JinkoSolar Announces First Quarter 2016 Financial Results

SHANGHAI, China, May 27, 2016 -- JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. ("JinkoSolar" or the "Company") (NYSE: JKS), a global leader in the solar PV industry, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2016. First Quarter 2016 Highlights • Total solar module shipments were 1,600 megawatts ("MW"), which includes 166 MW to be used in the Company’s downstream projects. Total solar module shipments decreased by 6.4% from 1,710 MW in the fourth quarter of 2015 and increased by 102.7% from 789 MW in the first quarter of 2015. • Total revenues were RMB5.47 billion (US$847.8 million), representing a 10.0% decrease from the fourth quarter of 2015 and an increase of 98.8% from the first quarter of 2015. • Solar power projects generated 210 GWh of electricity, representing a 36.4% increase from the fourth quarter of 2015, and an increase of 81.7% from the first quarter of 2015. Revenues generated from solar power projects were RMB185.5 million (US$28.8 million), representing a 36.1% increase from the fourth quarter of 2015 and an increase of 81.7% from the first quarter of 2015. • As of March 31, 2016, the Company had connected 1,007 MW worth of solar power projects. • Gross margin was 21.3%, compared with 19.5% in the fourth quarter of 2015 and 20.3% in the first quarter of 2015. • Income from operations was RMB573.7 million (US$89.0 million), compared with RMB482.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 and RMB230.0 million in the first quarter of 2015. • Net income attributable to JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd.'s ordinary shareholders was RMB313.3 million (US$48.6 million), compared with RMB349.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 and RMB51.0 million in the first quarter of 2015. • Diluted earnings per American depositary share ("ADS") were RMB9.32 (US$1.44), compared with RMB10.92 in the fourth quarter of 2015 and RMB1.60 in the first quarter of 2015. • Non-GAAP net income attributable to JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd.'s ordinary shareholders in the first quarter of 2016 was RMB414.6 million (US$64.3 million), compared with RMB503.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 and RMB171.2 million in the first quarter of 2015. • Non-GAAP basic and diluted earnings per ADS were RMB13.20 (US$2.04) and RMB11.20 (US$1.72), respectively, in the first quarter of 2016. Mr. Kangping Chen, JinkoSolar’s Chief Executive Officer commented, “We began the year very strongly with total module shipments reaching 1,600 MW, ranking us as the biggest module supplier among our peers during the first quarter. Next month marks our 10-year anniversary and I couldn’t imagine a better way to celebrate this milestone. We began our journey from humble beginnings and sustainably built our way into a globally recognized brand having shipped a total of 13 GW to more than 1,700 customers in over 70 countries and regions since then. We have always prided ourselves on our conservative and sustainable approach to building our business, and I am confident that we will be able to continue generating long-term return for our shareholders.” “Global solar demand continues to grow as costs go down. China remains our biggest market with a number of big orders continuing to come in, a trend we believe will continue in the second quarter. Our market share in the US continued to expand. Although the ITC extension resulted in some projects being postponed, we are confident in our ability to hit our shipment targets to the US for the year with our overseas production facility providing extra flexibility and higher margins. The increasing recognition of our brand name is also generating great opportunities in exciting emerging markets such as Chile, Thailand and India.” “Electricity output from our solar projects reached 210 GWh, up 36.4% sequentially while generating RMB185 million in revenue. The increase was mainly attributable to newly-completed solar power projects ramping up to full capacity in the first quarter of 2016, which was adversely affected by continued curtailment of projects in western China. We expect power output to improve substantially in the second quarter as the impact from curtailment is reduced and more projects are ramped up to full capacity. We remain on track to hit our project development guidance for the year.” “We were awarded three solar PV projects totaling 188 MWac in Mexico during the quarter, marking it our first expansion into overseas project development. I believe this demonstrates the strength our brand name, technology and financial capabilities have in overseas markets. With a first big tender win under our belt, we will continue to work with our global partners to closely monitor overseas project development opportunities.” “I have always been confident in our long-term growth prospects and the solar industry as a whole, and I am pleased to see such a strong start to the year. We will continue to focus on strengthening our position as an industry leader and generating profits for our investors.” First Quarter 2016 Financial Results Total Revenues Total revenues in the first quarter of 2016 were RMB5.47 billion (US$847.8 million), representing a decrease of 10.0% from RMB6.07 billion in the fourth quarter of 2015 and an increase of 98.8% from RMB2.75 billion in the first quarter of 2015. The sequential decrease was mainly attributable to the decrease in shipments of solar modules. The year-over-year increase was mainly due to the increase in shipments of solar modules and electricity revenues from the growing number and capacity of projects. During the first quarter of 2016, revenues from downstream solar power projects were RMB185.5 million (US$28.8 million), an increase of 36.1% from RMB136.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 and an increase of 81.7% from RMB102.1 million in the first quarter of 2015. The sequential increase was primarily due to newly-completed solar power projects ramping up to full capacity in the first quarter of 2016. The year-over-year increase in solar power project revenues was primarily due to the increase in number and capacity of the Company’s solar projects. Gross profit for solar power project revenues was RMB78.6 million (US$12.2 million) during the first quarter of 2016, representing a gross margin of 42.3%. Gross Profit and Gross Margin Gross profit in the first quarter of 2016 was RMB1.17 billion (US$180.8 million), compared with RMB1.18 billion in the fourth quarter of 2015 and RMB558.5 million in the first quarter of 2015. Gross margin was 21.3% in the first quarter of 2016 compared with 19.5% in the fourth quarter of 2015 and 20.3% in the first quarter of 2015. The sequential and year-over-year increases were primarily due to the continued decrease in costs and the higher gross margins associated with electricity revenues due to newly-completed solar power projects ramping up to full capacity. Income from Operations and Operating Margin Income from operations in the first quarter of 2016 was RMB573.7 million (US$89.0 million), compared with RMB482.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 and RMB230.0 million in the first quarter of 2015. Operating margin in the first quarter of 2016 was 10.5%, compared with 7.7% in the fourth quarter of 2015 and 8.4% in the first quarter of 2015. Total operating expenses in the first quarter of 2016 were RMB592.2 million (US$91.8 million), a decrease of 17.3% from RMB715.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 and an increase of 80.3% from RMB328.5 million in the first quarter of 2015. The operating expense was 10.8% of total revenue, compared to 11.8% in the fourth quarter of 2015. The sequential decrease was mainly due to decreases in shipping and warranty costs and provisions of accounts receivable. The year-over-year increase in operating expense was mainly due to increases in shipping and warranty costs and provisions of accounts receivable. Total operating expenses excluding non-cash expenses, including stock-based compensation, the provisions for doubtful accounts, and disposal and impairment of fixed assets were RMB554.5 million (US$86.0 million), compared to RMB587.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 and RMB344.8 million in the first quarter of 2015. Total operating expenses excluding non-cash charges as a percentage of total net revenues was 10.1% in the first quarter of 2016, compared to 9.7% in the fourth quarter of 2015 and 12.5% in the first quarter of 2015. Interest Expense, Net Net interest expense in the first quarter of 2016 was RMB126.4 million (US$19.6 million), an increase of 30.0% from RMB97.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 and an increase of 100.9% from RMB62.9 million in the first quarter of 2015. The increases were mainly due to an increase in loans used for solar power projects. Exchange Gain / (Loss), Net The Company recorded a net exchange gain of RMB11.7 million (US$1.8 million) including change in fair value of forward contracts in the first quarter of 2016. The Company had a net exchange gain of RMB72.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 and net exchange loss of RMB26.9 million in the first quarter of 2015. Change in Fair Value of Convertible Senior Notes and Capped Call Options The Company recognized a loss from a change in fair value of convertible senior notes of RMB22.6 million (US$3.5 million), and a loss from a change in fair value of capped call options of RMB8.2 million (US$1.3 million). The Company repurchased convertible senior notes with a principle of US$66.5 million in the first quarter of 2016. Investment Income / (Loss) The Company recognized equity income from affiliated companies of RMB1.6 million (US$0.2 million) in the first quarter of 2016 as a result of its share of profits for solar power projects held by affiliated companies. Income Tax Expense The Company recorded an income tax expense of RMB100.4 million(US$15.6 million) in the first quarter of 2016, compared with an income tax expense of RMB59.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 and an income tax expense of RMB19.9 million during the first quarter of 2015. Net Income and Earnings per Share Net income attributable to JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd.'s ordinary shareholders in the first quarter of 2016 was RMB313.3 million (US$48.6 million), compared with RMB349.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 and RMB51.0 million in the first quarter of 2015. Basic and diluted earnings per share were RMB2.50 (US$0.39) and RMB2.33 (US$0.36), respectively, during the first quarter of 2016. This translates into basic and diluted earnings per ADS of RMB10.00 (US$1.56) and RMB9.32 (US$1.44), respectively. Non-GAAP net income attributable to JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd.'s ordinary shareholders in the first quarter of 2016 was RMB414.6 million (US$64.3 million), compared with RMB503.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 and RMB171.2 million in the first quarter of 2015. Non-GAAP basic and diluted earnings per share were RMB3.30 (US$0.51) and RMB2.80 (US$0.43), respectively, during the first quarter of 2016. This translates into non-GAAP basic and diluted earnings per ADS of RMB13.20 (US$2.04) and RMB11.20 (US$1.72), respectively. Financial Position As of March 31, 2016, the Company had RMB3.37 billion (US$522.9 million) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, compared with RMB4.24 billion of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash as of December 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2016, the Company’s accounts receivables were RMB3.94 billion (US$ 610.5 million) compared with RMB3.42 billion as of December 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2016, the Company’s inventories were RMB3.11 billion (US$482.3 million) compared with RMB3.20 billion as of December 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2016, the total interest-bearing debts were RMB10.41 billion (US$1.61 billion), compared with RMB10.29 billion as of December 31, 2015. Interest-bearing debts from downstream solar power projects was RMB5.58 billion (US$865.3 million), compared with RMB4.93 billion as of December 31, 2015. First Quarter 2016 Operational Highlights Solar Module Shipments Total solar module shipments in the first quarter of 2016 amounted to 1,600 MW, including 166 MW to be used in the Company’s downstream projects. Solar Power Project Capacity As of March 31, 2016, the Company had connected 1,007 MW of solar power projects to the grid. Solar Products Production Capacity As of March 31, 2016, the Company's in-house annual silicon wafer, solar cell and solar module production capacity was 3.5 GW, 3 GW and 6 GW, respectively. Recent Business Developments  In May 2016, JinkoSolar has become the first Chinese photovoltaic manufacturer to have its modules receive Qualification Plus certification from TÜV Rheinland.  In May 2016, JinkoSolar repaid the entire remaining balance of its 4.00% Convertible Senior Notes due on May 15, 2016.  In May 2016, JinkoSolar signed a master purchase agreement with CivicSolar  In April 2016, JinkoSolar’s 1500-Volt Eagle Modules became available for delivery in North America following UL 1703 certification.  In April 2016, JinkoSolar announced that it will supply 49 MW of solar modules to China Resources Power Investment Company Limited for three solar plants.  In April 2016, JinkoSolar won 188MWac in solar projects in Mexico's first tender auction. JinkoSolar will develop and build the solar power plants.  In April 2016, JinkoSolar supplied 23 MW of solar modules to Jordanian Solar Park.  In April 2016, JinkoSolar announced that it will supply METKA-EGN USA LLC with 57.65 MW of PV modules for the largest solar PV plant in Puerto Rico.  In March 2016, JinkoSolar supplied 24MW of PID-free Eagle modules for project in Thailand.  In March 2016, JinkoSolar was invited to attend the BOAO Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference to deliver a speech during the infrastructure session of the B20 Special Workshop.  In March 2016, JinkoSolar announced that it will donate solar modules to the 2016 Chinese Everest Expedition Team. The modules will be installed at the team's South Base Camp.  In March 2016, JinkoSolar supplied 24.5 MWp solar modules to Gransolar for two projects in New Mexico in the US. Operations and Business Outlook Second Quarter and Full Year 2016 Guidance For the second quarter of 2016, the Company estimates total solar module shipments to be in the range of 1.6 GW to 1.7 GW, which includes 1.45 GW to 1.6 GW module shipments to third parties. Revenues will not be recognized for the modules shipped to the Company’s own downstream projects as required by U.S. GAAP. For the full year 2016, the Company estimates total solar module shipments to be in the range of 6 GW and 6.5 GW which includes 5.4 GW to 5.7 GW module shipments to third parties. Full year newly-added solar power project development scale is expected to be in the range of 600 MW to 800 MW. Conference Call Information JinkoSolar's management will host an earnings conference call on Wednesday, May 27, 2016 at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (8:00 p.m. Beijing / Hong Kong the same day). Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows: Hong Kong / International: +852-5808-3202  U.S. Toll Free: +1-855-298-3404  Passcode: JinkoSolar     Please dial in 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin and provide the passcode to join the call. A telephone replay of the call will be available 2 hours after the conclusion of the conference call through 23:59 U.S. Eastern Time, June 2, 2016. The dial-in details for the replay are as follows: International: +61-2-9641-7900  U.S. Toll Free: +1-866-846-0868  Passcode: 9385470     Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of JinkoSolar's website at www.jinkosolar.com.