Very Large Gas Carrier Spot Rates Surge to Record Highs
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 12 2026
0mins
Source: seekingalpha
- Freight Rate Surge: According to Clarksons Research, benchmark freight on the Houston-to-Chiba route has surged to $290 per metric ton, with day rates nearing $170,000, marking the highest levels ever recorded, indicating a robust rebound in market demand.
- Global Routing Reshaping: The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has fundamentally reshaped global LPG routing patterns, with transits through the strait plummeting to 90% below normal levels, prompting Asian buyers to turn to U.S. cargoes, which lifted U.S. LPG exports to a record 7 million metric tons in April, a 20% increase from March.
- Tight Vessel Availability: Gas carrier availability is extremely tight in the U.S. Gulf, with approximately 10% of the global VLGC fleet currently waiting outside or trapped in the Persian Gulf, intensifying competition in the charter market and extending the fixing window through June.
- Impact of Rerouting: Increased waiting times in Panama have led more vessels to reroute around South Africa's Cape of Good Hope, resulting in a journey of 15,900 miles compared to nearly 9,370 miles via Panama, which will further impact the efficiency and costs of global LPG transportation.
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Analyst Views on FRO
Wall Street analysts forecast FRO stock price to fall
3 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
0 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 34.540
Low
14.36
Averages
23.45
High
30.00
Current: 34.540
Low
14.36
Averages
23.45
High
30.00
About FRO
FRONTLINE PLC is a Cyprus-based company primarily operating in the transportation sector. The Company's main focus is on seaborne transportation of crude oil and refined products. The Company owns and operates a fleet consisting of multiple VLCC, Suezmax and LR2 / Aframax tankers intended for freight of oil and cargo. The Company operates worldwide.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Frontline (FRO) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
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Frontline Declares $1.55 Quarterly Dividend with 16.7% Yield
- Dividend Declaration: Frontline has declared a quarterly dividend of $1.55 per share, translating to an annualized yield of 16.7%, which underscores the company's cash flow stability in a high-yield environment, attracting investor interest.
- Payment Schedule: The dividend is set to be paid on June 23, with a record date of June 12 and an ex-dividend date also on June 12, ensuring shareholders receive timely returns and bolstering market confidence in the company's shareholder rewards.
- Financial Performance: Frontline's Q2 VLCC bookings have reached $181,700 per day, indicating robust market demand and projecting the company's cash generation potential to hit $1.5 billion, further solidifying its market position.
- Earnings Report: Although Frontline's non-GAAP EPS of $1.55 missed expectations by $0.03, its revenue of $714.24 million exceeded forecasts by $108.13 million, demonstrating strong performance in revenue growth despite the earnings shortfall.
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Frontline PLC Reports Record Q1 2026 Earnings
- Significant Profitability Increase: Frontline PLC reported a profit of $559 million in Q1 2026, translating to $2.51 per share, marking its best quarter since 2004 and reflecting strong performance in a high-demand market.
- Charter Revenue Growth: The company achieved time charter equivalent (TCE) rates of $103,500 per day for VLCCs, $72,400 for Suezmax, and $50,700 for LR2/Aframax, driving overall charter revenue up by $112 million to $536.5 million, further solidifying its market position.
- Strong Cash Flow and Liquidity: As of March 31, 2026, Frontline held $945 million in cash and cash equivalents and secured up to $737 million in newbuilding financing, supporting future fleet expansion plans and enhancing financial stability.
- Rising Operating Costs: Despite the strong overall performance, ship operating expenses increased by $5.9 million from the previous quarter, and administrative expenses rose by $8.5 million, primarily due to reduced supplier rebates and synthetic option exercises, which may exert pressure on future profits.
See More
Frontline plc Reports Strong Q1 2026 Earnings Amid Middle East Disruption
- Profitability Surge: Frontline plc reported a profit of $559 million ($2.51/share) for Q1 2026, with adjusted profit rising to $344.9 million ($1.55/share), reflecting a $114.5 million quarter-over-quarter increase primarily driven by time charter earnings reaching $536.5 million, showcasing the company's robust profitability in a high-volatility market.
- Strong Booking Levels: As of Q2, Frontline booked 82% of VLCC days at $181,700/day, 79% of Suezmax days at $131,300/day, and 68% of LR2/Aframax days at $125,000/day, indicating the company's ability to maintain strong revenue streams despite market uncertainties.
- Financial Resilience: The company reported liquidity of $945 million, including $473 million in undrawn revolver capacity, with no significant debt maturities until 2030 and remaining newbuilding commitments of $925 million, highlighting Frontline's strong capital management and financial flexibility.
- Risk Management Strategy: In response to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Frontline has increased time charter coverage, with approximately 30% of VLCC voyage sales covered, aiming to mitigate potential bankruptcy risks while managing uncertainties from market volatility, ensuring the company's competitiveness in a complex geopolitical landscape.
See More
Frontline Reports Q1 2026 Earnings with Mixed Results
- Earnings Highlights: Frontline's Q1 2026 Non-GAAP EPS of $1.55 missed expectations by $0.03, indicating pressure on profitability, while revenue reached $714.24 million, up 66.9% year-over-year, exceeding market expectations by $108.13 million, showcasing strong revenue growth.
- Dividend Declaration: The company declared a cash dividend of $1.55 per share for Q1 2026, reflecting its commitment to shareholder returns, supported by robust cash flow despite the earnings miss.
- Average Daily Charter Rates: In Q1, average daily time charter equivalent earnings for VLCCs, Suezmax, and LR2/Aframax tankers were $103,500, $72,400, and $50,700 respectively, indicating stability in market rates despite potential fluctuations.
- Fleet Size: As of March 31, 2026, Frontline owned 72 vessels (33 VLCCs, 21 Suezmax tankers, and 18 LR2/Aframax tankers) with an aggregate capacity of approximately 15.2 million DWT, underscoring the company's strong presence in the tanker market and future growth potential.
See More
Frontline Plc Reports Significant Q1 Net Income Increase
- Significant Net Income Growth: Frontline Plc reported a net income of $559.12 billion for Q1 2026, a substantial increase from $33.29 billion last year, indicating strong performance in the tanker market amid Middle East disruptions.
- Earnings Per Share Surge: The company's earnings per share rose dramatically from $0.15 to $2.51, while adjusted earnings per share increased from $0.18 to $1.55, showcasing a significant improvement in profitability under current market conditions.
- Revenue and Operating Income Increase: Frontline's revenue and other operating income surged from $428.09 billion to $929.33 billion year-over-year, demonstrating the company's ability to adapt its tanker trading patterns in response to global crude flow disruptions.
- Dividend Declaration and Market Reaction: The board declared a dividend of $1.55 per share, expected to be paid on June 23, reflecting a commitment to shareholder returns despite a 1.28% decline in stock price to $38.44 on the NYSE.
See More
Frontline (FRO) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
See More
Frontline Declares $1.55 Quarterly Dividend with 16.7% Yield
- Dividend Declaration: Frontline has declared a quarterly dividend of $1.55 per share, translating to an annualized yield of 16.7%, which underscores the company's cash flow stability in a high-yield environment, attracting investor interest.
- Payment Schedule: The dividend is set to be paid on June 23, with a record date of June 12 and an ex-dividend date also on June 12, ensuring shareholders receive timely returns and bolstering market confidence in the company's shareholder rewards.
- Financial Performance: Frontline's Q2 VLCC bookings have reached $181,700 per day, indicating robust market demand and projecting the company's cash generation potential to hit $1.5 billion, further solidifying its market position.
- Earnings Report: Although Frontline's non-GAAP EPS of $1.55 missed expectations by $0.03, its revenue of $714.24 million exceeded forecasts by $108.13 million, demonstrating strong performance in revenue growth despite the earnings shortfall.
See More
Frontline PLC Reports Record Q1 2026 Earnings
- Significant Profitability Increase: Frontline PLC reported a profit of $559 million in Q1 2026, translating to $2.51 per share, marking its best quarter since 2004 and reflecting strong performance in a high-demand market.
- Charter Revenue Growth: The company achieved time charter equivalent (TCE) rates of $103,500 per day for VLCCs, $72,400 for Suezmax, and $50,700 for LR2/Aframax, driving overall charter revenue up by $112 million to $536.5 million, further solidifying its market position.
- Strong Cash Flow and Liquidity: As of March 31, 2026, Frontline held $945 million in cash and cash equivalents and secured up to $737 million in newbuilding financing, supporting future fleet expansion plans and enhancing financial stability.
- Rising Operating Costs: Despite the strong overall performance, ship operating expenses increased by $5.9 million from the previous quarter, and administrative expenses rose by $8.5 million, primarily due to reduced supplier rebates and synthetic option exercises, which may exert pressure on future profits.
See More
Frontline plc Reports Strong Q1 2026 Earnings Amid Middle East Disruption
- Profitability Surge: Frontline plc reported a profit of $559 million ($2.51/share) for Q1 2026, with adjusted profit rising to $344.9 million ($1.55/share), reflecting a $114.5 million quarter-over-quarter increase primarily driven by time charter earnings reaching $536.5 million, showcasing the company's robust profitability in a high-volatility market.
- Strong Booking Levels: As of Q2, Frontline booked 82% of VLCC days at $181,700/day, 79% of Suezmax days at $131,300/day, and 68% of LR2/Aframax days at $125,000/day, indicating the company's ability to maintain strong revenue streams despite market uncertainties.
- Financial Resilience: The company reported liquidity of $945 million, including $473 million in undrawn revolver capacity, with no significant debt maturities until 2030 and remaining newbuilding commitments of $925 million, highlighting Frontline's strong capital management and financial flexibility.
- Risk Management Strategy: In response to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Frontline has increased time charter coverage, with approximately 30% of VLCC voyage sales covered, aiming to mitigate potential bankruptcy risks while managing uncertainties from market volatility, ensuring the company's competitiveness in a complex geopolitical landscape.
See More
Frontline Reports Q1 2026 Earnings with Mixed Results
- Earnings Highlights: Frontline's Q1 2026 Non-GAAP EPS of $1.55 missed expectations by $0.03, indicating pressure on profitability, while revenue reached $714.24 million, up 66.9% year-over-year, exceeding market expectations by $108.13 million, showcasing strong revenue growth.
- Dividend Declaration: The company declared a cash dividend of $1.55 per share for Q1 2026, reflecting its commitment to shareholder returns, supported by robust cash flow despite the earnings miss.
- Average Daily Charter Rates: In Q1, average daily time charter equivalent earnings for VLCCs, Suezmax, and LR2/Aframax tankers were $103,500, $72,400, and $50,700 respectively, indicating stability in market rates despite potential fluctuations.
- Fleet Size: As of March 31, 2026, Frontline owned 72 vessels (33 VLCCs, 21 Suezmax tankers, and 18 LR2/Aframax tankers) with an aggregate capacity of approximately 15.2 million DWT, underscoring the company's strong presence in the tanker market and future growth potential.
See More
Frontline Plc Reports Significant Q1 Net Income Increase
- Significant Net Income Growth: Frontline Plc reported a net income of $559.12 billion for Q1 2026, a substantial increase from $33.29 billion last year, indicating strong performance in the tanker market amid Middle East disruptions.
- Earnings Per Share Surge: The company's earnings per share rose dramatically from $0.15 to $2.51, while adjusted earnings per share increased from $0.18 to $1.55, showcasing a significant improvement in profitability under current market conditions.
- Revenue and Operating Income Increase: Frontline's revenue and other operating income surged from $428.09 billion to $929.33 billion year-over-year, demonstrating the company's ability to adapt its tanker trading patterns in response to global crude flow disruptions.
- Dividend Declaration and Market Reaction: The board declared a dividend of $1.55 per share, expected to be paid on June 23, reflecting a commitment to shareholder returns despite a 1.28% decline in stock price to $38.44 on the NYSE.
See More
