KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC. - Annual Report: 2017 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

For the fiscal year ended: December 31, 2017

Or

For the transition period from: to

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

15 Huangpu Science and Technology Park

Jiang’an District

Wuhan, Hubei Province, PRC 430023

(Address of Principal Executive Office) (Zip Code)

(011) 86 27 65694977

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock, $0.001 par value
(Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

¨    Yes x    No

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

¨    Yes x    No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

x    Yes ¨    No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

x    Yes ¨    No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.

x

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

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). ¨   Yes x   No

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $80,862,124.2 as of June 30, 2017, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter.

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of March 12, 2018 was 66,113,502.

2017 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR PURPOSES OF THE “SAFE HARBOR” STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

Statements in this report that are not historical facts or information are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “estimate,” “project,” “forecast,” “plan,” “believe,” “may,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “planned,” “potential,” “can,” “expectation” and similar expressions, or the negative of those expressions, may identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on management’s reasonable current assumptions and expectations. Such forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievement to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, and there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from management’s expectations. Such factors include, among others, the following:

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Our Business

We believe that we are one of the leading professional designers and manufacturers of high quality 24-karat gold jewelry and Chinese ornaments. We develop, promote and sell a broad range of products to the rapidly expanding jewelry market across the People’s Republic of China, or the PRC. We offer a wide range of in-house designed products including, but not limited to, gold necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets, and pendants. We have built a partnership with the Jewelry Institute of China University of Geosciences to help us design new products.

We have historically sold our products directly to distributors, retailers and other wholesalers, who then sell our products to consumers through retail counters located in both department stores and other traditional stand-alone jewelry stores. We sell our products to our customers at a price that reflects the market price of the base material, plus a mark-up reflecting our design fees and processing fees. Typically this mark-up is approximately ranges from 3% – 6% of the price of the base material. In April 2015, we established a new subsidiary Wuhan Kingold Internet Co., Ltd. and started the online sales of our jewelry products to customers. However, the online sales were immaterial for 2015 and 2016. In May 2015, Kingold Internet established a 100% controlled subsidiary Yuhuang Jewelry Design Co., Ltd (“Yuhuang”). Yuhuang engages in the jewelry design business.

On December 14, 2016, Wuhan Kingold transferred its 55% ownership interest in Kingold Internet to Wuhan Kingold Industrial Group Co., Ltd., a related party, for a consideration of $79,196 (RMB 550,000). After the transfer, Kingold Internet and Yuhuang were no longer the subsidiaries of Wuhan Kingold.

We aim to become an increasingly important participant in the PRC’s gold jewelry design and manufacturing sector. In addition to expanding our design and manufacturing capabilities, our goal is to provide a large variety of gold products in unique styles and superior quality under our brand, Kingold.

Beginning in 2016, we started investing in gold, in addition to purchasing gold for inventory. We borrowed money to finance the purchase of gold, which gold was then pledged to secure the loans. In some cases, the unrestricted gold available for production was insufficient to provide adequate security for such loans, which in turn required us to lease gold from a related party to satisfy the loan conditions and conduct the operations. In 2017, we continued to expand our investment in gold, which also resulted in growing loan amount to fuel the expansion. We are expected to adjust our gold investment according to the gold market changes.

Industry and Market Overview

The Global Market

Global consumer demand for gold in 2017 reached 4,071.7 tons, a slight decrease of 7% comparing to 4,308.7 tons in 2016, however, Gold demand rallied in the closing months of 2017, gaining 6% year-on-year to 1,095.8 tons in Q4, according to the World Gold Council’s Gold Demand Trends Full Year 2017. In terms of tonnage, jewelry accounted for 52.4% of total demand in 2017, while investments (mainly bars and coins) accounted for 25.3%.

According to the World Gold Council, China and India continue to consume the most jewelry of any market in the world, and in 2017 together generated 57% of total annual jewelry demand globally. China consumed a total of 646.9 tons of jewelry in 2017, while India consumed 562.7 tons.

The PRC Market

China’s market for jewelry and other luxury goods is expanding rapidly over the decade, in large part due to China’s rapid economic growth. According to the State Bureau of Statistics of China, China’s real gross domestic product, or GDP, grew by approximately 6.9% and 6.7% in 2017 and 2016, respectively. Economic growth in China has led to greater levels of personal disposable income and increased spending among China’s expanding consumer base. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, private consumption has grown at a 9.0% compound annual growth rate over the last decade.

According to the World Gold Council, over the last ten years, Chinese gold consumers have displayed a remarkably consistent attitude towards gold. Chinese demand is primarily driven by: (i) the continued urbanization of the Chinese population; (ii) the dominance of 24-karat gold and its role as a savings proxy; and (iii) increasing availability of gold investment products to a populace with a growing awareness of gold’s investment properties, particularly in light of its role as an inflation hedge.

In volume terms, Chinese consumer demand for gold investment increased in 2017. Chinese total consumer demand for gold investment (mainly bars and coins) reached 306.4 tons in 2017. China was the world’s largest bar and coin market in 2017, recording its second highest year of bar and coin demand on record. Annual demand in 2017 was 8% higher compared to 2016 and comfortably above its five-year average of 284.8 tons.

We believe that China’s gold jewelry market will continue to grow as China’s economy continues to develop. Since gold has long been a symbol of wealth and prosperity in China, demand for gold jewelry, particularly 24-karat gold jewelry, is firmly embedded in the country’s culture. Gold has long been viewed as both a secure and accessible savings vehicle, and as a symbol of wealth and prosperity in Chinese culture.

In addition, gold jewelry plays an important role in marriage ceremonies, child birth, and other major life events in China. Gold ornaments, often in the shapes of dragons, horses and other cultural icons, have long been a customary gift for newly married couples and newborn children in China. As China’s population becomes more urban, more westernized, and more affluent, gold, platinum and other precious metal jewelry are becoming increasingly popular and affordable fashion accessories. The gold jewelry market is currently benefiting from rising consumer spending and rapid urbanization of the Chinese population. We believe that jewelry companies like us, with a developed distribution network, attractive designs, and reliable product quality, are well-positioned to build up our brands and capture an increasing share of China’s growing gold jewelry market.

Our Strengths

We believe the following strengths contribute to our competitive advantages and differentiate us from our competitors:

We have a proven manufacturing capability.

We have developed seven proprietary processes that we believe are well integrated and are crucial to gold jewelry manufacturing, namely the processes for 99.9% gold hardening, rubber mold opening efficiency, solder-less welding, pattern carving, chain weaving, dewaxing casting, and our coloring methods.

We have a proven design capability.

We have a large and experienced in-house design team with a track record of developing products that are fashionable and well received in the jewelry market. We have built up an exclusive partnership with the leading jewelry school in China, the Jewelry Institute of China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), to help us design and launch new products. We are committed to further strengthening our design team and continuing to improve the quality and novelty of our products so as to capture increased market share in the high-end gold jewelry market.

We believe that we have superior brand awareness in China.

We have established the Kingold brand through our focused sales and marketing efforts, and we believe that it is well known in China. We continue to devote significant efforts towards brand development and marketing in an attempt to enhance the market recognition of our products, such as our Mgold jewelry line of products. Our brand awareness was demonstrated in part by “Kingold” being named a “Famous Brand in Hubei Province,” “Famous Brand in China,” and “Famous Jewelry Brand”. We believe these awards have added credibility to and strengthened customers’ confidence in our products. We have also participated in various exhibitions and trade fairs to promote our products and brands.

We have a well-established distribution network throughout China.

We have been actively operating in this industry for more than ten years. In the jewelry industry, a well-established and well-maintained distribution network is critical to success. We have established stable and mutually beneficial business relationships with a range of business partners, including large distributors, wholesalers, and retailers. These relationships are essential to our company, and provide us with a key competitive advantage. We have distributors in most provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in PRC.

We believe that we have significant advantages in the areas of capacity, technology and talent when compared to our competitors.

We have expanded our capacity significantly in recent years. In 2015, we processed 24-karat gold jewelry and Chinese ornaments with a total weight of approximately 56.5 tons, which was slightly decreased as compared to prior year production of approximately 60.1 tons in 2014. In fiscal 2016, our actual production was 75.3 tons, which was substantially increased as compared to the production in 2015. In fiscal 2017, our actual production was 103.4 tons, which indicated a continuing strong increase as compared to the production in 2016 and 2015. We attach great importance to the continuous improvement of our technology. Our gold processing systems dramatically reduce waste during the manufacturing process to approximately just one gram per kilogram of gold.

We have been awarded 26 patents granted by the State Intellectual Property Office of the PRC, of which 2 expired in 2017, 21 will expire in 2019, and the remaining will expire in 2029. We also owned 17 trademarks at the end of 2017, of which, 1 will expire by 2019, 6 will expire by 2020, 4 will expire by 2021, 1 will expire by 2023 and 3 will expire by 2027, and 2 were registered in Hong Kong. We have made significant investments in training and retaining our own in-house design and manufacturing team. We have an exclusive agreement with the China University of Geosciences School of Jewelry in Wuhan, or the School of Jewelry in Wuhan, which provides us with new, unique and innovative designs through students majoring in jewelry design and jewelry processing technology. These designs are proprietary to us, so our competitors do not have access to these designs. We also provide internships to talented students at the School of Jewelry, which provides us with access to the designs that we believe are best suited for strong consumer sales.

We are a member of the Shanghai Gold Exchange, which has very limited membership and which affords the right to purchase gold directly from the Shanghai Gold Exchange.

We have been a member of the Shanghai Gold Exchange, or the Exchange, since 2003. Although the Chinese government eliminated the absolute restriction on trading gold in general, the right to purchase gold directly from the Exchange is limited. The Exchange possesses a membership system and only members can buy gold through its trading system. As of December 31, 2017, there were approximately 253 members of the Exchange throughout China. Non-members who want to purchase gold must deal with members of the Exchange at a higher purchase price compared to the price afforded to members of the Exchange.

We have an experienced management team in the Chinese gold industry.

We have a strong and stable management team with valuable experience in the PRC jewelry industry. Our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Zhihong Jia, has been working in this industry for close to 20 years. Our general manager, Mr. Jun Wang, also has worked in the industry for more than a decade. Other members of our senior management team all have significant experience in key aspects of our operations, including product design, manufacturing, and sales and marketing.

Our Strategy

Our goal is to be the leading designer and manufacturer of 24-karat gold jewelry products and to become a sizable supplier of investment gold products in China. We intend to achieve our goal by implementing the following strategies:

We intend to increase production capacity and marketing abilities through both existing channels and the planned Jewelry Park.

We intend to continue to expand the production capacity with our self-generated cash flow as well as bank loans.

We also intend to consider sub-contracting opportunities in order to further expand capacity. Given the fragmentation of the PRC gold jewelry and design industry, we believe there may be attractive consolidation opportunities for us to acquire other jewelers, which would allow us to further increase our market share and achieve economies of scale.

We also intend to increase our production capacity and marketing abilities through forming relationships with other jewelry manufacturers in China, to whom we plan to lease space in our planned Jewelry Park.

We plan to continue to specialize in the manufacture of 24-karat gold jewelry.

We intend to leverage our experience in jewelry design to introduce new fashionable products with strong market recognition, such as our Mgold jewelry line of products, to target niche markets such as the fast growing wedding market. We plan to design new product lines of 24-karat gold jewelry to address the specific needs of our target customers. By staying on top of market trends, and expanding our design team and capabilities, we plan to continue to increase our revenues and market share.

We intend to further promote and improve the use of our brand recognition.

We intend to make continuous efforts in growing the brand recognition of our Kingold brand and increasing our market share. Through marketing and the promotion of our high-end product lines such as Mgold, we believe the credentials and reputation of our brand will be further enhanced.

We will increase the automation in our production line.

Our production lines use modern technologies and production techniques that we continuously strive to improve. We plan to increase the level of automation in our production lines, which will lower our average costs and expand our production capacity. With our entrance into the investment gold market, we intend to rely more on automated production processes. 

We intend to enlarge our PRC customer base.

We intend to strive to expand our PRC customer base by strengthening current relationships with distributors, retailers and other wholesalers in our existing markets. We also plan to expand upon our customer base by developing new relationships with strategic distributors and retailers in markets we have not yet penetrated and adding customers in the PRC.

Products

We currently offer a wide range of 24-karat gold products, including 99.9% and 99% pure gold necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets, pendants and gold bars.

Design and Manufacturing

We have adopted a systematic approach to product design and manufacturing that we believe is rigorous. We employ a senior design team with members educated by top art schools or colleges in China, including an exclusive agreement with the School of Jewelry in Wuhan, who have an average of three to five years of experience. Our design team develops and generates new ideas from a variety of sources, including direct customer feedback, trade shows, and industry conferences. We generally test the market potential and customer appeal of our new products and services through a wide outreach program in specific regions prior to a full commercial launch. We have a large-scale production base that includes a 74,933 square foot factory, a dedicated design, sales and marketing team, and 626 company-trained employees. Our production lines include automated jewelry processing equipment and procedures that we can rapidly modify to accommodate new designs and styles.

Supply of Raw Materials

We purchase gold, our major raw material, directly from the Shanghai Gold Exchange. Our membership grants us the right to purchase gold from the Exchange, a right that is not available to non-members. We also lease gold from certain leading Chinese commercial banks to provide an additional supply of raw materials under certain gold lease arrangements, which we renewed in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Security Measures

We believe that we implement the best of breed security measures to protect our assets, including our 24-karat gold, and we believe these measures are well beyond those of our competitors. Our comprehensive security measures at our Wuhan facility include (i) a 24-hour onsite police station with direct deployment of police officers and instant access to the Wuhan city police department and (ii) security guards at each point of entry. Security guards roam our facilities, and monitor security cameras (with video surveillance by both random and fixed cameras) and alarm systems in our warehouse. Our gold is stored in a state of the art vault with encryption and authentication technology, which requires several designated management employees to open the vault, all of whom have different access codes known only to a limited number of officers. Therefore, no one individual can open our vault without the access codes of the others. In addition, every employee or visitor is required to pass through a security check (to include a metal detector) when he or she enters and leaves the jewelry production area. We review our security measures on an annual basis and regularly look to upgrade our systems after such review.

Quality Control

We consider quality control an important factor for the success of our business. We have a strict quality control system that is implemented by a well-trained team to ensure effective quality control over every step of our business operations, from design and manufacturing to marketing and sales. We have received ISO 9001 accreditation from the International Organization for Standardization attesting to our quality control systems. In 2004, we were named an “Honest and Trustworthy Enterprise” by the Hubei Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision.

Sales and Marketing 

Currently we have approximately 490 customers covering 25 provinces in China. We have very stable relationships with our major customers who have generally increased order volume year by year. In 2013, we renovated our showroom and we add an additional showroom at Kingold Industrial Park in 2017. .

Major Customers

During the year ended December 31, 2015, approximately 18.8% of our net sales were generated from our five largest customers. Shenzhen Yuehao Jewelry Co., Ltd was our largest customer in 2015 (4.3% of our total net sales in 2015).

During the year ended December 31, 2016, approximately 21.5% of our net sales were generated from our five largest customers. Haerbin Hengyuan Jewelry Co., Ltd was our largest customer in 2016 (4.5% of our total net sales in 2016).

During the year ended December 31, 2017, approximately 23.3% of our net sales were generated from our five largest customers. Wuhan Kingold Industrial Group Co. Ltd., a related party, was our largest customer in 2017 (6.3% of our total net sales in 2017). No customer accounted for more than 10% of annual sales for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

Competition

The jewelry industry in China is highly fragmented and very competitive. No single competitor has a significant percentage of the overall market. We believe that the market may become even more competitive as the industry grows and/or consolidates.

We produce high-quality jewelry for which the demand has grown year by year as income levels in China have risen and customers continue to appreciate the high quality of our products. We believe the Kingold brand is well-recognized within the industry across China, which has substantially differentiated us from most of our competitors.

We compete with local jewelry manufacturers and large foreign multinational companies that offer products similar to ours. Examples of our competitors include, but are not limited to, Zhejiang Sun & Moon Jewelry Group Co., Ltd. (listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange), Shenzhen Bo Fook Jewelry Co., Ltd., Shenzhen Ganlu Jewelry Co., Ltd., Magfrey Jewelry Co., Ltd., and Guangdong Chaohongji Co., Ltd.

Intellectual Property

We rely on a combination of patent, trademark and trade secret protection and other unpatented proprietary information to protect our intellectual property rights and to maintain and enhance our competitiveness in the jewelry industry.

We currently have 26 patents granted by the State Intellectual Property Office of the PRC, of which, 2 expired in 2017, 21will expire in 2019 and the remaining will expire in 2029.

We currently have 15 registered trademarks in China, of which, 1 will expire in 2019, 1 will expire in 2019, 6 will expire in 2020, 4 will expire in 2021, 1 will expire in 2013, and the remaining 3 will expire in 2027. In particular, “Kingold” has been named as a “Famous Brand in Hubei Province,” “Famous Brand in China,” and “Famous Jewelry Brand” by the General Administration of Quality Supervision and China Top Brand Strategy Promotion Committee.

We have implemented and enhanced intellectual property management procedures in an effort to protect our intellectual property rights. However, there can be no assurance that our intellectual property rights will not be challenged, invalidated, or circumvented, that others will not assert intellectual property rights to technologies that are relevant to us, or that our rights will give us a competitive advantage. In addition, the laws of China may not protect our proprietary rights to the same extent as the laws in other jurisdictions. 

PRC Government Regulations 

We are subject to various PRC laws and regulations that are relevant to our business. Our business license permits us to design, manufacture, sell and market jewelry products to department stores throughout China, and allows us to engage in the retail distribution of our products. Any further amendment to the scope of our business will require additional government approvals. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain the necessary government approval for any change or expansion of our business.

Under applicable PRC laws, the supply of precious metals such as platinum, gold and silver is highly regulated by certain government agencies, such as the People’s Bank of China, or the PBOC. The Shanghai Gold Exchange is the only PBOC authorized supplier of precious metal materials and is our primary source of supply for our raw materials, which substantially consist of precious metals. We are required to obtain and hold several memberships and approval certificates from these government agencies in order to continue to conduct our business. We may be required to renew such memberships and to obtain approval certificates periodically. If we are unable to renew these periodic memberships or approval certificates, it would materially affect our business operations. We are currently in good standing with these agencies.

We have also been granted independent import and export rights. These rights permit us to import and export jewelry into and out of China. With the relatively lower cost of production in China, we intend to expand into overseas markets after the launch of our China-based retail plan. We do not currently have plans to import jewelry into China.

Environmental Protection

Our production facilities in Wuhan are subject to environmental regulation by both the central government of the PRC and by local government agencies. We have obtained all necessary operating permits as required from the Environmental Protection Bureau, and believe that we are in compliance with local regulations governing waste production and disposal, and that our production facilities have met the public safety requirements regarding refuse, emissions, lights, noise and radiation. Since commencement of our operations, we have not been cited for any environmental violations. Because our production process creates almost no waste water or pollution, our costs for environmental compliance have been minimal and immaterial.

Tax

Wuhan Kingold was incorporated in the PRC and is subject to PRC income tax, which is computed according to the relevant laws and regulations in the PRC. The applicable income tax rate is 25.0%.

Pursuant to the Provisional Regulation of China on Value-Added Tax, or VAT, and its implementing rules, all entities and individuals that are engaged in the sale of goods, the provision of repairs and replacement services and the importation of goods in China are generally required to pay VAT at a rate of 17.0% of the gross sales proceeds received, less any deductible VAT already paid or borne by the taxpayer.

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Act”) was signed into law making significant changes to the Internal Revenue Code. Changes include, but are not limited to, a U.S. corporate tax rate decrease from 35% to 21% effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, the transition of U.S international taxation from a worldwide tax system to a territorial system, and a one-time transition tax on the mandatory deemed repatriation of cumulative foreign earnings for the tax year beginning before January 1, 2018. The Company has determined that the Company’s VIE in PRC does not qualify as a reportable controlled foreign corporation (“CFC”) or specified foreign corporation within the meaning of the Act (collectively, a “SFC”) in accordance with its understanding of the Act and guidance available as of the date of this filing and, as a result, the Company assessed there was no significant income tax impact during the period in which the legislation was enacted.

On December 22, 2017, Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 ("SAB 118") was issued to address the application of US GAAP in situations when a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Act. In accordance with SAB 118, the Company has determined that the Company’s VIE in PRC does not qualify as a reportable SFC, therefore it is not necessary to record any income tax provision in connection with the transition tax on the mandatory deemed repatriation of foreign earnings for 2017. Additional work is necessary to do a more detailed analysis of the Act as well as potential correlative adjustments. Any subsequent adjustment to these amounts will be recorded to current tax expense in fiscal 2018 when the analysis is complete.

Foreign Currency Exchange

Under applicable PRC foreign currency exchange regulations, the Renminbi is convertible for current account items, including the distribution of dividends, interest payments, trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions. Conversion of Renminbi for capital account items, such as direct investment, loan, security investment and repatriation of investment, however, is still subject to the approval of the PRC State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE. Foreign-invested enterprises may only buy, sell and/or remit foreign currencies at those banks authorized to conduct foreign exchange business after providing valid commercial documents and, in the case of capital account item transactions, obtaining approval from the SAFE. Capital investments by foreign-invested enterprises outside of China are also subject to limitations, which include approvals by the Ministry of Commerce, the SAFE and the State Reform and Development Commission.

Dividend Distributions

Under applicable PRC regulations, foreign-invested enterprises in China may pay dividends only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, a foreign-invested enterprise in China is required to set aside at least 10.0% of its after-tax profits each year to its general reserves until the cumulative amount of such reserves has reached 50.0% of its registered capital. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. The board of directors of a foreign-invested enterprise has the discretion to allocate a portion of its after-tax profits to staff welfare and bonus funds, which may not be distributed to equity owners except in the event of liquidation

Employees 

As of December 31, 2017, we had approximately 626 full-time employees, all of whom were located in PRC except for our Chief Financial Officer. There are no collective bargaining contracts covering any of our employees. We believe our relationship with our employees is satisfactory. Our full-time employees are entitled to employee benefits including medical care, work related injury insurance, maternity insurance, unemployment insurance and pension benefits through a Chinese government mandated multi-employer defined contribution plan. We are required to accrue those benefits based on certain percentages of the employees’ salaries and make contributions to the plans out of the amounts accrued for medical and pension benefits. The Chinese government is responsible for the medical benefits and the pension liability paid to these employees.

The PRC has a labor contract law that enhances rights for the nation’s workers, including open-ended work contracts and severance payments, and requires employers to enter into labor contracts with their workers in writing, restricts the use of temporary laborers and makes it harder to lay off employees. It also requires that employees with a fixed-term contract be entitled to an indefinite-term contract after the fixed-term contract has been renewed twice. Although the labor contract law could increase our labor costs, we do not anticipate there will be any significant effects on our overall profitability in the near future because such amount was historically not material to our operating cost. Management anticipates this may be a step toward improving candidate retention for skilled workers.

Company History

Since December 2009, we have been engaged in the design, manufacturing and sale of gold jewelry in the PRC via a VIE relationship with Wuhan Kingold, a PRC company.

We were initially incorporated in 1995 in Delaware as Vanguard Enterprises, Inc. In 1999, we changed our corporate name to Activeworlds.com, Inc. (and subsequently to Activeworlds Corp.), and through a wholly-owned subsidiary we provided internet software products and services that enabled the delivery of three-dimensional content over the internet. We operated that business until September 11, 2002, when we sold that business to our former management and we became a shell company with no significant business operations. As a result of the consummation of a reverse acquisition transaction as described below, on December 23, 2009, we ceased to be a shell company and became an indirect holding company for Wuhan Vogue-Show Jewelry Co., Limited, or Vogue-Show, through Dragon Lead Group Limited, or Dragon Lead.

Acquisition of Kingold and Name Change

In December 2009, we acquired 100% of Dragon Lead from the shareholders of Dragon Lead in a share exchange transaction pursuant to which the shareholders of Dragon Lead exchanged 100% ownership in Dragon Lead for 33,104,234 shares of our common stock. As a result, Dragon Lead became our wholly owned subsidiary. Dragon Lead owns 100% of Vogue-Show and Vogue-Show controls Wuhan Kingold through a series of variable interest entity agreements. We currently operate through Dragon Lead and Vogue-Show.

In February 2010, we changed our name to Kingold Jewelry, Inc. to better reflect our business.

Organizational History of Dragon Lead and its Subsidiaries

Dragon Lead, a British Virgin Islands, or BVI corporation was incorporated in the BVI on July 1, 2008 as an investment holding company. Dragon Lead owns 100% of the ownership interest in Vogue-Show.

Vogue-Show was incorporated in the PRC as a wholly foreign owned enterprise, or WFOE, on February 16, 2009. Wuhan Kingold was incorporated in the PRC as a limited liability company on August 2, 2002 by Zhihong Jia, as the major shareholder, and Xue Su Yue who sold her shares in Wuhan Kingold to Zhihong Jia and Chen Wei in 2003. On October 26, 2007, Wuhan Kingold was restructured as a joint stock company limited by shares. Its business activities are principally the design and manufacture of gold ornaments in the PRC. Wuhan Kingold’s business license will expire on July 1, 2052 and is renewable upon expiration. The registered and paid-in capital of Wuhan Kingold is RMB 120 million.

The Vogue-Show/Wuhan Kingold VIE Relationship 

On June 30, 2009, Vogue-Show entered into a series of agreements with Wuhan Kingold and shareholders holding 95.83% of the outstanding equity of Wuhan Kingold under which Wuhan Kingold agreed to pay 95.83% of its after-tax profits to Vogue-Show and shareholders owning 95.83% of Wuhan Kingold’s shares have pledged their and delegated their voting power in Wuhan Kingold to Vogue-Show. Such share pledge is registered with the PRC Administration for Industry and Commerce. These agreements were subsequently amended on October 20, 2011; when the minority stockholder holding 4.17% of the equity of Wuhan Kingold became a party to the applicable VIE agreements. Following execution of the amendments, shareholders holding 100% of the outstanding equity of Wuhan Kingold were parties to the agreements such that Wuhan Kingold has agreed to pay 100% of its after-tax profits to Vogue-Show and shareholders owning 100% of Wuhan Kingold’s shares have pledged and delegated their voting power in Wuhan Kingold to Vogue- Show.

The VIE agreements, which are described below, currently cover 100% of the equity interest in Wuhan Kingold, and were initially created so that upon the closing of the reverse acquisition, as described below, we would be able to acquire control of Wuhan Kingold, as explained below.

These contractual arrangements enable us to:

Through such arrangement, Wuhan Kingold has become Vogue-Show’s contractually controlled affiliate. In addition, Wuhan Kingold shareholders agreed to grant Vogue-Show a ten-year option to purchase a 100% equity interest in Wuhan Kingold at a price based on an appraisal provided by an asset evaluation institution that will be jointly appointed by Vogue-Show and the Wuhan Kingold shareholders. Concurrently, Wuhan Kingold agreed to grant Vogue-Show a ten-year option to purchase all of Wuhan Kingold’s assets at a price based on an appraisal provided by an asset evaluation institution that will be jointly appointed by Vogue-Show and Wuhan Kingold.

The VIE Agreements

Our relationship with Wuhan Kingold and its shareholders is governed by a series of contractual arrangements, which agreements provide as follows:

Exclusive Management Consulting and Technical Support Agreement. On June 30, 2009, Vogue-Show initially entered into an Exclusive Management Consulting and Technical Support Agreement with Wuhan Kingold, as subsequently amended, which provided that Vogue-Show will be the exclusive provider of management consulting services to Wuhan Kingold, and obligated Vogue-Show to provide services to fully manage and control all internal operations of Wuhan Kingold, in exchange for receiving 95.83% of Wuhan Kingold’s profits. On October 20, 2011, Wuhan Kingold and Vogue-Show amended this agreement such that Wuhan Kingold is now obligated to pay 100% of its after-tax profits to Vogue-Show. Payments will be made on a monthly basis. The term of this agreement will continue until it is either terminated by mutual agreement of the parties or until such time as Vogue-Show shall acquire 100% of the equity or assets of Wuhan Kingold.

Shareholders' Voting Proxy Agreement. On June 30, 2009, shareholders holding 95.83% of the equity interest in Wuhan Kingold entered into a Shareholders’ Voting Proxy Agreement authorizing Vogue-Show to exercise any and all shareholder rights associated with their ownership in Wuhan Kingold, including the right to attend and vote their shares at shareholders’ meetings, the right to call shareholders’ meetings and the right to exercise all other shareholder voting rights as stipulated in the Articles of Association of Wuhan Kingold. Following the October 20, 2011 amendment to this agreement, shareholders holding 100% of the equity interest in Wuhan Kingold have now entered into the Shareholders’ Voting Proxy Agreement. The term of this agreement will continue until it is either terminated by mutual agreement of the parties or until such time as Vogue-Show shall acquire 100% of the equity or assets of Wuhan Kingold.

Purchase Option Agreement. On June 30, 2009, shareholders holding 95.83% of the equity interest in Wuhan Kingold entered into a Purchase Option Agreement with Vogue-Show, which provided that Vogue-Show will be entitled to acquire such Shareholders’ shares in Wuhan Kingold upon certain terms and conditions, if such a purchase is or becomes allowable under PRC laws and regulations. The Purchase Option Agreement also grants to Vogue-Show an option to purchase all of the assets of Wuhan Kingold. Following the October 20, 2011 amendment to this agreement, shareholders holding 100% of the equity interest in Wuhan Kingold have now entered into the Purchase Option Agreement. The exercise price for either the shares or the assets is to be as determined by a qualified third party appraiser. The term of this agreement is ten years from the date thereof. 

Reverse Acquisition and Private Placement

On September 29, 2009, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Reverse Acquisition with Vogue-Show, Dragon Lead, and the stockholders of Dragon Lead, or the Dragon Lead Stockholders. Pursuant to the acquisition agreement, we agreed to acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Dragon Lead in exchange for the issuance of 33,104,234 newly issued shares of our common stock. The acquisition agreement closed on or about December 23, 2009. Following the closing, Dragon Lead became our wholly-owned subsidiary.

The purpose of the reverse acquisition was to acquire control over Wuhan Kingold. We did not acquire Wuhan Kingold directly through the issuance of stock to Wuhan Kingold’s stockholders because under PRC law it is uncertain whether a share exchange would be legal. We instead chose to acquire control of Wuhan Kingold through the acquisition of Vogue-Show and the VIE arrangements previously described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain rules and regulations in the PRC restrict the ability of non-PRC companies that are controlled by PRC residents to acquire PRC companies. There is significant uncertainty as to whether these rules and regulations require transactions of the type contemplated by our VIE arrangements, or of the type contemplated by the Call Option described below, to be approved by the PRC Ministry of Commerce, the China Securities and Regulatory Commission, or other agencies.

On December 23, 2009, immediately prior to the closing of the reverse acquisition, we completed a private placement with 14 investors. Pursuant to a securities purchase agreement entered into with the investors, we sold an aggregate of 5,120,483 newly issued shares of our common stock at $0.996 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $5.1 million. The investors in the private placement also received five-year warrants to purchase up to 1,024,096 shares of common stock at the price of $0.996 per share. After commissions and expenses, we received net proceeds of approximately $4.55 million in the private placement. In addition, five-year warrants to purchase up to 1,536,145 shares of common stock at the price of $0.996 per share were issued to various consultants who assisted in the transaction.

All share and per share information for dates prior to August 10, 2010 concerning our common stock in the above discussion reflects a 1-for-2 reverse stock split.

As a result of the above transactions, we ceased being a “shell company” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Act.

In April 2015, Wuhan Kingold Jewelry Co., Inc. (“Wuhan Kingold”) established a new subsidiary Wuhan Kingold Internet Co., Ltd. (“Kingold Internet”). Total registered capital of Kingold Internet is RMB 1 million (approximately $0.15 million), of which Wuhan Kingold held a 55% ownership interest and a third-party minority shareholder, Mr. Xiaofeng Lv, held the remaining 45% ownership interest. Kingold Internet engages in promoting the online sales of jewelry products through cooperation with Tmall.com, a large business-to-consumer online retail platform owned by Alibaba Group. On December 14, 2016, Wuhan Kingold transferred its 55% ownership interest in Kingold Internet to Wuhan Kingold Industrial Group Co., Ltd., a related party, for a consideration of $79,196 (RMB 550,000). After the transfer, Kingold Internet and Yuhuang were no longer the subsidiaries of Wuhan Kingold.

In May 2015, Kingold Internet established a 100% controlled subsidiary Yuhuang Jewelry Design Co., Ltd (“Yuhuang”). Total registered capital of Yuhuang is RMB 1 million (approximately $0.15 million). Since Wuhan Kingold holds a 55% ownership interest of Kingold Internet, Wuhan Kingold also indirectly controls 55% ownership interest in Yuhuang and minority shareholder Mr. Xiaofeng Lv holds the remaining 45% ownership interest in Yuhuang. Yuhuang engages in the jewelry design business.

Kingold, Dragon Lead, and Wuhan Vogue-Show, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Company.”

The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure as of the date of this Annual Report:

Notes:

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below together with all of the other information included in this prospectus before making an investment decision. The risks and uncertainties described below represent our known material risks to our business. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition or results of operations could suffer. In that case, you may lose all or part of your investment. You should not invest in this offering unless you can afford to lose your entire investment.

Risks Related to our Business

Significant decreases in the price and availability of gold and other precious metal commodities could adversely impact our earnings, cash flows and results of operation.

The jewelry industry generally is affected by fluctuations in the price and supply of diamonds, gold, and, to a lesser extent, other precious and semi-precious metals and stones. In the past, we have not hedged our needs for gold or other raw materials through commodity purchasing or other common methods such as the use of options or forward contracts. Prior to 2016, we purchased gold in order to produce jewelry and gold products. While jewelry and gold product manufacturing is still our core business, starting in 2016, we began to purchase gold for the purposes of investment and hedging against the risks in gold and other commodity price fluctuations.

Our investment objective is to purchase gold in response to the rising price trend of gold for the recent years. By doing so, we have been able to use bank loans or other third party borrowings to finance our gold investment and repay the debts with the gold purchased upon due. The upward increases in the gold price in the last few years have enabled us to use a lesser amount of gold than originally purchased to repay the same debts. However, gold investment has exposed us to a greater degree of risks associated with any future decreases in the price of gold. When gold price decreases, we would have to use or sell a larger amount of gold to repay the outstanding borrowings when they become due. The more investment we make in gold and more loans we borrow to finance such purchases, the greater the risks we would be subject to in any future decreases in the price of gold. Any significant decreases in the price and availability of gold could weaken our cash flow position and adversely affect our costs for conducting our business and results of operation.

On the other hand, a sudden significant increase in the price of gold could increase our immediate costs for gold investment as well as production costs beyond the amount that we are able to pass on to our customers, which would adversely affect our sales and profitability. A significant disruption in our supply of gold or other commodities could decrease our production and shipping levels, materially increase our operating costs and materially and adversely affect our profit margins. Shortages of gold or other commodities, or interruptions in transportation systems, labor strikes, work stoppages, war, acts of terrorism, or other interruptions to or difficulties in the employment of labor or transportation in the markets in which we purchase our raw materials, may adversely affect our ability to maintain production of our products and sustain profitability. Although we generally attempt to pass increased commodity prices to our customers, there may be circumstances in which we are not able to do so. In addition, if we were to experience a significant or prolonged shortage of gold, we would be unable to meet our production schedules and to ship products to our customers in a timely manner, which would adversely affect our sales, margins and customer relations.

If we are unable to accurately manage our inventory, our reputation, earnings and results of operations could suffer.

We are faced with the increased challenge of balancing our gold inventory levels to meet gold investment needs with our ability to meet our jewelry manufacturing demands. We purchase gold based on internally generated projections, and the projections are based on many unknown assumptions around the price and price trend of gold, consumer demands, and product pricing, among other things. If these inventory projections are too high, our inventory may be too high, which may result in overstock of the amount of gold we purchase, lower sales prices and gross margins and cause harm to our financial results. Conversely, if these projections are too low, and we underestimate our inventory needs and the consumer demand for our products, we would be exposed to lost business opportunities and experience shortage in our gold inventory to meet our production, financing and investment needs. Either situation could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

We may be unable to repay our debts as they become due.

Over the last two years, we have dramatically increased the amount of debts we borrowed. The borrowings were used to purchase gold, and because the price of gold has increased over the last year, we have profited by such increases. However, in the event the gold market experiences a downturn, we will find that the assets on hand (i.e., gold purchased with loans) are insufficient to repay those loans. Moreover, if the price of gold decreases, banks may be unwilling to refinance our debts as they become due. In addition, a price drop could result in a default under the terms of such loans, regardless of whether we are current in our payment under such loans. If this were to happen, our business could be materially harmed.

We may need to implement additional accounting systems, procedures and controls as we grow our business and organization to satisfy the new reporting requirements.

As a public reporting company, we are required to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the related rules and regulations of the SEC, including expanded disclosures and accelerated reporting requirements and more complex accounting rules. Compliance with these new requirements may increase our costs and require additional management time and resources. In the prior two fiscal years, our management assessed and found our internal control over financial reporting to be ineffective. To remedy the material weakness of inadequate controls over cash management, our Board adopted resolutions requiring management to seek the Board’s approval prior to entering into any transactions with a value in excess of a certain threshold, and we are in the process of implementing additional policies and procedures to enhance our internal controls. Notwithstanding these additional measures, we may still need to implement additional or enhance finance and accounting systems, procedures and controls to satisfy new accounting and reporting requirements. If our internal controls over financial reporting continues to be determined to be ineffective, investors could lose confidence in the reliability of our internal controls over financial reporting, which could adversely affect our stock price.

Jewelry purchases are discretionary, may be particularly affected by adverse trends in the general economy, and an economic decline will make it more difficult to generate revenue.

The success of our operations depends, to a significant extent, upon a number of factors relating to discretionary consumer spending in China. These factors include economic conditions and perceptions of such conditions by consumers, employment rates, the level of consumers’ disposable income, business conditions, interest rates, consumer debt levels, availability of credit and levels of taxation in regional and local markets in China where we manufacture and sell our products. There can be no assurance that consumer spending on jewelry will not be adversely affected by changes in general economic conditions in China and globally.

While the Chinese economy has experienced rapid growth in the past decade, such growth has been uneven among various sectors of the economy and in different geographical areas of the country. Rapid economic growth can lead to growth in the money supply and rising inflation. During the past two decades, the rate of inflation in China has been as high as approximately 20%. If prices for our products rise at a rate that is insufficient to compensate for the rise in the costs of supplies such as raw materials, it may have an adverse effect on our profitability. In the recent years, Chinese economic growth had been slowing down, and for example, GDP growth was only 6.7% in 2016. While the China economic growth showed a considerable improvement in 2017, should it experience another slow growth for a sustained period of time, it could substantially affect consumer demand and confidence, which could adversely impact our business, results of operation and financial condition.

Competition in the jewelry industry could cause us to lose market share, thereby materially and adversely affecting our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The jewelry industry in China is highly fragmented and very competitive. We believe that the market may become even more competitive as the industry grows and/or consolidates. We compete with local jewelry manufacturers and large foreign multinational companies that offer products that are similar to ours. Some of these competitors have larger local or regional customer bases, more locations, more brand equity, and substantially greater financial, marketing and other resources than we have. As a result of this increasing competition, we could lose market share, thereby materially and adversely affecting our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We may need to raise additional funds in the future. These funds may not be available on acceptable terms or at all, and, without additional funds, we may not be able to maintain or expand our business. The sale of additional shares or equity or debt securities could result in additional dilution to our shareholders.

Our operations require substantial funds to finance our operating expenses, to maintain and expand our manufacturing, marketing and sales capabilities and to cover public company costs. Without these funds, we may not be able to meet our goals. We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents and anticipated cash flow from operations will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for the foreseeable future. We may, however, require additional cash resources due to changed business conditions or other future developments, including any investments or acquisitions we may decide to pursue. If these resources are insufficient to satisfy our cash requirements, we may seek to sell additional equity or debt securities or obtain one or more additional credit facilities. If we cannot raise additional funds when needed, or on acceptable terms, we may not be able to effectively execute our growth strategy take advantage of future opportunities, or respond to competitive pressures or unanticipated requirements. In addition, we may be required to scale back or discontinue expansion plans, or obtain funds through strategic alliances that may require us to relinquish certain rights.

We may seek additional funding through public or private financing or through collaborative arrangements with strategic partners. However, you should also be aware that in the future:

In addition, the incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased debt service obligations and could result in operating and financing covenants that would restrict our operations.

Our ability to maintain or increase our revenue could be harmed if we are unable to strengthen and maintain our brand image.

We believe that the primary factors in facilitating customer buying decisions in China’s jewelry sector include price, confidence in the merchandise sold, and the level and quality of customer service. The ability to differentiate our products from competitors’ by our brand-based marketing strategies is a key factor in attracting consumers, and if our strategies and efforts to promote our brand, such as television and magazine advertising and beauty contest sponsorships fail to garner brand recognition, our ability to generate revenue may suffer. If we are unable to differentiate our products, our ability to sell our products wholesale and our planned sale of products retail will be adversely affected. If we fail to identify or react appropriately or timely to customer buying decisions, we could experience a reduction in consumer recognition of our products, a diminished brand image, higher markdowns, and costs to recast overstocked jewelry. These factors could result in lowering selling prices and sales volumes for our products, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

There is only one source in China for us to obtain the precious metals used in our jewelry products; accordingly, any interruptions of our arrangement with this source would disrupt our ability to fulfill customer orders and substantially affect our ability to continue our business operations.

Under PRC law, the supply of precious metals such as platinum, gold, and silver is highly regulated by PRC government agencies. The Shanghai Gold Exchange (“the Exchange”) is the only supplier in China for gold used for our jewelry products (including the gold we lease from leading PRC banks). We are required to obtain and maintain several membership and approval certificates from government agencies in order to do business involving precious metals. The loss of our relationship or failure to renew our membership with the Exchange, or its inability to furnish precious metals to us (or the banks we lease from) as anticipated in terms of cost, quality, and timeliness, would adversely affect our ability to fulfill customer orders in accordance with our required delivery, quality, and performance requirements. If this situation were to occur, we would not have any alternative suppliers in China to obtain our raw materials from, which would result in a decline in revenue and revenue potential, and ultimately risk the overall continuation of our business operations.

If we are not able to adapt to changing jewelry trends in China, our inventory may be overstocked and we may be forced to reduce the price of our overstocked jewelry or incur the cost to recast it into new jewelry.

Our jewelry sales depend on consumer fashions, preferences for jewelry and the demand for particular products in China. Jewelry design trends in China can and do change rapidly. The ability to accurately predict future changes in taste, respond to changes in consumer preferences, carry the inventory demanded by customers, deliver the appropriate quality, price products correctly, and implement effective purchasing procedures all have an important influence on determining sales performance and maximizing gross margin. If we fail to anticipate, identify or react appropriately to changes in styles and trends, we could experience excess inventories, higher than normal markdowns or an inability to sell our products. If such a situation were to exist, we would need to incur additional costs to recast our products to fit the demand, and the labor and manufacturing costs previously invested in the recast products would be lost.

Our failure to manage growth effectively could have an adverse effect on our employee efficiency, product quality, working capital levels, and results of operations.

We intend to develop the retail distribution of our products, which we believe will result in rapid growth, but will also place significant demands on our managerial, operational and financial resources. Any significant growth in the market for our current wholesale business and our planned retail distribution would require us to expand our managerial, operational, financial, and other resources. During any period of growth, we may face problems related to our operational and financial systems and controls, including quality control and delivery and service capabilities. We also will need to continue to expand, train and manage our employee base. If we are unable to successfully build these skills and expand our number of skilled management and staff, we may be unsuccessful in achieving our intended level of growth.

Aside from increased difficulties in the management of human resources, we may also encounter working capital issues, as we will need increased liquidity to finance the purchases of raw materials and supplies, development of new products and the hiring of additional employees. Our failure to manage growth effectively may lead to operational and financial inefficiencies that will have a negative effect on our profitability. We cannot assure you that we will be able to timely and effectively meet that demand and maintain the quality standards required by our existing and potential customers.

We maintain a relatively large inventory of our raw materials and jewelry products to support customer delivery requirements, and if this inventory is lost due to theft, our results of operations would be negatively impacted.

We purchase large volumes of precious metals and store significant quantities of raw materials and jewelry products at our warehouse and show room in Wuhan, China. Although we have an inventory security system in place, we may be subject to future significant inventory losses due to third-party or employee theft from our warehouses or other forms of theft. The implementation of enhanced security measures beyond those that we already utilize, which include onsite police station with direct deployment of officers and instant access to Wuhan city police department, security cameras, and alarm systems in our warehouse, would increase our operating costs. Also, any such losses of inventory could exceed the limits of, or be subject to an exclusion from, coverage under our insurance policies. Claims filed by us under our insurance policies could lead to increases in the insurance premiums payable by us or the termination of coverage under the relevant policy. In addition, loss of gold inventory may cause violation of our pledge agreements of loans.

We have outstanding borrowings, and if our ability to obtain new loans or to renew current loans from financial institutions or other third parties is substantially diminished, our business may be severely disrupted and the results of operations could suffer.

In the recent years, we have substantially increased our borrowings as we grew our business and expanded our operations. Almost all of our loans from financial institutions and other unrelated third-parties are secured by restricted cash on deposit at various banks, or gold we own or have leased, as we may agree from time to time with the respective lenders.

In addition, many of our loans are borrowed conditioned upon personal guarantees provided by our Chairman and CEO because of his personal credit worthiness and his reputation and expertise in the China gold industry. Thus our ability to obtain loans or credits, to a great extent, depends on the continued services of our founder, Chairman and CEO, Mr. Zhihong Jia. If Mr. Jia is unable or unwilling to continue his service with us or to provide personal guarantees for our loans, we may not be able to obtain new loans or renew existing loans, or our existing loans may be deemed in default or called for immediate repayment acceleration by the lenders.

Although we have been able to receive sufficient funding in the past, we cannot assure you that we will be able to renew our loans at maturity or obtain alternative funding on reasonable terms from banks or other parties. If we fail to do so, we would have to repay the existing borrowings with our cash or other assets, including our gold inventory, and our business may be severely disrupted and the results of operations could suffer.

Our business could be materially adversely affected if we cannot protect our intellectual property rights.

We have developed trademarks, patents, know-how, trade-names and other intellectual property rights that are of significant value to us. In particular, we have applied for patents on a limited number of designs of our jewelry products and trademarks as well. However, the legal regime governing intellectual property in the PRC is still evolving and the level of protection of intellectual property rights in the PRC may differ from those in other jurisdictions. Thus, it may be difficult to enforce our rights relating to these designs as well as our trademarks. Any unauthorized use of, or other infringement upon our designs or trademarks, could result in potential sales being diverted to such unauthorized sellers, and dilute the value of our brand.

While we are not aware of any data breach in the past, any future failure to adequately maintain security and prevent unauthorized access to electronic and other confidential information could result in a data breach which could materially adversely affect our reputation, financial condition and operating results.

The protection of our customer, business partner, Company and employee data is critically important to us. Our customers, business partners, and employees expect we will adequately safeguard and protect their sensitive personal and business information. We have become increasingly dependent upon automated information technology processes. Improper activities by third parties, exploitation of encryption technology, data-hacking tools and discoveries and other events or developments may result in a future compromise or breach of our networks, payment terminals or other settlement systems. In particular, the techniques used by criminals to obtain unauthorized access to sensitive data change frequently and often are not recognized until launched against a target; accordingly, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or implement adequate preventative measures. Any failure to maintain the security of our customers’ sensitive information, or data belonging to ourselves, our business partners or other relationship third parties, could put us at a competitive disadvantage, result in deterioration of our customers’ confidence in us, and subject us to potential litigation, liability, fines and penalties, resulting in a possible material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations. There can be no assurance that we will not suffer a criminal cyber-attack in the future, that unauthorized parties will not gain access to personal or business information or sensitive data, or that any such incident will be discovered in a timely manner.

We are dependent on certain key personnel, and the loss of these key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial conditions and results of operations.

Our success, to a great extent, has been attributable to the management, sales and marketing, and operational and technical expertise of certain key personnel. Moreover, our daily operation and performance rely heavily upon our senior management. There can be no assurance that we will be able to retain these officers or that such personnel may not receive and/or accept competing offers of employment. The loss of a significant number of these employees could have a material adverse effect upon our business, financial condition, and results of operations. We do not maintain key-man life insurance for any of our senior management.

We rely on our distribution network for virtually all of our sales revenues. Failure to maintain good distributor relations, or our inability to successfully execute our planned expansion of our customer base, may affect our revenues and earnings.

Our business depends directly on the performance of roughly 300 of our major distributors, which we also refer to as our customers. No customer accounted for more than 10% of annual sales for the years ended December 31, 2015 or 2016. As all purchases of our products by customers are made through purchase orders and we do not have long-term contracts with any of our customers, it is critical that we maintain good relationships with them. However, maintaining good relationships with existing distributors and replacing any distributor is difficult and time consuming. Our failure to maintain good relationships with our distributors could materially disrupt our distribution business and harm our net sales.

We may not maintain sufficient insurance coverage for the risks associated with our business operations. As a result, we may incur uninsured losses.

Except for property, accident and automobile insurance, we do not have other insurance of such as business liability or disruption insurance coverage for our operations in the PRC. As a result, we may incur uninsured liabilities and losses as a result of the conduct of our business. There can be no guarantee that we will be able to obtain additional insurance coverage in the future, and even if we are able to obtain additional coverage, we may not carry sufficient insurance coverage to satisfy potential claims. Should uninsured losses occur, it could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Global financial crises and economic downturns may have an adverse effect on our businesses, results of operation and financial condition.

Global economic conditions can have an effect on our business. If there is an additional global financial crisis or economic downturn, such as that which occurred in 2008, it may adversely affect economies and businesses around the world, including in China, which in turn will have an adverse impact on our business and operations.

Potential environmental liability could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition.

As a manufacturer, we are subject to various Chinese environmental laws and regulations on air emission, waste water discharge, solid wastes and noise. Although we believe that our operations are in substantial compliance with current environmental laws and regulations, we may not be able to comply with these regulations at all times as the Chinese environmental legal regime is evolving and becoming more stringent. Therefore, if the Chinese government imposes more stringent regulations in the future, we may have to incur additional and potentially substantial costs and expenses in order to comply with new regulations, which may negatively affect our results of operations. Further, no assurance can be given that all potential environmental liabilities have been identified or properly quantified or that any prior owner, operator, or tenant has not created an environmental condition unknown to us. If we fail to comply with any of the present or future environmental regulations in any material aspects, we may suffer from negative publicity and be subject to claims for damages that may require us to pay substantial fines or force us to suspend or cease operations.

Compliance with changing regulation of corporate governance and public disclosure will result in additional expenses.

Changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related Commission regulations, have created uncertainty for public companies and significantly increased the costs and risks associated with accessing the public markets and public reporting. Our management team will need to invest significant management time and financial resources to more fully comply with both existing and evolving standards for public companies, which will lead to increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention from revenue generating activities to compliance activities.

We may have additional tax liabilities.

We are subject to income and other taxes in the U.S. and China. Tax laws are complex and subject to constant changes as new laws are passed and new interpretations of the law are issued or applied. Recently, the U.S. has enacted significant tax reform which may impact our tax liabilities. Significant judgment is required in estimating our provision for income taxes. In our business operations and corporate structure, there are contractual arrangements, transactions or calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. Although we believe our tax estimates are reasonable, any final determination pursuant to tax audits could be materially different from what is reflected in our consolidated financial statements. Should any tax authority disagree with our estimates and determine any additional tax liabilities, including interest and penalties for us, this could adversely impact our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

Uncertainty in the interpretation and application of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act could materially affect our tax obligations and effective tax rate

The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was signed into law on December 22, 2017, and significantly affected U.S. tax law by changing how the U.S. imposes income tax on multinational corporations. The U.S. Department of Treasury has authority to issue regulations and interpretative guidance that may impact how we apply the law and impact our results of operations in the period issued and subsequently. The Act requires complex computations not previously required under U.S. tax law. As such, the application of accounting guidance for such items is currently uncertain. Further, compliance with the Tax Reform Act and the accounting for such provisions requires the accumulation of information not previously required or regularly produced. We have determined that our consolidated VIE in PRC should not be classified as a SFC for purposes of the Act based on our understanding of the Act and guidance available as of the date of this filing and concluded there was no significant income tax impact derived from the Act for the 2017 tax year. As a result, we have not provided a provisional estimate of the effect of the Tax Reform Act in our financial statements and the income from the VIE reported in our consolidated financial statements has not been included in the deferred tax calculation for the U.S. federal income tax purposes for the respective periods. As additional regulatory guidance is issued, and as we perform additional analysis on the application of the law, our final analysis may be different from our current reported amounts, which could adversely impact our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

Risks Related to Doing Business in the PRC

Substantially all of our assets are located in China and substantially all of our revenues are currently derived from our operations in China, and changes in the political and economic policies of the PRC government could have a significant impact upon what business we may be able to conduct in the PRC and accordingly on the results of our operations and financial condition.

Our business operations may be adversely affected by the current and future political environment in the PRC. The Chinese government exerts substantial influence and control over the manner in which we must conduct our business activities. Our ability to operate in China may be adversely affected by changes in Chinese laws and regulations, including those relating to taxation, import and export tariffs, raw materials, environmental regulations, land use rights, property and other matters. Under the current government leadership, the government of the PRC has been pursuing economic reform policies that encourage private economic activity and greater economic decentralization. There is no assurance, however, that the government of the PRC will continue to pursue these policies, or that it will not significantly alter these policies from time to time without notice.

Our operations are subject to PRC laws and regulations that are sometimes vague and uncertain. Any changes in such PRC laws and regulations, or the interpretations thereof, may have a material and adverse effect on our business.

The PRC’s legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes. Unlike the common law system prevalent in the United States, decided legal cases have little value as precedent in China. There are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRC laws and regulations including, but not limited to, the laws and regulations governing our business, or the enforcement and performance of our arrangements with customers in the event of the imposition of statutory liens, death, bankruptcy or criminal proceedings. The Chinese government has been developing a comprehensive system of commercial laws, and considerable progress has been made in introducing laws and regulations dealing with economic matters such as foreign investment, corporate organization and governance, commerce, taxation and trade. However, because these laws and regulations are relatively new, and because of the limited volume of published cases and judicial interpretation and their lack of force as precedents, interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations involve significant uncertainties. New laws and regulations that affect existing and proposed future businesses may also be applied retroactively.

One of our principal operating subsidiaries, Vogue-Show, is considered a foreign invested enterprise under PRC laws, and as a result is required to comply with PRC laws and regulations, including laws and regulations specifically governing the activities and conduct of foreign invested enterprises. We cannot predict what effect the interpretation of existing or new PRC laws or regulations may have on our businesses. If the relevant authorities find us in violation of PRC laws or regulations, they would have broad discretion in dealing with such a violation, including, without limitation:

The scope of our business license in China is limited, and we may not expand or continue our business without government approval and renewal, respectively.

Our operating affiliate, Wuhan Kingold, can only conduct business within its business scope, as detailed on its business license. Our license permits us to design, manufacture, sell and market jewelry products to department stores throughout the PRC and to engage in the retail distribution of our products. Any amendment to the scope of our business requires further application and government approval. In order for us to expand our business beyond the scope of our license, we will be required to enter into a negotiation with the authorities for the approval to expand the scope of our business. We cannot assure you that Wuhan Kingold will be able to obtain the necessary government approval for any change or expansion of our business scope.

Our PRC stockholders are required to register with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange and their failure to do so could cause us to lose our ability to remit profits out of the PRC as dividends.

The SAFE promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues Relating to Domestic Resident’s Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment through Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37, in July 2014 that requires PRC residents or entities to register with SAFE or its local branch in connection with their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of overseas investment or financing. In addition, such PRC residents or entities must update their SAFE registrations when the offshore special purpose vehicle undergoes material events relating to any change of basic information (including change of such PRC citizens or residents, name and operation term), increases or decreases in investment amount, transfers or exchanges of shares, or mergers or divisions. 

SAFE Circular 37 was issued to replace the Notice on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration for PRC Residents Engaging in Financing and Roundtrip Investments via Overseas Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 75.

If our shareholders who are PRC residents or entities do not complete their registration with the local SAFE branches, our PRC subsidiary may be prohibited from distributing their profits and proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation to us, and we may be restricted in our ability to contribute additional capital to our PRC subsidiary. Moreover, failure to comply with the SAFE registration described above could result in liability under PRC laws for evasion of applicable foreign exchange restrictions.

These regulations apply to our stockholders who are PRC residents. As of the date of this registration statement, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Zhihong Jia, has obtained his registration under Circular 75, and the other PRC residents are in the process of obtaining registrations under Circular 37. However, there is no assurance that such persons can successfully complete such registrations, and there is no assurance that all of the PRC resident stockholders and beneficiary stockholders have complied with and will comply with the SAFE registration requirements currently or in the future. In the event that these or other of our PRC-resident stockholders do not follow the procedures required by SAFE, we could (i) be exposed to fines and legal sanctions, (ii) lose the ability to contribute additional capital into our PRC subsidiaries or distribute dividends to our company, (iii) face liability for evasion of foreign-exchange regulations, and/or (iv) lose the ability to consolidate the financial statements of our PRC subsidiaries under applicable accounting principles.

PRC regulations relating to acquisitions of PRC companies by foreign entities may create regulatory uncertainties that could restrict or limit our ability to operate. Our failure to obtain the prior approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or CSRC for the listing and trading of our common stock could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, reputation and trading price of our common stock.

On August 8, 2006, the PRC Ministry of Commerce, or MOFCOM, joined by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, the State Administration of Taxation, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or CSRC, and SAFE, released a substantially amended version of the Provisions for Foreign Investors to Merge with or Acquire Domestic Enterprises, or the Revised M&A Regulations, which took effect September 8, 2006. These rules significantly revised China’s regulatory framework governing onshore-to-offshore restructurings and foreign acquisitions of domestic enterprises. These rules signify greater PRC government attention to cross-border merger, acquisition and other investment activities, by confirming MOFCOM as a key regulator for issues related to mergers and acquisitions in China and requiring MOFCOM approval of a broad range of merger, acquisition and investment transactions. Further, these rules establish reporting requirements for acquisition of control by foreigners of companies in key industries, and reinforce the ability of the Chinese government to monitor and prohibit foreign control transactions in key industries. 

In addition, the Revised M&A Regulations include new provisions that purport to require that an offshore special purpose vehicle, or SPV, formed for listing purposes and controlled directly or indirectly by PRC companies or individuals must obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to the listing and trading of such SPV’s securities on any non-PRC stock exchange. On September 21, 2006, the CSRC published on its official website procedures specifying documents and materials required to be submitted to it by SPVs seeking CSRC approval of their overseas listings. However, the application of this PRC regulation remains unclear with no consensus currently existing among the leading PRC law firms regarding the scope and applicability of the CSRC approval requirement.

Our wholly-owned BVI subsidiary, Dragon Lead, was formerly owned by eight BVI companies whose shareholders are non-PRC individuals. We understand that some of these non-PRC individuals are nominee shareholders holding shares on behalf of and for the interest of some PRC individuals and PRC companies who are also Wuhan Kingold minority shareholders. These minority Wuhan Kingold shareholders do not have experience in conducting or managing businesses outside the PRC, and therefore believe that to engage nominee shareholders to hold shares on their behalf are in their best commercial interest, and could provide them with guidance when they evaluate whether to purchase, sell or dispose of our shares after the closing.

Also, on December 23, 2009, immediately before the reverse acquisition of Vogue Show, Fok Wing Lam Winnie (whose Mandarin name is Huo Yong Lin), the sole shareholder of Famous Grow and the majority shareholder of Dragon Lead prior to the closing of the reverse acquisition, entered into the call option with Zhihong Jia and Bin Zhao (our former general manager and former director) to comply with PRC regulations that restrict PRC residents from owning offshore entities like us in direct exchange for their shares in the PRC operating company and as an inducement to encourage them to provide services to Wuhan Kingold and our company. The call option does not include a vesting schedule and continued employment is not a condition to the call option. Under the call option, as amended and restated, Fok Wing Lam Winnie granted to Zhihong Jia certain call options to acquire up to 100% of the shares of Famous Grow at an exercise price of $1.00, which is par value per share, or $0.001 per Famous Grow share, subject to any exercise notice, or Call Option which was determined in an arm's length negotiation with the parties.

The PRC regulatory authorities may take the view that entry into the VIE Agreements by Vogue-Show and Wuhan Kingold and entry into the call option agreement by Zhihong Jia and Fok Wing Lam Winnie may collectively constitute an onshore to offshore restructuring and a related party acquisition under the M&A Regulations, because upon the consummation of these transactions and after the Call Option is fully exercised, PRC individuals would become majority owners and effective controlling parties of a foreign entity that acquired ownership of Wuhan Kingold. The PRC regulatory authorities may also take the view that the relevant parties should fully disclose to the Wuhan SAFE or MOFCOM the overall restructuring arrangements, the existence of the reverse acquisition and its connection with the VIE Agreement. Our PRC counsel has opined among other things that: (i) each of our VIE agreements with Wuhan Kingold are valid and enforceable under relevant PRC laws, (ii) all government authorizations for the execution, delivery, performance and enforcement of our VIE agreements have been obtained as required by PRC laws, (iii) the ownership structure of Vogue Show and Wuhan Kingold created by our VIE agreements and the call options in favor of Zhihong Jia do not violate any provisions of applicable PRC laws, and (iv) no PRC governmental approvals were required under the Revised M&A Regulations in connection with our acquisition of our current ownership interests in any of our PRC subsidiaries or in connection with the VIE agreements. Our PRC counsel has reviewed and approved of these statements.

We, however, cannot assure you that the PRC regulatory authorities, MOFCOM and CSRC will take the same view as our PRC counsel. If the PRC regulatory authorities take the view that the reverse acquisition and VIE arrangement constitute a related party acquisition under the revised M&A Regulations, we cannot assure you we will be able to obtain any approal required from the national offices of MOFCOM or otherwise.

If the PRC regulatory authorities take the view that the call options or the VIE arrangement constitutes a related party acquisition without the approval of the national offices of MOFCOM, they could invalidate the call options and VIE arrangement. We may also face regulatory actions or other sanctions from the MOFCOM or other PRC regulatory agencies. These regulatory agencies may impose fines and penalties on our operations in the PRC, limit our operating privileges in the PRC, or take other actions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and prospects, as well as the trading price of our shares.

If we make equity compensation grants to persons who are PRC citizens, they may be required to register with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange of the PRC, or SAFE. We may also face regulatory uncertainties that could restrict our ability to adopt additional equity compensation plans for our directors and employees and other parties under PRC law.

On April 6, 2007, SAFE issued the “Operating Procedures for Administration of Domestic Individuals Participating in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan or Stock Option Plan of An Overseas Listed Company,” also known as “Circular 78.” It is not clear whether Circular 78 covers all forms of equity compensation plans or only those that provide for the granting of stock options. For any plans that are so covered and are adopted by a non-PRC listed company, such as our company, after April 6, 2007, Circular 78 requires all participants who are PRC citizens to register with and obtain approvals from SAFE prior to their participation in the plan. In addition, Circular 78 also requires PRC citizens to register with SAFE and make the necessary applications and filings if they participated in an overseas listed company’s covered equity compensation plan prior to April 6, 2007. We believe that the registration and approval requirements contemplated in Circular 78 will be burdensome and time consuming. 

Failure to comply with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act could subject us to penalties and other adverse consequences.

As we are a Delaware corporation and a U.S. publicly listed company, we are subject to the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which generally prohibits U.S. companies from engaging in bribery or other prohibited payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. Some foreign companies, including some that may compete with our company, may not be subject to these prohibitions. Corruption, extortion, bribery, pay-offs, theft and other fraudulent practices may occur from time-to-time in the PRC. We can make no assurance, however, that our employees or other agents will not engage in conduct for which we might be held responsible. If our employees or other agents are found to have engaged in such practices, we could suffer severe penalties and other consequences that may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Under the Enterprise Income Tax Law, we may be classified as a “resident enterprise” of China. Such classification will likely result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC stockholders.

Under the Enterprise Income Tax Law, or EIT Law, an enterprise established outside the PRC with its “de facto management body” within the PRC is considered a resident enterprise and will be subject to the enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on its worldwide income. The “de facto management body” is defined as the organizational body that effectively exercises overall management and control over production and business operations, personnel, finance and accounting, and properties of the enterprise. It remains unclear how the PRC tax authorities will interpret such a broad definition. If the PRC tax authorities determine that we should be classified as a resident enterprise, then our worldwide income will be subject to income tax at a uniform rate of 25%, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. However, it remains unclear how the PRC tax authorities will interpret the PRC tax resident treatment of an offshore company, like us, having indirect ownership interests in PRC enterprises through intermediary holding vehicles.

Moreover, under the EIT Law, foreign shareholders of an entity that is classified as a PRC resident enterprise may be subject to a 10% withholding tax upon dividends payable by such entity, unless the jurisdiction of incorporation of the foreign shareholder of such entity has a tax treaty with the PRC that provides for a reduced rate of withholding tax, and gains realized on the sale or other disposition of shares, if such income is sourced from within the PRC. It remains unclear whether the dividends payable by our PRC subsidiary or the gains our foreign shareholders may realize will be regarded as income from sources within the PRC if we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise. Any such tax will reduce the returns on your investment in our Shares.

Because our business is located in the PRC, we may have difficulty establishing adequate management, legal and financial controls, which we are required to do in order to comply with U.S. securities laws.

PRC companies have historically not adopted a Western style of management and financial reporting concepts and practices, which includes strong corporate governance, internal controls and, computer, financial and other control systems. Most of our middle and top management staff are not educated and trained in the Western system, and we may have difficulty hiring new employees in the PRC with such training. In addition, we may need to rely on a new and developing communication infrastructure to efficiently transfer our information from retail outlets to our headquarters. As a result of these factors, we may experience difficulty in establishing management, legal and financial controls, collecting financial data and preparing financial statements, books of account and corporate records and instituting business practices that meet Western standards. Therefore, we may, in turn, experience difficulties in implementing and maintaining adequate internal controls as required under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. This may result in significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in our internal controls, which could impact the reliability of our financial statements and prevent us from complying with Commission rules and regulations and the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Any such deficiencies, weaknesses or lack of compliance could have a materially adverse effect on our business.

If we continue to fail to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting or effective disclosure controls and procedures, the price of our common stock may be adversely affected.

We are required to establish and maintain appropriate internal control over financial reporting and put in place appropriate disclosure controls and procedures to allow our management to make timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Failure to establish those controls, or any failure of those controls once established, could adversely impact our public disclosures regarding our business, financial condition or results of operations. Any failure of our internal control over financial reporting could also prevent us from maintaining accurate accounting records and discovering accounting errors and financial fraud.

Since we became public, our management has continually determined that we had a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting due to some problems with cash management, as well as continued ineffective disclosure controls and procedures, and other significant deficiencies due to inadequate controls over the appropriate approval procedures for certain material transactions, inadequate controls over certain material cash transactions, and lack of technical competency in review and recording of non-routine or complex transactions. Moreover, our management concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures continued to be ineffective this year because we continued to fail to disclose the entry into certain material agreements within the time periods required by the Commission.

Although we are evaluating how to improve the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and are evaluating additional remedial measures, such efforts may not be successful. In addition, management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting may identify additional material weaknesses or significant deficiencies that need to be addressed or other potential matters that may raise concerns for investors. Any actual or perceived material weaknesses or significant deficiencies that need to be addressed in our internal control over financial reporting, or the actual or perceived ineffectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures could have an adverse impact on the price of our common stock.

You may experience difficulties in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments or bringing original actions in China based upon U.S. laws, including the federal securities laws, or other foreign laws against us or our management.

All of our current operations, including the manufacturing and distribution of jewelry, are conducted in China. Most of our directors and officers are nationals and residents of China. All or substantially all of the assets of these persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible to effect service of process within the United States or elsewhere outside China upon these persons. In addition, uncertainty exists as to whether the courts of China would recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained against us or such officers and/or directors predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state thereof, or be competent to hear original actions brought in China against us or such persons predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state thereof.

Inflation in China may inhibit our ability to conduct business in China.

In recent years, the Chinese economy has experienced periods of rapid expansion and high rates of inflation. Rapid economic growth can lead to growth in the money supply and rising inflation. If prices for our products rise at a rate that is insufficient to compensate for the rise in the costs of supplies, it may have an adverse effect on profitability. These factors have led to the adoption by Chinese government, from time to time, of various corrective measures designed to restrict the availability of credit or regulate growth and contain inflation. High inflation may, in the future, cause Chinese government to impose controls on credit and/or prices, or to take other action, which could inhibit economic activity in China, and thereby harm the market for our products.

Governmental control of currency conversions could prevent us from paying dividends.

Shortages in the availability of foreign currency may restrict the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to remit sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends or other payments to us, or otherwise satisfy their foreign currency denominated obligations. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and expenditures from trade-related transactions can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, approval from appropriate government authorities is required where RMB is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. The PRC government may also at its discretion restrict access in the future to foreign currencies for current account transactions. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currency to satisfy our currency demands, we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our security-holders.

Currency fluctuations and restrictions on currency exchange may adversely affect our business, including limiting our ability to convert Chinese Renminbi into foreign currencies and, if Chinese Renminbi were to decline in value, reducing our revenue in U.S. dollar terms.

Our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar and our operations in China use their local currency, the Renminbi, as their functional currency. Substantially all of our revenue and expenses are in Chinese Renminbi. We are subject to the effects of exchange rate fluctuations with respect to any of these currencies. For example, the value of the Renminbi depends to a large extent on Chinese government policies and China’s domestic and international economic and political developments, as well as supply and demand in the local market. Since July 2005, the RMB is no longer pegged to the U.S. dollar. Although the People’s Bank of China regularly intervenes in the foreign exchange market to prevent significant short-term fluctuations in the exchange rate, the RMB may appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar in the medium to long term. Moreover, it is possible that in the future PRC authorities may lift restrictions on fluctuations in the RMB exchange rate and lessen intervention in the foreign exchange market. We can offer no assurance that Chinese Renminbi will be stable against the U.S. dollar or any other foreign currency.

The income statements of our operations are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates in each applicable period. To the extent the U.S. dollar strengthens against foreign currencies, the translation of these foreign currencies denominated transactions results in reduced revenue, operating expenses and net income for our international operations. Similarly, to the extent the U.S. dollar weakens against foreign currencies, the translation of these foreign currency denominated transactions results in increased revenue, operating expenses and net income for our international operations. We are also exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations as we convert the financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries into U.S. dollars in consolidation. If there is a change in foreign currency exchange rates, the conversion of the foreign subsidiaries’ financial statements into U.S. dollars will lead to a translation gain or loss that is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income. In addition, we have certain assets and liabilities that are denominated in currencies other than the relevant entity’s functional currency. Changes in the functional currency value of these assets and liabilities create fluctuations that will lead to a transaction gain or loss. We have not entered into agreements or purchased instruments to hedge our exchange rate risks, although we may do so in the future. The availability and effectiveness of any hedging transaction may be limited and we may not be able to successfully hedge our exchange rate risks.

Risks Related to the VIE Agreements

If the PRC government determines that the contractual arrangements through which we control Wuhan Kingold do not comply with applicable regulations, our business could be adversely affected.

Although we believe our contractual relationships through which we control Wuhan Kingold comply with current licensing, registration and regulatory requirements of the PRC, we cannot assure you that the PRC government would agree, or that new and burdensome regulations will not be adopted in the future. If the PRC government determines that our structure or operating arrangements do not comply with applicable law, it could revoke our business and operating licenses, require us to discontinue or restrict our operations, restrict our right to collect revenues, require us to restructure our operations, impose additional conditions or requirements with which we may not be able to comply, impose restrictions on our business operations or on our customers, or take other regulatory or enforcement actions against us that could be harmful to our business.

The PRC government may determine that the VIE Agreements are not in compliance with applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations.

Vogue-Show manages and operates our gold jewelry business through Wuhan Kingold pursuant to the rights it holds under the VIE Agreements. Almost all economic benefits and risks arising from Wuhan Kingold’s operations are transferred to Vogue-Show under these agreements.

There are risks involved with the operation of our business in reliance on the VIE Agreements, including the risk that the VIE Agreements may be determined by PRC regulators or courts to be unenforceable. Our PRC counsel has provided a legal opinion that the VIE Agreements are binding and enforceable under PRC law, but has further advised that if the VIE Agreements were for any reason determined to be in breach of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, the relevant regulatory authorities would have broad discretion in dealing with such breach, including:

Any of these actions could adversely affect our ability to manage, operate and gain the financial benefits of Wuhan Kingold, which would have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our ability to manage and operate Wuhan Kingold under the VIE Agreements may not be as effective as direct ownership.

We conduct our jewelry processing and sales businesses in the PRC and generate virtually all of our revenues through the VIE Agreements. Our plans for future growth are based substantially on growing the operations of Wuhan Kingold. However, the VIE Agreements may not be as effective in providing us with control over Wuhan Kingold as direct ownership. Under the current VIE arrangements, as a legal matter, if Wuhan Kingold fails to perform its obligations under these contractual arrangements, we may have to (i) incur substantial costs and resources to enforce such arrangements, and (ii) reply on legal remedies under PRC law, which we cannot be sure would be effective. Therefore, if we are unable to effectively control Wuhan Kingold, it may have an adverse effect on our ability to achieve our business objectives and grow our revenues.

As the VIE agreements are governed by PRC law, we would be required to rely on PRC law to enforce our rights and remedies under them; PRC law may not provide us with the same rights and remedies as are available in contractual disputes governed by the law of other jurisdictions.

The VIE Agreements are governed by the PRC law and provide for the resolution of disputes through court proceedings pursuant to PRC law. If Wuhan Kingold or its shareholders fail to perform the obligations under the VIE Agreements, we would be required to resort to legal remedies available under PRC law, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief, or claiming damages. We cannot be sure that such remedies would provide us with effective means of causing Wuhan Kingold to meet its obligations, or recovering any losses or damages as a result of non-performance. Further, the legal environment in China is not as developed as in other jurisdictions. Uncertainties in the application of various laws, rules, regulations or policies in PRC legal system could limit our liability to enforce the VIE Agreements and protect our interests.

The VIE Agreements may be subject to audit or challenge by PRC tax authorities. A finding that we owe additional taxes could substantially reduce our net earnings and the value of your investment

Under PRC laws and regulations, arrangements and transactions among affiliated parties may be subject to audit or challenge by the PRC tax authorities. We could face material and adverse tax and financial consequences if the PRC tax authorities determine that the VIE Agreements do not represent arm’s-length prices. As a result of such a determination, the PRC tax authorities could adjust any of the income in the form of a transfer pricing adjustment. A transfer pricing adjustment could, among other things, result in a reduction of expense deductions for PRC tax purposes recorded by us or Wuhan Kingold or an increase in taxable income, all of which could increase our tax liabilities. In addition, the PRC tax authorities may impose late payment fees and other penalties on us or Wuhan Kingold for under-paid taxes.

Our shareholders have potential conflicts of interest with us which may adversely affect our business.

Zhihong Jia is our Chief Executive Officer and our Chairman, and is also the largest shareholder of Wuhan Kingold. There could be conflicts that arise from time to time between our interests and the interests of Mr. Jia. There could also be conflicts that arise between us and Wuhan Kingold that would require our shareholders and Wuhan Kingold’s shareholders to vote on corporate actions necessary to resolve the conflict. There can be no assurance in any such circumstances that Mr. Jia will vote his shares in our best interest or otherwise act in the best interests of our company. If Mr. Jia fails to act in our best interests, our operating performance and future growth could be adversely affected. In addition, some or all of our shareholders could violate the non-competition agreements they have signed with our company by diverting business opportunities from our company to others. In such event, our business, financial condition and results of operation could be adversely affected. 

We rely on the approval certificates and business license held by Vogue-Show and any deterioration of the relationship between Vogue-Show and Wuhan Kingold could materially and adversely affect our business operations.

We operate our jewelry processing and sales businesses in China on the basis of the approval certificates, business license and other requisite licenses held by Vogue-Show. There is no assurance that Vogue-Show will be able to renew its license or certificates when their terms expire with substantially similar terms as the ones they currently hold.

Further, our relationship with Wuhan Kingold is governed by the VIE Agreements that are intended to provide us with effective control over the business operations of Wuhan Kingold. However, the VIE Agreements may not be effective in providing control over the application for and maintenance of the licenses required for our business operations. Wuhan Kingold could violate the VIE Agreements, go bankrupt, suffer from difficulties in its business or otherwise become unable to perform its obligations under the VIE Agreements and, as a result, our operations, reputations and business could be severely harmed.

If Vogue-Show exercises the purchase options it holds over Wuhan Kingold’s share capital and assets pursuant to the VIE Agreements, the payment of the purchase price could materially and adversely affect our financial position.

Under the VIE Agreements, Wuhan Kingold’s shareholders have granted Vogue-Show a ten-year option to purchase 100% of the share capital in Wuhan Kingold at a price determined by appraisal by an asset evaluation institution to be jointly appointed by Vogue-Show and Wuhan Kingold’s shareholders. Concurrently, Wuhan Kingold granted Vogue-Show a ten-year option to purchase Wuhan Kingold’s assets at a price determined by appraisal by such asset evaluation institution. As Wuhan Kingold is already our contractually controlled affiliate, Vogue-Show’s exercising of the above two options would not bring immediate benefits to our company, and payment of the purchase prices could adversely affect our financial position.

Risks Related to Our Common Stock

Following the exercise of his Call Option, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer would exercise significant influence over us.

Our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Zhihong Jia, will beneficially own or control approximately 25.6% of our outstanding shares if he chooses to fully exercise his Call Option to purchase shares of Famous Grow. Mr. Jia thereafter could possibly have a controlling influence in determining the outcome of any corporate transaction or other matters submitted to our stockholders for approval, including mergers, consolidations and the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, election of directors, and other significant corporate actions. Mr. Jia may also have the power to prevent or cause a change in control. In addition, without the consent of Mr. Jia, we could be prevented from entering into transactions that could be beneficial to us. The interests of Mr. Jia may differ from the interests of our other stockholders.

We do not foresee paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future and, as a result, our investors’ sole source of gain, if any, will depend on capital appreciation, if any.

We do not plan to declare or pay any cash dividends on our shares of common stock in the foreseeable future and currently intend to retain any future earnings for funding growth. As a result, investors should not rely on an investment in our securities if they require the investment to produce dividend income. Capital appreciation, if any, of our shares may be investors’ sole source of gain for the foreseeable future. Moreover, investors may not be able to resell their shares of our company at or above the price they paid for them.

Because we do not intend to pay dividends on our shares, stockholders will benefit from an investment in our shares only if those shares appreciate in value. 

We currently intend to retain all future earnings, if any, for use in the operations and expansion of the business. As a result, we do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination as to the declaration and payment of cash dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on factors our board of directors deems relevant, including among others, our results of operations, financial condition and cash requirements, business prospects, and the terms of our credit facilities, if any, and any other financing arrangements. Accordingly, realization of a gain on stockholders’ investments.

The market price for our shares may be volatile.

The market price for our shares is likely to be highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to factors including the following:

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the range of quarterly high and low closing sales prices for our common stock in U.S. dollars. Prior to our listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market, these quotations reflect inter- dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission, involving our common stock during each calendar quarter, and may not represent actual transactions.

Volatility in the price of our shares may result in shareholder litigation that could in turn result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources.

The financial markets in the United States and other countries have experienced significant price and volume fluctuations, and market prices have been and continue to be extremely volatile. Volatility in the price of our shares may be caused by factors outside of our control and may be unrelated or disproportionate to our results of operations. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a public company’s securities, shareholders have frequently instituted securities class action litigation against that company. Litigation of this kind could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources.

SEC regulations concerning conflict minerals could negatively impact our business.

In response to provisions in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, in August 2013, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted annual disclosure and reporting requirements regarding the use of certain minerals, known as “conflict minerals,” mined from the Democratic Republic of Congo and adjoining countries. Conflict minerals include gold.

These requirements and the changes we may adopt as a result of compliance with them may prove both costly and time-consuming. The disclosure requirements, which began in 2014, necessitated due diligence efforts to identify the sources of conflict minerals contained in our products. Because we currently acquire our gold directly from the Exchange or leading Chinese banks, or lease it from leading Chinese banks, there is uncertainty as to the amount of diligence we may be able to do on our supply chain.

Implementation of these regulations will require us to divert management attention and resources away from our business operations. In addition, as conflict-free minerals may only be available from a limited pool of suppliers, it may or may not include the Exchange, our primary source of gold. In addition, if we are unable to sufficiently verify the origin of all conflict minerals used in our products, we may face reputational challenges with customers, stockholders, or other stakeholders.

Our quarterly results may fluctuate because of many factors and, as a result, investors should not rely on quarterly operating results as indicative of future results.

Fluctuations in operating results or the failure of operating results to meet the expectations of public market analysts and investors may negatively impact the value of our securities. Quarterly operating results may fluctuate in the future due to a variety of factors that could affect revenues or expenses in any particular quarter. Fluctuations in quarterly operating results could cause the value of our securities to decline. Investors should not rely on quarter-to-quarter comparisons of results of operations as an indication of future performance. As a result of the factors listed below, it is possible that in future periods the results of operations may be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors. This could cause the market price of our securities to decline. Factors that may affect our quarterly results include:

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not Applicable.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

Our principal executive offices and our factory are located in #15 Huangpu Science and Technology Park, Jiang’an District, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, with a total construction area of approximately 74,933 square feet built on a parcel of state owned land. We own all of our office and factory facilities except for land with regard to which we own land use rights. There is no private ownership of land in the PRC. All land ownership is held by the government of the PRC, its agencies and collectives. Land use rights can be transferred upon approval by the land administrative authorities of the PRC (State Land Administration Bureau) upon payment of the required land transfer fee. Our land use certificate for our current offices and factory expires on January 26, 2055.

After the Jewelry Park transfer, our ownership interests in the land use right to the Jewelry Park has been transferred, and we no longer own the office, factory and store spaces located in the Jewelry Park. On June 27, 2016, Wuhan Kingold signed certain 5 years lease agreements with Wuhan Huayuan, a related party which is controlled by the CEO and Chairman of the Company, to rent office and store space at the Jewelry Park, commencing in July 2016 and October 2016, respectively, with aggregate annual rent of approximately $0.3 million (RMB 2.3 million). On July 1, 2017, Wuhan Kingold signed another 5 years lease agreement with Wuhan Huayuan to rent additional office space at the Jewelry Park commencing in July 2017 with aggregate annual rent of approximately $85,245 (RMB 576,000). The lease agreement with Wuhan Huayuan has been amended on November 16, 2017, pursuant to which two office spaces and a dormitory were no longer leased.

We believe that our current offices and facilities are adequate to meet our needs, and that additional facilities will be available for lease, if necessary, to meet our future needs.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, we may be subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business. We are not currently a party to any litigation the outcome of which, if determined adversely to us, would individually or in the aggregate be reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, cash flows or financial condition.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

PART II 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “KGJI.” Prior to August 18, 2010, our common stock was listed for quotation on the OTC Bulletin Board or, the OTCBB, under the symbol “KGJI”.

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the range of quarterly high and low closing sales prices for our common stock in U.S. dollars. Prior to our listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market, these quotations reflect inter- dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission, involving our common stock during each calendar quarter, and may not represent actual transactions.

On August 11, 2015, the Company received a notification letter from NASDAQ advising the Company that for 30 consecutive business days preceding the date of the Notice, the bid price of the Company’s common stock had closed below the $1.00 per share minimum required for continued listing on The NASDAQ Capital Market, pursuant to the NASDAQ Listing Rule 5550(a) (2) requirement for continued listing on NASDAQ (the “Minimum Bid Price Rule”). The Company was provided 180 calendar days, or until February 8, 2016, to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Rule. On February 9, 2016, NASDAQ granted the Company an additional 180 calendar days, or until August 8, 2016, to regain compliance with the $1.00 per share minimum required for continued listing on The NASDAQ Capital Market pursuant to NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5550(a) (2). On March 18, 2016, the Company received notification from NASDAQ that, since the bid price of the Company’s common stock closed at or above $1.00 per share for the last 16 consecutive business days, from February 25, 2016 to March 17, 2016, the Company has regained compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Rule, and that this matter is now closed.

Holders

On March 12, 2018, the closing sale price of our shares of common stock was $1.50 per share and there were 66,113,502 shares of our common stock outstanding. On that date, our shares of common stock were held by approximately 73 shareholders of record. The number of record holders was determined from the records of our transfer agent and does not include beneficial owners of our common stock whose shares are held in the names of various security brokers, dealers, and registered clearing agencies.

Dividend Policy

Although we paid a one-time special dividend of $0.08 per share in 2014, we currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future. Investors seeking cash dividends in the immediate future should not purchase our common stock. Future cash dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors as our board of directors may deem relevant. We can pay dividends only out of our profits or other distributable reserves and dividends or distribution will only be paid or made if we are able to pay our debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. Payment of future dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of the board of directors after taking into account various factors, including current financial condition, operating results, current and anticipated cash needs and regulations governing dividend distributions by wholly foreign owned enterprises in China. 

Purchases of Equity Securities

During the year ended December 31, 2017, we did not purchase any of our equity securities, nor did any person or entity purchase any of our equity securities on our behalf.

Performance Graph

The following performance graph and related information shall not be deemed “soliciting material” or to be filed with the SEC, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended, except to the extent that KGJI specifically incorporates it by reference into such filing.

The following graph compares the total cumulative stockholder return on the Company’s common stock with the total cumulative return of the NASDAQ Market Index and the S&P Emerging Asia Consumer Index for the five-year period ended on December 31, 2017. Historical stock price performance should not be relied upon as an indication of future stock price performance. The comparison of the cumulative total returns for each investment assumes that $100 was invested in KGJI’s common stock and the respective indices on December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2017.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following table presents a summary of our selected historical financial data derived from our last 5 years of Financial Statements. Because this information is only a summary and does not provide all of the information contained in our Financial Statements, including the related notes, you should read “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our Financial Statements for each year for more detailed information including, 

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

Five-Year Summary of Selected Financial Data

(in millions, except for the per share data)

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION

Forward-Looking Information

The following discussion αnd αnαlysis of the consolidαted finαnciαl condition αnd results of operαtions should be reαd in conjunction with our consolidαted finαnciαl stαtements αnd relαted notes αppeαring elsewhere. This discussion αnd αnαlysis contαins forwαrd-looking stαtements thαt involve risks, uncertαinties αnd αssumptions. Our αctuαl results could differ mαteriαlly from the results described in or implied by these forwαrd-looking stαtements αs α result of vαrious fαctors. See the “Cαutionαry Stαtement for Purposes of the “Sαfe Hαrbor” Stαtement Under the Privαte Securities Litigαtion Reform Act of 1995” immediαtely preceding Pαrt I of this Report.

Key Components of Operating Results

Sources of Revenue

We derive our revenue almost entirely from the sales of 24-karat jewelry and Chinese ornaments and from design and processing fees we receive from other jewelry companies who hire us to design and produce 24-karat jewelry and Chinese ornaments using gold they supply us. We offer a wide range of in-house designed products including but not limited to gold necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets, and pendants. In our jewelry business, we only sell on a wholesale basis to distributors and retailers. Pricing of our jewelry business products is made at the time of sale based upon the then- current price of gold and sales are made on a cash or credit on delivery basis.

We have developed our investments in gold as a business. We sell our investment gold products through banks. Similar to our jewelry business, pricing of our investment gold products is made at the time of sale based upon the then-current price of gold, and sales are made on a cash or credit on delivery basis.

Cost of Sales

Our cost of sales consists principally of the cost for raw materials, primarily gold. We generally purchase gold directly from the Shanghai Gold Exchange, of which we are a member. We lease gold from leading commercial banks in China to increase our gold supply and fuel our growth. We generally do not enter into long term purchase agreements for gold. During recent years, the price of gold on the international gold market has experienced periods of significant fluctuation. We have been attempting to offset gold price fluctuations by locking in the price at the time an order is placed, as well as passing on the price to purchasers.

Gross Profit, Gross Margin and Inventory Carrying Value

Our gross profit margin and profitability as well as the carrying value of our inventory are affected by changes in the price of gold. If there is an increase in the price of gold that increases our production costs beyond the amount we may be able to pass to our customers, it has a negative effect on our gross margin and profitability. Furthermore, the carrying value of our inventory may be affected if the price of gold decreases relative to the price that we paid for that inventory. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, we had approximately 3.7 and 3.5 metric tons of gold in our inventory for production, all of which had been sold in excess of the carrying value by the date of this report.

Inflation

Although the Chinese government has implemented measures to curb inflation, it is foreseeable that the Chinese economy may remain under inflationary pressure at least for the near term. It is difficult to estimate the impact of continued rise in inflation on us. On the one hand, inflation may lead to, among other things, higher operating expenses for us and erosion of our customers’ purchases, adversely affecting our results. On the other hand, inflation may also make our products more attractive to Chinese consumers who traditionally have perceived gold as a safe haven investment from inflation.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures in the financial statements. Critical accounting policies are those accounting policies that may be material due to the levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain matters or the susceptibility of such matters to change, and that have a material impact on financial condition or operating performance. While we base our estimates and judgments on our experience and on various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We believe the following critical accounting policies used in the preparation of our financial statements require significant judgments and estimates. For additional information relating to these and other accounting policies, see Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

Principles of Consolidation

On December 14, 2016, Wuhan Kingold transferred its 55% ownership interest in Kingold Internet to Wuhan Kingold Industrial Group Co., Ltd., a related party, for a consideration of $79,196 (RMB 550,000). After the transfer, Kingold Internet and Yuhuang were no longer the subsidiaries of Wuhan Kingold. Our consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Kingold, Dragon Lead, Wuhan Vogue-Show and Wuhan Kingold. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Inventories

Inventory is stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value . Cost is determined using the weighted average method. We continually evaluate the composition of our inventory, turnover of our products, the price of gold and the ability of our customers to pay for their products. We write down slow-moving and obsolete inventory based on assessment of these factors, but principally customer demand. Such assessments require the exercise of significant judgment by management. Additionally, the value of our inventory may be affected by commodity prices. Decreases in the market value of gold would result in a lower stated value of our inventory, which may require us to take a charge for the decrease in the value. In addition, if the price of gold changes substantially in a very short period, it might trigger customer defaults, which could result in inventory obsolescence. If any of these factors were to become less favorable than those projected, inventory write-downs could be required, which would have a negative effect on our earnings and working capital.

Investments in Gold

We pledged the gold leased from related party and part of our own gold inventory to meet the requirements of bank loans. The pledged gold will be available for sale upon the repayment of the bank loans. We classified these pledged gold as investments in gold, and carried at fair market value, with the unrealized gains and losses, included in the determination of comprehensive income and reported in shareholders’ equity. The fair market value of the investments in gold is determined by quoted market prices at Shanghai Gold Exchange. Since the investments in gold are pledged for the bank loans, any material decrease in market value may negatively impact the loan covenants.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income consists of two components, net income and other comprehensive income (loss). The unrealized gain or loss resulting from the change of the fair market value and the foreign currency translation gain or loss resulting from translation of the financial statements expressed in RMB to US$ are reported in other comprehensive income in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income and the consolidated statements of changes in equity and is net of tax.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

We follow the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.” ASC 820 clarifies the definition of fair value, prescribes methods for measuring fair value, and establishes a fair value hierarchy to classify the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

Level 1-Observable inputs such as unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities available at the measurement date.

Level 2-Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3-Inputs are unobservable inputs which reflect management’s assumptions based on the best available information.

The carrying value of all current assets and liabilities approximate their fair values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. We determined that the carrying value of the long term loans approximated their fair value by comparing the stated loan interest rate to the rate charged by similar financial institutions. We use quoted prices in active markets to measure the fair value of investments in gold.

Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The long-lived assets held and used by us are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be fully recoverable. It is possible that these assets could become impaired as a result of technology or other industry changes. The recoverability value of an asset to be held and used is determined by comparing the carrying amount of such asset against the future net undiscounted cash flows to be generated by the asset. Our principal long-lived assets are our property, plant and equipment assets.

We must make various assumptions and estimates regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors in determining the fair values of the respective assets. We use set criteria that are reviewed and approved by various levels of management, and estimate the fair value of our reporting units by using undiscounted cash flow analyses. If these estimates or their related assumptions change in the future, we may be required to record impairment charges for the underlying assets at such time. Any such resulting impairment charges could be material to our results of operations.

If the value of such an asset is determined to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or the fair value, less disposition costs. No events or changes in our business or circumstances required us to test for impairment of our long-lived assets during 2016 and 2015, and accordingly, we did not recognize any impairment loss during these periods.

Competitive pricing pressure and changes in interest rates could materially and adversely affect our estimates of future net cash flows to be generated by our long-lived assets, and thus could result in future impairment losses. 

Revenue Recognition 

Our net sales are primarily composed of sales of branded products to wholesale and retail customers, as well as fees generated from customized production. In customized production, a customer supplies the Company with the raw materials and the Company creates products per that customer’s instructions, whereas in branded production the Company generally purchases gold directly and manufactures and markets the products on its own. The Company recognizes revenues under ASC 605 as follows:

Sales of branded products

The Company recognizes revenue on sales of branded products when the goods are delivered and title to the goods passes to the customer provided that: there are no uncertainties regarding customer acceptance; persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; the sales price is fixed and determinable; and collectability is deemed probable.

Customized production fees

The Company recognizes services-based revenue (the processing fee) from such contracts for customized production when: (i) the contracted services have been performed and (ii) collectability is deemed probable.

Results of Operations

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017, 2016 AND 2015

The following table sets forth information from our statements of income and comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 in U.S. dollars.

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(IN U.S. DOLLARS)

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2016  

Net Sales

Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2017 were $2,009.7 million, an increase of $589.1 million, or 41%, from net sales of $1,420.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. For the year ended December 31, 2017, our branded production sales accounted for 97.6% of the total sales and customized production sales accounted for 2.4% of the total sales. When comparing with 2016, our branded production sales increased by $563.8 million or 40.4%, our customized production sales increased by $25.3 million or 107.2%.

The overall increase in our revenue in 2017 as compared to 2016 was due to the following combined factors: (1) total sales volume (in terms of quantity sold) increased from 75.3 metric tons in 2016 to 103.4 metric tons in 2017, causing 28.1 metric tons or 37.2% increase. As a result, approximately $483.8 million increase in our revenue was attributable to the increase in our sales volume. (2) The average unit selling price for branded production increased from RMB 241.33 per gram in 2016 to RMB 257.20 per gram in 2017, causing 6.6% increase. As a result, approximately $91.9 million increase in brand production revenue was affected by the increase in our selling price. (3) The average unit selling price for customized production increased from RMB 4.26 per gram in 2016 to RMB 6.38 per gram in 2017, causing 49.8% increase. As a result, approximately $11.8 million increase in customized production revenue was affected by the increase in our selling price. The increase in branded and customized production sales was attributable to the Company’s strengthened sales efforts and the increase in the market demand during the current year when market price of gold increased, which stimulated and inspired the customers to increase their investments on gold.

We produced 51.9 metric tons of customized gold products in fiscal 2017, increased by 40.7% from last year, while we produced 51.5 metric tons of branded gold products in fiscal 2017, representing an increase of 33.9% from last year. 

Gold sales for the twelve months ended December 31,

Cost of sales

Cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2017 amounted to $1,809.8 million, an increase of $535.5 million, or 42% from $1,274.3 million for 2016. The increase was primarily attributable to higher volume of products sold in fiscal 2017, as well as the rising trend of gold cost in the market during fiscal 2017. The sale quantity increased 37.2% to approximately 103.4 metric tons in 2017 from 75.3 metric tons in 2016. In addition, the average cost of gold has increased due to the gold market price in 2017.

Gross profit

Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $199.9 million, an increase of $53.5 million or 37%, from $146.4 million for 2016. The increase in our gross profit resulted from the following factors: (1) Due to increased sales volume from 75.3 metric tons in 2016 to 103.4 metric tons in 2017, the Company’s gross profit and gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2017 was positively affected. (2) The increased in unit selling price also impacted the gross margin.

The unit price of branded production sales was RMB 257.20 per gram for the year ended December 31, 2017, while the unit price of branded production sales was RMB 241.33 per gram for the year ended December 31, 2016, the unit price increased by 6.6%. On the other hand, the unit cost of branded production was RMB 237.14 per gram for the year ended December 31, 2017, represented an increase of RMB 17.31 or 7.9% from RMB 219.83 per gram for the year ended December 31, 2016. As a result, the unit margin of branded production was RMB 20.06 per gram for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to RMB 21.50 per gram for the year ended December 31, 2016. Higher proportional increase in unit cost than unit price for branded products led the slight decrease in gross profit margin.

Our customized production sales volume increased from 36.9 metric tons in 2016 to 51.9 metric tons in 2017, and unit selling price in this segment increased from RMB 4.26 per gram in 2016 to RMB 6.38 per gram in 2017. The reason that the unit selling price of our customized production is significantly lower than the unit selling price of our branded production is in customized production, a customer supplies the Company with the raw materials and the Company creates products per that customer’s instructions, whereas in branded production the Company generally purchases gold directly and manufactures and markets the products of its own.

Our overall gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2017 was 9.9%, a slight decrease of 0.4% as compared to gross margin of 10.3% in 2016. The primary reason for the slight decrease in gross margin is due to higher proportional increase in unit cost than unit price for our branded production sales.

Expenses

Total operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017 were $13.9 million, an increase of $1.5 million or 12%, from $12.4 million for 2016. The increase was mainly due to a $1.5 million increase in the selling, general and administrative expenses. The increase in the selling, general and administrative expenses in 2017 was due to gold inventory insurance charges increased by approximately $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 comparing with the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase in such expenses was in line with increase in purchases of gold inventory during the year and the increased inventory level as of December 31, 2017 comparing to December 31, 2016.

Our provision for income tax expense was $9.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, decreased by $23.4 million, or 72%, from $32.6 million for 2016. The decrease was primarily due to the decrease in the net income before taxes from approximately $125.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 to $35.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 resulted from increased operating expenses as well as increased interest expenses of $78.3 million due to larger balance of loans maintained during the current year comparing with previous year. 

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Other comprehensive income was approximately $81.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to other comprehensive loss of $76.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 due to the unrealized gain related to investment in gold and the appreciation of RMB against the U.S. Dollar.

Net Income

For the foregoing reasons, our net income was $26.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, decreased by $66.7 million or 72% from $92.9 million for fiscal year 2016 as a result of the matters described above.

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2016 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2015  

Net Sales

Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2016 were $1,420.6 million, an increase of $420.4 million, or 42%, from net sales of $1,000.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. For the year ended December 31, 2016, our branded production sales accounted for 98.3% of the total sales and customized production sales accounted for 1.7% of the total sales. When comparing with 2015, our branded production sales increased by $421.2 million or 43.2%, our customized production sales decreased by $0.65 million or 2.7%.

The overall increase in our revenue in 2016 as compared to 2015 was due to the following combined factors: (1) total sales volume (in terms of quantity sold) increased from 56.5 metric tons in 2015 to 75.3 metric tons in 2016, causing 18.8 metric tons or 33.4% increase. As a result, approximately $331.8 million increase in our revenue was attributable to the increase in our sales volume. (2) The average unit selling price for branded production increased from RMB 210.45 per gram in 2015 to RMB 241.33 per gram in 2016, causing 14.7% increase. As a result, approximately $143.1 million increase in brand production revenue was affected by the increase in our selling price. The increase in branded production sales was attributable to the Company’s strengthened sales efforts and the increase in the market demand during the 2016 when market price of gold increased, which stimulated and inspired the customers to increase their investments on gold. (3) Foreign currency adjustment effect was approximately $49.1 million foreign currency translation loss converting RMB into USD when the average exchange rate of USD: RMB increased from 1 USD=6.2288 RMB in 2015 to 1 USD=6.6441 RMB in 2016.

We produced 36.9 metric tons of customized gold products in fiscal 2016, increased by 33.6% from last year, while we produced 38.4 metric tons of branded gold products in fiscal 2016, representing an increase of 33.2% from last year.

Gold sales for the twelve months ended December 31,

Cost of sales

Cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2016 amounted to $1,274.3 million, an increase of $312.4 million, or 32.5% from $961.8 million for 2015. The increase was primarily attributable to higher volume of products sold in fiscal 2016, as well as the rising trend of gold cost in the market during fiscal 2016. The sale quantity increase 33.4% to approximately 75.3 metric tons in 2016 from 56.5 metric tons in 2015. In addition, the average cost of gold has increased due to the gold market price in 2016.

Gross profit

Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $146.4 million, an increase of $108.1 million or 282%, from $38.3 million for 2015. The increase in our gross profit resulted from the following factors: (1) Due to increased sales volume from 56.5 metric tons in 2015 to 75.3 metric tons in 2016, the Company’s gross profit and gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2016 was positively affected. (2) The increased in unit selling price also impacted the gross margin:

The unit price of branded production sales was RMB 241.33 per gram for the year ended December 31, 2016, while the unit price of branded production sales was RMB 210.45 per gram for the year ended December 31, 2015, the unit price increased by 14.7%. On the other hand, the unit cost of branded production was RMB 219.83 per gram for the year ended December 31, 2016, represented an increase of RMB 12.84 or 6.2% from RMB 206.99 per gram for the year ended December 31, 2015. As a result, the unit margin of branded production was RMB 21.50 per gram for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to RMB 3.46 per gram for the year ended December 31, 2015. Higher proportional increase in unit price than unit cost for branded products led the increase in gross profit as well as gross profit margin.

Our customized production sales volume increased from 27.6 metric tons in 2015 to 36.9 metric tons in 2016, and unit selling price in this segment decreased from RMB 5.48 per gram in 2015 to RMB 4.26 per gram in 2016. The reason that the unit selling price of our customized production is much lower than the unit selling price of our branded production is in customized production, a customer supplies the Company with the raw materials and the Company creates products per that customer’s instructions, whereas in branded production the Company generally purchases gold directly and manufactures and markets the products of its own.

Our overall gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2016 was 10.3%, an increase of 6.5% as compared to gross margin of 3.8% in 2015. The primary reason for the substantial increase in gross margin is due to the increase of selling price per unit on our branded production sales.

Expenses

Total operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2016 were $12.4 million, an increase of $4.1 million or 49%, from $8.3 million for 2015. The increase was mainly due to a $4.3 million increase in the Selling, general and administrative expenses, and offset by a decrease of $0.29 million in the stock compensation expenses. The increase in the selling, general and administrative expenses in 2016 was due to increased expenses for gold inventory insurance and custody charges of approximately $3.45 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 comparing with the year ended December 31, 2015. The increase in such expenses was in line with increase in purchases of gold inventory during the year 2016 and the increased inventory level as of December 31, 2016 comparing to December 31, 2015.

Our provision for income tax expense was $32.63 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, increased by $26.29 million, or 415%, from $6.34 million for 2015. The decrease was primarily due to the increase in the net income before taxes from approximately $27.90 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 to $125.53 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 resulted from significant increased sales, gross profit offset by increased operating expenses as well as increased interest expenses of $72.2 million during the current year comparing with previous year. 

Other Comprehensive Loss

Other comprehensive loss was approximately $76.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to other comprehensive loss of $14.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 due to the unrealized loss related to investment in gold and the depreciation of RMB against the U.S. Dollar.

Net Income

For the foregoing reasons, our net income was $92.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, increased by $71.3 million or 331% from fiscal 2015 as a result of the matters described above.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2017, we had $5.0 million in cash and cash equivalents compared to $21.3 million as of December 31, 2016. As of December 31, 2017, we had $12.9 million in restricted cash compared to $60.3 million at December 31, 2016. This restricted cash (along with our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer’s personal credit) secures our obligations under our bank loans and gold lease agreements. We have financed our operations with cash flow generated from operations and through borrowing of bank loans as well as through private and public borrowings and offerings in the U.S. and Chinese capital markets, such as our placement under our commercial paper program with Shanghai Pudong Development Bank (“SPD Bank”).

As of December 31, 2017, we had total outstanding loans of $2,626.7 million (including $962.1 million short-term loans, $875.2 million from a related parties and $789.4 million long-term loans). As of December 31, 2016, we had total outstanding loans of $1,949.1 million (including $234.7 million short-term loans, $28.8 million loan from a third party, $460.8 million from a related party and $1,224.8 million long-term loans), representing an increase of $677.6 million, or 34.8%. The amounts outstanding under these loans are presented in our financial statements as “loans” the amounts outstanding under the third party loans are presented in our financial statements as “Third Party Loans”, and the amounts outstanding under the related party loan are presented in our financial statements as “Related Party Loan”. For additional information regarding our loans, please refer to Notes 5, 9, and 10 in our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-K.

We have maintained a close relationship with the banks from where we leased gold in the past. Therefore we expect that we are able to obtain additional gold leases from the banks, if necessary. We are expecting to generate additional cash flows in the coming period of time from developing new customers, expanding our sales through our online sales platform and an increase in our revenue in the following years due to the higher interest of inventing in gold to against the currency depreciation.   

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had positive working capital of $768.3 million and $459.9 million, respectively. We believe that our current cash and cash flow from operations will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs, including our cash needs for working capital for the next 12 months. We may, however, require additional cash resources due to changing business conditions or other future developments, including any investments or acquisitions we may decide to pursue. Our ability to maintain sufficient liquidity depends partially on our ability to achieve anticipated levels of revenue, while continuing to control costs. We continue to seek favorable additional financing to meet our capital requirements to fund our operations and growth plans in the ordinary course of business.

Cash Flow for the Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 

Operating activities:

We used $25.7 million of net cash in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to $74 million of net cash used in operating activities in 2016. The decrease of net cash used in operating was mainly due to the decrease in net income, increase in value added tax recoverable of $60.2 million, increase in inventories of $7.3 million for the increased production to meet our sales demand, offset by our increase in other payable and accrued expense of $4.1 million and increase in income tax payable of $4.7 million.

We used $74 million of net cash in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to $62.5 million of net cash used in operating activities in 2015. The increase of net cash used in operating was mainly due to increase in net income of $71.3 million, increase in value added tax receivable of $270 million, decrease in customer deposit of $21.7 million, and decrease in income tax payable of $4.6 million, offset by our decrease in inventories of $173.8 million for the increased production to meet our sales demand, increase in other payable and accrued expense of $8.1 million, and the increase of net income of $71.3 million.

We used $62.5 million of net cash in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $20.3 million of net cash provided by operating activities in 2014. The significant net cash used in operating was mainly due to the decrease of net income of $25.8 million and increase in our spending on purchase of inventory of $62.4 million when market price of gold was low.

Our net cash from operating activities can fluctuate significantly due to changes in our inventories. Other factors that may vary significantly include our accounts payable, purchases of gold and income taxes. Looking forward, we expect the net cash that we generate from operating activities to continue to fluctuate as our inventories, receivables, accounts payables and the other factors described above change with increased production and the purchase of larger or smaller quantities of raw materials. These fluctuations could cause net cash from operating activities to decrease, even if our net income grows as we continue to expand. Although we expect that net cash from operating activities will increase over the long term, we cannot predict how these fluctuations will affect our cash flow in any particular accounting period.

Investing activities:

We used $553.2 million of net cash for investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to $1,763 million spent in 2016. The significant decrease in the net cash used in the investing activities was mainly because of we spent less on investments in gold which was approximately $552 million in connection with our significant borrowings, cash payment of $1.2 million related to the purchase of property and equipment during the year ended December 31, 2017.

We used $1,763 million of net cash for investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to $28 million spent in 2015. The significant increase in the net cash used in the investing activities was mainly because of the investments in gold of $1,913.5 million in connection with our significant borrowings, cash payment of $19.4 million related to the construction for the Jewelry Park, and offset by the cash received of $171.6 million related to the transfer of the Jewelry Park.

We used $28.0 million of net cash for investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $35.8 million spent in 2014. The components of our cash used in investing activities for 2015 primarily included cash payment of $52.8 million to the construction company for the Jewelry Park construction work, plus $24.9 million construction payable to the construction company accrued during the fourth quarter of 2015. The increase in the net cash used in the investing activities was mainly because of the cash payment we made to finance the construction of the Jewelry Park.

While our net cash used in investing activities did not fluctuate much historically, we expect that cash used in investing activities will continue to fluctuate significantly in the short-term as we continue to obtain financing from the banks which may need to purchase more gold as collateral.

Financing activities:

Net cash provided by financing activities was $560.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared with $1,856.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The decrease net cash provided by the financing activities was mainly due to the fact that the Company repaid significant amount of bank loans, third party loans and related parties loans, but received less proceeds from various loans during the year, comparing to the year ended December 31, 2016.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $1,856.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $92.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The increase net cash provided by the financing activities was mainly due to the fact that the Company utilized additional short term and long term bank loans, as well as the loans from two third parties and two related parties.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $92.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with $15.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase net cash provided by the financing activities was mainly due to the fact that the Company utilized additional short term bank loans and issued a $62 million debt payable in fiscal 2015.

We expect that cash generated from financing activities may increase significantly as a result of additional financing being obtained to meet the needs of expanded production.

Foreign Currency Translations

We use the U.S. dollar as the reporting currency for our financial statements. Our operations are conducted through our PRC operating subsidiary, Vogue-Show, and our functional currency is the Renminbi (“RMB”). Foreign currency transactions during the year are translated to the RMB at the approximate rates of exchange on the dates of transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies on the balance sheet are translated at the approximate rates of exchange at the respective balance sheet date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing at the time that the asset or liability was acquired. Exchange gains or losses are recorded in the statement of operations.

Our financial statements are translated into U.S. dollars using the closing rate method. The balance sheet items are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rates at the respective balance sheet dates. The capital and various reserves are translated at historical exchange rates prevailing at the time of the transactions while income and expenses items are translated at the average exchange rate for the year. All gains and losses attributable to foreign currency exchange are recorded within equity.

The exchange rates used to translate amounts in RMB into U.S. dollars for the purposes of preparing the financial statements were as follows:

Total translation gain recorded for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $22,752,426. Total translation loss recorded for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $21,461,689. Total translation loss recorded for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $14,740,716.

No representation is made that RMB amounts have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars at the above rates or at all. Although Chinese government regulations now allow convertibility of RMB for current account transactions, significant restrictions still remain. Hence, such translations should not be construed as representations that RMB can be converted into U.S. dollars at the above conversion rate, or any other rate.

The value of the RMB against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in China’s political and economic conditions. Any significant revaluation of RMB may materially affect our financial condition in terms of U.S. dollar reporting.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

During the year ended December 31, 2017, we guaranteed payments for a non-related party of approximately $30.7 million (RMB 200 million) in bank loans. On April 12, 2017, the bank loans were repaid upon maturity.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, we also guaranteed payment for a related party of approximately $307.4 million (RMB 2,000 million) for two bank loans. The loans were repaid upon maturity in January 2018 and February 2018, respectively.

During the year ended December 31, 2016, we guaranteed payments to two non-related parties of approximately $36 million (RMB 250 million) in bank loans, and also guaranteed payment for a related party of approximately $144 million (RMB 1,000 million) in bank loan.

As of December 31, 2016, two non-related parties repaid approximately $7.2 million (RMB 50 million) in bank loans, and a related party repaid approximately $144 million (RMB 1,000 million) in bank loan, with the outstanding guarantee payment of approximately $28.8 million (RMB 200 million) for a non-related party in bank loans.

As of December 31, 2017, we had no leased gold outstanding. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, 185 kilograms and 2,782 kilograms of leased gold were outstanding, at the approximated amounts of $7.2 million and $101.8 million, respectively. The Company may sign new gold lease agreements with the banks when necessary.

Obligations and Commitments

The following table sets forth our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2017:

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. ASU 2014-09 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles when it becomes effective and permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The guidance also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. The guidance in ASU 2014-09 will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (including interim reporting periods within those periods), which means it will be effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning January 1, 2018. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, “Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue versus Net)” (“ASU 2016-08”), which clarifies the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations in the new revenue recognition standard. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10, “Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing” (“ASU 2016-10”), which reduces the complexity when applying the guidance for identifying performance obligations and improves the operability and understandability of the license implementation guidance. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-12 “Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients” (“ASU 2016-12”), which amends the guidance on transition, collectability, noncash consideration and the presentation of sales and other similar taxes. In December 2016, the FASB further issued ASU 2016-20, “Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2016-20”), which makes minor corrections or minor improvements to the Codification that are not expected to have a significant effect on current accounting practice or create a significant administrative cost to most entities. The amendments are intended to address implementation and provide additional practical expedients to reduce the cost and complexity of applying the new revenue standard. These amendments have the same effective date as the new revenue standard.  The Company’s current revenue recognition policies are generally consistent with the new revenue recognition standards set forth in ASU 2014-09.  Potential adjustments to input measures are not expected to be pervasive to the majority of the Company’s contracts.  

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, "Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business". The amendments in this ASU clarify the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. Basically these amendments provide a screen to determine when a set is not a business. If the screen is not met, the amendments in this ASU first, require that to be considered a business, a set must include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create output and second, remove the evaluation of whether a market participant could replace missing elements. These amendments take effect for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those periods. The adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-05 (“ASU 2017-05”) to provide guidance for recognizing gains and losses from the transfer of nonfinancial assets and in-substance nonfinancial assets in contracts with non-customers, unless other specific guidance applies. The standard requires a company to derecognize nonfinancial assets once it transfers control of a distinct nonfinancial asset or distinct in substance nonfinancial asset. Additionally, when a company transfers its controlling interest in a nonfinancial asset, but retains a noncontrolling ownership interest, the company is required to measure any noncontrolling interest it receives or retains at fair value. The guidance requires companies to recognize a full gain or loss on the transaction. As a result of the new guidance, the guidance specific to real estate sales in ASC 360-20 will be eliminated. ASU 2017-05 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The effective date of this guidance coincides with revenue recognition guidance. The adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued ASU No. 2017-09 (“ASU 2017-09”) to provide guidance to clarify when to account for a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award as a modification. Under the new guidance, modification accounting is required only if the fair value, the vesting conditions, or the classification of the award (as equity or liability) changes as a result of the changes in terms or conditions. ASU 2017-09 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. The adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In September 2017, the FASB has issued ASU No. 2017-13, “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605), Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), Leases (Topic 840), and Leases (Topic 842): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to the Staff Announcement at the July 20, 2017 EITF Meeting and Rescission of Prior SEC Staff Announcements and Observer Comments.” The amendments in ASU No. 2017-13 amends the early adoption date option for certain companies related to the adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 and ASU No. 2016-02. The effective date is the same as the effective date and transition requirements for the amendments for ASU 2014-09 and ASU 2016-02. The adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

The FASB has issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2018-02, “Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” The ASU amends ASC 220, Income Statement — Reporting Comprehensive Income, to “allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.” In addition, under the ASU, an entity will be required to provide certain disclosures regarding stranded tax effects. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to market risk from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, precious metal prices and interest rates, which could affect its consolidated financial position, earnings and cash flows. We manage our exposure to market risk through its regular operating and financing activities.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

We are exposed to fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. and Chinese RMB, which is the functional currency of our Chinese subsidiary and consolidated VIE. Given that all of our revenues are generated in RMB, yet our results are reported in U.S. dollars, devaluation of the RMB could negatively impact our results of operations. The value of RMB is subject to changes in the PRC’s governmental policies and to international economic and political developments. In January 1994, the PRC government implemented a unitary managed floating rate system. Under this system, the People’s Bank of China, or PBOC, began publishing a daily base exchange rate with reference primarily to the supply and demand of RMB against the U.S. dollar and other foreign currencies in the market during the previous day. Authorized banks and financial institutions are allowed to quote buy and sell rates for RMB within a specified band around the central bank’s daily exchange rate. On July 21, 2005, the PBOC announced an adjustment of the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar to RMB from 1:8.27 to 1:8.11 and modified the system by which the exchange rates are determined. While the international reaction to the RMB revaluation has generally been positive, there remains significant international pressure on the PRC government to adopt an even more flexible currency policy, which could result in further fluctuations of the exchange rate of RMB against the U.S. dollar, including possible devaluations. Over the past eleven years, RMB has appreciated 7% against the U.S. dollar (from USD1 = RMB 7.2946 on January 1, 2008 to USD1 = RMB 6.5064 on December 31, 2017). As all of our net revenues are recorded in RMB, any future devaluation of RMB against the U.S. dollar could negatively impact our results of operations. Our sales, costs and expenses of Chinese subsidiary and consolidated affiliate, when translated into U.S. dollars, can fluctuate due to exchange rate movement. A 10% increase or decrease in the exchange rate of the Chinese RMB would have increased or decreased net income by approximately $2.5 million for fiscal 2017.

Along these lines, the income statements of our operations are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates in each applicable period. To the extent the U.S. dollar strengthens against foreign currencies, the translation of these foreign currencies denominated transactions results in reduced revenue, operating expenses and net income for our international operations. Similarly, to the extent the U.S. dollar weakens against foreign currencies, the translation of these foreign currency denominated transactions results in increased revenue, operating expenses and net income for our international operations. We are also exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations as we convert the financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries into U.S. dollars in consolidation. If there is a change in foreign currency exchange rates, the conversion of the foreign subsidiaries’ financial statements into U.S. dollars will lead to a translation gain or loss which is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income. In addition, we have certain assets and liabilities that are denominated in currencies other than the relevant entity’s functional currency. Changes in the functional currency value of these assets and liabilities create fluctuations that will lead to a transaction gain or loss. We have not entered into agreements or purchased instruments to hedge our exchange rate risks, although we may do so in the future. The availability and effectiveness of any hedging transaction may be limited and we may not be able to successfully hedge our exchange rate risks.

Interest Rate Risk

We have market risk exposure arising from changes in interest rates on our interest bearing bank and third party loans and gold leases. The interest rates on almost all of our interest bearing loans are fixed. Our borrowings from banks and other financial institutions as of December 31, 2017, were approximately $1,751.5 million, and interest expense paid for these loans was $116.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.

For the year ended December 31, 2017, our weighted average interest rate was 8.4%. We expect the interest expense will be decreased since we may reduce the loans in the next period of 12 months. We currently have no interest rate hedging positions in place to reduce our exposure to interest rates.

Based on our overall interest rate exposure to fixed rate debt outstanding as of December 31, 2017, a 1% change in interest rates would result in annual interest expense change of approximately $1.2 million, impact income before income taxes by approximately $1.2 million for fiscal 2017. A 1% change in interest rates would impact the fair value of our long-term fixed rate debt by approximately $7.9 million.

Commodity Price Risk 

Most of our sales are of products that include gold, precious metals and other commodities, and fluctuations in the availability and pricing of commodities would adversely impact our ability to obtain and make products at favorable prices. The jewelry industry generally is affected by fluctuations in the price and supply of diamonds, gold, and, to a lesser extent, other precious and semi-precious metals and stones. In the past, we have not hedged our requirement for gold or other raw materials through the use of options, forward contracts or outright commodity purchasing, although we may do so in the future. A significant increase in the price of gold could increase our production costs beyond the amount that we are able to pass on to our customers, which would adversely affect our sales and profitability. A significant disruption in our supply of gold or other commodities could decrease our production and shipping levels, materially increase our operating costs, and materially and adversely affect our profit margins. Shortages of gold, or other commodities, or interruptions in transportation systems, labor strikes, work stoppages, war, acts of terrorism, or other interruptions to or difficulties in the employment of labor or transportation in the markets in which we purchase our raw materials, may adversely affect our ability to maintain production of our products and sustain profitability. If we were to experience a significant or prolonged shortage of gold, we would be unable to meet our production schedules and to ship products to our customers in a timely manner, which would adversely affect our sales, margins and customer relations.

A dramatic increase in the price of gold could increase our production costs beyond the amount that we may be able to pass on to our customers, which could adversely affect our gross profit margin and profitability. Furthermore, the carrying value of our inventory may be affected. Slight decreases in the market price of gold following the end of a reporting period could impact the carrying amount of the inventory at the balance sheet date and/or the following reporting period’s gross profit margin and profitability.

Inflation Risk

We do not believe inflation has had a material impact on our net sales, income from continuing operations, plans for expansion or other capital expenditures for any year during the three-year period ended December 31, 2017. However, we cannot be sure inflation will not have an adverse impact on our operating results, financial condition, plans for operations or other capital expenditures in future periods.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and
Stockholders of Kingold Jewelry, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Kingold Jewelry, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes and schedules (collectively referred to as the financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 15, 2018, expressed an adverse opinion.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and
Stockholders of Kingold Jewelry, Inc.

Adverse Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited Kingold Jewelry, Inc.’s (the Company’s) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, because of the effect of the material weaknesses described in the following paragraph on the achievement of the objectives of the control criteria, the Company has not maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

A material weakness is a control deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The following material weaknesses have been identified and included in management’s assessment as of December 31, 2017:

These material weaknesses were considered in determining the nature, timing, and extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the 2017 consolidated financial statements, and this report does not affect our report dated March 15, 2018, on those financial statements.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows of the Company, and our report dated March 15, 2018, expressed an unqualified opinion.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(IN U.S. DOLLARS)

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

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(IN U.S. DOLLARS)

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

KINGOLD JEWELRY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017, 2016 AND 2015

(IN U.S. DOLLARS)