The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the information
contained in the preceding unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
and footnotes and our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended
OVERVIEW
We sell stevioside, a natural sweetener. Stevioside is a natural zero calorie sweetener extracted from the leaf of the stevia plants. Substantially all of our operations are located in the PRC. We have built an integrated company with the production and distribution capabilities designed to meet the needs of our customers.
Our operations were organized in two operating segments related to our product lines:
- Stevioside, and - Corporate and other. Going Concern The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. The Company has a significant accumulated deficit and incurred recurring losses. The Company's cash balance and revenues generated are not currently sufficient and cannot be projected to cover operating expenses for the next twelve months from the date of this report. These factors raise doubt as to the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern. Management's plans include attempting to improve its business profitability, its ability to generate sufficient cash flow from its operations to meet its operating needs on a timely basis, obtain additional working capital funds through debt and equity financings, and restructure on-going operations to eliminate inefficiencies to raise cash balance in order to meet its anticipated cash requirements for the next twelve months from the date of this report. Management intends to make every effort to improve its current sales forecast to further develop and expand the international markets for its new products as well as continuing with the current sources of funds to meet working capitals needs on as needed basis. There can be no assurance that these plans and arrangements will be successful. The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern is dependent upon its ability to achieve profitable operations and raise additional capital. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability or classification of asset-carrying amount or the amounts and classification of liabilities that may result should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
Recent Developments
Sunwin has approximately 1,200 metric tons of manufacturing capacity per year to produce high-grade stevia extract. With these manufacturing facilities, Sunwin is able to deliver stevia products containing Rebaudioside A in a range of 50% to 99% with a format of powder, granular, or tablet. We are planning to start building a new facility with annual capacity of 500 metric tons in order to meet substantially increased demand for our high-grade stevia products. Since fiscal year 2018, we invested in a new production line for Metformin as one of the new product markets we intend to branch into. Metformin is the raw material of Metformin hydrochloride tablets. Metformin is the first-line medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, particularly in people who are not satisfied with simple diet control, especially those with obesity and hyperinsulinemia. This drug not only has hypoglycemic effect, but also may have the effect of reducing body weight and hyperinsulinemia. It can be effective in patients with poor efficacy of certain sulfonylureas, such as sulfonylureas, intestinal glycosidase inhibitors or thiazolidinedione hypoglycemic agents. It can also be used in patients with insulin therapy to reduce insulin consumption. While we were able to market and sale our Metformin products, with our current overhead and associated expenses, its profit margin has not been as lucrative as we had projected, and our Metformin production line has been operating at a net loss in fiscal 2019. OnJuly 10, 2019 , we entered into a management agreement withRu Yuan , an unaffiliated individual, to contract out the Metformin production line for 30 years. OnJuly 31, 2019 , we entered into an addendum to this agreement to include a renewal period of every 5 years. Under the terms of this agreement,Ms. Yuan will operate the Metformin production line independently from Sunwin assuming all of its profits and liabilities, including employee payroll, benefits, utilities etc., and will pay to Qufu Shengren an annual contract fee ofRMB3,000,000 (approximately$436,047 ). 19 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OnJuly 30, 2019 , Qufu Natural Green entered into an Asset Transfer Agreement with Na Li, an unaffiliated individual (the "Buyer") for the sale of 100% equity ownership of Qufu Shengwang. Pursuant to the Asset Transfer Agreement, the Buyer shall pay to Qufu Natural Green a total cash consideration ofRMB8,000,000 (approximately$1,162,790 ) based on the estimated net book value as ofJuly 30, 2019 , payable in two installments ofRMB5,000,000 (approximately$726,744 ) onJuly 30, 2019 andRMB3,000,000 (approximately$436,046 ) onSeptember 30, 2019 . The Buyer assumed all assets and liabilities of Qufu Shengwang including the amount of Qufu Shengwang's debt to Qufu Natural Green of approximatelyRMB26,000,000 (approximately$3,779,070 ), and Qufu Natural Green shall assist in completing all documents required for the equity transfer after confirming receipt of the first payment. The Company received the first installment ofRMB5,000,000 onJuly 30, 2019 , and received the second installment ofRMB3,000,000 onAugust 20, 2019 . OnOctober 9, 2019 , Qufu Shengren investedRMB2,000,000 (Approximately$288,322 ) in a new entity,Qufu Shengren Import and Export Co., Ltd. , ("Qufu Shengren Import and Export"), a Chinese limited liability company, a 100% owned subsidiary of Qufu Shengren. Qufu Shengren Import and Export focuses on the export of our Stevia products, and the import and export of technology and other relevant products, we expect to increase operation in this subsidiary in the near future. Stevioside Segment Stevioside and rebaudioside are all natural low calorie sweeteners extracted from the leaves of the stevia rebaudiana plant. Stevioside is a safe and natural alternative to sugar for people needing low sugar or low calorie diets. Stevioside can be used to replace sugar in beverages and foods, including those that require baking or cooking where synthetic chemical based sweetener replacements are not suitable.
Steviosin is a natural low calorie stevioside extract for medicinal use,
containing rebaudioside A at 90% with the total steviol glycosides meeting or
exceeding 95% on a dry weight basis. Steviosin is used as an alternative
sweetener in the pharmaceutical production in
OnlySweet is an all natural, zero calorie, dietary supplement comprised of three natural ingredients, including stevioside. Based on our strategy to develop new products that contain our stevia products, we are evaluating our strategy for the sale and distribution of OnlySweet. In an effort to meet the international food safety standards mandated by larger consumer product companies that we expect to target as customers in the future, we have made capital investments to enhance our manufacturing facilities, equipment and documentation systems, changed certain manufacturing processes and carried out additional personnel training in order to meet these standards. These investments allowed us to meet the HACCP System Certification, ISO 9001:2015 Certification and ISO 22000:2005 Food Safety Certification. We obtained these certifications inOctober 2015 .
OUR PERFORMANCE
Our revenues totaled approximately$5,203,000 during the three months endedJanuary 31, 2020 , a decrease of 7.9%, as compared with the same period in 2019, and our gross margin decreased to 9.9% from 13.6%. Our total operating expenses in the three months endedJanuary 31, 2020 decreased by approximately$104,000 , or 6.6% compared to the same period in 2019, primarily due to a decrease of approximately$162,000 , or 25.2% in general and administrative expense, and a decrease of approximately$257,000 , or 41.7% in selling expense, offset by an increase of approximately$316,000 , or 99.3% in research and development expenses. Our net loss from continuing operations for the three months endedJanuary 31, 2020 was approximately$960,000 , compared to net loss of$810,000 in the same period in 2019. Our operating performance for the three months endedJanuary 31, 2020 was primarily driven by a decrease of 84.2% in sales revenue of Metformin product, and a 15.8% decrease in sales revenue of stevia products to third parties. Our revenues totaled approximately$19,255,000 during the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2020 , an increase of 24.0%, as compared with the same period in 2019, and our gross margin increased to 16.2% from 11.0%. Our total operating expenses in the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2020 decreased by approximately$622,000 , or 14.5% compared to the same period in 2019 primarily due to a decrease of approximately$316,000 , or 20.3% in selling expense and a decrease of approximately$887,000 , or 43.2% in general and administrative expense, offset by an increase of approximately$580,000 , or 82.9% in research and development expenses. Our net loss from continuing operations for the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2020 was approximately$572,000 , compared to net loss of$2,591,000 in the same period in 2019. Our operating performance for the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2020 was primarily driven by an increase of 37.6% in sales revenue of from stevia products, including a 23.0% increase in sales to third parties, and an increase in sales to related party customers of approximately 84.1%. 20 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- While we have broadened our stevia product offerings to include a number of higher quality stevia grades needed in new product formulations we are developing to introduce to theU.S. and European food and beverage industry, the demand for higher grade stevia products has yet to materialize to the degree we had anticipated, and we hope that our sales volume in higher grade stevia products will increase in fiscal 2020 as the demands increase. Stevia has become more widely accepted by the food industry and many new stevia manufacturers have entered this industry in the past few years; recently we have introduced a new product line. We are now focusing on new types of stevia products, including tablets, liquid, High A products, and others. We expect to consistently increase our sales of our new products; however, we cannot quantify this increase and its effects on future periods. Our Outlook We believe that there are significant opportunities for worldwide growth in our Stevioside segment, primarily in theU.S. and EU. For fiscal 2020 and beyond, we will continue to focus on our core business of producing and selling stevioside series products.
Some of the recent favorable observations related to the stevia markets in fiscal 2020 include:
- Chinese domestic food and beverages, particularly herbal tea
manufacturers and the pharmaceutical industry, have increased
the use
of steviosides, and new health awareness trends have also
resulted in
some new governing laws supporting the growth of this industry;
- Southeast and
stevia, particularly high grade stevia;
- Comparing 2019 to 2011, the usages of stevia in food products shows a
25.6% growth, and in beverage products shows a 34.6% growth; and
- Stevia has been growing in popularity in the last 10 years throughout
all the global markets. Meanwhile, we are also facing challenges in competitive pricing and raw materials for fiscal 2020. During fiscal 2019, the market prices of stevioside products were impacted by strong price competition among Chinese manufacturers. We expect the pressure from pricing competition to continue in fiscal 2020. We anticipate the price of stevia leaves, the raw material used to produce our stevioside series products, to increase in fiscal 2020.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table summarizes our results from operations for the three month periods endedJanuary 31, 2020 and 2019. The percentages represent each line item as a percent of revenues: For the Three Months ended January 31, 2020 Stevioside Corporate and Other Consolidated Revenues$ 5,104,858 100.0 %$ 98,571 100.0 %$ 5,203,429 100.0 % Cost of goods sold 4,688,555 91.8 % 48 0.0 % 4,688,603 90.1 % Gross profit 416,303 8.2 % 98,523 100.0 % 514,826 9.9 % Selling expenses 360,440 7.1 % - - 360,440 6.9 % General and administrative expenses 474,548 9.3 % 6,539 6.6 % 481,087 9.2 % Research and development expenses 633,668 12.4 % - - 633,668 12.2 % (Loss) income from operations (1,052,351 ) (20.6 )% 91,982 93.4 % (960,369 ) (18.5 )% Other expenses (221,503 ) (4.3 )% - - (221,503 ) (4.3 )% (Loss) income from continuing operation before income taxes$ (1,273,854 ) (25 )%$ 91,982 93.4 %$ (1,181,872 ) (22.7 )% 21
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the Three Months ended January 31, 2019 Stevioside Corporate and Other Consolidated Revenues$ 5,026,276 100.0 %$ 622,412 100.0 %$ 5,648,688 100.0 % Cost of goods sold 4,406,239 87.7 % 472,877 76.0 % 4,879,116 86.4 % Gross profit 620,037 12.3 % 149,535 24.0 % 769,572 13.6 % Selling expenses 547,774 10.9 % 70,028 11.3 % 617,802 10.9 % General and administrative expenses 630,048 12.5 % 13,538 2.2 % 643,586 11.4 % Research and development expenses 295,400 5.9 % 22,476 3.6 % 317,876 5.6 %
Loss from operations (853,185 ) (17.0 )% 43,493
7.0 % (809,692 ) (14.3 )% Other expenses (203,159 ) (4.0 )% - - (203,159 ) (3.6 )% (Loss) income from continuing operation before income taxes$ (1,056,344 ) (21.0 )%$ 43,493
7.0 %
The following table summarizes our results from operations for the nine month
periods ended
For the Nine Months ended January 31, 2020 Stevioside Corporate and Other Consolidated Revenues$ 18,499,696 100.0 %$ 755,389 100.0 %$ 19,255,085 100.0 % Cost of goods sold 15,727,024 85.0 % 417,589 55.3 % 16,144,613 83.8 % Gross profit 2,772,672 15.0 % 337,800 44.7 % 3,110,472 16.2 % Selling expenses 1,215,596 6.6 % 22,049 2.9 % 1,237,645 6.4 % General and administrative expenses 1,009,492 5.5 % 155,690 20.6 % 1,165,182 6.1 % Research and development expenses 1,277,972 6.9 % 1,648 0.2 % 1,279,620 6.6 % (Loss) income from operations (730,388 ) (3.9 )% 158,413 21.0 % (571,975 ) (3.0 )% Other expenses (504,871 ) (2.7 )% (42,939 ) (5.7 )% (547,810 ) (2.8 )% (Loss) income from continuing operation before income taxes$ (1,235,259 ) (6.7 )%$ 115,474 15.3 %$ (1,119,785 ) (5.8 )% For the Nine Months ended January 31, 2019 Stevioside Corporate and Other Consolidated Revenues$ 13,449,143 100.0 %$ 2,082,405 100.0 %$ 15,531,548 100.0 % Cost of goods sold 12,090,275 89.9 % 1,727,936 83.0 % 13,818,211 89.0 % Gross profit 1,358,868 10.1 % 354,469 17.0 % 1,713,337 11.0 % Selling expenses 1,360,878 10.1 % 192,371 9.2 % 1,553,249 10.0 % General and administrative expenses 1,321,072 9.8 % 730,920 35.1 % 2,0151,992 13.2 % Research and development expenses 634,989 4.7 % (633,366 ) (30.4 )% 699,533 4.5 %
Loss from operations (1,958,071 ) (14.6 )% (633,366 )
(30.4 )% (2,591,437 ) (16.7 )% Other expenses (600,287 ) (4.5 )% - - (600,287 ) (3.9 )% Loss from continuing operation before income taxes$ (2,558,358 ) (19.0 )%$ (633,366 ) (30.4 )%$ (3,191,724 ) (20.5 )% Revenues Total revenues in the three months endedJanuary 31, 2020 decreased by approximately 7.9%, as compared to the same period in 2019. Stevioside revenues, which accounts for 98.1% and 89.0% of our total revenues in the three months endedJanuary 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, increased by approximately 1.6%, while Metformin revenues decreased by approximately$524,000 or 84.2%. 22 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Within our Stevioside segment, revenues from sales to third parties decreased by 15.8%, while sales to the related party increased by 65.0% in the three months endedJanuary 31, 2020 , as compared to the same period in 2019, primarily due to an increasing demand from the overseas market and the results of our effort to develop sales in the international market. Since we do not have the authorization to export products fromChina , we outsourced all of our exporting business to a related party, Qufu Shengwang Import and Export, which has authorizations to export. While the adoption rate for stevia in the food and beverage sector has been slower than expected, we sold 168 metric tons and 151 metric tons of stevioside for the three months endedJanuary 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Our low grade stevia products, Stevioside, A3-80 and A3-97, each respectively accounted for approximately 19.9%, 18.5% and 26.3% of our total Stevioside segment revenue in the three months endedJanuary 31, 2020 . Total revenues in the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2020 increased by 24.0% as compared to the same period in 2019. Stevioside revenues, accounts for 96.1% and 86.6% of our total revenues in the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. During the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2020 , within our Stevioside segment, we increased our sales volume by approximately 183 metric tons, a 47.0% increase. Stevioside revenues from sales to third parties increased by 23.0% and sales to the related parties increased by 84.1% in the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2020 , as compared to the same period in 2019. We generated approximately$3,887,000 and$1,425,000 in revenue from producing over 120 metric tons and 38 metric tons of the customized orders for restructuring by enzyme based on our Stevioside products in the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, increased by 172.7%, as compared to the same period in 2019. A3-99 and restructuring by enzyme based on our Stevioside products accounted for approximately 25.5% and 21.1% of our total Stevioside segment revenues, respectively, in the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2020 and 2019. Additionally, we also continue to generate lease revenue from our lease of the Metformin product line that was developed in the prior year. Our unit sale price fluctuated from month to month in the three and nine months endedJanuary 31, 2020 , which was mainly affected by the market environment; the average unit sale price decreased by approximately 3.7% and 6.1% compared to the same period in 2019, respectively. We face challenges due to competitive pricing and difficulties sourcing raw materials for in the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2020 , the market prices of stevioside products were impacted by strong price competition among Chinese manufacturers. We also anticipate the price of stevia leaves, the raw material used to produce our stevioside series products, to increase in the near future. With the restructuring of our product line, we also continue to increase the sales of our low grade stevia products. Our low grade stevia A3-80 and A3-97 products generated more than 64.7% and 50.1% of total revenue of our Stevioside segment for the three and nine months endedJanuary 31, 2020 , respectively.
Cost of Revenues and Gross Margin
Cost of revenues in the three months endedJanuary 31, 2020 decreased by 3.9%, compared to the same period in 2019. Cost of revenues as a percentage of revenues increased from 86.4% to 90.1% during the three months ended 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. Gross margin in the Stevioside segment decreased from 12.3% to 8.2% for the three months ended byJanuary 31, 2020 , compared to the same period in 2019, which was primarily due to the higher overhead costs. Cost of revenues in the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2020 increased by 16.8%, compared to the same period in 2019. Cost of revenues as a percentage of revenues decreased from 89.0% to 83.8% during the nine months ended 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. Gross margin in the Stevioside segment increased from 10.1% to 15.0% for the nine months ended byJanuary 31, 2020 , compared to the same period in 2019, which was primarily due to the improvements in efficiency of our production line to offset the higher raw material costs. Since we purchase our raw materials on the spot market, we are unable to predict, with any degree of certainty, our raw material costs and their impact on our gross margin in future periods. Our consolidated gross margin for the three and nine months ended byJanuary 31, 2020 was 9.9% and 16.2%, as compared to 13.6% and 11.0% in the same period in 2019.
Selling Expenses
For the three months endedJanuary 31, 2020 , we had a decrease of approximately$257,000 , or 41.7% in selling expenses, as compared to the same period in 2019. The decrease was primarily due to the approximately$92,000 decrease in promotion and marketing expense,$131,000 decrease in advertising expenses,$22,000 decrease in commission,$14,000 decrease in wage expense,$23,000 decrease in shipping and freight, and$62,000 decrease in warehousing expense, offset by approximately$20,000 increase in office expense,$62,000 increase in selling expense on Metformin production line and$5,000 increase in miscellaneous expense in the three months endedJanuary 31, 2020 . For the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2020 , we had a decrease of approximately$316,000 , or 20.3% in selling expenses, as compared to the same period in 2019. The decrease was primarily due to the approximately$182,000 decrease in promotion and marketing expense,$50,000 decrease in office expense,$80,000 decrease in shipping and freight,$15,000 decrease in commission,$62,000 decrease in warehousing expense,$18,000 decrease in wage expenses and$10,000 increase in miscellaneous expense, offset by approximately$63,000 increase in advertising expenses,$16,000 increase in local taxes, and$22,000 increase in selling expense on Metformin production line in the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2020 . 23 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
General and Administrative Expenses
Our general and administrative expenses for the three months endedJanuary 31, 2020 decreased by approximately$162,000 , or 25.2% from the same period in 2019. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease of approximately$102,000 in stock based compensation to employees,$41,000 decrease in marketing expense,$20,000 decrease in meals and entertainment expenses,$7,000 decrease in travel expense,$13,000 decrease in wage expense,$13,000 decrease in auto expense and$119,000 decrease in miscellaneous expense, offset by$113,000 increase in insurance expenses and$40,000 increase in office expense. Our general and administrative expenses for the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2020 decreased by approximately$887,000 , or 43.2% from the same period in 2019. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease of approximately$716,000 in stock based compensation to employees,$154,000 decrease in marketing expense,$7,000 decrease in office expense,$41,000 decrease in other tax expense,$33,000 decrease in meals and entertainment expenses,$19,000 decrease in travel expense,$13,000 decrease in service and consulting fee, and$76,000 decrease in miscellaneous expense, offset by$42,000 increase in salary and wage expenses and$130,000 increase in repair and maintenance expenses.
Research and Development Expense
For the three months endedJanuary 31, 2020 , our research and development expenses amounted to approximately$634,000 , as compared to$318,000 for the same period in 2019. For the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2020 , our research and development expenses amounted to approximately$1,280,000 , as compared to$700,000 for the same period in 2019. The increase of$316,000 and$580,000 was primarily due to the increase in spending for third party technical consulting fees in the three and nine months endedJanuary 31, 2020 .
Other Income (Expenses)
For the three months endedJanuary 31, 2020 , other expense, net of other income, amounted to approximately$222,000 , an increase of$18,000 as compared to the other expense, net of other income, which amounted to approximately$203,000 for the three months endedJanuary 31, 2019 . The increase of other expenses was primarily attributable to an increase of interest expense of$37,000 , an increase of other expense of$3,000 , offset by an increase of grant income of$18,000 and a decrease of interest expense- related party of$4,000 . For the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2020 , other expense, net of other income, amounted to approximately$548,000 , a decrease of$52,000 as compared to the other expense, net of other income, which amounted to approximately$600,000 for the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2019 . The decrease of other expenses was primarily attributable to a decrease of interest expense of$42,000 , a decrease of interest expense- related party of$5,000 , an increase of grant income of$32,000 , and offset by an increase in other expenses of$27,000 .
Loss from Continuing Operations
As a result of the foregoing, our loss from continuing operations was$1,182,000 , or$(0.01) per share (basic and diluted), for the three months endedJanuary 31, 2020 , as compared with loss from continuing operations of$1,013,000 , or$(0.01) per share (basic and diluted), for the three months endedJanuary 31, 2019 , a change of$169,000 , or 16.7%. Our loss from continuing operations was$1,120,000 , or$(0.01) per share (basic and diluted), for the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2020 , as compared with loss from continuing operations of 3,192,000, or$(0.02) per share (basic and diluted), for the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2019 , a change of$2,072,000 or 64.9%.
Loss from Discontinued Operation
Our loss from discontinued operations amounted to$0 and$6,000 for the three months endedJanuary 31, 2020 and 2019, and$20,000 and$123,000 for the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2020 and 2019. In addition, the Company recorded a loss from disposal of discontinued operations of approximately$233,000 atJanuary 31, 2020 . Our total loss from discontinued operations amounted to$0 or$0.00 per share (basic and diluted) for the three months endedJanuary 31, 2020 , as compared with loss from discontinued operations of$6,000 , or$(0.00) per share (basic and diluted), at the same period in 2019, a change of$6,000 or 100%. Our total loss from discontinued operations amounted to$253,000 or$0.00 per share (basic and diluted) for the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2020 , as compared with loss from discontinued operations of$123,000 , or$(0.00) per share (basic and diluted), at the same period in 2019, a change of$131,000 or 106.6%. 24 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The summarized operating result of discontinued operations included in our consolidated statements of operations is as follows:
Three Months Ended January 31, Nine Months Ended January 31, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Revenues $ -$ 719,322 $ 733,441 $ 2,031,396 Cost of revenues - 539,455 572,357 1,618,822 Gross profit - 179,867 161,084 412,574 Operating expenses - 186,448 172,142 538,159 Other income (expenses), net - 702 (8,958 ) 2,899 Loss before income taxes - 5,879 20,016 122,686 Income tax expense - - - - Loss from discontinued operations - 5,879 20,016 122,686 Loss from disposal, net of taxes - - 960 - Loss on sales of subsidiary - - 232,455 - Total loss from discontinued operations $ -$ 5,879 $ 253,431 $ 122,686 Net Loss Net loss in the three months endedJanuary 31, 2020 was approximately$1,182,000 , compared to a net loss of$1,019,000 in the three months endedJanuary 31, 2019 . Net loss in the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2020 was approximately$1,373,000 , compared to a net loss of$3,314,000 in the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2019 . The decrease loss was primarily due to higher revenue with higher gross profit and a decrease in operating expenses and other expenses in the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2020 .
Foreign Currency Translation Gain or (Loss)
The functional currency of our subsidiaries and variable interest entities operating in the PRC is the Chinese Yuan or Renminbi ("RMB"). The financial statements of our subsidiaries are translated toU.S. dollars using period end rates of exchange for assets and liabilities, and average rates of exchange (for the period) for revenues, costs, and expenses. Net gains and losses resulting from foreign exchange translations are included in the Comprehensive income on the consolidated statements of operations. As a result of foreign currency translations, which are a non-cash adjustment, we reported a foreign currency translation gain of$62,000 for the three months endedJanuary 31, 2020 , as compared to a foreign currency translation gain of$261,000 for the three months endedJanuary 31, 2019 . We also reported a foreign currency translation gain of$225,000 for the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2020 , as compared to a foreign currency translation loss of$528,000 for the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2019 . This non-cash loss had the effect of increasing our reported comprehensive loss. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity is the ability of a company to generate sufficient cash to meet its operational cash requirements.
AtJanuary 31, 2020 , we had working capital deficit of approximately$5,243,000 , including cash of approximately$157,000 , as compared to working capital of approximately$2,411,000 , including cash of approximately$294,000 atApril 30, 2019 . The approximate$138,000 decrease in our cash atJanuary 31, 2020 fromApril 30, 2019 is primarily attributable to net cash used in financing activities for repayment of related party's advances and net cash used in investing activities for the purchase of property and equipment to improve our productivity offset by net cash provided by operating activities from collection of accounts receivables. The Company's cash balance and revenues generated are not currently sufficient and cannot be projected to cover operating expenses for the next twelve months from the date of this report. These factors raise doubt as to the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern. Management's plans include attempting to improve its business profitability, its ability to generate sufficient cash flow from its operations to meet its operating needs on a timely basis, obtain additional working capital funds through debt and equity financings, and restructure on-going operations to eliminate inefficiencies to raise cash balance in order to meet its anticipated cash requirements for the next twelve months from the date of this report. Management intends to make every effort to improve its current sales force so as to further develop and expand the international markets for its new products as well as continuing with the current sources of funds to meet working capital needs on as needed basis. There can be no assurance that these plans and arrangements will be successful. Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts decreased by approximately$1,537,000 during the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2020 , as a result of the decrease in accounts receivable from the third parties as ofJanuary 31, 2020 . The days for sales outstanding in accounts receivable decreased to 23 days as ofJanuary 31, 2020 , as compared to 24 days as ofApril 30, 2019 . The days for sales outstanding in accounts receivable for third party sales decreased to 15 days as ofJanuary 31, 2020 , as compared to 17 days as ofApril 30, 2019 . We will reevaluate and categorize accounts receivable for sales and will target to improve our collection effort in accounts receivable for related party sales and accounts receivable for third party sales in fiscal 2020. 25 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inventories atJanuary 31, 2020 , net of reserve for obsolescence, totaled approximately$12,815,000 , as compared to$11,992,000 as ofApril 30, 2019 . The increase is primarily due to our increase in procurements of raw materials in order to meet our anticipated higher sales volume during the next quarters in the fiscal year endedApril 30, 2020 . The current inventory level will prepare us for our anticipated upcoming increase in demands. Our accounts payable and accrued expenses were approximately$7,847,000 atJanuary 31, 2020 , an increase of approximately$167,000 fromApril 30, 2019 . The increase is primarily due to our increase in procurements of raw material as a result of the raising sales of such materials during the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2020 . Loans payable atJanuary 31, 2020 andApril 30, 2019 totaled approximately$12,431,000 and$15,926,000 , respectively. These loans payable consisted of short-term loans and long-term loans from multiple non-related individuals, which bear annual interest rates of 4% - 10%. The maturity dates of the loans payable atJanuary 31, 2020 range fromMarch 6, 2019 toMarch 8, 2021 . During the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2020 , the Company borrowed another new loan in amount of approximately$429,000 and the loan amount of approximately$3,566,000 was assumed by the buyer of discontinued operation, Qufu Shengwang. Due to related parties atJanuary 31, 2020 andApril 30, 2019 totaled approximately$4,994,000 and$6,409,000 , respectively. The decrease was primarily due to our partial repayment toPharmaceutical Corporation during the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2020 . As ofJanuary 31, 2020 , the balance we owedPharmaceutical Corporation , Qufu Shengwang Import and Export and Mr.Weidong Chai , a management member ofQufu Shengren Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. , amounted to$4,447,574 ,$357,891 and$188,159 , respectively. OnApril 30, 2019 , the balances we owed toPharmaceutical Corporation , Qufu Shengwang Import and Export and Mr.Weidong Chai amounted to$5,669,776 ,$557,976 and$180,769 , respectively.
Cash Flows Analysis
NET CASH FLOW PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations was approximately$1,246,000 (total net cash provided by operating activities of$906,000 including net cash used in discontinued operations of$341,000 ) for the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2020 , primarily due to a net loss of approximately$1,120,000 adjusted by loss from discontinued operations of$253,000 and offset by non-cash working capital that primarily included depreciation expense of$902,000 and a loss on disposition of property and equipment of$49,000 . The increase in net cash from operating activities was also primarily due to a decrease of approximately$1,558,000 in accounts receivable and note receivable from a third party, a decrease of approximately$99,000 in prepaid expenses and other current assets, an increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses of approximately$1,113,000 , an increase of approximately$48,000 in taxes payable, and offset by an increase of approximately$238,000 in accounts receivable - related party and an increase of approximately$1,165,000 in inventories. Net cash used in operating activities from continuing operation was approximately$6,547,000 (total of$6,690,000 including net cash used in discontinued operations of$143,000 ) during the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2019 , primarily due to a net loss of approximately$3,192,000 adjusted by loss from discontinued operations of$123,000 and offset by non-cash items such as depreciation and amortization expenses of approximately$824,000 , and stock issued for employees' compensation of$716,000 . The decrease in net cash from operating activities was also primarily due to an increase of approximately$1,326,000 in inventories, a decrease of approximately$1,275,000 in prepaid expense and other current assets, a decrease of approximately$2,681,000 in accounts payable and accrued expenses and a decrease of approximately$79,000 in taxes payable, offset by a decrease of approximately$317,000 in accounts receivable and notes receivable, and a$148,000 decrease in accounts receivable-related party.
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations amounted to$214,000 in investment activities, including the proceeds received from disposal of discontinued subsidiary of approximately$1,145,000 and a proceed received from disposal of equipment of$30,000 , offset by approximately$1,389,000 in purchases of property and equipment in the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2020 .
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations amounted to
approximately
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Net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations amounted to approximately$806,000 in the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2020 , primarily due to the repayment of related party advances of approximately$6,215,000 and offset by proceeds from short-term loan of$429,000 and advances received from related parties of approximately$4,980,000 . Net cash used in financing activities from discontinued operations amounted to$0 in the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2020 . Net cash provided by financing activities from continuing operations amounted to approximately$8,282,000 in the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2019 , primarily consisted of proceeds from multiple non-related individual short-term and long-term loans of$5,788,000 and advances received from related parties of approximately$3,589,000 , offset by repayment of short-term loans of$429,000 and repayment of related party advances of approximately$666,000 . Net cash used in financing activities from discontinued operations amounted to$1,899,000 in the nine months endedJanuary 31, 2019 .
CASH ALLOCATION BY COUNTRIES
The functional currency of our Chinese subsidiaries is the Chinese RMB. Substantially all of our cash is held in the form of RMB at financial institutions located in the PRC, where there is no equivalent of federal deposit insurance as inthe United States . As a result, cash accounts at financial institutions in the PRC are not insured. We have not experienced any losses in such accounts as ofJanuary 31, 2020 . In 1996, the Chinese government introduced regulations which relaxed restrictions on the conversion of the RMB; however, restrictions still remain, including but not limited to restrictions on foreign invested entities. Foreign invested entities may only buy, sell or remit foreign currencies after providing valid commercial documents at only those banks authorized to conduct foreign exchanges. Furthermore, the conversion of RMB for capital account items, including direct investments and loans, is subject to PRC government approval. Chinese entities are required to establish and maintain separate foreign exchange accounts for capital account items. We cannot be certain Chinese regulatory authorities will not impose more stringent restrictions on the convertibility of the RMB, especially with respect to foreign exchange transactions. Accordingly, cash on deposit in banks in the PRC is not readily deployable by us for purposes outside of the PRC. Our cash position by geographic area is as follow: Country: January 31, 2020 April 30, 2019 United States$ 83,551 53.4 %$ 88,506 30.1 % China 72,958 46.6 % 205,693 69.9 % Total cash and cash equivalents$ 156,509 100.00 %$ 294,199
100.00 %
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
UnderSEC regulations, we are required to disclose our off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, such as changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that are material to investors. An off-balance sheet arrangement means a transaction, agreement or contractual arrangement to which any entity that is not consolidated with us as a party, under which we have: - Any obligation under certain guarantee contracts, - Any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity or similar arrangement that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to that entity for such assets,
- Any obligation under a contract that would be accounted for as a derivative
instrument, except that it is both indexed to our stock and classified in
stockholder's equity in our statement of financial position, and
- Any obligation arising out of a material variable interest held by us in an
unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or
credit risk support to us, or engages in leasing, hedging or research and
development services with us.
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that we are required to disclose pursuant to these regulations. In the ordinary course of business, we enter into operating lease commitments, purchase commitments and other contractual obligations. These transactions are recognized in our financial statements in accordance with accepted accounting principles generally accepted in theU.S. ("U.S. GAAP"). 27 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity withU.S. GAAP requires estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. TheSEC has defined a company's critical accounting policies as the ones that are most important to the portrayal of the company's financial condition and results of operations, and which require the company to make its most difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. Based on this definition, we have identified the critical accounting policies and judgments addressed below. We also have other key accounting policies, which involve the use of estimates, judgments and assumptions that are significant to understanding our results, which are described in Note 2 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Although we believe that our estimates, assumptions and judgments are reasonable, they are based upon information presently available. Actual results may differ significantly from these estimates under different assumptions, judgments or conditions.
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