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Source: STEALTHGAS INC.

STEALTHGAS Inc. Reports Second Quarter and Six Months 2011 Financial and Operating Results

ATHENS, Greece, Aug. 25, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- STEALTHGAS INC. (Nasdaq:GASS), a ship-owning company primarily serving the liquified petroleum gas (LPG) sector of the international shipping industry, announced today its unaudited financial and operating results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2011.

Second Quarter 2011 Results:

  • Voyage revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2011, amounted to $31.4 million, an increase of $4.5 million, or 16.7%, compared to voyage revenues of $26.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010.
  • Voyage and operating expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2011 were $5.3 million and $9.9 million respectively, compared to $3.5 million and $9.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010. The increase of voyage expenses was due primarily to the increased level of fleet operational utilization during the quarter under spot voyage charters.
  • The net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2011 was $3.6 million or $(0.17) per share, a decrease of $7.7 million, from net income of $4.1 million or $0.19 per share for the three months ended June 30, 2010.
  • Excluding all non-cash items described below, for the three months ended June 30, 2011, adjusted net income was $3.4 million, or $0.16 per share, an increase of $1.5 million or 78.9% from adjusted net income of $1.9 million, or $0.09 per share for the three months ended June 30, 2010. A reconciliation of adjusted net income is set forth below.
  • For the three months ended June 30, 2011, the Company had a $0.3 million unrealized non-cash loss on interest rate swap arrangements and foreign currency hedging arrangements, a $1.0 million non-cash loss due to exchange rate movements on foreign currency deposits, and a $2.6 million non-cash impairment loss on vessel held for sale as well as a $3.1 million loss on sale of vessels. This compares to an unrealized non-cash profit on interest rate swap arrangements and foreign currency hedging arrangements of $1.2 million and a gain on the sale of vessels of $1.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010.For the second quarter 2011, the Company had a $1.3 million realized cash loss on interest rate swap arrangements compared to a realized cash loss of $1.4 million for the same quarter last year.
  • EBITDA for the three months ended June 30, 2011 amounted to $5.3 million, a decrease of $6.9 million from EBITDA of $12.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010. A reconciliation of EBITDA to Net Income and to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities is set forth below.

An average of 38.7 vessels were owned by the Company in the three months ended June 30, 2011, earning an average time-charter equivalent rate of approximately $7,457 per day as compared to 37.6 vessels, earning an average time-charter equivalent rate of $6,948 per day for the same period of 2010.

Six Months 2011 Results

  • Voyage revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2011, amounted to $61.9 million an increase of $6.3 million, or 11.3%, from voyage revenues of $55.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010.
  • Voyage expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2011 amounted to $8.9 million, an increase of $2.1 million, or 30.9%, from $6.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010. Operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2011 amounted to $20.4 million, an increase of $2.0 million, or 10.9%, from operating expenses of $18.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010.
  • The net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2011 was $2.1 million or $(0.10) per share, a decrease of $7.9 million, from net income of $5.8 million, or $0.26 per share, for the six months ended June 30, 2010.
  • Excluding all non-cash items described below, for the six months ended June 30, 2011, adjusted net income was $6.2 million, or $0.29 per share, an increase of $1.1 million or 21.6% from adjusted net income of $5.1 million, or $0.23 per share for the six months ended June 30, 2010. A reconciliation of adjusted net income is set forth below.
  • For the six months ended June 30, 2011, the Company had a $1.1 million unrealized non-cash loss on interest rate swap arrangements and foreign currency hedging arrangements, and a $1.5 million non-cash loss due to exchange rate movements on foreign currency deposits, a $2.6 million impairment loss on vessel held for sale and a $3.1 million loss on sale of vessels compared to an unrealized non-cash loss on interest rate swap arrangements and foreign currency hedging arrangements of $0.3 million and a gain of $1.0 million on the sale of vessels in the same period of 2010. In addition, the Company had a $2.8 million realized cash loss on interest rate swap arrangements for the first six months of 2011 compared to a realized cash loss of $3.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010.
  • EBITDA for the six months ended June 30, 2011 amounted to $15.8 million, a decrease of $6.3 million, or 28.5%, from $22.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010. A reconciliation of EBITDA to Net Income and to Net Cash provided by operating activities is set forth below.

An average of 38.5 vessels were owned by the Company in the six months ended June 30, 2011, earning an average time-charter equivalent rate of approximately $7,726 per day as compared to 39.3 vessels, earning an average time-charter equivalent rate of $7,006 per day for the same period in 2010.

CEO Harry Vafias commented

"For the three months ended June 30, 2011, we reported record revenue figure for the second quarter in a row. We continue to generate positive income from operations and aside from the effect of vessel sales, our operations are improving compared to last year, as the LPG market has strengthened. As of the date of this press release, we have successfully concluded the sale of four older LPG carriers and have taken delivery of two newbuilding LPG carriers. With the scheduled addition of three more newbuilding LPG carriers over the next year, our leading position in the LPG handysize segment will strengthen and we will possess a younger and operationally more efficient fleet. Our healthy balance sheet and our improved cash position allow us to be optimistic for the future. We have increased the period coverage for our fleet to 75% for the remainder of 2011 and almost 50% for 2012, thus securing to a large extent our revenue stream. I am also pleased to announce that under our Share Repurchase Plan that was adopted in 2010 during the current month we made purchases of approximately 350,000 shares. Since the adoption of the plan, we have repurchased approximately 1.6 million shares."

Conference Call details:

On August 25, 2011 at 11:00 am EDT, 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: 1866 966 9439 (US Toll Free Dial In) or 0800 694 0257 (UK Toll Free Dial In).

In case of any problems with the above numbers, please dial +1 631 510 7498 (US Toll Dial In), or +44 (0)1452 555 566 (Standard International Dial In). Please quote "91489582".

A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available until August 31, 2011 by dialing 1866 247 4222 (US Toll Free Dial In), 0800 953 1533 (UK Toll Free Dial In) or +44 (0)1452 5500 00 (Standard International Dial In). Access Code: 91489582#

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.

Headquartered in Athens, Greece, STEALTHGAS INC. is a ship-owning company primarily serving the liquified petroleum gas (LPG) sector of the international shipping industry. STEALTHGAS INC. currently has a fleet of 32 LPG carriers with a total capacity of 148,097 cubic meters (cbm), three M.R. product tankers and one Aframax oil tanker. The company has also entered into agreements to acquire three newbuilding LPG carriers with expected delivery from August 2011 through May 2012. Once these acquisitions are completed, STEALTHGAS INC. 's fleet will be composed of 35 LPG carriers with a total capacity of 168,097 cubic meters (cbm), three M.R. product tankers and one Aframax oil tanker with a total capacity of 255,804 deadweight tons (dwt). 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 dry dockings, changes in STEALTHGAS INC.'s operating expenses, including bunker prices, dry-docking 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.

Visit our website at www.stealthgas.com

Fleet Data:

The following key indicators highlight the Company's operating performance during the second quarters ended June 30, 2010 and June 30, 2011.

 

FLEET DATA Q2 2010 Q2 2011
Average number of vessels (1) 37.6 38.7
Period end number of vessels in fleet 37 37
Total calendar days for fleet (2) 3,418 3,525
Total voyage days for fleet (3) 3,361 3,496
Fleet utilization (4) 98.3% 99.2%
Total charter days for fleet (5) 2,454 2,491
Total spot market days for fleet (6) 907 1,005
Fleet operational utilization (7) 87.1% 87.5%

 

AVERAGE DAILY RESULTS Q2 2010 Q2 2011
Time Charter Equivalent – TCE (8) $6,948 $7,457
Vessel operating expenses (9) 2,715 2,796
Management fees 365 358
General and administrative expenses 235 213
Total operating expenses (10) 2,950 3,009

The following key indicators highlight the Company's operating performance during the six months ended June 30, 2010 and June 30, 2011.

 

FLEET DATA 6M 2010 6M 2011
Average number of vessels (1) 39.3 38.5
Period end number of vessels in fleet 37 37
Total calendar days for fleet (2) 7,108 6,977
Total voyage days for fleet (3) 6,976 6,859
Fleet utilization (4) 98.1% 98.3%
Total charter days for fleet (5) 5,214 5,269
Total spot market days for fleet (6) 1,762 1,590
Fleet operational utilization (7) 86.6% 90.1%

 

AVERAGE DAILY RESULTS 6M 2010 6M 2011
Time Charter Equivalent – TCE (8) $7,006 $7,726
Vessel operating expenses (9) 2,593 2,919
Management fees 362 366
General and administrative expenses 202 190
Total operating expenses (10) 2,794 3,109

1) Average number of vessels is the number of 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 are the total days the vessels 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 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 time charter days for fleet are the number of voyage days the vessels in our fleet operated on time charters for the relevant period.

6) Total spot market charter days for fleet are the number of voyage days the vessels in our fleet 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.

8) Time charter equivalent, or TCE, is a measure of the average daily revenue performance of a vessel on a per voyage basis. Our method of calculating TCE is consistent with industry standards and is determined by dividing voyage revenues (net of voyage expenses) by voyage days for the relevant time period. Voyage expenses primarily consist of port, canal and fuel costs that are unique to a particular voyage, which would otherwise be paid by the charterer under a time charter contract, as well as commissions. TCE is a standard shipping industry performance measure used primarily to compare period-to-period changes in a shipping company's performance despite changes in the mix of charter types (i.e., spot charters, time charters and bareboat charters) under which the vessels may be employed between the periods.

9) Vessel operating expenses, which include crew costs, provisions, deck and engine stores, lubricating oil, insurance, maintenance and repairs, is calculated by dividing vessel operating expenses by fleet calendar days for the relevant time period.

10) Total operating expenses, or TOE, is a measurement of our total expenses associated with operating our vessels. TOE is the sum of vessel operating expenses and general and administrative expenses. Daily TOE is calculated by dividing TOE by fleet calendar days for the relevant time period.

Reconciliation of EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted earnings per share:

EBITDA represents net earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA, Adjusted net income and Adjusted earnings per share are not items recognised by the United States generally accepted accounting principles and should not be considered as an alternative to net income or cash flow from operations or any other measure required by USGAAP. Our calculation of EBITDA and Adjusted net income may not be comparable to that reported by other companies in the shipping or other industries.

EBITDA, Adjusted net income and Adjusted earnings per share are included herein because they are a basis upon which we assess our financial performance, assist in comparability of our performance from period to period and provide additional information on fleet operational results. We also use EBITDA to assess our liquidity position and believe it presents useful information to investors regarding a company's ability to service and/or incur indebtedness. 

EBITDA reconciliation for the second quarters ended June 30, 2010 and June 30, 2011:

 

(figures in US $) Q2 2010 Q2 2011
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities $3,445,145 $7,689,070
Net (decrease) in current assets, excluding cash (728,526) (877,987)
Net decrease in current liabilities, excluding short-term portion of long term debt. 5,828,150 3,472,061
Non-cash exchange difference ---- (1,038,384)
Impairment loss ---- (2,571,088)
Interest income (138,078) (31,439)
Interest and finance costs 1,817,459 2,152,161
Amortization of finance fees  (224,367) (90,808)
Gain / (Loss) on sale of vessel 1,037,606 (3,077,157)
Share based compensation (46,426) ----
Change in fair value of derivatives 1,230,261 (300,303)
EBITDA $12,221,224 $5,326,126

 

(figures in US $) Q2 2010 Q2 2011
Net Income / (Loss) $4,145,699 $(3,623,235)
Plus interest and finance costs 1,817,459 2,152,161
Less Interest income (138,078) (31,439)
Plus Depreciation 6,396,144 6,828,639
EBITDA $12,221,224 $5,326,126

EBITDA reconciliation for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and June 30, 2011:

 

(figures in US $) 6M 2010 6M 2011
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities $21,527,520 $16,149,983
Net increase in current assets, excluding cash 1,886,517 1,020,499
Net (increase)/decrease in current liabilities, excluding short-term portion of long term debt. (4,900,998) 2,957,999
Non-cash exchange difference ---- (1,508,005)
Impairment loss ---- (2,571,088)
Gain / (Loss) on sale of vessels 960,696 (3,077,157)
Interest income (205,655) (35,959)
Interest and finance costs 3,604,625 4,159,093
Amortization of finance fees  (334,158) (203,482)
Share based compensation (95,011) (4,071)
Change in fair value of derivatives (303,959) (1,071,760)
EBITDA $22,139,577 $15,816,052

 

(figures in US $) 6M 2010 6M 2011
Net Income / (Loss) $5,759,846 $(2,096,742)
Plus interest and finance costs 3,604,625 4,159,093
Less Interest income (205,655) (35,959)
Plus depreciation 12,980,761 13,789,660
EBITDA $22,139,577 $15,816,052

Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income for the second quarters ended June 30, 2010 and June 30, 2011:

 

(figures in US $, except for share amounts) Q2 2010 Q2 2011
Net Income / (Loss) $4,145,699 $(3,623,235)
Change in fair value of derivatives (1,230,261) 300,303
(Gain)/Loss on sale of vessels (1,037,606) 3,077,157
Impairment loss ---- 2,571,088
Non-cash exchange difference ---- 1,038,384
Adjusted Net Income $1,877,831 $3,363,697
Weighted average number of shares, basic
 and diluted
21,763,071 21,104,214
Earnings/(Loss) per share 0.19 (0.17)
Adjusted Earnings per share 0.09 0.16

Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and June 30, 2011:

 

(figures in US $, except for share amounts) 6M 2010 6M 2011
Net Income / (Loss) $5,759,846 $(2,096,742)
Change in fair value of derivatives 303,959 1,071,760
(Gain)/Loss on sale of vessels (960,696) 3,077,157
Impairment loss ---- 2,571,088
Non-cash exchange difference ---- 1,508,005
Adjusted Net Income $5,103,109 $6,131,268
Weighted average number of shares, basic
 and diluted
22,018,437 21,101,448
Earnings/(Loss) per share 0.26 (0.10)
Adjusted Earnings per share 0.23 0.29
 
StealthGas Inc.
Unaudited Statements of Operations
(Expressed in United States Dollars)

Quarters Ended June 30,

2010 2011
     
Revenues    
Voyage revenues 26,870,374 31,366,161
     
Expenses    
Voyage expenses 3,516,708 5,296,192
Vessels' operating expenses 9,279,071 9,856,447
Dry-docking costs 609,676 545,143
Management fees 1,246,565 1,263,405
General and administrative expenses 803,951 751,241
Depreciation 6,396,144 6,828,639
Impairment loss  ---- 2,571,088
Net (gain)/loss on sale of vessels (1,037,606) 3,077,157
Total expenses 20,814,509 30,189,312
     
Income from operations 6,055,865 1,176,849
     
Other income and (expenses)    
Interest and finance costs (1,817,459) (2,152,161)
Change in fair value of derivatives (200,980) (1,551,937)
Interest income 138,078 31,439
Foreign exchange loss (29,805) (1,127,425)
Other income, net (1,910,166) (4,800,084)
     
Net Income/(Loss)  4,145,699 (3,623,235)
     
Earnings/(Loss) per share     
- Basic 0.19  (0.17)
- Diluted 0.19  (0.17)
Weighted average number of shares     
-Basic 21,748,423 21,104,214
-Diluted 21,763,071 21,104,214
 
StealthGas Inc.
Unaudited Statements of Operations
(Expressed in United States Dollars)

Six Month Periods Ended June 30,

2010 2011

   
Revenues    
Voyage revenues 55,627,065 61,903,801
     
Expenses    
Voyage expenses 6,756,444 8,910,043
Vessels' operating expenses 18,430,219 20,363,753
Dry-docking costs 1,747,636 1,726,517
Management fees 2,573,120 2,551,390
General and administrative expenses 1,432,610 1,324,753
Depreciation 12,980,761 13,789,660
Impairment loss ---- 2,571,088
Net (gain)/loss on sale of vessels (960,696) 3,077,157
Total expenses 42,960,094 54,314,361
     
Income from operations 12,666,971 7,589,440
     
Other income and (expenses)    
Interest and finance costs (3,604,625) (4,159,093)
Change in fair value of derivatives (3,464,426) (3,888,205)
Interest income 205,655 35,959
Foreign exchange loss (43,729) (1,674,843)
Other expenses, net (6,907,125) (9,686,182)
     
Net Income/(Loss)  5,759,846 (2,096,742)
     
Earnings/(Loss) per share     
- Basic 0.26 (0.10)
- Diluted 0.26 (0.10)
Weighted average number of shares     
-Basic 22,007,297 21,101,448
-Diluted 22,018,437 21,101,448
 
StealthGas Inc.
Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Expressed in United States Dollars)

December 31, 2010 June 30, 2011
     
Assets    
Current assets    
Cash and cash equivalents 29,797,095 42,511,755
Trade and other receivables 2,414,008 2,370,131
Claims receivable 396,395 168,825
Inventories 1,840,092 3,318,455
Advances and prepayments 777,126 391,183
Restricted cash 4,495,198 4,526,519
Vessel held for sale  ---- 5,266,771
Fair value of derivatives 5,407,633 3,720,234
Total current assets 45,127,547 62,273,873
     
Non current assets    
Advances for vessels under construction 37,273,199 23,018,181
Vessels, net 603,065,011 601,378,917
Other receivables 42,572 1,118
Restricted cash 1,550,000 1,550,000
Deferred finance charges, net of accumulated    
 amortization of $978,574 and $1,182,056 1,318,070 1,824,588
Total non current assets 643,248,852 627,772,804
Total assets 688,376,399 690,046,677
     
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity    
Current liabilities    
Payable to related party 9,515,372 9,243,437
Trade accounts payable 4,761,389 6,472,412
Other accrued liabilities 5,433,594 4,988,649
Customer deposits 285,000  ----
Deferred income 2,754,630 1,489,988
Other current liability 2,687,500  ----
Current portion of long-term debt 34,831,548 33,278,710
Current portion of long-term debt associated with vessel held for sale  ---- 1,120,000
Total current liabilities 60,269,033 56,593,196
     
Non current liabilities    
Fair value of derivatives 11,602,213 10,748,486
Long-term debt 310,254,401 318,308,826
Total non current liabilities 321,856,614 329,057,312
Total liabilities 382,125,647 385,650,508
     
Commitments and contingencies  ----  ----
     
Stockholders' equity    
Capital stock     
 5,000,000 preferred shares authorized and zero outstanding    
 with a par value of $0.01 per share     
 100,000,000 common shares authorized 21,104,881 issued and  
 21,104,214 shares outstanding with a par value of $0.01 per share 211,042 211,042
Additional paid-in capital 277,986,270 277,990,341
Retained earnings 28,508,349 26,411,607
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) (454,909) (216,821)
Total stockholders' equity 306,250,752 304,396,169
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity 688,376,399 690,046,677
 
StealthGas Inc.
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Expressed in United States Dollars)

Six Month Periods Ended June 30,

2010 2011
     
Cash flows from operating activities    
Net income/(loss) for the period 5,759,846 (2,096,742)
     
Items included in net income not affecting cash flows:    
Depreciation and amortization of deferred finance charges 13,314,919 13,993,142
Unrealized exchange differences  ---- 1,508,005
Share based compensation 95,011 4,071
Change in fair value of derivatives 303,959 1,071,760
Impairment loss  ---- 2,571,088
(Gain)/loss on sale of vessels (960,696) 3,077,157
     
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:    
(Increase)/decrease in    
Trade and other receivables (1,055,785) 85,331
Claims receivable (185,018) (13,410)
Inventories (394,386) (1,478,363)
Advances and prepayments (251,328) 385,943
Increase/(decrease) in    
Payable to related party 9,804,769 (271,935)
Trade accounts payable 487,343 1,711,023
Other accrued liabilities (1,185,249) (444,945)
Other current liability (2,687,500) (2,687,500)
Deferred income (1,518,365) (1,264,642)
Net cash provided by operating activities 21,527,520 16,149,983
     
Cash flows from investing activities    
Insurance proceeds 628,036 240,980
Acquisitions and advances for vessel under construction (241,411) (28,503,758)
Proceeds from sale of vessels, net 37,100,894 19,740,194
Decrease/(increase) in restricted cash account 450,879 (31,321)
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities 37,938,398 (8,553,905)
     
Cash flows from financing activities    
Stock repurchase (6,280,327)  ----
Deferred finance charges ---- (710,000)
Customer deposits paid (1,056,953) (285,000)
Loan repayment (29,920,347) (25,278,413)
Proceeds from long-term debt ---- 32,900,000
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities (37,257,627) 6,626,587
     
     
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 462,995 (1,508,005)
     
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents 22,671,286 12,714,660
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 44,076,339 29,797,095
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 66,747,625 42,511,755