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EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.v410055_ex31-2.htm
EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.v410055_ex32-1.htm
EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.v410055_ex32-2.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.v410055_ex31-1.htm

  

 

 

 UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

  

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended:

March 31, 2015

 

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

 

For the transition period from: _____________ to _____________

   

 

 

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

  

 

 

Delaware   001-15819   13-3883101
(State or other jurisdiction   (Commission   (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation)   File Number)   Identification No.)

 

15 Huangpu Science and Technology Park

Jiang’an District

Wuhan, Hubei Province, PRC 430023

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(011) 86 27 65694977

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
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.

 

x  Yes  ¨  No

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).

x  Yes  ¨  No

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 ¨     Accelerated filer ¨  
Non-accelerated filer ¨     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  x  No

 

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

As of May 6, 2015, there were 65,963,502 shares of common stock outstanding, par value $0.001.

  

 

 

 
 

 

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page Number
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION 4
     
Item 1. Financial Statements 4
     
  Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (Unaudited) 4
     
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the Three months ended March 31, 2015 and  2014 (Unaudited) 5
     
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (Unaudited) 6
     
  Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 7
     
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 23
     
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 29
     
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 31
     
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION 32
     
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 32
     
Item 1A. Risk Factors 32
     
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 32
     
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 32
     
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 32
     
Item 5. Other Information 32
     
Item 6. Exhibits 33
     
Signatures 29

 

2
 

  

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR PURPOSES OF THE “SAFE HARBOR” STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

 

Statements in this report that are not historical facts or information are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “estimate,” “project,” “forecast,” “plan,” “believe,” “may,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “planned,” “potential,” “can,” “expectation” and similar expressions, or the negative of those expressions, may identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on management’s reasonable current assumptions and expectations. Such forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievement to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, and there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from management’s expectations. Such factors include, among others, the following:

 

changes in the market price of gold;
our ability to implement the key initiatives of, and realize the gross and operating margins and projected benefits (in the amounts and time schedules we expect) from, our business strategy;
non-performance of suppliers of their sale commitments and customers of their purchase commitments;
non-performance of third-party service providers;
adverse conditions in the industries in which our customers operate, including a general economic downturn , a recession globally, or sudden disruption in business conditions, and our ability to withstand an economic downturn, recession, cost inflation, competitive or other market pressures, or conditions;
the effect of political, economic, legal, tax and regulatory risks imposed on us, including foreign exchange or other restrictions, adoption, interpretation and enforcement of foreign laws including any changes thereto, as well as reviews and investigations by government regulators that have occurred or may occur from time to time, including, for example, local regulatory scrutiny in China;
our ability to manage growth;
our ability to successfully identify new business opportunities and identify and analyze acquisition candidates, secure financing on favorable terms and negotiate and consummate acquisitions as well as to successfully manage any acquired business;
our ability to integrate acquired businesses;
the effect of economic factors, including inflation and fluctuations in interest rates and currency exchange rates, foreign exchange restrictions and the potential effect of such factors on our business, results of operations and financial condition;
our ability to retain and attract senior management and other key employees;
any internal investigations and compliance reviews of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and related U.S. and foreign law matters in China and additional countries, as well as any disruption or adverse consequences resulting from such investigations, reviews, related actions or litigation;
changes in People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) or U.S. tax laws;
increased levels of competition, and competitive uncertainties in our markets, including competition from companies in the gold jewelry industry in the PRC, some of which are larger than we are and have greater resources;
the impact of the seasonal nature of our business, adverse effect of rising energy, commodity and raw material prices, changes in market trends, purchasing habits of our consumers and changes in consumer preferences;
our ability to protect our intellectual property rights;
the risk of an adverse outcome in any material pending and future litigations;
our ratings, our access to cash and financing and ability to secure financing at attractive rates;
·our continuing relationship with major banks in China with whom we have certain gold lease agreements and working capital loans;
·our ability to understand China’s commercial real estate market as we build the Kingold Jewelry Cultural Industry Park and to manage the relationships with the planned tenants in the Kingold Jewelry Cultural Industry Park;
·our ability to sell the commercial property for which we received permission to sell in 2014 that we are building in the Kingold Jewelry Cultural Industry Park
·our knowledge of and marketing capabilities in markets outside of China, particularly the Middle East, as we begin to expand our business outside of China; and
other risks, including those described in the “Risk Factors” discussion of this periodic report and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

We undertake no obligation to update any such forward looking statement, except as required by law.

 

3
 

  

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Financial Statements

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(IN U.S. DOLLARS)

(UNAUDITED)

 

   March 31,   December 31, 
   2015   2014 
ASSETS          
CURRENT ASSETS          
Cash  $70,459,741   $1,331,658 
Restricted cash   14,865,906    14,793,632 
Accounts receivable   -    503,406 
Inventories   212,657,866    212,396,363 
Other current assets and prepaid expenses   106,758    57,971 
Deferred financing costs   490,148    - 
Value added tax recoverable   4,360,873    4,501,426 
Deferred income tax assets   747,420    - 
Total current assets   303,688,712    233,584,456 
           
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET   9,120,424    9,390,258 
           
OTHER ASSETS          
Deposit on land use right - Jewelry Park   9,860,438    9,819,687 
Construction in progress - Jewelry Park   64,135,588    58,310,818 
Other assets   157,730    157,078 
Land use right   490,981    492,027 
Total other assets   74,644,737    68,779,610 
TOTAL ASSETS  $387,453,873   $311,754,324 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY          
           
CURRENT LIABILITIES          
Short term loans  $16,338,267   $16,270,745 
Long term loans - current maturities   32,652,028    28,844,777 
Debts payable   65,353,070    - 
Other payables and accrued expenses   3,421,721    2,970,770 
Customer deposits   690,059    - 
Income tax payable   2,739,513    978,713 
Other taxes payable   126,088    777,537 
Total current liabilities   121,320,746    49,842,542 
           
Long term loans   -    3,672,308 
TOTAL LIABILITIES    121,320,746    53,514,850 
           
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES           
           
EQUITY          
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 500,000 shares  authorized, none issued or outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014   -    - 
Common stock $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 65,963,502 and 65,963,502 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014   65,963    65,963 
Additional paid-in capital   79,672,958    79,460,175 
Retained earnings          
Unappropriated   169,583,280    163,002,075 
Appropriated   967,543    967,543 
Accumulated other comprehensive income   15,843,383    14,743,718 
Total stockholders' equity   266,133,127    258,239,474 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY  $387,453,873   $311,754,324 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

 

4
 

  

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(IN U.S. DOLLARS)

(UNAUDITED)

  

   For the three months ended March 31, 
   2015   2014 
         
NET SALES  $206,195,220   $307,453,098 
           
COST OF SALES          
Cost of sales   (195,120,956)   (280,376,607)
Depreciation   (309,001)   (308,279)
Total cost of sales   (195,429,957)   (280,684,886)
           
GROSS PROFIT   10,765,263    26,768,212 
           
OPERATING EXPENSES          
Selling, general and administrative expenses   1,678,366    2,565,176 
Stock compensation expenses   212,783    612,995 
Depreciation   25,191    31,108 
Amortization   3,075    3,089 
Total operating expenses   1,919,415    3,212,368 
           
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS   8,845,848    23,555,844 
           
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES)          
Interest Income   17,270    - 
Interest expense   (297,537)   (678,523)
Total other expenses, net   (280,267)   (678,523)
           
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES   8,565,581    22,877,321 
           
INCOME TAX PROVISION (BENEFIT)          
Current   2,728,902    6,489,043 
Deferred   (744,525)   275,634 
Total income tax provision   1,984,377    6,764,677 
           
NET INCOME  $6,581,204   $16,112,644 
           
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)          
Total foreign currency translation gains (loss)  $1,099,665   $(1,989,671)
           
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME  $7,680,869   $14,122,973 
           
Earnings per share          
Basic  $0.10   $0.24 
Diluted  $0.10   $0.24 
Weighted average number of shares          
Basic   65,963,502    65,807,394 
Diluted   65,963,502    66,617,212 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

 

5
 

  

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(IN U.S. DOLLARS)

(UNAUDITED)

 

   For the three months ended March 31, 
   2015   2014 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES          
Net income  $6,581,204   $16,112,644 
Adjusted to reconcile net income to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:          
Depreciation   334,192    339,387 
Amortization of intangible assets   3,075    3,089 
Share based compensation for services   212,783    612,995 
Inventory valuation allowance   2,978,101    - 
Deferred tax  (benefit) provision   (744,525)   275,634 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities          
(Increase) decrease in:          
Accounts receivable   503,537    473,101 
Inventories   (2,360,577)   (45,275,221)
Other current assets and prepaid expenses   (48,362)   8,147,809 
Deferred financing costs   (488,249)   - 
Value added tax recoverable   158,617    (1,628,968)
Increase (decrease) in:          
Other payables and accrued expenses   442,050    (263,291)
Customer deposits   687,386    - 
Income tax payable   1,749,934    3,222,075 
Other taxes payable   (652,139)   (847,977)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities   9,357,027    (18,828,723)
           
Purchase of property and equipment   (26,586)   (69,937)
Cash deposit for land use right-Jewelry Park   -    (8,173,006)
Cash payment in construction in progress-Jewelry Park   (5,561,161)   - 
Net cash used in investing activities   (5,587,747)   (8,242,943)
           
Proceeds from bank loans-short term   -    7,764,356 
Repayments of bank loans-short term   -    (17,980,614)
Proceeds from long term loan   -    3,689,295 
Restricted cash   (10,839)   (12,888,539)
Proceeds from related party loan   -    64,901,350 
Repayments of related party loan   -    (12,980,270)
Proceeds from debt financing instruments-private placement   65,099,928    - 
Net cash provided by financing activities   65,089,089    32,505,578 
           
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS   269,714    (213,403)
           
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS   69,128,083    5,220,509 
           
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR   1,331,658    2,284,930 
           
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR  $70,459,741   $7,505,439 
           
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION          
           
Cash paid for interest expense  $1,332,444   $4,345,677 
Cash paid for income tax  $978,968   $3,266,968 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated Financial Statements

 

6
 

  

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 1 — BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Kingold Jewelry, Inc. (“Kingold” or the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary to make the financial statements not misleading have been included. Operating results for the interim period ended March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015. The information included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis, and the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, filed with the SEC on March 31, 2015, as amended.

 

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

Based on the restructuring agreements and the subscription agreement, Wuhan Kingold Jewelry Co., Inc. (“Wuhan Kingold”) should be considered as a 100% contractually controlled affiliate. Kingold is empowered, through its wholly owned subsidiaries Dragon Lead Group Limited (“Dragon Lead”) and Wuhan Vogue-Show Jewelry Co., Inc. (“Wuhan Vogue-Show”), with the ability to control and substantially influence Wuhan Kingold’s daily operations and financial affairs, appoint its senior executives and approve all matters requiring shareholders’ approval. Kingold is also obligated to absorb a majority of expected losses of Wuhan Kingold, which enables Kingold to receive a majority of expected residual returns from Wuhan Kingold, and because Kingold has the power to direct the activities of Wuhan Kingold that most significantly impact Wuhan Kingold’s economic performance, Kingold, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, accounts for Wuhan Kingold as its Variable Interest Entity under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810-10-05-8A. Accordingly, Kingold consolidates Wuhan Kingold’s operating results, assets and liabilities. The Company makes an ongoing assessment to determine whether Wuhan Kingold is still a Variable Interest Entity.

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Kingold, Dragon Lead, Wuhan Vogue-Show, and Wuhan Kingold. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Kingold, Dragon Lead, Wuhan Vogue-Show and Wuhan Kingold are hereinafter collectively referred to as “the Company.”

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates required to be made by management include, but are not limited to, useful lives of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, the recoverability of long-lived assets, inventory valuation, allowance for doubtful accounts and share based compensation. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Restricted Cash

 

As of March 31, 2015, the Company had restricted cash of $14,865,906 compared to $14,793,632 as of December 31, 2014. Approximately $3.0 million was related to the bank loan with China CITIC Bank Corporation Limited (“CITIC Bank”) – see Note 6. Approximately $11.9 million was related to the gold lease deposits with Shanghai Pudong Development Bank (“SPD Bank”) and CITIC Bank– see Note 13 – Gold Lease Transactions.

 

Accounts Receivable

 

The Company generally receives cash payment upon delivery of a product, but may extend unsecured credit to its customers in the ordinary course of business. The Company mitigates the associated risks by performing credit checks and actively pursuing past due accounts. An allowance for doubtful accounts is established and recorded based on management’s assessment of the credit history of the customers and current relationships with them. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, there was no allowance recorded as the Company considers all of the accounts receivable fully collectible.

 

7
 

  

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

 

Inventories

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value, and cost is calculated on the weighted average basis. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, the Company recorded a lower of cost or market adjustment of $3 million and $0 million to adjust the carrying value to market. The cost of inventories comprises all costs of purchases, costs of fixed and variable production overhead and other costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their present condition.

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for additions, major renewals and betterments are capitalized, and expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.

 

Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis, less estimated residual value, over an asset’s estimated useful life. The estimated useful lives used in connection with the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

 

  Estimated
Useful Life
Buildings 30 years
Plant and machinery 15 years
Motor vehicles 10 years
Office furniture and electronic equipment 5 – 10 years

 

Construction in Progress

 

Construction in progress represents property and buildings under construction and consists of construction expenditures, equipment procurement, and other direct costs attributable to the construction. Construction in progress is not depreciated. Upon completion and when ready for intended use, construction in progress is reclassified to the appropriate category within property, plant and equipment.

 

Land Use Right

 

Under PRC law, all land in the PRC is owned by the government and cannot be sold to an individual or company. The government grants individuals and companies the right to use parcels of land for specified periods of time. These land use rights are sometimes referred to informally as “ownership.” Land use rights are stated at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is provided over the respective useful lives, using the straight-line method. Estimated useful life is 50 years, and is determined in connection with the term of the land use right.

 

Long-Lived Assets

 

Certain assets such as property, plant and equipment, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets that are held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the asset. There were no events or changes in circumstances that necessitated a review of impairment of long-lived assets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The Company follows the provisions of ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.” ASC 820 clarifies the definition of fair value, prescribes methods for measuring fair value, and establishes a fair value hierarchy to classify the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

 

Level 1-Observable inputs such as unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities available at the measurement date.

 

Level 2-Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable, and inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data.

 

Level 3-Inputs are unobservable inputs which reflect management’s assumptions based on the best available information.

 

8
 

  

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

 

The carrying value of accounts receivable, other current assets and prepaid expenses, short term loans, other payables and accrued expenses approximate their fair values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. The Company determined that the carrying value of the long term loans approximated their fair value by comparing the stated loan interest rate to the rate charged by similar financial institutions.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Net sales are primarily composed of sales of branded products to wholesale and retail customers, as well as fees generated from customized production. In customized production, a customer supplies the Company with the raw materials and the Company creates products per that customer’s instructions, whereas in branded production the Company generally purchases gold directly and manufactures and markets the products on its own. The Company recognizes revenues under ASC 605 as follows:

 

Sales of branded products

 

The Company recognizes revenue on sales of branded products when the goods are delivered and title to the goods passes to the customer provided that: there are no uncertainties regarding customer acceptance; persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; the sales price is fixed and determinable; and collectability is deemed probable.

 

Customized production fees

 

The Company recognizes services-based revenue (the processing fee) from such contracts when: (i) the contracted services have been performed and (ii) collectability is deemed probable. Revenues from customized production services made up approximately 3.75% of total revenue for the period ended March 31, 2015, compared to 2.49% for the period ended March 31, 2014.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company accounts for income taxes under ASC 740. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period including the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

 

The provisions of ASC 740-10-25, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” prescribe a more-likely-than-not threshold for consolidated financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken (or expected to be taken) in a tax return. This interpretation also provides guidance on the recognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, and related disclosures. The Company does not believe that there was any uncertain tax position at March 31, 2015 or at December 31, 2014.

 

To the extent applicable, the Company records interest and penalties as a general and administrative expense. The statute of limitations for the Company’s U.S. federal income tax returns and certain state income tax returns remains open for tax years 2009 and after. As of March 31, 2015 the tax years ended December 31, 2009 through December 31, 2014 for the Company’s PRC subsidiaries remain open for statutory examination by PRC tax authorities.

 

Foreign Currency Translation

 

Kingold, as well as its wholly owned subsidiary, Dragon Lead, maintain accounting records in United States Dollars (“US$”), whereas Wuhan Vogue-Show and Wuhan Kingold maintain their accounting records in Renminbi (“RMB”), which is the primary currency of the economic environment in which their operations are conducted.

 

The Company’s principal country of operations is the PRC. The financial position and results of its operations are determined using RMB, the local currency, as the functional currency. The results of operations and the statement of cash flows denominated in foreign currency are translated at the average rate of exchange during the reporting period. Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are translated at the applicable rates of exchange in effect at that date. The equity denominated in the functional currency is translated at the historical rate of exchange at the time of capital contribution. Because cash flows are translated based on the average translation rate, amounts related to assets and liabilities reported on the statement of cash flows will not necessarily agree with changes in the corresponding balances on the balance sheet. Translation adjustments arising from the use of different exchange rates from period to period are included as a component of stockholders’ equity as “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.”

 

9
 

  

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

 

The value of RMB against US$ and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in the PRC’s political and economic conditions. Any significant revaluation of RMB may materially affect the Company’s financial condition in terms of US$ reporting. The following table outlines the currency exchange rates that were used in creating the consolidated financial statements in this report:

 

  March 31,   December 31,
  2015   2014
       
Balance sheet items, except for share capital,      
additional paid in capital and retained earnings, as of the period ended US$1=RMB 6.1206   US$1=RMB 6.1460
       
Amounts included in the statements of operations and cash flows for the period US$1=RMB 6.1444   US$1=RMB 6.1457

 

Comprehensive Income

 

Comprehensive income consists of two components, net income and other comprehensive income. The foreign currency translation gain or loss resulting from translation of the financial statements expressed in RMB to US$ is reported in other comprehensive income in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income and the consolidated statements of changes in equity.

 

Earnings per Share

 

The Company computes earnings per share (“EPS”) in accordance with ASC 260 “Earnings per Share,” which requires companies with complex capital structures to present basic and diluted EPS. Basic EPS is measured as net income divided by the weighted average common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS is similar to basic EPS but presents the dilutive effect on a per share basis of potential common shares (i.e., options and warrants) as if they had been converted at the beginning of the periods presented, or issuance date, if later. Potential common shares that have an anti-dilutive effect (i.e., those that increase income per share or decrease loss per share) are excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS.

 

Share or Stock-Based compensation

 

The Company follows the provisions of ASC 718, “Compensation — Stock Compensation,” which establishes the accounting for non-employee and employee stock-based awards. Under the provisions of ASC 718, the fair value of the stock issued is used to measure the fair value of services received as the Company believes such approach is a more reliable method of measuring the fair value of the services. For the non-employee stock-based awards, the fair value of the awards to non-employees may be measured every reporting period based on the value of the Company’s common stock. The fair value of the equity instrument is calculated and then recognized as compensation expense over the requisite performance period.

 

For employee stock-based awards, share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense with graded vesting on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award.

 

Risks and Uncertainties

 

The jewelry industry generally is affected by fluctuations in the price and supply of diamonds, gold, and, to a lesser extent, other precious and semi-precious metals and stones. The Company potentially has exposure to the fluctuation in gold commodity prices as part of its normal operations. In the past, the Company has not hedged its requirement for gold or other raw materials through the use of options, forward contracts or outright commodity purchasing. A significant increase in the price of gold could increase the Company’s production costs beyond the amount that it is able to pass on to its customers, which would adversely affect the Company’s sales and profitability. A significant disruption in the Company’s supply of gold, or other commodities, could decrease its production and shipping levels, materially increase its operating costs, and materially and adversely affect its profit margins. Shortages of gold, or other commodities, or interruptions in transportation systems, labor strikes, work stoppages, war, acts of terrorism, or other interruptions to or difficulties in the employment of labor or transportation in the markets in which the Company purchases its raw materials, may adversely affect its ability to maintain production of its products and sustain profitability. Although the Company generally attempts to pass on increased commodity prices to its customers, there may be circumstances in which it is not able to do so. In addition, if the Company were to experience a significant or prolonged shortage of gold, it would be unable to meet its production schedules and to ship products to its customers in a timely manner, which would adversely affect its sales, margins and customer relations.

 

Furthermore, the value of the Company’s inventory may be affected by commodity prices. The Company records the value of its inventory using the lower of cost or market value, cost calculated on the weighted average method. As a result, decreases in the market value of precious metals such as gold would result in a lower stated value of the Company’s inventory, which may require it to take a charge for the decrease in the value of its inventory.

 

10
 

  

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

 

The Company’s operations are located in the PRC. Accordingly, the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations may be influenced by the political, economic, and legal environments in the PRC, as well as by the general state of the PRC economy. The Company’s operations in the PRC are subject to special considerations and significant risks not typically associated with companies in North America and Western Europe. These include risks associated with, among others, the political, economic and legal environment, and foreign currency exchange. The Company’s results may be adversely affected by changes in the political, regulatory and social conditions in the PRC, and by changes in governmental policies or interpretations with respect to laws and regulations, anti-inflationary measures, currency conversion, remittances abroad, and rates and methods of taxation, among other things. In addition, the Company only controls Wuhan Kingold through a series of agreements. Although the Company believes the contractual relationships through which it controls Wuhan Kingold comply with current licensing, registration and regulatory requirements of the PRC, it cannot assure you that the PRC government would agree, or that new and burdensome regulations will not be adopted in the future. If the PRC government determines that the Company’s structure or operating arrangements do not comply with applicable law, it could revoke the Company’s business and operating licenses, require it to discontinue or restrict its operations, restrict its right to collect revenues, require it to restructure its operations, impose additional conditions or requirements with which the Company may not be able to comply, impose restrictions on its business operations or on its customers, or take other regulatory or enforcement actions against the Company that could be harmful to its business. If such agreements were cancelled, modified or otherwise not complied with, the Company would not be able to retain control of this consolidated entity and the impact could be material to the Company’s operations. Although the Company has not experienced losses from these situations and believes that it is in compliance with existing laws and regulations, including the organization and structure disclosed in Note 1, this may not be indicative of future results.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued authoritative guidance on accounting for Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30); Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs (“ASU 2015-03”). This update requires that debt issuance cost related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability, consistent with debt discounts, without changing existing recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs. The new guidance is required to be applied on a retrospective basis and to be accounted for as a change in an accounting principle. The amendments in this update are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those fiscal years and early adoption of the amendments in this update is permitted. The Company will apply early adoption of this standard in the second quarter of 2015. The implementation of this standard will result in the reclassification of certain debt issuance costs from deferred financing cost to a reduction in the carrying amount of the related debt liability within the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

 

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis, which is intended to improve targeted areas of consolidation guidance for legal entities such as limited partnerships, limited liability corporations, and securitization structures. This ASU will be effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2015, for public companies. Management is evaluating the potential impact, if any, on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.

 

In January 2015, FASB issued ASU No. 2015-01, Income Statement—Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20): Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items. This update is issued as part of its initiative to reduce complexity in accounting standards (the “Simplification Initiative”). The objective of the Simplification Initiative is to identify, evaluate, and improve areas of U.S. GAAP for which cost and complexity can be reduced while maintaining or improving the usefulness of the information provided to the users of financial statements. This update eliminates from U.S. GAAP the concept of extraordinary items. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. A reporting entity may apply the amendments prospectively. A reporting entity also may apply the amendments retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted provided that the guidance is applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The effective date is the same for both public business entities and all other entities. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2015-01 to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

 

Reclassification

 

Certain prior quarter amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current quarter presentation. Interest expense related to the cost of gold for the gold lease transactions in the amount of $1,083,360 was reclassified to cost of sales for the three months ended March 31, 2014, This reclassification has no effect on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operation and cash flows.

 

11
 

  

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 3 - INVENTORIES, NET

 

Inventories as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following:

 

   As of 
   March 31,   December 31, 
   2015   2014 
Raw materials (A)  $44,930,716   $51,502,635 
Work-in-progress (B)   132,378,824    120,098,299 
Finished goods (C)   38,338,007    40,795,429 
Inventory valuation allowance   (2,989,681)   - 
Total inventory  $212,657,866   $212,396,363 

 

(A)Included 1,322,542 grams of Au9999 gold in 2015 and 1,546,435 grams of Au9999 gold in 2014.
(B)Included 3,878,738 grams of Au9999 gold in 2015 and 3,530,919 grams of Au9999 gold in 2014.
(C)Included 1,115,438 grams of Au9999 gold in 2015 and 1,183,407 grams of Au9999 gold in 2014.

 

As of March 31, 2015 the Company recorded a $2,989,681 lower of cost or market adjustment. No lower of cost or marked adjustment was needed at December 31, 2014.

 

NOTE 4 - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

 

The following is a summary of property and equipment as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

 

   As of 
   March 31,   December 31, 
   2015   2014 
Buildings  $2,506,371   $2,496,012 
Plant and machinery   19,602,335    19,502,409 
Motor vehicles   37,251    37,097 
Office and electric equipment   662,670    652,268 
Subtotal   22,808,627    22,687,786 
Less: accumulated depreciation   (13,688,203)   (13,297,528)
           
Property and equipment, net  $9,120,424   $9,390,258 

 

Depreciation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $334,192 and $339,387, respectively.

 

NOTE 5 – DEPOSIT ON LAND USE RIGHT AND CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS

 

On October 23, 2013, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Wuhan Kingold, entered into an agreement (the “Agreement”) with Wuhan Wansheng House Purchasing Limited (“Wuhan Wansheng”) and Wuhan Huayuan Science and Technology Development Limited Company (“Wuhan Huayuan”). The Agreement provides for the build out of the planned “Shanghai Creative Industry Park Project,” which is proposed to be renamed to “Kingold Jewelry Cultural Industry Park” (the “Jewelry Park Project” or the “Project”). Pursuant to the Agreement, Wuhan Kingold will acquire the land use rights for a parcel of land (the “Land”) in Wuhan for a total of 66,667 square meters (approximately 717,598 square feet, or 16.5 acres) (the “Land Use Right”), which has been approved for real estate development use. Wuhan Kingold has committed to provide a total sum of RMB1.0 billion (approximately US$164 million) for the acquisition of this Land Use Right and to finance the entire development and construction of a total of 192,149 square meters (approximately 2,068,000 square feet) of commercial properties, which are proposed to include a commercial wholesale center for various jewelry manufacturers, two commercial office buildings, a commercial residence of condominiums as well as a hotel.

 

12
 

  

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

 

As of March 31, 2015, Wuhan Kingold had made RMB419 million (approximately US$68.5 million) of payments toward the construction of the Jewelry Park Project. Of the RMB 419 million, RMB 60.4 million (approximately US$9.86 million) was for the deposit on the Land Use Right, which represents the total cost of the Land Use Right. Wuhan Kingold is also required to make the construction payments to finance the entire construction project, as estimated based on certain construction project milestones listed below. Wuhan Kingold recorded RMB 392.5 million (approximately US$64.1 million) as “Construction in Progress,” which includes total payment made plus capitalized interest of RMB33.9 million (approximately US$5.5 million) on the long-term bank loan. Due to a delay by the construction company in charge of the Project’s construction, the Company has delayed its payments to the construction company by five to six months. However, this delay is not expected to impact the total expected cost of RMB1.0 billion (approximately US$164 million).

 

Upon the completion of the whole project in accordance with the specific requirements agreed upon by both signing parties, Wuhan Kingold will have 100% ownership of the properties situated on the land and intends to either sell or lease various properties. The following table identifies the original payment milestones as well as the new payment milestones, which have been revised to reflect the delays with construction progress associated with those milestones. The Company will continue to evaluate the milestone payment commitments in relation to actual progress and completion and will revise as deemed necessary.

 

Date  Original Payment
Commitment (RMB in
millions)
   Revised Payment
Commitment
(RMB in millions)
   Payment Commitment
(US$ in millions)**
 
October 2013*   200    200    33 
January 2014   50    50    8 
June 2014   100    -    - 
September 2014   150    20    3 
November 2014   -    87    14 
December 2014   -    35    6 
January 2015†   250         - 
February 2015†        28    4 
April 2015        80    14 
May 2015        250    41 
June 2015   250    250    41 
Total   1,000    1,000    164 

 

* Includes initial deposit made to seller

** In US$ based on current exchange rates

† Updated to reflect delay to payment schedule

 

Because the Land Use Right will not be transferred to Wuhan Kingold until the completion of the entire project, the payments of RMB 358.6 million made plus capitalized interest of RMB33.9 million as of March 31, 2015 are recorded as “Construction in Progress” on the balance sheet until the Project is completed and certified for use. Upon the completion of the Project, the excess of RMB1.0 billion commitment over the actual amount spent on the construction of the Project shall be deemed as the actual cost of the Land Use Right. As of March 31, 2015, the payments of RMB 60.4 million made as of March 31, 2015 were recorded as “Deposit on Land Use Right.”

 

13
 

  

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 6 - LOANS

 

Short term loans consist of the following:

 

   As of 
   March 31,   December 31, 
   2015   2014 
         
a) Loans payable to CITIC Bank Wuhan Branch   13,070,614    13,016,596 
b) Loan payable to Jiang’an Wuhan Branch of Hubei Bank Co   3,267,653    3,254,149 
           
Total short term loans  $16,338,267    16,270,745 

 

a) Loans payable to CITIC Bank Wuhan Branch with an aggregate amount of RMB80 million (equivalent to approximately US$13.0 million) consists of three working capital loan contracts originated on April 17, 2014, May 6, 2014 and May 29, 2014, with maturity dates of April 17, 2015, May 6, 2015 and May 29, 2015, respectively. The annual interest rate is 6.9%, 7.2% and 7.2%, respectively. All the loans from CITIC Bank Wuhan Branch were secured by restricted cash of RMB18 million (equivalent to approximately US$3 million). The loan is also secured by 160 kilograms of Au9999 gold, approximately $3 million of which was pledged by Wuhan Kingold as at March 31, 2015. On April 17, 2015, Wuhan Kingold extended loan amount of RMB 40 million (equivalent to approximately US$6.5 million) for additional two months with maturity date of June 3, 2015 and interest rate is 6.1525%. On May 6, 2015, Wuham Kingold paid off loan amount of RMB15 million (equivalent to approximately US$2.5 million) on maturity date.

 

b) Loan payable to Bank of Hubei, Wuhan Jiang’an Branch with an aggregate amount of RMB20 million (equivalent to approximately US$3.3 million) originated on August 26, 2014, with a maturity date of August 26, 2015. The annual interest rate is 6.6%. This loan is secured by the Company’s building and land use rights.

 

Interest expense for all of the above mentioned loans amounted to $246,904 and $678,523 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

Long term loan consists of the following:

 

   As of 
   March 31,   December 31, 
   2015   2014 
         
c) Loan payable to  Chang’an International Trust Co., Ltd.  $32,652,028   $32,517,085 
Less current maturities   (32,652,028)   (28,844,777)
Total long term loans  $-   $3,672,308 

 

c) On November 29, 2013, Wuhan Kingold entered into a Trust Loan Contract in the amount of RMB200 million (equivalent to approximately US$32.7 million as of the spot rate on March 31, 2015) with Chang’an International Trust Co., Ltd. (the “Trust Loan”) in order to undertake the aforementioned acquisition of the Jewelry Park Project (see Note 5). The Trust Loan was approved on December 3, 2013. The loan has a 24-month term, and bears interest at a fixed rate of 13.5% per annum. The loan is secured by 1,000 kilograms of Au9999 gold, which approximately $39.2 million as at March 31, 2015 was pledged by Wuhan Kingold. Interest for the Trust Loan in the amount of $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was capitalized into construction in progress and was not recorded as part of total interest expenses.

 

14
 

  

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 7 - DEBTS PAYABLE

 

On February 9, 2015, Wuhan Kingold received a Notice of Acceptance of Registration (the “Acceptance”) from the PRC’s National Association of Financial Market Institutional Investors (the “NAFMII”), registering the issuance of up to RMB 750 million (approximately US$120 million) of debt financing instruments by Wuhan Kingold pursuant to a Non-Public Oriented Debt Financing Instruments Private Placement Agreement, by and among Wuhan Kingold, Shanghai Pudong Development Bank Co., Ltd (“Pufa Bank”) and the other institutional investors named therein (together with Pufa Bank, the “Investors”), dated July 21, 2014 (the “Private Placement Agreement”). Such Private Placement Agreement became valid upon the Acceptance. In connection with the Private Placement Agreement, Wuhan Kingold and Pufa Bank entered into an Underwriting Agreement dated August 12, 2014, appointing Pufa Bank as the lead underwriter and bookkeeping manager for the issuance of the debt securities. The debt financing program is intended to operate similar to a commercial paper program. Under the program, Wuhan Kingold may issue the debt securities at any time within two years from the date of the Acceptance, with the initial issuance completed within six months from the date of the Acceptance. Wuhan Kingold is required to report any issuance to the NAFMII. The Private Placement Agreement provides that the Investors are entitled to, but are not required to, participate in any issuance, and prohibits using the proceeds from any issuance of debt securities for real estate and equity acquisition transactions.

 

On March 26, 2015, the Company completed the issuance of the first phase debts financing instruments with the total amount of RMB 400 million (approximately US$65 million) under the Private Placement Agreement. The debt has a one-year term and the annual interest rate is 7%, the debt was secured by certain gold or gold products held by Wuhan Kingold. One time financing cost of RMB 4 million (approximately US$0.65 million) related to the issuance is being amortized on quarterly basis. The Company recorded $50,633 of interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

 

The total amount of the second phase issuance will be RMB 350 million (approximately US$56 million), and will be secured by certain real property and construction in progress (including the Jewelry Park Project). In connection with the foregoing, Wuhan Kingold and Pufa Bank have entered into a Credit Agent Agreement (the “Credit Agent Agreement”), pursuant to which Pufa Bank serves as the agent of the holders of the debt securities. Zhihong Jia, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, has executed a guaranty, to guarantee Wuhan Kingold’s obligations under the Credit Agent Agreement.

 

NOTE 8 - INCOME TAXES

 

The Company is subject to income taxes on an entity basis on income arising in or derived from the tax jurisdiction in which each entity is domiciled.

 

Kingold is incorporated in the United States and has incurred net operating loss for income tax purposes for 2015 and 2014. The Company has loss carry forwards of approximately $14,735,000 for U.S. income tax purposes available for offsetting against future taxable U.S. income, expiring in 2035. Management believes that the realization of the benefits from these losses is uncertain due to its history of continuing losses in the United States. Accordingly, a full deferred tax asset valuation allowance has been provided and no deferred tax asset benefit has been recorded. The valuation allowance as of March 31, 2015 was approximately $5,010,000. The net increase in the valuation allowance for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $278,125.

 

Dragon Lead is incorporated in the British Virgin Islands (the “BVI”), and under current laws of the BVI, income earned is not subject to income tax.

 

Wuhan Vogue-Show and Wuhan Kingold are incorporated in the PRC and are subject to PRC income tax, which is computed according to the relevant laws and regulations in the PRC. The applicable tax rate is 25% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

The Company recorded $747,420 deferred income tax assets as of March 31, 2015 compared to $0 million as of December 31, 2014, from its foreign operations, which was related to an inventory allowance reflecting the decline in gold prices.

 

The Company intends to reinvest its foreign profits indefinitely in order to avoid a tax liability upon repatriation to the United States.

 

15
 

 

 

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

 

Significant components of the income tax provision were as follows for the periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

   For the Three Months Ended March 31 
   2015   2014 
Current tax provision          
Federal  $-   $- 
State   -    - 
Foreign   2,728,902    6,489,043 
    2,728,902    6,489,043 
           
Deferred tax provision (benefit)          
Federal  $-   $- 
State   -    - 
Foreign   (744,525)   275,634 
    (744,525)   275,634 
Income tax provision  $1,984,377   $6,764,677 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes was allocated between the U.S. and foreign components for the periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

   For the Three Months Ended March 31 
   2015   2014 
         
United States  $(819,803)  $(1,257,294)
Foreign   9,385,384    24,134,615 
    8,565,581    22,877,321 

  

NOTE 9 - EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

As of March 31, 2015, Kingold had 294,000 warrants issued and outstanding in connection with the issuance of its common stock in public offerings. All of these warrants were issued in 2011, 150,000 have an exercise price of $3.25, and will expire on January 13, 2016; and 144,000 have an exercise price of $3.99, and will expire on January 13, 2016. As of March 31, 2015, these warrants were anti-dilutive because the exercise prices were higher than the average market price for the period ended March 31, 2015. Accordingly, such warrants are not included in weighted average shares calculation.

 

As of March 31, 2015, Kingold also had 3,220,000 options outstanding to purchase the same number of shares of the Company’s common stock. Of those options, 120,000 options were granted in 2011, with an exercise price of $2.27, and will expire on October 31, 2021; 1,500,000 options were granted in 2011, with an exercise price of $2.59, and will expire on October 31, 2021; 1,300,000 options were granted in 2012, with an exercise price of $1.22, and will expire on January 9, 2022; 120,000 options were granted in 2012, with an exercise price of $1.49, and will expire on April 1, 2022; 90,000 options were granted in 2013, with an exercise price of $1.18, and will expire on July 16, 2023; and 90,000 options were granted in 2015, with an exercise price of $1.11 per share and will expire on February 25, 2025. As of March 31, 2015, all the options granted were anti-dilutive because the exercise prices were higher than the average market price for the period ended March 31, 2015. Accordingly, they are not included in weighted average shares calculation.

 

16
 

  

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

 

The following table presents a reconciliation of basic and diluted net income per share:

 

   For the Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2015   2014 
         
Net income  $6,581,204   $16,112,644 
           
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - Basic   65,963,502    65,807,394 
           
Effect of dilutive securities:          
Unexercised warrants and options   -    809,818 
           
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - Diluted   65,963,502    66,617,212 
           
Earnings per share-Basic  $0.10   $0.24 
           
Earnings per share-Diluted  $0.10   $0.24 

 

NOTE 10 -WARRANTS

 

Following is a summary of the status of warrant activities as of March 31, 2015:

 

   Warrants Outstanding   Weighted Average Exercise
Price
   Average Remaining Life in Years 
Outstanding, January 1, 2015   294,000   $3.61    0.61 
Granted               
Forfeited               
Exercised               
Outstanding, March 31, 2015   294,000   $3.61    0.47 

 

NOTE 11 - OPTIONS

 

On March 24, 2011, the Board of Directors voted to adopt the 2011 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), which was later ratified by the Company’s stockholders on October 31, 2011, at the 2011 annual meeting.

 

The Plan permits the granting of stock options (including incentive stock options as well as nonstatutory stock options), stock appreciation rights, restricted and unrestricted stock awards, restricted stock units, performance awards, other stock-based awards or any combination of the foregoing. Under the terms of the Plan, up to 5,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock may be granted.

 

For the 1,620,000 options issued prior to January 1, 2012, the compensation expense of $110,439 and $110,439 were recorded as part of operating expense-stock compensation for the periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

On January 9, 2012, the Company granted 1,300,000 options with an exercise price of $1.22 to certain members of management and directors. These options can be exercised within ten years from the grant date once they become exercisable. The options become exercisable in accordance with the schedule below: (a) 25% of the options become exercisable on the first anniversary of the grant date (such date is the initial vesting date), and (b) 6.25% of the options become exercisable on the date three months after the initial vesting date and on such date every third month thereafter, through the fourth anniversary of the grant date. The fair value of the options was calculated using the Black-Scholes options pricing model using the following assumptions: volatility of 124.81%, risk free interest rate of 1.98 %, and expected term of 10 years. The fair value of the options was $1,516,435. In accordance with the vesting periods, $94,777 and $94,777 were recorded as part of operating expense-stock compensation for the 1,300,000 options above for the periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

17
 

  

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

 

On July 16, 2013, the Company granted 90,000 options with an exercise price of $1.18 to its non-employee directors, which options expire ten years from the grant date under the Plan. These options became exercisable in accordance with the following schedule: (a) 25% of the options became exercisable on the first anniversary of the grant date and (b) 6.25% of the options became exercisable on the date three months after the initial vesting date and on such date every third month thereafter, through the fourth anniversary of the grant date. The fair value of the options was calculated using the Black-Scholes options pricing model using the following assumptions: volatility of 118.01%, risk free interest rate of 2.55%, and expected term of 6.25 years. The fair value of the options was $92,458. In accordance with the vesting periods, $5,779 and $5,779 were recorded as part of operating expense-stock compensation for the 90,000 options above for the periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

On February 25, 2015, the Company granted 90,000 options with an exercise price of $1.11 to its non-employee directors, which options expire ten years from the grant date under the Plan. These options became exercisable in accordance with the following schedule: (a) 25% of the options became exercisable on the first anniversary of the grant date, and (b) 6.25% of the options became exercisable on the date three months after the initial vesting date and on such date every third month thereafter, through the fourth anniversary of the grant date. The fair value of the options was calculated using the Black-Scholes options pricing model using the following assumptions: volatility of 115.20%, risk free interest rate of 1.96%, and expected term of 6.25 years. The fair value of the options was $85,822. In accordance with the vesting periods, $1,788 was recorded as part of operating expense-stock compensation for the 90,000 options above for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

 

As of March 31, 2015, the Company had 2,748,750 outstanding vested stock options with a weighted average remaining term over 6.34 years. As of March 31, 2015, the Company had 471,250 unvested stock options with a weighted average remaining term over 6.51 years. Unrecorded stock-based compensation expense was $420,370 as of March 31, 2015.

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option activity:

 

   Number of
options
   Weighted Average
Exercise Price
   Weighted Average
Remaining
Life in Years
   Fair Value 
Outstanding, December 31, 2014   3,130,000   $1.93    6.66    3,727,830 
Exercisable, December 31, 2014   2,570,000   $2.03    6.58    3,079,941 
Granted  90,000   $1.11   9.75    85,822 
Forfeited                    
Exercised                    
Outstanding, March 31, 2015   3,220,000   $1.90    6.51    3,813,653 
Exercisable, March 31, 2015   2,748,750   $2.02    6.34    3,290,935 

 

18
 

  

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 12 - CONCENTRATIONS AND RISKS

 

The Company maintains certain bank accounts in the PRC and BVI, which are not insured by Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance or other insurance. The cash and restricted cash balance held in the PRC bank accounts was $85,252,812 and $16,052,999 as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The cash balance held in the BVI bank accounts was $7,601 and $7,774 as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company held $26,182 and $61,986 of cash balances within the United States, no balance was in excess of FDIC insurance limits of $250,000 as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

 

For the periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, almost 100% of the Company's assets were located in the PRC and 100% of the Company's revenues were derived from its subsidiaries located in the PRC.

 

The Company’s principal raw material used during the year was gold, which accounted for almost 100% of its total purchases for the periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. The Company purchased gold directly, and solely, from the Shanghai Gold Exchange, the largest gold trading platform in the PRC.

 

No customer accounted for more than 10% of annual sales for the periods ended March 31, 2015 or 2014.

 

NOTE 13 - GOLD LEASE TRANSACTIONS

 

1)Gold lease transactions with China Construction Bank’s Wuhan Jiang’an Branch (“CCB”)

 

On December 20, 2012, Wuhan Kingold entered into a gold lease agreement with China Construction Bank’s Wuhan Jiang’an Branch (“CCB”) that became effective in January 2013, originally terminated on October 26, 2013 and extended to September 25, 2015 (the “Gold Lease Agreement”). Gold leased under the Gold Lease Agreement bears interest at a rate of approximately 6% per annum and is calculated based on the actual weight of gold leased (in grams), the price of gold (yuan/gram) at the time of delivery, and number of days the gold was leased. The Company leased 676 kilograms of gold (valued at approximately RMB226 million or US$36 million) from CCB in January 2013. At the end of the lease, the Company will need to return 676 kilograms of gold to CCB. Wuhan Kingold received notification from CCB that the total credit line under the Gold Lease Agreement was increased in August 2013 to RMB400 million (approximately US$65.4 million), an increase of RMB150 million from the original credit line of RMB250 million. In September 2014, the credit line was extended to another 12 months. Wuhan Kingold used the increased credit line to lease roughly 575 kilograms of additional gold in the third quarter of 2013. In the third quarter of 2014, the Company returned 575 kilograms of gold to CCB. On December 18, 2013 and January 13, 2014 the Company returned 430 and 246 kilograms of gold to CCB, respectively. On January 14, 2014 and February 12, 2014, the Company leased additional 570 and 310 kilograms of gold, respectively, with aggregate market value of RMB218 million (approximately US$35.7 million). On January 14, 2015 and February 12, 2015, respectively, the Company extended the lease to another 12 months. On September 19, 2014 and September 25, 2014, the Company leased an additional 235 and 300 kilograms of gold, respectively, with aggregate market value of RMB129 million (approximately US$21.1 million), based on the Gold Lease Agreement. On December 29, 2014, the Company leased an additional 100,000 kilograms of gold, with aggregate market value of RMB24 million (approximately US$4 million), based on the Gold Lease Agreement.

 

At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, 1,515,000 grams of leased gold were outstanding and not yet returned to the Bank which is due in various months through out of 2015 and 2016.

 

2)Gold lease transactions with Shanghai Pudong Development Bank (“SPD Bank”)

 

On January 1, 2013, Wuhan Kingold entered into a gold lease framework agreement (the “Framework Agreement”) with SPD Bank. In February 2013, Wuhan Kingold leased an aggregate of 530 kilograms of gold with a market price of approximately RMB176 million (US$28.1 million) from SPD Bank pursuant to separate lease agreements entered into under the Framework Agreement. The Company is required to deposit cash into an account at SPD Bank equal to approximately RMB15.8 million (approximately US$2.5 million) and pledge the amount to SPD Bank. The leases each have an initial term of approximately 12 months, and provide for an interest rate of 6% per annum. Lease payments to SPD are due quarterly beginning in March 2013, and are calculated based on the stated annual rate of 6%, the actual weight of gold leased (in grams), the fair market price of gold at the time of delivery, and the actual number of days the gold was leased. At the end of the leases in February 2014, the Company returned 530 kilograms of gold to SPD Bank.

 

On July 25, 2013, Wuhan Kingold borrowed an aggregate of 100 kilograms of gold with a market price of approximately RMB26.8 million (approximately US$4.4 million). This gold lease agreement has an initial term of approximately 6 months with a lease rate of 6% per annum. Wuhan Kingold secured its obligation to pay rent (and return the leased gold to SPD Bank at the end of the lease term) by depositing cash into an account at SPD Bank equal to approximately RMB2.4 million (approximately US$391,000) and pledging the account to SPD Bank. On January 24, 2014, the Company extended the lease period to an additional 12 months when the lease expired. Wuhan Kingold is required to deposit cash into an account at SPD Bank equal to approximately RMB4.4 million (approximately US$713,915). On July 10, 2014, the Company returned 100 kilograms of gold to SPD Bank and entered a new lease agreement to borrow 310 kilograms of gold with an aggregate market value of RMB81.4 million (approximately US$13.2 million). This gold lease agreement has an initial term of approximately 12 months with a lease rate of 6% per annum.

 

19
 

  

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

 

On December 16, 2013, Wuhan Kingold leased an aggregate of 120 kilograms of gold with a market price of approximately RMB29.7 million (US$4.9 million) from SPD Bank pursuant to separate lease agreements entered into under the Framework Agreement. The Company is required to deposit cash into an account at SPD Bank equal to approximately RMB3 million (US$486,760) and pledge the amount to SPD Bank. This gold lease agreement has an initial term of approximately 12 months with a lease rate of 6% per annum. At the end of the leases, the Company returned 120 kilograms of gold to SPD Bank.

 

On January 2, 2014, Wuhan Kingold entered into a gold lease agreement with SPD Bank and leased an aggregate of 85 kilograms of gold with a market price of approximately RMB20.5 million (US$3.3 million) The lease has an initial term of approximately 12 months, and provides for an interest rate of 7.5% per annum. The Company is required to deposit cash into an account at SPD Bank equal to approximately RMB2 million (approximately US$324,507) and pledge the amount to SPD Bank. Lease payments to SPD are due quarterly beginning in March 2014, and are calculated based on the stated annual rate of 7.5%, the actual weight of gold leased (in grams), the fair market price of gold at the time of delivery, and the actual number of days the gold was leased. At the end of the lease, the Company returned 85 kilograms of gold to SPD Bank.

 

On January 10, 2014, Wuhan Kingold entered into a gold lease agreement with SPD Bank and leased an aggregate of 210 kilograms of gold with a market price of approximately RMB51.0 million (US$8.3 million). The lease has an initial term of approximately 6 months, and provides for an interest rate of 7% per annum. The Company is required to deposit cash into an account at SPD Bank equal to approximately RMB11.4 million (approximately US$1.9 million) and pledge the amount to SPD Bank. Lease payments to SPD are due quarterly beginning in March 2014, and are calculated based on the stated annual rate of 7%, the actual weight of gold leased (in grams), the fair market price of gold at the time of delivery, and the actual number of days the gold was leased. At the end of the lease in July 2014, the Company returned 210 kilograms of gold to SPD Bank.

 

On February 12, 2014, Wuhan Kingold entered into a gold lease framework agreement (the “Framework Agreement”) with SPD Bank. In February 2014, Wuhan Kingold leased an aggregate of 320 kilograms of gold with a market price of approximately RMB81.7 million (US$13.4 million) from SPD Bank pursuant to separate lease agreements entered into under the Framework Agreement. The lease has an initial term of approximately 4 months, and provides for an interest rate of 6% per annum. The Company is required to deposit cash into an account at SPD Bank equal to approximately RMB20.4 million (approximately US$3.3 million). Lease payments to SPD are due quarterly beginning in March 2014, and are calculated based on the stated annual rate of 6%, the actual weight of gold leased (in grams), the fair market price of gold at the time of delivery, and the actual number of days the gold was leased. At the end of the lease, the Company returned the 320 kilograms of gold to SPD Bank. On June 27, 2014, Wuhan Kingold leased an another aggregate of 320 kilograms of gold with a market price of approximately RMB84.4 million (US$13.7 million) from SPD Bank pursuant to separate lease agreements entered into under the Framework Agreement. The lease has an initial term of approximately 12 months, and provides for an interest rate of 6% per annum. The Company is required to deposit cash into an account at SPD Bank equal to approximately RMB15.4 million (approximately US$2.5 million).

 

On July 18, 2014, the Company leased an additional 310 kilograms of gold (valued at approximately RMB81.4 million or approximately US$13.2 million) from SPD Bank. The lease has an initial term of approximately 12 months and provides for an interest rate of 6% per annum.

 

On October 22, 2014, the Company leased an additional 80 kilograms of gold (valued at approximately RMB19.8 million or approximately US$3.2 million) from SPD Bank. The lease has an initial term of approximately 12 months and provides for an interest rate of 6% per annum. The Company is required to deposit cash into an account at SPD Bank equal to approximately RMB15.8 million (approximately US$2.6 million) for the two leases signed in July and October, 2014.

 

On December 17, 2014 the Company leased an additional 120 kilograms of gold (valued at approximately RMB28.7 million or approximately US$4.7 million) from SPD Bank. The lease has an initial term of approximately 12 months and provides for an interest rate of 6% per annum. The Company is required to deposit cash into an account at SPD Bank equal to approximately RMB3.0 million (approximately US$0.5 million).

 

On December 18, 2014 the Company leased an additional 85 kilograms of gold (valued at approximately RMB 20.3 million or approximately US$3.3 million) from SPD Bank. The lease has an initial term of approximately 12 months and provides for an interest rate of 6% per annum. The Company is required to deposit cash into an account at SPD Bank equal to approximately RMB2.0 million (approximately US$0.3 million).

 

At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, 915,000 grams of leased gold were outstanding and not yet returned to the SPD Bank which is due in various months through out of 2015.

  

20
 

 

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

 

3)Gold lease transaction with CITIC Bank

 

On August 28, 2013, Wuhan Kingold entered into a gold lease framework agreement with the Wuhan branch of CITIC Bank, and subsequently leased an aggregate of 150 kilograms of gold (valued at approximately RMB41.6 million or approximately US$6.7 million) from CITIC Bank pursuant to lease agreement entered into under the framework agreement. The lease has an initial term of approximately 12 months, and provides for an interest rate of 5.6% per annum. Lease payments to CITIC Bank are due at the end of the leasing period. At the end of the lease, the Company extended the lease period by an additional nine months with a value of approximately RMB38.1 million or approximately US$6.2 million. Under the gold lease agreement with CITIC Bank, the Company is required to deposit cash into an account at CITIC equal to approximately RMB8.4 million (approximately US$1.4 million) and pledge the amount to CITIC Bank. On January 27, 2014, Wuhan Kingold leased additional 150 kilograms of gold (valued at approximately RMB36.5 million or approximately US$5.9 million), pursuant to separate lease agreements entered into under the Framework Agreement. The Company is required to deposit cash into an account at CITIC equal to approximately RMB7.3 million (approximately US$1.2 million) and pledge the amount to CITIC Bank. On February 21, 2014, Wuhan Kingold leased additional 200 kilograms of gold (valued at approximately RMB51.6 million or approximately US$8.4 million) pursuant to separate lease agreements entered into under the Framework Agreement. The Company is required to deposit cash into an account at CITIC equal to approximately RMB10.5 million (approximately US$1.7 million) and pledge the amount to CITIC Bank. On March 5, 2014, Wuhan Kingold leased an additional 150 kilograms of gold (valued at approximately RMB39.9 million or approximately US$6.5 million) pursuant to separate lease agreements entered into under the Framework Agreement. The Company is required to deposit cash into an account at CITIC equal to approximately RMB9 million (approximately US$1.5 million) and pledge the amount to CITIC Bank. These three leases have a term of 6 months and provides for an interest rate of 6% per annum. At the end of these leases, the Company extended the lease period by an additional nine months with an aggregate value of approximately RMB129 million (approximately US$20.9 million).On March 5, 2015, the Company entered into a gold lease agreement with CITTC Bank to lease additional 150 kilograms of gold (valued at approximately RMB 36.8 million or approximately US$6.0 million). The lease has initial term of one month and provides an interest rate of 6% per annum. The Company is required to deposit cash into an account at CITTC Bank equal to RMB 8.0 million (approximately US$1.3 million).

 

At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, 650,000 grams of leased gold were outstanding and not yet returned to the Bank which is due in various months through out of 2015.

 

The Company leased the gold as a way to fuel its growth and will return the same amount of gold to CCB, SPD Bank and CITIC Bank at the end of the respective lease agreements. Under these gold lease arrangements, each of CCB, SPD Bank and CITIC Bank retains beneficial ownership of the gold leased to the Company and treats it as if the gold is placed on consignment to the Company. All three banks have their own representatives on the Company’s premises to monitor on a daily basis the use and security of the gold leased to the Company. Accordingly, the Company records these gold lease transactions as operating leases because the Company does not have ownership nor has it assumed the risk of loss for the leased gold.

 

As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, 3,080 kilograms and 3,080 kilograms of leased gold, at the amount of $125.8 million and $125.8 million, respectively, will be returned within fiscal year 2015 and 2016. Interest expense for the leased gold for the periods ended, March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $1.84 million and $1.6 million, respectively, which was included in the cost of sales.

 

21
 

  

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 14 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Commitments

 

Future payment commitments under the purchase agreement of “Kingold Jewelry Cultural Industry Park” amounted to RMB 581 million (US$94.9 million). See Note 5 “Deposit on Land Use Right.”

 

Guarantee

 

In March and May 2014, the Company guaranteed payment to a nonrelated third party, Wuhan HengtongWeibang Trading LTD Co. (“Wuhan Hengtong”), for RMB68 million (approximately US$11.11 million) in bank loans (the “Guarantee”). Such Guarantee will terminate in May 2015 when the guaranteed agreement expires.

  

NOTE 15 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

On April 2, 2015, the Company entered into a Convertible Note Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Fidelidade – Companhia de Seguros, S.A., a company duly incorporated and existing under the laws of Portugal and a majority-owned subsidiary of Fosun International Limited (the “Holder”). Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to issue and sell to the Holder $15 million aggregate principal amount 6.0% Senior Secured Convertible Note due 2018 (the “Note”), subject to customary closing conditions. The Company will sell the Note in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Note and the underlying shares of the Company’s common stock issuable upon conversion of the Note have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

 

The Note will bear interest at a rate of 6.0% per year payable annually. The Note will mature on the third anniversary of the issuance date of the Note, unless earlier converted. The Note constitutes a general, senior, secured obligation of the Company. The Company granted the Holder a security interest in certain collateral as identified in the Purchase Agreement, to secure the payment, discharge and performance of all the Company’s obligations under the Note. Mr. Zhihong Jia, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, will execute a guarantee in favor of the Holder, pursuant to which Mr. Jia will be jointly liable for the Company’s obligations under the Note.

 

Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of the Purchase Agreement, the Holder has the right, at its option, to convert the principal amount of the Note or any portion of such principal amount which is $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, into shares of common stock at the applicable conversion rate. The conversion rate is initially 869.57 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Note (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $1.15 per share), subject to adjustment in certain events described in the Purchase Agreement. Upon conversion, the Company will deliver shares of common stock as set forth in the Purchase Agreement. No fractional shares will be issued upon any conversion.

 

In connection with the entry into the Purchase Agreement, the Company will enter into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with the Holder as a condition to closing the sale of the Note, which sets forth the rights of the Holder to have the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Note registered with the SEC for public resale under the Securities Act. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreements, the Company is required to file a registration statement with the SEC (the “Initial Registration Statement”) within 60 days following the date of the issuance of the Note, registering the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Note. The Company is required to use its reasonable best efforts to have the Initial Registration Statement declared effective as promptly as possible following the filing thereof and, in any event, by no later than 90 days after the date of the issuance of the Note. In addition, the agreement gives the Holder the ability to exercise certain piggyback registration rights in connection with registered offerings by the Company.

 

On April 10, 2015, the Company entered into a gold lease agreement with SPD Bank to lease additional 197 kilograms of gold (valued at approximately RMB 46.98 million or approximately US$7.7 million). The lease has initial term of one year and provides an interest rate of 3.2% per annum. The Company is required to deposit cash into an account at SPD Bank equal to RMB 0.5 million (approximately US$0.8 million).

 

The Company continues to seek favorable additional financing to meet its capital requirements to fund its operations and growth plans in the ordinary course of business.

 

22
 

  

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

 

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with the financial statements and related notes included in this Report and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. See also the “Cautionary Statement for Purposes of the “Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995” appearing elsewhere in this Report. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in those forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including, but not limited to, those contained in the “Risk Factors” section of this Report and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

Our Business

 

Through a variable interest entity, or VIE, relationship with Wuhan Kingold Jewelry Company Limited, or Wuhan Kingold, a corporation incorporated in the People’s Republic of China, or PRC, we believe that we are one of the leading professional designers and manufacturers of high quality 24 Karat gold jewelry and PRC ornaments developing, promoting, and selling a broad range of products to the rapidly expanding jewelry market across the PRC. We offer a wide range of in-house designed products including, but not limited to, gold necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets, and pendants.

 

We have historically sold our products directly to distributors, retailers and other wholesalers, who then sell our products to consumers through retail counters located in both department stores and other traditional stand-alone jewelry stores. We sell our products to our customers at a price that reflects the market price of the base material, plus a mark-up reflecting our design fees and processing fees. This mark-up typically ranges from 3% – 6% of the price of the base material.

 

We aim to become an increasingly important participant in the PRC’s gold jewelry design and manufacturing sector. In addition to expanding our design and manufacturing capabilities, our goal is to provide a large variety of gold products in unique styles and superior quality under our brand, Kingold.

 

In light of the growth in the investment gold business sector, we have signed agreements with various leading banks in China, such as the Bank of Communication, China Merchant Bank and Hubei Bank, to sell gold bars and coins and other products through bank branches. We tested this business model in 2011, and our total sales of investment gold for the first three months of 2015 amounted to roughly $1.5 million.

 

To broaden our business lines and strengthen our processing capacity, in October 2013, we entered into an agreement to acquire the operating rights for 66,667 square meters (approximately 717,598 square feet, or 16.5 acres) of land in Wuhan for an aggregate purchase price of RMB1 billion (approximately US$164 million at the spot rate). We have financed the installment payments paid to date through bank loans, and may finance the remaining payments through either additional bank loans or other sources of financing. We may finance part of the remaining payments through proceeds derived from the presale of some of the commercial units as we secured pre-sale permission for five buildings in January 2015. The land use rights are held in the Shanghai Creative Industry Park, which we intend to rename the Kingold Jewelry Cultural Industry Park, or the Jewelry Park for purposes of this report. We intend to develop the land and to utilize the completed Jewelry Park as our new operation center and show center. We also plan to rent spaces within the Jewelry Park to other jewelry manufacturers in China, and may also sell developed commercial and residential properties built on this site to individual and corporate buyers. The agreement was structured as an equity purchase of the company holding the land use rights, with Wuhan Wansheng House Purchasing Limited initially granting us a portion of Wuhan Huayuan Science and Technology Development Limited Company’s, or Wuhan Huayuan’s, ownership, granting us the right to appoint the chief financial officer for the project to supervise and manage the use of funds, and naming Wuhan Huayuan as agent for the completion of the construction. Accordingly, we now own 60% of the Jewelry Park. Upon our payment of the final installment payment, we will become the 100% owner of the Jewelry Park. However, because no other assets or liabilities have been transferred with the acquisition of Wuhan Wansheng, we are treating the Jewelry Park acquisition as an asset purchase for accounting purposes.

 

23
 

  

Results of Operations

 

The following table sets forth our statements of operations (unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 in U.S. dollars:

 

   For the three months ended March 31, 
   2015   2014 
         
NET SALES  $206,195,220   $307,453,098 
           
COST OF SALES          
Cost of sales   (195,120,956)   (280,376,607)
Depreciation   (309,001)   (308,279)
Total cost of sales   (195,429,957)   (280,684,886)
           
GROSS PROFIT   10,765,263    26,768,212 
           
OPERATING EXPENSES          
Selling, general and administrative expenses   1,678,366    2,565,176 
Stock compensation expenses   212,783    612,995 
Depreciation   25,191    31,108 
Amortization   3,075    3,089 
Total operating expenses   1,919,415    3,212,368 
           
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS   8,845,848    23,555,844 
           
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES)          
Interest Income   17,270    - 
Interest expense   (297,537)   (678,523)
Total other expenses, net   (280,267)   (678,523)
           
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES   8,565,581    22,877,321 
           
INCOME TAX PROVISION (BENEFIT)          
Current   2,728,902    6,489,043 
Deferred   (744,525)   275,634 
Total income tax provision   1,984,377    6,764,677 
           
NET INCOME  $6,581,204   $16,112,644 
           
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)          
Total foreign currency translation gains (loss)  $1,099,665   $(1,989,671)
           
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME  $7,680,869   $14,122,973 

 

24
 

  

Three Month Period Ended March 31, 2015, Compared to the Three Month Period Ended March 31, 2014

 

Net Sales

 

Net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2015 amounted to $206.2 million, a decrease of $101.3 million, or 32.9%, from net sales of $307.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. Out of the $101.3 million decrease in sales, approximately $85.9 million was due to decreased production as a result of decreased demand, $13.2 million was due to drop in the price of gold and the remainder was due to currency exchange translation. The Chinese economy slowed down and a couple of our major customers held off their purchases, which decreased our sales. Our investment gold business was also hit hard by the weakening Chinese demand for investment gold. We anticipate that the slow-down of the Chinese economy and consumer demand will continue for a while in 2015 and we have taken a proactive approach to reach out to new clients as well as deepen relationships with our key customers.

 

In the first quarter of 2015, we processed a total of 12.3 metric tons of gold, of which branded production accounted for 5.6 metric tons (45.5%) and customized production accounted for 6.7 metric tons (54.5%). In the first quarter of 2014, we processed a total of 14.5 metric tons of gold, of which branded production accounted for 7.9 metric tons (54.5%) and customized production accounted for 6.6 metric tons (45.5%).

 

In Metric Tons  1Q  2015   1Q  2014 
                 
Branded   5.6    45.5%   7.9    54.5%
Customized   6.7    54.5%   6.6    45.5%
                     
TOTAL   12.3    100.0%   14.5    100.0%

 

Cost of Sales

 

Cost of sales for the three months ended March 31, 2015 amounted to $195.4 million, a decrease of $85.3 million, or 30.4%, from $280.7 million for the same period in 2014. Majority of the $85.3 million decrease was due to a decreased sales.

 

Gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $10.8 million, a decrease of $16.0 million, or 59.8%, from $26.8 million for the same period in 2014. Accordingly, gross margin for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was 5.2%, compared to 8.7% for the same period in 2014. The primary reason for the substantial decrease in gross margin was that we purchased a large quantity of gold inventory at year end of 2013 and beginning of 2014 at low market prices, making the first quarter 2014 production at much lower cost than normal in 2014. The price of gold increased from $1,204.5 per ounce on December 31, 2013 to as high as $1,385.0 on March 14, 2014. However, the price of gold decreased from $1,295.8 per ounce on January 22, 2015 to $1,187.0 on March 31, 2015. Additionally, in the first quarter of 2015, we had a $3 million write-down of inventory due to the decrease in the price of gold, which was not the case in the first quarter of 2014.

 

Expenses

 

Total operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2015 were $1.9 million compared with $3.2 million for the same period in 2014. The decrease was mainly due to decreased selling, general and administrative expenses as a result of slower sales and marketing efforts for existing customers as they held off on purchase orders.

 

Interest expenses were $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 compared with $0.7 million for the same period in 2014. Interest expenses decreased because we paid off major loans from Xing Ye Bank (equivalent to approximately $7.9 million) and CITIC Bank (equivalent to approximately $18.1 million).

 

The provision for income tax expense was approximately $2.0 million for three months ended March 31, 2015, a decrease of $4.8 million, or 70.7%, from approximately $6.8 million for the same period in 2014. The decrease was primarily due to the decrease in our income before taxes, which decreased due to decreased sales as a result of low demand.

 

Net Income

 

For the forgoing reasons, net income was $6.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 compared to $16.1 million for the same period in 2014, a decrease of $9.5 million, or 59.1%.

 

25
 

 

Cash Flows

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities.

  

Net cash provided by operating activities was $9.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared with net cash used in operating activities of $18.8 million for the same period in 2014. The change was mainly because of the decrease in inventory as a result of decreased production, which was down due to decreased demand.

 

Analysis and Expectations. Our net cash from operating activities can fluctuate significantly due to changes in our inventories. Factors that may vary significantly include our purchases of gold and income taxes. Looking forward, we expect the net cash that we generate from operating activities to continue to fluctuate as our inventories, receivables, accounts payables and other factors described above change with increased production, and the purchase of larger quantities of raw materials. These fluctuations could cause net cash from operating activities to fall, even if, as we expect, our net income grows as we expand. Although we expect net cash from operating activities will rise over the long term, we cannot predict how these fluctuations will affect our cash flow in any particular quarter.

 

Net cash (used in) investing activities.

 

Net cash used in investing activities was $5.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared with net cash used in investing activities of $8.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The decrease in net cash used was mainly because of the cash deposit we made to acquire the land use rights for the Jewelry Park in the first quarter of 2014.

 

Analysis and Expectations. In short term, our cash used in investing activities may change significantly depending highly on the progress of the Jewelry Park.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities was $65.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared with net cash provided by financing activities of $32.5 for the three months ended March 31, 2014. On March 26, 2015, we completed the issuance of the first phase of debt financial instruments with the total amount of RMB 400 million (approximately $65 million) under the Private Placement Agreement underwritten by Shanghai Pudong Development Bank. See Note 7 to our consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this report.

 

Analysis and Expectations. We expect cash generated from financing activities to decrease to levels more consistent with prior periods, although we expect to continue to raise cash from financing activities as we build out the Jewelry Park, and increase our production capacity.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We currently have guaranteed payment to a non-related third-party of RMB68 million ($11.1 million) in bank loans. The guarantee terminates in May 2015. See Note 14 to our consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this report.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

As of March 31, 2015, we had approximately $70 million in cash and cash equivalents. We have financed our operations with cash flow generated from operations and through borrowing of short-term bank loans generally with a term of one year as well as through private and public borrowing and offerings in the U.S. and Chinese capital markets, such as our recent placement under our commercial paper program with Shanghai Pudong Development Bank.

  

At March 31, 2015, we had total outstanding short-term loans of $16.3 million from CITIC Bank ($13.0 million) as well as Hubei Bank ($3.3 million). The amounts outstanding under these bank loans are presented in our financial statements as “short-term loans.” For additional information regarding our short-term loans, please see Note 6 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report. We also had outstanding $65.3 million of debt payables under our commercial paper program with Shanghai Pudong Development Bank.

 

On February 9, 2015, Wuhan Kingold received a Notice of Acceptance of Registration, or the Acceptance, from the PRC’s National Association of Financial Market Institutional Investors, or the NAFMII, registering the issuance of up to RMB 750 million (approximately US$120 million) of debt financing instruments by Wuhan Kingold pursuant to a Non-Public Oriented Debt Financing Instruments Private Placement Agreement, by and among Wuhan Kingold, Shanghai Pudong Development Bank Co., Ltd, or Pufa Bank, and the other institutional investors named therein, dated July 21, 2014. Such Private Placement Agreement became valid upon the Acceptance. In connection with the Private Placement Agreement, Wuhan Kingold and Pufa Bank entered into an Underwriting Agreement dated August 12, 2014, appointing Pufa Bank as the lead underwriter and bookkeeping manager for the issuance of the debt securities. The debt financing program is intended to operate similar to a commercial paper program. Under the program, Wuhan Kingold may issue the debt securities at any time within two years from the date of the Acceptance, with the initial issuance completed within six months from the date of the Acceptance. Wuhan Kingold is required to report any issuance to the NAFMII. The Private Placement Agreement provides that the Investors are entitled to, but are not required to, participate in any issuance, and prohibits using the proceeds from any issuance of debt securities for real estate and equity acquisition transactions.

 

On March 26, 2015, we completed the issuance of the first phase debts financing instruments with the total amount of RMB 400 million (approximately US$65 million) under the Private Placement Agreement. The debt has a one-year term and the annual interest rate is 7%, the debt was secured by certain gold or gold products held by Wuhan Kingold. One time financing cost of RMB 4 million (approximately US$0.65 million) related to the issuance is being amortized on quarterly basis. We recorded a $ 50,633 interest as of March 31, 2015.

 

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The total amount of the second phase issuance will be RMB 350 million (approximately US$56 million), and will be secured by certain real property and construction in progress (including the Jewelry Park). In connection with the foregoing, Wuhan Kingold and Pufa Bank have entered into a Credit Agent Agreement, pursuant to which Pufa Bank serves as the agent of the holders of the debt securities. Zhihong Jia, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, has executed a guaranty, to guarantee Wuhan Kingold’s obligations under the Credit Agent Agreement.

 

On October 23, 2013, we entered into an acquisition agreement with Wuhan Wansheng House Purchasing Limited, or Wuhan Wansheng and Wuhan Huayuan Science and Technology Development Limited Company, or Wuhan Science. The acquisition agreement provides for the acquisition of the Shanghai Creative Industry Park, which is proposed to be renamed the Kingold Jewelry Cultural Industry Park. The Jewelry Park is located at No. 12, Han Huang Road, Jiang’An District, Wuhan.

 

Pursuant to the acquisition agreement, we acquired the operating rights for 66,667 square meters (approximately 717,598 square feet, or 16.5 acres) of industrial land for use in the development of the Jewelry Park for approximately RMB1.0 billion (approximately $164 million at then current exchange rates) from Wuhan Science (which had acquired the rights from Wuhan Wansheng in July 2013), and authorized Wuhan Wansheng, as agent, to complete construction of the Jewelry Park.

 

We currently intend to finance the Jewelry Park predominantly with bank loans supplemented by our operating cash flows, and where possible, deposits or advances that may be received from lessees.

 

Payments for the project will be made to Wuhan Wansheng in tranches, as follows, in line with the completion of certain building installments, as outlined in the acquisition agreement:

  

Date  Original Payment
Commitment (RMB in
millions)
   Revised Payment
Commitment (RMB in
millions)
   Payment Commitment
(US$ in millions)**
 
October 2013*   200    200    33 
January 2014   50    50    8 
June 2014   100    -    - 
September 2014   150    20    3 
November 2014   -    87    14 
December 2014   -    35    6 
January 2015†   250         - 
February 2015†        28    4 
April 2015        80    14 
May 2015        250    41 
June 2015   250    250    41 
Total   1,000    1,000    164 

 

* Includes initial deposit made to seller

** In US$ based on current exchange rates

† Updated to reflect delay to payment schedule

 

The acquisition agreement specifies that upon payment of the initial RMB 200M tranche, that Wuhan Wansheng will transfer a portion of Wuhan Science’s ownership to Wuhan Kingold and register Wuhan Kingold as the 60% shareholder of the Park, and gives Wuhan Kingold the right to appoint the chief financial officer for the project to supervise and manage the use of the funds. Upon payment of the final installment, Wuhan Wansheng will register the remaining interests in Wuhan Kingold’s name and it will be the 100% owner of the Park.

 

If Wuhan Kingold is more than 45 days late in any payment, Wuhan Wansheng may unilaterally terminate the agreement. Upon termination, Wuhan Kingold will be required to return ownership to Wuhan Wansheng within 15 days after receiving written notice of the rescission of the acquisition agreement. Wuhan Wansheng would also be required to return all capital paid by Wuhan Kingold within 60 days after the termination of the acquisition agreement.

 

We believe that our current cash and cash flow from operations will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs, including our cash needs for working capital, for the next 12 months. We may, however, require additional cash resources due to changing business conditions or other future developments, including any investments or acquisitions we may decide to pursue. Our ability to maintain sufficient liquidity depends partially on our ability to achieve anticipated levels of revenue, while continuing to control costs. If we do not have sufficient available cash, we would have to seek additional debt or equity financing through other external sources, which may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all. Failure to maintain financing arrangements on acceptable terms would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

We are required to contribute a portion of our employees’ total salaries to the PRC government’s social insurance funds, including pension insurance, medical insurance, unemployment insurance, job injuries insurance, and maternity insurance, in accordance with relevant regulations. We expect that the amount of our contribution to the government’s social insurance funds will increase in the future as we expand our workforce and operations, and commence contributions to an employee housing fund.

 

The ability of Wuhan Vogue-Show Jewelry Co., Inc., or Wuhan Vogue-Show, to pay dividends may be restricted due to the PRC’s foreign exchange control policies and our availability of cash. A majority of our revenue being earned and currency received is denominated in RMB. We may be unable to distribute any dividends outside of the PRC due to PRC exchange control regulations that restrict our ability to convert RMB into U.S. dollars. Accordingly, Wuhan Vogue-Show’s funds may not be readily available to us to satisfy obligations which have been incurred outside the PRC, which could adversely affect our business and prospects or its ability to meet our cash obligations.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures in the financial statements. Critical accounting policies are those accounting policies that may be material due to the levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain matters or the susceptibility of such matters to change, and that have a material impact on financial condition or operating performance. While we base our estimates and judgments on our experience and on various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We believe the following critical accounting policies used in the preparation of our financial statements require significant judgments and estimates. For additional information relating to these and other accounting policies, see Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.

 

Inventories

 

Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market value. Cost is determined using the weighted average method. We continually evaluate the composition of our inventory, turnover of our products, the price of gold, and the ability of our customers to pay for their products. We write down slow-moving and obsolete inventory based on an assessment of these factors, but principally customer demand. Such assessments require the exercise of significant judgment by management. Additionally, the value of our inventory may be affected by commodity prices. Decreases in the market value of gold would result in a lower stated value of our inventory, which may require us to take a charge for the decrease in the value. In addition, if the price of gold changes substantially in a very short period, it might trigger customer defaults, which could result in inventory obsolescence. If any of these factors were to become less favorable than those projected, inventory write-downs could be required, which would have a negative effect on our earnings and working capital. We recorded a $3 million inventory valuation allowance at the end of March 31, 2015 in light of the decrease in the price of gold as at March 31, 2015.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Our revenue is derived from the sales price of goods sold and fees for services provided. We recognize revenue for goods sold when they are delivered to the customer. We recognize revenue for services provided when the services have been performed and collectability is deemed probable. Management has not made an allowance for estimated sales returns because they are considered immaterial when viewed in light of our overall revenue and historical experience.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or the FASB, issued authoritative guidance on accounting for Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30); Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, or ASU 2015-03. This update requires that debt issuance cost related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability, consistent with debt discounts, without changing existing recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs. The new guidance is required to be applied on a retrospective basis and to be accounted for as a change in an accounting principle. The amendments in this update are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those fiscal years and early adoption of the amendments in this update is permitted. We will apply early adoption of this standard in the second quarter of 2015. The implementation of this standard will result in the reclassification of certain debt issuance costs from deferred financing cost to a reduction in the carrying amount of the related debt liability within our consolidated balance sheets.

 

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis, which is intended to improve targeted areas of consolidation guidance for legal entities such as limited partnerships, limited liability corporations, and securitization structures. This ASU will be effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2015, for public companies. Management is evaluating the potential impact, if any, on our financial position and results of operations.

 

In January 2015, FASB issued ASU No. 2015-01, Income Statement—Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20): Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items. This update is issued as part of its initiative to reduce complexity in accounting standards, or the Simplification Initiative. The objective of the Simplification Initiative is to identify, evaluate, and improve areas of U.S. GAAP for which cost and complexity can be reduced while maintaining or improving the usefulness of the information provided to the users of financial statements. This update eliminates from U.S. GAAP the concept of extraordinary items. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. A reporting entity may apply the amendments prospectively. A reporting entity also may apply the amendments retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted provided that the guidance is applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The effective date is the same for both public business entities and all other entities. We do not expect the adoption of ASU 2015-01 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

 

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

 

Given that all of our revenues are generated in RMB, yet our results are reported in U.S. dollars, devaluation of the RMB could negatively impact our results of operations. The value of RMB is subject to changes in the PRC’s governmental policies and to international economic and political developments. In January 1994, the PRC government implemented a unitary managed floating rate system. Under this system, the People’s Bank of China, or PBOC, began publishing a daily base exchange rate with reference primarily to the supply and demand of RMB against the U.S. dollar and other foreign currencies in the market during the previous day. Authorized banks and financial institutions are allowed to quote buy and sell rates for RMB within a specified band around the central bank’s daily exchange rate. On July 21, 2005, PBOC announced an adjustment of the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar to RMB from 1:8.27 to 1:8.11 and modified the system by which the exchange rates are determined. Over the past four years, RMB has appreciated 19.2% against the U.S. dollar (from USD1 = RMB 7.2946 on January 1, 2008 to USD1 = RMB6.1206 on March 31, 2015). While the international reaction to the RMB revaluation has generally been positive, there remains significant international pressure on the PRC government to adopt an even more flexible currency policy, which could result in further fluctuations of the exchange rate of RMB against the U.S. dollar, including possible devaluations. As all of our net revenues are recorded in RMB, any future devaluation of RMB against the U.S. dollar could negatively impact our results of operations.

 

Along these lines, the income statements of our operations are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates in each applicable period. To the extent the U.S. dollar strengthens against foreign currencies, the translation of these foreign currencies denominated transactions results in reduced revenue, operating expenses and net income for our international operations. Similarly, to the extent the U.S. dollar weakens against foreign currencies, the translation of these foreign currency denominated transactions results in increased revenue, operating expenses and net income for our international operations. We are also exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations as we convert the financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries into U.S. dollars in consolidation. If there is a change in foreign currency exchange rates, the conversion of the foreign subsidiaries’ financial statements into U.S. dollars will lead to a translation gain or loss which is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income. In addition, we have certain assets and liabilities that are denominated in currencies other than the relevant entity’s functional currency. Changes in the functional currency value of these assets and liabilities create fluctuations that will lead to a transaction gain or loss. We have not entered into agreements or purchased instruments to hedge our exchange rate risks, although we may do so in the future. The availability and effectiveness of any hedging transaction may be limited and we may not be able to successfully hedge our exchange rate risks.

 

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Interest Rate Risk

 

Our short-term borrowings as of March 31, 2015, were approximately $16.3 million, and interest expenses paid were $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015. The majority of the interest expense was due to CITIC Bank.

 

At the end of March 31, 2015, our weighted average interest rate was 11.04%. We do not expect the interest expense will be changed dramatically as we have secured the gold lease for a period of 12 months. We currently have no interest rate hedging positions in place to reduce our exposure to interest rates.

 

Commodity Price Risk

 

Most of our sales are of products that include gold, precious metals and other commodities, and fluctuations in the availability and pricing of commodities would adversely impact our ability to obtain and make products at favorable prices. The jewelry industry generally is affected by fluctuations in the price and supply of diamonds, gold, and, to a lesser extent, other precious and semi-precious metals and stones. In the past, we have not hedged our requirement for gold or other raw materials through the use of options, forward contracts or outright commodity purchasing, although we may do so in the future. A significant increase in the price of gold could increase our production costs beyond the amount that we are able to pass on to our customers, which would adversely affect our sales and profitability. A significant disruption in our supply of gold or other commodities could decrease our production and shipping levels, materially increase our operating costs, and materially and adversely affect our profit margins. Shortages of gold, or other commodities, or interruptions in transportation systems, labor strikes, work stoppages, war, acts of terrorism, or other interruptions to or difficulties in the employment of labor or transportation in the markets in which we purchase our raw materials, may adversely affect our ability to maintain production of our products and sustain profitability. If we were to experience a significant or prolonged shortage of gold, we would be unable to meet our production schedules and to ship products to our customers in a timely manner, which would adversely affect our sales, margins and customer relations.

 

A dramatic increase in the price of gold could increase our production costs beyond the amount that we may be able to pass on to our customers, which could adversely affect our gross profit margin and profitability. Furthermore, the carrying value of our inventory may be affected. Significant decreases in the market price of gold following the end of a reporting period could impact the carrying amount of the inventory at the balance sheet date and/or the following reporting period’s gross profit margin and profitability. The price of gold had dropped noticeably by March 31, 2015. As such, we recorded an inventory allowance of $3 million for self-owned inventories.

 

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance that material information required to be disclosed by us in the reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that the information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on our review, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective at the reasonable assurance level as of the end of the period covered by this Report due to the continued existence of material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting.

 

In connection with the preparation of our 2014 financial statements, management determined that, as of December 31, 2014, we did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting due to the existence of the following material weaknesses: (i) lack of appropriate approval procedures for certain material transactions, including guarantees of third-party obligations; (ii) Lack of resources with technical competency to review and record non-routine or complex transactions; and (iii) lack proper procedures to monitor material events for proper disclosures subsequent to the balance sheet date (iv) lack of a full-time U.S. GAAP personnel in the accounting department to monitor the recording of the transactions. While our Board adopted resolutions requiring management to seek Board approval prior to entering into any transactions with a value in excess of $250,000, we are still exploring implementing additional policies and procedures to address these material weaknesses, which may include: (i) reporting other material transactions to the Board and obtain proper approval; and (ii) recruiting qualified professionals with appropriate levels of knowledge and experience to assist in resolving accounting issues in non-routine or complex transactions.

 

Changes in Internal Controls

 

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting during our first fiscal quarter of 2015. Because of its inherent limitations, a system of internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance and may not prevent or detect misstatements. Further, because of changes in conditions, effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting may vary over time. Our system contains self-monitoring mechanisms, and actions are taken to correct deficiencies as they are identified.

 

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

From time to time, we may be subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business. We are not currently a party to any litigation the outcome of which, if determined adversely to us, would individually or in the aggregate be reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, cash flows or financial condition. Our business may also be adversely affected by risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial. If any of the events contemplated by the following discussion of risks should occur, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations may suffer.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

There have been no material changes to our risk factors as previously disclosed in Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

 

Item 2.Unregistered Sales 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

 

No.   Description
10.1   Private Placement Agreement (English translation), dated July 21, 2014, between Wuhan Kingold Jewelry Co., Ltd., Shanghai Pudong Development Bank Co., Ltd and the other institutional investors named therein. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report filed on Form 8-K with the Commission on March 4, 2015)
10.2   Underwriting Agreement (English translation), dated August 12, 2014, between Wuhan Kingold Jewelry Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Pudong Development Bank Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report filed on Form 8-K with the Commission on March 4, 2015)
10.3   Lease Agreement (English translation), dated February 1, 2015, by and between Wuhan Kingold and Vogue Show. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 31, 2015).
10.4   Convertible Note Purchase Agreement, dated April 2, 2015, between Kingold Jewelry, Inc. and Fidelidade – Companhia de Seguros, S.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report filed on Form 8-K with the Commission on April 6, 2015).
10.5   Form of Registration Rights Agreement, between Kingold Jewelry, Inc. and Fidelidade – Companhia de Seguros, S.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report filed on Form 8-K with the Commission on April 6, 2015).
31.1  

Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2  

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

32.1  

Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906

of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.2  

Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906

of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

     
101.INS   XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

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Pursuant to the requirements 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.

 

Date: May 15, 2015

 

  KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Zhihong Jia
    Zhihong Jia
    Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
    Principal Executive Officer
     
  By: /s/ Bin Liu
    Bin Liu
    Chief Financial Officer and Principal
    Accounting Officer

 

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