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8-K - 8-K - CHINA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INCv466742_8k.htm

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

China Automotive Systems Reports 2017 First Quarter Results

 

WUHAN, China, May 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- China Automotive Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAAS) ("CAAS" or the "Company"), a leading power steering components and systems supplier in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the unaudited first quarter ended March 31, 2017.

 

First Quarter 2017 Highlights

·Net sales were $119.3 million, up 2.1% from $116.9 million in the first quarter of 2016
·Gross margin was 18.1%, consistent with 18.0% in the first quarter of 2016
·Net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders was $5.7 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.18, in the first quarter of 2017 and 2016

 

Mr. Qizhou Wu, chief executive officer of CAAS, commented, "We have maintained our sales and earnings during this transition period as we build our electric power steering (“EPS”) capabilities. We have added more production capacity and introduced additional models of EPS to position us for stronger growth in the future. Our growing portfolio of advanced steering products will build our sales by providing more solutions to meet our customers’ needs.”

 

Mr. Jie Li, chief financial officer of CAAS, commented, "We continue to build our financial strength through strong cost controls, generating positive operational cash flow and improving our cost of invested capital.”

 

First Quarter of 2017


In the first quarter of 2017, net sales were $119.3 million, compared to $116.9 million in the same quarter of 2016, reflecting a 2.1% year-over-year growth. The increase of net sales was mainly due to the increased sales volume.

 

Gross profit was $21.6 million in the first quarter of 2017, compared to $21.0 million in the first quarter of 2016. The gross margin was 18.1% in the first quarter of 2017, versus 18.0% in the first quarter of 2016.

 

Gain on other sales was $0.8 million in the first quarters of 2017 and 2016.

 

Selling expenses were $4.1 million in the first quarter of 2017, compared to $4.3 million in the first quarter of 2016. The decrease was primarily due to lower marketing expenses. Selling expenses represented 3.4% of net sales in the first quarter of 2017 versus 3.7% in the first quarter of 2016.

 

General and administrative expenses ("G&A expenses") were $4.4 million in the first quarter of 2017, compared to $4.3 million in the same quarter of 2016. G&A expenses represented 3.7% of net sales in the first quarter of 2017 and 3.7% in the first quarter of 2016.

 

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Research and development expenses ("R&D expenses") were $6.8 million in the first quarter of 2017, compared to $6.1 million in the first quarter of 2016. R&D expenses represented 5.7% of net sales in the first quarter of 2017 compared to 5.2% in the first quarter of 2016. The increase in R&D expenses was due to increased investment in EPS product research and development such as brushless motor and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) related projects.

 

Income from operations was $7.2 million in the first quarter of 2017, compared to $7.1 million in the same quarter of 2016.

 

Interest expense was $0.2 million in the first quarter of 2017, consistent with the same quarter of 2016.

 

Net financial income was $0.3 million in the first quarters of 2017 and 2016.

 

Income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies was $7.1 million in the first quarter of 2017, compared to $6.5 million in the first quarter of 2016. The increase in income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies was mainly due to higher operating income and a decrease in other expenses.

 

Net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders was $5.7 million in the first quarter of 2017 and 2016. Diluted earnings per share were $0.18 in the first quarter of 2017 and 2016.

 

The weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding was 31,649,908 in the first quarter of 2017, compared to 32,123,588 in the first quarter of 2016.

 

Balance Sheet

 

As of March 31, 2017, total cash and cash equivalents, pledged cash and short-term investments were $93.1 million, total accounts receivable including notes receivable were $305.9 million, accounts payable were $223.1 million and short-term bank and government loans were $68.5 million. Total parent company stockholders' equity was $307.8 million as of March 31, 2017, compared to $300.5 million as of December 31, 2016. Net cash flow from operating activities was $2.3 million in the first quarter of 2017.

 

Business Outlook

 

Management reiterated its revenue guidance for the full year 2017 of US$485 million. This target is based on the Company's current views on operating and market conditions, which are subject to change.

 

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Conference Call


Management will conduct a conference call on May 11, 2017 at 8:00 A.M. EDT/8:00 P.M. Beijing Time to discuss these results. A question and answer session will follow management's presentation. To participate, please call the following numbers 10 minutes before the call start time and ask to be connected to the "China Automotive Systems" conference call:

 

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

 

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

 

Phone Number: +864 001 202 840 (China Toll Free)

 

A replay of the call will be available on the Company’s website under the investor relations section.

 

About China Automotive Systems, Inc.

 

Based in Hubei Province, the People's Republic of China, China Automotive Systems, Inc. is a leading supplier of power steering components and systems to the Chinese automotive industry, operating through eight Sino-foreign joint ventures. The Company offers a full range of steering system parts for passenger automobiles and commercial vehicles. The Company currently offers four separate series of power steering with an annual production capacity of over 5.5 million sets of steering gears, columns and steering hoses. Its customer base is comprised of leading auto manufacturers, such as China FAW Group, Corp., Dongfeng Auto Group Co., Ltd., BYD Auto Company Limited, Beiqi Foton Motor Co., Ltd. and Chery Automobile Co., Ltd. in China, and Chrysler Group LLC in North America. For more information, please visit: http://www.caasauto.com.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This press release contains statements that are "forward-looking statements" as defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this press release. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding the qualitative and quantitative effects of the accounting errors, the periods involved, the nature of the Company's review and any anticipated conclusions of the Company or its management and other statements that are not historical facts. Our actual results may differ materially from the results described in or anticipated by our forward-looking statements due to certain risks and uncertainties. As a result, the Company's actual results could differ materially from those contained in these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those described under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Form 10-K annual report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2017, and in documents subsequently filed by the Company from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We expressly disclaim any duty to provide updates to any forward-looking statements made in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

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For further information, please contact:

 

Jie Li

Chief Financial Officer

China Automotive Systems, Inc.

Email: jieli@chl.com.cn

 

Kevin Theiss

Investor Relations

+1-646-726-6511

Email: Kevin.Theiss@awakenlab.com

 

-Tables Follow –

 

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China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets

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

 

   March 31, 2017   December 31, 2016 
ASSETS          
Current assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $31,303   $31,092 
Pledged cash   33,586    30,799 
Short-term investments   28,208    30,475 
Accounts and notes receivable, net - unrelated parties   284,608    285,731 
Accounts and notes receivable, net - related parties   21,308    20,984 
Advance payments and others - unrelated parties   9,123    10,203 
Advance payments and others - related parties   29,957    624 
Inventories   69,051    68,050 
Current deferred tax assets   7,872    7,946 
Total current assets   515,016    485,904 
Non-current assets:          
Long-term time deposits   870    865 
Property, plant and equipment, net   104,050    101,478 
Intangible assets, net   576    617 
Other receivables, net - unrelated parties   2,298    2,252 
Advance payment for property, plant and equipment - unrelated parties   14,168    14,506 
Advance payment for property, plant and equipment - related parties   2,326    5,005 
Long-term investments   16,572    16,431 
Non-current deferred tax assets   4,815    4,641 
Total assets  $660,691   $631,699 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY          
Current liabilities:          
Bank and government loans  $68,536   $40,820 
Accounts and notes payable - unrelated parties   217,194    216,993 
Accounts and notes payable - related parties   5,893    6,803 
Customer deposits   824    700 
Accrued payroll and related costs   6,577    6,971 
Accrued expenses and other payables   34,848    35,882 
Accrued pension costs   3,907    4,130 
Taxes payable   7,623    11,674 
Amounts due to shareholders/directors   315    312 
Advances payable (current portion)   384    382 
Current deferred tax liabilities   163    193 
Total current liabilities   346,264    324,860 
Long-term liabilities:          
Long-term bank loan   627    608 
Advances payable   341    339 
Total liabilities  $347,232   $325,807 
           
Commitments and Contingencies          
           
Stockholders’ equity:          
Common stock, $0.0001 par value - Authorized - 80,000,000 shares; Issued –32,338,302 and 32,338,302 shares as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively  $3   $3 
Additional paid-in capital   64,764    64,764 
Retained earnings-          
Appropriated   10,549    10,549 
Unappropriated   234,677    228,963 
Accumulated other comprehensive income   683    (892)
Treasury stock – 694,298 and 694,298 shares as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively   (2,907)   (2,907)
Total parent company stockholders' equity   307,769    300,480 
Non-controlling interests   5,690    5,412 
Total stockholders' equity   313,459    305,892 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $660,691   $631,699 

 

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China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

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

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2017   2016 
Net product sales ($9,538 and $8,585 sold to related parties for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016)  $119,308   $116,854 
Cost of products sold ($7,363 and $6,875 purchased from related parties for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016)   97,679    95,842 
Gross profit   21,629    21,012 
Gain on other sales   788    801 
Less: Operating expenses          
Selling expenses   4,068    4,305 
General and administrative expenses   4,354    4,315 
Research and development expenses   6,765    6,139 
Total operating expenses   15,187    14,759 
Income from operations   7,230    7,054 
Other expense, net   (254)   (644)
Interest expense   (231)   (196)
Financial income, net   332    322 
Income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies   7,077    6,536 
Less: Income taxes   1,190    1,053 
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies   51    62 
Net income   5,938    5,545 
Net income/(loss) attributable to non-controlling interests   224    (164)
Net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders  $5,714   $5,709 
Comprehensive income:          
Net income  $5,938   $5,545 
Other comprehensive income:          
Foreign currency translation gain, net of tax   1,629    1,650 
Comprehensive income   7,567    7,195 
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to non-controlling interests   278    (85)
Comprehensive income attributable to parent company  $7,289   $7,280 
           
Net income attributable to parent company’s common shareholders per share          
           
Basic –  $0.18   $0.18 
           
Diluted-  $0.18   $0.18 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding          
Basic   31,644,004    32,121,019 
Diluted   31,649,908    32,123,588 

 

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China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands of USD unless otherwise indicated)

  

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2017   2016 
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net income  $5,938   $5,545 
Adjustments to reconcile net income from operations to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Depreciation and amortization   4,189    3,805 
Reversal of provision for doubtful accounts   (19)   (54)
Inventory write downs   813    1,414 
Deferred income taxes   (63)   347 
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies   (51)   (62)
(Gain)/loss on fixed assets disposals   17    (3)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
(Increase)/decrease in:          
Pledged cash   (2,618)   8,089 
Accounts and notes receivable   2,480    (23,347)
Advance payments and others   (52)   (3,145)
Inventories   (1,444)   (6,242)
Increase (decrease) in:          
Accounts and notes payable   (1,592)   12,495 
Customer deposits   123    (26)
Accrued payroll and related costs   (431)   (172)
Accrued expenses and other payables   (1,467)   91 
Accrued pension costs   (247)   265 
Taxes payable   (3,318)   (1,362)
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities   2,362    (2,362)
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Increase in other receivables   20    94 
Cash received from property, plant and equipment sales   26    515 
Payments to acquire property, plant and equipment (including $493 and $3,464 paid to related parties for three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively)   (3,245)   (9,825)
Payments to acquire intangible assets   -    (3)
Purchase of short-term investments   -    (7,814)
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments   2,433    553 
Loan to a related party   (29,044)   - 
Net cash used in investing activities   (29,810)   (16,480)
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Proceeds from bank and government loans   27,754    6,500 
Repayments of bank and government loans   (245)   (2,265)
Net cash provided by financing activities   27,509    4,235 
Effects of exchange rate on cash and cash equivalents   150    330 
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   211    (14,277)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   31,092    69,676 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $31,303   $55,399 

 

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