StealthGas (NASDAQ:GASS) Releases Earnings Results, Misses Expectations By $0.07 EPS

StealthGas (NASDAQ:GASS) released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday. The shipping company reported $0.46 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.53 by ($0.07), FiscalAI reports. StealthGas had a net margin of 35.91% and a return on equity of 8.72%. The business had revenue of $42.91 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $44.90 million.

Here are the key takeaways from StealthGas’ conference call:

• Profitability remained strong, with second-quarter net income of $17.3 million, EPS of $0.46, and a 40% profit margin despite a smaller fleet and lower revenue than last year.
• StealthGas reported a debt-free balance sheet and liquidity exceeding $250 million after receiving more than $77 million from the Eco Wizard insurance settlement, creating substantial financial flexibility.
• Fleet coverage remains meaningful but below management’s target, with 60% of remaining 2026 fleet days and 45% of forward fleet days secured; the company has about $90 million in contracted future revenue through 2029.
• Management intends to use its growing cash balance to renew the fleet, while continuing to sell older vessels; 13 vessel sales since 2023 have generated approximately $170 million and reduced the fleet to 25 vessels.
• Geopolitical disruptions have supported shipping rates by increasing ton-miles and U.S. LPG exports, but prolonged conflict could cause demand destruction; LPG imports fell sharply in India and China, while the MGC order book remains elevated at roughly 40% of the existing fleet.

StealthGas Stock Performance

GASS opened at $9.49 on Thursday. StealthGas has a 52-week low of $6.12 and a 52-week high of $10.55. The firm has a market cap of $357.10 million, a P/E ratio of 5.65 and a beta of 0.25. The business’s fifty day moving average is $8.88 and its 200-day moving average is $9.15.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of StealthGas from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, August 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Buy”.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On StealthGas

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. State Street Corp lifted its holdings in shares of StealthGas by 4.7% during the 4th quarter. State Street Corp now owns 29,737 shares of the shipping company’s stock worth $209,000 after acquiring an additional 1,340 shares during the period. Sei Investments Co. increased its stake in StealthGas by 14.8% in the third quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 30,311 shares of the shipping company’s stock valued at $199,000 after acquiring an additional 3,899 shares during the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada increased its stake in StealthGas by 343.3% in the fourth quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 5,063 shares of the shipping company’s stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 3,921 shares during the last quarter. IHT Wealth Management LLC raised its position in StealthGas by 60.0% during the fourth quarter. IHT Wealth Management LLC now owns 16,000 shares of the shipping company’s stock valued at $112,000 after purchasing an additional 6,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE raised its position in StealthGas by 701.2% during the fourth quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 10,263 shares of the shipping company’s stock valued at $58,000 after purchasing an additional 8,982 shares in the last quarter. 66.32% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About StealthGas

StealthGas Inc is an international shipping company specializing in the seaborne transportation of liquefied petroleum gases (LPG), including propane, butane and ammonia. The company operates a fleet of modern pressurized LPG carriers with capacities ranging from approximately 2,500 to 9,100 cubic meters, providing safe and efficient carriage of petrochemical gases worldwide.

Founded in 2005 and incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, StealthGas is headquartered in Athens, Greece, with additional commercial and operational offices in major shipping centers across Europe and Asia.