Investors in Bodisen Biotech, Inc. (BBC-$8.94), a manufacturer of organic fertilizers and pesticides targeting The People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) agricultural markets, saw the value of their holdings’ lose about 17% last week, as the Company’s past relationship with a ‘colorful’ adviser to emerging Chinese companies came to light.
Bodisen Biotech has since ended its relationship with the advisor, Benjamin Wey, and New York Global Group.
Along with public relations work here in the U.S., according to a SB-2/A filed with the SEC in February 2006, the Company had an oral agreement with the Beijing office of New York Global Capital, Inc. for the payment of a corporate finance fee of $300,000 for help with getting Bodisen a dual listing on the London Stock Exchange.
Company and Market Description
The 10Q Detective first learned of Bodisen when we did our due diligence on China Natural Gas (CHNG-$2.85), for the Company beneficially owns approximately 2.03 million, or about nine percent, of the Common Stock of CHNG (at $1.39 per share). Through the investment, Bodisen is looking to leverage CHNG’s relationships with urea suppliers to obtain price discounts. Urea is a natural gas byproduct used in fertilizer production.
Bodisen's organic products have many advantages over chemical fertilizers. Its fertilizer products improve crop yields by 10% to 35% and are sold at prices similar to chemical fertilizers. Additionally, Chinese farmers that use Bodisen’s organic fertilizer can have their fruits and vegetables government certified as "organic produce," which command as much as 200% higher in retail prices compared to non-organic produce, therefore substantially increasing farmers’ income levels.
Bodisen's compound fertilizer products offer ease of use, for they are applied one time while each type of chemical fertilizers may have to be applied separately.
The Company is growing its business in a favorable market environment. The agricultural industry is strongly supported by the Chinese government. China, with 1.3 billion people, is one of the largest importers of grains in the world. Much of China's urban population of 500 million depends on imported grains to support higher demand for meat. In order to reduce dependence on foreign grains, the Chinese government supports the agricultural industry by providing many incentives to agricultural product companies. Bodisen enjoys tax-free status and is exempt from sales tax, VAT, agricultural product tax and income tax (income tax holiday through the end of 2007 and renewable thereafter).
Emerging from the shell of a start-up stage Internet-based commercial mortgage originator called Stratabid.com, Inc., Bodisen is now a highly profitable, one stop solution provider of the entire planting needs for Chinese farmers. With over 60 different products (sold in all seasons) in four categories: compound fertilizers, liquid fertilizers, pesticides, and agricultural raw materials, the Company has enjoyed—on average—a net margin of approximately 30% across its product lines.
Financial Analysis
The Company generated revenues of $26.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006, an increase of about $13.8 million, or 105.3%, compared to $13.1 million for the prior year period. Management believes that the strong first half of the year was made possible by repeat business from a loyal base of customers buying more items from Bodisen’s product line (as they keep achieving greater crop yields).
Gross margin, as a percentage of revenues, increased from 37.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2005, to 39.6% for the six months ended June 30, 2006. The increase in gross margin was primarily attributable to an across the board increase in the selling price of its products.
Comprehensive income increased by 117.1% to $7.6 million (share-net of $0.48) during the six months ended June 30, 2006, as compared to $3.5 million (share-net of $0.22) for last year. The increase was attributed to a successful marketing campaign focused on increasing cross selling of all Bodisen’s products to its customer base, and growing demand in new markets and regions throughout China. The Company also benefited from a prudent decision made in December 2005 to lock in raw material costs before cost increases were announced in the 1H:06.
[Ed. note. Talk about controversy! On December 8, 2005, Bodisen issued a $5.0 million promissory note to Amaranth Partners L.L.C. The obligation was used to lock in hedges against the aforementioned raw material cost increases in the current fiscal year. Amaranth Partners L.L.C. is a Delaware-registered subsidiary of the Greenwich, Conn.-based Hedge Fund Amaranth Advisors that collapsed after a misplaced bet on natural gas! The loan has since been paid back.
However, in connection with the issuance of the Note, the Company agreed to issue to Amaranth a warrant to purchase 133,333 shares of the Company’s common stock at $7.50 per share (subject to adjustment). Given the liquidation going on over at Amaranth, one would suspect that these shares will hit the market--putting some short-term pressure on the price of Bodisen, too.]
Accounts receivables rose by $10.0 million in the 1H:06, resulting in negative cash flow from operations of about $(3.7) million.
The Company also advances credit to certain vendors for purchase of its material. The advances to suppliers are interest free and unsecured. The advances to suppliers amounted to $9.9 million at June 30, 2006.
Albeit red flags do exist, in our view, we can shrug them off (for now) because the Company does have a strong balance sheet without any long-term debts. As of June 30, 2006, working capital was $29.0 million (net unsecured advances to suppliers and monies kept in a bank account for investment in a new compound fertilizer plant in Xinjiang Province A La Er City).
Book value stood at $3.36 per share.
Valuation Analysis
In a short time the Company has gained a reputation for producing "green" products that address farmers' concerns in a market that is growing exponentially. Bodisen could easily earn $1.00 per share this fiscal year and is selling for a fraction of the (TTM) 36.5 and 22.5 P/E multiples commanded by agri-chemical giants Monsanto Co. (MON-$47.01) and Swiss Syngenta AG (SYT-$30.18), respectively.
The 10Q Detective prefers to look beyond Bodisen’s short-term worries, for we see a favorable profit picture in this Company’s future (forward five-year average growth of about 35 percent per annum).
Bodisen has one of the largest Chinese agricultural product distribution networks (Product Sale Agreements with more than 155 wholesalers), with current potential to reach more than 60% of China's agricultural markets. As previously mentioned, the Company is building new compound fertilizer plant in Xinjiang Province.
Our two-year target price is $26.00 per share, which implies (among other variables) the issuance of an additional seven million shares for future capex needs; the Company growing at 35% per annum; gross margins of at least 36.7%; equity risk premium of 5.0%; and an assumed WACC of 10 percent.
Investment Risks and Considerations
Risks to our opinion include gross margins squeezed by unanticipated raw material cost increases; unexpected competition from international agri-chemical giants; and, pricing power erosion related to declining economic benefits to farmers (defined in terms of crop yield and prices).
Management owns a significant amount of the Common Stock, giving them influence or control in corporate transactions and other matters, and their interests could differ from those of other stockholders. Two of Bodisen’s principal executive officers, CEO Wang Qiong and President Chen Bo, collectively own approximately 45.48% of the Existing Common Stock. As a result, they are in a position to significantly influence or control the outcome of matters requiring a stockholder vote, including the election of directors and the approval of significant corporate transactions.
Bodisen’s financial success depends upon the development of The People’s Republic of China’s agricultural industry. Roughly half of the PRC’s labor force is engaged in agriculture, even though only about 10% of the land is suitable for cultivation. Although the PRC hopes to further increase agricultural production, incomes for Chinese farmers are stagnating. Despite the Chinese government’s continued emphasis on agricultural self-sufficiency, an inadequate infrastructure, from port facilities to a lack of warehousing and cold storage facilities impedes the domestic agricultural trade.
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Bodisen relies on local farmers to purchase its products, which are generally purchased under a “Cash on Delivery” or (as previously mentioned) on a 9-12 months credit, the farmers’ inability to sell their agricultural goods could therefore hinder their ability to timely pay their credit obligations to the Company.
Of concern, in the 2Q:06, days-of-sales outstanding jumped almost 21 days to 97 days (as compared to the 2Q:05). To our new readers, this means that it is taking longer for Bodisen to collect on what it is owed by its customers—indicative of an ‘easy money’ lending policy? Management does note, however, in its SEC filings that credit terms of the sales vary from COD through a credit term up to 9 to 12 months.
However, should central China be hit with an 'Act of God'--floods,drought, or locusts--the allowance for doubtful accounts of $697,209 might prove to be woefully inadequate.
The People’s Republic of China’s Economic Policies could affect the Company’s business. Substantially all of the Company’s assets are located in the PRC and substantially all of its revenue is derived from operations in the PRC. Accordingly, results of operations and prospects are subject, to a significant extent, to the economic, political and legal developments in the PRC.
Editor David J Phillips is long shares of Bodisen Biotech and China Natural Gas but has no financial interest in any other company mentioned in this posting. The 10Q Detective has a full disclosure policy.
12 comments:
David, nice write-up on BBC. Looking at near-term risks, one thing you forgot to mention was the huge amount of Form 144 stock that has been registered for sale in the past month. I presume this is coming from pre-reverse merger Chinese investors in the company.
Also, did you notice the relationship bet Amulet and Amaranth?
The 6.2MM investment in the Xinjiang company made at the end of Q2 doesn't seem properly accounted for. Why is this classified as cash? Should it not be considered as an "investment" or at least restricted cash? Where does it show up on the cash flow statement? They should also have filed an 8k for this too....
The Company still classifies the Xinjiang investment as cash because the construction has not yet started on the site. They did note that the $6.2 M for the project is sitting in a cash a/c. Notice, however, that I did subtract this cash from working capital (as the monies will soon be put to work on CAPEX).
Sir, I would like you to thank you for so generously sharing your ideas as the 10Q Detective. I read regularly and look forward to them eagerly. In the case of Bodisen, the Herb Greenberg article to which you link quotes reverse merger specialist Halter commenting that at the time of its reverse merger his team considered BBC "unauditable." Given your expertise in the financial statement field, would you be willing to speculate on what most likely might make an operation like Bodisen's in some eyes "unauditable"? Thank you.
A Company would be considered "unauditable" if they do not open their accounting ledgers and/or financial statements for public review.
This is OLD NEWS. At present BBC is in full compliance with all required SEC filings pursuant to
Pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
For example:
Section 108(b) - On April 25, 2003, the SEC recognized the Financial Accounting Standards Board as the accounting standard setter.
** The Company adheres to all FASB standards.
Section 404 - On May 27, 2003, the SEC adopted rules requiring an annual management report on and auditor attestation of a company's internal controls over financial reporting.
***In BBC's 10K filed with the SEC on March 28, 2006, Kabani & Company, Inc. Certified Public Accountants -Los Angeles, California signed off on the audit on February 22, 2006.
Disclosure is the sole responsibility of any public company. Any advisor, whether it is Merrill Lynch, Goldman or New York Global Group provides services to clients based on service agreements. And it is the client, a public company, staffed with its own quality lawyers and independent board members oversight that has the responsibility to disclose any relationships with its advisors through SEC filings. If you have gone through Bodisen's filings and Bodisen's own news announcements regarding its payment and relationships with New York Global Group, it is easily found that its relationships with and payments to New York Global Group in fact had already been fully disclosed in various Q and K filings, all based on service contracts in writing. Perception is not reality, or the truth. Tabloid writers including NY Post tabloid writer Christopher Byron, was fired by that newspaper. That self-promoting tabloid writer Herb Greenberg is a shallow character and a gun for short sellers. Believing in tabloid writers without studying their true motives is not smart investing. Ever seen an old dog wagging its tail for attention? That's Herb Greenberg, an old dog. Why do you think people who have never visited the US are biased negatively towards America? Because they do not know better and for that reason, ignorance rules. The same concept: why does anyone who has never been to China, not even as a tourist, and never speaks any Chinese language at all other than shouting it aloud "Kong Pao Chicken!" at a Chinese restaurant in San Diego where Greenberg is located, has any clue about China or Chinese companies? Herb Greenberg reflects shallow character of a human being, seeking public attention and getting paid by short sellers directly or indirectly. No wonder the SEC was investigating the man last year for abetting short sellers. Be smart, study the facts. That's called smart investing. By the way, New York Global Group was named the best foreign middle market banking firm in China by the China Securities Daily in 2006. Don't you think the Chinese themselves know China better?? Pure common sense for the smart heads... Tabloid writers are driven by motives to sell stories, just like prostitutes that collect dollars in exchange for sex. This self-conscious Greenberg guy has become a laughing stock and a sign of ignorance in the chinese media. What a shame... Yes. Benjamin Wey is a China expert and a professor of finance at several Chinese universities and an advisor to several Chinese municipal governments. Again, the same question is asked: when it comes to China and its people, don't the Chinese government and Chinese universities know better about highly respected Benjamin Wey's background than a San Diego tabloid writer Herb Greenberg that sits in his little crappy home in San Diego and whom has never been to China or even speaks a single word of Chinese? What a dumb writer and a pathetic close mind Greenberg is.
its been a while. but are you still long on BBC? rather bbcz.pk
As of 6-28-07, the 10Q Portfolio is still long--with a 'weak' hold, pending demonstration that business model is viable & management re-establishes credibility--preferably by reminding itself that it should adhere to US/GAAP accounting standards--not the wild,wild, west -- Chinese style financial reporting.
Dave,
Are you still long Bodisen Biotech? I understand that a flood has caused some serious damage.
Yes. Although I might sell come December 2007 if I need the tax write-off!
09-09-2007. David what are the downsides of entering BBC now? From the 1stQ 10Q this bothers me...
"We generated revenues of $5,008,472 for the three months ended March 31, 2007, a decrease of $5,526,888 or 52.5%, compared to $10,535,360 for the three months ended March 31, 2006. The significant decrease in revenue was due to the negative impact on the company's reputation as a result of Bodisen being delisted by American Stock Exchange and the abnormally cold spring time weather of Shaanxi province which affected crop plantings and decreased the use of fertilizer."
What does being delisted from the AMEX have to do with selling fertilizer to Chinese distributors? If you've got the fertilizer and they've got the cash its a deal right?
Best to stay far, far way yes?
Patrick:
As you said, being delisted in the USA has no correlation w. selling fertilizer in China. If you have some speculative monies set aside, I'd buy some shares--at the current share price the stock is a gamble--just lika a call option. But I would not invest any sizeable dollars in the company--no catalysts on the horizon to turn the Company around. JUST MY OPINION!
Do you still like Bodisen? Seems to have been left out of the rally.
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