HispanicBusiness

A portion of Superior's net cash flow is denominated in US dollars. Accordingly, fluctuations in the Canadian/US dollar exchange rate can affect profitability. Superior attempts to mitigate this risk by hedging.

The timing and amount of capital expenditures incurred by Superior LP or by its subsidiaries will directly affect the amount of cash available to Superior for dividends to shareholders. Dividends may be reduced, or even eliminated, at times when significant capital expenditures are incurred or other unusual expenditures are made.

If the Board of Directors of Superior decides to issue additional common shares, preferred shares or securities convertible into common shares, existing shareholders may suffer significant dilution.

There can be no assurance that income tax laws in the numerous jurisdictions in which Superior operates will not be changed, interpreted or administered in a manner which adversely affects Superior and its shareholders. In addition, there can be no assurance that the CRA (or provincial tax agency), U.S. Internal Revenue Service (or a state or local tax agency), or the Chilean Internal Revenue Service (collectively, the Tax Agencies) will agree with how Superior calculates its income for tax purposes or that the various Tax Agencies will not change their administrative practices to the detriment of Superior or its shareholders.

Since the beginning of 2010, the CRA has requested and reviewed information from Superior relating to the plan of arrangement involving Superior Plus Income Fund and Ballard Power Systems Inc. and the Conversion. As disclosed by Superior on September 20, 2012, Superior anticipated receiving a proposal letter from the CRA in due course on this matter and on February 11, 2013, Superior received the proposal letter from the CRA. The proposal letter proposes to deny the availability of capital losses of approximately $623 million and other tax basis of approximately $1,000 million. Superior remains confident in the appropriateness of its tax filing position and the expected tax consequences of the Arrangement and the Conversion and intends to vigorously defend such position. Superior also strongly believes that the acquisition of control or the general anti-avoidance rule do not apply to the Arrangement and the Conversion and intends to file its future tax returns on a basis consistent with its view of the outcome of the Arrangement and the Conversion.

Risks to Superior's segments

Energy Services

Canadian Propane Distribution and U.S. Refined Fuels

Propane is sold in competition with other energy sources such as fuel oil, electricity and natural gas, some of which are less costly on an energy-equivalent basis. While propane is usually more cost-effective than electricity, electricity is a major competitor in most areas. Fuel oil is also used as a residential, commercial and industrial source of heat and, in general, is less costly on an equivalent-energy basis, although operating efficiencies, environmental and air quality factors help make propane competitive with fuel oil. Except for certain industrial and commercial applications, propane is generally not competitive with natural gas in areas where natural gas service exists. Other alternative energy sources such as compressed natural gas, methanol and ethanol are available or could be further developed and could have an impact on the propane industry in general and Canadian propane distribution in particular, in the future. The trend towards increased conservation measures and technological advances in energy efficiency may have a detrimental effect on propane demand and Canadian propane distribution's sales. Demand for traditional propane end-use applications is increasing marginally with general economic growth. However, increases in the cost of propane encourage customers to reduce fuel consumption and to invest in more energy efficient equipment, reducing demand. Automotive propane demand is presently stabilizing after several years of decline but this trend could return depending upon propane pricing and the market acceptance of propane conversion options and the availability of infrastructure.