Ming Yang
Analyst · ROTH Capital Partners. Please go ahead
Thank you, Dr. Yao, and good day everyone, thank you for attending our call today. Now I will provide a financial update for the first quarter of 2017. Revenues were $83.8 million, an increase 82% from $46.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2016, and an increase of 45% from $57.7 million in the first quarter of 2016. Revenues from polysilicon sales to external customers were $70.4 million, an increase of 115% from $32.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2016, and 76% from $39.9 million in the first quarter of 2016. External polysilicon sales volume was 4,223 metric ton, an increase of 91% from 2,209 metric ton in the fourth quarter of 2016, and an increase of 45% from 2,905 metric ton in the first quarter of 2016. The average selling price of polysilicon was $16.66 per kilogram in Q1 2017, an increase of a 11.4% from $14.96 per kilogram in the fourth quarter of 2016. The increase in polysilicon revenue as compared to the fourth quarter of 2016 was primarily due to higher polysilicon sales volume and higher ASPs. Revenues from wafer sales were $13.4 million, compared to $13.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and $17.8 million in the first quarter of 2016. Wafer sales volume was 22.4 million pieces, compared to 21.3 million pieces in the fourth quarter of 2016 and 22.1 million pieces in the first quarter of 2016. Gross profit was approximately $35.9 million, an increase of 153% from $14.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2016, and an increase of 115% from $16.7 million in the first quarter of 2016. Non-GAAP gross profit, which excludes costs related to the non-operational polysilicon assets in Chongqing was approximately $36.9 million, an increase of 133.5% from $15.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and 95% from $18.8 million in the first quarter of 2016. Gross margin was 42.8%, increased from 30.7% in the fourth quarter of 2016 and 29% in the first quarter of 2016. The increase in gross margin as compared to the fourth quarter of 2016 was primarily due to higher quarterly polysilicon ASPs and lower polysilicon production cost. In the first quarter of 2017, total costs related to the non-operational Chongqing polysilicon assets, including depreciation were $1 million, decreased from $1.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and $2 million in the first quarter of 2016. As we have already relocated the majority of the idle equipments from our Chongqing site to Xinjiang site and successfully reutilized them in our capacity expansion projects, the total costs related to the non-operational Chongqing polysilicon assets have been significantly reduced. In the near future, we expect such costs will remain at a level that is similar to that in Q1 2017. Excluding costs related to the non-operational Chongqing polysilicon assets, the non-GAAP gross margin was approximately 44%, increased from 34.1% in the fourth quarter of 2016 and 32.6% in the first quarter of 2016. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $4.1 million, compared to $3.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and $4.1 million in the first quarter of 2016. Research and development expenses were approximately $0.4 million, compared to $2.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and $0.1 million in the first quarter of 2016. The research and development expenses fluctuate from period to period according to the R&D activities occur in such period. Other operating income was $0.8 million, compared to $1.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and $0.7 million in the first quarter of 2016. Other operating income was mainly composed of unrestricted cash incentives that the company received from local government authorities, the amount of which varies from period to period. Operating income was $32.2 million, an increase of 235% from $9.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and 142% from $13.3 million in the first quarter of 2016. Operating margin was 38.4%, increased from 20.7% in the fourth quarter of 2016 and 23.1% in the first quarter of 2016. Interest expense was $4.3 million, compared to $4.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and $3.9 million in the first quarter of 2016. EBITDA was $41.7 million, an increase of 137% from $17.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and an increase of 90% from $21.9 million in the first quarter of 2016. EBITDA margin was 49.8%, increased from 38.3% in the fourth quarter of 2016 and 38% in the first quarter of 2016. Net income attributable to Daqo New Energy shareholders was $22.9 million in the first quarter of 2017, increased from $4.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and $8.3 million in the first quarter of 2016. Earnings per basic ADS were $2.18, increased from $0.39 in the fourth quarter of 2016 and $0.80 in the first quarter of 2016. As of March 31, 2017, the company had $61.2 million in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, compared to $31.9 million as of December 31, 2016 and $35.7 million as of March 31, 2016. As of March 31, 2017, the accounts receivable balance was $13.1 million, compared to $4.8 million as of December 31, 2016. And as of March 31, 2017, the notes receivable balance was $11.7 million, compared to $13 million as of December 31, 2016. As of March 31, 2017, total borrowings were $236 million, of which $129.2 million were long-term borrowings, compared to total borrowings of $217.9 million, including $111.9 million of long-term borrowings, as of December 31, 2016. And for the three months ended March 31, 2017, net cash provided by operating activities was $28.6 million, increased from $22.5 million in the same period of 2016. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, net cash used in investing activities was $16.6 million, compared to $17.5 million in the same period of 2016. Capital expenditures were related to purchase of PP&E were $16 million for the quarter, which was primarily related to the capital expenditure of Xinjiang polysilicon projects. For the full-year of 2017, the company expects to spend approximately $45 million to $50 million in capital expenditures. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, net cash provided by financing activities was $16.5 million, compared to net cash used in financing activities of $3.3 million in the same period of 2016. The increase was primarily due to the drawdown of long-term project bank loans related to the company’s recent polysilicon capacity expansion. And that concludes the official part of our presentation. Now, let’s have the Q&A session.