General Steel Holdings Announces First Quarter 2008 Financial Results

Thu May 15, 6:10 PM

BEIJING, May 15 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- General Steel Holdings, Inc. ("General Steel") ("Company") (NYSE Arca: GSI), one of China's leading non-state owned steel products producer; today announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2008.


    First Quarter 2008 Results
                            Q1 2008           Q1 2007         vs. Q1 2007
    Revenue             $291.6 million     $37.6 million               +675 %
    Gross Profit         $13.0 million     $1.7 million                +649 %
    Net Income           $2.2 million      $0.47 million               +361 %
    EPS (Fully                   $0.063            $0.015              +320 %
    Diluted)


    Recent Company Highlights
    -- In January 2008, acquired a controlling interest in Hancheng Tongxing
       Metallurgy Co., Ltd.

    -- In March 2008, approved for listing on the NYSE Arca

    -- In March 2008, initiated Chicago Board of Exchange Option Trading

    -- December 2007, completed a private placement with net proceeds of
       approximately $36.4 million

"We are pleased to begin 2008 with our best-ever first quarter revenue in the history of General Steel," said Henry Yu, CEO and Chairman of General Steel Holdings, Inc. "Our revenues continue to be robust as we experience strong demand for our products. The pipeline of potential acquisitions remains strong as we see consolidation in the industry gaining traction," added Mr. Yu. "We believe we are in a unique and outstanding position to capitalize on the domestic steel industry changes and emerge as one of the largest non- government owned steel companies in China."

First Quarter 2008 Financial Results

Net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were approximately $291.6 million compared to $37.6 million in the same period of 2007, an increase of 675%. The sharp increase in net sales is a result of our acquiring controlling interest position in the Longmen Joint Venture in June 2007, and to a lesser extent the starting of our Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture which began sales in July 2007. Cost of sales increased to $278.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 from $35.9 million for the same period of 2007, an increase of 676%.

Gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was approximately $13.0 million, an increase of 649% or $11.3 million from $1.7 million for the same period of 2007. Gross profit margin decreased a fraction to 4.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2008 from 4.6% for the same period of 2007. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $6.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008, compared to $0.6 million for the same period of 2007. This increase is largely attributable to the operations of the Longmen Joint Venture, and accounted for approximately $4.4 million in SG&A expense in the first quarter 2008.

Net income was $2.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008, compared to $0.47 million for the same period of 2007, an increase of 361%. This equated to earnings of $0.063 per share (fully diluted) compared to $0.015 per share for the same period of 2007. The increase is largely attributable to the contributions from the Longmen Joint Venture and the amount of $1.9 million recorded for the change in fair value of the derivative instrument, net of the amortization of the discount on notes and interest, in connection with the issuance of the convertible notes in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Pursuant to SFAS 133 and EITF 00-19, the Company determined that both the warrants and the conversion option embedded in the Notes issued on December 13, 2007 met the definition of a derivative instrument and must be carried as a liability and marked to market each reporting period. As such, depending upon the price of the Company's common stock at the end of the quarter or year there could be an associated gain or loss which are non-cash in nature but will be recurring until such time as the notes are either redeemed or converted and the warrants are exercised. On March 31, 2008, the fair value of derivative liabilities was recalculated and decreased $2.7 million including $0.7 million for the decrease in fair value of the warrants and $2.0 million for the decrease in fair value of the conversion option. The decrease net of $0.8 million amortization expense and effective interest charges was included in other income (expense), net, which amounted to an impact of $0.055 per diluted share. Net income excluding this gain was $0.3 million with earnings of $0.008 per share, based on 34,923,614 diluted shares.

As of March 31, 2008, the balance of derivative liabilities was $25.8 million, which consisted of $6.9 million for the warrants and $18.9 million for the conversion option, and the carrying value of the Notes was $6.1 million.

Balance Sheet

Cash and restricted cash at March 31, 2008 were $60.7 million. Common shares outstanding at March 31, 2008 were 34.9 million. Accounts receivable and accounts receivable-related party were $27.8 million as of March 31, 2008 compared to $11.8 million on December 31, 2007.

Growth Strategy

General Steel is striving to become one of the largest non-government owned steel companies in China:

    -- Acquire Chinese steel companies and increase their profitability and
       efficiencies with the infusion of applied western management practices,
       advanced production technologies and capital resources.
    -- Grow through aggressive mergers, joint ventures and acquisitions
       targeting state-owned enterprise steel companies and selected entities
       with outstanding potential.

Conference Call

The earnings conference call will take place at 4:30 p.m. EDT on Thursday, May 15, 2008. Interested participants in the United States should call 1-800- 860-2442. Callers should utilize the pass code: General Steel Holdings.

This conference call will be broadcast live over the Internet and can be accessed by clicking this link: http://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=48594 .

For those unable to participate during the live broadcast, a replay will be available shortly after the call on General Steel Holdings' website http://www.gshi-steel.com for 90 days.

About General Steel Holdings, Inc.

General Steel Holdings, Inc., headquartered in Beijing, operates a diverse portfolio of Chinese steel companies. With 3 million tons aggregate production capacity, its companies serve various industries and produce a variety of steel products including rebar, hot-rolled carbon and silicon sheet and spiral-weld pipe. The Company has steel operations in Shaanxi province, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Tianjin municipality

Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management's current expectations or beliefs about future events and financial, political and social trends and assumptions it has made based on information currently available to it. The Company cannot assure that any expectations, forecasts or assumptions made by management in preparing these forward-looking statements will prove accurate, or that any projections will be realized. Such forward-looking statements may be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks or uncertainties. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein. For factors that could cause actual results to vary, perhaps materially, from these forward-looking statements, please refer to the Company's Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and other subsequent filings. Forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date of this release. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information, future events or otherwise.

    For more information, please contact:

    Ross Warner, General Steel Holdings, Inc.
     Tel:   +86-10-5879-7346 (Beijing)
     Email: ross@gshi-steel.com
     Skype: ross.warner.generalsteel

    Ted Haberfield, HC International, Inc.
     Tel:   +1-760-755-2716 (USA)
     Email: thaberfield@hcinternational.net
     Web:   hcinternational.net


                             Financial Statements

                  GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                   AS OF MARCH 31, 2008 AND DECEMBER 31, 2007

                                   A S S E T S
                                                   March 31,     December 31,
                                                     2008            2007
                                                 (Unaudited)
    CURRENT ASSETS:

     Cash                                    $    13,247,096 $    43,713,346
     Restricted cash                              47,482,412       8,391,873
     Accounts receivable, net of allowance
      for doubtful accounts of $270,235 and
      $148,224 as of March 31, 2008
      and December 31, 2007, respectively         13,079,339      11,225,678
     Accounts receivable - related parties        14,682,192         565,631
     Notes receivable                             18,569,839       4,216,678
     Notes receivable - restricted                 4,359,863      12,514,659
     Short-term loan receivable - related
      parties                                       1,285,200       1,233,900
     Other receivables                               786,133       1,280,853
     Other receivables - related parties           2,144,266       1,913,448

     Dividend receivable                             613,719              --
     Inventories                                 100,804,450      77,928,925
     Advances on inventory purchases              57,775,966      58,170,474
     Advances on inventory purchases -
      related parties                             37,496,745       9,944,012
     Prepaid expenses - current                    1,239,190       1,059,866
     Prepaid expenses related party - current         51,408          49,356
     Deferred tax assets                             637,598         399,751
     Deferred notes issuance cost                  5,120,152       3,564,546

                                                 319,375,568     236,172,996

    PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net                     255,879,989     218,263,367

    OTHER ASSETS:
     Advances on equipment purchases                 347,848         742,061
     Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries     9,666,132         822,600
     Prepaid expenses -                      - non-current
522,193         506,880
     Prepaid expenses related party -                                    -
      non-current                                    244,188         142,467
     Intangible assets, net of accumulated
      amortization                                22,575,599      21,756,709

       Total other assets                         33,355,960      23,970,717


        Total assets                         $   608,611,517 $   478,407,080

    L I A B I L I T I E S    A N D    S H A R E H O L D E R S'   E Q U I T Y

    CURRENT LIABILITIES:

     Accounts payable                        $   129,291,728 $   102,241,708
     Accounts payable - related parties            7,795,581      14,302,738
     Short-term loans - bank                      93,131,304      93,019,608
     Short-term loans - others                    34,896,184      19,156,070
     Short-term loans - related parties                   --       7,317,027
     Short-term notes payable                     75,327,000      15,163,260

     Employee loans                                2,356,200              --
     Other payables                                3,754,540       3,343,684
     Other payable - related parties                  21,171       2,126,383
     Accrued liabilities                           7,164,386       5,248,863
     Customer deposits                            60,883,030      37,872,698

     Customer deposits - related parties                  --       9,211,736
     Deposits due to sales representatives         2,734,620       3,068,298
     Taxes payable                                22,404,489      27,576,240
     Investment payable                            6,854,400       6,580,800
     Distribution payable to minority
      shareholder                                  2,330,858       2,820,803

       Total current liabilities                 448,945,491     349,049,916

    NOTES PAYABLE, net of debt discount
     $33,861,956                                   6,138,044       5,440,416

    DERIVATIVE LIABILITIES                        25,812,545      28,483,308


    MINORITY INTEREST                             65,701,909      42,044,266

    SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
     Preferred stock, $0.001 par value,
      50,000,000 shares authorized, 3,092,899
      shares issued and outstanding                    3,093           3,093
     Common Stock, $0.001 par value,
      200,000,000 shares authorized,
      34,861,365 and 34,634,765 shares
      (including 1,176,665 redeemable shares)
      issued and outstanding as of March 31,
      2008 and December 31, 2007,
      respectively                                    34,861          34,635
     Paid-in-capital                              25,541,882      23,429,153
     Retained earnings                            24,527,303      22,686,590
     Statutory reserves                            3,980,072       3,632,325
     Contribution receivable                        (959,700)       (959,700)
     Accumulated other comprehensive income        8,886,017       4,563,078

       Total shareholders' equity                 62,013,528      53,389,174

         Total liabilities and shareholders'
          equity                             $   608,611,517 $   478,407,080



                  GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

         CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
                FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2008 AND 2007
                                   (UNAUDITED)

                                                       2008             2007

    REVENUES                                $   178,492,167  $    37,607,971

    REVENUES - RELATED PARTIES                  113,073,832               --

        TOTAL REVENUES                          291,565,999       37,607,971

    COST OF SALES                               166,714,663       35,874,966

    COST OF SALES - RELATED PARTIES             111,869,221               --

        TOTAL COST OF SALES                     278,583,884       35,874,966

    GROSS PROFIT                                 12,982,115        1,733,005

    SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE
     EXPENSES                                     6,532,821          630,200

    INCOME FROM OPERATIONS                        6,449,294        1,102,805

    OTHER EXPENSE, NET                            2,366,155          220,676

    INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME
     TAXES AND MINORITY INTEREST                  4,083,139          882,129

    PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

        Current                                     666,356          127,270
        Deferred                                   (216,533)              --
               Total provision for income taxes     449,823          127,270

    NET INCOME BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST           3,633,316          754,859

    LESS MINORITY INTEREST                        1,444,856          279,994

    NET INCOME                                    2,188,460          474,865

    OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
        Foreign currency translation
         adjustments                              4,322,939          223,551


    COMPREHENSIVE INCOME                    $     6,511,399  $       698,416

    WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES

        Basic                                    34,836,394       31,320,251
        Diluted                                  34,923,614       31,320,251

    EARNING PER SHARE

        Basic                               $         0.063  $         0.015
        Diluted                             $         0.063  $         0.015



                  GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
               FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2008 AND 2007
                                   (UNAUDITED)

                                                   2008              2007
    CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

     Net income                           $      2,188,460  $        474,865
     Adjustments to reconcile net income
      to cash provided by (used in)
      operating activities:

        Minority interest                        1,444,856           279,994
        Depreciation                             4,499,873           561,709
        Amortization                               205,146            76,524
        Loss on disposal of equipment                9,492                --
        Stock issued for services and
         compensation                              548,456            23,760
        Interest expense accrued on
         mandatory redeemable stock                     --           114,726
        Amortization of deferred note
         issuance cost                               8,894                --
        Amortization of discount on
         convertible notes                         697,628                --
        Change in fair value of
         derivative instrument                  (2,670,763)               --

        Deferred tax assets                       (216,533)               --

       Changes in operating assets and
        liabilities

        Accounts receivable                     (1,459,682)        5,898,381
        Accounts receivable - related parties    7,631,355                --
        Notes receivable                       (13,832,292)       (1,517,176)
        Notes receivable- restricted             8,491,027                --
        Other receivables                        1,533,823            82,939
        Other receivables - related parties       (148,056)          333,000

        Inventories                            (17,647,149)       (1,760,231)
        Advances on inventory purchases          6,516,616       (11,340,142)
        Advances on inventory purchases -
         related parties                       (26,563,452)               --

        Prepaid expense - current                 (132,390)         (123,161)
        Prepaid expense -                        - non-current
5,639                --
        Prepaid expense -                        - non-current -
         related parties                           (93,765)               --

        Accounts payable                        11,144,259         1,951,381
        Accounts payable - related parties      (6,951,111)               --
        Other payables                          (2,579,136)         (275,480)
        Other payable - related parties         (2,118,101)               --

        Accrued liabilities                        522,377           (41,648)

        Customer deposits                       20,885,570         1,631,391
        Customer deposits - related parties     (9,391,133)               --

        Taxes payable                           (9,585,924)          783,398
          Net cash used in operating
           activities                          (27,056,016)       (2,845,770)

    CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

     Cash acquired from subsidiary                 702,237                --
     Deposits due to sales representatives        (451,457)         (411,542)
     Advance on equipment purchases                416,045                --
     Equipment purchases                       (28,097,609)         (126,928)
     Intangible assets purchases                   143,465                --
          Net cash used in investing
           activities                          (27,287,319)         (538,470)

    CASH FLOWS FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

     Restricted cash                           (33,726,504)               (2)
     Borrowings on short-term loans - bank      24,893,037         8,785,581
     Payments on short-term loans - bank       (28,568,988)       (7,495,481)
     Borrowings on short-term loans -
      related parties                            6,168,050                --
     Payments on short-term loans -
      related parties                           (5,153,320)               --
     Borrowings on short-term loan - others     23,147,344                --
     Payments on short-term loans - others     (16,733,731)               --
     Borrowings on short-term notes payable     62,896,500         1,161,090
     Payments on short-term notes payable      (11,614,887)       (1,161,090)
     Borrowings on employee loans                2,306,205                --
     Payment to minority shareholders             (594,336)               --
          Net cash provided by financing
           activities                           23,019,370         1,290,098

    EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGE IN
     CASH                                          857,715            60,407

    INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH                (30,466,250)       (2,033,735)

    CASH, beginning of year                     43,713,346         6,831,550

    CASH, end of year                     $     13,247,096  $      4,797,815



                  GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2008 AND 2007


                            Preferred stock      Common stock

                                      Par                   Par     Paid-in
                            Shares   value     Shares      value    capital

    BALANCE, January 1,
     2007                        -- $   --  $31,250,000 $ 31,250  $6,871,358

        Net income
        Common stock
         issued for
         conversion of
         redeemable stock,
         $1.95/share                             176,665      177     344,328
        Common stock
         issued for
         service,
         $1.32/share                              18,000       18      23,742
        Foreign currency
         translation
         adjustments

    BALANCE, March 31,
     2007, unaudited             --  $  --  $31,444,665  $31,445  $7,239,428

        Net income
        Adjustment to
         statutory
         reserve
         Registered
         Capital to be
         received from
         Baotou Steel by
         05/21/09
        Common stock
         issued for
         acquisition
         net of dividend
         distribution to
         Tianjin Victory
         New              3,092,899  3,093                         8,370,907
        Conversion of
         redeemable stock,
         $1.95                                 1,000,000    1,000   1,948,992
        Conversion of
         warrants, $2.50                       2,120,000    2,120   5,297,880
        Common stock
         issued for
         compensation,
         $8.16                                    70,100       70     571,946
        Foreign currency
         translation gain


    BALANCE, December 31,
     2007                 3,092,899 $ 3,093   34,634,765  $34,635 $23,429,153

        Net income
        Adjustment to
        statutory reserve
        Common stock
        issued
        for compensation,
        $8.16                                     76,600       77     548,379
        Common stock
        issued
        for compensation,
        $10.43                                   150,000      150   1,564,350
        Foreign currency
        translation
        adjustments

    BALANCE, March 31,
     2008, unaudited      3,092,899 $ 3,093  $34,861,365  $34,861 $25,541,882


                                                       Retained earnings
                                                   Statutory
                                                   reserves     Unrestricted


    BALANCE, January 1, 2007                   $   1,107,010  $    4,974,187

           Net income                                                474,865
           Common stock issued for conversion
            of redeemable stock, $1.95/share
           Common stock issued for service,
            $1.32/share
           Foreign currency translation
            adjustments


    BALANCE, March 31, 2007, unaudited         $   1,107,010  $    5,449,052

           Net income                                             21,951,056
           Adjustment to statutory reserve         2,525,315      (2,525,315)
           Registered Capital to be received
            from Baotou Steel by 05/21/09
           Common stock issued for acquisition
            net of dividend distribution to
            Tianjin Victory New                                   (2,188,203)
           Conversion of redeemable stock,
            $1.95
           Conversion of warrants, $2.50
           Common stock issued for
            compensation, $8.16
           Foreign currency translation gain


    BALANCE, December 31, 2007                 $   3,632,325  $   22,686,590


           Net income                                              2,188,460

           Adjustment to statutory reserve           347,747        (347,747)
           Common stock issued for
            compensation, $8.16
           Common stock issued for
            compensation, $10.43
           Foreign currency translation
            adjustments


    BALANCE, March 31, 2008, unaudited         $   3,980,072  $   24,527,303


                                                  Accumulated
                                                     other
                                Subscriptions    comprehensive
                                 receivable         income         Totals


    BALANCE, January 1, 2007   $          --  $      1,076,688 $  14,060,493


       Net income                                                    474,865
       Common stock issued for
        conversion of
        redeemable stock,
        $1.95/share                                                  344,505
       Common stock issued for
        service, $1.32/share                                          23,760
       Foreign currency
        translation adjustments                        223,551       223,551


    BALANCE, March 31, 2007,
     unaudited                 $          --   $     1,300,239 $  15,127,174


       Net income                                                 21,951,056
       Adjustment to statutory
        reserve                                                           --
       Registered Capital to
        be received from
        Baotou Steel by
        05/21/09                    (959,700)                       (959,700)
       Common stock issued for
        acquisition net of
        dividend                                                          --
        distribution to
        Tianjin Victory New                                        6,185,797
       Conversion of
        redeemable stock, $1.95                                    1,949,992
       Conversion of warrants,
        $2.50                                                      5,300,000
       Common stock issued for
        compensation, $8.16                                          572,016
       Foreign currency
        translation gain                             3,262,839     3,262,839


    BALANCE, December 31, 2007 $    (959,700) $      4,563,078 $  53,389,174


       Net income                                                  2,188,460
       Adjustment to statutory
        reserve                                                           --
       Common stock issued for
        compensation, $8.16                                          548,456
       Common stock issued for
        compensation, $10.43                                       1,564,500
       Foreign currency
        translation adjustments                      4,322,939     4,322,939


    BALANCE, March 31, 2008,
     unaudited                 $    (959,700) $      8,886,017 $  62,013,528


SOURCE General Steel Holdings, Inc.