27.11.2018 06:00
https://newsweb.oslobors.no/message/464469
27 November 2018 – Hamilton, Bermuda
Flex LNG Ltd. (Oslo Børs: FLNG) (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company” or “Flex LNG”), an emerging leader in the Liquefied Natural Gas (“LNG”) shipping, today reports unaudited results for the three and nine months ended 30 September 2018.
Highlights for Third Quarter of 2018:
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On 9 July 2018, the Company took delivery of Flex Rainbow from Samsung Heavy Industries according to schedule. Flex Rainbow is the Company’s fourth LNGC on the water while nine LNGCs are currently under construction.
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Reported Revenues for the third quarter 2018 of $19.0 million compared to $9.8 million in third quarter 2017 and $41.1 million for the first nine months of 2018 compared to $19.5 million for first nine months of 2017.
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Reported an EBITDA of $12.7 million compared to an EBITDA of $(4.1) million in third quarter 2017. The EBITDA for the first nine months of 2018 was $18.1 million compared to a negative EBITDA for first nine months of 2017 of $(13.9) million.
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Reported net profit/(loss) for the third quarter and the first nine months of 2018 of $1.2 million and $(3.5) million respectively, compared to a net (loss) in third quarter and first nine months of 2017 of $(4.0) million and $(11.7) million respectively.
Subsequent Events:
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On 11 October 2018, Flex LNG successfully conducted a Private Placement, raising gross proceeds of the NOK equivalent of USD 300 million, corresponding to NOK 2,464 million (based on a currency exchange rate of USD/NOK 8.21), through the placing of 172,938,947 new shares at a subscription price of NOK 14.25 per share. The Private Placement was significantly oversubscribed. Geveran Trading Co. Ltd. (“Geveran”), the Company’s largest shareholder, has been allocated 57,646,316 shares for approximately USD 100 million, and will retain a 44.6% ownership in the Company following the Private Placement.
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On 11 October 2018, in connection with the $300m Private Placement, Flex LNG entered into a transaction for the acquisition of five 5th generation LNG newbuildings comprising three high-end MEGI LNG carriers currently under construction at Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Co. Ltd. (“DSME”) with scheduled delivery in 2020 and two high-end X-DF LNG carriers currently under construction at Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (“HSHI”) with scheduled delivery in 2021 (collectively the “Vessels”). The LNG newbuildings were acquired from affiliates of Geveran Trading Co. Ltd. the Company’s largest shareholder.
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As interest for large modern vessels have been very high in the winter season, Flex LNG is pleased to announce that it has already covered all available days for the fourth quarter. We are thus in position to give guidance on the expected revenues for the fourth quarter. Based on the current backlog, Flex LNG expects that the revenues for the fourth quarter of 2018 will be approximately $ 35 million. This is considerably higher than the revenues of $ 19 million reported for the third quarter. Forward guidance is subject to regular operation including off-hire and acceptance of vessels by charters.
Øystein M Kalleklev, CEO/CFO comments:
“Flex LNG has rapidly become the largest owner of modern fifth generation LNG carriers with a fleet expansion from six to 13 vessels since we presented our first quarter results at end of May. Unlike the vast majority of other LNG shipping companies, we decided to strategically pursue shorter term employment until the shipping market showed signs of rebalancing. The market has now rebalanced with current fixtures now being agreed at all-time high rates. Thus, Flex LNG is very well positioned to reap the benefit of our strategy. This is somewhat evidenced by the company’s improved financial performance in the third quarter, but more importantly highlighted by the very strong guidance for the fourth quarter as well as the outlook for next year. We think the LNG shipping market will remain tight due to a combination of large increase in liquefaction capacity in the near, medium and long-term, limited fleet growth, increased ton/mileage and increased focus on improving air quality favoring the ongoing switch from coal to natural gas”
Third Quarter Result Presentation
Flex LNG will release its financial results for the quarter and nine months ended 30 September 2018 on Tuesday 27 November 2018 on or about 06:00 am CET.
In connection with the earnings release, a webcast and conference call will be held at 08:30 a.m. CET. In order to attend the webcast and/or conference call you may do one of the following:
Attend by Webcast:
Use to the follow link prior to the webcast:
https://edge.media-server.com/m6/p/tdxfc2te
Attend by Conference Call:
Applicable dial-in telephone numbers are as follows:
Norway: +47 2100 2610
United Kingdom: +44 (0)330 336 9105
United States: +1 929-477-0324
Confirmation Code: 3822806
A Q&A session will be held after the teleconference/webcast. Information on how to submit questions will be given at the beginning of the session. The presentation material which will be used in the teleconference/webcast can be downloaded on www.flexlng.com and replay details will also be available at this website.
This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act or the continuing obligations