TORM plc Q1 2026 Results, Dividend Distribution, and Financial Outlook 2026
INSIDE INFORMATION
“TORM delivered a strong quarter supported by high freight rates, consistent execution, and our One TORM
platform,” said Jacob Meldgaard, adding: “Rates rose to record levels in April, prompting an upward revision of our full-year guidance while continuing to monitor global developments. We also invested selectively in fleet renewal, including six
resale vessels, reflecting our long-term view of the market.”
Financial Results
In the first quarter of 2026, TORM (Nasdaq: TRMD or TRMD A) generated time charter equivalent earnings (TCE) of USD 286m (2025,
same period: USD 214m). EBITDA for the Group totaled USD 201m including unrealized losses on financial instruments of USD 5m (2025, same period: USD 136m including unrealized losses on financial instruments of USD 2m), while net profit for the
period amounted to USD 122m (2025, same period: USD 63m), reflecting a continued strong operational development. Freight rates entered 2026 on a firm footing and strengthened further toward the end of the quarter, with gains led by the crude
tanker segment amid escalating geopolitical tensions. The conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran, and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz, materially altered market conditions as the loss of Middle Eastern exports prompted a
rapid shift toward replacement barrels from the US, supporting tanker demand and freight rates.
In this market, TORM achieved fleet-wide TCE rates of USD/day 34,937 on average (2025, same period: USD/day 26,807), and available
earning days increased to 8,325 (2025, same period: 8,061). Our vessel class LR2 achieved TCE rates of USD/day 41,062, the LR1 vessels achieved TCE rates of USD/day 34,903, and the MR vessels achieved TCE rates of USD/day 32,946.
For the first quarter of 2026, Return on Invested Capital amounted to
18.0% (2025, same period: 10.3%) reflecting the higher freight rates compared to the levels seen a year ago, and basic EPS amounted to USD 1.21 (2025, same period: USD 0.64).
Key Figures
|
USDm
|
Q1 2026
|
Q1 2025
|
Change
|
|
Time charter equivalent earnings (TCE)
|
286
|
214
|
72
|
|
EBITDA
|
201
|
136
|
65
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA*
|
206
|
138
|
68
|
|
Net profit/(loss) for the period
|
122
|
63
|
59
|
|
TCE per day (USD)*
|
34,937
|
26,807
|
8,130
|
|
Basic earnings/(loss) per share (USD)
|
1.21
|
0.64
|
+0.57
|
|
Dividend per share (USD)
|
0.70
|
0.40
|
0.30
|
|
Dividend pay-out ratio
|
58%
|
63%
|
-5%
|
* Excludes unrealized gains/losses on derivatives.
Business Highlights
In the first quarter of 2026, TORM took delivery of two 2016-built LR2 vessels and one 2018-built MR vessel, now renamed TORM Helga, TORM Hedwig and TORM
Fortune. Further, TORM delivered the 2008-built LR2 vessel TORM Maren to its new owner. Also, TORM entered into an agreement to purchase two 2015-built MR vessels with delivery in the second quarter of 2026. The vessels will be named TORM Dehradun
and TORM Dapitan.
Further, after the end of the quarter, TORM has purchased a total of six MR resales, with the first two vessels scheduled for delivery
already in the first quarter of 2027, followed by two additional deliveries in 2027 and the remaining two in 2028.
Thus, after completion of the deliveries, TORM's fleet size will increase to 103 vessels.
Based on broker valuations, TORM’s fleet had a market value of USD 3,619m (2025, same date: USD 3,112m). Compared to broker valuations
as of 31 December 2025, the market value of the fleet increased by USD 308m when adjusted for acquired and sold vessels in the first quarter of 2026. TORM’s consolidated Net Asset Value (NAV) was USD 3,036m as of 31 March 2026 (2025, same date: USD
2,511m).
Distribution of Dividend
TORM’s Board of Directors has today approved an interim dividend for the first quarter of 2026 of USD 0.70 per share to be paid to the
shareholders corresponding to an expected total dividend payment of USD 72m and reflects the Distribution Policy. The distribution for the quarter is equivalent to 58% of net profit. The payment date is 11 June 2026 to all shareholders on record as
of 28 May 2026, and the ex-dividend date is 27 May 2026 for the shares listed on Nasdaq OMX Copenhagen and 28 May 2026 for the shares listed on Nasdaq New York.
Financial Outlook 2026 - INSIDE INFORMATION
As of 07 May 2026, TORM had covered 57% of the Q2 2026 earning days at an average rate of USD/day 71,494. By vessel class, coverage
stood at 64% for LR2s at USD/day 70,764, 60% for LR1s at USD/day 61,774 and 54% for MRs at USD/day 73,485.
For the full year 2026 42% of the earning days have been fixed at an average rate of USD/day 50,044. The remaining 58% of the earning
days in 2026 - equivalent to 20,031 days - remain open and thus subject to market fluctuations. A change in freight rates of USD/day 1,000 will, all else equal, impact EBITDA by approximately USD 20m.
Based on the earnings realized this far as well as the outlook for the remaining part of the year, TORM upgrades its full-year
guidance.
For the full year 2026, TCE earnings are now expected to exceed the previous guidance and are now estimated to be USD 1,150-1,450m
(previous guidance USD 850-1,250m),
EBITDA for the full year 2026 is expected to be in the range of USD 800–1,100m (previous guidance USD 500-900m) based on the current
fleet size.
Webcast and Conference Call
TORM will host a webcast and conference call for investors and analysts today, Wednesday 13 May at 10:00 am Eastern Time / 04:00 pm
Central European Time.
Participants joining webcast:
Please access the webcast here.
Participants joining by telephone:
Please call one of the dial-in numbers below at least ten minutes prior to the start (Conference ID: 5986716):
Denmark: +45 32 74 07 10
United Kingdom: +44 20 3481 4247
United States: +1 (646) 307 1963
Contacts
Mikael Bo Larsen, Head of Investor Relations
Tel.: +45 5143 8002
About TORM
TORM is one of the world’s leading carriers of refined oil products. TORM operates a fleet of product tanker vessels with a strong
commitment to safety. environmental responsibility and customer service. TORM was founded in 1889 and conducts business worldwide. TORM’s shares are listed on Nasdaq in Copenhagen and on Nasdaq in New York (ticker: TRMD A and TRMD. ISIN:
GB00BZ3CNK81). For further information. Please visit www.torm.com.
Safe Harbor Statement as to the Future
Matters discussed in this release may constitute forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and
financial performance and may include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are statements other than statements of historical facts. The
Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. Words such as, but not limited to,
“expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “targets,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “potential,” “continue,” “possible,” “likely,” “may,” “could,” “should” and similar expressions or phrases may identify forward-looking
statements.
The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are, in turn, based upon further
assumptions, including without limitation, management’s examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although the Company believes that these assumptions were reasonable when
made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies that are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, the Company cannot guarantee that it will achieve or accomplish these
expectations, beliefs, or projections.