Tsakos Energy Navigation Ltd (TEN) had a very good Thursday. The shipping company's stock climbed after it delivered third-quarter 2025 results that comfortably beat Wall Street expectations, thanks to healthy tanker markets and some well-timed vessel sales.
The numbers tell the story. Third-quarter gross revenues came in at $186.228 million, beating analyst estimates of $178.092 million. Net income jumped to $38.3 million, or $1.05 per share, compared with $26.5 million, or 67 cents per share, in the same quarter last year. That $1.05 earnings per share figure topped the consensus estimate of 80 cents by a comfortable margin.
Operating income reached $60.5 million for the quarter, which included $9 million in gains from selling off three older vessels. Adjusted EBITDA totaled $95.6 million, reflecting the underlying strength of the business.
Fleet Performance and Operational Metrics
The operational details show a well-run ship, so to speak. Fleet utilization in the quarter hit 95%, meaning TEN's vessels were working almost all the time. The average Time Charter Equivalent came in at $30,601 per vessel per day, while operating expenses averaged a reasonable $9,904 per vessel per day.
General and administrative expenses dropped significantly to $9.2 million from $14.2 million in the prior year, showing improved cost discipline. Depreciation and amortization totaled $42.4 million for the quarter.
Looking at the nine-month picture, TEN reported $577 million in gross revenues and net income of $103 million, or $2.75 per share. Adjusted EBITDA for the period reached $289 million. Fleet utilization improved to 96.2% from 92.2% in the prior-year period, reflecting what the company calls "recalibrated fleet employment." Average TCE for the nine months was $30,703 per vessel per day, with operating expenses averaging $9,797 per vessel per day.
Capital Allocation and Future Positioning
The company ended September with $264.3 million in cash, even after making principal repayments of $134.6 million, predelivery installments of $178 million for new vessels, and preferred dividends of $20.3 million. That's a lot of capital deployment.
TEN reported $4 billion in minimum contracted revenue and is continuing its aggressive 20-vessel newbuilding program, which includes three VLCCs (very large crude carriers, for the uninitiated). Cash flow from operations for the nine-month period was $201.4 million, though heavy vessel investments led to negative free cash flow, which makes sense given all that shipbuilding activity.
The board approved a $1.00 per-share dividend for common shareholders, payable in two equal installments in December 2025 and February 2026. That's a nice return of capital for investors.
Management pointed to several tailwinds supporting the business: tariffs, trade restrictions, rising oil demand, low inventories, and geopolitical tensions have all contributed to strengthening freight rates and vessel values. When the world gets complicated, shipping companies often benefit.
Management Perspective
President and COO George Saroglou put it this way: "With a fleet value in excess of $6 billion including an aggressive new-building program, TEN is increasing its critical mass in the areas it operates as it divests from its first-generation assets." He noted that the company's 62 vessels in operation and 20 under construction position TEN to remain competitive in the energy-transportation market.
Price Action: TEN shares were trading higher by 3.61% to $26.15 at last check Thursday.