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, Free Cash Flow, Net cash / debt and Operating working capital days. See exhibit I for more details on these alternative performance measures.

LUXEMBOURG, Feb. 15, 2023 (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, 2022 with comparison to its results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2021.

Summary of 2022 Fourth Quarter Results

In the fourth quarter of 2022, our sales rose sequentially 22%, driven by further increases in shipments and realized prices in most regions. Our quarterly EBITDA continues to grow with the margin rising to 35%, despite higher raw material and energy costs. Our operating income, which included $77 million in impairment charges on certain idle assets and some small cash generating assets, amounted to $1,013 million. Shareholders’ net income reached $807 million, or 22% of net sales.

Our free cash flow for the quarter increased to $416 million after capex payments of $108 million and our operating working capital days declined to 128. After a dividend payment of $201 million in November 2022, our net cash position increased to $921 million at December 31, 2022.

Summary of 2022 Annual Results

In 2022, our net income reached a record high while our net sales and EBITDA were close to the all-time highs recorded in 2008 just prior to the global financial crisis. Our results rose strongly throughout the year and reached record quarterly levels in the fourth quarter. The increase in sales reflect the strong recovery of oil and gas drilling activity in the Americas, a more delayed recovery in Eastern Hemisphere activity, which is now picking up steam, and the solid contribution of the great majority of our market and product segments.

Operating margins expanded reflecting the higher prices realized on the sales of most of our products that have more than compensated for higher raw material and energy costs and a good industrial performance with increased levels of activity and utilization of production capacity.

Net income more than doubled compared to 2021, despite a much lower contribution from our non-consolidated companies and higher income taxes.

Operating cash flow for the year amounted to $1,167 million after accounting for a $2,131 million build up in working capital to support the higher level of sales and the ramp up of our industrial system. After capital expenditures of $378 million and dividend payments of $531 million during the year, our net cash position increased to $921 million at the end of the year.

Market Background and Outlook

In an environment where geopolitical and macro-economic risks as well as inflation remain high, global economic prospects have improved following the fall in energy prices in Europe and the reversal of China’s COVID lockdown strategy. Conditions remain in place for a further increase in investment in the energy industry, with low levels of spare capacity, the implementation of further sanctions on Russian exports and a renewed focus on energy security around the world.

Drilling activity increased during 2022 and, although it has plateaued in North America as we enter 2023, it continues to increase in the Middle East and offshore regions. Global demand for OCTG in 2023 is expected to reach its highest level since 2014. Pipeline activity is also advancing to support oil and gas developments, notably in Argentina and the Middle East.

For the first half of 2023, we expect our sales and EBITDA to show a further increase as we continue to ramp up production in North America and increase shipments to pipeline projects. The pricing momentum we saw over the last year is levelling out and we expect that margins will remain close to the current level. Cash flow from operations will increase and we expect to stabilize our working capital requirements by the second quarter.

Annual Dividend Proposal

Upon approval of the Company´s annual accounts in March 2023, the board of directors intends to propose, for approval of the annual general shareholders’ meeting to be held on May 3, 2023, the payment of dividends in an aggregate amount of approximately $602 million, which would include the interim dividend of approximately $201 million paid in November 2022. If the annual dividend is approved by the shareholders, a dividend of $0.34 per share ($0.68 per ADS), or approximately $401 million, will be paid on May 24, 2023, with an ex-dividend date on May 22, 2023 and record date on May 23, 2023.

Analysis of 2022 Fourth Quarter Results

Net sales of tubular products and services increased 22% sequentially and 81% year on year. Volumes increased 13% sequentially and 21% year on year while average selling prices increased 9% sequentially and 50% year on year. In North America, sales increased 20% sequentially reflecting higher volumes for OCTG throughout the region and higher OCTG prices in the United States. In South America sales increased 34% sequentially, mainly due to the start of deliveries for a gas pipeline and higher OCTG sales in Argentina. In Europe sales decreased 3% sequentially due to a slight reduction in sales to distributors of mechanical and structural products. In the Middle East and Africa sales increased 30% reflecting higher sales of OCTG in the United Arab Emirates and higher sales of line pipe in Iraq and the Caspian area. In Asia Pacific sales increased 51% sequentially, due to higher sales in Indonesia and sales of casing to a geothermal project in the Philippines.

Operating income from tubular products and services, amounted to $980 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, compared to $780 million in the previous quarter and $245 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. Operating results of the quarter include a $63 million impairment charge on certain idle assets and some small cash generating units. During the quarter the operating margin increased following a 9% increase in average selling prices which more than offset higher energy and raw material costs.

Net sales of other products and services increased 8% sequentially and 5% year on year. Sequentially, sales and operating income improved mainly due to higher sales and results from our oil services business in Argentina which offers hydraulic fracturing and coiled tubing services. Operating results of the quarter include a $14 million impairment charge.

Selling, general and administrative expenses, or SG&A, amounted to $454 million (12.6% of net sales), compared to $403 million (13.6%) in the previous quarter and $338 million (16.4%) in the fourth quarter of 2021. While SG&A expenses increased sequentially, mainly due to higher logistic costs, taxes and labor costs, they declined as a percentage of sales.

Impairment charge. In December, 2022, we recorded an impairment of $63 million on our Tubes segment and $14 million on our Others segment.

Other operating result amounted to a $12 million loss in the fourth quarter of 2022, compared with $2 million loss in the previous quarter and $12 million gain in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Financial results were a gain of $36 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, compared with a $29 million loss in the previous quarter and $2 million gain in the fourth quarter of 2021. Results of the quarter are mainly derived from higher net interest income and positive net foreign exchange results.

Equity in earnings of non-consolidated companies generated a gain of $13 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, compared to $5 million in the previous quarter and $133 million in the same period of 2021. Quarter results are mainly derived from our equity investment in Ternium (NYSE:TX), Usiminas and Techgen, the Mexican power plant in which we hold a 22% equity interest.

Income tax charge amounted to $258 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, compared to $171 million in the previous quarter and $72 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. Taxes increased during the quarter due to the better results at several subsidiaries following the improvement in activity.

Cash Flow and Liquidity of 2022 Fourth Quarter

Net cash provided by operations during the fourth quarter of 2022 was $524 million, compared with $242 million in the previous quarter and $46 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. As activity continues to increase working capital continues to rise showing a $682 million increase during the quarter, driven by higher sales. Our operating working capital days declined to 128 at year end compared to 134 at the end of the previous quarter.

With capital expenditures of $108 million for the fourth quarter of 2022 ($129 million in the previous quarter and $69 million in the fourth quarter of 2021), during the quarter we had a positive free cash flow of $416 million.

Following dividend payments of $201 million during the quarter, our positive net cash position increased to $921 million at December 31, 2022.

Analysis of 2022 Annual Results

Net sales of tubular products and services increased 86% to $11,133 million in 2022, compared to $5,994 million in 2021, reflecting a 26% increase in volumes and a 47% increase in average selling prices. Sales increased in all regions, mainly in North America where there was a recovery in volumes and prices throughout the region, led by the U.S. onshore market and in South America mainly due to higher OCTG sales in the region and deliveries for a gas pipeline in Argentina.

Operating results from tubular products and services, amounted to a gain of $2,867 million in 2022, compared to a gain of $613 million in 2021. Tubes operating income in 2022 is net of a $63 million impairment charge, while in 2021 it includes an impairment charge of $57 million. The improvement in operating results was driven by the recovery in shipment volumes and in prices and higher level of utilization of production capacity, which more than offset an increase in energy and raw material costs.

Net sales of other products and services increased 19% from $528 million in 2021 to $630 million in 2022, mainly due to higher sales of sucker rods, of our oilfield services business in Argentina which offers hydraulic fracturing and coiled tubing services and excess raw materials, partially offset by lower sales from the discontinued industrial equipment business in Brazil.

Operating results from other products and services, amounted to a gain of $96 million in 2022, similar to the $95 million gained in 2021. Results were mainly derived from our sucker rods business and our oilfield services business in Argentina, partially offset by $20 million loss related to our discontinued industrial equipment business in Brazil. The operating income for other products and services in 2022 includes a $14 million impairment charge.

Selling, general and administrative expenses, or SG&A, amounted to $1,635 million (13.9% of net sales), compared to $1,207 million (18.5%) in 2021. The 2022 increase in SG&A is mainly due to higher logistic costs, while they decrease as a percentage of sales.

Impairment charge, in 2022, we recorded a $77 million impairment: $63 million on our Tubes segment and $14 million on our Others segment, while in 2021 we recorded a $57 million impairment on our Tubes segment, as a result of the termination of the NKKTubes joint venture.

Other operating results amounted to zero in 2022, compared to a gain of $62 million in 2021. Results in 2022 include a $78 million charge from the settlement with the U.S. SEC, a $71 million non-cash gain from the reclassification to the income statement of NKKTubes’s cumulative foreign exchange adjustments belonging to the shareholders due to the cease of its operations and an $18 million gain from the sale of land in Canada after the relocation of the Prudential facility. The gain in 2021 was mainly due to a $36 million recognition of fiscal credits in Brazil and the profit from the sale of assets.

Financial results amounted to a loss of $6 million in 2022, compared to a gain of $23 million in 2021. 2022 financial loss includes a loss of $10 million related to the change in fair value of certain financial instruments obtained in an operation of settlement of trade receivables and a $30 million loss related to the transfer of Argentine sovereign bonds paid as dividend from an Argentine subsidiary to its shareholders.

Equity in earnings of non-consolidated companies generated a gain of $209 million in 2022, compared to $513 million in 2021. These results were mainly derived from our equity investment in Ternium (NYSE:TX). In 2022 they included $34 million impairment charges on our participations in the joint venture with Severstal ($15 million) and in Usiminas ($19 million).

Income tax charge amounted to $617 million in 2022, compared to $189 million in 2021, reflecting the improvement in results in several subsidiaries.

Cash Flow and Liquidity of 2022

Net cash provided by operations in 2022 was $1,167 million (net of $2,131 million used in working capital), compared to $119 million (net of $1,071 million used in working capital) in 2021.

With capital expenditures of $378 million, we had a positive free cash flow of $789 million in 2022, compared to a negative free cash flow of $120 million in 2021.

Following dividend payments of $531 million during 2022, our positive net cash position increased to $921 million at December 31, 2022.

Conference call

Tenaris will hold a conference call to discuss the above reported results, on February 16, 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/emnrvnrf
If you wish to participate in the Q&A session please register at the following link:
https://register.vevent.com/register/BI64374f61f04b4af9b05406336279305b

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 Income Statement

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Exhibit I – Alternative performance measures

Alternative performance measures should be considered in addition to, not as substitute for or superior to, other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.

EBITDA, Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization.

EBITDA provides an analysis of the operating results excluding depreciation and amortization and impairments, as they are recurring non-cash variables which can vary substantially from company to company depending on accounting policies and the accounting value of the assets. EBITDA is an approximation to pre-tax operating cash flow and reflects cash generation before working capital variation. EBITDA is widely used by investors when evaluating businesses (multiples valuation), as well as by rating agencies and creditors to evaluate the level of debt, comparing EBITDA with net debt.

EBITDA is calculated in the following manner:

EBITDA = Net income for the period + Income tax charges +/- Equity in Earnings (losses) of non-consolidated companies +/- Financial results + Depreciation and amortization +/- Impairment charges/(reversals)

EBITDA is a non-IFRS alternative performance measure.

Free Cash Flow

Free cash flow is a measure of financial performance, calculated as operating cash flow less capital expenditures. FCF represents the cash that a company is able to generate after spending the money required to maintain or expand its asset base.

Free cash flow is calculated in the following manner:

Free cash flow = Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities - Capital expenditures.

Free cash flow is a non-IFRS alternative performance measure.

Net Cash / (Debt)

This is the net balance of cash and cash equivalents, other current investments and fixed income investments held to maturity less total borrowings. It provides a summary of the financial solvency and liquidity of the company. Net cash / (debt) is widely used by investors and rating agencies and creditors to assess the company’s leverage, financial strength, flexibility and risks.

Net cash/ debt is calculated in the following manner:

Net cash = Cash and cash equivalents + Other investments (Current and Non-Current)+/- Derivatives hedging borrowings and investments - Borrowings (Current and Non-Current).

Net cash/debt is a non-IFRS alternative performance measure.

Operating working capital days

Operating working capital is the difference between the main operating components of current assets and current liabilities. Operating working capital is a measure of a company’s operational efficiency, and short-term financial health.

Operating working capital days is calculated in the following manner:

Operating working capital days = [(Inventories + Trade receivables – Trade payables – Customer advances) / Annualized quarterly sales ] x 365

Operating working capital days is a non-IFRS alternative performance measure.

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

Source: Tenaris SA