Core Viewpoint - Golar LNG Limited (GLNG) is preparing to refinance its floating liquefaction natural gas (FLNG) vessel Gimi's debt facility through a sale leaseback agreement valued at approximately $1.2 billion with a consortium of Chinese leasing companies [1][2]. Group 1: Financing Details - The sale leaseback facility is subject to customary closing conditions, including documentation completion and third-party approvals, and is expected to be finalized by the end of the second quarter of 2025 [2]. - The facility has a tenure of 12 years and features a 17-year amortization profile, with quarterly repayment installments throughout the lease period [2]. Group 2: Financial Proceeds - Upon completion and repayment of the existing debt facility, Gimi MS Corporation is expected to generate net proceeds of nearly $530 million, which includes the release of existing interest rate swaps [3]. - Golar LNG anticipates benefiting from 70% of these proceeds, amounting to approximately $371 million [3]. Group 3: Stock Performance - Golar LNG currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) and has seen its shares increase by 59.7% over the past year, outperforming the transportation-shipping industry [4].

Core Insights - Golar LNG Limited (GLNG) reported disappointing fourth-quarter 2024 results, with earnings of 30 cents per share missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 48 cents and declining year over year [1] - Revenues of $65.5 million also fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $69 million, representing a 17.8% year-over-year decline [2] Financial Performance - Adjusted EBITDA for GLNG was $59.2 million, down 48% year over year [4] - Cash and cash equivalents at the end of Q4 2024 were $566.38 million, a decrease from $732.06 million at the end of the previous quarter [4] - Contractual debt increased by 24% to $1.51 billion at the end of the reported quarter [4] Strategic Transactions - In December 2024, GLNG completed the acquisition of remaining third-party minority ownership interests in FLNG Hilli for $60 million, achieving 100% economic interest in the asset [3] - In January 2025, GLNG sold its non-core 23.4% interest in Avenir for net proceeds of $39 million, completed in February 2025 [4] Dividend Information - The board of directors approved a fourth-quarter 2024 dividend of 25 cents per share, payable on or around March 18, 2025 [5] Market Performance - GLNG holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) and has seen its shares gain 89.2% over the past year, contrasting with a 22.9% loss in the industry [6]

Core Viewpoint - Golar LNG reported quarterly earnings of $0.30 per share, missing the consensus estimate of $0.48 per share, and showing a decline from $0.90 per share a year ago, indicating a significant earnings surprise of -37.50% [1] Financial Performance - The company posted revenues of $65.47 million for the quarter ended December 2024, which was 5.16% below the consensus estimate and a decrease from $78.65 million year-over-year [2] - Over the last four quarters, Golar LNG has surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times, but has not beaten revenue estimates during the same period [2] Stock Performance - Golar LNG shares have declined approximately 9.1% since the beginning of the year, contrasting with the S&P 500's gain of 1.3% [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), indicating expectations for outperformance in the near future based on favorable estimate revisions [6] Future Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.44 on revenues of $58.2 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $1.62 on revenues of $428.19 million [7] - The outlook for the Transportation - Shipping industry, where Golar LNG operates, is currently in the bottom 31% of Zacks industries, which may impact stock performance [8]

FOURTH QUARTER 2024 RESULTS February 27, 2025 Golar LNG Limited 2024 I 1 Forward looking statements This press release contains forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) which reflects management's current expectations, estimates and projections about its operations. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address activities and events that will, should, could or may occur in the future are forward- looking statements. W ...

Golar LNG Limited (NASDAQ:GLNG) Q4 2024 Earnings Conference Call February 27, 2025 8:00 AM ET Company Participants Karl Fredrik Staubo – Chief Executive Officer Eduardo Maranhão – Chief Financial Officer Conference Call Participants Ben Nolan – Stifel Chris Robertson – Deutsche Bank Alexander Bidwell – Webber Research & Advisory Greg Lewis – BTIG Petter Haugen – ABG Sundal Collier Fredrik Dybwad – Fernley Securities Operator Welcome to the Golar LNG Limited 4Q 2024 Presentation. After the slide presentation ...

Core Insights - Golar LNG Limited has executed agreements to sell the Golar Arctic, a 2003 built steam turbine LNG carrier, for USD 24 million before transaction-related expenses, marking the company's exit from the LNG shipping segment [1][3] - The sale of the Golar Arctic is part of Golar's strategic transition to focus on FLNG infrastructure, completing a 50-year journey in LNG shipping since the delivery of its first LNG carrier in 1975 [3] Company Developments - The Golar Arctic is the last LNG carrier in Golar's fleet, and the transaction is expected to close in Q1 2025 [1] - Following the sale, Golar will have fully exited its legacy shipping business, allowing the company to concentrate on expanding its market-leading position in FLNG [3] Industry Context - The transition from LNG shipping to FLNG infrastructure reflects broader trends in the maritime LNG sector, where companies are increasingly focusing on innovative infrastructure solutions [3]

Core Viewpoint - Golar LNG Limited (GLNG) is enhancing its position in the floating LNG (FLNG) sector through strategic acquisitions, leading to impressive share price performance and potential investment opportunities [1]. Factors Favoring GLNG Stock - The company's shares have surged 92% over the past six months, significantly outperforming the industry's decline of 16.7% [2]. Earnings Estimates and Performance - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings per share has been revised upward by 17.1% for Q4 2024 and by 2.5% for 2025, indicating strong broker confidence in the stock [3]. - Golar LNG has a positive earnings surprise history, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the last four quarters with an average surprise of 30.2% [4]. Growth Factors - Golar LNG's acquisition of minority interests in the FLNG Hilli for $90.2 million strengthens its market position. The FLNG Hilli is contracted with Perenco in Cameroon until 2026 and will move to Argentina under a 20-year contract, contributing an additional $0.5 billion to adjusted EBITDA backlog [5]. Shareholder Returns - In 2023, Golar LNG distributed over $168 million in dividends and buybacks, with a recent dividend payout of $0.25 per share in Q3 2024. There remains $74.1 million available from a $150 million share buyback scheme [6]. Financial Position - As of the end of Q3 2024, Golar LNG held approximately $732 million in cash and cash equivalents, with a net debt of $646 million. The current ratio was 1.55, indicating sufficient liquidity to meet debt obligations [7][8].

Transaction Details - Golar LNG Limited has entered into a share purchase agreement to sell all its shares in Avenir LNG Limited to Stolt-Nielsen Gas Ltd for approximately USD 40 million [1] - The transaction is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2025, subject to the fulfilment of conditions under the share purchase agreement [1] Golar's Remaining Stake in HIGAS - Golar will retain a 25% shareholder position and continue as a debt provider to Higas Srl, the HIGAS LNG storage terminal in Sardinia [2] - As of the end of October 2024, the book value of HIGAS was USD 40.5 million (on a 100% basis), comprising USD 24.7 million in shareholder loans and USD 15.8 million in shareholders' equity [2] Strategic Rationale - The sale aligns with Golar's strategy to focus on expanding its market-leading FLNG (Floating Liquefied Natural Gas) position [3] - Golar's investment in Avenir LNG was no longer considered a core asset following the sale of Hygo Energy Transition Ltd in 2021 [3] - Golar played a key role in founding Avenir LNG, which has grown into one of the largest small-scale LNG shipping companies globally [3]

Core Points - Golar LNG Limited announced that FLNG Gimi received feed gas from the bp operated FPSO on the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim project, marking the commencement of full commissioning [1] - The first LNG export cargo is expected in Q1 2025, with full Commercial Operations Date anticipated in Q2 2025, contingent on meeting all conditions [1] - The receipt of gas will lead to an upward adjustment to the Commissioning Rate under the commercial reset agreed in August 2024, triggering a 20-year Lease and Operate Agreement [2] - This agreement is expected to unlock approximately $3 billion of Adjusted EBITDA Backlog, which includes both capital and operating elements recognized in the balance sheet and income statement [2]

Core Viewpoint - Golar LNG's recent performance has shown a 24.8% increase in share price since the last earnings report, outperforming the S&P 500, raising questions about the sustainability of this trend leading up to the next earnings release [1] Financial Performance - Golar LNG reported Q3 2024 earnings of 53 cents per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 37 cents, although the earnings declined year over year [2] - Revenues for the quarter were $64.8 million, meeting the Zacks Consensus Estimate but reflecting a 4% decline year over year [3] - Adjusted EBITDA was $59 million, which represents a 21% decline year over year [4] Cash and Debt Position - The company ended Q3 2024 with cash and cash equivalents of $732.06 million, an increase from $527.59 million at the end of the previous quarter [4] - Golar LNG's share of contractual debt rose by 25% to $1.46 billion by the end of the reported quarter [5] Dividend and Share Buyback - The board approved a dividend of 25 cents per share for Q3 2024, scheduled for payment on or around December 2, 2024, to shareholders of record as of November 25, 2024 [5] - Of the $150 million share buyback program, $74.1 million remains available [5] Market Sentiment and Outlook - Estimates for Golar LNG have remained flat over the past month, indicating a lack of significant changes in market expectations [6] - The company currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), suggesting an expectation of an in-line return from the stock in the coming months [8] Investment Scores - Golar LNG has a subpar Growth Score of D, a Momentum Score of F, and a Value Score of F, resulting in an overall aggregate VGM Score of F, placing it in the fifth quintile for investment strategy [7]