cdii10-q.htm
 


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Form 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2011

or
   
[  ]
TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from _________________ to ____________

Commission file number: 001-33694

 
CHINA DIRECT INDUSTRIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

   
Florida
13-3876100
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   
431 Fairway Drive, Suite 200, Deerfield Beach, Florida
33441
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
   
954-363-7333
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
   
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.         Yes [√] No [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes [X ] No [ ]

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

       
Large accelerated filer
[ ]
Accelerated filer
[ ]
       
Non-accelerated filer
[ ]
Smaller reporting company
[√]
(Do not check if smaller reporting company)
     

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) Yes [  ] No [√]

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. 40,766,419 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding as of February 13, 2012.

 
 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
Page No.
PART I. - FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements.
 
   
Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income
Three months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
1
   
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011
2
   
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Three months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
3
   
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
4
 
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
19
 
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
30
 
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures.
31
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings.
32
 
Item 1A.
Risk Factors.
32
 
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
32
 
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
32
 
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures.
33
 
Item 5.
Other Information.
33
 
Item 6.
Exhibits.
33
 
Signatures
 
34


 
i

 

INDEX OF CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS USED IN THIS REPORT

We have defined various periods that are covered in this report as follows:
 
 
 
“fiscal 2012” — October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2012.
 
 
“fiscal 2011” — October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011.

When used in this report the terms:

 
 
"China Direct Industries”, "China Direct", "we”, "us” or “our” refers to China Direct Industries, Inc., a Florida corporation, and our subsidiaries;
 
 
“CDI China”, refers to CDI China, Inc., a Florida corporation, and a wholly owned subsidiary of China Direct; and
 
 
“PRC” refers to the People’s Republic of China.

Magnesium Segment

 
 
“Chang Magnesium", refers to Taiyuan Changxin Magnesium Co., Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the PRC and a 51% owned subsidiary of CDI China;
 
 
“Chang Trading”, refers to Taiyuan Changxin YiWei Trading Co., Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the PRC and a wholly owned subsidiary of Chang Magnesium;
 
 
“Excel Rise”, refers to Excel Rise Technology Co., Ltd., a Brunei company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Chang Magnesium;
 
 
“Asia Magnesium”, refers to Asia Magnesium Corporation Limited, a company organized under the laws of Hong Kong and a wholly owned subsidiary of Capital One Resource;
 
 
“Golden Magnesium" refers to Shanxi Gu County Golden Magnesium Co., Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the PRC and a wholly owned subsidiary of CDI China;
 
 
“Baotou Changxin Magnesium”, refers to Baotou Changxin Magnesium Co., Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the PRC, a 51% owned subsidiary of CDI China, and a 39% owned subsidiary of Excel Rise. Effectively China Direct holds a 70.9% interest;
 
 
“IMG” or “International Magnesium Group”, refers to International Magnesium Group, Inc., a Florida corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of China Direct Industries;
 
 
“IMTC” or “International Magnesium Trading”, refers to International Magnesium Trading Corp., a company organized under the laws of Brunei and a wholly owned subsidiary of IMG;
 
 
“Ruiming Magnesium”, refers to Taiyuan Ruiming Yiwei Magnesium Co., Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the PRC and an 80% majority owned subsidiary of CDI China; and
 
 
 “Beauty East”refers to Beauty East International, Ltd., a Hong Kong company and a wholly owned subsidiary of CDI China.

Basic Materials Segment

 
 
“Lang Chemical”, refers to Shanghai Lang Chemical Co., Ltd. a company organized under the laws of the PRC and a 51% owned subsidiary of CDI China;
 
 
“CDI Jingkun Zinc”, refers to CDI Jingkun Zinc Industry Co., Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the PRC and a 95% owned subsidiary of CDI Shanghai Management;
 
 
“CDI Jixiang Metal”, refers to CDI Jixiang Metal Co., Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the PRC and a wholly owned subsidiary of CDI China;
 
 
“CDI Metal”, refers to Shanghai CDI Metal Material Co., Ltd. (a/k/a Shanghai CDI Metal Recycling Co., Ltd.), a company organized under the laws of the PRC and a wholly owned subsidiary of CDI Shanghai Management; and
 
 
“CDI Beijing” refers to CDI (Beijing) International Trading Co., Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the PRC and a 51% owned subsidiary of CDI Shanghai Management.
 
 
“CDII Trading” refers to CDII Trading, Inc., a Florida corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of China Direct Industries.

Consulting Segment

 
 
“China Direct Investments”, refers to China Direct Investments, Inc., a Florida corporation, and a wholly owned subsidiary of China Direct;
 
 
“CDI Shanghai Management”, refers to CDI Shanghai Management Co., Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the PRC and a wholly owned subsidiary of CDI China; and
 
 
“Capital One Resource”, refers to Capital One Resource Co., Ltd., a Brunei company, and a wholly owned subsidiary of CDI Shanghai Management.

 
ii

 

PART 1 – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.  Financial Statements.

CHINA DIRECT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)

   
Three months ended
 
   
December 31, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
             
Revenues
  $ 36,364,466     $ 45,762,889  
Revenues-related parties
    547,431       6,713  
     Total revenues
    36,911,897       45,769,602  
Cost of revenues
    31,314,543       39,238,556  
     Gross profit
    5,597,354       6,531,046  
Operating (expenses) income:
               
   Selling, general, and administrative
    (3,420,273 )     (3,602,281 )
   Other operating income
    -       374,980  
       Total operating expenses
    (3,420,273 )     (3,227,301 )
       Operating income
    2,177,081       3,303,745  
Other income (expenses):
               
   Other income
    483,710       171,519  
   Interest income (expense)
    59,009       (7,747 )
   Realized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities
    14,256       (118,412 )
       Total other income
    556,975       45,360  
        Income before income taxes
    2,734,056       3,349,105  
   Income tax benefit
    7,456       73,284  
     Net income
    2,741,512       3,422,389  
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
    389,192       43,447  
      Net income attributable to China Direct Industries
  $ 3,130,704     $ 3,465,836  
                 
Deduct dividends on Series A Preferred Stock:
               
   Preferred stock dividend
    (20,130 )     (20,130 )
      Net income attributable to common stockholders
  $ 3,110,574     $ 3,445,706  
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
               
Net income
  $ 2,741,512     $ 3,422,389  
   Foreign currency translation adjustments
    514,983       791,958  
   Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities
    3,208,566       404,754  
Comprehensive income
  $ 6,465,061     $ 4,619,101  
   Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
    389,192       43,447  
   Foreign currency translation adjustments - noncontrolling interests
    (52,931 )     (274,178 )
Comprehensive income attributable to China Direct Industries
  $ 6,801,322     $ 4,388,370  
   Preferred stock dividend
    (20,130 )     (20,130 )
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders
  $ 6,781,192     $ 4,368,240  
                 
Basic and diluted income per common share
               
   Basic
  $ 0.08     $ 0.11  
   Diluted
  $ 0.08     $ 0.11  
   Basic weighted average common shares outstanding
    40,565,910       31,818,874  
   Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
    41,126,275       31,818,874  

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

 
- 1 -

 

CHINA DIRECT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

   
December 31, 2011
   
September 30, 2011
 
ASSETS
 
(Unaudited)
       
Current Assets:
           
    Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 6,092,506     $ 12,563,126  
    Marketable securities available for sale (Note 4)
    11,418,140       8,292,837  
    Marketable securities available for sale-related parties (Note 4)
    212,238       542,386  
    Accounts and notes receivables, net of allowance of $266,508 and $276,069, respectively (Note 5)
    22,297,006       20,428,217  
    Accounts, loans and other receivables, and prepaid expenses - related parties (Note 10)
    11,566,473       9,598,583  
    Inventories, net (Note 6)
    12,271,818       9,625,774  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net (Note 7)
    16,648,414       14,389,065  
    Restricted cash, current
    1,644,404       1,547,159  
       Total current assets
    82,150,999       76,987,147  
    Property, plant and equipment, net  (Note 8)
    36,320,715       36,873,988  
    Intangible assets
    153,271       163,447  
    Property use rights, net
    2,235,665       2,252,445  
    Other long-term assets
    289,690       58,192  
       Total assets
  $ 121,150,340     $ 116,335,219  
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
               
Current Liabilities:
               
    Loans payable-short term (Note 9)
  $ 2,846,515     $ 2,657,091  
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    15,527,101       15,468,902  
    Accounts and other payables-related parties (Note10)
    4,108,852       4,590,045  
    Advances from customers and deferred revenue
    2,097,811       3,821,208  
    Other liabilities
    4,859,190       4,315,858  
    Taxes payable
    543,512       1,349,611  
       Total current liabilities
    29,982,981       32,202,715  
    Long-term liabilities
    32,501       107,231  
      Total Liabilities
    30,015,482       32,309,946  
                 
TOTAL EQUITY
               
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock: $.0001 par value, stated value $1,000 per share; 10,000,000 authorized, 1,006 shares outstanding at December 31 and September 30, 2011. (Note 11)
    1,006,250       1,006,250  
Common Stock: $.0001 par value;  1,000,000,000 authorized; 40,652,582 and 40,353,828 issued and outstanding as of December 31 and September 30, 2011, respectively (Note 11)
    4,065       4,035  
Additional paid-in capital
    75,729,218       75,279,087  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    3,799,562       128,943  
Accumulated deficit
    (5,000,604 )     (8,111,323 )
       Total China Direct Industries, Inc. stockholders' equity
    75,538,491       68,306,992  
    Noncontrolling interests (Note 12)
    15,596,367       15,718,281  
       Total equity
    91,134,858       84,025,273  
       Total liabilities and equity
  $ 121,150,340     $ 116,335,219  

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

 
- 2 -

 


CHINA DIRECT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)  
 
   
Three months ended
 
   
December 31, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
           
Net income
  $ 2,741,512     $ 3,422,389  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
         
   Depreciation and amortization
    985,501       1,010,572  
   Allowance for bad debt
    9,562       -  
   Stock based compensation
    321,159       122,081  
   Realized (gain) loss on investments in marketable securities
    (14,256 )     118,412  
   Gain on derivative liabilities revaluation
    (74,730 )     (104,305 )
   Fair value of marketable securities received for services
    (5,191,364 )     (5,201,329 )
   Fair value of securities paid for services
    129,000       -  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
   Prepaid expenses and other assets
    (2,555,452 )     (3,817,534 )
   Accounts receivable and other assets-related parties
    (1,967,890 )     79,409  
   Inventories
    (2,646,043 )     (2,098,160 )
   Accounts receivable
    3,337,741       (911,868 )
   Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    58,200       (1,261,941 )
   Accounts and other payable - related parties
    (481,193 )     4,497,855  
   Advances from customers
    (1,723,397 )     (918,597 )
   Other payables
    (853,770 )     859,794  
CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES
    (7,925,420 )     (4,203,221 )
                 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
   Gross Proceeds from the sale of marketable securities available for sale
    459,381       284,863  
   Purchases of property, plant and equipment
    (405,273 )     (1,317,572 )
CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITES
    54,108       (1,032,709 )
                 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
   (increase) decrease in restricted cash
    (97,245 )     4,470,878  
  Loans payable
    189,424       (2,754,114 )
  Gross proceeds from sale of stock and exercise of warrants/options
    -       103,200  
  Cash dividend payment to preferred stockholders
    (20,130 )     -  
  Capital contribution from noncontrolling interest owners
    214,348       302,489  
CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
    286,397       2,122,453  
                 
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE ON CASH
    1,114,295       1,080,096  
Net decrease in cash
    (6,470,620 )     (2,033,381 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period
    12,563,126       10,110,818  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period
  $ 6,092,506     $ 8,077,437  
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
               
   Preferred dividend paid
  $ 20,130     $ 20,130  

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

 
- 3 -

 

CHINA DIRECT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2011

NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION, BASIS OF PRESENTATION, SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business and Organization

China Direct Industries, Inc., a Florida corporation and its subsidiaries are referred to in this report as “we”, "us”, "our”, or “China Direct Industries.”

We are a U.S. based company that sources, produces and distributes industrial products in Asia, Europe, Australia, and the Americas. We also provide business and financial consulting services to public and private American and Chinese businesses. We operate in three identifiable segments, as defined by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 280, “Segment Reporting:” Magnesium, Basic Materials and Consulting. Beginning in 2006 we established our Magnesium and Basic Materials segments which have grown through acquisitions of controlling interests in Chinese private companies. We consolidate these acquisitions as either wholly or majority owned subsidiaries. Through our U.S. based industrial commodities business, established in 2009, we source, finance, manage logistics, and sell industrial commodities from North and South America for ultimate distribution in China.

In our Magnesium segment, currently our largest segment by revenues and assets, we produce, sell and distribute pure magnesium ingots, magnesium powder and magnesium scraps. In our Basic Materials segment, we sell and distribute a variety of products, including industrial grade synthetic chemicals, steel products, non ferrous metals, recycled materials, and industrial commodities. This segment also includes our zinc ore mining property which has not commenced operations. In our Consulting segment, we provide business and financial consulting services to U.S. public companies that operate primarily in China. The consulting fees we charge vary based upon the scope of the services.

Basis of Presentation

           Our interim consolidated financial statements are unaudited. We prepared the consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules for interim reporting. We included all adjustments that are necessary for the fair presentation of our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the interim periods presented. Except as disclosed herein, such adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature. Results for the first three months of the fiscal year 2012 may not necessarily be indicative of full year results. It is suggested that these consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and the notes included in our 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Foreign Currency Translation

Our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. The functional currency of the parent company is the U.S. dollar and the functional currency of our Chinese subsidiaries is the Renminbi (“RMB”), the official currency of the People’s Republic of China. Capital accounts of the consolidated financial statements are translated into United States dollars from RMB at their historical exchange rates when the capital transactions occurred. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rates as of the balance sheet dates. Income and expenditures are translated at the average exchange rates for the three months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. A summary of the conversion rates for the periods presented is as follows:

   
December 31, 2011
   
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
Period end RMB: U.S. dollar exchange rate
    6.3523       6.3885       6.6118  
Average fiscal-year-to-date RMB: U.S. dollar exchange rate
    6.3535       6.5287       6.6670  


 
- 4 -

 
CHINA DIRECT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2011
 
 
RMB is not freely convertible into foreign currency and all foreign exchange transactions must take place through PRC authorized institutions.  No representation is made that RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted into United States dollars at the rates applied in the translation.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

We adopted on a prospective basis certain required provisions of ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements.”  These provisions relate to our financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value and our fair value disclosures related to financial assets and liabilities. ASC Topic 820 defines fair value, expands related disclosure requirements and specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on the nature of the inputs used to develop the fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. There are three levels of inputs to fair value measurements - Level 1, meaning the use of quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets; Level 2, meaning the use of quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active or are directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, meaning the use of unobservable inputs. Observable market data should be used when available.

Most of our financial instruments are carried at fair value, including, all of our cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, prepayments and other current assets, accounts payable, taxes payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities, investments classified as available-for-sale securities and assets held for sale, with unrealized gains or losses recognized as Other Comprehensive Income (OCI), net of tax. Virtually all of our valuation measurements are Level 1 measurements.

Marketable Securities

Marketable Securities that we receive from our clients as compensation are generally restricted for sale under Federal securities laws. Our policy is to liquidate securities received as compensation when market conditions are favorable for sale. Since these securities are often restricted, we are unable to liquidate them until the restriction is removed. We recognize revenue for the securities we receive as compensation based on the fair value at the time the securities are granted or at the time service has been rendered and for common stock purchase warrants based on the Black-Scholes valuation model. Pursuant to ASC Topic 320, “Investments –Debt and Equity Securities” our marketable securities have a readily determinable and active quoted price, such as from NASDAQ, NYSE Euronext, the Over the Counter Bulletin Board, and the OTC Markets Group (formerly known as the Pink Sheets) and any unrealized gain or loss is recognized as an element of comprehensive income based on changes in the fair value of the security as quoted on an exchange or an inter-dealer quotation system. Once liquidated, any realized gain or loss on the sale of marketable securities is reflected in our net income for the period in which the security was liquidated.

We perform an analysis of our marketable securities at least on an annual basis to determine if any of these securities have become other than temporarily impaired. If we determine that the decline in fair value is other than temporary we recognize the amount of the impairment as a realized loss into our current period net income (loss). This determination is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to (i) the percentage of the decline, (ii) the severity of the decline in relation to the enterprise/market conditions, and (iii) the duration of the decline.

Derivative Warrant Liabilities

ASC Subtopic 815-40 , “Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity,” requires that entities recognize as derivative liabilities the derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts that are not indexed to an entity’s’ own stock. Pursuant to the provisions of ASC Section 815-40-15, an entity should use a two-step approach to evaluate whether an equity-linked financial instrument (or embedded feature) is indexed to its own stock, including evaluating the instrument’s contingent exercise and settlement provisions. The adoption of ASC Subtopic 815-40 has affected the accounting for (i) certain freestanding warrants that contain exercise price adjustment features and (ii) convertible bonds issued by foreign subsidiaries with a strike price denominated in a foreign currency. In the case of any such warrants and convertible bonds, ASC Subtopic 815-40 provides that such warrants and bonds are to be treated as a liability at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings.


 
- 5 -

 
CHINA DIRECT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2011
 

 Accrual of Environmental Obligations
 
ASC Section 410-30-25 “Recognition” of environmental obligations requires the accrual of a liability if both of the following conditions are met:

a.  
Information available before the financial statements are issued or are available to be issued indicates that it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred at the date of the financial statements.
b.  
The amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.

As of December 31, 2011, we do not have any environmental remediation obligations, nor do we have any asset retirement obligations under ASC 410. Furthermore, we do not have any environmental remediation loss contingencies requiring recognition or disclosure in our financial statements.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
Comprehensive Income

Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-05 amends FASB Codification Topic 220 on comprehensive income (1) to eliminate the current option to present the components of other comprehensive income in the statement of changes in equity, and (2) to require presentation of net income and other comprehensive income (and their respective components) either in a single continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements. These amendments do not alter any current recognition or measurement requirements in respect of items of other comprehensive income.

The amendments in this Update are to be applied prospectively. For public entities, the amendments are effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. We adopted this guidance in our first quarter of fiscal 2012.

Business Combinations

In January 2011, ASU No. 2010-29 clarified that pro forma revenue and earnings for a business combination occurring in
the current year should be presented as though the business combination occurred as of the beginning of the year or, if comparative statements are presented, as though the business combination took place as of the beginning of the comparative year.

The disclosures required of public entities in respect of a business combination occurring during the current reporting period called for in ASC Section 805-10-50 have been amended as follows:

 
If comparative financial statements are not presented, pro forma revenue and earnings of the combined entity should be based on the assumption that the business combination took place as of the beginning of the current year.

 
If comparative financial statements are presented (1) pro forma revenue and earnings of the combined entity should be based on the assumption that the business combination occurred as of the beginning of the comparative year, and (2) in the year following the business combination, pro forma information should not be revised if comparative statements for the year in which the acquisition occurred are presented (even if such year is the earliest period presented).
 
 
To require disclosure of the nature and amounts of any material nonrecurring adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the pro forma revenue and earnings (i.e., supplemental pro forma information).

The new and amended disclosures should be applied prospectively to business combinations consummated on or after the start of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2010, with earlier application permitted. We have adopted this guidance.

A variety of proposed or otherwise potential accounting standards are currently under study by standard setting organizations and various regulatory agencies.  Due to the tentative and preliminary nature of those proposed standards, management has not determined whether implementation of such proposed standards would be material to our consolidated financial statements. 

 
- 6 -

 
CHINA DIRECT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2011
 
 
NOTE 2 - EARNINGS PER SHARE

Under the provisions of ASC 260, “Earnings Per Share,” basic earnings per common share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing earnings available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the periods presented. Diluted earnings per common share is computed assuming that all potentially dilutive securities, including “in-the-money” stock options, were converted into common shares at the beginning of each period. A reconciliation of the amounts included in the computation of basic earnings per common share, and diluted earnings per common share is as follows:

   
For the three months ended
December 31,
   
   
2011
   
2010
   
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
   
Earnings  attributable to common shareholders
  $ 3,110,574     $ 3,445,706    
 Plus: preferred stock dividends
    20,130       20,130    
 Effect of assumed conversions
    20,130       20,130    
 Earnings available to common stockholders plus assumed conversions
  $ 3,130,704     $ 3,465,836    
                   
Weighted average common shares outstanding
    40,565,910       31,818,874    
Plus: incremental shares from assumed conversions (1)
                 
    Convertible preferred stock
    558,889       -    
    Unvested stock-based compensation
    1,476       -    
Dilutive potential common shares
    560,365       -    
Adjusted weighted-average shares
    41,126,275       31,818,874    
                   
Net income  per common share - basic:
  $ 0.08     $ 0.11  
(2)
Net income  per common share - diluted:
  $ 0.08     $ 0.11  
(2)

(1 ) Securities are not included in the denominator in periods when anti-dilutive. We excluded 2,142,980 and 2,292,980 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of options and 4,179,130 and 5,499,664 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, as their effect was anti-dilutive.

(2) The increase in the earnings per share for the three months ended December 31, 2010 resulted from a correction of prior year accounting errors related to the conversion price change of the preferred stock and the exercise price change of the remaining warrants (See Note 12 – CAPITAL STOCK in Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011.)

NOTE 3 – ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Our other comprehensive income consists of currency translation adjustments, unrealized loss on available-for-sale marketable securities and unrealized loss on available-for-sale marketable securities-related party. The following table shows the accumulated other comprehensive income balance as of December 31, 2011.

   
Foreign
Currency
Items
   
Unrealized
Gains on
Securities
   
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
 
Balance at September 30, 2011
  $ 5,238,092     $ (5,109,146 )   $ 128,943  
Current-period change (Unaudited)
    462,052       3,208,566       3,670,619  
Balance at December 31, 2011
  $ 5,700,144     $ (1,900,580 )   $ 3,799,562  


 
- 7 -

 
CHINA DIRECT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2011
 

NOTE 4 – AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE MARKETABLE SECURITIES

Available-for-sale marketable securities and available-for-sale marketable securities-related party as of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011 consist of the following financial instruments:

Company
 
December 31,
2011
   
% of Total
   
September 30,
2011
   
% of Total
 
   
(unaudited)
                   
Ziyang Ceramics Corp. (1)
  $ 354,852       3 %   $ 426,791       5 %
China Logistics Group, Inc.
    197,148       2 %     196,208       2 %
Dragon International Group Corp.
    22,816       0 %     22,816       0 %
Decor Products Internationa, Inc.
    47,500       0 %     -       0 %
Sunwin International Neutraceuticals, Inc.
    123,500       1 %     361,000       4 %
Dragon Capital Group Corp.
    212,238       2 %     542,386       6 %
China Education International, Inc.
    10,491,874       90 %     7,286,022       83 %
Others
    180,450       2 %     -       0 %
Marketable securities available for sale
  $ 11,630,378       100 %   $ 8,835,223       100 %

(1 )  China American Holdings, Inc. changed its name to Ziyang Ceramics Corp. on January 27, 2012.
 
Our available-for-sale marketable securities are carried at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. There are three levels of inputs to fair value measurements - Level 1, quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets; Level 2, quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active or are directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, unobservable inputs. All our available-for-sale marketable securities were measured using Level 1 inputs for the period ended December 31, 2011.

The investments in marketable securities available for sale-related party totaled $212,238 and $542,386 at December 31 and September 30, 2011, respectively and are comprised solely of the securities of Dragon Capital Group Corp. (“Dragon Capital”).  Mr. Lisheng (Lawrence) Wang, the CEO and Chairman of the Board of Dragon Capital, is the brother of Dr. James Wang, our CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors. These securities were issued by Dragon Capital as compensation for consulting services.  Dragon Capital is a non-reporting company whose securities are quoted on the OTC Pink Tier of the OTC Markets Group.  As such, under Federal securities laws, securities of Dragon Capital generally cannot be resold by us absent a registration of those securities under the Securities Act.  

NOTE 5 – ACCOUNTS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE

Accounts and notes receivable include a note receivable obtained in connection with the settlement of a lawsuit we filed seeking repayment of a loan from a former client. The total settlement amount was $373,902 at December 31, 2011, of which $243,968 was classified as other long-term assets and included in our balance sheet for the period ended December 31, 2011. Accounts and notes receivable also include available-for-sale securities receivable. These receivables are carried at fair market value. Unrealized gains or loss on these receivables are recognized on a quarterly basis as an element of comprehensive income based on changes in the fair market value of the securities underlying the receivables. At December 31, 2011, the fair value of  available-for-sale securities receivable was $7,886,525. The table below presents the details on the accounts and notes receivable:

Accounts and notes receivable
 
December 31, 2011
   
% of Total
   
September 30, 2011
   
% of Total
 
   
(Unaudited)
                   
Available-for-sale securities receivable
  $ 7,886,525       35 %   $ 3,691,735       18 %
Notes receivable
    921,751       4 %     364,718       2 %
Other trade receivable
    13,755,238       61 %     16,647,833       80 %
Total accounts and notes receivable
  $ 22,563,514       100 %   $ 20,704,286       100 %
Allowance for uncollectible accounts
    (266,508 )             (276,069 )        
Net accounts and notes receivable
  $ 22,297,006             $ 20,428,217          


 
- 8 -

 
CHINA DIRECT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2011
 

NOTE 6 - INVENTORIES

Inventories at December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011 consisted of the following:
 
   
December 31, 2011
   
September 30, 2011
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
Raw materials
  $ 6,101,323     $ 3,061,481  
Finished goods
    6,170,495       6,564,293  
Total Inventory
  $ 12,271,818     $ 9,625,774  

Due to the nature of our business and the short duration of the manufacturing process for our products, there is no material work in progress inventory at December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011. 

NOTE 7 - PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

At December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011, prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following:
 
Description
 
December 31, 2011
   
September 30, 2011
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
Prepayments to vendors for merchandise that had not yet been shipped or services that had not been performed
  $ 8,179,652     $ 6,519,123  
Prepaid expenses
    2,755,054       2,448,248  
Other receivables
    4,077,432       3,865,525  
Loans receivable
    1,617,420       1,537,420  
Security deposits
    18,856       18,749  
Total
  $ 16,648,414     $ 14,389,065  

Prepaid expenses include prepaid cost for Baotou Changxin Magnesium’s land use rights. Baotou Changxin Magnesium owns and operates a magnesium facility capable of producing 24,000 metric tons of pure magnesium per year on approximately 406,000 square feet of land located in the Shiguai district of Baotou city, Inner Mongolia. The land use rights are valued at $1,140,011 as of December 31, 2011. Baotou Changxin Magnesium occupies this land pursuant to an asset acquisition agreement entered into with Baotou Sanhe Mangesium Co., Ltd. to acquire the land use rights for this property, among other assets.  Since the land use right is yet to be transferred from Baotou Sanhe Magnesium Co. to Baotou Changxin Magnesium, the cost of $1,140,011 is accounted for as prepaid expenses.  The company has not started amortizing the land use right prepaid as of December 31, 2011. The land use right expires in May 2045.

NOTE 8 - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
At December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011, property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:

Property, Plant and Equipment
           
Description
 
Useful Life
   
December 31, 2011
   
September 30, 2011
 
         
(unaudited)
       
Building
 
10-40 years
    $ 14,350,042     $ 14,260,280  
Manufacturing equipment
 
5-10 year
      21,688,815       21,535,796  
Office equipment and furniture
 
3-5 year
      664,249       646,244  
Autos and trucks
 
5 year
      1,193,955       1,187,281  
Construction in progress
   N/A       8,436,935       8,295,743  
Total
            46,333,996       45,925,344  
Less: accumulated depreciation
            (10,013,281 )     (9,051,356 )
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
          $ 36,320,715     $ 36,873,988  
 
For the three months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, depreciation expense totaled $958,545 and $1,010,572, respectively. 

 
- 9 -

 
CHINA DIRECT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2011
 


NOTE 9 - LOANS PAYABLE

Loans payable at December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011 consisted of the following:

Description
 
December 31,
2011
   
September 30,
2011
 
   
(unaudited)
       
             
CDI China loan from Sunwin Tech Group, Inc. Due on December 31, 2012. 3% annual interest rate. Secured by pledge of CDI China assets.
    312,000       450,000  
Lang Chemical loan from China Mingsheng Bank. Due on May 16, 2012. 6.941% annual interest rate.  Guaranteed by Zhu Qian and Chen Jingdong.
    724,147       720,044  
Lang Chemical loan from Bank of Shanghai. Due on March 22, 2012. 6.666% annual interest rate.  Guaranteed by China Investment Guarantor Co. Ltd. and Zhu Qian.
    550,982       547,859  
CDI Beijing loan from Bank of Hangzhou. Due on October 21, 2011.  6.672% annual interest rate. Guranteed by Chi Chen
    -       939,188  
Lang Chemical loan from China Merchants Bank. Due on October 20, 2012. 8.590% annual interest rate.  Guaranteed by Zhu Qian.
    1,259,386       -  
          Total
    2,846,515       2,657,091  
Less: Current Portion
    (2,846,515 )     (2,657,091 )
Loans payable, long-term
  $ -     $ -  

NOTE 10 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

List of Related Parties

We have specified the following persons and entities as related parties with ending balances as of December 31, 2011 and September, 2011:

·
Yuwei Huang, is executive vice president of our Magnesium segment, a member of the board of directors, chief executive officer and chairman of Chang Magnesium, chairman of Baotou Changxin Magnesium, chairman of YiWei Magnesium, and chief executive officer and vice chairman of Golden Magnesium;
 
·
Taiyuan YiWei Magnesium Industry Co., Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the PRC (“YiWei Magnesium”), is a minority interest owner in Chang Magnesium;
 
·
Lifei Huang, is the daughter of Yuwei Huang;
 
·
Lifei Huang, is a registered representative of Pine Capital Enterprises Inc., a company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“Pine Capital”);
 
·
Lifei Huang, is a registered representative of Wheaton Group Corp., a company organized under the laws of Brunei Darussalam (“Wheaton”);
 
·
Shuihuan Huang, is the sister of Yuwei Huang;
 
·
Kong Tung, a member of the board of directors, and chairman of Golden Magnesium and Beauty East;
 


 
- 10 -

 
CHINA DIRECT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2011
 


·
LingShi County Yihong Magnesium Co., Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the PRC (“Yihong Magnesium”), is legally represented by an officer of Chang Magnesium;
 
·
LuCheng Haixu Magnesium Co., Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the PRC (“Haixu Magnesium”), is legally represented by an officer of Chang Magnesium;
 
·
Lingshi Xinghai Magnesium Co., Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the PRC (“Lingshi Xinghai Magnesium”), is legally represented by an officer of Chang Magnesium;
 
·
NanTong Langyuan Chemical Co., Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the PRC (“NanTong Chemical”), is owned by Jingdong Chen and Qian Zhu, the minority interest owners of Lang Chemical;
 
·
Jingdong Chen, is vice president of our Basic Materials segment and chief executive officer of Lang Chemical;
 
·
Chi Chen is vice president of our Basic Materials Segment and minority interest owner of CDI Beijing;
 
·
Zhongmen International Investments Co., Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the PRC (“Zhongmen International”), is legally represented by an officer of CDI Beijing;

As of December 31, 2011, Accounts, loans, and other receivables and prepaid expenses- related parties were $11,566,473 and were comprised of accounts receivable – related party of $1,554,210, Prepaid expenses – related parties of $3,788,533, and Due from related parties of $6,223,730 as set forth below:

Accounts Receivable – related parties

At December 31, 2011, accounts receivable – related parties of $1,554,210 were comprised of the following:

 
$403,452 due Baotou Changxin Magnesium from YiWei Magnesium for inventory provided;
 
$4,887 due Chang Magnesium from Wheaton for inventory provided;
 
$731,215 due Chang Magnesium from YiWei Magnesium for inventory provided; and
 
$414,656 due Ruiming Magnesium from YiWei Magnesium for inventory provided.

At September 30, 2011, accounts receivable – related parties of $1,211,079 were comprised of the following:

 
$364,705 due Baotou Changxin Magnesium from YiWei Magnesium for inventory provided;
 
$4,860 due Chang Magnesium from Wheaton for inventory provided;
 
$296,156 due Chang Magnesium from YiWei Magnesium for inventory provided; and
 
$545,358 due Ruiming Magnesium from YiWei Magnesium for inventory provided.

Prepaid Expenses – related parties

At December 31, 2011, prepaid expenses – related parties of $3,788,533 were comprised of the following:

 
$3,599,546 prepaid by Chang Magnesium to YiWei Magnesium for future delivery of inventory;
 
$157,423 prepaid by YiHong Magnesium to YiWei Magnesium for future delivery of inventory; and
 
$31,564 prepaid by Ruiming Magnesium to Yiwei Magnesium for future delivery of inventory.

At September 30, 2011, prepaid expenses – related parties of $2,687,928 were comprised of the following:

 
$2,654,384  prepaid by Chang Magnesium to YiWei Magnesium for future delivery of inventory; and
 
$33,544 prepaid by Ruiming Magnesium to Yiwei Magnesium for future delivery of inventory.


 
- 11 -

 
CHINA DIRECT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2011
 

Loans Receivable – related parties

At December 31, 2011, we had no loan receivables – related parties.

At September 30, 2011, loan receivables – related parties of $1,320,324 were due Lang Chemical from NanTong Chemical for funds advanced for working capital purposes.

Due from related parties

At December 31, 2011, due from related parties of $6,223,730 was comprised of the following:
 
 
$26,301 due Baotou Changxi Magnesium from YiWei Magnesium for working capital purposes;
 
$111,760 due Baotou Changxi Magnesium from YiHong Magnesium for working capital purposes;
 
$4,242,317 due Chang Magnesium from YiWei Magnesium for working capital purposes;
 
$300,678 due Chang Magnesium from YiHong Magnesium for working capital purposes;
 
$12,000 due IMTC from YuWei Huang for working capital purposes;
 
$182,611 due Ruiming Magnesium from YiWei Magnesium for working capital purposes;
 
$1,276,599 due Golden Magnesium from YiWei Magnesium for working capital purposes;
 
$11,013 due CDI Shanghai from YiWei Magnesium for working capital purpose; and
 
$60,451 due CDI Beijing from Zhongmen International for working capital purposes.
 
At September 30, 2011, due from related parties of $4,379,252 was comprised of the following:
 
 
$78,266 due Baotou Changxi Magnesium from YiWei Magnesium for working capital purposes;
 
$118,954 due Baotou Changxi Magnesium from YiHong Magnesium for working capital purposes;
 
$3,850,151 due Chang Magnesium from YiWei Magnesium for working capital purposes;
 
$3,130 due Chang Magnesium from Shuihuan Huang for working capital purposes;
 
$12,000 due IMTC from YuWei Huang for working capital purposes;
 
$42,263 due Ruiming Magnesium from YiWei Magnesium for working capital purposes;
 
$200,924 due Ruiming Magnesium from YiHong Magnesium for working capital purposes;
 
$10,951 due CDI Shanghai from YiWei Magnesium for working capital purpose; and
 
$62,613 due CDI Beijing from Zhongmen International for working capital purposes.

As of December 31, 2011, Accounts and other payables – related parties were $4,108,852 which consist of Accounts payable – related parties of $226,186, and Due to related parties of $3,882,666 as set forth below:

Accounts Payable – related parties

At December 31, 2011, accounts payable – related party of $226,186 was due from IMTC to Pine Capital for purchases of goods.

At September 30, 2011, accounts payable – related party of $896,878 was comprised of the following:

 
$142,479 due from Golden Magnesium to YiWei Magnesium for purchases of goods; and
 
$754,399 due from IMTC to Pine Capital for purchases of goods.

Due to related parties

At December 31, 2011, due to related parties balance of $3,882,666 was comprised of the following:

 
$9,953 due to Yuwei Huang for the working capital of Chang Magnesium;
 
$102,111 due to Kung Tong for the working capital of Beauty East;
 
$195,976 due to NanTong Chemical for the working capital of Lang Chemical;
 
$397,967 due to Chi Chen for the working capital of CDI Beijing; and
 
$3,176,659 due to YiWei Magnesium for the balance of the purchase price for Ruiming Magnesium.


 
- 12 -

 
CHINA DIRECT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2011
 

At September 30, 2011, due to related parties balance of $3,683,482 was comprised of the following:

 
$9,953 due to Yuwei Huang for the working capital of Chang Magnesium;
 
$97,089 due to Kung Tong for the working capital of Beauty East;
 
$399,781 due to Chi Chen for the working capital of CDI Beijing; and
 
$3,176,659 due to YiWei Magnesium for the balance of the purchase price for Ruiming Magnesium.

NOTE 11 – CAPITAL STOCK

Preferred Stock and Related Dividends

During the three months ended December 31, 2011, we paid $20,130 of ordinary dividends in cash. During the three months ended December 31, 2010, we paid $20,130 of ordinary dividends in the form of 11,911 shares of our common stock.

Derivative liabilities

As of December 31, 2011, the carrying amounts of the derivative liabilities for preferred stock conversion option and warrants were $24,711 and $7,790, respectively. As of September 30, 2011, the carrying amounts of the derivative liabilities for conversion option and warrants were $69,295 and $37,936, respectively. The fair value of derivative liabilities is included in other liabilities, and the net change in fair value during the period is included in operating expenses. Inputs used in making the determination are as follows:

   
December 31, 2011
   
September 30, 2011
 
Inputs for conversion option valuation – covered call
           
Asset price on valuation date
  $ 0.76     $ 1.01  
Exercise price
  $ 9.80     $ 9.80  
Estimated years to exercise
    6.16       6.5  
Expected volatility factor
    106 %     93 %
Risk free rate
    1.09 %     1.31 %
                 
Inputs for conversion option valuation – short call
               
Asset price on valuation date
  $ 0.76     $ 1.01  
Exercise price
  $ 1.80     $ 1.80  
Estimated years to exercise
    6.16       6.5  
Expected volatility factor
    106 %     93 %
Risk free rate
    1.09 %     1.31 %
                 
Inputs for warrant valuation
               
Asset price on valuation date
  $ 0.76     $ 1.01  
Exercise price
  $ 1.80     $ 1.80  
Estimated years to exercise
    1.12       1.5  
Expected volatility factor
    72 %     93 %
Risk free rate
    0.12 %     0.19 %

Common Stock

During the three months ended December 31, 2011, we issued a total of 298,754 shares of our common stock comprised of:  34,100 shares to members of our board of directors as compensation, 153,000 shares to consultants for services, and 111,654 shares to employees as compensation.

During the three months ended December 31, 2010, we issued a total of 308,777 shares of our common stock comprised of: 11,911 shares to pay dividends on our series A preferred stock; 29,250 share to members of our board of directors as compensation, 3,000 shares to consultants for services; 184,616 shares to employees as compensation.
 
During the three months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, stock-based compensation expense amounted to $321,160 and $122,081, respectively. During the three months ended December 31, 2011, the fair value of securities paid for consulting services was $129,000; during the three months ended December 31, 2010, there was no stock-based compensation paid for consulting services.


 
- 13 -

 
CHINA DIRECT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2011
 

Common Stock Purchase Warrants

A summary of the status of our outstanding common stock purchase warrants granted as of December 31, 2011 and changes during the period as follows:

   
Shares underlying warrants
   
Exercise price
 
Outstanding and exercisable at September 30, 2011
    4,229,130        
 Expired
    (50,000 )   $ 2.50  
Outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2011
    4,179,130          

The following information applies to all warrants outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2011:

Number of Warrants outstanding and exercisable
   
Exercise Price
   
Remaining contractual life (Years)
 
  143,750     $ 1.80       1.12  
  777,778     $ 2.00       5.58  
  1,351,352     $ 2.31       2.96  
  1,906,250     $ 8.00       1.12  
  4,179,130                  

NOTE 12 – NONCONTROLLING INTEREST

As of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011, our consolidated balance sheets reflected total non-controlling interest of $15,596,367 and $15,718,281, respectively, which represent the equity portion of our subsidiaries held by non-controlling interest shareholders in two of our segments, as follows:

Segment
 
December 31, 2011
   
September 30, 2011
 
             
Magnesium Segment
  $ 11,783,017     $ 12,002,000.00  
Basic Materials Segment
    3,813,350       3,716,281  
Total
  $ 15,596,367     $ 15,718,281  

NOTE 13 - SEGMENT INFORMATION

Revenues by segment for the three months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, as follows:

   
2011
   
2010
 
Magnesium(1)
  $ 17,977,559     $ 21,288,764  
Basic Materials
    13,767,912       19,181,960  
Consulting
    5,166,426       5,298,878  
Total revenue
  $ 36,911,897     $ 45,769,602  

(1)We had revenue from related parties of $547,431 and $6,713 during the three months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 
- 14 -

 
CHINA DIRECT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2011
 

Operating income (loss) by segment  for the three months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010:

   
2011
   
2010
 
Magnesium
  $ (871,191 )   $ (579,346 )
Basic Materials
    (312,240 )     223,123  
Consulting
    3,360,512       3,659,968  
Total operating income
  $ 2,177,081     $ 3,303,745  

Total assets by segment as of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011 were as follows:

   
December 31, 2011
   
September 30, 2011
 
Magnesium
  $ 65,495,062     $ 65,321,257  
Basic Materials
    30,043,896       31,286,610  
Consulting
    25,611,382       19,727,352  
Total assets
  $ 121,150,340     $ 116,335,219  

Geographic Information

Revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, classified by the major geographic areas in which our customers are located, were as follows:

   
2011
   
2010
 
People's Republic of China
  $ 20,127,381     $ 24,384,898  
Other Asian countries
    4,085,878       1,052,843  
Australia
    1,950,329       5,138,574  
Europe
    1,008,779       2,065,614  
North America
    8,426,514       12,771,525  
South America
    1,313,016       356,148  
Total Revenues
  $ 36,911,897     $ 45,769,602  

Total of long-term assets as of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011, classified by the major geographic areas, were as follows:

   
December 31, 2011
   
September 30, 2011
 
People's Republic of China
  $ 38,887,199     $ 39,219,251  
South America
    29,552     $ 34,166  
United States of America
    82,590       94,654  
   Total
  $ 38,999,341     $ 39,348,071  

NOTE 14 – INCOME TAXES

Our income (loss) in the U.S. is subject to applicable Federal, State, and Local tax statues.  Our income (loss) in China is subject to taxation in the Peoples Republic of China concerning Foreign Investment Enterprises and local income tax laws (the “PRC Income Tax Laws). Pursuant to the PRC Income Tax Laws, unless special tax incentives are granted, all enterprises in China are subject to taxation at a statutory rate of 25%.  Our income (loss) in Brunei is exempt from Brunei Darussalam income tax.


 
- 15 -

 
CHINA DIRECT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2011
 

The components of income (loss) for the three months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 before income tax consisted of the following:

Description
 
December 31, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
             
U.S. Operations
 
$
2,255,782
   
$
1,460,778
 
China Operations
   
(1,046,106)
     
(507,288)
 
Brunei Operations
   
1,524,381
     
2,395,617
 
Total income
 
$
2,734,057
   
$
3,349,107
 

The income tax (expense) and benefit for income taxes for the three months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 were composed of the following:

Description
 
December 31, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
             
Current:
           
     Federal
 
$
(25,000)
   
 $
(20,000)
 
     State
   
-
     
-
 
     Chinese Operations
   
32,456
     
93,284
 
Total benefit
   
7,456
     
73,284
 
Deferred:
               
     Federal
   
-
     
-
 
     State
   
-
     
-
 
Total provision
   
-
     
-
 
Income tax benefit
 
$
7,456
   
$
73,284
 

The table below summarizes the reconciliation of our income tax benefit computed at the federal statutory rate and the actual tax provision for the three months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, as follows:

    Three months ended  
Description
 
December 31, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
             
Income tax expense (benefit) provision at Federal statutory rate
 
$
(956,920)
   
$
(1,172,187)
 
State income tax (expense) benefit, net of Federal (expense) benefit
   
(98,426)
     
(120,568)
 
Effect of reduced foreign income tax rates
   
878,188
     
187,550
 
Reduction of net operating loss carry forward
   
184,614
     
685,648
 
Increase in valuation account
   
0
     
492,841
 
Income tax benefit
 
$
7,456
   
$
73,284
 

We have recorded a current Federal tax provision for an expected Alternative Minimum Tax liability for the three months ended December 31, 2011. We have recorded a current Chinese tax provision for Chinese income tax accrued for the three months ended December 31, 2011.

Our Chinese subsidiaries formed prior to January 1, 2008, qualify as foreign invested enterprises (“FIE”s) operating in China and were granted a special tax exemption period. In the first two years that an FIE became profitable in China, it was fully exempt from Chinese corporate tax, and in the following three years it is entitled to a 50% reduction in tax.This tax holiday expires December 31, 2012, after which time our Chinese subsidiaries would be subject to the income tax at the Chinese statutory rate of 25%. As of December 31, 2011 the aggregate dollar value of these tax benefits was zero per basic and fully diluted share of common stock. 


 
- 16 -

 
CHINA DIRECT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2011
 

The significant components of our net deferred tax assets and liabilities consisted of the following as of December 31, 2011 and 2010:

   
December 31, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
             
Non-current tax assets and liabilities:
           
Net operating loss carryforwards
    -       1,604,000  
Valuation allowance
    -       (1,604,000 )
Net deferred tax assets
  $ -     $ -  

U.S. GAAP requires a valuation allowance to reduce the deferred tax assets reported if, based on the weight of the evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. After consideration of all the evidence, both positive and negative, we have determined that a full valuation allowance of approximately $0 and $1,604,000 against its net deferred taxes was necessary as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, we had approximately $0 and $4,582,000 of cumulative U.S. net operating loss carryforwards remaining, which will expire in 2026. The IRS is currently auditing our consolidated income tax return for 2008. We expect the audit to be completed in 2012. Based on recent conferences with the IRS, we anticipate a reduction in our net operating loss carryforward of approximately $4.5 million, and have reflected the reduction in the 2010 carryforward amount.

NOTE 15 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Contingencies

On April 12, 2011, Sunskar Ltd. (“Sunskar") filed a petition to compel us to Arbitration in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (Case No. 11CV2499). The petition alleges that China Direct Industries breached an agreement for the charter of a vessel owned by Sunskar. The petition seeks an order of the Court appointing an arbitrator on our behalf and directing us to proceed to arbitration as provided for in accordance with the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §1, et seq. and New York Convention, 9 U.S.C. §201, et. seq. In addition, Sunskar claims damages in excess of $1,000,000 as a result of our alleged breach of the agreement. On May 20, 2011 we filed an answer and memorandum of law in support of our answer to the petition to compel arbitration disputing the existence of any binding obligation to Sunskar. On June 6, 2011 Sunskar filed a reply and memorandum of law in opposition to our answer. On July 8, 2011, Sunskar filed an amended petition for order compelling arbitration to add our wholly owned subsidiary CDII Trading, Inc. (“CDII Trading”) as a party.  On July 29, 2011 CDII Trading filed a memorandum of law in opposition to Sunskar’s amended petition and on August 4, 2011 Sunskar filed its reply memorandum of law in support of its amended petition disputing the existence of any binding obligation to Sunskar.

On November 3, 2011, the Court issued an order granting Sunskar’s petition to compel arbitration against CDII Trading, denied the petition to compel arbitration against China Direct Industries and stayed the federal court action pending completion of the arbitration. On December 5, 2011, we received confirmation that a three member arbitration panel (the “Panel”) under the Maritime Arbitration Rules has been appointed in New York.

On December 20, 2011 Sunskar filed with the Panel a preliminary claims statement and emergency request for pre-award security and partial final award seeking a partial final award of Sunskar’s attorney’s fees and costs incurred in the District Court action of $67,845 and damages, attorney’s fees and arbitration costs of $1,077,308 (the “Arbitration Claim”).  On January 10, 2012, CDII Trading served its reply and affirmative defenses to the Arbitration Claim disputing Sunskar’s claim for damages and seeking a hearing on Sunskar’s damage claims, among other relief. On February 8, 2012, the Panel found that Sunskar had presented a prima facie case of repudiation of contract and its entitlement to damages against CDII Trading. The Panel noted Sunskar’s claim for damages, interest, fees and costs exceeds $1 million and directed CDII Trading to post security in the amount of $850,000 in a form reasonably acceptable to Sunskar no later than March 9, 2012 as a source of funds in the event Sunskar is successful on the merits. Although the ultimate outcome of the Arbitration Claim is inherently unpredictable, we believe that the amount of the security is not indicative of CDII Trading's potential liability.

 
- 17 -

 
CHINA DIRECT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2011
 
 
As of December 31, 2011, we have accrued for this legal contingency based on the probabilities of a potential outcome. However, we cannot predict the ultimate outcome of the arbitration. In the event that the arbitration ultimately awards Sunskar the full claimed amount, it may have an adverse effect on our financial and liquidity position in future periods.

NOTE 16 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

CDI China has entered into a series of agreements on August 30, 2011, as amended on January 12, 2012, (the “Equity Transfer Agreements”), pursuant to which at closing we will acquire from certain related parties a 100% ownership interest in Golden Trust Magnesium Industry Co., Ltd. and an 80% ownership interest in Lingshi Xinghai Magnesium Industry Co., Ltd. for an aggregate purchase price of $26,705,070 payable as follows:

           $6,493,047 in cash or proceeds from repayment of our intercompany loans,
           $2,210,291 in cash or shares of our common stock,
           $13,305,647 in shares of ours common stock, and
           $4,696,085 by way of assignment of our interest in our subsidiary Excel Rise.

Pursuant to the proxy statement we filed with the SEC on January 25, 2012, we are holding a special meeting of our shareholders on February 29, 2012 for the purposes of seeking approval to issue the shares of our common stock which are partial consideration under the Equity Transfer Agreement. At this special meeting we are also seeking shareholder approval to amend  our articles of incorporation to change our name from China Direct Industries, Inc. to CD International Enterprises, Inc. If our shareholders approve the issuance of the shares at the special meeting, we expect to close the Equity Transfer Agreements as soon as practicable following the special meeting.

 
- 18 -

 

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

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the information contained in our unaudited consolidated financial statements and footnotes in this report and also in conjunction with our fiscal 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended September 30, 2011.
 
OVERVIEW OF OUR OPERATIONS AND PERFORMANCE
Our Business

We are a U.S. company that manages a portfolio of Chinese entities. We also provide consulting services to Chinese businesses. We operate in three identifiable segments: Magnesium, Basic Materials, and Consulting.

Historically, our Magnesium segment has represented our largest segment by assets and revenues. We manufacture and sell pure magnesium and related by-products sourced and produced in China. We also purchase and resell magnesium products sourced and produced in China by third parties. Magnesium is the lightest and strongest of the structural metals; it is one fourth the weight of steel, two fifths the weight of titanium and two thirds the weight of aluminum. Magnesium is used in a variety of markets and applications due to the physical and mechanical properties of the element and its alloys. Magnesium ingots are the feedstock for the manufacturing process of titanium and aluminum alloying. Magnesium powder and granules are used as a desulphurizer that removes sulfur in the production process of steel. Additionally, various types of magnesium alloys which are produced from the pure magnesium ingots are used in aircraft, automobile parts, and in electronic equipment such as computers, cameras and cellular phones.  

Our Basic Materials segment engages in the sale and distribution of basic resources within China and the global purchase and sale of industrial commodities which includes mineral ores and non-ferrous metals. In this segment we sell and distribute a variety of products in China including industrial grade synthetic chemicals, steel products and nonferrous metals. Additionally, within this segment we hold the rights to mining properties and are considering the acquisition of additional rights to adjacent mining sites and the partial or full sale of our interest in this business.

Our Consulting segment provides services to Chinese entities seeking access to the U.S. capital markets. These services include general business consulting, Chinese regulatory advice, translation services, formation of entities in the PRC, coordination of professional resources, mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances and partnerships, advice on effective means of accessing U.S. capital markets, coordination of Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, and corporate asset evaluations.

Overall Performance

Revenues

Revenues in the first quarter of fiscal 2012 amounted to $36.9 million, a decrease of $8.9 million, or 19.4%,  as compared to the same period in fiscal 2011, as a result of a decrease in revenues across all of our market segments, including $3.3 million, or 15.6%, within our Magnesium segment, $5.4 million, or 28.2%, within our Basic Materials segment, and $ 0.1 million, or 2.5%, within our Consulting segment.

Revenues by Segment

During the first quarter of fiscal 2012, our Magnesium segment sold and distributed approximately 6,345 metric tons of magnesium, including 347 metric tons of magnesium powder, generating revenues of $18.0 million, as compared to 9,337 metric tons, including 802 metric tons of magnesium powder, on revenues of $21.3 million in the same period of fiscal 2011. The average selling price of our magnesium in this quarter increased by 24.3% while volume decreased by 32.0%, resulting in lower revenues. The decrease in volume was largely a result of our decision to build inventory and reduce trading activity in the quarter in anticipation of a strengthening in demand and prices for magnesium in 2012. Our Basic Materials segment generated revenues of $13.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2012, as compared to $19.2 million in the same period of fiscal 2011, a decrease of $5.4 million, primarily due to lower sales volumes from our construction steel related products due to reduced demand caused by slower construction expansion and tightened credit conditions in China impacting our customers' ability to obtain financing to purchase our products. The Consulting segment generated revenues of $5.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2012, as compared to $5.3 million in the same period of fiscal 2011, primarily due to transactional fees related to the addition of a new consulting client, offset by slightly lower recurring service fees from existing clients. Consulting revenue varies depending on the timing and nature of services we provide to a particular client.

 
- 19 -

 

Gross Profit

Our gross profit in the first quarter of fiscal 2012 amounted to $5.6 million, a decrease of $0.9 million, or 14.3%, as compared to the same period in fiscal 2011. Our gross profit margin increased to 15.2% in the first quarter of fiscal 2012, as compared to 14.3% in the same period of fiscal 2011, primarily due to an increase of approximately 5.0 percentage points in our gross profit margin within our Consulting segment, partially offset by a decrease of approximately 1.3 and 3.2 percentage points in gross margins within our Magnesium segment and Basic Materials segment, respectively. The improved margin in our Consulting segment was primarily due to fees generated from a new client we acquired during the first quarter of fiscal 2012 for consulting services rendered in connection with a reverse acquisition, coupled with lower costs of revenues for this segment. Gross margin was lower for our Magnesium segment primarily due to lower revenues coupled with non-cash depreciation related costs, and higher production costs in raw materials and labor. The gross margin for our Basic Materials segment was negatively impacted during the first quarter of fiscal 2012 by lower sales revenues from our CDI Beijing subsidiary that sells and distributes steel related products, including reinforcing steel bars and other industrial related commodities, primarily due to tightened credit conditions in China impacting our customers' ability to obtain financing to purchase our products.

Total Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses , net of other operating income, increased $0.2 million, or 6.0%, in the first quarter of fiscal 2012 as compared to the same period in fiscal 2011. In the first quarter of fiscal 2011 we collected $0.4 million from a customer for manufacture processing fees we previously discharged as a bad debt within our Magnesium segment and recognized it as other operating income with no comparable other operating income for first quarter of fiscal 2012. After exclusion of the $0.4 million other operating income for the first quarter of fiscal 2011, our comparative operating expenses for both quarterly periods, comprised of general, selling and administrative expenses, decreased by $0.2 million primarily due to an increase of $0.4 million in our Consulting segment for general and administrative expenses, offset by a decrease of $0.3 million in our Magnesium segment and $0.3 million in our Basic Materials segment for selling, general and administrative expenses.

Net income

Net income in the first quarter of fiscal 2012 amounted to $2.7 million as compared to $3.4 million in the same period for fiscal 2011, primarily due to a decrease in consolidated operating income of $1.1 million, partially offset by an increase in other income of $0.5 million, primarily due to $0.1 million in realized gain in the first quarter of fiscal 2012 on the sale of our marketable securities available-for-sale, and $0.4 million increase from a previously written off on accounts receivable that was settled by our CDI Shanghai Management subsidiary with a former client.

Our Outlook

During the first quarter of fiscal 2012, the overall economic environment continued to improve, but certain segments of our business, primarily our Basic Materials segment, and to some extent our Magnesium segment, struggled with slower customer demand and a declining trend in prices due to tightened credit conditions in China impacting customer financing needs to purchase our products as well as domestic competitors in the magnesium industry liquidating inventories to raise cash balances prior to calendar 2011 year end. However, we still face a number of challenges in continuing the growth of our business, which is primarily tied to the overall health of the global economy. For the remaining quarters in fiscal 2012, we plan to continue adding our magnesium production capacity internally and through the planned strategic acquisitions of Golden Trust and Lingshi Xinghai Magnesium which have a combined production capacity of 32,000 metric tons per year in anticipation of improving markets in the coming years. We also intend to realign our investments in our Basic Material segment as we shift our business focus to the expansion of our industrial commodities sourcing and distribution business in the Americas. We have deployed approximately $3.3 million in the Americas as of the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2012 to begin to meet current market demand.

China’s Gross Domestic Product growth rate slowed to approximately 8.9% in the quarter ending December 31, 2011 as compared to the same period in 2010, the lowest rate within the last two years as the European debt crisis and weaker demand has put the global economic recovery in jeopardy and pushed China’s export-driven manufacturing activities to its lowest levels in the past three years. Furthermore, China’s housing market and particularly its real estate construction market experienced a significant correction due to a tighter regulatory environment, bank lending curbs, and slower demand during the fiscal period. In response to this slowdown, China’s Central Bank cut the nation’s commercial banks’ reserve requirement ratio by 0.5 percentage point, the first such cut since December 2008, in order to provide additional liquidity for commercial lending. This represents a significant shift in China’s economic policy signaling that China has put economic growth at the top of its agenda, rather than concerns about inflation.


 
- 20 -

 

Magnesium segment.

According to the International Magnesium Association (IMA), an industry trade group, from January to December of 2011 China’s domestic magnesium exports totaled approximately 400,000 metric tons, up 4.2%, as compared to the same period in 2010. Our average magnesium sales price over the first quarter of fiscal 2012 was approximately $2,833 per metric ton compared to an average magnesium sales price of approximately $2,279 over the first quarter of fiscal 2011. Magnesium prices incrementally improved over the course of fiscal 2011 reflecting an improved worldwide demand pattern, characterized by a gradual increase in prices driven by an increased demand from the global aerospace, automotive and consumer electronics sectors. This was followed by a softening in overall demand beginning in October 2011, which has continued through the first quarter of fiscal 2012, mostly due to renewed concerns over the European debt crisis, tightening credit availability in China forcing domestic competitors to liquidate inventory to raise cash balances and a general slowdown in China?痵 manufacturing activities. As a result, we decreased our sales activities and built inventory in the quarter in anticipation of an improvement in demand in the second half of calendar 2012.

In August of 2011, we entered into a series of agreements to acquire up to a 100% ownership interest in Golden Trust and an 80% ownership interest in Lingshi Xinghai Magnesium for an aggregate of $26.7 million in a combination of cash, our common stock and other assets. Completion of this acquisition is subject to our shareholders’ approval of the issuance of our common stock under the agreements to acquire these companies. The closing of the Golden Trust and Lingshi Xinghai Magnesium transactions and the shareholders' meeting to approve the issuance of our common stock under the agreements with these companies is scheduled for February 29, 2012. These magnesium facilities are owned or controlled by Yuwei Huang, an executive officer and director of our company and Kong Tung, a director of our company. Golden Trust and Lingshi Xinghai Magnesium operate magnesium production facilities and we believe that the acquisition of these production facilities will position us to become one of the largest magnesium producers in China with annual production capacity of 82,000 metric tons of magnesium and 10,000 tons of magnesium powder. In addition, we anticipate the acquisitions will provide synergistic benefits through coordinated sales and administrative functions and accretive earnings.

Based on the current trends and quoting activities, and indications from the economic activities worldwide, we believe that magnesium demand and prices will begin to increase progressively in the second half of calendar 2012 and into 2013. Further, we believe that the long term industry trends for magnesium are favorable and will allow us to rapidly ramp up our production to capitalize on expected growth. We intend to continue with our plan to further streamline and consolidate our own production capacity through both internal fiscal control and the planned strategic acquisition of Golden Trust and Lingshi Xinghai Magnesium as discussed above.

Basic Materials Segment.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2012, we experienced lower demand than in the first quarter of fiscal 2011  primarily due to tightened credit conditions in China impacting our customers' ability to obtain financing to purchase our products. However, the overall domestic market for our products continued to soften in the first quarter of fiscal 2012, resulting in a weaker business environment in both our specialty chemicals and construction steel related sales. For the first quarter of fiscal 2012, revenues from our specialty chemical sales and gross margins remained relatively flat compared to the same period in fiscal 2011. For the first quarter of fiscal 2012, total revenues for this segment decreased by 28.2%, and gross profit decreased by 67.1%, as compared to the same period in fiscal 2011, primarily due to a reduction in construction steel related sales as a result of tightened credit environment affecting our customers' ability to obtain financing to purchase products and a slowdown in China urban real estate development.

Starting in the last quarter of fiscal 2011, we experienced delays in completing additional shipments out of Mexico due to a longer than expected timeframe to receive environmental permits needed to process the iron ore to meet our customer’s specifications. During the first quarter of fiscal 2012, we applied for the required environmental permits and expect revenue from iron ore shipments sourced from Mexico. Our operations in Chile experienced shipping delays due to a longer than expected time frame to receive port authority approval to export the iron ore. The required approval was received in the first quarter of fiscal 2012. In Bolivia, we established logistics and materials processing capabilities during the first quarter of fiscal 2012. We are working now with several suppliers and an engineering specialist to further strengthen our sourcing capabilities.

As of December 31, 2011, we have invested approximately $3.3 million in our operations in Mexico and South America through advances to suppliers of iron ore produced in Mexico, Bolivia and Chile for expected shipments in fiscal 2012. We believe revenues from iron ore product shipments sourced from Chile and Bolivia will ramp up during coming quarters of fiscal 2012, and that our efforts in securing new sources of supply in this commodity business will lead to further sales increase within this segment during the last half of fiscal 2012.


 
- 21 -

 

Consulting Segment.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2012 total revenues from our Consulting segment decreased by 2.5%, as compared to the same period in fiscal 2011, primarily due to lower fees we earned from consulting and advisory services provided to existing clients, partially offset by transaction fees from a new client. We believe that demand for our services from PRC companies seeking to list, or currently trading on, U.S. equity markets will remain strong in fiscal 2012. In September of 2011, we launched a marketing initiative for our new One-Stop China ValueTM  program in an effort to capitalize on the current environment. This program is designed to implement a broad range of strategies to enhance and maximize shareholder value for China-based U.S. listed companies. We primarily focus our marketing efforts on companies with good corporate governance, management integrity, and the potential for growth and profitability. Other marketing plans include sponsoring trade symposiums, investment forums, and forming strategic alliances with industry and trade associations under the auspices of the Chinese Government.

In addition to potential transaction fees, we also anticipate receiving additional client fees generated from our ongoing annual service contracts and the addition of prospective clients during the remaining quarters of fiscal 2012. We expect that revenues from transactional and activity–based fees from our existing clients and our current pipeline of prospects will be sufficient to support our advisory operations in the U.S. We foresee our Consulting segment will remain an important revenue and earnings driver for our future growth in the years to come.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The results discussed below are for our first quarter of fiscal 2012 as compared to same period in fiscal 2011.

Consolidated Revenues

   
Three Months Ended December 31,
       
   
2011
   
2010
       
 (Dollars in thousands)
 
Revenues
   
% of Revenues
   
Revenues
   
% of Revenues
   
%increase (decrease)
 
Magnesium segment
  $ 17,978       49 %   $ 21,289       47%       (15.6 %)
Basic Materials segment
    13,768       37 %     19,182       42%       (28.2 %)
Consulting segment
    5,166       14 %     5,299       11%       (2.5 %)
Total Consolidated Revenues
  $ 36,912       100 %   $ 45,770       100%       (19.4 %)

Summary of Selected Consolidated Financial Information

   
Three Months Ended December 31,
       
   
2011
   
2010
       
 (Dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
   
% of Revenues
   
Amount
   
% of Revenues
   
% Increase (Decrease)
 
Revenues
 
$
36,912
     
100%
 
 
$
45,770
     
100%
 
 
(19.4%)
 
Cost of revenues
   
31,315
     
85%
 
   
39,239
     
86%
 
   
(20.2%)
 
Gross profit
   
5,597
     
15%
 
   
6,531
     
14%
 
   
(14.3%)
 
Other operating income
   
-
     
-
 
   
(375)
     
1%
 
   
n/a
 
Total operating expenses
   
3,420
     
9%
 
   
3,602
     
8%
 
   
(5.1%)
 
Total operating income
 
$
2,177
     
6%
 
 
$
3,304
     
7%
 
   
(34.1%)
 
 
Revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 decreased by $8.9 million, or 19.4%, to $36.9 million, as compared to the same period in fiscal 2011, as a result of a decrease of $3.3 million, or 15.6%, within our Magnesium segment, $5.4 million, or 28.2%, within our Basic Materials segment , and $0.2 million, or 2.5%, within our Consulting segment.

Cost of revenues in the first quarter of 2012 decreased $7.9 million, or 20.2%, as compared to the same period in fiscal 2011, driven primarily by lower sales volume in Magnesium and Basic Materials segments. Cost of revenue decreased by $3.0 million, or 14.4%, in our Magnesium segment, $4.6 million, or 25.8%, in our Basic Materials segment, and $0.3 million, or 75.1%, in our Consulting segment. As a result of cost of revenues decreases, our consolidated gross profit margin improved to 15.2% for the first quarter ended in fiscal 2012 as compared to 14.3% for the same period in fiscal 2011.

 
- 22 -

 


Operating expenses, excluding other operating income, is comprised of selling, general and administrative expenses, and decreased by $0.2 million, or 5.1%, in the first quarter of fiscal 2012, as compared to the same period in fiscal 2011, primarily due to a decrease of $0.3 million in our Magnesium segment and $0.3 million for our Basic Materials segment for selling, general and administrative expenses, partially offset by an increase of $0.4 million in our Consulting segment.

Operating income for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 amounted to $2.2 million, a decrease of $1.1 million, or 34.1%, as compared to the same period in fiscal 2011, primarily due to a decrease in consolidated revenues of $8.9 million, and a decrease in cost of revenues of $7.9 million, with higher gross margin of 15.2% as a result of lower cost of revenues.

Segment Information

A summary of our comparative operating results by segment for first quarter of fiscal 2012 and 2011, follows:
 
 Magnesium Segment
Three months ended
December 31,
   
Increase
(Decrease)
 
 (Dollars in thousands)
2011
 
2010
       
               
 Total revenues
  $
17,978
    $
21,289
    $
(3,311)
 
Cost of revenues
   
17,837
     
20,848
     
(3,011)
 
Gross profit
   
141
     
441
     
(300)
 
Total operating expenses
   
1,013
     
1,021
     
(8)
 
Operating income (loss)
 
$
(872)
   
$
(580)
    $
(292)
 
 
 Basic Materials Segment
Three months ended
December 31,
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
(Dollars in thousands)
2011
 
2010
     
             
Total revenues
 
$
13,768
   
$
19,182
   
$
(5,414)
 
Cost of revenues
   
13,390
     
18,037
     
(4,647)
 
Gross profit
   
378
     
1,145
     
(767)
 
Total operating expenses
   
690
     
922
     
(232)
 
Operating income (loss)
 
$
(312)
   
$
223
   
 $
(535)
 
 
 Consulting Segment
Three months ended
December 31,
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
(Dollars in thousands)
2011
 
2010
     
             
 Total revenues
 
$
5,166
   
$
5,299
   
$
(133)
 
Cost of revenues
   
88
     
355
     
(267)
 
Gross profit
   
5,078
     
4,944
     
134
 
Total operating expenses
   
1,718
     
1,284
     
434
 
Operating income (loss)
 
$
3,360
   
$
3,660
    $
(300)
 

Analysis of Operating Results by Segment

Magnesium Segment

Revenues. Magnesium segment revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 amounted to $18.0 million, including related party revenues, a decrease of $3.3 million, or 15.6%, as compared to the same period in fiscal 2011, primarily due to a decrease in sales volume, as previously discussed.


 
- 23 -

 

Gross Profit. Gross profit in the first quarter of fiscal 2012 amounted to $0.1 million, a decrease of $0.3 million, or 67.9%, with a gross profit margin of 0.79%, as compared to 2.1% for same period in fiscal 2011. The decline in gross profit was primarily due to a 32.0% decrease in our sales volume, while revenues decreased 15.6%,  for first quarter of fiscal 2012 as compared to the same period in fiscal 2011. Gross profits were inclusive of approximately $0.5 million in depreciation expenses included in production costs in the first quarter of fiscal 2012 and 2011. Excluding the depreciation expense, our gross profit margin was 3.3% for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 and 4.4% for the same period in fiscal 2011.

Operating Expenses. Operating expenses in the first quarter of fiscal 2012 amounted to $1.0 million, with no comparable increase when compared to the same period in fiscal 2011.

Basic Materials segment

Revenues. Basic Materials segment revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 amounted to $13.8 million, a decrease of $5.4 million, or 28.2%, as compared to the same period in fiscal 2011, primarily due to a decrease of $5.4 million in our construction related steel sales, as previously discussed.

Gross Profit. Gross profit for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 amounted to $0.4 million, a decrease of $0.8 million, or 67.1% while our gross margin decreased to 2.7% as compared to 6.0% for the same period in fiscal 2011. The decrease in gross profit was primarily due to a decrease of $5.4 million in revenues, offset by a reduction of cost of revenues of $4.6 million primarily due to tightened credit conditions in China impacting our customers' ability to obtain financing to purchase our products as previously discussed.

Operating Expenses. Operating expenses for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 amounted to $0.7 million, a decrease of $0.2 million, or 25.2%, as compared to the same period in fiscal 2011, primarily due to lower selling and general and administrative expenses.

Consulting segment

Revenues. Consulting segment revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 amounted to $5.2 million, a decrease of $0.1 million, as compared to the same period in fiscal 2011, primarily due to transactional fees related to the addition of a new consulting client, offset by slightly lower recurring service fees from existing clients, as previously discussed. Our revenues primarily consist of consulting and advisory service fees we received from certain publicly traded U.S. companies with their primary business operations located in the PRC, and we receive a fixed number of shares of their marketable securities or fees from those client companies, including both recurring and one-time transaction fees for services we provide to clients.

Gross Profit. Gross profit for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 amounted to $5.1 million, or an increase of $0.1million, as compared to the same period in fiscal 2011, primarily due to a decrease of $0.3 million in cost of service revenues. In the first quarter of fiscal 2012, our gross margins were 98.3%, an increase of 5.0 percentage points, primarily due to a reduction of costs associated with recurring consulting services.

Operating Expenses. Operating expenses for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 amounted to $1.7 million, an increase of $0.4 million, or 33.7%, as compared to the same period in fiscal 2011, primarily due to travel related and general and administrative expenses incurred in serving our client base for both our U.S. headquarters and China-based operations, and executive management.

COMPARATIVE EBITDA BY SEGMENT FOR FIRST QUARTER OF FISCAL 2012 AND 2011

 We consider earnings before income taxes, depreciation and amortization , commonly referred to as EBITDA,  an important measure to estimate our enterprise and shareholder values as a whole and of our core segments, and for allocating capital resources within segments in order to maximize our operating profits and cash flow. In addition, analysts, investors and creditors may use EBITDA when analyzing our financial condition and cash generating ability.

 
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EBITDA from operations is defined as net income (loss) from operations plus interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation, and amortization of intangibles, net, less interest income and income tax benefit. EBITDA from operations is a non-GAAP measure used by management to measure operating performance, and we believe it is a useful indicator in assessing investment requirements and financing business expansion in our core segments. Because EBITDA from continuing operations is not calculated identically by all companies, our calculation may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME FROM OPERATIONS TO EBITDA
(Unaudited)
   
Three Months Ended December 31,
             
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
Increase
(Decrease)
   
% change
 
NN     Net income from operations
  $ 2,742     $ 3,422     $ (680 )     (19.9 %)
               Interest expense ( income), net
    (59 )     8       (67 )     n/m  
               Income tax benefit
    (7 )     (73 )     66       n/m  
               Depreciation
    958       984       (26 )     (2.6 %)
               Amortization
    27       27       -       -  
                                 
                             EBITDA from operations
  $ 3,661     $ 4,368     $ (707 )     (16.2 %)
                                 
            By Segment:
                               
                                 
             Magnesium
  $ 39     $ 317     $ (278 )     (87.7 %)
             Basic Materials
    (342 )     210       (552 )     n/m  
             Consulting
    3,964       3,841       123       3.2  %
                             EBITDA from operations
  $ 3,661     $ 4,368     $ (707 )     (16.2 %)
n/m= not meaningful
 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Liquidity is the ability of an enterprise to generate adequate amounts of cash to meet its needs for cash requirements. As of December 31, 2011 our working capital totaled $52.2 million, for an increase of $7.4 million, or 16.5%, as compared to $44.8 million as of September 30, 2011. We rely upon cash generated from our operations, advances from related parties and capital raised through equity sales to fund our operations.

Our cash balance as of December 31, 2011 amounted to $6.1 million, a decrease of $6.5 million, as compared to September 30, 2011. During the first quarter of fiscal 2012, we had cash outflow of $7.9 million used in operating activities and $0.4 million for capital expenditures in investing activities, offset by cash inflows of $0.3 million, of which $0.2 million was from capital contribution from non-controlling interest owners, and $0.2 million from proceeds of loan payable offset by $0.1 million allocated to restricted cash, and $0.5 million from net cash proceeds on sale of marketable securities available-for-sale, before considering a $1.1 million positive effect of exchange rate on cash.

As of December 31, 2011, we had advanced to suppliers approximately $3.3 million for iron ore in Bolivia, Chile and Mexico, which we expect to ship and turn into revenues and cash during the coming quarters of fiscal 2012, as we ramp up sales of iron ore from the Latin America region in our Basic Materials segment. Additionally, in January 2012 we received $1.6 million from a consulting client for repayment of a loan with accrued interest, and collected on a receivable for transaction related services provided to the client.

We may need to raise additional working capital to fund expected growth in our Magnesium segment and our industrial commodities business. While we do not anticipate any difficulties in raising the additional capital as needed, we do not presently have any firm commitment from any third parties and it is possible that we may not be able to raise the capital on terms acceptable to us. In addition, delisting of our securities from trading by NASDAQ could adversely affect the market liquidity of our common stock and our ability to obtain financing. In that event, our ability to grow may be limited until the capital markets are more readily accessible.


 
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We maintain cash and cash equivalents in the United States and China. At December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011, bank deposits by geographic area, were as follows (dollars in thousands):

Country
 
December 31, 2011
   
September 30, 2011
 
United States
 
$
1,868
     
30.6%
   
$
3,909
     
31.1%
 
China
   
4,225
     
69.4%
     
8,654
     
68.9%
 
Total cash and cash equivalents
 
$
6,093
     
100.0%
   
$
12,563
     
100.0%
 

As of December 31, 2011, a substantial portion of our cash balance, 69.4%, was in the form of RMB held in bank accounts at financial institutions located in the PRC. Cash held in banks in the PRC is not insured. The value of cash on deposit in China of $4.2 million at December 31, 2011 has been converted based on the exchange rate as of December 31, 2011.

 In 1996, the Chinese government introduced regulations, which relaxed restrictions on the conversion of the RMB; however, restrictions still remain, including but not limited to restrictions on foreign invested entities. Foreign invested entities may only buy, sell or remit foreign currencies after providing valid commercial documents at only those banks authorized to conduct foreign exchanges. Furthermore, the conversion of RMB for capital account items, including direct investments and loans, is subject to PRC government approval. Chinese entities are required to establish and maintain separate foreign exchange accounts for capital account items. We cannot be certain Chinese regulatory authorities will not impose more stringent restrictions on the convertibility and outflow of RMB, especially with respect to foreign exchange transactions. Accordingly, cash on deposit in banks in the PRC is not readily deployable by us for purposes outside of China.
 
Analysis of Cash Flows

In the first quarter of fiscal 2012, our net decrease in cash amounted to $6.5 million, which was comprised of $7.9 million used in operating activities offset by $0.3 million provided by financing activities, $1.1 million provided by the favorable effect of prevailing exchange rate on our cash position, and $0.1 million provided by investing activities.  

Cash Used in Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 amounted to $7.9 million. The decrease was primarily due to an increase of $2.6 million in raw materials inventory for our magnesium segment due to lower shipment and sales of magnesium ingots and powder, an increase of $2.6 million in prepaid expenses and other assets primarily in our magnesium segment and also for iron ore in South America and Mexico for our Basic Materials segments, an increase of $2.0 million in accounts receivable and other assets-related parties in our magnesium segment, and a reconciliation of non-cash revenues of $5.2 million in fair value of equity securities received for consulting services we provided to our clients which was partially offset by $3.3 million in accounts receivable primarily related to our Consulting segment.

Net cash used in operating activities for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 amounted to $4.2 million. It was primarily due to an increase of $3.8 million in prepaid expenses and other assets, $2.1 million in inventories, and $0.9 million in accounts receivable, a decrease of $1.3 million in accounts payable and accrued expenses, and $0.9 million in advances from customers, and a reconciliation of non-cash revenues of $5.2 million in fair value of equity securities received for services we provided to our clients, which were partially offset by an increase of $4.5 million in accounts and other payable-related party, $3.4 million in net income, and a reconciliation of non-cash charges of $1.0 million in depreciation and amortization, $0.1 million in stock based compensation, and $0.1 million in realized loss on the sales of marketable securities available-for-sale.
 
Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities

Net cash provided by investing activities for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 amounted to $0.1 million, which was primarily attributable to proceeds from sales of marketable securities available-for-sale of $0.5 million within our Consulting segment, offset by $0.4 million in purchases of property and equipment primarily for the Magnesium segment.

Net cash used in investing activities for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 amounted to $1.0 million, which was primarily attributable to an increase of $1.3 million in purchases of property and equipment, partially offset by $0.3 million in net proceeds received from our sales of marketable securities available-for-sale.

 
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Cash Provided by Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 amounted to $0.3 million primarily due to net proceeds from loans of $0.2 million offset by an increase in restricted cash of $0.1 million, coupled with an increase of $0.2 million in capital contribution from non-controlling interest owners.

Net cash provided by financing activities for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 totaled $2.1 million, which was primarily due to a decrease of $4.5 million in restricted cash, an increase of $0.3 million in capital contributions from non-controlling interest owners, and $0.1 million in net proceeds we received from exercises of our common stock options, which were partially offset by a decrease of $2.8 million in loans payable.


Series A Preferred Stock and Related Dividends

As of December 31, 2011, 1,006 shares of Series A Preferred remained outstanding. During the first quarter of fiscal 2012 we paid dividends of $20,130 in cash.

Off Balance Sheet Items

Under SEC regulations, we are required to disclose our off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, such as changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that are material to investors. An off-balance sheet arrangement means a transaction, agreement or contractual arrangement to which any entity that is not consolidated with us is a party, under which we have:

 
 
Any obligation under certain guarantee contracts,
 
 
Any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity or similar arrangement that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to that entity for such assets,
 
 
Any obligation under a contract that would be accounted for as a derivative instrument, except that it is both indexed to our stock and classified in stockholder’s equity in our statement of financial position, and
 
 
Any obligation arising out of a material variable interest held by us in an unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit risk support to us, or engages in leasing, hedging or research and development services with us.

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that we are required to disclose pursuant to these regulations. In the ordinary course of business, we enter into operating lease commitments, purchase commitments and other contractual obligations. These transactions are recognized in our financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.

Critical Accounting Policies

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our unaudited consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these unaudited consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

A summary of significant accounting policies are discussed in further detail in the notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements appearing in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. We believe that the application of these policies on a consistent basis enables us to provide useful and reliable financial information about our operating results and financial condition.

Revenue Recognition

We follow the guidance of ASC 605, "Revenue Recognition,” and the Securities and Exchange Commission's Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 104 and SAB Topic 13 for revenue recognition. In general, we record revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, services have been rendered or product delivery has occurred, the sales price to the customer is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured.

 
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Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results when ultimately realized could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates in the first quarter of fiscal 2012 and the same period in 2011 include the allowance for doubtful accounts of accounts receivable, stock-based compensation, and the useful life of property, plant and equipment.
  
Fair Value of Financial Instruments

We follow ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” as amended by Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Financial Staff Position (FSP) No. 157 and related guidance. Those provisions relate to our financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value and our fair value disclosures related to financial assets and liabilities. ASC 820 defines fair value, expands related disclosure requirements and specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on the nature of the inputs used to develop the fair value measures. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, assuming the transaction occurs in the principal or most advantageous market for that asset or liability.

There are three levels of inputs to fair value measurements - Level 1, meaning the use of quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets; Level 2, meaning the use of quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active or are directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, meaning the use of unobservable inputs. We use Level 1 inputs for our fair value measurements whenever there is an active market, with actual quotes, market prices, and observable inputs on the measurement date. We use Level 2 inputs for our fair value measurements whenever there are quoted prices for similar securities in an active market or quoted prices for identical securities in an inactive market. We use observable market data whenever available.

Marketable Securities

Our marketable securities available-for-sale are carried at fair value. We make fair value measurements for the carrying amount of the marketable securities available-for-sale quarterly pursuant to ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” as amended by Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Financial Staff Position (FSP) No. 157 and related guidance. And, we record an unrealized gain/(loss) on changes in fair value of such marketable securities in the equity section of our balance sheet as Other Comprehensive Income (OCI), pursuant to ASC 320, “Investments – Debt and Equity Securities”. We make an analysis at the least on an annual basis to determine if and when such unrealized (loss) has become other than temporarily impaired, and reclassify it as a realized (loss) into our current period’s net income/(loss). This determination is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to (i) the percentage of the decline, (ii) the severity of the decline in relation to the enterprise/market conditions, and (iii) the duration of the decline. It’s further discussed in Note 2 of our financial statements included in this report.

In January 2009, the FASB issued FSP EITF 99-20-1 (ASC 325-40) to amend the impairment guidance in EITF Issue No. 99-20 in order to achieve more consistent determination of whether an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred. This FSP amended EITF 99-20 to more closely align the other-than-temporary impairment guidance therein to the guidance in ASC 320, 10-35-31. Retrospective application to a prior interim or annual period is prohibited.

All securities (exclusive of preferred stock and common stock purchase warrants) received from our clients as compensation are quoted either on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board or the Pink Sheets. The securities are typically restricted as to resale. Our policy is to liquidate securities received as compensation when market conditions are favorable for sale. As these securities are often restricted, we are unable to liquidate these securities until the restriction is removed. We recognize revenue for common stock based on the fair value at the time common stock is granted and for common stock purchase warrants based on the Black-Scholes valuation model. Unrealized gains or losses on marketable securities available-for-sale and on marketable securities available-for-sale - related party are recognized as an element of comprehensive income based on changes in the fair value of the security as quoted on an exchange or an inter-dealer quotation system. Once liquidated, a realized gain or loss on the sales of marketable securities available-for-sale and marketable securities available-for-sale - related party is reflected in our net income for the period in which the securities are liquidated.

 
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Comprehensive income

We follow ASC 205, “Presentation of Financial Statements,” and ASC 220, “Reporting Comprehensive Income,” to recognize the elements of comprehensive income. Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and all changes to the statements of stockholders’ equity, except those due to investments by stockholders, changes in paid-in capital and distributions to stockholders. Comprehensive income for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 and 2011 included net income, foreign currency translation adjustments, unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale marketable securities, net of income taxes, and unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale marketable securities -related party, net of income taxes.

Impairment of long-lived assets

In accordance with ASC 360-10, “Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”, we periodically review our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable. We recognize an impairment loss when the sum of expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset. The amount of impairment is measured as the differences between the discounted future cash flow or estimated fair value and the book value of the underlying asset.

Subsidiaries Held for Sale

We follow ASC 360-10-45, “Long-Lived Assets Classified as Held for Sale,” and ASC 360-10-15, “Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” Long-lived assets are classified as held for sale when certain criteria are met. These criteria include management’s commitment to a plan to sell the assets; the availability of the assets for immediate sale in their present condition; an active program to locate buyers and other actions to sell the assets has been initiated; the sale of the assets is probable and their transfer is expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale within one year; the assets are being marketed at reasonable prices in relation to their fair value; and it is unlikely that significant changes will be made to the plan to sell the assets. We measure long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale at the lower of carrying amount or fair value, less cost to sell.

Acquisitions

We account for acquisitions using the purchase method of accounting in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations.”  The acquisition method of accounting for acquired businesses requires, among other things, that most assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recognized at their fair values as of the acquisition date.  Also, transaction costs are expensed as incurred. Any excess of the purchase price over the assigned values of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Factors That May Affect Future Results

This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The Securities and Exchange Commission encourages companies to disclose forward-looking information so that investors can better understand a company’s future prospects and make informed investment decisions. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other written and oral statements that we make from time to time contain such forward-looking statements that set out anticipated results based on management’s plans and assumptions regarding future events or performance. We have tried, wherever possible, to identify such statements by using words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “will” and similar expressions in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. In particular, these include statements relating to future actions, future performance or results of current and anticipated sales efforts, expenses, the outcome of contingencies, such as legal proceedings, and financial results. A list of factors that could cause our actual results of operations and financial condition to differ materially is set forth below, and these factors are discussed in greater detail under Item 1A – “Risk Factors” of our 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K:
 
 
 
Continued global economic weakness is expected to reduce demand for our products in each of our segments.
 
 
Fluctuations in the pricing and availability of magnesium and in levels of customer demand.
 
 
Changes in the prices of magnesium and magnesium-related products.
 
 
Our ability to implement our expansion plans for growing our business through increased magnesium production capacity and acquisitions and development of our commodity trading business.
 
 
Fluctuations in the cost or availability of coke gas and coal.
 
 
Loss of orders from any of our major customers.

 
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The value of the equity securities we accept as compensation is subject to adjustment which could result in losses to us in future periods.
 
 
Our ability to effectively integrate our acquisitions and to manage our growth and our inability to fully realize any anticipated benefits of acquired business.
 
 
Our need for additional financing which we may not be able to obtain on acceptable terms, the dilutive effect additional capital raising efforts in future periods may have on our current shareholders and the increased interest expense in future periods related to additional debt financing.
 
 
Our dependence on certain key personnel.
 
 
Difficulties we have in establishing adequate management, cash, legal and financial controls in the PRC.
 
 
Our ability to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
The lack various legal protections in certain agreements to which we are a party and which are material to our operations which are customarily contained in similar contracts prepared in the United States.
 
 
Potential impact of PRC regulations on our intercompany loans.
 
 
Our ability to assure that related party transactions are fair to our company.
 
 
Yuwei Huang, our executive vice president – magnesium, director and an officer of several of our magnesium subsidiaries and his daughter Lifei Huang is also an owner and executive officer of several companies which directly compete with our magnesium business.
 
 
The impact of a loss of our land use rights.
 
 
Our ability to comply with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act which could subject us to penalties and other adverse consequences.
 
 
Limits under the Investment Company Act of 1940 on the value of securities we can accept as payment for our business consulting services.
 
 
Our acquisition efforts in future periods may be dilutive to our then current shareholders.
 
 
The risks and hazards inherent in the mining industry on the operations of our basic materials segment.
 
 
Our inability to enforce our rights due to policies regarding the regulation of foreign investments in the PRC.
 
 
The impact of environmental and safety regulations, which may increase our compliance costs and reduce our overall profitability.
 
 
The effect of changes resulting from the political and economic policies of the Chinese government on our assets and operations located in the PRC.
 
 
The impact of Chinese economic reform policies.
 
 
The influence of the Chinese government over the manner in which our Chinese subsidiaries must conduct our business activities.
 
 
The impact on future inflation in the PRC on economic activity in the PRC.
 
 
The impact of any natural disasters and health epidemics in China.
 
 
The impact of labor laws in the PRC may adversely affect our results of operations.
 
 
The limitation on our ability to receive and use our revenues effectively as a result of restrictions on currency exchange in the PRC.
 
 
Fluctuations in the value of the RMB may have a material adverse effect on your investment.
 
 
Delisting of our securities from trading by NASDAQ could adversely affect the market liquidity of our common stock, our ability to obtain financing for the continuation of our operations and harm our business.
 
 
The market price for shares of our common stock has been and may continue to be highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations.
 
We caution that the factors described herein and other factors could cause our actual results of operations and financial condition to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements we make and that investors should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of such factors. Further, we cannot assess the impact of each such factor on our results of operations or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Not applicable to a smaller reporting company.

 
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Item 4.
Controls and Procedures.
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported as specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer, or CEO, and our Chief Financial Officer, CFO, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management, with the participation of our CEO and CFO, performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2011. Based on that evaluation solely as a result of continuing significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting identified in our 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, our management, including our CEO and CFO, concluded that our internal control over financial reporting were not effective as of December 31, 2011.
 
The specific significant deficiencies identified by our management were as follows:

 
A lack of a fully integrated corporate-wide financial accounting system,
 
A lack of qualified accounting personnel who have sufficient knowledge in dealing with the complex U.S. GAAP accounting and financial issues in our cross border operations.

A “significant deficiency” is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting that is less severe than a material weakness, yet important enough to merit attention by those responsible for oversight of a registrant’s financial reporting.  A “material weakness” is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements would not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. We expect the significant deficiencies will be remediated by the end of fiscal 2012. Until such time, however, as these significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting are remediated, we expect to have significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting, disclosure controls and related procedures.

Remediation of Significant Deficiencies in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
We believe the following actions we have taken and are taking will be sufficient to remediate the significant deficiencies described above:

 
 
In fiscal 2011 we conducted our annual accounting training session in Sanya, China, and will continue to conduct ongoing corporate-wide accounting and internal control training for our accounting personnel.
 
 
We have implemented an internal review process over financial reporting to review all recent accounting pronouncements and verify that the accounting treatment indentified in such report have been fully implemented and confirmed by our independent registered public accountants;
 
 
We are in the early stage of a phased corporate-wide implementation of Ufida NC Enterprise Resources Planning (ERP) system. In August, 2011, we completed our first phase implementation at Golden Magnesium. Currently we are in the process of rolling out this implementation at additional magnesium facilities during fiscal 2012.  Upon its full completion within our Magnesium segment anticipated in late 2012, this system will enhance our management and reporting capabilities, standardize process and management’s access to financial reports in a timely manner; and
 
 
In fiscal 2011, we conducted a targeted internal audit within our Magnesium segment in China, and will continue to augment ongoing reviews and supervisions of our internal control over financial reporting.

We believe that the actions described above will remediate the remaining significant deficiencies we have identified. As we work towards improvement of our internal control over financial reporting and implement the remediation measures, we may supplement or modify these remediation measures as appropriate.
 
Our management believes that our disclosure controls and procedures provide a reasonable level of assurance of achieving their objections. Our management does not expect, however, that our disclosure controls and procedures or internal financial controls will prevent all errors or fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived or operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.

Changes in Internal Control
 
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation of our controls performed during the quarter ended December 31, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 

 
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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.
Legal Proceedings.

On April 12, 2011, Sunskar Ltd. (“Sunskar”) filed a petition to compel us to Arbitration in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (Case No. 11CV2499). The petition alleges that China Direct Industries breached an agreement for the charter of a vessel owned by Sunskar. The petition seeks an order of the Court appointing an arbitrator on our behalf and directing us to proceed to arbitration as provided for in accordance with the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §1, et seq. and New York Convention, 9 U.S.C. §201, et. seq. In addition, Sunskar claims damages in excess of $1,000,000 as a result of our alleged breach of the agreement. On May 20, 2011 we filed an answer and memorandum of law in support of our answer to the petition to compel arbitration disputing the existence of any binding obligation to Sunskar. On June 6, 2011 Sunskar filed a reply and memorandum of law in opposition to our answer. On July 8, 2011, Sunskar filed an amended petition for order compelling arbitration to add our wholly owned subsidiary CDII Trading, Inc. (“CDII Trading”) as a party.  On July 29, 2011 CDII Trading filed a memorandum of law in opposition to Sunskar’s amended petition and on August 4, 2011 Sunskar filed its reply memorandum of law in support of its amended petition disputing the existence of any binding obligation to Sunskar.

On November 3, 2011, the Court issued an order granting Sunskar’s petition to compel arbitration against CDII Trading, denied the petition to compel arbitration against China Direct Industries and stayed the federal court action pending completion of the arbitration. On December 5, 2011, we received confirmation that a three member arbitration panel (the “Panel”) under the Maritime Arbitration Rules had been appointed in New York.

On December 20, 2011 Sunskar filed with the Panel a preliminary claims statement and emergency request for pre-award security and partial final award seeking a partial final award of Sunskar’s attorney’s fees and costs incurred in the District Court action of $67,845 and damages, attorney’s fees and arbitration costs of $1,077,308 (the “Arbitration Claim”). On January 10, 2012, CDII Trading served its reply and affirmative defenses to the Arbitration Claim disputing Sunskar’s claim for damages and seeking a hearing on Sunskar’s damage claims, among other relief. On February 8, 2012, the Panel found that Sunskar had presented a prima facie case of repudiation of contract and its entitlement to damages against CDII Trading. The Panel noted Sunskar’s claim for damages, interest, fees and costs exceeds $1 million and directed CDII Trading to post security in the amount of $850,000 in a form reasonably acceptable to Sunskar no later than March 9, 2012 as a source of funds in the event Sunskar is successful on the merits. Although the ultimate outcome of the Arbitration Claim is inherently unpredictable, we believe that the amount of the security is not indicative of CDII Trading's potential liability.
 
Other than as described above, we believe there are currently no litigation or legal or administrative proceedings pending against us that are likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on our business or our results of operations and, to our knowledge, none of our officers, directors or principal shareholders are party to any legal proceeding in which they have an interest adverse to us.

Item 1A.
Risk Factors

Risk factors describing the major risks to our business can be found under Item 1A, “Risk Factors”, in our fiscal 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  There has been no material change in our risk factors from those previously discussed in the fiscal 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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

On October 1, 2011, we issued 150,000 shares of our common stock valued at $0.86 per share for a total of $129,000 to Bespoke Growth Partners, Inc. for corporate communication services provided during the quarter ended December 31, 2011. These shares of our common stock were issued in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933. In addition, the recipient of our shares was a sophisticated investor and had access to information normally provided in a prospectus regarding us. In addition, the recipient of the shares had the necessary investment intent as required by Section 4(2) since it agreed to allow us to include a legend on the shares stating that such shares are restricted pursuant to Rule 144 of the 1933 Securities Act. These restrictions ensure that these shares would not be immediately redistributed into the market and therefore not be part of a "public offering." Based on an analysis of the above factors, we have met the requirements to qualify for exemption under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 for the above transaction.

Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.
 

 
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Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures

None

Item 5.
Other Information.

Item 6.
Exhibits
 
Exhibit No.