SHENZHEN, China, Dec. 2 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- China BAK Battery, Inc. ("China BAK", the "Company", or "we") (Nasdaq: CBAK), one of the largest lithium-ion battery cell manufacturers in the world, as measured by production output, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter ("Q409") and fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 ("FY09").
Recent Achievements and Highlights
-- We saw strong recovery from the downturn with sequential growth in
revenue ($57.6M) and operating cash flow ($5.8M) in Q409 as compared to
Q309;
-- Profitability further improved with higher gross margin (14.1%,) and
smaller loss ($1.4M) than Q309;
-- We have successfully established ourselves as a major competitor in the
cylindrical cell market; revenues from cylindrical cells in FY09
increased to $55.3 million, up 30.0% from FY08;.
-- Revenues from prismatic battery packs increased to $8.9 million or
15.5% of revenues in Q409, becoming our third largest revenue source,
in response to customer needs;
-- In November 2009, BAK Tianjin signed Letters of Intent with Tianjin
Qingyuan Electric Vehicle Co., Ltd., Dongfeng Electric Vehicle Co., Ltd.
and Brilliance Auto Engineering Research Institute for providing
high-power batteries for use in electric cars, and with Suzhou NOAHtek
Electric Bicycles Co., Ltd. for providing high-power batteries for use
in electric bicycles;
-- We raised $20.6 million in a Registered Direct Offering in October 2009,
which will further strengthen our financial position and improve the
operating flexibility.
Fourth Quarter FY09 Financial Results
Net revenues for the fourth quarter of FY09 were $57.6 million, up 28.8% from $44.7 million last quarter and down 20.9% from $72.7 million in the same quarter of last year.
Revenues from cylindrical cells used in notebook computers were $15.0 million, up 18.6% from $12.7 million last quarter and down 23.4% from $19.7 million in the same quarter of last year.
Revenues from prismatic cells, including aluminum-case cells, steel-case cells and battery packs, which are used in mobile phones and certain personal electronic devices, were $37.5 million, up 31.4% from $28.6 million last quarter and down 16.6% from $45.0 million in the same quarter of last year. Revenues from aluminum-case cells were $28.6 million, up 27.1% from $22.5 million last quarter and down 20.6% from $36.0 million in the same quarter of last year. Revenues from battery packs were $8.9 million, up 55.3% from $5.7 million last quarter and up 64.4% from $5.4 million in the same quarter of last year. Revenues from steel-case cells were minimal as we ended production in January 2009.
Revenues from lithium polymer cells, used in personal electronic devices such as PDAs, MP3 players and Bluetooth devices, were $4.9 million in the fourth quarter of FY09, up 46.1% from last quarter, and down 39.2% from the same quarter of last year.
Gross profit for the fourth quarter of FY09 was $8.1 million, up 60.3% from $5.0 million last quarter and down 29.6% from $11.5 million in the same quarter of last year. Gross margin was 14.1%, compared to 11.3% last quarter and 15.8% in the same quarter of last year.
Operating expenses totaled $9.0 million or 15.7% of revenues in the fourth quarter of FY09, as compared to $8.6 million or 19.3% of revenues last quarter and $8.4 million or 11.6% of revenues in the same quarter of last year. Research and development expenses were $1.6 million or 2.8% of revenues, as compared to $1.5 million or 3.3% of revenues last quarter and $1.7 million or 2.3% of revenues in the same quarter of last year. Sales and marketing expenses were $1.8 million or 3.2% of revenues, as compared to $1.6 million, or 3.5% of revenues last quarter and $1.5 million or 2.2% of revenues in the fourth quarter of last year. General and administrative expenses were $5.6 million or 9.7% of revenues, as compared to $5.5 million or 12.4% of revenues last quarter and $5.2 million or 7.1% of revenues in the same quarter of last year.
Operating loss for the fourth quarter of FY09 was $0.9 million, as compared to operating loss of $3.6 million last quarter and operating income of $3.0 million in the same quarter of last year.
Net loss was $1.4 million in the fourth quarter of FY09, as compared to net loss of $5.2 million last quarter and net income of $1.5 million in the same quarter of last year. Diluted earnings per share were negative $0.02 compared with negative $0.09 per diluted share last quarter and $0.03 per diluted share in the same quarter of last year.
For the fourth quarter of FY09, Days Sales Outstanding ("DSO") decreased to 120 from 145 last quarter, and Days Sales of Inventory decreased to 116 from 136 last quarter.
FY09 Financial Results
For FY09, net revenues were $211.1 million, down 13.9% from $245.3 million in FY08, gross profit was $26.8 million or 12.7% of net revenues, down 13.4% from $30.9 million or 12.6% of net revenues for FY08, and net loss was $14.0 million as compared to net loss of $7.9 million for FY08.
Financial Condition
On September 30, 2009 China BAK had $30.7 million in cash and cash equivalents and negative $46.3 million in working capital, reflecting a current ratio of 0.83:1. Short-term bank loans and long-term bank loans totaled $194.8 million as compared to $191.4 million on June 30, 2009. Shareholders' equity totaled $156.6 million. China BAK had $49.6 million available for borrowing under its credit facilities.
Business Outlook
"In FY09, we have weathered the economic crisis relatively well and grown our business by starting shipments to a tier 1 OEM notebook computer customer. We've also made in-roads in the New Energy/Clean Tech sector by providing samples of power cells to auto manufacturers and received favorable comments. We believe we will continue to grow in FY10 and be one of the few winners in this industry," commented Mr. Xiangqian Li, CEO of China BAK.
"We are pleased to see steady increase in revenue, gross margin and operating cash flow since Q2FY09 amid economic recession. Operating measures such as DSO, inventory turns have also rebounded in Q4FY09 to near pre-downturn levels. We will continue to exercise prudence and drive for operating excellence," commented Tony Shen, CFO of China BAK.
China BAK expects that FY10 revenue will fall in the range of $270 million to $310 million, which, at the low point of the range, will represent a 28% growth from FY09, and that bottom line of FY10 will be break-even to slightly profitable.
Conference Call
China BAK will host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday, December 2, 2009 to discuss results for the fourth quarter of FY09 ended September 30, 2009. Joining Xiangqian Li, China BAK's President and Chief Executive Officer on the call will be Tony Shen, Chief Financial Officer. To participate in the conference call, please dial the following number approximately fifteen minutes prior to the scheduled conference call time: 800-688-0796. International callers should dial (617) 614-4070. The pass code for the call is 976-118-60. If you are unable to participate in the call at this time, a replay will be available from 10:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009 through 10:00 a.m. ET, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009. To access the replay, please dial 888-286-8010. International callers should dial (617) 801-6888. The pass code for the replay is 699-49-859. The conference call will be broadcast live over the Internet and can be accessed by all interested parties on the China BAK website at http://www.bak.com.cn/ . To listen to the live webcast, please go to the China BAK's website at least fifteen minutes prior to the start of the call to register, download and install any necessary audio software. For those unable to participate during the live broadcast, shortly after the call a replay will be made available on China BAK's website for 90 days.
About China BAK Battery Inc.
China BAK Battery, Inc. is one of the largest manufacturers of lithium-based battery cells in the world, as measured by production output. It produces battery cells that are the principal component of rechargeable batteries commonly used in cellular phones, notebook computers and portable consumer electronics, such as digital media devices, portable media players, portable audio players, portable gaming devices, and PDAs. China BAK Battery, Inc.'s 3.0-million-square-foot facilities are located in Shenzhen and Tianjin, PRC, and have been recently expanded to produce new products.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are subject to change. The forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All "forward-looking statements" relating to the business of China BAK Battery, Inc. and its subsidiary companies, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects" or similar expressions, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ. These factors include but are not limited to: risks related to China BAK's business and risks related to operating in China. Please refer to China BAK's Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008, as well as China BAK's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for FY09, for specific details on risk factors. Given these risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. China BAK's actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. China BAK undertakes no obligation to revise or update its forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.
-Financial Tables Follow-
China BAK Battery, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
For the Three Months and Fiscal Years Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended Years Ended
September 30, September 30,
2009 2008 2009 2008
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Net Revenues $57,551 $72,738 $211,144 $245,348
Cost of revenues (49,457) (61,257) (184,388) (214,442)
Gross profit 8,094 11,481 26,756 30,906
Operating expenses:
Research and
development costs (1,629) (1,688) (5,643) (6,252)
Sales and marketing
expenses (1,842) (1,568) (6,176) (5,803)
General and
administrative
expenses (5,563) (5,185) (21,990) (19,348)
Total operating
expenses (9,034) (8,441) (33,809) (31,403)
Operating income /
(loss) (940) 3,040 (7,053) (497)
Finance costs, net (2,255) (3,643) (9,356) (11,021)
Government grant
income 244 397 637 1,775
Other income 717 683 528 757
Income / (loss) before
income taxes (2,234) 477 (15,244) (8,986)
Income tax benefit 874 995 1,253 1,045
Net (loss) / income $(1,360) $1,472 $(13,991) $(7,941)
Other comprehensive
income / (loss)
- Foreign currency
translation
adjustment (112) 1,241 (355) 15,262
Comprehensive income /
(loss) $(1,472) $2,713 $(14,346) $7,321
Net income / (loss)
per share:
-Basic $(0.02) $0.03 $(0.25) $(0.15)
-Diluted $(0.02) $0.03 $(0.25) $(0.15)
Weighted average
shares outstanding:
-Basic 56,971 54,511 56,964 52,314
-Diluted 56,971 54,971 56,964 52,314
China BAK Battery, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of September 30, 2009 and 2008
(Amounts in thousands)
As of September 30,
2009 2008
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $30,678 $35,707
Pledged deposits 31,115 4,449
Trade accounts receivable, net 83,292 82,740
Inventories 65,535 67,583
Prepayments and other receivables 4,632 4,463
Deferred tax assets 3,895 1,720
Property, plant and equipment held
for sale 804 --
Total current assets 219,951 196,662
Property, plant and equipment, net 219,685 195,435
Lease prepayments, net 32,166 31,782
Intangible assets, net 239 161
Deferred tax assets 43 7
Total assets $472,084 $424,047
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Short-term bank loans $139,159 $105,598
Current maturities of long-term bank
loans 16,114 8,800
Accounts and bills payable 92,572 57,487
Accrued expenses and other payables 18,425 21,581
Total current liabilities 266,270 193,466
Long-term bank loans, less current
maturities 39,553 55,732
Deferred revenue 7,442 7,685
Other long-term payables 1,940 --
Deferred tax liabilities 278 92
Total liabilities 315,483 256,975
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Ordinary shares US$ 0.001 par value;
100,000,000 authorized; 57,676,481
and 57,737,481 issued and outstanding
as of September 30, 2008 and September
30, 2009, respectively 58 58
Donation Shares 14,102 14,102
Additional paid-in-capital 101,161 97,286
Statutory reserves 7,227 6,918
Retained earnings 13,328 27,629
Accumulated other comprehensive income 24,791 25,146
Less: Treasury shares (4,066) (4,067)
Total shareholders' equity 156,601 167,072
Total liabilities and shareholders'
equity $472,084 $424,047
China BAK Battery, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Three Months and Fiscal Years Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008
(Amounts in thousands)
Three Months Ended Years Ended
September 30, September 30,
2009 2008 2009 2008
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Cash flow from operating
activities
Net (loss) / income $(1,360) $1,472 $(13,991) $(7,941)
Adjustments to reconcile
net (loss) / income to
net cash provided by
operating activities:
Depreciation and
amortization 1,328 4,014 12,832 13,376
Provision for / (recovery
of) doubtful debts 1,864 (244) 7,725 1,943
Provision for obsolete
inventories 1,059 496 929 610
Share-based compensation 1,622 1,246 3,725 3,780
Deferred income taxes (1,020) (951) (2,024) (1,152)
Deferred revenue (58) (282) (234) (282)
Exchange loss / (gain) (458) (182) (48) 1,326
Loss on disposal of
Property, plant and
equipment 6 5 6 195
Changes in operating
assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts
receivable (15,306) 2,502 (8,375) (14,600)
Inventories (4,705) 376 1,043 (2,223)
Prepayments and other
receivables 5,509 3,823 394 (2,565)
Accounts and bills
payable 19,460 (1,805) 36,331 6,934
Accrued expenses and
other payables (2,162) 1,518 78 3,430
Net cash provided by
operating activities $5,779 $11,988 $38,391 $2,831
Cash flow from investing
activities
Purchases of property,
plant and equipment (6,807) (16,672) (40,431) (47,575)
Payment in lease
prepayment -- (1,779) (1,077) (5,454)
Purchases of intangible
assets (13) (7) (140) (109)
Proceeds from disposal of
property, plant
and equipment 10 465 10 786
Net cash used in
investing activities $(6,810) $(17,993) $(41,638) $(52,352)
Cash flow from financing
activities
Proceeds from borrowings 3,309 40,216 176,316 159,913
Repayment of borrowings (22) (46,026) (151,448) (122,577)
Decrease / (increase) in
pledged deposits (1,488) 1,829 (26,641) 588
Proceeds from issuance of
capital stock, net 150 15,233 150 29,240
Net cash provided by /
(used in) financing
activities $1,949 $11,252 $(1,623) $67,164
Effect of exchange rate
changes on cash and
cash equivalents 121 216 (158) 3,867
Net increase / (decrease)
in cash and cash
equivalents 1,039 5,463 (5,028) 21,510
Cash and cash equivalents
at the beginning
of the period 29,639 30,244 35,706 14,197
Cash and cash equivalents
at the end of the period $30,678 $35,707 $30,678 $35,707
