China Information Security Announces Strong First Quarter 2008 Results

Tue May 13, 2008 11:19pm EDT
 
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SHENZHEN, China, May 13 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- China Information
Security Technology, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: CIFS) ("China Information
Security," "CIST" or the "Company"), a leading provider of Information
Security and 3S (Geographic Information System -- GIS, Remote Sensing -- RS,
and Global Positioning System -- GPS) services in China, today announced
strong financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2008.
    First Quarter 2008 Highlights
    On GAAP basis,
    -- Revenues increased to $14.4 million, from $3.0 million
    -- Gross profit rose to $6.1 million, from $2.8 million
    -- Operating income increased to $3.7 million, from $2.5 million
    -- Net income grew 67.3% to $3.6 million, or $0.08 per basic and diluted
       share

    On a non-GAAP basis*,
    -- Revenues increased 180% year over year to $14.4 million, from $5.1
       million
    -- Gross profit rose 91% year over year to $6.1 million, representing a
       42% gross margin
    -- Operating income, rose 65.5% to $4.1 million, with a 28.6% operating
       margin
    -- Net income grew 85.3% to $4.0 million, or $0.09 per basic and diluted
       share
    * includes the consolidation of iASPEC and excludes stock based
      compensation ("SBC")

    "We are pleased to see such strong momentum in our operations in the first
quarter, as we reaped the benefits of our expanded product portfolio and
further geographic reach," commented Mr. Jiang Huai Lin, CEO of China
Information Security.  "At this point, we remain confident in achieving our
financial goals for the year 2008.  With the rapid expansion of our customer
base and the successful integration of newly acquired businesses, we should be
able to strengthen our competitive position and increase our market share."
    During the quarter, the Company achieved the following milestones:
    -- Expanded the market to 14 provinces and provincial cities in China,
       including Guangdong, Chongqing, Tianjin, Jiangxi, Guangxi, Zhejiang,
       Shanghai, Yunnan, Fujian, Hainan, Liaoning, Shanxi, Sichuan and Macao
    -- Completed the acquisition of Bocom Multimedia Display Company Limited
       ("Bocom Multimedia") and its subsidiary, Bocom Technology, for
       approximately $18.0 million
    -- Approved the entry of iASPEC into a series of agreements to acquire 57%
       of the shares of Wuhan Wuda Geoinformatics Co., Ltd. ("Geo"), a leading
       provider of GIS software products and integrated solutions in China,
       for an aggregate purchase price of RMB49.5 million (approximately
       US$7.0 million) in cash
    -- Changed the Company's corporate name to China Information Security
       Technology, Inc., to reflect the Company's national scope of operations
       and planned expansion into the high-growth civil-use GIS market
    -- Filed the application to list the Company's common stock on the NASDAQ
       Global Market

    First Quarter 2008 Results
    On a non-GAAP basis*,
    For the three months ended March 31, 2008, revenues grew 180% to $14.4
million, compared to $5.1 million in the same period of 2007. The increase was
primarily due to the Company's market expansion, development of new product
lines and procurement of several large-scale system integration projects.
Financial results of ISDT and Bocom Technology were consolidated starting from
November 1, 2007 and February 1, 2008, respectively. They contributed $3.0
million and $0.8 million to revenues for the three months ended March 31,
2008,
respectively.
    Gross profit for the first quarter of 2008 grew 91% year over year to $6.1
million, compared to the same period of 2007, representing a 42% gross margin.
The Company's gross margin declined mainly due to higher costs for procured
hardware and other subcontracting costs related to the implementation of
several large-scale system integration projects.
    Administrative expenses increased to $1.4 million in the first quarter of
2008, from $0.5 million in the same period last year. The increase was
attributable to an increase in the Company's administrative staff and
increased administrative costs due to the expansion of the Company's
operations.
    Selling expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 were around $0.4
million and remained stable as a percentage of revenues.
    Income from operations grew 65.5% to $4.1 million in the first quarter of
2008, representing an operating margin of 28.6%, as compared to $2.5 million
and 48.4% in the same period of 2007. The improvement was a result of the
strong increase in the Company's revenues.  However, the operating margin
declined due to higher costs for procured hardware and other subcontracting
costs related to the implementation of several large-scale system integration
projects, and increased operating expenses due to market expansion.
    The Company's subsidiaries, IST, ISDT and Bocom Technology, and its VIE,
iASPEC, are subject to EIT at a rate of 18% of assessable profits in 2008. In
addition, IST is a Foreign Investment Enterprise engaged in the technology
industry which entitles it to a two-year exemption from EIT followed by a 50%
tax exemption for the next three years. Income tax expenses for the three
months ended March 31, 2008 was $0.2 million.
    Net income grew 85.3% to $4.0 million in the first quarter of 2008, or
$0.09 per basic and diluted share, compared to $2.1 million during the same
period of 2007.*    * includes the consolidation of iASPEC and excludes SBC.
See Table 1 for a
      reconciliation of Net Income and EPS to exclude Stock Based Compensation
      Expense.

    Financial Condition
    As of March 31, 2008, the Company had $23.6 million in cash and cash
equivalents, total current assets of $58.1 million and total assets of $107.2
million. The Company's stockholders' equity increased to $80.3 million, from
$74.0 million as of December 31, 2007.
    Recent Developments
    (1) Corporate Governance
    In April 2008, China Information Security established three committees --
audit, compensation and nominating to comply with all NASDAQ listing
requirements. Mr. Sean Shao, CFO of NYSE listed Trina Solar, was retained as
the independent director who will lead as Chairman of the Audit Committee.
    (2) Completed Geo Acquisition
    On April 1, 2008, iASPEC closed the acquisition of 57% of the total equity
interest in Wuda Geoinformatics Co., Ltd. ("Geo"), a leading provider of GIS
software products and integrated solutions in China.
    (3) Reincorporation
    In April 2008, China Public Security Technology ("CPST") merged into China
Information Security Technology, Inc., a Nevada corporation, with CIST being
the surviving corporation. The symbol for CIST's common stock on the OTC
Bulletin Board has been changed to "CIFS.OB".
    (4) iASPEC's Establishment of Two New Subsidiaries
    On April 11, 2008, iASPEC established two subsidiaries in Shenzhen, PRC,
Shenzhen iASPEC Information Security Technology, Co., Ltd. and Shenzhen iASPEC
Intelligent Systems, Co., Ltd., each with registered paid-in capital of
RMB5,000,000 (approximately $712,000). The two new subsidiaries are to be
engaged in the provision of computer networks and intelligence control and
security surveillance systems, as well as in the sale of computer hardware and
software.
    Outlook for 2008
    The Company plans to leverage its strength and brand recognition in
Guangdong Province in order to win business across China. The Company intends
to manage its national operations from six centers located in Guangzhou,
Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Chongqing and Xi'an.
    Management expects that the acquisitions of ISDT, Bocom Technology, and
Geo will also accelerate the Company's geographic expansion, enhance its
technological capabilities or competitive advantages, provide licensing and
recurring revenue opportunities, and serve to fulfill its planned expansion
into civil-use GIS markets. Furthermore, the Company expects to capitalize on
its strong R&D capability and outstanding contract win ratio, to seize
contract opportunities during Phase II of China's "Golden Shield Project"
nationwide.
    "The market for security information technology continues to increase at a
very rapid rate," said Mr. Lin. "With our technological capabilities, diverse
and growing range of products, high barriers to entry and dedicated employees,
we believe that we are well positioned to execute on our business plan and to
create long term value for our stockholders."
    Fiscal Year 2008 Guidance
    The Company is maintaining its 2008 financial guidance for pro forma
revenues of $85 million, and pro forma net income of $27 million, which
excludes any non-cash charges as a result of employee stock option grants in
2007 and 2008 and amortization of intangible assets associated with the recent
acquisitions of ISDT, Bocom Technology and Geo.

                                        * Table 1

                Q108 Reconciliation of Net Income and EPS to Exclude
                   Stock Based Compensation Expense of $383,965
                                      Three Months        Basic      Diluted
                                             Ended
                                         March 31,          EPS          EPS
                                              2008

    Net Income                          $3,578,980        $0.08        $0.08
    Stock Based Compensation ("SBC")       383,965         0.01         0.01
    Net Income (without SBC)            $3,962,945        $0.09        $0.09

    Weighted Average Number of Shares                45,985,550   46,720,415


    Non-GAAP Financial Measures
    The Company uses non-GAAP financial measures in this press release due to
the inclusion of financial information of iASPEC which is considered to be the
Company's "Predecessor" for these purposes. Effective as of July 1, 2007,
iASPEC became the Company's variable interest entity, or VIE, whose operation
results began to be reflected in the financial data starting from July 1,
2007.
Therefore, the accompanying financial data for the three months ended March
31,
2008, reflect the results of operations of CIST, its subsidiaries and its VIE,
while the financial data for the three months ended March 31, 2007 only
reflects the results of operations of CIST and its subsidiaries. We have
provided non-GAAP financial measures through the reallocation of net related
party revenues from iASPEC before it became a consolidated entity, which is
not in accordance with US GAAP. The reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial
measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure is provided in the
following section. The Company's management believes that these non-GAAP
financial measures are necessary because the abnormally high financial ratios
calculated using GAAP would be misleading to investors and would not reflect
the substance of the Company's performance.
    About China Information Security Technology, Inc.
    Through its wholly-owned Chinese subsidiary, China Information Security is
focused on the development and implementation of large scale, high-tech
information security and 3S ("Geographic Information System -- GIS, Remote
Sensing -- RS, and Global Positioning System -- GPS") related projects. The
Company provides a broad portfolio of fully integrated solutions and services,
including security information technology (First Responder Coordination
Platform, Intelligent Border Control System and Residence Card Information
Management System), 3S (GIS, RS and GPS), and Product Sales and Services.
Through its exclusive contractual arrangement with iASPEC Software Company
Limited (iASPEC), China Information Security has the licenses to numerous
registered and copyrighted software applications in China. In addition, iASPEC
is considered the Company's variable interest entity, and its financial data
and information is consolidated into the Company's accounts.  To learn more
about the Company, please visit the corporate website at
http://www.cistchina.com .
    Safe Harbor Statement
    This press release may contain certain "forward-looking statements"
relating to the business of China Information Security Technology, Inc., and
its subsidiary companies.  All statements, other than statements of historical
fact included herein are "forward-looking statements" including statements
regarding the general ability of the Company to achieve its commercial
objectives; the business strategy, plans and objectives of the Company and its
subsidiaries; and any other statements of non-historical information. These
forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of forward-looking
terminology such as "believes," "expects" or similar expressions, involve
known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Although the Company believes that
the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable,
they do involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and these expectations
may prove to be incorrect. Investors should not place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press
release. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those
anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of
factors, including those discussed in the Company's periodic reports that are
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on its website
( http://www.sec.gov ). All forward-looking statements attributable to the
Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their
entirety by these factors. Other than as required under the securities laws,
the Company does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements.
                        --FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW--



                 CHINA INFORMATION SECURITY TECHNOLOGY, INC.
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (NON-GAAP)
                  THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2008 AND 2007



                                                                   NON-GAAP
                                                                      THREE
                                    THREE      THREE  REALLOCATION   MONTHS
                                   MONTHS     MONTHS         OF       ENDED
                                    ENDED      ENDED      RELATED     MARCH
                                 MARCH 31,  MARCH 31,      PARTY        31,
                                      2008       2007    REVENUE       2007

    REVENUE - THIRD PARTIES      14,404,426  1,213,318  3,932,251  5,145,569
    REVENUE - RELATED PARTY              --  1,818,823 (1,818,823)        --
    TOTAL REVENUE                14,404,426  3,032,141             5,145,569


    COST OF REVENUE              (8,352,264)  (210,712)(1,771,527)(1,982,239)

    GROSS PROFIT                  6,052,162  2,821,429             3,163,330

    ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES      (1,752,735)  (219,294)  (282,794)  (502,088)
    RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
     EXPENSES                      (147,003)        --                    --
    FEE TO iASPEC UNDER THE
     TURNKEY                             --    (45,000)              (45,000)
    SELLING EXPENSES               (417,703)   (68,669)   (59,107)  (127,776)

    INCOME FROM OPERATIONS        3,734,721  2,488,466             2,488,466

    OTHER INCOME, NET                69,401      7,525                 7,525
    INTEREST INCOME                  26,603     20,304                20,304
    MINORITY INTEREST               (45,000)        --                    --
    INCOME TAX EXPENSE             (206,745)  (377,444)             (377,444)

    NET INCOME                    3,578,980  2,138,851             2,138,851

    WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF
     SHARES


    BASIC                        45,985,550 36,446,205                    NA

    DILUTED                      46,720,415 36,760,592                    NA

    EARNINGS PER SHARE

    BASIC                              0.08       0.06                    NA
    DILUTED                            0.08       0.06                    NA



               CHINA INFORMATION SECURITY TECHNOLOGY, INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                  MARCH 31, 2008 AND DECEMBER 31, 2007

                                                   MARCH 31,     DECEMBER 31,
                                                       2008           2007
                                                 (UNAUDITED)      (AUDITED)
    ASSETS

    CURRENT ASSETS

    Cash and cash equivalents                $    23,624,772 $    19,755,182
    Investment in marketable securities                   --      14,966,752
    Accounts receivable                           21,142,354      11,721,306
    Notes receivable                                  49,842              --
    Advances to suppliers                          4,984,145       1,791,440
    Inventories                                    6,951,380       4,779,930
    Other receivables                              1,330,867         974,475
    TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS                          58,083,360      53,989,085

    Deposit for business acquisition               7,049,073       8,989,022
    Property and equipment                        14,075,360      13,826,896
    Intangible assets                              9,305,274       4,894,397
    Goodwill                                      18,701,923       7,154,395

    TOTAL ASSETS                             $   107,214,990 $    88,853,795

    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

    CURRENT LIABILITIES

    Accounts payable                         $     3,987,497 $     3,079,304
    Advances from customers                        1,460,301         394,383
    Income tax payable                               724,797         326,026
    Other payables and accrued expenses            1,625,030         987,483
    Acquisition consideration payable              9,000,000              --
    TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES                     16,797,625       4,787,196

    MINORITY INTEREST                             10,105,657      10,060,657

    STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Common stock, par $0.01;
    Authorized capital, 75,000,000 shares;
    Shares issued and outstanding (March 31,
     2008 and December 31,2007:
     45,639,396 shares)                              190,891        190,891


    Additional paid-in capital                    57,805,115      57,421,150
    Reserve                                        1,755,552       1,755,552
    Retained earnings                             16,749,529      13,170,549
    Accumulated other comprehensive income         3,810,621       1,467,800
    TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                    80,311,708      74,005,942

    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
     EQUITY                                  $   107,214,990      88,853,795



                  CHINA INFORMATION SECURITY TECHNOLOGY, INC.
                    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                  THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2008 AND 2007

                                                      MARCH 31,     MARCH 31,
                                                           2008         2007
    OPERATING ACTIVITIES
    Net income                                    $  3,578,980  $  2,138,851
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
     cash provided from operation:
    Depreciation                                       657,678        31,657
    Amortization of intangible assets                  217,854            --
    Stock-based compensation                           383,965            --
    Minority interest                                   45,000            --

    Changes in operating assets and liabilities,
     net of effects of business acquisition:
    Increase in inventories                           (590,698)           --
    Increase in accounts receivable                 (5,648,740)      (12,596)
    Increase in related party receivable                    --    (1,774,640)
    Increase in prepaid related party expenses              --    (5,386,997)
    Decrease in other receivables and deposits      (2,738,826)           --
    Decrease in accounts payable                      (303,819)           --
    Decrease in advances from customers             (1,024,711)           --
    Increase (decrease) in other payables and
     accrued expenses                                  439,039       (23,974)
    Increase in income tax payable                      70,142       343,608

    Net cash used in operating activities           (4,914,136)   (4,684,091)

    INVESTING ACTIVITIES
    Cash acquired from Bocom**                         713,793            --
    Deposits paid for acquisition of Geo            (6,909,279)           --
    Repayments from third parties                           --       332,479
    Advances to related parties                             --      (250,001)
    Decrease in amount due from a director                  --      (251,365)
    Purchase of property and equipment                (337,212)   (3,646,823)
    Capitalized software development costs             (67,292)           --
    Proceeds from sale of marketable securities     14,966,752            --

    Net cash provided by (used in) investing
     activities                                      8,366,762    (3,815,710)

    FINANCING ACTIVITIES
    Advances received from (repaid to) a third
     party company                                          --      (200,000)
    Proceeds from first private placement                   --    13,311,211

    Net cash provided by financing activities     $         --  $ 13,111,211

    NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS     $  3,452,626  $  4,611,410
    EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH            416,964        10,962
    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING            19,755,182       172,316
    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, ENDING             $ 23,624,772  $  4,794,688

    Supplemental disclosure of cash flow
     information
    Income taxes paid                             $    136,805  $     33,836
    ** 1,125,000 shares of common stock were issued for the purchase price of
       Bocom Multimedia acquisition, approximately $9,000,000, on April
1,2008.



    For more information, please contact:

    Company Contact:
     Mr. Michael Lin
     Vice President, Investor Relations
     China Information Security Technology, Inc.
     Tel:   +1-949-743-0868
     Email: mlin@cistchina.com

    Investor Relations Contact:
     Mr. Crocker Coulson
     President
     CCG Elite Investor Relations
     Tel:   +1-646-213-1915 (NY office)
     Email: crocker.coulson@ccgir.com
     Web:   http://www.ccgelite.com

SOURCE  China Information Security Technology, Inc.

Company Contact, Mr. Michael Lin, Vice President, Investor Relations, China
Information Security Technology, Inc., +1-949-743-0868, or mlin@cistchina.com;
Investor Relations Contact, Mr. Crocker Coulson, President of CCG Elite
Investor Relations, +1-646-213-1915 (NY office), or crocker.coulson@ccgir.com,
for China Information Security Technology, Inc.

 

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