LDK Solar Co., Ltd.("LDK Solar"; NYSE: LDK), a leading vertically integrated manufacturer of photovoltaic products, reported its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2012.
All financial results are reported in U.S. dollars on a U.S. GAAP basis.
Third Quarter Highlights:
Net sales of $291.5 million; and Shipped 230.2 megawatts (MW) of wafers and 161.9 MW of cells and modules in the third quarter.
Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2012 were $291.5 million, compared to $235.4 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2012, and $471.9 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2011.
Gross loss for the third quarter of fiscal 2012 was $32.5 million, compared to gross loss of $92.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2012, and gross loss of $17.0 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2011.
Gross margin for the third quarter of fiscal 2012 was negative 11.2%, compared to negative 39.1% in the second quarter of fiscal 2012, and negative 3.6% in the third quarter of fiscal 2011.
During the preparation of its third quarter 2012 financial results, LDK Solar's management determined that an inventory write-down of $37.8 million was required as a result of a continuous drop in the market price for polysilicon, wafers, cells and modules. As a result, gross margin and results from operations were negatively impacted in the third quarter of fiscal 2012.
Loss from operations for the third quarter of fiscal 2012 was $75.7 million, compared to loss from operations of $172.7 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2012, and loss from operations of $77.1 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2011.
Operating margin for the third quarter of fiscal 2012 was negative 26.0% compared to negative 73.4% in the second quarter of fiscal 2012, and negative 16.3% in the third quarter of fiscal 2011.
Income tax benefit for the third quarter of fiscal 2012 was $25.4 million, compared to income tax benefit of $23.7 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2012 and income tax benefit of $1.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2011.
Net loss available to LDK Solar's shareholders for the third quarter of fiscal 2012 was $136.9 million, or a loss of $1.08 per diluted ADS, compared to net loss of $254.3 million, or a loss of $2.00 per diluted ADS for the second quarter of fiscal 2012 and net loss of $114.5 million, or a loss of $0.87 per diluted ADS for the third quarter of fiscal 2011. The number of shares for calculating diluted ADS was approximately 127.2 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2012.
LDK Solar ended the third quarter of fiscal 2012 with $111.9 million in cash and cash equivalents and $340.7 million in short-term pledged bank deposits.
"We were pleased to deliver third quarter results that were in line with expectations," stated Xingxue Tong, President and CEO of LDK Solar. "While we saw improvement to our top and bottom line in the third quarter, our results continue to reflect the industry-wide pricing pressure and demand weakness that is negatively impacting the entire solar supply chain."
"Over the past several weeks, we have taken a number of steps to increase operating efficiencies and improve our liquidity, including realigning the management team and the share purchase agreement with Heng Rui Xin Energy. We are making progress on our strategy to streamline operations, prudently manage expenses and diversify our business. We plan to continue to actively manage our business to adapt to market developments and position the company for future growth," concluded Mr. Tong.
Business Outlook
The following statements are based upon management's current expectations. These statements are forward-looking in nature, and the actual results may differ materially. You should read the "Safe Harbor Statement" below with respect to the risks and uncertainties relating to these forward-looking statements.
For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, LDK Solar estimates its revenue to be in the range of $230 million to $290 million, wafer shipments between 200 MW and 250 MW, cells and module shipments between 50 MW and 80 MW.
For fiscal 2012, LDK Solar estimates its revenue to be in the range of $950 million to $1 billion, wafer shipments between 910 MW and 960 MW, cell and module shipments between 500 MW and 530 MW and inverter shipments between 150 MW to 200 MW. LDK Solar expects PV system project construction to be in the range of 200 MW to 300 MW and to recognize between 50 MW and 100 MW through project sales and EPC services for third party customers.