Tenaris Announces 2023 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 Accounting Standards. Additionally, this press release includes non-IFRS alternative performance measures i.e., EBITDA, Free Cash Flow, Net cash / debt and Operating working capital days. See exhibit I for more details on these alternative performance measures.

LUXEMBOURG, Feb. 21, 2024 (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, 2023 with comparison to its results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2022.

Summary of 2023 Fourth Quarter Results

*For the calculation of per share and per ADS data we have used average number of shares outstanding excluding treasury shares.

Our sales in the fourth quarter of 2023 rose 5% sequentially, boosted by a high level of shipments to the Middle East and for offshore pipeline projects, together with the inclusion of our newly acquired Shawcor pipe coating business, which offset the ongoing pricing declines in the Americas. Our EBITDA at $975 million declined mainly due to lower average selling prices in the Americas. Our net income of the quarter, of $1.1 billion was positively affected by: i)$167 million higher result from non-consolidated companies; ii) $26 million higher financial results and iii) net deferred tax gain of $360 million.

Our free cash flow for the quarter amounted to $669 million after capex payments of $167 million. Additionally, during the quarter we paid $161 million (net of cash) for the acquisition of the Shawcor pipe coating business from Mattr. Following dividend payments of $235 million and $214 million spent on share buybacks during the quarter, our net cash position increased to $3.4 billion at December 31, 2023.

Summary of 2023 Annual Results

*For the calculation of per share and per ADS data we have used average number of shares outstanding excluding treasury shares.

In 2023, our net sales, EBITDA and net income reached record levels. The year was characterized by a first half, in which prices in the Americas reached exceptional levels and we had a high level of pipeline shipments in Argentina, and a second half, in which prices in the Americas started to return to more normal levels while overall sales were supported by good activity and pricing levels in the Middle East and for offshore pipelines.

Operating margins expanded reflecting the higher prices realized on the sales of most of our products, which more than compensated for higher costs of goods sold.

Net income benefited from a net positive deferred tax effect of $194 million as well as positive financial results of $221 million.

Operating cash flow for the year amounted to $4,395 million (including a $182 million reduction in working capital). After capital expenditures of $619 million, business acquisitions of $266 million, dividend payments of $637 million and $214 million spent on share buybacks, our net cash position increased to a record level of $3.4 billion at the end of the year.

Market Background and Outlook

In an environment where oil prices remain relatively stable, oil supply and demand is balanced, and the long term outlook for natural gas, especially LNG, is promising, drilling activity in North America is stabilizing, while continuing to increase in the Middle East and offshore. In this context, and considering our expanded perimeter, with our recent acquisition of the Shawcor pipe coating business, we expect that, in the first half of 2024, our sales will be in line with those of the second half of 2023.

After the exceptional levels they reached in the post-Covid recovery, tubular price levels and margins in the Americas have returned to sustainable levels and should stabilize in the coming months. Prices and margins in the rest of the world should remain at good levels supported by strong demand for offshore operations and pipeline projects.

In Latin America, fundamental conditions remain favorable for the continued expansion of drilling activity and tubular demand, but the high level of political and economic volatility may affect these prospects.

Annual Dividend Proposal; Second Tranche of Share Buyback Program

Upon approval of the Company´s annual accounts in March 2024, the board of directors intends to propose, for approval of the annual general shareholders’ meeting to be held on April 30, 2024, the payment of a dividend per share of $0.60 (in an aggregate amount of approximately $700 million), which would include the interim dividend per share of $0.20 (approximately $235 million) paid in November 2023. If the annual dividend is approved by the shareholders, a dividend of $0.40 per share ($0.80 per ADS), or approximately $465 million, will be paid on May 22, 2024, with an ex-dividend date on May 20, 2024 and record date on May 21, 2024.

The second $300 million tranche of the Company’s previously announced $1.2 billion share buyback program is expected to begin on Monday, February 26, 2024.

Analysis of 2023 Fourth Quarter Results

Net sales of tubular products and services increased 3% sequentially but declined 8% year on year. Volumes increased 10% sequentially but average selling prices decreased 6%. In North America, sales decreased 12% sequentially reflecting lower prices and a decline in activity in the U.S. onshore market. In South America sales decreased 3% sequentially, mainly due to lower prices of OCTG in Argentina. In Europe sales increased 30% sequentially due to higher sales for offshore line pipe products in Norway. In the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa sales increased 45% reflecting higher sales in Saudi Arabia and for offshore line pipe projects in Qatar and sub-Saharan Africa.

Operating income from tubular products and services, amounted to $780 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $841 million in the previous quarter and $980 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. During the quarter the operating margin decreased following a 6% decrease in average selling prices only partially compensated by a decrease in average tubes cost of 4%.

Net sales of other products and services increased 52% sequentially and 41% year on year. The sequential increase is mainly explained by the consolidation of sales in December 2023 of the newly acquired coating business which contributed $77 million, largely related to a major project in Altamira, Mexico.

Selling, general and administrative expenses, or SG&A, amounted to $471 million (13.8% of net sales), compared to $433 million (13.4%) in the previous quarter and $454 million (12.6%) in the fourth quarter of 2022. The increase in SG&A is mainly related to higher labor costs and the integration of the newly acquired coating business headcount and amortizations.

Other operating result amounted to a $5 million loss in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared with a $36 million gain in the previous quarter and a $12 million loss in the fourth quarter of 2022. The previous quarter gain was mainly related to a non-recurring gain of $32 million corresponding to the transfer of court awards related to the Company’s Venezuelan nationalized assets.

Financial results were a gain of $93 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared with a gain of $67 million in the previous quarter and a gain of $36 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. Results of the quarter are mainly derived from net foreign exchange gains of $144 million, mainly related to the positive effect of the devaluation of the Argentine peso over a net short exposure in that currency. This positive FX results were partially offset by $95 million loss from the change in the fair value of U.S. dollar-denominated Argentine bonds when distributed and disposed abroad. Additionally, our net cash position yield a net interest gain of $44 million in the quarter.

Equity in earnings of non-consolidated companies generated a gain of $57 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to a loss of $110 million in the previous quarter and a gain of $13 million in the same period of 2022. The result of the previous quarter included a non-cash loss of $144 million from our investment in Usiminas.

Income tax result amounted to a gain of $177 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to a charge of $278 million in the previous quarter and $258 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. The gain of the quarter is mainly explained by: i) the recognition of a deferred tax asset of $550 million as a result of new business activities to be carried out at subsidiaries with tax loss carry forwards, ii) a $190 million deferred tax liability recognized mainly related to foreign exchange devaluation in Argentina, due to the decline of the fiscal values related to fixed assets and inventory.

Cash Flow and Liquidity of 2023 Fourth Quarter

Net cash provided by operations during the fourth quarter of 2023 was $836 million, compared with $1,297 million in the previous quarter and $524 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. Working capital during the quarter increased by $66 million, mainly due to the increase in trade receivables, however operating working capital days declined to 134 at year end compared to 138 at the end of the previous quarter.

With capital expenditures of $167 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 ($170 million in the previous quarter and $108 million in the fourth quarter of 2022), during the quarter we had a positive free cash flow of $669 million. Additionally, during the quarter we paid $161 million (net of cash) for the acquisition of Mattr’s pipe coating business unit.

Following dividend payments of $235 million and share buybacks of $214 million during the quarter, our positive net cash position increased to $3.4 billion at December 31, 2023.

Analysis of 2023 Annual Results

Net sales of tubular products and services increased 27% to $14,185 million in 2023, compared to $11,133 million in 2022, reflecting a 17% increase in volumes and a 9% increase in average selling prices. Volumes increased mainly in the AMEA region following the increase in activity and in South America mainly due to the delivery of welded line pipe for a gas pipeline in Argentina. Prices were higher in all regions.

Operating results from tubular products and services, amounted to a gain of $4,183 million in 2023, compared to a gain of $2,867 million in 2022 (which was net of a $63 million impairment charge). The improvement in operating results was driven by the recovery in shipment volumes and in prices which help to compensate the increase in costs.