TIANJIN, China, May 25 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- China New Energy Group Company (OTC Bulletin Board: CNER) ("China New Energy" or the "Company"), a natural gas network developer and distributor of natural gas to residential, industrial, and commercial users in small- and medium-sized cities in China, today announced its first quarter financial results ended March 31, 2010.



    First Quarter 2010 Highlights
    -- Revenue reached $1.7 million, up from $0.1 million for the same period
       last year
    -- Gross profit increased to $1.3 million from $76,010 for the same period
       last year
    -- Gross margin increased to 73.1% from 47.7%
    -- Operating loss improved to $128,899 from a loss of $0.7 million for the
       same period last year
    -- Net loss from continuing operations was $18,311, or approximately $0.00
       per diluted share, compared to a net loss from continuing operations of
       $12.4 million, or ($0.13) per diluted share, for the first quarter 2009
    -- Adjusted net loss from continuing operations, which excludes the
       non-cash impact of the change in fair value of derivative financial
       instruments, was $0.4 million, compared with an adjusted net loss of
       $0.7 million, for the first quarter of 2009 (*)
    -- Entered into an Equity Transfer Agreement to acquire a 70% equity
       interest in Beijing Century Dadi Gas Co., Ltd. and its affiliated
       companies (collectively, "Dadi Gas")

"We continue to increase the number of households connected to our natural gas network," said Mr. Yangkan Chong, Chief Executive Officer. "The increase in connected households is the main contributor to the large year-over-year rise in revenue and gross profit. Our dramatic revenue growth helped improve our operating loss compared to the first quarter of 2009; however, we continued to operate at a loss for the quarter as we have made a strategic decision to invest the resources today that we believe will lead to improved results in future quarters. As reflected in the increase in our general and administrative expenses, we have added more resources in areas like business development, outside consultants, and have hired additional staff to help strengthen our internal controls as we are planning to grow the size of our company both organically and via the acquisitions we recently announced."

First Quarter 2010 Results

For the first quarter ended March 31, 2010, revenues were $1.7 million, an increase of 975% from $0.2 million in the same quarter last year. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the number households connected to the Company's natural gas network. The number of connected households increased 954.3% to 4,407 from 418 for the same period in 2009. Revenues from connection fees were $1.7 million, an increase of 1,052.5% from $146,752 last year. Revenues from natural gas sales were $18,450, an increase of 46.0% from $12,633 for the first quarter of last year.

Cost of sales was $460,438, an increase of 452.2% from $83,375 for the same period of 2009. The increase was primarily due to a corresponding increase in the number of households connected to the Company's distribution network as cost of sales consists primarily of connection costs and purchase of natural gas from the Company's suppliers. Gross profit was $1.3 million, an increase of 1,543.7% from the first quarter of 2009. Gross margin was 73.1%, compared to 47.7% in the same period last year. The increase in gross margin was primarily due to the increase in the number of connected households.

Operating expenses were $1.4 million, an increase of 77.8% from $0.8 million for the first quarter of last year. This increase was primarily due to the fact that the Company is preparing to expand. The Company is adding more resources in areas like business development, outside consultants, and the hiring of additional staff to help strengthen the Company's internal controls. Operating loss was $128,899, compared to an operating loss of $0.7 million for the same period last year.

The Company's first quarter 2010 and first quarter 2009 financial statements include a non-cash impact from the change in fair value of derivative financial instruments of $0.4 million and ($11.7 million), respectively.

Net loss from continuing operations was $18,311, or $0.00 per diluted share, compared to a net loss from continuing operations of $12.4 million, or ($0.13) per diluted share, last year. Excluding the non-cash impact from the change in fair value of derivative financial instruments, the Company's adjusted net loss from continuing operations was $0.4 million, compared to an adjusted net loss from continuing operations of $0.7 million for the first quarter of last year. (*)

In March 2010, the Company sold its subsidiary, Yingkou Zhongneng Gas Development Co., Ltd., for RMB 21.9 million (approximately $3.2 million). In December 2009, the Company sold its Acheng Division for RMB 40 million (approximately $6 million). The results of Yingkou Zhongneng and Acheng Division are classified as discontinued operations on the Company's financial statements.

Net loss attributable to common shareholders was $320,841, or $0.00 per diluted share, compared to a net loss attributable to common shareholders of $12.6 million, or ($0.13) per diluted share, last year. Adjusted net loss attributable to common shareholders, which excludes the non-cash impact of the change in fair value of derivative financial instruments, was $0.7 million, compared to an adjusted net loss of $0.9 million for the first quarter of last year (*)

(*) See table following this press release for a reconciliation of income from continuing operations to exclude the non-cash impact from the change in fair value of derivative financial instruments and for a reconciliation of net income attributable to common shareholders to exclude the non-cash impact from the change in fair value of derivative financial instruments.

Financial Condition

As of March 31, 2010, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $0.5 million. The Company has no long-term debt. Shareholders' equity was $15.0 million as of March 31, 2010. Capital expenditures for the first quarter of 2010 were approximately $2.3 million, which was primarily for the construction of gas pipelines and stations.



    Recent Developments
    -- In March 2010, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire a 70%
       equity interest in Beijing Century Dadi Gas Co., Ltd. and its
       affiliated companies (collectively, "Dadi Gas").  Dadi Gas is primarily
       engaged in the business of the supply of natural gas and construction
       and development of a gas pipeline network in Northern China.  The total
       purchase price has not yet been determined, but will be based on a
       multiple of Dadi Gas's net profits for the fiscal year ended December
       31, 2009, and has been capped at RMB 392.2 million (approximately $57.5
       million).
    -- In January 2010, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire
       Fuzhou Flying Dragon Zhongran Gas Inc. ("Fuzhou Zhongran") for RMB 26
       million (approximately $3.8 million). Fuzhou Zhongran has the exclusive
       operating license from the Dongxiang County government in Jiangxi
       Province for the construction and development of a natural gas pipeline
       network for 30 years.
    -- In December 2009, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire
       Fuzhou City Lean Zhongran Gas Inc. ("Lean Zhongran") for RMB 4.8
       million (approximately $0.7 million). The purchase price is based on an
       appraised value of Lean Zhongran as of September 30, 2009, and will be
       adjusted to reflect the appraised value of the assets as of the closing
       date.

Business Outlook

China New Energy primarily operates in the northeastern cities of China, around Bohai Bay, which is one of the seven key areas in the PRC government's general plan for natural gas development. The Company plans to continue to capitalize on the rise in natural gas consumption in China as the country shifts away from oil and coal to cleaner fuels like natural gas, and as the natural gas pipeline infrastructure in China continues to improve. Improved living standards and real estate development are driving demand for natural gas consumption in China and local governments now often require new residential buildings to incorporate natural gas connections in their designs.

The Company's growth strategy is to focus on under-penetrated, growing small- and medium-sized cities and enter into favorable franchise agreements with local governments for long-term exclusive rights to develop the local natural gas distribution network and supply natural gas in their area. China New Energy looks at the following criteria when identifying attractive areas for geographic expansion: size and density of population, concentration of industrial/commercial activities, environmental policies of the regional government, potential for further development, exclusivity of distribution, and required methods of delivery. The Company is also focused on diversifying its revenue stream towards a greater focus on industrial customers and natural gas sales. The Company's recently completed and announced acquisitions are in line with these selection criteria.

Mr. Chong concluded, "We have announced three acquisitions -- Dadi Gas, Fuzhou Zhongran, and Lean Zhongran -- that we expect to close later this year. We expect these acquisitions, combined with the continued growth in the existing markets we serve, to help further drive our ability to capitalize on the growing market for natural gas in China. We are excited about our business going forward and look forward to executing on our strategy through the balance of 2010 and beyond."

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information

GAAP results for quarters ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 include the significant non-cash charges which do not relate to the operation of the business including non-cash expenses related to the change in fair value of derivative financial instruments. These are non-cash events which do not affect the Company's operations. To supplement the Company's consolidated financial statements presented on a GAAP basis, the Company has provided non-GAAP financial information excluding the impact of these items in this release, which are adjusted net income from continuing operations, adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders and adjusted earnings per share attributable to common shareholders. The Company's management believes that these non-GAAP measures provide investors with a better understanding of how the results relate to the Company's historical performance. The additional adjusted information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP financials. The adjusted financial information that the Company provides also may differ from the adjusted information provided by other companies. Management believes that these adjusted financial measures are useful to investors because they exclude non-cash expenses that management excludes when it internally evaluates the performance of the Company's business and makes operating decisions as these measures provide a consistent method of comparison to historical periods. As a result, the provision of these adjusted measures allows investors to evaluate the Company's performance using the same methodology and information as that used by the Company's management. Moreover, management believes that these adjusted measures reflect the essential operating activities of the Company. Adjusted measures are subject to inherent limitations because they do not include all of the expenses included under GAAP and because they involve the exercise of judgment of which charges are excluded from the adjusted financial measure. However, the Company's management compensates for these limitations by providing the relevant disclosure of the items excluded. A reconciliation of each adjusted measure to the nearest GAAP measure appears in the table at the end of this release.

About China New Energy Group Company

China New Energy Group Company ("China New Energy" or the "Company") is a vertically integrated natural gas company engaged in the development of natural gas distribution networks, and the distribution of natural gas to residential, industrial, and commercial users in small and medium sized cities in China. The Company generates revenues primarily from the connection fees it charges its customers for interconnecting to pipelines in its natural gas distribution networks, and fees for natural gas usage. For more information, please visit http://www.cnegc.com .

Safe Harbor Statement

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Any statements set forth above that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to access natural gas for distribution, and ability to identify and develop operational locations under favorable terms, changes in natural gas pricing mechanism imposed by the Chinese government, changes in the regulatory environment and future national or regional economic and competitive conditions, and other factors detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory authorities. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.




                            -FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW-



                         China New Energy Group Company
      Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

                                                For the three months ended
                                                         March 31,
                                                  2010               2009
    Revenues:
       Connection services                     $1,691,362           $146,752
       Natural gas                                 18,450             12,633
                                                1,709,811            159,385
    Cost of Sales:
       Connection services                        431,576             60,094
       Natural gas                                 28,862             23,281
                                                  460,438             83,375
    Gross Profit                                1,249,374             76,010

    Operating Expenses:
    General and administrative expenses         1,308,607            287,152
    Selling expenses                               69,667             38,061
        Registration right liabilities                  0            450,000
     Total operating expenses                   1,378,273            775,213

    Operating Income                             (128,899)          (699,203)

    Other Income (Expenses):
    Change in fair value of derivative
     financial instruments - warrants             399,716        (11,712,514)
        Gain on acquisition                             0                  0
        Interest income                             2,439              2,212
        Interest expense                           (2,173)              (612)
        Other income                                  529                 93
     Total other income (expenses)                400,511        (11,710,821)

    Income From Continuing
     Operations, Before Income Tax                271,612        (12,410,024)

    Income Tax                                    289,923                997

    Income From Continuing
     Operations, net of Income Tax                (18,311)       (12,411,021)

    Discontinued Operations:
    Income from discontinued
     operations, net of income tax                (85,630)           (80,522)
    Gain on disposal of discontinued
     operations                                         0                  0
                                                        0                  0
    Income (loss) from Discontinued
     Operations, net of Income Tax                (85,630)           (80,522)

    Net Income (Loss)                            (103,941)       (12,491,543)

    Net (Income) Loss Attributable to
     Non-controlling Interest                      (1,725)            20,955

    Net Income (Loss) Attributable to
     China New Energy Group                      (105,666)       (12,470,588)

    Dividend on Preferred Stock                  (215,175)          (135,000)

    Net Income (Loss) Attributable to
     Common Stockholders                         (320,841)       (12,605,588)

    Other Comprehensive Income
    Net Income (Loss)                            (103,941)       (12,491,543)
    Foreign currency translation gain
     (loss)                                        (5,183)           (10,679)
    Comprehensive Loss Attributable
     to Non-controlling interest                        0              5,026
    Comprehensive income                        $(109,124)      $(12,497,196)

    Income (Loss) per share - Basic
    Income (loss) from continuing
     operations                                    $(0.00)            $(0.13)
    Income (loss) from discontinued
     operations                                    $(0.00)            $(0.00)
    Total income (loss) per share                  $(0.00)            $(0.13)


    Income per share - Diluted
    Income (loss) from continuing
     operations                                    $(0.00)            $(0.13)
    Income (loss) from discontinued
     operations                                    $(0.00)            $(0.00)

    Total income (loss) per share                  $(0.00)            $(0.13)

    Weighted average common shares
     outstanding
    Basic                                     101,788,199        100,000,041
    Diluted                                   227,007,131        176,709,543



                          China New Energy Group Company
                           Consolidated Balance Sheets

                                                March 31,      December 31,
                                                  2010              2009
                    ASSETS
    CURRENT ASSETS
    Cash and cash equivalents                   $514,127        $2,672,884
    Restricted cash                              180,352           180,352
    Accounts receivable, net of allowance
     for doubtful accounts of $117,274         5,679,253         4,619,232
    Receivable from sale of subsidiary         3,437,633         5,119,055
    Inventories, net                             296,918           271,104
    Disposal receivable                                0                 0
    Prepaid expenses                             228,209           179,011
    Deemed receivable from former
     shareholders of subsidiaries acquired
     for settlement of certain liabilities     1,984,101         1,983,782
    Other current assets                               0                 0
    Net current assets of discontinued
     operations                                        0                 0
    Current assets held for sales              1,402,501         1,768,278
    NET CURRENT ASSETS                        13,723,094        16,793,698

    Property, plant and equipment, net         9,546,014         8,000,069
    Other receivables                          1,933,489         2,091,092
    Deposits for acquisition                   1,222,946           197,696
    Intangible assets, net                     1,181,467         1,186,272
    Deposits paid for acquisition of
     long-term assets                          2,642,480         1,972,162
    Goodwill                                     224,524           224,488
    Non-current assets held for sales          9,922,116         9,760,345
    TOTAL ASSETS                             $40,396,130       $40,225,822

          LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
    CURRENT LIABILITIES
    Accounts payable                            $985,927          $614,642
    Accruals and other payable                   384,561           187,904
    Acquisition consideration payable          1,652,052         1,651,888
    Tax payable                                1,544,065         1,323,815
    Registration rights penalties payable      2,160,000         2,160,000
    Related party payables
                                                  97,909            97,893
    Dividends payable on preferred stock         724,555           509,381
    Derivative financial instruments -
     warrants                                  6,368,390         6,768,106
    Liabilities to be settled by former
     shareholders of subsidiaries acquired     1,984,101         1,983,782
    Current liabilities held for sales           428,924           548,832

    TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES                 16,330,484        15,846,243

    Commitments and contingencies

    Preferred Stock: 10,000,000 shares
     authorized, $0.001 par value
     Series A Convertible Preferred
     Stock: 2,098,918 and 1,857,373
     shares issued and outstanding,
     liquidation preference of
     $10,137,774 and $8,971,112,
     respectively                              7,031,818         7,031,818

    Series B Convertible Preferred
     Stock: 1,116,388 and 0 shares
     issued and outstanding, liquidation
     preference of $5,399,969 and $0           2,153,307         2,153,307

    CHINA NEW ENERGY'S STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Common Stock: 500,000,000 shares
     authorized, $0.001 par value,
     101,788,199 and 100,000,041 shares
     issued and outstanding,
     respectively                                101,788           101,788
    Additional paid in capital                10,152,971        10,152,971
    Retained earnings (Accumulated
     deficit)                                  1,102,682         1,423,523
    Statutory surplus reserve fund             1,746,890         1,746,890
    Accumulated other comprehensive
     income                                    1,606,124         1,600,941
    TOTAL CHINA NEW ENERGY'S
     STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                     14,710,455        15,026,113

    Non-controlling interest
                                                 170,066           168,341
    TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                14,880,521        15,194,454

    TOTAL LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE
     CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
     AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                $40,396,130       $40,225,822



                         China New Energy Group Company
                      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

                                                  For The Three Months Ended
                                                          March 31,
                                                    2010              2009

    Cash flows from operating activities:
      Net income (loss)                           (103,941)      (12,411,020)
      Net loss (income) from discontinued
       operations                                  (85,630)           80,522
      Net income (loss) from continuing
       operations                                 $(18,311)     $(12,491,542)

    Adjustments to reconcile net income
     (loss) to net cash used in operating
     activities:
      Change in fair value of derivative
       financial instruments - warrants           (399,716)       11,712,514
      Allowance of bad debts                       117,275                 0
      Gain on acquisition of Wuyuan                      0                 0
      Registration rights penalties                      0           450,000
      Depreciation and amortization                 79,125            45,182

    Changes in operating assets and
     liabilities:                               (1,176,564)                0
      Accounts receivable                                0           216,934
      Other receivables                            157,942            (7,786)
      Inventories                                  (25,771)           (3,343)
      Prepaid expenses                             (49,177)          (57,077)
      Other current assets                               0                 0
      Accounts payable                             371,191            86,657
      Accruals and other payables                  196,637            (6,064)
      Tax payable                                  220,039           223,330
    Cash provided by (used in) operating
     activities - continuing operations           (527,330)          168,805
    Cash provided by (used in) operating
     activities - discontinued operations          179,453          (541,533)

    Net cash provided by (used in) operating
     activities                                   (347,877)         (372,728)

    Cash flows from investing activities
      Proceeds from discontinued operations              0                 0
      Deposit paid and acquisition of
       property, plant and equipment            (2,288,812)         (169,089)
      Deposits for acquisitions                 (1,025,250)                0
      Payment made to acquire subsidiary -
       Chensheng                                         0        (1,838,946)
      Payment made to acquire subsidiary -
       Wuyuan                                            0                 0
      Payment made to acquire subsidiary -
       Zhanhua Jiutai                                    0                 0
      Disposal receivable                        1,682,263                 0
      Increase in short-term loan                        0                 0
      Net cash received from exchange of
       subsidiary                                        0                 0
      Cash out from disposal of subsidiary               0                 0
      Distribution from discontinued operation           0                 0
    Cash used in investing
     activities-continuing operations           (1,631,799)       (2,008,035)
    Cash used in investing
     activities-discontinued operations           (179,217)          (32,050)

    Net cash used in investing activities       (1,811,016)       (2,040,085)

    Cash flows from financing activities
      Repayment of cash advanced from director           0                 0
      Net proceeds from stock issuance                   0                 0
      Payment of offering costs associated
       with preferred stock                              0                 0
      Contribution from former non-controlling
       interest                                          0                 0
      Loan from related parties                          0                 0
      Change from restricted cash                        0               415
      Cash used in financing
       activities-continuing operations                  0               415
      Cash used in financing
       activities-discontinued operations                0           438,852

    Net cash flows provided by financing
     activities                                          0           439,267
    Effect of exchange rate changes in cash
     and cash equivalents                              134            (4,779)
    Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
     equivalents                                (2,158,760)       (1,978,325)
    Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of
     year                                        2,672,884         5,612,356
    Cash and cash equivalents - end of year       $514,124        $3,634,031
    Supplemental disclosure of cash flow
     information:
      Cash paid for interest                             0                 0
      Cash paid for income tax                   1,302,664           371,384

    Supplemental disclosure of non-cash
     investing and financing activities:
      Preferred stock dividends payable           $215,175          $135,000
      Preferred stock dividends paid in common
       stock                                       456,953                 0
      Registration rights payable                2,160,000           900,000
      Acquisition consideration payable
       related to the acquisition of Chensheng           0                 0
      Acquisition consideration payable
       related to the acquisition of Wuyuan        636,850                 0
      Acquisition consideration payable
       related to the acquisition of Zhanhua
       Jiutai                                    1,015,038                 0
      Receivable for disposal of discontinued
       operations                               $5,119,055                $0



                  RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

                                                  Three Months Ended March 31,
    Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Diluted EPS
     From Continuing Operations                        2010          2009

      GAAP Net Income (Loss) from
       Continuing Operations                         ($18,311) ($12,411,021)
      Change in fair value of derivative
       financial instruments - warrants              $399,716  ($11,712,514)
      Adjusted Amount Net Income from
       Continuing Operations                        ($418,027)    ($698,507)
      Weighted average number of shares
       - Diluted                                  227,007,131   176,709,543
      Adjusted Diluted EPS from Continuing
       Operations                                      ($0.00)       ($0.01)


                                                  Three Months Ended March 31,
    Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Diluted EPS
     Attributable to Common Shareholders               2010          2009

      GAAP Net Income (Loss) and Attributable
       to Common Shareholders                       ($320,841) ($12,605,588)

      Change in fair value of derivative
       financial instruments - warrants              $399,716  ($11,712,514)
      Adjusted Amount                               ($720,557)    ($893,074)
      Weighted average number of shares
       - Diluted                                  227,007,131   176,709,543
      Adjusted Diluted EPS Attributable to
       Common Shareholders                             ($0.00)       ($0.01)


    For more information, please contact:

    Company Contact:
     Eric Yu, Chief Financial Officer
     Email: ericyu@cnegc.com
     Web:   http://www.cnegc.com

    Investor Relations Contact:
     CCG Investor Relations
     Mr. Athan Dounis, Account Manager
     Phone: +1-646-213-1916
     Email: athan.dounis@ccgir.com
     Mr. Crocker Coulson, President
     Phone: +1-646-213-1915
     Email: crocker.coulson@ccgir.com
     Web:   http://www.ccgirasia.com

SOURCE China New Energy Group Company