Yulong Eco-Materials (YECO)
OTHER OTC:YECO
Risk Overview Q4, 2016
Risk Distribution
54% Finance & Corporate
20% Legal & Regulatory
11% Production
7% Ability to Sell
7% Macro & Political
2% Tech & Innovation
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
This chart displays the stock's most recent risk distribution according to category. TipRanks has identified 6 major categories: Finance & corporate, legal & regulatory, macro & political, production, tech & innovation, and ability to sell.
Risk Change Over Time
S&P500 Average
Sector Average
Risks removed
Risks added
Risks changed
Yulong Eco-Materials Risk Factors
New Risk (0)
Risk Changed (0)
Risk Removed (0)
No changes from previous report
The chart shows the number of risks a company has disclosed. You can compare this to the sector average or S&P 500 average.
The quarters shown in the chart are according to the calendar year (January to December). Businesses set their own financial calendar, known as a fiscal year. For example, Walmart ends their financial year at the end of January to accommodate the holiday season.
The quarters shown in the chart are according to the calendar year (January to December). Businesses set their own financial calendar, known as a fiscal year. For example, Walmart ends their financial year at the end of January to accommodate the holiday season.
Risk Highlights Q4, 2016
Main Risk Category
Finance & Corporate
With 30 Risks
Finance & Corporate
With 30 Risks
Number of Disclosed Risks
56
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 31
56
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 31
Recent Changes
0Risks added
0Risks removed
0Risks changed
Since Dec 2016
0Risks added
0Risks removed
0Risks changed
Since Dec 2016
Number of Risk Changed
0
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 3
0
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 3
See the risk highlights of Yulong Eco-Materials in the last period.
Risk Word Cloud
The most common phrases about risk factors from the most recent report. Larger texts indicate more widely used phrases.
Risk Factors Full Breakdown - Total Risks 56
Finance & Corporate
Total Risks: 30/56 (54%)Above Sector Average
Share Price & Shareholder Rights15 | 26.8%
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1
Shareholders of our consolidated affiliated entities may breach, or cause our consolidated affiliated entities to breach, or refuse to renew, the existing contractual arrangements we have with them and our consolidated affiliated entities. Any failure by our consolidated affiliated entities or their shareholders to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them would have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2
The shareholders of our consolidated affiliated entities may have potential conflicts of interest with us, which may materially and adversely affect our business.The shareholders of our consolidated affiliated entities include Yulong Zhu, our director and chief executive officer. Mr. Zhu is also a beneficial owner of our holding company and a PRC citizen. He directly holds 54% of the equity interests in Yulong Bricks, and 68.3% in Yulong Renewable, but through the Silent Shareholders Investment Agreement, controls 100% of the equity interests in each of our consolidated affiliated entities. See "Business-Our Corporate History and Structure-Contractual Arrangements." Conflicts of interest may arise between his roles as director, officer and/or beneficial owner of our holding company and as a shareholder of our consolidated affiliated entities. We cannot assure you that when conflicts of interest arise, any or all of these equity holders will act in the best interests of our company or such conflicts will be resolved in our favor. Currently, we do not have any arrangements to address potential conflicts of interest between such equity holder and our company. We rely on Mr. Zhu to comply with the laws of China, which protect contracts, provide that directors and executive officers owe a duty of loyalty and a duty of diligence to our company and require them to avoid conflicts of interest and not to take advantage of their positions for personal gains. We also rely on the laws of Cayman Islands, which provide that directors owe a duty of care and a duty of loyalty to our company. If we cannot resolve any conflict of interest or dispute between us and the shareholders of our consolidated affiliated entities, we would have to rely on legal proceedings, which could result in disruption of our business and subject us to substantial uncertainty as to the outcome of any such legal proceedings.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 3
If Yulong WFOE were to transfer its exclusive option to acquire the equity interests of our consolidated affiliated entities to a third party, we may potentially lose control over such entities.Under the option agreements between Yulong WFOE and each of the Yulong Group shareholders, Yulong WFOE has exclusive option to purchase all or part of such shareholders' equity interests in Yulong Group, which option Yulong WFOE may freely transfer to any third party. While we believe that Yulong WFOE would not act against its own interest by transferring such option to a third party unless, after exercise of such option, Yulong WFOE can continue to have the same control over Yulong Group that it has prior to exercise, we cannot guarantee that Yulong WFOE will act accordingly.
If Yulong WFOE were to transfer the option to a third party without taking steps to ensure its continuing ability to control Yulong Group post-exercise of such option, we could potentially lose control over them. As we rely entirely on Yulong Group for our revenue as well as to fund our cash and other financing needs, such loss would have a severe and detrimental effect on our continuing business viability under our current corporate structure, which in turn may affect the value of your investment.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 4
Our ordinary share has been suspended trading on The NASDAQ Stock Market and transferred to the Pink Sheets electronic quotation service, which may, among other things, reduce the price of our ordinary share and the levels of liquidity available to our stockholders.As a result of our inability to timely file our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended June 30, 2016 and Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-Q for the periods ended September 30, and December 31, 2016, respectively (the "Delinquent Reports"), NASDAQ issued a Staff Determination to us that, in the absence of a request for a hearing, would have resulted in suspension of trading of our ordinary share, and filing of a Form 25-NSE with the SEC to remove our securities from listing and registration on The NASDAQ Global Market.
An oral hearing was held at our request on May 25, 2017. At the hearing, we requested an extension of time to cure our SEC filing deficiency. The NASDAQ Listing Qualifications Panel, or the Panel, granted the Company's request for continued listing on Nasdaq, subject to the Company's timely compliance with a number of interim milestones and, ultimately, the Company's full compliance with all applicable requirements for continued listing on Nasdaq, including the filing of annual report for fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 and quarterly reports for fiscal periods ended September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2016, by no later than August 31, 2017. On July 7, 2017, we received a letter advising us that the NASDAQ Listing Qualifications Panel had determined to delist our shares from The NASDAQ Stock Market, and trading of our shares was suspended effective at the open of business on July 11, 2017. Our ordinary share has been quoted on the Pink OTC Markets Inc. electronic quotation service since July 11, 2017. Consequently, it could become more difficult to dispose of, or obtain accurate price quotations for, our common stock, and there would likely also be a reduction in our coverage by securities analysts and the news media, which could cause the price of our common stock to decline further. Also, it may be difficult for us to raise additional capital if we are not listed on a major exchange.
There is no assurance that we will regain listing of our ordinary share on a public exchange. If we regain listing and thereafter fail to keep current in our SEC filings or to comply with the applicable continued listing requirements, our ordinary share might be and subsequently would trade in the Pink Sheets electronic quotation service, or the Pink Sheets. The trading of our ordinary share in the Pink Sheets may reduce the price of our ordinary share and the levels of liquidity available to our stockholders. In addition, the trading of our ordinary share in the Pink Sheets would materially adversely affect our access to the capital markets, and the limited liquidity and potentially reduced price of our ordinary share could materially adversely affect our ability to raise capital through alternative financing sources on terms acceptable to us or at all. Stocks that trade in the Pink Sheets are no longer eligible for margin loans, and a company trading in the Pink Sheets cannot avail itself of federal preemption of state securities or "blue sky" laws, which adds substantial compliance costs to securities issuances, including pursuant to employee option plans, stock purchase plans and private or public offerings of securities. If we regain listing and are delisted in the future and transferred to the Pink Sheets, there may also be other negative implications, including the potential loss of confidence by suppliers, customers and employees, and the loss of institutional investor interest in our company.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 5
We cannot assure you that our ordinary share will resume trading, or that once trading is resumed, it will remain listed.As a result of the delay in filing our periodic reports with the SEC, we were unable to comply with the listing standards of NASDAQ and our ordinary share was suspended from trading effective July 11, 2017. On July 21, 2017, we have submitted an appeal request requesting the Nasdaq Listing and Hearing Review Council to review the Panel's determination and stay any Panel action to suspend the Company's listing; however, there can be no assurance that we will be able to resume trading of our ordinary share in an expeditious manner or at all. Even if our ordinary share resumes trading, unless we are able to timely comply with our SEC reporting obligations in the future, our ordinary share may again be suspended or de-listed. If our ordinary share cannot resume trading on NASDAQ, the price of our ordinary share will be adversely affected and there may be a decrease in the liquidity of our ordinary share.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 6
Our ordinary shares may be thinly traded and you may be unable to sell at or near ask prices or at all if you need to sell your shares to raise money or otherwise desire to liquidate your shares.Our ordinary shares may be "thinly-traded", meaning that the number of persons interested in purchasing our shares at or near bid prices at any given time may be relatively small or non-existent. This situation may be attributable to a number of factors, including the fact that we are a small company which is relatively unknown to stock analysts, stock brokers, institutional investors and others in the investment community that generate or influence sales volume, and that even if we came to the attention of such persons, they tend to be risk-averse and might be reluctant to follow an unproven company such as ours or purchase or recommend the purchase of our shares until such time as we became more seasoned. As a consequence, there may be periods of several days or more when trading activity in our shares is minimal or non-existent, as compared to a seasoned issuer which has a large and steady volume of trading activity that will generally support continuous sales without an adverse effect on share price. Broad or active public trading market for our ordinary shares may not develop or be sustained.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 7
You may be subject to limitations on transfer of your ordinary shares.Our board of directors has absolute discretion to refuse to register a transfer of any share to a person for any reason; provided, however, that if a transfer is refused, the board must provide a notice of such refusal to both the transferor and intended transferee. As such, your ability to transfer your ordinary shares may be restricted.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 8
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or if they change their recommendations regarding our shares adversely, our share price and trading volume could decline.The trading market for our ordinary shares will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business. If one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade our shares, our share price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our share price or trading volume to decline.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 9
Substantial future sales of our ordinary shares in the public market could cause our share price to fall.Future sales of our ordinary shares in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could cause the market price of our ordinary shares to decline. We currently have 12,055,324 ordinary shares outstanding. 4,133,481 shares are freely transferable without restriction or additional registration under the Securities Act, except for any shares held by our affiliates as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. The remaining shares include those held by our affiliates as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act , as well as shares that will be eligible for sale at various times upon the expiration of lock-up agreements as described below and subject to the requirements of Rule 144 or Rule 701.
At any time and without public notice, Axiom Capital Management, Inc. may in its sole discretion release some or all of the securities from these lock-up agreements prior to the expiration of the lock-up period. As resale restrictions end, the market price of our ordinary shares could decline if the holders of those shares sell them or are perceived by the market as intending to sell them. In addition, the holders of 1,160,000 of our ordinary shares are entitled to contractual rights to cause us to register the sale of those shares under the Securities Act. As of the date of this Report, 90,338 of these shares are subject to the 90-day lock-up period, and 979,775 of these shares are subject to the 180-day lock-up period. Subject to such lock-up periods, registration of these shares under the Securities Act would result in these shares becoming freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act immediately upon the effectiveness of the registration statement.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 10
You may face difficulties in protecting your interests as a shareholder, as Cayman Islands law provides substantially less protection when compared to the laws of the United States.Our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time, and by the Companies Law (Revised) and common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take legal action against our directors and us, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands.
The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from English common law, which has persuasive, but not binding, authority on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedents in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands have a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States, and provide significantly less protection to investors. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action before the United States federal courts.
As a result of all of the above, our public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests through actions against us or our officers, directors or major shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a jurisdiction in the United States.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 11
Certain judgments obtained against us by our shareholders may not be enforceable.We are a Cayman Islands company and all of the assets of our consolidated affiliated entities are located outside of the United States. All such assets and our operations are conducted, and all of our revenue has been generated through sales, in China. In addition, both Yulong Zhu, our chief executive officer, and Zan Wu, our chief financial officer, as well as most of our directors, are nationals and residents of China, and do not have any of their assets in the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to bring an action against us or against these individuals in the United States in the event that you believe that your rights have been infringed under the United States federal securities laws or otherwise. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind, the laws of the Cayman Islands and of China may render you unable to enforce a judgment against the assets of our consolidated affiliated entities or the assets of Messrs. Zhu and Wu or any of our directors outside of the United States. There is no statutory recognition in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, although the courts of the Cayman Islands will generally recognize and enforce a non-penal judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits. Moreover, the PRC does not have treaties with the United States or many other countries providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgment of courts.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 12
Our articles of association contain anti-takeover provisions that could adversely affect the rights of our shareholders.Our articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time, contain provisions to limit the ability of others to acquire control of our company or cause us to engage in change-of-control transactions, including, among other things:
- provisions that authorize our board of directors, without action by our shareholders, to issue additional ordinary shares and preferred shares with preferential rights determined by the board;- provisions that impose advance notice requirements, minimum shareholding periods and ownership thresholds, and other requirements and limitations on the ability of shareholders to propose matters for consideration at shareholder meetings; and - any director that simultaneously serves as our chief executive officer is not subject to retirement or re-election.
These provisions could have the effect of depriving our shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging third parties from seeking to obtain control of our company in a tender offer or similar transaction.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 13
We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act and as such we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to United States domestic public companies.We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act. As such, we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to U.S. domestic public companies. For example:
- we are not required to provide as many Exchange Act reports, or as frequently, as a domestic public company;- we are not required to provide the same level of disclosure on certain issues, such as executive compensation;- for interim reporting, we are permitted to comply solely with our home country requirements, which are less rigorous than the rules that apply to domestic public companies;- we are not required to comply with the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act; and - we are not required to comply with Section 16 of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their share ownership and trading activities and establishing insider liability for profits realized from any "short-swing" trading transaction.
We intend to file annual reports on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2016, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for fiscal periods ended September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2016 similar to U.S. domestic reporting companies and disclose the information required to be disclosed in those reports. However, on May 15, 2017, we have elected to file annual reports on Form 20-F and reports on Form 6-K as a foreign private issuer.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 14
We are an "emerging growth company," and may elect to comply with reduced public company reporting requirements applicable to emerging growth companies, as well as a smaller reporting company, which could make our ordinary shares less attractive to investors.In addition to being a foreign private issuer, we are also an "emerging growth company," as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act enacted in April 2012, and, for as long as we continue to be an "emerging growth company," we may choose to take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements applicable to other public companies but not to "emerging growth companies," including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We could be an "emerging growth company" for up to five years, or until the earliest of (1) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenues exceed $1 billion, (2) the date that we become a "large accelerated filer" as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of our ordinary shares that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter and we have been publicly reporting for at least 12 months, or (3) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt during the preceding three-year period.
Even if we no longer qualify for the exemptions for an emerging growth company, we may still be, in certain circumstances, subject to scaled disclosure requirements as a smaller reporting company. For example, smaller reporting companies, like emerging growth companies, are not required to provide a compensation discussion and analysis under Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K or auditor attestation of internal controls over financial reporting. We cannot predict if investors will find our ordinary shares less attractive if we choose to rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our ordinary shares less attractive as a result of any choices to reduce future disclosure, there may be a less active trading market for our ordinary shares and our share price may be more volatile.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 15
We may be classified as a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequence to U.S. holders of ordinary shares.Depending upon the value of our ordinary shares and the nature and composition of our income and assets over time, we could be classified as a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes for any taxable year. Based on assumptions as to our projections of the value of our outstanding ordinary shares and our expected use of the proceeds from our initial public offering and of the other cash that we will hold and generate in the ordinary course of our business, we do not expect to be a PFIC for the taxable year 2015 or in the foreseeable future. However, there can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC for the taxable year 2015 or any future taxable year as PFIC status is tested each taxable year and depends on the composition of our income and the value of our assets in such taxable year. Our PFIC status for the current taxable year 2015 will not be determinable until the close of the taxable year ending December 31, 2015.
We will be classified as a PFIC for any taxable year if either: (a) the average quarterly value of our gross assets that produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income is at least 50% of the average quarterly value of our total gross assets (the "asset test"), or (b) 75% or more of our gross income for the taxable year is passive income (such as certain dividends, interest or royalties). For purposes of the asset test: (a) any cash and cash invested in short-term, interest bearing debt instruments, or bank deposits that are readily convertible into cash will generally count as producing passive income or as held for the production of passive income, and (b) the total value of our assets is calculated based on our market capitalization. Therefore, a drop in the market price of our ordinary shares would cause a reduction in the value of our non-passive assets for purposes of the asset test. Accordingly, we may become a PFIC if our market capitalization were to decrease significantly while we hold substantial cash and cash equivalents. Until we deploy the net proceeds we receive from this offering, we may retain a significant portion of those net proceeds in the form of short-term investments or bank deposits for a prolonged period, which could affect our PFIC status in the 2015 taxable year and in future taxable years.
If we are classified as a PFIC in any taxable year in which you hold our ordinary shares, and you are a U.S. Holder, you would generally be subject to additional taxes and interest charges on certain "excess" distributions we make and on any gain recognized on your disposition or deemed disposition of our ordinary shares in a later year, even if we are not a PFIC in the year of disposition or distribution. Further, if we were a PFIC for any year during which you hold our ordinary shares, we would continue to be treated as a PFIC for all succeeding years during which you hold our ordinary shares unless we cease to meet the requirements for PFIC status and you make a "deemed sale" election with respect to such ordinary shares. Moreover, if we are classified as a PFIC in any taxable year in which you hold our ordinary shares, certain non-corporate U.S. shareholders would not be able to benefit from any preferential tax rate with respect to any dividend distribution received from us on our ordinary shares in that year or in the following year. Finally, you would also be subject to special U.S. tax reporting requirements. A U.S. shareholder of a PFIC generally may mitigate these adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences by making a "qualified electing fund" election, or, to a lesser extent, a "mark-to-market" election with respect to our ordinary shares. We do not intend to provide the information necessary for U.S. Holders to make "qualified electing fund" elections if we are classified as a PFIC.
Accounting & Financial Operations9 | 16.1%
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 1
We do not maintain our books under U.S. GAAP, and because most of our directors and all of our accounting personnel have very limited, or no, U.S. GAAP experience, and we rely on consultants to prepare our financial statements, there is a higher risk that our financial statements will not accurately describe our financial condition.Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 2
We do not currently intend to pay dividends on our ordinary shares and, consequently, your ability to achieve a return on your investment will depend on appreciation in the price of our ordinary shares.Yulong has never declared or paid any cash dividends on its ordinary shares and does not currently intend to do so for the foreseeable future. We currently intend to invest our future earnings, if any, to fund our growth. Therefore, you are not likely to receive any dividends on your ordinary shares for the foreseeable future and the success of an investment in our ordinary shares will depend upon any future appreciation in their value. There is no guarantee that our ordinary shares will appreciate in value or even maintain the price at which our shareholders have purchased their shares.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 3
Being a public company will increase our costs, which could adversely affect our business.As a public company, we will incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as rules implemented by the SEC, requires certain corporate governance practices for public companies. In addition to these rules, the NASDAQ Stock Market has certain corporate governance requirements for companies that are listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market. Implementation of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, or the Dodd-Frank Act, may also cause us to incur additional costs and subject us to risks if we are unable to fully comply.
We expect these rules and regulations to increase our legal and financial compliance costs, and to make some operating and administrative activities more time consuming and costly, though we are not currently able to estimate these additional costs. Since becoming a public company, we have created several board committees and adopt additional internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures. We now also have all of the internal and external costs of preparing and distributing periodic public reports. We also expect these rules and regulations to make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain coverage. These rules and regulations could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified members of our board of directors, particularly to serve on our audit committee, and qualified executive officers.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 4
We are obligated to develop and maintain proper and effective internal control over financial reporting. If analysis of our internal control over financial reporting concludes that these internal controls are not effective, investor confidence in our company may be adversely affected which in turn may affect the value of our ordinary shares.We will be required, pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, to furnish a report by management on, among other things, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting for fiscal 2016, the first fiscal year beginning after our initial public offering. This assessment will need to include disclosure of any material weaknesses identified by our management in our internal control over financial reporting and, after we cease to be an "emerging growth company," a statement that our independent registered public accounting firm has issued an opinion on our internal control over financial reporting.
During the evaluation and testing process, if we identify one or more material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, we will be unable to assert that our internal controls are effective. If we are unable to assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, or if, when required, our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to express an opinion on the effectiveness of our internal controls, we could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, which would cause the price of our ordinary shares to decline, and we may be subject to investigation or sanctions by the SEC.
We will be required to disclose changes made in our internal controls and procedures on a quarterly basis. However, our independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to formally attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 until the later of the year following our first annual report required to be filed with the SEC, or the date we are no longer an "emerging growth company" as defined in the JOBS Act, if we take advantage of the exemptions contained in the JOBS Act. We will remain an "emerging growth company" for up to five years. However, if the market value of our ordinary shares that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of any December 31 before that time, our revenues exceed $1 billion, or we issue more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt in a three year period, we would cease to be an "emerging growth company" as of the following June 30. To comply with the requirements of being a public company, we may need to undertake various actions, such as implementing new internal controls and procedures and hiring accounting or internal audit staff.
Our independent registered public accounting firm is not required to formally attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting until the later of the year following our first annual report required to be filed with the SEC, or the date we are no longer an "emerging growth company." At such time, our independent registered public accounting firm may issue a report that is adverse in the event it is not satisfied with the level at which our controls are documented, designed or operating. Our remediation efforts may not enable us to avoid a material weakness in the future.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 5
Our global income and the dividends that we may receive from our PRC subsidiary, dividends distributed to our non-PRC shareholders, and gains recognized by such shareholders, may be subject to PRC taxes under the Enterprise Income Tax Law, which would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with "de facto management bodies" within the PRC is considered a resident enterprise and will be subject to the enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on its global income. The implementation rules define the term "de facto management bodies" as "establishments that carry out substantial and overall management and control over the manufacturing and business operations, personnel, accounting, properties, etc. of an enterprise." The SAT issued the Notice Regarding the Determination of Chinese-Controlled Offshore Incorporated Enterprises as PRC Tax Resident Enterprises on the Basis of De Facto Management Bodies, or SAT Circular 82, on April 22, 2009. SAT Circular 82 provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the "de facto management body" of a Chinese-controlled offshore-incorporated enterprise is located in China. Although SAT Circular 82 only applies to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises, not those controlled by PRC individuals, the determining criteria set forth in Circular 82 may reflect the SAT's general position on how the "de facto management body" test should be applied in determining the tax resident status of offshore enterprises, regardless of whether they are controlled by PRC enterprises or individuals. Although we do not believe that our legal entities organized outside of the PRC constitute PRC resident enterprises, it is possible that the PRC tax authorities could reach a different conclusion. In such case, we may be considered a PRC resident enterprise and may therefore be subject to enterprise income tax at a rate of 25% on our global income. If we are considered a PRC resident enterprise and earn income other than dividends from our PRC subsidiary, a 25% enterprise income tax on our global income could significantly increase our tax burden and materially and adversely affect our cash flow and profitability.
Pursuant to the Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules, dividends generated after January 1, 2008 and payable by a foreign-invested enterprise in China to its foreign investors, which are non-PRC tax resident enterprises without an establishment in China, or whose income has no connection with their institutions and establishments inside China, are subject to withholding tax at a rate of 10%, unless any such foreign investor's jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides for a different withholding arrangement. We are a Cayman Islands holding company and conduct all of our business through Yulong WFOE, 100% of which is owned by Yulong HK, our wholly-owned subsidiary located in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The Cayman Islands currently does not have any tax treaty with China with respect to withholding tax. As long as Yulong HK is considered a non-PRC resident enterprise and holds at least 25% of the equity interest of Yulong WFOE, dividends that it receives from Yulong WFOE may be subject to withholding tax at a rate of 10%.
As uncertainties remain regarding the interpretation and implementation of the Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules, we cannot assure you that if we are regarded as a PRC resident enterprise, any dividends to be distributed by us to our non-PRC shareholders would not be subject to any PRC withholding tax at a rate of up to 10%. Similarly, any gain recognized by such non-PRC shareholders on the sale of shares may also be subject to PRC withholding tax. If we are required under the Enterprise Income Tax Law to withhold PRC income tax on our dividends payable to our non-PRC enterprise shareholders, or on gain recognized by such non-PRC shareholders, such investors' investment in our ordinary shares may be materially and adversely affected.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 6
We may not be able to obtain certain treaty benefits on dividends paid by our PRC subsidiary to us through our Hong Kong subsidiary.Under the Enterprise Income Tax Law, dividends generated from retained earnings after January 1, 2008 from a PRC company to a foreign parent company are subject to a withholding tax rate of 10% unless the foreign parent's jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides for a preferential withholding arrangement. Pursuant to the Arrangement between Mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income, or the Hong Kong Tax Treaty, which became effective on December 8, 2006, as amended, a company incorporated in Hong Kong, such as Yulong HK, will be subject to withholding income tax at a rate of 5% on dividends it receives from its PRC subsidiary if it holds a 25% or more interest in that particular PRC subsidiary, or 10% if it holds less than a 25% interest in that subsidiary. On October 27, 2009, the SAT promulgated a tax notice or Circular 601, which provides that tax treaty benefits will be denied to "conduit" or shell companies without business substance, and a beneficial ownership analysis will be used based on a "substance-over-the-form" principle to determine whether or not to grant tax treaty benefits. On June 29, 2012, the SAT further issued the Announcement of the State Administration of Taxation regarding Recognition of "Beneficial Owner" under Tax Treaties, or Announcement 30, which provides that a comprehensive analysis should be made when determining the beneficial owner status based on various factors that are supported by various types of documents including the articles of association, financial statements, records of cash movements, board meeting minutes, board resolutions, staffing and materials, relevant expenditures, functions and risk assumption as well as relevant contracts, patent and copyright certificates and other information. As a result, although our PRC subsidiary Yulong WFOE is wholly owned by Yulong HK, we cannot assure you that we would be entitled to the tax treaty benefits and enjoy the favorable 5% rate applicable under the Hong Kong Tax Treaty on dividends payable by Yulong WFOE. If Yulong HK cannot be recognized as the beneficial owner of the dividends to be paid by our PRC subsidiary to us, such dividends will be subject to a normal withholding tax of 10% as provided by the Enterprise Income Tax Law.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 7
The substantial and continuing losses, and significant operating expenses incurred in the past few years may cause us to be unable to pursue all of our operational objectives if sufficient financing and/or additional cash from revenues is not realized. This raises doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern.We have an accumulated deficit of US$32.0 million as of June 30, 2016 and a negative working capital (total consolidated current liabilities assets exceeding total consolidated current assets) of US$14.5 million, as of June 30, 2016.
Although we have previously been able to attract financing as needed, such financing may not continue to be available at all, or if available, on reasonable terms as required. Further, the terms of such financing may be dilutive to existing shareholders or otherwise on terms not favorable to us or existing shareholders. If we are unable to secure additional financing, as circumstances require, or do not succeed in meeting our sales objectives, we may be required to change or significantly reduce our operations or ultimately may not be able to continue our operations. As a result of our historical accumulated deficit and negative working capital, these conditions raise substantial doubt as to the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 8
We have incurred significant losses in our revenue future due to impairments in the value of our goodwill, intangibles and property, plant and equipment, which may continue. We expect to incur more losses for the foreseeable future.Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination. We test goodwill for impairment annually, and more frequently when events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Additionally, our other long-lived assets which include intangibles and property, plant and equipment are evaluated for impairments whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Either of these situations may occur for various reasons, including changes in actual or expected income or cash. We continue to evaluate current conditions to assess whether any impairment exists. Impairments could occur in the future if any of the following occur: market or interest rate environments deteriorate, significant adverse changes in business climate, unanticipated competition, loss of key customers, changes in technology, expected future cash flows of our reporting units decline, or reporting unit carrying values change materially compared with changes in respective fair values.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 9
Our operating results may vary significantly from one reporting period to another and may be adversely affected by the seasonal and cyclical nature of the markets we serve.The construction materials business is seasonal. In particular, our first quarter sales and results of operations are usually lower than other quarters due to the general slowdown in business activities in China during the Chinese New Year period. In addition, demand for our products during the winter months is typically lower than in other months because of inclement winter weather. Sustained periods of inclement weather or permitting delays could postpone or delay projects, and consequently, could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. The relative demand for our products is a function of the highly cyclical construction industry. As a result, our revenues may be adversely affected by declines in the construction industry generally and in Pingdingshan in particular.
Debt & Financing4 | 7.1%
Debt & Financing - Risk 1
Our growth strategy is capital intensive; without additional capital on favorable terms we may not accomplish our strategic plan.Debt & Financing - Risk 2
The ongoing and projected slowdown in our collection of accounts receivable may materially and negatively impact our future operating cash flow and revenue.Since the quarter ended September 30, 2014, our collection of accounts receivable has slowed, and we believe that this may continue for the next two to three fiscal quarters until bank lending to small- and medium-size enterprises ease and/or other lending options become more readily available to our customers. As a result, the slowdown may negatively impact our future operating cash flow. In addition to monitoring our accounts receivable collection process very closely, we are also requiring many of our customers to pay off most, and in some cases all, of their balances before making additional sales to them. Doing so, however, may force some of these customers to buy from our competitors and to stop doing business with us in the future. Should a sufficient number of our customers stop doing business with us and to the extent we are unable to attract new business to replace any such lost customers, our future revenue would be materially and negatively impacted.
Debt & Financing - Risk 3
If our consolidated affiliated entities were to incur net losses, Yulong WFOE's inability to absorb such losses and to remit funds equal to such losses to them could result in our inability to continue as a going concern and Yulong WFOE's breach of its contractual obligations, in which case you could lose your entire investment.Pursuant to the contractual arrangements through which we control Yulong Group, Yulong WFOE is obligated to absorb the net losses of, and, upon request, to remit funds equal to such losses to, our consolidated affiliated entities. However, because we rely entirely upon Yulong Group for our revenues, Yulong WFOE's inability to absorb such net losses could result in our management's determination that there is substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern. Should that happen, our ability to continue as a going concern would depend, in large part, on our ability to obtain additional financing or replace Yulong Group with other operating entity or entities, neither of which prospects would be certain. Additionally, because Yulong WFOE currently does not maintain any funds to make payments to our consolidated affiliated entities, such inability could result in a breach by Yulong WFOE of its obligations under the contractual arrangements, which in turn could be the basis upon which our consolidated affiliated entities may seek to terminate the contractual arrangements. If we were unable to continue as a going concern, or if our consolidated affiliated entities were to succeed in terminating the contractual arrangements due to a breach by Yulong WFOE of its obligations, your entire investment could become worthless.
Debt & Financing - Risk 4
We may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiary to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have. Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiary to pay dividends to us could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.We are a holding company and may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity to be paid by our wholly-owned PRC subsidiary, Yulong WFOE, for our cash and financing requirements, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders and service any debt we may incur. If Yulong WFOE incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us. We may also sell our ordinary shares, or request our founder Yulong Zhu to advance funds on our behalf to meet our cash and financial requirements, although there can be no assurance that we will be able to do so.
Under PRC laws and regulations, each of Yulong WFOE and our consolidated affiliated entities is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund certain statutory reserve funds until such reserve funds reach 50% of its registered capital. In addition, Yulong WFOE may allocate a portion of its after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards to enterprise expansion fund and staff bonus and welfare fund at its discretion. Each of our consolidated affiliated entities may allocate a portion of its after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards to a discretionary surplus fund at its discretion. The statutory reserve funds and the discretionary funds are not distributable as cash dividends. Remittance of dividends by a wholly foreign-owned company out of China is subject to examination by the banks designated by SAFE. As of June 30, 2016 and 2015, Yulong WFOE and our consolidated affiliated entities had collectively appropriated $3,922,228 and $3,922,228 of retained earnings for their statutory reserves, respectively.
Any limitation on the ability of our consolidated affiliated entities to make payments to Yulong WFOE under the contractual arrangements, or the ability of Yulong WFOE to pay dividends or make other distributions to us, could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our business, pay dividends, or otherwise fund and conduct our business.
Corporate Activity and Growth2 | 3.6%
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 1
If our PRC subsidiary or consolidated affiliated entities become the subject of a bankruptcy or liquidation proceeding, we may lose the ability to use and enjoy all of their assets, which could reduce the size of our operations and materially and adversely affect our business, ability to generate revenues and the market price of our ordinary shares.Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 2
Our contractual arrangements with our consolidated affiliated entities may not be as effective in providing operational control as direct ownership.We have relied and expect to continue to rely on contractual arrangements with Yulong Group companies and their shareholders to operate our business. For a description of these contractual arrangements, see "Our Corporate History and Structure-Contractual Arrangements." These contractual arrangements may not be as effective in providing us with control over these affiliated entities as direct ownership. If we had direct ownership of these entities, we would be able to exercise our rights as a shareholder to effect changes in the board of directors, which in turn could effect changes, subject to any applicable fiduciary obligations, at the management level. However, under the current contractual arrangements, we rely on the performance by these entities and their shareholders of their contractual obligations to exercise control over our consolidated affiliated entities. Therefore, our contractual arrangements with our consolidated affiliated entities may not be as effective in ensuring our control over our China operations as direct ownership would be.
Legal & Regulatory
Total Risks: 11/56 (20%)Below Sector Average
Regulation8 | 14.3%
Regulation - Risk 1
We may incur material costs and losses as a result of claims our products do not meet regulatory requirements or contractual specifications.Regulation - Risk 2
We are, and expect in the future to become, subject to Substantial and Extensive Governmental Laws and Regulations, many of which are continuously evolving, which increases our compliance costs and could subject us to claims or otherwise harm or suspend our business.In late March 2016, the central government of the People's of Republic of China passed Air Pollution Control Act and enforced Air Pollution Control Action Plan. The province of Henan of People's Republic of China implemented "Province of Henan Blue Sky Action Plan" on various industries such as construction materials, coal mining. Due to this regulation and action plan, Yulong Renewable's operation and its construction projects have been hindered. These laws can be costly to comply with, require significant management attention, and could subject us to claims, government enforcement actions, civil and criminal liability, or other remedies, including revocation of licenses and suspension of business operations. As a result, we may not be able to conduct normal business operations and may be required to incur significant expenses in order to resume normal business operations, and consequently, our revenues and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.
Regulation - Risk 3
The approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission may be required in connection with our initial public offering under a regulation adopted in August 2006, and, if required, we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain such approval.On August 8, 2006, six PRC regulatory agencies, including the CSRC, promulgated the Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Companies by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, which became effective on September 8, 2006 and was amended on June 22, 2009. These regulations, among other things, require offshore special purpose vehicles, or SPVs, formed for the purpose of an overseas listing through acquisitions of PRC domestic companies and controlled by PRC companies or individuals, to obtain CSRC approval prior to listing their securities on an overseas stock exchange. The application of these regulations remains unclear. Our PRC counsel has advised us that, based on their understanding of the current PRC laws, rules and regulations, we are not required to submit an application to the CSRC for its approval of the listing and trading of our ordinary shares on the NASDAQ Capital Market on the grounds that:
- Yulong WFOE was incorporated as a wholly foreign-owned enterprise by means of direct investment rather than by merger or acquisition of equity interest or assets of a PRC domestic company owned by PRC companies or individuals as defined under the M&A Rules that are our beneficial owners; and - no provision in the M&A Rules clearly classifies contractual arrangements as a type of transaction subject to the regulation.
However, because there has been no official interpretation or clarification of the M&A Rules since their adoption, there is uncertainty as to how these regulations will be interpreted or implemented. If it is determined that the CSRC approval is required for our initial public offering, we may face sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies for failure to seek the CSRC approval prior to completing the offering in July 2015. These sanctions may include fines and penalties on our operations in the PRC, delays or restrictions on the repatriation of the proceeds from the offering into the PRC, restrictions on or prohibition of the payments or remittance of dividends by our China subsidiary, or other actions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and prospects, as well as the trading price of our ordinary shares.
Regulation - Risk 4
Certain regulations in the PRC may make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions.Among other things, the M&A Rules and certain regulations and rules concerning mergers and acquisitions established additional procedures and requirements that could make merger and acquisition activities by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex. For example, the M&A Rules require that the Ministry of Commerce be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic enterprise or a foreign company with substantial PRC operations, if certain thresholds under the Provisions on Thresholds for Prior Notification of Concentrations of Undertakings, issued by the State Council on August 3, 2008, are triggered. According to the Implementing Rules Concerning Security Review on the Mergers and Acquisitions by Foreign Investors of Domestic Enterprises issued by the Ministry of Commerce in August 2011, mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors involved in an industry related to national security are subject to strict review by the Ministry of Commerce. These rules also prohibit any transactions attempting to bypass such security review, including by controlling entities through contractual arrangements. We believe that our business is not in an industry related to national security. However, we cannot preclude the possibility that the Ministry of Commerce or other government agencies may publish interpretations contrary to our understanding or broaden the scope of such security review in the future. Although we have no current plans to make any acquisitions, we may elect to grow our business in the future in part by directly acquiring complementary businesses in China. Complying with the requirements of these regulations to complete such transactions could be time-consuming, and any required approval processes, including obtaining approval from the Ministry of Commerce, may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions.
Regulation - Risk 5
Regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents may limit our ability to acquire PRC companies and could adversely affect our business.In July 2014, SAFE promulgated the Circular on Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration Over the Overseas Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment by Domestic Residents Via Special Purpose Vehicles, or Circular 37, which replaced Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic Residents' Corporate Financing and Roundtrip Investment through Offshore Special Purpose Vehicles, or Circular 75. Circular 37 requires PRC residents to register with local branches of SAFE in connection with their direct establishment or indirect control of an offshore entity, referred to in Circular 37 as a "special purpose vehicle" for the purpose of holding domestic or offshore assets or interests. Circular 37 further requires amendment to a PRC resident's registration in the event of any significant changes with respect to the special purpose vehicle, such as an increase or decrease in the capital contributed by PRC individuals, share transfer or exchange, merger, division or other material event. Under these regulations, PRC residents' failure to comply with specified registration procedures may result in restrictions being imposed on the foreign exchange activities of the relevant PRC entity, including the payment of dividends and other distributions to its offshore parent, as well as restrictions on capital inflows from the offshore entity to the PRC entity, including restrictions on its ability to contribute additional capital to its PRC subsidiaries. Further, failure to comply with the SAFE registration requirements could result in penalties under PRC law for evasion of foreign exchange regulations.
We cannot assure you that all of our shareholders or beneficial owners who are domestic resident individuals will at all times comply with, or in the future make or obtain any applicable registrations or approvals required by, SAFE Circular No. 37. The failure or inability of such individuals to comply with the registration procedures set forth in the regulation may subject us to fines or legal sanctions, restrictions on our cross-border investment activities or our PRC subsidiary's ability to distribute dividends to, or obtain foreign-exchange-dominated loans from, our company, or prevent us from making distributions or paying dividends. As a result, our business operations and our ability to make distributions to you could be materially and adversely affected.
However, as the promulgation of Circular 37 is relatively recent, it is unclear how these regulations will be interpreted and implemented.
Regulation - Risk 6
The eventual enactment of a new Foreign Investment Law may require us to change our corporate structure and/or impose periodic reporting obligations on us and our non-PRC shareholders.The PRC Ministry of Commerce published a discussion draft of the proposed Foreign Investment Law in January 2015 aiming to, upon its enactment, replace the trio of existing laws regulating foreign investment in China, namely, the Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law, the Sino-foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law and the Wholly Foreign-invested Enterprise Law, together with their implementation rules and ancillary regulations. The draft Foreign Investment Law embodies an expected PRC regulatory trend to rationalize its foreign investment regulatory regime in line with prevailing international practice and the legislative efforts to unify the corporate legal requirements for both foreign and domestic investments.
The Ministry of Commerce is currently soliciting comments on this draft and substantial uncertainties exist with respect to its enactment timetable, interpretation and implementation. It may take some time to go through a number of complicated procedures before the draft Foreign Investment Law can be enacted and be officially promulgated by the National People's Congress. It is also likely that there will be a number of changes between the draft Foreign Investment Law as released in January 2015 and the Foreign Investment Law that may ultimately be enacted. The current draft of Foreign Investment Law, if enacted as proposed, may materially impact the entire legal framework regulating foreign investments in China.
Among other things, the draft Foreign Investment Law expands the definition of foreign investment and introduces the principle of "actual control" in determining whether a company is considered a foreign invested enterprise, or an FIE. The draft Foreign Investment Law specifically provides that entities established in China but "controlled" by foreign investors will be treated as FIEs, whereas an entity set up in a foreign jurisdiction would nonetheless be, upon market entry clearance by the Ministry of Commerce, treated as a PRC domestic investor provided that the entity is "controlled" by PRC entities and/or citizens. Once an entity is determined to be an FIE, and its investment amount exceeds certain thresholds or its business operation falls within a "negative list" to be separately issued by the State Council in the future, market entry clearance by the Ministry of Commerce or its local counterparts would be required. Otherwise, all foreign investors may make investments on the same terms as Chinese investors as mandated by the existing foreign investment legal regime.
The "variable interest entity" structure, or VIE structure, has frequently been adopted by many PRC-based companies, including us, in order to obtain necessary licenses and permits in industries that are currently subject to foreign investment restrictions in China. Under the draft Foreign Investment Law, variable interest entities that are controlled via contractual arrangements would also be deemed as FIEs, if they are ultimately "controlled" by foreign investors. Therefore, for any companies with a VIE structure in an industry category that is on the "negative list," the existing VIE structure may be deemed legitimate only if the ultimate controlling person(s) is/are of PRC nationality (either PRC state owned enterprises or agencies, or PRC citizens). Conversely, if the actual controlling person(s) is/are of foreign nationalities, then the variable interest entities will be treated as FIEs and any operation in the industry category on the '‘negative list'' without market entry clearance may be considered as illegal.
However, the draft Foreign Investment Law has not taken a position on what will happen to the existing companies with a VIE structure, although a few possible options were proffered to solicit comments from the public. Under these options, a company with a VIE structure and in the business on the "negative list" at the time of enactment of the new Foreign Investment Law has either the option or obligation to disclose its corporate structure to the authorities, while the authorities, after reviewing the ultimate control structure of the company, may either permit the company to continue its business by maintaining the VIE structure (when the company is deemed ultimately controlled by PRC citizens), or require the company to dispose of its businesses and/or VIE structure based on circumstantial considerations. Moreover, it is uncertain whether the businesses that we currently operate or that we may operate in the future through our variable interest entities will be subject to the foreign investment restrictions or prohibitions set forth in the "negative list" to be issued. If the enacted version of the Foreign Investment Law and the final "negative list" mandate further actions, such as Ministry of Commerce market entry clearance, to be completed by companies with existing VIE structure like us, we face uncertainties as to whether such clearance can be timely obtained, or at all.
The draft Foreign Investment Law, if enacted as proposed, may also materially impact our corporate governance practice and increase our compliance costs. For instance, the draft Foreign Investment Law imposes stringent ad hoc and periodic information reporting requirements on foreign investors and the applicable FIEs. Aside from investment implementation report and investment amendment report that are required at each investment and alteration of investment specifics, an annual report is mandatory, and large foreign investors meeting certain criteria are required to report on a quarterly basis. Any company found to be non-compliant with such information reporting obligations may potentially be subject to fines and/or administrative or criminal liabilities, and the persons directly responsible may be subject to criminal liabilities.
However, because the draft Foreign Investment Law and its explanations are currently only subject to discussion and have not yet been promulgated, their interpretation and application remain substantially uncertain. As a result, we cannot draw a clear conclusion on its possible impact on companies with an investment scheme and/or corporate structure similar to ours. Investors are cautioned to take the potential change in law into account when making an investment decision.
Regulation - Risk 7
Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us.We conduct our business primarily through our PRC subsidiary and consolidated affiliated entities in China. Our operations in China are governed by PRC laws and regulations. Uncertainties in the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws and regulations could limit the legal protections available to you and us. In 1979, the PRC government began to promulgate a comprehensive system of laws and regulations governing economic matters in general. The overall effect of legislation over the past several decades has significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investments in China. However, China has not developed a fully integrated legal system, and recently enacted laws and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China. In particular, because these laws and regulations are relatively new, and because of the limited volume of published decisions and their nonbinding nature, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations involve uncertainties. Since PRC administrative and court authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory and contractual terms, it may be difficult to evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection we enjoy. Furthermore, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules, some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all, which may have a retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until sometime after the violation. In addition, any administrative and court proceedings in China may be protracted, resulting in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention.
Regulation - Risk 8
If the Chinese government determines that the contractual arrangements through which we control our consolidated affiliated entities do not comply with applicable regulations, our business could be adversely affected.There are uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRC laws, rules and regulations, including but not limited to the laws, rules and regulations governing the validity and enforcement of the contractual arrangements with the Yulong Group companies and their shareholders. Although we have been advised by our PRC counsel that based on their understanding of the current PRC laws, rules and regulations, the contractual arrangements, as well our ability to enforce our rights thereunder, comply with all applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations, and do not violate, breach, contravene or otherwise conflict with any applicable PRC laws, rules or regulations, we cannot assure you that the PRC regulatory authorities will not determine that our corporate structure and contractual arrangements violate PRC laws, rules or regulations. If the PRC regulatory authorities determine that our contractual arrangements are in violation of applicable PRC laws, rules or regulations, they will become invalid or unenforceable. In addition, new PRC laws, rules and regulations may be introduced from time to time to impose additional requirements that may be applicable to our contractual arrangements.
The Chinese government has broad discretion in dealing with violations of laws and regulations, including levying fines, revoking business and other licenses and requiring actions necessary for compliance. In particular, licenses and permits issued or granted to us by relevant governmental bodies may be revoked at a later time by higher regulatory bodies. We cannot predict the effect of the interpretation of existing or new Chinese laws or regulations on our businesses. We cannot assure you that our current ownership and operating structure would not be found in violation of any current or future Chinese laws or regulations. As a result, we may be subject to sanctions, including fines, and could be required to restructure our operations or cease to provide certain services. Any of these or similar actions could significantly disrupt our business operations or restrict us from conducting a substantial portion of our business operations, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If we or Yulong Group are determined to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws, rules or regulations or fail to obtain or maintain any of the required governmental permits or approvals, the relevant PRC regulatory authorities would have broad discretion in dealing with such violations, including:
- revoking the business and operating licenses of Yulong Group and/or voiding the contractual arrangements;- discontinuing or restricting the operations of Yulong Group;- imposing conditions or requirements with which we or Yulong Group may not be able to comply;- requiring us to restructure the relevant ownership structure or operations;- restricting or prohibiting our use of the proceeds from our initial public offering to finance our business and operations in China; or - imposing fines or other forms of economic penalties.
As we do not have direct ownership of Yulong Group, the imposition of any of these penalties may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Litigation & Legal Liabilities1 | 1.8%
Litigation & Legal Liabilities - Risk 1
Our failure to comply with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or the FCPA, and other anticorruption laws could result in penalties which could harm our reputation and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.Taxation & Government Incentives1 | 1.8%
Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 1
Contractual arrangements our Chinese subsidiary has entered into with our consolidated affiliated entities may be subject to scrutiny by the PRC tax authorities and a finding that we or our consolidated affiliated entities owe additional taxes could substantially reduce our consolidated net income and the value of your investment.Environmental / Social1 | 1.8%
Environmental / Social - Risk 1
Our operations may incur substantial liabilities to comply with environmental laws and regulations.Production
Total Risks: 6/56 (11%)Below Sector Average
Manufacturing1 | 1.8%
Manufacturing - Risk 1
Our operations are subject to various hazards that may cause personal injury or property damage and increase our operating costs, and which may exceed the coverage of our insurance.Employment / Personnel1 | 1.8%
Employment / Personnel - Risk 1
The loss of services of the senior management and key personnel of our consolidated affiliated entities could severely disrupt our business and growth or if such persons compete against us.Supply Chain2 | 3.6%
Supply Chain - Risk 1
We depend on third parties for supplies essential to operate our business.Supply Chain - Risk 2
We depend on third parties to produce some of our products.We use third-party manufacturers generally when orders exceed our production capacities. Such was the case for concrete in fiscal 2015 and 2016. Such third-party manufacturers use their employees and equipment with our pre-formulated raw material blends and under our supervision, and allow us to stage the finished products (in the case of bricks) onsite until our customers take delivery. In return, we pay them a fee for every m3 of finished product.
We currently have one manufacturer for bricks and one for concrete, and believe that our relationships with them are good. In addition, we believe that we currently have more bargaining power over them in that the brick manufacturer lacks a sales department to develop business in the local market, while we are one of the concrete manufacturer's principal customers. As such, their fees have not materially affected our cost of revenue and resulting gross profit. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be able to maintain our arrangements with these manufacturers indefinitely. While there are other local manufacturers, we may need to expend considerable time to determine if a replacement candidate can produce at the capacity and quality to suit our purpose. Our inability to timely replace a manufacturer could materially disrupt our operations. Furthermore, there is no assurance that a replacement manufacturer will accept fee comparable to what we are currently paying. Higher fee will increase our cost of revenue and negatively impact our gross profit.
Costs2 | 3.6%
Costs - Risk 1
If our exclusive right to collect and process construction waste is terminated or expires, we may have difficulty sourcing the discarded bricks and concrete in quantities that we may need for our new facilities or on terms acceptable to us.Costs - Risk 2
Our overall profitability is sensitive to price changes of our raw materials.Our products are price-sensitive to raw material costs, which, for example, account for approximately 74% and 71% of our production cost for bricks, respective, and approximately 95% and 94.6% for concrete, in fiscal 2015 and 2016, respectively. Raw material prices are subject to changes in response to relatively minor fluctuations in supply and demand (such as the shortage brought on the national energy conservation policy at the beginning of 2013), general economic conditions and market conditions, all of which are beyond our control. While we were able to pass along increased raw material costs to our brick customers in fiscal 2015 and 2016, we were unable to do so entirely to our concrete customers, and there is no assurance that we can continue to do so in the future. If we are unable to pass along any increase in raw material costs to our customers, our profitability could be materially and adversely affected.
Ability to Sell
Total Risks: 4/56 (7%)Below Sector Average
Competition1 | 1.8%
Competition - Risk 1
Competition in Pingdingshan's building and construction materials industry could adversely affect our results of operations.Demand2 | 3.6%
Demand - Risk 1
Our current operations are primarily limited to the city of Pingdingshan.Demand - Risk 2
Our income will decrease if the construction and building material industries in Pingdingshan experience a downturn, or if such industries do not realize an increase in demand at the pace we expect.Our fly-ash brick and concrete products serve as key components in construction and building projects for a wide range of industries and private and public sector projects in Pingdingshan. Therefore, we are subject to the general changes in economic conditions affecting many segments of the local as well as the overall Chinese economy. Demands for bricks and concrete are typically affected by a number of factors, including, but not limited to:
- the level of residential and commercial construction in and around Pingdingshan, including reductions in the demand for new residential housing construction below current or historical levels;- the availability of state funds for public or infrastructure construction;- the changes in mix of our customers and business, which result in periodic variations in the margins of jobs performed during any particular quarter; and - the budgetary spending patterns of customers.
Many of these factors are beyond our control. If there is a decline in construction activity in Pingdingshan or a rise in the costs of doing business in China, demand for our products may decline which in turn could have material adverse effects on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Moreover, our operating results in any particular quarter may not be indicative of the results that you can expect for any other quarter or for the entire year.
Brand / Reputation1 | 1.8%
Brand / Reputation - Risk 1
If we become directly subject to the recent scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity involving U.S.-listed Chinese companies, we may have to expend significant resources to investigate and resolve the matter which could harm our business operations and our reputation and could result in a loss of your investment in our stock, especially if such matter cannot be addressed and resolved favorably.Macro & Political
Total Risks: 4/56 (7%)Above Sector Average
Economy & Political Environment1 | 1.8%
Economy & Political Environment - Risk 1
Changes in China's economic, political or social conditions or government policies could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.Natural and Human Disruptions1 | 1.8%
Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 1
Severe weather can reduce construction activity and lead to a decrease in demand for our products.Capital Markets2 | 3.6%
Capital Markets - Risk 1
Fluctuations in exchange rates may have a material adverse effect on your investment.Capital Markets - Risk 2
Governmental control of currency conversion may limit our ability to utilize our revenues effectively and affect the value of your investment.The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of the RMB into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China. We receive all of our revenues in RMB. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior SAFE approval by complying with certain procedural requirements. Therefore, Yulong WFOE is able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to us without prior approval from SAFE. However, approval from or registration with appropriate government authorities may be 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 to foreign currencies for current account transactions in the future. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currency to satisfy our foreign currency demands, we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders, including holders of our ordinary shares.
Tech & Innovation
Total Risks: 1/56 (2%)Below Sector Average
Trade Secrets1 | 1.8%
Trade Secrets - Risk 1
If we are not able to complete our acquisition of the land use rights underlying our facilities, we may have to incur substantial costs in order to enforce our rights or lose access to the land and thus our facilities.See a full breakdown of risk according to category and subcategory. The list starts with the category with the most risk. Click on subcategories to read relevant extracts from the most recent report.
FAQ
What are “Risk Factors”?
Risk factors are any situations or occurrences that could make investing in a company risky.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires that publicly traded companies disclose their most significant risk factors. This is so that potential investors can consider any risks before they make an investment.
They also offer companies protection, as a company can use risk factors as liability protection. This could happen if a company underperforms and investors take legal action as a result.
It is worth noting that smaller companies, that is those with a public float of under $75 million on the last business day, do not have to include risk factors in their 10-K and 10-Q forms, although some may choose to do so.
How do companies disclose their risk factors?
Publicly traded companies initially disclose their risk factors to the SEC through their S-1 filings as part of the IPO process.
Additionally, companies must provide a complete list of risk factors in their Annual Reports (Form 10-K) or (Form 20-F) for “foreign private issuers”.
Quarterly Reports also include a section on risk factors (Form 10-Q) where companies are only required to update any changes since the previous report.
According to the SEC, risk factors should be reported concisely, logically and in “plain English” so investors can understand them.
How can I use TipRanks risk factors in my stock research?
Use the Risk Factors tab to get data about the risk factors of any company in which you are considering investing.
You can easily see the most significant risks a company is facing. Additionally, you can find out which risk factors a company has added, removed or adjusted since its previous disclosure. You can also see how a company’s risk factors compare to others in its sector.
Without reading company reports or participating in conference calls, you would most likely not have access to this sort of information, which is usually not included in press releases or other public announcements.
A simplified analysis of risk factors is unique to TipRanks.
What are all the risk factor categories?
TipRanks has identified 6 major categories of risk factors and a number of subcategories for each. You can see how these categories are broken down in the list below.
1. Financial & Corporate
- Accounting & Financial Operations - risks related to accounting loss, value of intangible assets, financial statements, value of intangible assets, financial reporting, estimates, guidance, company profitability, dividends, fluctuating results.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights – risks related to things that impact share prices and the rights of shareholders, including analyst ratings, major shareholder activity, trade volatility, liquidity of shares, anti-takeover provisions, international listing, dual listing.
- Debt & Financing – risks related to debt, funding, financing and interest rates, financial investments.
- Corporate Activity and Growth – risks related to restructuring, M&As, joint ventures, execution of corporate strategy, strategic alliances.
2. Legal & Regulatory
- Litigation and Legal Liabilities – risks related to litigation/ lawsuits against the company.
- Regulation – risks related to compliance, GDPR, and new legislation.
- Environmental / Social – risks related to environmental regulation and to data privacy.
- Taxation & Government Incentives – risks related to taxation and changes in government incentives.
3. Production
- Costs – risks related to costs of production including commodity prices, future contracts, inventory.
- Supply Chain – risks related to the company’s suppliers.
- Manufacturing – risks related to the company’s manufacturing process including product quality and product recalls.
- Human Capital – risks related to recruitment, training and retention of key employees, employee relationships & unions labor disputes, pension, and post retirement benefits, medical, health and welfare benefits, employee misconduct, employee litigation.
4. Technology & Innovation
- Innovation / R&D – risks related to innovation and new product development.
- Technology – risks related to the company’s reliance on technology.
- Cyber Security – risks related to securing the company’s digital assets and from cyber attacks.
- Trade Secrets & Patents – risks related to the company’s ability to protect its intellectual property and to infringement claims against the company as well as piracy and unlicensed copying.
5. Ability to Sell
- Demand – risks related to the demand of the company’s goods and services including seasonality, reliance on key customers.
- Competition – risks related to the company’s competition including substitutes.
- Sales & Marketing – risks related to sales, marketing, and distribution channels, pricing, and market penetration.
- Brand & Reputation – risks related to the company’s brand and reputation.
6. Macro & Political
- Economy & Political Environment – risks related to changes in economic and political conditions.
- Natural and Human Disruptions – risks related to catastrophes, floods, storms, terror, earthquakes, coronavirus pandemic/COVID-19.
- International Operations – risks related to the global nature of the company.
- Capital Markets – risks related to exchange rates and trade, cryptocurrency.