Crosstex Energy (XTEX) Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2009 Results

Mar. 1, 2010 (Business Wire) — The Crosstex Energy companies, Crosstex Energy, L.P. (NASDAQ: XTEX) (the Partnership) and Crosstex Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: XTXI) (the Corporation), today reported earnings for the fourth-quarter and full-year 2009.

Fourth-Quarter 2009 – Crosstex Energy, L.P. Financial Results

The Partnership realized adjusted cash flow of $42.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared with $61.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. Adjusted cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure and is explained in greater detail under “Non-GAAP Financial Information.” There is a reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to net income (loss) in the tables at the end of this news release. Fourth-quarter 2008 adjusted cash flow included other income of $20.0 million associated with the assignment of certain contract rights to a nonaffiliated third party. Additionally, assets sold during 2009 contributed $18.3 million to fourth-quarter 2008 realized adjusted cash flow.

The Partnership reported net income of $55.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared with a net loss of $9.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. Fourth-quarter 2009 results included an $86.3 million gain on the sale of the Partnership’s Treating assets, while fourth-quarter 2008 results included a $49.8 million gain on the sale of the Partnership’s interest in the Seminole gas processing plant. Fourth-quarter 2009 results also included a $6.1 million loss from discontinued operations that was mainly related to the write-off of debt issuance costs and senior note make whole expense due to the repayment of notes with the proceeds from asset sales.

“We are extremely pleased with the significant progress we made executing our plan in 2009,” said Barry E. Davis, Crosstex President and Chief Executive Officer. “We have focused on optimizing results from our core assets in north Texas and Louisiana while investing in high-return projects, realigning our cost structure, lowering our business risks and significantly reducing our leverage.

“We recently completed our long-term recapitalization and reducing our leverage will continue to be a priority as we conservatively manage our business. We have established financial guidelines that we will follow when making decisions regarding the restoration of our distribution and dividend. Based on our current assumptions, distributions could be paid from the results of operations of the fourth quarter of 2010,” added Davis.

The Partnership’s gross margin from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2009 increased to $80.6 million from $65.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. This improvement was related to higher margins from the Partnership’s gathering and transmission business and increases in the natural gas processing business as a result of a more favorable natural gas liquids (NGL) market in the 2009 period. Gross margin from the south Louisiana processing and NGL business increased by $10.7 million, as a result of improvements in the NGL marketing business and increased plant inlet volumes. Gross margin from LIG gathering, transmission and processing increased by $7.9 million due to higher margins and a more favorable NGL market. Gross margin derived from north Texas operations declined $7.1 million compared with the fourth-quarter 2008. The decrease was primarily related to a $3.7 million charge associated with a final arbitration decision in a producer lawsuit and declines in throughput. Fourth-quarter 2009 north Texas volumes declined from the third quarter of 2009 mainly due to the renegotiation of a key producer contact, which reduced gathering volumes and increased transmission volumes.

Fourth-quarter 2009 operating expenses declined $6.4 million, or 20 percent, compared with the fourth quarter of 2008, as a result of the Partnership’s continued focus on expense reduction. Fourth-quarter 2009 general and administrative expense was $16.2 million, including a one-time charge of $1.0 million for severance expenses related to asset sales, a decline of $4.7 million versus the same period a year ago. Depreciation and amortization expense of $29.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2009 rose slightly over the fourth quarter of 2008 amount of $28.3 million. Interest expense declined to $28.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2009 from $41.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2008, primarily the result of the debt paydown associated with asset sales during the year.

The net income per limited partner common unit in the fourth quarter of 2009 was $1.09 basic and $1.07 diluted compared with a net loss per limited partner common unit of $0.18 basic and diluted in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Full-Year 2009 – Crosstex Energy, L.P. Financial Results

The Partnership realized adjusted cash flow of $203.8 million in 2009 compared with $245.1 million in 2008. The reduction in realized adjusted cash flow is mainly due to the sale of assets during 2009. The Partnership reported net income of $104.5 million in 2009, compared with $11.1 million in 2008. Results for 2009 included a $183.7 million gain on the sale of Partnership assets compared with a gain of $49.8 million recorded in 2008. The Partnership’s net income in 2009 also included a loss from discontinued operations related to the asset sales of $1.8 million compared to income of $25.0 million in 2008.

The Partnership’s gross margin from continuing operations for 2009 increased to $311.2 million from $307.8 million in 2008. This improvement was primarily related to higher margins on the Partnership’s gathering and transmission assets, which was partially offset by a decline in the natural gas processing business due to a less favorable NGL market. The LIG system’s gross margin increased by $14.0 million year over year primarily due to improved pricing and higher volumes on the northern portion of the system, which was offset by a $15.1 million decline in processing margins in Louisiana. Gross margin derived from north Texas operations rose $10.2 million compared with 2008. The growth was primarily related to increased gathering and plant inlet volumes versus the previous year, which was partially offset by the previously mentioned arbitration charge.

The Partnership’s 2009 operating expense declined $15.4 million, or 12 percent, to $110.4 million versus $125.8 million in 2008. General and administrative expense for 2009 decreased by $9.0 million from 2008, including the effect of a one-time charge of $1.9 million for severance expenses. Depreciation and amortization expense increased $11.6 million in 2009 compared with 2008 due to the Partnership’s investment in its north Texas and Louisiana assets. Interest expense rose to $95.1 million in 2009 from $75.0 million 2008. The increase in interest expense results primarily from an increase in interest rates pursuant to the February 2009 amendments to the Partnership’s debt agreements.

The net income per limited partner common unit for 2009 was $1.44 basic and $1.40 diluted compared with a net loss per limited partner common unit of $3.19 basic and diluted in 2008.

Crosstex Energy, Inc. Financial Results

The Corporation reported net income of $12.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared with a loss of $4.5 million in the comparable 2008 period. The Corporation’s loss from continuing operations before income taxes (which includes interest of non-controlling partners in the net income of the Partnership) was $24.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared with $64.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Net income for the year 2009 was $15.6 million compared with net income of $24.2 million in 2008. The Corporation’s loss from continuing operations before income taxes (which includes interest of non-controlling partners in the net income of the Partnership) was $78.4 million in 2009, compared with $65.6 million in 2008.

The Corporation had $9.9 million of cash on hand and no debt at the end of the fourth-quarter 2009.

In accordance with U.S. accounting standards, the Partnership and Corporation classified the results of their operations for assets sold as discontinued operations for all accounting periods presented. Tables of selected financial data in which amounts have been reclassified as discontinued operations for each period presented are included in this news release.

Crosstex Provides Preliminary 2010 Guidance

The following is the Partnership’s low and high estimates of 2010 adjusted cash flow and distributable cash flow based upon two commodity price scenarios. The Partnership has established financial guidelines that will govern its considerations as to the timing and amount of any future distribution payments, including achieving a ratio of total debt to adjusted cash flow of less than 4.5 to 1 (pro forma for the payment of any distribution), strong coverage from cash flow to continue to allow the Partnership to delever and a positive outlook for its business. Assuming actual results are within the range of guidance, the Partnership expects it could generate sufficient distributable cash flow to pay up to $0.30 per unit in distributions relating to the fourth quarter of 2010 with strong coverage from cash flows generated in such quarter; and the Corporation expects it could pay up to $0.10 per share in dividends, assuming the receipt of a $0.30 per unit distribution from the Partnership. The payment and amount of any distributions and dividends will be subject to approval by the respective Boards of Directors and to economic conditions and other factors existing at the time of determination.

Crosstex Energy, L.P.
Forecast for 2010 Net Income
Reconciliation to Distributable Cash Flow*
(In millions except prices and ratios)
					Total Year 2010
					Low					High
Net income (loss)					$	(41	)			$	(10	)
Depreciation and amortization						113					113
Stock-based compensation						6					6
Interest						80					79
Taxes and other						2					2
Adjusted cash flow *					$	160				$	190
Interest						(80	)				(79	)
Taxes and other						(3	)				(3	)
Maintenance capital expenditures						(15	)				(12	)
Distributable cash flow *					$	62				$	96
Growth Capital					$	25				$	30
Key Assumptions for Forecast
Weighted Average Liquids Price ($/gallon)					$	0.80				$	1.09
Crude ($/Bbl)					$	69.37				$	94.52
Natural Gas ($/MMBtu)					$	6.00				$	5.00
Natural Gas Liquids to Gas Ratio						149.9	%				245.0	%
* Adjusted cash flow and Distributable cash flow are non-GAAP financial measures and are explained in greater detail under “Non-GAAP Financial Information.”
Processing Sensitivities:																Impact
Percent of Liquids Contracts – $0.10 change in Weighted Average Liquids Price																$2.9 million
Processing Margin Contracts – 5% change in Natural Gas Liquids to Gas Ratio (1)																$1.8 million
(1) Assumes constant gas price of $5.79/MMBtu.

Crosstex to Hold Earnings Conference Call Today

The Partnership and the Corporation will hold their quarterly conference call to discuss fourth-quarter and full- year 2009 results today, March 1, at 10:00 a.m. Central time (11:00 a.m. Eastern time). The dial-in number for the call is 1-888-679-8034. Callers outside the United States should dial 1-617-213-4847. The passcode for all callers is 88621274. Investors are advised to dial in to the call at least 10 minutes prior to the call time to register. Participants may preregister for the call at https://www.theconferencingservice.com/prereg/key.process?key=PUBWL748L. Preregistrants will be issued a pin number to use when dialing in to the live call, which will provide quick access to the conference by bypassing the operator upon connection. Interested parties also can access a live Web cast of the call on the Investors page of Crosstex’s Web site at www.crosstexenergy.com.

After the conference call, a replay can be accessed until June 8, 2010, by dialing 1-888-286-8010. International callers should dial 1-617-801-6888 for a replay. The passcode for all callers listening to the replay is 91226576. Interested parties also can visit the Investors page of Crosstex’s Web site to listen to a replay of the call.

About the Crosstex Energy Companies

Crosstex Energy, L.P., a midstream natural gas company headquartered in Dallas, operates approximately 3,300 miles of pipeline, nine processing plants and three fractionators. The Partnership currently provides services for 3.2 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas, or approximately six percent of marketed U.S. daily production.

Crosstex Energy, Inc. owns the two percent general partner interest, a 25 percent limited partner interest and the incentive distribution rights of Crosstex Energy, L.P.

Additional information about the Crosstex companies can be found at www.crosstexenergy.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

This press release contains non-generally accepted accounting principle financial measures that the Partnership refers to as Distributable Cash Flow and Adjusted Cash Flow. Distributable Cash Flow is defined as earnings before certain noncash charges, less maintenance capital. Adjusted Cash Flow is defined as net income before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and impairments, stock-based compensation, noncash mark-to-market items gain on the sale of assets and other miscellaneous noncash items. The amounts included in the calculation of these measures are computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), with the exception of maintenance capital expenditures. Maintenance capital expenditures are capital expenditures made to replace partially or fully depreciated assets in order to maintain the existing operating capacity of the assets and to extend their useful lives.

The Partnership believes these measures are useful to investors because they may provide users of this financial information with meaningful comparisons between current results and prior-reported results and a meaningful measure of the Partnership’s cash flow after it has satisfied the capital and related requirements of its operations.

Distributable Cash Flow and Adjusted Cash Flow are not measures of financial performance or liquidity under GAAP. They should not be considered in isolation or as an indicator of the Partnership’s performance. Furthermore, they should not be seen as measures of liquidity or a substitute for metrics prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of these measures to net income (loss) is included among the preceding and following tables.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are based on certain assumptions made by the Partnership and the Corporation based upon management’s experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors the Partnership and the Corporation believe are appropriate in the circumstances. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the Partnership’s and the Corporation’s guidance and future outlook, distribution and dividend guidelines and future estimates, financing plans, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Partnership and the Corporation, which may cause the Partnership’s and the Corporation’s actual results to differ materially from those implied or expressed by the forward-looking statements. These risks include the following: (1) the Partnership’s profitability is dependent upon prices and market demand for natural gas and NGL’s; (2) the Partnership’s substantial indebtedness could limit its flexibility and adversely effect its financial health (3) the Partnership may not be able to obtain funding due to the deterioration of the credit and capital markets and current economic conditions; (4) the Partnership and the Corporation do not have diversified assets; (5) drilling levels may decrease due to deterioration in the credit and commodity markets; (6) the Partnership’s credit risk management efforts may fail to adequately protect against customer nonpayment; (7) the Partnership’s use of derivative financial instruments does not eliminate its exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices and interest rates; (8) the Partnership may not be successful in balancing its purchases and sales; (9) the amount of natural gas transported in the Partnership’s gathering and transmission lines may decline as a result of reduced drilling by producers, competition for supplies, reserve declines and reduction in demand from key customers and markets; (10) the level of the Partnership’s processing operations may decline for similar reasons; (11) operational, regulatory and other asset-related risks, including weather conditions such as hurricanes, exist because a significant portion of the Partnership’s assets are located in southern Louisiana; and (12) other factors discussed in the Partnership’s and the Corporation’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Partnership and the Corporation have no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

(Tables follow)

CROSSTEX ENERGY, L.P.
Selected Financial Data
(All amounts in thousands except per unit numbers)
		Three Months Ended										Years Ended
		December 31										December 31
			2009						2008				2009						2008
		(Unaudited)
Revenues
Midstream		$	403,895					$	422,708			$	1,453,346					$	3,072,646
Gas and NGL marketing activities			1,882						1,023				5,744						3,365
Total revenues			405,777						423,731				1,459,090						3,076,011
Midstream purchased gas			325,131						358,526				1,147,868						2,768,225
Gross margin			80,646						65,205				311,222						307,786
Operating expenses			25,662						32,059				110,394						125,754
General and administrative			16,238						20,881				59,854						68,864
(Gain) loss on derivatives			3,728						(4,333	)			(2,994	)					(8,619	)
(Gain) loss on sale of property			234						76				(666	)					(947	)
Impairments			1,994						29,373				2,894						29,373
Depreciation and amortization			29,163						28,332				119,088						107,521
Total operating costs and expenses			77,019						106,388				288,570						321,946
Operating income (loss)			3,627						(41,183	)			22,652						(14,160	)
Interest expense, net			(27,952	)					(40,989	)			(95,078	)					(74,971	)
Loss on extinguishment of debt			–						–				(4,669	)					–
Other income			664						20,100				1,400						27,770
Total other income (expense)			(27,288	)					(20,889	)			(98,347	)					(47,201	)
Loss from continuing operations before non-controlling interest and income taxes
			(23,661	)					(62,072	)			(75,695	)					(61,361	)
Income tax provision			(547	)					(314	)			(1,790	)					(2,369	)
Loss from continuing operations, net of tax			(24,208	)					(62,386	)			(77,485	)					(63,730	)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax			(6,174	)					3,215				(1,796	)					25,007
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax			86,324						49,805				183,747						49,805
Net income (loss)			55,942						(9,366	)			104,466						11,082
Less: Net income from continuing operations attributable to the non-controlling interest
			69						73				60						311
Net income (loss) attributable to Crosstex Energy, L.P.		$	55,873					$	(9,439	)		$	104,406					$	10,771
General partner interest in net income (loss)		$	681					$	(1,446	)		$	(819	)				$	26,415
Limited partners’ interest in net income (loss)		$	55,192					$	(7,993	)		$	105,225					$	(15,644	)
Net income (loss) per limited partners’ unit:
Basic common unit		$	1.09					$	(0.18	)		$	1.44					$	(3.19	)
Diluted common unit		$	1.07					$	(0.18	)		$	1.40					$	(3.19	)
Basic and diluted senior subordinated series C unit
		$	–					$	–			$	–					$	9.44
Basic and diluted senior subordinated series D unit
		$	–					$	–			$	8.85					$	–
Weighted average limited partners’ units outstanding:
Basic common units			49,156						44,904				48,161						42,330
Diluted common units			50,189						44,904				49,467						42,330

CROSSTEX ENERGY, L.P.
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted Cash Flow and Distributable Cash Flow
(All amounts in thousands except ratios, distributions per unit and footnotes)
			Three Months Ended										Years Ended
			December 31										December 31
				2009					2008					2009					2008
			(Unaudited)										(Unaudited)
	Net income (loss) attributable to Crosstex Energy, L.P.		$	55,873				$	(9,439	)			$	104,406				$	10,771
	Depreciation, amortization and impairments (1)			31,085					64,616					132,342					163,050
	Stock-based compensation			2,465					2,992					8,742					11,243
	Interest expense, net (2)			33,343					48,451					129,929					104,935
	Loss on extinguishment of debt			–					–					4,669					–
	Gain on sale of property			(86,090	)				(49,729	)				(184,413	)				(50,752	)
	Taxes and other			5,620					4,383					8,091					5,879
	Adjusted cash flow			42,296					61,274					203,766					245,126
	Interest (2)(3)(4)			(26,571	)				(24,136	)				(121,265	)				(82,830	)
	Cash taxes and other			(748	)				37,697					(3,395	)				36,352
	Maintenance capital expenditures			(3,712	)				(5,494	)				(10,939	)				(18,310	)
	Distributable cash flow		$	11,265				$	69,341				$	68,167				$	180,338
	Actual distribution		$	–				$	11,456				$	–				$	122,942
	Distribution coverage								6.05										1.47
	Distributions declared per limited partner unit		$	–				$	0.25				$	–				$	2.00
(1)	Excludes minority interest share of depreciation and amortization of $72 thousand and $290 thousand for the three months and year ended December 31, 2009, respectively, and $80 thousand and $286 thousand for the three months and year ended December 31, 2008, respectively. Includes depreciation, amortization and impairments related to discontinued operations of $10.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, and $7.0 million and $26.4 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2008, respectively.
(2)	Includes interest expense allocated to discontinued operations of $5.4 million and $34.9 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2009, respectively, and $7.5 million and $30.0 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2008, respectively.
(3)	Excludes $2.2 million and $4.3 million of debt issuance cost amortization for the three months and year ended December 31, 2009, respectively, and $2.9 million and $5.2 million of senior secured note make-whole and call premium paid-in-kind interest resulting from repayment of such notes from the proceeds of asset sales, for the three months and year ended December 31, 2009, respectively.
(4)	Excludes noncash interest rate swap mark to market of $1.7 million and $(797) thousand for the three months and year ended December 31, 2009, respectively, and $24.3 million and $22.1 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2008, respectively.

	CROSSTEX ENERGY, L.P.
	Operating Data
			Three Months Ended										Years Ended
			December 31										December 31
			2009					2008					2009					2008
Pipeline Throughput (MMBtu/d)
	LIG Pipeline & Marketing		881,000					922,000					900,000					960,000
	North Texas – Gathering		764,000					775,000					793,000					670,000
	North Texas – Transmission		331,000					308,000					318,000					330,000
	Other Midstream		26,000					32,000					29,000					42,000
Total Gathering and Transmission Volume			2,002,000					2,037,000					2,040,000					2,002,000
Natural Gas Processed (MMBtu/d)
	South Louisiana		892,000					530,000					747,000					1,098,000
	LIG System		291,000					268,000					269,000					310,000
	North Texas		203,000					226,000					219,000					200,000
Total Gas Volumes Processed			1,386,000					1,024,000					1,235,000					1,608,000
	Realized weighted average
	Natural Gas Liquids price ($/gallon)		1.03					0.72					0.81					1.36
	Actual weighted average
	Natural Gas Liquids to Gas ratio		280	%				129	%				225	%				176	%
Commercial Services Volume (MMBtu/d)			39,000					90,000					75,000					85,000
North Texas Gathering (1)
	Wells connected		12					24					84					158
(1) North Texas Gathering wells connected are as of the last day of the period and include Centralized Delivery Point (“CDP”) connections where Crosstex connects multiple wells at a single meter station.

CROSSTEX ENERGY, INC.
Selected Financial Data
(All amounts in thousands except per share numbers)
			Three Months Ended												Years Ended
			December 31												December 31
				2009						2008						2009						2008
			(Unaudited)
Revenues
	Midstream		$	403,895					$	422,708					$	1,453,346					$	3,072,646
	Gas and NGL marketing activities			1,882						1,023						5,744						3,365
	Total revenues			405,777						423,731						1,459,090						3,076,011
Midstream purchased gas				325,131						358,526						1,147,868						2,768,225
Gross margin				80,646						65,205						311,222						307,786
Operating expenses				25,661						32,060						110,394						125,762
General and administrative				16,852						22,322						62,491						72,377
(Gain) loss on derivatives				3,728						(4,333	)					(2,994	)					(8,619	)
(Gain) loss on sale of property				234						76						(666	)					(947	)
Impairments				1,994						30,177						2,894						30,177
Depreciation and amortization				29,182						28,350						119,162						107,652
	Total operating costs and expenses			77,651						108,652						291,281						326,402
	Operating income (loss)			2,995						(43,447	)					19,941						(18,616	)
Interest expense, net				(27,953	)					(40,956	)					(95,078	)					(74,861	)
Loss on extinguishment of debt				–						–						(4,669	)					–
Other income				664						20,143						1,449						27,898
Total other income (expense)				(27,289	)					(20,813	)					(98,298	)					(46,963	)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and gain on issuance of Partnership units
				(24,294	)					(64,260	)					(78,357	)					(65,579	)
Income tax benefit				3,614						9,118						6,020						1,375
Gain on issuance of Partnership units				–												–						14,748
Loss from continuing operations, net of tax				(20,680	)					(55,142	)					(72,337	)					(49,456	)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax				(5,331	)					2,925						(1,519	)					21,466
Gain from sale of discontinued operations, net of tax				75,134						42,753						159,961						42,753
	Net Income (loss)			49,123						(9,464	)					86,105						14,763
Less: Interest of non-controlling partners in the Partnership’s net income (loss):
	Interest of non-controlling partners in the Partnership’s
	continuing operations			(15,217	)					(37,914	)					(48,069	)					(55,704	)
	Interest of non-controlling partners in the Partnership’s
	discontinued operations			(3,988	)					2,135						(1,137	)					15,454
	Interest of non-controlling partners in Partnership’s gain
	sale of discontinued operations			56,224						30,780						119,669						30,780
Total interest of non-controlling partners in the Partnership				37,019						(4,999	)					70,463						(9,470	)
Net income (loss) attributable to Crosstex Energy, Inc.			$	12,104					$	(4,465	)				$	15,642					$	24,233
Net income (loss) per common share:
	Basic		$	0.26					$	(0.09	)				$	0.33					$	0.52
	Diluted		$	0.25					$	(0.09	)				$	0.33					$	0.51
Weighted average shares outstanding:
	Basic			46,517						46,335						46,476						46,298
	Diluted			46,746						46,483						46,535						46,589
Dividends declared per common share			$	–					$	0.09					$	–					$	1.15