10-Q 1 v351798_10q.htm FORM 10-Q

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

  

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

  

xQuarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2013

 

or

 

¨Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from to .

 

Commission File Number 000-52650

 

 

 

LIHUA INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

  

Delaware 14-1961536
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or
Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

Houxiang Five Star Industry District
Danyang City, Jiangsu Province, PR China 212312
(Address of Principal Executive Offices including zip code)

 

+86 51 86317399
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every, Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company

Large Accelerated Filer ¨ Accelerated Filer x

Non-Accelerated Filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) ¨

Smaller reporting company ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x

 

There were 29,831,336 shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock issued and outstanding on August 7, 2013.

 

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Lihua International, Inc.
Index to Form 10-Q

 

        Page
         
PART 1 — FINANCIAL INFORMATION   3
         
Item 1.   UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS   3
         
Item. 2.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITIONS AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS   25
         
Item 3.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK   36
         
Item 4.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES   37
         
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION   38
         
Item 1.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS   38
         
Item 1A.   RISK FACTORS   38
         
Item 2.   UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS   38
         
Item 3.   DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES   38
         
Item 4.   MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES   38
         
Item 5.   OTHER INFORMATION   38
         
Item 6.   EXHIBITS   38
         
SIGNATURES   39

 

2
 

 

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

LIHUA INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(AMOUNTS EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS)

 

   June 30,   December 31, 
   2013   2012 
         
ASSETS          
CURRENT ASSETS          
Cash and cash equivalents  $180,841,776   $144,300,290 
Accounts receivable, net   43,921,519    45,284,923 
Prepayments for raw material purchases   20,168,209    19,569,239 
Inventories   19,413,991    17,844,405 
Other receivables, deposits and prepayments   678,442    559,955 
Prepaid land use right – current portion   412,961    406,026 
Deferred income tax assets   54,767    24,948 
Total current assets   265,491,665    227,989,786 
OTHER ASSETS          
Property, plant and equipment, net   46,141,013    47,197,115 
Construction in progress   623,108    175,006 
Deposit for plant and equipment   332,109    - 
Prepaid land use right – long-term portion   18,660,843    18,546,658 
Intangible assets   2,421    3,332 
Total non-current assets   65,759,494    65,922,111 
Total assets  $331,251,159   $293,911,897 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY          
CURRENT LIABILITIES          
Accounts payable  $6,031,889   $3,891,110 
Other payables and accruals   6,014,414    4,937,404 
Income taxes payable   5,617,636    5,797,188 
Warrant liabilities   325,000    354,000 
Total current liabilities   17,988,939    14,979,702 
Total liabilities   17,988,939    14,979,702 
           
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY          
Preferred stock: $0.0001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding   -    - 
Common stock, $0.0001 par value: 75,000,000 shares authorized, 30,095,383 shares issued and 29,831,336 shares outstanding as of June 30, 2013 (December 31, 2012: 30,084,883 shares issued and 29,820,836 shares outstanding)   3,009    3,008 
Additional paid-in capital   79,474,320    79,257,921 
Treasury stock, at cost, 264,047 shares as of June 30, 2013 and December 31,2012   (2,126,597)   (2,126,597)
Statutory reserves   16,684,390    14,566,846 
Retained earnings   197,032,573    170,163,120 
Accumulated other comprehensive income   22,194,525    17,067,897 
Total stockholders' equity   313,262,220    278,932,195 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $331,251,159   $293,911,897 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

 

3
 

 

LIHUA INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(AMOUNTS EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS)

 

   For the Three Months Ended June 30,   For the Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2013   2012   2013   2012 
                 
NET REVENUE  $245,804,613   $191,007,886   $464,034,152   $360,094,153 
                     
Cost of sales   (222,034,732)   (170,296,852)   (419,208,919)   (320,748,127)
                     
GROSS PROFIT   23,769,881    20,711,034    44,825,233    39,346,026 
                     
Selling expenses   (801,861)   (740,988)   (1,482,541)   (1,426,994)
General and administrative expenses   (2,006,127)   (1,834,465)   (4,411,911)   (3,932,299)
                     
Income from operations   20,961,893    18,135,581    38,930,781    33,986,733 
                     
Other income (expenses):                    
Interest income   154,254    204,694    325,005    367,830 
Gain on extinguishment of warrant liabilities   3,520    -    3,520    73,291 
Change in fair value of warrants   73,000    (44,000)   (35,000)   (474,000)
Other income   40,628    -    34,864    94,779 
Total other income   271,402    160,694    328,389    61,900 
                     
Income before income taxes   21,233,295    18,296,275    39,259,170    34,048,633 
Provision for income taxes   (5,557,485)   (4,849,609)   (10,272,173)   (9,126,955)
                     
NET INCOME  $15,675,810   $13,446,666   $28,986,997   $24,921,678 
                     
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:                    
Foreign currency translation adjustments   4,364,921    (1,210,053)   5,126,628    (1,001,651)
                     
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME  $20,040,731   $12,236,613   $34,113,625   $23,920,027 
                     
Net income per share                    
Basic  $0.53   $0.45   $0.97   $0.84 
Diluted  $0.52   $0.45   $0.97   $0.83 
                     
Weighted average number of shares outstanding                    
Basic   29,825,336    29,820,836    29,823,098    29,810,996 
Diluted   29,993,580    30,017,985    29,972,614    30,049,336 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4
 

 

LIHUA INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(AMOUNTS EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS)

 

                       Accumulated     
   Common Stock   Additional               Other     
   Number of       Paid-in   Statutory   Treasury   Retained   Comprehensive     
   Shares   Amount   Capital   Reserves   Stock   Earnings   Income   Total 
                                 
At January 1, 2013   29,820,836   $3,008   $79,257,921   $14,566,846   $(2,126,597)  $170,163,120   $17,067,897   $278,932,195 
                                         
Net income    -     -     -     -     -    28,986,997    -    28,986,997 
Foreign currency translation adjustment   -    -    -    -    -    -    5,126,628    5,126,628 
Exercise of warrants   10,500    1    60,479    -    -    -    -    60,480 
Share-based payments to employees and directors   -    -    155,920    -    -    -    -    155,920 
Appropriation of statutory reserves   -    -    -    2,117,544    -    (2,117,544)   -    - 
                                         
At June 30, 2013   29,831,336   $3,009   $79,474,320   $16,684,390   $(2,126,597)  $197,032,573   $22,194,525   $313,262,220 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

5
 

 

LIHUA INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(AMOUNTS EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS)

 

   For the Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2013   2012 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES          
Net income  $28,986,997   $24,921,678 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:          
Depreciation and amortization   2,100,078    1,338,540 
Share-based compensation   155,920    214,475 
Gain on extinguishment of warrant liabilities   (3,520)   (73,291)
Change in fair value of warrants   35,000    474,000 
Deferred income tax benefits   (29,092)   180,702 
(Increase) decrease in assets:          
Accounts receivable   2,124,534    (75,526)
Prepayments for raw material purchases   (269,428)   3,949,625 
Other receivables, deposits and prepayments   (96,368)   402,111 
Inventories   (1,248,432)   (2,327,659)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:          
Accounts payable   2,052,624    (899,804)
Other payables and accruals   1,173,543    (286,113)
Income taxes payable   (276,938)   201,621 
Net cash provided by operating activities   34,704,918    28,020,359 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES          
Purchase of property, plant and equipment   (41,671)   (2,274,852)
Deposits for plant and equipment and construction in progress   (961,226)   (4,650,631)
Net cash used in investing activities   (1,002,897)   (6,925,483 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES          
Dividend paid   -    (992,846)
Net cash used in financing activities   -    (992,846)
Foreign currency translation adjustment   2,839,465    (550,690)
INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS   36,541,486    19,551,340 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, at the beginning of the period   144,300,290    105,637,627 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, at the end of the period  $180,841,776   $125,188,967 
MAJOR NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS:          
Share-based compensation to employees and directors  $155,920   $214,475 
Issuance of common stock to settle warrant liabilities   60,480    311,704 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE INFORMATION          
Cash paid for income taxes  $10,578,202   $8,744,632 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

6
 

 

LIHUA INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2013 AND 2012

 

NOTE 1DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND ORGANIZATION

 

(A)BUSINESS AND ORGANIZATION

 

Lihua International, Inc. (“Lihua” or the “Company”) was incorporated in the State of Delaware on January 24, 2006 under the name Plastron Acquisition Corp.  On September 22, 2008, the Company changed its name from Plastron Acquisition Corp. to Lihua International, Inc. The Company conducts its business through two operating subsidiaries, Danyang Lihua Electron Co., Ltd. and Jiangsu Lihua Copper Industry Co., Ltd.

 

On September 4, 2009, the Company’s common stock began trading on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “LIWA.”

 

As of June 30, 2013, details of the subsidiaries of the Company are as follows:

 

Subsidiaries’ names  Domicile and date
of
Incorporation
  Paid-up capital   Effective
Ownership
   Principal activities
               
Ally Profit Investments Limited (“Ally Profit”)  British Virgin Islands
March 12, 2008
  $100    100%  Holding company of other subsidiaries
                 
Lihua Holdings Limited (“Lihua Holdings”)  Hong Kong
April 17, 2008
  HK$100    100%  Holding company of other subsidiaries
                 
Danyang Lihua Electron Co., Ltd. (“Lihua Electron”)  People’s Republic of China (“PRC”)
December 30, 1999
  $10,500,000    100%  Manufacturing and sales of pure copper wire and bimetallic composite conductor wire such as copper clad aluminum (CCA) wire and enameled CCA wire
                 
Jiangsu Lihua Copper Industry Co., Ltd. (“Lihua Copper”)  PRC
August 31, 2007
  $46,000,000    100%  Manufacturing and sales of refined copper

 

NOTE 2SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Principle of consolidation

These condensed consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Lihua International, Inc. and its subsidiaries.  All significant inter-company balances or transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.

 

Basis of preparation

These interim condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments and disclosures necessary for a fair presentation of these interim condensed consolidated financial statements, which are of a normal and recurring nature, have been included. The results reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements for any interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be reported for the entire year. The (a) condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2012, which was derived from audited financial statements, and (b) the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying footnotes of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

7
 

 

LIHUA INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2013 AND 2012

 

NOTE 2SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

 

Use of estimates

The preparation of these financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of these financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Accordingly, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of all cash balances and highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less.  Because of the short maturity of these investments, the carrying amounts approximate their fair value.  Restricted cash is excluded from cash and cash equivalents.

 

Accounts receivable

Accounts receivable are stated at cost, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts.   The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses, if any, resulting from the failure of customers to make required payments. The Company reviews the accounts and bills receivable on a periodic basis and makes allowances where there is doubt as to the collectibility of individual balances. In evaluating the collectibility of individual receivable balances, the Company considers many factors, including the age of the balance, the customer’s payment history, its current credit-worthiness and current economic trends.

 

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, determined on a weighted average basis, or market. Costs of inventories include purchase and related costs incurred in bringing the products to their present location and condition. Market value is determined by reference to selling prices after the balance sheet date or to management’s estimates based on prevailing market conditions. Management will write down the inventories to market value if it is below cost. Management also regularly evaluates the composition of its inventories to identify slow-moving and obsolete inventories to determine if a valuation allowance is required.

 

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses, if any. Gains or losses on disposals are reflected as gain or loss in the year of disposal. The cost of improvements that extend the life of buildings, machinery and equipment are capitalized. These capitalized costs may include structural improvements, equipment and fixtures. All ordinary repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.

 

Depreciation for financial reporting purposes is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:

 

    Useful Life  
    (In years)  
Buildings   20  
Machinery   5-10  
Office equipment & motor vehicles   5  

 

8
 

 

LIHUA INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2013 AND 2012

 

NOTE 2SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

 

Construction in progress

Construction in progress includes direct costs of construction of buildings and equipment.  Interest incurred during the period of construction, if material, is also capitalized. Construction in progress is not depreciated until such time as the assets are completed and put into service.

 

Prepaid land use rights

Prepaid land use right represent lump sum payments for land use rights in the PRC.  The amount is expensed over the period the of land use rights of 50 years.

 

Impairment of long-lived assets

The Company reviews and evaluates its long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Impairment is considered to exist if the total estimated future cash flows on an undiscounted basis are less than the carrying amount of the assets, including goodwill, if any. An impairment loss is measured and recorded based on discounted estimated future cash flows. In estimating future cash flows, assets are grouped at the lowest level for which there is identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of future cash flows from other asset groups.

 

Derivative financial instruments

The Company evaluates all its financial instruments to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives. For derivative financial instruments that are accounted for as liabilities, the derivative instrument is initially recorded at its fair value and is then re-valued at each reporting date, with changes in the fair value reported in the consolidated statements of income.

 

The Company’s warrants have been classified as derivatives in accordance with the guidance provided in FASB ASC 815-40-15-7I, because they are denominated in U.S. dollars, which is different from the Company’s functional currency (Renminbi).The Company accounted for the exercise of these warrants as extinguishment of debts in accordance with ASC 815-10-40-1, “Derivatives and Hedges – Derecognition” and ASC 470-50-40, “Debt – Modification and Extinguishments – Derecognition”.

 

Revenue recognition

Revenue is recognized when the following four revenue criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the selling price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured.

 

Sales revenue is recognized net of value added tax, sales discounts and returns at the time when the merchandise is sold and delivered to the customer. Based on historical experience, management estimates that sales returns are immaterial and has not made an allowance for estimated sales returns.

 

Research and development costs

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred, and charged to general and administrative expense. For the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, research and development costs were $458,968 and $736,080, respectively. For the three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, research and development costs were $228,229 and $364,617, respectively.

 

Advertising costs

The Company expenses all advertising costs as incurred. The total amount of advertising costs charged to general and administrative expenses was $13,144 and $856 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, and $76 and nil for the three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

Shipping and handling costs

Substantially all costs of shipping and handling of products to customers are included in selling expenses. Shipping and handling costs for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 were $1,191,072 and $1,152,485, and for the three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 were $651,593 and $585,158, respectively.

 

9
 

 

LIHUA INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2013 AND 2012

 

NOTE 2SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

 

Foreign currency

The Company uses the United States dollar (“U.S. Dollar” or “US$” or “$”) for financial reporting purposes.  The functional currency of the parent company and Ally Profit is US$. The functional currency of Lihua Holdings is Hong Kong dollars. The PRC subsidiaries maintain their books and records in their functional currency, Chinese Renminbi (“RMB”), being the lawful currency in the PRC.  Assets and liabilities of the PRC subsidiaries are translated from RMB into US Dollars using the applicable exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet date.  Items on the statements of comprehensive income and cash flows are translated at average exchange rates during the reporting period.  Equity accounts are translated at historical rates.  Adjustments resulting from the translation of the Company’s financial statements are recorded as accumulated other comprehensive income. 

 

The exchange rates used to translate amounts in RMB into U.S. Dollars for the purposes of preparing the consolidated financial statements are based on the rates as published on the website of the People’s Bank of China and are as follows:

 

  June 30, 
2013
  December 31,
2012
Balance sheet items, except for equity accounts US$1=RMB6.1787   US$1=RMB6.2855

 

  For the Three Months Ended June 30,
  2013   2012
Items in the statements of comprehensive income and cash flows US$1=RMB6.2053   US$1=RMB6.3074

 

  For the Six Months Ended June 30,
  2013   2012
Items in the statements of comprehensive income and cash flows US$1=RMB6.2416   US$1=RMB6.3074

 

No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars at the above rates. The value of RMB against U.S. dollars and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in China’s political and economic conditions. Any significant revaluation of RMB may materially affect the Company’s financial condition in terms of U.S. dollar reporting.

 

10
 

 

LIHUA INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2013 AND 2012

 

NOTE 2SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

 

Recent accounting pronouncements

 

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-2, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (ASU 2013-02), that requires an organization to present the effects on the line items of net income of significant amounts reclassified out of Accumulated OCI, but only if the item reclassified is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. ASU 2013-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2012. All necessary disclosures have been complied within these financial statements.

 

In March 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-05, Foreign Currency Matters, (Topic 830): Parent's Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity (ASU 2013-05), to resolve a diversity in accounting for the cumulative translation adjustment of foreign currency upon derecognition of a foreign subsidiary or group of assets. ASU 2013-05 requires the parent to apply the guidance in Subtopic 830-30 to release any related cumulative translation adjustment into net income when a reporting entity (parent) ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets within a foreign entity. Accordingly, the cumulative translation adjustment should be released into net income only if the sale or transfer results in the complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity in which the subsidiary or group of assets had resided. Further, ASU 2013-05 clarified that the parent should apply the guidance in subtopic 810-10 if there is a sale of an investment in a foreign entity, including both (1) events that result in the loss of a controlling financial interest in a foreign entity and (2) events that result in an acquirer obtaining control of an acquiree in which it held an equity interest immediately before the acquisition date. Accordingly, the cumulative translation adjustment should be released into net income upon the occurrence of those events. ASU 2013-05 is effective prospectively for the Company in our first quarter of fiscal 2014, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect ASU 2013-05 to have a significant impact on its consolidated result of operations and financial condition.

 

In July 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740)(ASU 2013-11). The amendments in this update provide guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, similar tax loss, or tax credit carryforward exists. These amendments provide that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion thereof, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except to the extent that a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date to settle any additional income taxes that would result from disallowance of a tax position, or the tax law does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, then the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a liability. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect ASU 2013-11 to have a significant impact on its consolidated result of operations and financial condition.

 

Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

 

11
 

 

LIHUA INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2013 AND 2012

 

NOTE 3FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures, defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. This topic also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires classification based on observable and unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The fair value hierarchy distinguishes between assumptions based on market data (observable inputs) and an entity’s own assumptions (unobservable inputs). The hierarchy consists of three levels:

 

  Level one — Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
  Level two — Inputs other than level one inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable; and
  Level three — Unobservable inputs developed using estimates and assumptions, which are developed by the reporting entity and reflect those assumptions that a market participant would use.

 

Determining which category an asset or liability falls within the hierarchy requires significant judgment. The Company evaluates its hierarchy disclosures each quarter.

 

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant observable inputs (Level 2) from January 1, 2013 to June 30, 2013 are summarized as follows:

 

   Warrant
Liability
(Level 2)
 
     
Balance at January 1, 2013  $354,000 
Change in fair value included in earnings   35,000 
Exercise of warrants   (64,000)
Balance at June 30, 2013   325,000 

 

The Company did not identify any other non-recurring assets and liabilities that are required to be presented in the condensed consolidated balance sheets at fair value in accordance with the relevant accounting standards.

 

The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and payables approximate their fair values due to the short maturities of these instruments.

 

The Company estimates the fair value of its warrants as of June 30, 2013 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions:

 

12
 

 

LIHUA INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2013 AND 2012

 

NOTE 3FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS- CONTINUED

 

   June 30, 
2013
   December 31,
2012
 
Series B Warrants        
Market price of common stock:  $4.81   $4.39 
Exercise price:   3.50    3.50 
Remaining contractual life (years):   0.33    0.83 
Dividend yield:        
Expected volatility:   35.78%   51.41%
Risk-free interest rate:   0.05%   0.13%
Fair value – Series B Warrants  $301,000   $319,000 
           
Underwriter Warrants          
Market price of common stock:  $4.81   $4.39 
Exercise price:   4.80    4.80 
Remaining contractual life (years):   1.18    1.68 
Dividend yield:        
Expected volatility:   40.63%   61.26%
Risk-free interest rate:   0.18%   0.21%
Fair value – Underwriter Warrants  $24,000   $35,000 
           
Fair value – Total  $325,000   $354,000 

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2013, 28,348 warrants were exercised on a cashless basis to purchase 10,500 shares of common stock. In accordance with ASC 470-50-40, “Debt – Modification and Extinguishments – Derecognition”, an aggregate gain of $3,520 was recognized. For details, please refer to the following table.

 

Exercise date:  May 22, 2013 
Market price of common stock:  $5.76 
Exercise warrants:   28,348 
Exercise price:  $3.50 
Remaining contractual life (years):   0.44 
Dividend yield:   - 
Expected volatility:   35.48%
Risk-free interest rate:   0.07%
Fair values:  $2.2653 
Gain on extinguishment of warrant liabilities  $3,520 

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, 125,000 warrants were exercised on a cashless basis to purchase 48,402 shares of common stock. In accordance with ASC 470-50-40, “Debt – Modification and Extinguishments – Derecognition”, an aggregate gain of $73,291 was recognized.  For details, please refer to the following table.

 

Exercise date:  February 7, 2012 
Market price of common stock:  $6.44 
Exercise warrants:   125,000 
Exercise price:  $3.50 
Remaining contractual life (years):   1.73 
Dividend yield:   -%
Expected volatility:   39.43%
Risk-free interest rate:   0.21%
Fair values:  $3.08 
Gain on extinguishment of warrant liabilities  $73,291 

 

13
 

 

LIHUA INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2013 AND 2012

 

NOTE 4ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET

 

Accounts receivable consisted of the following:

 

   June 30, 
2013
   December 31, 
2012
 
Accounts receivable  $43,921,519   $45,284,923 
Less: Allowance for doubtful debts   -    - 
Accounts receivable, net  $43,921,519   $45,284,923 

 

NOTE 5PREPAYMENTS FOR RAW MATERIAL PURCHASES

 

Starting from the second quarter of 2011, the Company initiated purchases of scrap copper from overseas via a third-party import-export company. Pursuant to the terms of the Company’s purchase agreements with that third-party, the Company was required to make prepayments in advance of delivery of the purchased scrap copper to the Company’s production facilities. As of June 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, such prepayments were $20,168,209 and $19,569,239, respectively.

 

NOTE 6OTHER RECEIVABLES, DEPOSITS AND PREPAYMENTS

 

Other receivables, deposits and prepayments consisted of the following:

 

   June 30, 
2013
   December 31, 
2012
 
Prepaid insurance  $439,446   $162,000 
Other receivables   158,073    118,031 
Utility deposits   80,923    79,548 
Prepaid research and development costs   -    200,376 
Less: Allowance for valuation and doubtful debts   -    - 
           
   $678,442   $559,955 

 

In 2011, the Company signed various research and development contracts with Shanghai Electric Cable Research Institute. The service periods of the contracts vary from approximately 1.5 years to 3 years, with installment payment terms. Prepaid research and development costs as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 represented aggregate installment payments made upon execution of the contracts, net of amortization in 2013 and 2012, pursuant to the terms of these contracts.

 

NOTE 7INVENTORIES

 

Inventories by major categories are summarized as follows:

 

   June 30,
2013
   December 31,
2012
 
Raw materials  $11,937,907   $12,906,713 
Work in progress   637,392    419,695 
CCA and copper wire   2,685,487    2,947,584 
Copper rod and anode   4,153,205    1,570,413 
           
   $19,413,991   $17,844,405 
14
 

 

LIHUA INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2013 AND 2012

 

NOTE 8INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

   June 30,
2013
   December 31, 
2012
 
Computer software, cost  $15,792   $15,524 
Less: Accumulated amortization   (13,371)   (12,192)
           
   $2,421   $3,332 

 

Amortization expense for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 was $959 and $170, respectively. Amortization expense for the three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 was $482 and nil, respectively.

 

NOTE 9PREPAID LAND USE RIGHTS

 

The Company has recorded as prepaid land use rights the lump sum payments made to acquire long-term interests to utilize the land underlying the building and production facility.  This type of arrangement is common for the use of land in the PRC.  The prepaid land use rights are expensed on the straight-line basis over the term of the land use rights of 50 years. 

 

The amounts expensed on the prepaid land use right were $204,399 and $202,267 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, and $102,800 and $101,132 for the three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The estimated expense of the prepaid land use rights over each of the next five years and thereafter will be $412,961 per annum.

 

As of June 30, 2013, prepaid land use rights included RMB32,399,100 ($5,243,676) representing payments made by Lihua Copper to a local authority to acquire a 50-year right to use a parcel of land which will be used for expansion of its manufacturing facilities. As of June 30, 2013, RMB2,399,100 ($388,286) remained unpaid and is included as other payables and accruals. Apart from the payment of $5,243,676 to the local authority, the Company also paid $5,871,921 to various local authorities primarily as compensation to the local communities in connection with the Company’s acquisition of these land use rights.

 

The Company has completed all the formalities in relation to the acquisition of the land use rights, except for paying the last payment of RMB2,399,100 ($388,286). Based on the Company’s understanding of the process, each year the local government allocates certain area (mu) of land to selected local manufacturers. However, the physical land use right certificates are not issued to those manufacturers until the local government receives the formal annual land quota from the state government. The Company received a land use rights certificate in November 2011 for 100 mu out of a total of 180 mu of land allocated to the Company, and management expects to receive the land use rights certificate for the remaining 80 mu in 2013. Upon receipt of the land use right certificates for the remaining 80 mu of land, the Company will pay the remaining land use payments.

 

Based upon the local government practice, as well as the Company’s prior experience obtaining land use rights after going through the same process, management believes that the risk of losing the already allocated land use right is extremely low. In the unlikely event that the local government is unable to issue the physical land use right certificate for the remaining 80 mu of land, we believe we would have the right to receive a refund of the payment we made to the local government with respect to the land use right and, request to receive additional monies from the local government for construction costs incurred to date on the land.

 

15
 

 

LIHUA INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2013 AND 2012

 

NOTE 10PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET

 

Property, plant and equipment, net consisted of the following:

 

   June 30, 
2013
   December 31, 
2012
 
Cost:          
Buildings  $34,856,273   $34,264,012 
Office equipment   422,450    415,007 
Motor vehicles   749,870    696,015 
Machinery   21,918,317    21,545,892 
Total cost   57,946,910    56,920,926 
Less: Accumulated depreciation   (11,805,897)   (9,723,811)
Net book value  $46,141,013   $47,197,115 

 

Depreciation expense was $1,894,720 and $1,136,103 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, and $952,233 and $580,087 for the three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

NOTE 11CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS

 

Construction in progress is related to the construction of the new production plant and consisted of the following:

 

   June 30, 
2013
   December 31, 
2012
 
Construction of equipment  $178,031   $175,006 
Construction of buildings   445,077    - 
           
   $623,108   $175,006 

 

NOTE 12OTHER PAYABLES AND ACCRUALS

 

Other payables and accruals consisted of the following:

 

   June 30, 
2013
   December 31, 
2012
 
Accrued staff costs  $620,126   $763,430 
Other taxes payable   3,030,667    1,768,702 
Construction cost payable   1,798,227    1,958,204 
Research and development costs payable   137,350    - 
Other payables   428,044    447,068 
           
   $6,014,414   $4,937,404 

  

16
 

  

LIHUA INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2013 AND 2012

 

NOTE 13COMMON STOCK AND COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANTS

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2013, 28,348 warrants were exercised on a cashless basis to purchase 10,500 shares of common stock, which would have been exercisable in cash for $3.50 per share.

 

Warrants issued and outstanding at June 30, 2013, and changes during the six months then ended, are as follows:

 

   Warrants Outstanding   Warrants Exercisable 
   Number of
underlying shares
   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (years)
   Number of
underlying
shares
   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (years)
 
Balance, January 1, 2013   283,956   $3.63    0.91    283,956   $3.63    0.91 
Granted / Vested   -                          
Forfeited   -                          
Exercised   (28,348)   3.50                     
Balance, June 30, 2013   255,608    3.64    0.43    255,608    3.64    0.43 

 

NOTE 14SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

 

Options granted to Independent Directors and Employees

 

The Company grants share-based awards, primarily stock options, to their independent directors and employees.

 

On May 30, 2013, the Company granted options to each of its independent directors, Mr. Robert Bruce, Mr. Jonathan Serbin and Mr. Kelvin Lau to purchase 20,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a strike price of $5.60 per share, in consideration of their services to the Company. The options vest and become exercisable in equal installments on July 14, 2013, October 14, 2013, January 14, 2014 and April 14, 2014 and will expire 10 years from the date of grant.

 

In accordance with the guidance provided in ASC Topic 718, Stock Compensation, the compensation costs associated with these options are recognized, based on the grant-date fair values of these options, over the requisite service period, or vesting period. Accordingly, the Company recognized compensation expense of $155,920 and $74,456 for the six and three months ended June 30, 2013, respectively. The Company recognized compensation expense of $214,475 and $101,600 for the six and three months ended June 30, 2012, respectively.

 

Options issued and outstanding at June 30, 2013 and their movements during the six months then ended are as follows:

 

   Number of
underlying
shares
   Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
Per Share
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value (1)
   Weighted- Average
Contractual Life
Remaining in Years
 
                 
Outstanding at January 1, 2013   715,000   $5.25   $65,700    8.47 
Granted   60,000    5.60         10.00 
Exercised   -                
Expired   -                
Forfeited   -                
Outstanding at June 30, 2013   775,000   $5.28   $222,450    8.17 
Exercisable at June 30, 2013   445,000   $5.71   $138,750    7.84 

 

(1)The intrinsic value of the stock options at June 30, 2013 and January 1, 2013 is the amount by which the market value of the Company’s common stock of $4.81 and $4.39, as of June 30, 2013 and January 1, 2013, respectively, exceeds the exercise price of the option.

 

17
 

 

LIHUA INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2013 AND 2012

 

NOTE 15STATUTORY RESERVES

 

The Company is required to make appropriations to reserve funds, comprising the statutory surplus reserve, statutory public welfare fund and discretionary surplus reserve, based on after-tax net income determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles of the PRC (the “PRC GAAP”). Appropriation to the statutory surplus reserve should be at least 10% of the after tax net income determined in accordance with the PRC GAAP until the reserve is equal to 50% of the entities’ registered capital or members’ equity. Appropriations to the statutory public welfare fund are at a minimum of 5% of the after tax net income determined in accordance with PRC GAAP. Commencing on January 1, 2006, the new PRC regulations waived the requirement for appropriating retained earnings to a welfare fund. In accordance with the Chinese Company Law, the Company allocated 10% of income after taxes to the statutory surplus reserve for the six months ended June 30, 2013. For the six months ended June 30, 2013, statutory reserve activity is as follows:

 

Balance – January 1, 2013  $14,566,846 
Addition to statutory reserves   2,117,544 
      
Balance – June 30, 2013  $16,684,390 

 

NOTE 16OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES)

 

   For the Three Months Ended
June 30,
   For the Six Months Ended
 June 30,
 
   2013   2012   2013   2012 
                 
Government subsidies  $80,108   $-   $80,108   $95,128 
Other   (39,480)   -    (45,244)   (349)
                     
   $40,628   $-   $34,864   $94,779 

 

18
 

 

LIHUA INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2013 AND 2012

 

NOTE 17INCOME TAXES

 

The Company is subject to income tax on an entity basis on income arising from the tax jurisdiction in which they operate.

 

The Company’s two operating subsidiaries, Lihua Electron and Lihua Copper, are generally subject to PRC enterprise income tax (“EIT”). Both Lihua Electron and Lihua Copper are subject to an EIT rate of 25% for 2013 and 2012 under China’s Unified Enterprise Income Tax Law (“New Tax Law”).

 

The New Tax Law also imposes a 10% withholding income tax for dividends distributed by a foreign invested enterprise to its immediate holding company outside China for distribution of earnings generated after January 1, 2008. Under the New Tax Law, the distribution of earnings generated prior to January 1, 2008 is exempt from the withholding tax. As management does not anticipate that the subsidiaries in the PRC will distribute their earnings to the Company for the year ending December 31, 2013, and no dividends were distributed in the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, no deferred tax liability has been recognized for the undistributed earnings of these PRC subsidiaries through June 30, 2013. Total undistributed earnings of these PRC subsidiaries at June 30, 2013 were RMB1,474,515,816 ($238,644,993).

 

No provision for other overseas taxes is made as neither Lihua, Ally Profit or Lihua Holdings has any taxable income in the U.S., British Virgin Islands or Hong Kong, respectively.

 

The Company’s provision for income taxes consisted of:

 

   For the Three Months   For the Six Months 
   Ended June 30,   Ended June 30, 
   2013   2012   2013   2012 
PRC income tax:                    
Current  $5,528,298   $4,676,545   $10,243,081   $9,133,507 
Deferred   29,187    173,064    29,092    (6,552)
                     
   $5,557,485   $4,849,609   $10,272,173   $9,126,955 

 

19
 

 

LIHUA INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2013 AND 2012

 

NOTE 17INCOME TAXES – CONTINUED

 

A reconciliation of the provision for income taxes determined at the local income tax rate to the Company’s effective income tax rate is as follows:

 

   For the Three Months Ended June 30,   For the Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2013   2012   2013   2012 
                 
Pre-tax income  $21,233,295   $18,296,275   $39,259,170   $34,048,633 
                     
United States federal corporate income tax rate   34%   34%   34%   34%
Income tax computed at United States statutory corporate income tax rate   7,219,320    6,220,733    13,348,118    11,576,535 
Reconciling items:                    
Loss not recognized as deferred tax assets   230,090    257,658    483,807    600,187 
Non-deductible expenses   69,809    81,674    66,381    74,444 
Change in fair value of warrants and gain on extinguishment of warrants   (26,017)   14,960    10,703    136,241 
Rate differential for PRC earnings   (1,964,905)   (1,724,138)   (3,665,928)   (3,267,003)
Other   29,188    (1,278)   29,092    6,551 
                     
Effective tax expense  $5,557,485   $4,849,609   $10,272,173   $9,126,955 

 

20
 

 

LIHUA INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2013 AND 2012

 

NOTE 17INCOME TAXES – CONTINUED

 

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of deferred income tax assets are as follows:

 

   June 30,
2013
   December 31,
2012
 
Deferred income tax assets:          
Net operating loss carry forward  $5,270,325   $4,786,510 
Unrealized intercompany profit in inventory   20,429    24,948 
Accrued R&D expenses   34,338    - 
Less: Valuation allowance   (5,270,325)   (4,786,510)
           
   $54,767   $24,948 

 

As of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company’s U.S. entity, Lihua International, Inc., had net operating loss carry forwards of $15,500,955 and $14,077,971, respectively, available to reduce future taxable income which will expire in various years through 2030. Management believes it is more likely than not that the Company will not realize these potential tax benefits as the Company’s U.S. operations will not generate any operating profits in the foreseeable future. As a result, the full amount of the valuation allowance was provided against the potential tax benefits.

 

As of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company has no material unrecognized tax benefits which would favorably affect the effective income tax rate in future periods and does not believe that there will be any significant increases or decreases of unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months. No interest or penalties relating to income tax matters have been imposed on the Company during the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, and no provision for interest and penalties is deemed necessary as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

 

According to the PRC Tax Administration and Collection Law, the statute of limitations is three years if the underpayment of taxes is due to computational errors made by the taxpayer or its withholding agent. The statute of limitations extends to five years under special circumstances, which are not clearly defined. In the case of a related party transaction, the statute of limitations is ten years. There is no statute of limitations in the case of tax evasion.

 

21
 

 

LIHUA INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2013 AND 2012

 

NOTE 18EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted income per common share is computed similarly to basic income per common share except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the potentially dilutive common shares had been issued.

 

The following table is a reconciliation of the net income and the weighted average shares used in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the periods presented:

 

   For the Three Months Ended June 30,   For the Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2013   2012   2013   2012 
Income available to common shareholders:                    
- Basic and diluted  $15,675,810   $13,446,666   $28,986,997   $24,921,678 
Weighted average number of shares:                    
- Basic   29,825,336    29,820,836    29,823,098    29,810,996 
- Effect of dilutive warrants and options   168,244    197,149    149,516    238,340 
- Diluted   29,993,580    30,017,985    29,972,614    30,049,336 
                     
Net income per share                    
- Basic  $0.53   $0.45   $0.97   $0.84 
- Diluted  $0.52   $0.45   $0.97   $0.83 

 

NOTE 19CERTAIN RISKS AND CONCENTRATION

 

Credit risk and major customers

 

As of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, substantially all of the Company’s cash including cash on hand and deposits in accounts were maintained within the PRC where there is currently no rule or regulation in place for obligatory insurance to cover bank deposits in the event of a bank’s failure. However, the Company has not experienced any such losses and believes it is not exposed to any significant risks on its cash in bank accounts.

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, all of the Company’s sales arose in the PRC. In addition, all accounts receivable as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were due from customers located in the PRC.

 

Two customers accounted for 32.9% and 10.4% of the Company’s revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, and two customers accounted for 25.9% and 11.1% of the Company’s revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively. There was no other single customer who accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2013 or 2012.

 

One customer accounted for 36.1% of the Company’s revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2013, and two customers accounted for 25.1% and 11.7% of the Company’s revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2012, respectively. There was no other single customer who accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2013 or 2012.

 

Two customers accounted for 33.6% and 11.8% of total accounts receivable of the Company as of June 30, 2013 respectively, and two customers accounted for 48.5% and 14.6% of total accounts receivable of the Company as of December 31, 2012, respectively. There was no other single customer who accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s accounts receivable as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

 

22
 

 

LIHUA INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2013 AND 2012

 

NOTE 19CERTAIN RISKS AND CONCENTRATION- CONTINUED

 

Risk arising from operations in foreign countries

 

Substantially all of the Company’s operations are conducted in China. The Company’s operations are subject to various political, economic, and other risks and uncertainties inherent in China. Among other risks, the Company’s operations are subject to the risks of restrictions on transfer of funds; export duties, quotas, and embargoes; domestic and international customs and tariffs; changing taxation policies; foreign exchange restrictions; and political conditions and governmental regulations.

 

NOTE 20COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Lease commitments

 

The Company has entered into tenancy agreements for the lease of factory premises and warehouses with independent parties. The Company’s commitments for minimum lease payments under these operating leases for the next five years and thereafter as of June 30, 2013 are as follows:

 

Payable within:     
- remainder of fiscal year ending December 31, 2013   32,046 
- fiscal year ending December 31, 2014 and thereafter   21,364 
      
Total  $53,410 

 

Other commitments

 

During 2011, the Company signed various research and development contracts with Shanghai Electric Cable Research Institute with a total contract amount of $3.02 million. As of June 30, 2013, the Company has paid $2.23 million. The Company expects to pay the remaining $0.79 million within one year.

 

23
 

 

LIHUA INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2013 AND 2012

 

NOTE 21SEGMENT DATA AND RELATED INFORMATION

  

The Company operates in one business segment, the manufacturing and sale of refined copper rod and copper anode, as well as copper clad aluminum (CCA) wire and copper wire produced from refined copper rod. The Company also operates in only one geographical segment – China, as all of the Company’s products are sold to customers located in China and the Company’s manufacturing operations are located in China.

 

The Company’s major product categories are (1) wire manufacturing, consisting of (a) CCA fine and superfine wire, which is an electrical conductor consisting of an outer sleeve of copper that is metallurgically bonded to a solid aluminum core, and (b) copper fine and superfine wire, manufactured from recycled copper rod; (2) refined copper rod; and (3) refined copper anode, the latter two of which are fire refined from scrap copper.

 

Management evaluates performance based on several factors, of which net revenue and gross profit by product are the primary financial measures:

 

   For the Three Months Ended June 30,   For the Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2013   2012   2013   2012 
Net revenue from unaffiliated customers:                    
Copper and CCA wire  $97,504,064   $100,397,360   $184,506,019   $190,044,806 
Copper anode   128,635,293    70,202,817    242,600,149    133,171,370 
Refined copper rod   19,665,256    20,407,709    36,927,984    36,877,977 
   $245,804,613   $191,007,886   $464,034,152   $360,094,153 
                     
Gross profit:                    
Copper and CCA wire  $11,169,852   $12,502,426   $21,246,697   $23,345,750 
Copper anode   11,653,637    7,116,806    21,861,048    14,141,760 
Refined copper rod   946,392    1,091,802    1,717,488    1,858,516 
   $23,769,881   $20,711,034   $44,825,233   $39,346,026 

 

 

24
 

 

Item 2.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITIONS AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including the following “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” contains forward-looking statements that are based on the beliefs of our management, and involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions, that, if they ever materialize or prove incorrect, could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “targets,” “optimistic,” “intend,” “aim,” “will” or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including statements regarding new and existing products, technologies and opportunities; statements regarding market and industry segment growth and demand and acceptance of new and existing products; any projections of sales, earnings, revenue, margins or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; uncertainties related to conducting business in China; any statements of belief or intention; any of the factors and risks mentioned in the “Risk Factors” sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and subsequent SEC filings, and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. All forward-looking statements included in this report are based on information available to us on the date of this report. We assume no obligation and do not intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

 

In this report, the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Lihua International, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

 

OVERVIEW

 

We are principally engaged in the production of copper replacement products, which include refined copper products, copper wire produced from refined scrap copper and CCA wire.

 

We manufacture and sell four major types of refined copper products and copper alternative products: copper anode, pure copper rod, pure copper wire and copper clad aluminum (“CCA”) wire. Copper anode, pure copper rod and pure copper wire products are produced from refined scrap copper utilizing our proprietary scrap copper recycling and cleaning technology and process. Currently 62.1% of the copper rod volume we produce is used internally as a raw material for copper wire production.

 

In the first quarter of 2009, with the completion of a 25,000 ton per annum capacity smelter, we introduced a new production process and product line which enables us to produce pure copper products from scrap copper. The new production process involves the fire refining of bulk recycled copper into high purity, low oxygen content copper rods (also known as fire-refined high-conductivity rods). We then either sell these large diameter (8mm) copper rods into a range of markets, or further process these rods into much smaller diameter (e.g., 0.03 mm) copper wire. We believe this recycled copper wire is generally a more cost effective product for our customers, compared with pure copper wire manufactured from newly mined copper. We added a second 25,000 ton per annum capacity copper smelter in July 2010, which doubled our recycled copper refining and manufacturing capacity to 50,000 tons per year. We use this second smelter to produce another new product, copper anode, which is the fundamental building block for almost all pure copper products and has a wide range of potential end market uses. In October 2011, we completed capacity efficiency improvements to our two smelters and increased annual production capacity of copper anode and copper rod to 35,000 tons and 50,000 tons, respectively. In June 2012, we started production of copper anode from two new smelters, which were constructed on our 30-acre new plant site. In December 2012, we dismantled the oldest copper anode smelter as a result of consolidating and upgrading our production site. In the first quarter of 2013, we completed construction of a third copper anode smelter and started construction of the fourth anode smelter in the copper anode factory on the new 30-acre site. The new anode smelters each have production capacities of 25,000-30,000 tons per annum. In conjunction with the fourth smelter construction, we are in the process of expanding recycling infrastructure outside of the copper anode smelter factory. As such, we currently expect the recycling infrastructure expansion and the fourth smelter construction to be completed in first quarter 2014. As of June 30, 2013, the total anode production capacity was 75,000 – 90,000 tons per annum, and our total scrap copper annual refinery capacity was 125,000 – 140,000 tons.

 

Currently, we have three different CCA products: CCA fine wire, CCA magnet wire and CCA tin plated wire. CCA fine wire is the raw material for CCA magnet wire and CCA tin plated wire. In the case of CCA magnet wire, we coat the CCA fine wire with a special magnetic coating, while in the case of CCA tin plated wire, we plate the CCA fine wire with a very thin layer of tin. The value added nature of our CCA superfine wire products lies in our ability to draw down from much larger diameter CCA raw wire, and further process it to produce super fine CCA magnet wire and CCA tin plated wire, based upon our proprietary technology. As a result, CCA magnet wire and CCA tin plated wire command higher market prices and higher gross margins than plain CCA fine wire.

 

25
 

 

We draw pure copper wire from the refined pure copper rod we produce. The pure copper wire we produce has three main sub categories of products: fine wire, magnet wire and tin plated wire. These three copper wire products have similar characteristics as the three CCA wire products mentioned above.

 

We have expanded our business from the CCA superfine wire segment into the scrap copper refinery business because we believe that the scrap copper refinery business allows us to sell into the much bigger pure copper products market and offers us the ability to grow more rapidly while utilizing the proprietary equipment and technology that we possess relating to both the scrap copper cleaning as well as superfine wire drawing. We believe that the ability to sell into the large and growing copper and copper replacement products market in China offers us substantial opportunity to increase our sales in the future. We anticipate that we will continue to expand production capacity in both refined copper products and new CCA products. Since 2009, the majority of our investment, and resulting sales volume growth, occurred in the refined copper products business, which caters to a much bigger pure copper products market, compared with the CCA wire market.

 

We sell our products primarily in China, either through distributors or directly to users, including distributors in the wire and cable industries and copper conglomerates, as well as manufacturers in the consumer electronics, white goods, automotive, utility, telecommunications and specialty cable industries.

 

The end market for copper anode is very large and diverse, as copper anode is the raw material for copper cathode, which in turn is the foundation for most pure copper products. With respect to our other three main product categories (copper rod, copper wire and CCA wire), our markets overlap to a degree, and are characterized by their breadth and depth, with a large number of current and potential customers for each product category. Copper rod is a raw material used in wire and cable production. Our refined copper products (copper anode, copper rod and copper wire), which are manufactured from recycled scrap copper, compete directly with copper products made from “virgin” (e.g. newly mined) copper. To date, our raw material costs for bulk scrap copper have been lower than prices for “virgin” copper, which provides us with a pricing advantage in the market for the refined copper products we produce from scrap copper. Since inception of copper anode sales, we sold copper anode to a few copper conglomerates, which use our product to produce copper cathode. We utilize copper rod produced as raw material for the copper wire production and sell the excess copper rod to outside customers, most of which are producers of smaller diameter copper wire used in power cables ranging in size from high voltage power transmission cables to white good applications such as internal wiring in household appliances and consumer electronics. Our copper wire, which is sold in a variety of diameters and may have undergone further in-line processing such as coating with plastic, is sold to many of the same types of end-use customers who purchase copper wire from our copper rod customers. These include manufacturers of a wide range of power cables and products that incorporate wiring, such as household appliances, automobiles, consumer electronics and telecommunications equipment. Our CCA wire is sold to many of these manufacturers as well. CCA wire sells at a lower cost per unit of weight than pure copper wire, due to the relatively lower density of the aluminum core, which makes up most of the volume of CCA wire. Our CCA wire offers conductivity performance characteristics that are only marginally below those of pure copper wire, which means they are attractive in a wide variety of product applications where a slight reduction in conductivity standards is tolerable (such as most of the household appliance, automotive, consumer electronics and telecommunications applications). Examples of relatively high tolerance product applications where our CCA wire would not provide an acceptable replacement option for pure copper wire would be military/space equipment and wiring in nuclear power plants. One low tolerance product category that requires pure copper wire rather than our less costly CCA wire is electric motors, which require pure copper wire windings. The markets for each of our product lines are growing at a steady pace, due both to growing demand in China for copper products including all types of basic wire raw materials and the relative cost advantages our product lines carry over “virgin” pure copper competitor products. We believe that our pricing advantage on our refined copper products can be maintained regardless of fluctuations in the commodity price of copper.

 

We believe that we are well positioned to continue to capture further market share in the copper and copper replacement product industry. Our refined copper products produced from recycled copper and CCA wire are increasingly being accepted as cheaper alternatives to pure copper products. As a result, our sales and net income have increased substantially during the last three years. We generated sales of $370.5 million, $637.1 million and $853.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. We achieved net income of $38.5 million, $53.1 million and $57.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. In 2011, we had a $0.1 million non-cash gain on extinguishment of warrant liabilities and a non-cash gain of $3.1 million, which resulted from the change in fair value of the warrants. Excluding the impact of these non-cash warrant related items, net income for 2011 was $50.0 million, up 25.8% from 2010. In 2012, we had a $0.1 million non-cash gain on extinguishment of warrant liabilities and a non-cash charge of $(0.1) million resulted from the change in fair value of the warrants. Excluding the impact of these non-cash warrant related items, net income for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $58.1 million, up 16.0% from 2011. For the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, we recognized $3,520 and $73,291 gain on extinguishment of warrant liabilities, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, we recognized non-cash charges of $35,000 and $474,000, respectively, from the change of fair value of warrants. Excluding the impact of these non-cash items, net income for the six months ended June 30, 2013 was $29.0 million, up 14.6% from the same period last year.

 

26
 

 

Our capacity to sell our copper anode, copper rod, recycled copper wire products (drawn from copper rod) and CCA wire products (drawn from larger diameter CCA wire) is limited by the quantity and capacity of the equipment we have installed to produce these products. Our copper anode and copper rod are made from bulk scrap copper, which is cleaned, purified and smelted in large capacity smelter units. At the present time we have four smelting facilities, one of which is allocated to copper rod and the other three to copper anode production. We are also constructing a new copper anode smelter in conjunction with the recycling infrastructure expansion, with current estimated completion time of first quarter of 2014. The three copper anode smelters have a total annual production capacity of 75,000 - 90,000 tons and the copper rod smelter has a production capacity of 50,000 tons per annum. During the six months ended June 30, 2013 we sold 31,870 tons of copper anode, 22,276 tons of CCA and copper wire products, and 4,797 tons of copper rod. As of June 30, 2013, we operated approximately 80 high speed wire drawing machines, which draw larger diameter copper rod or CCA rod into much finer diameter wires, with a total capacity of approximately 6,000 – 8,000 tons per annum of superfine CCA wire and approximately 20,000 – 25,000 tons per annum of superfine copper wire, with a diameter range of 0.03 mm to 1.60 mm. The above referenced copper wire production capacity does not include the production of the thickest class of copper wire, with a diameter range of 1.65 mm to 2.60 mm. These drawing machines are manufactured to our design and specifications by custom equipment manufacturers located in China. We are not dependent on any single custom equipment manufacturer for the fabrication of our drawing lines. In 2012, we completed construction of production and warehousing facilities on a new plant, adjacent to the current plant, and have added three copper anode smelters on site in January 2013. We also began construction of a fourth anode smelter in January 2013. In conjunction with the fourth smelter construction, we are in the process of expanding recycling infrastructure outside of the copper anode smelter factory. As such, we currently expect the recycling infrastructure expansion and the fourth smelter construction to be completed in the first quarter 2014. In addition, we have completed construction of all the production and warehouse facilities on site to house production equipment for our new CCA cable and wire product, as well as warehousing of materials. We expect to complete the construction of the remainder of the new plant site in the first quarter of 2014.

 

Significant Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations

 

The most significant factors that affect our financial condition and results of operations are:

 

·product mix and impact of gross margins;
·supply and costs of principal raw materials;
·copper prices and supply and demand of copper;
·production capacity; and
·economic conditions in China.

 

Product mix and effect on gross margins

 

Our gross margin is affected by our product mix. We produce and sell products according to customer orders. In our wire products (pure copper wire and CCA wire), magnet wire and tin plated wire are the final products from which we will derive the highest production markup, or gross profit. We also generate a significant portion of revenue from selling semi-finished products such as fine wire at a lower production cost markup, or gross profit.

 

Generally, copper anode and copper rod products contribute a lower gross profit margin compared to the wire products. However, given the quick turnover and large volume production of the refined copper products, as well as primarily cash on delivery payment terms with our customers, the return on invested capital for the refined copper products and working capital turnover are much better than that of the wire products.

 

Supply and costs of principal raw materials

 

Our ability to manage our operating costs depends significantly on our ability to secure affordable and reliable supplies of raw materials. We have been able to secure a sufficient supply of raw materials, which consist primarily of scrap copper and CCA raw material wire.

 

27
 

 

The price of our primary raw materials varies with reference to copper prices, and changes in copper price affect our cost of sales. However, we are able to price our copper and CCA products based on our material procurement costs plus a mark-up, which is essentially our gross profit. As such, our gross margin is impacted by the spread between scrap copper cost and market copper price.

 

Copper prices and supply and demand of copper

 

We sell our products based on the prevailing market price at the time of sale. Our products are affected by the market price, demand and supply of copper. We price our refined copper and wire products based on the market price for materials plus a mark-up, part of which makes up our gross profit. The mark up of our products is impacted by the spread between the market price of our raw materials and the copper market price. The wider the spread, the higher gross profit we can potentially achieve, and vice versa. Shanghai Changjiang Commodity Market, one of the major metal trading markets in the PRC, publishes the copper trading prices twice daily. These prices typically set the range for the prices of our materials as well as finished products, and are generally followed by all industry participants.

 

Production capacity

 

In order to capture the market opportunity for our products, we have expanded, and plan to continue to expand, our production capacity. Increased capacity has had, and could continue to have, a significant effect on our results of operations, by allowing us to produce and sell more products to generate higher revenues and net income.

 

Economic conditions in the PRC

 

We operate our manufacturing facilities in the PRC and derive the majority of our revenues from sales to customers in the PRC. As such, economic conditions in the PRC will affect virtually all aspects of our operations, including the demand for our products, the availability and prices of our raw materials and our other expenses. The PRC has experienced significant economic growth, achieving a CAGR of 14.5% in gross domestic product from 1999 through 2012 according to National Bureau of Statistics of China. Domestic demand for and consumption of copper and CCA products has increased substantially as a result of this growth. We believe that economic conditions in the PRC will continue to affect our business and results of operations.

 

PRINCIPAL INCOME STATEMENT COMPONENTS

 

Sales

 

Our sales are derived from sales of our products net of value-added taxes.

 

The most significant factors that affect our sales are shipment volume and average selling prices.

 

Our collection practices generally consist of cash payment on delivery. However, we also extend credit for 30 days to 60 days to certain of our established customers in the CCA wire category.

 

Cost of sales

 

Our cost of sales primarily consist of direct material costs, and, to a lesser extent, direct labor costs and manufacturing overhead costs. Direct material costs generally accounted for the majority of our cost of sales.

 

Gross profit

 

Our gross profit is affected by the cost of raw materials, which is defined with reference to the cost of copper. We are also able to price our products based on the market price for materials plus a fixed dollar mark-up, which is essentially our gross profit.

 

28
 

 

Operating expenses

 

Our operating expenses consist of selling, general and administrative expenses, and research and development expenses.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

Our selling expenses include shipping expenses, salaries and traveling expenses for our sales personnel. Our general and administrative expenses include administrative staff costs and other benefits, depreciation of office equipment, professional service fees and other miscellaneous expenses related to our administrative corporate activities.

 

Our sales activities are conducted through direct selling by our internal sales staff. Because of the strong demand for our products, we have not had to start to aggressively market and distribute our products, and our selling expenses have been relatively small as a percentage of our revenues.

 

We anticipate that our selling, general and administrative expenses will increase with the anticipated growth of our business and continued upgrades to our information technology infrastructure as well as a result of our R&D efforts, and compliance, investor-relations and other expenses associated with being a publicly listed company.

 

Other income and expense

 

Other income and expense includes interest income, government subsidies, and other income and expenses.

 

Change in fair value of warrants

 

The fair value of the Company’s issued and outstanding Series B Warrants and the Warrants issued to placement agents in conjunction with the Company’s initial public offering in September 2009, was $325,000 as of June 30, 2013 and the Company recognized a non-cash charge of $35,000 from the change in fair value of these warrants for the six months ended June 30, 2013. In future periods, we may experience significant gains or losses, as the value of these warrants fluctuates in response to changes in our stock price.

 

Income taxes

 

Under the current laws of the British Virgin Islands, we are not subject to any income or capital gains tax, and dividend payments we make are not subject to any withholding tax in the British Virgin Islands. Under the current laws of Hong Kong, we are not subject to any income or capital gains tax and dividend payments we make are not subject to any withholding tax in Hong Kong.

 

The New Tax Law imposes a 10% withholding income tax for dividends distributed by a foreign invested enterprise to its immediate holding company outside the PRC for distribution of earnings generated after January 1, 2008. Under the New Tax Law, the distribution of earnings generated prior to January 1, 2008 is exempt from the withholding tax. As we do not anticipate our subsidiaries in the PRC will distribute their earnings to the Company for the year ending December 31, 2013, and no dividends were distributed in the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, no deferred tax liability has been recognized for the undistributed earnings of these PRC subsidiaries through June 30, 2013.

 

Our two operating subsidiaries are governed by the PRC income tax laws and are subject to the PRC enterprise income tax (“EIT”). Each of the two entities files its own separate PRC tax return. According to the relevant laws and regulations in the PRC, foreign invested enterprises established prior to January 1, 2008 were entitled to full exemption from income tax for two years beginning from the first year when enterprises become profitable and have accumulative profits and a 50% income tax reduction for the subsequent three years. Being converted into a Sino-foreign joint equity enterprise in 2005, Lihua Electron was thus entitled to the EIT exemption in 2005 and 2006, and was subject to the 50% income tax reduction for the period from 2007 to 2009. Set out in the following table are the EIT rates for our two PRC operating companies from 2007 to 2013:

 

   2007   2008   2009   2010   2011   2012   2013 
Lihua Electron   12%   12.5%   12.5%   25%   25%   25%   25%
Lihua Copper   25%   25%   25%   25%   25%   25%   25%

 

29
 

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Management’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Our financial statements reflect the selection and application of accounting policies, which require management to make significant estimates and judgments. See Note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We believe that the following reflect the more critical accounting policies that currently affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Revenue recognition

 

Revenue is recognized when the following four revenue criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the selling price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured.

 

Sales revenue is recognized net of value added tax, sales discounts and returns at the time when the merchandise is sold and delivered to the customer. Based on historical experience, we estimate that sales returns are immaterial and have not provided an allowance for estimated sales returns.

 

Accounts receivable

 

Accounts receivable are stated at cost, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses, if any, resulting from the failure of customers to make required payments. We review the accounts receivable on a periodic basis and provide allowances where there is doubt as to the collectability of individual balances. In evaluating the collectability of individual receivable balances, we consider many factors, including the age of the balance, the customer’s payment history, its current credit-worthiness and current economic trends.

 

Inventories

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, determined on a weighted average basis, or market. Costs of inventories include purchase and related costs incurred in bringing the products to their present location and condition. Market value is determined by reference to selling prices after the balance sheet date or to our estimates based on prevailing market conditions. We will write down the inventories to market value if it is below cost. We also regularly evaluate the composition of its inventories to identify slow-moving and obsolete inventories to determine if a valuation allowance is required.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2013 COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2012

 

Sales

 

Our business for the three months ended June 30, 2013 continued to demonstrate growth. Net sales increased by 28.7% from $191.0 million in the three months ended June 30, 2012 to $245.8 million in the three months ended June 30, 2013. This growth in sales was primarily driven by the increase in copper anode sales as a result of the smelter production capacity increase. The increase in sales revenue was, however, negatively impacted by the reduction of the average prices of our products during the second quarter of 2013 relative to the same period last year.

 

The overall sales volume increase of 37.3% for the three months ended June 30, 2013 over the same period last year is primarily the result of increased copper anode production capacity and sales of our copper anode product, while the sales volume of our copper rod product grew 3.0% and the sales volume of our wire products grew 2.0% in the second quarter of 2013. Copper anode sales volume growth of 93.7% in the second quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 was due to increased copper anode production as a result of the addition of two new copper anode smelters which started production in June 2012, and the addition of the third anode smelter at the beginning of 2013. The production volume of copper anode in the quarter ended June 30, 2013 was negatively impacted by the dismantling of the oldest copper anode smelter in December 2012 for consolidation of all anode production in one building on our new 30-acre site.

 

30
 

 

We sell our products based on the prevailing market price of the underlying product at the time of the sale. Factors impacting average selling prices of our products are copper price fluctuation, and in the case of the wire products, the average diameter of the wire products sold during the time - the thicker the wire diameter the lower the sale price, and vice versa.

 

The table below sets forth more details regarding the product sales breakdown by specific category.

 

   For the Three Months Ended June 30, 
   2013   2012 
(Sales $s in thousands)  Sales   Volume
(m.t.)
   Average
Price/m.t.
   Sales   Volume
(m.t.)
   Average
Price/m.t.
 
CCA and copper wire  $97,505    12,097   $8,060   $100,397    11,863   $8,463 
Copper anode   128,635    17,394    7,395    70,203    8,979    7,819 
Copper rod   19,665    2,620    7,506    20,408    2,545    8,019 
Total  $245,805    32,111   $7,655   $191,008    23,387   $8,167 

 

Cost of Sales and Gross Margin

 

The following table sets forth our cost of sales and gross profit, both in amounts and as a percentage of total sales for the three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012:

 

   For the Three Months Ended June 30, 
   2013   2012 
($s in thousands)  Cost of Sales   % of Sales*   Cost of Sales   % of Sales* 
CCA and copper wire  $86,335    88.5%  $87,895    87.6%
Copper anode   116,981    90.9%   63,086    89.9%
Copper rod   18,719    95.2%   19,316    94.7%
Total  $222,035    90.3%  $170,297    89.2%

 

   For the Three Months Ended June 30, 
   2013   2012 
($s in thousands)  Gross Profit   % of Sales*   Gross Profit   % of Sales* 
CCA and copper wire  $11,170    11.5%  $12,502    12.5%
Copper anode   11,654    9.1%   7,117    10.1%
Copper rod   946    4.8%   1,092    5.4%
Total  $23,770    9.7%  $20,711    10.8%

 

* Percentage of sales of respective product category

 

Total cost of sales for the three months ended June 30, 2013 was $222.0 million, reflecting an increase of 30.4% from the same period last year. As a percentage of total sales, our cost of sales increased to 90.3% of total sales for the three months ended June 30, 2013, compared to 89.2% of total sales in the same period last year. Consequently, gross margin as a percentage of total sales decreased to 9.7% in the three months ended June 30, 2013 from 10.8% for the same period last year, principally due to the increase in production volume and thus increase in sales of lower margin products such as copper anode, and the narrowing spread between scrap copper cost and market copper price in this quarter, which led the gross profit margin lower for all categories compared to the same period of last year.

 

Gross profit for the three months ended June 30, 2013 was $23.8 million, up 14.8% from gross profit of $20.7 million for the same period in 2012.

 

31
 

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

The following table sets forth operating expenses and income from operations both in amounts and as a percentage of total sales for the three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012:

 

   For the Three Months Ended June 30,   Change in
three
months ended
June 30, 2013
compared
to three
months
ended June 30,
2012
 
   2013   2012     
($s in thousands)  US$   % of Sales   US$   % of Sales   % 
Gross profit  $23,770    9.7%  $20,711    10.8%   14.8%
Operating Expenses:                         
Selling expenses   (802)   (0.3)%   (741)   (0.4)%   8.2%
General & administrative expenses   (2,006)   (0.8)%   (1,834)   (1.0)%   9.4%
Total operating expense   (2,808)   (1.1)%   (2,575)   (1.4)%   9.0%
Income from operations  $20,962    8.5%  $18,136    9.5%   15.6%

 

Total selling, general and administrative expenses were approximately $2.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2013 an increase of 9.0% compared to approximately $2.6 million for the same period last year. As a percentage of sales, these expenses were 1.1% and 1.4% of sales for the three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Since certain of these expenses are fixed costs, the Company had been able to enjoy lower expenses as a percentage of sales when its sales increased by 28.7% in the three months ended June 30, 2013 when compared to the same period in 2012.

 

Selling expenses were approximately $0.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2013, an increase of approximately 8.2% compared to the same period last year. As a percentage of sales, selling expenses were 0.3% and 0.4% of sales for the three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

General and administrative expenses were approximately $2.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2013, an increase of 9.4% compared to the same period last year.

 

Income Tax

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2013, income tax expense was $5.6 million, reflecting an effective tax rate of 26.2%. The effective tax rate for the same period in 2012 was 26.5%. Excluding the non-taxable gain on warrants and the operating loss of the US entity, the effective tax rate was 25.8% and 25.3% for the three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

Commencing in 2010, both Lihua Electron and Lihua Copper have been subject to an EIT rate of 25%.

 

Net Income

 

Net income for the three months ended June 30, 2013 was $15.7 million, or 6.4% of net revenue, compared to $13.4 million, or 7.0% of net revenue, up 17.2% from the same period in 2012.

 

Foreign Currency Translation Gains And Losses

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2013, the RMB rose against the U.S. dollar, and we recognized a foreign currency translation gain of $4.4 million. During the three months ended June 30, 2012, the RMB declined against the U.S. dollar, and we recognized a foreign currency translation loss of $1.2 million. RMB at June 30, 2013 appreciated against the US dollar by about 1.4% when compared to March 31, 2013.

 

SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2013 COMPARED TO SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2012

 

Sales

 

Our business for the six months ended June 30, 2013 continued to demonstrate growth. Net sales increased by 28.9% from $360.1 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012 to $464.0 million in the six months ended June 30, 2013. This growth in sales was primarily driven by the increase in copper anode sales as a result of the smelter production capacity increase. The increase in sales revenue was, however, negatively impacted by the reduction of the average prices of our products during the first half of 2013 relative to the same period last year.

 

32
 

 

The overall sales volume increase of 35.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2013 over the same period last year is primarily the result of increased copper anode production capacity and sales of our copper anode product, while the sales volume of our copper rod product grew 2.5% and the sales volume of our wire products grew 0.5% in the first six months of 2013. Copper anode sales volume growth of 90.1% in the first half of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 was due to increased copper anode production capacity as a result of the addition of two new copper anode smelters which started production in June 2012, and the addition of the third anode smelter at the beginning of 2013. The production volume of copper anode in the six months ended June 30, 2013 was negatively impacted by the dismantling of the oldest copper anode smelter in December 2012 for consolidation of all anode production in one building on our new 30-acre site.

 

We sell our products based on the prevailing market price of the underlying product at the time of the sale. Factors impacting average selling prices of our products are copper price fluctuation, and in the case of the wire products, the average diameter of the wire products sold during the time - the thicker the wire diameter the lower the sale price, and vice versa.

 

The table below sets forth more details regarding the product sales breakdown by specific category.

 

   For the Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2013   2012 
(Sales $s in thousands)  Sales   Volume
(m.t.)
   Average
Price/m.t.
   Sales   Volume
(m.t.)
   Average
Price/m.t.
 
CCA and copper wire  $184,506    22,276   $8,283   $190,045    22,163   $8,575 
Copper anode   242,600    31,870    7,612    133,171    16,763    7,944 
Copper rod   36,928    4,797    7,698    36,878    4,682    7,877 
Total  $464,034    58,943   $7,873   $360,094    43,608   $8,258 

 

Cost of Sales and Gross Margin

 

The following table sets forth our cost of sales and gross profit, both in amounts and as a percentage of total sales for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012:

 

   For the Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2013   2012 
($s in thousands)  Cost of Sales   % of Sales*   Cost of Sales   % of Sales* 
CCA and copper wire  $163,259    88.5%  $166,698    87.7%
Copper anode   220,739    91.0%   119,029    89.4%
Copper rod   35,211    95.4%   35,021    95.0%
Total  $419,209    90.3%  $320,748    89.1%

 

   For the Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2013   2012 
($s in thousands)  Gross Profit   % of Sales*   Gross Profit   % of Sales* 
CCA and copper wire  $21,247    11.5%  $23,345    12.3%
Copper anode   21,861    9.0%   14,142    10.6%
Copper rod   1,717    4.6%   1,859    5.0%
Total  $44,825    9.7%  $39,346    10.9%

 

* Percentage of sales of respective product category

 

Total cost of sales for the six months ended June 30, 2013 was $419.2 million, reflecting an increase of 30.7% from the same period last year. As a percentage of total sales, our cost of sales increased to 90.3% of total sales for the six months ended June 30, 2013, compared to 89.1% of total sales in the same period last year. Consequently, gross margin as a percentage of total sales decreased to 9.7% in the six months ended June 30, 2013 from 10.9% for the same period last year, principally due to the increase in production volume and thus increase in sales of lower margin products such as copper anode, and the narrowing spread between scrap copper cost and market copper price in this quarter, which led the gross profit margin lower for all categories compared to the same period of last year.

 

33
 

 

Gross profit for the six months ended June 30, 2013 was $44.8 million, up 14.0% from gross profit of $39.3 million for the same period in 2012.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

The following table sets forth operating expenses and income from operations both in amounts and as a percentage of total sales for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012:

 

   For the Six Months Ended June 30,  

Change in six
months ended
June 30, 2013

compared
to six months
ended June 30,
2012

 
   2013   2012     
($s in thousands)  US$   % of Sales   US$   % of Sales   % 
Gross profit  $44,825    9.7%  $39,346    10.9%   13.9%
Operating Expenses:                         
Selling expenses   (1,482)   (0.3)%   (1,427)   (0.4)%   3.9%
General & administrative expenses   (4,412)   (1.0)%   (3,932)   (1.1)%   12.2%
Total operating expense   (5,894)   (1.3)%   (5,359)   (1.5)%   10.0%
Income from operations  $38,931    8.4%  $33,987    9.4%   14.6%

 

Total selling, general and administrative expenses were approximately $5.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013, an increase of 10.0% compared to approximately $5.4 million for the same period last year. As a percentage of sales, these expenses were 1.3% and 1.5% of sales for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Since certain of these expenses are fixed costs, the Company had been able to enjoy lower expenses as a percentage of sales when its sales increased by 28.9% in the six months ended June 30, 2013 when compared to the same period in 2012.

 

Selling expenses were approximately $1.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013, an increase of approximately 3.9% compared to the same period last year. As a percentage of sales, selling expenses were 0.3% and 0.4% of sales for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

General and administrative expenses were approximately $4.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013, an increase of 12.2% compared to the same period last year. Expenses such as travelling and entertainment, administrative salaries and miscellaneous taxation increased owing to the continuing expansion in business during the first half of 2013.

 

Income Tax

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2013, income tax expense was $10.3 million, reflecting an effective tax rate of 26.2%. The effective tax rate for the same period in 2012 was 26.8%. Excluding the non-taxable gain/loss on warrants and the operating loss of the US entity, the effective tax rate was 25.8% and 24.9% for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

Commencing in 2010, both Lihua Electron and Lihua Copper have been subject to an EIT rate of 25%.

 

Net Income

 

Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2013 was $29.0 million, or 6.2% of net revenue, compared to $24.9 million, or 6.9% of net revenue, up 16.3% from the same period in 2012.

 

34
 

 

Foreign Currency Translation Gains And Losses

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2013, the RMB rose against the U.S. dollar, and we recognized a foreign currency translation gain of $5.1 million. During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the RMB declined against the U.S. dollar, and we recognized a foreign currency translation loss of $1.0 million. RMB at June 30, 2013 appreciated against the US dollar by about 1.7% when compared to December 31, 2012.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

We have historically financed our operations and capital expenditures through cash flows from operations, bank loans and fund raising through issuing new shares in the capital markets.

 

As of June 30, 2013, total cash held in Renminbi and U.S. dollars was RMB1.1 billion (or $180.5 million based on the conversion rate of US$1 = RMB 6.1787 on the same date) and $0.3 million, respectively. We maintain cash in U.S. dollars in an offshore account in Hong Kong and the U.S., to pay for U.S. related expenses such as legal fees and external investor relation firm fees as a result of being a public company in the U.S.

 

As of June 30, 2013, we had approximately $180.8 million in cash, up $36.5 million from $144.3 million at December 31, 2012. The following table summarizes our cash flows for each of the periods indicated:

 

   For the Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2013   2012 
     
Net cash provided by operating activities  $34,704,918   $28,020,359 
Net cash used in investing activities   (1,002,897)   (6,925,483)
Net cash used in financing activities   -    (992,846)
Effect of exchange rate on cash and cash equivalents   2,839,465    (550,690)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   144,300,290    105,637,627 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $180,841,776   $125,188,967 

 

Operating activities

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2013, cash provided by operating activities totaled $34.7 million compared to $28.0 million in the same period of 2012. Cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2013 was primarily attributable to: i) $29.0 million net income; ii) a $2.1 million decrease in accounts receivable; iii) a $2.1 million increase in accounts payable; and iv) a $1.2 million increase in other payables and accruals; offset by: i) a $0.3 million increase in prepayments for raw material purchases, which resulted from advance payments for the importation of our raw material from overseas; ii) a $1.2 million increase in inventories, resulting from the expansion of production capacity and revenue growth; and iii) a $0.3 million decrease in income taxes payable. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, cash provided by operating activities was primarily attributable to: i) $24.9 million net income; ii) a $3.9 million reduction in prepayments for raw material purchases, which resulted from advance payment for the importation of our raw material from overseas; offset by i) a $2.3 million inventory increase, resulting from the expansion of production capacity and revenue growth; and ii) a $0.9 million decrease in accounts payable.

 

Investing activities

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2013, we had a net cash outflow of $1.0 million for investing activities for the addition to construction in progress, primarily as a result of the ongoing build out of our new 30-acre plant site. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, we had a net cash outflow of $6.9 million for investing activities for the addition to construction in progress and purchase of property, plant and equipment, primarily as a result of capital investment in new equipment and machinery and building of new workshops, all of which being part of our planned expansion.

 

Financing activities

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2013, we did not engage in any financing activities. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, we had a net cash outflow of $1.0 million from financing activities, as a result of the payment of two special dividend distribution approved by the Board.

 

Capital expenditures

 

Our capital expenditures are principally comprised of construction and purchases of property, plant and equipment for expansion of our production facilities. In 2011, 2012 and 2013 we funded our capital expenditures primarily through cash flows from operating activities, the proceeds of bank borrowings, and equity issuance.

 

35
 

 

In 2013, as we accelerate our expansion, we expect continued capital expenditures for maintaining existing machinery and adding manufacturing equipment in our new 30-acre facility, which is adjacent to our existing facility. With the addition of three new copper anode smelters on the new plant site and the dismantling of the oldest anode smelter, we currently have four smelting facilities, which can produce a total of 125,000-140,000 tons of refined copper products per year. With our current capacity of wire production lines, we can produce 6,000-8,000 tons of CCA wire and 20,000-25,000 tons of copper wire with the diameter range of 0.03mm – 1.60mm. For the 2013 capacity expansion, we believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents and cash flows from operations will be sufficient to meet our presently anticipated future cash needs to bring all of our facilities into full production. We may, however, require additional cash resources due to changing business conditions or other future developments, including any investments or acquisitions we may decide to pursue.

 

Accounts receivable

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2013, we sold 22,276 tons of CCA and copper wire, 31,870 tons of copper anode and 4,797 tons of copper rod. In the same period last year, we sold 22,163 tons of CCA and copper wire, 16,763 tons of copper anode and 4,682 tons of copper rod. As CCA is an emerging product in the PRC, we extend credit terms to some of our larger customers. However, pure copper products, such as our copper anode and copper rod, are in such high demand that we either do not have to extend credit terms or have credit terms of up to 7 days. Our customers often purchase more than one type of product from us (for example, one customer may purchase both CCA wire and copper wire). CCA wire purchases are generally accorded 30 to 60 day payment terms, depending upon the creditworthiness of the customer, while the copper anode (and copper rod) purchases are 70% payable upon delivery to the customer, which may occur two to seven days after we ship the product and recognize our revenue, with the remaining 30% generally collected within 30 days after the delivery. This decision to extend terms or to collect payment upon delivery, is based primarily upon the product type. We may extend terms for CCA purchases to a credit-worthy customer, but for that same customer require 70% payment upon delivery for purchases of copper rod and/or copper anode.

 

The table below shows the breakdown of accounts receivable by product:

 

   As of June 30, 
   2013   2012 
CCA Wire and Copper Wire  $14,309,743   $10,692,744 
Copper Anode   24,167,780    13,118,771 
Copper Rod   5,443,996    - 
Total  $43,921,519   $23,811,515 

 

Off-balance sheet arrangements

 

As of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we had no off balance sheet arrangements.

 

Item 3.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Foreign Exchange Risk

 

Substantially all of our revenues and expenditures are denominated in Renminbi. As a result, fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollars and Renminbi will affect our financial results in U.S. dollars terms without giving effect to any underlying change in our business or results of operations. The Renminbi’s exchange rate with the U.S. dollars and other currencies is affected by, among other things, changes in the PRC’s political and economic conditions. The exchange rate for conversion of Renminbi into foreign currencies is heavily influenced by intervention in the foreign exchange market by the People’s Bank of China. From 1995 until July 2005, the People’s Bank of China intervened in the foreign exchange market to maintain an exchange rate of approximately 8.3 Renminbi per U.S. dollars. On July 21, 2005, the PRC government changed this policy and began allowing modest appreciation of the Renminbi versus the U.S. dollars. However, the Renminbi is restricted to a rise or fall of no more than 0.5% per day versus the U.S. dollars, and the People’s Bank of China continues to intervene in the foreign exchange market to prevent significant short-term fluctuations in the Renminbi exchange rate. Nevertheless, under China’s current exchange rate regime, the Renminbi may appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollars in the medium to long term. There remains significant international pressure on the PRC government to adopt a substantial liberalization of its currency policy, which could result in a further and more significant appreciation or depreciation in the value of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollars.

 

36
 

 

Any devaluation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollars would consequently have an adverse effect on our financial performance and asset values when measured in terms of U.S. dollars. On the other hand, the appreciation of the Renminbi could make our customers’ products more expensive to purchase because many of our customers are involved in the export of goods, which may have an adverse impact on their sales. A decrease in sales by our customers could have an adverse effect on our operating results. In addition, as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we have cash denominated in Renminbi amounting to RMB1.1 billion ($180.5 million) and RMB907.0 million ($144.3 million), respectively.

 

We recognized foreign currency translation adjustments of approximately $5.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013.

 

Very limited hedging transactions are available in the PRC to reduce our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations. To date, we have not entered into any hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. While we may decide to enter into hedging transactions in the future, the availability and effectiveness of these hedging transactions may be limited and we may not be able to successfully hedge our exposure at all. In addition, our currency exchange losses may be magnified by PRC exchange control regulations that restrict our ability to convert Renminbi into foreign currency.

 

Inflation

 

In recent years, the PRC has not experienced significant inflation, and thus inflation has not had a material impact on our results of operations. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the change in Consumer Price Index in China was 3.3%, 5.4% and 2.6% in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively.

 

Item 4.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive and financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.

 

In connection with the preparation of the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013, our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, which are defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2013.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of 2013 covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

37
 

 

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

None.

 

Item 1A RISK FACTORS

 

There have been no material changes in the Company’s risk factors from those previously disclosed in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

Item 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

None.

 

Item 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None.

 

Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

None.

 

Item 5. OTHER INFORMATION

 

On May 30, 2013, the Company renewed the independent director agreements with each of Robert Bruce, Jonathan Serbin and Kelvin Lau.  The compensation is unchanged from the previous year.  The full text of the agreements are filed herewith.

  

Item 6. EXHIBITS

 

(b) Exhibits

 

Exhibit
No.

Document Description

10.1   2013 Independent Director Agreement, Robert Bruce
10.2   2013 Independent Director Agreement, Jonathan Serbin
10.3   2013 Independent Director Agreement, Kelvin Lau
31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) pursuant to Rule 13A-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2   Certification of the Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002).
32.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002).
101   Interactive Data File

 

38
 

 

SIGNATURES

 

In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

  LIHUA INTERNATIONAL, INC.
   
August 9, 2013 By: /s/ Jianhua Zhu
    Jianhua Zhu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
    (Principal Executive Officer)
     
August 9, 2013 By: /s/ Daphne Yan Huang
    Daphne Yan Huang, Chief Financial Officer
    (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

39