demand for propane and fuel oil by our retail customers. Current conditions in the global capital and credit markets, and general economic pressures may adversely affect our financial position and results of operations. Our operating results and ability to generate sufficient cash flow to pay principal and interest on our indebtedness, and to pay distributions to unitholders, may be affected by our ability to continue to control expenses. The risk of terrorism and political unrest and the current hostilities in the Middle East or other energy producing regions may adversely affect the economy and the price and availability of propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels and natural gas. Our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by governmental regulation and associated environmental and health and safety costs. We are subject to operating hazards and litigation risks that could adversely affect our operating results to the extent not covered by insurance. If we are unable to make acquisitions on economically acceptable terms or effectively integrate such acquisitions into our operations, our financial performance may be adversely affected. The adoption of climate change legislation by Congress could result in increased operating costs and reduced demand for the products and services we provide. The adoption of derivatives legislation by Congress could have an adverse impact on our ability to hedge risks associated with our business. Risks Inherent in the Ownership of Our Common Units Cash distributions are not guaranteed and may fluctuate with our performance and other external factors. We have substantial indebtedness. Our debt agreements may limit our ability to make distributions to unitholders, as well as our financial flexibility. Unitholders have limited voting rights. It may be difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so would be beneficial to our unitholders. Unitholders may not have limited liability in some circumstances. Unitholders may have liability to repay distributions. If we issue additional limited partner interests or other equity securities as consideration for acquisitions or for other purposes, the relative voting strength of each unitholder will be diminished over time due to the dilution of each unitholder s interests and additional taxable income may be allocated to each unitholder. Our tax treatment depends on our status as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. The Internal Revenue Service ( IRS ) could treat us as a corporation, which would substantially reduce the cash available for distribution to unitholders. A successful IRS contest of the federal income tax positions we take may adversely affect the market for our common units, and the cost of any IRS contest will reduce our cash available for distribution to our unitholders. A unitholder s tax liability could exceed cash distributions on its common units. Ownership of common units may have adverse tax consequences for tax-exempt organizations and foreign investors. There are limits on a unitholder s deductibility of losses. The tax gain or loss on the disposition of common units could be different than expected. Reporting of partnership tax information is complicated and subject to audits. We treat each purchaser of our common units as having the same tax benefits without regard to the actual common units purchased. The IRS may challenge this treatment, which could adversely affect the value of the common units. We prorate our items of income, gain, loss and deduction between transferors and transferees of our units each month based upon the ownership of our units on the first day of each month, instead of on the basis of the date a particular unit is transferred. The IRS may challenge this treatment, which could change the allocation of items of income, gain, loss and deduction among our unitholders. Unitholders may have negative tax consequences if we default on our debt or sell assets. The sale or exchange of 50% or more of our common units during any twelve-month period will result in a deemed termination (and reconstitution) of the Partnership for federal income tax purposes which would cause unitholders to be allocated an increased amount of taxable income. There are state, local and other tax considerations for our unitholders.

Full 10-K form ▸

1005210--11/25/2009--SUBURBAN_PROPANE_PARTNERS_LP