Tenaris Announces 2019 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. 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tenaris S.A. (NYSE and Mexico: TS and MTA Italy: TEN) (“Tenaris”) today announced its results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2019 with comparison to its results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2018.

Summary of 2019 Fourth Quarter Results

(Comparison with third quarter of 2019 and fourth quarter of 2018)

In the fourth quarter of 2019, sales were affected by a slowdown in activity in Argentina and lower prices in the Americas. Although overall sales volumes held up well, margins were affected by a 3% drop in average selling prices and higher professional fees mainly related to the closing of IPSCO acquisition ($10 million). Net income for shareholders, however, increased 42% sequentially as we recorded a low income tax charge for the quarter, while in the previous quarter the tax charge was adversely affected by the impact of currency devaluations mainly in Argentina and Mexico.

During the quarter, cash flow from operations amounted to $264 million, which included a reduction in inventories of $117 million. After capital expenditures of $80 million and dividend payments of $153 million, our net cash position rose to $980 million.

Summary of 2019 Annual Results

In 2019, our sales declined 5% compared to 2018, reflecting lower drilling activity in Canada and the USA and lower sales in the Middle East and Africa. Despite the integration of Saudi Steel Pipe and a strong level of premium sales for Indian offshore gas projects, sales in the Middle East and Africa region were affected by Aramco destocking in Saudi Arabia and did not include the extraordinary level of sales to East Mediterranean gas pipelines recorded in 2018.

Operating income declined 5%, in line with the decline in sales. Although gross margins were affected by lower volumes and high maintenance and start-up delays associated with the major overhauls and investments we carried out at many of our industrial facilities including Tamsa in Mexico, these were compensated by lower amortization charges. Shareholders net income declined 15% for the year, reflecting the decline in operating income and lower returns on our investment in Ternium.

Cash flow provided by operating activities amounted to $1,528 million during 2019, which included a reduction in working capital of $523 million. This amounted to a free cash flow margin of 16%, following capital expenditures of $350 million. During the year we made $484 million in dividend payments, an investment of $133 million in Saudi Steel Pipe, and our net cash position increased by $495 million to $980 million at December 31, 2019.

Annual Dividend Proposal

Upon approval of the Company´s annual accounts in March 2020, the board of directors intends to propose, for approval of the annual general shareholders’ meeting to be held on April 30, 2020, 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 2019. 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 20, 2020, with an ex-dividend date on May 18, 2020 and record date on May 19, 2020.

Market Background and Outlook

Drilling activity in the US shales, after declining throughout 2019 as oil and gas companies adjusted to lower cash flows and a less accommodating financial environment, is expected to stabilize at current levels provided that oil and gas prices and global demand expectations are not further affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Offshore drilling activity in the Gulf of Mexico, however, is expected to show some recovery during 2020. Drilling activity in Canada, which declined 30% in 2019, is expected to remain close to last year’s level.

In Latin America, offshore drilling activity, which rose in Mexico and Guyana in 2019, is expected to grow further, particularly in Brazil, while, in Argentina, shale drilling activity, which declined sharply towards the end of 2019, is unlikely to recover quickly as continuing uncertainty about the investment climate has led oil and gas companies to postpone new investments in Vaca Muerta.

In the Eastern Hemisphere, drilling activity is likely to remain broadly stable with higher activity in some regions like the Middle East and the North Sea, while, in other regions like the Caspian and in some LNG developments, activity may be delayed with the current level of oil and gas prices.

Global OCTG demand, which we estimate remained stable in 2019, is expected to decline slightly in 2020, affected primarily by lower demand in the USA and further destocking in the Middle East.

Despite lower market demand in USA and Argentina and lower prices in the Americas, we expect to increase sales in 2020 with the expansion of our position in the US market through the integration of IPSCO and higher sales of premium products for offshore drilling projects. We expect margins in the first quarter to be in line with those of the fourth quarter as they will be affected by the current losses that IPSCO is incurring but should recover during the year as we realize synergies from the integration and work on reducing costs and working capital throughout our operations.

Analysis of 2019 Fourth Quarter Results

Net sales of tubular products and services decreased 2% sequentially and 18% year on year, the sequential decline is mainly attributable to South America and the Middle East & Africa, partially offset by higher sales in the other regions. In North America, sales increased sequentially 1% thanks to seasonally higher sales in Canada that compensated a decline in product prices throughout the region. In South America, sales decreased 14% sequentially due to lower sales in Argentina where oil and gas activity has been strongly impacted from last August. In Europe sales increased 13% sequentially after seasonally higher sales in the North Sea. In the Middle East and Africa sales were relatively stable in the region with a slight decrease in India following a high level of shipments in the previous quarter. In Asia Pacific we had higher sales in Vietnam and Australia.

Operating income from tubular products and services, amounted to $138 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to $163 million in the previous quarter and $154 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. Operating income during the quarter was negatively affected by a 3% decline in average selling prices and higher consultancy and legal fees and selling expenses in SG&A. Costs of goods sold per ton declined 2% thanks to a better industrial performance, mainly at Tamsa after the conclusion of the maintenance stoppage, and a reduction in the cost of steelmaking raw materials and hot rolled coils.

Net sales of other products and services increased 7% sequentially and declined 9% year on year. The sequential increase in sales is mainly due to higher sales of coiled tubing, while the year on year reduction is mainly due to lower sales of excess energy, following the closure of our San Nicolás power plant in Argentina, which occurred in January 2019.

Selling, general and administrative expenses, or SG&A, amounted to $349 million (20.0% of net sales), compared to $333 million (18.9%) in the previous quarter and $487 million (23.1%) in the fourth quarter of 2018, affected by a one off amortization charge of $109 million. Sequentially, SG&A increased 5% due to $10 million higher consultancy and legal fees mainly related to the closing of IPSCO’s acquisition and higher logistic costs due to a different mix of shipping destinations.

Financial results amounted to a loss of $7 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to a gain of $8 million in the previous quarter and a loss of $6 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. The loss during the quarter corresponds mainly to a $6 million loss on FX derivatives covering primarily net payables in Argentine and Mexican peso.

Equity in earnings of non-consolidated companies generated a gain of $13 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to $13 million in the previous quarter and $51 million in the same period of 2018. These results are mainly derived from our equity investment in Ternium (NYSE:TX).

Income tax charge amounted to $10 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to $108 million in the previous quarter and a gain of $2 million in the same period of 2018. The charge of the quarter includes a gain of $18 million derived from the effect of the Mexican peso revaluation on the tax base to calculate deferred taxes and a $15 million gain on inflation adjustments, mostly in Argentina.

Cash Flow and Liquidity of 2019 Fourth Quarter

Net cash provided by operations during the fourth quarter of 2019 was $264 million, compared with $374 million in the previous quarter and $239 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. Working capital decreased by $20 million during the fourth quarter of 2019, as a reduction of $117 million in inventories was partially offset by an increase in trade receivables of $38 million and a reduction in other liabilities of $61 million.

Capital expenditures amounted to $80 million for the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to $87 million in the previous quarter and $76 million in the fourth quarter of 2018.

During the quarter, our net cash position increased by $16 million to $980 million at the end of the year, following the payment of an interim dividend of $153 million in November 2019.

Analysis of 2019 Annual Results 

Net sales of tubular products and services decreased 5% to $6,870 million in 2019, compared to $7,233 million in 2018, reflecting an 8% decline in volumes and a 4% increase in average selling prices. In North America, while sales were higher in Mexico, they declined in Canada and the United States reflecting lower drilling activity. In South America sales declined slightly reflecting a reduction in drilling activity in Argentina towards the end of the year. In Europe sales increased due to  higher demand for offshore line pipe and OCTG with lower sales of mechanical pipes and line pipe for Hydrocarbon Process projects. In the Middle East & Africa, the acquisition of Saudi Steel Pipe and an increase in sales in the Middle East outside of Saudi Arabia (where destocking took place) did not compensate for the drop in sales of offshore line pipe following the completion of deliveries for East Mediterranean gas development projects. In Asia Pacific, while sales increased in China, Indonesia and Australia, they declined in Thailand.

Operating income from tubular products and services, amounted to $755 million in 2019, compared to $777 million in 2018 (including $109 million one-off charge from higher amortization of intangibles). Operating income during 2019 was negatively affected by lower shipment volumes after the completion of deliveries of offshore line pipe for East Mediterranean gas development projects.

Net sales of other products and services remained stable as lower sales of energy and excess raw materials and coiled tubing was compensated by higher sales of industrial equipment in Brazil and sucker rods.

Operating income from other products and services, decreased from $95 million in 2018 to $77 million in 2019, mainly due to the lower contribution from our sales of energy and excess raw materials and from our coiled tubing business.

Selling, general and administrative expenses, or SG&A, decreased by $144 million in 2019 to $1,366 million in 2019, from $1,510 million in 2018 (in 2018 included a one-off higher amortization charge of $109 million). As a percentage of sales SG&A amounted to 18.7% in 2019 compared to 19.7% in 2018. Apart from the lower amortization and depreciation charge, SG&A declined mainly due to lower logistic costs and allowance for doubtful accounts partially compensated by higher services and fees, labor costs and taxes.

Financial results amounted to a gain of $19 million in 2019, compared to $37 million in 2018. The 2019 gain corresponds mainly to an FX gain of $28 million mainly related to the Argentine peso devaluation on Peso denominated financial, trade, social and fiscal payables at Argentine subsidiaries which functional currency is the U.S. dollar.

Equity in earnings of non-consolidated companies generated a gain of $82 million in 2019, compared to $194 million in 2018. These results were mainly derived from our equity investment in Ternium (NYSE:TX).

Income tax charge amounted to $202 million in 2019 (24% over income before equity in earnings of non-consolidated companies and income tax), compared to $229 million in 2018 (25%).

Net income for continuing operations amounted to $731 million in 2019, compared with $874 million in 2018. The lower results reflect a worse operating environment and a reduction of $112 million in the contribution from our non-consolidated investments, mainly Ternium.

Cash Flow and Liquidity of 2019

Cash flow provided by operating activities amounted to $1,528 million during 2019 (including a reduction in working capital of $523 million), compared to cash provided by operating activities in 2018 of $ 611 million (including working capital increase of $738 million). Following dividend payments of $484 million during the year, capital expenditures of $350 million and an investment of $133 million in Saudi Steel Pipe, our positive net cash position increased to $980 million at December 31, 2019.

Conference call

Tenaris will hold a conference call to discuss the above reported results, on February 20, 2020, at 09:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). Following a brief summary, the conference call will be opened to questions. To access the conference call dial in +1 866 789 1656 within North America or +1 630 489 1502 Internationally. The access number is “9483757”. Please dial in 10 minutes before the scheduled start time. The conference call will be also available by webcast at www.tenaris.com/investors.

A replay of the conference call will be available on our webpage http://ir.tenaris.com/ or by phone from 12:00 pm ET on February 20 through 11:59 pm on February 27, 2020. To access the replay by phone, please dial +1 855 859 2056 or +1 404 537 3406 and enter passcode “9483757” when prompted.

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 Income Statement

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position