Banle Group announces 2023 full year results

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Banle Group, a marine fuel logistic company in the Asia Pacific, reported its audited financial results for 2023. Despite a 5.8% drop in revenue, the company saw a surge in sales volume by 18% due to expansion into Europe and biofuel trading activities. Gross profit decreased by 21.0% primarily due to a more diversified customer base post-IPO. Operating expenses increased by $1.2 million, driven by listing expenses and business expansion efforts. Net income dropped to $1.1 million from $3.7 million in 2022.

Positive

• Significant growth in sales volume by 18% in FY2023 despite a drop in revenue by 5.8% compared to FY2022.
• Expansion into Europe and biofuel trading activities contributed to the increase in sales volume.
• Gross profit decreased by 21.0% in FY2023 due to a more diversified customer base post-IPO.
• Operating expenses increased by $1.2 million, driven by listing expenses, business expansion, and biofuel operation efforts.
• Net income dropped to $1.1 million in FY2023 from $3.7 million in FY2022.
• The Group aims to further expand into the European market and maximize volume growth to balance the impact from the change in customer mix.

Negative

• Revenue dropped by 5.8% in FY2023.
• Gross profit declined by 21.0% due to a more diversified customer base post-IPO.
• Operating expenses increased by $1.2 million in FY2023.
• Net income decreased to $1.1 million in FY2023.

Financial Analyst

Banle Group's financial results highlight a challenging fiscal year with a -5.8% decrease in revenue and a more significant -21.0% decline in gross profit. The drop in average oil prices by 20% during FY2023 has pressured revenues but was balanced by an 18% increase in sales volume. The expansion into the European market and the initiation of biofuel trading are strategic moves that cater to diversifying the revenue stream and customer base. However, the expenses tied to these ventures have heightened operating costs by 27.1%. Such investments may promise future growth yet evidently squeezed the current year’s bottom line with a stark -69.3% fall in net income. Investors should weigh the potential long-term gains from market expansion and biofuel operations against current profitability pressures, reflecting on the company's ability to leverage its IPO funds for sustainable growth.

Market Research Analyst

Analyzing the marine fuel logistics sector, Banle Group's foray into Europe and biofuel is indicative of an industry in transformation. The strategic move towards biofuel reflects an adaptation to the increasing environmental regulations and shifts towards greener energy sources. However, Banle’s broader customer base resulted in lower gross profit per metric ton, signaling competitive pricing or higher costs associated with servicing a diverse clientele. The 18% surge in sales volume despite a global economic slowdown evidences robust demand for the company's services, which could bode well for future performance once the European expansion matures and biofuel operations scale up. Investors should track the company’s sales volume and customer retention metrics to assess whether the expansion can ultimately lead to higher margins and market share.

HONG KONG, April 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Banle Group (the “Group” or “Banle”) (Nasdaq: BANL), a reputable marine fuel logistic company in the Asia Pacific, today reported its audited financial results for the full year ended December 31, 2023 (“FY2023”).

Results compared with the full year ended December 31, 2022 (“FY2022”) are as follows:

		For the Year Ended December 31,
		2023			2022	Change
Revenue	US$	435,897,718		US$	462,906,257	-5.8	%
Cost of revenue	US$	428,686,593		US$	453,781,238	-5.5	%
Gross profit	US$	7,211,125		US$	9,125,019	-21.0	%
Total operating expenses	US$	5,549,298		US$	4,364,676	+27.1	%
Income from operations	US$	1,661,827		US$	4,760,343	-65.1	%
Total non-operating expenses, net	US$	230,572		US$	260,875	-11.6	%
Income before income taxes	US$	1,431,255		US$	4,499,468	-68.2	%
Provision for income taxes	US$	298,605		US$	814,468	-63.3	%
Net income including noncontrolling interest	US$	1,132,650		US$	3,685,000	-69.3	%
Basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share*	US$	0.045		US$	0.171	-73.7	%

* Gives retroactive effect to reflect the reorganization in August 2022.

Mr. Teck Lim Chia, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “FY2023 marks a significant year for Banle. In March 2023, we raised gross proceeds of US$15 million from an IPO offering. With the additional financial resources from the IPO, we not only successfully expanded our service network to Europe, but also gained new businesses with existing customers and acquired new customers. These accomplishments led to remarkable growth in our sales volume in FY2023. On the environmental protection side, we were approved for biofuel trading activities and launched the first biofuel supply after years of proactively exploring alternative fuel options.

Sales volume in FY2023 surged by 18% year-on-year, despite a tepid global economy and a slight decline in global container port throughput, as the Group efficiently utilized the additional funding from the IPO completed in March 2023 to increase sales from existing customers as well as expand customer base through an enlarged service network. Notwithstanding the 20% drop in average oil prices during FY2023, revenue only registered a drop of 5.8% year-on-year to US$435.9 million, thanks to the surge in sales volume which partially offset the negative impact from oil price movement.

Our supply network expanded substantially over the past year, from 36 ports covering the Asia Pacific as of the end of FY2022 to 55+ ports covering both the Asia Pacific and Europe as of the end of FY2023. In the near future, further expansion into the European market is our priority. We will also endeavor to maximize volume growth to balance the impact from the change in customer mix as we further expand our service network.”

With the IPO funding, the Group was able to penetrate deeper into the bunkering market by acquiring new customers and businesses in FY2023. The expansion of customer mix post-IPO means that revenue stream as well as customer margin profiles had become more diversified. The move to develop new customers and explore business opportunities inevitably affected gross profit in FY2023, which declined by 21.0% to US$7.2 million compared to FY2022, due to a lower gross profit per metric ton as a result of a more diversified customer base, again partially offset by the increased sales volume.

The Group recorded an increase in operating expenses of US$1.2 million in FY2023 which is primarily attributable to the expenses incurred from the listing, business expansion and efforts in exploring and conducting biofuel operation. The listing-related expenses, amounting to approximately US$0.6 million, were primarily required to maintain the Group’s listing status. There were no listing-related expenses in FY2022. As for the expenses related to business expansion and biofuel operation, the Group regards them as vital investments for long-term sustainable growth.

Banle generated net income of US$1.1 million in FY2023, compared with US$3.7 million in FY2022. The decrease was mainly attributable to the decline in gross profit and increase in operating expenses as explained above, partially offset by a reduction in provision for income taxes.

About CBL International Limited

Established in 2015, CBL International Limited (Nasdaq: BANL) is the listing vehicle of Banle Group, a reputable marine fuel logistic company in the Asia Pacific region. We are committed to providing customers with one stop solution for vessel refueling. Banle Group’s business activities are primarily focused in over 55 major ports covering Japan, Korea, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey and Belgium. The Group actively promotes the use of alternative fuels and is awarded with the ISCC EU and ISCC Plus certifications.

Forward-Looking Information and Statements

Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements, by their nature, subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Group’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Group believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “could,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “project” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. The Group undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Group believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Group cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Group's registration statement and other filings with the SEC.

CBL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
(Incorporated in Cayman Islands with limited liabilities)

For more information, please contact:

CBL International Limited

Email: investors@banle-intl.com

CBL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Expressed in U.S. dollars, except for the number of shares)

		December 31,				December 31,
		2023				2022
Assets:
Current Assets
Cash		$	7,402,890			$	5,032,890
Accounts receivable			25,125,851				18,446,176
Derivative assets			28,776				-
Prepayments and other current assets			19,317,189				253,779
Tax recoverable			252,209				-
Total current assets			52,126,915				23,732,845
Property, plant and equipment, net			996,512				394,090
Right-of-use lease assets, net			338,481				341,625
Deferred offering costs			-				1,128,453
Total assets		$	53,461,908			$	25,597,013
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity:
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Accounts payable		$	27,452,815			$	12,652,514
Taxes payable			-				244,096
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities			343,813				125,701
Derivative liabilities			-				109,346
Short-term lease liabilities			177,761				124,095
Total current liabilities			27,974,389				13,255,752
Long-term lease liabilities			194,373				229,076
Total liabilities			28,168,762				13,484,828
Commitment and contingencies							-
Shareholders’ equity:
Ordinary shares, $0.0001 per value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 25,000,000 and 21,250,000 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 respectively*			2,500				2,125
Additional paid-in capital			12,536,087				488,198
Retained earnings			12,761,088				11,621,862
Total stockholders’ equity			25,299,675				12,112,185
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries			(6,529	)			-
Total liabilities and equity		$	53,461,908			$	25,597,013

*	Gives retroactive effect to reflect the reorganization in August 2022.

CBL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Expressed in U.S. dollars, except for the number of shares)

		For the Years Ended December 31,
		2023				2022
Revenue		$	435,897,718			$	462,906,257
Cost of revenue			428,686,593				453,781,238
Gross profit			7,211,125				9,125,019
Operating expenses:
Selling and distribution			1,242,157				1,212,108
General and administrative			4,307,141				3,152,568
Total operating costs and expenses			5,549,298				4,364,676
Income from operations			1,661,827				4,760,343
Other (income) expense:
Interest expense, net			231,633				259,993
Currency exchange (gain) loss			(1,674	)			(45,767
Write off of property, plant and equipment			613				48,399
Others			-				(1,750
Total other expenses			230,572				260,875
Income before provision for income taxes			1,431,255				4,499,468
Provision for income taxes			298,605				814,468
Net income		$	1,132,650			$	3,685,000
Comprehensive income		$	1,132,650			$	3,685,000
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the Company		$	1,139,226			$	3,685,000
Non-controlling interests			(6,576	)			-
		$	1,132,650			$	3,685,000
Basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share*		$	0.045			$	0.171
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding - basic and diluted*			25,000,000				21,250,000

*	Gives retroactive effect to reflect the reorganization in August 2022.

CBL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

		For the Years Ended December 31,
		2023				2022
Cash Flows from operating activities:
Net income		$	1,132,650			$	3,685,000
Adjustment to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			170,826				88,175
Depreciation of right-of-use assets			142,888				94,865
Write off of property, plant and equipment			613				48,399
Early termination of lease			-				(1,750
Change in fair value of derivative			(138,122	)			109,346
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable			(6,679,675	)			(402,941
Prepayments and other current assets			(19,042,364	)			3,580,806
Due from related parties			-				1,509,988
Accounts payable			14,779,300				(5,644,677
Accrued expenses and other liabilities			218,115				78,242
Derivatives			-				291,860
Lease liabilities			(120,781	)			(83,859
Taxes payable			(496,305	)			145,679
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities			(10,032,854	)			3,499,133
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment			(773,863	)			(373,111
Net cash used in investing activities			(773,863	)			(373,111
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceed from issuance of shares net of share offering costs			13,176,717				-
Deferred offering costs			-				(1,128,453
Net cash provided by /(used in) financing activities			13,176,717				(1,128,453
Net increase in cash			2,370,000				1,997,569
Cash at the beginning of the year			5,032,890				3,035,321
Cash at the end of the year		$	7,402,890			$	5,032,890
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION:
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest		$	302,486			$	261,703
Income taxes		$	794,910			$	688,790
NON-CASH TRANSACTION OF INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Operating lease right-of-use asset and lease liabilities		$	496,230			$	370,439

Note: The accompanying notes in our 2023 Annual Report are an integral part of the above consolidated financial statements. Please refer to our Form 20-F 2023 Annual Report filed with SEC on April 18, 2024 on www.banle-intl.com for details of our consolidated financial statements.

FAQ

What were Banle Group's revenue and gross profit percentages changes in FY2023 compared to FY2022?

Banle Group's revenue decreased by 5.8% and gross profit decreased by 21.0% in FY2023 compared to FY2022.

What was Banle Group's net income in FY2023 and how did it change from FY2022?

Banle Group's net income was $1.1 million in FY2023, a decrease from $3.7 million in FY2022.

How did Banle Group's sales volume change in FY2023 compared to FY2022?

Banle Group's sales volume surged by 18% in FY2023 compared to FY2022.

What were the reasons behind Banle Group's decrease in gross profit in FY2023?

Banle Group's gross profit decreased by 21.0% in FY2023 due to a more diversified customer base post-IPO.

Why did Banle Group's operating expenses increase in FY2023?

Banle Group's operating expenses increased by $1.2 million in FY2023 due to listing expenses, business expansion, and biofuel operation efforts.