omniture

General Steel Reports Profitable First Quarter 2013 Financial Results

GAAP EPS of $0.06 on Net Income of $3.1 Million
GAAP Operating Income of $37.0 Million
Operating Cash Flow of $3.9 Million
2013-08-06 18:00 1275

BEIJING, August 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- General Steel Holdings, Inc. ("General Steel" or the "Company") (NYSE: GSI), a leading non-state-owned steel producer in China, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013. The Company will file its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 with the Securities and Exchange Commission after market closes on Tuesday, August 6, 2013.

"We are very pleased the first quarter marked significant milestones in our returning to profitability and quarterly reporting," said Henry Yu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of General Steel. "Despite the challenging macro environment, we were able to forge ahead with our strategies and operations, as we increased shipment, gained market share in our key market in Western China, improved internal purchasing, and won additional credit support from our suppliers."

"During the first quarter, we also began construction of an additional continuous advanced-rebar-rolling production line with capacity of 1.2 million metric tons scheduled to commence production in the fourth quarter of 2013. This is in addition to our newly-completed 900,000 seismic-grade rebar-rolling production line that had already started trial productions in July. We believe the expanded capacity will further lower our production costs, thereby further improve our bottom line and market competitiveness in the second half of 2013."

First Quarter 2013 Financial Information

  • Sales increased by 0.5% year-over-year to $651.3 million, from $648.0 million in the first quarter of 2012.
  • Sales volume increased by 11.0% year-over-year to approximately 1.3 million metric tons, compared with 1.2 million metric tons in the first quarter of 2012.
  • Gross profit totaled $4.1 million, or 0.6% of revenue, compared with $5.6 million, or 0.9% of revenue in the first quarter of 2012.
  • Operating income turned positive to $37.0 million, compared with an operating loss of $(13.0) million in the first quarter of 2012.
  • Net income attributable to the Company was $3.1 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $(34.8) million, or $(0.63) per diluted share in the first quarter of 2012.
  • Operating cash inflow improved to $3.9 million, compared with a net outflow of $(167.0) million in the first quarter of 2012.
  • As of March 31, 2013, the Company had cash and restricted cash of $336.0 million.

John Chen, Chief Financial Officer of General Steel, commented, "The profitable financial results in the first quarter is a solid start for the new year, as we continued to grow sales, drive operational efficiencies, and lower finance expenses. Benefiting from a year-over-year improvement of nearly 600 basis points in our net margin and disciplined cash management, we were able to generate positive operating cash flow during the quarter. We anticipate a notable improvement in our overall gross margin in the second half of 2013, as our newly added rolling line will reduce unit production cost by up to approximately RMB 70 per metric ton, and as such, we feel confident that we can further build on the momentum achieved in the first quarter and generate healthy profits and cash flows in the second half of this year."

First Quarter 2013 Financial and Operating Results

Total Sales

Total sales for the first quarter of 2013 increased 0.5% year-over-year to $651.3 million, compared with $648.0 million in the first quarter of 2012. The year-over-year revenue increases were primarily attributable to increased sales volume, partially offset by a decrease in the average selling price of rebar.

  • Total sales volume in the first quarter of 2013 was 1.3 million metric tons, an increase of 11.0% compared with 1.2 million metric tons in the first quarter of 2012.
  • The average selling price of rebar decreased 12.5% to approximately $515.3 in the first quarter of 2013 from approximately $588.7 in the same period of 2012.

Gross Profit and Gross Margin

Gross profit for the quarter totaled $4.1 million, compared with $5.6 million in the first quarter of 2012. The decrease in gross profit was mainly attributable to a steeper decrease in average selling price, with the gross margin decreased to 0.6% of total sales in the first quarter of 2013, compared with 0.9% the same period a year ago.

Operating Expenses and Operating Income

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2013 increased 1.7% to $19.0 million, compared to $18.6 million in the first quarter of 2012. General and administrative expenses increased to $10.9 million, compared with $9.7 million in the same period of 2012, due to increased expense in human resources and higher facility maintenance expense. Selling expenses decreased by 9.6% to $8.1 million, compared to $8.9 million in the same period of 2012. The decrease in selling expense was primary attributable to a savings in a special fund related to the sales of our products, which was no long imposed by the PRC tax authorities in 2013, while $1.3 million of the special fund was imposed in the first quarter of 2012.

The Company recognized other operating income of $51.9 million due to change in the fair value of profit sharing liability during the first quarter of 2013, compared with $0 in the same period of last year. On April 29, 2011, the Company's subsidiary, Longmen Joint Venture entered into a capital lease agreement with Shaanxi Steel and Shaanxi Coal for the use of new equipment. The profit sharing liability is recognized initially at its estimated fair value at the lease commencement date, and the value of the profit sharing liability is reassessed each reporting period with any change in fair value accounted for on a prospective basis. As such, and in consideration of the recent changes in China economic situation, the fair value of the Company's profit sharing liability has been reduced as compared to its previous estimates, and the Company recognized a gain of $51.9 million accordingly.

Correspondingly, income from operations for the first quarter of 2013 totaled $37.0 million, compared with a loss from operations of $(13.0) million in the first quarter of 2012.

Finance Expense

Finance and interest expense in the first quarter of 2013 was $30.0 million, of which, $10.2 million was the non-cash interest expense on capital lease as compared with $10.8 million in the same period of 2012, and $19.8 million was the interest expense on bank loans and discounted note receivables as compared with $37.5 million in the first quarter of 2012. The decrease in interest expense on bank loans and discounted note receivables was primarily attributable to less bank loans, benefiting from positive operating cash flow and financing support from suppliers during the first quarter of 2013.

Net Income and Net Income per Share

Net income attributable to General Steel for the first quarter of 2013 was $3.1 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, based on 54.8 million weighted average shares outstanding. This compares to a net loss of $(34.8) million, or $(0.63) per diluted share, based on 55.5 million weighted average shares outstanding in the first quarter of 2012.

Balance Sheet

As of March 31, 2013, the Company had cash and restricted cash of approximately $336.0 million, compared to $369.9 million as of December 31, 2012. The Company had an inventory balance of approximately $247.9 million as of March 31, 2013, compared to $212.7 million as of December 31, 2012. As of March 31, 2013, the Company had total liabilities of approximately $2.9 billion.

Outlook

"Looking ahead, we will continue to execute on our strategy to further upgrade our production capabilities, improve operating efficiencies and further strengthen our competitiveness in Western China. In addition, we will also explore other strategic opportunities to expand our scale and scope in the steel industry. Lastly, we intend to pursue other strategies and initiatives to enhance shareholder value, which may include restarting our share repurchase program. We aim to enhance shareholders' wealth, and we would like to thank our shareholders for their continued support," Mr. Yu concluded.

Conference Call and Webcast:

General Steel will hold a corresponding conference call and live webcast at 8:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, August 6, 2013 (which corresponds to 8:00 p.m. Beijing/Hong Kong Time on Tuesday, August 6, 2013) to discuss the results and answer questions from investors. Listeners may access the call by dialing 1-800-860-2442 in the U.S., and 1-412-858-4600 internationally.

The call will be also be available as a live, listen-only webcast under the "Events and Presentations" page on the "Investor Relations" section of the Company's website at http://www.mzcan.com/us/GSI/irwebsite/index.php?mod=event. Following the live webcast, an online archive will be available for 90 days.

About General Steel Holdings, Inc.

General Steel Holdings, Inc., headquartered in Beijing, China, produces a variety of steel products including rebar, high-speed wire and spiral-weld pipe. The Company has operations in China's Shaanxi and Guangdong provinces, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Tianjin municipality with seven million metric tons of crude steel production capacity under management. For more information, please visit www.gshi-steel.com.

To be added to the General Steel email list to receive Company news, or to request a hard copy of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, please send your request to generalsteel@asiabridgegroup.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management's current expectations or beliefs about future events and financial, political and social trends and assumptions it has made based on information currently available to it. The Company cannot assure that any expectations, forecasts or assumptions made by management in preparing these forward-looking statements will prove accurate, or that any projections will be realized. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of inaccurate assumptions or a number of risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties are set forth in the Company's filings under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 under "Risk Factors" and elsewhere, and include: (a) those risks and uncertainties related to general economic conditions in China, including regulatory factors that may affect such economic conditions; (b) whether the Company is able to manage its planned growth efficiently and operate profitable operations, including whether its management will be able to identify, hire, train, retain, motivate and manage required personnel or that management will be able to successfully manage and exploit existing and potential market opportunities; (c) whether the Company is able to generate sufficient revenues or obtain financing to sustain and grow its operations; (d) whether the Company is able to successfully fulfill our primary requirements for cash; and (e) other risks, including those disclosed in the Company's Form 10-K, filed with the SEC. Forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date of this release. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact Us

General Steel Holdings, Inc.

In China:
Jenny Wang
Tel: +86-10-5775-7691
Email: jenny.wang@gshi-steel.com

In the US:
Joyce Sung
Tel: +1-347-534-1435
Email: joyce.sung@gshi-steel.com

Asia Bridge Capital Limited

Carene Toh
Tel: +1-888-957-3362
Email: generalsteel@asiabridgegroup.com

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

AS OF MARCH 31, 2013 AND DECEMBER 31, 2012

(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands)







March 31,


December 31,




2013


2012

CURRENT ASSETS:







Cash

$

65,799


$

46,467


Restricted cash


270,167



323,420


Notes receivable


118,527



145,502


Restricted notes receivable


260,531



357,900


Loans receivable


6,000



69,319


Accounts receivable, net


17,154



6,695


Accounts receivable - related parties


8,231



14,966


Other receivables, net


11,455



8,407


Other receivables - related parties


89,015



68,382


Inventories


247,930



212,671


Advances on inventory purchase


57,341



79,715


Advances on inventory purchase - related parties


5,259



46,416


Prepaid expense


1,494



450


Prepaid taxes


23,202



24,116


Short-term investment


2,633



2,619

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS



1,184,738



1,407,045










PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net


1,172,318



1,167,836










OTHER ASSETS:







Advances on equipment purchase


14,549



6,499


Long-term other receivable


43,252



43,008

Investment in unconsolidated entities

958

1,166


Long-term deferred expense




807



1,062


Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization


23,976



24,066

TOTAL OTHER ASSETS



83,542



75,801










TOTAL ASSETS



$

2,440,598


$

2,650,682










LIABILITIES AND DEFICIENCY












CURRENT LIABILITIES:







Short term notes payable

$

785,519


$

983,813


Accounts payable


411,776



352,052


Accounts payable - related parties


154,492



177,432


Short term loans - bank


117,124



147,124


Short term loans - others


148,023



147,323


Short term loans - related parties


104,390



79,557


Current maturities of long-term loans - related party

Other payables and accrued liabilities


59,984

56,785



54,885

54,589


Other payable - related parties


82,232



73,025


Customer deposits


104,609



125,890


Customer deposits - related parties


12,649



21,998


Deposit due to sales representatives


40,484



33,870


Deposit due to sales representatives - related parties


1,772



1,238


Taxes payable


12,334



16,674


Deferred lease income, current


2,132



2,120


TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES


2,094,305



2,271,590










NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES:







Long-term loans - related party


33,516



38,088


Long-term other payable - related party


43,252



43,008

Deferred lease income, noncurrent

74,971

75,079


Capital lease obligations, noncurrent


337,075



330,099


Profit sharing liability, noncurrent


283,831



328,827


Other noncurrent liabilities


1,373





TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES


774,018



815,101










TOTAL LIABILITIES




2,868,323



3,086,691










COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES















DEFICIENCY:







Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 50,000,000

shares authorized, 3,092,899 shares issued and

outstanding as of March 31, 2013 and December

31, 2012


3



3


Common stock, $0.001 par value, 200,000,000

shares authorized, 57,444,738 and 57,269,838

shares issued, 54,972,432 and 54,797,532 shares

outstanding as of March 31, 2013 and December

31, 2012


57



57


Treasury stock, at cost, 2,472,306 and 2,472,306

shares as of March 31, 2013 and December 31,

2012


(4,199)



(4,199)


Paid-in-capital


105,958



105,714


Statutory reserves


6,103



6,076


Accumulated deficits


(378,679)



(381,782)


Accumulated other comprehensive income


8,621



10,185


TOTAL GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. DEFICIENCY



(262,135)



(263,946)










NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS


(165,590)



(172,063)


TOTAL DEFICIENCY



(427,725)



(436,009)










TOTAL LIABILITIES AND DEFICIENCY



$

2,440,598


$

2,650,682

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2013 AND 2012

(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands, except per share data)






2013


2012

SALES


$

502,431


$

383,797








SALES - RELATED PARTIES



148,860



264,244

TOTAL SALES



651,291



648,041








COST OF GOODS SOLD



498,626



381,726








COST OF GOODS SOLD - RELATED PARTIES



148,598



260,685

TOTAL COST OF GOODS SOLD



647,224



642,411








GROSS PROFIT (LOSS)



4,067



5,630








SELLING, GENERAL AND

ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES



(18,955)



(18,629)

CHANGE IN FAIR VALUE OF PROFIT

SHARING LIABILITY



51,892











INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS



37,004



(12,999)








OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)







Interest income



2,439



5,556

Finance/interest expense



(29,970)



(48,366)

Change in fair value of derivative liabilities



1



(13)

Gain (loss) on disposal of equipment



331



(119)

Income from equity investments



(42)



(43)

Foreign currency transaction gain



28



385

Lease income



532



530

Other non-operating expense, net



268



(143)

Other expense, net



(26,413)



(42,213)








INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE PROVISION FOR

INCOME TAXES AND NONCONTROLLING

INTEREST



10,591



(55,212)








PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES







Current



71



367

Deferred



-



169

Provision for income taxes



71



536








NET INCOME (LOSS)



10,520



(55,748)








Less: Net income (loss) attributable to

noncontrolling interest



7,417



(20,964)








NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC.


$

3,103


$

(34,784)








NET INCOME (LOSS)


$

10,520


$

(55,748)

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS







Foreign currency translation adjustments



(2,526)



(1,469)








COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)



7,994



(57,217)








Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to

noncontrolling interest



6,455



(21,440)








COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

ATTRIBUTABLE TO GENERAL STEEL

HOLDINGS, INC.


$

1,539


$

(35,777)








WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES







Basic and Diluted



54,805



55,520








EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE







Basic and Diluted


$

0.06


$

(0.63)




GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2013 AND 2012

(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands)




Three months ended March 31,


2013


2012

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:







Net income (loss)

$

10,520


$

(55,748)


Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:








Depreciation, amortization and depletion


21,358



20,559



Change in fair value of derivative liabilities


(1)



13



(Gain) loss on disposal of equipment


(331)



119



Provision for doubtful accounts


(42)



5



Reservation of mine maintenance fee


45



254



Stock issued for services and compensation


245



262



Amortization of deferred financing cost on capital lease


10,208



10,839



Loss from equity investments


42



43



Foreign currency transaction gain


(28)



(385)



Deferred tax assets


-



169



Deferred lease income


(532)



(530)



Changes in fair value of profit sharing liability


(51,892)





Changes in operating assets and liabilities








Notes receivable


27,752



22,048



Accounts receivable


(9,426)



(5,887)



Accounts receivable - related parties


6,808



(32,374)



Other receivables


(2,826)



3,371



Other receivables - related parties


(20,212)



(5,999)



Inventories


(37,526)



(61,814)



Advances on inventory purchases


22,786



(36,580)



Advances on inventory purchases - related parties


(46,883)



(68,061)



Prepaid expense and other


(1,039)



32



Long-term deferred expense


260



88



Prepaid taxes


1,049



5,513



Accounts payable


57,648



(104,700)



Accounts payable - related parties


39,661



103,918



Other payables and accrued liabilities


1,887



(5,924)



Other payables - related parties


8,789



72,220



Customer deposits


(21,956)



(10,653)



Customer deposits - related parties


(9,457)



(11,467)



Taxes payable


(4,427)



(6,355)



Other noncurrent liabilities


1,370



-




Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities


3,850



(167,024)











CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:







Restricted cash


54,991



(54,126)


Loans to related parties


-



(65,359)


Cash proceeds from (made to) short term investment


-



79


Cash proceeds from sales of equipment


4



-


Equipment purchase and intangible assets


(24,093)



(10,729)


Effect on cash due to deconsolidating of a subsidiary


-



(2,977)




Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities


30,902



(133,112)











CASH FLOWS FINANCING ACTIVITIES:







Restricted notes receivable


99,224



(19,891)


Borrowings on short term notes payable


289,548



467,269


Payments on short term notes payable


(493,064)



(341,435)


Borrowings on short term loans - bank


32,563



150,252


Payments on short term loans - bank


(63,315)



(87,102)


Borrowings on short term loan - others


21,296



119,089


Payments on short term loans - others


(21,432)



(65,486)


Borrowings on short term loan - related parties


142,999



85,197


Payments on short term loans - related parties


(30,430)



(54,453)


Deposits due to sales representatives


6,411



10,481


Deposit due to sales representatives - related parties


526



286




Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities


(15,674)



264,207











EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGE IN CASH


254



429

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH


19,332



(35,500)

CASH, beginning of period


46,467



120,016

CASH, end of period

$

65,799


$

84,516

Source: General Steel Holdings, Inc.
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