SPH
UtilitiesSuburban Propane Partners, L.P. · Regulated Gas · $1B
What is Suburban Propane Partners, L.P.?
Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. is a small-cap master limited partnership focused on the retail and wholesale distribution of propane and other energy products across residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural markets in the United States.
Suburban Propane generates revenue by delivering propane, fuel oil, diesel, kerosene, and gasoline directly to end customers. Its propane operations serve homeowners heating their homes, farmers drying crops, and industrial users powering equipment. A smaller segment markets natural gas and electricity in deregulated markets in New York and Pennsylvania. The company also sells and services home comfort equipment such as whole-house heating systems, air cleaners, and humidifiers.
The partnership was formed in 1996 and is headquartered in Whippany, New Jersey.
- Retail and wholesale propane distribution
- Fuel oil, diesel, kerosene, and gasoline delivery
- Natural gas and electricity marketing in deregulated markets
- Home comfort equipment sales and installation
- Agricultural energy solutions including crop drying and poultry brooding
Is SPH a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates SPH as Below Average overall, reflecting meaningful structural headwinds alongside some stabilizing characteristics.
The Quality pillar earns a Good rating, suggesting the business generates reasonably consistent cash flows relative to its size — a trait common among established utility distributors. Valuation is rated Attractive, meaning the market may already be pricing in a degree of pessimism about the business outlook.
Both the Moat and Risk pillars are rated Weak, pointing to limited competitive differentiation and above-average financial or operational vulnerability. Growth is rated Neutral, indicating little expectation of meaningful expansion.
Pro members can view the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics behind each rating at uqs-score.com. Sign up free →
Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does SPH pay dividends?
Yes — Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. pays a dividend.
Suburban Propane pays a regular distribution to unitholders, consistent with its master limited partnership structure. MLP distributions are typically funded by operating cash flows from the core propane and fuel delivery business. Investors drawn to income-oriented utilities often consider SPH for its distribution cadence, though the Weak Risk pillar warrants attention when assessing distribution sustainability.
When does SPH report earnings?
Suburban Propane Partners reports financial results on a quarterly cadence, typical for US-listed partnerships.
Given the seasonal nature of propane demand — driven heavily by winter heating — quarterly results can vary significantly depending on weather patterns and commodity price movements. The Neutral Growth pillar suggests performance has been broadly stable rather than expansionary in recent periods.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit Suburban Propane Partners' investor relations page directly.
SPH Price History
+84.4% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Suburban Propane Partners, L.P.?
Based on Suburban Propane Partners, L.P.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
SPH Long-term Outlook
The fundamental outlook for SPH reflects the challenges facing traditional propane distributors. A Neutral Growth pillar suggests the business is unlikely to deliver meaningful top-line expansion in the near term, constrained by mature market dynamics and the gradual shift toward alternative energy sources. The Weak Risk pillar indicates the partnership carries elevated financial or operational sensitivity that could weigh on results during adverse conditions. The Attractive Valuation label suggests the current unit price may reflect these concerns, offering a potential margin of safety for risk-tolerant income investors.
Growth drivers
- Stable residential and agricultural demand for propane in colder climates
- Potential for bolt-on acquisitions in a fragmented propane distribution market
- Home comfort equipment services as a supplementary recurring revenue stream
Key risks
- Structural decline in propane demand as electrification and natural gas adoption grow
- Commodity price volatility affecting margins and distribution coverage
- Elevated leverage typical of MLP structures amplifying downside risk
SPH vs Peers
Suburban Propane operates in a competitive energy distribution landscape alongside regional and national peers.
A Canadian-listed propane distributor with significant North American operations, offering a direct geographic and business-model overlap with Suburban Propane.
A regulated natural gas utility serving the Pacific Northwest, representing the broader utility sector but with a more regulated, pipeline-focused model than SPH's distribution approach.
A diversified energy delivery company operating regulated natural gas and propane distribution, often viewed as a higher-growth utility alternative within the same sector.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Suburban Propane Partners do?
Suburban Propane Partners distributes propane, fuel oil, diesel, kerosene, and gasoline to residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural customers. It also markets natural gas and electricity in deregulated markets and sells home comfort equipment such as heating systems and humidifiers.
Does SPH pay dividends?
Yes, Suburban Propane Partners pays regular distributions to unitholders as a master limited partnership. These distributions are funded by operating cash flows from its energy distribution business. Investors should review the Weak Risk pillar rating when evaluating distribution reliability over time.
When does SPH report earnings?
Suburban Propane Partners reports on a quarterly schedule, consistent with US-listed partnerships. Results tend to be most significant in winter quarters due to the seasonal nature of propane heating demand. Check the company's investor relations page for the latest reporting schedule.
Is SPH a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates SPH as Below Average overall. While the Quality pillar is Good and Valuation is Attractive, the Weak Moat and Weak Risk ratings highlight real structural concerns. Whether SPH fits a portfolio depends on an investor's income needs and risk tolerance — the full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members.
Is SPH overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar rates SPH as Attractive, suggesting the current unit price may already reflect the market's concerns about growth and risk. This does not guarantee upside but indicates the valuation is not stretched relative to the business fundamentals captured in the UQS model.
How does SPH compare to its competitors?
Compared to peers like Chesapeake Utilities and Northwest Natural, Suburban Propane operates a more distribution-focused, less regulated model. Superior Plus Corp. is its closest direct competitor in propane distribution. SPH's Attractive Valuation may differentiate it from higher-priced utility peers, though its Weak Moat rating suggests less competitive insulation.
What is SPH's market cap bracket?
Suburban Propane Partners is classified as a small-cap partnership. This places it below the scale of large integrated utilities, which can mean less liquidity and greater sensitivity to sector headwinds, but also potentially more valuation flexibility.
Who founded Suburban Propane Partners?
Suburban Propane Partners was formed in 1996 as a master limited partnership. The business traces its operational roots to Quantum Chemical Corporation's propane distribution assets. Detailed founding history is available through the company's public filings and investor relations materials.
Is SPH a long-term quality investment?
As a long-term quality indicator, UQS rates SPH as Below Average. The Good Quality pillar reflects some operational consistency, but the Weak Moat and Weak Risk ratings suggest the business faces structural challenges that could erode value over a long horizon. Pro members can access the complete pillar analysis.
What is the main competitive advantage of Suburban Propane?
Suburban Propane's primary advantage lies in its established distribution network and long-standing customer relationships across residential and agricultural markets. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates this advantage as Weak, reflecting the commodity-like nature of propane distribution and limited barriers to competition.
What sector does SPH belong to?
Suburban Propane Partners operates in the Utilities sector, specifically within energy distribution. As a master limited partnership, it has structural characteristics that differ from traditional corporate utilities, including pass-through tax treatment and a distribution-focused return model.
Is SPH a growth stock or value stock?
Based on UQS pillar labels, SPH leans toward value rather than growth. The Growth pillar is rated Neutral, indicating limited expansion expectations, while the Valuation pillar is rated Attractive — a combination more consistent with an income or value-oriented profile than a growth investment.
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Pro Analysis
SPH — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 22, 2026 | 56.7 | 69.5 | 35.0 | 40.4 | 57.5 | 92.3 | +9.8 |
| May 7, 2026 | 46.9 | 62.4 | 35.0 | 40.4 | 5.8 | 90.5 | +0.3 |
| May 3, 2026 | 46.6 | 62.4 | 35.0 | 40.4 | 5.8 | 88.6 | -0.2 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 46.8 | 62.4 | 35.0 | 40.4 | 5.8 | 89.8 | -0.1 |
| Apr 21, 2026 | 46.9 | 62.4 | 35.0 | 40.4 | 5.8 | 90.8 | +0.3 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 46.6 | 62.4 | 35.0 | 40.2 | 5.8 | 89.2 | +0.2 |
| Apr 18, 2026 | 46.4 | 62.4 | 35.0 | 40.2 | 5.8 | 87.8 | -0.4 |
| Apr 14, 2026 | 46.8 | 62.4 | 35.0 | 40.2 | 5.8 | 90.2 | +0.1 |
| Apr 12, 2026 | 46.7 | 62.4 | 35.0 | 40.2 | 5.8 | 89.4 | 0.0 |
| Apr 5, 2026 | 46.7 | 62.4 | 35.0 | 40.2 | 5.8 | 89.8 | +0.1 |
SPH — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 69.5/100 (25%)Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. shows solid profitability with healthy returns on capital and reasonable margins.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 43.4/100 (20%)Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 57.5/100 (15%)Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. maintains a reasonable risk profile with manageable debt levels.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 95.2/100 (15%)Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 35/100 (25%)Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. possesses some competitive advantages but faces meaningful competition. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for SPH.
Score Composition
Financial Data
More Stock Analysis
How is the SPH UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses Suburban Propane Partners, L.P.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.