Tenaris Announces 2021 Fourth Quarter and Annual Results

The financial and operational information contained in this press release is based on audited consolidated 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 and Free Cash Flow. See exhibit I for more details on these alternative performance measures.

LUXEMBOURG, Feb. 16, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tenaris S.A. (NYSE and Mexico: TS and EXM Italy: TEN) (“Tenaris”) today announced its results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2021 with comparison to its results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2020.

Summary of 2021 Fourth Quarter Results

(Comparison with third quarter of 2021 and fourth quarter of 2020)

In the fourth quarter of 2021, our sales rose sequentially a further 17%, driven by the ongoing recovery in drilling activity and OCTG prices in North America, where OCTG inventory levels at distributors have fallen below normal levels. Our quarterly EBITDA continues to grow strongly and its margin rose above 23%, despite higher raw material and energy costs. Our operating income, which included a $57 million impairment charge on NKKTubes fixed assets reflecting the forthcoming closure of its facilities during 2022, rose to $273 million. Shareholders’ net income reached $370 million and continues to receive a strong contribution from our investment in Ternium.

With the recovery in activity and the ongoing ramp up of our production facilities in the USA, our working capital rose during the quarter and we recorded a negative free cash flow for the quarter of $23 million. Following interim dividend payments of $153 million in November, we ended the year with a positive net cash balance of $700 million.

Summary of 2021 Annual Results

*EBITDA is defined as operating (loss) income plus depreciation, amortization and impairment charges / (reversals). EBITDA includes severance charges of $29 million in 2021 and $142 million in 2020. If these charges were not included EBITDA would have amounted to $1,388 million (21.3%) in 2021 and $780 million (15.2%) in 2020.

In 2021, our results recovered strongly from the worst effects of the pandemic bolstered by the recovery in oil and gas drilling activity in the Americas and the structural measures we took to improve our profitability over the longer term. Our sales rose 27% year on year, while our EBITDA more than doubled with the margin surpassing its pre-pandemic level. At the net income level, our result benefited from an extraordinary contribution from our equity participations in Ternium and Usiminas, reflecting record prices in the flat steel sector, which contrasts with that of 2020, which was impacted by $622 million impairment charges on the carrying value of goodwill and other assets in the United States.

Operating cash flow for the year amounted to $119 million in 2021, compared to $1,520 million in 2020 due to a working capital build of $1.0 billion driven by the ramp up of activity. Although in absolute amounts the build up in working capital in 2021 was similar to the corresponding reduction in 2020, it is lower in terms of days of sales and includes higher raw material and energy costs embedded in inventories. After capital expenditures of $240 million and dividend payments of $319 million during the year, our net cash position declined to $700 million at the end of the year.

Climate Change

After establishing our mid-term target for reducing the intensity of carbon emissions from our tubular operations worldwide by 30% compared to a 2018 baseline by the year 2030, we made good progress towards this strategic objective during 2021. By focusing on energy efficiency measures and the reduction of the use of pig iron in our electric furnaces, the carbon emissions intensity of our tubular operations have declined to 1.2 tons of CO₂ per ton of steel processed, which compares with the 1.4 tons of CO₂ per ton of steel processed in 2018 and 1.3 tons of CO₂ per ton of steel processed in 2020. These figures use worldsteel methodology with local emission factors for purchased electricity.

These reductions have been principally in our Scope 3 emissions. Now, we are looking to reduce the intensity of our Scope 2 emissions by increasing the use of renewable energy in a number of our facilities around the world. In this respect, our Board of Directors has approved an investment plan to build a wind farm in Argentina at a cost of $190 million which would reduce our CO₂ emissions in that country by around 150,000 tons per year, and supply close to 50% of the electric energy requirements at our Siderca integrated seamless pipe mill. This investment is expected to be completed during 2023.

Market Background and Outlook

The global economy has rebounded strongly this year and, with it demand for energy including oil and gas. Oil and gas production increases have not kept pace with increases in consumption resulting in lower inventory levels and higher prices. Prices for oil exceed pre-pandemic levels and prices for LNG reached unprecedented levels during the fourth quarter of 2021.

Although investments in oil and gas drilling are expected to increase during 2022, from their low levels over the past two years, the level of spending is unlikely to return to pre-pandemic levels, as the oil and gas majors and publicly-listed US shale producers prioritize capital discipline and returns to shareholders, while OPEC+ countries continue to manage production level increases.

Drilling activity is increasing around the world. Over the past year, the increase has been led by the U.S. and Canada where it will continue at a lower pace. Latin America is leading the recovery in offshore drilling activity, with rises in Brazil, Mexico and Guyana, while onshore drilling activity should step up in the Vaca Muerta shale in Argentina if country investment conditions allow. In the Eastern Hemisphere, the more recent recovery in drilling activity should extend further through the year, led by the Middle East.

In the first half of 2022, we anticipate further increases in sales on higher prices in North America and shipments to an offshore pipeline in Europe. In the second quarter, we should see a significant recovery of sales in the Middle East and Africa. Despite higher energy costs in Europe, our EBITDA margin should also continue to increase in the first half.

Annual Dividend Proposal

Upon approval of the Company´s annual accounts in March 2022, the board of directors intends to propose, for approval of the annual general shareholders’ meeting to be held on May 3, 2022, the payment of dividends in an aggregate amount of approximately $484 million, which would include the interim dividend of approximately $153 million paid in November 2021. If the annual dividend is approved by the shareholders, a dividend of $0.28 per share ($0.56 per ADS), or approximately $331 million, will be paid on May 25, 2022, with an ex-dividend date on May 23, 2022 and record date on May 24, 2022.

Analysis of 2021 Fourth Quarter Results

Net sales of tubular products and services increased 19% sequentially and 82% year on year. Volumes increased 7% sequentially and 52% year on year while average selling prices increased 11% sequentially and 20% year on year. In North America, sales increased 24% sequentially reflecting higher prices and volumes for OCTG throughout the region following higher drilling activity and declining market inventory levels. In South America, we had higher sales in Argentina with increased activity in Vaca Muerta but lower sales of connectors and offshore line pipes in Brazil. In Europe sales increased 19% sequentially due to higher sales of offshore line pipes, with the first deliveries to the Sakarya project in Turkey, and higher prices on mechanical pipe sales to distributors. In the Middle East and Africa sales remained at low levels, particularly in Kuwait pending the transition to the new contract, however Rig Direct® sales in U.A.E. are ramping up. In Asia Pacific sales increased 44% sequentially, mainly due to higher sales of high alloy products in China.

Operating income from tubular products and services, amounted to $245 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to $200 million in the previous quarter and $3 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. Operating results of the quarter include a $57 million impairment charge on NKKTubes fixed assets. During the quarter the operating margin increased following an 11% increase in average selling prices while cost of sales per ton increased 9% as higher raw materials and energy costs were offset by higher prices mainly in North America thanks to an increase in drilling activity and lower market inventory levels. SG&A as a percentage of sales also declined sequentially.

Net sales of other products and services remained flat sequentially while they increased 82% year on year. Sequentially, a steep decline in sales and operating income at our industrial equipment business in Brazil was offset mainly by an improvement in sales and results from the sale of energy and excess raw materials and of pipes for construction activities from our Piombino facility in Italy.

Selling, general and administrative expenses, or SG&A, amounted to $338 million (16.4% of net sales), compared to $317 million (18.1%) in the previous quarter and $242 million (21.4%) in the fourth quarter of 2020. While SG&A expenses increased sequentially, mainly due to higher selling expenses, labor costs and services and fees, partially offset by a decrease in the provision for contingencies, they declined as a percentage of sales.

Impairment charge. In December, 2021, as a result of the expected termination of our NKKTubes joint venture, we recorded a $57 million impairment on its fixed assets.

Other operating income amounted to $12 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, compared with $8 million in the previous quarter and $14 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. The result of the quarter is mainly explained by a $7 million gain from the sale of the Geneva structural pipe business in the United States on November 1, 2021.

Financial results were a gain of $2 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, close to zero in the previous quarter and a loss of $14 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. Result of the quarter is mainly explained by a $1 million net interest expense offset by a $3 million net foreign exchange gain.

Equity in earnings of non-consolidated companies generated a gain of $133 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to $154 million in the previous quarter and $81 million in the same period of 2020. These positive results are mainly derived from our equity investment in Ternium (NYSE:TX) and Usiminas.

Income tax charge amounted to $72 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to $59 million in the previous quarter and $35 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. Taxes increased during the quarter due to the better results at several subsidiaries following the improvement in activity.

Cash Flow and Liquidity of 2021 Fourth Quarter

Net cash provided by operations during the fourth quarter of 2021 was $46 million, compared with $53 million in the previous quarter and $139 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. As activity continues to recover working capital continues to rise showing a $373 million increase during the quarter, mainly driven by higher inventories and trade receivables.

With capital expenditures of $69 million for the fourth quarter of 2021 ($74 million in the previous quarter and $38 million in the fourth quarter of 2020), during the quarter we had a negative free cash flow of $23 million.

Following dividend payments of $153 million during the quarter, we maintained a positive net cash position of $700 million at December 31, 2021.

Analysis of 2021 Annual Results  

Net sales of tubular products and services increased 24% to $5,994 million in 2021, compared to $4,844 million in 2020, reflecting a 17% increase in volumes and a 6% increase in average selling prices. In North America sales increased 54% as there was a recovery in volumes and prices throughout the region, led by the U.S. onshore market. In South America sales increased 59% driven by a recovery in sales in Argentina and the Andean region partially offset by lower sales of connectors in Brazil. In Europe sales increased 10% thanks to a strong growth in sales to the mechanical and automotive sectors partially compensated by lower sales of OCTG products throughout the region. In the Middle East & Africa sales declined 30% as sales in U.A.E. remained stable during the year while sales of OCTG and offshore line pipe declined in the rest of the region. In Asia Pacific sales declined 21% due to lower sales of OCTG throughout the region.

Operating results from tubular products and services, amounted to a gain of $613 million in 2021, compared to a loss of $616 million in 2020. Tubes operating income in 2021 is net of a $57 million impairment charge on NKKTubes fixed assets and severance charges of $27 million, while in 2020 the operating loss includes an impairment charge of $582 million, accelerated depreciations and amortizations of $56 million and severance charges of $139 million. The improvement in operating results was driven by the recovery in sales (volumes and prices), while an increase in raw material and energy costs was partially offset by an improvement in industrial performance due to the increased levels of activity and utilization of production capacity.