China Security & Surveillance Technology, Inc. Reports Second-Quarter 2011 Results

SHENZHEN, China, July 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ --

• Second-quarter revenues decreased to $156.34 million, 7.1% down from the same quarter of last year due to structural change in the customer mix to include more higher margin and large-scale government installation projects which required a longer completion time; consequently fewer projects were completed during the quarter
• Approximately 88% of second-quarter revenues came from government customers, as compared with 55% in the second quarter of 2010, reflecting the Company's strategic focus on large-scale government installation projects
• Second-quarter gross margin increased 110 basis points year-over-year to 26.9% from 25.8% last year; while gross margin for the six months ended June 30, 2011 increased 370 basis points year-over-year to 28.8%, reflecting an increasing gross margin in system installation business and effective cost control measures
• Second-quarter net income attributable to CSST decreased to $5.97 million, mainly due to the decrease in revenues, the increase in expenses related to the proposed merger transaction and the Company's advertising promotions to support its business expansion efforts and the increase in interest expenses
• Second-quarter GAAP diluted EPS was $0.07, declining year-over-year from $0.23 for the second quarter of 2010, due to the fall in net income attributable to CSST and the increase in year-over-year weighted average diluted share count
• A positive cash flow of $78.59 million over the first six months of 2011, as compared with $53.59 over the same period of 2010

Note: CSST's second-quarter 2011 earnings conference call can be accessed at 1866 549 1292 (US Toll Free) or +852 3005 2050 (Toll International), with PIN number: 341229# at 8:00 a.m. ET. on July 25, 2011. Second-quarter 2011 earnings slides can be accessed at http://csst.todayir.com/html/index.php before the call.

China Security & Surveillance Technology, Inc. ("CSST" or the "Company") (NYSE: CSR), a leading integrated surveillance and safety solutions provider in the P.R.C., today reported its second-quarter 2011 results with an encouraging gross margin expansion and a positive cash flow despite a decrease in revenues and net income. The improved gross margin was driven by increasing gross margin in system installation business and disciplined execution of cost control initiatives.

CSST's second-quarter 2011 revenues totaled $156.34 million, net income attributable to the Company was $5.97 million and GAAP-diluted EPS was $0.07. Second-quarter gross margin rose to 26.9%, while operating margin fell to 9.4%.  

"We just completed a quarter where the results of important strategic decisions were reflected in a gross margin expansion and a positive cash flow," said Mr. Guoshen Tu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CSST. "Although our revenues were impacted by the structural change in our customer mix, we continue to see growth opportunities in the surveillance and safety industry in China, with favorable government support, as well as great potential in the security services segment. Large-scale projects and our proven execution and service capabilities continue to strengthen our competitive position in China."

Second-Quarter 2011 Financial Results

CSST's 2011 second-quarter revenues totaled $156.34 million, down 7.1% as compared with $168.35 million in the second quarter of 2010. The decrease was mainly due to structural change in the customer mix to include more higher margin and large-scale government installation projects which required a longer completion time; consequently fewer projects were completed during the quarter. Approximately 88% of the revenues came from government customers as compared with approximately 55% in the same quarter of last year. According to CSST's accounting policy, the Company only recognizes revenues upon completion. The Company hence expects to see an upturn in the revenues over the rest of the year.

Gross profit totaled $42.01 million, down 3.1% from $43.36 million in the second quarter of 2010. Gross margin increased to 26.9%, up from 25.8% in the second quarter of 2010. The increase was mainly driven by higher gross margin from large-scale installation projects and effective cost-control initiatives.

Operating income fell 40.4% year-over-year to $14.65 million while operating margin fell to 9.4% from 14.6% in the second quarter of 2010. The decrease was mainly due to the increase in expenses related to the proposed merger transaction and the Company's advertising promotions to support its business expansion efforts and hiring of additional staff.

Net income attributable to CSST totaled $5.97 million, down from $17.81 million in the second quarter of 2010. Net margin decreased to 3.9%, versus 10.6% in the second quarter of 2010. The drop was mainly due to the decrease in revenues, the increase in professional expenses related to the proposed merger transaction and the Company's advertising promotions to support its business expansion efforts and the increase in interest expenses in the second quarter of 2011.

GAAP diluted EPS was $0.07 versus $0.23 in the second quarter of 2010. The drop was mainly due to the decrease in net income attributable to the Company, and the fact that the Company's weighted average diluted share count increased 18.0% to 89.71 million shares in the second quarter of 2011, from 76.01 million shares in the same period of 2010.

As at June 30, 2011, the Company had a cash balance of $144.21 million of cash and cash equivalents, up from $65.63 million as at December 31, 2010 due to the cash inflow from financing to support the Company's large-scale project installations and business expansion.

Financial Outlook

"Mainland surveillance and safety industry growth opportunities continue to be robust, and CSST is strongly positioned to lead in this new era," said Mr. Tu. "Looking ahead, we are confident that we are able to continue to build on our strengths and accelerate the growth of our Company in 2011."

About China Security & Surveillance Technology, Inc.

Based in Shenzhen, China, CSST designs, manufactures, sells, installs, services and monitors electronic surveillance and safety products and solutions, including related software, in China. Its customers are mainly comprised of government, commercial, industrial and education entities. CSST has built a diversified customer base through its extensive sales and service network that includes branch offices and distribution points throughout China. To learn more about the Company visit http://www.csst.com

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may include certain statements that are not descriptions of historical facts, but are forward-looking statements. Such statements include, among others, those concerning our expected financial results for the reminder of 2011 and our ability to deliver such results, growth opportunities of surveillance and safety industry in China and our ability to capitalize on the anticipated growth in the surveillance and safety industry, expected growth in industry demand and our business, our future financial performance and strategic and operational plans, our expectations regarding the market for surveillance and safety products , as well as all assumptions, expectations, predictions, intentions or beliefs about future events. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as 'will,' 'believes,' 'expects' or similar expressions. Such information is based upon expectations of our management that were reasonable when made but may prove to be incorrect. All of such assumptions are inherently subject to uncertainties and contingencies beyond our control and based upon premises with respect to future business decisions, which are subject to change. We do not undertake to update the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. For a description of the risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, see our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ('SEC'), and our subsequent SEC filings. Copies of filings made with the SEC are available through the SEC's electronic data gathering analysis retrieval system at http://www.sec.gov

SOURCE China Security & Surveillance Technology, Inc.