STEALTHGAS INC. Reports Second Quarter 2017 Financial and Operating Results


ATHENS, Greece, Aug. 24, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- STEALTHGAS INC. (NASDAQ:GASS), a ship-owning company primarily serving the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sector of the international shipping industry, announced today its unaudited financial and operating results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2017.

OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

  • Operational utilization of 94.9% in Q2 17’ (91.2% in Q2 16’).
  • Commercial off hire days reduced in Q2 17’ by 41.7% compared to Q2 16’.
  • Approximately 83% of  fleet days secured on period charters for the remainder of 2017, with a total of  approximately $180 million in contracted revenues.
  • Sale of two of our oldest vessels, the Gas Icon (1994 built) and the Gas Emperor (1994 built), both for further trading.
  • Further delivery delay of two of the remaining 22,000 cbm LPG semi refrigerated vessels- at zero cost.
  • Record revenues of $39.3 million, increased compared to Q2 16’ by 10.1%.
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $15.5 million in Q2 17’ compared to $11.8 million in Q2 16’.
  • Moderate gearing as debt to assets stands at about 40%.
  • Cash at hand of $43.3 million with operating cashflow of $24.5 million.

Second Quarter 2017 Results:

  • Revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2017 amounted to $39.3 million, an increase of $3.6 million, or 10.1%, compared to revenues of $35.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016, mainly due to increased fleet utilization and a slight increase in market rates.
  • Voyage expenses and vessels’ operating expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2017 were $4.5 million and $14.4 million respectively, compared to $3.7 million and $15.2 million respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2016. The $0.8 million increase in voyage expenses is mainly attributed to higher bunker costs due to increased oil prices. The 5.3% decrease in vessels’ operating expenses compared to the same period of 2016 was mostly due to improved operating efficiency and a 10.6% decrease in store costs.
  • Drydocking costs for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 were $1.2 million and $1.5 million, respectively. The costs for the second quarter of 2017 corresponds to the drydocking of three vessels, while in the same period of 2016 the Company completed the drydocking of four vessels.
  • Depreciation for both the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 was $9.7 million.
  • Included in the second quarter 2017 results were net losses from interest rate derivative instruments of $0.1 million. Interest paid on interest rate derivative instruments amounted to $0.1 million.
  • The Company recorded an impairment loss of $3.2 million for three of its oldest vessels, two of which have been classified as held for sale, as of June 30, 2017.
  • As a result of the above, for the three months ended June 30, 2017, the Company reported a net loss of $1.7 million, compared to a net loss of $1.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016. The weighted average number of shares for the three months ended June 30, 2017 was 39.8 million. Loss per share, basic and diluted, for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 amounted to $0.04.
  • Adjusted net income was $1.5 million or $0.04 per share for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to adjusted net loss of $1.5 million or $0.04 per share for the same period of last year.
  • EBITDA for the three months ended June 30, 2017 amounted to $12.2 million. Reconciliations of Adjusted Net Income, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income are set forth below.
  • An average of 53.4 vessels were owned by the Company during the three months ended June 30, 2017, compared to 53.0 vessels for the same period of 2016. 

Six Months 2017 Results:

  • Revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2017, amounted to $77.3 million, an increase of $5.1 million, or 7.1%, compared to revenues of $72.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016, primarily due to improved market conditions.
  • Voyage expenses and vessels’ operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2017 were $8.1 million and $29.3 million, respectively, compared to $7.6 million and $29.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016. The $0.5 million increase in voyage expenses was mainly due to the higher bunker prices prevailing in the first six months of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016. The $0.5 million decrease in vessels’ operating expenses was mainly driven by improved operating efficiency and a decrease in store costs that led to the decline of daily average operating cost by 1.5% compared to the first six months of 2016.
  • Drydocking Costs for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 were $1.9 million and $2.2 million, respectively, representing the costs of 5 and 7 vessels drydocked in the respective periods.
  • Depreciation for the six months ended June 30, 2017, was $19.4 million, a $0.1 million increase from $19.3 million for the same period of last year.
  • Included in the first six months of 2017 results are net losses from interest rate derivative instruments of $0.2 million. Interest paid on interest rate swap arrangements amounted to $0.2 million.
  • The Company recorded an impairment loss of $3.2 million in the first six months of 2017 for three of its oldest vessels, two of which have been classified as held for sale.
  • As a result of the above, the Company reported a net income for the six months ended June 30, 2017 of $0.3 million, compared to a net loss of $0.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016. The average number of shares outstanding as of June 30, 2017 was 39.8 million. Earnings per share for the six months ended June 30, 2017 amounted to $0.01 compared to loss per share of $0.02 for the same period of last year.
  • Adjusted net income was $3.6 million, or $0.09 per share, for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to adjusted net loss of $1.3 million, or $0.03 per share, for the same period of last year.
  • EBITDA for the six months ended June 30, 2017 amounted to $27.6 million. Reconciliations of Adjusted Net Income, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income are set forth below. An average of 53.2 vessels were owned by the Company during the six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to 52.9 vessels for the same period of 2016.
  • As of June 30, 2017, cash and cash equivalents amounted to $43.3 million and total debt amounted to $408.2 million. During the six months ended June 30, 2017 debt repayments amounted to $22.2 million.

Fleet Update Since Previous Announcement

The Company announced the conclusion of the following chartering arrangements:  

  • A three year bareboat charter for its 2009 built product tanker, the Stealth Bahla, with an international tanker operator until August 2020.

  • A thirty months’ time charter for its 2016 built LPG carrier, the Eco Nical, with an oil major until December 2019.

  • A one year time charter for its 2014 built LPG carrier, the Eco Invictus, with a major international LPG trader until October 2018.

  • A one year time charter for its 2011 built LPG carrier, the Gas Cerberus, with a major international LPG trader until July 2018.

  • A one year time charter for its 2003 built LPG carrier, the Gas Prodigy, with a major international LPG trader until September 2018.

  • A one year time charter extension for its 2015 built LPG carrier, the Eco Czar, with a major international trading house until August 2018.

  • A one year time charter for its 2006 built LPG carrier, the Gas Alice, with a national oil company until August 2018.

  • A one year time charter extension for its 2006 built LPG carrier, the Gas Inspiration, with a major international LPG trader until September 2018.

  • A one year time charter extension for its 2011 built LPG carrier, the Gas Elixir, with a major international LPG trader until March 2019.

  • A one year time charter extension for its 2015 built LPG carrier, the Eco Enigma, with a major international LPG trader until January 2019.

  • A four months’ time charter for its 1995 built LPG carrier, the Gas Texiana, with a major international trading house until November 2017.

  • A six months’ time charter for its 1997 built LPG carrier, the Gas Monarch, with an international energy trader until February 2018.

  • A three months’ time charter for its 1996 built LPG carrier, the Gas Nirvana, with a major international trading house until November 2017.

  • A three months’ time charter extension for its 1996 built LPG carrier, the Gas Evoluzione, with a major international trading house until November 2017.

  • A two months’ time charter for its 2006 built LPG carrier, the Gas Enchanted, with an international energy trader until September 2017.

With these charters, the Company has contracted revenues of approximately $180 million. Total anticipated voyage days of our fleet are about 83% covered for the remainder of 2017 and 44% covered for 2018.

Board Chairman Michael Jolliffe Commented

The second quarter of 2017 was quite encouraging for StealthGas.  In spite of the low seasonal demand, we managed to achieve close to 95% operational utilization, which is the second best, second quarter’s performance marked since the year 2012. Consequently, our revenues were higher than anticipated. In addition to this, we succeeded in decreasing our operating costs. So both these factors contributed to our profitability which, excluding the impairment charges of the quarter, was quite satisfactory and significantly improved compared to the second quarter of 2016. Going forward, we have secured more than 83% of our fleet days in period charters and our market shows positive signs of improvement such as increase in rates, low orderbook and acceleration of the scrapping activity. In addition we succeeded in pushing back the deliveries of our second and third 22,000 cbm semi-ref eco newbuildings to the first quarter of 2018. Last but not least, we sold two of our oldest ships at a hefty premium over scrap showing increased confidence from buyers even for overage ships. Based on all of the above, we remain confident for the quarters to come.

Conference Call details:

On August 24, 2017 at 11:00 am ET, the company’s management will host a conference call to discuss the results and the company’s operations and outlook.

Participants should dial into the call 10 minutes before the scheduled time using the following numbers: 00 1877 280 1254 (US Toll Free Dial In) or 0800 279 4977 (UK Toll Free Dial In).
 Access Code: 3609155.

In case of any problems with the above numbers, please dial +1212 444 0896 (US Toll Dial In), +44(0)20 3427 1914 (Standard International Dial In).
Access Code: 3609155.

A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available until August 30, 2017 by dialing +1 719-457-0820 (US Local Dial In), +44 (0) 207 660 0134 (UK Local Dial In).
Access Code: 3609155.

Slides and audio webcast:

There will also be a live and then archived webcast of the conference call, through the STEALTHGAS INC. website (www.stealthgas.com). Participants to the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast.      

About STEALTHGAS INC.
StealthGas Inc. is a ship-owning company primarily serving the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sector of the international shipping industry.  StealthGas Inc. currently has a fleet of 54 vessels. The fleet comprises of 50 LPG carriers, including two chartered in LPG vessels, with a total capacity of 269,647 cubic meters (cbm) and  three M.R. product tankers and one Aframax oil tanker with a total capacity of 255,804 deadweight tons (dwt). The Company has agreed to acquire a further 3 LPG carriers with expected deliveries in 2018. Giving effect to the delivery of these acquisitions, StealthGas Inc.’s fleet will be composed of 53 operating LPG carriers with a total capacity of 335,647 cubic meters (cbm). StealthGas Inc.’s shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and trade under the symbol “GASS”.

Forward-Looking Statements

Matters discussed in this release may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance and may include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, management’s examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although STEALTHGAS INC. believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, STEALTHGAS INC. cannot assure you that it will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. Important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including changes in charter hire rates and vessel values, charter counterparty performance, changes in demand that may affect attitudes of time charterers to scheduled and unscheduled drydockings, shipyard performance, changes in STEALTHGAS INC’s operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, ability to obtain financing and comply with covenants in our financing arrangements, or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents and political events or acts by terrorists.

Risks and uncertainties are further described in reports filed by STEALTHGAS INC. with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Fleet List and Fleet Deployment                        
For information on our fleet and further information:
Visit our website at www.stealthgas.com

Fleet Data:
The following key indicators highlight the Company’s operating performance during the second quarters and six month periods ended June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2017.

FLEET DATAQ2 2016 Q2 2017 6M 2016 6M 2017 
Average number of vessels (1)53.0 53.4 52.9 53.2 
Period end number of owned vessels in fleet54 54 54 54 
Total calendar days for fleet (2)5,009 5,045 10,000 9,995 
Total voyage days for fleet (3)4,890 5,018 9,828 9,911 
Fleet utilization (4)97.6%99.5%98.3%99.2%
Total charter days for fleet (5)3,821 4,080 7,647 8,318 
Total spot market days for fleet (6)1,069 938 2,181 1,593 
Fleet operational utilization (7)91.2%94.9%91.2%96.1%

1) Average number of vessels is the number of owned vessels that constituted our fleet for the relevant period, as measured by the sum of the number of days each vessel was a part of our fleet during the period divided by the number of calendar days in that period.
2) Total calendar days for fleet are the total days the vessels we operated were in our possession for the relevant period including off-hire days associated with major repairs, drydockings or special or intermediate surveys.
3) Total voyage days for fleet reflect the total days the vessels we operated were in our possession for the relevant period net of off-hire days associated with major repairs, drydockings or special or intermediate surveys.
4) Fleet utilization is the percentage of time that our vessels were available for revenue generating voyage days, and is determined by dividing voyage days by fleet calendar days for the relevant period.
5) Total charter days for fleet are the number of voyage days the vessels operated on time or bareboat charters for the relevant period.
6) Total spot market charter days for fleet are the number of voyage days the vessels operated on spot market charters for the relevant period.
7) Fleet operational utilization is the percentage of time that our vessels generated revenue, and is determined by dividing voyage days (excluding commercially idle days) by fleet calendar days for the relevant period.

Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income/(Loss), EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EPS:

Adjusted net income/(loss) represents net income/(loss) before loss on derivatives excluding net swap interest paid, share based compensation, impairment loss and gain on sale of vessels. EBITDA represents net income before interest and finance costs including net swap interest paid, interest income and other income and depreciation. Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA before share based compensation, loss on derivatives, excluding net swap interest paid, impairment loss and gain on sale of vessels. EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted EPS are not recognized measurements under U.S. GAAP. Our calculation of EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income/(loss) and adjusted EPS may not be comparable to that reported by other companies in the shipping or other industries.  In evaluating Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted net income/(loss), you should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses that are the same as or similar to some of the adjustments in this presentation.

EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income/(loss) and adjusted EPS are included herein because they are a basis, upon which we assess our financial performance. They allow us to present our performance from period to period on a comparable basis and provide additional information on fleet operational results. We also believe that EBITDA represents useful information for investors regarding a company's ability to service and/or incur indebtedness.

(Expressed in United States Dollars,
except number of shares)
Second Quarter Ended
June 30th,
Six Months Periods Ended
June 30th,
 2016
2017
2016
2017
Net Income - Adjusted Net Income    
Net (loss)/income(1,550,038)(1,708,871)(914,191)294,833 
Loss on derivatives201,063 101,249 419,291 228,380 
Less swap interest paid(203,195)(108,585)(737,050)(244,960)
Gain on sale of vessel, net-- -- (293,791)-- 
Impairment loss-- 3,225,890 -- 3,225,890 
Share based compensation90,726 36,300 181,452 72,202 
Adjusted Net (loss)/income(1,461,444)1,545,983 (1,344,289)3,576,345 
     
Net (loss)/income – EBITDA    
Net (loss)/income(1,550,038)(1,708,871)(914,191)294,833 
Plus interest and finance costs  and  swap interest paid3,697,720 4,252,266 7,587,555 8,000,134 
Less interest income and other income/(expenses)(149,989)(72,446)(272,729)(150,025)
Plus depreciation9,694,694 9,743,366 19,334,074 19,447,820 
EBITDA11,692,387 12,214,315 25,734,709 27,592,762 
     
Net (loss)/income - Adjusted  EBITDA    
Net (loss)/income(1,550,038)(1,708,871)(914,191)294,833 
Loss on derivatives201,063 101,249 419,291 228,380 
Gain on sale of vessel, net-- -- (293,791)-- 
Impairment loss-- 3,225,890 -- 3,225,890 
Share based compensation90,726 36,300 181,452 72,202 
Plus interest and finance costs3,494,525 4,143,681 6,850,505 7,755,174 
Less interest income and other income/(expenses)(149,989)(72,446)(272,729)(150,025)
Plus depreciation9,694,694 9,743,366 19,334,074 19,447,820 
Adjusted EBITDA11,780,981 15,469,169 25,304,611 30,874,274 
     
EPS - Adjusted EPS    
Net (loss)/income(1,550,038)(1,708,871)(914,191)294,833 
Adjusted net (loss)/income(1,461,444)1,545,983 (1,344,289)3,576,345 
Weighted average number of shares – Basic and Diluted39,746,051 39,802,885 39,890,741 39,802,885 
EPS - Basic and Diluted(0.04)(0.04)(0.02)0.01 
Adjusted EPS(0.04)0.04 (0.03)0.09 
         

StealthGas Inc.
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Expressed in United States Dollars, except number of shares)

     Quarters Ended June 30, Six Month Periods Ended June 30,
     2016  2017  2016  2017 
         
Revenues          
 Revenues  33,303,089  38,311,480  67,327,621  75,363,821 
 Revenues - related party 2,441,791  961,893  4,891,341  1,973,643 
Total revenues  35,744,880  39,273,373  72,218,962  77,337,464 
            
Expenses          
 Voyage expenses  3,230,841  4,054,249  6,747,136  7,141,963 
 Voyage expenses - related party 430,259  486,522  889,988  961,655 
 Charter hire expenses 1,024,348  875,005  2,055,722  1,756,942 
 Vessels' operating expenses 14,195,501  14,017,188  27,716,880  28,537,294 
 Vessels' operating expenses - related party1,018,592  350,973  2,043,964  752,404 
 Drydocking costs  1,495,286  1,233,368  2,172,475  1,925,113 
 Management fees - related party 1,822,870  1,844,635  3,615,595  3,654,085 
 General and administrative expenses 791,097  645,844  1,544,893  1,361,803 
 Depreciation  9,694,694  9,743,366  19,334,074  19,447,820 
 Impairment loss    --  3,225,890    --  3,225,890 
 Net gain on sale of vessels   --    --  (293,791)   -- 
 Other operating costs    --  395,990    --  545,990 
Total expenses  33,703,488  36,873,030  65,826,936  69,310,959 
            
Income from operations 2,041,392  2,400,343  6,392,026  8,026,505 
            
Other (expenses)/income        
 Interest and finance costs (3,494,525) (4,143,681) (6,850,505) (7,755,174)
 Loss on derivatives  (201,063) (101,249) (419,291) (228,380)
 Interest income and other income/(expenses)149,989  72,446  272,729  150,025 
 Foreign exchange (loss)/gain (45,831) 63,270  (309,150) 101,857 
Other expenses, net  (3,591,430) (4,109,214) (7,306,217) (7,731,672)
            
Net (loss)/income  (1,550,038) (1,708,871) (914,191) 294,833 
            
(Loss)/Earnings per share          
- Basic and diluted   (0.04) (0.04) (0.02) 0.01 
            
Weighted average number of shares        
- Basic and diluted   39,746,051  39,802,885  39,890,741  39,802,885 
               

StealthGas Inc.
Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Expressed in United States Dollars)

      December 31, June 30,
      2016  2017 
         
Assets       
Current assets      
 Cash and cash equivalents  64,993,923  43,349,049 
 Receivables from related party  115,599  -- 
 Trade and other receivables  3,918,031  6,327,051 
 Claims receivable   --  54,466 
 Inventories   2,809,123  3,541,175 
 Advances and prepayments  1,278,357  1,448,002 
 Restricted cash   3,363,012  3,236,011 
 Vessels held for sale   --  5,801,867 
Total current assets   76,478,045  63,757,621 
         
Non current assets      
 Advances for vessels under construction 55,785,801  55,775,156 
 Vessels, net   863,699,739  890,600,011 
 Other receivables   --  269,947 
 Restricted cash   5,174,710  6,760,212 
 Deferred finance charges 540,414  851,760 
 Fair value of derivatives    263,635  194,951 
Total non current assets  925,464,299  954,452,037 
Total assets   1,001,942,344  1,018,209,658 
         
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity     
Current liabilities      
 Payable to related parties  7,890,933  13,177,367 
 Trade accounts payable  8,728,267  9,610,016 
 Accrued and other liabilities  5,299,479  5,176,892 
 Customer deposits  --  1,820,700 
 Deferred income   4,621,438  4,530,189 
 Deferred income - related party  232,774  -- 
 Current portion of long-term debt  54,593,715  71,911,083 
Total current liabilities   81,366,606  106,226,247 
         
Non current liabilities      
 Fair value of derivatives  364,823  337,021 
 Customer deposits   2,556,700  736,000 
 Deferred gain on sale and leaseback of vessels 385,127  288,408 
 Deferred income 1,910  4,507 
 Long-term debt   343,291,874  336,332,598 
Total non current liabilities  346,600,434  337,698,534 
Total liabilities   427,967,040  443,924,781 
         
Commitments and contingencies     
         
Stockholders' equity      
 Capital stock   442,850  442,850 
 Treasury stock   (22,523,528) (22,523,528)
 Additional paid-in capital  501,342,523  501,414,725 
 Retained earnings   94,688,024  94,982,857 
 Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) 25,435  (32,027)
Total stockholders' equity  573,975,304  574,284,877 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity 1,001,942,344  1,018,209,658 
       

StealthGas Inc.
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Expressed in United States Dollars)

        Six Month Periods Ended
June 30,
        2016  2017 
Cash flows from operating activities       
 Net (loss)/income for the period    (914,191) 294,833 
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss)/income to net cash      
  provided by operating activities:       
 Depreciation     19,334,074  19,447,820 
 Amortization of deferred finance charges   352,979  346,663 
 Amortization of deferred gain on sale and leaseback of vessels   (97,253) (96,719)
 Share based compensation    181,452  72,202 
 Change in fair value of derivatives    (317,759) (16,580)
 Impairment loss     --  3,225,890 
 Gain on sale of vessels    (293,791) -- 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:      
 (Increase)/decrease in       
 Trade and other receivables    922,102  (2,678,967)
 Claims receivable     --  (220,084)
 Inventories     (235,552) (953,919)
 Advances and prepayments    (332,564) (169,645)
 Increase/(decrease) in       
 Balances with related parties    (2,622,132) 4,866,169 
 Trade accounts payable    1,056,210  810,510 
 Accrued liabilities     678,237  (122,587)
 Deferred income     (746,724) (321,426)
Net cash provided by operating activities   16,965,088  24,484,160 
Cash flows from investing activities       
 Insurance proceeds     --  165,618 
 Vessels’ acquisitions and advances for vessels under construction   (43,937,806) (54,536,234)
 Proceeds from sale of vessels, net    1,114,400  -- 
Net cash used in investing activities   (42,823,406) (54,370,616)
Cash flows from financing activities       
 Stock repurchase     (2,070,306) -- 
 Deferred finance charges    (540,414) (646,506)
 Loan repayments     (31,181,667) (22,153,411)
 Proceeds from long-term debt    31,200,000  32,500,000 
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities   (2,592,387) 9,700,083 
           
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash   (28,450,705) (20,186,373)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year   118,665,600  73,531,645 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period   90,214,895  53,345,272 
Cash breakdown         
 Cash and cash equivalents    71,575,753  43,349,049 
 Restricted cash, current    13,466,850  3,236,011 
 Restricted cash, non current    5,172,292  6,760,212 
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statements of cash flows 90,214,895  53,345,272 

 


            

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