Euro Tech Holdings Company Limited Reports Interim Results For The Six Months Ended June 30, 2024

Rhea-AI Summary

Euro Tech Holdings (Nasdaq: CLWT) reported its financial results for H1 2024, showing a revenue decrease of 8.8% to US$7,259,000 compared to H1 2023, primarily due to reduced engineering activities. Despite this, gross profit increased by 19.5% to US$1,790,000, and the company turned a net loss of US$255,000 in H1 2023 into a net income of US$44,000.

The company's industrial wastewater treatment business faced challenges due to China's economic slowdown, while its Ballast Water Treatment Systems (BWTS) business showed steady growth in China and overseas, particularly in Turkey. To expand international presence, CLWT established a majority-owned Singapore entity, PACT Environmental Technology PTE , aiming to better support overseas clients and increase international tender opportunities.

Positive

• Gross profit increased 19.5% to US$1,790,000
• Turned net loss into profit of US$44,000 in H1 2024
• BWTS business showing steady growth in China and overseas
• Established new Singapore entity for international expansion

Negative

• Revenue decreased 8.8% to US$7,259,000
• Industrial wastewater treatment business suffering from China's economic slowdown
• General and administrative expenses remain high at US$2,167,000

Insights

Financial Analyst

Euro Tech Holdings reported mixed financial results for H1 2024. While $7.26M revenue declined by 8.8% YoY, gross profit improved by 19.5% to $1.79M. The company achieved profitability with $44K net income compared to a $255K loss in H1 2023. The Chinese market slowdown impacted industrial wastewater treatment, but BWTS segment shows promise, especially in China and Turkey. The strategic expansion through Singapore subsidiary PACT Environmental Technology positions them for international growth. The mandatory IMO regulations for BWTS installations and untapped retrofit market present significant revenue opportunities. Market dynamics favor their small-medium ship focus, though execution risks remain given their small market cap of $11.1M.

Environmental Technology Expert

The BWTS market dynamics reveal compelling opportunities. The shift toward smaller vessels and shorter routes, coupled with expired exemption letters, creates a substantial retrofit market. The IMO's stringent G8 requirements since October 2020 validate Euro Tech's compliant systems ranging from 200 to 1250 cubic meters per hour capacity. Their port solution system addresses a critical niche for vessels without BWTS or those with malfunctioning systems. The company's strategic pivot to target port and shipyard environmental services through green transformation initiatives demonstrates market foresight. However, the declining industrial WWT business in China suggests vulnerability to regional economic conditions, making international diversification crucial.

HONG KONG, Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Euro Tech Holdings Company Limited (Nasdaq: CLWT) today reported its unaudited financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2024.

The Company's revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2024 ("1H 2024") were US$7,259,000, a 8.8% decrease as compared to  US$7,957,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2023 ("1H 2023"). The decrease was primarily due to decrease in revenue from engineering activities of US$545,000.

Gross profit increased by 19.5% to US$1,790,000 for 1H 2024 as compared to US$1,498,000 for 1H 2023. The increase was primarily due to the increase in gross profit margin % on revenue from engineering activities.

General and administrative expenses slightly decreased by US$46,000 to US$2,167,000 for 1H 2024 as compared to US$2,213,000 for 1H 2023.

The Company's net income for 1H 2024 was US$44,000 as compared to net loss of US$255,000 for 1H 2023 resulting from increase in gross profit.

Mr. David Leung, CEO of the company commented,

"In 2024 our industrial waste water treatment ("WWT") business has suffered from the continued slowdown of China's economy due to less foreign investments and falling export business. Continued efforts to maintain lean operation are being undertaken at present, and further trimming of overhead costs is necessary.

However, our Ballast Water Treatment Systems ("BWTS") business has been growing steadily in China and overseas countries, particularly Turkey, due to the healthy growth of the maritime industry.

Based on exhibitions participated, we foresee that more sales orders for BWTS can be captured. As we have observed a trend among shipowners of acquiring more small and medium-sized ships with shorter sailing routes to neighboring countries. This trend is gaining momentum due to the stricter compliance requirements enforced by IMO policies and various local region environmental laws. Moreover, there are more inland river ships being converted into ocean-going vessels, with most of these conversions involving small ships. Lastly, there are still a significant number of vessels that have not yet installed BWTS because many shipowners have obtained exemption letters a couple of years ago to postpone BWTS retrofitting.

We also see a trend of more domestic factories and even multinational companies in China relocating their plants overseas. Capturing the growth for this market is crucial, we therefore have recently incorporated a majority-owned Singapore entity named PACT Environmental Technology PTE Ltd. We believe this new entity can provide better support for our overseas clients and increase international business tender bidding opportunities for our overall business. Furthermore, we will utilize our upcoming BWTS trade shows to promote our industrial WWT business to the maritime sector, as green transformation for ports or even shipyards in certain countries has become necessary due to stringent environmental regulations."

About BWTS

BWTS are an imminent requirement by The International Maritime Organization ("IMO") to prevent the biological unbalance caused by the estimated 12 billion tons of ballast water transported across the seas by ocean-going vessels when their ballast water tanks are emptied or refilled. In 2012, ballast water discharge standard became a law in the US. Any vessel constructed in December 2013 or later will need to comply when entering US waters, and existing vessels will follow shortly after. IMO's Ballast Water Management Convention entered into force for new-built vessels on September 8, 2017 after ratification by 52 States, representing 35.1441% of world merchant shipping tonnage. In July 2017, IMO decided that the phase-in period for ballast water system retrofits started on 8 September 2019. 

The company obtained type approval certificate from China's Classification Society for its 200, 300, 500, 750, 1200 and 1250 Cubic Meters per hour BWTS in 2016.

The IMO convention stipulates that type approval for revised G8 requirements must be obtained for all BWTS installed on or after October 28, 2020, and the company have been in compliance with such requirements.

The ballast water port solution system is a system installed in port to offer ballast water treatment services for ocean going ships without their own BWTS and for those with damaged BWTS.

Certain statements in this news release regarding the Company's expectations, estimates, present view of circumstances or events, and statements containing words such as estimates, anticipates, intends, or expects, or words of similar import, constitute forward looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements indicate uncertainty and the Company can give no assurance with regard to actual outcomes. Specific risk factors may include, without limitation, having the Company's offices and operations situated in Hong Kong and China, doing business in China, competing with Chinese manufactured products, competing with the Company's own suppliers, dependence on vendors, and lack of long term written agreements with suppliers and customers, development of new products, entering new markets, possible downturns in business conditions, increased competition, loss of significant customers, availability of qualified personnel, negotiating definitive agreements, new marketing efforts and the timely development of resources. See the "Risk Factor" discussions in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 20-F for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.

EURO TECH HOLDINGS COMPANY LIMITED

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

		As of June 30, 2024 (Unaudited)	As of December 31, 2023 (Audited)
		US$'000	US$'000
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		4,521	5,453
Restricted cash		1,041	1,193
Accounts receivable, net		1,491	2,864
Prepayments and other current assets		810	246
Contract assets		23	66
Inventories		426	723
		────────	─────────
Total current assets		8,312	10,545
		────────	─────────
Property, plant and equipment, net		163	168
Investments in affiliates		9,781	9,856
Goodwill		1,071	1,071
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net		95	233
Deferred tax assets		102	103
Restricted cash		18	144
		────────	─────────
Total non-current assets		11,230	11,575
		────────	─────────
TOTAL ASSETS		19,542	22,120
		════════	═════════
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Bank borrowings		-	154
Accounts payable		2,297	3,456
Contract liabilities		441	650
Other payables and accrued expenses		899	1,124
Current portion of long-term operating lease liabilities		95	170
Income tax payable		52	42
		────────	─────────
Total current liabilities		3,784	5,596
		────────	─────────
Long-term operating lease liabilities, net of current portion		-	44
		────────	─────────
Total non-current liabilities		-	44
		────────	─────────
TOTAL LIABILITIES		3,784	5,640
		────────	─────────
Commitments and contingencies		-	-
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Ordinary share, 20,000,000 shares authorized and no par value; 7,899,832 and 7,899,832 shares issued as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively		123	123
Additional paid-in capital		9,774	9,762
Treasury stock, 183,533 and 178,400 shares at cost as of June 30, 2024 and    December 31, 2023, respectively		(807)	(800)
PRC statutory reserves		342	342
Accumulated other comprehensive income		730	733
Retained earnings		4,908	5,481
		────────	─────────
Total shareholders' equity attributable to Euro Tech Holdings Company    Limited		15,070	15,641
Noncontrolling interests		688	839
		────────	─────────
Shareholders' equity		15,758	16,480
		────────	─────────
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY		19,542	22,120
		════════	═════════

 

EURO TECH HOLDINGS COMPANY LIMITED 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2024 AND 2023

		2024 (Unaudited)	2023 (Unaudited)
		US$'000	US$'000
Revenue, net:
Trading and manufacturing		5,138	5,191
Engineering		2,121	2,766
		────────	────────
		7,259	7,957
Cost of revenue:
Trading and manufacturing		(3,997)	(4,102)
Engineering		(1,472)	(2,357)
		────────	────────
		(5,469)	(6,459)
		────────	────────
Gross profit		1,790	1,498
Operating expenses:
Finance costs		(1)	(3)
General and administrative expenses		(2,167)	(2,213)
		────────	────────
LOSS FROM OPERATION		(378)	(718)
Interest income		45	14
Other income, net		10	3
Equity in income of affiliates		232	203
		────────	────────
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES		(91)	(498)
Income tax (expense)		(10)	(4)
		────────	────────
NET LOSS		(101)	(502)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		145	247
		────────	────────
Net  income / (loss) attributable to Euro Tech    Holdings Company Limited		44	(255)
		════════	════════
Other comprehensive (loss)
Net (loss)		(101)	(502)
Foreign currency adjustment loss		(9)	(7)
		────────	────────
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS		(110)	(509)
Comprehensive loss attributable to    noncontrolling interests		151	265
		────────	────────
Comprehensive income / (loss) attributable    to Euro Tech Holdings Company Limited		41	(244)
		════════	════════

 

Net income / (loss) per ordinary share   attributable to Euro Tech Holdings   Company Limited
- Basic		$  US0.01	$  US(0.03)
		════════	════════
- Diluted		$  US0.01	$  US(0.03)
		════════	════════
Weighted average number of ordinary   shares outstanding
- Basic		7,717,695	7,729,439
		════════	════════
- Diluted		7,717,695	7,729,439
		════════	════════

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/euro-tech-holdings-company-limited-reports-interim-results-for-the-six-months-ended-june-30-2024-302335933.html

SOURCE EURO TECH HOLDINGS COMPANY LIMITED

FAQ

What caused CLWT's revenue decline in H1 2024?

CLWT's revenue declined by 8.8% primarily due to a decrease of US$545,000 in revenue from engineering activities.

How much did CLWT's gross profit improve in H1 2024?

CLWT's gross profit increased by 19.5% to US$1,790,000 in H1 2024 compared to US$1,498,000 in H1 2023.

What strategic expansion has CLWT undertaken in Singapore?

CLWT incorporated a majority-owned entity named PACT Environmental Technology PTE in Singapore to support overseas clients and increase international business opportunities.

How is CLWT's Ballast Water Treatment Systems (BWTS) business performing?

CLWT's BWTS business is growing steadily in China and overseas markets, particularly in Turkey, due to healthy growth in the maritime industry.

What is the impact of China's economic slowdown on CLWT's business?

The economic slowdown in China has negatively affected CLWT's industrial wastewater treatment business due to reduced foreign investments and falling export business.