omniture

China Automotive Systems Reports Second-Quarter Record Net Sales

- Net Sales Grew by 21.8% in 2013 Second Quarter -
- Annual Revenue Guidance Increased to 15% Year-Over-Year -
2013-08-14 18:00 6575

WUHAN, China, August 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- China Automotive Systems, Inc. ("CAAS" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: CAAS), a leading power steering components and systems supplier in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2013.

Second Quarter 2013 Highlights

  • Net sales increased by 21.8% to a second-quarter record of $97.9 million, compared to $80.4 million in the second quarter of 2012.
  • Gross profit increased by 17.9% to $18.4 million, compared to $15.6 million in the second quarter of 2012; gross margin was 18.8%, compared to 19.4% in the second quarter of 2012.
  • Income from operations was $7.8 million, compared to $8.6 million in the second quarter of 2012, and the operating margin was 8.0%, compared to 10.7% in the second quarter of 2012.
  • Net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders was $5.0 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.18, compared to net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders of $12.2 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.29, including diluted income per share from discontinued operations of nil and $0.08, in the second quarter of 2013 and 2012, respectively.

First Six Months of 2013 Highlights

  • Net sales increased by 21.0% to $195.1 million, compared to $161.3 million in the first six months of 2012.
  • Gross profit increased by 21.9% to $37.8 million, compared to $31.0 million in the first six months of 2012; gross margin was 19.4% in the first six months of 2013, compared to 19.2% in the same period last year.
  • Operating margin was 8.8%, compared to 9.2% in the first six months of 2012.
  • Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations was $0.39, compared to diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.31 in the first six months of 2012.
  • Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were $90.6 million as of June 30, 2013, an increase from $87.6 million as of December 31, 2012.

Mr. Qizhou Wu, chief executive officer of CAAS, commented, "Following our record revenue for any first quarter in our history, we achieved our highest net sales ever for any second quarter as well. We realized sales growth in both passenger and commercial vehicles in the second quarter of 2013. In the first half of 2013, we captured a larger market share as our sales grew by 21.0%. This increase has surpassed the growth rate of vehicle sales in China, which was 12.3%, as reported by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM). Many customers experienced significant growth in the first half of 2013 such as Geely with a 19% rise in vehicles sold, sales volume increased 40% at Great Wall and Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Automobile's sales climbed by 32.7% compared with the 2012 six-month period. In July, Dongfang Peugeot Citroen began production at its third assembly plant as capacity grew to 750,000 vehicles from 450,000 units. Exports to North America continue to be a key growth-generator and we recently received Chrysler's 2013 Supplier of the Year Metallic award as an acknowledgement of the high quality and world-class performance of our products, as well as our valued contribution to Chrysler Group's success. The growth of our exports to North America remains steady, and we expect the Chinese economy to maintain stable growth in the second half of 2013. As the market leader in the Chinese steering market, we are well-positioned to benefit from increased sales of domestic vehicles, and we have a growing number of Sino-foreign joint ventures as our customers."

Mr. Jie Li, chief financial officer of CAAS, commented, "Our cash position remains at a historical-high with no long-term debt. We continue to generate positive earnings and cash flow from operations to support our growth. We are using our enhanced financial strength to expand our research and development program to introduce advanced products to promote our leadership in the domestic market and build our brand in China as well as in international markets."

Second Quarter of 2013

In the second quarter of 2013, net sales increased by 21.8% to a second-quarter record of $97.9 million, compared to $80.4 million in the same quarter of 2012. The net sales increase was mainly due to significant sales to SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile, an increase in sales to Brilliance Auto, an increase in passenger vehicle sales in China, and a sales increase to a customer in North America. The net sales increase was partially offset by lower average selling prices of products sold in China.

Gross profit increased by 17.9% to $18.4 million in the second quarter of 2013, compared to $15.6 million in the second quarter of 2012. The gross margin was 18.8% in the second quarter of 2013, versus 19.4% in the second quarter of 2012. The increase in gross profit was primarily due to greater sales volume. The reduced gross margin was mainly because more lower gross margin products were sold in the second quarter of 2013.

Selling expenses rose by 81.0% to $3.8 million in the second quarter of 2013, compared to $2.1 million in the second quarter of 2012. Selling expenses represented 3.9% of net sales in the second quarter of 2013, compared to 2.6% in the second quarter of 2012. The increase was mainly due to an increase in salaries and wages expenses of salesmen, warehouse rental fee and transportation expenses, as a result of an increase in sales volume.

General and administrative expenses ("G&A expenses") increased by 3.2% to $3.2 million in the second quarter of 2013, compared to $3.1 million in the same quarter of 2012. With the progress of the purported securities class action, more legal defenses were taken in the second quarter of 2013 than the same quarter of 2012, which resulted in an increase of legal expenses. G&A expenses represented 3.3% of net sales in the second quarter of 2013 and 3.9% in the second quarter of 2012.

Research and development expenses ("R&D expenses") increased by 24.3% to $4.6 million in the second quarter of 2013, compared to $3.6 million in the second quarter of 2012. The increase in R&D expenses was mainly due to the development and trial of the Company's electric power steering ("EPS") and other new products as well as higher external support fees and increased wages. R&D expenses represented 4.7% of net sales in the second quarter of 2013 compared with 4.6% in the second quarter of 2012.

Income from operations decreased by 9.3% to $7.8 million in the second quarter of 2013, compared to $8.6 million in the same quarter of 2012. As a percentage of net sales, the operating margin was 8.0% in the second quarter of 2013, compared to 10.7% in the second quarter of 2012. The decrease was mainly due to the increase in operating expenses as well as the decrease in the selling prices in the second quarter of 2013.

Net financial expenses decreased by 80.0% to $0.1 million in the second quarter of 2013, compared to $0.5 million in the second quarter of 2012. This reduction was primarily due to a decrease in interest expenses as there were no financial expenses related to the convertible notes in the second quarter of 2013, as a result of the redemption of all remaining convertible notes by the Company on May 25, 2012 (the "Redemption").

There was no gain or loss on change in fair value of derivative in the second quarter of 2013 due to the Redemption in the second quarter of 2012, compared to a non-cash gain of $3.4 million in the second quarter of 2012 primarily due to movements in the Company's stock prices during such quarter.

There was no gain or loss on redemption of convertible notes in the second quarter of 2013 due to the Redemption in the second quarter of 2012, compared to a gain of $1.4 million in the second quarter of 2012.

Income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies was $7.7 million in the second quarter of 2013, compared to $12.9 million in the second quarter of 2012. The decrease in income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies in the second quarter of 2013 was mainly due to the fair value of derivatives of $3.4 million and the gain on redemption of convertible notes of $1.4 million in the second quarter of 2012, compared with no such gains or losses in the second quarter of 2013.

Net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders was $5.0 million in the second quarter of 2013, compared to net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders of $12.2 million, including income from discontinued operations of $2.6 million, in the corresponding quarter of 2012. Diluted earnings per share were $0.18 in the second quarter of 2013, compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.29, including net income per diluted share from discontinued operations of $0.08, in the second quarter of 2012. The weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding was 28,048,789 in the second quarter of 2013, compared to 30,257,347 in the second quarter of 2012.

First Six Months of 2013

Net sales for the first six months of 2013 increased by 21.0% to $195.1 million, compared to $161.3 million in the first six months of last year. Six-month gross profit was $37.8 million, compared to $31.0 million in the corresponding period last year. Six-month gross margin was 19.4%, compared to 19.2% for the corresponding period in 2012. Income from operations was $17.2 million, compared to $14.9 million in the first six months of 2012. Operating margin was 8.8%, compared to 9.2% for the corresponding period of 2012. Income from continuing operations was $13.7 million in the first six months of 2013, compared to $11.9 million in the corresponding period in 2012. Diluted earnings per share were $0.39 in the first six months of 2013, compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.40 (including $0.09 of diluted earnings per share from discontinued operations) for the corresponding period in 2012.

As of June 30, 2013, total cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were $90.6 million, compared to $87.6 million as of December 31, 2012. Working capital was $153.2 million as of June 30, 2013, compared to $138.7 million as of December 31, 2012.

Business Outlook

Management increased its revenue guidance to 15% year-over-year growth in the full year 2013 as the Company is determined to take market share to further expand its leading market position. This target is based on the Company's current views on operating and market conditions, which are subject to change.

Conference Call

Management will conduct a conference call on August 14, 2013 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)

A telephone replay of the call will be available after the conclusion of the conference call through 11:59 P.M. EDT on September 14, 2013. The dial-in details for the replay are:

U.S. Toll Free Number

+1-877-660-6853

International dial-in number

+1-201-612-7415

Use Conference ID "418869" to access the replay.

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 4.0 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 North America 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 27, 2013, 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.

For further information, please contact:

Jie Li
Chief Financial Officer
China Automotive Systems, Inc.
Email: jieli@chl.com.cn

Kevin Theiss
Investor Relations
Grayling
Tel: +1-646-284-9409
Email: kevin.theiss@grayling.com

(Tables Follow)

China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands of USD unless otherwise indicated)



June 30, 2013


December 31, 2012

ASSETS






Current assets:






Cash and cash equivalents

$

75,270


$

87,649

Pledged cash deposits


22,628



26,481

Short-term investments


15,376



-

Accounts and notes receivable, net - unrelated parties


244,216



211,306

Accounts and notes receivable, net - related parties


15,197



12,286

Advance payments and others - unrelated parties


2,805



3,127

Advance payments and others - related parties


1,402



779

Inventories


48,251



43,542

Current deferred tax assets


4,551



4,392

Total current assets


429,696



389,562

Non-current assets:






Property, plant and equipment, net


83,361



81,691

Intangible assets, net


662



676

Other receivables, net - unrelated parties


1,134



849

Other receivables, net - related parties


64



107

Advance payment for property, plant and equipment - unrelated parties


1,995



1,001

Advance payment for property, plant and equipment - related parties


1,209



4,162

Long-term investments


3,855



3,665

Non-current deferred tax assets


4,258



4,112

Total assets

$

526,234


$

485,825

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY






Current liabilities:






Bank and government loans

$

47,175


$

40,284

Accounts and notes payable - unrelated parties


179,185



166,380

Accounts and notes payable - related parties


4,522



4,521

Customer deposits


771



870

Accrued payroll and related costs


5,642



5,472

Accrued expenses and other payables


26,170



23,063

Accrued pension costs


4,370



4,255

Taxes payable


5,629



5,593

Amounts due to shareholders/directors


300



332

Deferred tax liabilities


73



46

Advances payable


2,622



-

Total current liabilities


276,459



250,816

Long-term liabilities:






Advances payable


-



2,609

Total liabilities


276,459



253,425

Stockholders' equity-






Common stock, $0.0001 par value - Authorized - 80,000,000

shares; Issued- 28,260,302 and 28,260,302 shares at June 30, 2013 and

December 31, 2012, respectively


3



3

Additional paid-in capital


39,371



39,371

Retained earnings-






Appropriated


10,048



9,953

Unappropriated


130,155



119,329

Accumulated other comprehensive income


29,259



25,898

Treasury stock - 217,283 and 217,283 shares at June 30, 2013 and

December 31, 2012, respectively


(1,000)



(1,000)

Total parent company stockholders' equity


207,836



193,554

Non-controlling interests


41,939



38,846

Total stockholders' equity


249,775



232,400

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

526,234


$

485,825

The condensed unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2012 has been adjusted to reflect the discontinued business of Zhejiang Henglong & Vie Pump-Manu Co., Ltd. ("Zhejiang business"), the Company's 51% equity interest in which was disposed of in May 2012.

China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

(In thousands of USD unless otherwise indicated)



Three Months Ended June 30,


2013


2012

Net product sales






Unrelated parties

$

88,854


$

71,886

Related parties


9,035



8,493



97,889



80,379

Cost of product sold






Unrelated parties


73,494



61,241

Related parties


6,006



3,506



79,500



64,747

Gross profit


18,389



15,632

Gain on other sales


1,058



1,810

Less: Operating expenses






Selling expenses


3,800



2,088

General and administrative expenses


3,217



3,130

Research and development expenses


4,616



3,650

Total operating expenses


11,633



8,868

Income from operations


7,814



8,574

Other income, net


3



7

Financial expenses, net


(108)



(500)

Gain on change in fair value of derivative


-



3,411

Gain on redemption of convertible notes


-



1,421

Income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated

companies


7,709



12,913

Less: Income taxes


1,571



1,314

Equity in earnings of affiliated companies


68



32

Income from continuing operations


6,206



11,631

Discontinued operations - net of income tax


-



2,620

Net income


6,206



14,251

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests


1,225



1,229

Net income attributable to parent company

$

4,981


$

13,022

Allocation to convertible notes holders


-



(859)

Net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders

$

4,981


$

12,163

Comprehensive income:






Income from continuing operations

$

6,206


$

11,631

Income from discontinued operations


-



2,620

Net income


6,206



14,251

Other comprehensive income:






Foreign currency translation gain (loss), net of tax - continuing operations


3,436



(1,131)

Foreign currency translation gain (loss), net of tax - discontinued operations


-



(96)

Foreign currency translation gain (loss), net of tax


3,436



(1,227)

Comprehensive income - continuing operations


9,642



10,500

Comprehensive income - discontinued operations


-



2,524

Comprehensive income


9,642



13,024

Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests


1,808



1,019

Comprehensive income attributable to parent company

$

7,834


$

12,005







Net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders per share












Basic -






Income per share from continuing operations attributable to shareholders

$

0.18


$

0.35

Income per share from discontinued operations


-



0.08


$

0.18


$

0.43

Diluted-






Income per share from continuing operations attributable to shareholders

$

0.18


$

0.21

Income per share from discontinued operations


-



0.08


$

0.18


$

0.29

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding






Basic


28,043,019



28,260,302

Diluted


28,048,789



30,257,347

The condensed unaudited consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income of the Company for the three months ended June 30, 2012 has been adjusted to reflect the discontinued Zhejiang business, the Company's 51% equity interest in which was disposed of in May 2012.

China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

(In thousands of USD unless otherwise indicated)



Six Months Ended June 30,


2013


2012

Net product sales






Unrelated parties

$

177,874


$

144,912

Related parties


17,178



16,386



195,052



161,298

Cost of product sold






Unrelated parties


144,631



120,603

Related parties


12,671



9,685



157,302



130,288

Gross profit


37,750



31,010

Gain on other sales


1,732



1,922

Less: Operating expenses






Selling expenses


6,964



4,268

General and administrative expenses


7,343



6,512

Research and development expenses


8,016



7,242

Total operating expenses


22,323



18,022

Income from operations


17,159



14,910

Other income, net


73



78

Financial expenses, net


(309)



(1,412)

Loss on change in fair value of derivative


-



(449)

Gain on redemption of convertible notes


-



1,421

Income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated

companies


16,923



14,548

Less: Income taxes


3,317



2,775

Equity in earnings of affiliated companies


126



112

Income from continuing operations


13,732



11,885

Discontinued operations - net of income tax


-



2,651

Net income


13,732



14,536

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests


2,811



2,283

Net income attributable to parent company

$

10,921


$

12,253

Allocation to convertible notes holders


-



(1,055)

Net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders

$

10,921


$

11,198

Comprehensive income:






Income from continuing operations

$

13,732


$

11,885

Income from discontinued operations


-



2,651

Net income


13,732



14,536

Other comprehensive income:






Foreign currency translation gain (loss), net of tax - continuing operations


4,048



(650)

Foreign currency translation gain (loss), net of tax - discontinued operations


-



(75)

Foreign currency translation gain (loss), net of tax


4,048



(725)

Comprehensive income - continuing operations


17,780



11,235

Comprehensive income - discontinued operations


-



2,576

Comprehensive income


17,780



13,811

Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests


3,497



2,118

Comprehensive income attributable to parent company

$

14,283


$

11,693







Net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders per share






Basic -






Income per share from continuing operations attributable to shareholders

$

0.39


$

0.31

Income per share from discontinued operations


-



0.09


$

0.39


$

0.40

Diluted-






Income per share from continuing operations attributable to shareholders

$

0.39


$

0.31

Income per share from discontinued operations


-



0.09


$

0.39


$

0.40

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding






Basic


28,043,019



28,260,302

Diluted


28,049,863



28,261,854

The condensed unaudited consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income of the Company for the six months ended June 30, 2012 has been adjusted to reflect the discontinued Zhejiang business, the Company's 51% equity interest in which was disposed of in May 2012.

China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands of USD unless otherwise indicated)



Six Months Ended June 30,


2013


2012





Cash flows from operating activities:






Net income

$

13,732


$

14,536

Adjustments to reconcile net income from operations to net cash provided by

operating activities:






Depreciation and amortization


7,218



7,310

Increase (decrease) in allowance for doubtful accounts


(106)



67

Inventory write downs


277



-

Deferred income taxes


(143)



(476)

Equity in earnings of affiliated companies


(126)



(112)

Gain on sales of a subsidiary


-



(2,848)

Gain on redemption of convertible notes


-



(1,421)

Loss on change in fair value of derivative


-



449

Amortization of debt issue cost


57



27

Loss (gain) on fixed assets disposals


(165)



67

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:






Increase (decrease) in:






Pledged deposits


4,306



(1,756)

Accounts and notes receivable


(32,734)



1,224

Advance payments and others


(219)



1,208

Inventories


(4,211)



(2,543)

Increase (decrease) in:






Accounts and notes payable


9,689



(4,517)

Customer deposits


(106)



207

Accrued payroll and related costs


73



(314)

Accrued expenses and other payables


2,679



(6,688)

Accrued pension costs


44



193

Taxes payable


(66)



1,635

Advances payable


(32)



634

Net cash provided by operating activities


167



6,882

Cash flows from investing activities:






Increase in other receivables


(212)



(936)

Cash received from property, plant and equipment sales


1,557



492

Payments to acquire property, plant and equipment


(5,565)



(8,880)

Payments to acquire intangible assets


(60)



(4)

Purchase of short-term investments


(15,376)



-

Cash decrease for the subsidiary sold


-



(300)

Net cash used in investing activities


(19,656)



(9,628)

Cash flows from financing activities:






Proceeds from government and bank loan


14,111



33,960

Repayments of bank loan


(8,069)



-

Paid debt issue cost for bank loan


-



(230)

Dividends paid to the non-controlling interests


(405)



(2,387)

Redemption of convertible notes


-



(23,571)

Decrease in amounts due to shareholders/directors


(40)



-

Net cash provided by financing activities


5,597



7,772

Effects of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents


1,513



(295)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents


(12,379)



4,731

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period


87,649



72,961

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

75,270


$

77,692

The condensed unaudited consolidated statement of cash flows of the Company for the six months ended June 30, 2012 has not been adjusted to reflect the discontinued of Zhejiang business as they are considered to be immaterial for the six months ended June 30, 2012.

Source: China Automotive Systems, Inc.
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