Attached files

file filename
8-K - FORM 8-K - Synutra International, Inc.dp27156_8k.htm
 
EXHIBIT 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Synutra Reports Second Quarter and
First Half Fiscal 2012 Financial Results

Branded Formula Sales Demonstrate Sustained Recovery
2Q12 Formula Sales were $79.1 million
2Q12 Gross Margin Rose to 42.4%
2Q12 Net Income was $8.5 million
 
 
Qingdao, China and Rockville, Md. – November 9, 2011 – Synutra International, Inc. (NASDAQ: SYUT), (“Synutra” or the “Company”), which owns subsidiaries in China that produce, market and sell nutritional products for infants, children and adults, today announced financial results for the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2012 ended September 30, 2011.

Mr. Liang Zhang, Chairman and CEO of Synutra, remarked, “We are pleased to return to profitability with net income of $8.5 million, an important milestone in the continued recovery of our powdered formula sales from the hormone allegations. We believe our sustained recovery is driven by the effectiveness of our consumer-centric marketing strategy, which has led to sales growth while controlling advertising and promotional costs.  There is still room for improvement through margin expansion. However, we believe our three consecutive quarters of improvement demonstrate that our recovery is long term and sustainable. We are focused on quality, a topic that continues to grow in prominence among China’s consumers, and we are differentiated by our end consumer-centric marketing, which strengthens our distribution reach.  Over the long term, we are confident that these factors will help differentiate us among China’s fragmented infant dairy market to strengthen our future growth momentum.”

Formula Sale Performance
 
3Q11
4Q11
1Q12
2Q12
         
Net sales of powdered formula segment
            20,722
            48,318
            40,163
            79,109
Adjusted net sales of powdered formula segment*
            20,722
            48,318
            56,772
            62,500
Market share (CIC data)**
5.2%
4.9%
5.3%
5.1%
  Adjusts for $16.6 million of revenue delayed from 1Q12 to 2Q12
**
Market share as of the last month of the quarter

Mr. Weiguo Zhang, President and Interim CFO of Synutra, commented, “We are pleased by our steady trend of improvement, shown by our powdered formula sales adjusted for the June quarter shipment delay. As we discussed last quarter, $16.6 million of net sales were shifted from the June quarter into the September quarter.  Financially, this translates into approximately $9 million of gross profit and would have lowered the net loss in the June quarter to approximately $3 million and the net income of the September quarter to approximately $2 million. Adjusted for this delay, our powdered formula sales performance has gradually but consistent improved in revenue, margins and profitability. We believe this is noteworthy as Synutra’s performance is best tracked through powdered formula sales. We occasionally choose to enter into imported whole milk powder sales, when market dynamics present an opportunity to increase shareholder returns and strengthen cash flows.  However, our core business, powdered formula
 
 
 

 
 
sales, continues to climb steadily. We are encouraged by this achievement and look forward to building upon this trend of steady growth to further enhance shareholder value.”

Financial Results for the Second Quarter of Fiscal 2012 versus the First Quarter of Fiscal 2012

 
Quarter Ended
Quarter Ended
 
QoQ Change
 
Sept 30, 2011
June 30, 2011
     
 (in USD 000's except per share and percentage data)
         
Net sales
99,053
43,757
 
55,296
126.4%
           
Cost of sales
57,054
27,678
 
29,376
106.1%
Gross profit
41,999
16,079
 
25,920
161.2%
Gross margin
42.4%
36.7%
     
           
Selling and distribution expenses
12,328
12,461
 
(133)
(1.1%)
Advertising and promotion expenses
8,042
7,008
 
1,034
14.8%
General and administrative expenses
6,672
6,579
 
93
1.4%
Other operating income, net
70
110
 
(40)
(36.4%)
Total operating expense
26,972
25,938
 
1,034
4.0%
           
Income (loss) from operations
15,027
(9,859)
 
24,886
(252.4%)
Operating margin
15.2%
(22.5%)
     
           
Net interest expense and other income
3,153
2,636
 
517
19.6%
Income tax expense (benefit)
3,257
(3,049)
 
6,306
(206.8%)
Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest
92
150
 
(58)
(38.7%)
           
Net income (loss) attributable to Synutra International, Inc. common shareholders
8,525
(9,596)
 
18,121
(188.8%)
Net margin
8.6%
(21.9%)
     
           
Income (loss) per share - Diluted
$0.15
($0.17)
 
$0.32
(188.8%)

Net sales rose to $99.1 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2012 from $43.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2012. Net sales from the Company’s branded powdered formula segment were $79.1 million, or 79.9% of net sales in the quarter, compared to $40.2 million, or 91.8% of net sales, in the previous quarter. The increase includes $16.6 million of sales recognized in July instead of the June quarter due to shipment delays but primarily reflects the steady recovery of branded powdered formula sales. The shift in revenue mix was primarily driven by the Company’s decision to enter into $16.0 million of imported whole milk powder sales as recent pricing trends allow such transactions to enhance cash flows. Net sales of the Company’s Super series infant formula accounted for 56.7% of the volume of sales and 68.2% of
 
 
 

 
 
the net sales of the powdered formula segment for the second quarter of fiscal year 2012 compared to 58.4% of the volume of sales and 70.4% of the net sales of the powdered formula segment in the previous quarter. By volume, sales of powdered formula products increased 79.8% to 8,115 tons in the fiscal second quarter from 4,513 tons in the previous quarter.

Net sales from Other Products, which generally consists of imported whole milk powder and raw milk sold to industrial customers, was $19.7 million, or 19.9% of net sales, in the second quarter of fiscal 2012, compared to $3.1 million, or 7.0% of net sales in the previous quarter.

Gross profit was $42.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2012, compared to $16.1 million in the previous quarter. Gross margin in the second quarter of fiscal 2012 was 42.4%, compared to 36.7% in the previous quarter. As sales volume continues to grow and selling costs decrease as a percentage of net sales, the Company expects margins to continue to strengthen but at a more gradual pace to converge towards a long term normalized range.

Income from operations was $15.0 million compared to a loss from operations of $9.9 million in the previous quarter. Total operating expenses were $27.0 million, compared to $25.9 million in the previous quarter, reflecting the Company’s focus on a consumer-centric marketing strategy that leads to lower advertising and promotional expenses. Selling and distribution expenses were $12.3 million, compared to $12.5 million in the previous quarter. Advertising and promotional expenses increased 14.8% to $8.0 million, compared to $7.0 million in the previous quarter. General and administrative expenses were $6.7 million compared to $6.6 million in the previous quarter.

Net income attributable to Synutra International, Inc. common stockholders was $8.5 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2012, or $0.15 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $9.6 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, in the previous quarter.

First Half Ended September 30, 2011 Financial Results
Net sales for the first half ended September 30, 2011 increased 14.3% to $142.8 million from $125.0 million in the prior year period. Net sales from branded powdered formula products increased 2.4% to $119.3 million, or 83.5% of net sales, in the first half ended September 30, 2011, from $116.5 million, or 93.2% of net sales, in the prior year period.

Net sales from Other Products, which consist mainly of imported whole milk powder and raw milk sold to industrial customers, were $22.8 million, or 15.9% of net sales, in the first half of fiscal 2012, compared to $7.4 million, or 5.9% of net sales, in the prior year period.

Gross profit was $58.1 million in first half of fiscal 2012, an increase of 5.1% from $55.3 million in the prior year period. Gross margin was 40.7% in the first half of fiscal 2012 compared to 44.2% in the prior year period.

Operating income was $5.2 million in the first half of fiscal 2012, compared to an operating loss of $9.8 million in the prior year period.  Net loss was $1.1 million in the first half of fiscal 2012, or $0.02 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $11.1 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, in the prior year period.

Balance Sheet
As of September 30, 2011, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $36.7 million and restricted cash of $63.1 million, including current and non-current portion.

 
 

 
 
Conference Call Details
The Company will hold a conference call on Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 8:00 am Eastern Time to discuss the financial results. Listeners may access the call by dialing the following numbers:
 
United States Toll Free:
+1 (855) 500-8701
International:
+1 (646) 254-3515
Conference ID:
20852220

The replay will be accessible through November 16, 2011 by dialing the following numbers:
 
United States Toll Free:
+1 (866) 214-5335
International:
+1 (718) 354-1232
Conference ID:
20852220
 
A webcast of the conference call will be available through the Company’s IR website at www.synutra.com.

About Synutra International, Inc.
Synutra International, Inc. (Nasdaq: SYUT) is a leading infant formula company in China. It principally produces, markets and sells its products through its operating subsidiaries under the "Shengyuan" or "Synutra" name, together with other complementary brands. It focuses on selling premium infant formula products, which are supplemented by more affordable infant formulas targeting the mass market as well as other nutritional products and ingredients. It sells its products through an extensive nationwide sales and distribution network covering all provinces and provincial-level municipalities in mainland China As of September 30, 2011, this network comprised over 670 independent distributors and over 900 independent sub-distributors who sell Synutra products in over 72,000 retail outlets.
 
Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are based on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about Synutra International, Inc. and its industry. All statements other than statements of historical fact in this release are forward-looking statements. In some cases, these forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "is/are likely to," "may," "plan," "should," "will," "aim," "potential," "continue," or other similar expressions. The forward-looking statements included in this press release relate to, among others, Synutra's goals and strategies; its future business development, financial condition and results of operations; the expected growth of the nutritional products and infant formula markets in China; market acceptance of Synutra’s products; the safety and quality of Synutra’s products; Synutra's expectations regarding demand for its products; Synutra's ability to stay abreast of market trends and technological advances; competition in the infant formula industry in China; PRC governmental policies and regulations relating to the nutritional products and infant formula industries, and general economic and business conditions in China. These forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Synutra believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these expectations may turn out to be incorrect. Synutra's actual results could be materially different from the expectations. Important risks and factors that could cause actual results to be materially different from expectations are generally set forth in Synutra's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release. Synutra International, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 
 

 
 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Synutra International, Inc.
Investor Relations Department
ir@synutra.com or 301-840-3881

 
 

 
 
Synutra International, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income
 
   
Three Months Ended September 30,
   
Six Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
(in thousands except earnings per share data)
 
                         
Net sales
  $ 99,053     $ 41,202     $ 142,810     $ 124,989  
Cost of sales
    57,054       32,306       84,732       69,732  
Gross profit
    41,999       8,896       58,078       55,257  
                                 
Selling and distribution expenses
    12,328       12,211       24,789       24,837  
Advertising and promotion expenses
    8,042       14,654       15,050       24,656  
General and administrative expenses
    6,672       8,370       13,251       14,446  
Impairment of goodwill
    -       0       -       1,440  
Other operating income, net
    70       238       180       311  
Income (loss) from operations
    15,027       (26,101 )     5,168       (9,811 )
                                 
Interest expense
    3,872       2,113       7,284       4,775  
Interest income
    612       137       923       245  
Other income, net
    107       58       572       225  
                                 
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)
    11,874       (28,019 )     (621 )     (14,116 )
Income tax expense (benefit)
    3,257       (6,797 )     208       (3,002 )
Net income (loss)
    8,617       (21,222 )     (829 )     (11,114 )
                                 
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest
    92       (66 )     242       (64 )
Net income (loss) attributable to Synutra International, Inc. common stockholders
  $ 8,525     $ (21,156 )   $ (1,071 )   $ (11,050 )
                                 
Earnings (loss) per share - basic
  $ 0.15     $ (0.37 )   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.20 )
Earnings (loss) per share - diluted
  $ 0.15     $ (0.37 )   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.20 )
                                 
Weighted average common share outstanding - basic
    57,301       57,301       57,301       55,651  
Weighted average common share outstanding - diluted
    57,301       57,301       57,301       55,651  
 
 
 

 
 
Synutra International, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
   
September 30, 2011
   
March 31, 2011
 
   
(in thousands, except share par value)
 
ASSETS
           
Current Assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 36,653     $ 48,741  
Restricted cash
    42,291       37,690  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance
    41,216       46,021  
Inventories
    73,625       67,372  
Due from related parties
    7,451       13,708  
Income tax receivable
    230       259  
Receivable from assets disposal
    1,768       1,714  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    12,207       11,562  
Deferred tax assets
    21,642       20,922  
Total current assets
    237,083       247,989  
                 
Property, plant and equipment, net
    113,887       109,811  
Land use rights, net
    6,213       6,096  
Intangible assets, net
    3,162       3,140  
Restricted cash
    20,819       -  
Other assets
    4,855       4,022  
Deferred tax assets
    28,446       27,646  
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 414,465     $ 398,704  
                 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
               
                 
Current Liabilities:
               
Short-term debt
  $ 118,651     $ 124,281  
Long-term debt due within one year
    67,664       38,131  
Accounts payable
    52,635       52,923  
Due to related parties
    1,832       2,330  
Advances from customers
    4,785       4,890  
Other current liabilities
    25,563       25,913  
Total current liabilities
    271,130       248,468  
                 
Long-term debt
    53,410       62,722  
Deferred revenue
    4,466       4,456  
Capital lease obligations
    5,700       5,540  
Other long-term liabilities
    1,675       1,592  
Total liabilities
    336,381       322,778  
 
 
 

 
 
Equity:
               
Synutra International, Inc. shareholders' equity
               
Common stock, $.0001 par value: 250,000 authorized; 57,301 and 57,301 issued and outstanding at June 30, 2011 and March 31, 2011, respectively
    6       6  
Additional paid-in capital
    135,440       135,440  
Accumulated deficit
    (89,428 )     (88,357 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    31,130       28,204  
Total Synutra common stockholders’ equity
    77,148       75,293  
Noncontrolling interest
    936       633  
Total equity
    78,084       75,926  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
  $ 414,465     $ 398,704