CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts
in thousands, except share data)
|
|
September
25,
2007
|
|
December
25,
2006
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
3,740
|
|
$
|
10,276
|
|
Accounts
receivable, net
|
|
|
8,634
|
|
|
8,835
|
|
Deposits
and prepayments, net
|
|
|
11,665
|
|
|
6,586
|
|
Inventories,
net
|
|
|
19,937
|
|
|
11,598
|
|
Due
from related companies
|
|
|
893
|
|
|
857
|
|
Total
current assets
|
|
|
44,869
|
|
|
38,152
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property,
machinery and equipment, net
|
|
|
25,496
|
|
|
24,248
|
|
Land
use rights, net
|
|
|
7,143
|
|
|
6,983
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
125
|
|
|
125
|
|
Total
assets
|
|
$
|
77,633
|
|
$
|
69,508
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
payable
|
|
$
|
4,063
|
|
$
|
2,723
|
|
Other
payables and accruals
|
|
|
3,055
|
|
|
3,255
|
|
Taxes
payable
|
|
|
2,638
|
|
|
3,453
|
|
Embedded
derivatives, at fair value
|
|
|
3,596
|
|
|
11,138
|
|
Due
to related companies
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
28
|
|
Total
current liabilities
|
|
|
13,352
|
|
|
20,597
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Due
to New Dragon Asia Food Limited
|
|
|
1,069
|
|
|
317
|
|
Due
to joint venture partners
|
|
|
162
|
|
|
102
|
|
Total
liabilities
|
|
|
14,583
|
|
|
21,016
|
|
Minority
interests
|
|
|
287
|
|
|
276
|
|
Series
A and B Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par
value:
Authorized
shares - 50,000,000
Issued
and outstanding - 10,162,000 shares at September 25, 2007 and December
25,
2006
|
|
|
5,337
|
|
|
4,204
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders’
equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class
A Common Stock, $0.0001 par value:
Authorized
shares - 102,000,000
Issued
and outstanding - 54,248,830 at September 25, 2007 and 53,614,723
at
December 25, 2006
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
5
|
|
Class
B Common Stock, $0.0001 par value:
Authorized
shares - 2,000,000
Issued
and outstanding - none
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
Additional
paid-in capital
|
|
|
29,180
|
|
|
28,411
|
|
Retained
earnings
|
|
|
22,467
|
|
|
12,668
|
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive income
|
|
|
5,774
|
|
|
2,928
|
|
Total
stockholders’ equity
|
|
|
57,426
|
|
|
44,012
|
|
Total
liabilities and stockholders’ equity
|
|
$
|
77,633
|
|
$
|
69,508
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Amounts
in thousands, except per share data; unaudited)
|
|
Three
months ended
September
25,
|
|
Nine
months ended
September
25,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
Net
revenue
|
|
$
|
13,955
|
|
$
|
12,964
|
|
$
|
38,150
|
|
$
|
35,604
|
|
Cost
of goods sold
|
|
|
(11,148
|
)
|
|
(10,442
|
)
|
|
(30,865
|
)
|
|
(29,056
|
)
|
Gross
profit
|
|
|
2,807
|
|
|
2,522
|
|
|
7,285
|
|
|
6,548
|
|
Selling
and distribution expenses
|
|
|
(302
|
)
|
|
(263
|
)
|
|
(825
|
)
|
|
(709
|
)
|
General
and administrative expenses
|
|
|
(731
|
)
|
|
(711
|
)
|
|
(2,025
|
)
|
|
(4,020
|
)
|
Income
from operations
|
|
|
1,774
|
|
|
1,548
|
|
|
4,435
|
|
|
1,819
|
|
Other
income (expense):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
income
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
26
|
|
|
18
|
|
|
49
|
|
Other
income (expense)
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
143
|
|
|
18
|
|
Gain
on fair value adjustments to
e
mbedded
derivatives
|
|
|
1,903
|
|
|
2,593
|
|
|
7,541
|
|
|
3,198
|
|
VAT
refund
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,036
|
|
|
540
|
|
|
2,135
|
|
Income
(loss) before income taxes and minority interests
|
|
|
3,695
|
|
|
5,217
|
|
|
12,677
|
|
|
7,219
|
|
Provision
for income taxes
|
|
|
(491
|
)
|
|
(427
|
)
|
|
(1,211
|
)
|
|
(1,061
|
)
|
Income
(loss) before minority interests
|
|
|
3,204
|
|
|
4,790
|
|
|
11,466
|
|
|
6,158
|
|
Minority
interests
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(133
|
)
|
Net
income (loss)
|
|
$
|
3,204
|
|
$
|
4,790
|
|
$
|
11,466
|
|
$
|
6,025
|
|
Accretion
of Redeemable Preferred Stock
|
|
|
(377
|
)
|
|
(470
|
)
|
|
(1,133
|
)
|
|
(1,456
|
)
|
Preferred
Stock Dividends
|
|
|
(178
|
)
|
|
(214
|
)
|
|
(534
|
)
|
|
(679
|
)
|
Income
available to common stockholders
|
|
$
|
2,649
|
|
$
|
4,106
|
|
$
|
9,799
|
|
$
|
3,890
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings
per common share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$
|
0.05
|
|
$
|
0.08
|
|
$
|
0.18
|
|
$
|
0.08
|
|
Diluted
|
|
$
|
0.05
|
|
$
|
0.08
|
|
$
|
0.18
|
|
$
|
0.07
|
|
Weighted
average number of common shares outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
54,073
|
|
|
51,936
|
|
|
53,858
|
|
|
51,101
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
54,950
|
|
|
61,618
|
|
|
54,735
|
|
|
52,450
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
NEW
DRAGON ASIA CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE
INCOME
(Amounts
in thousands, unaudited)
|
|
Class
A Common Stock
|
|
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
|
|
Receivable
from
Stockholder
|
|
Retained
Earnings
|
|
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive
Income
|
|
Total
Stockholders'
Equity
|
|
Comprehensive
Income
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
at December 25, 2005
|
|
|
49,322
|
|
$
|
5
|
|
$
|
15,216
|
|
$
|
(49
|
)
|
$
|
18,029
|
|
$
|
798
|
|
$
|
33,999
|
|
$
|
2,545
|
|
Net
income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,604
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
(2,604
|
)
|
|
(2,604
|
)
|
Write
off receivable from stockholder
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
|
|
Accretion
of Redeemable Preferred Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,882
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
(1,882
|
)
|
|
|
|
Preferred
Stock Dividends
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(875
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
(875
|
)
|
|
|
|
Stock-based
compensation expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,140
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,140
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign
currency translation adjustment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,130
|
|
|
2,130
|
|
|
2,130
|
|
Conversion
of Preferred Stock, related dividend payments made, and cashless
exercise
of warrants in shares of Class A Common Stock
|
|
|
3,292
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,935
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,935
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise
of stock options
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,120
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,120
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
at December 25, 2006
|
|
|
53,614
|
|
$
|
5
|
|
$
|
28,411
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
12,668
|
|
$
|
2,928
|
|
$
|
44,012
|
|
$
|
(474
|
)
|
Net
income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,466
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,466
|
|
|
11,466
|
|
Accretion
of Redeemable Preferred Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,133
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
(1,133
|
)
|
|
|
|
Preferred
Stock Dividends
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(534
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
(534
|
)
|
|
|
|
Foreign
currency translation adjustment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,846
|
|
|
2,846
|
|
|
2,846
|
|
Conversion
of Preferred Stock / dividend in shares of Class A Common
Stock
|
|
|
634
|
|
|
|
|
|
769
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
769
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
at September 25, 2007
|
|
|
54,248
|
|
$
|
5
|
|
$
|
29,180
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
22,467
|
|
$
|
5,774
|
|
$
|
57,426
|
|
$
|
14,312
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts
in thousands, unaudited)
|
|
Nine
months ended
September
25,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
Cash
flows from operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income (loss)
|
|
$
|
11,466
|
|
$
|
6,025
|
|
Adjustments
to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in)
operating
activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allowance
for doubtful accounts
|
|
|
299
|
|
|
(124
|
)
|
Provision
for inventory reserve
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
11
|
|
Depreciation
and amortization of property, machinery, equipment and land use
rights
|
|
|
1,213
|
|
|
1,
639
|
|
(Gain)
loss on fair value adjustments to embedded derivatives
|
|
|
(7,541
|
)
|
|
(3,198
|
)
|
Minority
interests
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
7
|
|
Stock-based
expense for services received
|
|
|
269
|
|
|
2,320
|
|
Changes
in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase)
decrease in:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
receivable
|
|
|
(98
|
)
|
|
(602
|
)
|
Deposits
and prepayments
|
|
|
(5,079
|
)
|
|
588
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
(8,343
|
)
|
|
(372
|
)
|
Due
from related companies
|
|
|
(36
|
)
|
|
(167
|
)
|
Increase
(decrease) in:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
payable
|
|
|
1,340
|
|
|
1,061
|
|
Other
payables and accruals
|
|
|
(213
|
)
|
|
(813
|
)
|
Taxes
payable
|
|
|
(815
|
)
|
|
985
|
|
Due
to related companies
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(200
|
)
|
Net
cash provided by (used in) operating activities
|
|
|
(7,534
|
)
|
|
7,160
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
flows from investing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisition
of Chengdu plant
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(2,300
|
)
|
Purchases
of property, machinery and equipment
|
|
|
(1,237
|
)
|
|
(4,720
|
)
|
Purchases
of land use rights
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(2,024
|
)
|
Minority
interests
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
266
|
|
Net
cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(1,237
|
)
|
|
(8,778
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
flows from financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payments
of issuance costs related to preferred stock
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(60
|
)
|
Preferred
stock dividend
|
|
|
(49
|
)
|
|
(277
|
)
|
Proceed
from (repayments to) parent company
|
|
|
752
|
|
|
(14
|
)
|
Proceeds
from (repayment to) joint venture partners
|
|
|
60
|
|
|
249
|
|
Proceeds
from issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock
options
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,120
|
|
Net
cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
763
|
|
|
1,018
|
|
Foreign
currency translation adjustment
|
|
|
1,472
|
|
|
832
|
|
Net
increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
(6,536
|
)
|
|
232
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents at beginning of period
|
|
|
10,276
|
|
|
14,332
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents at end of period
|
|
$
|
3,740
|
|
$
|
14,564
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Cash
Investing and Financing Activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conversion
of preferred stock into common stock
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
1,800
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividend
payments on preferred stock in form of common stock
|
|
$
|
500
|
|
$
|
267
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
NEW
DRAGON ASIA CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE
1. ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS
New
Dragon Asia Corp., a corporation incorporated in the State of Florida
(collectively with its subsidiaries, the “Company”), is principally engaged in
the milling, sale and distribution of flour and related products, including
instant noodles and soybean-derived products, to retail and wholesale customers
throughout China through its foreign subsidiaries in China. The Company is
headquartered in Shandong Province in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC” or
“China”) and has its corporate office in Shenzhen and eight manufacturing plants
in Yantai, Beijing, Chengdu, and Penglai.
NOTE
2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The
consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of New Dragon
Asia Corp. and all of its subsidiaries required to be consolidated in accordance
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
(“U.S. GAAP”). Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in
consolidation.
Investments
in companies in which the Company has significant influence, or ownership
between 20% and 50% of the investee, are accounted for using the equity method.
Under the equity method, the investment is originally recorded at cost and
adjusted to recognize the Company’s share of net earnings or losses of the
investee. The adjustment is limited to the extent of the Company’s investment in
and advances to the investee and financial guarantees made on behalf of the
investee. The Company’s investments in other entities are accounted for using
the cost method. The Company is not the primary beneficiary of any Variable
Interest Entities.
These
consolidated financial statements for interim periods are unaudited. In the
opinion of management, the consolidated financial statements include all
adjustments, consisting of only normal, recurring accruals, necessary for their
fair presentation. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results
to
be expected for a full year. The accompanying consolidated financial statements
have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission and do not include all information and
footnotes necessary for a complete presentation of financial statements in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
These statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2006.
FIN
46,
“Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” requires an investor with a
majority of the variable interests (primary beneficiary) in a variable interest
entity (“VIE”) to consolidate the entity. A VIE is an entity in which the voting
equity investors do not have a controlling financial interest or the equity
investment at risk is insufficient to finance the entity’s activities without
receiving additional subordinated financial support from the other parties.
VIEs
are required to be consolidated by their primary beneficiaries if they do not
effectively disperse risks among the parties involved. The primary beneficiary
of a VIE is the party that absorbs a majority of the entity’s expected losses or
receives a majority of its expected residual returns. The Company has completed
a review of its investments in both non-marketable and marketable equity
interests as well as other arrangements to determine whether it is the primary
beneficiary of any VIEs. The review did not identify any VIEs.
The
consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts
of
assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities
as
of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues
and
expenses during the reporting period. The Company regularly evaluates estimates
and assumptions related to allowances for doubtful accounts, sales returns
and
allowance, and inventory reserves. Although management believes these estimates
and assumptions are adequate and reasonable under the circumstances, actual
results could differ from those estimates. U.S. GAAP differs from that used
in
the statutory financial statements of the major operating subsidiaries of the
Company, which were prepared in accordance with the relevant accounting
principles and financial reporting regulations in the PRC. Certain accounting
principles stipulated under U.S. GAAP are not applicable in the
PRC.
Accounting
for Derivative Instruments
Statement
of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended, requires all derivatives to be
recorded on the Company’s balance sheet at fair value. These derivatives,
including embedded derivatives in the Company’s Series A and B Redeemable
Convertible Preferred Stock are separately valued and accounted for on the
Company’s balance sheet.
The
pricing models the Company uses for determining fair values of its derivatives
are a combination of the Black Scholes and Binomial Pricing Models. Valuations
derived from this model are subject to ongoing internal and external review.
The
model uses market-sourced inputs such as interest rates and option volatilities.
Selection of these inputs involves management's judgment and may impact net
income (loss). The Company has obtained a valuation report from a valuation
firm
to support its estimates.
In
September 2000, the Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") issued EITF 00-19,
"Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to and Potentially
Settled in, a Company's Own Stock," ("EITF 00-19") which requires freestanding
contracts that are settled in a company's own stock, including common stock
warrants, to be designated as an equity instrument, asset or a liability. Under
the provisions of EITF 00-19, a contract designated as an asset or a liability
must be carried at fair value on a company's balance sheet, with any changes
in
fair value recorded in the company's results of operations. A contract
designated as an equity instrument must be included within equity, and no fair
value adjustments are required.
The
Company has determined that the conversion features of its redeemable
convertible preferred stock and warrants to purchase common stock are
derivatives that the Company is required to account for as if they were
free-standing instruments under GAAP. The Company has also determined that
it is
required to designate these derivatives as liabilities in its financial
statements. As a result, the Company reports the value of these embedded
derivatives as current liabilities on its balance sheet and reports changes
in
the value of these derivatives as non-operating gains or losses on its statement
of operations. The value of the derivatives is required to be recalculated
(and
resulting non-operating gains or losses reflected in the statement of operations
and resulting adjustments to the associated liability amounts reflected on
the
balance sheet) on a quarterly basis, and is based on the market value of the
Company’s common stock. Due to the nature of the required calculations and the
large number of shares of the Company’s common stock involved in such
calculations, changes in the Company’s common stock price may result in
significant changes in the value of the derivatives and resulting gains and
losses on the Company’s statement of operations.
The
consolidated financial statements also reflect additional non-operating gains
and losses related to the classification of and accounting for: (1) the
conversion features of the Series A and B Preferred Stock and associated
warrants, (2) the amortization associated with the discount recorded with
respect to the Series A and B Preferred Stock as a preferred stock dividend,
and
(3) the conversion features associated with the preferred stock issued by
the Company and associated warrants.
NOTE
3. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In
September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS 157). SFAS 157 defines
fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands
disclosures about fair value instruments. SFAS 157 does not require any new
fair value measurements, but applies other accounting pronouncements that
require or permit fair value measurements. SFAS 157 is effective for
financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15,
2007 (the Company’s fiscal 2008). The Company believes that implementation of
SFAS 157 will have little or no impact on its consolidated financial
statements.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities including an amendment of FASB
Statement No. 115” (SFAS 159). This statement allows all entities a one-time
election to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair
value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value (the “fair
value option”). SFAS 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November
15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of SFAS 159
on
the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Condensed
balance sheet information as of September 25, 2007 consisted of the following
(in thousands):
|
|
Inside
China
|
|
Outside
China
|
|
Total
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
3,487
|
|
$
|
253
|
|
$
|
3,740
|
|
-
Others
|
|
|
73,830
|
|
|
63
|
|
|
73,893
|
|
Total
assets
|
|
|
77,317
|
|
|
316
|
|
|
77,633
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
|
9,429
|
|
|
5,154
|
|
|
14,583
|
|
Minority
interests
|
|
|
287
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
287
|
|
Intercompany
|
|
|
12,871
|
|
|
(12,871
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
48,707
|
|
|
8,719
|
|
|
57,426
|
|
Assets
located outside of China consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents.
Liabilities located outside of China consist primarily of embedded derivatives,
net of the related beneficial conversion feature and fair value of the warrants.
Condensed
statement of operation information for the nine months ended September 25,
2007
consisted of the following (in thousands):
|
|
Inside
China
|
|
Outside
China
|
|
Total
|
|
Net
revenue
|
|
$
|
38,150
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
38,150
|
|
Cost
of goods sold
|
|
|
(30,865
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(30,865
|
)
|
General
and administrative expenses
|
|
|
(916
|
)
|
|
(1,109
|
)
|
|
(2,025
|
)
|
Income
(loss) from operations
|
|
|
5,544
|
|
|
(1,109
|
)
|
|
4,435
|
|
Provision
for income taxes
|
|
|
(1,211
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(1,211
|
)
|
Other
income
|
|
|
710
|
|
|
7,532
|
|
|
8,242
|
|
Net
income
|
|
|
5,043
|
|
|
6,423
|
|
|
11,466
|
|
The
Company does not believe that providing additional information regarding cash
flows is meaningful to the reader, in light of the nature of the assets and
operations located inside China and outside China, respectively.
The
Company computes earnings per share (“EPS’) in accordance with Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, “Earnings per Share” (“SFAS No. 128”),
and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 98 (“SAB 98”). SFAS No. 128
requires companies with complex capital structures to present basic and diluted
EPS. Basic EPS is measured as the income or loss available to common
shareholders divided by the weighted average common shares outstanding for
the
period. Diluted EPS is similar to basic EPS but presents the dilutive
effect on a per share basis of potential common shares (e.g., convertible
securities, options and warrants) as if they had been converted at the beginning
of the periods presented, or issuance date, if later. Potential common
shares that have an anti-dilutive effect (i.e., those that increase income
per
share or decrease loss per share) are excluded from the calculation of diluted
EPS. Approximately 7,254 million dilutive shares on an “as converted” basis for
the Redeemable Convertible Preferred stock were excluded from the calculation
of
diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended September 25, 2007 since their
effect would have been anti-dilutive.
The
calculation of diluted weighted average common shares outstanding for the three
months ended September 25, 2007 and 2006 and for the nine months ended September
25, 2007 and 2006 is based on the average of the closing price of the Company’s
common stock during such periods applied to warrants and options using the
treasury stock method to determine if they are dilutive. The Redeemable
Preferred stock is included on an “as converted” basis when these shares are
dilutive.
The
following table is a reconciliation of the weighted average shares used in
the
computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the periods presented
(amounts in thousands, except per share data):
|
|
Three
Months Ended September 25,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
Income
|
|
Weighted
Average
Shares
|
|
Per-Share
|
|
Income
|
|
Weighted
Average
Shares
|
|
Per-Share
|
|
Earnings
per share - basic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
available to common stockholders
|
|
$
|
2,
649
|
|
|
54,073
|
|
$
|
0.05
|
|
$
|
4,106
|
|
|
51,936
|
|
$
|
0.08
|
|
Effect
of dilutive securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Redeemable
convertible preferred stock
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
684
|
|
|
8,846
|
|
|
|
|
Options
and warrants
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
877
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
836
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings
per share - diluted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income
|
|
$
|
2,649
|
|
|
54,950
|
|
$
|
0.05
|
|
$
|
4,790
|
|
|
61,618
|
|
$
|
0.08
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September
25,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
|
|
Shares
|
|
Per-Share
|
|
Income
|
|
Shares
|
|
Per-Share
|
|
Earnings
per share - basic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
available to common stockholders
|
|
$
|
9,799
|
|
|
53,858
|
|
$
|
0.18
|
|
$
|
3,890
|
|
|
51,101
|
|
$
|
0.08
|
|
Effect
of dilutive securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Redeemable
convertible preferred stock
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
Options
and warrants
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
877
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,349
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings
per share - diluted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income
|
|
$
|
9,799
|
|
|
54,735
|
|
$
|
0.18
|
|
$
|
3,890
|
|
|
52,450
|
|
$
|
0.07
|
|
Accounts
receivable consisted of the following (in thousands):
|
|
September
25, 2007
|
|
December
25, 2006
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
Accounts
receivable
|
|
$
|
9,568
|
|
$
|
9,554
|
|
Less:
Allowance for doubtful accounts
|
|
|
(934
|
)
|
|
(719
|
)
|
|
|
$
|
8,634
|
|
$
|
8,835
|
|
The
activity in the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts is summarized as
follows (in thousands):
|
|
September
25, 2007
|
|
December
25, 2006
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
Balance
at the beginning of the period
|
|
$
|
719
|
|
$
|
893
|
|
Add:
provision during the period
|
|
|
299
|
|
|
83
|
|
Less:
write-offs during the period
|
|
|
(84
|
)
|
|
(257
|
)
|
Balance
at the end of the period
|
|
$
|
934
|
|
$
|
719
|
|
NOTE
7. DEPOSITS AND PREPAYMENTS
Deposits
and prepayments consisted of the following (in thousands):
|
|
September
25, 2007
|
|
December
25, 2006
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
Deposits
for raw materials
|
|
$
|
11,640
|
|
$
|
6,394
|
|
Prepayments
and advances
|
|
|
25
|
|
|
192
|
|
|
|
$
|
11,665
|
|
$
|
6,586
|
|
NOTE
8. INVENTORIES
Inventories
consisted of the following (in thousands):
|
|
September
25, 2007
|
|
December
25, 2006
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
Raw
materials (including packing materials)
|
|
$
|
18,562
|
|
$
|
9,807
|
|
Finished
goods
|
|
|
1,453
|
|
|
1,895
|
|
|
|
|
20,015
|
|
|
11,702
|
|
Less:
Inventory reserve
|
|
|
(78
|
)
|
|
(104
|
)
|
|
|
$
|
19,937
|
|
$
|
11,598
|
|
The
activity in the Company’s provision for inventory reserve is summarized as
follows (in thousands):
|
|
September
25, 2007
|
|
December
25, 2006
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
Balance
at the beginning of the period
|
|
$
|
104
|
|
$
|
134
|
|
Add:
provision during the period
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
—
|
|
Less:
write-offs during the period
|
|
|
(30
|
)
|
|
(30
|
)
|
Balance
at the end of the period
|
|
$
|
78
|
|
$
|
104
|
|
NOTE
9. DUE FROM RELATED COMPANIES
Due
from
related companies consisted of the following (in thousands):
|
|
September
25, 2007
|
|
December
25, 2006
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
Due
from related companies for sales
|
|
$
|
893
|
|
$
|
857
|
|
NOTE
10. PROPERTY, MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT
Property,
machinery and equipment consisted of following (in thousands):
|
|
Useful
Life
|
|
September
25, 2007
|
|
December
25, 2006
|
|
|
|
(In
years)
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
Buildings
|
|
|
40
|
|
$
|
14,530
|
|
$
|
12,935
|
|
Machinery
and equipment
|
|
|
5
- 12
|
|
|
19,767
|
|
|
19,067
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34,297
|
|
|
32,002
|
|
Less:
Accumulated depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8,801
|
)
|
|
(7,754
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
25,496
|
|
$
|
24,248
|
|
Land
use
rights consisted of the following (in thousands):
|
|
September
25, 2007
|
|
December
25, 2006
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
Land
use rights
|
|
$
|
8,208
|
|
$
|
7,882
|
|
Less:
Accumulated amortization
|
|
|
(1,065
|
)
|
|
(899
|
)
|
|
|
$
|
7,143
|
|
$
|
6,983
|
|
Other
payables and accruals consisted of the following (in thousands):
|
|
September
25, 2007
|
|
December
25, 2006
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
Deposits
from customers
|
|
$
|
961
|
|
$
|
1,094
|
|
Accruals
for payroll, bonus and benefits
|
|
|
222
|
|
|
290
|
|
Utilities
and accrued expenses
|
|
|
1,872
|
|
|
1,871
|
|
|
|
$
|
3,055
|
|
$
|
3,255
|
|
NOTE
13. REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
On
July
11, 2005, the Company issued 6,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, initially
convertible into an aggregate of 6,315,789 shares of Class A Common Stock at
a
conversion price of $0.95 per share, raising $6 million in gross proceeds.
Six-year warrants to purchase an aggregate of 3,157,895 shares of Class A Common
Stock at an exercise price of $1.04 per share were also issued to the investors.
As part of the compensation to the placement agent, five-year warrants to
purchase an aggregate of 378,947 shares of Class A Common Stock at an exercise
price of $1.04 share were also issued. As of September 25, 2007, all of the
five-year warrants had been exercised, and 3,888 shares of Series A Preferred
Stock were converted into 4,092,633 shares of Class A Common Stock.
On
December 22, 2005, the Company issued 9,500 shares of Series B Preferred Stock,
initially convertible into an aggregate of 5,937,500 shares of Class A Common
Stock at a conversion price of $1.60 per share, raising $9.5 million in gross
proceeds. Six-year warrants to purchase an aggregate of 2,968,750 shares of
Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.76 per share were also issued
to
the investors. As part of the compensation to the placement agent, five-year
warrants to purchase an aggregate of 356,250 shares of Class A Common Stock
at
an exercise price of $1.76 per share were also issued. As of September 25,
2007,
1,450 shares of Series B Preferred Stock had been converted into 906,250 shares
of Class A Common Stock, and no warrants were exercised.
In
connection with the issuance of the Redeemable Convertible Series A Preferred
Stock and Series B Preferred Stock, the Company paid professional fees,
placement agent fees and associated expenses amounting to $1,827,000. The
Company also identified freestanding financial instruments included in the
issuances that were required to be recorded as liabilities. These included
the
embedded conversion feature and warrants included in the Series A and B
Preferred Stock issuances. The Company has evaluated the fair value of these
liabilities using a combination of the Black Scholes and Binomial Pricing
Models. The summary of activity in the Series A and B Preferred Stock is as
follows (in thousands):
Redeemable
Convertible Preferred
Stock
|
|
|
Number
of shares
|
|
Series
A
|
|
Series
B
|
|
Combined
|
|
Sale
of Series A Preferred Stock
|
|
|
6,000
|
|
$
|
6,000
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
6,000
|
|
Sale
of Series B Preferred Stock
|
|
|
9,500
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
9,500
|
|
|
9,500
|
|
Expenses
of Offering
|
|
|
|
|
|
(685
|
)
|
|
(1,142
|
)
|
|
(1,827
|
)
|
Effect
of Allocation to Derivative Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,648
|
)
|
|
(4,830
|
)
|
|
(6,478
|
)
|
Conversion
of Series A Preferred Stock to common stocks
|
|
|
(5,338
|
)
|
|
(3,888
|
)
|
|
(1,450
|
)
|
|
(5,338
|
)
|
Accretion
of discount
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,295
|
|
|
2,185
|
|
|
3,480
|
|
|
|
|
10,162
|
|
$
|
1,074
|
|
$
|
4,263
|
|
$
|
5,337
|
|
The
pricing model the Company used for determining fair values of the derivatives
is
a combination of the Black Scholes and Binomial Pricing Models. Valuations
derived from this model are subject to ongoing internal and external review.
The
model uses market-sourced inputs such as interest rates, and option
volatilities. Selection of these inputs involves management's judgment and
may
impact net income (loss). The Company has obtained a valuation report from
a
valuation firm to support its estimates. The principal assumptions used to
value
these complex freestanding financial instruments were as follows:
|
|
Warrants
|
|
Embedded
Conversion Feature
|
Expected
life (in years)
|
|
Remaining
term at valuation date
|
|
Remaining
Term to conversion or redemption date at each valuation
date
|
Expected
volatility
|
|
50%
|
|
50%
|
Risk-free
interest rate
|
|
4.16%
|
|
3.83%
to 4.11%
|
Dividend
yield
|
|
0
|
|
0
|
The
Company considered all of the other minor features of the conversion option
associated with the Company’s Preferred Stock, including adjustments for: (i)
stock dividends and splits, (ii) the sale of the Company’s securities, (iii) the
subsequent issuance of rights, options, or warrants to Common shareholders,
and
(iv) forced conversion and redemption features. The Company ultimately
determined that these features were insignificant and did not have a material
impact on the concluded values of the Series A and Series B Preferred
Stock.
The
changes in the derivative liabilities from issuance are as follows:
Fair
value at issuances
|
|
$
|
10,259
|
|
Change
in value of derivatives during 2005
|
|
|
4,064
|
|
Conversion
of 1,900 shares of Series A Preferred Stock to common stock during
2005
|
|
|
(2,188
|
)
|
Fair
Value at December 25, 2005
|
|
|
12,135
|
|
Change
in value of derivatives during the period
|
|
|
1,434
|
|
Conversion
of 3,438 shares of Series A and B Preferred Stock to common stock
during
2006
|
|
|
(2,431
|
)
|
Fair
value at December 25, 2006
|
|
|
11,138
|
|
Change
in value of derivatives during the period
|
|
|
(7,542
|
)
|
Fair
Value at September 25, 2007
|
|
$
|
3,596
|
|
NOTE
14. COMMON STOCK
On
September 4, 2003, the Company issued 3,300,000 shares of Class A Common Stock
for an aggregate purchase amount of $1,650,000 or $0.50 per share. The shares
were issued pursuant to an exemption provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities
Act. The purchasers were also issued warrants to purchase 1,650,000 shares
of
the Company’s Class A Common Stock, which have a term of 5 years at an exercise
price of $0.99 per share. As of September 25, 2007, all such warrants had been
exercised.
On
October 7, 2003, the Company issued 850,000 shares of Class A Common Stock
for
an aggregate purchase amount of $425,000 or $0.50 per share. The shares were
issued pursuant to an exemption provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities
Act.
The purchasers were also issued warrants to purchase 425,000 shares of the
Company’s Class A Common Stock, which have a term of 5 years and an exercise
price of $0.979 per share. As of September 25, 2007, warrants to purchase 25,000
shares of Class A Common Shares were outstanding.
NOTE
15. WARRANTS
The
following table summarizes activity regarding the Company’s outstanding
warrants:
|
|
Shares
|
|
Weighted
Average Exercise Price
|
|
Outstanding
at December 25, 2005
|
|
|
6,609,474
|
|
$
|
1.4020
|
|
Issued
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
(101,579
|
)
|
|
1.0400
|
|
Forfeited/Cancelled
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
Outstanding
at December 25, 2006 and September 25, 2007
|
|
|
6,507,895
|
|
|
1.4093
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warrants
exercisable at December 25, 2005
|
|
|
6,609,474
|
|
|
1.4020
|
|
Warrants
exercisable at December 25, 2006
|
|
|
6,507,895
|
|
|
1.4093
|
|
Warrants
exercisable at September 25, 2007
|
|
|
6,507,895
|
|
|
1.4093
|
|
The
number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable under warrants related to
the
private placements and the respective exercise prices as of September 25, 2007
are summarized as follows:
|
|
Shares
of
Class
A
Common
Stock
Issuable
Under
Warrants
|
|
Exercise
Price
|
|
October
2003 private placement
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
$
|
0.979
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
July
2005 private placement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6-year
warrants
|
|
|
3,157,895
|
|
|
1.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December
2005 private placement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6-year
warrants
|
|
|
2,968,750
|
|
|
1.76
|
|
5-year
warrants
|
|
|
356,250
|
|
|
1.76
|
|
Warrants
exercisable at September 25, 2007
|
|
|
6,507,895
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE
16. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
In
December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No.
123R, “Share-Based Payment,” which established standards for transactions in
which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services. This
standard requires a public entity to measure the cost of services received
in
exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value
of the award. The Company adopted the requirements of SFAS No.123R for the
fiscal year 2006. Because all stock options granted before December 25, 2004
were fully vested and exercised or expired, no compensation charges were
recorded in fiscal 2006 for these options. For stock options granted after
December 25, 2004, the Company used the Black-Scholes option-pricing model
to
estimate the fair value of the options at the date of grant.
In
November 2004, options to purchase 400,000 shares of Class A Common Stock were
issued to an officer at an exercise price of $1.00 per share with a term of
10
years. The market price of the Class A Common Stock as of the grant date was
$0.64 per share. As of September 25, 2007, all of these options had been
exercised.
On
June
22, 2005, options to purchase an additional 600,000 shares of Class A Common
Stock were issued to the same officer at an exercise price of $1.20 per share
with a term of 10 years. The market price of the Class A Common Stock as of
the
grant date was $1.00 per share. As of September 25, 2007, all of these options
had been exercised.
On
January 20, 2006, options to purchase an additional 2,000,000 shares of Class
A
Common Stock were issued to the same officer at an exercise price of $1.60
per
share with a term of 6 years. The market price of the Class A Common Stock
as of
the grant date was $1.54 per share. As of September 25, 2007, none of these
options were exercised. The Company recorded compensation expense of $2,320,000
based on an estimated fair value of the options of $1.16 per share on January
20, 2006. The per share fair value of the stock options granted has been
estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following
assumptions:
|
|
January
20, 2006
|
|
Life
(years)
|
|
|
6
|
|
Dividend
yield
|
|
|
None
|
|
Risk
- free interest rate
|
|
|
4.36
|
%
|
Volatility
|
|
|
89
|
%
|
On
December 13, 2006, options to purchase an additional 6,000,000 shares of Class
A
Common Stock were granted to the same officer at an exercise price of $1.82
per
share with a term of 10 years. The options were fully vested upon grant but
became exercisable on April 3, 2007.
The
market price of the Class A Common Stock as of the grant date was $1.82 per
share. As of December 25, 2006, these options were fully vested but not
exercisable. The Company recorded compensation expense of $5,820,000 based
on an
estimated fair value of the options of $0.97 per share on December 13, 2006,
the
grant date. The per share, fair value of the stock options granted has been
estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following
assumptions:
|
|
December
13, 2006
|
|
Life
(years)
|
|
|
6
|
|
Dividend
yield
|
|
|
None
|
|
Risk
- free interest rate
|
|
|
4.55
|
%
|
Volatility
|
|
|
50
|
%
|
The
following table summarizes outstanding options as at September 25, 2007, related
weighted average fair value and life information:
|
|
Options
Outstanding
|
|
Options
Exercisable
|
|
Range
of Exercise
Price
Per Share
|
|
Number
Outstanding
at
September 25, 2007
|
|
Weighted
Average
Fair
Value
|
|
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Life (Years)
|
|
Number
Exercisable
at
September 25, 2007
|
|
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
|
|
$
1.60-1.82
|
|
|
8,000,000
|
|
$
|
1.02
|
|
|
7.95
|
|
|
8,000,000
|
|
$
|
1.7650
|
|
The
Company recorded compensation expense of $8,140,000 based on the fair value
of
the options granted during the year of 2006. Any exercise of such options
granted on December 13, 2006 was contingent upon the effectiveness of a
shareholder consent, which occurred on April 3, 2007. The Company has no future
compensation expense to record from this option outstanding at December 25,
2006
because they were fully vested upon grant and compensation cost was recorded
as
of that date.
NOTE
17. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Parties
are considered to be related if one party has the ability, directly or
indirectly, to control the other party, or exercise significant influence over
the other party in making financial and operational decisions. Parties are
also
considered to be related if they are subject to common control or common
significant influence.
Particulars
of significant transactions between New Dragon Asia Corp. and related companies
are summarized below (in thousands):
|
|
Three
months ended
September
25,
|
|
Nine
months ended
September
25,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
Pre-determined
annual fee charged by joint venture partners:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shandong
Longfeng Group Company (a)
|
|
$
|
21
|
|
$
|
19
|
|
$
|
61
|
|
$
|
57
|
|
Shandong
Longfeng Flour Company Limited (b)
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
28
|
|
|
27
|
|
|
|
$
|
31
|
|
$
|
28
|
|
|
89
|
|
|
84
|
|
|
(a)
|
Shandong
Longfeng Group Company is a joint venture partner of the Company
and the
parent company.
|
|
|
|
|
(b)
|
Subsidiary
of Shandong Longfeng Group Company.
|
The
amounts due to New Dragon Asia Food Limited (the parent company) and other
related parties which are primarily joint venture partners are unsecured and
non-interest bearing. Balances are the result of normal commercial
transactions.
NOTE
18. TAXATION
The
PRC
subsidiaries within the Company are subject to PRC income taxes on an entity
basis on income arising in or derived from the tax jurisdiction in which they
operate. The group companies that are incorporated under the International
Business Companies Act of the British Virgin Islands are exempt from payment
of
the British Virgin Islands income tax. Substantially all of the Company’s income
was generated in the PRC, which is subject to PRC income taxes at rates ranging
from 24% to a statutory rate of 33%. Four of the PRC subsidiaries of the Company
are eligible to be exempt from income taxes for a two-year period commencing
with the year in which their operations are profitable and then subject to
a 50%
reduction in income taxes for the next three years, starting from their first
profitable year. Several PRC subsidiaries receive preferential tax rates in
regions in which they operated and are also entitled to partial tax refunds
from
those tax bureaus.
New
Dragon Asia Corp. is a Florida corporation with wholly-owned operating
subsidiaries. As a result, the Company is not subject to PRC tax for the
activities at the Florida company level. Costs or expenses incurred at the
Florida company level, such as the stock-based compensation and the amortization
of financing costs and derivative accounting related to Series A Preferred
Stock
and Series B Preferred Stock, cannot be used to offset any income derived in
the
PRC when measuring the PRC income tax liabilities. As of September 25, 2007
and
December 25, 2006, there were no material deferred tax assets or deferred tax
liabilities. The expenses of the United States Company are not recoverable
against future taxable income in the United States or the PRC and meet the
definition of permanent differences for tax accounting purposes. The Company
has
never been audited by the taxing authority in the United States or the PRC.
The
Company believes that it has filed properly in all required jurisdictions.
NOTE
19. BUSINESS COMBINATION AND SIGNIFICANT ESTABLISHMENT
Delta
Link Limited and Chengdu Plant
On
February 24, 2006, the Company acquired 100% of the equity interest shares
of
Delta Link Ltd. (“Delta Link”) for a cash consideration of $3,300,000. Delta
Link is a holding company, which owns a 90% equity interest in a noodle
manufacturing facility in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. The Chengdu Plant serves
the western China market.
This
acquisition has been accounted for using the purchase method pursuant to SFAS
No. 141, “Business Combinations.” The consolidated financial statements include
the results of operations of the acquired company commencing as of the
acquisition date. No pro forma information is presented due to the immaterial
effect of this acquisition on the consolidated result of
operations.
In
connection with the acquisition, the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed
from Delta Link and the Chengdu Plant were recorded at their fair values on
the
consolidated balance sheet. Based on the initial purchase price allocation,
the
Company recorded goodwill in the amount of approximately $125,000.
The
long-lived assets and goodwill are subject to periodic review to determine
if
impairment has occurred and, if so, the amount of such impairment. If the
Company determines that impairment exists, the Company will be required to
reduce the carrying value of the impaired assets by the amount of impairment
and
to record a corresponding charge to operations in the period of
impairment.
The
allocation of initial purchase consideration was as follows (in
thousands):
Acquisition
consideration
|
|
$
|
3,300
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
receivable
|
|
|
62
|
|
Property,
machinery and equipment
|
|
|
2,167
|
|
Land
use rights
|
|
|
1,056
|
|
Accounts
payable
|
|
|
(13
|
)
|
Other
payable and accruals
|
|
|
(97
|
)
|
Net
assets value
|
|
|
3,175
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
$
|
125
|
|
Longyuan
Packaging Plant
On
January 10, 2006, the Company established New Dragon Asia (Long Kou) Packing
Materials Company Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary in Longkou, Shandong
Province. NDAPM is principally engaged in the manufacturing and sale of packing
materials, with a registered capital of $3,600,000.
NOTE
20. SEGMENT INFORMATION
The
Company classifies its products into three core business segments, namely
instant noodles, flour and soybean. In view of the fact that the Company
operates principally in Mainland China, no geographical segment information
is
presented.
|
|
For
the three months ended
September
25,
|
|
For
the nine months ended
September
25,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(US$'000)
|
|
(US$'000)
|
|
(US$'000)
|
|
(US$'000)
|
|
Net
revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Instant
noodles
|
|
|
3,853
|
|
|
4,030
|
|
|
10,866
|
|
|
11,691
|
|
Flour
|
|
|
7,805
|
|
|
7,613
|
|
|
20,754
|
|
|
20,044
|
|
Soybean
|
|
|
2,297
|
|
|
1,321
|
|
|
6,530
|
|
|
3,869
|
|
|
|
|
13,955
|
|
|
12,964
|
|
|
38,150
|
|
|
35,604
|
|
Income
(loss) from operation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Instant
noodles
|
|
|
360
|
|
|
240
|
|
|
828
|
|
|
1,117
|
|
Flour
|
|
|
1,648
|
|
|
1,447
|
|
|
4,004
|
|
|
3,487
|
|
Soybean
|
|
|
(234
|
)
|
|
(139
|
)
|
|
(397
|
)
|
|
(2,785
|
)
|
|
|
|
1,774
|
|
|
1,548
|
|
|
4,435
|
|
|
1,819
|
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Instant
noodles
|
|
|
338
|
|
|
257
|
|
|
583
|
|
|
563
|
|
Flour
|
|
|
164
|
|
|
156
|
|
|
467
|
|
|
392
|
|
Soybean
|
|
|
55
|
|
|
44
|
|
|
163
|
|
|
205
|
|
|
|
|
557
|
|
|
457
|
|
|
1,213
|
|
|
1,160
|
|
|
|
September
25,
|
|
December
25,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(US$'000)
|
|
(US$'000)
|
|
Identifiable
long-term assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
Instant
noodles
|
|
|
22,153
|
|
|
20,864
|
|
Flour
|
|
|
7,370
|
|
|
7,377
|
|
Soybean
|
|
|
3,116
|
|
|
2,990
|
|
|
|
|
32,639
|
|
|
31,231
|
|
NOTE
21. OTHER EVENTS
On
August
15, 2007, the Company entered into the Settlement Agreement and General Release
(the “Agreement”) dated August 15, 2007 by and between the Company and Berry
Shino Securities, Inc. (“Berry Shino”) pursuant to which the parties agreed to
resolve a dispute relating to the alleged failure of the Company to pay in
full
for services rendered by Berry Shino in connection with a private placement
of
the Company’s securities in 2003 (the “Dispute”). The parties entered into the
Agreement to resolve the Dispute without litigation and its attendant costs
and
without admission of liability by the Company. In accordance with the terms
of
the Agreement, the Company agreed to issue to Berry Shino, 275,000 shares of
restricted Class A Common Stock in full satisfaction of the Dispute.
In
addition to historical information, the matters discussed in this Form 10-Q
contain forward-looking statements that involve risks or uncertainties.
Generally, the words "believes," "anticipates," "may," "will," "should,"
"expect," "intend," "estimate," "continue," and similar expressions or the
negative thereof or comparable terminology are intended to identify
forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to certain risks and
uncertainties, including the matters set forth in this report or other reports
or documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time
to
time, which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from
those projected. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation
to update these forward-looking statements. Readers should carefully review
the
risks described in other documents we file from time to time with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended December 25, 2006, the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed by the
Company and Current Reports on Form 8-K (including any amendments to such
reports). References in this filing to the “Company”, “Group”, “we”, “us”, and
“our” refer to New Dragon Asia Corp. and its subsidiaries.
Critical
Accounting Policies
Our
discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is
based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared
in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make
estimates, judgments, and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of
assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses, and the related disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on historical
experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable
under
the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments
about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily
apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these
estimates.
An
accounting policy is considered to be critical if it requires an accounting
estimate to be made based on assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain
at the time the estimates are made, and if different estimates that are
reasonable could have been used, or changes in the accounting estimates that
are
reasonably likely to occur, could materially impact the consolidated financial
statements. We believe the following critical accounting policies reflect the
more significant estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the
consolidated financial statements.
Contractual
Joint Ventures
A
contractual joint venture is an entity established between us and another joint
venture partner, with the rights and obligations of each party governed by
a
contract. Currently, we have established four contractual joint ventures with
two Chinese partners in China - Shandong Longfeng Flour Co. Ltd. and Shandong
Longfeng Group Co., with percentage of ownership of 90%, 79.64%, 90% and 90%
respectively. Pursuant to each Chinese joint venture agreement, each Chinese
joint venture partner is entitled to receive a pre-determined annual fee and
is
not entitled to receive any profits and is not responsible for any losses,
regardless of the ownership in the contractual joint venture. In view of such
contracted profit sharing arrangement, the contractual joint ventures are
accounted for as wholly-owned by the Company. Accordingly, the Company’s
consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the
contractual joint ventures.
Revenue
Recognition
Our
revenues are generated from sales of flour, instant noodle and soybean products.
All of our revenue transactions contain standard business terms and conditions.
We determine the appropriate accounting for these transactions after considering
(1) whether a contract exists; (2) when to recognize revenue on the
deliverables; and (3) whether all elements of the contract have been fulfilled
and delivered. In addition, our revenue recognition policy requires an
assessment as to whether collection is reasonably assured, which inherently
requires us to evaluate the creditworthiness of our customers. Changes in
judgments on these assumptions and estimates could materially impact the timing
or amount of revenue recognition.
Accounting
for Derivative Instruments
Statement
of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended, requires all derivatives to be
recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. These derivatives, including
embedded derivatives in our Series A and B Preferred Stock, are separately
valued and accounted for on our balance sheet. Where market prices are not
readily available, fair values are determined using market based pricing models
incorporating readily observable market data and requiring judgment and
estimates.
The
pricing model we use for determining fair values of our derivatives is a
combination of the Black Scholes and Binomial Pricing Models. Valuations derived
from this model are subject to ongoing internal and external review. The model
uses market-sourced inputs such as interest rates, exchange rates, and option
volatilities. Selection of these inputs involves management's judgment and
may
impact net income. The Company has obtained a valuation report from a valuation
firm to support its estimates.
In
September 2000, the Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") issued EITF 00-19,
"Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to and Potentially
Settled in, a Company's Own Stock," ("EITF 00-19") which requires freestanding
contracts that are settled in a company's own stock, including common stock
warrants, to be designated as an equity instrument, asset or a liability. Under
the provisions of EITF 00-19, a contract designated as an asset or a liability
must be carried at fair value on a company's balance sheet, with any changes
in
fair value recorded in the company's results of operations. A contract
designated as an equity instrument must be included within equity, and no fair
value adjustments are required. In accordance with EITF 00-19, in August 2006,
we determined that several of the outstanding warrants to purchase our common
stock and the embedded conversion feature of our financial instruments, should
be separately accounted for as liabilities. We have recorded the fair value
of
these warrants and conversion features on our balance sheets and record
unrealized changes in the values of these derivatives in our consolidated
statements of operations as “Gain (loss) on fair value adjustments to embedded
derivatives.”
Share-Based
Payment
On
December 16, 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123R, “Share-Based
Payment,” which replaces SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation” and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock
Issued to Employees.” SFAS No. 123R requires all share-based payments to
employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in
the
financial statements based on the grant date fair value of the award. We adopted
the requirements of SFAS No. 123R for the fiscal year beginning on December
26,
2005, and recorded the compensation expense for all unvested stock
options.
Allowance
for Doubtful Accounts
Management
provides for an allowance for doubtful accounts for those third party trade
accounts that are not collected within one year. We base our estimate (one
year)
on historical experience and on continuous monitoring of customers’ credit and
settlement. We believe we have reasonable basis for making judgments on the
allowance for doubtful accounts.
We
normally grant up to 90 days credit to our customers. We monitor our allowance
for doubtful accounts on a monthly basis.
Inventories
Valuation
Inventories
are stated at the lower of cost, determined on a weighted average basis, or
net
realizable value. Costs of work-in-progress and finished goods are composed
of
direct material, direct labor and an attributable portion of manufacturing
overhead. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price, in the ordinary
course of business, less estimated costs to complete and dispose.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
In
September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS 157). SFAS 157 defines
fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands
disclosures about fair value instruments. SFAS 157 does not require any new
fair value measurements, but applies under other accounting pronouncements
that
require or permit fair value measurements. SFAS 157 is effective for
financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15,
2007 (our fiscal 2008). We believe that implementation of SFAS 157 will
have little or no impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities including an amendment of FASB
Statement No. 115” (SFAS 159). This Statement allows all entities a one-time
election to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair
value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value (the “fair
value option”). SFAS 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November
15, 2007. We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, of SFAS 159 on our
consolidated financial statements.
Headquartered
in Shandong Province, PRC, we are engaged in the milling, sale, and distribution
of flour and related products, including instant noodles and soybean-derived
products, to retail and wholesale customers throughout China. With a well-known
brand name called “LONG FENG”, we market our well-established product line
through a countrywide network of over 200 key distributors and 16 regional
offices in 27 Chinese provinces. We have eight manufacturing plants in the
PRC
with an aggregate annual production capacity of approximately 110,000 tons
of
flour and approximately 1.1 billion packets of instant noodles and 4,500 tons
of
soybean powder.
Operations
We
produce and market a broad range of wheat flour for use in bread, dumplings,
noodles, and confectionary products. Our flour products are marketed under
the
“Long Feng” brand name and sold throughout China at both wholesale and retail
levels.
We
provide a wide range of instant noodle products to our customers. Our products
can be separated into two broad categories for selling and marketing purposes:
(i) packet noodles for home preparation and (ii) snacks and cup noodles for
outdoor convenience.
In
late
2005, we started producing two types of soybean products - soybean protein
powder and soybean powder. They are principally supplied to food and beverage
producers.
We
believe that we have a reputation in China for producing some of the highest
quality food products. We believe our production plants operate at the highest
level of hygiene and efficiency and all of our plants are certified under the
ISO9002 standards. Most of our manufacturing equipment is purchased and imported
from Switzerland, Japan, and South Korea. We also use strict quality control
systems, resulting in what we believe to be a favorable customer perception
of
the “Long Feng” brand.
Our
products are regionally marketed and distributed throughout China. Our sales
and
marketing strategy focuses on maintaining strong distribution relationships
by
holding annual sales order meetings, regular distributor conferences and an
excellent quality/price dynamic.
We
believe our distribution system is the key to our continued success in
developing the “Long Feng” brand as one of the leading domestic brands in China.
We have more than 200 points of distribution in China, which are owned and
managed by distributors. Most of our distributors have long-term relationships
with us.
Our
primary domestic customer base for both our flour products and instant noodles
consists of small retail stores in the rural areas throughout China where we
believe that our brand has long been recognized as the highest quality available
for the price. The rural market is rapidly growing, benefiting from increases
in
rural consumer income. We believe that brand loyalty by our customers is very
strong in this sector. In addition to the small retail sector, we sell to larger
supermarkets located in urban areas.
In
addition to domestic sales, we export noodles to other countries such as South
Korea, Australia, Malaysia, and Indonesia. We also have obtained HACCP (Hazard
Analysis Critical Control Point) certification from CCIC Conformity Assessment
Services Co. Ltd., a Chinese quality assurance examination authority, enabling
us to begin exports of instant noodles and soybean powder to Europe. From the
second quarter of the year 2006, we began export sales to Sweden and Greece.
We
also
receive orders for flour from certain KFC Corporation locations in China and
KFC’s intermediary suppliers for flour. KFC requires rigorous quality control
standards for its flour of at least the ISO9002 level. We believe that KFC’s
orders reflect the brand reputation and quality of the Long Feng brand, as
well
as our commitment to international quality standards.
Strategy
Our
strategy for growth is to capitalize on our strong brand name and pursue
strategic partnerships and acquisitions that will enhance our sales. The
following are some of the key elements of our business growth
strategy:
|
Acquire
additional locations to increase our production
capacity
|
|
|
|
Build
strategic alliances with multinational food groups to enhance product
range and capitalize on our China distribution
network
|
Plans
for
expansion of the existing plants are expected to be funded through current
working capital from ongoing sales. Acquisitions of plants will require an
additional infusion of funds in the form of debt or equity, or a combination
of
both. However, there can be no assurance these funds will be
available.
Competition
The
flour
industry in the PRC is very competitive. Our largest competitors are Shandong
Guang Rao Ban Qiu Flour and Hebei Wu De Li Flour in the Northern market and
Shenzhen Nanshun Flour in the Southern market.
The
instant noodle segment in the PRC is also highly competitive. We compete against
well-established foreign companies and many smaller companies. Our largest
competitors are the “Master Kang” brand manufactured by Tingyi (Cayman Island)
Holdings Corporation and the “President” brand manufactured by Uni-President
Group, both based in Taiwan. Both are focused predominately in the more
developed and competitive urban markets.
Employees
On
September 25, 2007, we had approximately 1,500 employees. All of our employees
are located in the eight plants and the Shenzhen executive office. We believe
we
have good relationships with our employees and no major disputes or work
stoppages have occurred since our inception.
Currency
Conversion and Exchange
Although
the Chinese government regulations now allow convertibility of Renminbi (“RMB”)
for current account transactions, significant restrictions still remain. Hence,
such translations should not be construed as representations that RMB could
be
converted into U.S. dollars at that rate or any other rate.
Substantially
all our revenue and expenses are denominated in RMB. Our RMB cash inflows are
sufficient to service our RMB expenditures. For financial reporting purposes,
we
use U.S. dollars. The value of RMB against U.S. dollars and other currencies
may
fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in China’s political
and economic conditions. Any significant revaluation of RMB may materially
affect our financial condition in terms of U.S. dollar reporting. To date,
we
have not engaged in any currency hedging transactions in connection with our
operations.
Results
of Operations
The
following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain operating
information expressed in U.S. dollars (in thousands):
|
|
Three
months ended
September
25,
|
|
Nine
months ended
September
25,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
Net
revenue
|
|
$
|
13,955
|
|
$
|
12,964
|
|
$
|
38,150
|
|
$
|
35,604
|
|
Cost
of goods sold
|
|
|
(11,148
|
)
|
|
(10,442
|
)
|
|
(30,865
|
)
|
|
(29,056
|
)
|
Gross
profit
|
|
|
2,807
|
|
|
2,522
|
|
|
7,285
|
|
|
6,548
|
|
Selling
and distribution expenses
|
|
|
(302
|
)
|
|
(263
|
)
|
|
(825
|
)
|
|
(709
|
)
|
General
and administrative expenses
|
|
|
(731
|
)
|
|
(711
|
)
|
|
(2,025
|
)
|
|
(4,020
|
)
|
Gain
(loss) on fair value adjustments to embedded derivatives
|
|
|
1,903
|
|
|
2,593
|
|
|
7,541
|
|
|
3,198
|
|
Income
(loss) before income taxes and minority interest
|
|
|
3,695
|
|
|
5,217
|
|
|
12,677
|
|
|
7,219
|
|
Provision
for income taxes
|
|
|
(491
|
)
|
|
(427
|
)
|
|
(1,211
|
)
|
|
(1,061
|
)
|
Net
income (loss)
|
|
|
3,204
|
|
|
4,790
|
|
|
11,466
|
|
|
6,025
|
|
EBITDA*
|
|
|
2,346
|
|
|
3,093
|
|
|
6,331
|
|
|
7,798
|
|
EBITDA
margin on revenue
|
|
|
17
|
%
|
|
24
|
%
|
|
17
|
%
|
|
22
|
%
|
*
The
Company uses EBITDA as an operating performance measure. EBITDA is defined
as
net earnings (loss) before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
expense, non-cash stock-based compensation and in our case (loss) gain on fair
value adjustments to embedded derivatives. EBITDA is not a measure of operating
performance under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and
should not be considered as an alternative or substitute for GAAP profitability
measures such as operating earnings (loss) and net earnings (loss). EBITDA
as an operating performance measure has material limitations since it excludes,
among other things, the statement of operations impact of depreciation and
amortization expense, interest expense and the provision (benefit) for income
taxes and (loss) gain on fair value adjustments to embedded derivatives and
therefore does not necessarily represent an accurate measure of profitability,
particularly in situations where a company is highly leveraged or has a
disadvantageous tax structure. The Company uses a significant amount of capital
assets and depreciation and amortization expense is a necessary element of
the
Company’s costs and ability to generate revenue and therefore its exclusion from
EBITDA is a material limitation. The Company generally incurs significant income
taxes each year and the provision (benefit) for income taxes is a necessary
element of the Company’s costs and therefore its exclusion from EBITDA is a
material limitation. As a result, EBITDA should be evaluated in conjunction
with
net earnings (loss) for a more complete analysis of the Company’s profitability,
as net earnings (loss) includes the financial statement impact of these items
and is the most directly comparable GAAP operating performance measure to
EBITDA. As EBITDA is not defined by GAAP, the Company’s definition of EBITDA may
differ from and therefore may not be comparable to similarly titled measures
used by other companies, thereby limiting its usefulness as a comparative
measure. Because of the limitations that EBITDA has as an analytical tool,
investors should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis
of the Company’s operating results as reported under GAAP.
The
following table presents reconciliation from net earnings, which is the most
directly comparable GAAP operating performance measure, to EBITDA for the third
quarters of 2007 and 2006, respectively.
|
|
Three
months ended
September
25,
|
|
Nine
months ended
September
25,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
Net
income
|
|
$
|
3,204
|
|
$
|
4,790
|
|
$
|
11,466
|
|
$
|
6,025
|
|
Income
tax
|
|
|
491
|
|
|
427
|
|
|
1,211
|
|
|
1,061
|
|
Interest
income
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
(26
|
)
|
|
(18
|
)
|
|
(49
|
)
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
557
|
|
|
495
|
|
|
1,213
|
|
|
1,639
|
|
Loss
(gain) on fair value adjustments to embedded derivatives
|
|
|
(1,903
|
)
|
|
(2,593
|
)
|
|
(7,541
|
)
|
|
(3,198
|
)
|
Non-cash
stock-based compensation
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
2,320
|
|
EBITDA
|
|
$
|
2,346
|
|
$
|
3,093
|
|
$
|
6,331
|
|
$
|
7,798
|
|
Nine
Months Ended September 25, 2007 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 25,
2006
Net
Revenue
Net
revenue for the nine months ended September 25, 2007 was $38,150,000,
representing an increase of $2,546,000, or 7%, from $35,604,000 for the nine
months ended September 25, 2006. The increase was primarily due to the
introduction of our soybean protein powder
product,
which accounted for approximately $ 2.4 million of the increase
.
Gross
Profit
As
a
percentage of net revenue, gross profit increased to 19% for the nine months
ended September 25, 2007 from 18% for the nine months ended September 25, 2006.
The increase was primarily due to the growth of export sales, which generate
higher margins.
Selling
and Distribution Expenses
Selling
and distribution expenses consist primarily of salaries, commissions and
associated employee benefits, travel expenses of sales and marketing personnel
and promotional expenses.
Selling
and distribution expenses were $825,000 for the nine months ended September
25,
2007, representing an increase of $116,000 from $709,000 for the corresponding
period of 2006. The increase was primarily due to the expansion of marketing
activities.
As
a
percentage of net revenue, selling and distribution expenses remained constant
at 2% for the nine months ended September 25, 2007 as compared with the
corresponding period in 2006. These results were primarily because we made
no
major change to our selling and distribution channels and as a result our costs
were stabilized.
General
and Administrative Expenses
General
and administrative expenses decreased $1,995,000, or 50%, to $2,025,000 for
the
nine months ended September 25, 2007 as compared to $4,020,000 for the nine
months ended September 25, 2006. The decrease was primarily due to the fact
that
no stock-based compensation expense was incurred in the year 2007.
Income
from Operations
Income
from operations increased $2,616,000, or 144%, to $4,435,000 for the nine months
ended September 25, 2007 as compared to $1,819,000 for the nine months ended
September 25, 2006. The increase was primarily due to the fact that no
stock-based compensation expense was incurred in the year 2007 and the increase
in the number of high margin export sales during 2007.
Gain
on Fair Value Adjustments to Embedded Derivatives
The
Company issued Series A Preferred Stock in July 2005, together with 3,157,896
warrants to purchase Class A Common Stock resulting in aggregate proceeds of
$6
million. The Company also issued Series B Preferred Stock in December 2005,
together with 2,968,750 warrants to purchase Class A Common Stock resulting
in
aggregate proceeds of $9.5 million. T
he
fair
value of each instrument was recorded as a derivative liability on our balance
sheet. The corresponding gain or loss, which was non-cash in nature, from
changes in the fair values of these instruments was recorded in our statement
of
operation. For the nine months ended September 25, 2007, the gain from variation
of the fair value of these instruments was $7,541,000.
For
the
nine
months
ended September 25, 2006
,
the
gain from changes in the fair value of these instruments was $3,198,000. The
increase was primarily due to the adjustments in the price used to calculate
the
fair value of the derivatives as a result of the change of the trading price
of
our common stock on September 25, 2007 and 2006, the valuation dates used to
calculate such fair value for the respective periods.
VAT
Refunds
VAT
refunds remained at $540,000 for the nine months ended September 25, 2007 as
compared to $2,135,000 for the nine months ended September 25, 2006. During
the
three months ended September 30, 2007, there were no additional tax refunds
received from the municipal government of China.
Net
Income
Net
income was $11,466,000 for the nine months ended September 25, 2007 as compared
to $6,025,000 for the nine months ended September 25, 2006. Such increase was
primarily due to (i) the fact that there was no stock-based compensation expense
incurred in the year 2007 and (ii) the gain derived from changes in the fair
value of derivative instruments.
Net
Revenue
Net
revenue for the quarter ended September 25, 2007 was $13,955,000, representing
an increase of $991,000, or 8%, from $12,964,000 for the quarter ended September
25, 2006. The increase was primarily due to the introduction of our soybean
protein powder product, which accounted for approximately $900,000of the
increase.
Gross
Profit
As
a
percentage of net revenue, gross profit increased to 20% for the three months
ended September 25, 2007 from 19% for the three months ended September 25,
2006.
The increase was primarily due to the growth of export sales, which generate
higher margins.
Selling
and Distribution Expenses
Selling
and distribution expenses consist primarily of salaries, commissions and
associated employee benefits, travel expenses of sales and marketing personnel
and promotional expenses.
Selling
and distribution expenses were $302,000 for the quarter ended September 25,
2007, representing an increase of $39,000 or 15% from $263,000 for the
corresponding quarter of 2006. The increase was primarily due to the expansion
of marketing activities.
As
a
percentage of net revenue, selling and distribution expenses remained constant
at 2% in the quarter ended September 25, 2007 as compared with the corresponding
period in 2006. These results were primarily because we made no major change
to
our selling and distribution channels and as a result our costs were
stabilized.
General
and Administrative Expenses
General
and administrative expenses increased $20,000, or 3%, to $731,000 for the
quarter ended September 25, 2007 as compared to $711,000 for the quarter ended
September 25, 2006. The increase was primarily due to the increase in
professional fees on services including fees for investor relations, legal
and
accounting advice.
Income
(Loss) from Operations
Income
from operations was $1,774,000 for the three months ended September 25, 2007
as
compared to $1,548,000 for the three months ended September 25, 2006. The
increase was primarily due to the increase in the number of export sales, which
generate higher margins.
Gain
(Loss) on Fair Value Adjustments to Embedded
Derivatives
The
Company issued Series A Preferred Stock in July 2005, together with 3,157,896
warrants to purchase Class A Common Stock resulting in aggregate proceeds of
$6
million. The Company also issued Series B Preferred Stock in December 2005,
together with 2,968,750 warrants to purchase Class A Common Stock resulting
in
aggregate proceeds of $9.5 million. The fair value of each instrument was
recorded as a derivative liability on our balance sheet. The corresponding
gain
or loss, which is non-cash in nature, resulting from changes in the fair values
of these instruments is subsequently recorded in our statements of operations.
For the three months ended September 25, 2007, the gain from changes in the
fair
value of these instruments was $1,903,000.
For
the
three months ended September 25, 2006, the gain from changes in the fair value
of these instruments was $2,593,000. The change was primarily due to the
adjustments in the price used to calculate the fair value of the derivatives
as
a result of the change of the trading price of our common stock on September
25,
2007 and 2006, the valuation dates used to calculate such fair value for the
respective periods.
VAT
Refunds
VAT
refund was $0 for the quarter ended September 25, 2007 as compared to $1,036,000
for the quarter ended September 25, 2006. During the three months ended
September 30, 2007, there were no additional tax refunds received from the
municipal government of China.
Net
Income (Loss)
Net
income was $3,204,000 for the quarter ended September 25, 2007 as compared
to
$4,790,000 for the quarter ended September 25, 2006. Such decrease was primarily
due to fact that (i) the gain derived from changes in the fair value of
derivative instruments was lower and (ii) no VAT refund occurred during the
quarter ended September 25, 2007.
Financial
Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our
primary liquidity needs are to purchase inventories and fund accounts receivable
and capital expenditures. We have financed our working capital requirements
through collections from customers and advances from related companies, together
with proceeds received from financing transactions. We started a receivable
collection campaign in late June with an objective of improving the debtor
turnover period by 20% resulting in additional cash resources for the additional
payment of deposits for wheat and soybean. This should enhance our supply chain
management by averaging out the effect of the expected continued price increase
in these crops.
Our
working capital increased $13,962,000 to $31,517,000 at September 25, 2007
as
compared to $17,555,000 at December 25, 2006, which was primarily due to (i)
the
increased inventory and (ii) the change in the fair value of derivative
instruments.
Cash
and
cash equivalents were $3,740,000 as of September 25, 2007, a decrease of
$6,536,000 from December 25, 2006. Net cash used in operating activities for
the
nine months ended September 25, 2007 was $7,534,000, which was primarily due
to
(i) additional deposits and prepayments of $5,079,000 paid to suppliers for
wheat and soybean in order to secure additional supplies in anticipation of
prices increase; (ii) increase in inventories of $8,343,000 for the growth
of
business.
We
have
never entered into any off-balance sheet financing arrangements and have not
formed any special purpose entities. We have not guaranteed any debt or
commitments of other entities or entered into any options on non-financial
assets.
Contractual
Obligations and Commercial Commitments
On
July
11, 2005, we issued 6,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, convertible into
an aggregate of 6,315,789 shares of Class A Common Stock at a conversion price
of $0.95 per share (subject to anti-dilution adjustments and interest payments),
raising $6.0 million in gross proceeds.
On
December 22, 2005, we issued 9,500 shares of Series B Preferred Stock,
convertible into an aggregate of 5,937,500 shares of Class A Common Stock at
a
conversion price of $1.60 per share (subject to anti-dilution adjustments and
interest payments), raising $9.5 million in gross proceeds.
The
key
terms of the Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock are as
follows:
|
|
Series
A Preferred Stock
|
|
Series
B Preferred Stock
|
Preferred
Dividend
|
|
7%
per annum, payable quarterly in arrears in cash or, at the Company’s
option subject to satisfaction of certain conditions, shares of Class
A
Common Stock valued at 95% of the volume-weighted current market
price.
|
|
7%
per annum, payable quarterly in arrears in cash or, at the Company’s
option subject to satisfaction of certain conditions, shares of Class
A
Common Stock valued at 95% of the volume-weighted current market
price.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
July
11, 2010
Beginning
on the 24th month following closing and each month thereafter, the
Company
shall redeem 1/37th of the face value of the Preferred Stock in either
cash or Class A Common Stock valued at 90% of the volume-weighted
current
market price.
|
|
December
22, 2010
Beginning
at the end of the 24th month following closing and on each third
monthly
anniversary of that date (quarterly) thereafter, the Company shall
redeem
1/13th of the face value of the Preferred Stock in either cash or
Class A
Common Stock valued at 90% of the volume-weighted current market
price.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mandatory
Conversion
|
|
The
Company may at any time force the conversion of the Preferred Stock
if the
volume-weighted current market price of the Class A Common Stock
exceeds
300% of the then applicable conversion price.
|
|
The
Company may at any time force the conversion of the Preferred Stock
if the
volume-weighted current market price of the Class A Common Stock
exceeds
200% of its price at issuance of the Preferred Stock.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registration
|
|
The
Company shall file to register the underlying Class A common shares
within
30 days of the closing date and make its best efforts to have the
Registration declared effective at the earliest date. In the event
such
Registration is not continuously effective during the period such
shares
are subject to transfer restrictions under the U.S. federal securities
laws, then (subject to certain exceptions) the holders are entitled
to
receive liquidated damages equal to 2.0% of the purchase price of
the
Preferred Stock per month.
|
|
The
Company shall file to register the underlying Class A common shares
with
30 days of the closing date and make its best efforts to have the
Registration declared effective at the earliest date. In the event
such
Registration is not continuously effective during the period such
shares
are subject to transfer restrictions under the U.S. federal securities
laws, then (subject to certain exceptions) the holders are entitled
to
receive liquidated damages equal to 2.0% of the purchase price of
the
Preferred Stock per month.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anti-dilution
|
|
In
the event the Company issues at any time while Preferred Stock are
still
outstanding Common Stock or any type of securities giving rights
to Common
Stock at a price below the Issue Price, the Company agrees to extend
full-ratchet anti-dilution protection to the investors.
|
|
In
the event the Company issues at any time while Preferred Stock are
still
outstanding Common Stock or any type of securities giving rights
to Common
Stock at a price below the Issue Price, the Company agrees to extend
full-ratchet anti-dilution protection to the
investors.
|
|
|
Payment
Obligations By Period
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
2009
|
|
2010
|
|
2011
|
|
Thereafter
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
(In
thousands)
|
|
Redeemable
convertible preferred stock
|
|
$
|
400
|
|
$
|
3,162
|
|
$
|
3,162
|
|
$
|
3,438
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
10,162
|
|
Pre-determined
annual fee charged by joint venture partners
|
|
|
28
|
|
|
113
|
|
|
113
|
|
|
113
|
|
|
113
|
|
|
3,823
|
|
|
4,303
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
428
|
|
$
|
3,275
|
|
$
|
3,275
|
|
$
|
3,551
|
|
$
|
113
|
|
$
|
3,823
|
|
$
|
14,465
|
|
Reconciliation
of the outstanding payment obligations of redeemable convertible preferred
stock:
|
|
(In
thousands)
|
|
Aggregated
balance as of the issue date
|
|
$
|
15,500
|
|
Partial
redemption of Series A Preferred Stock in 2005
|
|
|
(1,900
|
)
|
Partial
redemption of Series A and B Preferred Stock in 2006
|
|
|
(3,438
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
risks
and uncertainties described below are not the only ones the Company faces.
Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to the Company or that
the Company currently deemed immaterial also may impair the Company’s business
operations. If any of the following risks occur, the Company’s business
prospects, financial condition, operating results and cash flows could be
adversely affected in amounts that could be material.
RISKS
RELATED TO OUR CLASS A COMMON STOCK
We
have never paid dividends on our Class A Common
Stock.
We
have
never declared or paid any dividends on our Class A Common Stock. The
declaration and payment in the future of any cash or stock dividends on the
Class A Common Stock will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and
will depend upon a variety of factors, including our ability to service our
outstanding indebtedness, if any, and to pay dividends on securities ranking
senior to the Class A Common Stock, including the shares of our outstanding
preferred stock, our future earnings, if any, capital requirements, financial
condition and such other factors as our Board of Directors may consider to
be
relevant from time to time. Factors including, but not limited to, outstanding
indebtedness, payment of dividends on securities ranking senior to the Class
A
Common Stock, decreases in our future earnings, increases in capital
requirements, and negative results of our financial conditions may restrict
our
ability to declare or pay any dividends on our Class A Common Stock in the
future. We currently intend to retain our future earnings to support operations
and therefore do not expect to declare or pay any dividends on our Class A
Common Stock in the foreseeable future.
We
are controlled by our majority shareholder, which is controlled by our
Chairman.
We
are
controlled by our major shareholder, which is controlled by our Chairman, Mr.
Lu. Mr. Lu owns 100% of the equity interests of New Dragon Asia Food Ltd, which
is our majority shareholder. As a result, Mr. Lu through his equity ownership
effectively exercises control over all matters requiring shareholder approval,
including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate
transactions. This concentration of ownership might also have the effect of
delaying or preventing a change in control of us that may not be viewed as
beneficial by other shareholders.
Our
primary source of funds for dividends and other distributions from our operating
subsidiary in China is subject to various legal and contractual restrictions
and
uncertainties, and our ability to pay dividends or make other distributions
to
our shareholders are negatively affected by those restrictions and
uncertainties.
We
are a
holding company established in the state of Florida and conduct our core
business operations through our operating subsidiaries, Mix Creation Ltd.,
Rich
Delta Ltd. and Keen General Ltd. and their respective subsidiaries in China
(collectively, the “Subsidiaries”). As a result, our profits available for
distribution to our shareholders are dependent on the profits available for
distribution from the Subsidiaries. If the Subsidiaries incur debt on their
own
behalf, the debt instruments may restrict their ability to pay dividends or
make
other distributions, which in turn would limit our ability to pay dividends
on
our shares. Under the current PRC laws, because we are incorporated in the
State
of Florida, our PRC subsidiaries are each regarded as a wholly foreign-owned
enterprise in China. Although dividends paid by foreign invested enterprises,
such as wholly foreign-owned enterprises and Sino-foreign joint ventures, are
not subject to any PRC corporate withholding tax, the PRC laws permit payment
of
dividends only out of net income as determined in accordance with PRC accounting
standards and regulations. Determination of net income under PRC accounting
standards and regulations may differ from the determination under U.S. GAAP
in
significant aspects, such as the use of different principles for recognition
of
revenues and expenses. In addition, distribution of additional equity interests
by any of our PRC subsidiaries to us (which is credited as fully paid through
capitalization of the PRC subsidiaries’ undistributed profits) requires
additional approval of the PRC government due to an increase in our registered
capital and total investment in the subsidiary. Under the current PRC laws,
each
of our subsidiaries is required to set aside a portion of its net income each
year to fund designated statutory reserve funds. These reserves are not
distributable as cash dividends. As a result, our primary internal source of
funds for dividend payments from the Subsidiaries are subject to these and
other
legal and contractual restrictions and uncertainties, which in turn may limit
or
impair our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders. Moreover, any transfer
of funds from us to the Subsidiaries, either as a shareholder loan or as an
increase in registered capital, is subject to registration with or approval
by
PRC governmental authorities. These limitations on the flow of funds between
us
and the Subsidiaries could restrict our ability to act in response to changing
market conditions.
Recent
regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents may
adversely affect our business and prospects.
On
September 8, 2006, several agencies of the PRC government issued a new
regulation concerning restrictions on investments in China through special
purpose companies incorporated overseas and the listing of the shares of those
companies in overseas markets. The regulation contains a number of provisions
relating to the acquisition of Chinese domestic companies which involve
“important industries” and may affect the national economic safety or result in
the transfer of actual control rights of any company having “famous brands” or
any “old established Chinese brands,” and require that the parties to any such
transaction report to the Ministry of Commerce for approval. Additionally,
any
foreign company directly or indirectly controlled by Chinese companies or
individuals used as a vehicle for public listing in an overseas stock market
will need China Securities Regulatory Commission approval in connection with
such listing. As it is uncertain how this new regulation will be interpreted
or
implemented, we cannot predict how this regulation will affect our business
operations or future strategies. For example, we may be subject to a more
stringent review and approval process with respect to our acquisition
activities, which may adversely affect our business and prospects.
RISKS
RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS
Our
business may experience adverse effects from competition in the noodle, flour
and soybean product markets.
The
noodle, flour and soybean product markets in the PRC are highly competitive.
Competition in these markets takes many forms, including the
following:
|
establishing
favorable brand recognition;
|
|
|
|
developing
products sought by consumers;
|
|
|
|
implementing
appropriate pricing;
|
|
|
|
providing
strong marketing support; and
|
|
obtaining
access to retain outlets and sufficient shelf
space.
|
Many
of
our competitors are larger and have greater financial resources, including
our
primary competitors, the manufacturers of each of the brand names “Master Kang”
and “President”. We may not be able to compete successfully with such
competitors. Competition could cause us to lose our market share, increase
expenditures or reduce pricing, each of which could have a material adverse
effect on our business and financial results.
Our
failure to maintain our technological capabilities or to respond effectively
to
technological changes could adversely affect our ability to retain existing
business and secure new business. We will need to constantly seek out new
products and develop new solutions to maintain in our portfolio. If we are
unable to keep current with new trends, our competitors’ technologies or
products may render us noncompetitive and our products obsolete.
Increases
in prices of main ingredients and other materials could adversely affect our
business.
The
main
ingredients that we use to manufacture our products are wheat, soybeans and
eggs. We also use paper products, such as corrugated cardboard, as well as
films
and plastics, to package our products. The prices of these materials have been,
and we expect them to continue to be, subject to volatility. We may not be
able
to pass price increases in these materials onto our customers, which could
have
an adverse effect on our financial results.
We
are subject to risks associated with joint ventures and third party
agreements.
We
conduct certain of our milling and sales operations through joint ventures
established with certain Chinese parties. Any deterioration of these strategic
relationships may have an adverse effect on our operation. Changes in laws
and
regulations, or their interpretation, or the imposition of confiscatory
taxation, restrictions on currency conversion, imports and sources of supply,
devaluations of currency or the nationalization or other expropriation of
private enterprises could have a material adverse effect on our business,
results of operations and financial condition. Under its current leadership,
the
Chinese government has been pursuing economic reform policies that encourage
private economic activity and greater economic decentralization. There is no
assurance, however, that the Chinese government will continue to pursue these
policies, or that it will not significantly alter these policies from time
to
time without notice.
We
may
have limited legal recourse under Chinese law if disputes arise under our
agreements with joint ventures or third parties. The Chinese government has
enacted some laws and regulations dealing with matters such as corporate
organization and governance, foreign investment, commerce, taxation and trade.
However, the government’s experience in implementing, interpreting and enforcing
these laws and regulations is limited, and our ability to enforce commercial
claims or to resolve commercial disputes is unpredictable. If our new business
ventures are unsuccessful, or other adverse circumstances arise from these
transactions, we face the risk that the parties to these ventures may seek
ways
to terminate the transactions, or, may hinder or prevent us from accessing
important information regarding the financial and business operations of these
acquired companies. The resolution of these matters may be subject to the
exercise of considerable discretion by agencies of the Chinese government,
and
forces unrelated to the legal merits of a particular matter or dispute may
influence their determination. Any rights we may have to specific performance,
or to seek an injunction under Chinese law, in either of these cases, are
severely limited, and without a means of recourse by virtue of the Chinese
legal
system, we may be unable to prevent these situations from occurring. The
occurrence of any such events could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and results of operations.
We
may be subject to product liability claims and product recalls, which could
negatively impact our profitability.
We
sell
food products for human consumption, which involves risks such as product
contamination or spoilage, product tampering and other adulteration of food
products. We may be subject to liability if the consumption of any of its
products causes injury, illness or death. In addition, we will voluntarily
recall products in the event of contamination or damage. A significant product
liability judgment or a widespread product recall may negatively impact our
profitability for a period of time depending on product availability,
competitive reaction and consumer attitudes. Even if a product liability
claim is unsuccessful or is not fully pursued, the negative publicity
surrounding any assertion that company products caused illness or injury could
adversely affect our reputation with existing and potential customers and our
corporate and brand image.
We
have limited business insurance coverage.
The
insurance industry in China is still in an early stage of development. Insurance
companies in China offer limited business insurance coverage. As a result,
we do
not have any business liability insurance coverage for our operations. Moreover,
while business disruption insurance is available, management has determined
that
the risks of disruption and cost of the insurance are such that we do not
require it at this time. Any business disruption, litigation or natural disaster
might result in substantial costs and diversion of resources.
We
have
acquired several companies and businesses and may continue to acquire companies
in the future. Entering into an acquisition entails many risks, any of which
could harm our business, including: (a) diversion of management’s attention from
other business concerns; (b) failure to integrate the acquired company with
our
existing business; (c) additional operating expenses not offset by additional
revenue; and (d) dilution of our stock as a result of issuing equity
securities.
If
we are
unable to implement our acquisition strategy, we may be less successful in
the
future. A key component of our growth strategy is accomplished by acquiring
additional flour and noodle factories and, if our recent acquisition of a
soybean business proves successful, our acquisition strategy may expand to
include future acquisitions of soybean businesses. While there are many such
companies, we may not always be able to identify and acquire companies meeting
our acquisition criteria on terms acceptable to us. Additionally, financing
to
complete significant acquisitions may not always be available on satisfactory
terms. Further, our acquisition strategy presents a number of special risks
to
us that we would not otherwise contend with absent such strategy, including
possible adverse effects on our earnings after each acquisition, diversion
of
management's attention from our core business due to the special attention
that
a particular acquisition may require, failure to retain key acquired personnel
and risks associated with unanticipated events or liabilities arising after
each
acquisition, some or all of which could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and results of operations.
RISKS
ASSOCIATED WITH DOING BUSINESS IN THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF
CHINA
We
are subject to the risks associated with doing business in the People’s Republic
of China.
As
most
of our operations are conducted in the PRC, we are subject to special
considerations and significant risks not typically associated with companies
operating in North America and Western Europe. These include risks associated
with, among others, the political, economic and legal environments and foreign
currency exchange. Our results may be adversely affected by changes in the
political and social conditions in the PRC, and 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.
Although
the majority of productive assets in the PRC are owned by the Chinese
government, in the past several years the government has implemented economic
reform measures that emphasize decentralization and encourage private economic
activity. Because these economic reform measures may be inconsistent or
ineffectual, there are no assurances that:
|
We
will be able to capitalize on economic reforms;
|
|
|
|
The
Chinese government will continue its pursuit of economic reform
policies;
|
|
|
|
The
economic policies, even if pursued, will be successful;
|
|
|
|
Economic
policies will not be significantly altered from time to time;
and
|
|
|
|
Business
operations, in China will not become subject to the risk of
nationalization.
|
Economic
reform policies or nationalization could result in a total investment loss
in
our Class A Common Stock.
Since
1979, the Chinese government has reformed its economic systems. Because many
reforms are unprecedented or experimental, they are expected to be refined
and
improved. Other political, economic and social factors, such as political
changes, changes in the rates of economic growth, unemployment or inflation,
or
in the disparities in per capita wealth between regions within China, could
lead
to further readjustment of the reform measures. This refining and readjustment
process may negatively affect our operations.
Over
the
last few years, China's economy has registered a high growth rate. Recently,
there have been indications that rates of inflation have increased. In response,
the Chinese government has taken measures to curb this excessively expansive
economy. These measures include restrictions on the availability of domestic
credit, reducing the purchasing capability of certain of its customers, and
limited re-centralization of the approval process for purchases of some foreign
products. The Chinese government may adopt additional measures to further combat
inflation, including the establishment of freezes or restraints on certain
projects or markets. These measures may adversely affect our manufacturing
operations.
On
November 11, 2001, China signed an agreement to become a member of the World
Trade Organization (“WTO”), the international body that sets most trade rules,
further integrating China into the global economy and significantly reducing
the
barriers to international commerce. China's membership in the WTO was effective
on December 11, 2001. China has agreed upon its accession to the WTO to reduce
tariffs and non-tariff barriers, remove investment restrictions and provide
trading and distribution rights for foreign firms. The tariff rate reductions
and other enhancements will enable us to develop better investment strategies.
In addition, the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism provides a credible and
effective tool to enforce members' commercial rights. Also, with China's entry
to the WTO, it is believed that the relevant laws on foreign investment in
China
will be amplified and will follow common practices.
The
Chinese legal system is not fully developed and has inherent uncertainties
that
could limit the legal protections available to
investors.
The
Chinese legal system is a system based on written statutes and their
interpretation by the Supreme People's Court. Prior court decisions may be
cited
for reference but have limited precedential value. Since 1979, the PRC
government has been developing a comprehensive system of commercial laws, and
considerable progress has been made in introducing laws and regulations dealing
with economic matters such as foreign investment, corporate organization and
governance, commerce, taxation and trade. Two examples are the promulgation
of
the Contract Law of the PRC to unify the various economic contract laws into
a
single code, which went into effect on October 1, 1999, and the Securities
Law
of the People’s Republic of China, which went into effect on July 1, 1999.
However, because these laws and regulations are relatively new, and because
of
the limited volume of published cases and their non-binding nature,
interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations involve
uncertainties. In addition, as the Chinese legal system develops, changes in
such laws and regulations, their interpretation or their enforcement may have
a
material adverse effect on our business operations.
Enforcement
of regulations in China may be inconsistent.
Although
the Chinese government has introduced new laws and regulations to modernize
its
securities and tax systems on January 1, 1994, China does not yet possess a
comprehensive body of business law. As a result, the enforcement, interpretation
and implementation of regulations may prove to be inconsistent and it may be
difficult to enforce contracts.
We
may experience lengthy delays in resolution of legal
disputes.
As
China
has not developed a dispute resolution mechanism similar to the Western court
system, dispute resolution over Chinese projects and joint ventures can be
difficult and there is no assurance that any dispute involving our business
in
China can be resolved expeditiously and satisfactorily.
We
may experience an impact of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
on
our business.
We
are
subject to the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which generally
prohibits Unites States companies from engaging in bribery or other prohibited
payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining
business. Foreign companies, including some that may compete with us, are not
subject to these prohibitions. Corruption, extortion, bribery, pay-offs, theft
and other fraudulent practices occur from time-to-time in mainland China. We
have attempted to implement safeguards to prevent and discourage such practices
by our employees and agents. We cannot assure you, however, that our employees
or other agents will not engage in such conduct for which we might be held
responsible. If our employees or other agents are found to have engaged in
such
practices, we could suffer severe penalties and other consequences that may
have
a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results
of
operations.
Impact
of governmental regulation on our operations.
We
may be
subjected to liability for product safety that could lead to a product recall.
Our operations and properties are subject to regulation by various Chinese
government entities and agencies. As a producer of food products, our operations
are subject to production, packaging, quality, labeling and distribution
standards. Our production and distribution facilities are also subject to
various local environmental laws and workplace regulations.
We
may be
liable if the consumption of any of our products causes injury, illness or
death. We may also be required to recall certain of our products that become
contaminated or are damaged. We are not aware of any material product liability
judgment against us. However, a product liability judgment or a product recall
could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial results.
It
may be difficult to serve us with legal process or enforce judgments against
our
management or us.
All
of
our assets are located in China. In addition, all of our directors and officers
are non-residents of the United States, and all, or substantial portions of
the
assets of such non-residents, are located outside the United States. As a
result, it may not be possible to effect service of process within the United
States upon such persons. Moreover, there is doubt as to whether the courts
of
China would enforce:
|
Judgments
of United States courts against us, our directors or our officers
based on
the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United
States
or any state; or
|
|
Original
actions brought in China relating to liabilities against non-residents
or
us based upon the securities laws of the United States or any
state.
|
The
Chinese government could change its policies toward private enterprise or even
nationalize or expropriate it, which could result in the total loss of your
investment.
Our
business is subject to significant political and economic uncertainties and
may
be adversely affected by political, economic and social developments in China.
Over the past several years, the Chinese government has pursued economic reform
policies including the encouragement of private economic activity and greater
economic decentralization. The Chinese government may not continue to pursue
these policies or may significantly alter them to our detriment from time to
time with little, if any, prior notice. Changes in policies, laws and
regulations or in their interpretation or the imposition of confiscatory
taxation, restrictions on currency conversion, restrictions or prohibitions
on
dividend payments to shareholders, devaluations of currency or the
nationalization or other expropriation of private enterprises could have a
material adverse effect on our business. Nationalization or expropriation could
even result in the total loss of our investment in China and in the total loss
of your investment.
If
relations between the United States and China worsen, our stock price may
decrease and we may have difficulty accessing U.S. capital
markets.
At
various times during recent years, the United States and China have had
significant disagreements over political and economic issues. Controversies
may
arise in the future between these two countries. Any political or trade
controversies between the United States and China, whether or not directly
related to our business, could adversely affect the market price of our Class
A
Common Stock and our ability to access U.S. capital markets.
The
Chinese economic, political and social conditions as well as government policies
could affect our business.
All
of
our business, assets and operations are located in China. The economy of China
differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects,
including:
|
Government
involvement
|
|
|
|
Level
of development
|
|
|
|
Growth
rate
|
|
|
|
Control
of foreign exchange; and
|
|
|
|
Allocation
of resource
|
The
economy of China has been transitioning from a planned economy to a more
market-oriented economy. Although in recent years the Chinese government has
implemented measures emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic
reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive assets and the
establishment of sound corporate governance in business enterprises, a
substantial portion of productive assets in China are still owned by the Chinese
government. In addition, the Chinese government continues to play a significant
role in regulating industry by imposing industrial policies. It also exercises
significant control over China’s economic growth through the allocation of
resources, controlling payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations,
setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular
industries or companies.
|
Changes
in the rate or method of taxation
|
|
|
|
Imposition
of additional restrictions on currency conversion and remittances
abroad
|
|
|
|
Reduction
in tariff or quota protection and other import restrictions;
and
|
|
|
|
Changes
in the usage and costs of state-controlled transportation
services
|
Fluctuations
in the value of the Chinese Renminbi relative to foreign currencies could affect
our operating results.
Substantially
all our revenues and expenses are denominated in the Chinese Renminbi. However,
we use the United States dollar for financial reporting purposes. The value
of
Chinese Renminbi against the United States dollar and other currencies may
fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in China’s political
and economic conditions. The Chinese government recently announced that it
is
valuing the exchange rate of the Chinese Renminbi against a number of
currencies, rather than just exclusively to the United States dollar. Although
the Chinese government has stated its intention to support the value of the
Chinese Renminbi, we cannot assure you that the government will not revalue
it.
As our operations are primarily in China, any significant revaluation of the
Chinese Renminbi may materially and adversely affect our cash flows, revenues
and financial condition. For example, to the extent that we need to convert
United States dollars into Chinese Renminbi for our operations, appreciation
of
this currency against the United States dollar could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation.
Conversely, if we decide to convert our Chinese Renminbi into United States
dollars for other business purposes and the United States dollar appreciates
against this currency, the United States dollar equivalent of the Chinese
Renminbi would be reduced. To date, we have not engaged in any hedging
transactions in connection with our operations.
The
discontinuation of any preferential tax treatments or other incentives currently
available to us in the PRC could materially and adversely affect our business,
financial condition and results of operations
Four
of
our PRC subsidiaries enjoy certain special or preferential tax treatments
regarding enterprise income tax in accordance with the “Income Tax Law of the
PRC for Enterprises with Foreign Investment and Foreign Enterprises.”
Accordingly, they are entitled to tax concessions whereby the profit for the
first two financial years beginning with the first profit-making year (after
setting off tax losses carried forward from prior years) is exempt from income
tax in the PRC and the profit for each of the subsequent three financial years
is taxed at 50% of the prevailing tax rates set by the relevant tax authorities.
On March 16, 2007, the National People’s Congress of the PRC passed the
Enterprise Income Tax Law of the People’s Republic of China, which law will take
effect as of January 1, 2008. In accordance with the new law, a unified
enterprise income tax rate of 25% and unified tax deduction standards will
be
applied equally to both domestic-invested enterprises and foreign-invested
enterprises such as our PRC subsidiaries. Enterprises established prior to
March
16, 2007, eligible for preferential tax treatment in accordance with the
currently prevailing tax laws and administrative regulations shall, under the
regulations of the State Council, gradually become subject to the new tax rate
over a five-year transition period starting from the date of effectiveness
of
the new law. We expect details of the transitional arrangement for the five-year
period from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2012 applicable to enterprises
approved for establishment prior to March 16, 2007, such as our PRC
subsidiaries, to be set out in more detailed implementing rules to be adopted
in
the future. Accordingly, our PRC subsidiaries’ applicable tax rate may gradually
increase to the unified tax rate of 25% by January 1, 2013 under the new tax
law
and in accordance with more detailed implementing rules to be adopted in the
future. Any increase in our effective tax rate as a result of the above may
adversely affect our operating results. However, details regarding
implementation of this new law are expected to be provided in the form of one
or
more implementing regulations to be promulgated by the PRC government and the
timing of the issuance of such implementing regulations is currently
unclear.
The
tax
laws and regulations in the PRC may be further reformed by the PRC government,
and we cannot assure you that our subsidiaries in the PRC will continue to
enjoy
any of these special or preferential tax treatments or other incentives in
future. The discontinuation of any such special or preferential tax treatment
or
other incentives could materially and adversely affect our business, financial
condition and results of operations.