OREANDA-NEWS. 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, 2016.

OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

  • Successful delivery of one new eco LPG carrier in the second quarter of 2016.
  • Period on period increase of vessel calendar days by 15%.
  • Operational utilization of 91.2% in Q2 2016.
  • About 70% of fleet voyage days on period charters for the remainder of 2016, with close to $180 million in contracted revenues.
  • Average fleet age of 9.1 years, with 76% of our fleet below 15 years of age.
  • Revenues in Q2 2016 of $35.7 million ($32.4 million in Q2 2015).
  • EBITDA in Q2 2016 of $11.7 million ($9.9 million in Q2 2015).
  • Cash on hand of $71.6 million with operating cashflow of $17.0 million for Q2 2016.
  • Stock repurchase of a shade below 4.0 million shares for a total of $20.3 million, from the beginning of the program in December 2014 to date.
  • Fully funded orderbook, following the finalization of the financing terms for our last four newbuild deliveries due in 2017.

Second quarter 2016 Results:

  • Revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2016 amounted to $35.7 million, an increase of $3.3 million, or 10.2%, compared to revenues of $32.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015, primarily due to the net addition of 7 vessels which increased the number of owned vessels to 54 as at the end of June 2016. Overall revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2016 were lower than expected due to market factors such as weak seasonal demand and low freight rates, as well as company specific factors, as four of our vessels were drydocked and one of our LPG vessels experienced a grounding incident during berthing resulting in a significant loss of revenue due to off hire.
  • Voyage expenses and vessels’ operating expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2016 were $3.7 million and $15.2 million respectively, compared to $3.9 million and $11.4 million respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2015. The $0.2 million decrease in voyage expenses was primarily due to lower bunker costs incurred due to falling oil prices, which led to a decline in voyage costs, in spite of the 5.2% increase in spot market days in the second quarter of 2016. The 33.3% increase in operating expenses compared to the same period of 2015, is due to a net fleet expansion of seven vessels, and two vessels coming off bareboat, resulting in increased time charter and spot activity by 641 days. In addition to this, operating costs for the three months ended June 30, 2016 were also burdened by extraordinary costs as a result of the grounding incident of one of our LPG vessels.
  • Drydocking costs for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 were $1.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively. The cost for the second quarter of 2016 corresponds to the drydocking of four vessels. Overall, for the remainder of 2016 the Company has scheduled drydockings for three more vessels.
  • Depreciation for the three months ended June 30, 2016, was $9.7 million, a $1.1 million increase from $8.6 million for the same period of last year. This increase was due to the net addition of seven vessels.
  • Included in the second quarter 2016 results are net losses from interest rate derivative instruments of $0.2 million. Interest paid on interest rate derivative instruments amounted to $0.2 million.
  • As a result of the above, for the three months ended June 30 2016, the Company reported a net loss of $1.6 million, compared to net loss of $1.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015. The weighted average number of shares for the three months ended June 30, 2016 decreased to 39.7 million compared to 41.5 million for the same period of last year, mainly due to the repurchase of 2.1 million shares from April 2015 to June 30, 2016. Loss per share, basic and diluted, for the three months ended June 30, 2016 amounted to $0.04 compared to $0.03 for the same period of last year.
  • Adjusted net loss was $1.5 million or $0.04 per share for the three months ended June 30, 2016 compared to adjusted net income of $2.4 million or $0.06 per share for the same period of last year.
  • EBITDA for the three months ended June 30, 2016 amounted to $11.7 million. Reconciliations of Adjusted Net Income/(Loss), EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income/(Loss) are set forth below.
  • An average of 53.0 vessels were owned by the Company during the three months ended June 30, 2016, compared to 46.0 vessels for the same period of 2015. 

Six Months 2016 Results:

  • Revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2016, amounted to $72.2 million, an increase of $4.1 million, or 6.0%, compared to revenues of $68.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015, primarily due to the higher number of vessels in our fleet in the 2016 period.
  • Voyage expenses and vessels’ operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2016 were $7.6 million and $29.8 million, respectively, compared to $8.1 million and $23.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015. The $0.5 million decrease in voyage expenses was mainly due to the lower bunker prices prevailing in the first six months of 2016 compared to the same period of 2015. The increase in operating expenses, was mainly driven by our fleet expansion and the two vessels coming off bareboat compared to the same period of 2015.
  • Drydocking Costs for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 were $2.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively. In the first six months of 2016 we had seven vessels drydocked compared to one vessel in the same period of 2015.
  • Depreciation for the six months ended June 30, 2016, was $19.3 million, a $2.3 million increase from $17.0 million for the same period of last year. This increase was due to the higher number of vessels in our fleet in the 2016 period.
  • Included in the first six months of 2016 results are net losses from interest rate derivative instruments of $0.4 million. Interest paid on interest rate swap arrangements amounted to $0.7 million and gains from change in fair value of the same interest rate derivative instruments amounted to $0.3 million.
  • The Company realized a $0.3 million gain on sale of vessel in the first six months of 2016.
  • As a result of the above, for the six months ended June 30 2016, the Company reported a net loss of $0.9 million, compared to net income of $4.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015. The average number of shares outstanding as at June 30, 2016 decreased to 39.9 million compared to 41.8 million for the same period of last year, mainly due to the repurchase of 3.0 million shares from the beginning of 2015 to June 30, 2016. Loss per share for the six months ended June 30, 2016 amounted to $0.02 compared to earnings per share of $0.11 for the same period of last year.
  • Adjusted net loss was $1.3 million or $0.03 per share for the six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to adjusted net income of $8.2 million or $0.20 per share for the same period last year.
  • EBITDA for the six months ended June 30, 2016 amounted to $25.7 million. Reconciliations of Adjusted Net Income/(Loss), EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income/(Loss) are set forth below.
  • An average of 52.9 vessels were owned by the Company during the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared to 46.0 vessels for the same period of 2015.
  • As of June 30, 2016, cash and cash equivalents amounted to $71.6 million and total debt amounted to $422.1 million. During the six months ended June 30, 2016 debt repayments amounted to $31.2 million.

Share Repurchase Program

Since December 1, 2014 to date, the Company has repurchased a total of 3,872,232 shares at an average price of $5.24 per share for a total consideration of $20.3 million, under its $30.0 million buyback program.

Fleet Update Since Previous Announcement

The Company announced the conclusion of the following chartering arrangements:  

  • A three year time charter for its 5,000 cbm, 2015 built, LPG carrier, Eco Universe, to an Oil Major until August 2019.
  • A one year time charter extension for its 5,000 cbm, 2015 built, LPG carrier, Eco Czar, to an international trading house until July 2017.
  • A one year bareboat charter for its 46,000 dwt, 2009 built, MR Product Tanker, Stealth Bahla, to a Major Middle Eastern Shipowning company until July 2017
  • A six month time charter extension for its 5,000 cbm, 2006 built, LPG carrier, Gas Inspiration, to an international LPG trader until March 2017.
  • A six month time charter for its 5,000 cbm, 2006 built, LPG carrier, Gas Ethereal, to an international trading house until February 2017.
  • A one month time charter extension for its 5,000 cbm, 2014 built, LPG carrier, Eco Invictus, to an international trading house until October 2016.
  • A six month time charter for its 4,000 cbm, 2001 built, LPG carrier, Gas Spirit to an Oil Major until March 2017.
  • A six month time charter for its 4,000 cbm, 2014 built, LPG carrier, Eco Corsair to an international trading house until December 2016.

With these charters the Company has contracted revenues of about $180 million. Total anticipated voyage days of our fleet are 69% covered for the remainder of 2016 and 37% covered for 2017.

Board Chairman Michael Jolliffe Commented

During the second quarter of 2016 freight rates in our segment remained very weak, continuing to bounce along the bottom. As evident from the previous quarter, our market is presently at a breakeven level, with suppressed profitability. We continue to operate in an extremely difficult market environment with, however, a small orderbook that should assist the segment to balance itself. Unfortunately, there is limited scrapping activity that therefore does not reduce the number of vessels in the water.

As to our Company’s performance this quarter, it was affected by extraordinary events resulting in extended off hire and thus revenue loss. Nevertheless we managed to increase our fleet utilization for 2016 by almost 10% and keep our secured revenues in the order of $180 million in spite of bad market conditions. We feel confident as to our fleet, and most importantly our realized capital expansion as 100% of our newbuilding deliveries in 2015 and 2016 are currently on period charters providing steady cash flows. In addition we follow a sensible capital management, maintaining our gearing at moderate levels. As per our cash management this quarter, we strategically decided to cut back on our stock repurchase in order to preserve our cash in this turbulent environment. We look forward to monitor the broader market and our Company’s performance in the next couple of quarters as we have no new deliveries up until the first quarter of 2017.

 

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 50 LPG carriers, excluding the two chartered in vessels, with a total capacity of 247,017 cubic meters (cbm), 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 4 LPG carriers with expected deliveries in 2017. Giving effect to the delivery of these acquisitions, StealthGas Inc.’s fleet will be composed of 54 owned LPG carriers with a total capacity of 334,387 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 Data:
The following key indicators highlight the Company’s operating performance during the second quarters and six month periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2016.

         
FLEET DATA Q2 2015 Q2 2016 6M 2015 6M 2016
Average number of vessels (1)   46.0     53.0     46.0     52.9  
Period end number of owned vessels in fleet   48     54     48     54  
Total calendar days for fleet (2)   4,369     5,009     8,681     10,000  
Total voyage days for fleet (3)   4,363     4,890     8,664     9,828  
Fleet utilization (4)   99.9 %   97.6 %   99.8 %   98.3 %
Total charter days for fleet (5)   3,347     3,821     6,950     7,647  
Total spot market days for fleet (6)   1,016     1,069     1,714     2,181  
Fleet operational utilization (7)   89.2 %   91.2 %   92.4 %   91.2 %
                         

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 swap interest paid, share based compensation, impairment loss and gain on sale of vessel. EBITDA represents net income/(loss) before interest and finance costs including swap interest paid, interest income and other income, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA before share based compensation, loss on derivatives, excluding swap interest paid, impairment loss and gain on sale of vessel. EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income/(loss) 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 use EBITDA to assess our liquidity position and believe it 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 Month Periods
Ended June 30th, 
    2015     2016     2015     2016  
Net Income/(Loss) - Adjusted Net Income/(Loss)        
Net (loss)/income   (1,260,142 )   (1,550,038 )   4,571,778     (914,191 )
Loss on derivatives   101,760     201,063     161,451     419,291  
Less swap interest paid   (254,386 )   (203,195 )   (663,632 )   (737,050 )
Gain on sale of vessels, net   (33,251 )   --     (33,251 )   (293,791 )
Impairment loss   3,566,693     --     3,566,693     --  
Share based compensation   308,728     90,726     614,063     181,452  
Adjusted Net Income/(Loss)   2,429,402     (1,461,444 )   8,217,102     (1,344,289 )
         
Net income/(loss) – EBITDA        
Net (loss)/income   (1,260,142 )   (1,550,038 )   4,571,778     (914,191 )
Plus interest and finance costs incl. swap interest paid   2,595,582     3,697,720     5,218,822     7,587,555  
Less interest income and other income/(expenses)   (82,179 )   (149,989 )   (208,415 )   (272,729 )
Plus depreciation   8,615,620     9,694,694     16,986,192     19,334,074  
EBITDA   9,868,881     11,692,387     26,568,377     25,734,709  
         
Net income/(loss) - Adjusted  EBITDA        
Net (loss)/income   (1,260,142 )   (1,550,038 )   4,571,778     (914,191 )
Loss on derivatives   101,760     201,063     161,451     419,291  
Gain on sale of vessels, net   (33,251 )   --     (33,251 )   (293,791 )
Impairment loss   3,566,693     --     3,566,693     --  
Share based compensation   308,728     90,726     614,063     181,452  
Plus interest and finance costs   2,341,196     3,494,525     4,555,190     6,850,505  
Less interest income and other income/(expenses)   (82,179 )   (149,989 )   (208,415 )   (272,729 )
Plus depreciation   8,615,620     9,694,694     16,986,192     19,334,074  
Adjusted EBITDA   13,558,425     11,780,981     30,213,701     25,304,611  
         
EPS - Adjusted EPS        
Net (loss)/income   (1,260,142 )   (1,550,038 )   4,571,778     (914,191 )
Adjusted net income/(loss)   2,429,402     (1,461,444 )   8,217,102     (1,344,289 )
Weighted average number of shares   41,545,085     39,746,051     41,790,051     39,890,741  
EPS - Basic and Diluted   (0.03 )   (0.04 )   0.11     (0.02 )
Adjusted EPS   0.06     (0.04 )   0.20     (0.03 )
                         
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,
            2015       2016       2015       2016  
                 
Revenues                    
  Revenues       29,995,345       33,303,089       63,237,513       67,327,621  
  Revenues - related party     2,441,791       2,441,791       4,875,541       4,891,341  
Total revenues       32,437,136       35,744,880       68,113,054       72,218,962  
                       
Expenses                    
  Voyage expenses       3,491,019       3,230,841       7,312,092       6,747,136  
  Voyage expenses - related party     396,978       430,259       829,309       889,988  
  Charter hire expenses     1,024,233       1,024,348       2,056,141       2,055,722  
  Vessels' operating expenses     10,369,865       14,195,501       21,046,428       27,716,880  
  Vessels' operating expenses - related party   1,050,687       1,018,592       2,075,251       2,043,964  
  Drydocking costs       433,020       1,495,286       433,020       2,172,475  
  Management fees - related party     1,507,120       1,822,870       3,017,400       3,615,595  
  General and administrative expenses     916,404       791,097       1,840,232       1,544,893  
  Depreciation       8,615,620       9,694,694       16,986,192       19,334,074  
  Impairment loss       3,566,693       --       3,566,693       --  
  Net gain on sale of vessels     (33,251 )     --       (33,251 )     (293,791 )
Total expenses       31,338,388       33,703,488       59,129,507       65,826,936  
                       
Income from operations     1,098,748       2,041,392       8,983,547       6,392,026  
                       
Other (expenses)/income                
  Interest and finance costs     (2,341,196 )     (3,494,525 )     (4,555,190 )     (6,850,505 )
  Loss on derivatives       (101,760 )     (201,063 )     (161,451 )     (419,291 )
  Interest income and other income/(expenses)   82,179       149,989       208,415       272,729  
  Foreign exchange gain/(loss)     1,887       (45,831 )     96,457       (309,150 )
Other expenses, net       (2,358,890 )     (3,591,430 )     (4,411,769 )     (7,306,217 )
                       
Net (loss)/income       (1,260,142 )     (1,550,038 )     4,571,778       (914,191 )
                       
(Loss)/Earnings per share                  
- Basic and diluted       (0.03 )     (0.04 )     0.11       (0.02 )
                       
Weighted average number of shares              
- Basic and diluted       41,545,085       39,746,051       41,790,051       39,890,741  
                                   
StealthGas Inc.
Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
            December 31,   June 30,
              2015       2016  
Assets              
Current assets            
  Cash and cash equivalents       100,062,957       71,575,753  
  Receivables from related party       112,895       228,494  
  Trade and other receivables       4,743,869       3,821,767  
  Inventories         2,916,254       3,162,419  
  Advances and prepayments       1,249,402       1,581,966  
  Restricted cash         13,455,766       13,466,850  
  Vessel held for sale         831,226       --  
Total current assets         123,372,369       93,837,249  
                 
Non-current assets            
  Advances for vessels under construction and acquisitions     44,031,882       43,973,788  
  Vessels, net         864,689,888       889,682,567  
  Other receivables from related party       115,599       --  
  Restricted cash         5,146,877       5,172,292  
  Deferred finance charges     390,000       540,414  
  Fair value of derivatives           127,555       --  
Total non current assets       914,501,801       939,369,061  
Total assets         1,037,874,170       1,033,206,310  
             
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity          
Current liabilities            
  Payable to related parties       9,188,852       6,566,720  
  Trade accounts payable       8,328,878       9,682,287  
  Accrued and other liabilities       5,602,939       6,281,176  
  Deferred income         4,954,193       4,251,634  
  Deferred income - related party       413,157       420,917  
  Fair value of derivatives       297,656          
  Current portion of long-term debt       74,928,451       65,091,230  
Total current liabilities         103,714,126       92,293,964  
                 
  Fair value of derivatives       681,197       1,998,790  
  Customer deposits         2,556,700       2,556,700  
  Deferred gain on sale and leaseback of vessels     580,701       483,448  
  Deferred income     56,183       4,258  
  Long-term debt         347,234,103       357,052,636  
Total non current liabilities       351,108,884       362,095,832  
Total liabilities         454,823,010       454,389,796  
                 
Commitments and contingencies       --       --  
Stockholders' equity            
  Capital stock     442,850       442,850  
  Treasury stock         (20,486,872 )     (22,523,528 )
  Additional paid-in capital       501,002,146       501,183,598  
  Retained earnings         102,486,324       101,572,133  
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (393,288 )     (1,858,539 )
Total stockholders' equity       583,051,160       578,816,514  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity     1,037,874,170       1,033,206,310  
                 
StealthGas Inc.
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
            Six Month Periods Ended June 30,
              2015       2016  
           
Cash flows from operating activities          
  Net income/(loss) for the period       4,571,778       (914,191 )
                 
Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to net cash        
  provided by operating activities:          
  Depreciation         16,986,192       19,334,074  
  Amortization of deferred finance charges     274,556       352,979  
  Amortization of deferred gain on sale and leaseback of vessels     (96,718 )     (97,253 )
  Share based compensation       614,063       181,452  
  Change in fair value of derivatives       (502,181 )     (317,759 )
  Impairment loss         3,566,693       --  
  Gain on sale of vessels       (33,251 )     (293,791 )
                 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:        
  (Increase)/decrease in          
  Trade and other receivables       (453,875 )     922,102  
  Claims receivable         (789,403 )     --  
  Inventories         (82,712 )     (235,552 )
  Advances and prepayments       (9,678 )     (332,564 )
  Increase/(decrease) in          
  Balances with related parties       4,542,995       (2,622,132 )
  Trade accounts payable       671,122       1,056,210  
  Accrued liabilities         871,715       678,237  
  Deferred income         (2,457,119 )     (746,724 )
Net cash provided by operating activities     27,674,177       16,965,088  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities          
  Insurance proceeds         743,452       --  
  Vessels’ acquisitions and advances for vessels under construction     (64,670,210 )     (43,937,806 )
  Proceeds from sale of vessels, net       2,010,302       1,114,400  
  Decrease in restricted cash account       390,049       150,810  
  Increase in restricted cash account       --       (187,309 )
Net cash used in investing activities     (61,526,407 )     (42,859,905 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities          
  Stock repurchase         (8,860,089 )     (2,070,306 )
  Deferred finance charges       --       (540,414 )
  Customer deposits received       1,820,700       --  
  Loan repayments         (35,055,363 )     (31,181,667 )
  Proceeds from long-term debt       36,675,000       31,200,000  
Net cash used in financing activities     (5,419,752 )     (2,592,387 )
                 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents     (39,271,982 )     (28,487,204 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year     129,114,803       100,062,957  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period     89,842,821       71,575,753