China Automotive Systems Reports Unaudited 2018 Third Quarter Results

WUHAN, China, Nov. 9, 2018 /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 third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Third Quarter 2018 Highlights

    --  Net sales were $112.1 million compared to $118.4 million in the third
        quarter of 2017;
    --  Gross margin decreased to $15.4 million from $22.5 million, and the
        gross margin declined to 13.7% from 19.0% in the third quarter of 2017;
    --  Income from operations was $1.8 million, with an operating margin of
        1.6% compared with 4.2% in the same quarter last year;
    --  Net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders was $0.4
        million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.01, compared to net income
        attributable to parent company's common shareholders of $5.1 million, or
        diluted earnings per share of $0.16, in the third quarter of 2017.

First Nine Months of 2018 Highlights

    --  Net sales increased 4.7% to $371.9 million, compared to $355.3 million
        in the first nine months of 2017;
    --  Gross margin was 14.5% compared with 19.2% in the same period last year;
    --  Diluted earnings per share attributable to parent company's common
        shareholders was $0.17 compared with $0.62 for the first nine months of
        2017;
    --  Cash and cash equivalents, pledged cash deposits and short-term
        investments were $144.1 million as of September 30, 2018;
    --  Net cash flow from operating activities was $9.0 million.

Mr. Qizhou Wu, the Chief Executive Officer of CAAS, commented, "Sales of our traditional hydraulic products continued to anchor our sales in the Chinese automotive market in the third quarter of 2018. Our advanced hydraulic steering products remain the primary sales driver to Chrysler and Ford for use in the North American markets with sales rising by 22.2% in the third quarter of 2018 compared to the same quarter last year. Sales of our steering columns also grew to help offset softness in the Chinese passenger vehicle and heavy-duty truck markets."

"We continue to be optimistic about our electric power steering ("EPS") business as our new joint venture, Hubei Henglong KYB Automobile Electric Steering System Co., Ltd., with KYB (China) Investment Co., Ltd., will receive all the EPS business in China from both joint venture partners. Our new joint venture will enhance EPS research and development and production capabilities at CAAS's compound in Jingzhou City."

Mr. Jie Li, the Chief Financial Officer of CAAS, commented, "We continue to focus on our financial strength and cash flow from operations to invest in new products and increase our market penetration."

Third Quarter of 2018

In the third quarter of 2018, net sales were $112.1 million compared to $118.4 million in the same quarter of 2017. The decrease in net product sales was mainly due to a change in the product mix and lower domestic sales volume due to softer demand in the Chinese domestic brand automobile market. Net product sales to North America grew 22.2% to $30.3 million compared to $24.8 million for the same quarter in 2017. The increase in export sales to North America was mainly due to higher sales of the Company's more advanced products.

Gross profit was $15.4 million in the third quarter of 2018, compared to $22.5 million in the third quarter of 2017. Gross margin was 13.7% compared to 19.0% for the same period of 2017, mainly due to an increase in the cost of raw materials and the changes in the product mix.

Selling expenses were $3.4 million in the third quarter of 2018, compared to $4.5 million in the third quarter of 2017. Lower selling expenses were mainly due to lower unit sales as well as utilizing lower cost shippers. Selling expenses represented 3.0% of net sales in the third quarter of 2018, compared to 3.8% in the third quarter of 2017.

General and administrative expenses ("G&A expenses") were $3.7 million in the third quarter of 2018, compared to $4.4 million in the same quarter of 2017. The decline was primarily due to lower personnel expenses. G&A expenses represented 3.3% of net sales in the third quarter of 2018 compared with 3.7% in the third quarter of 2017.

Research and development expenses ("R&D expenses") were $7.0 million in the third quarter of 2018, compared to $9.2 million in the third quarter of 2017. R&D expenses represented 6.2% of net sales in the third quarter of 2018 compared with 7.8% in the third quarter last year. The lower R&D expenses were mainly due to greater cost controls over R&D expenditures and the transfer of some research projects to our new joint venture, Hubei Henglong KYB Automobile Electric Steering System Co., Ltd., for electric power steering.

Net financial income was $0.8 million in the third quarter of 2018 compared to net financial income of $1.0 million in the third quarter of 2017.

Income from operations was $1.8 million in the third quarter of 2018, compared to $4.9 million in the same quarter of 2017. The decrease was mainly due to lower gross profit and lower gross margin.

Income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies was $1.8 million in the third quarter of 2018, compared to $5.7 million in the third quarter of 2017. The decrease in income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of affiliated companies was mainly due to lower operating income in the third quarter of 2018 compared with the third quarter of 2017.

Net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders was $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2018, compared to net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders of $5.1 million in the third quarter of 2017. Diluted earnings per share were $0.01 in the third quarter of 2018, compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.16 in the third quarter of 2017.

The weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding was 31,645,556 in the third quarter of 2018, compared to 31,644,271 in the third quarter of 2017.

First Nine Months of 2018

Net sales for the first nine months of 2018 were $371.9 million, compared to $355.3 million in the first nine months of 2017. Nine-month gross profit was $54.0 million, compared to $68.2 million in the corresponding period last year. Nine-month gross margin was 14.5%, compared to 19.2% for the corresponding period in 2017. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, gain on other sales amounted to $3.0 million, compared to $5.9 million for the corresponding period in 2017. Income from operations was $7.0 million compared to $23.2 million in the first nine months of 2017. Operating margin was 1.9%, compared to 6.5% for the corresponding period of 2017.

Net income attributable to parent company's common shareholders was $5.5 million compared with $19.7 million in the corresponding period last year. Diluted earnings per share were $0.17 in the first nine months of 2018, compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.62 for the corresponding period in 2017.

Balance Sheet

As of September 30, 2018, total cash and cash equivalents, pledged cash deposits and short-term investments were $144.1 million, total accounts receivable including notes receivable were $249.6 million, accounts payable including notes payable were $196.6 million, and short-term loans were $70.9 million. Total parent company stockholders' equity was $309.5 million as of September 30, 2018, compared to $306.1 million as of December 31, 2017.

Business Outlook

Management has reduced its revenue guidance for the full year 2018 to US$510 million from US$520.0 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 November 9, 2018 at 8:00 A.M. EST/9:00 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)

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 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 29, 2018, 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: jieli@chl.com.cn

Kevin Theiss
+1-212-521-4050
Email: kevin.theiss@awakenlab.com

- Tables Follow -


                                                                    
              
                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 September 30,



                                                                                                                                                             2018                            2017




           Net product sales ($8,207 and $7,563 sold to related parties for the                                                                                   $
            112,084                        $
           118,365
      three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017)



           Cost of products sold ($4,659 and $6,549 purchased from related                                                                                                   96,718                                  95,878
      parties for the three months ended September 30,
      2018 and 2017)




                Gross profit                                                                                                                                                 15,366                                  22,487




           Gain on other sales                                                                                                                                                  482                                     553




           Less: Operating expenses



           Selling expenses                                                                                                                                                   3,353                                   4,537



           General and administrative expenses                                                                                                                                3,708                                   4,390



           Research and development expenses                                                                                                                                  6,957                                   9,194




           Total operating expenses                                                                                                                                          14,018                                  18,121




                Income from operations                                                                                                                                        1,830                                   4,919



           Other (expense)/income, net                                                                                                                                        (461)                                    100



           Interest expense                                                                                                                                                   (431)                                  (318)



           Financial income, net                                                                                                                                                815                                   1,027




           Income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of                                                                                                        1,753                                   5,728
      affiliated companies



           Less: Income taxes                                                                                                                                                   326                                     991



           Equity in losses of affiliated companies                                                                                                                         (1,049)                                    491




           Net income                                                                                                                                                           378                                   5,228



           Net (loss)/income attributable to non-controlling interests                                                                                                            1                                     169




                Net income attributable to parent company's common                                                                                                    $
            377                          $
           5,059
      shareholders




           Comprehensive income:



           Net income                                                                                                                                                 $
            378                          $
           5,228



           Other comprehensive income:



           Foreign currency translation (loss)/gain, net of tax                                                                                                            (13,012)                                  6,705




           Comprehensive (loss)/income                                                                                                                                     (12,634)                                 11,933



           Comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to non-controlling                                                                                                        (619)                                    386
      interests




           Comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to parent company                                                                                            $
            (12,015)                        $
           11,547






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





           Basic -                                                                                                                                                   $
            0.01                           $
           0.16






           Diluted -                                                                                                                                                 $
            0.01                           $
           0.16




           Weighted average number of common shares outstanding



           Basic                                                                                                                                                         31,644,004                              31,644,004



           Diluted                                                                                                                                                       31,645,556                              31,644,271


                                                                  
              
                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)




                                                                                                                                                                         Nine Months Ended September 30,



                                                                                                                                                            2018                           2017




           Net product sales ($29,909 and $25,684 sold to related                                                                                                $
           371,884                       $
           355,333
      parties for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and
      2017)



           Cost of products sold ($20,336 and $20,195 purchased from                                                                                                      317,858                                287,156
      related parties for the nine months ended September 30, 2018
      and 2017)




                Gross profit                                                                                                                                               54,026                                 68,177




           Gain on other sales                                                                                                                                              2,972                                  5,896




           Less: Operating expenses



           Selling expenses                                                                                                                                                14,067                                 13,160



           General and administrative expenses                                                                                                                             12,574                                 14,027



           Research and development expenses                                                                                                                               23,349                                 23,666




           Total operating expenses                                                                                                                                        49,990                                 50,853




                Income from operations                                                                                                                                      7,008                                 23,220



           Other income/(expense), net                                                                                                                                        760                                    (2)



           Interest expense                                                                                                                                               (1,647)                               (1,193)



           Financial income, net                                                                                                                                              947                                  1,909




           Income before income tax expenses and equity in earnings of                                                                                                      7,068                                 23,934
      affiliated companies



           Less: Income taxes                                                                                                                                               1,116                                  4,367



           Equity in (losses)/earnings of affiliated companies                                                                                                              (546)                                   480




           Net income                                                                                                                                                       5,406                                 20,047



           Net (loss)/income attributable to non-controlling interests                                                                                                      (130)                                   353




                Net income attributable to parent company's common                                                                                                 $
           5,536                        $
           19,694
      shareholders




           Comprehensive income:



           Net income                                                                                                                                              $
           5,406                        $
           20,047



           Other comprehensive income:



           Foreign currency translation (loss)/gain, net of tax                                                                                                          (17,237)                                14,148




           Comprehensive (loss)/income                                                                                                                                   (11,831)                                34,195



           Comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to non-controlling                                                                                                      (814)                                   819
      interests




           Comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to parent                                                                                                   $
           (11,017)                       $
           33,376
      company






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





           Basic -                                                                                                                                                  $
           0.17                          $
           0.62






           Diluted -                                                                                                                                                $
           0.17                          $
           0.62




           Weighted average number of common shares outstanding



           Basic                                                                                                                                                       31,644,004                             31,644,004



           Diluted                                                                                                                                                     31,645,622                             31,647,833


                                                                             
      
      China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries


                                                                             
      
      Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets


                                                                            
      
      (In thousands of USD unless otherwise indicated)




                                                                                                                September 30, 2018                December 31, 2017




           ASSETS



           Current assets:



           Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                               $
         95,788                    $
          64,558



           Pledged Cash                                                                                                                   26,115                            31,535



           Short-term investments                                                                                                         22,241                            29,587



           Accounts and notes receivable, net - unrelated parties                                                                        232,114                           274,989



           Accounts and notes receivable, net - related parties                                                                           17,522                            19,086



           Advance payments and others - unrelated parties                                                                                14,160                            12,790



           Advance payments and others - related parties                                                                                     413                            20,841



           Inventories                                                                                                                    87,769                            79,217




                Total current assets                                                                                                     496,122                           532,603



           Non-current assets:



           Property, plant and equipment, net                                                                                            124,823                           126,033



           Intangible assets, net                                                                                                            605                               661



           Other receivables, net - unrelated parties                                                                                      1,609                             2,188



           Advance payment for property, plant and equipment - unrelated                                                                   8,657                             9,657
      parties



           Advance payment for property, plant and equipment - related                                                                     6,566                             5,264
      parties



           Long-term investments                                                                                                          30,874                            27,596



           Deferred tax assets                                                                                                            12,680                            13,367




                Total assets                                                                                                      $
         681,936                   $
          717,369






           LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY



           Current liabilities:



           Short term loans                                                                                                        $
         70,900                    $
          72,711



           Accounts and notes payable - unrelated parties                                                                                192,146                           233,048



           Accounts and notes payable - related parties                                                                                    4,468                             7,168



           Customer deposits                                                                                                                 950                             1,128



           Accrued payroll and related costs                                                                                               7,488                             8,577



           Accrued expenses and other payables                                                                                            39,251                            40,127



           Accrued pension costs                                                                                                           3,587                             4,051



           Taxes payable                                                                                                                   8,855                             5,927



           Amounts due to shareholders/directors                                                                                             316                               343



           Advances payable (current portion)                                                                                                363                               383



                Total current liabilities                                                                                                328,324                           373,463



           Long-term liabilities:



           Long-term loans                                                                                                                   291                               306



           Advances payable                                                                                                                  342                               359



           Other long-term payable                                                                                                         9,568



           Long-term tax payable                                                                                                          29,874                            32,719



           Deferred tax liabilities                                                                                                        4,029                             4,393




                Total liabilities                                                                                                 $
         372,428                   $
          411,240






           Commitments and Contingencies





           Stockholders' equity:



           Common stock, $0.0001 par value - Authorized - 80,000,000                                                                  $
           3                       $
            3
      shares; Issued - 32,338,302 and 32,338,302 shares as of
      September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively



           Additional paid-in capital                                                                                                     64,406                            64,406



           Retained earnings-



           Appropriated                                                                                                                   10,830                            10,707



           Unappropriated                                                                                                                214,872                           209,459



           Accumulated other comprehensive income                                                                                          1,227                            17,780



           Treasury stock - 694,298 and 694,298 shares as of September 30,                                                               (2,907)                          (2,907)


                2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively




           Total parent company stockholders' equity                                                                                     288,431                           299,448



           Non-controlling interests                                                                                                      21,077                             6,681




                Total stockholders' equity                                                                                               309,508                           306,129




           Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                                                                             $
         681,936                   $
          717,369


                                                                          
       
          China Automotive Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries


                                                                        
       
       Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows


                                                                          
       
          (In thousands of USD unless otherwise indicated)




                                                                                                                                          Nine Months Ended September 30,



                                                                                                                                                                     2018               2017




              Cash flows from operating activities:



              Net income                                                                                                                                                   $
        5,406      $
        20,047



              Adjustments to reconcile net income from operations to
         net cash provided by operating activities:



              Depreciation and amortization                                                                                                                                     13,590            10,933



              Share-based compensation                                                                                                                                                              100



              Increase in provision for doubtful accounts                                                                                                                          253             1,034



              Inventory write downs                                                                                                                                              4,971             4,436



              Deferred income taxes                                                                                                                                              (134)            1,354



              Equity in earnings/(losses) of affiliated companies                                                                                                                  546             (480)



              (Loss)/gain on fixed assets disposals                                                                                                                                  6           (2,204)



              Changes in operating assets and liabilities



              (Increase) decrease in:



              Accounts and notes receivable                                                                                                                                     29,758            32,807



              Advance payments and others                                                                                                                                      (1,604)          (1,527)



              Inventories                                                                                                                                                     (18,220)          (6,441)



              Increase (decrease) in:



              Accounts and notes payable                                                                                                                                      (28,744)          (3,023)



              Customer deposits                                                                                                                                                  (148)              158



              Accrued payroll and related costs                                                                                                                                  (756)              182



              Accrued expenses and other payables                                                                                                                                3,513           (6,216)



              Accrued pension costs                                                                                                                                              (237)              443



              Taxes payable                                                                                                                                                        807           (9,806)



              
                Net cash provided by operating activities                                                                                                             9,007            41,797




              Cash flows from investing activities:



              Increase in other receivables                                                                                                                                        453               159



              Cash received from property, plant and equipment sales                                                                                                               263             2,351



              Payments to acquire property, plant and equipment                                                                                                               (24,295)         (19,187)
         (including $6,747 and $7,656 paid to related parties for
         the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017,
         respectively)



              Purchase of short-term investments                                                                                                                              (19,974)         (25,017)



              Purchase of long-term time deposit                                                                                                                                                (5,836)



              Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments                                                                                                                26,793            33,749



              Investment under equity method                                                                                                                                   (5,957)          (7,629)



              Cash received for related party loan repayment                                                                                                                    20,430



              Loan to a related party                                                                                                                                                          (29,044)




              
                Net cash used in investing activities                                                                                                               (2,287)         (50,454)




              Cash flows from financing activities:



              Proceeds from bank loans                                                                                                                                          67,938            69,635



              Repayments of bank loans                                                                                                                                        (69,025)         (39,271)



              Proceeds from sale and leaseback transaction                                                                                                                      11,758



              Repayments of the borrowing for sale and leaseback                                                                                                               (2,181)
    transaction



              Dividends paid to non-controlling shareholder                                                                                                                      (524)



              Cash received from capital contributions by non-                                                                                                                  15,728
         controlling shareholder




              
                Net cash provided by financing activities                                                                                                            23,694            30,364




              Effects of exchange rate on cash, cash equivalents and                                                                                                           (4,603)            2,859
         pledged cash




              Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and pledged cash                                                                                                           25,811            24,566



              Cash, cash equivalents and pledged cash at beginning of                                                                                                           96,093            61,891
         period




              Cash, cash equivalents and pledged cash at end of period                                                                                                   $
        121,904      $
        86,457



     
                SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:




                                                                             Nine Months Ended September 30,



                                                                     2018                     2017




     Cash paid for interest                                              $
        706                          $
       573



     Cash paid for income taxes                                                731                             4,343



           
                SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:




                                                                                                         Nine Months Ended September 30,



                                                                                                 2018                     2017




           Property, plant and equipment recorded during the period which                            $
       11,666                        $
     12,331
      previously were advance payments



           Accounts payable for acquiring property, plant and equipment                                      614                              890



           Dividends payable to non-controlling interests                                                                                    621

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SOURCE China Automotive Systems, Inc.