Highway Holdings Reports Fiscal 2017 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Results


HONG KONG, June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Highway Holdings Limited (Nasdaq:HIHO) today reported results for its fiscal fourth quarter and year ended March 31, 2017 -- reflecting modest profitability for both periods despite a challenging operating environment in China and investments to support future growth.

Net income for the fiscal fourth quarter was $219,000, or $0.06 per diluted share, compared with $215,000, or $0.06 per diluted share, in the same quarter a year ago. Net sales for the same period were $4.7 million compared with $5.2 million a year ago.

Net income for fiscal 2017 was $527,000, or $0.14 per diluted share, compared with $1.25 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, a year earlier.  Net sales for fiscal 2017 were $19.6 million compared with $22.9 million a year ago – reflecting a strategic focus on eliminating low-profit margin business and reduced sales attributable to certain customers not accepting price increases.  Results were also heavily impacted by one-time expenses and production time losses related to the relocation of heavy machinery and equipment between buildings at the company’s facilities in China and the relocation of certain equipment to Myanmar.  

“Results for fiscal 2017 reflect improvement in operational margins, which benefitted from acceptance of price increases from some customers and the elimination of low-margin business, as noted above.  We continued to make progress in streamlining our OEM business, which includes greater utilization of automation equipment in China and increasing utilization of our Myanmar subsidiary.  In addition, we continued to strengthen our internal technology in fiscal 2017 to support innovation and future growth,” said Roland Kohl, chairman, president and chief executive officer.

He noted that the company’s expansion in Myanmar is becoming more attractive to the company’s existing and prospective customers due to the economic impact of escalating operational costs in China. “Nonetheless, the timing of business we expect to transition to our operations in Myanmar depends on a variety of factors and may continue to impact quarterly results due to higher or lower sales contributions, but we remain optimistic about our future growth prospects,” Kohl added.

Gross profit as a percentage of sales improved in fiscal 2017 to 28.4 percent from 25.8 percent a year earlier -- attributable to pricing adjustments to customers and products mix, despite higher labor costs and increased costs of operating in China.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased for fiscal 2017 compared with a year ago, due, in part, to the company’s expansion of its sales team to support new business activities; expenses related to relocating heavy equipment, as mentioned above; and, expenses related to the deployment of automation equipment to reduce production costs in China.  Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales increased to 24.5 percent in fiscal 2017 from 19.2 percent in fiscal 2016.

Currency exchange rates slightly negatively affected the company’s net income for fiscal 2017.  The company realized a currency exchange loss of $19,000 compared with a currency exchange loss of $21,000 a year ago, mainly due to weakness of the RMB. The company traditionally does not undertake any currency hedging transactions. 

Kohl noted that the company’s balance sheet remains strong, despite dividend payments made in fiscal 2017 -- representing an aggregate of $0.30 per share.  Total current assets at March 31, 2017 were $16.4 million, with working capital of $10.2 million and a current ratio of 2.6:1.  Total cash was $10 million, or $2.64 per diluted share, exceeding all current and long-term liabilities combined by $3.8 million.

Kohl highlighted the company’s total shareholders’ equity of $11.3 million at March 31, 2017 -- representing approximately $2.97 per diluted share.

About Highway Holdings

Highway Holdings produces a wide variety of high-quality products for blue chip original equipment manufacturers -- from simple parts and components to sub-assemblies and finished products.  Highway Holdings’ administrative offices are located in Hong Kong, with manufacturing and assembly facilities located in Shenzhen in the People’s Republic of China and Myanmar.

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to economic, competitive, governmental, political and technological factors affecting the company's revenues, operations, markets, products and prices, and other factors discussed in the company’s various filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation, the company’s annual reports on Form 20-F.

(Financial Tables Follow)



HIGHWAY HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statement of Income
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
 Three Months Ended Year Ended
 March 31,
(Unaudited)
 March 31,
(Audited)
        
  2017   2016   2017   2016 
        
Net sales$4,720  $5,248  $19,603  $22,935 
Cost of sales 3,081   3,812     14,033   17,007 
Gross profit 1,639   1,436   5,570   5,928 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 1,299   1,108   4,809   4,412 
        
Operating income 340   328   761   1,516 
        
Non-operating items       
        
Exchange (loss) gain, net 34   (1)  (19)  (21)
Interest income 4   2   8   10 
Gain on disposal of assets -   -   0   0 
Other income / (expenses) (1)  0   11   2 
        
Total non-operating income 37   1   (0)  (9)
        
Share of profits (loss) of equity investee -   -   -   - 
Income before income tax and non-controlling Interest 377   329   761   1,507 
Income taxes credit (expense) (156)   (112)  (236)  (243)
Net Income before non-controlling interests 221   217   525   1,264 
        
Less Net gain / (loss) attributable to non-controlling Interests 2   2   (2)  13 
Net Income attributable to Highway Holdings Limited shareholders$219  $215  $527  $1,251 
        
Net Income per share:       
Basic$0.06   $0.06  $0.14  $0.33 
Diluted$0.06  $0.06  $0.14  $0.33 
        
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:       
Basic 3,802   3,802  3,802   3,802 
Diluted 3,802   3,802  3,802   3,802 



HIGHWAY HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheet
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
 March 31, March 31,
  2017  2016 
Current assets:  
Cash and cash equivalents$10,028 $9,140 
Accounts receivable, net of doubtful accounts 3,403  4,321 
Inventories 2,265  1,425 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 714  844 
Total current assets 16,410  15,730 
   
Property, plant and equipment, (net)  954  1,121 
Goodwill 77  77 
Long-term deposits 111  111 
Investments in equity method investees -  - 
-Total assets$17,552 $17,039 
   
Current liabilities:  
Accounts payable$2,391 $1,307 
Accrual expenses and other liabilities 3,053  2,789 
Income tax payable 328  440 
Dividend payable 438  537 
Total current liabilities 6,210  5,073 
Deferred income taxes 32  32 
Total liabilities 6,242  5,105 
   
Shareholders' equity:  
Common shares, $0.01 par value 38  38 
Additional paid-in capital 11,370  11,370 
Retained earnings 13  512 
Treasury shares, at cost – 5,049 shares as of March 31, 2017 and 2016 (14) (14)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (136) (34)
Total Highway Holdings Limited shareholders’ equity 11,271  11,872 
Non-controlling interest 39  62 
Total Equity 11,310   11,934 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity$17,552 $17,039 

 


            

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