Teleconference to Be Held Friday, May 15, 2009, at 8:30 a.m. EDT
XI'AN, China, May 15 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- China Recycling Energy Corp. (OTC Bulletin Board: CREG) ("CREG" or "the Company"), a leading industrial waste-to-energy solution provider in China, today announced unaudited financial results for the first quarter of 2009 ended March 31, 2009.
First Quarter 2009 Highlights
-- Revenue was $4.3 million, vs. zero in the same period of 2008
-- Gross margin was 30.2% vs. 25.5% in the fourth quarter of 2008
-- Interest income from sales-type leases was $1.2 million vs. $565,000 in
the same quarter of 2008
-- Net income was 1.1 million, Diluted EPS $0.02 vs. net loss $888,000,
diluted EPS (0.04) in the same quarter of 2008
-- Non-GAAP net operating income, as defined below, was $2.1 million;
Non-GAAP diluted EPS $0.03
-- Cash on hand at March 31, 2009 was $10.2 million, vs. $7.3 million at
year-end 2008
-- Net cash flow provided by operations in the first quarter of 2009 was
$4.4 million, compared with net cash used in operation of $279,000 in
the same period of 2008
"I am pleased with our continued profitability since the third quarter of last year and our steady revenue streams from operational rental business and interest income from sales-type leases," Mr. Guohua Ku, Chairman and CEO of CREG, said. "Our business model is working and our cash flow has continued to be positive since late last year. If the macro economic environment continues to improve and the Chinese government continues to induce more clean energy generation, with the recent $7.9 million capital raise and our electricity-generation Joint Venture with Inner Mongolia Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd., the largest iron-alloy production facilities in China, we are confident to apply our financial resources and our engineering prowess to pursue large-scale, clustered power system projects."
Summary of Financial Results
(In '000s of U.S. Dollars, except for per share data)
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
MAR. 31, DEC. 31, MAR. 31,
2008 2008 2009
Revenue --- 12,341 4,323
Gross profit --- 3,150 1,301
Operating income (loss) (84) 3,088 1,704
Net income (888) 2,306 1,076
Diluted EPS (0.04) 0.04 0.02
Add:
Compensation expenses for stock options 325 128 389
Amortization of discount on conversion
feature of convertible notes 623 --- ---
Non-GAAP operating income (1) 241 3,216 2,093
Non-GAAP net income (1) 61 2,434 1,465
Non-GAAP diluted EPS (1) 0.00 0.04 0.03
(1) CREG provides operating income, net income and earnings per share on a
non-GAAP basis that excludes non-cash, share-based compensation
expense and non-cash interest expense on the amortization of the
beneficial conversion feature for the convertible notes, as described
below, to enable investors to better assess the Company's operating
performance. The non-GAAP measures are described below and reconciled
to the corresponding GAAP measure in the section below titled "About
Non-GAAP Financial Measures."
First Quarter 2009 Financial Results
For the first quarter of 2009, CREG generated revenue of $4.3 million, compared with $12.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2008 and zero in the first quarter of 2008. Rental income from operational leases of industrial plants in China contributed the entire amount of the revenue in the first quarter of 2009, compared with 34.8% in the fourth quarter of 2008. Product sales accounted 65.2% of the revenue in the fourth quarter of 2008.
Gross profit was $1.3 million, compared with $3.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2008 and zero in the first quarter of 2008. Gross margin was 30.2%, vs. 25.5% in the fourth quarter of 2008. The improvement in gross margin was primarily because of higher profitability of operational rental business compared with straight product sales, which CREG did not record any in first quarter 2009.
Interest income from sales-type leases was $1.2 million, or 110.7% higher than $569,038 in the fourth quarter of 2008 and 112.2% higher than $564,952 for the first quarter of 2008. The increase was primarily due to the inception of one more sales-type lease in December 2008 starting generating interest income this year.
General and administrative expenses were $795,438, compared with $630,974 in the fourth quarter of 2008 and $648,610 in the first quarter of 2008. The increase was primarily because of the variable fair value of the stock options to employees, and increased payroll, marketing and traveling expense due to the expansion of our business, as well as general costs of maintaining the status of a public company.
Non-GAAP operating income, as defined below, was $2.1 million, compared with $3.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. GAAP operating income was $1.7 million, compared with $3.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2008 and an operating loss of $83,658 in the first quarter of 2008.
Non-GAAP net income was $1.5 million, compared with $2.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $0.03, compared with $0.04 in the fourth quarter of 2008. GAAP net income was $1.1 million, compared with $2.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2008 and a net loss of $887,940 in the first quarter of 2008. GAAP diluted EPS was $0.02, compared with $0.04 in the fourth quarter of 2008 and diluted loss per share of $0.03 in the first quarter of 2008.
As of March 31, 2009, cash and cash equivalents were $10.2 million, compared with $7.3 million at year-end 2008. Total investments in sales-type leases were $16.4 million, compared with $16.8 million as of the end of 2008. Net working capital increased to $14.7 million, from $11.3 million at December 31, 2008. Total shareholders' equity was $33.0 million, compared with $32.4 million at December 31, 2008.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $4.4 million in the first quarter of 2009, compared with net cash outflow from operations of $279,044 in the same period of 2008.
Recent Developments
On April 29, 2009, CREG issued an 8% Secured Convertible Promissory Note in the principal amount of $3 million to Carlyle Asia Growth Partners and CAGP III Co-Investment ("Carlyle Asia"). In addition, the Company amended and restated the 5% Secured Convertible Promissory Note in the principal amount of $5 million previously issued to Carlyle Asia in April 2008.
On April 20, 2009, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with an accredited private investor. Pursuant to the agreements, CREG issued approximately 2.4 million shares, with one-year lock-up period not to sell, for an aggregate purchase price of $2 million, or $0.85 per share.
On April 13, 2009, the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Xi'an TCH Energy Technology Co., Ltd., entered into a one-year working capital loan agreement with the Industrial Bank Co., Ltd.'s Xi'an branch, to borrow $2.9 million (RMB 20 million) at an interest rate of 5.3%. The loan agreement contains standard representations, warranties and covenants.
CREG intends to use the net proceeds from the aforementioned transactions to cover capital expenditures for its operations in China and other working capital needs.
Business Outlook
CREG reaffirms revenues for 2009 to be in the range of $33 million to $36 million, with net income, excluding non-cash charges, of approximately $8 million. These targets are based on the Company's current views on the operating and market conditions, which are subject to change.
Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call on Friday, May 15, 2009, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time / 8:30 p.m. Beijing Time. Interested parties may participate in the conference call by dialing +1-877-407-0782 (North America) or +1-201-689-8567 (International) 10 minutes before the call start time.
A replay of the call will be available through May 22, 2009, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Interested parties may access the replay by dialing +1-877-660-6853 (North America) or + 1-201-612-7415 (International) and entering account number: 286 and conference ID number: 323311.
About Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release contains non-GAAP financial measures for earnings that exclude the effect of non-cash, non-operating expenses related to the Convertible Notes issued in November 2007 and April 2008, respectively, as well as the compensation expenses for the fair value of stock options. China Recycling Energy Corp. uses non-GAAP financial measures when it internally evaluates the performance of business and makes operating decisions, including internal budgeting and performance measurement. The Company believes that providing the non-GAAP measures is useful to investors for a number of reasons. The non-GAAP measures provide a consistent basis for investors to understand the CREG's financial performance in comparison to historical periods, and it allows investors to evaluate CREG's performance using the same methodology and information as that used by the Company's management. However, investors need to be aware that non-GAAP measures are subject to inherent limitations because they do not include all of the expenses included under GAAP and they involve the exercise of judgment of which charges are excluded from the non-GAAP financial measure.
About China Recycling Energy Corp.
China Recycling Energy Corp. (OTC Bulletin Board: CREG) ("CREG" or "the Company") is based in Xi'an, China and provides environmentally friendly waste-to-energy technologies to recycle industrial byproducts for steel mills, cement factories and coke plants in China. Byproducts include heat, steam, pressure, and exhaust to generate large amounts of lower-cost electricity and reduce the need for outside electrical sources. The Chinese government has adopted policies to encourage the use of recycling technologies to optimize resource allocation and reduce pollution. Currently, recycled energy represents only an estimated 1% of total energy consumption and this renewable energy resource is viewed as a growth market due to intensified environmental concerns and rising energy costs as the Chinese economy continues to expand. The management and engineering teams have over 20 years of experience in industrial energy recovery in China.
For more information about CREG, please visit http://www.creg-cn.com .
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release may contain certain "forward-looking statements" relating to the business of China Recycling Energy Corp. and its subsidiary companies. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein are "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects" or similar expressions, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they do involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and these expectations may prove to be incorrect. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those discussed in the Company's periodic reports that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on its website at http://www.sec.gov . All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. Other than as required under the securities laws, the Company does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements.
CHINA RECYCLING ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
AS OF AS OF
MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31,
2009 2008
(UNAUDITED)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash & cash equivalents $ 10,212,758 $ 7,267,344
Investment in sales type leases, net 2,152,977 1,970,591
Interest receivable on sales type
leases 237,033 82,406
Advance to suppliers 73,156 --
Prepaid expenses 1,049,381 3,849,087
Other receivables 121,885 102,850
Inventory 13,101,420 10,534,633
Deferred tax asset 14,032 --
Total current assets 26,962,642 23,806,911
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Investment in sales type leases, net 14,285,747 14,837,879
Advance for equipment -- 2,642,889
Property and equipment, net 90,026 95,359
Construction in progress 5,193,171 3,731,016
Intangible assets, net 3,293 3,482
Total non-current assets 19,572,237 21,310,625
TOTAL ASSETS 46,534,879 45,117,536
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable 1,184,716 1,186,902
Unearned revenues 658,289 658,415
Tax payable 1,058,328 2,137,356
Accrued liabilities and other
payables 3,583,069 3,528,527
Stock option liability 827,965 --
Convertible notes, net of discount
due to beneficial conversion feature 5,000,000 5,000,000
Total current liabilities 12,312,367 12,511,200
DEFERRED TAX LIABILITY 945,761 --
ACCRUED INTEREST ON CONVERTIBLE NOTES 231,507 168,494
CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, $0.001 par value;
100,000,000 shares authorized,
36,425,094 and 36,425,094 shares
issued and outstanding as of March
31, 2009 and December 31, 2008,
respectively 36,425 36,425
Additional paid in capital 30,251,597 30,475,360
Unamortized compensation expense, net (1,454,954) --
Statutory reserve 1,489,719 1,319,286
Accumulated other comprehensive
income 3,552,692 3,582,587
Accumulated deficit (846,451) (2,991,995)
Total Company stockholders'
equity 33,029,028 32,421,663
Noncontrolling interest 16,216 16,179
Total equity 33,045,244 32,437,842
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY 46,534,879 45,117,536
CHINA RECYCLING ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
2009 2008
Revenue
Rental income $ 4,322,893 $ --
Total revenue 4,322,893 --
Cost of sales
Rental expense 3,021,673 --
Total cost of sales 3,021,673 --
Gross profit 1,301,220 --
Interest income on sales-type
leases 1,198,531 564,952
Total operating income 2,499,751 564,952
Operating expenses
General and administrative
expenses 795,438 648,610
Total operating expenses 795,438 648,610
Income (loss) from operations 1,704,313 (83,658)
Non-operating income (expenses)
Interest income 5,013 --
Interest expense on convertible
note (63,232) (743,278)
Financial expense (2,094) (422)
Other income -- 1,581
Exchange loss -- (11,189)
Total non-operating expenses (60,313) (753,308)
Income (loss) before income tax 1,644,000 (836,966)
Income tax expense 568,111 50,947
Net income (loss) from
operations 1,075,889 (887,913)
Less: Net income attributable to
noncontrolling
interest 40 27
Net income (loss) 1,075,849 (887,940)
Other comprehensive item
Foreign currency translation
gain (loss) (29,895) 74,725
Comprehensive income (loss) 1,045,954 (813,215)
Basic weighted average shares
outstanding 36,425,094 25,015,089
Diluted weighted average shares
outstanding 46,760,632 30,508,410
Basic net earnings per share 0.03 (0.04)
Diluted net earnings per share 0.02 (0.04)
* Interest expense on convertible notes are added back to net income for
the computation of diluted EPS.
* Diluted weighted average shares outstanding includes estimated shares
will be converted from the Second Note issued on April 29, 2008 with
conversion price contingent upon future net profits.
* Basic and diluted loss per share is the same due to anti-dilutive
feature of the securities.
CHINA RECYCLING ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
FOR THE THREE MONTHS
ENDED MARCH 31,
2009 2008
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss) including
noncontrolling interest $ 1,075,889 $ (887,913)
Adjustments to reconcile net income
(loss) including noncontrolling
interest to net cash provided by (used
in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 7,348 17
Amortization of discount related to
conversion feature of convertible note -- 623,288
Stock option compensation expense 389,376 325,155
Accrued interest on convertible notes 63,013 124,658
Changes in deferred tax 931,756 --
(Increase) decrease in current assets:
Interest receivable on sales type
leases 211,913 (94,903)
Advance to suppliers and prepaid
expenses 2,799,495 (192,463)
Other receivables (19,053) 1,622
Increase (decrease) in current
liabilities:
Accounts payable (1,960) (69,737)
Tax payable (1,078,653) (125,995)
Accrued liabilities and other payables 55,144 17,227
Net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities 4,434,268 (279,044)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Investment in sales type leases -- 282,188
Acquisition of property & equipment (1,843) (80,823)
Construction in progress (1,462,908) (977,299)
Net cash used in investing activities (1,464,751) (775,934)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayment to management -- (72,826)
Advance from shareholder -- 250,000
Net cash provided by financing
activities -- 177,174
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGE ON CASH
& CASH EQUIVALENTS (24,103) 41,065
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH & CASH
EQUIVALENTS 2,945,414 (836,739)
CASH & CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF
PERIOD 7,267,344 1,634,340
CASH & CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD 10,212,758 797,601
Supplemental Cash flow data:
Income tax paid 732,561 127,336
Interest paid -- --
