China Precision Steel Announces Fiscal 2013 Year End Results

SHANGHAI, Oct. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- China Precision Steel, Inc. (NASDAQ: CPSL), a niche precision steel processing company principally engaged in producing and selling high precision, cold-rolled steel products, announced today its financial results for the fiscal year 2013 ended June 30, 2013.

Full Year 2013 Highlights

• Revenue was $36.5 million
• Total volume sold was 56,232 tons
• Gross loss was $11.8 million
• Net loss was $69.0 million
• Net loss per share was $17.76

"We started the year off with a challenging environment of overcapacity of steel production combined with sluggish demand which resulted in a significant drop in our sales volume for fiscal year 2013. In response to the industry's problems, the State Council and other oversight organizations have decided to implement steps to address the overcapacity including putting aside funds for promoting restructuring and mergers of steel companies," commented Mr. Hai Sheng Chen, CEO of China Precision Steel. "While government organizations work to improve the conditions in the industry, we are pleased to have experienced a progressive increase in our sales volume from the low of the first quarter in fiscal year 2013, primarily due to strengthening of our relationships with customers in less competitive markets such as the auto and international markets."

Revenue for fiscal year 2013 was $36.5 million, down 74.5% from revenue of $143.0 million in fiscal year 2012. High carbon and low carbon products accounted for 38.2% and 59.8% of sales, respectively, compared to 18.3% and 79.3%, respectively, in the prior year. International sales represented 10% of total sales, up from 5% in fiscal year 2012.

With China's economy losing steam over the past year combined with overcapacity and softening demand for steel, steel prices have been under pressure. Subsequently, gross loss for the fiscal year 2013 was $11.8 million compared to a gross loss of $5.8 million in fiscal year 2012. Gross margin was (32.2%), compared to gross margin of (4.1%) a year ago. Operating loss was $70.2 million, compared to operating loss of $14.0 million in fiscal year 2012. Net loss was $69.0 million, compared to a net loss of $16.9 million a year ago. Fully diluted loss per share was $17.76, compared to fully diluted loss per share of $4.37 for fiscal year 2012.

Financial Condition

As of June 30, 2013, China Precision Steel had $75,243 in cash and cash equivalents, total liabilities of $67.0 million. Stockholders' equity was $52.9 million, compared to $118.9 million as of June 30, 2012.

"China's economy appears to be improving as economic activity is increasing and confidence is returning for the country's growth prospects. As a result, many local governments that hadn't been able to expand investments amid the economic slowdown are now restarting their plans to spend on infrastructure which is expected to support the rebound in demand for steel," Mr. Chen continued. "While the economy and the steel industry in particular are in the early stages of turning around, we are taking steps to improve our working capital and operating cash flow by implementing policies to reduce our accounts receivable. We are also working to continue to strengthen our collection efforts as well as tighten controls on all further credit sales to minimize future risks during this difficult environment. We remain committed to our shareholders and will continue to focus on building long-term shareholder value."

About China Precision Steel

China Precision Steel is a niche precision steel processing company principally engaged in the production and sale of high precision cold-rolled steel products and provides value added services such as heat treatment and cutting medium and high carbon hot-rolled steel strips. China Precision Steel's high precision, ultra-thin, high strength (7.5 mm to 0.05 mm) cold-rolled steel products are mainly used in the production of automotive components, food packaging materials, saw blades, steel roofing and textile needles. The Company sells to manufacturers in the People's Republic of China as well as overseas markets such as Nigeria, Ethiopia, Thailand and Indonesia. China Precision Steel was incorporated in 2002 and is headquartered in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong. Additional information can be found at the Company's website http://chinaprecisionsteelinc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements in this press release by China Precision Steel constitute "forward-looking statements" for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, without limitation, statements regarding: the ability of the Company to maintain compliance with the NASDAQ minimum bid price requirements; the ability of the Company to successfully implement planned measures to cut costs and increase profitability and to strengthen its financial position; the likelihood that China's economy will rebound in response to new pro-growth policies and infrastructure projects and that the Company will be able to benefit from any such growth; and predictions and guidance relating to the Company's future financial performance. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs but they involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, business conditions in China, weather and natural disasters, changing interpretations of generally accepted accounting principles; outcomes of government reviews; inquiries and investigations and related litigation; continued compliance with government regulations; legislation or regulatory environments, requirements or changes adversely affecting the businesses in which China Precision Steel is engaged; cyclicality of steel consumption including overcapacity and decline in steel prices, limited availability of raw material and energy may constrain operating levels and reduce profit margins, environmental compliance and remediation could result in increased cost of capital as well as other relevant risks not included herein. The information set forth herein should be read in light of such risks. You are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements herein and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date of this press release and the Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in the Company's expectations.

For more information, please contact:

Elite IR
Leslie J. Richardson, Partner
+852-3183 0283
Leslie.richardson@elite-ir.com

- Financial Tables Follow -

SOURCE China Precision Steel Inc.