Baoding Jun 17, 2015 (Thomson StreetEvents) -- Edited Transcript of Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Ltd conference call or presentation Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 12:15:00pm GMT TEXT version of Transcript ================================================================================ Corporate Participants ================================================================================ * Zhenhua Fan Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited - Director of Legal Affairs * Yiyu Wang Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited - CFO * Qing Miao Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited - VP Corporate Communications ================================================================================ Conference Call Participants ================================================================================ * Mahesh Sanganeria RBC Capital Markets - Analyst * Rain Guacine Bloomberg - Media * Mike Tempero Cavalry Asset Management - Analyst * Jeffrey Smith - Analyst * Dan Ries Ardsley Partners - Analyst ================================================================================ Presentation -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operator [1] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello, ladies and gentlemen. This is [Sherup], I will be the operator for this conference call. I would like to welcome everyone to Yingli Green Energy Holdings Company Limited's conference call today. (Operator Instructions). Now, I would like to transfer the call to your host for today's call, Mr. Zhenhua Fan, Legal Counsel of Yingli Green Energy. Thank you. Please proceed, sir. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zhenhua Fan, Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited - Director of Legal Affairs [2] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you, operator. And thank you, everyone, for joining us today for Yingli's conference call. On the call today from Yingli Green Energy are Mr. Liansheng Miao, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; Mr. Yiyu Wang, Chief Financial Officer; Miss Zhiheng Zhao, Vice President, Corporate Communications; Robert Petrina, Managing Director of Yingli Green Energy Americas; and Darren Thompson, Managing Director of Yingli Europe. Before beginning, Yingli Green Energy's management team would like to remind the audience that this presentation contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act 1934, as amended, and as defined in the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as will, expects, anticipate, future, intends, plans, beliefs, estimates, and similar phrases. Such statements are based upon management's current expectation and current market operating conditions and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond Yingli Green Energy's control, which may cause the Yingli management's actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statement. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties, or factors is included in Yingli Green Energy's filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Yingli Green Energy does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required under applicable law. Yingli Green energy recently filed its 2014 annual report with the SEC, in which the Company disclosed its operating and financial results for 2014. In line with the prudent analysis of its independent auditors, the Company stated in the 2014 annual report that there is substantial doubt as to the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. However, this statement has been taken and interpreted out of context in some media coverage. The Company has been transparent, not only about the risks and challenges it faces, but also about the Company's alternative plans to mitigate future risks and challenges. The Company has already taken a series of positive and substantive actions and steps relating to its debt repayment plans, including the recent repayment of the Company's mid-term notes in the principal amount of RMB1.2 billion, which matured on May 3, 2015. The Company is optimistic about, and confident in, its ability to continue servicing the global solar market, and feel well positioned with its quality products and access to capital in order to take advantage of the current surge in solar demand. We are now open for questions. ================================================================================ Questions and Answers -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operator [1] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Operator Instructions). Mahesh Sanganeria, RBC Capital. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mahesh Sanganeria, RBC Capital Markets - Analyst [2] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I think you explained well on what your plan for the medium-term notes are, and you expect to get another RMB800 million to RMB900 million from the land sale for the second tranche of the -- second tranche of the notes. What's the possibility of that sum being substantially lower than what your expectations? What if you don't get that proceeds, what will be the alternative plan? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yiyu Wang, Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited - CFO [3] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for your question. Actually, based on the current progress of the sales activities of the land, everything goes on smoothly, according to the original plan. We are quite confident about these kind of sales of the land. Actions can be finalized within a reasonable time to catch up the repayment plan of the medium note. At this moment, all the relating government approvals have been obtained and now it's just timing to -- for the government to arrange sales, the land to the market through the normal process. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mahesh Sanganeria, RBC Capital Markets - Analyst [4] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- And what about tranche fee? How do you plan to pay for the tranche fee, which is due next year? I know it's far away, but do you think you'll be able to generate enough cash flow to pay off that tranche fee? Thank you. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yiyu Wang, Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited - CFO [5] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Okay, basically, we don't need to pay for the [transfer] fee, or tranche fee. The tranche fee, at this moment, from the plan, should be matured around mid of 2016. And based on the current arrangements, including, first, is we expect we will have a capital injection through a land use right into one of our subsidiaries in China, which should be expected to be occurred through the mid of this year. So this land is a land which can -- which is available for in sale in the market at a price which should be cover a main portion of the second tranche. Plus, we will have a cash flow from our normal accreting activities for the next 12 months. And we also are looking for several alternatives, including introducing -- including working with some private investor, as a strategic investment in the Company. So, put all these three together, we are confident that the third tranche, due in mid of 2016, has reliable plan for the repayments, on time. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mahesh Sanganeria, RBC Capital Markets - Analyst [6] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Okay, thank you very much. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operator [7] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Rain Guacine], Bloomberg. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rain Guacine, Bloomberg - Media [8] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I just wanted to know, are you considering any offers to sell the whole of the Company? Or have you had any approaches? Thank you. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zhenhua Fan, Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited - Director of Legal Affairs [9] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You mean -- we don't have -- sorry, can you say the question again, sale of the Company? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rain Guacine, Bloomberg - Media [10] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sure. Are you considering any offers to sell the entire Company? Or have you had any approaches for the sale of the Company? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zhenhua Fan, Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited - Director of Legal Affairs [11] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I think, at this moment, we don't have this plan. As I mentioned, we are looking for different alternatives, maybe one of them is including introducing to some strategy investors as an investor to the Company. But, at this moment, we don't have the plan to sell the whole Company, or even receive any this kind of offer. We've never received this kind of offer. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rain Guacine, Bloomberg - Media [12] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Okay, thank you. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operator [13] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Operator Instructions). Mike Tempero, Cavalry. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mike Tempero, Cavalry Asset Management - Analyst [14] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I had a quick question about a loan to Baoding Tianwei for, I believe it was, RMB1.75 billion. And does this affect collateral for any bank loans to Yingli? The second question is, Yiyu, you have talked about the possibility of RMB800 million to RMB900 million for the land sale, but maybe it could be more. And I wanted to ask about that? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yiyu Wang, Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited - CFO [15] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Okay, first is, relating to the first question, our relationship with Baoding Tianwei, or Tianwei Group, or Tianwei Baoding, is only simply relating to an investor relationship. They are a minority interest investor at one of our production companies, which is called Baoding Tianwei Yingli New Resources Company. So, besides that, we don't have any other significant (inaudible) relationship, including any pledge or guarantee. So this is the question for your first -- answer for your first question. The second thing is, currently, given the final price that the land will be sold to the market, is still subject to the final market bidding process by different land [acquirers]; plus, there will be calculation, based on the tax relating to this transaction. So, at this moment, I think we estimated the price amount that we can receive based on some kind of assumed scenario, and based on historical price of the land that has been sold in the same area. Finally, if the land can be sold at a higher price, definitely, we will be benefitting of more cash proceeds relating to this transaction. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mike Tempero, Cavalry Asset Management - Analyst [16] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Okay, just to back up on the report of the loan to Baoding Group, there was a report in the press, is that not accurate, it was a loan in 2007? Is the report in the press incorrect? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yiyu Wang, Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited - CFO [17] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I think in the very early stage, when the Company just listed, we may have a shareholder loan from the -- this shareholder. But at this moment, or maybe a few years ago, it's already fully repaid, and now we don't have any debt due to this Group through loan. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mike Tempero, Cavalry Asset Management - Analyst [18] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Okay, thank you. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Qing Miao, Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited - VP Corporate Communications [19] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mike, this is Qing Miao. I believe those are entrusted loans because, at that time, the Tianwei Group is an Asia-listed Company. But for YG, it's a pre-IPO company, so we have entrusted -- so we have loans from the bank but credit by the Tianwei Group Baoding. But those loans has already been fully paid, like Yiyu said, many years ago. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mike Tempero, Cavalry Asset Management - Analyst [20] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Okay. And I think, maybe I'm wrong, that the press report was that it was a loan from Yingli to Baoding, but maybe that's not correct. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Qing Miao, Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited - VP Corporate Communications [21] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yes, that might be a translation misleading. Some Chinese English probably makes that (inaudible) [price], but we are no so sure. But anyway, we can fully confirm that there are not any outstanding loans related to Tianwei Baoding. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Qing Miao, Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited - VP Corporate Communications [22] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Okay, thank you. That's very clear, thank you. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operator [23] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Jeffrey Smith, SocGen]. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jeffrey Smith, - Analyst [24] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My apologies if you've already covered it, I'm afraid I was a little late to join the call. But I'm trying to work out why there is -- where is the discrepancy between your press statement this morning, which refers to a medium-term note of RMB1.2 million, and the most recent presentation you have on the website, suggesting that you had short-term borrowings of $1.56 billion, as of the end of December. How much non-public debt do you have to redeem in the course of this year? And how much have you already redeemed, since you published that presentation? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yiyu Wang, Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited - CFO [25] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I think the first thing is besides the medium notes, we have, at this moment, all other loans are borrowed from commercial banks in China and are not public loans. The second is, regarding to the short-term loans, in the past few years we have been always successfully to rotate the short-term loans through annual basis with all the commercial banks. And the Company believes in the past two years, when the whole market, and also the Company's performance is almost at the most downside area, or stage, we can successfully rotate these loans. And now, when the Company gradually to recover and improves its financial performance, we are quite confident that we can also successfully rotate the loan. Actually, by the end of Q1, through the year of 2015, we already successfully rotate several significant short-term loan. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jeffrey Smith, - Analyst [26] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Can you say how much? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yiyu Wang, Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited - CFO [27] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I don't have the precise number, but this is mainly from the top two banks, which take a over 50% of the short-term loan have been successfully rotated. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jeffrey Smith, - Analyst [28] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Okay. So, excuse me if I'm taking up valuable time here, but if the medium-term notes are the only factor underlying your statement to the Stock Exchange yesterday -- sorry, or rather, this is the question. Is the medium-term note issue the only factor underlying the statement to the Stock Exchange yesterday? Or there other debts which are becoming payable in the near term, which you think you may not be able to roll over? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yiyu Wang, Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited - CFO [29] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I think, in the past few years the Company has been successfully to rotate all the short-term loans and are paying back the long-term loans by every year without any default before. I think, in the press release we addressed the medium note, given the amount is significant and is a public loan, and we just want to share with all the public that our capability to secure our finance and repay the loan on time. But I think overall, not only based what we have done before, but also what we feel confident to do in the future, we should be able to meet the repayment plan for all the short-term and the long-term loan on time. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jeffrey Smith, - Analyst [30] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Okay. Thank you very much. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operator [31] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dan Ries, Ardsley Partners. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dan Ries, Ardsley Partners - Analyst [32] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- At the end of the fourth quarter you had $221 million of project assets, and that had risen during the fourth quarter. Would any of those assets included in that line be relatively easily to liquidate, if needed? And is there any specific debt contained in the short-term or long-term debt tied against those project assets? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yiyu Wang, Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited - CFO [33] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Okay, I think first is in the consolidated financial statements, definitely, firstly, the loan that's relating to the project assets has been already also part of the loan balance which is linked to the each individual project. Second thing is, in China, when the project is close to the stage for the grid connection it's not difficult to sell the project to the market. Actually, currently, a Company is working on this kind of work by liquidating the project assets at a reasonable margin, but also reasonable repayment or, say, collection of the proceeds, to enhance the overall cash flow, and the margin contribution. So once this loan is -- once this project is sold, the relating loan will be also transported to the project acquirer. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dan Ries, Ardsley Partners - Analyst [34] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you very much. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operator [35] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you. And that concludes the call today. Now, I would like to turn the call back to Miss. Qing Miao for closing remarks. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Qing Miao, Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited - VP Corporate Communications [36] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks, everyone, for joining today's call. And we also, actually, have another press release about our timing of the first quarter's earnings call. It will be on June 5, so welcome everyone to join us at that time. Thank you.
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