BEIJING, April 30, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- JA Solar Holdings Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq:JASO) ("JA Solar" or the "Company"), one of the world's largest manufacturers of high-performance solar power products, today announced its unaudited financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.
Fourth Quarter 2017 Highlights
- Total shipments were 2,205.9 megawatts (“MW”), consisting of 2,088.1 MW of modules and 102.8 MW of cells to external customers, and 15.0 MW of modules to the Company’s downstream projects. External shipments were up 55.2% y/y and 35.2% sequentially
- Shipments of modules and module tolling were 2,088.1 MW, an increase of 54.3% y/y and 31.9% sequentially
- Shipments of cells and cell tolling were 102.8 MW, an increase of 74.5% y/y and 171.2% sequentially
- Net revenue was RMB 5.7 billion ($871.8 million), an increase of 42.1% y/y and 30.6% sequentially
- Gross margin was 12.2%, a decrease of 70 basis points y/y and an increase of 40 basis points sequentially
- Operating profit was RMB 210.7 million ($32.4 million), compared to RMB 370.5 million ($56.9 million) in the fourth quarter of 2016, and RMB 169.8 million ($26.1 million) in the third quarter of 2017
- Net income was RMB 115.5 million ($17.8 million), compared to RMB 353.4 million ($54.3 million) in the fourth quarter of 2016, and RMB 41.9 million ($6.4 million) in the third quarter of 2017
- Earnings per diluted ADS were RMB 2.46 or $0.38, compared to RMB 6.80 or $1.05 in the fourth quarter of 2016, and RMB 0.89 or $0.14 in the third quarter of 2017
- Cash and cash equivalents were RMB 1.5 billion ($226.5 million), a decrease of RMB 583.3 million ($89.6 million) during the quarter
- Non-GAAP earnings1 per diluted ADS were RMB 2.46 or $0.38, compared to RMB 6.80 or $1.05 in the fourth quarter of 2016, and RMB 0.89 or $0.14 in the third quarter of 2017
Fiscal Year 2017 Highlights
- Total shipments were 7.6 gigawatts ("GW"), consisting of 7,143.1 MW of modules and module tolling and 358.0 MW of cells and cell tolling to external customers, and 127.4 MW of modules to the Company’s downstream projects. External Shipments represented an increase of 52.4% from 4.9 GW in fiscal year 2016
- Net revenue was RMB 19.7 billion ($3.0 billion), compared to RMB 15.7 billion ($2.4 billion) in fiscal year 2016
- Gross margin was 12.3%, compared to 14.6% in fiscal year 2016
- Operating profit was RMB 715.7 million ($110.0 million), compared to an operating profit of RMB 903.2 million ($138.8 million) in fiscal year 2016
- Net income was RMB 300.1 million ($46.1 million), compared to RMB 719.6 million ($110.6 million) in fiscal year 2016
- Earnings per diluted ADS were RMB 6.40 or $0.98, compared to RMB 14.58 or $2.24 in fiscal year 2016
- Cash and cash equivalents were RMB 1.5 billion ($226.5 million), compared to RMB 2.6 billion ($394.9 million) at the end of fiscal year 2016
- Non-GAAP net income attributable to the Company's ordinary shareholders was RMB 300.1 million ($46.1 million), compared to a non-GAAP net income attributable to the Company's ordinary shareholders of RMB 612.8 million ($94.2 million) in fiscal year 2016
- Non-GAAP earnings per diluted ADS was RMB 6.40 ($0.98), compared to a non-GAAP earnings per diluted ADS of RMB 13.07 ($2.01) in fiscal year 2016
Mr. Baofang Jin, Chairman and CEO of JA Solar, commented, “Overall 2017 results were largely in-line with our expectations. While net revenue grew 25% year-over-year, gross margin was negatively impacted by lower ASPs and rising material costs. Additionally, higher operating expenses led to a decline in operating profits and net income in 2017 when compared to 2016.”
Mr. Jin continued, “Despite the negative impact of the Section 201 trade case, we continue to invest in R&D to develop high-performance products to strengthen our competitive position. We are confident that our technologies, high-reliability products and balanced global footprint will continue to position JA Solar for a solid future.”
Fourth Quarter 2017 Results
All shipment and financial figures refer to the quarter ended December 31, 2017, unless otherwise specified. All “year over year” or “y/y” comparisons are against the quarter ended December 31, 2016. All “sequential” comparisons are against the quarter ended September 30, 2017.
Total shipments were 2,205.9 MW, above the guidance range of 1,600 to 1,800 MW. External shipments of 2,190.9 MW increased 55.2% year over year and 35.2% sequentially.
External shipments breakdown by product (MW)
| 2016Q4 | 2017Q3 | 2017Q4 | QoQ% | YoY% | |
| Modules and module tolling | 1,353.0 | 1,582.5 | 2,088.1 | 31.9% | 54.3% |
| Cells and cell tolling | 58.9 | 37.9 | 102.8 | 171.2% | 74.5% |
| Total | 1,411.9 | 1620.4 | 2,190.9 | 35.2% | 55.2% |
External shipments breakdown by region (percentage)
| 2016Q4 | 2017Q3 | 2017Q4 | QoQ(pp) | YoY(pp) | |
| China | 58.0% | 47.3% | 43.3% | -4.0pp | -14.7pp |
| APAC ex-China | 25.2% | 16.3% | 21.7% | 5.4pp | -3.5pp |
| Europe | 3.3% | 14.1% | 7.3% | -6.8pp | 4.0pp |
| North America | 7.4% | 17.2% | 24.5% | 7.3pp | 17.1pp |
| South America | 5.6% | 0.4% | 0.2% | -0.2pp | -5.4pp |
| Others | 0.5% | 4.7% | 3.0% | -1.7pp | 2.5pp |
Net revenue was RMB 5.7 billion ($871.8 million), an increase of 42.1% y/y and 30.6% sequentially.
Gross profit of RMB 691.6 million ($106.3 million) increased 34.2% y/y and 34.7% sequentially. Gross margin was 12.2%, which compares to 12.9% in the year-ago quarter, and 11.8% in the third quarter of 2017.
Total operating expenses of RMB 480.9 million ($73.9 million) were 8.5% of revenue. This compares to operating expenses of 3.6% of revenue in the year-ago quarter, and 7.9% of revenue in the third quarter of 2017.
Operating profit was RMB 210.7 million ($32.4 million), compared to RMB 370.5 million ($57.0 million) in the year-ago quarter, and RMB 169.8 million ($26.1 million) in the third quarter of 2017. Operating margin was 3.7%, compared with 9.3% in the prior year period and 3.9% in the previous quarter.
Interest expense was RMB 78.2 million ($12.0 million), compared to RMB 72.9 million ($11.2 million) in the year-ago quarter, and RMB 80.3 million ($12.3 million) in the third quarter of 2017.
Earnings per diluted ADS were RMB 2.46 or $0.38, compared to earnings per diluted ADS of RMB 6.80 or $1.05 in the year-ago quarter, and earnings per diluted ADS of RMB 0.89 or $0.14 in the third quarter of 2017.
Fiscal Year 2017 Results
Fiscal year 2017 shipments were 7.6 GW, including 127.4 MW of modules to the Company’s downstream projects. External shipments of 7.5 GW represented an increase of 52.4% from 4.9 GW in fiscal year 2016.
External shipments breakdown by product (MW)
| 2016 | 2017 | YoY% | |
| Modules and module tolling | 4,606.6 | 7,143.1 | 55.1% |
| Cells and cell tolling | 313.8 | 358.0 | 14.1% |
| Total | 4,920.4 | 7,501.1 | 52.4% |
External shipments breakdown by region (percentage)
| 2016 | 2017 | YoY(pp) | |
| China | 53.3% | 48.4% | -4.90pp |
| APAC ex-China | 21.6% | 25.6% | 4.00pp |
| Europe | 4.7% | 7.8% | 3.10pp |
| North America | 9.4% | 14.9% | 5.50pp |
| South America | 9.8% | 0.3% | -9.50pp |
| Others | 1.2% | 3.0% | 1.80pp |
Net revenue in fiscal year 2017 was RMB 19.7 billion ($3.0 billion), an increase of 25.5% from RMB 15.7 billion ($2.4 billion) in fiscal year 2016.
Total gross profit in fiscal year 2017 was RMB 2.4 billion ($370.3 million), or 12.3% of net revenue, compared with RMB 2.3 billion ($352.5 million), or 14.6% of net revenue, in fiscal year 2016.
Operating profit in fiscal year 2017 was RMB 715.7 million ($110.0 million), compared with operating profit of RMB 903.2 million ($138.8 million) in fiscal year 2016.
Net income in fiscal year 2017 was RMB 300.1 million ($46.1 million), compared with net income of RMB 719.6 million ($110.6 million) in fiscal year 2016.
In fiscal year 2017, net earnings per diluted ADS were RMB 6.40 or $0.98, compared with net earnings per diluted ADS of RMB 14.58 or $2.24 in fiscal year 2016.
Liquidity
As of December 31, 2017, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of RMB 1.5 billion ($226.5 million), and total working capital of RMB 12.6 million ($1.9 million). Total short-term borrowings were RMB 2.9 billion ($447.4 million). Total long-term borrowings were RMB 3.1 billion ($469.9 million), of which RMB 996.0 million ($153.1 million) were due in one year.
Currency Convenience Translation
The conversion of Renminbi into U.S. dollars in this release, made solely for the convenience of the reader, is based on the noon buying rate in the city of New York for cable transfers of Renminbi as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of December 29, 2017, which was RMB 6.506 to $1.00. No representation is intended to imply that the Renminbi amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into U.S. dollars at that rate on December 29, 2017, or at any other date. The percentages stated in this press release are calculated based on Renminbi.
Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "may," "expect," "anticipate," "aim," "intend," "plan," "believe," "estimate," "potential," "continue," and other similar statements. Statements other than statements of historical facts in this announcement are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, our expectations regarding the expansion of our manufacturing capacities, our future business development, and our beliefs regarding our production output and production outlook. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about the Company and the industry. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Form 20-F and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that its expectations will turn out to be correct, and investors are cautioned that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results.
About JA Solar Holdings Co., Ltd.
JA Solar Holdings Co., Ltd. is a leading manufacturer of high-performance solar power products that convert sunlight into electricity for residential, commercial, and utility-scale power generation. The Company is one of the world’s largest producers of solar power products. Its standard and high-efficiency product offerings are among the most powerful and cost-effective in the industry. The Company distributes products under its own brand and also produces on behalf of its clients. The Company shipped 7.6 GW of solar power products in 2017. JA Solar is headquartered in Beijing, China, and maintains production facilities in Shanghai, Hebei, Jiangsu, Inner Mongolia and Anhui provinces in China, as well as Penang, Malaysia and Bac Giang, Vietnam.
For more information, please visit www.jasolar.com.
Contact:
The Blueshirt Group
Ralph Fong
Phone: +1 (415) 489-2195
Email: ralph@blueshirtgroup.com
__________
1 JA Solar adjusts net income attributable to the Company's ordinary shareholders to exclude changes in fair value of certain warrants granted to certain investors in a registered direct offering (the "Offering") closed on August 16, 2013.
| JA Solar Holdings Co., Ltd. | ||||||||
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income | ||||||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||||||
| For three months ended | ||||||||
| Dec. 31, 2016 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2017 | |||||
| RMB'000 | RMB'000 | RMB'000 | USD'000 | |||||
| Net revenues | 3,990,642 | 4,341,718 | 5,672,120 | 871,789 | ||||
| Cost of sales | (3,475,213 | ) | (3,828,137 | ) | (4,980,563 | ) | (765,499 | ) |
| Gross profit | 515,429 | 513,581 | 691,557 | 106,290 | ||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | (99,969 | ) | (302,786 | ) | (437,812 | ) | (67,290 | ) |
| Research and development expenses | (44,937 | ) | (40,964 | ) | (43,047 | ) | (6,616 | ) |
| Total operating expenses | (144,906 | ) | (343,750 | ) | (480,859 | ) | (73,906 | ) |
| Income from operations | 370,523 | 169,831 | 210,698 | 32,384 | ||||
| Interest expense | (72,879 | ) | (80,283 | ) | (78,238 | ) | (12,025 | ) |
| Change in fair value of warrant derivatives | 0 | - | - | - | ||||
| Other income/(loss), net | 95,596 | (35,594 | ) | 6,780 | 1,042 | |||
| Income before income taxes | 393,240 | 53,954 | 139,240 | 21,401 | ||||
| Income tax expense | (39,814 | ) | (12,061 | ) | (23,737 | ) | (3,648 | ) |
| Net income | 353,426 | 41,893 | 115,503 | 17,753 | ||||
| Less: loss attributable to noncontrolling interest | 34,922 | - | - | - | ||||
| Net income attributable to JA Solar Holdings | 318,504 | 41,893 | 115,503 | 17,753 | ||||
| Net income per share attributable to ordinary shareholders: | ||||||||
| Basic | 1.36 | 0.18 | 0.49 | 0.08 | ||||
| Diluted | 1.36 | 0.18 | 0.49 | 0.08 | ||||
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding: | ||||||||
| Basic | 234,290,842 | 234,360,842 | 234,361,641 | 234,361,641 | ||||
| Diluted | 234,305,887 | 234,383,172 | 234,459,146 | 234,459,146 | ||||
| Comprehensive income | ||||||||
| Net income | 353,426 | 41,893 | 115,503 | 17,753 | ||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax | (18,532 | ) | 3,276 | 661 | 102 | |||
| Other comprehensive (loss)/income | (18,532 | ) | 3,276 | 661 | 102 | |||
| Comprehensive income | 334,894 | 45,169 | 116,164 | 17,855 | ||||
| Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest | 34,922 | - | - | - | ||||
| Comprehensive income attributable to JA Solar Holdings | 299,972 | 45,169 | 116,164 | 17,855 | ||||
| NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION | ||||||||
| GAAP net income attributable to JA Solar Holdings | 318,504 | 41,893 | 115,503 | 17,753 | ||||
| Change in fair value of warrant derivatives | 0 | - | - | - | ||||
| Non-GAAP net income attributable to JA Solar Holdings | 318,504 | 41,893 | 115,503 | 17,753 | ||||
| Non-GAAP net income per share attributable to ordinary shareholders: | ||||||||
| Basic | 1.36 | 0.18 | 0.49 | 0.08 | ||||
| Diluted | 1.36 | 0.18 | 0.49 | 0.08 | ||||
| Non-GAAP weighted average number of shares outstanding: | ||||||||
| Basic | 234,290,842 | 234,360,842 | 234,361,641 | 234,361,641 | ||||
| Diluted | 234,305,887 | 234,383,172 | 234,459,146 | 234,459,146 | ||||
| Note: JA Solar excludes net income attributable to the participating warrant holder of RMB 4.5 million (US$0.7 million) from the numerator of basic EPS in the third quarter of 2016. | ||||||||
| JA Solar Holdings Co., Ltd. | ||||||
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations | ||||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||||
| For twelve months ended | ||||||
| Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2017 | ||||
| RMB'000 | RMB'000 | USD'000 | ||||
| Net revenues | 15,736,876 | 19,659,454 | 3,021,603 | |||
| Cost of sales | (13,443,335 | ) | (17,250,142 | ) | (2,651,298 | ) |
| Gross profit | 2,293,541 | 2,409,312 | 370,305 | |||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | (1,214,933 | ) | (1,533,521 | ) | (235,698 | ) |
| Research and development expenses | (175,450 | ) | (160,137 | ) | (24,613 | ) |
| Total operating expenses | (1,390,383 | ) | (1,693,658 | ) | (260,311 | ) |
| Income from operations | 903,158 | 715,654 | 109,994 | |||
| Interest expense | (284,334 | ) | (324,413 | ) | (49,861 | ) |
| Change in fair value of warrant derivatives | 70,882 | - | - | |||
| Other income, net | 153,205 | 7,356 | 1,131 | |||
| Income before income taxes | 842,911 | 398,597 | 61,264 | |||
| Income tax expenses | (123,301 | ) | (98,470 | ) | (15,135 | ) |
| Net income | 719,610 | 300,127 | 46,129 | |||
| Less: income attributable to noncontrolling interest | 35,911 | - | - | |||
| Net income attributable to JA Solar Holdings | 683,699 | 300,127 | 46,129 | |||
| Net income per share attributable to ordinary shareholders: | ||||||
| Basic | 2.92 | 1.28 | 0.20 | |||
| Diluted | 2.92 | 1.28 | 0.20 | |||
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding: | ||||||
| Basic | 234,290,842 | 234,331,621 | 234,331,621 | |||
| Diluted | 234,402,452 | 234,369,595 | 234,369,595 | |||
| Comprehensive income | ||||||
| Net income | 719,610 | 300,127 | 46,129 | |||
| Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax | (44,517 | ) | 4,233 | 651 | ||
| Other comprehensive (loss)/income | (44,517 | ) | 4,233 | 651 | ||
| Comprehensive income | 675,093 | 304,360 | 46,780 | |||
| Income attributable to noncontrolling interest | 35,911 | - | - | |||
| Comprehensive income attributable to JA Solar Holdings | 639,182 | 304,360 | 46,780 | |||
| NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION | ||||||
| GAAP net income attributable to JA Solar Holdings | 683,699 | 300,127 | 46,129 | |||
| Change in fair value of warrant derivatives | (70,882 | ) | - | - | ||
| Non-GAAP net income attributable to JA Solar Holdings | 612,817 | 300,127 | 46,129 | |||
| Non-GAAP net income per share attributable to ordinary shareholders: | ||||||
| Basic | 2.62 | 1.28 | 0.20 | |||
| Diluted | 2.61 | 1.28 | 0.20 | |||
| Non-GAAP weighted average number of shares outstanding: | ||||||
| Basic | 234,290,842 | 234,331,621 | 234,331,621 | |||
| Diluted | 234,402,452 | 234,369,595 | 234,369,595 | |||
| JA Solar Holdings Co., Ltd. | |||
| Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets | |||
| (Unaudited) | |||
| Dec. 31, | Dec. 31, | ||
| 2016 | 2017 | 2017 | |
| RMB'000 | RMB'000 | USD'000 | |
| ASSETS | |||
| Current assets: | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 2,569,402 | 1,473,455 | 226,466 |
| Restricted cash | 836,761 | 1,006,252 | 154,658 |
| Accounts receivable | 2,753,678 | 2,770,111 | 425,758 |
| Notes receivable | 563,144 | 77,995 | 11,988 |
| Inventories | 2,460,488 | 3,481,116 | 535,038 |
| Advances to suppliers | 282,369 | 321,344 | 49,390 |
| Other current assets | 799,314 | 847,705 | 130,290 |
| Total current assets | 10,265,156 | 9,977,978 | 1,533,588 |
| Property and equipment, net | 5,219,501 | 6,539,197 | 1,005,056 |
| Project asset | 2,338,648 | 2,945,613 | 452,732 |
| Advances to suppliers | 97,429 | 60,666 | 9,324 |
| Prepaid land use rights | 524,208 | 525,323 | 80,741 |
| Long-term investment | 69,022 | 67,656 | 10,399 |
| Other long term assets | 517,292 | 715,412 | 109,956 |
| Total assets | 19,031,256 | 20,831,845 | 3,201,796 |
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||
| Current liabilities: | |||
| Short-term borrowings | 2,912,866 | 2,910,859 | 447,391 |
| Accounts payable | 2,635,525 | 3,481,239 | 535,057 |
| Advances from customers | 610,718 | 719,016 | 110,511 |
| Current portion of long term borrowings | 525,256 | 996,010 | 153,084 |
| Accrued and other liabilities | 1,966,475 | 1,858,266 | 285,610 |
| Total current liabilities | 8,650,840 | 9,965,390 | 1,531,653 |
| Long-term borrowings | 2,701,438 | 2,061,399 | 316,831 |
| Other long term liabilities | 1,217,648 | 2,038,926 | 313,377 |
| Total liabilities | 12,569,926 | 14,065,715 | 2,161,861 |
| Total JA Solar Holdings shareholders' equity | 6,461,130 | 6,765,930 | 1,039,904 |
| Noncontrolling interest | 200 | 200 | 31 |
| Total shareholders' equity | 6,461,330 | 6,766,130 | 1,039,935 |
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | 19,031,256 | 20,831,845 | 3,201,796 |