Bing Sun
Analyst · ROTH Capital Partners. Please go ahead
Thank you, Dr. Yao. Let's walk through the Q4 and fiscal year 2014 financial performance. Revenue, revenue was $49.5 million in Q4, compared to $47.3 million in the third quarter of 2014, and $37 million in the fourth quarter of 2013. The company generated revenue of $33.8 million from polysilicon in Q4, compared to $32.8 million in the third quarter of 2014. The increase from the third quarter was primarily due to higher sales volume offset by lower average selling prices. The company generated $15.7 million from sales of wafers, compared to $14.5 million in the third quarter. The increase from the third quarter of 2014 was primarily due to higher sales volume. The ASP for wafer remained flat in the fourth quarter. Gross profit was approximately $12.6 million in Q4, compared to $11.6 million in the third quarter of 2014 and approximately $1 million in the fourth quarter of 2013. Gross margin was 25.4%, compared to 24.5% in the third quarter of 2014 and 2.6% in the fourth quarter of 2013. Total costs related to non-operational Chongqing polysilicon plant including depreciation were $3.3 million in Q4, compared to $3.4 million in the third quarter of 2014. Excluding such costs, the non-GAAP gross margin was approximately 32.1% in Q4, compared to 31.7% in the third quarter. On a standalone basis, non-GAAP gross margin for Xinjiang polysilicon facilities were 42.5% in Q4, as about the same level as in Q3. Non-GAAP gross margin for wafer facilities were 10% in Q4, compared to 7.6% in Q3. The improvement in wafer margin was primarily due to decrease in raw material cost and our cost down asset related to wafer projecting cost. SG&A expenses were $4.7 million in Q4 compared to $2.5 million in the third quarter of 2014 and $4 million in the fourth quarter of 2013. The increase in SG&A expenses from the third quarter was primarily due to three reasons. First of all, the relocation expenses for moving Chongqing idle equipment to Xinjiang at about $800 to $1000. Secondly, less reversal of bad debt provision in Q4 and the third, the provision of equipment prepayment in Q4. Note that relocation expenses related to Phase 2b have all been recorded in the fourth quarter of 2014 and we expected such expenses will occur for Phase 2b in the future. As a result of the above, operating income was $7.6 million in Q4 compared to $9.5 million in the third quarter of 2014 and operating loss of $4.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2013. Operating margin was 15.4% compared to 20% in the third quarter of 2014 and negative 11% in the fourth quarter of 2013. Net interest expense was $4.1 million for the fourth quarter compared to $3.5 million in the third quarter. The increase was primarily due to interest charge for discounting bank notes in the fourth quarter. EBITDA was $14.7 million in the fourth quarter compared to $16.4 million in the third quarter of 2014 and $8.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2013. EBITDA margin was 29.6% for the quarter compared to 34.7% in the third quarter of 2014 and 21.9% in the fourth quarter of 2013. The decrease of EBITDA and EBITDA margin from the third quarter was primarily due to the increase of SG&A expense in the fourth quarter. Again, note that on the SG&A expenses, the relocation expense related to Phase 2b have all been recorded in the fourth quarter of 2014 and we can expect such expense will incur for Phase 2b in the future. Net income attributable to Daqo New Energy Corporation shareholders was $3.6 million in the fourth quarter compared to $5.9 million in the third quarter. Income per basic ADS was $0.40 in the fourth quarter compared to $0.66 in the third quarter. Polysilicon inventory updates, starting from the fourth quarter of 2014, we provided the polysilicon inventory updates to the public investors. As you can see, we keep the polysilicon inventory at a very low level. Currently, our average daily polysilicon output is around 18 metric tons to 20 metric tons. At the end of recording period, our polysilicon inventory was only 22 metric tons. Financial conditions, as of December 31, 2014, the company had $29.2 million in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash compared to $30 million as of September 30, 2014. Account receivable balance was $8.7 million compared to $6.8 million as of September 30. The notes receivable balance was $50.2 million compared to $36.8 million as of September 30. Net PP&E was $559 million, increased from $517.9 million as of September 30. The increase in PP&E was due to Phase 2b polysilicon expansion projects. As of December 31, 2014, total borrowings were $237.1 million, of which $77.3 million were long-term borrowings compared to total borrowing of $246.4 million, including $116.6 million long-term borrowing as of September 30, 2014. We repaid net of $6.6 million bank borrowings in the fourth quarter of 2014. Notes payables were $48.9 million as of December 31, 2014 increased from $28.7 million as of September 30, 2014. As of December 31st, the available credit facility for bank notes was approximately $8.5 million compared to $4.8 million as of September 30, 2014. Cash flows, for the 12 months ended December 31, 2014, net cash provided by operating activities were $45.6 million compared to $47.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Note that in today’s business environment and so the industry, the majority of the customer payment is in the form of bank notes. Usually, the maturity date is within six months. Before the maturity date, it is recorded as notes receivable on the balance sheet. The company can discount the bank notes into cash by paying interest expenses. Nevertheless considering the notes would recourse the cash obtained by discounting banking notes deemed as short-term bank loan and temporarily accounted for as cash provided by financing activities. We discounted $39.6 million bank notes in Q4 compared to $12.6 million in Q3. For the 12 months ended December 31, 2014, net cash used within investing activities were $90.6 million compared to $81 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The increase was primarily related to capital expenditure Xinjiang Phase 2b polysilicon project. As of December 31, 2014, the company recorded capital expenditure of $81.1 million from Xinjiang Phase 2b, of which $18.1 million incurred in the fourth quarter of 2014. We expected to further spend $56.4 million in 2015 and another $14.4 million in 2016. For the 12 months ended December 31, 2014, net cash provided by financing activities was $44.3 million compared to $38.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Again the unused line of credit as of September 31st were $8.5 million compared to $4.8 million as of September 30. Now the full year 2014 financial results, revenue. Revenue increased by 67.5% from $109 million in 2013 to $182.6 million in 2014. The increase in total revenue is primarily attributable to higher sales volume as well as higher ASP for both polysilicon and wafers. The company shipped approximately 5,962 metric tons of polysilicon and 70.4 million pieces of wafer during 2014 compared to 4,240 metric tons of polysilicon and 33.5 million pieces of wafer for 2013. Gross profit for 2014 was $43.3 million compared to gross loss of $26.1 million in 2013. Gross margin was 23.7% in 2014 compared to negative 23.9% in 2013. The improvement in gross margin and gross profit from 2013 was primarily due to improved cost structures and much higher average selling price for both polysilicon and wafer. SG&A expenses for the year of 2014 were $10.3 million, compared to $18.1 million in 2013. The decrease in SG&A expenses was primarily due to the reversal of provisions for bad debts in 2014 with the settlement of long ageing receivables. As a result of the above, operating income was $32 million in 2014, compared to operating loss of $200.6 million in 2013. Note that the company recognized $158.4 million impairment loss for the long-lived assets of its Chongqing polysilicon facility in the second quarter of 2013. No such loss was recognized in 2014. Operating margin was 17.5% in 2014. Net interest expense decreased from $19.2 million in 2013 to $15.3 million in 2014. The decrease from 2013 was primarily due to the decrease in bank borrowing balance. Income tax expenses were zero in 2014, compared to a $1.3 million for 2013. As a result of the factors described above, we had net income attributable to our shareholders of $16.7 million, compared to a net loss attributable to our shareholders of $70.9 million for 2013. Income per basic ADS were $2.02 for the year of 2014, compared to a loss per ADS of $10.25 for the year of 2013. And that concludes the official part of our presentation. Now let's have the Q&A session. Andrew, please?