• Tenaris Announces 2020 Fourth Quarter and Annual Results

    Source: Nasdaq GlobeNewswire / 24 Feb 2021 15:58:48   America/Chicago

    The financial and operational information contained in this press release is based on audited consolidated financial statements presented in U.S. dollars and prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standard Board and adopted by the European Union, or IFRS. Additionally, this press release includes non-IFRS alternative performance measures i.e., EBITDA, Net cash / debt and Free Cash Flow. See exhibit I for more details on these alternative performance measures.

    LUXEMBOURG, Feb. 24, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tenaris S.A. (NYSE and Mexico: TS and MTA Italy: TEN) (“Tenaris”) today announced its results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2020 with comparison to its results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2019.

    Summary of 2020 Fourth Quarter Results

    (Comparison with third quarter of 2020 and fourth quarter of 2019)

     4Q 20203Q 20204Q 2019
    Net sales ($ million)1,131 1,013 12%1,741 (35%)
    Operating income (loss) ($ million)7 (70)111%152 (95%)
    Net income (loss) ($ million)110 (36)405%148 (26%)
    Shareholders’ net income (loss) ($ million)107 (33)423%152 (30%)
    Earnings (losses) per ADS ($)0.18 (0.06)423%0.26 (30%)
    Earnings (losses) per share ($)0.09 (0.03)423%0.13 (30%)
    EBITDA* ($ million)192 107 79%290 (34%)
    EBITDA margin (% of net sales)17.0%10.6% 16.7% 

    *EBITDA is defined as operating income (loss) plus depreciation, amortization and impairment charges / (reversals). EBITDA includes severance charges of $37 million in 4Q 2020 and $28 million in 3Q 2020. If these charges were not included EBITDA would have been $229 million (20.3%) in 4Q 2020 and $135 million (13.4%) in 3Q 2020.

    In the fourth quarter of 2020, our sales rose 12% sequentially driven by a gradual recovery in drilling activity in the Americas and a good mix of products sold in the Middle East. EBITDA, which included restructuring costs of $37 million and one-off gains of $17 million due to the reversal of a provision on a claim against the former IPSCO in Canada and the recovery of a tax credit in Brazil, rose 79% sequentially, reflecting a better industrial performance and the operating leverage of higher volumes on a lower fixed cost base after the restructuring measures implemented during the year. Net income benefited from a strong contribution from our investment in Ternium and a positive tax charge.

    During the quarter, cash flow from operations amounted to $139 million, which included an increase in working capital of $38 million reflecting the recovery in activity. After capital expenditures of $38 million and dividend payments of $83 million, our net cash position remained stable at $1.1 billion.

    Summary of 2020 Annual Results

     12M 202012M 2019Increase/(Decrease)
    Net sales ($ million)5,147 7,294 (29%)
    Operating (loss) income ($ million)(663)832 (180%)
    Net (loss) income ($ million)(642)731 (188%)
    Shareholders’ net (loss) income ($ million)(634)743 (185%)
    (Losses) earnings per ADS ($)(1.07)1.26 (185%)
    (Losses) earnings per share ($)(0.54)0.63 (185%)
    EBITDA* ($ million)638 1,372 (53%)
    EBITDA margin (% of net sales)12.4%18.8% 

    *EBITDA is defined as operating (loss) income plus depreciation, amortization and impairment charges / (reversals). EBITDA includes severance charges of $142 million in 2020. If these charges were not included EBITDA would have been $780 million (15.2%) in 2020.

    Our sales and results in 2020 were severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the measures taken around the world to contain it, the impact this had on global oil demand which caused a collapse in prices and rapid build up of excess inventories, and the consequent drop in investments in drilling activity by our oil and gas customers. While sales held up relatively well in the Eastern Hemisphere regions, they plunged, along with drilling activity, in the Americas, where, in Argentina for example, drilling activity was halted for a couple of months. Overall, sales declined 29% year on year and EBITDA, which included $142 million of restructuring charges fell 53% to $638 million, reflecting the lower absorption of fixed costs as well as lower sales, while we met our target for a reduction in our fixed cost structure of $230 million annualized by the end of the year.

    For the year, we recorded a net loss attributable to owners of the parent company of $634 million, or ($1.07) per ADS. This included an impairment charge of $622 million on the carrying value of goodwill and other assets in the United States, mainly related to the former IPSCO business and our welded pipe operations.

    Cash flow provided by operating activities amounted to $1.5 billion during 2020, as we exceeded our target for reductions in working capital. Capital expenditures were also reduced in line with our target to $193 million in 2020, compared to the $350 million invested in 2019. Free cash flow, which amounted to $1.3 billion (26% of revenues) in 2020, exceeded the $1.2 billion (16%) we generated in 2019.

    Our financial position at December 31, 2020 amounted to a net cash position of $1.1 billion ($1.7 billion of liquid assets less $0.6 billion of debt), after having paid $1.0 billion for the acquisition of IPSCO in January 2020.

    Climate Change

    Our Board of Directors has approved a medium-term target to reduce the carbon emissions intensity rate of its operations by 2030 by 30%, compared to its level in 2018, considering scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. We aim to achieve this target by using a higher proportion of recycled steel scrap in the metallic mix, investments to increase energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy for part of our energy requirements.

    This target forms part of a broader long-term objective of reaching carbon neutrality. This will depend on the development of emerging technologies and market and regulatory conditions, including carbon pricing and customer support. To further this objective, we will actively pursue the development of technologies involving the use of hydrogen and carbon capture, with partners, including our affiliated company Tenova, and participate in pilot projects such as the one we recently announced to use hydrogen in our Dalmine steel shop in Italy.

    To accelerate the fulfilment of these targets, we will implement the use of an internal carbon price at a minimum of $80/ton for evaluating investments and more generally in our operations.

    The Board of Directors has nominated its Vice-Chairman, Germán Curá, to oversee the development and implementation of the Company’s strategy for climate change going forward.

    Market Background and Outlook

    With vaccination programs starting to be rolled out in many countries, economic activity is recovering in many sectors, though selected lockdowns are still being implemented to contain the spread of new and more infectious variants of the original COVID-19 strain. Global oil consumption is increasing along with industrial production and mobility, while OPEC+ countries continue to contain production levels and Saudi Arabia is implementing an additional production cut during February and March. Oil prices have returned to levels where selective investment activity could move forward and natural gas prices have also increased following temporary market shortages due to weather events and production outages.

    Drilling activity in the US and Canada has risen over the past three months, as it has in Latin America, and may continue to rise further through the year. In the Eastern Hemisphere, drilling activity may be close to bottoming out but we do not expect any significant recovery this year.

    In this still uncertain environment, we anticipate a gradual recovery in sales through most of the year. In the first quarter, however, our EBITDA will be impacted in around $20 million by additional costs and production losses in USA and Mexico associated to this month’s Texas gas and power shortages. After a first quarter EBITDA similar to that of the fourth quarter 2020, from the second quarter, EBITDA should increase with margins stabilizing around 20% as price increases compensate for higher raw material costs.

    Annual Dividend Proposal

    Upon approval of the Company's annual accounts in March 2021, the board of directors intends to propose, for approval of the annual general shareholders’ meeting to be held on May 3, 2021, the payment of dividends in an aggregate amount of approximately $248 million, which would include the interim dividend of approximately $83 million paid in November 2020. If the annual dividend is approved by the shareholders, a dividend of $0.14 per share ($0.28 per ADS), or approximately $165 million, will be paid on May 26, 2021, with an ex-dividend date on May 24, 2021 and record date on May 25, 2021.

    Analysis of 2020 Fourth Quarter Results

    Tubes Sales volume (thousand metric tons)4Q 20203Q 20204Q 2019
    Seamless42338310%641(34%)
    Welded103994%164(37%)
    Total5264829%805(35%)


    Tubes4Q 20203Q 20204Q 2019
    (Net sales - $ million)     
    North America391 353 11%779 (50%)
    South America160 131 22%265 (40%)
    Europe137 126 8%153 (11%)
    Middle East & Africa294 262 12%352 (16%)
    Asia Pacific68 75 (9%)82 (17%)
    Total net sales ($ million)1,050 946 11%1,631 (36%)
    Operating income (loss) ($ million)3 (66)105%138 (98%)
    Operating margin (% of sales)0.3%(6.9%) 8.5% 

    Net sales of tubular products and services increased 11% sequentially and decreased 36% year on year. Volumes increased 9% sequentially while average selling prices increased 2%. In North America, sales increased sequentially 11% reflecting higher sales of OCTG products in the USA and Canada as drilling activity ramps up. In South America, sales increased 22% sequentially as drilling activity gradually recovers across the region. In Europe sales increased 8% mainly due to higher sales of mechanical pipes to the industrial sector. In the Middle East and Africa sales were up 12% sequentially, reflecting higher sales of OCTG in the Middle East. In Asia Pacific sales declined 9% sequentially due to lower sales of industrial and line pipe products.

    Operating income from tubular products and services, amounted to $3 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to a loss of $66 million in the previous quarter and a gain of $138 million in the fourth quarter of 2019. During the quarter leaving indemnities in the Tubes segment amounted to $37 million, $9 million more than in the previous quarter. The improvement in our Tubes operating result reflects a better industrial performance and the operating leverage of higher volumes on a lower fixed cost base after the restructuring measures implemented during the year.

    Others4Q 20203Q 20204Q 2019
    Net sales ($ million)81 66 22%109 (26%)
    Operating income (loss) ($ million)4 (5)188%14 (71%)
    Operating margin (% of sales)5.0%(6.9%) 12.6% 

    Net sales of other products and services increased 22% sequentially and declined 26% year on year. The sequential increase in sales is mainly due to the improvement in the sucker rods and coiled tubing businesses, mainly due to the recovery of drilling activity, in particular in the Americas.

    Selling, general and administrative expenses, or SG&A, amounted to $242 million (21.4% of net sales), compared to $234 million (23.1%) in the previous quarter and $349 million (20.0%) in the fourth quarter of 2019. SG&A during the quarter included $16 million of leaving indemnities compared to $9 million in the previous quarter. Excluding leaving indemnities, SG&A remained relatively flat compared to the previous quarter in absolute terms but declined 220 basis points as a percentage of sales due to the increase in sales. Additionally, SG&A of the quarter, included a $9 million gain due to the reversal of a provision on a claim against the former IPSCO in Canada.

    Other operating income (expense) amounted to a net gain of $14 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared with a gain of $7 million in the previous quarter and a gain of $4 million in the fourth quarter of 2019. In the fourth quarter of 2020, we recognized a gain of approximately $8 million for a favorable decision on a fiscal litigation in Brazil.

    Financial results amounted to a loss of $14 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to a loss of $15 million in the previous quarter and a loss of $7 million in the fourth quarter of 2019. The loss of the quarter corresponds mainly to a $13 million FX charge due to the Euro appreciation on Euro denominated intercompany liabilities at subsidiaries whose functional currency is the USD, largely compensated by changes to our currency translation adjustment reserve in equity.

    Equity in earnings of non-consolidated companies generated a gain of $81 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to $21 million in the previous quarter and $13 million in the same period of 2019. These positive results are mainly derived from our equity investment in Ternium (NYSE:TX) and Usiminas.

    Income tax was a gain of $35 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to a $28 million gain in the previous quarter and $10 million charge in the fourth quarter of 2019. Income tax continues to be affected by losses which generates tax credits and during the quarter was affected by the effect on the tax base of the revaluation of the Mexican Peso, Canadian Dollar and Colombian Peso, partially offset by the Argentine Peso devaluation.

    Cash Flow and Liquidity of 2020 Fourth Quarter

    Net cash provided by operations during the fourth quarter of 2020 was $139 million, compared with $417 million in the previous quarter and $264 million in the fourth quarter of 2019. With the recovery in activity our working capital increased by $38 million during the fourth quarter of 2020 mainly due to higher receivables and inventories partially offset by higher accounts payables.

    Capital expenditures amounted to $38 million for the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to $42 million in the previous quarter and $80 million in the fourth quarter of 2019.

    Free cash flow amounted to $101 million during the quarter, compared to $376 million in the previous quarter and $184 million in the fourth quarter of 2019. After paying an $83 million dividend during the quarter, at December 31, 2020 our net cash position amounted to $1.1 billion, similar to the end of the previous quarter.

    Analysis of 2020 Annual Results  

    Tubes Sales volume (thousand metric tons)12M 2020 12M 2019 Increase/(Decrease)
    Seamless1,918 2,600 (26%)
    Welded480 671 (28%)
    Total 2,398   3,271  (27%)


    Tubes12M 202012M 2019Increase/(Decrease)
    (Net sales - $ million)   
    North America2,108 3,307 (36%)
    South America660 1,240 (47%)
    Europe566 641 (12%)
    Middle East & Africa1,194 1,337 (11%)
    Asia Pacific315 345 (9%)
    Total net sales ($ million)4,844 6,870 (29%)
    Operating (loss) income ($ million)(616)755 (182%)
    Operating margin (% of sales)(12.7%)11.0% 

    Net sales of tubular products and services decreased 29% to $4,844 million in 2020, compared to $6,870 million in 2019, reflecting a 27% decline in volumes and a 4% decrease in average selling prices. In North America, we had lower volumes and prices across the region where activity was severely affected by the downturn in oil prices and the pandemic. In South America we also had lower volumes and prices across the region where activity was severely affected by the downturn in oil prices and the pandemic, except in Brazil where offshore drilling activity continued. In Europe, while sales of OCTG in the North Sea and line pipe for downstream processing remained stable, sales of mechanical and other products declined. In the Middle East & Africa, while sales in Saudi Arabia declined, they were compensated by higher OCTG sales in the rest of the Middle East. Line pipe for deepwater product in West Africa and downstream projects through the region declined. In Asia Pacific, our sales declined mainly driven by lower sales in Thailand.

    Operating results from tubular products and services, amounted to a loss of $616 million in 2020, compared to a gain of $755 million in 2019. In addition to the decline in sales following the drop in drilling activity, our results were negatively impacted by lower absorption of fixed costs and the inefficiencies related to the low level of capacity utilization since March 2020. Additionally, Tubes operating income was affected by $139 million of severance charges, by an impairment charge of $582 million, reflecting the difficult business conditions generated by COVID-19 pandemic, with the collapse in oil demand and prices and the impact on drilling activity and on the demand for steel pipe products and by $138 million higher depreciation and amortization charge mainly related to the incorporation of the IPSCO facilities and the accelerated depreciation of the Prudential facility after the decision to close it and consolidate our Canadian pipe manufacturing operations at our facility in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

    Others12M 202012M 2019Increase/(Decrease)
    Net sales ($ million)303 424 (29%)
    Operating (loss) income ($ million)(47)77 (161%)
    Operating margin (% of sales)(15.6%)18.2% 

    Net sales of other products and services declined 29% from $424 million in 2019 to $303 million in 2020, mainly due to lower sales of energy related products, i.e., sucker rods and coiled tubing.

    Operating results from other products and services, amounted to a loss of $47 million in 2020, compared to a gain of $77 million in 2019. Others segment in 2020 includes impairment charges for $40 million, as well as charges for leaving indemnities amounting to $4 million. Additionally, results in 2020 were negatively impacted by lower absorption of fixed costs and the inefficiencies related to the low level of capacity utilization since March 2020.

    Selling, general and administrative expenses, or SG&A, amounted to $1,119 million (21.7% of net sales), compared to $1,366 million (18.7%) in 2019. SG&A during 2020 included $61 million of leaving indemnities. The $247 million reduction in SG&A was mainly due to lower selling expenses and fixed costs, net of higher depreciation and amortization related mainly to the incorporation of IPSCO.

    Financial results amounted to a loss of $65 million in 2020, compared to a gain of $19 million in 2019. The loss in 2020 corresponds to a net finance cost of $9 million, reflecting a lower net cash position and lower yields on the position and $55 million FX loss net of derivative results, mainly due to a 9% Euro appreciation on Euro denominated intercompany liabilities at subsidiaries whose functional currency is the U.S. dollar and a 29% Brazilian Real depreciation on USD denominated intercompany liabilities at subsidiaries in Brazil whose functional currency is the Brazilian Real, both results are to a large extent offset by changes to our currency translation reserve.

    Equity in earnings of non-consolidated companies generated a gain of $109 million in 2020, compared to $82 million in 2019. These results were mainly derived from our equity investment in Ternium (NYSE:TX), Techgen and Usiminas.

    Income tax charge amounted to $23 million in 2020, compared to $202 million in 2019. The lower charge in 2020 is explained by deferred tax gains arising from losses since the COVID-19 outbreak around March 2020.

    Net results for continuing operations amounted to a loss of $642 million in 2020, compared with a gain of $731 million in 2019. The lower results reflect a worse operating environment, include impairment and severance charges, worse financial results, partially compensated by a higher contribution from our non-consolidated investments, mainly Ternium and lower taxes.

    Cash Flow and Liquidity of 2020

    Cash flow provided by operating activities amounted to $1.5 billion during 2020, similar to 2019 as the lower contribution from operating results was compensated by a higher contribution from the reduction in working capital which amounted to $1.1 billion in 2020.

    Capital expenditures amounted to $193 million in 2020, a reduction of $157 million compared to the $350 million invested in 2019.

    Free cash flow amounted to $1.3 billion (26% of revenues) in 2020, compared to $1.2 billion (16%) in 2019.

    Our financial position at December 31, 2020 amounted to a net cash position of $1.1 billion ($1.7 billion of liquid assets less $0.6 billion of debt), after having paid $1.0 billion for the acquisition of IPSCO in January 2020.

    Conference call

    Tenaris will hold a conference call to discuss the above reported results, on February 25, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). Following a brief summary, the conference call will be opened to questions. To access the conference call dial in +1 866 789 1656 within North America or +1 630 489 1502 Internationally. The access number is “9369019”. Please dial in 10 minutes before the scheduled start time. The conference call will be also available by webcast at ir.tenaris.com/events-and-presentations.

    A replay of the conference call will be available on our webpage ir.tenaris.com/events-and-presentations or by phone from 1:00 pm ET on February 25 through 1:00 pm on March 5, 2021. To access the replay by phone, please dial +1 855 859 2056 or +1 404 537 3406 and enter passcode “9369019” when prompted.

    Some of the statements contained in this press release are “forward-looking statements”. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by those statements. These risks include but are not limited to risks arising from uncertainties as to future oil and gas prices and their impact on investment programs by oil and gas companies.


    Consolidated Income Statement

    (all amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)Three-month period ended
    December 31,     		Twelve-month period ended
    December 31,
     2020 2019 2020 2019 
    Continuing operations          
    Net sales1,130,628 1,740,548 5,146,734 7,294,055 
    Cost of sales(895,457)(1,244,186)(4,087,317)(5,107,495)
    Gross profit235,171 496,362 1,059,417 2,186,560 
    Selling, general and administrative expenses(242,137)(348,889)(1,119,227)(1,365,974)
    Impairment charge- - (622,402)- 
    Other operating income (expense), net14,351 4,294 19,141 11,805 
    Operating income (loss)7,385 151,767 (663,071)832,391 
    Finance Income7,814 11,785 18,387 47,997 
    Finance Cost(4,587)(11,658)(27,014)(43,381)
    Other financial results(17,355)(7,003)(56,368)14,667 
    (Loss) Income before equity in earnings of non-consolidated companies and income tax(6,743)144,891 (728,066)851,674 
    Equity in earnings of non-consolidated companies81,360 13,377 108,799 82,036 
    Income (loss) before income tax74,617 158,268 (619,267)933,710 
    Income tax34,889 (9,813)(23,150)(202,452)
    Income (loss) for continuing operations109,506 148,455 (642,417)731,258 
         
    Attributable to:    
    Owners of the parent106,557 151,773 (634,418)742,686 
    Non-controlling interests2,949 (3,318)(7,999)(11,428)
     109,506 148,455 (642,417)731,258 


    Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

    (all amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)At December 31, 2020 At December 31, 2019
        
    ASSETS      
    Non-current assets     
    Property, plant and equipment, net6,193,181  6,090,017 
    Intangible assets, net1,429,056  1,561,559 
    Right-of-use assets, net241,953  233,126 
    Investments in non-consolidated companies957,352  879,965 
    Other investments247,082  24,934 
    Deferred tax assets205,590  225,680 
    Receivables, net154,3039,428,517 157,1039,172,384
    Current assets     
    Inventories, net1,636,673  2,265,880 
    Receivables and prepayments, net77,849  104,575 
    Current tax assets136,384  167,388 
    Trade receivables, net968,148  1,348,160 
    Derivative financial instruments11,449  19,929 
    Other investments872,488  210,376 
    Cash and cash equivalents584,6814,287,672 1,554,2995,670,607
    Total assets 13,716,189   14,842,991
    EQUITY      
    Capital and reserves attributable to owners of the parent 11,262,888  11,988,958
    Non-controlling interests 183,585  197,414
    Total equity 11,446,473   12,186,372
    LIABILITIES      
    Non-current liabilities     
    Borrowings315,739  40,880 
    Lease liabilities213,848  192,318 
    Deferred tax liabilities254,801  336,982 
    Other liabilities245,635  251,383 
    Provisions73,2181,103,241 54,599876,162
    Current liabilities     
    Borrowings303,268  781,272 
    Lease liabilities43,495  37,849 
    Derivative financial instruments3,217  1,814 
    Current tax liabilities90,593  127,625 
    Other liabilities202,826  176,264 
    Provisions12,279  17,017 
    Customer advances48,692  82,729 
    Trade payables462,1051,166,475 555,8871,780,457
    Total liabilities 2,269,716   2,656,619
    Total equity and liabilities 13,716,189   14,842,991


    Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

      Three-month period ended
    December 31,     		Twelve-month period ended
    December 31,
    (all amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars) 2020 2019 2020 2019 
         
    Cash flows from operating activities     
    Income (loss) for the period 109,506 148,455 (642,417)731,258 
    Adjustments for:     
    Depreciation and amortization 185,024 138,342 678,806 539,521 
    Impairment charge - - 622,402 - 
    Income tax accruals less payments (59,631)(48,013)(117,214)(193,417)
    Equity in earnings of non-consolidated companies (81,360)(13,377)(108,799)(82,036)
    Interest accruals less payments, net (2,080)(675)(538)(4,381)
    Changes in provisions (3,192)4,947 (13,175)2,739 
    Changes in working capital (38,074)19,751 1,059,135 523,109 
    Currency translation adjustment and others 29,261 14,841 42,183 11,146 
    Net cash provided by operating activities 139,454 264,271 1,520,383 1,527,939 
          
    Cash flows from investing activities     
    Capital expenditures (38,166)(80,467)(193,322)(350,174)
    Changes in advance to suppliers of property, plant and equipment (1,857)635 (1,031)3,820 
    Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired - - (1,025,367)(132,845)
    Investment in companies under cost method - (2,933)- (2,933)
    Additions to associated companies - (9,810)- (19,610)
    Repayment of loan by non-consolidated companies - - - 40,470 
    Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets 2,710 918 14,394 2,091 
    Dividends received from non-consolidated companies - - 278 28,974 
    Changes in investments in securities (323,988)135,446 (887,216)389,815 
    Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities  (361,301)43,789 (2,092,264)(40,392)
          
    Cash flows from financing activities     
    Dividends paid (82,637)(153,470)(82,637)(484,020)
    Dividends paid to non-controlling interest in subsidiaries (5,301)- (5,301)(1,872)
    Changes in non-controlling interests - - 2 1 
    Payments of lease liabilities (12,740)(12,695)(48,553)(41,530)
    Proceeds from borrowings 99,804 301,000 658,156 1,332,716 
    Repayments of borrowings (198,834)(425,216)(896,986)(1,159,053)
    Net cash used in financing activities (199,707)(290,381)(375,319)(353,758)
          
    (Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (421,554)17,679 (947,200)1,133,789 
    Movement in cash and cash equivalents     
    At the beginning of the period 1,004,398 1,535,530 1,554,275 426,717 
    Effect of exchange rate changes 1,739 1,066 (22,492)(6,231)
    (Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (421,554)17,679 (947,200)1,133,789 
    At December 31, 584,583 1,554,275 584,583 1,554,275 


    Exhibit I – Alternative performance measures

    EBITDA, Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization.

    EBITDA provides an analysis of the operating results excluding depreciation and amortization and impairments, as they are non-cash variables which can vary substantially from company to company depending on accounting policies and the accounting value of the assets. EBITDA is an approximation to pre-tax operating cash flow and reflects cash generation before working capital variation. EBITDA is widely used by investors when evaluating businesses (multiples valuation), as well as by rating agencies and creditors to evaluate the level of debt, comparing EBITDA with net debt.

    EBITDA is calculated in the following manner:

    EBITDA= Operating results + Depreciation and amortization + Impairment charges/(reversals).

    (all amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)Three-month period ended
    December 31,     		Twelve-month period ended
    December 31,
     202020192020 2019
    Operating income7,385151,767(663,071)832,391
    Depreciation and amortization185,024138,342678,806 539,521
    Impairment--622,402 -
    EBITDA192,409290,109638,137 1,371,912

    Net Cash / (Debt)

    This is the net balance of cash and cash equivalents, other current investments and fixed income investments held to maturity less total borrowings. It provides a summary of the financial solvency and liquidity of the company. Net cash / (debt) is widely used by investors and rating agencies and creditors to assess the company’s leverage, financial strength, flexibility and risks.

    Net cash/ debt is calculated in the following manner:

    Net cash= Cash and cash equivalents + Other investments (Current and Non-Current)+/-Derivatives hedging borrowings and investments–Borrowings(Current and Non-Current)

    (all amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)At December 31,
     2020 2019 
    Cash and cash equivalents584,681 1,554,299 
    Other current investments872,488 210,376 
    Non-current investments239,422 18,012 
    Derivatives hedging borrowings and investments7,869 19,000 
    Current Borrowings(303,268)(781,272)
    Non-current borrowings(315,739)(40,880)
    Net cash / (debt)1,085,453 979,535 

    Free Cash Flow

    Free cash flow is a measure of financial performance, calculated as operating cash flow less capital expenditures. FCF represents the cash that a company is able to generate after spending the money required to maintain or expand its asset base.

    Free cash flow is calculated in the following manner:

    Free cash flow= Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities – Capital expenditures.

    (all amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)Three-month period ended December 31, Twelve-month period ended December 31,
     2020 2019 2020 2019 
    Net cash provided by operating activities139,454 264,271 1,520,381 1,527,939 
    Capital expenditures(38,166)(80,467)(193,322)(350,174)
    Free cash flow101,288 183,804 1,327,059 1,177,765 

    Giovanni Sardagna        
    Tenaris
    1-888-300-5432
    www.tenaris.com


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