Sunwah International Reports Third Quarter Results

TORONTO, May 14, 2014 /CNW/ - Sunwah International Limited, TSX: SWH (the "Company" or "Sunwah International"), an Asian based financial services firm, today released its third quarter financial results, announcing a small loss for the three months ended March 31, 2014.  All figures quoted are in U.S. dollars.

Sunwah International and its subsidiaries recorded a loss of $0.3 million for its third quarter as compared to a loss of $0.8 million in last year's comparable period, bringing the year-to-date net loss to $0.5 million.  While the quarter's small deficit is mainly attributable to lower increases relative to recent periods in the value of the Company's proprietary investments, totaling $1.1 million, Sunwah International remains committed to improving and diversifying these returns as demonstrated by a significant year-over-year improvement (Q3 FY2013: $0.2 million) and year-to-date net portfolio gains of $5.5 million.

Total revenues increased significantly in Q3 FY2014 to $4.2 million from $2.8 million last year amid a gradually improving global economy and a buoyant financing market in Hong Kong where the Company is headquartered.  Commission and fee income increased to $2.5 million and $7.9 million for the current quarter and nine months to date of Fiscal 2014, which compares with $2.2 million and $6.6 million year-over-year. Interest and dividend income also increased primarily as a result of gains in the brokerage division's margin loans portfolio.  General and administrative expenses remained unchanged year-over-year despite the increase in commission expenses owing to a continued emphasis on managing expenditures.

Sunwah International is pleased to report a solid increase in activity within its corporate finance division during the quarter following a concerted effort to focus resources within this group.  In particular, the Company was able to capitalize on Hong Kong's solid financing market, which saw funds raised on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong increase 158% to $22 billion from $9 billion in last year's comparable nine-month period.

Financial highlights for Q3 Fiscal 2014 include:

• Loss of $0.3 million (Q3 FY2013: Loss of $0.8 million).
  
  
• 50% year-over-year increase in total revenues to $4.2 million (Q3 FY2013: $2.8 million).
  
  
• Quarterly corporate finance/capital markets revenues of $1.1 million (Q3 FY2013: $0.8 million).
  
  
• 20% increase in commission and fee income for the year to date (nine months of FY2013: $6.6 million).
  
  
• Higher interest and dividend income totaling $0.5 million for the quarter (Q3 FY2013: $0.3 million).
  
  
• Net gain of $1.1 million on the disposal of financial assets/liabilities and remeasurement to fair value (Q3 FY2013: $0.2 million).
  
  
• Decreased general and administrative expenses for the year-to-date of $12.0 million (Nine months of Q3 FY2013: $12.1 million).
  
  

"Our improved operational performance this quarter follows a concerted effort over recent periods to strengthen our corporate finance business," said Douglas Betts, President and CEO of Sunwah International.  "In addition to solid increases in our advisory fee income for IPOs and related work generated by our Hong Kong subsidiary, we are now seeing unique new mandates in line with our strategic positioning and ability to link Asian investors and partners with Western businesses.  We continue to develop our market niche and business model."

As worldwide capital markets continue to improve, Sunwah International is well positioned to capitalize on its unique expertise in bringing Asian strategic investors and partners together with high quality international investment opportunities, particularly coupled with an increase in marketing and promotional efforts to support its new focus and strengthened team.

For more information on Sunwah International's third quarter operating results, please see the Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A), which is filed on SEDAR and is also available on the Company's website at www.sunwahinternational.com.

About Sunwah International Limited

Sunwah International Limited (TSX: SWH) is a strategically positioned asset-based financial services provider, linking the global investment community with China's high growth economy.  Founded in 1990 and backed by prominent Hong Kong based conglomerate, Sunwah Group, a key element of the Company's growth strategy involves identifying and advancing select international opportunities that are poised to benefit from proliferating consumerism in China and development in key areas of Southeast Asia as the need for foreign suppliers of natural resources to support growth in these regions increases.  Sunwah International is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this demand and the global economic changes stemming from this shift, leveraging a 22-year track record and an extensive relationship/strategic investor network throughout Asia.  The Company operates from six offices located in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Macau and Toronto.

The organization's primary Hong Kong based subsidiary, Sunwah Kingsway Capital Holdings Limited, is listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong under the stock code 188.  Sunwah Kingsway is licensed to provide a range of financial solutions in Hong Kong and abroad that include award-winning brokerage services and innovative corporate finance offerings.

Forward-Looking Statements  

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined under applicable Canadian securities laws. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements made concerning our 2014 objectives, our strategies to achieve those objectives, as well as statements with respect to management's beliefs, plans, estimates, and intentions, and similar statements concerning anticipated future events, results, circumstances, performance or expectations that are not historical facts.  Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "outlook", "objective", "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "should", "plan" or "continue", or similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or events.  Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information.  There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.  Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.  Forward-looking information is provided as of the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.

Except as required by applicable law, management and the board of directors of the Company (the "Board of Directors") undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE: Sunwah International Limited

Kristen Humphrey, Sunwah International Limited, [phone], [email protected]