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Joy Spreader Group Inc. — Interim / Quarterly Report 2014
Aug 13, 2014
51106_rns_2014-08-13_9f027fff-f9a2-401b-a452-eea6f197f3ce.pdf
Interim / Quarterly Report
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Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited and the Stock Exchange take no responsibility for the contents of this announcement, make no representation as to its accuracy or completeness and expressly disclaim any liability whatsoever for any loss howsoever arising from or in reliance upon the whole or any part of the contents of this announcement.
This announcement, for which the Directors collectively and individually accept full responsibility, includes particulars given in compliance with the GEM Listing Rules for the purpose of giving information with regard to the Company. The Directors, having made all reasonable enquiries, confirm that, to the best of their knowledge and belief the information contained in this announcement is accurate and complete in all material respects and not misleading or deceptive, and there are no other matters the omission of which would make any statement herein or this announcement misleading.
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AGTech Holdings Limited 亞博科技控股有限公司 * (incorporated in Bermuda with limited liability)
(Stock Code: 8279)
INTERIM RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2014
CHARACTERISTICS OF GEM
GEM has been positioned as a market designed to accommodate companies to which a higher investment risk may be attached than other companies listed on the Stock Exchange. Prospective investors should be aware of the potential risks of investing in such companies and should make the decision to invest only after due and careful consideration. The greater risk profile and other characteristics of GEM mean that it is a market more suited to professional and other sophisticated investors.
Given the emerging nature of companies listed on GEM, there is a risk that securities traded on GEM may be more susceptible to high market volatility than securities traded on the Main Board and no assurance is given that there will be a liquid market in the securities traded on GEM.
- For identification purposes only
– 1 –
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2014
-
Total revenue of the Group for the Six-Month Period amounted to approximately HK$69.4 million (2013: approximately HK$97.2 million). Most of the revenue was derived from gaming technologies (game software, systems, hardware and terminals) business and provision of sports lottery management and marketing consultancy services in the PRC. The decrease in revenue was mainly due to lower like-for-like sales in the Hardware division (GOT) in line with the market during the period as well as the expected expiry of certain contracts in the Lottery Management division as a result of the Group’s transition of its core business from the legacy, lower-growth Lottery Management business to fully integrated services involving its advanced, high-growth Gaming Technologies business.
-
Loss attributable to owners of the Company for the Six-Month Period amounted to approximately HK$88.9 million (2013: approximately HK$52.7 million), primarily due to (i) the increase in depreciation expenses due to the establishment of a data centre for rolling out the e-Ball Lottery game, (ii) the relocation of the Group’s Beijing office in China, and (iii) the rise in share-based payments totaling approximately HK$64.1 million (2013: approximately HK$49.0 million) as a result of the increase in share options of the Company granted to Directors, eligible employees and other eligible participants under the Share Option Scheme during the Six-Month Period.
-
The Board does not recommend the payment of an interim dividend for the SixMonth Period.
– 2 –
INTERIM RESULTS
The Board announces the unaudited consolidated results of the Group for the three months ended 30 June 2014 (the “Three-Month Period”) and the six months ended 30 June 2014 (the “Six-Month Period), together with the comparative unaudited figures for the corresponding period in 2013 as follows:
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
For the three months and six months ended 30 June 2014
| Notes Revenue 2 Cost of sales and services Gross profit Investment and other income Selling and administrative expenses (Loss)/profit from business operations Share-based payments Net foreign exchange gain/(loss) Amortisation of other intangible assets Finance costs Loss before tax Income tax expense 3 Loss for the period 4 Loss attributable to: Owners of the Company Non-controlling interests Loss per share Basic and diluted 5 |
Three months ended 30 June 2014 2013 HK$ HK$ 43,697,347 59,552,851 (22,964,344) (32,860,505) 20,733,003 26,692,346 1,660,542 604,720 (27,587,905) (29,119,165) (5,194,360) (1,822,099) (35,056,327) (44,118,900) 7,820 (48,403) (118,364) (120,549) – (169,065) (40,361,231) (46,279,016) (634,595) (3,165,000) (40,995,826) (49,444,016) (42,942,162) (48,701,372) 1,946,336 (742,644) (40,995,826) (49,444,016) HK 0.978 cent HK 1.206 cents |
Six months ended 30 June 2014 2013 HK$ HK$ 69,441,016 97,193,848 (36,416,425) (46,265,763) 33,024,591 50,928,085 1,965,695 1,029,769 (56,764,609) (50,566,582) (21,774,323) 1,391,272 (64,084,915) (48,955,672) 18,329 (36,164) (237,675) (237,364) – (336,272) (86,078,584) (48,174,200) (1,355,733) (4,867,085) (87,434,317) (53,041,285) (88,871,718) (52,650,351) 1,437,401 (390,934) (87,434,317) (53,041,285) HK 2.030 cents HK 1.335 cents |
|---|---|---|
– 3 –
| Loss for the period Other comprehensive income, net of income tax Translation differences on translating foreign operations Total comprehensive income for the period Total comprehensive income attributable to: Owners of the Company Non-controlling interests |
Three months ended 30 June 2014 2013 HK$ HK$ (40,995,826) (49,444,016) 329,380 15,090,493 (40,666,446) (34,353,523) (42,617,275) (34,021,015) 1,950,829 (332,508) (40,666,446) (34,353,523) |
Six months ended 30 June 2014 2013 HK$ HK$ (87,434,317) (53,041,285) (8,945,498) 23,066,786 (96,379,815) (29,974,499) (97,760,815) (29,721,807) 1,381,000 (252,692) (96,379,815) (29,974,499) |
|---|---|---|
– 4 –
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
At 30 June 2014
| Notes Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment Goodwill Other intangible assets Investment in a joint venture Deposits and prepayments Other assets Deferred tax assets Current assets Inventories Trade receivables 7 Other receivables, deposits and prepayments Amount due from a joint venture Bank balances and cash Current liabilities Trade payables 8 Accruals and other payables Amount due to a joint venture Current tax liabilities Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Non-current liabilities Provision for warranties Deferred tax liabilities Net assets Capital and reserves Share capital Reserves Equity attributable to owners of the Company Non-controlling interests Total equity |
Unaudited As at 30 June 2014 HK$ 53,143,079 790,855,088 2,455,251 647,075 23,569,391 1,788,348 4,138,801 876,597,033 50,317,034 60,220,562 58,802,450 5,855 239,113,485 408,459,386 5,413,231 22,041,724 650,000 196,994 28,301,949 380,157,437 1,256,754,470 34,444,646 4,194,139 38,638,785 1,218,115,685 8,783,109 1,206,660,757 1,215,443,866 2,671,819 1,218,115,685 |
Audited As at 31 December 2013 HK$ 53,078,985 796,946,317 2,700,348 647,072 28,891,609 1,802,122 4,589,919 |
|---|---|---|
| 888,656,372 | ||
| 46,532,486 37,288,514 55,383,695 5,855 286,530,951 |
||
| 425,741,501 | ||
| 9,782,747 31,219,473 650,000 2,472,838 |
||
| 44,125,058 | ||
| 381,616,443 | ||
| 1,270,272,815 | ||
| 30,495,217 4,398,952 |
||
| 34,894,169 | ||
| 1,235,378,646 | ||
| 8,697,648 1,225,390,179 |
||
| 1,234,087,827 1,290,819 |
||
| 1,235,378,646 |
– 5 –
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (UNAUDITED) For the Six-Month Period
| Balance at 1 January 2013 Loss for the period Other comprehensive income for the period Total comprehensive income for the period Recognition of equity-settled share-based payments Shares issued on exercise of part of share options Lapse of share options Issue of Shares upon share placing Transfer to accumulated losses Balance at 30 June 2013 Balance at 1 January 2014 Loss for the period Other comprehensive income for the period Total comprehensive income for the period Recognition of equity-settled share-based payments Shares issued on exercise of part of share options Lapse of share options Transfer to accumulated losses Balance at 30 June 2014 |
Attributable to own | Attributable to own | ers of the Company | ers of the Company | Subtotal HK$ 1,063,224,359 (52,650,351) 22,928,544 (29,721,807) 49,109,172 4,971,118 (153,500) 140,249,998 – 1,227,679,340 1,234,087,827 (88,871,718) (8,889,097) (97,760,815) 64,676,366 15,031,938 (591,450) – 1,215,443,866 |
Attributable to non- controlling interests HK$ 2,126,601 (390,934) 138,242 (252,692) – – – – – 1,873,909 1,290,819 1,437,401 (56,401) 1,381,000 – – – – 2,671,819 |
Total HK$ 1,065,350,960 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share capital HK$ 7,687,907 – – – – 39,844 – 813,043 – 8,540,794 8,697,648 – – – – 85,461 – – 8,783,109 |
Share premium HK$ 1,174,554,927 – – – – 22,962,742 – 139,436,955 – 1,336,954,624 1,390,982,670 – – – – 20,020,454 – – 1,411,003,124 |
Share options reserve HK$ 75,317,280 – – – 49,109,172 (18,031,468) (497,665) – – 105,897,319 66,695,644 – – – 64,676,366 (5,073,977) (701,187) – 125,596,846 |
Statutory reserve HK$ 10,746,631 – – – – – – – (1,403,763) 9,342,868 13,863,564 – – – – – – (57,083) 13,806,481 |
Exchange reserve HK$ 164,107,837 – 22,928,544 22,928,544 – – – – – 187,036,381 197,590,847 – (8,889,097) (8,889,097) – – – – 188,701,750 |
Contributed surplus HK$ 47,191,476 – – – – – – – – 47,191,476 47,191,476 – – – – – – – 47,191,476 |
Accumulated losses HK$ (416,381,699) (52,650,351) – (52,650,351) – – 344,165 – 1,403,763 (467,284,122) (490,934,022) (88,871,718) – (88,871,718) – – 109,737 57,083 (579,638,920) |
||||
| (53,041,285) 23,066,786 |
||||||||||
| (29,974,499) | ||||||||||
| 49,109,172 4,971,118 (153,500) 140,249,998 – |
||||||||||
| 1,229,553,249 | ||||||||||
| 1,235,378,646 (87,434,317) (8,945,498) |
||||||||||
| (96,379,815) | ||||||||||
| 64,676,366 15,031,938 (591,450) – |
||||||||||
| 1,218,115,685 |
– 6 –
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASHFLOW (UNAUDITED)
For the Six-Month Period
| Net cash (used in)/generated by operating activities Net cash used in investing activities Net cash generated by financing activities Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period Effect of foreign exchange rate changes Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period Analysis of balances of cash and cash equivalents Bank balances and cash |
Six months ended 30 June 2014 2013 HK$ HK$ (56,149,787) 8,921,989 (1,422,842) (1,416,419) 15,031,940 144,943,390 (42,540,689) 152,448,960 286,530,951 137,666,360 (4,876,777) 4,901,889 239,113,485 295,017,209 239,113,485 295,017,209 |
|---|---|
Notes:
1. BASIS OF PREPARATION OF THE ACCOUNTS
The unaudited condensed consolidated accounts have been prepared in accordance with Hong Kong Accounting Standard 34, “Interim Financial Reporting” issued by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“HKICPA”) and the requirements of GEM Listing Rules.
The condensed consolidated accounts have not been audited by the Company’s auditors, but have been reviewed and commented on by the Company’s audit committee. The principal accounting policies and methods of computation used in preparing these results are consistent with those used in preparing the Group’s audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2013.
HKICPA has issued a number of new and revised Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards, Hong Kong Accounting Standards and Interpretations (the “new and revised HKFRS”). The Group has not early adopted the new and revised HKFRS that have been issued but are not yet effective, the Group is in the process of assessing the impact of these new and revised HKFRS on the financial performance and financial position of the Group.
– 7 –
2. REVENUE AND SEGMENT INFORMATION
Revenue represents the amounts received and receivable from gaming technologies (game software, systems, hardware and terminals) business and provision of sports lottery management and marketing consultancy services in the PRC during the Three-Month Period and the Six-Month Period and is analysed as follows:
| Provision of gaming technologies (game software, systems, hardware and terminals) Provision of sports lottery management and marketing consultancy services |
Three months ended 30 June 2014 2013 (unaudited) (unaudited) HK$ HK$ 39,681,141 53,080,303 4,016,206 6,472,548 43,697,347 59,552,851 |
Six months ended 30 June 2014 2013 (unaudited) (unaudited) HK$ HK$ 62,564,645 77,706,764 6,876,371 19,487,084 69,441,016 97,193,848 |
Six months ended 30 June 2014 2013 (unaudited) (unaudited) HK$ HK$ 62,564,645 77,706,764 6,876,371 19,487,084 69,441,016 97,193,848 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 97,193,848 |
The Group’s revenue and assets were mainly derived from and related to the lottery business in the PRC while other segments were immaterial. Hence, no geographical segment information is presented.
3. INCOME TAX EXPENSE
Income tax expense for the Six-Month Period represents the net amount of deferred taxation credit of approximately HK$0.17 million and PRC Enterprise Income Tax expense of approximately HK$1.53 million.
4. LOSS FOR THE PERIOD
Loss for the period has been arrived at after charging/(crediting):
| Three months ended | Three months ended | Six months | ended | ended | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 June | 30 June | ||||
| 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | ||
| (unaudited) | (unaudited) | (unaudited) | (unaudited) | ||
| HK$ | HK$ | HK$ | HK$ | ||
| Cost of inventories recognised | |||||
| as expenses | 14,545,456 | 25,212,234 | 22,533,923 | 31,291,589 | |
| Provision for warranties | 4,671,526 | 3,111,454 | 6,585,528 | 4,124,909 | |
| Share-based payment | 35,056,327 | 44,118,900 | 64,084,915 | 48,955,672 | |
| Amortisation of other | |||||
| intangible assets | 118,364 | 120,549 | 237,675 | 237,364 | |
| Depreciation of property, | |||||
| plant and equipment | 2,823,580 | 1,953,964 | 5,385,603 | 3,994,083 | |
| Bank interest income | (1,438,850) | (524,347) | (1,706,271) | (902,021) | |
| Finance costs | – | 169,065 | – | 336,272 | |
| Operating lease rentals in | |||||
| respect of rented premises | 3,772,061 | 2,151,340 | 8,577,764 | 4,287,460 | |
| Research and development costs | 2,066,182 | 2,145,793 | 4,144,207 | 4,529,803 | |
| Staff cost (including Directors’ | |||||
| remunerations) | 10,145,442 | 10,352,976 | 20,068,778 | 19,876,394 |
– 8 –
5. LOSS PER SHARE
The calculation of basic and diluted loss per Share for the Three-Month Period and the Six-Month Period is based on the unaudited loss attributable to owners of the Company of HK$42,942,162 and HK$88,871,718 respectively (for the three months and six months ended 30 June 2013: net loss of HK$48,701,372 and HK$52,650,351 respectively), and the weighted average number of 4,389,990,842 and 4,378,367,823 ordinary shares in issue during the Three-Month Period and the Six-Month Period respectively (for the three months and six months ended 30 June 2013: 4,037,547,818 and 3,943,906,935 respectively).
The computation of the diluted loss per Share does not assume the exercise of the Company’s share options as the exercise would decrease the loss per Share for both periods.
6. DIVIDEND
The Board does not recommend the payment of an interim dividend for the Six-Month Period (2013: Nil).
7. TRADE RECEIVABLES
As at 30 June 2014, the aged analysis of the Group’s trade receivables is as follows:
| 0 to 30 days 31 to 60 days 61 to 90 days 91 to 120 days 121 to 365 days Over 365 days |
As at 30 June 2014 HK$ 45,859,030 1,337,691 1,519,317 10,478,208 995,311 31,005 60,220,562 |
As at 31 December 2013 HK$ 31,925,030 861,719 491,141 861,719 2,641,670 507,235 |
|---|---|---|
| 37,288,514 |
8. TRADE PAYABLES
The following is an analysis of trade payables by age based on the invoice date:
| 0 to 30 days 31 to 60 days 61 to 90 days 91 to 120 days 121 to 365 days Over 365 days |
As at 30 June 2014 HK$ 2,419,098 2,399,426 23,111 251,158 220,383 100,055 5,413,231 |
As at 31 December 2013 HK$ 9,021,534 108,253 – 14,101 638,859 – |
|---|---|---|
| 9,782,747 |
– 9 –
MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
About the Group
The Group is the leading integrated gaming company in China’s lottery market. The Group is principally engaged in (i) gaming technologies (game software, systems, hardware and terminals); (ii) online and mobile lottery; and (iii) lottery management. The Group is committed to applying international management concepts and advanced technologies to the lottery industry in various areas such as lottery systems, lottery hardware, lottery games, internet and mobile phone distribution & systems, wireless network and streaming media, thereby providing China’s lottery authorities and millions of lottery players in China with professional, integrated lottery services.
Over the past seven years, the Group has demonstrated a strong track record of delivery, successfully building a uniquely balanced, complementary suite of businesses that now occupy leading positions in the key verticals of the Chinese lottery market. This growth is testament to the quality and depth of the Group’s relationships with industry regulators at both national and provincial levels, as well as the quality of its management, employees, technology and partners.
Through Asia Gaming Technologies Limited (“AGT”) and its subsidiaries, the Group’s joint venture with Ladbroke Group, the Group has developed and successfully launched China’s only nationally-approved virtual fixed odds sports betting system as well as its first games, “Lucky Racing” and “e-Ball Lottery”.
The Group has a team of over 200 professionals and the footprint of its lottery business now covers over 80% of the provinces and municipalities across China. The Group is a member of the World Lottery Association (WLA) and the Asia Pacific Lottery Association (APLA).
Corporate Strategy and Objectives
Our long-term objectives are to maintain a leading position as a lottery technology group and to provide innovative and competitive legal lottery games to help the Chinese government to crack down on illegal gambling. In order to achieve these objectives, we are committed to bringing together international and domestic industry expertise, technologies, management, skills and infrastructure into the Chinese lottery markets both through the existing and any new remote channels. Our Group has been working with various world-renowned strategic partners in these efforts for many years. It is also our corporate strategy to expand into China’s welfare lottery market in due course.
Industry Overview
According to information published by the Ministry of Finance of the PRC, for the Six-Month Period, the lottery market recorded sales of RMB178.4 billion, an increase of approximately 19.2% compared to the corresponding period in 2013 (versus 16.4% growth in the same period last year). Of this, sports lottery amounted to approximately RMB79.9 billion (accounting for 44.8% of total lottery sales), an increase of approximately 24.1% year on year. The Welfare lottery achieved sales of approximately RMB98.5 billion (55.2% of total lottery sales), an increase of approximately 15.5% against the corresponding period in 2013.
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Product review
Market share of Sales by Product (H1 2014)
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----- Start of picture text -----
10%
10%
14%
66%
Lotto Sports Scratch VLT
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Source: PRC Ministry of Finance
China Lottery Sales Bridge H1 2012 – H1 2014 (RMB billion)
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----- Start of picture text -----
200
190
3.9 178.4
180 9.6 0.3
170 14.9
160
3.5
2.2 149.7
150 17.1
140 (2.1)
129.1
130
120
110
100
2012 Lotto Sports Scratch VLT 2013 Lotto Sports Scratch VLT 2014
Sales Sales Sales
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Note: 2013 total in chart does not tally exactly due to decimal place rounding
Source: PRC Ministry of Finance
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China Lottery Sales Growth Comparison by Product (H1 2014 vs. H1 2013)
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----- Start of picture text -----
13 vs 12 14 vs 13
70.0%
62.2%
60.0%
50.0%
40.0% 34.6%
28.5%
30.0%
20.0%
20.0% 14.6% 16.2%
10.0%
1.5%
0.0%
-10.0%
-10.3%
-20.0%
Lotto Sports Scratch VLT
----- End of picture text -----
Source: PRC Ministry of Finance
The strong performance of sports betting (“Sports”) explains why the growth of total lottery sales in the first half has increased versus last year. This summer’s FIFA World Cup has had a very significant impact on Sports sales. By way of illustration, at RMB9.6 billion, monthly sales of Sports in June were more than three-times larger than the average monthly sales in the previous five months of 2014.
Away from Sports, the strong declines in instant scratch cards (“Scratch”) last year have been arrested while the largest segment, Lotto (i.e. traditional lotto games that have a daily or weekly draw pattern as well as high frequency games (“HFG”)) as well as the smaller segment of video lottery terminal (“VLT”) games have continued to exhibit a slowing growth trend.
In aggregate, and despite the declining pace of growth and the impact of the FIFA World Cup in June, Lotto remained the largest product in terms of sales in H1 2014 and it contributed more than 50% of the absolute growth in the period. The Lotto category contains both traditional weekly and daily lotto draw games as well as HFG which are characterised by multiple daily draws and higher prize payout ratios of up to 59%. In recent years, Lotto has benefitted from rapid growth in HFG due to a gradual increase in payout ratios across the country. With this process largely complete, the pace of growth in Lotto has dipped somewhat. AGTech’s Lucky Racing game is classified as HFG. The planned deployment of this game to other provinces could therefore be one of the new drivers to restore the strong growth in this category.
Overall, the underlying trend of lottery sales growth of recent quarters continues to be somewhat below historical levels (ignoring the once-every-four-years effect of the FIFA World Cup). The Group believes that this trend is likely to lead to an increased pace of regulatory progress in the lottery market in terms of the approval and roll-out of new products as well as the development of new, remote distribution channels. Further development in such areas would be extremely positive for the Group and its Virtual Sports, Gaming Hardware and new Online and Mobile Lottery businesses in particular.
– 12 –
Business Review
During the period under review, the Group recorded a decline in revenue and gross profit. The decline in revenue was mainly attributable to lower like-for-like sales in the Hardware division (GOT) as well as the expected expiry of certain contracts in the Lottery Management division. The Lottery Management division contributed less than 10% of total sales during the period while the performance in GOT is typical of the lumpy nature of the sales in this division. Encouragingly, during the second quarter, our Virtual Sports Betting sales experienced meaningful improvement following the further refinement and localisation of the e-Ball game in Jiangsu. This development is part of the process of transitioning the Group’s core business from the legacy, lower-growth Lottery Management business to fully integrated services involving its advanced, high-growth Gaming Technology business. In the coming quarters we expect this trend to continue through the commencement of the roll-out of “Lucky Racing” to more provinces or even nationwide and the further rollout of e-Ball in Jiangsu in the first instance.
Gaming Technologies Business
Virtual Sports Betting
The Group supplied its new virtual sports lottery game “e-Ball Lottery” (“e球彩”) to the launch province of Jiangsu during the Six-Month Period under review. Meanwhile, our first game, “Lucky Racing” (“幸運賽車”), has continued to be operated successfully in the province of Hunan, in advance of a planned rollout to more provinces across the PRC.
The launch of e-Ball Lottery in November 2013 confirmed virtual sports as a fully accepted, high growth, multi-product game category in China. The game, which is a football themed virtual sports lottery game, joins the Group’s Lucky Racing as only the second nationallyapproved, rapid-draw, fixed-odds virtual sports lottery game in China. e-Ball Lottery was launched in China’s largest sports lottery province, Jiangsu, and has been approved by the National Sports Lottery Administration Centre as a sports betting game and accordingly operates with a 69% payout ratio, the highest payout category in China. The launch of the game went smoothly as did its first two full financial quarters of operation. In close cooperation with our customer and the relevant lottery authorities in China, we have been continuously optimising and localising the game since launch and we are particularly excited by the recent trading and popularity of the product. Like Lucky Racing, we expect that e-Ball Lottery will roll-out nationally in due course and we will update the market at the appropriate time.
Lucky Racing, e-Ball Lottery and the underlying betting transaction system on which these games run are supplied by AGT, the Group’s majority-owned joint venture with Ladbroke Group (a world leader in betting and gaming, based in the United Kingdom). The games are virtual sports lottery games that are broadcast to lottery shops via a central computer and cable television, allowing customers to bet on computer generated car races or football matches respectively. The betting options are like those typically offered for live car racing or live football matches in other countries.
– 13 –
Lucky Racing continues to be a very popular game, which led to encouraging underlying sales growth during the period. Our partners at the sports lottery have completed the “next generation” national high frequency game platform that will carry our Lucky Racing game to other provinces beyond Hunan. The Group therefore continues to expect the game to be launched in more provinces in China during this year.
To date, Lucky Racing and e-Ball Lottery have been successfully launched in traditional dedicated sports lottery shops and the games are expected to be deployed nationwide via this channel. In addition, in due course, the games could be deployed in selected leisure venues (such as coffee shops and restaurants) and, as approved lottery products, the games have the potential to expand nationwide through other remote channels such as mobile and internet.
Gaming Hardware and Technology Development
GOT is the leading manufacturer and supplier of lottery and sports betting terminals to China’s sports lottery. Hardware is a critically important growth division within the Group, with opportunities to expand not only in the domestic lottery and betting terminal supply arena, but also in the overseas lottery and betting terminal markets as well as through new technologies such as VLT manufacture and delivery.
GOT enjoyed a strong 2014 domestically. GOT was chosen as a supplier by most of the provinces which concluded tenders during 2014, enjoying market share of annual terminals supplied of approximately 48% year to date (as at 17 July 2014). This encouraging performance is testament to GOT’s unparalleled reputation in the sports lottery field, gained during more than ten years of successful operation.
We are already supplying GOT terminals outside of China (e.g. South Africa) and plan to grow this international business in future. Currently, the Group is in active discussions with a number of other potential international customers and/or distributors of GOT terminals.
The Group is proud to be cooperating with some of the world’s leading lottery technology companies as it seeks to internationalise the GOT business and to broaden its product spectrum.
Online and Mobile Lottery Distribution Business
In light of the very high levels of internet and smart phone penetration in China (>560m and >330m respectively according to recent publicly available estimates), the potential regulation expected to be released by the Chinese government and lottery administration authorities in relation to online and mobile distribution of approved lottery products promises to create enormous opportunities for the Group. The Group intends to directly participate in this exciting development via the provision of internet/mobile systems and as a distributor, subject to government approval.
The provincial mobile systems trials that are being prepared in the lottery industry are expected to lead to the creation of a fully regulated mobile lottery distribution market in China. With the valuable PRC internet service provider and PRC internet content provider experience of Silvercreek, as well as its track-record and relationships in the lottery industry, the Group is fully qualified to grasp the opportunities in mobile and internet lottery systems
– 14 –
and distribution as and when they become available. In this area, the Group is working with the most advanced international technology companies and will provide a full range of support and services to localise and develop China’s mobile lottery system and games.
The Group has not conducted any online lottery sales or maintained any website to conduct such sales. In line with the Group’s past practice, all our lottery businesses in the PRC have been complying with all relevant lottery regulations in the PRC including obtaining approval from relevant government authorities in the PRC, where applicable.
Lottery Management Business
Lottery management services as currently provided by the Group primarily comprise long term contracts with provincial sports lottery authorities for services such as marketing and promotion consultancy and management.
Over the many years of its successful operation, the track record of the Lottery Management Business as a reliable supplier of quality lottery products and services to the provincial sports lottery authorities in China has been a key enabler of the Group’s strategy, cementing the Group’s first class relationships and reputation across the country.
Looking forward, in view of the Group’s transition to a professional and integrated lottery service provider, it is expected that the proportion of revenue contributed by the Lottery Management division will be modest. However, in light of the Group’s valuable experience, solid background as well as its trusting cooperative relationships built up with various provincial lottery administration and distribution authorities through the existing lottery management business, together with new lottery technologies/terminals to be introduced and new developments in the new internet/mobile channel business, it is possible that new opportunities in the Lottery Management business will emerge. We are currently exploring and building new business cooperations and business models in this area.
Business Outlook
The Directors are pleased with the strategic progress made so far in 2014 and the on-going strength of our balance sheet. We believe that the Group is very well positioned for the exciting growth prospects ahead. Firstly, as expected, our partners at the sports lottery have now completed the “next generation” national high frequency game platform that could carry our Lucky Racing game. Accordingly, the Group expects the game to be promoted to more provinces during the year. Secondly, the Group expects e-Ball Lottery to build on its successful launch in Jiangsu province, paving the way for a national deployment in due course. Thirdly, the Group continues to closely monitor the prospective online and mobile lottery opportunity and is well equipped to react quickly in response to any developments in government policy. Such developments will bring opportunities in terms of our approved content (games) as well as in systems and distribution. Fourthly, in the Gaming Hardware division, the Group will continue to capitalise on the anticipated terminal replacement cycle in sports lottery, continue its overseas expansion and look to broaden its product range to VLT. Finally, through its relationship with its strategic shareholder in Macau, the Group will continue to explore business development opportunities in Macau.
– 15 –
The Directors believe that the Chinese government will start to regulate the development of the online and mobile lottery systems and distribution market. As a prudent lottery group that has been providing legitimate lottery products and services in compliance with the regulations and rules of the Chinese government for many years, and in light of its Silvercreek division and first class international partnerships, the Group is well positioned to react to any such regulatory progress. The Directors believe that such developments would bring great opportunities for the Group to further expand its business into more innovative lottery games and distribution channels in the future.
Taken together with the continuing underlying revenue growth of the lottery industry in China, the multiple potential areas of expansion outlined above suggest a very positive outlook for the Group for 2014 and beyond.
Looking ahead, the Group will continue to explore new business opportunities and forge more strategic business alliances, with a view to increasing its sales and profitability and ultimately to maximising returns for Shareholders. In this respect, as announced on 15 July 2014, the Group is currently assessing a potentially exciting acquisition opportunity in China. The Board strongly believes that the solid business foundations, strong customer and regulatory relationships as well as the quality of international gaming partnerships enjoyed by the Group, ideally position it to reach new heights when market opportunities emerge in the rapidly growing regulated lottery industry in China.
Financial Performance Review
Revenue of the Group for the Six-Month Period amounted to approximately HK$69.4 million (2013: approximately HK$97.2 million). Most of the revenue was derived from gaming technologies (game software, systems, hardware and terminals) business and provision of sports lottery management and marketing consultancy services in the PRC. The decrease in revenue was mainly due to lower like-for-like sales in the Hardware division (GOT) in line with the market as well as the expected expiry of certain contracts in the Lottery Management division as a result of the Group’s transition of its core business from the legacy, lowergrowth Lottery Management business to fully integrated services involving its advanced, highgrowth Gaming Technologies business. During the Six-Month Period, the gross profit margin percentage stood at approximately 47.6% (2013: approximately 52.4%). The decrease in gross profit margin percentage was due to the increase in depreciation expenses resulting from the establishment of a data centre for rolling out the e-Ball Lottery game.
Loss attributable to owners of the Company for the Six-Month Period amounted to approximately HK$88.9 million (2013: approximately HK$52.7 million), primarily due to (i) the increase in depreciation expenses due to the establishment of a data centre for rolling out the e-Ball Lottery game, (ii) the relocation of the Group’s Beijing office in China, and (iii) the rise in share-based payments totaling approximately HK$64.1 million (2013: approximately HK$49.0 million) as a result of the increase in share options of the Company granted to Directors, eligible employees and other eligible participants under the Share Option Scheme during the Six-Month Period.
– 16 –
Capital resources, liquidity and gearing ratio
Bank balances and cash as at 30 June 2014 were approximately HK$239.1 million (as at 31 December 2013: approximately HK286.5 million). The total assets and net current assets of the Group as at 30 June 2014 were approximately HK$1,285.1 million and approximately HK$380.2 million respectively (as at 31 December 2013: approximately HK$1,314.4 million and approximately HK$381.6 million respectively).
The Group financed its operations primarily with internally generated cashflows as well as the proceeds from previous fund raising exercises and from the exercising by grantees of the share options granted under the Share Option Scheme. The gearing ratio (determined as the proportion of bank borrowing to equity) of the Group as at 30 June 2014 was nil (as at 31 December 2013: nil). The liquidity ratio (defined as current assets over current liabilities) of the Group as at 30 June 2014 was approximately 14.4 (as at 31 December 2013: 9.6) which continuously reflect the adequacy of financial resources of the Group.
Charges on the Group’s assets
At 30 June 2014, there was no charge on the assets of the Group.
Foreign exchange exposure
As at 30 June 2014, majority of the Group’s bank deposits were denominated in HK$ and RMB. Since all of its revenue-generating operations, monetary assets and liabilities of the Group are conducted or transacted substantially in HK$ and RMB, which is not freely convertible into foreign currencies, the Group faced minimal exchange rate risk during the period.
Employees’ information
As at 30 June 2014, the Group had 218 employees (2013: 223) in Hong Kong and the PRC. Total staff costs (excluding Directors’ emoluments) for the Six-Month Period amounted to approximately HK$15.5 million.
The Group’s remuneration policies are formulated on the basis of performance and experience of individual employees and are in line with local market practices. In addition to salary, the Group also offers to its employees other fringe benefits including year-end bonus, Share Option Scheme, contributory provident fund, social security fund, medical benefits and training.
– 17 –
DIRECTORS’ AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S INTERESTS AND SHORT POSITIONS IN SHARES, UNDERLYING SHARES AND DEBENTURES
As at 30 June 2014, the interests and short positions of the Directors and chief executive of the Company in the Shares, underlying Shares and debentures of the Company or any of its associated corporations (within the meaning of Part XV of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (“SFO”)), which were required (a) to be notified to the Company and the Stock Exchange pursuant to Divisions 7 and 8 of Part XV of the SFO (including interests and short positions which they were taken or deemed to have under such provisions of the SFO); (b) pursuant to Section 352 of the SFO, to be entered in the register referred to therein; or (c) pursuant to Rules 5.46 to 5.67 of the GEM Listing Rules relating to securities transactions by Directors, to be notified to the Company and the Stock Exchange, were as follows:
a. Interests in ordinary Shares:
| Name of Director | Number of Shares Personal interest Corporate Interest Total Approximate Percentage held 27,078,000 2,006,250,000 (Note 1) 2,033,328,000 46.3% 10,195,000 – 10,195,000 0.23% 10,316,000 44,876,600 (Note 2) 55,192,600 1.26% 8,038,250 – 8,038,250 0.18% – – – 0% 2,275,000 – 2,275,000 0.05% 2,605,000 – 2,605,000 0.06% – – – 0% |
|---|---|
| Mr. Sun Ho Mr. Robert Geoffrey Ryan Mr. Bai Jinmin Mr. Liang Yu Mr. Ho King Fung, Eric Mr. Wang Ronghua Mr. Hua Fengmao Ms. Monica Maria Nunes |
Notes:
-
These 2,006,250,000 Shares were held in the name of MAXPROFIT GLOBAL INC. As MAXPROFIT GLOBAL INC is beneficially and wholly-owned by Mr. Sun Ho, an executive Director and chairman & chief executive officer (“CEO”) of the Company, Mr. Sun was deemed to be interested in such Shares.
-
These 44,876,600 Shares were held in the name of Fine Bridge International Limited. Fine Bridge International Limited is beneficially and wholly-owned by HB Resources Investment Limited, which in turn is beneficially and wholly-owned by Mr. Bai Jinmin, an executive Director of the Company. Accordingly, HB Resources Investment Limited and Mr. Bai were deemed to be interested in such Shares.
– 18 –
- b. Long position in the underlying Shares in respect of the share options of the Company (which were regarded as unlisted physically settled equity derivatives):
| Name of Director Date of grant Exercise price per Share Exercisable period (HK$) |
Number of underlying Shares entitled (in respect of share options of the Company) |
|---|---|
| Outstanding at 1 January 2014 Granted during the Six-Month Period Exercised during the Six-Month Period Lapsed during the Six-Month Period Outstanding at 30 June 2014 Approximate percentage of issued share capital of the Company |
|
| Mr. Robert Geoffrey Ryan 21 December 2011 0.2900 21 December 2012 – 20 December 2016 17 August 2012 0.1006 17 August 2013 – 16 August 2017 9 January 2013 0.4250 9 January 2014 – 8 January 2018 21 January 2014 1.3100 21 January 2015 – 20 January 2019 Mr. Bai Jinmin 21 December 2011 0.2900 21 December 2012 – 20 December 2016 17 August 2012 0.1006 17 August 2013 – 16 August 2017 9 January 2013 0.4250 9 January 2014 – 8 January 2018 21 January 2014 1.3100 21 January 2015 – 20 January 2019 Mr. Liang Yu 21 December 2011 0.2900 21 December 2012 – 20 December 2016 17 August 2012 0.1006 17 August 2013 – 16 August 2017 9 January 2013 0.4250 9 January 2014 – 8 January 2018 21 January 2014 1.3100 21 January 2015 – 20 January 2019 Mr. Ho King Fung, Eric 23 May 2013 0.4890 23 May 2014 – 22 May 2018 Mr. Wang Ronghua 21 December 2011 0.2900 21 December 2012 – 20 December 2016 9 January 2013 0.4250 9 January 2014 – 8 January 2018 21 January 2014 1.3100 21 January 2015 – 20 January 2019 |
15,948,000 – (5,316,000) – 10,632,000 0.24% 3,500,000 – (875,000) – 2,625,000 0.06% 8,000,000 – (2,000,000) – 6,000,000 0.14% – 5,000,000 – – 5,000,000 0.11% 15,948,000 – (5,316,000) – 10,632,000 0.24% 2,625,000 – – – 2,625,000 0.06% 8,000,000 – (2,000,000) – 6,000,000 0.14% – 10,000,000 – – 10,000,000 0.23% 15,948,000 – (5,316,000) – 10,632,000 0.24% 2,625,000 – – – 2,625,000 0.06% 8,000,000 – (2,000,000) – 6,000,000 0.14% – 5,000,000 – – 5,000,000 0.11% 42,575,844 – – – 42,575,844 0.97% 1,500,000 – – – 1,500,000 0.03% 1,000,000 – – – 1,000,000 0.02% – 500,000 – – 500,000 0.01% |
– 19 –
Number of underlying Shares entitled (in respect of share options of the Company)
| Approximate | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outstanding | Granted | Exercised | Lapsed | Outstanding | percentage of | ||||
| Exercise | at | during the | during the | during the | at | issued share | |||
| price | 1 January | Six-Month | Six-Month | Six-Month | 30 June | capital of the | |||
| Name of Director | Date of grant | per Share | Exercisable period | 2014 | Period | Period | Period | 2014 | Company |
| (HK$) | |||||||||
| Mr. Hua Fengmao | 21 December 2011 | 0.2900 | 21 December 2012 – | 1,500,000 | – | (500,000) | – | 1,000,000 | 0.02% |
| 20 December 2016 | |||||||||
| 9 January 2013 | 0.4250 | 9 January 2014 – | 1,000,000 | – | (250,000) | – | 750,000 | 0.02% | |
| 8 January 2018 | |||||||||
| 21 January 2014 | 1.3100 | 21 January 2015 – | – | 500,000 | – | – | 500,000 | 0.01% | |
| 20 January 2019 | |||||||||
| Ms. Monica Maria Nunes | 20 June 2013 | 0.4740 | 20 June 2014 – | 1,500,000 | – | – | – | 1,500,000 | 0.03% |
| 19 June 2018 | |||||||||
| 21 January 2014 | 1.3100 | 21 January 2015 – | – | 500,000 | – | – | 500,000 | 0.01% | |
| 20 January 2019 |
Note: A portion of the option representing 25% of the total underlying Shares entitled under such option shall be vested in the grantee of the option in each of the 4 years during the exercisable period. If the grantee does not exercise such portion of the option within one year after it has been vested in him/her, such portion of the option will lapse.
Save as disclosed above, as at 30 June 2014, none of the Directors or chief executive of the Company had any interests or short positions in the Shares, underlying Shares (in respect of share options of the Company which were regarded as unlisted physically settled equity derivatives) and debentures of the Company or any of its associated corporations (within the meaning of Part XV of the SFO), which (a) were required to be notified to the Company and the Stock Exchange pursuant to Divisions 7 and 8 of Part XV of the SFO (including interests and short positions which they were taken or deemed to have under such provisions of the SFO); or (b) were required, pursuant to Section 352 of the SFO, to be entered in the register referred to therein; or (c) were required, pursuant to Rules 5.46 to 5.67 of the GEM Listing Rules relating to securities transactions by Directors, to be notified to the Company and the Stock Exchange.
– 20 –
SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS’ INTERESTS IN SHARES, UNDERLYING SHARES AND DEBENTURES
As at 30 June 2014, so far as was known to the Directors or chief executive of the Company, the following persons (not being Directors or chief executive of the Company) had, or were deemed to have, interests and long positions in the Shares or underlying Shares which would fall to be disclosed under the provisions of Divisions 2 and 3 of Part XV of the SFO or, were expected, directly or indirectly, to be interested in 5% or more of the nominal value of any class of share capital carrying rights to vote in all circumstances at general meetings of any other member of the Group or held any option in respect of such capital and recorded in the register kept by the Company pursuant to section 336 of the SFO:
- a. Interests in the Shares:
| Approximate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| percentage of | |||
| issued share | |||
| Number of | capital of the | ||
| Name of Shareholder | Capacity | Shares held | Company |
| MAXPROFIT GLOBAL INC | Beneficial owner | 2,006,250,000 | 45.68% |
| (Note 1) | |||
| Hegglin, Daniel Robert | Beneficial owner | 255,483,933 | 5.82% |
| Rainwood Resources Limited | Beneficial owner | 311,852,000 | 7.10% |
| Mr. Cheung Lup Kwan | Interest of controlled | 311,852,000 | 7.10% |
| corporation | (Note 2) |
Notes:
-
As disclosed above, Mr. Sun Ho was deemed to be interested in these 2,006,250,000 Shares by virtue of his interest in MAXPROFIT GLOBAL INC.
-
These 311,852,000 Shares were held in the name of Rainwood Resources Limited, which is beneficially and wholly-owned by Mr. Cheung Lup Kwan. Accordingly, Mr. Cheung was deemed to be interested in such Shares.
– 21 –
- b. Long position in the underlying Shares in respect of the share option granted under general mandate by the Company (which was regarded as an unlisted physically settled equity derivative):
| Approximate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of | percentage of | ||
| underlying | issued share | ||
| Shares | capital of the | ||
| Name of Shareholder | Capacity | entitled | Company |
| Rainwood Resources Limited | Beneficial owner | 212,879,224 | 4.85% |
| Mr. Cheung Lup Kwan | Interest of controlled | 212,879,224 | 4.85% |
| corporation | (Note) |
- Note: On 21 May 2013, Rainwood Resources Limited was granted a share option under general mandate by the Company, entitling it to subscribe for up to a maximum of 212,879,224 Shares at an exercise price of HK$0.40 per Share (subject to adjustments) exercisable for a period of three years, which option was vested in the grantee on the date of grant. As disclosed above, Mr. Cheung Lup Kwan was deemed to be interested in this share option by virtue of his interest in Rainwood Resources Limited.
Save as disclosed above, as at 30 June 2014, the Directors or chief executive of the Company were not aware of any other substantial shareholder (not being a Director or chief executive of the Company) who had, or was deemed to have, interests or short positions in the Shares, underlying Shares and debentures of the Company which would fall to be disclosed to the Company under the provisions of Divisions 2 and 3 of Part XV of the SFO; or who was expected, directly or indirectly, to be interested in 5% or more of the nominal value of any class of share capital carrying rights to vote in all circumstances at general meetings of any other member of the Group or held any option in respect of such capital and recorded in the register kept by the Company pursuant to section 336 of the SFO.
INTERESTS OF OTHER PERSONS
As at 30 June 2014, apart from the interests in the Shares, underlying Shares and debentures of the Company and its associated corporations held by the Directors, chief executive and substantial shareholders of the Company stated above, there were no other persons with interests recorded in the register of the Company required to be kept under section 336 of the SFO.
INTERESTS IN COMPETING BUSINESS
During the Six-Month Period, none of the Directors or the controlling shareholder of the Company had an interest in a business, which competes or might compete with the business of the Group.
– 22 –
RETIREMENT OF A NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
During the Six-Month Period, Ms. Yang Yang retired as a non-executive Director with effect from the conclusion of the Company’s 2014 annual general meeting which was held on 5 May 2014.
APPOINTMENT OF COMPANY SECRETARY, AUTHORISED REPRESENTATIVE, MEMBER OF THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE AND SENIOR FINANCIAL CONTROLLER
During the Six-Month Period, Mr. Lai Yick Fung was appointed as the company secretary, authorised representative, member of the corporate governance committee and senior financial controller of the Company with effect from 7 April 2014.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
The audit committee of the Company comprises three independent non-executive Directors, namely, Ms. Monica Maria Nunes, Mr. Wang Ronghua and Mr. Hua Fengmao. The unaudited consolidated results of the Group for the Six-Month Period have been reviewed and commented on by the audit committee.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES
The Board is committed to maintaining high standards of corporate governance in order to uphold the transparency of the Group and safeguard interests of the Shareholders.
During the Six-Month Period, the Company has adopted the applicable code provisions in the Corporate Governance Code and Corporate Governance Report (the “Code”) as set out in Appendix 15 of the GEM Listing Rules, except for the following deviations:
-
(a) under the Code provision A.2.1, the roles of chairman and CEO should be separate and should not be performed by the same individual. The roles of chairman and CEO of the Company were performed by the executive Director, Mr. Sun Ho, during the Six-Month Period. The Company considered that the combination of the roles of chairman and CEO could effectively formulate and implement the strategies of the Company. The Company considered that under the supervision of its Board and its independent non-executive Directors, a balancing mechanism existed so that the interests of the Shareholders were adequately and fairly represented. The Company considered that there was no imminent need to change the arrangement;
-
(b) under the Code provision A.4.2, every Director should be subject to retirement by rotation at least once every three years. However, pursuant to the Bye-laws, the chairman of the Company shall not be subject to retirement by rotation or be taken into account in determining the number of Directors to retire in each year. During the Six-Month Period, the chairman of the Board was not subject to retirement by rotation, as the Board considered that the continuity of the office of the chairman provided the Group with strong and consistent leadership and was of great importance to the smooth operations of the Group;
– 23 –
-
(c) under the Code provision A.2.7, the chairman of the Board should at least annually hold meetings with the non-executive Directors (including independent non-executive Directors) without the executive Directors’ presence. During the Six-Month Period, the chairman of the Board did not hold such kind of private meetings with the nonexecutive Directors. The chairman of the Board considered that it was unnecessary as it would be more transparent to let the non-executive Directors speak out their views to all executive Directors in the full Board meetings which would be held at least four times a year. Besides, the chairman of the Board, being an executive Director himself, always welcomes all non-executive Directors to directly communicate with him via his email or phone to discuss any matters of the Company from time to time;
-
(d) under the Code provision A6.6, each Director should disclose to the Company, among other things, an indication of the time involved by him/her in his/her offices held in other public companies or organisations and other significant commitments. During the Six-Month Period, no such disclosure was made by the Directors to the Company. As the Board had adopted a new corporate governance practice that each Director’s contributions to the Group were reviewed and discussed at the Board meeting annually (the “Annual Contributions Review”), the Board considered that assessing the time spent by each Director on his/her commitments outside the Group was not necessary for the purposes of the Annual Contributions Review and that the disclosure of the time spent by a Director in performing his/her duties did not necessarily indicate accurately the efficiency of such Director and the effectiveness of his/her work, and may therefore be misleading;
-
(e) under the Code provision B.1.2, the remuneration committee should review and recommend to the Board for approval of the specific remuneration packages of senior management. The remuneration committee of the Company had reviewed its scope of duties and considered that the delegated responsibility to review and recommend to the Board to approve the specific remuneration packages of senior management should be vested in the executive Directors who have a better understanding of the level of expertise, experience and performance expected of the senior management in the daily business operations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the remuneration committee would continue to be primarily responsible for the review and recommendation of the remuneration packages of the Directors;
-
(f) under the Code provision B.1.5, the Company should disclose details of any remuneration payable to members of senior management by band in its annual report. The Company did not make such disclosure in its annual report as the Board considered that (i) the remuneration of any newly appointed “chief executive” (as defined under the GEM Listing Rules) would have already been disclosed in the announcement previously issued by the Company in respect of such appointment in accordance with GEM Listing Rule 17.50(2)(g); (ii) the five highest paid employees within the Group had already been disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements of the Group in the annual report, and (iii) giving further details of remuneration for each and every senior management staff would result in particulars of excessive length and no additional value to the Shareholders, whilst at the same time may impair the flexibility of the Group in its negotiations of remuneration packages for senior management staff (especially those
– 24 –
who are not Directors or chief executives of the Group and hence are not supposed to be subject to the aforesaid disclosure requirement under GEM Listing Rule 17.50(2) (g)) should it need to find replacement staff or recruit additional senior personnel in the future;
-
(g) under the Code provision A.6.7, independent non-executive Directors and other nonexecutive Directors should attend general meetings of the Company and develop a balanced understanding of the views of the Shareholders. The independent nonexecutive Directors (Mr. Wang Ronghua and Mr. Hua Fengmao) and non-executive Directors (Mr. Ho King Fung, Eric and Ms. Yang Yang) who were absent from the annual general meeting of the Company (the “AGM”) held on 5 May 2014 considered that such attendance could not help develop a balanced understanding of the views of the Shareholders because not many Shareholders attended the AGM in past few years, that the chairperson of the Audit, Nomination and Remuneration Committees of the Board, Ms. Monica Maria Nunes (an independent non-executive Director), already attended the AGM to represent all other non-executive Directors, and that Ms. Yang Yang was to retire from the Board on the date of the AGM; and
-
(h) during the Six-Month Period, the management of the Company did not provide the Directors with monthly updates on the Company’s financial position and performance for the first two months of 2014 as required under the Code provision C.1.2, as a result of the resignation of the former senior financial controller and company secretary of the Company during the first quarter of 2014 and the fact that the management was busy focusing their efforts on the annual audit and preparation of the annual results announcement and report during such transitional period. This deviation from the Code has been rectified during the second quarter of 2014 after the appointment of the new senior financial controller and company secretary of the Company in early April 2014, and the Company will ensure monthly updates are provided to the Directors in the future.
(The above deviations (a) to (f) were similarly disclosed on pages 29 and 30 of the Company’s annual report for the year ended 31 December 2013, and on pages 30 to 32 of the Company’s interim report for the six months ended 30 June 2013. The above deviations (g) and (h) are new ones that took place during the Six-Month Period.)
R E Q U I R E D S T A N D A R D O F D E A L I N G S R E G A R D I N G S E C U R I T I E S TRANSACTIONS BY DIRECTORS
The Company has adopted the required standard of dealings regarding securities transactions by Directors set out in Rules 5.48 to 5.67 of the GEM Listing Rules as its code of conduct for dealings in securities of the Company by the Directors (the “Code of Conduct”). Having made specific enquiry of all Directors, all Directors confirmed that they have complied with the required standard of dealings set out in the Code of Conduct during the Six-Month Period.
– 25 –
SHARE OPTION SCHEME
The following table sets out details and movements of the Company’s share options held by Directors, eligible employees and eligible participants of the Group under the Share Option Scheme of the Company during the Six-Month Period:
| Name Date of grant Exercise price per Share Exercisable period (HK$) |
Number of underlying Shares entitled (in respect of share options of the Company) |
|---|---|
| Outstanding at 1 January 2014 Granted during the Six-Month Period Exercised during the Six-Month Period Lapsed during the Six-Month Period Outstanding at 30 June 2014 |
|
| Directors: Mr. Robert Geoffrey Ryan 21 December 2011 0.2900 21 December 2013 – 20 December 2014 21 December 2014 – 20 December 2015 21 December 2015 – 20 December 2016 17 August 2012 0.1006 17 August 2013 – 16 August 2014 17 August 2014 – 16 August 2015 17 August 2015 – 16 August 2016 17 August 2016 – 16 August 2017 9 January 2013 0.4250 9 January 2014 – 8 January 2015 9 January 2015 – 8 January 2016 9 January 2016 – 8 January 2017 9 January 2017 – 8 January 2018 21 January 2014 1.3100 21 January 2015 – 20 January 2016 21 January 2016 – 20 January 2017 21 January 2017 – 20 January 2018 21 January 2018 – 20 January 2019 |
5,316,000 – (5,316,000) – – 5,316,000 – – – 5,316,000 5,316,000 – – – 5,316,000 875,000 – (875,000) – – 875,000 – – – 875,000 875,000 – – – 875,000 875,000 – – – 875,000 2,000,000 – (2,000,000) – – 2,000,000 – – – 2,000,000 2,000,000 – – – 2,000,000 2,000,000 – – – 2,000,000 – 1,250,000 – – 1,250,000 – 1,250,000 – – 1,250,000 – 1,250,000 – – 1,250,000 – 1,250,000 – – 1,250,000 |
– 26 –
Number of underlying Shares entitled (in respect of share options of the Company)
| Outstanding | Granted | Exercised | Lapsed | Outstanding | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise | at | during the | during the | during the | at | |||
| price per | 1 January | Six-Month | Six-Month | Six-Month | 30 June | |||
| Name | Date of grant | Share | Exercisable period | 2014 | Period | Period | Period | 2014 |
| (HK$) | ||||||||
| Mr. Bai Jinmin | 21 December 2011 | 0.2900 | 21 December 2013 – | 5,316,000 | – | (5,316,000) | – | – |
| 20 December 2014 | ||||||||
| 21 December 2014 – | 5,316,000 | – | – | – | 5,316,000 | |||
| 20 December 2015 | ||||||||
| 21 December 2015 – | 5,316,000 | – | – | – | 5,316,000 | |||
| 20 December 2016 | ||||||||
| 17 August 2012 | 0.1006 | 17 August 2014 – | 875,000 | – | – | – | 875,000 | |
| 16 August 2015 | ||||||||
| 17 August 2015 – | 875,000 | – | – | – | 875,000 | |||
| 16 August 2016 | ||||||||
| 17 August 2016 – | 875,000 | – | – | – | 875,000 | |||
| 16 August 2017 | ||||||||
| 9 January 2013 | 0.4250 | 9 January 2014 – | 2,000,000 | – | (2,000,000) | – | – | |
| 8 January 2015 | ||||||||
| 9 January 2015 – | 2,000,000 | – | – | – | 2,000,000 | |||
| 8 January 2016 | ||||||||
| 9 January 2016 – | 2,000,000 | – | – | – | 2,000,000 | |||
| 8 January 2017 | ||||||||
| 9 January 2017 – | 2,000,000 | – | – | – | 2,000,000 | |||
| 8 January 2018 | ||||||||
| 21 January 2014 | 1.3100 | 21 January 2015 – | – | 2,500,000 | – | – | 2,500,000 | |
| 20 January 2016 | ||||||||
| 21 January 2016 – | – | 2,500,000 | – | – | 2,500,000 | |||
| 20 January 2017 | ||||||||
| 21 January 2017 – | – | 2,500,000 | – | – | 2,500,000 | |||
| 20 January 2018 | ||||||||
| 21 January 2018 – | – | 2,500,000 | – | – | 2,500,000 | |||
| 20 January 2019 |
– 27 –
Number of underlying Shares entitled (in respect of share options of the Company)
| Outstanding | Granted | Exercised | Lapsed | Outstanding | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise | at | during the | during the | during the | at | |||
| price per | 1 January | Six-Month | Six-Month | Six-Month | 30 June | |||
| Name | Date of grant | Share | Exercisable period | 2014 | Period | Period | Period | 2014 |
| (HK$) | ||||||||
| Mr. Liang Yu | 21 December 2011 | 0.2900 | 21 December 2013 – | 5,316,000 | – | (5,316,000) | – | – |
| 20 December 2014 | ||||||||
| 21 December 2014 – | 5,316,000 | – | – | – | 5,316,000 | |||
| 20 December 2015 | ||||||||
| 21 December 2015 – | 5,316,000 | – | – | – | 5,316,000 | |||
| 20 December 2016 | ||||||||
| 17 August 2012 | 0.1006 | 17 August 2014 – | 875,000 | – | – | – | 875,000 | |
| 16 August 2015 | ||||||||
| 17 August 2015 – | 875,000 | – | – | – | 875,000 | |||
| 16 August 2016 | ||||||||
| 17 August 2016 – | 875,000 | – | – | – | 875,000 | |||
| 16 August 2017 | ||||||||
| 9 January 2013 | 0.4250 | 9 January 2014 – | 2,000,000 | – | (2,000,000) | – | – | |
| 8 January 2015 | ||||||||
| 9 January 2015 – | 2,000,000 | – | – | – | 2,000,000 | |||
| 8 January 2016 | ||||||||
| 9 January 2016 – | 2,000,000 | – | – | – | 2,000,000 | |||
| 8 January 2017 | ||||||||
| 9 January 2017 – | 2,000,000 | – | – | – | 2,000,000 | |||
| 8 January 2018 | ||||||||
| 21 January 2014 | 1.3100 | 21 January 2015 – | – | 1,250,000 | – | – | 1,250,000 | |
| 20 January 2016 | ||||||||
| 21 January 2016 – | – | 1,250,000 | – | – | 1,250,000 | |||
| 20 January 2017 | ||||||||
| 21 January 2017 – | – | 1,250,000 | – | – | 1,250,000 | |||
| 20 January 2018 | ||||||||
| 21 January 2018 – | – | 1,250,000 | – | – | 1,250,000 | |||
| 20 January 2019 |
– 28 –
Number of underlying Shares entitled (in respect of share options of the Company)
| Outstanding | Granted | Exercised | Lapsed | Outstanding | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise | at | during the | during the | during the | at | |||
| price per | 1 January | Six-Month | Six-Month | Six-Month | 30 June | |||
| Name | Date of grant | Share | Exercisable period | 2014 | Period | Period | Period | 2014 |
| (HK$) | ||||||||
| Ms. Yang Yang | 21 December 2011 | 0.2900 | 21 December 2013 – | 500,000 | – | – | (500,000) | – |
| (retired on 5 May 2014) | 20 December 2014 | |||||||
| 21 December 2014 – | 500,000 | – | – | (500,000) | – | |||
| 20 December 2015 | ||||||||
| 21 December 2015 – | 500,000 | – | – | (500,000) | – | |||
| 20 December 2016 | ||||||||
| 9 January 2013 | 0.4250 | 9 January 2014 – | 250,000 | – | – | (250,000) | – | |
| 8 January 2015 | ||||||||
| 9 January 2015 – | 250,000 | – | – | (250,000) | – | |||
| 8 January 2016 | ||||||||
| 9 January 2016 – | 250,000 | – | – | (250,000) | – | |||
| 8 January 2017 | ||||||||
| 9 January 2017 – | 250,000 | – | – | (250,000) | – | |||
| 8 January 2018 | ||||||||
| 21 January 2014 | 1.3100 | 21 January 2015 – | – | 125,000 | – | (125,000) | – | |
| 20 January 2016 | ||||||||
| 21 January 2016 – | – | 125,000 | – | (125,000) | – | |||
| 20 January 2017 | ||||||||
| 21 January 2017 – | – | 125,000 | – | (125,000) | – | |||
| 20 January 2018 | ||||||||
| 21 January 2018 – | – | 125,000 | – | (125,000) | – | |||
| 20 January 2019 | ||||||||
| Mr. Ho King Fung, Eric | 23 May 2013 | 0.4890 | 23 May 2014 – | 10,643,961 | – | – | – | 10,643,961 |
| 22 May 2015 | ||||||||
| 23 May 2015 – | 10,643,961 | – | – | – | 10,643,961 | |||
| 22 May 2016 | ||||||||
| 23 May 2016 – | 10,643,961 | – | – | – | 10,643,961 | |||
| 22 May 2017 | ||||||||
| 23 May 2017 – | 10,643,961 | – | – | – | 10,643,961 | |||
| 22 May 2018 |
– 29 –
Number of underlying Shares entitled (in respect of share options of the Company)
| Outstanding | Granted | Granted | Exercised | Exercised | Lapsed | Lapsed | Outstanding | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise | at | during the | during the | during the | at | ||||||
| price per | 1 January | Six-Month | Six-Month | Six-Month | 30 June | ||||||
| Name | Date of grant | Share | Exercisable period | 2014 | Period | Period | Period | 2014 | |||
| (HK$) | |||||||||||
| Mr. Wang Ronghua | 21 December 2011 | 0.2900 | 21 December 2013 – | 500,000 | – | – | – | 500,000 | |||
| 20 December 2014 | |||||||||||
| 21 December 2014 – | 500,000 | – | – | – | 500,000 | ||||||
| 20 December 2015 | |||||||||||
| 21 December 2015 – | 500,000 | – | – | – | 500,000 | ||||||
| 20 December 2016 | |||||||||||
| 9 January 2013 | 0.4250 | 9 January 2014 – | 250,000 | – | – | – | 250,000 | ||||
| 8 January 2015 | |||||||||||
| 9 January 2015 – | 250,000 | – | – | – | 250,000 | ||||||
| 8 January 2016 | |||||||||||
| 9 January 2016 – | 250,000 | – | – | – | 250,000 | ||||||
| 8 January 2017 | |||||||||||
| 9 January 2017 – | 250,000 | – | – | – | 250,000 | ||||||
| 8 January 2018 | |||||||||||
| 21 January 2014 | 1.3100 | 21 January 2015 – | – | 125,000 | – | – | 125,000 | ||||
| 20 January 2016 | |||||||||||
| 21 January 2016 – | – | 125,000 | – | – | 125,000 | ||||||
| 20 January 2017 | |||||||||||
| 21 January 2017 – | – | 125,000 | – | – | 125,000 | ||||||
| 20 January 2018 | |||||||||||
| 21 January 2018 – | – | 125,000 | – | – | 125,000 | ||||||
| 20 January 2019 | |||||||||||
| Mr. Hua Fengmao | 21 December 2011 | 0.2900 | 21 December 2013 – | 500,000 | – | (500,000) | – | – | |||
| 20 December 2014 | |||||||||||
| 21 December 2014 – | 500,000 | – | – | – | 500,000 | ||||||
| 20 December 2015 | |||||||||||
| 21 December 2015 – | 500,000 | – | – | – | 500,000 | ||||||
| 20 December 2016 | |||||||||||
| 9 January 2013 | 0.4250 | 9 January 2014 – | 250,000 | – | (250,000) | – | – | ||||
| 8 January 2015 | |||||||||||
| 9 January 2015 – | 250,000 | – | – | – | 250,000 | ||||||
| 8 January 2016 | |||||||||||
| 9 January 2016 – | 250,000 | – | – | – | 250,000 | ||||||
| 8 January 2017 | |||||||||||
| 9 January 2017 – | 250,000 | – | – | – | 250,000 | ||||||
| 8 January 2018 | |||||||||||
| 21 January 2014 | 1.3100 | 21 January 2015 – | – | 125,000 | – | – | 125,000 | ||||
| 20 January 2016 | |||||||||||
| 21 January 2016 – | – | 125,000 | – | – | 125,000 | ||||||
| 20 January 2017 | |||||||||||
| 21 January 2017 – | – | 125,000 | – | – | 125,000 | ||||||
| 20 January 2018 | |||||||||||
| 21 January 2018 – | – | 125,000 | – | – | 125,000 | ||||||
| 20 January 2019 |
– 30 –
Number of underlying Shares entitled (in respect of share options of the Company)
| Outstanding | Granted | Exercised | Lapsed | Outstanding | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise | at | during the | during the | during the | at | |||
| price per | 1 January | Six-Month | Six-Month | Six-Month | 30 June | |||
| Name | Date of grant | Share | Exercisable period | 2014 | Period | Period | Period | 2014 |
| (HK$) | ||||||||
| Ms. Monica Maria Nunes | 20 June 2013 | 0.4740 | 20 June 2014 – | 375,000 | – | – | – | 375,000 |
| 19 June 2015 | ||||||||
| 20 June 2015 – | 375,000 | – | – | – | 375,000 | |||
| 19 June 2016 | ||||||||
| 20 June 2016 – | 375,000 | – | – | – | 375,000 | |||
| 19 June 2017 | ||||||||
| 20 June 2017 – | 375,000 | – | – | – | 375,000 | |||
| 19 June 2018 | ||||||||
| 21 January 2014 | 1.3100 | 21 January 2015 – | – | 125,000 | – | – | 125,000 | |
| 20 January 2016 | ||||||||
| 21 January 2016 – | – | 125,000 | – | – | 125,000 | |||
| 20 January 2017 | ||||||||
| 21 January 2017 – | – | 125,000 | – | – | 125,000 | |||
| 20 January 2018 | ||||||||
| 21 January 2018 – | – | 125,000 | – | – | 125,000 | |||
| 20 January 2019 | ||||||||
| Eligible employees and other | eligible participants | |||||||
| 6 July 2010 | 0.3000 | 6 July 2013 – | 125,000 | – | (125,000) | – | – | |
| 5 July 2014 | ||||||||
| 6 July 2014 – | 1,000,000 | – | – | – | 1,000,000 | |||
| 5 July 2015 | ||||||||
| 30 March 2011 | 0.3300 | 30 March 2013 – | 1,050,000 | – | (1,050,000) | – | – | |
| 29 March 2014 | ||||||||
| 30 March 2014 – | 2,850,000 | – | (1,550,000) | – | 1,300,000 | |||
| 29 March 2015 | ||||||||
| 30 March 2015 – | 2,850,000 | – | – | – | 2,850,000 | |||
| 29 March 2016 | ||||||||
| 21 December 2011 | 0.2900 | 21 December 2013 – | 13,547,250 | – | (2,450,000) | (187,500) | 10,909,750 | |
| 20 December 2014 | ||||||||
| 21 December 2014 – | 16,109,750 | – | – | (937,500) | 15,172,250 | |||
| 20 December 2015 | ||||||||
| 21 December 2015 – | 16,109,750 | – | – | (937,500) | 15,172,250 | |||
| 20 December 2016 | ||||||||
| 17 August 2012 | 0.1006 | 17 August 2013 – | 187,500 | – | (95,000) | – | 92,500 | |
| 16 August 2014 | ||||||||
| 17 August 2014 – | 20,922,250 | – | – | (62,500) | 20,859,750 | |||
| 16 August 2015 | ||||||||
| 17 August 2015 – | 20,922,250 | – | – | (62,500) | 20,859,750 | |||
| 16 August 2016 | ||||||||
| 17 August 2016 – | 20,922,250 | – | – | (62,500) | 20,859,750 | |||
| 16 August 2017 |
– 31 –
Number of underlying Shares entitled (in respect of share options of the Company)
| Name Date of grant Exercise price per Share Exercisable period (HK$) |
Outstanding at 1 January 2014 |
Granted during the Six-Month Period |
Exercised during the Six-Month Period |
Lapsed during the Six-Month Period |
Outstanding at 30 June 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 January 2013 0.4250 9 January 2014 – 8 January 2015 9 January 2015 – 8 January 2016 9 January 2016 – 8 January 2017 9 January 2017 – 8 January 2018 23 May 2013 0.4890 23 May 2014 – 22 May 2015 23 May 2015 – 22 May 2016 23 May 2016 – 22 May 2017 23 May 2017 – 22 May 2018 2 January 2014 1.1900 2 January 2015 – 1 January 2016 2 January 2016 – 1 January 2017 2 January 2017 – 1 January 2018 2 January 2018 – 1 January 2019 21 January 2014 1.3100 21 January 2015 – 20 January 2016 21 January 2016 – 20 January 2017 21 January 2017 – 20 January 2018 21 January 2018 – 20 January 2019 Total Exercisable at the end of the period Weighted average exercise price of the outstanding share option |
29,625,000 29,625,000 29,625,000 29,625,000 10,643,961 10,643,961 10,643,961 10,643,961 – – – – – – – – 409,841,688 33,232,750 HK$0.3475 |
– – – – – – – – 10,872,059 10,872,060 10,872,059 10,872,060 84,325,500 84,325,500 84,325,500 84,325,500 402,790,238 |
(13,887,500) – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – (42,730,500) |
– (500,000) (500,000) (500,000) – – – – – – – – (187,500) (187,500) (187,500) (187,500) (7,500,000) |
15,737,500 29,125,000 29,125,000 29,125,000 10,643,961 10,643,961 10,643,961 10,643,961 10,872,059 10,872,060 10,872,059 10,872,060 84,138,000 84,138,000 84,138,000 84,138,000 |
| 762,401,426 | |||||
| 50,452,672 | |||||
| HK$0.8474 |
– 32 –
During the Six-Month Period, options in respect of 43,488,238 Shares and 359,302,000 Shares (totalling 402,790,238 Shares) were granted on 2 January 2014 and 21 January 2014 respectively to Directors, eligible employees and other eligible participants under the Share Option Scheme. Closing prices of the Shares immediately before 2 January 2014 and 21 January 2014 were HK$1.18 per Share and HK$1.39 per Share respectively. No options were cancelled but options in respect of 7,500,000 Shares were lapsed during the Six-Month Period.
As a result of the options exercised during the Six-Month Period, 42,730,500 Shares were issued by the Company. The weighted average closing price of the Shares immediately before the dates on which these options were exercised is HK$1.5858 per Share.
As at 30 June 2014, the number of Shares in respect of which options had been granted and remained outstanding under the Share Option Scheme was 762,401,426 (as at 31 December 2013: 409,841,688), representing approximately 17.36% (as at 31 December 2013: 9.42%) of the Company’s issued share capital as at that date.
The fair values of options granted during the Six-Month Period and the year ended 31 December 2013 were calculated using the binominal model, details of which are as follows:
| Date of grant | Date of grant | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Jan 2014 | 2 Jan 2014 | 20 June 2013 | 23 May2013 | 21 May2013 | 9 January2013 | |
| Number of Shares to be issued upon exercise | ||||||
| of options granted | 359,302,000 | 43,488,238 | 1,500,000 | 85,151,688 | 212,879,224 | 150,000,000 |
| Estimated fair values of options granted | **HK$236,381,804 ** | HK$26,547,289 | HK$260,926 | HK$15,133,648 | HK$38,631,842 | HK$23,680,387 |
| Significant inputs into the model: | ||||||
| Closing share price at date of grant | HK$1.3100 | HK$1.1900 | HK$0.4600 | HK$0.4900 | HK$0.4900 | HK$0.4300 |
| Exercise price | HK$1.3100 | HK$1.1900 | HK$0.4740 | HK$0.4890 | HK$0.4000 | HK$0.4250 |
| Expected volatility | **71.81%-78.02% ** | 70.68%-86.03% | 78.23%-84.29% | 76.98%-83.61% | 68.65% | 73.78%-84.21% |
| Expected life of options | 2-5 years | 2-5 years | 2-5 years | 2-5 years | 0-3 years | 2-5 years |
| Risk-free interest rate | **0.338%–1.449% ** | 0.338%–1.449% | 0.312%–1.054% | 0.185%–0.571% | 0.245% | 0.141%–0.416% |
| Dividend yield | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
Expected volatility was determined by using the historical volatility of the share prices of other companies in the similar industry over the expected life of the options. No other feature of the options granted was incorporated into the measurement of fair values. When share options are forfeited after the vesting date or are still not exercised at the expiry date, the amount previously recognised in share options reserve will be transferred to accumulated losses.
The variables and assumptions used in computing the fair values of the share options are based on the Directors’ best estimate. The value of an option varies with different variables of certain subjective assumptions.
PURCHASE, REDEMPTION OR SALE OF LISTED SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY
During the Six-Month Period, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries purchased, sold or redeemed any of the listed securities of the Company.
– 33 –
FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
As disclosed in the announcements of the Company dated 6 May 2013 and 21 May 2013, the Company completed on 21 May 2013:
-
(i) a placing of 406,521,739 Shares at the placing price (“Placing Price”) of HK$0.345 each under general mandate (“Placing”) to not less than six independent individual, corporate, professional and/or institutional investors (“Placees”); and
-
(ii) the grant of an option (“Option”) under general mandate to Rainwood Resources Limited, entitling it to subscribe for up to 212,879,224 Shares at an exercise price of HK$0.40 per Share (subject to adjustments) over an exercisable period of three years.
To the best of the Directors’ knowledge, information and belief having made all reasonable enquiries, (i) the Placees (including Rainwood Resources Limited) and their respective ultimate beneficial owners (if any) were third parties independent of and were not connected with the Company and its connected persons (as defined in the GEM Listing Rules); and (ii) none of the Placees and their respective associates became a Substantial Shareholder (as defined in the GEM Listing Rules) of the Company immediately upon completion of the Placing.
The aggregate nominal value of the 406,521,739 Shares under the Placing was approximately HK$813,043. The Placing Price represents a discount of approximately 19.8% to the closing price of HK$0.43 per Share as quoted on the Stock Exchange on 3 May 2013, being the date of agreement in respect of the Placing. The net Placing Price, after taking into account the commission for and expenses of the Placing, was approximately HK$0.34 per Share. The net proceeds of the Placing received by the Company amounted to approximately HK$138 million (“Placing Proceeds”), and the Option has not been exercised as at the date of this announcement. The Placing Proceeds together with the aggregate exercise price receivable by the Company if the Option is exercised in full shall amount to approximately HK$223 million.
The Group financed its operations primarily with internally generated cashflows as well as the proceeds from the Placing and from the exercising by grantees of the share options granted under the Share Option Scheme. Primarily due to the Placing Proceeds raised, the bank balances and cash of the Group increased from HK$137,666,360 as at 31 December 2012 to HK$295,017,209 as at 30 June 2013, thus strengthening the working capital position of the Group.
As disclosed in the aforesaid announcement dated 6 May 2013, the Directors considered it beneficial for the Group to raise funds through the Placing. The Placing represented a good opportunity to raise additional general working capital for future business development of the Group, and would enhance the capital and Shareholders’ base of the Company, thereby increasing the liquidity of the Shares. In addition, the Placing Proceeds were intended to be used for business development, working capital of the Group, and/or investments undertaken or to be made by the Group should suitable investment opportunities arise including, but not limited to, investment opportunities in relation to any entertainment, hotel and/or leisure related business in Macau (collectively, the “Intended Usage”).
– 34 –
The actual usage of the Placing Proceeds has been as follows:
| Remaining balance of | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Aggregate amount | Placing Proceeds as | ||
| used during period | at the last date of the | ||
| Period under review | under review | Purpose of usage | period under review* |
| since completion of | approximately | for working capital | approximately |
| the Placing on | HK$37 million | of the Group | HK$101 million |
| 21 May 2013 up to | |||
| and including | |||
| 31 December 2013 | |||
| from 1 January 2014 | approximately | for working capital | approximately |
| up to and including | HK$8 million | of the Group | HK$93 million |
| 30 June 2014 |
* The remaining balance would be used in accordance with the Intended Usage and has been placed in the bank savings account of the Company.
CHANGE IN INFORMATION OF A DIRECTOR
Pursuant to the disclosure requirement under Rule 17.50A(1) of the GEM Listing Rules, the change in information of a Director is set out below:
Name of Director
Details of change
Mr. Wang Ronghua With effect from 1 June 2014, he is no longer the senior advisor of Forterra Trust in Beijing.
Save as disclosed above, no other information in respect of Directors is required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 17.50A(1) of the GEM Listing Rules.
DEFINITIONS
In this announcement, unless the context otherwise requires, the following words and expressions shall have the following meanings when used herein:
| “Board” | means the board of Directors; |
|---|---|
| “Company” or “AGTech” | means AGTech Holdings Limited, a company incorporated |
| in Bermuda with limited liability and the issued Shares of | |
| which are listed on GEM; | |
| “Director(s)” | means the director(s) of the Company; |
| “GEM” | means the Growth Enterprise Market of The Stock Exchange |
| of Hong Kong Limited; |
– 35 –
| “GEM Listing Rules” | means the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on |
|---|---|
| GEM; | |
| “GOT” | means北京亞博高騰科技有限公司(Beijing AGTech GOT |
| Technology Co., Ltd.*), a company incorporated in the | |
| PRC with limited liability and is an indirect wholly-owned | |
| subsidiary of the Company; | |
| “Group” | means the Company and its subsidiaries; |
| “Hong Kong” | means the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the |
| PRC; | |
| “Macau” | means the Macau Special Administrative Region of the PRC; |
| “PRC” or “China” | means the People’s Republic of China which, for the purpose |
| of this announcement, excludes Hong Kong, Macau and | |
| Taiwan; | |
| “Share(s)” | means ordinary share(s) of HK$0.002 each in the share |
| capital of the Company; | |
| “Shareholder(s)” | means holder(s) of the Share(s); |
| “Share Option Scheme” | means the share option scheme of the Company adopted on |
| 18 November 2004; | |
| “Stock Exchange” | means The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited; |
| “HK$” | Hong Kong dollars, the lawful currency of Hong Kong; |
| “RMB” | Renminbi, the lawful currency of the PRC; and |
| “%” | per cent. |
By order of the Board AGTech Holdings Limited Sun Ho Chairman & CEO
Hong Kong, 13 August 2014
As at the date of this announcement, the Board comprises (i) Mr. Sun Ho, Mr. Robert Geoffrey Ryan, Mr. Bai Jinmin and Mr. Liang Yu as executive Directors; (ii) Mr. Ho King Fung, Eric as non-executive Director; and (iii) Ms. Monica Maria Nunes, Mr. Wang Ronghua and Mr. Hua Fengmao as independent non-executive Directors.
This announcement will remain on the “Latest Company Announcement” page of the GEM website operated by the Stock Exchange at www.hkgem.com for at least seven days from the day of its posting and will be published on the website of the Company at www.agtech.com.
* For identification purpose only
– 36 –