SHENZHEN, China, Jan. 23 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- China BAK Battery, Inc. (''China BAK'', or ''BAK'') (Nasdaq: CBAK), one of the largest lithium-ion battery cell manufacturers in the world, as measured by production output, today announced its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 (''FY09'').



    Recent Achievements and Highlights
    -- Net revenue remained strong in the midst of the global financial crisis
       and recession; gross margin remained at a similar level to our previous
       fiscal quarter;
    -- Cylindrical (notebook) cells revenue continued to be robust, accounting
       for 27% of total revenue; prismatic cells revenue continued to grow and
       reflect further penetration of the China OEM cellular phone market;
    -- A number of cost-cutting steps were taken and at least $1.5 million of
       operating expense reduction per quarter is expected for the coming
       quarters.

First Quarter FY09 Financial Results

Net revenues for the first quarter of FY09 were $68.1 million, down 6.4% from $72.7 million last quarter, and up 29.0% from $52.8 million in the same quarter of last year.

Revenues from cylindrical cells used in notebook computers were $18.4 million, down 6.5% from $19.7 million last quarter and up 615.7% from $2.6 million in the same quarter of last year. Market demand from notebook computer manufacturers weakened slightly due to the global financial crisis and recession.

Revenues from prismatic cells, including aluminum-case cells, steel-case cells and battery packs, were $45.8 million, up 1.7% from $45.0 million last quarter and up 2.1% from $44.8 million in the same quarter of last year. Revenues from aluminum-case cells were $37.3 million, up 3.6% from $36.0 million last quarter and up 24.0% from $30.1 million in the same quarter of last year. Revenues from battery packs were $5.4 million, up 0.2% from $5.4 million last quarter and up 8.1% from $5.0 million in the same quarter of last year. Revenues from steel-case cells were $3.1 million, down 15.1% from $3.6 million last quarter, and down 68.3% from $9.8 million in the same quarter of last year. We started to phase out the production of steel-case cells in the quarter, so revenue from steel-case cells is expected to be minimal in coming quarters.

Revenues from lithium polymer cells, used in personal electronic devices such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), MP3 players and Bluetooth devices, were $3.9 million in the first quarter of FY09, down 51.2% from $8.0 million last quarter, and down 27.4% from $5.4 million in the same quarter of last year. Market demand from our largely U.S.-based lithium polymer cell customers weakened due to the financial crisis and recession.

Gross profit for the first quarter of FY09 was $10.6 million, down 7.7% from $11.5 million last quarter and up 49.1% from $7.1 million in the same quarter of last year. Gross margin was 15.6%, compared to 15.8% last quarter and 13.5% in the same quarter of last year. The slight decrease in gross margin from the previous quarter was the result of lower average selling prices offset mostly by lower average costs. The increase in gross margin from the previous year's first fiscal quarter was attributable to improvements in our product mix and increased average selling prices, which outweighed the impact of average cost increases.

Operating expenses totaled $9.8 million or 14.4% of revenues in the first quarter of FY09, as compared to $8.4 million or 11.6% of revenues last quarter and $6.9 million or 13.1% of revenues in the same quarter of last year. Research and development expenses were $1.4 million or 2.1% of revenues, as compared to $1.7 million or 2.3% of revenues last quarter and $1.3 million or 2.5% of revenues in the same quarter of last year. Sales and marketing expenses were $1.6 million or 2.3% of revenues, as compared to $1.6 million, or 2.2% of revenues last quarter and $1.3 million or 2.6% of revenues in the same quarter of last year. General and administrative expenses were $6.8 million or 9.9% of revenues, as compared to $5.1 million or 7.1% of revenues last quarter and $4.2 million or 8.0% of revenues in the same quarter of last year. The $6.8 million number includes nearly $3 million of bad debt expense, most of which was related to delayed collection of accounts receivable relating to the timing of the Chinese New Year holiday.

Operating income for the first quarter of FY09 was $0.8 million, as compared to $3.0 million last quarter and $0.2 million in the same quarter of last year.

Net loss was $1.7 million in the first quarter of FY09, as compared to net income of $1.5 million last quarter and net loss of $0.9 million in the same quarter of last year. Diluted earnings per share were negative $0.03 compared with $0.03 per diluted share last quarter and negative $0.02 per diluted share in the same quarter of last year.

For the first quarter of FY09, Days Sales Outstanding (''DSO'') decreased to 103 as compared to 104 last quarter; and inventory turns increased to 3.64 from 3.6 last quarter.

Financial Condition

On December 31, 2008, China BAK had $37.2 million in cash and cash equivalents and negative $18.3 million in working capital, reflecting a current ratio of 0.92:1. Short-term bank loans and long-term bank loans totaled $172.2 million as compared to $170.1 million on September 30, 2008. Shareholders' equity totaled $166.3 million. China BAK had $24.1 million available for borrowing under its credit facilities.

Cost-Cutting Efforts

In Q1FY09, China BAK initiated a number of actions to cut down cost and expenses. These included reduction in total headcount, work hours for hourly workers, and compensation packages for salaried employees, including senior executives. Employees were also required to take unpaid leaves and will be required to take longer holiday leaves during the Chinese New Year holiday. In addition, we are suspending prismatic cell production for the month of January 2009 to reduce inventory and to lower energy costs. All these measures are expected to bring at least $1.5 million reduction in operating expenses per quarter for the rest of FY09.

Business Outlook

''We are pleased to see stable revenue and gross margin this quarter. Revenues from cylindrical cells remained strong, and revenues from prismatic cells continued to grow. This performance is remarkable in light of the difficult market situation. However, the crisis has affected many markets our customers serve. Looking at weakened demand from our customers, we feel it necessary to take a more cautious look at our revenue guidance for FY09. We now expect FY09 revenue to fall in the range of $270 million to $300 million, which, at the midpoint of the range, will represent a 16% growth from FY08 levels,'' commented Mr. Xiangqian Li, CEO of China BAK.

''In the face of such a challenging environment, we will continue to exercise prudent and disciplined management. With cost-cutting measures we initiated last quarter and more to be adopted in the coming months, we expect to achieve operating expense reductions totaling at least $1.5 million per quarter for the rest of FY09,'' commented Mr. Tony Shen, CFO of China BAK.

Conference Call

China BAK will host a conference call at 7:00 p.m. ET on Friday, January 23, 2009 to discuss results for the first quarter of FY09 ended December 31, 2008. Joining Xiangqian Li, China BAK's President and Chief Executive Officer on the call will be Tony Shen, Chief Financial Officer and Dr. Huanyu Mao, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer. To participate in the conference call, please dial the following number approximately fifteen minutes prior to the scheduled conference call time: +1-888-482-0024. International callers should dial +1-617-801-9702. The pass code for the call is 525 335 07. If you are unable to participate in the call at this time, a replay will be available from 9:00 p.m. ET on Friday, January 23, 2009 through 9:00 p.m. ET, Friday, February 6, 2009. To access the replay, please dial +1-888-286-8010. International callers should dial +1-617-801-6888. The pass code for the replay is 63 938 928. The conference call will be broadcast live over the Internet and can be accessed by all interested parties on the China BAK website at http://www.bak.com.cn/ . To listen to the live webcast, please go to the China BAK's website at least fifteen minutes prior to the start of the call to register, download and install any necessary audio software. For those unable to participate during the live broadcast, shortly after the call a replay will be made available on China BAK's website for 90 days.

About China BAK Battery Inc.

China BAK Battery Inc. is one of the largest manufacturers of lithium-based battery cells in the world, as measured by production output. It produces battery cells that are the principal component of rechargeable batteries commonly used in cellular phones, notebook computers and portable consumer electronics, such as digital media devices, portable media players, portable audio players, portable gaming devices, and PDAs. China BAK Battery, Inc.'s 3.0 million square foot facilities are located in Shenzhen and Tianjin, PRC, and have been recently expanded to produce new products.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are subject to change. The forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All ''forward-looking statements" relating to the business of China BAK Battery, Inc. and its subsidiary companies, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects" or similar expressions, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ. These factors include but are not limited to: risks related to China BAK's business and risks related to operating in China. Please refer to China BAK's Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008, for specific details on risk factors. Given these risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. China BAK's actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. China BAK undertakes no obligation to revise or update its forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.





                   China BAK Battery Inc. and Subsidiaries
        Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
       For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2007, September 30, 2008
                            and December 31, 2008
                (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

                                               Three Months Ended
                                    December 31,  September 30,  December 31,
                                        2007           2008          2008
                                    (Unaudited)    (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)

    Net Revenues                      $52,787        $72,738       $68,090
    Cost of revenues                  (45,681)       (61,257)      (57,497)
    Gross profit                        7,106         11,481        10,593
    Operating expenses:
      Research and development costs   (1,319)        (1,688)       (1,417)
      Sales and marketing expenses     (1,348)        (1,568)       (1,599)
      General and
       administrative expenses         (4,238)        (5,185)       (6,760)
        Total operating expenses       (6,905)        (8,441)       (9,776)
    Operating income                      201          3,040           817
    Finance costs, net                 (2,223)        (3,643)       (2,840)
    Government grant income               901            397           102
    Other income                           42            683             6
    Income / (loss) before
     income taxes                      (1,079)           477        (1,915)
    Income taxes benefit                  139            995           176
    Net income / (loss)                 $(940)        $1,472       $(1,739)
    Other comprehensive income
     - Foreign currency
     translation adjustment             3,770          1,241           160
    Comprehensive income               $2,830         $2,713       $(1,579)
    Net income / (loss) per share:
      Basic                            $(0.02)         $0.03        $(0.03)
      Diluted                          $(0.02)         $0.03        $(0.03)
    Weighted average shares
     outstanding:
      Basic                            51,425         54,511        56,958
      Diluted                          52,378         54,971        56,958



                   China BAK Battery Inc. and Subsidiaries
                         Consolidated Balance Sheets
                As of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2008
                            (Amounts in thousands)

                                                 December 31, September 30,
                                                    2008          2008
                                                 (Unaudited)
    Assets
    Current assets
    Cash and cash equivalents                      $37,209       $35,707
    Pledged deposits                                 6,114         4,449
    Trade accounts receivable, net                  81,292        82,740
    Inventories                                     66,812        67,583
    Prepayments and other receivables               12,328         4,463
    Deferred tax assets                              2,065         1,720
        Total current assets                       205,820       196,662

    Property, plant and equipment, net             208,494       195,435
    Lease prepayments, net                          32,062        31,782
    Intangible assets, net                             200           161
    Deferred tax assets                                  6             7
    Total assets                                  $446,582      $424,047

    Liabilities
    Current liabilities
    Short-term bank loans                         $112,129      $105,598
    Current maturities of long-term
     bank loans                                     13,192         8,800
    Accounts and bills payable                      77,888        57,487
    Accrued expenses and other payables             20,930        21,581
        Total current liabilities                  224,139       193,466

    Long-term bank loans, less current
     maturities                                     46,904        55,732
    Deferred income                                  7,622         7,685
    Other Long-term payables                         1,442            --
    Deferred tax liabilities                           164            92
        Total liabilities                          280,271       256,975
    Commitments and contingencies

    Shareholders' equity:
    Ordinary shares US$ 0.001 par value;
     100,000,000 authorized; 57,676,481
     and 57,680,231 issued and outstanding
     as of September 30, 2008 and
     December 31, 2008, respectively                    58            58
    Donation Shares                                 14,102        14,102
    Additional paid-in-capital                      98,104        97,286
    Statutory reserves                               7,227         6,918
    Retained earnings                               25,581        27,629
    Accumulated other comprehensive income          25,306        25,146
      Less: Treasury shares                         (4,067)       (4,067)
            Total shareholders' equity             166,311       167,072
    Total liabilities and shareholders' equity    $446,582      $424,047



                   China BAK Battery Inc. and Subsidiaries
                    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
       For the Three Months ended December 31, 2007, September 30, 2008
                            and December 31, 2008
                            (Amounts in thousands)

                                               Three Months Ended,
                                    December 31,  September 30,  December 31,
                                        2007           2008          2008
                                    (Unaudited)    (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)
    Cash flow from
     operating activities
    Net income / (loss)                $(941)        $1,472        $(1,739)
    Adjustments to reconcile net
     income / (loss) to net cash
     provided by / (used in)
     operating activities:
      Depreciation and amortization    2,782          4,014          3,627
        Addition of bad debt
         expense(Recovery)             1,202           (244)         2,347
      Provision for obsolete
       inventories                        79            496           (550)
      Share-based compensation           842          1,246            818
      Deferred income taxes             (196)          (951)          (271)
      Deferred revenue                    --           (282)           (58)
        Exchange loss                     --           (182)           704
        Loss on disposal of
         Property, plant
         and equipment                    --              5             --
    Changes in operating assets
     and liabilities:
      Trade accounts receivable       (7,159)         2,502           (956)
      Inventories                     (1,120)           376          1,278
      Prepayments and
       other receivables             (11,614)         3,823         (7,859)
      Accounts and bills payable      10,423         (1,805)        20,175
      Accrued expenses and
       other payables                  1,012          1,518          3,662
    Net cash provided by / (used
     in) operating activities        $(4,688)       $11,988        $21,178

    Cash flow from
     investing activities
    Purchases property,
     plant and equipment              (9,159)       (16,672)       (19,528)
    Payment of lease prepayment          (21)        (1,779)          (466)
    Purchases of intangible assets       (31)            (7)           (58)
    Proceeds from disposal of
     Property, plant and equipment        --            465             --
    Net cash used in
     investing activities            $(9,211)      $(17,993)      $(20,052)

    Cash flow from
     financing activities
    Proceeds from borrowings          45,077         40,216         84,077
    Repayment of borrowings          (26,911)       (46,026)       (81,883)
    (Increase)/ decrease in
     pledged deposits                    362          1,829         (1,663)
    Proceeds from issuance
     of capital stock                 14,006         15,233             --
    Net cash provided by
     financing activities            $32,533        $11,252           $530

    Effect of exchange rate changes
     on cash and cash equivalents        694            216           (153)
    Net (decrease) / increase in
     cash and cash equivalents        19,328          5,463          1,502
    Cash and cash equivalents at
     the beginning of the period      14,197         30,244         35,707
    Cash and cash equivalents
     at the end of the period        $33,524        $35,707        $37,209


    For more information, please contact:

     Louis Li
     Acting Manager
     Investor Relations Department
     China BAK Battery, Inc.
     Tel:   +86-755-8977-0504
     Email: IR@bak.com.cn

SOURCE China BAK Battery, Inc.