EX-99.1 2 v167098_ex99-1.htm Unassociated Document
 
 
 
Exhibit 99.1
 
 

CHINA SUNERGY ANNOUNCES FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR
 THE THIRD QUARTER OF 2009

Third Quarter Revenues of US$80.1 million; Achieves Upper Range of Guidance with 54.4 MW in Shipments; Gross Margin Improves to 10.2%; GAAP Net Income of $7.8 million

Nanjing, China – November 18, 2009 – China Sunergy Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq: CSUN), (“China Sunergy” or the “Company”) a specialized solar cell manufacturer based in Nanjing, China, announced today its financial results for the third quarter of 2009.

Third Quarter Financial Results

·  
Revenues were US$80.1 million, a 14.3% increase compared to the second quarter of 2009. Revenues generated from solar cell sales were US$68.5 million, representing a 25.7% increase compared to the second quarter of 2009.
·  
Gross profit was US$8.2 million for the third quarter, compared to gross profit of US$6.8 million during the second quarter of 2009. Accordingly, gross margin was 10.2%, slightly above the 9.7% reported during the second quarter of 2009.
·  
GAAP net income was US$7.8 million. Adjusted non-GAAP net loss was US$1.3 million, which excludes share-based compensation and the change in the fair value of foreign currency derivatives. This compares to non-GAAP net income of US$1.2 million in the second quarter of 2009.
·  
GAAP net income per ADS was US$0.20 on basic basis and US$0.19 on diluted basis. Adjusted non-GAAP net loss per ADS was US$0.03 on both basic and diluted basis, which excludes share-based compensation and the change in the fair value of foreign currency derivatives, compared to a non-GAAP net income of US$0.03 per ADS in the second quarter of 2009.
·  
Inventory as of September 30, 2009 was $32.0 million, up from $25.0 million as of June 30, 2009. Inventory write-down was $3.3 million, compared to $2.9 million in the second quarter of 2009.
·  
Operating cash flow in the third quarter was negative US$16.5 million, compared with positive $19.5 million in the second quarter of 2009. As of September 30, 2009, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of US$113.4 million

Please refer to “Reconciliation Tables of GAAP to adjusted Non-GAAP Figures” at the end of this press release.

Technology Development and Operational Highlights

·  
Shipments in the third quarter amounted to approximately 54.4 MW, representing a 31.1% increase sequentially and a 59.5% increase on a year-over-year basis.
·  
Utilizing the new technology, China Sunergy has developed a mono-crystalline high efficiency P-type solar cell with target conversion efficiency of over 19%. A test conducted in the third quarter by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems in Germany has shown the conversion efficiency of 19.04%.
 
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·  
China Sunergy entered into a series of sales contracts with NUE PTY Ltd, a leading Australian photovoltaic firm. China Sunergy expects to ship up to a total of 10MW of OEM sub-contracted monocrystalline solar modules, to NU Energy, with full delivery scheduled to be completed by early 2010.
·  
The Company furthered this strategy by entering into a framework agreement related to the delivery of China Sunergy solar products to Opsun Technologies, Inc., a Canadian photovoltaic firm between 2009 and 2014. The framework agreement aims both to facilitate sales of up to 100MW of China Sunergy's existing of solar cells and modules while enhancing the development of specialized solar cells for future projects.

Commenting on the results, Dr. Allen Wang, CEO of China Sunergy, said:

“We have effectively implemented strategies to benefit from the improved market for our solar products, primarily by building demand channels among new clients and within existing relationships. As a result, we have achieved the upper range of our previously released shipment guidance for the quarter, and an improvement in our gross margin. Although challenges remain given the still uncertain long-term demand, China Sunergy is consistently improving the scope and technological leadership of our products to meet our clients’ needs, and we expect this trend to continue in the coming quarters.”

Third Quarter 2009 Financial Review

Revenues and Shipment

During the third quarter of 2009, revenues increased 14.3% sequentially to US$80.1 million. Sales from solar cells, modules, cells processed under OEM arrangements and other sales accounted for 85.5%, 6.1%, 0.0% and 8.4% of total revenues, respectively. Other sales were mainly revenue on polysilicon sales through buy-sell arrangements.

Shipments amounted to approximately 54.4 MW, representing 59.5% and 31.1% increase compared with the third quarter of 2008 and the second quarter of 2009, respectively.

The percentage of solar cell sales in overseas markets was 36.1% of total solar cell sales in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 45.1% and 41.0% in the third quarter of 2008 and the second quarter of 2009, respectively.

ASP, Gross Profit/Loss & Gross Margins

Blended average selling price (ASP) for the third quarter of 2009 declined from US$1.44 per watt in the previous quarter to US$1.32 per watt. The blended ASP for the third quarter of 2008 was US$3.48.

Gross profit for the quarter was US$8.2 million, which led to a blended gross margin of 10.2%, compared to 9.7% in the previous quarter, and 9.3% in the third quarter of 2008 despite the decline in ASP in the third quarter. The increase in gross margin from the second quarter of 2009 was primarily due to the lower conversion cost in the third quarter of 2009, balancing the continued decline in ASP.
 
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Wafer Costs

In the third quarter of 2009, blended wafer cost, a part of production costs, declined to US$0.87 per watt compared to US$0.96 per watt in the second quarter of 2009. The Company’s procurement flexibility allowed for the continued purchase of raw materials on the spot market, reducing blended wafer cost.

Wafer cost continued to decline as a percentage due to lower wafer pricing in the third quarter. Wafer cost per watt as a percentage of total production costs per watt declined from 75.2% in the second quarter of 2009 to 74.7% in the third quarter of 2009.

Other production costs, or conversion costs, for the quarter were US$0.29 per watt, compared with $0.31 per watt in the second quarter of 2009, and $0.28 in the third quarter of 2008. The decline from the second quarter of 2009 was largely due to greater utilization and effective non-wafer cost controls.

SG&A, Operating Profit/Loss and Net Income/Loss

SG&A expenses in the third quarter of 2009 were US$7.1 million, compared to US$4.9 million in the third quarter of 2008 and US$3.6 million in the last quarter. G&A expenses in the third quarter included US$1.4 million of bad debt provision for account receivables, while the Company reversed US$0.4 million of provision in the second quarter. China Sunergy booked US$0.8 million in legal expenses related to the REC Wafer AS legal proceedings in the third quarter.

Income from operations was US$0.5 million for the third quarter, compared to operating income of US$1.7 million for the second quarter of 2009. Operating income for the third quarter of 2008 was US$5.7 million.

Interest expense for the third quarter 2009 was US$1.8 million, compared to US$2.1 million for the third quarter of 2008 and US$1.9 million for the second quarter of 2009, respectively.

Net other income in the third quarter of 2009 was US$0.7 million, compared to net other income US$3.0 million for the second quarter of 2009. Net other income in the second quarter included a gain of US$2.2 million on the repurchase of the convertible bonds.

The gain from the change in fair value of derivatives during the third quarter of 2009 was US$9.7 million, compared to the gain of US$0.5 million during the second quarter of 2009. It was mainly due to the termination of REC long-term supply contract announced by REC on September 9, 2009. Therefore, US$10.7 million of the derivative liability related to this long-term supply contract was reversed to income statement as a gain through the change in fair value of derivatives, resulting from the contract termination.

In the third quarter, GAAP net profit was US$7.8 million, an improvement sequentially compared to GAAP net income of US$1.7 million in the second quarter of 2009. GAAP net income was US $0.2 million in the third quarter of 2008.

Non-GAAP net loss was US$1.3 million in the third quarter of 2009, compared to a Non-GAAP net income of US$1.2 million in the second quarter of 2009, and a Non-GAAP net income of US$2.0 million in the third quarter of 2008. Non-GAAP figures exclude share-based compensation and the change in the fair value of foreign currency derivatives.
The non-GAAP measures are described and reconciled to the corresponding GAAP measures in the section below titled “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
 
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Liquidity, Cash Flow, Borrowing and Capital Expenditure

As of September 30, 2009, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of US$113.4 million. Net operating cash outflow for the third quarter was US$16.5 million, compared to the positive cash flow of $19.5million at the end of second quarter, as the Company made a full cash payment for the US$14.6 bank promissory note which was issued in January of 2009 and matured in the third quarter.

The short-term bank borrowing at the end of the third quarter increased to US$125 million from US$76 million at the end of the second quarter. On September 30, the Company obtained a RMB 200 million short-term loan from the Export and Import Bank of China.  Subsequent to receiving this loan, the Company recently repaid certain short term banking loans from other banks ahead of schedule, as the Company has preferable interest rate on the borrowings from the Export and Import Bank of China.

Depreciation and amortization was US$2.9 million and capital expenditures were US$1.4 million, largely involving the remaining payments for equipment relating to the Company’s selective emitter cell production lines.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year Outlook

The Company currently anticipates strong shipment growth in the fourth quarter, and therefore believes that shipments will range from 70 MW to 80 MW in the fourth quarter. The gross margin in the fourth quarter is expected to be in low teens given moderate pricing stabilization, lower conversion costs and the strong demand for our solar products.

Given an improved demand environment now being seen through the end of the year, the Company now expects that full year shipments will be between 190 MW to 200 MW, which is at the high end of their previously announced guidance.

Management Updates

China Sunergy recently named Mr. Siegfried Yi Chou Hsu to be Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Shiliang Guo, who was the acting CFO of China Sunergy, resigned from the acting CFO position while remaining a Director of the Company.

Other Company Updates

China Sunergy held its annual general meeting during the second quarter, during which the shareholders adopted the ordinary resolutions proposed by the Company.

During the quarter, the long term supply contract signed with REC Sitech As in 2008 was terminated. China Sunergy initiated legal proceedings against REC Wafer AS related to the contract and bank guarantees. REC has until November 18, 2009 to respond to a legal writ the Company filed regarding to the viability of their claimed position as a party to the contract signed with REC SiTech. As these legal proceedings continue, we will be better able to determine the outcome, and as such, the Company has not accrued any contingent loss related to this pending litigation with REC Wafer AS in the financial results in this earnings report given the outcome and any loss, if any, is undeterminable at this time.
 
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Quarterly Earnings Conference Call Details

China Sunergy will host a conference call at 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time or 4:00 a.m. Pacific Time (Beijing / Hong Kong Time: November 18, 2009 at 8:00 p.m.). The management team will be on the call to discuss results and highlights of the quarter and answer questions.

    The dial-in details for the live conference call are as follows:
 
  US Toll Free Dial In:  +1-866-356-3377
  International Dial In:  +1-617-597-5392
     
  Participant Passcode: 79024512

The call will also be available online at http://www.chinasunergy.com

For those who cannot access the live broadcast, a replay will be available from two hours after the end of the call until November 25, 2009. The replay is available online or using the numbers below:
 
 
  US toll free number:  +1-888-286-8010
  International:     +1-617-801-6888
  Passcode:     63924111
 
About China Sunergy Co., Ltd.:

China Sunergy Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ: CSUN) ("China Sunergy") is a specialized manufacturer of solar cell products in China. China Sunergy manufactures solar cells from silicon wafers utilizing crystalline silicon solar cell technology to convert sunlight directly into electricity through a process known as the photovoltaic effect. China Sunergy sells solar cell products to Chinese and overseas module manufacturers and system integrators, who assemble solar cells into solar modules and solar power systems for use in various markets. For more information please visit http://www.chinasunergy.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 
To supplement China Sunergy's consolidated financial results presented in accordance with GAAP, China Sunergy uses the following measures defined as non-GAAP financial measures by the SEC: net income excluding share-based compensation and change in fair value of foreign currency derivative loss, and basic and diluted net income per ADS excluding share-based compensation and change in fair value of foreign currency derivative loss. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the tables captioned "Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the nearest comparable GAAP measures" set forth at the end of this release. China Sunergy believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding its performance by excluding certain expenses and expenditures that may not be indicative of its operating performance from a cash perspective. The Company believes that both management and investors benefit from referring to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing the Company’s performance and when planning and forecasting future periods. A limitation of using non-GAAP net income excluding share-based compensation and change in fair value of foreign currency derivative loss, and basic and diluted net income per ADS excluding share-based compensation and change in fair value of foreign currency derivative loss is that these non-GAAP measures exclude the share-based compensation and change in fair value of foreign currency derivative loss that have been and will continue to be for the foreseeable future a significant recurring expense or income in the business. Management compensates for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from each non-GAAP measure. Please refer to "Reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the nearest comparable GAAP measures" set forth at the end of this press release.

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For further information contact:

Peter Schmidt
Financial Dynamics
Email: peter.schmidt@fd.com
Tel: + (86) 10-8591-1953


Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements and are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about the company and the industry, and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, the company’s ability to raise additional capital to finance the company's activities; the effectiveness, profitability, and the marketability of its products; the economic slowdown in China and elsewhere and its impact on the company’s operations; demand for and selling prices of the company’s products, the future trading of the common stock of the company; the ability of the company to operate as a public company; the period of time for which its current liquidity will enable the company to fund its operations; the company’s ability to protect its proprietary information; general economic and business conditions; the volatility of the company’s operating results and financial condition; the company’s ability to attract or retain qualified senior management personnel and research and development staff; future shortage or availability of the supply of raw materials; impact on cost-competitiveness as a result of entering into long-term arrangements with raw material suppliers and other risks detailed in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or to changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward looking statements are reasonable, they cannot assure you that their expectations will turn out to be correct, and investors are cautioned that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results.

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China Sunergy Co., Ltd.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Income Statement Information
 (In US$ ’000, except share and per share data)
 
                   
   
For the 3 months ended
 
   
 
Sep 30, 2009
   
Jun 30, 2009
   
Sep 30, 2008
 
                   
Sales to third parties
    58,061       57,825       102,006  
Sales to related parties
    21,992       12,315       17,031  
Total sales
    80,053       70,140       119,037  
Cost of goods sold
    (71,888 )     (63,315 )     (107,987 )
Gross profit
    8,165       6,825       11,050  
Operating expenses:
                       
Selling expenses
    (887 )     (630 )     (582 )
General and administrative expenses
    (6,185 )     (2,949 )     (4,319 )
Research and development expenses
    (605 )     (1,509 )     (431 )
Total operating expenses
    (7,677 )     (5,088 )     (5,332 )
Income from operations
    488       1,737       5,718  
Interest expense
    (1,790 )     (1,864 )     (2,081 )
Interest income
    379       594       408  
Other income/(expenses), net
    745       3,015       (3,728 )
Changes in fair value of derivatives
    9,713       470       (848 )
Income/(loss) before income tax
    9,535       3,952       (531 )
Income tax (expense) benefit
    (1,719 )     (2,210 )     742  
                         
Net income
    7,816       1,742       211  
Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders
    7,816       1,742       211  
                         
Net income per ADS
                       
Basic
  $ 0.20     $ 0.04     $ 0.01  
Diluted
  $ 0.19     $ 0.04     $ 0.01  
                         
Weighted average ADS outstanding
                       
Basic
    39,957,185       39,823,915       39,737,547  
Diluted
    43,708,330       40,409,045       40,392,139  
                         

 
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 China Sunergy Co., Ltd
 Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Information
 (In US$ ’000, except share and per share data)
 
             
   
Sep 30, 2009
   
Dec 31, 2008
 
Assets
           
Current Assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
    113,416       94,800  
Restricted cash
    70,735       62,400  
Accounts receivable (net)
    24,649       8,906  
Other receivable (net)
    5,970       10,273  
Income tax receivable
    1,258       1,258  
Inventories
    32,048       59,125  
         Advance to suppliers
    2,253       7,320  
         Amount due from related companies
    25,350       18,583  
         Current deferred tax assets
    2,656       1,992  
Total current assets
    278,335       264,657  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    97,835       102,609  
Prepaid land use rights
    6,465       6,442  
Deferred tax assets
    1,512       1,512  
Restricted cash- Collateral account
    19,186       17,502  
Derivative assets
    28       -  
Other long-term assets
    3,925       5,003  
Total assets
    407,286       397,725  
                 
Liabilities and equity
               
Current liabilities
               
Short-term bank borrowings
    125,065       97,299  
Accounts payable
    40,918       43,730  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
    6,718       5,445  
Amount due to related companies
    512       247  
Total current liabilities
    173,213       146,721  
Collateral account payable
    19,186       17,502  
Derivative liability
    248       9,058  
Other liabilities
    1,083       1,187  
Convertible bond payable
    44,000       48,000  
Total liabilities
    237,730       222,468  
                 
Equity
               
Ordinary shares: US$0.0001 par value;
267,287,253 and 267,766,443 shares issued
outstanding as of September 30, 2009 and
December 31, 2008, respectively
    27       27  
Additional paid-in capital
    182,867       182,070  
Subscription receivable
    (405 )     (405 )
Accumulated deficit
    (34,122 )     (27,792 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    21,189       21,058  
Total equity attributable to CSUN
    169,556       174,958  
Noncontrolling interest
    -       299  
Total equity
    169,556       175,257  
Total liabilities and equity
    407,286       397,725  

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Reconciliation of non-GAAP results of operations measures to the nearest comparable GAAP measures
(In US$ ’000, except share and per share data)
 
                   
   
For the 3 months ended
 
   
Sep 30, 2009
   
Jun 30, 2009
   
Sep 30, 2008
 
                   
GAAP Net income
    7,816       1,742       211  
Stock based compensation
    564       (119 )     925  
Changes in fair value of derivatives- REC contract
    (10,662 )     (2,085 )     848  
Changes in fair value of derivatives- Euro hedging
    949       1,615       -  
                         
Non-GAAP Net income/(loss)
    (1,333 )     1,153       1,984  
                         
Non-GAAP Net income/(loss) per ADS
                       
Basic
  $ (0.03 )   $ 0.03     $ 0.05  
Diluted
  $ (0.03 )   $ 0.03     $ 0.05  
                         
Weighted average ADS outstanding
                       
Basic
    39,957,185       39,823,915       39,737,547  
Diluted
    39,957,185       40,409,045       40,392,139  


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