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EX-31.1 - GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS INCv201561_ex31-1.htm
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EX-31.2 - GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS INCv201561_ex31-2.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q

x 
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   
 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010

or

¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   
 
For the transition period from __________ to __________
 
Commission File Number 001-33717
 
General Steel Holdings, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Nevada
(State or other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
 
41-2079252
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

Room 2315, Kuntai International Mansion Building,
Yi No. 12, Chaoyangmenwai Ave.
Chaoyang District, Beijing, China 100020
(Address of Principal Executive Office, Including Zip Code)

+86(10)58797346
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes x No ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes  o No  o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer ¨
 
Accelerated filer x
 
Non-accelerated filer ¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes ¨ No x
 
As of November 8, 2010, 54,678,083 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, were issued and outstanding.
 



 
Table of Contents
 
     
Page
Part I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
   
       
Item 1.
Financial Statements.
 
  3
       
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2010 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2009.
 
  3
 
  
   
 
Consolidated Statements of Operation and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited).
 
  4
 
  
   
 
Consolidated Statements of Changes In Equity (Unaudited).
 
  5
 
  
   
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited).
 
  6
       
 
Notes to Consolidate Financial Statements (Unaudited).
 
  7
       
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
 
  37
       
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
 
  56
       
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures.
 
  56
       
Part II. OTHER INFORMATION
   
       
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings.
 
  56
       
Item 6.
Exhibits.
 
  57
       
Signatures
   
  58
 
 
2

 
 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 
GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             
 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND DECEMBER 31, 2009
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
             
ASSETS
 
   
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
CURRENT ASSETS:
           
Cash
  $ 41,778     $ 82,118  
Restricted cash
    186,523       192,041  
Notes receivable
    67,132       29,185  
Restricted notes receivable
    12,752       -  
Accounts receivable, net
    21,215       8,525  
Other receivables, net
    14,881       7,729  
Other receivables - related parties
    54,983       32,670  
Inventories
    250,758       208,087  
Advances on inventory purchase
    42,139       28,407  
Advances on inventory purchase - related parties
    48,007       2,995  
Prepaid expense
    4,358       691  
Prepaid value added tax
    17,500       19,488  
Deferred tax assets
    8,900       3,341  
Total current assets
    770,926       615,277  
                 
PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net
    584,948       555,111  
                 
OTHER ASSETS:
               
Advances on equipment purchase
    20,435       8,419  
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries
    13,712       20,022  
Long-term deferred expense
    608       2,069  
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization
    23,568       23,733  
Note issuance cost
    -       406  
Plant and equipment to be disposed
    2,443       3,026  
Total other assets
    60,766       57,675  
                 
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 1,416,640     $ 1,228,063  
                 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
                 
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Short term notes payable
  $ 302,113     $ 254,608  
Accounts payable
    174,012       158,126  
Accounts payable - related parties
    65,756       48,151  
Short term loans - bank
    178,122       148,968  
Short term loans - others
    100,707       110,358  
Short term loans - related parties
    92,814       11,751  
Other payables and accrued liabilities
    13,922       16,222  
Other payable - related parties
    22,615       3,706  
Customer deposit
    190,691       208,765  
Customer deposit - related parties
    47,809       3,791  
Deposit due to sales representatives
    45,845       49,544  
Taxes payable
    2,195       6,921  
Distribution payable to former shareholders
    13,071       16,434  
Total current liabilities
    1,249,672       1,037,345  
                 
CONVERTIBLE NOTES PAYABLE, net of debt discount of $0 and $2,250
 
as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively
    -       1,050  
                 
DERIVATIVE LIABILITIES
    7,049       23,340  
                 
Total liabilities
    1,256,721       1,061,735  
                 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTIGENCIES                 
                 
EQUITY:
               
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 3,092,899 shares
 
issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively
    3       3  
Common Stock, $0.001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 54,678,083
 
and 51,618,595 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2010
 
and December 31, 2009, respectively
    55       52  
Paid-in-capital
    104,510       95,588  
Statutory reserves
    6,341       6,162  
Accumulated deficits
    (26,307 )     (16,411 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    10,860       8,336  
Total shareholders' equity
    95,462       93,730  
                 
NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
    64,457       72,598  
                 
Total equity
    159,919       166,328  
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
  $ 1,416,640     $ 1,228,063  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
3

 
GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                         
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATION AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
 
(UNAUDITED)
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
                         
   
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
REVENUES
  $ 340,703     $ 361,652     $ 1,041,504     $ 875,374  
                                 
REVENUES - RELATED PARTIES
    119,574       123,100       373,475       341,119  
                                 
    TOTAL REVENUES
    460,277       484,752       1,414,979       1,216,493  
                                 
COST OF REVENUES
    338,931       340,483       1,025,944       822,392  
                                 
COST OF REVENUES - RELATED PARTIES
    105,754       104,534       360,350       318,946  
                                 
    TOTAL COST OF REVENUES
    444,685       445,017       1,386,294       1,141,338  
                                 
GROSS PROFIT
    15,592       39,735       28,685       75,155  
                                 
SELLING, GENERAL AND  ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
    9,562       10,487       35,380       29,219  
                                 
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS
    6,030       29,248       (6,695 )     45,936  
                                 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
                               
    Interest income
    1,739       826       3,476       2,468  
    Finance/interest expense
    (10,190 )     (4,174 )     (37,617 )     (18,422 )
    Change in fair value of derivative liabilities
    (1,089 )     (616 )     13,579       (23,228 )
    Gain from debt extinguishment
                            2,932  
    Government grant
    1,381       -       1,381       3,433  
    Income from equity investments
    839       963       5,595       3,661  
    Other non-operating income, net
    (350 )     (2,985 )     217       (2,332 )
         Total other expense, net
    (7,670 )     (5,986 )     (13,369 )     (31,488 )
                                 
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
                         
    AND NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
    (1,640 )     23,262       (20,064 )     14,448  
                                 
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
                               
    Current
    5,332       6,717       860       12,451  
    Deferred
    (5,224 )     (2,925 )     (5,559 )     (5,265 )
           Total provision (benefit) for income taxes
    108       3,792       (4,699 )     7,186  
                                 
NET (LOSS) INCOME BEFORE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
    (1,748 )     19,470       (15,365 )     7,262  
                                 
Less: Net income (Loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest
    513       9,088       (5,469 )     21,421  
                                 
NET (LOSS) INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTROLLING INTEREST
    (2,261 )     10,382       (9,896 )     (14,159 )
                                 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
                               
    Foreign currency translation adjustments
    2,462       (246 )     2,524       (174 )
    Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest
    1,075       1,440       1,239       334  
                                 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
  $ 1,276     $ 11,576     $ (6,133 )   $ (13,999 )
                                 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES
                               
    Basic
    53,941,191       44,973,882       52,576,928       40,295,924  
    Diluted
    53,941,191       45,750,152       52,576,928       40,295,924  
                                 
(LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE
                               
    Basic
  $ (0.04 )   $ 0.23     $ (0.19 )   $ (0.35 )
    Diluted
  $ (0.04 )   $ 0.22     $ (0.19 )   $ (0.35 )
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
4

 
GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                                                                   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
                                                                   
   
Preferred stock
   
Common stock
         
Retained earnings / Accumulated deficits
         
Accumulated other
             
                           
Paid-in
   
Statutory
         
Contribution
   
comprehensive
   
Noncontrolling
       
   
Shares
   
Par value
   
Shares
   
Par value
   
capital
   
reserves
   
Unrestricted
   
receivable
   
income
   
interest
   
Totals
 
BALANCE, December 31, 2008
    3,092,899     $ 3       36,128,833     $ 36     $ 37,128     $ 4,902     $ 10,093     $ (960 )   $ 8,705     $ 54,330     $ 114,237  
                                                                                         
Net loss attributable to controlling interest
                                                    (14,159 )                             (14,159 )
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
                                                                            21,421       21,421  
Disposal of subsidiaries
                                                                            (293 )     (293 )
Distribution of dividend to noncontrolling shareholders
                                                                            (3,305 )     (3,305 )
Adjustment to statutory reserve
                                            1,925       (1,925 )                                
Common stock issued for compensation
                    323,050       0.32       885                                               885  
Common stock issued for interest payments
                    196,306       0.20       745                                               745  
Common stock issued for repayment of debt
                    300,000       0.30       1,800                                               1,800  
Notes converted to common stock
                    7,045,274       7.05       32,073                                               32,080  
Make whole shares issued on notes conversion
                    1,795,976       1.80       7,085                                               7,087  
Common stock transferred by CEO for compensation
                                    207                                               207  
Reduction of registered capital
                                                            960                       960  
Foreign currency translation adjustments
                                                                    (174 )     334       160  
                                                                                         
BALANCE, September 30, 2009, unaudited
    3,092,899     $ 3       45,789,439     $ 46     $ 79,923     $ 6,827     $ (5,991 )   $       $ 8,531     $ 72,487     $ 161,826  
                                                                                         
Net loss attributable to controlling interest
                                                    (11,085 )                             (11,085 )
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
                                                                            142       142  
Adjustment to statutory reserve
                                            (665 )     665                                  
Common stock issued for compensation
                    273,600       0.45       990                                               990  
Common stock transferred by CEO for compensation
                                    69                                               69  
Common stock issued for private placement
                    5,555,556       5.56       14,606                                               14,612  
Foreign currency translation adjustments
                                                                    (195 )     (31 )     (226 )
                                                                                         
BALANCE, December 31, 2009
    3,092,899     $ 3       51,618,595     $ 52     $ 95,588     $ 6,162     $ (16,411 )   $       $ 8,336     $ 72,598     $ 166,328  
                                                                                         
Net loss attributable to controlling interest
                                                    (9,896 )                             (9,896 )
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
                                                                            (5,469 )     (5,469 )
Distribution of dividend to noncontrolling shareholders
                                                                            (3,934 )     (3,934 )
Noncontrolling interest acquired
                                                                            (1,270 )     (1,270 )
Registered capital received from noncontrolling shareholders
                                                                            1,182       1,182  
Adjustment to special reserve
                                            179                               111       290  
Common stock issued for compensation
                    571,650       0.57       1,810                                               1,811  
Common stock issued for repayment of debt
                    928,163       0.93       2,403                                               2,404  
Common stock transferred by CEO for compensation
                                    207                                               207  
Notes converted to common stock
                    1,208,791       1.21       3,544                                               3,545  
Make whole shares issued on notes conversion
                    271,507       0.27       741                                               741  
Common stock issued for interest payments
                    79,377       0.08       217                                               217  
Foreign currency translation adjustments
                                                                    2,524       1,239       3,763  
                                                                                         
BALANCE, September 30, 2010, unaudited
    3,092,899     $ 3       54,678,083     $ 55     $ 104,510     $ 6,341     $ (26,307 )   $       $ 10,860     $ 64,457     $ 159,919  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
5

 
GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             
 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
 
(UNAUDITED)
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
             
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
      2,010    
2009
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
             
Net loss attributable to controlling interest
  $ (9,896 )   $ (14,159 )
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest
    (5,469 )     21,421  
Consolidated net (loss) income
    (15,365 )     7,262  
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    31,175       23,474  
Debt extinguishment
    -       (2,932 )
Impairment of long-lived assets
    1,737       -  
Loss (gain) on disposal of equipment
    1,459       (3,312 )
Stock issued for services and compensation
    2,018       1,092  
Make whole shares interest expense on notes conversion
    1,130       2,754  
Amortization of deferred note issuance cost and discount on convertible notes
    17       56  
Change in fair value of derivative instrument
    (13,579 )     23,228  
Income from investment
    (5,510 )     (3,661 )
Deferred tax assets
    (5,499 )     5,265  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
               
Notes receivable
    (36,702 )     10,826  
Accounts receivable
    (12,190 )     (3,938 )
Accounts receivable - related parties
    -       (2,709 )
Other receivables
    1,323       78  
Other receivables - related parties
    (25,061 )     15,766  
Inventories
    (44,861 )     (161,833 )
Advances on inventory purchases
    (12,921 )     7,918  
Advances on inventory purchases - related parties
    (52,665 )     (15,199 )
Accounts payable
    12,513       26,053  
Accounts payable - related parties
    30,294       8,772  
Other payables and accrued liabilities
    (3,542 )     10,565  
Other payables - related parties
    18,510       (2,594 )
Customer deposits
    (19,283 )     12,995  
Customer deposits - related parties
    43,045       38,245  
Taxes payable
    811       (930 )
Distribution payable to former shareholders
    -       (4,398 )
Net cash used in operating activities
    (103,146 )     (7,157 )
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Acquired long term investment
    (1,277 )     (6,593 )
Proceeds from disposal of long-term investment
    3,678       -  
Capital contributed by noncontrolling interest
    1,177       -  
Payments made to dividend distribution
    (3,835 )     -  
Dividend receivable
    938       1,775  
Deposits due to sales representatives
    (4,028 )     31,113  
Cash proceeds from sales of equipment
    306       6,253  
Advance on equipment purchases
    (12,698 )     1,895  
Equipments purchase and intangible assets
    (56,906 )     (103,572 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (72,645 )     (69,129 )
                 
CASH FLOWS FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Restricted cash
    9,281       (66,830 )
Notes receivable - restricted
    (12,530 )     -  
Borrowings on short term loans - bank
    224,425       161,806  
Payments on short term loans - bank
    (198,770 )     (77,074 )
Borrowings on short term loan - others
    128,115       104,495  
Payments on short term loans - others
    (137,413 )     (83,759 )
Borrowings on short term loan - related parties
    91,202       2,932  
Payments on short term loans - related parties
    (11,783 )     -  
Borrowings on short term notes payable
    573,413       545,164  
Payments on short term notes payable
    (531,850 )     (471,126 )
Net cash provided by financing activities
    134,090       115,608  
                 
EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGE IN CASH
    1,361       72  
                 
(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH
    (40,340 )     39,394  
                 
CASH, beginning of period
    82,118       14,895  
                 
CASH, end of period
  $ 41,778     $ 54,289  
                 
Non-cash transactions of investing and financing activities:
               
Share issuance for debt settlement
  $ 2,404     $  -  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
6

 
GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2010
(Unaudited)

Note 1 – Background

General Steel Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated on August 5, 2002 in the state of Nevada. The Company through its 100% owned subsidiary, General Steel Investment, operates a portfolio of steel companies serving various industries in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”). The Company’s main operation is manufacturing and sales of steel products such as steel rebar, hot-rolled carbon and silicon sheets and spiral-weld pipes.

Recent developments

The Company has formed a new joint venture, Tianwu General Steel Material Trading Co., Ltd. (“Tianwu JV”) with Tianjin Materials and Equipment Group Corporation. The contributed capital of Tianwu JV is approximately $2.9 million (or RMB20 million), of which General Steel holds a 60% controlling interest.

Started on January 1, 2010, one of the Company’s subsidiaries, General Steel (China) Co. Ltd. changed its business model from a direct operations model to a lease operations model which will provide a steady revenue stream in the form of fixed monthly lease revenue.  See note 16 for details of the lease transaction.

Note 2 – Summary of significant accounting policies

Basis of presentation

The consolidated financial statements of the Company reflect the activities of the following directly and indirectly owned subsidiaries:
 
Subsidiary
 
 Percentage of Ownership
 
General Steel Investment Co., Ltd.
 
British Virgin Islands
 
100.0
%
General Steel (China) Co., Ltd. (“GS (China)”)
 
PRC
 
100.0
%
Baotou Steel – General Steel Special Steel Pipe Joint Venture Co., Ltd.
 
PRC
 
80.0
%
Yangpu Shengtong Investment Co., Ltd.
 
PRC
 
99.1
%
Qiu Steel Investment Co., Ltd. (“Qiu Steel”)
 
PRC
 
98.7
%
Shaanxi Longmen Iron and Steel Co. Ltd. (“Longmen Joint Venture”)
 
PRC
 
60.0
%
Maoming Hengda Steel Company, Ltd. (“Maoming Hengda”)
 
PRC
 
99.0
%
Tianwu General Steel Material Trading Co., Ltd
 
PRC
 
60.0
%

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and include the accounts of all directly and indirectly owned subsidiaries listed above. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Management has included all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary to give a fair presentation of operating results for the periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. The information included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with information included in the 2009 annual report filed on Form 10-K.
 
7

 
GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2010
(Unaudited)

Use of estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant accounting estimates reflected in the Company’s financial statements include the fair value of financial instruments, the useful lives of and impairment for property, plant and equipment, and potential losses on uncollectible receivables. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Concentration of risks

The Company’s operations are carried out in the PRC. Accordingly, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations may be influenced by the political, economic and legal environment in the PRC, and by the general state of the PRC’s economy. The Company’s operations in the PRC are subject to specific considerations and significant risks not typically associated with companies in North America and Western Europe. The Company’s results may be adversely affected by changes in governmental policies with respect to laws and regulations, anti-inflationary measures, currency conversion and remittance abroad, and rates and methods of taxation, among other things.

Cash includes demand deposits in accounts maintained with banks within PRC, Hong Kong and the United States. Total cash (including restricted cash balances) in these banks on September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 amounted to $228.3 million and $274.2 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2010, $0.6 million cash in the bank was covered by insurance. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any risks on its cash in bank accounts.

The Company’s five major customers are all distributors and collectively represented approximately 29.2% and 28.5% of the Company’s total sales for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively. The Company had five major customers, which represented approximately 27% and 20% of the Company’s total sales for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively. None of these five customers accounts for more than 10% of total sales for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009. Five customers accounted for 0% and 20% of total accounts receivable as of September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company purchased approximately 40.2% and 45.6% of its raw materials from five major suppliers, respectively, of which two of the five vendors account individually more than 10% of the total purchase. The purchase from the five major suppliers represents approximately 29% and 48% of Company’s total purchase for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively. The top five vendors accounted for 16.8% and 20% of total accounts payable as of September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Revenue recognition

The Company follows the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States regarding revenue recognition. Sales revenue is recognized at the date of shipment to customers when a formal arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable, the delivery is completed, we have no other significant obligations and collectability is reasonably assured. Payments received before all of the relevant criteria for revenue recognition are recorded as customer deposits. Sales revenue represents the invoiced value of goods, net of value-added tax (VAT). All of the Company’s products sold in the PRC are subject to a Chinese value-added tax at a rate of 13% to 17% of the gross sales price. This VAT may be offset by VAT paid by the Company on raw materials and other materials included in the cost of producing the finished product.
 
8


GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2010
(Unaudited)

Foreign currency translation and other comprehensive income

The reporting currency of the Company is the US dollar. The Company’s subsidiaries in China use the local currency, Renminbi (RMB), as their functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at the unified exchange rate as quoted by the People’s Bank of China at the end of the period. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are included in Accumulated other comprehensive income in the statement of changes in equity. Transaction gains and losses that arise from exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are included in the results of operations as incurred.

Translation adjustments included in Accumulated other comprehensive income amounted to $10.9 million and $8.3 million as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. The balance sheet amounts, with the exception of equity at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, were translated at 6.68 RMB and 6.82 RMB to $1.00, respectively. The equity accounts were stated at their historical rate. The average translation rates applied to income statement accounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were 6.80 RMB and 6.82 RMB, respectively. Cash flows are also translated at average translation rates for the period, therefore, amounts reported on the statement of cash flows will not necessarily agree with changes in the corresponding balances on the consolidated balance sheet.

Financial instruments

The accounting standards regarding fair value of financial instruments and related fair value measurements defines financial instruments and requires disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments held by the Company. The Company considers the carrying amount of cash, accounts receivable, other receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, to approximate their fair values because of the short period of time between the origination of such instruments and their expected realization. For short term loans and notes payable, the Company concluded the carrying values are a reasonable estimate of fair value because of the short period of time between the origination and repayment and their stated interest rate approximates current rates available.

The Company analyzes all financial instruments with features of both liabilities and equity, pursuant to which the Company’s warrants were required to be recorded as a liability at fair value and marked to market each reporting period.

The accounting standards define fair value, establish a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosures of fair value measurement and enhance disclosure requirements for fair value measures. The three levels are defined as follow:

 
·
Level 1 inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

 
·
Level 2 inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the assets or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instruments.
 
9

 
GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2010
(Unaudited)
 
 
·
Level 3 inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value.

In December 2007, the Company issued convertible notes totaling $40 million (“Notes”) and 1,154,958 warrants. In December 2009, the Company issued 2,777,778 warrants in connection with a registered direct offering. The aforementioned warrants and the conversion option embedded in the Notes meet the definition of a derivative instrument in the accounting standards. Therefore these instruments are accounted for as derivative liabilities and marked-to-market each reporting period. The change in the value of the derivative liabilities is charged against or credited to income.  The fair value was determined using the Cox Rubenstein Binomial Model, defined in the accounting standard as level 2 inputs, and recorded the change in earnings. As a result, the derivative liabilities are carried on the consolidated balance sheet at their fair value.
 
(in thousands)
 
Carrying Value as of September 30, 2010
 
Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2010 Using Fair Value Hierarchy
 
   
(Unaudited)
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Derivative liabilities
  $ 7,049       $ 7,049      

Except for the derivative liabilities, the Company did not identify any other assets or liabilities that are required to be presented on the balance sheet at fair value in accordance with the accounting standard.

Level 3 Valuation Reconciliation:
 
   
Convertible Notes
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Balance, December 31, 2009
  $ 1,050  
Current period effective interest charges on notes
    389  
Current period payments made for principal and stated interest
    (217 )
Current period note converted carrying value
    (1,222 )
Balance, September 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
  $ -  

Cash

Cash includes cash on hand and demand deposits in banks with original maturities of less than three months.

Restricted cash

The Company has notes payable outstanding with various banks and is required to keep certain amounts on deposit that are subject to withdrawal restrictions. The notes payable are generally short term in nature due to its short maturity period of six to nine months, thus restricted cash is classified as a current asset.
 
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts

Accounts receivable include trade accounts due from customers and other receivables from cash advances to employees, related parties or third parties. An allowance for doubtful accounts is established and recorded based on managements’ assessment of potential losses based on the credit history and relationships with the customers. Management reviews its receivable on a regular basis to determine if the bad debt allowance is adequate, and adjusts the allowance when necessary. Delinquent account balances are written-off against allowance for doubtful accounts after management has determined that the likelihood of collection is not probable.
 
10

 
GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2010
(Unaudited)

Notes receivable

Notes receivable represents trade accounts receivable due from various customers where the customers’ banks have guaranteed the payment of the receivables. The notes are non-interest bearing and normally paid within three to six months. The Company has the ability to submit request for payment to the customer’s bank earlier than the scheduled payment date, but will incur an interest charge and a processing fee. The Company had $67.1 million and $29.2 million outstanding as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.

Restricted notes receivable represents notes receivable pledged as collateral for short-term loans from banks. As of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, restricted notes receivable amounted to $12.8 million and $0, respectively.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market using the weighted average cost method. Management reviews inventories for obsolescence and cost in excess of net realizable value at least annually and records a reserve against the inventory and additional cost of goods sold when the carrying value exceeds net realizable value.

Shipping and handling

Shipping and handling for raw materials purchased are included in cost of goods sold. Shipping and handling cost incurred to ship finished products to customers are included in selling expenses. Shipping and handling expenses for finished goods amounted to $0.9 million and $2.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Shipping and handling for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 amounted to $5.9 million and $4.2 million, respectively.

Intangible assets

All land in the People’s Republic of China is owned by the government. However, the government grants “land use rights”.  GS (China) acquired land use rights in 2001 for a total of $3.5 million. These land use rights are for 50 years and expire in 2050 and 2053. Management elected to amortize the land use rights over the ten-year business term because its initial business license had a ten-year term. Although GS (China) became a Sino-Foreign Joint Venture in 2004, and obtained a new business license for twenty years, the Company decided to continue amortizing the land use rights over the original ten-year business term.

Longmen Group contributed land use rights for a total amount of $21.8 million to the Longmen Joint Venture. The contributed land use rights are for 50 years and expire in 2048 to 2052.

Maoming Hengda has land use rights amounting to $2.2 million for 50 years that expire in 2054.

Entity
 
Original Cost
 
Expires on
 
   
(in thousands)
     
GS (China)
  $ 3,481  
2050 & 2053
 
Longmen Joint Venture
  $ 21,803  
2048 & 2052
 
Maoming Hengda
  $ 2,235  
2054
 
 
11

 
GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2010
(Unaudited)
 
Intangible assets of the Company are reviewed at least annually, more often when circumstances require, determining whether their carrying value has become impaired. The Company considers assets to be impaired if the carrying value exceeds the future projected cash flows from related operations. The Company also re-evaluates the periods of amortization to determine whether subsequent events and circumstances warrant revised estimates of useful lives.  As of September 30, 2010, the Company expects these assets to be fully recoverable.

Plant and equipment, net

Plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets with a 3%-5% residual value.

The estimated useful lives are as follows:
 
Buildings and Improvements  
10-40 Years
 
Machinery  
10-30 Years
 
Other equipment  
5 Years
 
Transportation Equipment  
5 Years
 
 
Construction in progress represents the costs incurred in connection with the construction of buildings or new additions to the Company’s plant facilities. No depreciation is provided for construction in progress until such time as the assets are completed and are placed into service, maintenance, repairs and minor renewals are charged directly to expense as incurred. Major additions and betterment to buildings and equipment are capitalized. Interest incurred during construction is capitalized into construction in progress. All other interest is expensed as incurred.

Long lived assets, including buildings and improvements, equipment and intangible assets are reviewed if events and changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable, to determine whether their carrying value has become impaired. The Company considers assets to be impaired if the carrying value exceeds the future projected cash flows from related operations. The Company also re-evaluates the periods of depreciation and amortization to determine whether subsequent events and circumstances warrant revised estimates of useful lives. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company impaired long lived assets in the amount of $0 million and $1.7 million.

Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries

Subsidiaries in which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but does not have a controlling interest, are accounted for using the equity method. Significant influence is generally considered to exist when the Company has an ownership interest in the voting stock between 20% and 50%, and other factors, such as representation on the Board of Directors, voting rights and the impact of commercial arrangements, are considered in determining whether the equity method of accounting is appropriate. The Company accounts for investments with ownership less than 20% using the cost method.
 
12

 
GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2010
(Unaudited)
 
Longmen Joint Venture and its subsidiary - Hancheng Tongxing Metallurgy Co., Ltd. (“Tongxing Metallurgy”) invested in several companies from 2004 to 2009.

 Unconsolidated subsidiary
 
Year acquired
   
Amount invested
(In thousands)
   
% owned
 
Shaanxi Daxigou Mining Co., Ltd
 
2004
    $ 3,856       22.0  
Shaanxi Xinglong Thermoelectric Co., Ltd
 
2004 - 2007
      6,930       20.7  
Shaanxi Longgang Group Xian Steel Co., Ltd
 
2005
      110       10.0  
Huashan Metallurgical Equipment Co.,  Ltd.
 
2003
 
    1,828       25.0  
Xian Delong Powder Engineering Materials Co., Ltd.
 
2006
      988       27.0  
Total (Unaudited)
        $ 13,712          

Total investment income in unconsolidated subsidiaries amounted to $0.7 million and $1.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Total investment income in unconsolidated subsidiaries amounted to $4.0 million and $3.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

On May 2010, Tongxing Metallurgy disposed its long-term investment in Shaanxi Longmen Coal Chemical Industry Co., Ltd to an unrelated party for consideration of $8.1 million (RMB 55 million). Tongxing Metallurgy realized a $1.5 million gain on disposal for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Short-term notes payable

Short-term notes payable are lines of credit extended by banks. The banks in-turn issue the Company a bankers acceptance note, which can be endorsed and assigned to vendors as payments for purchases. The notes payable are generally payable at a determinable period, generally three to six months. This short-term note payable bears no interest and is guaranteed by the bank for its complete face value and usually matures within three to six-month period. The banks usually require the Company to deposit a certain amount of cash at the bank as a guarantee deposit, which is classified on the balance sheet as restricted cash.

Earnings per share

The Company has adopted the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States regarding earnings per share (“EPS”), which requires presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share in conjunction with the disclosure of the methodology used in computing such earnings per share.

Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share takes into account the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised and converted into common stock.

Income taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for income taxes. Under the asset and liability method as required by this accounting standard, the recognition of deferred income tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the income tax basis and financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities. Provision for income taxes consists of taxes currently due plus deferred taxes. The accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for accounting for uncertainty in income taxes clarify the accounting and disclosure for uncertain tax positions.  A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded. The adoption had no effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
13

 
GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2010
(Unaudited)
 
The charge for taxation is based on the results for the year as adjusted for items, which are non-assessable or disallowed. It is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.

Deferred tax is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method in respect of temporary differences arising from differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and the corresponding tax basis used in the computation of assessable tax profit. In principle, deferred tax liabilities are recognized for all taxable temporary differences. Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilized. Deferred tax is calculated using tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is realized or the liability is settled. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the income statement, except when it is related to items credited or charged directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Company intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis.
 
Deferred income taxes are recognized for temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements, net operating loss carry forwards and credits, by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Current income taxes are provided for in accordance with the laws of the relevant taxing authorities.

Share-based compensation

The Company accounts for equity instruments issued in exchange for the receipt of goods or services from other than employees in accordance with the accounting standards regarding accounting for stock-based compensation and accounting for equity instruments that are issued to other than employees for acquiring or in conjunction with selling goods or services. Costs are measured at the estimated fair market value of the consideration received or the estimated fair value of the equity instruments issued, whichever is more reliably determinable. The value of equity instruments issued for consideration other than employee services is determined on the earlier of a performance commitment or completion of performance by the provider of goods or services as defined by these accounting standards. In the case of equity instruments issued to consultants, the fair value of the equity instrument is recognized over the term of the consulting agreement.

Noncontrolling interests

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted accounting principles generally accepted in the United States regarding noncontrolling interest in the consolidated financial statements. Certain provisions of this statement are required to be adopted retrospectively for all periods presented. Such provisions include a requirement that the carrying value of noncontrolling interests (previously referred to as minority interests) be removed from the mezzanine section of the balance sheet and reclassified as equity.
 
14

 
GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2010
(Unaudited)
 
Further, as a result of adopting this accounting standard, net income attributable to noncontrolling interests is now excluded from the determination of consolidated net income. In addition, the foreign currency translation adjustment is allocated between controlling and noncontrolling interests.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements

In January 2010, FASB issued ASU No. 2010-06 – Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. This update provides amendments to Subtopic 820-10 that requires new disclosure as follows: 1) Transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2. A reporting entity should disclose separately the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and describe the reasons for the transfers.  2)  Activity in Level 3 fair value measurements.  In the reconciliation for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), a reporting entity should present separately information about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements (that is, on a gross basis rather than as one net number). This update provides amendments to Subtopic 820-10 that clarify existing disclosures as follows: 1) Level of disaggregation. A reporting entity should provide fair value measurement disclosures for each class of assets and liabilities. A class is often a subset of assets or liabilities within a line item in the statement of financial position. A reporting entity needs to use judgment in determining the appropriate classes of assets and liabilities. 2) Disclosures about inputs and valuation techniques. A reporting entity should provide disclosures about the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for both recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements. Those disclosures are required for fair value measurements that fall in either Level 2 or Level 3. The new disclosures and clarifications of existing disclosures are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU. However, the Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-09, “Subsequent Events (Topic 855): Amendments to Certain Recognition and Disclosure Requirements,” or ASU 2010-09. ASU 2010-09 primarily rescinds the requirement that, for listed companies, financial statements clearly disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated. Subsequent events must still be evaluated through the date of financial statement issuance; however, the disclosure requirement has been removed to avoid conflicts with other SEC guidelines. ASU 2010-09 was effective immediately upon issuance and was adopted in February 2010.

In April 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-13, “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Effect of Denominating the Exercise Price of a Share-Based Payment Award in the Currency of the Market in Which the Underlying Equity Security Trades,” or ASU 2010-13. ASU 2010-13 provides amendments to Topic 718 to clarify that an employee share-based payment award with an exercise price denominated in currency of a market in which a substantial porting of the entity’s equity securities trades should not be considered to contain a condition that is not a market, performance, or service condition. Therefore, an entity would not classify such an award as a liability if it otherwise qualifies as equity. The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2010.  The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2010-17 to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update 2010-17, “Revenue Recognition—Milestone Method (Topic 605): Milestone Method of Revenue Recognition” or ASU 2010-17. This Update provides guidance on the recognition of revenue under the milestone method, which allows a vendor to adopt an accounting policy to recognize all of the arrangement consideration that is contingent on the achievement of a substantive milestone (milestone consideration) in the period the milestone is achieved. The pronouncement is effective on a prospective basis for milestones achieved in fiscal years and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after June 15, 2010. The adoption of ASU 2010-17 does not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
15


GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2010
(Unaudited)
 
In July 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-20 which amend “Receivables” (Topic 310). ASU 2010-20 is intended to provide additional information to assist financial statement users in assessing an entity’s risk exposures and evaluating the adequacy of its allowance for credit losses. The disclosures as of the end of a reporting period are effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending on or after December 15, 2010. The disclosures about activity that occurs during a reporting period are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2010. The amendments in ASU 2010-20 encourage, but do not require, comparative disclosures for earlier reporting periods that ended before initial adoption. However, an entity should provide comparative disclosures for those reporting periods ending after initial adoption. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2010-20 to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These classifications have no effect on net income.

Note 3 – Accounts receivable, net

Accounts receivable, including related party receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts consists of the following:
 
   
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
   
(in thousands)
   
(in thousands)
 
Accounts receivable
  $ 21,605     $ 9,015  
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts
    (390 )     (490 )
Net accounts receivable
  $ 21,215     $ 8,525  
 
Movement of allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows:

   
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
   
(in thousands)
   
(in thousands)
 
Beginning balance
  $ 490     $ 401  
Charge to expense
    -       246  
Less Write-off
    (109 )     (157 )
Exchange rate effect
    9       -  
Ending balance
  $ 390     $ 490  
 
16

 
GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2010
(Unaudited)
 
Note 4 – Inventories

Inventories consist of the following:
 
   
September 30,
 2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
   
(in thousands)
   
(in thousands)
 
Supplies
  $ 13,888     $ 12,235  
Raw materials
    168,769       134,874  
Finished goods
    68,101       60,978  
Total inventories
  $ 250,758     $ 208,087  

Raw materials consist primarily of iron ore and coke at Longmen Joint Venture. The cost of finished goods includes direct costs of raw materials as well as direct labor used in production. Indirect production costs such as utilities and indirect labor related to production such as assembling, shipping and handling costs are also included in the cost of inventory.

The Company values its inventory at the lower of cost or market, determined on a weighted average method, or net realizable value. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, no inventory has been written off and included in cost of goods sold.

Note 5 – Advances on inventory purchase

Advances on inventory purchases are monies deposited or advanced to outside vendors or related parties on future inventory purchases. Due to the high shortage of steel in China, most of the Company’s vendors require a certain amount of money to be deposited with them as a guarantee that the Company will complete its purchases on a timely basis.

This amount is refundable and bears no interest. The Company has legally binding contracts with its vendors, which required the deposit to be returned to the Company when the contract ends. The inventory is normally delivered within one month after the monies have been advanced. The total outstanding amount, including advances to related parties, was $90.1 million and $31.4 million as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.

Note 6 – Plant and equipment, net

Plant and equipment consist of the following:
 
   
September 30
2010
   
December 31
2009
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
   
(in thousands)
   
(in thousands)
 
Buildings and improvements
  $ 122,420     $ 117,625  
Machinery
    494,652       467,595  
Transportation and other equipment
    11,729       12,824  
Construction in progress
    54,046       31,715  
Subtotal
    682,846       629,759  
Less accumulated depreciation
    (97,899 )     (74,648 )
Total
  $ 584,948     $ 555,111  

17

 
GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2010
(Unaudited)

Construction in progress consisted of the following as of September 30, 2010:

Construction in progress
 
Value
 
Estimated completion
 
Estimated
additional cost
 
 description
 
In thousands
 
 date
 
 In thousands
 
     
(Unaudited)
     
(Unaudited)
 
Employees cafeteria
 
$
1,806
 
December, 2010
 
3,134
 
3# lime stone grinding machine
   
2,312
 
November, 2010
 
45
 
Rebar production line
   
36,253
 
November, 2010
 
45,510
 
Steel scrap cross
   
1,825
 
November, 2010
 
- 
 
Small Rebar production line
   
8,122
 
December, 2010
 
1,140
 
Others
   
3,728
 
By the end of 2011
 
2,140
 
Total
   
54,046
     
51,969
 

Long lived assets, including construction in progress are reviewed if events and changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable, to determine whether their carrying value has become impaired. The Company determined that the construction in progress in Maoming Hengda was impaired as of June 30, 2010. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, $0 million and $1.7 million construction-in-progress has been written off and included in operating expense.

Depreciation, including amounts in cost of sales, for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 amounted to $11.6 million and $10.9 million, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, amount to $30.4 million and $22.8 million, respectively.

The Company has fixed assets to be disposed amounting to $2.4 million and $3.0 million as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.

 Note 7 – Intangible assets, net

Intangible assets consist of the following:
 
   
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
   
(in thousands)
   
(in thousands)
 
Land use rights
  $ 28,136     $ 27,519  
Software
    527       424  
Subtotal
    28,663       27,943  
                 
Accumulated amortization – land use right
    (4,958 )     (4,143 )
Accumulated amortization – software
    (137 )     (67 )
Subtotal
    (5,095 )     (4,210 )
    Intangible assets, net
  $ 23,568     $ 23,733  

18


GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2010
(Unaudited)
 
The gross amount of the intangible assets amounted to $28.7 million and $27.9 million as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. The remaining weighted average amortization period is 32.2 years.
Total amortization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 amounted to $0.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, amounted to $0.8 million and $0.7 million, respectively.

The estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding years is as follows:
 
Years ended
 
Estimated Amortization Expense
 
Gross carrying Amount
 
   
(in thousands)
 
(in thousands)
 
September 30, 2011
  $ 1,048   $ 22,520  
September 30, 2012
    1,048     21,472  
September 30, 2013
    730     20,742  
September 30, 2014
    721     20,021  
September 30, 2015
    721     19,300  
Thereafter
    19,300     -  
Total
  $ 23,568        

Note 8 – Debt

Short-term notes payable

Short-term notes payable are lines of credit extended by the banks. The banks in turn issue the Company a bank acceptance note, which can be endorsed and assigned to vendors as payments for purchases. The notes payable are generally payable at a determinable period, generally three to six months. This short-term note payable is guaranteed by the bank for its complete face value. The banks usually do not charge interest on these notes but require the Company to deposit a certain amount of cash at the bank as a guarantee deposit, which is classified on the balance sheet as restricted cash. Restricted cash as a guarantee for the notes payable amounted to $182.4 million and $192.0 million as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.

The Company had the following short-term notes payable:

   
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
   
(in thousands)
   
(in thousands)
 
GS (China): Notes payable from banks in China, due various dates from October 2010 to January 2011. Restricted cash required of $8.7 million and $4.0 million as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively; guaranteed by third parties.
  $ 11,695     $ 7,628  
Longmen Joint Venture: Notes payable from banks in China, due various dates from October 2010 to February 2011. Restricted cash of $173.7 million and $162.3 million as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively; some notes are guaranteed by third parties while others are secured by equipments and land use rights.
    290,418       216,173  
Bao Tou: Notes payable from banks in China, restricted cash of $0 million and $5.1 million as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively; pledged by buildings.
            10,269  
Maoming Hengda: Notes payable from banks in China, Restricted cash of $0 and $20.6 million as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.
    -       20,538  
Total short-term notes payable
  $ 302,113     $ 254,608  
 
19


GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2010
(Unaudited)
 
Short-term loans

Short-term loans represent amounts due to various banks, other companies and individuals, and related parties normally due within one year. The principles of loans are due at maturity. However, the loans can be renewed with the banks, related parties and other parties.

Short term loans due to banks, related parties and other parties consisted of the following:

   
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
   
(in thousands)
   
(in thousands)
 
GS (China): Loan from banks in China, due various dates from October 2010 to September 2011. Weighted average interest rate 5.7% per annum; some are guaranteed by third parties while others are secured by equipment / inventory.
  $ 23,901     $ 25,476  
Longmen Joint Venture: Loan from banks in China, due various dates from February 2011 to September 2011. Weighted average interest rate 5.5% per annum; some are guaranteed by third parties or notes receivables while others are secured by equipment / buildings / land use right / inventory.
     154,221       123,492  
Total short-term loans - bank
 
$
178,122
   
$
148,968
 
 
   
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
   
(in thousands)
   
(in thousands)
 
Longmen Joint Venture: Loans from various unrelated companies and individuals, due various dates from November 2010 to February 2011, and weighted average interest rates 6.2% per annum.
  $ 86,512     $ 91,106  
Maoming Hengda: Loans from one unrelated parties and one related party, due on demand, none interest bearing.
    14,195       19,252  
Total short-term loans - others
  $ 100,707     $ 110,358  
 
   
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
   
(in thousands)
   
(in thousands)
 
Longmen Joint Venture: Loans from Shangang Company, due on July 2011, and interest rates 5.3% per annum.
  $ 74,850     $ -  
Longmen Joint Venture: Loans from LG Group and its subsidiary, due on July 2011, and interest rates 5.8% per annum.
    17,964       4,401  
Qiu Steel: Related party loans from Tianjin Heng Ying and Tianjin Da Zhan, due on 2010. Annual interest rate of 5.0%.
    -       7,350  
Total short-term loans - related parties
  $ 92,814     $ 11,751  
 
The Company had various loans from unrelated companies. The balances amounted to $100.7 million and $110.4 million as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. Of the $100.7 million, $14.2 million loans carry no interest and the remaining $86.5 million are subject to interest rates ranging from 3.6% to 8.4%. All short term loans from unrelated companies are due on demand and unsecured.
 
20

 
GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2010
(Unaudited)

Total interest expenses, excluding capitalized interest, amounted to $3.1 million and $8.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, and 2009, respectively, and interest expenses amounted to $12.8 million and $16.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Capitalized interest amounted to $0.5 million and $6.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $1.6 million and $12.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Note 9 – Customer deposits

Customer deposits represent amounts advanced by customers on product orders. The product normally is shipped within one month after receipt of the advance payment, and the related sale is recognized in accordance with the Company’s revenue recognition policy. As of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, customer deposits amounted to $238.5 million and $212.6 million, including deposits paid to related parties amounted to $47.8 million and $3.8 million, respectively.

Note 10 – Deposit due to sales representatives

Longmen Joint Venture entered into agreements with various entities to act as the Company’s exclusive sales agent in a specified area.  These exclusive sales agents must meet certain criteria and are required to deposit a certain amount of money with the Company. In return the sales agents receive exclusive sales rights to a specified area and discounted prices on products they order. These deposits bear no interest and are required to be returned to the sales agent once the agreement has been terminated. The Company had $45.8 million and $49.5 million in deposits due to sales representatives as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.

Note 11 – Convertible notes and derivative liabilities

On December 13, 2007, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) with certain institutional investors (the “Buyers”) issuing $40.0 million in promissory notes (“Notes”) and 1,154,958 warrants. The warrants can be converted to common stock through May 13, 2013 at an initial exercise price of $13.51 per share, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments. On December 24, 2009, the warrant exercise price was reset to $5.00 per share.
 
The Notes bear initial interest at 3% per annum, which will be increased each year as specified in the Agreement, payable semi-annually in cash or shares of the Company’s common stock. The Notes have a five year term through December 12, 2012. They are convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments. The initial conversion price was $12.47 which was reset to $4.25 on May 7, 2009. The Company may redeem the Notes at 100% of the principal amount, plus any accrued and unpaid interest, beginning December 13, 2008, provided the market price of the common stock is at least 150% of the then applicable conversion price for 30 consecutive trading days prior to the redemption.

Pursuant to the generally accepted accounting standards of the United States for convertible debt and debt issued with stock purchase warrants, the Company discounted the Notes equal to the fair value of the warrants. The Notes were further discounted for the fair value of the conversion option. The combined discount is being amortized to interest expense over the life of the Notes using the effective interest method.
 
21

 
GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2010
(Unaudited)
 
The fair value of conversion option and the warrants were initially calculated using the Cox Rubenstein Binomial model based on the following variables:

 
·
Expected volatility adjusted to 125%
     
 
·
Expected dividend yield of 0%
     
 
·
Risk-free interest rate of 1.27%
     
 
·
Expected lives of five years
     
 
·
Market price at issuance date of $10.43
     
 
·
Strike price of $12.47 and $13.51, for the conversion option and the warrants, respectively

Pursuant to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, the Company determined that both the warrants and the conversion option embedded in the Notes meet the definition of a derivative instrument and must be carried as a liability and recorded at fair value in each reporting period. On December 13, 2007, the Company recorded $34.7 million as derivative liability, including $9.3 million for the fair value of the warrants and $25.4 million for fair value of the conversion option. The initial carrying value of the Notes was $5.3 million. The financing cost of $5.2 million was recorded as note issuance cost and is being amortized to interest expense over the term of the Notes using the effective interest method.

Reset of conversion price

The derivative liability related to the embedded conversion option was adjusted as of May 7, 2009, based on the revised conversion price. As a result of the reduced conversion price, the derivative liability increased as of May 7, 2009 by $27.1 million, which amount is included in the change in the value of the derivative liability in the consolidated statement of operations and other comprehensive income (loss).

Note conversion

On August 5, 2010, the $3.3 million Notes were converted to 1,208,791 shares of common stocks. Pursuant to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, the Company valued the conversion option on the note conversion date. A total of $3.5 million of the carrying value and derivative liability had been reclassified into equity. In connection with such conversion, the Company incurred the make whole interest expense of $0.7 million and accrued interest of $0.2 million for the period ended September 30, 2010. All accrued interest and make-whole interest were settled with 350,885 shares of common stocks.

$30.0 million of the Notes was converted to 7,045,274 shares of common stock at a conversion price of $4.2511 in 2009. A total of $32.1 million of the carrying value and derivative liability had been reclassified into equity. According to the convertible note agreement, the Company incurred the make whole interest expense of $8.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2009.

The carrying value of the Notes was $0 million and $1.1 million as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. The effective interest charges on the Notes totaled $0.1 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $0.4 million and $2.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
22

 
GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2010
(Unaudited)
 
Note issuance cost was amortized to interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 amounted to $0.003 million and $0.012 million, respectively. Note issuance cost was amortized to interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 amounted to $0.016 million and $0.056 million, respectively. A total of $0.4 million Deferred fees remaining unamortized at the date of conversion are transferred (charged) to equity (debited to additional paid-in capital).

Reset of warrants exercise price

On December 24, 2009, the holders of the existing warrants to purchase 1,154,958 shares of our common stock (See Note 11) entered into warrant reset agreements whereby the exercise price was reset from $13.51 to $5.00 per share and the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants was increased by 2.3775 times from 1,154,958 to 3,900,871. The Company booked $10.1 million derivative loss in 2009 for this reset accordingly.

As of December 31 2009, the balance of derivative liabilities, including 2009 issued warrants (see Note 17), was $23.3 million, which consisted of $20.8 million for the warrants and $2.5 million for the conversion option. As of September 30 2010, the balance of derivative liabilities was $7.0 million.

Note 12 – Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

Interest paid amounted to $4.5 million and $4.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, amounted to $13.2 million and $9.3 million, respectively.

Income tax payments amounted to $0.3 million and $0.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, amounted to $1.6 million and $2.4 million, respectively.

Effective Interest charge on the Notes of $1.1 million was capitalized into construction in progress for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Note 13 - Gain from debt extinguishment and Government grant

Debt extinguishment

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company recorded gain from debt extinguishment totaling $2.9 million. In 2009, Maoming Hengda, a subsidiary, entered into a Debt Waiver Agreement with Guangzhou Hengda, pursuant to which Guangzhou Hengda agreed to waive $2.9 million (RMB 20.0 million) of debt that Maoming Hengda owes to Guangzhou Hengda. The Company determined that the subsequent debt settlement does not constitute a contingency at the date of purchase as defined in the accounting standard - business Combinations and thus should not result in a reallocation of the purchase price. The waiver is irrevocable.

Government grant

Due to increasing emphasis on energy savings and pollution emission controls, Shaanxi Province Development and Reform Commission provided incentives for local companies for energy-saving and/or eliminate of outdated iron and steel production machineries and equipment. Longmen Joint Venture received $1.4 million (RMB 9.4 million) in government grants for technology transformation for energy saving for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.
 
23

 
GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2010
(Unaudited)

Longmen Joint Venture received $4.3 million (RMB 29.2 million) in government grants for compliance in dismantling two blast furnaces for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The Company wrote off the residual book value of the furnaces dismantled totaling $0.7 million (RMB 5.0 million), and recorded other income of $3.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Note 14 – Taxes

Income tax

Significant components of the provision for income taxes on earnings and deferred taxes on net operating losses from operation for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 are as follows:
 
   
Three months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
(In thousands)
 
September 30,
2010
   
September 30,
2009
   
September 30,
2010
   
September 30,
2009
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
Current
  $ 5,332     $ 6,717     $ 860     $ 12,451  
Deferred
    (5,224 )     (2,925 )     (5,559 )     (5,265 )
Total provision (benefit) for income taxes
  $ 108     $ 3,792     $ (4,699 )   $ 7,186  
 
Significant components of the provision for income taxes on earnings and deferred taxes on net operating losses from operation for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 are as follows:

According to Chinese tax regulations, the net operating loss can be carried forward to offset with operating income for the next five years. Management believes the deferred tax asset is fully realizable.

The principal component of the deferred income tax assets is as follows:

   
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
   
(in thousands)
   
(in thousands)
 
Beginning balance
  $ 3,341     $ 7,487  
Net operating loss carry forward (tax assets realized) for subsidiaries
    6,183       (864 )
Effective tax rate
    25 %     25 %
Deferred tax asset
  $ 1,546     $ (216 )
Long Gang Headquarter, net operating loss carry-forward (tax asset realized)
    26,301       (26,193 )
Effective tax rate
    15 %     15 %
Deferred tax asset
  $ 3,945     $ (3,929 )
Exchange difference
    68       (1 )
Totals
  $ 8,900     $ 3,341  
 
24

 
GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2010
(Unaudited)

Under the Income Tax Laws of the PRC, the Company’s subsidiary, GS (China), is generally subject to an income tax at an effective rate of 25% on income reported in the statutory financial statements after appropriate tax adjustments, unless the enterprise is located in a specially designated region where it allows foreign enterprises a two-year income tax exemption and a 50% income tax reduction for the following three years. GS (China) became a Chinese Sino-foreign joint venture at the time of the merger on October 14, 2004 and it became eligible for the tax benefit. GS (China) is located in Tianjin Costal Economic Development Zone and under the Income Tax Laws of Tianjin City of the PRC; it is eligible for an income tax rate of 25% and 12% for the periods ended September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.
 
The Company’s subsidiary, Longmen Joint Venture, is located in the mid-west region of China. It qualifies for the “Go-West” tax rebate of 15% tax rate promulgated by the government; therefore, income tax is at 15% deducted rate till December 31, 2010.

Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture is located in Inner Mongolia and is subject to an income tax at an effective rate of 25%.

Maoming Hengda is located in Guangdong province and is subject to an income tax at an effective rate of 25%.

The following table reconciles the U.S. statutory rates to the Company’s effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 are as follows:
 
   
September 30,
2010
   
September 30,
2009
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
U.S. Statutory rates
    34.0 %     34.0 %
Foreign income not recognized in the US
    (34.0 )%     (34.0 )%
China income taxes
    25.0 %     25.0 %
Tax effect of income not taxable for tax purposes (1)
    0.7 %     (1.5 )%
Effect of different tax rate of subsidiaries operating in other jurisdictions
    (2.3 )%     (4.0 )%
Total provision for income taxes
    23.4 %     19.5 %
 

(1)
This represents derivative expenses (income) and stock compensation expenses incurred by the Company that are not deductible/taxable in the PRC for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.
 
25

 
GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2010
(Unaudited)
 
The Company has cumulative undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries of approximately $4.8 million as of September 30, 2010, and is included in consolidated retained earnings and will continue to be indefinitely reinvested in international operations. Accordingly, no provision has been made for U.S. deferred taxes related to future repatriation of these earnings, nor is it practicable to estimate the amount of income taxes that would have to be provided if we concluded that such earnings will be remitted in the future.

General Steel Holdings, Inc. was incorporated in the United States and has incurred net operating losses for income tax purposes for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and for the year ended December 31, 2009. The net operating loss carry forwards for United States income taxes amounted to $1.7 million, which may be available to reduce future years’ taxable income. These carry forwards will expire, if not utilized, through 2030. Management believes that the realization of the benefits from these losses appears uncertain due to the Company’s limited operating history and continuing losses for United States income tax purposes. Accordingly, the Company has provided a 100% valuation allowance on the deferred tax asset benefit to reduce the asset to zero. The valuation allowance as of September 30, 2010 was $0.6 million. The net change in the valuation allowance for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $0.1 million. Management will review this valuation allowance periodically and make adjustments as warranted.
 
Value added tax

Enterprises or individuals who sell commodities, engage in repair and maintenance or import and export goods in the PRC are subject to a value added tax in accordance with PRC laws. The value added tax standard rates are 13% to 17% of the gross sales price. A credit is available whereby VAT paid on the purchases of semi-finished products or raw materials used in the production of the Company’s finished products can be used to offset the VAT due on sales of the finished product.

VAT on sales and VAT on purchases amounted to $128.1 million and $131.4 million, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2010, $123.1 million and $106.6 million, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2009. Sales and purchases are recorded net of VAT collected and paid as the Company acts as an agent for the government. VAT taxes are not impacted by the income tax holiday.

VAT on sales and VAT on purchases amounted to $386.7 million and $357.8 million, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and $302.3 million and $272.5 million, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Sales and purchases are recorded net of VAT collected and paid as the Company acts as an agent for the government. VAT taxes are not impacted by the income tax holiday.

Taxes payable consisted of the following:
 
   
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
   
(in thousands)
   
(in thousands)
 
VAT taxes payable
  $ 1,382     $ 3,861  
Income taxes payable
    567       1,633  
Misc taxes
    246       1,427  
Totals
  $ 2,195     $ 6,921  
 
26

 
GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2010
(Unaudited)
 
Note 15 – Earnings per share

The calculation of earnings per share is as follows:

   
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
(in thousands except per share data)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
(Loss) income attributable to holders of common shares
  $ (2,261 )   $ 10,382     $ (9,896 )   $ (14,159 )
Add: Derivative expense
    -       812       -       -  
Subtract: Unamortized note issuance cost
    -       (963 )     -       -  
Subtract: Make whole interest
    -       (330 )     -       -  
(Loss) income used in diluted computation
  $ (2,261 )   $ 9,901     $ (9,896 )   $ (14,159 )
Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding
    53,941,191       44,973,882       52,576,928       40,295,924  
Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding
    53,941,191       45,750,152       52,576,928       40,295,924  
                                 
(Loss) earnings per share
                               
Basic
  $ (0.04 )   $ 0.23     $ (0.19 )   $ (0.35 )
Diluted
  $ (0.04 )   $ 0.22     $ (0.19 )   $ (0.35 )
 
There is no dilutive effect for its earnings per share as the Company incurred net loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010.

For the three months ended September 30, 2009, 1,154,958 warrant with exercise price of $13.51 is excluded from EPS as they are anti-dilutive. The $3.3 million convertible notes with conversion price of $4.2511 were included in the diluted earnings per share. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company incurred net loss; therefore, there is no dilutive effect for its earnings per share.

Note 16 – Related party transactions and balances

Related party transactions

On March 31, 2010, GS (China), a subsidiary in which the Company holds a controlling interest, entered into a lease agreement with Tianjin Daqiuzhuang Steel Plates Co., Ltd. (the “Lessee”), whereby GS (China) will lease its facility located at No. 1, Tonga Street, Daqizhuang Town, Junghai County, Tianjin City to the Lessee (the “Lease Agreement”). The Lease Agreement provides approximately 776,078 square feet of workshops, lands, equipments and other facilities to the Lessee and allows the Company to reduce overhead costs while providing a recurring monthly revenue stream resulting from payments due thereunder. The term of the Lease Agreement is from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2011 and the monthly base rental rate due to GS (China) is approximately $0.2 million (RMB1.68 million). The lessee partially owned by a related party Beijing Wendlar Co., Ltd, and is managed by the former general manager of GS (China). For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, GS (China) realized rental income in the amount of $0.7 million and $2.2 million from the Lessee.
 
27

 
GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2010
(Unaudited)
 
The future rental payments to be received associated with the Lease Agreement are as follow:

Year ended September 30,
 
Amount
 
   
(in thousands)
 
2011
  $ 3,018  
2012
    754  
Thereafter
    -  
Total
  $ 3,772  
 
The following chart summarized sales to the related party transactions for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.

Name of related parties
 
 
Relationship
 
September 30,
2010
   
September 30
2009
 
       
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
       
(in thousands)
   
(in thousands)
 
Shaanxi Longmen (Group) Co, Ltd and its subsidiaries (“LG Group”)
 
Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture
  $ 262,912     $ 258,819  
Tianjin Hengying Trading Co., Ltd
 
Common control under CEO
    33,304       24,060  
Tianjin Dazhan Industry Co, Ltd
 
Common control under CEO
    29,284       15,821  
Hancheng Haiyan Coking
 
Investee of LG Group
    29,133       37,255  
Shaanxi Steel & Iron Company
 
Majority shareholder of Longmen Group
    1,968       -  
Beijing Daishang Trade Co., Ltd.
 
Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture’s subsidiary
    5,471       3,588  
Tianjin Daqiuzhuang Steel Plates Co., Ltd.
 
Common control under CEO
    8,337       -  
Others
        3,066       1,576  
Total
      $ 373,475     $ 341,119  
 
28

 
GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2010
(Unaudited)
 
The following charts summarize purchases from the related party transactions for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.

Name of related parties
 
 
Relationship
 
September 30,
2010
   
September 30,
2009
 
       
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
       
(in thousands)
   
(in thousands)
 
LG Group
 
Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture
    350,593       216,386  
Hengying and Dazhan
 
Common control under CEO
    -       27,615  
Jingma Jiaohua
 
Investee of Longmen Joint Venture’s subsidiary (unconsolidated)
    8,441       17,097  
Hancheng Haiyan Coking
 
Investee of LG Group
    166,895       102,567  
Beijing Daishang Trade Co., Ltd.
 
Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture’s subsidiary
    1,119       29,920  
Others
        664       755  
Total
      $ 527,712     $ 394,340  

Related party balances

a.
Other receivables - related parties:

Name of related parties
 
 
Relationship
 
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
       
(Unaudited)
       
       
(in thousands)
   
(in thousands)
 
LG Group
 
Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture
  $ -     $ 19,226  
Shaanxi Steel & Iron Company
 
Majority shareholder of Longmen Group
    23,000       -  
Mao Ming Sheng Zhe
 
Common control under CEO
    16,231       3,021  
Tianjin Dazhan Industry Co, Ltd
 
Common control under CEO
    15,419       10,268  
Others
        333       155  
Total
      $ 54,983     $ 32,670  

b.
Advances on inventory purchases – related parties:
 
Name of related parties
 
 
Relationship
 
September 30, 2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
       
(Unaudited)
       
       
(in thousands)
   
(in thousands)
 
LG Group
 
Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture
  $ 48,007     $ -  
Others
        -       2,995  
Total
      $ 48,007     $ 2,995  
 
29

 
GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2010
(Unaudited)
 
c.
Accounts payable - related parties:

Name of related parties
 
 
Relationship
 
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
       
(Unaudited)
       
       
(in thousands)
   
(in thousands)
 
Tianjin Hengying Trading Co., Ltd
 
Common control under CEO
  $ 15,868     $ 17,256  
Tianjin Dazhan Industry Co., Ltd
 
Common control under CEO
    10,596       6,047  
Tianjin General Qiugang Pipe
 
Common control under CEO
    10,155       4,800  
Hancheng Haiyan Coking
 
Investee of LG Group
    25,482       -  
Henan Xinmi Kanghua
 
Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture’s subsidiary
    756       960  
Jingma Jiaohua
 
Investee of Longmen Joint Venture’s subsidiary (unconsolidated)
    1,858       1,360  
LG Group
 
Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture
    -       15,310  
Beijing Daishang Trading Co., Ltd
 
Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture’s subsidiary
    721       1,315  
Others
        320       1,103  
Total
      $ 65,756     $ 48,151  
 
d.
Short-term loans - related parties:

Name of related parties
 
 
Relationship
 
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
       
(Unaudited)
       
       
(in thousands)
   
(in thousands)
 
LG Group
 
Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture
  $ 17,964     $ -  
Shaanxi Steel & Iron Company
 
Majority shareholder of Longmen Group
    74,850          
Tianjin Dazhan Industry Co., Ltd
 
Common control under CEO
    -       3,946  
Tianjin Hengying Trading Co., Ltd
 
 
Common control under CEO
    -       3,404  
Shaanxi Shenganda Trading Co., Ltd
 
Common control under LG Group
    -       4,401  
Total
      $ 92,814     $ 11,751  
 
30

 
GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2010
(Unaudited)
 
e.
Other payables - related parties:

Name of related parties
 
 
Relationship
 
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
       
(Unaudited)
       
       
(in thousands)
   
(in thousands)
 
Tianjin Hengying Trading Co, Ltd
 
Common control under CEO
  $ 12,280     $ 2,415  
Beijing Wendlar Co., Ltd
 
Common control under CEO
    -       704  
Yangpu Capital Automobile
 
Common control under CEO
    1,332       587  
Tianjin General Qiugang Pipe
 
Common control under CEO
    4,491       -  
LG Group
 
Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture
    3,127       -  
Tianjin Jin Qiu Steel Market
 
Common control under CEO
    1,362       -  
Others
        23       -  
Total
      $ 22,615     $ 3,706  
 
f.
Customer deposit – related parties:

Name of related parties
 
 
Relationship
 
September 30,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
       
(Unaudited)
       
       
(in thousands)
   
(in thousands)
 
Tianjin Dazhan Industry Co., Ltd
 
Common control under CEO
  $ 2,587     $ 1,544  
Hancheng Haiyan Coking
 
Investee of LG Group
    2,754       1,316  
LG Group
 
Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture
    41,140       -  
Beijing Shenhua Xinyuan
 
Common control under CEO
    1,282       -  
Beijing Daishang Trading Co., Ltd
 
Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture’s subsidiary
    -       728  
Others
        46       203  
Total
      $ 47,809     $ 3,791  
 
31

 
GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2010
(Unaudited)
 
The Company also guaranteed bank loans of related parties amounting to $40.6 million and $93.6 million as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.

Note 17 - Equity

2009 Equity Transactions

On March 9, 2009, the Company granted senior management and directors 109,250 shares of common stock at $1.85 per share, as compensation. The shares were valued at the quoted market price on the date granted. The Company recorded compensation expense of $0.2 million.

On January 15, 2009, the Company granted convertible notes holders 152,240 shares of common stock at $3.66 per share, as share payments for interest. The shares were computed as 90% of the arithmetic average of the Weighted Average Price of the Common Shares on each for the ten consecutive Trading Days immediately preceding the applicable Interest Date.
 
From April to November 2009, the Company issued 487,400 shares of common stock to management and a consulting firm as compensation. The shares were valued at the quoted market price on the date granted. The Company recorded compensation expense of $1.6 million.

On July 15, 2009 and August 21, 2009 the Company granted convertible notes holders 44,065 shares of common stock at price of $4.2511 as cash payments made for interest.

On May 8, 2009, the Company issued 300,000 shares of common stock to Maoming Hengda’s debtor, Guangzhou Hengda at $6.00 per share, as cash payments made for settling other short term loan.

From May 7 to December 31, 2009, $30.0 million of notes was converted to 7,045,274 shares of common stock at a conversion price of $4.2511. According to the convertible note agreement, the Company incurred the make whole interest expense of $8.8 million and 1,795,977 shares of common stock were issued. See Note 11 for details.

On December 24, 2009, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with certain institutional investors issuing 5,555,556 shares and 2,777,778 warrants (the “2009 Warrants”). The 2009 Warrants can be converted to common stock from June 24, 2010 to June 23, 2013 at $5.00 per share. The 2009 Warrants have a strike price equal to $5.00 and a term of two and a half years. Because the 2009 Warrants are denominated in U.S. dollars and the Company’s functional currency is the Renminbi, and the 2009 Warrants permit the holder to request cash buy-back in the event of a Fundamental Transaction, this results in a significant change in the Company structure and/or equity. The 2009 Warrants do not meet the requirements of the accounting standards to be indexed only to the Company’s stock.  Accordingly, they are accounted for at fair value as derivative liabilities each period..

The initial value of the 2009 Warrants was determined using the Cox-Ross-Rubinstein binomial model using the following assumptions:

 
·
Expected volatility of 125%
     
 
·
Expected dividend yield of 0%
     
 
·
Risk-free interest rate of 1.28%
     
 
·
Expected lives of two and a half years
     
 
·
Market price at issuance date of $4.57
     
 
·
Strike price of $5.00
 
32

 
GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2010
(Unaudited)
 
The 2009 Warrants were valued at $8.5 million when they were issued on December 24, 2009. At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the estimated fair value of the warrants was $2.0 million and $8.1 million, resulting in a gain of $6.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively. The gain was recorded in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations and other comprehensive income (loss).

The volatility of the Company’s common stock was based on the Company’s historical stock prices, the risk free interest rate was based on Treasury Constant Maturity Rates published by the U.S. Federal Reserve for periods applicable to the life of the warrants, the dividend yield was based on the Company’s current and expected dividend policy and the expected term is equal to the contractual life of the warrants.  The value of the warrants was based on the Company’s common stock price on the date the warrants were issued.
 
2010 Equity Transactions

On March 19, 2010, the Company granted senior management and directors 237,100 shares of common stock at $3.91 per share as compensation. The shares were valued at the quoted market price on the date granted. The Company recorded compensation expense of $0.9 million.

On June 7, 2010, the Company issued 928,163 shares of common stock to one of Maoming Hengda’s creditor to settle the other short-term loans.

On June 25, 2010, the Company granted senior management and directors 168,650 shares of common stock at $2.62 per share as compensation. The shares were valued at the quoted market price on the date granted. The Company recorded compensation expense of $0.4 million.

On August 4, 2010, $3.3 million of the Notes was converted to 1,208,791 shares of common stock. According to the Notes agreement, the Company incurred the make whole interest expense of $0.7 million and accrued interest expense of $0.2 million , 350,885 shares of common stock were issued. See Note 11 for details.

On September 28, 2010, the Company granted senior management and directors 165,900 shares of common stock at $2.66 per share as compensation. The shares were valued at the quoted market price on the date granted. The Company recorded compensation expense of $0.4 million.
 
The Company has the following warrants outstanding:
 
Outstanding as of January 1, 2009
    1,154,958  
   Granted
    5,523,691  
   Forfeited
    -  
   Exercised
    -  
Outstanding As of December 31, 2009
    6,678,649  
   Granted
    -  
   Forfeited
    -  
   Exercised
    -  
Outstanding As of September 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
    6,678,649  
 
33

 
GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2010
(Unaudited)
 
Outstanding Warrants
   
Exercisable Warrants
 
Exercise Price
   
Number
   
Average Remaining Contractual Life
   
Average Exercise Price
   
Number
   
Average Remaining Contractual Life
 
$ 5       6,678,649       2.25     $ 5       6,678,649       2.25  

Note 18 – Retirement plan

Regulations in the PRC require the Company to contribute to a defined contribution retirement plan for all employees. All Joint Venture employees are entitled to a retirement pension amount calculated based upon their salary at their date of retirement and their length of service in accordance with a government managed pension plan. The PRC government is responsible for the pension liability to the retired staff. The Company is required to contribute 20% of the employees’ monthly base salary. Employees are required to contribute 8% of their base salary to the plan. Total pension expense incurred by the Company amounted to $1.2 million and $0.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, $3.4 million and $2.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Note 19  Statutory reserves

The laws and regulations of the People’s Republic of China require that before an enterprise distributes profits to its partners, it must first satisfy all tax liabilities, provide for losses in previous years, and make allocations, in proportions determined at the discretion of the board of directors, to the statutory reserves. The statutory reserves include the surplus reserve funds and the enterprise fund and these statutory reserves represent restricted retained earnings.

Surplus reserve fund

The Company is required to transfer 10% of its net income, as determined in accordance with the PRC accounting rules and regulations, to a statutory surplus reserve fund until such reserve balance reaches 50% of the Company’s registered capital.

The transfer to this reserve must be made before distribution of any dividend to shareholders. The surplus reserve fund is non-distributable other than during liquidation and can be used to fund previous years’ losses, if any, and may be utilized for business expansion or converted into share capital by issuing new shares to existing shareholders in proportion to their shareholding or by increasing the par value of the shares currently held by them, provided that the remaining reserve balance after such issue is not less than 25% of the registered capital.

Note 20 – Commitment and contingencies

Commitments

Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture has a 5 years rental agreement with Bao Gang Jianan for buildings. The agreement began on June 2007 for $0.3 million (or RMB1.8 million) per year.
 
34

 
GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2010
(Unaudited)
 
As of September 30, 2010, total future minimum lease payments for the unpaid portion under an operating lease were as follows:

Year ended September 30,
 
Amount
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
2011
  $ 264  
2012
    198  
2013
    -  
2014
    -  
2015
    -  
Thereafter
    663  
Total
  $ 1,125  

Total rental expense amounted to $0.07 and $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively and total rental expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, amounted to $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively.

Longmen Joint Venture and Maoming Hengda  have $14.9 million contractual obligations in its construction project as of September 30 2010.

The Company entered an agreement to build a TRT Electricity Generator (“TRT”) inside Longmen Joint Venture’s production plant. The Company makes payments for the cost via scheduled payments after the TRT was put into use in April 2009. The future payment schedule associated with the arrangement is as follow:

Year ended September 30,
 
Amount
 
   
(in thousands)
 
2011
  $ 2,255  
Thereafter
    -  
Total
  $ 2,255  
 
Contingencies

As of September 30, 2010, the Company guaranteed bank loans for related parties and third parties bank loans, including line of credit, amounting to $68.7 million.

Longmen Joint Venture had $62.7 million guarantees as of September 30, 2010.
 
Nature of
 
Guarantee
 
 
guarantee
 
amount
 
Guaranty period
   
(In thousands)
   
Line of credit
    10,462  
Various from March 2010 to April 2011
Bank loans
    41,971  
Various from April 2010 to July 2011
Notes payable
    10,259  
Various from February 2010 to December 2010
Others
    40  
December 2009 to December 2010
Total
  $ 62,732    
 
35

 
GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2010
(Unaudited)
 
Maoming Hengda had $6.0 million in guarantees as of September 30, 2010.

Nature of
 
Guarantee
 
guarantee
 
amount
 
Guaranty period
   
(In thousands)
   
Bank loan
  $ 5,988  
Various from June 2009 to October 2010

The Company has evaluated the debt guarantees and concluded that the likelihood of having to make payments under the guarantees is remote.

Note 21 – Segments

The Company sells steel which is used by customers in various industries.  The Company’s chief operating decision-makers (i.e. chief executive officer and his direct reports) review financial information presented on a consolidated basis, accompanied by disaggregated information about revenues by product lines for purposes of allocating resources and evaluating financial performance. There are no segment managers who are held accountable for operations, operating results and plans for levels or components below the consolidated unit level.  Based on qualitative and quantitative criteria established by the accounting standards, the Company considers itself to be operating within one reportable segment.

The Company does not have long-lived assets located in foreign countries. In accordance with the enterprise-wide disclosure requirements of the accounting standard, the Company’s net revenue from external customers by main product lines is as follows:
 
   
For the three months ended
   
For the nine months ended
 
(in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
Products
                       
Re-bar
  $ 455,051     $ 455,054     $ 1,389,239     $ 1,112,536  
Hot-Rolled Sheets
    -       14,982       8,314       41,559  
High Speed Wire
    1,959       10,272       7,839       54,008  
Spiral-Welded Steel Pipe
    3,267       4,444       9,587       8,390  
Total sales revenue
  $ 460,277     $ 484,752     $ 1,414,979     $ 1,216,493  
 
36

 
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
 
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The following discussion of the financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements. General Steel Holdings, Inc. is referred to herein as “we” or “our.” The words or phrases “would be,” “will allow,” “expect to”, “intends to,” “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “estimate,” or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements include those concerning our expected financial performance, our corporate strategy and operational plans. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties, including: (a) those risks and uncertainties related to general economic conditions in China, including regulatory factors that may affect such economic conditions; (b) whether we are able to manage our planned growth efficiently and operate profitable operations, including whether our management will be able to identify, hire, train, retain, motivate and manage required personnel or that management will be able to successfully manage and exploit existing and potential market opportunities; (c) whether we are able to generate sufficient revenues or obtain financing to sustain and grow our operations; and (d) whether we are able to successfully fulfill our primary requirements for cash which are explained below under “Liquidity and Capital Resources.” Unless otherwise required by applicable law, we do not undertake, and we specifically disclaim any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrences, developments, unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statement.

Recent Developments and Third Quarter Highlights
 
l
Gross margin improved to 3.4% in the third quarter of 2010 from 1.5% in the second quarter and 1.3% in the first quarter of 2010.

l
On July 12, 2010, we formed a new joint venture, Tianwu General Steel Material Trading Co., Ltd. (“Tianwu GS”) with Tianjin Materials and Equipment Group Corporation (“TME Group”). The contributed capital of Tianwu GS is approximately $2.9 million (or RMB20 million), of which General Steel will hold a 60% controlling interest. Tianwu GS will source raw materials, including domestic and overseas iron ore, and is expected to supply approximately 30% to 50% of our iron-ore needs, amounting to approximately 2 to 3 million metric tons on an annual basis.
   
l
On September 13, 2010, Tianwu GS entered into an iron ore Sales and Purchase Contract with Minera Santa Fe, a Chilean iron ore supplier. Pursuant to the contract, Tianwu GS will receive favorable pricing on the purchase of 138,000 tons of iron ore for the remainder of 2010.

l
In November 2010, our Maoming facility plans to bring online a new 400,000 metric ton capacity rebar production line. According to the strategic alliance agreement Maoming entered with Zhuhai Yueyufeng Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. (“Yueyufeng”), Maoming will process at least 25,000 metric tons of rebar for Yueyufeng on a monthly basis for two years.
 
 
37

 
Our continuing growth demonstrates the following strengths:

·
our two-pronged growth strategy of upgrading our existing operations and growing through merger and acquisition activities has proven successful; and
 
·
 we are a direct beneficiary of the China economic stimulus infrastructure spending program.

Overview
 
We were incorporated on August 5, 2002 in the State of Nevada.  We are headquartered in Beijing, China and operate a diverse portfolio of Chinese steel companies that serve several industries and produce a variety of steel products including reinforced bars (“rebar”), spiral-weld pipes and high-speed wire.  Our aggregate annual production capacity of steel products is 6.3 million metric tons, the majority of which is rebar. Individual industry segments have unique demand drivers, such as rural income, infrastructure construction and energy consumption. Domestic economic conditions drive demand for all of our products.

Our vision is to become one of the largest and most profitable non-government owned steel companies in China.

Our mission is to acquire Chinese steel companies and increase their profitability and efficiencies with the application of western management practices and advanced production technologies, and the infusion of capital resources.

Our strategy is to grow through mergers, joint ventures and acquisitions targeting state-owned enterprise steel companies and selected entities with outstanding potential.  We have executed this strategy in acquiring controlling interest positions in three joint ventures. Our business currently operates through four steel-related subsidiaries and we are actively pursuing a plan to acquire additional assets.
 
Unless the context indicates otherwise, as used herein the terms “General Steel”, the “company”, “we”, “our” and “us” refer to General Steel Holdings, Inc. 

Steel Related Subsidiaries

We presently have controlling interests in four steel-related subsidiaries:
 
 
·
General Steel (China) Co., Ltd.;
     
 
·
Baotou Steel - General Steel Special Steel Pipe Joint Venture Co., Ltd.;
     
 
·
Shaanxi Longmen Iron and Steel Co., Ltd.; and
     
 
·
Maoming Hengda Steel Company, Ltd.

General Steel (China) Co., Ltd.

General Steel (China) Co., Ltd., (“General Steel (China)”), formerly known as Tianjin Daqiuzhuang Metal Sheet Co., Ltd., started operations in 1988.  General Steel (China)’s core business was manufacturing high quality hot-rolled carbon and silicon steel sheets mainly used in low-end light industrial applications, including the production of wiring cabinets, metal security doors, light agricultural vehicles and other specialty markets.

On March 31, 2010, General Steel (China) entered into a lease agreement whereby General Steel (China) leased its facility located at No. 1, Tongda Street, Daqiuzhuang town, Jinghai County, Tianjin municipality, to Tianjin Daqiuzhuang Steel Plates Co., Ltd. (“Lessee”).  The lease provides approximately 776,078 square feet of workshops, land, equipment and other facilities to the Lessee and reduces overhead costs while providing a recurring monthly revenue stream resulting from payments due thereunder.  The term of the lease is from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2011 and the monthly base rental rate due to General Steel (China) is approximately $246,096 (RMB1.68 million).  The former General Manager of General Steel (China) currently manages Tianjin Daqiuzhuang Steel Plates Co., Ltd.  Changing the business model of this facility from a direct operations model to a leased operations model reduces overhead costs and provides a steady revenue stream in the form of fixed monthly lease revenue.

38


Baotou Steel - General Steel Special Steel Pipe Joint Venture Co., Ltd.

On April 27, 2007, General Steel (China) and Baotou Iron and Steel Group Co., Ltd. (“Baotou Steel”) entered into an Amended and Restated Joint Venture Agreement amending the Joint Venture Agreement entered into on September 28, 2005 to increase General Steel (China)’s ownership interest in the related joint venture to 80%.  The joint venture company’s name is Baotou Steel - General Steel Special Steel Pipe Joint Venture Co., Ltd. (“Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture”).  Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture obtained its business license from government authorities in China on May 25, 2007, and started regular operations in July 2007.  Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture has four production lines capable of producing 100,000 metric tons of double spiral-weld pipes used mainly in the energy sector primarily to transport oil, natural gas and steam.  These pipes have a diameter ranging from 219mm to 1240mm, a wall thickness ranging from 6mm to 13mm, and a length ranging from 6m to 12m.  Presently, Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture sells its products using an internal sales force to customers in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and the northwest region of China.

Shaanxi Longmen Iron and Steel Co., Ltd.

Effective June 1, 2007, through two subsidiaries, General Steel (China) and Tianjin Qiu Steel Investment Co., Ltd., we entered into a Joint Venture Agreement with Shaanxi Longmen Iron & Steel Group Co., Ltd. (“Long Steel Group”) to form Shaanxi Longmen Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. (“Longmen Joint Venture”). Through our two subsidiaries, we invested a total of approximately $39 million cash and collectively hold approximately 60% of the Longmen Joint Venture.

Longmen Group, located in Hancheng city, Shaanxi province, in China’s central region, was founded in 1958 and incorporated in 2002.  Longmen Group operates as a fully-integrated steel production facility.  Less than 10% of steel companies in China have fully-integrated steel production capabilities.  

Currently, Longmen Joint Venture has five branch offices, five subsidiaries under direct control and six entities in which it has a non-controlling interest.  It employs approximately 6,300 full-time employees.  In addition to steel production,  Longmen Joint Venture operates transportation services through its Changlong Branch, located at Hancheng city, Shaanxi province.  Changlong Branch owns 154 vehicles and provides transportation services exclusively to Longmen Joint Venture.

Coke Operation: Longmen Joint Venture owns 22.76% of Hancheng Tongxing Metallurgy Co., Ltd. (“Tongxing”).  Located in Hancheng city, Shaanxi province, Tongxing produces second grade coke used as part of the fuel for our blast furnaces.  Its annualized coke production capacity is 200,000 metric tons.  Tongxing sells all of its output to Longmen Joint Venture.
 
Longmen Joint Venture does not own iron pelletizing facilities.

Longmen Joint Venture’s products are categorized within the steel industry as “longs” (referencing their shape) and are generally considered a regional product because their weight and dimensions make the products ill-suited for cost-effective long-haul ground transportation.  By our estimates, the provincial market demand for rebar is six to eight million metric tons per year.  Slightly more than half of this demand comes from Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi province, located 200km from Longmen Joint Venture’s main steel production site. We estimate that we currently provide to the Xi’an market with approximately 72% of its market for rebar.

An established regional network of approximately 100 distributors and four sales offices sell Longmen Joint Venture’s products.  All Longmen Joint Venture products are sold under the registered brand name of “Yulong,” which has strong regional recognition and brand awareness.  Rebar and billet products carry ISO 9001 and 9002 certification and many other products have won national quality awards.  Products manufactured at the facility have been used in the construction of the Yangtze River Three Gorges Dam, Xi’an International Airport, the Xi’an city subway system and the Xi Luo Du and the Xiang Jia Ba hydropower projects.

39

 
Maoming Hengda Steel Company Limited

On June 25, 2008, through our subsidiary Qiu Steel Investment, we paid approximately $7.1 million (RMB50 million) in cash, to purchase 99% of Maoming Hengda Steel Company, Ltd. (“Maoming”).  The total registered capital of Maoming is approximately $77.8 million (RMB544.6 million).  

Maoming’s core business is the production of high-speed wires and rebar products used in the construction industry.  The Maoming facility is located on 140 hectares (approximately 346 acres) in Maoming city, Guangdong province. The Maoming facility has two production lines capable of producing 1.8 million metric tons of 5.5mm to 16mm diameter high-speed wire and 12mm to 38mm diameter rebar annually.  The products are sold through nine distributors targeting customers in Guangdong province and the eastern region of Guangxi province.  
 
To take advantage of stronger market demand in Shaanxi, in the second quarter of 2009, we relocated the 800,000 metric ton capacity rebar production line from the Maoming facility to Longmen Joint Venture.  In the fourth quarter of 2010, we intend to relocate the 1,000,000 metric ton capacity high-speed wire production line from the Maoming facility to Longmen Joint Venture.

On February 3, 2010, Maoming entered into a strategic alliance agreement with Zhuhai Yueyufeng Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. (“Yueyufeng”) whereby Yueyufeng will fund construction of a new 400,000 metric ton capacity rebar production line to operate at the Maoming facility which we intend to bring online in November 2010. In exchange for the funding, Maoming will process at least 25,000 metric tons of rebar for Yueyufeng on a monthly basis for two years.

Production Capacity Information Summary by Subsidiaries

  
  
General Steel (China)
  
Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture
  
Longmen Joint Venture 
  
Maoming
Annual Production Capacity (metric tons)
 
400,000
 
100,000
 
4.8 million
 
1 million
                 
Main Products
 
Hot-rolled sheet
 
Spiral-weld pipe
 
Rebar/High-speed wire
 
High-speed wire
                 
Main Application
 
Light industrial applications
 
Energy transport
 
Infrastructure and construction
 
Infrastructure and construction

Marketing and Customers 

We sell our products primarily to distributors, typically collecting payment from these distributors in advance.  Our marketing efforts are mainly directed toward those customers who have exacting requirements for on-time delivery, customer support and product quality.  We believe that these requirements as well as product planning are critical factors in our ability to serve this segment of the market.

Demand for our Products

Overall, domestic economic growth is an important demand driver of our products, especially construction and infrastructure projects, rural income growth and energy demand.

At Longmen Joint Venture, growth in regional construction and infrastructure projects drives demand for our products.  According to the 12th Five Year National Economic and Social Development Plan (“NESDP”) (2011-2015), development of China’s western region is one of the top-five economic priorities of the PRC.  Shaanxi province, where Longmen Joint Venture is located, has been designated as a focal point for development into the western region.  Our Longmen Joint Venture is 220 km from Xi’an and does not have a major competitor within a 250 km radius.  According to the information released by the Shaanxi Provincial Development and Reform Commission, the total fixed assets investment for Shaanxi province was approximately $21.3 billion (RMB 144.9 billion) for the year ended December 31, 2009, a 73.7% increase over the same period in 2008. There are 235 construction and infrastructure projects under construction in 2010, and among these 235 projects, 50 of them are scheduled to begin this year. Some of the major projects include: nine new railways, one new airport, an expansion of the Xi’an airport, two new ring subway systems and 4 new dams.  Currently, our Longmen Joint Venture supplies construction steel products to many of these projects including: the Xi’an No. 1 and 2 subway systems and the railway lines connecting Xi’an to Chengdu and Xi’an to Ankang.  We believe there will be sustained regional demand for several years as the government continues to drive western region development efforts.
 
40

 
At Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture, energy sector growth, which spurs the need to transport oil, natural gas and steam, drives demand for spiral-weld steel pipe.  Presently, demand is fueled by smaller pipeline projects and municipal energy infrastructure projects within the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

At Maoming, infrastructure growth and business development in Maoming city, the surrounding Guangdong cities and the eastern region of Guangxi province, drive demand for our construction steel products.  As a second tier city, the industrialization and urbanization of Maoming is one of the focal points of economic development in west Guangdong province.

Supply of Raw Materials

The primary raw materials we use for steel production are iron ore, coke and steel billets.  Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture uses hot-rolled steel coil as their main raw material.  Longmen Joint Venture uses iron ore and coke as its main raw materials.  Maoming uses steel billets as its main raw material. Iron ore is the main raw material used to produce hot-rolled steel coil and steel billets.  As a result, the prices of iron ore and coke are the primary raw material cost drivers for our products.

Longmen Joint Venture accounts for 4.8 million metric tons of our aggregate 6.3 million metric tons annual production capacity.  At Longmen Joint Venture, approximately 95% of production costs are associated with raw materials, with iron ore being the largest component.

According to the China Iron and Steel Association, approximately 60% of the China’s domestic steel industry demand for iron ore must be filled by imports.  At Longmen Joint Venture, we purchase iron ore from four primary sources: the Mulonggou mine (owned by Longmen Joint Venture), the Daxigou mine (owned by Longmen Group, our partner in Longmen Joint Venture), surrounding local mines and from abroad.  The Daxigou mine has 300 million metric tons of iron ore reserves.  According to the terms of our Longmen Joint Venture Agreement with the Longmen Group, we have first rights of refusal for sales from the mine and for its development.  We presently purchase all of the production from this mine.

 We formed Tianwu GS with TME Group to source raw materials, including domestic and overseas iron ore. TME Group is one of the largest and most diversified commodity trading groups in China. The new joint venture is expected to supply approximately 30% to 50% of General Steel’s iron-ore needs, amounting to approximately 2 to 3 million metric tons on an annual basis and it will afford both flexibility and quality in our iron ore supply for steel production.

Coke

Coke, produced from metallurgical coal (also known as coking coal), is our second most consumed raw material, after iron ore.  It requires approximately 550kg to 600kg of coke to make one metric ton of crude steel.

Our Longmen Joint Venture facility is located in the center of China’s coal belt.  We source all coke used at Longmen Joint Venture from the town in which Longmen Joint Venture is located.  This ensures dependable supply and minimal transportation costs.
 
41


The major suppliers of our raw materials are as follows (1):
 
Longmen Joint Venture

Name of the Major Supplier
 
Raw Material Purchased
 
% of Total Raw Material Purchased
 
Relationship with General Steel
Shaanxi Longmen Iron & Steel Group Co., Ltd.
 
Iron Ore
   
20.5
%
Related party
Shaanxi Haiyan Coal Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
 
Coke
   
12.5
%
Related party
Shaanxi Huanghe Material Co., Ltd.
 
Coke
   
6.8
%
None
Baotou Gengyi  Commercial Trade Co., Ltd.
 
Iron Ore
   
3.0
%
None
Baotou Bangli Industry Co., Ltd.
 
Iron Ore
   
 2.9
%
None
   
Total
   
45.7
%
 


Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture

Name of the Major Supplier
 
Raw Material
Purchased
 
% of Total Raw
Material
Purchased
 
Relationship with
General Steel
Inner Mongolia Chenggang Material Co., Ltd.
 
Steel Coil
   
22.2
%
None
Baotou Shunye Material Co., Ltd.
 
Steel Coil
   
10.4
%
None
Tianjin Dazhan Industry Co., Ltd.
 
Steel Coil
   
8.8
%
Related party
Tianjin Shengze Industry & Trade Co., Ltd.
 
Steel Coil
   
8.0
%
None
Baotou Yanjia  Industry Co., Ltd.
 
Steel Coil
   
8.0
%
None
   
Total
   
57.4
%
 
 
Maoming

Name of the Major Supplier
 
Raw Material
Purchased
 
% of Total Raw
Material
Purchased
 
Relationship with
General Steel
Maoming Dazhongmao Petrochem Co., Ltd.
 
Heavy Oil
   
55.2
%
None
Maoming Zhenmao Development Co., Ltd.
 
Heavy Oil
   
33.0
 
None
   
Total
   
88.2
%
 
 
(1)
For purposes of the above tables, the term “Related Party” refers to a company over whose operating policies we can exercise control or significantly influence.
 
Industry consolidation

The central government has a long-stated goal to consolidate 50% of domestic steel production among the top ten producers by 2010 and 70% by 2020.  In September 2009, the central government published an industry target to eliminate 80 million metric tons of inefficient capacity from the steel industry by the end of 2011.  Along with this target, the government added new steel making operational and environmental restrictions and tasked several government agencies with enforcing these measures.

On July 12, 2010, the Ministry of Industry & Information Technology Commission issued the Steel Industry Admittance and Operation Qualifications. The new standard specified requirement of all aspects which include: size of blast furnace, size of converters, emission of waster water, dust per ton of steel producing, quantity of coal used for each process of steel making and output capacity of year 2009.  The new policy once again confirms the central government’s resolution to push forward the consolidation of this fragmented industry of more than 800 players.  While the operational conditions become tougher and tougher, more small and medium size players will aggressively look for valued partners which will raise the opportunities of high quality acquisitions for our company.  We believe the directives indirectly strengthen our position as an industry consolidator by creating quantitative measures we can use to better qualify potential acquisition targets.
 
42


Results of Operations for the Three Months and  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
 
Sales Revenues

Three months ended September 30, 2010 compared with three months ended September 30, 2009


SALES REVENUE
 
Three months ended
           
   
September 30, 2010
   
September 30, 2009
   
Change
 
Change
 
(in thousands, except metric tons)
 
Volume
   
Revenue
 
%
   
Volume
   
Revenue
   
%
   
Volume %
 
Revenue %
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
(Unaudited)
                 
Longmen Joint Venture
 
867,854
 
 
$
455,050
   
98.9
.%
   
958,401
   
$
455,054
     
93.9
%
   
(9.4)
%
0
%
Other
 
72,707
   
$
5,227
   
1.1
%
   
77,675
   
$
29,698
     
6.1
%
   
(6.4
) %
(82.5) 
%
Total Revenue of General Steel
 
940,561
 
 
 
460,277
   
100.0
%
   
1,036,076
     
484,752
     
100.0
%
   
(9.2)
%
(5.0)
%

Total Sales Revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2010 decreased 5.0% to $460.3 million from $484.8 million for the same period last year.

The decrease in sales revenue compared to the same period last year is predominantly due to changes in the operating model at General Steel (China). Additionally, we only executed processing contracts at Maoming which generated less sale revenue.

Longmen Joint Venture comprised 98.9% of total sales for the third quarter of 2010. We operated at about 88% of our total capacity in the third quarter of 2010 which resulted from stable demand for our construction steel products.

  Maoming comprised $2 million, or less than 1% of total sales, for the third quarter of 2010. The decrease in sales revenue compared to the same period last year is primarily due to a greater number of processing contracts versus production contracts.  In the third quarter of 2010, Maoming only completed processing contracts, which generate less sales revenue, whereas in the third quarter of 2009, it completed both processing and production contracts.

Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture comprised $3.2 million, or less than 1% of total sales, for the third quarter of 2010.  Sales from Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture decreased in the third quarter of 2010 compared to the same period last year due to lower shipment volume.

Nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared with nine months ended September 30, 2009

SALES REVENUE
 
Nine months ended
             
   
September 30, 2010
   
September 30, 2009
   
Change
   
Change
 
(in thousands, except metric tons)
 
Volume
   
Revenue
   
%
   
Volume
   
Revenue
   
%
   
Volume %
   
Revenue %
 
   
(Unaudited)
         
(Unaudited)
                   
Longmen Joint Venture
   
2,705,964
   
$
1,389, 238
     
98.2
%
   
2,451,019
   
$
1,112,536
     
91.5
%
   
10.4
%
   
24.9
%
Other
   
280,722
   
$
25,741
     
1.8
%
   
258,697
     
103,957
     
8.5
%
   
8.5
%
   
(75.2)
%
Total Revenue of General Steel
   
2,986,686
     
1,414,979
     
100.0
%
   
2,709,716
     
1,216,493
     
100.0
%
   
10.2
%
   
16.3
%
 
Total Sales Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 increased 16.3% to $1.41 billion from $1.22 billion for the same period last year.
 
43


The increase in sales revenue compared to the same period last year is predominantly due to the sales volume increase of 10.2% and a 13.0% increase in the average selling price of rebar over the total shipment volume at Longmen Joint Venture from RMB3,096 (approximately US $454) in the first nine months of 2009 to RMB3,491 (approximately US $513.4) in the first nine months of 2010.

Longmen Joint Venture comprised 98.2% of total sales for first nine months of 2010. We operated at about 91% of our total capacity in the first nine months of 2010 as a result of stable demand for our construction steel products.

  Maoming comprised $7.8 million, or less than 1% of our total sales, for the first nine months of 2010.  The decrease in sales revenue compared to the same period last year is a result of Maoming only completing processing contracts in this period which generated less sales revenue than production contracts; however,  in the first nine months of 2009, Maoming completed both processing and production contracts which resulted in higher overall sales revenue.

Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture comprised $9.6 million, or less than 1% of our total sales, for the first nine months of 2010. The $1.2 million or 14.3% sales amount increase is due to higher average selling prices of spiral-weld pipes.

Gross Profit

Three months ended September 30, 2010 compared with three months ended September 30, 2009
 
GROSS PROFIT
 
Three months ended
       
(in thousands, except metric tons)
 
September 30, 2010
   
September 30, 2009
   
Change %
 
   
Volume
   
Gross Profit
   
Margin %
   
Volume
   
Gross Profit
   
Margin %
   
Gross Profit
 
            (Unaudited)                    
(Unaudited)
                 
Longmen Joint Venture
   
867,854
   
$
16,353
     
3.6
%
   
958,401
   
$
40,864
     
9.0
%
   
(62.2)
%
Other
   
72,707
     
(761)
     
(14.6)
%
   
77,675
     
(1,129)
     
(3.8)
%
   
(32.6)
%
Total Gross Profit of General Steel
   
940,561
     
15,592
     
3.4
%
   
1,036,076
     
39,735
     
8.2
%
   
(60.8)
%
 
 
1)
Total revenue decreased $24.5 million from $484.8 million in the third quarter of 2009 to $460.3 million in the third quarter of 2010 due to the change in our operating model at General Steel (China). Additionally, we only executed processing contracts at Maoming which generated less sales revenue.

 
2)
The price of our primary raw materials including iron ore and coke was higher in the third quarter of 2010 compared to the same period last year which negatively affected the gross profit margin.

However, our gross margin improved in the third quarter 2010 to 3.4% compared to 1.5% in the second quarter and 1.3% in the first quarter of 2010 as the average selling price of rebar increased in both August and September. Meanwhile, our Longmen Joint Venture cut production on the less efficient blast furnaces in the third quarter of 2010, which helped to save production cost and expand gross profit margin.

Maoming

We have not realized a gross profit at Maoming due to the relatively low utilization rate of the products from that facility. In 2010, Maoming only performed processing contracts, which generated less sales revenue than production contracts.  By comparison, in the third quarter of 2009, Maoming completed both processing and production contracts.
 
44

 
Baotou Steel

At our Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture, gross margin increased to 2.1% in the third quarter of 2010 from gross loss of 5.9% in the same period last year.  The increase was due to the higher average selling price of spiral-weld pipes in the third quarter of 2010 compared to the same period last year.
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared with nine months ended September 30, 2009
 
GROSS PROFIT
 
Nine months ended
       
(in thousands, except metric tons)
 
September 30, 2010
   
September 30, 2009
   
Change %
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
       
   
Volume
   
Gross Profit
   
Margin %
   
Volume
   
Gross Profit
   
Margin %
   
Gross Profit
 
Longmen Joint Venture
   
2,705,964
   
$
30,481
     
2.2
%
   
2,451,019
   
$
80,259
     
7.2
%
   
(62.0)
%
Other
   
280,722
     
(1,796)
     
(7.0)
%
   
258,697
     
(5,104)
     
(4.9)
%
   
(64.8)
%
Total Gross Profit of General Steel
   
2,986,686
     
28,685
     
2.0
%
   
2,709,716
     
75,155
     
6.2
%
   
(61.8)
%

Gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 decreased 61.8% to $28.7 million from $75.2 million for the same period last year.  The decrease is primarily attributable to a drop in gross profit at our Longmen Joint Venture. The price of our primary raw materials including iron ore and coke was higher in the first three quarters of 2010 compared to the same period last year which negatively affected the gross profit margin.
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Three months ended September 30, 2010 compared with three months ended September 30, 2009

(in thousands)
 
Three months ended
       
   
September 30, 2010
   
September 30, 2009
   
Change %
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
       
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
 
$
9,562
   
$
10,487
     
(8
.8)%
SG&A EXPENSES AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL REVENUE
   
2.1%
     
2.2%
         

Selling, general and administrative expenses, such as executive compensation, office expenses, legal and accounting charges, travel charges, equipment maintenance and various taxes decreased 8.8% to $9.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $10.5 million for the same period of 2009.

Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue decreased slightly to 2.1% for the third quarter of 2010 from 2.2% for the same period in 2009.
  
Nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared with nine months ended September 30, 2009
 
(in thousands)
 
Nine months ended
       
   
September 30, 2010
   
September 30, 2009
   
Change %
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
       
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
 
$
35,380
   
$
29,219
     
21.1
%
SG&A EXPENSES AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL REVENUE
   
2.5%
     
2.4%
         

Selling, general and administrative expenses, such as executive compensation, office expenses, legal and accounting charges, travel charges, equipment maintenance and various taxes increased 21.1% to $35.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $29.2 million for the same period in 2009. The increase is mainly due to increased transportation and agent charges at Longmen Joint Venture following shipping volume increases and increased sales deliveries made to markets in Henan, Hubei and Chongqing for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.
 
45


Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue increased slightly to 2.5% for the first nine months of 2010 from 2.4% in the same period in 2009.

Income from Operations

Three months ended September 30, 2010 compared with three months ended September 30, 2009
 
(in thousands)
 
Three months ended
       
   
September 30, 2010
   
September 30, 2009
   
Change %
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
       
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
 
$
6,030
   
$
29,248
     
(79.4)
%

Income from operations for the three months ended September 30, 2010 decreased to $6.0 million from $29.2 million income for the same period last year.

Nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared with nine months ended September 30, 2009

(in thousands)
 
Nine months ended
     
   
September 30, 2010
   
September 30, 2009
 
Change %
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
     
(LOSS) INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
 
$
(6,695)
   
$
45,936
 
(114.6)
%

Income from operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 decreased to a loss of $6.7 million from an income of $45.9 million for the same period last year.

The decrease in income from operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 was due to a decrease in gross profit margin caused by higher purchase price of iron ore and coke for the first three quarters of 2010 which adversely affected our gross margin.

Other Income (Expense)

Three months ended September 30, 2010 compared with three months ended September 30, 2009

(in thousands)
 
Three months ended
     
   
September 30, 2010
   
September 30, 2009
 
Change %
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
     
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES)
               
Interest income
 
$
1,739
   
$
826
   
110.5
%
Finance/Interest expense
   
(10,190
)
   
(4,174
)
 
144.1
%
Change in fair value of derivative liabilities
   
(1,089)
     
(616)
   
76.8
%
Government grant
   
1,381
     
-
   
100.0
%
Income from equity investment
   
839
     
963
   
(12.9)
%
Other non-operating income, net
   
(350)
     
(2,985)
   
(88.3)
%
Total other expenses, net
 
$
(7,670)
   
$
(5,986)
   
28.1

Total other expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2010 were $7.7 million compared to $6.0 million for the same period last year.
 
46


The difference between the $7.7 million in expenses recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and the $6 million in expenses recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was caused by the net effect of a $6 million increase in finance and interest expenses, the decrease in other non-operating income and the change in fair value of derivative liabilities.

Nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared with nine months ended September 30, 2009

(in thousands)
 
Nine months ended
       
   
September 30, 2010
   
September 30, 2009
   
Change %
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
       
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES)
                 
Interest income
 
$
3,476
   
$
2,468
     
40.8
%
Finance/Interest expense
   
(37,617)
 
   
(18,422)
 
   
104.2
%
Change in fair value of derivative liabilities
   
13,579
     
(23,228)
     
  (158.5)
%
Gain from debt extinguishment
   
-
     
2,932
     
(100.0)
%
Government grant
   
1,381
     
3,433
     
(59.8)
%
Income from equity investment
   
5,595
     
3,661
     
52.8
%
Other non-operating income, net
   
217
     
(2,332)
     
(109.3)
Total other expenses, net
 
$
(13,369)
   
$
       (31,488)
     
(57.5)

Total other expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 were $13.4 million compared to $31.5 million for the same period last year.

The difference between the $13.4 million in expenses recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and the $31.5 million in expenses recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was caused by the net effect of a $19.2 million increase in finance and interest expenses and a gain of $36.8 million in the change in fair value of derivative liabilities.

Change in Fair Value of Derivative Liabilities

According to GAAP, our December 2007 Notes, December 2007 Warrants and the December 2009 Warrants (as defined below) are considered a derivative and therefore must be “marked to market.”  One of the drivers used to calculate the value of this derivative is stock price. Changes in our stock price cause gains or losses to this income statement item.

The change in fair value of derivative liabilities for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was a loss of $1.1 million compared to a loss of $0.6 million for the same period last year. The change in fair value of derivative liabilities for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was a gain of $13.6 million compared to a loss of $23.2 million for the same period last year. This gain (loss) was due to a change of stock price of our common stock as of September 30, 2010 compared to fiscal year-ended December 31, 2009. According to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States regarding valuing derivatives, the drop in our share price and the conversion of our convertible notes resulted in a $1.1 million loss for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and a $13.6 million gain for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

As of August 5, 2010, all of the convertible promissory notes issued in connection with the private placement that closed on December 13, 2007 have now been converted into common stock.

Net (Loss) Income before Noncontrolling Interest
 
Three months ended September 30, 2010 compared with three months ended September 30, 2009

(in thousands)
 
Three months ended
   
   
September 30, 2010
   
September 30, 2009
 
 Change %
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
   
NET (LOSS) INCOME BEFORE NONCONTROLLING  INTEREST
 
$
(1,748)
   
$
19,470
 
(109.0)%
 
47

 
Net loss before noncontrolling interest for the three months ended September 30, 2010 decreased to $1.7 million compare to a net income before noncontrolling interest of $19.5 million for the same period last year.

Nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared with nine months ended September 30, 2009

(in thousands)
 
Nine months ended
     
   
September 30, 2010
 
September 30, 2009
 
 Change %
 
   
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
     
NET (LOSS) INCOME BEFORE NONCONTROLLING  INTEREST
 
$
(15,365)
 
7,262
 
 (311.6
)% 

Net loss before noncontrolling interest for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 decreased to $15.4 million from a net income before noncontrolling interest of $7.3 million for the same period last year.

Net (Loss) Income attributable to General Steel Holdings, Inc.

Three months ended September 30, 2010 compared with three  months ended September 30, 2009

(in thousands)
 
Three months ended
     
   
September 30, 2010
 
September 30, 2009
 
  Change %
 
   
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
     
NET (LOSS) INCOME BEFORE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
 
$
(1,748)
 
$
19,470
 
 (109.0
)%
LESS: Net Income attributable to the noncontrolling interest
   
513
   
9,088
 
 (94.3
)%
NET (LOSS) INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTROLLING INTEREST
 
$
(2,261)
 
$
10,382
 
 (121.8
)% 

Net loss attributable to General Steel Holdings, Inc. for the three months ended September 30, 2010 decreased to $2.3 million compared to net income $10.4 million for the same period of 2009.
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared with nine months ended September 30, 2009

(in thousands)
 
Nine months ended
     
   
September 30, 2010
   
September 30, 2009
 
Change %
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
     
NET (LOSS) INCOME BEFORE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
 
$
(15,365)
   
$
7,262
  (311.6)
LESS: Net (loss) income attributable to the noncontrolling interest
   
(5,469)
   
$
21,421
  (125.5)
%
NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTROLLING INTEREST
 
$
(9,896)
   
$
(14,159)
 
(30.1)
%

Net loss attributable to General Steel Holdings, Inc. for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 decreased to $9.9 million compared to a net loss of $14.2 million for the same period of 2009.
 
Earnings per Share

Three months ended September 30, 2010 compared with three months ended September 30, 2009

(Loss) earnings per Share
 
Three months ended
       
(in thousands, except earnings per share)
 
September 30, 2010
   
September 30, 2009
   
Change %
 
   
(Unaudited)Unaudited
   
(Unaudited)
       
NET (LOSS) INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTROLLING INTEREST
 
$
(2,261)
   
$
10,382
   
(121.8)
                       
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES
                     
Basic
   
53,941
     
44,974
     
19.9
%
Diluted
   
53,941
     
45,750
     
17.9
%
                         
(LOSS) INCOME PER SHARE
                       
Basic
 
$
(0.04)
   
$
0.23
     
(117.4)
%
Diluted
 
$
(0.04)
   
$
0.22
     
(118.2)
% 
 
48

 
 Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share for the three months ended September 30, 2010 decreased to a loss $0.04 compared to basic earnings per share of $ 0.23 and diluted earnings per share of $0.22 for the same period of 2009.
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared with nine months ended September 30, 2009

Earnings per Share
 
Nine months ended
       
(in thousands, except earnings per share)
 
September 30, 2010
   
September 30, 2009
   
Change %
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
       
NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTROLLING INTEREST
 
$
(9,896)
   
$
(14,159)
   
(30.1
)%
                       
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES
                     
Basic
   
52,577
     
40,296
     
30.5
%
Diluted
   
52,577
     
40,296
     
30.5
%
                         
LOSS PER SHARE
                       
Basic
 
$
(0.19)
   
$
(0.35)
     
(45.7
)%
Diluted
 
$
(0.19)
   
$
(0.35)
     
(45.7
)%

Basic and diluted loss per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 decreased to $0.19 from basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.35 for the same period of 2009.

Income Taxes

We did not conduct any business and did not maintain any branch office in the United States during the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009. Therefore, no provision for withholding of U.S. federal or state income taxes or tax benefits on the undistributed earnings and/or losses of our company has been made.

General Steel (China) is located in Tianjin Costal Economic Development Zone and under the Income Tax Laws of Tianjin City of PRC, and therefore was eligible for an income tax rate of 25%. General Steel (China) was entitled to a 50% income tax reduction of the special income tax rate of 25%, which is a rate of 12% for the years ended December 31, 2009 due to its foreign joint venture status. Beginning in 2010, the effective income tax rate at General Steel (China) is 25%.

Longmen Joint Venture is located in the mid-west region of China. It qualifies for the “Go-West” tax rate of 15% promulgated by the government.
 
Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture is located in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and is subject to an effective income tax rate of 25%.
 
Maoming is located in Guangdong province and subject to an effective income tax rate of 25%.
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2010, we had a total tax provision of $0.1 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we had a total tax benefit of $4.7 million.

We have cumulative undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries of approximately $4.8 million as of September 30, 2010. Such earnings are included in consolidated retained earnings and will continue to be indefinitely reinvested in internal operations.  Accordingly, no provision has been made for U.S. deferred taxes related to future repatriation of these earnings, nor is it practicable to estimate the amount of income taxes that would have to be provided if we concluded that such earnings will be remitted in the future.
 
49


We were incorporated in the United States and have incurred net operating losses for income tax purposes for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and for the year ended December 31, 2009. The net operating loss carry forwards for United States income taxes amounted to $1.7 million which may be available to reduce future years’ taxable income. These carry forwards will expire, if not utilized at the end of 2030. Management believes that the realization of the benefits from these losses appears uncertain due to our limited operating history and continuing losses for United States income tax purposes. Accordingly, we have provided a 100% valuation allowance on the deferred tax asset benefit to reduce the asset to zero. The valuation allowance as of September 30, 2010 was $0.6 million. The net change in the valuation allowance for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was $0.1 million. Management will review this valuation allowance periodically and make adjustments as warranted.

Noncontrolling Interest
 
Noncontrolling interest mainly consists of Long Steel Group’s 40% interest in Longmen Joint Venture, Baotou Iron and Steel Group’s 20% interest in Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture, a 1% interest in Maoming by another entity and TME Group’s 40% interest in Tianwu GS.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable and accounts receivable-related party were $21.2 million as of September 30, 2010 compared to $8.5 million on December 31, 2009. This increase was mainly due to Longmen Joint Venture’s deliveries made to a major government project which we intend to collect the payment in the coming months.

We recognize revenue when we ship out products and pass the titles of the products to our customers and distributors. We extended short-term credit to our customers and distributors with good reputations and long-term business relationships. We have not experienced any bad debt in these accounts. Also, we review our accounts receivable on a regular basis to determine if the bad debt allowance is adequate and adjust the allowance amount if needed. We believe the accounts receivable amount is collectible. Nevertheless, to be conservative and prudent in our management practice, as of September 30, 2010, we reserved $0.4 million for bad debt allowance based on our reasonable estimate.

Inventories

We had an inventory balance of $250.8 million as of September 30, 2010 compared to $208.1 million as of December 31, 2009.  Such balance is comprised of raw material and finished products. We increased our stock of raw materials in the second quarter believing that raw material prices will increase in the upcoming months.

Liquidity and capital resources

The steel business is capital intensive and we utilize leverage greater than our industry peers which enables us to generate revenue compared to our shareholder equity at a rate higher than our industry peers. We utilize leverage in the form of credit from banks, vendor financing, customer deposits and others. This blended form of financing reduces our reliance on any single source.

Short-term Notes Payable

As of September 30, 2010, we had $302.1 million in short-term notes payables liabilities, which are secured by restricted cash of $182.4 million and the assets of the Company. These are lines of credit extended by banks for a maximum of six months and used to finance working capital. The short-term notes payables must be paid in full at maturity and credit availability is continued upon payment at maturity. There are no additional significant financial covenants.

Short-term notes payable is one of the lowest cost form of financing available in China. We pay zero interest on this type of credit. This is a monetary tool used by China’s central bank to inject liquidity into the Chinese monetary system.

Short-term Loans – Banks

As of September 30, 2010, we had $178.1 million in short-term bank loans. These are bank loans with a one year maturity and must be paid in full upon maturity. There are no additional significant financial covenants tied to these loans. Chinese banks have not been impacted as heavily by the financial crisis as U.S. banks and we believe our current creditors will renew their lending to us after our loans mature as they have in the past.
 
50


We are able to repay our short-term notes payables and short term bank loans upon maturity using available capital resources.

For more details about our debts, please see note 8 in our notes to the financial statements included in this report.

Cash-flow

Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $103.1 million compared to $7.2 million in the same period of 2009. This change was mainly due to the combination of the following factors:

 
·
Some non-cash items including in net income such as depreciation and amortization, impairment of long-lived assets, loss (gain) on disposal of equipment, stock issued for service and compensation, amortization of deferred note issuance cost and discount on convertible notes, make whole shares interest expense on notes conversion, change in fair value of derivative instrument, income from investment and deferred tax assets, resulted in a cash inflow of $12.9 million.
     
 
·
Cash outflow resulting from the increase in accounts receivable, notes receivable, other receivables, inventories and advance on inventory purchase was $183.1 million, compared to an outflow of $153.5 million during the same period last year.
     
 
·
Cash inflow due to the increase in accounts payable, other payables, customer deposit and tax payable totaled of $82.3 million compared to an inflow of $93.1 million during the same period last year.
 
Overall, the increase in cash used in operating activities is due to our efforts to utilize capital resources to build up raw material inventories.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $72.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $69.1 million in the same period of 2009. This change in cash outflow is mainly due to a reduction of equipment purchases.

Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities was $134.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $115.6 million in the same period of 2009.

Shelf Registration SEC Form S-3

On October 22, 2009, our shelf registration statement on Form S-3 for an aggregate offering amount of $60 million was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). From time to time we may sell common stock, preferred stock, warrants, debt securities, rights and units in one or more offerings.  As discussed below, in December 2009 we consummated a registered direct offering using the Form S-3 shelf registration statement to issue common stock and warrants.  We may sell the remaining securities registered on the Form S-3 shelf registration statement to or through underwriters, directly to investors, through agents or any combination of the foregoing.
 
51

 
Each time we offer securities under our Form S-3 shelf registration statement, we will file a prospectus supplement with the SEC containing more specific information about the particular offering. The prospectus supplements may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. The Form S-3 shelf registration statement may not be used to offer or sell securities without a prospectus supplement which includes a description of the method of sale and terms of the offering.

Impact of Inflation
 
We are subject to commodity price risks arising from price fluctuations in the market prices of the raw materials. We have generally been able to pass on cost increases through price adjustments. However, the ability to pass on these increases depends on market conditions influenced by the overall economic conditions in China. We manage our price risks through productivity improvements and cost-containment measures. We do not believe that inflation risk is material to our business or our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
Compliance with Environmental Laws and Regulations

Longmen Joint Venture:

Since 2002, our joint venture partner, Long Steel Group, has invested $76 million (RMB580 million) in a series of comprehensive projects to reduce its waste emissions of coal gas, water, and solid waste.  In 2005, Long Steel Group received ISO 14001 certification for its overall environmental management system.  Long Steel Group has received several awards from the Shaanxi provincial government for its increasing effort in environmental protection.

Long Steel Group has spent more than $4.3 million (RMB33 million) on a comprehensive waste water recycling and water treatment system. The 2,000 cubic meter/h treatment capacity system was implemented at the end of 2005. In 2010, 1.1 metric tons of new water was consumed per metric ton of steel produced.

Long Steel Group has one 10,000 cubic meter coke-oven gas tank and one 50,000 cubic meter blast furnace coal gas tank to collect the residual coal gas produced from its own facility and that of surrounding enterprises. Long Steel Group also has a thermal power plant with two 25 Kilowatt dynamos that uses the residual coal gas from the blast furnaces and converters as fuel to generate power.

Long Steel Group also has several plants to further process solid waste generated from the steel making process into useful products such as construction materials, building blocks, porcelain tiles, curb tops, ornamental tiles, etc. The plants are capable of processing 400,000 metric tons of solid waste and generate revenue of more than $7.3 million (RMB50 million) each year.

Off-balance Sheet Arrangements
 
There was no off-balance sheet arrangements in the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2010.

 Critical Accounting Policies

Management’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Our financial statements reflect the selection and application of accounting policies which require management to make significant estimates and judgments. See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.” Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
 
We believe that the following reflect the more critical accounting policies that currently affect our financial condition and results of operations.
 
52


Revenue Recognition
 
We follow the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States regarding revenue recognition. Sales revenue is recognized at the date of shipment to customers when a formal arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable, the delivery is completed, we have no other significant obligations and collectability is reasonably assured. Payments received before all of the relevant criteria for revenue recognition are recorded as customer deposits. Sales revenue represents the invoiced value of goods, net of value-added tax (VAT). All of our products sold in the PRC are subject to a Chinese value-added tax at a rate of 13% to 17% of the gross sales price. This VAT may be offset by VAT paid by us on raw materials and other materials included in the cost of producing the finished product.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant accounting estimates reflected in our financial statements include the useful lives of and impairment for property, plant and equipment, potential losses on uncollectible receivables and convertible notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Financial Instruments

The accounting standard regarding “Disclosures about fair value of financial instruments” defines financial instruments and requires disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments held by us. We consider the carrying amount of cash, accounts receivable, other receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, to approximate their fair values because of the short period of time between the origination of such instruments and their expected realization. For short term loans and notes payable, we concluded the carrying values are a reasonable estimate of fair value because of the short period of time between the origination and repayment and their stated interest rate approximates current rates available.

We also analyze all financial instruments with features of both liabilities and equity under the accounting standard establishing, “accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity,” the accounting standard regarding “accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities” and “accounting for derivative financial instruments indexed to, and potentially settled in, a company’s own stock.” Additionally, we analyze registration rights agreements associated with any equity instruments issued to determine if penalties triggered for late filing should be accrued under accounting standard establishing “accounting for registration payment arrangements.”

Fair Value Measurements

The accounting standards regarding fair value of financial instruments and related fair value measurement defines fair value, establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosures of fair value measurement and enhances disclosures requirements for fair value measures. The three levels are defined as follow:

Level 1 inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2 inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the assets or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instruments.

Level 3 inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value.

In 2007, the conversion feature on the December 2007 Notes, as well as the December 2007 Warrants and reset warrants issued in December 2009 issued in conjunction with the December 2007 Notes was carried at fair value. The fair value was determined using the Cox Rubenstein Binomial Model, defined in the accounting standard as level 2 inputs, and recorded the change in earnings. As a result, the derivative liability is carried on the balance sheet at its fair value.
 
53


On August 5, 2010, the investors holding the remaining outstanding December 2007 Notes elected to convert all the amounts due thereunder into our common stock. These were notes outstanding from our December 13, 2007 private placement. The December 2007 Notes were converted on August 5, 2010 in accordance with their terms resulting in the issuance of a total of 1,559,675 shares of common Stock in the aggregate to the remaining investors. As a result of the conversion, we have no outstanding balance on the December 2007 Notes.

The December 2007 Warrants, December 2009 Warrants and their conversion feature are valued by using level 2 inputs to the Binomial Model and determined that the fair value amounted to approximately $7.0 million due to the decrease in our common stock price.

 Noncontrolling Interest

Effective January 1, 2009, we adopted accounting principles generally accepted in the United States regarding noncontrolling interest in consolidated financial statements. Certain provisions of this statement are required to be adopted retrospectively for all periods presented. Such provisions include a requirement that the carrying value of noncontrolling interests (previously referred to as minority interests) be removed from the mezzanine section of the balance sheet and reclassified as equity.

Further, as a result of adoption of this accounting standard, net income attributable to noncontrolling interests is now excluded from the determination of consolidated net income. In addition, foreign currency translation adjustment is allocated between controlling and noncontrolling interests.

Noncontrolling interests were $64.5 million and $72.6 million as of the September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.

New Accounting Pronouncements
 
In January 2010, FASB issued ASU No. 2010-06 – Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. This update provides amendments to Subtopic 820-10 that requires new disclosure as follows: 1) Transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2. A reporting entity should disclose separately the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and describe the reasons for the transfers.  2)  Activity in Level 3 fair value measurements.  In the reconciliation for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), a reporting entity should present separately information about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements (that is, on a gross basis rather than as one net number).This update provides amendments to Subtopic 820-10 that clarify existing disclosures as follows: 1) Level of disaggregation. A reporting entity should provide fair value measurement disclosures for each class of assets and liabilities. A class is often a subset of assets or liabilities within a line item in the statement of financial position. A reporting entity needs to use judgment in determining the appropriate classes of assets and liabilities. 2) Disclosures about inputs and valuation techniques. A reporting entity should provide disclosures about the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for both recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements. Those disclosures are required for fair value measurements that fall in either Level 2 or Level 3. The new disclosures and clarifications of existing disclosures are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the impact of this ASU. However, we do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-09, “Subsequent Events (Topic 855): Amendments to Certain Recognition and Disclosure Requirements,” or ASU 2010-09. ASU 2010-09 primarily rescinds the requirement that, for listed companies, financial statements clearly disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated. Subsequent events must still be evaluated through the date of financial statement issuance; however, the disclosure requirement has been removed to avoid conflicts with other SEC guidelines. ASU 2010-09 was effective immediately upon issuance and was adopted in February 2010.

In April 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-13, “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Effect of Denominating the Exercise Price of a Share-Based Payment Award in the Currency of the Market in Which the Underlying Equity Security Trades,” or ASU 2010-13. ASU 2010-13 provides amendments to Topic 718 to clarify that an employee share-based payment award with an exercise price denominated in currency of a market in which a substantial porting of the entity’s equity securities trades should not be considered to contain a condition that is not a market, performance, or service condition. Therefore, an entity would not classify such an award as a liability if it otherwise qualifies as equity. The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2010.  We do not expect the adoption of ASU 2010-17 to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
54


In April 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update 2010-17, “Revenue Recognition—Milestone Method (Topic 605): Milestone Method of Revenue Recognition” or ASU 2010-17. This Update provides guidance on the recognition of revenue under the milestone method, which allows a vendor to adopt an accounting policy to recognize all of the arrangement consideration that is contingent on the achievement of a substantive milestone (milestone consideration) in the period the milestone is achieved. The pronouncement is effective on a prospective basis for milestones achieved in fiscal years and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after June 15, 2010.  The adoption of ASU 2010-17 does not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In July 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-20 which amend “Receivables” (Topic 310). ASU 2010-20 is intended to provide additional information to assist financial statement users in assessing an entity’s risk exposures and evaluating the adequacy of its allowance for credit losses. The disclosures as of the end of a reporting period are effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending on or after December 15, 2010. The disclosures about activity that occurs during a reporting period are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2010. The amendments in ASU 2010-20 encourage, but do not require, comparative disclosures for earlier reporting periods that ended before initial adoption. However, an entity should provide comparative disclosures for those reporting periods ending after initial adoption. We do not expect the adoption of ASU 2010-20 to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
 
We have certain fixed contractual obligations and commitments that include future estimated payments. Changes in our business needs, cancellation provisions, changing interest rates, and other factors may result in actual payments differing from the estimates. We cannot provide certainty regarding the timing and amounts of payments. We have presented below a summary of the most significant assumptions used in our determination of amounts presented in the tables, in order to assist in the review of this information within the context of our consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.

The following tables summarize our contractual obligations as of September 30, 2010 and the effect these obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods.
 
  
 
Payment due by period
 
  
       
Less than
             
Contractual obligations
 
Total
   
1 year
   
1-3 years
   
4- 5 years
 
   
Dollars amounts in thousands
 
Bank loans
 
$
         178,122
   
$
         178,122
   
$
 
-
 
Other loans
   
         193,521
     
         193,521
           
  -
 
Notes payable
   
         302,113
     
         302,113
     
   
  -
 
Deposits due to sales representatives
   
45,845
     
45,845
           
  -
 
Lease with Bao Gang Group
   
462
     
264
     
198
   
  -
 
Construction obligations - Longmen Joint Venture and Maoming Hengda Steel
   
12,507
     
12,507
           
  -
 
Iron ore purchase contract by Tianwu
   
8,000
     
8,000
               
                               
Total
 
$
740,570
   
$
740,372
   
$
198
 
$
-
 
 
55


ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

Commodity Price Risk and Related Risks
  
In the normal course of our business, we are exposed to market risk or price fluctuations related to the purchase, production or sale of steel products over which we have little or no control. We do not use any derivative commodity instruments to manage the price risk. Our market risk strategy has generally been to obtain competitive prices for our products and allow operating results to reflect market price movements dictated by supply and demand. Based upon a 2009 annual production capacity of 3.8 million metric tons, a $1 change in the annual average price would change annual pre-tax profits by approximately $3.8 million.
  
Interest Rate Risk
  
We are subject to interest rate risk since our outstanding debts are short-term and bear interest at variable interest rates. The future interest expense would fluctuate in case of any change in the borrowing rates. We do not use swaps or other interest rate protection agreements to hedge this risk. We believe our exposure to interest rate risk is not material.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
  
Our operating units, General Steel (China), Longmen Joint Venture, Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture and Maoming, are all located in China. They produce and sell all of their products domestically in the PRC. They are subject to the foreign currency exchange rate risks due to the effects of fluctuations in the Chinese Renminbi on revenues and operating costs and existing assets or liabilities. We have not generally used derivative instruments to manage this risk. Generally, a ten percent (10%) decrease in Renminbi exchange rate would result in a $1.9 million decrease in net income.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
 
We, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined under Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), as of September 30, 2010.  Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed (i) to ensure that information required to be disclosed by it in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act are recorded, processed,  summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  Based on their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2010 in alerting management on a timely basis to information required to be included in our submissions and filings under the Exchange Act.

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during its most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect its internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

From time to time, we are subject to certain legal proceedings, claims and disputes that arise in the ordinary course of our business. Although we cannot predict the outcomes of these legal proceedings, we do not believe these actions; in the aggregate will have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS.

(a)
Exhibits

31.1
 
Certification of the CEO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as filed herewith.
     
31.2
 
Certification of the CFO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as filed herewith.
     
32.1
 
Certification of the CEO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as filed herewith.
     
32.2
 
Certification of the CFO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as filed herewith.

 
57

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 
General Steel Holdings, Inc.
   
Date: November 9, 2010
By: /s/ Zuosheng Yu
 
Zuosheng Yu
 
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
   
Date: November 9, 2010
By: /s/ John Chen
 
John Chen
 
Director and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
58