Kingold Jewelry Reports Financial Results For The Third Quarter And Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016

WUHAN CITY, China, Nov. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Kingold Jewelry, Inc. ("Kingold" or "the Company") (NASDAQ: KGJI), one of China's leading manufacturers and designers of high quality 24-karat gold jewelry, ornaments and investment-oriented products, today announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2016.

2016 THIRD QUARTER FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (ALL RESULTS ARE COMPARED TO PRIOR YEAR PERIOD)

• Net sales were $390.5 million, an increase of $126.8 million, or 48.1%, compared to $263.8 million. The increase in net sales was primarily due to increased sales volume in the Company's branded gold product production.
• Processed a total of 20.6 metric tons of 24-karat gold products, an increase of 53.0%, compared to 13.5 metric tons.
• Gross profit increased to $50.4 million, an increase of $34.9 million, or 223.9%, compared to $15.6 million, and gross margin was 12.9% compared to 5.9% for the same period in 2015.
• Net income increased 79.3% to $15.7 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, compared to $8.8 million, or $0.13 per diluted share.

OUTLOOK FOR 2016

• Company raises its guidance of 24-karat gold processed in 2016 to between 60 and 65 metric tons.

Mr. Zhihong Jia, Chairman and CEO of the Company, commented, "We were pleased to deliver strong operating results in the first nine months of 2016, as we took full advantage of the increase in the gold price and growing gold demand in China. In the third quarter, we were more focused on corporate developments to further increase our production capacity, design capability and sales marketing initiatives. We understand Kingold operates in a capital-intensive industry, and sufficient free cash flow is a prerequisite for gold production Company to ensuring quality and timely customer delivery to stay competitive. We feel this is a benefit of having the access to capital to leverage our production and to remain our market leading position."

2016 THIRD QUARTER OPERATIONAL REVIEW

In the third quarter of 2016, the Company processed a total of 20.6 metric tons of gold, of which branded production was 10 metric tons, representing 48.3% of total gold processed, and customized production was 10.6 metric tons, representing 51.7% of total gold processed.  In the third quarter of 2015, the Company processed a total of 13.5 metric tons, of which branded production was 7.8 metric tons, or 58.0% of the total gold processed, and customized production was 5.7 metric tons, or 42.0% of total gold processed.

2016 THIRD QUARTER FINANCIAL REVIEW

Net Sales
Net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2016 were $390.5 million, an increase of $126.7 million, or 48.1%, from net sales of $263.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015. Net sales increased primarily as a result of increase in total sales volume in amount of $84.7 million, the increase in the average unit selling price for branded production in amount of $63.2 million, offset by approximately $17.1 million of foreign currency translation loss.

Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 were $1,063 million, an increase of $343.6 million, or 47.8%, from net sales of $719.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The increase in net sales was primarily driven by increase in total sales volume in amount of $308.9 million, the increase in the average unit selling price for branded production in amount of $91.5 million, partially offset the decreased sales in customized production, and offset by approximately a $45.9 million foreign currency translation loss.

Gross Profit 
Gross profit for the three months ended September 30, 2016 was $50.4 million, an increase of $34.9 million from $15.6 million for the same period in 2015.

Gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $125.0 million, an increase of $96.2 million from $28.8 million for the same period in 2015.

Gross Margin
Gross margin for the three months ended September 30, 2016 was 12.9%, compared to 5.9% for the same period in 2015. The substantial increase in gross margin was because: 1) the unit price of branded production sales increased from RMB 206.7 per gram for the three months ended September 30, 2015 to RMB 257.1 per gram in the same period of 2016; 2) the percentage increase of the unit price is smaller than the increase in the sales as the unit cost of branded production increased from RMB 197.2 per gram for the three months ended September 30, 2015 to RMB 227.6 per gram in the same period in 2016; 3) the Company purchased a significant quantity of gold in prior periods at relatively low prices, making the production costs for three months ended September 30, 2016 much lower than normal.

Gross margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was 11.8%, compared to 4.0% for the same period in 2015. The substantial increase in gross margin was because: 1) the unit price of branded production sales increased from RMB 212.5 per gram for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 to RMB 240.3 per gram in the same period of 2016; 2) the percentage increase of the unit price is smaller than the increase in the sales as the unit cost of branded production increased from RMB 209.2 per gram for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 to RMB 215.3 per gram in the same period in 2016; 3) the Company purchased a significant quantity of gold in prior periods at relatively low prices, making the production costs for nine months ended September 30, 2016 much lower than normal.

Net Income
For the three months ended September 30, 2016, net income increased 79.3% to $15.7 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, based on 66.7 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding, compared to $8.8 million for the same period in 2015, or $0.13 per diluted share, based on 66.0 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding in the prior-year period.

Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 increased 218.9% to $50.7 million, or $0.76 per diluted share based on 66.3 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding, compared to $15.9 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, based on 66.0 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding in the same period of 2015.

Net cash used in operating activities was $726.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared with net cash used in operating activities of $34.0 million for the same period in 2015. The significant increase in net cash used in operating was mainly due to purchase of inventory of $817.8 million in anticipation of the increased production and sales demand when the Jewelry Park is completed which may stimulate Kingold's sales starting from the second half 2016. In addition, in connection with the Company's significant bank borrowings during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company was required to pledge significant of gold with the banks as collateral, which also led the Company to increase the inventory purchases and stockpile. On the other hand, in connection with the Jewelry Park Transfer Contract, the Company received net proceeds of $151.4 million cash payment from Wuhan Lianfuda for the Jewelry Park transfer, such amount will be adjusted when the Company delivers the Jewelry Park to Wuhan Lianfuda in the near future. The overall increase in cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 is reflected in the above mentioned factors. 

Kingold's net cash from operating activities can fluctuate significantly due to changes in inventories (principally gold).  Other factors that may vary significantly include the Company's purchases of gold and income taxes.  The Company expects that the net cash it generates from operating activities will continue to fluctuate as the Company's inventories, receivables, accounts payables, and other factors described above change with increased production and purchase of larger quantities of raw materials (principally gold).

OUTLOOK FOR 2016
Based on 2016 first nine months results, its existing resources and capacity (which includes the Company's recent proceeds from its previously announced financing and gold lease agreements) along with strong demand for 24-karat gold products in China, the Company raised its guidance for gold processed during 2016 from between 50 metric tons and 60 metric tons to between 60 metric tons and 65 metric tons.  

INVESTOR CONFERENCE CALLS
The Company has elected to discontinue hosting live quarterly conference calls at this time.  An open line of communication with investors and analysts remains a top priority of the Company and management is readily available for discussions with investors on a one on one basis.  Investors and analysts wishing to speak with management are urged to contact the Company's investor relations representatives at The Equity Group at +86 10-6587-6435 or [email protected].

About Kingold Jewelry, Inc.
Kingold Jewelry, Inc. (NASDAQ: KGJI), centrally located in Wuhan City, one of China's largest cities, was founded in 2002 and today is one of China's leading designers and manufacturers of 24-karat gold jewelry, ornaments, and investment-oriented products. The Company sells both directly to retailers as well as through major distributors across China. Kingold has received numerous industry awards and has been a member of the Shanghai Gold Exchange since 2003. For more information, please visit www.kingoldjewelry.com.

Business Risks and Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. You can identify these forward-looking statements by words such as "expects," "believe," "project," "anticipate," or similar expressions. The forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Kingold's outlook with respect to its 2015 gold processing, expectations with respect to expansion into a higher margin, direct retail business through the online retail store, expectations with respect to completion of construction of the Jewelry Park and planned grand opening, as well as its ability to engage in presales and finance the remaining construction, and its expectations with respect to a long-term partnership with Fosun.  Readers are cautioned that actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, including those contained in Kingold's SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including Kingold's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. Kingold undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.

Company Contact
Kingold Jewelry, Inc.
Bin Liu, CFO
Phone: +1-847-660-3498 (US) / +86-27-6569-4977 (China)
[email protected]  

INVESTOR RELATIONS
The Equity Group Inc.
Katherine Yao, Senior Associate
Phone: +86 10-6587-6435
[email protected]

SOURCE Kingold Jewelry, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.kingoldjewelry.com