GULF RESOURCES, INC. - FORM 10-Q

Attached files

file	filename
EX-31.2 - GULF RESOURCES, INC.	e612246_ex31-2.htm
EX-32.1 - GULF RESOURCES, INC.	e612246_ex32-1.htm
EX-31.1 - GULF RESOURCES, INC.	e612246_ex31-1.htm
EXCEL - IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT - GULF RESOURCES, INC.	Financial_Report.xls

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

	For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014

	Or

o	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

	For the transition period from _________ to _________

Commission File Number: 001-34499

GULF RESOURCES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		13-3637458
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

Level 11,Vegetable Building, Industrial Park of the East City, Shouguang City, Shandong,		262700
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: +86 (536) 567 0008

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every, Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer o	Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) o	Smaller reporting company x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes o No x

As of May 1, 2014, the registrant had outstanding 38,726,415 shares of common stock.

Table of Contents

Part I – Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements	1
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	17
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	29
Item 4. Controls and Procedures	29
Part II – Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings	30
Item 1A. Risk Factors	30
Item 2. Unregistered Shares of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	30
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities	30
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosure	30
Item 5. Other Information	30
Item 6. Exhibits	31
Signatures	32

Table of Contents

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

GULF RESOURCES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

	March 31, 2014 Unaudited			December 31, 2013 Audited
Current Assets
Cash	$	119,263,008		$	107,828,800
Accounts receivable		41,335,491			44,885,354
Inventories		5,771,440			5,301,995
Prepayments and deposits		31,458			4,583
Prepaid land leases		259,419			50,548
Deferred tax assets		1,642			1,657
Total Current Assets		166,662,458			158,072,937
Non-Current Assets
Property, plant and equipment, net		138,316,103			146,400,436
Property, plant and equipment under capital leases, net		1,597,658			1,701,328
Prepaid land leases, net of current portion		742,781			753,928
Deferred tax assets		2,295,418			2,316,176
Total non-current assets		142,951,960			151,171,868
Total Assets	$	309,614,418		$	309,244,805

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	6,122,164		$	5,645,831
Retention payable		207,251			209,126
Capital lease obligation, current portion		252,842			202,392
Taxes payable		3,723,525			5,248,486
Total Current Liabilities		10,305,782			11,305,835
Non-Current Liabilities
Capital lease obligation, net of current portion		2,917,494			2,943,878
Total Liabilities	$	13,223,276		$	14,249,713

Stockholders’ Equity
PREFERRED STOCK; $0.001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none outstanding	$			$
COMMON STOCK; $0.0005 par value; 80,000,000 shares authorized; 38,911,014 and 38,765,201 shares issued; and 38,726,415 and 38,580,602 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively		19,456			19,383
Treasury stock; 184,599 shares as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 at cost		(500,000	)		(500,000	)
Additional paid-in capital		80,047,808			80,033,981
Retained earnings unappropriated		170,582,681			166,421,427
Retained earnings appropriated		17,390,656			17,265,572
Cumulative translation adjustment		28,850,541			31,754,729
Total Stockholders’ Equity		296,391,142			294,995,092
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$	309,614,418		$	309,244,805

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

GULF RESOURCES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

	Three-Month Period Ended March 31,
	2014			2013

NET REVENUE
Net revenue	$	25,592,176		$	22,502,580

OPERATING EXPENSES/INCOME
Cost of net revenue		(18,734,404	)		(17,985,472	)
Sales, marketing and other operating expenses		(22,514	)		(20,303	)
Research and development cost		(30,780	)		(17,702	)
General and administrative expenses		(1,320,518	)		(1,969,217	)
Other operating income		117,684			95,562
		(19,990,532	)		(19,897,132	)

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS		5,601,644			2,605,448

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest expense		(52,712	)		(53,006	)
Interest income		106,475			72,843
INCOME BEFORE TAXES		5,655,407			2,625,285

INCOME TAXES		(1,369,069	)		(742,320	)
NET INCOME	$	4,286,338		$	1,882,965

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
NET INCOME	$	4,286,338		$	1,882,965
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
- Foreign currency translation adjustments		(2,904,188	)		767,766
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	$	1,382,150		$	2,650,731

EARNINGS PER SHARE:
BASIC	$	0.11		$	0.05
DILUTED	$	0.11		$	0.05

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES:

BASIC		38,598,424			38,367,471
DILUTED		39,277,957			38,500,958

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

GULF RESOURCES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2014

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

	Common stock
	Number		Number		Number							Additional			Statutory					Cumulative
	of shares		of shares		of treasury				Treasury			paid-in			common		Retained			translation
	issued		outstanding		stock		Amount		stock			capital			reserve		earnings			adjustment			Total
							$		$			$			$		$			$			$
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2013 (Audited)		38,765,201		38,580,602		184,599		19,383		(500,000	)		80,033,981			17,265,572		166,421,427			31,754,729			294,995,092
Translation adjustment	-			-		-	-					-			-		-				(2,904,188	)		(2,904,188	)
Common stock issued for cashless exercise of stock options		145,813		145,813		-		73					(73	)		-		-			-			-
Issuance of stock options to employees		-		-		-		-		-			13,900			-		-			-			13,900
Net income for three-month period ended March 31, 2014	-			-		-	-			-		-			-			4,286,338		-				4,286,338
Transfer to statutory common reserve fund		-		-		-		-		-			-			125,084		(125,084	)		-			-
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2014 (Unaudited)		38,911,014		38,726,415		184,599		19,456		(500,000	)		80,047,808			17,390,656		170,582,681			28,850,541			296,391,142

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

GULF RESOURCES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

	Three-Month Period Ended March 31,
	2014			2013

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$	4,286,338		$	1,882,965
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Interest on capital lease obligation		52,554			52,790
Amortization of prepaid land leases		104,972			98,215
Depreciation and amortization		6,938,240			6,807,488
Unrealized exchange (gain)/loss on translation of inter-company balances		(235,424	)		65,119
Stock-based compensation expense		13,900			4,900
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		3,165,013			5,165,084
Inventories		(519,826	)		604,499
Prepayments and deposits		(26,875	)		(28,125	)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		527,536			(584,614	)
Retention payable		-			(1,055,005	)
Taxes payable		(1,486,106	)		334,305
Net cash provided by operating activities		12,820,322			13,347,621

CASH FLOWS USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Additions of prepaid land leases		(311,040	)		(290,017	)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment		(39,586	)		-
Net cash used in investing activities		(350,626	)		(290,017	)

EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS		(1,035,488	)		193,013
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS		11,434,208			13,250,617
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING OF PERIOD		107,828,800			65,241,035
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF PERIOD	$	119,263,008		$	78,491,652

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid during the period for:
Income taxes	$	2,571,399		$	536,144
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Issuance of common stock upon cashless exercise of options	$	73		$	-

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

GULF RESOURCES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2014

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(a) Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

The accompanying condensed financial statements have been prepared by Gulf Resources, Inc. a Delaware corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”), without audit, in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and, therefore, do not necessarily include all information and footnotes necessary for a fair statement of its financial position, results of operations and cash flows in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”).

In the opinion of management, the unaudited financial information for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 presented reflects all adjustments, which are only normal and recurring, necessary for a fair statement of results of operations, financial position and cash flows. These condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements included in the Company’s 2013 Form 10-K. Operating results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of operating results for an entire fiscal year.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts that are reported in the financial statements and accompanying disclosures. Although these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions that the Company may undertake in the future, actual results may be different from the estimates. The Company also exercises judgments in the preparation of these condensed financial statements in the areas including classification of leases and related party transactions. 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Gulf Resources, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Upper Class Group Limited, a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, which owns 100% of Hong Kong Jiaxing Industrial Limited, a company incorporated in Hong Kong (“HKJI”). HKJI owns 100% of Shouguang City Haoyuan Chemical Company Limited ("SCHC") which owns 100% of Shouguang Yuxin Chemical Industry Co., Limited (“SYCI”). All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.

(b) Nature of the Business

The Company manufactures and trades bromine and crude salt through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Shouguang City Haoyuan Chemical Company Limited ("SCHC"), and manufactures chemical products for use in the oil industry and paper manufacturing industry through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Shouguang Yuxin Chemical Industry Co., Limited ("SYCI") in The People’s Republic of China (“PRC”).

As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, allowances for doubtful accounts were nil. No allowances for doubtful accounts were charged to the income statement for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.

(d) Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company is exposed to credit risk in the normal course of business, primarily related to accounts receivable and cash and cash equivalents. Substantially all of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents are maintained with financial institutions in the PRC, namely, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited and China Merchants Bank Company Limited, which are not insured or otherwise protected. The Company placed $119,263,008 and $107,828,800 with these institutions as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts in the PRC.

Concentrations of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable exists as the Company sells a substantial portion of its products to a limited number of customers. However, such concentrations of credit risks are limited since the Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition. About 68% and 74% of the balance of accounts receivable as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, are outstanding for less than three months. For the balances of accounts receivable aged more than 90 days as of March 31, 2014, about 68% were settled in April 2014.

Table of Contents

GULF RESOURCES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2014

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – Continued

(e) Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment losses. Expenditures for new facilities or equipment, and major expenditures for betterment of existing facilities or equipment are capitalized and depreciated using the straight-line method at rates sufficient to depreciate such costs over the estimated productive lives. All other ordinary repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.

Mineral rights are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment losses. Mineral rights are amortized ratably over the term of the lease, or the equivalent term under the units of production method, whichever is shorter.

Construction in progress primarily represents direct costs of construction of plant, machinery and equipment. Costs incurred are capitalized and transferred to property and equipment upon completion, at which time depreciation commences.

The Company’s depreciation and amortization policies on property, plant and equipment, other than mineral rights and construction in progress, are as follows:

		Useful life (in years)
Buildings (including salt pans)		8 - 20
Plant and machinery (including protective shells, transmission channels and ducts)		5 - 8
Motor vehicles		5
Furniture, fixtures and equipment		8

Property, plant and equipment under capital leases are depreciated over their expected useful lives on the same basis as owned assets, or where shorter, the term of the lease, which is 20 years.

(f) Retirement Benefits

Pursuant to the relevant laws and regulations in the PRC, the Company participates in a defined contribution retirement plan for its employees arranged by a governmental organization. The Company makes contributions to the retirement scheme at the applicable rate based on the employees’ salaries. The required contributions under the retirement plans are charged to the consolidated income statement on an accrual basis when they are due. The Company’s contributions totaled $125,301 and $119,755 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

(g) Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue, net of value-added tax, when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery of the goods has occurred, customer acceptance has been obtained, which means the significant risks and ownership have been transferred to the customer, the price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured.

(h) Recoverability of Long-lived Assets

In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 360-10-35 “Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets” , long-lived assets to be held and used are analyzed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable or that the useful lives of those assets are no longer appropriate. The Company evaluates at each balance sheet date whether events and circumstances have occurred that indicate possible impairment.

Table of Contents

GULF RESOURCES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2014

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – Continued

(h) Recoverability of Long-lived Assets – Continued

The Company determines the existence of such impairment by measuring the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) and comparing such amount to the carrying amount of the assets. An impairment loss, if one exists, is then measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the discounted estimated future cash flows. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value of such assets less costs to sell. Asset impairment charges are recorded to reduce the carrying amount of the long-lived asset that will be sold or disposed of to their estimated fair values. Charges for the asset impairment reduce the carrying amount of the long-lived assets to their estimated salvage value in connection with the decision to dispose of such assets.

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company determined that there are no events or circumstances indicating possible impairment of its long-lived assets.

(i) Basic and Diluted Net Income per Share of Common Stock

Basic earnings per common share are based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the periods presented. Diluted earnings per share are computed using weighted average number of common shares plus dilutive common share equivalents outstanding during the period. Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents which were excluded from the calculation of number of dilutive common stock equivalents amounted to 1,593,686 and 5,096,075 shares for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

	Three-Month Period Ended March 31,
		2014		2013
Numerator
Net income	$	4,286,338	$	1,882,965

Denominator
Basic: Weighted-average common shares outstanding during the period		38,598,424		38,367,471
Add: Dilutive effect of stock options		679,533		133,487
Diluted		39,277,957		38,500,958

Net income per share
Basic	$	0.11	$	0.05
Diluted	$	0.11	$	0.05

(j) Reporting Currency and Translation

The financial statements of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are measured using the local currency, Renminbi (“RMB”), as the functional currency; whereas the functional currency and reporting currency of the Company is the United States dollar (“USD” or “$”).

As such, the Company uses the “current rate method” to translate its PRC operations from RMB into USD, as required under ASC 830 “Foreign Currency Matters”. The assets and liabilities of its PRC operations are translated into USD using the rate of exchange prevailing at the balance sheet date. The capital accounts are translated at the historical rate. Adjustments resulting from the translation of the balance sheets of the Company’s PRC subsidiaries are recorded in stockholders’ equity as part of accumulated comprehensive income. The statement of income and comprehensive income is translated at average rates during the reporting period. Gains or losses resulting from transactions in currencies other than the functional currencies are recognized in net income for the reporting periods as part of general and administrative expense. The statement of cash flows is translated at average rates during the reporting period, with the exception of issuance of shares and payment of dividends which are translated at historical rates.

(k) Foreign Operations

All of the Company’s operations and assets are located in PRC. The Company may be adversely affected by possible political or economic events in this country. The effect of these factors cannot be accurately predicted.

(l) New Accounting Pronouncements

No accounting standards and guidance with an effective date during the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 or issued during 2014 had or are expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

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GULF RESOURCES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2014

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 2 – ASSETS ACQUISITIONS

On November 26, 2012, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets owned by Chengyong Zhao in Guantai Village located Shouguang City Yangkou Township area (the “Chengyong Zhao Property” or “Factory No. 11”). The Chengyong Zhao Property includes a 20-year land lease covering approximately 1,727 acres of real property, with the related production facility, wells, pipelines, other production equipment, and the buildings located on the property. The total purchase price for the acquired assets was RMB 62 million (approximately $9.80 million), consisting of RMB 31 million (approximately $4.93million) in cash and 3,806,728 shares of the Company’s Common Stock valued at approximately $4.87 million (fair value). The production line of Factory No. 11 was resumed in March 2013 after certain repair and adjustments.

The bromine factory acquisition described above was not in operation when the Company acquired the factory. Production at the factory acquired had previously been halted by the government since the owners of the bromine factory did not hold the proper license for the exploration and production of bromine. The factory described above had not been in operation for more than six months at the time of the acquisitions. The Company recorded the above transaction as purchase of assets.

NOTE 3 – INVENTORIES

Inventories consist of:

	March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013

Raw materials	$	749,034		$	651,810
Finished goods		5,028,976			4,656,814
Allowance for obsolete and slow-moving inventory		(6,570	)		(6,629	)
	$	5,771,440		$	5,301,995

NOTE 4 – PREPAID LAND LEASES

The Company prepaid for land leases with lease terms for periods ranging from one to fifty years to use the land on which the office premises, production facilities and warehouses of the Company are situated. The prepaid land lease is amortized on a straight line basis.

During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, amortization of prepaid land lease totaled $104,972 and $98,215, respectively, which were recorded as cost of net revenue.

The Company has the rights to use certain parcels of land located in Shouguang, the PRC, through lease agreements signed with local townships. Such parcels of land are collectively owned by local townships and accordingly, the Company could not obtain land use rights certificates on these parcels of land. The parcels of land of which the Company could not obtain land use rights certificates covers a total of approximately 59.39 square kilometers of aggregate carrying value of $959,869 and approximately 59.39 square kilometers of aggregate carrying value of $761,496 as at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

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GULF RESOURCES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2014

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 5 – PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Property, plant and equipment, net consist of the following:

	March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
At cost:
Mineral rights	$	6,471,632		$	6,530,158
Buildings		52,865,338			53,343,419
Plant and machinery		171,332,909			172,842,611
Motor vehicles		9,339			9,423
Furniture, fixtures and office equipment		4,858,688			4,902,627
Total		235,537,906			237,628,238
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(97,221,803	)		(91,227,802	)
Net book value	$	138,316,103		$	146,400,436

The Company has certain buildings and salt pans erected on parcels of land located in Shouguang, PRC, and such parcels of land are collectively owned by local townships. The Company has not been able to obtain property ownership certificates over these buildings and salt pans as the Company could not obtain land use rights certificates on the underlying parcels of land. The aggregate carrying values of these properties situated on parcels of the land are $38,662,731 and $39,565,302 as at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, depreciation and amortization expense totaled $6,849,327, of which $6,527,898 and $321,430 were recorded as cost of net revenue and administrative expenses, respectively. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2013, depreciation and amortization expense totaled $6,720,849, of which $6,232,602 and $488,247 were recorded as cost of net revenue and administrative expenses, respectively.

NOTE 6 – PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT UNDER CAPITAL LEASES, NET

Property, plant and equipment under capital leases, net consist of the following:

	March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
At cost:
Buildings	$	133,766		$	134,975
Plant and machinery		2,514,394			2,537,133
Total		2,648,160			2,672,108
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(1,050,502	)		(970,780	)
Net book value	$	1,597,658		$	1,701,328

The above buildings erected on parcels of land located in Shouguang, PRC, are collectively owned by local townships. The Company has not been able to obtain property ownership certificates over these buildings as the Company could not obtain land use rights certificates on the underlying parcels of land.

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, depreciation and amortization expense totaled $88,912, which was recorded as cost of net revenue. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2013, depreciation and amortization expense totaled $86,639, which was recorded as cost of net revenue.

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GULF RESOURCES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2014

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 7 – ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES

Accounts payable and accrued expenses consist of the following:

	March 31,		December 31,
	2014		2013
Accounts payable	$	4,405,459	$	3,998,660
Salary payable		211,559		212,138
Social security insurance contribution payable		56,663		57,674
Price adjustment funds		1,020,919		861,071
Other payables		427,564		516,288
Total	$	6,122,164	$	5,645,831

NOTE 8 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, the Company borrowed a sum of $99,974, and fully repaid later during the same period, from Jiaxing Lighting Appliance Company Limited (Jiaxing Lighting”), in which Mr. Ming Yang, a shareholder and the Chairman of the Company, had a 100% equity interest in Jiaxing Lighting. The amounts due to Jiaxing Lighting were unsecured, interest free and repayable on demand.

On September 25, 2012, the Company purchased five stories of a commercial building in the PRC, through SYCI, from Shandong Shouguang Vegetable Seed Industry Group Co., Ltd. (the “Seller”) at a cost of approximately $5.7 million in cash, of which Mr. Ming Yang, the Chairman of the Company, had a 99% equity interest in the Seller. The cost of the five stories of the commercial building was valued by an independent appraiser on September 17, 2012 to its fair value and recorded as property, plant and equipment. The Company commenced using the property as the new headquarters for the office in early January, 2013. During the fiscal year 2013, the Company entered into an agreement with the Seller to provide property management services for an annual amount of approximately $100,704 for five years from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2017. The expense associated with this agreement for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $25,500.

NOTE 9 – TAXES PAYABLE

Taxes payable consists of the following:

	March 31,		December 31,
	2014		2013
Income tax payable	$	1,433,680	$	2,653,168
Mineral resource compensation fee payable		249,537		300,856
Value added tax payable		913,533		1,079,143
Land use tax payable		944,432		952,972
Other tax payables		182,343		262,347
Total	$	3,723,525	$	5,248,486

NOTE 10 – CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS

The components of capital lease obligations are as follows:

	Imputed	March 31,			December 31,
	Interest rate	2014			2013
Total capital lease obligations	6.7%	$	3,170,336		$	3,146,270
Less: Current portion			(252,842	)		(202,392	)
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion		$	2,917,494		$	2,943,878

Interest expenses from capital lease obligations amounted to $52,554 and $52,790 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, were charged to the income statements. See Note 19 for future minimum lease payments disclosure.

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GULF RESOURCES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2014

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 11 –EQUITY

(a)	Authorized shares

During the annual general meeting held on June 18, 2013, the shareholders of the Company approved the amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to decrease the number of the authorized shares of the Company’s comment stocks to 80,000,000. The Company has completed the filing of the amendment and restatement of the Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of the State of Delaware to decrease the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock and accordingly 80,000,000 is disclosed as the authorized shares of the Company’s common stock in the consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

(b)	Retained Earnings - Appropriated

In accordance with the relevant PRC regulations and the PRC subsidiaries’ Articles of Association, the Company’s PRC subsidiaries are required to allocate its profit after tax to the following reserve:

Statutory Common Reserve Funds

SCHC and SYCI are required each year to transfer at least 10% of the profit after tax as reported under the PRC statutory financial statements to the Statutory Common Reserve Funds until the balance reaches 50% of the registered share capital. This reserve can be used to make up any loss incurred or to increase share capital. Except for the reduction of losses incurred, any other application should not result in this reserve balance falling below 25% of the registered capital. The Statutory Common Reserve Fund as of March 31, 2014 for SCHC and SYCI is 37% and 50% of its registered capital respectively.

NOTE 12 – STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Pursuant to the Company’s Amended and Restated 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, the aggregate number shares of the Company’s common stock available for grant of stock options and issuance is 4,341,989 shares.

The fair value of each option award below is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The risk free rate is based on the yield-to-maturity in continuous compounding of the US Government Bonds with the time-to-maturity similar to the expected tenor of the option granted, volatility is based on the annualized historical stock price volatility of the Company, and the expected life is based on the estimated average of the life of options using the “simplified” method, as prescribed in FASB ASC 718, due to insufficient historical exercise activity during recent years as a basis from which to estimate future exercise patterns.

In early March 2014, the Company granted to an independent director an option to purchase 12,500 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $2.55 per share and the options vested immediately. The options were valued at $10,200 fair value, with assumed 67.14% volatility, a three-year expiration term with expected tenor of 1.49 years, a risk free rate of 0.21% and no dividend yield. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, $10,200 was recognized as general and administrative expenses.

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, 145,813 shares of common stock were issued upon cashless exercise of 223,000 options.

The following table summarizes all Company stock option transactions between January 1, 2014 and March 31, 2014.

	Number of Option and Warrants Outstanding and exercisable		Weighted- Average Exercise price of Option and Warrants	Range of Exercise Price per Common Share
Balance, January 1, 2014	2,470,971		$3.36	$0.95 - $12.60
Granted and vested during the year ended March 31, 2014	12,500		$2.55	$ $2.55
Exercised during the year ended March 31, 2014	(223,000	)	$0.95	$0.95
Expired during the year ended March 31, 2014	(37,500	)	$11.05	$9.16-12.00
Balance, March, 2014	2,222,971		$3.45	$0.95 - $12.60

	Stock and Warrants Options Exercisable and Outstanding
			Weighted Average
			Remaining
	Outstanding at March 31, 2014	Range of Exercise Prices	Contractual Life (Years)
Exercisable and outstanding	2,222,971	$0.95 - $12.60	1.92

The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable as of March 31, 2014 was $1,614,862.

The total intrinsic value of options exercised was $67,274 and $0 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.

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GULF RESOURCES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2014

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 13 – INCOME TAXES

The Company utilizes the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes in accordance with FASB ASC 740-10.

(a) United States

Gulf Resources, Inc. is subject to the United States of America Tax law at tax rate of 34%. No provision for the US federal income taxes has been made as the Company had no US taxable income for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, and management believes that its earnings are permanently invested in the PRC.

(b) BVI

Upper Class Group Limited, a subsidiary of Gulf Resources, Inc., was incorporated in the BVI and, under the current laws of the BVI, it is not subject to tax on income or capital gain in the BVI. Upper Class Group Limited did not generate assessable profit for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.

Hong Kong Jiaxing Industrial Limited, a subsidiary of Upper Class Group Limited, was incorporated in Hong Kong and is subject to Hong Kong profits tax. The Company is subject to Hong Kong taxation on its activities conducted in Hong Kong and income arising in or derived from Hong Kong. No provision for profits tax has been made as the Company has no assessable income for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. The applicable statutory tax rates for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 are 16.5%.

(d) PRC

Enterprise income tax (“EIT”) for SCHC and SYCI in the PRC is charged at 25% of the assessable profits.

The operating subsidiaries SCHC and SYCI are wholly foreign-owned enterprises (“FIE”) incorporated in the PRC and are subject to PRC Foreign Enterprise Income Tax Law.

On February 22, 2008, the Ministry of Finance (“MOF”) and the State Administration of Taxation (“SAT”) jointly issued Cai Shui [2008] Circular 1 (“Circular 1”). According to Article 4 of Circular 1, distributions of accumulated profits earned by a FIE prior to January 1, 2008 to foreign investor(s) in 2008 will be exempted from withholding tax (“WHT”) while distribution of the profit earned by an FIE after January 1, 2008 to its foreign investor(s) shall be subject to WHT at 5% effective tax rate.

As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the accumulated distributable earnings under the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP”) of PRC are $226,944,177 and $225,003,631, respectively. Since the Company intends to reinvest its earnings to further expand its businesses in mainland China, its foreign invested enterprises do not intend to declare dividends to their immediate foreign holding companies in the foreseeable future. Accordingly, as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company has not recorded any WHT on the cumulative amount of distributable retained earnings of its foreign invested enterprises in China. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the unrecognized WHT are $10,240,095 and $10,133,056, respectively.

The Company’s tax returns are subject to the various tax authorities’ examination. The federal, state and local authorities of the United States may examine the Company’s tax returns filed in the United States for three years from the date of filing. The Company’s US tax returns since 2010 are currently subject to examination. Inland Revenue Department of Hong Kong may examine the Company’s tax returns filed in Hong Kong for seven years from date of filing. The Company’s Hong Kong tax returns since incorporation in year 2007 are currently subject to examination. The tax authorities of the PRC may examine the Company’s PRC tax returns for three years from the date of filing. The Company’s PRC tax returns since 2010 are currently subject to examination.

The components of the provision for income taxes from continuing operations are:

	Three-Month Period Ended March 31,
		2014		2013
Current taxes – PRC	$	1,369,069	$	742,320
Deferred taxes – PRC		-		-
	$	1,369,069	$	742,320

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GULF RESOURCES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2014

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 13 – INCOME TAXES – Continued

The effective income tax expenses differ from the PRC statutory income tax rate of 25% from continuing operations in the PRC as follows:

	Three-Month Period Ended March 31,
Reconciliations	2014			2013
Statutory income tax rate		25	%		25	%
US federal net operating loss		-			3	%
Non-taxable item		(1	%)		-
Effective tax rate		24	%		28	%

Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities at March 31, 2014 and December 30, 2013 are as follows:

	March 31,			December 31,
	2014			2013
Deferred tax liabilities	$	-		$	-

Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for obsolete and slow-moving inventories	$	1,642		$	1,657
Impairment on property, plant and equipment		474,857			479,151
Exploration costs		1,820,561			1,837,025
Compensation costs of unexercised stock options		1,799,910			2,053,310
US federal net operating loss		9,546,338			9,272,734
Total deferred tax assets		13,643,308			13,643,877
Valuation allowance		(11,346,248	)		(11,326,044	)
Net deferred tax asset	$	2,297,060		$	2,317,833

Current deferred tax asset	$	1,642		$	1,657
Long-term deferred tax asset	$	2,295,418		$	2,316,176

The increase in valuation allowance for each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 is $20,204 and $99,385, respectively.

There were no unrecognized tax benefits and accrual for uncertain tax positions as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

NOTE 14 – BUSINESS SEGMENTS

The Company has three reportable segments: bromine, crude salt and chemical products. The reportable segments are consistent with how management views the markets served by the Company and the financial information that is reviewed by its chief operating decision maker.

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GULF RESOURCES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2014

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 14 – BUSINESS SEGMENTS – Continued

An operating segment’s performance is primarily evaluated based on segment operating income, which excludes share-based compensation expense, certain corporate costs and other income not associated with the operations of the segment. These corporate costs (income) are separately stated below and also include costs that are related to functional areas such as accounting, treasury, information technology, legal, human resources, and internal audit. The Company believes that segment operating income, as defined above, is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operating performance of its segments. All the customers are located in PRC.

Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2014	Bromine *		Crude Salt *		Chemical Products		Segment Total		Corporate		Total
Net revenue (external customers)	$	11,761,916	$	2,441,895	$	11,388,365	$	25,592,179	$	-	$	22,592,176
Net revenue (intersegment)		783,993		-		-		783,993		-		783,993
Income (loss) from operations before taxes		1,018,271		643,308		3,769,733		5,431,312		170,332		5,601,644
Income taxes		364,585		55,240		949,244		1,369,069		-		1,369,069
Income (loss) from operations after taxes		653,687		588,067		2,820,489		4,062,243		170,322		4,232,575
Total assets		187,576,805		53,277,324		68,675,614		309,529,743		84,675		309,614,418
Depreciation and amortization		4,550,142		1,494,758		893,340		6,938,240		-		6,938,240
Capital expenditures		34,378		5,208		-		39,586		-		39,586
Write-off / Impairment		-		-		-		-		-		-

Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2013	Bromine *		Crude Salt *		Chemical Products		Segment Total		Corporate			Total
Net revenue (external customers)	$	11,734,367	$	2,450,786	$	8,317,427	$	22,502,580	$	-		$	22,502,580
Net revenue (intersegment)		614,730		-		-		614,730		-			614,730
Income (loss) from operations before taxes		327,813		538,220		2,096,679		2,962,712		(357,264	)		2,605,448
Income taxes		180,632		33,266		528,422		742,320		-			742,320
Income (loss) from operations after taxes		147,181		504,954		1,568,257		2,220,392		(357,264	)		1,863,128
Total assets		166,871,312		56,641,404		55,994,831		279,507,547		121,682			279,629,229
Depreciation and amortization		4,377,972		1,559,199		870,317		6,807,488		-			6,807,488
Capital expenditures		-		-		-		-		-			-
Write-off / Impairment		-		-		-		-		-			-

* Certain common production overheads, operating and administrative expenses and asset items (mainly cash and certain office equipment) of bromine and crude salt segments in SCHC were split by reference to the average selling price and production volume of respective segment.

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GULF RESOURCES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2014

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 14 – BUSINESS SEGMENTS – Continued

	Three-Month Period Ended March 31,
Reconciliations	2014			2013
Total segment operating income	$	5,431,312		$	2,962,712
Corporate costs		(65,092	)		(292,145	)
Unrealized gain(loss) on translation of intercompany balance		235,424			(65,119	)
Income from operations		5,601,644			2,605,448
Other income		53,763			19,837
Income before taxes	$	5,655,407		$	2,625,285

The following table shows the major customer(s) (10% or more) for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014.

Number	Customer	Bromine (000’s)	Crude Salt (000’s)	Chemical Products (000’s)	Total Revenue (000’s)	Percentage of Total Revenue (%)
1	Shandong Morui Chemical Company Limited	$ 1,582	$ 571	$ 1,386	$ 3,539	13.4%
TOTAL		$ 1,582	$ 571	$ 1,386	$ 3,539	13.4%

The following table shows the major customer(s) (10% or more) for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013.

Number	Customer	Bromine (000’s)	Crude Salt (000’s)	Chemical Products (000’s)	Total Revenue (000’s)	Percentage of Total Revenue (%)
1	Shandong Morui Chemical Company Limited	$ 1,182	$ 743	$ 930	$ 2,855	12.7%
TOTAL		$ 1,182	$ 743	$ 930	$ 2,855	12.7%

NOTE 15 – MAJOR SUPPLIERS

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company purchased 89.8% and 83.6% of its raw materials from its top five suppliers, respectively. As of March 31, 2014 and 2013, amounts due to those suppliers included in accounts payable were $3,988,704 and $3,847,225, respectively. This concentration makes the Company vulnerable to a near-term severe impact, should the relationships be terminated.

NOTE 16 – CUSTOMER CONCENTRATION

The Company sells a substantial portion of its products to a limited number of customers. During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company sold 39.5% and 40.7% of its products to its top five customers, respectively. As of March 31, 2014 and 2013, amounts due from these customers were $19,258,917 and $14,093,381, respectively. This concentration makes the Company vulnerable to a near-term severe impact, should the relationships be terminated.

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GULF RESOURCES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2014

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 17 – FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The carrying values of financial instruments, which consist of cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable and other payables, approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. There were no unrecognized financial assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

NOTE 18 – RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES

The total research and development expenses recognized in the income statements during the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 was $30,780, of which the consumption of bromine produced by the Company amounted to $8,934. The total research and development expenses recognized in the income statements during the three-month period ended March 31, 2013 was $17,702, of which the consumption of bromine produced by the Company amounted to $6,120.

NOTE 19 – CAPITAL COMMITMENT AND OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS

As of March 31, 2014, the Company has leased a real property adjacent to Factory No. 1, with the related production facility, channels and ducts, other production equipment and the buildings located on the property, under capital lease. The future minimum lease payments required under capital lease, together with the present value of such payments, are included in the table show below.

The Company has leased nine pieces of land under non-cancelable operating leases, which are fixed in rentals and expired through December 2021, December 2030, December 2031, December 2032, December 2040, February 2059, August 2059 and June 2060, respectively. The Company accounts for the leases as operating leases.

The Company has no purchase commitment as of March 31, 2014.

The following table sets forth the Company’s contractual obligations as of March 31, 2014:

	Capital Lease Obligations			Operating Lease Obligations		Purchase Obligations
Payable within:
the next 12 months	$	305,106		$	975,077	$	101,409
the next 13 to 24 months		305,106			995,265		101,409
the next 25 to 36 months		305,106			1,016,535		101,409
the next 37 to 48 months		305,106			1,038,636		101,409
the next 49 to 60 months		305,106			1,061,919		-
thereafter		3,661,276			21,454,971		-
Total	$	5,186,806		$	26,542,403	$	405,636
Less: Amount representing interest		(2,016,470	)
Present value of net minimum lease payments	$	3,170,336

Rental expenses related to operating leases of the Company amounted to $245,250 and $234,319, which were charged to the income statements for the three-month ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The discussion below contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. We have used words such as “believes,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “expects” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on information currently available to us and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, performance, business prospects and opportunities and the timing of certain events to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, without limitation, those matters discussed in Item 1A of Part I of our 2013 Form 10-K. Except as expressly required by the federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update such factors or to publicly announce the results of any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events, developments, or changed circumstances, or for any other reason. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing in our 2013 Form 10-K and Item 1A, “Risk Factors” for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Overview

Gulf Resources conducts operations through its two wholly-owned China subsidiaries, SCHC and SYCI. Our business is also reported in these three segments, Bromine, Crude Salt, and Chemical Products.

Through SCHC, we produce and sell bromine and crude salt. We are one of the largest producers of bromine in China, as measured by production output. Elemental bromine is used to manufacture a wide variety of brominated compounds used in industry and agriculture. Bromine is commonly used in brominated flame retardants, fumigants, water purification compounds, dyes, medicines, and disinfectants.

Through SYCI, we manufacture and sell chemical products that are used in oil and gas field exploration, oil and gas distribution, oil field drilling, wastewater processing, papermaking chemical agents and inorganic chemicals.

Our Corporate History

We were incorporated in Delaware on February 28, 1989. From November 1993 through August 2006, we were engaged in the business of owning, leasing and operating coin and debit card pay-per copy photocopy machines, fax machines, microfilm reader-printers and accessory equipment under the name “Diversifax, Inc.”. Due to the increased use of internet services, demand for our services declined sharply, and in August 2006, our Board of Directors decided to discontinue our operations.

Upper Class Group Limited, incorporated in the British Virgin Islands in July 2006, acquired all the outstanding stock of SCHC, a company incorporated in Shouguang City, Shandong Province, PRC, in May 2005. At the time of the acquisition, members of the family of Mr. Ming Yang, our president and former chief executive officer, owned approximately 63.20% of the outstanding shares of Upper Class Group Limited. Since the ownership of Upper Class Group Limited and SCHC was then substantially the same, the acquisition was accounted for as a transaction between entities under common control, whereby Upper Class Group Limited recognized the assets and liabilities transferred at their carrying amounts.

On December 12, 2006, we, then known as Diversifax, Inc., a public “shell” company, acquired Upper Class Group Limited and SCHC. Under the terms of the agreement, the stockholders of Upper Class Group Limited received 13,250,000 (restated for the 2-for-1 stock split in 2007 and the 1-for-4 stock split in 2009) shares of voting common stock of Gulf Resources, Inc. in exchange for all outstanding shares of Upper Class Group Limited. Members of the Yang family received approximately 62% of our common stock as a result of the acquisition. Under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, the share exchange is considered to be a capital transaction rather than a business combination. That is, the share exchange is equivalent to the issuance of stock by Upper Class Group Limited for the net assets of Gulf Resources, Inc., accompanied by a recapitalization, and is accounted for as a change in capital structure. Accordingly, the accounting for the share exchange is identical to that resulting from a reverse acquisition, except no goodwill is recorded. Under reverse takeover accounting, the post reverse acquisition comparative historical financial statements of the legal acquirer, Gulf Resources, Inc., are those of the legal acquiree, Upper Class Group Limited. Share and per share amounts stated have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the share exchange. On February 20, 2007, we changed our corporate name to Gulf Resources, Inc.

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On February 5, 2007, we acquired SYCI, a company incorporated in PRC, in October 2000. Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, the stockholders of SYCI received a total of 8,094,059 (restated for the 2-for-1 stock split in 2007 and the 1-for-4 stock split in 2009) shares of common stock of Gulf Resources, Inc. in exchange for all outstanding shares of SYCI's common stock. Simultaneously with the completion of the acquisition, a dividend of $2,550,000 was paid to the former stockholders of SYCI. At the time of the acquisition, approximately 49.1% of the outstanding shares of SYCI were owned by Ms. Yu, Mr. Yang’s wife, and the remaining 50.9% of the outstanding shares of SYCI were owned by SCHC, all of whose outstanding shares were owned by Mr. Yang and his wife. Since the ownership of Gulf Resources, Inc. and SYCI are substantially the same, the acquisition was accounted for as a transaction between entities under common control, whereby Gulf Resources, Inc. recognized the assets and liabilities of SYCI at their carrying amounts. Share and per share amounts have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the acquisition.

To satisfy certain ministerial requirements necessary to confirm certain government approvals required in connection with the acquisition of SCHC by Upper Class Group Limited, all of the equity interest of SCHC were transferred to a newly formed Hong Kong corporation named Hong Kong Jiaxing Industrial Limited (“Hong Kong Jiaxing”) all of the outstanding shares of which are owned by Upper Class Group Limited. The transfer of all of the equity interest of SCHC to Hong Kong Jiaxing received approval from the local State Administration of Industry and Commerce on December 10, 2007.

As a result of the transactions described above, our corporate structure is linear. That is Gulf Resources owns 100% of the outstanding shares of Upper Class Group Limited, which owns 100% of the outstanding shares of Hong Kong Jiaxing, which owns 100% of the outstanding shares of SCHC, which owns 100% of the outstanding shares of SYCI.

On October 12, 2009 we completed a 1-for-4 reverse stock split of our common stock, such that for each four shares outstanding prior to the stock split there was one share outstanding after the reverse stock split. All shares of common stock referenced in this report have been adjusted to reflect the stock split figures. On October 27, 2009 our shares began trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “GFRE” and on June 30, 2011 we changed our ticker symbol to “GURE” to better reflection of our corporate name.

Our current corporate structure chart is set forth in the following diagram:

As a result of our acquisitions of SCHC and SYCI, our historical financial statements and the information presented below reflects the accounts of SCHC and SYCI. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table presents certain information derived from the consolidated statements of operations, cash flows and stockholders’ equity for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.

Comparison of the Three-Month Periods Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013

	Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2014			Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2013			% Change
Net revenue	$	25,592,176		$	22,502,580			14	%
Cost of net revenue	$	(18,734,404	)	$	(17,985,472	)		4	%
Gross profit	$	6,857,772		$	4,517,108			52	%
Sales, marketing and other operating expenses	$	(22,514	)	$	(20,303	)		11	%
Research and development costs	$	(30,780	)	$	(17,702	)		74	%
General and administrative expenses	$	(1,320,518	)	$	(1,969,217	)		(33	%)
Other operating income	$	117,684		$	95,562			23	%
Income from operations	$	5,601,644		$	2,605,448			115	%
Other income, net	$	53,763		$	19,837			171	%
Income before taxes	$	5,655,407		$	2,625,285			115	%
Income taxes	$	(1,369,069	)	$	(742,320	)		84	%
Net income	$	4,286,338		$	1,882,965			128	%

Net revenue Net revenue was $25,592,176 for three-month period ended March 31, 2014, an increase of approximately $3.1 million (or 14%) as compared to the same period in 2013. This increase was primarily attributable to the increase of our chemical segment products, which increase from $8,317,427 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013 to $11,388,365 for the same period in 2014, an increase of approximately 36.9%.

Revenue from the bromine products segment slightly increased from $11,734,367 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013 to $11,761,916 for the same period in 2014, an increase of approximately 0.2%.Revenue from the crude salt segment decreased from $2,450,786 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013 to $2,441,895 for the same period in 2014, a decrease of approximately 0.4%.

	Net Revenue by Segment
	Three-Month Period Ended					Three-Month Period Ended					Percent Increase/(Decrease)
	March 31, 2014					March 31, 2013					of Net Revenue
Segment			% of total					% of total
Bromine	$	11,761,916		46	%	$	11,734,367		52	%		0.2	%
Crude Salt	$	2,441,895		10	%	$	2,450,786		11	%		(0.4	%)
Chemical Products	$	11,388,365		44	%	$	8,317,427		37	%		36.9	%
Total sales	$	25,592,176		100	%	$	22,502,580		100	%		13.7	%

	Three-Month Period Ended				Percentage Change
Bromine and crude salt segments product sold in tonnes	March 31, 2014		March 31, 2013		Increase
Bromine (excluded volume sold to SYCI)		3,940		3,843		3	%
Crude Salt		63,372		62,007		2	%

	Three-Month Period Ended				Percentage Change
Chemical products segment sold in tonnes	March 31, 2014		March 31, 2013		Increase
Oil and gas exploration additives		3,369		2,491		35	%
Paper manufacturing additives		962		839		15	%
Pesticides manufacturing additives		792		684		16	%
Overall		5,123		4,014		28	%

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Bromine segment

The increase in net revenue from our bromine segment was mainly due to the increase in the sales volume of bromine. The sales volume of bromine increased from 3,843 tonnes for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013 to 3,940 tonnes for the same period in 2014, an increase of 3%. The major reason for the increase in the sales volume of bromine was mainly attributable to the bromine price being currently at a lower level, and our customers increase of their bromine inventories.

The selling price of bromine decreased from $3,053 per tonne for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013 to $2,985 per tonnes for the same period in 2014, a decrease of 2%. The major reason for the decrease in the selling price of bromine was mainly due to the continuing macro-economic tightening policy imposed by the PRC government beginning in the second half of 2011 to slow down the economy, which has affected our customers’ industries. As a result, we needed to offer competitive selling prices to our customers to compete with other bromine manufacturers. The average selling price remained relatively stable at around $3,000 per tonne from the first quarter of 2013 to the first quarter of 2014. We expect the average selling price of bromine to remain at current levels through the end of 2014 should the PRC government’s macro-economic tightening policy remain in place. The table below shows the changes in the average selling price and changes in the sales volume of bromine for the fiscal year 2014 from the same period in 2013.

	Three-Month Period Ended March 31,
Increase / (Decrease) in net revenue of bromine as a result of:	2014 vs. 2013
Decrease in average selling price	$	(266,702	)
Increase in sales volume	$	294,251
Total effect on net revenue of bromine	$	27,549

Crude salt segment

The decrease in net revenue from our crude salt segment was mainly due to the decrease in the selling price of crude salt. The average selling price of crude salt decrease from $39.52 per tonne for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013 to $38.53 per tonne for the same period in 2014, a decrease of 3%.

The sales volume of crude salt increased by 2% from 62,007 tonnes for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013 to 63,372 tonnes for the same period in 2014. The increase in the sales volume was mainly due to the stable demand as crude salt is a basic and elementary material for chemical industry.

We noted an upward trend in the average selling price of crude salt since the third quarter of 2011 due to the stable demand of the crude salt. The average selling price slightly decreased 3% as discussed above from the first quarter of 2013 to the first quarter of 2014. We expect the average selling price of crude salt to remain at current levels through the end of 2014.

	Three-Month Period Ended March 31,
Decease/Increase in net revenue of crude salt as a result of:	2014 vs. 2013
decrease in average selling price	$	(62,156	)
Increase in sales volume	$	53,265
Total effect on net revenue of crude salt	$	(8,891	)

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Chemical products segment

	Product Mix of Chemical Products Segment										Percent
	Three-Month Period Ended					Three-Month Period Ended					Change of
	March 31, 2014					March 31, 2013					Net Revenue
Chemical Products			% of total					% of total
Oil and gas exploration additives	$	6,498,966		57	%	$	4,621,678		55	%		40.6	%
Paper manufacturing additives	$	1,111,950		10	%	$	890,672		11	%		24.8	%
Pesticides manufacturing additives	$	3,777,449		33	%	$	2,805,077		34	%		34.7	%
Total sales	$	11,388,365		100	%	$	8,317,427		100	%		36.9	%

Net revenue from our chemical products segment increased from $8,317,427 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013 to $11,388,365 for the same period in 2014, an increase of approximately 36.9%. The increase was attributable to the increase in demand for all of our chemical products. Our oil and gas exploration chemicals are the most popular products within the chemical products segment, which contributed $6,498,966 (or 57%) and $4,621,678 (or 55%) of our chemical segment revenue for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, with an increase of $1,877,288, or 40.6%. Net revenue from our paper manufacturing additives increased from $890,672 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013 to $1,111,950 for the same period in 2014, an increase of approximately 24.8%. Net revenue from our pesticides manufacturing additives increased from $2,805,077 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013 to $3,777,449 for the same period in 2014, an increase of approximately 34.7%

The table below shows the changes in the average selling price and changes in the sales volume of major chemical products for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 from the same period in 2013.

Increase in net revenue, for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 vs. 2013, as a result of:	Oil and gas exploration additives		Paper manufacturing additives		Pesticides manufacturing additives		Total
Increase in average selling price	$	215,936	$	84,904	$	493,365	$	794,205
Increase in sales volume	$	1,661,351	$	136,374	$	479,007	$	2,276,732
Total effect on net revenue of chemical products	$	1,877,287	$	221,278	$	972,372	$	3,070,937

Cost of Net Revenue

	Cost of Net Revenue by Segment										% Change
	Three-Month Period Ended					Three-Month Period Ended					of Cost of
	March 31, 2014					March 31, 2013					Net Revenue
Segment			% of total					% of total
Bromine	$	9,770,755		52	%	$	10,329,842		58	%		(5	%)
Crude Salt	$	1,633,349		9	%	$	1,696,679		9	%		(4	%)
Chemical Products	$	7,330,300		39	%	$	5,958,951		33	%		23	%
Total	$	18,734,404		100	%	$	17,985,472		100	%		4	%

Cost of net revenue reflects mainly the raw materials consumed and the direct salaries and benefits of staff engaged in the production process, electricity, depreciation and amortization of manufacturing plant and machinery and other manufacturing costs. Our cost of net revenue was $18,734,404 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, an increase of $748,932 (or 4%) as compared to the same period in 2013. The increase in overall cost of net revenue was mainly attributable to the increased volume of products sold, which was partially offset by the decrease in purchase price of raw materials.

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Bromine production capacity and utilization of our factories

The table below represents the annual capacity and utilization ratios for all of our bromine producing properties:

	Annual Production Capacity (in tonnes)		Utilization Ratio (i)
Three-month period ended March 31, 2013		47,347		34%
Three-month period ended March 31, 2014		47,347		36%
Variance of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013		-		2%

(i) Utilization ratio is calculated based on the annualized actual production volume in tonnes for the periods divided by the annual production capacity in tonnes.

Our utilization ratio increased by 2% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 as compared with the same period in 2013. The increase in utilization was mainly attributable to the bromine price being currently at a lower level, and our customers increase of their bromine inventories.

In view of the trend of a decrease in the bromine concentration of the brine water being extracted at our production facilities as explained in 2013 Form 10-K, and in order to reduce the leakage rate and attempt to recover the annual production capacity of bromine and crude salt to a higher level in the future, we plan to carry out an enhancement project for our transmission channels and ducts in Factories No.10 and No 11 in 2014. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, no such enhancement work was carried out due to unexpected weather conditions. We expect to resume the enhancement work in the second and third quarters of 2014 when weather conditions permit.

Bromine segment

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, the cost of net revenue for the bromine segment was $9,770,755, a decrease of $559,087 or 5% over the same period in 2013. The most significant components of the costs of net revenue for the bromine segment were cost of raw materials and finished goods consumed of $3,541,400 (or 36%), depreciation and amortization of manufacturing plant and machinery of $4,426,776 (or 45%) and electricity of $693,710 (or 7%) for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2013, the major components of the cost of net revenue were cost of raw materials and finished goods consumed of $4,607,118 (or 44%), depreciation and amortization of manufacturing plant and machinery of $4,113,259 (or 40%) and electricity of $580,524 (or 6%), the cost structure changed as compared with the same period in 2014 where the contribution from cost of raw materials and finished goods consumed decreased by 8% and depreciation and amortization of manufacturing plant and machinery increased by 5%. The decrease in net cost of net revenue was mainly attributable to the decrease in the purchase price of raw materials due to the continuing macro-economic tightening policy imposed by the PRC government beginning in the second half of 2011 to slow down the economy, which has affected our customers’ industries. The table below represents the major production cost component of bromine per tonne sold for respective periods:

Per tonne production cost component of bromine segment	Three-Month Period Ended					Three-Month Period Ended
	March 31, 2014					March 31, 2013					% Change
			% of total					% of total
Raw materials	$	899		36	%	$	1,199		44	%		(25	%)
Depreciation and amortization	$	1,124		45	%	$	1,070		40	%		5	%
Electricity	$	176		7	%	$	151		6	%		17	%
Others	$	281		12	%	$	268		10	%		5	%
Production cost of bromine per tonne	$	2,480		100	%	$	2,688		100	%		(8	%)

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Our production cost of bromine per tonne sold was $2,480 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, a decrease of 9% (or $208) as compared to the same period in 2014, which was attributable mainly to the component of raw materials. The significant percentage decrease in raw materials by 29% was due to the decrease in the purchase price of raw materials resulting from the macro-economic tightening policy imposed by the PRC government.

Crude salt segment

The cost of net revenue for our crude salt segment for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 was $1,633,349, representing a decrease of $63,330, or 4%, compared to $1,696,679 for the same period in 2013. The decrease in cost was mainly due to the decrease in the allocation of common costs shared between crude salt segment and bromine segment, which decreased from 15.6% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013 to 13.2% for the same period in 2014, which in turn resulted in a decrease in the depreciation and amortization of manufacturing plant and machinery allocated to crude salt segment. We distribute the total costs shared among bromine and crude salt by reference to the average selling price and production volume of respective segment. The significant cost components for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 were depreciation and amortization of $1,162,321 (or 71%), resource taxes calculated based on crude salt sold of $207,164 (or 13%) and electricity of $82,766 (or 5%). The significant cost components for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013 were depreciation and amortization of $1,221,409 (or 72%), resource taxes calculated based on crude salt sold of $197,518 (or 12%) and electricity of $86,452 (or 5%). The table below represents the major production cost component of crude salt per ton for respective periods:

Per tonne production cost component of crude salt segment	Three-Month Period Ended					Three-Month Period Ended
	March 31, 2014					March 31, 2013					% Change
			% of total					% of total
Depreciation and amortization	$	18.3		71	%	$	19.7		72	%		(7	%)
Resource tax	$	3.3		13	%	$	3.2		12	%		3	%
Electricity	$	1.3		5	%	$	1.4		5	%		(4	%)
Others	$	2.9		11	%	$	3.1		11	%		(6	%)
Production cost of crude salt per tonne	$	25.8		100	%	$	27.4		100	%		(6	%)

Chemical products segment

Cost of net revenue for our chemical products segment for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 was $7,330,300, representing an increase of $1,371,349 or 23% over the same period in 2013. The significant costs were cost of raw material and finished goods consumed of $6,164,431 (or 84%) and 4,976,395 (or 84%) and depreciation and amortization of manufacturing plant and machinery of $713,968 (or 10%) and $695,532 (or 12%) for each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. As some of the components of our cost of net revenue are fixed costs such as depreciation and amortization of our manufacturing plant and machinery, the rate of increase of the cost of net revenue for our chemical products segment was less than that of net revenue.

Gross Profit Gross profit was $6,857,772, or 27%, of net revenue for three-month period ended March 31, 2014 compared to $4,517,108, or 20%, of net revenue for the same period in 2013. The increase in gross profit percentage was primarily attributable to an increase in the margin percentage in all of our three segments.

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	Gross Profit by Segment										% Point Change
	Three-Month Period Ended					Three-Month Period Ended					of Gross
	March 31, 2014					March 31, 2013					Profit Margin
Segment			Gross Profit Margin					Gross Profit Margin
Bromine	$	1,991,161		17	%	$	1,404,525		12	%		5	%
Crude Salt	$	808,546		33	%	$	754,107		31	%		2	%
Chemical Products	$	4,058,065		36	%	$	2,358,476		28	%		8	%
Total Gross Profit	$	6,857,772		27	%	$	4,517,108		20	%		7	%

Bromine segment

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, the gross profit margin for our bromine segment was 17%, as compared to 12% for the same period in 2013. This 5% increase is mainly due to the decrease in purchase price of raw materials.

Crude salt segment

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2013 the gross profit margin for our crude salt segment was 33% compared to 31% for the same period in 2013. This 2% increase in our gross profit margin is mainly attributable to the decrease in the allocation of common costs shared between crude salt segment and bromine segment, which decreased from 15.6% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013 to 13.2% for the same period in 2014, which in turn resulted in a decrease in the depreciation and amortization of manufacturing plant and machinery allocated to crude salt segment. We distribute the total costs shared among bromine and crude salt by reference to the average selling price and production volume of respective segment.

Chemical products segment

The gross profit margin for our chemical products segment for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 was 36%, as compared to 28% for the same period in 2013. This 8% increase in our gross profit margin was a result of the increase in the selling price for all of our chemical products. As sales of oil and gas exploration additives contributed more than 57% of our total chemical products segment’s net revenue, the increase in demand largely increased the gross profit margin of our chemical products segment.

Research and Development Costs The total research and development costs incurred for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were $30,780 and $17,702, respectively, an increase of 74%. Research and development costs for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 represented raw materials used by SYCI for testing the manufacturing routine.

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General and Administrative Expenses General and administrative expenses were $1,320,518 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, a decrease of $648,699 (or 33%) as compared to $1,969,217 for the same period in 2013. The decrease of $648,699 was primarily due to(i) the legal costs and expenses incurred in connection with the class action lawsuit as described in our 2013 Form 10-k, which was $93,200 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013 and $0 for the same period in 2014 since the lawsuit was settled in early 2014.; and (ii)the unrealized exchange gain in relation to the translation difference of inter-company balances in USD and RMB for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 was in the amount of $235,424, as compared to the unrealized exchange loss for the same period in 2013 in the amount of $65,119; and(iii) depreciation of $171,404 for January and February 2013 related to Factory no. 11, acquired in November 2012, which is recorded in general and administrative expenses instead of cost of goods sold because the factory commenced operations formally in March 2013.

Other Operating Income Other operating income, which represented the sales of wastewater to some of our customers, was $117,684 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, representing an increase of $22,122(or 23%) from $95,562 for the same period in 2013. Wastewater is generated from the production of bromine and eventually becomes crude salt when it evaporates. Not all of our bromine production plants have sufficient area on the property to allow for evaporation of wastewater to produce crude salt. Certain of our customers who have facilities located adjacent to our bromine production plants have agreed to channel our wastewater into brine pans on their properties for evaporation. These customers then are able to sell the resulting crude salt themselves. We signed agreements with four of our customers to sell them our wastewater at market prices.

Income from Operations Income from operations was $5,601,644 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 (or 22% of net revenue), an increase of $2,996,196, or approximately 115%, over income from operations for the same period in 2013. The increase resulted primarily from the increase in the demand for our chemical product segment products.

	Income from Operations by Segment
	Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2014			Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2013
Segment:			% of total				% of total
Bromine	$	1,018,271	19%	$	327,813		11%
Crude Salt		643,308	12%		538,220		18%
Chemical Products		3,769,733	69%		2,096,679		71%
Income from operations before corporate costs		5,431,312	100%		2,962,712		100%
Corporate costs		170,332			(357,264	)
Income from operations	$	5,601,644		$	2,605,448

Bromine segment

Income from operations from our bromine segment was $1,018,271 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, an increase of $690,458 (or approximately 211%) compared to the same period in 2013. This increase was mainly attributable to the decrease in the purchase price of raw materials due to the continuing macro-economic tightening policy imposed by the PRC government beginning in the second half of 2011 to slow down the economy, which has affected our customers’ industries.

Crude salt segment

Income from operations from our crude salt segment was $643,308 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, an increase of $105,088 (or approximately 20%) compared to the same period in 2013. This increase was mainly due to the decrease in the allocation of common costs shared between crude salt segment and bromine segment, which decreased from 15.6% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013 to 13.2% for the same period in 2014, which in turn resulted in a decrease in the depreciation and amortization of manufacturing plant and machinery allocated to crude salt segment. We distribute the total costs shared among bromine and crude salt by reference to the average selling price and production volume of respective segment.

Chemical products segment

Income from operations from our chemical products segment was $3,769,733 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, an increase of $1,673,054 (or approximately 80%) compared to the same period in 2013. This significant increase was primarily due to the increase in the demand for all of our chemical products.

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Other Income Net Other income, net of $53,763 represented bank interest income, net of capital lease interest expense for the three -month period ended March 31, 2014, an increase of $33,926 (or approximately 171%) as compared to the same period in 2013, mainly due to higher average bank balance held during the three months period ended March 31, 2014 compared to the same period ended March 31, 2013.

Net Income Net income was $4,286,338 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2011, an increase of $2,403,373 (or approximately 128%) compared to the same period in 2013. This significant increase was primarily attributable to the overall increase in demand for our chemical products.

Effective Tax Rate Our effective tax rate for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were 24% and 28% respectively. The effective tax rate for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 was 1% lower than the PRC statutory income tax rate of 25%, due to the unrealized exchange gain from the translation of inter-company balance owing in RMB. The effective tax rate for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013 was 3% higher than the PRC statutory income tax rate of 25% due to the US federal net operating loss incurred by the Company in which a full valuation allowance was booked.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

As of March 31, 2014, cash and cash equivalents were $119,263,008 as compared to $107,828,800 as of December 31, 2013. The components of this increase of $11,434,208 are reflected below.

Statement of Cash Flows

	Three-Month Period Ended March 31,
	2014			2013
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	12,820,322		$	13,347,621
Net cash used in investing activities	$	(350,626	)	$	(290,017	)
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	$	(1,035,488	)	$	193,013
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	$	11,434,208		$	13,250,617

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, we met our working capital and capital investment requirements mainly by using cash flow from operations. The Company intends to continue to explore opportunities relating to bromine asset purchases and new bromine resource development.

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, we had positive cash flow from operating activities of $12.8 million and $13.3 million, respectively.

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, cash flow from operating activities of $12.8 million exceeded our net income of $4.3 million, mainly due to (i) substantial non-cash charges of $6.9 million, mainly in the form of depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment; (ii) cash generated from working capital of $1.7 million, mainly consisting of the decrease in account receivable partially offset by the decrease in taxes payable.

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2013, cash flow from operating activities of $13.3 million exceeded our net income of $1.8 million, mainly due to (i) substantial non-cash charges of $7.0 million, mainly in the form of depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment; (ii) cash generated from working capital of $4.4 million, mainly consisting of the decrease in account receivable and inventory.

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Accounts receivable

Cash collections on our accounts receivable had a major impact on our overall liquidity. The following table presents the aging analysis of our accounts receivable as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

	March 31, 2014					December 31, 2013
			% of total					% of total
Aged 1-30 days	$	11,033,028		27	%	$	11,694,338		26	%
Aged 31-60 days	$	7,932,016		19	%	$	11,199,632		25	%
Aged 61-90 days	$	9,046,504		22	%	$	10,256,456		23	%
Aged 91-120 days	$	9,111,579		22	%	$	8,687,636		19	%
Aged 121-150 days	$	4,212,364		10	%	$	3,047,293		7	%
Total	$	41,335,491		100	%	$	44,885,355		100	%

The overall accounts receivable balance as of March 31, 2014 decreased by $3,549,864 (or 8%), as compared to those of December 31, 2013. Such decrease was mainly due to the strengthened collection action on last year’s accounts receivable by our sales force. We are not aware of any allowances for doubtful debts required for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 as we have policies in place to ensure that sales are made to customers with an appropriate credit history. About 68% of the balances of accounts receivable as of March 31, 2014 aged more than 90 days were settled in April 2014. We perform ongoing credit evaluation on the financial condition of our customers.

Inventory

Our inventory consists of the following:

	March 31, 2014						December 31, 2013
				% of total						% of total
Raw materials	$	749,034			13.0	%	$	651,810			12.3	%
Finished goods	$	5,028,976			87.1	%	$	4,656,814			87.8	%
	$	5,778,010			100.1	%	$	5,308,624			100.1	%
Allowance for obsolete and slowing-moving inventory	$	(6,570	)		(0.1	%)	$	(6,629	)		(0.1	%)
Total	$	5,771,440			100.0	%	$	5,301,995			100.0	%

The net inventory level as of March 31, 2014 increased by $469,445 (or 9%), as compared to the net inventory level as of December 31, 2013.

Raw materials increased by 15% as of March 31, 2014 as compared to December 31, 2013. All of the raw materials are basic chemical industry materials, few of which have a possibility of loss over time, or major fluctuations in their prices. So, we concluded that all of our raw materials as of March 31, 2014 are fully realizable for production of finished goods without any impairment.

Our finished goods consist of bromine, crude salt and chemical products. Our chemical products are similar to raw materials, as there is no loss over time and a stable market price with a positive gross profit margin of 36% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 (33% for fiscal year 2013). Therefore, we believe that the realization of the chemical products is 100%. Similarly, as there is no depletion of bromine, we believe that the realization of it is also 100%. Although the gross profit margin for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 decreased to 17%, as compared with 25% in fiscal year 2013, we anticipated that the price for the rest of 2014 will not fluctuate significantly to impair the cost of bromine.

The annual loss of crude salt due to evaporation is around 3%. As the market price of crude salt per ton decreased from $40.45 in fiscal year 2013 to $38.53 in the first quarter of 2014, and the relative cost of production is low, we believe that there will be no realization problem for crude salt as we do not expect selling price to be lower than its cost.

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, we used approximately $0.3 million cash for the prepayment of land leases. We also used approximately $0.04 million to acquire property, plant and equipment in the first quarter of 2014.

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2013, we used approximately $0.3 million cash for the prepayment of land leases.

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Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

We have no major financing activities for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014.

We believe that our available funds and cash flows generated from operations will be sufficient to meet our anticipated ongoing operating needs for the next twelve (12) months. However we will likely need to raise additional capital in order to fund the ongoing program of acquiring unlicensed bromine properties, increasing our chemical production capacity and developing a new bromine and crude salt production line in Sichuan Province, PRC. We expect to raise those funds through credit facilities obtained with lending institutions. There can be no guarantee that we will be able to obtain such funding, whether through the issuance of debt or equity, on terms satisfactory to management and our board of directors.

Working capital was approximately $156.4 million at March 31, 2014 as compared to approximately $146.8 million at December 31, 2013. The increase was mainly attributable to the cash provided by operating activities during the three-month period ended March 31, 2014.

We had available cash of approximately $119.3 million at March 31, 2014, most of which is in highly liquid current deposits which earn no or little interest. We intend to retain the cash for future expansion of our bromine and crude salt businesses through acquisition, enhancement works to our existing bromine and crude salt business, and exploration cost of new brine water resources in Sichuan Province, and we do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

In the future we intend to focus our efforts on the activities of SCHC and SYCI as these segments continue to expand within the Chinese market. We also intend to explore the possibility of cooperation with overseas large-scale bromine manufacturers for expansion into overseas markets. As a result, we may issue additional shares of our capital stock and incur new debt in order to raise cash for acquisitions and other capital expenditures during the next twelve months.

We may not be able to identify, successfully integrate or profitably manage any businesses or business segment we may acquire, or any expansion of our business. An expansion may involve a number of risks, including possible adverse effects on our operating results, diversion of management attention, inability to retain key personnel, risks associated with unanticipated events and the financial statement effect of potential impairment of acquired intangible assets, any of which could have a materially adverse effect on our condition and results of operations. In addition, if competition for acquisition candidates or operations were to increase, the cost of acquiring businesses could increase materially. We may effect an acquisition with a target business which may be financially unstable, under-managed, or in its early stages of development or growth. In addition, if competition for acquisition candidates or operations were to increase, the cost of acquiring businesses could increase materially. Our inability to implement and manage our expansion strategy successfully may have a material adverse effect on our business and future prospects.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

We have no significant contractual obligations not fully recorded on our consolidated balance sheets or fully disclosed in the notes to our consolidated financial statements. Additional information regarding our contractual obligations and commitments at March 31, 2014 is provided in the notes to our consolidated financial statements. See “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 19 – Capital Commitment and Operating Lease Commitments”.

Material Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not currently have any off -balance sheet arrangements falling within the definition of Item 303(a) of Regulation S-K.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and this requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We base its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Accordingly, actual results may differ significantly from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We have identified the following critical accounting policies and estimates used by us in the preparation of our financial statements: accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts, assets retirement obligation, property, plant and equipment, recoverability of long lived assets, mineral rights, revenue recognition, income taxes, and stock-based compensation. These policies and estimates are described in the Company’s 2013 Form 10-K.

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Pursuant to Item 305(e) of Regulation S-K (§ 229.305(e)), the Company is not required to provide the information required by this Item as it is a “smaller reporting company,” as defined by Rule 229.10(f)(1).

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed pursuant to the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules, regulations and related forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO and CFO, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-Q.

(b) Changes in internal controls

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during our most recently completed fiscal quarter, which is the subject of this report, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Class Action

None.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no changes with respect to risk factors as previously disclosed in our 2013 Form 10-K. Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Before you invest you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below and in our 2013 Form 10-K, under the caption “Risk Factors”, our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations set forth in Item 2 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and our consolidated financial statements and related notes, as well as our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the other information in our 2013 Form 10-K. Readers should carefully review those risks, as well as additional risks described in other documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Item 2. Unregistered Shares of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

None.

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Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibit No.	Description
31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1	Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.1

The following financial statements from Gulf Resources, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014 formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss); (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity; (iv) the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows; and, (v) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

	GULF RESOURCES, INC.

Dated: May 9, 2014	By:	/s/ Xiaobin Liu
		Xiaobin Liu
		Chief Executive Officer
		(principal executive officer)

Dated: May 9, 2014	By:	/s/ Min Li
		Min Li
		Chief Financial Officer
		(principal financial and accounting officer)

GULF RESOURCES, INC. - FORM 10-Q - May 9, 2014

Attached files

GULF RESOURCES, INC. Reports