China Automotive Systems Reports 2019 First Quarter Results

WUHAN, China, May 9, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- China Automotive Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAAS) ("CAAS" or the "Company"), a leading power steering components and systems supplier in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019.

First Quarter 2019 Highlights

• Net sales decreased 18.5% to $109.2 million from $134.0 million in the first quarter of 2018
• Net sales of electric power steering ("EPS") products were $22.2 million, a 11.2% decrease year-over-year
• Net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders was $1.5 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.05, compared to $4.3 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.14, in the first quarter of 2018
• Total cash and cash equivalents and pledged cash were $91.7 million

Mr. Qizhou Wu, chief executive officer of CAAS, commented, "Our sales continue to reflect the challenges in the domestic Chinese market. We continue to invest in other advanced steering technologies to broaden our portfolio of steering products to provide a greater range of solutions for our customers."

First Quarter of 2019

In the first quarter of 2019, net sales were $109.2 million compared to $134.0 million in the same quarter of 2018, reflecting an 18.5% year-over-year decline. The decrease in net sales was mainly due to lower sales volume for legacy products in the domestic and North American passenger markets and the domestic heavy-duty vehicle market, as well as the effect of foreign currency exchange.

Gross profit was $14.0 million in the first quarter of 2019 compared with $21.6 million in the first quarter of 2018. The gross margin was 12.8% in the first quarter of 2019 compared to 16.1% in the first quarter of 2018 mainly due to the changes in the product mix.

Gain on other sales was $1.3 million in the first quarter of 2019 compared to $1.5 million in the first quarter of 2018, reflecting lower scrap volume.

Selling expenses were $3.1 million in the first quarter of 2019, compared to $5.8 million in the first quarter of 2018. The decrease was primarily due to reduced logistics fees reflecting lower sales volume and the use of lower-price shippers.  Selling expenses represented 2.8% of net sales in the first quarter of 2019 compared to 4.3% in the first quarter of 2018. 

General and administrative expenses ("G&A expenses") were $4.6 million in the first quarter of 2019, compared to $4.4 million in the same quarter of 2018. The increase primarily reflected higher personnel expenses. G&A expenses represented 4.2% of net sales in the first quarter of 2019 and 3.3% in the first quarter of 2018. 

Research and development expenses ("R&D expenses") were $6.6 million in the first quarter of 2019, compared to $8.3 million in the first quarter of 2018. R&D expenses represented 6.0% of net sales in the first quarter of 2019 compared to 6.2% in the first quarter of 2018. The reduction in R&D expenses was due to increased cost controls.  

Other income, net was $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to other income, net of $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, representing an increase of $0.8 million, primarily due to an increase in the unspecific purpose subsidies being recognized in the first quarter of 2019.

Income from operations was $1.0 million in the first quarter of 2019, compared to $4.6 million in the same quarter of 2018. The decrease was primarily due to lower gross profit and gross margin.

Interest expense was $0.6 million in the first quarter of 2019 compared to $0.4 million in the same quarter of 2018. The increase was due to increased bank borrowings at higher interest rates.

Net financial expense was $0.7 million in the first quarter of 2019 compared to net financial income of $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2018. The decrease in net financial expense was primarily due to an increase in financial income in the first quarter of 2019.

Income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies was $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2019, compared to $4.0 million in the first quarter of 2018. The decrease in income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies was mainly due to lower income from operations. 

Net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders was $1.5 million in the first quarter of 2019, compared to $4.3 million in the first quarter of 2018. Diluted earnings per share were $0.05 per share in the first quarter of 2019, compared to $0.14 in the first quarter of 2018.  

The weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding was 31,513,297 in the first quarter of 2019, compared to 31,644,044 in the first quarter of 2018.

Balance Sheet

As of March 31, 2019, total cash and cash equivalents and pledged cash were $91.7 million, total accounts receivable including notes receivable were $264.3 million, accounts payable were $193.3 million and short-term bank and government loans were $65.9 million. Total parent company stockholders' equity was $292.9 million as of March 31, 2019, compared to $285.9 million as of December 31, 2018.   

Business Outlook

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

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 TheissInvestor Relations  +1-212-521-4050 Email: [email protected] 

 

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SOURCE China Automotive Systems, Inc.