STEALTHGAS INC. Reports First Quarter 2022 Financial and Operating Results

Rhea-AI Summary

StealthGas Inc. (NASDAQ: GASS) reported Q1 2022 results with a net income of $7.6 million and an EPS of $0.20, reflecting improved profitability. Total revenues for the quarter decreased 4.0% to $35.9 million, primarily due to a vessel spin-off. The company secured about 59% of its fleet days on period charters, translating to $70 million in contracted revenues for 2022. Operating and voyage expenses also decreased, contributing to a stronger cash position of $82.4 million as of March 31, 2022.

Positive

• Net income increased to $7.6 million, up from $0.8 million in Q1 2021.
• Adjusted EPS improved to $0.23 from $0.02 in the prior year.
• Cash position rose to $82.4 million, compared to $45.7 million at year-end 2021.
• Approximately 59% of fleet days secured under period charters generating $70 million in contracted revenues.

Negative

• Total revenues decreased by $1.5 million or 4.0% year-over-year due to vessel spin-off.
• Overall spot days reduced by 65%, indicating less market activity.
• Rising daily bunker costs increased operating pressures by 62.3%, impacting overall costs.

ATHENS, Greece, May 26, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- STEALTHGAS INC. (NASDAQ: GASS), a ship-owning company serving the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sector of the international shipping industry, announced today its unaudited financial and operating results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022.

OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS¹

• About 59% of fleet days are secured on period charters for the remainder of 2022, with total fleet employment days for all subsequent periods generating approximately $70 million (excl. JV vessels) in contracted revenues.
   
• A decrease of $1.5 million in voyage revenues compared to Q1 21’, as a result of having 35 vessels at the end of Q1 22’ compared to 42 vessels at the end of Q1 21’, including the spin-off of the four tanker vessels.
   
• A decrease of $7.4 million in voyage expenses, operating expenses and depreciation in aggregate compared to Q1 21’.
   
• Sale in Q2 22’ of our 5,000 cbm LPG vessel, the Gas Monarch (1997 built), for further trading to unaffiliated third party. Impairment charge of $0.5 million in Q1 22’ as a result of the sale.
   
• Net Income of $7.6 million for Q1 22’ corresponding to an EPS of $0.20.
   
• Adjusted Net Income¹ of $8.8 million for Q1 22’ corresponding to an Adjusted EPS¹ of $0.23.
   
• Total cash, including restricted cash, of $82.4 million as of March 31, 2022 compared to $45.7 million as of December 31, 2021.

First Quarter 2022 Results:

• Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2022 amounted to $35.9 million, a decrease of $1.5 million, or 4.0%, compared to revenues of $37.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, mainly due to a decline in revenues stemming from the spin-off of our 4 tanker vessels which were accounted for in SteatlhGas’ financials up to December 3, 2021, the spin-off completion date, partially offset by the 11.3% increase of our time charter revenues generated from our LPG vessels.
• Voyage expenses and vessels’ operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were $4.2 million and $12.9 million, respectively, compared to $6.9 million and $15.1 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The $2.7 million decrease in voyage expenses is attributed to the fewer number of vessels in the spot market. Overall, spot days were reduced by 65%. On the other hand there was a rise of daily bunker costs by almost $2,044 (62.3%). The $2.2 million decrease in vessels’ operating expenses compared to the same period of 2021 is due to fewer vessels in the fleet, along with a further increase of our crew costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic by $0.2 million.
• Drydocking costs for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were $0.4 million and $0.6 million, respectively. Drydocking expenses during the first quarter of 2022 relate to the drydocking of one vessel compared to the drydocking of one vessel and to the drydocking preparation of four vessels in the same period of last year.
• Depreciation for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was $7.0 million and $9.5 million, respectively, as the number of our vessels declined following the spin-off of our four tanker vessels.
• Impairment loss for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $0.5 million, relating to one vessel, for which the Company entered into agreement to sell it to third parties.
• Loss on sale of vessels for the three months of ended March 31, 2022 was $0.4 million mainly relating to one of the two vessels sold during the quarter.
• Interest and finance costs for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, were $2.4 million and $3.1 million, respectively. The $0.7 million decrease from the same period of last year is mostly due to the decline of debt outstanding and reductions in margins due to refinancing of certain loans.
• Equity earnings in joint ventures for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was a gain of $1.7 million and $1.1 million, respectively. The $0.6 million increase from the same period of last year is mainly due to increased voyage revenues of the vessels in our joint venture arrangements.
• As a result of the above, for the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company reported net income of $7.6 million, compared to net income of $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The weighted average number of shares outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was 37.9 million and 37.9 million, respectively.
• Earnings per share, basic and diluted, for the three months ended March 31, 2022 amounted to $0.20 compared to earnings per share of $0.02 for the same period of last year.
• Adjusted net income was $8.8 million corresponding to an Adjusted EPS of $0.23 for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to Adjusted net income of $0.6 million corresponding to an Adjusted EPS of $0.02 for the same period of last year.
• EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2022 amounted to $17.0 million. Reconciliations of Adjusted Net Income, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income are set forth below.
• An average of 36.5 vessels were owned by the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to 41.6 vessels for the same period of 2021.
• As of March 31, 2022, cash and cash equivalents amounted to $70.4 million and total debt amounted to $299.8 million.

____________________________
¹ EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS are non-GAAP measures. Refer to the reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable financial measure in accordance with GAAP set forth later in this release.

Fleet Update Since Previous Announcement

The Company announced the conclusion of the following chartering arrangements:  

• A one-year time charter for its 2015 built LPG carrier the Eco Green, to an Oil Major up until May 2023.

• An eleven months’ time charter for its 2017 built LPG carrier the Eco Ice, to an international LPG trader up until March 2023.
  
  
• A six months’ time charter for its 2009 built LPG carrier the Gas Astrid, to an international trading house until October 2022 with a charterer’s option to extend a further six months.

• A six months’ time charter for its 2016 built LPG carrier the Eco Nical, to an international trading house until October 2022 with a charterer’s option to extend a further six months.

• A three months’ time charter extension for its 2020 built LPG carrier the Eco Alice, to an international trading house up until July 2022.

• A two months’ time charter for its 2014 built LPG carrier the Eco Stream, to an international trading house until July 2022.

• A one months’ time charter extension for its 2003 built LPG carrier the Gas Prodigy, to an international LPG trader until May 2022.

• A one month time charter for its 2017 built LPG carrier the Eco Freeze, to an international LPG trader until May 2022.

With these charters, the Company has total contracted revenues of approximately $70 million.

For the remainder of the year 2022, the Company has about 59% of fleet days secured under period contracts.

Board Chairman Michael Jolliffe Commented

Following the strategic decision to become a pure player in the broader LPG market, this was the first quarter that the Stealthgas fleet consisted of only LPG carriers of various sizes. During the first quarter the improving LPG market continued its upward trend and we managed to capitalise, posting improved profits of $7.6 million, one of the best quarterly results in many years. On an adjusted basis our EPS for the quarter was $0.23. We also managed to contain cost pressures particularly related to crew and bunker prices that continue to push our cost base.

That being said, we continue to operate in a challenging geopolitical environment with the war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly with regards to the situation in China, still ongoing creating more uncertainty for the future. Now we can also add economic uncertainty as a result of high inflationary pressures and rising interest rates. How all this will affect the LPG shipping market and whether we will be able to benefit from any change in trade patterns remains to be determined, as this is a market that is still seeking direction.

Going forward we cannot predict our market’s reality especially in such turbulent times; however, our sizeable fleet, our market’s strong fundamentals, LPG rates improvement in the first quarter of 2022 along with our healthy capital structure are the strong points upon which we will rely no matter any potential market disturbances we might need to face.

Conference Call details:

On May 26, 2022 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: +1 8778709135 (US Toll Free Dial In) or 08002796619 (UK Toll Free Dial In).
Access Code: 8495800

In case of any problems with the above numbers, please dial +1 6467413167 (US Toll Dial In), +44 (0) 2071 928338 (Standard International Dial In).
Access Code: 8495800

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.

SteatlhGas Inc. is a ship-owning company serving the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sector of the international shipping industry. SteatlhGas Inc. has a fleet of 41 LPG carriers, including seven Joint Venture vessels on the water and one Joint Venture 40,000 cbm newbuilding Medium Gas Carrier on order to be delivered mid- 2023. These LPG vessels have a total capacity of 424,408 cubic meters (cbm). StealthGas Inc.’s shares are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market and trade under the symbol “GASS.”
Visit our website at www.stealthgas.com

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, or impact or duration of the COVID-19 pandemic 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 impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts throughout the world to contain its spread, 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, the conflict in Ukraine and related sanctions, 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        
For information on our fleet and further information:
Visit our website at www.stealthgas.com

Company Contact:
Konstantinos Sistovaris
STEALTHGAS INC.
00-30-210-6250-001

Fleet Data:
The following key indicators highlight the Company’s operating performance during the periods ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022.

FLEET DATA	Q1 2021		Q1 2022
Average number of vessels (1)	41.6		36.5
Period end number of owned vessels in fleet	42		35
Total calendar days for fleet (2)	3,745		3,284
Total voyage days for fleet (3)	3,695		3,250
Fleet utilization (4)	98.7	%	99.0	%
Total charter days for fleet (5)	2,543		2,851
Total spot market days for fleet (6)	1,152		399
Fleet operational utilization (7)	93.1	%	92.7	%

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, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EPS:

Adjusted net income represents net income before loss/gain on derivatives excluding swap interest paid/received, impairment loss, net loss on sale of vessels and share based compensation. EBITDA represents net income before interest and finance costs, interest income and depreciation. Adjusted EBITDA represents net income before interest and finance costs, interest income, depreciation, impairment loss, net loss on sale of vessels, share based compensation and loss/gain on derivatives.

Adjusted EPS represents Adjusted net income divided by the weighted average number of shares. 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 and adjusted EPS may not be comparable to that reported by other companies in the shipping or other industries. In evaluating Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income and Adjusted EPS, 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 and adjusted EPS are included herein because they are a basis, upon which we and our investors assess our financial performance. They allow us to present our performance from period to period on a comparable basis and provide investors with a means of better evaluating and understanding our operating performance.

(Expressed in United States Dollars, except number of shares)	Three Months Period Ended March 31st,
	2021		2022
Net Income - Adjusted Net Income
Net income	755,880		7,600,253
Plus loss/(gain) on derivatives	5,582		(16,787	)
Less swap interest paid	(141,446	)	--
Plus loss on sale of vessels, net	--		409,206
Plus impairment loss	--		529,532
Plus share based compensation	--		251,009
Adjusted Net Income	620,016		8,773,213
Net income - EBITDA
Net income	755,880		7,600,253
Plus interest and finance costs	3,145,438		2,361,504
Less interest income	(2,544	)	(7,890	)
Plus depreciation	9,547,131		7,020,783
EBITDA	13,445,905		16,974,650
Net income - Adjusted EBITDA
Net income	755,880		7,600,253
Plus loss/(gain) on derivatives	5,582		(16,787	)
Plus loss on sale of vessels, net	--		409,206
Plus impairment loss	--		529,532
Plus share based compensation	--		251,009
Plus interest and finance costs	3,145,438		2,361,504
Less interest income	(2,544	)	(7,890	)
Plus depreciation	9,547,131		7,020,783
Adjusted EBITDA	13,451,487		18,147,610
EPS - Adjusted EPS
Net income	755,880		7,600,253
Adjusted net income	620,016		8,773,213
Weighted average number of shares	37,858,437		37,858,437
EPS - Basic and Diluted	0.02		0.20
Adjusted EPS	0.02		0.23

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

					For The Three Months Ended March 31,
					2021		2022
Revenues
	Revenues				37,415,681		35,871,121
Expenses
	Voyage expenses				6,468,008		3,791,213
	Voyage expenses - related party				465,203		440,014
	Vessels' operating expenses				14,817,026		12,641,230
	Vessels' operating expenses - related party				258,500		236,950
	Drydocking costs				610,260		383,535
	Management fees - related party				1,448,450		1,284,920
	General and administrative expenses				941,782		941,531
	Depreciation				9,547,131		7,020,783
	Impairment loss				--		529,532
	Net loss on sale of vessels				--		409,206
Total expenses					34,556,360		27,678,914
Income from operations					2,859,321		8,192,207
Other (expenses)/income
	Interest and finance costs				(3,145,438)		(2,361,504)
	(Loss)/gain on derivatives				(5,582)		16,787
	Interest income				2,544		7,890
	Foreign exchange (loss)/gain				(33,219)		32,017
Other expenses, net					(3,181,695)		(2,304,810)
Income before equity in earnings of investees					(322,374)		5,887,397
Equity earnings in joint ventures					1,078,254		1,712,856
Net Income					755,880		7,600,253
Earnings per share
- Basic & Diluted					0.02		0.20
Weighted average number of shares
- Basic & Diluted					37,858,437		37,858,437

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

					December 31,			March 31,
					2021			2022
Assets
Current assets
	Cash and cash equivalents				31,304,151			70,374,971
	Receivables from related party				63,767			--
	Trade and other receivables				2,117,636			4,393,255
	Other current assets				298,984			167,768
	Claims receivable				62,652			62,652
	Inventories				2,772,532			4,045,100
	Advances and prepayments				637,881			1,012,853
	Restricted cash				2,198,775			2,058,149
	Assets held for sale				12,250,000			--
Total current assets					51,706,378			82,114,748
Non current assets
	Operating lease right-of-use assets				104,168			82,310
	Vessels, net				681,337,153			664,149,044
	Restricted cash				12,197,611			9,972,332
	Investments in joint ventures				53,323,032			54,015,888
	Fair value of derivatives				--			88,149
Total non current assets					746,961,964			728,307,723
Total assets					798,668,342			810,422,471
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities
	Payable to related parties				1,491,705			5,625,387
	Trade accounts payable				8,592,124			10,072,397
	Accrued and other liabilities				3,842,879			3,999,415
	Operating lease liabilities				104,168			82,310
	Deferred income				5,666,285			4,965,962
	Current portion of long-term debt				31,836,619			30,171,634
	Current portion of long-term debt associated with vessel held for sale				7,173,988			--
Total current liabilities					58,707,768			54,917,105
Non current liabilities
	Fair value of derivatives				3,151,880			2,545,803
	Deferred income				76,949			61,901
	Long-term debt				261,960,975			269,598,191
Total non current liabilities					265,189,804			272,205,895
Total liabilities					323,897,572			327,123,000
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity
	Capital stock				435,274			435,274
	Treasury stock				(25,373,380	)		(25,373,380	)
	Additional paid-in capital				443,009,334			443,260,343
	Retained earnings				59,803,487			67,403,740
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss				(3,103,945	)		(2,426,506	)
Total stockholders' equity					474,770,770			483,299,471
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity					798,668,342			810,422,471

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

							For The Three Months Ended March 31,
							2021			2022
Cash flows from operating activities
	Net income for the period						755,880			7,600,253
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
	Depreciation						9,547,131			7,020,783
	Amortization of deferred finance charges						277,404			372,604
	Amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets						22,109			21,858
	Share based compensation						--			251,009
	Change in fair value of derivatives						(135,864	)		(16,787	)
	Equity earnings in joint ventures						(1,078,254	)		(1,712,856	)
	Dividends received from joint ventures						--			1,020,000
	Impairment loss						--			529,532
	Loss on sale of vessels						--			409,206
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
	(Increase)/decrease in
	Trade and other receivables						(2,557,618	)		(2,275,619	)
	Other current assets						(45,696	)		131,216
	Inventories						(532,127	)		(1,272,568	)
	Changes in operating lease liabilities						(22,109	)		(21,858	)
	Advances and prepayments						(666,691	)		(374,972	)
	Increase/(decrease) in
	Balances with related parties						3,906,159			4,197,449
	Trade accounts payable						2,035,302			1,623,346
	Accrued liabilities						92,095			156,536
	Deferred income						1,152,583			(715,371	)
Net cash provided by operating activities							12,750,304			16,943,761
Cash flows from investing activities
	Proceeds from sale of vessels, net						--			21,603,234
	Acquisition and improvement of vessels						(23,859,495	)		(267,719	)
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities							(23,859,495	)		21,335,515
Cash flows from financing activities
	Deferred finance charges paid						(667,766	)		(534,600	)
	Loan repayments						(36,841,282	)		(60,439,761	)
	Proceeds from long-term debt						48,431,250			59,400,000
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities							10,922,202			(1,574,361	)
Net (decrease)/increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash							(186,989	)		36,704,915
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year							53,040,202			45,700,537
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period							52,853,213			82,405,452
Cash breakdown
	Cash and cash equivalents						37,021,517			70,374,971
	Restricted cash, current						1,814,672			2,058,149
	Restricted cash, non current						14,017,024			9,972,332
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statements of cash flows							52,853,213			82,405,452

FAQ

What were StealthGas's Q1 2022 financial highlights?

StealthGas reported a net income of $7.6 million and an EPS of $0.20 for Q1 2022.

How much did StealthGas earn from contracted revenues in 2022?

The company has secured approximately $70 million in contracted revenues for 2022.

What is the status of StealthGas's fleet employment?

About 59% of fleet days are secured on period charters for the remainder of 2022.

What challenges did StealthGas face in Q1 2022?

The company faced challenges from rising bunker costs and geopolitical uncertainties.

How did StealthGas's revenues change compared to last year?

Revenues decreased by 4.0% from $37.4 million in Q1 2021 to $35.9 million in Q1 2022.