大全新能源 (DQ) 2017 Q4 法說會逐字稿

Good day, and welcome to the Daqo New Energy Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2017 Results Conference Call. (Operator Instructions) Please note, this event is being recorded.

I would now like to turn the conference over to Kevin He, Investor Relations. Please go ahead.

Hello, everyone. I'm Kevin He, the Investor Relations of Daqo New Energy. Thank you for joining our conference call for today. Daqo New Energy just issued its financial results for the fourth quarter and the fiscal year results of 2017, which can be found on our website at www.dqsolar.com. To facilitate today's conference call, we have also prepared a PPT presentation for your reference. Today attending the conference call, we have our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Longgen Zhang; and Mr. Ming Yang, our Chief Financial Officer.

The call today will feature an update from Mr. Zhang on market and operations. And then Mr. Yang will discuss the company's financial performance for the first quarter and the fiscal year of 2017. After that, we will open the floor to Q&A from the audience.

Before we begin the formal remarks, I would like to remind you that certain statements on today's call, including expected future operational and financial performance and industry growth, are forward-looking statements that are made under the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those containing any forward-looking statement.

Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the reports or documents we have filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. These statements only reflect our current and preliminary views as of today and maybe subject to change. Our ability to achieve these projections is subject to risks and uncertainties.

All information provided in today's call is as of today, and we undertake no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law. Also during the call, we will occasionally reference monetary amounts in U.S. dollar terms. Please keep in mind that our functional currency is the Chinese RMB. We offer these translations into U.S. dollars solely for the convenience of the audience.

Without further ado, I'll now turn the call over to our CEO, Mr. Longgen Zhang.

Thank you, Kevin. Good evening and good morning everyone. The fourth quarter of 2017 was an excellent quarter for Daqo New Energy in terms of both operational and the financial performance, which concluded our fiscal year of 2017 as the best year in the company's history.

I would like to thank our entire team for their hard work and dedication for delivering such an outstanding performance. Despite the annual maintenance of our facilities and its impact on our operations during the quarter, we were able to produce 5,339 metric tons of polysilicon during the quarter, a new record for the company. This was a direct result of our continuing forecast of improving operational efficiency and maximizing overall output.

Demand for our high quality polysilicon products remains strong, allowing us to sell a record high of 4,730 metric tons of polysilicon during the quarter to external customers, while generating total revenue of $103.7 million, an increase of 16% sequentially and 125% year-over-year.

During the fourth quarter, the company generated $33.7 million in net income attributable to Daqo New Energy shareholders and $53.6 million in EBITDA with an EBITDA margin of 51.7%. The fourth quarter earnings per basic ADS were $3.16, an increase of 38.6% from $2.28 in the prior quarter and up 710.3% from fourth quarter of 2016.

2017 was the strongest year in the company's history. We produced 20,200 metric tons of polysilicon throughout the year, 12.2% more than our nameplate capacity of 18,000 metric tons. Our financial performance in 2017 was significantly better than in 2016 with revenues of $352.9 million, EBITDA of $167.5 million, net income attributable to Daqo New Energy shareholders of $92.8 million and a net cash provided by operating activities of $142.7 million, while we are in the capital-intensive industry. Our debt ratio improved to a healthy level of 47.3% by the end of the year 2017 compared to 58.6% at the end of the year 2016, which further strengthened our competitive positioning in the market.

All forecasts throughout the quarter and going into 2018 remains reducing costs, having successfully completed an annual maintenance of our facilities in October 2017, we resumed production with improved manufacturing efficiency while average polysilicon product in cost increased sequentially during the quarter, primarily due to higher raw materials prices and the impact of an appreciation of RMB.

Our two biggest polysilicon manufacturing cost components, unit electricity consumption, and unit silicon metal consumption, hit their lowest levels ever in December 2017. We are already working on several additional technological improvements that we expect will further reduce our costs in 2018.

We are also devoting increasing resources to R&D and quality improvement. We continue to improve our front-end manufacturing process and post-production handling techniques to reduce impurities. This resulted in record levels of production for both electronic-grade polysilicon and mono-crystalline-grade polysilicon in January 2018. We are pleased with this achievement and believe it demonstrates the strength and effectiveness of our overall strategy and is another step towards becoming the leading supplier of electronic-grade and mono-crystalline-grade polysilicon in China.

In 2017, approximately 100 gigawatts of solar PV panels were installed globally. China continued to rank as the leading solar PV market in the world with total installations of approximately 53 gigawatts. The United States, India, and Japan rank as other top solar markets globally in 2017. According to the latest solar PV market reports, we expect to see lower double-digit installation growth globally in 2018, with growth expected to pick up further in 2019. In addition, we are seeing rapid growth in demand for high-efficiency mono crystalline wafers as well as continued growth in demand for ultra-high purity mono-crystalline-grade polysilicon which only very few Chinese producers are able to produce. Demand for high-purity polysilicon products continues to be strong. We will continue to improve the quality of our polysilicon products and expect to increase production levels of polysilicon for mono wafers application.

We completed the foundation and initial preparation work for our Phase 3B capacity expansion project during the quarter. Facility design and equipment procurement are progressing well and on schedule. With strong customer demand for our high-quality polysilicon products, we are planning to accelerate the construction pace so that we can begin production sooner. We expect to complete the entire Phase 3B project and begin pilot production in the first half of 2019, and reach full capacity of 30,000 MT by mid-2019. With the newly added capacity and our competitive advantages in polysilicon quality and production costs, we are strengthening our polysilicon manufacturing leadership position and are confident in our ability to meet growing demand and create additional value for our shareholders.

Outlook and guidance. The company expects to produce approximately 5,300 metric tons to 5,500 metric tons of polysilicon and sell approximately 4,900 MT to 5,100 MT of polysilicon to external customers during the first quarter of 2018. The above external sales guidance excludes shipments of polysilicon to be used internally by the Company's Chongqing solar wafer facility, which utilizes polysilicon for its wafer manufacturing operation. Wafer sales volume is expected to be approximately 15.0 million to 20.0 million pieces for the first quarter of 2018. For the full year of 2018, the Company expects to produce approximately 22,000 to 23,000 MT of polysilicon, inclusive of the impact of our annual facility maintenance.

Now, I would like to turn the call to our CFO, Mr. Ming Yang, for financial update.

Thank you, Longgen, and good day, everyone. We appreciate your interest in the company.

Revenues were $103.7 million in the fourth quarter, compared to $89.4 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $46.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Revenues from polysilicon sales to external customers were $89.8 million, compared to $72.9 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $32.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. External polysilicon sales volume was 4,730 metric tons, compared to 4,500 metric tons in the third quarter of 2017, and 2,209 metric tons in the fourth quarter of 2016. The sequential increase in polysilicon revenues was primarily due to higher polysilicon sales volume and higher ASPs.

Revenues from wafer sales were $13.9 million, compared to $16.5 million in the third quarter of 2017. Wafer sales volume was 22.3 million pieces, compared to 26.4 million pieces in the third quarter of 2017. Wafer volume during the quarter was impacted by our upgrade of wafer slicing equipment as we upgraded our entire facility from formerly slurry-based water saw cutting to now diamond water saw cutting and we had experienced some initial ramp up issues. However, we're seeing meaningful decline of wafer processing costs after the upgrade and announced silicon wafer processing cost is expected to decline by approximately 25% after the equipment upgrade is complete.

Gross profit was approximately $46.9 million compared to $36.4 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $14.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. Non-GAAP gross profit, which excludes costs related to the nonoperational polysilicon assets in Chongqing, was approximately $47.3 million, compared to $36.9 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $15.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Gross margin was 45.2%, compared to 40.8% in the third quarter of 2017. The sequential increase in gross margin was primarily due to higher quarterly polysilicon average selling prices offset by slightly higher polysilicon production cost affected by cost increase in raw materials and RMB's appreciation.

In the fourth quarter of 2017, total costs related to the nonoperational Chongqing polysilicon assets including depreciation were $0.4 million, compared to $0.5 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $1.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. The decrease in such costs was due to relocation of the idle equipment from the Company's Chongqing polysilicon plant to Xinjiang polysilicon plant. Excluding such costs, the non-GAAP gross margin was approximately 45.6%, compared to 41.3% in the third quarter of 2017.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $4.7 million, compared to $4.4 million in the third quarter of 2017 R&D expenses were approximately $0.1 million, compared to $0.1 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $2.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. R&D expenses could vary from period to period and reflected R&D activities that took place during the quarter.

Other operating income was $4.4 million, compared to $0.8 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $1.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. Other operating income was mainly composed of unrestricted cash incentives that the Company received from local government authorities, the amount of which varies from period to period.

The Company recognized $3 million and $0.2 million of fixed asset impairment loss for its Chongqing polysilicon facilities in the fourth quarter of 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company has relocated and will continue to relocate some of the Company's temporarily idle polysilicon machinery and equipment in Chongqing to the Company's Xinjiang polysilicon manufacturing plant.

However, after further evaluations, some assets were identified as nontransferrable and/or not able to be reutilized by our Xinjiang polysilicon manufacturing or expansion projects. Thus, such assets were recorded as an impairment loss of long-lived assets. This is a noncash impairment charge and had a native impact of $3 million on net income and $0.28 on earnings per ADS for the fourth quarter and full year 2017.

Operating income was $43.6 million, compared to [$32.8 million] in the third quarter of 2017 and $9.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. Operating margin was 42%, compared to 36.7% in the third quarter of 2017 and 20.7% in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Interest expense was $4.1 million, compared to $4.3 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $4.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2016.

EBITDA was $53.6 million, compared to $42.3 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $17.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. EBITDA margin was 51.7%, compared to 47.4% in the third quarter of 2017 and 38.3% in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Net income attributable to Daqo New Energy Corp shareholders was $33.7 million, compared to $24.1 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $4.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. Earnings per basic ADS were $3.16, compared to $2.28 in the third quarter of 2017 and $0.39 in the fourth quarter of 2016.

As of December 31, 2017, the Company had $72.7 million in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, compared to $61.6 million as of September 30, 2017 and $31.9 million as of December 31, 2016. As of December 31, 2017, the accounts receivable balance was $3 million, compared to $4.6 million as of September 30, 2017 and $4.8 million as of December 31, 2016.

As of December 31, 2017, the notes receivable balance was $27.3 million, compared to $25.3 million as of September 30, 2017 and $13 million as of December 31, 2016. As of December 31, 2017, total borrowings were $212.9 million, of which $113.6 million were long-term borrowings, and compared to total borrowings of $216.8 million, including $119.3 million of long-term borrowings, as of September 30, 2017 and total borrowings of $217.9 million, including $111.9 million of long-term borrowings, as of December 31, 2016.

For the twelve months, ended December 31, 2017, net cash provided by operating activities was $142.7 million, an increase of 44.6% from $98.7 million in the same period of 2016. The increase was primarily due to improved profitability in our polysilicon segment.

For the 12 months ended December 31, 2017, net cash provided by operating activities was $142.7 million, an increase of 44.6% from $98.7 million in the same period of 2016. The increase was primarily due to improved profitability of our polysilicon segment.

For the 12 months ended December 31, 2017, net cash used in investing activities were $63.1 million, compared to $66.1 million in the same period of 2016. The net cash used in investing activities in 2017 and 2016 was primarily related to the capital expenditure of our Xinjiang Phase 3A polysilicon projects.

For the 12 months ended December 31, 2017, net cash used in financing activities was $37.4 million, compared to $30.3 million in the same period of 2016. Net cash used in financing activities in 2017 and 2016 primarily consisted of repayment of related party loans and bank borrowings.

Now, we'll provide a summary of our full year 2017 results. For the year of 2017, revenues were $352.9 million, an increase of 54% from $229 million in 2016.

Revenues from polysilicon sales to external customers were $294 million in 2017, an increase of 75.5% from $167.5 million in 2016. During the first quarter of 2017, we fully ramped up our Xinjiang polysilicon facility to 18,000 metric tons annual nameplate capacity and achieved full production. Our annual polysilicon production volume increased by 54.6% from 13,068 metric tons in 2016 to 20,200 metric tons in 2017. Our external polysilicon sales volume increased as a result by 64.9% from 10,883 metric tons in 2016 to 17,950 metric tons in 2017. In addition, our polysilicon ASPs also improved from $15.42 per kilogram in 2016 to $16.41 per kilogram in 2017.

Revenues from wafer sales were $58.8 million in 2017, compared to $61.6 million in 2016. Wafer sales volume was 98 million pieces, an increase of 18.4% from 82.8 million pieces in 2016. The decrease in wafer revenues as compared to 2016 was primarily due to lower wafer ASPs.

Gross profit was $143.5 million in 2017, an increase of 78.4% from $80.4 million in 2016. Gross margin was 40.7% in 2017, increased from 35.1% in 2016. The improvement in gross profit and gross margin was primarily attributable to our polysilicon segment.

Gross profit of the Company's polysilicon segment excluding costs related to the Chongqing idle polysilicon facilities, was $143 million in 2017, an increase of 83% from $78.2 million in 2016. Gross margin of the Company's polysilicon segment was 48.7%, increased from 46.7% in 2016. The increase in polysilicon gross profit and gross margin excluding costs related to the Chongqing idle polysilicon facilities was primarily due to higher sales volume, higher ASPs, and improvement in polysilicon cost structure. The Company sold 17,950 metric tons of polysilicon to external in 2017, an increase of 65% from 10,883 metric tons in 2016.

The Company's annual average polysilicon production costs, including depreciation, decreased by 4.2% from $9.23 per kilogram in 2016 to $8.84 per kilogram in 2017.

Gross profit of our wafer segment was $2.8 million in 2017, a decrease from $9.2 million in 2016. Gross margin of our wafer segment was 4.7% in 2017, as compared to 15% in 2016. The decrease in wafer gross profit and gross margin was primarily due to lower wafer ASPs, despite lower average manufacturing costs compared to 2016.

Total costs related to the nonoperational Chongqing polysilicon plant including depreciation were $2.4 million in 2017, a decrease from $6.9 million in 2016. The decrease was due to relocation of idle equipment from the Company's Chongqing polysilicon plant to Xinjiang's polysilicon plant. Excluding such costs, non-GAAP gross margin was approximately 41.4% in 2017, an increase from 38.1% in 2016.

SG&A expenses were $17.7 million in 2017, compared to $16.1 million in 2016. The increase in SG&A expenses was primarily due to increased shipping costs, as a result of higher polysilicon sales volume.

Total R&D expenses were $0.9 million in 2017, compared to $4 million in 2016. R&D expenses vary from period to period, reflecting the R&D activities that took place during such period.

Other operating income was $6.8 million in 2017, compared to $5.3 million in 2016, which primarily consisted of unrestricted cash incentives that the company received from local government authorities, which vary from period to period at the discretion of the government.

Operating income was $128.7 million in 2017, an increase of 96.7% from $65.4 million in 2016. Operating margin was 36.5% in 2017, increasing from 28.6% in 2016.

Interest expense was $18.0 million in 2017, compared to $14.6 million in 2016. Income tax expenses were $17.3 million in 2017, compared to $7.4 million in 2016.

Net income attributable to Daqo New Energy Corp shareholders were $92.8 million in 2017, an increase of 113.5% from $43.5 million in 2016. Earnings per basic ADS were $8.76 in 2017, an increase of 111.1% from $4.15 in 2016.

Adjusted net income attributable to Daqo New Energy Corp shareholders was $99.5 million in 2017, an increase of 87.3% from $53.1 million in 2016. Adjusted earnings per basic ADS were of $9.38 in 2017, an increase of 85% from $5.07 in 2016.

And that concludes the official part of our presentation. Now, we'll have the Q&A session.

(Operator Instructions) The first question comes from Philip Shen of Roth Capital Partners.

Congratulations on the great results. My first question is around guidance. You guys consistently produce well above your nameplate capacity, but I think this quarter in Q4 was higher than normal at 25% above nameplate. On a go-forward basis for your 2018 -- well, I guess the question is how are you operating so much above nameplate and when you bring on your Phase 3B capacity now, which is 30,000 metric tons, would you be able to continue to expect to operate at 25% greater than that nameplate as well?

Philip, good morning. Thank you for the question. It's a good question. The nameplate basically just the design, the full capacity, 18,000 metric tons, because we are the chemistry company. So basically, the actual capacity always larger than the nameplate.

So as you can see that this year, our guidance is around 22,000 to 23,000 metric tons. We think it's very -- I think it's doable. In terms of the question, the 3B, 13,000 metric tons of cost. I think that's all we're planning right now. Actually, nameplate is 10,000. So actually, we maybe conservatively speaking is 13,000 but actually we maybe can reach 15,000 metric tons.

Basically, I think, to answer your question, if we finish the 3B, we theoretically we can achieve to, annual output is about I think 35,000, maybe reach to 37,000 tons. It's possible. But we cannot guarantee. Does that answer your question?

Yes. Thank you, Zhang. That helps a lot.

It's 30%, you know, even 50% more than the nameplate, the actual output.

Good. That's very helpful. And then also for full year 2018, can you help us understand what the wafer volumes might be. I mean, you gave the poly side for production, but how much -- we saw in the guidance for Q1, the wafer production stepped down lower than what we typically are used to by maybe 25%.

So do you think the poly consumption by wafer will be similarly lower for most of 2018, because you want to divert more of the shipments now, or more of the production of poly externally? Is that the plan in general?

Okay. I think, Philip, I think since I took over the CEO position, I look at the whole industry, because Daqo, we forecast our polysilicon manufacturing. If you look at our Chongqing wafer production, basically, okay, I spend the whole week in Chongqing. We run now the capacity only 500 megawatts on the wafer capacity, but we have right now, at the beginning of this year, we have employees of 516 people.

So I immediately cutting people, 168 people. So right now, we're cutting people to 349. Because right now, if you look at our last year, 2016, our wafer gross margin is only 4% compared -- not only compare the benchmark company, let's say, Jinko, let's say LONGi, their wafer capacity, their wafer gross margin may be around LONGi, because it's mono wafer, the high capacity, we are multi.

So even apples-to-apples, we compare with, let's say, Trina and Jinko, our gross margin is still lower. They may be around 12% to 15%. So that's why come back, we need to consider that, even though, we right now are seeing Q4, we changed to the diamond wire cutting system. But we still have the quality issue. So basically, right now, we are basically slowing down the wafer capacity, the production. We have to first to mature the quality is 100%, use the diamond wire saw cutting, the first. Second is, our nonsilicon cost right now is higher basically. If you look our Q4, it's almost $2.

It's not comparative to our competitors. So we have to make sure nonsilicon cash cost to within $1.15 plus our depreciation maybe right now [apiece], okay, right now it's $0.39. So even $0.39 plus 1.15 [cent] renminbi, add together is almost 1.60 cent renminbi per piece, still no competitive -- the advantage compared to the competitors.

So basically, we have to watch right now plus okay, after New Year, the silicon price fluctuates a lot. Then also the wafer price also reduce a little, slightly reduce. So that's why for February, we almost, I think the capacity right now running maybe around 10%.

So we are waiting for the market to come back to see in March whether if we can make some money or not from cash flow points. So for whole year, for the wafer capacity, basically, we cannot give you the precisely projections. But we will very importantly to continue to, I think to maximize or whatever, our wafer production in the future. So we will guidance quarter by quarter, but in a words our strategy is right now, the forecast continue to expansion on the I think polysilicon, especially, high quality mono style crystalline polysilicon.

In the meantime, we're going to continue to keep the costs, especially, I think to reduce the cost of the wafer to see whether we can full capacity around the wafer capacity or not. We are maybe seeking other opportunities to working with other people, let's say, to preserving with other producers. For example, you give me the polysilicon, I have to produce the wafer, then back to you. So that's our strategy.

Thank you for the color. Very detailed. So shifting gears, you mentioned that you want to focus more on the high quality polysilicon for mono. I noticed the ASP in Q4 was higher than we had expected. It was very much in line with the spot domestic pricing in China. Typically, your ASP is maybe 10% lower than some of the domestic spot pricing that we see. And this time, it was kind of in line.

Should we expect this to continue, meaning, you're getting, it seems like maybe a premium for your price. What's driving this premium? Or is it simply just the overall supply-demand dynamics? Or are you able to actually command a bit more of a premium these days because of the greater mono demand by LONGi and [Zongwan] and some of these downstream customers? And as a result, that shift is causing the price premium to actually percolate through the overall blended ASP?

Okay. I think that's a good question. First to answer your question, first of all, today, our production this year, especially, we've given guidance, 22,000 to 23,000, of which we think at least 60% we are mono crystalline product to sell to the markets That's first.

Secondly, if you look at our clients, mostly it's LONGi, [Zongwan] and also Jinko for the mono crystalline silicon. Then, also we have a small minority piece of the multi-polysilicon.

Speaking of the ASP, if you look at our Q4, I think it's around like $19.1 per kg. So just like we said, this time we're even a little above the spot price. I think if you look at the whole year last year and the products trending always before the Chinese New Year, the price still keep a little higher. Then during the Chinese New Year, because we are the chemical company, we will continuously in production, to build the inventory.

Then while those wafer manufacturer companies, they were stopped, they were vacation, in holiday, so they were utilized to consume out their inventory. So after Chinese New Year, especially this year, because while the heavy snow in China postpone the installation of the downstream, the solid projects.

Secondly is maybe 201 U.S. anti-dumping, those regulations to give the market that maybe it's not very confident. But I think that's not the major issue, okay. Third issue, I think, China, if you look at last year, total consumption on the polysilicon is around 370,000 tons, of which 170,000 tons is import and the import majorly, because in term of U.S. dollar, like OCI, like other, their cost is around $12 to $13. Then if you look at the manufacturer, 70% of the output produced by the Chinese, I think the producer, their cost also is around $11 to $12, including GCL. At 75,000 tons, their cost may be around -- overall cost may be around $12.

So what I want to tell you is (inaudible) is only two right now the low cost in China. But their output only account for 20% of the output. So basically, right now, the polysilicon price is determined by majority producer output. So if you today use our lower cost compare the average cost of silicon, we already have what I call the cushion, the margin around 20% to 25%. Then plus the industry overall gross margin is 20% or 25%. So you can see our Q4 gross margin is almost 54%.

So I think this year, after Chinese New Year, maybe the polysilicon price will slightly go down, especially right now, we already see the pressure. Maybe today the marketing is around -- mono is around 130 to 135 kg. Then the multi is around 120 to 125 kg. But as I mentioned that, this year, the overall PV solar market, I think should be around 110 to 120 gigawatts.

So still continue to keep double digits increase, especially China. If we look at China, the Chinese government, the next five years, the forecast, the major 2 tasks, what is the quality improvement in rural areas. Secondly is environmental protection. All these will be to, I think, to support the solar industry in China.

So what I think is, the polysilicon price maybe would slightly go down from lower, then in the second quarter, third quarter, maybe would slightly go up. Then to the fourth quarter, we keep, I think a queue. So if you look last year, ASP is around $16. What I'm thinking this year should be still between $15 to $16.

One more if I may on more of a housekeeping question on CapEx. With your nameplate being -- and then your ability to operate above nameplate being a little bit higher for the Phase 3B expansion, can you just update us on the amount of CapEx required for Phase 3B? I recall the number of about $100 plus million. And so just remind us what is the CapEx for Phase 3B if it's higher than what you had expected before, or the same or lower? And then what the timing of those expenditures could be, especially since you're pulling forward some of the Phase 3B starts?

Okay. So actually the most recent forecast, we've already placed order for the equipment and we finalized the design and then we're also doing the bidding for the construction. So the latest expectation is CapEx for the entire 3B project will be about $140 million to $150 million, U.S. dollars. And so there is about $14 to $15 per kilogram of nameplate capacity.

We expect not to fully ramp it with some potential debottlenecking, we might squeeze more capacity out of that. So this is going to be the highest capital efficiency of the company's history. And in terms of CapEx, we've already spent roughly $10 million, mostly on equipment in Q4. So mostly on the equipment prepayment and the initial foundation work for example.

So this year, we expect probably around $80 million to $90 million of CapEx related to this particular project and if you compare it to our cash flow for last year, we think that's still pretty healthy and then the remaining CapEx is expected to finish by next year. That's the current planning.

Philip, I just had one comment. Okay. If you look right now, currently, you see the Asia company, I think the [Yung Jan], I think [Tong Wei], you know Tong Wei , right?

Yes.

They just announced the CapEx for two factory, each is 25,000 tons. So if you look at the 2017 December, 2017, I think the data announcement. So they are 25,000 tons. Their total investment is around RMB 3.3 billion. So you can calculation they are, per kg, CapEx is around, our calculation is around like $25. But if you look our 13,000 tons, our total investment is $140 million. So it's around, you can calculate, like $12. So the CapEx is very more efficiency.

And so for maintenance CapEx, how much do you expect in 2018, Ming, for the model and when do you plan on the maintenance? Last year, I think it was, you had a week in Q3 and one week in Q4. Would it be a similar type of timing for 2018?

So at least in terms of maintenance, we're still expecting -- currently as of today, we're expecting it to be conducted in Q3 based on our normal schedule. I think last year, we ran it a little bit later than we normally would. Maintenance CapEx, we're expecting roughly $10 million to $15 million for the year.

The next question comes from Gordon Johnson of Vertical Group.

I guess just with respect to polysilicon prices, we've noticed the numbers haven't updated at least for the source if you look at it for the past two weeks, but the prior two weeks before that, you had some pretty sharp declines, 4.5% two weeks ago and three weeks ago, 4.2%.

So given the numbers you guys suggested, where prices are right now for multi and mono, at 120 to 125 and 130 to 135, do you guys think we've reached the low point in polysilicon as of right now or do you think they can go lower?

And then the second question would be, the head of the PV, the China PV Industry Association, Wang Bohua -- I don't know if I'm saying that name right -- but nonetheless, he recently put out comments saying that the China installations in 2018 would come in around 33 gigawatts or a 40% drop from 2017. And the reason given was excessive costs associated with the 130 gigawatts that have been installed, roughly 79 I think billion CMY per year of state subsidies required. Do you guys have a view on those comments? Have you heard those comments? Do you see them as accurate or not? Thank you.

Okay. Let me first answer your question, then maybe Ming can add more comments. First of all, I think right now, after Chinese New Year, we see, I think, the demand and supply, the negotiation, I think the final we see right now, the price for the mono-silicon is around RMB 130 to RMB 135 per kg. Then, the multi is around 120 to 125.

Yes, we see the price maybe will continue to slightly go down. And we think it may be possible to go to like 115 to 120. It's possible. It depends on how quickly the market or the installation will quickly pick up and also the market will come back.

But the one thing I want to emphasize, why is the U.S. market, everybody thinking the U.S. market, because 201 regulations will reduce the market I think, the installation of PV. But that's wrong. Because if you look at Jinko, look at other Asia company, as I know, at least three companies right now is going to U.S. to build up the module or even sell manufacturing company.

So if they're going to do that, the wafer still comes from China, the silicon still comes from -- majority of the wafer manufacturing is still in China. So in terms of your second question about the Chinese market, as I said, I didn't mention that if you look at Chinese party, this term is five years. The three major tasks, one is to prevent the real financial [repeat]. Secondly is the quality improvement in rural area. Thirdly is the environmental protection. The two major tasks is related to I think solar industry.

So I do not think the solar industry will be hurt. The reason is why, just like you said, the news. You have to look at that, as long as the solar, the farm field you build up, let's say, the project you build up, I think the solar projects you build up, it doesn't matter how much it costs, how much subsidize you didn't collect. Because for those projects, actually, it actually generated, cost is zero. Because doesn't matter, because anyway, they're going to generate the (inaudible). Right, the cost is zero. So how much are installed doesn't affect the future, how much we're going to install.

So how much we're going to this year to install in China, it depends on the projects we're going to build, what's the IRR, what's the government give the subsidies, especially in the China Eastern area. It's not only central government subsidies, but also local government subsidies. For example, like Shanghai and Tianjin province, first of all, you generate per KWH, you collected the regular selling price let's say, 0.37, even 0.67 or RMB 0.67 per KWH. The local government already gave you RMB 0.45 per KWH.

Even in our (inaudible), the central government subsidies is still okay, still make money. So what I say, all that project is already installed, all the cost is (inaudible) what I'm saying is think investments. It doesn't matter, didn't affect anything. So for the new adding capacity this year, in China, I don't think the 33 gigawatts is correct. Okay. But I'm not saying go to 90 kilowatts in China. What I'm thinking, last year, 55 kilowatts, this year should be around I think 65 to 75 kilowatts. That's why I give you guidance.

Does that answer your question, Gordon?

Yes, it does answer my question. I guess one follow-up I would have is, are you guys concerned at all about the amount of polysilicon that was reported to be produced in China in January of I think it was a record of 24,000 tons by the nonferrous metals association? And when you add in the 16,300 tons of imports, which was the second highest ever, we're on a run rate to do 115 gigawatts of poly supply globally or specifically in China for the year. So does that concern you guys at all? That seems like a high level and clearly January isn't the high mark for polysilicon production or imports into China.

To answer your question, yes, this, we're concerned. Okay. I think I should speak for the poly, the price. You have to consider two effects. Why is it in China? Because always exaggerate, China, the production capacity will be increased dramatically. Look, new horizon, right. Three years ago, they're going to say, they're going to invest 80,000 tons capacity. Okay. We are already three years. How much is the manufacturing? Last year, maybe 5,000 tons maximum, the lower quality.

But this year, they say, they're going to around full capacity, 15,000 tons. So what I'm saying, starting from beginning to enter the new -– the polysilicon industry like a new horizon, it takes a long time. It's not easy, just like the middle wafer cell in the module. To form the capacity immediately, like three months or six months, you can build up 1 gigawatts capacity immediately from wafer to module. But for polysilicon, it's difficult. Okay. First of all.

Secondly is, Daqo, we have to differentiate ourselves from other people. One is, right now, 70% of our capacity right now is produced mono polysilicon. That's the future of the module market. Last year, I think LONGi and other, I think of the mono module only accounted for maybe 27%. This year, we're increased to maybe more than 50%. So if you look at, in China, the manufacturer only TBEA, [Star Tran] those two, plus maybe I think, [Yung Chang] maybe also produced part of them, can produce the mono polysilicon. That's the first advantage. Second advantage is, I'm just mentioning that. Our gross margin last year was around 45%.

So we compare our industry average, what I say 80% of those produced or even imported, their gross margin may be around 20% to 25%. So yes, we still have the cushion there. Maybe, the newcomer will continue lower cost, yes, the same gross margin as us. So what I think, yes, we maybe cannot continue to keep such a high gross margin, 45%, but we still think this year, we can achieve 35% to 40% gross margin.

When you say 35% to 40% gross margin, given we're already almost through, clearly, we're through February and we're into March, can you give us an indication of what that margin will look like in Q1? Would you say the Q1 margin will be lower than that 30% to 40% target and it will get higher through the year, as prices rebound or will Q1 be higher than that 30% to 40% target and it will go lower through the year?

Okay. First of all, we don't give guidance, any guidance for the future on the gross margin, because it's difficult to projection. Okay. But I can say the month of January, we are very well set. Okay. The ASP is very well. Yes. During the February, Chinese New Year, that's every year. So if you look over history, the Q1, you can look.

So I cannot give you guidance, but I say I gave you something as for whole year, we believe, I think, we can keep -- I think I'm not giving guidance. I'm just -- we think we can keep maybe that, even I'd say, and just for example, if (inaudible) we keep gross margin around 35%, then the industry, majority 80%, maybe they're only let's say 15% to 20%. I'm just assuming, okay, the lower cost to compare the higher cost.

Okay. So basically, you're saying you're not giving guidance, but your gross margin could fall 5% this year, but you'll still keep it at around a 35% range? That's the target.

I'm not giving the guidance. Okay. I'm just giving you some (inaudible).

I got you. That is helpful. This was very helpful. And again, congrats on the solid 2017 performance. Thanks a lot, guys.

This concludes our question-and-answer session. I would like to turn the conference back over to Kevin He for any closing remarks.

Thank you, everyone, again for participating in today's conference call. Should you have any further question, please don't hesitate to contact us. Thank you and goodbye.

The conference has now concluded. Thank you for attending today's presentation. You may now disconnect.