Origin Agritech (NASDAQ:SEED)

Second Quarter 2012 Results

During the second quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company generated revenues of RMB14.74 million (US$2.34 million), compared with RMB1.09 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. Revenues generated in the second quarter were mainly a result of scrap sales. As a reminder, the majority of Origin’s revenues are recorded in the fiscal third quarter as a result of our revenue recognition policy.

Net loss for the second quarter of 2012 was RMB37.07 million (US$5.89 million), or RMB-1.58 (US$-0.25) per diluted share, as compared to a net loss of RMB35.13 million, or RMB-1.36 (US$-0.21) per diluted share in the same period one year ago.

Third Quarter Results

• During the third quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company generated revenues of RMB244.7 million (US$37.4 million), compared with RMB462.2 million (US$68.1 million) generated in the three months ended June 30, 2010.
• Income from operations for the third quarter of 2011 amounted to RMB34.0 million (US$5.2 million) compared with an operating income of RMB153.4 million (US$22.6 million) for the same period in 2010.
• Net income attributable to Origin for the third quarter of 2011 was RMB13.9 million (US$2.1 million), or RMB 0.60 (US$0.09) per share - both basic and diluted, as compared to a net income of RMB105.2 million (US$15.5 million), or RMB 4.57 (US$0.67) per share - both basic and diluted in the same period one year ago.

FISCAL 2011 GUIDANCE

Based on its current outlook, and existing and anticipated business conditions, Origin lowers the revenue guidance for FY 2011 in the range of RMB 530 million to RMB 550 million.

Second Quarter Results:

• During the second quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company generated revenues of RMB1.09 million (US$0.17 million), a decrease of 32.31% from RMB 1.60 million (US$0.24 million) generated in the three months ended March 31, 2010
• Net loss for the second quarter of 2011 was RMB35.13 million (US$5.36 million), or RMB -1.36 (US$-0.21) per diluted share, as compared to a net loss of RMB30.98 million (US$4.54 million), or RMB -1.23 (US$-0.18) per diluted share in the same period one year ago.

Based on its current outlook, and existing and anticipated business conditions, Origin reiterates the revenue guidance for FY 2011 in the range of RMB 600 million to RMB 650 million.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company reported:

• Revenues of RMB 17.19 million (US$2.60 million), a decrease of 55.47% from RMB 38.60 million (US$5.65 million) generated in the three months ended December 31, 2009.

RMB 16.83 million of the revenues this quarter were a result of the sales of canola seed products, 241,309 kg, for the three months ended December 31, 2010. The small remainder was a result of scrap sales. Across the industry, canola seeds, amongst other seed groups, sold lower volumes as a result of the changing planting schedules of farmers. The majority of Origin’s revenues are recorded in the fiscal third quarter as a result of our revenue recognition policy. The goods already sold and shipped to customers can be seen as Deferred Revenue line on the balance sheet and the Advances from Customers records the advance cash receipts from customers this selling season.

• Gross profit for the three-months ended December 31, 2010 was RMB 8.61 million (US$1.3 million) compared to RMB 20.58 million (US$3.01 million) in the same period of the prior year. Gross margins for canola seeds for this quarter (exclusive of scrap sales) were 58.67% versus 53.3% for the canola seed sales for the same quarter in last year. This is a result of the higher pricing structure of our canola seed products this year.

• Total operating expenses for the three-months ended December 31, 2010 were RMB 39.02 million (US$5.89 million) compared with RMB 38.96 million (US$5.71 million) reported for the same period in 2009.

• Operating loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 year amounted to RMB 30.41 million (US$4.59 million) compared with an operating loss of RMB 18.38 million (US$2.69 million) for the same period in fiscal 2010 year.

• Net loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 year was RMB 25.15 million (US$3.80 million), or RMB 0.94 (US$0.14) per basic and diluted share, as compared to a net loss of RMB 16.39 million (US$2.40 million), or RMB 0.59 (US$0.09) per basic and diluted share in the same period one year ago.

2011 GUIDANCE

Based on its current outlook, and existing and anticipated business conditions, Origin reiterates the revenue guidance for FY 2011 in the range of RMB 600 million to RMB 650 million.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2010 the Company generated:

• Revenues of RMB 462.23 million (US$68.07 million), a decrease of 3.13% from RMB 477.17 million (US$69.84 million) generated in the three months ended June 30, 2009.
  
• Operating profit for the third quarter of 2010 amounted to RMB153.36million (US$22.58 million) compared with an operating profit of RMB118.95 million (US$17.41 million) for the same period in 2009.
  
• Net income attributable to Origin Agritech Limited for the third quarter of 2010 was RMB105.16 million (US$15.49million), or RMB 4.52 (US$0.67) per diluted share, as compared to a net income attributable to Origin Agritech Limited of RMB74.97 million (US$10.98million), or RMB3.26 (US$0.48)per diluted share in the same period one year ago.

Based on its current outlook, and existing and anticipated business conditions, Origin believes the revenue guidance for FY 2010 to be in the range of RMB 580 million to RMB 600 million.