Diana Shipping Q4 2022 Earnings: Dividend Stability, Bullish Stance (NYSE:DSX)

Just a few days in the past Diana Transport (NYSE:DSX) introduced its This fall 2022 earnings during which they reported earnings per share of $0.27 and whole revenues of $75.7 million, falling brief by 200k. I’ve written about this firm a number of occasions previously, latest being this one and one of many issues I actually favored was its conservative strategy, with its fleet being completely chartered out in very long time charters, thus, avoiding the elevated volatility related to the spot market. At present, I am taking one other take a look at the corporate and outlining its bullish traits.

Very long time charters: A blessing or a curse?

Just a few years again, a pal of mine was negotiating an expert lease for his enterprise and was left dealing with a easy, however but harsh dilemma: The owner had supplied him an 8 yr lease at a selected hire and the choice to signal a 12-year lease at a not monumental, however but vital low cost. On the time, the actual property market was closely depressed and the owner was trying to safe as a lot rental stream as attainable, even at a slight low cost. My pal lastly opted for the 12-year lease, and, after 3-4 years, when business actual property values popped, he stored on paying a really aggressive hire, in relation to the remainder of the market.

I am certain you get the analogy right here. Diana Transport is performing like the owner of the instance I outlined above. Whereas this can be a good technique to observe in occasions of deteriorating market situations, additionally it is sure that it’ll result in decrease than common returns if utilized in an bettering market.

In accordance with the corporate’s earnings presentation, they just lately signed time charters for 4 Newcastlemaxes / Capesizes at a charge of $17.6k per day, for a mean length of 532 per vessel. The additionally chartered out 8 Kamsarmaxes / Panamaxes at a charge of $14.3k per day, for a mean of 296 days. Lastly, in addition they chartered out 5 Ultramax vessels for a mean every day charge of $14k and with a mean time constitution length of 284 days per vessel.

As we are able to see within the desk listed above, the common time constitution charge for 2-year Capesize time constitution contracts was $16k per day, whereas 1-year Panamax/Kamsarmax and Ultramax time charters are signed for $14.25 and $13k-$14.5k per day, respectively. We are able to see that Diana’s time charters are in step with the present market developments, and, within the case of bigger vessels, barely higher.

Nonetheless, allow us to not neglect the truth that the Baltic dry index is at a degree which was once more seen in early 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic initially occurred. As I am scripting this paragraph, the BCI, is buying and selling at 573 factors, having jumped by 47% since yesterday. There’s a lot conviction that the sturdy and fast restoration of dry bulk charges will proceed through the subsequent three quarters of this yr. With a view to present some perspective, I’ll be aware that, final September, when the BDI was buying and selling on the very first rate level of 2000 factors, the common 1-year Capesize time constitution was signed for $23k per day. Whereas the corporate nonetheless has some outdated time charters in fairly good charges, these might be phased out nearly fully till the top of Q2 2023.

What’s to love: A (comparatively) secure dividend payer at a great value

To be sincere, one factor that shocked me in Diana’s latest earnings launch was the corporate’s dedication to pay out to its frequent shareholders not less than $0.15 per share within the subsequent three quarters of 2023. If we do not enable for the “in-kind” OceanPal (OP) most well-liked shares particular distribution, we have now a ahead dividend yield of 12.8%. The speed of OceanPal’s most well-liked shares distribution is to be decided. Nonetheless, utilizing simply the minimal of $0.60 per share future dividend funds, we get a P/DPS a number of of seven.8x.

For the aim of comparability, I’ll kind a peer group, containing corporations collaborating within the dry bulk sector, which can embrace Star Bulk Carriers (SBLK), Eagle Bulk Transport (EGLE) and Protected Bulkers (SB). None of those corporations are a pure time constitution participant, and as such, it is inconceivable to foretell future dividends, with a regular diploma of conviction. Due to this fact, I’ll use TTM dividend funds, and apply subjective low cost charges to permit for the slowing market.

Star Bulk Carriers supplied its shareholders with whole dividend funds of $5.10 per share, on a TTM foundation. Over the past 12 months, Star Bulk’s shares had a mean value of $23.44, leading to a P/DPS a number of of 4.6x. Utilizing the identical methodology, the respective figures for EGLE and SB had been 7.2x and 37x. For Diana Transport, the TTM P/DPS a number of was 5.4x.

So, what these numbers inform us, is that, from the attitude of the dividend investor, the very best bang-for-buck deal is present in Star Bulk Carriers. Nonetheless, the P/DPS a number of of Diana Transport isn’t unhealthy in any respect. In truth, if we consider the extra mounted nature of its returns, it turns into actually attention-grabbing.

Backside Line

Do not count on Diana Transport to outperform its friends, simply as a passive earnings investor would not outperform a bull market. Nonetheless, if you wish to construct a balanced portfolio with publicity to the transport business, I’d advocate proudly owning this inventory to decrease the general threat of returns, whereas on the similar time, having a greater than first rate earnings stream secured.

From a technical viewpoint, the share value simply broke out its 200-day shifting common, which coincided with a major Fibo resistance. I count on some extent of accumulation and a bullish motion of the inventory.