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8-K - FORM 8-K - CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INCv373514_8k.htm

 

China Automotive Systems beat 2013 guidance with accelerated fourth quarter top-line growth

 

- Net Sales Grew by 27.3% in the 2013 Fourth Quarter and 23.6% for the 2013 Fiscal Year -

 

- Diluted Earnings Per Share Rose by 44.4% in the 2013 Fourth Quarter –

 

WUHAN, China, March 31, 2014 -- China Automotive Systems, Inc. (“CAAS” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: CAAS), a leading power steering components and systems supplier in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.

 

Fourth Quarter 2013 Highlights

 

·Net sales increased by 27.3% to a fourth-quarter record high of $129.2 million, compared to $101.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2012.

 

·Gross profit increased by 30.2% to $22.4 million, compared to $17.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2012; gross margin was 17.3%, compared to 17.0% in the fourth quarter of 2012.

 

·Income from operations was $8.6 million, compared to $7.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2012.

 

·Net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders was $7.2 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.26, compared to net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders of $5.1 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.18.

 

Fiscal Year 2013 Highlights

 

·Net sales increased by 23.6% to a record annual high of $415.2 million in 2013, compared to $336.0 million in 2012.

 

·Gross profit increased by 26.0% to $76.6 million in 2013, compared to $60.8 million in 2012; gross margin was 18.5% in 2013, compared to 18.1% in 2012.

 

·Operating margin was 8.8% in 2013, compared to 8.3% in 2012.

 

·Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations was $0.95 in 2013, compared to diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.70 in 2012.

 

·Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were $89.5 million as of December 31, 2013, compared to $87.6 million as of December 31, 2012.

 

Mr. Qizhou Wu, chief executive officer of CAAS, commented, "We are excited to close 2013 on a high note, as we have set new records for both quarterly and annual sales. Our market share continues to expand as our sales growth far exceeded the 13.9% overall sales growth of the auto industry in China in 2013. Our leading position as an independent power steering system provider in China has been further strengthened as many of our large customers experienced significant growth in their businesses. We continued to strengthen our relationship with one of our major customers, Dongfeng Auto Group Co., Ltd., and further increased our sales to another customer, Peugeot Citroen. Our business with North American customers has continued to grow as we have increased shipments to Chrysler N.A. We are optimistic about our business in North America as the performance of our products gain recognition and our pricing gives us clear advantage.”

 

 
 

 

Mr. Jie Li, chief financial officer of CAAS, commented, "Our financial position is the best in our corporate history. With our growing sales in both China and North America, we generated strong positive cash flow in 2013 and our financial flexibility is further strengthened.”

 

Fourth Quarter of 2013

 

In the fourth quarter of 2013, net sales increased by 27.3% to a fourth-quarter record of $129.2 million, compared to $101.5 million in the same quarter of 2012. The net sales increase was mainly due to the more-than-doubled sales of electronic power steering products and the significant sales growth to customers, such as Chrysler N.A., SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile, Great Wall and Brilliance Auto, which all experienced rapid growth in 2013.

 

Gross profit increased by 30.2% to $22.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, compared to $17.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. The gross margin was 17.3% in the fourth quarter of 2013, versus 17.0% in the fourth quarter of 2012. The increase in gross profit was primarily due to greater sales volume. The increase in gross margin was mainly because of a decrease in unit material costs associated with better economies of scale and the adoption of technical innovations in our production processes in 2013.

 

Gain on other sales was $0.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, as compared to $1.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. The decrease was mainly due to a gain of $0.9 million on disposal of properties, plants and equipment in the fourth quarter of 2012.

 

Selling expenses rose by 27.6% to $3.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, compared to $2.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. Selling expenses represented 2.9% of our net sales in the fourth quarter of 2013, which remained the same as the fourth quarter of 2012. The increase in selling expenses was primarily due to the increases in compensation to salesmen, warehouse rental fees and transportation expenses as a result of higher sales volume.

 

General and administrative expenses (“G&A expenses”) declined by 25.8% to $3.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, compared to $3.9 million in the same quarter of 2012. The decrease in G&A expenses was primarily due to a reimbursement of our legal expenses of $0.6 million by the Company’s insurance company in the fourth quarter of 2013 and a decrease of depreciation and amortization expense, which was mainly due to certain office equipment that continued to be utilized in the fourth quarter of 2013 having been fully depreciated at the beginning of the year. G&A expenses represented 2.4% of net sales in the fourth quarter of 2013 and 3.8% in the fourth quarter of 2012.

 

Research and development expenses (“R&D expenses”) increased by 62.5% to $7.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, compared to $4.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. The increase in R&D expenses was mainly due to the development and trial-production of the Company's electric power steering (EPS) systems and other new products, as well as improvement in production molds and higher external technical support fees. R&D expenses represented 6.0% of net sales in the fourth quarter of 2013, compared with 4.7% in the fourth quarter of 2012.

 

Operating income increased by $1.2 million, or 16.2%, to $8.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, compared to $7.4 million in the same quarter of 2012. The increase was mainly due to the higher gross profit in the fourth quarter of 2013, compared to the fourth quarter of 2012. As a percentage of net sales, the operating margin was 6.6% in the fourth quarter of 2013, compared to 7.3% in the fourth quarter of 2012.

 

Net financial income was $0.05 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, compared to net financial expenses of $0.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. The Company's higher time deposits generated greater interest income while a decrease in bank loans in the third quarter of 2013 reduced interest expense for the fourth quarter of 2013.

 

Income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies was $9.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, compared to $7.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. The increase was mainly due to increased operating income of $1.2 million and a $0.4 million reduction in financial expenses.

 

 
 

 

Net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders was $7.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, compared to net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders of $5.1 million in the corresponding quarter of 2012. Diluted earnings per share were $0.26 in the fourth quarter of 2013, compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.18 in the fourth quarter of 2012. The weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding was 28,062,553 in the fourth quarter of 2013, compared to 28,076,879 in the fourth quarter of 2012 (to be confirmed).

 

Fiscal Year 2013

 

Annual net sales increased by $79.2 million, or 23.6%, to $415.2 million in 2013, compared to $336.0 million in 2012. The Chinese government issued an incentive policy relating to purchase of low-emission cars and fuel-efficient cars in May 2012. Encouraged by such incentive policy, the sales volume of passenger vehicles in the China market increased by 15.7% in 2013 as compared to 2012. The Company’s sales volume of steering gears for passenger vehicles increased by a higher rate of 23.9%, as compared to 2012. The Company’s higher rate of increase was mainly due to its introduction of certain new products to the market and the improvement in the quality of some of its old products, which resulted in the expansion of the Company’s market share in China, especially among the joint-brands’ auto customers. The Company had an increase in sales volume leading to a sales increase of $78.4 million, a decrease in selling price leading to a sales decrease of $8.1 million, and the effect of foreign currency translation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar resulting in a sales increase of $8.9 million.

 

Gross profit in 2013 increased by 26.0% to $76.6 million in 2013, from $60.8 million in 2012. Gross margin in 2013 was 18.5%, compared to 18.1% in 2012, which was primarily due to greater sales of higher-margin products.

 

Selling expenses in 2013 increased by 38.5% to $13.3 million in 2013 from $9.6 million in 2012, which was mainly due to higher transportation expenses related to the increase in unit volume and increased staff compensation. Selling expenses represented 3.2% and 2.8% of net sales in 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company continued to focus on increasing market share in China by expanding its sales team.

 

G&A expenses increased by $0.4 million, or 3.1%, to $13.3 million in 2013 from $12.9 million in 2012. Higher G&A expenses were primarily due to increased staff compensation as a result of higher performance bonuses payable to management for strong operating results, greater labor insurance costs, and an increase in property taxes due to the increase of the property holdings. G&A expenses represented 3.2% of net sales in 2013 compared to 3.8% in 2012.

 

R&D expenses increased by $6.0 million, or 40.3%, to $20.9 million in 2013 from $14.9 million in 2012, primarily due to the costs incurred for the Company’s further development of its EPS technology with the improvement of machinery molds and higher staff compensation costs. The increase in R&D investment has yielded several models of EPS for small cars in China. R&D expenses represented 5.0% of net sales in 2013, which was an increase from 4.4% of net sales in 2012.

 

Operating income increased by 32.0% to $36.7 million in 2013 from $27.8 million in 2012, due to higher gross profit and higher gain on other sales for material scraps, fixed assets and land use rights. The operating margin represented 8.8% of net sales in 2013, compared to 8.3% in 2012.

 

Net financial income was $0.4 million in 2013, compared to net financial expenses of $2.2 million in 2012, as interest expenses were reduced after the redemption of all outstanding convertible notes in May 2012, which was slightly offset by higher interest income on higher cash balances in 2013.

 

There was no gain or loss on change in fair value of the derivative embedded in the convertible notes in 2013 after the redemption of all convertible notes in May 2012. The Company recorded a loss on change in fair value of the derivative embedded in the convertible notes of $0.4 million in 2012.

 

 
 

 

There was no gain on redemption of convertible notes for the year ended December 31, 2013. The Company recorded a gain of $1.4 million on the redemption of convertible notes in 2012.

 

Income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies was $38.2 million in 2013 compared to $27.1 million in 2012, representing an increase of $11.1 million, or 41.0%. The increase was mainly due to an increase in income from operations of $8.9 million, a decrease in financial expense of $2.6 million, and a decrease in gain on redemption of convertible notes of $1.4 million. Income before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliated companies represented 9.2% of net sales in 2013 compared to 8.1% in 2012.

 

Income tax expense was $5.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to $4.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, representing an increase of $1.1 million, or 25.0%. This tax increase was mainly due to higher income before tax and a decrease in effective tax rate. The effective tax rate decreased to 14.4% for the year ended December 31, 2013 from 16.2% in 2012, primarily due to an increase in tax deduction of R&D expenses in 2013. The Chinese government rewards high-tech companies with favorable tax rates.

 

Net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders was $26.8 million in 2013, compared to $20.7 million in 2012. Diluted earnings per share were $0.95 in 2013, compared to $0.70 in 2012. The weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding was 28,056,144 in 2013, compared to 28,215,367 in 2012.  

 

As of December 31, 2013, total cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were $89.5 million, compared to $87.6 million as of December 31, 2012. Working capital was $179.3 million as of December 31, 2013, compared to $138.8 million as of December 31, 2012. Total parent company stockholders' equity was $226.7 million as of December 31, 2013, compared to $193.6 million as of December 31, 2012.

 

Business Outlook

 

Management’s revenue growth rate target is 15% year-over-year growth for the full year 2014. This target is based on the Company’s current views on operating and market conditions, which are subject to change.

Conference Call

Management will conduct a conference call on March 31th at 9:00 A.M. EDT/9:00 P.M., Beijing time to discuss these results. A question and answer session will follow management’s presentation.

To participate, please call the following numbers 10 minutes before the call start time and ask to be connected to the "China Automotive Systems" conference call:

Phone Number: +1-877-407-8031 (North America)

Phone Number: +1-201-689-8031 (International)

A telephone replay of the call will be available after the conclusion of the conference call through 11:59 P.M. EDT on June 27, 2014. The dial-in details for the replay are:

U.S. Toll Free Number +1-877-660-6853

International dial-in number +1-201-612-7415

Use Conference ID “13578151” to access the replay.

About China Automotive Systems, Inc.

 

Based in Hubei Province, the People's Republic of China, China Automotive Systems, Inc. is a leading supplier of power steering components and systems to the Chinese automotive industry, operating through eight Sino-foreign joint ventures. The Company offers a full range of steering system parts for passenger automobiles and commercial vehicles. The Company currently offers four separate series of power steering with an annual production capacity of over 4.0 million sets of steering gears, columns and steering hoses. Its customer base is comprised of leading auto manufacturers, such as China FAW Group, Corp., Dongfeng Auto Group Co., Ltd., BYD Auto Company Limited, Beiqi Foton Motor Co., Ltd. and Chery Automobile Co., Ltd. in China, and Chrysler N.A. in North America. For more information, please visit: http://www.caasauto.com.

 

 
 

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This press release contains statements that are "forward-looking statements" as defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this press release. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding the qualitative and quantitative effects of the accounting errors, the periods involved, the nature of the Company's review and any anticipated conclusions of the Company or its management and other statements that are not historical facts. Our actual results may differ materially from the results described in or anticipated by our forward-looking statements due to certain risks and uncertainties. As a result, the Company's actual results could differ materially from those contained in these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those described under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Form 10-K annual report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2014, and in documents subsequently filed by the Company from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We expressly disclaim any duty to provide updates to any forward-looking statements made in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Jie Li

Chief Financial Officer

China Automotive Systems, Inc.

Email: jieli@chl.com.cn

Kevin Theiss

Investor Relations

Grayling

Tel: +1-646-284-9409

Email: kevin.theiss@grayling.com

(Tables Follow)

 

 
 

 

China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands of USD, except share and per share amounts)

 

   December 31, 
   2013   2012 
ASSETS          
Current assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $53,979   $87,649 
Pledged cash deposits   33,963    26,481 
Short-term investments   35,510    - 
Accounts and notes receivable, net - unrelated parties   267,639    211,306 
Accounts and notes receivable, net - related parties   17,194    12,286 
Advance payments and others - unrelated parties   3,156    3,127 
Advance payments and others - related parties   866    779 
Inventories   51,392    43,542 
Assets held for sale   925    - 
Current deferred tax assets   5,783    4,392 
     Total current assets    470,407    389,562 
Non-current assets:          
Property, plant and equipment, net   80,018    81,691 
Intangible assets, net   686    676 
Other receivables, net - unrelated parties   252    849 
Other receivables, net - related parties   108    107 
Advance payment for property, plant and equipment - unrelated parties   3,488    1,001 
Advance payment for property, plant and equipment - related parties   2,097    4,162 
Long-term investments   4,023    3,665 
Non-current deferred tax assets   4,528    4,112 
     Total assets  $565,607   $485,825 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
Current liabilities:          
Bank loans  $37,381   $40,284 
Accounts and notes payable - unrelated parties   198,419    166,380 
Accounts and notes payable - related parties   4,634    4,521 
Customer deposits   1,677    870 
Accrued payroll and related costs   7,052    5,472 
Accrued expenses and other payables   29,062    23,063 
Accrued pension costs   4,626    4,255 
Taxes payable   7,792    5,593 
Amounts due to shareholders/directors   312    332 
Deferred tax liabilities   117    46 
     Total current liabilities    291,072    250,816 
Long-term liabilities:          
Advances payable   2,764    2,609 
     Total liabilities    293,836    253,425 
Commitments and Contingencies          
Stockholders’ Equity          
Common stock, $0.0001 par value - Authorized - 80,000,000 shares
Issued –28,260,302 and 28,260,302 shares at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively
   3    3 
Additional paid-in capital   39,565    39,371 
Retained earnings-          
Appropriated   10,048    9,953 
Unappropriated   146,023    119,329 
Accumulated other comprehensive income   32,061    25,898 
Treasury stock –217,283 and 217,283 shares at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively   (1,000)   (1,000)
Total parent company stockholders’ equity   226,700    193,554 
Non-controlling interests   45,071    38,846 
     Total stockholders’ equity    271,771    232,400 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  $565,607   $485,825 

 

The condensed consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2012 has been adjusted to reflect the discontinued business of Zhejiang Henglong & Vie Pump-Manu Co., Ltd. (“Zhejiang business”), the Company’s 51% equity interest in which was disposed of in May 2012.

 

 
 

 

China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income

(In thousands of USD, except share and per share amounts)

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2013   2012 
Net product sales, including $37,453 and $27,442 to related parties for the years
ended December 31, 2013 and 2012
  $415,158   $336,005 
Cost of products sold, including $33,579 and $19,990 purchased from related
parties at the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012
   338,526    275,254 
     Gross profit    76,632    60,751 
Net gain on other sales   7,555    4,426 
Operating expenses:          
Selling expenses   13,331    9,557 
General and administrative expenses   13,253    12,936 
Research and development expenses   20,885    14,886 
Total operating expenses   47,469    37,379 
     Operating income    36,718    27,798 
Other income, net   1,096    461 
Financial income (expenses), net   427    (2,175))
Loss on change in fair value of derivative   -    (449)
Gain on redemption of convertible notes   -    1,420 
Income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies   38,241    27,055 
Less: Income taxes   5,483    4,391 
Add: Equity in earnings of affiliated companies   307    171 
Income from continuing operations   33,065    22,835 
Discontinued operations (including after-tax disposition gain of $26) - net of income tax   -    2,651 
Net income   33,065    25,486 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest   6,276    4,744 
     Net income attributable to parent company   $26,789   $20,742 
Allocation to convertible notes holders   -    (934))
Net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders   26,789    19,808 
           
Net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders per share –          
Basic –          
Income from continuing operations attributable to shareholders   0.96    0.61 
Income per share from discontinued operations   -    0.09 
Basic  $0.96   $0.70 
           
Diluted–          
Income from continuing operations attributable to shareholders   0.95    0.61 
Income per share from discontinued operations   -    0.09 
Diluted  $0.95   $0.70 
           
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding –          
Basic   28,043,019    28,213,163 
Diluted   28,056,144    28,215,367 

 

The condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 has been adjusted to reflect the discontinued Zhejiang business, the Company’s 51% equity interest in which was disposed of in May 2012.

 

 
 

  

China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands of USD unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2013   2012 
         
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net income  $33,065   $25,486 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Stock-based compensation   194    76 
Depreciation and amortization   14,587    13,910 
Deferred income taxes   (1,471)   (1,557)
Inventory write downs   2,313    876 
Provision for doubtful accounts   60    204 
Gain on disposal of a subsidiary   -    (2,848)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies   (307)   (171)
Gain on redemption of convertible notes   -    (1,421)
Loss on change in fair value of derivative   -    449 
Gain on disposal of fixed assets   (4,282)   (849)
Amortization of debt issue cost   57    173 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
(Increase) decrease in:          
Pledged cash deposits   (6,701)   (6,888)
Accounts and notes receivable   (54,820)   (19,551)
Advance payments and other   8    (1,283)
Inventories   (8,716)   229 
Increase (decrease) in:          
Accounts and notes payable   26,600    7,745 
Customer deposits   787    (52)
Accrued payroll and related costs   1,403    514 
Accrued expenses and other payables   5,335    (5,422)
Accrued pension costs   235    176 
Taxes payable   1,994    4,170 
Advances payable   2,535    2,243 
     Net cash provided by operating activities   12,876    16,209 
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Purchase of short-term investments   (46,492)   - 
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments   11,330    - 
Dividends from investment under cost method   66    - 
Decrease in other receivables   625    1,376 
Cash received from property, plant and equipment sales   6,284    3,940 
Cash paid to acquire property, plant and equipment   (14,708)   (19,004)
Cash paid to acquire intangible assets   (163)   (75)
Proceeds from disposal of a subsidiary   -    7,471 
     Net cash used in investing activities    (43,058)   (6,292)
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Proceeds from government and bank loan   24,017    43,612 
Repayment of government and bank loans   (28,359)   (11,389)
Debt issuance costs paid for bank loan   -    (230)
Capital contribution from noncontrolling interests   -    166 
Dividends paid to the non-controlling interest holders of joint venture companies   (1,433)   (2,936)
Decrease in amounts due to shareholders/directors   (35)   (21)
Redemption of convertible notes   -    (23,571)
Repurchase common stock   -    (1,000)
     Net cash provided by financing activities    (5,810)   4,631 
Cash and cash equivalents affected by foreign currency   2,322    140 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   (33,670)   14,688 
Cash and equivalents at beginning of year   87,649    72,961 
Cash and equivalents at end of year  $53,979   $87,649 

 

 
 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2013   2012 
         
Cash paid for interest  $1,295   $10,874 
Cash paid for income taxes  $6,043   $5,769 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH ACTIVITIES:

 

Non-cash investing activities:

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2013   2012 
         
Advance payments for acquiring property, plant and equipment  $5,586   $5,163 
Accounts receivable from sale of property, plant and equipment  $-   $1,128 
Government subsidies recorded as a reduction of property, plant and equipment cost  $2,460   $- 

Non-cash financing activities:

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2013   2012 
         
Noncontrolling interests contribution of capital with property, plant and equipment  $-   $2,846 
Dividend Payable to non-controlling interest shareholders of joint-ventures  $34   $162 

 

The condensed consolidated statement of cash flows of the Company for the fiscal year 2013 has not been adjusted to reflect the discontinued of Zhejiang business as they are considered to be immaterial for the year.

 

 

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