Gulf Resources Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2014 Financial Results

Published Mar 15th, 2015

 SHOUGUANG, China, March 13, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gulf Resources, Inc. (GURE) ("Gulf Resources" or the "Company"), a leading manufacturer of bromine, crude salt and specialty chemical products in China, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. Fiscal Year 2014 Highlights • Revenue was $113.7 million, a year-over-year decrease of 4% • Gross profit was $31.9 million, a decrease of 7% • Gross margin was 28%, compared to 29% in 2013 • Net income was $17.9 million, or $0.46 per basic and diluted share from $21.0 million, or $0.55 per basic and $0.54 per diluted share compared with the same period in 2013, a year-over-year decrease of 15%. • Excluding the one-time gain from the relocation of Factory #3 in 2013, earnings per share would have only declined 6.4%. • Cash totaled $146.6 million as of December 31, 2014 ($3.77 per share)* • Net net cash (cash-liabilities) totaled $135,676,863 ($3.49 per share).* • Cash flow per share totaled $46,573,777 ($1.20 per share).* • Free cash flow totaled $39,392,574 ($1.01 per share).* • Cash flow for the years 2013 and 2014 combined totaled $86,725,049 ($2.28 per share)* • Free cash flow for the years 2013 and 2014 combined totaled $79,581,715 ($2.05 per share).* • Shareholders' equity reached $312.1 million ($8.02 per share)* Fourth Quarter 2014 Highlights • Revenue was $25.2 million, a year-over-year decrease of 16% • Gross profit was $6.7 million, a year-over-year decrease of 27% • Gross margin increased to 26.5% from 30.4% for the fourth quarter of 2013 • Income from operations was $4.0 million as compared to $7.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, a year-over-year decrease of 47%. The fourth quarter of 2013 had a one-time gain of $623,577 for the relocation of Factory No. 3. • Operating margin was 15.8% compared to 25.1% for the fourth quarter of 2013 • Net income was $2.9 million, or $0.07 per basic and diluted share, versus $5.6 million, or $0.15 per basic and $0.14 per diluted share a year ago, a year-over-year decrease of 49% Fiscal Year 2014 Financial Results Net revenue for the fiscal year 2014, was $113,660,331, a decrease of $4,731,452, or 4%, over the same period in 2013. This decrease was attributable to our bromine and crude salt segments. (i) revenue from our bromine segment decreased from $60,488,886 for the fiscal year 2013 to $57,949,824 for the same period in 2014, a decrease of approximately 4%, due to lower prices (ii) revenue from our crude salt segment decreased from $13,790,128 for the fiscal year 2013 to $10,752,226 for the same period in 2014, a decrease of approximately 22%, due to lower prices (iii) revenue from our chemical products segment increased from $44,112,769 for the fiscal year 2013 to $44,958,281 for the same period in 2014, an increase of approximately 2%. Gross profit was $31,922,721, or 28%, of net revenue for fiscal year 2014 as compared to $34,182,647, or 29%, of net revenue for fiscal year 2013. Income from operations was $23,818,221 for the fiscal year 2014 (or 21% of net revenue), a decrease of $4,625,271 (or approximately 16%) over income from operations for the fiscal year 2013. The decrease resulted primarily from the decrease in pricing for our bromine and crude salt segments products as well as from the recognized gain on the relocation of original Factory No.3 in the amount of $2,501,336 for the fiscal year 2013. Net income was $17,871,795 for the fiscal year 2014, a decrease of $3,095,562 (or approximately 15%) as compared to the same period in 2013. This decrease was primarily attributable to the decrease in the selling price of bromine and crude salt. Fourth Quarter 2014 Results Gulf Resources' revenue was $25.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2014, a decrease of 16%, from $30.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2013. Revenue from the bromine segment was $14.0 million, a decrease of 1.3%. Revenue from the crude salt segment was $2.7 million, a decrease 28.0%. Revenue from the chemical products segment was $8.5 million, a decrease of 30.0% from the corresponding period in 2013. Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2014 was $6.7 million, a decrease of 27%, from $9.1 million of the fourth quarter of 2013, and gross profit margin for the three months ended December 31, 2014 was 26.5%, as compared to 30.4% for the corresponding period last year. Sales, marketing and other operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2013 were $25,576, as compared to $26,795 for the corresponding quarter last year. General and administrative expenses for the fourth quarter of 2014 were $2.24 million, as compared to $2.21 million for the fourth quarter of 2013. Income from operations for the fourth quarter of 2014 was $4.0 million, as compared to $7.6 million for the corresponding quarter of 2013. The operating margin was 15.8% for the fourth quarter of 2013, as compared to 25.1% for the fourth quarter of 2013. For the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company incurred other income of $82,408, as compared to $50,212 for the corresponding quarter last year. Income taxes were $1.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2014, a decrease of 40% from $2.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2013. The Company's effective tax rate was 26% during the quarter, which is same as the fourth quarter of 2013. Net income was $2.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2014, a decrease of 49%, from $5.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2014. Basic and diluted earnings per share in the fourth quarter of 2014 were $0.07 per basic and diluted share as compared to $0.15 per basic and $0.14 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2013. Weighted average number of basic shares for the three months ended December 31, 2014 was 38,725,282, as compared with 38,395,921 for the three months ended December 31, 2013. Financial Condition As of December 31, 2014, Gulf Resources had cash of $146.6 million, ($3.77 per share),* current liabilities of $8.1 million, and shareholders' equity of $312.1 million ($8.02 per share)*. Net net cash (cash-all liabilities) totaled $135,676,863 ($3.49 per share)*. At the end of fiscal year 2014, the Company had working capital of $186.0 million ($4.78 per share)*. During 2014, we generated positive cash flow from operating activities of $46.6 million ($1.20 per share)*. We used approximately $0.66 million for the payment of land leases. In the same period, we also used approximately $6.46 million in the third phase enhancement project related to the protective shells to transmission channels and ducts in Factory No. 10 and 11. Free cash flow per share totaled $39,392,574 ($1.01 per share)*. In the past two years combined, the Company generated cash flow from operating activities of $86,725,049 ($2.28 per share)* and free cash flow of $79,581,715 ($2.05 per share)*. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS In order to increase the Company's profit margins, produce more consistent and reliable earnings and lessen dependence on the economically sensitive bromine industry, on January 12, 2015, the Company entered into an Equity Interest Transfer Agreement (the "Agreement") with Shouguang City Rongyuan Chemical Co, Ltd. ("SCRC") and its shareholders, pursuant to which SCHC acquired SCRC and all rights, title and interest in and to all assets owned by SCRC, a leading manufacturer of materials for human and animal antibiotics in China and other parts of Asia. On February 4, 2015 the Company closed the transactions contemplated by the Agreement between the Company, SCHC and SCRC. In consideration for SCRC, SCHC paid $66.2 million in cash and issued approximately 7.27 million shares of common stock at a price of $2.00 per share, which represents a 73% premium over the previous 10 day closing price. The shares were issued to the four former equity owners of SCRC. The issuance of the shares was exempt from registration pursuant to Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. On the closing date, the Company entered into a lock-up agreement with the four former equity owners of SCRC. In accordance with the terms of the lock-up agreement, the shareholders have agreed not to sell or transfer the shares for five years from the date the stock certificates evidencing the Shares were issued. Total consideration for the purchase of SCRC was approximately $80.8 million. As the initial accounting for the acquisition of SCRC is incomplete at the time the financial statements are issued. Supplemental pro forma information as required by FASB ASC 805-10-50-2(h) is not available for disclosure. On January 30, 2015, the Company announced that it found natural gas resources under its bromine well in the Sichuan area. The company will hire a third party to conduct a survey of the geological structure and complexity analysis and the economics of the natural gas under this well. The Company is in the final stage of discussion with the expert company to finalize the service agreement. Business Outlook Overall, we expect that the Chinese economy and bromine demand will remain relatively soft. However, with the acquisition and the expansion of our chemical business, we expect 2015 total revenue will increase to $190 million, and net income will increase to the range of $33 million to $34 million (approximately $0.74 per share) based on current bromine price levels. This guidance does not include either the costs or the potential revenues of the Sichuan gas project. The Company will not consider further development of the Sichuan gas project until the assessment report from third party has been completed, which is expected by the end of May 2015. If the project is commercially viable, the company intends to invest approximately $10 million for further development in 2015. The Rongyuan acquisition is going smoothly. Audited financials are required be filed by end of April 2015 with the SEC in accordance to Form 8-K rules. Gulf will continue to pursue horizontal and vertical acquisition targets in order to increase the Company's profitability. "In 2015, we will also consider methods of increasing shareholder value," said Mr. Xiaobin Liu, the CEO of the company. "We have generated substantial free cash flow and made accretive acquisitions. We have also bought back some stock. However, we recognize our stock is highly undervalued. We ended 2014 with net cash per share of $3.77*, more than twice the current stock price. Our shareholders equity was $312.1 million ($8.02 per share)*. During 2015, we will consider a number of possible ways of increasing shareholder value including stock buybacks, roadshows, the possibility of dual listing on other exchanges, and etc. We value our shareholders and want to take steps that will benefit them." * All per share calculations have not been audited and have been calculated using the end of the year share count of 38,911,014 as shown on the balance sheet in the 10-K. Conference Call Gulf Resources' management will host a conference call on Monday, March 16, 2015 at 7:30 AM Eastern Time to discuss its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. Hosting the call will be Mr. Xiaobin Liu, CEO of Gulf Resources. The Company's management team will be available for investor questions following the prepared remarks. To participate in this live conference call, please dial +1 (877) 275-8968 five to ten minutes prior to the scheduled conference call time. International callers should call +1 (706) 643-1666. The conference participant ID is 5572541. A replay of the conference call will be available two hours after the call's completion during 03/16/2014510:30 EDT - 04/16/2015 23:59 EDT. To access the replay, call +1 (855) 859-2056. International callers should call +1 (404) 537-3406. The conference ID is 5572541. This conference call will be broadcast live over the Internet and can be accessed by all interested parties by clicking on http://www.gulfresourcesinc.com/events.html. Please access the link at least fifteen minutes prior to the start of the call to register, download, and install any necessary audio software. For those unable to participate during the live broadcast, a 90-day replay will be available shortly after the call by accessing the same link. About Gulf Resources, Inc. Gulf Resources, Inc. operates through two wholly-owned subsidiaries, Shouguang City Haoyuan Chemical Company Limited ("SCHC") and Shouguang Yuxin Chemical Industry Co., Limited ("SYCI"). The Company believes that it is one of the largest producers of bromine in China. Elemental Bromine is used to manufacture a wide variety of compounds utilized in industry and agriculture. Through SYCI, the Company manufactures chemical products utilized in a variety of applications, including oil and gas field explorations and as papermaking chemical agents. For more information, visit www.gulfresourcesinc.com. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this news release contain forward-looking information about Gulf Resources and its subsidiaries' business and products within the meaning of Rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are subject to the safe harbor created by those rules. The actual results may differ materially depending on a number of risk factors including, but not limited to, the general economic and business conditions in the PRC, future product development and production capabilities, shipments to end customers, market acceptance of new and existing products, additional competition from existing and new competitors for bromine and other oilfield and power production chemicals, changes in technology, the ability to make future bromine asset purchases, and various other factors beyond its control. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this Cautionary Statement and the risks factors detailed in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Gulf Resources undertakes no duty to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release. GULF RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Expressed in U.S. dollars) As of December 31, 2014 2013 Current Assets Cash $ 146,585,601 $ 107,828,800 Accounts receivable 41,997,862 44,885,354 Inventories 5,367,868 5,301,995 Prepayments and deposits 86,301 4,583 Prepaid land leases 51,024 50,548 Other receivables 38,272 -- Deferred tax assets 864 1,657 Total Current Assets 194,127,792 158,072,937 Non-Current Assets Property, plant and equipment, net 124,350,781 146,400,436 Property, plant and equipment under capital leases, net 1,339,602 1,701,328 Prepaid land leases, net of current portion 733,560 753,928 Deferred tax assets 2,430,417 2,316,176 Total non-current assets 128,854,360 151,171,868 Total Assets $ 322,982,152 $ 309,244,805 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Current Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 4,004,728 $ 5,645,831 Retention payable 326,959 209,126 Capital lease obligation, current portion 205,128 202,392 Taxes payable 3,545,429 5,248,486 Total Current Liabilities 8,082,244 11,305,835 Non-Current Liabilities Capital lease obligation, net of current portion 2,826,495 2,943,878 Total Liabilities $ 10,908,739 $ 14,249,713 Stockholders' Equity PREFERRED STOCK; $0.001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none outstanding $ $ COMMON STOCK; $0.0005 par value; 80,000,000 shares authorized; 38,911,014 and 38,765,201 shares issued; and 38,672,865 and 38,580,602 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively 19,456 19,383 Treasury stock; 238,149 and 184,599 shares as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 (561,728) (500,000) Additional paid-in capital 80,380,008 80,033,981 Retained earnings unappropriated 183,480,402 166,421,427 Retained earnings appropriated 18,078,392 17,265,572 Cumulative translation adjustment 30,676,883 31,754,729 Total Stockholders' Equity 312,073,413 294,995,092 Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 322,982,152 $ 309,244,805 GULF RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Expressed in U.S. dollars) Years Ended December 31, 2014 2013 NET REVENUE Net revenue $ 113,660,331 $ 118,391,783 OPERATING EXPENSES / INCOME Cost of net revenue (81,737,610) (84,209,136) Sales, marketing and other operating expenses (105,588) (96,372) Research and development cost (134,292) (140,445) Exploration cost (488,880) -- Write-off / Impairment on property, plant and equipment (673,705) (27,964) Loss from disposal of property, plant and equipment (9,866) -- General and administrative expenses (7,161,047) (8,563,282) Gain on relocation of factory -- 2,501,336 Other operating income 468,878 587,573 (89,842,110) (89,948,290) INCOME FROM OPERATIONS 23,818,221 28,443,493 OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES) Interest expense (203,296) (208,250) Interest income 482,885 339,798 279,589 131,548 INCOME BEFORE TAXES 24,097,810 28,575,041 INCOME TAXES (6,226,015) (7,607,683) NET INCOME $ 17,871,795 $ 20,967,358 COMPREHENSIVE INCOME: NET INCOME 17,871,795 20,967,358 OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - Foreign currency translation adjustments (1,077,846) 9,258,450 COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $ 16,793,949 $ 30,225,808 EARNINGS PER SHARE BASIC $ 0.46 $ 0.55 DILUTED $ 0.46 $ 0.54 WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES BASIC 38,694,567 38,395,921 DILUTED 39,260,627 38,827,330 GULF RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Expressed in U.S. dollars) Years Ended December 31, 2014 2013 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income $ 17,871,795 $ 20,967,358 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Interest on capital lease obligation 202,656 207,393 Amortization of prepaid land leases 680,551 660,002 Depreciation and amortization 27,642,222 27,460,693 Allowance for obsolete and slow-moving inventories (3,174) (21,265) Write-off / Impairment loss on property, plant and equipment 673,705 27,964 Loss from disposal of property, plant and equipment 9,866 -- Gain on relocation of factory -- (2,501,336) Demolition expenditure net off against gain on relocation of factory -- (1,059,965) Currency translation adjustment on inter-company balances (92,412) 774,405 Deferred tax asset (121,436) 5,502 Stock-based compensation expense 346,100 544,900 Changes in assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable 2,751,676 (7,777,332) Inventories (84,777) 879,952 Prepayment and deposits (80,673) (4,583) Accounts payable and accrued expenses (1,616,195) (1,057,016) Retention payable 117,905 (1,233,988) Other receivables (38,272) 18,000 Taxes payable (1,685,760) 2,260,588 Net cash provided by operating activities 46,573,777 40,151,272 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Additions of prepaid land leases (664,106) (638,076) Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment 21,514 143 Purchase of property, plant and equipment (6,538,611) (3,192,681) Compensation proceeds received -- 3,868,483 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (7,181,203) 37,869 CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Repurchase of common stock (61,728) -- Repayment of capital lease obligation (304,806) (302,497) Net cash used in financing activities (366,534) (302,497) EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (269,239) 2,701,121 NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 38,756,801 42,587,765 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING OF YEAR 107,828,800 65,241,035 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF YEAR $ 146,585,601 $ 107,828,800 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION Cash paid during the year for: Income taxes $ 7,604,071 $ 5,605,116 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES Issuance of common stock upon cashless exercise of options $ 73 $ 107 Contact: Gulf Resources, Inc. Web: http://www.gulfresourcesinc.com Director of Investor Relations Helen Xu (Hai Yan Xu) Beishengrong@vip.163.com IR Manager Max Ma Max_vx@163.com