NAT reports a profitable third quarter 2024, increasing revenue and maintaining consistent dividends despite market challenges.
Quiver AI Summary
Nordic American Tankers Ltd (NAT) shared an update with shareholders, highlighting their international operations and positive financial performance. Over the past five years, their ships operated in 68 countries. In the third quarter of 2024, NAT secured time-charter contracts worth approximately $125 million, driven by the scarcity of suezmax ships. They reported a net profit of $8.7 million for the quarter, compared to $7.5 million a year prior, with solid operational margins. The company maintains a commitment to quarterly dividends, declaring $0.04 per share for the third quarter, marking their 109th consecutive dividend. As they plan to expand their fleet, NAT is also focused on reducing emissions through optimized voyage planning and ensuring their vessels remain in excellent condition to attract major oil and energy clients.
Potential Positives
- The company secured time-charter contracts worth approximately $125 million during Q3 2024, indicating strong demand and confidence from international and national oil companies.
- NAT reported a net profit increase in Q3 2024, achieving $8.7 million compared to $7.5 million in the same quarter last year, signaling improved financial performance.
- The company declared a cash dividend of $0.04 per share for Q3 2024, marking the 109th consecutive quarterly dividend, demonstrating a commitment to returning value to shareholders.
- The average time charter equivalent of $30,656 per day indicates healthy operating margins, with operating costs of approximately $9,000 per ship, providing a solid financial outlook.
Potential Negatives
- Despite a net profit increase, the earnings per share of $0.04 is relatively modest, which may not satisfy investor expectations for growth.
- The mention of potential impacts from the new US administration raises concerns about future regulatory changes that may affect operations and profitability.
- The reliance on time-charter contracts amidst a growing “dark fleet” suggests heightened competitive pressures and possible reputational risks for NAT due to its non-participation in those markets.
FAQ
What are the key financial highlights for NAT in Q3 2024?
NAT reported a net profit of $8.7 million, an increase from $7.5 million in Q3 2023.
How many countries has NAT shipped oil to in the last five years?
NAT has loaded and discharged in 68 countries over the past five years.
What is the significance of NAT’s charter contracts?
NAT concluded contracts worth approximately $125 million, driven by a scarcity of suezmax ships.
When is the next dividend payment for NAT shareholders?
The next dividend payment of $0.04 per share is scheduled for January 16, 2025.
How does NAT ensure environmental compliance and emission reduction?
NAT reduces emissions through careful voyage planning and maintaining ships in excellent technical condition.
Disclaimer: This is an AI-generated summary of a press release distributed by GlobeNewswire. The model used to summarize this release may make mistakes. See the full release here.
$NAT Hedge Fund Activity
We have seen 97 institutional investors add shares of $NAT stock to their portfolio, and 111 decrease their positions in their most recent quarter.
Here are some of the largest recent moves:
- GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP INC removed 1,835,678 shares (-26.8%) from their portfolio in Q3 2024
- AMERICAN CENTURY COMPANIES INC added 1,526,260 shares (+43.6%) to their portfolio in Q3 2024
- TWO SIGMA ADVISERS, LP added 1,521,900 shares (+67.6%) to their portfolio in Q3 2024
- CITADEL ADVISORS LLC removed 1,232,263 shares (-100.0%) from their portfolio in Q3 2024
- ARROWSTREET CAPITAL, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP removed 1,153,237 shares (-86.9%) from their portfolio in Q3 2024
- PHILIP JAMES WEALTH MANGEMENT, LLC added 1,108,591 shares (+inf%) to their portfolio in Q3 2024
- JPMORGAN CHASE & CO removed 946,604 shares (-60.1%) from their portfolio in Q3 2024
To track hedge funds' stock portfolios, check out Quiver Quantitative's institutional holdings dashboard.
Full Release
Friday, November 29, 2024
Dear Shareholders and Investors,
Highlights:
The international profile of NAT is reflected in the fact that during the last five years our ships have loaded & discharged in 68 countries. Ninety day periods offer a short-term snapshot of a company. However, it is more constructive to view the longer-term picture. The direction of NAT is unquestionably upwards, and there is room for profitable growth.
1. During the third quarter 2024, we concluded time-charter (T/C) contracts with international and national oil companies. These contracts represent an aggregate net revenue of about $125 million. Our customers see that there is a scarcity of suezmax ships, which is one reason why they enter into long-term contracts with us.
2. During the last few years, the amount of sanctioned oil transported by the low quality “dark fleet” has grown. NAT does not participate in this trade. We do not transit the Suez canal or trade in the Red Sea. Measures that are expected to be implemented by the new US administration after January 20, 2025, could impact NAT positively, creating more transportation work.
3. For the ninety-two day period ending September 30, 2024, NAT produced a net profit of $8.7 million, which is an earnings per share of $0.04. This compares with a net profit of $7.5 million for the same quarter last year.
4. During the third quarter of 2024 the average NAT time charter equivalent for all our ships, in spot and on time charter, was $30,656 per day per ship. The daily operating costs per ship are about $9,000, leaving NAT with a solid margin.
5. Since its inception in 1995, NAT has been a dividend company, a path we shall continue to follow. We plan to increase our fleet with a couple of ships, which should positively impact dividend payments. The dividend for the third quarter is 4 cents ($0.04) per share. This is our 109th consecutive quarterly cash dividend declaration. The dividend is payable January 16, 2025, to shareholders on record as of December 17, 2024.
6. Through careful voyage planning and adjustment of speed of our vessels, we reduce emissions. It is a fact that each individual ship in the NAT fleet is of excellent technical condition, as demonstrated in the vetting performance, the score card undertaken by our customers.
Most of our business is with major oil and energy companies.
Sincerely,
Herbjorn Hansson
Founder, Chairman & CEO
Nordic American Tankers Ltd. www.nat.bm
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forward-looking statements 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 Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “potential,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “expect,” “pending” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, our management’s examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although we believe 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, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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 fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand in the tanker market, as a result of changes in OPEC’s petroleum production levels and worldwide oil consumption and storage, changes in our operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for our vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, vessels breakdowns and instances of off-hires and other important factors described from time to time in the reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the prospectus and related prospectus supplement, our Annual Report on Form 20-F, and our reports on Form 6-K.
Contacts:
Bjørn Giæver, CFO
Nordic American Tankers Ltd
Tel: +1 888 755 8391
Alexander Kihle, Finance Manager
Nordic American Tankers Ltd
Tel: +47 91 724 171