Hollysys Automation Technologies Reports Unaudited Financial Results for the Third Quarter and the First Nine Months Ended March 31, 2021

First Nine months of Fiscal Year 2021 Financial Highlights

• Total revenues were $434.7 million, an increase of 16.2% compared to the comparable prior year period.
• Non-GAAP gross margin was at 36.4%, compared to 35.6% for the comparable prior year period.
• Non-GAAP net income attributable to Hollysys was $71.7 million, a decrease of 7.9% compared to the comparable prior year period.
• Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $1.18, a decrease of 7.8% compared to the comparable prior year period.
• Net cash provided by operating activities was $48.6 million for the current period.
• DSO of 186 days, compared to 188 days for the comparable prior year period.
• Inventory turnover days of 52 days, compared to 57 days for the comparable prior year period.

Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2021 Financial Highlights

• Total revenues were $109.9 million, an increase of 36.1% compared to the comparable prior year period.
• Non-GAAP gross margin was at 37.5%, compared to 30.8% for the comparable prior year period.
• Non-GAAP net income attributable to Hollysys was $18.7 million, an increase of 34.0% compared to the comparable prior year period.
• Non-GAAP diluted EPS were at $0.31, an increase of 34.8% compared to the comparable prior year period.
• Net cash used in operating activities was $6.4 million for the current quarter.
• DSO of 279 days, compared to 266 days for the comparable prior year period.
• Inventory turnover days of 58 days, compared to 71 days for the comparable prior year period.

BEIJING, May 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: HOLI) ("Hollysys" or the "Company"), a leading provider of automation and control technologies and applications in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter and first nine months ended March 31, 2021 (see attached tables). The management of Hollysys stated:

Industrial Automation ("IA") business finished the third quarter with revenue and new contracts at $67.5 million and $106.7 million, representing 97.1% and 68.7% YOY growth, respectively. For the first nine months of the 2021 fiscal year, IA revenue and new contracts achieved 44.1% and 34.0% YOY growth, respectively.

• In the power sector, we employed sustainable development tactics in order to address the needs of former customers. By offering these various upgraded products and wider range of services, we were able to increase market share. Highlights of the quarter:
• Signed two 2X600 MW power plant replacement contracts. This repeat business demonstrated industry recognition of Hollysys for quality system replacements, product offering depth, and reliable engineering services.
• Signed service contracts for digital upgrades for Distributed Control Systems ("DCS") of 2X1000MW units for a power plant. We increased the number of digital projects year-over-year increasing our sales of construction of digitally optimized factories for existing customers.
• In the chemical and petrochemical sector, we continued to win mid- and high-profile projects through effective marketing and promotion coupled with our strong customer relationships. Highlights of the quarter included:
• The Zhong'an United Coal Co., Ltd. ("ZAUCC") project gained industry recognition for both economic and social benefits, and was awarded the Special Award on Science and Technology of 2019-2020 for Chinese Petroleum and Chemical Automation.
• Signed a polycarbonate project contract in Pingdingshan, Henan Province, establishing new foothold in the polycarbonate field. This important project highlights Hollysys' capabilities, positioning the Company to win more mid and high-profile contracts.
• Signed a contract with China National Offshore Oil Corporation ("CNOOC") for their Sanya gas field upgrade project. An integrated control system with upgraded products will be implemented and demonstrated in this project.
• The installation of HollySys' control system for CNOOC's offshore 'green oilfield', zero discharge and low carbon project was successfully completed. This pilot 'green oilfield' program was the first domestic control system adopted by CNOOC. Hollysys' integrated control systems successfully achieved efficiency improvement and cost reduction, while promoting low-carbon and zero discharge management of offshore oil production. The Company will participate in future exploration, construction, and development on green oilfield projects. HollySys' offering will contribute to realizing the national goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions and becoming carbon neutral.
• In the food & beverage and pharmaceutical sector, we are driving technological innovation by providing high-quality engineering in partnership with our key customers. In this quarter, a contract was signed with a Shandong pharmaceutical company to provide instruments, DCS and a Safety Instrumentation System ("SIS"), for the production of 2,800 tons per year of active pharmaceutical ingredients. In addition, the Company continues to pursue cooperation agreements with other leaders in pharmaceutical industry. A significant contract was signed with one of the subsidiaries of Sino-Biopharmaceutical Limited, establishing a solid foundation for future work with the client.
• In the smart factory business, we are promoting solution upgrades and staying attuned to market demands while helping clients develop technologically innovative factories with digitized solutions for production and management. Highlights of the quarter included:
• Signed a contract to provide our smart factory solution for a Tangshan chemical company after winning the bid for a silicone smart factory project last quarter. Smart solutions for DCS+SIS+MES+BATCH+IODS were included in the offering, which marks another advancement for the Company in the Fine Chemical Smart Factory space. HollySys will construct a data integrated platform which will achieve seamless information flow between the operations and management levels, creating the foundation of the client's digital transformation.
• A contract was signed to provide a smart power solution for a client's 2X125MW power plants, along with a DCS. Hollysys leverages existing skills and experience to pioneer the implementation of smart industrial platforms, customized smart solutions to meet the comprehensive needs of customers across verticals such as power, fine chemicals, etc.
• A contract covering the production of approximately 500,000 tons of paper goods was signed with a large paper manufacturer. We offered a solution with DCS, Intelligent Operational Data System ("IODS"), instruments, etc. This project represents the largest contract amount and production scale that Hollysys has won in the paper industry, it will boost Hollysys' industry credibility, creating a platform for the Company to further penetrate the market.
• Aftersales business of IA is keeping a healthy pace. Under our big automation initiatives, we continued to strengthen customer relations management and improve our capabilities for wider range of solutions. Under the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company launched Fangcun smart service APP, through which users can purchase spare parts, submit service requirements, and participate in remote professional courses. The APP is also an e-commerce platform of industrial products for existing customers or partners to further enhance customer stickiness and boost future business development.

Rail business finished the quarter with revenue and new contracts at $30.7 million and $15.7 million, recording 7.0% YOY growth and 215.2% YOY growth, respectively. For the first nine months of the 2021 fiscal year, rail business revenue and new contracts showed a 7.5% YOY decrease and 10.2% YOY growth, respectively.

• In the high-speed rail ("HSR") sector, we continued to deliver on existing projects, while maintaining our market position in existing product lines plus exploring opportunities in new markets. HollySys continues to apply smart and upgraded solutions designed to meet the emerging needs of the market. Highlights of the quarter include:
• Offering Automation Train Operation ("ATO") to Beijing-Xiong'an Railway and offering Automation Train Protection ("ATP") to Beijing-Harbin Railway. Our efforts are aligned with the established national rail strategies and our strong operational performance has been recognized by our clients.
• Applying the track circuit in Sichuan-Tibet Railway resulted in winning the first place Progress Prize in Science awarded by China Communications and Transportation Association. The application marks our entry into the track circuit field and contribution to the construction and development of railway networks in southwest China.
• In the subway sector, we continued our efforts in upgrading technologies and refining our solutions. We provided the complete system of CBTC and integrated with its subsidiary systems for the first time. The system had entered its pilot operation in Kunming Changshui Airport Express successfully. In addition, our smart metro station upgrading solution implemented in Shenzhen Subway Line 11 is helping clients establish a safer, more efficient, ecofriendly station. HollySys' track record on SCADA, active automation improvements on existing products and integration of cloud computing, big data, AI, etc. allows us to meet the needs of an increasingly demanding marketplace.
• With the guideline of the Fourteenth Five-Year Plan of China, Hollysys is making great strides in the area of modernization and digitalization of infrastructure construction. Our Weather Effect Monitoring solution was widely recognized and was granted with Innovation Award of Excellent Products of Highway Industry of 2020.

Mechanical and Electrical Solutions ('M&E') business finished the quarter with revenue and new contracts at $11.8 million and $19.6 million, recording 34.1% and 1.2% YOY decrease respectively. For the first nine months of the 2021 fiscal year, M&E revenue and new contracts recorded 3.9% and 16.4% YOY decrease, respectively.

COVID-19 remains a challenge to M&E and overseas business. We will keep monitoring the impact on this sector and risk control remains a key focus.

Third Quarter and First Nine Months Ended March 31, 2021 Unaudited Financial Results Summary

Operational Results Analysis for the Third Quarter Ended March 31, 2021

Comparing to the third quarter of the prior fiscal year, the total revenues for the three months ended March 31 2021 increased from $80.8 million to $109.9 million, representing an increase of 36.1%. Broken down by the revenue types, integrated contracts revenue increased by 26.7% to $85.8 million, products sales revenue increased by 82.4% to $6.5 million, and services revenue increased by 85.1% to $17.6 million.

The Company's total revenues can also be presented in segments as shown in the following chart:

Overall gross margin excluding non-cash amortization of acquired intangibles (non-GAAP gross margin) was 37.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2021, as compared to 30.8% for the same period of the prior year. The non-GAAP gross margin for integrated contracts, product sales, and services rendered were 25.9%, 81.2% and 77.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2021, as compared to 22.3%, 71.3% and 75.3% for the same period of the prior year, respectively. The gross margin fluctuated mainly due to the different revenue mix with different margins. The GAAP overall gross margin which includes non-cash amortization of acquired intangibles was 37.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2021, as compared to 30.7% for the same period of the prior year. The GAAP gross margin for integrated contracts, product sales, and service rendered was 25.9%, 81.2% and 77.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2021, as compared to 22.2%, 71.3% and 75.3% for the same period of the prior year, respectively.

Selling expenses were $7.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, representing an increase of $1.0 million or 16.1% compared to $6.2 million for the same quarter of the prior year. Presented as a percentage of total revenues, selling expenses were 6.5% and 7.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2021, and 2020, respectively.

General and administrative expenses, excluding non-cash share-based compensation expenses (non-GAAP G&A expenses), were $12.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, representing an increase of $3.3 million or 36.5% compared to $8.9 million for the same quarter of the prior year. Presented as a percentage of total revenues, non-GAAP G&A expenses were 11.1% and 11.1% for quarters ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The GAAP G&A expenses which include the non-cash share-based compensation expenses were $15.0 million and $9.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Research and development expenses were $13.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, representing an increase of $2.9 million or 28.7% compared to $10.2 million for the same quarter of the prior year, mainly due to increased research and development activities. Presented as a percentage of total revenues, R&D expenses were 12.0% and 12.7% for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

The VAT refunds and government subsidies were $11.6 million for three months ended March 31, 2021, as compared to $12.0 million for the same period in the prior year, representing a $0.4 million or 3.8% decrease.

The income tax expenses and the effective tax rate were $3.6 million and 18.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2021, respectively, as compared to $2.4 million and 14.8% for comparable prior year period, respectively.

The non-GAAP net income attributable to Hollysys, which excluded the non-cash share-based compensation expenses calculated based on the grant-date fair value of shares or options granted, amortization of acquired intangible assets, and fair value adjustments of a bifurcated derivative, was $18.7 million or $0.31 per diluted share based on 60.6 million diluted weighted average ordinary shares outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2021. This represented a 34.0% increase from $13.9 million or $0.23 per share based on 60.6 million diluted weighted average ordinary shares outstanding reported in the comparable prior year period. On a GAAP basis, net income attributable to Hollysys was $15.9 million or $0.26 per diluted share representing an increase of 14.5% from $13.8 million or $0.23 per diluted share reported in the comparable prior year period.

Contracts and Backlog Highlights

Hollysys achieved $142.0 million of new contracts for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The backlog as of March 31, 2021 was $617.7 million. The detailed breakdown of new contracts and backlog by segments is shown below:

Cash Flow Highlights

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, the total net cash inflow was $109.0 million. The net cash used in operating activities was $6.4 million. The net cash provided by investing activities was $112.7 million, mainly consisted of $163.8 million of matured short-term investments, partially offset by 45.7 million investment of an equity investee, 4.9 million purchases of property, plant and equipment, and $1.3 million purchases of short-term investments. The net cash provided by financing activities was $nil.

Balance Sheet Highlights

The total amount of cash and cash equivalents were $466.1 million, $356.9 million, and $366.4 million as of March 31, 2021, December 31, 2020 and March 31, 2020, respectively.

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, DSO was 279 days, as compared to 266 days for the comparable prior year period and 142 days for the last quarter; and inventory turnover was 58 days, as compared to 71 days for the comparable prior year period and 40 days for the last quarter.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call at 9:00 pm May 13, 2021 U.S. Eastern Time / 9:00 amMay 14, 2021 Beijing Time, to discuss the financial results for fiscal year 2021 third quarter ended March 31, 2021 and business outlook.

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SAFE HARBOUR:

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein are "forward-looking statements," including statements regarding: the ability of the Company to achieve its commercial objectives; the business strategy, plans and objectives of the Company and its subsidiaries; and any other statements of non-historical information. These forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects" or similar expressions, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements, based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Hollysys' management, are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from the forward looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they do involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and these expectations may prove to be incorrect. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those discussed in the Company's reports that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on its website (http://www.sec.gov). All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. Other than as required under the securities laws, the Company does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements.

Non-GAAP Measures

In evaluating our results, the non-GAAP measures of "Non-GAAP cost of integrated contracts", "Non-GAAP general and administrative expenses", "Non-GAAP net income attributable to Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd. stockholders", "Non-GAAP basic earnings per share", and "Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share" serve as additional indicators of our operating performance and not as a replacement for other measures in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We believe these non-GAAP measures are useful to investors, as they exclude the non-cash share-based compensation expenses, which is calculated based on the number of shares or options granted and the fair value as of the grant date, amortization of acquired intangible assets, and fair value adjustments of a bifurcated derivative. They will not result in any cash inflows or outflows. We believe that using non-GAAP measures help our shareholders to have a better understanding of our operating results and growth prospects. In addition, given the business nature of the Company, it has been a common practice for investors to use such non-GAAP measures to evaluate the Company.

 The following table provides a reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures with the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures for the periods indicated:

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SOURCE Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd.