EXHIBIT 99.1
ATHENS, Greece, Feb. 21, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- STEALTHGAS INC. (Nasdaq:GASS), a ship-owning company primarily serving the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sector of the international shipping industry, announced today its unaudited financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and twelve months ended December 31, 2012.
Fourth Quarter 2012 Results:
An average of 37.0 vessels were owned by the Company during the three months ended December 31, 2012, as well as during the same period of 2011. As of today, charter coverage for the fleet is 75% through the end of 2013 and 42% for 2014.
Twelve Months 2012 Results:
An average of 36.9 vessels were owned by the Company in the twelve months ended December 31, 2012, compared to 37.6 vessels for the same period of 2011.
CEO Harry Vafias commented
The fourth quarter of 2012 was our best quarter over the last four years. Our sound sale and purchase and chartering strategies combined with stronger freight markets during the winter months resulted in net income for the quarter of $7.8 million, improving on our previous quarter, but more importantly up 77.3% compared to the same quarter of last year. We have recently time chartered the Gas Monarch for six months and extended the charters on the Sir Ivor and Lyne for nine months, while we continue to have six vessels trading in the spot market where there is strong activity.
For 2012 as a whole we have witnessed every quarter our results being stronger than each respective quarter of 2011. While 2011 was a turning point for the LPG market, 2012 was a year of steady improvements. Preliminary figures suggest LPG export growth of 8% for 2012 and continuing growth over the medium term. While trade growth is the distinctive factor for improvements in seaborne trade, it is equally important that there is a balance in the supply of new ships. This is what has differentiated us from most shipping sectors, since in the LPG sector we have not witnessed over the last couple of years the relentless growth in supply of vessels that has plagued other sectors. Indeed, we believe the fundamentals for LPG continue to be favorable. As a result, we believe it is an opportune time to grow the company further and consolidate our leadership position. Moreover, we are still trading at a discount to NAV and at a small earnings multiple.
Conference Call details:
On February 21, 2013 at 11:00 am ET, the company's management will host a conference call to discuss the results and the company's operations and outlook.
Participants should dial into the call 10 minutes before the scheduled time using the following numbers: 1866 682 8490 (US Toll Free Dial In) or 0844 571 8957 (UK Toll Free Dial In).
In case of any problems with the above numbers, please dial +1 631 621 5256 (US Toll Dial In), or +44 (0)1452 555 131 (Standard International Dial In). Access Code: 7181868.
A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available until February 28, 2013 by dialing 1866 247 4222 (US Toll Free Dial In), 0800 953 1533 (UK Toll Free Dial In) or +44 (0)1452 5500 00 (Standard International Dial In). Access Code: 7181868#
Slides and audio webcast:
There will also be a live-and then archived webcast of the conference call, through the STEALTHGAS INC. website (www.stealthgas.com). Participants to the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast.
About STEALTHGAS INC.
Headquartered in Athens, Greece, STEALTHGAS INC. is a ship-owning company primarily serving the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sector of the international shipping industry. STEALTHGAS INC. currently has a fleet of 33 LPG carriers with a total capacity of 161,822 cubic meters (cbm), three M.R. product tankers and one Aframax oil tanker with a total capacity of 255,804 deadweight tons (dwt). The Company has purchased four newbuilding LPG carriers with expected delivery in 2014. Once the delivery of these acquisitions is completed, STEALTHGAS INC's fleet will be composed of 37 LPG carriers with a total capacity of 184,822 cubic meters (cbm). STEALTHGAS INC's shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and trade under the symbol "GASS".
Forward-Looking Statements
Matters discussed in this release may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance and may include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, management's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although STEALTHGAS INC. believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, STEALTHGAS INC. cannot assure you that it will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. Important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including changes in charter hire rates and vessel values, charter counterparty performance, changes in demand that may affect attitudes of time charterers to scheduled and unscheduled dry dockings, changes in STEALTHGAS INC's operating expenses, including bunker prices, dry-docking and insurance costs, ability to obtain financing and comply with covenants in our financing arrangements, or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents and political events or acts by terrorists.
Risks and uncertainties are further described in reports filed by STEALTHGAS INC. with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Fleet List and Fleet Deployment
For information on our fleet and further information:
Visit our website at www.stealthgas.com
Fleet Data:
The following key indicators highlight the Company's operating performance during the fourth quarters and twelve months ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2012.
| FLEET DATA | Q4 2011 | Q4 2012 | 12M 2011 | 12M 2012 |
| Average number of vessels (1) | 37.0 | 37.0 | 37.6 | 36.9 |
| Period end number of vessels in fleet | 37 | 37 | 37 | 37 |
| Total calendar days for fleet (2) | 3,404 | 3,404 | 13,716 | 13,494 |
| Total voyage days for fleet (3) | 3,262 | 3,401 | 13,368 | 13,342 |
| Fleet utilization (4) | 95.8% | 99.9% | 97.5% | 98.9% |
| Total charter days for fleet (5) | 2,647 | 2,817 | 10,455 | 11,531 |
| Total spot market days for fleet (6) | 615 | 584 | 2,913 | 1,811 |
| Fleet operational utilization (7) | 90.5% | 95.5% | 89.7% | 95.4% |
1) Average number of vessels is the number of vessels that constituted our fleet for the relevant period, as measured by the sum of the number of days each vessel was a part of our fleet during the period divided by the number of calendar days in that period.
2) Total calendar days are the total days the vessels were in our possession for the relevant period including off-hire days associated with major repairs, drydockings or special or intermediate surveys.
3) Total voyage days for fleet reflect the total days the vessels were in our possession for the relevant period net of off-hire days associated with major repairs, drydockings or special or intermediate surveys.
4) Fleet utilization is the percentage of time that our vessels were available for revenue generating voyage days, and is determined by dividing voyage days by fleet calendar days for the relevant period.
5) Total charter days for fleet are the number of voyage days the vessels in our fleet operated on time or bareboat charters for the relevant period.
6) Total spot market charter days for fleet are the number of voyage days the vessels in our fleet operated on spot market charters for the relevant period.
7) Fleet operational utilization is the percentage of time that our vessels generated revenue, and is determined by dividing voyage days (excluding commercially idle days) by fleet calendar days for the relevant period.
Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EPS:
EBITDA represents net income before interest, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA before (gain)/loss on sale of assets, impairment loss, loss on derivatives, excluding swap interest paid, and non-cash foreign exchange difference. EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted EPS are not recognized measurements under U.S. GAAP. Our calculation of EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted EPS may not be comparable to that reported by other companies in the shipping or other industries. In evaluating Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income, you should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses that are the same as or similar to some of the adjustments in this presentation.
EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted EPS are included herein because they are a basis, upon which we assess our financial performance. They allow us to present our performance from period to period on a comparable basis and provide additional information on fleet operational results. We also use EBITDA to assess our liquidity position and believe it represents useful information for investors regarding a company's ability to service and/or incur indebtedness.
| (Expressed in United States Dollars, except number of shares) | Fourth Quarter Ended December 31, | Twelve Months Period Ended December 31, | ||
| 2011 | 2012 | 2011 | 2012 | |
| Net Income - Adjusted Net Income | ||||
| Net income | 4,445,791 | 7,759,078 | 8,549,791 | 28,958,487 |
| Loss on derivatives | 170,568 | (67,051) | 2,931,404 | 1,086,258 |
| Less swap interest paid | (1,178,630) | (989,614) | (5,497,478) | (4,593,155) |
| Loss/(Gain) on sale of vessels, net | -- | -- | 5,654,178 | (1,372,409) |
| Unrealized exchange loss/(gain) | 308 | 6,157 | (6,868) | 98,294 |
| Adjusted Net Income | 3,438,037 | 6,708,570 | 11,631,027 | 24,177,475 |
| Net Income - EBITDA | ||||
| Net income | 4,445,791 | 7,759,078 | 8,549,791 | 28,958,487 |
| Plus interest and finance costs | 2,239,728 | 2,157,834 | 8,510,516 | 9,408,230 |
| Less interest income | (44,327) | (51,179) | (83,059) | (221,023) |
| Plus depreciation | 6,973,119 | 7,334,223 | 27,562,120 | 28,776,688 |
| EBITDA | 13,614,311 | 17,199,956 | 44,539,368 | 66,922,382 |
| Adjusted Net Income - Adjusted EBITDA | ||||
| Adjusted Net Income | 3,438,037 | 6,708,570 | 11,631,027 | 24,177,475 |
| Plus interest and finance costs | 2,239,728 | 2,157,834 | 8,510,516 | 9,408,230 |
| Less interest income | (44,327) | (51,179) | (83,059) | (221,023) |
| Plus depreciation | 6,973,119 | 7,334,223 | 27,562,120 | 28,776,688 |
| Adjusted EBITDA | 12,606,557 | 16,149,448 | 47,620,604 | 62,141,370 |
| EPS - Adjusted EPS | ||||
| Net income | 4,445,791 | 7,759,078 | 8,549,791 | 28,958,487 |
| Adjusted net income | 3,438,037 | 6,708,570 | 11,631,027 | 24,177,475 |
| Weighted average number of shares | 20,552,568 | 20,552,568 | 20,909,154 | 20,552,568 |
| EPS – Basic and Diluted | 0.22 | 0.38 | 0.41 | 1.41 |
| Adjusted EPS | 0.17 | 0.33 | 0.56 | 1.18 |
| StealthGas Inc. | ||||
| Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income | ||||
| (Expressed in United States Dollars, except number of shares) | ||||
| Quarters Ended December 31, | Twelve Month Periods Ended December 31, | |||
| 2011 | 2012 | 2011 | 2012 | |
| Revenues | 28,884,313 | 30,585,672 | 118,280,752 | 119,213,071 |
| Expenses | ||||
| Voyage expenses | 4,733,157 | 3,856,018 | 17,829,220 | 12,703,750 |
| Vessels' operating expenses | 7,766,222 | 7,734,359 | 36,558,153 | 30,591,977 |
| Dry-docking costs | 867,692 | 21,737 | 3,443,491 | 2,067,393 |
| Management fees | 1,087,000 | 1,107,835 | 4,760,865 | 4,315,720 |
| General and administrative expenses | 673,153 | 686,893 | 2,646,418 | 2,838,759 |
| Depreciation | 6,973,119 | 7,334,223 | 27,562,120 | 28,776,688 |
| Net loss/(gain) on sale of vessels | -- | -- | 5,654,178 | (1,372,409) |
| Total expenses | 22,100,343 | 20,741,065 | 98,454,445 | 79,921,878 |
| Income from operations | 6,783,970 | 9,844,607 | 19,826,307 | 39,291,193 |
| Other (expenses)/income | ||||
| Interest and finance costs | (2,239,728) | (2,157,834) | (8,510,516) | (9,408,230) |
| (Loss)/Gain on derivatives | (170,568) | 67,051 | (2,931,404) | (1,086,258) |
| Interest income | 44,327 | 51,179 | 83,059 | 221,023 |
| Foreign exchange gain/(loss) | 27,790 | (45,925) | 82,345 | (59,241) |
| Other income, net | (2,338,179) | (2,085,529) | (11,276,516) | (10,332,706) |
| Net income | 4,445,791 | 7,759,078 | 8,549,791 | 28,958,487 |
| Earnings per share | ||||
| - Basic | 0.22 | 0.38 | 0.41 | 1.41 |
| - Diluted | 0.22 | 0.38 | 0.41 | 1.41 |
| Weighted average number of shares | ||||
| -Basic | 20,552,568 | 20,552,568 | 20,909,154 | 20,552,568 |
| -Diluted | 20,552,568 | 20,552,568 | 20,909,154 | 20,552,568 |
| StealthGas Inc. | ||
| Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets | ||
| (Expressed in United States Dollars) | ||
| December 31, | ||
| 2011 | 2012 | |
| Assets | ||
| Current assets | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 43,539,303 | 42,273,000 |
| Trade and other receivables | 1,545,658 | 3,029,284 |
| Claims receivable | 516,403 | 32,835 |
| Inventories | 2,416,108 | 3,152,407 |
| Advances and prepayments | 628,623 | 435,226 |
| Restricted cash | 6,954,363 | 7,340,655 |
| Vessel held for sale | 921,285 | -- |
| Total current assets | 56,521,743 | 56,263,407 |
| Non current assets | ||
| Advances for vessels under construction | 22,347,811 | 19,321,045 |
| Vessels, net | 613,832,973 | 634,634,671 |
| Other receivables | -- | 224,422 |
| Restricted cash | 1,300,000 | 1,300,000 |
| Deferred finance charges, net of accumulated amortization of $1,374,020 and $1,786,158 | 1,707,624 | 1,295,486 |
| Total non current assets | 639,188,408 | 656,775,624 |
| Total assets | 695,710,151 | 713,039,031 |
| Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | ||
| Current liabilities | ||
| Payable to related party | 7,874,990 | 7,288,899 |
| Trade accounts payable | 6,453,807 | 5,927,526 |
| Accrued liabilities | 4,749,162 | 2,855,170 |
| Customer deposits | 275,000 | 280,000 |
| Deferred income | 2,789,186 | 3,129,671 |
| Fair value of derivatives | -- | 539,904 |
| Current portion of long-term debt | 33,166,887 | 35,787,544 |
| Current portion of long-term debt associated with vessel held for sale | 791,823 | -- |
| Total current liabilities | 56,100,855 | 55,808,714 |
| Non current liabilities | ||
| Fair value of derivatives | 9,401,798 | 5,409,337 |
| Other non current liabilities | -- | 222,770 |
| Long-term debt | 317,109,471 | 309,564,768 |
| Total non current liabilities | 326,511,269 | 315,196,875 |
| Total liabilities | 382,612,124 | 371,005,589 |
| Commitments and contingencies | -- | -- |
| Stockholders' equity | ||
| Capital stock | 205,526 | 206,273 |
| Additional paid-in capital | 275,761,643 | 275,792,164 |
| Retained earnings | 37,058,140 | 66,016,627 |
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | 72,718 | 18,378 |
| Total stockholders' equity | 313,098,027 | 342,033,442 |
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | 695,710,151 | 713,039,031 |
| StealthGas Inc. | ||
| Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | ||
| (Expressed in United States Dollars) | ||
| December 31, | ||
| 2011 | 2012 | |
| Cash flows from operating activities | ||
| Net income for the year | 8,549,791 | 28,958,487 |
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||
| Depreciation | 27,562,120 | 28,776,688 |
| Amortization of deferred finance charges | 395,446 | 412,138 |
| Unrealized exchange (gain)/loss | (6,868) | 98,294 |
| Share based compensation | 4,071 | 31,268 |
| Change in fair value of derivatives | 3,734,845 | (3,506,897) |
| Loss/(gain) on sale of vessels | 5,654,178 | (1,372,409) |
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||
| (Increase)/decrease in | ||
| Trade and other receivables | 910,922 | (1,708,048) |
| Claims receivable | (715,934) | (502,534) |
| Inventories | (576,016) | (736,299) |
| Advances and prepayments | 148,503 | 193,397 |
| Increase/(decrease) in | ||
| Payable to related party | (1,640,382) | (586,091) |
| Trade accounts payable | 1,692,418 | (526,281) |
| Accrued liabilities | (684,432) | (1,653,992) |
| Other current liability | (2,687,500) | -- |
| Other non current liabilities | -- | 222,770 |
| Deferred income | 34,556 | 340,485 |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 42,375,718 | 48,440,976 |
| Cash flows from investing activities | ||
| Insurance proceeds | 595,926 | 986,102 |
| Acquisitions and advances for vessel under construction | (54,981,190) | (62,634,833) |
| Proceeds from sale of vessels, net | 25,001,033 | 18,136,907 |
| Decrease in restricted cash account | 250,000 | -- |
| Increase in restricted cash account | (2,459,165) | (386,292) |
| Net cash used in investing activities | (31,593,396) | (43,898,116) |
| Cash flows from financing activities | ||
| Stock repurchase | (2,234,214) | -- |
| Deferred finance charges | (785,000) | -- |
| Customer deposits received | 275,000 | 5,000 |
| Customer deposits paid | (285,000) | -- |
| Loan repayment | (43,417,768) | (48,965,869) |
| Proceeds from long-term debt | 49,400,000 | 43,250,000 |
| Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities | 2,953,018 | (5,710,869) |
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | 6,868 | (98,294) |
| Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 13,742,208 | (1,266,303) |
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | 29,797,095 | 43,539,303 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | 43,539,303 | 42,273,000 |
CONTACT: Konstantinos Sistovaris
Chief Financial Officer
STEALTHGAS INC.
011-30-210-6250-001
E-mail: sistovaris@stealthgas.com