UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

  

FORM 10-Q

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended:

September 30, 2019

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from: _____________ to _____________

  

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

  

Delaware 001-15819 13-3883101
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)

 

No. 8 Han Huang Road

Jiang’an District

Wuhan, Hubei Province, PRC 430023

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(011) 86 27 65694977

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. 

x Yes     ¨ No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). 

x Yes     ¨ No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company or emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer ¨ Smaller reporting company x
    Emerging growth company ¨

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

¨ Yes     x  No  

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class   Ticker Symbol  

Name of Exchange
on Which Registered
 

Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share   KGJI   NASDAQ Capital Market

  

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

As of November 7, 2019, there were 11,020,744 shares of common stock outstanding, par value $0.001 per share. 

 

 

 

 

 

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

      Page
Number
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION 5
       
Item 1.   Financial Statements 5
       
    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2019 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2018 5
       
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (Unaudited) 6
       
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (Unaudited) 7
       
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Three Months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (Unaudited) 8
       
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Nine Months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (Unaudited) 9
       
    Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 10
       
Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 46
       
Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 57
       
Item 4.   Controls and Procedures 58
       
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION 61
       
Item 1.   Legal Proceedings 61
       
Item 1A.   Risk Factors 61
       
Item 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 79
       
Item 3.   Defaults Upon Senior Securities 79
       
Item 4.   Mine Safety Disclosures 79
       
Item 5.   Other Information 79
       
Item 6.   Exhibits 80
       
Signatures     81

 

  Page 2 of 81  

 

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR PURPOSES OF THE “SAFE HARBOR” STATEMENT

UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

 

Statements in this quarterly report that are not historical facts or information are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “estimate,” “project,” “forecast,” “plan,” “believe,” “may,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “planned,” “potential,” “can,” “expectation” and similar expressions, or the negative of those expressions, may identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on management’s reasonable current assumptions and expectations. Such forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievement to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, and there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from management’s expectations. Such factors include, among others, the following:

 

  · changes in the market price of gold;

 

  · our ability to implement the key initiatives of, and realize the gross and operating margins and projected benefits (in the amounts and time schedules we expect) from, our business strategy;

 

  · non-performance of suppliers on their sale commitments and customers on their purchase commitments;

 

  · non-performance of third-party service providers;

 

  · adverse conditions in the industries in which our customers operate, including a general economic downturn, a recession globally, or sudden disruption in business conditions, and our ability to withstand an economic downturn, recession, cost inflation, competitive or other market pressures, or conditions;

 

  · the effect of political, economic, legal, tax and regulatory risks imposed on us, including foreign exchange or other restrictions, adoption, interpretation and enforcement of foreign laws including any changes thereto, as well as reviews and investigations by government regulators that have occurred or may occur from time to time, including, for example, local regulatory scrutiny in China;

 

  · our ability to manage growth;

 

  · our ability to successfully identify new business opportunities and identify and analyze acquisition candidates, secure financing on favorable terms and negotiate and consummate acquisitions as well as to successfully integrate or manage any acquired business;

 

  · our ability to integrate acquired businesses;

 

  · the effect of economic factors, including inflation and fluctuations in interest rates and currency exchange rates, foreign exchange restrictions and the potential effect of such factors on our business, results of operations and financial condition;

 

  · our ability to retain and attract senior management and other key employees;

 

  · any internal investigations and compliance reviews of Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and related U.S. and foreign law matters in China and additional countries, as well as any disruption or adverse consequences resulting from such investigations, reviews, related actions or litigation;

 

  · changes in the People’s Republic of China or U.S. tax laws;

 

  · increased levels of competition, and competitive uncertainties in our markets, including competition from companies in the gold jewelry industry in the PRC, some of which are larger than we are and have greater resources;

 

  Page 3 of 81  

 

 

  · the impact of the seasonal nature of our business, adverse effect of rising energy, commodity and raw material prices, changes in market trends, purchasing habits of our consumers and changes in consumer preferences;

 

  · our ability to protect our intellectual property rights;

 

  · the risk of an adverse outcome in any material pending and future litigations;

 

  · our ratings, our access to cash and financing and ability to secure financing at attractive rates;

 

  · our ability to comply with environmental laws and regulations;

 

  · our continuing relationship with major banks in China with whom we have certain gold lease agreements and working capital loans;

 

  · the investment in gold may be deficient if the fair market value of the pledged gold in connection with the loans declines, then we may need to increase the pledged gold inventory for the loan collateral or add the restricted cash.

 

  · other risks.

 

Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in Item 2 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and the risks discussed in Part 2, Item 1A “Risk Factors.” We undertake no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

 

  Page 4 of 81  

 

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Financial Statements

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(IN U.S. DOLLARS)

 (UNAUDITED)  

 

    September 30,     December 31,  
    2019     2018  
         

(Audited)

 
ASSETS                
Cash   $ 651,318     $ 233,391  
Restricted cash     14,632,279       4,798,185  
Accounts receivable     654,455       451,059  
Inventories     268,214,300       127,034,673  
Investments in gold     2,323,335,559       1,593,557,391  
Value added tax recoverable     242,624,812       259,582,324  
Short-term investments     195,062,420       -  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     374,843       87,590  
Total current assets     3,045,549,986       1,985,744,613  
                 
Property and equipment, net     4,420,547       5,395,330  
Restricted cash     1,681,073       7,766,372  
Investments in gold     267,177,647       700,225,896  
Land use right     373,324       395,719  
Other noncurrent assets     459,524       285,768  
Total long-term assets     274,112,115       714,069,085  
TOTAL ASSETS   $ 3,319,662,101     $ 2,699,813,698  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                
                 
CURRENT LIABILITIES                
                 
Short term loans   $ 1,423,679,826     $ 1,034,947,774  
Related party loan     69,832,280       72,699,779  
Due to related party     4,410,957       3,976,742  
Income tax payable     18,050,006       18,504,197  
Other taxes payable     2,184,430       2,577,102  
Convertible notes payable, net of discount     599,739       -  
Derivative liabilities     267,000       -  
Accrued expenses and other payables     17,682,301       15,749,564  
Total current liabilities     1,536,706,539       1,148,455,158  
                 
Deferred tax liabilities     127,501,207       24,218,911  
Related party loans     534,228,724       373,327,862  
Long term loans     168,107,252       515,477,020  
Other long-term liability     154,098       -  
TOTAL LIABILITIES     2,366,697,820       2,061,478,951  
                 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES     -       -  
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 500,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018     -       -  
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 11,018,955 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018*     11,019       11,019  
Additional paid-in capital     224,420,422       224,348,001  
Retained earnings                
Unappropriated     348,178,634       353,213,325  
Appropriated     967,543       967,543  
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax     379,386,663       59,794,859  
Total Shareholders’ Equity     952,964,281       638,334,747  
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   $ 3,319,662,101     $ 2,699,813,698  

 

* Retrospectively restated for effect of 1-for-6 reverse stock split, see Note 15

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

  Page 5 of 81  

 

 

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(IN U.S. DOLLARS)

(UNAUDITED)

 

    For the nine months ended
September 30,
    For the three months ended
September 30,
 
    2019     2018     2019     2018  
NET SALES   $ 1,434,337,556     $ 1,844,491,390     $ 382,790,132     $ 626,171,072  
COST OF SALES                                
Cost of sales     (1,293,608,652 )     (1,654,427,318 )     (367,382,898 )     (564,685,762 )
Depreciation     (724,359 )     (801,384 )     (235,731 )     (255,546 )
Total cost of sales     (1,294,333,011 )     (1,655,228,702 )     (367,618,629 )     (564,941,308 )
                                 
GROSS PROFIT     140,004,545       189,262,688       15,171,503       61,229,764  
                                 
OPERATING EXPENSES                                
Selling, general and administrative expenses     11,617,494       7,399,734       2,265,898       2,424,458  
Stock compensation expenses     5,364       16,092       -       5,364  
Depreciation     258,110       406,962       92,438       146,475  
Amortization     8,261       8,703       2,690       2,767  
Lease expense     62,943       197,811       20,500       62,888  
Total operating expenses     11,952,172       8,029,302       2,381,526       2,641,952  
                                 
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS     128,052,373       181,233,386       12,789,977       58,587,812  
                                 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES)                                
Other Income     -       64,433       -       64,433  
Interest Income     908,416       1,384,438       271,304       562,294  
Interest expense, including amortization of debt issuance costs of $2,187,956 and $3,482,031 for the three months, and $6,738,816 and $8,042,451 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively     (135,252,496 )     (128,898,077 )     (44,911,067 )     (41,479,730 )
Total other expenses, net     (134,344,080 )     (127,449,206 )     (44,639,763 )     (40,853,003 )
                                 
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES     (6,291,707 )     53,784,180       (31,849,786 )     17,734,809  
                                 
INCOME TAX PROVISION (BENEFIT)                                
Current     17,292,113       9,214,312       6,481,926       1,787,717  
Deferred     (18,549,129 )     4,523,643       (14,327,255 )     2,699,588  
Total income tax provision (benefit)     (1,257,016 )     13,737,955       (7,845,329 )     4,487,305  
                                 
NET INCOME (LOSS)     (5,034,691 )     40,046,225       (24,004,457 )     13,247,504  
                                 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)                                
Unrealized gain (loss) related to investments in gold, net of tax     363,076,281       (56,908,875 )     209,005,270       (18,935,552 )
Foreign currency translation loss     (43,484,477 )     (19,080,264 )     (41,688,955 )     (13,077,661 )
Total other comprehensive income (loss)   $ 319,591,804     $ (75,989,139 )   $ 167,316,315     $ (32,013,213 )
                                 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)   $ 314,557,113     $ (35,942,914 )   $ 143,311,858     $ (18,765,709 )
Earnings (loss) per share                                
Basic   $ (0.46 )   $ 3.63     $ (2.18 )   $ 1.20  
Diluted   $ (0.46 )   $ 3.62     $ (2.18 )   $ 1.20  
Weighted average number of shares*                                
Basic     11,018,955       11,018,955       11,018,955       11,018,955  
Diluted     11,018,955       11,051,897       11,018,955       11,020,225  

 

* Retrospectively restated for effect of 1-for-6 reverse stock split, see Note 15

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

  Page 6 of 81  

 

 

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(IN U.S. DOLLARS)

(UNAUDITED)

 

    September 30, 2019     September 30, 2018  
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES                
Net (loss) income   $ (5,034,691 )     40,046,225  
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to cash (used in) provided by operating activities:                
Depreciation of property and equipment     982,469       1,208,346  
Amortization of intangible assets     8,261       8,703  
Amortization of debt issuance costs included in interest expense     6,738,816       8,042,451  
Interest expense of convertible notes     4,292       -  
Amortization of deferred financing cost associated with convertible notes issuance     39,505       -  
Share based compensation for services and warrants expense     5,364       16,092  
Deferred tax (benefit) provision     (18,549,129 )     4,523,643  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities                
Accounts receivable     (228,675 )     558,165  
Inventories     (63,300,010 )     321,200,297  
Other current assets and prepaid expenses     (493,635 )     (752,148 )
Value added tax recoverable     7,776,713       84,623,088  
Other payables and accrued expenses     2,749,526       769,590  
Investment income from short-term investment     (72,862 )     -  
Income tax payable     (212,447 )     748,416  
Other taxes payable     (310,511 )     359,224  
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities     (69,897,014 )     461,352,092  
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES                
Purchase of property and equipment     (326,565 )     (491,136 )
Purchase of short-term investments     (246,592,662 )     -  
Redemption of short-term investments     43,790,262       -  
Net cash used in investing activities     (203,128,965 )     (491,136 )
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES                
Proceeds from other loans - short term     349,034,006       -  
Repayments of other loans - short term     (382,829,071 )     (554,840,248 )
Proceeds from other loans - long term     131,130,344       435,804,951  
Repayment of related party loans- short-term     (220,916 )     (230,227,311 )
Proceeds from related party loan- long-term     306,582,758       443,110,831  
Repayment of related party loan- long-term     (125,056,810 )     (534,050,005 )
Repayment of loan origination fees     (2,163,651 )     (6,578,966 )
Gross proceeds from issuance of convertible notes     1,000,000       -  
Payments of deferred financing costs associated with convertible notes     (110,000 )     -  
Borrowings from related party     508,202       965,643  
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities     277,874,862       (445,815,105 )
                 
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATES ON CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH     (682,161 )     (4,229,857 )
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH     4,166,722       10,815,994  
CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD     12,797,948       17,924,397  
CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH, END OF PERIOD   $ 16,964,670       28,740,391  
                 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION                
Cash paid for interest expense   $ 126,137,400       120,133,935  
Cash paid for income tax   $ 17,504,560       8,465,896  
                 
NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES                
Investments in gold transferred to inventories   $ 497,824,202       557,866,549  
Inventories transferred to investments in gold   $ 416,042,035       502,451,549  
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments in gold, net of tax   $ 363,076,281       (56,908,875 )
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations   $ 184,192       -  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.                

 

  Page 7 of 81  

 

 

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2019 AND 2018

(IN U.S. DOLLARS)

(UNAUDITED)

    Preferred stock     Common stock     Additional     Unappropriated     Appropriated    

Accumulated

other

       
    Par value     Par value     paid-in     retained     retained     comprehensive        
    Shares     Amount     Shares*     Amount     capital     earnings     earnings     Gain (deficit)     Total  
Balance at June 30, 2018     -     $ -       11,018,955     $ 11,019     $ 80,443,271     $ 330,465,332     $ 967,543     $ (38,821,255 )   $ 373,065,910  
                                                                         
Options granted for services     -       -       -       -       5,364       -       -       -       5,364  
Net income for the period     -       -       -       -       -       13,247,504       -       -       13,247,504  
Unrealized loss related to investments in gold     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (18,935,552 )     (18,935,552 )
Foreign currency translation loss     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (13,077,661 )     (13,077,661 )
Balance at September 30, 2018     -     $ -       11,018,955     $ 11,019     $ 80,448,635     $ 343,712,836     $ 967,543     $ (70,834,468 )   $ 354,305,565  
                                                                         
Balance at June 30, 2019     -     $ -       11,018,955     $ 11,019     $ 224,353,365     $ 372,183,091     $ 967,543     $ 212,070,348     $ 809,585,366  
                                                                         
Issuance of warrants associated with convertible notes     -       -       -       -       67,057       -       -       -       67,057  
Net loss for the period     -       -       -       -       -       (24,004,457 )     -       -       (24,004,457 )
Unrealized gain related to investments in gold     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       209,005,270       209,005,270  
Foreign currency translation loss     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (41,688,955 )     (41,688,955 )
Balance at September 30, 2019     -     $ -       11,018,955     $ 11,019     $ 224,420,422     $ 348,178,634     $ 967,543     $ 379,386,663     $ 952,964,281  

 

* Retrospectively restated for effect of 1-for-6 reverse stock split, see Note 15

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.                      

 

  Page 8 of 81  

 

 

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2019 AND 2018

(IN U.S. DOLLARS)

(UNAUDITED)

 

    Preferred stock     Common stock     Additional     Unappropriated     Appropriated     Accumulated
other
       
    Par value     Par value     paid-in     retained     retained     comprehensive        
    Shares     Amount     Shares*     Amount     capital     earnings     earnings     Gain (deficit)     Total  
Balance at December 31, 2017     -     $ -       11,018,955     $ 11,019     $ 80,432,543     $ 303,666,611     $ 967,543     $ 5,154,671     $ 390,232,387  
                                                                         
Options granted for services     -       -       -       -       16,092       -       -       -       16,092  
Net income for the period     -       -       -       -       -       40,046,225       -       -       40,046,225  
Unrealized loss related to investments in gold     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (56,908,875 )     (56,908,875 )
Foreign currency translation loss     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (19,080,264 )     (19,080,264 )
Balance at September 30, 2018     -     $ -       11,018,955     $ 11,019     $ 80,448,635     $ 343,712,836     $ 967,543     $ (70,834,468 )   $ 354,305,565  
                              -                                          
Balance at December 31, 2018     -     $ -       11,018,955     $ 11,019     $ 224,348,001     $ 353,213,325     $ 967,543     $ 59,794,859     $ 638,334,747  
                                                                         
Options granted for services     -       -       -       -       5,364       -       -       -       5,364  
Issuance of warrants associated with convertible notes                                     67,057                               67,057  
Net loss for the period     -       -       -       -       -       (5,034,691 )     -       -       (5,034,691 )
Unrealized gain related to investments in gold     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       363,076,281       363,076,281  
Foreign currency translation loss     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (43,484,477 )     (43,484,477 )
Balance at September 30, 2019     -     $ -       11,018,955     $ 11,019     $ 224,420,422     $ 348,178,634     $ 967,543     $ 379,386,663     $ 952,964,281  
                                                                         

 

* Retrospectively restated for effect of 1-for-6 reverse stock split, see Note 15

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

             

  Page 9 of 81  

 

  

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

Kingold Jewelry, Inc. (“Kingold” or “the Company”) was incorporated in the State of Delaware on September 5, 1995.

 

Dragon Lead Group Limited (“Dragon Lead”) was incorporated in the British Virgin Islands (“BVI”) on July 1, 2008 as a holding company and was 100% controlled by Kingold. Wuhan Vogue-Show Jewelry Co., Limited (“Wuhan Vogue-Show”), which is principally engaged in design and manufacture of gold and platinum ornaments in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”), was incorporated in the PRC as a wholly-owned foreign enterprise on February 16, 2009, and was 100% owned by Dragon Lead. Wuhan Vogue-Show’s business permit expires on February 16, 2019, and is renewed in late February 2019. Wuhan Kingold Jewelry Co., Limited (“Wuhan Kingold”) was incorporated in the PRC on August 2, 2002 as a limited liability company. On October 26, 2007, Wuhan Kingold was restructured as a joint stock company limited by shares and its business activities are the same as those of Wuhan Vogue-Show. Wuhan Kingold’s business permit expires on July 1, 2052 and is renewable upon expiration.

 

Wuhan Kingold is effectively controlled by Wuhan Vogue-Show through a series of agreements and Amendment Agreements (collectively referred to as the Restructuring Agreements). In accordance with the Agreements and Amendments, shareholders holding 100% of the outstanding equity of Wuhan Kingold were parties to the agreements such that Wuhan Kingold has agreed to pay 100% of its after-tax profits to Wuhan Vogue-Show and shareholders owning 100% of Wuhan Kingold’s shares have pledged and delegated their voting power in Wuhan Kingold to Wuhan Vogue-Show.

 

These contractual arrangements enable Wuhan Vogue-Show to:

 

  · exercise effective control over Wuhan Kingold;
  · receive substantially all of the economic benefits from Wuhan Kingold; and
  · have an exclusive option to purchase 100% of the equity interest in Wuhan Kingold, when and to the extent permitted by PRC law.

 

Through such arrangements, Wuhan Kingold has become Wuhan Vogue-Show’s contractually controlled affiliate. Kingold is empowered, through its wholly owned subsidiaries Dragon Lead and Wuhan Vogue-Show, with the ability to control and substantially influence Wuhan Kingold’s daily operations and financial affairs, appoint its senior executives and approve all matters requiring shareholders’ approval. Kingold is also obligated to absorb a majority of expected losses of Wuhan Kingold, which enables Kingold to receive a majority of expected residual returns from Wuhan Kingold, and because Kingold has the power to direct the activities of Wuhan Kingold that most significantly impact Wuhan Kingold’s economic performance, Kingold, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, accounts for Wuhan Kingold as its Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”) under ASC 810-10-05-8A. Accordingly, Kingold consolidates Wuhan Kingold’s operating results, assets and liabilities.

 

  Page 10 of 81  

 

 

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION (continued)

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Kingold Jewelry, Inc. (“Kingold” or the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary to make the financial statements not misleading have been included. Operating results for the interim period ended September 30, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019. The information included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis, and the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, filed with the SEC on April 2, 2019.

 

NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Principles of Consolidation 

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Kingold, Dragon Lead, Wuhan Vogue-Show and Wuhan Kingold. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates required to be made by management include, but are not limited to, useful lives of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, the recoverability of long-lived assets, inventory valuation, allowance for doubtful accounts, deferred income tax, and allowance for investments in gold. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Cash

 

Cash includes cash on hand and demand deposits in accounts maintained with commercial banks within the PRC. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company maintains most of the bank accounts in the PRC. Cash balances in bank accounts in PRC are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or other programs.

 

Restricted Cash

 

The Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows: Restricted Cash” during the first quarter of 2018. This ASU applies to all entities that have restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents to be presented in the statement of cash flows under Topic 230.

 

  Page 11 of 81  

 

 

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company had restricted cash (current and non-current) of $16,313,352 and $12,564,557, respectively. All restricted cash was related to the various loans with banks and financial institutions – see Note 5 – Loans.

 

Accounts Receivable

 

The Company generally receives cash payment upon delivery of a product, but may extend unsecured credit to its customers in the ordinary course of business. The Company mitigates the associated risks by performing credit checks and actively pursuing past due accounts. An allowance for doubtful accounts is established and recorded based on management’s assessment of the credit history of the customers and current relationships with them. As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, there was no allowance recorded as the Company considers all of the accounts receivable fully collectible. 

 

Inventories

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value, and cost is calculated on the weighted average basis. As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 there was no lower of cost or market adjustment because the carrying value of the Company’s inventories was lower than the current and expected market price of gold. The cost of inventories comprises all costs of purchases, costs of fixed and variable production overhead and other costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their present condition.

 

Short-term Investments

 

The Company’s short-term investments consist of wealth management financial products issued by financial institutions, which are redeemable at any time. The financial institutions invest the funds in certain financial instruments, including money market funds, private fund, bonds or mutual funds, mostly with a floating rate of return on these investments. The carrying values of the Company’s short-term investments approximate fair value because of their short-term nature. The interest earned is recognized in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income (loss) over the contractual term of these investments. The Company had short-term investments of $195,062,420 and $nil as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, $72,862 and nil of investment income has been reported on the Company’s short-term investments.

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for additions, major renewals and betterments are capitalized, and expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life. 

 

Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis, less estimated residual value, over an asset’s estimated useful life. The estimated useful lives used in connection with the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

 

    Estimated
Useful Life
Buildings   30 years
Plant and machinery   15 years
Motor vehicles   10 years
Office furniture and electronic equipment   5 – 10 years
Leasehold improvements   5 years

 

  Page 12 of 81  

 

 

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Land Use Right

 

Under PRC law, all land in the PRC is owned by the government and cannot be sold to an individual or company. The government grants individuals and companies the right to use parcels of land for specified periods of time. Land use rights are stated at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is provided over the respective useful lives, using the straight-line method. Estimated useful life is 50 years, and is determined in connection with the term of the land use right. 

 

Long-Lived Assets

 

Certain assets such as property, plant and equipment and construction in progress, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets that are held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the asset. There were no events or changes in circumstances that triggered a review of impairment of long-lived assets as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018.   

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The Company follows the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.” ASC 820 clarifies the definition of fair value, prescribes methods for measuring fair value, and establishes a fair value hierarchy to classify the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows: 

 

Level 1-Observable inputs such as unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities available at the measurement date.

 

Level 2-Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable, and inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data.

 

Level 3-Inputs are unobservable inputs which reflect management’s assumptions based on the best available information.

 

The carrying value of accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other current assets, short-term loans, accrued expenses and other payables approximate their fair values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. The Company determined that the carrying value of the long term loans approximated their fair value by comparing the stated loan interest rate to the rate charged by similar financial institutions. The Company uses quoted prices in active markets to measure the fair value of investments in gold.

 

  Page 13 of 81  

 

   

 KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Investments in Gold

 

The Company pledged its own gold inventory to meet the requirements of bank loans. The pledged gold will be available for sale upon the repayment of the bank loans. The Company classified these pledged gold as investments in gold, and carried at fair market value, with the unrealized gains and losses, included in the determination of comprehensive income (loss) and reported in equity. The fair market value of the investments in gold is determined by quoted market prices at Shanghai Gold Exchange, which is considered as the principal market.

 

Leases

 

The Company adopted ASU 2016-02, “Leases” on January 1, 2019 and used the alternative transition approach which permits the effects of adoption to be applied at the effective date. The new standard provides a number of optional practical expedients in transition. The Company elected the 'package of practical expedients', which permits us not to reassess under the new standard our prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. The Company also elected the short-term lease exemption and combining the lease and non-lease components practical expedients. The most significant impact upon adoption relates to the recognition of new Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities on the Company’s balance sheet for office space operating leases. Upon adoption, the Company recognized additional operating liabilities of approximately $0.2 million, with corresponding ROU assets of the same amount based on the present value of the remaining rental payments under current leasing standards for existing operating leases. There was no cumulative effect of adopting the standard.  

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606 in the first quarter of 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, establishes principles for reporting information about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from the entity’s contracts to provide goods or services to customers. The core principle requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that it expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods or services recognized as performance obligations are satisfied. 

 

The Company has assessed the impact of the guidance by reviewing its existing customer contracts and current accounting policies and practices to identify differences that will result from applying the new requirements, including the evaluation of its performance obligations, transaction price, customer payments, transfer of control and principal versus agent considerations. Based on the assessment, the Company concluded that there was no change to the timing and pattern of revenue recognition for its current revenue streams in scope of Topic 606 and therefore there was no material changes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements upon adoption of ASC 606. 

 

The Company’s revenues are primarily composed of sales proceeds collected from sales of branded products and customized product fees. Revenue is recognized when performance obligations under the terms of a contract with a customer are satisfied and promised services have transferred to the customers.

 

  Page 14 of 81  

 

  

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Revenue Recognition (continued)

 

Revenue is recognized when obligations under the terms of a contract with the Company’s customers are satisfied. Satisfaction of contract terms occur with the transfer of title of the Company’s branded products and accessories to the customers. Net sale is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for transferring the goods to the wholesaler and retailers. The amount of consideration the Company expects to receive consists of the sales price adjusted for any incentives if applicable. Incidental promotional items that are immaterial in the context of the contract are recognized as expense. Fees charged to customers for shipping and handling are included in net sales in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and the related costs incurred by the Company are included in cost of goods sold. In applying judgment, the Company considered customer expectations of performance, materiality and the core principles of ASC Topic 606. The Company’s performance obligations are generally transferred to the customer at a point in time. The Company’s contracts with customers generally do not include any variable consideration.

 

Sαles of brαnded products

 

The Company offers a wide range of in-house designed products including but not limited to gold necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets, and pendants. In our sales of branded products, the Company only sells on a wholesale basis to distributors and retailers. Pricing of the jewelry products is made at the time of sales contracts are made, based on prevailing market price of gold. These sales contracts are primarily based on a customer’s purchase order followed by the Company’s order acknowledgement, and may also include a master supply or distributor agreement. The performance obligations are generally satisfied at a point in time when the Company ships the product from the Company’s facility. The Company usually makes cash sales, and also makes credit sales in rare cases with the payment term due within 30 days.  

 

Customized production fees

 

In the customized product arrangement, the Company receives orders from other jewelry companies who engage to the Company to design and produce 24-karat jewelry and Chinese ornaments using gold they supply to the Company. Although the Company assumes the responsibilities to design and manufacture the related Jewelry products, the Company does not assume inventory risk and does not determine the product design specification. As a result, the Company is considered the agent in this arrangement for revenue recognition purposes. All of the sales contracts in this customized product arrangements contain performance obligations satisfied at a point in time when we complete the design and ship the product from the Company’s facility. The Company recognizes services-based revenue (the processing fee) from such contracts for customized production when: (i) the contracted services have been performed and (ii) collectability is reasonably assured.

 

The Company evaluated its revenue recognition policy for all revenue streams within the scope of the ASU under previous standards and using the five-step model under the new guidance and concluded that there were no differences in the pattern of revenue recognition as a result of the adoption of ASC 606. 

 

  Page 15 of 81  

 

  

 KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Revenue Recognition (continued)

 

Contract Balances and Remaining Performance Obligations

 

Contract balances typically arise when a difference in timing between the transfer of control to the customer and receipt of consideration occurs. The Company contract assets, consist primarily of accounts receivable related to sales of products to customers when revenue is recognized prior to payment and the Company has an unconditional right to payment.

 

The Company did not disclose information about remaining performance obligations pertaining to the customer contracts that either (i) contracts with an original expected term of one year or less, or (ii) contracts for which revenue is recognized in proportion to the amount the Company has the right to invoice for products sold or services rendered. 

 

Revenue by category

 

Revenue by major product line was as follows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018:  

 

    For the three months ended September 30,     For the nine months ended September 30,  
    2019     2018     2019     2018  
Branded production sales   $ 378,320,309     $ 612,836,724     $ 1,404,815,559     $ 1,808,294,992  
Customized production sales     4,376,793       13,279,852       29,282,905       35,961,620  
Trade in product sales     42,336       54,496       92,658       103,514  
Other     50,694       -       146,434       131,264  
    $ 382,790,132     $ 626,171,072     $ 1,434,337,556     $ 1,844,491,390  

  

Income Taxes

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period including the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

 

The provisions of ASC 740-10-25, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” prescribe a more-likely-than-not threshold for consolidated financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken (or expected to be taken) in a tax return. This interpretation also provides guidance on the recognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, and related disclosures. The Company does not believe that there was any uncertain tax position at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

 

  Page 16 of 81  

 

   

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

  

To the extent applicable, the Company records interest and penalties as a general and administrative expense. The statute of limitations for the Company’s U.S. federal income tax returns and certain state income tax returns remains open for tax years 2016 and after. As of September 30, 2019, the tax years ended December 31, 2013 through December 31, 2018 for the Company’s PRC subsidiaries remain open for statutory examination by PRC tax authorities.

 

Foreign Currency Translation

 

Kingold, as well as its wholly owned subsidiary, Dragon Lead, maintain accounting records in United States Dollars (“US$”), whereas Wuhan Vogue-Show and Wuhan Kingold maintain their accounting records in Renminbi (“RMB”), which is the primary currency of the economic environment in which their operations are conducted. The Company’s principal country of operations is the PRC. The financial position and results of its operations are determined using RMB, the local currency, as the functional currency. The results of operations and the statement of cash flows denominated in foreign currency are translated at the average rate of exchange during the reporting period. Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are translated at the applicable rates of exchange in effect at that date. The equity denominated in the functional currency is translated at the historical rate of exchange at the time of capital contribution. Because cash flows are translated based on the average translation rate, amounts related to assets and liabilities reported on the statement of cash flows will not necessarily agree with changes in the corresponding balances on the balance sheet. Translation adjustments arising from the use of different exchange rates from period to period are included as a component of stockholders’ equity as “Accumulated other comprehensive income”.

 

The value of RMB against US$ and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in the PRC’s political and economic conditions. Any significant revaluation of RMB may materially affect the Company’s financial condition in terms of US$ reporting. The following table outlines the currency exchange rates that were used in creating the consolidated financial statements in this report: 

 

      September 30, 2019       September 30, 2018       December 31, 2018  
Balance sheet items, except for equity, as of the period ended   US$ 1=RMB 7.1383     US$ 1=RMB 6.8683     US$ 1=RMB 6.8776  
Amounts included in the statements of operations and cash flows for the periods presented   US$ 1=RMB 6.8634     US$ 1=RMB 6.5153     US$ 1=RMB  6.6163  

 

 

  Page 17 of 81  

 

 

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

 

Comprehensive income (loss) consists of two components, net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss). The unrealized gain or loss resulting from the change of the fair market value from the gold investments and the foreign currency translation gain or loss resulting from translation of the financial statements expressed in RMB to US$ are reported in other comprehensive income (loss) in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income (loss).

 

Earnings (Loss) Per Share (“EPS”)

 

Basic EPS is measured as net income (loss) divided by the weighted average common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS is similar to basic EPS but presents the dilutive effect on a per share basis of potential common shares (i.e., options and warrants) as if they had been converted at the beginning of the periods presented, or issuance date, if later. Potential common shares that have an anti-dilutive effect (i.e., those that increase income per share or decrease loss per share) are excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS.

 

Share or Stock-Based compensation

 

For employee stock-based awards, share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense with graded vesting on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. For the non-employee stock-based awards, the fair value of the awards to non-employees are measured every reporting period based on the value of the Company’s common stock. 

 

Debt Issuance Origination Costs

 

Debt issuance cost related to a recognized debt liability is presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. Amortization of debt origination costs is calculated using the effective interest method and is included as a component of interest expense.

 

  Page 18 of 81  

 

 

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Risks and Uncertainties

 

The jewelry industry generally is affected by fluctuations in the price and supply of diamonds, gold, and, to a lesser extent, other precious and semi-precious metals and stones. The Company potentially has exposure to the fluctuation in gold commodity prices as part of its normal operations. In the past, the Company has not hedged its requirement for gold or other raw materials through the use of options, forward contracts or outright commodity purchasing. A significant increase in the price of gold could increase the Company’s production costs beyond the amount that it is able to pass on to its customers, which would adversely affect the Company’s sales and profitability. A significant disruption in the Company’s supply of gold, or other commodities, could decrease its production and shipping levels, materially increase its operating costs, and materially and adversely affect its profit margins. Shortages of gold, or other commodities, or interruptions in transportation systems, labor strikes, work stoppages, war, acts of terrorism, or other interruptions to or difficulties in the employment of labor or transportation in the markets in which the Company purchases its raw materials, may adversely affect its ability to maintain production of its products and sustain profitability. Although the Company generally attempts to pass on increased commodity prices to its customers, there may be circumstances in which it is not able to do so. In addition, if the Company were to experience a significant or prolonged shortage of gold, it would be unable to meet its production schedules and to ship products to its customers in a timely manner, which would adversely affect its sales, margins and customer relations.

 

Furthermore, the value of the Company’s inventory may be affected by commodity prices. The Company records the value of its inventory using the lower of cost and net realizable value, cost calculated on the weighted average method. As a result, decreases in the market value of precious metals such as gold would result in a lower stated value of the Company’s inventory, which may require it to take a charge for the decrease in the value of its inventory.

 

The Company also allocated significant portion of its inventories as investment in gold and pledged as collateral to secure loans from banks and financial institutions, so there is a risk that the Company is unable to utilize its inventories, and there could be a disruption in the Company’s supply of gold which could decrease its production and shipping levels. In addition, the investment in gold may be deficient if the fair market value of the pledged gold in connection with the loans declines, then the Company may need to increase the pledged gold inventory for the loan collateral or increase restricted cash. 

 

  Page 19 of 81  

 

 

 KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Risks and Uncertainties (continued)

 

The Company’s operations are located in the PRC. Accordingly, the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations may be influenced by the political, economic, and legal environments in the PRC, as well as by the general state of the PRC economy. The Company’s operations in the PRC are subject to special considerations and significant risks not typically associated with companies in North America and Western Europe. These include risks associated with, among others, the political, economic and legal environment, and foreign currency exchange. The Company’s results may be adversely affected by changes in the political, regulatory and social conditions in the PRC, and by changes in governmental policies or interpretations with respect to laws and regulations, anti-inflationary measures, currency conversion, remittances abroad, and rates and methods of taxation, among other things. In addition, the Company only controls Wuhan Kingold through a series of agreements. Although the Company believes the contractual relationships through which it controls Wuhan Kingold comply with current licensing, registration and regulatory requirements of the PRC, it cannot assure you that the PRC government would agree, or that new and burdensome regulations will not be adopted in the future. If the PRC government determines that the Company’s structure or operating arrangements do not comply with applicable law, it could revoke the Company’s business and operating licenses, require it to discontinue or restrict its operations, restrict its right to collect revenues, require it to restructure its operations, impose additional conditions or requirements with which the Company may not be able to comply, impose restrictions on its business operations or on its customers, or take other regulatory or enforcement actions against the Company that could be harmful to its business. If such agreements were cancelled, modified or otherwise not complied with, the Company would not be able to retain control of this consolidated entity and the impact could be material to the Company’s operations. Although the Company has not experienced losses from these situations and believes that it is in compliance with existing laws and regulations, this may not be indicative of future results.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In August 2018, the FASB Accounting Standards Board issued ASU No. 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement” (“ASU 2018-13”). ASU 2018-13 modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for any removed or modified disclosures. The removed and modified disclosures will be adopted on a retrospective basis and the new disclosures will be adopted on a prospective basis. The Company does not expect this guidance will have a material impact on its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326), which requires entities to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This replaces the existing incurred loss model and is applicable to the measurement of credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost. ASU 2016-13 was subsequently amended by Accounting Standards Update 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses, Accounting Standards Update 2019-04 Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments, and Accounting Standards Update 2019-05, Targeted Transition Relief. For public entities, ASU 2016-13 and its amendments is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. For all other entities, this guidance and its amendments will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application will be permitted for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. We are currently evaluating the impact of our pending adoption of ASU 2016-13 on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

Except for the above-mentioned pronouncements, there are no new recent issued accounting standards that will have material impact on the unaudited condensed consolidated financial position, statements of operations and cash flows. 

 

  Page 20 of 81  

 

 

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 3 – INVENTORIES

 

Inventories as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 consisted of the following:

 

    As of  
    September 30, 2019     December 31, 2018  
    (unaudited)        
Raw materials (A)   $ 152,476,550     $ -  
Work-in-progress (B)     71,111,074       87,160,453  
Finished goods (C)     44,626,676       39,874,220  
Total inventories   $ 268,214,300     $ 127,034,673  

 

(A) Included 4,433,222 grams of Au9999 gold as of September 30, 2019 and Nil Au9999 gold as of December 31, 2018.

 

(B) Included 2,087,344 grams of Au9999 gold as of September 30, 2019 and 2,570,232 grams of Au9999 gold as of December 31, 2018.

 

(C) Included 1,304,899 grams of Au9999 gold as of September 30, 2019 and 1,168,892 grams of Au9999 gold as of December 31, 2018.

 

No lower of cost or net realizable value adjustment was recorded at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

 

  Page 21 of 81  

 

 

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 4 – PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

 

The following is a summary of property and equipment as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018:

 

    As of  
    September 30, 2019     December 31, 2018  
    (unaudited)        
Buildings   $ 2,201,744     $ 2,285,203  
Plant and machinery     17,062,772       17,703,977  
Motor vehicles     231,723       240,507  
Office and electric equipment     1,561,626       1,454,793  
Leasehold improvements     1,414,654       1,466,654  
Subtotal     22,472,519       23,151,134  
Less: accumulated depreciation     (18,051,972 )     (17,755,804 )
Property and equipment, net   $ 4,420,547     $ 5,395,330  

 

Depreciation and amortization expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 was $328,169 and $982,469, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $402,021 and $1,208,346, respectively.

 

  Page 22 of 81  

 

 

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 5 – LOANS

 

Short term loans consist of the following: 

 

    As of  
    September 30, 2019     December 31, 2018  
    (Unaudited)        
(a) Loans payable to Evergrowing Bank - Yantai Huanshan Road Branch   $ 27,946,563     $ 72,699,779  
(b) Loans payable to Sichuan Trust - gross amount     210,134,066       145,399,558  
  Loans payable to Sichuan Trust - deferred financing cost     (747,160 )     -  
(c) Loans payable to Zheshang Jinhui Trust - gross amount     -       62,725,369  
  Loans payable to Zheshang Jinhui Trust - deferred financing cost     -       (18,547 )
(d) Loan payable to China Aviation Trust - gross amount     40,625,919       45,073,863  
  Loan payable to China Aviation Trust - deferred financing cost     (338,549 )     (44,456 )
(e) Loans payable to National Trust - gross amount     -       50,889,845  
  Loans payable to National Trust - deferred financing cost     -       (30,023 )
(f) Loans payable to Anxin Trust     210,134,066       354,774,921  
(g) Loans payable to China Construction Bank     -       42,165,871  
(h) Loans payable to Minsheng Trust     574,366,446       145,399,560  
  Loans payable to Minsheng Trust- deferred financing cost     (964,256 )     -  
(i) Loans payable to Dongguan Trust     140,089,377       -  
(i) Loans payable to Dongguan Trust-deferred financing cost     (487,978 )     -  
(j) Loans payable to Chang’An Trust - gross amount     112,331,440       116,589,437  
  Loans payable to Chang’An Trust– deferred financing cost     (75,110 )     (677,403 )
(k) Loans payable to Sichuan Trust     43,427,707       -  
(l) Loans payable to Northern International Trust     42,021,210       -  
(m) Loans payable to Zhangjiakou Bank     25,216,085       -  
  Total short term loans   $ 1,423,679,826     $ 1,034,947,774  

 

  Page 23 of 81  

 

 

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 5 – LOANS (continued)

 

(a) Loans payable to Evergrowing Bank – Yantai Huanshan Road Branch

 

From February 24, 2016 to March 24, 2016, Wuhan Kingold signed ten Loan Agreements with the Yantai Huangshan Road Branch of Evergrowing Bank for loans of approximately $140.1 million (RMB 1 billion) in aggregate. The purpose of the loans was for purchasing gold. The original terms of loans are two years and bear fixed interest of 4.75% per year. Based on the loan repayment plan as specified in the loan agreements, $140,089 (RMB 1 million) was repaid in August 2016, $140,089 (RMB 1 million) was repaid on February 23, 2017 and another $140,089 (RMB 1 million) was repaid in August 23, 2017. The Company repaid approximately $69.6 million (RMB 497 million) to Evergrowing bank Yantai Huangshan Road Branch upon maturity.

 

For the remaining balance of approximately $70.0 million (RMB 500 million), the Company entered into a loan extension agreement with the bank to extend the loan borrowing period for additional seven months until October 2018, with the new interest rate of 6.5% per year. The loans are secured by 2,735 kilograms of Au9999 gold in aggregate with carrying value of approximately $89.1 million (RMB 635.9 million) and are guaranteed by the CEO and Chairman of the Company. Upon the maturity of these loans, the Company entered into a series of supplemental agreements with Yantai Huanshan Road Branch of Evergrowing Bank to extend the term of the loan for additional 12 months, with new maturity dates between October 9, 2019 and October 21, 2019. From April to September 2019, the Company repaid total of $42.1 million (RMB 300.5 million) to Evergrowing bank Yantai Huangshan Road Branch. As of September 30, 2019, the outstanding loans payable to Evergrowing bank Yantai Huangshan Road Branch amounted to approximately $27.9 million (RMB 199.5 million).

 

The loan was subsequently matured in October 2019, and the Company signed supplemental agreement with the bank to extend the loan repayment date to March 23, 2020.

 

(b) Loans payable to Sichuan Trust

 

On September 7, 2016, the Company entered into two trust loan agreements with the Sichuan Trust Ltd. (“Sichuan Trust”) to borrow a maximum of approximately $280.2 million (RMB 2 billion) as working capital loan. The required annual interest rate is 8.46%. The Company paid the first interest payment equal to 1.21% of the principle received as loan origination fee on annual basis, then the rest of interest payments are calculated based on a fixed interest rate of 7.25%. The Company pledged 7,258 kilograms of Au9999 gold with carrying value of approximately $236.4 million (RMB 1.7 billion) as collateral to secure this loan. The loan is guaranteed by the CEO and Chairman of the Company. The Company also made a restricted deposit of approximately $2.1 million (RMB 15 million) to secure these loans. The deposit will be refunded when the loan is repaid upon maturity. As of September 30, 2019, the Company received an aggregate of approximately $210.1 million (RMB 1.5 billion) from the loan.

 

These loans originally have maturity dates between September 20, 2018 and November 30, 2018. During the year ended December 31, 2018, these loans were extended to have maturity dates between November 20, 2019 and January 30, 2020. Therefore, approximately $72.7 million (RMB 500 million) was recorded as long term as of December 31, 2018. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, such amount has been reclassified as short-term loan based on its current maturity. As of September 30, 2019, 7,258 kilograms of Au999 gold with carrying value of approximately $236.4 million (approximately RMB 1.7 billion) was pledged as collateral to secure the loans.

 

The Company paid approximately $5.1 million (RMB 36.3 million) as loan origination fee in 2017 and 2016 for obtaining the loan. The loan origination fee was recorded as deferred financing cost against the loan balance. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, approximately $2.2 million (RMB 14.6 million) and approximately $3.1 million (RMB 20 million) deferred financing costs were amortized, respectively. Amortization of deferred financing costs amounted to $0.4 million (RMB 3.2 million) and approximately $1.3 (RMB 9.5 million) million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively. Amortization of deferred financing costs amounted to $0.6 million (RMB 4.4 million) and approximately $2.1 million (RMB 13.4 million) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively.

 

  Page 24 of 81  

 

 

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 5 – LOANS (continued)

 

(c) Loans payable to Zheshang Jinhui Trust

 

In November 2017, Wuhan Kingold entered into a Trust Loan Contract with Zheshang Jinhui Trust. The agreement allows the Company to access a total of approximately $140.1 million (RMB 1 billion) for the purpose of working capital needs. The loan bears a fixed annual interest of 7.7% with a term of 24 months and is secured by 3,264 kilograms of Au9999 gold in aggregate with carrying value of approximately $106.3 million (RMB 758.5 million). The Company also made a restricted deposit of approximately $0.9 million (RMB 6.3 million) to secure these loans. The loan is also guaranteed by the CEO and Chairman of the Company. The loan has been fully repaid before June 2019 and the pledged gold and restricted cash was released and returned upon the repayment. 

 

The Company paid approximately $1.3 million (RMB 9.5 million) as loan origination fee for obtaining the Zhejiang Jinhui Trust loans in November 2017. The loan origination fee was recorded as deferred financing cost against the loan balance. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, approximately $1.4 million (RMB 9.0 million) and $0.1 million (RMB 0.3 million) deferred financing costs were amortized related to the loans. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, $Nil and $0.02 million (RMB 127,561) deferred financing cost was amortized, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, approximately $0.3 million (RMB 1.9 million) and $0.9 million (RMB 5.6 million) deferred financing cost was amortized, respectively.

 

(d) Loans payable to China Aviation Trust

 

On January 25, 2017, Wuhan Kingold entered into a trust loan agreement with China Aviation Trust Ltd. to borrow a maximum of approximately $43.4 million (RMB 310 million) for working capital with a period of 24 months from the date of releasing the loan. The Company is required to make interest payments that are calculated based on a fixed annual interest rate of 8%. The Company pledged 1,647 kilograms of Au9999 gold with carrying value of approximately $53.0 million (RMB 378.4 million) as collateral to secure this loan. The loan is guaranteed by the CEO and Chairman of the Company. The Company also made a restricted deposit of approximately $0.4 million (RMB 3.1 million) to secure these loans. The deposit will be refunded when the loan is repaid upon maturity. In January 2019, the Company made fully repayment to China Aviation Trust, The pledged gold and restricted deposit were released and returned upon the repayment. 

 

The Company paid approximately $1.3 million (RMB 9.3 million) as loan origination fee for obtaining the loan. The loan origination fee was recorded as deferred financing cost against the loan balance. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, approximately $0.7 million (RMB 4.7 million) and $0.7 million (RMB 4.3 million) deferred financing costs were amortized, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, $Nil and $42,833 (RMB 305,753) deferred financing cost was amortized, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, approximately $0.2 million (RMB 1.2 million) and $0.5 million (RMB 3.5 million) deferred financing cost was amortized, respectively. 

 

  Page 25 of 81  

 

 

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 5 – LOANS (continued)

 

In addition, on September 7, 2016, the Company entered into another trust loan agreement with China Aviation Capital Investment Management (Shenzhen) (“China Aviation Capital”) to borrow a maximum of approximately $84.1 million (RMB 600 million) as working capital loan. The first installment of the loan was approximately $40.6 million (RMB 290 million) to mature on September 6, 2018. The Company is required to make interest payments calculated based on a fixed annual interest rate of 7.5% and a one-time consulting fee of 3% based on the principal amount received as loan origination fee. The Company pledged 1,473 kilograms of Au9999 gold with carrying value of approximately $48 million (RMB 342.5 million) as collateral to secure this loan. The loan is guaranteed by the CEO and Chairman of the Company. The loan was extended upon maturity for another 18 months with a new maturity date of March 5, 2020. As of September 30, 2019, based on its current maturity, the $40.6 million loan from China Aviation Capital has been reclassified as short-term loan. The Company is required to pay interest based on a fixed annual interest rate of 10% and a one-time consulting fee of 3% based on the principal amount extended as loan origination fee.

 

For the September 7, 2016 loans from China Aviation Trust, the Company paid totally approximately $1.2 million (RMB 8.7 million) during 2018 as loan origination fee for obtaining the loan. The loan origination fee was recorded as deferred financing cost against the loan balance. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, approximately $0.7 million (RMB 4.9 million) and $0.7 million (RMB 4.4 million) deferred financing costs were amortized, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, approximately $0.2 million (RMB 1.5 million) and $0.6 million (RMB 4.4 million) deferred financing cost was amortized, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, approximately $0.1 million (RMB 0.8 million) and $0.4 million (RMB 3 million) deferred financing cost was amortized, respectively.

 

As of September 30, 2019, the Company had the availability to borrow additional approximately $43.4 million (RMB 310 million) from China Aviation Capital under the above-mentioned loan agreements.

 

(e) Loans payable to National Trust

 

On February 28, 2017, Wuhan Kingold entered into a trust loan agreement with National Trust Ltd. (“National Trust”) to borrow a maximum of approximately $49.0 million (RMB 350 million) for working capital with a period of 24 months from the date of releasing the loan. The Company is required to make interest payments that are calculated based on a fixed annual interest rate of 8.617%. The Company pledged 1,745 kilograms of Au9999 gold with carrying value of approximately $57.1 million (RMB 408.1 million) as collateral to secure this loan. The loan is guaranteed by the CEO and Chairman of the Company. The loan was fully repaid on March 1, 2019, and the pledged gold was released and returned upon the repayment. 

  

The Company paid approximately $0.4 million (RMB 2.6 million) as loan origination fee for obtaining the loan. The loan origination fee was recorded as deferred financing cost against the loan balance. The loan origination fee was recorded as deferred financing cost against the loan balance. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, $Nil and $28,926 (RMB 206,486) deferred financing cost was amortized, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, approximately $0.05 million (RMB 0.3 million) and $0.1 million (RMB 0.9 million) deferred financing cost was amortized, respectively.

  

  Page 26 of 81  

 

 

 KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 5 – LOANS (continued)

 

(f) Loans payable to Anxin Trust Co., Ltd

 

In January 2016, Wuhan Kingold signed a Collective Trust Loan Agreement with Anxin Trust Co., Ltd. (“Anxin Trust”). The agreement allowed the Company to access of approximately $420.3 million (RMB 3 billion) within 60 months. Each individual loan will bear a fixed annual interest of 14.8% or 11% with various maturity dates from February 19, 2019 to October 12, 2019. The purpose of this trust loan was to provide working capital for the Company to purchase gold. The loan is secured by 15,450 kilograms of Au9999 gold in aggregate with carrying value of approximately $504.3 million (RMB 3.6 billion). The loan is also guaranteed by the CEO and Chairman of the Company. As of December 31, 2018, the Company received full amount from the loan.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company repaid approximately $78.5 million (RMB 0.56 billion), which resulted in an outstanding balance of approximately $341.8 million (RMB 2.44 billion) as of December 31, 2018 reported as short term loans. The Company also made a restricted deposit of approximately $3.4 million (RMB 24 million) to secure the rest of these loans. The deposit will be refunded when the loan is repaid upon maturity.

 

In February and March 2019, the Company made repayments total of approximately $26.9 million (RMB 192 million) and extended the loans of approximately $17.8 million (RMB 127 million) which originally due on March 29, 2019 to April 10, 2019.  In April and June 2019, the Company made repayments total of approximately $99.2 million (RMB 708 million) to Anxin Trust Co., Ltd., and 5,580 kilograms of Au999 pledged gold with carrying value of approximately $55.4 million (RMB 395.3 million) has been released and returned upon the repayment. In August 2019, the Company made additional repayment of approximately $5.6 million (RMB 40 million) to Anxin Trust. 2,470 kilograms of pledged gold has been released and returned to inventory pool.

 

As of September 30, 2019, total outstanding loan payable to Anxin Trust amounted to approximately $210.1 million (RMB 1.5 billion), among which (1) $140.1 million (RMB 1 billion) matured in September 2019 but not repaid because the Company negotiated with Anxin Trust and extended the insurance coverage date to October 18, 2019, and subsequently further extended the insurance coverage date to December 18, 2019 and accordingly postponed the maturity date of $140.1 million loan to December 18, 2019. (2) The remaining $70.0 million (RMB 500 million) subsequently matured on October 11, 2019 and October 12, 2019, and the Company repaid RMB 100 million (approximately $14.0 million) to Anxin Trust upon loan maturity and then entered into a supplemental agreement with Anxin Trust to extend the loan term of RMB 400 million (approximately $56.0 million) for additional one year, with new maturity date in October 2020. As of September 30, 2019, 7,400 kilograms of Au999 gold with carrying value of approximately $241.0 million (approximately RMB 1.72 billion) was pledged as collateral to secure the loans.

 

(g) Loan payable to China Construction Bank

 

In September 2018, Wuhan Kingold signed a Loan Agreement with Wuhan Jiang’An Branch of China Construction Bank for a loan of approximately $16.5 million (RMB 118 million). The purpose of this loan is to provide working capital for the Company to purchase gold. The term of the loan is one year with maturity date of September 19, 2019 and bears fixed interest of 4.35% per year. As of December 31, 2018, the Company received full amount from the loan.

 

In September 2018, Wuhan Kingold signed a second Loan Agreement with Wuhan Jiang’An Branch of China Construction Bank for a loan of approximately $24.1 million (RMB 172 million). The purpose of this loan is to provide working capital for the Company to purchase gold. The term of the loan is one year with maturity date of September 25, 2019 and bears fixed interest of 4.35% per year. As of December 31, 2018, the Company received full amount from the loan.

 

The loans were guaranteed by the CEO and Chairman of the Company. In addition, related party Wuhan Huayuan pledged fixed asset buildings as collateral to further secure these loans. The loan agreements also required that Company to maintain an asset-liability ratio less than 90% and current ratio over 1. The Company is not allowed to increase contingent liabilities without notice to the bank, the balance of contingent liabilities should be no larger than RMB 3.05 billion, and contingent asset-liability ratio should be less than 60%.

 

The above-mentioned loans payable to China Construction Bank have been fully repaid upon maturity in September 2019.

 

  Page 27 of 81  

 

 

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 5 – LOANS (continued)

 

(h) Loan payable to Minsheng Trust

 

On December 26, 2017, the Company entered into a Trust Loan Contract in the amount of no more than approximately $210.1 million (RMB 1.5 billion) with China Minsheng Trust Co., Ltd. (“Minsheng Trust”). The purpose of the trust loan is to supplement liquidity needs. The Trust Loan will be issued in installments. Each installment of the Trust Loan has a 24-month term, and the period from issuance date of the first installment to the expiration date of the last installment shall not exceed 30 months. The loans have different maturity date from January 3, 2020 to June 24, 2020. The Trust Loan bears interest at a fixed annual rate of 9.2%. The Company received total of $210.1 million (RMB 1.5 billion) loans from Minsheng Trust under this agreement. The loan is secured by 7,887 kilograms of Au9999 gold in aggregate with carrying value of approximately $260.3 million (RMB 1.9 billion). The loan is also guaranteed by the CEO and Chairman of the Company. The Company made a restricted deposit of approximately $2.1 million (RMB 15 million) to secure these loans. The deposit will be refunded when the loan is repaid upon maturity. This loan was originally recorded as long-term loans payable as of December 31, 2018. Based on its current maturity, it has been reclassified as short-term loans payable as of September 30, 2019. The Company paid approximately $7.5 million (RMB 53.5 million) as loan origination fee for obtaining this loan. The loan origination fee was recorded as deferred financing cost against the loan balance. For the year ended December 31, 2018 approximately $4.0 million (RMB 26.6 million) deferred financing cost was amortized. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, $0.94 million (RMB 6.7 million) and $2.8 million (RMB 19.99 million) deferred financing cost was amortized, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, approximately $1.5 million (RMB 9.6 million) deferred financing cost was amortized.

 

On October 10, 2018, the Company entered into another Trust Loan Contract in the amount of no more than approximately $140.1 million (RMB 1.0 billion) with China Minsheng Trust Co., Ltd. (“Minsheng Trust”). The purpose of the trust loan is to supplement liquidity needs. The Trust Loan will be issued in installments. Each installment of the Trust Loan has a 12-month term, and the period from issuance date of the first installment to the expiration date of the last installment shall not exceed 18 months. The Trust Loan bears interest at a fixed annual rate of 10.5%. The loan is secured by 5,356 kilograms of Au9999 gold in aggregate with carrying value of approximately $175.3 million (RMB 1.3 billion). The loan is also guaranteed by the CEO and Chairman of the Company.

 

In addition, on December 21, 2018, the Company entered into another Trust Loan Contract in the amount of no more than approximately $140.1 million (RMB 1.0 billion) with China Minsheng Trust Co., Ltd. (“Minsheng Trust”). The purpose of the trust loan is to supplement liquidity needs. The Trust Loan will be issued in installments. Each installment of the Trust Loan has a 12-month term, and the period from issuance date of the first installment to the expiration date of the last installment shall not exceed 18 months. The Trust Loan bears interest at a fixed annual rate of 11%. The loan is secured by 5,225.7 kilograms of Au9999 gold in aggregate. For the total raw material gold pledged, 2,971.21 kilograms were from the Company with carrying value of approximately $101.7 million (RMB 726.1 million) and the remaining 2,254.49 kilograms were from one related party Wuhan Kingold Group controlled by the CEO and Chairman with carrying value of approximately $87.9 million (RMB 627.1 million). The loan is also guaranteed by the CEO and Chairman of the Company. The loan installments were released to the Company from January 15 to January 21, 2019.

 

On May 24, 2019, the Company entered into another Trust Loan Contract with Minsheng Trust to borrow approximately $84.1 million (RMB 600 million) as working capital. Each installment of the Trust Loan has a 12-month term, and the period from issuance date of the first installment to the expiration date of the last installment shall not exceed 18 months. The Trust Loan bears interest at a fixed annual rate of 11%. The loan is secured by 2,990 kilograms of Au9999 gold in aggregate with carrying value of approximately $111.1 million (RMB 793.3 million). The loan is also guaranteed by the CEO and Chairman of the Company.

 

As of September 30, 2019 the aggregate outstanding loans payable to Mingsheng Trust amounted to approximately $574.4 million, among which approximately $78.8 million (RMB 526.6 million) has been subsequently repaid upon maturity in October 2019.

 

  Page 28 of 81  

 

 

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 5 – LOANS (continued)

 

(i) Loans payable to Dongguan Trust

  

In July 2018, Wuhan Kingold entered into a gold income rights transfer and repurchase agreement (the “Agreement”) with Dongguan Trust. The Agreement allows the Company to borrow up to approximately $140.1 million (RMB 1 billion) to exchange the income earning rights of the Company. The Company committed to buy back the rights and repay the proceeds received, and shall pay a fixed interest of 11% over a term of 18 months. The Company determined that this Agreement is essentially a loan agreement due to the nature of this transaction. This loan is secured by 4,974 kilograms of Au9999 gold in aggregate with carrying value of approximately $159.7 million (RMB 1,140 million). The loan is also guaranteed by the CEO and Chairman of the Company. The Company also made a restricted deposit of approximately $1.4 million (RMB 10 million) to secure the loan. The deposit will be refunded when the loan is repaid upon maturity. This loan was originally recorded as long-term loans payable as of December 31, 2018 and has been reclassified as short-term loans payable as of September 30, 2019, based on its current maturity.

 

The Company paid approximately $2.1 million (RMB 15 million) as loan origination fee for obtaining this loan. The loan origination fee was recorded as deferred financing cost against the loan balance. For year ended December 31, 2018, approximately $0.6 million (RMB 3.9 million) deferred financing cost was amortized. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, approximately $0.4 million (RMB 2.6 million) and $1.1 million (RMB 7.6 million) deferred financing cost was amortized, respectively.

 

(j) Loans payable to Chang’An Trust

 

In September 2017, Wuhan Kingold entered into a Trust Loan Contract with Chang’An Trust. The agreement allows the Company to access a total of approximately $140.1 million (RMB 1 billion) for the purpose of working capital needs. The loan bears a fixed annual interest of 10% with a term of 24 months and is secured by 4,784 kilograms of Au9999 gold in aggregate with carrying value of approximately $157.5 million (RMB 1.1 billion). The loan is also guaranteed by the CEO and Chairman of the Company. The Company also made a restricted deposit of approximately $1.4 million (RMB 10 million) to secure these loans. The deposit will be refunded when the loan is repaid upon maturity. On September 30, 2018, the Company made repayment of approximately $2.8 million (RMB 20 million). On October 31, 2018, the Company made additional repayment of approximately $25.9 million (RMB 178.2 million) to Chang'An Trust. As of September 30, 2019, the balance of loans from Chang’An Trust was approximately $112.3 (RMB 801.9 million), among which approximately $77.6 million (RMB 554.2 million) subsequently matured in October and early November 2019, and the Company entered into supplemental agreement with Chang’An Trust to extend the loan repayment date of these loans to December 27, 2019.

 

The Company paid approximately $1.5 million (RMB 11 million) as loan origination fee for obtaining the loans. The loan origination fee was recorded as deferred financing cost against the loan balance.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, approximately $0.2 million (RMB 1.4 million) and $0.6 million (RMB 4.1 million) deferred financing cost was amortized, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, approximately $0.2 million (RMB 1.4 million) and $0.6 million (RMB 4.1 million) deferred financing cost was amortized, respectively.

 

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KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 5 – LOANS (continued)

 

(k) Loans payable to Sichuan Trust

 

In January 2019, the Company entered into a Trust Loan Contract in the amount of approximately $43.4 million (RMB 310 million) with Sichuan Trust. The purpose of the trust loan is to purchase raw material gold. The loan period is 12 months from receiving of principal amount. The Trust Loan bears interest at a fixed annual rate of 10.7615%. The loan is secured by 1,647 kilograms of Au9999 gold in aggregate with carrying value of approximately $56.0 million (RMB 399.6 million). The loan is also guaranteed by the CEO and Chairman of the Company. 

 

(l) Loans payable to Northern International Trust

 

On January 18, 2019, the Company entered into a Trust Loan Contract in the amount of approximately $42.0 million (RMB 300 million) with Northern International Trust Co., Ltd. (“Northern International Trust”). The purpose of the trust loan is to purchase raw material gold. The Trust Loan will be issued in installments. Each installment of the Trust Loan has a 12-month term, and the period from issuance date of the first installment to the expiration date of the last installment shall not exceed 24 months. The Trust Loan bears interest at a fixed annual rate of 10%. The loan is secured by 1,524 kilograms of Au9999 gold in aggregate with carrying value of approximately $53.0 million (RMB 378.2 million). The Company also made a restricted deposit of approximately $0.42 million (RMB 3 million) to secure these loans. The deposit will be refunded when the loan is repaid upon maturity. The loan is also guaranteed by the Wuhan Kingold Group, the entity controlled by CEO and Chairman of the Company.

 

(m) Loans payable to Zhangjiakou Bank

 

On September 15, 2019, the Company signed a Loan Agreement with Baoding Branch of Zhangjiakou Bank for a loan of approximately $25.2 million (RMB 180 million). The purpose of this loan is to provide working capital for the Company to purchase gold. The term of the loan is one year with maturity date of September 15, 2020 and bears fixed interest of 7.5% per year. The loan is secured by 747 kilograms of Au9999 gold in aggregate with carrying value of approximately $32.0 million (RMB 228.7 million).

 

Interest expense for all of the short term loans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 was $36.5 million and $113.2 million, respectively. Interest expense for all of the short-term loans amounted to $21.3 million and $62.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively. The weighted average interest rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 was 9.7% and 8.9%, respectively.

 

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KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 5 – LOANS (continued)

 

Long term loans consist of the following:

 

    As of  
    September 30, 2019     December 31, 2018  
    (unaudited)        
(n) Loans payable to Minsheng Trust - gross amount   $ -     $ 218,099,337  
  Loans payable to Minsheng Trust - deferred financing cost     -       (3,907,406 )
(o) Loans payable to China Aviation Capital     -       42,165,872  
  Loans payable to China Aviation Capital - deferred financing cost     -       (990,898 )
(p) Loans payable to Sichuan Trust - gross amount     -       72,699,779  
  Loans payable to Sichuan Trust - deferred financing cost     -       -  
(q) Loan payable to Dongguan Trust     -       145,399,557  
  Loan payable to Dongguan Trust - deferred financing cost     -       (1,609,089 )
(r) Loan payable to Kunlun Trust     42,026,813       43,619,868  
(s ) Loan payable to Northern International Trust     42,026,813       -  
(t) Loan payable to Tianjin Trust     84,053,626       -  
  Total long term loans, net of deferred financing costs   $ 168,107,252     $ 515,477,020  

 

(n) Loan payable to Minsheng Trust- (see Note 5 (h) above). Approximately $210.1 million loans payable to Minsheng Trust has been reclassified as short-term loans payable as of September 30, 2019.

 

(o) Loans payable to China Aviation Trust – (see Note 5 (d) above). Approximately $40.6 million loans payable has been reclassified as short-term loans payable as of September 30, 2019.

 

(p) Loans payable to Sichuan Trust (see Note 5 (b) above). Approximately $210.1 million loans payable has been reclassified as short-term loans payable as of September 30, 2019. 

  

(q) Loans payable to Dongguan Trust- (see Note 5 (i) above). Approximately $140.1 million loans payable has been reclassified as short-term loans payable as of September 30, 2019.

 

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KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 5 – LOANS (continued)

 

(r) Loans payable to Kunlun Trust

  

In December 2018, Wuhan Kingold entered into a Trust Loan Contract in the amount of approximately $42.0 million (RMB 300 million) with China Kunlun Trust Co., Ltd. (“Kunlun Trust”). The Trust Loan has a 24-month term and bears interest at a fixed annual rate of 10%. This loan is secured by 1,578 kilograms of Au9999 gold in aggregate with carrying value of approximately $52.6 million (RMB 375.2 million). The loan is also guaranteed by the CEO and Chairman of the Company. The Company made a restricted deposit of approximately $0.42 million (RMB 3 million) to secure the loan. The deposit will be refunded when the loan is repaid upon maturity.

 

(s) Loans payable to North International Trust

  

In January 2019, Wuhan Kingold entered into a Trust Loan Contract in the amount of approximately $42.0 million (RMB 300 million) with Northern International Trust Co., Ltd. (“Northern International Trust”). The Trust Loan has a 24-month term with maturity date on January 28, 2021, and bears interest at a fixed annual rate of 10%. This loan is secured by 1,517 kilograms of Au9999 gold in aggregate with carrying value of approximately $51.6 million (RMB 368.1 million). The Company made a restricted deposit of approximately $0.42 million (RMB 3 million) to secure these loans. The deposit will be refunded when the loan is repaid upon maturity. The loan is also guaranteed by the related party Wuhan Kingold Industrial Group Co., Ltd, an entity controlled by the CEO and Chairman of the Company.

 

(t) Loans payable to Tianjin Trust

 

In March 2019, the Company entered into a gold income rights transfer and repurchase agreement (the “Agreement”) with Tianjin Trust. The Agreement allows the Company to obtain up to approximately $140.1 million (RMB 1 billion) loans to exchange the income earning rights derived from its gold. The Company committed to buy back the rights and repay the proceeds received, and shall pay a fixed interest of 12% over the term (from March 29, 2019 to December 29, 2020). The Company determined that this Agreement is essentially a loan agreement due to the nature of this transaction. The Company has pledged 2,822 kilograms of Au9999 gold in aggregate with carrying value of approximately $95.9 million (RMB 684.7 million) to secure the loan. The Company also made a restricted deposit of approximately $0.84 million (RMB 6 million) to secure the loan. The deposit will be refunded when the loan is repaid upon maturity. The loan is also guaranteed by the CEO and Chairman of the Company, and related party Wuhan Kingold Industrial Group. The Company received RMB 414.6 million in the first quarter of 2019 and further received additional RMB 185.4 million in April 2019. As of September 30, 2019, the Company received approximately $84.1 million (RMB 600 million) loans from Tianjin Trust.

 

Interest expense for all of the long term loans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 was approximately $4.9 million and $11.3 million, respectively. Total interest expense for the above long-term loans was approximately $15.3 million and $53.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively. The weighted average interest rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 was 11% and 8.9%, respectively.

 

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KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 6 – INVESTMENTS IN GOLD

 

As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company allocated a total of 57,663,210 grams and 61,122,210 grams of Au9999 gold in its inventories with carrying value of approximately $1,924.0 million and $2,078.5 million, respectively, as investments in gold for obtaining various loans from banks, and financial institutions (See Note 5).

 

As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company pledged a total of 2,655 kilograms of gold, as guarantee for Wuhan Kangbo Biotech Limited (“Kangbo”), a related party which is controlled by the CEO and Chairman of the Company, for obtaining total amount of approximately $69.8 million (RMB 498.5 million) and $70.0 million (RMB 500 million) loan from Evergrowing Bank Huanshan Road Branch, respectively (See Note 7).

 

As of September 30, 2019, the Company pledged a total of 339 kilograms of gold as collateral for obtaining total amount of $7.5 million (RMB 53.8 million) loan from Wuhan Huayuan Technology Development Limited (“Huayuan”), a related party which is controlled by the CEO and Chairman of the Company. (See Note 7).   

 

As of September 30, 2019, a total of 6,256 kilograms of Au9999 gold with fair market value of approximately $267.2 million was pledged for long term loans, and therefore classified as non-current investments in gold. The remaining investments in gold of 54,401.21 kilograms of Au9999 gold with fair market value of approximately $2,323.3 million was classified as current assets as of September 30, 2019.

 

As of December 31, 2018, the total of 19,629 kilograms of Au9999 gold with fair market value of approximately $700.2 million was pledged for long-term bank loans, and therefore classified as non-current investments in gold. The remaining investments in gold of 44,671.21 kilograms of Au9999 gold with fair market value of approximately $1,593.6 million was classified as current assets as of December 31, 2018.

 

As of September 30, 2019, the fair market value of a total of 60,657.2 kilograms of Au9999 gold investments increased by approximately $484.1 million, which resulted in unrealized gain of approximately $363.1 million, net of tax for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The Company recorded the change in unrealized gain related to investments in gold as other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax.

 

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KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 7 – RELATED PARTIES LOANS 

 

(a) Loans payable to Wuhan Kangbo Biotech Limited

 

On January 13, 2017, Wuhan Kingold entered into a loan agreement with Wuhan Kangbo Biotech Limited (“Kangbo”), a related party which is controlled by the CEO and Chairman of the Company, for a loan of approximately $140.1 million (RMB 1 billion). The loan had one-year term from January 12, 2017 to January 10, 2018 and bore fixed interest of 4.75%. In order for Kangbo to obtain the loan from the bank, Wuhan Kingold signed the guarantee agreement with Evergrowing Bank - Yantai Huangshan Road Branch on January 11, 2017. As a guarantor of the bank loan, Wuhan Kingold pledged 5,470 kilograms of gold in aggregate with carrying value of approximately $176.1 million (RMB 1.3 billion) as collateral.

 

On February 20, 2017, Wuhan Kingold entered into a second loan agreement with Kangbo for a loan of approximately $140.1 million (RMB 1 billion). The loan had one-year term from February 20, 2017 to February 20, 2018 bore fixed interest of 4.75%. In order for Kangbo to obtain the loan from the bank, Wuhan Kingold signed the guarantee agreement with Evergrowing Bank - Yantai Huangshan Road Branch on February 16, 2017. As a guarantor of the bank loan, Wuhan Kingold pledged 4,755 kilograms of gold in aggregate with carrying value of approximately $157.7 million (RMB 1.1 billion) as collateral.

 

The Company repaid $210.1 million (RMB 1.5 billion) loans to Kangbo upon maturity in January 2018 and February 2018. 7,870 kilograms of pledged gold in Evergrowing Bank - Yantai Huanshan Road Branch were released to the Company accordingly with 2,355 kilograms are still pledged as guarantee. For the remaining $70.0 million (RMB 500 million) loan that matured on March 2, 2018, the Company entered into a loan extension agreement with Kangbo to extend the loan borrowing period for additional seven months until October 2, 2018 with additional 300 kilograms of gold pledged as collateral. Upon the maturity of the loan, the Company entered into a supplemental agreement with the related party Kangbo to extend the term of the loan for 12 months with new maturity date on October 2, 2019, the 2,655 kilograms of Au9999 gold with carrying value of approximately $87.9 million (RMB 627.3 million) will still be pledged in Yantai Huanshan Road Branch of Evergrowing Bank for Kangbo to obtain the loan.  The Company repaid approximately $0.21 million (RMB 1,516,238) loan to Kangbo in the second quarter of 2019. As of September 30, 2019, total outstanding loans payable to Kangbo amounted to approximately $69.8 million (RMB 498.5 million).

 

Total interest expenses for above related party loans were approximately $1,179,018 and $3,599,314, respectively for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively. Total interest expenses for above related party loans were approximately $1,207,654 and $4,178,626, respectively for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively.

 

The $69.8 million loans payable to Kangbo matured on October 2, 2019 and the Company entered into a supplemental agreement with Kangbo to extend the loan repayment date to February and March 2020.

 

(b) Loans payable to Wuhan Kingold Industrial Group

 

Between November 23, 2016 and November 29, 2016, the Company entered into multiple loan agreements of RMB 3.2 billion in aggregate with Wuhan Kingold Industrial Group, a related party which is controlled by the CEO and Chairman of the Company, as working capital loans in order to subsequently purchase raw material of gold.

 

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KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 7 – RELATED PARTIES LOANS (continued)

 

(b) Loans payable to Wuhan Kingold Industrial Group (continued)

 

On February 22, 2017, the Company signed a non-interest bearing credit line agreement with Wuhan Kingold Industrial Group for additional loan of RMB 800 million with a 5 year maturity to February 21, 2022.

 

In April 2017, the Company signed three additional non-interest bearing credit line agreements with Wuhan Kingold Industrial Group for additional loans totaling RMB 1.35 billion with 5 year maturity to April 2022.

 

In January 2018, the Company signed an agreement and borrowed additional $305.3 million (RMB 2.1 billion) non-interest bearing loan from Wuhan Kingold Industrial Group as working capital with 5 year maturity to January 2023.

  

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company repaid loans totaling $561.7 million (RMB 3.7 billion) and obtained loans totaling $545.9 million (RMB 3.6 billion).

 

On November 30, 2018, Wuhan Kingold Industrial Group signed an agreement with the CEO and Chairman of the Company to transfer the credit right for its loan to the Company of approximately $143.9 million (RMB 1 billion). As the result, the CEO and Chairman of the Company resume the credit right. The CEO and Chairman transferred this credit right to paid-in capital through a share restructuring on November 30, 2018.

 

As of December 31, 2018, the aggregate borrowing amount from Wuhan Kingold Industrial Group was $362.9 million (RMB 2.5 billion).

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company repaid approximately $117.7 million (RMB 840.2 million) to Wuhan Kingold Industrial Group. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company also borrowed additional approximately $294.8 million (RMB 2.1 billion) from Wuhan Kingold Industrial Group. As of September 30, 2019, the aggregate borrowing amount from Wuhan Kingold Industrial Group was approximately $526.7 million (RMB 3.8 billion). The Company classified these loans as non-current liabilities.

 

(c) Loans payable to Wuhan Huayuan Technology Development Limited

 

On June 8, 2017, Wuhan Kingold signed a loan agreement with Wuhan Huayuan Technology Development Limited (“Wuhan Huayuan”), a related party which is controlled by the CEO and Chairman of the Company, for a loan of $14.5 million (RMB 100 million). The purpose for the loans is for working capital and purchasing gold. The loan has four years term from June 8, 2017 to June 8, 2021, and bears fixed interest of 7%. The Company also pledged 523 kilograms of Au9999 gold with carrying value of approximately $18.1 million (RMB 124.4 million) as collateral to secure this loan.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company repaid $3.4 million (RMB 22.6 million), results in the outstanding balance of $10.5 million (RMB 72.0 million) as of December 31, 2018. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, additional $2.54 million (RMB 18.1 million) was repaid to Wuhan Huayuan, resulting the outstanding balance of $7.5 million (RMB 53.9 million) payable to Wuhan Huayuan as of September 30, 2019. In connection with the loan repayment, in May 2019, 184 kilograms of pledged gold were released and returned.  As of September 30, 2019, the Au9999 gold pledged with Wuhan Huayuan as collateral were 339 kilograms with carrying value of approximately $11.3 million (RMB 80.6 million).

 

Interest expense of $166,029 and $562,799 was recorded for this loan for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively. Interest expense of $237,276 and $799,905 was recorded for this loan for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively.

 

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KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 8 – OTHER RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

During the Company’s normal course of business, the Company received working capital proceeds from the CEO and Chairman of the Company, to pay certain expense to various service providers on behalf of the Company. Such amount is unsecured and payable on demand with no interest. As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the amount due to this related party were $4,410,957 and $3,976,742, respectively.  

 

On June 27, 2016, Wuhan Kingold signed certain 5 years lease agreements with Wuhan Huayuan, a related party which is controlled by the CEO and Chairman of the Company, to rent office and store space at the Jewelry Park, commencing in July 2016 and October 2016, respectively, with aggregate annual rent of approximately $0.3 million (RMB 2.3 million). On July 1, 2017, Wuhan Kingold signed another 5 years lease agreement with Wuhan Huayuan to rent additional office space at the Jewelry Park commencing in July 2017 with aggregate annual rent of approximately $87,058 (RMB 576,000). The lease agreement with Wuhan Huayuan has been amended on November 16, 2017, pursuant to which two office spaces and a dormitory were no longer leased. The lease agreement was further amended on September 1, 2018, pursuant to which the store space was no longer leased.

 

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded $20,500 and $62,943 rent expense, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company recorded $62,888 and $197,811 rent expense, respectively. As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company had lease payables to Wuhan Huayuan of $488,296 and $443,992, respectively, which were included in other payables and accrued expenses. 

 

NOTE 9 – INCOME TAXES 

 

The Company is subject to income taxes on an entity basis on income arising in or derived from the tax jurisdiction in which each entity is domiciled.

 

Kingold is incorporated in the United States and has incurred net operating loss for income tax purposes through September 30, 2019. The Company has utilized approximately $6.2 million of net operating loss carry forward to offset the one-time transition tax for the year ended December 31, 2017 and the tax benefit derived from the utilization of this net operating loss was approximately $2.2 million.

 

Dragon Lead is incorporated in the British Virgin Islands (the “BVI”), and under current laws of the BVI, income earned is not subject to income tax.

 

Wuhan Vogue-Show and Wuhan Kingold are incorporated in the PRC and are subject to PRC income tax, which is computed according to the relevant laws and regulations in the PRC. The applicable tax rate is 25% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and for the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

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KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 9 – INCOME TAXES (continued)

 

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Act”) was signed into law making significant changes to the Internal Revenue Code. The Act significantly modified the U.S. Internal Revenue Code by, among other things, reducing the statutory U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017; limiting and/or eliminating many business deductions; migrating the U.S. to a territorial tax system with a one-time transition tax on a mandatory deemed repatriation of previously deferred foreign earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries; subject to certain limitations, generally eliminating U.S. corporate income tax on dividends from foreign subsidiaries; and providing for new taxes on certain foreign earnings. Taxpayers may elect to pay the one-time transition tax over eight years or in a single lump sum. The Act also includes provisions for a new tax on GILTI effective for tax years of foreign corporations beginning after December 31, 2017. The GILTI provisions impose a tax on foreign income in excess of a deemed return on tangible assets of controlled foreign corporations (“CFCs”), subject to the possible use of foreign tax credits and a deduction equal to 50 percent to offset the income tax liability, subject to some limitations.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recognized a transition tax of approximately $10.8 million that represented management’s estimate of the amount of U.S. corporate income tax based on the deemed repatriation to the United States of the Company’s share of previously deferred earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries and VIE of the Company mandated by the U.S. Tax Reform. U.S. Treasury regulations, administrative interpretations or court decisions interpreting the Tax Act may require further adjustments and changes in our estimates. The Company provided an additional $0.9 million for the interest and penalty due on the late payment of the one-time transition tax. 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes was allocated between the U.S. and foreign components for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018: 

 

    For the three months ended September 30,     For the nine months ended September 30,  
    2019     2018     2019     2018  
United States   $ (683,414 )   $ (214,312 )   $ (1,262,239 )   $ (1,167,190 )
Foreign     (31,166,372 )     17,949,121       (5,029,468 )     54,951,370  
    $ (31,849,786 )   $ 17,734,809     $ (6,291,707 )   $ 53,784,180  

 

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KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 9 – INCOME TAXES (continued)

 

Significant components of the income tax provision (benefit) were as follows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018: 

 

    For the three months ended September 30,     For the nine months ended September 30,  
    2019     2018     2019     2018  
Current tax provision                                
Federal   $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
State     -       -       -       -  
Foreign     6,481,926       1,787,717       17,292,113       9,214,312  
    $ 6,481,926     $ 1,787,717     $ 17,292,113     $ 9,214,312  
Deferred tax provision (benefit)                                
Federal   $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
State     -       -       -       -  
Foreign     (14,327,255 )     2,699,588       (18,549,129 )     4,523,643  
      (14,327,255 )     2,699,588       (18,549,129 )     4,523,643  
Income tax provision (benefit)   $ (7,845,329 )   $ 4,487,305     $ (1,257,016 )   $ 13,737,955  

 

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KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 9 – INCOME TAXES (continued)

 

The components of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 consist of the following:

 

    As of September 30,
2019
    As of December 31, 2018  
Deferred tax assets:                
Accrued interest   $ 1,098,229     $ 557,941  
Deferred financing costs on the loans     5,133,252       3,646,606  
Net operating losses of the U.S entity (“NOLs”)     4,410,301       4,145,231  
Less: valuation allowance     (4,410,301 )     (4,145,231 )
Deferred tax assets, net     6,231,481       4,204,547  
                 
Deferred tax liabilities:                
Gain due to change in fair value of investments in gold   $ (132,040,939 )   $ (27,409,470 )
Accrued expenses     (1,646,158 )     (966,667 )
Other temporary differences     (45,591 )     (47,321 )
                 
Deferred tax liabilities - net   $ (127,501,207 )   $ (24,218,911 )

 

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KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 9 – INCOME TAXES (continued)

 

The following table reconciles the U.S. statutory rates to the Company’s effective rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018: 

 

    For the three months ended September 30,     For the nine months ended September 30,  
    2019     2018     2019     2018  
US statutory rate     21.0 %     21.0 %     21.0 %     21.0 %
Foreign income and loss not recognized in the U.S.     (21.0 )%     (21.0 )%     (21.0 )%     (21.0 )%
China income tax     25.0 %     25.0 %     25.0 %     25.0 %
Miscellanies and non-deductible expense     (0.4 )%     0.3 %     (5.0 )%     0.5 %
 Effective tax rate     24.6 %     25.3 %     20.0 %     25.5 %

 

NOTE 10 – EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

 

The following table presents a reconciliation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share:

 

    For the three months ended September 30,     For the nine months ended September 30,  
    2019     2018     2019     2018  
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders   $ (24,004,457 )   $ 13,247,504     $ (5,034,691 )   $ 40,046,225  
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - Basic     11,018,955       11,018,955       11,018,955       11,018,955  
Unexercised warrants and options     -       1,270       -       32,942  
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – diluted     11,018,955       11,020,225       11,018,955       11,051,897  
                                 
                                 
Earnings (loss) per share - Basic   $ (2.18 )   $ 1.20     $ (0.46 )   $ 3.63  
Earnings (loss) per share – Diluted   $ (2.18 )   $ 1.20     $ (0.46 )   $ 3.62  

 

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KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 11 – OPTIONS

 

The Company recorded $Nil and $5,364 stock-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively. The Company recorded $5,364 and $16,092 stock-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively.

 

The following table summarized the Company’s stock option activity:

 

                Weighted Average  
    Number of
Options
    Weighted Average
Exercise Price
    Remaining Life 
in Years
 
Outstanding, December 31, 2018     3,220,000     $ 1.90       2.76  
Exercisable, December 31, 2018     3,214,636     $ 1.90       2.75  
                         
Granted     -       -       -  
Forfeited     -       -       -  
Exercised     -       -       -  
Outstanding, September 30, 2019     3,220,000     $ 1.90       2.01  
                         
Exercisable, September 30, 2019     3,220,000     $ 1.90       2.01  

   

NOTE 12 – CONVERTIBLE NOTES

 

On August 26, 2019, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with two private investors (the “Investors”) pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell to the Investors, and the Investors agreed to purchase from the Company, in an unregistered private transaction, convertible notes (the “Notes”) with an aggregate principal amount of $1,030,000. The Notes feature an initial issuance discount of 3%, bear interest at 5% annual rate and mature in one year. The conversion price for the Notes is initially set at $3.00 per share for the first 180 days following issuance. Thereafter, the Notes may be converted by the Investors for a price equal to 70% of the lowest closing price of the Company’s common stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”) during the ten trading days immediately prior to the delivery of an exercise notice.

 

The Company also agreed to sell to the Investors warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 400,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.75 per share (the “Warrants”). The Warrants are exercisable from issuance and expire two years from the date of issuance. The exercise price and the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants are subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits or dividends, or other similar transactions, but not as a result of future securities offerings at lower prices.

 

The Company also agreed to pay the Placement Agent a cash commission fee equal to 8% of the aggregate gross proceeds. Net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Shares and the Warrants, after deducting offering expenses and placement agent fees, are $890,000. The transaction closed on August 27, 2019.

 

In connection of the Company’s subsequent reverse stock split as disclosed in Note 15, the conversion price of the Notes and number of shares of common stock under the warrants has been retrospectively adjusted by dividing the number of shares of common stock into which the warrants and convertible securities are exercisable or convertible by 6 and multiplying the exercise or conversion price thereof by 6.

 

The proceeds of debt instruments with detachable warrants shall be allocated between the convertible notes and warrants based on their relative fair values at time of issuance. The conversion feature is treated as a derivative instrument and derivative accounting is applied. Derivative liability is recognized initially at fair, which shall be reassessed at each reporting date. Issuance costs should be allocated proportionally to the debt host, conversion feature and warrants.

 

As of September 30, 2019, net convertible notes payable amounted to $599,739 (carrying value of $1,034,291, net of unamortized debt discounts of $434,552), and the conversion feature of $267,000 was recorded as derivative liability as reflected in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. The warrants of $67,057 is recorded into additional paid-in capital.

 

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KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 12 – CONVERTIBLE NOTES PAYABLE AND WARRANTS (continued)

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, $39,505 of debt discount amortization expense has been recorded and charged to the interest expense which is included in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operation and comprehensive income (loss).

 

NOTE 13 – CONCENTRATIONS AND RISKS

 

The Company maintains certain bank accounts in the PRC and BVI, which are not insured by Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance or other insurance. The cash and restricted cash balance held in the PRC bank accounts was $16,609,371 and $12,749,593 as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The cash balance held in the BVI bank accounts was $Nil as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018. As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company held $332,259 and $22,953 of cash balances within the United States.

 

As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, almost 100% of the Company’s assets were located in the PRC and 100% of the Company’s revenues were derived from its subsidiaries located in the PRC.

 

The Company’s principal raw material used during the reporting period was gold, which accounted for almost 100% of its total purchases for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018. The gold purchased by the Company was solely from the Shanghai Gold Exchange, the largest gold trading platform in the PRC.

 

No customer accounted for more than 10% of annual sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018.  

 

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KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 14 – LEASES

 

On June 27, 2016, Wuhan Kingold signed certain 5 years lease agreements with Wuhan Huayuan, a related party which is controlled by the CEO and Chairman of the Company, to rent office and store space at the Jewelry Park, commencing in July 2016 and October 2016, with aggregate annual rent of approximately $0.3 million (RMB 2.3 million). On July 1, 2017, Wuhan Kingold signed another 5 years lease agreement with Wuhan Huayuan to rent additional office space at the Jewelry Park commencing in July 2017 with aggregate annual rent of approximately $85,352 (RMB 576,000). The lease agreement with Wuhan Huayuan has been amended on November 16, 2017, pursuant to which two office spaces and a dormitory were no longer leased. The lease agreement was further amended on September 1, 2018, pursuant to which the store space was no longer leased.

 

Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted the new lease accounting standard using the optional transition method which allowed us to continue to apply the guidance under the lease standard in effect at the time in the comparative periods presented. In addition, the Company elected the package of practical expedients, which allowed us to not reassess whether any existing contracts contain a lease, to not reassess historical lease classification as operating or finance leases, and to not reassess initial direct costs. The Company has not elected the practical expedient to use hindsight to determine the lease term for its leases at transition. The Company has also elected the practical expedient allowing us to not separate the lease and non-lease components for all classes of underlying assets. Adoption of this standard resulted in the recording of operating lease ROU assets and corresponding operating lease liabilities of $241,762 and $241,762, respectively, as of January 1, 2019 with no impact on accumulated deficit. Financial position for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019, are presented under the new guidance, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with previous guidance.

 

All of the Company’s leases are classified as operating leases and primarily includes office space. Operating lease ROU assets are presented within other assets-net on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The current portion of operating lease liabilities are presented within accrued expenses and other payables, and the non-current portion of operating lease liabilities are presented within other long-term liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

 

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KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 14 – LEASES

 

Supplemental balance sheet information related to operating leases was as follows:

 

    Balance Sheet
Classification
  As of
September 30, 2019
 
Assets:            
Right-of-use assets   Other assets - net   $ 184,192  
             
Liabilities:            
Current   Accrued expenses and other payables   $ 90,613  
Noncurrent   Other long-term liabilities     154,098  
             
Total operating lease liabilities       $ 244,711  

 

As of September 30, 2019, the weighted-average remaining lease term was 2.75 years. The Company’s lease agreements do not provide a readily determinable implicit rate nor is it available to the Company from its lessors. Instead, the Company estimates its incremental borrowing rate based on its average long-term loans borrowing rate in order to discount lease payments to present value. The weighted-average discount rate of the Company’s operating leases was 10.2%, as of September 30, 2019.

 

As of September 30, 2019, maturities of operating lease liabilities were as follows:  

 

Maturity of Operating Lease Liabilities      
2019   $ 89,923  
2020   83,923  
2021     83,923  
2022     41,962  
Total future minimum lease payments     293,731  
Less imputed interest     (49,020 )
Total   $ 244,711  

 

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KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 15 – SUBSEQUENT EVENT

 

In order to enable the Company to meet the NASDAQ continued listing standards relating to the minimum bid price and to reduce the risk of the Company being automatically delisted from the NASDAQ Capital Market due to the closing bid price of its common stock falling below $1.00 per share for 30 consecutive business days, on September 26, 2019 and October 7, 2019, respectively, the Company’s Board of Directors and a majority of the shareholders approved a 1-for-6 reverse stock split of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock (the “Reverse Stock Split”), which became effective on October 21, 2019 (the “Effective Date”). Immediately prior to the Effective Date, there were 66,113,502 shares of common stock outstanding. As a result of the Reverse Stock Split, there are 11,018,955 shares of common stock outstanding. The Reverse Stock Split will not have any effect on the stated par value of the common stock. All options, warrants and convertible securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split will be appropriately adjusted by dividing the number of shares of common stock into which the options, warrants and convertible securities are exercisable or convertible by 6 and multiplying the exercise or conversion price thereof by 6, as a result of the Reverse Stock Split. As a result of this Reverse Stock Split, the Company’s shares and per share data as reflected in the stockholder’s equity section has been retroactively restated as if the transaction occurred at the beginning of the periods presented.

 

In October 2019, the Company signed a supplemental agreement with Evergrowing bank Yantai Huangshan Road Branch to extend the loan repayment date for an outstanding loan of $27.9 million to March 23, 2020 (see Note 5).

 

In October 2019, for $140.1 million loan payable to Anxin Trust with maturity date on October 18, 2019, the Company negotiated with Anxin Trust and extended the insurance coverage date to December 18, 2019 and accordingly postponed the maturity date of $140.1 million loan to December 18, 2019. In addition, for additional $70.0 million (RMB 500 million) loans payable to Anxin Trust that subsequently matured on October 11, 2019 and October 12, 2019, the Company repaid RMB 100 million (approximately $14.0 million) to Anxin Trust upon loan maturity and then entered into a supplemental agreement with Anxin Trust to extend the loan term of RMB 400 million (approximately $56.0 million) for additional one year, with new maturity date in October 2020 (see Note 5).

 

In October and early November 2019, approximately $77.6 million (RMB 554.2 million) loans payable to Chang’An Trust has matured and the Company entered into supplemental agreement with Chang’An Trust to extend the loan repayment date of these loans to December 27, 2019 (see Note 5).

 

On October 2, 2019, approximately $69.8 million loans payable to Kangbo matured and the Company entered into a supplemental agreement with Kangbo to extend the loan repayment date to February and March 2020 (see Note 7).

 

In September 2019, the Company entered into a gold pledge contract with Mingsheng Trust to provide guarantee for related party, Hubei Sanhuan Industrial Co., Ltd. (“Sanhuan”), an entity controlled by Wuhan Kingold Industrial Group, in order for Sanhuan to obtain a maximum loan of approximately $140.1 million (RMB 1 billion) from Minsheng Trust for 18 months. Based on the contract, the Company pledged 5,361 kilograms of Au9999 gold in aggregate with carrying value of approximately $200.1 million (RMB 1.4 billion) in October 2019 to guarantee this related party loan.

 

The Company evaluated the subsequent event through the date of the report available to issue, and concluded that there are no additional reportable subsequent events except those disclosed.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with the financial statements and related notes included in this report and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. See also the “Cautionary Statement for Purposes of the “Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995” appearing elsewhere in this report. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in those forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including, but not limited to, those contained in the “Risk Factors” section of this report and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

Our Business

 

Through a variable interest entity (“VIE”) relationship with Wuhan Kingold Jewelry Company Limited (“Wuhan Kingold”), a corporation incorporated in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”), we believe that we are one of the leading professional designers and manufacturers of high quality 24-karat gold jewelry and Chinese ornaments. We develop, promote and sell a broad range of products to the rapidly expanding jewelry market across China. We offer a wide range of in-house designed products including, but not limited to, gold necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets, and pendants. We have built a partnership with the Jewelry Institute of China University of Geosciences to help us design new products.

 

We have historically sold our products directly to distributors, retailers and other wholesalers, who then sell our products to consumers through retail counters located in both department stores and other traditional stand-alone jewelry stores. We sell our products to our customers at a price that reflects the market price of the base material, plus a mark-up reflecting our design fees and processing fees. This mark-up typically ranges from 3% – 6% of the price of the base material.

 

We aim to become an increasingly important participant in the PRC’s gold jewelry design and manufacturing sector. In addition to expanding our design and manufacturing capabilities, our goal is to provide a large variety of gold products in unique styles and superior quality under our brand, Kingold.

 

We borrow money to finance the purchase of gold, which gold was then pledged to secure the loans. In some cases, the unrestricted gold available for production was insufficient to provide adequate security for such loans, which in turn required us to lease gold from a related party to satisfy the loan conditions and conduct the operations. 

 

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Results of Operations

 

The following table sets forth our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) (unaudited) for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 in U.S. dollars: 

 

    For the three months ended
September 30,
    Changes  
    2019     2018     Amount     %  
NET SALES   $ 382,790,132     $ 626,171,072     $ (243,380,940 )     (38.9 )%
COST OF SALES                                
Cost of sales     (367,382,898 )     (564,685,762 )     197,302,864       (34.9 )%
Depreciation     (235,731 )     (255,546 )     19,815       (7.8 )%
Total cost of sales     (367,618,629 )     (564,941,308 )     197,322,679       (34.9 )%
                                 
GROSS PROFIT     15,171,503       61,229,764       (46,058,261 )     (75.2 )%
                                 
OPERATING EXPENSES                                
Selling, general and administrative expenses     2,265,898       2,424,458       (158,560 )     (6.5 )%
Stock compensation expenses     -       5,364       (5,364 )     (100.0 )%
Depreciation     92,438       146,475       (54,037 )     (36.9 )%
Lease expense     20,500       62,888       (42,388 )     (67.4 )%
Amortization, other     2,690       2,767       (77 )     (2.8 )%
Total operating expenses     2,381,526       2,641,952       (260,426 )     (9.9 )%
                                 
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS     12,789,977       58,587,812       (45,797,835 )     (78.2 )%
                                 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES)                                
Other income     -       64,433       (64,433 )     (100.0 )%
Interest Income     271,304       562,294       (290,990 )     (51.8 )%
Interest expense, including amortization of debt issuance costs of $2,187,956 and $3,482,031     (44,911,067 )     (41,479,730 )     (3,431,337 )     8.3 %
Total other expenses, net     (44,639,763 )     (40,853,003 )     (3,786,760 )     9.3 %
                                 
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES     (31,849,786 )     17,734,809       (49,584,595 )     (279.6 )%
                                 
INCOME TAX PROVISION (BENEFIT)                                
Current     6,481,926       1,787,717       4,694,209       262.6 %
Deferred     (14,327,255 )     2,699,588       (17,026,843 )     (630.7 )%
Total income tax provision (benefit)     (7,845,329 )     4,487,305       (12,332,634 )     (274.8 )%
                                 
NET INCOME (LOSS)     (24,004,457 )     13,247,504       (37,251,961 )     (281.2 )%
                                 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)                                
Unrealized gain (loss) related to investment in gold, net of tax     209,005,270       (18,935,552 )     227,940,822       (1203.8 )%
Total Foreign currency translation loss     (41,688,955 )     (13,077,661 )     (28,611,294 )     218.8 )%
Total Other comprehensive income (loss)     167,316,315       (32,013,213 )     199,329,528     (622.6 )%
                                 
Comprehensive income (loss)   $ 143,311,858     $ (18,765,709 )   $ 162,077,567       (863.7 )%

 

  Page 47 of 81  

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2018

 

Net Sales

 

Net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2019 amounted to approximately $382.8 million, a decrease of approximately $243.4 million, or 38.9%, from net sales of $626.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018. The overall decrease in our revenue in the three months ended September 30, 2019 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018 was mainly the result of the following reasons: (1) Total sales volume (in terms of quantity sold) decreased from 29.6 metric tons in three months ended September 30, 2018 to 13.7 metric tons in three months ended September 30, 2019, causing 15.9 metric tons or 53.6% decrease. The decrease in our sales volume was affected by our customers’ perception of the investment in gold. Usually when the market price of gold rises, our customers reduce the gold purchase and invest until the price drop in the near future. As a result, approximately $289.7 million decrease in our revenue was attributable to the decrease in our sales volume. (2) The average unit selling price for our brand production sales increased from RMB 250.77 per gram in three months ended September 30, 2018 to RMB 286.75 per gram in three months ended September 30, 2019, causing 14.3% increase. In addition, the average unit selling price for our customized production sales increased from RMB 6.92 per gram in three months ended September 30, 2018 to RMB 7.27 per gram in three months ended September 30, 2019, causing 5.1% increase. As a result of the price change effect, the increase in average unit selling price led to approximately $92.5 million increase in our revenue, to compensate the revenue decrease derived from sales volume decrease, to a certain extent. (3) Foreign currency adjustment effect was an approximately $46.2 million foreign currency translation loss converting RMB into USD when the average exchange rate of USD: RMB increased from 1 USD=6.5153 RMB in three months ended September 30, 2018 to 1 USD=6.8634 RMB in three months ended September 30, 2019. 

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2019, our branded production sales accounted for 98.8% of the total sales and customized production sales accounted for 1.1% of the total sales. When compared with the three months ended September 30, 2018, our branded production sales decreased by $234.5 million, or 38.3%, and our customized production sales decreased by approximately $8.9 million, or 67.0%. 

 

During three months ended September 30, 2019, we processed a total of 13.7 metric tons of gold, of which branded production accounted for 9.3 metric tons (68.0%) and customized production accounted for 4.4 metric tons (32.0%). During three months ended September 30, 2018, we processed a total of 29.6 metric tons of gold, of which branded production accounted for 16.6 metric tons (56.1%) and customized production accounted for 13 metric tons (43.9%). 

 

  Page 48 of 81  

 

  

Cost of Sales

 

Cost of sales for the three months ended September 30, 2019 amounted to $367.6 million, a decrease of $197.3 million, or 34.9%, from $564.9 million for the same period in 2018. The decrease was primarily due to the lower volume of the gold as a raw material used for our branded production. Total sales quantity decreased 53.6% to approximately 13.7 metric tons in three months ended September 30, 2019 from 29.6 metric tons in three months ended September 30, 2018.

 

Gross Profit

 

Gross profit for the three months ended September 30, 2019 was approximately $15.2 million, a decrease of approximately $46.0 million, or 75.2%, from $61.2 million for the same period in 2018. The decrease in our gross profit resulted from the following factors: (1) Due to decreased sales volume affected by decreased market demand, the Company’s gross profit for the three months ended September 30, 2019 was negatively affected. (2) Our gross profit was affected by the unit cost of raw materials used in our production. The unit cost of our branded production sales was RMB 277.76 per gram for the three months ended September 30, 2019 while the unit cost of our branded production sales was RMB 230.86 per gram for three months ended September 30, 2018, representing a 20.3% increase. In addition, the unit cost of our customized production sales was RMB 0.51 per gram for the three months ended September 30, 2019 while the unit cost of our customized production sales was RMB 0.23 per gram for three months ended September 30, 2018, representing a 123.7% increase. The increase in our unit cost of raw materials used in our production reduced our gross profit for the three months ended September 30, 2019 as compared to the same period of 2018. The decrease in quantity sold and increase in our unit cost were the major reasons which led the decrease in our gross profit. (3) On the other hand, our gross profit was also affected by increased average selling price. Meanwhile, the average selling price of our customized production sales was RMB 7.27 per gram for the three months ended September 30, 2019, increased by RMB 0.35, or 5.1%, from RMB 6.92 per gram for the three months ended September 30, 2018. As a result, our gross profit decrease due to decreased sales volume and increased unit cost was compensated by increased average selling price to a certain extent. For the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, our gross margin was 4.0% and 9.8%, respectively. The overall decrease in our gross profit and gross margin reflected the above combined factors.

 

Expenses

 

Total operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2019 were approximately $2.38 million, a decrease of $260,426 or 9.9%, as compared with $2.64 million for the same period in 2018. The decrease was mainly due to the decrease in selling expenses such as sales commission paid to sales personnel when our sales volume and revenue decreased during the three months ended September 30, 2019 as compared to the same period of 2018, and decreased operating lease expense because we amended our original lease agreement with Wuhan Huayuan in September 2018, pursuant to which the store space was no longer leased and accordingly our operating lease expense was reduced.

 

Interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2019 was $44.9 million compared with $41.5 million for the same period in 2018. The increase of interest expense was mainly due to higher balances for interest bearing loans resulted from additional loans obtained and recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared with the same period of 2018.

 

The income tax benefit was approximately $7.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019, compared to income tax expense of approximately $4.5 million for the same period in 2018. The decrease of income tax expense was mainly because we had a decrease in taxable income from operations before tax for the three months ended September 30, 2019, comparing to the same period last year.

 

  Page 49 of 81  

 

 

Net Income (loss)

 

For the foregoing reasons, we reported a net loss of approximately $24.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019, as compared to a net income of approximately $13.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018. The decrease in our net income was a result of decreased revenue, increased interest expense and decreased taxable income as discussed above.

 

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

Other comprehensive income was approximately $167.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019, compared to other comprehensive loss of $32.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018. The other comprehensive income for the three months ended September 30, 2019 was mainly due to the change in market value of gold investment resulting in an unrealized gain of $209.0 million, net of tax, and foreign currency translation loss of approximately $41.7 million resulted from the depreciation of the Chinese RMB against the U.S. Dollar for the three months ended September 30, 2019.

  

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018

 

The following table sets forth our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) (unaudited) for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 in U.S. dollars: 

 

    For the nine months ended
September 30,
    Changes  
    2019     2018     Amount     %  
NET SALES   $ 1,434,337,556     $ 1,844,491,390     $ (410,153,834 )     (22.2 )%
COST OF SALES                                
Cost of sales     (1,293,608,652 )     (1,654,427,318 )     360,818,666       (21.8 )%
Depreciation     (724,359 )     (801,384 )     77,025       (9.6 )%
Total cost of sales     (1,294,333,011 )     (1,655,228,702 )     360,895,691       (21.8 )%
                                 
GROSS PROFIT     140,004,545       189,262,688       (49,258,143 )     (26.0 )%
                                 
OPERATING EXPENSES                                
Selling, general and administrative expenses     11,617,494       7,399,734       4,217,760       57.0 %
Stock compensation expenses     5,364       16,092       (10,728 )     (66.7 )%
Depreciation     258,110       406,962       (148,852 )     (36.6 )%
Lease expense     62,943       197,811       (134,868 )     (68.2 )%
Amortization, other     8,261       8,703       (442 )     (5.1 )%
Total operating expenses     11,952,172       8,029,302       3,922,870       48.9 %
                                 
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS     128,052,373       181,233,386       (53,181,013 )     (29.3 )%
                                 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES)                                
Other income     -       64,433       (64,433 )     (100.0 )%
Interest Income     908,416       1,384,438       (476,022 )     (34.4 )%
Interest expense, including amortization of debt issuance costs of $6,738,816 and $8,042,451     (135,252,496 )     (128,898,077 )     (6,354,419 )     4.9 %
Total other expenses, net     (134,344,080 )     (127,449,206 )     (6,894,874 )     5.4 %
                                 
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES     (6,291,707 )     53,784,180       (60,075,887 )     (111.7 )%
                                 
INCOME TAX PROVISION (BENEFIT)                                
Current     17,292,113       9,214,312       8,077,801       87.7 %
Deferred     (18,549,129 )     4,523,643       (23,072,772 )     (510.0 )%
Total income tax provision (benefit)     (1,257,016 )     13,737,955       (14,994,971 )     (109.1 )%
                                 
NET INCOME (LOSS)     (5,034,691 )     40,046,225       (45,080,916 )     (112.6 )%
                                 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)                                
Unrealized gain (loss) related to investment in gold, net of tax     363,076,281       (56,908,875 )     419,985,156       (738.0 )%
Total Foreign currency translation loss     (43,484,477 )     (19,080,264 )     (24,404,213 )     127.9 %
Total Other comprehensive income (loss)     319,591,804       (75,989,139 )     395,580,943       (520.6 )%
                                 
Comprehensive income (loss)   $ 314,557,113     $ (35,942,914 )   $ 350,500,027       (975.2 )%

 

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Net Sales

 

Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 amounted to approximately $1.43 billion, a decrease of approximately $410.1 million, or 22.2%, from net sales of $1.84 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The overall decrease in our revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was mainly the result of the following reasons: (1) Total sales volume (in terms of quantity sold) decreased from 80.5 metric tons in nine months ended September 30, 2018 to 63.7 metric tons in nine months ended September 30, 2019, causing 16.8 metric tons or 21.0% decrease. The decrease in our sales volume was affected by our customers’ perception of the investment in gold. Usually when the market price of gold rises, our customers reduce the gold purchase and investment until the price drop in the near future. As a result, approximately $440.1 million decrease in our revenue was attributable to the decrease in our sales volume. (2) The average unit selling price for our brand production sales increased from RMB 253.45 per gram in nine months ended September 30, 2018 to RMB 272.93 per gram in nine months ended September 30, 2019, causing 7.7% increase. In addition, the average unit selling price for our customized production sales increased from RMB 6.88 per gram in nine months ended September 30, 2018 to RMB 7.09 per gram in nine months ended September 30, 2019, causing 3.1% increase. As a result of the price change effect, the increase in average unit selling price led to approximately $140.0 million increase in our revenue, to compensate the revenue decrease derived from sales volume decrease, to a certain extent. (3) Foreign currency adjustment effect was an approximately $110.2 million foreign currency translation loss converting RMB into USD when the average exchange rate of USD: RMB increased from 1 USD=6.5153 RMB in nine months ended September 30, 2018 to 1 USD=6.8634 RMB in nine months ended September 30, 2019. 

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, our branded production sales accounted for 97.9% of the total sales and customized production sales accounted for 2.0% of the total sales. When compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2018, our branded production sales decreased by approximately $403.5 million, or 22.3%, and our customized production sales also decreased by approximately $6.7 million, or 18.6%. 

 

During nine months ended September 30, 2019, we processed a total of 63.6 metric tons of gold, of which branded production accounted for 35.3 metric tons (55.5%) and customized production accounted for 28.3 metric tons (45.5%). During nine months ended September 30, 2018, we processed a total of 80.5 metric tons of gold, of which branded production accounted for 46.5 metric tons (57.7%) and customized production accounted for 34.0 metric tons (42.3%). 

 

Cost of Sales

 

Cost of sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 amounted to approximately $1.29 billion, a decrease of approximately $360.9 million, or 21.8%, from approximately $1.65 billion for the same period in 2018. The decrease was primarily due to the lower volume of the gold as a raw material used for our branded production. Total sales quantity decreased 21.0% to approximately 63.7 metric tons in nine months ended September 30, 2019 from 80.5 metric tons in nine months ended September 30, 2018.

 

Gross Profit

 

Gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was approximately $140.0 million, a decrease of approximately $49.3 million, or 26.0%, from approximately $189.3 million for the same period in 2018. The decrease in our gross profit resulted from the following factors: (1) Due to decreased sales volume affected by decreased market demand, the Company’s gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was negatively affected. (2) Our gross profit was affected by the unit cost of raw materials used in our production. The unit cost of our branded production sales was RMB 251.17 per gram for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 while the unit cost of our branded production sales was RMB 231.78 per gram for nine months ended September 30, 2018. In addition, the unit cost of our customized production sales was RMB 0.33 per gram for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 while the unit cost of our customized production sales was RMB 0.26 per gram for nine months ended September 30, 2018. The increase in our unit cost of raw materials used in our production reduced our gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 as compared to the same period of 2018. The decrease in quantity sold and increase in our unit cost were the major reasons which led to the decrease in our gross profit. (3) On the other hand, our gross profit was also affected by increased average selling price. The average selling price of our branded production was RMB 272.93 per gram for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, increased by RMB 19.48 or 7.7%, from RMB 253.45 per gram for the same period in 2018. Meanwhile, the average selling price of our customized production sales was RMB 7.09 per gram for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, increased by RMB 0.21, or 3.1%, from RMB 6.88 per gram for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. As a result, our gross profit decrease due to decreased sales volume and increased unit cost was compensated by increased average selling price to a certain extent. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, our gross margin was 9.8% and 10.3%, respectively. The overall decrease in our gross profit and gross margin reflected the above combined factors.

 

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Expenses

 

Total operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 were approximately $11.95 million, an increase of $3.92 million or 48.9%, as compared with $8.03 million for the same period in 2018. The increase was mainly due to the increase in selling, general and administrative expenses because of increased insurance and custody fees in connection with the increased level of investment in gold quantity.

 

Interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was approximately $135.3 million compared with approximately $128.9 million for the same period in 2018. The increase of interest expense was mainly due to higher balances for interest bearing loans resulted from additional loans obtained and recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared with the same period of 2018.

 

The income tax benefit was approximately $1.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, compared to income tax expense of approximately $13.7 million for the same period in 2018. The decrease of income tax expense was mainly because we had a decrease in taxable income from operations before tax for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, comparing to the same period last year.

 

Net Income (loss)

 

For the foregoing reasons, we reported a net loss of approximately $5.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, decreased by approximately $45.0 million, or 112.6%, from a net income of $40.0 million for nine months end September 30, 2018.

 

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

Other comprehensive income was approximately $319.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, compared to other comprehensive loss of approximately $76.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The other comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was mainly due to the change in market value of gold investment resulting in an unrealized gain of approximately $363.1 million, net of tax, and foreign currency translation loss of approximately $43.5 million resulted from the depreciation of the Chinese RMB against the U.S. Dollar for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

 

Cash Flows

 

Operating activities

 

We had approximately $69.9 million of net cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, compared with approximately $461.4 million of net cash provided by operating activities for the same period in 2018. The decrease of our operating cash flows was mainly due to the increase in gold purchases of approximately $141.2 million in order to meet the production demand when we anticipate more sales orders will be fulfilled in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2019 during the holiday season. At the same time, we also decreased gold pledged with various financial institutions by approximately $164.7 million when we repaid certain loans to these financial institution upon maturity. In addition, our value added tax receivable decreased by approximately $7.8 million and our accrued expenses and other payables increased by approximately $2.8 million. 

 

We had $461.4 million of net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The net cash provided by operating activities was mainly due to net income of approximately $40.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the decrease in inventory purchased of $321 million because $557.9 million of gold for investment was released to inventory and processed during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, collections from value added tax receivables of $84.6 million, an increase in income tax payable of $0.7 million and an increase in other payables and accrued liabilities of $1.0 million. 

 

Our net cash from operating activities can fluctuate significantly due to changes in our inventories. Other factors that may vary significantly include our accounts payable, purchases of gold and income taxes. Looking forward, we expect the net cash that we generate from operating activities to continue to fluctuate as our inventories, receivables, accounts payables and the other factors described above change with increased production and the purchase of larger or smaller quantities of raw materials. These fluctuations could cause net cash from operating activities to decrease, even if our net income grows as we continue to expand. Although we expect that net cash from operating activities will increase over the long term, we cannot predict how these fluctuations will affect our cash flow in any particular quarter.

  

Investing activities

 

Net cash used in investing activities was approximately $203.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, compared with net cash used in investing activities of $491,136 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.  Our net cash used in investing activities primarily include purchase of short-term investments of approximately $246.6 million when we use cash to purchase wealth management financial products from financial institution in order to earn interest income. On September 2, 2019, we redeemed approximately $43.7 million with a total of $72,862 of investment income. In addition, we also purchased fixed assets of $326,565 during the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The overall change in our cash flows from investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 reflected the above combined factors.

 

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For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, our cash used in investing activities primarily included purchase of fixed assets of $491,136.

  

We expect that cash used in investing activities will continue to fluctuate significantly in the short-term as we continue to obtain financings from the banks which may require us to purchase more gold as collateral. 

 

Financing activities  

 

Net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $277.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, we increased our borrowings from various financial institutions and received approximately $349.0 million proceeds from short-term loans and approximately $131.1 million proceeds from long-term loans. At the same time, we repaid $382.8 million short-term loans upon maturity. We also borrowed additional approximately $306.6 million loans from related party and repaid approximately $125.1 million related party loans during this period. In addition, we had gross proceeds from issuance of convertible notes of $1 million, because in August 2019, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with two private investors and sold to the investors in an unregistered private transaction, convertible notes.

 

Net cash used in financing activities was $445.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The net cash used in the financing activities was mainly due to repayment of an aggregate amount of loans than that of new borrowings during the nine months ended September 30, 2018.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we borrowed additional $435.8 million loans from banks and other financial institutions, and $443.1 million loans from related parties, and repaid $554.8 million loans from banks and other financial institutions, and $764.3 million loans from related parties. 

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, we guaranteed payment for a related party of approximately $280.2 million (RMB 2,000 million) for two bank loans. Approximately $210.1 million (RMB 1.5 billion) loans were repaid upon maturity in January 2018 and February 2018, respectively. The remaining loan balance of 69.8 million (RMB 498.5 million) is still outstanding as of September 30, 2019. We guaranteed the payments for this related party.

 

In September 2019, the Company entered into a gold pledge contract with Mingsheng Trust to provide guarantee for related party, Hubei Sanhuan Industrial Co., Ltd. (“Sanhuan”), an entity controlled by Wuhan Kingold Industrial Group, in order for Sanhuan to obtain a maximum loan of approximately $140.1 million (RMB 1 billion) from Minsheng Trust for 18 months. Based on the contract, the Company pledged 5,361 kilograms of Au9999 gold in aggregate with carrying value of approximately $200.1 million (RMB 1.4 billion) in October 2019 to guarantee this related party loan

 

As of September 30, 2019, we had no gold lease outstanding. The Company may sign new gold lease agreements with the banks when necessary.

 

Obligations and Commitments

 

The following table sets forth our contractual obligations as of September 30, 2019:

 

    Payment Due by Period  
Contractual
Obligations
  Total     Less Than 1
year
    1-3 years     3-5 years     More than 5
years
 
Long-term bank loans (1)   $ 168,107,252     $ -     $ 168,107,252     $ -     $ -  
Short-term bank loans (2)     1,423,679,826       1,423,679,826       -       -       -  
Related party loans (3)     604,061,004       69,832,280       534,228,724       -       -  
Operating leases liability (4)     244,711       90,613       154,098       -       -  
Total   $ 2,196,092,793     $ 1,493,602,719     $ 702,490,074     $ -     $ -  

 

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(1) Represents the outstanding principal balance of long-term loans from bank and financial institutions.

 

(2) Represents the outstanding principal balance of short-term loans from bank and financial institutions.

 

(3) Represents the outstanding principal balance of loans from related parties.

 

(4) On June 27, 2016, Wuhan Kingold signed certain 5 years lease agreements with Wuhan Huayuan, a related party which is controlled by the CEO and Chairman of the Company, to rent office and store space at the Jewelry Park, commencing in July 2016 and October 2016, with aggregate annual rent of approximately $0.3 million (RMB 2.3 million). On July 1, 2017, Wuhan Kingold signed another 5 years lease agreement with Wuhan Huayuan to rent additional office space at the Jewelry Park commencing in July 2017 with aggregate annual rent of approximately $85,352 (RMB 576,000). The lease agreement with Wuhan Huayuan has been amended on November 16, 2017, pursuant to which two office spaces and a dormitory were no longer leased. The lease agreement was further amended on September 1, 2018, pursuant to which the store space was no longer leased.

 

On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted the new lease accounting standard using the optional transition method which allowed us to continue to apply the guidance under the lease standard in effect at the time in the comparative periods presented. Adoption of this standard resulted in the recording of operating lease ROU assets and corresponding operating lease liabilities. As of September 30, 2019, total operating lease liabilities amounted to $244,711.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources 

 

As of September 30, 2019, we had approximately $0.7 million in cash and approximately $16.3 million restricted cash. We also had short-term investments of approximately $195.1 million because we used the excessive cash on hand to purchase interest-bearing wealth management financial products from a Trust company and such short-term investments are redeemable at any time. These short-term investments are highly liquid and can be used as working capital when needed. We have financed our operations with cash flow generated from operations and primarily through borrowings from various financial institutions as well as from related parties.

 

As of September 30, 2019, we had total outstanding loans of approximately $2,195.9 million (including $1,423.7 million short-term loans, $168.1 million long-term loans, and $604.1 million related party loans). For additional information regarding our loans, please see Notes 5 and 7 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.

 

We have maintained a close relationship with the banks from where we leased gold in the past. Therefore, we expect that we are able to obtain additional gold leases from the banks, if necessary. We are expecting to generate additional cash flows in the coming period of time from developing new customers and an increase in our revenue in the following years due to the higher interest in investing in gold against the currency depreciation.   

 

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As of September 30, 2019, the Company had working capital of approximately $1,508.8 million. We believe that our current cash and cash flow from operations will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs, including our cash needs for working capital for the next 12 months from the date we issue this Form 10Q. We may, however, require additional cash resources due to changing business conditions or other future developments, including any investments or acquisitions we may decide to pursue. Our ability to maintain sufficient liquidity depends partially on our ability to achieve anticipated levels of revenue, while continuing to control costs. We continue to seek favorable additional financings to meet our capital requirements to fund our operations and growth plans in the ordinary course of business.

  

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures in the financial statements. Critical accounting policies are those accounting policies that may be material due to the levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain matters or the susceptibility of such matters to change, and that have a material impact on financial condition or operating performance. While we base our estimates and judgments on our experience and on various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We believe the following critical accounting policies used in the preparation of our financial statements require significant judgments and estimates. For additional information relating to these and other accounting policies, see Note 2 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.

 

Short-term Investments

The Company’s short-term investments consist of wealth management financial products issued by financial institutions, which are redeemable at any time. The financial institutions invest the funds in certain financial instruments, including money market funds, private fund, bonds or mutual funds, mostly with a floating rate of return on these investments. The carrying values of the Company’s short-term investments approximate fair value because of their short-term nature. The interest earned is recognized in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income (loss) over the contractual term of these investments. The Company had short-term investments of $195,062,420 and $nil as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

 

Inventories

 

Inventory is stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost is determined using the weighted average method. We continually evaluate the composition of our inventory, turnover of our products, the price of gold, and the ability of our customers to pay for their products. We write down slow-moving and obsolete inventory based on an assessment of these factors, but principally customer demand. Such assessments require the exercise of significant judgment by management. Additionally, the value of our inventory may be affected by commodity prices. Decreases in the market value of gold would result in a lower stated value of our inventory, which may require us to take a charge for the decrease in the value. In addition, if the price of gold changes substantially in a very short period, it might trigger customer defaults, which could result in inventory obsolescence. If any of these factors were to become less favorable than those projected, inventory write-downs could be required, which would have a negative effect on our earnings and working capital. 

  

Investments in Gold

 

We pledged the gold leased from related party and part of its own gold inventory to meet the requirements of bank loans. The pledged gold will be available for sale upon the repayment of the bank loans. We classified these pledged gold as investment in gold, and carried at fair market value, with the unrealized gains and losses, included in the determination of comprehensive income and reported in shareholders’ equity. The fair market value of the investments in gold is determined by quoted market prices at Shanghai Gold Exchange. Any fluctuation in gold price may significantly impact the investments in gold and other comprehensive income (loss). 

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606 in the first quarter of 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, establishes principles for reporting information about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from the entity’s contracts to provide goods or services to customers. The core principle requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that it expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods or services recognized as performance obligations are satisfied.

 

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The Company has assessed the impact of the guidance by reviewing its existing customer contracts and current accounting policies and practices to identify differences that will result from applying the new requirements, including the evaluation of its performance obligations, transaction price, customer payments, transfer of control and principal versus agent considerations. Based on the assessment, the Company concluded that there was no change to the timing and pattern of revenue recognition for its current revenue streams in scope of Topic 606 and therefore there was no material changes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements upon adoption of ASC 606.

 

The Company’s revenues are primarily composed of sales proceeds collected from sales of branded products and customized product fees. Revenue is recognized when performance obligations under the terms of a contract with a customer are satisfied and promised services have transferred to the customers.

 

Revenue is recognized when obligations under the terms of a contract with the Company’s customers are satisfied. Satisfaction of contract terms occur with the transfer of title of the Company’s branded products and accessories to the customers. Net sale is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for transferring the goods to the wholesaler and retailers. The amount of consideration the Company expects to receive consists of the sales price adjusted for any incentives if applicable. Incidental promotional items that are immaterial in the context of the contract are recognized as expense. Fees charged to customers for shipping and handling are included in net sales in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and the related costs incurred by the Company are included in cost of goods sold. In applying judgment, the Company considered customer expectations of performance, materiality and the core principles of ASC Topic 606. The Company’s performance obligations are generally transferred to the customer at a point in time. The Company’s contracts with customers generally do not include any variable consideration. 

 

Sαles of brαnded products 

 

The Company offers a wide range of in-house designed products including but not limited to gold necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets, and pendants. In our sales of branded products, the Company only sells on a wholesale basis to distributors and retailers. Pricing of the jewelry products is made at the time of sales contracts are made, based on prevailing market price of gold. These sales contracts are primarily based on a customer’s purchase order followed by the Company’s order acknowledgement, and may also include a master supply or distributor agreement. The performance obligations are generally satisfied at a point in time when the Company ships the product from the Company’s facility. The Company usually makes cash sales, and also makes credit sales in rare cases with the payment term due within 30 days.   

 

Customized production fees 

 

In the customized product arrangement, the Company receives orders from other jewelry companies who engage to the Company to design and produce 24-karat jewelry and Chinese ornaments using gold they supply to the Company. Although the Company assumes the responsibilities to design and manufacture the related Jewelry products, the Company does not assume inventory risk and does not determine the product design specification. As a result, the Company is considered the agent in this arrangement for revenue recognition purposes. All of the sales contracts in this customized product arrangements contain performance obligations satisfied at a point in time when we complete the design and ship the product from the Company’s facility. The Company recognizes services-based revenue (the processing fee) from such contracts for customized production when: (i) the contracted services have been performed and (ii) collectability is reasonably assured. 

 

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

 

We are exposed to market risk from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, precious metal prices and interest rates, which could affect its consolidated financial position, earnings and cash flows. We manage our exposure to market risk through its regular operating and financing activities.

 

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

 

Given that all of our revenues are generated in RMB, while our results are reported in U.S. dollars, devaluation of the RMB could negatively impact our results of operations. The value of the RMB is subject to changes in the PRC’s governmental policies and to international economic and political developments. In January 1994, the PRC government implemented a unitary managed floating rate system. Under this system, the People’s Bank of China, or PBOC, began publishing a daily base exchange rate with reference primarily to the supply and demand of RMB against the U.S. dollar and other foreign currencies in the market during the previous day. Authorized banks and financial institutions are allowed to quote buy and sell rates for RMB within a specified band around the central bank’s daily exchange rate. On July 21, 2005, the PBOC announced an adjustment of the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar to RMB from 1:8.27 to 1:8.11 and modified the system by which the exchange rates are determined. Over the past eleven years, RMB has depreciated 6.4% against the U.S. dollar (from USD1 = RMB 7.2946 on January 1, 2008 to USD1 = RMB 7.1383 on September 30, 2019). While the international reaction to the RMB revaluation has generally been positive, there remains significant international pressure on the PRC government to adopt an even more flexible currency policy, which could result in further fluctuations of the exchange rate of RMB against the U.S. dollar, including possible devaluations. As all of our net revenues are recorded in RMB, any future devaluation of RMB against the U.S. dollar could negatively impact our results of operations.

 

Along these lines, the income statements of our operations are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates in each applicable period. To the extent the U.S. dollar strengthens against foreign currencies, the translation of these foreign currencies denominated transactions results in reduced revenue, operating expenses and net income for our international operations. Similarly, to the extent the U.S. dollar weakens against foreign currencies, the translation of these foreign currency denominated transactions results in increased revenue, operating expenses and net income for our international operations. We are also exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations as we convert the financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries into U.S. dollars in consolidation. If there is a change in foreign currency exchange rates, the conversion of the foreign subsidiaries’ financial statements into U.S. dollars will lead to a translation gain or loss which is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income. In addition, we have certain assets and liabilities that are denominated in currencies other than the relevant entity’s functional currency. Changes in the functional currency value of these assets and liabilities create fluctuations that will lead to a transaction gain or loss. We have not entered into agreements or purchased instruments to hedge our exchange rate risks, although we may do so in the future. The availability and effectiveness of any hedging transaction may be limited and we may not be able to successfully hedge our exchange rate risks. 

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

Our borrowings from banks and other financial institutions as of September 30, 2019, were approximately $1,591.8 million, and interest expense paid for these loans was approximately $44.9 million and $135.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively.

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2019, our weighted average interest rate on our short-term loans and long-term loans was approximately 9.7% and 9.8%, respectively. We do not expect the interest expense will be changed dramatically and we currently have no interest rate hedging positions in place to reduce our exposure to interest rates. 

 

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Commodity Price Risk

 

Most of our sales are of products that include gold, precious metals and other commodities, and fluctuations in the availability and pricing of commodities would adversely impact our ability to obtain and make products at favorable prices. The jewelry industry generally is affected by fluctuations in the price and supply of diamonds, gold, and, to a lesser extent, other precious and semi-precious metals and stones. In the past, we have not hedged our requirement for gold or other raw materials through the use of options, forward contracts or outright commodity purchasing, although we may do so in the future. A significant increase in the price of gold could increase our production costs beyond the amount that we are able to pass on to our customers, which would adversely affect our sales and profitability. A significant disruption in our supply of gold or other commodities could decrease our production and shipping levels, materially increase our operating costs, and materially and adversely affect our profit margins. Shortages of gold, or other commodities, or interruptions in transportation systems, labor strikes, work stoppages, war, acts of terrorism, or other interruptions to or difficulties in the employment of labor or transportation in the markets in which we purchase our raw materials, may adversely affect our ability to maintain production of our products and sustain profitability. If we were to experience a significant or prolonged shortage of gold, we would be unable to meet our production schedules and to ship products to our customers in a timely manner, which would adversely affect our sales, margins and customer relations.

 

A dramatic increase in the price of gold could increase our production costs beyond the amount that we may be able to pass on to our customers, which could adversely affect our gross profit margin and profitability. Furthermore, the carrying value of our inventory may be affected. Slight decreases in the market price of gold following the end of a reporting period could impact the carrying amount of the inventory at the balance sheet date and/or the following reporting period’s gross profit margin and profitability.

 

Inflation Risk

 

We do not believe inflation has had a material impact on our net sales, income from continuing operations, plans for expansion or other capital expenditures for any year during the three-year period ended September 30, 2019. However, we cannot be sure inflation will not have an adverse impact on our operating results, financial condition, plans for operations or other capital expenditures in future periods.

  

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance that material information required to be disclosed by us in the reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that the information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on our review, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective at the reasonable assurance level as of the end of the period covered by this report due to the continued existence of material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting.

 

In connection with the preparation of this report, management determined that, as of September 30, 2019, we did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting due to the existence of the following material weaknesses as identified during 2018 annual audit:

 

  Lack of segregation of duties for accounting personnel who prepared and reviewed the journal entries;

 

  Lack of proper accounting and recording of the investments in gold, loans payable to banks, financial institutions and related parties, deferred financing costs and interest expense and deferred tax assets or liabilities;

 

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  · Certain previously identified material weaknesses and significant control deficiencies have been carried over from prior periods;

 

  · Lack of full-time qualified U.S. GAAP personnel in the accounting department to monitor the recording of the transactions;

 

  · Lack of communications between management, chief executive officers and the Board of Directors relating to the approval of recapitalization through debt conversion into equity, obtaining loans from banks, other financial institutions, related parties and providing guarantees to related parties and third parties;

 

  · Lack of a functional internal audit department that monitors the consistencies of the preventive internal control procedures;

 

  · Lack of resources and someone with competency to review non-routine or complex accounting transactions, including the assessment of the impact of the toll tax accrual on the Company's financial statements;

 

  · Lack of management review of internal control over financial reporting and proper review of the financial information on a timely basis, which could increase the risks of financial statement misstatement.

 

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In order to remediate the material weakness of inadequate controls over cash management, our Board adopted resolutions requiring management to seek Board approval prior to entering into any transactions including gold leases and loans with a value in excess of $250,000. Notwithstanding this requirement, our Board determined in the course of preparing this quarterly report that management did not consistently seek Board approval prior to causing Wuhan Kingold to enter into transactions covered by these resolutions. In addition to failing to approve such transactions as anticipated, this absence of prior approval resulted in our failure to disclose such transactions at the time they occurred. Further, we intend to explore implementing additional policies and procedures, which may include: 

 

  · Reporting other material and non-routine transactions to the Board and obtain proper approval by management;

 

  · Recruiting qualified professionals with appropriate levels of knowledge and experience to assist in resolving accounting issues in non-routine or complex transactions;

 

  · Improving the communication between management, board of directors and chief financial officer;

 

  · Improving the internal audit function, internal control policies and monitoring controls.

 

  · Holding monthly board meeting with management - management reports to the board of directors of significant events such as loans renewals, related parties’ transactions, new loans obtained from related and third parties, gold inventories and gold investment (pledged gold) movements and guarantees to related parties and third parties loans;

 

  · Developing and conducting internal control training to senior executives, management personnel, finance and accounting departments and the information process office, so that management and key personnel understand the requirements and elements of internal control over financial reporting mandated by the U.S. securities laws.

 

  · To hold financial controller accountable for any omitted or misleading transactions not reported to the board of directors and the independent auditors.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

The following changes in our internal controls over financial reporting occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2019, which are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting: 

 

  · We have begun to implement segregation of duties for accounting personnel who prepare and review journal entries.

 

  · We have begun to implement and maintain proper recording of the leased gold inventory with related parties and the related party loan agreements and restricted cash.  

 

We believe these efforts are likely to improve our internal controls. We recognize that we must continue to implement policies and procedures to further enhance our internal controls. Except for the actions taken to remedy the material weaknesses described above, there have been no other changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably to have materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting during our nine months ended September 30, 2019. Because of its inherent limitations, a system of internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance and may not prevent or detect misstatements. Further, because of changes in conditions, effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting may vary over time. Our system contains self-monitoring mechanisms, and actions are taken to correct deficiencies as they are identified. These mechanisms may not always be effective at alerting our Board of important transactions. 

  

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

From time to time, we may be subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business. We are not currently a party to any litigation the outcome of which, if determined adversely to us, would individually or in the aggregate be reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, cash flows or financial condition. Our business may also be adversely affected by risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial. If any of the events contemplated by the following discussion of risks should occur, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations may suffer.

 

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

 

Investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below together with all of the other information included in this report before making an investment decision. The risks and uncertainties described below represent our known material risks to our business. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition or results of operations could suffer. In that case, you may lose all or part of your investment. You should not invest in our securities unless you can afford to lose your entire investment.

 

Risks Related to our Business

 

Significant decreases in the price and availability of gold and other precious metal commodities could adversely impact our earnings, cash flows and results of operation.

 

The jewelry industry generally is affected by fluctuations in the price and supply of diamonds, gold, and, to a lesser extent, other precious and semi-precious metals and stones. In the past, we have not hedged our needs for gold or other raw materials through commodity purchasing or other common methods such as the use of options or forward contracts. Prior to 2016, we purchased gold in order to produce jewelry and gold products. While jewelry and gold product manufacturing is still our core business, starting in 2016, we began to purchase gold for the purposes of investment and hedging against the risks in gold and other commodity price fluctuations.

 

Our investment objective is to purchase gold in response to the rising price trend of gold for the recent years. By doing so, we have been able to use bank loans or other third party borrowings to finance our gold investment and repay the debts with the gold purchased upon due. The upward increases in the gold price in the last few years have enabled us to use a lesser amount of gold than originally purchased to repay the same debts. However, gold investment has exposed us to a greater degree of risks associated with any future decreases in the price of gold. When gold price decreases, we would have to use or sell a larger amount of gold to repay the outstanding borrowings when they become due. The more investment we make in gold and more loans we borrow to finance such purchases, the greater the risks we would be subject to in any future decreases in the price of gold. Any significant decreases in the price and availability of gold could weaken our cash flow position and adversely affect our costs for conducting our business and results of operation.

 

On the other hand, a sudden significant increase in the price of gold could increase our immediate costs for gold investment as well as production costs beyond the amount that we are able to pass on to our customers, which would adversely affect our sales and profitability. A significant disruption in our supply of gold or other commodities could decrease our production and shipping levels, materially increase our operating costs and materially and adversely affect our profit margins. Shortages of gold or other commodities, or interruptions in transportation systems, labor strikes, work stoppages, war, acts of terrorism, or other interruptions to or difficulties in the employment of labor or transportation in the markets in which we purchase our raw materials, may adversely affect our ability to maintain production of our products and sustain profitability. Although we generally attempt to pass increased commodity prices to our customers, there may be circumstances in which we are not able to do so. In addition, if we were to experience a significant or prolonged shortage of gold, we would be unable to meet our production schedules and to ship products to our customers in a timely manner, which would adversely affect our sales, margins and customer relations.  

 

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If we are unable to accurately manage our inventory, our reputation, earnings and results of operations could suffer.

 

We are faced with the increased challenge of balancing our gold inventory levels to meet gold investment needs with our ability to meet our jewelry manufacturing demands. We purchase gold based on internally generated projections, and the projections are based on many unknown assumptions around the price and price trend of gold, consumer demands, and product pricing, among other things. If these inventory projections are too high, our inventory may be too high, which may result in overstock of the amount of gold we purchase, lower sales prices and gross margins and cause harm to our financial results. Conversely, if these projections are too low, and we underestimate our inventory needs and the consumer demand for our products, we would be exposed to lost business opportunities and experience shortage in our gold inventory to meet our production, financing and investment needs. Either situation could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

 

We may be unable to repay our debts as they become due.

 

Over the last two years, we have dramatically increased the amount of debts we borrowed. The borrowings were used to purchase gold, and because the price of gold has increased over the last year, we have profited by such increases. However, in the event the gold market experiences a downturn, we will find that the assets on hand (i.e., gold purchased with loans) are insufficient to repay those loans. Moreover, if the price of gold decreases, banks may be unwilling to refinance our debts as they become due. In addition, a price drop could result in a default under the terms of such loans, regardless of whether we are current in our payment under such loans. If this were to happen, our business could be materially harmed.

 

We may need to implement additional accounting systems, procedures and controls as we grow our business and organization to satisfy the new reporting requirements.

 

As a public reporting company, we are required to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the related rules and regulations of the SEC, including expanded disclosures and accelerated reporting requirements and more complex accounting rules. Compliance with these new requirements may increase our costs and require additional management time and resources. In the prior two fiscal years, our management assessed and found our internal control over financial reporting to be ineffective. To remedy the material weakness of inadequate controls over cash management, our Board adopted resolutions requiring management to seek the Board’s approval prior to entering into any transactions with a value in excess of a certain threshold, and we are in the process of implementing additional policies and procedures to enhance our internal controls. Notwithstanding these additional measures, we may still need to implement additional or enhance finance and accounting systems, procedures and controls to satisfy new accounting and reporting requirements. If our internal control over financial reporting continues to be determined to be ineffective, investors could lose confidence in the reliability of our internal controls, which could adversely affect our stock price.

 

Jewelry purchases are discretionary, may be particularly affected by adverse trends in the general economy, and an economic decline will make it more difficult to generate revenue.

 

The success of our operations depends, to a significant extent, upon a number of factors relating to discretionary consumer spending in China. These factors include economic conditions and perceptions of such conditions by consumers, employment rates, the level of consumers’ disposable income, business conditions, interest rates, consumer debt levels, availability of credit and levels of taxation in regional and local markets in China where we manufacture and sell our products. There can be no assurance that consumer spending on jewelry will not be adversely affected by changes in general economic conditions in China and globally.

 

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While the Chinese economy has experienced rapid growth in the past decade, such growth has been uneven among various sectors of the economy and in different geographical areas of the country. Rapid economic growth can lead to growth in the money supply and rising inflation. During the past two decades, the rate of inflation in China has been as high as approximately 20%. If prices for our products rise at a rate that is insufficient to compensate for the rise in the costs of supplies such as raw materials, it may have an adverse effect on our profitability. In the recent years, Chinese economic growth had been slowing down, and for example, GDP growth was only 6.7% in 2016. While the China economic growth showed a considerable improvement in 2017, should it experience another slow growth for a sustained period of time, it could substantially affect consumer demand and confidence, which could adversely impact our business, results of operation and financial condition. 

  

Competition in the jewelry industry could cause us to lose market share, thereby materially and adversely affecting our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

The jewelry industry in China is highly fragmented and very competitive. We believe that the market may become even more competitive as the industry grows and/or consolidates. We compete with local jewelry manufacturers and large foreign multinational companies that offer products that are similar to ours. Some of these competitors have larger local or regional customer bases, more locations, more brand equity, and substantially greater financial, marketing and other resources than we have. As a result of this increasing competition, we could lose market share, thereby materially and adversely affecting our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

We may need to raise additional funds in the future. These funds may not be available on acceptable terms or at all, and, without additional funds, we may not be able to maintain or expand our business. The sale of additional shares or equity or debt securities could result in additional dilution to our shareholders.

 

Our operations require substantial funds to finance our operating expenses, to maintain and expand our manufacturing, marketing and sales capabilities and to cover public company costs. Without these funds, we may not be able to meet our goals. We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents and anticipated cash flow from operations will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for the foreseeable future. We may, however, require additional cash resources due to changed business conditions or other future developments, including any investments or acquisitions we may decide to pursue. If these resources are insufficient to satisfy our cash requirements, we may seek to sell additional equity or debt securities or obtain one or more additional credit facilities. If we cannot raise additional funds when needed, or on acceptable terms, we may not be able to effectively execute our growth strategy take advantage of future opportunities, or respond to competitive pressures or unanticipated requirements. In addition, we may be required to scale back or discontinue expansion plans, or obtain funds through strategic alliances that may require us to relinquish certain rights.

 

We may seek additional funding through public or private financing or through collaborative arrangements with strategic partners. However, you should also be aware that in the future:

 

¨ we cannot be certain that additional capital will be available on favorable terms, if at all;
   
¨ any available additional financing may not be adequate to meet our goals; and
   
¨ any equity financing would result in dilution to stockholders.

 

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In addition, the incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased debt service obligations and could result in operating and financing covenants that would restrict our operations.

 

Our ability to maintain or increase our revenue could be harmed if we are unable to strengthen and maintain our brand image.

 

We believe that the primary factors in facilitating customer buying decisions in China’s jewelry sector include price, confidence in the merchandise sold, and the level and quality of customer service. The ability to differentiate our products from competitors’ by our brand-based marketing strategies is a key factor in attracting consumers, and if our strategies and efforts to promote our brand, such as television and magazine advertising and beauty contest sponsorships fail to garner brand recognition, our ability to generate revenue may suffer. If we are unable to differentiate our products, our ability to sell our products wholesale and our planned sale of products retail will be adversely affected. If we fail to identify or react appropriately or timely to customer buying decisions, we could experience a reduction in consumer recognition of our products, a diminished brand image, higher markdowns, and costs to recast overstocked jewelry. These factors could result in lowering selling prices and sales volumes for our products, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

  

There is only one source in China for us to obtain the precious metals used in our jewelry products; accordingly, any interruptions of our arrangement with this source would disrupt our ability to fulfill customer orders and substantially affect our ability to continue our business operations.

 

Under PRC law, the supply of precious metals such as platinum, gold, and silver is highly regulated by PRC government agencies. The Shanghai Gold Exchange (“the Exchange”) is the only supplier in China for gold used for our jewelry products (including the gold we lease from leading PRC banks). We are required to obtain and maintain several membership and approval certificates from government agencies in order to do business involving precious metals. The loss of our relationship or failure to renew our membership with the Exchange, or its inability to furnish precious metals to us (or the banks we lease from) as anticipated in terms of cost, quality, and timeliness, would adversely affect our ability to fulfill customer orders in accordance with our required delivery, quality, and performance requirements. If this situation were to occur, we would not have any alternative suppliers in China to obtain our raw materials from, which would result in a decline in revenue and revenue potential, and ultimately risk the overall continuation of our business operations.

 

If we are not able to adapt to changing jewelry trends in China, our inventory may be overstocked and we may be forced to reduce the price of our overstocked jewelry or incur the cost to recast it into new jewelry.

 

Our jewelry sales depend on consumer fashions, preferences for jewelry and the demand for particular products in China. Jewelry design trends in China can and do change rapidly. The ability to accurately predict future changes in taste, respond to changes in consumer preferences, carry the inventory demanded by customers, deliver the appropriate quality, price products correctly, and implement effective purchasing procedures all have an important influence on determining sales performance and maximizing gross margin. If we fail to anticipate, identify or react appropriately to changes in styles and trends, we could experience excess inventories, higher than normal markdowns or an inability to sell our products. If such a situation were to exist, we would need to incur additional costs to recast our products to fit the demand, and the labor and manufacturing costs previously invested in the recast products would be lost.

 

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Our failure to manage growth effectively could have an adverse effect on our employee efficiency, product quality, working capital levels, and results of operations.

 

We intend to develop the retail distribution of our products, which we believe will result in rapid growth, but will also place significant demands on our managerial, operational and financial resources. Any significant growth in the market for our current wholesale business and our planned retail distribution would require us to expand our managerial, operational, financial, and other resources. During any period of growth, we may face problems related to our operational and financial systems and controls, including quality control and delivery and service capabilities. We also will need to continue to expand, train and manage our employee base. If we are unable to successfully build these skills and expand our number of skilled management and staff, we may be unsuccessful in achieving our intended level of growth.

 

Aside from increased difficulties in the management of human resources, we may also encounter working capital issues, as we will need increased liquidity to finance the purchases of raw materials and supplies, development of new products and the hiring of additional employees. Our failure to manage growth effectively may lead to operational and financial inefficiencies that will have a negative effect on our profitability. We cannot assure you that we will be able to timely and effectively meet that demand and maintain the quality standards required by our existing and potential customers.

 

We maintain a relatively large inventory of our raw materials and jewelry products to support customer delivery requirements, and if this inventory is lost due to theft, our results of operations would be negatively impacted.

 

We purchase large volumes of precious metals and store significant quantities of raw materials and jewelry products at our warehouse and show room in Wuhan, China. Although we have an inventory security system in place, we may be subject to future significant inventory losses due to third-party or employee theft from our warehouses or other forms of theft. The implementation of enhanced security measures beyond those that we already utilize, which include onsite police station with direct deployment of officers and instant access to Wuhan city police department, security cameras, and alarm systems in our warehouse, would increase our operating costs. Also, any such losses of inventory could exceed the limits of, or be subject to an exclusion from, coverage under our insurance policies. Claims filed by us under our insurance policies could lead to increases in the insurance premiums payable by us or the termination of coverage under the relevant policy. In addition, loss of gold inventory may cause violation of our pledge agreements of loans. 

  

We have outstanding borrowings, and if our ability to obtain new loans or to renew current loans from financial institutions or other third parties is substantially diminished, our business may be severely disrupted and the results of operations could suffer.

 

In the recent years, we have substantially increased our borrowings as we grew our business and expanded our operations. Almost all of our loans from financial institutions and other unrelated third-parties are secured by restricted cash on deposit at various banks, or gold we own or have leased, as we may agree from time to time with the respective lenders.

 

In addition, many of our loans are borrowed conditioned upon personal guarantees provided by our Chairman and CEO because of his personal credit worthiness and his reputation and expertise in the China gold industry. Thus our ability to obtain loans or credits, to a great extent, depends on the continued services of our founder, Chairman and CEO, Mr. Zhihong Jia. If Mr. Jia is unable or unwilling to continue his service with us or to provide personal guarantees for our loans, we may not be able to obtain new loans or renew existing loans, or our existing loans may be deemed in default or called for immediate repayment acceleration by the lenders.

 

Although we have been able to receive sufficient funding in the past, we cannot assure you that we will be able to renew our loans at maturity or obtain alternative funding on reasonable terms from banks or other parties. If we fail to do so, we would have to repay the existing borrowings with our cash or other assets, including our gold inventory, and our business may be severely disrupted and the results of operations could suffer.

 

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Our business could be materially adversely affected if we cannot protect our intellectual property rights.

 

We have developed trademarks, patents, know-how, trade-names and other intellectual property rights that are of significant value to us. In particular, we have applied for patents on a limited number of designs of our jewelry products and trademarks as well. However, the legal regime governing intellectual property in the PRC is still evolving and the level of protection of intellectual property rights in the PRC may differ from those in other jurisdictions. Thus, it may be difficult to enforce our rights relating to these designs as well as our trademarks. Any unauthorized use of, or other infringement upon our designs or trademarks, could result in potential sales being diverted to such unauthorized sellers, and dilute the value of our brand.

 

While we are not aware of any data breach in the past, any future failure to adequately maintain security and prevent unauthorized access to electronic and other confidential information could result in a data breach which could materially adversely affect our reputation, financial condition and operating results.

 

The protection of our customer, business partner, Company and employee data is critically important to us. Our customers, business partners, and employees expect we will adequately safeguard and protect their sensitive personal and business information. We have become increasingly dependent upon automated information technology processes. Improper activities by third parties, exploitation of encryption technology, data-hacking tools and discoveries and other events or developments may result in a future compromise or breach of our networks, payment terminals or other settlement systems. In particular, the techniques used by criminals to obtain unauthorized access to sensitive data change frequently and often are not recognized until launched against a target; accordingly, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or implement adequate preventative measures. Any failure to maintain the security of our customers’ sensitive information, or data belonging to ourselves, our business partners or other relationship third parties, could put us at a competitive disadvantage, result in deterioration of our customers’ confidence in us, and subject us to potential litigation, liability, fines and penalties, resulting in a possible material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations. There can be no assurance that we will not suffer a criminal cyber-attack in the future, that unauthorized parties will not gain access to personal or business information or sensitive data, or that any such incident will be discovered in a timely manner.

 

We are dependent on certain key personnel, and the loss of these key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial conditions and results of operations. 

 

Our success, to a great extent, has been attributable to the management, sales and marketing, and operational and technical expertise of certain key personnel. Moreover, our daily operation and performance rely heavily upon our senior management. There can be no assurance that we will be able to retain these officers or that such personnel may not receive and/or accept competing offers of employment. The loss of a significant number of these employees could have a material adverse effect upon our business, financial condition, and results of operations. We do not maintain key-man life insurance for any of our senior management.  

  

We rely on our distribution network for virtually all of our sales revenues. Failure to maintain good distributor relations, or our inability to successfully execute our planned expansion of our customer base, may affect our revenues and earnings.

 

Our business depends directly on the performance of roughly 300 of our major distributors, which we also refer to as our customers. No customer accounted for more than 10% of annual sales for the nine months ended 2019 and 2018. As all purchases of our products by customers are made through purchase orders and we do not have long-term contracts with any of our customers, it is critical that we maintain good relationships with them. However, maintaining good relationships with existing distributors requires time and efforts by our management, and replacing any existing distributor would be difficult and time consuming. Our failure to maintain good relationships with our distributors could materially disrupt our product distributions and harm our net sales.

 

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We may not maintain sufficient insurance coverage for the risks associated with our business operations. As a result, we may incur uninsured losses.

 

Except for property, accident and automobile insurance, we do not have other insurance of such as business liability or disruption insurance coverage for our operations in the PRC. As a result, we may incur uninsured liabilities and losses as a result of the conduct of our business. There can be no guarantee that we will be able to obtain additional insurance coverage in the future, and even if we are able to obtain additional coverage, we may not carry sufficient insurance coverage to satisfy potential claims. Should uninsured losses occur, it could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

Global financial crises and economic downturns may have an adverse effect on our businesses, results of operation and financial condition.

 

Global economic conditions can have an effect on our business. If there is an additional global financial crisis or economic downturn, such as that which occurred in 2008, it may adversely affect economies and businesses around the world, including in China, which in turn will have an adverse impact on our business and operations.

 

Potential environmental liability could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition.

 

As a manufacturer, we are subject to various Chinese environmental laws and regulations on air emission, waste water discharge, solid wastes and noise. Although we believe that our operations are in substantial compliance with current environmental laws and regulations, we may not be able to comply with these regulations at all times as the Chinese environmental legal regime is evolving and becoming more stringent. Therefore, if the Chinese government imposes more stringent regulations in the future, we may have to incur additional and potentially substantial costs and expenses in order to comply with new regulations, which may negatively affect our results of operations. Further, no assurance can be given that all potential environmental liabilities have been identified or properly quantified or that any prior owner, operator, or tenant has not created an environmental condition unknown to us. If we fail to comply with any of the present or future environmental regulations in any material aspects, we may suffer from negative publicity and be subject to claims for damages that may require us to pay substantial fines or force us to suspend or cease operations.

 

Compliance with changing regulation of corporate governance and public disclosure will result in additional expenses.

 

Changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related Commission regulations, have created uncertainty for public companies and significantly increased the costs and risks associated with accessing the public markets and public reporting. Our management team will need to invest significant management time and financial resources to more fully comply with both existing and evolving standards for public companies, which will lead to increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention from revenue generating activities to compliance activities.  

  

We may have additional tax liabilities.

 

We are subject to income and other taxes in the U.S. and China. Tax laws are complex and subject to constant changes as new laws are passed and new interpretations of the law are issued or applied. In December 2017, the U.S. enacted the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) which significantly modified the U.S. Internal Revenue Code by, among other things, reducing the statutory U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017; limiting and/or eliminating certain business deductions; migrating to a territorial tax system with a one-time transition tax on a mandatory deemed repatriation of previously deferred foreign earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries; and providing for new taxes on certain foreign earnings. Due to the timing of the enactment of the Tax Act and the complexity involved in applying its provisions, we made a reasonable estimate of the effects for the year ended December 31, 2017. We have since then performed additional analysis on the application of the Tax Act and determined that it has impacted the assessment of our U.S. tax liabilities for prior fiscal periods and may impact our future tax liabilities. Significant judgment is required in estimating our provision for income taxes. In our business operations and corporate structure, there are contractual arrangements, transactions or calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. Although we believe our tax estimates are reasonable, any final determination pursuant to tax audits could be materially different from what is reflected in our consolidated financial statements. Should any tax authority disagree with our estimates and determine any additional tax liabilities, including interest and penalties for us, this could adversely impact our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

 

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Risks Related to Doing Business in the PRC

 

Substantially all of our assets are located in China and substantially all of our revenues are currently derived from our operations in China, and changes in the political and economic policies of the PRC government could have a significant impact upon what business we may be able to conduct in the PRC and accordingly on the results of our operations and financial condition.

 

Our business operations may be adversely affected by the current and future political environment in the PRC. The Chinese government exerts substantial influence and control over the manner in which we must conduct our business activities. Our ability to operate in China may be adversely affected by changes in Chinese laws and regulations, including those relating to taxation, import and export tariffs, raw materials, environmental regulations, land use rights, property and other matters. Under the current government leadership, the government of the PRC has been pursuing economic reform policies that encourage private economic activity and greater economic decentralization. There is no assurance, however, that the government of the PRC will continue to pursue these policies, or that it will not significantly alter these policies from time to time without notice. In response to the recent global and Chinese economic downturn, the PRC government has adopted policy measures aimed at stimulating the economic growth in China. If the PRC government’s current or future policies fail to help the Chinese economy achieve further growth or if any aspect of the PRC government’s policies limits the growth of our industry or otherwise negatively affects our business, our growth rate or strategy, our results of operations could be adversely affected as a result.

 

Chinese economic growth slowdown may harm our business.

 

Since 2014, Chinese economic growth has been slowing down from double-digit GDP speed. The situation has impacted many industries and economic segments in China, such as restaurants, the hospitality industry, certain manufacturing industries and discretionary or luxury consumer spending. Our business operations in China mainly rely on consumer cash availability and spending, consumer demand for our products and consumer confidence, which are impacted by an economic downturn. If China’s economic growth continues to slow down, our results of operations may be adversely affected due to the slower consumer spending on the jewelry products or gold investment or slow expansion in the consumer discretionary goods industries.

 

Our operations are subject to PRC laws and regulations that are sometimes vague and uncertain. Any changes in such PRC laws and regulations, or the interpretations thereof, may have a material and adverse effect on our business.

 

The PRC’s legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes. Unlike the common law system prevalent in the United States, decided legal cases have little value as precedent in China. There are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRC laws and regulations including, but not limited to, the laws and regulations governing our business, or the enforcement and performance of our arrangements with customers in the event of the imposition of statutory liens, death, bankruptcy or criminal proceedings. The Chinese government has been developing a comprehensive system of commercial laws, and considerable progress has been made in introducing laws and regulations dealing with economic matters such as foreign investment, corporate organization and governance, commerce, taxation and trade. However, because these laws and regulations are relatively new, and because of the limited volume of published cases and judicial interpretation and their lack of force as precedents, interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations involve significant uncertainties. New laws and regulations that affect existing and proposed future businesses may also be applied retroactively. 

  

One of our principal operating subsidiaries, Vogue-Show, is considered a foreign invested enterprise under PRC laws, and as a result is required to comply with PRC laws and regulations, including laws and regulations specifically governing the activities and conduct of foreign invested enterprises. We cannot predict what effect the interpretation of existing or new PRC laws or regulations may have on our businesses. If the relevant authorities find us in violation of PRC laws or regulations, they would have broad discretion in dealing with such a violation, including, without limitation:

 

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¨ levying fines;

 

¨ revoking our business license, other licenses or authorities;

 

¨ requiring that we restructure our ownership or operations; and

 

¨ requiring that we discontinue some or all of our business.

 

The scope of our business license in China is limited, and we may not expand or continue our business without government approval and renewal, respectively.

 

Our operating affiliate, Wuhan Kingold, can only conduct business within its business scope, as detailed on its business license. Our license permits us to design, manufacture, sell and market jewelry products to department stores throughout the PRC and to engage in the retail distribution of our products. Any amendment to the scope of our business requires further application and government approval. In order for us to expand our business beyond the scope of our license, we will be required to enter into a negotiation with the authorities for the approval to expand the scope of our business. We cannot assure you that Wuhan Kingold will be able to obtain the necessary government approval for any change or expansion of our business scope.

 

Our PRC stockholders are required to register with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange and their failure to do so could cause us to lose our ability to remit profits out of the PRC as dividends.

 

The SAFE promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues Relating to Domestic Resident’s Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment through Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37, in July 2014 that requires PRC residents or entities to register with SAFE or its local branch in connection with their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of overseas investment or financing. In addition, such PRC residents or entities must update their SAFE registrations when the offshore special purpose vehicle undergoes material events relating to any change of basic information (including change of such PRC citizens or residents, name and operation term), increases or decreases in investment amount, transfers or exchanges of shares, or mergers or divisions. 

 

SAFE Circular 37 was issued to replace the Notice on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration for PRC Residents Engaging in Financing and Roundtrip Investments via Overseas Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 75.

 

If our shareholders who are PRC residents or entities do not complete their registration with the local SAFE branches, our PRC subsidiary may be prohibited from distributing their profits and proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation to us, and we may be restricted in our ability to contribute additional capital to our PRC subsidiary. Moreover, failure to comply with the SAFE registration described above could result in liability under PRC laws for evasion of applicable foreign exchange restrictions. 

  

These regulations apply to our stockholders who are PRC residents. As of the date of this registration statement, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Zhihong Jia, has obtained his registration under Circular 75, and the other PRC residents are in the process of obtaining registrations under Circular 37. However, there is no assurance that such persons can successfully complete such registrations, and there is no assurance that all of the PRC resident stockholders and beneficiary stockholders have complied with and will comply with the SAFE registration requirements currently or in the future. In the event that these or other of our PRC-resident stockholders do not follow the procedures required by SAFE, we could (i) be exposed to fines and legal sanctions, (ii) lose the ability to contribute additional capital into our PRC subsidiaries or distribute dividends to our company, (iii) face liability for evasion of foreign-exchange regulations, and/or (iv) lose the ability to consolidate the financial statements of our PRC subsidiaries under applicable accounting principles.

 

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PRC regulations relating to acquisitions of PRC companies by foreign entities may create regulatory uncertainties that could restrict or limit our ability to operate. Our failure to obtain the prior approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or CSRC for the listing and trading of our common stock could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, reputation and trading price of our common stock.

 

On August 8, 2006, the PRC Ministry of Commerce, or MOFCOM, joined by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, the State Administration of Taxation, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or CSRC, and SAFE, released a substantially amended version of the Provisions for Foreign Investors to Merge with or Acquire Domestic Enterprises, or the Revised M&A Regulations, which took effect September 8, 2006. These rules significantly revised China’s regulatory framework governing onshore-to-offshore restructurings and foreign acquisitions of domestic enterprises. These rules signify greater PRC government attention to cross-border merger, acquisition and other investment activities, by confirming MOFCOM as a key regulator for issues related to mergers and acquisitions in China and requiring MOFCOM approval of a broad range of merger, acquisition and investment transactions. Further, these rules establish reporting requirements for acquisition of control by foreigners of companies in key industries, and reinforce the ability of the Chinese government to monitor and prohibit foreign control transactions in key industries. 

 

In addition, the Revised M&A Regulations include new provisions that purport to require that an offshore special purpose vehicle, or SPV, formed for listing purposes and controlled directly or indirectly by PRC companies or individuals must obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to the listing and trading of such SPV’s securities on any non-PRC stock exchange. On September 21, 2006, the CSRC published on its official website procedures specifying documents and materials required to be submitted to it by SPVs seeking CSRC approval of their overseas listings. However, the application of this PRC regulation remains unclear with no consensus currently existing among the leading PRC law firms regarding the scope and applicability of the CSRC approval requirement.

 

Our wholly-owned BVI subsidiary, Dragon Lead, was formerly owned by eight BVI companies whose shareholders are non-PRC individuals. We understand that some of these non-PRC individuals are nominee shareholders holding shares on behalf of and for the interest of some PRC individuals and PRC companies who are also Wuhan Kingold minority shareholders. These minority Wuhan Kingold shareholders do not have experience in conducting or managing businesses outside the PRC, and therefore believe that to engage nominee shareholders to hold shares on their behalf are in their best commercial interest, and could provide them with guidance when they evaluate whether to purchase, sell or dispose of our shares after the closing.

 

Also, on December 23, 2009, immediately before the reverse acquisition of Vogue Show, Fok Wing Lam Winnie (whose Mandarin name is Huo Yong Lin), the sole shareholder of Famous Grow and the majority shareholder of Dragon Lead prior to the closing of the reverse acquisition, entered into the call option with Zhihong Jia and Bin Zhao (our former general manager and former director) to comply with PRC regulations that restrict PRC residents from owning offshore entities like us in direct exchange for their shares in the PRC operating company and as an inducement to encourage them to provide services to Wuhan Kingold and our company. The call option does not include a vesting schedule and continued employment is not a condition to the call option. Under the call option, as amended and restated, Fok Wing Lam Winnie granted to Zhihong Jia certain call options to acquire up to 100% of the shares of Famous Grow at an exercise price of $1.00, which is par value per share, or $0.001 per Famous Grow share, subject to any exercise notice, or Call Option which was determined in an arm’s length negotiation with the parties. 

  

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The PRC regulatory authorities may take the view that entry into the VIE Agreements by Vogue-Show and Wuhan Kingold and entry into the call option agreement by Zhihong Jia and Fok Wing Lam Winnie may collectively constitute an onshore to offshore restructuring and a related party acquisition under the M&A Regulations, because upon the consummation of these transactions and after the Call Option is fully exercised, PRC individuals would become majority owners and effective controlling parties of a foreign entity that acquired ownership of Wuhan Kingold. The PRC regulatory authorities may also take the view that the relevant parties should fully disclose to the Wuhan SAFE or MOFCOM the overall restructuring arrangements, the existence of the reverse acquisition and its connection with the VIE Agreement. Our PRC counsel has opined among other things that: (i) each of our VIE agreements with Wuhan Kingold are valid and enforceable under relevant PRC laws, (ii) all government authorizations for the execution, delivery, performance and enforcement of our VIE agreements have been obtained as required by PRC laws, (iii) the ownership structure of Vogue Show and Wuhan Kingold created by our VIE agreements and the call options in favor of Zhihong Jia do not violate any provisions of applicable PRC laws, and (iv) no PRC governmental approvals were required under the Revised M&A Regulations in connection with our acquisition of our current ownership interests in any of our PRC subsidiaries or in connection with the VIE agreements. Our PRC counsel has reviewed and approved of these statements.

 

We, however, cannot assure you that the PRC regulatory authorities, MOFCOM and CSRC will take the same view as our PRC counsel. If the PRC regulatory authorities take the view that the reverse acquisition and VIE arrangement constitute a related party acquisition under the revised M&A Regulations, we cannot assure you we will be able to obtain any approval required from the national offices of MOFCOM or otherwise.

 

If the PRC regulatory authorities take the view that the call options or the VIE arrangement constitutes a related party acquisition without the approval of the national offices of MOFCOM, they could invalidate the call options and VIE arrangement. We may also face regulatory actions or other sanctions from the MOFCOM or other PRC regulatory agencies. These regulatory agencies may impose fines and penalties on our operations in the PRC, limit our operating privileges in the PRC, or take other actions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations, reputation and prospects, as well as the trading price of our shares.

 

If we make equity compensation grants to persons who are PRC citizens, they may be required to register with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange of the PRC, or SAFE. We may also face regulatory uncertainties that could restrict our ability to adopt additional equity compensation plans for our directors and employees and other parties under PRC law.

 

On April 6, 2007, SAFE issued the “Operating Procedures for Administration of Domestic Individuals Participating in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan or Stock Option Plan of An Overseas Listed Company,” also known as “Circular 78.” It is not clear whether Circular 78 covers all forms of equity compensation plans or only those that provide for the granting of stock options. For any plans that are so covered and are adopted by a non-PRC listed company, such as our company, after April 6, 2007, Circular 78 requires all participants who are PRC citizens to register with and obtain approvals from SAFE prior to their participation in the plan. In addition, Circular 78 also requires PRC citizens to register with SAFE and make the necessary applications and filings if they participated in an overseas listed company’s covered equity compensation plan prior to April 6, 2007. We believe that the registration and approval requirements contemplated in Circular 78 will be burdensome and time consuming. 

 

Failure to comply with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act could subject us to penalties and other adverse consequences.

 

As we are a Delaware corporation and a U.S. publicly listed company, we are subject to the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which generally prohibits U.S. companies from engaging in bribery or other prohibited payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. Some foreign companies, including some that may compete with our company, may not be subject to these prohibitions. Corruption, extortion, bribery, pay-offs, theft and other fraudulent practices may occur from time-to-time in the PRC. We can make no assurance, however, that our employees or other agents will not engage in conduct for which we might be held responsible. If our employees or other agents are found to have engaged in such practices, we could suffer severe penalties and other consequences that may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. 

 

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Under the Enterprise Income Tax Law, we may be classified as a “resident enterprise” of China. Such classification will likely result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC stockholders.

 

Under the Enterprise Income Tax Law, or EIT Law, an enterprise established outside the PRC with its “de facto management body” within the PRC is considered a resident enterprise and will be subject to the enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on its worldwide income. The “de facto management body” is defined as the organizational body that effectively exercises overall management and control over production and business operations, personnel, finance and accounting, and properties of the enterprise. It remains unclear how the PRC tax authorities will interpret such a broad definition. If the PRC tax authorities determine that we should be classified as a resident enterprise, then our worldwide income will be subject to income tax at a uniform rate of 25%, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. However, it remains unclear how the PRC tax authorities will interpret the PRC tax resident treatment of an offshore company, like us, having indirect ownership interests in PRC enterprises through intermediary holding vehicles.

 

Moreover, under the EIT Law, foreign shareholders of an entity that is classified as a PRC resident enterprise may be subject to a 10% withholding tax upon dividends payable by such entity, unless the jurisdiction of incorporation of the foreign shareholder of such entity has a tax treaty with the PRC that provides for a reduced rate of withholding tax, and gains realized on the sale or other disposition of shares, if such income is sourced from within the PRC. It remains unclear whether the dividends payable by our PRC subsidiary or the gains our foreign shareholders may realize will be regarded as income from sources within the PRC if we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise. Any such tax will reduce the returns on your investment in our Shares.

 

Because our business is located in the PRC, we may have difficulty establishing adequate management, legal and financial controls, which we are required to do in order to comply with U.S. securities laws.

 

PRC companies have historically not adopted a Western style of management and financial reporting concepts and practices, which includes strong corporate governance, internal controls and, computer, financial and other control systems. Most of our middle and top management staff are not educated and trained in the Western system, and we may have difficulty hiring new employees in the PRC with such training. In addition, we may need to rely on a new and developing communication infrastructure to efficiently transfer our information from retail outlets to our headquarters. As a result of these factors, we may experience difficulty in establishing management, legal and financial controls, collecting financial data and preparing financial statements, books of account and corporate records and instituting business practices that meet Western standards. Therefore, we may, in turn, experience difficulties in implementing and maintaining adequate internal controls as required under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. This may result in significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in our internal controls, which could impact the reliability of our financial statements and prevent us from complying with Commission rules and regulations and the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Any such deficiencies, weaknesses or lack of compliance could have a materially adverse effect on our business.

 

If we continue to be unable to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting or effective disclosure controls and procedures, the price of our common stock may be adversely affected.

 

We are required to establish and maintain appropriate internal control over financial reporting and put in place appropriate disclosure controls and procedures to allow our management to make timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Failure to establish those controls, or any failure of those controls once established, could adversely impact our public disclosures regarding our business, financial condition or results of operations. Any failure of our internal control over financial reporting could also prevent us from maintaining accurate accounting records and discovering accounting errors and financial fraud.

 

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Since we became public, our management has continually determined that we had a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting due to some problems with cash management, as well as continued ineffective disclosure controls and procedures, and other significant deficiencies due to inadequate controls over the appropriate approval procedures for certain material transactions, inadequate controls over certain material cash transactions, and lack of technical competency in review and recording of non-routine or complex transactions. Moreover, our management concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures continued to be ineffective this period because we continued to fail to disclose the entry into certain material agreements within the time periods required by the Commission. 

  

Although we are evaluating how to improve the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and are evaluating additional remedial measures, such efforts may not be successful. In addition, management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting may identify additional material weaknesses or significant deficiencies that need to be addressed or other potential matters that may raise concerns for investors. Any actual or perceived material weaknesses or significant deficiencies that need to be addressed in our internal control over financial reporting, or the actual or perceived ineffectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures could have an adverse impact on the price of our common stock.

 

You may experience difficulties in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments or bringing original actions in China based upon U.S. laws, including the federal securities laws, or other foreign laws against us or our management.

 

All of our current operations, including the manufacturing and distribution of jewelry, are conducted in China. Most of our directors and officers are nationals and residents of China. All or substantially all of the assets of these persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible to effect service of process within the United States or elsewhere outside China upon these persons. In addition, uncertainty exists as to whether the courts of China would recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained against us or such officers and/or directors predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state thereof, or be competent to hear original actions brought in China against us or such persons predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state thereof.

 

Inflation in China may inhibit our ability to conduct business in China.

 

In recent years, the Chinese economy has experienced periods of rapid expansion and high rates of inflation. Rapid economic growth can lead to growth in the money supply and rising inflation. If prices for our products rise at a rate that is insufficient to compensate for the rise in the costs of supplies, it may have an adverse effect on profitability. These factors have led to the adoption by Chinese government, from time to time, of various corrective measures designed to restrict the availability of credit or regulate growth and contain inflation. High inflation may, in the future, cause Chinese government to impose controls on credit and/or prices, or to take other action, which could inhibit economic activity in China, and thereby harm the market for our products.

 

Governmental control of currency conversions could prevent us from paying dividends.

 

Shortages in the availability of foreign currency may restrict the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to remit sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends or other payments to us, or otherwise satisfy their foreign currency denominated obligations. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and expenditures from trade-related transactions can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, approval from appropriate government authorities is required where RMB is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. The PRC government may also at its discretion restrict access in the future to foreign currencies for current account transactions. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currency to satisfy our currency demands, we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our security-holders.

 

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Currency fluctuations and restrictions on currency exchange may adversely affect our business, including limiting our ability to convert Chinese Renminbi into foreign currencies and, if Chinese Renminbi were to decline in value, reducing our revenue in U.S. dollar terms.

 

Our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar and our operations in China use their local currency, the Renminbi, as their functional currency. Substantially all of our revenue and expenses are in Chinese Renminbi. We are subject to the effects of exchange rate fluctuations with respect to any of these currencies. For example, the value of the Renminbi depends to a large extent on Chinese government policies and China’s domestic and international economic and political developments, as well as supply and demand in the local market. Since July 2005, the RMB is no longer pegged to the U.S. dollar. Although the People’s Bank of China regularly intervenes in the foreign exchange market to prevent significant short-term fluctuations in the exchange rate, the RMB may appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar in the medium to long term. Moreover, it is possible that in the future PRC authorities may lift restrictions on fluctuations in the RMB exchange rate and lessen intervention in the foreign exchange market. We can offer no assurance that Chinese Renminbi will be stable against the U.S. dollar or any other foreign currency. 

  

The income statements of our operations are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates in each applicable period. To the extent the U.S. dollar strengthens against foreign currencies, the translation of these foreign currencies denominated transactions results in reduced revenue, operating expenses and net income for our international operations. Similarly, to the extent the U.S. dollar weakens against foreign currencies, the translation of these foreign currency denominated transactions results in increased revenue, operating expenses and net income for our international operations. We are also exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations as we convert the financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries into U.S. dollars in consolidation. If there is a change in foreign currency exchange rates, the conversion of the foreign subsidiaries’ financial statements into U.S. dollars will lead to a translation gain or loss that is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income. In addition, we have certain assets and liabilities that are denominated in currencies other than the relevant entity’s functional currency. Changes in the functional currency value of these assets and liabilities create fluctuations that will lead to a transaction gain or loss. We have not entered into agreements or purchased instruments to hedge our exchange rate risks, although we may do so in the future. The availability and effectiveness of any hedging transaction may be limited and we may not be able to successfully hedge our exchange rate risks.

 

Risks Related to the VIE Agreements

 

If the PRC government determines that the contractual arrangements through which we control Wuhan Kingold do not comply with applicable regulations, our business could be adversely affected.

 

Although we believe our contractual relationships through which we control Wuhan Kingold comply with current licensing, registration and regulatory requirements of the PRC, we cannot assure you that the PRC government would agree, or that new and burdensome regulations will not be adopted in the future. If the PRC government determines that our structure or operating arrangements do not comply with applicable law, it could revoke our business and operating licenses, require us to discontinue or restrict our operations, restrict our right to collect revenues, require us to restructure our operations, impose additional conditions or requirements with which we may not be able to comply, impose restrictions on our business operations or on our customers, or take other regulatory or enforcement actions against us that could be harmful to our business.

 

The PRC government may determine that the VIE Agreements are not in compliance with applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations.

 

Vogue-Show manages and operates our gold jewelry business through Wuhan Kingold pursuant to the rights it holds under the VIE Agreements. Almost all economic benefits and risks arising from Wuhan Kingold’s operations are transferred to Vogue-Show under these agreements.

 

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There are risks involved with the operation of our business in reliance on the VIE Agreements, including the risk that the VIE Agreements may be determined by PRC regulators or courts to be unenforceable. Our PRC counsel has provided a legal opinion that the VIE Agreements are binding and enforceable under PRC law, but has further advised that if the VIE Agreements were for any reason determined to be in breach of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, the relevant regulatory authorities would have broad discretion in dealing with such breach, including:

 

¨ imposing economic penalties;

 

¨ discontinuing or restricting the operations of Vogue-Show or Wuhan Kingold;

 

¨ imposing conditions or requirements in respect of the VIE Agreements with which Vogue-Show may not be able to comply;

 

¨ requiring our company to restructure the relevant ownership structure or operations;

 

¨ taking other regulatory or enforcement actions that could adversely affect our company’s business; and

 

¨ revoking the business licenses and/or the licenses or certificates of Vogue-Show, and/or voiding the VIE Agreements.

  

Any of these actions could adversely affect our ability to manage, operate and gain the financial benefits of Wuhan Kingold, which would have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our ability to manage and operate Wuhan Kingold under the VIE Agreements may not be as effective as direct ownership.

 

We conduct our jewelry processing and sales businesses in the PRC and generate virtually all of our revenues through the VIE Agreements. Our plans for future growth are based substantially on growing the operations of Wuhan Kingold. However, the VIE Agreements may not be as effective in providing us with control over Wuhan Kingold as direct ownership. Under the current VIE arrangements, as a legal matter, if Wuhan Kingold fails to perform its obligations under these contractual arrangements, we may have to (i) incur substantial costs and resources to enforce such arrangements, and (ii) reply on legal remedies under PRC law, which we cannot be sure would be effective. Therefore, if we are unable to effectively control Wuhan Kingold, it may have an adverse effect on our ability to achieve our business objectives and grow our revenues.

 

As the VIE agreements are governed by PRC law, we would be required to rely on PRC law to enforce our rights and remedies under them; PRC law may not provide us with the same rights and remedies as are available in contractual disputes governed by the law of other jurisdictions.

 

The VIE Agreements are governed by the PRC law and provide for the resolution of disputes through court proceedings pursuant to PRC law. If Wuhan Kingold or its shareholders fail to perform the obligations under the VIE Agreements, we would be required to resort to legal remedies available under PRC law, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief, or claiming damages. We cannot be sure that such remedies would provide us with effective means of causing Wuhan Kingold to meet its obligations, or recovering any losses or damages as a result of non-performance. Further, the legal environment in China is not as developed as in other jurisdictions. Uncertainties in the application of various laws, rules, regulations or policies in PRC legal system could limit our liability to enforce the VIE Agreements and protect our interests.

 

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The VIE Agreements may be subject to audit or challenge by PRC tax authorities. A finding that we owe additional taxes could substantially reduce our net earnings and the value of your investment

 

Under PRC laws and regulations, arrangements and transactions among affiliated parties may be subject to audit or challenge by the PRC tax authorities. We could face material and adverse tax and financial consequences if the PRC tax authorities determine that the VIE Agreements do not represent arm’s-length prices. As a result of such a determination, the PRC tax authorities could adjust any of the income in the form of a transfer pricing adjustment. A transfer pricing adjustment could, among other things, result in a reduction of expense deductions for PRC tax purposes recorded by us or Wuhan Kingold or an increase in taxable income, all of which could increase our tax liabilities. In addition, the PRC tax authorities may impose late payment fees and other penalties on us or Wuhan Kingold for under-paid taxes.

 

Our shareholders have potential conflicts of interest with us which may adversely affect our business.

 

Zhihong Jia is our Chief Executive Officer and our Chairman, and is also the largest shareholder of Wuhan Kingold. There could be conflicts that arise from time to time between our interests and the interests of Mr. Jia. There could also be conflicts that arise between us and Wuhan Kingold that would require our shareholders and Wuhan Kingold’s shareholders to vote on corporate actions necessary to resolve the conflict. There can be no assurance in any such circumstances that Mr. Jia will vote his shares in our best interest or otherwise act in the best interests of our company. If Mr. Jia fails to act in our best interests, our operating performance and future growth could be adversely affected. In addition, some or all of our shareholders could violate the non-competition agreements they have signed with our company by diverting business opportunities from our company to others. In such event, our business, financial condition and results of operation could be adversely affected.  

  

We rely on the approval certificates and business license held by Vogue-Show and any deterioration of the relationship between Vogue-Show and Wuhan Kingold could materially and adversely affect our business operations.

 

We operate our jewelry processing and sales businesses in China on the basis of the approval certificates, business license and other requisite licenses held by Vogue-Show. There is no assurance that Vogue-Show will be able to renew its license or certificates when their terms expire with substantially similar terms as the ones they currently hold.

 

Further, our relationship with Wuhan Kingold is governed by the VIE Agreements that are intended to provide us with effective control over the business operations of Wuhan Kingold. However, the VIE Agreements may not be effective in providing control over the application for and maintenance of the licenses required for our business operations. Wuhan Kingold could violate the VIE Agreements, go bankrupt, suffer from difficulties in its business or otherwise become unable to perform its obligations under the VIE Agreements and, as a result, our operations, reputations and business could be severely harmed.

 

If Vogue-Show exercises the purchase options it holds over Wuhan Kingold’s share capital and assets pursuant to the VIE Agreements, the payment of the purchase price could materially and adversely affect our financial position.

 

Under the VIE Agreements, Wuhan Kingold’s shareholders have granted Vogue-Show a ten-year option to purchase 100% of the share capital in Wuhan Kingold at a price determined by appraisal by an asset evaluation institution to be jointly appointed by Vogue-Show and Wuhan Kingold’s shareholders. Concurrently, Wuhan Kingold granted Vogue-Show a ten-year option to purchase Wuhan Kingold’s assets at a price determined by appraisal by such asset evaluation institution. As Wuhan Kingold is already our contractually controlled affiliate, Vogue-Show’s exercising of the above two options would not bring immediate benefits to our company, and payment of the purchase prices could adversely affect our financial position.

 

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Risks Related to Our Common Stock

 

Following the exercise of his Call Option, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer would exercise significant influence over us.

 

Our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Zhihong Jia, will beneficially own or control approximately 25.5% of our outstanding shares if he chooses to fully exercise his Call Option to purchase shares of Famous Grow. Mr. Jia thereafter could possibly have a controlling influence in determining the outcome of any corporate transaction or other matters submitted to our stockholders for approval, including mergers, consolidations and the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, election of directors, and other significant corporate actions. Mr. Jia may also have the power to prevent or cause a change in control. In addition, without the consent of Mr. Jia, we could be prevented from entering into transactions that could be beneficial to us. The interests of Mr. Jia may differ from the interests of our other stockholders.

 

We do not foresee paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future and, as a result, our investors’ sole source of gain, if any, will depend on capital appreciation, if any.

 

We do not plan to declare or pay any cash dividends on our shares of common stock in the foreseeable future and currently intend to retain any future earnings for funding growth. As a result, investors should not rely on an investment in our securities if they require the investment to produce dividend income. Capital appreciation, if any, of our shares may be investors’ sole source of gain for the foreseeable future. Moreover, investors may not be able to resell their shares of our company at or above the price they paid for them.

 

Because we do not intend to pay dividends on our shares, stockholders will benefit from an investment in our shares only if those shares appreciate in value. 

 

We currently intend to retain all future earnings, if any, for use in the operations and expansion of the business. As a result, we do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination as to the declaration and payment of cash dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on factors our board of directors deems relevant, including among others, our results of operations, financial condition and cash requirements, business prospects, and the terms of our credit facilities, if any, and any other financing arrangements. Accordingly, realization of a gain on stockholders’ investments. 

  

The market price for our shares may be volatile.

 

The market price for our shares is likely to be highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to factors including the following:

 

¨ actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly operating results and changes or revisions of our expected results;

 

¨ changes in financial estimates by securities research analysts;

 

¨ conditions in the markets for our products;

 

¨ changes in the economic performance or market valuations of companies specializing in gold jewelry;

 

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¨ announcements by us, or our competitors of new products, acquisitions, strategic relationships, joint ventures or capital commitments;

 

¨ addition or departure of senior management and key personnel; and

 

¨ fluctuations of exchange rates between the RMB and the U.S. dollar.

   

Volatility in the price of our shares may result in shareholder litigation that could in turn result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources.

 

The financial markets in the United States and other countries have experienced significant price and volume fluctuations, and market prices have been and continue to be extremely volatile. Volatility in the price of our shares may be caused by factors outside of our control and may be unrelated or disproportionate to our results of operations. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a public company’s securities, shareholders have frequently instituted securities class action litigation against that company. Litigation of this kind could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources.

 

SEC regulations concerning conflict minerals could negatively impact our business.

 

In response to provisions in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, in August 2013, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted annual disclosure and reporting requirements regarding the use of certain minerals, known as “conflict minerals,” mined from the Democratic Republic of Congo and adjoining countries. Conflict minerals include gold.

   

These requirements and the changes we may adopt as a result of compliance with them may prove both costly and time-consuming. The disclosure requirements, which began in 2014, necessitated due diligence efforts to identify the sources of conflict minerals contained in our products. Because we currently acquire our gold directly from the Exchange or leading Chinese banks, or lease it from leading Chinese banks, there is uncertainty as to the amount of diligence we may be able to do on our supply chain.

 

Implementation of these regulations will require us to divert management attention and resources away from our business operations. In addition, as conflict-free minerals may only be available from a limited pool of suppliers, it may or may not include the Exchange, our primary source of gold. In addition, if we are unable to sufficiently verify the origin of all conflict minerals used in our products, we may face reputational challenges with customers, stockholders, or other stakeholders.

 

Our quarterly results may fluctuate because of many factors and, as a result, investors should not rely on quarterly operating results as indicative of future results.

 

Fluctuations in operating results or the failure of operating results to meet the expectations of public market analysts and investors may negatively impact the value of our securities. Quarterly operating results may fluctuate in the future due to a variety of factors that could affect revenues or expenses in any particular quarter. Fluctuations in quarterly operating results could cause the value of our securities to decline. Investors should not rely on quarter-to-quarter comparisons of results of operations as an indication of future performance. As a result of the factors listed below, it is possible that in future periods the results of operations may be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors. This could cause the market price of our securities to decline. Factors that may affect our quarterly results include:

 

¨ vulnerability of our business to a general economic downturn in China;

 

¨ fluctuation and unpredictability of costs related to the gold, platinum and precious metals and other commodities used to manufacture our products;

 

¨ seasonality of our business;

 

¨ changes in the laws of the PRC that affect our operations;

 

¨ competition from our competitors; and

 

¨ our ability to obtain all necessary government certifications and/or licenses to conduct our business.

 

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

 

On August 26, 2019, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with two private investors (the “Investors”) pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell to the Investors, and the Investors agreed to purchase from the Company, in an unregistered private transaction, convertible promissory notes (the “Notes”) with an aggregate principal amount of $1,030,000. The Notes feature an initial issuance discount of 3%, bear interest at 5% annual rate and mature in one year. The conversion price for the Notes is initially set at $3.00 per share for the first 180 days following issuance. Thereafter, the Notes may be converted by the Investors for a price equal to 70% of the lowest closing price of the Company’s common stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”) during the ten trading days immediately prior to the delivery of an exercise notice.

 

The Company also agreed to sell to the Investors warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 400,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.75 per share (the “Warrants”). The Warrants are exercisable from issuance and expire two years from the date of issuance. The exercise price and the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants are subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits or dividends, or other similar transactions, but not as a result of future securities offerings at lower prices.

 

Net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Common Stock and the Warrants, after deducting estimated offering expenses and placement agent fees, are approximately $840,000. The offering closed on August 27, 2019.

 

In connection of the Company’s subsequent reverse stock split effected on October 21, 2019, the conversion price of the Notes and number of shares of common stock under the warrants has been retrospectively adjusted by dividing the number of shares of common stock into which the warrants and convertible securities are exercisable or convertible by 6 and multiplying the exercise or conversion price thereof by 6.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

 

None.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information.

 

None. 

 

  Page 79 of 81  

 

   

Item 6. Exhibits

 

No.   Description
10.1   Trust Loan Contract (English translation), dated January 17, 2019, between Wuhan Kingold Jewelry Company Limited and North International Trust Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.56 to Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on April 2, 2019).
10.2   Trust Loan Contract (English translation), dated January 24, 2019, between Wuhan Kingold Jewelry Company Limited and Sichuan Trust Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.57 to Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on April 2, 2019).
10.3   Asset Income Rights Transfer and Repurchase Agreement  (English translation), dated March 12, 2019, between Wuhan Kingold Jewelry Company Limited and Tianjin Trust Co., Ltd.(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.58 to Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on April 2, 2019).
10.4   Employment Agreement (English translation), dated April 1, 2019, by and between Wuhan Kingold Jewelry Company Limited and Wang Jun.***
10.5   Trust Loan Contract (English translation), dated May 24, 2019, between Wuhan Kingold Jewelry Company Limited and Minsheng Trust Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on August 9, 2019).
10.6   Placement Agent Agreement dated July 9, 2019, by and between Kingold Jewelry, Inc. and Network 1 Financial Securities, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report filed on Form 8-K with the Commission on August 29, 2019).
10.7   Form of Securities Purchase Agreement dated August 26, 2019, by and between Kingold Jewelry, Inc. and two investors referred to therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report filed on Form 8-K with the Commission on August 29, 2019).
10.8   Form of Convertible Note by Kingold Jewelry, Inc. dated August 26, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to our Current Report filed on Form 8-K with the Commission on August 29, 2019).
10.9   Form of Warrant to purchase Common Stock of Kingold Jewelry, Inc. dated August 26, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report filed on Form 8-K with the Commission on August 29, 2019).
10.10   Working Capital Loan Contract (English translation), dated September 16, 2019, between Wuhan Kingold Jewelry Company Limited and Zhangjiakou Bank.*
10.11   Gold Pledge Contract (English translation), dated September 25, 2019, between Wuhan Kingold Jewelry Company Limited and China Minsheng Trust Co., Ltd.*
10.12   Employment Agreement, dated October 17, 2019, between Kingold Jewelry, Inc. and Zhihong Jia.***
31.1   Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
31.2   Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
32.1   Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
32.2   Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
99.1   Press release dated November 12, 2019, titled “Kingold Jewelry Reports Financial Results For Kingold Jewelry Reports Financial Results for the Third Quarter and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019.”*
101.INS   XBRL Instance Document*
101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document*
101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document*
101.DEF   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document*
101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document*
101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document*

    

  * Filed herewith

** Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

 

  Page 80 of 81  

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: November 12, 2019

 

  KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Zhihong Jia
    Zhihong Jia
    Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Principal Executive Officer
     
  By: /s/ Bin Liu
    Bin Liu
    Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer

 

  Page 81 of 81  

 

 

Exhibit 10.4

 

[***] INDICATES CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED BECAUSE THE INFORMATION (I) IS NOT MATERIAL, (II) CONSTITUTES UNWARRANTED INVASION OF PERSONAL PRIVACY, AND (III) WOULD BE COMPETITIVELY HARMFUL IF PUBLICLY DISCLOSED

 

Labor Contract

 

Party A:

 

Name of Employer: Wuhan Kingold Jewelry Co., Ltd

 

Party B:

 

Name: Wang Jun

 

No: ______________________

 

Issued by Wuhan Labor and Social Security Bureau

 

Statement

 

1. The labor contract is the general sample of labor contract for reference of employer and laborers. Employer and laborer can increase relevant clauses and provisions required with consultation.

 

2. After both parties sign the labor contract, employers can make authentication in the labor security administration department.

 

3. After the dissolution or termination of the labor contract, employer shall keep it at least for two years for future reference.

 

4. The labor contract applies to full-time labor.

 

Basic Information from Party A

 

Name Wuhan Kingold Jewelry Co., Ltd Legal representative or director Jia Zhihong
Address No.15, Jiang’an Economic Development Zone, Wuhan City Contact department Office
Certificate number of organization code 74140273-6 Contact number 65660703

 

 

 

 

Basic Information from Party B

 

Name Wang Jun ID number

[***] 

Highest education Bachelor degree Technical grade Senior gold investment analyst
Mobile [***] Family address [***]

 

Job Resume

 

1997, graduated from Computer Engineering Department of Central China Normal University, bachelor degree, CCNA network engineer

 

September 1993-July, 1997, Studied in Computer Engineering Department of Central China Normal University, majoring in software development and application, with bachelor degree.

 

1997-2000, worked in MODISH C'BONS Cosmetics Company and took charge of network information management and logistics management.

 

2000-2002, worked in Hubei Mailyard Group Company and took charge of network information management and website development.

 

2003-present, work in Wuhan Kingold Jewelry Co., Ltd as a gold investment analyst and served successively as manager of purchase department, manager of investment department, assistant of general manager and vice general manager.

 

Joined in the industry of gold jewelry in 2003 and has had 11 years’ working experience, with abundant experience in management of industrial production technology and business management and deep understanding of the industry; took charge of improvement of company and bank investment product, process technology and manufacturing technique, with high theoretical level and abundant practical experience; hold rigorous and realistic scientific attitude toward study and work, with higher professional skills.

 

 

 

 

The labor contract is hereby concluded by Party A and Party B in accordance with Labor Law of the People’s Republic of China, Labor Contract Law of the People’s Republic of China and relevant policies and regulations based on the principles of fairness, legitimacy, equality, voluntariness, consensus through negotiation and good faith.

 

Article 1 Term of Labor Contract

 

1. Fixed Term

 

From April 4, 2019 to April 3, 2024, thereinto, stipulated probation period is 1 month(s).

 

2. Non-fixed term: start from___ month___ day___ year

 

3. Task-oriented contract term. The work task is:

 

Article 2 Job Responsibilities and Workplace

 

Party A employs Party B to work in Wuhan Kingold Jewelry Co., Ltd as General Manager, and the job responsibilities are:

 

 

 

 

Article 3 Working Hours and Vocation

 

(I) Party A and Party B agree Party B’s working hours are specified according to the ____ manner as follows:

 

1. Standard working hours system within 8 hours for daily work and 40 hours for working every week.

 

2. Non-fixed working hours system approved by the labor security administration department.

 

3. Cumulative working hours system approved by the labor and social security administration department.

 

(II) Party A can extend working time for production (work) demand after consultation with Labor Union and Party B. Save the provisions of Article 42 in Labor Law of the People’s Republic of China, it shall not exceed one hour every day. Save the special reason, it shall not exceed 3 hours every day and not exceed 36 hours for every month.

 

(III) Party A arranges the vocation of Party B by laws during national statutory holidays.

 

 

 

 

Article 4 Labor Remuneration

 

1. Party A carries out the system of equal pay for equal work following the principle of distribution according to work. According to Party B’s current post of duty, the stipulated salary is 12000 Yuan/month and the salary in probation period is ____ Yuan/month. As for the implementation of piecework system, the monthly salary is calculated by the unit price of piecework.

 

The distribution method is:

 

 

 

 

2. In case Party A arranges Party B to extend the working time, Party A shall pay the remuneration not less than 150% of the salary. In case Party A arranges Party B to work in rest day without taking deferred holidays, Party A shall pay the remuneration not less than 200% of the salary; in case Party A arranges Party B to work in statutory holidays, Party A shall pay the remuneration not less than 300% of the salary.

 

3. Party A shall pay off the salary to Party B in currency at least once a month, and the 15th of each month is the payday.

 

4. During the period when Party B participates in social activities, or enjoys annual leave, home leave, marriage and funeral leave, pregnancy test of female workers, maternity leave, time of nursing in suckling period, contraception operation leave and nursing leave of man, Party A shall deem that Party B provides normal labor and pay the salary.

 

 

 

 

Article 5 Social Insurance and Benefits and Welfare

 

1. Party A and Party B effect insurance by laws and pay all kinds of social insurance charges on time and Party A will deduct Party B’s part from his or her salary.

 

2. Party A provides Party B with the following benefits and welfare: five–insurances

 

In case Party B fails to provide the information required for transacting social insurance or transact the procedure of stopping payment in discount window in time, Party A deems that Party B gives up and shall not pay the social insurance charges in this meanwhile.

 

Article 6 Labor Protection, Labor Conditions and Protection against Occupational Hazard

 

1. Party A is obligated to truthfully inform Party B of the post which may have occupational hazard and make the education of labor safety and hygiene on Party B, avoiding accident and reducing occupational hazard in the process of labor.

 

2. Party A shall provide Party B with labor safety and hygiene facility, labor safety and hygiene condition and necessary labor protective articles conforming to national regulations and make healthy examination regularly for staff who are engaged in work with occupational hazard.

 

3. In case Party A employs Party B to engage in special work, execute relevant provisions of special work.

 

4. Party A shall make special labor protection on female worker and minors (over 16 years old but under the age of 18) in accordance with national regulation.

 

5. Party B shall strictly abide by regulations on safety operation and follow the command of Party A’s manager in the process of labor, without operation against rules and working at risk.

 

6. Party B is entitled to reject to execute Party A’s command against rules, force of working at risk and behaviors which may damage life safety and physical health and offer criticism, impeach and accusation.

 

 

 

 

  

Article 7 Alternation of Labor Contract

 

The contract may be revised in written form, after both parties’ agreement through negotiation.

 

The labor contract after alternation shall be held by employer and laborer for each copy.

 

Article 8 Cancellation and Termination of Labor Contract

 

(I) Cancellation of Labor Contract:

 

1. The labor contract may be cancelled based on both parties’ mutual negotiation.

 

2. Party A may cancel the contract in case any of the following occurs after informing the cause to Labor Union:

 

(1) Party B is proved to be unqualified in probation period;

 

(2) Party B severely violates the rules and regulations of Party A;

 

(3) Party B’s gross negligence or jobbery causes great losses for Party A;

 

(4) Party B holds another job without the permit of Party A, which seriously affects the completion of Party A’s work task, or Party B refuses to correct the error after Party A’s warning;

 

(5) Party B forces Party A to conclude or alter the labor contract against Party A’s true intention by means of deception, coercion or exploitation of its unfavorable position;

 

(6) Party B is investigated for criminal responsibility.

 

3. Party A shall notify Party B in writing 30 days in advance or pay additional one-month salary to Party B, and cancel the labor contract after submitting the cause to Labor Union, in case any of the following occurs:

 

(1) Party B, due to sickness or injury inflicted off the job, cannot resume his or her work or do the other job reassigned by Party A after specified period of medical treatment;

 

(2) Party B is unqualified, even after a training or a job adjustment;

 

(3) The objective conditions on which the contract is based have materially changed to the extent that it is impossible to perform the contract while both parties cannot reach an agreement to amend the contract to reflect the changed conditions;

 

 

 

 

4. Party A is not allowed to cancel the labor contract as per Article 3, in case of any following occurs:

 

(1) Party B is engaged in the work with occupational hazard, without occupational health examination before departure, or suffers occupational disease in the period of diagnosis or medical observation;

 

(2) Party B is confirmed partly or totally incapacitated due to an industrial injury or an occupational disease when working for Party A;

 

(3) Party B is in a period of medical treatment for sickness or industrial injury;

 

(4) Party B is in pregnancy, maternity leave and lactation;

 

(5) Party B has worked in Party A for 15 years, with 5 additional years before mandatory age of retirement;

 

(6) Other situations stipulated in laws, administrative provisions.

 

5. Party B may cancel the contract upon 30 days’ prior written notice to Party A; 3 days in advance within probation period.

 

Party B may notify Party A of cancelling the contract at any time, in case any of the following occurs:

 

(1) Party A fails to provide labor protection or labor conditions in accordance with the labor contract;

 

(2) Party A fails to pay labor remuneration in full amount on time;

 

(3) Party A fails to pay the social insurance charges for Party B by laws;

 

(4) Party A’s rules and regulations violate provisions of laws and regulations and damage Party B’s rights and interests;

 

(5) Party A forces Party B to conclude or alter the labor contract against Party A’s true intention by means of deception, coercion or exploitation of its unfavorable position;

 

(6) Other situations stipulated in laws and administrative provisions, which allows laborer to cancel the labor contract.

 

 

 

 

In the event of Party A forces Party B to work by violence, threat or illegal limitation of Party B’s freedom, or Party A commands against rules, forces laborer to work at risk, which endangers the personal safety of Party B, Party B can immediately cancel the labor contract, without prior notice to Party A.

 

(II) Termination of Labor Contract

 

The labor contract will be terminated in case any of the following occurs:

 

(1) The labor contract expires;

 

(2) Party B begins to enjoy the welfare of basic endowment insurance by laws;

 

(3) Party B is dead, pronounced dead or pronounced missing by the people’s court;

 

(4) Party A is declared bankruptcy legally;

 

(5) Party A’s business license is revoked; Party A is compelled to close down or dissolve; or Party A decides to dissolve in advance; or

 

(6) Other situations stipulated in laws and administrative provisions.

 

(III) Party A shall issue the certification about cancellation or termination of labor contract when cancelling or terminating the labor contract and transact files and procedure of social insurance relation transfer for Party B within 15 days; Party B shall transact work handover as agreed by both parties; In case Party A shall pay Party B economic compensation as per relevant provisions, Party A shall pay when transacting the work handover.

 

Article 9 Necessary Matters Considered by Both Parties:

 

1. Employee Manual is regarded as the attachment of the contract, with equal legal effectiveness with the contract. Party B shall strictly abide by Employee Manual and various rules and regulations of Party A and voluntarily obey the job transfer and various reasonable arrangements of Party A;

 

2. Party B must abide by the details of management system and provisions promulgated and implemented afterwards;

 

3. Party B shall pay Party A one-month salary as the liquidated damages in case of failing to resign one month in advance before the contract expires.

 

4. Laborers have read and knew Employee Manual and various rules and regulations and are willing to abide by voluntarily.

 

 

 

 

Article 10 Labor Dispute Resolutions

 

In case of labor disputes arising from the conclusion, performance, alternation, cancellation and termination of the contract, parties can apply for mediation, arbitration and institute legal processing, or solve by negotiation.

 

Article 11 The contract is made in duplicate, held by Party A and Party B respectively. In case Party A fails to deliver the text of labor contract to Party B, which causes losses for Party B, Party A shall assume liability of compensation.

 

Party A (seal): Party B (signature):

 

Legal Representative (Entrusted Agent) (signature or seal):

 

Date of Contract: April 1 , 2019

 

Verification Authority (seal):

 

Date of Verification: ____year____ month__ day

 

 

 

 

Renewal and Alternation of Labor Contract

 

In accordance with Party A’s production (work) demand and Party B’s requirement, both parties agree to renew the labor contract for___ year(s), from___ year__ month__ day to ___ year__ month__ day.

 

Through negotiation, alter Article___ of the original contract, contents are

 

 

 

 

Add the unsettled matters of original labor contract:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Party A (seal) Party B (signature)

 

___ year___ month___ day ___ year___ month___ day

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Contract Verification

 

Verification Authority (seal):

 

Date of Verification: ___ year___ month___ day

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.10

 

Loan Agreement of Circulating Funds

 


Contract No.: 56011900000106

 

BANK OF ZHANGJIAKOU

 

 

 

 

Important Notice

Please read the whole Agreement carefully, especially the provisionsin bold italic. If you have any questions, please ask the Lender timely to explain.

 

Lender (Party A):Zhangjiakou Bank Co., Ltd. Baoding Branch

Legal Representative/Principal: Gao Yicheng

Authorised Person: Ren Jianjun

Address: No. 70 Tian’exi Road, Jingxiu District Qixia City, Hebei Province

Contact Person: Zhang Xinzhe

Telephone: 0310-8203166 Fax: Mail:zhangxinzhe@jkccb,com

 

Borrower (Party B): Wuhan Kingold Jewelry Co., Ltd

Legal Representative/ Principal: Zhihong Jia

License Number: 914201007414027360

Address:  Floor 10 Building 7, No.8 Hanhuanglu Road, Jiang’an District, Wuhan 

Authorised Person: Huang Yi

Postcode: 430023

Telephone: Fax:

 

  Since the Borrower applies for loan from the Lender, to specify the rights and obligations of both parties, the Borrower and the Lender reach consensus through consultation and agree with following agreement.

 

 Article 1 Loan

 

1.1 Currency: RMB.

 

1.2 The amount of loan under the Agreement is: ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY MILLION YUAN.

 

1.3 This loan should be used for Purchasing Gold only.

 

1.4 The life of loan under the Agreement is from September 16, 2019 to September 15, 2020.

 

The life of loan is from the date of issuing the first loan under this Agreement to the date when Borrower pays back the principal and interest under the Agreement.

 

 Article 2 Interest Rate of Loan and Interest Settlement

 

2.1 The interest rate of loan under the Agreement uses the way in _2.1.1__ as follows:

 

2.1.1 Fixed rate, 6.25% (Year) During the life of loan, it is unchangeable and will not adjust basing on national interest.

 

2.1.2 Floating interest rate, i.e. ___∕__ (choose “rising” or “lowering”) _∕__% based on the benchmark interest rate of value date. If the People’s Bank of China adjusts the benchmark interest rate during the loan term, following / is used as the interest rate adjustment date:

  (1) The adjustment is made monthly, once per month.

  (2) The adjustment is made quarterly, once per quarter.

  (3) The adjustment is made every half year, once per half year.

  (4) The adjustment is made every year, once per year.

 

If the People’s Bank of China changes the benchmark interest rate into floating interest or calls the benchmark interest rate, the parties should adjust the loan interest under mutual discussion, but the interest after the adjustment should be not lower than the interest before; if after ___∕__ month from the date when the People’s Bank of China adjusts the interest, the two parties have not reached a consensus regarding the adjusted interest rate, the Lender has right to declare the acceleration of maturity regarding the loan under this Agreement.

 

 

 

 

2.2 Interest settlement

 

2.2.1 Daily interest = monthly interest rate / 30, monthly interest rate = annual interest rate / 12.

 

2.2.2 Normal interest = agreed rate of interest under this agreement × loan amount × usage days been used. The usage days should start from the lending day to the date of expiry.

 

2.2.3 The interest settlement of loan under the Agreement is based on the following __(2)__ way. When the loan expires, the principal and interest should be repaid. The interest settlement date is the interest payment date.

  (1) The interest is settled on the  /  day of last month of every season;

  (2) The interest is settled on the 21st day of every month.

 

2.3 Default interest

 

2.3.1 If the Borrower fails to use the loan in accordance with the agreed purposes, or the Borrower fails to repay the loan within the agreed deadline and has not reached agreement on extension with the Lender (so it is overdue loan), the Lender has the right to get the default interest for the misappropriated loan or overdue loan according to the default interest rate under this Agreement.

 

2.3.2 If the loan currency is RMB, when the Borrower fails to repay the loan within the agreed deadline, the default interest rate will increase by 50% regarding the overdue loan; when the Borrower fails to use the loan in accordance with the agreed purposes, the loan interest rate will increase by 100% regarding the misappropriated loan. If the People’s Bank of China adjusted the benchmark interest rate, the floating interest loan is overdue or misappropriated, the Lender has the right to adjust the default interest rate, and applies the new default interest since the interest adjustment date of the People’s Bank of China.

 

2.4 If the Borrower repays or the Lender calls in loan in advance, the relevant interest will not be adjusted and the agreed interest rate still applies.

 

 Article 3 Issuance, Payment and Repayment of Loan

 

3.1 The Borrower can draw the loan amount by several allocations, but the sum of all allocations does not exceed the amount provided by Article 1.

 

3.2 The Lender is only obliged to loan when the following conditions are met constantly:

  (1) The Borrower has completed all the relevant legal procedures including the government license, approval, registration and other legal procedures required by the Borrower, and such legal procedures are continuously effective;

  (2) The guarantee agreement (if any) under this Agreement has taken effect and will be continuously effective; if the guarantee agreement is pledge agreement and/or mortgage agreement, the guarantee right has been set and will be continuously effective;

  (3) The Borrower’s operation and financial status does not have any substantial adverse changes;

  (4) The Borrower does not violate this Agreement;

  (5) The way of this loan payment is consistent with the Agreement; if the lender entrusted payment is the payment way, the Lender agrees to pay;

  (6) If the loan is issued in foreign currency, the Borrower has already opened the relevant account according to the management requirement of foreign exchange and provided the documents showing that the loan conforms the relevant foreign exchange policy, including but not limited to, effective foreign exchange purpose documentary evidence, registration or approval documents;

  (7) The Borrower has already opened the capital recovery account according to Article 3.9;

  (8) ______________/____________________________________________________.

 

 

 

 

3.3 The Borrower appointed the account below as the loan account:

Account Name : Wuhan Kingold Jewelry Co., Ltd.

Account No.: 1200560121560000230

Bank Name : Zhangjiakou Bank, Baoding Branch.

 

3.4 The actual date of lending and the amount is subject to the Loan Certificate.

 

3.5 The Borrower shall go through the drawing procedure at least three bank business days in advance, send the application of drawing to the Lender to meet the amount payment need for the future / days, and clarify the way of payment (entrusted payment by the Lender or the direct payment by the Borrower).

 

3.6 Entrusted payment by the Lender is that after the loan is issued pursuant to this Agreement, the Lender pays the loan to the counterparty of the Borrower who conforms to the agreed purposes of the Agreement, according to the entrusted payment power of attorney of the Borrower.

The lender entrusted payment is used if any of the conditions below is met:

(1) The amount of one payment is more than ZERO Yuan (this amount is the limit of entrusted payment).

(2)       /        .

If the entrusted payment of the Lender is the way of capital payment, the Borrower should send Loan Capital Payment Power of Attorney. The Lender reviews the Credit Usage Application, Loan Capital Payment Power of Attorney, Loan Certificate and relevant payment transaction documents (including but not limited commercial contract, invoices and goods receipts). If the application conforms with this Agreement and the relevant payment transaction documents, the Lender will pay the loan capital to the counterparty of the Borrower according to the agreed purposes of the Agreement. If the planned payment of the Borrower is not in compliance with the this Agreement, the corresponding commerce agreement, proof materials or has any other default, the Lender has the right to refuse to pay and return the payment power of attorney submitted by the Borrower.

If the Lender agrees to pay, but since the information provided by the Borrower is wrong so it can’t be paid, or the payment is refunded, the Borrower shall resubmit relevant certificate and documents with correct information before the deadline provided by the Lender. The Lender does not bear the loss of the Borrower caused by the payment failure.

If the Lender pays to the wrong party because the information provided by the Borrower is wrong, the Lender does not bear any responsibility to the Borrower. The Borrower still needs to repay the principal and the interest for the part of wrong payment.

 

3.7 Direct payment by the Borrower means, after the Lender pays the loan to the account of the Borrower according to this Agreement, the Borrower directly pays to its counterparty according to the agreed purposes of the Agreement.

 

For loan amount payment not exceeding / Yuan, and the Borrower and the Lender do not agree to adopt entrusted payment, the direct payment by the Borrower will be used.

 

If direct payment is used, the Lender has the right to examine if the loan payment conforms to the agreed purposes by ways such as account analysis, certificate review, and on-site investigation. The Borrower shall cooperate with the Lender about the examination.

 

 

 

 

3.8 The Borrower shall pay back according to the deadline in Article 1.4 and following plan. If the Loan Certificate states a deadline different with this Agreement, the Loan Certificate prevails.

 

Deadline   Amount
September 15, 2020   ONE HUNDRED MILLION
    ONE HUNDRED MILLION
    ONE HUNDRED MILLION

 

3.9 Loan capital recovery account.

The Borrower shall open specialized loan capital recovery account from the Lender (Account Name: Wuhan Kingold Jewelry Co., Ltd. Account No.: 1200560121560000230, Bank Name: Zhangjiakou Bank, Baoding Branch.), so the Lender can recover the loan capital. The capital recovery account is used to receive the relevant sales revenue or planned repayment capital. If the relevant sales revenue are calculated in non-cash way, the Borrower shall insure that the capital is allocated to the recovery account on time after receipt. In the meanwhile, the Borrower shall provide the loan capital recovery account details to the Lender Every quarter (week/ month/ quarter).

 

3.10 If the Lender receives loans in advance according to Article 8 of this Agreement, it deems that the loan deadline advances accordingly.

 

3.11 If the Borrower prepays the loan, the Borrower shall send the application in writing 30 days in advance for consent by the Lender. When the Borrower prepays the loan, the Lender has the right to charge the loan interest according to the Agreement in the actual loan period, and charges the repayment procedure fee which is   ∕ % of the prepaid capital.

 

3.12 The Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes that when any of the situations under Article 8 or 9 happens, the Lender can withdraw principal and interest from any account of the Borrower. The Borrower agrees to give up any right of defense.

 

 Article 4 Guaranty

 

The guaranty contracts are as follow:

1) No.:56011900000106Z01, the way of warrant: Pledge, warrantor: Wuhan Kingold Jewelry Co., Ltd.

2) No.:56011900000106B01, the way of warrant: Warranty, warrantor: Jia Zhihong.

 

 Article 5 Representations and Warranties of the Borrower

 

5.1 The Borrower is an independent civil subject set in accordance with the law, has all the necessary civil rights capability and civil action capability; and has the ability to fulfill the obligations of the Agreement and take civil responsibility.

 

5.2 Signing and fulfilling the Agreement is the Borrower’s true intention, and has gone through all the necessary approvals and authorization, and there is no legal flaw.

 

5.3 The operation and business of the Borrower is legal and in compliance. The Borrower has the ability of continuing operation, it has legal repayment source, and it does not have material bad credit record. The management team of the Borrower has no bad record.

 

5.4 The circulating fund loan matters are in compliance with the law.

 

5.5 The Borrower shall provide complete, true and accurate, effective documents, statements, materials and information on time according to the Lender’s requirement. The Borrower never hides any information that will give bad influence to its financial condition and ability of repayment. There is no material adverse change to the Borrower’s financial condition since the date of the latest financial statement.

 

 

 

 

5.6 When signing the Agreement, the Borrower is not a shareholder or “actual controller” under the Company Law of the guarantor, and has no plan to be a shareholder or actual controller of the guarantor, or the guarantor has provided its shareholder resolution about agreeing to provide guaranty to the Borrower.

 

5.7 Before paying off all debt under the Agreement, the Borrower’s financial target should be controlled in :

(1) Asset-liability ratio should not be higher than _/_%;

(2) Liquidity ratio should not be lower than _/__%;

(3) Quick ratio should not be lower than _/_%;

(4) The balance of external guarantee should not be higher than _/_% of net assets;

(5) ____/______________________________________

 

5.8 The Borrower promises that it will cooperate with the Lender regarding loan payment management, the post-loan management and relevant examination.

 

5.9 Before external investment, material increase of debt financing, merge, split, equity transfer and other material matters, the Borrower should get permission from the Lender first.

 

5.10 The Lender has the right to call back the loan in advance according to the capital recovery situation of the Borrower.

 

5.11 The Borrower should inform the Lender timely if any material disadvantage issues happened that would affect the ability of taking back the loan of the Lender.

 

 Article 6 The Rights and Obligations of the Lender

 

6.1 The Lender has right to call back the loan capital, interest (including default interest for expiration and misuse) according to the Agreement, charge the fees payable by the Borrower, has right to call back the loan in advance according to the Borrower’s capital recovery situation, and exercise other rights under the Agreement or under the law.

 

6.2 During the process of exercising the Agreement, the Lender checks the documents provided by the Borrower. If the Lender cannot complete the entrusted payment on time because the Borrower provided untrue, inaccurate or incomplete documents or the Borrower conducts the payment in violation of this Agreement, the Lender shall not undertake any responsibilities.

 

6.3 If the lending or the payment failed because of the frozen loan account or the payment account appointed by the Borrower or because of any other reasons, the Lender shall not undertake any responsibilities.

 

 Article 7 The Rights and Obligations of the Borrower

 

7.1 The Borrower shall repay the loan and interest under the Agreement according to the timing, amount and currency agreed in this Agreement.

The Borrower shall allocate the sales revenue or planed repayment into the capital recovery account timely, and shall provide capital flow details of the capital recovery account according to the Agreement’s requirement.

 

7.2 The Borrower shall not divert the loan under the Agreement to other purposes, shall not use the loan to invest in fixed assets or equity, or areas and uses for production and operation forbidden by the country. 

The Borrower shall pay the loan capital according to the Agreement, shall not avoid the lender entrusted payment by breaking the whole into the parts. The loan capital payment shall comply with the Agreement rules if the borrower direct payment is adopted.

 

7.3 The Borrower shall provide the record and materials regarding the loan amount usage to the Lender each quarter (week/month/quarter).

 

 

 

 

 

7.4 The Borrower shall bear the expenses under the Agreement, including but not limited to the notary fee and the appraisal fee.

The Borrower shall bear the loan capital clearing fee (including the lender entrusted payment and the borrower direct payment), and shall pay in full the relevant fees on time according to the fee items, rates and timing required by the Lender. The payment may be processed through People’s Bank payment system or the clearing system in the same city.

 

7.5 The Borrower shall follow the Lender’s business regulations and operation customs related to the loan business, including but not limited to cooperating with the Lender to manage the loan payment system and check the utilization of the loan and the Borrower’s operation, and timely providing the Lender financial reports, loan payment usage record and materials, information of affiliates and related party transactions, other documents and information, and guarantee that provided materials are all valid, true and complete.

 

7.6 The Borrower shall notify the Lender for any of the following events at least 30 days in advance, and shall not act before paying off all of the loan principal and interest under this Agreement or providing the payment schedule and guaranty approved by the Lender:

(1) Address material assets or all or most of the materials assets by sale, gift, lease, lend, transfer, guarantee, pledge or other ways;

(2) There is or may be material change to the operation system or ownership organization form, including but not limited to contracting, renting, joint venture, corporation reform, share cooperation reform, enterprise sale, M&A, joint operation, split, setting subsidiary, ownership transfer, capital decrease;

(3) There is other situation of losing or has possibility of losing the ability to repay debt;

 

7.7 The Borrower shall inform the Lender with a written notice at least 7 days in advance if any of the below situations happened or might happen:

(1) The Borrower or its affiliates modify its bylaws, change its industry and commerce registration matters such as articles of incorporation, enterprise name, legal representative, domicile, mailing address or business scope or makes decisions with material effect to finance or personnel;

(2) The Borrower, its affiliates or guarantor plans to file bankruptcy or may have been filed bankruptcy by the creditor;

(3) The Borrower or its affiliates involve in major lawsuits, arbitrations, administrative measures, or the main property or guaranty under this Agreement has been conducted property attachment or other enforcement measures, or, the safe and complete status of the main property or guaranty under this Agreement is or may have been impacted or the value decreased or it is possible to decrease;

(4) The Borrower or its affiliates provide guarantee for a third party so it causes major adverse implication to its economic status, financial status, or the ability of performing the obligations under this Agreement;

(5) The Borrower or its affiliates sign an agreement which has major implication to its operation and financial status;

(6) The Borrower, its affiliates or guarantor stops production, closes business, dissolves, suspends business for rectification, is repealed or is revoked business license;

(7) The Borrower or its affiliates, the major investor individual of the Borrower or its affiliates, the legal representative (responsible person), director or senior manager of the Borrower or its affiliates disappears, involves in violation of the laws and rules or the applicable exchange rules or appears abnormal changes;

 

 

 

 

(8) The Borrower or its affiliates have serious operational problems, its financial situation deteriorates, or any other events happened which have negative impact on the Borrower or its affiliates’ operation, financial condition, the ability of repayment or the economic status;

(9) Related party transaction happens, and the transaction amount reaches to or beyond 10% of the latest audited net asset;

(10) Before paying off the debts under the Agreement, the Borrower is or might become a shareholder of the guarantor or the “actual controller” defined by the Company Law;

(11) The Borrower or its affiliate breaks the laws and regulations, rules of supervision, national policy or industry standards and results in liability accident or is exposed by media;

(12) The relationship of controlling or being controlled between the Borrower and its affiliates changes;

(13) Any material negative events that will impact the ability of loan repayment of the Borrower or its affiliates.

 

7.8 When the guaranty under the Agreement changes and disadvantages the right of the Lender as a creditor, the Borrower should timely provide other guaranty approved by the Lender according to the Lender’s requirement.

“Change” under this article includes but not limited to: the guarantor stops production, closes business, dissolves, suspends business for rectification, business license is repealed or is revoked, file or is filed for bankruptcy; material change happens to the guarantor’s operational or financial condition; the guarantor involves in significant lawsuit, arbitration, administrative measures, attachment or other compulsory measures are conducted to its major asset; the value of collateral decreases or may decrease or is conducted attachment or other compulsory measures; the sound condition of the collateral is affected or might be affected; the guarantor or its legal representative (responsible person) or the major manager of the guarantor is involved in violation laws and rules or the applicable exchange rules; the guarantor disappears or dies (or declaring death) if the guarantor is an individual; the guarantor violates the Guaranty Agreement; the Guarantor and the Borrower have disputes; the Guarantor requires to dissolve the Guaranty Agreement; the Guaranty Agreement is not effective, invalid or cancelled; the guaranty right is unset or invalid; other events impact the safety of the Lender’s creditor’s right.

 

7.9 Open a loan capital recovery account according to the Article 3.9 of this Agreement.

 

 Article 8 Call Back the Loan in advance

 

If any of the situations at bellow happens, the Lender has the right to stop paying the loan unused by the Borrower, unilaterally declare that the issued loan principal under the Agreement is expired in advance, and require the Borrower to pay back all the loan principal and interest immediately, and has the right to deduct capital directly from the Borrower’s any account. After the deduction, the Lender shall inform the Borrower timely. If the Borrower can prove that the deducted capital is protected by law specially so it shall not to be deducted, the Lender shall return the capital to the deducted account.

  (1) The Borrower does not pay the interest on time;

  (2) The Borrower provides untrue financial reports and materials;

  (3) The Borrower misappropriates the loan;

  (4) Any of the events in the Articles 7.6, 7.7 happened, and the Lender believes it will endanger the loan safety;

 

 

 

 

  (5) The Borrower’s financial index is out of range of the Article 5.6;

  (6) The Lender believes that the Borrower should prepay the loan according to the the situation of the Borrower’s capital recovery;

  (7) The issuance of the loan under this Agreement by the Lender causes or may cause law violation because of the changed supervision regulation;

  (8) When the Borrower is performing other contracts with the Lender or with a third party, it has violation or the debt may expire in advance or has been declared expired in advance;

  (9) Other situations that might endanger the loan capital safety.

 

Article 9 Defaults and Dispositions

 

9.1 If any following matters happen to the Borrower, it is considered as default:

  (1) Fails to repay the loan principal and interest on time in accordance with the Agreement;

  (2) Violates the representations and warranties of the Article 5 in the Agreement;

  (3) Violates the obligations of the Borrower under the Article 7 in the Agreement;

  (4) Fails to use the loan amount in the agreed way, or avoid Lender entrusted payment in a way by breaking up the whole into pieces;

  (5) Fails to open the loan capital recovery account pursuant to the Agreement;

  (6) Material cross-default happens;

  (7) Violates other articles of this Agreement.

 

9.2 After default, the Lender has the right to adopt one or more of measures as below:

  (1) Corrects default with deadline;

  (2) Adjusts the amount threshold of the loan capital entrusted payment or the payment way of the loan capital;

  (3) Stops withdrawal by the Borrower;

  (4) Dissolves the loan agreement, and requires the Borrower to pay off expired or unexpired loan principal, interest and other dues;

  (5) Requires the Borrower to pay overdue default interest if the loan is overdue;

  (6) Requires the Borrower to pay misappropriation default interest if the Borrower misappropriates the loan;

  (7) Deducts owed loan principal and interest from any account that the Borrower has at Zhangjiakou Bank;

  (8) Pursues the loan principal and interest by the legal ways, and all fees paid to claim the credit (including but not limited to collecting fees, litigation fees, arbitration fees, property attachment fees, enforcement fees, attorney’s fees, case fees, declaration fees, appraisal fees, audit fees and so on) shall be borne by the Borrower.

 

9.3 If the guarantor (i.e. warrantor, mortgagor, pledgor) has any following situation, the Lender has the right to adopt the measures according to Article 9.2:

  (1) The warrantor violates the Warrant Agreement, its credit status deteriorates, or other event happens which decreases its warrant ability;

  (2) The mortgagor violates the Mortgage Agreement, or breaks the mortgage, or the value of the mortgage may decrease or has decreased substantially, or other event happens which harm the mortgage right of the Lender happen;

  (3) The pledgor violates the Pledge Agreement, or the value of the pledge has decreased or may have decreased, or the pledge right has to be realized before the loan is paid off, or other event happens which harms the pledge right of the Lender.

 

 

 

 

 Article 10 Deduction Arrangement

 

10.1 The Borrower authorizes that, if there is any due and payable loan principal, interest, default interest or other fess, the Lender has the right to deduct the capital from the Borrower’s any account in Zhangjiakou Bank to pay it off. After the deduction, the Lender shall inform the Borrower timely. If the Borrower can prove that the deducted capital is protected by law and it shall not be deducted, the Lender shall return the capital to the related account.

 

10.2 After the deduction, the Lender shall inform the Borrower about the related account, the contract number of the Loan Agreement, the document number of the Loan Certificate, the deducted amount and the remaining debt balance.

 

10.3 If the deducted amount is not enough to pay off all the debts of the Borrower, it shall be used to compensate for the due fees first. If the principal and interest is overdue for less than 90 days, the balance shall be used to pay the interest or default interest due and then be used to pay the principal due. If the principal and interest are overdue for more than 90 days, the balance shall be used to pay the principal due, and then be used to pay the interest or default interest due.

 

10.4 If the currency of deducted amount is different from the currency of the due amount, it shall be converted to the currency of due amount according to foreign exchange rate on that day.

 

 Article 11 Notice

 

11.1 All of the contact information that the Borrower fills out in this Agreement (including contact address, telephone number and fax number) is real and effective. If any contact information is changed, the Borrower shall give written notice of the changed information to the contact address that the Lender provides in this Agreement. Only after the Lender has actually received the notice of changed information and has updated relevant records, can this information change comes into effect.

 

11.2 Until this Agreement provides otherwise, any notice that Lender gives to the Borrower can be given by the following ways. The Lender has the right to choose the approach of notice which it deems proper, and under any circumstance, the Lender does not bear responsibilities for any transmission errors, omissions, or deferral happened in mails, faxes, telephones or any other contact systems. If the Lender chooses several contact ways at the same time, the one that reaches the Borrower more quickly shall prevail.

(1) Announcement: the service date is the day when the Lender announces on its websites, online bank, telephone bank or sales departments.

(2) Personal service: the service date is the day when the Borrower signs the notice.

(3) Mail delivery (including EMS, ordinary mail and registered mail) to the Borrower’s contact address that the Lender knows as the latest: the service date is the third day after the mailing date (in the same city) or the fifth day after the mailing date (different city) (even the mail may be returned).

(4) Faxes or other electronic contact methods to the Borrower’s fax number or electronic contact address that the Lender knows as the latest: the service date is the sending day.

 

 Article 12 Law Application and Dispute Resolution

 

The Agreement applies to PRC laws. The disputes of the Agreement shall be submitted to the local court at the Lender’s residence. During the period of the dispute, the provisions without disputes shall continue to be fulfilled by both parties.

 

 

 

 

 Article 13 Other Provisions

 

13.1 The Borrower agrees that the Lender can enquiry and keep the Borrower’s credit information for loan application and post-loan management.

 

13.2 The Lender doesn’t bear any responsibility for the failure to issue loans on schedule or handle payment if the failure is caused by force majeure, communication failure, network failure, or the malfunction of Lender’s system. However, the Lender shall inform the Borrower in time.

 

13.3 Phrases referred to in the Agreement including affiliate, related-party transaction and main investor individual have the same meaning with those in Accounting Standards for Business Enterprises No. 36-- Affiliate Disclosure (Finance and Accounting Department [2006] No. 3) and its later revised edition.

 

13.4 The Agreement’s Loan Certificate, Loan Withdrawal Application Form, Loan Capital Payment Power of Attorney and relevant documents and materials confirmed by both two parties are indispensable parts of the Agreement.

 

13.5 If the Borrower avoids monitor of the Lender, defaults on principal and interest of the loan, maliciously evades repayment obligations for loans and so on, the Lender has the right to report its behaviors to relevant departments and publicize them on news media.

 

13.6 The Agreement comes into effect after the Borrower’s legal representative (person in charge) or authorized representative signs (or seals) and affixes the official seal, and Lender’s person in charge or authorized representative also signs (or seals) and affixes the official seal.

 

13.7 When signing the Agreement, the Lender and the Borrower have clearly read and understood all the provisions of the Agreement. Both parties have no doubt about all the provisions and interpretations of the Agreement and correctly understand the rights and duties clauses, and the legal meaning of the limitation and waiver of liability clauses.

 

13.8 The Agreement is made out in __ copies. The Borrower holds __ copies. The Lender holds __ copies. __ holds __ copies. __ holds __ copies. __ holds __ copies.

 

Article 14 Other Matters

 

 

 Article 15 Reminder

 

The Borrower has read all the provisions above. The Lender has made corresponding explanations as required by the Borrower. The Borrower has no dissent on all clauses.

 

The Borrower (official seal)  

Legal representative(stamp or signature)

 

The Borrower (official seal)

Legal representative(stamp or signature)

 

Signed on September 16, 2019   Sign on January 28, 2016

Signed at No.51 Shenglibei Road, Zhangjiakou city, Hebei province

 

 

Exhibit 10.11

 

Gold Pledge Contract

 

Between

 

China Minsheng Trust Co., Ltd.

 

And

 

Wuhan Kingold Jewelry Co., Ltd.

 

Contract No.: 2019-MSJH-224-3

 

2019 

 

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The No. 2019-MSJH-224-3 Gold Pledge Contract (hereinafter referred to as “this Contract”) is signed by following parties in September 25th 2019.

 

Pledgor(Party A) : Wuhan Kingold Jewelry Co., Ltd.

 

Legal Representative: Jia Zhihong
   
Address: Special No. 15 of Huangpu Science and Technology Park, Jiang’an District, Wuhan City
   
Contact Address: Special No. 15 of Huangpu Science and Technology Park, Jiang’an District, Wuhan City
   
Contact Person: Hu Qiao
   
Postcode: 430023
   
Fax:  
   
Contact No.:  

 

Pledgee(Party B): China Minsheng Trust Co., Ltd.
   
Legal Representative: Lu Zzhiqiang
   
Address: 19/F, Tower C, Minsheng Financial Center, No. 28, Jianguo Mennei Road, Dongcheng District, Beijing
   
Contact Address: Room 4203, Minsheng Financial Center,No. 187 of Yunxia Road, Jiang’an District,Wuhan City
   
Contact Person: Tian Dayuan
   
Fax:  
   
Contact No.:  

 

In order to ensure performance of No. 2019-MSJH-224-2 Contract of Loan on Trust and its supplemental agreement between Party B and Hubei Rriring Heavy Industry ( hereinafter referred to as “Main Contracts”), and guarantee implement of the Creditor's rights of Party B, Party A is voluntarily and unconditionally to offer unconditional and irrepealable pledge guarantee for performing obligations under the Main Contracts.

 

In order to make rights and obligations of both parties to be clear, based on provisions of Contract Law of People's Republic of China, Security Law of People's Republic of China, Property Law of People's Republic of China and other relevant laws and regulations, Party A and Party B hereby to conclude this Contract to follow through agreement and consultation on the basis of equality.

 

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1. Main Creditor's Rights

 

1.1 The main creditor’s right guaranteed by the pledgor is the creditor’s right of creditor under the main contract. The total amount of creditor’s right is no more than RMB one billion yuan. And the specific number shall subject to the real amount issued.

 

1.2 The limit of performance of debtor shall subject to the main contract.

 

II Guarantee Scope of the Pledge

 

The guarantee scope of the Pledge is all the payment obligations of the Debtor under the Main Contracts, include but not limited to the Debtor’s payable principal, interest, overdue interest, penalty interest, compound interest, liquidated damages, compensation liabilities and damage awards of the principal Creditor’s Rights, the related fees paid by the Creditor in advance and all the reasonable fees of the Creditor for realizing the creditor’s rights. Thereinto, all the reasonable fees of the Creditor for realizing the creditor’s rights include but not limited to following reasonable fees: legal fare, arbitration fee, property preservation fee, execution fee, valuation fee, auction fee, fees related to exercising security right, transaction handling fee, agent fee, registration fee, appraisal fee, safekeeping fee, insurance premium, notice fee, enquiry fee, attorney fees, notary fees, delivery fee, travel expense, communication fee, all kinds of taxes and other related expense, and the noneffective liability of the Main Contracts or this Contract that the Pledgor shall undertake according to this Contract.

 

III Hostage

 

The hostage under this Contract is the Standard Gold owned and pledged by the Pledgor according to the law, on the premise that the pledge rate of every and all the loan under the Main Contracts are not more than 70%, the quantity of gold that shall be pledged for every loan shall be confirmed based on the Gold Price of the Pledge Gold on previous transaction day of Pledge Day. The specific information is subject to the Hostage List which is the attachment of this Contract signed by both parities in written.

 

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IV Delivery of Hostage and Establishment of Mortgage

 

4.1 Before the Creditor offers any sum of loan according to the Main Contracts, the Pledgor shall confirm the quantity of Pledge Gold as pledge guarantee according to pledge rate of this sum of loan, the Pledgee deposits the Pledge Gold in the hostage safe box. After the this Contract comes in effect, the Pledgor shall deposie the Pledge Gold in the hostage safe box according to the Pledgee notice, the hostage safe box shall be sealed up for safekeeping by the safe box leased bank. After the Pledgor sealing up any batch of Pledge Gold in the safe box and renting it out, this batch of Pledge Gold will be deemed as completing the delivery, the establishment of mortgage for this batch of Pledge Gold under this Contract is valid.

 

4.2 When signing this Contra, the Pledgor shall sign the Insurance Contract with the Insurance Company and deal with notarial acts for the Pledge Gold, before any batch of Pledge Gold is delivered to the hostage safe box, or offering additional Pledge Gold to the Pledgee according to this Contract, the Pledgor shall purchase the property insurance from the Insurance Company taking the Pledgee as the only beneficiary for the quality, purity, weight and damage, lost, robbery and other risks of the corresponding batch of Pledge Gold (including additional Pledge Gold) within the pledge term, the insurance claim amount shall be 80% of the Gold Price on the day before pledging of the batch of Pledge Gold multiplies by weight of this batch of Pledge Gold. The insurance term of every batch of Pledge Gold shall be 1 year from corresponding Pledge Day (included), the Pledgor shall renew the insurance one month before the insurance period is expired, and the renewal term shall not be less than 1 year. If the Pledgor refuses to or fails to renew the insurance term of any batch of Pledge Gold within the aforesaid stipulated time for any reason, or the renewal term is less than 1 year, then the Creditor is entitled to declare that the principal Creditor’s Rights is early due, and exercise the mortgage to all the Pledge Gold. The insurance term shall not be changed without written agreement of the Pledgee and the Pledgor.

 

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4.3 The password and one key of the hostage safe box shall be taken care of by the Pledgee, the other key shall be taken care of by the Insurance Company. Within the valid period of this Contract, the hostage safe box may notbe unsealed or deposited or taken out, unless according to the regulations of laws and regulations and agreements of this Contract, the Pledgee deals with the hostage, the Pledgor adds the hostage, to release the hostage or discharge the guarantee measures on additional pledged gold with agreement of the pledgee, and other conditions agreed by both the Pledgee and the Pledgor. Within the pledge period, if the value of the Pledge Gold decrease (include but not limited to Pledge Gold reduces the quantity, lowers the quality, lowers the Gold Price, or decrease in value of the Pledge Gold resulted from the force majeure), the Pledgee assumes no responsibility, and the Pledgor will undertake the loss. If the value of the Pledge Gold decreases to the call margin line, the Pledgee is entitled to require the Pledgor to provide related supplementary guarantee measures. If the Pledgor doesn’t supplement guarantee measures according to the requirements of the Pledgee, the Pledgor will be deemed as breach, and the Pledgee is entitled to require the Debtor to prepay all principal Creditor’s Rights or excuse ledge right to the mortgage and take priority in compensation.

 

4.4 When the Pledge Gold is delivered, the Pledgee and staff of the Insurance Company will receive it together, the Pledgee will extract at least 10% Pledge Gold to conduct spectrum scanning onsite, in order to check the quality of the Pledge Gold; at the same time, the Pledgee will extract 1% of random samples Pledge Gold to conduct destructive inspection, the detection mechanism is Hubei Gold and Sliver Jewelry Quality Supervision and Inspection Station. Under the condition that above-mentioned supervision and inspection results are issued and conform to agreement of this Contract, the Pledgee accepts the Pledge Gold and seals up it for safekeeping. Any risk before the Pledgee accepts the Pledge Gold will be undertaken by the Pledgor.

 

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V Registration of Pledge

 

5.1 After this Contract comes into effect and within 3 days after delivering all batches of the Pledge Gold, the Pledgor shall assist the Pledgee to register the delivered Pledge Gold at the Registration Organization of Pledge, and the Pledgee shall be registered as the primary and only Pledgee of the ledge Gold. The registration of pledge gold shall be subject to the Chattel Mortgage Registration Certificate issued by the Registration Organization of Pledge, and the original Certificate shall be taken care of by the Pledgee.
     
5.2 If the Pledgor completes all the gold pledge, insurance obligations and corresponding complements and call margin obligations according to the agreements of the Main Contracts and this Contract, after the principal and interest of any sum of loan has been fully paid and the Debtor has performed all the payment obligations corresponded to the loan, the Pledgee is entitled to decide release the pledge of corresponding gold provided by the Pledgor in advance, however, the pledge rate of this loan shall be below 80% (included) after discharging the gold. And the Pledgor acknowledges that the Pledgee discharges the ledge of corresponding gold under this condition will not result in waiving any amount and cis-position of principal Creditor’s Rights, the Pledgor still undertake the warranty liability of all the payment obligations under the Main Contracts.

 

VI The Statement, Guarantee and Promise of The Pledgor

 

The Statement, Guarantee and Promise of the Pledgor to the Pledgee:

 

6.1 Qualification guarantee for signing and performing the Contract. The Pledgor guarantees to be qualified for signing this Contract as the subject, and have obtained the corresponding authorization or approval needed by signing and performing this Contract (include but not limited to corresponding approval and agreement listed in this Contract).

 

6.2 Contractual capacity guarantee. The Pledgor has the ability to perform the obligations under this Contract, no lawsuit or arbitration, compulsory execution, bankruptcy and other legal procedures or any other event or situation.

 

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6.3 No deceive guarantee. The Pledgor guarantees that all certificates, documents, data and information provided for signing and performing this Contract are true and complete when providing them and within applicable and employing term, no intentional concealment or deceive.

 

6.4 No conflict guarantee. There shall be no conflict with any agreed obligation of effective contractual legal document signed by the Pledgor when the Pledgor signs and performs this Contract.

 

6.5 True hostage. The Pledgor guarantees that all the ledged gold is the Standard Gold of the Shanghai Gold Exchange which purity is 999.9 (the gold content is not less than 999.9‰).

 

6.6 The Pledge Gold is legal, complete and unlimited.

 

6.6.1 Pledge Gold is owned and ledged legally by the Pledgor, no any real or potential ownership controversy or dispute.

 

6.6.2 The Pledgor completely and legally owns the Pledge Gold, no any flaw, restrict or ownership dispute is related to this ownership.

 

6.6.3 Before the mortgage under this Contract is established, no any defect of security interest or other restrictive equity or other right is related to the Pledge Gold.

 

6.6.4 When signing this Contract, no real and potential or pendent lawsuit, arbitration or administrative procedure is directing at the Pledge Gold, and this will not happen before establishing the mortgage stipulated in this Contract.

 

6.6.5 When signing this Contract, no foreclosure, freeze, detain and other property preservation or enforcement measure is carried upon the Pledge Gold, and this will not happen before establishing the mortgage stipulated in this Contract.

 

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6.7 If any event is generates or may be generated from the whole or partial Pledge Gold due to the Pledgor or the third-party that has or may have significant negative effect, once the Pledgor know it, the Pledgor shall notice the Pledgee immediately, and stop and eliminate this behavior according to the requirement of the Pledgee, and take remedial action to recover the Pledge Gold to be complete, unlimited and undamaged and provide new guarantee with written acceptance of the Pledge. The above-mentioned matters include but not limited to the merger, division, declared bankrupt, termination, out of business, dissolution, suspension, revocation of the Pledgor; ownership dispute, attachment, detain and other property preservation or execution measure of the Pledge Gold; and serious deterioration of the property and financial conditions.

 

6.8 During the duration of the mortgage, without the written permission of the Pledgee, the Pledgor shall not dispose the whole or part of the Pledge Gold in any method (include but not limited to sale, transfer, gift, waive, contribute, pledge again and so on).

 

6.9 If the Pledgor adds Pledge Gold according to the agreements of the Main Contracts and this Contract, then the Pledgor guarantee to sign corresponding Hostage List for additional ledged gold according to the agreements of the Main Contracts and this Contract, and deal with the notarization and pledged gold registration procedure.

 

6.10 The Pledgor guarantees to supplement additional Pledge Gold according to the agreements of the Main Contracts and this Contract, and underwrite insurance for the Pledge Gold and renew the insurance for full specified amount.

 

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VII Agreements

 

7.1 The country or the third-party confiscate, compulsively recall, seal up, detain, supervise, auction, forcibly occupy, damage or dispose the Pledge Gold with other methods, the Pledgor shall perform notice and remedy obligation according to Article 7.7, all compensation and damage obtained by the Pledgor due to above-mentioned causes shall be deposited into the account assigned by the Pledgee, except for that, the Pledgee is entitled to adopt any one following method to handle with above-mentioned funds, and the Pledgor shall assist the Pledgee to:

 

7.1.1 Use the funds to repair the Pledge Gold to recover its value with permission of the Pledgee;

 

7.1.2 Pay off due principal and interest and related fees under the Main Contracts;

 

7.1.3 Deposit into the accountant assigned by the Pledgee to be margin, and provide pledge guarantee for the principal Creditor’s Rights;

 

7.1.4 After the Pledgor provides new guarantee which satisfied the requirements of the Pledgee, the funds will be disposed by the Pledgor with discretionary power.

 

7.2 With written agreement of the Pledgee, the cost paid for the Pledge Gold due to disposition of the Pledgor or other funds shall be deposited in the accountant assigned by the Pledgee. The Pledgee is entitled to dispose the above-mentioned funds according to Article 8.1 of this Contract.

 

VIII Call Margin Mechanism

 

8.1 The Pledgor /Debtor is obligated to provide additional Pledge Gold(hereinafter referred to as “additional Pledge Gold”) and / or call margin by corresponding money (hereinafter referred to as “additional margin ”) for the Pledgee/ Creditor if the Pledge Gold depreciates. Every sum of loan shall set up individual call margin line, the computing standard of all call margin lines shall be conformed, that is 70% of Gold Price on previous day of Pledge Day of corresponding Pledge Gold. If the Gold Price dropped below call margin line(included) of any sum of loan in any transaction days, the Pledgor shall complement additional Pledge Gold or additional margin within 5 working days after above-mentioned event, and keep the pledge rate of this sum of loan be not higher than 70%. If the Gold Price rise again above call margin line (excluded) for three continuous transaction days, according to the written application of the Pledgor, the Pledgee may return partial or the whole additional margin or remove the ledge of and release partial or the whole additional Pledge Gold, however after returning corresponding part of additional margin or additional Pledge Gold, the pledge rate of this sum of loan shall be lower than 70% (included).

 

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The Pledgor acknowledges that, any batch of additional Pledge Gold under shall be the guarantee for the Debtor to perform all the payment obligations with other Pledge Gold. At the same time, in order to avoid ambiguity, all the “Pledge Gold” said in this Contract includes additional Pledge Gold (if any).

 

8.2 Before providing any batch of additional Pledge Gold, the Pledgor shall update and sign new Hostage List together with the Pledgee, and register the pledge for this batch of additional Pledge Gold at Registration Organization of Pledge, and purchase insurance product for this batch of additional Pledge Gold according to agreement of this Contract and the Main Contracts in order to satisfy the requirements of the Pledgee. The time and quantity of additional Pledge Gold shall be subject to the records of Chattel Mortgage Registration Certificate obtained by the Pledgee.

 

The Pledgor shall deposit the additional Pledge Gold in the hostage safe box, in order to avoid ambiguity, in this Contract, the “call margin day” of additional margin corresponded to any sum of trust loan is the day when all amount of this sum of additional Pledge Gold is remitted to the account appointed by the Pledgee, “return day” is the day when all amount of this sum of additional Pledge Gold is remitted to the account appointed by the Pledgor (namely the Pledgee notifies the Pledgor to go to the bank of the safe deposit box and deliver the Pledge Gold to the Pledgor directly on the same day).

 

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After this additional Pledge Gold is accepted by the Pledgee and sealed up in the safe box, it shall be the guarantee for Debtor to perform all the payment obligations under the Main Contracts together with the Pledge Gold that is ledged to the The Creditor under the this Contract, that is to say, if the Debtor breaches the Main Contracts and this Contract, the Pledgee is entitled to exercise mortgage to all its occupied Pledge Gold.

 

8.3 For any reason, if the Pledgor refuses to and fails to fully compensate additional margin or additional Pledge Gold, or compensate other mortgage and pledge that is accepted by the Pledgee and has equal estimated value to corresponding additional margin and additional Pledge Gold according to agreements of this Contract, the Creditor is entitled to declare that all trust loan(s) under the Main Contracts are due in advance, and require the Debtor to perform all the payment obligations under the Main Contracts immediately, otherwise, the Pledgee is entitled to exercise mortgage to all the Pledge Gold, and use funds gained from realizing hostage to pay off all unpaid payable amounts of the Debtor under the Main Contracts for priority.

 

IX Implement the Mortgage

 

9.1 Under any following condition, both the Pledgee and the Pledgor acknowledge that the Pledgee may entrust the member of the Shanghai Gold Exchange to sell the Pledge Gold at market price in public gold market or in other ways stipulated in laws and regulations to mortgage all the Pledge Gold by auction, sell and negotiating transferring the hostage or reducing the price of the hostage, and the Pledgor may coordinate the Pledgee to dispose the Pledge Gold:

 

9.1.1 The Debtor and the Pledgor breach any agreement of the Main Contracts and this Contract, including but not limited to that they don’t pay full amount of interest or / and principal of any sum of loan or any payables under the Main Contracts, they don’t pay full amount of any batch of additional Pledge Gold or additional margin, and they don’t pay full amount for purchasing insurance or renewing the term for any batch of Pledge Gold;

 

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9.1.2 The Debtor and the Pledgor apply for ( or are applied for) bankrupt, reforming or reconciliation, declared bankruptcy, discharged, mayceled, reversed, closed, suspended, out of business, merge, separated, altered organization form and other similar conditions;

 

9.1.3 Other events that the Pledgor and the Debtor endanger and damage the right, equity and interest of the Pledgee;

 

9.1.4 Any lawsuit, arbitration, administrative matter or other events that are directing to the Pledgor or the hostage, and may cause serious negative influence to financial status of the Pledgor, value of the hostage, or the ability of the Pledgor to perform obligation;

 

9.1.5 Other situation that may affect the Pledgee to implement the mortgage or damage the interest of the Pledgee;

 

9.1.6 The Pledgee is entitled by the agreement of laws and regulations and other normalizative documents of law and this Contract to dispose the Pledge Gold.

 

9.2 The income for disposing the Pledge Gold shall be cleared off in following order:

 

9.3 All the fees generated by the Pledgee, in order to implement the mortgage and rights under the Main Contracts;

 

9.3.1 The liquidated damages, compensation, overdue interest, default interest and other fees that shall be paid by the Debtor according to the Main Contracts to the Pledgee, and above-mentioned amount that shall be paid by the Pledgor according to the Main Contracts and this Contract to the Pledgee;

 

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9.3.2 All the fees generated from related obligations that shall be performed by the Debtor and the Pledgor according to the Main Contracts and this Contract;

 

9.3.3 The accrued interest payable by the Debtor;

 

9.3.4 The principal and balance of principal Creditor’s Rights;

 

9.3.5 Other debt(s) of the Debtor under Main Contract.

 

9.3.6 However, the Pledgee is entitled to change the above-mentioned liquidation order unilaterally.

 

9.4 If any one of conditions listed in Article 10.1 happens, the Pledgee is entitled to realize the Pledge Gold according to agreements of laws and regulations and this Contract, the income equal to payables of Debtor and the Pledgor under the Main Contracts and this Contract shall be directed paid to the account appointed by the Pledgee, the redundant money shall be returned to the Pledgor. If the income was insufficient to pay for all the amounts within warranty liability scope, the Pledgee is entitled to claim compensation from other secured party(s) or Debtor. The income of realizing Pledge Gold is computed as the net amount that is balance of cost for disposing Pledge Gold deducts various taxes and fees.

 

9.5 The Pledgor agrees that on the condition that when exercising mortgage agreed in Article, the Pledgee is entitled to dispose and realize the hostage through applying auction, seeling and negotiating to transfer the hostage or reducing the price of the hostage or following methods, the realized income shall be directly paid to the Pledgee according to Article 10.2 and 10.3:

 

9.5.1 The Pledgee entrusts the member unit of the Shanghai Gold Exchange to undersell the Pledge Gold at prevailing market price in public gold bullion market.

 

9.5.2 The detailed process is as follows: the Pledgee entrusts the security company to escort the Pledge Gold to the member enterprise of the Shanghai Gold Exchange which plans to trade the gold, the enterprise shift the pledged gold in the warehouse of the Shanghai Gold Exchange in Wuhan, the Pledgee entrusts the company to undersell the Pledge Gold in public market on its seat and divide the income into the account appointed by the Pledgee.

 

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X Responsibility for Breach of Contract

 

10.1 Any party which breaches the obligation under this Contract should compensate for all the losses (includes but not limited to counsel fee and all fees related to resolving the dispute paid by the Pledgee) of the other party. At the same time, if one party requires or doesn’t require the other party to undertake the responsibility for breach of contract, it doesn’t mean or implicate to exempt or relieve the responsibility for breach of contract of default party under this Contract, the default party is obligated to fulfill this Contract.

 

10.2 After this Contract goes into effect, if the Pledgor doesn’t manage hostage insurance according to the agreements or refuse to coordinate the Pledgee to transfer and deliver the hostage or register the pledge which results in impossibility of performance of the Main Contracts, the Pledgor shall pay 0.5% of secured principal Creditor’s Rights to the Pledgee Pledgee as payment of liquidated damage.

 

10.3 If the Pledgee suffered loss because that the Pledgor doesn’t provide complete procedures and real data related to pledged property according to the requirements of the Pledgee, or conceals that the pledged property is shared, disputed, closed down, detained, supervised or pledged already, the Pledgor shall compensate the Pledgee.

 

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XI Modification, Alternation and Explanation of Contract

 

11.1 Any modification, alternation and explanation to this Contract shall be done in written form.

 

11.2 During the duration of the mortgage, if the partial articles are conflicting, invalid or delegalized due to change of national law, regulation and policy, both parties agree to work hand in glove, and modify the conflicting, invalid or delegalized articles as soon as possible.

 

XII Alternation of the Main Contracts and Transfer of Principal Creditor’s Rights

 

12.1 Without advanced written permission of the Pledgee, the Pledgor may nottransfer any right or obligation under this Contract.

 

12.2 If the Creditor and Debtor agree to alter the Main Contracts through agreements, the Pledgor agrees to undertake the responsibility of pledge guarantee for the creditor’s rights under altered the Main Contracts by the Pledge Gold, the Pledgee has no need to obtain the agreement from the Pledgor as for the alternation of the Main Contracts.

 

12.3 Transfer Principal Creditor’s Rights

 

12.3.1 During the pledge term, the Creditor may transfer part of or the whole of creditor’s rights to any third-party without need to obtain the agreement of Pledgor, along with part of or the whole of mortgage under this Contract, the Pledgor may assist the assignee of mortgage and creditor’s rights to handle with hostage transferring and pledge registration procedures; the Pledgor agrees to continuously undertake pledge guarantee responsibility within original guarantee scope, but the Creditor shall notify the Pledgor in written after signing agreement of transferring creditor’s rights.

 

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12.3.2 If part of the principal of the Creditor’s Rights of the Creditor under the Main Contracts was transferred to the third party or several assignees, the Pledgor agrees that all creditors accepting the transfer undertake the pledge guarantee possibility within original guarantee scope. The transferee(s) of above-mentioned creditor’s rights is(are) required to sign the Pledge Contract again and handle with related pledge alteration registration procedures, and the Pledgor shall coordinate assist.

 

12.3.3 If the transferring behavior of creditor’s rights or debt under the Main Contracts was ineffective, invalid or reversed, then the Pledgor shall undertake warranty liability for the Pledgee according to the requirements of this Contract.

 

12.4 The warranty liability of the Pledgor Pledge Gold will not be remised due to any one of following situations:

 

12.4.1 Restructuring, reorganization, consolidation, merger, division, increase or decrease of registered capital, joint venture, joint operation, rename, contracting, leasing, trusteeship and other situation happen to the Creditor or the Debtor;

 

12.4.2 The Creditor entrusts the third party to exercise or perform its rights or obligations under the Main Contracts;

 

12.4.3 The Debtor transfers the debt to the third party without written permission in advance of the Creditor.

 

XIII Validate Contract

 

13.1 This Contract comes into effect from the day it is sealed and signed by the legal representatives or its authorized representatives of both parties with official seal and contract seal, the mortgage of this Contract is established from the day delivering the hostage.

 

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XIV Vanish the Mortgage

 

14.1 When one of the following situations occurs, the mortgage under this Contract vanishes:

 

14.1.1 The obligations of the Debtor and the Pledgor under the Main Contracts and this Contract have been completely performed;

 

14.1.2 Pledgee has realized the mortgage according to related agreements of this Contract.

 

14.2 Remove the registration of pledge

 

14.2.1 After the mortgage vanishes, the Pledgee shall assist the Pledgor to remove the ledge and other related procedures (if needed) within 3 working days.

 

14.2.2 All the fees due to removing the ledge and other related procedures shall be undertaken by the Pledgor.

 

XV Application of Law

 

15.1 The conclusion, validity, explanation, performance and dispute resolution of this Contract are applicable to the valid laws of the People’s Republic of China (excluding Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan Region) when signing.

 

XVI Dispute Resolution

 

16.1 Any dispute resulted from or related to this Contract shall be solved by both parties through friendly negotiation; if no agreement is settled, both parties agree to institute legal proceedings to local jurisdictional people’s court of the Pledgee.

 

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16.2 During the duration of action, the articles of this Contract that are not involved with the dispute shall be performed, the Pledgor may not refuse to perform any obligation under this Contract because of solving the dispute.

 

XVII Confidentiality Clauses

 

17.1 The private data and information related to the Pledge Gold under this Contract obtained by both parties when negotiating, signing and performing this Contract shall be kept strictly confidential, unless it is under the circumstances as follows:

 

17.1.1 The Pledgee performs the obligation of information disclosure stipulated in laws and regulations or agreed by the trust documents to disclose to the Trust settler and trust beneficiary.

 

17.1.2 Disclose to the auditor, attorney and other staff entrusted by normal operations, but the premise is that this kind of persons must undertake confidentiality obligation for related information of this Contract when carrying out aforesaid work.

 

17.1.3 This kind of information and documents are available in public ways, or the disclosure is required by the laws and regulations.

 

17.1.4 The disclosure related to this Contract which is disclosed to the court, or based on any requirement of pre-pleading disclosure procedure or similar procedure, or based on adopted law procedure.

 

17.1.5 The disclosure disclosed to the financial regulation institution by the Pledgee according to the requirement of the financial regulation institution.

 

17.2 When this Contract removes or terminates, each party shall stop using and may not permit the third-party to use obtained business secret and other private information of other party, at the same time, each party shall return the business secret and other private information provided by the other party or delete them or destroy them according to written requirement of the other party.

 

17.3 Under any condition, the confidential obligation stipulated in this article shall be permanently and continuously valid.

 

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XVIII Force Majeure

 

18.1 Definition

 

The force majeure said in this Contract is the unforeseeable, unavoidable and insurmountable objective circumstance that makes it is impossible to perform this Contract or perform this Contract on time.

 

18.2 Notice Obligation

 

When force majeure event happens and affects the performance of this Contract, the party which occurring the event shall notify the other party about the true condition with agreed method in this Contract.

 

18.3 Burden of Proof

 

The party which occurring the force majeure event shall apply for and obtain the certification issued by the related local department or notary organization within 15 days after the event happens.

 

18.4 Legal Consequence

 

If any party fails to perform the Contract due to force majeure, the responsibility may be exempted partially or wholly based on effect of the force majeure, unless there is stipulation in the law.

 

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XIX Notice

 

19.1 All notices between both parties shall be in written form that may be sent by personal service, registered mail, express mail and other ways, the fax may be auxiliary way, but above-mentioned agreed ways shall be supplementary after using the fax.

 

19.2 The notice is regarded as delivery on following day:

 

19.2.1 The notice in personal service, the valid delivery is deemed as on the day when notifying the receiver about the delivery;

 

19.2.2 The notice in registered mail (paid off postage), the valid delivery is deemed as the 7th day after sending (as indicated by the postmark);

 

19.2.3 The notice in express mail (paid off postage), the valid delivery is deemed as the 3rd day after sending (as indicated by the postmark);

 

19.3 The contact addresses filled by both parties in this Contract are valid contact addresses.

 

19.4 Each party is entitled to alter the contact addresses at any time, but the alternation notice shall be sent to the other party within 7 working days after altering in terms of sending ways stipulated in this agreement.

 

XX Others

 

20.1 The titles of this Contract are only used for easy reference that may’t be explained as component of this Contract or form to be the limitation to indicated terms under any condition; the time term stated in this Contract refer to Gregorian calendar.s

 

20.2 Any unaccomplished matter shall be signed in written form by both parties as supplemental agreement which shall be impartible part of this Contract: all attached Hostage List(s) and supplemental agreement(s) signed by both parties have the same legal force with this Contract.

 

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20.3 This Contract is in___with the same legal effect, each party hold ___copies, and others are used in relevant procedures with the same legal effect.

 

When signing this Contract, both parties read and know all the articles in this Contract, have no objection, and accurately understand all legal implications of all articles related to legal relations, related rights, obligations and responsibilities between both parties.

 

(The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.)

 

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(No text in this page, signing page of Contract No.: 2019-MSJH-224-3 Pledge Contract)

 

The Pledgor (Party A): Wuhan Kingold Jewelry Co., Ltd. (Seal)

 

Legal Representative or Authorized Representative (Signature or Seal):

 

The Pledgee (Party B): Minsheng Trust Co., Ltd.(Seal)

 

Legal Representative or Authorized Representative (Signature or Seal) :

 

Signed at Minsheng Financial Center, No. 28, Jianguo Mennei Road, Dongcheng District, Beijing

 

Signed Date: October 10, 2019

 

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Annex: Hostage List

 

Hostage List

 

No.: 01

 

The Pledgor pledges the goods listed in following table to the Pledgee, and takes charge of authenticity, validity and legitimacy of the hostage. The hostage is delivered to the bank appointed by the Pledgee to be taken care of and deposited in the safe box rented by the Pledgee, acts as the pledge guarantee of debt under No. 2019-MSJH-224-2 Trust Loan Contract. This Hostage List is the inseparable annex of No. 2019-MSJH-224-3 Gold Pledge Contract with equal legal effect.

 

Name Specification (gold content) Manufacture Weight Quantity Unit price
AU9999 No lower than99.95% SGE 5361kg 5361pieces 266.84yuan/g
           
           
           

 

This Hostage List is in triplicate, both the Pledgor and the Pledgee hold one copy, and the insurance company holds on copy.

 

The Pledgor (Official Seal): The Pledgee (Official Seal):
 
Date Date

 

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Exhibit 10.12

 

EXECUTION COPY

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is entered into as of October 17, 2019 by and between Kingold Jewelry, Inc. (the “Company”), the parent company of Wuhan Kingold Jewelry Co., Ltd. (“Wuhan Kingold”), and Zhihong Jia (the “Executive”) (collectively the “Parties”; individually a “Party”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the Executive, and the Executive desires to be employed by the Company, as Chief Executive Officer;

 

WHEREAS, Executive has extensive knowledge and a unique understanding of the Business and has longstanding business relationships with many clients and other business associates that will be of value and service to the Company; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants set forth in this Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

1.                  Term of Employment. This Agreement shall become effective on October 28, 2019. The term of employment shall be three years, unless this Agreement is terminated prior to the expiration of such three-year period (the “Term”).

 

2.                  Position and Duties. The Executive shall render services to the Company and its subsidiaries, including Wuhan Kingold, in the position of chief executive officer and perform all services appropriate to that position as well as other services as may reasonably be assigned by the Company. The Executive’s principal place of employment shall be in Wuhan, located in the Hubei Province, within the PRC or any other place as agreed by the Parties from time to time. The Executive shall devote most of his working time, attention and skill to the discharge of his duties of his office and shall faithfully and diligently perform such duties and exercise such powers as may from time to time be assigned to or vested in him, and shall observe and comply with all resolutions and directions from time to time made or given by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”). The Executive shall at all times keep the Board promptly and fully informed of his conduct relating to material matters, decisions and transactions affecting or involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries or controlled affiliates (collectively, the “Group” and each a “Group Company”) and provide such explanations as may reasonably be required. Insofar as the internal rules and regulations of the Group or the Group Companies are applicable to the Executive, the Executive undertakes to abide by such rules and regulations.

 

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3.                  Remuneration and Benefits. Subject to the Company’s policies and practices, during the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to the following remuneration and benefits (on a cumulative basis):

 

a.                  Base Salary. The Company shall pay the Executive a base salary of U.S. $175,000 per year (the “Annual Base Salary” or “Base Salary”) or U.S. $14,584 per month (the “Monthly Salary”), less all applicable withholdings and deductions, for his employment with the Company, subject to (a) a reasonable annual adjustment (determined by the Board) to reflect increases in the cost of living due to inflation; and (b) an additional adjustment as agreed by the Company and the Executive, if the workload of the Executive substantially increases due to the business expansion of the Group. The Base Salary of the Executive will also be correspondingly adjusted if the salary of all the other employees of the Group Companies is adjusted in accordance with the then effective payroll policies of the Group Companies. The Base Salary shall be paid by the Company in accordance with the Company’s regularly established payroll practices applicable to all Company employees.

 

b.                   Benefits. The Executive shall be eligible to participate in the benefits generally made available by the Company to its executives in accordance with the benefit plans established by the Company, as the same may be amended from time to time in the Company’s sole discretion.

 

c.                  Bonus. The Company may pay the Executive an annual bonus, less all applicable withholdings and deductions (“Annual Bonus”) in accordance with any executive annual bonus plans of the Company. Such Annual Bonus shall be determined by the Company in its sole discretion and approved by the Board, and shall be based on the Executive’s performance and the Company’s financial performance in the relevant financial year.

 

d.                  Equity Incentives. The Executive may be granted share options or other equity incentives as determined by the Company and approved by the Board. For the avoidance of doubt, the Executive shall be responsible for, and shall not be entitled to any claims against the Company for, any taxes arising from any grants or awards of any share options or other equity incentives (including the exercise of any share options).

 

e.                  Holidays. The Executive shall be eligible for the holiday benefits generally made available by the Company to its executives in accordance with the holiday policies of the Company, as the same may be amended from time to time in the Company’s sole discretion.

 

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f.                  Insurance. The Company shall pay for life insurance and medical insurance policies with an internationally recognized insurance provider (or such other insurance provider as agreed between the Parties) for the benefit of the Executive, provided that (a) the annual premium of all such insurance policies in any one year shall be no more than Renminbi (“RMB”) 20,000 in the aggregate; (b) the beneficiaries under the life insurance policy shall be designated by the Executive; (c) the other terms of the insurance policies (including, but not limited to, the type of policy and coverage) shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Executive and (d) the Executive satisfies the eligibility requirements of such policies.

 

g.                  Expenses. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred by the Executive in connection with the performance of the Executive’s duties and obligations as set forth herein during the Term; provided the Executive shall provide reasonable supporting documentation with respect to such expenses, if requested.

 

h.                  Indemnification. Subject to the advice of an appropriate human resource adviser engaged by the Company to ascertain the scope of such indemnity, the Company shall fully indemnify the Executive for any losses incurred in his capacity as a director and/or officer of any of the Group Companies, if the Company’s director and officer liability insurance is inadequate to cover such losses; provided the Company shall not be responsible for any losses caused by or attributable to the Employee’s gross negligence or willful default.

 

Unless otherwise indicated herein and as agreed by the Parties and to the extent permitted by the governing law (as described in Section 7(e) below), all of the foregoing remuneration and benefits shall be paid to such account in RMB or any other currency as designated by the Executive. Unless otherwise agreed by the Parties in writing, any conversion from United States Dollars to RMB and vice versa shall be effected at the exchange rate published by the People’s Bank of China for the relevant period or date (as the case may be).

 

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4.                  Amendment, Termination and Discharge of this Agreement.

 

a.                  Amendment to and Termination of the Agreement. This Agreement may not be modified, amended, renewed or terminated except by an instrument in writing, signed by the Executive and the Company.

 

b.                  Discharge of the Agreement.

 

(i)                  By Death. This Agreement shall be discharged automatically upon the Executive’s death. In such event, the Company shall pay to the Executive’s beneficiaries or estate (as the case may be) an amount equal to twenty-four (24) months of the Executive’s Monthly Salary, plus the full amount of any compensation then due and payable under Section 3 hereof to which the Executive is entitled as of the date of termination.

 

(ii)                  By Disability. If (i) the Executive becomes eligible for the Company’s long-term disability benefits or (ii) the Executive is unable to carry out the responsibilities and functions of the position held by the Executive by reason of any physical or mental impairment, for a period of more than ninety (90) consecutive days or more than one hundred twenty (120) days in any consecutive twelve-month period, then, to the extent permitted by law, the Company may terminate the Executive’s employment. In the event that the Company terminates the Executive’s employment on grounds of disability, the Company shall pay to the Executive an amount equal to eighteen (18) months of the Monthly Salary, plus the full amount of any compensation then due and payable under Section 3 hereof to which the Executive is entitled as of the date of termination and thereafter (subject to Section 7(f)) all obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall cease. Nothing in this section shall affect the Executive’s rights under any disability plan implemented by the Company in which the Executive is a participant, if any.

 

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c.                 Early Termination by the Company. The Company may dismiss the Executive for Cause (as hereinafter defined) at any time or by serving the Executive three (3)  months’ prior written notice. During such notice period, the Executive shall continue to diligently perform all of the Executive’s duties hereunder. In the event of dismissal without Cause, the Executive will be eligible to receive an amount equal to the Monthly Salary multiplied by (M + 12), where M shall mean the number of years Executive has been employed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, payable in full immediately following the receipt by the Executive of such written notice. For the for purposes of this Agreement, Cause shall include: (i) the conviction of a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude, fraud or misrepresentation, (ii) the continued failure by Executive to substantially perform his duties to the Company after receipt of written notice from the Company specifying any action or inaction by Executive which is deemed by the Company to constitute a failure to perform his duties hereunder with suggestions, where feasible, as to how Executive may remedy such failure, and Executive has failed to correct the unsatisfactory performance within fifteen (15) days of such notice, (iii) Executive’s gross negligence or willful misconduct which is materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise, (iv) proven dishonesty by Executive adversely affecting the Company as determined by the Board, and (v) any material breach by Executive of the Company’s then current policies with written notice thereof which has note been cured with 30 days of such notice where such breach is not one subject to immediate termination under the Company’s policies, or of the covenants contained in Section 5 of this Agreement. For purposes of this paragraph, no act or failure to act on Executive’s part shall be considered “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by Executive not in good faith and without reasonable belief that his action or omission was in the best interest of the Company. If at any time the Company shall determine that Executive has engaged in one or more activities constituting “Cause” for termination hereunder, Executive’s employment shall be terminated for Cause.

 

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d.                  Early Termination by the Executive.

 

 

(i)                  Termination by Executive for Good Reason. If the Executive selects to terminate his employment for Good Reason (as hereinafter defined), the Executive will be eligible to receive an amount equal to the Monthly Salary multiplied by (M + 12), where M shall mean the number of years the Executive has been employed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, payable in full immediately following the Company’s receipt of such termination notice. No Annual Bonus shall be payable upon such termination. Thereafter (subject to Section 7(f)) all obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall cease. For the purpose of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean any of the following events if (i) the event is effected by the Company without the consent of the Executive and (ii) such event is not rectified within twenty (20) days by the Company to the Executive’s reasonable satisfaction:

 

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(1)                  a significant change in the Executive’s position with the Company or a change to his duties or responsibilities which materially reduces the Executive’s level of responsibility; or

 

(2)                  the Company fails to perform this Agreement or violates the relevant labor laws applicable to the Company’s business, regulations or infringes upon any of the Executive’s rights or interests; or

 

(3)                  the imposition by the Board on Executive of any action or responsibility involving the commission of (i) a felony, (ii) criminal dishonesty, (iii) any crime involving moral turpitude or (iv) fraud; or

 

(4)                  any action by the Board requiring Executive to breach Executive’s obligations and responsibilities under this Agreement; or

 

(5)                  any action of the Board constituting a constructive discharge or an unreasonable interference with Executive’s ability to fulfill Executive’s obligations under this Agreement; or

 

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(6)                  a Change of Control of the Company (for purposes of this Agreement, a “Change of Control of the Company” shall mean (a) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in a transaction or series of transactions, (b) any transaction or series of transactions in which an unaffiliated third party acquires all or substantially all the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company, or (c) any merger, consolidation or reorganization to which the Company is a party, except for a merger, consolidation or reorganization in which, after giving effect to such merger, consolidation or reorganization, the stockholders holding a majority of the outstanding voting power of the Company immediately prior to the merger, consolidation or reorganization of the Company have at least a majority of the outstanding voting power of the surviving entity after the merger, consolidation or reorganization.

 

(ii)                  Termination other than for Good Reason. The Executive may terminate employment with the Company at any time for any reason other than Good Reason or for no reason at all, upon three (3) months’ advance written notice. Upon a termination other than for Good Reason, the Executive shall be entitled to a contribution bonus (“Contribution Bonus”). The distribution of such Contribution Bonus and its amount shall be determined by the Company and approved by the Board; provided that the Contribution Bonus shall not exceed an amount equal to the Monthly Salary multiplied by (M + 10), where M is the number of years the Executive has been employed by the Company pursuant to the Agreement. No Annual Bonus shall be payable upon such termination. During such notice period the Executive shall continue to diligently perform all of the Executive’s duties hereunder. The Company shall have the option, in its sole discretion, to make the Executive’s termination effective at any time prior to the end of such notice period as long as the Company pays the Executive all compensation under Section 3 hereof to which the Executive is entitled through the last day of the three (3) month notice period.

 

(iii)                  Termination Obligations. The Executive agrees that on or before termination of employment, he will promptly return to the Company all documents and materials of any nature (including any materials in electronic form) pertaining to his work with the Company, including all originals and copies of all or any part of any Confidential Information along with any and all equipment and other tangible and intangible property of the Company. The Executive agrees not to retain any documents or materials or copies thereof containing any Confidential Information.

 

8

 

 

e.                  If this Agreement expires in accordance with its term without earlier termination or extension, the Executive will be eligible to receive an amount equal to the Monthly Salary multiplied by twelve (12) as determined by the Board in its sole discretion.

 

f.                  Any payments made by the Company pursuant to Section 3 or Section 4 of this Agreement shall be net of all applicable withholdings and deductions.

 

5.                  Confidentiality; Non-Compete: Non-Solicitation; No Conflict; Non-Disparagement.

 

a.                  Confidentiality Obligation. The Executive hereby agrees at all times during the term of his employment and after termination, to hold in the strictest confidence, and not to use, except for the benefit of the Group, or to disclose to any person, corporation or other entity without written consent of the Company, any Confidential Information. The Executive understands that “Confidential Information” means any proprietary or confidential information of the Group, its affiliates, their clients, customers or partners, and the Group’s licensors, including, without limitation: technical data, trade secrets, research and development information, product plans, services, customer lists and customers (including, but not limited to, customers of the Group on whom the Executive called or with whom the Executive became acquainted during the term of his employment), supplier lists and suppliers, software, developments, inventions, processes, formulas, technology, designs, drawings, engineering, hardware configuration information, personnel information, marketing, finances, information about the clients, customers, suppliers, joint ventures, licensors, licensees, distributors and other persons with whom the Group does business, information regarding the skills and compensation of other employees of the Group or other business information disclosed to the Executive by or obtained by the Executive from the Group, its affiliates, or their clients, customers, suppliers or partners either directly or indirectly in writing, orally or by drawings or observation of parts or equipment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Confidential Information shall not include information that is common knowledge or that the Executive demonstrates was or became generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by the Executive.

 

b.                  Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation. In consideration of the termination compensation payable to the Executive under Section 4, the Executive irrevocably and unconditionally agrees with and undertakes to the Company that, he will not (i) during his term of employment with the Company take up any executive position in any company other than the Group Companies and will commit most of his efforts towards the development of the business and operations of the Group, except as currently contemplated or approved by the Board, and (ii) for a period of twelve (12) months (or less than twelve (12) months if agreed by the Board) after he ceases to be employed by any Group Company (collectively the “Non-Compete Period”):

 

(i)                  either on his own account or in conjunction with or on behalf of any person, firm or company carry on or be employed, engaged, concerned, provide technical expertise or be interested directly or indirectly in, any business, whether as shareholder, director, executive, partner, agent or otherwise, that is, in the opinion of the Company in competition (whether directly or indirectly) with any business carried on or proposed to be carried on by the Group from time to time;

 

9

 

 

(ii)                  either on his own account or in conjunction with or on behalf of any other person, firm or company, solicit or entice away or attempt to solicit or entice away from the Group from time to time, the customer of any person, firm, company or organization who shall at any time have been a customer, client, agent or correspondent of the Group or in the habit of dealing with the Group; or

 

(iii)                  either on his own account or in conjunction with or on behalf of any other person, firm or company, solicit or entice away or attempt to solicit or entice away from the Group from time to time, any person who is an officer, manager or executive of the Group whether or not such person would commit a breach of his contract of or employment by reason of leaving such employment.

 

(iv)                  The Executive shall be entitled to monthly compensation in consideration of fulfilling the obligation under this Section, in an amount equal to the Monthly Salary, for the period of the Non-compete Period.

 

If the Executive fails to discharge his obligations under this Section 5 at any time during the Non-compete Period, in addition to any and all legal remedies that the Company is entitled to under the applicable law, the Executive shall return to the Company such proportion of the compensation payable to the Executive upon the termination of his employment pursuant to Section 4 of this Agreement corresponding to the portion of the Non-compete Period during which the Executive has failed to discharge his non-compete obligation.

 

10

 

 

c.               No Conflict. The Executive represents and warrants that the Executive’s execution of this Agreement, his employment with the Company, and the performance of his proposed duties under this Agreement shall not violate any obligations he may have to any former employer or other party, including any obligations with respect to proprietary or confidential information or intellectual property rights of such party.

 

d.               Provisions reasonable for protection of legitimate interest. The Parties agree that the restrictions in Sections 5(a) and 5(b) are considered to be reasonable in all circumstances. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is agreed between the Parties that if any one or more of such restrictions shall, either by itself or together with other restrictions, be adjudged to go beyond what is reasonable in all the circumstances for the protection of the legitimate interest of any Group Company from time to time, but would be adjudged reasonable if any particular restriction or restrictions were deleted or if any part or parts of the wording thereof were deleted, restricted or limited in any particular manner then the restrictions shall apply with such deletions, restrictions or limitations, as the case may be.

 

e.                Non-Disparagement. Following the date hereof, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, in person or through an agent or intermediary, disparage or make negative, derogatory or defamatory statements about the Company and any of its officers, directors employees or stockholders or their respective business activities or the business activities of any of their affiliates or their respective officers, directors, managers, employees or stockholders to any other person or entity, whether true or not.

 

6.       Intellectual Property

 

The Executive further agrees with and undertakes to the Company that:

 

a.                he will not divulge, use (other than for the purpose and benefit of the Group) or infringe the trade marks, logos, inventions, know-how, technology, proprietary information and other intellectual property rights of the Group Companies; and

 

11

 

 

b.                  all trade marks, logos, inventions, know-how, technology, proprietary information and other intellectual property rights developed, acquired or filed by the Executives in the course of his work or employment shall belong solely to the Group Company. The Executive agrees he will, upon demand by the Company, execute any documents reasonably necessary to transfer any such intellectual property rights to the Company.

 

7.                  General Provisions

 

a.                  Effectiveness. This Agreement shall come into effect when it is signed by the Parties.

 

b.                  Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the exhibits attached hereto (if any), constitutes the full and complete understanding of the Parties hereto and supersedes any previous agreements between the Executive and any Group Company.

 

c.                  Continuing Obligations. The obligations in this Agreement will continue in the event that the Executive is hired, renders services to or for the benefit of or is otherwise retained at any time by any present or future Affiliates of the Company. Any reference to the Company in this Agreement will include such Affiliates. Upon the expiration or termination for any reason whatsoever of this Agreement, the Executive shall forthwith resign from any employment of office with the Company and all Affiliates of the Company unless the Board requests otherwise. In this Agreement, “Affiliate” shall mean (a) in relation to any individual, the immediate family of such individual or any entity controlled by the individual, where “control” shall mean the power to direct the management and policies or appoint or remove members of the board of directors or other governing body of the entity, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, contract or otherwise, and “controlled” shall be construed accordingly; (b) in relation to any legal person, a company which is for the time being a holding company of such legal person, or a subsidiary or controlled affiliate of such legal person or of such holding company.

 

d.                  Releases. In consideration for any compensation and other benefits provided for in accordance with Section 4 hereof, the adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, Executive, for and on behalf of himself and each of his heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, successors and assigns, to the maximum extent permitted by law, hereby covenants never to sue and fully and forever releases, acquits and discharges the Company, together with its subsidiaries, parents and affiliates and each of its past and present direct and indirect stockholders, directors, members, partners, officers, employees, attorneys, agents and representatives, and their heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, successors and assigns (collectively, the “Releasees”), from all rights and liabilities up to and including the date of this Agreement to the expiration thereof arising under or relating to Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive’s application for and employment with the Company, Executive’s service as an employee of the Company or any of the Releasees, the termination of employment, and from any and all charges, complaints, claims, liabilities, obligations, promises, agreements, controversies, damages, actions, causes of actions, suits, rights, demands, costs, losses, debts and expenses of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected and any claims of wrongful discharge, breach of contract, implied contract, promissory estoppel, defamation, slander, libel, tortious conduct, interference with contract or business relations, intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress, sexual harassment, negligence, employment discrimination or claims under any federal, state or local employment statute, law, order or ordinance, including without limitation any rights or claims arising under any national, state or municipal ordinance in China relating to discrimination in employment, or any applicable statutory or common laws relating to the terms, conditions or termination of employment, discrimination in employment, or contract- or tort-based claims in connection therewith.

 

12

 

 

e.                  Governing Law and Dispute Resolution. The execution, validity, interpretation and performance of and resolution of disputes under this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the officially published and publicly available laws of the State of New York. When the officially published and publicly available laws of the State of New York do not apply to any particular matter, international legal principles and practices shall apply (including available laws of the PRC).

 

Any disputes or claims relating to this Agreement or the interpretation, breach, termination or validity hereof shall be resolved through friendly consultations, commencing upon written notice given by one Party to the other Party of the existence of such a claim or dispute. If the dispute or claim cannot be resolved after thirty (30) days of such notice, either Party may request arbitration by a labor dispute arbitration committee established in accordance with Section (h) below. If either Party disagrees with the arbitral award of the labor dispute arbitration committee, such Party may institute legal proceedings with the authorized court within 15 days after notification of the arbitral award

 

f.                  Assignability. The terms of this Agreement will remain in effect and shall be binding upon any successor in interest including any entity with which the Company may merge or consolidate or to which all or substantially all of its assets may be transferred. A reference to the Company shall include its successors. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, this Agreement may not be assigned by a Party to any third party, without the prior consent of the other Party.

 

g.                  Survival. The Parties’ obligations under Sections 5 and 6 hereof shall survive and continue in effect after the termination of this Agreement, whatever the reason for such termination.

 

h.                  Dispute Resolution. All disputes arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be finally settled under the Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce by one (1) arbitrator appointed in accordance with the said Rules. The place of arbitration shall be London, England. The language of the arbitral proceedings shall be English (and translated to Mandarin, if possible). The award shall be rendered within nine (9) months of the appointment of the arbitrator, unless the arbitrator determines that the interest of justice requires that such limit be extended. Judgment upon any award(s) rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent either party from seeking provisional measures from any court of competent jurisdiction, and any such request shall not be deemed incompatible with the agreement to arbitrate or a waiver of the right to arbitrate. The fees payable to the ICC (including arbitrator fees and costs but excluding any filing fee payable by a Party commencing the arbitration) shall be borne equally by the Parties; provided, however, that the Company shall pay, and the Executive shall not be responsible for, any such fees payable to the ICC that exceed €30,000. The Company and the Executive acknowledge that attorneys fees shall be payable by the Party incurring such attorneys fees and any filing fees payable in connection with commencing any arbitration proceeding shall be payable by the Party commencing such arbitration proceeding, and no such attorneys fees and filing fees shall be counted toward the forgoing €30,000 cap.

 

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i.                  Notices.

 

Notices under this Agreement shall be given in writing to the relevant Party at the address stated herein (or to such other address as it shall have notified the other Party previously in writing).

 

to the Company at:

 

Kingold Jewelry, Inc

15 Huangpu Science and Technology Park

Jiang'an District

Wuhan, Hubei Province, PRC 430023

Attention: General Manager 

 

to the Executive at:

Zhihong Jia

No. 40-1 Laodong St.

Jiang’an District

Wuhan, China

 

j.                  Language and Copies of the Agreement. This Agreement shall be executed in Chinese and English in two (2) original copies. The English version shall prevail in case of conflict. Each Party shall receive one (1) original copy, all of which shall be equally valid and enforceable.

 

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK AND SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

  KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.
   
  By: /s/ Jun Wang
  Name:     Jun Wang
  Title: General Manager
   
  EXECUTIVE
   
  By: /s/ Zhihong Jia
    Zhihong Jia

 

15

Exhibit 31.1

 

Certification of Principal Executive Officer

Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

and Securities and Exchange Commission Release 34-46427

 

I, Zhihong Jia, certify that:

 

(1)          I have reviewed this Form 10-Q of Kingold Jewelry, Inc.;

 

(2)          Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 

 

(3)          Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

(4)          The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a)       Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b)       Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)       Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d)       Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

 

(5)          The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a)       All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b)       Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

  

 

Date:   November 12, 2019 /s/ Zhihong Jia
  Zhihong Jia
  Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

Exhibit 31.2

 

Certification of Principal Financial Officer

Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

and Securities and Exchange Commission Release 34-46427

 

I, Bin Liu, certify that:

 

        (1)       I have reviewed this Form 10-Q of Kingold Jewelry, Inc.;

 

        (2)       Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 

 

        (3)       Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

        (4)       The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

        (a)       Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

        (b)       Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

        (c)       Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

        (d)       Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

 

        (5)       The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

        (a)       All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

        (b)       Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

Date:   November 12, 2019 /s/ Bin Liu
  Bin Liu
  Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

  

 

 

Exhibit 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with this Form 10-Q report of Kingold Jewelry, Inc. for the period ended September 30, 2019 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof and pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, I, Zhihong Jia, certify that: 

 

(1)       This report containing the financial statements fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2)       The information contained in the this period report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Kingold Jewelry, Inc.

 

Date: November 12, 2019 /s/ Zhihong Jia
  Zhihong Jia 
  Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

 

Exhibit 32.2

 

CERTIFICATION

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with this Form 10-Q report of Kingold Jewelry, Inc. for the period ended September 30, 2019 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof and pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, I, Bin Liu, certify that: 

 

(1)       This report containing the financial statements fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2)       The information contained in the this period report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Kingold Jewelry, Inc.

 

Date: November 12, 2019 /s/ Bin Liu
  Bin Liu 
  Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

  

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

Kingold Jewelry Reports Financial Results for the Third Quarter and

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019

 

 

WUHAN CITY, China, November 12, 2019 - Kingold Jewelry, Inc. ("Kingold" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: KGJI), one of China's leading manufacturers and designers of high quality 24-karat gold jewelry, ornaments and investment-oriented products, today announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2019.

 

2019 Third Quarter and Subsequent Financial Highlights (all results compared to prior year period)

 

· Net sales were approximately $382.8 million, a decrease from the prior year due to lower sales volume partially offset by higher gold prices
· Processed a total of 13.7 metric tons of 24-karat gold products
· Lower sales volume was the result of an upward trajectory in the price of gold leading customers to delay gold purchases
· Kingold completed a reverse stock split of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock in October 2019, and after giving effect to the reverse stock split, there were approximately 11,018,955 shares of common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2019
· Net loss was approximately $24.0 million, or $2.18 per diluted share (retrospectively restated for effect of 1-for-6 reverse stock split)

 

Outlook for 2019

· The Company has seen gold demand begin to recover following the conclusion of the quarter as gold prices have stabilized
· As a result of the shift in demand, the Company is revising guidance to around 110 metric tons of 24-karat gold products in 2019.

 

2019 THIRD QUARTER AND NINE MONTH OPERATIONAL REVIEW

 

Metric Tons of Gold Processed
Three Months Ended:
  September 30, 2019 September 30, 2018
  Volume % of Total Volume % of Total
Branded* 9.3 68.0% 16.6 56.1%
Customized** 4.4 32.0% 13.0 43.9%
Total 13.7 100.0% 29.6 100.0%
Nine Months Ended:
  September 30, 2019 September 30, 2018
  Volume % of Total Volume % of Total
Branded* 35.3 55.5% 46.5 57.7%
Customized** 28.3 45.5% 34.0 42.3%
Total 63.6 100.0% 80.5 100.0%

 

* Branded Production: The Company acquires gold from the Shanghai Gold Exchange to produce branded products.
** Customized Production: Clients who purchase customized products supply gold to the Company for processing.

 

During three months ended September 30, 2019, Kingold processed a total of 13.7 metric tons of gold, of which branded production accounted for 9.3 metric tons (68.0%) and customized production accounted for 4.4 metric tons (32.0%). During the three months ended September 30, 2018, the Company processed a total of 29.6 metric tons of gold, of which branded production accounted for 16.6 metric tons (56.1%) and customized production accounted for 13 metric tons (43.9%).

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, Kingold processed a total of 63.6 metric tons of gold, of which branded production accounted for 35.3 metric tons (55.5%) and customized production accounted for 28.3 metric tons (45.5%). During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company processed a total of 80.5 metric tons of gold, of which branded production accounted for 46.5 metric tons (57.7%) and customized production accounted for 34.0 metric tons (42.3%).

 

 

2019 THIRD QUARTER FINANCIAL REVIEW

 

Net Sales

Net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2019 were approximately $382.8 million, a decrease of approximately $243.4 million, or 38.9%, from net sales of $626.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018. The overall decrease in revenue was mainly the result of the following reason:

· Total sales volume (in terms of quantity sold) decreased from 29.6 metric tons in three months ended September 30, 2018 to 13.7 metric tons in three months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease in sales volume was affected by customers’ perception of the investment in gold. Usually when the market average selling price per gram of gold rises, customers reduce their gold purchases and wait until the unit price of gold drops in the near future. The Company has since seen this gold demand return as the market price has stabilized.

 

The sales volume decrease was offset somewhat by an increase in average per selling unit price for both branded and customized production gold products.

 

Gross Profit

Gross profit for the three months ended September 30, 2019 was approximately $15.2 million, a decrease of approximately $46.0 million, or 75.2%, from $61.2 million for the same period in 2018. The decrease in gross profit was primarily due to lower sales volumes for the period, offset by an increase in average unit selling price for branded and customized production sales.

 

Gross Margin

For the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, gross margin was 4.0% and 9.8%, respectively.

 

Net Income

The Company reported a net loss of approximately $24.0 million, or $2.18 per diluted share based on weighted average number of common shares outstanding – diluted of 11,018,955 for the three months ended September 30, 2019, as compared to a net income of approximately $13.2 million, or $1.20 per diluted share based on 11,020,225 weighted average number of common shares outstanding – diluted for the three months ended September 30, 2018. The decrease in our net income was a result of decreased revenue, increased interest expense and decreased taxable income as discussed above.

 

2019 NINE MONTH FINANCIAL REVIEW

 

Net Sales

Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 were $1.43 billion, compared to net sales of $1.84 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

 

Gross Profit

Gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was approximately $140.0 million, compared to $189.3 million for the same period in 2018.

 

Gross Margin

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, gross margin was 9.8% and 10.3%, respectively. The overall decrease in gross profit and gross margin reflected the above combined factors that impacted the Company during the third quarter.

 

Net Income

For the foregoing reasons, Kingold reported a net loss of approximately $5.0 million, or $0.46 per diluted share based on 11,018,955 weighted average number of shares - diluted for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, compared to net income of $40.0 million, or $3.62 per diluted share based on 11,051,897 weighted average number of shares - diluted for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

 

 

Balance Sheet Highlights

As of September 30, 2019, Kingold had approximately $0.7 million in cash and approximately $16.3 million restricted cash. The Company also had short-term investments of approximately $195.1 million because it used the excessive cash on hand to purchase interest-bearing wealth management financial products from a Trust company and such short-term investments are redeemable at any time.

 

These short-term investments are highly liquid and can be used as working capital when needed. Kingold has financed its operations with cash flow generated from operations and primarily through borrowings from various financial institutions as well as from related parties.

 

OUTLOOK FOR 2019

Based on its existing resources and capacity along with the shift in demand for 24-karat gold products in China, the Company estimates gold processed will be around 110 metric tons during 2019.

 

About Kingold Jewelry, Inc.

Kingold Jewelry, Inc. (NASDAQ: KGJI), centrally located in Wuhan City, one of China's largest cities, was founded in 2002 and today is one of China's leading designers and manufacturers of 24-karat gold jewelry, ornaments, and investment-oriented products. The Company sells both directly to retailers as well as through major distributors across China. Kingold has received numerous industry awards and has been a member of the Shanghai Gold Exchange since 2003. For more information, please visit www.kingoldjewelry.com.

 

Business Risks and Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. You can identify these forward - looking statements by words such as “expects,” “believe,” “project,” “anticipate,” or similar expressions. The forward-looking statements in this release include statements regarding Kingold’s outlook with respect to its 2019 outlook for gold processing. Readers are cautioned that actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, including those contained in Kingold's SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including Kingold's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. Kingold undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.

 

Company Contact

Kingold Jewelry, Inc.

Bin Liu, CFO

Phone: +1-847-660-3498 (US) / +86-27-6569-4977 (China)

bl@kingoldjewelry.com

 

Investor Relations Counsel:

The Equity Group Inc.

Adam Prior (in US)

Phone: +212 836-9606

aprior@equityny.com

 

Lucy Ma (in China)

Phone: 86-10 5661 7012

lma@equityny.com

 

 

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME(LOSS) AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(IN U.S. DOLLARS)
(UNAUDITED)
                         
    For the nine months ended September 30,     For the three months ended September 30,  
    2019     2018     2019     2018  
NET SALES   $ 1,434,337,556     $ 1,844,491,390     $ 382,790,132     $ 626,171,072  
COST OF SALES                                
Cost of sales     (1,293,608,652 )     (1,654,427,318 )     (367,382,898 )     (564,685,762 )
Depreciation     (724,359 )     (801,384 )     (235,731 )     (255,546 )
Total cost of sales     (1,294,333,011 )     (1,655,228,702 )     (367,618,629 )     (564,941,308 )
                                 
GROSS PROFIT     140,004,545       189,262,688       15,171,503       61,229,764  
                                 
OPERATING EXPENSES                                
Selling, general and administrative expenses     11,617,494       7,399,734       2,265,898       2,424,458  
Stock compensation expenses     5,364       16,092       -       5,364  
Depreciation     258,110       406,962       92,438       146,475  
Amortization     8,261       8,703       2,690       2,767  
Lease expense     62,943       197,811       20,500       62,888  
Total operating expenses     11,952,172       8,029,302       2,381,526       2,641,952  
                                 
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS     128,052,373       181,233,386       12,789,977       58,587,812  
                                 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES)                                
Other Income     -       64,433       -       64,433  
Interest Income     908,416       1,384,438       271,304       562,294  
Interest expense, including amortization of debt issuance costs of $2,187,956 and $3,482,031 for the three months, and $6,738,816 and $8,042,451 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively     (135,252,496 )     (128,898,077 )     (44,911,067 )     (41,479,730 )
Total other expenses, net     (134,344,080 )     (127,449,206 )     (44,639,763 )     (40,853,003 )
                                 
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES     (6,291,707 )     53,784,180       (31,849,786 )     17,734,809  
                                 
INCOME TAX PROVISION (BENEFIT)                                
Current     17,292,113       9,214,312       6,481,926       1,787,717  
Deferred     (18,549,129 )     4,523,643       (14,327,255 )     2,699,588  
Total income tax provision (benefit)     (1,257,016 )     13,737,955       (7,845,329 )     4,487,305  
                                 
NET INCOME (LOSS)     (5,034,691 )     40,046,225       (24,004,457 )     13,247,504  
                                 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)                                
Unrealized gain (loss) related to investments in gold, net of tax     363,076,281       (56,908,875 )     209,005,270       (18,935,552 )
Foreign currency translation loss     (43,484,477 )     (19,080,264 )     (41,688,955 )     (13,077,661 )
Total other comprehensive income (loss)   $ 319,591,804     $ (75,989,139 )   $ 167,316,315     $ (32,013,213 )
                                 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)   $ 314,557,113     $ (35,942,914 )   $ 143,311,858     $ (18,765,709 )
Earnings (loss) per share                                
Basic   $ (0.46 )   $ 3.63     $ (2.18 )   $ 1.20  
Diluted   $ (0.46 )   $ 3.62     $ (2.18 )   $ 1.20  
Weighted average number of shares*                                
Basic     11,018,955       11,018,955       11,018,955       11,018,955  
Diluted     11,018,955       11,051,897       11,018,955       11,020,225  

 

* Retrospectively restated for effect of 1-for-6 reverse stock split

 

 

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN U.S. DOLLARS)
(UNAUDITED)
             
    September 30,     December 31,  
    2019     2018  
ASSETS                
                 
Cash   $ 651,318     $ 233,391  
Restricted cash     14,632,279       4,798,185  
Accounts receivable     654,455       451,059  
Inventories     268,214,300       127,034,673  
Investments in gold     2,323,335,559       1,593,557,391  
Value added tax recoverable     242,624,812       259,582,324  
Short-term investments     195,062,420       -  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     374,843       87,590  
Total current assets     3,045,549,986       1,985,744,613  
                 
Property and equipment, net     4,420,547       5,395,330  
Restricted cash     1,681,073       7,766,372  
Investments in gold     267,177,647       700,225,896  
Land use right     373,324       395,719  
Other noncurrent assets     459,524       285,768  
Total long-term assets     274,112,115       714,069,085  
TOTAL ASSETS   $ 3,319,662,101     $ 2,699,813,698  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                
                 
CURRENT LIABILITIES                
                 
Short term loans   $ 1,423,679,826     $ 1,034,947,774  
Related party loan     69,832,280       72,699,779  
Due to related party     4,410,957       3,976,742  
Income tax payable     18,050,006       18,504,197  
Other taxes payable     2,184,430       2,577,102  
Convertible notes payable     599,739       -  
Derivative liabilities     267,000       -  
Accrued expenses and other payables     17,682,301       15,749,564  
Total current liabilities     1,536,706,539       1,148,455,158  
                 
Deferred tax liabilities     127,501,207       24,218,911  
Related party loans     534,228,724       373,327,862  
Long term loans     168,107,252       515,477,020  
Other long-term liability     154,098       -  
TOTAL LIABILITIES     2,366,697,820       2,061,478,951  
                 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES     -       -  
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 500,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018     -       -  
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 11,018,955 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018*     11,019       11,019  
Additional paid-in capital     224,420,422       224,348,001  
Retained earnings                
Unappropriated     348,178,634       353,213,325  
Appropriated     967,543       967,543  
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax     379,386,663       59,794,859  
Total Shareholders’ Equity     952,964,281       638,334,747  
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   $ 3,319,662,101     $ 2,699,813,698  

 

* Retrospectively restated for effect of 1-for-6 reverse stock split, see Note 15

 

 

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(IN U.S. DOLLARS)
(UNAUDITED)
             
    September 30, 2019     September 30, 2018  
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES                
Net (loss) income   $ (5,034,691 )     40,046,225  
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to cash (used in) provided by operating activities:                
Depreciation of property and equipment     982,469       1,208,346  
Amortization of intangible assets     8,261       8,703  
Amortization of debt issuance costs included in interest expense     6,738,816       8,042,451  
Interest expense of convertible notes     4,292       -  
Amortization of deferred financing cost associated with convertible notes issuance     39,505       -  
Share based compensation for services and warrants expense     5,364       16,092  
Deferred tax (benefit) provision     (18,549,129 )     4,523,643  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities                
Accounts receivable     (228,675 )     558,165  
Inventories     (63,300,010 )     321,200,297  
Other current assets and prepaid expenses     (493,635 )     (752,148 )
Value added tax recoverable     7,776,713       84,623,088  
Other payables and accrued expenses     2,749,526       769,590  
Investment income from short-term investment     (72,862 )     -  
Income tax payable     (212,447 )     748,416  
Other taxes payable     (310,511 )     359,224  
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities     (69,897,014 )     461,352,092  
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES                
Purchase of property and equipment     (326,565 )     (491,136 )
Purchase of short-term investments     (246,592,662 )     -  
Redemption of short-term investments     43,790,262       -  
Net cash used in investing activities     (203,128,965 )     (491,136 )
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES                
Proceeds from other loans - short term     349,034,006       -  
Repayments of other loans - short term     (382,829,071 )     (554,840,248 )
Proceeds from other loans - long term     131,130,344       435,804,951  
Repayment of related party loans- short-term     (220,916 )     (230,227,311 )
Proceeds from related party loan- long-term     306,582,758       443,110,831  
Repayment of related party loan- long-term     (125,056,810 )     (534,050,005 )
Repayment of loan origination fees     (2,163,651 )     (6,578,966 )
Gross proceeds from issuance of convertible notes     1,000,000       -  
Payments of deferred financing costs associated with convertible notes     (110,000 )     -  
Borrowings from related party     508,202       965,643  
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities     277,874,862       (445,815,105 )
                 
                 
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATES ON CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH     (682,161 )     (4,229,857 )
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH     4,166,722       10,815,994  
CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD     12,797,948       17,924,397  
CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH, END OF PERIOD   $ 16,964,670       28,740,391  
                 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION                
Cash paid for interest expense   $ 126,137,400       120,133,935  
Cash paid for income tax   $ 17,504,560       8,465,896  
                 
NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES                
Investments in gold transferred to inventories   $ 497,824,202       557,866,549  
Inventories transferred to investments in gold   $ 416,042,035       502,451,549  
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments in gold, net of tax   $ 363,076,281       (56,908,875 )
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations   $ 184,192       -