UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   
  For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019
   
  Or
   
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   
  For the transition period from _________ to _________

 

Commission File Number: 001-34499

 

GULF RESOURCES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Nevada   13-3637458
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     

Level 11,Vegetable Building, Industrial Park of the East City,

Shouguang City, Shandong,

  262700
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: +86 (536) 567 0008

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes x   No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. 

 

Large accelerated filer  o Accelerated filer o  
Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company x
Emerging Growth Company o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). 

Yes o  No x

 

As of May 1, 2019, the registrant had outstanding 46,920,760 shares of common stock.

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

Part I – Financial Information  
Item 1. Financial Statements 1
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 19
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 29
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 29
Part II – Other Information  
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 30
Item 1A. Risk Factors 30
Item 2. Unregistered Shares of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 30
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 30
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosure 30
Item 5. Other Information 30
Item 6. Exhibits 31
Signatures 32

 

 

 

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

GULF RESOURCES, INC.
 AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

    March 31, 2019
Unaudited
  December 31, 2018
Audited
Current Assets                
Cash   $ 179,653,141     $ 178,998,935  
Accounts receivable     20,508        
Inventories, net            
Prepayments and deposits     1,383,052       8,096,636  
Prepaid land leases     186,888       235,459  
Other receivable     11,103       12,506  
Total Current Assets     181,254,692       187,343,536  
Non-Current Assets                
Property, plant and equipment, net     89,963,658       82,282,630  
Finance lease right-of use assets     190,128       250,757  
Operating lease right-of –use assets     9,520,317        
Prepaid land leases, net of current portion     9,255,159       9,639,009  
Deferred tax assets     20,795,664       19,030,858  
Total non-current assets     129,724,926       111,203,254  
Total Assets   $ 310,979,618     $ 298,546,790  
                 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity                
Current Liabilities                
Other payable and accrued expenses   $ 3,433,204     $ 905,258  
Retention payable     299,724       332,416  
Taxes payable-current     807,742       1,188,687  
Finance lease liability, current portion     240,021       197,480  
Operating lease liabilities, current portion     416,656        
Total Current Liabilities     5,197,347       2,623,841  
Non-Current Liabilities                
Finance lease liability, net of current portion     2,109,459       2,069,545  
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion     8,535,596        
Total Non-Current Liabilities     10,645,055       2,069,545  
Total Liabilities   $ 15,842,402     $ 4,693,386  
                 
Stockholders’ Equity                
PREFERRED STOCK; $0.001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none outstanding   $     $  
COMMON STOCK; $0.0005 par value; 80,000,000 shares authorized; 47,149,909 and 47,502,940 shares issued; and 46,920,760 and 46,803,791 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively     23,573       23,525  
Treasury stock; 229,149and 249,149  shares as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 at cost     (510,329 )     (554,870 )
Additional paid-in capital     94,997,819       95,020,808  
Retained earnings unappropriated     180,704,307       185,608,445  
Retained earnings appropriated     24,233,544       24,233,544  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (4,311,698 )     (10,478,048 )
Total Stockholders’ Equity     295,137,216       293,853,404  
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity   $ 310,979,618     $ 298,546,790  

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

1  

 

GULF RESOURCES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF LOSS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

 

    Three-Month Period Ended
March 31,
    2019   2018
         
NET REVENUE                
Net revenue   $ 38,570     $ 2,247,267  
                 
OPERATING EXPENSE                
Cost of net revenue     (36,407 )     (1,241,809 )
Sales, marketing and other operating expenses           (34,974 )
Direct labor and factory overheads incurred during plant shutdown     (4,293,022 )     (5,695,519 )
General and administrative expenses     (2,105,171 )     (3,571,945 )
      (6,434,600 )     (10,544,247 )
                 
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS     (6,396,030 )     (8,296,980 )
                 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)                
Interest expense     (38,824 )     (43,344 )
Interest income     135,579       169,478  
LOSS BEFORE TAXES     (6,299,275 )     (8,170,846 )
                 
INCOME TAX  BENEFIT     1,395,137       1,193,746  
                 
NET LOSS   $ (4,904,138 )   $ (6,977,100 )
                 
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS:                
NET LOSS   $ (4,904,138 )   $ (6,977,100 )
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME                
- Foreign currency translation adjustments     6,166,350       15,948,911  
                 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME   $ 1,262,212     $ 8,971,811  
                 
LOSS PER SHARE:                
BASIC   $ (0.10 )   $ (0.15 )
DILUTED   $ (0.10 )   $ (0.15 )
                 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES:                
                 
BASIC     46,886,558       46,803,791  
DILUTED     46,886,558       46,826,388  

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

2  

 

GULF RESOURCES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2019
(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

    Common stock                   Accumulated    
    Number   Number   Number           Additional   Retained   Retained   other    
    of shares   of shares   of treasury       Treasury   paid-in   earnings   earnings   comprehensive    
    issued   outstanding   stock   Amount   stock   capital   unappropriated   appropriated   Income(loss)   Total
                                         
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2018 (Audited)     47,052,940       46,803,791       249,149     $ 23,525     $ (554,870 )   $ 95,020,808     $ 185,608,445     $ 24,233,544     $ (10,478,048 )   $ 293,853,404  
Translation adjustment                                                       6,166,350       6,166,350  
Common stock issued for services             20,000       (20,000 )           44,541       (22,941 )                       21,600  
Cashless exercise of stock options     96,969       96,969             48             (48 )           —-              
Net loss for three-month period ended March 31, 2019                                         (4,904,138 )                 (4,904,138 )

BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2019 (Unaudited)

    47,149,909       46,920,760       229,149     $ 23,573     $ (510,329 )   $ 94,997,819     $ 180,704,307     $ 24,233,544     $ (4,311,698 )   $ 295,137,216  

  

 

    Common stock                   Accumulated    
    Number   Number   Number           Additional   Retained   Retained   other    
    of shares   of shares   of treasury       Treasury   paid-in   earnings   earnings   comprehensive    
    issued   outstanding   stock   Amount   stock   capital   unappropriated   appropriated   income   Total
                                         
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2017 (Audited)     47,052,940       46,803,791       249,149     $ 23,525     $ (554,870 )   $ 94,524,608     $ 255,572,431     $ 24,233,544     $ 8,162,958     $ 381,962,196  
Translation adjustment                                                       15,948,911       15,948,911  
Net loss for three-month period ended March 31, 2018                                         (6,977,100 )                 (6,977,100 )
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2018 (Unaudited)     47,052,940       46,803,791       249,149     $ 23,525     $ (554,870 )   $ 94,524,608     $ 248,595,331     $ 24,233,544     $ 24,111,869     $ 390,934,007  

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3  

 

GULF RESOURCES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Expressed in U.S. dollars)
(UNAUDITED)

 

    Three-Month Period Ended March 31,
    2019   2018
         
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES        
Net loss   $ (4,904,138 )   $ (6,977,100 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:                
Interest on capital lease obligation     38,659       41,797  
Amortization of prepaid land leases           144,097  
Depreciation and amortization     3,377,249       4,757,530  
Unrealized exchange loss on translation of inter-company balances     503,228       1,058,852  
Deferred tax asset     (1,395,137 )     (1,193,746 )
Common stock issued for services     21,600        
Changes in assets and liabilities                
Accounts receivable     (20,469 )     20,442,483  
Inventories           1,039,959  
Prepayments and deposits     (35,157 )     (81,635 )
Other receivables     1,631        
Other payable and accrued expenses     2,509,573       (68,833 )
Retention payable     (39,027 )      
Taxes payable     (377,581 )     735,426  
Operating lease     55,843        
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities     (263,726 )     19,898,830  
                 
CASH FLOWS USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES                
Additions of prepaid land leases           (367,143 )
Purchase of property, plant and equipment     (2,528,111 )     (121,710 )
Net cash used in investing activities     (2,528,111 )     (488,853 )
                 
EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES
ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    3,446,043       8,404,233  
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS     654,206       27,814,210  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING OF PERIOD     178,998,935       208,906,759  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF PERIOD   $ 179,653,141     $ 236,720,969  
                 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION                
Cash paid during the period for:                
Income taxes   $     $  
Operating right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations   $ 8,241,818     $  
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES                
Par value of common stock issued upon cashless exercise of options   $ 48     $  

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4  

 

GULF RESOURCES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

(a)           Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

 

The accompanying condensed financial statements have been prepared by Gulf Resources, Inc (“Gulf Resources”) a Nevada corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”), without audit, in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and, therefore, do not necessarily include all information and footnotes necessary for a fair statement of its financial position, results of operations and cash flows in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”).

 

In the opinion of management, the unaudited financial information for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 presented reflects all adjustments, which are only normal and recurring, necessary for a fair statement of results of operations, financial position and cash flows. These condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements included in the Company’s  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. Operating results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of operating results for an entire fiscal year.

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts that are reported in the financial statements and accompanying disclosures. Although these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions that the Company may undertake in the future, actual results may be different from the estimates. The Company also exercises judgments in the preparation of these condensed financial statements in the areas including classification of leases and related party transactions.

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Gulf Resources, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Upper Class Group Limited, a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, which owns 100% of Hong Kong Jiaxing Industrial Limited, a company incorporated in Hong Kong (“HKJI”). HKJI owns 100% of Shouguang City Haoyuan Chemical Company Limited ("SCHC") which owns 100% of Shouguang Yuxin Chemical Industry Co., Limited (“SYCI”) and Daying County Haoyuan Chemical Company Limited (“DCHC”).  All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.

 

(b)           Nature of the Business

 

The Company manufactures and trades bromine and crude salt through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Shouguang City Haoyuan Chemical Company Limited ("SCHC") and manufactures chemical products for use in the oil industry, pesticides, paper manufacturing industry and for human and animal antibiotics through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Shouguang Yuxin Chemical Industry Co., Limited ("SYCI") in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”). Daying County Haoyuan Chemical Company Limited (“DCHC”) was established to further explore and develop natural gas and brine resources (including bromine and crude salt) in the PRC. DCHC’s business commenced trial production in January 2019.

 

On September 1, 2017, the Company received notification from the Government of Yangkou County, Shouguang City of PRC that production at all its factories should be halted with immediate effect in order for the Company to perform rectification and improvement in accordance with the county’s new safety and environmental protection requirements.

 

The Company worked closely with the county authorities to develop rectification plans for both its bromine and crude salt businesses and agreed on a plan in October 2017. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, the Company incurred $16,243,677 in the rectification and improvements of plant and equipment of the bromine and crude salt factories resulting in a cumulative amount of $34,182,329 incurred as of December 31, 2018 recorded in the plant, property and equipment in the consolidated balance sheet. No such costs were incurred in the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 and the Company does not expect to incur any additional capital expenditure in the rectification of its bromine and crude salt factories in respect of meeting the county's new safety and environmental protection requirement.

 

5  

 

Originally, six bromine factories completed their rectification process within the factory areas (i.e. excluding crude salt field area) and were approved and scheduled for production commencement by April 2018 as verbally indicated by the local government. Subsequently, the Shandong Provincial government required the local government to conduct “four rating and one comprehensive evaluation” of all of the chemical companies within its jurisdiction. This has delayed the production commencement schedule of the six bromine and crude salt factories.

 

Subsequently on June 29, 2018, the Company received a formal notice (dated June 25, 2018) jointly issued by various provincial government agencies in Shandong Province (the “Notice”) forwarded by the Weifang City Special Operations Leading Group Office of Safe Production, Transformation and Upgrading of Chemical Industry. In the Notice, the provincial government agencies set forth further requirements and procedures covering the following four aspects for the chemical industrial enterprises: project approval, planning approval, land use rights approval and environmental protection assessment approval. Those standards and procedures apply to all chemical industrial enterprises in Shandong Province including the Company’s bromine plants that have not completed project approval procedures, planning approval procedures, land use rights approval procedures and environmental protection assessment procedures. The Company believes that the government will not grant approval to the Company to allow its bromine and crude salt plants to resume operations until the Company has fully complied with the aforesaid rules set forth in the Notice.

 

The Shouguang City Bromine Association, on behalf of all the bromine plants in Shouguang, started discussions with the local government agencies subsequent to the issuance of the above notice dated June 25, 2018. The local governmental agencies confirmed the facts that their initial requirements for the bromine industry did not include the project approval, the planning approval and the land use rights approval and that those three additional approvals were new requirements of the provincial government. The Company understood from the local government that it has been coordinating with several government agencies to solve these three outstanding approval issues in a timely manner and that all the affected bromine plants are not allowed to commence production prior to obtaining those approvals.

 

The Company is not certain how long the temporary delay will be due to the issuance and implementation of the Notice. The Company believes that this is another step by the government to improve the environment. It further believes the goal of the government is not to close all plants, but rather to codify the regulations related to project approval, land use, planning approval and environmental protection assessment approval so that illegal plants are not able to open in the future and plants close to population centers do not cause serious environmental damage. In addition, the Company believes that the Shandong Provincial government wants to assure that each of its regional and county government applies the Notice in a consistent manner.

 

On September 21, 2018, the Company received a closing notice from the People's Government of Yangkou Town, Shouguang City informing it that its three bromine factories (Number 3, Number 4, and Number 11.) are not allowed to resume production and hence the Company has to demolish these factories. The crude salt fields surrounding these factories have been reclaimed as cultivated or construction land and hence did not meet the requirement for bromine and crude salt co-production set by the relevant authority.

 

The Company entered into a contract with a third party to allow the Company to use the land adjacent to Factory No. 10 for waste water discharge and invested $1.0 million to build a aqueduct to discharge the waste water to a designated place for treatment by a designated party. This project was completed as of December 31, 2018.

 

The Company believes the issues related to the remaining seven bromine and crude salt factories which have passed inspection are almost resolved. The Company is actively working with the local government to obtain the documentation for approval of project, planning, land use rights and environmental protection evaluation. In April 2019, Subdivision of Factory No. 1 and No. 7 (the combination of Factory No. 5 and Factory No. 7) started operations (See Note 20).

 

On November 24, 2017, the Company received a letter from the Government of Yangkou County, Shouguang City notifying the Company to relocate its two chemical production plants located in the second living area of the Qinghe Oil Extraction to the Bohai Marine Fine Chemical Industrial Park (“Bohai Park”). This is because the two plants are located in a residential area and their production activities will impact the living environment of the residents. This is as a result of the country’s effort to improve the development of the chemical industry, manage safe production and curb environmental pollution accidents effectively, and ensure the quality of the living environment of residents. All chemical enterprises which do not comply with the requirements of the safety and environmental protection regulations will be ordered to shut down.

 

The Company believes this relocation process will cost approximately $60 million in total. The Company incurred relocation costs comprising prepaid land lease and professional fees related to the design of the new chemical factory in the amount of $10,925,081, which were recorded in the prepaid land leases and property, plant and equipment in the consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018. 

 

 The Company does not anticipate that the Company’s new chemical factory to be significantly impacted by the Notice. The Company has secured from the government the land use rights for its chemical plants located at the Bohai Park and presented a completed construction design draft and other related documents to the local authorities for approval. The Company is still waiting for the last approval report and is uncertain when the approval will be issued. There could be a delay in the approval process given the ongoing rectification and approvals process for the Company’s other plants. As the construction of the new factory cannot commence until the final approval from the government is received, the delay in the receipt of the final approval will delay the commencement date of the construction of the new factory. 

 

In January 2017, the Company completed the first brine water and natural gas well field construction in Sichuan Province and announced the commencement of trial production. The Company has been working with Xinan Shiyou Daxue (Southwest Petroleum University) and developed a solution to DHCH’s technical drilling problem. In resolving the problem, the Company purchased customized equipment for its natural gas project. The installation of such equipment, including providing piping and electricity, was completed in July 2018. The Company has completed the test production at its first natural gas well in Sichuan Province and has commenced trial production in January 2019.

 

(c)           Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, allowances for doubtful accounts were nil. No allowances for doubtful accounts were charged to the condensed consolidated statements of income for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

(d)           Concentration of Credit Risk

 

The Company is exposed to credit risk in the normal course of business, primarily related to accounts receivable and cash and cash equivalents. Substantially all of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents are maintained with financial institutions in the PRC, namely, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited, China Merchants Bank Company Limited and Sichuan Rural Credit Union, which are not insured or otherwise protected. The Company placed $179,653,141 and $178,998,935 with these institutions as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.  The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts in the PRC.

 

6  

 

GULF RESOURCES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – Continued

 

(e)           Property, Plant and Equipment

 

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment losses. Expenditures for new facilities or equipment, and major expenditures for betterment of existing facilities or equipment are capitalized and depreciated using the straight-line method at rates sufficient to depreciate such costs less 5% residual value over the estimated productive lives. All other ordinary repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.

 

Mineral rights are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment losses. Mineral rights are amortized ratably over the term of the lease, or the equivalent term under the units of production method, whichever is shorter.

 

Construction in process primarily represents direct costs of construction of property, plant and equipment. Costs incurred are capitalized and transferred to property, plant and equipment upon completion and depreciation will commence when the completed assets are placed in service. 

 

The Company’s depreciation and amortization policies on property, plant and equipment, other than mineral rights and construction in process, are as follows:

 

   

Useful life

(in years)

Buildings (including salt pans)   8 - 20
Plant and machinery (including protective shells, transmission channels and ducts)   3 - 8
Motor vehicles   5
Furniture, fixtures and equipment   3-8

 

Property, plant and equipment under the capital lease are depreciated over their expected useful lives on the same basis as owned assets, or where shorter, the term of the lease.

 

Producing oil and gas properties are depreciated on a unit-of-production basis over the proved developed reserves. Common facilities that are built specifically to service production directly attributed to designated oil and gas properties are depreciated based on the proved developed reserves of the respective oil and gas properties on a pro-rata basis. Common facilities that are not built specifically to service identified oil and gas properties are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. Costs associated with significant development projects are not depreciated until commercial production commences and the reserves related to those costs are excluded from the calculation of depreciation.

 

(f)           Retirement Benefits

 

Pursuant to the relevant laws and regulations in the PRC, the Company participates in a defined contribution retirement plan for its employees arranged by a governmental organization. The Company makes contributions to the retirement plan at the applicable rate based on the employees’ salaries. The required contributions under the retirement plans are charged to the condensed consolidated statement of income on an accrual basis when they are due. The Company’s contributions totaled $310,937 and $302,418 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

 

(g)           Revenue Recognition

 

Net revenue is net of discount and value added tax and comprises the sale of bromine, crude salt and chemical products. Revenue is recognized when the control of the promised goods is transferred to the customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that the Company expects to receive from the customers in exchange for those goods. The acknowledgement of receipt of goods by the customers is when control of the product is deemed to be transferred. Invoicing occurs upon acknowledgement of receipt of the goods by the customers. Customers have no rights to return the goods upon acknowledgement of receipt of goods.

 

7  

 

GULF RESOURCES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – Continued

 

(h)           Recoverability of Long-lived Assets

 

In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 360-10-35 “Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets” , long-lived assets to be held and used are analyzed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable or that the useful lives of those assets are no longer appropriate. The Company evaluates at each balance sheet date whether events and circumstances have occurred that indicate possible impairment.

 

The Company determines the existence of such impairment by measuring the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) and comparing such amount to the carrying amount of the assets. An impairment loss, if one exists, is then measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the discounted estimated future cash flows. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value of such assets less costs to sell. Asset impairment charges are recorded to reduce the carrying amount of the long-lived asset that will be sold or disposed of to their estimated fair values. Charges for the asset impairment reduce the carrying amount of the long-lived assets to their estimated salvage value in connection with the decision to dispose of such assets.

 

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company determined that there were no events or circumstances indicating possible additional impairment of its long-lived assets.

 

(i)           Basic and Diluted Net Income per Share of Common Stock

 

Basic earnings per common share are based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the periods presented.  Diluted earnings per share are computed using weighted average number of common shares plus dilutive common share equivalents outstanding during the period. Potential common shares that would have the effect of increasing diluted earnings per share are considered to be anti-dilutive, i.e. the exercise prices of the outstanding stock options were greater than the market price of the common stock. Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents which were excluded from the calculation of number of dilutive common stock equivalents amounted to 337,991 and 75,614 shares for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

 

    Three-Month Period Ended
March 31,
    2019   2018
Numerator        
Net loss   $ (4,904,138 )   $ (6,977,100 )
                 
Denominator                
Basic: Weighted-average common shares outstanding during the period     46,886,558       46,803,791  
Add: Dilutive effect of stock options           22,597  
Diluted     46,886,558       46,826,388  
                 
Net loss per share                
Basic   $ (0.10 )   $ (0.15 )
Diluted   $ (0.10 )   $ (0.15 )

 

8  

 

GULF RESOURCES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – Continued

 

(j)           Reporting Currency and Translation

 

The financial statements of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are measured using the local currency, Renminbi (“RMB”), as the functional currency; whereas the functional currency and reporting currency of the Company is the United States dollar (“USD” or “$”).

 

As such, the Company uses the “current rate method” to translate its PRC operations from RMB into USD, as required under FASB ASC 830 “Foreign Currency Matters”. The assets and liabilities of its PRC operations are translated into USD using the rate of exchange prevailing at the balance sheet date. The capital accounts are translated at the historical rate. Adjustments resulting from the translation of the balance sheets of the Company’s PRC subsidiaries are recorded in stockholders’ equity as part of accumulated other comprehensive income. The statement of income and comprehensive income is translated at average rate during the reporting period. Gains or losses resulting from transactions in currencies other than the functional currencies are recognized in net income for the reporting periods as part of general and administrative expense. The statement of cash flows is translated at average rate during the reporting period, with the exception of the consideration paid for the acquisition of business which is translated at historical rates.

 

(k)           Foreign Operations

 

All of the Company’s operations and assets are located in PRC.  The Company may be adversely affected by possible political or economic events in this country.  The effect of these factors cannot be accurately predicted.

 

(l)           Exploration Costs

 

Exploration costs, which included the cost of researching appropriate places to drill wells and the cost of well drilling in search of potential natural brine or other resources, are charged to the income statement as incurred. Once the commercial viability of a project has been confirmed, all subsequent costs are capitalized.

 

For oil and gas properties, the successful efforts method of accounting is adopted. The Company carries exploratory well costs as an asset when the well has found a sufficient quantity of reserves to justify its completion as a producing well and where the Company is making sufficient progress assessing the reserves and the economic and operating viability of the project. Exploratory well costs not meeting these criteria are charged to expenses. Exploratory wells that discover potentially economic reserves in areas where major capital expenditure will be required before production would begin and when the major capital expenditure depends upon the successful completion of further exploratory work remain capitalized and are reviewed periodically for impairment.

 

(m)          Leases

 

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and operating lease liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. Finance leases are included in finance lease ROU assets and finance lease liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.

 

ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease and finance lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at January 1, 2019 based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term discounted using the rate implicit in the lease. In cases where the implicit rate is not readily determinable, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

(n)           Stock-based Compensation

 

Common stock, stock options and stock warrants issued are recorded at their fair values estimated at grant date using the Black-Scholes model and the portion that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as compensation cost over the requisite service period.

 

The Company has elected to account for the forfeiture of stock-based awards as they occur.

 

(o)           New Accounting Pronouncements

 

Recent accounting pronouncements adopted

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The amendments in this Update specify the accounting for leases. The core principle of Topic 842 is that a lessee should recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from operating leases. The Company adopted the standard effective January 1, 2019 under the optional transition method which allows an entity to apply the new lease standard at the adoption date and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment, if any, to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. The Company elected the available practical expedients. As a result of the adoption of this standard, the Company recognized operating lease ROU assets of $9,520,317, operating lease liabilities of $8,952,252, and the remaining balance in the other payable and accrued expense, and prepaid land lease in the condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2019 with no cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2019.

 

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No.2018-07, Compensation- Stock Compensation (Topic 718). Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The amendments in this update expand the scope of Topic 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. Prior to this update, Topic 718 applied only to share-based transactions to employees. Consistent with the accounting requirements for employee share-based payment awards, nonemployee share-based payment awards within the scope of Topic 718 are measured at grant-date fair value of the equity instruments that an entity is obligated to issue when the good has been delivered or the service has been rendered and any other conditions necessary to earn the right to benefit from the instruments have been satisfied. The amendments in the Update are effective for public business entities form fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company adopted this standard as of January 1, 2019. This adoption of this standard does not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The amendments in this Update affect loans, debt securities, trade receivables, and any other financial assets that have the contractual right to receive cash. The ASU requires an entity to recognize expected credit losses rather than incurred losses for financial assets. For public entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of this on the condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosure.

 

9  

 

GULF RESOURCES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 2 – INVENTORIES

 

Inventories consist of:

 

    March 31,
2019
  December 31,
2018
         
Finished goods   $ 66,426     $ 65,169  
Allowance for obsolete and slow-moving inventory     (66,426 )     (65,169 )
    $     $  

 

NOTE 3 – PREPAID LAND LEASES

 

The Company has the rights to use certain parcels of land located in Shouguang, the PRC, through lease agreements signed with local townships or the government authority. The production facilities and warehouses of the Company are located on these parcels of land. The lease term ranges from ten to fifty years. Some of the lease contracts were paid in one lump sum upfront and some are paid annually at the beginning of each anniversary date. These leases have no purchase option at the end of the lease term and were classified as operating lease prior to and as of January 1, 2019 when the new lease standard was adopted. Prior to January 2019, the prepaid land lease was amortized on a straight line basis. As of January 1, 2019, all these leases that have commenced were classified as operating lease right-of-use assets (“ROU”). See Note 6.

 

In December 2017, the Company paid a one lump sum upfront amount of $9,442,047 for a 50-year lease of a parcel of land at Bohai Marine Fine Chemical Industrial Park (“Bohai”) for the new chemical factory to be built. There is no purchase option at the end of the lease term. This was classified as an operating lease prior to and as of January 1, 2019. The land use certificate is being processed by the government and the commencement date of the lease will be known upon completion of the application process. Since the construction plan of the factory at Bohai is still in the process of being approved by the government and the lease term of the land has not commenced, the Company classified the lease payment in prepaid land lease instead of Right-of –use assets. No amortization of this prepaid land lease was recorded as of March 31, 2019.

 

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2018, amortization of prepaid land lease totaled $144,097 was recorded as direct labor and factory overheads incurred during plant shutdown. 

 

For parcels of land that are collectively owned by local townships, the Company cannot obtain land use rights certificates. The parcels of land of which the Company cannot obtain land use rights certificates cover a total of approximately 38.6 square kilometers of aggregate carrying value of $599,747 as at December 31, 2018.

 

10  

 

GULF RESOURCES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 4 – PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET

 

Property, plant and equipment, net consist of the following:

 

    March 31,
2019
  December 31,
2018
At cost:                
Mineral rights   $ 2,864,171     $ 2,809,977  
Buildings     62,040,345       60,866,462  
Plant and machinery     164,283,763       161,178,816  
Motor vehicles     6,350       6,230  
Furniture, fixtures and office equipment     3,352,442       3,289,010  
Construction in process     16,077,711       6,535,808  
Total     248,624,782       234,686,303  
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization     (140,597,289 )     (134,681,628 )
     Impairment     (18,063,835 )     (17,722,045 )
Net book value   $ 89,963,658     $ 82,282,630  

 

The Company has certain buildings and salt pans erected on parcels of land located in Shouguang, PRC, and such parcels of land are collectively owned by local townships or the government authority. The Company has not been able to obtain property ownership certificates over these buildings and salt pans. The aggregate carrying values of these properties situated on parcels of the land are $19,631,699 and $20,409,998 as at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

 

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, depreciation and amortization expense totaled $3,311,907, of which $3,066,896, $224,830 and $20,181were recorded in direct labor and factory overheads incurred during plant shutdown and administrative expenses and cost of net revenue, respectively.

 

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2018, depreciation and amortization expense totaled $4,688,248, of which $4,504,249 and $183,999 were recorded in direct labor and factory overheads incurred during plant shutdown and administrative expenses, respectively.

 

NOTE 5 – FINANCE LEASE RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS

 

Property, plant and equipment under finance lease, net consist of the following:

 

    March 31,
2019
  December 31,
2018
At cost:                
Buildings   $ 122,211     $ 119,899  
Plant and machinery     2,235,677       2,193,375  
Total     2,357,888       2,313,274  
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization     (2,167,760 )     (2,062,517 )
Net book value   $ 190,128     $ 250,757  

 

The above buildings erected on parcels of land located in Shouguang, PRC, are collectively owned by local townships.  The Company has not been able to obtain property ownership certificates over these buildings as the Company could not obtain land use rights certificates on the underlying parcels of land.  

 

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, depreciation and amortization expense totaled $65,342, which was recorded in direct labor and factory overheads incurred during plant shutdown. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2018, depreciation and amortization expense totaled $69,282, which was recorded in direct labor and factory overheads incurred during plant shutdown. 

 

11  

 

GULF RESOURCES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 6 – OPERATING LEASE RIGHT-OF USE ASSETS

 

As of March 31, 2019, the total operating lease ROU assets was $9,520,317. The total operating lease cost for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 was $227,219 and $281,613.

 

The Company has the rights to use certain parcels of land located in Shouguang, the PRC, through lease agreements signed with local townships or the government authority (See Note 3). For parcels of land that are collectively owned by local townships, the Company cannot obtain land use rights certificates. The parcels of land of which the Company cannot obtain land use rights certificates covers a total of approximately 38.6 square kilometers of aggregate carrying value of $9,520,317 as at March 31, 2019.

 

NOTE 7 – OTHER PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES

 

Other payable and accrued expenses consist of the following:

 

    March 31,   December 31,
    2019   2018
Salary payable   $ 246,155     $ 241,343  
Social security insurance contribution payable     143,033       140,326  
Other payable-related party (see Note 8)     23,162       90,900  
Accrued expense-construction     2,637,910       104,246  
Accrued expense-others     382,944       328,443  
Total   $ 3,433,204     $ 905,258  

 

NOTE 8 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, the Company borrowed a sum of $60,000 from Jiaxing Lighting Appliance Company Limited (Jiaxing Lighting”), in which Mr. Ming Yang, a shareholder and the Chairman of the Company, has a 100% equity interest. The amount due to Jiaxing Lighting was unsecured, interest free and repayable on demand and was fully settled in the three-month period ended March 31, 2019. There was no balance owing to Jiaxing Lighting as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

 

On September 25, 2012, the Company purchased five floors of a commercial building in the PRC, through SYCI, from Shandong Shouguang Vegetable Seed Industry Group Co., Ltd. (the “Seller”) at a cost of approximately $5.7 million in cash, of which Mr. Ming Yang, the Chairman of the Company, had a 99% equity interest in the Seller. During the first quarter of 2018, the Company entered into an agreement with the Seller, a related party, to provide property management services for an annual amount of approximately $92,650 for five years from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2022. The expense associated with this agreement for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 was approximately $23,162 and $24,500. The amounting owing for the property management services as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was $23,162 and $90,900 (See Note 7).

 

NOTE 9 – TAXES PAYABLE

 

Taxes payable relates to land use tax payable of $807,742 and $1,188,687 as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

 

NOTE 10 –LEASE LIABILITIES-FINANCE AND OPERATING LEASE

 

The components of finance lease liabilities were as follows:

 

    Imputed   March 31,   December 31,
    Interest rate   2019   2018
Total finance lease liability   6.7%   $ 2,349,480     $ 2,267,025  
Less: Current portion         (240,021 )     (197,480 )
Finance lease liability, net of current portion       $ 2,109,459     $ 2,069,545  

 

Interest expenses from a finance lease liability amounted to $38,659 and $41,797 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, were charged to the condensed consolidated statement of loss. The remaining finance lease term at March 31, 2019 was 12 years.

 

The components of operating lease liabilities as follows:

 

    Imputed   March 31,   December 31,
    Interest rate   2019   2018
Total Operating lease liabilities   4.89%   $ 8,952,252     $  
Less: Current portion         (416,656 )      
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion       $ 8,535.596     $  

 

The weighted average remaining operating lease term at March 31, 2019 was 23 years and the weighted average discounts rate was 4.89%.

 

Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:

 

    Financial lease   Operating Lease
Payable within:                
the next 12 months   $ 278,753     $ 797,083  
the next 13 to 24 months     278,753       809,731  
the next 25 to 36 months     278,753       656,344  
the next 37 to 48 months     278,753       661,798  
the next 49 to 60 months     278,753       660,863  
thereafter     1,951,274       12,484,462  
Total     3,345,039       16,070,281  
Less: Amount representing interest     (995,559 )     (7,118,029 )
Present value of net minimum lease payments   $ 2,349,480     $ 8,952,252  

 

12  

 

GULF RESOURCES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 11 –EQUITY

 

 Retained Earnings – Appropriated

 

In accordance with the relevant PRC regulations and the PRC subsidiaries’ Articles of Association, the Company’s PRC subsidiaries are required to allocate its profit after tax to the following reserve:

 

Statutory Common Reserve Funds

 

SCHC, SYCI and DCHC are required each year to transfer at least 10% of the profit after tax as reported under the PRC statutory financial statements to the Statutory Common Reserve Funds until the balance reaches 50% of the registered share capital.  This reserve can be used to make up any loss incurred or to increase share capital.  Except for the reduction of losses incurred, any other application should not result in this reserve balance falling below 25% of the registered capital. The Statutory Common Reserve Fund as of March 31, 2019 for SCHC, SYCI and DCHC is 46%, 14% and 0% of its registered capital respectively.

 

NOTE 12 – TREASURY STOCK

 

In January 2019, the Company issued 20,000 shares of common stock from the treasury shares to one of its consultants. The shares were valued at the closing market price on the date of the agreement and recorded as general and administrative expense in the condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The shares issued were deducted from the treasury shares at weighted average cost and the excess of the cost over the closing market price was charged to additional paid-in-capital.

 

NOTE 13 – STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

Pursuant to the Company’s Amended and Restated 2007 Equity Incentive Plan approved in 2011(“Plan”), the aggregate number shares of the Company’s common stock available for grant of stock options and issuance is 4,341,989 shares. On October 5, 2015, during the annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders, the aggregate number of shares reserved and available for grant and issuance pursuant to the Plan was increased to 10,341,989. As of March 31, 2019, the number of shares of the Company’s common stock available for issuance under the Plan is 5,017,989.

 

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The risk free rate is based on the yield-to-maturity in continuous compounding of the US Government Bonds with the time-to-maturity similar to the expected tenor of the option granted, volatility is based on the annualized historical stock price volatility of the Company, and the expected life is based on the historical option exercise pattern.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, there were no options issued to employees or non-employees.

 

The following table summarizes all Company stock option transactions between January 1, 2019 and March 31, 2019.

 

    Number of Option
and Warrants
Outstanding and exercisable
  Weighted- Average Exercise price of Option
and Warrants
  Range of
Exercise Price per Common Share
Balance, January 1, 2019     2,518,000     $ 0.97       $0.71 - $4.80  
Exercised  during the period ended March 31, 2019     (245,000 )   $ 0.71     $ 0.71  
Expired during the period ended March 31, 2019     (12,500 )   $ 1.78     $ 1.78  
Balance, March 31, 2019     2,260,500     $ 0.99       $0.71 - $4.80  

 

Stock and Warrants Options Exercisable and Outstanding
            Weighted Average
            Remaining
    Outstanding at March 31, 2019   Range of
Exercise Prices
  Contractual Life
 (Years)
Exercisable and outstanding     2,260,500       $0.71 - $4.80       3.14  

 

The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable as of March 31, 2019 was $546,924.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, 96,969 shares of common stock were issued upon cashless exercise of 245,000 options.

 

The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised during the quarter ended March 31, 2019 was $114,415. There was no option exercised during the quarter ended March 31, 2018.

 

13  

 

GULF RESOURCES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 14 – INCOME TAXES

 

The Company utilizes the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes in accordance with FASB ASC 740-10.

 

(a)           United States (“US”)

 

Gulf Resources, Inc. may be subject to the United States of America Tax laws at a tax rate of 21%. No provision for the US federal income taxes has been made as the Company had no US taxable income for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, and management believes that its earnings are permanently invested in the PRC.

 

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) was enacted in law. With the new tax law, the corporation income tax rate is reduced from 35% to 21% and there is a one-time mandatory transition tax on accumulated foreign earnings. The Company computed this one-time mandatory transition tax on accumulated foreign earnings to be approximately $5.4 million. However, as the Company has available US federal net operating loss carry forwards and foreign tax credit to fully offset the mandatory inclusion of the accumulated foreign earnings, no net tax liability arose from the inclusion of these accumulated foreign earnings.  

 

(b)           British Virgin Islands (“BVI”)

 

Upper Class Group Limited, a subsidiary of Gulf Resources, Inc., was incorporated in the BVI and, under the current laws of the BVI, it is not subject to tax on income or capital gain in the BVI. Upper Class Group Limited did not generate assessable profit for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

(c)           Hong Kong

 

Hong Kong Jiaxing Industrial Limited, a subsidiary of Upper Class Group Limited, was incorporated in Hong Kong and is subject to Hong Kong profits tax. The Company is subject to Hong Kong taxation on its activities conducted in Hong Kong and income arising in or derived from Hong Kong.  No provision for profits tax has been made as the Company has no assessable income for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.  The applicable statutory tax rates for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 are 16.5%.

 

(d)           PRC

 

Enterprise income tax (“EIT”) for SCHC, SYCI and DCHC in the PRC is charged at 25% of the assessable profits.

 

The operating subsidiaries SCHC, SYCI and DCHC are wholly foreign-owned enterprises (“FIE”) incorporated in the PRC and are subject to PRC Local Income Tax Law.

 

On February 22, 2008, the Ministry of Finance (“MOF”) and the State Administration of Taxation (“SAT”) jointly issued Cai Shui [2008] Circular 1 (“Circular 1”). According to Article 4 of Circular 1, distributions of accumulated profits earned by a FIE prior to January 1, 2008 to foreign investor(s) in 2008 will be exempted from withholding tax (“WHT”) while distribution of the profit earned by an FIE after January 1, 2008 to its foreign investor(s) shall be subject to WHT at 5% effective tax rate.

 

As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the accumulated distributable earnings under the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP”) of PRC that are subject to WHT are $236,694,242 and $240,563,868, respectively. Since the Company intends to reinvest its earnings to further expand its businesses in mainland China, its foreign invested enterprises do not intend to declare dividends to their immediate foreign holding companies in the foreseeable future. Accordingly, as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company has not recorded any WHT on the cumulative amount of distributable retained earnings of its foreign invested enterprises that are subject to WHT in China. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the unrecognized WHT are $10,823,223 and $11,035,843, respectively.

 

The Company’s income tax returns are subject to the various tax authorities’ examination. The federal, state and local authorities of the United States may examine the Company’s income tax returns filed in the United States for three years from the date of filing. The Company’s US income tax returns since 2015 are currently subject to examination.

 

Inland Revenue Department of Hong Kong (“IRD”) may examine the Company’s income tax returns filed in Hong Kong for seven years from date of filing. For the years 2012 through 2018, HKJI did not report any taxable income. It did not file any income tax returns during these years except for 2014 and 2018. For companies which do not have taxable income, IRD typically issues notification to companies requiring them to file income tax returns once in every four years. The tax returns for 2014 and 2018 are currently subject to examination.

 

The components of the provision for income tax benefit from continuing operations are:

 

    Three-Month Period Ended March31,
    2019   2018
         
Current taxes – PRC   $     $  
Deferred tax – PRC     (1,395,137 )     (1,193,746 )
    $ (1,395,137 )   $ (1,193,746 )

 

14  

 

GULF RESOURCES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 14 – INCOME TAXES – Continued

 

The effective income tax benefit differ from the PRC statutory income tax rate of 25% from continuing operations in the PRC as follows:

 

    Three-Month Period Ended March 31,
Reconciliations   2019   2018
Statutory income tax rate     25 %     25 %
Non-deductible expense and change in valuation allowance     (3 %)     (10 %)
Effective tax rate     22 %     15 %

 

Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are as follows:

 

    March 31,   December 31,
    2019   2018
Deferred tax liabilities   $     $  
                 
Deferred tax assets:                
Allowance for obsolete and slow-moving inventories   $ 16,607     $ 16,292  
Impairment on property, plant and equipment     3,675,218       3,696,332  
Impairment on prepaid land lease     856,490       840,284  
Exploration costs     1,848,950       1,813,965  
Compensation costs of unexercised stock options     179,957       194,016  
PRC tax losses     14,398,399       12,663,985  
US federal net operating loss     148,000       119,000  
Total deferred tax assets     21,123,621       19,343,874  
Valuation allowance     (327,957 )     (313,016 )
Net deferred tax asset   $ 20,795,664     $ 19,030,858  

 

The increase in valuation allowance for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 is $14,941.

 

The increase in valuation allowance for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018 is $26,396.

 

There were no unrecognized tax benefits and accrual for uncertain tax positions as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

 

NOTE 15 – BUSINESS SEGMENTS

 

The Company has four reportable segments:  bromine, crude salt, chemical products and natural gas. The reportable segments are consistent with how management views the markets served by the Company and the financial information that is reviewed by its chief operating decision maker.

 

15  

 

GULF RESOURCES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 15 – BUSINESS SEGMENTS – Continued

 

An operating segment’s performance is primarily evaluated based on segment operating income, which excludes share-based compensation expense, certain corporate costs and other income not associated with the operations of the segment. These corporate costs (income) are separately stated below and also include costs that are related to functional areas such as accounting, treasury, information technology, legal, human resources, and internal audit. The Company believes that segment operating income, as defined above, is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operating performance of its segments. All the customers are located in PRC.

 

Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2019   Bromine *  

Crude

 Salt *

 

Chemical

 Products

  Natural Gas  

Segment

 Total

  Corporate   Total
Net revenue
(external customers)
  $     $     $     $ 38,570     $ 38,570     $     $ 38,570  
Net revenue
(intersegment)
                                         
Loss from operations before income taxes benefit     (3,625,014 )     (1,411,809 )     (673,550 )     (41,983 )     (5,752,356 )     (643,674 )     (6,396,030 )
Income tax benefit     (897,347 )     (352,952 )     (144,838 )           (1,395,137 )           (1,395,137 )
Loss from operations after income taxes benefit     (2,727,667 )     (1,058,857 )     (528,712 )     (41,983 )     (4,357,219 )     (643,674 )     (5,000,893 )
Total assets     124,257,161       38,212,093       146,602,776       1,888,494       310,960,524       19,094       310,979,618  
Depreciation and amortization     2,118,077       1,105,108       117,388       36,676       3,377,249             3,377,249  
Capital expenditures     2,528,111                         2,528,111             2,528,111  

 

Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2018   Bromine *  

Crude

 Salt *

 

Chemical

 Products

  Natural Gas  

Segment

 Total  

  Corporate   Total
Net revenue
(external customers)
  $     $ 1,638,493     $ 608,774     $     $ 2,247,267     $     $ 2,247,267  
Net revenue
(intersegment)
                                         
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes(benefit)     (5,590,555 )     (807,884 )     (674,771 )     (35,655 )     (7,108,865 )     (1,188,115 )     (8,296,980 )
Income tax expense (benefit)     (1,391,152 )     (201,971 )     399,377             (1,193,746 )           (1,193,746 )
Income (loss) from operations after income taxes(benefit)     (4,199,403 )     (605,913 )     (1,074,148 )     (35,655 )     (5,915,119 )     (1,188,115 )     (7,103,234 )
Total assets     149,458,703       52,746,108       192,807,722       2,162,119       397,174,652       165,315       397,339,967  
Depreciation and amortization     3,719,712       913,350       124,468             4,757,530             4,757,530  
Capital expenditures     93,174       14,179             14,357       121,710             121,710  
Goodwill                 30,524,646             30,524,646             30,524,646  

 

* Certain common production overheads, operating and administrative expenses and asset items (mainly cash and certain office equipment) of bromine and crude salt segments in SCHC were split by reference to the average selling price and production volume of respective segment.

 

16  

 

GULF RESOURCES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 15 – BUSINESS SEGMENTS – Continued

 

    Three-Month Period Ended March 31,
Reconciliations   2019   2018
Total segment operating loss   $ (5,752,356 )   $ (7,108,865 )
Corporate costs     (140,446 )     (129,263 )
Unrealized loss on translation of intercompany balance     (503,228 )     (1,058,852 )
Loss from operations     (6,396,030 )     (8,296,980 )
Other income     96,755       126,134  
Loss before income taxes   $ (6,299,275 )   $ (8,170,846 )

 

The following table shows the major customer(s) (10% or more) for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018.

 

Number   Customer  

Bromine

(000’s)  

 

Crude Salt

(000’s)

 

Chemical Products

(000’s)

 

Total

Revenue

 (000’s)

 

Percentage of

Total

Revenue (%)

  1     Shandong Morui Chemical Company Limited   $     $ 534     $ 155     $ 689       30.6 %
  2     Shandong Brother Technology Limited, Kuerle Xingdong Trading Limited   $     $ 670     $     $ 670       29.8 %
  3     Shouguang Weidong Chemical Company Limited   $     $ 435     $     $ 435       19.3 %

 

NOTE 16– CUSTOMER CONCENTRATION

 

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, the Company sold 100% of its products to its one natural gas customer. As of March 31, 2019, amounts due from this customer was $20,508.

 

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2018, the Company sold 88.8% of its products to its top five customers, respectively. As of March 31, 2018, amounts due from these customers were $8,831,030. This concentration makes the Company vulnerable to a near-term severe impact, should the relationships be terminated.

 

NOTE 17 – MAJOR SUPPLIERS

 

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company did not purchase any raw materials.

 

17  

 

GULF RESOURCES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 18 – FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

The carrying values of financial instruments, which consist of cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable and other payables, approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments.  There were no material unrecognized financial assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

 

NOTE 19 – CAPITAL COMMITMENT AND OTHER SERVICE CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

 

The Company has no purchase commitments as of March 31, 2019.

 

The following table sets forth the Company’s contractual obligations as of March 31, 2019:

 

    Property Management Fees   Capital Expenditure
Payable within:                
the next 12 months   $ 92,650     $ 26,174,050  
the next 13 to 24 months     92,650        
the next 25 to 36 months     92,650        
the next 37 to 48 months     92,650        
Total   $ 370,600     $ 26,174,050  

 

NOTE 20 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

On April 1, 2019, the Company granted an option to one member of management staff to purchase 150,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.91 per share and the options vested immediately. The options have a five-year expiration term with an expected tenor of 2.5 years and no dividend yield.

 

On April 2, 2019, the Company was informed verbally by the Government of Yangkou County, Shouguang City of PRC that the Subdivision of Factory No. 1 and No. 7 (the combination of Factory No. 5 and Factory No. 7) had been approved for reopening and started operations in April, 2019. On May 7, 2019, the Company renamed its Subdivision of Factory No. 1 to Factory No. 4; and Factory No. 5 (which was previously considered part of Factory No. 7) to Factory No. 7.

 

18  

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

The discussion below contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act.  We have used words such as “believes,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “expects” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on information currently available to us and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, performance, business prospects and opportunities and the timing of certain events to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements.  Except as expressly required by the federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update such factors or to publicly announce the results of any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events, developments, or changed circumstances, or for any other reason. 

 

Overview

 

We are a holding company which conducts operations through our wholly-owned China-based subsidiaries.  Our business is conducted and reported in four segments, namely, bromine, crude salt, chemical products and natural gas.

 

Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, SCHC, we produce and trade bromine and crude salt.  We are one of the largest producers of bromine in China, as measured by production output. Elemental bromine is used to manufacture a wide variety of bromine compounds used in industry and agriculture. Bromine also is used to form intermediary chemical compounds such as Tetramethylbenzidine.  Bromine is commonly used in brominated flame retardants, fumigants, water purification compounds, dyes, medicines and disinfectants.  Crude salt is the principal material in alkali production as well as chlorine alkali production and is widely used in the chemical, food and beverage, and other industries.

 

Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, SYCI, we manufacture and sell chemical products used in oil and gas field exploration, oil and gas distribution, oil field drilling, papermaking chemical agents, inorganic chemicals and materials that are used for human and animal antibiotics.

 

19  

 

Recent Development

 

On September 21, 2018, the Company received a closing notice from the People's Government of Yangkou Town, Shouguang City informing it that its three bromine factories (Number 3, Number 4, and Number 11.) are not allowed to resume production and hence the Company has to demolish these factories. The crude salt fields surrounding these factories have been reclaimed as cultivated or construction land and hence did not meet the requirement for bromine and crude salt co-production set by the relevant authority.

 

In January 2017, the Company completed the first brine water and natural gas well field construction in Sichuan Province and announced the commencement of trial production. The Company has been working with Xinan Shiyou Daxue (Southwest Petroleum University) and developed a solution to DHCH’s technical drilling problem. In resolving the problem, the Company purchased customized equipment for its natural gas project. The installation of such equipment, including providing piping and electricity, was completed in July 2018. The Company has completed the test production at its first natural gas well in Sichuan Province and commenced trial production in January 2019.

 

Our current corporate structure chart is set forth in the following diagram:

 

 

 

As a result of our acquisitions of SCHC and SYCI, our historical financial statements and the information presented below reflects the accounts of SCHC, SYCI and DCHC. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report.

 

20  

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following table presents certain information derived from the condensed consolidated statements of income, cash flows and stockholders’ equity for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018. 

 

Comparison of the Three-Month Periods Ended March 31, 2019 and 2018

 

    Three-Month Period
Ended March 31, 2019
  Three-Month Period
Ended March 31, 2018
  Percent Change
Increase/
(Decrease)
Net revenue   $ 38,570     $ 2,247,267       (98 %)
Cost of net revenue   $ (36,407 )   $ (1,241,809 )     (97 %)
Gross profit   $ 2,163     $ 1,005,458       (100 %)
Sales, marketing and other operating expenses   $     $ (34,974 )     (100 %)
Direct labor and factory overheads incurred during plant shutdown   $ (4,293,022 )     (5,695,519 )     (25 %)
General and administrative expenses   $ (2,105,171 )   $ (3,571,945 )     41 %
Loss from operations   $ (6,396,030 )   $ (8,296,980 )     (23 %)
Other income, net   $ 96,755     $ 126,134       (23 %)
Loss before taxes   $ (6,299,275 )   $ (8,170,846 )     (23 %)
Income tax benefit   $ 1,395,137     $ 1,193,746       17 %
Net loss   $ (4,904,138 )   $ (6,977,100 )     (30 %)

 

Net revenue   The table below shows the changes in net revenue in the respective segment of the Company for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018:

 

    Net Revenue by Segment    
    Three-Month Period Ended   Three-Month Period Ended   Percent Change
    March 31, 2019   March 31, 2018   Decrease
Segment       % of total       % of total    
Bromine   $           $              
Crude Salt   $           $ 1,638,493       73 %     (100 %)
Chemical Products   $           $ 608,774       27 %     (100 %)
Natural Gas   $ 38,570       100 %   $              
Total sales   $ 38,570       100 %   $ 2,247,267       100 %     (98 %)

 

    Three-Month Period Ended   Percentage Change
Bromine and crude salt segments product sold in tonnes   March 31, 2019   March 31, 2018   Decrease
Bromine (excluded volume sold to SYCI)                  
Crude Salt           41,580       (100 %)

 

    Three-Month Period Ended   Percentage Change
Chemical products segment sold in tonnes   March 31, 2019   March 31, 2018   Decrease
Oil and gas exploration additives                  
Paper manufacturing additives                  
Pesticides manufacturing additives           14       (100 %)
Pharmaceutical intermediates                  
By product           96       (100 %)
Overall           110       (100 %)

 

21  

 

    Three-Month Period Ended   Percentage Change
Natural gas segments product sold in cubic metre   March 31, 2019   March 31, 2018   Decrease
Natural Gas     260,201              

 

Bromine segment

 

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2018 and 2019, the net revenue for the bromine segment was $0, respectively, due to the closure of all of our plant and factories since September 1, 2017 to perform rectification and improvements.All bromine goods in the inventory were sold as of December 31, 2017.

 

Crude salt segment

 

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, the net revenue for the crude salt was $0 due to the closure of all of our plant and factories since September 1, 2017 to perform rectification and improvements.

 

Chemical products segment

 

    Product Mix of Chemical Products Segment   Percent
    Three-Month Period Ended   Three-Month Period Ended   Change of
    March 31, 2019   March 31, 2018   Net Revenue
Chemical Products       % of total       % of total    
Oil and gas exploration additives   $           $              
Paper manufacturing additives   $           $              
Pesticides manufacturing additives   $           $ 98,200       16 %     (100 %)
Pharmaceutical intermediates   $           $              
By products   $           $ 154,666       25 %     (100 %)
Raw materials   $           $ 355,908       59 %      
Net Revenue   $           $ 608,774       100 %     (100 %)

 

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, the net revenue for the chemical products segment was $0 due to the closure of our chemical factories since September 1, 2017. We are setting up a new factory in Bohai Park. As a result there were no chemical products for sale for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019.

 

Natural gas segment

 

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, the net revenue for the natural gas was $38,570. We commenced natural gas trial production from January 2019.

 

Cost of Net Revenue

 

    Cost of Net Revenue by Segment   Percent Change
    Three-Month Period Ended   Three-Month Period Ended   of Cost of
    March 31, 2019   March 31, 2018   Net Revenue
Segment       % of total       % of total    
Bromine   $           $              
Crude Salt   $           $ 697,488       56 %     (100 %)
Chemical Products   $           $ 544,321       44 %     (100 %)
Natural Gas   $ 36,407       100 %   $              
Total   $ 36,407       100 %   $ 1,241,809       100 %     (97 %)

 

Cost   of net revenue reflects mainly the raw materials consumed and the direct salaries and benefits of staff engaged in the production process, electricity, depreciation and amortization of manufacturing plant and machinery and other manufacturing costs. 

 

22  

 

Bromine production capacity and utilization of our factories

 

The table below represents the annual capacity and utilization ratios for all of our bromine producing properties:

 

    Annual Production Capacity (in tonnes)   Utilization
Ratio (i)
Three-month period ended March 31, 2018       42,808        
Three-month period ended March 31, 2019       31,506        
Variance of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018       (11,302 )      

 

(i) Utilization ratio is calculated based on the annualized actual production volume in tonnes for the periods divided by the annual production capacity in tonnes.

 

The annual production capacity in the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 decreased by 11,302 tonnes to 31,506 tonnes because of the closure of Factory numbers 3, 4 and 11 in September 2018.

 

Our utilization ratio was 0% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 was due to the closure of all of our plant and factories to perform rectification and improvement since September 1, 2017.

 

Bromine segment

 

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, the cost of net revenue for the bromine segment was $0 due to the closure of all of our plant and factories September 1, 2017 to perform rectification and improvements. As a result, there was no bromine in inventory for sale for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019.

 

Crude salt segment

 

The cost of net revenue for our crude salt segment for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 was $0 due to the closure of all of our plant and factories September 1, 2017 to perform rectification and improvements. 

 

Chemical products segment

 

Cost of net revenue for our chemical products segment for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 was $0 due to the closure of our chemical factories since September 1, 2017. We are setting up a new factory in Bohai Park. As a result there were no chemical products for sale for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019.

 

Natural gas segment

 

Cost of net revenue for our natural gas segment for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 was $36,407. We commenced natural gas trial production from January 2019.

 

Gross Profit Gross profit was $2,163, or 6%, of net revenue for three-month period ended March 31, 2019, representing a decrease of $1,003,295 (or 100%), as compared to $1,005,458, or 45%, of net revenue for the same period in 2018.

 

23  

 

    Gross Profit by Segment   % Point Change
    Three-Month Period Ended   Three-Month Period Ended   of Gross
    March 31, 2019   March 31, 2018   Profit Margin
Segment       Gross Profit Margin       Gross Profit Margin    
Bromine   $           $              
Crude Salt   $           $ 941,005       57 %     (100 %)
Chemical Products   $           $ 64,453       11 %     (100 %)
Natural Gas   $ 2,163       6 %                  
Total Gross Profit   $ 2,163       6 %   $ 1,005,458       45 %     (100 %)

Bromine segment

 

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, the gross profit margin for our bromine segment was 0% due to the closure of all of our plant and factories September 1, 2017 to perform rectification and improvements. As a result, there was no bromine in inventory for sale for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019.

 

Crude salt segmen t

 

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, the gross profit margin for our crude salt segment was 0% due to the closure of all of our plant and factories September 1, 2017 to perform rectification and improvements.

 

Chemical products segment

 

The gross profit margin for our chemical products segment for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 was 0% due to the closure of our chemical factories since September 1, 2017.

 

Natural gas segment

 

The gross profit margin for our chemical products segment for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 was 6%.We commenced natural gas trial production from January 2019.

 

Direct labor and factory overheads incurred during plant shutdown On September 1, 2017, the Company received notification from the government of Yangkou County, Shouguang City of PRC that stated that production at all its bromine and crude salt and chemical factories should be halted with immediate effect in order for the Company to perform rectification and improvement in accordance with the county’s new safety and environmental protection requirements. On November 24, 2017, the Company received a letter from the Government of Yangkou County, Shouguang City notifying the Company to relocate its two chemical production plants located in the second living area of the Qinghe Oil Extraction Plant to Bohai Park. As a result, direct labor and factory overhead costs (including depreciation of plant and machinery) in the amount of $4,293,022 and $5,695,519 incurred for the three-month period end March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, which would have been presented in the cost of net revenue were presented as part of the operating expense.

 

24  

 

General and Administrative Expenses General and administrative expenses were $2,105,171 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, a decrease of $1,466,774 (or 41%) as compared to $3,571,945 for the same period in 2018. The decrease was primarily due to (i) the unrealized exchange loss in relation to the translation difference of inter-company balances in RMB to USD for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, which amounted to $503,228, as compared to the unrealized exchange loss for the same period in 2018, which amounted to $1,058,852; and the decreased property tax and land use right tax in the amount of $881,771 due to demolish three bromine factories (Number 3, Number 4, and Number 11) in September 21, 2018.

 

Income from Operations Loss from operations was $6,396,030 the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, compared to loss from operation of $8,296,980 in the same period in 2018.

 

    Loss from Operations by Segment
    Three-Month Period Ended
March 31, 2019
  Three-Month Period Ended
March 31, 2018
Segment:       % of total       % of total
Bromine   $ (3,625,014 )     63 %   $ (5,590,555 )     79 %
Crude Salt     (1,411,809 )     24 %     (807,884 )     11 %
Chemical Products     (673,550 )     12 %     (674,771 )     9 %
Natural Gas     (41,983 )     1 %     (35,655 )     1 %
Loss from operations before corporate costs     (5,752,356 )     100 %     (7,108,865 )     100 %
Corporate cost     (140,446 )             (129,263 )        
Unrealized loss on translation of intercompany balance     (503,228 )             (1,058,852 )        
Loss from operations   $ (6,396,030 )           $ (8,296,980 )        

 

Bromine segment

 

Loss from operations from our bromine segment was $3,625,014 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, compared to loss from operations of $5,590,555 in the same period in 2018. This decrease in loss is due to the closure of all of our plants and factories to perform rectification and improvements since September 1, 2017.

 

Crude salt segment

 

Loss from operations from our crude salt segment was $1,411,809 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, compared to loss from operations of $807,884 in the same period in 2018. This increase in loss is mainly due to the closure of all of our plant and factories to perform rectification and improvement since September 1, 2017.

 

Chemical products segment

 

Loss from operations from our chemical products segment was $673,550 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, compared to loss from operations of $674,771 in the same period in 2018. This was primarily attributable to the closure of our chemical factories since September 1, 2017. We are setting up a new factory in Bohai Park.

 

Natural gas segment

 

Loss from operations from our natural gas segment was $41,983 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019.

 

25  

 

Other Income Net Other income, net of $96,755 represented bank interest income, net of capital lease interest expense for the three -month period ended March 31, 2019, a decrease of $29,379 (or approximately 23%) as compared to the same period in 2018.

 

Net Income Net loss was $4,904,138 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, compared to an net loss of $6,977,100 an in the same period in 2018.

 

Effective Tax Rate Our effective tax rate for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 was 22% and 15% respectively. The effective tax rate for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 was 3% lower than the PRC statutory income tax rate of 25%, mainly due to non-taxable items and change in valuation allowance. The effective tax rate for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018 was 10% lower than the PRC statutory income tax rate of 25%, due to non-deductible expense and non-taxable items.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

As of March 31, 2019, cash and cash equivalents were $179,653,141 as compared to $178,998,935 as of December 31, 2018. The components of this increase of $654,206 are reflected below.

 

Statement of Cash Flows

 

    Three-Month Period Ended March 31,
    2019   2018
Net cash provided by operating activities   $ (263,726 )   $ 19,898,830  
Net cash used in investing activities   $ (2,528,111 )   $ (488,853 )
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   $ 3,446,043     $ 8,404,233  
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents   $ 654,206     $ 27,814,210  

     

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, we met our working capital and capital investment requirements mainly by using cash on hand.

 

Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Operating Activities

 

During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019, we had negative cash flow from operating activities of approximately $0.3 million. During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018, we had positive cash flow from operating activities of approximately $19.9 million.

 

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, cash flow used in operating activities of approximately $0.3 million, mainly due to (i) substantial non-cash charges in the amounts of approximately $2.5 million, mainly in the form of depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment and exchange loss on intercompany balances; partially offset by deferred tax assets; and (ii) cash generated from working capital of approximately $2.1 million, which mainly consisted of the increase in other payable and accrued expenses; partially offset by taxes payable.

 

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2018, cash flow from operating activities of approximately $19.9 million, mainly due to (i) substantial non-cash charges in the amounts of approximately $4.8 million, mainly in the form of depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment and exchange loss on intercompany balances; partially offset by deferred tax assets; and (ii)cash generated from working capital of approximately $22.1 million, which mainly consisted of the decrease in accounts receivable and inventories and an increase in taxes payable.

 

26  

 

Accounts receivable

 

There was no accounts receivable as of March 31, 2019.

 

Inventory

 

Our inventory consists of the following:

 

    March 31, 2019   December 31, 2018
        % of total       % of total
Raw materials   $           $        
Finished goods                        
Work-in-progress     66,426       100 %     65,169       100 %
    $ 66,426       100 %   $ 65,169       100 %
Allowance for obsolete and slowing-moving inventory     (66,426 )           (65,169 )      
Total   $       100 %   $       100 %

 

There was no production as of March 31, 2019 and all inventory sold before the first quarter of 2019 except for $0.07 million of crude salt of which an allowance for obsolescence was recorded.

 

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

 

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, we used approximately $2.5 million to acquire property, plant and equipment.

 

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2018, we used approximately $0.4 million cash for the prepayment of land leases. We also used approximately $0.1 million to acquire property, plant and equipment in the first quarter of 2018.

 

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Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

 

We have no major financing activities for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019.

 

We believe that our available funds and cash flows generated from operations will be sufficient to meet our anticipated ongoing operating needs and our obligations as they full due in the next twelve (12) months.

 

We had available cash of approximately $179.7 million at March 31, 2019, most of which is in highly liquid current deposits which earn no or little interest. We intend to retain the cash for the relocation of our chemical factories (See note 1(b) in the notes to the consolidated financial statements), which we expect to incur additional capital expenditure of approximately $50 million, future expansion of our bromine and crude salt businesses through acquisition, build new extraction wells to our existing bromine and crude salt business, and further development of the new resources in Sichuan Province. We do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. We believe that there is enough funds to cover the rectification and improvement, the setting up of the new chemical factory and the operating expense of the Company during the rectification and relocation period.

 

We intend to continue to focus our efforts on the activities of SCHC, SYCI and DCHC as these segments continue to expand within the Chinese market.

 

We may not be able to identify, successfully integrate or profitably manage any businesses or business segment we may acquire, or any expansion of our business. An expansion may involve a number of risks, including possible adverse effects on our operating results, diversion of management’s attention, inability to retain key personnel, risks associated with unanticipated events and the financial statement effect of potential impairment of acquired intangible assets, any of which could have a materially adverse effect on our condition and results of operations. In addition, if competition for acquisition candidates or operations were to increase, the cost of acquiring businesses could increase materially. We may effect an acquisition with a target business which may be financially unstable, under-managed, or in its early stages of development or growth. Our inability to implement and manage our expansion strategy successfully may have a material adverse effect on our business and future prospects.

 

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

 

We have no significant contractual obligations not fully recorded on our consolidated balance sheets or fully disclosed in the notes to our consolidated financial statements. Additional information regarding our contractual obligations and commitments at March 31, 2019 is provided in the notes to our consolidated financial statements. See “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 19– Capital Commitment and Operating Lease Commitments”.

 

Material Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We do not currently have any off -balance sheet arrangements falling within the definition of Item 303(a) of Regulation S-K.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and this requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We base its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Accordingly, actual results may differ significantly from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We have identified the following critical accounting policies and estimates used by us in the preparation of our financial statements: accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts, assets retirement obligation, property, plant and equipment, recoverability of long lived assets, mineral rights, revenue recognition, income taxes, and stock-based compensation. These policies and estimates are described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018..

 

28  

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Pursuant to Item 305(e) of Regulation S-K (§ 229.305(e)), the Company is not required to provide the information required by this Item as it is a “smaller reporting company,” as defined by Rule 229.10(f)(1).

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed pursuant to the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules, regulations and related forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO and CFO, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-Q.

 

(b) Changes in internal controls

 

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

 

29  

 

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

None.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Before you invest you should carefully review our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations set forth in Item 2 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and our consolidated financial statements and related notes, as well as our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the other information in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. Readers should carefully review risks described in other documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Shares of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

None.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

None.

 

30  

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit No. Description
   
31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

  

32.1 Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
101.1 The following financial statements from Gulf Resources, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019 formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss); (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity; (iv) the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows; and, (v) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text.

 

31  

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

  GULF RESOURCES, INC.
     
Dated: May 13, 2019 By:  /s/ Xiaobin Liu
    Xiaobin Liu
    Chief Executive Officer
     
     
Dated: May 13, 2019 By: /s/ Min Li
    Min Li
    Chief Financial Officer
     

 

 

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