Tenaris Announces 2023 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 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tenaris S.A. (NYSE and Mexico: TS and EXM Italy: TEN) (“Tenaris”) today announced its results for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 in comparison with its results for the quarter ended March 31, 2022.

Summary of 2023 First Quarter Results

(Comparison with fourth and first quarter of 2022)

Our sales in the first quarter reached a record level with a 75% increase year on year. Shipments reached the highest level in 15 years. Compared to the fourth quarter, we had increases in sales of OCTG and line pipe for offshore projects around the world and a peak of shipments to a large pipeline project in Argentina, while sales for shale operations in North America and Argentina remained stable. Our EBITDA and net income also exceeded previous levels.

Our free cash flow rose strongly to $804 million as we stabilized our inventories and reduced our operating working capital days to 124, compared to the 141 days we had in the first quarter of 2022. We ended the quarter with a net cash position of $1,736 million.

Market Background and Outlook

Oil prices declined in the first quarter on concerns about a recovery in demand amid a slowing global economy, before recovering above $80 per barrel when OPEC announced production cuts. Natural gas prices have also fallen on relatively low consumption reflecting a benign Northern Hemisphere winter and a reduction in industrial demand in Europe. While internationally traded LNG prices remain robust, North American gas prices have fallen to low levels.

In North America, oil and gas drilling activity has declined slightly in the United States and may decline further in natural gas focused plays but should be supported by current oil price levels. In South America, offshore drilling projects move forward in Brazil and Guyana but onshore drilling in Colombia and Ecuador has been affected by political and security concerns. In the Eastern Hemisphere, drilling activity continues to increase particularly in the Middle East and offshore regions.

Following our record results in the first quarter, we expect that our sales and margins will remain at good levels but show gradual, sequential declines in the rest of the year. While sales in the Eastern Hemisphere are expected to consolidate above Q1 levels, sales in the Americas will be affected by lower prices and the marginal reduction in US drilling activity. In addition, further investment in pipeline projects in Argentina will be subject to high levels of uncertainty reflecting the current economic and political situation. On the other hand, cash flow from operations should continue to increase during the year.

Analysis of 2023 First Quarter Results

Net sales of tubular products and services increased 15% sequentially and 80% year on year. Volumes increased 16% sequentially and 37% year on year while average selling prices decreased 2% sequentially but increased 32% year on year. In North America sales increased 6% sequentially, thanks to higher offshore sales in the Gulf of Mexico and of line pipe in the United States. In South America sales increased 22% sequentially, due to higher sales for pipelines in Argentina and higher offshore OCTG sales in Brazil. In Europe sales increased 36% due to higher sales of line pipe and OCTG for offshore projects in the North Sea. In Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, sales increased 39% thanks to higher sales of offshore line pipe and higher sales of OCTG in Saudi Arabia.

Operating income from tubular products and services amounted to $1,312 million in the first quarter of 2023, compared to $980 million in the previous quarter and $471 million in the first quarter of 2022. In the previous quarter, Tubes operating income included a $63 million impairment charge. Despite the decline in average selling prices, margins increased following a decline in prices of raw materials and energy, a decline in depreciations and a positive volume effect with a better absorption of fixed costs.

Net sales of other products and services increased 8% sequentially and 2% year on year. The sequential increase in sales is mainly related to higher sales of: sucker rods, pipes for civil and industrial installations in Europe, oilfield services in Argentina and coiled tubing, partially offset by lower sales of excess raw materials and energy.

Selling, general and administrative expenses, or SG&A, amounted to $487 million, or 11.8% of net sales, in the first quarter of 2023, compared to $455 million, 12.6% in the previous quarter and $365 million, 15.4% in the first quarter of 2022. Sequentially, our SG&A expenses increased mainly due to higher selling expenses associated with higher sales and higher labor costs, however, they decreased as a percentage of sales due to the better absorption of the fixed and semi-fixed components of SG&A expenses on higher sales.

Other operating results amounted to a gain of $5 million in the first quarter of 2023, compared to a loss of $12 million in the previous quarter and a gain of $4 million in the first quarter of 2022.

Financial results amounted to a gain of $21 million in the first quarter of 2023, compared to a gain of $36 million in the previous quarter and a loss of $1 million in the first quarter of 2022. The sequential decline was mainly due to lower net foreign exchange gains.

Equity in earnings of non-consolidated companies generated a gain of $53 million in the first quarter of 2023, compared to a gain of $13 million in the previous quarter and a gain of $88 million in the first quarter of 2022. Results from non-consolidated companies are mainly derived from our participation in Ternium (NYSE:TX).

Income tax charge amounted to $296 million in the first quarter of 2023, compared to $258 million in the previous quarter and $67 million in the first quarter of 2022. Taxes increased during the quarter due to the better results at several subsidiaries.

Cash Flow and Liquidity

Net cash provided by operations during the first quarter of 2023 was $921 million, compared with net cash provided by operations of $524 million in the previous quarter and net cash used in operation of $27 million in the first quarter of 2022. Working capital increased by $461 million during the quarter, mainly reflecting higher trade receivables, following the increase in sales.

Capital expenditures amounted to $117 million for the first quarter of 2023, compared to $108 million in the previous quarter and $67 million in the first quarter of 2022.

During the quarter we had a positive free cash flow of $804 million, compared to $416 million in the previous quarter and negative free cash flow of $94 million in the first quarter of 2022.

Our positive net cash position increased to $1.7 billion at March 31, 2023, compared to $0.9 billion at December 31, 2022.

Conference call

Tenaris will hold a conference call to discuss the above reported results, on April 27, 2023, at 09:00 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/vevoju38

If you wish to participate in the Q&A session please register at the following link:
https://register.vevent.com/register/BIfaa0709b82724e6b87e2634c1546ac49

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.