This conference call transcript was computer generated and almost certianly contains errors. This transcript is provided for information purposes only.EarningsCall, LLC makes no representation about the accuracy of the aforementioned transcript, and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the information provided by the transcript.

FLEX LNG Ltd.
5/13/2026
Welcome to FlexLNG first quarter 2026 results presentation. My name is Maurits Foss. I'm the CEO of the FlexLNG, and today I'm joined with our CFO, Knut Terholt, who will walk you through the financial late in the presentation. Today, we will cover the first quarter results and provide an update on the LNG shipping market. As always, we will conclude the webcast with a Q&A session.
If you'd like to ask questions, please use the chat functions in the webcast or send questions by email to ir.flexlng.com. Before we start, we would like to highlight the following. We are using certain non-GAAP measures, such as TCE, adjusted EBTA, and adjusted net income. These are supplements to the earnings report, reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures are available in the earnings report, which we released today. There are certain limitations to the completeness of our presentation. Therefore, we encourage you to read the quarterly report together with the presentation. And with that, back to you, Marius.
Thank you, Knut. Let's begin with the highlights of the quarter. We failed in revenues of 80.5 million or 78 million, excluding the EUAs related to the EU sector. Emission trading system. The fleet average TCE during the quarter ended up at 65,700 per day. Net income for the first quarter came in at 19.5 million, implying an earnings per share of 36 cents. When adjusting for annualized gains of interest rates, swaps, and FX, we ended up with an adjusted net income of 16.9 million, or adjusted earnings per share of 31 cents. This has been an active quarter for Flex LNG. We have added more contract coverage. First, the charter of the Flex Vestalute and Flex Coratius has declared the two-year extension options from 2027 to 2029, and the rest are now fully employed until 2032. We have fixed the Flex Airora for a new two-year firm time charter until 2028. with additional 2 plus 2 plus 2 years options, potentially an 8-year charter, if all options are declared. We have now completed the dry dockings of both Flex Volunteer and Flex Freedom during the quarter. The Flex Vigilant will enter dry dock later in May. Based on the added new backlog and improved spot market, we are updating our full year 2026 guidance as follows. We now expect revenues to come in between $345 and $370 million, around 10% increase from the previous guidance. The TCE is expected up 8%, between $73 and $78,000 per day. We expect adjusted EBITDA to come in around $255 to $280 million, up 11%. With improved earnings visibility and continued robust financial position, the board has declared another dividend of 75 cents per share. This is the 19th consecutive dividend of 75 cents per share, and we have distributed around $810 million since 2021. Our last 12-month dividend is $3 per share, implying a dividend yield of around 9.2%. We have completed two out of the three dry dockings so far in 2026. The dry docking of the Flex Voluntair was completed in January and she is now trading in the spot market. Flex Freedom completed her dry docking in March and she went straight back to service under the current charter. Both dry dockings were completed ahead of schedule. The third and final vessel to be dry docked in 2026, Flex Vigulent, is expected to enter dry dock later this month in Europe. She will, upon completion of dry dock, return back to charter. We expect the average cost of the three dry dockings to be around $6 million. Flex Vigilant marks the final five-year special survey in our fleet of 13 vessels. Let's have a look at the contract backlog. Flex Constellation was delivered to her new charter in early March, and she has now commenced her 15-year contract. In March, we were also pleased to announce that the Charter of Flex Resolute and Flex Courageous exercise their option from 2027 to 2029 for both vessels. The vessels have firm employment until 2032, and the Charters have additional options potentially extending the employment until 2039. In March, Flex Aurora was fixed on a new two-year firm contract with Supermajor and entered service almost in dire continuation after she was relivered from her previous three-and-a-half-year contract. The new contract also has two-plus-two-plus two-year options, potentially extending until 2034. Flex Artemis and Flex Volunteer have both been trading in the spot market in the first quarter. Flex Artemis is currently employed on a multi-month contract until end of September. FlexVolunteer is also fixed on a multi-contract and will come open early July. We are marketing both vessels for spot and firm contracts. Looking at the total contract coverage, 91% of remaining available days in 2026 are now fully fixed. We have today 54 years of minimum backlog, which may grow up to 81 years if the charters declare all options. We are also pleased to present a revised of our full year guidance. The guidance we provide in the fourth quarter presentation in February reflected a muted outlook for LNG shipping for this year. Following the war in Iran and the closure of Strait of Hormuz and shutdown of LNG production in Qatar, 20% of the global LNG export capacity is currently lost. This has resulted in strong LNG shipping markets in the short term. which has positively impacted our open vessels. The addition of new contract backlog and a firm spot market for L&D shipping have resulted in improved earnings outlook for Flex L&G, and we are therefore upgrading our financial guidance for the full year. We hike our expectation for the full year TCE rate to range between $73,000 and $78,000 per day. This is an increase around 8% from the previous guiding. The revenue range is increasing between $345 to $370 million, which is an increase of around 10% from the previous range. Adjusted EBITDA is now expected to come in between $225 to $280 million for the full year, an increase of around 11%. On the decision factors for the dividends, we maintain the market outlook on the orange level. This reflects near-term straight alongside medium-term uncertainty, driven by a heavy schedule of new building deliveries. We remain confident in the long-term demand story, supported by the third wave of U.S. L&D export capacity currently under construction. This quarter, we also have downgraded the older considerations to orange, given high geopolitical risk. There are uncertainties around duration of the Iran conflict and the normalization of the Qatari supply. Given the potential long-term implication of LNG trade and shipping markets, we believe it's prudent to reflect this risk into our dividend decisions framework. Taking all factors into account, the Board has declared another quarterly dividend of 75 cents per share. This brings dividends paid over the last 12 months to $3 per share. The dividend will be paid on around 11th of June for shareholders on record of 29th of May. And with that, over to you, Knut, for a review of the results.
You're reading a preview of the FLNG Q1 2026 earnings call.
Free account.