revenue: $124,1mio gross profit: $ 33,4mio (26,9%) net income: $ 21,3mio eps: 0,95 diluted weighted average number of shares: 22,8mio
CEO Commentary:
“During the third quarter of 2016 we made significant inroads executing on our strategic plan to restructure the business and maximize value for shareholders. Overall, it was a very positive quarter, exhibited through improved gross margins, a stronger cash balance and significant operational progress in both the aquaculture and the cattle/beef businesses. "
“To recap our high-level strategy, we are undertaking a series of initiatives to transition Sino Agro Food into an investment vehicle with positions in multiple independent, public companies operating within China’s agricultural industry. To this end, Sino Agro Food’s two largest and fast growing subsidiaries – the aquaculture and beef businesses – will be carved out from the parent company and listed on stock exchanges where we believe their shares will be able to trade at a market value commensurate with peers and substantially higher than their embedded values. As part of this carve out and IPO process, we are raising growth capital for these subsidiaries to accelerate their development, with Sino Agro Food expected to retain significant stakes in each of the companies after the spin offs have occurred."
“One key focus right now is our aquaculture business, which we believe has the potential to develop into an extremely profitable and sustainable business model of much larger size. Through its proprietary indoor recirculating aquaculture systems (“RAS”) technology, the aquaculture business produces disease-free, superior quality and higher-margin seafood to the China markets all year-round. With aquaculture the fastest growing food production system in the world, and currently accounting for nearly 45% of world seafood supply, we are confident that our superior production methods position the aquaculture subsidiary as a competitive and significant player in a rapidly growing market."
“By transferring all the assets from our wholly-owned subsidiary, Capital Awards, into a standalone entity, we expect to attract institutional investors who specialize in investing in high-growth business opportunities, spurring higher valuations for the “new” entities, as well as SIAF. We strongly believe this strategy is the most efficient way to enable the aquaculture business to grow rapidly, benefiting all shareholders."
“During the third quarter, we took necessary steps to commence work at the aqua-farms. This has curtailed production in the short term, but is expected to expand capacity, and therefore revenues, as early as Q4 2016. The Company was able to secure $8.2 million in working capital to facilitate these efforts while continuing to work closely with a major Asian bank toward securing a larger loan to accelerate the growth of the company. The larger loan is taking longer to complete since the prospective lender is agreeing to help underwrite the IPO as well. Thus, while the overall review and approval process for the “entire package” consumes more time, it also provides the Company’s shareholders a much greater return on investment than would other available alternatives, at this time. In the interim we will continue to develop the aquaculture farms organically via internally generated cash flow. With our plan to develop the world’s largest RAS farm, we are confident the aquaculture business can grow into a highly profitable company, driven by demand from the burgeoning middle classes in China."
"“SJAP, our cattle and beef subsidiary, is also undergoing several strategic changes to maximize its value. Specifically, we are restructuring the business with the goal of listing it on a stock exchange in early 2017. As with the aquaculture business, the carve-out will make it easier to more accurately value the company and is expected to attract more investors at a higher valuation."
“SJAP is transitioning toward production of higher quality beef which, as well as generating improved margins for the company, allows us to tap into an underserved niche. Currently, there is limited supply of premium quality beef in China and products on the market are typically imported from abroad. However, as Chinese consumers become wealthier and more discerning about food quality, the consumption of premium beef is expected to grow significantly. Sino Agro Food is one of the foremost players in this market and our leadership position in the industry provides an advantage going forward. During the quarter, we continued to transition toward premium cattle breeds. Coupled with higher prices for domestic beef, the transition led to a marked improvement in gross margins."
"In the short term our cash flow is constrained by ongoing investments in these business segments; yet, results from our strategy have already begun to materialize. As obscure as it may seem, the Company is reaching an inflection point in its growth trajectory and reiterates its appreciation to shareholders who remain confident in the Company’s mission going forward.”
Earnings Call Information
The Company will host an earnings call on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at 10:00 AM EDT/4:00 PM CET to discuss quarterly financial results.
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/...Food-Reports-Q3-2016-Results
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