Trina Solar Announces Third Quarter 2016 Results
2016.11.22

CHANGZHOU, China, Nov. 23, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Trina Solar Limited (NYSE: TSL) ("Trina Solar" or the "Company"), a global leader in photovoltaic ("PV") modules, solutions, and services, today announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter endedSeptember 30, 2016.

Third Quarter 2016 Financial and Operating Highlights

  • Total module shipments were 1,361.2 MW, compared with 1,658.3 MW in the second quarter of 2016, and 1,703.2 MW in the third quarter of 2015.
  • Net revenues were $741.1 million, compared with $961.6 million in the second quarter of 2016 and $792.6 million in the third quarter of 2015.
  • Gross profit was $125.6 million, compared with $176.3 million in the second quarter of 2016 and $138.2 million in the third quarter of 2015.
  • Gross margin was 16.9%, compared with 18.3% in the second quarter of 2016 and 17.4% in the third quarter of 2015.
  • Operating income was $54.9 million, compared with $83.7 million in the second quarter of 2016 and $5.8 million in the third quarter of 2015.
  • Net income attributable to Trina Solar's ordinary shareholders was $27.1 million, compared with $40.3 million in the second quarter of 2016 and a net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of $20.0 million in the third quarter of 2015.
  • Earnings per fully diluted American Depositary Share ("ADS"; each ADS representing 50 ordinary shares) were $0.29, compared with $0.42 in the second quarter of 2016 and a loss per fully diluted ADS of $0.24 in the third quarter of 2015.

Mr. Jifan Gao, Chairman and CEO of Trina Solar, commented, "Largely as expected, we had a slowdown in the third quarter as a result of an oversupply and increasing inventory levels of modules in the market, as well as weak demand in China following a strong first half of the year as developers rushed to place orders prior to a subsidy policy adjustment. As a result, our total shipments of 1.36 GW came in lower than the bottom end of our guidance. Despite the headwinds, we were pleased that we were able to maintain our leading position in the U.S. and achieve record shipments to Europe. Moreover, shipments to India grew substantially and accounted for nearly 30% of our total shipments.

"On the downstream business side, we connected 26.0 MW of projects in China, of which 24.6 MW were DG  projects. We will continue to execute our strategic initiatives to develop our downstream business in a prudent manner.

"We remain committed to pushing the technological boundary and commercializing high-efficiency cells. Recently, our R&D team set a world record of 19.86% aperture efficiency for our high-efficiency 'Honey Plus' multicrystalline silicon modules. This achievement brought the total number of world records that we have set to 14."

Third Quarter 2016 Results

Net Revenues

Net revenues were $741.1 million, which includes $60.6 million in revenues from electricity generated by the Company's operational downstream solar power projects recorded as property, plant and equipment (PP&E) on its balance sheet, EPC services and other downstream business activities. Total net revenues declined 22.9% sequentially and 6.5% year-over-year. Total shipments were 1,361.2 MW, consisting of 1,340.6 MW of external shipments which were recognized in revenue and 20.6 MW of shipments to the Company's downstream power projects. This compares with total shipments of 1,658.3 MW in the second quarter of 2016, consisting of 1,619.0 MW of external shipments and 39.3 MW of shipments to the Company's own downstream power projects, and total shipments of 1,703.2 MW in the third quarter of 2015, consisting of 1,353.2 MW of external shipments and 350.0 MW of shipments to the Company's own downstream projects. The sequential decreases in revenues and shipments were primarily attributable to an overall decline in average selling prices (ASP) and a decrease of shipments in China following a rush of orders prior to June 30 in anticipation of a subsidy policy adjustment.

Gross Profit and Margin

Gross profit was $125.6 million, compared with $176.3 million in the second quarter of 2016 and $138.2 million in the third quarter of 2015.

Gross margin was 16.9%, compared with 18.3% in the second quarter of 2016 and 17.4% in the third quarter of 2015. The sequential and year-over-year decreases in gross margin were mainly because ASP declined at a faster rate than the Company's reduction of costs.

Operating Expenses, Income and Margin

Operating expenses were $70.6 million, compared with $92.6 million in the second quarter of 2016 and $132.3 million in the third quarter of 2015. Operating expenses included a reversal of accounts receivable provision of $2.8 million in the third quarter of 2016, compared with an accounts receivable provision of $2.4 million in the second quarter of 2016, and $1.5 million in the third quarter of 2015.

The Company's operating expenses accounted for 9.5% of net revenues during the third quarter of 2016, a decrease from 9.6% in the second quarter of 2016 and from 16.7% in the third quarter of 2015. The year-over-year decrease was primarily attributable to other operating income, which offsets operating expenses. Other operating income, mainly representing income from electricity generated from the Company's downstream solar power projects that are recorded as current assets on the balance sheet prior to the sale of the projects, was $17.2 million in the third quarter of 2016, $7.1 million in the second quarter of 2016 and nil in the third quarter of 2015. In addition, the Company booked a provision of $45.0 million for the settlement of a lawsuit with Solyndra in the third quarter of 2015. Excluding other operating income and the Solyndra settlement provision, the Company's operating expenses accounted for 11.9% of net revenues during the third quarter of 2016, an increase from 10.4% in the second quarter of 2016 and 11.0% in the third quarter of 2015.This sequential and year-over-year increase was mainly due to the decline of revenues in the third quarter of 2016, from the second quarter of 2016 and the third quarter of 2015.

As a result, operating income was $54.9 million, compared with $83.7 million in the second quarter of 2016 and $5.8 million in the third quarter of 2015. Operating margin was 7.4%, compared with 8.7% in the second quarter of 2016 and 0.7% in the third quarter of 2015.

Net Interest Expense

Net interest expense was $28.6 million, compared with $25.5 million in the second quarter of 2016 and $13.1 million in the third quarter of 2015. The sequential increase in net interest expense was mainly due to less interest expense being capitalized in the third quarter of 2016 and the year-over-year increase in net interest expenses was mainly due to the increase in bank borrowings.

Foreign Currency Exchange Gain (Loss)

The Company recorded a net foreign currency exchange gain of $2.3 million, which included a gain on the change in fair value of foreign exchange derivative instruments of $2.4 million. This compares with a net loss of $2.9 million in the second quarter of 2016 and a net loss of $13.1 million in the third quarter of 2015. The foreign currency exchange gain in the third quarter of 2016 was primarily because the appreciation of the Euro and the Japanese Yen against the USD offset the depreciation of the RMB and the British pound against the USD.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense was $5.9 million, compared with $16.5 million in the second quarter of 2016 and an income tax benefit of $3.1 million in the third quarter of 2015. The sequential decrease in income tax expense was mainly due to the decrease in taxable profits in the third quarter of 2016, compared with the second quarter of 2016. 

Net Income and Earnings per ADS

Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders of Trina Solar was $27.1 million, compared with $40.3 million in the second quarter of 2016, and a net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of $20.0 million in the third quarter of 2015. Net margin was 3.7%, compared with 4.2% in the second quarter of 2016 and negative 2.5% in the third quarter of 2015.

Earnings per fully diluted ADS were $0.29, compared with $0.42 in the second quarter of 2016 and a loss per fully diluted ADS of$0.24 in the third quarter of 2015.

Financial Condition

As of September 30, 2016, the Company had $625.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash. Total borrowings were$1,757.4 million, of which $1,108.3 million were short-term borrowings.

In the first quarter of 2016, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest, which requires that debt issuance costs be presented on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability, instead of being reported on the balance sheet as an asset. Accordingly, debt issuance costs with an amortized balance of $9.6 million, which used to be reported as an asset, have been retrospectively reclassified as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability as of September 30, 2015.

Shareholders' equity was $1,140.7 million as of September 30, 2016, an increase from $1,113.8 million as of June 30, 2016 and$1,011.9 million as of September 30, 2015.

Operations and Business Updates

Manufacturing Capacity

As of September 30, 2016, the Company had the following annualized in-­house manufacturing capacities:

  • Ingot production capacity of approximately 2.3 GW;
  • Wafer capacity of approximately 1.8 GW;
  • PV cell capacity of approximately 5.0 GW; and
  • PV module capacity of approximately 6.0 GW.

Project Development

In the third quarter of 2016, the Company connected a total of 26.0 MW of PV projects to the grid in China, including 1.4 MW of utility projects and 24.6 MW of DG projects.

As of September 30, 2016, the Company had a total of 1,302.8 MW downstream solar projects in grid-connected operation, including 1,267.6 MW in China, 4.2 MW in the U.S., and 31.0 MW in Europe. The 1,267.6 MW of projects in China consisted of 1,017.1 MW of utility projects and 250. 5 MW of DG projects.

Going Private Transaction and the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders

On August 1, 2016, the Company entered into a definitive agreement and plan of merger, pursuant to which the Company will be acquired by an investor consortium in an all-cash transaction implying an equity value of the Company of approximately $1.1 billion(the "Merger"). The Company has called an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders, to be held at 10:00 a.m. Beijing Time onDecember 16, 2016, to consider and vote on the Merger.

About Trina Solar Limited

Trina Solar Limited (NYSE:TSL) is a global leader in PV modules, solutions and services. Founded in 1997 as a PV system integrator,Trina Solar today drives smart energy together with installers, distributors, utilities and developers worldwide. The company's industry-leading position is based on innovation excellence, superior product quality, vertically integrated capabilities and environmental stewardship. For more information, please visit www.trinasolar.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "will," "may," "expect," "anticipate," "aim," "intend," "plan," "believe," "estimate," "potential," "continue," and other similar statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact in this announcement are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, the Company's ability to raise additional capital to finance its activities; the effectiveness, profitability and marketability of its products; our expectations regarding the expansion of the Company's manufacturing capacities; the Company's future business development; the Company's downstream project development and pipeline; the Company's beliefs regarding its production output and production outlook; the future trading of the securities of the Company; the Company's ability to operate as a public company; the period of time for which the Company's current liquidity will enable the Company to fund its operations; general economic and business conditions; demand in various markets for solar products; the volatility of the Company's operating results and financial condition; the Company's ability to attract or retain qualified senior management personnel and research and development staff; and other risks detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

In addition, the commencement of any downstream project is subject to a number of factors, some of which are beyond the Company's control, such as the availability of network transmission and interconnection facilities, as well as obtaining certain government approvals, project rights based on the land location, land use rights as well as the right to construct manufacturing facilities in the relevant locations.

These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about the Company and the industry in which the Company operates. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company 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 Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results.

For further information, please contact:

   

Trina Solar Limited

Christensen IR

Merry Xu, Interim CFO

Linda Bergkamp

Email: merry.xu@trinasolar.com

Phone: +1 480 614 3004 (US)

 

Email: lbergkamp@ChristensenIR.com   

Yvonne Young

 

Investor Relations Director

 

Email: ir@trinasolar.com

 

 

   

Trina Solar Limited

   

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

   

(US dollars in thousands, except ADS and share data)

                         
     

For the Three Months Ended

 
     

Sep. 30,

   

Jun. 30,

   

Sep. 30,

 
     

2016

   

2016

   

2015

 
                     

Net revenues

 

$

741,058

 

$

961,623

 

$

792,599

 

Cost of revenues

   

615,503

   

785,295

   

654,449

 

Gross profit

   

125,555

   

176,328

   

138,150

 

Operating expenses

                   

Selling expenses

   

42,991

   

44,833

   

45,389

 

General and administrative expenses

   

38,977

   

43,193

   

34,790

 

Research and development expenses

   

5,853

   

11,691

   

7,166

 

Provision for settlement of  lawsuit with Solyndra

   

-

   

-

   

45,000

 

Other operating income

   

(17,208)

   

(7,105)

   

-

 

Total operating expenses

   

70,613

   

92,612

   

132,345

 

Operating income 

   

54,942

   

83,716

   

5,805

 

Foreign exchange gain (loss)

   

(50)

   

(6,877)

   

(11,485)

 

Interest expenses

   

(29,102)

   

(25,973)

   

(13,503)

 

Interest income 

   

538

   

461

   

432

 

Gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivative

   

2,387

   

4,000

   

(1,586)

 

Other income, net

   

2,953

   

4,601

   

2,681

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

   

31,668

   

59,928

   

(17,656)

 

Income tax benefit (expense)

   

(5,910)

   

(16,500)

   

3,149

 

Net income (loss)

   

25,758

   

43,428

   

(14,507)

 

(Income)/Loss attributable to the
noncontrolling interests

   

1,355

   

(3,155)

   

(5,483)

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Trina Solar Limited

 

$

 

27,113

 

$

 

40,273

 

$

 

(19,990)

 
                   

Earnings  (loss) per ADS* 

                   

Basic

 

$

0.32

 

$

0.47

 

$

(0.24)

 

Diluted

 

$

0.29

 

$

0.42

 

$

(0.24)

 

Weighted average ADS outstanding*

                   

Basic

   

85,124,632

   

84,932,283

   

84,662,352

 

Diluted

   

106,151,888

   

105,297,396

   

84,662,352

 

* "ADS" refers to any of our American depository shares, each representing 50 ordinary shares.

         
                     
   

Trina Solar Limited

   

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

   

(US dollars in thousands)

                     
   

For the Three Months Ended

 
     

Sep. 30,

   

Jun. 30,

   

Sep. 30,

 
     

2016

   

2016

   

2015

 
                 

Net income (loss)

 

$

25,758

 

$

43,428

 

$

(14,507)

 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

                   

Foreign currency translation adjustments

   

(2,834)

   

(10,873)

   

(2,430)

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

   

22,924

   

32,555

   

(16,937)

 

Comprehensive (income)/ loss attributable
to non-controlling interests

   

1,782

   

(2,284)

   

(4,030)

 

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Trina Solar Limited

 

$

24,706

 

$

30,271

 

$

(20,967)

 

 

       

 

Trina Solar Limited

 
       

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 
       

 

(US dollars in thousands)

 
                       
       

As of Sep. 30,

   

As of Jun. 30,

   

As of Sep. 30,

 
       

2016

   

2016

   

2015

 
                       
 

ASSETS

                   
 

Current assets:

                   
 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

455,964

 

$

648,113

 

$

279,112

 
 

Restricted cash

   

169,239

   

183,428

   

206,964

 
 

Inventories

   

433,839

   

509,496

   

507,018

 
 

Downstream solar project assets

   

709,486

   

692,248

   

30,194

 
 

Accounts receivable, net

   

779,040

   

655,281

   

687,961

 
 

Current portion of advances to suppliers, net

   

14,128

   

30,434

   

48,048

 
 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net

   

291,792

   

280,627

   

218,590

 
 

Total current assets

   

2,853,488

   

2,999,627

   

1,977,887

 
 

Property, plant and equipment, net

(including downstream solar project assets  

of $788,551, $798,235 and $970,447
as of each period-end, respectively)

   

1,880,081

   

1,840,968

   

1,906,112

 
                     
                     
 

Prepaid land use rights, net

   

66,089

   

66,249

   

51,632

 
 

Advances to suppliers, net of current portion

   

18,179

   

19,746

   

13,045

 
 

Investment in equity affiliates

   

35,384

   

32,981

   

26,177

 
 

Deferred income tax assets, net

   

35,524

   

35,889

   

31,942

 
 

Other noncurrent assets

   

85,335

   

97,751

   

89,043

 
 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

4,974,080

 

$

5,093,211

 

$

4,095,838

 
                       
 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

                   
 

Current liabilities:

                   
 

Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term borrowings

 

$

1,108,301

 

$

1,157,760

 

$

1,004,160

 
 

Accounts payable

   

1,073,753

   

1,227,028

   

1,130,404

 
 

Convertible senior notes

   

171,192

   

170,740

   

-

 
 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

   

464,926

   

418,141

   

292,766

 
 

Total current liabilities

   

2,818,172

   

2,973,669

   

2,427,330

 
 

Long-term borrowings, excluding current portion

   

649,137

   

634,969

   

167,748

 
 

Convertible senior notes

   

112,522

   

111,959

   

279,711

 
 

Accrued warranty costs

   

139,218

   

141,692

   

122,066

 
 

Other noncurrent liabilities

   

69,303

   

73,508

   

45,319

 
 

Total liabilities

   

3,788,352

   

3,935,797

   

3,042,174

 
                       
 

Ordinary shares

   

43

   

43

   

43

 
 

Additional paid-in capital

   

765,279

   

763,090

   

756,957

 
 

Retained earnings

   

373,226

   

346,113

   

237,541

 
 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

   

2,141

   

4,548

   

17,381

 
 

Total Trina Solar Limited shareholders' equity

   

1,140,689

   

1,113,794

   

1,011,922

 
 

Non-controlling interests

   

45,039

   

43,620

   

41,742

 
 

Total equity

   

1,185,728

   

1,157,414

   

1,053,664

 
 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

$

4,974,080

 

$

5,093,211

 

$

4,095,838

 
     
 

 

Note: In the first quarter of 2016, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest,  and retrospectively reclassified the debt issuance costs to reduce the carrying amount of short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term borrowings by $1,100, long-term borrowings (excluding current portion) by $738, and convertible senior notes by $7,789 as of Sep.30, 2015.

 
         

 

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SOURCE Trina Solar Limited