Quantcast
Last updated on May 24, 2013 at 15:49 EDT

China Dredging Group Co., Ltd. Reports Unaudited First Quarter 2012 Results

September 23, 2012

FUZHOU, China, Sept. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — China Dredging Group Co., Ltd. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries and variable interest entities, “China Dredging,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our”), one of the leading independent (non-state-owned) providers of dredging services in the PRC, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter of 2012.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 Highlights

  • Revenues of $59.5 million, a 18.7% period-over-period increase
  • Gross profit of $31.5 million, a 8.2% period-over-period increase
  • Net income of $21.7 million, a 18.7% period-over-period decrease
  • Operating cash flow of $33.8 million, a 175.8% period-over-period increase
  • Cash of $146.1 million and working capital of $159.4 million as of March 31, 2012

“I am very pleased that we were able to deliver strong quarterly results in revenue in the first quarter of 2012,” said Mr. Xinrong Zhuo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of China Dredging. “We believe this revenue growth reflects our strong strategic relationship with our main contractors, and we are committed to enhancing our market share in China’s dredging industry.”

Recent Developments

In July 2012, we did not renew two dredgers lease agreements when the contracts expired, and terminated leasing one dredger in the consideration of its working efficiency. We try to integrate our management and technology for new projects. These three dredgers are not suitable for the new upcoming projects. As a result, we currently have 10 dredgers in our fleet, including 6 non-self-propelling cutter suction dredgers, 2 trailer suction hopper dredgers and 2 grab dredgers.

2012 First Quarter Operating Results

                                                            For the Three Months Ended
                                             March 31,
                                             ---------
                         2012                                                                         2011
                         ----                                                                         ----

    Contract Revenue                                                              $59,499,531                                            $50,131,369
    Percentage Change                                                                    18.7%

Contract revenue increased by $9.4 million, or 18.7% (13.7% without foreign exchange effect), to $59.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared to $50.1 million for the three months ended March 31,2012. The increased contract revenue primarily resulted from the increase of our dredging volume and unit construction price, which is a price negotiated with the contractor for each specific project. We completed 32.5 million cubic meters of dredging volume for the three months ended March 31, 2012, as compared to 28.5 million cubic meters for the three months ended March 31, 2011, representing an increase of 13.9% in dredging volume. In addition, the unit construction price per cubic meter increased by $0.07, or 4.0% (-0.2% without foreign exchange effect), to $1.83 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $1.76 for the same period of 2011. The increase was primarily due to an increase of demand for our dredging services and general market conditions.

                                                           For the Three Months Ended
                                             March 31,
                                             ---------
                         2012                                                                        2011
                         ----                                                                        ----

    Gross Profit                                                                 $31,477,413                                            $29,091,405
    Gross Profit Margin                                                                 52.9%                                                  58.0%

Gross profit increased by $2.4 million, or 8.2% (3.7% without foreign exchange effect), to $31.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared to $29.1 million for the same period of 2011. Our cost of contract revenue for three months ended March 31, 2012 increased by $7.0 million, or 33.2% (27.5% without foreign exchange effect), to $28.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared to $21.0 million for the same period of 2011. As a percentage of revenue, our cost of contract revenue increased from 42.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2011 to 47.1% for the same period of 2012 due to the increased headcount of employee and vessel leasing fee, the increasing price of consumable parts as well as the increased quantity demands for the projects. As a result, our gross profit margin decreased from 58.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2011 to 52.9% for the same period in 2012.

                                                                                              For the Three Months Ended
                                         March 31,
                                         ---------
                                           2012                                                                          2011
                                           ----                                                                          ----

    General and Administrative Expenses                                                                            $2,435,274                                          $1,950,684
    Percentage Change                                                                                                    24.8%

General and administrative expenses increased by $0.5 million, or 24.8%, from $2.0 million, or 3.9% of revenues, for the three months ended March 31, 2011 to $2.4 million, or 4.1% of revenues, for the same period of 2012. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily attributable to an increase in other taxes, such as business tax, which is levied in the PRC based on revenue.

                                                                                                           For the Three Months Ended
                                                 March 31,
                                                 ---------
                                                   2012                                                                            2011
                                                   ----                                                                            ----

    Gain on Obligation under Make-Good Escrow                                                                              $          -               $6,298,527
    Loss on Derivative                                                                                                        $(192,957)                $(22,852)

For the three months ended March 31, 2012, we had $0.2 million in net losses from the reductions of estimated obligations to investors that had been incurred as a result of our fourth quarter 2010 Private Placement, as compared to $6.3 million in net gains for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The gain on obligation under the make-good escrow related to our meeting earnings targets both in 2010 and 2011, resulting in release of the contingent liability and a resulting gain, which significantly impacted our other income (expense) for the three months ended March 31, 2011. There is no such gain or loss in 2012 as the make-good escrow expired on December 31, 2011. The loss on derivative related to the fair value adjustment to the embedded derivatives in our preferred shares issued in our 2010 Private Placement. These gains or losses have no income tax effect.

Taxable income increased by 7.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared to the same period of 2011. Income tax expense increased by $0.5 million, or 7.1%, to $7.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared to $6.8 million for the same period of 2011. The applicable income tax was 25%, which was effective on January 1, 2008 in the PRC.

                                                                                           For the Three Months Ended
                                       March 31,
                                       ---------
                                         2012                                                                         2011
                                         ----                                                                         ----

    Net Income                                                                                                 $21,668,818                                          $26,647,614
    Percentage Change                                                                                                -18.7%
    Earnings per Diluted Ordinary Share                                                                              $0.35                                                $0.40

As a result of the foregoing, our net income decreased by $5.0 million, or 18.7% (22.0% without foreign exchange effect), to $21.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared to $26.6 million for the same period of 2011.

As of March 31, 2012, we had cash of $146.1 million, total current assets $181.5 million, total assets of $302.6 million, total current liabilities of $22.1 million, no non-current liabilities, and a balance to Class A Preferred Shares of $50.0 million. We had a positive operating cash flow for the three months ended March 31, 2012 of $33.8 million, primarily attributable to the decrease in accounts receivable, cost and estimated earnings in excess of billings on contracts in progress, and prepaid expenses.

About China Dredging

China Dredging is one of the leading independent (non-state-owned) providers of specialized dredging services to the Chinese marine infrastructure market. With a modern fleet of ten dredging vessels, China Dredging has broad capabilities with which it is able to address diverse types of dredging projects. Its services, which require significant engineering and project management expertise, include on-site investigation and measurement, cost estimation, sediment and obstruction removal and transport and disposal of dredged material in an environmentally responsible manner. China Dredging conducts dredging operations through Fujian Xing Gang Port Service Co., Ltd., in which it holds a 50% equity interest, with the remaining 50% interest controlled by China Dredging pursuant to variable interest entity agreements.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking” statements regarding China Dredging’s operating results and business prospects that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. You can identify some of these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “future,” “intend,” “likely to,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “potential,” “predict,” “should,” “scheduled to,” “target,” “will,” “would,” or similar words, as well as statements in the future tense, in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of China Dredging, or industry results, to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important assumptions and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: continued public spending on PRC marine infrastructure; our ability to manage costs under our fixed-price contracts; our ability to maintain our concentrated customer base; the variable billing and payment cycles associated with our milestone contracts; our ability to maintain adequate working capital; our ability to expand our dredging fleet; unexpected adjustments or cancellations to our backlog; our ability to meet schedule requirements in our contracts; the significant competition in the markets in which we operate; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, including executive officers; extensive regulations of our business in the PRC; and political and economic policies of the Chinese government. Additional information and discussion of these risks, uncertainties, and other factors can be found in China Dredging’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2011 and other filings by China Dredging with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made only as of the date hereof and China Dredging does not have or undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise.

                                                                                                       CHINA DREDGING GROUP CO., LTD AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                                                                                                CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                                                                                                      (IN US DOLLARS)
                                                                                                                                            (Unaudited)
                                                                                                                                          March 31, 2012                                             December 31, 2011
                                                                                                                                          --------------                                             -----------------
    Assets
    Current assets
                                                                          Cash                                                                                                          $146,146,866                   $112,409,544
                                                                          Accounts receivable                                                                                             22,625,611                     27,020,183
                                                                          Cost and estimated earnings in excess of billings
                                                                             on contracts in progress                                                                                      7,041,713                     14,008,972
                                                                          Prepaid expenses                                                                                                 1,059,825                      4,767,072
                                                                          Inventories                                                                                                      4,630,125                      2,048,158
                                                                          Other receivables                                                                                                    3,520                          3,364
                                                                                                                                                                                               -----
    Total current assets                                                                                                                                                                 181,507,660                    160,257,293
                                                                                                                                                                                         -----------                    -----------
    Other assets
                                                                          Prepaid dredger deposits                                                                                        23,025,010                     23,038,180
                                                                          Security deposits                                                                                               48,844,780                     48,872,718
                                                                          Property, plant and equipment, net                                                                              49,242,976                     51,131,051
                                                                                                                                                                                          ----------
    Total other assets                                                                                                                                                                   121,112,766                    123,041,949
                                                                                                                                                                                         -----------                    -----------
    Total assets                                                                                                                                                                        $302,620,426                   $283,299,242
                                                                                                                                                                                        ============                   ============
    Liabilities and equity
    Liabilities
    Current liabilities
                                                                          Accounts payable                                                                                                $3,650,920                     $3,653,008
                                                                          Advance from related companies                                                                                      13,656                         13,664
                                                                          Income tax payable                                                                                               7,332,457                      8,295,538
                                                                          Accrued liabilities and other payables                                                                           2,625,817                      4,045,227
                                                                          Derivative liability                                                                                             8,472,784                      8,279,827
                                                                                                                                                                                           ---------
    Total current liabilities                                                                                                                                                             22,095,634                     24,287,264
                                                                                                                                                                                          ----------                     ----------
    Total liabilities                                                                                                                                                                     22,095,634                     24,287,264
                                                                                                                                                                                          ----------                     ----------

    Class A Preferred Shares, no par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized;
                                                                          10,012,987 shares issued and outstanding (liquidation preference
                                                                                                                                                         $50,064,935, less $0 discount)
                                                                          as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011                                                                      50,064,935                     50,064,935
                                                                                                                                                                                          ----------
    Shareholders' equity
                                                                          Ordinary shares, no par value; 225,000,000 shares authorized;
                                                                                52,677,323 shares issued and outstanding as of
                                                                                March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011                                                                               -                              -
                                                                          Statutory reserves                                                                                              15,386,316                     15,386,316
                                                                          Additional paid-in capital                                                                                      79,185,284                     79,185,284
                                                                          Retained earnings                                                                                              120,227,914                     98,559,096
                                                                          Accumulated other comprehensive income                                                                          15,660,343                     15,816,347
                                                                                                                                                                                          ----------
    Total shareholders' equity                                                                                                                                                           230,459,857                    208,947,043
                                                                                                                                                                                         -----------                    -----------
    Total liabilities and equity                                                                                                                                                        $302,620,426                   $283,299,242
                                                                                                                                                                                        ============                   ============

                                                             CHINA DREDGING GROUP CO., LTD AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                                              CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
                                                                             (IN US DOLLARS)

                                                                                                            For the Three Months Ended
                                                                                                                    March 31,
                                                                                                                    ---------
                                                                                                                                    2012         2011
                                                                                                                                    ----         ----

    Contract revenue                                                                                                         $59,499,531  $50,131,369

    Cost of contract revenue, including depreciation of
                                                           $1,864,560 and $1,727,801 for the three months
        ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively                                                                          (28,022,118) (21,039,964)
                                                                                                                             -----------  -----------

    Gross profit                                                                                                              31,477,413   29,091,405

    General and administrative expenses                                                                                       (2,435,274)  (1,950,684)
                                                                                                                              ----------   ----------

    Income from operations                                                                                                    29,042,139   27,140,721

    Other income (expense):
       Interest income                                                                                                           149,486       72,128
       Gain on exchange difference, net                                                                                               46            -
       Gain on obligation under Make-Good Escrow                                                                                       -    6,298,527
       Loss on derivative                                                                                                       (192,957)     (22,852)
                                                                                                                                --------      -------
    Total other (expense) income                                                                                                 (43,425)   6,347,803

    Income before income taxes                                                                                                28,998,714   33,488,524

    Income tax expense                                                                                                        (7,329,896)  (6,840,910)
                                                                                                                              ----------   ----------

    Net income                                                                                                                21,668,818   26,647,614

    Accretion of discount on Class A Preferred Shares                                                                                  -   (5,734,493)
                                                                                                                                     ---   ----------

    Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders                                                                         $21,668,818  $20,913,121
                                                                                                                             ===========  ===========

    Earnings per ordinary share
        - Basic                                                                                                                    $0.41        $0.40
                                                                                                                                   -----        -----

        - Diluted                                                                                                                  $0.35        $0.40
                                                                                                                                   -----        -----

    Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding
        - Basic                                                                                                               52,677,323   52,677,323
                                                                                                                              ----------   ----------

        - Diluted                                                                                                             62,690,310   62,690,310
                                                                                                                              ----------   ----------

                                                           CHINA DREDGING GROUP CO., LTD AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
                                                                           (IN US DOLLARS)

                                                                                                              For the Three Months
                                                                                                                   March 31,
                                                                                                                   ---------
                                                                                                                                   2012         2011
                                                                                                                                   ----         ----

    Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders                                                                        $21,668,818  $20,913,121

    Other comprehensive income
        Foreign currency translation (loss) gain                                                                               (156,004)   1,414,722
                                                                                                                               --------    ---------
                                                                                                                            $21,512,814  $22,327,843
                                                                                                                            ===========  ===========
    Total comprehensive income

                                                                                                                                                                                         CHINA DREDGING GROUP CO., LTD AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                                                                                                                                                              CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                                                                                                                            FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2012
                                                                                                                                                                                                         (IN US DOLLARS)

                                                                                              Ordinary Shares,                                                                                                                                                                     Accumulated other                                                                       Total
                                    with no Par Value
                                    -----------------
                                                                                                  Number of                                                                       Statutory                                     Additional                                       Retained                                            comprehensive                                              shareholders'
                                                                                                   Shares                                  Amount                                 reserves                                   paid-in capital                                     earnings                                                income                                                    equity
                                                                                                   ------                                  ------                                 --------                                   ---------------                                     --------                                                ------                                                    ------

    Balance as of December 31, 2011                                                                        52,677,323                        $           -                                 $15,386,316                                      $79,185,284                                    $98,559,096                                                    $15,816,347                                         $208,947,043
    Net income                                                                                                      -                                    -                                           -                                                -                                     21,668,818                                                              -                                           21,668,818
    Foreign currency translation loss                                                                               -                                    -                                           -                                                -                                              -                                                       (156,004)                                            (156,004)
                                                                                                                  ---                                  ---                                         ---                                              ---                                            ---                                                       --------                                             --------
    Balances as of March 31, 2012                                                                          52,677,323                        $           -                                 $15,386,316                                      $79,185,284                                   $120,227,914                                                    $15,660,343                                         $230,459,857
                                                                                                           ==========                        =============                                 ===========                                      ===========                                   ============                                                    ===========                                         ============

                                                                   CHINA DREDGING GROUP CO., LTD AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                                                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                  (IN US DOLLARS)
                                                                                                                   For the Three Months Ended
                                                                                                                            March 31,
                                                                                                                           ---------
                                                                                                                                             2012          2011
                                                                                                                                             ----          ----
    Cash flows from operating activities:
    Net income                                                                                                                        $21,668,818   $26,647,614
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
               cash provided by operating activities:
               Depreciation of property, plant and equipment                                                                          1,846,933     1,728,158
               Gain on obligation under Make-Good Escrow                                                                                      -    (6,298,527)
               Loss on derivative                                                                                                       192,957        22,852

    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               Accounts receivable                                                                                                    4,377,597      (807,625)
               Cost and estimated earnings in excess of billings
                  on contracts in progress                                                                                            6,956,820    (5,344,982)
               Other receivables                                                                                                           (159)         (774)
               Prepaid expenses                                                                                                       3,703,227    (3,903,800)
               Inventories                                                                                                           (2,582,235)   (3,351,786)
               Accounts payable                                                                                                               -       731,152
               Income tax payable                                                                                                      (958,004)    2,025,532
               Accrued liabilities and other payables                                                                                (1,416,885)      804,146
                                                                                                                                    -----------
    Net cash provided by operating activities                                                                                        33,789,069    12,251,960
                                                                                                                                     ----------    ----------

    Cash flows from investing activities:
               Purchase of property, plant and equipment                                                                                      -    (1,123,719)
                                                                                                                                            ---
    Net cash used in investing activities                                                                                                     -    (1,123,719)
                                                                                                                                            ---    ----------

    Cash flows from financing activities:
               Cash paid for deferred offering expenses                                                                                       -      (437,295)
                                                                                                                                            ---
    Net cash used in financing activities                                                                                                     -      (437,295)
                                                                                                                                            ---      --------

    Net increase in cash                                                                                                             33,789,069    10,690,946

    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash                                                                                             (51,747)      639,810

    Cash as of the beginning of the year                                                                                            112,409,544    88,532,472
                                                                                                                                    -----------    ----------
    Cash as of the end of the period                                                                                               $146,146,866   $99,863,228
                                                                                                                                   ============   ===========
    Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
    Cash paid:
               Income tax paid                                                                                                       $8,287,901    $4,815,377
                                                                                                                                     ----------
    Supplemental disclosures of non-cash transactions:
    Accretion of discount on Class A Preferred Shares                                                                      $                  -    $5,734,493
                                                                                                                           --------------------    ----------
    Transfer of deposits paid for dredgers to property
               plant and equipment                                                                                         $                  -   $12,541,131
                                                                                                                            -------------------

SOURCE China Dredging Group Co., Ltd


Source: PR Newswire