China BAK Reports Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2011 Financial Results

SHENZHEN, China, Aug. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- China BAK Battery, Inc. ("China BAK", the "Company", or "we") (Nasdaq: CBAK), a leading global manufacturer of lithium-based battery cells, today announced its financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2011 ended June 30, 2011 ("Q3 2011").

Recent Achievements and Highlights

  • In Q3 2011, the Company successfully achieved a turnaround in its cylindrical battery cells business
  • During the third quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company's Tianjin subsidiary, BAK Tianjin received additional orders for high-power lithium battery cells used in e-bikes
  • The Company's high-power lithium battery cells revenue more than doubled in the third quarter of fiscal 2011 compared to the year ago period

Financial Highlights

Net revenues for the third quarter were $47.1 million, up 0.9% from $46.7 million last quarter and down 19.5% from $58.6 million for the same period in fiscal 2010.

Revenues from prismatic products, including aluminum-case cells and battery packs, which are used in mobile phones and certain personal electronic devices, were $25.8 million, down 11.3% from $29.0 million last quarter and down 39.8% from $42.8 million for the same period in fiscal 2010. The decline in prismatic products was mainly attributable to decline in sales volume as a result of the introduction of built-in high capacity polymer batteries being adopted by domestic OEM customers.

Revenues from cylindrical cells used in notebook computers were $17.3 million, up 13.8% from $15.2 million last quarter and up 35.4% from $12.8 million for the same period in fiscal 2010.

Revenues from lithium polymer cells, used in personal electronic devices such as PDAs, MP3 players and Bluetooth devices, were $2.0 million, up 19.8% from last quarter and down 11.7% from the same period in fiscal 2010.

Revenues from high-power lithium battery cells, used in electric vehicles, electric bicycles, power tools, uninterruptible power supplies, and other applications manufactured at the Company's Tianjin facility, were $2.1 million, up 161.0% from last quarter and up 194.5% from the same period in fiscal 2010.

Gross profit for the third quarter of fiscal year 2011 was $3.6 million, compared to gross profit of $4.4 million last quarter and gross loss of $1.2 million in the same quarter of last year. The decline in gross profit from the prior quarter was mainly attributable to decline in sales volume of prismatic cell phone battery cells as a result of the decline in the shipment of replacement market cell phones in China and intense market competition.

Operating expenses totaled $8.9 million, or 18.9% of revenue, in the third quarter up 42.1% from $6.3 million, or 13.4% of revenue, in the last quarter and down 48.1% from $17.2 million, or 29.4% of revenue, in the third quarter of fiscal 2010. Research and development expenses were $1.8 million, or 3.9% of revenue, down 4.8% from $1.9 million, or 4.1% of revenue in the last quarter and down 13.7% from $2.1 million, or 3.6% of revenue in the same quarter of fiscal 2010. Sales and marketing expenses were $2.0 million, or 4.3% of revenue down 7.1% from $2.2 million, or 4.7% of revenue in the last quarter and down 21.1% from $2.6 million, or 4.4% of revenue in the same quarter of fiscal 2010. General and administrative expenses were $5.1 million, or 10.7% of revenue up 134.5% from $2.1 million, or 4.6% of revenue in the last quarter and down 32.1% from $7.4 million or 12.7% of revenue in the same quarter of fiscal 2010.

Operating loss for the third quarter was $5.3 million compared to operating loss of $1.8 million in the last quarter and operating loss of $18.4 million in the same quarter of fiscal 2010.

Net loss was $7.2 million, or diluted loss per share of $0.12, in the third quarter of fiscal 2011 compared to net loss of $4.1 million, or diluted loss per share of $0.06, in the last quarter and net loss of $18.3 million, or diluted loss per share of $0.29, in the same quarter of fiscal 2010.

Financial Condition

On June 30, 2011 China BAK had $17.1 million in cash and cash equivalents. For the third quarter of fiscal year 2011, Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) decreased to 155 days from 177 days last quarter and Days Sales of Inventory increased to 151 days from 143 days last quarter. Short-term bank loans and long-term bank loans totaled $176.1 million as compared to $173.0 million on March 31, 2011. Shareholders' equity totaled $142.1 million. China BAK had $64.0 million available for borrowing under its credit facilities. The Company generated $3.3 million from cash flow from operating activities in the third quarter of fiscal 2011.

Business Outlook

"The increase in our cylindrical and high-power lithium battery cells business during the third quarter of fiscal 2011 was in line with our expectations," commented Xiangqian Li, CEO of China BAK. "The sharp decline in market demand for replacement batteries in April and May of 2011 resulted in a decline in sales of our prismatic battery cell products to the replacement market. In the current market environment, we are actively promoting shipment of our products to major local smart phone players, such as Huawei and ZTE. At the same time, we are focusing our efforts to enter into cooperation with international OEM customers such as Samsung and Vodafone."

Ke Marcus Cui, CFO of China BAK commented, "We reported positive operating cash flow of $3.3 million in the third fiscal quarter, reflecting progress in collection of our receivables. We are encouraged by the positive feedback from Dongfeng-Yulon Motor Sales Co., Ltd., which delivered its pure electric vehicles powered by China BAK's battery cells to the public transportation authority of the city of Hangzhou in June 2011. We expect to receive additional orders from auto manufacturers in the electric vehicles segment in the near term."

Conference Call

China BAK will host a conference call at 8:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, August 2, 2011 to discuss results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2011 ended June 30, 2011. Joining Xiangqian Li, China BAK's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer on the call will be Ke Marcus Cui, Chief Financial Officer, and Huanyu Mao, Director and Chief Technology Officer. To participate in the conference call, please dial the following number approximately fifteen minutes prior to the scheduled conference call time: 877-847-0047 or 212-444-0113. International callers should dial 852-3006-8101. The pass code for the call is 652-045. If you are unable to participate in the call at this time, a replay will be available from 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, August 2, 2011 through 11:00 p.m. ET, Wednesday, August 17, 2011. To access the replay, please dial 866-572-7808. International callers should dial (852) 3012-8000. The pass code for the replay is 652-045. The conference call will be broadcast live over the Internet and can be accessed by all interested parties on the China BAK website at http://www.bak.com.cn/. To listen to the live webcast, please go to China BAK's website at least fifteen minutes prior to the start of the call to register, download and install any necessary audio software. A replay of the conference call will also be available after the call on China BAK's website for a period of one year.

About China BAK Battery Inc.

China BAK Battery, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBAK) is a leading global manufacturer of lithium-based battery cells. The Company produces battery cells that are the principal component of rechargeable batteries commonly used in cellular phones, smartphones, notebook computers, e-bikes, electric vehicles, power tools, uninterruptible power supplies, and portable consumer electronics such as portable media players, portable gaming devices, personal digital assistants, or PDAs, camcorders, digital cameras, and Bluetooth headsets. China BAK Battery, Inc.'s production facilities, located in Shenzhen and Tianjin, PRC, cover over three million square feet. For more information regarding China BAK Battery, Inc., please visit http://www.bak.com.cn.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are subject to change. The forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All "forward-looking statements" relating to the business of China BAK Battery, Inc. and its subsidiary companies, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects" or similar expressions, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ. These factors include but are not limited to: risks related to China BAK's business and risks related to operating in China. Please refer to China BAK's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, as well as China BAK's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q that have been filed since the date of such annual report, for specific details on risk factors. Given these risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. China BAK's actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. China BAK undertakes no obligation to revise or update its forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.

-Financial Tables Follow-

Table 1

China BAK Battery, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss

For the Three Months Ended June 3 0 , 201 1 , March 3 1 , 201 1 and June 3 0 , 20 10

(Amounts in thousands , except per share data)



Three Months Ended


June 30 , 201 1


March 3 1 , 201 1


June 30 , 20 10


(Unaudited)


(Unaudited)


(Unaudited)







Net r evenues

$          47,130


$          46,710


$       58,557

Cost of revenues

(43,537)


(42,261)


(59,764)

Gross profit / (loss)

3,593


4,449


(1,207)







Operating expenses:






   Research and development expenses

(1,839)


(1,932)


(2,129)

   Sales and marketing expenses

(2,042)


(2,199)


(2,587)

   General and administrative expenses

(5,042)


(2,150)


(7,429)

Impairment charge

-


-


(5,058)

      Total operating expenses

(8,923)


(6,281)


(17,203)







Operating ( loss ) / income

(5,330)


(1,832)


(18,410)







Finance costs, net

(2,711)


(2,512)


(2,022)

Government grant income

405


31


58

Other income / (expense)

391


48


107

Loss before income taxes

(7,245)


(4,265)


(20,267)

Income tax benefit s

-


182


2,004

Net loss

$           (7,245)


$          (4,083)


$      (18,263)







Other comprehensive income / (loss)






- Foreign currency translation adjustment

2,123

$           ( 5,122 )



1,228

$         ( 2,855 )



1,298

$      (16,965)

Comprehensive loss







Net loss per share:






   Basic

$            (0.12)


$           (0.06)


$        (0.29)

   Diluted

$            (0.12)


$           (0.06)


$        (0.29)







Weighted average shares outstanding:






   Basic

62,895


62,895


62,888

   Diluted

62,895


62,895


62,888




Table 2

China BAK Battery, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets

As of June 3 0 , 201 1 and September 3 0 , 2010

(Amounts in thousands)



June 3 0 ,


September 3 0 ,


201 1


20 10


(Unaudited)


( A udited )

Assets




Current assets




Cash and cash equivalents

$         17,099


$          22,589

Pledged deposits

6,577


9,426

Trade accounts receivable, net

71,151


86,198

Inventories

78,979


64,048

Prepayments and other receivables

5,278


5,513

Deferred tax assets

7,550


6,888

       Total current assets

186,634


194,662





Property, plant and equipment, net

247,883


228,885

Lease prepayments, net

32,574


31,924

Intangible assets, net

154


184

Deferred tax assets

1,743


1,681

Total assets

$        468,988


$         457,336





Liabilities




Current liabilities




Short-term bank loans

$        138,097


$         137,418

Current maturities of long-term bank loans

23,208


11,956

Accounts and bills payable

106,834


93,725

Accrued expenses and other payables

24,538


22,411

        Total current liabilities

292,677


265,510





Long-term bank loans, less current maturities

14,792


29,890

Deferred revenue

7,426


7,353

Other long-term payables

11,239


3,431

Deferred tax liabilities

739


719

Total liabilities

326,873


306,903





Commitments and contingencies

 


 





Shareholders ' equity:




Ordinary shares US$ 0.001 par value; 100,000,000 authorized; 63,612,526 and 63,6 16 , 276 issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2010 and March 31, 201 1 respectively

64


64

Donation Shares

14,102


14,102

Additional paid-in-capital

125,819


124,551

Statutory reserves

7,645


7,315

Accumulated deficit

(34,860)


(19,542)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

33,412


28,010

 Less: Treasury shares

(4,067)


(4,067)

 Total shareholders ' equity

142,115


150,433

Total liabilities and shareholders ' equity

$         468,988


$         457,336




Table 3

China BAK Battery, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the Three Months E nded June 3 0 , 201 1 , March 3 1 , 2010 and June 3 0 , 20 10

(Amounts in thousands)



Three Months Ended


June 30 , 201 1


March 3 1 , 201 1


June 30 , 20 10


(Unaudited)


(Unaudited)


(Unaudited)

Cash flow from operating activities






Net loss

$        (7,245)


$          (4,083)


$         (18,263)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:






Depreciation and amortization

3,415


4,656


4,469

( R ecovery of) / p rovision for doubtful debts

1,044


(614)


3,447

( R ecovery of) / p rovision for obsolete inventories

492


(737)


5,574

Impairment charge

-


-


5,058

Share-based compensation

333


409


415

Deferred income taxes

-


(182)


(2,004)

Deferred revenue

(61)


(61)


(58)

Exchange loss / (gain)

266


(135)


558

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:    






   Trade accounts receivable

20,282


1,997


1,545

   Inventories

(11,626)


1,657


5,843

   Prepayments and other receivables

(1,398)


1,284


1,954

   Accounts and bills payable

(3,753)


(1,273)


1,111

   Accrued expenses and other payables

1,557


(293)


(1,443)

Net cash provided by operating activities    

$          3,306


$            2,625


$           8,206







Cash flow from investing activities






Purchases of property, plant and equipment

(12,182)


(6,349)


(12,530)

Purchases of intangible assets

(5)


-


(12)

Net cash used in investing activities

$       (12,187)


$           (6,349)


$         (12,542)







Cash flow from financing activities






Proceeds from borrowings

44,965


66,874


47,073

Repayment of borrowings

(44,132)


(72,954)


(66,303)

( I ncrease) / d ecrease in pledged deposits

(609)


10,567


8,795

Net cash provided by / (used in) financing activities

$        224


$            4,487


$         (10,435)







Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

198



268


2

Net (decrease) / increase in cash and cash equivalents

(8,459)


1,031


(14,769)

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period

25,558


24,527


39,644

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

$       17,099


$           25,558


$          24,875




SOURCE China BAK Battery, Inc.

For further information: .Mr. Ke Marcus Cui, Chief Financial Officer of China BAK Battery, Inc. ir@bak.com.cn; or Ms. Tracy Li, Investor Relations Officer, 86-755-89770093, or ir@bak.com.cn; or Mr. Roger Ellis, Partner & SVP for Market Intelligence of CCG Investor Relations, 310-954-1332, or roger.ellis@ccgir.com