China BAK Battery, Inc. (China BAK) has reported net revenues of $40.8 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2009, down 20.5%, compared with the net revenues of $51.3 million in the year-ago quarter. It has also reported a net loss of $5.7 million, or $0.10 loss per diluted share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2009, compared with the net loss of $6.2 million, or $0.12 loss per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter.

Recent Achievements and Highlights:

China BAK was accepted into the approved vendor list of an international first-tier OEM notebook computer manufacturer;

China BAK continued to optimize its business operations and to implement measures to reduce its costs and operational expenses;

China BAK maintained positive operating cash flow during the second quarter, which has historically been a seasonally slow quarter;

China BAK’s Tianjin facility received positive market feedback to samples of its lithium-phosphate cells, used in electric bicycles, power tools, uninterruptible power supplies, and other applications.

Second Quarter FY09 Financial Results:

The substantial decrease in net revenues over the net revenues generated in the same period of last year was generally due to the global financial crisis and recession, which weakened demand for many of the products that company’s customers sell.

Revenues from sales of China BAK’s cylindrical cells, which are used in notebook computers and other applications, were $9.2 million in the second quarter of FY09, down 49.8% from $18.4 million last quarter and up 37.5% from $6.7 million in the same quarter of last year.

Revenues from lithium polymer cells, used in personal electronic devices such as PDAs, MP3 players and Bluetooth devices, were $2.0 million in the second quarter of FY09, down 49.8% from $3.9 million last quarter, and up 3.8% from $1.9 million in the same quarter of last year.

Revenues from prismatic cells, including aluminum-case cells, steel-case cells and battery packs, which are also used in certain personal electronic devices, were $29.6 million, down 35.4% from $45.8 million last quarter and down 30.7% from $42.7 million in the same quarter of last year. Revenues from aluminum-case cells were $23.3 million, down 37.5% from $37.3 million last quarter and down 23.0% from $30.3 million in the same quarter of last year. Revenues from battery packs were $4.8 million, down 11.1% from $5.4 million last quarter and down 26.8% from $6.6 million in the same quarter of last year. Revenues from steel-case cells were $1.5 million, down 52.6% from $3.1 million last quarter, and down 75.0% from $5.9 million in the same quarter of last year.

Gross profit for the second quarter of FY09 was $3.0 million, down 71.5% from $10.6 million last quarter and down 22.8% from $3.9 million in the same quarter of last year. Gross margin was 7.4%, compared to 15.6% last quarter and 7.6% in the same quarter of last year. The decrease in gross margin from the last quarter and the same period of last year was the result of lower average selling prices and higher average manufacturing costs, offset by lower average material costs.

Operating expenses totaled $6.4 million or 15.7% of revenues in the second quarter of FY09, as compared to $9.8 million or 14.4% of revenues last quarter and $7.6 million or 14.8% of revenues in the same quarter of last year. Research and development expenses were $1.1 million or 2.8% of revenues, as compared to $1.4 million or 2.1% of revenues last quarter and $1.4 million or 2.7% of revenues in the same quarter of last year. Sales and marketing expenses were $1.2 million or 2.8% of revenues, as compared to $1.6 million, or 2.3% of revenues last quarter and $1.4 million or 2.7% of revenues in the same quarter of last year. General and administrative expenses were $4.1 million or 10.1% of revenues, as compared to $6.8 million or 9.9% of revenues last quarter and $4.8 million or 9.4% of revenues in the same quarter of last year.

Operating loss for the second quarter of FY09 was $3.4 million, as compared to operating income of $0.8 million last quarter and operating loss of $3.7 million in the same quarter of last year.

For the second quarter of FY09, Days Sales Outstanding increased to 171 as compared to 103 last quarter, and Days Sales of Inventory increased to 148 days from 99 days last quarter.

Financial Condition:

On March 31, 2009, China BAK had $25.4 million in cash and cash equivalents and negative $38.0 million in working capital, reflecting a current ratio of 0.83:1. Short-term bank loans and long-term bank loans totaled $172.7 million as compared to $172.2 million on December 31, 2008. Shareholders’ equity totaled $161.1 million. China BAK had $75.0 million available for borrowing under its credit facilities.

Cost and Expense Reduction on Track:

In the second quarter of FY09, China BAK continued to implement its aggressive cost management program announced earlier this year. As a result, operating expenses decreased by $3.4 million from the first quarter of FY09, exceeding company’s $1.5 million costs reduction target. Moreover, company’s operating expenses were at their lowest level since fiscal year 2007.

Business Outlook:

Throughout FY09, prioritization of our products portfolio and aggressive cost and expense reduction will be our focus. We are delighted that a first-tier OEM notebook manufacturer determined that China BAK’s cylindrical cells meet their stringent performance and reliability requirements. Also, we believe we will continue to gain market share in all products, commented Xiangqian Li, chairman and chief executive officer of China BAK.

We will continue to take appropriate action to address the downturn in the global economy as well as the challenges related to weak customer demand. We have implemented aggressive measures to reduce costs and expenses which will definitely strengthen the Company’s ability to ride out the recession, commented Tony Shen, chief finance officer of China BAK.