Sino Clean Energy (GREY:SCEI)

WEB NEWS

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Legal Insights

LAS VEGAS and XI'AN, China, Aug. 26, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Sino Clean Energy Inc. (Nasdaq "SCEI")  Robert W. Seiden, Esq., Court-Appointed Receiver ("Receiver") of Sino Clean Energy, Inc. ("SCEI") has successfully beaten back Baowen Ren, the former chairman of SCEI, in the Nevada bankruptcy court where the Honorable Judge Bruce T. Beesley ruled today that Ren's unauthorized bankruptcy filing of SCEI had to be dismissed.

Ren and his Nevada lawyers filed a bankruptcy petition on July 7, 2015, seeking U.S. Bankruptcy Code protection for SCEI and availing the company of the automatic stay after SCEI was placed into receivership by the Nevada state court last year for failing to report to the SEC and going dark.  Ren's timing of the bankruptcy petition was especially suspect as it came on the heels of the Receiver's filing of a motion in the Nevada state court asking that Mr. Ren be held in civil and criminal contempt.

The Receiver's lawyers at Foley & Lardner successfully persuaded the Bankruptcy Judge that the bankruptcy filing was not only impermissible but in violation of the receivership order and was filed based in part on false statements. Katherine Catanese, the lead bankruptcy lawyer for the Receiver, who successfully argued the case before the Bankruptcy Court, cited powerful facts and law that led to today's victory for US shareholders. Ms. Catanese was assisted by Ryan Works of McDonald Carano in Nevada, Douglas Spelfogel of Foley & Lardner and several staff members of the Receiver including Nathaniel Francis and Heike Vogel, Esq.

In the wake of today's ruling, Ren must now face the contempt of court proceeding pending in Nevada state court for his actions in violation of the Nevada state court order and in defiance of the Receiver's demands. Ren is also subject to an active criminal investigation in Hong Kong by the Commercial Crimes Bureau for his actions in falsifying documents in Hong Kong that was uncovered by the Receiver's auditors there.


Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Comments & Business Outlook

XI'AN, China, Jan. 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Alain Peracca and the Group of shareholders who filed with the SEC a Schedule 13D for Sino Clean Energy (OTC: SCEI) are disappointed to learn that the previous Chairman and CEO of Sino Clean Energy, Mr. Baowen Ren, has refused to cooperate with the Court-appointed Receiver, Mr. Robert W. Seiden, Esq. and to uphold his fiduciary duty to protect the interests of all shareholders. It is very disappointing and disturbing that Mr. Ren, who previously had stated repeatedly to U.S. and Chinese shareholders that he had their best interests in mind, has refused to work with the Receiver to ensure such interests are protected.

We therefore fully support the decision by the Company's Boards of Directors and the Receiver Mr. Seiden to remove Mr. Baowen Renfrom his duties as Chairman and CEO of Sino Clean Energy and to appoint an interim management to take control of the day-to-day operations.

We also support the decision by the Company's Boards of Directors and the Receiver Mr. Seiden to ask the Chinese and U.S. authorities to have Mr. Ren's actions while Chairman and CEO examined for any potential wrongdoing given his lack of cooperation with the Receiver. 

Finally, we look forward to the rapid public disclosure of the 2012, 2013, and 2014 financials of the Company once the new independent Board audit committee will have completed its review. Such financials had been promised by Mr. Baowen Ren in his press release issued August 21, 2014 to be disclosed publicly by October 31, 2014 but never were delivered.


Monday, January 12, 2015

Legal Insights

NEW YORK and XI'AN, China, Jan. 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- After exhausting nearly all avenues of cooperation with Chairman Baowen Ren, Robert W. Seiden, Esq., Court-Appointed Receiver ("Receiver") of Sino Clean Energy, Inc. ("SCEI") has taken decisive steps to taking complete control over SCEI and its China operations.  SCEI is a leading producer of coal-water slurry fuel in China.

Mr. Seiden already has control over Wiscon Holdings Limited ("Wiscon"), SCEI's subsidiary in Hong Kong and has formally removed the board of the operating company Tongchuan Suoke Clean Energy Co. Ltd. ("Tongchuan") and appointed a new board of directors, thereby changing control of the operating company in China.

The Receiver had no other choice but to take this measure after SCEI and Mr. Ren did not release "before the end of October 31, 2014" the company's financials to the public as they stated they would in their August 21, 2014 press release. See:  http://finance.yahoo.com/news/sino-clean-energy-announces-intent-130000862.html

The Receiver was previously appointed and granted broad powers by the Nevada state court in the U.S. on May 13, 2014, pursuant to certain court orders. See:http://finance.yahoo.com/news/nevada-judge-peck-appoints-seiden-063800190.html;_ylt=A0LEV7mwF6tURVsA5_kPxQt.

The Receivership was secured by a group of U.S. investors after SCEI stopped filing required reports with the U.S. SEC in 2012 and was de-listed from the public stock exchange.  

See: http://ir.nasdaqomx.com/releasedetail.cfm?releaseid=708869

To date, the Receiver (who has agreed to defer his and his professional's fees as per the court order) has fulfilled the following tasks:

  • Removed the current board of directors of SCEI's operating company inside China.
  • Formally appointed a new board of directors and chairman of Tongchuan. The new board chairman is American business man and SCEI shareholder James Sutter. 
  • Appointing interim management to take control of the day-to-day operations.
  • Communicated with U.S-based and Chinese government authorities to have Mr. Ren's actions examined.
  • Sent formal communique to SCEI and its affiliate's Chinese banks requesting that Sino's accounts be seized and the signatories be changed and control be transferred to the Receiver's agents.
  • Communicating with suppliers, customers and other business partners of SCEI in China and globally.
  • Selecting an independent board audit committee to report on the financials of SCEI and its subsidiaries.
  • Pursuing other legal action with the law firms JunHe and Katten Munchin.

The Receiver is providing this press release for informational purposes only. Parties should consult their advisors for specific advice regarding this matter. Any acts of the Receiver remain subject to change. For media inquiries, please contact the office of the Receiver at (212) 768-9808 or email Heike Vogel athvogel@csilegal.com.


Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Maximization of Shareholder Value

NEW YORK, N.Y., Aug. 19, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via PRWEB - SCEI: OTC MARKETS

Court Appointed Receiver Reports Early Progress for Publicly-Listed Chinese Reverse Merger Company Sino Clean Energy Inc.

Robert W. Seiden, Esq., Court-appointed receiver (the "Receiver") over Sino Clean Energy, Inc. ("SCEI"), has taken control over SCEI's wholly-owned subsidiary in Hong Kong which controls the operating entities in mainland China.

The Receiver, a former prosecutor and President of global asset recovery firm Confidential Security & Investigations in New York, was appointed and granted broad powers by the Second Judicial District Court of the State of Nevada, Washoe County, on May 13, 2014 (case number CV14-00484) to act on behalf of all shareholders of SCEI after the company "went dark" and stopped filing its required regular financial reports with the SEC in May 2012. Seiden and a global team of lawyers, investigators and forensic accountants have been investigating SCEI and pushing to get transparent financial information.

SCEI, one of the largest producers of Coal Water Slurry Fuel in China, entered the U.S. equity market via a reverse merger and its stock reached a high of $9.40 per share in April 2010. SCEI was the subject of a series of negative reports that the Company misled investors about its operations and financials by disclosed short-sellers, among them Jon Carnes (operating under the pseudonym "Alfred Little") who is the defendant in a current legal action by the British Columbia Securities regulator (citation: 2013 BCSECCOM 559). In response, SCEI stopped filing its required periodic financial reports with the SEC in the summer of 2012.

In many of these types of cases involving foreign companies it is very difficult if not impossible to enforce the judgment obtained from the court. However, in this case, because of the creative thinking of a group of SCEI shareholders, including Alain Peracca, James Sutter, and Lismore Partners LLC Managing Partner Adam Waldo, the Nevada court appointed the Receiver giving him broad powers to realize the claims against SCEI. In addition to the investigation and potential recovery actions, the Receiver has sought to work collaboratively with management and the Board of Directors of SCEI to resume regular required financial and operational reporting and produce value for all SCEI shareholders.

In the first three months of appointment, the Receiver has made important strides in taking over control of SCEI and identifying assets of SCEI, including, among other things:

  • The Receiver, through his agent CSI, has discovered from extensive research and investigation in China that remains ongoing that SCEI is in fact a viable entity with many employees, and significant sales, cash, and assets. This has been corroborated based on Company filings with the Chinese government, interviews, audit reports, official records checks and other reliable sources.
  • The Receiver retained a global team which includes Foley & Lardner LLP as lead counsel; McDonald Carano Wilson LLP as local counsel in Nevada; and Zolfo Cooper in the British Virgin Islands and KLC Kennic Lui & Co. in Hong Kong, as forensic accountants. The Receiver has also hired Carl Marks & Co. to assist with interim management and financial issues.
  • The Receiver was granted the right to exercise his authority over SCEI's indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries (including exercising the subsidiaries' voting rights) and the power to replace members of the board of directors of the subsidiaries. In that regard, on June 26, 2014, the Receiver passed a resolution on behalf of SCEI, the sole member of Wiscon Holdings Limited ("Wiscon"), a Hong Kong wholly-owned subsidiary of SCEI, removing the existing directors of Wiscon and appointing Madison Director Services, located in the British Virgin Islands, and KLC Corporate Advisory and Recovery Ltd., located in Hong Kong, as directors.
  • On July 21, 2014, the Receiver held a meeting of the directors of Wiscon. At the meeting of directors, Ren Baowen, the former director of Wiscon, was removed as the director, effective immediately. Additionally, the secretary for Wiscon, Able Secretarial Services Limited, was removed and KLC Corporate Advisory and Recovery Limited was appointed as the secretary for Wiscon, effective immediately. On August 25, 2014, the newly-appointed directors will hold a shareholders meeting to vote on a further resolution, which, if approved, officially will remove Ren Baowen as director of Wiscon and put the Receiver's appointed directors in place with legal control over Wiscon.
  • The Receiver has issued several subpoenas to third parties which have yielded critical financial, operational and asset information of SCEI and its subsidiaries, including cooperation from Weinberg & Co., SCEI's U.S. auditors. The Receiver also has had independent financial analysts review the veracity and reliability of a forensic audit performed by Thornhill Capital LLC on SCEI in late 2011 and early 2012.
  • The Receiver has been in communication with under-staff of SCEI Chairman Ren to obtain cooperation and has commenced early dialogue.
  • The Receiver expects to file his first official report with the Nevada court on or before September 15, 2014. The Receiver will continue to provide public reports to the court and any other parties to the extent required.

Friday, August 23, 2013

Notable Share Transactions

XI'AN, China, Aug. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 4th, 2013, Alain Peracca and seven other shareholders in Sino Clean Energy (OTC: SCEI) entered into a Voting Agreement.  The Voting Agreement gives Mr. Peracca voting rights for the Group's aggregate holdings of 1,276,540 shares.  As required by SEC rules, the group of shareholders filed a Schedule 13D (5+% acquisition) on August 6th, 2013.  Sino Clean Energy last filed financials with the SEC via a Form 10-Q for the first quarter of 2012 on May 15th, 2012. The company's last Annual Shareholder Meeting and Vote on Directors was on November 11th, 2011.  On July 9th, 2013 the Company reached a final settlement of $2,000,000 in a class action suit filed on May 6th, 2011. The Company's last press release to the public and Form 8-K filing with the SEC was on September 28th, 2012 to announce the delisting of trading of their stock on the NASDAQ Global Market and the commencement of trading of the shares on the NASDAQ OTC Bulletin Board.

Extract of the 13D filing:

The Reporting Persons reserve the right to, and may in the future, further discuss, meet with, and/or send correspondence to (a) the Issuer's management and/or Board of Directors, (b) other holders of securities of the Issuer, and/or (c) other third parties to discuss and/or formulate any plans or proposals regarding the Issuer or its securities. As part of such activities, the Reporting Persons may take positions or make proposals with respect to potential changes in the operations, management, Board of Directors composition, ownership, capital structure, strategy and future plans of the Issuer as a means of enhancing shareholder value. Such suggestions or positions may inclu


Monday, September 24, 2012

Investor Alert
NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIREdetermination to delist the Company's shares) -- The NASDAQ Stock Market® (Nasdaq:NDAQ) announced that Sino Clean Energy Inc. (SCEI), which has been subject to a trading halt since May 21, 2012, will be suspended from the NASDAQ Stock Market effective September 25, 2012. As a result of the suspension, SinoTech may be eligible to resume trading in the over the counter market. The suspension is the result of a final  issued by the Panel after a hearing on the matter. NASDAQ will file a Form 25 Notification of Delisting with the Securities Exchange Commission upon the expiration of applicable appeal periods.  

Friday, August 24, 2012

Investor Alert

XI'AN, China, August 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Sino Clean Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: SCEI) ("Sino Clean Energy," or the "Company"), a leading producer and distributor of coal-water slurry fuel ("CWSF") in China, today announced that the Company received a second letter from NASDAQ Stock Market LLC ("NASDAQ") on August 21, 2012. The letter alleged violation by the Company of Listing Rule 5250(c)(1) as a result of delayed filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2012. The letter claimed the violation as an additional basis for delisting Sino Clean Energy's securities from the NASDAQ Global Market and stated that a NASDAQ Hearings Panel (the "Panel") would consider this matter in rendering a determination regarding the Company's continued listing on the NASDAQ market.

Pursuant to Listing Rule 5810(d), the Company intends to present its views with respect to this additional deficiency at its Panel hearing on September 13, 2012. At the same time, pursuant to Listing Rule 5815(a)(1)(B), Sino Clean Energy also intends to submit a written request for a further stay, to be delivered to the NASDAQ Staff no later than August 28, 2012.

As previously announced, the Company strongly disagrees with NASDAQ's rationale for delisting Sino Clean Energy's securities as described in NASDAQ's determination letter dated August 7, 2012, and has requested to appeal NASDAQ's delisting determination at the Panel hearing to be held on September 13, 2012. The Company will keep the market informed of any material developments regarding the Panel hearing and the filing with the SEC of the Company's Second Quarter Report.


Wednesday, August 22, 2012

CFO Trail

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors, Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangement of Certain Officers.

 

On August 10, 2012, Ms. Wen (Wendy) Fu provided notice that she was resigning from her position as Chief Financial Officer of Sino Clean Energy Inc. (the “Company”), effective immediately. There were no disagreements between Ms. Fu and the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices, that resulted in her resignation.

Mr. Hon Wan Chan, who is currently Vice President of Finance for the Company, will serve as Interim Chief Financial Officer. The Company has already had discussions with Mr. Chan regarding his appointment as full-time Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Chan has agreed to accept this appointment, subject to the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors, which is imminent.

Mr. Chan has served as the Company’s Vice President of Finance since February 2010. Prior to that, he served as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer from December 2008 to February 2010. Mr. Chan was a principal of CC Alliance CPA & Co from March 2008 to December 2008. He served as the Business Director for Texwood Group, from November 2006 to February 2008, overseeing the company's business administration, finance and accounting. Mr. Chan was the Chief Financial Officer of South China Media Group from July 2005 to October 2006. In 1985, Mr. Chan graduated from Macquarie University in Australia and received a B.A. degree in Accounting, and he graduated from Hong Kong Polytechnic University and received a Master’s degree in Accounting. He is an associate member of both The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and The Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Effective January 1, 2012, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Chan, pursuant to which he serves as Vice President of Finance with initial monthly compensation of RMB20,000 (approximately US$3,136). Mr. Chan is entitled to reimbursement of reasonable business expenses incurred in connection with his employment and a per diem of RMB3,000 (US$470) to cover related expenses that he may incur in connection with his employment. The agreement is terminable by either party upon two months’ written notice.

Upon the approval and appointment of Mr. Chan as Chief Financial Officer by the Company’s Board of Directors, Mr. Chan will be entitled to receive monthly compensation of RMB50,000 (approximately US$7,850). The other terms of Mr. Chan’s current agreement will remain the same, except that the new agreement will be terminable by either party upon one month’s prior written notice.

 


Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Investor Alert

XI'AN, China, August 15, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Sino Clean Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: SCEI) ("Sino Clean Energy," or the "Company"), a leading producer and distributor of coal-water slurry fuel ("CWSF") in China, today announced that the Company received a letter from the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC ("NASDAQ") on August 7, 2012, which stated that the NASDAQ Staff has determined to delist the Company's securities pursuant to its discretionary authority under Listing Rule 5101. The Staff in its letter also alleges violations by the Company of Listing Rule 5250(b)(1) and IM-5250-1, which sets forth a listed company's obligation to make public disclosures, and Listing Rule 5250(a), which sets forth a listed company's obligation to provide information to NASDAQ.

The Company strongly disagrees with NASDAQ's findings and intends to appeal the delisting determination by requesting an oral hearing in front of a NASDAQ panel for ruling on the fairness of a delisting decision.

Because of uncertainties surrounding the Company's status as a NASDAQ-listed enterprise, it is evaluating its options in regards to the filing of second quarter 2012 financial results with the Securities and Exchange Commission and intends to update the market when matters are more definitively resolved.


Monday, August 13, 2012

Investor Alert

Item 3.01. Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer of Listing.

 

On August 7, 2012, Sino Clean Energy, Inc. (the “Company”), received a letter from The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”), which stated that the Nasdaq Staff has determined to delist the Company’s securities pursuant to its discretionary authority under Listing Rule 5101. The Staff in its letter also alleges violations by the Company of Listing Rule 5250(b)(1) and IM-5250-1, which sets forth a listed company’s obligation to make public disclosures, and Listing Rule 5250(a), which sets forth a listed company’s obligation to provide information to Nasdaq.

 

The Company intends to appeal the delisting determination by requesting an oral hearing in front of the Panel.


Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Comments & Business Outlook

XI'AN, China, May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Sino Clean Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: SCEI) ("Sino Clean Energy," or the "Company"), a leading producer and distributor of coal-water slurry fuel ("CWSF") in China, today announced adjusted full year 2012 revenue guidance.

As disclosed in the Company's 8-K filing with the SEC on May 18, Sino Clean Energy was notified by local court authorities that its Dongguan facility was forced to suspend operations pending the outcome of a lawsuit filed against Yongchang Paper Industry Co. Ltd. ("Yongchang"). Yongchang is the entity from which the Company had purchased the Dongguan facility's land and factory building but from which the Company has yet to receive the land use right certificate per a previously agreed schedule. The Company is in the process of appealing the court order and intends to defend its contractual rights. In the meantime, Sino Clean Energy is actively seeking alternative production options and may lease additional facilities to serve its customers in the region.

Trading in Sino Clean Energy's shares on the Nasdaq Global Market ("NASDAQ") was halted on May 21, 2012 pending NASDAQ's request for additional information from the Company about the Dongguan facility. Company management and its legal counsel have been in close contact with NASDAQ and have been cooperating with NASDAQ's requests. The Company is diligently working to fully satisfy NASDAQ's requests with the expectation that upon satisfying such requests, trading can commence.

After assessing the probable impact of this interruption and the possibility of other means of production and sales in Dongguan and in other facility locations, Company management now expects fiscal year 2012 revenue of between $125 million and $142 million, down from previous guidance of between $150 million and $168 million. This new guidance assumes total sales volume of 1.1 million to 1.2 million metric tons of CWSF in 2012.


Monday, May 21, 2012

Investor Alert

Item 8.01 Other Events.

 

On May 18, 2012, Sino Clean Energy Inc. (the “Company”) was notified by local court authorities that its Dongguan production facility was to be closed pending the outcome of an ongoing lawsuit filed against Yongchang Paper Industry Co. Ltd. (“Yongchang”), a neighboring business.

 

The Company’s Dongguan facility, located in Liu Yong Wei Industrial Park, Wan Jiang District, Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, is situated on the same grounds as Yongchang’s manufacturing facilities. In August 2010, the Company entered into an agreement with Yongchang to purchase approximately 30 acres of land and a production factory for a total purchase price of approximately $5,550,000 (RMB 37,200,000). The Dongguan factory was completed and commenced production in January 2011. As of the date of this report, however, Yongchang was still in the process of transferring the land use right certificate for the land on which the Dongguan facility is located, which entitles the holder to use the land and gain the title to the buildings located upon such land.

 

Yongchang, a start-up paper products company, had planned to launch initial production in 2011. However, due to the nationwide tightening of credit in 2010 through 2011, a policy that the PRC government had instituted in an effort to curb credit-driven inflation, Yongchang was unable to obtain sufficient capital to launch production according to schedule. In late December 2011, Yongchang’s facilities were sealed by local authorities in connection with a complaint that was filed in local court by Yongchang creditors.

 

The Company’s Dongguan facility continue to operate until May 18, 2012, when, as a result of Yongchang’s failure to timely transfer the land use right certificate for the Dongguan facility to the Company, the local court issued an order to seal the Dongguan facility, despite the Company’s full and separate contractual right to the land and facility thereon.

 

The Company is in the process of appealing the court order and intends to defend its contractual rights vigorously and to the fullest extent under PRC law. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement with Yongchang, if Yongchang fails to transfer the land and property certificates to the Company on schedule, or leaves the land and property to a third party as pledge, the agreement becomes invalid and Yongchang must refund the full amount of the purchase price to the Company and pay a default penalty equal to 10% of the total transaction price.

 

However, as a result of the court order, since the afternoon of May 18, 2012, Company has been forced to suspend production at its Dongguan facility. The Company is aggressively seeking to identify alternative production options and may lease additional facilities to service its Guangdong customers pending resolution of the Dongguang facility. Until production is resumed, the Company may incur substantial losses on outstanding purchase orders and may lose business opportunites with current and future customers in the area. The Company is revisiting its 2012 earnings guidance and will revise its guidance to account for any effect that the Dongguan plant closure may have on the Company’s results of operations.

 


Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Comments & Business Outlook

First Quarter 2012 Results

  • Revenues in the first quarter of 2012 were $27.8 million, a decrease of 17.6% from $33.8 million in the same quarter of 2011.
  • Net income in the first quarter of 2012 was $2.8 million, a decrease of 77.0% from $12.1 million in the same quarter of 2011. Non-GAAP adjusted earnings, which excludes change in fair value of derivative liabilities of $1.7 million, was $4.5 million, a decrease of 44.8% from $8.1 million in the same quarter of 2011.
  • Earnings per share were $0.12. Adjusted earnings per share were $0.16 vs $0.32 in prior year
  • Net cash provided by operations was $22.4 million in the first quarter of 2012, compared to $5.1 million in the same period of 2011.

Mr. Baowen Ren, chairman and chief executive officer of Sino Clean Energy, commented, "The past quarter was a challenging period for Sino Clean Energy but also one marked by encouraging developments. Although we had expected a slowdown in order volume from our largest customer, which is based in Shenyang, our Shenyang facility sales were more sluggish than anticipated. We are encouraged, however, that order volume at Dongguan continued to expand and partly offset the revenue reductions from our other two facilities.

"Our ongoing progress at Dongguan serves as a benchmark for other facilities," continued Mr. Ren. "Our management team and I are carefully reviewing both the successes and shortcomings of the year's first quarter to find ways to recapture the growth that our experience has shown this company is fully capable of achieving."

Recent Development and Updates

Acquisition of Foshan Nan Hai

The Company has engaged Shaanxi Rongde Law Firm to conduct comprehensive due diligence and evaluation of Foshan Nan Hai's assets, ownership structure, liabilities, and credit worthiness. This due diligence and evaluation was still progressing as of March 31, 2012. Management expects the evaluation and negotiation process to be completed by the third quarter of 2012.

Cooperation with Nathalin Welstar Energy Co Ltd

Management undertook a site visit in Thailand in December 2011 for feasibility study and inspections and to begin the process of technical and financial analysis of the project. In mid February 2012, the company sent a project quotation list to Nathalin. As of the end of the first quarter of 2012, Nathalin had submitted a quotation to the Company's board of directors for discussion. These discussions are still in progress.

Legal Proceedings

On May 6, 2011, a complaint was filed in the Federal District Court for the Central District of California against the Company and certain of its current and former officers and directors. As the Company previously announced, recent developments include the Plaintiff filing a Second Amended Complaint on or about March 5, 2012. On April 20, 2012, the Company moved to dismiss the Second Amended Complaint. The Company continues to deny the allegations and intends to defend the litigation vigorously. No prediction can be made, however, as to the final outcome of the matter.

On May 9, 2011, the Company filed a complaint in the Supreme Court of the State of New York against Geoinvesting LLC, an individual calling himself "Alfred Little", and unidentified persons acting with, for, or through them. The suit seeks, among other relief, $55 million in compensatory damages and $10 million in punitive damages resulting from the defendants' fraud, defamation, and tortuous interference with the Company's business relationships. The Court dismissed the complaint against Geoinvesting LLC, primarily on jurisdictional grounds, and reserved judgment with regard to "Alfred Little".

Financial Outlook

Management reiterates full year 2012 guidance and expects revenue of between $150 million and $168 million. The Company expects full year 2012 non-GAAP adjusted earnings to be in the range of $35 million to $40 million and adjusted earnings per share of between $1.35 and $1.54. This guidance assumes total sales volume of 1.3 million to 1.4 million metric tons of CWSF in 2012.


Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Comments & Business Outlook

Sino Clean Energy Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Other Comprehensive Income

 

(Unaudited)

 

    Three months ended March 31,  
    2012     2011  
             
Revenue   $ 27,831,694     $ 33,780,732  
                 
Cost of goods sold     (19,298,230 )     (21,281,408 )
                 
Gross profit     8,533,464       12,499,324  
                 
Selling expenses     1,212,838       1,527,466  
General and administrative expenses     1,290,073       1,031,542  
                 
Income from operations     6,030,553       9,940,316  
                 
Other income (expense)                
Interest income     65,569       44,187  
Change in fair value of derivative liabilities     (1,677,336 )     4,010,630  
                 
Total other (expense) income     (1,611,767 )     4,054,817  
                 
Income before provision for income taxes     4,418,786       13,995,133  
                 
Provision for income taxes     1,639,122       1,915,380  
                 
Net income     2,779,664       12,079,753  
                 
Other comprehensive income                
Foreign currency translation adjustment     1,312,935       918,229  
                 
Comprehensive income   $ 4,092,599     $ 12,997,982  
                 
Weighted average number of shares                
-Basic     23,863,701       23,465,794  
-Diluted     23,877,337       25,381,392  
                 
Income (loss) per common share                
- Basic   $ 0.12     $ 0.51  
- Diluted   $ 0.12     $ 0.48  

 


Thursday, November 17, 2011

Comments & Business Outlook

Third Quarter 2011 Results

  • Revenues in the third quarter of 2011 were $17.2 million, a decrease of 31.2%from $24.9 million in the same quarter of 2010.
  • Net income in the third quarter of 2011 was $3.3 million, a decrease of 41.7%from $5.6 million in the same quarter of 2010. Non-GAAP adjusted earnings, which excludes change in fair value of derivative liabilities of $2.7 million and gain on extinguishment of derivative liability of $3.1 million, was $2.8 million, a decrease of 56.7% from $6.6 million in the same quarter of 2010.
  • Earnings per share were $0.14. Adjusted earnings per share were $0.11.
  • Net cash generated from operations was $2.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2011, compared to $21.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010.


 

Mr. Baowen Ren, chairman and chief executive officer of Sino Clean Energy, commented, "I'm pleased that the company managed to maintain acceptable sales volume during a very challenging third quarter when operations at our largest customer remained suspended. In Tongchuan, we further lost one customer to a low-price competitor and one customer suspended operations due to a reduced loan facility. On the positive side, the customer base and order volume of our Dongguan facility continued to increase during the period, partly offsetting revenue reduction from our Shenyang and Tongchuan facilities. With our largest customer resuming operations at the beginning of the fourth quarter, we are confident that our Shenyang facilities will ramp up quickly and begin contributing again to overall revenue in the future."

Mr. Ren continued, "I'm also pleased to announce that Thornhill Capital's review and reconciliation of financial information filed in tax returns with State Administration of Taxation (SAT) and its filings with State Administration of Industry and Commerce (SAIC) to the audited financial statements in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, was recently completed. Thornhill concluded that with respect to Shaanxi Suo'ang, it is unlikely that the Company has filed incorrect SAT or SAIC reports, or provided false reports that do not agree to the audited financial information reports filed with US SEC under US GAAP. Thornhill was also able to reconcile the SAT filings of Shenyang Suo'ang and Dongguan Clean Energy, however, due to time constraints the information provided for such filings had not been independently verified, and a SAIC reconciliation has not been performed. The completion of this Thornhill study marks the successful conclusion of the first phase of a broader operations-wide internal investigation being supervised by the Company's Audit Committee, to address certain matters raised in the past concerning the veracity of the company's stated production facilities and activity, revenues, cash balances, and customers."

Financial Outlook

SCEI management reconfirms fiscal 2011 guidance and expects revenue of between $101.5 million and $110.7 million due to the Company's major customer, Shenyang Haizhong Heating, resuming its operations in October. The Company expects Non-GAAP adjusted earnings to be in the range of$23.02 million to $24.80 million and full year adjusted earnings per share of between $0.98and $1.06. This guidance assumes total sales volume of 850,000 - 920,000 metric tons of CWSF in 2011.


Friday, September 30, 2011

Comments & Business Outlook

XI'AN, China, September 30, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Sino Clean Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCEI) ("Sino Clean Energy," or the "Company"), a leading producer and distributor of coal-water slurry fuel ("CWSF") in China, today reconfirmed its fiscal 2011 guidance and expected revenue of between $101.5 million and $110.7 million. The Company announced on the same day that its major customer, Shenyang Haizhong Heating, has completed pipeline modifications and is expected to resume operations in October as scheduled. Sino Clean Energy's Shenyang facility is prepared to produce CWSF to supply this key customer according to its expected ramp up in demand.

Sino Clean Energy also provided additional updates about Foshan Nan Hai acquisition, third-party asset evaluation, and lawsuit against Alfred Little.

In regards to its planned Foshan Nan Hai acquisition, Sino Clean Energy has engaged Shaanxi Rongde Law Firm ("Rongde") to conduct a comprehensive investigation and evaluation of Foshan Nan Hai's assets, ownership structure, liabilities, and credit worthiness.

As previously noted, Sino Clean Energy has engaged an independent third-party evaluation agency, Thornhill Capital LLC, to conduct a thorough evaluation of the Company's assets. The Company had previously expected to receive Thornhill's report in mid-September. The board decided that it was in the best interest of the shareholders to expand the scope of the report to go beyond verification of tax payments and cash balances and conduct additional verifications of assets. The expanded scope of work requires review of official government documents, which require an added amount of time to obtain.

In regards to the Company's lawsuit against Alfred Little, Sino Clean Energy is pleased to announce that the New York State Supreme Court has recently granted the Company an extra 60 days for serving the defendant. The Court has also allowed the Company's lawyers to serve Alfred Little by e-mail, which the Company expects will facilitate its ability to pursue this litigation, and complaints have now been served on both Alfred Little and Geoinvesting LLC. The Company intends to update investors about any material developments with the litigation as they occur.


Monday, September 12, 2011

Corporate Governance

On September 5, 2011, Sino Clean Energy Inc. (the “Company”) received notification from Mr. Brock Silvers that effective immediately, he resigned as a member of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company. At the time of his resignation, Mr. Silvers also served as a member of the Board’s Audit Committee.

A copy of Mr. Silvers' resignation letter was included as Exhibit 17.1 to the Original 8-K.  Mr. Silvers' resignation letter states, among other things, that at a meeting of the Board of Directors held on August 19, 2011, his motion regarding the formation of a special committee and the commencement on September 7, 2011 of an independent investigation into the allegations made against the Company in two reports published in April 2011, did not receive Board support.  Mr. Silvers cites the failure to pass this motion as a reason for his resignation.
 
The Company believes that there was a general consensus among board members at the August Board meeting in support of an investigation. At the August Board meeting, the Board approved a motion to reconsider the issue of an investigation at a Board meeting to take place on September 7, 2011, so that Board members could have additional time to consider and determine the appropriate timing, format and continued advisability of an investigation.  On September 9, 2011, the Board agreed by unanimous written consent to immediately commence an internal investigation into the allegations, which would be performed by the Company’s counsel, Loeb & Loeb LLP.


Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Investor Alert
 Lawsuit against Alfred Little

As previously noted, the Company filed a lawsuit against Alfred Little in the New York State Supreme Court on May 9, 2011. It has 120 days from that date to serve a copy on the defendants, which is the first step in pursuing the suit. Usually, serving a defendant is not difficult, but because Alfred Little hides behind a pseudonym, he, or it, is difficult to find and serve. The Company's lawyers are making efforts to break through the pseudonym. When it does so, the Company will serve the other defendants as well, since it is more efficient to pursue all of the defendants at the same time rather than pursue the case piecemeal. If the pseudonym has not been broken within 120 days, the company can and will request more time to serve Little.


Comments & Business Outlook

Second Quarter 2011 Results

  • Revenues in the second quarter of 2011 were $23.0 million, a decrease of 4.7% from $24.1 million in the same quarter of 2010.
  • Earnings per share were $0.54. Adjusted earnings per share for second quarter 2011 were $0.14 vs $0.32 in 2010

Mr. Baowen Ren, chairman and chief executive officer of Sino Clean Energy, commented, "I'm happy the company has largely maintained consistent sales volume during a challenging second quarter when our largest customer, Haizhong Heating, which represented around 80% of our Shenyang-based revenues, suspended operations of its CWSF boilers. As a result, our Shenyang facility ceased operations in late April 2011. Our business in Tongchuan was also challenged by the emergence of a new competitor. On the positive side, the customer base and order volume of our Dongguan facility continued to grow during the period. The Dongguan facility contributed 38% of revenue in the second quarter, which partly offset the revenue reduction from our Shenyang and Tongchuan facilities. As Haizhong Heating plans to restart its CWSF operations at the end of September, three months later than our original estimation, our production in Shenyang will remain suspended during the third quarter."

Mr. Ren continued, "Although we are encountering some setbacks due to tightening macro policy and increased local competition, the Company remains confident in the prospects of CWSF and will continue to invest in building up our capacity through production line expansions and acquisitions. Our margins might be under pressure for the rest of 2011, but we believe that capacity investment will position Sino Clean Energy favorably in the mid-to-long term."

Financial Outlook for 2011

Due to the extended suspension of CSWF operations of a major client, Company management is adjusting its fiscal 2011 guidance and expects revenue of between $101.5 million and $110.7 million. It expects Non-GAPP adjusted earnings to be in the range of $23.02 million to $24.80 million. The Company expects full year adjusted earnings per share of between $0.98 and $1.06. This guidance assumes total sales volume of 850,000-920,000 metric tons of CWSF in 2011.

Because of loss of certain customer accounts and cancelled orders from existing customers, the company is making efforts to diversify its customer base and provide a more stable source of revenues. As a result, management has increased the number of sales representatives and raised incentives for new accounts that enter into long-term purchasing agreements.


Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Comments & Business Outlook
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Other Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)

   
Three months ended
June 30,
   
Six months ended
June 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
                         
Revenue
  $ 23,017,357     $ 24,149,761     $ 56,798,089     $ 48,658,765  
                                 
Cost of goods sold
    (14,878,987 )     (14,779,016 )     (36,160,395 )     (29,179,193 )
                                 
Gross profit
    8,138,370       9,370,745       20,637,694       19,479,572  
                                 
Selling expenses
    1,294,452       1.136,019       2,821,918       2,047,098  
General and administrative expenses
    2,512,591       626,053       3,544,133       1,345,235  
                                 
Income from operations
    4,331,327       7,608,673       14,271,643       16,087,239  
                                 
Other income (expense)
                               
Interest and finance cost
    -       (13,591 )     -       (10,458,154 )
Interest income
    71,712       19,353       115,899       32,224  
Gain on extinguishment of derivative liability
    482,837       -       482,837       28,404,181  
Change in fair value of derivative liabilities
    8,980,381       2,862,263       12,991,011       (1,377,666 )
Sundry income
    -       4,688       -       4,688  
                                 
Total other income (expense)
    9,534,930       2,872,713       13,589,747       16,605,273  
                                 
Income before provision for income taxes
    13,866,257       10,481,386       27,861,390       32,692,512  
                                 
Provision for income taxes
    1,148,478       1,540,627       3,063,858       3,291,132  
                                 
Net income
    12,717,779       8,940,759       24,797,532       29,401,380  
                                 
Other comprehensive income
                               
Foreign currency translation adjustment
    1,243,991       269,266       2,162,220       281,472  
                                 
Comprehensive income
  $ 13,961,770     $ 9,210,025     $ 26,959,752     $ 29,682,852  
                                 
Weighted average number of shares
                               
-Basic
    23,593,887       16,557,000       23,593,887       14,714,742  
-Diluted
    23,593,887       19,216,041       23,593,887       17,161,540  
                                 
Income (loss) per common share
                               
- Basic
  $ 0.54     $ 0.54     $ 1.05       2.00  
- Diluted
  $ 0.54     $ 0.47     $ 1.05     $ 1.71  
 
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements


Sunday, July 17, 2011

Acquisition Activity

On July 11, 2011, Sino Clean Energy, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into an Equity Acquisition Agreement (the “Agreement”) to purchase 100% of the outstanding equity interest in Crown Energy Limited (“Crown Energy”) from Mr. Zhongrui Deng, the sole stockholder. Crown Energy owns 60% of the equity interest in Nanhai Clean Energy Fuel Co., Ltd., a company primarily engaged in the production and sale of clean energy coal-water slurry fuel.

Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the Company will engage a valuation expert chosen by the parties to appraise the value of Crown Energy’s assets. The parties will then determine the purchase price of the equity interest and determine the payment terms, with all such terms to be memorialized in a supplemental agreement. The Agreement also provides that the current management of Crown Energyand its board of directors will be reappointed after the consummation of the acquisition.

Additional Details

A. Crown Energy Limited (hereinafter, “Crown Energy”) is a legal and existing company incorporated in Hong Kong in accordance with the laws of Hong Kong. The Transferor holds 100% of the equity in Crown Energy.

B. Foshan Nanhai Clean Energy Fuel Co., Ltd. (hereinafter, “Nanhai Clean Energy”) is a legal and existing joint venture enterprise incorporated in Foshan City, Guangdong Province, China in accordance with the laws of China. Nanhai Clean Energy is mainly engaged in the production and sales of clean energy CWSF and is currently the largest CWSF production enterprise in China.

C. Crown Energy holds 60% of the equity in Nanhai Clean Energy and is the controlling shareholder of Nanhai Clean Energy.


Friday, June 17, 2011

Investor Alert
On June 14, 2011, Mr. Baowen Ren, Sino Clean Energy, Inc.’s (the “Company”) chief executive officer held a conference call with one of the Company’s investors.  During this conference call, Mr. Ren disclosed that during the month of June 2011, the Company saw a higher than normal slow-down in customer demand for coal-water slurry fuel (“CWSF”) at the Company’s Tongchuan facility.  The Company previously disclosed that it has seasonal adjustments in residential heating demand, however, during June 2011, the Company’s industrial customers’ demand for CWSF also slowed down.  Mr. Ren advised that this slow down for existing customers was due to customers’ lack of capital as a result of credit tightening and the customers’ inability to obtain lines of credit from banks.  Mr. Ren further stated that he believed that overall customer demand for CWSF at the Tongchuan facility in June 2011 would be approximately 50% of such demand in June 2010.
 
Mr. Ren also disclosed this week that the Company learned that the previously disclosed two-month shut-down of Haizhong Heat Resource, Ltd. (“Haizhong Heating”), which accounted for 34% of the Company’s sales in the quarter ended March 31, 2011, is expected to take longer than initially expected.  The Company previously disclosed that due to government requirements, Haizhong Heating had to change a pipeline in certain areas of the “Ming Fa” real estate development project and that the modification would take approximately two months in the second quarter of 2011, during which time Haizhong Heating would stop operating its CWSF boilers.  At the time of the initial disclosure, the Company estimated that the reduction in sales volume due to this business interruption would be approximately $4.7 million based on a reduction of approximately 41,000 metric tons to Haizhong Heating.  The Company learned this week from Haizhong Heating that progress on the modification has been delayed for another three months, until August 2011.
 
The Company expects that there will be a reduction in earnings for 2011 due to the above.  The amount of such impact has not yet been determined, however the Company will release revised earnings for 2011 as soon as it is available.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Comments & Business Outlook

XI'AN, China, June 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Sino Clean Energy Inc. (Nasdaq: SCEI) ("Sino Clean Energy," or the "Company"), a leading producer and distributor of coal-water slurry fuel ("CWSF") in the People's Republic of China ("China"), provided additional information regarding the declared special dividend in the form of a contingent value right ("CVR").

On May 24, 2011, Sino Clean Energy announced a special dividend to shareholders of record as of June 13, 2011. Shareholders will receive one (1) CVR for each share of common stock outstanding as of such record date.

Sino Clean Energy announces that a physical certificate representing the CVRs will only be mailed to, and issued in the name of each record holder and beneficial owner of the shares of the Company's common stock on the record date.  If you are a broker holding shares of the Company's common stock for a stockholder, you must submit a list of your record date beneficial owners to the Company's transfer agent within five (5) business days after the record date. Brokers will not receive CVRs in their name for the accounts of their clients. If you are a stockholder on the record date and you do not receive a certificate representing your CVRs in the mail, you should contact the Company's transfer agent.


Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Notable Share Transactions

XI'AN, China, May 31, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Sino Clean Energy Inc., a leading producer and distributor of coal-water slurry fuel ("CWSF") in the People's Republic of China ("China"), today announced that it has repurchased an additional 150,000 shares of common stock under the terms of its previously announced share repurchase program, bringing the total common shares repurchased to 250,000. Repurchases will be made in accordance with applicable securities laws in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. Depending on market conditions and other factors, these repurchases may be commenced or suspended from time to time without prior notice.


Conference Call Notes

GeoInvesting Follow-up to SCEI 2011 First Quarter Q&A

On Wednesday, May 18th, 2011 Representatives from GeoInvesting attended the SCEI 2011 first quarter investor conference call. We hoped to get answers to questions we planned to ask management regarding the Company's operations.

It came as little surprise to us that no questions were permitted during the call. Instead, conference call participants were instructed by Ted Haberfield of HC International IR to submit questions via email by 10:00PM on Thursday, May 19th. He stated that the questions would be formally addressed in a Form 8-K to be filed on Friday, May 20th. The 8-K was not filed until after the market closed on Monday, May 23rd, giving the company ample time to respond to questions. Mr. Haberfield released a statement that morning, stating the reason for the delay was due to the heavy volume of questions from investors.

We ask; heavy volume of questions?! For the most part, SCEI management only addressed questions that had already been discussed publicly many times prior to the QI conference call. So despite SCEI management's commitment to answer investors' questions, they were very selective in which questions they answered (see Unanswered Questions below). In our view, the most important questions we posed were not addressed, including those concerning the two 3rd party transportation companies that Chairman Ren claims transports SCEI's CWFS product to its customers.

Recall that GeoInvesting's investigator in China determined that one of the two companies didn't exist and the other did not operate the tanker trucks necessary to move CWSF. We would like to know why the chairman choose not addressed this issue.

Following, for the record, are the questions we sent Ted Haberfield within the prescribed time. In addition to our unanswered questions we have more questions after reading the Form 8-K filed on May 23rd. (see Additional Questions below)

Unanswered Questions Originally Posed by the GeoTeam

  1. Xi'an Kai Feng Transportation Company Ltd does not appear to exist, yet the seal of this company appears on the shipping records you uploaded with your Chairman's letter to shareholders. Can you please explain this?

  2. Can you please explain how Shenyang Xin Yu ships your CWSF since they claim they are not in that business and they also claim that they are not capable of transporting liquids?

  3. Why are your CWSF shipping costs the same in Tongchuan and Shenyang, two entirely different markets?

  4. What is your average cost per ton for shipping CWSF and where does this cost compare to what your competition pays?

  5. Who is the audit partner at Weinberg overseeing your audits? Is it true that Weinberg's partner Jim Tokryman denied via email that he had any role in your audit?

Additional Questions in Response to SCEI Answers on May 23, 2011

  1. Who were your primary residential and industrial customers in 2009?

    1. How many of each did you add in each quarter over the past 6 quarters?
    2. How many of these customers use CWSF in summer and for what?

  2. Can you please explain for what and how do your residential customers use CWFS during the summer months?

  3. In what banks is SCEI's $70 million cash deposited?

  4. What is the CWSF boiler capacity of each boiler in operation over the last 15 months at Shenyang Haizhong Heating?

  5. What is the last day of the lock-up period before insiders can sell their shares?

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Comments & Business Outlook

XI'AN, China, May 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Sino Clean Energy Inc. (Nasdaq: SCEI) ("Sino Clean Energy," or the "Company"), a leading producer and distributor of coal-water slurry fuel ("CWSF") in the People's Republic of China ("China"), today announced that the Board of Directors of Sino Clean Energy declared June 13, 2011 as the record date for holders of shares of common stock of the Company to receive a special dividend in the form of a contingent value right ("CVR"). This CVR entitles each holder of CVRs to receive a portion of the proceeds, if any, the Company may receive from a favorable judgment or settlement relating to the complaint filed by the Company on May 9, 2011 in the Supreme Court of the State of New York against Geoinvesting LLC, Alfred Little, the owner of Seeking Alpha and other unidentified persons acting with, for or through them.

Shareholders of common stock of the Company as of June 13, 2011, will receive one (1) CVR for each share of common stock outstanding as of such record date. Each holder will be entitled to receive such holder's pro rata share of 90% of the proceeds of the lawsuit, if any, that may be received by the Company, less certain legal and other expenses that will be deducted from such proceeds.  Each holder entitled to receive CVRs will receive a certificate evidencing the CVRs, and such holder will be evidenced in a register to be maintained by the Company's transfer agent.  The certificate evidencing the CVRs is expected to be distributed on or prior to June 20, 2011.  The actual distribution date of the proceeds is unknown at this time, and will be based upon whether the Company is successful in obtaining a judgment in its favor, or a settlement, in connection with the lawsuit.  If such judgment or settlement is achieved, then a distribution date will be declared at such time.  The CVRs will expire upon the entry of a final, non-appealable judgment or settlement in the underlying lawsuit.

"After a thorough discussion with the Board, I am delighted to announce the decision to pay a portion of the proceeds we receive from this lawsuit to our common stockholders," stated Baowen Ren, Chairman of Sino Clean Energy. "This decision signifies our commitment to returning capital back to our stockholders. We believe we are well positioned to significantly increase our profits and cash flows in 2011 and are confident in Sino Clean Energy's future growth prospects."


Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Company Rebuttal
On May 23, 2011, Sino Clean Energy, Inc. (the “Company”) made available on its investor relations website responses to shareholder questions regarding its operations and financial results for the first quarter 2011 (the “Q&A”). The Q&A can be found in “Exhibit IV—First Quarter 2011 Q&A” located at the following link: http://ir.stockpr.com/sinocei/data-room.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Notable Share Transactions

XI'AN, China, May 20, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Sino Clean Energy Inc. today announced that it has repurchased 100,000 shares of common stock under the terms of its previously announced share repurchase program. Repurchases will be made in accordance with applicable securities laws in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. Depending on market conditions and other factors, these repurchases may be commenced or suspended from time to time without prior notice.


Conference Call Notes
For the record, on May 18, 2011 we posed the following questions to SCEI through the Company's investor relations representative.  We will earnestly be awaiting the Company's response.

Attn: Ted Haberfield
HC International
Executive VP

Re: Sino Energy 2011 First Quarter Questions

Dear Mr. Haberfield,

In order to provide investors with peace of mind, we would request that Sino Clean Energy answer the following questions since they did not give investors a chance to engage in a Q&A session during the 2011 first quarter conference call.

1) Xi’an Kai Feng Transportation Company Ltd does not appear to exist, yet the seal of this company appears on the shipping records you uploaded with your Chairman’s letter to shareholders. Can you please explain this?

2) Can you please explain how Shenyang Xin Yu ships your CWSF since they claim they are not in that business and they also claim that they are not capable of transporting liquids?

3) Why are your CWSF shipping costs the same in Tongchuan and Shenyang, two entirely different markets?

4) What is your average cost per ton for shipping CWSF and where does this cost compare to what your competition pays?

5) Who is the audit partner at Weinberg overseeing your audits? Why did Weinberg’s partner Jim Tokryman deny via email that he had any role in your audit?

6) Joe Levinson joined the Board of Directors on April 27, 2011 as Audit Chairman, but promptly resigned on May 16, 2011, right before the release of your 2011 first quarter 10Q filing. What was the reason for his sudden departure?

7) Referencing Sino’s filings:

-As of December 31, 2010, Sino’s cash and cash equivalents was $52,055,857. (10K)
-As of March 31, 2011, Sino’s cash and cash equivalents was $70,355,170 (10Q)
-Interest income in the first quarter of 2011 was $44,187. This is under 0.3% annualized on the average balance compared to 5 to10 times that is paid by Chinese banks.

With so much cash in the bank why are you earning so little interest in the 2011 first quarter? You had the same problem last year. Please comment on this.

Sincerely,

GeoInvesting Mgmt


Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Comments & Business Outlook
Sino Clean Energy Inc. and Subsidiaries
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Other Comprehensive Income
 
(Unaudited)

   
Three months ended March 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
Revenue
  $ 33,780,732     $ 24,509,004  
                 
Cost of goods sold
    (21,281,408 )     (14,400,177 )
                 
Gross profit
    12,499,324       10,108,827  
                 
Selling expenses
    1,527,466       911,079  
General and administrative expenses
    1,031,542       719,182  
                 
Income from operations
    9,940,316       8,478,566  
                 
Other income (expense)
               
Interest and finance cost
    -       (10,444,563 )
Interest income
    44,187       12,871  
Gain on extinguishment of derivative liability
    -       28,404,181  
Change in fair value of derivative liabilities
    4,010,630       (4,239,929 )
                 
Total other income (expense)
    4,054,817       13,732,560  
                 
Income before provision for income taxes
    13,995,133       22,211,126  
                 
Provision for income taxes
    1,915,380       1,750,505  
                 
Net income
    12,079,753       20,460,621  
                 
Other comprehensive income
               
Foreign currency translation adjustment
    918,229       12,206  
                 
Comprehensive income (loss)
  $ 12,997,982     $ 20,472,827  
                 
Weighted average number of shares
               
-Basic
    23,465,794       12,851,265  
-Diluted
    25,381,392       14,933,797  
                 
Income (loss) per common share
               
- Basic
  $ 0.51     $ 1.59  
- Diluted
  $ 0.48     $ 1.37  

GeoTeam® Note: 2011 vs. 2010 First Quater Adjusted EPS: $0.30 vs. $0.45.

The significant increase in revenue is primarily attributable to the increased production from the new 300,000 metric ton production line added in January 2011 in Guangdong which led to an increase in sales to customers. We sold 290,934 metric tons as of March 31, 2011 as compared to 225,031 metric tons as at March 31 2010. At March 31, 2011 we had 47 customers under CWSF supply agreements totaling approximately 1,200,000 metric tons per year, as compared to 30 customers totaling approximately 600,000 tons of CWSF per year as at March 31 , 2010. Our sales and number of customers in the 2011 as compared to 2010 are indicative of the growing market acceptance of CWSF.

Financial Outlook for 2011

Management is reaffirming fiscal 2011 guidance and expects revenues of at least $170 million and net income of at least $38 million, representing an increase of approximately 60.0% and 35.7% compared to 2010 revenues and adjusted net income, respectively. The Company also reaffirmed full year EPS guidance of $1.43 to $1.57 based on 26.6 million fully diluted shares. This guidance assumes total sales volume of 1.4 million metric tons of CWSF in 2011.

"I am happy with our solid first quarter results, which reflect successful execution of our growth strategy," began Baowen Ren, Chairman of Sino Clean Energy. "The early successes we have experienced in our first four months of production in our new 300,000 ton facility in Dongguan, signing nine customers to deliver approximately 404,000 tons(3) tons of CWSF over the next year, reaffirm our confidence in the long term growth opportunities we have in this market."


Investor Alert
On May 16, 2011, Sino Clean Energy, Inc. received notification from Mr. Joseph Levinson that effective immediately, he resigned from all positions held with the Company and its subsidiaries, including as a member of the Board of Directors  of the Company. At the time of his resignation, Mr. Levinson also served as Chairman of the Board’s Audit Committee. There were no disagreements between Mr. Levinson and the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices, which resulted in his resignation. A copy of Mr. Levinson’s resignation letter, dated May 16, 2011, is included with this 8-K as Exhibit 99.1.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Company Rebuttal

XI'AN, China, May 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Sino Clean Energy Inc. (Nasdaq: SCEI) ("Sino Clean Energy," or the "Company"), a leading producer and distributor of coal-water slurry fuel ("CWSF") in the People's Republic of China ("China"), today announced that the Company has made available on its investor relations website certain documents, including transcripts of telephone conversations, describing the weather conditions in Tongchuan from April 20 through May 1, 2011. These documents support the weather conditions captured in the videos provided by the Company from its surveillance cameras for the above-referenced dates. 

The three documents include: 1) a Weather Data Certification from the Tongchuan City Meteorological Technical Service Center, 2) an interview transcript with Ms. Guo, an employee at the Meteorology Observing Station of Yaozhou District Branch of the Tongchuan Municipal Meteorological Administration (located approximately one kilometer from Sino Clean Energy's Tongchuan production facility), and 3) an interview transcript with Mr. Li, the Head of the Science and Technology Service Center of the Tongchuan Municipal Meteorological Administration . The transcripts and certificate are accessible in "Exhibit III – Tongchuan Meteorology" located at the following link: http://ir.stockpr.com/sinocei/data-room.    


Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Investor Alert

XI'AN, China, May 10, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Sino Clean Energy Inc. (Nasdaq: SCEI) ("Sino Clean Energy," or the "Company"), a leading producer and distributor of coal-water slurry fuel ("CWSF") in the People's Republic of China ("China"), today announced that it has commenced legal action against Geinvesting LLC, an individual calling himself "Alfred Little", the owners of the web site called Seeking Alpha, and unidentified persons acting with, for or through them. The suit seeks $55 million in compensatory damages and $10 million in punitive damages resulting from the defendants' fraud, defamation, and tortious interference with Sino Clean Energy's business relationships.

Baowen Ren, Chairman of Sino Clean Energy stated, "The malicious and fraudulent attacks on the Company by short sellers seeking only to enrich themselves at the expense of our Company and its stockholders must stop. Trying to correct their false and defamatory statements one by one apparently serves no purpose since these short sellers clearly do not care about the truth. We warned the short sellers that we would not tolerate their continued fraudulent attacks and if they do not stop we would pursue civil remedies and make appropriate complaints to law enforcement. We intend to do both."


Monday, May 9, 2011

Notable Share Transactions

XI'AN, China, May 9, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Sino Clean Energy Inc., today announced that its Board of Directors has approved the repurchase by the Company of up to $20 million of its common shares over the next 12 months.

Baowen Ren, Chairman of Sino Clean Energy stated, "Based on current market prices, the repurchase program to buy shares at what we believe are compelling valuations is in the best interests of our shareholders. Our Board of Directors believes that the repurchase program is an effective use of cash to enhance value for our shareholders and demonstrate our confidence in the long-term health and future financial performance of our business. Additionally, share repurchases at Sino Clean Energy's current market value are highly accretive to the Company's EPS growth."

Repurchases will be made in accordance with applicable securities laws in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. Depending on market conditions and other factors, these repurchases may be commenced or suspended from time to time without prior notice.

Sino Clean Energy reserves the right to approve the allocation of a greater portion of cash resources for additional share repurchases in the future  if the public markets continue to offer an opportunity  to purchase shares at what the Company believes are attractive valuations.


Friday, May 6, 2011

Investor Alert

SCEI's Letter to Shareholders Raises More Questions than It Answers


Sino Clean Energy (NASDAQ: SCEI) Chairman Baowen Ren published a
letter to shareholders on May 3rd challenging the findings of Geo Investing and a separate research report published by Alfred Little.

In this article we address specific statements and allegations made in Chairman Ren's letter to SCEI's shareholders:

SCEI's Alleged Third Party Logistics Companies

SCEI claims its two largest third party logistics companies are Xi'an Kaifeng Transportation Company, Ltd., ("Kaifeng") and Sheng Yang Xin Yu Transportation Co., Ltd. ("Xinyu"). SCEI even provided documents for these companies sealed with their official chops. The chops provide the formal Chinese names of the companies as "西安凯丰运输有限公司" and "沈阳市新宇运输有限公司". We investigated these companies with the following results:

  • Xi'an Kaifeng Transportation Co., Ltd. (西安凯丰运输有限公司): Our investigator visited the Administration for Industry and Commerce ("AIC") offices of both Xi'an City and Shaanxi Province to search the data bases for "Kaifeng" using its Chinese name "西安凯丰运输有限公司. Our investigator found no such company in either of the data bases of the two AIC authorities. Since Kaifeng's company name includes "Xi'an", which is the name of the capital city of Shaanxi province, PRC law requires the company be registered in the AIC of Xi'an City (and/or its subsidiaries) and/or AIC of Shaanxi province. Further, if Kaifeng is registered with either AIC office, the data base of these authorities would have the company's information. The print-screen of our search of the AIC of Xi'an City data base follows:

To obtain this screen, an AIC officer helped our investigator enter Kaifeng's official Chinese name "西安凯丰运输有限公司" and clicked the search 查询) key. There was no matching name.

We also conducted a search of the AIC of Shaanxi Province's data base. The print screen follows:

To obtain this screen, an AIC officer helped our investigator enter Kaifeng's official Chinese name "西安凯丰运输有限公司" and security code "7730", and clicked the search (开始查询)key. Once again, there was no matching name.

Investors also can try their own luck looking for Kaifeng online. The online database of AIC of Xi'an City is http://www.xags.gov.cn . Investors can click on "业基本信息查询" on this page and do the search. The online database of the AIC of Shaanxi Province is http://www.snaic.gov.cn/helper/wangsgsyw/gongsxxflcx/qiyjbxxcx.jsp. Investors can type Kaifeng's Chinese name in the relevant block and do the search for themselves. There is apparently no company with Kaifeng's Chinese name in either data base.

Our investigator continued his search and found Xi'an Kaifeng Logistic Center (西安凯丰物流中心) whose name is similar to Kaifeng and where some transportation companies are located. He called one company located in the Xi'an Kaifeng Logistic Center and the woman who took the call said the logistics companies operating out of the facility only have open trucks that could not be used to transport liquids such as CWSF. The transcript of this conversation is included with this article (see Kaifang transcript below).

  • Shenyang City Xinyu Transportation Co., Ltd. (沈阳市新宇运输有限公司): We did indeed find a company that has the name claimed by SCEI in the Shenyang AIC data base. We even found the shipping company's website, http://xinyubanjia.com/cn/about.asp. There is a problem that is evident on the company's website. According to the website, Xinyu does not own or operate the type of tanker trucks needed to transport CWSF (liquid). Instead, the company operates common container trucks. There is a page on the company's website that lists the types of trucks it operates (http://xinyubanjia.com/cn/product.asp) which does not include tanker trucks.

Our different investigators called Xinyu and talked to a woman who confirmed the company only has container trucks suitable for transporting solid goods. So if you want to move furniture from one location to another, Xinyu is your shipper. If you want to transport liquids you need another shipper. The transcript of this conversation is enclosed to this letter. (see Xinyu transcripts 1 & 2 below)

Our investigator then visited the address listed on Xinyu's website (No. 34-1, Jixiang Road, Dadong District, Shenyang City). Our Investigator found Xinyu's office is in one unit of a large apartment building. The pictures of the apartment building are enclosed. We also obtained the SAIC files of Xinyu and its shareholders are Debao Zhang and Peizhi Gao. The business description of Xinyu is defined as "regular goods transportation and cargo agent" and there is no indication that Xinyu has the capacity to transport liquids such as CWSF.

Finally, having noticed that the SAIC registered address for Xinyu's (No. 1 Dongta Street, Dadong District, Shenyang City) is different from the address listed on the company's website, our investigator visited that address. What he found was a small office of around 200 square feet with Xinyu's sign above the gate (pictures of office enclosed). There were no employees present and the office was apparently closed. People who work around this address confirmed that the office is almost always closed and that occasionally an old man may come to the office. Also, there were no trucks parked in the area. The sign above the gate lists a telephone number (2431-2229) which is the same number included in Xinyu's SAIC registration record. Our investigator called the number many times during business hours and there was no answer. He then contacted China Unicom (Shenyang 114 call center) to confirm the number on Xinyu's sign and learned that the number is not registered under Xinyu.

Our investigator made one final attempt to call Xinyu's number on its website in the evening since the website said the number works 24/7. This time he reached the same woman he talked to when he first called Xinyu and she confirmed the two office addresses he visited. Once again she stated that Xinyu cannot ship liquids as the company has no equipment [tanker trucks]. (see Xinyu transcript 3 below)

Names of Top Customers

SCEI asserted that we did not work hard enough to find its top customers and provided the Chinese names of the customers in Chairman Ren's letter to shareholders. Upon examination of the Chinese names provided by the company we determined that the English equivalent names used in the SEC filings are not in conformity with standard translation. How can investors find the accurate Chinese names for SCEI's customers based on non-conforming English translated names? In any event, following are some customer names provided in SCEI's Form 10-K filing and the English translation of the Chinese names provided in the company's letter to shareholders.

Name in the 10K

Chinese name provided by SCEI

Accurate English Translation

Northwest Rubber

西北橡胶总厂

Northwest Rubber General Factory

Shaanxi Urban Development

陕西铜川城建开发有限公司

Shaan Xi Tongchuan Urban Development Co., Ltd.

Xi'an Institute of Architecture

西安建筑科技大学华清学院

Huaqing College, Xi'an University of Architecture Technology

China Northern Airline

中国北方航空公司

China Northern Airline Limited.

Note: this company does not exist after 2002. The investor can check its history in this link:

http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9B%BD%E5%8C%97%E6%96%B9%E8%88%AA%E7%A9%BA

Seasonality of Business

The commentary by management regarding the seasonality of demand from residential customers in SCEI's 2010 Form 10-K and in the Chairman's letter to shareholders is confusing. The 2010 Form 10-K states: "The demand for CWSF from residential heating customers tends to be seasonal in nature, with peak demand occurring between the months of October through March, which are the peak heating periods in the markets which the Company currently serves. Demand for CWSF during peak periods is approximately 30% to 40% higher than during non-peak periods. Demand for CWSF from industrial customers tends to be fairly stable throughout the year, as their application of CWSF is often unrelated to heating."

However, in the Chairman's letter to shareholders, residential demand in Q I is 60% more than Q II and Q IV is 66% more than Q III. See the following data included in the letter to shareholders.

Notwithstanding whether residential demand during the heating season quarters is closer to 40% or 60% more than during the non-heating season, we think the drop off in usage during the non-heating season should be even more dramatic. That's because we question management's claim that residential demand during the non-heating season would be driven by use of CWSF for residential cooking and hot water. Investors should note that, unlike in the U.S., very few residential buildings in China provide residents with hot water through centralized boilers. Instead, most residents have an electric and/or liquid natural gas water heater to provide hot water for their units. That leaves the possibility of CWSF usage for residential cooking during the non-heating season but only large institutions with many people would use CWSF fueled boilers to heat water and cook food in their cafeterias. We therefore have difficulty accepting the quarterly residential sales volumes claimed by the company particularly during the non-heating season.

Why Statements from Local Shop Owner are Credible

Why would one challenge the comments made by a shop owner of an adjacent business who spends most of his time across the street from SCEI's Tongchuan production facility? The shop owner observed a general lack of activity at SCEI's facility over a long period of time until the company hosted an event for US investors. The shop owner stated, "That event was held in conjunction with local government officials as more than 20 hired tanker trucks took position along the coal storage line." He further stated that, "The two empty CWSF trucks went back and forth." Finally he said, "SCEI also hired a fork lift truck for the occasion (since it appears that SCEI does not have any fork lift trucks) to shove coal into storage." The shop owner stated that the staged event was put together in order to make US investors believe that SCEI has substantial and ongoing operations. Please note that the shop owner's statements are consistent with the video surveillance evidence that was compiled by IFRA and disclosed by Alfred Little in his recently published research articles concerning SCEI and its operations.

Putting the discussion with the shop owner into context, on the day of our investigator's visit there were no SCEI employees on the site. There was only a gate guard available at the site who is employed by the construction company and knew nothing of SCEI's business. The only person our investigator could talk to who would have knowledge of SCEI's business was therefore the shop owner of a business that is just across the street of SCEI's Tongchuan facility. We would have sought out the shop owner in any event as talking to locals who should have knowledge of a company's operations is part of our standard on-the-ground due diligence process. In this case, the shop owner was the only person available to our investigator.

The Geo Team's approach of seeking input from locals is not unique to the SCEI case. We also successfully employed that method in our research report on SBAY that was published on March 24, 2011 (http://geoinvesting.com/companies/SBAY_Report.aspx). The stock is now halted, as the SEC investigates their story. Further giving credence to seeking out knowledgeable locals is that auditors are beginning to do this. Following is a relevant excerpt from an auditor's letter regarding the audit of a Chinese RTO engaged in the water treatment business:

"In the January Letter, Friedman stated that comments made by a security guard at the [company's] Plant and by the Company Representative led Friedman to question the accuracy of the sales revenue the Company had recognized for the equipment sale and installation project at the Plant."

One final thought regarding locals is that non-employees who have or should have knowledge of a company's operations have no vested interest in or risk in what they say. They simply disclose what they have observed, seen and heard over time. They have nothing to gain from what they say and they have no reason to fear reprisals as employees would. Locals can therefore be very knowledgeable, helpful and credible sources of information.

Conclusion

GeoInvesting begins all of its investigations, including of SCEI, with objectivity and professional skepticism. The GeoTeam develops a due diligence plan and sends a competent, Chinese professional investigator(s) to do the necessary on-the-ground due diligence and investigative leg work. We use the unfiltered and unbiased findings of our investigators to raise questions and draw conclusions. Once we have compiled results we publish alerts/research reports to inform our subscribers of what we did and found. We often continue our due diligence to pursue open issues and add clarity to our findings. In the case of SCEI, added due diligence uncovered what we believe are deliberate actions by management to mislead investors:

  • One of SCEI alleged third party transportation companies appears not to exist.
  • The second SCEI alleged third party transportation company appears to be unable to meet SCEI needs due to its small size and inability to transport liquid goods.
  • It appears that SCEI fabricated or misused company chops.

We will be turning our evidence over to SCEI's auditor, PRC authorities and the SEC.

EXHIBITS

Transcript – Conversation with the Xi’an Kaifeng Logistic Center

Here is a transcript of the phone call at around 9:40 AM, May 5, 2011 (Beijing time). This is the conversation between an investigator of ours ("A") and the lady from one company in the Xi’an Kaifeng Logistic Center ("B". The telephone number our investigator called is found from the webpage under this link. http://dx88.56888.net/parkCompanylist.aspx?CityCode=40286&ParkID=37. It seems that there are many companies located in the Xi’an Kaifeng Logistic Center.

In this conversation, "A" is our investigator and "B" is the lady from a company in the Xi’an Logistic Center.

A: Hello

B: Hello

A: Is that Kaifeng Logistic Center?

B: Yes. What I can do for you?

A: I want to know whether we have the tanker truck to deliver CWSF. Our company is planning to transport CWSF in the near future.

B: from where to where?

A: Within Shaanxi province, from Tongchuan to Xi’an and Xianyang.

B: we do not do this business. We transport goods with the empty open truck (敞篷车).

A: Do you know in the who Kaifeng Logistic Center, which company has the tanker truck?

B: Logistic Center is to transport goods with empty truck (空车配货) and there is no tanker truck. You shall call the big professional transportation company.

A: Is it to say that the whole Kaifeng Logistic Center does not have this (tanker truck)?

B: No. No. Xi’an has many logistic centers and none of them has tanker truck.

A: ok. It is to say that the whole Kaifeng Logistic Center does not have it.

B: Yes. You only can find it (tanker truck) from the big logistic company.

A: ok…ok…

B: we don’t have tanker truck.

A: I understand that Kaifeng Logistic Center does not have tanker truck. I will look for some other companies. Thank you.

Transcript 1 – Conversation with Shenyang City Xinyu Transportation Co., Ltd.

Here is a transcript of the phone call at around 9:20 AM, May 4, 2011 (Beijing time). This is the conversation between an investigator of ours ("A") and the lady from Shenyang City Xinyu Transportation Co., Ltd.("B") The telephone number our investigator called is the number on the website of Shenyang City Xinyu Transportation Co., Ltd.

In this conversation, "A" is our investigator and "B" is the lady of Shenyang City Xinyu Transportation Co., Ltd.

A: Hello

B: Hello

A: Hello…is that Xinyu Transportation Company?

B: what?

A: is that Xinyu Transportation Company?

B: Oh…Yes, this is the moving company.

A: Oh…yes…I want to know that whether your company can deliver liquid?

B: What liquid?

A: we need the big tanker truck. Our product is CWSF.

B: Then, we can not deliver.

A: then, your company is only a common moving company which can not deliver liquid? You do not have the tanker truck?

B: Yes. We do not have tanker truck. We only can deliver family belongings.

A: Only can deliver family belonging? And no tanker truck?

B: yes…a company moving family belonging…

A: ok. A moving company without tanker truck. I understand. I am sorry to bother you.

B: If you want to move your family belongings. You can call me.

A: Ok.

Transcript 2 – Conversation with Shenyang City Xinyu Transportation Co., Ltd.

Here is a transcript recorded around 9:20 AM (Listen) May 6, 2011 (Beijing time). This is the conversation between one of our investigator ("A") and the same lady from Shenyang City Xinyu Transportation Co., Ltd.("B") . The telephone number our investigator called is the number on the website of Shenyang City Xinyu Transportation Co., Ltd.

In this conversation, A is our investigator and B is the lady of Shenyang City Xinyu Transportation Co., Ltd.

B: Hello (noise)

A: Hello, is this Xinyu Transportation Co., Ltd.?

B: Hello (noise)

A: Hello, can you hear me? Is this Xinyu Transportation Co., Ltd.?

B: What? (noise)

A: Is this Xinyu Transportation Co., Ltd.?

B: What?

A: Xinyu Transportation C., Ltd.?

B: Yes. Transportation company. (是的,搬家公司)

A: Is this Xinyu Transportation Co., Ltd.?

B: What I can do for you? (什么事吧?)

A: Oh. I want to know whether your company can transport liquid?

B: No. we do not transport liquid.

A: Do not transport liquid?

B: Yes.

A: then, you do not have tanker trucks?

B: No. No. we do not have.

A: No?

B: Yes. No.

A: Then, what can you transport?

B: Ah?

A: Then, generally, what can you transport?

B: Moving furniture, not transportation (搬家,不运输)

A: Moving furniture? (搬家是吧?)

B: Yes. If you move your furniture, it is ok.

A: Moving furniture is ok?

B: Yes.

A: Oh. Ok. I know this. Thank you.

B: If you move your furniture, it is ok.

A: ok. Thank you.

Transcript 3 – Conversation with Shenyang City Xinyu Transportation Co., Ltd.

Here is a transcript of the phone call at around 7:20 pm and 7:40 pm, May 6, 2011 (Beijing time). There are two conversations between one of our investigators and the same lady from Shenyang City Xinyu Transportation Co., Ltd. our investigators talked to on the mornings of May 4 and May 6, 2011. The telephone number our investigator called is the number on the website of Shenyang City Xinyu Transportation Co., Ltd.

In this conversation, "A" is our investigator and "B" is the lady of Shenyang City Xinyu Transportation Co., Ltd..

A: Hello. Is this Xinyu Transportation Co., Ltd.?

B: Yes. It is Xinyu Transportation Co., Ltd.

A: Our company needs to relocate and needs to move lots of things. This morning One of our employees visited the office at No. 1, Dongta Street, where has a sign of Xinyu Transportation Co., Ltd.. That office is closed. Is it your office?

B: Yes. It is our office. When did you visit that office?

A: This morning. Our guy waited in there for more than two hours. The door is not open at all.

B: Oh…maybe our guy was busy this morning and did not open the door.

A: We also called the number on the sign for many times and no people pick up the call. Is 2431-2229 is one of your number?

B: Yes. It is…No one pick up the call?

A: Yes. Are you sure the office at No. 1, Dongta Street is your office?

B: Yes. It is our office. Both offices are ours. If you need to move something, you can just call this number and you do not need to call that number. When you need to move?

A: Next Wed. Our company needs to move lots of things.

B: We can set up a time and I can go to your company to check what you need to move.

A: OK. Right now, it is already Friday evening. It is a weekend. I can call you again on Monday.

B: OK. You can call this number. We can make an arrangement Monday.

A: thank you. Sure, I will call your Monday.

B: call me Monday.

 

(20 minutes later, another call)

A: Hello.

B: Hello.

A: Hello. I just call you around twenty minutes ago.

B: what?

A: I am the guy who just called you around twenty minutes ago. Our company needs to move lots of things next wed.

B: Oh. Yes.

A: I forget to ask. Except furniture, our company also has some liquids need to be transported. Do you company has tanker trucks? Can you company transport that?

B: Liquid? No. We cannot, as we do not have the equipment.

A: Even the office at No. 1, Dongta Street also cannot move that?

B: No. We are just a regular moving company (我们就是个普通搬家公司).

A: Oh. We heard from some others that your company can move liquid.

B: No. we cannot. However, we can see what we can move for your company. Why don’t we make an appointment next Monday?

A: Yes. We can do that. Maybe you company can help us move solid, such as furnitures. We can ask another company to move liquid. You may know, it is very hard to find a company who can move liquid. This is the reason why I call you again.

B: This is a good arrangement. Yeah, we don’t have the equipment. We can make an appointment next Monday and see what we can do for you.

A: Good. I will call you Monday morning and see.

B: ok. Call me.

Disclosure:  Short Via SCEI Puts.

Disclaimer:

You agree that you shall not republish or redistribute in any medium any information on the GeoInvesting website without our express written authorization. You acknowledge that GeoInvesting is not registered as an exchange, broker-dealer or investment advisor under any federal or state securities laws, and that GeoInvesting has not provided you with any individualized investment advice or information. Nothing in the website should be construed to be an offer or sale of any security. You should consult your financial advisor before making any investment decision or engaging in any securities transaction as investing in any securities mentioned in the website may or may not be suitable to you or for your particular circumstances. GeoInvesting, its affiliates, and the third party information providers providing content to the website may hold positions in securities mentioned in the website and otherwise may effect purchase or sale transactions in such securities

GeoInvesting, its affiliates, and the information providers make no warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of any of the information contained in the website. All such materials are provided to you on an 'as is' basis, without any warranties as to merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use nor with respect to the results which may be obtained from the use of such materials. GeoInvesting, its affiliates, and the information providers shall have no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions nor shall they be liable for any damages, whether direct or indirect, special or consequential even if they have been advised of the possibility of such damages. In no event shall the liability of GeoInvesting, any of its affiliates, or the information providers pursuant to any cause of action, whether in contract, tort, or otherwise exceed the fee paid by you for access to such materials in the month in which such cause of action is alleged to have arisen. Furthermore, GeoInvesting shall have no responsibility or liability for delays or failures due to circumstances beyond its control.

 

Thanks for the transcripts and research, Geo.... (more)

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Investor Alert

Xl'AN, China, May 5, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Sino Clean Energy Inc. (Nasdaq: SCEI) ("Sino Clean Energy," or the "Company"), a leading producer and distributor of coal-water slurry fuel ("CWSF") in the People's Republic of China ("China"), announced today its intention to take action against those responsible for the malicious and fraudulent attacks on Sino Clean Energy, which were orchestrated and conducted by or on behalf of certain short sellers.

The Company recently responded to the false and defamatory allegations made by short sellers, including the notorious so-called Alfred Little and Geoinvesting.  As is common with these coordinated attacks, Sino Clean Energy noticed dramatically increased naked short selling activity in its common stock that coincided with the attacks by Alfred Little, publishing on SeekingAlpha and elsewhere, and by Geoinvesting. The Company believes that such persons and others, who have admitted that they have short positions in the Company's stock, are attempting to drive down Sino Clean Energy share price artificially for their own financial benefit. The Company believes that the short sellers seek to accomplish this goal by spreading fabricated market information and rumors. In addition to the very serious market manipulation in which the short sellers have engaged, serious questions have been raised about the identity, and even the existence, of the person (or persons) calling himself Alfred Little.  

Sino Clean Energy is dedicated to protecting its stockholders and its interests.  Accordingly, the Company is taking all necessary steps to bring an action against those who have spread false and misleading information to attack it and who seek to benefit themselves from the damage they inflict on the Company and its shareholders.  The Company also will pursue all other avenues available to it, including filing complaints with government regulators and others.    


Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Shareholder Letters
Scei shareholder letter
View more documents from GeoInvesting LLC

Monday, May 2, 2011

Investor Alert

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. announces that it is investigating potential securities fraud claims against Sino-Clean Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCEI) resulting from allegations that the Company may have issued materially inaccurate financial statements to the investing public between March 9, 2010 and April 28, 2011.

On April 25, rumors began circulating that a report produced after extensive due diligence including unannounced on-site visits to Sino-Clean Energy showed that the Company had vastly overstated its revenues, net income, and operations. On April 27, a version of the report was disseminated to subscribers of analyst firm Geoinvesting. On April 28, analyst Alfred Little published a second version of the report which included more detailed factual allegations and Chinese tax filings allegedly showing that the Company had no or nearly no operations. Between April 25 and April 28, Sino-Clean Energy’s stock price fell from $4.20 per share to $2.47 per share, damaging investors


Friday, April 29, 2011

Comments & Business Outlook

XI'AN, China, April 29, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Sino Clean Energy Inc. (Nasdaq: SCEI) ("Sino Clean Energy," or the "Company"), a leading producer and distributor of coal-water slurry fuel ("CWSF") in the People's Republic of China ("China"), today announced preliminary, unaudited gross profit of $10 to $12 million and operating income of $9 to $10 million for the first quarter 2011 ending March 31, 2011.

This announcement is a supplement to the previously announced preliminary first quarter 2011 revenue results of $33.7 million issued on April 26, 2011.

Sino Clean Energy expects to report first quarter 2011 results by May 15, 2011. The Company will provide details regarding the earnings release and conference call once the dates have been finalized.

Wenlin,, Yes, I agree. But having confidence in the right companies who participate in this industry is key.... (more)
I am confidence of china clean energy enterprises. Because Energy conservation is the next five years core program.... (more)

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Investor Alert

XI'AN, China, April 28, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Sino Clean Energy Inc. (Nasdaq: SCEI) ("Sino Clean Energy," or the "Company"), a leading producer and distributor of coal-water slurry fuel ("CWSF") in the People's Republic of China ("China"), today announced that the Company has been made aware that a report containing certain allegations regarding the Company and its operations was published on a subscriber-only website on April 26, 2011. The Company plans to issue a shareholder letter, which will be made available on the Company's website, addressing and responding to each of the allegations made in such report.

"We are in the process of finalizing our formal response and will be issuing a shareholder letter with supporting documents," stated Baowen Ren, Chairman of Sino Clean Energy. "I would like to state that the report contains false and misleading statements about our Company. The Company believes that this letter will provide further transparency to its shareholders and other interested investors along with a better understanding of its operations."


GeoBulletin
Below is our original SCEI report that was available to our Premium Members on April 26, 2011.
Lex, From my perspective, not even close to accurate. Working on a response to point out what we believe are inconsistencies.... (more)
so what do you guys have to say about the Shareholder letter.. seems that they disoprove all your allegations? lex... (more)

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Investor Alert

We recently completed on-the-ground due diligence on Sino Clean Energy (NASDAQ: SCEI) regarding its Tongchuan facility and uncovered what we consider to be substantial misrepresentations by the company about its operations. As originally indicated in an earlier alert, we currently have a short position in SCEI.

GeoTeam's Findings

What follows are some highlights of our findings:

1. Facility and Production Lines: Why Aren't They Operating?

Our investigators visited SCEI's Tongchuan facility at Wangjiabian Village, Dongjiahe Town, Yaozhou District, Tongchuan Shaanxi Province. SCEI claims to have three production lines in this facility that provide a total capacity of 550,000 tons. See page 19 of the 2010 10-K:

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1120096/000114420411020077/v216628_10k.htm

However, our investigators relayed that there is likely only one production line in operation.

To read full report, please go here.

I have carefully read your site on SCEI's report. In my opinion, the main problem of you writing this article is to bring SCEI's stock price down. The Chinese government is vigorously developing clean energy. Local governments have the appropriate support policies. In my opinion,... (more)

Monday, April 4, 2011

Liquidity Requirements

XI'AN, China, April 4, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Sino Clean Energy Inc. today provided an update on its capital expenditures for 2010 and 2011.

The Company plans to fund all capital expenditures currently planned with cash on hand and internally generated cash flows.  


Friday, April 1, 2011

Comments & Business Outlook

Year End Results:

  • FY2010 revenues increased 131% to $106.3 million; adjusted net income increased 154.7% to $27.9 million, with adjusted EPS of $1.46
  • FY2010 gross margins increased 230 bps year-over-year to 39.4%
  • Company generated $26.2 million in operating cash flow for full year 2010
  • Company provides full year 2011 guidance and expects revenues of at least $170 million and adjusted net income of at least $38 million

"I am pleased with our accomplishments in 2010, which included a 30.7% increase in capacity and a 131% increase in sales," stated Baowen Ren, Chairman of Sino Clean Energy. "We are convinced that the CWSF market is at the early stages of a long term growth cycle in China, driven by rapid adoption of clean and efficient sources of energy. With our experience, increasing scale and prime capital position, Sino Clean Energy will strive to extend its lead in this burgeoning market."


Investor Alert

XI'AN, China, March, 31, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Sino Clean Energy Inc. announced that it will file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, Form 12b-25 Notification of Late Filing for its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. The Form 12b-25 will allow the Company an additional 15 calendar days to file the Form 10-K which was otherwise due on March 31, 2011.

The Company fully expects to be able to file within the additional time allowed by the Form 12b-25


Thursday, March 24, 2011

Comments & Business Outlook

XI'AN, China, March 24, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Sino Clean Energy Inc. today announced that it has commenced construction on an additional 750,000 metric tons (MT) of annual production capacity to its existing 300,000 MT capacity plant in Dongguan, Guangdong Province. The Company expects to complete construction in August 2011.  

In order to meet the anticipated increase in demand from recently announced mandates and subsidies from the Dongguan government, Sino Clean Energy is building a new 750,000 MT CWSF production line at its existing production facility in Dongguan, bringing total capacity at the Dongguan facility to 1,050,000 metric tons, and a Company aggregate total of 1,900,000 metric tons. Total construction and equipment costs are expected to be approximately $13.6 million. Once construction is complete in August, the Company anticipates additional testing before ramping production in the fourth quarter of 2011. Management expects a payback period of approximately 2 years from this investment.


Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Comments & Business Outlook

XI'AN, China, Jan. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Sino Clean Energy Inc., today announced that its new CWSF production facility located in Dongguan, Guangdong Province has commenced production on January 4, 2011.

The new 300,000 metric tons (MT) CWSF production facility expands the Company's total annual production capacity to 1,150,000 metric tons. Sino Clean Energy used a portion of the proceeds from its follow on public offering completed in December 2010 to fund this expansion. With strong support from the local government and a large base of industrial customers, Guangdong is the largest consumer of CWSF in China. Sino Clean Energy has signed supply agreements with 4 customers, including Yongchang Paper and Tongyi Group, to deliver a combined almost 200,000 MT of CWSF over the next twelve months.


Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Deal Flow
XI'AN, China, Dec. 22, 2010 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Sino Clean Energy, Inc. today announced the pricing of a public offering of 5,465,000 shares of its common stock at a price of $5.25 per share. The Company has granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 819,750 shares to cover over-allotments, if any. The offering is expected to close on December 28, 2010, subject to customary closing conditions.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Liquidity Requirements

Except as disclosed in condensed consolidated financial statements, we had no capital expenditure commitments outstanding as of September 30, 2010 in relation to the purchase of machinery.

We believe that we have sufficient cash flow to meet our obligations on a timely basis in the foreseeable future.


Friday, August 13, 2010

Comments & Business Outlook

Second Quarter 2010 Financial Results:

  • Revenue -- Revenue for the second quarter ended June 30, 2010 increased 190.4% to $24.1 million from $8.3 million in the second quarter of 2009, and was driven by increased production capacity from the addition of two new production lines in 2009.
  • Net Income -- For the second quarter of 2010, the Company reported GAAP net income of $8.9 million compared to net income of $0.5 million for the second quarter of 2009, with a corresponding net income per share of $0.47 compared to net income per share of $0.05 based on 19.2 million and 9.9 million diluted shares, respectively.
  • Excluding non-cash items, adjusted net income for the second quarter of 2010 and 2009 was $6.1 million and $1.45 million, respectively, with corresponding adjusted net income per share of $0.32 and $0.15 based on 19.2 million and 9.9 million diluted shares, respectively.

"We are pleased with our strong growth and operating results for the second quarter of 2010, and expect robust growth to continue during the balance of 2010 due to our increased production capacity, growing demand for coal water slurry fuel in China, and improved market pricing," stated Baowen Ren, Chairman of Sino Clean Energy. "The CWSF market has continued to expand due to growing customer demand for clean and efficient sources of energy and the government's mandate for reduced emissions through improved utilization of coal. CWSF increases burning efficiency and reduces air pollution, coal consumption and coal material costs for end users while generating attractive gross profit margins for energy producers. As a result, we believe we are well-positioned to further drive incremental revenue and earnings growth and will continue to build upon being a leading producer of CWSF in China."

Financial Outlook for 2010

For the year ending December 31, 2010, management reaffirmed guidance and expects revenues of at least $105 million and adjusted net income of at least $25 million, representing an increase of approximately 128.3% and 127.3% compared to 2009 revenues and adjusted net income, respectively.

This guidance assumes total sales volume of 850,000 metric tons of CWSF in 2010. The Company expects to end 2010 with 1,150,000 metric tons of total CWSF production capacity.

Business Outlook for 2010

Having commenced operations in 2006, Sino Clean Energy has established a first mover advantage as one of the first commercial CWSF producers in China. As of September 30, 2009, Sino Clean Energy is the third largest CWSF producer in China as measured by sales volume with current production capacity of 850,000 metric tons.

"We plan to increase our CWSF production capacity through the construction of new facilities and the acquisition of existing CWSF production facilities in new geographic regions," stated Baowen Ren, Chairman of Sino Clean Energy. "Our geographic expansion plans will initially focus on Guangdong Province, and Nanning, Guangxi Province. In addition, we plan to expand the production capacity at our current locations in Shenyang, Liaoning Province and Tongchuan, Shaanxi Province and. We expect that such growth initiatives will increase our aggregate annual CWSF production capacity to 1,850,000 metric tons by the first half of 2011, which will drive revenues and earnings growth into the coming year."


Thursday, June 17, 2010

Research

Our response to Sino Clean Energy decisions to raise capital:

1.  Will the proposed offering be immediately accretive to EPS?
2.  How much money will be devoted to capacity expansion?
3.  How much will be capacity be expanded

Why use shareholder money? (a little leverage would also not hurt):

1.  Your quote: "We believe that we have sufficient cash flow to meet our obligations on a timely basis in the foreseeable future."
2.  You have an operating cash flow run rate of  $44 million which should translate into a decent free cash flow figure.
3. You have $25 million in cash.
4. Take out your non-cash derivative liability and you have solid working capital number

The proper plan:

1. Be patient. You have issued guidance which makes your stock extremely undervalued. You should let EPS growth play out and expand capacity later by raising money at better prices.
2. Better yet, use some of your operating funds to methodically increase capacity.
3. For acquisitions, do a raise when you have a deal in your sights.

How many capital raises have you completed as a public company?

As one of the biggest fans of the U.S. listed China Space it is my opinion the sector is becoming tainted long-term; largely due to decisions like this.


 


Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Comments & Business Outlook

"We are pleased with our strong revenue growth and operating results during the first quarter of 2010, and expect robust growth to continue during 2010 due to our increased production capacity and growing demand for coal water slurry fuel in China," stated Baowen Ren, Chairman of Sino Clean Energy. "Our total production capacity today is 850,000 metric tons and we plan to expand our production capacity to 1,050,000 metric tons by the end of 2010. Currently, we have 35 customers under CWSF supply agreements totaling approximately 800,000 metric tons per year. The CWSF market continues to expand due to growing customer demand for clean and efficient sources of energy and the government's mandate for reduced emissions through improved utilization of coal. CWSF increases burning efficiency and reduces air pollution, coal consumption and coal material costs for end users while generating attractive gross profit margins for energy producers. As a result, we believe we are well-positioned to further drive incremental revenue and earnings growth and will continue to build upon being a leading producer of CWSF in China."

For the year ending December 31, 2010, management reaffirmed guidance and expects revenues of at least $105 million in revenues and adjusted net income of at least $25 million, representing an increase of approximately 128.3% and 127.3% compared to 2009 revenues and adjusted net income, respectively. This guidance assumes total sales volume of 850,000 metric tons of CWSF in 2010. The Company expects to end 2010 with 1,050,000 metric tons of total CWSF production capacity.



Market Data powered by QuoteMedia. Terms of Use