China Automotive Systems Reports 2019 Second Quarter Unaudited Financial Results

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Aug 08, 2019, 06:00 ET

WUHAN, China, Aug. 8, 2019 /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, 2019.

Second Quarter 2019 Highlights

Net sales decreased 15.9% to $105.7 million from $125.8 million in the second quarter of 2018;
Gross profit declined 10.8% to $15.2 million and the gross margin increased to 14.4% from 13.5% in the second quarter of 2018;
Income from operations increased 369.2% to $2.7 million with an operating margin of 2.6% compared with $0.6 million and an operating margin of 0.5% in the second quarter of 2018;
Net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders increased to $2.5 million or diluted earnings per share of $0.08, compared to net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders of $0.8 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.03, in the second quarter of 2018.

First Six Months of 2019 Highlights

Net sales decreased 17.3% to $214.9 million, compared to $259.8 million in the first six months of 2018;
Gross profit decreased to $29.2 million, compared to $38.7 million in the first six months of 2018; gross margin decreased to 13.6% in the first six months of 2019, compared to 14.9% in the first six months of 2018;
Income from operations decreased to $3.8 million from $5.2 million with an operating margin of 1.8% compared with 2.0% in the second quarter of 2018;
Net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders was $4.0 million compared to $5.2 million in the first six months of 2018; diluted earnings per share attributable to parent company's common shareholders was $0.13, compared to diluted earnings per share attributable to parent company's common shareholders of $0.16 in the first six months of 2018.

Mr. Qizhou Wu, chief executive officer of CAAS, commented, "Our sales in the second quarter of 2019 reflected the slowing economy in China and softer consumer spending. As a leading supplier of steering products to the Chinese automobile market, our sales are affected by the performance of the OEM market. Automobile production has been disrupted by a pre-buy of less expensive National V-compliant vehicles before the stricter National VI emission standards are nationally implemented. Chinese-branded passenger vehicle sales declined by 27.9% year-over-year in April 2019 followed by a decline in May 2019 of 28.1% year-over-year. We anticipate that our new product development with Hyoseong Electric Co. Ltd. to sell electric motors for electric power steering systems, and a new development program for a recirculating-ball steering system with a major client's autonomous vehicle development, will offer new growth opportunities for the future. We continue to build advanced steering products and broaden our product line to meet the needs of the marketplace and ensure our leadership position."

Second Quarter of 2019

In the second quarter of 2019, net sales decreased 15.9% to $105.7 million, compared to $125.8 million in the same quarter of 2018. Net sales of traditional steering products declined by 15.9% as demand weakened in the Chinese domestic brand automobile market. Additionally, Company's sales to its North American customers declined by $1.1 million. Sales of electric power steering ("EPS") represented 21.4% of total net sales.

Gross profit decreased to $15.2 million in the second quarter of 2019, compared to $17.0 million in the second quarter of 2018. The gross margin was 14.4% in the second quarter of 2019, versus 13.5% in the second quarter of 2018. The gross profit decrease was mainly due to lower sales, higher unit cost and a change in product mix.

Gain on other sales was $2.5 million in the second quarter of 2019, compared to $1.0 million in the second quarter of 2018.

Selling expenses were $3.9 million in the second quarter of 2019, compared to $4.9 million in the second quarter of 2018. The decrease was mainly due to lower logistics expenses related to decreased sales during the quarter. Selling expenses represented 3.7% of net sales in the second quarter of 2019 compared with 3.9% in the second quarter of 2018.

General and administrative expenses ("G&A expenses") were $4.4 million in the second quarter of each of 2019 and 2018. G&A expenses represented 4.2% of net sales in the second quarter of 2019 compared to 3.5% in the second quarter of 2018. The percentage increase was mainly due to reduced sales in the second quarter of 2019.

Research and development expenses ("R&D expenses") decreased 18.5% to $6.6 million in the second quarter of 2019, compared to $8.1 million in the second quarter of 2018. R&D expenses continue to focus on the development of the Company's EPS and other new products. R&D expenses represented 6.2% of sales in the second quarter of 2019, compared with 6.4% in the second quarter of 2018.

Income from operations was $2.7 million in the second quarter of 2019, compared to $0.6 million in the same quarter of 2018. The increase was primarily due to a higher gain on other sales and lower operating costs. As a percentage of net sales, the operating margin was 2.6% in the second quarter of 2019, compared to 0.5% in the second quarter of 2018.

Net financial income in the second quarter of 2019 was $1.6 million compared with $0.9 million in the second quarter of 2018.

Income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies increased 143.5% to $3.1 million in the second quarter of 2019, compared to $1.3 million in the second quarter of 2018.

Net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders increased 196.3% to $2.5 million in the second quarter of 2019, compared to net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders of $0.8 million in the corresponding quarter of 2018. Diluted earnings per share were $0.08 in the second quarter of 2019, compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.03 in the second quarter of 2018. The weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding was 31,499,577 in the second quarter of 2019, compared to 31,647,305 in the second quarter of 2018.

First Six Months of 2019

Net sales decreased 17.3% to $214.9 million in the first six months of 2019, compared to $259.8 million in the first six months of 2018. Six-month gross profit was $29.2 million, compared to $38.7 million in the corresponding period last year. Six-month gross margin was 13.6% in the first six months of 2019 compared to 14.9% in the corresponding period in 2018. The gain on other sales was $3.8 million in the first six months of 2019 compared with $2.5 million in the corresponding period last year. Income from operations was $3.8 million in the first six months of 2019, compared to $5.2 million in the first six months of 2018. Operating margin was 1.8% in the first six months of 2019, compared to 2.0% in the corresponding period of 2018.

Net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders was $4.0 million in the first six months of 2019, compared to $5.2 million in the corresponding period in 2018. Diluted earnings per share were $0.13 in the first six months of 2019, compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.16 in the corresponding period of 2018.

As of June 30, 2019, cash and equivalents, and pledged cash were $89.1 million. Total accounts receivable including notes receivable were $255.1 million. Accounts payable were $184.1 million and short-term loans were $71.0 million. Total parent company stockholders' equity was $308.5 million as of June 30, 2019, compared to $304.8 million as of December 31, 2018.

Net cash used in operating activities was $25.7 million in the first six months of 2019 compared with net cash used in operating activities of $5.4 million in the first six months of 2018. Payments to acquire property, plant and equipment were $10.3 million compared with $17.3 million in the first six months of 2018.

Business Outlook

Management revised its revenue guidance for the full year 2019 to $430 million from US$510 million. This target is based on the Company's current views on operating and market conditions, which are subject to change.

Unaudited Second Quarter 2019 Conference Call

Management will conduct a conference call on August 8, 2019 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)
China Toll Free: +86-400-120-2840

A replay of the call will be available on the Company's website in the investor relations section.

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 nine 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 6 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 Group LLC 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 28, 2019, 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: [email protected]

Kevin Theiss
Investor Relations
+1-212-521-4050
Email: [email protected]

-- tables follow –

China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
(In thousands of USD, except share and per share amounts)


	Three Months Ended June 30,
	2019		2018
Net product sales ($14,310 and $10,856 sold to related parties for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018)	$	105,748	$	125,782
Cost of products sold ($6,130 and $7,428 purchased from related parties for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018)		90,563		108,761
Gross profit		15,185		17,021
Gain on other sales		2,485		977
Less: Operating expenses
Selling expenses		3,859		4,887
General and administrative expenses		4,434		4,442
Research and development expenses		6,637		8,085
Total operating expenses		14,930		17,414
Income from operations		2,740		584
Other (expense)/income, net		(447)		600
Interest expense		(731)		(801)
Financial income, net		1,552		897
Income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies		3,114		1,280
Less: Income taxes		674		202
Equity in loss of affiliated companies		(207)		(82)
Net income		2,233		996
Net (loss)/gain attributable to non-controlling interests		(277)		149
Net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders	$	2,510	$	847
Comprehensive income:
Net income	$	2,233	$	996
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation loss, net of tax		(6,881)		(17,467)
Comprehensive loss		(4,648)		(16,471)
Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interests		(776)		(431)
Comprehensive loss attributable to parent company	$	(3,872)	$	(16,040)

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

Basic -	$	0.08	$	0.03

Diluted -	$	0.08	$	0.03
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
Basic		31,497,723		31,644,004
Diluted		31,499,577		31,647,305

China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
(In thousands of USD, except share and per share amounts)


	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2019		2018
Net product sales ($27,146 and $21,702 sold to related parties for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018)	$	214,941	$	259,800
Cost of products sold ($11,634 and $15,677 purchased from related parties for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018)		185,711		221,140
Gross profit		29,230		38,660
Gain on other sales		3,754		2,490
Less: Operating expenses
Selling expenses		6,944		10,714
General and administrative expenses		9,024		8,866
Research and development expenses		13,239		16,392
Total operating expenses		29,207		35,972
Income from operations		3,777		5,178
Other income, net		960		1,221
Interest expense		(1,299)		(1,216)
Financial income, net		887		132
Income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies		4,325		5,315
Less: Income taxes		872		790
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies		4		503
Net income		3,457		5,028
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests		(520)		(131)
Net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders	$	3,977	$	5,159
Comprehensive income:
Net income	$	3,457	$	5,028
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation loss, net of tax		(518)		(4,225)
Comprehensive income		2,939		803
Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interests		(562)		(195)
Comprehensive income attributable to parent company	$	3,501	$	998

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

Basic -	$	0.13	$	0.16

Diluted -	$	0.13	$	0.16
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
Basic		31,501,889		31,644,004
Diluted		31,505,721		31,645,655

China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands of USD unless otherwise indicated)


	June 30, 2019		December 31, 2018
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	70,866	$	86,346
Pledged cash		18,194		29,623
Accounts and notes receivable, net - unrelated parties		225,681		237,519
Accounts and notes receivable - related parties		29,449		18,825
Inventories		90,850		88,021
Other current assets		30,880		35,094
Total current assets		465,920		495,428
Non-current assets:
Property, plant and equipment, net		142,008		129,853
Long-term investments		35,459		32,620
Other non-current assets		27,357		32,598
Total assets	$	670,744	$	690,499

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Short-term loans	$	70,976	$	60,952
Accounts and notes payable - unrelated parties		176,118		205,643
Accounts and notes payable - related parties		8,041		4,477
Accrued expenses and other payables		43,964		47,032
Other current liabilities		21,154		23,196
Total current liabilities		320,253		341,300
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term government loan		291		291
Other long-term payable		6,905		8,726
Long-term tax payable		26,693		29,503
Other non-current liabilities		8,073		5,852
Total liabilities	$	362,215	$	385,672


Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.0001 par value - Authorized - 80,000,000 shares; Issued - 32,338,302 and 32,338,302 shares as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively	$	3	$	3
Additional paid-in capital		64,429		64,429
Retained earnings-
Appropriated		11,104		11,104
Unappropriated		215,416		211,439
Accumulated other comprehensive income		1,379		1,855
Treasury stock – 840,579 and 711,698 shares as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively		(3,295)		(2,953)
Total parent company stockholders' equity		289,036		285,877
Non-controlling interests		19,493		18,950
Total stockholders' equity		308,529		304,827
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	670,744	$	690,499

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,
	2019		2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	3,457	$	5,028
Adjustments to reconcile net income from operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		9,277		8,837
(Reversal)/accrual of provision for doubtful accounts		(673)		242
Inventory write downs		2,232		3,456
Deferred income taxes		(1,124)		(231)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies		(4)		(503)
(Gain)/loss on fixed assets disposals		(733)		9
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
(Increase)/decrease in:
Accounts and notes receivable		969		6,644
Inventories		(5,526)		(16,062)
Other current assets		4,645		(1,374)
Increase/(decrease) in:
Accounts and notes payable		(31,049)		(15,574)
Accrued expenses and other payables		(3,055)		2,245
Long-term taxes payable		(2,810)		-
Other current liabilities		(1,336)		1,890
Net cash used in operating activities		(25,730)		(5,393)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Increase in demand loans and employee housing loans included in other non-current assets		1,057		1,190
Cash received from property, plant and equipment sales		700		199
Payments to acquire property, plant and equipment (including $2,271 and $5,694 paid to related parties for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively)		(10,335)		(17,299)
Payments to acquire intangible assets		(1,387)		-
Investment under equity method		(2,348)		(5,957)
Purchase of short-term investments		(17,031)		(18,502)
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments		17,087		21,687
Government subsidy received for purchase of property, plant and equipment		1,898		-
Cash received from long-term investment		579		-
Cash received from repayment of the loan to a related party		-		20,430
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities		(9,780)		1,748
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from bank loans		29,036		19,672
Repayments of bank loans		(18,910)		(35,664)
Proceeds from sale and leaseback transaction		-		11,758
Repayments of the borrowing for sale and leaseback transaction		(2,116)		(1,125)
Dividends paid to non-controlling interest holders of non- wholly owned subsidiaries		(333)		-
Cash received from capital contributions by non-controlling interest holder		1,438		-
Repurchase of common shares		(342)		-
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities		8,773		(5,359)
Effects of exchange rate on cash, cash equivalents and pledged cash		(172)		(1,604)
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and pledged cash		(26,909)		(10,608)
Cash, cash equivalents and pledged cash at beginning of the period		115,969		96,093
Cash, cash equivalents and pledged cash at end of the period	$	89,060	$	85,485