Revenues increased $18.8 million, or 5% higher, for the first fiscal quarter. Cost of sales was favorable with a decrease of $6.3 million, or 3% lower, for the first fiscal quarter. Gross profit increased $25.1 million, or 15% higher, for the first fiscal quarter. Margin per gallon increased by $0.14, or 13% higher, compared to the prior year period. Operating income per gallon increased $0.04, or 58% higher, compared to the prior year period. Likewise, operating income for the first fiscal quarter increased $7.4 million, or 60% higher, compared to the prior year period.
For the first fiscal quarter, the Company reported a net loss attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. of $4.5 million compared to a net loss of $8.6 million in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, increased by $12.4 million, or 33% higher, to $49.7 million in the first fiscal quarter compared to $37.3 million in the prior year period.
“In these times of high inflation and other challenges, the Company chose to show its commitment to its most valuable resource, its employee-owners, through an extensive employee benefit package in which no increase in cost was passed on, but instead was absorbed by the Company,” Ferrell added. “We take care of our hard working, dedicated employee-owners so they in turn can take care of our customers. I could not be more proud.”
In conjunction with the Company’s Ferrellgas Century Project, its commitment to various Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives leading up to its 100th year in business in 2039, the Company announced the continuation of its partnership with Operation Warm, a national nonprofit providing winter coats to families facing hardship. The organization has served more than 4.6 million children in the United States and Canada since its founding in 1998. The collaboration is a perfect fit as Ferrellgas seeks to support the families it serves in communities across the country, providing warmth and comfort to those in need.
As a category 4 hurricane tracked toward Florida, the Company brought its national logistics capabilities to bear. Blue Rhino production facilities staged extra Blue Rhino tanks. The Ferrellgas supply team ensured an ample supply of propane was on hand. Drivers for both Blue Rhino and Ferrellgas came in from other parts of the Company. As a result, once Hurricane Ian passed, our operations teams were able to serve the heavy demand of our customers without missing a beat. Meanwhile, using propane donated and delivered by both Blue Rhino and Ferrellgas, the nonprofit organization Operation BBQ Relief cooked over 865,000 meals for people affected by Hurricane Ian. At 38 days, it was their largest and longest deployment to date and our Company was proud to partner with them.
On Friday, December 9, 2022, the Company will conduct a teleconference on the Internet at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/uduw53nd to discuss the results of operations for the first fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2022. The webcast of the teleconference will begin at 8:30 a.m. Central Time (9:30 a.m. Eastern Time). Questions may be submitted via the investor relations e-mail box at InvestorRelations@ferrellgas.com.
About Ferrellgas
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., through its operating partnership, Ferrellgas, L.P., and subsidiaries, serves propane customers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Its Blue Rhino propane exchange brand is sold at more than 60,000 locations nationwide. Ferrellgas employees indirectly own 1.1 million Class A Units of the partnership, through an employee stock ownership plan. Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. filed a Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 30, 2022. Investors can request a hard copy of this filing free of charge and obtain more information about the partnership online at www.ferrellgas.com.