EX-99.1 2 d260576dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

LOGO

China Metro-Rural Holdings Limited

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CNR Announces its Results for

the Six Months ended September 30, 2011

NEW YORK, (MARKETWIRE) – November 28, 2011 – China Metro-Rural Holdings Limited (the “Company”) is pleased to announce its unaudited consolidated financial results of the Company and its subsidiaries (collectively the “Group”) for the six months ended September 30, 2011.

Major Events:

 

   

The Company signed a framework agreement with the Municipal Government of Qiqihar City, Heilongjiang, the PRC

The Company, through its subsidiary, signed a framework agreement with the Municipal Government of Qiqihar City, Heilongjiang, the PRC, to develop a designated area in Qiqihar City into its future Central Business district, or CBD (“Qiqihar Project”). As of September 30, 2011, the Group paid an aggregate of RMB132,000,000 (approximately HK$160,682,000) to the Land Bureau of the Municipal Government of Qiqihar City as deposit for the purchase of land use rights for this project.

Qiqihar Project is expected to comprise of total site area of at least 5 million square meters which can be potentially developed into a maximum gross floor area (“GFA”) of approximately 10 million square meters, comprised of both commercial and residential properties.

As part of the Group’s new rural-urban migration and city re-development business, the Group intends to retain a portion of the Qiqihar Project to develop on its own as well as selling the development rights to third parties to develop part of Qiqihar Project for a fee income. As of the date of this press release, the Group has already successfully concluded the sale of the development rights on two parcels of land for Qiqihar Project to two groups of independent third parties, with total value of over RMB150 million (HK$183 million), which the Group will be able to recognize as revenue within the next one to three years upon performance of certain conditions.

 

1


   

Commencement of constructions for logistics platform in Dezhou City, Shandong, the PRC

Construction of the Company’s logistics platform in Dezhou (“Dezhou Project”) has commenced its first phase which comprises trade centers of over 230,000 square meters and other supporting facilities. The pre-sale of this first phase of Dezhou Project is expected to commence in late December 2011 and it is expected to be completed by March 2012. The Company is expected to commence the second phase constructions of Dezhou Project in February 2012 with total gross floor area of approximately 400,000 square meters.

 

   

Placements of units and ordinary shares during the six months ended September 30, 2011

 

  1. Units Placement

On May 11, 2011 (the “May Closing”), the Company completed an underwritten public offering of 1,517,978 units at a price of US$2.88 per unit (the “May Offering”). The May Offering yielded gross proceeds (before underwriting discount and commissions and offering expenses) of approximately US$4,372,000 (approximately HK$34,100,000). Each unit consists of one of the Company’s ordinary share and a warrant to purchase 0.65 of one of the Company’s ordinary share. The exercise price of the warrants is US$3.456 per ordinary share, subject to certain adjustments and with a term of three years. The Company has also issued warrants to the underwriter, to purchase in aggregate 200,373 ordinary shares of the Company at an exercise price of US$3.456 and with a term of three years. As at the May Closing, the fair values of these warrants approximated to HK$6,988,000 (approximately US$896,000). As a result of the May Offering, an amount of approximately HK$6,988,000 was recorded as “Derivative financial liabilities” at the time these warrants were issued, and an amount of approximately HK$27,112,000, being the difference between the gross proceeds and the fair value of these warrants, was recorded in the equity, before underwriting discount and commissions and offering expenses.

During the six months ended September 30, 2011, a gain on changes in the fair value of these warrants of HK$3,424,000 was recognized in the condensed consolidated income statement.

 

  2. Shares Private Placement

On August 4, 2011 (the “First August Closing”), the Company completed a private placement of 2,000,000 ordinary shares at a price of US$2.50 per ordinary share (the “August Shares Placement”) to two investors outside of the United States in reliance on Rule 902(2) of Regulation S. The August Shares Placement yielded gross proceeds (before placement expenses) of approximately US$5,000,000.

 

  3. Units Private Placement

On August 16, 2011 (the “Second August Closing”), the Company completed a private placement of 5,900,000 units at a price of US$2.50 per unit (the “August Units Placement”) to Zhong Ying Limited in reliance on Rule 902(2) of Regulation S. The August Units Placement yielded gross proceeds (before placement expenses) of approximately US$14,750,000. Each unit consists of one of the Company’s ordinary share and a warrant to purchase one of the Company’s ordinary shares at an exercise price of US$2.875 per ordinary share. The entire amount of the August Units Placement was recorded as equity.

 

2


Financial Highlights:

Continuing operations

Continuing operations represent the Group’s agricultural logistics business which is comprised of (1) development of integrated agricultural logistics and trade centers and supporting commercial and residential properties; (2) property investment which invests in integrated agricultural logistics and trade centers and supporting facilities; and (3) property management of developed properties within the logistics platform. Starting in September 2011, the Group began to be involved in rural-urban migration and city re-development businesses which are comprised of (1) development of commercial and residential properties; and (2) sale of development rights. Insignificant costs were incurred with respect to this new rural-urban migration and city re-development businesses which primarily related to start-up and administrative expenses.

Agricultural Logistics business

 

   

Net revenue generated by the Group decreased from HK$359,421,000 for the six months ended September 30, 2010 to HK$109,756,000 for the six months ended September 30, 2011, representing a year-over-year decrease of 69.5%.

 

   

Sales of gross floor area decreased from 106,571 square meters for the six months ended September 30, 2010 to 27,289 square meters for the six months ended September 30, 2011, representing a year-over-year decrease of 74.4%. Gross floor area sold during the period consisted of trade centers of 18,687 square meters (2010: 53,558 square meters) and residential properties of 8,602 square meters (2010: 26,057 square meters). Sales for the six months ended September 30, 2010 also included a hotel of 26,956 square meters with a consideration of RMB98,000,000 (approximately HK$113,408,000).

 

   

Gross profit percentage increased from 39.9% for the six months ended September 30, 2010 to 45.9% for the six months ended September 30, 2011.

 

   

Other income and gains, net, decreased from HK$30,201,000 for the six months ended September 30, 2010 to HK$23,779,000 for the six months ended September 30, 2011, representing a year-over-year decrease of 21.3%. Included in other income and gains, net, was a government subsidy of HK$23,541,000 (2010: HK$16,480,000) for the six months ended September 30, 2011, representing a year-over-year increase of 42.8%. Other income and gains, net, for the six months ended September 30, 2010 also included net income recognized for a construction contract of HK$10,857,000.

 

   

Selling expenses decreased from HK$11,495,000 for the six months ended September 30, 2010 to HK$5,598,000 for the six months ended September 30, 2011, representing a year-over-year decrease of 51.3%.

 

   

Administrative expenses increased from HK$29,058,000 for the six months ended September 30, 2010 to HK$40,093,000 for the six months ended September 30, 2011, representing a year-over-year increase of 38.0%.

 

   

Net profit attributable to the equity holders of the Company decreased from HK$76,187,000 for the six months ended September 30, 2010 to HK$11,310,000 for the six months ended September 30, 2011, representing a year-over-year decrease of 85.2%.

Rural-Urban Migration Re-Development Business

 

   

Administrative expenses for the six months ended September 30, 2011 was HK$2,512,000 (2010: Nil).

 

   

Net loss attributable to the equity holders of the Company for the six months ended September 30, 2011 was HK$1,842,000 (2010: Nil).

 

3


Discontinued operations

Discontinued operations represented the Group’s jewelry and real estate business, which is comprised of (1) purchasing, processing, assembling, merchandising and wholesale distribution of pearls and jewelry products; and (2) real estate development and investment businesses in the PRC and Hong Kong, which were carried out primarily through Man Sang International Limited, a then subsidiary of the Company which was disposed of by way of distribution in specie on July 28, 2010 (the “Distribution”). As a result of the Distribution, the discontinued operations ceased to operate during the six months ended September 30, 2010, thus no results were generated in the six months ended September 30, 2011.

ABOUT CHINA METRO-RURAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

China Metro-Rural Holdings Limited is a leading agricultural logistics platform development and rural-urban migration redevelopment company in China.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are, by their nature, subject to risks and uncertainties. This Act provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements to encourage companies to provide prospective information about themselves so long as they identify these statements as forward-looking and provide meaningful cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ from the projected results. All statements, including statements regarding industry prospects and future results of operations or financial position, made in this press release are forward looking.

Words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “plan”, “predict”, “project”, “will”, “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements relating to: the Company’s future performance, the Company’s expansion efforts, the state of economic conditions, the Company’s market and the governmental policy. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors the Company believes to be appropriate in particular circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will meet the Company’s expectations and predictions depends on a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, any or all of which could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the Company’s expectations, whether expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

CONTACT:

China Metro-Rural Holdings Limited—Investor Relations Department   
Phone: (852) 2111 3815                         E-mail: ir@chinametrorural.com   

www.chinametrorural.com

www.nlc88.com

 

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CHINA METRO-RURAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30

 

     2011
US$’000
(Unaudited)
   

2011

HK$’000
(Unaudited)

   

2010

HK$’000
(Unaudited)

 
     (Note 2)              

Continuing operations

      

Revenue

     14,071        109,756        359,421   

Cost of sales

     (7,614     (59,389     (215,884
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     6,457        50,367        143,537   

Other income, net

     3,049        23,779        27,707   

Other gains, net

     —          —          2,494   

Selling expenses

     (718     (5,598     (11,495

Administrative expenses

     (5,462     (42,605     (29,058

Decrease in fair value of derivative financial liabilities

     439        3,424        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit

     3,765        29,367        133,185   

Finance income

     50        387        652   

Finance costs

     (16     (122     (179
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Finance income –net

     34        265        473   

Share of losses of an associate

     (284     (2,215     (419
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit before income tax

     3,515        27,417        133,239   

Income tax expenses

     (2,379     (18,553     (57,065
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit for the period from continuing operations

     1,136        8,864        76,174   

Discontinued operations

      

Profit for the period from discontinued operations, net of tax

     —          —          29,878   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit for the period

     1,136        8,864        106,052   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Attributable to:

      

Equity holders of the Company

     1,213        9,468        100,137   

Non-controlling interests

     (77     (604     5,915   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     1,136        8,864        106,052   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividend

     —          —          466,474   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share from continuing and discontinued operations attributable to equity holders of the Company during the period

      

Basic earnings per share

      

From continuing operations

   US$ 0.02      HK$ 0.14      HK$ 1.19   

From discontinuing operations

     —          —        HK$ 0.37   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   US$ 0.02      HK$ 0.14      HK$ 1.56   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

      

From continuing operations

   US$ 0.02      HK$ 0.14      HK$ 1.19   

From discontinuing operations

     —          —        HK$ 0.37   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   US$ 0.02      HK$ 0.14      HK$ 1.56   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this press release.

 

5


CHINA METRO-RURAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30

 

     2011
US$’000
(Unaudited)
    2011
HK$’000
(Unaudited)
   

2010

HK$’000

(Unaudited)

 
     (Note 2)              

Profit for the period

     1,136        8,864        106,052   

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:

      

Increase in fair value of leasehold land and buildings, net of deferred income tax

     —          —          4,636   

Exchange difference on translation of foreign operations

     2,999        23,387        24,588   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income for the period

     4,135        32,251        135,276   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income for the period attributable to:

      

Equity holders of the Company

     4,195        32,720        117,807   

Non-controlling interests

     (60     (469     17,469   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     4,135        32,251        135,276   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this press release.

 

6


CHINA METRO-RURAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

 

     September 30,      March 31,  
     2011
US$’000
(Unaudited)
     2011
HK$’000
(Unaudited)
     2011
HK$’000
(Unaudited)
 
     (Note 2)                

Non-current assets

        

Investment properties

     17,635         137,553         133,950   

Investment properties under construction

     50,832         396,490         346,728   

Property, plant and equipment

     13,524         105,492         92,178   

Land use rights

     9,605         74,922         76,233   

Deposit for investment properties

     1,861         14,517         14,136   

Deposit for acquisition of land use rights

     42,333         330,195         162,685   

Interest in an associate

     3,554         27,719         29,173   

Deferred income tax assets

     390         3,037         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     139,734         1,089,925         855,083   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current assets

        

Completed properties held for sale

     33,872         264,200         273,828   

Properties under development

     104,090         811,902         275,607   

Land use rights

     274         2,141         2,118   

Deposit for acquisition of land use rights

     35,465         276,629         —     

Trade and other receivables

     12,862         100,330         177,918   

Restricted and pledged bank deposits

     13,156         102,613         123,627   

Cash and cash equivalents

     14,592         113,814         156,928   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     214,311         1,671,629         1,010,026   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current liabilities

        

Trade payables, other payables and accruals

     75,277         587,160         235,859   

Receipt in advance

     928         7,240         21,271   

Current income tax liabilities

     19,907         155,278         146,588   

Bank and other borrowings

     82,713         645,161         260,787   

Derivative financial liabilities

     457         3,564         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     179,282         1,398,403         664,505   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net current assets

     35,029         273,226         345,521   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets less current liabilities

     174,763         1,363,151         1,200,604   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities

        

Deferred income tax liabilities

     10,212         79,653         77,566   

Bank and other borrowings

     26,420         206,074         273,371   

Loan from a non-controlling interest of a subsidiary

     4,538         35,400         12,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     41,170         321,127         362,937   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net assets

     133,593         1,042,024         837,667   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this press release.

 

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CHINA METRO-RURAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION – (Continued)

 

     September 30,     March 31,  
     2011
US$’000
(Unaudited)
    2011
HK$’000
(Unaudited)
    2011
HK$’000
(Unaudited)
 
     (Note 2)              

Equity

      

Equity attributable to equity holders of the Company

      

Share capital

     73        573        500   

Reserves

     133,669        1,042,614        837,861   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     133,742        1,043,187        838,361   

Non-controlling interests

     (149     (1,163     (694
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

     133,593        1,042,024        837,667   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this press release.

 

8


CHINA METRO-RURAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30

 

     2011
US$’000
(Unaudited)
    2011
HK$’000
(Unaudited)
    2010
HK$’000
(Unaudited)
 
     (Note 2)              

Net cash used in operating activities

     (68,421     (533,689     (69,171
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (4,793     (37,384     (678,243
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash generated from financing activities

     67,643        527,614        142,068   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (5,571     (43,459     (605,346

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

     20,119        156,928        746,669   

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes

     44        345        4,214   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

     14,592        113,814        145,537   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this press release.

 

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CHINA METRO-RURAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

1. BASIS OF PREPARATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial information presented herein have not been audited by an independent registered public accounting firm, but include all material adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of financial information. However, this information is not necessarily indicative of results of any other interim period or for the full fiscal year. The accounting policies and basis of preparation adopted in the preparation of the condensed consolidated income statement, condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income, condensed consolidated statement of financial positions and condensed consolidated statement of cash flows (collectively the “Condensed Statements”) are consistent with those used in the annual financial statements of the Group for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011.

 

2. US DOLLAR EQUIVALENTS

The US dollar equivalents of the figures shown in the Condensed Statements are supplementary information and have been translated at HK$7.8 to US$1.00. Such translation should not be construed as representations that the Hong Kong dollar amounts represent, or have been or could be converted into, US dollar at that or any other rate.

 

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