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SkyPeople Fruit Juice Reports Record Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2009

2010-04-01 04:06 1091

XI'AN, China, April 1 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- SkyPeople Fruit Juice, Inc. (NYSE: SPU) ("SkyPeople" or "the Company"), a processor and manufacturer of kiwifruit, apple, and pear fruit juice concentrates for sale in international and domestic markets, and a distributor of fresh kiwifruits and manufacturer of Hedetang(R)-branded fruit beverages for sale in domestic markets, today announced record financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

Fourth Quarter 2009 Highlights

-- Revenue was $35.8 million, up 86.5% from $19.2 million for the quarter

ended December 31, 2008.

-- Gross profit was $16.7 million, up 63.7% from $10.2 million for the

previous year.

-- Operating income was $15.1 million, up 84.1% from $8.2 million for the

previous year.

-- GAAP net income was $10.8 million, up 77.0% from $6.1 million for 2008,

with EPS of $0.59 based on 18.6 million fully diluted shares.

-- Non-GAAP*, adjusted net income was $10.2 million, up 67.2% from $6.1

million for 2008, with EPS of $0.58 based on 18.7 million fully diluted

shares.

Full Year 2009 Highlights

-- Revenue was $59.2 million, up 42.3% from 2008.

-- Kiwifruit concentrates increased 55.3% YOY while the company's branded

Hedetang(R) fruit beverages increased 87.3% to $10.0 million.

-- Operating income was $20.9 million, up 60.3% from 2008 with operating

margins of 35.3% versus 31.5%.

-- GAAP net income was $15.8 million, up 57.9% from 2008, with diluted EPS

of $0.85 on 18.7 million diluted shares.

-- Non-GAAP* net income was $15.2 million, up 51.7% from 2008, with

diluted EPS of $0.84 on 18.7 million diluted shares.

*Adjusted net income and EPS in Q4 2009 and Fiscal Year 2009 are non-GAAP calculations and includes other expense of $615,417 of non-cash, change in fair value of warrant liability related to the approximately 1,228,333 warrants outstanding as of December 31, 2009. For more information about the non-GAAP financial measures contained in this press release, please see "About Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below.

"Driven primarily by sales of our higher margin kiwifruit concentrates and Hedetang(R) fruit beverages, we are pleased to report 2009 financial results of $59.2 million in revenues and $15.2 million in earnings met our guidance of $58 to $60 million in revenues and $15.0 to $16.0 million in net income," began Mr. Yongku Xue, Chairman and CEO of SkyPeople. "The fourth quarter of 2009 was the largest quarter in our Company's history and produced revenues anticipated from our added capacity and accurate customer forecasting. Our decision to focus on domestic sales of our concentrates and branded juices helped us weather the downturn in the export markets during 2009 and confirmed demand for our products in China. As export markets continue to rebound, we are encouraged by the momentum, however remain focused on strategies and plans to increase sales of concentrates and Hedetang(R) juices in China," Chairman Xue stated.

Fourth Quarter 2009 Results

Total revenue for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009 was $35.8 million, up 86.5% from $19.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2008. The strong increase in revenues was directly attributable to the increase in price of fruit juice concentrates in the market and the increase in production volume. SkyPeople did not reach full production capacity in 2008 because of the negative effects from the worldwide economic crisis. However, as the world economy began recovery, the price and demand of fruit juice concentrates increased in 2009. The fourth quarter represented a significant portion of SkyPeople's yearly revenues as the Company entered its harvest season of July to April of any year. Adding to the Company's revenues in the fourth quarter were sales of its Tianren Kiwifruit, which witnessed record orders late in the fourth quarter as China prepared for the Chinese New Year.

Gross profit was $16.7 million in 2009, a 63.7% increase from $10.2 million in 2008. Overall gross profit margin was 46.6% for the fourth quarter compared to 53.3% for the fourth quarter in 2008. The decrease in gross margin for the quarter was primarily attributable to a decrease in the gross margin of fresh kiwifruit, which decreased to 49.2% for 2009 compared to 64.4% for 2008 as a result of an increase in the price paid for higher quality fruit that was sold in the domestic PRC market.

Operating income totaled $15.1 million in 2009, an increase of 84.1% from $8.2 million in the previous fiscal year. The Company's operating margin was 42.2% compared to 42.5% in the prior year.

GAAP net income for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009 was $10.8 million versus $6.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2008, an increase of 77.0%. Earnings per share were $0.59 per diluted share in the quarter, compared to $0.36 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2008. The Company reported 18.7 million diluted shares outstanding for 2009, compared to 17.9 million shares in 2008. Non-GAAP net income for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009 was $10.2 million versus $6.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2008, an increase of 67.2%. Earnings per share were $0.58 per diluted share in the quarter, compared to $0.36 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Full Year 2009 Results

Total revenue for fiscal year 2009 was $59.2 million, up 42.3% from $41.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. Sales of the Company's kiwifruit juice concentrates increased 55.3% year over year. Also contributing to growth in revenues were sales of fresh kiwifruit, packaged and sold under the Company's SkyPeople Juice Group brand, to domestic supermarket chains and distributors throughout China.

Due to the effects of the global recession in 2009, reduced demand from the Company's network of 133 international distributors for fruit juice concentrates (SkyPeople's primary exports) resulted in a year-over-year decrease in exports of 20.0%. Exports represented 21.7% of total sales in 2009, down from 33.9% in 2008. Anticipating a downturn in export sales and as part of its overall long-term growth plan, SkyPeople management focused its product development, marketing, and sales efforts on higher-margin domestic sales of its concentrates and juice beverages. In the first quarter of 2009, SkyPeople launched its Hedetang(R) brand of cider beverages and continued to market its Hedetang(R) juices it launched in 2008. SkyPeople manufactures a total of four products under the Hedetang(R) brand which include pure kiwifruit juice, pure mulberry juice, kiwifruit cider beverage and mulberry cider beverage. Domestic sales of Hedetang(R) products increased 87.3% to $10.0 million in 2009 year over year, and accounted for 16.8% of 2009 revenues compared to 12.8% of 2008 revenues. Sales of kiwifruit seedless concentrates also increased in 2009 as domestic customers favored the quality of SkyPeople's products over competitors.

Gross profit was $25.4 million in 2009, a 41.1% increase from $18.0 million in 2008. Gross profits were driven by the Company's sales of its highest margin product lines which include kiwifruit concentrates (47.3% gross margin), fresh kiwifruit (49.2% gross margin), Hedetang(R) pure fruit juices (28.0% gross margin) and Hedetang(R) fruit cider beverages (48.6% gross margin). Overall gross profit margin was 42.8% for the year compared to 43.3% in 2008.

Operating income totaled $20.9 million in 2009, a 59.5% increase from $13.1 million in the previous fiscal year. The Company's operating margin was 35.3% compared to 31.5% in the prior year. The increase in operating income margin was caused by prudent management of expenses including sales, general, and administration ("SG&A") costs. SG&A costs were $4.5 million in 2009 versus $5.0 million in 2008. The reasons for the decrease in expense were attributable to depreciation expenses and reduced transportation costs in 2009.

GAAP net income for the 2009 year was $15.8 million, a 58.0% increase from $10.0 million for 2008. Net margin was 26.7% in 2009 and 24.0% in 2008. Earnings per share were $0.85 per diluted share in 2009, compared to $0.56 per diluted share in 2008. The Company reported 18.7 million diluted shares outstanding for 2009, compared to 17.9 million shares in 2008. Non-GAAP net income for the 2009 year was $15.2 million, a 52.0% increase from $10.0 million for 2008. Net margin was 25.6% in 2009 and 24.0% in 2008. Earnings per share were $0.84 per diluted share in 2009, compared to $0.56 per diluted share in 2008.

Financial Condition

As of December 31, 2009, the Company had $14.4 million in cash. Working capital was $32.4 million, up from $13.4 million as of December 31, 2008, with a current ratio of 3.0 based on GAAP numbers. Working capital was $29.0 million, up from $13.4 million as of December 31, 2008, with a current ratio of 2.5 based on non-GAAP numbers. Accounts receivable were $27.4 million, compared to $11.6 million as of December 31, 2008, which was attributable to increased sales volume during the year. Accounts receivable turnover in days for fiscal year 2009 was 120 days compared to 85 days in 2008. During the Company's peak selling season, the July through April harvesting season, receivables increased along with increased revenues. The Company's standard sales terms are 30 to 90 days. Current liabilities were $16.1 million compared to $16.7 million as of December 31, 2008 based on GAAP numbers. Current liabilities were $19.5 million compared to $16.7 million as of December 31, 2008 based on non-GAAP numbers Shareholder's equity was $67.6 million, a 58.7% increase from $42.6 million as of December 31, 2008 based on GAAP numbers. Shareholder's equity was $64.2 million, a 50.7% increase from $42.6 million as of December 31, 2008 based on non-GAAP numbers The Company had $5.4 million in short term loans as of December 31, 2009.

Recent Highlights and 2010 Guidance

In the fourth quarter of 2009, the investors of SkyPeople exercised 3.1 million warrants which yielded $7.9 million in gross proceeds for the Company. Proceeds were used to close on the acquisition of the Yingkou Trusty Fruits Co., Ltd., which produces apple concentrate, and add a pear concentrate production line in the current facility, thus increasing the overall capacity of SkyPeople's production facilities to 50,000 tons in 2010 from 30,000 tons.

In January of 2010, SkyPeople engaged a distributor of Hedetang(R) juices and ciders in Beijing and forecasted $7.0 million in sales from the new distribution partner. Previously, SkyPeople was marketing its products primarily in the Shaanxi Province and in close proximity to the Company's headquarters in Xi'an.

On January 19th, SkyPeople supported is sales and marketing strategies for the Hedetang(R) fruit juice and cider product lines by providing 2010 revenue guidance of $92.0 to $102.0 million, and net income guidance of $19.0 to $21.0 million. Growth is expected to be driven by enhanced distribution of its high-margin Hedetang(R) juices, leveraging its capacity expansion during is 2010 harvest seasons and increased orders from domestic and international customers of concentrates in China and from international markets as they continue to rebound.

About SkyPeople Fruit Juice, Inc.

SkyPeople Fruit Juice, Inc., a Florida company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Pacific Industry Holding Group Co., Ltd., a Vanuatu company, holds 99% ownership interest in Shaanxi Tianren Organic Food Co., Ltd. ("Shaanxi Tianren"). Shaanxi Tianren is a company organized according to the laws of the People's Republic of China. Shaanxi Tianren's main products are concentrated apple, kiwifruit, pear and other fruit juices for domestic and international consumers. Its brand, Hedetang(R), 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 utilizes the largest kiwifruit plantation in China and is a leading producer of concentrated kiwifruit juice in Asia. 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.

About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement our consolidated financial statements, which statements are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, we use the following non-GAAP financial measures: non-GAAP net income, and non-GAAP EPS. The presentation of this financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. We use these non-GAAP financial measures for financial and operational decision making and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons. Our management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our performance and liquidity by excluding certain expenses and expenditures that may not be indicative of our "recurring core business operating results," meaning our operating performance excluding not only non-cash charges, such as stock-based compensation, but also discrete cash charges that are infrequent in nature. We believe that both management and investors benefit from referring to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing our performance and when planning, forecasting and analyzing future periods. These non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate management's internal comparisons to our historical performance and liquidity as well as comparisons to our competitors' operating results. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors both because (1) they allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by management in its financial and operational decision making and (2) they are used by our institutional investors and the analyst community to help them analyze the health of our business.

For more information, please contact:

Company:

SkyPeople Fruit Juice, Inc.

Ms. Spring Liu, CFO

Tel: +1-818-390-1272

Email: spring_liu@skypeoplejuice.com

Web: http://www.skypeoplefruitjuice.com

Investor Relations:

John Mattio

HC International, Inc.

Tel: +1-203-616-5144 (US)

Email: john.mattio@hcinternational.net

Web: http://www.hcinternational.net

SKYPEOPLE FRUIT JUICE, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

December 31, December 31,

2009 2008

ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS

Cash and equivalents $14,404,500 $15,274,171

Accounts receivable, net of allowance 27,398,821 11,610,506

Other receivables 222,932 297,394

Inventories 4,925,625 1,844,397

Advances to suppliers and other

current assets 1,536,042 1,087,076

Total current assets 48,487,920 30,113,544

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, Net 23,855,648 20,406,967

LAND USAGE RIGHTS 6,577,834 6,404,771

OTHER ASSETS 4,740,242 2,362,049

TOTAL ASSETS $--

$83,661,644 59,287,331

LIABILITIES

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Accounts payable $2,684,113 $663,092

Accrued expenses 4,368,852 1,657,437

Accrued liquidated damages -- 254,301

Related party payables -- 23,452

Income taxes payable 2,592,493 1,450,433

Advances from customers 1,009,624 1,375,460

Short-term notes payable 5,420,531 11,256,871

Warrant liability 3,377,917 --

Total current liabilities 19,453,530 16,681,046

Commitments and contingencies

STOCKHOLDERS' 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

December 31, 2009 and December 31,

2008, respectively 3,448 3,448

Common Stock, $0.001 par value;

66,666,666 shares authorized;

17,952,894 and 14,847,857 shares

issued and outstanding as of

December 31, 2009 and December 31,

2008, respectively 17,953 14,848

Additional paid-in capital 26,699,154 13,999,593

Retained earnings 30,237,707 22,468,934

Accumulated other comprehensive income 4,487,706 4,573,143

Total SkyPeople Fruit Juice,

Inc. stockholders' equity 61,445,968 41,059,966

Noncontrolling interests 2,762,146 1,546,319

TOTAL EQUITY 64,208,114 42,606,285

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $83,661,644 $59,287,331

SKYPEOPLE FRUIT JUICE, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

For the Years Ended December 31,

2009 2008

Revenue $59,249,950 $41,648,605

Cost of Sales 33,869,358 23,607,409

Gross Margin 25,380,592 18,041,196

Operating Expenses

General and administrative

expenses 2,433,205 2,830,739

Selling expenses 918,406 1,453,461

Research and development

expenses 1,102,658 449,695

Liquidated damages -- 254,301

Total operating expenses 4,454,269 4,988,196

Income from Operations 20,926,323 13,053,000

Other Income (Expenses)

Interest income 68,495 63,775

Subsidy income 2,169,380 316,152

Interest expense (817,759) (932,048)

Change in fair value of

warrant liability (615,417) --

Other income 699,253 353,698

Total other income

(expenses) 1,503,952 (198,423)

Income Before Income Tax 22,430,275 12,854,577

Income Tax Provision 6,025,675 2,231,140

Net Income 16,404,600 10,623,437

Less: Net income attributable

to noncontrolling interests 1,215,827 613,135

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO

SKYPEOPLE FRUIT JUICE, INC. $15,188,773 $10,010,302

Earnings Per Share:

Basic earnings per share $0.84 $0.56

Diluted earnings per share *$0.84 $0.56

Weighted Average Shares

Outstanding

Basic 15,333,419 14,820,223

Diluted 18,682,755 17,887,974

Comprehensive Income

Net income $16,404,600 $10,623,437

Foreign currency translation

adjustment (114,730) 1,688,725

Comprehensive Income $16,289,870 $12,312,162

Comprehensive income

attributable to the

noncontrolling interest 1,186,534 613,135

Comprehensive Income

Attributable to SkyPeople Fruit

Juice, Inc. $15,103,336 $11,699,027

-- The effect of change in fair value of warrant liability was not

included for the computation of diluted earnings per share for the year

ended as the inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

SKYPEOPLE FRUIT JUICE, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW

For the Years Ended December 31,

2009 2008

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Net income $16,404,600 $10,623,437

Adjustments to reconcile net income

to net cash flow provided by

operating activities

Bad debt 24,903 17,690

Depreciation and amortization 2,012,212 1,903,117

Change in fair value of warrant

liability 615,417 --

Loss on sale of property, plant and

equipment -- 1,282

Changes in operating assets and

liabilities, net of acquisitions

Accounts receivable (15,810,828) (1,798,369)

Other receivables 436,717 (233,740)

Prepaid expenses and other current

assets 1,056,202 (1,052,874)

Inventories (3,068,506) 2,873,565

Accounts payable 1,912,764 (2,512,196)

Accrued expenses (1,019,432) 291,347

Accrued liquidated damages -- 254,301

Income tax payable 1,142,214 2,048,172

Advances from customers (364,969) 605,042

Net cash provided by operating

activities 3,341,294 13,020,774

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Purchase of Yingkou (3,323,913) --

Prepayment for other assets (2,323,779) (359,264)

Paid off Huludao Wonder's debt -- (2,220,394)

Deposits to purchase target company -- (2,155,583)

Additions to fixed assets (454,997) (2,924,217)

Loan repayment from related parties -- 600,335

Loan advanced to related parties -- (101,966)

Proceeds from sale of property, plant

and equipment -- 5,030

Net cash used in investing activities (6,102,689) (7,156,059)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Proceeds from stock issuance 7,790,865 3,115,072

Repayment of short-term loans (19,006,340) (14,198,105)

Proceeds from short-term loans 13,178,510 16,353,688

Prepayments of related party loans -- (121,752)

Advanced from related party -- --

Payment of dividends to

noncontrolling interests -- (311,984)

Net cash provided by (used in)

financing activities 1,963,035 4,836,919

NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND

CASH EQUIVALENTS (798,360) 10,701,634

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING

OF YEAR 15,274,171 4,094,238

Effect of Changes in Exchange Rate (71,311) 478,299

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF

YEAR $14,404,500 $15,274,171

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow

information:

Cash paid for interest $817,759 $951,888

Cash paid for income taxes $4,765,198 $2,231,133

Purchase of Huludao, offset by

related party receivables $-- $6,887,391

Supplementary disclosures of

significant non-cash transactions:

(Reversal of)/provision for

liquidated damages $(254,301) $254,301

Change in fair value of warrant

liability $615,417 $--

Source: SkyPeople Fruit Juice, Inc.
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