Tenaris Announces 2014 Third Quarter Results

The Financial 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


LUXEMBOURG--(Marketwired - Nov 5, 2014) -  Tenaris S.A. (NYSE: TS) (BAE: TS) (BMV: TS) (MILAN: TEN) ("Tenaris") today announced its results for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014 with comparison to its results for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Summary of 2014 Third Quarter Results

(Comparison with second quarter of 2014 and third quarter of 2013)

             
    Q3 2014   Q2 2014   Q3 2013
Net sales ($ million)   2,421   2,661   (9%)   2,415   0%
Operating income ($ million)   434   549   (21%)   464   (6%)
Net income ($ million)   323   420   (23%)   314   3%
Shareholders' net income ($ million)   318   408   (22%)   300   6%
Earnings per ADS ($)   0.54   0.69   (22%)   0.51   6%
Earnings per share ($)   0.27   0.35   (22%)   0.25   6%
EBITDA* ($ million)   587   702   (16%)   622   (6%)
EBITDA margin (% of net sales)   24.3%   26.4%       25.7%    
                     

*EBITDA is defined as operating income plus depreciation, amortization and impairment charges/(reversals).

Sales declined by 9% sequentially, in spite of a solid increase in North America, as they were affected by lower sales in Saudi Arabia and a slowdown in shipments to deepwater projects in sub-Saharan Africa as well as lower sales across Europe. Margins were affected by an unfavorable product mix with a low volume of premium OCTG sales, in addition to the seasonal impact of Northern Hemisphere plant stoppages. 

Operating cash flow continues at a high level. Free cash flow amounted to $357 million for the quarter despite a substantial increase in capital expenditures, relating to progress in the construction of our new mill in Bay City. Our net cash position rose to $1.6 billion at September 30, 2014.

Interim Dividend Payment

Our board of directors approved the payment of an interim dividend of $0.15 per share ($0.30 per ADS), or approximately $177 million. The payment date will be November 27, 2014 (however, because such date is not a business day in the U.S., shareholders in all jurisdictions may receive their interim dividend on or after November 28, 2014, which is the first business day following the stated payment date), and the ex-dividend date will be November 24, 2014.

Market Background and Outlook

The impact of the fall in oil prices over the past three months on drilling activity and OCTG demand for 2015 is still unclear. However, if oil prices maintain their current levels or drop further, we expect that lower operator cash flows and less favorable project economics will lead to a reduction in drilling activity in more marginal North American onshore plays. In the rest of the world, lower oil and gas prices may further delay the implementation of offshore and other complex projects.

In spite of the adverse oil and gas price environment, our sales in the coming quarters should benefit from the recent US trade case ruling on unfair OCTG imports, pursuant to which we expect to see the effects of a better pricing environment and a reduction in imports from the subject countries. In addition, our sales in South America should benefit from a recovery in shipments for pipeline projects in Brazil and Argentina.

Therefore, we expect our EBITDA margin to recover from the level of this third quarter to reach a level of around 26% for the full year. Looking ahead, our positioning in Argentina and Mexico should provide additional support for our results and compensate for a possible lower level of activity in the rest of the world.

Analysis of 2014 Third Quarter Results

             
Tubes Sales volume
(thousand metric tons)
  Q3 2014   Q2 2014   Q3 2013
Seamless   673   703   (4%)   614   10%
Welded   206   199   4%   224   (8%)
Total   879   902   (3%)   838   5%
                     
Tubes   Q3 2014   Q2 2014   Q3 2013
(Net sales - $ million)                    
North America   1,162   1,069   9%   928   25%
South America   445   454   (2%)   474   (6%)
Europe   192   263   (27%)   199   (4%)
Middle East & Africa   329   560   (41%)   468   (30%)
Far East & Oceania   91   101   (9%)   156   (41%)
Total net sales ($ million)   2,220   2,447   (9%)   2,225   (0%)
Operating income ($ million)   417   538   (22%)   434   (4%)
Operating margin (% of sales)   18.8%   22.0%       19.5%    
                     

Net sales of tubular products and services decreased 9% sequentially and remained stable year on year. North American sales increased due to the usual seasonal recovery in Canada, together with higher sales in the USA and Mexico. In South America, despite a gradual increase in Argentina, sales continue to be affected by a low level of sales in Brazil and Venezuela. In Europe sales declined reflecting lower OCTG sales in the North Sea, Russia and Turkey as well as lower sales of mechanical products. In the Middle East and Africa sales decreased mainly due to lower shipments of premium pipes in Saudi Arabia and sub-Saharan Africa. In the Far East & Oceania sales decreased due to reduced shipments in Indonesia.

Operating income from tubular products and services, decreased 22% sequentially and 4% compared to the previous year. Sequentially, the decline in operating income was mainly due to the decline in sales and a lower operating margin associated with a less favorable mix of OCTG products with lower sales in the Middle East and Africa.


Others
  Q3 2014   Q2 2014   Q3 2013
Net sales ($ million)   200   214   (6%)   190   5%
Operating income ($ million)   17   12   44%   30   (45%)
Operating margin (% of sales)   8.3%   5.6%       15.8%    

Net sales of other products and services decreased 6% sequentially and increased 5%year on year. The sequential decline in sales was mainly due to lower sales of sucker rods and pipes for electric conduits in the USA. Despite the sequential decline in sales, operating income increased 44% due to a general improvement in the different businesses' operating margins.

Selling, general and administrative expenses, or SG&A, amounted to $480 million, or 19.8% of net sales in the third quarter of 2014, compared to $518 million, 19.5% in the previous quarter and $439 million, 18.2% in the third quarter of 2013. The sequential decline in SG&A expenses was mainly due to lower selling expenses associated with lower shipment volumes, reduction in administrative expenses and a recovery of certain provisions for doubtful accounts.

Financial results amounted to a loss of $4 million in the third quarter of 2014, compared to zero in the previous quarter and a loss of $17 million in the third quarter of 2013.

Equity in earnings of non-consolidated companies generated a gain of $10 million in the third quarter of 2014, compared to a gain of $14 million in the previous quarter and a gain of $10 million in the third quarter of 2013. These results were mainly derived from our equity investment in Ternium (NYSE: TX).

Income tax charges totalled $117 million in the third quarter of 2014, equivalent to 27.1% of income before equity in earnings of non-consolidated companies and income tax, compared to 26.2% in the previous quarter and 31.9% in the third quarter of 2013. In the third quarter of 2013 income tax was negatively affected by a $45 million provision, following the enactment of a 10% withholding tax in Argentina.

Results attributable to non-controlling interests amounted to $6 million in the third quarter of 2014, compared to $12 million in the previous quarter and $14 million in the third quarter of 2013. These results were mainly attributable to non-controlling interests at our Japanese subsidiary NKKTubes.

Cash Flow and Liquidity of 2014 Third Quarter

Net cash provided by operations during the third quarter of 2014 was $659 million, compared to $566 million in the previous quarter and $751 million in the third quarter of 2013. Working capital decreased by $235 million during the third quarter of 2014, compared to $17 million in the previous quarter and $239 million in the third quarter of 2013. The decrease in working capital in the third quarter of 2014, was mainly due to a decrease in trade receivables following the quarter seasonality.

Capital expenditures amounted to $302 million in the third quarter of 2014, a record level mainly associated with the construction of the new greenfield seamless mill in Bay City, Texas.

Despite the increase in capital expenditures, our net cash (cash and other current investments less total borrowings) increased to $1.6 billion, at the end of the third quarter of 2014, from $1.3 billion at the end of the previous quarter.

Analysis of 2014 First Nine Months Results

             
    9M 2014   9M 2013   Increase/(Decrease)
Net sales ($ million)   7,661   7,923   (3%)
Operating income ($ million)   1,549   1,595   (3%)
Net income ($ million)   1,171   1,167   0%
Shareholders' net income ($ million)   1,148   1,143   0%
Earnings per ADS ($)   1.94   1.94   0%
Earnings per share ($)   0.97   0.97   0%
EBITDA* ($ million)   2,008   2,050   (2%)
EBITDA margin (% of net sales)   26.2%   25.9%    
             

*EBITDA is defined as operating income plus depreciation, amortization and impairment charges/(reversals).

Tubes Sales volume
(thousand metric tons)
  9M 2014   9M 2013   Increase/(Decrease)
Seamless   2,045   1,948   5%
Welded   646   799   (19%)
Total   2,691   2,747   (2%)
             
Tubes   9M 2014   9M 2013   Increase/(Decrease)
(Net sales - $ million)            
North America   3,316   3,057   8%
South America   1,340   1,721   (22%)
Europe   711   686   4%
Middle East & Africa   1,425   1,494   (5%)
Far East & Oceania   293   375   (22%)
Total net sales ($ million)   7,085   7,333   (3%)
Operating income ($ million)   1,516   1,512   0%
Operating margin (% of sales)   21.4%   20.6%    
             

Net sales of tubular products and services decreased 3% to $7,085 million in the first nine months of 2014, compared to $7,333 million in the first nine months of 2013, reflecting a 2% decrease in volumes and a 1% decrease in average selling prices.

Operating income from tubular products and services remained stable at $1,516 million in the first nine months of 2014 and $1,512 million in the first nine months of 2013. Despite the reduction in sales, operating income remained stable due to an increase of 80 basis points in the operating margin related to a higher proportion of seamless pipes in the mix of products sold.

             
Others   9M 2014   9M 2013   Increase/(Decrease)
Net sales ($ million)   576   590   (2%)
Operating income ($ million)   33   83   (61%)
Operating margin (% of sales)   5.6%   14.1%    
             

Net sales of other products and services decreased 2% to $576 million in the first nine months of 2014, compared to $590 million in the first nine months of 2013, while operating income declined 61% reflecting lower margins particularly at our industrial equipment business in Brazil.

SG&A amounted to $1,487 million, or 19.4% of net sales during the first nine months of 2014, compared to $1,444 million, or 18.2% in the same period of 2013. The percentage increase in SG&A was mainly due to a higher proportion of seamless pipes in the mix of products sold, which tend to have higher logistic costs than welded pipes sold mostly domestically.

Financial results were a gain of $39 million in the first nine months of 2014 compared to loss of $37 million in the same period of 2013. The improvement was due to lower net financial costs following the increase in our net cash position and a gain on foreign exchange results due to the positive impact from the Argentine peso devaluation.

Equity in earnings of non-consolidated companies generated a gain of $43 million in the first nine months of 2014, compared to a gain of $34 million in the first nine months of 2013. These gains were derived mainly from our equity investment in Ternium.

Income tax charges totalled $460 million in the first nine months of 2014, equivalent to 29.0% of income before equity in earnings of non-consolidated companies and income tax, compared to $426 million in the first nine months of 2013, equivalent to 27.3% of income before equity in earnings of non-consolidated companies and income tax.

Income attributable to non-controlling interests amounted to $23 million in the first nine months of 2014, similar to $24 million in the first nine months of 2013. These results were mainly attributable to non-controlling interests at our Japanese subsidiary NKKTubes.

Cash Flow and Liquidity of 2014 First Nine Months

During the first nine months of 2014, net cash provided by operations was $1,838 million, compared to $1,913 million in the same period of 2013. Working capital decreased by $268 million in the first nine months of 2014, compared to $312 million in the first nine months of 2013.

Capital expenditures amounted to $714 million in the first nine months of 2014, compared with $570 million in the same period of 2013. The increase is due to ongoing construction of the new greenfield seamless mill in Bay City, Texas.

During the first nine months of 2014 our net cash position increased $706 million, from $911 million at the beginning of the year to $1.6 billion at September 30, 2014.

Conference call

Tenaris will hold a conference call to discuss the above reported results, on November 6, 2014, 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 +1 800 510.0146 within North America or +1 617 614.3449 Internationally. The access number is "54450039". 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 01:00 pm on November 6 through 12:00 am on November 13. To access the replay by phone, please dial +1 888 286.8010 or +1 617 801.6888 and enter passcode " 17931660" 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.

Press releases and financial statements can be downloaded from Tenaris's website at www.tenaris.com/investors.

   
Consolidated Condensed Interim Income Statement  
   
(all amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)   Three-month period ended
September 30,
    Nine-month period ended
September 30,
 
    2014     2013     2014     2013  
Continuing operations   Unaudited     Unaudited  
Net sales   2,420,631     2,415,061     7,661,457     7,922,636  
Cost of sales   (1,510,166 )   (1,507,706 )   (4,628,088 )   (4,867,581 )
Gross profit   910,465     907,355     3,033,369     3,055,055  
Selling, general and administrative expenses   (480,103 )   (439,191 )   (1,487,200 )   (1,444,085 )
Other operating income (expense) net   3,243     (4,484 )   2,488     (15,509 )
Operating income   433,605     463,680     1,548,657     1,595,461  
Finance Income   7,021     9,893     34,141     22,139  
Finance Cost   (12,878 )   (18,845 )   (36,499 )   (49,374 )
Other financial results   2,293     (7,920 )   41,757     (9,551 )
Income before equity in earnings of non-consolidated companies and income tax   430,041     446,808     1,588,056     1,558,675  
Equity in earnings of non-consolidated companies   10,003     9,884     43,191     33,950  
Income before income tax   440,044     456,692     1,631,247     1,592,625  
Income tax   (116,614 )   (142,404 )   (459,898 )   (426,055 )
Income for the period   323,430     314,288     1,171,349     1,166,570  
                         
                         
Attributable to:                        
Owners of the parent   317,624     300,159     1,148,014     1,142,764  
Non-controlling interests   5,806     14,129     23,335     23,806  
    323,430     314,288     1,171,349     1,166,570  
                         
                         
                         
Consolidated Condensed Interim Statement of Financial Position
 
(all amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)   At September 30, 2014   At December 31, 2013
    Unaudited    
ASSETS                
Non-current assets                
  Property, plant and equipment, net   4,963,906       4,673,767    
  Intangible assets, net   2,973,912       3,067,236    
  Investments in non-consolidated companies   893,046       912,758    
  Other investments   1,531       2,498    
  Deferred tax assets   240,457       197,159    
  Receivables   249,099   9,321,951   152,080   9,005,498
                 
Current assets                
  Inventories   2,825,108       2,702,647    
  Receivables and prepayments   219,787       220,224    
  Current tax assets   148,775       156,191    
  Trade receivables   1,749,952       1,982,979    
  Available for sale assets   21,572       21,572    
  Other investments   2,159,928       1,227,330    
  Cash and cash equivalents   584,270   7,709,392   614,529   6,925,472
Total assets       17,031,343       15,930,970
                 
EQUITY                
Capital and reserves attributable to owners of the parent       12,922,781       12,290,420
Non-controlling interests       153,973       179,446
Total equity       13,076,754       12,469,866
                 
LIABILITIES                
Non-current liabilities                
  Borrowings   21,673       246,218    
  Deferred tax liabilities   700,336       751,105    
  Other liabilities   285,993       277,257    
  Provisions   73,097   1,081,099   66,795   1,341,375
                 
                 
Current liabilities                
  Borrowings   1,105,519       684,717    
  Current tax liabilities   341,697       266,760    
  Other liabilities   363,355       250,997    
  Provisions   28,404       25,715    
  Customer advances   139,711       56,911    
  Trade payables   894,804   2,873,490   834,629   2,119,729
Total liabilities       3,954,589       3,461,104
Total equity and liabilities       17,031,343       15,930,970
                 
                 
                 
Consolidated Condensed Interim Statement of Cash Flow  
   
    Three-month period ended September 30,     Nine-month period ended September 30,  
(all amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)   2014     2013     2014     2013  
    Unaudited     Unaudited  
Cash flows from operating activities                        
Income for the period   323,430     314,288     1,171,349     1,166,570  
Adjustments for:                        
Depreciation and amortization   153,515     157,931     459,258     454,903  
Income tax accruals less payments   19,735     39,591     78,146     64,612  
Equity in earnings of non-consolidated companies   (10,003 )   (9,884 )   (43,191 )   (33,950 )
Interest accruals less payments, net   (13,149 )   5,119     (31,205 )   (29,902 )
Changes in provisions   (3,553 )   (1,487 )   5,425     (2,404 )
Changes in working capital   234,621     239,248     267,983     311,705  
Other, including currency translation adjustment   (45,150 )   5,900     (69,989 )   (18,121 )
Net cash provided by operating activities   659,446     750,706     1,837,776     1,913,413  
                         
Cash flows from investing activities                        
Capital expenditures   (302,145 )   (206,282 )   (714,367 )   (569,841 )
Advance to suppliers of property, plant and equipment   (25,803 )   2,463     (50,652 )   14,221  
Investment in non-consolidated companies   -     -     (1,380 )   -  
Acquisition of subsidiaries   (27,157 )   -     (27,157 )   -  
Net loan to non-consolidated companies   17,923     -     (10,725 )   -  
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets   1,617     12,637     8,223     19,383  
Dividends received from non-consolidated companies   -     -     17,429     16,127  
Changes in investments in short terms securities   (432,523 )   (326,352 )   (932,598 )   (795,008 )
Net cash used in investing activities   (768,088 )   (517,534 )   (1,711,227 )   (1,315,118 )
                         
                         
Cash flows from financing activities                        
Dividends paid   -     -     (354,161 )   (354,161 )
Dividends paid to non-controlling interest in subsidiaries   -     (113 )   (48,289 )   (18,642 )
Acquisitions of non-controlling interests   -     -     (140 )   (7,768 )
Proceeds from borrowings   880,998     537,301     2,088,212     1,757,691  
Repayments of borrowings   (817,681 )   (787,227 )   (1,817,881 )   (2,141,999 )
Net cash provided (used) in financing activities   63,317     (250,039 )   (132,259 )   (764,879 )
                         
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents   (45,325 )   (16,867 )   (5,710 )   (166,584 )
                         
Movement in cash and cash equivalents                        
At the beginning of the period   639,824     606,026     598,145     772,656  
Effect of exchange rate changes   (11,315 )   (3,006 )   (9,251 )   (19,919 )
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents   (45,325 )   (16,867 )   (5,710 )   (166,584 )
At September 30,   583,184     586,153     583,184     586,153  
                         
    At September 30,     At September 30,  
    2014     2013     2014     2013  
Cash and cash equivalents                  
Cash and bank deposits   584,270     603,141     584,270     603,141  
Bank overdrafts   (1,086 )   (16,988 )   (1,086 )   (16,988 )
    583,184     586,153     583,184     586,153  

Contact Information:

Giovanni Sardagna
Tenaris
1-888-300-5432
www.tenaris.com