20-F 1 tv488619_20f.htm 20-F

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 20-F

 

(Mark one)

 

¨ REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

 

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017

 

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

 

¨ SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of event requiring this shell company report:

 

For the transition period from __________ to ____________

 

Commission file number: 1-35016.

 

SGOCO Group, Ltd.

 

(Exact name of the Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

N/A

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 

Cayman Islands

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

Unit 1614, North Tower, Concordia Plaza

No. 1 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon

Hong Kong

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Xiao-Ming HU, Interim Chief Financial Officer

Tel: +852 2386-3328; Fax: +852 3286-3200

Unit 1614, North Tower, Concordia Plaza

No. 1 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon

Hong Kong

(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile Number and Address of Company Contact Person)

 

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each Class   Name of each exchange on which registered
     
Ordinary shares, par value $0.004 per share   The NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC

 

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

 

Warrants, each to purchase one ordinary share

Title of Class

 

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:

 

None

 

The registrant had 16,164,855 ordinary shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017.

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

 

¨ Yes      x No

 

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

¨ Yes      x No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 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.

 

x  Yes      ¨ 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).

 

x  Yes      ¨ No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

¨ Large Accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer x Non-accelerated filer
    ¨ Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ¨

  

† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.

 

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

 

x U.S. GAAP

¨ International Financial Reporting

Standards as issued by the International

Accounting Standards Board

¨ Other

  

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.

¨       Item 17       ¨       Item 18

 

If this is an Annual Report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

¨ Yes       x No

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 4
   
DEFINITIONS 5
   
PART I 6
ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS 6
ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE 6
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION 6
A. Selected Financial Data. 6
B. Capitalization and Indebtedness. 8
C. Reason for the Offer and Use of Proceeds. 8
D. Risk Factors. 8
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY 24
A. History and Development of the Company. 24
B. Business overview. 29
C. Regulations. 31
D. Organizational structure. 33
E. Property, plant and equipment. 33
ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS 33
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS 34
A. Operating results. 34
B. Liquidity and capital resources. 43
C. Research and development, patents and licenses, etc. 43
D. Trend information. 44
E. Off-balance sheet arrangements. 44
F. Tabular disclosure of contractual obligations. 44
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES 45
A. Directors and senior management. 45
B. Compensation. 46
C. Board Practices. 49
D. Employees. 51
E. Share Ownership. 51
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 52
A. Major Shareholders. 52
B. Related Party Transactions. 52
C. Interests of Experts and Counsel 52
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION 52
A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information. 52
B. Significant Changes. 53
ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING 53
A. Offer and Listing Details. 53
B. Plan of Distribution. 54
C. Markets. 54
D. Selling Shareholders. 54
E. Dilution. 54
F. Expenses of the Issue. 54

 

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ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 54
A. Share Capital. 54
B. Memorandum and Articles of Association. 54
C. Material Contracts. 54
D. Exchange controls. 55
E. Taxation. 55
F. Dividends and paying agents. 61
G. Statement by experts. 61
H. Documents on display. 61
I. Subsidiary Information 62
ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK 62
ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES 62
PART II 62
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES 62
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS 62
ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES 63
ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT 64
ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS 64
ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES 64
ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES 64
ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS 64
ITEM 16F. CHANGES IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT 64
ITEM 16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 64
ITEM 16H. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE 65
PART III 65
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 65
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 65
ITEM 19. EXHIBITS 65
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 69
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 70
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) 71
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 72
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 73
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 74

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Annual Report contains “forward-looking statements” that represent our beliefs, projections and predictions about future events. All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements,” including any projections of financial items, any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations, any statements concerning proposed new projects or other developments, any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance, any statements of management’s beliefs, goals, strategies, intentions and objectives, and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. These forward-looking statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar expressions, as well as statements in the future tense, identify forward-looking statements.

 

These statements are subjective. Therefore, they involve known and unknown risks.

 

They are based largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements described in or implied by such statements. Actual results may differ materially from expected results described in our forward-looking statements, for reasons connected with measuring future developments, including:

 

  1. the correct measurement and identification of factors affecting our business;

 

  2. the extent of their likely impact; and/or

 

  3. the accuracy and completeness of the publicly available information regarding the factors upon which our business strategy is based.

 

Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results. They will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether, or the times by which, our performance or results may be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and management’s belief as of that time regarding future events. Consequently, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements.

 

Important factors that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those factors discussed under Item 3.D. “Risk Factors” herein, including, among others:

 

1.The acquisition of Boca International Limited or any future acquisition may not produce the benefits the Company anticipated and the Company is exposed to both operational and acquisition integration risks that could adversely affect the Company

 

2.Competition in our industry is intense and, if we are not able to compete effectively, we may lose customers and our financial results will be negatively affected.

 

3.If we fail to meet the evolving needs of VR markets, identify new products, services or technologies, or successfully compete in our target markets, our revenue and financial results will be adversely impacted.

 

4.Decreases in the price of coal, oil and gas or a decline in popular support for “green” energy technologies could reduce demand for Boca's energy saving projects, which could materially harm our ability to grow our business.

 

5.Our strategy of acquiring complementary assets, technologies and businesses may fail and result in impairment losses.

 

6.Changes in the growth of demand for or pricing of electricity could reduce demand for Boca's energy saving projects, which could materially harm our ability to grow our business.

 

7.We may not be able to adequately respond to changes in technology affecting the energy saving industry.

 

8.Giant Credit Limited is subject to greater credit risks than larger lenders, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

 

9.Provision for loan losses may not be sufficient to absorb future losses or prevent a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

 

10.An increase to the provision for loan losses will cause our net income to decrease and net loss to increase.

 

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11.Competition in the lending industry is growing and could cause us to lose market share and revenues in the future.

 

12.Giant Credit Limited may face regulatory hurdles in the future in connection with its lending business.

 

13.We may not be able to generate any growth and our revenues may continue to decrease in the future.

 

14.Our risk management and internal control systems may not be effective and have deficiencies or material weaknesses

 

15.Future changes in laws, regulations or enforcement policies in China could adversely affect our business.

 

16.Uncertainties regarding the Chinese legal system could have a material adverse effect on us.

 

DEFINITIONS

 

Unless otherwise indicated and except where the context otherwise requires, the following definitions are used in this Annual Report:

 

1. “Acquisition” means the business combination transaction consummated on March 12, 2010, as provided by the Share Exchange Agreement, dated as of February 12, 2010, by and among our company, Honesty Group and each of the shareholders signatory thereto, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Share Exchange Agreement, dated March 11, 2010;

 

2. “Apex” or “Apex Flourish Group Limited” means the British Virgin Islands Company that purchased Honesty Holdings Group Limited and SGOCO (Fujian) Electronic Co., Ltd. from SGOCO in 2011 and 2014, in what is referred to, depending on the context, as the “Sale of Honesty Group” and or the “Sale of SGOCO (Fujian)”, respectively;

 

3. “Boca” means Boca International Limited, a Hong Kong limited company and a wholly owned subsidiary of SGOCO International.

 

4. “Beijing SGOCO” means Beijing SGOCO Image Technology Co., Ltd., a company with limited liability incorporated in China and a wholly owned subsidiary of SGOCO International;

 

5. “Guancheng” means Guancheng (Fujian) Electron Technological Co. Limited, a company with limited liability incorporated in China and a wholly owned subsidiary of Honesty Group;

 

6. “Guanke” means Guanke (Fujian) Electron Technological Industry Co. Ltd., a company with limited liability incorporated in China and a wholly owned subsidiary of Honesty Group;

 

7. “Guanwei” means Guanwei (Fujian) Electron Technological Co. Limited, a company with limited liability incorporated in China and a wholly owned subsidiary of Honesty Group;

  

8. “Honesty Group” means Honesty Group Holdings Limited, a Hong Kong limited company and a former wholly owned subsidiary of SGOCO, which was acquired in the Acquisition and was sold to Apex Flourish Group Limited in the Sale of Honesty Group transaction described below; 

 

9. “Jinjiang Guanke” means Jinjiang Guanke Electron Co., Ltd., a company with limited liability incorporated in China and a wholly owned subsidiary of Guanke (Fujian) Electron Technological Industry Co. Ltd.;

 

10. “PRC” or “China” means the People’s Republic of China;

 

11. “Sale of Honesty Group” means the transaction consummated as provided by the Sale and Purchase Agreement dated November 15, 2011, by and between our company and Apex Flourish Group Limited pursuant to which we sold our 100% ownership interest in Honesty Group to Apex Flourish Group Limited;

 

12. “Sale of SGOCO (Fujian)” means the transaction consummated as provided by the Sale and Purchase Agreement dated December 24, 2014, by and between our company and Apex Flourish Group Limited pursuant to which we sold our 100% ownership interest in SGOCO (Fujian) Electronic Co., Ltd. to Apex Flourish Group Limited;

 

13. “SGO” means SGO Corporation, a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of SGOCO International;

 

14. “SGOCO”, “we,” “us,” “our,” “the company,” or “our company” means SGOCO Group, Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands, and its consolidated subsidiaries. SGOCO Group, Ltd. was previously named SGOCO Technology, Ltd., and prior to the Acquisition described below, our predecessor was named Hambrecht Asia Acquisition Corp;

 

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15. “SGOCO (Fujian)” means SGOCO (Fujian) Electronic Co., Ltd., a company with limited liability incorporated in China and a former wholly owned subsidiary of SGOCO International; which was sold to Apex Flourish Group Limited in the Sale of SCOGO (Fujian) transaction described above; 

 

16. “SGOCO International” means SGOCO International (HK) Limited, a Hong Kong limited company and wholly owned subsidiary of SGOCO;

 

17. “SGOCO Shenzhen” means SGOCO (Shenzhen) Technology Co., Ltd., a company with limited liability incorporated in China and a wholly owned subsidiary of SGOCO International;

 

18. “U.S. Dollars,” “dollars,” “US$,” or “$” means the legal currency of the United States. “RMB” or “Renminbi” means the legal currency of China;

 

19. “Shareholders”: means the owner of the equivalent of common stock in a typical corporation organized under state and federal US law. Based on Cayman Islands’ law and our current Amended and Restated Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association we are authorized to issue ordinary shares. Holders of our ordinary shares are referred to as “members” under Cayman Islands’ law, rather than “shareholders.” In this Annual Report, however, references that would otherwise be to “members” are made to “shareholders,” which term is more familiar to investors on the NASDAQ Capital Market. 

 

20. “Convertible notes” refer to a series convertible notes we issued between June and September, 2015.

 

21. “Giant Connection” means Giant Connection Limited, a limited liability company registered in the Republic of Seychelles and wholly owned by SGOCO Group, Ltd.

 

22. “Giant Credit” means S Giant Credit Limited, a Hong Kong limited company and wholly owned subsidiary of Giant Connection;

 

23. “Century Skyway” means Century Skyway Limited, a Hong Kong limited company and a wholly owned subsidiary of SGOCO International.

 

24. “Shen Zhen Provizon” means Shen Zhen Provizon Technology Co., Limited, , a company with limited liability incorporated in China and a wholly owned subsidiary of Century Skyway Limited.

 

PART I

 

ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS  

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION

 

A. Selected Financial Data.

 

On March 12, 2010, we completed a share-exchange transaction with Honesty Group and its shareholders, and Honesty Group became our wholly-owned subsidiary. The share-exchange transaction was accounted for as a reorganization and recapitalization of Honesty Group. As a result, SGOCO’s (the legal acquirer) consolidated financial statements were previously, in substance, those of Honesty Group (the accounting acquirer), with the assets and liabilities, and revenues and expenses, of SGOCO being included effective from the date of the Share-Exchange Transaction. There was no gain or loss recognized on the transaction. The historical financial statements for periods prior to March 12, 2010 are those of Honesty Group, except that the equity section and earnings per share have been retroactively restated to reflect the reorganization and recapitalization.

 

On November 15, 2011, we entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement to sell our 100% ownership interest in Honesty Group to Apex for $76.0 million in total consideration (referred to hereinafter as “Sale of Honesty Group”). Honesty Group and its subsidiaries controlled our core manufacturing facility, including the land, buildings and production equipment. The Sale of Honesty Group allowed SGOCO to transition to a “light-asset” business model with greater flexibility and scalability and focus its operations on developing, branding, marketing and distributing LCD/LED products in China. Honesty Group’s operations are reflected in our Fiscal Year 2011 financial statements through November 30, 2011.

 

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On December 24, 2014, we entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement to sell our 100% ownership interest in SGOCO (Fujian) to Apex for $11.0 million in total consideration (referred to hereinafter as “Sale of SGOCO (Fujian)”). SGOCO (Fujian)'s operations are reflected in our Fiscal Year 2014 financial statements through December 31, 2014.

 

On December 28, 2015, SGOCO International entered into a Share Sale and Purchase Agreement for the Sale and Purchase of the Entire Issued Share Capital of Boca International Limited with Richly Conqueror Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands. Pursuant to the Agreement, SGOCO International acquired 100% of the issued share capital of Boca International Limited., a private company incorporated in Hong Kong, from its sole legal and beneficial owner - Richly Conqueror Limited at a consideration of $52 million in cash, plus up to 19.9% newly issued ordinary shares of the Company. In March, 2016, the acquisition of Boca was completed and SGOCO International fully paid $52 million plus 1,162,305 post-split shares of common stock of the Company and received 100% ownership of Boca.

 

On April 28, 2017, SGOGO International (HK) Limited (“SGOCO International”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SGOCO, entered into a Share Sale and Purchase Agreement with Full Linkage Limited (the “Seller”) pursuant to which SGOCO International acquired all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Century Skyway Limited, which was owned by the Seller. In consideration for the acquisition of Century, SGOCO International paid to the Seller $32,600,000 and SGOCO issued to the Seller 1,500,000 of its ordinary shares. The consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Share Sale and Purchase Agreement occurred on May 10, 2017.

 

On December 22, 2017, Giant Connection Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SGOCO, completed the acquisition of Giant Credit Limited contemplated by the Share Exchange Agreement entered into by and between the parties in consideration for HK$19.6 million ($2.4 million), which was satisfied by the allotment and issuance of 2,220,283 ordinary shares of the Company. The principal activity of Giant Credit Limited is money lending in Hong Kong.

 

The selected consolidated statement of operations data presented below for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report. The selected consolidated statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements that have not been included herein. Our financial statements were prepared according to U.S. GAAP.

 

Our historical operation results for any prior period are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected in any future period. See “Key Information — Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this Annual Report. The selected consolidated financial information for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 should be read together with those consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes and “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects - Operating Results” included elsewhere in this Annual Report. 

 

Consolidated Statement of Income

(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share and per share data which are based upon post-split share numbers)

 

    For the Years Ended December 31,  
    2017     2016     2015     2014     2013  
                               
Net revenues     51       5,069       1,921       43,230       200,974  
Cost of goods sold     (1,343 )     (4,867 )     (1,826 )     (41,213 )     (185,045 )
Gross (loss) profit     (1,292 )     202       95       2,017       15,929  
Selling expenses     (257 )     (55 )     (131 )     (297 )     (1,073 )
General and administrative expenses     (3,312 )     (4,115 )     (1,498 )     (3,069 )     (3,802 )
Impairment loss of goodwill     (7,005 )     -       -       -       -  
Total operating expenses     (10,574 )     (4,170 )     (1,629 )     (3,366 )     (4,875 )
                                         
(Loss) Income from operations     (11,866 )     (3,968 )     (1,534 )     (1,349 )     11,054  
Interest income     134       121       220       338       12  
Interest expense     (13 )     (15 )     (57 )     (304 )     (260 )
Other income (expense), net     2       -       (8 )     319       192  
Change in fair value of warrant derivative liability     (150 )     -       2       19       (3 )
Loss on change in fair value of convertible notes     -       (1,500 )     (1,041 )     -       -  
(Loss) Income before provision for income taxes     (11,893 )     (5,362 )     (2,418 )     (977 )     10,995  
Income taxes benefit (expense)     679       315       -       (1,311 )     (2,551 )
Net (loss) income     (11,214 )     (5,047 )     (2,418 )     (2,288 )     8,444  
                                         
(Loss) Income per share:                                        
Basic-ordinary share     (0.99 )     (0.68 )     (0.55 )     (0.53 )     1.96  
Diluted-ordinary share     (0.99 )     (0.68 )     (0.55 )     (0.53 )     1.96  
Weighted average shares used in calculating earnings (loss) per share:                                        
Basic     11,341,629       7,422,208       4,400,298       4,351,517       4,298,297  
Diluted     11,341,629       7,422,208       4,400,298       4,351,517       4,298,297  

 

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Consolidated Balance Sheet Data

(In thousands of U.S. Dollars)

 

    As of December 31,  
    2017     2016     2015     2014     2013  
                               
Total assets     98,453       100,272       86,882       92,553       104,735  
Total liabilities     14,638       13,593       9,046       7,356       16,946  
Total shareholders’ equity     83,815       86,679       77,836       85,197       87,789  

 

B. Capitalization and Indebtedness.

 

Not applicable.

 

C. Reason for the Offer and Use of Proceeds.

 

Not applicable.

 

D. Risk Factors.

 

You should carefully consider all the information in this Annual Report, including various changing regulatory, competitive, economic, political and social risks and conditions described below, before making an investment in our ordinary shares. One or more of a combination of these risks could materially impact our business, results of operations and financial condition. In any such case, the market price of our ordinary shares could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investments.

 

Risks Relating to Our Business and Industry

  

The acquisition of Boca International Limited or any future acquisition m ay not produce the benefits the Company anticipated and the Company is exposed to both operational and acquisition integration risks that could adversely affect the Company

 

In March 2016, we completed the acquisition of 100% ownership of Boca International Limited ("Boca"), a company providing energy saving products and services to reduce the energy costs for new and existing buildings. Our intention is to reduce the reliance on sales of traditional flat panel LED and LCD monitor products and enter into energy saving and new energy market. However, the Company may not be able to fully achieve its strategic objectives and operating efficiencies after the acquisition of Boca. Inherent uncertainties exist in integrating the operations of Boca to the Company. The Company may lose key personnel, either from the acquired entity or from itself, as a result of an acquisition. These factors could contribute to the Company not achieving the expected benefits from its acquisitions within desired time frames, if at all.

 

Any acquisition or future acquisitions present financial, managerial and operational challenges, including diversion of management attention, difficulty with integrating acquired businesses, integration of different corporate cultures or separating personnel and financial and other systems, increased expenses, assumption of unknown liabilities, indemnities, and potential disputes with the buyers or sellers, and the need to evaluate the financial systems of and establish internal controls for acquired entities. There can be no assurance that the Company will engage in any additional acquisitions or divestitures or that the Company will be able to do so on terms that will result in any expected benefits. If the Company makes any future business acquisitions, it may issue additional shares of common stock to pay for those acquisitions, which would further dilute current shareholders’ ownership interest. Acquisitions also could require the Company to use substantial cash or other liquid assets or to incur debt. In such a case, it could make the Company more vulnerable to business downturns and could negatively affect the Company’s earnings.

 

Furthermore, our financial results could be adversely affected by our investments or acquisitions. The investments and acquired assets or businesses may not generate the financial results we expect. They could result in occurrence of significant investments and goodwill impairment charges, and amortization expenses for other intangible assets. We periodically review goodwill and investments for impairment. As the financial performance of the green energy products and services reporting unit and the VR technologies products and services reporting unit were below our original expectations, fair value of these reporting units were indicated to be lower than its carrying value. We performed the two-step goodwill impairment test and applied the income approach, resulting an impairment loss of goodwill of $13.3 million being recorded for the year ended December 31, 2017. We may continue to incur impairment charges in connection with our investments or acquisitions, which could depress our profitability and have a material adverse impact on our financial results.

 

 8 

 

 

Competition in our LCD/LED industry is intense and, if we are not able to compete effectively, we may lose customers and our financial results will be negatively affected.

 

The LCD/LED products industry in China is highly competitive, and we expect competition to persist and intensify. Due to the increasing popularity of mobile devices, the contraction of personal computer market demand continued and it adversely impacted the market demand of our major products, flat panel LCD and LED monitors. We face competition from distributors and LCD/LED manufacturers that use their extensive brand-name value, manufacturing and marketing size, and in-house sales forces and exclusive sales agents to distribute their products. We compete for customers on the basis of, among other things, our product offerings, customer service and reputation. Some of our competitors have greater financial, research and development, design, marketing, distribution, management or other resources.

 

Our results of operations could be affected by several competitive factors, including entry by new competitors into our current markets, expansion by existing competitors, better marketing and advertising leading to stronger brand equity for our competitors, and competition with other companies for the production capacity of contract manufacturers. Our results of operations and market position may be adversely impacted by these competitive factors.

 

There can be no assurance that our strategies will remain competitive or that we will succeed in the future. Increased competition could result in a loss of market share. In particular, if our competitors adopt aggressive pricing policies, we may be forced to adjust the pricing of our products to improve our competitiveness. This could adversely affect our margins, profitability and financial results.

 

If we fail to meet the evolving needs of VR markets, identify new products, services or technologies, or successfully compete in our target markets, our revenue and financial results will be adversely impacted.

 

Century Skyway provides hardware and software to visual computing and accelerated computing platforms. Century Skyway’s success depends to a significant extent on our ability to meet the evolving needs of these markets and to enhance our existing products, services and technologies. In addition, our success further depends on our ability to identify emerging industry trends and to develop new products, services and technologies. Our existing markets and products and new markets and products may require a considerable investment of technical, financial, compliance, sales and marketing resources.

 

We cannot assure you that our strategic direction will result in innovative products and technologies that provide value to our customers and partners. If we fail to anticipate the changing needs of our target markets and emerging technology trends, or adapt that strategy as market conditions evolve, in a timely manner to exploit potential market opportunities our business will be harmed. In addition, if demand for products and services from these growth markets is below our expectations, if we fail to achieve consumer or market acceptance of them or if we are not able to develop these products and services in a cost effective or efficient manner, we may not realize benefits from our strategy.

 

Our target markets remain extremely competitive, and we expect competition to intensify as current competitors expand their product and/or service offerings, industry standards continue to evolve and new competitors enter these markets. If we are unable to successfully compete in our target markets, including in significant international markets, demand for our products, services and technologies could decrease which would cause our revenue to decline and our financial results to suffer. Our competitors’ products, services and technologies may be less costly, or may offer superior functionality or different features, than ours. In addition, many of our competitors have longer operating histories, greater name recognition, larger customer bases, and greater financial, sales, marketing and distribution resources than we do. These competitors may be able to more effectively identify and capitalize upon opportunities in new markets and end user customer trends. If we are unable to successfully compete in our target markets or introduce new offerings in light of the competitive environment, our results of operations could suffer.

 

Our LCD/LED industry has experienced declines in the average selling prices of display products irrespective of cyclical fluctuations in the industry, and our margins would be adversely impacted if prices decrease faster than we are able to reduce our costs.

 

The average selling prices of display products have generally declined and are expected to continually decline with time regardless of industry-wide cyclical fluctuations because of, among other factors, technological advancements and cost reductions. We may be able to take advantage of the higher selling prices typically associated with new products and technologies when they are first introduced in the market. But, such prices decline over time and, in certain cases, very rapidly, because of market competition.

  

We may not be able to effectively anticipate and counter the price erosion that accompanies our display products. In addition, the average selling prices of our display products may decrease faster than the speed at which we are able to reduce our purchasing costs. If those events occur, our gross margins would decrease and our results of operations and financial condition would be materially and adversely affected.

 

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Decreases in the price of coal, oil and gas or a decline in popular support for “green” energy technologies could reduce demand for Boca's energy saving projects, which could materially harm our ability to grow our business.

 

Higher coal, oil and gas prices provide incentives for customers to invest in “green” energy technologies such as our energy saving projects that reduce their need for electricity. Conversely, lower coal, oil and gas prices would tend to reduce the incentive for customers to invest in equipment to save electric power. Demand for our projects and services depends in part on the current and future commodity prices of coal, oil and gas. We have no control over the current or future prices of these commodities.

 

In addition, popular support by governments, corporations and individuals for “green” energy technologies may change. Because of the ongoing development of, and the possible change in support for, “green” energy technologies we cannot assure you that negative changes to this industry will not occur. Changes in government or popular support for “green” energy technologies could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects and results of operations. 

 

Our strategy of acquiring complementary assets, technologies and businesses may fail and result in impairment losses.

 

As a component of our growth strategy, we have acquired and intend to actively identify and acquire assets, technologies and businesses that are complementary to our existing businesses. Our acquisitions could result in the use of substantial amounts of cash, issuance of potentially dilutive equity securities, significant impairment losses related to goodwill or amortization expenses related to intangible assets and exposure to undisclosed or potential liabilities of acquired companies. Impairment loss for goodwill and acquired intangible assets may exist if our management concluded that expected synergies from acquisitions of assets, technologies and businesses would not materialize.

 

We may be required to record a significant charge to earnings if we are required to reassess our tangible and intangible assets.

 

We are required under U.S. GAAP to test for impairment on tangible and intangible assets annually or more frequently if facts and circumstances warrant a review. Currently we are losing money, and our tangible and intangible assets may be impaired if the losses continue. We are also required to review our amortizable intangible assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors that may be considered a change in circumstances indicating that the carrying value of our amortizable intangible assets may not be recoverable include a decline in stock price and market capitalization and slower or declining growth rates in our industry. We may be required to record a significant charge to earnings in our financial statements during the period in which any impairment of our goodwill or amortizable intangible assets is determined.

 

Changes in the growth of demand for or pricing of electricity could reduce demand for Boca's energy saving projects, which could materially harm our ability to grow our business.

 

Boca's revenues are dependent on the ability to provide savings on energy costs for our clients. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of the PRC, domestic electricity consumption grew at a rate of 6.6% in 2017. Power generation capacity was 13,372 billion kWh, an increase of 10.1% from 2016. Clean energy power generation increased significantly in 2015. However, such growth is unpredictable and depends on general economic conditions and consumer demand, both of which are beyond our control. Furthermore, pricing of electricity in the PRC is set in advance by the state or local electricity administration and may be artificially depressed by governmental regulation or influenced by supply and demand imbalances. If these changes reduce the cost of electricity from traditional sources of supply, the demand for Boca's energy saving projects could be reduced, and therefore, could materially harm our ability to grow our business.

 

We may not be able to adequately respond to changes in technology affecting the energy saving industry.

 

Our industry could experience rapid technological changes and new product introductions. Current competitors or new market entrants could introduce new or enhanced products with features which render the systems used in our projects obsolete or less marketable. Our future success will depend, in part, on our ability to respond to changing technology and industry standards in a timely and cost-effective manner. We may not be successful in effectively using new technologies, developing new systems or enhancing our existing systems and technology on a timely basis. Our new technologies or enhancements may not achieve market acceptance. Our pursuit of new technologies may require substantial time and expense. We may need to license new technologies to respond to technological change. These licenses may not be available to us on terms that we can accept. Finally, we may not succeed in adapting our projects to new technologies as they emerge.

 

We are exposed to the credit risks of our customers and borrowers.

 

Our financial position and profitability is dependent on our customers’ creditworthiness. Thus, we are exposed to our customers’ credit risks. There is no assurance that we will not encounter doubtful or bad debts in the future. Due to economic conditions in China, in particular the risk of monetary and fiscal policies to address inflation, businesses in China are generally conserving cash or under increased financial and credit stress. As a result, we could experience slower payments from our customers and borrowers, an increase in accounts receivable aging and/or an increase in bad debts. If we were to experience any unexpected delay or difficulty in collections from our customers or borrowers, our cash flows and financial results would be adversely affected.

 

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Giant Credit Limited is subject to greater credit risks than larger lenders, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

 

There are inherent risks associated with our lending activities, including credit risk, which is the risk that borrowers may not repay the outstanding loans balances. As a lending company, we extend credits to individual and commercial households. These borrowers generally have fewer financial resources in terms of capital or borrowing capacity than larger entities and may have fewer financial resources to weather a downturn in the economy. Such borrowers may expose us to greater credit risks than lenders lending to larger, better-capitalized state-owned businesses with longer operating histories. Conditions such as inflation, economic downturn, local policy change, adjustment of industrial structure and other factors beyond our control may increase our credit risk more than such events would affect larger lenders.

 

Provision for loan losses may not be sufficient to absorb future losses or prevent a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

 

Our risk management procedures use historical information to estimate any potential losses based on the experience, judgment, and expectations regarding borrowers and the economic environment in which we operate. Our loan loss reserves may not be sufficient to absorb future loan losses or prevent a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. 

 

An increase to the provision for loan losses will cause the Company’s net income to decrease and net loss to increase.

 

Our lending business is subject to fluctuations based on economic conditions. These fluctuations are neither predictable nor within our control and may have a material adverse impact on our operations and financial condition. We may voluntarily decide to increase our provision for loan losses. Regulatory authorities may also require an increase in the provision for loan losses or the recognition of further loan charge-offs, based on judgments different from those of its management. Any increase in the provision for loan losses will result in a decrease in net income and an increase in net loss that may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Competition in the lending industry is growing and could cause us to lose market share and revenues in the future.

 

We believe that the lending industry is an emerging market in China.  We may face growing competition in the lending industry, and we believe that the lending industry is becoming more competitive as this industry matures and begins to consolidate. We will compete, with traditional financial institutions, other lending companies, other microfinance companies, and some cash-rich state-owned companies or individuals. Some of these competitors have larger and more established borrower bases and substantially greater financial, marketing and other resources than we have. As a result, we could lose market share and its revenues could decline, thereby adversely affecting our earnings and potential for growth.

 

Giant Credit Limited may face regulatory hurdles in the future in connection with its lending business.

 

Giant Credit Limited has been providing high-quality mortgage loans to its customers since it first obtained its money lenders license in 2016. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority continues to impose stringent policies and prudential measures on property mortgage loans provided by authorized financial institutions in Hong Kong, which creates additional hurdles for the public who are looking for mortgages to satisfy their financial needs. 

 

We may not be able to generate any growth and our sales may continue to decrease in the future.

 

We expanded our business rapidly during the years between 2006 and 2013. Our revenues, however, have dropped significantly since 2014, primarily due to our significant reduction in businesses as a result of the sale of SGOCO (Fujian), weak industry growth and increased competition in China’s flat panel display market, which was our primary market.

 

In the future, we may expand either through organic growth or through acquisitions and investments in electronic related businesses. Such expansion may place a significant strain on our managerial, operational and financial resources. We will need to effectively manage future growth, which will entail devising and implementing business plans, training and managing a growing workforce, managing costs and implementing adequate controls and reporting systems in a timely manner. There can be no assurance that our personnel, procedures and controls will be managed effectively to adequately support future growth. Failure to effectively manage expansion could prevent us from executing our business plan and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, we may not be able to generate any growth in the future. Accordingly, you should not rely on our historic growth rate as an indicator for our future growth rate.

 

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As the majority of our operations are in China, we may face risks related to health problems, including epidemics in China, which could adversely affect our operations.

 

Our business could be materially and adversely affected by the outbreak of avian flu, severe acute respiratory syndrome, other public health problems, or even an epidemic. From time-to-time, there have been reports on the occurrences of avian flu in various parts of China, including a few confirmed human cases and deaths. Any prolonged recurrence of avian flu, severe acute respiratory syndrome or other adverse public health developments in China or elsewhere in Asia would have a material and adverse effect on our business operations.

 

Problems with product quality, including defects, in our VR and LCD/LED products could result in fewer customers and decreased sales, and unexpected expenses.

 

Our products are mainly designed by our product development teams and are outsourced for production using advanced and often new technology and must meet stringent quality requirements. Products manufactured using advanced and new technology may contain undetected errors or defects, especially when first introduced. For example, our LCD/LED products may contain defects that are not detected until after they are shipped or installed, because we cannot test for all possible problems or defects. Such defects could cause us to incur significant re-design costs, divert the attention of our technology personnel from product development efforts and significantly affect our customer relations and business reputation. 

 

Century Skyway VR products are complex and may contain defects or experience failures or unsatisfactory performance due to any number of issues in design, fabrication, packaging, materials and/or use within a system. Our products are used by a variety of industries. Failure of our products to perform to specifications, or other product defects, could lead to substantial damage to the products we sell directly to customers and to the user of such end product. Any such defect may cause us to incur significant warranty, support and repair or replacement costs, cause us to lose market share, and divert the attention of our engineering personnel from our product development efforts to find and correct the issue. In addition, an error or defect in new products or releases or related software drivers after commencement of commercial shipments could result in failure to achieve market acceptance or loss of design wins and harm our relationships with customers and partners and consumers’ perceptions of our brand. Also, we may be required to reimburse our customers, partners or consumers, including costs to repair or replace products in the field. A product recall or a significant number of product returns could be expensive, damage our reputation, result in the shifting of business to our competitors and result in litigation against us such as product liability suits. If a product liability claim is brought against us, the cost of defending the claim could be significant and would divert the efforts of our technical and management personnel and harm our business.

 

If we deliver VR or LCD/LED products with errors or defects, or if there is a perception that our VR or LCD/LED products contain errors or defects, our credibility and the market acceptance and sales of our products would be harmed. Widespread product failures would increase our warranty costs, damage our market reputation and cause our sales to decline.

 

Although our warranty obligations to our customers are essentially borne by our manufacturers with a warranty period of one to three years, the product failures could increase the warranty costs to our manufacturers who may then transfer their costs to us and ultimately to end users. 

 

SGOCO International has unfulfilled registered capital obligations for its subsidiaries.

 

SGOCO International’s subsidiary, SGOCO Shenzhen, was formed on November 14, 2013, with a registered capital of $5.0 million. Under PRC law, a company’s registered capital is treated as corporate property, and it is each shareholder’s obligation to fulfill its registered capital contribution according to PRC law and the Company’s charter documents. The charter document for each PRC company, which consists of the Company’s articles of association, states the amount of registered capital required to be paid. SGOCO International has the obligation to fulfill the registered capital obligations of SGOCO Shenzhen.

 

Initially, SGOCO International was required to pay $1.0 million and the remaining $4.0 million within 3 months and within two years, respectively, of the date of issuance of the subsidiary’s business license according to PRC registration capital management rules. According to the revised PRC Companies Law which became effective on March 1, 2014, the time requirement of the registered capital contribution has been abolished. As such, SGOCO International has its own discretion to consider the timing of the registered capital contributions. SGOCO International is in the process of amending the charter to adopt the requirement of the revised PRC Companies Law. If it fails to amend the charter or fail to contribute the required capital, it will have to apply for a reduction in the remaining registered capital, which may not be granted. Also, if SGOCO International fails to contribute the registered capital, it may be penalized with fines of 5–15% of the amount of unpaid capital. In addition, in certain cases, the business license for SGOCO Shenzhen may be revoked, preventing them from conducting business in China.

 

If SGOCO International is required to fund the remaining registered capital, it may need to raise external funds. But, there is no assurance that sufficient external funds could be raised to pay the registered capital amount on reasonable terms or at all.

 

On August 29, 2008, SAFE promulgated the Circular on the Relevant Operating Issues Concerning the Improvement of the Administration of the Payment and Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign Invested Enterprises, or SAFE Circular 142, which is a notice regulating the conversion by a foreign-invested company of foreign currency into RMB by restricting how the converted RMB may be used. SAFE Circular 142 requires that RMB converted from the foreign currency denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company may only be used for purposes within the Company's business scope approved by the applicable governmental authority. It may not be used for equity investments within the PRC, unless specifically provided for otherwise in its business scope. In addition, SAFE strengthened its oversight of the flow and use of RMB funds converted from the foreign currency denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company.

 

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We may not be able to secure financing needed for future operating needs on favorable terms, or on any terms at all.

 

From time-to-time, we may seek additional financing to provide the capital required for future acquisitions and to expand our business, if cash flow from operations is not sufficient to do so. We cannot predict with certainty the timing or amount of any such capital requirements. If such financing is not available on satisfactory terms, we may not be able to expand our business or to develop new business at the rate desired. Consequently, our results of operations may be adversely affected.

 

If we are able to secure financing through debt, lenders may impose certain restrictions. In addition, repaying such debt may limit our cash flow and our ability to grow. If we are not able to secure financing through debt, we may be forced to issue additional equity, which would have a dilutive effect on our shares.

   

We may be treated as a passive foreign investment company, or “PFIC,” which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders of our ordinary shares and warrants.

 

In general, we will be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year in which either:

 

  1. at least 75% of our gross income (looking through certain 25% or more-owned corporate subsidiaries) is passive income; or
     
  2. at least 50% of the average value of our assets (looking through certain 25% or more-owned corporate subsidiaries) are attributable to assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income.

 

Passive income generally includes, without limitation, dividends, interest, rents, royalties, and gains from the disposition of passive assets. If we are determined to be a PFIC for any taxable year (or portion thereof) that is included in the holding period of a U.S. Holder of our ordinary shares, the U.S. Holder may be subject to increased U.S. federal income tax liability and may be subject to additional reporting requirements. Our actual PFIC status for any taxable year will not be determinable until after the end of such taxable year. Accordingly, there can be no assurance as to our status as a PFIC for any taxable year. U.S. Holders of our ordinary shares are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible application of the PFIC rules.

 

Being a foreign private issuer exempts us from certain SEC requirements that provide shareholders the protection of information that must be made available to shareholders of U.S. public companies.

 

We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or Exchange Act. As such, we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to U.S. public companies including:

 

  1. the rules requiring the filing with the SEC of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K;

 

  2. the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents or authorizations regarding a security registered under the Exchange Act;

 

  3. provisions of Regulation FD aimed at preventing issuers from making selective disclosures of material information; and

 

  4. the sections of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their stock ownership and trading activities and establishing insider liability for profits realized from any “short swing” trading transactions (i.e. , a purchase and sale, or a sale and purchase, of the issuer’s equity securities within less than six months).

 

Because of these exemptions, our shareholders will not be provided with the same protections or information generally available to investors holding shares in public companies organized in the U.S.

 

Expansion of our business may increase pressure on our management, which may impede our ability to meet any increased demand for our products and adversely affect our results of operations.

 

Our business plan is to grow our operations profitably and focus on new investments and exploring new products, including but not limited to acquiring equities of potential target companies related to environmental protection, environmental energy saving, electronic and internet-related businesses and enriching our product and service ranges. Growth in our business may place a significant strain on our personnel, management, financial systems and other resources. The evolution of our business also presents numerous risks and challenges, including:

 

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  1. customers continuing to accept our LCD/LED products;

 

  2. our ability to successfully and rapidly expand our marketing program to reach potential customers in response to potentially increasing demand;

 

  3. the costs associated with such growth, which are difficult to quantify, but could be significant;

 

  4. the competition from larger, better capitalized and well-known competitors and the effect of rapid technological change;

 

  5. the highly competitive nature of our industry;

 

  6. the continued availability and favorable pricing of the raw materials and components used in our products; and

 

  7. the availability and favorability of terms of potential acquisition targets for developing new business.

  

If we are successful growing our marketing program, we may be required to provide various support and deliver LCD/LED products to our customers. In addition, we may not be able to meet the needs of our customers, which could adversely affect our relationships with our customers and results of operations.

 

We intend on continuing to expand our operations in China (including Hong Kong) through investments and acquisitions. Rapid expansion may expose us to new challenges and risks. To manage the further expansion of our business and the growth of our operations and personnel, we need to continuously expand and enhance our infrastructure and technology as well as improve our operational and financial systems, procedures and controls. We also need to expand, train and manage our growing employee base. In addition, our management will be required to obtain, maintain or expand relationships with manufacturer partners and other third-party business partners. We cannot assure you that our current and planned personnel, infrastructure, systems, procedures and controls will be adequate to support our expanding operations. If we fail to manage our expansions effectively, our business, results of operations and prospects may be materially and adversely affected.

 

Under the Enterprise Income Taxes Law, SGOCO may be classified as a “resident enterprise” of the PRC. Such classification could result in adverse tax consequences to SGOCO and its non-PRC resident shareholders.

 

Under the Enterprise Income Taxes (EIT) Law and the Implementing Rules, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with “de facto management bodies” within the PRC is considered as a resident enterprise and will be subject to PRC income tax on its global income. According to the Implementing Rules, “de facto management bodies” refer to “establishments that carry out substantial and overall management and control over the business operations, personnel, accounting, properties, etc. of an enterprise.” Accordingly, our holding company, SGOCO Group, Ltd., may be considered a resident enterprise and may therefore be subject to PRC income tax on our global income.

 

The State Administration of Taxation issued the Notice Regarding the Determination of Chinese-Controlled Offshore Incorporated Enterprises as PRC Tax Resident Enterprises on the Basis of De Facto Management Bodies, or Circular 82, on April 22, 2009. Circular 82 provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the “de facto management body” of a Chinese-controlled offshore incorporated enterprise is located in China.

 

Circular 82 only applies to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises and not those invested in by individuals or foreign enterprises like SGOCO. But, the determining criteria set forth in Circular 82 may reflect the State Administration of Taxation’s general position on how the “de facto management body” test should be applied in determining the tax resident status of offshore enterprises, regardless of whether they are controlled by PRC enterprises or controlled by or invested in by individuals or foreign enterprises. If we are considered a resident enterprise and earn income other than dividends from our PRC subsidiaries, such PRC income tax on our global income could significantly increase our tax burden and materially and adversely affect our cash flow and profitability. Since the EIT Law became effective in 2008, SGOCO has not been treated as a “resident enterprise.”

 

If the PRC tax authorities determine that SGOCO is a “resident enterprise” for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, a number of PRC tax consequences could follow. First, SGOCO may be subject to enterprise income tax at a rate of 25% on SGOCO’s worldwide taxable income, as well as PRC enterprise income tax reporting obligations. Second, under the EIT Law and its implementing rules, dividends paid between “qualified resident enterprises” are exempt from enterprise income tax. As a result, if both SGOCO and SGOCO International are treated as PRC “resident enterprises,” all dividends from the PRC operating subsidiaries to SGOCO International and from SGOCO International to SGOCO would be exempt from PRC tax.

 

If SGOCO were treated as a PRC “non-resident enterprise” under the EIT Law, then dividends that SGOCO receives from its PRC operating subsidiaries (assuming such dividends were considered sourced within the PRC):

 

  1. may be subject to a 5% PRC withholding tax, if the Arrangement between the Mainland of China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion regarding Taxes on Income (the “PRC-Hong Kong Tax Treaty”) is applicable; or

 

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  2. may be subject to a 10% PRC withholding tax, if such treaty does not apply ( i.e. , because the PRC tax authorities may deem SGOCO International to be a conduit not entitled to treaty benefits).

 

Any such taxes on dividends could materially reduce the amount of dividends, if any, SGOCO could pay to its shareholders.

 

Finally, the “resident enterprise” classification could result in a 10% PRC tax being imposed on dividends SGOCO pays to its non-PRC shareholders that are not PRC tax “resident enterprises” and gains derived by them from transferring SGOCO’s ordinary shares, if such income is considered PRC-sourced income by the relevant PRC authorities. In such event, SGOCO may be required to withhold the 10% PRC tax on any dividends paid to its non-PRC resident shareholders. SGOCO’s non-PRC resident shareholders also may be responsible for paying PRC tax at a rate of 10% on any gain realized from the sale or transfer of ordinary shares in certain circumstances. SGOCO would not, however, have an obligation to withhold PRC tax regarding such gain. 

 

If any such PRC taxes apply, a non-PRC resident shareholder may be entitled to a reduced rate of PRC taxes under an applicable income tax treaty and/or a foreign tax credit against such shareholder’s domestic income tax liability (subject to applicable conditions and limitations). According to the Notice of the Provisional Regulation of Non-PRC Residents’ Enjoyment of the Preferential Treatment of Tax Treaty, Circular 124, on August 24, 2009, issued by the State Administration of Taxation, the non-PRC shareholders located in countries which have income tax treaties with China may be taxed at a reduced rate lower than 10%. Prospective investors should consult with their own tax advisors regarding the applicability of any such taxes, the effects of any applicable income tax treaties, and any available foreign tax credits.

 

Intercompany loans from SGOCO to its operating subsidiaries must comply with PRC law.

 

Any loans we make to our Chinese subsidiaries, which are treated as foreign-invested enterprises under Chinese law, cannot exceed statutory limits and must be registered with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, or its local counterparts. Under applicable Chinese law, the Chinese regulators must approve the amount of a foreign-invested enterprise’s registered capital, which represents shareholders’ equity investments over a defined period of time, and the foreign-invested enterprise’s total investment, which represents the total of the Company’s registered capital plus permitted loans. The ratio of registered capital to total investment cannot be lower than the minimum statutory requirement and the excess of the total investment over the registered capital represents the maximum amount of borrowings that a foreign invested enterprise is permitted to have under Chinese law.

 

If we lend money to our Chinese subsidiaries and such funds exceed the permitted amount of borrowings of the subsidiary, we would have to apply to the relevant government authorities to increase the permitted total investment amounts. The various applications could be time consuming and their outcomes would be uncertain. Concurrently with the loans, we might have to make capital contributions to the subsidiaries in order to maintain the statutory minimum registered capital/total investment ratio, and such capital contributions involve uncertainties of their own, as discussed below. Furthermore, even if we make loans to our Chinese subsidiaries that do not exceed their current permitted amount of borrowings, we will have to register each loan with SAFE or its local counterpart within 15 days after signing the relevant loan agreement.

 

Subject to SAFE’s stipulated conditions, SAFE or its local counterpart is supposed to issue a registration certificate of foreign debts within 20 days after reviewing and accepting its application. In practice, it may take longer to complete such SAFE registration process.

 

We cannot be sure that we will be able to complete the necessary government registrations or obtain the necessary government approvals on a timely basis, if at all, regarding future loans by us to our Chinese subsidiaries or affiliated entities or regarding future capital contributions by us to our Chinese subsidiaries. If we fail to complete such registrations or obtain such approvals, our ability to use such future loans or capital contributions to capitalize or otherwise fund our Chinese operations may be negatively affected, which would adversely and materially affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.

 

A severe or prolonged downturn in the global economy could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

 

The global market and economic conditions during the years 2008 through 2012 were unprecedented and challenging, with recessions occurring in most major economies. Continued concerns about the systemic impact of potential long-term and wide-spread recession, energy costs, geopolitical issues, sovereign debt issues, and the availability and cost of credit have contributed to increased market volatility and diminished expectations for economic growth around the world. The difficult economic outlook has negatively affected businesses and consumer confidence and contributed to significant volatility. 

 

There is continuing uncertainty over the long-term effects of the expansionary monetary and fiscal policies that have been adopted by the central banks and financial authorities of some of the world’s leading economies, including China’s. There have also been concerns over unrest in the Middle East and Africa, which may result in significant market volatility. Economic conditions in China are sensitive to global economic conditions. Any prolonged slowdown in the global and/or Chinese economy may have a negative impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition, and continued turbulence in the international markets may adversely affect our ability to access the capital markets to meet liquidity needs.

 

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Our risk management and internal control systems may not be effective and have deficiencies or material weaknesses

 

We are subject to the reporting obligations under the U.S. securities laws. The Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, as required under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Section 404”), has adopted rules requiring public companies to include a report of management on the effectiveness of such companies’ internal control over financial reporting in their respective annual reports. This annual report does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting because we are currently a non-accelerated filer and therefore, not required to obtain such report.

 

Our management has concluded that under the rules of Section 404, our internal control over financial reporting was ineffective as of December 31, 2017. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our company’s financial statements will not be prevented, or detected and corrected on a timely basis. A significant deficiency is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control that is less severe than a material weakness, yet important enough to merit attention by those charged with governance. The material weakness we identified is our lack of sufficient qualified accounting personnel with appropriate understanding of U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting requirements commensurate with our financial reporting requirements, which resulted in a number of internal control deficiencies that were identified as being significant.  Also, as a small company, we do not have sufficient internal control personnel to set up adequate review functions at each reporting level.

 

We are in the process of implementing measures to resolve the material weakness and improve our internal and disclosure controls. However, we may not be able to successfully implement the remedial measures. For example, we may not be able to identify and hire suitable personnel with the requisite U.S. GAAP and internal control experience. The implementation of our remedial initiatives may not fully address the material weakness and significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. In addition, the process of designing and implementing an effective financial reporting system is a continuous effort that requires us to anticipate and react to changes in our business and economic and regulatory environments and to expend significant resources to maintain a financial reporting system that is adequate in satisfying our reporting obligations. We also expect to incur additional compensation expenses in connection with hiring additional accounting and internal control personnel.

 

As a result, our business and financial condition, results of operations and prospects, as well as the trading price of our ordinary shares may be materially and adversely affected. Ineffective internal control over financial reporting could also expose us to increased risk of fraud or misuse of corporate assets, In turn, that could subject us to potential delisting from the stock exchange on which our ordinary shares are listed, regulatory investigations or civil or criminal sanctions.

 

We have granted shares to our PRC employees, which may require registration with SAFE. We may also face regulatory uncertainties that could restrict our ability to issue equity compensation to our directors and employees and other parties who are PRC citizens or residents under PRC law.

 

In December 2006, the People’s Bank of China promulgated the Administrative Measures of Foreign Exchange Matters for Individuals, which set forth the respective requirements for foreign exchange transactions by individuals (both PRC or non-PRC citizens) under either the current account or the capital account. In January 2007, SAFE issued implementing rules for the Administrative Measures of Foreign Exchange Matters for Individuals, which, among other things, specified approval requirements for certain capital account transactions such as a PRC citizen’s participation in the employee stock ownership plans or stock option plans of an overseas publicly-listed company. In February 2012, SAFE promulgated the Notices on Issues Concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Stock Incentive Plans of Overseas Publicly-Listed Companies, or the Stock Option Rules, which replaced the Application Procedures of Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Employee Stock Ownership Plans or Stock Option Plans of Overseas Publicly-Listed Companies issued by SAFE in March 2007. Under these rules, PRC residents who participate in stock incentive plan in an overseas publicly-listed company are required to register with SAFE or its local branches and complete certain other procedures. Participants of a stock incentive plan who are PRC residents must retain a qualified PRC agent, which could be a PRC subsidiary of such overseas publicly-listed company or another qualified institution selected by such PRC subsidiary, to conduct the SAFE registration and other procedures with respect to the stock incentive plan on behalf of its participants. Such participants must also retain an overseas entrusted institution to handle matters in connection with their exercise of stock options, the purchase and sale of corresponding stocks or interests and fund transfers. In addition, the PRC agent is required to amend the SAFE registration with respect to the stock incentive plan if there is any material change to the stock incentive plan, the PRC agent or the overseas entrusted institution or other material changes. We have adopted an equity compensation plan and have begun to make option grants to some of our key employees, three of whom are PRC citizens. If we or our PRC recipients of such options fail to comply with these regulations, we or our PRC option grantees may be subject to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions. In that case, our ability to compensate our employees and directors through equity compensation would be hindered and our business operations may be adversely affected. 

 

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PRC SAFE regulations regarding offshore financing activities by PRC residents have undertaken continuous changes which may increase the administrative burden we face and create regulatory uncertainties that could adversely affect our business.

 

Recent regulations promulgated by SAFE regarding offshore financing activities by PRC residents have undergone a number of changes which may increase the administrative burden we face.  The failure by our shareholders and affiliates who are PRC residents to make any required applications and filings pursuant to such regulations may prevent us from being able to distribute profits and could expose us and our PRC resident shareholders to liability under PRC law.

 

SAFE promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic Residents' Offshore Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment through Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37, on July 4, 2014, which replaced the former circular commonly known as "SAFE Circular 75" promulgated by SAFE on October 21, 2005. SAFE Circular 37 requires PRC residents to register with local branches of SAFE in connection with their direct establishment or indirect control of an offshore entity, for the purpose of overseas investment and financing, with such PRC residents' legally owned assets or equity interests in domestic enterprises or offshore assets or interests, referred to in SAFE Circular 37 as a "special purpose vehicle." SAFE Circular 37 further requires amendment to the registration in the event of any significant changes with respect to the special purpose vehicle, such as an increase or decrease of capital contributed by PRC individuals, share transfer or exchange, merger, division or other material event. In the event that a PRC shareholder holding interests in a special purpose vehicle fails to fulfill the required SAFE registration, the PRC subsidiaries of that special purpose vehicle may be prohibited from making profit distributions to the offshore parent and from carrying out subsequent cross-border foreign exchange activities, and the special purpose vehicle may be restricted in its ability to contribute additional capital into its PRC subsidiary. Moreover, failure to comply with the various SAFE registration requirements described above could result in liability under PRC law for evasion of foreign exchange controls.

 

We cannot predict fully how Circular 37 will affect our business operations or future strategies because of ongoing uncertainty over how Circular 37 is interpreted and implemented, and how or whether SAFE will apply it to us.

 

We have requested our PRC resident beneficial owners to make the necessary applications, filings and amendments as required under SAFE regulations in connection with their equity interests in us. We attempt to ensure that our subsidiaries in China comply, and that our PRC resident beneficial owners subject to these rules comply, with the relevant SAFE regulations. We cannot provide any assurances that all of our present or prospective direct or indirect PRC resident beneficial owners will comply fully with all applicable registrations or required approvals. The failure or inability of our PRC resident beneficial owners to comply with the applicable SAFE registration requirements may subject these beneficial owners or us to fines, legal sanctions and restrictions described above.

  

We have granted, and may continue to grant, stock options and restricted shares, which may result in increased share-based compensation expenses.

 

We granted awards such as restricted shares to directors, executive officers, employees. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, we recorded $0.7 million, $1.6 million and $0.2 million, respectively, in share-based compensation expenses. We believe the granting of restricted shares is of significant importance to our ability to attract and retain key personnel and employees, and we will continue to grant restricted shares to key personnel, employees, third-party consultants and business partners in the future. However, the share-based compensation expenses we incur will reduce our income from operations. We have incurred, and expect to continue to incur, share-based compensation expenses, which may have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

Risks Related to Doing Business in China

 

Adverse changes in political and economic policies of the Chinese government could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth of China, which could reduce the demand for our products and adversely affect our competitive position.

 

A substantial portion of our revenues will continue to be made in China. Accordingly, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects will be affected significantly by economic, political and legal developments in China. The Chinese economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including:

 

  1. the amount of government involvement;

 

  2. the level of development;

 

  3. the growth rate;

 

  4. the control of foreign exchange; and

 

  5. the allocation of resources.

 

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While the Chinese economy has experienced significant growth in the past 30 years, growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy. The Chinese government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. Some of these measures benefit the overall Chinese economy, but may also have a positive or negative effect on us.

 

The Chinese economy has been transitioning from a planned economy to a more market-oriented economy. In recent years, the Chinese government has implemented measures emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive assets and the establishment of sound corporate governance in business enterprises. But, the Chinese government still owns a substantial portion of the productive assets in China. The continued control of these assets and other aspects of the national economy by the Chinese government could adversely affect our business. 

 

The Chinese government also exercises significant control over Chinese economic growth through the allocation of resources, controlling payment of foreign currency denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies. The Chinese government has implemented certain measures to control the pace of economic growth. Any adverse change in the economic conditions or government policies in China could have a material adverse effect on overall economic growth in China, which in turn could lead to reduced demand for our products.

 

Investors may experience difficulties in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments or bringing original actions in China based on U.S. judgments against us or our subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors and shareholders.

 

A majority of our assets are located outside of the U.S. and all of our directors and executive officers reside outside of the U.S. As a result, it may not be possible for investors in the U.S. to effect service of process within the U.S. or elsewhere outside China on us, our subsidiaries, officers, directors and shareholders, and others. This can be particularly important regarding matters arising under U.S. federal or state securities laws.

 

China does not have treaties providing for reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments of courts with the U.S. and many other countries. As a result, recognition and enforcement in China of these judgments in relation to any matter, including U.S. securities laws and the laws of the Cayman Islands, may be difficult or impossible.

 

Furthermore, an original action may be brought in China against our assets or our subsidiaries, officers, directors, shareholders and advisors only if:

 

  1. the actions are not required to be arbitrated by Chinese law;

 

  2. the facts alleged in the complaint give rise to a cause of action under Chinese law; and

 

  3. the actions satisfy certain prerequisite conditions prescribed by Chinese law.

 

Connected with such an original action, a Chinese court may award civil remedies, including monetary damages. Notwithstanding the ability to bring original actions, we do not believe it is likely that the courts in China would entertain original actions brought in China against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the securities laws of the U.S. or any state or territory within the U.S.

 

Our auditor, like other independent registered public accounting firms operating in China and to the extent their audit clients have operations in China, is not permitted to be inspected by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and, as such, you may be deprived of the benefits of such inspection.

 

Our independent registered public accounting firm issues the audit report included in this Annual Report filed with the SEC. As auditors of companies that are traded publicly in the U.S., our public accounting firm is registered with the U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (the “PCAOB”). It is required by U.S. laws to be regularly inspected by the PCAOB to assess its compliance with the U.S. laws and professional standards.

 

Our operations, however, are mainly located in the PRC, a jurisdiction where PCAOB is currently not able to conduct inspections without the approval of PRC authorities. Our auditor, like other independent registered public accounting firms operating in China and Hong Kong (to the extent their audit clients have operations in China), is currently not subject to inspection by the PCAOB. In May 2013, PCAOB announced that it had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding on Enforcement Cooperation with the CSRC and the PRC Ministry of Finance, which establishes a cooperative framework between the parties for the production and exchange of audit documents relevant to investigations undertaken by PCAOB, the CSRC or the PRC Ministry of Finance in the United States and the PRC, respectively. PCAOB continues to be in discussions with the CSRC and the PRC Ministry of Finance to permit joint inspections in the PRC of audit firms that are registered with the PCAOB and audit Chinese companies that trade on U.S. exchanges.

 

Inspections of some other firms that the PCAOB has conducted outside China have identified deficiencies in those firms’ audit procedures and quality control procedures. Certain deficiencies revealed in the inspection process can be addressed to improve future audit quality. The inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of auditors operating in China makes it difficult to evaluate our auditor’s audit procedures and quality control procedures. As a result, our investors may not receive the benefits of the PCAOB inspections. 

 

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We face uncertainties regarding indirect transfers of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises by their non-PRC holding companies.

 

In connection with the EIT Law, the Ministry of Finance of the PRC and the SAT jointly issued, on April 30, 2009, the Notice on Issues Concerning Process of Enterprise Income Tax in Enterprise Restructuring Business, or Circular 59. On December 10, 2009, the SAT issued the Notice on Strengthening the Management on Enterprise Income Tax for Non-resident Enterprises Equity Transfer, or Circular 698. Both Circular 59 and Circular 698 became effective retrospectively on January 1, 2008. By promulgating and implementing these circulars, the PRC tax authorities have strengthened their scrutiny over the direct or indirect transfer of equity interest in a PRC resident enterprise by a non-resident enterprise. For example, Circular 698 specifies that the SAT is entitled to redefine the nature of an equity transfer where offshore vehicles are interposed by abusing corporate structures for tax-avoidance purposes and without reasonable commercial intention. We may pursue acquisitions as one of our growth strategies, and may conduct acquisitions involving complex corporate structures. We cannot be assured that the PRC tax authorities will not, at their discretion, adjust the taxable capital gains of the seller, which may indirectly increase acquisition costs.

 

On February 3, 2015, the State Administration of Tax issued a Public Notice Regarding Certain Corporate Income Tax Matters on Indirect Transfer of Properties by Non-Tax Resident Enterprises, or Public Notice 7. Public Notice 7 has introduced a new tax regime that is significantly different from that under Circular 698. Public Notice 7 extends its tax jurisdiction to not only indirect transfers set forth under Circular 698 but also transactions involving transfer of other taxable assets, through the offshore transfer of a foreign intermediate holding company. In addition, Public Notice 7 provides clearer criteria than Circular 698 on how to assess reasonable commercial purposes and has introduced safe harbors for internal group restructurings and the purchase and sale of equity through a public securities market. Public Notice 7 also brings challenges to both the foreign transferor and transferee (or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer) of the taxable assets. Where a non-resident enterprise conducts an “indirect transfer” by transferring the taxable assets indirectly by disposing of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, the non-resident enterprise being the transferor, or the transferee, or the PRC entity which directly owned the taxable assets, may report to the relevant tax authority such indirect transfer. Using a “substance over form” principle, the PRC tax authority may re-characterize such indirect transfer as a direct transfer of the equity interests in the PRC tax resident enterprise and other properties in China. As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfer may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax, and the transferee or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer is obligated to withhold the applicable taxes, currently at a rate of up to 10%, for the transfer of equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise. Both the transferor and the transferee may be subject to penalties under PRC tax laws if the transferee fails to withhold the taxes and the transferor fails to pay the taxes.

 

We face uncertainties with respect to the reporting and consequences of private equity financing transactions, share exchange or other transactions involving the transfer of shares in our company by investors that are non-PRC resident enterprises, or sale or purchase of shares in other non-PRC resident companies or other taxable assets by us. Our company and other non-resident enterprises in our group may be subject to filing obligations or being taxed if our company and other non-resident enterprises in our group are transferors in such transactions, and may be subject to withholding obligations if our company and other non-resident enterprises in our group are transferees in such transactions, under Circular 698 and Public Notice 7. For the transfer of shares in our company by investors that are non-PRC resident enterprises, our PRC subsidiaries may be requested to assist in the filing under Circular 698 and Public Notice 7. As a result, we may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with Circular 698 and Public Notice 7 or to request the relevant transferors from whom we purchase taxable assets to comply with these circulars, or to establish that our company and other non-resident enterprises in our group should not be taxed under these circulars, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

The PRC tax authorities have the discretion under Circular 698 and Public Notice 7 to make adjustments to the taxable capital gains based on the difference between the fair value of the taxable assets transferred and the cost of investment. If the PRC tax authorities make adjustments to the taxable income of the transactions under Circular 698 and Public Notice 7, our income tax costs associated with such potential acquisitions will be increased, which may have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

As a result, we and our non-resident investors in such transactions may be at risk of being taxed under SAT Circular 698. We have accrued $5.4 million in the income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2011 on the Sale of Honesty Group and $0.9 million in the income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2014 on the Sale of SGOCO (Fujian). We have paid off these tax liabilities in May 1417.

 

Future changes in laws, regulations or enforcement policies in China could adversely affect our business.

 

Laws, regulations or enforcement policies in China are evolving and subject to future changes. Future changes in laws, regulations or administrative interpretations, or stricter enforcement policies by the Chinese government, could impose more stringent requirements on us, including fines or other penalties. Changes in applicable laws and regulations may also affect our operating costs. Compliance with these requirements could impose substantial additional costs or otherwise adversely affect our future growth. These changes may relax some requirements, which could be beneficial to our competitors or could lower market entry barriers and increase competition. In addition, any litigation or governmental investigation or enforcement proceedings in China may be protracted and result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention.

 

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Uncertainties regarding the Chinese legal system could have a material adverse effect on us.

 

The Chinese legal system is a civil law system based on statutes. Unlike the common-law system, prior court decisions may be cited for reference, but have limited precedential authority in China. Since 1979, Chinese legislation and regulations have significantly enhanced the protections provided to various forms of foreign investments in China. We conduct the majority of our business through our subsidiaries, Beijing SGOCO and SGOCO Shenzhen, which were established in China. As a result, we will be subject to laws and regulations applicable to foreign investments in China and, in particular, laws applicable to wholly foreign-owned enterprises.

 

But, since the Chinese legal system continues to rapidly evolve, the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are not always uniform. In addition, enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involve uncertainties, which may limit legal protections available to us. For example, we may have to file administrative and court proceedings to enforce the legal protection that we or our subsidiaries enjoy either by law or contract. Chinese administrative and court authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory and contractual terms. Consequently, it may be more difficult to evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection that we would enjoy compared to more developed legal systems.

 

These uncertainties may impede our ability to enforce contracts or other rights. Furthermore, intellectual property rights and confidentiality protections in China may be less effective than in the U.S. or other countries. Accordingly, we cannot predict the effect of future developments in the Chinese legal system, including the promulgation of new laws, changes to existing laws or the interpretation or enforcement of these laws, or the preemption of local regulations by national laws. These uncertainties could limit the legal protections available to us and our shareholders. In addition, any litigation in China may be protracted, substantially increase our costs and divert our resources and management’s attention.

 

If China imposes economic restrictions to reduce inflation, China’s future economic growth could be curtailed which could adversely affect our business and results of operation.

 

China’s economy has experienced rapid growth. But, this growth has varied among various sectors of the economy and in different geographical areas of the country. Rapid economic growth can lead to growth in the supply of money and rising inflation. To control inflation, the Chinese government may impose controls on bank credit, limits on loans for fixed assets and restrictions on state bank lending. If similar restrictions are imposed, it may lead to a slowing of economic growth and decrease the interest in our LCD/LED products leading to a decline in our profitability.

 

Changes in foreign exchange regulations in China may affect our operating subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends in foreign currency or conduct other foreign exchange business.

 

RMB is not a freely convertible currency currently, and the restrictions on currency exchanges may limit our ability to use revenues generated in RMB to fund our business activities outside China or to make dividends or other payments in U.S. Dollars. In China, SAFE regulates the conversion of RMB into foreign currencies. Over the years, foreign exchange regulations in China have significantly reduced the government’s control over routine foreign exchange transactions under current accounts (remittance of foreign currencies for payment of dividends, etc.).  

 

Conversion of RMB for capital account items, such as direct investment, loan, security investment and repatriation of investment, is still subject to the approval of the SAFE. Under China’s existing foreign exchange regulations, SGOCO International’s Chinese primary operating subsidiaries, Beijing SGOCO and SGOCO Shenzhen, are able to pay dividends in foreign currencies, without prior approval from the SAFE, by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, the Chinese government subsequently may restrict access to foreign currencies for current account transactions.

 

Fluctuating value of the Renminbi may reduce our profitability.

 

The change in value of the RMB against U.S. Dollars, and other currencies is affected by, among other things, changes in China’s political and economic conditions. Since July 2005, the RMB has no longer been pegged to the U.S. dollar. Although the People’s Bank of China regularly intervenes in the foreign exchange market to prevent significant short-term fluctuations in the exchange rate, the RMB may appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar in the medium to long term. Moreover, it is possible that in the future PRC authorities may lift restrictions on fluctuations in the RMB exchange rate and lessen intervention in the foreign exchange market. On March 17, 2014, the People’s Bank of China announced that the RMB exchange rate flexibility increased to 2% in order to proceed further with reform of the RMB exchange rate regime. Through 2016 the RMB continued its significant depreciation, which contributed partly to a decline in our 2016 revenues. This depreciation halted in 2017, and the RMB appreciated against the U.S. dollar during this one-year period. The exchange rate of the RMB against U.S. Dollar as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 were 6.53 and 6.94.With the development of the foreign exchange market and progress towards interest rate liberalization and Renminbi internationalization, the PRC government may in the future announce further changes to the exchange rate system and there is no guarantee that the RMB will not appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar in the future. It is difficult to predict how market forces or PRC or U.S. government policy may impact the exchange rate between the RMB and the U.S. dollar in the future.

 

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Any significant revaluation of the RMB may have a material adverse effect on our revenues and financial condition. For example, to the extent that we need to convert U.S. Dollars we receive into RMB for our operations, appreciation of the RMB against the U.S. Dollars would reduce the RMB amount we receive from the conversion. Conversely, if we decide to convert our RMB into U.S. Dollars to make payments for dividends on our shares or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. Dollars against the RMB would reduce the U.S. Dollars amount available to us.

 

Exchange controls that exist in China may limit our ability to use our cash flows effectively.

 

In 2017, a portion of our revenues and most of our expenses were denominated in RMB. We may need to convert a portion of our revenues into other currencies to meet our foreign currency obligations, including, among others, payment of dividends, if any, regarding our shares. Under China’s existing foreign exchange regulations, we are able to purchase foreign exchange for settlement of current account transactions, including payment of dividends in foreign currencies, without prior approval from SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements.

 

But, the Chinese government may take further measures to restrict access to foreign currencies for current account transactions. Any future restrictions on currency exchanges may limit our ability to use cash flows for distributing dividends to our shareholders or to fund operations we have outside of China.

 

Foreign exchange transactions continue to be subject to significant foreign exchange controls and require the approval of or registration with the Chinese governmental authorities, including SAFE. In particular, if SGOCO International receives foreign currency loans from us or other foreign lenders, these loans must be registered with SAFE. In addition, if we finance SGOCO International by means of additional capital contributions, these capital contributions must be approved by certain government authorities, including the Ministry of Commerce or its local counterparts. These potential restrictions could affect the ability of SGOCO International to obtain additional foreign exchange through debt or equity financing.  

 

Proceedings instituted by the SEC against five PRC-based accounting firms could result in adverse impact on our business and price of our stock.

 

In late 2012, the SEC commenced administrative proceedings under Rule 102(e) of its Rules of Practice and also under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 against the PRC-based units of five accounting firms. The Rule 102(e) proceedings initiated by the SEC relate to these firms’ failure to produce documents, including audit work papers, in response to the request of the SEC pursuant to Section 106 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as the auditors located in the PRC are not in a position lawfully to produce documents directly to the SEC because of restrictions under PRC law and specific directives issued by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”). The issues raised by the proceedings are not specific to our auditors or to us, but affect equally all audit firms based in China and all China-based businesses with securities listed in the United States.

 

In January 2014, the administrative judge reached an Initial Decision that the PRC-based units of the "big four" accounting firms should be barred from practicing before the SEC for six months. The decision is neither final nor legally effective unless and until reviewed and approved by the SEC. In February 2014, four of these PRC-based accounting firms appealed to the SEC against this decision. In February 2015, each of the four PRC-based accounting firms agreed to a censure and paid a fine to the SEC to settle the dispute and avoid suspension of their ability to practice before the SEC. The settlement requires the firms to follow detailed procedures that seek to provide the SEC with access to Chinese firms’ audit documents via the CSRC. If the firms do not follow these procedures, the SEC could impose penalties such as suspensions, or it could restart the administrative proceedings.

 

In the event that the SEC restarts the administrative proceedings, depending upon the final outcome, public companies in the United States with major PRC operations may find it difficult or impossible to retain auditors in respect of their operations in the PRC, which may result in SEC’s revocation of the registration of their shares under the Exchange Act, including possible delisting.  Moreover, although our independent registered public accounting firm was not named as a defendant in the above SEC administrative proceedings, any negative news about the proceedings against these audit firms may erode investor confidence in China-based, US public companies, including us, and the market price of our shares may be adversely affected. 

 

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Risks Relating to Our Shares

 

We may fail to meet continued listing requirements on the NASDAQ Capital Market

 

Our ordinary shares are listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market. We must comply with various NASDAQ Marketplace rules to maintain the listing of our securities. The NASDAQ listing rules require, among other things, that a company’s stock trading to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00. If a NASDAQ-listed company trades below the minimum bid price requirement for 30 consecutive business days, it will be notified of the deficiency.

 

To regain compliance with the minimum, bid price requirement, the Company must have a minimum, closing bid price of $1.00 or more for a minimum of ten consecutive business days during a 180-day compliance period. If compliance does not occur within the applicable 180-day compliance period, the Staff will notify the Company that its securities will be delisted from the NASDAQ Capital Market. However, the Company may appeal the Staff's determination to delist its securities to a Hearing Panel. During any appeal process, the Company's ordinary shares would continue to trade on the NASDAQ Capital Market.

 

If our securities were to be delisted from NASDAQ, the trading of our securities could possibly be shifted to the OTC Bulletin Board or the Pink Sheets. But, that would make it more difficult to dispose of, or obtain accurate quotations for the price of, our securities. In addition, such a development would likely also reduce the already limited coverage of our Company by security analysts and the news media. Delisting and these other effects could cause the price of our securities to decline further. 

 

The market price for our ordinary shares may be volatile.

 

The market price for our ordinary shares is likely to be highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to factors including the following:

 

  1. actual or anticipated fluctuations in our annual and quarterly operating results and changes or revisions in our expected results;

 

  2. changes in financial estimates by securities research analysts;

 

  3. market conditions for LCD/LED or VR products marketing and distribution as well as energy saving industry;

 

  4. changes in the economic performance or market valuations of companies specializing in LCD/LED or VR product marketing and distribution as well as energy saving industry;

 

  5. announcements by us and our affiliates or our competitors of new products, acquisitions, strategic relationships, joint ventures or capital commitments;

 

  6. addition or departure of our senior management and key research and development personnel;

 

  7. fluctuations of exchange rates between the RMB and the U.S. Dollars;

 

  8. litigation related to our intellectual property;

 

  9. changes in investors’ perception toward U.S.-listed Chinese companies;

 

  10. release or expiry of transfer restrictions on our outstanding ordinary shares; and

 

  11. sales or perceived potential sales of our ordinary shares.

 

In addition, the securities market has from time-to-time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are not related to the operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations may also have a material adverse effect on the market price of our ordinary shares.

 

We do not expect to pay dividends, so our shareholders will only benefit from an investment in our shares if such shares appreciate in value.

 

Currently, we do not expect to pay dividends to our shareholders. The Board of Directors may determine to pay dividends in the future, depending upon results of operations, financial condition, contractual restrictions, including restrictions in credit agreements, imposed by applicable law, and the laws of China governing dividend payments, currency conversion and loans, and other factors our Board of Directors deems relevant. Accordingly, realizing a gain on shareholders’ investments currently depends on whether the price of our shares appreciates in the securities exchange on which our shares trade. There is no guarantee that our shares will appreciate in value or even maintain the price at which shareholders purchased their shares. 

 

Due to the lack of unrestricted ordinary shares available to be sold, liquidity for our ordinary shares is limited.

 

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As of December 31, 2017, we had 16,164,855 ordinary shares issued and outstanding. Of these shares, approximately 9.9 million ordinary shares are held by persons not currently affiliated with us and are freely eligible to be resold in the public market. The remaining shares are either being held in escrow or are “restricted” securities not eligible to be resold in the public market. As a result of the lack of unrestricted securities available to be resold in the public market, there is limited liquidity in our ordinary shares, which may limit your ability to sell your ordinary shares of SGOCO or reduce the price at which the shares may be sold. In addition, the lack of a liquid market in our shares may make the listed market price of our shares less meaningful and more volatile.

 

Volatility in the price of our ordinary shares may result in shareholder litigation that could in turn result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources.

 

The financial markets in the U.S. and other countries have experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. Volatility in the price of our ordinary shares may be caused by factors outside of our control, which may not be related or may be disproportionate to our results of operations. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a public company’s securities, shareholders have frequently instituted securities class action litigation against various companies. Such litigation could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources.

 

If we become directly subject to the recent scrutiny involving U.S. listed Chinese companies, we may have to expend significant resources to investigate and/or defend the matter, which could harm our business operations, stock price and reputation.

 

During the last several years, U.S. public companies that have substantially all of their operations in China have been the subject of intense scrutiny by investors, financial commentators and regulatory agencies. Much of the scrutiny has centered on financial and accounting irregularities and mistakes, lacks of effective internal controls over financial reporting and, in many cases, allegations of fraud. As a result of the scrutiny, the publicly traded stock of many U.S.-listed Chinese companies that have been the subject of such scrutiny has sharply decreased in value. Many of these companies are now subject to shareholder lawsuits and/or SEC enforcement actions that are conducting internal and/or external investigations into the allegations.

 

If we become the subject of any such scrutiny, whether any allegations are true or not, we may have to expend significant resources to investigate such allegations and/or defend the Company. Such investigations or allegations will be costly and time-consuming and distract our management from our normal business and could result in our reputation being harmed. Our stock price could decline because of such allegations, even if the allegations are false.

 

You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through U.S. courts may be limited, because we are incorporated under Cayman Islands law.

 

We are an exempt company incorporated under Cayman Islands’ laws. Our corporate affairs are governed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Law, Cap. 22 (Law 3 of 1961, as consolidated and revised) of the Cayman Islands and Cayman Islands’ common law. Shareholders’ rights to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors to us under Cayman Islands’ law are largely governed by Cayman Islands’ common law. It is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands and from England’s common law. English court decisions, however, are not binding on a Cayman Islands’ court.

 

Our shareholders’ rights and our directors’ fiduciary responsibilities under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under the statutes or case law in most U.S. jurisdictions. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws than the U.S. Many U.S. states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Cayman Islands. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in U.S. federal courts.

 

The Cayman Islands’ courts are also not likely:

 

  1. to recognize or enforce against us judgments of courts of the U.S. based on civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws; and

 

  2. to impose liabilities against us, in original actions brought in the Cayman Islands, based on civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws that are penal in nature.

 

There is no statutory recognition in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the U.S. But the Cayman Islands’ courts will in certain circumstances recognize and enforce a non-penal judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits.

 

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Based on the above, shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests against actions taken by management, members of the Board of Directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a company incorporated in the U.S.

 

As a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, we can adopt certain home country practices regarding corporate governance matters that differ significantly from the NASDAQ Stock Market corporate governance listing standards. These practices may provide less protection to shareholders than they would enjoy if we complied fully with the NASDAQ Stock Market corporate governance listing standards.

 

As a Cayman Islands company listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market, we are subject to the NASDAQ Stock Market corporate governance listing standards. But, NASDAQ Stock Market rules permit a foreign private issuer like us to follow the corporate governance practices of its home country. Certain corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, may differ significantly from the NASDAQ Stock Market corporate governance listing standards.

 

For example, the Companies Law of the Cayman Islands does not require a majority of our directors to be independent. Therefore, we could include non-independent directors as members of our compensation committee and (if we chose to have one) our nominating committee. Finally, our independent directors would not necessarily hold regularly scheduled meetings at which only independent directors are present.

 

In addition, while NASDAQ Stock Market rules require that an issuer listing common stock hold an annual meeting of shareholders no later than one year after the end of the issuer’s fiscal year-end, the Companies Law of the Cayman Islands does not require it. If we choose to follow home country practice, our shareholders may receive less protection than they otherwise would under the NASDAQ Stock Market corporate governance listing standards applicable to U.S. domestic issuers. 

 

ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

 

A. History and Development of the Company.

 

Historical Structure and Acquisition of Honesty Group

 

SGOCO Group, Ltd. was organized under Cayman Islands’ laws on July 18, 2007. It was previously named SGOCO Technology, Ltd. and prior to the Acquisition was named Hambrecht Asia Acquisition Corp. The Company was formed as a blank check company to acquire one or more operating businesses in the PRC through a merger, stock exchange, asset acquisition or similar business combination or control through contractual agreements. The Company completed its initial public offering (“IPO”) of units consisting of one ordinary share and one warrant to purchase one ordinary share on March 12, 2008.

 

Pursuant to our charter documents, we were required to enter into a business combination transaction to acquire control of a business with its primary operation in the PRC with a fair market value of at least 80% of the trust account established at the time of our IPO, or the Trust Account, (excluding certain deferred underwriting commissions) prior to March 12, 2010, or dissolve and liquidate. The approval of the business combination transaction required the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares. It was conditioned on, among other matters, not more than 30% of the outstanding shares being properly tendered for redemption under our charter documents. Each ordinary share issued in our IPO was entitled to be redeemed if it was voted against the business combination transaction at a price equal to the amount in the Trust Account divided by the number of shares issued in the IPO outstanding at the time, estimated to be approximately $8.0 million as of February 17, 2010. 

 

On March 12, 2010, we acquired all of the outstanding shares of Honesty Group (the “Acquisition”). In addition, at the meeting to approve the acquisition, the Holders of our outstanding warrants approved an amendment to the warrant agreement under which the warrants were issued to increase the exercise price per share of the warrants from $20.00 to $32.00. The Amendment also extended by one year the exercise period, or until March 7, 2014, and provided for redeeming the publicly-held warrants, at the Holder‘s option, for $2.00 per warrant when the Acquisition closes. We may redeem the warrants at a price of $0.04 per warrant upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption, if the last sale price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $46.0 per share (subject to adjustment for splits, dividends, recapitalization and other similar events) for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending three business days before we send the notice of redemption.

 

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The Acquisition resulted in issuing

 

  1. 2,125,000 ordinary shares to the former shareholders of Honesty Group; and

 

  2. 1,450,000 additional ordinary shares to the former shareholders of Honesty Group to be held in escrow and released if the following milestones were met by the combined Company:

 

  (a) If “Income from Existing Operations” for the year ended December 31, 2010 exceeded $15,000,000 (the “First Earn-Out Milestone”), the escrow agent would release 1,250,000 shares to the former shareholders of Honesty Group. The First Earn-Out Milestone was met during the year ended December 31, 2010. The shares were not released in 2011 but were released in 2012 to the former shareholders of Honesty Group; and

 

  (b) If “Income from Existing Operations” for the year ended December 31, 2011 exceeded $20,000,000 (the “Second Earn-Out Milestone”), the escrow agent would release the remaining 200,000 shares to the former shareholders of Honesty Group. Those 200,000 shares were released in 2012.

 

In addition, 191,706 shares held by the original shareholders of the Company were placed in escrow pending satisfaction of certain conditions.

 

Those conditions included our reaching the earn-out milestones discussed above, as well as:

 

  1. Messrs. Robert Eu and John Wang providing the Company with 30 hours per month in services connected with investor relations, listing on the NASDAQ Global Stock Market or NASDAQ Global Select Stock Market, introducing investors and advisors;
     
  2. listing of our shares on such stock markets if we act in good faith to obtain such a listing once the listing criteria are met; and

 

  3. providing the opportunity for us to raise an additional $15 million in equity, subject to meeting certain prescribed pricing criteria.

 

Connected with the issuing of the 1,450,000 escrowed shares and the 191,706 escrowed shares, we, the original shareholders of the Company, and the Honesty Shareholders entered into an escrow agreement with Grand Pacific Investment Limited as escrow agent. Pursuant to that escrow agreement, the escrow agent agreed to hold the foregoing shares pending satisfaction of certain conditions within the applicable time periods. If the conditions were not met, some or all of the foregoing shares, would have been cancelled and returned to the status of authorized and unissued ordinary shares.

 

As stated above, the First and Second Earn-Out Milestones were met during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 and a total of 1,450,000 shares were released to the former shareholders of Honesty Group.

 

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In addition, of the 191,706 escrowed shares, 85,203 and 5,129 shares were earned in 2010 and 2011, respectively, but are not currently eligible to be released. The last measurement date to determine whether the conditions were met for the release of the 191,706 escrowed shares was December 31, 2011. However, on April 17, 2012, the escrow agreement was amended to provide additional time for the conditions to be met. Pursuant to the amendment, holders of the escrowed shares had until December 31, 2012 to meet the conditions for release. The escrow share agreement was further extended to December 31, 2013 and expired on that date, the remaining 101,374 escrow shares were cancelled on May 5, 2014.

 

We entered into various forward-purchase agreements with various hedge funds and other institutions for us to repurchase a total of 536,873 shares for an aggregate purchase price of $17,285,811 immediately after the closing of the Acquisition. After paying various fees and expenses, the redemption prices of shares and warrants and the forward-purchase contracts, the balance of approximately $5.4 million in the Trust Account was released to us when the Acquisition of Honesty Group was closed. After the closing of the Acquisition and the settlement of related transactions, we had outstanding 4,023,689 ordinary shares, of which 214,917 shares were initially issued in our IPO, and warrants to purchase 454,007 shares at a price of $32.00 per share, of which 391,507 were initially issued in our IPO.

  

After the Acquisition closed, Honesty Group became a wholly-owned subsidiary of SGOCO. Honesty Group is a limited liability company registered in Hong Kong on September 13, 2005. Honesty Group owns 100% of Guanke Electron Technological Industry Co., Ltd. (“Guanke”), Guanwei Electron Technological Industry Co., Ltd. (“Guanwei”) and Guancheng Electron Technological Co., Ltd. (“Guancheng”). Guanke, Guanwei and Guancheng are limited liability companies established under the corporate laws of the PRC. Honesty Group and its subsidiaries represented our core manufacturing facility along with land, buildings and production equipment. Honesty Group and its subsidiaries are now independent of the Company.

 

On July 26, 2010, SGOCO formed SGOCO International (HK) Limited, or SGOCO International, a limited liability company registered in Hong Kong (“SGOCO International”). SGOCO International and its subsidiaries were established for the purposes of conducting LCD/LED display product development, branding, marketing and distribution.

 

On February 22, 2011, SGO Corporation was established in Delaware USA. On March 14, 2011, SGOCO International purchased 100% of the outstanding shares of common stock of SGO. SGO was founded to market, sell and distribute SGOCO’s high quality products in the U.S. markets. SGO was not operating during 2011 and started to operate in the first quarter of 2012.

 

SGOCO International directly owns 100% of SGOCO (Fujian) Electronic Co., Ltd. SGOCO (Fujian) is a limited liability company established under the corporate laws of the PRC on July 28, 2011 for the purposes of conducting LCD/LED display product development, branding, marketing and distribution.

 

On December 26, 2011, SGOCO International established another wholly owned subsidiary Beijing SGOCO Image Technology Co. Ltd., a limited liability company under the laws of the PRC to conduct LCD/LED monitor, TV product-related and application-specific product design, brand development and distribution. Beijing SGOCO has operated as a cost center and commenced sales in the third quarter of 2013. 

 

On November 14, 2013, SGOCO International established a wholly owned subsidiary, SGOCO (Shenzhen) Technology Co., Ltd., a limited liability company under the laws of the PRC for the purpose of conducting LCD/LED monitor, TV product-related and application-specific product design, brand development and distribution.

 

We have effected a 1-for-4 reverse stock split of our authorized ordinary shares, accompanied by a corresponding decrease in our issued and outstanding shares of ordinary shares and an increase of the par value of each ordinary share from $0.001 to $0.004 (the “Reverse Stock Split”) on January 19, 2016. All references in this report to share and per share data have been adjusted, including historical data which have been retroactively adjusted, to give effect to the reverse stock split unless specified otherwise.

 

On December 15, 2017, SGOCO formed Giant Connection Limited, a limited liability company registered in Public of Seychelles. 

 

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Sale of Honesty Group

 

On November 15, 2011, we entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement (“Honesty SPA”) to sell our 100% ownership interest in Honesty Group to Apex, a British Virgin Islands company, for $76.0 million in total consideration. Honesty Group directly owns 100% of Guanke, Guanwei and Guancheng. The agreement was signed by the Company and Apex; shareholder ownership was transferred; and the director of Honesty Group was changed the same day. The Company’s management considers November 30, 2011 as the disposal effective date. Operational and management control over Honesty Group was shifted from SGOCO to Apex on November 30, 2011. 

 

According to the Honesty SPA, the $76.0 million in total consideration was to be paid in installments As of May 31, 2012, we received the full amount of the consideration, of which:

 

  - cash of $1 million was received before December 31, 2011;
  - cash of $19 million was received in 2012;
  - purchase deposits paid to Honesty Group of $1 million and payables to Honesty Group of $10 million at the time of disposal were offset;
  - goods of $9 million were received before December 31, 2011; and
  - goods of $38 million were received in 2012.

 

Pursuant to the Honesty SPA, Apex assumed our obligations to pay up the remaining capital of $8.8 million in Guanwei and to pay the remaining balance of approximately $14.0 million of the commitment to the Fujian Jinjiang government to invest in the Guanke Technology Park. In addition, the Honesty SPA required that for three years from the date of sale, Honesty Group must continue to provide SGOCO with products and services in the same or substantially similar manner as it did immediately prior to the completion of the transaction unless otherwise directed by SGOCO. The Honesty SPA also provided SGOCO with a right of first refusal for a period of five years from the date of sale to purchase from Apex any material rights or interests in Honesty Group’s shares or assets before Apex offered to transfer such rights or interests to a third party.

 

Connected with the Sale of Honesty Group, Honesty Group transferred to SGOCO certain contracts and assets that are related to design and distribution of SGOCO’s products, including research and development equipment, sales contracts with customers, contracts with retail sales sources, and trademarks and pending trademark applications. 

 

The Sale of Honesty Group allowed SGOCO to transition to a “light-asset” business model with greater flexibility and scalability and focus its operations on designing, branding, marketing and distributing LCD/LED products in China. Through the transaction, the Company retained part of its customers, brand names, and the nationwide distribution network while substantially reducing its interest bearing liabilities. 

 

Prior to the Sale of Honesty Group, including its manufacturing assets, to Apex, Apex was an independent third party. It had no relationships with any of SGOCO’s board members or management in 2011 (including former Chairman and CEO, Mr. Burnette Or and CEO, Mr. Shi-bin Xie). In addition, Apex had no relationship with Sun Zone Investments Limited (“Sun Zone”), our principal shareholder and a company owned by our former Chairman.

  

Sale of SGOCO (Fujian)

 

On December 24, 2014, we entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement (“SPA”) to sell our 100% equity ownership interest in SGOCO (Fujian) to Apex, which is an independent third party with interests in real estate and forestry products and previously purchased Honesty Group in November 2011.Our management considers December 31, 2014 as the disposal effective date. Operational and management control over SGOCO (Fujian) was shifted from SGOCO to Apex on December 31, 2014.

 

The sales price for all the equity of SGOCO (Fujian) was equivalent to the net asset value of SGOCO (Fujian) on December 31, 2014. The final amount was $11.0 million (the “Sale Price”).

 

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Apex also agreed to assume responsibility to settle the entire balance of intercompany accounts payable and other payables (the “Payables”) due by SGOCO (Fujian) to us and our affiliates, which amounted to $80.4 million. Pursuant to the SPA, payments were made in several installments upon and after completion of the Sale. Each installment will be 10% of the Sale Price and Payables of $91.4 million. The first installment was due 14 days after the completion of the transaction, and the last installment (approximately 10% of the sale price) was to be settled prior to June 30, 2015. We received the full amount of Sale Price and settlement of the Payables during 2015. The transfer of the Sale Equity was effective on December 31, 2014.

 

The SPA also states that SGOCO has a right of first refusal for a period of five years that prohibits Apex from selling, assigning or otherwise transferring any material interests, ownership or rights in or related to SGOCO (Fujian) including any equity, leases, businesses and equipment to a third party, without first offering to sell or transfer to SGOCO.

 

The Sale of SGOCO (Fujian) allowed SGOCO to restructure its business and reduce the reliance on traditional flat panel LED and LCD monitor products. It also provided greater flexibility and scalability for our business model, which enables us to focus on finding new business acquisition opportunities and exploring new products.

 

Warrant Repurchase and Retirement

 

To reduce the potential for future EPS dilution, in 2011, the Company repurchased and retired a total of 304,294 warrants that had a strike price of $32.00. Those warrants included 241,794 publicly-traded warrants for an aggregate purchase price of $360,610 (or $1.48 per warrant), and 250,000 sponsor warrants for an aggregate purchase price of $125,000 (or $2.00 per warrant), in private transactions. On March 7, 2014, the remaining 149,713 publicly-traded warrants expired. There were no outstanding sponsor and publicly-traded warrants as of December 31, 2016.

 

Additionally, the Company, in private transactions, repurchased and retired a total of 13,274 of the warrants that had a strike price of $24.00 issued to its underwriters in the December 2010 offering for an aggregate purchase price of $26,548 (or $2.00 per warrant). These warrants were expired on December 20, 2015.

 

Through the repurchase and retirement of these warrants, the Company decreased the long-term risks of dilution that might have occurred if these warrants were exercised. 

 

Acquisition of Boca

 

On December 28, 2015, SGOCO International entered into a Share Sale and Purchase Agreement for the Sale and Purchase of the Entire Issued Share Capital of Boca International Limited (the “Agreement”) with Richly Conqueror Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (the “Vendor”). Pursuant to the Agreement, SGOCO International acquired 100% of the issued share capital of Boca International Limited. (“Boca”), a private company incorporated in Hong Kong, from its sole legal and beneficial owner - Richly Conqueror Limited at a consideration of $52 million in cash, plus up to 19.9% newly issued ordinary shares (the “Shares”) of the Company. In March, 2016, the acquisition of Boca was completed and SGOCO International fully paid $52 million plus 1,162,305 post-split shares of common stock of the Company and received 100% ownership of Boca. The transaction was closed on March 31, 2016.

 

Boca is principally engaged in environmental protection, energy saving technologies, equipment development and applications. Its business involves production and sales of phase change thermal energy storage materials as well as central air conditioning cooling and heating system application engineering. Our intention is to reduce the reliance on sales of traditional flat panel LED and LCD monitor products and enter into energy saving and new energy market.

 

Acquisition of Century Skyway Limited

 

On April 28, 2017, SGOGO International entered into a Share Sale and Purchase Agreement with Full Linkage Limited (the “Seller”) pursuant to which SGOCO International acquired all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Century Skyway Limited, which was owned by Full Linkage Limited. In consideration for the acquisition of Century Skyway, SGOCO International paid to the Seller $32,600,000 and SGOCO issued to the Seller 1,500,000 of its ordinary shares. The consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Share Sale and Purchase Agreement occurred on May 10, 2017. Century Skyway Limited has not generated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Company took more time to commercialize the VR products than expected. The Company is expecting CSL to generate revenues when it launches its VR products in the second or third quarter of 2018.

 

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Acquisition of Giant Credit Limited

 

On December 22, 2017, Giant Connection Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SGOCO, completed the acquisition of Giant Credit Limited contemplated by the Share Exchange Agreement entered into by and between Kimmy Lai Ching Luk and the Company in consideration for HK$19.6 million ($2.4 million), which was satisfied by the allotment and issuance of 2,220,283 ordinary shares of the Company. The principal activity of Giant Credit Limited is money lending in Hong Kong.

 

SGOCO’s Offices

 

SGOCO’s principal executive office is located in Unit 1614, North Tower, Concordia Plaza, No. 1 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Under our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, our Registered Office is at the offices of Codan Trust Company (Cayman) Limited, Cricket Square, Hutchins Drive, PO Box 2681, Grand Cayman, KY1-1111, Cayman Islands, telephone: (345) 949 1040, or at such other place as the directors may from time-to-time decide. Our agent for service of process in the U.S. is Corporation Service Company, 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, DE 19808.

 

B. Business overview.

 

Our Business

 

SGOCO Group, Ltd. is focused on product design, brand development and distribution in the Chinese display and computer product market as well as energy saving products and services. 

 

As of December 31, 2017, our primary business operations were conducted through SGOCO International, and its wholly owned PRC subsidiary, SGOCO Shenzhen. LCD/LED monitors form the core of our product portfolio.

 

We also sell AIO and PIO computers through our distribution network.

 

We do not sell our products directly to retailers. Rather, by providing signage, marketing materials and sales support to the distributors and their retailers under the marketing program, we raise the profile of our products and the awareness of our brands at the retail level. Selling to these distributors helps us to diversify our customer base. Additionally, selling directly to distributors which then sell directly to retailers can reduce the layers in the distribution chain potentially leading to greater margins for us, the distributors, or the retailers.

 

Following the Sale of Honesty Group and SGOCO (Fujian), we operate using a “light-asset” business model which is marketing-driven with multiple brands all under the marketing program. Our business model consists of the following three key elements:

 

  1. an actively-managed portfolio of brands that have strong local appeal;

 

  2. a world-class quality, design engineering, and product development capability; and

 

  3. a “light-asset” model that provides the flexibility to source from low-cost suppliers meeting our high quality standards.

 

We have integrated these three elements through a distinct distribution channel in the form of a national network of distributors and retail sales sources operating under the “SGOCO Image” name. Consequently, we believe we are able to leverage opportunities across the entire value chain and create a competitive advantage for SGOCO. We also use the proceeds and intercompany payables received from the Sale of SGOCO (Fujian) to perform business acquisitions and develop new products.

 

On December 28, 2015, SGOCO International entered into a Share Sale and Purchase Agreement for the Sale and Purchase of the Entire Issued Share Capital of Boca International Limited (the “Agreement”) with Richly Conqueror Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (the “Vendor”). Pursuant to the Agreement, SGOCO International acquired 100% of the issued share capital of Boca International Limited. (“Boca”), a private company incorporated in Hong Kong, from its sole legal and beneficial owner - Richly Conqueror Limited at a consideration of $52 million in cash, plus up to 19.9% or 3.4 million newly issued ordinary shares (the “Shares”) of the Company. In March, 2016, the acquisition of Boca has been completed and SGOCO International fully paid $52 million plus 1,162,305 post-split shares of common stock of the Company and received 100% ownership of Boca.

 

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Boca designs, develops and manufactures Phase Change Material (PCM-TES) storage system and applies them on cooling and heating system. Boca's PCM-TES storage system (the "System") applies real-time electricity demand peak management which shifts on-peak chiller plant load to off-peak and increases chiller efficiency by optimization controls at any time. The System could reduce electricity consumption by approximately 50% during all running time and decrease 2/3 of central air conditioning running cost due to lower tariff rate during off-peak and higher efficiency at all time. The System can be used in all existing and new buildings and is environmentally friendly with a life of more than ten years. The System fully supports energy saving to help control the greenhouse effect and achieve maximum economic benefit for the customers.

 

Boca commenced R&D of Phase Change Material Thermal Energy Storage (PCM-TES) system in 1992 and started the PCM-TES mass production line in Hong Kong in 2003.  During 2003 to 2015, Boca has successfully manufactured and delivered about 10 projects to Hong Kong, Malaysia, Australia, Italy and UK.  Due to innovative technology developed in PCM-TES system hardware and software for chiller and heating plants, Boca expects there will be more than 7,000 projects in the US, 10,000 in China, 3,000 in Japan and 3,000 projects in other countries have the potential to install Boca PCM-TES within the next 10 years for those major new and existing buildings. Estimated contract sum for each potential project is about USD1 million.  The capital investment in each project retrofit will be paid back by energy savings within 3 to 5 years.

 

On April 28, 2017, SGOCO International entered into a Share Sale and Purchase Agreement for the Sale and Purchase of the Entire Issued Share Capital of Century Skyway Limited (the “Agreement”) with Full Linkage Limited, a company organized under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (the “Vendor”). Pursuant to the Agreement, SGOCO International acquires 100% of the issued share capital of Century Skyway, a private holding company incorporated in Hong Kong, from its sole legal and beneficial owner, Full Linkage Limited, for consideration of $32.6 million in the form of cash, plus 1.5 million newly issued ordinary shares (the “Shares”) of the Company. On May 10, 2017, the acquisition of Century Skyway was closed.

 

Century Skyway is principally engaged in Virtual Reality (“VR’) device and technologies research and development. Its development center and main researchers are located in Shenzhen, China. Century Skyway’s R&D team has extensive experience and expertise in the VR industry. The R&D team cooperated with Razer to develop an Open-Source Virtual Reality ("OSVR") product aimed on VR-Gaming. The OSVR product attended the 2017 US CES exhibition in Las Vegas in January, 2017.

 

Century Skyway develops VR technology and applies such technology to its VR devices. For example, Century Skyway’s VR technology is integrated into devices as a VR Head-mounted display ("HMD"), which can reduce the number of cables needed for a VR signal/data link between HMD and the source unit. Such technology also uses ultrasound to calibrate VR devices’ attitude without a user’s intervention.

 

On December 22, 2017, Giant Connection Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SGOCO, completed the acquisition of Giant Credit Limited contemplated by the Share Exchange Agreement entered into by and between Kimmy Lai Ching Luk and the Company in consideration for HK$19.6 million ($2.4 million), which was satisfied by the allotment and issuance of 2,220,283 ordinary shares of the Company. The principal activity of Giant Credit Limited is money lending in Hong Kong.

 

Giant Credit Limited is a Hong Kong incorporated company which has the Money Lenders License for carrying on money lending business in Hong Kong.  Giant Credit Limited has been providing high-quality mortgage loans to its customers since 2016.  Since the commencement of business, Giant Credit Limited has continued to record a growth in its mortgage loans receivable along with satisfactory interest income.  Management believes that the recent rising trend in the economy and local property market provides the Company great opportunity to expand its mortgage loan business and portfolio.  In addition, The Hong Kong Monetary Authority continues to impose stringent policies and prudential measures on property mortgage loans provided by authorized financial institutions in Hong Kong, which creates additional hurdles for the public who are looking for mortgages to satisfy their financial needs.  This further enhances the competitive edge of money lenders in Hong Kong.

 

SGOCO Products 

  

We currently offer LCD/LED products with a full set of features designed to appeal to a wide range of retail and commercial customers. Our current product lines on sale include:

 

  1. LCD/LED monitors with screen sizes up to 40 inches;

 

  2. AIO and PIO computers;

 

  3. VR technology and devices;

 

  4. Phase Change Material Thermal Energy Storage ("Boca PCM - TES"); and

 

  5. Money lending and .

 

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Intellectual Property

 

 

Prior to the Sale of Honesty Group, Guanke submitted applications to transfer three trademarks to SGOCO International: “SGOCO”, “Shangwei” (Chinese name for SGOCO) and “POVIZON;” and Guanwei submitted an application to transfer one trademark to SGOCO International.

 

The State Trademark Bureau examined and approved the “SGOCO” trademark transfer on July 31, 2012 and the remaining trademark transfers were approved on May 20, 2012.

 

Since March 1, 2013, SGOCO owns the following trademarks: “SGOCO”, “Shangwei” (Chinese name for SGOCO), and “POVIZON”

 

The Intellectual Property of Boca is related to the thermal energy storage which is the temporary storage of high or low temperature energy for later use. The Intellectual Property developed by Boca is called BocaPCM-TES and its concept is based on custom-made high-density polyethylene plastic containers filled with the phase change material solutions developed by Boca which have very wide operating temperatures between -100˚C & +167˚C. The Intellectual Property can increase the efficiency of chiller plants by optimization control that shifts on-peak chiller plant load to off-peak through applying real-time electricity demand peak management. With the use of the Intellectual Property, less electricity will be consumed, air conditioning running cost as well as greenhouse gases emission will be reduced. The patents relevant to the Intellectual Property are listed as follows and they are Chinese patents:

 

Patents

 

Application Date Patent number Name of the Patent Patent Term
27 August 2004 ZL200410057317.5 One type of inorganic fire rated panel 20 years
1 July 2007 ZL200720157056.3 One type of Phase Change Material Container with thermal expansion joint 10 years
9 March 2009 ZL200920006162.0 One type of Phase Change Material Container with Ultra-sonic welded cap 10 years
14 January 2010 ZL201020003211.8 One type of Thermal Energy Storage Phase Change Material Container can stand for high static pressure 10 years

 

There are no legal disputes pending or threatened against us for any claimed intellectual property infringement as of the date of this Annual Report.  

 

C. Regulations.

 

Chinese government subsidies

 

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, we received no grants from the PRC municipal government. 

 

Environmental

 

Since the sale of Honesty Group, SGOCO has not been subject to environmental impact evaluations by the local Environmental Protection Bureau.

 

Foreign Exchange Control and Administration

 

Foreign exchange in China is primarily regulated by the Foreign Currency Administration Rules (1996) and the Administration Rules of the Settlement, Sale and Payment of Foreign Exchange (1996).

 

Under the Foreign Currency Administration Rules, the RMB is convertible for current account items, including distributing dividends, making interest payments, and engaging in trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions. Conversion of RMB into foreign currency for capital account items, such as direct investment, loans, investment in securities and repatriation of funds, however, is still subject to SAFE’s approval. Under the Administration Rules, foreign-invested enterprises may only buy, sell and remit foreign currencies at banks authorized to conduct foreign exchange transactions after providing valid commercial documents and, in the case of capital account item transactions, only after obtaining approval from SAFE.

 

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Under the Foreign Currency Administration Rules, foreign invested enterprises must complete the foreign exchange registration and obtain the registration certificate. Beijing SGOCO and SGOCO Shenzhen have complied with these requirements.

 

The value of the RMB against the U.S. Dollars and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in China’s political and economic conditions. Historically, the conversion of RMB into foreign currencies, including U.S. Dollars, has been based on rates set by the People’s Bank of China. On July 21, 2005, the PRC government changed its policy of pegging the value of the RMB to the U.S. Dollars. Under the new policy, the RMB is permitted to fluctuate within a band against a basket of certain foreign currencies. 

 

On June 19, 2010, the People’s Bank of China released a statement indicating that it would “proceed further with reform of the RMB exchange rate regime and increase the RMB exchange rate flexibility.” 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 in the RMB’s value against the U.S. Dollar.

 

On March 17, 2014, the People’s Bank of China announced that the RMB exchange rate flexibility increased to 2% in order to proceed further with reform of the RMB exchange rate regime. Through 2016 the RMB continued its significant depreciation, which contributed partly to a decline in our 2016 revenues. This depreciation halted in 2017, and the RMB appreciated against the U.S. dollar during this one-year period. The exchange rate of the RMB against U.S. Dollar as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 were 6.53 and 6.94.

 

Regulation on PRC Resident’s Participation of Share Option Plan Offered by an Offshore Company

 

The regulations governing foreign exchange matters of PRC residents promulgated by the People’s Bank of China require an employee share option plan or restricted share unit scheme offered by an offshore listed company to be filed with and approved by SAFE. A special bank account must be opened in the PRC to receive, and subsequently allocate to the participating PRC residents, the proceeds or dividends derived from such share option plan.

 

HK Money Lender Ordinance (Cap 163)

 

To provide for the control and regulation of money lenders and money-lending transactions, the appointment of a Registrar of Money Lenders and the licensing of persons carrying on business as money lenders; to provide protection and relief against excessive interest rates and extortionate stipulations in respect of loans; to provide for offences and for matters connected with or incidental to the foregoing; and to repeal the Money-lenders Ordinance 1911.

 

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D. Organizational structure.

 

The following diagram sets forth our corporate structure as of the date of this Annual Report: 

 

 

  (1)

The directors of SGOCO International are Mr. Hok Fung Wai and Ms. Pui Kiu Lau.

 

  (2) SGO is SGOCO’s operational subsidiary in the U.S. The sole officer and director of SGO is Mr. Shi-bin Xie.

 

  (3) Beijing SGOCO is one of SGOCO’s operational subsidiaries in the PRC. The officer of Beijing SGOCO is Mr. Shi-bin Xie. The legal representative of Beijing SGOCO is Mr. Wen-li Hong.

 

  (4) SGOCO Shenzhen is one of SGOCO’s operational subsidiaries in the PRC. The officer of SGOCO Shenzhen is Mr. Shi-bin Xie. The legal representative of SGOCO Shenzhen is Mr. Feng-Chen, Gao.

 

  (5) Boca International Limited is one of SGOCO’s operational subsidiaries in Hong Kong. The director of Boca International Limited is Mr. Richard Kam Biu Chan.

 

  (6)

Century Skyway Limited is one of SGOCO’s operational subsidiaries in Hong Kong. The director of Century Skyway Limited is Mr. Hok Fung Wai.

 

(7)

Shen Zhen Provizon Technology Co., Ltd is one of SGOCO’s operational subsidiaries in the PRC. The legal representative of Shen Zhen Provizon Technology Co., Ltd is Mr. Shuai Tao.

 

(8)

The director of Giant Connection Limited is Ms. Pui Kiu Lau.

 

(9)

Giant Credit Limited is one of SGOCO’s operational subsidiaries in Hong Kong. The director of Giant Credit Limited is Ms. Pui Kiu Lau.

 

E. Property, plant and equipment.

 

After the Sale of SGOCO (Fujian) and Honesty Group in December 2014 and November 2011, respectively, SGOCO has no production facility but owns equipment used for research and development. It also owns office equipment. Its principal office is located in Hong Kong. Its operating companies are located in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shenzhen, China.

 

Giant Credit holds land and property in Hong Kong with a fair value of HK$3.9 million ($0.5 million) as of December 31, 2017.

 

ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

Not applicable.

 

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 ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

 

A. Operating results.

 

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes which appear elsewhere in this Annual Report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those discussed elsewhere in this Annual Report, including those set forth under “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors.”

 

Our financial statements are prepared in U.S. $ and according to accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. See “Foreign Exchange Risk” below for information concerning the exchange rates at which RMB were translated into U.S. Dollars at various pertinent dates and for pertinent periods.

 

Overview

 

SGOCO Group, Ltd. is focused on product design, brand development and distribution in the Chinese display and computer product market as well as energy saving products and services.

 

As of December 31, 2017, our primary business operations were conducted through Boca International and SGOCO International, and its wholly owned PRC subsidiary, SGOCO Shenzhen.  LCD/LED monitors form the core of our product portfolio. In 2017, through Boca, we were also engaged in environmental protection, energy saving technologies, equipment development and applications, involving production and sales of phase change thermal energy storage materials as well as central air conditioning cooling and heating system application engineering. Our intention is to reduce the reliance on sales of traditional flat panel LED and LCD monitor products and enter into the energy saving and new energy markets.

 

Boca designs, develops and manufactures Phase Change Material storage system and applies them on cooling and heating system. Boca's PCM-TES storage system (the "System") applies real-time electricity demand peak management which shifts on-peak chiller plant load to off-peak and increases chiller efficiency by optimization controls at any time. The System could reduce electricity consumption by approximately 50% during all running time and decrease 2/3 of central air conditioning running cost due to lower tariff rate during off-peak and higher efficiency at all time. The System can be used in all existing and new buildings and is environmentally friendly with a life of more than ten years. The System fully supports energy saving to help control the greenhouse effect and achieve maximum economic benefit for the customers.

 

We are also selling AIO and PIO computers through our distribution network.

 

We do not sell our products directly to retailers. However, by providing signage, marketing materials and sales support to distributors and their retailers under the marketing program, we raise the profile of our products and the awareness of our brands at the retail level. Selling to these distributors helps us to diversify our customer base. Additionally, selling directly to distributors who then sell directly to retailers can reduce the layers in the distribution chain potentially leading to greater margins for us, the distributors, or the retailers.

 

Following the Sale of Honesty Group and SGOCO (Fujian), we operate using a “light-asset” business model, which is marketing-driven with multiple brands. Our business model consists of the following three key elements:

 

  1. an actively-managed portfolio of brands that have strong, local appeal;
     
  2. a world-class quality, design engineering, and product development capability that supports our distribution channels and brand portfolio; and

 

  3. a “light-asset” model that provides the flexibility to source from low-cost suppliers that meet our high quality standards.

 

By integrating these three elements, we are able to leverage opportunities across the entire value chain and create a competitive advantage for SGOCO.

 

In evaluating our financial condition and results of operations, attention should be drawn to the following areas:

 

  1. Sale of SGOCO (Fujian).

 

On December 24, 2014, the Company entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement (“SPA”) to sell its 100% equity ownership interest in SGOCO (Fujian) to Apex, which is an independent third party with interests in real estate and forestry products. Apex previously purchased Honesty Group, SGOCO’s prior manufacturing business, on November 15, 2011. The Company considers December 31, 2014 as the disposal effective date since the operational and management control over SGOCO (Fujian) was shifted from SGOCO to Apex on December 31, 2014.

 

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The sales price for all the equity of SGOCO (Fujian) was equivalent to the net asset value of SGOCO (Fujian) on December 31, 2014. The final amount was $11.0 million (the “Sale Price”). The Sale of SGOCO (Fujian) allowed SGOCO to restructure the business and reduce the reliance of traditional flat panel LED and LCD monitor products. It provided greater flexibility and scalability for the Company's business model, which enables the Company to focus on finding new business acquisition opportunities and exploring new products.

 

The operations of SGOCO (Fujian) are reflected in our 2014 financial statements through December 31, 2014, which was the completion date of the sale of SGOCO (Fujian). As a result, past performance may not be indicative of future performance.

 

  2. Sale of Honesty Group.

 

On November 15, 2011, the Company entered into a Sales and Purchase Agreement to sell its 100% ownership interest in Honesty Group to Apex for $76.0 million in total consideration. The Agreement was signed by the Company and Apex; shareholder ownership was transferred; and the director of Honesty Group was changed the same day.

 

The Company’s management considers November 30, 2011 as the disposal effective date since the operational and management control over Honesty Group was shifted from SGOCO to Apex on November 30, 2011.

 

The consideration was paid in installments and was paid in full in May 2012. 

 

Prior to the Sale of Honesty Group, including its manufacturing assets, to Apex, Apex was an independent third party. It had no relationships with any of SGOCO’s Board members or management in 2011 and 2014 (including former Chairman and CEO, Mr. Burnette Or). In addition, Apex had no relationship with Sun Zone.

 

Honesty Group and its subsidiaries represented our core manufacturing facility along with land, buildings and production equipment. The Sale of Honesty Group allowed us to transition to a “light-asset” business model with greater flexibility and scalability. This model allows us to focus our operations on designing, branding, marketing and distributing LCD/LED products in China. Following the Sale of Honesty Group, the Company outsourced its manufacturing operations to Honesty Group until the end of 2015.

 

The operations of Honesty Group are reflected in our 2011 financial statements through November 30, 2011, which was the completion date of the sale of Honesty. As a result, past performance may not be indicative of future performance;

 

  3. Acquisition of Boca.

 

The acquisition of Boca was completed on March 31, 2016. The consideration included $52 million in the form of cash, plus up to 19.9% new shares of the Company (as enlarged by the issuance). Assets of Boca acquired and liabilities assumed were mainly proprietary technology at a fair market value of $26.2 million, and deferred tax liabilities of $6.6 million thereon. Goodwill of $36.5 million arose from this acquisition, representing the financial, strategic and operational value of the business of Boca and the synergies expected from the combined operations of Boca and the Company. BOCA has not generated any material revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017 as we are still negotiating with our customers about the project execution plan and timetable. We are expecting BOCA to generate more revenues when it starts to execute its performance obligations under the contracts with its customers in the second or third quarter of 2018. As a result, past performance may not be indicative of future performance.

 

  4. Acquisition of Century Skyway Limited.

 

The acquisition of Century Skyway Limited was completed on May 10, 2017. The consideration included $32.6 million in the form of cash, plus 1.5 million newly issued ordinary shares of the Company. Assets of Century Skyway Limited acquired and liabilities assumed were mainly proprietary technology at a fair market value of $19.7 million, and deferred tax liabilities of $4.9 million thereon. Goodwill of $20.2 million arose from this acquisition, representing the financial, strategic and operational value of the business of Century Skyway Limited and the synergies expected from the combined operations of Century Skyway Limited and the Company. The operations of Century Skyway Limited are reflected in our 2017 financial statements since its date of acquisition. We took more time to commercialize the VR products than expected. We are expecting CSL and Shen Zhen Provizon Technology Co., Limited to generate revenues when it launches its VR products in the second or third quarter of 2018.

 

  5. Acquisition of Giant Credit Limited.

 

The acquisition of Giant Credit Limited was completed on December 22, 2017. The consideration was HK$19.6 million ($2.4 million), which was satisfied by the allotment and issuance of 2,220,283 ordinary shares of the Company. The operations of Giant Credit Limited are reflected in our 2018 financial statements since its date of acquisition. As a result, past performance may not be indicative of future performance.  

 

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  6. Limited operating history. We have a limited operating history, and our future prospects are subject to risks and uncertainties beyond our control. In addition, we changed our strategic marketing, distribution, and business model in recent years;

 

  7. Currency Conversions.  Our former PRC subsidiary, SGOCO (Fujian), and our current PRC subsidiaries, Beijing SGOCO and SGOCO Shenzhen, maintain their books and records in RMB, the lawful currency of China. In general, for consolidation purposes, we translate the subsidiaries' assets and liabilities using the applicable closing exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet date, and the statements of income and cash flows are translated at the applicable average exchange rates during the reporting period. Adjustments resulting from the translation of the subsidiaries' financial statements are recorded as accumulated other comprehensive income.

 

On May 10, 2017, we completed the acquisition of all of the issued share capital of Century Skyway Limited (“CSL”), a company incorporated in Hong Kong, for a purchase price of $32.6 million in form of cash and 1.5 million new shares in SGOCO. CSL is principally engaged in Virtual Reality (“VR’) device and technologies research and development. Its development center and main researchers are located in Shenzhen, China.

 

On December 22, 2017, Giant Connection Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SGOCO, completed the acquisition of Giant Credit Limited contemplated by the Share Exchange Agreement entered into by and between the parties in consideration for HK$19.6 million ($2.4 million), which was satisfied by the allotment and issuance of 2,220,283 ordinary shares of the Company. The principal activity of Giant Credit Limited is money lending in Hong Kong.

 

The balance sheet amounts with the exception of equity were translated using RMB6.53 and RMB6.94 to $1.00 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The equity accounts were stated at their historical exchange rates. The average translation rates applied to the income and cash flow statement amounts for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were RMB6.76, RMB6.64, and RMB6.23 to $1.00, respectively.

 

Critical Accounting Estimates

 

Our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our audited consolidated financial statements included with this Annual Report which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP. Preparing financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires that our management make estimates and assumptions affecting:

 

  1. the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, including the recoverability of tangible and intangible assets;

 

  2. disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements; and

 

  3. the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the periods covered.

 

A summary of accounting policies that have been applied to the historical financial statements can be found in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Our management evaluates our estimates on an on-going basis. The most significant estimates relate to collectability of receivables and the fair value and accounting treatment of financial instruments. We based our estimates on our historical and industry experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ materially from those estimates.

 

The following is a brief discussion of these critical accounting policies and methods, and the judgments and estimates used by us in their application:

 

Business combinations

 

We account for our business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 805 "Business Combinations." The cost of an acquisition is measured as the aggregate of the acquisition date fair values of the assets transferred and liabilities incurred by us to the sellers and equity instruments issued. Transaction costs directly attributable to the acquisition are expensed as incurred. Identifiable assets and liabilities acquired or assumed are measured separately at their fair values as of the acquisition date, irrespective of the extent of any noncontrolling interests. The excess of (i) the total costs of acquisition, fair value of the noncontrolling interests and acquisition date fair value of any previously held equity interest in the acquiree over (ii) the fair value of the identifiable net assets of the acquiree is recorded as goodwill. If the cost of acquisition is less than the fair value of the net assets of the subsidiary acquired, the difference is recognized directly in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. During the measurement period, which can be up to one year from the acquisition date, we may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the values of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

 

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In a business combination achieved in stages, we re-measure the previously held equity interest in the acquiree immediately before obtaining control at its acquisition-date fair value and the re-measurement gain or loss, if any, is recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

 

When there is a change in ownership interests that result in a loss of control of a subsidiary, we deconsolidate the subsidiary from the date control is lost. Any retained noncontrolling investment in the former subsidiary is measured at fair value and is included in the calculation of the gain or loss upon deconsolidation of the subsidiary.

 

Intangible assets

 

Intangible assets acquired through business acquisitions are recognized as assets separate from goodwill if they satisfy either the "contractual-legal" or "separability" criterion. Purchased intangible assets and intangible assets arising from the acquisitions of subsidiaries are recognized and measured at fair value upon acquisition. Separately identifiable intangible assets that have determinable lives continue to be amortized over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method as follows:

  

Proprietary technology of BOCA   20 years
Virtual reality technologies   10 year
Backlog   1 year

 

Separately identifiable intangible assets to be held and used are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Determination of recoverability is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. Measurement of any impairment loss for identifiable intangible assets is based on the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets.

 

Goodwill

 

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase consideration over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed of the acquired entity as a result of our acquisitions of interests in its subsidiaries. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it might be impaired. We first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. In the qualitative assessment, we consider primary factors such as industry and market considerations, overall financial performance of the reporting unit, and other specific information related to the operations. Based on the qualitative assessment, if it is more likely than not that the fair value of each reporting unit is less than the carrying amount, the quantitative impairment test is performed.

 

In performing the two-step quantitative impairment test, the first step compares the fair values of each reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of each reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill is not considered to be impaired and the second step will not be required. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step compares the implied fair value of goodwill to the carrying value of a reporting unit's goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in a manner similar to accounting for a business combination with the allocation of the assessed fair value determined in the first step to the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. The excess of the fair value of the reporting unit over the amounts assigned to the assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. This allocation process is only performed for the purposes of evaluating goodwill impairment and does not result in an entry to adjust the value of any assets or liabilities. Application of a goodwill impairment test requires significant management judgment, including the identification of reporting units, assigning assets, liabilities and goodwill to reporting units, and determining the fair value of each reporting unit.

 

Impairment of long-lived assets other than goodwill

 

We review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets.

 

Impairment of goodwill

 

We annually, or more frequently if we believe indicators of impairment exist, reviews the carrying value of goodwill to determine whether impairment may exist.

 

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Specifically, goodwill impairment is determined using a two-step process. The first step compares the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of each reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill is not considered to be impaired and the second step will not be required. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step compares the implied fair value of the affected reporting unit's goodwill to the carrying value of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in a manner similar to accounting for a business combination with the allocation of the assessed fair value determined in the first step to the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. The excess of the fair value of the reporting unit over the amounts assigned to the assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. An impairment loss is recognized for any excess in the carrying value of goodwill over the implied fair value of goodwill. Estimating fair value is performed by utilizing various valuation techniques, with the primary technique being a discounted cash flow.

 

We have three reporting units: the green energy products and services, the Virtual Reality technologies products and services, and the money lending services. We perform our annual impairment tests on December 31 of each year.

 

Loans receivables, net

 

Loans receivable primarily represent loan amounts due from customers. Loans receivable are recorded at unpaid principal balances net of provision that reflects our best estimate of the amounts that will not be collected. The loans receivable portfolio consists of personal loans.

 

Provision for loan losses  

 

The provision for loan losses is increased by charges to income and decreased by charge offs (net of recoveries). Recoveries represent subsequent collection of amounts previously charged-off. The increase in provision for loan losses is the netting effect of “reversal” and “provision” for both business and personal loans. If the ending balance of the provision for loan losses after any charge offs (net of recoveries) is less than the beginning balance, it will be recorded as a “reversal”; if it is larger, it will be recorded as a “provision” in the provision for loan loss. The netting amount of the “reversal” and the “provision” is presented in the statements of income and comprehensive income.

 

The provision consists of specific and general components. The specific component consists of the amount of impairment related to loans that have been evaluated on an individual basis, and the general component consists of the amount of impairment related to loans that have been evaluated on a collective basis. Loans are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Loans for which the terms have been modified resulting in a concession, and for which the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties, are considered troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”).

 

We recognize a charge-off when management determines that full repayment of a loan is not probable. The primary factor in making that determination is the potential outcome of a lawsuit against the delinquent debtor. We will recognize a charge-off when we lose contact with the delinquent borrower for more than one year or when the court rules against us to seize the collateral asset of the delinquent debt from either the guarantor or borrower. In addition, when the recoverability of the delinquent debt is highly unlikely, the senior management team will go through a stringent procedure to approve a charge-off. Management estimates the provision balance required using past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions, and other factors. Allocations of the provision may be made for specific loans, but the entire provision is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged-off.

 

The provision for loan losses is maintained at a level believed to be reasonable by management to absorb probable losses inherent in the portfolio as of each balance sheet date. The provision is based on factors such as the size and current risk characteristics of the portfolio, an assessment of individual loans and actual loss, delinquency, and/or risk rating record within the portfolio. We evaluate our provision for loan losses on a quarterly basis or more often as necessary.

 

Warrant liability

 

For warrants that are not indexed to our stock, we record the fair value of the issued warrants as a liability at each balance sheet date and record changes in the estimated fair value as a non-cash gain or loss in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income. The warrant liability is recognized in the balance sheet at the fair value (level 3). The fair value of these warrants has been determined using the Monte-Carlo simulation model. The Monte-Carlo simulation model provides for assumptions regarding volatility, call and put features and risk-free interest rates within the total period to maturity.

 

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Revenue recognition

 

Our revenue recognition policies are consistent with the accounting standards. Sales revenue is recognized at the date of shipment to customers when a formal arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable, the delivery is completed, no other significant obligations of the Company exist and collectability is reasonably assured. For products that are required to be examined by customers, sales revenue is recognized after the customer examination is completed. Payments received before all of the relevant criteria for revenue recognition are met are recorded as customer deposits. Generally, our outsourced manufacturers are obligated to provide at least one-year repair or replacement obligation. Management did not estimate future warranty liabilities as historical warranty expenses were minimal.

 

Sales revenue is recognized net of value-added taxes, sales discounts and returns. There was nil, nil and $27 sales returns during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

Share-based compensation

 

We account for equity instruments issued in exchange for the receipt of goods or services from consultants in accordance with the accounting standards regarding accounting for stock-based compensation and accounting for equity instruments that are issued to other than employees for acquiring or in conjunction with selling goods or services. Costs are measured at the estimated fair market value of the consideration received or the estimated fair value of the equity instruments issued, whichever is more reliably determinable. The value of equity instruments issued for consideration other than employee services is determined on the earlier of a performance commitment or completion of performance by the provider of goods or services as defined by these accounting standards. In the case of equity instruments issued to consultants, the fair value of the equity instrument is recognized over the term of the consulting agreement if there is a term.

 

We account for equity instruments issued in exchange for the receipt of services from employees in the financial statements based on their fair values at the date of grant. The fair value of awards is amortized over the requisite service period.

 

Analysis of Results of Operations 

 

Comparison of Fiscal Years Ended December 31, 2017 and 2016

 

Revenue

 

Our sales were $0.05 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, which decreased by $5.02 million, or 99.0% from $5.07 million in the year ended December 31, 2016. In 2016, there was a significant order of LCD/LED products from a customer of SGOCO International. Sales revenue from a major customer was $4.3 million, or approximately 85.1% of our total sales for 2016. We did not receive recurring order in 2017 and sales of LCD/LED products continued to drop. Boca recorded a revenue of $9,231 only in 2017, we are still negotiating with our customers about the project execution plan and timetable. We are expecting BOCA to generate more revenues when it starts to execute its performance obligations under the contracts with its customers in the second or third quarter of 2018.   CSL has not generated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017. We took more time to commercialize the VR products than expected. We are expecting CSL to generate revenues when it launches its VR products in the second or third quarter of 2018.

 

Cost of goods sold

 

For the year ended December 31, 2017, cost of goods sold decreased by $3.52 million, or 72.4%, to $1.34 million from $4.87 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. As Boca started to earn revenues in 2017, the amortization of its proprietary technologies of $1.31 million was recorded as cost of goods sold in fiscal 2017.

 

Gross margin

 

Gross loss for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 was $1.29 million, compared to a gross profit $0.2 million for the prior fiscal year.

 

Selling expenses

 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, selling expenses were approximately $0.3 million, an increase of $0.24 million, or 400.0%, from $0.06 million compared with the prior fiscal year.

 

General and administrative expenses

 

General and administrative expenses amounted to approximately $3.31 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, $0.80 million or 19.5% lower than $4.12 million for the previous fiscal year.

 

General and administrative expenses include office staff salary and benefits, legal, auditors’ and consultants’ fees, office expenses, travel expenses, entertainment, amortization of intangible assets, research and development and similar costs. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was mainly due to a decrease in employee share-based compensation of $0.83 million, a result of fewer shares being granted to employees in 2017. 

 

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Impairment of goodwill

 

Our impairment of goodwill was $7.00 million in 2017, compared to nil last year, primarily attributable to the impairment related to Boca and Century Skyway, as the financial performance of the green energy products and services reporting unit and the VR technologies products and services reporting unit were below our original expectations.

 

Loss on change in fair value of convertible notes

 

Our loss on change in fair value of convertible notes was $1.5 million in 2016 and nil in 2017. The change was due to fluctuation in the fair value of our convertible notes, which were converted into our ordinary shares during 2016.

 

Loss on change in fair value of warrant derivative liability

 

Our loss on change in fair value of warrant derivative liability was nil in 2016 and $0.15 million in 2017. The loss was due to fluctuation in the fair value of our warrants, which we issued to our investor and placement agent in May 2017.

 

Loss before provision for income taxes

 

As a result of the foregoing factors, loss before provision for income taxes became $11.89 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase in loss of $6.53 million, from $5.36 million for fiscal year of 2016.

 

Income tax benefit

 

Income tax benefit was $0.68 million in the fiscal year of 2017, an increase of $0.36 million, from $0.32 million for fiscal year of 2016. Income tax benefit in 2017 and 2016 was related to the deferred tax impact on amortization of intangible assets of Boca and Century Skyway.

 

There were no significant income tax rate changes for any of our legal entities in 2017. Our PRC entities in 2017 and 2016 were subject to the statutory PRC enterprise income tax rate of 25%. Our subsidiaries in Hong Kong are subject to Hong Kong taxation on income derived from their activities conducted in Hong Kong at a rate of 16.5%.

 

Net loss

 

As a result of the various factors described above, net loss for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $11.21 million, as compared to $5.05 million for 2016.

 

Comparison of Fiscal Years Ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

 

Revenue

 

Our sales were $5.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, which increased by $3.1 million, or 163.9% from $1.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2015. The increase in revenue was primarily due to a significant order of LCD/LED products from a customer of SGOCO International. Sales revenue from a major customer was $4.3 million, or approximately 85.1% of our total sales for 2016. Sales revenue from our top ten customers was approximately $1.8 million, or 96.1% of the total sales for the year ended December 31, 2015

 

Cost of goods sold

 

For the year ended December 31, 2016, cost of goods sold increased by $3.0 million, or 166.5%, to $4.9 million from $1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The increase was in line with the revenue growth.

 

After the Sales of Honesty Group in 2011, our cost of goods sold consisted of the cost of finished products purchased from outsourced manufacturers, including Honesty Group and its subsidiaries and other suppliers. The amount of finished products purchased from Honesty Group and its subsidiaries for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 is shown below:

 

   2016   2015 
   (In thousands)   (In thousands) 
Purchases from Guanke  $-   $86 
Purchases from Honesty Group   -    190 
Total purchases from Honesty Group and its subsidiaries  $-   $276 

 

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Gross margin

 

Gross profit for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 was $0.2 million, an increase of $0.1 million, or 112.6% from $0.1 million for the prior fiscal year. As a percentage of total sales, our overall gross margin was 4.0% for the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to 4.9% for the previous fiscal year.

 

Selling expenses

 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, selling expenses were approximately $0.06 million, a decrease of $0.08 million, or 58.0%, from $0.13 million compared with the prior fiscal year.

 

The year-over-year decrease in selling expenses was primarily due to the reduction of headcount. Selling expenses include sales staff’s salary and benefits, transportation and marketing program expenses, etc. Selling expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 were 1.1% of total revenues, as compared with 6.8% of total revenues for the prior fiscal year.

 

 General and administrative expenses

 

General and administrative expenses amounted to approximately $4.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, $2.6 million or 174.7% higher than $1.5 million for the previous fiscal year.

 

General and administrative expenses include office staff salary and benefits, legal, auditors’ and consultants’ fees, office expenses, travel expenses, entertainment, research and development and similar costs. The increase of G&A expenses was mainly due to increase in employee share-based compensation and amortization of intangible assets of our newly acquired subsidiary – Boca International Limited.

 

Loss on change in fair value of convertible notes

 

Our loss on change in fair value of convertible notes increased from $1.0 million in 2015 to $1.5 million in 2016 due to fluctuation in the fair value of our convertible notes, which we issued in 2015.

 

Loss before provision for income taxes

 

As a result of the foregoing factors, loss before provision for income taxes became $5.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, an increase in loss of $2.9 million, from $2.4 million for fiscal year of 2015.

 

Income tax benefit

 

Income tax benefit was $0.3 million in the fiscal year of 2016. We did not incur any income tax in 2015. Income tax benefit in 2016 was related to the deferred tax impact on amortization of intangible assets of Boca, which was acquired in 2016.

 

There were no significant income tax rate changes for any of our legal entities in 2016. Our PRC entities in 2016 and 2015 were subject to the statutory PRC enterprise income tax rate of 25%. Our subsidiaries in Hong Kong are subject to Hong Kong taxation on income derived from their activities conducted in Hong Kong at a rate of 16.5%.

 

Net loss

 

As a result of the various factors described above, net loss for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $5.0 million, as compared to $2.4 million for 2015. The net loss margin was 99.6% for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to 125.9% during the same period of 2015.

 

Analysis of Financial Condition

 

Comparison as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016

 

Loans receivable

 

Loans receivable increased to $0.67 million as of December 31, 2017, from $nil as of December 31, 2016. Loans receivable on December 31, 2017 primarily represented the loans receivable of Giant Credit Limited from 3 personal loan customers. We completed the acquisition of Giant Credit Limited in December 2017.

 

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Concentration of risks

 

Some of our operations are carried out in the PRC and is therefore subject to specific considerations and significant risks not typically associated with companies in North America and Western Europe. These include risks associated with, among others, the political, economic and legal environments and foreign currency exchange. Our results may be adversely affected by changes in government policies regarding laws and regulations, anti-inflationary measures, currency conversion and remittance abroad, and rates and methods of taxation, among other things.

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to significant concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash, accounts receivable, loans receivable and advances to suppliers. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, substantially all of our cash was held in major financial institutions located in the PRC, Hong Kong and the United States of America, which management considers being of high credit quality. China does not have an official deposit insurance program, nor does it have an agency similar to The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) in the United States. However, we believe that the risk of failure of any of these PRC banks is remote. Bank failure is extremely uncommon in China and we believe that those Chinese banks that hold our cash are financially sound based on publicly available information.

 

We provide unsecured credit terms for sales to certain customers. As a result, there are credit risks with the accounts receivable balances. We constantly re-evaluate the credit worthiness of customers buying on credit and maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts.

 

Credit risk on loans receivable is controlled by the application of credit approvals, limits and monitoring procedures. To minimize credit risk, we require collateral primarily in the form of rights to property.

 

For individual customers, we use standard approval procedures to manage credit risk for personal loans.

 

Sales revenue from 2 major customers were $43,002, or approximately 85.0% of our total sales for the year ended December 31, 2017, with each customer individually accounting for 66.7% and 18.3% of revenue, respectively. No other single customer accounted for more than 10% of our total revenues during the year ended December 31, 2017. Our accounts receivable from these customers was nil as of December 31, 2017.

 

Sales revenue from a major customer was $4.3 million, or approximately 85.1% of our total sales for the year ended December 31, 2016. No other single customer accounted for more than 10% of our total revenues during the year ended December 31, 2016. Our accounts receivable from this customer was $119 as of December 31, 2016.

 

Aggregate sales revenue from three major customers was $1.2 million, or approximately 66.8% of our total sales for the year ended December 31, 2015, with each customer individually accounting for 39.6%, 16.2% and 11.0% of revenue, respectively. No other single customer accounted for more than 10% of our total revenues in 2015. Our accounts receivable from these customers was approximately $0.2 million as of December 31, 2015.

 

Three major vendors provided approximately 90.6% of total purchases by us during the year ended December 31, 2017. Our accounts payable due to these vendors was nil as of December 31, 2017.

 

A major vendor provided approximately 86.1% of total purchases by us during the year ended December 31, 2016. Our accounts payable due to this vendor was nil as of December 31, 2016 and 2015.

 

Three major vendors provided approximately 83.4% of our total purchases (including 15.6% of purchasing from Honesty Group) during the year ended December 31, 2015. Our accounts payable due to these vendors was approximately $0.05 million as of December 31, 2015.

 

Other receivables and prepayments

 

Other receivables and prepayments were $0.02 million and $6.5 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. In 2016, we advanced $6.5 million to an unrelated party bearing interest at 6% per annum and unsecured. The amount was fully settled in 2017.

 

Advances to suppliers

 

Advances to suppliers increased to $0.2 million as of December 31, 2017 from nil as of December 31, 2016.

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

As of December 31, 2017, we held $4.3 million in cash and cash equivalents and $2.3 million in working capital. As of December 31, 2016, we had $0.03 million in cash and cash equivalents and a deficit of $0.7 million in working capital. The current ratios were 1.69 and (0.91) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.


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B. Liquidity and capital resources.

 

Our principal source of liquidity in 2017 has been cash generated by proceeds from issuance of common stock and convertible loans to investors. As of December 31, 2017, we held $4.3 million in cash and cash equivalents and had working capital of $2.6 million. Our cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and demand deposits in accounts maintained with financial institutions or state owned banks within the PRC, Hong Kong and the U.S..

 

On March 28, 2017, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with an unrelated investor to sell an aggregate of 117,361 shares of our ordinary shares, for a cash consideration of $239,417. On April 5, 2017, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with certain investors to sell an aggregate of 434,783 shares of our ordinary shares and warrants to purchase up to an initial 326,087 of our ordinary shares with an initial exercise price of $2.75 per share, for cash consideration of $1 million. On November 13, 2017, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with certain investors to sell an aggregate of 2,314,500 shares of our ordinary shares for cash consideration of $1.9 million.

 

On April 18, 2018, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with Mr. So Chun LIN, pursuant to which the investor purchased a note for $5,779,602, bearing 2.5% interest per annum. The Note will be matured 5 years from the date of issuance. At any time prior to the earlier of the maturity date or the date on which this Note is paid in full, at the option of the Holder, , all or any part of Principal Amount (the “Optional Conversion Amount”) may be converted into Ordinary Shares at $1.50 per share. The Note will be automatically converted into ordinary shares of the Company at a conversion price equal to $1.50 per share at maturity.

 

We believe that our current levels of cash, combined with funds available to us through financing, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for at least the next 12 months. However, if our cash and borrowing are insufficient to meet our requirements, we may seek to sell equity securities, debt securities or borrow from lending institutions. We can make no assurance that financing will be available in the amounts we need or on terms acceptable to us, if at all.

 

If we need to raise additional financing, we may sell additional equity or debt securities or borrow from lending institutions. Financing may be unavailable in the amounts we need or on terms acceptable to us. The sale of additional equity securities, including convertible debt securities, would dilute our earnings per share. The incurrence of debt would divert cash from working capital and capital expenditures to service debt obligations and could result in operating and financial covenants that restrict our operations and ability to pay dividends to shareholders, among other restrictions. If we cannot obtain additional equity or debt financing as required, we will, among other things, be required to tighten credit terms, hold less inventory, reduce advances to suppliers and slow down investment in capital expenditures, which would result in slower growth in revenues and profits.

 

Debt

 

As of December 31, 2017, we had loans and advances totaled $2.8 million advanced from unrelated parties, plus accrued interest. A loan with a principal amount of $0.3 million is bearing 5% interest per annum and has no fixed term of repayment. The loan is secured by certain intangible assets of the Company. We had another loan of $2.2 million advanced from another unrelated party to the Company as of December 31, 2017. The loan is unsecured, bearing 5% interest per annum and has no fixed term of repayment.

 

The fair value of warrants which we issued to our investor and placement agent in April 2017 was $0.7 million, which was determined using the Monte-Carlo simulation model (Refer to Note 2 to the financial statements).

 

Intercompany Loans and Capital Contributions

 

We may make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries to finance their operations. Any loans or capital contributions to our PRC operating subsidiaries are subject to restrictions or approvals under PRC laws, rules and regulations. For example, loans by us to our operating subsidiaries in China, which are foreign-invested enterprises, to finance their activities may not exceed statutory limits and must be registered with the local SAFE branch. We may also decide to finance our PRC operating subsidiaries by making additional capital contributions to such entities. The PRC Ministry of Commerce or its local counterparts must approve these capital contributions. We have been able to obtain these government approvals in the past. But, we cannot be sure that we will be able to obtain these government approvals on a timely basis, if at all, regarding any such loans or capital contributions. If we fail to receive such approvals, our ability to use the proceeds of any equity or debt offerings to capitalize our PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could adversely affect our ability to fund and expand our business.

 

Related Party Transactions

 

During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company purchased equipment of $7 and $nil from Boca Engineering Limited. Mr. Richard Kam Biu Chan is the sole director of Boca and Boca Engineering Limited.

 

C. Research and development, patents and licenses, etc.

 

Product Development

 

Starting in 2009, we initiated several product development initiatives aimed at meeting evolving market demand and at strengthening our position as a value-priced producer of branded LCD/LED products.

 

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We are designing, engineering and testing several new products for future introduction based on market demand: e-Boards; AIO; PIO; mobile internet devices such as tablet PCs; multi-touch screen monitors; 3D LCD/LED TVs; LED-backlit monitors; and large-scale, multi-screen display systems for advertising, public announcement and other institutional uses.

 

We are also creating prototypes of our own LED backlight module to replace conventional CFL backlights in a new family of thin LCD/LED monitors. We have historically outsourced a significant portion of our product development to third-party design houses working on a project basis. This has allowed us to control engineering expenses and increase revenues on a larger base. Going forward, we anticipate bringing more of these critical engineering functions in-house.

 

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and are included in general and administrative expenses. The costs of material and equipment that are acquired or constructed for research and development activities and have alternative future uses are classified as plant and equipment and depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Research and development costs for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 amounted to nil, nil and $0.1 million, respectively.

 

The proprietary technology of BOCA

 

The proprietary technology of BOCA is related to thermal energy storage, which is the temporary storage of high or low temperature energy for later use. The proprietary technology developed by Boca is called Boca PCM-TES and its concept is based on custom-made high-density polyethylene plastic containers filled with the phase change material solutions developed by Boca, which have very wide operating temperatures between -100˚C & +167˚C. This proprietary technology can increase the efficiency of chiller plants by optimization control that shifts on-peak chiller plant load to off-peak through applying real-time electricity demand peak management. With the use of Boca’s proprietary technology, less electricity will be consumed, air conditioning running cost as well as greenhouse gases emission will be reduced.

 

The proprietary technology of CSL

 

A.A combined HDMI 1.4 and USB 2.0 signaling at one side through a USB-C connect on the other end.

 

B.An ultrasound based automatic attitude calibration system and method for VR devices.

 

The invention is a common package for inertial sensor that support multiple communication protocols.    

  

D. Trend information.

 

Other than as disclosed elsewhere in this document, we are not aware of any trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments or events since December 31, 2017 that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our net revenues, income, profitability, liquidity or capital resources, or that caused the disclosed financial information to be not necessarily indicative of future operating results or financial conditions.

 

E. Off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

We do not have any outstanding off-balance sheet guarantees, interest rate swap transactions or foreign currency forward contracts. We do not engage in trading activities involving non-exchange traded contracts. In our ongoing business, we do not enter into transactions involving, or otherwise form relationships with, unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships that are established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements for other contractually narrow or limited purposes.

 

F. Tabular disclosure of contractual obligations.

 

Our contractual obligations primarily consist of operating lease obligations and capital commitments. The following table sets forth a breakdown of our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2017, and their maturity profile:

 

   Payment Due by Period 
   Total   Less than 1
Year
   1-3 Years   3-5 Years   More than 5
Years
 
Other loan - secured  $355   $355   $-   $-   $- 
Other loan - unsecured   2,172    2,172                
Advances from unrelated party   283    283    -   $-   $- 
Capital contributions (1)   -    -    -    -    - 
Total  $2,810   $2,810   $-   $-   $- 

 

  (1) The registered capital of SGOCO Shenzhen is $5.0 million. As of December 31, 2017, SGOCO International had injected capital of $2.2 to SGOCO Shenzhen. Initially, SGOCO International is required to pay $1.0 million and the remaining $4.0 million within 3 months and within one years, respectively, of the date of issuance of the subsidiary’s business license according to PRC registration capital management rules. According to the revised PRC company law which became effective on March 1, 2014, it has abolished the time requirement of the registered capital contributions. SGOCO International has its own discretion to consider the timing of the registered capital contributions. SGOCO International is in the process of amending the charter to adopt the requirement of the revised PRC company law.

 

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ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

 

A. Directors and senior management.

 

Our directors and executive officers are set forth in the table below followed by a brief biography.

 

Name   Age 1   Position
Rosana Ching Man LEE   43   Director
Pui Kiu LAU   28   Director
Christina LEUNG   46   Director
Wang Tai Dominic LI   34   Director
Hok Fung WAI   41   Director
Shi-bin XIE   41   Chief Executive Officer and President
Xiao-Ming HU   46   Interim Chief Financial Officer
Tony ZHONG   34   Vice President of Finance

 

1 As of December 31, 2017

 

Rosana Ching Man LEE, Director. Ms. Lee has served as an international director of the Rotary Club in Kowloon, Hong Kong since 2017. From 2002 to 2012, Ms. Lee was the Managing Director at Sun Ngai Plastic Products Factory Limited. From 2000 to 2002, she worked at Leighton Construction Company as an engineer. Ms. Lee received her Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and Master’s degree in Technology Management from the University of New South Wales in 1997 and 2000, respectively

 

Pui Kiu LAU, Director. Ms. Lau has served as the Head of the Sales and Marketing Department at EIFS Limited, a professional insurance brokerage firm in Hong Kong, since 2014. Ms. Lau is responsible for managing the operation, creating the social media platform, and leading the sales team of EIFS. Prior to joining EIFS, she worked in public relations and corporate communications at Cathay Pacific Airways in 2010 and as a financial consultant at Prudential and AXA from 2011 to 2014. Ms. Lau graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science in 2011. She is also qualified as an Associate Financial Planner, IIQE, and holds an Estate Agent’s License and Chinese Insurance Qualification.

 

Christina LEUNG, Director. Ms. Leung has been a qualified accountant registered in Hong Kong for over 14 years. Ms. Leung obtained her bachelor honour degree in Accountancy from Hong Kong Polytechnic in 1994 and started her career with Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department in the same year. From 1998 to June, 2007, Ms. Leung worked at the tax and business advisory team and tax investigation team of a Big 4 international accounting firm in Hong Kong, where she has been involved with various kinds of businesses and clients, both local and international. From August, 2007 to January, 2017, Ms. Leung worked as Financial Controller of a family-owned business in Hong Kong which has 50-year history. Ms. Leung’s responsibilities as Financial Controller included accounting, financial function and participation in business planning and strategic development and management. Ms. Leung also led an ERP project and supervised the Industrial Engineer of that company with an objective to modernize the production management and improve the production productivity. In February 2017, Ms. established her own company -Siona s Ltd in Hong Kong, which is a Hong Kong incorporated company principally represent LRC Group in the sales of its commercial and residential properties investment projects in Asia.

 

Wang Tai Dominic LI, Director. Mr. Li is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Dessert Kitchen, a global dessert franchise with over 30 franchise stores worldwide. Mr. Li has extensive experience in managing franchising businesses, forming strategic allegiances, building and maintaining important supply and distribution networks, implementing marketing and business expansion strategies through traditional media as well as crowdfunding platforms. Mr. Li also has over 10 years of manufacturing and trading experience in Greater China Region and worked closely with factories and distributors, utilizing e-commerce technology and social media platforms. Mr. Li holds a degree in Criminology from the University of Western Sydney, Australia. 

 

Hok Fung WAI, Director. Mr. Wai has been a director of the Company since December 21, 2015. Mr. Wai is an expert in the solar industry, dredging, highway construction and power stations projects. Mr. Wai also has many years of experience in M&A, fund raising and pre-IPO transactions. In the early 2008, he set up Hebort International Ltd, a Hong Kong based company which associates with a few of China State Owned Enterprises including China Harbour, China Communication Construction, CNTIC and Shenhua group. Hebort later becames a partner of Silverbear Capital and a strategic partner of UNIDO in exploring solar, Green and energy saving industry for more than 6 years. Mr. Wai still serves as the director of Wahfong Industrial Development Co Ltd based in Guangdong China for luxury garment business, and as President, Chief Executive Officer and director of IWeb, Inc. since December, 2016.

 

Shi-bin XIE, Chief Executive Officer and President. Mr. Xie has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer and President since November 1, 2014. He joined SGOCO in July 2012 as Vice President of Sales. He has over 15 years of experience in sales and marketing, specializing in Chinese display products. From 2010 to 2012, Mr. Xie served as Vice President of Sales in Shenzhen Dongqiao Huahan Technology Co., Ltd. From 2005 to 2010, Mr. Xie served as the General Manager of Shenzhen Qinghua Ziguang Technology Co., Ltd. Prior to that, Mr. Xie served sales and marketing manager roles in various companies in China from 1997 to 2005. Mr. Xie holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the East China Institute of Technology.

 

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Xiao-Ming HU, Interim Chief Financial Officer. With over 18 years of experience in Accounting and Finance, specializing in electronic and consumable products, Mr. Xiao-Ming Hu was named as the Interim Chief Financial Officer of SGOCO in 2015. He joined the Company in August 2010 as finance manager and was promoted to the Financial Controller of SGOCO (Fujian) Electronic Co., Ltd., a former subsidiary of SGOCO, in June 2013. Prior to joining SGOCO, Mr. Hu was the financial controller of Allen International Group, a private group engaged in trading of cosmetic products and services. From 1998 to 2007, he was a finance manager of Hengan Group, a company engaged in manufacturing, distribution, and sale of personal hygiene products and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. In addition, Mr. Hu holds a Diploma of Finance from the South Western University of Finance and Economics in China.

 

Tony ZHONG, Vice President of Finance. Mr. Zhong joined SGOCO in September 2011 as Finance Manager. Prior to joining SGOCO, Mr. Zhong was a Financial Manager of China Hydroelectric Corporation, a NYSE listed company, from 2007 to 2011. Mr. Zhong started his career in KPMG in Beijing from 2005 to 2006. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Finance, Accounting and Management from Nottingham University, UK, and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brooks University, UK.

 

B. Compensation.

 

The primary objectives of our compensation policies regarding executive compensation are to attract and retain the best possible executives to lead us and to properly motivate these executives to perform at the highest levels of which they are capable. Compensation levels established for our executives are designed to promote loyalty, long-term commitment and the achievement of its goals, to motivate the best possible performance and to award achievement of budgetary goals to the extent such responsibility is within the executive’s job description. Compensation decisions regarding our named executive officers have historically focused on attracting and retaining individuals who could help us to meet and exceed our financial and operational goals. Our Board of Directors considers the growth of the Company, individual performance and market trends when setting individual compensation levels.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2017, the aggregate cash compensation paid to our executive officers was approximately $0.1 million. In January 2017, 160,000 ordinary shares were granted to executive officers for their services to be rendered in fiscal 2017.

 

Our PRC subsidiaries are required by law to make contributions equal to certain percentages of each employee’s salary for his or her pension insurance, medical insurance, housing fund, unemployment and other statutory benefits for our Chinese employees. Some of our executive officers are Chinese citizens and we have provided the pension and retirement benefits in accordance to the statutory requirement in PRC. The remaining executives and directors are non-Chinese citizens and there are no mandatory requirements for the above-mentioned contributions, we have not set aside or accrued any amount to provide pension, retirement or other similar benefits to our executive officers.

 

Base salary

 

We believe that the base salary element is required in order to provide executive officers with a stable income stream that is commensurate with their responsibilities and competitive market conditions. Our Board of Directors established base salaries payable to executive officers with the goal of providing a fixed component of compensation, reflecting the executive officer’s skill set, experience, role and responsibilities. The determination of our Board of Directors and compensation committee of whether any of the executive officers merited an increase in base salary during any particular year depended on the individual’s performance during the prior fiscal year, our performance during the prior fiscal year and competitive market practices. In establishing the current base salary levels, our Board of Directors and compensation committee did not engage in any particular benchmarking activities or engage any outside compensation advisors.

 

Annual bonus

 

Bonuses for any of executive officers are discretionary and are generally linked to his or her individual performances for the year, including contribution to our strategic and corporate operating plans, with individual performance and providing executive officers performance incentives for attaining specific goals.

 

2010 Equity Incentive Plan

 

On September 27, 2010, our Board of Directors approved the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan, or 2010 Plan, subject to shareholder approval which occurred on November 17, 2010.

 

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Purpose. The purpose of the 2010 Plan is to promote our success and to increase shareholder value by providing an additional means through the grant of equity compensation awards to attract, motivate, retain and reward selected employees and other eligible persons of SGOCO.

 

Shares Subject to 2010 Plan. Subject to adjustments under certain conditions, the maximum number of shares that may be delivered pursuant to awards under the 2010 Plan is equal to 7% of the aggregate number of shares outstanding from time-to-time.

 

Administration. The 2010 Plan shall be administered by, and all equity compensation awards under the 2010 Plan shall be authorized by the Board or one or more committees appointed by the Board (the “Administrator”). Any committee of the Board that serves as the Administrator shall be comprised solely of one or more directors or such number of directors as may be required under applicable laws and may delegate some or all of its authority to another committee so constituted. Unless otherwise provided in our Memorandum and Articles of Association or the applicable charter of any Administrator:

 

  1. a majority of the members of the acting Administrator shall constitute a quorum; and

 

  2. the vote of a majority of the members present assuming the presence of a quorum or the unanimous written consent of the members of the Administrator shall constitute action by the acting Administrator.

 

Eligibility. The Administrator may grant equity compensation awards under the 2010 Plan only to those persons that the Administrator determines to be either an officer, employee, director of SGOCO or a consultant or advisor of SGOCO (each of the foregoing, an “Eligible Person”); provided, however, that incentive stock options may only be granted to an Eligible Person who is an employee of SGOCO. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person who is otherwise an Eligible Person may participate in the 2010 Plan only if such participation would not compromise our ability to comply with applicable laws (including securities laws). A participant may, if otherwise eligible, be granted additional equity compensation awards if the Administrator so determines.

 

Type and Form of Awards. The Administrator shall determine the type or types of equity compensation award(s) to be made to each selected Eligible Person. Under the 2016 Plan, the Administrator may grant options to purchase ordinary shares, share appreciation rights, unrestricted shares, restricted shares, and restricted share units. Such awards may be granted singly, in combination or in tandem. Awards also may be made in combination or in tandem with, in replacement of, as alternatives to, or as the payment form for grants or rights under any other employee or compensation plan of SGOCO.

 

Performance-Based Awards. The Administrator may grant equity compensation awards as performance-based shares under the 2010 Plan. Each such equity compensation award will have an initial value that is established by the Administrator on or before the date of grant. The grant, vesting, exercisability or payment of performance-based equity compensation awards may depend on the degree of achievement of one or more performance goals relative to a pre-established targeted level or a level using one or more of the business criteria (on an absolute or relative basis) for SGOCO on a consolidated basis or for one or more of SGOCO’s subsidiaries, segments, divisions or business units, or any combination of the foregoing.

 

Transfer Restrictions. Except as specifically provided in the 2010 Plan:

 

  1. all equity compensation awards are non-transferable and shall not be subject in any manner to sale, transfer, anticipation, alienation, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge;

 

  2. equity compensation awards shall be exercised only by the relevant participant; and

 

  3. amounts payable or shares issuable pursuant to any equity compensation award shall be delivered only to (or for the account of) the relevant participant.

 

The 2010 Plan provides that incentive share options may not be transferred except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. The Administrator has discretion to permit transfers of other awards where it concludes such transferability is appropriate and desirable.

 

Amendment and Termination. The 2010 Plan will continue in effect until the 10th anniversary of its approval by the shareholders, unless earlier terminated by our Board. Our Board may amend, suspend or terminate the 2010 Plan as it shall deem advisable, except that no amendment may adversely affect a grantee regarding awards previously granted unless such amendments are in connection with compliance with applicable laws; provided that the Board may not make any amendment in the 2010 Plan that would, if such amendment were not approved by the shareholders, cause the 2010 Plan to fail to comply with any requirement of applicable laws, unless and until shareholder approval is obtained. No award may be granted during any suspension of the 2010 Plan or after termination of the 2010 Plan. No amendment, suspension or termination of the 2010 Plan or change affecting any outstanding equity compensation award shall, without written consent of the relevant participant, affect in any manner materially adverse to the relevant participant any rights or benefits of the relevant participant or obligations of SGOCO under any equity compensation award granted under the 2010 Plan prior to the effective date of such change.

 

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51,750 ordinary shares were awarded in January 2012 to our independent directors, consultants and employees, 20,000 ordinary shares were issued in March 2013 to our independent directors and 28,750 ordinary shares were issued in July 2013 to our independent directors, consultants and employees. In January 2014, 40,000 ordinary shares were issued to our independent directors and employees (including certain executive officers). In March 2015, 45,000 ordinary shares were issued to our independent directors and employees (including certain executive officers). In November 2015, 72,500 ordinary shares were issued to our consultants and employees (including certain executive officers). In March 14, 2016, 48,000 ordinary shares were issued to our independent directors, consultants and employees (including certain executive officers).

 

2016 Omnibus Equity Plan

 

On July 13, 2016, the Board unanimously adopted the SGOCO Group, Ltd. 2016 Omnibus Equity Plan (the "2016 Plan") which provides up to 2,500,000 ordinary shares that may be issued pursuant to awards granted under the Plan. On August 10, 2016, the 2016 Plan was approved by the shareholders of the Company at the annual shareholders meeting of the Company.

 

Purpose. The purpose of the 2016 Plan is to promote our success and to increase shareholder value by providing an additional means through the grant of equity compensation awards to attract, motivate, retain and reward selected employees and other eligible persons of SGOCO.

 

Administration. The 2016 Plan shall be administered by, and all equity compensation awards under the 2016 Plan shall be authorized by the Board or one or more committees appointed by the Board (the “Administrator”). Any committee of the Board that serves as the Administrator shall be comprised solely of one or more directors or such number of directors as may be required under applicable laws and may delegate some or all of its authority to another committee so constituted. Unless otherwise provided in our Memorandum and Articles of Association or the applicable charter of any Administrator:

 

  1. a majority of the members of the acting Administrator shall constitute a quorum; and

 

  2. the vote of a majority of the members present assuming the presence of a quorum or the unanimous written consent of the members of the Administrator shall constitute action by the acting Administrator.

 

Eligibility. The Administrator may grant equity compensation awards under the 2016 Plan only to those persons that the Administrator determines to be either an officer, employee, director of SGOCO or a consultant or advisor of SGOCO (each of the foregoing, an “Eligible Person”); provided, however, that incentive stock options may only be granted to an Eligible Person who is an employee of SGOCO. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person who is otherwise an Eligible Person may participate in the 2016 Plan only if such participation would not compromise our ability to comply with applicable laws (including securities laws). A participant may, if otherwise eligible, be granted additional equity compensation awards if the Administrator so determines.

 

Type and Form of Awards. The Administrator shall determine the type or types of equity compensation award(s) to be made to each selected Eligible Person. Under the 2016 Plan, the Administrator may grant options to purchase ordinary shares, share appreciation rights, restricted shares, and restricted share units. Such awards may be granted singly, in combination or in tandem. Awards also may be made in combination or in tandem with, in replacement of, as alternatives to, or as the payment form for grants or rights under any other employee or compensation plan of SGOCO.

 

Performance-Based Awards. The Administrator may grant equity compensation awards as performance-based shares under the 2016 Plan. Each such equity compensation award will have an initial value that is established by the Administrator on or before the date of grant. The grant, vesting, exercisability or payment of performance-based equity compensation awards may depend on the degree of achievement of one or more performance goals relative to a pre-established targeted level or a level using one or more of the business criteria (on an absolute or relative basis) for SGOCO on a consolidated basis or for one or more of SGOCO’s subsidiaries, segments, divisions or business units, or any combination of the foregoing.

 

Transfer Restrictions. Except as specifically provided in the 2016 Plan:

 

  1. all equity compensation awards are non-transferable and shall not be subject in any manner to sale, transfer, anticipation, alienation, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge;

 

  2. equity compensation awards shall be exercised only by the relevant participant; and

 

  3. amounts payable or shares issuable pursuant to any equity compensation award shall be delivered only to (or for the account of) the relevant participant.

 

The 2016 Plan provides that incentive share options may not be transferred except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. The Administrator has discretion to permit transfers of other awards where it concludes such transferability is appropriate and desirable.

 

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Amendment and Termination. The 2016 Plan will continue in effect until the 10th anniversary of its approval by the shareholders, unless earlier terminated by our Board. Our Board may amend, suspend or terminate the 2016 Plan as it shall deem advisable, except that no amendment may adversely affect a grantee regarding awards previously granted unless such amendments are in connection with compliance with applicable laws; provided that the Board may not make any amendment in the 2016 Plan that would, if such amendment were not approved by the shareholders, cause the 2016 Plan to fail to comply with any requirement of applicable laws, unless and until shareholder approval is obtained. No award may be granted during any suspension of the 2016 Plan or after termination of the 2016 Plan. No amendment, suspension or termination of the 2016 Plan or change affecting any outstanding equity compensation award shall, without written consent of the relevant participant, affect in any manner materially adverse to the relevant participant any rights or benefits of the relevant participant or obligations of SGOCO under any equity compensation award granted under the 2016 Plan prior to the effective date of such change.

 

320,000 ordinary shares were awarded in December 2016 to our directors, consultants and employees (including certain executive officers), 190,000 ordinary shares were issued in January 2017 to our independent directors, consultants and employees (including certain executive officers).

 

On April, 2018, a total of 180,000 shares were issued to certain of our directors and employees.

 

Employment Agreements

 

We have entered into employment agreements with each of our senior executive officers. We may terminate a senior executive officer’s employment for cause, at any time, without notice or remuneration, for certain acts of the officer, including, but not limited to, a conviction or plea of guilty to a felony, negligent or dishonest acts to our detriment or misconduct or a failure to perform agreed duties. A senior executive officer may, upon advance written notice, terminate his or her employment if there is a material and substantial reduction in his or her authority and responsibilities and such resignation is approved by our Board of Directors. Furthermore, we may, upon advance written notice, terminate a senior executive officer’s employment at any time without cause.

 

Each senior executive officer is entitled to certain benefits upon termination, if we terminate the employment without cause or if he or she resigns upon the approval of our Board of Directors.

 

We will indemnify a senior executive officer for his or her losses based on or related to his or her acts and omissions made in the course of his or her performance of duties within the scope of his or her employment.

 

Each senior executive officer has agreed to hold in strict confidence any trade secrets or confidential information of our company. Each officer also agrees to faithfully and diligently serve the Company according to the employment agreement and the guidelines, policies and procedures of our Company approved periodically by our Board of Directors.

 

C. Board Practices.

 

Board of Directors

 

Our Board of Directors currently has five directors. Under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, our Board of Directors may not consist of less than two directors with no maximum number. Our directors shall hold office until their successors are elected or appointed, which will be at the Company’s next annual meeting of shareholders. We do not have service contracts with our directors and do not provide our directors with any benefits upon termination of their service.

 

Subject to any provision to the contrary in the Articles, a director may be removed by:

 

  1. an ordinary resolution of the Members at any time before the expiration of his or her period of office notwithstanding anything in the Articles or in any agreement between the Company and such director (but without prejudice to any claim for damages under any such agreement); or

 

  2. a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors, if such removal is for cause at any time before the expiration of his or her period of office notwithstanding anything in the Articles or in any agreement between the Company and such director (but without prejudice to any claim for damages under any such agreement).

 

The office of a director shall be vacated if the director:

 

  1. resigns his or her office by notice in writing delivered to the Company at the Office or tendered at a meeting of the Board;

 

  2. becomes of unsound mind or dies;

 

  3. without special leave of absence from the Board, is absent from meetings of the Board for six consecutive months and the Board resolves that his or her office be vacated;

 

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  4. becomes bankrupt or has a receiving order made against him or her, or suspends payment to or settle with his or her creditors;

 

  5. is prohibited by law from being a director; or

 

  6. ceases to be a director by virtue of any provision of law of the Cayman Islands or is removed from office pursuant to the Company’s Articles.

 

No contract or transaction between the Company and one or more of its directors or officers, or between the Company and any other corporation, partnership, association, or other organization in which one or more of its directors or officers, are directors or officers of the Company, or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the Board or committee which authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because any such director’s or officer’s votes are counted for such purpose, if:

 

  1. the material facts as to the director’s or officer’s relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Board of Directors or the committee, and the Board or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors be less than a quorum; or

 

  2. the material facts as to the director’s or officer’s relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the shareholders entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the shareholders; or

 

  3. the contract or transaction is fair as to the Company as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified, by the Board, a committee or the shareholders.

 

The Board of Directors may exercise all the powers of the Company to borrow money, mortgage its undertakings, property and uncalled capital, and issue debentures, debenture stock and other securities whenever money is borrowed or pledged as security for any obligation of the Company or of any third party.

 

NASDAQ Requirements for Director Independence

 

Under the NASDAQ Stock Market Marketplace Rules, or the NASDAQ rules, a majority of our directors must meet the definition of “independent” contained in those rules. Our Board has determined that Messrs. Lee, Lau, Leung and Li meet the independence standards contained in the NASDAQ rules. We do not believe that any of these directors have any relationships that would preclude a finding of independence under these rules. In reaching its determination, our Board determined that any other relationships that these directors have with us do not and would not impair their ability to exercise independent judgment.

 

Committees of Our Board of Directors

 

We have established three primary committees of the Board of Directors: an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating committee. We have adopted a charter for each of the committees. Each committee’s members and functions are described below. The Board also created an Equity Plan Committee consisting of Hok Fung Wai and Rosana Ching Man Lee to administer the Company’s 2010 Plan and 2016 Plan.

 

Audit Committee. Our audit committee consists of Ms. Leung (Chairperson), Ms. Lee and Mr. Li. Our Board of Directors has determined that all of the audit committee members satisfy the “independence” requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 5605 of NASDAQ rules. In addition, our Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Chen is an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined under SEC Regulations. The audit committee is responsible for, among other things:

 

  1. selecting the independent auditors and pre-approving all auditing and non-auditing services permitted to be performed by the independent auditors;

 

  2. reviewing with the independent auditors any accounting, internal accounting control or audit problems or difficulties and management’s response thereto;

 

  3. meeting with general counsel or outside counsel to discuss legal matters that may have a significant impact on the financial statements;

 

  4. reviewing and approving all proposed related party transactions;

 

  5. discussing the annual audited financial statements with management and the independent auditors;

 

  6. reviewing major issues as to the adequacy of internal controls; and

 

  7. meeting separately and periodically with management and the independent auditors.

 

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Compensation Committee. Our compensation committee consists of Ms. Lee (Chairperson), Ms. Leung and Ms. Lau. We have determined that all of the compensation committee members satisfy the “independence” requirements of Rule 5605 of NASDAQ rules. The purpose of the compensation committee is, among other things, to discharge the responsibilities of our Board of Directors relating to compensation of our directors, executive officers and other key employees, including reviewing and evaluating and, if necessary, revising the compensation plans, policies and programs of the Company adopted by the management. Our chief executive officer may not be present at any committee meeting during which his compensation is deliberated. The compensation committee is responsible for, among other things:

 

  1. reviewing and approving the total compensation package for our chief executive officer:

 

  2. reviewing and recommending to the Board regarding the compensation of our directors, principal executives and other key employees; and

 

  3. reviewing periodically and approving any long-term incentive compensation or equity plans, programs or similar arrangements.

 

Nominating Committee. Our nominating committee consists of Mr. Li (Chairperson), Ms. Lee and Ms. Lau. We have determined that all of the nominating committee members satisfy the “independence” requirements of Rule 5605 of NASDAQ rules. The nominating committee assists our Board in selecting individuals qualified to become members of our Board and in determining the composition of our Board and its committees. The corporate governance and nominating committee is responsible for, among other things:

 

  1. identifying and recommending to the Board qualified candidates to be nominated for the election or re-election to the Board of Directors and committees of the Board of Directors, or for appointment to fill any vacancy;

 

  2. develop and recommend to the Board of Directors a set of Corporate Governance Guidelines such as Code of Ethics and Conduct, and periodically review and reassess the adequacy of such guidelines;

 

  3. reviewing annually with the Board of Directors the current composition of the Board of Directors with regards to characteristics such as independence, age, skills, experience and availability of service to us; and

 

  4. advising the Board of Directors periodically regarding significant developments in the law and practice of corporate governance as well as our compliance with these laws and practices, and making recommendations to the Board of Directors on all matters of corporate governance and on any remedial actions to be taken, if needed.

 

D. Employees.

 

Following the Sale of SGOCO (Fujian), only a limited number of employees that are essential to our accounting, marketing and distribution were retained by the Company. As a result, the number of our full-time employees decreased from 11 as of December 31, 2016 to 10 as of December 31, 2017. The change in the number and composition of our employees is consistent with the management’s strategy to transition the Company to a business that focuses on designing, branding and distributing products.

 

We believe that we maintain a good working relationship with our employees and we have not experienced any significant labor disputes. Our employees have not entered into any collective bargaining agreements.

 

E. Share Ownership.

 

The following table sets forth information, as of April 30, 2018, regarding the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares by:

 

  1. each director and executive officer; and

 

  2. each person known by us to own beneficially more than 5.0% of our outstanding ordinary shares.

 

Beneficial ownership is determined according to the SEC’s rules and includes voting or investment power regarding the securities. For each person and group included in this table, percentage ownership is calculated by dividing the number of shares beneficially owned by such person or group and the number of ordinary shares such person or group has the right to acquire within 60 days after as of April 30, 2018 by the sum of 19,454,980 being the number of ordinary shares issued and outstanding as of April 30, 2018 , plus the number of post-split ordinary shares such person or group has the right to acquire within 60 days after as of April 30, 2018 . Except as indicated in the footnotes to the table, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power regarding all shares of ordinary shares shown as beneficially owned by them.

 

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Name   Number     Percent  
Shi-bin Xie     137,500       *  
Xiao-Ming Hu     37,500       *  
Pui Kiu LAU     30,000       *  
Wang Tai Dominic LI     30,000       *  
Hok Fung WAI     30,000       *  
                 
Principal Shareholders                
Sun Zone Investments Limited (1)     2,000,000       10.3 %
Full Linkage Limited (2)     1,500,000       7.7 %
Vagas Lane Limited (3)     2,935,222       15.1 %

Kimmy Lai Ching Luk

    2,220,283       11.4 %
Alan Sun     1,950,000       10.0 %

 

“*” Indicates less than 1%

 

(1) Sun Zone Investments Limited, a British Virgin Islands corporation, is beneficially owned by Wong Shuk Yu. The registered office of Sun Zone Investments Limited is situated at Sea Meadow House, Blackburne Highway, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

 

(2) Full Linkage Limited, a British Virgin Islands corporation, is beneficially owned by Mr. Raymond Chan. The business address of Richly Conqueror Limited is Suite 1204, 12/F., COFCO Tower, 262 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.

 

(3) Vagas Lane Limited, a company incorporated with limited liability in Republic of the Marshall Islands, is beneficially owned by Real Estate and Finance Fund. The registered office of Real Estate and Finance Fund is situated at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands, MH96960.

 

Our major shareholders do not have different voting rights than any other shareholder. We are not aware of any arrangement that may, at a subsequent date, result in a charge of control of our company.

  

ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

A. Major Shareholders.

 

Please refer to “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees — E. Share Ownership.”

 

B. Related Party Transactions.

 

During the fiscal year, we did not enter into any transactions with our directors and persons who own more than five percent of our common stock, or with their relatives and entities they control.

 

C. Interests of Experts and Counsel

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information.

 

Please see “Item 18. Financial Statements” for our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

Neither we nor or any of our subsidiaries are currently parties to any pending legal proceedings that are expected to have a significant effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity, nor are we or any of our subsidiaries aware of any proceedings that are pending or threatened which may have a significant effect on our business, financial position and results of operations or liquidity.

 

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Dividend Policy

 

We do not currently have any plans to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future on our ordinary shares. We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to operate and expand our business.

 

We are a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. We rely on dividends paid by our Hong Kong and Chinese subsidiaries for our cash needs. The payment of dividends by entities organized in China is subject to limitations. Regulations in the PRC currently permit payment of dividends only out of accumulated profits based on PRC accounting standards and regulations. Our Chinese subsidiaries, Beijing SGOCO and SGOCO Shenzhen, are also required to withhold at least 10% of their after-tax profit based on China’s accounting standards each year as their general reserves until the cumulative amount of such reserves reach 50% of its registered capital. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends.

 

The Board of Directors of our PRC subsidiary, which is a wholly foreign owned enterprise, has the discretion to allocate a portion of its after-tax profits to its staff welfare and bonus funds, which is likewise not distributable to its equity owners except in the event of a liquidation of the foreign-invested enterprise. If the Board decides to pay dividends in the future, these restrictions may impede our ability to pay dividends and/or the amount of dividends we could pay. In addition, if the Chinese subsidiary incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us.

 

Our Board of Directors has discretion to pay dividends. Even if our Board of Directors decides to pay dividends, the form, frequency and amount will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant.

 

B. Significant Changes.

 

Except as disclosed elsewhere in this Annual Report, we have not experienced any significant changes since the date of our audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.

 

ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING

 

A. Offer and Listing Details.

 

Our ordinary shares are listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market.

   

Our warrants were quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol SGTWF through June 1, 2012 and thereafter were quoted on the OTC Pink Market. FINRA delisted our warrants from the OTC Bulletin Board effective June 1, 2012 due to our failure to timely file the prior Annual Report. Our ordinary shares, warrants, and units were previously traded on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbols HMAQF.OB, HMAWF.OB, and HMAUF.OB, respectively. Each unit consisted of one ordinary share and one warrant. Our ordinary shares and warrants commenced to trade separately on April 9, 2008. These warrants expired on March 7, 2014.

 

The following table sets forth, for the calendar months, quarters and years indicated, the monthly, quarterly and annual high and low market prices for our ordinary shares, warrants and units as reported on the NASDAQ Stock Market or OTC Bulletin Board, as applicable. Over-the-counter market quotations on the OTC Bulletin Board reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.

 

    Units     Ordinary Shares     Warrants  
Annual Highs and Lows   High     Low     High     Low     High     Low  
2017   $ N/A     $ N/A     $ 3.95     $ 0.90     $ N/A     $ N/A  
2016   $ N/A     $ N/A     $ 6.40     $ 1.36     $ N/A     $ N/A  
2015   $ N/A     $ N/A     $ 3.80     $ 1.00     $ N/A     $ N/A  
2014   $ N/A     $ N/A     $ 17.36     $ 2.36     $ 0.20     $ 0.20  
2013   $ N/A     $ N/A     $ 33.32     $ 2.80     $ 5.00     $ 0.08  
2012   $ N/A     $ N/A     $ 15.12     $ 2.44     $ 0.80     $ 0.04  

 

Quarterly Highs and Lows   High     Low     High     Low     High     Low  
2018                                                
First Quarter   $ N/A     $ N/A     $ 1.74     $ 1.05     $ N/A     $ N/A  
2017                                                
Fourth Quarter   $ N/A     $ N/A     $ 2.29     $ 0.93     $ N/A     $ N/A  
Third Quarter   $ N/A     $ N/A     $ 1.25     $ 0.90     $ N/A     $ N/A  
Second Quarter   $ N/A     $ N/A     $ 2.85     $ 1.10     $ N/A     $ N/A  
First Quarter   $ N/A     $ N/A     $ 3.95     $ 2.11     $ N/A     $ N/A  
2016                                                
Fourth Quarter   $ N/A     $ N/A     $ 3.95     $ 2.75     $ N/A     $ N/A  
Third Quarter   $ N/A     $ N/A     $ 5.12     $ 2.92     $ N/A     $ N/A  
Second Quarter   $ N/A     $ N/A     $ 4.49     $ 3.10     $ N/A     $ N/A  
First Quarter   $ N/A     $ N/A     $ 6.40     $ 1.36     $ N/A     $ N/A  

 

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Monthly Highs and Lows   High     Low     High     Low     High     Low  
April 2018   $ N/A     $ N/A     $ 1.16     $ 1.00     $ N/A     $ N/A  
March 2018   $ N/A     $ N/A     $ 1.23     $ 1.07     $ N/A     $ N/A  
February 2018   $ N/A     $ N/A     $ 1.39     $ 1.10     $ N/A     $ N/A  
January 2018   $ N/A     $ N/A     $ 1.74     $ 1.05     $ N/A     $ N/A  
December 2017   $ N/A     $ N/A     $ 1.32     $ 0.96     $ N/A     $ N/A  
November 2017   $ N/A     $ N/A     $ 2.29     $ 0.93     $ N/A     $ N/A  
October 2017   $ N/A     $ N/A     $ 1.50     $ 1.03     $ N/A     $ N/A  
September 2017   $ N/A     $ N/A     $ 1.23     $ 1.00     $ N/A     $ N/A  

 

The Company’s warrants were quoted on the OTC Pink Market and lapsed on March 7, 2014 upon expiry.

 

B. Plan of Distribution.

 

Not applicable.

 

C. Markets.

 

See “Item 9. The Offer and Listing - A. Offer and Listing Details” above.

 

D. Selling Shareholders.

 

Not applicable.

 

E. Dilution.

 

Not applicable.

 

F. Expenses of the Issue.

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

A. Share Capital.

 

Not applicable.

 

B. Memorandum and Articles of Association.

 

We incorporate by reference into this Annual Report the description of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association contained in our registration statement on Form F-1/A (File No. 333-170674) originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 15, 2010, as amended.

 

C. Material Contracts.

 

Except for the following, we have not entered into any material contracts other than in the ordinary course of business and other than those described in Item 4, or elsewhere in this Annual Report.

 

On February 22, 2018, our wholly-owned subsidiary, Giant Connection Limited, entered into a Share Exchange Agreement with Vagas Lane Limited for the purchase and sale of 11 Hau Fook Street Limited, a limited liability incorporated in Hong Kong, at a consideration of HK$26.1 million ($3.3 million), which was satisfied by the allotment and issuance of 2,935,223 ordinary shares of the Company. The principal activity of 11 Hau Fook Street Limited is property investment in Hong Kong.

 

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D. Exchange controls.

 

Under Cayman Islands law, there are currently no restrictions on the export or import of capital, including foreign exchange controls or restrictions that affect the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to nonresident holders of our shares.

 

E. Taxation.

 

The following summary of the material Cayman Islands, PRC and U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in or ownership of our ordinary shares is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this Annual Report, all of which are subject to change. This summary does not deal with all possible tax consequences regarding investing investment in our ordinary shares, such as the tax consequences under state, local and other tax laws.

 

Cayman Islands Taxation

 

The Cayman Islands currently levies no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits, income, gains or appreciation and there is no taxation in the nature of inheritance tax or estate duty. There are no other taxes likely to be material to the Company or its shareholders levied by the Government of the Cayman Islands except for stamp duties which may be applicable on instruments executed in, or brought within Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands is not party to any double-tax treaties that are applicable to any payments made to or by the Company. There are no exchange control regulations or currency restrictions in the Cayman Islands.

 

Material PRC Income Tax Considerations

 

Under the new EIT Law and the Implementing Rules, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with “de facto management bodies” within the PRC is considered as a “resident enterprise” and will be subject to a PRC income tax on its global income. According to the Implementing Rules, “de facto management bodies” refer to “establishments that carry out substantial and overall management and control over the manufacturing and business operations, personnel, accounting, properties, etc. of an enterprise.” Accordingly, our holding company, SGOCO Group, Ltd., may be considered a resident enterprise and may therefore be subject to a PRC income tax on our global income. The State Administration of Taxation issued the Notice Regarding the Determination of Chinese-Controlled Offshore Incorporated Enterprises as PRC Tax Resident Enterprises on the Basis of De Facto Management Bodies, or Circular 82, on April 22, 2009.

 

Circular 82 provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the “de facto management body” of a Chinese-controlled offshore enterprise is located in China. Circular 82 only applies to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises and not those invested in by individuals or foreign enterprises like SGOCO. But, the determining criteria set forth in Circular 82 may reflect the State Administration of Taxation’s general position on how the “de facto management body” test should be applied in determining the tax resident status of offshore enterprises, regardless of whether they are controlled by PRC enterprises or controlled by or invested in by individuals or foreign enterprises.

 

If we are considered a resident enterprise and earn income other than dividends from our PRC subsidiary, such PRC income tax on our global income could significantly increase our tax burden and materially and adversely affect our cash flow and profitability. Since the EIT Law became effective in 2008, SGOCO has not been treated as a “resident enterprise.”

 

If the PRC tax authorities determine that SGOCO is a “resident enterprise” for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, a number of PRC tax consequences could follow. First, SGOCO may be subject to enterprise income tax at a rate of 25% on SGOCO’s worldwide taxable income and PRC enterprise income tax reporting obligations. Second, under the EIT Law and its implementing rules, dividends paid between “qualified resident enterprises” are exempt from enterprise income tax. As a result, if both SGOCO and SGOCO International are treated as PRC “resident enterprises,” all dividends from the PRC operating subsidiary to SGOCO International and from SGOCO International to SGOCO would be exempt from PRC tax.

   

If SGOCO were treated as a PRC “non-resident enterprise” under the EIT Law, then dividends that SGOCO receives from its PRC operating subsidiary (assuming such dividends were considered sourced within the PRC):

 

  1. may be subject to a 5% PRC withholding tax, if the Arrangement between the Mainland of China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion regarding Taxes on Income (the “PRC — Hong Kong Tax Treaty”) were applicable; or

 

  2. if such treaty does not apply (i.e., because the PRC tax authorities may deem SGOCO International to be a conduit not entitled to treaty benefits), may be subject to a 10% PRC withholding tax. Any such taxes on dividends could materially reduce the amount of dividends, if any, SGOCO could pay to its shareholders.

 

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Finally, the new “resident enterprise” classification could result in a situation in which a 10% PRC tax is imposed on dividends SGOCO pays to its non-PRC shareholders that are not PRC tax “resident enterprises” and gains derived by them from transferring SGOCO’s ordinary shares or warrants, if such income is considered PRC sourced income by the relevant PRC authorities. In such event, SGOCO may be required to withhold the 10% PRC tax on any dividends paid to its non-PRC resident shareholders. SGOCO’s non-PRC resident shareholders also may be responsible for paying PRC tax at a rate of 10% on any gain realized from the sale or transfer of ordinary shares or warrants in certain circumstances. SGOCO would not, however, have an obligation to withhold PRC tax regarding such gain. If any such PRC taxes apply, a non-PRC resident shareholder may be entitled to a reduced rate of PRC taxes under an applicable income tax treaty and/or a foreign tax credit against such shareholder’s domestic income tax liability (subject to applicable conditions and limitations). Shareholders or prospective investors should consult with their own tax advisors regarding the applicability of any such taxes, the effects of any applicable income tax treaties, and any available foreign tax credits.

 

U.S. Federal Income Taxation

 

General

 

The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of our ordinary shares. The discussion below of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to “U.S. Holders” will apply to a beneficial owner of our shares that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

  1. an individual citizen or resident of the U.S.;

 

  2. a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation) that is created or organized (or treated as created or organized) in or under the laws of the U.S., any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

  3. an estate whose income is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or

 

  4. a trust if:

 

  a) a U.S. court can exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more U.S. persons are authorized to control all substantial decisions of the trust; or

 

  b) it has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

 

If a beneficial owner of our shares is not described as a U.S. Holder and is not an entity treated as a partnership or other pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such owner will be considered a “Non-U.S. Holder.” The U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable specifically to non-U.S. Holders is described below under the heading “Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders of Ordinary Shares.”

 

This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, its legislative history, existing and proposed Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, published rulings and court decisions, all as currently in effect. These authorities are subject to change or different interpretations, possibly on a retroactive basis.

 

This discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to us or to any particular Holder of our shares based on such Holder’s individual circumstances. In particular, this discussion considers only Holders that own our shares as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code. This discussion also does not address the potential application of the alternative minimum tax or the U.S. federal income tax consequences to Holders that are subject to special rules, including:

 

  1. financial institutions or financial services entities;

 

  2. broker-dealers;

 

  3. taxpayers who have elected mark-to-market accounting;

 

  4. tax-exempt entities;

 

  5. governments or agencies or instrumentalities thereof;

 

  6. insurance companies;

 

  7. regulated investment companies;

 

  8. real estate investment trusts;

 

  9. certain expatriates or former long-term residents of the U.S.;

 

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  10. persons that actually or constructively own 5% or more of our voting shares;

 

  11. persons that acquired our shares pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options, in connection with employee stock incentive plans or otherwise as compensation;

 

  12. persons that hold our shares as part of a straddle, constructive sale, hedging, conversion or other integrated transaction; or

 

  13. persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. Dollars.

 

This discussion does not address any aspect of U.S. federal non-income tax laws, such as gift or estate tax laws, or state, local or non-U.S. tax laws. Additionally, this discussion does not consider the tax treatment of partnerships or other pass-through entities or persons who hold our securities through such entities. If a partnership (or other entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is the beneficial owner of our shares, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. This discussion also assumes that any distribution made (or deemed made) regarding our shares and any consideration received (or deemed received) by a Holder connected with selling or other disposition of such shares will be in U.S. Dollars.

 

We have not sought, and will not seek, a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), or an opinion of counsel as to any U.S. federal income tax consequence described herein. The IRS may disagree with one or more aspects of the discussion herein, and its determination may be upheld by a court. Moreover, there can be no assurance that future legislation, regulations, administrative rulings or court decisions will not adversely affect the accuracy of the statements in this discussion.

 

BECAUSE OF THE COMPLEXITY OF THE TAX LAWS AND BECAUSE THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO SGOCO OR TO ANY PARTICULAR HOLDER OF OUR SECURITIES MAY BE AFFECTED BY MATTERS NOT DISCUSSED HEREIN, EACH HOLDER OF OUR SECURITIES IS URGED TO CONSULT WITH ITS TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR SECURITIES, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF STATE, LOCAL AND NON-U.S. TAX LAWS, AS WELL AS U.S. FEDERAL TAX LAWS AND APPLICABLE TAX TREATIES.

 

Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders of Ordinary Shares

 

Taxation of Distributions Paid on Ordinary Shares

 

Subject to the passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, rules discussed below, a U.S. Holder generally will be required to include in gross income as ordinary income the amount of any cash dividend paid on our ordinary shares. A cash distribution on such shares will be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent the distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes). Such dividend will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally allowed to domestic corporations regarding dividends received from other domestic corporations. Any distributions in excess of such earnings and profits generally will be applied against and reduce the U.S. Holder’s basis in its ordinary shares and, to the extent in excess of such basis, will be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of such ordinary shares.

 

Regarding non-corporate U.S. Holders for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2013, dividends may be taxed at the lower applicable long-term capital gains rate (see “— Taxation on the Disposition of Ordinary Shares” below) provided that:

 

  1. our ordinary shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the U.S. or, in the event we are deemed to be a Chinese “resident enterprise” under the EIT Law, we are eligible for the benefits of the Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the People’s Republic of China for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Tax Evasion regarding Taxes on Income, or the “U.S.-PRC Tax Treaty;”

 

  2. we are not a PFIC, as discussed below, for either the taxable year in which the dividend was paid or the preceding taxable year; and

 

  3. certain holding period requirements are met. Under published IRS authority, shares are considered for purposes of clause (1) above to be readily tradable on an established securities market in the U.S. only if they are listed on certain exchanges, which presently include the NASDAQ Stock Market but do not include the OTC Bulletin Board.

 

We were listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market in December 2010. If we are not able to maintain such a listing, it is anticipated that our ordinary shares will be quoted and traded only on the OTC Bulletin Board. In that case, any dividends paid on our ordinary shares would not qualify for the lower rate unless we are deemed to be a Chinese “resident enterprise” under the EIT Law and are eligible for the benefits of the U.S.-PRC Tax Treaty.

 

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Unless the special provisions described above, dealing with the taxation of qualified dividend income at the lower long-term capital gains rate, are extended, this favorable treatment will not apply to dividends in taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2013. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability of the lower rate for any dividends paid regarding our ordinary shares.

 

If PRC taxes apply to dividends paid to a U.S. Holder on our ordinary shares, such U.S. Holder may be entitled to a reduced rate of PRC tax under the U.S-PRC Tax Treaty. In addition, such PRC taxes may be treated as foreign taxes eligible for credit against such Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability (subject to certain limitations). U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the creditability of any such PRC tax and their eligibility for the benefits of the U.S.-PRC Tax Treaty.

 

Taxation on the Disposition of Ordinary Shares

 

Upon a sale or other taxable disposition of our ordinary shares, and subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, a U.S. Holder should recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares.

 

Capital gains recognized by U.S. Holders generally are subject to U.S. federal income tax at the same rate as ordinary income, except that long-term capital gains recognized by non-corporate U.S. Holders are generally subject to U.S. federal income tax at a maximum rate of 15% for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2013 (and 20% thereafter). Capital gain or loss will constitute long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares exceeds one year. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to various limitations.

 

If PRC taxes would otherwise apply to any gain from the disposition of our ordinary shares by a U.S. Holder, such U.S. Holder may be entitled to a reduction in or elimination of such taxes under the U.S.-PRC Tax Treaty. Any PRC taxes that are paid by a U.S. Holder regarding such gain may be treated as foreign taxes eligible for credit against such Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability (subject to certain limitations which could reduce or eliminate the available tax credit). U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the creditability of any such PRC tax and their eligibility for the benefits of the U.S.-PRC Tax Treaty.

 

Additional Taxes After 2012

 

For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates or trusts and whose income exceeds certain thresholds generally will be subject to a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on unearned income, including, among other things, cash dividends on, and capital gains from the sale or other taxable disposition of, our ordinary shares, subject to certain limitations and exceptions. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of such tax on their ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares.

 

Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules

 

A foreign (i.e., non-U.S.) corporation will be a PFIC if at least 75% of its gross income in a taxable year of the foreign corporation, including its pro rata share of the gross income of any corporation in which it is considered to own at least 25% of the shares by value, is passive income. Alternatively, a foreign corporation will be a PFIC if at least 50% of its assets in a taxable year of the foreign corporation, ordinarily determined based on fair market value and averaged quarterly over the year, including its pro rata share of the assets of any corporation in which it is considered to own at least 25% of the shares by value, are held for the production of, or produce, passive income. Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, rents and royalties (other than certain rents or royalties derived from the active conduct of a trade or business) and gains from the disposition of passive assets.

 

The composition of our passive assets during 2008 and 2009, largely consisted of cash and other investment assets. The composition of our passive income in such periods largely consisted of interest. Therefore, it is likely that we qualified as a PFIC regarding our 2008 and 2009 taxable years.

 

Based on the composition of our assets and the nature of the Company’s income and subsidiaries’ income for our taxable year ended December 31, 2017, we do not expect to be treated as a PFIC for such year under the tax laws as enacted and construed at the present time. But, this conclusion is based in part on our treating the “other receivable” on our balance sheet not as a passive asset for PFIC purposes on the ground that it is an installment note on the sale of stock of an affiliate company that held assets that had been actively used in our manufacturing business.

 

We believe this conclusion is proper. But, because the matter is not certain, there is no guarantee that the IRS in an audit would agree. If the IRS did not agree, we would likely be treated as a PFIC for both 2017 and 2016.

 

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In addition, our actual PFIC status for our 2017 taxable year or any subsequent taxable year will not be determinable until after the end of such taxable year. Accordingly, there can be no assurance regarding our status as a PFIC for our current taxable year or any future taxable year.

 

If we are determined to be a PFIC and a U.S. Holder did not make either a timely qualified electing fund, or QEF, election for our first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder held (or was deemed to hold) ordinary shares, or a mark-to-market election, as described below, such Holder generally will be subject to special rules regarding:

 

  1. any gain recognized by the U.S. Holder on the sale or other disposition of its ordinary shares; and

 

  2. any “excess distribution” made to the U.S. Holder (generally, any distributions to such U.S. Holder during a taxable year of the U.S. Holder that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions received by such U.S. Holder regarding the ordinary shares during the three preceding taxable years of such U.S. Holder or, if shorter, such U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares).

 

Under these rules:

 

  1. the U.S. Holder’s gain or excess distribution will be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares;

 

  2. the amount allocated to the U.S. Holder’s taxable year in which the U.S. Holder recognized the gain or received the excess distribution, or to the period in the U.S. Holder’s holding period before the first day of our first taxable year in which we are a PFIC, will be taxed as ordinary income;

 

  3. the amount allocated to other taxable years (or portions thereof) of the U.S. Holder and included in its holding period will be taxed at the highest tax rate in effect for that year and applicable to the U.S. Holder; and

 

  4. the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed regarding the tax attributable to each such year of the U.S. Holder.

 

In general, a U.S. Holder may avoid the PFIC tax consequences described above in respect to our ordinary shares by making a timely QEF election to include in income its pro rata share of our net capital gains (as long-term capital gain) and other earnings and profits (as ordinary income), on a current basis, in each case whether or not distributed, in the taxable year of the U.S. Holder in which or with which our taxable year ends. There can be no assurance, however, that we will pay current dividends or make other distributions sufficient for a U.S. Holder who makes a QEF election to satisfy the tax liability attributable to income inclusions under the QEF rules, and the U.S. Holder may have to pay the resulting tax from its other assets. A U.S. Holder may make a separate election to defer the payment of taxes on undistributed income inclusions under the QEF rules, but if deferred, any such taxes will be subject to an interest charge.

 

The QEF election is made on a shareholder-by-shareholder basis and, once made, can be revoked only with the consent of the IRS. A U.S. Holder generally makes a QEF election by attaching a completed IRS Form 8621 (Return by a Shareholder of a Passive Foreign Investment Company or Qualified Electing Fund), including the information provided in a PFIC annual information statement, to a timely filed U.S. federal income tax return for the tax year to which the election relates.

 

Retroactive QEF elections generally may be made only by filing a protective statement with such return and if certain other conditions are met or with the consent of the IRS. To comply with the requirements of a QEF election, a U.S. Holder must receive certain information from us. Upon request from a U.S. Holder, we will endeavor to provide to the U.S. Holder no later than 90 days after the request such information as the IRS may require, including a PFIC annual information statement, in order to enable the U.S. Holder to make and maintain a QEF election. However, there is no assurance that we will have timely knowledge of our status as a PFIC in the future or of the required information to be provided.

 

If a U.S. Holder has made a QEF election regarding our ordinary shares, and the special tax and interest charge rules do not apply to such shares (because of a timely QEF election for our first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) such shares), any gain recognized on the appreciation of our ordinary shares generally will be taxable as capital gain and no interest charge will be imposed. As discussed above, U.S. Holders of a QEF are currently taxed on their pro rata shares of its earnings and profits, whether or not distributed. In such case, a subsequent distribution of such earnings and profits that were previously included in income generally should not be taxable as a dividend to those U.S. Holders who made a QEF election. The tax basis of a U.S. Holder’s shares in a QEF will be increased by amounts that are included in income, and decreased by amounts distributed but not taxed as dividends, under the above rules. Similar basis adjustments apply to property if by reason of holding such property the U.S. Holder is treated under the applicable attribution rules as owning shares in a QEF.

 

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 A determination as to our PFIC status will be made annually. But, an initial determination that our company is a PFIC will generally apply for subsequent years to a U.S. Holder who held ordinary shares while we were a PFIC, whether or not we meet the test for PFIC status in those years. A U.S. Holder who makes the QEF election discussed above for our first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) our ordinary shares, however, will not be subject to the PFIC tax and interest charge rules discussed above in respect to such shares. In addition, such U.S. Holder will not be subject to the QEF inclusion regime regarding such shares for any taxable year of ours that ends within or with a taxable year of the U.S. Holder and in which we are not a PFIC. But, if the QEF election is not effective for each of our taxable years in which we are a PFIC and the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) our ordinary shares, the PFIC rules discussed above will continue to apply to such shares unless the Holder makes a purging election, and pays the tax and interest charge regarding the gain inherent in such shares attributable to the pre-QEF election period.

 

Alternatively, if a U.S. Holder, at the close of its taxable year, owns shares in a PFIC that are treated as marketable stock, the U.S. Holder may make a mark-to-market election regarding such shares for such taxable year. If the U.S. Holder makes a valid mark-to-market election for the first taxable year of the U.S. Holder in which the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) shares in us and for which we are determined to be a PFIC, such Holder generally will not be subject to the PFIC rules described above in respect to its ordinary shares. Instead, in general, the U.S. Holder will include as ordinary income each year the excess, if any, of the fair market value of its ordinary shares at the end of its taxable year over the adjusted basis in its ordinary shares. The U.S. Holder also will be allowed to take an ordinary loss regarding the excess, if any, of the adjusted basis of its ordinary shares over the fair market value of its ordinary shares at the end of its taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of previously included income as a result of the mark-to-market election). The U.S. Holder’s basis in its ordinary shares will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts, and any further gain recognized on a sale or other taxable disposition of the ordinary shares will be treated as ordinary income.

 

The mark-to-market election is available only for stock that is regularly traded on a national securities exchange that is registered with the SEC, or on a foreign exchange or market that the IRS determines has rules sufficient to establish that the market price represents a legitimate and sound fair market value. Although we became listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market in December 2010, if we are not able to maintain such a listing, it is anticipated that our ordinary shares would continue to be quoted and traded only on the OTC Bulletin Board. If our ordinary shares were to be quoted and traded only on the OTC Bulletin Board, such shares may not currently qualify as marketable stock for purposes of the election. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability and tax consequences of a mark-to-market election in respect to our ordinary shares under their particular circumstances.

 

If we are a PFIC and, at any time, have a foreign subsidiary that is classified as a PFIC, U.S. Holders generally would be deemed to own a portion of the shares of such lower-tier PFIC, and generally could incur liability for the deferred tax and interest charge described above if we receive a distribution from, or dispose of all or part of our interest in, the lower-tier PFIC. Upon request, we will endeavor to cause any lower-tier PFIC to provide to a U.S. Holder no later than 90 days after the request the information that may be required to make or maintain a QEF election regarding the lower-tier PFIC. However, there is no assurance that we will have timely knowledge of the status of any such lower-tier PFIC or will be able to cause the lower-tier PFIC to provide the required information. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax issues raised by lower-tier PFICs.

 

If a U.S. Holder owns (or is deemed to own) shares during any year in a PFIC, such Holder may have to file an IRS Form 8621 (whether or not a QEF election or mark-to-market election is made).

 

The rules dealing with PFICs and with the QEF and mark-to-market elections are very complex and are affected by various factors in addition to those described above. Accordingly, U.S. Holders of our ordinary shares should consult their own tax advisors concerning the application of the PFIC rules to our ordinary shares under their particular circumstances.

 

Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders of Ordinary Shares

 

Dividends paid to a non-U.S. Holder in respect to its ordinary shares generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, unless the dividends are effectively in connection with the non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the U.S. (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such Holder maintains in the U.S.).

 

In addition, a non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain attributable to a sale or other disposition of our ordinary shares, unless such gain is effectively in connection with its conduct of a trade or business in the U.S. (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such Holder maintains in the U.S.) or the non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more in the taxable year of sale or other disposition and certain other conditions are met (in which case, such gain from U.S. sources generally is subject to tax at a 30% rate or a lower applicable tax treaty rate).

 

Dividends and gains that are effectively in connection with the non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the U.S. (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base in the U.S.) generally will be subject to tax in the same manner as for a U.S. Holder and, in the case of a non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, may also be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or a lower applicable tax treaty rate.

 

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Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

 

In general, information reporting for U.S. federal income tax purposes should apply to distributions made on our ordinary shares within the U.S. to a non-corporate U.S. Holder and to the proceeds from sales and other dispositions of our ordinary shares by a non-corporate U.S. Holder to or through a U.S. office of a broker. Payments made (and sales and other dispositions effected at an office) outside the U.S. will be subject to information reporting in limited circumstances. In addition, backup withholding of United States federal income tax, currently at a rate of 28%, generally will apply to dividends paid on our ordinary shares to a non-corporate U.S. Holder and the proceeds from sales and other dispositions of shares by a non-corporate U.S. Holder, in each case who:

 

  1. fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number;
  2. is notified by the IRS that backup withholding is required; or
  3. in certain circumstances, fails to comply with applicable certification requirements.

 

Unless current individual income tax rates are extended, the backup withholding rate will increase to 31% for payments made on or after January 1, 2013. A non-U.S. Holder generally may eliminate the requirement for information reporting and backup withholding by providing certification of its foreign status, under penalties of perjury, on a duly executed applicable IRS Form W-8 or by otherwise establishing an exemption.

 

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the amount of any backup withholding will be allowed as a credit against a U.S. Holder’s or a non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle such Holder to a refund, provided that certain required information is timely furnished to the IRS. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of backup withholding and the availability of and procedure for obtaining an exemption from backup withholding in their particular circumstances.

 

For taxable years beginning after March 18, 2010, individual U.S. Holders may be required to report ownership of our ordinary shares and certain related information on their individual federal income tax returns in certain circumstances. Generally, this reporting requirement will apply if: (1) the ordinary shares are held in an account of the individual U.S. Holder maintained with a “foreign financial institution”; or (2) the ordinary shares are not held in an account maintained with a “financial institution,” as such terms are defined in the Code. The reporting obligation will not apply to an individual, however, unless the total aggregate value of the individual’s foreign financial assets exceeds $50,000 during a taxable year.

 

For clarification, this reporting requirement should not apply to ordinary shares held in an account with a U.S. brokerage firm. Not complying with this reporting requirement, if it applies, will result in substantial penalties. In certain circumstances, additional tax and other reporting requirements may apply. U.S. Holders of our ordinary shares are advised to consult with their own tax advisors concerning all such reporting requirements.

 

F. Dividends and paying agents.

 

Not applicable.

 

G. Statement by experts.

 

Not applicable.

 

H. Documents on display.

 

We are subject to the periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act. Under the Exchange Act, we are required to file reports and other information with the SEC. Specifically, we are required to file annually a Form 20-F no later than four months after the close of each fiscal year and submit other information under cover of Form 6-K. Annual Reports and other information we file with the SEC may be inspected at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at Room 1024, 100 F. Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, and copies of all or any part thereof may be obtained from such offices upon payment of the prescribed fees. You may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference rooms and you can request copies of the documents upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC. In addition, the SEC maintains a web site that contains reports and other information regarding registrants (including us) that file electronically with the SEC which can be accessed at www.sec.gov.

 

Our Internet website is www.sgocogroup.com. We make our Annual Reports on Form 20-F and any amendments to such reports available free of charge on our website as soon as reasonably practicable following the electronic filing of each report with the SEC. In addition, we provide copies of our filings free of charge upon request. The information contained on our website is not part of this or any other report filed with or furnished to the SEC.

 

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As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the proxy requirements of Section 14 of the Exchange Act and our officers, directors and principal shareholders will be exempt from the insider short-swing disclosure and profit recovery rules of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

 

I. Subsidiary Information

 

Not required.

 

ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Foreign Exchange Risk

 

The value of the RMB against the U.S. Dollars and other currencies is affected by, among other things, changes in China’s political and economic conditions. Since July 2005, the RMB has no longer been pegged to the dollar. Although the People’s Bank of China, China’s central bank, regularly intervenes in the foreign exchange market to prevent significant short-term fluctuations in the exchange rate, the RMB may appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. Dollars in the medium to long term. Moreover, it is possible that in the future, PRC authorities may lift restrictions on fluctuations in the RMB exchange rate and lessen intervention in the foreign exchange market. In 2015, the RMB depreciated significantly. The center point of the currency’s official trading band was 6.1265 in January, and was 6.4465 in December, which contributed partly to a decline in our 2015 revenues, which we report in U.S. dollars in our financial statements. Through 2016 the RMB continued its significant depreciation. This depreciation halted in 2017, and the RMB appreciated against the U.S. dollar during this one-year period. The exchange rate of the RMB against U.S. Dollar as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 were 6.53 and 6.94.

 

Because the majority of our earnings and assets are denominated in RMB, but our reporting currency is the U.S. Dollars, fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. Dollars and the RMB will affect our balance sheet and our earnings per share in U.S. Dollars. In addition, appreciation or depreciation in the value of the RMB relative to the U.S. Dollars would affect our financial results reported in U.S. Dollars terms without giving effect to any underlying change in our business or results of operations.

 

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

 

ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Not applicable.

 

PART II

 

ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

 

We have not had a default of any indebtedness, and there has not been any arrearage in the payment of dividends.

 

ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

None.

 

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ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Our management, with the participation of our CEO, Mr. Shi-bin Xie and Interim Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Xiao-Ming Hu, has performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures within the meaning of Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report. Based on such evaluation, our management has concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report, our disclosure controls and procedures were ineffective to provide reasonable assurance that material information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file with, or submit to, the SEC under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in by the SEC’s rules and regulations. This determination was primarily due to the identification of the material weakness identified in our internal control over financial reporting discussed below.

 

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO and CFO, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017. In making this assessment, it used the criteria established in the updated framework in the Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 1992 and updated in May 2013 issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, or COSO. Based on our assessment, as of December 31, 2017, our internal control over financial reporting is ineffective.

 

The specific material weakness we identified in our internal control over financial reporting related to the lack of sufficient qualified accounting personnel with appropriate understanding of U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting requirements commensurate with our financial reporting requirements, which resulted in a number of internal control deficiencies that were identified as being significant.  Also, as a small company, we do not have sufficient internal control personnel to set up adequate review functions at each reporting level.

 

In order to cure the foregoing material weakness, we have taken or are taking the following remediation measures:

 

  1. We are seeking additional accounting and internal control staff with relevant U.S. GAAP accounting, SEC reporting and internal control experience, skills and knowledge in improving standards and procedures according to the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;
     
  2. We are in the process of hiring a permanent chief financial officer with significant U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting experience; and

 

  3. We plan to provide further training to SGOCO’s finance staff to enhance their understanding of SGOCO’s internal control policies and procedures, including participating in training programs relating to U.S. GAAP accounting and internal control.

 

We intend to complete the remediation of the material weaknesses discussed above as soon as practicable but we can give no assurance that we will be able to do so. Designing and implementing an effective disclosure controls and procedures is a continuous effort that requires us to anticipate and react to changes in our business and the economic and regulatory environments and to devote significant resources to maintain a financial reporting system that adequately satisfies our reporting obligations. The remedial measures that we have taken and intend to take may not fully address the material weakness that we have identified, and material weaknesses in our disclosure controls and procedures may be identified in the future. Should we discover such conditions, we intend to remediate them as soon as practicable. We are committed to taking appropriate steps for remediation, as needed.

 

All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Even systems determined to be effective can only provide reasonable assurance regarding financial statement preparation and presentation and may not prevent or detect misstatements. In addition, any evaluation of effectiveness in future periods is subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in future conditions.

 

Despite that, management believes that the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 20-F present fairly the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows of SGOCO for the fiscal year covered.

 

Attestation report of the registered public accounting firm

 

This Annual Report does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our registered public accounting firm pursuant to the rules of the SEC.

 

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Changes in internal control over financial reporting

 

Except for the matters described above, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that occurred during the year ended December 31, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

 

Our Board of Directors has determined that Ms. Leung is an audit committee financial expert, and is independent for the purposes of the NASDAQ Listing Rules and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act.

 

ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS

 

We have adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to our directors, officers and employees. The Code of Ethics is designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote ethical conduct and full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable reports that the Company files or submits to the SEC and others. We have filed our Code of Ethics and Conduct as an exhibit to this Annual Report.

 

ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

 

The following table sets forth the aggregate fees by categories specified below in connection with certain professional services rendered by our principal external independent registered public accountant firms in 2017 and 2016.

 

   2017   2016 
Audit Fee  $184,699   $235,452 
Audit-Related Fees   -    - 
Total  $184,699   $235,452 

 

Audit Fees

 

Audit fees represent the aggregate fees billed for the audit of our annual financial statements, review of our interim financial statements, review of registration statements or services that are normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years.

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

There were no other audit-related fees billed by the principal accountant during the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services that were reasonably related to the performance of the audit not reported under “Audit Fees” above.

 

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

 

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors on an annual basis reviews audit and non-audit services performed by the independent auditors. All audit and non-audit services are pre-approved by the Audit Committee, which considers, among other things, the possible effect of the performance of such services on the auditors’ independence.

 

ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES

 

None.

 

ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 16F. CHANGES IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

There are no material differences in our corporate governance practices from those of U.S. domestic companies under the listing standards of NASDAQ.

 

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ITEM 16H. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

 

Not applicable.

 

PART III

 

ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

We have elected to provide financial statements pursuant to Item 18.

 

ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Our consolidated financial statements are included at the end of this Annual Report.

 

ITEM 19. EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit
Number
  Description of Exhibit
     
1.1   Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form F-1 (file no. 333-170674) filed on December 15, 2010)
     
2.1   Warrant Agreement by and between the Company and the warrant agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Form 6-K filed on February 18, 2010)
     
2.2   Amendment No. 1 to the Warrant Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Form 6-K filed on March 16, 2010)
     
2.3   Unit Purchase Option issued to the underwriter in the Company’s initial public offering (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Company’s Form S-1 (file no. 333-146147) filed February 1, 2008)
     
2.4   Escrow Agreement by and among escrow agent, the shareholders of Honesty Group and the initial sponsors of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Company’s Form F-1 (file no. 333-146147) filed August 5, 2010)

  

2.5   Amendment No 1 to Escrow Agreement dated April 17, 2012 among escrow agent, the former shareholder of Honesty Group, the initial sponsors of the Company and SGOCO Group, Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.5 to the Company’s Form 20-F (file no. 001-35016) filed August 30, 2012)
     
2.6   Sponsors Agreement, dated as of February 12, 2010, among Sun Zone Investments Limited, Sze Kit Ting, Robert Eu, W.R. Hambrecht + Co., LLC, Hambrecht 1980 Revocable Trust, AEX Enterprises Limited, John Wang, Marbella Capital Partners LLC., Cannon Family Irrevocable Trust and Shea Ventures LLC., and Hambrecht Asia Acquisition Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s Form F-1 (file no. 333-146147) filed August 5, 2010)
     
2.7   Amendment No. 1 to Sponsors Agreement, dated as of March 11, 2010, among Sun Zone Investments Limited, Sze Kit Ting, Robert Eu, W.R. Hambrecht + Co., LLC, Hambrecht 1980 Revocable Trust, AEX Enterprises Limited, John Wang, Marbella Capital Partners LLC., Cannon Family Irrevocable Trust and Shea Ventures LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Company’s Form F-1 (file no. 333-146147) filed August 5, 2010)
     
2.8   Amendment No 2 to Sponsor Agreement dated April 17, 2012 among Sun Zone Investments Limited, Sze Kit Ting Robert Eu, W.R. Hambrecht + Co., LLC, Hambrecht 1980 Revocable Trust, AEX Enterprises Limited, John Wang, Marbella Capital Partners LLC., Cannon Family Irrevocable Trust and Shea Ventures LLC., and SGOCO Group, Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.8 to the Company’s Form 20-F (file no. 001-35016) filed August 30, 2012)
     
2.9   Amendment No 2 to Escrow Agreement dated February 26, 2013 among escrow agent, the former shareholder of Honesty Group, the initial sponsors of the Company and SGOCO Group, Ltd.  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.9 to the Company’s Form 20-F (file no. 001-35016) filed April 19, 2013)
     
2.10   Amendment No 3 to Sponsor Agreement dated February 26, 2013 among Sun Zone Investments Limited, Sze Kit Ting Robert Eu, W.R. Hambrecht + Co., LLC, Hambrecht 1980 Revocable Trust, AEX Enterprises Limited, John Wang, Marbella Capital Partners LLC., Cannon Family Irrevocable Trust and Shea Ventures LLC., and SGOCO Group, Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.10 to the Company’s Form 20-F (file no. 001-35016) filed April 19, 2013)

 

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4.1   English Translation of Business License for Beijing SGOCO Image Technology Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Company’s Form 20-F (file no. 001-35016) filed August 30, 2012)
     
4.2   English Translation of Business License for SGOCO (Shenzhen) Technology Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Company’s Form 20-F (file no. 001-35016) filed April 22, 2014)
     
4.3   Sale and Purchase Agreement dated November 15, 2011, by and between Apex Flourish Group Limited and SGOCO Group, Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Company’s Form 20-F (file no. 001-35016) filed August 30, 2012)
     
4.4   English Translation of Sale and Purchase Agreement dated December 24, 2014, by and between Apex Flourish Group Limited and SGOCO Group, Ltd in respect of the transfer of share equity of SGOCO (Fujian) Electronic Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to the Company’s Form 20-F (file no. 001-35016) filed May 15, 2015)
     
4.5   Sale and Purchase Agreement dated December 28, 2015, by and between SGOCO International Limited and Richly Conqueror Limited in respect of the transfer of share equity of Boca International Limited. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to the Company’s Form 20-F (file no. 001-35016) filed May 16, 2016) 
     
4.6   Supplemental Agreement to Sale and Purchase Agreement of Boca International Limited dated February 29, 2016, by and between SGOCO International Limited and Richly Conqueror Limited. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.12 to the Company’s Form 20-F (file no. 001-35016) filed May 16, 2016) 
     
4.7   Convertible Note by and between the Company and JSJ Investments Inc. dated June 3, 2015. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.13 to the Company’s Form 20-F (file no. 001-35016) filed May 16, 2016) 
     
4.8   Securities Purchase Agreement by and between the Company and LG Capital Funding, LLC dated June 10, 2015. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.14 to the Company’s Form 20-F (file no. 001-35016) filed May 16, 2016) 
     
4.9   Securities Purchase Agreement by and between the Company and Service Trading Company, LLC dated June 11, 2015. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.15 to the Company’s Form 20-F (file no. 001-35016) filed May 16, 2016) 
     
4.10   Securities Purchase Agreement by and between the Company and Adar Bays, LLC dated June 11, 2015. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.16 to the Company’s Form 20-F (file no. 001-35016) filed May 16, 2016) 
     
4.11   Securities Purchase Agreement by and between the Company and Vis Vires Group, Inc. dated June 25, 2015. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.17 to the Company’s Form 20-F (file no. 001-35016) filed May 16, 2016) 
     
4.12   Securities Purchase Agreement by and between the Company and Black Forest Capital, LLC dated July 17, 2015. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.18 to the Company’s Form 20-F (file no. 001-35016) filed May 16, 2016) 
     
4.13   Securities Purchase Agreement by and between the Company and Crown Bridge Partners, LLC dated September 11, 2015. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.19 to the Company’s Form 20-F (file no. 001-35016) filed May 16, 2016) 

  

4.14   Share Purchase Agreement by and between the Company and an Investor dated May 9, 2016. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.20 to the Company’s Form 20-F (file no. 001-35016) filed May 16, 2016) 
     
4.15   Securities Purchase Agreement by and between the Company and an Investor dated March 20, 2017. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 6-K (file no. 001-35016) filed on March 20, 2017)
     
4.16   Securities Purchase Agreement by and between the Company and Investors dated April 5, 2017. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 6-K (file no. 001-35016) filed on April 6, 2017)
     
4.17    Sale and Purchase Agreement dated April 28, 2017, by and between SGOCO International Limited and Full Linkage Limited in respect of the transfer of share equity of Century Skyway Limited. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.23 to the Company’s Form 20-F (file no. 001-35016) filed May 15, 2017) 

 

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4.18    Securities Purchase Agreement by and between the Company and Investors dated November 13, 2017. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 6-K (file no. 001-35016) filed on November 14, 2017)
     
4.19    Sale and Purchase Agreement dated December 22, 2017, by and between Giant Connection Limited and Luk Lai Ching Kimmy in respect of the transfer of share equity of Giant Credit Limited. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form 6-K (file no. 001-35016) filed on December 26, 2017)
     
4.20    Sale and Purchase Agreement dated February 22, 2018, by and between Giant Connection Limited and Vagas Lane Limited in respect of the transfer of share equity of 11 Hau Fook Street Limited. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form 6-K (file no. 001-35016) filed on February 23, 2018)
     
4.21   Securities Purchase Agreement by and between the Company and So Chun LIN dated April 18, 2018. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form 6-K (file no. 001-35016) filed April 19, 2018)
     
8.1*   List of Subsidiaries
     
11.1   SGOCO Group, Ltd.’s Code of Ethics and Conduct (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Form F-1 (file no. 333-170674) filed December 15, 2010)
     
12.1*   Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
12.2*   Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
13.1*   Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
15.1*   Consent of Centurion ZD CPA Limited
     
101 *   The following financial information from the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) and filed electronically herewith: (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income; (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity; (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (v) the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

* Filed herewith

 

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SIGNATURE

 

The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this Annual Report on its behalf.

 

  SGOCO Group, Ltd.
     
Date: May 14, 2018 By: /s/ Shi-bin Xie
  Name: Shi-bin Xie
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of

SGOCO Group, Ltd.

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of SGOCO Group, Ltd. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive loss, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ Centurion ZD CPA Limited

 

Centurion ZD CPA Limited      

    

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2016.

Hong Kong, China          

 

May 14, 2018

 

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SGOCO GROUP, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

(In thousands of U.S. dollars except share and per share data)

 

    2017     2016  
ASSETS                
CURRENT ASSETS                
Cash   $ 4,262     $ 29  
Pledged bank deposits     515        
Accounts receivable, net of provision for doubtful accounts of $196 and $196, respectively     -       119  
Loans receivable, net of provision for loan losses of $nil and $ nil , respectively     670       -  
Interest receivable     6       -  
Other receivables and prepayments     28       6,459  
Advances to suppliers     226       -  
Total current assets     5,707       6,607  
                 
DEPOSITS FOR ACQUISITION OF SUBSIDIARIES     -       31,866  
PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET     511       5  
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET     42,258       25,290  
GOODWILL     49,977       36,504  
                 
Total assets   $ 98,453     $ 100,272  
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                
CURRENT LIABILITIES                
Accounts payable, trade   $ 235     $ 222  
Other payables and accrued liabilities     3,023       807  
Customer deposits     113       -  
Taxes payable     15       6,241  
Total current liabilities     3,386       7,270  
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES                
Warrant derivative liability     680       -  
Non-current deferred tax liability     10,572       6,323  
Total liabilities     14,638       13,593  
                 
COMMITMENT AND CONTINGENCIES                
                 
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, nil issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016     -       -  
Common stock, $0.004 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 16,164,855 and 9,387,928 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively     65       38  
Additional paid-in-capital     50,159       42,205  
Statutory reserves     -       -  
Retained earnings     40,922       52,136  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (7,331 )     (7,700 )
Total shareholders' equity     83,815       86,679  
                 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity   $ 98,453     $ 100,272  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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SGOCO GROUP, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017, 2016 AND 2015

(In thousands of U.S. dollars except share and per share data)

 

    2017     2016     2015  
REVENUES   $ 51     $ 5,069     $ 1,921  
                         
COST OF GOODS SOLD     1,343       4,867       1,826  
                         
GROSS (LOSS) PROFIT     (1,292 )     202       95  
                         
OPERATING EXPENSES:                        
Selling expenses     257       55       131  
General and administrative expenses     3,312       4,115       1,498  
Impairment loss of goodwill     7,005       -       -  
Total operating expenses     10,574       4,170       1,629  
                         
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS     (11,866 )     (3,968 )     (1,534 )
                         
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES):                        
Interest income     134       121       220  
Interest expense     (13 )     (15 )     (57 )
Other income (expense), net     2       -       (8 )
Loss on change in fair value of convertible notes     -       (1,500 )     (1,041 )
Loss on change in fair value of warrant derivative liability     (150 )     -       2  
Total other income (expenses), net     (27 )     (1,394 )     (884 )
                         
LOSS BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES     (11,893 )     (5,362 )     (2,418 )
INCOME TAX BENEFIT     679       315       -  
NET LOSS   $ (11,214 )   $ (5,047 )   $ (2,418 )
                         
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):                        
Foreign currency translation adjustment     369       (2,431 )     (5,258 )
                         
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS   $ (10,845 )   $ (7,478 )   $ (7,676 )
                         
LOSS PER SHARE:                        
Basic   $ (0.99 )   $ (0.68 )   $ (0.55 )
Diluted   $ (0.99 )   $ (0.68 )   $ (0.55 )
                         
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:                        
Basic     11,341,629       7,422,208       4,400,298  
Diluted     11,341,629       7,422,208       4,400,298  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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SGOCO GROUP, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

(In thousands of U.S. dollars except share data)

 

                      Accumulated        
    Ordinary Shares           Retained Earnings     Other        
                Paid-in     Statutory           Comprehensive        
    Shares     Par Value     Capital     Reserves     Unrestricted     Loss     Total  
BALANCE, January 1, 2015     4,353,715     $ 18     $ 25,589     $ -     $ 59,601     $ (11 )   $ 85,197  
Shares issued for equity compensation plan     117,500       -       239       -       -       -       239  
Shares to be issued on conversion of convertible notes     51,511       -       76       -       -       -       76  
Net loss     -       -       -       -       (2,418 )     -       (2,418 )
Foreign currency translation adjustment     -       -       -       -       -       (5,258 )     (5,258 )
BALANCE, December 31, 2015     4,522,726       18       25,904       -       57,183       (5,269 )     77,836  
Shares issued for equity compensation plan     459,250       2       1,564       -       -       -       1,566  
Shares to be issued on conversion of convertible notes     1,343,425       6       3,668       -       -       -       3,674  
Shares issued on acquisition of a subsidiary     1,162,305       5       4,075                               4,080  
Shares issued on private placement financing     1,900,000       7       6,994                               7,001  
Rounding difference on reverse stock split     222                                               -  
Net loss     -       -       -       -       (5,047 )     -       (5,047 )
Foreign currency translation adjustment     -       -       -       -       -       (2,431 )     (2,431 )
BALANCE, December 31, 2016     9,387,928       38       42,205       -       52,136       (7,700 )     86,679  
Shares issued for equity compensation plan     190,000       1       740       -       -       -       741  
Shares issued on acquisition of subsidiaries     3,720,283       15       4,664       -       -       -       4,679  
Shares issued on private placement financing     2,866,644       11       2,550       -       -       -       2,561  
Net loss     -       -       -       -       (11,214 )     -       (11,214 )
Foreign currency translation adjustment     -       -       -       -       -       369       369  
BALANCE, December 31, 2017     16,164,855     $ 65     $ 50,159     $ -     $ 40,922     $ (7,331 )   $ 83,815  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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SGOCO GROUP, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017, 2016 AND 2015

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

    2017     2016     2015  
CASH FLOWS FROM OPFRATING ACTIVITIFS:                        
Net loss   $ (11,214 )   $ (5,047 )   $ (2,418 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities:                        
Depreciation and amortization     2,716       1,264       3  
Property, plant and equipment write-off     -       -       3  
Inventory write-off     -       -       1  
Transaction cost from issue of convertible notes     -       44       106  
Deferred income taxes     (679 )     (315 )     -  
Bad debt provision     -       195       1  
Share-based compensation expenses     741       1,566       239  
Impairment loss of goodwill     7,005              
Loss on change in fair value of convertible notes     -       1,500       1,041  
Loss on change in fair value of warrant derivative liability     150       -       (2 )
Change in operating assets                        
Accounts receivable, trade     119       (96 )     676  
Other receivables and prepayments     (187 )     (202 )     (67 )
Inventories     -       25       (27 )
Prepaid income tax     -       -       17  
Advances to suppliers     (226 )     123       (99 )
Other current assets     -       -       53  
Change in operating liabilities                        
Accounts payables, trade     (1 )     186       (556 )
Other payables and accrued liabilities     (97 )     90       22  
Customer deposits     109       (412 )     245  
Taxes payable     (6,413 )     -       -  
Net cash used in operating activities     (7,977 )     (1,079 )     (762 )
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                        
Advances to an unrelated third party     -       (6,743 )     -  
Repayment from an unrelated party     6,457       -       -  
Proceeds from acquisition of a subsidiary     943       1       -  
Proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries     -       -       89,766  
Refund of deposit paid for acquisition of a subsidiary     -       33,280          
Deposits paid for acquisition of subsidiaries     -       (33,288 )     (89,302 )
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities     7,400       (6,750 )     464  
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                        
Proceeds from other loan from unrelated party, unsecured     2,172       -       -  
Placement of pledged bank deposits     (515 )            
Proceeds from loan from a shareholder     -       88       405  
Payments on loan from a shareholder     -       (88 )     (505 )
Proceeds from convertible notes     -       298       696  
Proceeds from shares issuance     3,091       7,001       -  
Advances from unrelated parties     283       221       -  
Repayment to an unrelated party     (221 )            
Net cash provided by financing activities     4,810       7,520       596  
                         
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE ON CASH     -       (7 )     (45 )
                         
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH     4,233       (316 )     253  
                         
CASH, beginning of year     29       345       92  
                         
CASH, end of year   $ 4,262     $ 29     $ 345  
                         
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION                        
Cash paid for interest   $ -     $ 6     $ -  
Cash paid for income taxes     6,413       -       -  
                         
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES                        
Receivable from convertible note holders under promissory notes   $ -     $ -     $ 359  
Common stock issued and to be issued on conversion of convertible notes     -       3,674       76  
Common stock issued for acquisition of subsidiaries     4,679       4,080       -  

  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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SGOCO GROUP, LTD AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017, 2016 AND 2015

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except for shares and per share data)

 

Note 1 - Organization and description of business

 

SGOCO Group, Ltd., formerly known as Hambrecht Asia Acquisition Corp. (the “Company” or “SGOCO” or “we”, “our” or “us”) was incorporated under Cayman Islands’ law on July 18, 2007. The Company was formed as a blank check company for the purpose of acquiring one or more operating businesses in the People's Republic of China (the “PRC”) through a merger, stock exchange, asset acquisition or similar business combination or control through contractual arrangements.

 

The Company completed its initial public offering (“IPO”) of units consisting of one ordinary share and one warrant to purchase one ordinary share in March 12, 2008. On March 12, 2010, the Company completed a share-exchange transaction with Honesty Group Holdings Limited (“Honesty Group”) and its shareholders, and Honesty Group became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Acquisition”). On the closing date, the Company issued 3,575,000 of its ordinary shares to Honesty Group in exchange for 100% of the capital stock of Honesty Group. Prior to the share-exchange transaction, the Company had 5,299,126 ordinary shares issued and outstanding. After the share-exchange transaction, the Company had 4,023,689 ordinary shares issued and outstanding.

 

The share-exchange transaction was accounted for as reorganization and recapitalization of Honesty Group. As a result, the consolidated financial statements of the Company (the legal acquirer) were, in substance, those of Honesty Group (the accounting acquirer), with the assets and liabilities, and revenues and expenses, of the Company being included effective from the date of the share-exchange transaction. There was no gain or loss recognized based on the transaction. The historical financial statements for periods prior to March 12, 2010 are those of Honesty Group, except that the equity section and earnings per share have been retroactively restated to reflect the reorganization and recapitalization.

 

SGOCO International (HK) Limited, a limited liability company registered in Hong Kong, or “SGOCO International,” is a wholly owned subsidiary of SGOCO.

 

On February 22, 2011, SGO Corporation (“SGO”) was established in Delaware USA. On March 14, 2011, SGOCO International purchased 100% of the outstanding shares of common stock of SGO. SGO was founded for the purpose of marketing, sales and distribution of SGOCO’s high quality LCD/LED products in America. SGO commenced sales in June 2012.

 

On July 28, 2011, SGOCO (Fujian) Electronic Co., Ltd. (“SGOCO (Fujian)”), a limited liability company under the laws of the PRC was established by SGOCO International for the purpose of conducting LCD/LED monitor and TV product-related design, brand development and distribution.

 

On December 26, 2011, SGOCO International established a wholly owned subsidiary, Beijing SGOCO Image Technology Co. Ltd. (“Beijing SGOCO”), a limited liability company under the laws of the PRC for the purpose of conducting LCD/LED monitor, TV product-related and application-specific product design, brand development and distribution.

 

On November 14, 2013, SGOCO International established a wholly owned subsidiary, SGOCO (Shenzhen) Technology Co., Ltd. (“SGOCO Shenzhen”), a limited liability company under the laws of the PRC for the purpose of conducting LCD/LED monitor and TV product-related and application-specific product design, brand development and distribution.

 

In May 2014, the Company relocated its corporate headquarters from Beijing, China to Hong Kong, China.

  

On December 24, 2014, the Company entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement to sell its 100% equity ownership interest in SGOCO (Fujian) to Apex Flourish Group Limited (“Apex”), which is an independent third party with interests in real estate and forestry products. Apex previously purchased Honesty Group Holdings Limited, SGOCO’s prior manufacturing business, on November 15, 2011. The Company considers December 31, 2014 as the disposal effective date since the operational and management control over SGOCO (Fujian) was shifted from SGOCO to Apex on December 31, 2014. The Sale of SGOCO (Fujian) allowed SGOCO to reform the business and reduce the reliance of traditional flat panel LED and LCD monitor products. It provided greater flexibility and scalability for the Company's business model, which enables the Company to focus on finding new business acquisition opportunities and exploring new products.

 

The sales price for all the equity of SGOCO (Fujian) is equivalent to the net asset value of SGOCO (Fujian) on December 31, 2014. The final amount is $11.0 million.

 

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On December 28, 2015, SGOCO International entered into a Share Sale and Purchase Agreement for the Sale and Purchase of the Entire Issued Share Capital  of Boca International Limited (the “Agreement”) with Richly Conqueror Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (the “Vendor”). Pursuant to the Agreement, SGOCO International acquired 100% of the issued share capital of Boca International Limited. (“Boca”), a private company incorporated in Hong Kong, from its sole legal and beneficial owner - Richly Conqueror Limited at a consideration of $52 million in cash, plus up to 19.9% or 3.4 million newly issued ordinary shares (the “Shares”) of the Company. In March, 2016, the acquisition of Boca completed and SGOCO International fully paid $52 million plus 1,162,305 post-split shares of common stock of the Company and received 100% ownership of Boca.

 

Boca designs, develops and manufactures Phase Change Material (PCM-TES) storage system and applies them on cooling and heating system. Boca's PCM-TES storage system (the "System") applies real-time electricity demand peak management which shifts on-peak chiller plant load to off-peak and increases chiller efficiency by optimization controls at any time. The System could reduce electricity consumption by approximately 50% during all running time and decrease 2/3 of central air conditioning running cost due to lower tariff rate during off-peak and higher efficiency at all time. The System can be used in all existing and new buildings and is environmentally friendly with a life of more than ten years. The System fully supports energy saving to help control the greenhouse effect and achieve maximum economic benefit for customers.

 

The Company has effected a 1-for-4 reverse stock split of the Company’s authorized ordinary shares, accompanied by a corresponding decrease in the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of ordinary shares and an increase of the par value of each ordinary share from $0.001 to $0.004 (the “Reverse Stock Split”) on January 19, 2016. All references in this report to share and per share data have been adjusted, including historical data which have been retroactively adjusted, to give effect to the reverse stock split unless specified otherwise.

 

On August 10, 2016, the shareholders of the Company approved an increase of the authorized ordinary shares of the Company from 12,500,000 shares to 50,000,000 shares at the annual shareholders meeting.

 

On April 28, 2017, SGOGO International (HK) Limited (“SGOCO International”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SGOCO, entered into a Share Sale and Purchase Agreement with Full Linkage Limited (the “Seller”) pursuant to which SGOCO International acquired all the issued and outstanding capital stock of Century Skyway Limited (“CSL”), a company incorporated in Hong Kong at a consideration of $32,600,000 plus 1,500,000 of the Company ordinary shares. The acquisition of CSL was completed on May 10, 2017. CSL is principally engaged in Virtual Reality (“VR’) device and technologies research and development. Its development centre and main researchers are in Shenzhen China

 

On December 15, 2017, SGOCO formed Giant Connection Limited, a limited liability company registered in the Republic of Seychelles.

 

On December 22, 2017, Giant Connection Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SGOCO, completed the acquisition of Giant Credit Limited contemplated by the Share Exchange Agreement entered into by and between the parties in consideration for HK$19.6 million ($2.4 million), which was satisfied by the allotment and issuance of 2,220,283 ordinary shares of the Company. The principal activity of Giant Credit Limited is money lending in Hong Kong.

 

Note 2 - Accounting policies

 

Basis of presentation and principle of consolidation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and include the financial statements of the Company and all its majority-owned subsidiaries that require consolidation. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in the consolidation. The following entities were consolidated as of December 31, 2017:

  

  Place incorporated Ownership percentage
SGOCO Cayman Islands Parent Company
SGOCO International Hong Kong 100%
Beijing SGOCO Beijing, China 100%
SGO Delaware, USA 100%
SGOCO Shenzhen Shenzhen, China 100%
BOCA Hong Kong 100%
Century Skyway Limited (“CSL”) Hong Kong 100%
Shen Zhen Provizon Technology Co., Limited Shenzhen, China 100%
Giant Connection Limited Republic of Seychelles 100%
Giant Credit Limited (“GCL”) Hong Kong 100%

 

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Use of estimates

 

Preparing consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions affecting the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The more significant areas requiring the use of management’s estimates and assumptions relate to the collectability of its receivables, the fair value and accounting treatment of certain financial instruments, the valuation and recognition of share-based compensation arrangements, fair value of assets and liabilities acquired in business combination, useful life of intangible assets and assessment of impairment of long-lived assets, intangible assets and goodwill. Management 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 significantly from these estimates. In addition, different assumptions or circumstances could reasonably be expected to yield different results.

 

Business combinations

 

The Company accounts for its business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 805 "Business Combinations." The cost of an acquisition is measured as the aggregate of the acquisition date fair values of the assets transferred and liabilities incurred by the Company to the sellers and equity instruments issued. Transaction costs directly attributable to the acquisition are expensed as incurred. Identifiable assets and liabilities acquired or assumed are measured separately at their fair values as of the acquisition date, irrespective of the extent of any noncontrolling interests. The excess of (i) the total costs of acquisition, fair value of the noncontrolling interests and acquisition date fair value of any previously held equity interest in the acquiree over (ii) the fair value of the identifiable net assets of the acquiree is recorded as goodwill. If the cost of acquisition is less than the fair value of the net assets of the subsidiary acquired, the difference is recognized directly in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. During the measurement period, which can be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the values of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

 

In a business combination achieved in stages, the Company re-measures the previously held equity interest in the acquiree immediately before obtaining control at its acquisition-date fair value and the re-measurement gain or loss, if any, is recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

 

When there is a change in ownership interests that result in a loss of control of a subsidiary, the Company deconsolidates the subsidiary from the date control is lost. Any retained noncontrolling investment in the former subsidiary is measured at fair value and is included in the calculation of the gain or loss upon deconsolidation of the subsidiary.

 

Plant and equipment

 

Plant and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses, if any. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to earnings as incurred. Major additions are capitalized. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts, and any gain or loss is included in operations. Depreciation of plant and equipment is provided using the straight-line method for substantially all assets with estimated lives as follows:

 

Leasehold land and buildings   Over the lease terms
Machinery and equipment   5-10 years
Vehicles and office equipment   5 years

 

Intangible assets

 

Intangible assets acquired through business acquisitions are recognized as assets separate from goodwill if they satisfy either the "contractual-legal" or "separability" criterion. Purchased intangible assets and intangible assets arising from the acquisitions of subsidiaries are recognized and measured at fair value upon acquisition. Separately identifiable intangible assets that have determinable lives continue to be amortized over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method as follows:

 

Proprietary technology of BOCA   20 years
Virtual reality technologies   10 years
Backlog   1 year

 

Separately identifiable intangible assets to be held and used are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Determination of recoverability is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. Measurement of any impairment loss for identifiable intangible assets is based on the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets.

 

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Goodwill

 

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase consideration over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed of the acquired entity as a result of the Company's acquisitions of interests in its subsidiaries. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it might be impaired. The Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. In the qualitative assessment, the Company considers primary factors such as industry and market considerations, overall financial performance of the reporting unit, and other specific information related to the operations. Based on the qualitative assessment, if it is more likely than not that the fair value of each reporting unit is less than the carrying amount, the quantitative impairment test is performed.

 

In performing the two-step quantitative impairment test, the first step compares the fair values of each reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of each reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill is not considered to be impaired and the second step will not be required. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step compares the implied fair value of goodwill to the carrying value of a reporting unit's goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in a manner similar to accounting for a business combination with the allocation of the assessed fair value determined in the first step to the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. The excess of the fair value of the reporting unit over the amounts assigned to the assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. This allocation process is only performed for the purposes of evaluating goodwill impairment and does not result in an entry to adjust the value of any assets or liabilities. Application of a goodwill impairment test requires significant management judgment, including the identification of reporting units, assigning assets, liabilities and goodwill to reporting units, and determining the fair value of each reporting unit.

 

Warrant liability

 

For warrants that are not indexed to the Company’s stock, the Company records the fair value of the issued warrants as a liability at each balance sheet date and records changes in the estimated fair value as a non-cash gain or loss in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income. The warrant liability is recognized in the balance sheet at the fair value (level 3). The fair value of these warrants has been determined using the Monte-Carlo simulation model. The Monte-Carlo simulation model provides for assumptions regarding volatility, call and put features and risk-free interest rates within the total period to maturity.

 

Impairment of long-lived assets other than goodwill

 

The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. No impairment of long-lived assets other than goodwill was recognized for the periods presented.

 

Impairment of goodwill

 

The Company annually, or more frequently if the Company believes indicators of impairment exist, reviews the carrying value of goodwill to determine whether impairment may exist.

 

Specifically, goodwill impairment is determined using a two-step process. The first step compares the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of each reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill is not considered to be impaired and the second step will not be required. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step compares the implied fair value of the affected reporting unit's goodwill to the carrying value of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in a manner similar to accounting for a business combination with the allocation of the assessed fair value determined in the first step to the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. The excess of the fair value of the reporting unit over the amounts assigned to the assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. An impairment loss is recognized for any excess in the carrying value of goodwill over the implied fair value of goodwill. Estimating fair value is performed by utilizing various valuation techniques, with the primary technique being a discounted cash flow.

 

Goodwill arises from Company’s three reporting units: the green energy products and services, the Virtual Reality technologies products and services, and the money lending services. The Company performs its annual impairment tests on December 31 of each year.

 

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Accounts receivable and other receivables

 

Receivables include trade accounts due from customers and other receivables such as cash advances to employees, related parties and third parties and advances to suppliers. Management reviews the composition of accounts receivable and analyzes historical bad debts, customer concentration, customer credit worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment patterns to determine if the allowance for doubtful accounts is adequate. An estimate for doubtful accounts is made when collection of the full amount is no longer probable. Delinquent account balances are written-off after management has determined that the likelihood of collection is not probable and known bad debts are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when identified. As of December 31, 2017, and 2016, there was $196 and $196 allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable, respectively. Management believes that the remaining accounts receivable are collectible.

 

Loans receivables, net

 

Loans receivable primarily represent loan amounts due from customers. Loans receivable are recorded at unpaid principal balances net of provision that reflects the Company’s best estimate of the amounts that will not be collected. The loans receivable portfolio consists of personal loans.

 

Provision for loan losses  

 

The provision for loan losses is increased by charges to income and decreased by charge offs (net of recoveries). Recoveries represent subsequent collection of amounts previously charged-off. The increase in provision for loan losses is the netting effect of “reversal” and “provision” for both business and personal loans. If the ending balance of the provision for loan losses after any charge offs (net of recoveries) is less than the beginning balance, it will be recorded as a “reversal”; if it is larger, it will be recorded as a “provision” in the provision for loan loss. The netting amount of the “reversal” and the “provision” is presented in the statements of income and comprehensive income.

 

The provision consists of specific and general components. The specific component consists of the amount of impairment related to loans that have been evaluated on an individual basis, and the general component consists of the amount of impairment related to loans that have been evaluated on a collective basis. Loans are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Loans for which the terms have been modified resulting in a concession, and for which the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties, are considered troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”).

 

The Company recognizes a charge-off when management determines that full repayment of a loan is not probable. The primary factor in making that determination is the potential outcome of a lawsuit against the delinquent debtor. The Company will recognize a charge-off when the Company loses contact with the delinquent borrower for more than one year or when the court rules against the Company to seize the collateral asset of the delinquent debt from either the guarantor or borrower. In addition, when the recoverability of the delinquent debt is highly unlikely, the senior management team will go through a stringent procedure to approve a charge-off. Management estimates the provision balance required using past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions, and other factors. Allocations of the provision may be made for specific loans, but the entire provision is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged-off.

 

The provision for loan losses is maintained at a level believed to be reasonable by management to absorb probable losses inherent in the portfolio as of each balance sheet date. The provision is based on factors such as the size and current risk characteristics of the portfolio, an assessment of individual loans and actual loss, delinquency, and/or risk rating record within the portfolio. The Company evaluates its provision for loan losses on a quarterly basis or more often as necessary.

 

Interest receivable

 

Interest and fee receivable are accrued and credited to income as earned but not received. The Company determines a loan past due status by the number of days that have elapsed since a borrower has failed to make a contractual interest or principal payment. Accrual of interest is generally discontinued when either (i) reasonable doubt exists as to the full, timely collection of interest or principal or (ii) when a loan interest or principal becomes past due by more than 90 days. Additionally, any previously accrued but uncollected interest is reversed. Subsequent recognition of income occurs only to the extent payment is received, subject to management’s assessment of the collectability of the remaining interest and principal. Loans are generally restored to an accrual status when it is no longer delinquent and collectability of interest and principal is no longer in doubt and past due interest is recognized at that time.

 

Fair value of financial instruments

 

The Company’s financial instruments primarily consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, other receivables, other payables and accrued liabilities, advances to suppliers, short-term loans, customer deposits and convertible notes.

 

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As of the balance sheet dates, the estimated fair value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, other receivables, other payables and accrued liabilities, advances to suppliers, short-term loans and customer deposits were not materially different from their carrying values as presented due to the short maturities of these instruments and that the interest rates on the borrowings approximate those that would have been available for loans for similar remaining maturity and risk profile at the respective reporting periods.

 

The fair value measurement accounting standard defines fair value, establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosures of fair value measurement and enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measures. The three levels are defined as follows:

 

Level 1 inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
Level 2 inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the assets or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instruments.
Level 3 inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value.

 

The following table sets forth by level within the fair value hierarchy our financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis:

 

   Carrying Value at
December 31, 2017
   Fair Value Measurement at
December 31, 2017
 
       Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Warrant derivative liability  $680   $-   $-   $680 

 

A summary of changes in financial liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was as follows:

 

Balance at January 1, 2016  $2,169 
Interest expenses on convertible notes   5 
Conversion of convertible notes   (3,674)
Change in fair value of convertible notes   1,500 
Balance at December 31, 2016   - 
Issuance of warrants on April 5, 2017   530 
Change in fair value of warrant derivative liability   150 
Balance at December 31, 2017   680 

 

The fair value of the outstanding warrants was calculated using the Monte-Carlo simulation Model with the following assumptions at inception and on subsequent valuation date:

 

Warrants  December 31, 2017   April 5, 2017 
Market price per share (USD/share)  $1.06   $2.75 
Exercise price (USD/share)   1.00    2.75 
Risk free rate   2.00%   1.83%
Dividend yield   -%   -%
Expected term/Contractual life (years)   3.26    4.00 
Expected volatility   110.46%   106.46%

 

Comprehensive income

 

U.S. GAAP generally requires that recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be included in net income or loss. Although certain changes in assets and liabilities are reported as separate components of the equity section of the consolidated balance sheet, such items, along with net income, are components of comprehensive income or loss. The components of other comprehensive income or loss consist of foreign currency translation adjustments net of realization of foreign currency translation gain relating to disposal of subsidiaries.

 

Revenue recognition

 

The Company’s revenue recognition policies are consistent with the accounting standards. Sales revenue is recognized at the date of shipment to customers. The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of products and services when all the following criteria ae met: persuasive evidence for an arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable, the delivery is completed or services have been provided, no other significant obligations of the Company exist and collectability is reasonably assured. For products that are required to be examined by customers, sales revenue is recognized after the customer examination is completed. Payments received before all of the relevant criteria for revenue recognition are met are recorded as customer deposits. Generally, our outsourced manufacturers are obligated to provide at least one-year repair or replacement obligation. Management did not estimate future warranty liabilities as historical warranty expenses were minimal.

 

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Sales revenue is recognized net of value-added taxes, sales discounts and returns. There was nil, nil and $27 sales returns during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

Loan Interest

 

Interest on loans is comprised of interest on personal loans and is recognized based on the amount of loans outstanding and their contractual interest rate. Interest on loan receivables is accrued monthly in accordance with their contractual terms and recorded in accrued interest receivable, which is included in other assets, in the consolidated statements of financial condition.

 

Interest income from loans individually evaluated for impairment, including loans accounted for as troubled debt restructurings, is accounted for in the same manner as other accruing loans.

 

Income taxes

 

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with the accounting standard issued by the Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) for income taxes. Under the asset and liability method as required by this accounting standard, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences of temporary differences by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities. The charge for taxation is based on the results for the reporting period as adjusted for items which are non-assessable or disallowed. It is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. The effect on deferred income taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recognized if it is more likely than not that some portion, or all of, a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

 

Under the accounting standard regarding accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, a tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded. Penalties and interest incurred related to underpayment of income tax are classified as income tax expense in the year incurred. During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company has not incurred any interest related to income taxes. U.S. GAAP also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosures and transition.

 

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.

 

According to the Circular on the State Administration of Taxation on Strengthening the Management of EIT Collection of Proceeds from Equity Transfers by Non-Resident Enterprises (Guoshuihan [2009] No. 698) (“Circular 698”) and the State Administration of Taxation Notice [2015] No. 7, a non-PRC Tax Resident Enterprise is subject to the PRC EIT on the taxable gain arising from a sale of transfer of any intermediate offshore company which directly or indirectly holds an interest, including any assets, subsidiaries, or other forms of business operations, in the PRC, or otherwise stipulated in an applicable tax treaty or arrangement. Circular 698 applies to all transactions conducted on or after January 1, 2008.

 

Share-based compensation

 

The Company accounts for equity instruments issued in exchange for the receipt of goods or services from consultants in accordance with the accounting standards regarding accounting for stock-based compensation and accounting for equity instruments that are issued to other than employees for acquiring or in conjunction with selling goods or services. Costs are measured at the estimated fair market value of the consideration received or the estimated fair value of the equity instruments issued, whichever is more reliably determinable. The value of equity instruments issued for consideration other than employee services is determined on the earlier of a performance commitment or completion of performance by the provider of goods or services as defined by these accounting standards. In the case of equity instruments issued to consultants, the fair value of the equity instrument is recognized over the term of the consulting agreement if there is a term.

 

The Company accounts for equity instruments issued in exchange for the receipt of services from employees in the financial statements based on their fair values at the date of grant. The fair value of awards is amortized over the requisite service period.

 

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Foreign currency translation

 

The reporting currency of the Company is the U.S. Dollar. The functional currency of the Company and its PRC subsidiaries is the RMB. The functional currencies of its Hong Kong subsidiaries SGOCO International and CSL are the U.S. Dollar, Boca and GCL are the Hong Kong Dollar. Results of operations and cash flow are translated at average exchange rates during the period, and assets and liabilities are translated at the unified exchange rate as quoted by the People’s Bank of China at the end of the period. Capital accounts are translated at their historical exchange rates when the capital transaction occurred. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are included in accumulated other comprehensive income. Transaction gains and losses that arise from exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are included in the results of operations as incurred.

 

The balance sheet amounts with the exception of equity were translated using RMB6.53 and RMB6.94 to $1.00 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The equity accounts were stated at their historical exchange rates. The average translation rates applied to the income and cash flow statement amounts for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were RMB6.76, RMB6.64, and RMB6.23 to $1.00, respectively.

 

Recent accounting pronouncements

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification 605 - Revenue Recognition and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Codification. The standard requires that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In August 2015, the FASB approved a one-year deferral of the effective date of the new revenue recognition standard. Public business entities, certain not-for-profit entities, and certain employee benefit plans should apply the guidance in ASU 2014-09 to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. Earlier application is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 31, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue versus Net). In May 1416, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-11, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) - Rescission of SEC Guidance Because of ASU 2014-09 and 2014-16, and ASU 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) - Narrow Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients. These ASUs clarify the implementation guidance on a few narrow areas and adds some practical expedients to the guidance Topic 606. In the fourth quarter of 2017, we completed the evaluation of our adoption of ASU 2014-09 (including those subsequently issued updates that clarify ASU 2014-09’s provisions) and finalized our determination of the impact of the guidance on revenue recognition. We do not expect the new revenue standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The new standard establishes a right-of-use (“ROU”) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. We are in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of this ASU on the consolidated financial statements.

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326), which requires entities to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This replaces the existing incurred loss model and is applicable to the measurement of credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early application will be permitted for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. ASU 2016-15 clarifies the presentation and classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows. This ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017, on a retrospective transition method to each period presented. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted this guidance for the reporting period beginning January 1, 2018, which did not have a material impact on its financial statements or disclosures.

 

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory. This ASU improves the accounting for the income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. For public business entities, the amendments in this update are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted this guidance for the reporting period beginning January 1, 2018, which did not have a material impact on its financial statements or disclosures.

  

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In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows: Restricted Cash. This ASU provides guidance on the classification of restricted cash in the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this ASU are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments in the ASU should be adopted on a retrospective basis. The Company adopted this guidance for the reporting period beginning January 1, 2018, which did not have a material impact on its financial statements or disclosures.

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business, which clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions or disposals of assets or businesses. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The standard should be applied prospectively on or after the effective date. The Company adopted this guidance for the reporting period beginning January 1, 2018, which did not have a material impact on its financial statements or disclosures.

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The guidance removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. The guidance should be adopted on a prospective basis for the annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company currently intends to adopt this guidance for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2020, and does not anticipate that the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on its financial statements or disclosures because the Company does not currently have any recorded goodwill.

 

 In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-05, Other Income – Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets. The amendments clarify that a financial asset is within the scope of Subtopic 610-20 if it meets the definition of an in substance nonfinancial asset. The amendments also define the term in substance nonfinancial asset. The amendments in this update are effective at the same time as the amendments in ASU 2014-09. The Company does not expect the new revenue standard to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

 

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, “Compensation — Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting,” which provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in ASC 718. Under the new guidance, modification accounting is required only if the fair value, the vesting conditions, or the classification of the award (as equity or liability) changes as a result of the change in terms or conditions. For all entities, the ASU is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those annual reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period. The Company adopted this guidance for the reporting period beginning January 1, 2018, which did not have a material impact on its financial statements or disclosures.

 

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.

 

Note 3 – Pledged bank deposits

 

These are bank deposits placed at a specified bank account to secure the Company’s letters of credit and will be released upon maturity of the relevant letters of credit.

 

Note 4 – Accounts receivable, trade

 

Accounts receivable as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 consisted of the following:

 

   December 31, 
   2017   2016 
         
Accounts receivable  $196   $315 
Allowance for doubtful accounts   (196)   (196)
   $-   $119 

 

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The movements in allowance for doubtful accounts are as follows:

 

   2017   2016 
         
Balance at the beginning of the period  $196   $1 
Addition   -    195 
Balance at the end of the period  $196   $196 

 

All of the Company’s customers are located in the PRC and Hong Kong. The Company provides credit in the normal course of business. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and maintains allowances for doubtful accounts based on factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends, and other information.

 

Note 5- Loans receivable, net

 

The interest rates on loans issued ranged between 12% and 16% for the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

Loans receivable consisted of the following:

 

   December 31, 
   2017   2016 
         
Personal loans  $670   $- 
Provision for loan losses   -    - 
Loans receivable, net  $670   $- 

 

The Company originates loans to customers located primarily in Hong Kong.

 

As of December 31, 2017, the Company had 3 personal loan customers. All loans are secured by collateral. Provision for loan losses is estimated on a quarterly basis based on an assessment of specific evidence indicating doubtful collection, historical experience, loan balance aging and prevailing economic conditions.

 

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan by loan basis for corporate and personal loans by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2017, no provision was charged to the statement of income, and no write-off against provisions was made.

 

The following table represents the aging of loans receivable as of December 31, 2017:

 

   December 31, 2017 
1-89 days past due  $2 
90-179 days past due   - 
180-365 days past due   96 
Over 1 year past due   - 
Total past due  $98 
Current   572 
Total loans  $670 

 

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Note 6- Provision for loan losses

 

The provision for loan losses is maintained at a level considered adequate to provide for losses that can be reasonably anticipated. Management performs a quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of the provision. The provision is based on the Company’s past loan loss history, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions and other relevant factors. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

 

The provision is calculated at portfolio-level since the loans portfolio is generally comprised of smaller balance homogenous loans and is collectively evaluated for impairment.

 

In estimating the probable loss of the loan portfolio, the Company also considers qualitative factors such as current economic conditions and/or events in specific industries and geographical areas, including unemployment levels, trends in real estate values, peer comparisons, and other pertinent factors such as regulatory guidance. Finally, as appropriate, the Company also considers individual borrower circumstances and the condition and fair value of the loan collateral, if any.

 

Generally, the primary factors for the evaluation of provision for loan losses consist of business performance, financial position, cash flow and other operational performance of the debtors. Among these, cash flow of the debtors is the primary funding source for repayment for determining the provision for loan losses and any collateral, pledged asset or guarantee is considered as a secondary funding source for repayment.

 

The Company uses the best information available to make loan loss provision evaluations, adjustments to the provision may be necessary based on changes in economic and other conditions or changes in accounting guidance. No impairment for loan losses was recognized for the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

Note 7- Other receivables and prepayments

 

Other receivables and prepayments as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 consisted of the following:

 

   December 31, 
   2017   2016 
         
Advance to an unrelated third party  $-   $6,457 
Other receivables   26    - 
Other prepayments   2    2 
Other receivables and prepayments  $28   $6,459 

 

Advance to an unrelated third party was interest bearing at 6% per annum and unsecured. The amount was fully settled in May 2017.

 

Note 8 - Advances to suppliers

 

Advances to suppliers as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 consisted of the following:

 

   December 31, 
   2017   2016 
         
Advances to suppliers  $226   $- 
   $226   $- 

 

Note 9 - Acquisition of subsidiary and deposits paid for acquisition of subsidiaries

 

  (a) Acquisition of Boca

 

On December 28, 2015, SGOCO International entered into a Share Sale and Purchase Agreement (the "SPA") with Richly Conqueror Limited (the "Vendor") pursuant to which SGOCO International will acquire all of the issued share capital of Boca International Limited, a company incorporated in Hong Kong (“Boca”). Total consideration of the Sale Shares includes $52 million in cash, plus up to 19.9% new shares in SGOCO (as enlarged by the issuance). In December 2015, the Company paid a $52 million refundable deposit to the Vendor.

 

Boca is principally engaged in environmental protection, energy saving technologies, equipment development and applications. Its business involves production and sales of phase change thermal energy storage materials as well as central air conditioning cooling and heating system application engineering.

 

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The Company and Richly Conqueror Limited entered into a supplemental agreement on February 29, 2016, pursuant to which SGOCO International agreed to issue 1,162,305 ordinary shares of the Company to the Vendor on or before March 15, 2016 and both parties confirmed the closing date of the transaction shall be March 31, 2016. The shares were issued on March 7, 2016, and the fair value of the shares was $3.51 per share on the closing date, March 31, 2016.

  

After the completion of the acquisition, Boca became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

 

The Company completed the valuations necessary to assess the fair values of the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, resulting from which the amount of goodwill was determined and recognized as of the respective acquisition date. The following table summarizes the estimated aggregate fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the closing date, March 31, 2016.

 

Net liabilities acquired (including cash of $1 and other loan of $332 (Note 16))  $(337)
Amortizable intangible assets (i)     
Backlog contract (Note 11)   372 
Proprietary technology (Note 11)   26,179 
Goodwill   36,504 
Deferred tax liabilities   (6,638)
Total  $56,080 
      
Total purchase price comprised of:     
–    cash consideration (paid in fiscal 2015 in the form of refundable deposit)  $52,000 
–    share-based consideration   4,080 
Total  $56,080 

 

  (i) Acquired amortizable intangible asset-backlog contract and proprietary technology have estimated amortization periods of one year and twenty years, respectively.

 

The transaction resulted in a purchase price allocation of $36,504 to goodwill, representing the financial, strategic and operational value of the transaction to the Company. Goodwill is attributed to the premium that the Company paid to obtain the value of the business of Boca and the synergies expected from the combined operations of Boca and the Company, the assembled workforce and their knowledge and experience in provision of products and projects utilizing “green” energy technologies. The total amount of the goodwill acquired is not deductible for tax purposes.

 

BOCA has not generated any material revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017 as the Company is still negotiating with its customers about the project execution plan and timetable. The Company is expecting BOCA to generate more revenues when it starts to execute its performance obligations under the contracts with its customers in the second or third quarter of 2018.

 

  (b) Potential Acquisition of Sola Green

 

On December 22, 2015, the Company signed a memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) to acquire all of the issued share capital of Sola Green Technologies Limited, a company incorporated in Hong Kong (“Sola Green”), for a purchase price of $40 million in form of cash or new shares in SGOCO, subject to satisfactory due diligence and customary purchase price adjustments. In December 2015, a refundable deposit of $34 million was paid to the shareholders of Sola Green. On March 1, 2016, an extension of the MOU was signed pursuant to which both parties originally expected that the definitive agreements would be executed and the transaction would be closed by June 30, 2016.  The completion of the transaction is dependent on the completion of due diligence. Both parties had spent significant amount of time and efforts in the due diligence in 2016 but were unable to complete the process with satisfaction to both parties.

 

On November 20, 2016, the Company sent an official notice to the Seller to terminate the due diligence process and requested full refund of the deposit paid to the Seller. On November 30, 2016, the Company received full deposit back from the Seller.

 

Sola Green invests and develops energy-saving glass coating.

 

  (c) Acquisition of Century Skyway

 

On December 27, 2016, the Company signed a memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) to acquire all of the issued share capital of Century Skyway Limited (“CSL”), a company incorporated in Hong Kong, for a purchase price of $35 million in form of cash or new shares in SGOCO, subject to satisfactory due diligence and customary purchase price adjustments. In December 2016, a refundable deposit of $32 million was paid to the owner of CSL.

 

CSL is principally engaged in Virtual Reality (“VR’) device and technologies research and development. Its development center and main researchers are in Shenzhen China. CSL’s R&D team has extensive experience and expertise in the VR industry. The R&D team cooperated with Razer to develop Open-Source Virtual Reality ("OSVR") product aimed on VR-Gaming. The OSVR product attended the 2017 US CES exhibition in Las Vegas in January, 2017.

 

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CSL develops VR technology and applies them on VR device. CSL’s VR technology applies on VR Head-mounted display ("HMD") which can reduce the number of cables needed for a VR signal/data link between HMD and the source unit. It also uses ultrasound to calibrate VR devices’ attitude without user’s intervention.

 

The Company and Full Linkage Limited entered into a Share Sale and Purchase Agreement on April 28, 2017, pursuant to which SGOCO International agreed to pay $32.6 million and issue 1.5 million newly issued ordinary shares of the Company to the Vendor on or before May 15, 2017. The shares were issued on May 4, 2017, and the fair value of the shares was $1.55 per share on the closing date, May 10, 2017.

 

After the completion of the acquisition, CSL became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

 

The Company completed the valuations necessary to assess the fair values of the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, resulting from which the amount of goodwill was determined and recognized as of the respective acquisition date. The following table summarizes the estimated aggregate fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the closing date, May 10, 2017.

 

Net liabilities acquired (including cash of $1 and accrued liabilities of $68 (Note 16))  $(67)
Amortizable intangible assets     
Technologies (Note 11)   19,682 
Goodwill   20,230 
Deferred tax liabilities   (4,920)
Total  $34,925 
      
Total purchase price comprised of:     
–    cash consideration (paid in fiscal 2016 in the form of refundable deposit)  $32,600 
–    share-based consideration   2,325 
Total  $34,925 

  

The transaction resulted in a purchase price allocation of $20,230 to goodwill, representing the financial, strategic and operational value of the transaction to the Company. Goodwill is attributed to the premium that the Company paid to obtain the value of the business of CSL and the synergies expected from the combined operations of CSL and the Company, the assembled workforce and their knowledge and experience in provision of products and projects utilizing VR technologies. The total amount of the goodwill acquired is not deductible for tax purposes.

  

On June 5, 2017, CSL incorporated a wholly foreign owned subsidiary, Shen Zhen Provizon Technology Co., Limited, for the development of VR technology and application of these technologies on VR device in China.  CSL and Shen Zhen Provizon Technology Co., Limited have not generated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Company took more time to commercialize the VR products than expected. The Company is expecting CSL and Shen Zhen Provizon Technology Co., Limited to generate revenues when it launches its VR products in the second or third quarter of 2018.

 

  (d) Acquisition of Giant Connection Limited

 

On December 22, 2017, Giant Connection Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SGOCO, completed the acquisition of Giant Credit Limited (“GCL”) contemplated by the Share Exchange Agreement entered into by Kimmy Lai Ching Luk (as vendor) and the Company in consideration for HK$19.6 million ($2.4 million), which was satisfied by the allotment and issuance of 2,220,283 ordinary shares of the Company. The principal activity of GCL is money lending and in Hong Kong. The fair value of the shares was $1.06 per share on December 26, 2017.

 

GCL is a Hong Kong incorporated company which has a Money Lenders License for carrying on money lending business in Hong Kong.  It has been providing mortgage loans to its customers since 2016.

 

After the completion of the acquisition, GCL became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

 

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The Company completed the valuations necessary to assess the fair values of the tangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, resulting from which the amount of goodwill was determined and recognized as of the respective acquisition date. The following table summarizes the estimated aggregate fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the closing date, December 22, 2017.

 

Net assets acquired (including cash of $943, loan receivables of $670 (Note 5) interest receivables of $6, property, plant and equipment of $508 (Note 10) and income tax payable of $14(Note 19))  $2,113 
Goodwill   248 
Deferred tax liabilities   (7)
Total  $2,354 
      
Total purchase price comprised of:     
–    share-based consideration  $2,354 
Total  $2,354 

 

The transaction resulted in a purchase price allocation of $248 to goodwill, representing the financial, strategic and operational value of the transaction to the Company. Goodwill is attributed to the premium that the Company paid to obtain the value of the business of GCL and the synergies expected from the combined operations of GCL and the Company, the assembled workforce and their knowledge and experience in provision of money lending service. The total amount of the goodwill acquired is not deductible for tax purposes.

 

Note 10 –Plant and equipment, net

 

Plant and equipment consisted of the following as of December 31, 2017 and 2016:

 

   December 31, 
   2017   2016 
         
Leasehold land and buildings (Note 9)  $499   $ 
Machinery and equipment   2    1 
Vehicles and office equipment   23    15 
Total   524    16 
Less: accumulated depreciation   (13)   (11)
Plant and equipment, net  $511   $5 

 

The Company’s leasehold land and buildings are held in Hong Kong under a long lease, and are pledged against the banking facilities of a company whereby Kimmy Lai Ching Luk is a majority shareholder and a director of the company. Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 amounted to $2, $3 and $3, respectively.

 

Note 11 – Intangible assets, net

 

Intangible assets, net, as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 consisted of the following:

 

   December 31, 
   2017   2016 
         
Backlog contract (Note 9)  $372   $372 
Proprietary technology (Note 9)   26,179    26,179 
Virtual reality technologies (Note 9)   19,682    - 
Accumulated amortization   (3,975)   (1,261)
Intangible assets, net  $42,258   $25,290 

  

Amortization expenses of intangible assets were $2,714, $1,261 and nil for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

 

During the course of the Company’s strategic review of its operations, the Company assessed the recoverability of the carrying value of the Company’s intangible assets. The impairment charge, if any, represented the excess of carrying amounts of the Company’s intangible assets over their fair value, using the expected future discounted cash flows. The Company believes that there was no impairment of its intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

 

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As of December 31, 2017, amortization expenses related to intangible assets for future periods are estimated to be as follows:

   

   For the years ending December 31, 
                       2023 and 
   2018   2019   2020   2021   2022   thereafter 
   $   $   $   $   $   $ 
Amortization expenses   3,277    3,277    3,277    3,277    3,277    25,872 

 

Note 12 - Goodwill

 

The movement of the goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 is as follows:

 

Balance as of January 1, 2016   $ -  
Acquisition of Boca     36,504  
Balance as of December 31, 2016   $ 36,504  
Acquisition of CSL     20,230