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China Automotive Systems Reports 2017 First Quarter Results

May 11, 2017 6:30 AM

WUHAN, China, May 11, 2017 /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 unaudited first quarter ended March 31, 2017.

First Quarter 2017 Highlights

  • Net sales were $119.3 million, up 2.1% from $116.9 million in the first quarter of 2016
  • Gross margin was 18.1%, consistent with 18.0% in the first quarter of 2016
  • Net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders was $5.7 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.18, in the first quarter of 2017 and 2016

Mr. Qizhou Wu, chief executive officer of CAAS, commented, "We have maintained our sales and earnings during this transition period as we build our electric power steering ("EPS") capabilities. We have added more production capacity and introduced additional models of EPS to position us for stronger growth in the future. Our growing portfolio of advanced steering products will build our sales by providing more solutions to meet our customers' needs."

Mr. Jie Li, chief financial officer of CAAS, commented, "We continue to build our financial strength through strong cost controls, generating positive operational cash flow and improving our cost of invested capital."

First Quarter of 2017

In the first quarter of 2017, net sales were $119.3 million, compared to $116.9 million in the same quarter of 2016, reflecting a 2.1% year-over-year growth. The increase of net sales was mainly due to the increased sales volume.

Gross profit was $21.6 million in the first quarter of 2017, compared to $21.0 million in the first quarter of 2016. The gross margin was 18.1% in the first quarter of 2017, versus 18.0% in the first quarter of 2016.

Gain on other sales was $0.8 million in the first quarters of 2017 and 2016.

Selling expenses were $4.1 million in the first quarter of 2017, compared to $4.3 million in the first quarter of 2016. The decrease was primarily due to lower marketing expenses. Selling expenses represented 3.4% of net sales in the first quarter of 2017 versus 3.7% in the first quarter of 2016.

General and administrative expenses ("G&A expenses") were $4.4 million in the first quarter of 2017, compared to $4.3 million in the same quarter of 2016. G&A expenses represented 3.7% of net sales in the first quarter of 2017 and 3.7% in the first quarter of 2016.

Research and development expenses ("R&D expenses") were $6.8 million in the first quarter of 2017, compared to $6.1 million in the first quarter of 2016. R&D expenses represented 5.7% of net sales in the first quarter of 2017 compared to 5.2% in the first quarter of 2016. The increase in R&D expenses was due to increased investment in EPS product research and development such as brushless motor and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) related projects.

Income from operations was $7.2 million in the first quarter of 2017, compared to $7.1 million in the same quarter of 2016.

Interest expense was $0.2 million in the first quarter of 2017, consistent with the same quarter of 2016.

Net financial income was $0.3 million in the first quarters of 2017 and 2016.

Income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies was $7.1 million in the first quarter of 2017, compared to $6.5 million in the first quarter of 2016. The increase in income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies was mainly due to higher operating income and a decrease in other expenses.

Net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders was $5.7 million in the first quarter of 2017 and 2016. Diluted earnings per share were $0.18 in the first quarter of 2017 and 2016.

The weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding was 31,649,908 in the first quarter of 2017, compared to 32,123,588 in the first quarter of 2016.

Balance Sheet

As of March 31, 2017, total cash and cash equivalents, pledged cash and short-term investments were $93.1 million, total accounts receivable including notes receivable were $305.9 million, accounts payable were $223.1 million and short-term bank and government loans were $68.5 million. Total parent company stockholders' equity was $307.8 million as of March 31, 2017, compared to $300.5 million as of December 31, 2016. Net cash flow from operating activities was $2.3 million in the first quarter of 2017.

Business Outlook

Management reiterated its revenue guidance for the full year 2017 of US$485 million. This target is based on the Company's current views on operating and market conditions, which are subject to change.

Conference Call

Management will conduct a conference call on May 11, 2017 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)

Phone Number:

+864 001 202 840 (China Toll Free)

A replay of the call will be available on the Company's website under 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 eight 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 5.5 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 30, 2017, 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 +1-646-726-6511 Email: [email protected]

- Tables Follow -

China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands of USD, except share and per share amounts)

March 31, 2017

December 31, 2016

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

31,303

$

31,092

Pledged cash

33,586

30,799

Short-term investments

28,208

30,475

Accounts and notes receivable, net - unrelated parties

284,608

285,731

Accounts and notes receivable, net - related parties

21,308

20,984

Advance payments and others - unrelated parties

9,123

10,203

Advance payments and others - related parties

29,957

624

Inventories

69,051

68,050

Current deferred tax assets

7,872

7,946

Total current assets

515,016

485,904

Non-current assets:

Long-term time deposits

870

865

Property, plant and equipment, net

104,050

101,478

Intangible assets, net

576

617

Other receivables, net - unrelated parties

2,298

2,252

Advance payment for property, plant and equipment - unrelated parties

14,168

14,506

Advance payment for property, plant and equipment - related parties

2,326

5,005

Long-term investments

16,572

16,431

Non-current deferred tax assets

4,815

4,641

Total assets

$

660,691

$

631,699

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Bank and government loans

$

68,536

$

40,820

Accounts and notes payable - unrelated parties

217,194

216,993

Accounts and notes payable - related parties

5,893

6,803

Customer deposits

824

700

Accrued payroll and related costs

6,577

6,971

Accrued expenses and other payables

34,848

35,882

Accrued pension costs

3,907

4,130

Taxes payable

7,623

11,674

Amounts due to shareholders/directors

315

312

Advances payable (current portion)

384

382

Current deferred tax liabilities

163

193

Total current liabilities

346,264

324,860

Long-term liabilities:

Long-term bank loan

627

608

Advances payable

341

339

Total liabilities

$

347,232

$

325,807

Commitments and Contingencies

Stockholders' equity:

Common stock, $0.0001 par value - Authorized - 80,000,000 shares; Issued -32,338,302 and 32,338,302 shares as of March 31, 2017 and December 31,2016, respectively

$

3

$

3

Additional paid-in capital

64,764

64,764

Retained earnings-

Appropriated

10,549

10,549

Unappropriated

234,677

228,963

Accumulated other comprehensive income

683

(892)

Treasury stock - 694,298 and 694,298 shares as of March 31, 2017 andDecember 31, 2016, respectively

(2,907)

(2,907)

Total parent company stockholders' equity

307,769

300,480

Non-controlling interests

5,690

5,412

Total stockholders' equity

313,459

305,892

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

660,691

$

631,699

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 March 31,

2017

2016

Net product sales ($9,538 and $8,585 sold to related parties for the three monthsended March 31, 2017 and 2016)

$

119,308

$

116,854

Cost of products sold ($7,363 and $6,875 purchased from related parties for thethree months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016)

97,679

95,842

Gross profit

21,629

21,012

Gain on other sales

788

801

Less: Operating expenses

Selling expenses

4,068

4,305

General and administrative expenses

4,354

4,315

Research and development expenses

6,765

6,139

Total operating expenses

15,187

14,759

Income from operations

7,230

7,054

Other expense, net

(254)

(644)

Interest expense

(231)

(196)

Financial income, net

332

322

Income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies

7,077

6,536

Less: Income taxes

1,190

1,053

Equity in earnings of affiliated companies

51

62

Net income

5,938

5,545

Net income/(loss) attributable to non-controlling interests

224

(164)

Net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders

$

5,714

$

5,709

Comprehensive income:

Net income

$

5,938

$

5,545

Other comprehensive income:

Foreign currency translation gain, net of tax

1,629

1,650

Comprehensive income

7,567

7,195

Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to non-controlling interests

278

(85)

Comprehensive income attributable to parent company

$

7,289

$

7,280

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

Basic -

$

0.18

$

0.18

Diluted -

$

0.18

$

0.18

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

Basic

31,644,004

32,121,019

Diluted

31,649,908

32,123,588

China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands of USD unless otherwise indicated)

Three Months Ended March 31,

2017

2016

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income

$

5,938

$

5,545

Adjustments to reconcile net income from operations to net cash providedby operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

4,189

3,805

Reversal of provision for doubtful accounts

(19)

(54)

Inventory write downs

813

1,414

Deferred income taxes

(63)

347

Equity in earnings of affiliated companies

(51)

(62)

(Gain)/loss on fixed assets disposals

17

(3)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

(Increase)/decrease in:

Pledged cash

(2,618)

8,089

Accounts and notes receivable

2,480

(23,347)

Advance payments and others

(52)

(3,145)

Inventories

(1,444)

(6,242)

Increase (decrease) in:

Accounts and notes payable

(1,592)

12,495

Customer deposits

123

(26)

Accrued payroll and related costs

(431)

(172)

Accrued expenses and other payables

(1,467)

91

Accrued pension costs

(247)

265

Taxes payable

(3,318)

(1,362)

Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities

2,362

(2,362)

Cash flows from investing activities:

Increase in other receivables

20

94

Cash received from property, plant and equipment sales

26

515

Payments to acquire property, plant and equipment (including $493 and$3,464 paid to related parties for three months ended March 31, 2017and 2016, respectively)

(3,245)

(9,825)

Payments to acquire intangible assets

-

(3)

Purchase of short-term investments

-

(7,814)

Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments

2,433

553

Loan to a related party

(29,044)

-

Net cash used in investing activities

(29,810)

(16,480)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Proceeds from bank and government loans

27,754

6,500

Repayments of bank and government loans

(245)

(2,265)

Net cash provided by financing activities

27,509

4,235

Effects of exchange rate on cash and cash equivalents

150

330

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

211

(14,277)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

31,092

69,676

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

31,303

$

55,399

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/china-automotive-systems-reports-2017-first-quarter-results-300455796.html

SOURCE China Automotive Systems, Inc.

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