10-Q 1 v148713_10q.htm Unassociated Document

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q (Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2009.

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from to
 
Commission File Number: 0-19276

Fushi Copperweld, Inc.

Nevada
 
13-3140715
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1 Shuang Qiang Road, Jinzhou, Dalian, People’s Republic of China 116100
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

011-86-411-8770-333 (PRC); 931-433-0460 (US)
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes þ
No  o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has electronically posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes  o
No   o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer þ
Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o
No  þ

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. The total shares outstanding at May 11, 2009 was 27,899,034.

 

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

   
Page
 
       
Part I - Financial Information
   
 
 
         
Item 1 - Financial Statements
   
 
 
         
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2009 (unaudited)
and December 31, 2008
   
2
 
         
Consolidated Statements of Income and Other Comprehensive Income for
the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 (unaudited)
   
3
 
         
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended
March 31, 2009 and 2008 (unaudited)
   
4
 
         
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders Equity    
5
 
         
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
   
6
 
         
Item 2 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of
Operations and Financial Condition
   
39
 
         
Item 3 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk
   
60
 
         
Item 4 Controls and Procedures
   
63
 
         
Part II. Other Information
       
         
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
   
63
 
         
Item 1A. Risk Factors
   
64
 
         
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
   
 64
 
         
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities
       
 
 

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
     
       
Item 5. Other Information
 
64
 
       
Item 6 Exhibits
 
64
 
         
Signature Page
 
66
 
 
 

 
 
FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC.  AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED  BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF MARCH 31, 2009 AND DECEMBER 31, 2008

   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
Unaudited
       
ASSETS
           
CURRENT ASSETS:
           
Cash
  $ 42,716,858     $ 65,611,770  
Restricted cash
    1,000,000       1,000,000  
Accounts receivable, trade, net of allowance of bad debt of $290,338 and $318,529 as of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively
    44,327,752       49,782,548  
Inventories, net
    19,542,327       6,977,852  
Notes receivables
    127,318       171,300  
Other receivables and prepaid expenses
    1,074,603       869,973  
Advances to suppliers
    14,347,996       20,261,585  
Deposit in derivative hedge
    1,000,000       1,000,000  
Prepaid taxes
    1,645,241       670,805  
Total current assets
    125,782,095       146,345,833  
                 
PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net
    118,212,704       119,761,027  
                 
OTHER ASSETS:
               
Advances to suppliers, noncurrent
    8,734,390       4,022,879  
Notes receivables, noncurrent
    769,106       799,106  
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization
    12,269,426       12,406,920  
Deferred loan expense, net
    3,045,275       3,317,725  
Deferred tax assets
    9,430,554       7,804,027  
Total other assets
    34,248,751       28,350,657  
                 
Total assets
  $ 278,243,550     $ 294,457,517  
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
                 
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Revolver line of credit
  $ 4,125,266     $ 4,712,075  
Accounts payable, trade
    5,384,595       7,204,156  
Notes payable, current
    10,000,000       5,000,000  
Short-term bank loans
    -       17,588,400  
Other payables and accrued liabilities
    2,349,467       4,751,460  
Customer deposits
    534,845       542,540  
Cross currency hedge payable
    156,154       104,324  
Total current liabilities
    22,550,327       39,902,955  
                 
LONG TERM  LIABILITIES:
               
Derivative liability - conversion option
    1,767,604       -  
Derivative liability – warrants
    274,681       -  
Notes payable, noncurrent
    35,447,092       40,000,000  
Fair value of derivative instrument
    7,139,205       4,377,076  
Total long term liabilities
    44,628,582       44,377,076  
                 
Total liabilities
    67,178,909       84,280,031  
                 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
    7,197,794       7,197,794  
                 
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
               
                 
Preferred stock,$0.001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding
    -       -  
Common stock,$0.006  par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, March 31, 2009: 27,899,034 shares issued and 27,799,034 outstanding December 31, 2008: 27,499,034 shares issued and 27,399,034 outstanding
    166,795       164,395  
Restricted common stock in escrow
    600       600  
Additional paid in capital
    93,469,915       91,172,890  
Statutory reserves
    12,998,375       12,316,147  
Retained earnings
    79,674,697       78,613,158  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    17,556,465       20,712,502  
Total shareholders' equity
    203,866,847       202,979,692  
                 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
  $ 278,243,550     $ 294,457,517  
 
The accompany notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.
 
 
2

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC.  AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2009 AND 2008
(UNAUDITED)

   
2009
   
2008
 
             
REVENUES
  $ 35,256,536     $ 54,009,027  
                 
COST OF GOODS SOLD
    26,317,161       39,275,340  
                 
GROSS PROFIT
    8,939,375       14,733,687  
                 
OPERATING EXPENSES
               
Selling expenses
    1,202,147       792,911  
General and administrative expenses
    3,070,242       4,395,779  
  Total operating expenses
    4,272,389       5,188,690  
                 
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
    4,666,986       9,544,997  
                 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
               
                 
Interest income
    83,617       160,363  
Interest expense
    (1,470,868 )     (1,780,469 )
Change in fair value of derivative liability - hedge
    (166,410 )     169,167  
Change in fair value of derivative liability - warrants
    (63,238 )     -  
Change in fair value of derivative liability - conversion option
    (539,037 )     -  
Other expense
    (106,349 )     (55,127 )
  Total other expense, net
    (2,262,285 )     (1,506,066 )
                 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    2,404,701       8,038,931  
                 
(BENEFIT) PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
    (696,216 )     468,435  
                 
NET INCOME
    3,100,917       7,570,496  
                 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
               
Unrealized gain on marketable securities
    -       22,301  
Foreign currency translation adjustment
    (393,908 )     7,855,000  
Change in fair value of derivative instrument
    (2,762,129 )     (5,109,480 )
                 
COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
  $ (55,120 )   $ 10,338,317  
                 
EARNINGS PER SHARE:
               
Basic
  $ 0.11     $ 0.28  
Diluted
  $ 0.11     $ 0.26  
                 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES:
               
Basic
    27,563,478       27,048,039  
Diluted
    27,695,464       28,228,604  
 
The accompany notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.
 
 
3

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC.  AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2009 AND 2008
(UNAUDITED)

   
2009
   
2008
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
           
Net income
  $ 3,100,917     $ 7,570,496  
Adjustments to reconcile net income used in operating activities:
               
Depreciation
    2,097,208       1,404,042  
Deferred taxes
    (1,626,528 )     (799,003 )
Bad debt expense
    -       72,469  
Recovery of bad debt
    (33,391 )     -  
Amortization of intangible assets
    119,076       62,277  
Amortization of loan commission
    272,450       668,356  
Amortization of stock compensation expense
    590,868       413,095  
Change in fair value of derivative liability - hedge
    166,410       (169,167 )
Change in fair value of derivative liability - conversion option
    539,037       -  
Change in fair value of derivative liability - warrants
    63,238       -  
Investment loss on marketable securities
    -       16,158  
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
    5,377,902       (9,990,035 )
Inventories
    (12,585,925 )     (13,669,483 )
Other receivables and prepaid expenses
    (168,913 )     (908,504 )
Advances to suppliers - current
    5,880,363       (7,031,475 )
Accounts payable
    (1,814,721 )     6,602,565  
Other payables and accrued liabilities
    (2,081,625 )     (1,364,005 )
Customer deposits
    (13,232 )     178,572  
Taxes payable
    (975,566 )     285,445  
Net cash used in operating activities
    (1,092,432 )     (16,658,197 )
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Marketable securities
    -       2,983,842  
Notes receivables
    73,884       357,309  
Payments for derivative instrument
    (114,580 )     -  
Proceeds from derivative instrument
    -       738,376  
Purchases of property and equipment
    (715,104 )     (3,253,101 )
Purchases on advances for purchase of equipment
    (4,715,293 )     -  
Net cash (used in) provided by in investing activities
    (5,471,093 )     826,426  
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Change in restricted cash
    -       (2,795,400 )
Net (payments) borrowings on revolver line of credit
    (586,809 )     2,749,402  
Proceeds from bank loans
    -       16,908,000  
Payments on bank loans
    (17,553,600 )     (5,814,432 )
Proceeds on issuance of common stock and warrants
    1,920,000       -  
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (16,220,409 )     11,047,570  
                 
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE ON CASH
    (110,978 )     3,450,059  
                 
DECREASE IN CASH
    (22,894,912 )     (1,334,142 )
                 
CASH, beginning of period
    65,611,770       79,914,758  
                 
CASH, end of period
  $ 42,716,858     $ 78,580,616  
                 
Supplemental cash flow disclosures:
               
Interst paid
  $ 1,950,860     $ 2,853,861  
Income cash paid
  $ 1,002,178     $ -  
 
The accompany notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.
 
 
4

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

   
Common stock
                               
   
Shares outstanding
   
Shares In escrow
   
Additional
   
Retained earnings
   
Accumulated
       
   
Number
   
Par
   
Number
   
Par
   
paid in
   
Statutory
   
Unrestricted
   
comprehensive
       
   
of shares
   
value
   
of shares
   
value
   
capital
   
reserves
   
earnings
   
income (loss)
   
Totals
 
                                                       
BALANCE, December 31, 2007
    25,211,304     $ 151,268       100,000     $ 600     $ 77,665,064     $ 8,321,726     $ 54,133,070     $ 4,015,930     $ 144,287,658  
                                                                         
CB transfer to common stock @$7.00
    2,142,857       12,857                       14,987,143                               15,000,000  
Stock compensation expense
                                    413,095                               413,095  
Net income
                                                    7,570,496               7,570,496  
Adjustment to statutory reserve
                                            998,605       (998,605 )             -  
Change in fair value of derivative instrument
                                                            (5,109,480 )     (5,109,480 )
Foreign currency translation gain
                                                            7,855,000       7,855,000  
Reverse unrealized loss on marketable securities
                                                            22,301       22,301  
                                                                         
BALANCE, March 31, 2008 (unaudited)
    27,354,161       164,125       100,000       600       93,065,302       9,320,331       60,704,961       6,783,751       170,039,070  
                                                                         
Exercise of warrants for cash @ $3.11
    44,873       270                       139,124                               139,394  
Stock compensation expense
                                    1,455,714                               1,455,714  
Net income
                                                    20,904,013               20,904,013  
Adjustment to statutory reserve
                                            2,995,816       (2,995,816 )             -  
Change in fair value of derivative instrument
                                                            9,247,800       9,247,800  
Foreign currency translation gain
                                                            4,680,951       4,680,951  
Allocation of APIC due to Kuhn's litigation
                                    (3,487,250 )                             (3,487,250 )
                                                                         
BALANCE, December 31, 2008, as previously reported
    27,399,034       164,395       100,000       600       91,172,890       12,316,147       78,613,158       20,712,502       202,979,692  
                                                                         
Cumulative effect of reclassification of conversion option
                                                    (1,357,150 )             (1,357,150 )
BALANCE, January 1, 2009, as adjusted (unaudited)
    27,399,034       164,395       100,000       600       91,172,890       12,316,147       77,256,008       20,712,502       201,622,542  
                                                                         
Shares issued for cash @ $4.80
    400,000       2,400                       1,706,157                               1,708,557  
Stock compensation expense
                                    590,868                               590,868  
Net income
                                                    3,100,917               3,100,917  
Adjustment to statutory reserve
                                            682,228       (682,228 )             -  
Change in fair value of derivative instrument
                                                            (2,762,129 )     (2,762,129 )
Foreign currency translation loss
                                                            (393,908 )     (393,908 )
                                                                         
BALANCE, MARCH 31, 2009 (unaudited)
    27,799,034     $ 166,795       100,000     $ 600     $ 93,469,915     $ 12,998,375     $ 79,674,697     $ 17,556,465     $ 203,866,847  
 
The accompany notes are an integral part of  these consolidated statements.

 
5

 
FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 MARCH 31, 2009
(Unaudited)

Note 1 - Organization and Line of Business

Fushi Copperweld, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“Fushi”), is the holding company of Fushi Holdings, Inc., (“Fushi Holdings”) incorporated in the state of Delaware, which is a holding company for Dalian Fushi International Bimetallic Cable Co., Ltd (“Fushi International”) organized under the laws of the People's Republic of China (“PRC”).  Dalian Fushi Bimetallic Manufacturing Co., Ltd (“Dalian Fushi”) is a variable interest entity through a contractual relationship (note 2). Dalian Fushi is a limited liability company organized under the laws of the PRC, which is engaged in the manufacturing and sale of bimetallic wire products.

Fushi acquired Copperweld Bimetallics Holdings, LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company and the holder of the partnership interest in Copperweld Bimetallics, LLC, (“Copperweld”) a limited liability company registered in the state of Delaware and the parent of Copperweld Bimetallics UK, Ltd. (“Copperweld UK”), a private company registered in the United Kingdom and Copperweld International Holdings, LLC a North Carolina limited liability company.  Copperweld is a bimetallic sales and manufacturing operation headquartered in Fayetteville, Tennessee. Copperweld UK is a manufacturing, distribution and customer service facility located in Telford, England. Copperweld International Holdings, LLC was a non-operating company that held partnership interests in a company located in Tongling, PRC at December 31, 2007.  Those interests were liquidated in an agreement entered into by Copperweld and its subsidiaries, affiliates and International Manufacturing Equipment Sales, Inc. on January 16, 2008. Additionally, Fushi acquired International Manufacturing Equipment Sales, LLC, a shell company that was, at the time of purchase, a non-affiliated but commonly owned limited liability company.

Three of the companies acquired on October 29, 2007 were dissolved in 2008:

1. Copperweld Holdings, LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company.  This company had no liabilities and its only asset was the ownership of Copperweld Bimetallics, LLC, which the ownership rights were transferred to Fushi Copperweld, Inc. on October 29, 2007.

2. Copperweld Bimetallics International Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company was established to hold the partnership interest in the Tongling joint venture which has been dissolved.  This company was a shell company with no assets or liabilities at the time the joint venture was dissolved.

3. International Manufacturing Equipment Suppliers, LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company.  This company was not an affiliate of the Copperweld companies. This company was formed by the prior owner of Copperweld Bimetallics to facilitate the transfer of equipment to the Tongling joint venture.  As noted above, the Tongling joint venture has been dissolved.  This company had no assets or liabilities at the time of the dissolution.

Fushi, Fushi Holdings, Fushi International, Dalian Fushi, Copperweld and Copperweld UK are hereinafter referred to as “the Company”.

 
6

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 MARCH 31, 2009
(Unaudited)

The Company is in the business of developing, designing, manufacturing, marketing and distributing bimetallic wire products, principally copper-clad aluminum and copper-clad steel. The Company's products are primarily focused on serving end-user applications in the telecommunication, electrical utility, and transportation markets. The Company’s products are sold in North America, Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and the PRC.

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Management has included all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary to give a fair presentation of operating results for the periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. The information included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with information included in the 2008 annual report filed on Form 10-K.

Principles of consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Fushi and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Fushi Holdings, Fushi International, Copperweld, Copperweld UK and its 100% variable interest entity Dalian Fushi. All significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

In accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 46R, "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities" ("FIN 46R"), variable interest entities (VIEs) are generally entities that lack sufficient equity to finance their activities without additional financial support from other parties or whose equity holders lack adequate decision making ability.  All VIEs with which the Company is involved must be evaluated to determine the primary beneficiary of the risks and rewards of the VIE. The primary beneficiary is required to consolidate the VIE for financial reporting purposes.

The Company has concluded that Dalian Fushi is a VIE and that the Company is the primary beneficiary.  Under the requirements of FIN 46R, the Company consolidated the financial statements of Dalian Fushi.

Use of estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. For example, the Company estimates the fair value of its derivative instrument. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 
7

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 MARCH 31, 2009
(Unaudited)

Revenue recognition
 
The Company's revenue recognition policies are in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) 104. Sales revenue is recognized at the date of shipment to customers when a formal arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable, the delivery is completed, no other significant obligations of the Company exist and collectability is reasonably assured. Payments received before all of the relevant criteria for revenue recognition are recorded as customer deposits.

Shipping and handling costs

Shipping and handling costs related to costs of goods sold are included in selling costs and totaled $553,645 and $453,851 for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Foreign currency translation and other comprehensive income

The reporting and functional currency of the Company is the US dollar. The subsidiaries Fushi International, VIE Dalian Fushi and Beijing Office use the local currency Renminbi (RMB) to conduct business. Copperweld UK conducts business in British Pounds.

For the subsidiaries whose functional currencies are other than the US dollar, all assets and liabilities accounts were translated at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date; stockholder's equity is translated at the historical rates and items in the consolidated statements of operations and consolidated cash flow statements are translated at the average rate in each applicable period. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are included in accumulated other comprehensive income in the consolidated statement of shareholders’ equity. The resulting translation gains and losses that arise from exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are included in the results of operations as incurred.

The balance sheet amounts with the exception of equity at March 31, 2009 were translated at 6.833 RMB and £0.699 to $1.00, respectively. The balance sheet amounts with the exception of equity at December 31, 2008 were translated at 6.823 RMB and £0.684. The average translation rates applied to income and cash flow statement amounts for three months ended March 31, 2009 were 6.836 RMB and £0.697 to $1.00, respectively.  The average translation rates applied to income and cash flow statement amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were 7.155 RMB and £0.506 to $1.00, respectively.
 
In accordance with FAS 95, "Statement of Cash Flows," cash flows from the Company's operations is calculated based upon the local currencies. As a result, amounts related to assets and liabilities reported on the consolidated statements of cash flows will not necessarily agree with changes in the corresponding balances on the consolidated balance sheets.

Cash and concentration of risk

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents, for cash flow statement purposes. Cash includes cash on hand and demand deposits in accounts maintained with state owned banks within the PRC and with banks in the United Kingdom (“UK”) and the USA.

 
8

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 MARCH 31, 2009
(Unaudited)

Certain financial instruments, which subject the Company to concentration of credit risk, consist of cash. The Company maintains balances at financial institutions which, from time to time, may exceed deposit insurance limits for the banks located in the United States and UK. Balances at financial institutions or state owned banks within the PRC are not covered by insurance. As of March 31, 2009, the Company had deposits in excess of federally insured limits totaling $42,574,996. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant risks on its cash in bank accounts.

Parts of the Company’s operations are carried out in the PRC and UK. Accordingly, the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations may be influenced by the political, economic and legal environments in the two countries, and by the general state of the two countries' economy. The Company's operations in the two countries are subject to specific considerations and significant risks not typically associated with companies in North America. These include risks associated with, among others, the political, economic and legal environments and foreign currency exchange. The Company's results may be adversely affected by changes in governmental policies with respect to laws and regulations, anti-inflationary measures, currency conversion and remittance abroad, and rates and methods of taxation, among other things.

Restricted cash

Restricted cash consists of monies, whereas, Kuhn's and the Company have agreed to establish an escrow under which the Escrow Agent will hold certain funds in escrow pending the conclusion of the action initiated by Kuhn's against the Company, see Note 17.

Additional product sales information
 
The Company has expanded its geographic sales area from the Chinese domestic market to the international market. The following chart shows that the PRC market remains the largest single market for the Company while approximately 28% and 36% of sales were spread across international markets during the first quarter of 2009 and 2008, respectively.

   
March 31, 2009
   
March 31, 2008
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
China
  $ 25,541,567     $ 34,752,795  
USA
    7,306,836       12,422,970  
Europe
    1,478,246       3,507,766  
Other countries
    929,887       3,325,496  
Total sales
  $ 35,256,536     $ 54,009,027  

 
9

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 MARCH 31, 2009
(Unaudited)

Major customers and suppliers

Ten major customers accounted for 24.1% and 32.3% of the sales for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Total receivable balance due from the top ten customers at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 amounted to $11,188,422 and $11,838,214, respectively.

Five major suppliers provided approximately 83.5% of the Company’s raw materials for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and ten major suppliers provided 86.6% of the Company’s raw materials for the three months ended March 31, 2008. At March 31, 2009, our advances to the major five suppliers were $13,797,147, all of which was current. At December 31, 2008, our advances to the major five suppliers were $20,111,644, all of which was current.

Accounts receivables

During the normal course of business, the Company extends unsecured credit to its customers. Management regularly reviews aging of receivables and changes in payment trends by its customers, and records a reserve when they believe collection of amounts due are at risk. Accounts considered uncollectible are written off through a charge to the valuation allowance. As of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, management concluded its allowance for bad debts was sufficient.

Inventories
 
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market using a weighted average method. Inventories consist of raw materials, work in process, finished goods and packing materials. Raw materials consist of copper, aluminum and steel used in production. The cost of finished goods included direct costs of raw materials as well as direct labor used in production. Indirect production costs such as utilities and indirect labor related to production such as assembling, shipping and handling for raw material costs are also included in the cost of inventory.

The Company reviews its inventories regularly for possible obsolete goods and establishes reserves when determined necessary.

Derivative instrument

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted FAS 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, and amendment of FAS 133, which amends and expands the disclosure requirements of FAS 133”. SFAS 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives and quantitative disclosures about the fair value of and gains and losses on derivative instruments. The Company uses a cross currency hedge, a derivative financial instrument, to hedge the risk of rising interest rates on its variable interest rate debt. This type of derivative financial instrument is known as a cash flow hedge. The Company accounts for this interest rate swap in accordance with FAS 133, “Accounting for Derivatives Instruments and Hedging Activity,” which requires the derivative to be carried on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value and to meet certain documentary and analytical requirements to qualify for hedge accounting treatment. The above derivative qualifies for hedge accounting under FAS 133 and, accordingly, changes in the fair value effective portion is reported in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of related income tax effects. Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income are reclassified into earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings.

 
10

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 MARCH 31, 2009
(Unaudited)

At the inception of the transaction, the Company documented the relationship between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management objective and the strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. This process includes linking all derivatives designated to specific firm commitments of forecast transactions. The Company also documents its assessment, both at inception and on an ongoing basis, of whether the derivative financial instruments that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items. Any portion deemed ineffective is recorded in earnings with the effective portion reflected in accumulated other comprehensive. Changes in the fair values of derivative financial instruments accounted for as cash flow hedges to the extent they qualify for hedge accounting, are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Financial instruments

The Company analyzes all financial instruments with features of both liabilities and equity under FAS 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity,” FAS 133 and EITF 00-19, “Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and Potentially Settled in, a Company’s Own Stock.” Before the adoption of EITF 07-5 "Determining Whether an Instrument (or Embedded Feature) is Indexed to an Entity's Own Stock", the convertible note issued in 2007 did not require bifurcation or result in liability accounting. However, with the recent adoption of EITF 07-5, the embedded conversion feature must be bifurcated from its host instrument and accounted for separately as a derivative liability. Additionally, the Company analyzes registration rights agreements associated with any equity instruments issued to determine if penalties triggered for late filing should be accrued under FSP EITF 00-19-2, “Accounting for Registration Payment Arrangements.”

FAS 107, “Disclosures About the Fair Value of Financial Instruments” defines financial instruments and requires fair value disclosure about those instruments. FAS 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” adopted January 1, 2008, defines fair value, establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosures of fair value measurement and enhances disclosures requirements for fair value measures. Receivables, payables, notes, loans, and derivatives all meet the definition of financial instruments. The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheets for accounts receivable, notes receivable, accounts payable, other payables, and short term bank loans qualify as financial instruments are a reasonable estimate of fair value because of the short period of time between the origination and their expected realization and, if applicable, the stated interest rate is equivalent to interest rates currently available.  The three levels are defined as follow:

 
·
Level 1 inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

 
11

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 MARCH 31, 2009
(Unaudited)

 
·
Level 2 inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the assets or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instruments.
 
·
Level 3 inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value.

Other than the derivatives, the Company did not identify any assets or liabilities that are required to be presented on the balance sheet at fair value in accordance with FAS 157.

During 2007, the Company issued 3% secured convertible debentures in a face amount of $20,000,000 which are due in 2012.  The conversion option embedded in the convertible notes requires liability accounting at fair value and periodically marked-to-market.  The Company used level 3 inputs for its valuation methodology for the embedded feature as the fair value was determined by using Cox-Ross-Rubinstein binomial pricing model based on various assumptions.

Also during 2007, the Company borrowed $40,000,000 in the form of a high yield debenture note with a floating rate. As of March 31, 2009, the outstanding principal of high yield debenture note amounted to $40,000,000 and the outstanding principal of convertible debenture note amounted to $5,000,000.  The Company used Level 3 inputs for its valuation methodology for the notes payable, and their fair values are determined using cash flows discounted at relevant market interest rates in effect at the period close since there is no observable market price.

The Company’s warrant liability is carried at fair value.  The Company used Level 3 inputs for its valuation methodology for the warrant liability as their fair values were determined by using the Cox-Ross-Rubinstein binomial pricing model based on various assumptions.

As of March 31, 2009, the Company had a $7.1 million derivative instrument.  Management obtains the fair value of the derivative instrument from a financial institution using Level 3 inputs since there is no observable market price.

   
Carrying Value
March 31, 2009
 
Fair Value Measurements
March 31, 2009
Using Fair Value Hierarchy
       
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Derivative liability – conversion option
  $ 1,767,604           $ 1,767,604  
Derivative liability – warrants
  $ 274,681           $ 274,681  
Notes payable
  $ 40,000,000           $ 36,306,247  
Convertible note
  $ 5,447,092           $ 5,447,092  
Derivative Instrument
  $ 7,139,205           $ 7,139,205  

 
12

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 MARCH 31, 2009
(Unaudited)

For the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 the Company recognized a loss in the change in fair value of derivative liability – conversion option in the amounts of $539,037 and $0, respectively.

For the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 the Company recognized a loss in the change in fair value of derivative liability – warrants in the amounts of $63,238 and $0, respectively.

Derivative liability

Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) 00-19 “Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to and Potentially Settled in, a Company’s Own Stock”, provides a criteria for determining whether freestanding contracts that are settled in a company’s own stock, including common stock warrants, should be designated as either an equity instrument, an asset or as a liability under FAS 133 “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” Under the provisions of EITF 00-19, a contract designated as an asset or a liability must be carried at fair value on a company’s balance sheet, with any changes in fair value recorded in a company’s results of operations.  Using the criteria in EITF 00-19, the Company determines which options, warrants and embedded features require liability accounting and records the fair values as a derivative liability. The changes in the values of these instruments are shown in the accompanying consolidated statements of income and other comprehensive income as “change in fair value of derivative instrument.”

Stock-based compensation

The Company records and reports stock-based compensation under FAS 123R, “Share-Based Payments." This Statement requires a public entity to measure the cost of services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. That cost is recognized over the period during which services are received. Stock compensation for stock granted to non-employees is determined in accordance with FAS 123R and the EITF 96-18, "Accounting for Equity Instruments that are issued to Other than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling Goods or Services," as the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of equity instruments issued, whichever is more reliably measured.

Plant and equipment, net
 
Plant and equipment are stated at cost. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to earnings as incurred while additions, renewals and betterments are capitalized. When the asset property and equipment is retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts, and any gain or loss is included in operations. Depreciation of property and equipment is provided using the straight-line method for substantially all assets with estimated lives as follows:

 
13

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 MARCH 31, 2009
(Unaudited)

   
Estimated Useful Life
Buildings
 
20-39.5 years
Machinery and equipment
 
7-15 years
Other equipment
 
3-5 years
Transportation equipment
 
3-5 years

Construction in progress represents the costs incurred in connection with the construction of buildings or new additions to the Company’s plant facilities. No depreciation is provided for construction in progress until such time as the assets are completed and are placed into service. Maintenance, repairs and minor renewals are charged directly to expense as incurred. Major additions and betterments to buildings and equipment are capitalized. Interest incurred during construction is capitalized into construction in progress. All other interest is expensed as incurred. The Company added production equipment during 2009 and the interest capitalized for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and March 31, 2008 amounted to $1,350 and $45,448, respectively.

Long-lived assets

The Company evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets each reporting period in accordance with FAS 144 "Accounting for the Impairment of Disposal of Long-Lived Assets". When estimated cash flows generated by those assets are less than the carrying amounts of the asset, the Company recognizes an impairment loss. Based on its review, the Company believes that, as of March 31, 2009, there were no impairments of its long-lived assets.

Intangible assets

Land use rights – land in the People’s Republic of China is government owned. However, the government grants “land use rights." The Company amortizes land use rights on a straight line basis over the 50 year life.

Patents – Patents are stated at cost, less accumulated amortization. The Company amortizes patents on a straight line basis over 7-15 years.

The Company evaluates intangible assets for impairment, at least annually and more often whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable from its estimated future cash flows. Recoverability of intangible assets, other long-lived assets, and goodwill is measured by comparing their net book value to the related projected undiscounted cash flows from these assets, considering a number of factors including past operating results, budgets, economic projections, market trends and product development cycles. If the net book value of the asset exceeds the related undiscounted cash flows, the asset is considered impaired, and a second test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss. Based on its review, the Company believes that, as of March 31, 2009, there was no impairment of intangible assets.

 
14

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 MARCH 31, 2009
(Unaudited)

Research and development

Research and development expenses include salaries, consultant fees, supplies and materials, as well as costs related to other overhead such as facilities, utilities and other departmental expenses. The costs the Company incurs with respect to internally developed technology and engineering services are included in research and development expenses as incurred as they do not directly relate to any particular licensee, license agreement or licenses fee.

Research and development costs are recorded in general and administrative expenses. Research and development costs were $76,552 and $81,333 for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and March 31, 2008, respectively.

Earnings per share

The Company reports earnings per share in accordance with the provisions of FAS 128, "Earnings Per Share". FAS 128 requires presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share in conjunction with the disclosure of the methodology used in computing such earnings per share. Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share takes into account the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised and converted into common stock using the treasury method. For the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company properly excluded options, warrants and convertible notes with anti-dilutive effects from the diluted earnings per share calculation.

Income taxes

The Company records and reports income taxes pursuant to FAS 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes" And FIN 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.” The provision for income taxes consist of taxes currently due plus deferred taxes. FAS 109 requires the recognition of deferred income tax liabilities and assets for the estimated future tax effects attributable to temporary differences and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax liability or asset attributable to temporary differences is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method in respect of temporary differences between income tax basis and financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax expense or benefit is the change during the year in deferred tax liabilities and assets.  Deferred taxes are determined separately for each tax-paying component (an individual entity or group of entities that is consolidated for tax purposes) in each tax jurisdiction. Deferred tax liability or asset is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is realized or the liability is settled. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the income statement, except when it is related to items credited or charged directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Company intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50 percent) that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

 
15

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 MARCH 31, 2009
(Unaudited)

Under FIN 48, the evaluation of a tax position is a two-step process. The first step is to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of any related appeals or litigation based on the technical merits of that position. The second step is to measure a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not threshold to determine the amount of benefit to be recognized in the financial statements. A tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Tax positions that previously failed to meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be recognized in the first subsequent period in which the threshold is met. Previously recognized tax positions that no longer meet the more-likely-than-not criteria should be de-recognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which the threshold is no longer met. FIN 48 also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosures and transition.

Value-added tax

Sales revenue represents the invoiced value of goods, net of a value-added tax (“VAT”). All of the Company’s products that are produced and sold in the PRC are subject to a Chinese VAT at a rate of 17% of the gross sales price. All of the Company’s products that are manufactured and sold in the UK are subject to a UK VAT at a rate of 15% of the gross sales price. This VAT may be offset by VAT paid by the Company on raw materials and other materials included in the cost of producing their finished product. The Company recorded VAT payable and VAT receivable net of payments in the financial statements. The VAT tax return is filed offsetting the payables against the receivables.

Adoption of EITF 07-5

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the provisions of EITF 07-5, "Determining Whether an Instrument (or Embedded Feature) is Indexed to an Entity’s Own Stock”, which is effective with respect to financial statements for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and replaced the previous guidance on this topic in EITF 01-6.  Paragraph 11a of FAS 133 specifies that a contract that would otherwise meet the definition of a derivative but is both (a) indexed to the Company’s own stock and (b) classified in stockholders’ equity in the statement of financial position would not be considered a derivative financial instrument.  EITF 07-5 provides a new two-step model to be applied in determining whether a financial instrument or an embedded feature is indexed to an issuer’s own stock and thus able to qualify for the FAS 133 paragraph 11(a) scope exception.

The conversion option embedded in the Company’s convertible notes previously met the criteria in EITF 01-6, as well as the other criteria of FAS 133, paragraph 11(a) and, accordingly, it was not separately accounted for as a derivative instrument liability.  However, the conversion option does not meet the criteria of EITF 07-5 because it requires that the conversion price be adjusted in certain circumstances that do not meet the “fixed-for-fixed’ criteria in that issue.  As a result, the Company is now required to separately account for the embedded conversion option as a derivative instrument liability, carried at fair value and marked-to-market each period, with changes in the fair value each period charged or credited to income.

 
16

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 MARCH 31, 2009
(Unaudited)

In accordance with the transition provisions of EITF 07-5, the new guidance has been applied to the $5,000,000 of the Company’s convertible notes that were outstanding as of January 1, 2009.  The cumulative effect of this change in accounting principle of $1,357,150 has been recognized as a reduction of the opening balance of Retained Earnings as of that date.  That cumulative effect adjustment is the difference between the amounts previously recognized in the Company’s balance sheet as of December 31, 2008 and the amounts that would have been recognized if the guidance in EITF 07-5 had been applied from the issuance date of the outstanding Convertible Notes.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements

In December 2007, FAS 141(R), “Business Combinations," was issued. FAS 141R replaces FAS 141. FAS 141R retains the fundamental requirements in FAS 141 that the acquisition method of accounting, which FAS 141 called the purchase method, be used for all business combinations and for an acquirer to be identified for each business combination. FAS 141R requires an acquirer to recognize the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date, measured at their fair values as of that date, with limited exceptions. This replaces FAS 141’s cost-allocation process, which required the cost of an acquisition to be allocated to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. FAS 141R also requires the acquirer in a business combination achieved in stages, sometimes referred to as a step acquisition, to recognize the identifiable assets and liabilities, as well as the noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, at the full amounts of their fair values, or other amounts determined in accordance with FAS 141R. FAS 141R applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. An entity may not apply it before that date. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that adopting FAS 141R will have on its consolidated financial statements.

On October 10, 2008, the FASB issued FSP 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active,” which clarifies the application of FAS 157 in a market that is not active and provides an example to illustrate key considerations in determining the fair value of a financial asset when the market for that financial asset is not active. FSP 157-3 became effective on October 10, 2008, and its adoption did not have a material impact on our financial position or results for the year ended December 31, 2008.

In December 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 140-4 and FIN 46(R)-8, “Disclosures by Public Entities (Enterprises) about Transfers of Financial Assets and Interests in Variable Interest Entities”. FSP FAS 140-4 and FIN 46(R)-8 amends FAS 140 and FIN 46(R) to require additional disclosures regarding transfers of financial assets and interest in variable interest entities. FSP FAS 140-4 and FIN 46(R)-8 is effective for interim or annual reporting periods ending after December 15, 2008. The Company is evaluating the impact of adopting the standard.

 
17

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 MARCH 31, 2009
(Unaudited)

In January 2009, the FASB issued FSP EITF 99-20-1, “Amendments to the Impairment Guidance of EITF Issue No. 99-20, and EITF Issue No. 99-20, Recognition of Interest Income and Impairment on Purchased and Retained Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets”. FSP EITF 99-20-1 changes the impairment model included within EITF 99-20 to be more consistent with the impairment model of FAS 115. FSP EITF 99-20-1 achieves this by amending the impairment model in EITF 99-20 to remove its exclusive reliance on “market participant” estimates of future cash flows used in determining fair value. Changing the cash flows used to analyze other-than-temporary impairment from the “market participant” view to a holder’s estimate of whether there has been a “probable” adverse change in estimated cash flows allows companies to apply reasonable judgment in assessing whether an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred. The adoption of FSP EITF 99-20-1 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements because all of our investments in debt securities are classified as trading securities.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-4, “Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly”. FSP FAS 157-4 amends FAS 157 and provides additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with FAS 157 when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased and also includes guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly for fair value measurements. This FSP shall be applied prospectively with retrospective application not permitted. This FSP shall be effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. An entity early adopting this FSP must also early adopt FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, “Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments”. Additionally, if an entity elects to early adopt either FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments” or FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, it must also elect to early adopt this FSP. The Company is currently evaluating this new FSP but do not believe that it will have a significant impact on the determination or reporting of our financial results.

 
18

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 MARCH 31, 2009
(Unaudited)

In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2. This FSP amends SFAS 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,” SFAS 124, “Accounting for Certain Investments Held by Not-for-Profit Organizations,” and EITF Issue No. 99-20, “Recognition of Interest Income and Impairment on Purchased Beneficial Interests and Beneficial Interests That Continue to Be Held by a Transferor in Securitized Financial Assets,” to make the other-than-temporary impairments guidance more operational and to improve the presentation of other-than-temporary impairments in the financial statements. This FSP will replace the existing requirement that the entity’s management assert it has both the intent and ability to hold an impaired debt security until recovery with a requirement that management assert it does not have the intent to sell the security, and it is more likely than not it will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis. This FSP provides increased disclosure about the credit and noncredit components of impaired debt securities that are not expected to be sold and also requires increased and more frequent disclosures regarding expected cash flows, credit losses, and an aging of securities with unrealized losses. Although this FSP does not result in a change in the carrying amount of debt securities, it does require that the portion of an other-than-temporary impairment not related to a credit loss for a held-to-maturity security be recognized in a new category of other comprehensive income and be amortized over the remaining life of the debt security as an increase in the carrying value of the security. This FSP shall be effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. An entity may early adopt this FSP only if it also elects to early adopt FSP FAS 157-4. Also, if an entity elects to early adopt either FSP FAS 157-4 or FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, the entity also is required to early adopt this FSP. We are currently evaluating this new FSP but do not believe that it will have a significant impact on the determination or reporting of our financial results.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1. This FSP amends FAS 107, “Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments,” to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments not measured on the balance sheet at fair value in interim financial statements as well as in annual financial statements. Prior to this FSP, fair values for these assets and liabilities were only disclosed annually. This FSP applies to all financial instruments within the scope of FAS 107 and requires all entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments. This FSP shall be effective for interim periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. An entity may early adopt this FSP only if it also elects to early adopt FSP FAS 157-4 and FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2. This FSP does not require disclosures for earlier periods presented for comparative purposes at initial adoption. In periods after initial adoption, this FSP requires comparative disclosures only for periods ending after initial adoption. We are currently evaluating the disclosure requirements of this new FSP.

Reclassification

Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2008 consolidated financial statements to conform to the 2009 consolidated financial statement presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on net income or cash flows as previously reported.

Note 3 - Accounts receivable

Accounts receivable consisted of the following:

   
March 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
Trade accounts receivable
  $ 44,618,090     $ 50,101,077  
Allowance for bad debts
    (290,338 )     (318,529 )
Trade accounts receivable, net
  $ 44,327,752     $ 49,782,548  

 
19

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 MARCH 31, 2009
(Unaudited)
 
The following table consists of allowance for doubtful accounts.

Allowance for doubtful accounts at December 31, 2007
  $ 135,418  
     Additional reserves
    72,469  
     Accounts receivable write off
    -  
     Effect of foreign currency translation
    3,742  
Allowance for doubtful accounts at March 31, 2008 (unaudited)
    211,629  
     Additional reserves
    105,998  
     Accounts receivable write off
    (1,093 )
     Effect of foreign currency translation
    1,995  
Allowance for doubtful accounts at December 31, 2008
    318,529  
     Recovery of bad debt
    (33,391 )
     Accounts receivable write off
    -  
     Effect of foreign currency translation
    5,200  
Allowance for doubtful accounts at March 31, 2009 (unaudited)
  $ 290,338  

Note 4 - Inventories

Inventories consisted of the following:

   
March 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
Raw materials
  $ 15,676,851     $ 3,929,585  
Work in process
    1,502,650       1,337,703  
Finished goods
    2,476,537       1,832,511  
Scrap
    -       38,540  
Totals
    19,656,038       7,138,339  
Less allowance for obsolete inventory
    (113,711 )     (160,487 )
Totals
  $ 19,542,327     $ 6,977,852  

The following table consists of allowance for obsolete inventory:

Allowance for obsolete inventory at December 31, 2007
  $ 63,594  
Additional reserves
    154,429  
Effect of foreign currency translation
    -  
Allowance for obsolete inventory at March 31, 2008 (unaudited)
    218,023  
Additional reserves
    -  
Reserves write off
    (72,246
Effect of foreign currency translation
    14,710  
Allowance for obsolete inventory at December 31, 2008
    160,487  
Additional reserves
    -  
Recovery of reserve
    (46,776 )
Effect of foreign currency translation
    -  
Allowance for obsolete inventory at March 31, 2009 (unaudited)
  $ 113,711  

 
20

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 MARCH 31, 2009
(Unaudited)

Note 5 - Plant and equipment

Plant and equipment consisted of the following:

   
March 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
Land
  $ 100,726     $ 100,726  
Buildings and improvements
    43,357,106       43,418,544  
Transportation equipment
    4,132,705       4,138,892  
Machinery and equipment
    71,699,775       55,147,707  
Office furniture
    1,165,286       1,166,477  
Construction in progress
    17,184,882       33,163,330  
Totals
    137,640,480       137,135,676  
Less accumulated depreciation
    (19,427,776 )     (17,374,649 )
Totals
  $ 118,212,704     $ 119,761,027  

Depreciation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 amounted to $2,097,208 and $1,404,042, respectively.
 
Note 6 – Advances to suppliers

Advances on purchases are monies deposited or advanced to outside vendors for future inventory and equipment purchases. Most of the Company’s vendors require a certain amount of money to be deposited with them as a guarantee that the Company will receive their purchase on a timely basis.

Advances to suppliers consisted of the following:

   
March 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
Advances for inventories – current
  $ 14,347,996     $ 20,261,585  
Advances for equipment – non current
    8,734,390       4,022,879  
Total advances to suppliers
  $ 23,082,386     $ 24,284,464  

 
21

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 MARCH 31, 2009
(Unaudited)

Note 7 – Intangible assets

Intangible assets consist of land use rights and patents. In June 2008, the Company obtained additional land use rights that were prepaid in previous periods and reclassified to intangible assets-land use rights where it began to be amortized.  Intangible assets consisted of the following:

   
March 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
Patents
  $ 1,752,653     $ 1,755,025  
Land use rights
    12,459,361       12,478,090  
Total:
    14,212,014       14,233,115  
Less: accumulated amortization
    (1,942,588 )     (1,826,195 )
Intangible assets, net
  $ 12,269,426     $ 12,406,920  

Amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 amounted to $119,076 and $62,277.

Estimated amortization expense for each of the years end is as follow:

March 31,
 
 Amount
 
2009
  $ 469,994  
2010
    469,994  
2011
    469,994  
2012
    451,380  
2013
    208,368  
         

Note 8 - Prepaid taxes, Taxes Payable and Deferred Tax Asset

Prepaid taxes and taxes payable consisted of the following:

   
March 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
Income Tax
  $ 924,316     $ 997,581  
VAT Benefit
    (2,668,251 )     (1,779,973 )
Others
    98,694       111,587  
Total prepaid taxes
  $ (1,645,241 )   $ (670,805 )

Income Tax

Under the former Income Tax Laws of PRC, the Company is generally subject to an income tax at an effective rate of 33% (30% state income taxes plus 3% local income taxes) on income reported in the statutory financial statements after appropriate tax adjustments. For an enterprise that qualifies as a new or high-technology enterprise or a Foreign Invested Enterprise (“FIE”) located in the old town of an inshore open city, it is subject to an income tax rate of 24%. In addition, if the enterprise is located in a specially designated region that allows foreign enterprises, the enterprise is entitled to a two-year income tax exemption and a 50% income tax reduction for the following three years.

 
22

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 MARCH 31, 2009
(Unaudited)

Beginning January 1, 2008, the new Chinese Enterprise Income Tax (“EIT”) law replaced the former income tax laws for Domestic Enterprises (“DEs”) and FIEs. The new standard EIT rate of 25% replaced the 33% rate previously applicable to both DEs and FIEs. The two years tax exemption, three years 50% tax reduction tax holiday for production-oriented FIEs was eliminated. However, the new EIT Law permits companies to continue to enjoy their former preferential tax treatments until such treatments expire in accordance with their current terms.

The Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Fushi International, is a foreign limited liability company and is located in the old town of an inshore open city. Under the former Income Tax Laws of PRC, the Company qualified to use 24% income tax rate and has a full income tax exemption for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007 and a 50% income tax reduction for the years ending December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010. Under the new EIT law effected in 2008, the company continues to enjoy the former preferential tax rate until it expires in December 2010. So, the applicable corporate income tax rate in 2009 is 12%. The provision for income tax for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 was $930,311 and $1,267,438, respectively.

Dalian Fushi was incorporated in the PRC and is subject to PRC income tax. Dalian Fushi located its factory in a special economic region in Dalian, PRC and qualified as a "new or high-technology enterprise" that is allowed a two year income tax exemption beginning in 2002, the first year after it became profitable, and a 50% income tax reduction for the following three years, 2004 through 2006. Dalian Fushi had a loss from operations in the first three months in year 2009, so no provision for income taxes was made during this period.

The Company is subject to the United States federal income tax at a tax rate of 34%. No provision for income taxes in the U.S. has been made as the Company had no U.S. taxable income for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008.

Fushi, Fushi Holdings, Copperweld Bimetallics Holdings, LLC and Copperweld Bimetallics, LLC were incorporated in the United States and have incurred net operating losses for income tax purposes since inception. The net operating loss carry forwards for United States income taxes may be available to reduce future years’ taxable income. These carry forwards will expire, if not utilized, through 2025 and 2028.

Copperweld UK is organized as a United Kingdom private company and subject to 20% to 28% statutory taxes on its taxable income. The provision for income tax for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 was $0.

 
23

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 MARCH 31, 2009
(Unaudited)

The (Benefit) Provision for income taxes consisted of the following:

   
March 31, 2009
   
March 31, 2008
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
Provision for China income taxes
  $ 930,311     $ 1,267,438  
Deferred income taxes
    (1,626,527 )     (799,003 )
(Benefit) Provision for income taxes
  $ (696,216 )   $ 468,435  

The following table reconciles the U.S. statutory rates to the Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008:

   
March 31, 2009
   
March 31, 2008
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
U.S. Statutory rates on foreign income
    34.0 %     34.0 %
Foreign income not recognized in U.S.
    (34.0 )     (34.0 )
China income taxes
    25.0       25.0  
China income tax exemption
    (13.0 )     (13.0 )
Deferred tax recognized from NOL
    (34.0 )     (34.0 )
Other item (a)
    (7.0 )     27.8  
Effective income tax rate
    (29.0 ) %     5.8 %

 
a)
The (7.0) % and 27.8%  represents the ($168,330) and $2,234,823 of (income) and expenses incurred by the Company that are not subject to income tax for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

The estimated tax savings from the tax exemptions for the three months ended March 31, 2009, amounted to $1,007,837. The net effect on earnings per share had the income tax been applied would decrease basic earnings per share from $0.11 to $0.08 and diluted earning per share from $0.11 to $0.08.

The estimated tax savings from the tax exemptions for the three months ended March 31, 2008, amounted to $1,373,058. The net effect on earnings per share had the income tax been applied would decrease basic earnings per share from $0.28 to $0.23 and diluted earning per share from $0.26 to $0.24.

Deferred Tax Asset

Fushi was incorporated in the United States and has incurred net operating losses for income tax purposes since inception. The net operating loss as of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 amounted to $27,746,203 and $23,253,132 carry forwards for United States income taxes may be available to reduce future years’ taxable income. These carry forwards will expire, if not utilized, through, 2025 and 2029. Management believes that the realization of the benefits can be used by our US operating subsidiary in future periods because expectations are that Copperweld will have taxable income in future periods. Based on its review, the Company believes that, as of March 31, 2009, it was not necessary to provide a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets.

 
24

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 MARCH 31, 2009
(Unaudited)

The deferred tax asset consisted of the following:

Deferred tax asset at December 31,2008
  $ 7,804,027  
Additions to deferred tax asset
    1,626,527  
Deferred tax asset at March 31,2009
  $ 9,430,554  

Value Added Tax

VAT on sales and VAT on purchases in Dalian China amounted to $4,477,366 and $7,115,089 for the three months ended March 31, 2009, and $6,123,424 and $5,253,457 for the three months ended March 31, 2008,  respectively.

VAT on sales and VAT on purchases in Copperweld UK amounted to $28,182 and $57,538 for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and $73,284 and $86,906 for the three months ended March 31, 2008, respectively.

Sales and purchases are recorded net of VAT collected and paid as the Company acts as an agent for the government. VAT taxes are not impacted by the income tax holiday.

Note 9 - Short term bank loans and revolving credit lines

Short term bank loans represent amounts due to various banks and are due on demand or normally within one year. These loans generally can be renewed with the banks. Short term bank loans consisted of the following:

Name of lender
 
March 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
Guangdong Development bank, Dalian Stadium branch, due February 25, 2009, annual interest at 8.96%,secured by the Company’s land use right and building.
  $ -     $ 8,794,200  
                 
Guangdong Development bank, Dalian Stadium branch, due March 9, 2009, annual interest at 8.96%, secured by the Company’s land use right and building
    -       2,931,400  
                 
Guangdong Development bank, Dalian Stadium branch, due March 19, 2009, annual interest at 8.96%, secured by the Company’s land use right and building
    -       1,465,700  
                 
Guangdong Development bank, Dalian Stadium branch, due March 26, 2009, annual interest at 8.96%, secured by the Company’s land use right and building
    -       4,397,100  
                 
Total Short-Term Bank Loans
    -       17,588,400  
                 
Wells Fargo Bank revolving credit line, annual interest at 0.5%  plus Chase bank rate, the line of credit expires in 2010, secured by all present and future account receivables, equipment, inventory and other goods, documents of title, general intangibles, investment property, and real estate of Copperweld.
    4,125,266       4,712,075  
Total
  $ 4,125,266     $ 22,300,475  

 
25

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 MARCH 31, 2009
(Unaudited)

The Company paid off its four short-term loans with total balances of $17,588,400 on January 5, 2009.

Copperweld maintains a revolving line of credit with Wells Fargo Bank. Availability of the credit line is the lower of $12.8 million or the collateral balances. The outstanding balance was $4,125,266 and $4,712,075 as of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. The Company deposits the cash collections from its customers against the outstanding account balance of the line of credit on a daily basis. Annual interest rate is equal to the applicable margin plus Chase bank rate, during the first quarter of 2009, the actual annual interest rate was 3.25%. The asset-based revolving line of credit with Wells Fargo contains various covenants that are reported on a quarterly basis. As of March 31, 2009, Copperweld was in default under the terms of the revolving line of credit agreement. See note 18 for detail.

Copperweld UK maintains a revolving line of credit with a limit of approximately $1,073,000 (or ₤750,000) but had no balance outstanding as of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008.  Both revolving lines of credit mentioned above expire in 2010.

Total interest expense on the revolving credit line and short term loan for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 amounted to $90,775 and $494,332, respectively, of which $1,350 and $45,448, respectively, was capitalized for construction projects.

 
26

 
FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 MARCH 31, 2009
(Unaudited)

Note 10 – Notes payable

Notes payable consisted of the following:

   
March 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
Senior secured convertible notes (“Convertible Notes”), bearing interest at 3% per annum, maturing on January 24, 2012, convertible to common stock at an initial conversion price of $7.00 per share
  $ 5,447,092     $ 5,000,000  
Guaranteed senior secured floating rate notes (“HY Notes”) maturing between July 24, 2010 to January 24, 2012
    40,000,000       40,000,000  
                 
Subtotal
    45,447,092       45,000,000  
                 
Less current portion
    10,000,000       5,000,000  
                 
Total notes payable, noncurrent
  $ 35,447,092     $ 40,000,000  

On January 24, 2007, the Company and Citadel Equity Fund Ltd. ("Citadel") entered a Notes Purchase Agreement.  In this transaction, Citadel purchased:

(i)           $40 million principal amount (less 3% Notes discount and 4% commission for proceeds of $37,200,000) of guaranteed senior secured floating rate notes (“HY Notes”) due between July 2009 to January 2012 and

(ii)           $20 million principal amount (less 4% commission for proceeds of $19,200,000) of the Company’s 3% senior secured convertible notes (“Convertible Notes”) due January 2012, which are convertible into shares of the Company's common stock at an initial conversion price of $7.00 per share.

The HY notes bear interest at LIBOR (approximately 1.70% at March 31, 2009) + 7% and changes to LIBOR + 5.6% permanently upon successful completion of Qualifying IPO within eighteen months from January 24, 2007.  See below for discussion of swap agreement changing variable interest to 8.3% fixed. The Convertible Notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 3.00%, payable semi-annually in arrears, and mature in 2012.  The HY Notes and the Convertible Notes are guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior secured basis, by all of the Company’s wholly-owned existing and future domestic subsidiaries.   Subsequently on November 15, 2007, the Company filed Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with a proposed prospectus to register up to 5,743,143 shares including 2,857,143 shares underlying the 3% Senior Convertible Notes. On November 21, 2007, the registration statement was declared effective by the SEC.  Upon the S-3 registration statement being declared effective, management concluded that the Company had met all the requirements for a Qualifying IPO and therefore notified the HY Notes holders of the 140 basis points step-down and subsequently paid interest per the stepped down rate in January 2008.

 
27

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 MARCH 31, 2009
(Unaudited)

Management determined that the conversion option in Convertible Notes qualified as an embedded derivative under FAS 133 through the adoption of EITF 07-5, as discussed in Note 2.

In connection with the transaction, Citadel was also granted certain rights over the Company and its subsidiaries.  On January 25, 2007, Fushi, Fushi Holdings, Fushi International Dalian, Dalian Fushi, (the “Group Companies”), Li Fu, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mathus Yue Yang, our then President, Chris Wenbing Wang, our current President and Chief Financial Officer and Citadel entered into an Investor Rights Agreement. Subsequently on June 4, 2008, the Group Companies, Li Fu, Chris Wenbing Wang and Citadel entered in an Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement.  Pursuant to the Investor Rights Agreement and the Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement, Citadel was granted, among other things and subject to certain conditions, a right of first refusal with respect to any debt or equity financing sought by the Company. In addition, Messrs. Fu, Yang and Wang agreed to a non-competition covenant relating to their employment and ability to engage in a business that is competitive with the Company's business for five years.

The HY Notes and the Convertible Notes were issued pursuant to indentures, each dated January 25, 2007 (the “HY Indenture” and “CB Indenture”, respectively, and together, the "Indentures") among the Company, Fushi Holdings, as guarantor, and the Bank of New York, as trustee for the Notes.  The indenture, notes purchase agreement and investor rights agreement related to the HY Notes and Convertible Notes contain various covenants that may limit the Company’s discretion in operating its business. In particular, the Company is limited in its ability to merge, consolidate or transfer substantially all of its assets, issue stock of its subsidiaries, incur additional debt and create liens on assets to secure debt. In addition, the Company is required to comply with certain financial covenants, including maintenance of a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 2.0 and maintenance of a leverage ratio not exceeding 5.5. In addition, upon occurrence of events defined as “Asset Sale”, “Change of Control” or “Designated Event (means any Fundamental Change or Termination of Trading)” under the Indentures, holders of the HY Notes and Convertible Notes may require the Company to make an offer to repurchase the principal amounts.

The Company also agrees that on the dates indicated in the following table, the Company will prepay the corresponding principal amount (or such lesser principal amount as shall then be outstanding) in respect of the aggregate principal amounts.
 
Date
 
Principal Amount
 
       
July 24, 2009
  $ 5,000,000  
January 24, 2010
  $ 5,000,000  
July 24, 2010
  $ 5,000,000  
January 24, 2011
  $ 5,000,000  
July 24, 2011
  $ 10,000,000  

The entire remaining principal amount of the Notes shall become due and payable on January 24, 2012.

 
28

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 MARCH 31, 2009
(Unaudited)

Unless previously redeemed, converted, purchased or cancelled, the Company must repay the Convertible Notes on January 24, 2012. The Convertible Notes may not be prepaid at any time prior to maturity. At maturity, the Company must repay all of the outstanding Convertible Notes plus a premium of 15.00% per annum on the principal amount calculated on a semi-annual basis, plus accrued and unpaid interest on late payment, if any, to reflect an additional 5% per annum interest in excess of the rate of interest then in effect. It’s estimated that the Company will have to repay the principal of $5 million and an additional redemption cost of $5,305,158.

The Convertible Notes are convertible at the option of the holder into the Company’s common stock at an initial conversion price of $7 per share (approximating 14,286 shares per $100,000 principal amount of the Convertible Notes), subject to downward adjustments of conversion price on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning with March 1, 2008, to equal the simple arithmetic average of VWAP for the fifteen trading days preceding such March 1 or September 1, with a floor of $4.5.  On March 2, 2009, the conversion price was adjusted to $5.11 (approximating 19,569 shares per $100,000 principal amount of the Convertible Notes) to reflect the simple arithmetic average of VWAP for the fifteen trading days preceding the reset date.

In addition, adjustment of the Conversion Rate will be made if and at each time, upon completion of the quarter reviews (for each Fiscal Quarter ended March 31, June 30 and September 30) or annual audit or each Fiscal Quarter ended December 31) of the Company’s consolidated financial statements an event defined as Financial and Operational Trigger under the CB indenture shall have occurred in the immediately preceding Fiscal Quarter, then within five (5) Business Days following issuance of the review or audit report, as the case may be, for such Fiscal Quarter, the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted pursuant to a formula provided in the CB Indenture.  The Financial and Operational Trigger means, for the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, that net income for a Fiscal Quarter shall be less than the US dollar amount indicated in the table below opposite such Fiscal Quarter:
 
Fiscal Quarter Ending
 
Net Income
     
June 30, 2007
 
$ 5.0 million
September 30, 2007
 
$ 5.0 million
December 31, 2007
 
$ 5.0 million
March 31, 2008
 
$ 6.0 million
June 30, 2008
 
$ 6.0 million
September 30, 2008
 
$ 6.0 million
December 31, 2008
 
$ 6.0 million
March 31, 2009
 
$ 7.2 million
June 30, 2009
 
$ 7.2 million
September 30, 2009
 
$ 7.2 million
December 31, 2009
 
$ 7.2 million

 
29

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 MARCH 31, 2009
(Unaudited)

Upon review of our consolidated financial statements, we determined that a Financial and Operational Trigger as defined under the CB indenture occurred during the quarters ended March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008.  To the extent a conversion occurs, the Company shall be required to deliver 279,614 additional shares of the Company’s common stock to the holder of the Convertible Notes by increasing the Conversion Rate with respect to such notes.  Further, the Company cannot provide assurance that Financial and Operational Trigger may not occur again in future fiscal quarters especially under challenging macro-economic conditions and difficult operating environments like the current one.

On January 8, 2008, Citadel Equity Fund Ltd. exercised its rights under the CB indenture and received 2,142,857 shares in exchange for $15.0 million in debt with an exchange factor of $7.00 in debt for each share of stock.

As of March 31, 2009, the Company had the carrying value of $5,447,092 of Convertible Notes, of which, $5 million is principal and $447,092 is accrued interest and redemption accretion.

As mentioned in Note 2, due to the recent adoption, of EITF 07-5, the Company has re-evaluated the Convertible Notes’ conversion option and has since then determined that it would require liability accounting.  The Company has since then recorded the fair value of the conversion option as “derivative liability – conversion option” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.  The change in the values of the conversion option is shown in the accompanying consolidated statements of income and other comprehensive income.

Deferred commissions on long term notes amounted to $2,925,846 (of which $1,237,500 was due to Kuhn's verdict as explained in Note 19) as of March 31, 2009 and $3,188,344 as of December 31, 2008.  Amortized commission for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 amounted to $262,497 (of which $112,500 was due to Kuhn's verdict as explained in Note 17) and $ 658,404, respectively.

Interest on long term notes, including the premium, for the three months ended March 31, 2009, and 2008 amounted to $1,112,190, and $592,047, respectively.

Both amortized commission and interest on long term notes are recorded as interest expense.

Note 11 – Derivative instrument

The Company's operations are exposed to a variety of global market risks, including the effect of changing interest rates. This exposure is managed, in part, with the use of financial derivatives. The Company uses financial derivatives only to hedge exposures in the ordinary course of business and does not invest in derivative instruments for speculative purposes.
 
 
30

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 MARCH 31, 2009
(Unaudited)

On April 10, 2007, effective January 24, 2007, the Company entered into a cross currency swap transaction (the Swap) with Merrill Lynch Capital Services, Inc. (“MLCS”) on the $40 million HY notes which converts the LIBOR + 7% per annum USD variable interest rate to an 8.3% per annum RMB fixed interest rate. The agreement was deemed effective January 24, 2007. The Swap requires semi-annual payment in arrears on July 24 and January 24 and matures on the earlier of (1) cash settlement defined as early termination; or (2) January 24, 2012, at which point the Swap requires an exchange of RMB and USD based principals. Under the terms of the cross currency swap, the Company receives variable interest rate payments in USD and makes fixed interest rate payments in RMB with settlement netted in USD, thereby creating the equivalent of fixed-rate debt. MLCS requires the Company to deposit $1,000,000 with them to secure the agreement. The deposit may be increased to $3,000,000 if the exchange rate for RMB to USD falls below 6.5 and to $5,000,000 if the exchange rate falls below 5.5. This swap is designated and qualified as a cash flow hedge. In July, 2008, the Company placed the $1,000,000 deposit with MLCS to secure the agreement. As of March 31, 2009, the deposit has remained the same.

Since its effective date, the fair value of this Swap Agreement changed to a payable of $7,139,205 and $4,377,076 as of March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2009, changes in fair value of the Swap resulted in an increase in the liability and a loss to other comprehensive income of $2,762,129, respectively; For the three months ended March 31, 2008, changes in fair value of the Swap resulted in an increase in the liability and a loss to other comprehensive income of $5,109,480, respectively, net of taxes.

The Company had cross currency hedge payable amounting to $156,154 and $104,324 as of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 respectively. The total loss from derivative transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2009 was $166,410 and the total gain from derivative transactions for the three months ended at March 31, 2008 was $169,167, respectively.  For the three months ended March 31, 2009, there were no amounts recorded in the consolidated statements of income in relation to this interest rate swap related to ineffectiveness of the swap transaction.

Note 12 - Earnings per share

The following is information of net income per share:

   
March 31, 2009
   
March 31, 2008
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
Net income for basic earnings per share
  $ 3,100,917     $ 7,570,496  
Add: Interest expense for convertible note
    -       27,762  
                 
Deduct: Loan issuance cost
    -       (152,559 )
Net income for diluted earnings per share
  $ 3,100,917     $ 7,445,699  
                 
Weighted average shares used in basic computation
    27,563,478       27,048,039  
Diluted effect of warrants, options and convertible note
    131,986       1,180,565  
Weighted average shares used in diluted computation
    27,695,464       28,228,604  
                 
Earnings per share
               
Basic
  $ 0.11     $ 0.28  
Diluted
  $ 0.11     $ 0.26  

 
31

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 MARCH 31, 2009
(Unaudited)

Shares excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share:

Date
issued/
granted
 
Nature
 
Excise price
   
Shares excluded
for year diluted
EPS calculation
 
Reason for
exclusion
10/23/2007
 
Common
stock held in
escrow
          100,000  
Common stock
issued in
Company's
name
11/31/2007
 
Warrants
    16.80       100,000  
Anti-dilutive
02/23/2009
 
Warrants
    5.25-6.00       300,000  
Anti-dilutive
05/21/2007
to
11/13/2007
 
Options
    11.75-20.94       798,333  
Anti-dilutive
04/10/2008
to
6/25/2008
 
Options
    15.04-23.25       144,000  
Anti-dilutive

Convertible notes were anti-dilutive and excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share too.

Note 13 - Stockholders' Equity

During the first quarter of 2009, the following activities were recorded:
 
On January 12, 2009 the Company issued 1,000,000 shares common stock in the name of Fushi Copperweld, Inc, par value $0.006 per share (the “Shares”) as proposed security for the judgment rendered against the described in note 17. As the parties could not agree on the proposed security, the shares were cancelled.

On February 23, 2009, the Company sold in a private placement 400,000 shares of its common stock, par value $0.006 per share (the “Common Stock”) for an average price of $4.80 per share, and warrants to purchase 300,000 shares of Common Stock, for a total purchase price of $1,920,000.

The warrants consisted of Series A Warrants to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $5.25 per share, Series B Warrants to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $5.50 per share, and Series C Warrants to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $6.00 per share.

 
32

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 MARCH 31, 2009
(Unaudited)

The Series A and B Warrants are exercisable starting from the date of issuance through the later of (i) February 22, 2010 and (ii) the date which is six (6) months following the effective date of a registration statement filed by the Company under which the resale of all of the shares of Common Stock underlying the warrants have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Series C Warrants are exercisable starting from the date of issuance through the later of (i) August 22, 2010 and (ii) the date which is twelve (12) months following the effective date of a registration statement filed by the Company under which the resale of all of the shares of Common Stock underlying the warrant have been registered under the Securities Act.
 
Because of certain cash redemption clauses related to these warrants, the Company has followed the criterias in EITF 00-19 and recorded the fair value of these warrants as “derivative liability – warrants” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.  The changes in the values of these warrants are shown in the accompanying consolidated statements of income and other comprehensive income.

The value of the warrants were calculated using the Cox-Ross-Rubinstein binomial model with the following assumptions: exercise price of $5.25 for Series A, $5.50 for Series B and $6.00 for Series C Warrants; share price of $4.27 for all warrants; risk free interest rate of 0.57% for Series A and B Warrants, and 0.69% for Serice C Warrants; expected life of 1 year for Series A and B Warrants, and 1.5 years for Series C Warrants; and volatility of 60% for all warrants.

 
Outstanding Warrants
   
Exercisable Warrants
 
 
Exercise
Price
 
Number
   
Average
Remaining Life
(years)
   
Average
Exercise
Price
   
Number
   
Average
Remaining
Life
(years)
 
                                 
$
3.11
    332,124       2.75       $ 3.11       332,124       2.75  
 $
16.80
    100,000       2.65       $ 16.80       100,000       2.65  
 $
5.25
    100,000       0.90       $ 5.25       100,000       0.90  
 $
5.50
    100,000       0.90       $ 5.50       100,000       0.90  
 $
6.00
    100,000       1.39       $ 6.00       100,000       1.39  

The following is a summary of the warrant activity:

   
Number of
Warrants
Outstanding
   
Weighted
-Average
Exercise
Price
 
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
Balance, at December 31, 2007
    477,052     $ 6.35  
3.92 years
   Granted
    -            
   Forfeited
    -            
   Exercised
    -            
Balance, at March 31, 2008
    477,052     $ 6.35  
3.67 years
   Rounding Adjustment
    (55 )          
   Granted
    -            
   Forfeited
    -            
   Exercised
    (44,873 )   $ 3.11    
Balance, at December 31, 2008
    432,124     $ 6.28  
2.92 years
Granted
    300,000     $ 5.58    
Forfeited
    -            
Exercised
    -            
Balance, at March 31, 2009
    732,124     $ 5.99  
2.05 years

 
33

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 MARCH 31, 2009
(Unaudited)

Note 14 – Stock based compensation
 
2007 Incentive Plan:
 
On October 24, 2007, our Board of Directors approved the adoption of the Fushi Copperweld, Inc. 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”).  The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under this Plan shall not exceed 800,000 shares, provided, however, that such number shall be increased at the end of each fiscal year of the Company in the same proportion as the issued and outstanding stock of the during such fiscal year; subject to a maximum of 10% of the issued and outstanding stock of the Company. Share options must be granted with an exercise price of at least 100% of the closing market price on the date of grant. The Compensation Committee (or Chief Executive Officer) had authority to set all the terms of each grant. Under the 2007 Plan, forfeited shares will become available for grant again.
 
Majority of the options awarded under the 2007 Plan vest in two years from grant date. The majority of the options granted under the 2007 Plan expire in 3 years.
 
Under the 2007 Plan, the Company granted share options to all executives, directors and employees as summarized below:
 
Grant Year
 
Number of Shares
   
Exercise Price Range
 
2007
    335,000     $ 16.36-$20.94  
2008
    151,000     $ 15.04-$23.25  
2009
    388,000     $ 4.95  
Total
    874,000          
 
The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model using the following weighted-average assumptions:
 
    Q1    
Year ended December 31
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Risk-free interest rate(1)
    0.78 %     1.84%-2.82 %     3.54%-4.57 %
Expected dividend yield(2)
    -       -       -  
Expected option life(3)
   
2 Year
     
0.5-2 Years
     
2 Years
 
Expected stock price volatility(4)
    60 %     50 %     50 %
Weighted average fair value of options granted
  $ 1.85     $ 4.57     $ 4.06  

 
34

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 MARCH 31, 2009
(Unaudited)

(1)
 
Risk-free interest rate Risk-free interest rate is based on US Treasury zero-coupon issues with maturity terms similar to the expected term on the expected life of the option. An increase in the risk-free interest rate will increase compensation expense.
     
(2)
 
Expected dividend yield – The dividend yield was estimated by the Company based on its expected dividend policy over the expected term of the options. The Company has no plans to pay any dividend in the foreseeable future. Therefore, the Company considers the dividend yield to be zero.
     
(3)
 
Expected option life – Because the Company has no historical share option exercise experience to estimate future exercise patterns, the expected life was determined using the simplified method as these awards meet the definition of “plain-vanilla” options under the rules prescribed by Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107. An increase in expected life will increase compensation expense.
     
(4)
 
Expected stock price volatility – This is a measure of the amount by which a price has fluctuated or is expected to fluctuate. As a forward-looking measure, the Company uses implied volatility of Company’s 225 days call options with strike price of $5.00 on May 7, 2009 (source: Morningstar.com), adjusted by the 2-year historical volatility of the Company’s stock as well as 2-year historical volatilities of the Company’s comparable public companies, to calculate the expected stock price volatility. An increase in the expected volatility will increase compensation expense.
 
Stock compensation expense is recognized based on awards expected to vest.  FAS 123R requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised in subsequent periods, if necessary, if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. To the extent the actual forfeiture rate is different from the original estimate, actual share based compensation related to these awards may be different from the expectation. There is no material difference between actual and estimated forfeitures during the three months ended March 31, 2009.
 
The Company recognized $590,868 and $413,095 share-based compensation expense in general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. As of March 31, 2009, the total compensation cost related to stock options not yet recognized was $756,062 and will be recognized over the weighted average life of 0.4 years.

As of March 31, 2009, the 892,333 executive options, 240,000 director options and 287,000 employee options outstanding had fair values of approximately $3,473,081, $912,761 and $756,923 respectively.

 
35

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 MARCH 31, 2009
(Unaudited)

The following is a summary of the stock option activity:

   
Number of
Options
Outstanding
   
Weighted
-Average
Exercise
Price
   
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
Balance, December 31, 2007
    1,110,000     $ 14.3     $ 12,075,850  
   Granted
    -       -       -  
   Forfeited
    (50,000 )   $ 12.3       -  
   Exercised
    -       -       -  
Balance, March 31, 2008
    1,060,000     $ 14.4     $ 1,865,000  
Granted
    151,000     $ 21.3       -  
Forfeited
    (143,667 )   $ 18.1       -  
Exercised
    -       -       -  
Balance, December 31, 2008
    1,067,333     $ 14.9       -  
Granted
    388,000     $ 4.95       -  
Forfeited
    (36,000 )   $ 4.95       -  
Exercised
    -       -       -  
Balance, March 31, 2009
    1,419,333     $ 12.41       -  

Following is a summary of the status of options outstanding at March 31, 2009:

Outstanding Option
 
Exercisable Options
 
Exercise Price
 
Number
 
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
 
Average
Exercise
Price
   
Number
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
$12.30
    408,333  
0.14 years
  $ 12.30       383,333     $ 12.30  
$11.75
    150,000  
0.18 years
  $ 11.75       135,927     $ 11.75  
$13.70
    125,000  
0.49 years
  $ 13.70       125,000     $ 13.70  
$16.44 - $20.94
    230,000  
0.58 years
  $ 18.69       230,000     $ 16.40  
$16.36
    10,000  
0.62 years
  $ 16.36       10,000     $ 16.36  
$23.25
    77,000  
0.00 years
  $ 23.25       77,000     $ 23.25  
$15.04
    17,000  
0.03 years
  $ 15.04       16,533     $ 15.04  
$20.04
    50,000  
1.14 years
  $ 20.04       28,621     $ 20.04  
$4.95
    352,000  
0.75 years
  $ 4.95       91,000     $ 4.95  
Total
    1,419,333                 1,097,414          

Note 15 - Statutory reserves

The laws and regulations of the People’s Republic of China require that before a Sino-foreign cooperative joint venture enterprise distributes profits to its partners, it must first satisfy all tax liabilities, provide for losses in previous years, and make allocations in proportions determined at the discretion of the board of directors, after the statutory reserve.

 
36

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 MARCH 31, 2009
(Unaudited)

Surplus reserve fund

The Company is required to transfer 10% of its net income, as determined in accordance with the PRC accounting rules and regulations to a statutory surplus reserve fund until such reserve balance reaches 50% of the Company’s registered capital. As of March 31, 2009, the Company has total registered capital of approximately $80,931,711 (RMB 624.3 million). The Company is required to contribute an additional $28,149,708 from future earnings. The transfer to this reserve must be made before distribution of any dividend to shareholders. The company will transfer at year end 10% of the year’s net income determined in accordance with PRC accounting rules and regulations.

The surplus reserve fund is non-distributable other than during liquidation and can be used to fund previous years’ losses, if any, and may be utilized for business expansion or converted into share capital by issuing new shares to existing shareholders in proportion to their shareholding or by increasing the par value of the shares currently held by them, provided that the remaining reserve balance after such issue is not less than 50% of the registered capital.

Note 16 – Employee pension

The Company’s employee pension for China employees generally includes two parts: the first to be paid by the Company is 20% of the employee’s actual salary in the prior year. The other part, paid by the employee, is 8% of the actual salary. The Company made $31,991 and $30,462 in contributions of employment benefits for China employees in the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

US employees are provided a 401(k) plan.  US employees are eligible for the defined contribution plan after three-months of full-time employment.  Employee deferrals and company matching are 100% vested immediately upon eligibility. The company made $30,540 and $33,335 in contributions of employment benefits for US employees in the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Copperweld UK operates a defined contribution pension scheme for employees. All UK employees are eligible to join the pension on satisfactory completion of their trial period, which is typically three months. UK employees can contribute as much as they like subject to current UK laws, but the company will match only the first 2.5% of gross pay in the current year. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the company. The annual contributions payable are charged to expense. The company made $2,778 and $13,676 in contributions of employment benefits for UK employees in the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008.

Note 17 - Commitments and contingencies

As discussed in Note 11, the Company entered into a swap agreement that required a $1,000,000 deposit to secure the transaction. If the exchange rate for RMB to US Dollars drops below certain levels, the Company will be required to deposit up to $5,000,000. In July 2008, the Company deposited the $1,000,000 with MLCS to secure the agreement.

 
37

 

FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 MARCH 31, 2009
(Unaudited)

On December 11, 2007, the Company received service of an action filed by Kuhns Brothers, Inc., Kuhns Brothers Securities Corp., and Kuhns Brothers & Co., Inc. against the Company in the United States District Court, District of Connecticut on November 27, 2006.  On August 5, 2008, the Company received verdict from the United States District Court that Kuhns is entitled to recover a total of $7,197,794. The court ruling was recorded as a contingent liability of $7,197,794 and was allocated to the following: (a) $710,544 was expensed immediately in second quarter of 2008; (b) $3,000,000 was recorded as deferred commissions on long term notes (also explained in Note 10) and is being amortized over the remainder of the long term note’s life, $ 112,500 was amortized for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and $1,650,000 was amortized for the year ended December 31, 2008, $1,237,500 was outstanding as deferred commissions on long term notes as of March 31, 2009; (c) $3,487,250 was allocated to Additional Paid in Capital in second quarter of 2008.

Note 18 - Subsequent events

As of March 31, 2009, Copperweld was in violation of certain financial covenants under the terms of the revolving line of credit agreement with Wells Fargo. On May 6, 2009,Wells Fargo exercised its right to implement the 2% additional default rate of interest effective April 1, 2009 and the additional default interest will be charged on May 7, 2009
 
38

 
ITEM 2 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITIONS.

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes to those financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-Q.

Certain statements in this Report, and the documents incorporated by reference herein, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include statements, which involve risks and uncertainties, regarding, among other things, (a) our projected sales, profitability, and cash flows, (b) our growth strategies, (c) anticipated trends in our industries, (d) our future financing plans, and (e) our anticipated needs for, and use of, working capital. They are generally identifiable by use of the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “potential,” “project,” “continuing,” “ongoing,” “expects,” “management believes,” “we believe,” “we intend,” or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. Actual events or results may differ materially from those discussed in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, without limitation, the risks outlined under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and matters described in this report generally. In light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements contained in this filing will in fact occur. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and, except to the extent required by federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
 
The "Company", "we," "us," "our," and the "Registrant" refer to (i) Fushi Copperweld, Inc. (formerly Fushi International, Inc.), (ii) Fushi Holdings, Inc.(formerly Diversified Product Inspections, Inc.) (“Fushi Holdings”), (iii) Fushi International (Dalian) Bimetallic Cable Co., Ltd. (formerly Dalian Diversified Product Inspections Bimetallic Cable, Co., Ltd.) (“Fushi International (Dalian)”), (iv) Dalian Fushi Bimetallic Wire Manufacturing, Co., Ltd. (“Dalian Fushi”), (v) Copperweld Holdings, LLC, (vi) Copperweld Bimetallic, LLC (“Copperweld”) and (vii) Copperweld Bimetallics UK, LLC. Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to (i)  “PRC” and “China” are to the People’s Republic of China; (ii) “U.S. dollar,” “$” and “US$” are to United States dollars; (iii) “RMB” are to Yuan Renminbi of China; (iv) “Securities Act” are to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; and (v) “Exchange Act” are to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Overview

We are the global leader in the development, design, manufacture, marketing and distribution of copper-cladded bimetallic engineered conductor products. Our principal products, copper-clad aluminum (“CCA”) and copper-clad steel (“CCS”) are primarily used as conductor components within wire and cable products in the telecommunication, utility, transportation and industrial industries.

 
39

 

Today, we serve approximately 300 customers in 38 countries from our facilities in Dalian, China, Fayetteville, TN, and Telford, England. We have a strong market position in all markets in which we compete due to product, geographic region, customer diversity and our ability to deliver superior products while operating as a low cost provider.  As a result, we are now the leading producer of bimetallic wire products in the world and are the market leaders in North America, Europe, North Africa the Middle East, and the People’s Republic of China.  We strive to continue expansion within current and evolving markets, and to create shareholder value by:

 
·
Investing in organic and inorganic growth in both infrastructure-based and fast-growing markets;
 
·
Focusing on expansion within and into new, higher-margin products, applications and markets through investment into new machinery and research and development;
 
·
Continuously improving business processes throughout the Company by focusing on key performance indicators and operational excellence;
 
·
Hiring and developing strategic talent thus improving the effectiveness of our performance management processes; and
 
·
Protecting and enhancing shareholder value of the Fushi Copperweld brand.

To accomplish these goals, we are focused on continuously improving operational efficiency in areas we view to be vital: quality, delivery, cost, and innovation. We also take an opportunistic approach to achieving our goals, and thus, we seek acquisitions of businesses which facilitate overall growth and cash flows of the Company.

Typically using 70% less copper than conventional copper wire, but offering materially the same utility and functionality, our bimetallic wire is used in applications such as distribution products for telecommunication networks, cables for the wireless industry, automotive and consumer products, video and data applications, electrical power cables, wire components for electronic devices, as well as other industrial conductors. In many applications, the value of bimetallic wire is based on advantages other than the economies of bimetallic versus solid copper.  Weight considerations strongly favor CCA because the end user can expect approximately 2.6 times the length with the same weight as solid copper.  Wire is sold by weight but used by length.  The additional length increases the value of CCA. Weight is a major concern in some applications where the end product is portable, such as cell phones, music players, etc. and in automotive applications.  We believe that the use of much lighter bimetallic products will continue to offer opportunities for these applications. Other advantages include Radio Frequency ("RF") resistance factor.  RF signals travel over the surface of the wire.  With bimetallic wire, the RF resistance characteristics of the copper cladding offers identical high frequency characteristics as solid copper, but with much less weight and lower end-product stiffness.

CCS combines the functionality of copper with the strength of steel to provide a higher value, stronger alternative to solid copper for use in coaxial drop cables for cable television, electrical utility applications including ground cables and tracer wire, automotive wiring harnesses, catenary cable for electrified railroads and other applications requiring specific levels of conductivity and higher levels of tensile strength. Copperweld CCS is synonymous with copper-clad steel and is registered as Copperweld®.

 
40

 

Our products are effectively “engineered composite conductors”. We do not produce commodity products and are not subject to the same pricing effects of pure commodity metals. Our customers purchase and use our products for their physical and/or conductive qualities, which have their respective application advantages, with cost savings being an added incentive. While the pricing volatility of our raw materials, especially copper, is a primary cause of cost variations in our products, changes in raw material costs do not materially affect our earnings per share. Although an increase in the price of raw materials may serve to reduce our gross margins as a percentage of net sales, likewise, a decline in raw material prices will increase our gross margin as a percentage of net sales. We generally pass the cost of price changes in our raw materials to our customers rather than the percentage changes. We establish prices for our products based on market factors and our cost to produce our products. Typically, we set a base price for our products for our customers with an understanding that as prices of raw materials change, primarily for copper but also for aluminum and steel, we will pass the change through to our customers. Therefore, when prices of raw material increase, our prices to our customers increase and the amount of our total net sales increases while the dollar amount of our gross margin remains relatively stable.  As a result, the impact on earnings per share from volatile raw material prices is minimal, although there are timing delays of varying lengths depending upon volatility of metals prices, the type of product, competitive conditions and particular customer arrangements.

 
 
41

 

The above chart demonstrates how changes in the Comex monthly average of copper and aluminum prices from January 2008 through March 2009 can hypothetically affect our margins. The combined cost of copper and aluminum changed from approximately $4.30 in January 2008 to a high of $5.30 in April 2008 and then trended generally down during the remainder of 2008 to a low of $2.10 in December 2008 before rebounding to $2.35 in March 2009. In this example, we have a gross margin per pound of $0.50 for illustrative purposes. Passing the changing costs through to our customers’ prices allows us to maintain a level amount of dollar gross margin. Considering gross margin as a percentage of net sales can be misleading when raw materials costs are increasing even though the dollar amount of gross margin remains the same. Although the gross margin would have fluctuated between from 8.6% and 19.2% in our example, the dollar amount of gross margin per metric ton and resulting net income flowing to earnings per share remained the same.
 
Factors driving and affecting operations results include raw material prices, product and price competition, economic conditions in various geographic regions, foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates, changes in technology, fluctuations in customer demand, variations in the mix of products, production capacity and utilization, working capital sufficiency, availability of credit and general market liquidity, patent and intellectual property issues, litigation results and legal and regulatory developments, and our ability to accurately forecast sales demand and calibrate manufacturing to such demand, manage volatile raw material costs, develop, manufacture and successfully market new and enhanced products and product lines, control operating costs, and attract, motivate and retain key personnel to manage our operational, financial and management information systems.

 Highlights for the quarter include:

 
-
CCA Volume shipped from Dalian increased 1% compared to first quarter 2008 despite global economic slowdown;
 
-
Dalian operated at only 67% capacity in first quarter 2009; well positioned to capitalize on expected near term growth;
 
-
Implemented further cost reductions at Fayetteville;
 
-
Improved cash flows from operating activities by $15.6 million compared to first quarter 2008; and
 
-
Continued expansion of sales in the utility industry throughout the world.  Utility shipments during the first quarter of 2009 increased 2.9% over the same quarter in 2008 despite challenging macroeconomic conditions. We have strengthened our relationship with a major supplier to the utility market in the US and added personnel with contacts in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and in North Africa that will continue to increase our sales of ground wire applications within the utility market. Also, we have begun to realize orders related to the $585 billion stimulus package in the PRC announced in November 2008. We expect demand for our products related to infrastructure projects within the PRC to grow in future periods as a direct result of the stimulus package.
 
 
42

 

Current Business Environment and Outlook for the remainder of 2009

With respect to the overall business trends for the remainder of 2009 and forward, management recognizes that the current condition of the global economy may present us with significant challenges to our financial condition and results of operations. Data and statistics published by the International Monetary Fund showed that the global economy decelerated quickly and severely in the second half of 2008. This trend continued throughout the first two months of the first quarter 2009, as China, a market that has generated most of our revenue and growth, saw its GDP growth in the first quarter of 2009 drop to 6.1%, the slowest the country has experienced in ten years. The figure was more than 10% in the first quarter of 2008, and 13% for 2007.  Global economic turmoil, uncertainties in capital markets, currency fluctuations and commodity cost volatility have substantially reduced the visibility for our industry and our business.

However, statistics released by the PRC’s National Bureau of Statistics indicate that the $586 billion package stimulus package implemented by the Chinese government in November 2008 began to gain traction in the first quarter 2009, as total fixed asset investment grew 28.8%, a growth of 4.2% compared to the same period 2008. We believe the following macro-level trends will positively impact our business and offer us opportunities to capture new business despite global economic conditions and preserve profitability:

 
·
Demand recovery for CCA-based telecommunication products in China, primarily due to 3G related capital investment;
 
·
Chinese Government stimulus packages focused on infrastructure, high-speed railways, T&D and power grid build out;
 
·
Continued strength of the grounding wire market;
 
·
Worldwide underlying long-term growth trends in electric utility and infrastructure markets; and
 
·
Continuing demand for cost effective, energy saving alternatives.
 
In addition to these macro-level trends, the Company is presented with tremendous opportunities brought by the increasing capital expenditures of major telecommunications operators in China subsequent to the restructuring and the recent issuance of 3G licenses. Furthermore, we will focus on driving profitability by streamlining our organizational structure and business procedures, increasing operational efficiency and optimizing operating processes, while managing production costs and operating expenses.

We are continuing to develop the high potential utility and electrical appliance markets, to enhance productivity and to expand our sales of higher margin products.  Meanwhile, we are also working to strengthen sales management and customer relations.  We will seek to consolidate our relationships with our best customers, stop or suspend selling to customers that pose significant credit risk, and develop new customers cautiously.  In addition, as part of our ongoing efforts to reduce total operating costs, we continuously improve our ability to efficiently utilize existing and new manufacturing capacity to manage expansion and growth.  Investment in new capacity will pay off by increased product sales in the future. We believe that effectively utilizing manufacturing assets, and generating economies of scale, will help offset high raw material prices and dilute overhead over time. Moving forward, as we’re cautiously optimistic about the demand growth for our various products, we expect our combined utilization rates to improve.
 
We actively seek to identify and promptly respond to key economic and industry trends in order to capitalize on expanding niche markets for our products, and possibly entering into new markets both down and up stream, in order to achieve better returns.  We believe that we have the resources, technology, working capital and capacity to meet growing market demands.  Over the long-term, we believe that we are well positioned to benefit from the growth opportunities in China and throughout the world.

 
43

 

Results of Operations

Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008

Net Sales

   
Three Months Ended
             
In Millions USD
 
March 31,
             
   
2009
   
2008
   
Change
 
Sales
  $ 35.3     $ 54.0     $ (18.7 )     -34.6 %

Net sales decreased 34.6% over the same quarter one year earlier primarily due to a 22.0% decline in average selling prices and to a lesser extent a decrease in volume of tons sold of 1,280 metric tons, or 13.8%, partially offset by a slight growth in CCA tons sold from our Dalian facility over the same period.  Sales from our Dalian, China facility was $26.4 million and $8.9 million at our Fayetteville, TN and Telford, U.K. facilities. Volume at the Company’s Dalian facility grew slightly due to increased 3G related demand and continued expansion into the utility market.  The company’s Fayetteville facility experienced a 37% decrease in volume as a result of global economic downturn.

Our products are engineered products rather than commodities; therefore, the selling prices of our products are dependent upon diameter, tensile strength, conductivity and other factors specified by each customer. For example, Dalian’s prices may be lower than Fayetteville’s for CCA because Dalian’s products sold for telecom may require less engineering and fewer manufacturing processes than for products sold by Fayetteville, based on application. Both Dalian and Fayetteville sell a variety of CCA products and the price for each variety varies based on the composition of the product and the amount of manufacturing required and the ratio of copper to aluminum. As with CCA, the average selling price of CCS varies by product type primarily based on the amount of copper in the product and the amount of manufacturing required.

Net Sales by Industry

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
 In Millions
USD
   
2009*
     
2008*
   
Change
 
Telecom
    14.6       29.5       (14.9 )     -50.6 %
Utility
    19.0       21.3       (2.3 )     -11.1 %
Transportation
    0.4       0.5       (0.1 )     -18.9 %
Other
    1.7       2.7       (1.0 )     -37.7 %
Total
    35.7       54.0       (18.3 )     -34.1 %
*Net sales do not include deductions resulting from returns, freight, rebate and cash discounts.

 
44

 

The following table presents the breakdown of metric tons shipped to customers by industry:

   
Three Months Ended March 31, 
         
Percentage of
Total
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
Change
   
2009
   
2008
 
Telecom
    3,468       4,736       (1,268 )     (26.8 )%     43.4 %     51.3 %
Utility
    4,026       3,914       112       2.9 %     50.5 %     42.2 %
Transportation
    61       43       18       41.9 %     0.8 %     0.5 %
Other
    427       569       (142 )     (25.1 )%     5.3 %     6.2 %
                                                 
Total
    7,982       9,262       (1,280 )     (13.8 )%     100.0 %     100.0 %

We are expanding our sales to the utility market.  During the three month period ended March 31, 2009, our sales to the utility segment increased by 112 tons.  Shipments to the utility segment increased from 42.2% of total shipments for the three months ended March 31, 2008 to 50.5% of total shipments for the same period in 2009.  Shipments to the telecom segment declined by 26.8% or by 1,268 tons and declined from 51.3% of total shipments to 43.4% when comparing the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively, primarily due to decreased demand from North American and European markets.

The following table presents the breakdown of metric tons shipped by each of our facilities to customers in each industry:

   
Three Months Ended March 31, 2009
 
   
Dalian
   
Fayetteville
   
Telford
 
   
Metric Tons
Shipped
   
% of 
Tonnage
   
Metric Tons
Shipped
   
% of
Tonnage
   
Metric Tons
Shipped
   
% of
Tonnage
 
Telecom
    2,497       31.3 %     946       11.9 %     24       0.3 %
Utility
    3,332       41.7 %     644       8.1 %     51       0.6 %
Transportation
    0       0.0 %     33       0.4 %     28       0.4 %
Other
    57       0.7 %     370       4.6 %     0       0.0 %
Total
    5,886       73.7 %  
1,994
      25.0 %     102       1.3 %

Dalian shipped 73.7% of total tonnage produced during the first three months of 2009 with shipments to the utility market contributing 41.7% and sales to the telecom market contributing 31.3% of total volume. Fayetteville shipped 25.0% of total tonnage split between telecom at 11.9% and utility with 8.1%. Total transportation accounted for 0.8% for the shipments in the first three months of 2009. Telford shipped 1.3% of total tonnage split between telecom, utility and transportation.

Capacity and Output

The following table summarizes installed capacities and outputs for the three month period ended March 31, 2009. Capacity is stated on an annual basis while output is the amount of product shipped during the first three months of 2009. Telford’s production does not include cladding and the numbers reflect CCS that was further processed by Telford during the three months ended period.

 
45

 

   
Dalian
   
Fayetteville
   
Telford
 
   
Capacity
   
Output
   
Capacity
   
Output
   
Capacity
   
Output
 
CCA
    34,000       5,829       12,400       494             -  
CCS
    800       7       16,300       1,500       900       79  
Other
            50                               23  
Total
    34,800       5,886       28,700       1,994       900       102  

At March 31 2009, we had combined annual production capacity for CCA of 46,400 metric tons and CCS cladding capacity of 18,000 metric tons on an annual basis based on our product mix at March 31, 2009. Installed capacity can increase or decrease based on the size of the rod used in the cladding operation for CCA and on the conductivity engineered into the CCS production. Additionally, a further 6,000 metric tons of annualized CCA capacity was successfully installed and commissioned at our Dalian facility on April 30, 2009.  We also expect to install a further 4,100 metric tons of annualized CCS cladding capacity at our Dalian facility by the end of the third quarter 2009.
 
Product Mix

   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
             
Metric Tons Sold
 
2009
   
2008
   
Change
       
CCA
    6,323       6,844       (521 )     -7.6 %
CCS
    1,585       2,231       (646 )     -29.0 %
Other
    74       187       (113 )     -60.4 %
Total
    7,982       9,262       (1,280 )     -13.8 %
 
   
Percentage of Tons Sold
 
   
Period Ended March 31,
 
Based on Metric Tons
 
2009
   
2008
 
CCA
    79.2 %     73.9 %
CCS
    19.9 %     24.1 %
Other
    0.9 %     2.0 %
      100.0 %     100.0 %

The chart above illustrates the growth of CCA as a percentage of tons sold comparing the three month period ended March 31 2009 to March 31, 2008 for the combined facilities.  The demand for our CCA products in the PRC remained strong during the first quarter 2009 compared to the same periods in 2008 despite worsened macro-economic conditions. However, we experienced a significant tapering of demand of 53.9% in CCA products in markets served from our Fayetteville facility.

 
46

 

Gross Margin

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
             
   
2009
   
2008
   
Change
 
Gross Margin (in millions)
  $ 8.9     $ 14.7     $ (5.8 )     -39.5 %
As a Percentage of Sales
    25.4 %     27.3 %     -1.9 %        

Gross profit in the first quarter decreased 39.5% year over year to $8.9 million from $14.7 million.  Gross margin decreased to 25.4% from 27.3% in the prior year period.  Gross margin at the Company’s Dalian, China facility decreased slightly from approximately 33.8% to 32.8%.   This decrease primarily resulted from pricing pressure from smaller, poorly capitalized competitors, many of whom were forced to liquidate inventory in order to meet financial obligations, partially positively offset by the pickup in RF cable demand related to the first of three stages of 3G rollout since the latter part of first quarter of 2009.   The gross margin at the Fayetteville and Telford facilities declined from approximately 13.4% to 3.1% mostly as a result of lower capacity utilization and deterioration in product mix.  The cost of goods sold increased from 72.7% of net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2008 to 74.6% at March 31, 2009.

Selling Expenses

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
             
(in millions)
 
2009
   
2008
   
Change
 
Selling Expenses
  $ 1.2     $ 0.8     $ 0.4       50.0 %
As a Percentage of Sales
    3.4 %     1.5 %     1.9 %        
 
Selling expense increased by $0.4 million or 50% for the three months period ended March 31, 2009 compared to the same quarter of 2008.  Selling expenses increased primarily because of increased efforts in sales to penetrate the electrical utility market. As a percentage of net sales, selling expenses increased from 1.5% of net sales for the 2008 quarter to 3.4% of net sales during the first quarter of 2009.

General and Administrative Expenses

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
             
(in millions)
 
2009
   
2008
   
Change
 
General and Administrative Costs
  $ 3.1     $ 4.4     $ (1.3 )     -29.5 %
As a Percentage of Sales
    8.7 %     8.1 %     0.6 %        
 
 
47

 

General and administrative expenses decreased by $1.3 million or 29.5% during the three month period ended March 31, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. This decrease was principally a result of lower sales volumes, lower capacity utilization and an increase in cost saving initiatives. As a percentage of net sales, general and administrative expenses increased slightly by 0.6% to 8.7% from 8.1% for the first quarter of 2008 due to decreased revenue in the first quarter of 2009. During the first quarter of 2009, included in general and administrative expenses were non-factory depreciation and amortization of $440,548 and amortization of intangible assets of $119,076, compared to $403,010 and $62,277 respectively in the first quarter of 2008, increases of depreciation expense for the current quarter was mainly due to the completion of Dalian office building and started to depreciate.

Other Income ( Expense )

Interest Income (Expense)

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
             
(in millions)
 
2009
   
2008
   
Change
 
Interest Income
  $ 0.1     $ 0.2     $ (0.1 )     -50.0 %
Interest Expense
  $ (1.5 )   $ (1.8 )   $ 0.3       -16.7 %
Net Interest Expense
  $ (1.4 )   $ (1.6 )   $ 0.2       -12.5 %
Net Interest Expense as a % of Net Sales
    4.0 %     3.0 %     1.0 %        
 
Net interest expense in the first quarter decreased by approximately $230,000, versus the first quarter of 2008, which was primarily the result of the repayment of Dalian’s short term bank loans. As a percentage of net sales, net interest expense increased from 3.0% for the first quarter of 2008 to 4.0% during the first quarter of 2009.

Change in fair value of derivative liability

The Company analyzes all financial instruments with features of both liabilities and equity under FAS 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity,” FAS 133 and EITF 00-19, “Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and Potentially Settled in, a Company’s Own Stock.” Before the adoption of EITF 07-5 "Determining Whether an Instrument (or Embedded Feature) is Indexed to an Entity's Own Stock", the convertible note issued in 2007 did not require bifurcation or result in liability accounting. However, with the recent adoption of EITF 07-5, the embedded conversion feature must be bifurcated from its host instrument and accounted for separately as a derivative liability.

Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) 00-19 “Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to and Potentially Settled in, a Company’s Own Stock”, provides a criteria for determining whether freestanding contracts that are settled in a company’s own stock, including common stock warrants, should be designated as either an equity instrument, an asset or as a liability under FAS  133 “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” Under the provisions of EITF 00-19, a contract designated as an asset or a liability must be carried at fair value on a company’s balance sheet, with any changes in fair value recorded in a company’s results of operations.  Using the criteria in EITF 00-19, the Company determines which options, warrants and embedded features require liability accounting and records the fair values as a derivative liability. The changes in the values of these instruments are shown in the accompanying consolidated statements of income and other comprehensive income as “change in fair value of derivative instrument.”

 
48

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 the Company recognized a loss in the change in fair value of derivative liability – conversion option in the amounts of $539,037 and $0, respectively.

For the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 the Company recognized a loss in the change in fair value of derivative liability – warrants in the amounts of $63,238 and $0, respectively.
 
Tax

Profit before tax for Dalian was $6.9 million in the first quarter 2009 and the loss for Fayetteville and Telford before tax was $1.4 million.  Loss at the Fushi Copperweld parent company level was $3.2 million primarily due to interest expenses on the High Yield notes, stock-based compensation, changes in fair value of derivative liabilities related to Convertible Notes conversion options, hedge and warrants, as well as professional fees and outside service expenses. On a consolidated basis, profit before tax was $2.4 million and we recognized a net tax benefit of $0.7 million.

   
Dalian
   
Fayetteville
& Telford
   
Parent
Company
   
Consolidated
 
Profit (Loss) before income tax
    6,927,028       (1,367,276 )     (3,155,051 )     2,404,701  
Income tax expense (credit)
    930,311       (491,763 )     (1,134,764 )     (696,216 )
Profit after income tax
                            3,100,917  
 
Net Income

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
             
(in millions)  
 
2009
   
2008
   
Amount
   
% Change
 
Net Income Before Taxes
  $ 2.4     $ 8.0     $ (5.6 )     -70.0 %
(Benefit)Provision for Income Taxes
  $ (0.7 )   $ 0.5     $ (1.2 )     -240.0 %
Net Income After Taxes
  $ 3.1     $ 7.5     $ (5.0 )     -58.7 %
Net Income as a % of Net Sales  
    8.8 %     13.9 %     -5.3 %        

Net income for the three months period ending March 31, 2009 was $2.4 million compared to $8.0 million for the comparable period in 2008, a decrease of approximately $5.6 million or 70%. Net income as a percentage of net sales declined from 14.1% for the prior period to 8.8%, principally due to an erosion of combined gross margin primarily attributable to a sharp decline in gross margins from Fayetteville and Telford operations.  The net margin decline was also a result of increased selling expenses as a percentage of net sales and increased non-cash expenses including the change in fair value of derivative liability, increased depreciation and amortization and increased share-based compensation.
 
 
49

 

Earnings Per Share

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
Unaudited
   
Unaudited
 
Net Income for Basic Earnings Per Share
  $ 3,100,917     $ 7,570,496  
Basic Weighted Average Number of Shares
    27,563,478       27,048,039  
Net Income per Share—Basic
  $ 0.11     $ 0.28  
Net Income for Diluted Earnings Per Share
  $ 3,100,917     $ 7,445,699  
Diluted Weighted Average Number of Shares
    27,695,464       28,228,604  
Net Income per Share—Diluted
  $ 0.11     $ 0.26  

 Basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 were $0.11 and $0.11, compared to $0.28 and $0.26 for the first quarter last year.

Selected Balance Sheet Data at March 31, 2009 (unaudited) and the year ended December 31, 2008:

   
 
Selected Balance Sheet Data
 
   
March 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
             
(in millions)
 
Unaudited
         
Change
 
Cash
  $ 42.7     $ 65.6     $ (22.9 )     -34.9 %
Accounts Receivable, net
  $ 44.3     $ 49.8     $ (5.5 )     -11.0 %
PP&E
  $ 118.2     $ 119.8     $ (1.6 )     -1.3 %
Total Assets
  $ 278.2     $ 294.5     $ (16.3 )     -5.5 %
Short Term Debt
  $ 14.1     $ 27.3     $ (13.2 )     -48.4 %
Long Term Debt
  $ 35.4     $ 40.0     $ (4.6 )     -11.5 %
Shareholders' Equity
  $ 203.9     $ 203.0     $ 0.9       0.4 %

Our financial condition continues to improve as measured by an increase of 0.4% in shareholders’ equity during the first three months of 2009. Cash decreased 34.9% during the quarter primarily due to repayments of short term loans and the decrease of our accounts receivable by 11% as a result of decreased sales volume. Property, plant and equipment decreased by 1.3% during the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to the prior year end. Short term debt decreased by 48.4% as a result of repayments of short term loans at our PRC operation. Long term debt declined by 11.5% because $5.0 million of our outstanding $40.0 million notes was reclassified to short term debt because of a January 2010 due date on such portion of the notes.

 
50

 

Customers

For the three months ended March 31, 2009, no customer accounted for ten percent (10.0%) or more of sales. During the first three months of 2009, our largest five customers together accounted for 19.0% of our sales based on tons and 13.6% based on net sales compared to 20.7% based on tons and 19.9% based on net sales during the same period in 2008. Our largest customer represented 3.2% of sales during the three months ended March 31, 2009. Our ten largest customers represented 29.9% of tons sold and 24.1% of net sales for the first three months of 2009.  Total receivable balance due from the top ten customers at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 amounted to $11,118,422 and $11,838,214, respectively.

Our strategy is to continue to expand and diversify our customer base in future periods. We believe this increased diversification significantly limits our market risk and gives us a stronger base on which to expand. We further believe our overall customer composition and the concentration of our top customers will continue to change as we expand our business and seek to shift our product sales portfolio to higher margin products and markets. However, the loss of, or significant reduction in orders from any of our largest customers may have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and operating results. We are continuing to expand and consolidate the direction of our combined sales and marketing group in order to focus our resources on diversification of our customer base, product mix and geographic presence to mitigate customer concentration risk. Our objective is to focus on expanding our existing business relationships by offering a wider range of products and building new sales relationships throughout the world with our expanded sales organization.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing copper-clad products involves bonding a copper strip to an aluminum or steel core, drawing the clad product to a finished diameter and heat treating as necessary depending upon the customer’s specifications. We use proprietary technologies developed in Dalian and Fayetteville.  We also own the worldwide rights to other technologies. These proprietary technologies allow us to produce superior copper-clad products compared to other producers. Our technology base and research and development department supports continuing development and the geographical spread of our manufacturing locations improves our ability to provide superior service to our international customer base.

Our manufacturing activities are determined and scheduled upon both firm orders and projected sales information gathered by our sales personnel from direct contact with our customers. Customers typically submit purchase orders seven to thirty days prior to the requested delivery date. However, depending on the product and the available equipment run schedules, the lead time can be as short as three days. The sales price is determined at the time of purchase based on a formula or a unit price for each product. In either case, the purchase price is a function of the market price of our raw materials at the time of purchase, subject to an adjustment at the time of delivery for many of our customers and to the processes required to produce our engineered products. For some customers, we adjust our prices based on the cost of raw materials for the previous month rather than prices at the time of shipment.
 
 
51

 

Geography

Our sales and marketing is a global operation. We market and sell our products through our direct sales force. In some countries we use sales agents or distributors to provide assistance with or lead our sales and distribution in selected countries. A substantial portion of our customers served by our Dalian sales force is based in the PRC. Some of our customers are US based corporations that have established subsidiaries operating inside the PRC. Several of these corporations were former customers of our Fayetteville facility but now place orders through their subsidiaries located in the PRC. We categorize these orders as domestic orders within the PRC. On the other hand, most of our customers served by our Fayetteville and Telford based sales group are located in the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, excluding the PRC and the Middle East. We are transferring most of our Asian customers to our PRC based sales group in order to provide more efficient customer service. As a result, we anticipate that most of our net sales will continue to be derived from sales to our Asian customers. We anticipate that our sales growth can continue worldwide because of our working capital base, our combined sales force, our production capacity and our commitment to innovative research and development of our existing products and for developing new products.

The following table presents our sales by geographic region for the periods indicated:

   
March 31, 2009
   
March 31, 2008
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
China
  $ 25,541,567     $ 34,752,795  
USA
    7,306,836       12,422,970  
Europe
    1,478,246       3,507,766  
Other countries
    929,887       3,325,496  
Total sales
  $ 35,256,536     $ 54,009,027  

Cost of Goods Sold

   
Components of Cost of Goods Sold
 
   
Three Months Ended March 31.
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Cost of Goods Sold
    100.0 %     100.0 %
Primary Material Cost
    81.6 %     86.2 %
Accessorial material cost
    2.6 %     1.5 %
Labor
    6.1 %     4.7 %
Manufacturing Overhead
    9.7 %     7.6 %
 
 
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Primary material costs as a percentage of Cost of Goods Sold decreased approximately 4.6% between the first three months ended March 31, 2008 and the three month period ended March 31, 2009, reflecting the decline in raw material costs.  Labor and manufacturing overhead increased on a percentage basis between the first three months ended March 31, 2008 and the three month period ended March 31, 2009; however, decreased 12.2% and 14.1% year-over-year on an absolute basis, respectively.

Suppliers

Our top five suppliers provided 83.5% of our raw materials for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  Four suppliers each provided more than 10.0% of our purchases.  During the first three months ended March 31, 2008, our top five suppliers provided 60.6% of raw materials and two suppliers provided 10.0% or more of our supplies.  We have numerous suppliers and continually review our purchase practices to assure that we are not relying on too few suppliers.  The same review also assures that we are purchasing our raw materials at the competitive market prices. At March 31, 2009, our advances to the major five suppliers were $13,797,147, all of which was current. At December 31, 2008, our advances to the major five suppliers were $20,111,644, all of which was current.

Taxation

Fushi Copperweld, Inc. (formerly Fushi International, Inc.) is incorporated in the State of Nevada, Fushi Holdings is incorporated in the State of Delaware, Copperweld Bimetallics, LLC is chartered in the State of Delaware and Copperweld Bimetallics UK, Ltd., is registered in the United Kingdom. We have a manufacturing facility and administrative offices located in Dalian, P.R.C., Fayetteville, Tennessee, USA, and Telford, UK. We are subject to taxation on our net taxable income in the PRC, the US and the UK.

U.S. income tax

The Company is subject to the United States federal income tax at a rate of 34%.  No provision for income taxes in the U.S. has been made for the first three months 2009 as the Company had no U.S. taxable income. In future periods, we believe no provision for US income tax will be accrued as we have sufficient tax loss carry forwards to offset any taxable income earned. No provision for US income tax was accrued on the earnings of our non-US operations because the earnings generated from our non-U.S. operating companies are generally subject to United States taxation only when such earnings are repatriated to the United States. Additionally, we believe that we will not generate any significant amount of US income tax liability under the income imputation rules applicable to a United States company that owns "controlled foreign corporations" for United States federal income tax purposes. Therefore, no provision for U.S. federal income taxes or tax benefits on the undistributed earnings and/or losses of our company has been made.

US entities of Fushi have incurred net operating losses for income tax purposes since inception. The net operating loss as of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 amounted to $27,746,203 and $23,253,132. The loss carry forwards for United States income taxes may be available to reduce future years’ taxable income. These carry forwards will expire, if not utilized, through 2025 and 2029. Management believes that the realization of the benefits can be used by our US operating subsidiary in future periods because expectations are that Copperweld will have taxable income in future periods. As of March 31,2009, the deferred tax assets were 9.4 million and the deferred tax benefit realized in the three months ended March 31, 2009 was 1.6 million, based on its review, the Company believes that, as of March 31, 2009, it was not necessary to provide a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets.

 
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For next quarters of the year, the company still expects losses from US entities and the deferred tax benefit will be accrued as 34% of the actual loss in next quarters. The company will review the valuation of deferred tax assets quarterly to determine any valuation allowance necessary according to FAS 109.

P.R.C. enterprise income tax
 
During the first quarter of 2009, our PRC chartered subsidiaries continue to produce taxable income for PRC tax purposes. PRC enterprise income tax is calculated based on taxable income determined under PRC accounting principles. In accordance with “Income Tax Law of China for Enterprises with Foreign Investment and Foreign Enterprises,” or the Income Tax Law, “Foreign Invested Enterprises”, or FIEs, established in the PRC were generally subject to an “Enterprise Income Tax”, or EIT, rate of 33% prior to January 1, 2008. PRC domestic companies are governed by the Enterprise Income Tax Laws of the PRC and are also generally subject to an EIT.

Effective January 1, 2008, the new EIT Law in PRC imposed a unified income tax rate of 25.0% on all domestic-invested enterprises and FIEs, such as our PRC operating subsidiaries, unless they qualify under certain limited exceptions. But the EIT Law permits companies to continue to enjoy their existing preferential tax treatments until such treatments expire in accordance with their current terms. Any increase in our effective tax rate as a result of the above may adversely affect our operating results

Fushi International (Dalian) (“FID”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Fushi Holdings, Inc., was incorporated in the PRC as an FIE and is subject to PRC income tax which is computed according to the relevant laws and regulations in the PRC. FID has located its factories in a special economic region in Dalian and is granted certain preferential treatments including a corporate income tax rate of 24%. In September 2005, FID was approved as a wholly foreign owned enterprise. This economic region allowed FID a two-year income tax exemption for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007, and a 50% income tax reduction for the following three years ended December 31, 2008, 2009, and 2010. Therefore, during the current fiscal year, our PRC operations are taxed at a rate of 12% subject to appropriate adjustments.

The provision for China income tax for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 was $930,311 and $1,267,438, respectively.

U.K. income tax

Copperweld UK is organized as a United Kingdom private company and subject to 20% to 28% statutory taxes on its taxable income. The provision for income tax for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 was $0 for both periods.

 
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Foreign Currency Translation Gains


The value of the USD versus the RMB appreciated slightly during the first three months of 2009 compared to a continuous decline over the same period 2008. As a result of the appreciation of the RMB, we recognized a foreign currency translation loss of $0.4 million for the first three months of 2009 compared to a gain of $7.9 million for the same quarter last year. Given the uncertainty of exchange rate fluctuations, we cannot estimate the effect of these fluctuations on our future business, product pricing, and results of operations or financial condition.

A significant portion of our revenues and our expenses are derived from our Dalian, P.R.C. facility and thus are denominated in RMB Yuan. For our operations in the PRC, the income statement accounts were translated at 1 RMB Yuan to 0.14628 USD in the first three months of 2009 and balance sheet amounts with the exception of equity at March 31, 2009 were translated at 1 RMB Yuan to 0.14635 USD.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

We have historically financed our operations and capital expenditures principally through private placements of debt and equity offerings, bank loans, and cash provided by operations. Significant factors affecting our cash liquidity include (1) cash provided by operating activities, (2) cash used for capital expenditures, and (3) our available credit facilities and other borrowing arrangements. At March 31, 2009, the majority of our liquid assets were held in RMB denominations deposited in banks within the PRC. The PRC has strict rules for converting RMB to other currencies and for movement of funds from the PRC to other countries. Consequently, in the future, we may face difficulties in moving funds deposited within the PRC to fund working capital or capital expenditure requirements for our locations outside the PRC. To mitigate the difficulties of moving funds, we plan to maintain and expand our working capital lines for Fayetteville and Telford as necessary as our sales increases and our working capital needs grow.

 
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As is customary in the industry, we provide payment terms to most of our customers that exceed terms that we receive from our suppliers. Therefore, the Company’s liquidity needs have generally consisted of working capital necessary to finance receivables and raw material inventory. Capital expenditures have historically been necessary to expand the production capacity of the Company’s manufacturing operations.

In summary, our cash flows were:

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
(in millions)
 
2009
   
2008
 
Net cash used in operating activities
  $ (1.1 )     $ (16.7 )  
Net cash used in investing activities
  $ (5.5 )     $ (0.8 )  
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
  $ (16.2 )     $ 11.0  
Effect of exchange rate on cash
  $ (0.1 )     $ 3.5  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
  $ 65.6     $ 79.9  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 42.7     $ 78.5  

For the three months ended March 31, 2009, net cash used in operating activities was $1.1 million, which is an increase of $15.6 million from 16.7 million used for the same period in 2008, reflecting a significant improvement in operating cash flow year over year.  The favorable change is primarily attributable to decreases in accounts receivable and advances to suppliers consistent with decreased revenue, partially offset by a decrease in net income and a decrease in accounts payable.

For the three months ended March 31, 2009, net cash used in investing activities was $5.5 million, and was primarily attributable to $5.4 million in property and equipment purchases and advances.

For the three months ended March 31, 2009, net cash used in financing activities was a cash deficit of $16.2 million, which was primarily attributable to the repayments on $17.6 million in bank loans and a decrease in our revolving line of credit of $0.6 million partially offset by proceeds on a private placement of $1.9 million.

At March 31, 2009, our cash balance was $42.7 million compared to $78.6 million at March 31, 2008. As of March 31, 2009, we had RMB180 million, or USD 26.3 million, in available borrowing capacity under our credit facility with Guangdong Development Bank in Dalian.

 
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Like all businesses, we are assessing the current financial environment on a daily basis from financial data published in the market place, discussions with our customers regarding their current and future purchasing plans and through discussions with our suppliers and others with some insight within the financial realm in order to develop a better perspective of the future opportunities for our company.  At this time, we believe that our sales will continue to grow because of the infrastructure development in the PRC and throughout Asia. In future periods, as a result of our acquisition of Copperweld, we believe we can realize significant savings on capital expenditures by moving underutilized equipment to locations with a need for that equipment. We anticipate that our working capital requirements may increase as a result of the continued expansion of our combined business, continued increases or recovery in sales, potential increases in the price of copper and our other raw materials over the longer term, competition and our relationship with suppliers or customers. We believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents and cash flows from operations, combined with availability under our revolving credit facility, will be sufficient to meet our presently anticipated future cash needs for at least the next 12 to 18 months. We may, however, require additional cash resources due to changed business conditions or other future developments, including any investments or acquisitions we may decide to pursue. Considering the current global liquidity shortage, there can be no assurance that such finding will be available when needed, or, if available, that it will be available on terms acceptable to the Company.

On August 5, 2008, a judgment was entered in the Kuhn’s matter awarding the plaintiffs $7.2 million and our financial statements were adjusted in the prior period accordingly. We have appealed the decision, and will continue to vigorously defend against these claims which we believe to be without merit; however, we have no assurance that we will prevail in our appeal. Should we ultimately be required to pay the plaintiffs the amount of the judgment, the payment will have an impact upon our liquidity and working capital. We believe that the payment, should it be required, will not adversely affect our ability to fund our working capital needs or to fund our capital expenditure needs.

In connection with the judgment rendered against us in the action filed by Kuhns Brothers, Inc., Kuhns Brothers Securities Corp., and Kuhns Brothers & Co., Inc. in the United States District Court, District of Connecticut we were required to post a bond equal to $6,105,695.97.  On January 12, 2009, our board of directors proposed and agreed, pending the appeal of the judgment, that we issue one million (1,000,000) shares of our common stock, into escrow, in lieu of posting cash. The Company entered into an escrow agreement to that effect with Kuhns and an escrow agent. However, such proposal was not accepted by the District Court and Kuhns and such shares were cancelled.  The Company is currently in the process of settling the case and the appeal.

Recent Developments

On February 11, 2009, Mr. J. Dwight Berry was appointed to serve as our Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Berry had served as our Vice President of Commercial Development with oversight of the Company’s sales and research and development since June 2008.  Also on February 11, 2009, James A. Todd’s resignation as Financial Controller was accepted and an agreement was reached.

 
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On February 23, 2009, we sold in a private placement 400,000 shares of our common stock, par value $0.006 (the “Common Stock”) for an average price of $4.80 per share, and warrants to purchase 300,000 shares of Common Stock, for a total purchase price of $1,920,000. The warrants consisted of Series A Warrants (“Series A Warrants”) to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $5.25 per share, Series B Warrants (“Series B Warrants”) to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $5.50 per share, and Series C Warrants (“Series C Warrants”) to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $6.00 per share. The Series A and B Warrants are exercisable starting from the date of issuance through the later of (i) February 22, 2010 and (ii) the date which is six (6) months following the effective date of a registration statement filed by the Company under which the resale of all of the shares of Common Stock underlying the warrants have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Series C Warrants are exercisable starting from the date of issuance through the later of (i) August 22, 2010 and (ii) the date which is twelve (12) months following the effective date of a registration statement filed by the Company under which the resale of all of the shares of Common Stock underlying the warrant have been registered under the Securities Act.

Copperweld maintains a revolving line of credit with Wells Fargo Bank. Availability of the credit line is the lower of $12.8 million or the collateral balances. The outstanding balance was $4,125,266 and $4,712,075 at March 31,2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. Due to the net loss of Copperweld amounted to $1,170,468 incurred during the 12 months calculated EBITDA ended March 31, 2009; Copperweld reported a fixed-charge ratio of -2.97 to 1.0.  As a result Copperweld was in default under the credit line as of March 31, 2009.  On May 6, 2009, Wells Fargo exercised its right to implement the 2% additional default rate of interest effective April 1, 2009 and the additional default interest will be charged on May 7, 2009.
 
Critical Accounting Policies

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the provisions of EITF 07-5, “Determining Whether an Instrument (or Embedded Feature) is Indexed to an Entity’s Own Stock”, which is effective or financial statements for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and which replaced the previous guidance on this topic in EITF Issue 01-6.  Paragraph 11a of FAS 133 specifies that a contract that would otherwise meet the definition of a derivative but is both (a) indexed to the Company’s own stock and (b) classified in stockholders’ equity in the statement of financial position would not be considered a derivative financial instrument.  EITF 07-5 provides a new two-step model to be applied in determining whether a financial instrument or an embedded feature is indexed to an issuer’s own stock and thus able to qualify for the FAS 133 paragraph 11(a) scope exception.

The conversion option embedded in the Company’s Convertible Notes previously met the criteria in EITF Issue 01-6, as well as the other criteria of FAS 133, paragraph 11(a) and, accordingly, it was not separately accounted for as a derivative instrument liability.  However, the conversion option does not meet the criteria of EITF 07-5 because it requires that the conversion price be adjusted in certain circumstances that do not meet the “fixed-for-fixed’ criteria in that Issue.  As a result, the Company is now required to separately account for the embedded conversion option as a derivative instrument liability, carried at fair value and marked-to-market each period, with changes in the fair value each period charged or credited to income.

 
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In accordance with the transition provisions of EITF 07-5, the new guidance has been applied to the $5,000,000 of the Company’s Convertible Notes that were outstanding as of January 1, 2009.  The cumulative effect of this change in accounting principle of $1,357,150 has been recognized as a reduction of the opening balance of Retained Earnings as of that date.  That cumulative effect adjustment is the difference between the amounts previously recognized in the Company’s balance sheet as of December 31, 2008 and the amounts that would have been recognized if the guidance in EITF 07-5 had been applied from the issuance date of the outstanding Convertible Notes.

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted SFAS 161, "Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, and amendment of FASB No. 133", which amends and expands the disclosure requirements of SFAS 133. SFAS 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives and quantitative disclosures about the fair value of any gains and losses on derivative instruments.

Recent Account Pronouncements

In January 2009, the FASB issued FSP EITF 99-20-1, “Amendments to the Impairment Guidance of EITF Issue No. 99-20, and EITF Issue No. 99-20, Recognition of Interest Income and Impairment on Purchased and Retained Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets”. FSP EITF 99-20-1 changes the impairment model included within EITF 99-20 to be more consistent with the impairment model of FAS 115. FSP EITF 99-20-1 achieves this by amending the impairment model in EITF 99-20 to remove its exclusive reliance on “market participant” estimates of future cash flows used in determining fair value. Changing the cash flows used to analyze other-than-temporary impairment from the “market participant” view to a holder’s estimate of whether there has been a “probable” adverse change in estimated cash flows allows companies to apply reasonable judgment in assessing whether an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred. The adoption of FSP EITF 99-20-1 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements because all of our investments in debt securities are classified as trading securities.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-4, “Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly”. FSP FAS 157-4 amends SFAS 157 and provides additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with SFAS 157 when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased and also includes guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly for fair value measurements. This FSP shall be applied prospectively with retrospective application not permitted. This FSP shall be effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. An entity early adopting this FSP must also early adopt FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, “Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments”. Additionally, if an entity elects to early adopt either FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments” or FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, it must also elect to early adopt this FSP. The Company is currently evaluating this new FSP but do not believe that it will have a significant impact on the determination or reporting of our financial results.
 
In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2. This FSP amends SFAS 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,” SFAS 124, “Accounting for Certain Investments Held by Not-for-Profit Organizations,” and EITF Issue No. 99-20, “Recognition of Interest Income and Impairment on Purchased Beneficial Interests and Beneficial Interests That Continue to Be Held by a Transferor in Securitized Financial Assets,” to make the other-than-temporary impairments guidance more operational and to improve the presentation of other-than-temporary impairments in the financial statements. This FSP will replace the existing requirement that the entity’s management assert it has both the intent and ability to hold an impaired debt security until recovery with a requirement that management assert it does not have the intent to sell the security, and it is more likely than not it will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis. This FSP provides increased disclosure about the credit and noncredit components of impaired debt securities that are not expected to be sold and also requires increased and more frequent disclosures regarding expected cash flows, credit losses, and an aging of securities with unrealized losses. Although this FSP does not result in a change in the carrying amount of debt securities, it does require that the portion of an other-than-temporary impairment not related to a credit loss for a held-to-maturity security be recognized in a new category of other comprehensive income and be amortized over the remaining life of the debt security as an increase in the carrying value of the security. This FSP shall be effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. An entity may early adopt this FSP only if it also elects to early adopt FSP FAS 157-4. Also, if an entity elects to early adopt either FSP FAS 157-4 or FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, the entity also is required to early adopt this FSP. We are currently evaluating this new FSP but do not believe that it will have a significant impact on the determination or reporting of our financial results.
 
 
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In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1. This FSP amends SFAS 107, “Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments,” to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments not measured on the balance sheet at fair value in interim financial statements as well as in annual financial statements. Prior to this FSP, fair values for these assets and liabilities were only disclosed annually. This FSP applies to all financial instruments within the scope of SFAS 107 and requires all entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments. This FSP shall be effective for interim periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. An entity may early adopt this FSP only if it also elects to early adopt FSP FAS 157-4 and FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2. This FSP does not require disclosures for earlier periods presented for comparative purposes at initial adoption. In periods after initial adoption, this FSP requires comparative disclosures only for periods ending after initial adoption. We are currently evaluating the disclosure requirements of this new FSP.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have not engaged in any off-balance sheet transactions since our inception.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Commodity Price Risk

Certain raw materials used by us are subject to price volatility caused by supply conditions, political and economic variables and other unpredictable factors. The primary purpose of our commodity price management activities is to manage the volatility associated with purchases of commodities in the normal course of business. We do not speculate on commodity prices.

We are primarily exposed to price risk related to our purchase of copper used in the manufacture of our products. Our copper price management strategy involves the use of natural techniques, where possible, such as purchasing copper for future delivery at fixed prices. We did not have any commodity price derivatives or hedging arrangements outstanding at March 31, 2009 and did not employ any commodity price derivatives during the quarter ended March 31, 2009.

Foreign Exchange Risk

While our reporting currency is the US dollar, a substantial percentage of our revenues and costs are denominated in RMB and a significant portion of our assets and liabilities are denominated in RMB. As a result, we are exposed to foreign exchange risk as our revenues and results of operations may be affected by fluctuations in the exchange rate between the US Dollar and RMB. If the RMB depreciates against the US Dollar, the value of our RMB revenues and assets as expressed in our US Dollar consolidated financial statements will decline.

 
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The RMB is currently freely convertible under the “current account”, which includes dividends, trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, but not under the “capital account”, which includes foreign direct investment. On May 19, 2007, the People’s Bank of China announced a policy to expand the maximum daily floating range of RMB trading prices against the U.S. dollar in the inter-bank spot foreign exchange market from 0.3% to 0.5%. While the international reactions to the RMB revaluation and widening of the RMB’s daily trading band have generally been positive, with the increased floating range of the RMB’s value against foreign currencies, the RMB may appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar or other foreign currencies in the long term, depending on the fluctuation of the basket of currencies against which it is currently valued.

We recognized a foreign currency translation adjustment of approximately $0.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2009.

Interest Rate Risk

We are primarily exposed to interest rate risk arising from the 6 month LIBOR rate on which the interest rate for our Guaranteed Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes due 2012 (HY Notes) totaling $40 million or 60% of our total liability, is based. If there was a hypothetical 1% change in 6-month LIBOR interest rate, the net impact to earnings would be approximately $0.4 million on an annualized basis.

In order to mitigate our exposure to volatility in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates associated with the HY Notes, on April 10, 2007, the Company entered into a cross currency swap transaction (the Swap) with Merrill Lynch Capital Services, Inc. (“MLCS”). The Swap, with a notional principal value of $40 million, converts the LIBOR + 7% per annum USD variable interest rate to an 8.3% per annum RMB fixed interest rate. The agreement was deemed effective January 24, 2007. The Swap requires semi-annual payment in arrears on July 24 and January 24 and matures the earlier of (1) cash settlement defined as early termination; or (2) January 24, 2012, at which point the Swap requires an exchange of RMB and USD based principals. Under the terms of the cross currency swap, the Company receives variable interest rate payments in USD and makes fixed interest rate payments in RMB with settlement netted in USD, thereby creating the equivalent of fixed-rate debt. The Company uses this derivative instrument only to hedge exposures in the ordinary course of business and does not invest in derivative instruments for speculative purposes.

The fair value of the Swap is determined on an annual basis with the assistance of third party provided calculations which reflect the present values of the difference between estimated future variable-rate receipts in USD and future fixed-rate payments in RMB. Since its effective date, the fair value of this Swap agreement changed to a payable of $7,139,205 and $4,377,076 as of March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2009, changes in fair value of the Swap resulted in an increase in the liability and a loss to other comprehensive income of $2,762,129, respectively; For the three months ended March 31, 2008, changes in fair value of the Swap resulted in an increase in the liability and a loss to other comprehensive income of $5,109,480, respectively, net of taxes. The Company had cross currency hedge payable amounting to $156,154 and $104,324 as of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 respectively. The total loss from derivative transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2009 was $166,410 and the total gain from derivative transactions for the three months ended at March 31, 2008 was $189,954, respectively.  For the three months ended March 31, 2009, there were no amounts recorded in the consolidated statements of income in relation to this interest rate swap related to ineffectiveness of the swap transaction.

 
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The Company accounts for this interest rate swap in accordance with FAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivatives Instruments and Hedging Activity,” which requires all derivatives to be carried on the balance sheet at fair value and to meet certain documentary and analytical requirements to qualify for hedge accounting treatment. The above derivative qualifies for hedge accounting under FAS 133 and, accordingly, changes in the fair value is reported in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of related income tax effects.

The Company also has outstanding senior convertible notes that may be converted into the Company’s common stock. On January 8, 2008, the convertible notes holder elected to convert $15.0 million of the $20 million convertible notes into common shares. If the $5 million Convertible Notes outstanding as of March 31, 2009 are not converted at maturity, January 24, 2012, the Company will have to repay the principal of $5 million and an additional redemption cost of $5,305,158.

Under SFAS 157, the Company used Level 3 inputs for its valuation methodology for the $40 million HY note and $5 million convertible notes payable outstanding, and their fair values are determined using cash flows discounted at relevant market interest rates in effect at the period close. The estimated fair value of the Company’s outstanding HY notes and convertible notes was $41.8 million at March 31, 2009.

Changes in the market value of the Company’s debt do not affect the reported results of operations unless the Company is retiring such obligations prior to their maturity. This analysis did not consider the effects of a changed level of economic activity that could exist in such an environment and certain other factors. Further, this sensitivity analysis assumes no changes in the Company’s financial structure.

Credit Risk

We have not experienced significant credit risk, as most of our customers are long-term customers with excellent payment records. We review our accounts receivable on a regular basis to determine if the allowance for doubtful accounts is adequate at each quarter-end. We only extend 30 to 90 day trade credit to our largest customers, which tend to be well-established and large businesses, and we have not seen any major customer’s accounts receivable go uncollected beyond 90 days or experienced any material write-off of accounts receivable in the past.

Inflation Risk

In recent years, China has not experienced significant inflation, and thus inflation has not had a material impact on our results of operations. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China (NBS) (www.stats.gov.cn), the change in Consumer Price Index (CPI) in China was 3.9%, 1.8% and 1.5% in 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively. However, in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, according to NBS, CPI rose significantly at a monthly average rate of 4.8%. Especially during the months of August, September, October, November, and December, CPI was up 6.5%, 6.2%, 6.5%, 6.9% and 6.5%, respectively. Inflationary factors, such as increases in the cost of our products and overhead costs, could impair our operating results. Although we do not believe that inflation has had a material impact on our financial position or results of operations to date, a high rate of inflation may have an adverse effect on our ability to maintain current levels of gross margin and selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales revenue if the selling prices of our products do not increase with these increased costs.

 
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Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. Our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of the company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), Rules 13a-15e and 15d-15e) as of the end of the period covered by this report (the “Evaluation Date”), have concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective at the reasonable assurance level to enable the Company to record, process, summarize and report information required under the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules in a timely fashion.

(b) Changes in internal controls. During the fiscal quarter covered by this quarterly report, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control systems are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues, if any, within a company have been detected. Such limitations include the fact that human judgment in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns in internal control can occur because of human failures, such as simple errors or mistakes or intentional circumvention of the established process.

PART II

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

From time to time, we may become involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings which arise in the ordinary course of business. Litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and an adverse result in these or other matters may arise from time to time that may harm our business.  

In connection with the judgment rendered against us in the action filed by Kuhns Brothers, Inc., Kuhns Brothers Securities Corp., and Kuhns Brothers & Co., Inc. in the United States District Court, District of Connecticut we were required to post a bond equal to $6,105,695.97.  On January 12, 2009, our board of directors proposed and agreed, pending the appeal of the judgment, that we issue one million (1,000,000) shares of our common stock, into escrow, in lieu of posting cash. The Company entered into an escrow agreement to that effect with Kuhns and an escrow agent. However, such proposal was not accepted by the District Court and Kuhns and such shares were cancelled.  The Company is currently in the process of settling the case and the appeal.
 
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Item 1A. Risk Factors

The risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 have not materially changed as of March 31, 2009.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable.  

Item 5. Other Information.

On July 22, 2008 (the “Effective Date”), Mr. Wenbing Christopher Wang, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, entered into an employment agreement with the Company (the “Wang Employment Agreement”).  The initial term of the Wang Employment Agreement is for two years commencing on the Effective Date provided that such term would automatically extend for an additional two-year period on the expiration date of the initial term unless written notice of non-renewal is provided by either party at least six months prior to the expiration date of the term.  Mr. Wang’s base salary is no less than $200,000 per year, which salary may be increased at the discretion of the Board of Directors but in no event shall be decreased.  The Board of Directors shall review Mr. Wang’s salary at least on an annual basis.  In addition to the base salary, Mr. Wang is entitled to participate in an annual cash bonus plan and any cash bonus is to be paid within two and one-half months following the end of the fiscal year.  If Mr. Wang is terminated without Cause (as defined in the Wang Employment Agreement) or Mr. Wang terminates the Wang Employment Agreement or for Good Reason (as defined in the Wang Employment Agreement) and Mr. Wang executes and delivers a valid and effective release of all claims against the Company in a form and format prepared by the Company, Mr. Wang shall be entitled to receive(1) a lump sum cash payment in the amount of any accrued but unpaid salary as of his date of termination, (2) a lump sum cash payment equal to any accrued and unpaid bonus for any prior fiscal year, (3) a lump sum cash payment equal to the pro rata amount of any bonus payable with respect to the fiscal year in which termination occurs and (4) an amount equal to the sum of (a) 50% of his then current annual base salary and (b) 50% of the average annual cash bonus payments paid by the Company to Mr. Wang during the preceding three fiscal years.  Mr. Wang is also entitled to continued medical and life insurance benefits for a period of six months following the date of termination.  The Wang Employment Agreement also contains non-competition and non-disclosure covenants following any termination of Mr. Wang’s employment.  A copy of the Wang Employment Agreement is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated by reference herein.

Item 6. Exhibits

(a) Exhibits

10.1 – Executive Employment Agreement between the Company and Wenbing Christopher Wang, effective as of July 22, 2008

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31.1 – Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
31.2 – Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1 – Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 
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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned there unto duly authorized.

 
FUSHI COPPERWELD, INC.
 
       
Date: May 11, 2009
BY:
/s/ Wenbing Chris Wang  
   
Wenbing Chris Wang
 
       
   
Chief Financial Officer (Principal
Accounting and Financial Officer)
 
 
 
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT
NUMBER
 
DESCRIPTION
     
10.1
 
10.1 – Executive Employment Agreement between the Company and Wenbing Christopher Wang, effective as of July 22, 2008.
     
31.1
 
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
     
31.2
 
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
     
32.1
 
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
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