China BAK Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2008 Financial Results
AK', or 'BAK') (Nasdaq: CBAK), one of the largest lithium-ion battery
cell manufacturers in the world, as measured by production output, today
announced its financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2008
('FY08').
Recent Achievements and Highlights
-- Achieved near-record revenue in a quarter that included the long
holiday of the Chinese Lunar New Year, as aluminum case cells and
battery packs sales to Chinese customers for our OEM products continued
to increase;
-- Revenue from cylindrical cells, used in laptop computers, more than
doubled from last quarter's levels and now accounts for 13% of our
total revenues;
-- Continued to gain major customers for our cylindrical cell products,
including one of the world largest notebook computer battery pack
manufacturer Simplo Technology Co., Ltd (Taiwan: 6121);
-- Entered into settlements and mutual releases of all claims with
certain investors relating to the private placement completed on
January 20, 2005, putting a potentially distracting matter behind us.
Second Quarter FY08 Financial Results
Net revenues for the second quarter of FY08 were $51.3 million, down 2.8%
from $52.8 million last quarter, but up 73.8% from $29.5 million in the same
quarter of fiscal year 2007 ('FY07').
Revenues from aluminum-case cells were $30.3 million, up 0.7% from $30.1
million last quarter and up 155.3% from $11.9 million in the second quarter of
FY07. Revenues from steel case cells were $5.9 million, down 39.8% from $9.8
million last quarter, and down 22.6% from $7.6 million in the second quarter
of FY07.
Revenues from cylindrical cells, used in notebook computers, were $6.7
million, up 161.2% from last quarter and up 1,467.0% from the second quarter
of FY07.
Revenues from lithium polymer cells, used in personal electronic devices
such as PDAs, MP3 players and Bluetooth devices, were $1.9 million in the
second quarter of FY08, down 64.9% from last quarter, but up 301.4% from the
second quarter of FY07.
Revenues from battery packs were $6.6 million in the second quarter of
FY08, up 31.4% from $5.0 million last quarter and up 404.9% from $1.3 million
in the second quarter of FY07.
Gross profit for the second quarter of FY08 was $3.9 million, down 44.9%
from $7.1 million last quarter and down 36.3% from $6.1 million in the second
quarter of FY07. Gross margin was 7.6%, compared to 13.5% last quarter and
20.8% in the second quarter of FY07. The reduction in gross profit was mostly
due to a significant increase in the purchase cost of raw materials,
especially lithium cobalt dioxide, the main raw material in China BAK's
products, and higher overhead related to the expansion of China BAK's
manufacturing capabilities in FY07 and FY08.
Operating expenses totaled $7.6 million or 14.8% of revenues in the second
quarter of FY08, as compared to $6.9 million or 13.1% of revenues last quarter
and $4.1 million or 14.0% of revenues in the same quarter of last year.
Research and development expenses were $1.4 million or 2.7% of revenues, as
compared to $1.3 million or 2.5% of revenues last quarter and $0.9 million or
3.2% of revenues in the same quarter of last year. Sales and marketing
expenses were $1.4 million or 2.7% of revenues, as compared to $1.3 million,
or 2.6% of revenues last quarter and $1.1 million or 3.6% of revenues in the
same quarter of last year. General and administrative expenses were $4.8
million or 9.4% of revenues, as compared to $4.2 million or 8.0% of revenues
last quarter and $2.2 million or 7.3% of revenues in the same quarter of last
year.
Operating loss for the second quarter of FY08 was $3.7 million, as
compared to operating income of $0.2 million last quarter and $2.0 million in
the same quarter of last year.
Net loss was $6.2 million in the second quarter of FY08, as compared to
net loss of $0.9 million last quarter and net income of $0.4 million in the
same quarter of last year. Diluted earnings per share were negative $0.12
compared with negative $0.02 per diluted share last quarter and $0.01 per
diluted share in the same quarter of last year.
Financial Condition
At March 31, 2008, China BAK had $36.9 million in cash and a negative
working capital of $10.0 million, reflecting a current ratio of 0.95:1. Total
liabilities at quarter end, including short-term bank loans, bills payable and
long-term debt, was $238.7 million and stockholders' equity totaled $145.4
million. China BAK had $95.2 million available for borrowing under its credit
facilities.
Business Outlook
'During the second quarter of fiscal 2008, we continued to generate net
revenues well in excess of prior year periods, reflecting strong growth in
revenues from cylindrical cells and a sustained increase in revenues from
aluminum case cells and battery packs. Our primary goal is to become
profitable again in the coming quarters. To support this goal, we have made
significant progress in the research and development of alternative raw
materials for purposes of reducing our use of lithium cobalt dioxide, the
price of which has continued to reach record highs.