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STEALTHGAS INC. Reports Fourth Quarter and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019 Financial and Operating Results

February 21, 2020 9:30 AM

ATHENS, Greece, Feb. 21, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- STEALTHGAS INC. (NASDAQ: GASS), a ship-owning company primarily serving the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sector of the international shipping industry, announced today its unaudited financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and twelve months ended December 31, 2019.

OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Fourth Quarter 2019 Results:

Twelve months 2019 Results:

Fleet Update Since Previous Announcement

The Company announced the conclusion of the following ten chartering arrangements:

With these charters, the Company has total contracted revenues of approximately $135 million. Total anticipated voyage days of our fleet is 66% covered for the remainder of 2020.

Board Chairman Michael Jolliffe Commented

2019 was a successful and profitable year for StealthGas. Indeed in 2019 and in spite of the persistently difficult spot market in Asia, we achieved an operational utilization of 98%, increased our daily time charter equivalent earnings and managed to significantly reduce our finance costs; all these added towards our improved profitability-, which excluding non-cash items- amounted to $4.3 million corresponding to an EPS of $0.11.

In terms of our new projects, in an initiative to expand further across the LPG sector and accretively invest our cash-on-hand, while sharing the operational risk, we took the strategic decision to form a second Joint Venture arrangement with an unaffiliated third party to jointly acquire three secondhand (2010-built) MGC vessels of an aggregate capacity of 105,641 cbm for a total of $80 million.

Going forward we feel confident for 2020. Our period coverage of 66% along with $135 million in contracted revenues, coupled with improved market rates particularly for our larger LPG vessels, signify good times ahead. We are trading close to our all time low share price and that might be an excellent entry point. In addition, the recent push into green investing might also benefit our Company operating modern Japanese built ships with minimal carbon footprint.

We do recognize however that the recent coronavirus outbreak may negatively affect seaborne trade should this situation deteriorate and positive market fundamentals might be afflicted. We hope that this issue will soon be resolved thus allowing the market to flourish.

Conference Call details:

On February 21, 2020 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: +1 866 869 2321 (US Toll Free Dial In) or 08003767425 (UK Toll Free Dial In).Access Code: 5681269

In case of any problems with the above numbers, please dial +1 917 7200 178 (US Toll Dial In), +44 (0) 8444933857 (UK Toll Dial In). Access Code: 5681269

A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available until February 28, 2019 by dialing +1 (917) 677-7532 (US Local Dial In), +44 (0) 3333009785 (Standard International Dial In). Access Code: 5681269

Slides and audio webcast:

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

About STEALTHGAS INC.

StealthGas Inc. is a ship-owning company primarily serving the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sector of the international shipping industry. StealthGas Inc., within Q1 20’, will have a fleet of 51 vessels. The fleet will be comprised of 47 LPG carriers, including one chartered in LPG vessel, eight Joint Venture vessels and an 11,000 cbm newbuilding pressurized LPG carrier with expected delivery in 2021.These LPG vessels have a total capacity of 439,035 cubic meters (cbm).The Company also owns 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 drydockings, shipyard performance, changes in STEALTHGAS INC’s operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, ability to obtain financing and comply with covenants in our financing arrangements, or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents and political events or acts by terrorists.

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

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

Company Contact:Fenia Sakellaris STEALTHGAS INC.011-30-210-6250-001 E-mail: [email protected]

Fleet Data: The following key indicators highlight the Company’s operating performance during the periods ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019.

FLEET DATAQ4 2018 Q4 2019 12M 2018 12M 2019
Average number of vessels (1)48.1 41.0 50.8 42.6
Period end number of owned vessels in fleet48 41 48 41
Total calendar days for fleet (2)4,685 3,952 19,544 16,328
Total voyage days for fleet (3)4,663 3,909 19,363 16,230
Fleet utilization (4)99.5%98.9%99.1%99.4%
Total charter days for fleet (5)3,762 3,299 15,696 13,541
Total spot market days for fleet (6)901 610 3,667 2,689
Fleet operational utilization (7)94.5%97.9%95.5%97.5%

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 (loss)/income represents net (loss)/income before (gain)/loss on derivatives excluding swap interest received/(paid), share based compensation, net loss on sale of vessels, gain on deconsolidation of subsidiaries and impairment loss. EBITDA represents net (loss)/income before interest and finance costs, interest income and depreciation. Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA before share based compensation, (gain)/loss on derivatives, net loss on sale of vessels, gain on deconsolidation of subsidiaries and impairment loss. Adjusted EPS represents Adjusted net (loss)/income divided by the weighted average number of shares. EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net (loss)/income and adjusted EPS are not recognized measurements under U.S. GAAP. Our calculation of EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net (loss)/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 (loss)/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 (loss)/income 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 to investors.
(Expressed in United States Dollars, except number of shares)Fourth Quarter Ended December 31st,Twelve Months Period Ended December 31st,
2018 2019 2018 2019
Net (Loss)/Income - Adjusted Net Income
Net (loss)/income(5,318,175)531,281 (12,276,520)2,093,124
Plus (gain)/loss on derivatives(6,120)(18,852)11,982 107,550
Less swap interest received/(paid)21,194 16,048 (40,234)148,100
Plus net loss on sale of vessels-- -- 763,925 485,516
Less gain on deconsolidation of subsidiaries-- -- -- (145,000)
Plus impairment loss3,189,857 993,916 11,351,821 993,916
Plus share based compensation338,356 -- 338,356 611,644
Adjusted Net (Loss)/Income(1,774,888)1,522,393 149,330 4,294,850
Net (loss)/income – EBITDA
Net (loss)/income(5,318,175)531,281 (12,276,520)2,093,124
Plus interest and finance costs6,009,329 4,471,693 23,286,547 20,978,065
Less interest income(178,584)(171,115)(587,477)(846,271)
Plus depreciation10,134,343 9,321,922 41,258,142 37,693,733
EBITDA10,646,913 14,153,781 51,680,692 59,918,651
Net (loss)/income - Adjusted EBITDA
Net (loss)/income(5,318,175)531,281 (12,276,520)2,093,124
Plus (gain)/loss on derivatives(6,120)(18,852)11,982 107,550
Plus net loss on sale of vessels-- -- 763,925 485,516
Less gain on deconsolidation of subsidiaries-- -- -- (145,000)
Plus impairment loss3,189,857 993,916 11,351,821 993,916
Plus share based compensation338,356 -- 338,356 611,644
Plus interest and finance costs6,009,329 4,471,693 23,286,547 20,978,065
Less interest income(178,584)(171,115)(587,477)(846,271)
Plus depreciation10,134,343 9,321,922 41,258,142 37,693,733
Adjusted EBITDA14,169,006 15,128,845 64,146,776 61,972,277
EPS - Adjusted EPS
Net (loss)/income(5,318,175)531,281 (12,276,520)2,093,124
Adjusted net (loss)/income(1,774,888)1,522,393 149,330 4,294,850
Weighted average number of shares39,860,563 39,710,103 39,860,563 39,800,434
EPS - Basic and Diluted(0.13)0.01 (0.31)0.05
Adjusted EPS(0.04)0.04 0.00 0.11

StealthGas Inc.*Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations(Expressed in United States Dollars, except for number of shares)
Fourth Quarter Ended December 31, Twelve Month Periods Ended December 31,
2018 2019 2018 2019
Revenues
Revenues 38,529,759 35,164,698 164,330,202 144,259,312
Expenses
Voyage expenses 4,507,437 3,676,980 18,649,258 15,201,978
Voyage expenses - related party 486,959 433,365 2,037,917 1,788,543
Charter hire expenses 1,739,618 1,234,019 6,150,780 6,268,988
Vessels' operating expenses 14,356,150 12,348,369 59,920,278 48,619,594
Vessels' operating expenses - related party 249,000 240,000 514,500 966,500
Drydocking costs 641,895 360,289 3,617,577 1,094,306
Management fees - related party 1,677,730 1,384,190 7,027,195 5,730,910
General and administrative expenses 1,041,609 602,685 3,046,962 3,706,320
Depreciation 10,134,343 9,321,922 41,258,142 37,693,733
Impairment loss 3,189,857 993,916 11,351,821 993,916
Net loss on sale of vessels -- -- 763,925 485,516
Other operating income -- -- (549,804) --
Total expenses38,024,598 30,595,735 153,788,551 122,550,304
Income from operations505,161 4,568,963 10,541,651 21,709,008
Other (expenses)/income
Interest and finance costs (6,009,329) (4,471,693) (23,286,547) (20,978,065)
Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiaries -- -- -- 145,000
Gain/(loss) on derivatives 6,120 18,852 (11,982) (107,550)
Interest income 178,584 171,115 587,477 846,271
Foreign exchange gain/(loss) 1,289 10,822 (107,119) (8,235)
Other expenses, net(5,823,336) (4,270,904) (22,818,171) (20,102,579)
(Loss)/Income before equity in income of investees(5,318,175) 298,059 (12,276,520) 1,606,429
Equity gain in unconsolidated joint ventures -- 233,222 -- 486,695
Net (Loss)/Income(5,318,175) 531,281 (12,276,520) 2,093,124
(Loss)/Earnings per share
- Basic & Diluted(0.13) 0.01 (0.31) 0.05
Weighted average number of shares
- Basic & Diluted39,860,563 39,710,103 39,860,563 39,800,434

* As of January 1, 2019, we adopted ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases," as amended ("ASC 842") using the modified retrospective transition method of adoption. Under this method, the cumulative effect of applying the new lease standard is recorded with no restatement of any comparative prior periods presented. As a result, prior periods as reported by the Company have not been impacted by the adoption. The adoption of ASC 842 resulted in the recognition of operating lease right-of-use assets of $1.9 million and related lease liabilities for operating leases of $1.9 million as of January 1, 2019 and operating lease right-of-use assets of $0.5 million and lease liabilities for operating leases of $0.5 million as of December 31, 2019, in Total Assets and Total Liabilities, respectively, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

StealthGas Inc.Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets(Expressed in United States Dollars)
December 31, December 31,
2018 2019
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents 64,498,442 68,465,342
Trade and other receivables 2,888,496 4,217,101
Other current assets 134,301 118,246
Claims receivable -- 314,217
Inventories 2,346,723 2,447,703
Advances and prepayments 1,089,539 749,681
Restricted cash 3,002,490 1,589,768
Assets held for sale 64,906,448 --
Fair value of derivatives -- 30,381
Total current assets 138,866,439 77,932,439
Non current assets
Advances for vessels under construction -- 2,988,903
Operating lease right-of-use assets -- 473,132
Vessels, net 884,748,691 835,152,403
Other receivables 108,930 286,915
Restricted cash 11,930,059 12,065,222
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures-- 24,498,673
Fair value of derivatives 1,068,369 39,744
Total non current assets 897,856,049 875,504,992
Total assets 1,036,722,488 953,437,431
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities
Payable to related parties 7,930,642 6,291,621
Trade accounts payable 10,349,358 9,032,690
Accrued and other liabilities 6,879,488 6,002,079
Operating lease liabilities -- 473,132
Customer deposits 1,336,000 968,000
Deferred income 5,191,654 2,843,994
Fair value of derivatives -- 37,567
Current portion of long-term debt 41,726,837 40,735,556
Current portion of long-term debt associated with vessels held for sale30,076,356 --
Total current liabilities 103,490,335 66,384,639
Non current liabilities
Fair value of derivatives 465,389 2,618,250
Long-term debt 371,514,253 325,247,902
Total non current liabilities 371,979,642 327,866,152
Total liabilities 475,469,977 394,250,791
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity
Capital stock 445,496 445,496
Treasury stock (22,523,528) (24,361,145)
Additional paid-in capital 501,807,478 502,419,122
Retained earnings 80,849,086 82,942,210
Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) 673,979 (2,259,043)
Total stockholders' equity 561,252,511 559,186,640
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity1,036,722,488 953,437,431

StealthGas Inc.Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows(Expressed in United States Dollars)
December 31,
2018 2019
Cash flows from operating activities
Net (loss)/income for the year(12,276,520) 2,093,124
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss)/income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation41,258,142 37,693,733
Amortization of deferred finance charges858,582 885,191
Amortization of deferred gain on sale and leaseback of vessels(190,087) --
Amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets-- 1,572,943
Share based compensation338,356 611,644
Change in fair value of derivatives(28,252) 255,650
Equity gain in unconsolidated joint ventures -- (486,695)
Impairment loss11,351,821 993,916
Net loss on sale of vessels763,925 485,516
Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiaries -- (145,000)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase)/decrease in
Trade and other receivables531,796 (1,506,590)
Other current assets159,363 16,055
Claims receivable15,951 (1,307,763)
Inventories(302,873) 617,468
Changes in operating lease liabilities -- (1,572,943)
Advances and prepayments131,490 339,858
Increase/(decrease) in
Balances with related parties(6,278,982) (5,845,771)
Trade accounts payable381,941 (1,316,668)
Accrued liabilities339,009 (217,409)
Deferred income755,563 (2,347,660)
Net cash provided by operating activities37,809,225 30,818,599
Cash flows from investing activities
Insurance proceeds -- 993,546
Proceeds from sale of interests in subsidiaries -- 20,720,975
Vessels’ acquisitions and advances for vessels under construction(108,295,690) (2,988,903)
Proceeds from sale of vessels, net29,742,788 18,721,123
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures -- (10,571,100)
Return of investments by unconsolidated joint ventures -- 7,363,147
Cash paid to unconsolidated joint ventures -- (5,835,419)
Cash received from unconsolidated joint ventures -- 5,835,419
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities(78,552,902) 34,238,788
Cash flows from financing activities
Stock repurchase -- (1,837,617)
Deferred finance charges(503,265) (477,201)
Cash received from unconsolidated joint ventures -- 4,206,750
Customer deposits paid(1,220,700) (368,000)
Loan repayments(56,717,059) (97,371,978)
Proceeds from long-term debt115,712,500 33,480,000
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities57,271,476 (62,368,046)
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash16,527,799 2,689,341
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year62,903,192 79,430,991
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year79,430,991 82,120,332
Cash breakdown
Cash and cash equivalents64,498,442 68,465,342
Restricted cash, current3,002,490 1,589,768
Restricted cash, non current11,930,059 12,065,222
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statements of cash flows79,430,991 82,120,332

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Source: STEALTHGAS INC.

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