Ardmore Shipping Corporation Announces Financial Results For The Three And Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015

HAMILTON, Bermuda, Oct. 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Ardmore Shipping Corporation (NYSE: ASC) ("Ardmore" or the "Company") today announced results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Highlights

• Reported a net profit of $13.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, or $0.52 basic and diluted earnings per share, as compared to $0.1 million, or $0.004 basic and diluted earnings per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2014. The company reported EBITDA (see Non-GAAP Measures section below) of $24.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, an increase of $18.7 million from $5.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014.
• Delivered strong chartering performance with our spot and pool MR tankers earning approximately $24,269 per day for the three months ended September 30, 2015.
• Took delivery of two vessels during the quarter. The Ardmore Chinook, a 25,200 Dwt Eco-design IMO 2 product and chemical tanker, was delivered by Fukuoka Shipbuilding, Japan on July 17, 2015. The Ardmore Seawolf, a 49,999 Dwt Eco-design IMO 2/3 product and chemical tanker, was delivered by SPP Shipbuilding, Korea on August 13, 2015.
• Announced a change in dividend policy to a constant payout ratio policy on September 8, 2015 in recognition of the continued strength of the charter market and the near completion of the initial newbuilding program, With the new policy, the company intends to pay a quarterly dividend of 60% of Earnings from Continuing Operations, which represents our earnings per share reported under U.S. GAAP as adjusted for unrealized and realized gains and losses and extraordinary items.

Anthony Gurnee, the Company's Chief Executive Officer commented:

We are very pleased to achieve strong financial performance for the third quarter, reporting earnings of $13.6 million or $0.52 per share. Our results this quarter are attributable to well-timed fleet growth, a highly efficient operating platform, and successful execution of our chartering strategy.

We are also pleased to declare a dividend of $0.31 per share for the quarter, representing a 210% increase. We believe that our newly adopted constant payout ratio of 60% provides clarity on future dividends and ensures that investors are able to fully participate in and benefit from Ardmore's earnings growth.

The product tanker charter market has exhibited sustained strength throughout the year to-date, driven by underlying secular demand growth resulting from Middle East refinery expansion, a growing dislocation of production vs. consumption, and continuing regional product imbalances.  In addition, the new oil market, characterized by extreme oil price volatility and supply-chain congestion, has added a further layer of demand for product tankers and is expected to persist for the foreseeable future.  Meanwhile, we believe that product tanker supply growth has peaked, with deliveries to date being fully absorbed, and with the MR orderbook now the lowest of all the tanker sectors.  Given these market dynamics and the typical seasonal demand uplift, we are very bullish for the coming winter months and are already seeing signs of further strengthening in the spot market. With our final two newbuilds scheduled to deliver in the coming weeks and our 2016 revenue days set to increase by a further 23% from their 2015 level, Ardmore is well positioned to continue generating strong returns and creating substantial value for shareholders.

Summary of Recent and Third Quarter 2015 Events

Fleet

Deliveries

The Company took delivery of two vessels in the third quarter. The average age of our fleet as at October 27, 2015 is 4.3 years.

On July 17, 2015, Ardmore took delivery of the Ardmore Chinook (Hull N-2065), a 25,217 Dwt Eco-design IMO 2 product and chemical tanker. The vessel was constructed by Fukuoka Shipbuilding, Japan and following delivery, the Ardmore Chinook commenced employment on a one-year time charter.

On August 13, 2015, Ardmore took delivery of the Ardmore Seawolf (Hull S-1171), a 49,999 Dwt Eco-design IMO 2/3 product and chemical tanker. The vessel was constructed by SPP Shipbuilding in Korea and following delivery, the Ardmore Seawolf commenced employment in a pool with a major oil trader.

Ardmore currently has two vessels under construction and expects to take delivery of these vessels in 4Q 2015:

Fleet Operations and Employment

The Company has twenty-two vessels currently in operation, comprising fourteen MR tankers ranging from 45,000 Dwt to 49,999 Dwt (eight Eco-design and six Eco-mod) and eight product and chemical tankers ranging from 17,000 Dwt to 38,000 Dwt (five Eco-design and three Eco-mod).

MR Tankers (45,000 Dwt – 49,999 Dwt)

At the end of the third quarter of 2015, the Company had eleven MR tankers trading in the spot market or in pools and three MR tankers employed on time charters. The eleven spot or pool trading MR tankers, comprising six Eco-Design and five Eco-Mod, earned an average of $24,269 per day for the quarter. Overall for the quarter, across all employment types, our eight Eco-Design MR tankers earned $20,544 per day, and our six Eco-Mod MR tankers earned $24,625 per day. The strong Eco-Mod results relative to Eco-Design reflect vessel positioning and percentage engaged in spot trading.

In the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company expects to have 76% of its revenue days for its MR Eco-Design tankers employed in the spot market or in pools and the remaining 24% of revenue days are expected to be employed on time charters at an average rate of $16,050 per day. For Eco-Mod MR tankers, the company estimates that 83% of revenue days are expected to be employed in the spot market and the remaining 17% of revenue days are expected to be employed on time charters at an average rate of $14,799 per day.

Product / Chemical Tankers (IMO 2: 17,000 Dwt – 37,800 Dwt)

At the end of the third quarter of 2015, the Company had eight IMO two product and chemical tankers in operation (five Eco-Design and three Eco-Mod), five of which were trading in pools and three of which were employed on time charters.  During the third quarter of 2015, across all employment types, the Company's five Eco-Design product and chemical vessels earned an average daily rate of $18,139 per day, and the three Eco-mod product and chemical vessels earned an average daily rate of $13,843 per day.

For the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company expects to have approximately 54% of revenue days for the Eco-design product and chemical tankers employed in a pool, with 46% of the revenue days covered by time charter employment at an average rate of $16,335 per day. For the Eco-mod product and chemical tankers, the Company expects approximately 75% of revenue days to be employed in a pool, with the remaining 25% covered by time charter employment.

Drydocking

Ardmore expects to drydock the Ardmore Seatrader and the Ardmore Centurion in the fourth quarter of 2015 and we estimate that the total drydock and vessel repositioning days in the fourth quarter will be 48. There were no drydock days in 3Q 2015.

Financing

Ardmore drew down $41.8 million of debt in the third quarter, in line with vessel deliveries and currently has approximately $41.8 million of committed debt in place for the remaining two vessels on order. This remaining committed debt will be drawn down in line with the delivery of the remaining two newbuild vessels.

Dividend Policy and Dividend

On September 8, 2015, Ardmore announced that its Board of Directors has approved a change to the company's dividend policy by implementing a new constant payout ratio model in order to afford shareholders more direct participation in Ardmore's continued earnings growth. Under this policy, Ardmore intends to pay a quarterly dividend of 60% of Earnings from Continuing Operations (which represents our earnings per share reported under U.S. GAAP as adjusted for unrealized and realized gains and losses and extraordinary items). The remainder of earnings retained by the Company will be deployed to create additional value for shareholders through investment in fleet growth, opportunistic share repurchases under existing and future programs, debt reduction and other corporate purposes.

On October 27, 2015, Ardmore's Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.31 per share for the quarter ended September 30, 2015. The dividend is payable on November 16, 2015 to all shareholders of record on November 6, 2015.

Results for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

The Company reported a net profit of $13.6 million, or $0.52 basic and diluted earnings per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2015, as compared to $0.1 million, or $0.004 basic and diluted earnings per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2014. For the three months ended September 30, 2015, the Company reported EBITDA (see "Non-GAAP Measures" section below) of $24.5 million, an increase of $18.7 million from $5.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014.

Adjusted net profit (see Non-GAAP Measures section below) amounted to $14.0 million, or $0.54 basic and diluted adjusted earnings per share (see Non-GAAP Measures section below), for the three months ended September 30, 2015, as compared to $0.5 million, or $0.02 basic and diluted adjusted earnings per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2014. For the three months ended September 30, 2015, the Company reported adjusted EBITDA (see "Non-GAAP Measures" section below) of $24.9 million, an increase of $18.8 million from $6.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014. Results were adjusted for share-based compensation (a non-cash item) in each period, as applicable.

Results for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

The Company reported a net profit of $26.6 million, or $1.02 basic and diluted earnings per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, as compared to a net loss of $0.2 million, or $0.008 basic and diluted net loss per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company reported EBITDA (see "Non-GAAP Measures" section below) of $53.4 million, an increase of $38.7 million from $14.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Adjusted net profit (see Non-GAAP Measures section below) amounted to $27.7 million, or $1.06 basic and diluted adjusted earnings per share (see Non-GAAP Measures section below), for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, as compared to $0.8 million, or $0.03 basic and diluted adjusted earnings per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company reported adjusted EBITDA (see "Non-GAAP Measures" section below) of $54.5 million, an increase of $38.7 million from $15.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Results were adjusted for share-based compensation (a non-cash item) in each period, as applicable.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Results

Revenue. Revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2015 was $47.2 million, an increase of $28.3 million from $18.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014. The increase is due to an increase in the average number of owned vessels to 21.3 for the three months ended September 30, 2015, from 13.2 for the three months ended September 30, 2014, improving market conditions and an increase in earnings per day generated by vessels employed in the spot market. We had eight vessels employed directly in the spot market as at September 30, 2015 and had three vessels employed directly in the spot market as at September 30, 2014. For vessels employed directly in the spot market, revenue is recognized on a gross freight basis, while under time chartering arrangements and pools, the charterer typically pays voyage expenses and revenue is recognized on a net basis.

Commissions and voyage related costs. Commissions and voyage related costs were $8.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, an increase of $4.9 million from $3.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014. This increase is primarily due to 780 additional revenue days in the third quarter of 2015 as compared to the third quarter of 2014, in line with the additional vessel deliveries noted above. In addition, the increase in spot employed vessels significantly increases commissions and voyage related expenses, as in direct spot employment all voyage expenses are borne by us as opposed to the charterer, while under time chartering arrangements and pools the charterer typically pays voyage expenses.

TCE rate. The TCE rate for our fleet was $20,200 per day for the three months ended September 30, 2015, increasing by $6,554 per day from $13,646 per day for the three months ended September 30, 2014.

Vessel operating expenses. Vessel operating expenses were $11.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, an increase of $4.0 million from $7.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014. This increase is primarily due to an increase in the number of vessels in operation for the three months ended September 30, 2015. Due to the nature of this expenditure vessel operating expenses are prone to fluctuations between periods. Fleet operating costs per day, including technical management fees, were $6,119 for the three months ended September 30, 2015, as compared to $6,338 for the three months ended September 30, 2014.

Depreciation. Depreciation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2015 was $6.6 million, an increase of $2.5 million from $4.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014. The increase is primarily due to an increase in the average number of owned vessels to 21.3 for the three months ended September 30, 2015, from 13.2 for the three months ended September 30, 2014.

Amortization of deferred dry dock expenditure. Amortization of deferred dry dock expenditure for the three months ended September 30, 2015 was $0.4 million, as compared to $0.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014. This decrease is due to the timing of scheduled dry-dockings occurring across the fleet. The capitalized costs of dry-dockings for a given vessel are depreciated on a straight line basis to the next scheduled dry-docking of the vessel.  

General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2015 were $2.8 million, as compared to $2.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014. The increase reflects additional costs associated with operating a growing fleet, along with the timing of expenses incurred during the year.

Interest expense and finance costs. Interest expense and finance costs (which include loan interest, capital lease interest, amortization of deferred financing fees and are net of capitalized interest) for the three months ended September 30, 2015 were $3.8 million, as compared to $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014. Cash interest expense increased by $1.8 million from $1.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 to $3.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015. This was the result of an increase in the average debt balance following the delivery of eight vessels since September 30, 2014. Capitalized interest, which relates to vessels under construction, amounted to $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, as compared to $1.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014. This decrease is due to newbuilding deliveries throughout 2015. Amortization of deferred financing charges for the three months ended September 30, 2015 was $0.5 million, as compared to $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014.

Liquidity

As of September 30, 2015, the Company had $43.3 million (December 31, 2014: $59.9 million) available in cash and cash equivalents. The following debt and capital lease liabilities were outstanding as of the dates indicated:

Conference Call

The Company plans to have a conference call on 27^th October, 2015 at 10.00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its results for the quarter ended September 30, 2015. All interested parties are invited to listen to the live conference call and slide presentation by choosing from the following options:

1. By dialing 844-492-3728 (U.S.) or 412-542-4189 (International) and referencing Ardmore Shipping.
2. By accessing the live webcast at Ardmore Shipping's website at www.ardmoreshipping.com.

Participants should dial into the call 10 minutes before the scheduled time.

If you are unable to participate at this time, a replay of the call will be available on the company's website or through November 3 at 877-344-7529 or 412-317-0088. Enter the passcode 10074983 to access the audio replay. The information provided on the teleconference is only accurate at the time of the conference call, and the Company will take no responsibility for providing updated information.

About Ardmore Shipping Corporation

Ardmore Shipping owns and operates a fleet of mid-size product and chemical tankers ranging from approximately 17,600 Dwt to 50,000 Dwt. Ardmore provides seaborne transportation of petroleum products and chemicals worldwide to oil majors, national oil companies, oil and chemical traders, and chemical companies, with its modern, fuel-efficient fleet of tankers.

Ardmore's core strategy is to develop a modern, high-quality fleet of product and chemical tankers, build key long-term commercial relationships, maintain its cost advantage in assets, operations and overhead, while creating significant synergies and economies of scale as the Company grows. Ardmore provides its services to customers through voyage charters, commercial pools and time charters and enjoys close working relationships with key commercial and technical management partners. Ardmore views the continued development of these relationships as crucial to its long-term success.

Non-GAAP Measures

This press release describes EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net profit and adjusted net earnings per share, which are not measures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and which are reconciled below. EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.  Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA before share-based compensation and initial public offering costs and certain other items that Ardmore believes are not representative of its operating performance.

These non-GAAP measures are presented in this press release as the Company believes that they provide investors with a means of evaluating and understanding how Ardmore's management evaluates operating performance. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation from, as substitutes for, or superior to financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP measures do not have standardized meanings, and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.  All amounts in the tables below are expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated.

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," "intends," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "plan," "potential," "may," "should," "expect," "pending" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, including, without limitation, Ardmore management's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in the Company's records and other data available from third parties. Although the Company 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 the Company's control, the Company cannot assure you that it will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections.

In addition to these important factors, other important factors that, in the Company's view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include:  the failure of counterparties to fully perform their contracts with the Company; the strength of world economies and currencies; general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values; changes in demand for tanker vessel capacity; changes in the Company's operating expenses, including bunker prices, dry-docking and insurance costs; the market for the Company's vessels; competition in the tanker industry; availability of financing and refinancing; charter counterparty performance; ability to obtain financing and comply with covenants in such financing arrangements; changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities; general domestic and international political conditions; potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents, piracy or political events; vessels breakdowns and instances of off-hires; and other factors. Please see the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a more complete discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties.

Investor Relations Enquiries: 
Mr. Leon Berman
The IGB Group
45 Broadway, Suite 1150 
New York, NY 10006 
Tel: 212-477-8438 
Fax: 212-477-8636 
Email: [email protected]  

Or

Mr. Bryan Degnan
The IGB Group
45 Broadway, Suite 1150 
New York, NY 10006
Tel: 646-673-9701 
Fax: 212-477-8636 
Email: [email protected]     

SOURCE Ardmore Shipping Corporation