SOURCE: Highpower International
March 28, 2011 07:00 ET
Highpower International, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2010 Financial Results
NEW YORK, NY and SHENZHEN, CHINA--(Marketwire - March 28, 2011) - Highpower International,
Inc. (NASDAQ: HPJ), a developer, manufacturer and marketer of nickel-metal
hydride (Ni-MH) and lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries and related products,
today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended
December 31, 2010.
Business Highlights
-- Net sales for the fourth quarter of 2010 increased 24% to $27.9 million
-- Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2010 increased 49% to $104.9
million
-- Gross profit margin for the fourth quarter of 2010 was 22.4% as
compared with 19.3% in the fourth quarter of 2009
-- Gross profit margin for the year ended December 31, 2010 was 20.8% as
compared with 21.4% for the year ended December 31, 2009
-- Net income for the fourth quarter of 2010 increased 126% to $1.4
million
-- Net income for the year ended December 31, 2010 increased 36% to $6.0
million
-- Fully diluted EPS for the fourth quarter increased by 100% to $0.10
-- Fully diluted EPS for the year increased by 36% to $0.44
-- Continued production ramp of Li-ion batteries to average monthly
production rate in excess of 1.3 million units for the fourth quarter
2010, an increase of 48% in production over the same period in 2009
"We are proud of the growth in revenues and profits that we achieved in the
fourth quarter and the full year of 2010," said Mr. George Pan, Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of Highpower International. "We grew our
volumes by 18% in 2010, which was driven by a growing global demand for our
products as we gain traction in placing our batteries in many next
generation consumer electronics products. In addition, our net income
increased by 36% in 2010 despite a challenging raw materials cost
environment. Our focus on cost containment efforts and execution proved
invaluable in helping us achieve these strong results."
"As we look forward, we believe we are well positioned within our industry
to capitalize on growth opportunities with an estimated 11% share of the
global Ni-MH battery market, a growing presence in the Lithium battery
market and excellent customer relationships. We plan on building on this
momentum in 2011 with increased investments in our global sales and
marketing platform and advancing our position as a leading developer,
manufacturer and marketer of clean energy products and solutions."
Mr. Henry Sun, Chief Financial Officer of Highpower International added,
"We ended the year with a strong balance sheet that positions us to pursue
our strategic initiatives for 2011. In addition to the above mentioned
investments in our global sales and marketing organization, we look forward
to completing the construction of our new Ni-MH battery manufacturing
facility in Huizhou, Guangdong Province and begin transitioning production
from our existing facility in Shenzhen in the fourth quarter of 2011. In
addition, we are planning to expand the production capacity of our Li-ion
manufacturing operations due to continued strong demand for our products."
Fourth Quarter 2010 Financial Results
Net sales for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2010 totaled $27.9
million, a year-over-year increase of 24% compared with $22.5 million for
the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009. The increase in sales for the
fourth quarter was primarily due to a 15% increase in the average selling
price of our batteries and a 48% increase in the number of Lithium
batteries sold. In addition, our Materials segment revenue increased to
$2.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2010 from $838,000 in the fourth
quarter of 2009.
Fourth quarter 2010 gross profit increased 44% to $6.3 million, as compared
with $4.3 million for the fourth quarter 2009. Gross profit margin was
22.4% for the fourth quarter 2010, as compared with 19.3% for the fourth
quarter 2009. The year-over-year increase in gross profit margin for the
fourth quarter 2010 was primarily due to a 15% increase in the average
selling price of our batteries as compared with a 9% increase in the
average per unit cost of our batteries sold.
Selling and distribution costs were $1.1 million for the fourth quarter
2010, as compared with $476,000 for the comparable period in 2009,
reflecting increased investment in sales and marketing.
General and administrative expenses, including stock-based compensation,
were $3.1 million or 11.0% of net sales for the fourth quarter 2010, as
compared to $2.8 million, or 12.4% of net sales for the fourth quarter
2009. The increase was primarily due to increased spending on senior and
mid-level management staffing and a higher investment in our management
information systems, both required to support the growth of our business.
Income from operations for the fourth quarter increased 72% to $1.7
million, as compared with $975,000 for the fourth quarter of 2009. The 2010
results include a $304,000 loss on the exchange rate difference between the
U.S. Dollar ("USD") and the Renminbi ("RMB") as compared with a $2,100 gain
in the 2009 fourth quarter.
Net income for the fourth quarter of 2010 was $1.4 million or $0.10 per
diluted share, based on 13.9 million weighted average shares outstanding.
This compares with fourth quarter 2009 net income of $638,000, or $0.05 per
diluted share, based on 13.6 million weighted average shares outstanding,
which resulted in an increase in diluted EPS of 100% year-over-year.
Full Year 2010 Financial Results
Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2010 totaled $104.9 million, a
year-over-year increase of 49% compared with $70.3 million for the year
ended December 31, 2009. The year-over-year increase was primarily due to
an 18% increase in the number of NiMH battery units sold; a 2% increase in
the average selling price of our NiMH battery units; an 89% increase in the
number of Li-ion battery units sold; and a 17% increase in the average
selling price of our Li-ion battery units. In addition, our Materials
revenue increased to $12.6 million in 2010 from $1.0 million in 2009. The
increase in the number of battery units sold in 2010 was primarily
attributable to increased orders from both new and existing customers. The
increase in the average selling price of our Li-ion battery units was due
to a shift in the sales mix towards higher value products.
Gross profit for 2010 increased 45% to $21.8 million, as compared with
$15.0 million for 2009. Gross profit margin was 20.8% for 2010, as
compared with 21.4% for 2009. The slightly lower gross profit margins in
2010 were primarily the result of lower margins on our Li-ion battery sales
as a result of the ramp-up in manufacturing and the resulting unabsorbed
overhead costs. In addition, our materials business generates lower gross
margins than what we achieve from our battery sales and therefore
contributed to the lower overall gross profit margin.
Selling and distribution costs were $4.0 million for 2010, as compared with
$2.4 million for 2009, reflecting increased investment in sales and
marketing.
General and administrative expenses, including stock-based compensation,
were $9.3 million or 8.9% of net sales for 2010, as compared to $6.4
million or 9.1% of net sales for 2009. The $2.9 million overall increase
was primarily due to increased spending on senior and mid-level management
staffing and a higher investment in our management information systems.
Income from operations for 2010 increased 22% to $7.3 million, as compared
with $5.9 million for 2009. The 2010 results include a $786,000 loss on the
exchange rate difference between the U.S. Dollar ("USD") and the Renminbi
("RMB"), as compared with a $60,000 loss in 2009.
Net income increased 36% to $6.0 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, for
the year ended December 31, 2010, based on 13.7 million weighted average
shares outstanding. This compares with 2009 net income of $4.4 million, or
$0.33 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2009, based on
13.6 million weighted average shares outstanding.
Balance Sheet
At December 31, 2010, Highpower International had cash, cash equivalents
and restricted cash totaling $14.5 million, total assets of $69.9 million,
working capital of $10.1 million and stockholders' equity of $27.8 million.
Bank credit facilities totaled $61.2 million at December 31, 2010, of which
$22.5 million was utilized and $38.7 million was available as unused credit.
Outlook
Based on our current expectations for global demand for the rechargeable
battery market in 2011, the outlook for our key raw material input prices
and our planned increased investment in sales & marketing and research &
development, we are providing the following financial guidance for 2011. We
expect net sales to be between $125 million and $135 million and net income
to be between $6.0 million and $7.0 million for the year ended December 31,
2011.
"While we expect to continue to experience strong revenue growth for 2011,
our growth in net income will be impacted by key investments that we are
making today to position us for increased profitability in 2012 and beyond.
In addition, we expect that our gross margins in 2011 will be impacted by
higher raw material costs and higher labor costs, which will be partially
offset by product price increases that we are in the process of
implementing." said Mr. Henry Sun, Chief Financial Officer.
Conference Call and Webcast
The Company will host a conference call today at 7:00 a.m. Pacific
time/10:00 a.m. Eastern time to discuss these results and answer questions.
Individuals interested in participating in the conference call may do so by
dialing 888-799-5026 from the U.S., or 973-409-9693 from outside the U.S.
and referencing the reservation code 49794466. Those interested in
listening to the conference call live via the Internet may do so by
visiting the Investor Relations section of the Company's Web site at
http://www.highpowertech.com or www.InvestorCalendar.com.
About Highpower International, Inc.
Highpower International, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets
rechargeable nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) and lithium-ion (Li-ion)
batteries and related products for use in a variety of electronic devices.
The majority of Highpower International's products are distributed
worldwide to markets in the United States, Europe, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan,
Southeast Asia and South America. For more information, visit
http://www.highpowertech.com
To be added to the Company's email distribution for future news releases,
please send your request to HPJ@finprofiles.com . Company news can also be
found at http://ir.haopengbattery.com/en/introduce028.html
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning
of the "safe-harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995 that are not historical facts. These statements can be
identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believe,"
"expect," "may," "will," "should," "project," "plan," "seek," "intend," or
"anticipate" or the negative thereof or comparable terminology, and include
discussions of strategy, and statements about industry trends and the
Company's future performance, operations and products. Such statements
involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could
cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from the results
expressed or implied by such statements. For a discussion of these and
other risks and uncertainties see "Risk Factors" and "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations"
in the Company's public filings with the SEC. Although the Company
believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements
are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove
to be correct. The Company has no obligation to update the forward-looking
information contained in this press release.
- financial tables to follow -
HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Stated in US Dollars)
Years Ended December 31,
------------------------
2010 2009
$ $
Net sales 104,854,870 70,331,277
Cost of sales (83,079,927) (55,299,955)
----------- -----------
Gross profit 21,773,943 15,031,322
Depreciation (320,123) (270,078)
Selling and distribution costs (4,046,012) (2,354,967)
General and administrative costs including
stock-based compensation (9,315,313) (6,404,724)
Loss on exchange rate difference (785,576) (60,294)
Loss from associate (39,391) -
----------- -----------
Income from operations 7,268,528 5,941,259
Change in fair value of currency forwards - (117,171)
Other income 448,196 509,294
Interest expense (406,534) (527,940)
Other expenses - (214,092)
----------- -----------
Income before taxes 7,310,190 5,591,350
Income taxes (1,268,464) (1,147,804)
----------- -----------
Net income 6,041,726 4,443,546
=========== ===========
Net Income per common share
Basic 0.44 0.33
=========== ===========
Diluted 0.44 0.33
=========== ===========
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic 13,582,106 13,608,265
=========== ===========
Diluted 13,698,762 13,667,697
=========== ===========
HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Stated in US Dollars)
At December 31,
-----------------------
2010 2009
$ $
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents 8,490,629 2,967,586
Restricted cash 6,044,960 5,478,418
Accounts receivable 20,846,540 14,896,503
Notes receivable 256,574 596,795
Prepaid expenses and other receivables 3,231,211 2,366,734
Deferred charges - Stock-based compensation - -
Inventories 13,447,432 10,633,566
----------- -----------
Total Current Assets 52,317,346 36,939,602
Deferred tax assets - -
Plant and equipment, net 13,652,254 10,284,873
Leasehold land 3,022,293 3,019,509
Intangible asset, net 800,000 850,000
Investment securities 53,904 52,732
Currency forward - -
----------- -----------
TOTAL ASSETS 69,948,920 51,146,716
=========== ===========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
LIABILITIES
Current Liabilities:
Non-trading foreign currency derivatives
liabilities 77,699 11,041
Accounts payable 13,407,204 10,738,714
Other payables and accrued liabilities 4,983,269 3,563,308
Income taxes payable 1,164,007 876,739
Bank borrowings 22,539,032 14,787,714
----------- -----------
Total Current Liabilities 42,171,211 29,977,516
=========== ===========
TOTAL LIABILITIES 42,171,211 29,977,516
HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (continued)
(Stated in US Dollars)
At December 31,
---------------------
2009 2008
$ $
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred Stock
Par value: $0.0001
Authorized: 10,000,000 shares
Issued and outstanding: none - -
Common stock
Par value: $0.0001
Authorized: 100,000,000 shares
Issued and outstanding: 2010 -13,582,106
shares (2009 -13,582,106 shares) 1,358 1,358
Additional paid-in capital 5,180,318 5,065,426
Accumulated other comprehensive income 2,475,749 2,023,858
Retained earnings 20,120,284 14,078,558
---------- ----------
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 27,777,709 21,169,200
---------- ----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 69,948,920 51,146,716
========== ==========
HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Stated in US Dollars)
Years ended December 31,
2010 2009
$ $
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income 6,041,726 4,443,546
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
flows provided by (used in) operating
activities:
Bad debts written off 4,911 74,112
Depreciation 1,388,218 1,088,341
Amortization of intangible asset 50,000 50,000
Amortization of leasehold land 67,099 62,798
Loss on disposal of plant and equipment 87,741 151,825
Change in fair value of currency forwards - 117,171
Change in fair value of warrants - -
Stock based compensation 114,891 233,897
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in -
Accounts receivable (5,950,037) (6,102,967)
Notes receivable 340,221 (164,724)
Prepaid expenses and other receivables (864,476) (606,750)
Inventories (2,813,866) 691,174
Increase (decrease) in -
Accounts payable 2,668,490 2,341,687
Other payables and accrued liabilities 1,419,961 382,470
Income taxes payable 287,268 500,216
----------- -----------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating
activities 2,842,147 3,262,796
----------- -----------
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisition of plant and equipment (5,077,297) (3,661,111)
Proceeds from Investment securities - (52,641)
Investment in an associate (103,123) -
----------- -----------
Net cash used in investing activities (5,180,420) (3,713,752)
----------- -----------
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of common stock - -
Proceeds from new short-term bank loans 19,332,717 2,924,518
Repayment of short-term bank loans (13,776,439) (2,995,847)
Repayment of other loans - -
Net advancement of other bank borrowings 2,841,107 (124,949)
Decrease / (Increase) in restricted cash (566,542) (581,261)
----------- -----------
Net cash provided by financing activities 7,830,843 (777,539)
----------- -----------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 5,492,570 (1,228,495)
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash
and cash equivalents 30,473 20,301
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year 2,967,586 4,175,780
----------- -----------
Cash and cash equivalents - end of year 8,490,629 2,967,586
=========== ===========
HIGH POWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(Stated in US Dollars)
Three months ended
December 31,
2010 2009
$ $
Net Sales 27,879,171 22,519,839
Cost of Sales (21,623,870) (18,179,460)
----------- -----------
Gross Profit 6,255,301 4,340,379
Depreciation (123,524) (100,769)
Selling and distribution cost (1,050,698) (475,966)
General and administrative costs including
stock-based compensation (3,067,703) (2,791,070)
Loss on exchange rate difference (304,171) 2,108
Loss from associate (32,611) -
----------- -----------
Income from operations 1,676,594 974,682
Change in fair value of currency forwards - (65)
Change in fair value of warrants - -
Other Income 161,306 130,862
Interest Expense (149,421) (248,318)
Other expenses - 9,871
----------- -----------
Income before taxes 1,688,479 867,032
Income Taxes (248,409) (228,784)
----------- -----------
Net Income 1,440,070 638,248
=========== ===========
Other comprehensive income
Foreign currency translation gain 23,495 -
Cash flow hedge (2) -
----------- -----------
Comprehensive Income 1,462,563 -
Net Income per common share
Basic 0.10 0.05
=========== ===========
Diluted 0.10 0.05
=========== ===========
Weighted average common shares outstanding
=========== ===========
Basic 13,582,106 13,566,601
=========== ===========
Diluted 13,930,096 13,632,069