omniture

Origin Agritech Limited Reports Unaudited Second Quarter Financial Results for Three Months Ended March 31, 2013

2013-05-08 05:00 1972

BEIJING, May 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Origin Agritech Limited (NASDAQ GS: SEED) ("Origin", or the "Company"), a technology-focused supplier of crop seeds in China, today announced unaudited financial results for the second quarter ended March 31, 2013. Origin prepares its financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) of the United States.

FINANCIAL RESULTS OVERVIEW

During the second quarter of fiscal year 2013, the Company generated revenues of RMB27.5 million (US$4.4 million) compared with RMB14.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The year-over-year increase in revenues was mainly due to corn seed toll production businesses, contract businesses where Origin produces and processes corn seeds for other seed companies. The new Xinjiang Origin facility gives us the flexibility and capacity to expand our business in different segments and markets. We toll manufactured corn seeds during the production and processing trial run in the 2012 planting season. The majority of Origin's revenues are recorded in the fiscal third and fourth quarters as a result of our revenue recognition policy.

Deferred revenues were RMB461.1 million (US$73.6 million) as of March 31, 2013 compared with RMB480.7 million on March 31, 2012. Deferred revenues on March 31, 2012 included RMB24.9 million of deferred government subsidies. Excluding such subsidies, deferred revenues from the Company's core businesses increased 1.2% year-over-year.

Deferred revenues mainly reflect the value of Origin's crop seeds after: a) sales arrangement is confirmed; b) delivery to the customer is made; and c) pre-payment from the customer is received, but before the final sales price is fixed and determined. The final sales price is primarily determined by sales incentives that Origin offers to its customers. It is expected that the majority of these deferred revenues will be recorded on the income statement in the fiscal third and fourth quarters.

Gross profit for the second quarter of fiscal 2013 was RMB6.7 million (US$1.1 million) compared with a gross loss of RMB2.9 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2012. Increase in the gross profit is mainly due to the earnings from corn seed toll production in Xinjiang Origin.

Total operating expenses for the second quarter ended March 31, 2013 decreased 14.3% year-over-year to RMB30.3 million (US$4.8 million) from RMB35.3 million for the same period in 2012. Recent corporate restructuring has led to lower operating expenses. Selling and marketing expenses were RMB8.8 million (US$1.4 million) for the second quarter of fiscal 2013, a decrease of 14.4% from RMB10.3 million for the same period last year mainly due to lower advertisement and transportation costs. General and administrative expenses were RMB13.3 million (US$2.1 million) for the second quarter ended March 31, 2013, down 26.1% from RMB18.0 million one year ago. This cost decline was mainly due to expense control measures adopted since last year. Research and development expenses increased to RMB9.3 million (US$1.5 million) in the second quarter of fiscal 2013 from RMB7.6 million one year ago, mainly due to higher compensation for research staff and the addition of research personnel during the period.

Operating loss for the second quarter of 2013 amounted to RMB23.5 million (US$3.8 million) compared with an operating loss of RMB38.2 million for the same period in fiscal 2012.

Net loss for the second quarter of fiscal 2013 was RMB27.8 million (US$4.4 million), or net loss per diluted share of RMB1.19 (US$0.19), compared to a net loss of RMB37.1 million, or net loss per diluted share of RMB1.58 in the same period one year ago. Improvements in both operating results and net results were mainly due to the contribution from corn seed toll production business in Xinjiang Origin and lower operating expenses.

BALANCE SHEET

As of March 31, 2013, cash and cash equivalents were RMB188.9 million (US$30.1 million) and shareholders' equity attributable to the Company was RMB210.6 million (US$33.6 million). The Company had short-term loans of RMB125.6 million (US$20.0 million) and long-term borrowing of RMB60.6 million (US$9.7 million). Short-term loans were mainly for working capital, while long-term borrowing was used for the Xinjiang Origin corn seed production facilities.

Advances from customers were RMB290.2 million (US$46.3 million) as of March 31, 2013. These advances represent cash receipts for orders in the upcoming selling season.

The Chinese government has recently increased its efforts to support leading crop seed companies, especially companies with national Breed-Produce-Distribute Vertically-Integrated Crop Seed Licenses (BPDVI License). As one of the first 32 companies nationwide to have been awarded the BPDVI seed license, Origin has received RMB14.1 million (US$2.2 million) in government subsidies from various levels of government during the current fiscal year. These subsidies are booked under "other payables and accrued expenses" on the balance sheets. With increasing government attention focused on crop seed technologies, further government supports are expected to help strengthen the Company's leading position in seed technology, production, and distribution.

In February 2013, the board of directors approved a share repurchase program for open market and negotiated transactions for a 12 month period in the amount of $5 million, under which 133,854 shares were bought in the NASDAQ market as of March 31, 2013, in compliance with US securities laws.

About Origin

Founded in 1997 and headquartered in the Zhong-Guan-Cun (ZGC) Life Science Park in Beijing, Origin Agritech Limited (NASDAQ GS: SEED) is China's leading agricultural biotechnology company specializing in crop seed breeding and genetic improvement, seed production, processing, distribution, and related technical services. Leading the development of crop seed biotechnologies, Origin Agritech's phytase corn was the first transgenic corn to receive the Bio-Safety Certificate from China's Ministry of Agriculture. Over the years, Origin has established a robust biotechnology seed pipeline including products with glyphosate tolerance and pest resistance (Bt) traits. Origin operates production centers, processing centers and breeding stations nationwide with sales centers located in key crop-planting regions. Product lines are vertically integrated for corn, rice and canola seeds. For further information, please visit the Company's website at: www.originseed.com.cn

Forward Looking Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements included in this release are based on information available to us on the date hereof. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause our actual results to differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminologies such as "may," "will," "should," "could," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," "targets," "goals," "projects," "continue," or variations of such words, similar expressions, or the negation of these terms or other comparable terminologies. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Therefore, actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Neither we nor any other person can assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the forward-looking statements herein. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ from expectations include, but are not limited to, those risk factors discussed in Origin's filings with the SEC including its annual report on Form 20-F. We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In thousands, except share data)




Three Months ended March 31



2012


2013



RMB


RMB


USD








Revenues


14,736


27,524


4,391

Cost of revenues


(17,684)


(20,801)


(3,318)

Gross profit


(2,948)


6,723


1,073

Operating expenses:







Selling and marketing


(10,340)


(8,849)


(1,412)

General and administrative


(17,959)


(13,262)


(2,115)

Research and development


(7,567)


(9,338)


(1,490)

Other operating income, net


540


1,178


188

Total operating expenses


(35,326)


(30,271)


(4,829)








Loss from operations


(38,274)


(23,548)


(3,756)


Interest expense


(1,779)


(1,177)


(188)

Share of net income of equity investment


2,366


(340)


(54)

Interest income


839


20


3

Loss before income taxes


(36,848)


(25,045)


(3,995)

Income tax expense







Current


(222)


(1,456)


(232)


Deferred


-


-


-

Income tax expense


(222)


(1,456)


(232)


Net loss


(37,070)


(26,501)


(4,227)

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the non-controlling interests


(21)


1,333


213








Net loss attributable to Origin Agritech Limited


(37,049)


(27,834)


(4,440)


Other comprehensive income (loss)







Net loss


(37,070)


(26,501)


(4,227)

Foreign currency translation difference


375


192


31

Comprehensive loss


(36,695)


(26,309)


(4,196)

Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests


(21)


1,333


213

Comprehensive loss attributable to Origin Agritech Limited


(36,674)


(27,642)


(4,409)








Net loss per share - basic


(1.58)


(1.19)


(0.19)








Net loss per share - diluted


(1.58)


(1.19)


(0.19)








Shares used in calculating basic and diluted net loss per share


23,382,812


23,373,458


23,373,458

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share data)




Mar 31

September 30

Mar 31



2012


2012


2013


2013



RMB


RMB


RMB


USD

Assets









Current assets:









Cash and cash equivalents


165,245


152,789


188,924


30,137

Accounts receivable


10,111


7,065


8,990


1,434

Dividend receivable


2,100


-


-


-

Due from related parties


0


2,082


4,000


638

Advances to suppliers


16,796


7,802


18,041


2,878

Advances to growers


17,257


88,194


13,417


2,140

Inventories


569,826


282,544


649,801


103,655

Income tax recoverable


2,138


2,159


2,159


344

Other current assets


13,606


16,407


9,581


1,528

Total current assets


797,079


559,042


894,913


142,754

Land use rights, net


31,400


32,318


30,861


4,923

Plant and equipment, net


196,819


317,085


350,403


55,896

Equity investments


21,433


22,433


22,243


3,548

Goodwill


11,973


11,973


11,973


1,910

Acquired intangible assets, net


29,507


25,585


25,168


4,015

Deferred income tax assets


3,028


1,755


1,755


280

Other assets


61,417


5,246


6,828


1,089

Total assets


1,152,656


975,437


1,344,144


214,415

Liabilities and equity









Current liabilities:









Short-term borrowings


41,000


35,000


117,556


18,752

Current portion of long-term borrowings




4,000


8,000


1,276

Accounts payable


12,518


5,031


13,694


2,184

Due to growers


4,878


4,304


1,109


177

Due to related parties


3,461


2,769


17,582


2,805

Advances from customers


283,997


435,044


290,185


46,290

Deferred revenues


480,698


23,243


461,114


73,556

Income tax payable


39,060


39,060


39,060


6,231

Other payables and accrued expenses


39,563


56,744


50,736


8,093

Total current liabilities


905,175


605,195


999,036


159,364

Long-term borrowings




35,000


60,587


9,665

Other long-term liabilities




21,810


21,140


3,372

Total liabilities


905,175


662,005


1,080,763


172,401










Shareholders' equity:

Preferred stock (no par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized, none issued)


-


-


-


-

Common stock (no par value; 60,000,000 shares authorized, 23,382,812, 23,382,812 and 23,382,812 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2012, September 30, 2012 and March 31, 2013 respectively)


-


-


-


-

Additional paid-in capital


396,371


397,671


398,812


63,618

Retained deficit


(171,333)


(100,967)


(151,797)


(24,214)

Treasury stock at cost (498,851 and 632,705 shares as of March 31 and September 30, 2012; and March 31, 2013, respectively)


(29,377)


(29,377)


(30,863)


(4,923)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss


(5,530)


(6,280)


(5,588)


(892)

Total Origin Agritech Limited shareholders' equity


190,391


261,047


210,564


33,589

Non-controlling interests


57,090


52,385


52,817


8,425

Total equity


247,481


313,432


263,381


42,014

Total liabilities and equity


1,152,656


975,437


1,344,144


214,415

CONTACT:

Origin Agritech Limited
James Chen,
Chief Financial Officer
james.chen@originseed.com.cn

Grayling
Shiwei Yin
646-284-9474
shiwei.yin@grayling.com

Source: Origin Agritech Limited
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