XI'AN, China, May 15 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- SkyPeople Fruit Juice, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: SPFJ) ("SkyPeople" or "the Company"), a leading processor and manufacturer of concentrated apple, kiwifruit, pear and other fruit juices and fruit products in the People's Republic of China, today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2009.
First Quarter Highlights
-- Gross profit margin increased to 43.8% from 21.0% for the first quarter
of fiscal 2008.
-- Income from operations increased 88.1% year-over-year to $2.0 million.
-- Net income increased 17.8% year-over-year to $1.2 million or $0.04 per
diluted share.
-- Began sales in the Chinese market of approximately 50% gross margin
kiwifruit vinegar and mulberry vinegar.
Management's Commentary
Mr. Yongke Xue, Chief Executive Officer of SkyPeople, stated, "Our strong gains in gross profit margin, operating income and net income for the first quarter demonstrate our ability to successfully develop and bring to market high quality, healthy and nutritious fruit juice products that satisfy accelerating consumer demand and preference for healthier fruit-based juice drinks. Interest in small breed fruit products such as our specialty kiwifruit and mulberry products continues to escalate worldwide due to the nutritional advantages and unique taste of these specialty fruits, which are not as widely available as more traditional juice flavors. We also began sales of high margin kiwifruit and mulberry vinegar products during the first quarter. Sales in each of these product categories offset part of our planned decrease in apple and pear juice product sales as we seek to build a larger volume of higher margin product sales into our mix.
Mr. Xue continued, "One of our goals is to increase our production capacity of kiwifruit juice and kiwifruit puree from 10,000 tons to 22,500 tons by the third quarter of 2009. We will also continue to invest in upgrading our existing facilities to improve our operational efficiency and productivity. As the fruit juice market continues to evolve, we are confident in our ability to meet growing consumer demand both domestically and internationally for unique and high quality juice products."
First Quarter Results
Revenue for the first quarter of 2009 was $6.7 million compared to $8.9 million for the first quarter of 2008. The decrease was primarily due to reduced sales of concentrated apple juice and pear juice, partially offset by an increase in sales of fruit beverages, fresh fruits and fruit vinegars in the Company's Chinese markets. Since 2008, the Company has increased its sales and marketing focus on kiwifruit concentrate and kiwifruit juice beverages which carry higher margins than concentrated apple and pear juice products.
Gross profit increased 57.3% to $2.9 million in the first quarter of 2009 compared to $1.9 million in the first quarter of 2008. Gross margin as a percent of revenue in the first quarter was 43.8% compared to 21.0% in the first quarter of 2008. The increase in gross margin as a percentage of revenue in the first quarter of fiscal 2009 was primarily due to a decrease in the price of fresh fruits for squeezing and a change in sales mix to a higher balance of higher margin kiwifruit juice products, partially offset by a decrease in the gross margin of fruit beverages.
Operating expenses increased by 17.8% to $961,002 for the first quarter ended March 31, 2009, from $815,536 for the corresponding period in fiscal 2008. The increase was primarily related to increased investment in new product research and development.
Income from operations increased 88.1% to $2.0 million for the first quarter of 2009 from $1.0 million for the first quarter of 2008.
Provision for income taxes was $493,870 for the first quarter of 2009 compared to $130,520 for the first quarter of 2008. The increase in tax provision for the first quarter of 2009 was due to an increase in the effective tax rate of Shaanxi Tianren. (SkyPeople Fruit Juice, Inc. is the holding company for Shaanxi Tianren Organic Food Co., Ltd.) Shaanxi Tianren was awarded the status of a nationally recognized High and New Technology Enterprise in December 2006, which entitled Shaanxi Tianren to tax-free treatment for two years starting from 2007. Commencing in 2009, Shaaxin Tianren is subject to the regular tax rate of 25% according to the new tax law in China, which was effective on January 1, 2008.
Net income increased 17.8% to $1.239 million or $0.04 per diluted share for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, compared to net income of $1.052 million or $0.04 per diluted share for the same quarter of 2008.
Balance Sheet Highlights
As of March 31, 2009, cash and cash equivalents totaled $23.2 million, working capital was $15.3 million and stockholders' equity was $43.9 million.
About SkyPeople Fruit Juice, Inc.
SkyPeople Fruit Juice, Inc. is a holding company for Shaanxi Tianren. Shaanxi Tianren is a company organized according to the laws of the People's Republic of China. SkyPeople's main products are concentrated apple, kiwifruit, pear and other fruit juices for domestic and international consumers. Its brand, HEDETANG, is positioned as a high quality, healthy and nutritious juice concentrate and clear juice product used both as an ingredient component in other products and an end-use juice concentrate product. Shaanxi Tianren owns the largest kiwifruit plantation in China and is a leading worldwide producer of concentrated kiwifruit juice. For more information, please visit http://www.skypeoplefruitjuice.com .
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and the actual results and future events could differ materially from management's current expectations. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to obtain the necessary financing to continue and expand operations, to market its products in new markets and to offer products at competitive pricing, to attract and retain management, and to integrate and maintain technical information and management information systems, political and economic factors in the People's Republic of China, compliance requirement of laws and regulations of the PRC, the effects of currency policies and fluctuations, general economic conditions and other factors detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory authorities. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
For more information, please contact:
SkyPeople Fruit Juice, Inc.
Ms. Spring Liu, CFO
Tel: +1-818-390-1272
Email: springliu@skypeoplejuice.com
The Piacente Group, Inc.
Ms. Brandi Piacente
Tel: +1-212-481-2050
Email: brandi@thepiacentegroup.com
-- Financial Tables Follow --
SKYPEOPLE FRUIT JUICE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS, UNAUDITED
March 31, December 31,
2009 2008
ASSETS (Unaudited)
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and equivalents $23,243,078 $15,274,171
Accounts receivable 5,011,043 11,610,506
Other receivables 225,640 297,394
Inventories 2,312,116 1,844,397
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 904,368 1,087,076
Total current assets 31,696,245 30,113,544
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, Net 19,930,452 20,406,967
LAND USAGE RIGHTS 6,353,266 6,404,771
OTHER ASSETS 2,299,914 2,362,049
TOTAL ASSETS $60,279,877 $59,287,331
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable $1,501,521 $ 663,092
Accrued expenses 1,341,469 1,657,437
Accrued liquidated damages 254,301 254,301
Related party payables -- 23,452
Income taxes payable 658,700 1,450,433
Advances from customers 1,404,299 1,375,460
Short-term notes payable 11,239,737 11,256,871
Total current
liabilities 16,400,027 16,681,046
TOTAL LIABILITIES 16,400,027 16,681,046
EQUITY
SkyPeople Fruit Juice, Inc. stockholders'
equity:
Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value;
10,000,000 shares authorized
3,448,480 Series B Preferred Stock
issued and outstanding as of
March 31, 2009 and December 31,
2008, respectively 3,448 3,448
Common Stock, $0.01 par value;
100,000,000 shares authorized
22,271,786 shares issued and
outstanding as of March 31, 2009
and December 31, 2008, respectively 222,717 222,717
Additional paid-in capital 13,791,724 13,791,724
Accumulated retained earnings 23,708,370 22,468,934
Accumulated other comprehensive
income 4,479,718 4,573,143
Total SkyPeople Fruit
Juice, Inc. stockholders'
equity 42,205,977 41,059,966
Noncontrolling interests 1,673,873 1,546,319
TOTAL EQUITY 43,879,850 42,606,285
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $60,279,877 $59,287,331
SKYPEOPLE FRUIT JUICE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME,
UNAUDITED
Three Months Ended
March 31, March 31,
2009 2008
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Revenue $ 6,671,061 $ 8,850,584
Cost of Sales 3,746,159 6,990,966
Gross Profit 2,924,902 1,859,618
Operating Expenses
General and
administrative 411,904 566,714
Selling expenses 273,588 241,345
Research and development 275,510 7,477
Total operating 961,002 815,536
Income from Operations 1,963,900 1,044,082
Other Income (Expense)
Interest expense
Interest expense (226,396) (59,028)
Interest income 7, 316 6,164
Subsidy income 87,800 --
Other income (expense) (40) 238,956
Total other (131,320) 186,092
Income Before Income Taxes 1,832,580 1,230,174
Income Tax Provision 493,870 130,520
Net Income 1,338,710 1,099,654
Less: Net income attributable to
noncontrolling interests 99,274 47,835
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO SKYPEOPLE
FRUIT JUICE, INC. $ 1,239,436 $ 1,051,819
Earnings Per Share:
Basic earnings per share $ 0.04 $ 0.04
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.04 $ 0.04
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
Basic 22,271,684 22,485,118
Diluted 28,394,863 27,907,889
Comprehensive Income:
Net income $ 1,338,710 $ 1,099,654
Foreign currency translation
adjustment (93,425) 1,420,300
Comprehensive Income $ 1,245,285 $ 2,519,954
Comprehensive income attributable to
the noncontrolling interest (127,554) (47,835)
Comprehensive income attributable to
SkyPeople Fruit Juice, Inc. $ 1,117,731 $ 2,472,119
