China XD Plastics Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2011 Financial Results

HARBIN, China, March 26, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- China XD Plastics Company Limited (NASDAQ: CXDC, "China XD Plastics" or the "Company"), one of China's leading specialty chemical players engaged in the development, manufacture and sale of modified plastics primarily for automotive applications, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and the full year ended December 31, 2011.

Full Year 2011 Financial Highlights

• Revenue was $381.6 million, an increase of 52.8% from $249.8 million in 2010
• Gross profit was $95.8 million, an increase of 55.7% from $61.5 million in 2010
• Gross profit margin was 25.1%, compared to 24.6% in 2010
• Net income was $60.5 million, compared to $28.8 million in 2010
• Total volume shipped was 151,271 metric tons, up 33.0% from 113,721 metric tons in 2010

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2011 Highlights

• Revenue was $113.9 million, an increase of 57.3% from $72.4 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010
• Gross profit was $29.3 million, an increase of 57.7% from $18.6 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010
• Gross profit margin was 25.7%, compared to 25.6% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010
• Net income was $18.5 million, compared to $6.4 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010
• Total volume shipped was 40,988 metric tons, up 37.1% from 29,907 metric tons in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010

Mr. Jie Han, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of China XD Plastics, commented "I am pleased to report another year of record revenues and profit growth. As evidenced by the higher volumes shipped, we continue to experience strong demands for our products across our portfolio. The increase of higher average selling prices, partially resulting from our continued shift in sales mix to higher value-added products, drove gross margin expansion for the year. As market demand grew for these higher margin products and as part of our long-term growth strategy, we continued to increase our investment in research and development. We believe this strategy is the key to further strengthening our leading market position and will help us deliver long-term value for our stockholders. In addition, we successfully launched our third production base in December 2011 with additional 90,000 metric tons of annual production capacity across 20 new production lines stationed in two factories in the production base. The additional capacity already contributed to the Company's production during the first quarter of 2012. In addition, there are three additional factories which are currently in construction in our third production base and are expected to be completed and deployed with 30 additional production lines in the second half of 2012 to further expand our capacity potential by approximately 135,000 metric tons to support our future growth in 2013."

Full Year 2011 Financial Results

Revenues for the fiscal year 2011 were $381.6 million, representing a year-over-year increase of 52.8% from $249.8 million in the fiscal year 2010. The increase in revenues was primarily due to both higher sales volumes and average selling prices, driven by increasing demand for automotive modified plastics from continuing strong sales of mid- and high-end branded automobiles by the Company's major customers, and a shift in product mix to include a greater percentage of sales of higher margin and higher value-added products. For the fiscal year 2011, sales of higher margin products represented 49.1% of revenues, compared to 40.8% of revenues in the fiscal year 2010.

Gross profit for the fiscal year 2011 was $95.8 million, up 55.7% from $61.5 million in the fiscal year 2010. Gross margin was 25.1%, compared to 24.6% in the same period of the prior year. The year-over-year increase in gross margin was mainly due to a shift in the Company's product mix to higher margin and higher value-added products.

General and administrative ("G&A") expenses were $7.1 million, compared to $19.9 million for the same period of the prior year. This decrease is primarily due to the compensation expense of US$ 13.4 million recognized in 2010 related to non-cash stock option arrangement between a former major stockholder and Mr. Han, which was disclosed in our Current Report on Form 8-K on April 14, 2010. The option arrangement was fully settled and recognized by 2010. Research and development ("R&D") expenses were $11.6 million, or 3.1% of revenues, compared to $7.4 million, or 3.0% of revenues, in the same period of the prior year. The increase in R&D expenses was due to the Company's ongoing efforts to further expand its product offering and obtain new product certifications from automobile manufacturers ("AM"), ultimately to increase product revenues and gross margin. During 2011, the Company successfully launched 34 new AM certified products, which increased its total number of AM certified products to 211, and currently has 75 new products under the process of research and development or certification.

Operating income for the fiscal year 2011 was $76.8 million, or 20.1% of revenues, an increase of 128.0% over operating income of $33.7 million, or 13.5% of revenues, in the same period of the prior year.

Net income for the fiscal year 2011 was $60.5 million, compared to a net income of $28.8 million for the same period of the prior year.

Basic and diluted earnings per share were $1.17 and $1.16, respectively.  

Basic average numbers of shares used in computation of basic earnings per share for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 increased 3.5 million to 47.3 million from 43.8 million in the same period of the prior year.

Weighted average numbers of shares used in computation of diluted earnings per share for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 increased 3.0 million to 47.3 million from 44.3 million in the same period of the prior year.

EBITDA (Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) for the fiscal year 2011 was $85.6 million, an increase of 56.3% from EBITDA of $54.7 million in the same period of the prior year. For a detailed reconciliation of EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, to its nearest GAAP equivalent, please see the financial tables at the end of this release.

Adjusted net income, excluding non-cash charges associated with share-based compensation, deferred income tax benefit and change in fair value of derivative liabilities for the fiscal year 2011 was $58.8 million, or $1.24 per basic and diluted share. For a detailed reconciliation of adjusted net income, a non-GAAP measure, to GAAP net income, please see the financial tables at the end of this release.

Fourth Quarter 2011 Results

Revenues for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 were $113.9 million, representing a year-over-year increase of 57.3% from $72.4 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010. The increase in revenues was due to both higher sales volumes and ASP, driven by increasing demand for automotive modified plastics used in the parts of mid- and high-end branded automobiles by the Company's major customers, and a shift in product mix to include a greater percentage of sales of higher margin and higher value-added products.

Gross profit for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 was $29.3 million, up 57.7% from $18.6 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010. Gross margin was 25.7%, compared to 25.6% in the same period of the prior year. The year-over-year increase in gross margin was mainly due to a shift in the Company's product mix to higher margin and higher value-added products.

G&A expenses were $2.3 million, compared to $1.5 million for the same period of the prior year. R&D expenses were $2.6 million, or 2.2% of revenues, compared to $2.2 million, or 3.1% of revenues, in the same period of the prior year. The increase in R&D expenses was due to the Company's ongoing efforts to further expand its product offering and obtain new product certifications, ultimately to increase product revenue and margin. During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company successfully launched nine new AM certified products, which increased its total number of AM certified products to 211, and currently has 75 new products under research and development.

Operating income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 was $24.4 million, or 21.4% of revenues, an increase of 65.9% over operating income of $14.7 million, or 20.3% of revenues, in the same period of the prior year.

Net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 was $18.5 million, compared to a net income of $6.4 million for the same period of the prior year.

Basic and diluted earnings per share were $0.29, a significant increase when compared to last year's results, which was at $0.14 and $0.09, respectively. 

Basic average numbers of shares used in computation of basic earnings per share for the three months ended December 31, 2011 increased 1.3 million to 47.5 million from 46.2 million in the same period of the prior year.

Weighted average numbers of shares used in computation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended December 31, 2011 increased 1.0 million to 47.5 million from 46.5 million in the same period of the prior year.

EBITDA (Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $26.6 million, a decrease of 7.1% from EBITDA of $28.7 million in the same period of the prior year. For a detailed reconciliation of EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, to its nearest GAAP equivalent, please see the financial tables at the end of this release.

Adjusted net income, excluding non-cash charges associated with share-based compensation, deferred income tax benefit and change in fair value of derivative liabilities for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $19.1 million, or $0.40 per basic and diluted share. For a detailed reconciliation of adjusted net income, a non-GAAP measure, to GAAP net income, please see the financial tables at the end of this release.

Financial Condition

As of December 31, 2011, China XD Plastics had $135.5 million in cash and cash equivalents, $186.6 million in working capital and a current ratio of 4.0. Stockholders' equity as of December 31, 2011 was $173.9 million, compared to $104.3 million as of December 31, 2010.

Recent Events

On December 13, 2011, the Company successfully launched its third production base with 20 new production lines in Harbin as part of the Company's previously announced capacity expansion plan. The new production lines are utilized primarily for the manufacture of higher value-added modified plastics products. The additional capacity started to contribute to the Company's production capacity during the first quarter of 2012. Once fully ramped up during the second quarter of 2012, the lines will increase the Company's total production capacity by 90,000 metric tons to 255,000 metric tons per annum.

On November 4, 2011, the Company was certified as National Enterprise Technology Center. The Company had started the preparation of its Enterprise Technology Center since 2004 in order to efficiently integrate its R&D resources for product development and certification and to build a solid foundation for the Company's growth strategy. In 2006 and 2007, the Company was certified as Municipal and Provincial Enterprise Technology Center, enabling it to cooperate with external and provincial-level research institutions, to undertake municipal and provincial-level technology and research projects and to attract more qualified R&D talents. As a result of its consistent commitment to R&D and growing R&D staff attracted by its R&D establishment including Post-PhD Research WorkStation and Enterprise Academy Member WorkStation, the Company was certified as the National Enterprise Technology Center, the only institution certified as such in the modified plastics industry in Heilongjiang, a testimony of its leadership position and R&D competitive advantage in the industry. This certification makes us eligible for participation of issuing modified plastics industry standards, undertaking national-level technology and research projects, and preferential government policies, etc. With the above-mentioned development and achievement, the Company has built a robust R&D platform with focus on cutting-edge technology and high-value-added products, which cemented the Company's leading position in modified plastics industry in China and will assist us to gradually diversify our exposure to more verticals within specialty chemical industry with the backdrop of our automotive modified plastics business.

On September 28, 2011, the Company successfully closed the previously-announced $100 million investment by Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia ("MSPEA"), one of the leading private equity investors in Asia, in the Company. Under the terms of the transaction, MSPEA purchased 16,000,000 shares of redeemable convertible preferred shares of the Company that are convertible into common stock at an initial conversion price of US$6.25 per share, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments. Holders of the redeemable convertible preferred shares will participate in common stock dividends on an as-converted basis. The Company also appointed two members of MSPEA, Homer Sun, Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director, and Jun Xu, Managing Director, to serve on the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board").

Business Outlook and Guidance

Given the Company's strong performance during the fiscal year 2011 and positive outlook on customer demand for its products for 2012, the Company now expects revenues for fiscal 2012 to range between $550 million and $580 million, and non-GAAP adjusted net income to range between $82 million and $85 million, excluding any non-cash charges related to stock based compensation and change in fair value of existing derivative liabilities. This forecast based on constant exchange rates and reflects the Company's current and preliminary view, which is subject to change.

Mr. Han concluded, "2011 marked another excellent year of performance for China XD Plastics in which we generated strong operational and financial results and further built on our leadership position in the marketplace. We are pleased with the development of our product mix and product certifications, both key areas we believe give us significant competitive advantages as we continue to expand our customer base and increase sales. Looking ahead, we continue to be enthusiastic about the prospects for our business. Demand for our products remains strong, the implementation of additional capacity and product lines is on schedule, and we are making the necessary investments in R&D to ensure we are well positioned to leverage positive market dynamics both now and in the future. In light of our strong performance in 2011 and positive growth trends for the sector and our business we remain optimistic about business and growth in 2012."

Conference Call

China XD Plastics' management will host a conference call at 9:00 a.m. ET on Monday, March 26, 2012, to discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2011 financial results. The conference call may be accessed by calling +1-866-519-4004 (for callers in the U.S.) or +65-6723-9381 (for international callers) and entering pass code 62701970.

A recording of the conference call will be available through April 3, 2012, by calling +1-866-214-5335 (for callers in the U.S.) or +61-282-355-000 (for callers outside the U.S.) and entering pass code 62701970.

A live webcast and replay of the conference call will be available on the investor relations page of the Company's website at http://www.chinaxd.net.

About China XD Plastics Company Limited

China XD Plastics Company Limited, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the "Company"), develops, manufactures and sells modified plastics, primarily for automotive applications. The Company's products are used in the exterior and interior trim and in the functional components of 23 automobile brands manufactured in China, including AUDI, BMW, Toyota, Buick, Mazda, VW Golf, Jetta, and Hafei new energy vehicles. The Company's wholly-owned research center is dedicated to the research and development of modified plastics, and benefits from its cooperation with well-known scientists from prestigious universities in China. As of December 31, 2011, 211 of the Company's products have been certified for use by one or more of the automobile manufacturers in China. For more information please visit http://www.chinaxd.net.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact in this announcement are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, the Company's ability to raise additional capital to finance the Company's activities; the effectiveness, profitability, and the marketability of its products; legal and regulatory risks; the ability for the 20 new production lines added in the fiscal year 2011 and an additional 30 production lines expected to be added in the fiscal year 2012 to increase the Company's annual production capacity; the Company's ability to execute its growth strategy; the future trading of the common stock of the Company; the Company's ability to operate as a public company; the period of time for which its current liquidity will enable the Company to fund its operations; the Company's ability to protect its proprietary information; general economic and business conditions; the volatility of the Company's operating results and financial condition; the Company's ability to attract or retain qualified senior management personnel and research and development staff; and other risks detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on its website at http://www.sec.gov. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about the Company and the industry. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or to changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that its expectations will turn out to be correct, and investors are cautioned that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results.

Contacts:

China XD Plastics
Mr. Taylor Zhang, CFO (New York)
Phone: +1-212-747-1118
Email: [email protected]

Mr. Allan Lao, IR Manager (Harbin)
Phone: +86-451-8434-6600
Email: [email protected]

-Financial Tables Follow-

*Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to Non-GAAP Adjusted Net Income

GAAP results for the three months and years ended December 31, 2011 and fiscal year 2010 include non-cash charges. To supplement the Company's consolidated financial statements presented on a GAAP basis, the Company has provided non-GAAP financial information excluding the impact of those items in this release. The calculation of earnings per share in this table does not take into consideration the effect of participating securities' rights to undistributed earnings and hence differs from that applying the two-class method under US GAAP. The Company's management believes that this non-GAAP measure provides investors with a better understanding of how the results relate to the Company's historical performance. A reconciliation of the adjustments to GAAP results appears in the table accompanying this press release. This additional non-GAAP information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP financials. The non-GAAP financial information that the Company provides also may differ from the non-GAAP information provided by other companies.

SOURCE China XD Plastics Company Limited

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