Daqo New Energy Announces Second Quarter 2011 Results

CHONGQING, China--()--Daqo New Energy Corp. (NYSE: DQ) ("Daqo New Energy" or the "Company"), a leading polysilicon manufacturer based in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2011.

Second Quarter 2011 Financial and Operating Highlights

  • Polysilicon shipments were approximately 1,001 metric tons, or MT. Photovoltaic (PV) module shipments were 3.9 Mega watts, or MW. In addition, the Company manufactured 8.1 MW PV modules for outsourcing customers. Wafer shipments were 1.3 MW.
  • Revenues were $70.7 million, a decrease of 19.0% from the first quarter of 2011 and an increase of 34.8% from the second quarter of 2010.
  • Gross profit was $33.0 million, a decrease of 25.9% from the first quarter of 2011 and an increase of 69.8% from the second quarter of 2010.
  • Gross margin was 46.6% in the second quarter of 2011, compared to 51.0% in the first quarter of 2011 and 37.0% in the second quarter of 2010.
  • Operating income was $32.6 million, a decrease of 24.9% from the first quarter of 2011 and an increase of 98.0% from the second quarter of 2010.
  • Operating margin was 46.2%, compared to 49.8% in the first quarter of 2011 and 31.4% in the second quarter of 2010.
  • Net income attributable to Daqo New Energy Corp. shareholders was $25.7million, a decrease of 26.6% from the first quarter of 2011 and an increase of 118.6% from the second quarter of 2010.
  • Earnings per fully diluted ADS were $0.73, compared to $0.99 in the first quarter of 2011, and $0.41 in the second quarter of 2010.

"The substantial price decline and weak market demand in the second quarter of 2011 has impacted our revenue. However, our core business, the production of polysilicon, was still at 100% utilization and we kept no inventory at the quarter end. We have seen the pricing environment for polysilicon stabilized since the beginning of the third quarter and the demand picked up. The wafer and module markets continue to see pricing pressure. However, the modules order picked up in the third quarter and the majority of our wafer output will be used in our module production through tolling arrangement with our cell partner.” Commented, Dr. Gongda Yao, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, “ On the financing side, we are happy to announce that we have obtained bank loan approval from Bank of China for our Xinjiang phase II polysilicon expansion plan, which fulfills the financing requirement for the project”.

Second Quarter 2011 Results

Revenues

Revenues were $70.7million, a decrease of 19.0% from the first quarter of 2011 and an increase of 34.8% from the second quarter of 2010.The change was primarily attributable to revenues generated from sales of polysilicon. The Company generated revenues of $63.0 million from 1,001 MT polysilicon sold, compared to revenues of $77.7 million for 1,089 MT of polysilicon sold in the first quarter of 2011, and revenues of $47.0 million for 896 MT of polysilicon sold in the second quarter of 2010. The revenues decrease from polysilicon sold from the first quarter 2011 was primarily due to a lower average selling price of the polysilicon as compared to the first quarter 2011. The revenues increase from polysilicon sold from the second quarter of 2010 was primarily due to the higher average selling price of polysilicon product combined with the higher sales volume.

In the second quarter of 2011, the Company also generated $6.8 million and $0.9 million for the sales of PV modules and wafers, respectively.

Gross profit and margin

Gross profit was $33.0 million, a decrease of 25.9% from the first quarter of 2011 and an increase of 69.8% from the second quarter of 2010.

Gross margin was 46.6% in the second quarter of 2011, compared to 51.0% in the first quarter of 2011 and 37.0% in the second quarter of 2010. The decrease from the first quarter of 2011 in gross profit and the gross margin was primarily due to the lower average selling price of the polysilicon product during the second quarter of 2011. The increase from the second quarter of 2010 in gross profit and the gross margin was on the other hand mainly due to higher average selling price of the polysilicon and higher shipment volume combined with lower production cost per kilogram for the polysilicon product.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased slightly from $3.8 million in the first quarter of 2011 to $3.9 million in second quarter of 2011. The increase of $1.4 million in this quarter from that of the second quarter of 2010 was primarily due to the increase of share based compensation, and other operating expense, which is in line with the Company’s business expansion.

Research and development expenses

Research and development expense was $165 thousand in the second quarter of 2011, compared to $128 thousand in the first quarter of 2011 and $483 thousand in the second quarter of 2010. The decrease in research and development expenses from the second quarter of 2010 was mainly related to the decrease of technical consulting charges.

Other operating income

Other operating income $3.8 million in the second quarter of 2011, compared to $3.0 million in the first quarter of 2011 and $74 thousand in the second quarter of 2010. Other operating income mainly composed of financial incentives that the Company received from local government authorities, which contributed the fluctuations from period to period.

Operating income and margin

As a result of foregoing, operating income in the second quarter of 2011 was $32.6 million, compared to $43.5 million in the first quarter of 2011 and $16.5 million in the second quarter of 2010. Operating margin was 46.2%, compared to 49.8% in the first quarter of 2011 and 31.4% in the second quarter of 2010.

Net Interest expense

Net interest expense in the second quarter of 2011 was $1.7 million, which remained constant with the first quarter of 2011, and decreased from $2.6 million in the second quarter of 2010. The decrease from the second quarter of 2010 was primarily due to reduction in the Company’s average short-term and long-term borrowings and interest capitalized in the second quarter of 2011.

Income tax expense

Income tax expense in the second quarter of 2011 was $4.5 million, compared to $6.5 million in the first quarter of 2011 and $2.1 million in the second quarter of 2010. The decrease from the first quarter of 2011 was primarily due to the lower income before tax in the second quarter of 2011. The increase from the second quarter of 2010 was primarily due to the higher income before tax in the second quarter of 2011.

Net Income attributable to our shareholders, net margin and earnings per share

Net income attributable to Daqo New Energy Corp. shareholders was $25.7 million, a decrease of 26.6% from the first quarter of 2011 and an increase of 118.6% from the second quarter of 2010.

Net margin was 36.3% in the second quarter of 2011, compared to 40.1% in the first quarter of 2011 and 20.3% in the second quarter of 2010.

Earnings per fully diluted ADS were $0.73, compared to $0.99 in the first quarter of 2011, and $0.41 in the second quarter of 2010.

Financial Condition

As of June 30, 2011, Daqo New Energy Corp. had $147.5 million in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, compared with $182.2 million as of March 31, 2011. As of June 30, 2011, the accounts receivable balance was $31.8 million, compared to $22.8 million as of March 31, 2011. As of June 30, 2011, total borrowings were $162.7 million, of which $67.8 million were long-term borrowings, compared to total borrowings of $146.2 million, including $75.3 million long-term borrowings as of March 31, 2011.

Outlook for Third Quarter 2011

For the third quarter of 2011, the Company expects to ship 975-990 MT of polysilicon. The company also expects to ship 10 MW of wafer as well as 20 MW of modules. For the module shipment, the company further expects 10 MW will come from its brand name module and 10 MW outsourcing for its customers. This outlook reflects our current and preliminary view and may be subject to change. Our ability to achieve this projection is subject to risks and uncertainties. See “Safe Harbor Statement” at the end of this press release.

Conference Call

Daqo New Energy will host a conference call at 8:00 am, Eastern Standard Time on August 15, 2011 to discuss the results for the quarter. Joining the call will be Dr. Gongda Yao, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Jimmy Lai, the Chief Financial Officer.

To participate in the conference call, please dial the following number five to ten minutes prior to the scheduled conference call time: +1-800-901-5231. International callers should dial +1-617-786-2961. Passcode is 54639315.

A replay will be made available until September 15, 2011 on Daqo New Energy’s website or by dialing +1-888-286-8010. International callers should dial +1-617-801-6888. The passcode is 42758963.

This conference call will be broadcast live over the Internet and can be accessed on Daqo New Energy's website at http://www.dqsolar.com. To listen to the live webcast, please go to Daqo New Energy's website at least fifteen minutes prior to the start of the call to register, download and install any necessary audio software.

About Daqo New Energy Corp.

Daqo New Energy Corp. (NYSE: DQ) is a leading polysilicon manufacturer based in China that aims to become a vertically integrated photovoltaic product manufacturer. Daqo New Energy primarily manufactures and sells high-quality polysilicon to photovoltaic product manufacturers. It also manufactures and sells photovoltaic wafers and modules. For more information about Daqo New Energy, please visit www.dqsolar.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar statements. Among other things, the outlook for the third quarter of 2011 and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as Daqo New Energy’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. The Company may also make written or oral for-ward-looking statements in its reports filed or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual reports to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: the demand for photovoltaic products and the development of photovoltaic technologies; global supply and demand for polysilicon; alternative technologies in cell manufacturing; our ability to significantly expand our polysilicon production capacity and output; the reduction in or elimination of government subsidies and economic incentives for solar energy applications; and our ability to successfully implement our vertical integration strategy. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the reports or documents we have filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. Daqo New Energy does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and Daqo New Energy undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

     
Daqo New Energy Corp.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
(US dollars in thousands, except ADS and per ADS data)
 
Three months Ended Six months Ended
June 30,2011   March 31,2011 June 30,2010 June 30,2011   June 30, 2010
Revenues $70,721 $87,311 $52,481 $158,032 $97,582
Cost of revenues (37,765) (42,813) (33,073) (80,578) (64,044)
Gross profit 32,956 44,498 19,408 77,454 33,538
Operating expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses

(3,906)

(3,838)

(2,514)

(7,744)

(8,123)

Research and development expenses

 

(165)

(128)

(483)

(293)

(936)

Other operating income 3,758 2,959 74 6,717 2,441
Total operating expenses (313) (1,007) (2,923) (1,320) (6,618)
Income from operations 32,643 43,491 16,485 76,134 26,920
Interest expense (2,193) (2,083) (2,611) (4,276) (5,359)
Interest income 450 326 34 776 160
Foreign exchange gain (loss) 42 62 - 104 287
Income before income taxes 30,942 41,796 13,908 72,738 22,008
Income tax expense (4,513) (6,528) (2,147) (11,041) (3,859)
Net income 26,429 35,268 11,761 61,697 18,149
 
Net income attributable to

noncontrolling interest

744

273

 

13

1,017

117

Net income attributable to Daqo New Energy Corp. shareholders

25,685

 

34,995

 

11,748

 

60,680

 

18,032

Deemed dividend on Series A convertible redeemable preferred shares

-

 

-

1,100

-

2,200

Net income attributable to Daqo New Energy Corp. ordinary shareholders

25,685

34,995

10,648

60,680

15,832

 

 

 
Earnings per ADS
Basic and diluted $0.73 $0.99 $0.41 $1.73 $0.61
 
Weighted average ADS outstanding
Basic 35,142,821 35,142,821 20,000,000 35,142,821 20,000,000
 
Diluted 35,142,821 35,304,624 25,942,821 35,142,821 25,942,821
 

     

Daqo New Energy Corp.

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

(US dollars in thousands)

 
June 30, March 31, June 30,
2011 2011 2010
ASSETS:
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $126,079 $171,401 $63,384
Restricted cash 21,432 10,820 1,999
Accounts receivable, net 31,826 22,801 51,867
Prepaid expenses and other current assets

6,935

5,812

3,176

Advances to suppliers 2,625 4,061 2,271
Inventories 15,016 14,115 7,352
Amount due from related party
-Advance to related party supplier 5,590 - -
- others 440 18 -
Deferred tax assets-current 1,243 566 -
Total current assets 211,186 229,594 130,049
Property, plant and equipment, net 501,787 443,636 378,483
Prepaid land use right 8,714 8,647 6,441
Deferred tax assets 1,062 1,004 1,439
Other non-current assets 162 160 -
TOTAL ASSETS 722,911 683,041 516,412
 
LIABILITIES:
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings, including current portion of long-term borrowings

94,970

70,936

48,972
Accounts payable 13,181 6,080 5,411
Advances from customers 24,808 45,063 31,789
Payables for purchases of property, plant and equipment

14,709

13,972

24,699

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

10,761

13,106

15,446
Income tax payable 9,756 19,326 4,223
Total current liabilities 168,185 168,483 130,540
Long-term borrowings 67,766 75,283 128,534
Accrued warranty cost 302 227 -
Long Term Liability 14,646 - -
Amount due to related party 4,005 3,870 589
Total liabilities 254,904 247,863 259,663
 
Mezzanine equity - - 57,803
 
EQUITY:
Daqo New Energy Corp. shareholders’ equity:
Ordinary shares 18 18 10
Additional paid-in capital 141,455 140,815 1,034
Retained earnings 177,561 151,876 67,442
Accumulated other comprehensive income

12,166

8,162 1,496
Total Daqo New Energy Corp.’s shareholders’ equity

331,200

300,871

69,982
Noncontrolling interest 136,807 134,307 128,964
Total equity 468,007 435,178 198,946
TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY $722,911 $683,041 $516,412
 

Contacts

Daqo New Energy Corp.
Investor Relations
Kevin He, +86-23-6486-6556
Kevin.he@daqo.com

Contacts

Daqo New Energy Corp.
Investor Relations
Kevin He, +86-23-6486-6556
Kevin.he@daqo.com