Share Repurchases
In December 2024, the Company repurchased 1.56 million shares, or approximately 4% of its outstanding common stock, under Ardmore’s share repurchase plan, at a weighted average price of $11.49 per share, for a total cost of $17.9 million.
Preferred Stock Redemption
On December 10, 2024, the Company redeemed 10,000 shares of its Series A Preferred Stock at a redemption value of $10.3 million. This equates to 103% of the liquidation preference per share, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends.
Geopolitical Conflicts
The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has disrupted energy supply chains, caused instability and significant volatility in the global economy and resulted in economic sanctions by several nations. The ongoing conflict has contributed significantly to related increases in spot tanker rates.
Geopolitical tensions have increased since commencement of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023. Since mid-December 2023, Houthi rebels in Yemen have carried out numerous attacks on vessels in the Red Sea area. As a result of these attacks, many shipping companies have routed their vessels away from the Red Sea, which has affected trading patterns, rates and expenses. Further escalation or expansion of hostilities in the Middle East or elsewhere could continue to affect the price of crude oil and the oil industry, the tanker industry and demand for the Company’s services.
Results for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
The Company reported net income attributable to common stockholders of $5.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, or $0.12 earnings per basic share and diluted share, as compared to net income attributable to common stockholders of $26.1 million, or $0.63 earnings per basic share and diluted share for the three months ended December 31, 2023.
Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
The Company reported net income attributable to common stockholders of $128.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, or $3.09 earnings per basic share and $3.06 earnings per diluted share, as compared to net income attributable to common stockholders of $113.4 million, or $2.76 earnings per basic share and $2.71 earnings per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Results for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
Revenue. Revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2024 was $82.0 million, a decrease of $16.9 million from $98.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023.
The Company’s average number of operating vessels was 26.0 for the three months ended December 31, 2024, consistent with 26.0 for the three months ended December 31, 2023.
The Company had 2,245 spot revenue days for the three months ended December 31, 2024, as compared to 2,293 for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The Company had 25 vessels employed directly in the spot market as of December 31, 2024 compared with 26 vessels as of December 31, 2023. Decreases in spot rates during the three months ended December 31, 2024 resulted in a decrease in revenue of $17.6 million, while the decrease in spot revenue days resulted in a decrease in revenue of $2.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2023.
The Company had one product tanker employed under time charter as of December 31, 2024 as compared to none as of December 31, 2023. There were 92 revenue days derived from time charters for the three months ended December 31, 2024, as compared to none for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The increase in revenue days for time-chartered vessels resulted in an increase in revenue of $2.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024.