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China 3C Group Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2008 Financial Results

Wed. March 25, 2009; Posted: 09:00 AM
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HANGZHOU, China, March 25, 2009 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- CHCG | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- China 3C Group (''China 3C'' or the ''Company'') (OTC Bulletin Board: CHCG), a retailer and wholesale distributor of consumer and business products in China, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2008.

Results for the three months ended December 31, 2008

Net sales for the fourth quarter of 2008 increased 22.9% to $84.9 million compared to $69.1 million for the same period of the prior year. This 22.9% sales increase for the fourth quarter was primarily attributable to the rollout of new consumer electronic products and increased marketing initiatives within the Company's store-in-store locations. The Company's retail business generated approximately 68% of sales while the wholesale business generated approximately 32% of sales in the fourth quarter.

Among the Company's four major operating subsidiaries, the net combined retail and wholesale revenue contribution of each subsidiary was as follows:

-- WangDa (cell phones) fourth quarter 2008 revenue increased over 40.5% to $28.2 million compared to the prior year period. Fourth quarter gross profit margin for WangDa was 14.4%.

-- Joy & Harmony (consumer electronics) fourth quarter 2008 revenue increased over 27.0% to $22.6 million compared to the prior year period. Fourth quarter gross profit margin for Joy & Harmony was 14.5%.

-- SanHe (appliances) fourth quarter 2008 revenue decreased 4.4% to $17.8 million compared to the prior year period. Fourth quarter gross profit margin for SanHe was 17.8%.

-- YongXin (communications/office electronic equipment) fourth quarter 2008 revenue increased 29.4% to $16.4 million compared to the prior year period. Fourth quarter gross profit margin for YongXin was 17.6%.

Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2008 was $13.4 million compared to $11.2 million in the same period of the prior year. Fourth quarter 2008 gross margin was 15.7% compared to 16.2% for the same period of the prior year and 15.0% in the third quarter of 2008. This gross margin rate was within the Company's previously announced 14.5%-16% forecast guidance range. The year over year decrease in gross margin was a result of a slightly more promotional sales environment on certain products within the Company's store-in-store locations.

General and administrative expense for the fourth quarter of 2008 totaled $4.1 million, or approximately 4.8% of net sales, compared to $4.0 million, or approximately 5.8% of net sales, for the same period of the prior year. The G&A decrease on a percentage basis was a result of strict cost controls implemented by the Company.

Income from operations for the fourth quarter of 2008 was $9.3 million, or 10.9% of net sales, compared to income from operations of $7.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2007, or 10.4% of net sales.

The Company's tax rate for the 2008 fourth quarter decreased to 24.2% from 38.9% in the prior year period. In the future, the Company expects a tax rate of approximately 25%.

Fourth quarter net income was $7.1 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2008 compared to $4.4 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2007.

The Company's cash position increased 29% to $32.2 million compared to $25.0 million at the end of December 31, 2007. The Company does not currently have any debt. The increase in accounts receivable in 2008 was due to the extension of payment terms from all the Company's retail partners from 15 days to 30 days. The collection of debt is based on the terms of legal binding documents. The Company has not changed its policy on reserving for bad debt and has not found any abnormal increases in bad debt.

Results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008

Net sales for 2008 increased 13% to $310.6 million, compared to $276.0 million for 2007. Gross margin decreased 220 basis points to 15.7% compared to 17.9% in 2007. General and administrative expenses for 2008 totaled $14.1 million, or approximately 4.5% of sales, compared to $13.6 million, or 4.9% of sales, in 2007. Income from operations for 2008 was $34.5 million, as compared to income from operations of $35.8 million in the prior year. Net income was $26.8 million for 2008, compared to $22.9 million in 2007. Diluted earnings per share increased to $0.51 for 2008 compared to $0.44 in 2007.

Mr. Zhenggang Wang, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are very pleased to report solid full year and fourth quarter 2008 financial results, particularly as our fourth quarter results exceeded our preliminary revenue, net income and diluted EPS results announced in mid-January 2009. We believe that China 3C Group continues to benefit uniquely from its size and scale, strong customer and supplier relationships, its product breadth and selection and its pricing, all of which, in our view, have allowed us to expand our market position even during these challenging economic times.

''At the end of the fourth quarter, we operated 1,014 store-in-stores located in 277 branded retail store locations. Our sizeable presence allows us to negotiate better terms and prices from our suppliers and our product breadth helps us to more broadly penetrate retail locations and meet customer demand. We enjoyed a monthly per-store revenue increase in 2008 which we attribute to our introduction of new branded products and our customer-oriented quality service programs. The retail stores that we operate are located in some of China's best-known consumer electronic retail chains. These chains include Gome, where we operate 93 store-in-store locations, Suning (92 store-in-stores), Yongle (88 store-in-stores), Lianhua Holdings (87 store-in-stores), Trust-Mart (65 store-in-stores), Tesco (30 store-in-stores), and Carrefour (25 store-in-stores), among others.

''We continue to see steady improvement to our balance sheet. We finished the year with over $32 million in cash. This was an increase from both the prior year and prior quarter and also takes into account a partial cash payment of approximately $7.3 million for the acquisition of Jinhua Boafa announced in late December 2008. We are pleased with the efficiencies of our operations, which are best demonstrated by our inventory turns, which turned 24 times in 2008. In addition, we have no debt, were cash flow positive from operations and ended 2008 with a book value per share of $1.66.

''We believe that 2009 will be another solid year for China 3C Group. Consumer demand for our products remains steady and we continue to focus on expanding profits and minimizing operating expenses within our store-in-store locations. We also expect to see growth coming from our direct and franchise stores we expect to open this year. With the establishment of our franchise business, we believe that we have a great opportunity to increase our sales and profitability, create additional operating leverage and improve our brand visibility. We look forward to further establishing China 3C Group as a leading retailer and distributor of consumer electronic products in the eastern China region,'' concluded Wang.

About China 3C Group

China 3C is a leading wholesale distributor and retailer of 3C merchandise: computers, communication products and consumer electronics. The Company specializes in wholesale distribution and retail sales of 3C products in Eastern China, focusing on products that make life more comfortable, convenient and connected. The Company's goal is to become the number one retailer of 3C products in China. For more information, visit http://www.china3cgroup.com .

Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements set forth in this press release constitute "Forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We have included and from time to time may make in our public filings, press releases or other public statements, certain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K. In some cases these statements are identifiable through the use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "project," "target," "can," "could," "may," "should," "will," "would" or words or expressions of similar meaning. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward- looking statements. In addition, our management may make forward-looking statements to analysts, investors, representatives of the media and others. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts and represent only our beliefs regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and China 3C Group undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or to announce revisions to any of the forward-looking statements.

    For more information, please contact:

     Jason Yuan, Vice President
     China 3C Group
     Email: ir@china3cgroup.com

     Bill Zima
     ICR, Inc.
     Tel: +1-203-682-8200


                  (Financial tables on the following pages)



                       CHINA 3C GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
               FOR YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006

                                   2008              2007            2006

    Net sales                $  310,644,661    $  276,026,673   $ 148,218,848
    Cost of sales            $  262,002,877    $  226,656,242   $ 125,411,758
    Gross profit                 48,641,784        49,370,431      22,807,090
    Selling, general and
     administrative expenses     14,132,473        13,614,500       5,544,924
    Income from operations       34,509,311        35,755,931      17,262,166

    Other Income (Expense)
    Interest income                 146,344            88,413          31,293
    Other income                  1,149,537                --              --
    Other expense                  (359,682)          (74,215)       (100,646)
    Interest expense                     --                --          (7,565)
    Total Other Income
    (Expense)                       936,199            14,198         (76,918)
    Income before income
     taxes                       35,445,510        35,770,129      17,185,248
    Provision for income
     taxes                        8,611,298        12,850,429       5,908,122
    Net income               $   26,834,212    $   22,919,700    $ 11,277,126

    Net income per share:
    Basic & diluted          $         0.51    $         0.44    $       0.24

    Weighted average
     number of shares
     outstanding:
    Basic & diluted              52,696,327        52,671,438      46,179,507



                         CHINA 3C GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                              December 31,       December 31,
                                                  2008               2007
                               ASSETS
    Current Assets
     Cash and cash equivalents             $  32,157,831       $  24,952,614
     Accounts receivable, net                 23,724,587           8,077,533
     Inventories                              12,716,631           6,725,371
     Advance to supplier                       2,491,518           2,572,285
     Prepaid expenses                             87,773             382,769
       Total Current Assets                   71,178,340          42,710,572

    Property & equipment, net                     64,100              89,414
    Goodwill                                  20,348,278          20,348,278
    Deposit for acquisition
     of subsidiary                             7,318,501                  --
    Refundable deposits                           32,076              48,541
       Total Assets                        $  98,941,295      $   63,196,805

    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

    Current Liabilities
      Accounts payable and accrued
       expenses                            $   9,162,606      $    3,108,235
      Income tax payable                       2,140,624           2,684,487
       Total Current Liabilities              11,303,230           5,792,722

    Stockholders' Equity

    Common stock, $.001 par value,
     100,000,000 shares authorized,
     52,696,327 and 52,673,938 issued
     and outstanding as of December 31,
     2008 and December 31,
     2007, respectively                           52,696              52,674
      Additional paid in capital              19,465,754          19,465,776
      Subscription receivable                    (50,000)            (50,000)
      Statutory reserve                       11,109,379           7,234,295
      Other comprehensive income               5,272,104           1,872,334
      Retained earnings                       51,788,132          28,829,004
         Total Stockholders' Equity           87,638,065          57,404,083
         Total Liabilities and
          Stockholders' Equity              $ 98,941,295        $ 63,196,805



                       CHINA 3C GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
               FOR YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006

                                           2008          2007          2006
    CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING
    ACTIVITIES

    Net Income                        $ 26,834,212  $ 22,919,700  $ 11,277,126
    Adjustments to reconcile net
     income to net cash provided
     by operating activities:
    Depreciation                            36,116        40,714        20,191
    Gain on asset disposition               (2,161)           --          (936)
    Provision for bad debts                261,515         9,021        82,686
    Stock based compensation               336,668     2,113,270            --
    Amortization of deferred
     consulting expense                         --            --       387,945
    Effect of changes in:
    Accounts receivables               (15,908,569)      (73,483)   (2,375,209)
    Inventories                         (5,991,260)   (3,945,865)     (487,593)
    Prepaid expense and other
     current asset                         (41,672)     (322,710)       85,216
    Advance to supplier                     80,767      (356,444)     (848,848)
    Refundable Deposits                     16,465       (41,974)       (5,929)
    Accounts payable and accrued
     expenses                            6,054,371     1,143,572     1,356,272
    Income tax payable                    (543,863)       87,970     1,477,695


    Net cash provided by operating
     activities                         11,132,589    21,573,771    10,968,616

    CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING
    ACTIVITIES
    Purchase of property & equipment       (11,088)     (64,325)       (30,591)
    Proceeds from asset sales                2,447           --          1,508
    Deposits for acquisition of
     subsidiary                         (7,318,501)          --             --
    Net cash used in Investing
     activities                         (7,327,142)     (64,325)       (29,083)

    CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING
    ACTIVITIES
    Payments of acquisition notes -
     net of cash acquired                       --   (4,500,000)    (6,550,157)
    Payments of notes - other                   --           --         (7,769)
    Net cash used in financing
     activities                                 --   (4,500,000)    (6,557,926)

    Effect of exchange rate changes
     on cash and cash equivalents        3,399,770    1,444,718        167,621

    Net change in cash and cash
     equivalents                         7,205,217   18,454,164      4,549,228
    Cash and cash equivalents,
     beginning balance                  24,952,614    6,498,450      1,949,222

    Cash and cash equivalents,
     ending balance                   $ 32,157,831 $ 24,952,614    $ 6,498,450


SOURCE China 3C Group

http://www.china3cgroup.com
For full details for CHCG click here.

    


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