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, Free Cash Flow, Net cash / debt and Operating working capital days. See exhibit I for more details on these alternative performance measures.
LUXEMBOURG, Nov. 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tenaris S.A. (NYSE and Mexico: TS and EXM Italy: TEN) ("Tenaris”) today announced its results for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 in comparison with its results for the quarter ended September 30, 2023.
Summary of 2024 Third Quarter Results
(Comparison with second quarter of 2024 and third quarter of 2023)
| 3Q 2024 | 2Q 2024 | 3Q 2023 | |||
| Net sales ($ million) | 2,915 | 3,322 | (12%) | 3,238 | (10%) |
| Operating income ($ million) | 537 | 512 | 5% | 868 | (38%) |
| Net income ($ million) | 459 | 348 | 32% | 547 | (16%) |
| Shareholders' net income ($ million) | 448 | 335 | 34% | 537 | (17%) |
| Earnings per ADS ($) | 0.81 | 0.59 | 37% | 0.91 | (11%) |
| Earnings per share ($) | 0.40 | 0.29 | 37% | 0.46 | (11%) |
| EBITDA* ($ million) | 688 | 650 | 6% | 1,004 | (31%) |
| EBITDA margin (% of net sales) | 23.6% | 19.6% | 31.0% | ||
Net sales in the third quarter were affected by lower prices in the Americas and lower demand in the USA, Mexico and Saudi Arabia as well as lower line pipe shipments in Argentina. Margins were relatively resilient with our EBITDA margin falling 1.1% quarter on quarter on a comparable basis while net income recovered after the extraordinary provisions recorded by Tenaris and its associate company Ternium in the last quarter.
During the quarter, our free cash flow amounted to $373 million and, after spending $182 million on share buybacks, our positive net cash position amounted to $4.0 billion at September 30, 2024.
Interim Dividend Payment
Our board of directors approved the payment of an interim dividend of $0.27 per share ($0.54 per ADS), or approximately $300 million, according to the following timetable:
- Payment date: November 20, 2024
- Record date: November 19, 2024
- Ex-dividend for securities listed in Europe: November 18, 2024
- Ex-dividend for securities listed in the United States and Mexico: November 19, 2024
Tenaris's Board of Directors approved a $700 million follow-on share buyback program under the authority granted by the annual general meeting of shareholders held on June 2, 2020.
Under the previous $1.2 billion share buyback, which ran from November 5, 2023 to August 2, 2024, the Company purchased a total number of ordinary shares representing 6.07% of its total issued share capital measured as at the launch of the program. This follow-on share buyback program will cover up to $700 million (excluding customary transaction fees), subject to a maximum of 46,373,915 ordinary shares representing the remainder 3.93% of the Company's issued share capital (measured also as at the launch of the original program) that may be repurchased under the above-referred authority (which authorizes repurchases up to a maximum of 10% of the share capital).
The decision and opportunity of launching this follow-on buyback program is driven by the Company's significant cash flow generation and strong balance sheet.
The follow-on buyback program is expected to be launched in the near future and finish by March 26, 2025. It will be executed by a primary financial institution on the Milan Stock Exchange, with the intention to cancel the ordinary shares acquired through the program.
The buybacks may be ceased, paused and continued at any time, subject to compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Tenaris will provide updates on the buyback program via press releases and on the Investors section of its corporate website. The buybacks will be carried out subject to market conditions and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including the Market Abuse Regulation 596/2014 and the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052.
Market Background and Outlook
Oil prices appear relatively stable and support industry investment despite uncertainty about Asian demand growth and geopolitical tensions.
The decline in OCTG prices in North America that we have seen over the past two years has now come to an end as drilling activity has stabilized and the level of US OCTG imports has come down.
The new government in Mexico is implementing its energy policy, drilling activity in the near term is subdued, while next year we expect that it will recover. In Argentina, the economic environment is improving, which should support investment in pipeline infrastructure and drilling activity in the Vaca Muerta shale.
In the Middle East, while gas drilling activity remains at a stable level, we see some reduction in oil activity and rationalization of inventories, including pipes, to protect cash flow.
In the fourth quarter, our sales and EBITDA will be lower than the third quarter, affected by lower sales in Mexico and Saudi Arabia and the delayed impact of OCTG pricing in the Americas. Overall, our 2024 second half results will be in line with our investor day guidance in September. Going into 2025, we expect our sales and EBITDA to recover with an increase in shipments in North America and the Middle East and a rebound in OCTG prices in North America.
Analysis of 2024 Third Quarter Results
Tubes
The following table indicates, for our Tubes business segment, sales volumes of seamless and welded pipes for the periods indicated below:
| Tubes Sales volume (thousand metric tons) | 3Q 2024 | 2Q 2024 | 3Q 2023 | |||
| Seamless | 746 | 805 | (7%) | 744 | 0% | |
| Welded | 191 | 228 | (16%) | 169 | 13% | |
| Total | 937 | 1,033 | (9%) | 913 | 3% | |
| Tubes | 3Q 2024 | 2Q 2024 | 3Q 2023 | ||
| (Net sales - $ million) | |||||
| North America | 1,273 | 1,439 | (12%) | 1,700 | (25%) |
| South America | 484 | 599 | (19%) | 608 | (20%) |
| Europe | 280 | 269 | 4% | 231 | 21% |
| Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa | 754 | 823 | (8%) | 556 | 36% |
| Total net sales ($ million) | 2,790 | 3,130 | (11%) | 3,095 | (10%) |
| Coating services to third parties included in Tubes ($ million) | 70 | 67 | 5% | 19 | 273% |
| Operating income ($ million) | 527 | 459 | 15% | 841 | (37%) |
| Operating margin (% of sales) | 18.9% | 14.7% | 27.2% | ||
Operating results from tubular products and services amounted to a gain of $527 million in the third quarter of 2024 compared to a gain of $459 million in the previous quarter and a gain of $841 million in the third quarter of 2023. In the second quarter of 2024 our Tubes operating income included a $171 million loss from the provision for ongoing litigation related to the acquisition of a participation in Usiminas and a $14 million gain from a positive legal claim resolution in Mexico. Excluding these two effects Tubes operating income in the second quarter of 2024 would have amounted to $616 million and the current quarter would have been 14% lower following the decline in prices and sales.
Others
The following table indicates, for our Others business segment, net sales, operating income and operating income as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated below:
| Others | 3Q 2024 | 2Q 2024 | 3Q 2023 | ||
| Net sales ($ million) | 125 | 192 | (35%) | 143 | (13%) |
| Operating income ($ million) | 10 | 52 | (81%) | 27 | (64%) |
| Operating margin (% of sales) | 7.9% | 27.3% | 19.0% | ||
Selling, general and administrative expenses, or SG&A, amounted to $454 million, or 15.6% of net sales, in the third quarter of 2024, compared to $497 million, 15.0% in the previous quarter and $433 million, 13.4% in the third quarter of 2023. Sequentially, the decline in SG&A is mainly due to lower shipment costs due to a reduction in volumes shipped and a decrease in services and fees, taxes and others.
Other operating results amounted to a gain of $11 million in the third quarter of 2024, compared to a loss of $170 million in the previous quarter and a $36 million gain in the third quarter of 2023. In the second quarter of 2024 we recorded a $171 million loss from provision for ongoing litigation related to the acquisition of a participation in Usiminas.
Financial results amounted to a gain of $48 million in the third quarter of 2024, compared to a gain of $57 million in the previous quarter and a gain of $67 million in the third quarter of 2023. Financial result of the quarter is mainly attributable to a $50 million net finance income from the net return of our portfolio investments offset by other financial results.
Equity in earnings (losses) of non-consolidated companies generated a gain of $8 million in the third quarter of 2024, compared to a loss of $83 million in the previous quarter and a loss of $110 million in the third quarter of 2023. These results are mainly derived from our participation in Ternium (NYSE:TX). The previous quarter included an $83 million loss from the provision for ongoing litigation related to the acquisition of a participation in Usiminas on our investment in Ternium.
Income tax charge amounted to $134 million in the third quarter of 2024, compared to $138 million in the previous quarter and $278 million in the third quarter of 2023. With a similar income before equity earnings of non-consolidated companies and income tax, the tax charge of the quarter was sequentially lower mainly due to a lower impact of the foreign exchange devaluation in Mexico on the fiscal values of fixed assets and inventory.
Cash Flow and Liquidity of 2024 Third Quarter
Net cash generated by operating activities during the third quarter of 2024 was $552 million, compared to $935 million in the previous quarter and $1.3 billion in the third quarter of 2023. During the third quarter of 2024 cash generated by operating activities includes a net working capital reduction of $48 million.
With capital expenditures of $179 million, our free cash flow amounted to $373 million during the quarter. After share buybacks of $182 million in the quarter, our net cash position amounted to $4.0 billion at September 30, 2024.
Analysis of 2024 First Nine Months Results
| 9M 2024 | 9M 2023 | Increase/(Decrease) | |
| Net sales ($ million) | 9,679 | 11,454 | (15%) |
| Operating income ($ million) | 1,860 | 3,497 | (47%) |
| Net income ($ million) | 1,558 | 2,812 | (45%) |
| Shareholders' net income ($ million) | 1,520 | 2,789 | (45%) |
| Earnings per ADS ($) | 2.67 | 4.72 | (43%) |
| Earnings per share ($) | 1.34 | 2.36 | (43%) |
| EBITDA* ($ million) | 2,326 | 3,890 | (40%) |
| EBITDA margin (% of net sales) | 24.0% | 34.0% | |
Our sales in the first nine months of 2024 decreased 15% compared to the first nine months of 2023 as volumes of tubular products shipped decreased 4%, tubes average selling prices decreased 15% excluding the coating services on third parties pipes, while sales in the Others segment remained flat. Following the decrease in sales, mainly due to the tubes average price decline, EBITDA margin declined from 34% to 24% and EBITDA declined 40%. EBITDA in the first nine months of 2024 includes a $174 million loss from the provision for ongoing litigation related to the acquisition of a participation in Usiminas, included in other operating expenses. Additionally, related to the same case, net income includes an $86 million loss from our participation in Ternium.
Cash flow provided by operating activities amounted to $2.4 billion during the first nine months of 2024, including a a reduction in working capital of $324 million. After capital expenditures of $512 million, our free cash flow amounted to $1.9 billion. Following a dividend payment of $459 million in May 2024 and share buybacks for $985 million in the nine months, our positive net cash position amounted to $4.0 billion at the end of September 2024.
The following table shows our net sales by business segment for the periods indicated below:
| Net sales ($ million) | 9M 2024 | 9M 2023 | Increase/(Decrease) | ||
| Tubes | 9,212 | 95% | 10,987 | 96% | (16%) |
| Others | 467 | 5% | 467 | 4% | (0%) |
| Total | 9,679 | 11,454 | (15%) | ||
The following table indicates, for our Tubes business segment, sales volumes of seamless and welded pipes for the periods indicated below:
| Tubes Sales volume (thousand metric tons) | 9M 2024 | 9M 2023 | Increase/(Decrease) |
| Seamless | 2,328 | 2,428 | (4%) |
| Welded | 687 | 707 | (3%) |
| Total | 3,016 | 3,136 | (4%) |
| Tubes | 9M 2024 | 9M 2023 | Increase/(Decrease) |
| (Net sales - $ million) | |||
| North America | 4,301 | 6,071 | (29%) |
| South America | 1,699 | 2,476 | (31%) |
| Europe | 802 | 754 | 6% |
| Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa | 2,410 | 1,687 | 43% |
| Total net sales ($ million) | 9,212 | 10,987 | (16%) |
| Coating services to third parties included in Tubes ($ million) | 300 | 55 | 441% |
| Operating income ($ million) | 1,772 | 3,403 | (48%) |
| Operating margin (% of sales) | 19.2% | 31.0% | |
Operating results from tubular products and services amounted to a gain of $1,772 million in the first nine months of 2024 compared to a gain of $3,403 million in the first nine months of 2023. The decline in operating results is mainly due to the decline in average selling prices and the corresponding impact on margins. Additionally, in the first nine months of 2024 our Tubes operating income includes a charge of $174 million loss from the provision for ongoing litigation related to the acquisition of a participation in Usiminas, included in other operating expenses. On the other hand, operating income in the first nine months of 2024 includes gains amounting to $39 million from positive legal claims resolutions in Mexico and Brazil.
Others
The following table indicates, for our Others business segment, net sales, operating income and operating income as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated below:
| Others | 9M 2024 | 9M 2023 | Increase/(Decrease) |
| Net sales ($ million) | 467 | 467 | 0% |
| Operating income ($ million) | 88 | 94 | (6%) |
| Operating margin (% of sales) | 18.9% | 20.1% | |
Operating results from other products and services amounted to a gain of $88 million in the first nine months of 2024, compared to a gain of $94 million in the first nine months of 2023. Results were mainly derived from our sucker rods business, coiled tubing and our oilfield services business in Argentina.
Selling, general and administrative expenses, or SG&A, amounted to $1,459 million in the first nine months of 2024, representing 15.1% of sales, and $1,449 million in the first nine months of 2023, representing 12.6% of sales. SG&A expenses increased as a percentage of sales due to the 15% decline in revenues, mainly due to lower Tubes average selling prices, and an increase of fixed costs partially offset by a reduction in selling expenses.
Other operating results amounted to a loss of $146 million in the first nine months of 2024, compared to a gain of $41 million in the same period of 2023. In the first nine months of 2024 we recorded a $174 million loss from provision for ongoing litigation related to the acquisition of a participation in Usiminas. In the first nine months of 2023 other operating income includes a non-recurring gain of $33 million corresponding to the transfer of the awards related to the Company's Venezuelan nationalized assets.
Financial results amounted to a gain of $81 million in the first nine months of 2024, compared to a gain of $128 million in the first nine months of 2023. While net finance income increased due to a higher net financial position, other financial results were negatively affected by a cumulative result of the U.S. dollar denominated Argentine bond previously recognized in other comprehensive income, while foreign exchange results decreased in the first nine months of 2024 in respect to the same period of 2023.
Equity in (losses) earnings of non-consolidated companies generated a loss of $27 million in the first nine months of 2024, compared to a gain of $39 million in the first nine months of 2023. These results were mainly derived from our equity investment in Ternium (NYSE:TX) and in the first nine months of 2024 were negatively affected by an $86 million loss from the provision for ongoing litigation related to the acquisition of a participation in Usiminas on our Ternium investment.
Income tax amounted to a charge of $357 million in the first nine months of 2024, compared to $852 million in the first nine months of 2023. The lower income tax charge reflects mainly the reduction in results at several subsidiaries.
Cash Flow and Liquidity of 2024 First Nine Months
Net cash provided by operating activities during the first nine months of 2024 amounted to $2.4 billion (including a reduction in working capital of $324 million), compared to cash provided by operations of $3.6 billion (net of a reduction in working capital of $248 million) in the first nine months of 2023.
Capital expenditures amounted to $512 million in the first nine months of 2024, compared to $453 million in the first nine months of 2023. Free cash flow amounted to $1.9 billion in the first nine months of 2024, compared to $3.1 billion in the first nine months of 2023.
Following a dividend payment of $459 million in May 2024 and share buybacks of $985 million in the nine months, our positive net cash position amounted to $4.0 billion at the end of September 2024.
Conference call
Tenaris will hold a conference call to discuss the above reported results, on November 7, 2024, at 08:00 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/z7cmogvw/
If you wish to participate in the Q&A session please register at the following link:
https://register.vevent.com/register/BIf7b93fbc38f245839de51051af91f592
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.
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, | ||
| 2024 |
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