Golar LNG (GLNG) Shares Tank On Wider-Than-Expected Q2 Loss

Golar LNG Limited (NASDAQ:GLNG) incurred a loss (excluding 49 cents from non-recurring items) of 62 cents per share in second-quarter 2019, wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 34 cents. Moreover, the amount of loss increased year over year. Results were affected by seasonal weakness in the shipping market as well as drydockings.

Following this disappointing performance as well as the company’s dividend suspension for two quarters, shares of the company declined more than 14% at the close of business on Aug 29.

The company intends to simplify its capital structure by repurchasing 3 million shares underlying the Total Return Swap (TRS). In order to fund the TRS buyback, the company decided on the dividend suspension.

Detailed Results

Total operating revenues amounted to $82.3 million, falling short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $85.1 million. However, the top line surged year over year.

Of the total revenues, Liquefaction services revenues accounted for the bulk (56.4%) of the company’s top line. On a sequential comparison, Time and voyage charter revenues plunged 31.7%. Time charter revenues — collaborative arrangement — also dropped 63.7% compared with the first quarter of 2019. Revenues from Vessel and other management fees too fell 5.7% sequentially. Further, Time Charter Equivalent (TCE) earnings decreased to $24,400 per day in the quarter under discussion compared with $39,300 in first-quarter 2019. This downside was due to seasonal sluggishness and idle time associated with dry dockings.

The company reported operating loss of $23.44 million in the second quarter compared with $28.86 million in the previous reported quarter. Total operating expenses decreased 24.4% sequentially in the quarter to $94.75 million. Also, Vessel operating expenses dipped 1.4% from the first quarter to $30.82 million in the second, mainly owing to reduced costs associated with the company’s Golar Viking LNG carrier.

Liquidity

The company exited the second quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $139.83 million compared with $217.83 million at December 2018 end. As of Jun 30, 2019, its long-term debt totaled $1.67 billion compared with $1.83 billion as of Dec 31, 2018.

Other Developments

Golar LNG had earlier decided on a spin-off of its Trifuel Diesel Electric ("TFDE") LNG carrier business to focus primarily on FLNG and its downstream assets. The company hopes to complete this spin-off by the year-end, subject to market conditions.

Outlook

The company anticipates earnings to improve going forward owing to a likely shortage of shipping (in the remainder of 2019 as well as in 2020), seasonally higher rates and additional trading days. However, low LNG prices could be a drag on its growth prospects. Meanwhile, the company’s Sergipe project is on track to commence operations in January next year.

Zacks Rank & Key Picks

Golar LNG carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the broader Transportation sector are Frontline Ltd. (NYSE:FRO) , Copa Holdings, S.A. (NYSE:CPA) and Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A. (NYSE:GOL) , each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Shares of Frontline, Copa Holdings and Gol Linhas have rallied more than 57%, 29% and 18%, respectively, so far this year.

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