Shanghai, China, Nov. 13 - China-Biotics, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: CHBT) ("China-Biotics", "the Company"), a leading Chinese firm specializing in the manufacture, research, development, marketing and distribution of probiotics products, today announced its financial results for the second quarter ended
September 30, 2007, of its 2008 fiscal year.
Second Quarter 2008 Highlights
-- Net sales increased 49.7% year-over-year to $8.2 million
-- Gross profit increased 56.7% year-over-year to $6.0 million
-- Gross profit margin increased to 73.1% from 69.8% the prior year
-- Operating income increased 19.6% year-over-year to $3.0 million
-- Net income increased 24.6% year-over-year and to $2.0 million, or $0.11 per fully diluted share
-- Added 8 new retail outlets during this quarter, bringing total number of outlets to 22
-- Signed a distribution agreement with a major bulk additives customer; added a second since the end of the quarter
Second Quarter 2008 Results
In the second quarter of the 2008 fiscal year, net revenues increased 49.7% to $8.2 million from $5.5 million in the same quarter a year ago. The growth was primarily caused by increased product sales volume. Shining Essence remained the Company's top-selling product, accounting for 62.6% of total sales, compared with 60.9% a year ago. Sales of Shining Essence increased 50% from the same period the prior year. Sales of Shining Golden Shield and Shining Energy increased by 61% and 37%, respectively, as sales increased in retail stores. The sales of other products, including Shining Stomach Protection, Shining Beauty Essence, Shining Sicanel and Shining Bifidus Factor, increased to 4.8% of total sales. Typically, 60% of the Company's sales take place during the third and fourth quarters of its fiscal year, as customers buy products to give as gifts during the Chinese festivals that occur during that time.
"We continued to experience rapid growth during the second quarter, as we expanded our base of retail stores," said Jinan Song, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of China-Biotics. "During the last two months, we also succeeded in penetrating the bulk additive market by supplying our probiotics to Bright Dairy and Food Co., a reputable, high-profile ice cream manufacturer, establishing a presence in this rapidly expanding segment. We also signed an agreement with Relax Xinqiao Food Co., a substantial baked products producer, to supply probiotics as food additives."
Gross profit during the quarter increased 56.7% to $6.0 million from $3.8 million a year ago. Gross margin was 73.1%, up from 69.8% last year, as we achieved more sales through our own stores, which enjoy a higher gross margin than sales through distributors. Gross margin also increased sequentially from 72.1% during the first quarter of fiscal 2008.
Total operating expenses during the second quarter increased to $3.0 million from $1.3 million during the same period a year ago. General and administrative expenses were $1.1 million, or 13.3% of sales, for the second quarter of fiscal 2008. The increase was primarily to the result of additional research costs related to the development and launch of new products. Selling expenses increased to $1.9 million, or 23.5% of sales, with the gradual rollout of new retail stores. As of September 30, 2007, the Company had 22 retail outlets in operation, compared to five stores a year ago.
For the second quarter of fiscal 2008, operating income was $3.0 million, an increase of 19.6% from $2.5 million a year ago. Operating margin was 36.2%, compared to 45.4% a year ago.
For the second quarter of fiscal 2008, net income was $2.0 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, an increase of 24.6% from $1.6 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, for the same period the prior year.
Six Month Results
Net sales for the first six months of fiscal 2008 were $17.7 million, up 31.4% from sales of $13.5 million in the prior year. Gross profit was $12.8 million, or 72.6% of sales, up 35.8% from gross profit of $9.5 million, or 70.2% of sales, in the first half of fiscal 2007. Operating income was $7.7 million, or 43.5% of sales, up 19.5% from operating income of $6.4 million, or 47.9% of sales, the prior year. Net income for the first six months of fiscal 2008 was $5.5 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, up from $4.5 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, in the same period of fiscal 2007.
Financial Condition
As of September 30, 2007, the Company had cash and cash equivalents on hand of $35.2 million and working capital of $23.8 million. Days sales outstanding (DSO) during the quarter was 113, down from 124 for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 and 157 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007. At September 30, 2007, the Company had no debt and had shareholders' equity of $30.3 million. During the first six months of fiscal 2008, China-Biotics generated $11.2 million in cash flow from operations.
Business Outlook
The Company hopes to form a network of 60 retail stores by the end of fiscal 2008 and up to 300 stores by the end of fiscal 2009. Most of the newly developed nutritional products will be launched through this Company-owned distribution channel, which demonstrates a service-oriented sales model, to create high customer loyalty.
Management expects to obtain approval for construction of the new probiotics manufacturing facility by the end of the 2007 calendar year. When the new production facility is at full capacity, China-Biotics will be one of the largest probiotics suppliers in China.
"We have achieved initial success in our bulk additives strategy, signing important agreements with several leading dairy and baked goods producers in China," Mr. Song said. All of this early work is helping to create the foundation for a successful expansion in this relatively new but growing market, and we look forward to further progress in the near
future."
Recent Events
In August 2007, China-Biotics signed an agreement with Bright Dairy & Food Co., Ltd. ("Bright Dairy") (SSE: 600597) to supply probiotics for Bright Dairy's ice cream products for the next three years. The ice cream packaging will include China-Biotics' registered "Shining Probiotics" trademark. Ice cream sold with probiotics additives will be one of Bright Dairy's hallmark products and have higher margins than other ice creams. This is the first time probiotics are being used as additives in ice cream products in China, allowing consumers to improve their gastrointestinal health through the intake of probiotics as they enjoy the ice cream.
In September 2007, China-Biotics announced the launch of its newest product, Shining Probiotics Protein Powder, which is being sold in the Shanghai and Changchun markets. Shining Probiotics Protein Powder is the first protein powder in China to include probiotics. Shining brand probiotics help improve the protein powder's taste, increase absorption by the human body and enhance the immune system and gastrointestinal health. Currently, the Company offers fruit flavor and high calcium varieties of its Shining Probiotics Protein Powder. Each has more than 30 micronutrients and contains four types of Shining Probiotics, all of which are designed to improve digestion and the body's ability to absorb protein.
In October, the Company announced it has signed a two-year letter of intent with Shanghai Relax Xinqiao Food Co., Ltd. to supply probiotics for Relax Xinqiao's baked products. Relax Xinqiao will use a combination of two Shining Probiotics products, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum ("LA-BB"), in its newly introduced bakery products, such as probiotics mousse cake and probiotics iced dessert. LA-BB helps to further break down cream and sugar into vitamins, peptides and amino acids. LA-BB is also helpful in maintaining a balanced gastrointestinal tract. The agreement runs through September 2009.
During the second quarter of fiscal 2008, China-Biotics opened eight Shining retail stores, bringing the total number of Company-owned retail outlets to 22. Of these, 18 are in Shanghai, while the remaining stores are in Changchun.