Tenaris Announces 2024 First Quarter Results

The financial and operational information contained in this press release is based on unaudited consolidated condensed interim financial statements presented in U.S. dollars and prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standard Board and adopted by the European Union, or IFRS. Additionally, this press release includes non-IFRS alternative performance measures i.e., EBITDA, Net cash / debt, Free Cash Flow and Operating working capital days. See exhibit I for more details on these alternative performance measures.

LUXEMBOURG, April 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tenaris S.A. (NYSE and Mexico: TS and EXM Italy: TEN) (“Tenaris”) today announced its results for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 in comparison with its results for the quarter ended March 31, 2023.

Summary of 2024 First Quarter Results

(Comparison with fourth and first quarter of 2023)

  1Q 2024 4Q 2023 1Q 2023
Net sales ($ million) 3,442   3,415   1 % 4,141   (17 %)
Operating income ($ million) 812   819   (1 %) 1,351   (40 %)
Net income ($ million) 750   1,146   (35 %) 1,129   (34 %)
Shareholders’ net income ($ million) 737   1,129   (35 %) 1,129   (35 %)
Earnings per ADS ($) 1.27   1.92   (34 %) 1.91   (34 %)
Earnings per share ($) 0.64   0.96   (34 %) 0.96   (34 %)
EBITDA ($ million) 987   975   1 % 1,477   (33 %)
EBITDA margin (% of net sales) 28.7 % 28.6 %   35.7 %  

Net sales, operating income and EBITDA remained in line with our results for the fourth quarter of last year despite lower OCTG prices in the Americas. This reflected a solid performance across our business lines and included an increase in Rig Direct shipments in North America and the realization of a major coating project in Mexico at our newly acquired TenarisShawcor business. Net income, which did not include any extraordinary effects, declined to $750 million, or 22% of sales.

During the quarter, our free cash flow amounted to $715 million and, after spending $311 million on share buybacks, our positive net cash position increased to $3.9 billion at March 31, 2024.

Market Background and Outlook

Demand for oil and gas continues to grow to meet the needs of developing countries and secure affordable energy during the energy transition.

Although oil prices have risen, there has been no pick up in drilling activity in the USA so far this year and in North America it remains below last year’s level. At the same time, OCTG imports increased which is delaying price stabilization.

In the rest of the world, offshore projects are proceeding in line with our expectations and demand in the Middle East remains at a good level. In Latin America, however, political and economic volatility is affecting activity.

For the second quarter, as anticipated, our sales and margins will be lower than the first quarter reflecting the ongoing decline in OCTG prices in the Americas. In the third quarter, we will have stoppages at many of our mills, including at our Siderca steel shop where we will install a new furnace that will improve our environmental footprint, and this will lead to a further decline in sales and margins in the quarter.

Analysis of 2024 First Quarter Results

Tubes Sales volume (thousand metric tons) 1Q 2024 4Q 2023 1Q 2023
Seamless 777 760 2 % 840 (8 %)
Welded 269 246 9 % 283 (5 %)
Total 1,046 1,006 4 % 1,123 (7 %)
Tubes 1Q 2024 4Q 2023 1Q 2023
(Net sales – $ million)          
North America 1,488   1,501   (1 %) 2,229   (33 %)
South America 614   590   4 % 975   (37 %)
Europe 226   302   (25 %) 252   (10 %)
Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa 804   805   0 % 519   55 %
Total net sales ($ million) 3,132   3,198   (2 %) 3,975   (21 %)
Operating income ($ million) 769   780   (1 %) 1,312   (41 %)
Operating margin (% of sales) 24.6 % 24.4 %   33.0 %  

Net sales of tubular products and services decreased 2% sequentially and 21% year on year. Volumes increased 4% sequentially but decreased 7% year on year while average selling prices decreased 6% sequentially and 15% year on year. In North America, higher seasonal sales in Canada were largely offset by lower OCTG prices throughout the region. In South America, higher sales for pipeline projects and for offshore drilling in Guyana compensated lower OCTG prices in Argentina and Colombia. In Europe sales declined due to lower sales for offshore line pipe products. In Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa we had a continuing high level of sales throughout the region.

Operating income from tubular products and services amounted to $769 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared to $780 million in the previous quarter and $1,312 million in the first quarter of 2023. Operating margin of the quarter remained stable as the reduction in prices was compensated by a reduction in costs. Operating income of the quarter includes gains amounting to $25 million from positive legal claim’s resolutions in Mexico and Brazil.

Others 1Q 2024 4Q 2023 1Q 2023
Net sales ($ million) 310   217   43 % 167   86 %
Operating income ($ million) 42   39   7 % 40   7 %
Operating margin (% of sales) 13.7 % 18.1 %   23.8 %  

Net sales of other products and services increased 43% sequentially and 86% year on year. Quarterly sales included $160 million from the coating business acquired in the previous quarter.

Selling, general and administrative expenses, or SG&A, amounted to $508 million, or 14.8% of net sales, in the first quarter of 2024, compared to $471 million, 13.8% in the previous quarter and $487 million, 11.8% in the first quarter of 2023. Sequentially, our SG&A expenses increased mainly due to higher selling expenses associated with higher shipment volumes, higher depreciation and amortization due to the integration of the coating business acquired in the previous quarter and higher provisions for contingencies.

Financial results amounted to a loss of $25 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared to a gain of $93 million in the previous quarter and a gain of $21 million in the first quarter of 2023. The loss of the quarter is mainly explained by a $68 million loss from the change in fair value of U.S. dollar denominated Argentine bonds, partially offset by net finance income of $35 million and other net foreign exchange gains of $8 million.

Equity in earnings of non-consolidated companies generated a gain of $48 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared to a gain of $57 million in the previous quarter and a gain of $53 million in the first quarter of 2023. Results from non-consolidated companies are mainly derived from our participation in Ternium (NYSE:TX).

Income tax charge amounted to $85 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared to a gain of $177 million in the previous quarter and a charge of $296 million in the first quarter of 2023. The charge of the quarter is net of $104 million tax gains, mostly related to the effect of inflation adjustment in Argentina.

Cash Flow and Liquidity

Net cash provided by operations during the first quarter of 2024 was $887 million, compared with $836 million in the previous quarter and $921 million in the first quarter of 2023. Working capital increased by $10 million during the quarter.

Capital expenditures amounted to $172 million for the first quarter of 2024, compared to $167 million in the previous quarter and $117 million in the first quarter of 2023.

During the quarter free cash flow amounted to $715 million, compared to $669 million in the previous quarter and $804 million in the first quarter of 2023.

Following share buybacks of $311 million during the quarter, our positive net cash position increased to $3.9 billion at March 31, 2024, compared to $3.4 billion at December 31, 2023.

Conference call

Tenaris will hold a conference call to discuss the above reported results, on April 26, 2024, at 08:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). Following a brief summary, the conference call will be opened to questions.

To listen to the conference please join through one of the following options:
ir.tenaris.com/events-and-presentations or
https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/nk5skspv 

If you wish to participate in the Q&A session please register at the following link:

https://register.vevent.com/register/BI6438ef4528ce4b68a87ee220e3cc959e

Please connect 10 minutes before the scheduled start time.
A replay of the conference call will also be available on our webpage at:
ir.tenaris.com/events-and-presentations

Some of the statements contained in this press release are “forward-looking statements”. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by those statements. These risks include but are not limited to risks arising from uncertainties as to future oil and gas prices and their impact on investment programs by oil and gas companies.

Consolidated Condensed Interim Income Statement

(all amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars) Three-month period ended March 31,
  2024   2023  
  Unaudited
Net sales 3,441,544   4,141,181  
Cost of sales (2,134,052 ) (2,307,779 )
Gross profit 1,307,492   1,833,402  
Selling, general and administrative expenses (508,132 ) (487,347 )
Other operating income (expense), net 12,304   5,299  
Operating income 811,664   1,351,354  
Finance Income 56,289   47,887  
Finance Cost (20,583 ) (31,545 )
Other financial results, net (60,468 ) 4,477  
Income before equity in earnings of non-consolidated companies and income tax 786,902   1,372,173  
Equity in earnings of non-consolidated companies 48,179   53,006  
Income before income tax 835,081   1,425,179  
Income tax (84,856 ) (295,972 )
Income for the period 750,225   1,129,207  
     
Attributable to:    
Shareholders’ equity 736,980   1,128,627  
Non-controlling interests 13,245   580  
  750,225   1,129,207  

Consolidated Condensed Interim Statement of Financial Position

(all amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars) At March 31, 2024   At December 31, 2023
  Unaudited    
ASSETS          
Non-current assets          
Property, plant and equipment, net 6,094,145     6,078,179  
Intangible assets, net 1,356,065     1,377,110  
Right-of-use assets, net 137,026     132,138  
Investments in non-consolidated companies 1,681,971     1,608,804  
Other investments 983,519     405,631  
Deferred tax assets 774,014     789,615  
Receivables, net 177,221 11,203,961   185,959 10,577,436
Current assets          
Inventories, net 3,911,719     3,921,097  
Receivables and prepayments, net 291,694     228,819  
Current tax assets 261,983     256,401  
Trade receivables, net 2,303,293     2,480,889  
Derivative financial instruments 2,883     9,801  
Other investments 2,248,863     1,969,631  
Cash and cash equivalents 1,323,350 10,343,785   1,637,821 10,504,459
Total assets   21,547,746     21,081,895
EQUITY          
Shareholders’ equity   17,407,503     16,842,972
Non-controlling interests   201,564     187,465
Total equity   17,609,067     17,030,437
LIABILITIES          
Non-current liabilities          
Borrowings 28,122     48,304  
Lease liabilities 97,078     96,598  
Derivative financial instruments     255  
Deferred tax liabilities 488,082     631,605  
Other liabilities 282,147     271,268  
Provisions 103,465 998,894   101,453 1,149,483
Current liabilities          
Borrowings 608,278     535,133  
Lease liabilities 42,097     37,835  
Derivative financial instruments 3,569     10,895  
Current tax liabilities 476,280     488,277  
Other liabilities 493,293     422,645  
Provisions 35,492     35,959  
Customer advances 239,342     263,664  
Trade payables 1,041,434 2,939,785   1,107,567 2,901,975
Total liabilities   3,938,679     4,051,458
Total equity and liabilities   21,547,746     21,081,895

Consolidated Condensed Interim Statement of Cash Flows

(all amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)   Three-month period ended March 31,
    2024   2023  
    Unaudited
Cash flows from operating activities      
Income for the period   750,225   1,129,207  
Adjustments for:      
Depreciation and amortization   175,442   125,453  
Income tax accruals less payments   (29,222 ) 188,856  
Equity in earnings of non-consolidated companies   (48,179 ) (53,006 )
Interest accruals less payments, net   11,938   (3,700 )
Changes in provisions   1,545   7,957  
Changes in working capital   (9,548 ) (460,557 )
Others, including net foreign exchange   34,776   (13,440 )
Net cash provided by operating activities   886,977   920,770  
       
Cash flows from investing activities      
Capital expenditures   (172,097 ) (117,088 )
Changes in advance to suppliers of property, plant and equipment   2,952   33  
Loan to joint ventures   (1,354 )  
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets   5,412   4,796  
Changes in investments in securities   (759,667 ) (890,636 )
Net cash used in investing activities   (924,754 ) (1,002,895 )
       
Cash flows from financing activities      
Changes in non-controlling interests   1,120    
Acquisition of treasury shares   (311,064 )  
Payments of lease liabilities   (16,768 ) (10,758 )
Proceeds from borrowings   829,947   559,274  
Repayments of borrowings   (754,078 ) (679,892 )
Net cash used in financing activities   (250,843 ) (131,376 )
       
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents   (288,620 ) (213,501 )
       
Movement in cash and cash equivalents      
At the beginning of the period   1,616,597   1,091,433  
Effect of exchange rate changes   (4,921 ) (16,518 )
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents   (288,620 ) (213,501 )
    1,323,056   861,414  


Exhibit I – Alternative performance measures

Alternative performance measures should be considered in addition to, not as substitute for or superior to, other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.

EBITDA, Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization

EBITDA provides an analysis of the operating results excluding depreciation and amortization and impairments, as they are recurring non-cash variables which can vary substantially from company to company depending on accounting policies and the accounting value of the assets. EBITDA is an approximation to pre-tax operating cash flow and reflects cash generation before working capital variation. EBITDA is widely used by investors when evaluating businesses (multiples valuation), as well as by rating agencies and creditors to evaluate the level of debt, comparing EBITDA with net debt.

EBITDA is calculated in the following manner:

EBITDA = Net income for the period + Income tax charges +/- Equity in Earnings (losses) of non-consolidated companies +/- Financial results + Depreciation and amortization +/- Impairment charges/(reversals)

EBITDA is a non-IFRS alternative performance measure.

(all amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars) Three-month period ended March 31,
  2024   2023  
Income for the period 750,225   1,129,207  
Income tax charge 84,856   295,972  
Equity in earnings of non-consolidated companies (48,179 ) (53,006 )
Financial Results 24,762   (20,819 )
Depreciation and amortization 175,442   125,453  
EBITDA 987,106   1,476,807  

Free Cash Flow

Free cash flow is a measure of financial performance, calculated as operating cash flow less capital expenditures. FCF represents the cash that a company is able to generate after spending the money required to maintain or expand its asset base.

Free cash flow is calculated in the following manner:

Free cash flow = Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities – Capital expenditures.

Free cash flow is a non-IFRS alternative performance measure.

(all amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars) Three-month period ended March 31,
  2024   2023  
Net cash provided by operating activities 886,977   920,770  
Capital expenditures (172,097 ) (117,088 )
Free cash flow 714,880   803,682  

Net Cash / (Debt)

This is the net balance of cash and cash equivalents, other current investments and fixed income investments held to maturity less total borrowings. It provides a summary of the financial solvency and liquidity of the company. Net cash / (debt) is widely used by investors and rating agencies and creditors to assess the company’s leverage, financial strength, flexibility and risks.

Net cash/ debt is calculated in the following manner:

Net cash = Cash and cash equivalents + Other investments (Current and Non-Current)+/- Derivatives hedging borrowings and investments – Borrowings (Current and Non-Current).

Net cash/debt is a non-IFRS alternative performance measure.

(all amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars) At March 31,
  2024   2023  
Cash and cash equivalents 1,323,350   861,494  
Other current investments 2,248,863   1,081,141  
Non-current investments 976,206   375,677  
Derivatives hedging borrowings and investments   11,680  
Current borrowings (608,278 ) (536,907 )
Non-current borrowings (28,122 ) (56,739 )
Net cash / (debt) 3,912,019   1,736,346  

Operating working capital days

Operating working capital is the difference between the main operating components of current assets and current liabilities. Operating working capital is a measure of a company’s operational efficiency, and short-term financial health.

Operating working capital days is calculated in the following manner:

Operating working capital days = [(Inventories + Trade receivables – Trade payables – Customer advances) / Annualized quarterly sales ] x 365

Operating working capital days is a non-IFRS alternative performance measure.

(all amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars) At March 31,
  2024   2023  
Inventories 3,911,719   3,991,501  
Trade receivables 2,303,293   2,834,369  
Customer advances (239,342 ) (136,172 )
Trade payables (1,041,434 ) (1,067,602 )
Operating working capital 4,934,236   5,622,096  
Annualized quarterly sales 13,766,176   16,564,724  
Operating working capital days 131   124  

Giovanni Sardagna        
Tenaris
1-888-300-5432
www.tenaris.com


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