Highway Holdings Reports Fiscal 2023 First Quarter Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Highway Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: HIHO) reported Q1 fiscal 2023 results ending June 30, 2022. Net sales decreased to $2.94 million from $2.99 million year-over-year. However, net income rose to $390,000 ($0.09 per diluted share) compared to $333,000 ($0.08 per diluted share) a year ago. Gross profit improved to $1.052 million with a gross profit margin of 35.7%. The company benefited from government financial assistance due to COVID-related shutdowns, although operations remain challenged by ongoing restrictions. Cash and equivalents were $6.4 million, indicating solid liquidity.

Positive

• Net income increased to $390,000 from $333,000 year-over-year.
• Gross profit margin improved to 35.7%, up from 31% a year ago.
• Cash and cash equivalents of $6.4 million exceed short- and long-term liabilities by $2 million.

Negative

• Net sales declined to $2.94 million from $2.99 million year-over-year.
• Ongoing COVID policies continue to adversely affect operations and supply chains.

HONG KONG--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Highway Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: HIHO) today reported results for its fiscal 2023 first quarter ended June 30, 2022.

Net sales for the fiscal 2023 first quarter were $2.94 million compared with $2.99 million a year earlier. Net income for the same period was $390,000, or $0.09 per diluted share, compared with $333,000, $0.08 per diluted share, a year ago.

"Results for fiscal first quarter benefited from financial assistance provided by the Chinese and Hong Kong governments to offset some of the costs we incurred as a result of COVID-related required shutdowns that impacted the company’s operations in prior periods,” said Roland Kohl, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Highway Holdings.

Kohl added that as long as the Chinese government continues its “zero” COVID policy with frequent shutdowns impacting operations of the company, comparisons with prior periods may not be appropriate, nor may current operations be predictive of future operating activities. The company’s operations also are negatively impacted by these COVID policies that restrict the services and business of the company’s suppliers, customers, and logistic providers.

Gross profit for the 2023 fiscal first quarter was $1,052,000 compared with $930,000 in the same quarter a year ago, with gross profit as a percentage of sales approximately 35.7 percent compared with 31 percent a year ago – representing a 4.7 percent improvement compared with last year. This improvement primarily reflects the benefit of reduced rental expenses provided by the Chinese government to offset the impact of shutdowns in prior periods. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the 2023 fiscal first quarter increased slightly by $70,000.

The company realized a small currency exchange gain of $18,000 in the quarter compared with an exchange loss of $7,000 in the same period last year, primarily due to weakness in the RMB during the period.

Kohl highlighted the company’s solid financial position, with cash and cash equivalents of $6.4 million -- exceeding combined short- and long-term liabilities by $2.0 million. At June 30, 2022, the company had working capital of $8.2 million. The company’s current ratio at June 30,2022 was 3.0:1.

Total shareholders’ equity at June 30, 2022 was $9.7 million compared with $9.3 million as of March 31, 2022.

About Highway Holdings

Highway Holdings is an international manufacturer of a wide variety of high-quality parts and products for blue chip equipment manufacturers based primarily in Germany. Highway Holdings’ administrative office is located in Hong Kong and its manufacturing facilities are located in Yangon, Myanmar, and Shenzhen, China.

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to economic, competitive, governmental, political and technological factors affecting the company's revenues, operations, markets, products and prices, the impact of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, and other factors discussed in the company’s various filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation, the company’s annual reports on Form 20-F.

HIGHWAY HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statement of Income (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except for shares and per share data)
		Quarter Ended
		June 30
		2022			2021
Net sales		$	2,942		$		2,998
Cost of sales			1,890				2,068
Gross profit			1,052				930
Selling, general and administrative expenses			687				617
Operating income			365				313
Non-operating income (expense):
Exchange gain (loss), net			18				(7	)
Interest income			4 -				1 -
Other income (expense)			5				-
Total non-operating income (expenses)			27				(6	)
Net income before income taxes			392				307
Income taxes			4				33
Net income			396				340
Less: net gain/(loss) attributable to non-controlling interests			6				7
Net income attributable to Highway Holdings Limited’s Shareholders		$	390		$		333
Net income per share – Basic		$	0.10		$		0.08
Net income per share - Diluted		$	0.09		$		0.08
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic			4,036				4,019
Diluted			4,279				4,160

 

HIGHWAY HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Balance Sheet (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except for shares and per share data)
		June 30				March 31
		2022				2022
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	6,403			$	6,010
Time deposits			-				1,075
Accounts receivable, net of doubtful accounts			2,949				2,260
Inventories			2,217				2,350
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			574				620
Income tax recoverable			7				7
Total current assets			12,150				12,322
Goodwill, net			-				-
Property, plant and equipment, net			562				643
Operating lease right-of-use assets			1,305				1,799
Long-term loan receivable			95				95
Total assets			14,112				14,859
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	776			$	828
Operating lease liabilities, current			491				933
Accrued expenses and other liabilities			2,133				2,599
Income tax payable			592				620
Dividend payable			-				202
Total current liabilities			3,992				5,182
Operating lease liabilities, non-current			263				268
Deferred income taxes			131				140
Total liabilities			4,386				5,590
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred shares, $0.01 par value			-				-
Common shares, $0.01 par value			40				40
Additional paid-in capital			11,838				11,816
Accumulated deficit			(1,895	)			(2,284	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			(263	)			(303	)
Non-controlling interest			6				0
Total shareholders' equity			9,726				9,269
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity		$	14,112			$	14,859

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220725005237/en/

Gary S. Maier

Maier & Company, Inc.

(310) 471-1288

Source: Highway Holdings Limited

FAQ

What were Highway Holdings Limited's earnings for Q1 fiscal 2023?

Highway Holdings reported a net income of $390,000, or $0.09 per diluted share, for Q1 fiscal 2023.

How did the gross profit margin change for Highway Holdings Limited?

The gross profit margin improved to 35.7% in Q1 fiscal 2023, up from 31% in the previous year.

What challenges is Highway Holdings Limited facing due to COVID policies?

The company's operations are negatively impacted by ongoing COVID restrictions affecting suppliers and logistics.

What is the current financial position of Highway Holdings Limited?

As of June 30, 2022, Highway Holdings had cash and cash equivalents of $6.4 million, with significant working capital.