CHONGQING, China, May 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Daqo New Energy Corp. (NYSE: DQ) ("Daqo New Energy", the "Company" or "we"), a leading manufacturer of high-purity polysilicon for the global solar PV industry, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter of 2017.

First Quarter 2017 Financial and Operating Highlights


    --  Polysilicon production volume of 4,927 MT in Q1 2017, an increase of
        100.6% from 2,456 MT in Q4 2016
    --  Polysilicon external sales volume((1)) of 4,223 MT in Q1 2017, an
        increase of 91.2% from 2,209 MT in Q4 2016
    --  Polysilicon average total production cost((2)) of $8.41/kg in Q1 2017,
        decreased from $9.98/kg in Q4 2016
    --  Polysilicon average cash cost((2)) of $6.68/kg in Q1 2017, decreased
        from $7.34/kg in Q4 2016
    --  Average selling price (ASP) of polysilicon was $16.66/kg in Q1 2017,
        increased from $14.96/kg in Q4 2016
    --  Solar wafer sales volume of 22.4 million pieces in Q1 2017, increased
        from 21.3 million pieces in Q4 2016
    --  Revenue of $83.8 million in Q1 2017, an increase of 81.8% from $46.1
        million in Q4 2016
    --  Gross profit of $35.9 million in Q1 2017, an increase of 152.8% from
        $14.2 million in Q4 2016
    --  Gross margin of 42.8% in Q1 2017, increased from 30.7% in Q4 2016
    --  Non-GAAP gross margin((3)) of 44.0% in Q1 2017, increased from 34.1% in
        Q4 2016
    --  EBITDA (non-GAAP)((3)) of $41.7 million in Q1 2017, an increase of
        136.9% from $17.6 million in Q4 2016
    --  EBITDA margin (non-GAAP)((3)) of 49.8% in Q1 2017, increased from 38.3%
        in Q4 2016
    --  Net income attributable to Daqo New Energy shareholders of $22.9 million
        in Q1 2017, increased from $4.1 million in Q4 2016 and $8.3 million in
        Q1 2016
    --  Earnings per basic ADS of $2.18 in Q1 2017, increased from $0.39 in Q4
        2016, and $0.80 in Q1 2016
    --  Adjusted net income (non-GAAP)((3)) attributable to Daqo New Energy
        shareholders of $24.8 million in Q1 2017, increased from $6.2 million in
        Q4 2016 and $11.7 million in Q1 2016
    --  Adjusted earnings per basic ADS (non-GAAP)((3)) of $2.36 in Q1 2017,
        increased from $0.59 in Q4 2016, and $1.12 in Q1 2016


                                                                                                                                 Three months ended
                                                                                                                                 ------------------

    US$ millions                                                                                                                                   March 31,                                    December 31,         March 31,
    except as indicated otherwise                                                                                                                       2017                                             2016               2016
    -----------------------------                                                                                                                       ----                                             ----               ----

    Revenues                                                                                                                                            83.8                                             46.1               57.7
    --------                                                                                                                                            ----                                             ----               ----

    Gross profit                                                                                                                                        35.9                                             14.2               16.7
    ------------                                                                                                                                        ----                                             ----               ----

    Gross margin                                                                                                                                       42.8%                                           30.7%             29.0%
    ------------                                                                                                                                        ----                                             ----               ----

    Operating income                                                                                                                                    32.2                                              9.6               13.3
    ----------------                                                                                                                                    ----                                              ---               ----

    Net income attributable to                                                                                                                          22.9                                              4.1                8.3
    Daqo New Energy Corp. shareholders
    ----------------------------------

    Earnings per basic ADS ($ per ADS)                                                                                                                  2.18                                             0.39               0.80
    ---------------------------------                                                                                                                   ----                                             ----               ----

    Adjusted net income (non-GAAP)(3)                                                                                                                   24.8                                              6.2               11.7
    attributable to Daqo New Energy Corp.
    shareholders
    ------------

    Adjusted earnings per basic ADS (non-GAAP)(3)                                                                                                       2.36                                             0.59               1.12
    ($ per ADS)
    ----------

    Non-GAAP gross profit(3)                                                                                                                            36.9                                             15.8               18.8
    -----------------------                                                                                                                             ----                                             ----               ----

    Non-GAAP gross margin(3) (%)                                                                                                                      44.0%                                           34.1%             32.6%
    ---------------------------                                                                                                                         ----                                             ----               ----

    EBITDA (non-GAAP)(3)                                                                                                                                41.7                                             17.6               21.9
    -------------------                                                                                                                                 ----                                             ----               ----

    EBITDA margin(3) (non-GAAP)                                                                                                                        49.8%                                           38.3%             38.0%
    --------------------------                                                                                                                          ----                                             ----               ----

    Polysilicon sales volume (MT) (1)                                                                                                                  4,223                                            2,209              2,905
    --------------------------------                                                                                                                   -----                                            -----              -----

    Polysilicon production cost ($/kg)(2)                                                                                                               8.41                                             9.98               9.65
    -------------------------------------                                                                                                               ----                                             ----               ----

    Polysilicon cash cost (excl. dep'n) ($/kg)(2)                                                                                                       6.68                                             7.34               7.62
    ---------------------------------------------                                                                                                       ----                                             ----               ----


    Notes:


    (1)  Our polysilicon external sales volume excludes internal sales to our Chongqing wafer manufacturing subsidiary, which utilizes polysilicon as raw material for the production of solar wafers. The sales volume is the
     quantity of goods that have been accepted by customers, and thus the corresponding revenue has been recognized during the period indicated.


    (2)  Production cost and cash cost only refer to production in our Xinjiang polysilicon facilities. Production cost is calculated by the inventoriable costs relating to production of polysilicon in Xinjiang divided by
     the production volume in the period indicted. Cash cost is calculated by the inventoriable costs relating to production of polysilicon excluding depreciation expense in Xinjiang, divided by the production volume in
     the period indicated.


    (3)  Daqo New Energy provides non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, EBITDA, EBITDA margin, adjusted net income (loss) attributable to Daqo New Energy Corp. shareholders and adjusted earnings (loss) per ADS on
     a non-GAAP basis to provide supplemental information regarding its financial performance. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the section captioned "Use of Non-GAAP Financial
     Measures" and the tables captioned "Reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to comparable US GAAP measures" set forth at the end of this press release.

Commentary

"We are pleased with the strong financial and operating results we achieved for the first quarter of 2017. I would like to thank our entire Xinjiang polysilicon team for their great efforts to make the first quarter of 2017 our best quarter ever in terms of cost structure, production volume and polysilicon quality. During the quarter, we fully ramped up our Xinjiang polysilicon facility to 18,000 MT annual capacity and achieved full production. Our capacity ramp-up progressed ahead of schedule. We produced 4,927 MT of polysilicon in the first quarter of 2017, an increase of 100.6% as compared to the fourth quarter of 2016. While achieving a substantial increase in sequential polysilicon production volume, we also saw strong demand for our high quality products from our customers, and achieved the highest sales volume in the Company's history with market share gain," said Dr. Gongda Yao, Chief Executive Officer of Daqo New Energy.

"Polysilicon market demand weakened towards the end of March, resulting in inventory build-up across the industry with price adjustments reflecting the weakness. We saw market conditions stabilizing towards the end of April with strong demand recovery, as industry poly inventory re-adjusted to a healthy level. Polysilicon pricing also improved meaningfully in late April, with robust customer demand for our high quality polysilicon product. Based on industry forecast, the global PV installations is expected to be approximately 75-80GW for 2017, compared to approximately 75-78GW for 2016. Overall, the annual PV volume demand for this year is anticipated to be rather evenly spread between the first and the second half of the year. While the PV end market demand environment is very dynamic and may lead to polysilicon ASP volatility, we believe overall volume demand for the year is solid and healthy. Our cost leadership should help the Company to weather through the market volatility."

"During the quarter, we also achieved the lowest ever cost structure with total production cost of $8.41/kg and cash cost of $6.68/kg. With our lower production cost, the company generated $22.9 million in net income attributable to Daqo New Energy shareholders and $41.7 million in EBITDA with EBITDA margin of 49.8%. In addition, thanks to various quality improvement projects we initiated starting from the second half of last year, the first quarter of 2017 was the best quarter in our history in terms of product quality."

"Going forward, we will continue to focus our efforts on cost reduction. We have identified several cost reduction opportunities, which should allow us to continue to reduce our cost. At the same time, we continue to pursue various programs and initiatives on polysilicon quality improvement, which will help the company to meet the growing demand for ultra-high-purity polysilicon, such as demand from mono-crystalline wafer manufacturers and potentially even manufacturers of semiconductor wafer applications. These initiatives should increase our corporate flexibility and reinforce our competitive position as one of the leading polysilicon suppliers in China, which will allow us to take advantage of additional opportunities in 2017 and beyond."

Outlook and Q2 2017 guidance

The Company expects to produce 4,800 MT to 5,000 MT of polysilicon and sell approximately 4,200 MT to 4,500 MT to external customers during the second quarter of 2017. The above external sales guidance excludes shipments of polysilicon to be used internally by our Chongqing solar wafer facility, which utilizes polysilicon for its wafer manufacturing operation. Wafer sales volume is expected to be approximately 23.5 million to 24 million pieces in the second quarter of 2017.

This outlook reflects our current and preliminary view as of the date of this press release and may be subject to change. Our ability to achieve these projections is subject to risks and uncertainties. See "Safe Harbor Statement" at the end of this press release.

First Quarter 2017 Results

Revenues

Revenues were $83.8 million, an increase of 81.8% from $46.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and 45.3% from $57.7 million in the first quarter of 2016.

Revenues from polysilicon sales to external customers were $70.4 million, an increase of 114.6% from $32.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and 76.4% from $39.9 million in the first quarter of 2016. External polysilicon sales volume was 4,223 MT, an increase of 91.2% from 2,209 MT in the fourth quarter of 2016 and 45.4% from 2,905 MT in the first quarter of 2016. The average selling price (ASP) of polysilicon was $16.66/kg in Q1 2017, an increase of 11.4% from $14.96/kg in Q4 2016. The increase in polysilicon revenues as compared to the fourth quarter of 2016 was primarily due to higher polysilicon sales volume and higher ASPs.

Revenues from wafer sales were $13.4 million, compared to $13.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and $17.8 million in the first quarter of 2016. Wafer sales volume was 22.4 million pieces, compared to 21.3 million pieces in the fourth quarter of 2016 and 22.1 million pieces in the first quarter of 2016.

Gross profit and margin

Gross profit was approximately $35.9 million, an increase of 152.8% from $14.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and 115.0% from $16.7 million in the first quarter of 2016. Non-GAAP gross profit, which excludes costs related to the non-operational polysilicon assets in Chongqing, was approximately $36.9 million, an increase of 133.5% from $15.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and 95.2% from $18.8 million in the first quarter of 2016.

Gross margin was 42.8%, increased from 30.7% in the fourth quarter of 2016 and 29.0% in the first quarter of 2016. The increase in gross margin as compared to the fourth quarter of 2016 was primarily due to higher quarterly polysilicon ASPs and lower polysilicon production cost.

In the first quarter of 2017, total costs related to the non-operational Chongqing polysilicon assets including depreciation were $1.0 million, decreased from $1.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and $2.0 million in the first quarter of 2016. As we have already relocated the majority of the idle equipments from our Chongqing site to Xinjiang site and successfully reutilized them in our capacity expansion projects, the total costs related to the non-operational Chongqing polysilicon assets have been significantly reduced. In the near future, we expect such costs will remain at a level that is similar to that in Q1 2017. Excluding costs related to the non-operational Chongqing polysilicon assets, the non-GAAP gross margin was approximately 44.0%, increased from 34.1% in the fourth quarter of 2016 and 32.6% in the first quarter of 2016.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $4.1 million, compared to $3.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and $4.1 million in the first quarter of 2016.

Research and development expenses

Research and development expenses were approximately $0.4 million, compared to $2.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and $0.1 million in the first quarter of 2016. The research and development expenses fluctuate from period to period according to the R&D activities occur in such period.

Other operating income

Other operating income was $0.8 million, compared to $1.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and $0.7 million in the first quarter of 2016. Other operating income was mainly composed of unrestricted cash incentives that the Company received from local government authorities, the amount of which varies from period to period.

Operating income and margin

As a result of the foregoing, operating income was $32.2 million, an increase of 235.4% from $9.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and 142.1% from $13.3 million in the first quarter of 2016.

Operating margin was 38.4%, increased from 20.7% in the fourth quarter of 2016 and 23.1% in the first quarter of 2016.

Interest expense

Interest expense was $4.3 million, compared to $4.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and $3.9 million in the first quarter of 2016.

EBITDA

EBITDA was $41.7 million, an increase of 136.9% from $17.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and 90.4% from $21.9 million in the first quarter of 2016. EBITDA margin was 49.8%, increased from 38.3% in the fourth quarter of 2016 and 38.0% in the first quarter of 2016.

Net income attributable to Daqo New Energy Corp. shareholders and earnings per ADS

Net income attributable to Daqo New Energy Corp. shareholders was $22.9 million in the first quarter of 2017, increased from $4.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and $8.3 million in the first quarter of 2016.

Earnings per basic ADS were $2.18, increased from $0.39 in the fourth quarter of 2016 and $0.80 in the first quarter of 2016.

Financial Condition

As of March 31, 2017, the Company had $61.2 million in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, compared to $31.9 million as of December 31, 2016 and $35.7 million as of March 31, 2016. As of March 31, 2017, the accounts receivable balance was $13.1 million, compared to $4.8 million as of December 31, 2016. As of March 31, 2017, the notes receivable balance was $11.7 million, compared to $13.0 million as of December 31, 2016. As of March 31, 2017, total borrowings were $236.0 million, of which $129.2 million were long-term borrowings, compared to total borrowings of $217.9 million, including $111.9 million long-term borrowings, as of December 31, 2016.

Cash Flows

For the three months ended March 31, 2017, net cash provided by operating activities was $28.6 million, increased from $22.5 million in the same period of 2016.

For the three months ended March 31, 2017, net cash used in investing activities was $16.6 million, compared to $17.5 million in the same period of 2016. The net cash used in investing activities in 2017 was primarily related to the capital expenditure of Xinjiang Phase 3A polysilicon projects.

For the three months ended March 31, 2017, net cash provided by financing activities was $16.5 million, compared to net cash used in financing activities of $3.3 million in the same period of 2016. The increase was primarily due to drawdown of long-term project bank loans.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement Daqo New Energy's consolidated financial results presented in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("US GAAP"), the Company uses certain non-GAAP financial measures that are adjusted for certain items from the most directly comparable GAAP measures including non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross margin; earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") and EBITDA margin; adjusted net income attributable to Daqo New Energy Corp. shareholders and adjusted earnings per basic ADS. Management believes that each of these non-GAAP measures is useful to investors, enabling them to better assess changes in key elements of the Company's results of operations across different reporting periods on a consistent basis, independent of certain items as described below. Thus, management believes that, used in conjunction with US GAAP financial measures, these non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with meaningful supplemental information to assess the Company's operating results in a manner that is focused on its ongoing, core operating performance. Management uses these non-GAAP measures internally to assess the business, its financial performance, current and historical results, as well as for strategic decision-making and forecasting future results. Given management's use of these non-GAAP measures, the Company believes these measures are important to investors in understanding the Company's operating results as seen through the eyes of management. These non-GAAP measures are not prepared in accordance with US GAAP or intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with US GAAP; the non-GAAP measures should be reviewed together with the US GAAP measures, and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies.

Non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross margin includes adjustments for costs related to the non-operational polysilicon assets in Chongqing. Such costs mainly consist of non-cash depreciation costs, as well as utilities and maintenance costs associated with the temporarily idle polysilicon machinery and equipment, which will be or are in the process of being relocated to the Company's Xinjiang polysilicon manufacturing facility. The Company expects a majority of these costs, such as depreciation, will continue to occur as part of the production cost at the Xinjiang facilities subsequent to the completion of the relocation plan. Once these assets are placed back in service, the Company will remove this adjustment from the non-GAAP reconciling item. The Company also uses EBITDA, which represents earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and EBITDA margin, which represents the proportion of EBITDA in revenues. Adjusted net income attributable to Daqo New Energy Corp. shareholders and adjusted earnings per basic ADS exclude costs related to the non-operational polysilicon assets in Chongqing as described above. Adjusted net income attributable to Daqo New Energy Corp. shareholders and adjusted earnings per basic ADS also exclude costs related to share-based compensation. Share-based compensation is a non-cash expense that varies from period to period. As a result, management excludes this item from its internal operating forecasts and models. Management believes that this adjustment for share-based compensation provides investors with a basis to measure the company's core performance, including compared with the performance of other companies, without the period-to-period variability created by share-based compensation.

A reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to comparable US GAAP measures is presented later in this document.

Conference Call

The Company has scheduled a conference call to discuss the results at 8:00 AM U.S. Eastern Time on May 9, 2017 (8:00 PM Beijing / Hong Kong time on the same day).

The dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:



    Participant dial in (U.S. toll
     free):                              +1-888-346-8982

    Participant international dial
     in:                                 +1-412-902-4272

    China mainland toll free:            4001-201203

    Hong Kong toll free:                 800-905945

    Hong Kong local dial in:             +852-301-84992

Participants please ask to be joined into the Daqo New Energy Corp. call. Please dial in 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin.

You can also listen to the conference call via Webcast through the URL:
http://mms.prnasia.com/DQ/20170509/default.aspx

A replay of the call will be available 1 hour after the conclusion of the conference call through May 16, 2017.

The dial in details for the conference call replay are as follows:



    U.S. toll free:        +1-877-344-7529

    International dial in: +1-412-317-0088

    Canada toll free:      855-669-9658

    Replay access code:                    10106374

To access the replay using an international dial-in number, please select the link below:
https://services.choruscall.com/ccforms/replay.html

Participants will be asked to provide their name and company name upon entering the call.

About Daqo New Energy Corp.

Founded in 2008, Daqo New Energy Corp. (NYSE: DQ) is a leading manufacturer of high-purity polysilicon for the global solar PV industry. As one of the world's lowest cost producers of high-purity polysilicon and solar wafers, the Company primarily sells its products to solar cell and solar module manufacturers. The Company has built a manufacturing facility that is technically advanced and highly efficient with a nameplate capacity of 18,000 metric tons in Xinjiang, China. The Company also operates a solar wafer manufacturing facility in Chongqing, China.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, the outlook for the second quarter of 2017 and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as Daqo New Energy's strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual reports to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: the demand for photovoltaic products and the development of photovoltaic technologies; global supply and demand for polysilicon; alternative technologies in cell manufacturing; our ability to significantly expand our polysilicon production capacity and output; the reduction in or elimination of government subsidies and economic incentives for solar energy applications; and our ability to lower our production costs. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the reports or documents we have filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. Daqo New Energy does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and Daqo New Energy undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.




                                                                                Daqo New Energy Corp.

                                                       Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income

                                                               (US dollars in thousands, except ADS and per ADS data)


                                                                                    For the three months Ended

                                                                                    Mar 31, 2017                               Dec 31, 2016            Mar 31, 2016


    Revenues                                                                                                 $83,808                           $46,116                 $57,676

    Cost of revenues                                                                                        (47,914)                         (31,941)               (40,940)
                                                                                                             -------                           -------                 -------

    Gross profit                                                                                              35,894                            14,175                  16,736

    Operating expenses

    Selling, general and administrative expenses                                                             (4,060)                          (3,512)                (4,059)

    Research and development expenses                                                                          (448)                          (2,775)                   (82)

    Other operating income                                                                                       775                             1,862                     715

    Impairment of long-lived assets                                                                                -                            (199)                      -
                                                                                                                 ---                             ----                     ---

    Total operating expenses                                                                                 (3,733)                          (4,624)                (3,426)
                                                                                                              ------                            ------                  ------

    Income from operations                                                                                    32,161                             9,551                  13,310

    Interest expense                                                                                         (4,344)                          (4,099)                (3,905)

    Interest income                                                                                               75                                17                      96

    Foreign exchange gain (loss)                                                                                   1                               (4)                      1
                                                                                                                 ---                               ---                     ---

    Income before income taxes                                                                                27,893                             5,465                   9,502

    Income tax expense                                                                                       (4,742)                          (1,281)                (1,112)
                                                                                                              ------                            ------                  ------

    Net income                                                                                                23,151                             4,184                   8,390

    Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest                                                           257                                55                      65
                                                                                                                 ---                               ---                     ---

    Net income attributable to Daqo New Energy Corp.                                                         $22,894                            $4,129                  $8,325
      shareholders



    Net income                                                                                                23,151                             4,184                   8,390

    Other comprehensive income (loss):

    Foreign currency translation adjustments                                                                   2,166                          (10,625)                  2,018
                                                                                                               -----                           -------                   -----

    Total other comprehensive income (loss)                                                                    2,166                          (10,625)                  2,018
                                                                                                               -----                           -------                   -----

    Comprehensive income (loss)                                                                               25,317                           (6,441)                 10,408

    Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to                                                                  270                               (9)                     76
       noncontrolling interest


    Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to
       Daqo New Energy Corp. shareholders
                                                                                                             $25,047                          ($6,432)                $10,332
                                                                                                             =======                           =======                 =======


     Income per ADS

     Basic                                                                                                      2.18                              0.39                    0.80
                                                                                                                ====                              ====                    ====

     Diluted                                                                                                    2.14                              0.39                    0.79
                                                                                                                ====                              ====                    ====

    Weighted average ADS outstanding

    Basic                                                                                                 10,519,425                        10,508,261              10,434,199

    Diluted                                                                                               10,691,911                        10,642,404              10,552,339




                                                              Daqo New Energy Corp.

                                                       Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet

                                                            (US dollars in thousands)


                                                                                  Mar 31, 2017  Dec 31, 2016          Mar 31, 2016


    ASSETS:

    Current Assets:

    Cash and cash equivalents                                                           $44,651               $15,987                $16,349

    Restricted cash                                                                      16,596                15,893                 19,380

    Accounts receivable, net                                                             13,121                 4,836                 15,396

    Notes Receivable                                                                     11,702                13,026                 25,273

    Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                             6,069                 8,028                  8,212

    Advances to suppliers                                                                 1,283                 1,723                  1,028

    Inventories                                                                          16,268                12,281                 10,868

    Amount due from related party                                                           345                 1,529                  1,499

    Total current assets                                                                110,035                73,303                 98,005

    Property, plant and equipment, net                                                  559,900               557,428                546,431

    Prepaid land use right                                                               24,871                24,810                 27,185

    Deferred tax assets                                                                     591                   586                    632

    Investment accounted for under cost-method                                              586                   582                    188

    TOTAL ASSETS                                                                        695,983               656,709                672,441
                                                                                        =======               =======                =======


    Current liabilities:

    Short-term borrowings, including current portion
       of long-term borrowings
                                                                                        106,842               105,980                126,461

    Accounts payable                                                                     23,130                18,745                 18,309

    Notes payable                                                                        23,749                25,732                 28,140

    Advances from customers                                                               1,025                 7,520                  7,724

    Payables for purchases of property, plant and                                        39,367                51,323                 41,379
       equipment

    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities                                       11,417                 8,320                  8,937

    Amount due to related parties                                                        32,925                26,830                 46,689

    Income tax payable                                                                    7,095                 5,300                  1,190

    Total current liabilities                                                           245,550               249,750                278,829

    Long-term borrowings                                                                129,198               111,949                114,824

    Other long Term Liabilities                                                          23,304                23,280                 25,276
                                                                                         ------                ------                 ------

    TOTAL LIABILITIES                                                                   398,052               384,979                418,929



    EQUITY:

    Ordinary shares                                                                          27                    27                     26

    Treasury stock                                                                      (1,749)              (1,749)               (1,749)

    Additional paid-in capital                                                          240,996               240,112                237,806

    Retained earnings                                                                    63,326                40,432                  5,264

    Accumulated other comprehensive income                                              (6,569)              (8,721)                10,787
                                                                                         ------                ------                 ------

    Total Daqo New Energy Corp.'s shareholders' equity                                  296,031               270,101                252,134

    Noncontrolling interest                                                               1,900                 1,629                  1,378
                                                                                          -----                 -----                  -----

    Total equity                                                                        297,931               271,730                253,512
                                                                                        -------               -------                -------

    TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY                                                          695,983               656,709                672,441
                                                                                        =======               =======                =======


                                                                                Daqo New Energy Corp.

                                                                   Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

                                                                              (US dollars in thousands)


                                                                                                                   For the three months ended March
                                                                                                                    31,

                                                                                                                        2017                        2016

    Operating Activities:

    Net income                                                                                                        23,150                       8,390

    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
    operating activities:

           Share-based compensation                                                                                      882                       1,344

           Provision/(reversal) of allowance for doubtful accounts                                                         -                      (375)

           Depreciation of property, plant and equipment                                                               9,587                       8,607

           Loss on disposal of assets                                                                                     23                           -


                   Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

           Accounts receivable                                                                                       (8,245)                      4,984

           Notes receivable                                                                                            1,430                    (14,076)

           Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                                                   2,024                       4,119

           Advances to suppliers                                                                                         454                           8

           Inventories                                                                                               (3,888)                       (68)

           Amounts due from related parties                                                                            1,203                     (1,192)

           Amounts due to related parties                                                                                411                         259

           Prepaid land use rights                                                                                       140                         150

           Accounts payable                                                                                            4,233                         680

           Notes payable                                                                                               (823)                      9,884

           Accrued expenses and other current liabilities                                                              3,029                         253

           Income tax payable                                                                                          1,752                         249

           Advances from customers                                                                                   (6,556)                      (523)

           Deferred government subsidies                                                                               (165)                      (175)
                                                                                                                        ----                        ----

    Net cash provided by operating activities                                                                         28,641                      22,518


    Investing activities:

    Purchases of property, plant and equipment                                                                      (15,989)                   (17,114)

    Investment accounted for under the cost-method                                                                         -                      (188)

    Increase in restricted cash                                                                                        (574)                      (168)

    Net cash used in investing activities                                                                           (16,563)                   (17,470)


    Financing activities:

    Proceeds from related party loans                                                                                 32,824                      23,878

    Repayment of related party loans                                                                                (32,687)                   (24,208)

    Proceeds from bank borrowings                                                                                     30,856                           -

    Repayment of bank borrowings                                                                                    (14,517)                    (3,058)

    Cash received from exercises of options                                                                                3                         104

    Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities                                                               16,479                     (3,284)


    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents                                                         107                          95

    Net increase in cash and cash equivalents                                                                         28,664                       1,859

    Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period                                                          15,987                      14,490

    Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period                                                                44,651                      16,349


                                                                       Daqo New Energy Corp.

                                           Reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to comparable US GAAP measures

                                                                     (US dollars in thousands)


                                                                         For the three months ended

                                                              Mar. 31, 2017                                    Dec. 31, 2016        Mar. 31, 2016

    Gross profit                                                                         35,894                              14,175                16,736

    Costs related to the non-operational                                                  1,003                               1,588                 2,049
    Chongqing polysilicon operations


    Non-GAAP gross profit                                                                36,897                              15,763                18,785
                                                                                         ======                              ======                ======


                                                                       For the three months ended

                                                              Mar. 31, 2017                                    Dec. 31, 2016        Mar. 31, 2016

    Gross margin                                                                          42.8%                              30.7%                29.0%

    Costs related to the non-operational                                                   1.2%                               3.4%                 3.6%
    Chongqing polysilicon operations
    (proportion of revenue)


    Non-GAAP gross margin                                                                 44.0%                              34.1%                32.6%
                                                                                           ====                                ====                  ====


                                                                       For the three months ended

                                                              Mar. 31, 2017                                    Dec. 31, 2016        Mar. 31, 2016

    Net income                                                                           23,151                               4,184                 8,390

    Income tax expense                                                                    4,742                               1,281                 1,112

    Interest expense                                                                      4,344                               4,099                 3,905

    Interest income                                                                        (75)                               (17)                 (96)

    Depreciation                                                                          9,587                               8,095                 8,607
                                                                                          -----                               -----                 -----

    EBITDA (non-GAAP)                                                                    41,749                              17,642                21,918
                                                                                         ------                              ------                ------

    EBIDTA margin (non-GAAP)                                                              49.8%                              38.3%                38.0%
                                                                                           ====                                ====                  ====


                                                                       For the three months ended

                                                              Mar. 31, 2017                                    Dec. 31, 2016        Mar. 31, 2016

    Net income attributable to                                                           22,894                               4,129                 8,325
        Daqo New Energy Corp. shareholders

    Costs related to the non-operational                                                  1,003                               1,588                 2,049
        Chongqing polysilicon operations

    Share-based compensation                                                                882                                 443                 1,344
                                                                                            ---                                 ---                 -----

    Adjusted net income (non-GAAP)                                                       24,779                               6,160                11,718
        attributable to Daqo New Energy
        Corp. shareholders


    Adjusted earnings per basic ADS                                                        2.36                               $0.59                  1.12
        (non-GAAP)


    Adjusted earnings per diluted ADS                                                      2.32                               $0.58                  1.11
        (non-GAAP)

For further information, please contact:

Daqo New Energy Corp.
Investor Relations
Phone: +86-187-1658-5553
dqir@daqo.com

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/daqo-new-energy-announces-unaudited-first-quarter-2017-results-300453893.html

SOURCE Daqo New Energy Corp.